Random News Update

Oh I'm ready for it...

Come on bring it!

Sense of Humor Missing in China
So the French carmaker Citroen made an advertisement poking gentle fun at the bloodthirsty lunatic despot Mao for the Chinese market. This produced neither the expected chuckles of amusement, nor perhaps the embarassment at being reminded that the founder of their current government was howl-at-the-moon crazy.

No, there's a wave of anger that people poked fun at the mass murderer. Wha?

Citroen apologised for the "inappropriate" ad, which Chinese chatroom users had complained "hurts our national pride".

"This is no small thing," said one visitor to a chatroom about the ad - based on the famous portrait of Mao which hangs in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

"It has an influence on the whole country. It damages the whole Chinese people."

...

Nearly 32 years after his death, Chairman Mao remains revered by some Chinese, despite his promotion of policies such as "Great Leap Forward" which ended in the deaths of millions, and the profound social and economic changes China has since seen.

I'm trying to think of a witty comment here, but it's coming up blank.

Source: BBC News

Into the Void
Both the void of space, and the void of space science left by NASA throwing all its budget at pointless moon missions, thanks to El President. The ESA announced its mission slate for 2008, and it's so nerdy and hard-science focused that it's scary. Amongst other highlights are a pair of telescopes for Big Bang studying, Herschel and Plank, that will study the Big Bang's cosmic aftereffects in great detail in the infrared and microwave backgrounds, respectively. Plank is crucial for evaluating the Great Void mentioned in an earlier post, that the Great Old Ones most likely are using to invade and destroy our world.

Well, perhaps not. But the void part is true; it'll help figure out exactly why there's a giant hole in space, and that'd be good to know. The ESA is also going to send up the core science module for the rather showboaty International Space Station, so that it can finally, perhaps, start to earn its keep.

Check out just how nerdy these guys are though:

In May, GOCE, a satellite billed as "the Ferrari of micro-gravity fields," is scheduled to be taken aloft from ESA's space base in Kourou, French Guiana, with the goal of monitoring ocean circulation -- a key factor in the climate-change question.

The Ferrari of micro-gravity fields. Yeah. Honestly guys, I appreciate the hard work, but you might want to take a break... go outside once in a while... it can be nice out there.

Source: Raw Story

In Which I Disagree with the ACLU
I know, I know; Hell has frozen over. But the ACLU is defending foot tapping pervert Larry Craig in court, arguing that, at least under Minnesota law, there's a right to privacy in having sex in closed public restroom stalls.

Wha?

See, here's my problem with that. Closed door, open door, it's still not THAT private. But worst of all, Craig had no idea who he was trying to solicit an H-J from when he did his little tap routine... so if he gets away with it on this excuse, you can never use the toilet outside your own home in peace again.

The ACLU also noted that Craig was originally charged with interference with privacy, which it said was an admission by the state that people in the bathroom stall expect privacy.

Precisely so! He violated both public order and privacy at the same time! He's a Republican, which means he's extra good at lawbreaking!

Seriously, ACLU, there's no noble principle to defend here. Our socio-political discourse does not require turning mens' rooms into brothels for Republican senators.

Source: Raw Story

Popey Go Home
So the new Pope (Motto: Ratlike Nazi Apologist Makes Not Quite Good) has annoyed the scientific community so badly with an old speech stating that Galileo received a 'fair trial' that he's been forced to withdraw from a public appearance at Italy's largest university, after a teacher's revolt on the subject and angry student campaign.

Why don't you just do us all a favor, Benedict, and stay home where you can play with your pretty dresses and Prada shoes. Nobody out here likes you much.

Source: The Guardian

Religious Nuts
Speaking of reactionary, backward religious figures, we have the Seventh Day Adventists and some strict Jewish factions complaining about the Democratic Nevada caucus being held on a Saturday.

If it was held on a Sunday, of course, Christians would complain; a weekday and turnout goes way down. The religious groups want absentee ballots so they can observe their 'stay at home and do nothing useful' rituals. Riiight. If you're so dedicated to your sky-wizard that you think it's a grave sin to, you know, participate in the democratic process, I'm not sure we need you. Scratch that; I think we're better off without your input.

Generally I'm in favor of absentee ballots, but this is just getting a little ridiculous. We shouldn't have to schedule EVERYTHING around religious demands in this damn country.

Source: Raw Story