Bob Park’s weekly What’s New newsletter is 23 years old today. Here’s to another 23 years of curmudgeonry and bringing to light all the crap that goes on in science and politics. Just stay away from trees, Bob!
Israel “Bruddah IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole is one of Hawaii’s most-loved musicians. “The Gentle Giant” had a melodic voice and a fine touch with the ukulele. Massively popular in Hawai’i, he became famous on the mainland through two songs: the medley “Somewhere Over The Rainbow / What A Wonderful World” and “Hawai’i ‘78″.
He died ten years ago today of weight-related respiratory illness. He was the third person to lay in state at the Capitol building in Honolulu. His funeral was attended by over ten thousand people.
The Union of Concerned Scientists is holding an editorial cartoon contest to:
[draw] attention to the growing problem of political interference in federal government science on issues as diverse as drug safety and global warming.
You can go vote for your favourite cartoon. I voted for #2.
Voting runs until July 23, 2007, so get your votes in!
Precious is a fairly standard Bad Baby Name. It’s normally not bad enough to make it to this column, but every now and then a baby comes along with parents who think they’re being original and cute. They’re actually being stupid and condemning their kid to a life of misery. Today’s precious little loser is Preshess.
And of course there has to be the standard monstrosyty. This week’s is Kayzlyn, which isn’t even a good name if you replace the Ys with proper vowels and not those waffling “I don’t know if I’m a vowel or a consonent” Ys.
But today’s Bad Baby Name winner is Ocean Reef Butts. It doesn’t need any explanation, it stands on its own. Congratulation, Ocean Reef Butts!
