Does getting spanked make kids stupid?

On the CBS Early Show just now, they were talking about this study.

OK, everyone take a deep breath and repeat after me: Correlation does not imply causation

One possible hypothesis is that spanking a child somehow lowers that child's IQ. That's the idea that the news people seem to be taking away from this study. I haven't read the actual study, that may even be what the authors think. But it's never safe to assume that the mass media are accurately reporting the results of a scientific study.

Please take a moment and consider this alternate hypothesis: IQ is largely hereditary, and less intelligent parents are more likely to resort to corporal punishment.

President Obama: Baseball Commentator?

President Obama was on five different talk shows this weekend... something no other president has ever done. Maybe he did it because he had something important to say. But I wouldn't know, because I watch WRAL's news. And apparently, based on WRAL's coverage, the most important thing he had to say concerned the Yankee's chances of winning the World Series.

North Georgia Pastor Killed by Drug Warriors

Another Victim of the War On (some) Drugs:

Family seeks answers after N. Ga. pastor killed in drug sting

Read the story... it appears that this young pastor was leaving a convenience store when a black Escalade pulled into the parking lot, and a bunch of men in black t-shirts jumped out waving guns. He did what I would have done: he tried to get the hell out of there.

Yeah, they were yelling "Police! Stop!" But they were not wearing uniforms nor displaying badges. I'm sure no criminal would EVER yell "Police!" to get a victim to stop. And if he was in his car with the AC going and the radio on he probably couldn't hear them, anyway.

The surveillance video is posted on YouTube -- the freaking cops are wearing MASKS!
YouTube Video