News (originally posted 19 Feb 2007)

The Globe and Mail reported today:
"Tobacco companies that tempt cigarette addicts with advertisements are no better than preacher Jim Jones, who induced 900 followers to drink a cyanide-laced Flavor Aid in the infamous 1978 massacre, says a B.C. government brief to the Supreme Court of Canada."

In other words, tobacco companies are fanatic cult leaders and mass murders. Fair enough, that's one person's opinion. I'm not sure I'm willing to go that far, but I guess the 30,000 (or so) people killed each year by using what the tobacco industry sells dwarfs the number of people killed by Jim Jones' murderous juice. Incidently, the poison in Jones' brew can also be found in cigarettes.
*****
This is a really cool article from the Globe and Mail. It's an almanac of climate change information - everything from "the Al Gore Effect" to "Zero Hour for the Amazon."
*****
Even children's books are dirty these days. Some author used the word "scrotum" in her book. For me, "scrotum" is more humourous than offensive, but I'm a little immature still.
*****
President Bush's War on Terror has apparently found its way back to square one. The NY Times is reporting that Al Qaeda has regained significant control over their worldwide terror network. Well done Bush.
*****
The remarkably forward (read: big brotheresque) Iranian regime has shut down a website because it was critical of the Iranian President. Sounds like when Harper kicked his man Garth Turner (Halton) out of cabinet because of Turner's website. Okay, that's a stretch, but stretching is good for you.