Is it a coincidence that Greg and I lose our internet connections a few days before Mercury eclipses the Sun?
- Germans born under a secret Nazi program to breed an Aryan elite gather and discuss their experiences.
- Do not adjust your browser settings, Rupert Murdoch is concerned about Global Warming.
- The Australian Prime Minister John Howard has concluded an emergency meeting with state governments to solve the nation’s crippling drought and water shortage crisis.
- Over at Newshog, Kat discusses some of the causes, effects and long-term consequences of climate change on water and food supplies.
- One positive aspect of environmental problems is that there is a growing push for alternative energy sources.
- Climate Change skeptics — a minority of scientists and politicians, along with the automobile and fuel industries — will go to extreme lengths, attacking and destroying careers and reputations rather than debating the evidence.
- Will a voter backlash against Republicans in Congress make Bush a lame duck President for his remaining two years in power?
- Monkeys that are abused as infants develop a specific brain change that makes them more likely to mistreat their own offspring, a new study shows. Monkey see, monkey do.
- The number of crimes against children in Japan remain disturbingly high, despite a slight decline from last year’s statistics.
- Heatwaves and drought are having dire effects on US agriculture.
- The Scotsman, bless their bonny hearts, have an excellent article about the drought affecting Europe and Asia.
- If overfishing and pollution continue amid climate change, our oceans will be dry of fish and overrun with jellyfish.
- Perhaps the answer to the jellyfish problem are these Japanese cookies. I’m sure Dan’s munching on some right now.
- A Californian doctor lands herself in trouble for prescribing marijuana to patients.
- Chronic Fatigue, once thought to be a hypochondriac’s dream, is now recognised as a genuine disease by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- UK researchers have applied for permission to create embryos by fusing human DNA with cow eggs. An ex-girlfriend of mine is a mad cow.
- Researchers have resurrected a retrovirus that infected our ancestors millions of years ago. I saw that movie.
- Archaeologists in Denmark believe they may have found another Viking-era stone engraved with runes.
- A review of the Baghdad Museum’s history, and what has happened to it in recent years.
- Stonehenge is destined for serious trouble, according to a new survey that lists tourism as a major cause of damage.
- A site rich in Neolithic artifacts has been discovered at a Berkshire sewage works.
- This Christmas stamp of Santa sitting on a chimney will discourage us all from being naughty. Or suspicious of “presents” left under the tree.
- Professor Jeffrey Meldrum continues to research Bigfoot, despite heavy criticism and ridicule from his peers. Is the North American Sasquatch a surviving relative of Gigantopithecus Blacki?
- Adoptions of black cats were banned by a Boise Idaho animal shelter over the Halloween period. It could get messy when it’s revealed Pilgrims traded black cats with Native Americans on Thanksgiving, and Santa’s sleigh was actually pulled by ebony felines, not reindeer.
- A fire-safety leaflet translated from English to Urdu urges evacuees to grab the nearest donkey when fleeing.
- An elderly Dutch woman died next to the grave she had prepared for such an event.
- A biography claims Harry Houdini was a spy who was murdered by a group of scheming spiritualists. The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America’s First Superhero by William Kalush and Larry Sloman (Amazon US and UK).
- The Scotsman has a great piece on Rosslyn Chapel’s Apprentice Pillar and its association with Masonic legend.
- A stunning astronomy picture of the day. Here’s another of Janus, Saturn’s potato-shaped moon.
- 400 years ago, before the invention of the telescope, astronomers were amazed by the appearance of a new star; the Kepler Supernove Remnant.
- Steven M. Greer discusses the circles of power behind UFO secrecy.
- Debate still rages over an official Defence Force photo that shows a UFO flying near the Royal New Zealand navy cruiser Royalist. Wow.
- Here’s an acidic review of a new biography about Timothy Leary. Timothy Leary, A Biography by Robert Greenfield (Amazon US and UK).
- Uri Geller claims a remote viewer led US forces to Saddam Hussein’s hidey-hole.
- Passengers driving a car in Poland witnessed two 50cm-tall, semi-transparent creatures emerging from a pinkish mist. I wonder if they breathed any of it in?
- Starting in September, the UK areas of Newbury and Berkshire have been inundated with sightings of strange lights in the sky.
- The Orange Orb discusses the UFO aspect of a Time magazine article that asks why some urban legends and pop icons persist and others are forgotten?
- A professor is setting up a webcam so you can help him find the Brown Mountain Lights, a centuries-old UFO mystery.
- An excellent article discusses Mel Gibson’s stunning new film Apocalypto, which focuses on the demise of the Mayans.
- We used to be annoyed at the snaps and crackles when playing vinyl records, but with CD technology, many music lovers miss those pops.
- John Howard says he is happy to meet with U2’s Bono to discuss human rights issues, but is a bit confused about who he is; Howard said his favourite song is Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time”.
- Despite his questionable taste in music, I’m sure Greg’s at the U2 concert in Brisbane tonight.
- Regardless of your taste in music, watch this video clip — it’s truly brilliant and awe-inspiring.
Thanks Kat, Pam … and the Sadistic Jellyfish of Doom.
Quote of the Day:
Every age has its massive moral blind spots. We might not see them, but our children will.
Bono