File this one under "America might implode from stupidity"

Evidently, Rutgers University has paid Toni Morrison--Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison--$30,000 to speak at their graduation this year. Seems a reasonable sum for a Nobel Lauriate.

Ah, but!

In almost the same breath, Rutgers also paid Snooki, yes, that Snooki--Jersey Shore Snooki--to speak. How much did Snooki fetch? $2k more than Toni Morrison, that's how much.

The funniest part of this story is that somebody called Toni Morrison for comment on this issue, and her response was "I don't know her, and I don't care." Zing!

Of course, there are many caveats here. First and foremost, the university paid for Morrison, while the student association paid for Snooki. And evidently, Morrison cut her fees in half as a special favor for Rutgers.

Still, I think this is emblematic of a larger problem in America. Don't you?

*****

Now for my part in contributing to America's downfall through stupidity: Who do you think would win in a fight, Toni or Snooki? As far as I'm concerned, it's a toss-up.

VERSUS