Stupid animal trick story of the day....

Priceless picture. Kinda like the 6 year old told to kiss his aunt. I know the Merchant Marine grad in the picture is excited, and has every right to be, but reading the article does bring a parallel to mind.

Mr. Whitney's sister, who works in an advertising office, had designed T-shirts for the 15 family members who attended the ceremony. Mr. Whitney's many difficulties in reaching graduation were emblazoned on the front of the shirt: 4,872 demerits ("painful"); four and a half years on academic restriction ("wounding"); two visits to the committee that weighs student expulsions ("agonizing"); two reprieves from the admiral ("necessary"); and six years of school with only an undergraduate degree to show for it ("humbling").

The back of the shirt, which bore a photograph of the midshipman and the American flag, celebrated his crowning achievement: "Passing all licensing exams, first try: Priceless."

4872 demerits? Is that normal? Though looking at it at least one of the people in this picture had to work for where he is.

(courtesy NY Times)