Daily Archives: February 15, 2008

Decimate

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Gaius

In the Roman Empire, the punishment for a mutinous legion was quite certain. One member of every ten was chosen by lot. The selected members were then executed. That practice was common enough that it had a specific word: decimate. … Continue reading →

Posted in Media | 10 Comments

The Secrets Of The Great Seal Revealed: There Are None

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Gaius

A new traveling exhibition put together by the State Department will try to dispell the many myths and conspiracy theories that have spawned over the meaning of the Great Seal of the United States . Good luck with that – … Continue reading →

Posted in History | 3 Comments

“I Just Flew In From Miami….”

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Gaius

"….And, boy, are my wings tired. The Daily Mail has photos of a very unusual bird seen swimming about in a grimy  canal in Birmingham: A North American wood duck. He has also been spotted waddling around the trendy shops … Continue reading →

Posted in World news | 3 Comments

Bubba Slips Leash, Goes Back On Attack

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Gaius

Well, after the drubbing in South Carolina,the Hillary Clinton campaign appeared to put Bill Clinton on a very tight leash. He toned down his venom and faded back out of the headlines. Well, that didn't last long. He's back at … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 7 Comments

The New Betamax

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Gaius

It looks like the high definition wars are all but over. This time it is Sony who has won, unlike the video wars. The Blu-Ray system appears to have triumphed over the HD-DVD format. Wal-Mart may be credited with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology | 2 Comments

Obama’s Problems

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Gaius

Victor Davis Hanson on Obama's problems. Yes, he does have a number of them. Under pressure to produce some facts and specifics, the Obama team is beginning to release a little on the economy, taxes, and new entitlements. But the … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 14 Comments

Shell Game

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Gaius

A British woman has made an exciting discovery. Upon cracking open and egg she had bought at the local market, she discovered another, intact egg inside the first one. A woman was shell shocked after she cracked an egg – … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals | 4 Comments

Race For A Trillion

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Gaius

Kimberley Strassel over at the Wall Street Journal has been trying to keep track of the spending proposals being thrown around by the two Democratic candidates. This is not an easy task since both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton seem … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Taxes | 5 Comments

Cockatoo Madness

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Gaius

Flocks of cockatoos have been attacking the lights that illuminate the Melbourne Arts Center in Australia. So authorities have brought in a new sheriff to try and tame the unruly birds: an eagle named Zorro. Staff at a Melbourne landmark … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals | 3 Comments

Super Sale On Super Delegates

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Gaius

USA Today casts a hard – and somewhat jaundiced – eye on the Democratic party super delegates and the gyrations and machinations the Obama and Clinton campaigns are going through to secure their votes. It is not a really pretty … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 1 Comment

Illegal Commodity

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Gaius

All too often lost in all the conflicting rhetoric about illegal immigration is one persistent bit of nastiness: human trafficking. A major smuggling ring has just been broken up in Arizona, with authorities raiding a large number of "drop houses", … Continue reading →

Posted in Immigration Reform | 1 Comment

Cult Of Personality

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Gaius

Charles Krauthammer rounds up a lot of thoughts on Obamamania then adds his own to the mix. The conclusion: Obama is running an amazingly fact-free campaign on a thin personal record with unsustainable promises. It's the genius of selling a … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 2 Comments

More Satellite Shoot Down Information

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Gaius

The Washington Post has more detail about the attempt by the US to shoot down a disabled satellite sometime later this month. The primary reason given is that there is an almost full tank of hydrazine on board the satellite … Continue reading →

Posted in Space | 4 Comments