Another one for the "lunacy of officialdom" file . . .

Via my buddy Jerry, a couple of tales to warm the heart.

First up, this gem from Wyoming:

Police in Laramie, Wyo., cite teenage girls who threw french fries for 'hurling missiles'

LARAMIE, Wyo. - Three 13-year-old girls accused of throwing french fries during lunchtime at their school were cited for "hurling missiles," an adult infraction covered by city ordinances.

The principal of Laramie Junior High and a police officer had warned students during an assembly the day before the french fries' launch that if they threw food, they had to suffer the consequences, Police Chief Bob Deutsch said. The warning came after school officials had heard rumors of an impending food fight.

Oh Noes! A food fight!! Call out the SWAT Team!!!

Now, some observers are saying police and school officials went overboard, and even the American Civil Liberties Union weighed in.

"It certainly seems that this was an overreaction to a situation that could have been handled differently," said Linda Burt, Wyoming director of the ACLU.

***

City prosecutor Ashley Castor didn't return phone messages left Thursday and Friday. Principal Steve Hoff declined to comment, and schools Superintendent Brian Recht did not return messages.

Too damned embarrassed by the stupidity of their actions, I hope. Idiots.

And, speaking of idiots, here's the other story:

BUFORD, Ga. - Two off-duty officers from different police departments wounded each other in a gun fight in the middle of a road in an Atlanta suburb, authorities said.

Both officers suffered non-life-threatening wounds, police said. Their conditions were not immediately known on Saturday.

***

"It's been baffling to us why this situation even occurred," said Duluth Police Chief Randy Belcher. "It's an embarrassment to this agency."

Gee, ya'think? OK, so the story evidently is that one cop, Jay Daily of the Duluth PD, was involved in a "domestic assault" on a public roadway. The other cop saw this happening and intervened. Presumeably, Daily did not take kindly to this, and shots were exchanged.

Sad. Cops do have a lot of relationship problems, due to the stresses of their jobs. Most departments try to stay on top of this sort of thing with counseling and stress-management services for their officers. But what does his chief say?

Belcher described Daily as "an outstanding officer" and said he was suspended while the investigation is under way.

Yeah, outstanding. In the road. Shooting at another cop.

Good job, there, chief - that's the way to instill trust in the community.

Jim Downey