One of the things that’ll keep ya sane in the news business is learning to get a laugh out of the misfortunes of others. This time it was the bizarrely gruesome story of Craig N. Shank, who got in an argument over some coke, stabbed a guy, then raped a chick before slashing her throat and trying to burn down the house. The house just happened to belong to the girl’s father, who just happened to be one of the firefighters on the run to put out the fire. Add entry #2,741 to things I hope I never have to go through.

Anyway, Shank was officially charged with rape, murder and arson yesterday, which immediately turned my attention from the horrific nature of his crime to the scene in Blazing Saddles with the bandits in line in the desert.

“What are your crimes?”
“Rape, murder, arson and rape.”
“You said rape twice.”
“I like rape.”
As a news story? Not so funny.

As a reference to classic theater? Out-freaking-standing!