Overboard would be an understatement...

I have worked with some kids who have spent so much energy trying to get out of trouble, if they would have spent half that energy doing the right thing, they wouldn't be in trouble in the first place. My educated guess says that this woman never did learn that lesson:

DES MOINES, Iowa -- An investigation concluded that a Des Moines woman faked her own death to avoid paying traffic tickets.Polk County investigators said Kimberly Du, 36, faked her own obituary and forged a letter telling a Polk County judge she was dead.Du is spending time in the Polk County Jail in connection with a forgery charge.Court documents show that Du tried to avoid paying several tickets by sending a letter to the courthouse.The letter is allegedly signed by Du's mother and said Du died on Dec. 5, according to court documents.Investigators said the information submitted include a phony obituary made to look like a page from The Des Moines Register's Web site that said Du died in car accident, and her mother's signature was forged.Du's mother said she didn't write or sign the letter. It's a case that leaves a legal expert scratching his head."

And in the "goes without saying" department:

The state still has to convince a jury of 12, but faking your own death is not a good idea," said Bob Rigg, of the Drake Law Clinic.

Well, neither is believing a CBS poll, but I guess when it comes down to it, there's no stopping stupid.

(Filed under miscellany)