It’s a low-key Christmas here at Chez Geeque. I’ve got 2 pies in the oven, and I’m thinking about making a batch of cookies now that the oven is the right temperature. It’s raining, which is depressing, and I’m listening to This American Life‘s Christmas Spectacular (which may prove to be depressing also, but quirky and entertainingly so). As a bonus, they offer their entertaining “In a world…” promo tags as downloadable MP3s. I’ve been laughing at these all week. Jesus has never had such a happy birthday. Tonight I’ll sing at the evening service at Holy Moly, share some…
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…of the simple fact that most schools don’t have girls-only latrines, water to wash with, or privacy. Once puberty arrives, many girls simply stay home. Another School Barrier for African Girls: No Toilet The article notes that if girls and women had access to all the normal goods and services their societies offered, such as a basic education, farming supplies and subsidies, and a supply of sanitary goods, life for everyone would be better. Why? According to the World Bank: The issue, advocates for children say, is not merely fairness. The World Bank contends that if women in sub-Saharan Africa…
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An “obit” from the Trib: Chicago Tribune | Wake planned for New Year’s Eve as reporters mourn the death of Chicago’s fabled City News Bureau THIS JUST IN… Services for Chicago’s City News Bureau, the 115-year-old wire service that was the starting point for hundreds of American journalists, will be held New Year’s Eve in the Billy Goat Tavern, lower Michigan Avenue and Hubbard Street. The wake begins at 8 p.m. Arrangements are being handled by Paul Zimbrakos, CNB editor; Sam Sianis, Billy Goat propietor,and Bernard Judge, former City News editor. All present and former CNB staffers are welcome, along…
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Let’s review – are Eat the State and Blogula Rasa on the same page? Terri Schiavo: Yeppers Intelligent Design (sic): Hee! The War On Christmas: Hell, yes Everything’s Going Splendidly In Iraq: Check Michael Jackson’s Trial: I could care less about MJ Martha Stewart’s Comeback: Ditto MS Howard Dean: Hmm. When he shoots his mouth off, he’s not firing blanks. I’m not so sure about this one. Pat Robertson: Again, I think making the Religious Right look foolish has more value than mere newsworthiness The Minutemen: Okay, I agree we can ignore the yahoos Rossi v. Gregoire (WA state governor’s…
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Hey, remember that guy… Alito? Who got nominated for the Supreme Court a while back? Guess the Friday before the Christmas holiday weekend is a good time for the release of some interesting memos. Let’s all try to remember these later, when he’s back in the news for real in the midst of his Senate confirmation hearings. ABC News: Alito Argued to Overturn Roe in 1985 Memo WASHINGTON Dec 23, 2005 — Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito wrote in a June 1985 memo that the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling legalizing abortion should be overturned. The June 3, 1985 document…
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The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster By: Bobby Henderson Just when you thought your edumication was complete, the next wave in scientifical theories of the creation of everything is about to break over our heads. And in this theory, All was created from Nothing from the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Hey, it makes as much sense as intelligent design theory, and it’s perfect with a nice Chianti and a bit of aged parmesan. Coming soon is the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and sometime after that, a pirate ship whose missionary work will be to go out amongst the…
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What’s that sound? Why, it’s Senator Rick Santorum backing away slowly from a previously held position and also putting distance between himself and former allies the Thomas More Law Center, and the (hee! hee!) former Dover, PA school board. It’s only to be expected; that’s why they call him “Election Year Rick” in his state. Senator cuts ties to law center after ‘intelligent design’ defeat-Santorum says Ann Arbor Christian rights group ‘made a huge mistake’ in Pennsylvania case PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum plans to cut ties with the Ann Arbor-based Thomas More Law Center, which defended the Dover…
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Holidays getting you down? Finals got you fried? How about a quick game of Classic Pac Man – new school? pacamajig.mov (video/quicktime Object). You’d think someone would have realized before that a University of Michigan library and computer lab are both excellent venues for live-action Pac Man. It’s strange how blase’ all the witnesses are, though. Via BoingBoing reader William
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No, I’m not bored with blogging, it’s just been hella busy at work this week, and it was hella busy the week before that. What’s that? I was off all last week? Well, I was hella busy completing a lot of Sudoku puzzles. I’ve gotten pretty good at it. Oddly enough, soon after I got hooked on it, David figured out how to play it on TiVo. I guess we’ve both been hella busy with it lately. It’s all Going Underground‘s fault, it is. Blame it on Annie.
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15 Minutes By: Nik Kershaw Nik is one of those “aha!” artists. He had one or two modest hits (in the States) in the 80’s, and as it happens I was one of the few lucky ones that bought his album that had “Wouldn’t It Be Good” and another dozen great songs on it. Actually, that’s not quite accurate. I was dumb enough to sign up for the Columbia Record “Club” in the 80’s, and I still have a bunch of dusty old cassettes kicking around in a box downstairs. There’s some great music in there, and I’ve been pondering…