Insert a Trite Metaphor for a Corral #37
Posted on January 25, 2007
in Roundup
Pundits seem to only want to watch the [[Scooter Libby]] trial out of the corner of their eyes, preferring to spread their focus across a panorama of topics including Bush’s new Iraq plan, the indictment of Israel’s president, and the suddenly visible 2008 presidential campaign:
The Washington Post has put up a page where you can get information about the candidates in the 2008 election. “The 2008 presidential race is expected to be the first in decades that won’t include a sitting president or vice president in the field of candidates vying for the White House,” says the header message. It promises to be an interesting two years.
What do you think about this web site?
The oldest man in the world died in Pueto Rico of all places. He was 115 years old. There’s something to be said for tropical living, if you can avoid the fevers and the parasites.
Cambodia’s jungle girl is trying to speak.
[[Placido Domingo|Placido Domingo’s]] voice has gone down a few notes, but he will reenter the world of opera once more as a baritone.
A recent study uncovered a bevy of anti-Islamic images in the cinema. Among the films promoting “crude and exagerrated stereotypes” are Raiders of the Lost Ark, Aladdin, and The House of Sand and Fog.
The strange story of gay sheep continues. Dr. Charles Roselli now faces new opposition to his studies — not from fundamentalists who fear that the example of homosexual rams might inspire their children but from animal rights activists who dread that the sheep might be subjected to prenatal treatments that would eliminate homosexuality from the breeding stock. Even sheep have rights to love as they please, the argument goes.
If you are into the latest fashion of disposable clothing, you are adding to [[global warming]]. Did you know: “Sixty percent of the carbon emissions generated by a simple cotton T-shirt comes from the 25 washes and machine dryings it will require.” The solution? Polyester.
White students at Texas’ Tarleton State University threw a blackface Martin Luther King Day party. “School officials have launched an investigation into the party and the university’s president, Dennis P. McCabe, has denounced the photos as despicable. In a subsequent post, Pelz–who has yanked the party photos from his Facebook page–stated that the party was not meant to be “racist or discriminating.” Yeah, right, Billy Bob. The sport also seems to have caught on in Connecticut.
Princess Lolwah Al-Faisal of the House of Saud said that she would allow women to drive in her country. The princess says that Saudi women can work in many professions once prohibited to them, but that the driving ban necessitates that they hire drivers — a cost that many poorer families just can’t afford.
An AP technology writer just doesn’t get (is this surprising?) why it is unethical for big companies to hire people to edit their entries in Wikipedia.
A unique biota has been discovered below what used to be Antarctica’s Larson Ice Shelf.
There is merit to be found in “security theater: security primarily designed to make you feel more secure.” Some of it is a waste of money, however.
A roving microwave is the latest American weapon ready to be deployed on the battlefield. The Guardian calls it “a heat ray gun”. The device looks nothing like the sleek pistols de rigeur ever since [[Buck Rogers]] took to space.
If you find any articles worthy of mention in these roundups, send the URL to gazissax at best dot com. And feel free to comment!
