Cops in Thailand who litter, park illegally, arrive late, or break other rules will be punished with office work and a Hello Kitty pink armband they’ll have to wear at the station. From the Associated Press:

“Simple warnings no longer work. This new twist is expected to make them feel guilt and shame and prevent them from repeating the offense, no matter how minor,” said Pongpat, acting chief of the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok.

“(Hello) Kitty is a cute icon for young girls. It’s not something macho police officers want covering their biceps,” Pongpat said. [Yahoo]

For more go here.

Here’s my worry. If this mode of punishment comes over to the U.S. churches, youth pastors all over America will be forced to wear Mark Schultz t-shirts, Michael W. Smith belt buckles, or even Carmen temp tattoos every time they leave the sanctuary dirty. The Horror! This is scary stuff. Why can’t we just take a good caning and get it over with!

One of the perks of being in youth ministry is the fact that we get free music!

I’ve been listening nonstop to Skillet’s new album Comatose.

Great lyrics, great energy, great message! Great 80’s esque rock ballads. Listen to it here.

4 our of 5 picks

My scale:

1-(just plain awful) starfield or K-Fed  or Amy Grant

2- (at least I’m not gagging) Kenny G or Michael W. Smith or Carmen or any American Idol contestant/winner

3- (I won’t turn the dial on the radio if it comes on) Newsboys or Casting Crowns or Bryan (or Ryan) Adams

4- (I will buy this one - so should you) Switchfoot or Third Day or Aerosmith

5-(I am in the presence of greatness! If you don’t own this, I’ll pray for your soul) U2 or Crowder or the Foo Fighters

Come thou fount.

As I’ve said before, these guys are good. And it really says something when they kick it live! I’ve seen so many bands that sound good in the studio, but suck live. These guys are the real deal.