On the lighter side...
I went to see the new movie "Hugo" on Thursday night. I really enjoyed the film and its use of 3D. I won't talk about the film at all, except to say the theatrical trailer doesn't reveal anything about the movie's plot. I think that's the first time in a long while that I've seen a movie that wasn't spoiled by the TV commercials.
If this post was an English paper, my teacher would scold me on the excessive use of the word "I".
Monday, November 21, 2011
And then, there are times when the law doesn't go far enough!
This isn't the first time that I've posted an opinion, only to have to weigh in on the opposite side of the argument just a day or two later.
From France comes the story of a teenage boy, 17, who has been charged with the rape of a 15-year old schoolmate. While awaiting trial for this alleged offense, the boy underwent psychiatric assessment, and drug counseling.
Figuring the boy would not be a danger to anyone else, he was eventually released from custody and allowed to enrol in a different school.
That turned out to be a very bad move! (viewer discretion advised)
This isn't the first time that I've posted an opinion, only to have to weigh in on the opposite side of the argument just a day or two later.
From France comes the story of a teenage boy, 17, who has been charged with the rape of a 15-year old schoolmate. While awaiting trial for this alleged offense, the boy underwent psychiatric assessment, and drug counseling.
Figuring the boy would not be a danger to anyone else, he was eventually released from custody and allowed to enrol in a different school.
That turned out to be a very bad move! (viewer discretion advised)
Sunday, November 20, 2011
I'm all for law and order, but this goes too far!
Let me start by saying I'm straight as an arrow when it comes to crime. I've never tried to smoke (cigarettes or marijuana). Except for Passover wine that was foisted on me by my parents when I was very young, I've never tried alcohol. I've never tried any illegal drugs of any kind. I'm not perfect (I do like to go a bit over the speed limit), but I believe that laws were meant to be followed.
The Conservative government in Canada is considering a law called the "Safe Streets and Communities Act" which will make it a felony for a young adult to share a joint with or give a pill to a friend.
Most sane people realize that for the vast majority of teens, smoking marijuana is a phase they'll outgrow. There are some people who won't outgrow it, or will graduate to something stronger. Some of those people will even turn to crime to support their habit or sell drugs to others. But, the vast majority of young teens won't go that route.
If this law passes, judges will have no discretion to reduce sentences or take the person's character into consideration. A mandatory minimum 2-year penitentiary sentence will be required.
This is a stupid law, and people need to talk to their MP's to let them know that this is going to ruin the lives of many otherwise decent young people.
Here's where I heard about the story.
Let me start by saying I'm straight as an arrow when it comes to crime. I've never tried to smoke (cigarettes or marijuana). Except for Passover wine that was foisted on me by my parents when I was very young, I've never tried alcohol. I've never tried any illegal drugs of any kind. I'm not perfect (I do like to go a bit over the speed limit), but I believe that laws were meant to be followed.
The Conservative government in Canada is considering a law called the "Safe Streets and Communities Act" which will make it a felony for a young adult to share a joint with or give a pill to a friend.
Most sane people realize that for the vast majority of teens, smoking marijuana is a phase they'll outgrow. There are some people who won't outgrow it, or will graduate to something stronger. Some of those people will even turn to crime to support their habit or sell drugs to others. But, the vast majority of young teens won't go that route.
If this law passes, judges will have no discretion to reduce sentences or take the person's character into consideration. A mandatory minimum 2-year penitentiary sentence will be required.
This is a stupid law, and people need to talk to their MP's to let them know that this is going to ruin the lives of many otherwise decent young people.
Here's where I heard about the story.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
A beautiful neighborhood, indeed!
Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
To "B" or not to "B"?
That is the question. After a damning report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which concludes that Iran has been pursuing aspirations of a military nuclear bomb since 2003, the question remains...
Will the US and Israel have to resort to bombing to unravel the process, or will diplomacy work to diffuse the situation? I'm betting Iran doesn't back down when faced with diplomatic pressure. That won't leave many options.
That is the question. After a damning report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which concludes that Iran has been pursuing aspirations of a military nuclear bomb since 2003, the question remains...
Will the US and Israel have to resort to bombing to unravel the process, or will diplomacy work to diffuse the situation? I'm betting Iran doesn't back down when faced with diplomatic pressure. That won't leave many options.
The Devil is in the details!
For 800 years, the 13th century painter Giotto must have been laughing in his grave at the joke he played on the pope.
Giotto was commissioned to paint a series of frescoes depicting the life and death of Saint Francis. Now, Chiara Frugone, an Italian art historian, has discovered a surprise in one of those pieces.
Yup! It's the DEVIL!!! Hooked nose, sinister eyes, and even horns!
Don't you just love it? Click the images for a larger view.
For 800 years, the 13th century painter Giotto must have been laughing in his grave at the joke he played on the pope.
Giotto was commissioned to paint a series of frescoes depicting the life and death of Saint Francis. Now, Chiara Frugone, an Italian art historian, has discovered a surprise in one of those pieces.
Yup! It's the DEVIL!!! Hooked nose, sinister eyes, and even horns!
Don't you just love it? Click the images for a larger view.
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Nicely done!
A Polish airlines flight coming in for a landing with 231 passengers on board had a minor issue... it's landing gear wouldn't deploy!
So, after circling the airport a few times and dropping all unnecessary fuel, the pilot attempted to gently land the plane on its belly, and his efforts were caught on film.
A Polish airlines flight coming in for a landing with 231 passengers on board had a minor issue... it's landing gear wouldn't deploy!
So, after circling the airport a few times and dropping all unnecessary fuel, the pilot attempted to gently land the plane on its belly, and his efforts were caught on film.
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Ancient stone carving?
When I first saw this photo, I thought I was looking at an ancient stone carving.
I was almost right, in that it does have to do with "stones". It's actually an ultrasound photo of someone's testicles. Believe it or not!
When I first saw this photo, I thought I was looking at an ancient stone carving.
I was almost right, in that it does have to do with "stones". It's actually an ultrasound photo of someone's testicles. Believe it or not!