Amusing News Stories - January 2006

1. California high school sued over 'intelligent design' class [or, creationists take scientists' advice; get sued]

yet another case of bloody creationists trying to take over the science classroom and impose theocracy, right?

Frazier Mountain High in Lebec violated the separation of church and state while attempting to legitimize the theory of "intelligent design" by introducing it as a philosophy class, according to the federal lawsuit filed by parents of 13 students.

apparently the lawyers didn't get the memo on this one. you know, the one where scientists kept coming forward and saying that intelligent design wasn't really science and that it belonged to philosophy..

oops.

to be fair, as the article goes on, it turns out the class isn't exactly taught in an intellectually balanced/mature/fair/et al fashion. but don't expect a lot out of this one except a huge gasp of irony about a year down the road.

2. Judge: Baby on board is no excuse [or, sexism hits a new low]

PHOENIX, Arizona (AP) -- Fetuses do not count as passengers when it comes to determining who may drive in the carpool lane, a judge has ruled.
Candace Dickinson was fined $367 for improper use of a carpool lane, but contended her unborn child qualified to use the lane. Motorists who use the lanes normally must carry at least one passenger during weekday rush hours.

that's freaking hilarious.

the money quote comes a little further in the article:

Norton said Dickinson's theory "would require officers to carry guns, radios and pregnancy testers, and I don't think we want to go there."

3. Musical breast implants [or, err.. I'm not even gonna try]

I think the iPod trend has gone just a tad too far.

the money quote comes from the guy developing the technology, who by the way happens to be a total engineer:

According to The Sun he said: "It is now very hard for me to think of breast implants as just decorative. If a woman has something implanted permanently, it might as well do something useful."

total engineer. I do have one question for this guy though: how ya planning on downloading new music? call it a hunch (ha!), but something makes me think that USB won't be too popular.

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in other news, 'tis been a good week. we have a russkie for statmech who makes me crack up each time in lecture. I've never seen someone get so physically intense over physics before. let alone in a russian accent.

boo yah.

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"'I Am', He said with power
'I Am,' His glory shone
His eyes pierced through like
Sunlight piercing through the sea
My soul has been on fire
My world turned upside-down
Ever since He spoke
Those words to me."
- Fisherman (Don McIntrye)