h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Giant bore in my area: http://thenextweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/image.jpeg

RF

Some positive news for a change:

'Huge boost for lowland gorillas

The census found a previously unknown population
A census of critically endangered western lowland gorillas has shown that populations are doing much better than anyone expected.

The census found 125,000 of the apes alive and well in two adjacent areas in the northern part of the Republic of Congo covering 47,000 sq km.'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7544967.stm

But the sad thing is, that having discovered them, we'll now move in and destroy their habitat and them with it.

I saw that one in my newspaper this morning, made me feel good

Nigerian Mohammed Bello Abubakar, 84, has advised other men not to follow his example and marry 86 women.

The former teacher and Muslim preacher, who lives in Niger State with his wives and at least 170 children, says he is able to cope only with the help of God.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7547148.stm

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?in_article_id=254840&in_page_id=2

Identity parade to be held to pick out molester - will the recognise him, or do we all look the same?

War

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7548715.stm

Russian tanks are moving towards the capital of Georgia's separatist region of South Ossetia, which has been under heavy bombardment from Georgian forces.

Georgian troops are currently observing a three-hour ceasefire to let civilians leave the besieged capital, Tskhinvali.

Georgia is reported to have said any involvement of Russian forces in the conflict will result in a state of war between the two countries.

A meeting of Wikipedians near The Great Library in Alexandria:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121815517776622597.html?mod=hpp_us_inside_today

"We want the Demon, you see, to extract from the dance of atoms only information that is genuine, like mathematical theorems, fashion magazines, blueprints, historical chronicles, or a recipe for ion crumpets, or how to clean and iron a suit of asbestos, and poetry too, and scientific advice, and almanacs, and calendars, and secret documents, and everything that ever appeared in any newspaper in the Universe, and telephone books of the future...."

Stanislaw Lem

'Canadian border guards are under orders to prevent members of a fundamentalist American church from crossing into Canada to protest at the funeral Saturday of a Winnipeg man brutally killed on a Greyhound bus last week.

Westboro Baptist Church, a controversial Kansas-based sect, intends to picket the funeral of 22-year-old Tim McLean to tell Canadians his slaying on July 30 was God's response to Canadian policies enabling abortion, homosexuality and adultery.'

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/s...ry/2008/08/08/westboro-protest.html

I noticed that story, too. I particularly liked this bit:

>"Entering Canada by a U.S. citizen isn't an absolute right, and if you're coming here only to disrupt the social order and to promote what we consider to be bordering on hate crimes or hate language, they shouldn't come into Canada," Martin said.

"We're not going to allow these people to compound the tragedy of the McLean family loss, and Canadians simply won't tolerate these lunatics disrupting what should be a respectful service."<


I hope they make big asses of themselves at a border crossing when they get turned back. We aren't interested in having religious extremists mucking about in our country.

Hooray for Canadians!

and here's one for any U.S. voters that wander by this thread:

' McCain felt so comfortable at the event that he even volunteered his wife for the rally’s traditional beauty pageant, an infamously debauched event that’s been known to feature topless women.

"I encouraged Cindy to compete," McCain said to cheers.
"I told her with a little luck she could be the only woman ever to serve as first lady and Miss Buffalo Chip."'

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/16455.html


Presidential material?

Comedian Bernie Mac dies aged 50
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7551477.stm

my thoughts are with his family.

too many artists die too young.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/lincolnshire/7551856.stm

Small Plane Crashed At AAirField - Nobody Injured

And the winner of the "No Shit, Sherlock" Award for today is -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7549770.stm

"Children who cannot afford or do not want to buy fashionable brands face mockery and bullying, says research from a teachers' union."

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Next week - "Combing gets tugs out of tangled hair"

Olympics Opening Ceremony Fireworks 'Faked' on TV
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/08/olympics-openin.html

still neon...

neon - illuminated indication of something good and marvellous.

"I think that "cool" / "kewl" lost their meaning".
source: pheloxionary A2700325

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/11/france.immigrationpolicy

"The French anti-immigrant party, the National Front – campaign slogan: Keep France for the French – is selling its prestigious Paris headquarters to a Chinese university, it was reported today."

How ironic!

A cat is baffling his owner by wandering off at night before expecting to be collected by car every morning at exactly the same time and place.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7092301.stm

That cat has his owner well trained.

November 2007? You been saving that one up for a special occasion SWL?