re: BBC News: Pope 'meant no offence' to Islam

This is insane.

Muslim anger is expressed because of the Pope's recent remarks in Germany. (see BBC NEWS: Pope 'meant no offence' to Islam)

Has anyone gone so far as to read the text of the speech that was delivered to the assembly? If one takes the trouble to read it, it's clear that the media, and people who chose to be inflamed by the story, took the quotes out of context.

While the Pope might have chosen a different example, say from other non-Christian (or even Christian!) sources, IMO the over-reaction we see around the world is inexcusable...

New Scientist News - Popular curry spice is a brain booster

Now all we have to do is compare it to Mexican cooking, and the experiment will be complete...

New Scientist News - Popular curry spice is a brain booster

Surroundings play a key role in diet: study

This is yet another one of these "no-duh" stories.

What's interesting is that some companies are starting to clue in to the idea of limiting servings, by using 100 calorie packaging. I wonder if MacDonald's has heard about this?

See CTV.ca Surroundings play a key role in diet: study for the story.

Internet users do fewer household chores: study

Here is another "why is this not a surprise" item.

I have been guilty of parental / spousal neglect, partly because of my internet habit (read: addiction).

IMHO, it's not the Internet itself which is the addiction. It's like saying using a telephone or watching TV is an addiction. The Internet, like the technologies which precede them, is simply a vehicle for reading news, chatting, watching videos, listening to music, playing computer games, as well as posting ideas, art, writing, and so on.

So although sitting on one's butt at a computer enables us to do all these different things, these things soak up time that might be otherwise spent interacting with the real world, i.e., spouse, kids, friends, relatives, dog...

None of these activities in itself is "bad", but it's always a question of balance.

Anyway, here's the story: CTV.ca Internet users do fewer household chores: study

Sympatico / MSN News : School builder shot and killed in Afghanistan

This is a very upsetting story. Mr. Frastacky unselfish work of building a school in Afganishtan earns him a bullet.

I cannot fathom the minds of people who see his work as a pollution on their country, their culture, or their beliefs, to the point that it warrants death. Can someone explain this to me??

Sympatico / MSN News : Top Stories : School builder shot and killed in Afghanistan

Skep's new science fix - ScienceBlogs

This is a pretty neat source of info for current issues and new developments in the areas of science and technology. It's kind of like the New Scientist, only written by a "hive mind" of bloggers, thanks to Seed Magazine.

Check it out at ScienceBlogs

CBC News: Gang violence grips Sao Paulo in third day of attacks

For all us complacent North Americans: Imagine this happening in the U.S. or Canada - Substitute the words "Sao Paolo" for "Toronto" or "Los Angeles"...

CBC News: Gang violence grips Sao Paulo in third day of attacks