The Philippines caved in to terrorism recently when it decided to withdraw its peacekeeping troops from Iraq in exchange for the release of a Filipino hostage. This action has received much criticism, mainly from the United States, claiming that appeasement of terrorists will just encourage more kidnappings and acts of intimidation. Well, now their government is trying to placate the United States. Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the Philippines will remain a strong ally ...

“Weaseling out of things is good. It's what separates us from the other animals....except weasels.” Homer Simpson

I'm not much into musical theater, but this has got to be freaking cool!

Duke has long been one of my favorite universities. While in high school I had the opportunity to attend classes at Duke as part of a summer studies program, and I enjoyed my time there immensely. When the time came to choose a college, Duke was near the top of my list, but I did not have the finances or the scholarship earning ability to attend. I ended up really enjoying the university I did attend, but recent news from Duke almost makes me wish I were a high school senior all over again...

“The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth.” -Niels Bohr (1885-1962)

The following is a segment from one of my favorite web sites: Insultingly Stupid Movie Physics . The Attractive Force of Glass Our hero stands innocently on the sidewalk as a sinister car approaches with a shotgun protruding from the window. Suddenly he sees it, but—blam— it's too late. He's blown violently off his feet and flies several feet backward through the nearest display window. Fortunately, he's wearing his bulletproof vest and survives. If he were not on the sidewalk by ...

As seen in a cat's diary: Day 183 of my captivity... My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another house plant. Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded -- must try ...

As seen in a cat's diary: Day 183 of my captivity... My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another house plant. Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded -- must try ...

“People don't ask for facts in making up their minds. They would rather have one good, soul-satisfying emotion than a dozen facts.” Robert Keith Leavitt

Wow, I sure hope this story in the Phillipines Daily Tribune is incorrect. I would hate to think that Iraqi terrorists were getting more positive reinforcement. The Malaysian government, Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday refused to confirm or deny reports that $6 million in ransom was paid out to the Iraqi kidnappers for the release of Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz in time for President Arroyo's State of the Nation Address (Sona) scheduled fo...

A man walks into a church confessional and says to the priest, "Bless me, father, for I have sinned. I was with seven different women last night." The priest is silent for a moment, then says, "Go home and cut seven lemons in half. Squeeze the juice into a glass and drink it down in one gulp." "And I'll be forgiven?" asks the man. "No," replies the priest, "but it will wipe that %#@*&^ smirk off your face."

A man walks into a church confessional and says to the priest, "Bless me, father, for I have sinned. I was with seven different women last night." The priest is silent for a moment, then says, "Go home and cut seven lemons in half. Squeeze the juice into a glass and drink it down in one gulp." "And I'll be forgiven?" asks the man. "No," replies the priest, "but it will wipe that %#@*&^ smirk off your face."

The London Evening Standard is reporting on a Labour-dominated Commons committee attempt to eliminate knighthoods. They want to do away with the title Sir, as well as the Order of the British Empire, which is “used to honour sporting heroes, community leaders and celebrities.” It seems their beef with this award is that it is "anachronistic and insensitive". I’m not sure what a CBE is, but that is on their list of cuts as well because “Commander” sounds too militaristic. "The term Com...

The BBC has an interview with a suicide bomber who was caught by Israeli forces before he was able to detonate his bomb. This 15-year-old offers some frightening insight into the mindset of such a person. JR: Were you scared of dying? Hussam: No. I'm not afraid of death. JR: Why not? Hussam: Nobody is going to live forever. We're all going to die. JR: But you were only 15 years old at the time. Hussam: I wanted to be relieved of school. So it seems death is better than school...

In an article recently, someone asked what I see first when I look at a woman. I replied “the neck.” Sir Peter then asked me if I were a vampire. The answer, it seems, is perhaps. Let’s break it down. I am a night person. I always have been. My mother was always amazed if I got out of bed before noon on the weekends. When I was a lecturer I made a deal with my boss not to schedule any of my classes before 10:00 AM. Over the years I have noticed a definite increase in energy, st...