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Links: 10/23

23 Oct

Sorry about the lack of postings this week, everyone. I’ve been kind of off the map in every electronic way imaginable. Work has been picking up, and I haven’t found the time to post.  This will be remedied, starting now.

1) Some Sort of Extracurricular Activity: A freshman dorm on Georgetown’s campus was closed when a meth lab was discovered in one of the rooms.

2) Adult Entertainment…That’s Socially Conscious: That’s how one South African producer is marketing his upcoming adult film.  In the movie, which means “Naked” in the native language, all cast members wear condoms and were tested for HIV.

3) That’s Embarrassing: A “stealth” British submarine got stuck in the mud. Now, rescuers have to figure out how to get it out.

4) World’s Dumbest Criminal Nominee: A man rapes a woman, then calls to ask her if she’s mad at him. She agrees to meet with him, and the police arrest him.

5) The Middle Class in Africa: A really interesting photo project that documents the ever-growing middle class in Africa. If you read French, all the better. The English website is a bit iffy.

6) Most Pathetic Criminal Ever: A Washington woman was arrested after taping herself having sex with a 16-year-old boy. Where did they meet? While playing “World of Warcraft.”

7) Funny Berlusconi Moment: This one comes from a made-up sitcom dialogue. Also, in news from Italy. The mafia is dominating the renewable energy market.

8) Lots of Great “It Gets Better” Moments: Some of my favorites from the week.

Strangest Air Tragedy Ever?

21 Oct

After interviewing the sole survivor of an August 25, 2010 plane crash in the Congo, investigators now know what downed the doomed flight. A crocodile.

Apparently, one of the passengers stashed the reptile in a duffel bag with the hopes of selling it for profit.  Shortly after liftoff, though, the animal escaped and frightened passengers.  The ran to the front of the plane and destabilized it. The ensuing crash killed 19.

Merkel: Multiculturalism Has “Utterly Failed”

17 Oct

Not good news for immigrants in Europe. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, in a speech, that “This (multicultural) approach has failed, utterly failed.” It’s not clear what implications the comment would have for the country with over 5 million Muslim residents.

Critics quickly pointed out that Germany relied on immigrant labor to return the country to prosperity following the fall of the Berlin Wall. Nevertheless, the debate about multiculturalism and integration has begun.

The current economic crisis has allowed far-right, anti-immigrant parties to gain ground across Europe, including countries with small far-right populations until recently. Recent fears of terrorism have only made the situation worse.

Cell Phones Have 500 Times More Bacteria Than a Toilet Seat

15 Oct

You can return that call now. Read the article here.

Links: 10/14

14 Oct

1) Scare Tactics: A republican mailing in Arizona suggests that being soft on illegal immigration will allow immigrants into neighborhoods, with guns. This is almost as scary as Christine O’Donnell not being able to name a Supreme Court decision she disagreed with. Sound familiar?

2) 50 Cent Being Pressured to Buy…: A rhino. The rhino, named Phila, was shot 9 times but survived. Like 50 cent.

3) Why Are Americans Fat?: Oh, I figured it out. This video sums it up.

4) No, ‘I’m Sorry’: Not from Dick Cheney, anyway. Harry Whittington, the man Cheney shot in 2006 during a hunting trip, has never received an official apology from the former Vice President. In his first interview since the incident, Whittington reveals the seriousness of his injuries, which were previously described as far less serious.

5) Keep the Oceans Clean: Don’t kill the whales. Not, perhaps, because of your conventional reasoning. In fact, new research suggests the ocean needs whales for their poop.

6) What a Pad: Indian Billionaire Mukesh Ambani has recently moved into his $1 billion home. The complex is 27 stories high in Mumbai and require 600 staff people to keep it working.

7) Awkward Naming Mistake: Green party candidate for governor in Illinois Rich Whitney’s name has been misspelled on some of the ballots. Just one letter off. Unfortunately, the ballot reads, Rich Whitey.

8) Wait For It: And be amazed.

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