…a night without moon or star.
An interesting study shows that Americans, who are the MOST religious country in the developed world, are woefully ignorant about the Christian religion (and, I would bet, about other religions….).
Some of my personal favourite highlights:
- 10% believe Joan of Arc was the wife of Noah from the Book of Genesis.
- 75% of adults believe the famed Benjamin Franklin saying “God helps those who help themselves” is one of the Ten Commandments.
- 50% of high school seniors believe Sodom and Gomorrah were married.
- Only one in three Americans can name the four Gospels, while less than half can even name one of them. (Here’s a hint guys - John, Paul, George, and Ringo is wrong).
And for further fun, my much loved Cosmos, by Carl Sagan, done for Rednecks, courtesy of Family Guy.*
(*Its in Quicktime, which, yes, works nicely on Linux;) )
…is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrows is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding; and that there is always tomorrow.
This woman embodies courage and heroism and all that is good and right in the world. In these times of cynical despair, rejoice and be heartened that such as Irena Sandler live.
…if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Novell linked to ‘Windows cheaper than Linux’ statement.
What does it profit a company, Novell, to lose the goodwill of the Open Source Community?
…anyone can die.
You know, this is funny - and may I say, an appropriately silly way to go:)
| You’ll die from a Heart Attack during Sex.
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| Your a lover not a fighter but sadly, in the act of making love your heart will stop. But what a way to go.
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| ‘How will you die?’ at QuizGalaxy.com |
…but the beauty remains.
A place to turn when a newborn is fated to die.
There is no grief quite as poignant or sharp as this kind of loss, of birth and death mingled inextricably.
…but that had to be the 57th strangest. [footnote: he had a tidy mind]
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You scored as The Librarian. You’re the Librarian! Once a wizard, now an Orang-utan (due to an unfortunate magical accident), you refuse to be turned back for a few reasons: In this form, it’s easier to reach the shelves and hold more books; having the strength of five men makes people return their books on time; life’s great philosophical questions boil down to “when do I get my next banana?” You say ‘ook’ but are usually understood well enough.
| The Librarian |
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69% |
| Commander Samuel Vimes |
|
63% |
| Carrot Ironfounderson |
|
63% |
| Death |
|
50% |
| Gytha (Nanny) Ogg |
|
50% |
| Rincewind |
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44% |
| Cohen The Barbarian |
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44% |
| Lord Havelock Vetinari |
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44% |
| Greebo |
|
38% |
| Esmerelda (Granny) Weatherwax |
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38% |
Which Discworld Character are you like (with pics)
created with QuizFarm.com |
…against injustice. Enough committed fleas biting strategically can make even the biggest dog uncomfortable and transform even the biggest nation.
A nightmare for any parent, the death of their child. This was the death, in Iraq, of their soldier daughter. A sadly everyday tragedy.
But it wasn’t. The Army claimed that LaVena Johnson had committed suicide.
Yet, Army documents show that she had:
- Indications of physical abuse that went unremarked by the autopsy
- The absence of psychological indicators of suicidal thoughts; indeed, testimony that LaVena was happy and healthy prior to her death
- Indications, via residue tests, that LaVena may not even have handled the weapon that killed her
- A blood trail outside the tent where Lavena’s body was found
- Indications that someone attenpted to set LaVena’s body on fire
There is good evidence to suggest Lavena’s rape and murder. There is an online petition and more background details here. The petition urges the US Army to reopen the investigation. ( Coverage of rape coverups and denials, of women, serving in the US Army in Iraq, at Salon .)
Justice cries on this woman’s grave.
