Big Shot

Yesterday, we spoke of the folly of chugging 25 energy drinks.

Today, as much as I wish it weren't necessary to even bring it up, we need to spend a moment on the non-salubrious effects of shooting each other in the head with a pistol.

The location is a restaurant in Memphis and the event is the "No Lackin' Challenge," the latest fad in a year that began with children biting down on detergent pods. My wood-workin' whittling Dad used to know an old guy who demanded a dollar payment from any of his friends who couldn't produce a pocket knife on demand, but this challenge means that you'd better be able to show your friend a shooting iron if he asks to see yours.

You can go on the YouTube thing and see videos of this nonsense. It's just supposed to be an excuse to pull out your substitute phallus and show it off. No bullets are supposed to be fired.

But at the restaurant, E's Cafe on Union Avenue, a 17-year-old guy was shot right in the melon.

According to police, 21-year-old Sherman Lackland was sitting in a booth with two friends, playing the No Lackin Challenge, when he reportedly, accidentally, shot his friend.

Thomas Fitzpatrick was inside E's, and says there was a "a real loud bang, then I see the guy across from him fall in the floor."

There's no report on the condition of the young man shot, but Lackland is now facing charges for playing this dumb game.

Memphian West Moore spoke for all sensible souls when he said, "It's something that you shouldn't tamper with. It's too many kids being killed as it is."

So we wrap up another week of Tips For Healthy Living by reminding all people of all ages and genders not to eat soap, or chug-a-lug dozens of caffeine drinks, or shoot others in the head.

We really should set the bar a little higher, no?