Turtle Soup's On

Glen Phillips, age 15, will forever be remembered as the brave slayer of a helpless, old alligator turtle whom he first abused by sticking him in "a pool of shallow water in a john boat," against state law. A Fish & Wildlife spokesman says one caller offered him "$500 if they released back into the river. No questions asked."

The Chamber of Commerce should have paid him five times that amount, just to burnish the reputation of Northwest Florida. Too late, now.

Dinner Invitation

When in Pace, Florida, eat at the Phillips home. And pick up home decorating tips at the same time!

Deeply Religious Thought

Pensacola News Journal, Sunday, August 3, 2008:

The Phillips family has many mounted turtle heads in their home, but they are not sure what they're going to do with Goliath.

"I'm not going to kill this one yet," Glen said.

If there is a god who toys around with reincarnation, let's hope she brings this young fellow back some day as turtle food.