Fort Thomas cannon silenced

This story is almost too frustrating for words.

I told you in December about the school system of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, threatening to abolish its tradition of firing a cannon during football games because it had one accident in 40 years.

This threat was motivated by insurance company demands. My suggestion was that the school needed to find a better insurer instead of buckling under.

I also pointed out that several students at schools in my area have had their lives wrecked by classroom accidents that were the schools' fault. Yet no insurance company ever cracked down on the schools for that.

So now what did the Fort Thomas schools do?

To meet insurers' demands, the school board is retiring the cannon after 40 years. Of course.

Obviously, the school system worships insurers. Insurer worship is their religion - and they are trying to impose it on the community. In doing so, the school system is violating the First Amendment's requirement of separation of church and state.

How much is the owner of the cannon willing to sell it for? If we can buy it, we'd like to also find property within sight of the football field so the tradition can continue.

If that doesn't work out, here's what the school should do in the fall when football starts up again. If there exists a film of any firing of the cannon, this should be used in a video clip followed by a cartoon blast and a briefcase full of money exploding.

This clip should be shown on a giant screen during halftime.

I guarantee you the crowd will erupt in cheers!

(Source: http://www.kypost.com/content/wcposhared/story/Highlands-HS-Cannon-Permanently-Silenced/GmjwDZx4Lkm-rdgtx3XeKQ.cspx;
http://nky.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20090514/NEWS0103/905150354/Cannon+tradition+ends)