What On Earth?-Column #39, August 2005

Ah, here we in August. That, for most kids, means it's Back-To-School time. For a few states, including Texas, that means it's cheaper prices for your Tax-Free Weekend. While we're on the subject of school, that's where I'll begin.

Remember, in previous August columns, I talked about the issue of school uniforms? Well, some more districts are jumping on the bandwagon, hoping that dress codes like that will increase academic performances and reduce crime. Well, to me, and to several others out there, it's doing NEITHER. And it also takes away individuality. You can read more by clicking HERE. However, I've gone beyond the normal opposition reasons (those aforementioned) to say that Uniforms make each and every student not only alike, but also, unrecognizable. How? They each are wearing the same clothing, meaning they not only LOOK the same, but also ARE the same, leading to absolutely NO Differences between each student. None. Zip, Zilch. If I were a school superintendent, I would BAN UNIFORMS. If I were President, I would implement a Constitutional Amendment (and force States to do the same) to ban School Uniforms, and fine those districts whose school boards (superintendents included) who enforce "School Uniform" dress code policies (and any policies similar to them). I will NOT TOLERATE SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICIES.

While we're on the subject of school, Wilmer-Hutchins ISD schools are now defunct, along with the district, all because of financial troubles. The students are now in Dallas ISD schools, and it's somewhat of a change for some of the district's seniors. And what was to be a bright future for those seniors, may or may not bright for them now.

Now, onto the News. Last month, we watched as Sandra Day O'Connor, the Supreme Court judge who was the deciding vote in many historical cases, announced her resignation. As that happened, that sparked off a huge debate over who should replace her. We want someone who's a moderate, which she was. She was a moderate conservative, but at the very least, she was a moderate, and that's what counts. Her moderate views are what led to her swing votes in those cases. She was a Stanford alumnus (and spoke last year at my sister's gradutation from Stanford), and was nominated to the Court by the late President Reagan (who died in June of last year).

The violence in Iraq, as much as we'd like to see it end, continues. It is just a bloody mess over there. If I were President, I'd pull some troops out, just to avoid any more bloodshed. There's another issue where we've been debating in and out. There is not a clear winner as of yet, and there most likely won't be one.

Next category is Sports. Well, the world watched breathlessly, and it happened. Lance Armstrong, who not only battled cancer, battled the world for a chance at a 7th straight Tour De France win, and he got that win. He wanted to retire after 7 wins, and he got that wish. Now, the country watched when Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers punched a cameraman back in June. He was given a 20-game suspension that was ultimately reduced to 13. He also got to pitch in last month's All-Star Game, which the AL won, and, in doing so, give them homefield advantage in the World Series. For example, if we have another "Subway Series" in the Big Apple (Yankees vs. Mets), then that means the World Series will be played at Yankees' Stadium. If it were the other way around, it would be played at Shea Stadium, the Mets' home. And while we're on the subject of baseball; 10 years ago: Mickey Mantle, one of the most popular baseball players of our time, passed away at 63, a year after receiving a liver transplant to help him kick his drinking habit. After receiving the transplant, he spent time at Betty Ford Clinic, hoping for a recovery. It didn't happen, and as a result, that liver cancer that he was diagnosed with finally took his life.

Next category: Game Shows. It was 3 years ago this month that GSN (formerly Game Show Network) brought the Netherlands game Lingo to the US. The first season was taped in the Netherlands and featured US players actually being flown to the Netherlands to play. 3 years later, we're here in Season 4, with new co-host Shandi Finnessey (Miss USA 2004), replacing the blond Brit in Stacey Hayes of Season 3 (successor to Season 2 announcer Randi Thomas, the Hooked-On-Phonics spokeswoman). If you don't know the rules of the game by now (or you're a first time viewer), I'll explain them. So, watch closely.

The game is composed of two teams (Yellow and Red) of two players each. They're each given a Lingo card (one team gets even numbers, the other gets odd numbers) with 10 of its 25 numbers automatically marked off. The first team (Yellow) is shown the first letter of a five-letter word. They have 5 chances to guess the word. Letters that are in the word and in the correct position get an orange square, and letters that are in the word but not in the correct position get a yellow circle. If after 5 guesses, the team doesn't get the word, control passes to the other team. A team also loses control if they use a phony word, misspell a word, or take too long. In any case, when control passes to their opponents, the opponents get a bonus letter, in which one of the unrevealed letters is now revealed. But if there's only one unrevealed letter left, it is not revealed; so you can attempt to figure out the word yourself. When a team nails a word, they score 25 points and get the chance to draw 2 Lingo balls from their hopper. If the ball contains a number, it is covered up on their Lingo card. The numbered balls are blue, and there are also 3 red "stopper" balls (which, if drawn, cause the team to immediately forfeit control back to their opponents). If the team can cover up 5 numbers in a row; whether it be 5 across, up and down, or diagonally; they score 50 points (and from Season 2 on up, a bonus letter for Bonus Lingo, which I'll explain later), and get a new Lingo card.

In Round 2, the point values double (50 for a word, 100 for a Lingo), and there are 3 "Question Mark" (?) balls in the hopper, and they act as wild cards and can cover any open number on your Lingo card. Whichever team is in the lead at the end of this round is the day's winners and head on to Bonus Lingo while the losing team gets parting gifts. If there's a tie at the end of the round, a 7-letter word is played, with 2 letters revealed at a time, until only one remains. Whoever buzzes in correctly wins the round. If they miss, the other team gets a chance. If nobody gets it, the word is thrown out, and a new word. is thrown in. Now, this is where the fun really begins!

In Bonus Lingo, the team has 2 minutes to guess as many 5-letter words as they can. Each word they get right entitles them to $100 in cash and a Lingo Ball which they can use to complete their Bonus Lingo card for more cash and prizes. From Season 2 on up, the team is entitled to Bonus Letters (1 for the win, and 1 for each Lingo in the front game), which can be called for anytime (and 2 of the 5 letters are shown in each word to begin with). After the 2 minutes are up, their Bonus Lingo card is revealed, with 13 of the 25 numbers marked off. If the team can get a Lingo within the number of draws earned, they not only win the $100/word (there's to keep regardless of what happens), they also win a $4,000 prize package consisting of a Borders Gift Card, an Argus Digital Camera, a Croton Watch, and a Casio Pocket PC. For Season 2 on up, a slight change was made. 12 numbers were marked off, and only one number would equal an on-the-spot Lingo. If that occured, the team would win $5,000 cash and a vacation package (Jamaica for Season 2, and Harrah's for Season 3), or $10,000 in cash (Season 4). If they failed on the first draw, they would still go for $5,000 in cash, otherwise they end up with the $100/word from the first part of the round.

In Season 3, the show ran a Tournament Of Champions, which you can view the recaps for HERE. In the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, the winners still played for $5,000 in cash and a trip in Bonus Lingo; but when the finals came, that changed. The finalists were now vying for a Suzuki Verona for each finalist of the winning team, and that was determined by a 3rd round of the Front Game, with points tripled (That's 75 for a word, 150 for a Lingo), and the Question Mark balls from round 2 also carry over.

Well, that wraps up another column. Next month is the 4th anniversary of 9-11. With Thoughts and opinions next time, this is John Lee saying, "Go HOME!