Happy Winter Solstice!

And a merry christmas to those to whom it applies. :-p

Beach theft in Hungary

I know what you're thinking - how does a landlocked country like Hungary even have a beach? Well, the answer is, they don't... anymore. Someone stole it.

The country formed its own beach on the side of a river, but it has now been stolen - beach huts, playgrounds, sand and all. Read the press release HERE.

This, of course, makes you wonder a few things:
1) How do you go about stealing six thousand tonnes of sand (plus buildings and playgrounds)? Multiple trips? Get your friends to help? Sneak the sand out little by little in your shoes?
2) How do you do it without anyone noticing?
3) How do you come up with such an idea, anyway?
4) How can I get what they were drinking?

Holiday decorating

Perhaps Sheyl might be tempted to decorate her tree with THESE ornaments. The site even offers a free pattern to make this wonderful decoration that could adorn your house year round.

Common Sense

An update: 14 states are plan to or are currently rejecting federal funding if it is tied to abstinence-only sex education. "Why would we spend tax dollars on something that doesn't work?" asked Ned Calonge of the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. "That doesn't make sense to me. Philosophically, I am opposed to spending government dollars on something that's ineffective. That's just irresponsible."

Mythtickle

I thought Sheyl would enjoy this comic, since she yelled at me for decorating our little tree. :-p

Please tell me this is a joke

"Spiritual Water claims its product helps you 'stay focused, believe in yourself and believe in God"



I can only be happy that the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minn have some common sense about the matter.

Danger: Avoid Death

This years winner of the annual Wacky Warning label contest

"Danger: Avoid Death"

Earth has a bad case of the humans

I thought this had been posted to the blog and went looking for it, and couldn't find it. I'm posting it now for everyne else's enjoyment, and for my selfish desire to watch it whenever I feel like it.

On a very sad note...

It is horrifying and depressing that attitudes like this are still around in modern times. For a judge to state that a 10 year old girl "probably agreed to have sex with all of you" when the 9 defendants had already pleaded guilty to rape and then to give them 6 months prison time or 12 months on probation is utterly absurd.

on a happier note...

We appear to have increased our intelligence again.

Get a Cash Advance

email, education and evolution...

... apparently they should never be mixed, at least not if you want to keep your job as science curriculum director in the Texas Education Agency. Okay, so this article is more about anti-intelligent design than evolution, but I liked the alliteration. What is it about science that is so hard for the general public to understand in this country - I can understand not getting the complexities of genetics or string theory or the complicated dating techniques for rocks, but it seems as though the most basic of scientific ideas are still too difficult for the public to grasp. Don't believe me? Just look at the links to charts in the last paragraph. The US is statistically significantly below average in science knowledge (or at least the 15 year olds in the US).

What's even more frustrating about the whole situation is that politics inevitably come to play a role in it as well. Why would anyone in their right mind fire this woman for forwarding an email about a lecture? Yes, the lecture is on a controversial (not scientifically controversial, mind you) topic, but does forwarding notice about it necessarily indicate endorsement? I think absolutely not. Whether she believed in evolution or not isn't the point. As science curriculum director, I would think that it is her responsibility to promote and endorse a venue for discussion of science topics like the evolution-intelligent design debate (debate, hah, fiasco would be a better word).

Okay, sorry about the long rant. I suppose it's just a rant-y sort of day.

a new art form

Bacteria growth patterns - it's more interesting looking than you might imagine.

Energy Bill

More lovely work by the Republicans, this time in our Senate. The Energy Bill which would, increase fuel standards, end tax cuts to oil and gas companies, and increase renewable energy quotas for utilities will now be held up "indefinitely".

Another Aspect which the US has Backwards

China has now launched a safe-sex ad campaign featuring Jackie Chan and other Chinese celebrities promoting condom use to prevent AIDS/HIV. Unlike our current administration's policy of promoting abstinence only and covering their ears going "nanananan na, I can't hear you." to all the studies that show those programs don't work, and are likely fueling recent increases in teen pregnacy and STD's.

The Holidays

Donut/Cop High Speed Chase

After shoplifting eight giant red hot pickled sausages, Warren G. Whitelightning stole a Krispy Kreme truck, and did two laps around the parking before leading the cops on a high speed chase through Madison.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Verveer conceded that the scene described in the criminal complaint of several squad cars chasing a donut truck around the west side could elicit laughter from many.

"Because what you have is two different police agencies chasing the defendant in a stolen Krispy Kreme donut truck with donuts flying out of the back of the truck," he said.

Perhaps Wacked had one of these as a child. It would explain the affinity for hamsters. Sadly it was stolen.

Camping just went luxury

Of course no one is going to be throwing this in their packs to go hiking, but it looks like an interesting way to spend a night or two... or not.

We are alone

Australia has ratified the Kyoto protocol, leaving the US alone among industrialised nations in not signing. It won't actually make much difference in Australia's emissions since so many concessions were made that they can actually increase their emissions rather than cut them, though by less than expected if they were to do nothing.

a new job for melkor

watch.
it could be fun!