picture semi-related, via www.funnyphotos.net.au

View full size photo »

In DC, even the Spelling Bee draws protesters

Do you hate children and reading? You are late for the Spelling Bee protest outside the Grand Hyatt Scripps National Spelling Bee. It's probably too late to get your bee suit, too. 

Four peaceful protesters, some dressed in full-length black and yellow bee costumes, represented the American Literacy Council and the London-based Spelling Society and stood outside the Grand Hyatt on Thursday, where the Scripps National Spelling Bee is being held. Their message was short: Simplify the way we spell words.

I kind of agree with the protesters, even though the venue might not be the best for their message. If we could just eliminate all the French-influenced words, I'd be happy. 

Mahoney had trouble gaining traction with at least one bee attendee. New Mexico resident Matthew Evans, 15, a former speller whose sister is participating in the bee this year, reasoned with her that if English spellings were changed, spelling bees would cease to exist.

I have a solution that helps everyone: We invent the Special Spelling Bee.