A few days ago, I posted about Israeli tech and the achievements of its geeks. Then just now I came across this report of Israeli geeks at war: they've successfully hacked into Hezbollah's TV channel and websites. Interesting.

The wit is so sharp it can draw blood.  This piquant perspective may be too close to the actual truth, methinks. It also yields the best one-line comment I've yet heard about global affairs today: "Is it possible that the fear of war could

This is especially for my cubicle-dwelling Sibling, since he really enjoyed last Monday's video clip. Enjoy, office warriors!

I see the French foreign ministry continues its headlong rush into both irrelevance and contemptible denial of reality. Look at this headline: "France says Iran is respected, stabilizing force in Middle East." No, this really is the headl

I have the "Quirky Asia Files" tag for funny stories from Asia.  Now I think I need a "Quirky Asia-Chic Files" tag for Western silliness in pursuit of that famous "Asian mystique."  Check out these sushi-prin

I don't suppose these lunatics actually realize the sheer screaming hypocrisy of their own deeds and words. This is beyond satire.  This is just nuts: Protesters kicked, punched and fired projectil

Here's some cinematic news from Japan: a new film depicting Emperor Hirohito is raising fears of rioting and violence. (Need a historical reminder of Hirohito?) To make things even more  . . . er, interesting, the film is scheduled for release

If you'e not discovered the Egyptian blogger Big Pharaoh, I highly recommend him.  He's always got something interesting to say about Egypt, the Middle East, and life in general. Today he had the following comment:

Interesting ratings from a UK university study: Denmark is the happiest place on earth! Satire here, of course. Also, here is a happiness map of the world's nations, rated by happiness levels.  Silly, but worth a look.  The whole study is

I post a lot of Nerd News, so it's time for a little Geek News!   (Remember the difference, now: "Nerds" are people who are forever buried in books, like scholars, academics, etc.  "Geeks" are technological and/or s

A bit of nerd news that will interest anybody interested in knowledge (and the availability of it).  There's a rather important debate in academia right now over open acess to scientific research. Here's a link to the debate.  Tell me what

The weather is blisteringly HOT up here, and everyone is dizzy with the heat.  Part of the problem is that, as I've said since I moved up here, "These Yankees haven't a clue about real air conditioning." Is this a horrible thing to sa

Does life imitate satire? Well, sort of.  By now you've probably all heard the news that Tour de France winner Floyd Landis is accused of doping because he tested positive for high levels of testosterone. Still, there are various possible medi

Surprise!  This time the whining is not done by me, wailing about my dissertation!  *grin* No, seriously, read this whining by a first-year graduate student writing in the Washington Post: Is

The vodka war is on! Here are the two sides, more or less: Finland-Poland-Sweden versus the UK-the Netherlands-France-Austria. May the best vodka-producing fanatics win.  Meanwhile, the rest of us have better things to do than fight over labe

Norwegian blogger Fjordman has a new post online at Brussels Journal, and he argues that the EU leadership is an elite organization that is more aristocratic and oligarchic than truly democratic.  See what he has to say:

I found this rather entertaining piece at Laudator Temporis Acti, so I thought I would pass it on to you. Here is a piece of it: The truth is that universities positively discourage learning. Think abou

Gentle reader, for your amusement, I give you a new satire in the aftermath of the fantastic Tour de France. Here it is: "L'Equipe Accuses Landis of Doping, Reports Endorphins and Adrenaline in Cyclist's Blood."  

It's Monday, and unfortunately for many people, it is time to go back to work in the office.

It has been a very exciting Tour, and I'm a little sad to see it end, but what an end! Floyd Landis, splendid in yellow, rode into Paris to claim his place as winner of the 2006 Tour.  You can see the video here (scroll down).  Congratulat

Really cool idea. Check out the Tourist Remover! Ah, isn't technology grand?

Interesting little news blurb about illegal immigration from China to Taiwan, what Taiwan is doing about it, and implications about nationhood.  Hm. Anyway, check this out: Two hundred illegal immi

The 2006 Tour is now the perfect script for a triumphant movie about a cyclist who turned near-certain defeat into miraculous victory. After today's time trials, the resurrected Floyd Landis is now wearing the yellow jersey, and every cycling p

Blog pal Bruce Chang has several thoughtful posts online regarding the conflict in the Middle East, so do go over there and read them. I want to point out one topic in particular: "ceasefire" versus "victory."  This is

Drum roll, please . . . And here it is, the best headline of the day, straight from China. "Flaming dog meat sets Chinese school afire." No, I'm not making this up! Is this news story as bad as the one about cat meat restaurants in China