Today's random highlights include:
Fuel price hike expected next Wednesday - SABC News
Fake Viagra seized at OR Tambo airport. WOW! - SouthAfricaNews.net
Abalone seized in CT area - News24
37 kids in one taxi!!! - IOL.co.za
VW Golf 7 coming soon - IOL.co.za
Guy get's his knob tattooed to win a prize - IAfrica.com
Mini earthquakes off our coast, but no American dooms-day apocalypse expected - SouthAfricaNews.net
Let me know if you guys find anything else interesting...
WB
Jan 25, 2011
Social - eye for an eye, or is it turn the other cheek...
I was completely shocked when I heard about this via twitter.
"The dog, a Pit bull named Diamond, was strangled with an electrical cord and then burned because she had "chewed" on Smith's Bible which had been left outside on the porch.
The dog belonged to Miriam Smith's nephew, Andy Fowler. According to reports, Smith admitted to killing the dog because she chewed on her Bible and she believed that the dog was a "devil dog" that could harm neighborhood children.
The dog was just one year of age. According to one report, Diamond lived on a chain in the yard.
Authorities found Diamond buried under a mound of grass on Smith's property. The orange cord was still around the dog's partially burned body that still smelled of kerosene."
Somehow the dog got the "eye for an eye" and I just have this feeling that everyone will turn the other cheek for this lunatic.
This absolutely sickens me!!!
Read it for yourself here.
And people argue that religion is good for society...
WB
"The dog, a Pit bull named Diamond, was strangled with an electrical cord and then burned because she had "chewed" on Smith's Bible which had been left outside on the porch.
The dog belonged to Miriam Smith's nephew, Andy Fowler. According to reports, Smith admitted to killing the dog because she chewed on her Bible and she believed that the dog was a "devil dog" that could harm neighborhood children.
The dog was just one year of age. According to one report, Diamond lived on a chain in the yard.
Authorities found Diamond buried under a mound of grass on Smith's property. The orange cord was still around the dog's partially burned body that still smelled of kerosene."
Somehow the dog got the "eye for an eye" and I just have this feeling that everyone will turn the other cheek for this lunatic.
This absolutely sickens me!!!
Read it for yourself here.
And people argue that religion is good for society...
WB
Health/Social - #expensiverubberbands...
To everyone who has ever purchased a PowerBalance bracelet or made any claims to its amazing superpowers - I hope you feel like a giant knob!
I have previously (not so subtly) expressed my extreme disgust and repudiation of these bracelets and how people can be so gullible as to believe that a piece of silicon or rubber with some holographic stickers in them actually improve your athletic performance in terms of stability, flexibility, strength and balance. That is the equivalent of saying that when your kid sticks some of those play-stickers on your back window to keep themselves busy during transit it increases the car's power by 20 horses. We all know that the only thing that adds to a car's power is a company sticker, but that's an entirely different show! :-D
Needless to say you can see my disdain...
Fortunately for me (and not so fortunate for all the PowerBelievers) they have started conducting some double-blind studies with these bracelets and can now prove that they are absolute BS and a grand waste of 450 buck.
Dr. Simon Brice and a small team has pioneered to be the first to study this holographic-messiah and will have the findings published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.
In case you want the summarised version of the facts that most everyone knows and most people do not care to admit:
"Chief investigator, Dr Simon Brice, said the study found there was no statistically significant change in balance performance brought about by the silicon wristbands, which are embedded with two hologram discs.
"We saw no difference in people's balance whether they were using the wristband, wearing a placebo or wearing no wristband at all," Dr Brice said.
"While our focus was on balance and stability, holographic technology wristbands are also promoted as enhancing strength, flexibility and endurance."
I know that they Aussies have caught onto this scam towards the end of last year already and have moved to get all the people that actually purchased these bracelets their money back...personally, I hope they do not as I believe anybody that gullible deserves to loose their money to teach them a lesson.
but hey, that's just me...
WB
I have previously (not so subtly) expressed my extreme disgust and repudiation of these bracelets and how people can be so gullible as to believe that a piece of silicon or rubber with some holographic stickers in them actually improve your athletic performance in terms of stability, flexibility, strength and balance. That is the equivalent of saying that when your kid sticks some of those play-stickers on your back window to keep themselves busy during transit it increases the car's power by 20 horses. We all know that the only thing that adds to a car's power is a company sticker, but that's an entirely different show! :-D
Needless to say you can see my disdain...
Fortunately for me (and not so fortunate for all the PowerBelievers) they have started conducting some double-blind studies with these bracelets and can now prove that they are absolute BS and a grand waste of 450 buck.
Dr. Simon Brice and a small team has pioneered to be the first to study this holographic-messiah and will have the findings published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.
In case you want the summarised version of the facts that most everyone knows and most people do not care to admit:
"Chief investigator, Dr Simon Brice, said the study found there was no statistically significant change in balance performance brought about by the silicon wristbands, which are embedded with two hologram discs.
"We saw no difference in people's balance whether they were using the wristband, wearing a placebo or wearing no wristband at all," Dr Brice said.
"While our focus was on balance and stability, holographic technology wristbands are also promoted as enhancing strength, flexibility and endurance."
I know that they Aussies have caught onto this scam towards the end of last year already and have moved to get all the people that actually purchased these bracelets their money back...personally, I hope they do not as I believe anybody that gullible deserves to loose their money to teach them a lesson.
but hey, that's just me...
WB
Jan 24, 2011
Social/Local News - Slight highlights for the 24th day of January
Hi guys,
thought I might as well start with some useful/interesting local news, but in more of a summarised format.
Eskom promises no load-shedding for 2011 - www.southafricanews.net
Cricket world cup could be a miss due to political feud - www.southafricanews.net
Trust no-one, especially someone offering to handle your lotto winnings - www.iol.co.za
Flooding claiming some lives in Northern parts of the country - www.southafricanews.net
WB
thought I might as well start with some useful/interesting local news, but in more of a summarised format.
Eskom promises no load-shedding for 2011 - www.southafricanews.net
Cricket world cup could be a miss due to political feud - www.southafricanews.net
Trust no-one, especially someone offering to handle your lotto winnings - www.iol.co.za
Flooding claiming some lives in Northern parts of the country - www.southafricanews.net
WB
Social/Sports - Once a legend, possibly a legendary doper...
For anybody that follows sports - more specifically cycling - you will have heard of the name Lance Armstrong.
This man has lived a legendary life and has accomplished some incredible feats, but he is probably most famous for beating testicular cancer and then coming back to win the Tour de France a whopping SEVEN consecutive times! On top of all this he is a tremendous competitor and die-hard athlete capable of sub-human feats of endurance and will-power.
Although this is what was public opinion...
Recently Lance, as near all the other top endurance athletes, has been accused of doping to improve his performance. Worst of all is that this has been going on since before his diagnoses it appears some evidence would suggest.
Dr. Ross Tucker has written a very provoking article asking some questions that most people would rather choose to ignore. His main question thus: "do we care that he may be a cheat, given that he's inspired millions?"
It is an interesting thought to ponder, but would have some far-reaching repercussions as he suggests at the end of his article:
"Finally, the pointed question: do we care? Should be pursue a man for cheating when he has inspired and possibly saved millions from cancer? To me, this is asking whether a good deed cancels out a bad one. If the Mafia reinvests some money into the community it runs/terrorises, then does it matter that they maim and kill many on the way?
If gang leaders build community centres adjacent to the streets where they kill and sell crack cocaine, would it make them acceptable?
We simply cannot allow ourselves to create a balance sheet, where we “debit” certain actions and “credit” others. The balance sheet cannot count up what we do right and ignore what we do wrong, provided it is in the minority.
And if a sportsman has inspired many, but has done so through illegal means, then with the greatest of sympathy and without wishing to trivialise anything, we cannot simply turn away from the ever-mounting evidence of cheating."
Some of the questions and accusations are from former team-mates and members of his crew so most people are dismissing this as bitter former members and employees etc. There is some evidence slowly coming forward that indicates that scientists have found some banned substances in his blood, but at the time of the tests there was no way to identify it.
It is a well written and well researched piece so I shall not delve into too much detail.
I am one of those that would like to think it is not the case, however I am really starting to wonder hey...
WB
This man has lived a legendary life and has accomplished some incredible feats, but he is probably most famous for beating testicular cancer and then coming back to win the Tour de France a whopping SEVEN consecutive times! On top of all this he is a tremendous competitor and die-hard athlete capable of sub-human feats of endurance and will-power.
Although this is what was public opinion...
Recently Lance, as near all the other top endurance athletes, has been accused of doping to improve his performance. Worst of all is that this has been going on since before his diagnoses it appears some evidence would suggest.
Dr. Ross Tucker has written a very provoking article asking some questions that most people would rather choose to ignore. His main question thus: "do we care that he may be a cheat, given that he's inspired millions?"
It is an interesting thought to ponder, but would have some far-reaching repercussions as he suggests at the end of his article:
"Finally, the pointed question: do we care? Should be pursue a man for cheating when he has inspired and possibly saved millions from cancer? To me, this is asking whether a good deed cancels out a bad one. If the Mafia reinvests some money into the community it runs/terrorises, then does it matter that they maim and kill many on the way?
If gang leaders build community centres adjacent to the streets where they kill and sell crack cocaine, would it make them acceptable?
We simply cannot allow ourselves to create a balance sheet, where we “debit” certain actions and “credit” others. The balance sheet cannot count up what we do right and ignore what we do wrong, provided it is in the minority.
And if a sportsman has inspired many, but has done so through illegal means, then with the greatest of sympathy and without wishing to trivialise anything, we cannot simply turn away from the ever-mounting evidence of cheating."
Some of the questions and accusations are from former team-mates and members of his crew so most people are dismissing this as bitter former members and employees etc. There is some evidence slowly coming forward that indicates that scientists have found some banned substances in his blood, but at the time of the tests there was no way to identify it.
It is a well written and well researched piece so I shall not delve into too much detail.
I am one of those that would like to think it is not the case, however I am really starting to wonder hey...
WB
Social/Art - if this passes for art...
Well I'll be...
If this can pass for art then I really wish that someone could have seen my dishes stack up at my old flat! DAMN, I could have been the next big thing...
In case you are wondering what I am referring to it is the latest Damien Hirst exhibit.
Let's put another shrimp on the barbie!
WB
If this can pass for art then I really wish that someone could have seen my dishes stack up at my old flat! DAMN, I could have been the next big thing...
In case you are wondering what I am referring to it is the latest Damien Hirst exhibit.
Let's put another shrimp on the barbie!
WB
Jan 23, 2011
Theism/Social - Hallmark eat your heart out...
Sometimes I wonder if it is a case of thinking of the right thing at the right time or if some people just have the confidence to make some things work where others do not...
If anybody ever wants to get me a card for Xmas or any event again - look no further than this.
Come lads...what's the next big thing!?!?
WB
If anybody ever wants to get me a card for Xmas or any event again - look no further than this.
Come lads...what's the next big thing!?!?
WB
Social/Music - Freedom of Speech outcry...
The band As I Lay Dying has come out with an album in 2010 which has caught my ear for a short while - much better in my opinion than their previous TRENDCORE offerings only recognizable from the short burst of double bass chops that the chop slapping the skins could not even pull off live.
Fortunately they have matured and progressed to a more acceptable level and have released an incredibly powerful video for a track off their last album "The Powerless Rise" entitled "Anodyne Sea".
It is an attempt to draw attention to the public farce that is free speech and to draw attention to this issue in a very gut-wrenching way. It is one of those videos that creates a stir through its shock value without being gory or nasty at all - kind of like the "pappa wag vir jou" adverts of the latest drunk driving awareness campaign.
The lyrics for the song available here.
This video definitely worth a watch!!!
After I watched it I just kind of sat there for a couple of seconds...
Thanks to Rick for this one...cheers bud!
WB
Fortunately they have matured and progressed to a more acceptable level and have released an incredibly powerful video for a track off their last album "The Powerless Rise" entitled "Anodyne Sea".
It is an attempt to draw attention to the public farce that is free speech and to draw attention to this issue in a very gut-wrenching way. It is one of those videos that creates a stir through its shock value without being gory or nasty at all - kind of like the "pappa wag vir jou" adverts of the latest drunk driving awareness campaign.
The lyrics for the song available here.
This video definitely worth a watch!!!
After I watched it I just kind of sat there for a couple of seconds...
Thanks to Rick for this one...cheers bud!
WB
Theism - Melevolent Motivations for Morality
During this week leading up to our discussion about morality at our Free Thinkers group I stumbled upon this link on the RDF site.
It is quite a lengthy article, but amazingly worth the time and effort.
Please read it. I shall not even attempt to summarize as I cannot do it justice...
Jeff Schweitzer article.
Enjoy
WB
It is quite a lengthy article, but amazingly worth the time and effort.
Please read it. I shall not even attempt to summarize as I cannot do it justice...
Jeff Schweitzer article.
Enjoy
WB
Jan 14, 2011
Word of the Day - Foment
Today I found an interesting one...
Etymology
From Old French fomenter, from Late Latin fomentare, from Latin fomentum (“lotion”), from fovere (“heat, cherish”).
Verb
* to foment (third-person singular simple present foments, present participle fomenting, simple past and past participle fomented): To incite or cause troublesome acts; to encourage; to instigate.
'He was arrested for fomenting a riot; after all, it's bad enough being in a riot but starting one is much worse.'
* to foment (medicine): To apply a poultice to; to bathe with a cloth or sponge.
Derived terms
fomentation
Use it wisely
WB
Etymology
From Old French fomenter, from Late Latin fomentare, from Latin fomentum (“lotion”), from fovere (“heat, cherish”).
Verb
* to foment (third-person singular simple present foments, present participle fomenting, simple past and past participle fomented): To incite or cause troublesome acts; to encourage; to instigate.
'He was arrested for fomenting a riot; after all, it's bad enough being in a riot but starting one is much worse.'
* to foment (medicine): To apply a poultice to; to bathe with a cloth or sponge.
Derived terms
fomentation
Use it wisely
WB
Theism - how stupidity and simple-mindedness never cease to amaze me...
Wow!
Once you think the human race cant stoop any lower - fools like Pat Robertson reclaim the crown!
In his latest address he refers to the fact that "Snow Is God's Way of Punishing Americans Planning To Drive To Do Something Gay".
I do not even wish to delve into this kind of stupidity...however it is a funny read so please enjoy .
And I suppose gays and any other frowned upon activities anywhere else in the world are all fine by god seeing as there are no other incredible snow storms going around...? What's that...? yeah, shut the f*ck up...
Blegh
WB
Once you think the human race cant stoop any lower - fools like Pat Robertson reclaim the crown!
In his latest address he refers to the fact that "Snow Is God's Way of Punishing Americans Planning To Drive To Do Something Gay".
I do not even wish to delve into this kind of stupidity...however it is a funny read so please enjoy .
And I suppose gays and any other frowned upon activities anywhere else in the world are all fine by god seeing as there are no other incredible snow storms going around...? What's that...? yeah, shut the f*ck up...
Blegh
WB
Politics - iAfrica Point on our General Bheki Cele
Politics - not a topic generally accepted around the campfire, but then again, neither is religion so to heck with it! :-D
These guys do some amazing articles poking fun and using interesting facts at the same time.
This time they are taking the p!ss out of how our country's spokespeople and representatives like to wing it of the cuff - and generally end up embarrasing themselves - specifically aimed out our National Police Chief, General Bheki Cele...
Please enjoy!
Regards,
WB
These guys do some amazing articles poking fun and using interesting facts at the same time.
This time they are taking the p!ss out of how our country's spokespeople and representatives like to wing it of the cuff - and generally end up embarrasing themselves - specifically aimed out our National Police Chief, General Bheki Cele...
Please enjoy!
Regards,
WB
Theism - being human and extending tolerance...at least I think that is what it's about...
An interesting piece of writing from the desk of old Father Blair has caught my attention.
For one he really does seem sincere and as though without all the religious "fluff" (thanks, Craig!) he is actually just an atheist or humanist in the closet - however the more you read, the more you realize how much he can waffle and wheeze. I almost feel sorry for him, but I kinda do not...really weird!
Here is the link.
Needless to say I find it terribly hypocritical that the religious are supposed to tolerate their fellow humans, but there has to be a "inter-faith harmony awareness week" to promote being human to your neighbour.
Sick...
WB
P.S. I cannot help but read that entire article in Tony's pause-for-spiritual-effect dialect and lifting my hands with fingers extended and bringing them together for dramatic effect...
For one he really does seem sincere and as though without all the religious "fluff" (thanks, Craig!) he is actually just an atheist or humanist in the closet - however the more you read, the more you realize how much he can waffle and wheeze. I almost feel sorry for him, but I kinda do not...really weird!
Here is the link.
Needless to say I find it terribly hypocritical that the religious are supposed to tolerate their fellow humans, but there has to be a "inter-faith harmony awareness week" to promote being human to your neighbour.
Sick...
WB
P.S. I cannot help but read that entire article in Tony's pause-for-spiritual-effect dialect and lifting my hands with fingers extended and bringing them together for dramatic effect...
Jan 10, 2011
Theism - Did they loose God? oh only in their motto...
The University of the Free State has recently made an amendment to their (Latin) motto altering it from "In Deo Sapientiae Lux (In God is die lig van wysheid)" to In Veritate Sapientiae Lux (In waarheid is die lig van wysheid)".
Needless to say this slight change has been highly offensive to the apologetics in the Free State. They claim that this change in the motto abridges the Christian's right to religious freedom and denigrates the campus's demonstrable Christian majority.
The reason for the change however is to allow other cultures and creeds to feel more welcome at the University instead of creating questions as to preferred beliefs, according to the University spokesperson Mrs. Lacea Loader.
There are also numerous other faculty members and officials who supported this decision, yet most of the students feel that they have not had the adequate opportunity to voice their opinion on the matter.
Unfortunately this article is in Afrikaans.
Needless to say, all the comments are in line with the small minded comments after Woolworths decided to pull Christian books from their shelves.
Sad and scary...
Enjoy,
WB
Needless to say this slight change has been highly offensive to the apologetics in the Free State. They claim that this change in the motto abridges the Christian's right to religious freedom and denigrates the campus's demonstrable Christian majority.
The reason for the change however is to allow other cultures and creeds to feel more welcome at the University instead of creating questions as to preferred beliefs, according to the University spokesperson Mrs. Lacea Loader.
There are also numerous other faculty members and officials who supported this decision, yet most of the students feel that they have not had the adequate opportunity to voice their opinion on the matter.
Unfortunately this article is in Afrikaans.
Needless to say, all the comments are in line with the small minded comments after Woolworths decided to pull Christian books from their shelves.
Sad and scary...
Enjoy,
WB
Theism - its like Texas in PE...
Jebus,
driving down Strandfontein road today and I noticed a sign - however I sincerely hope that I am mistaken, but maybe somebody can confirm this for me.
It was an A5 style poster on one of the overhanging road lights (similar to the election style posters) proclaiming that if you are having trouble with your life or if you need guidance you should give Jesus a try.
Ironically just yesterday at our FTA meeting one of our new members, Paul, mentioned that we should perhaps look at putting up secular signs around town promoting secular values.
Can someone out there confirm with a picture or a story on this please.
Thanks,
WB
driving down Strandfontein road today and I noticed a sign - however I sincerely hope that I am mistaken, but maybe somebody can confirm this for me.
It was an A5 style poster on one of the overhanging road lights (similar to the election style posters) proclaiming that if you are having trouble with your life or if you need guidance you should give Jesus a try.
Ironically just yesterday at our FTA meeting one of our new members, Paul, mentioned that we should perhaps look at putting up secular signs around town promoting secular values.
Can someone out there confirm with a picture or a story on this please.
Thanks,
WB
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