Couldn't let the month go by without commenting at length on the subject, could we? Actually, I'd very much intended to, but then I happened to catch the latter half of this "That's So Raven" episode. If you get around to reading it, lemme know what you think of the article. Later!

Take that, Oprah Winfrey!

I mean that, people. And for an amusing treat, head on over to Scary-Crayon for a couple of relevant articles: a review of Triton's Chocolate Dipped Banana Bits and a rather... thorough assessment of LifeStyles Flavored Condoms! Craziness. It's also kind of interesting that I reference sex ed courses in both of the pieces, since my view of sex in those days still very much represents my attitude towards and understanding of the topic. As in those days, sex isn't something that I think much about at all (except in the joking way reflected in many of the SC Hot Flashes), and while I had crushes at that age and continue to have them, I guess, my romantic fantasies involve moonlit jogs in the park and falling asleep together on the couch watching indie horror films -- not Barry White and naked bedroom romps.

Now that I think about it, it's kind of weird that they taught and continue to teach sex ed to kids at that age, given that the kids who were interested in sex and/or sexually active already knew far more than the courses intended to teach, whereas the rest of us fell into fits of laughter whenever the teacher said "penis" and "vagina". Are the schools trying to sexualize America's youth? I wonder if that's part of their hidden agenda. Hmmm.

Anyway, if you want to celebrate the day with some Teen Titans video goodness, check out this Terra and Beast Boy tribute by amvfan. And if you dig Terra and want to see more of her (why wouldn't you? Terra rocks!), check out this and this too.

Happy V-Day, minna-san! Ja ne.

Curse you, TAB.

You may get a kick out of the 75th Dusty Plastic HELL: Hot Flash.

From Around the Nation in today's Washington Times:

RHODE ISLAND
Boy investigated for violent essay

WEST WARWICK -- The Secret Service is investigating a seventh-grader who wrote a school essay that authorities say advocated violence against President Bush, talk show host Oprah Winfrey and others.

The boy's homework assignment for English class was to write what he would do on a perfect day. In addition to the president and Miss Winfrey, the boy wrote that violence should be directed at executives of Coca-Cola and Wal-Mart, police and school officials said.

"His perfect day would be to see the destruction of these people," Superintendent David Raiche said.

Authorities would not identify the boy or his teacher or release a copy of the essay.

The boy has been temporarily barred from school.

Seriously, what's suspending the kid supposed to do? He's obviously smarter than everyone at the school as it is! Admit him to Harvard Yale already.