News thread

The metaphor is creaking, it's barely a metaphor any more.

There's nothing reverential or deferential in tone in that article, is there? Going from the statesman Obama to the hatesman Trump is like going from Super Mario Bros. 3 to Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams - from lasting quality to flashy tripe.

Dagnabbit where're the news stories about cute baby animals when you need them!

We rely on you for those Athers!

Prime! I'm gonna live forever - I'm gonna learn how to fly! High!

Top maths news there! I must admit to mostly thinking of Metroid Prime when I saw this post...

Here is a piece of news I am delighted about: Donald Trump has cancelled his visit to the UK. Probably wanted to play golf instead.

I know we all know this, but... he's such a fucking bullshit merchant. "I'm not coming because... someone agreed to move the embassy to another place... a long time ago.. it's their fault". Yeah, alright mate, that sounds logical. He sounds like the impetuous 25-year old acquaintance who hasn't learned that they no longer have to make excuses to sound cool. But he's been surrounded with money and privilege his whole life, and not enough people told him no. That, and there is "old man" behaviour that I recognise from elderly relatives. Saying something terrible, someone actually pointing out to him that he said something terrible, and his shallow attempts to undo this then look even worse. "poueerto... rico... am i saying that right?"

And yet half of the most powerful richest country in the world voted for him.

Remind me again why some people find it difficult to have faith in humanity?

Balladeer wrote:

And yet half of the most powerful richest country in the world voted for him.

Actually, only about 25.5% of eligible voters voted for Trump. Slightly more voted for Clinton, and then almost half of eligible voters didn't vote.

Another reason to lack faith in humanity, frankly. Although I understand it's all the fault of some fella called Jeremiah Mandering?

Jerrymandering doesn't really come into it in Presidential elections, so much as small states with low populations getting huffy about not having as much power. For the electoral college to make sense, you're having to go back to like the Civil War.

Had a bit of a chuckle at the Tories having to deny post-Brexit Britain would be like Mad Max - because this is exactly what it made me think.

To my shame, I don't think I'd ever heard of this fella. He seems sound though.

I have, but wouldn't have been able to tell you what he did. Grand news.

Awww - if you graduatr from uni in the early 70s with an engineering degree, and your goal is to "keep people smiling", you're a good'n, Mr. Takeda.

I don't care that you all know this already. Stephen Hawking is dead and it deserves to be mourned everywhere where people care about finding out about the universe we live in. Hopefully that's here too.

It is: I had that proper pang of heartache when I saw the news this morning. Shattering.

Oh dear - we lost another good'n...

Yeah very sad news this morning

Ohh and my psychic powers are still working based on today at work

We raised our sake and gave a toast to the big man last night.
Need to track down and watch the Simpsons episode he wrote, I reckon.

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

I share this message with the real people who have most to thank St. Patrick for:

Presented without comment: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-43633734

At long last, more wildlife news!  Before I post the news I would like to impart some setting for those who don't live in Australia and thus are not used to parrots in their normal wildlife.  They can be extremely noisy things.  When I was about 12 I lived across from a large park near a bush reserve, and so a flock of Rainbow Lorikeets used to roost in the trees of said park, and the noise every evening was deafening.  They'd screech and call to one another for easily half an hour, and then all fall silent as if through some sort of mass telepathic signal.  

Then I saw the video in this article... The parrot overlords have returned to reclaim their land...

Parrots are great! I love parrots. Or, loved them when I was small, anyway. Not sure if I'd love that quantity of parrots, mind...