Friday morning roundup:

I've got a calendar above my desk that I recently noticed features lots of obscure holidays I otherwise would have remained unaware of. For example, today is:

Independence Day (Macedonia)
National Day (Andorra)
International Literacy Day (UN)
Evamelunga (Cameroon)

So there's four new things you learned this morning. Four other things worth noting:

If you haven't yet caught wind of the controversy going on at Valley, here's a quick rundown. The Laramie Project is a play developed from a compilation of over 200 interviews collected in response to the brutal beating and death of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, in Laramie, Wyoming. Valley High School students have decided to perform it. As one would expect, some parents are outraged, citing foul language and the "promotion of a homosexual agenda."

The Register Editorial Board revealed plans this morning to tone down the language, setting the stage for an interesting debate. It appears all that's left for some to be outraged about is the appearance of acceptance of gays. It appears some intolerant parents and other individuals plan to use the September 18 school board meeting to express their rage over tolerance in our schools. Someone needs to be there to stand up for free speech and acceptance. I've penciled it into my schedule.

Next, we should expect to see more of this leading up to November 7, but State Senator Herm Quirmbach (D-Ames) has a letter in the Register today blaming Republicans for halting efforts to raise the minimum wage. I'm not usually one to toe the party line, but it appears this really is a party line issue, and it's a good reason to give Democrats control over the legislature.

Also, the Register finally noticed Selden Spencer's blog from Afghanistan. If you haven't been reading Spencer's blog, you should be, and this morning's Register story finally gave it the political hook it needed to be a worthwhile venture for a candidate less than 2 months from Election Day.

Finally, hat tip to Brian Cooper, who drew my attention to this story in the Centerville Daily Iowegian concerning an assault on Dan Ehl, the paper's editor. Ehl reported on a city council meeting where Centerville police recommended revocation of the liquor license for a bar. He was later attacked by the manager of the bar, who broke his leg and caused multiple facial injuries. There's no excuse for attempting to intimidate the press.

KL