Remember the pirate ship that was sunk by the Indian warship last week? Well, it turns out that it was a Thai fishing vessel that had itself been seized by pirates earlier the same day.
The Thai boat had previously reported that it was under attack, and the crew had asked the British for assistance. But before more details could be gathered, its radio went silent. Pictures of the captured boat were broadcast to other naval vessels in the area but its unclear if the Indians got the message since they operate on a different frequency.
A Canadian crew member was rescued by another fishing boat after spending four days in the water. Fourteen more of the original crew members remain missing.
For their part, the Indians say they only fired in self defense after the pirates on the ship shot at them. Sad as it is, the situation points out the difficulty of policing that vast area of ocean.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
After All, The Catholic Church Is Never Wrong
Researchers in Poland say that they have positively identified the remains of Copernicus. DNA from the bones, which date back to the 16th century, match DNA in a hair found in one of Copernicus' books. Additionally, there is a mark on the skull that matches a scar the astronomer is known to have had.
In response, the Catholic church has begun proceedings to excommunicate Copernicus' remains on charges of heresy for daring to suggest that the sun does not revolve around the Earth.
In response, the Catholic church has begun proceedings to excommunicate Copernicus' remains on charges of heresy for daring to suggest that the sun does not revolve around the Earth.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Pass the Curry and Artillery Shells
Pirates near the coast of Somalia in recent days have seized Thai and Iranian vessels. These come on the heels of last weekend's capture of the Saudi supertanker. The pirates are now negotiating with the Saudis for a ransom. Incidentally, if you think it's Saudi Arabia that is going to be paying for the ship's release, you're wrong. Ultimately it's you and I that will pay for this in the form of higher gas prices.
But there's some good news from the area as well. A pirate ship in the Gulf of Aden recently made the mistake of firing on an Indian naval vessel. The warship quickly returned fire and sank the pirate vessel, then pursued the survivors when they tried to escape in speedboats.
The entire world was stunned by this recent development. Who even knew India had a navy?
But there's some good news from the area as well. A pirate ship in the Gulf of Aden recently made the mistake of firing on an Indian naval vessel. The warship quickly returned fire and sank the pirate vessel, then pursued the survivors when they tried to escape in speedboats.
The entire world was stunned by this recent development. Who even knew India had a navy?
Friday, November 21, 2008
Hillary for Secretary of State?
Not so Fast
There has been a lot of speculation that Hillary Clinton will be Obama's pick for Secretary of State. However, there may be a problem with that: The United States Constitution.
Article I, Section 6 of the document says that no member of Congress, during the term for which he was elected, shall be named to any office "the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during his term." This is a problem since the pay for the position of Secretary of State was increased during Clinton's current term in the Senate.
This unusual circumstance has arisen before and has been solved by giving the incoming official a pay cut. The last two times this has arisen, however, was with Republican Presidents. While the appointments (with pay cuts) were approved, some Democrats at the time questioned the legality of the maneuver. Now those objections may come back to haunt them.
On the other hand, George W. Bush spent the last eight pissing all over the Constitution, so maybe Article One, Section Six is no longer legible.
Article I, Section 6 of the document says that no member of Congress, during the term for which he was elected, shall be named to any office "the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during his term." This is a problem since the pay for the position of Secretary of State was increased during Clinton's current term in the Senate.
This unusual circumstance has arisen before and has been solved by giving the incoming official a pay cut. The last two times this has arisen, however, was with Republican Presidents. While the appointments (with pay cuts) were approved, some Democrats at the time questioned the legality of the maneuver. Now those objections may come back to haunt them.
On the other hand, George W. Bush spent the last eight pissing all over the Constitution, so maybe Article One, Section Six is no longer legible.
Reasons We Should have Voted Republican
Maybe if more people had seen the below video prior to election day, John McCain would be our next President.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Out of This World Spam
NASA has finally developed an internet type computer network for use in outer space. The system is expected to improve communication with spacecraft, and should make missions easier to manage. In time, astronauts may even be able to check their email.
This raises an interesting question: If you're on the International Space Station, how are you going to get that shipment of penis enhancement pills you just ordered?
This raises an interesting question: If you're on the International Space Station, how are you going to get that shipment of penis enhancement pills you just ordered?
New Star Trek Trailer
And unless we're intentionally being misled by one of the scenes, the young Kirk wastes no time blowing up his new ship.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Shiver Me Timbers,
It's a Pirate's Life for Me
For the last several years, Somali pirates have harassed shipping along the northeast coast of Africa (note to Sarah Palin: That would be the continent of Africa). This is an area of strategic importance since it includes tankers coming from the Middle East, as well as freighters using the Suez Canel as a shortcut between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In response, the U.S. Navy has stepped up its presence in the area.
Occasionally, the pirates--usually in highly maneuverable speedboats--do succeed in capturing smaller ships and holding the crews for ransom. They are still holding a Russian freighter loaded with tanks that they captured last month. Aside from that, the pirates have had limited success.... Until this week.
This time they succeeded in capturing a Saudi Arabian supertanker the size of an aircraft carrier. The ship is loaded with two million barrels of crude oil worth about $100 million.
Of greater concern, however, is that this attack took place more than 500 miles from the coast. That's much further out to sea than the pirates have operated before, and well beyond the area patrolled by U.S. warships. It also suggests the pirates are getting bolder and more sophisticated.
On the other hand, it's kind of like a dog that loves chasing cars and finally catches one: Now that you have it, what do you do with it?
Occasionally, the pirates--usually in highly maneuverable speedboats--do succeed in capturing smaller ships and holding the crews for ransom. They are still holding a Russian freighter loaded with tanks that they captured last month. Aside from that, the pirates have had limited success.... Until this week.
This time they succeeded in capturing a Saudi Arabian supertanker the size of an aircraft carrier. The ship is loaded with two million barrels of crude oil worth about $100 million.
Of greater concern, however, is that this attack took place more than 500 miles from the coast. That's much further out to sea than the pirates have operated before, and well beyond the area patrolled by U.S. warships. It also suggests the pirates are getting bolder and more sophisticated.
On the other hand, it's kind of like a dog that loves chasing cars and finally catches one: Now that you have it, what do you do with it?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Personally I Prefer the Grape Flovored Kool--Aid
When someone gets suckered into some sort of scheme, it's often said that "he drank the Kool-Aid." Well, today marks the 30th anniversary of the origin of that phrase.
It was in the country of Guyana in South America that a cult leader named Jim Jones decided to make a home for his wacky band of followers, the Peoples Temple. A small group of critics, led by American congressman Leo Ryan of California, traveled to Jonestown to check out allegations of brainwashing and other abuses. The visit didn't go well for Jones and other Peoples Temple leaders. Just as Ryan's group was preparing to leave, the congressman and several others in the group were shot and killed.
Sensing that his days were numbered, Jones ordered his followers to drink Kool-Aid laced with cyanide. Many apparently did so willingly; those that hesitated were shot. By the time it was over, more than 900 people were dead.
So the next time someone asks you to drink the Kool-Aid, tell them to go first.
It was in the country of Guyana in South America that a cult leader named Jim Jones decided to make a home for his wacky band of followers, the Peoples Temple. A small group of critics, led by American congressman Leo Ryan of California, traveled to Jonestown to check out allegations of brainwashing and other abuses. The visit didn't go well for Jones and other Peoples Temple leaders. Just as Ryan's group was preparing to leave, the congressman and several others in the group were shot and killed.
Sensing that his days were numbered, Jones ordered his followers to drink Kool-Aid laced with cyanide. Many apparently did so willingly; those that hesitated were shot. By the time it was over, more than 900 people were dead.
So the next time someone asks you to drink the Kool-Aid, tell them to go first.
Damn Chinese Time Machine Parts
"Back to the Future" actor Christopher Lloyd's home was among the dozens destroyed in last week's southern California wildfires.
Authorities are looking into whether a malfunctioning flux capacitor triggered the blaze.
Authorities are looking into whether a malfunctioning flux capacitor triggered the blaze.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged
A priest in South Carolina has warned his parishioners that they are NOT eligible for communion if they voted for Obama. The problem? Well, according to the Rev. Jay Scott Newman, since Obama supports a woman's right to choose, then a vote for him "constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil."
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey, here's a great hypothetical situation for the Reverend: Let's say you're a bishop who has just found out one of his priests has been molesting the altar boys. But instead of reporting him to law enforcement and expelling him from the church, you choose to merely transfer him to another parish. And when he does the same damn thing there, you transfer him yet again.
How does that NOT constitute "material cooperation with intrinsic evil?"
Too bad the Catholic church isn't as judgmental about its own priests as it is about everyone else.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey, here's a great hypothetical situation for the Reverend: Let's say you're a bishop who has just found out one of his priests has been molesting the altar boys. But instead of reporting him to law enforcement and expelling him from the church, you choose to merely transfer him to another parish. And when he does the same damn thing there, you transfer him yet again.
How does that NOT constitute "material cooperation with intrinsic evil?"
Too bad the Catholic church isn't as judgmental about its own priests as it is about everyone else.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Biden, Cheney Meet
Just a few weeks ago, then vice presidential candidate Joe Biden called Dick Cheney "the most dangerous vice president we've had."
With the campaign now over, and in an effort to demonstrate that there are no hard feelings, the two men met last night at the official vice presidential residence in DC. Cheney then invited the incoming vice president to go "hunting" in the backyard.
Curiously, Biden hasn't been seen since.
With the campaign now over, and in an effort to demonstrate that there are no hard feelings, the two men met last night at the official vice presidential residence in DC. Cheney then invited the incoming vice president to go "hunting" in the backyard.
Curiously, Biden hasn't been seen since.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
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