Named in honor of Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, the Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it.”

 

Sir:

 

I have been reading of the precipitate demise of the high profile, high speed nationalist Austrian politician Joerg Haider which I think brings up  a certain number of matters which are of concern to this forum. As I understand it the circumstances of his fatal accident combined hyper-aggressive driving, quantities of alcohol, a government car paid for by taxpayers, and speeds well more than twice the posted legal limit.

 

Moreover, I would say that he is to be retrospectively congratulated since the high speed accident claimed no other victims. Very thoughtful.

 

Now this would seem to qualify the defunct fully for this year’s Darwin Awards. (Again for those of you who may not know them: “Named in honor of Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, the Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it.”)

 

As you will see if you go their website at http://www.darwinawards.com/darwin/darwin2008.html there are some very aggressive candidates already posted for this year’s prize, however if one of you were to draft a  strong application of the Heider accomplishment  I am sure he will be extremely well placed to sweep the top award for 2008.

 

I will be pleased to second your nomination as soon as one of your group has posted it. Perhaps the group can be informed of this when it is accomplished?

 

Faithfully,

 

Lt. B. F. Pinkerton, (retired)

Nagasaki, Japan

bfpinkerton@...