This world of ours 5

(For optimal effect, listen to this while reading.)


Recently, a man in the Ukraine celebrated the completion of his 116^th year upon this Earth. That is 42,340 days, 1,016,834.3 hours, or 61,010,058 minutes.
1. Ukraine's 'oldest man' turns 116

Meanwhile the days in Darfur remain just as dismal:
2. Hopes fade for solution for Darfur
3. Sudan defiant on Darfur suspects
4. Darfur 'was worst abuse of 2006'
5. Kansas Senate Approves Sudan Divestiture

As do the prospects of curbing the earth's spiking warmth:
6. 'Now or never' for climate action
7. Wrangling delays climate report
8. Ethical Man's top ten tips for ethical living

Don't fret, though— that kills brain cells:
9. Stressful event kills brain cells

We still have reason to be happy, or at least reasons for it. So be happy: socialize, be kind, exercise, roll in the dirt, or be a Dutch child.
10. Path to true happiness 'revealed'
11. Dirt exposure 'boosts happiness'
12. Why are Dutch children so happy?

If you're a Chinese teenager, though, you're going to have to find other roads to happiness than MMOs:
13. China seeks to 'limit game hours'


Oh, and abstinence-only sex education DOESN'T work. ("[T]he US federal government spends $176 million on them annually...") If it's any consolation, you can still take your kids to a newly-built anti-evolutionary-science museum.
14. US sex-abstinence classes queried
15. Sex Abstinence Programs A Waste Of Time And Money
16. Creationist museum challenges evolution


Lewis Black, who—for whatever improbable reason—had a show in Salina, Kansas recently, has some thoughts pertaining to the latter (#16):

Whenever someone says they believe the earth was created in 7 days, I grab a fossil and say, "Fossil." And if they keep talking, I throw it just over their heads.

There are people who believe that humans and dinosaurs co-existed. And what this is, plain and simple, is a psychotic reaction. These people are stone-cold-f***ing nuts. I can't be nice about this, because these people are watching the Flinstones as if it were a documentary.

[Can't think of a segue]:


17. Japan anger at US sex slave bill


And is the media's depiction of women as sex objects good for the mental health of young girls? In case you can't already guess:
18. Sexualisation 'harms' young girls


Meanwhile, I have my fingers crossed for peace in Northern Uganda, although I'm doubtful:
19. Uganda rebels sign new ceasefire

I'm also hopeful for Iraq, although I have little or no reason to be:
20. Bush, Democrats trade accusations in war stand-off
21. Iraqi deaths survey 'was robust'
22. Payouts reveal Iraq civilian toll¹
23. In pictures: US war artist

But of course, as Obama says:

There are no good options in Iraq. At this point there are bad options and worse options.

Speaking of Mr. Obama, the 2008 presidential campaigns are looking to be pricey (as in "record-breaking" pricey):
24. Obama fundraising rivals Clinton


Also in the news:
25. Office workers 'risk blood clots'

26. Autism gene breakthrough hailed
27. Clear obesity gene link 'found'

28. When exercise becomes an obsession [too much exercise can be bad for mental health]

29. Danish protests turns flowery

30. Bed sharing 'drains men's brains'


And hot off the press (what the fuck?):
31. Sudan man forced to 'marry' goat



¹

One file records a payment of $35,000 made to a family in Hib Hib, Iraq, after US forces "accidentally discharged 155 mm rounds", killing three children aged five, 16 and 18 and damaging their home.

I was thinking, you know, I'm spending something upwards of $55,000 on college, and the compensation for three lives and a home is only $35,000. We're also spending some $165 million annually on abstinence education.

---

Just a castaway
An island lost at sea
Another lonely day
With no one here but me
More loneliness
Than any man could bear
Rescue me before I fall into despair, oh.

I'll send an S.O.S. to the world
I'll send an S.O.S. to the world
I hope that someone gets my (x3)
Message in a bottle. (x2)

A year has passed since I wrote my note
But I should have known this right from the start
Only hope can keep me together
Love can mend your life
But love can break your heart

I'll send an S.O.S. to the world
I'll send an S.O.S. to the world
I hope that someone gets my (x3)
Message in a bottle (x4)

Walked out this morning
Don't believe what I saw
A hundred billion bottles
Washed up on the shore
Seems I'm not alone at being alone
A hundred billion castaways
Looking for a home

I'll send an S.O.S. to the world
I'll send an S.O.S. to the world
I hope that someone gets my (x3)
Message in a bottle (x4)

Sending out an S.O.S. (x24 ¹/₂)


11/16 update:

Two significant happenings:
32. US university shooting kills 33
33. Sudan agrees to UN peacekeepers