In his first television interview since the election, Barack Obama promised to rebuild his country's "moral stature in the world" by pulling troops out of Iraq, shoring up Afghanistan, and closing Guantanamo Bay.
Ending war and torture is all well and good, just so long as this radical liberal agenda doesn’t lose the Bush administration’s hard-fought gains for America’s moral stature: abstinence programs and preventing gay marriage.
DALLAS - The pastor of a megachurch is challenging married congregants to have sex for seven straight days.
Congregants were enthusiastic about the challenge, until they found out that they had to have sex with their spouses.
Endangered red squirrels in the UK may finally be developing immunity to a disease carried by invasive non-native grey squirrels.
Wait, a British species is nearly annihilated because a foreign species came and spread diseases? Oh, the irony.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Jokes: human/animal hybrids, dinosaur dances, and nasty bloggers
Geologists say they have discovered prehistoric animal tracks so densely packed on a 3/4-acre site that they’re calling it a “dinosaur dance floor.”
And now we know what next summer’s crappy computer-animated Disney film is going to be about.
LONDON – British government overhauled sensitive science laws to allow scientists to use hybrid animal-human embryos. Also under the new laws: in-vitro fertilization clinics will no longer have to consider the need for a child to have a father when deciding whether to offer treatment to lesbian couples.
Yes, it’s good that they’re finally through debating the role of a father in a child’s life, now that they have to start debating the role of a cow.
NASA administrator Michael Griffin said critics in the media and on anonymous Internet blogs can "chip away" at morale by questioning the motives and ethics of engineers designing a next-generation rocket system.
Okay, I’m no rocket scientist, but even I know that telling anonymous internet bloggers that they have destructive power will not make them stop.
And now we know what next summer’s crappy computer-animated Disney film is going to be about.
LONDON – British government overhauled sensitive science laws to allow scientists to use hybrid animal-human embryos. Also under the new laws: in-vitro fertilization clinics will no longer have to consider the need for a child to have a father when deciding whether to offer treatment to lesbian couples.
Yes, it’s good that they’re finally through debating the role of a father in a child’s life, now that they have to start debating the role of a cow.
NASA administrator Michael Griffin said critics in the media and on anonymous Internet blogs can "chip away" at morale by questioning the motives and ethics of engineers designing a next-generation rocket system.
Okay, I’m no rocket scientist, but even I know that telling anonymous internet bloggers that they have destructive power will not make them stop.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Jokes: knocked-up teens, funky bacteria, and Kim Jong-Il
GLOUCESTER, Mass. - Schools in the Massachusetts city where girls reportedly made a "pregnancy pact" will allow contraceptives to be distributed - with parental consent.
Or, as it will be in another 4 months, grandparental consent.
A previously unknown arsenic-loving bacteria discovered deep in a former mine may provide a way to keep one the toxic mine sites from poisoning lakes and river systems.
That’s bittersweet, to me, because anytime that I’ve encountered bacteria from miners, well, I had to take antibiotics.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is vetoing a bill to fine motorists $35 for sharing the driver's seat with lapdogs or other animals. Republican Assemblyman Bill Maze introduced the bill, saying the practice is distracting.
Though technically, if the “lapdogs” are really distracting, they'll become “windshield dogs”.
The US and South Korean governments are alleging that Kim Jong Il has suffered a stroke, but North Korea maintains that recently released pictures prove he’s looking healthy and normal.
The US government does concede that in the case of Kim Jong Il, ‘normal-looking’ is relative.
Or, as it will be in another 4 months, grandparental consent.
A previously unknown arsenic-loving bacteria discovered deep in a former mine may provide a way to keep one the toxic mine sites from poisoning lakes and river systems.
That’s bittersweet, to me, because anytime that I’ve encountered bacteria from miners, well, I had to take antibiotics.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is vetoing a bill to fine motorists $35 for sharing the driver's seat with lapdogs or other animals. Republican Assemblyman Bill Maze introduced the bill, saying the practice is distracting.
Though technically, if the “lapdogs” are really distracting, they'll become “windshield dogs”.
The US and South Korean governments are alleging that Kim Jong Il has suffered a stroke, but North Korea maintains that recently released pictures prove he’s looking healthy and normal.
The US government does concede that in the case of Kim Jong Il, ‘normal-looking’ is relative.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Jokes: Ignoring First Nations, knocking over a 7-11 in a wheelchair, and fighting the scourge of Ladies Night
TORONTO - Aboriginal people have been granted the 102nd spot on a government-sponsored list of 101 things that most define Canada after online respondents pointed out that First Nations people, culture and symbols weren't included in the original tally.
Might seem like an embarrassing oversight, but keep in mind item #26 on the list of that which defines Canada: “Ignoring First Nations people, culture and symbols”.
One beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was the scene of diverse events last Sunday, beginning with a march to honor a patron saint, followed by the World Half Marathon Championship, with Children's Day celebrations at noon, and raucous Gay Pride celebrations in the evening.
The events were successes in their own right, and for a small contingent of fit, Catholic, hard partying gay parents, it was a perfect day.
WASILLA, Alaska – Long before her political rise, Sarah Palin gained local fame as a member of a state championship-winning basketball team.
Though not as well-trained as players from larger schools, Palin was an engaging player, with few specific game plans but a folksy, relatable free throw.
NEW YORK – A judge has thrown out a federal law suit by a man who says that ladies' nights at Manhattan nightclubs discriminate against men by offering women free or discounted admission and drinks.
The man hopes, on behalf of all men, that an appeal will be successful, ladies nights will be no more, and men can be free to enjoy bars unencumbered by those pesky, drunken, horny women.
Dallas police Cpl. Kevin Janse said Friday that a man in a wheelchair, armed with a bat and a knife, successfully robbed a 7-11 of 10 boxes of condoms and an energy drink.
One might wonder why staff did not try harder to stop the man, but I think they were just smart enough to realize that if a man in a wheelchair doesn’t even bother to bring a gun to rob you, he probably knows something you don’t.
WASHINGTON - A small asteroid was headed for a fiery but harmless dive into Earth's atmosphere early Tuesday morning over Africa, astronomers said in a first of its kind advance warning.
“It won’t cause any damage at all,” said scientists, “There’s no people in Africa, right?”
Might seem like an embarrassing oversight, but keep in mind item #26 on the list of that which defines Canada: “Ignoring First Nations people, culture and symbols”.
One beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was the scene of diverse events last Sunday, beginning with a march to honor a patron saint, followed by the World Half Marathon Championship, with Children's Day celebrations at noon, and raucous Gay Pride celebrations in the evening.
The events were successes in their own right, and for a small contingent of fit, Catholic, hard partying gay parents, it was a perfect day.
WASILLA, Alaska – Long before her political rise, Sarah Palin gained local fame as a member of a state championship-winning basketball team.
Though not as well-trained as players from larger schools, Palin was an engaging player, with few specific game plans but a folksy, relatable free throw.
NEW YORK – A judge has thrown out a federal law suit by a man who says that ladies' nights at Manhattan nightclubs discriminate against men by offering women free or discounted admission and drinks.
The man hopes, on behalf of all men, that an appeal will be successful, ladies nights will be no more, and men can be free to enjoy bars unencumbered by those pesky, drunken, horny women.
Dallas police Cpl. Kevin Janse said Friday that a man in a wheelchair, armed with a bat and a knife, successfully robbed a 7-11 of 10 boxes of condoms and an energy drink.
One might wonder why staff did not try harder to stop the man, but I think they were just smart enough to realize that if a man in a wheelchair doesn’t even bother to bring a gun to rob you, he probably knows something you don’t.
WASHINGTON - A small asteroid was headed for a fiery but harmless dive into Earth's atmosphere early Tuesday morning over Africa, astronomers said in a first of its kind advance warning.
“It won’t cause any damage at all,” said scientists, “There’s no people in Africa, right?”
Friday, October 10, 2008
Toronto Homes: the Entry
Upon hearing that I would be driving from Calgary to Toronto with a friend who was moving east, my grandmother told me that she would envy my experience of fall colors. Autumn in Alberta is lovely, but we do miss out almost entirely on the reds of the fall spectrum, including maples.
Another rarity in Alberta that is plentiful here: brick. Here on the Canadian Shield brick is handy and buildings are all the more beautiful for it. Even new suburbs feel less sterile here, more homey and substantial for being only partially covered in aluminum siding.
I can't resist a few posts counting the many ways I love the classic homes I'm seeing on my daily jogs through my temporary home neighborhood. To begin, doorways framed in stone:
Bonus points if the door isn't standard rectangular:
No bonus points if your beautifully framed door is excessively cluttered with wreath, planters, and lamps:
Aww, who am I kidding? I can't stay mad at you.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Another Toronto Pride Surprise: Me to We!
On Pride Sunday in Toronto, I happened to be wearing a new favorite piece of clothing: a t-shirt from Me to We [Responsible Style]:
Me to We [Responsible Style] produces ethical clothing for the socially conscious consumer. Not only are their garments ethically produced from organic cotton and bamboo, but a whopping 50% of their profits go to their charity partner, Free the Children.
And the shirt? Wonderfully soft, lovely color, and a fantastic fit, even for somewhat-freakishly-long-torsoed me. There are many other tempting styles on the website; I'll be making another order soon. They also do custom printing.
The delightful surprise? Some of the staff of Free the Children were out enjoying the festivities, and recognized my shirt! A great way to meet some very nice people. Here I am with Elysia Blake, Lauren Roach, Megan Barton and Jon Macindoe:
A pleasure to meet some of the people behind a great organization.
Me to We [Responsible Style] produces ethical clothing for the socially conscious consumer. Not only are their garments ethically produced from organic cotton and bamboo, but a whopping 50% of their profits go to their charity partner, Free the Children.
And the shirt? Wonderfully soft, lovely color, and a fantastic fit, even for somewhat-freakishly-long-torsoed me. There are many other tempting styles on the website; I'll be making another order soon. They also do custom printing.
The delightful surprise? Some of the staff of Free the Children were out enjoying the festivities, and recognized my shirt! A great way to meet some very nice people. Here I am with Elysia Blake, Lauren Roach, Megan Barton and Jon Macindoe:
A pleasure to meet some of the people behind a great organization.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Toronto Pride: A Real Lesbian Hero!
I ran across this girl in a beer garden on Pride Sunday in Toronto:
Her name is Poonam, and yes, her T-shirt does say "G.I. Julia, Real Lesbian Hero"! A friend of hers had the shirts custom-made for a fund raiser where they were all cheering on their friend Julia:
Mmmm hmmm! She does look like a Lesbian Hero, doesn't she? Dani Campbell ain't got nothing on that gal!
Needless to say, I need to get my hands on one of these shirts. More on this story as it develops.
Her name is Poonam, and yes, her T-shirt does say "G.I. Julia, Real Lesbian Hero"! A friend of hers had the shirts custom-made for a fund raiser where they were all cheering on their friend Julia:
Mmmm hmmm! She does look like a Lesbian Hero, doesn't she? Dani Campbell ain't got nothing on that gal!
Needless to say, I need to get my hands on one of these shirts. More on this story as it develops.
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