Slarty's World

Bush Environmental Policy Hailed

In another “the ends justify the means” victory, the Bush administration’s environmental policy has pulled the Ivory Billed Woodpecker out from extinction. The operation, dubbed “Crude Hunter,” consisted of 7,500 unmanned military drones scouring the 220,000-hectare forest in Arkansas, driving all wildlife toward the capture and discovery zone. The frightened bird was captured in an industrial sized mist-net. In addition to the discovery of the rare bird, officials confirm that the drones successfully broke up 45 cases of same-sex hillbilly love, a main objective of the Bush environmental policy. Unfortunately, Osama Bin Laden was not captured.

For more information see these fine sources:

Audubon Society Press Release

Birdlife International Press Release

Video Used for Confirmation

I have always had a fascination with the Antartica Research Station McMurdo bay. I just think it would be such a great experience, researching and partying at the bottom of the world. I came across the link to the station newspaper. It looks like they are on hiatus currently, I suppose it is winter there now. Also, the US government maintains a photo site that appears to be quite interesting.

The Antarctic Sun – Online Issue

Photo Library

I find it amazing what politicians will do to give their people a sense of well being. I on the island of Gibraltar there is a colony of Barbary macaques (monkeys). Rumour has it that once this colony of monkeys dies off, Britain would lose the island. During World War II, the population dwindled to 3 or so monkeys. In order to preserve Britain’s control over the island, Prime Minister Winston Churchill had the population augmented with monkeys form Algeria and Morocco. What a military genius.

Mystery of Churchill’s WWII Monkeys Solved

Here is a site about the Barbary macaque (for reference!)

Scientists have finally uncovered the reason why there are so many old maids out there. No, I am not talking about old chicks (seeVirgins Overrated?), but unpopped popcorn kernals.

The article quotes Wendy Boersema Rappel, Popcorn Board spokeswoman, as saying “It’s one of life’s annoyances.” Seems a bit of an overstatement. In fact, I like the old maids (see Virgins Overrated?) and usually clean them up when the bowl of popcorn is finished.

So the reason why they don’t pop is simply that they have hole filled husks, so pressure is released gradually rather than an explosive POP! Fortunately for me, they have not yet solved the problem. I have a few ideas, but will not be sharing them, if you catch my drift.

Read the artcle:
CNN.com – Scientists solve unpopped popcorn – Apr 21, 2005

Also, the popcorn board link.