As we do occasionally, we offer a language quiz to keep you redoubtable readers on your toes.
The question today: Is the following situation ironic, or just stupid.
A newspaper in China has reported that nine out of 10 people who call a suicide-prevention line get only a busy signal.
The report mentioned that the stresses of living in China are causing suicidal thoughts to increase. So the country set up a hot line last year, which is now inundated with desperate callers.
And a busy signal is no help, according to a director of the Beijing Suicide Research and Prevention Center. He was quoted as saying quite astutely that the situation is "very dangerous because [callers] may be at high risk of committing suicide."
Duh. Ya think so?

Posted at December 09, 2004 03:00 PM