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Nature shows the way
Jan. 28th, 2010 09:09 amNot only is homosexuality entirely natural, as evidenced by penguins, wolves, seagulls, and more, but so is divorce as evidenced by supposedly ever-faithful swans.
First steps of US on Global Warming
Dec. 15th, 2007 09:56 amAfter a week of heated argument (and "boos") with other countries in Bali, US Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky finally agreed to an amended compromise statement. According to the NY Times,
CNN:
BBC:
So as far as I can tell, this is again an agreement with no teeth. The US has agreed to no tangible results whatsoever. It's progress in that we've agreed that Something Needs To Be Done and therefore are acknowledging that global warming is taking place, but all we've agreed to so far is to continue talking. Well, better that than nothing.
The agreement notes the need for "urgency" in addressing climate change and recognizes that "deep cuts in global emissions will be required." Still, it does not bind the United States or any country to commitments on reducing greenhouse pollution.
CNN:
The EU wanted an agreement to require developed countries to cut their emissions by 25 to 40 percent of 1990 levels by 2020. The United States opposes those targets, along with Japan and Canada. The latest draft of the agreement removes the specific figures and instead, in a footnote, references the scientific study that supports them.
BBC:
The US and the EU earlier agreed that industrialised countries would not set firm emissions targets at this stage. The "Bali roadmap" initiates a two-year process of negotiations designed to agree a new set of emissions targets to replace those in the Kyoto Protocol.
...
The document coming out of the meeting, the "Bali roadmap", contains text on emissions cuts, the transfer of clean technology to developing countries, halting deforestation and helping poorer nations protect their economies and societies against impacts of climate change such as rising sea levels and falling crop yields. The roadmap sets the parameters and aims for a further set of negotiations to be finalised by the 2009 UN climate conference, to be held in Denmark.
So as far as I can tell, this is again an agreement with no teeth. The US has agreed to no tangible results whatsoever. It's progress in that we've agreed that Something Needs To Be Done and therefore are acknowledging that global warming is taking place, but all we've agreed to so far is to continue talking. Well, better that than nothing.
Muhammed Teddy Bear
Nov. 30th, 2007 07:34 amIn Sudan in an Anglican school, a teacher allowed her kindergarten class to name a teddy bear Muhammed. This, apparently, is an insult to Muhammed and perhaps against the whole graven image thing. "The BBC has learned the charge could lead to six months in jail, 40 lashes or a fine. ... The school's director, Robert Boulos, ... told the BBC he was confident she would not face a jail sentence." The teacher is a British citizen.
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framefolly)
ETA: She's been sentenced to 15 days prison and then deportation. So long's she survives it, I think that's better than lashes.
(linked by
framefolly)ETA: She's been sentenced to 15 days prison and then deportation. So long's she survives it, I think that's better than lashes.
WoW virus?
Aug. 27th, 2007 11:14 pmAny WoW players here encounter this virus? I thought there were a heckofalot of you, and yet I hadn't heard anything about this happening. Was it only "released" in limited areas?
Do these two events in conjunction make anyone else nervous? I'm not the most terrorist-happy person out there, but...
FYI my family isn't in the affected area of NYC.
ETA: As of 4pm, they hadn't determined the source of the smell in NYC. BBC also had an article on it.
FYI my family isn't in the affected area of NYC.
ETA: As of 4pm, they hadn't determined the source of the smell in NYC. BBC also had an article on it.
CTYers beware
May. 3rd, 2006 05:03 pmWhen you push your kids too hard, things like this can happen. I wonder why the defense didn't file a counter-claim of emotional and psychological abuse against the surving parent.
Capital conundrum
May. 2nd, 2006 11:56 pmI'd bet you that most Americans would think that this death penalty was wrong (or at least distasteful), while most (vocal) Americans feel that this one would be just, or at least understandable. Why? Where do we draw the line?
French play with the budget
Apr. 27th, 2006 11:07 pmI wish we would do this here. Heck, and then base our own budget upon what the people in the simulation like - they'd have to actually rate what scenarios they prefer, not just count how long people did each one, otherwise it'd be like people who play the Sims just to kill their characters. Hm, distributed budgeting, now that's an idea!
It seems one of the Papal runner-ups is an extreme liberal radical. Cardinal Martini (of Italy) has said that condoms can be used by married couples in which one partner has AIDS. Shocking! Maybe next year they'll admit that bicycles are permissible!
Homophobia?
Apr. 17th, 2006 09:09 amIs there another word stronger than "homophobia," that specifically means hatred of homosexuals?
Value of life
Apr. 14th, 2006 11:39 pmThe ongoing saga to rescue Molly the cat intrigues me in how much effort people are willing to go to. The cat is trapped (?) in the walls of a historic building, and either refuses to or is unable to come out. They've tried luring her with fresh fish, catnip, and whale songs, and now they're chopping out bricks from the wall despite the building's protected status.
So should they destroy the whole building just to save a measly mouser? What if it was someone's dog? What if it were only a pet rat? What if it were a child? What if it were a child molester?
The edifice is part of a historic district where alterations are banned without permission - but officials told rescuers they should "do whatever is necessary to recover the cat".
So should they destroy the whole building just to save a measly mouser? What if it was someone's dog? What if it were only a pet rat? What if it were a child? What if it were a child molester?
