New Orleans' Tragic Paradox

Los Angeles Times

I have no doubt that New Orleans will be rebuilt.

But should it be?

Do you believe that the increased strength of recent storms is a temporary aberration or just the beginning?

Does it make sense to invest billions of dollars into rebuilding a city of that size in a depression? Do we do it all over again 10 years from now? 3 years from now? Next year? Next month?

We've had the vulnerabilities of the area between Lake Ponchartrain & the Gulf pointed out to us for a day before Katrina hit, and amply illustrated by an indirect hit by a Cat 4 storm (rather than the direct hit by a Cat 5 storm predicted) When does it stop being resilient and start to become foolish to rebuild?

- Sue

Woman Offended by Doc's Obesity Advice

Woman Offended by Doc's Obesity Advice

You can't win. If he'd sugar-coated it, she'd have sued him for causing her diabetes...

Lottery winners, 89, want new nylons, car

Lottery winners, 89, want new nylons, car

TORONTO (Reuters) - An 89-year-old couple who won a C$7.5 million lottery jackpot plan to keep living in their retirement home and perhaps splurge on a new pair of nylons for her and a Lincoln car for him.

I knew the C$ wasn't worth much, but this is ridiculous!

OU's original Little Red dies of leukemia

OU's original Little Red dies of leukemia

I'm sad that he is gone but what a slap in the face it would have been for him to see the NCAA's leaders move to eliminate virtually all Native American mascots and nicknames.

Are Theaters Passé?

Saw a story recently about movie studios wanting to compress the time between releasing a movie to theaters and releasing it on DVD, saying that theaters are no longer relevant, and that the lower box office receipts are because Americans no longer want to go to theaters.

The theaters are responding that box office receipts are second only to last year, and that the drop is because the offerings from the studios are subpar this year and that if DVDs are released within a few weeks of theatric release, that will adversely affect their ability to attract crowds.

Thoughts? When's the last time you went to a theater? Do you rent/buy new DVDs as soon as they're out?

If a movie you wanted to see were going to be out on DVD in 4-6 weeks, would you be less likely to go see it in a theater?

Top 100 Hits of 1972 / Top 100 Songs of 1972

Top 100 Hits of 1972 / Top 100 Songs of 1972

Definite potential for mining great oldies for the iPod!

USATODAY.com - Hotels dumb down alarm clocks for weary guests

USATODAY.com - Hotels dumb down alarm clocks for weary guests

Thank You! It is so frustrating to get in to a place late, have to get up at a certain time the next morning and have to spend 10 minutes figuring out if the clock is set right.

I'm happy to invest the time to learn my complicated clock radio at home; I use it almost every night. But a clock I'm only going to use 1 or 2 nights should be simple.

Texas Tribe Flounders After Casino Shuts

Texas Tribe Flounders After Casino Shuts

This case just keeps getting uglier...

I love Google!!!

On Fathom, a poster asked what would the effects would be if a 100 MegaTon (MT) bomb exploded in San Francisco.

I was able to show him on HYDESim (High-Yield Detonation Effects Simulator)

Squeeeee!

Did I mention that I am glad this friend lives far from Amarillo?

This just ain't right. . .

From: E! Online:
"Wal-Mart is usually vigilant when it comes to stocking material that may be disapproved of by its customers.

For example, Willie Nelson's latest album, Countryman, was forced to undergo a makeover in order to earn a spot on the retailer's shelves. The regular cover of the album features a marijuana leaf; the Wal-Mart version, a palm tree."

Willie Nelson selling out. Whoodathunkit.

- Sue

Texas Now a Majority-Minority State

Texas Now a Majority-Minority State

The graphic is striking.
The 2 states who have the earliest say in who the rest of us can choose from for President are states with <10% minority.

TheKansasCityChannel.com - News - Phelps' Group Protests At Soldier's Funeral

TheKansasCityChannel.com - News - Phelps' Group Protests At Soldier's Funeral

Words fail me.

His Mama Said to Come Home. . .

but, no, he was too busy playing a game. Now he's dead.

Somehow, I find hexing more believable than heart failure in this case. . .

Pegasus

 

Study says flirtatious women get fewer raises, promotions - Yahoo! News

Study says flirtatious women get fewer raises, promotions

Interesting last line:
Women need to be aware that when they say "It's a nice day," men will often conclude "She wants me," Benton says.

Life in the Hermit Kingdom - US News & World Report

Life in the Hermit Kingdom

This reminds greatly of Dick Francis's Trial Run, set in Moscow at the height of the Cold War.