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

This is a cracker - Vegan to mark volunteer with hot iron in protest against animal cruelty

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2265109/The-woman-bringing-horror-human-branding-Britain-Vegan-mark-volunteer-hot-iron-protest-animal-cruelty.html#ixzz2IbAE69GC

So, she plans to bravely make a stand for a cause by courageously branding someone else? Weirdos.

Two points; firstly it's illegal, secondly no animals are branded in this way in the UK.

thirdly it's a Daily Mail made up story.

I suppose she could in fact be a vogon rather than a vegan

Is it?

And now I'm wondering how she can possibly think that her owning dogs is not similar to slavery. Did they sign a consent form too?

"Two points; firstly it's illegal"

I'd heard of the first of the two cases below, but found the second when looking up the references - interesting confliction

I'm not sure it would be illegal - the "Spanner" case said (after multiple trials, with enormous dissent between judges) that consent is not a defence against actual bodily harm
However the R v Wilson case specifically concerned branding - permanenent injury was allowed because of consent

Not sure which would count as precedent (the Spanner case happened later I believe)

However yes, I'm not sure where the bravery in branding someone else comes from

In anticipation of Robbie Burns Day
a popular ski-hill in New Scotland
is offering free chair lifts to anyone
wearing a kilt.

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/storm_watch_stories3&stormfile=Skiing_full_tilt__in_full_kilt__at_Ski_Wentworth_20_01_2013?ref=ccbox_weather_category1


It's minus double digits here, so many are admitting
that the extra layer helps with the cold even if it
tends to act like a sail making for balance issues.


~jwf~

jwf, what extra layer are you thinking of? The kilt being an extra layer to what?

From teh photo, the kilt is being worn on top of ski trousers, so yes, it's an extra layer.

(Cue all the old jokes about what's worn under the kilt - nothing, it's all in working order)

Opportunity, the Mars rover landed - 2004 Jan 25

Nine years ago.
Nine whole years. It barely seems possible (surely the moon landing was only that long ago? No? Oh).

What's more, it was designed for a life of just three Months.
Doff your hats, folks.

Is it still working and transmitting data back?

It was at the end of last year:
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130125.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21230686

Explosion at Iran's nuclear facility

Sounds a bit like the US or Israel has been at work - though possibly an accident

In the beginning there was The Word. And the people new The Word was Good.
Then came the Internet. And the people saw that it was Good.
Then came the InterPorn. And many people of Great Britain did rise and rejoice in its defence.
Then came the Twitter. And the yoof did rejoice.
Then came TwitterPorn. And the parentage of the yoof did gnash and wail:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21229764

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/29/julia-gillard-husband-prostate-doctor

"Australia's "first bloke" has landed himself in hot water over comments that men wanting to get their prostates checked should seek out small, female Asian doctors to perform the examination.

Gillard – Australia's first female prime minister – became famous around the world last October for her fiery attack on sexism and misogyny in a speech to parliament directed at the country's conservative opposition leader, Tony Abbott.


"We can get a blood test for it, but the digital examination is the only true way to get a correct reading on your prostate so make sure you go and do that, and perhaps look for a small Asian female doctor is probably the best way," Mathieson said to laughter across the room.


I'd totally agree with him...or any female doctor with a small finger!

Although considering you take more time getting into the position for a prostate exam than the examination itself it's a moot point!

There are at least 1001 more unpleasant medical procedures - it's just been built into something it's not by generations of unimaginative and unoriginal comedians.

There are 9 more unpleasant procedures?



Sorry, couldn't help myself

Yes, there certainly are nine. Maybe even more.

Apparently cats kill birds and mice American researchers have identified cats as one of the biggest threats to wildlife.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21236690

I particularly liked this comment "A spokeswoman for the UK's animal welfare charity the RSPCA said that a properly fitted collar and bell could reduce a cat's success when hunting by at least a third."


Wanna bet?

Yeah the level of comedic content has certainly
been lowered since the good old days when the
hole subject was taboo.

Used to be we had to make do with the classic
cupping of the scrotum and the doctor's order
to cough. Again. Again. Once more. What made it
funny was no one knew why they did this or what
they were looking for.

Yep comedy has come a long way since the image of
one man holding another's ballsack and ordering him
to clear his throat was the epitome of a good larf.
Ah yes, good times.


~jwf~