20 MAR 06: GENERATION @

Our title is borrowed from a religious publication, which coined that phrase recently to describe today's Internet-using teenagers. I think most of them would pronounce that symbol "whatever."

The article with that title was a warning to parents about the now-notorious web site "Myspace." We mention it here because a Blackmon Road Middle School counselor has found some stunning postings there from that school's students. If they quoted this blog without permission, make them write me apology letters....

The counselor apparently went searching around Myspace, and found all sorts of shocking things posted by Blackmon Road Middle Schoolers:

+ Comments about drugs. And I thought these children would be too young to use Plavix.

+ Curse words. Would she rather the students said them aloud - maybe to a teacher?

+ Photos of "half-naked" students. Now this is more serious. Middle schoolers should be listening to Hilary Duff records, not Jennifer Lopez.

But the biggest concern for this counselor apparently is that Blackmon Road Middle School students have been posting their full names, addresses and phone numbers on Myspace. This is obviously risky to do - because who knows how many telemarketers write down those numbers, and try to sell magazine subscriptions.

Critics of Myspace say unsuspecting young people have posted all sorts of revealing things, which could put their safety at risk. I can understand why they're concerned. But if this counselor somehow thinks middle school students don't swear or talk about drugs - well, why doesn't she work at Calvary Christian School instead?

Before there were middle schools, they were called "junior high schools" - and I learned all sorts of shocking things during those years. Guys flipped towels and swore often in physical education class. And we never had to take off all our clothes and shower, after grade school recess.

My point is that middle school years are when young people tend to start trying to assert independence, and attempt to "act adult." If they're swearing, talking about drugs and posing in revealing outfits, we shouldn't be surprised. Jerry Springer is still on WXTX at 5:00 p.m., after all these years.

But how dangerous is Myspace, and is this counselor justified in her concern? Over the weekend I went to that website to find out. I searched the "blogs" section for Columbus -- and the first thing I learned was that some motels offer substantial discounts, if you click on a sponsored link.

A "Columbus" search in the blogs section of Myspace turned up 17 matches -- and none of them revealed anything related to Blackmon Road Middle School. So many the young people saw Friday evening's news and cleaned up their blogs. Or maybe their parents went online and did it FOR them?!

(No doubt the parents would have to check their children's blogs secretly. You know how many teens have told their parents in frustration: "You're in Myspace.")

The only mention of Columbus, Georgia I found was on a blog by a married woman in Ohio named "Secciness." I don't know why she chose that name - but I think it could apply to plenty of Southeastern Conference cheerleaders....

Here's what Secciness posted relating to our city: "You don't look cool if you lived in Columbus, GA all of your life, but have ATL next to your profile pic." At least she realizes Columbus is NOT an Atlanta suburb -- or is this a subtle slap suggesting we're backwards hicks?

E-MAIL UPDATE: Our Sunday scattershot of comments brought a response about one weekend event:

I took 15 partial cans of paint and many used spray paint cans and old anti-freeze to the Recycle Columbus event at the Civic Center..I just want to say I was appreciative of the organization and courteous manner of the volunteers..

It's nice to know you were treated well. But I imagine other people would be happy to accept those used spray paint cans - such as dropout members of teen gangs.

I think Saturday's "Clean Up Columbus Day" event at the Civic Center inspired the Cottonmouths hours later - because did you notice how many "junk goals" they scored in that 11-5 win?

We have one more e-mail, from someone who wants to send a message to - well, somebody:

Will the guy who is letting his pittbull run around in Edgewood at night please keep him at home..The neighborhood cat burglar can't go to work..

Now, now - this could be the start of a fun new Columbus tourist attraction. If Pamplona, Spain can have the running of the bulls, why can't Edgewood have the running of the pit bulls?

This has nothing to do with dogs - but the e-mailer's spelling of "pittbull" reminds me of the funniest moment yet in the NCAA basketball tournament. Did you see Sunday's game between Bradley and Pittsburgh? And did you notice the CBS scorebox on the screen showed the teams as "BRAD PITT"? So much for Jennifer Aniston watching....

OVERHEARD OVER HERE: A group of men is talking at church, and one brings up killing snakes in his yard.

"You can pick up and handle those snakes, you know," says one of the men recalling a Bible verse.

"I know. I pick it up after I kill it."

Now let's pick up other scraps from Sunday:

+ Which candidate for Congress says he was told to leave an event at an area airport? He supposedly showed up to campaign, and was warned police would arrest him. Apparently this airport doesn't need any more federal grant money....

+ The annual "Empty Bowl Brunch" at the Britt David Studio raised more than $4,000 for the Second Harvest food bank. Where I come from, an "Empty Bowl" event usually means the end of a poor college football season.

+ The NASCAR "Golden Corral 500" in suburban Atlanta was postponed by rain, and will be tried again today. Sadly, I don't think there's a Golden Corral restaurant at the track to take advantage of all the hungry customers.

+ Instant Message to the Fourth Avenue Car Wash: Ohhhhh. The sign is supposed to say "GOT Pollen." I saw it the other day without the T, and thought you were starving for business....

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