When is Graduation?

Please note in the far left of the photo where the flying newspaper can be seen.

Its approaching the second year anniversary when I hope the MR/DD (Mentally Retarded/Developmentally Disabled) adult male (and likely ward of the State) might earn an Associates Degree in Newspaper Tossing.

They might even become a Certified Newspaper Tosser Level II as the result of their riding in the back seat of a State Owned Vehicle as they and the State Employee driver deliver the Wednesday edition of the StatesmanJournal's weekly publication "Salem Today" which is a shell used to deliver grocery ads and fast food advertisements.

Advertisements the StatesmanJournal has been Paid to print and Deliver to thousands of residences across the greater Salem/Keizer area.

Note: Some call these deliveries wholesale littering but that isn't any greener than killing trees, or is it?

Although the driver and assistant (who takes the shotgun seat) have changed over the many moons the student has remained constantly the same every week (save one week when I suppose he was ill) starting almost two years ago and soon after the increase in gas prices gave reason for the Paid Delivery Contractor to give up the efforts finding the operational costs exceeded the income.

I must admit the thought entered my mind this every Wednesday delivery effort might well be a pay-back to the SJ by DHS for their news coverage of circumstances that might have occurred over the past few years.

But then, I'm always looking for the dark side of situations I discover when Government Agencies "Partner With" private business in what looks as potential shams and charades.