23 Apr 2004
Rhino gets amorous with car

I wonder where the photos will turn up?

A rampant rhinoceros gave a group of visitors a glimpse of nature in the raw at a British safari park when he tried to have sex with their car.

(link) [CNN]

00:00 /Humor | 0 comments | permanent link

IT Workers Not Eligible for Overtime in New Rules

Another reason for me to love this Republican Administration. I cannot recall any government in US history (with the possible exception of Coolidge or Hoover) being so blatently pro-business and anti-labor.

the San Diego Union Tribune is reporting that the Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao unveiled new rules that seem to specifically target IT workers and other white collar workers for exemption from overtime pay.

(link) [Slashdot]

00:00 /Politics | 0 comments | permanent link

Former N.F.L. Player Killed in Afghanistan

There are still a few men of honor out and about: read this entire article, it describes one.

Tillman assiduously guarded his privacy and never publicly discussed his reasons for abandoning football for the military. He was concerned that his decision would be interpreted as a publicity stunt.
...
One of Tillman's last surprises came during the Army recruiting process. Since Tillman had a college degree, he was offered the chance to go through the officer-training program before proceeding on his attempted Rangers career track. Tillman declined, telling Army officials he wished to start at the bottom and work his way up.

Pat Tillman, who walked away from his professional football career to join the Army Rangers, was killed in Afghanistan, U.S. officials said today.

(link) [New York Times: NYT HomePage]

00:00 /Home | 0 comments | permanent link

Ethanol From Waste Straw

The article referenced contends that:

...conventional corn and grain-based ethanol requires as much energy to produce as it releases when burnt, once the energy for tractors and pesticides are taken into account.

Ethanol from farm waste is an important breakthrough, no doubt about it. But if our goal is to conserve our petroleum reserves, perhaps a simpler solution would be to return to a less energy intensive agriculture. It could be done, too, while retaining reasonably high levels of productivity. Of course, it would be more labor intensive, which would mean a resurgence of the family farm, both in the US and abroad (where Third World smallholders have a terrible time competing aginst multi-national agribusinesses).

But it would also cut the oil companies out of the loop - so don't look for it to happen anytime soon.

The CBC is reporting that 'Iogen Corporation of Ottawa has developed enzymes to break down waste straw and wood chips into ethanol on a commercial scale.

(link) [Slashdot]

00:00 /Agriculture | 0 comments | permanent link