It Kinda Renews Your Faith in the Human Race

I'm man enough to admit I love watching The Sound of Music. Real men dig musicals! Truly macho men dig musicals re-envisioned in Belgian train stations.

Sound of Music: belgian Train Station

Heh heh

Arrrrrrrg

I think we can all agree that we're relieved the captain of the Maersk Alabama was finally rescued over the weekend and that the pirate threat has been (temporarily) nullified by some sharp shooting Navy SEALs. (see story here) Piracy in the modern era has become a real threat to lives and property, and bears no resemblance to the "glamorous" characters in the semi-entertainment Disney movies.

That said, let's all pause to make light (again temporarily) of the problems that plague the Indian Ocean and enjoy the idea of actual seals and pirates locked in mortal combat on the high seas.

Happy Easter!

By Robert Lowry

Low in the grave He lay,
Jesus my Savior,
Waiting the coming day,
Jesus my Lord!

Vainly they watch His bed,
Jesus my Savior;
Vainly they seal the dead,
Jesus my Lord!

Death cannot keep its Prey,
Jesus my Savior;
He tore the bars away,
Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Sigh.

Breaking news: Hillary Clinton is waging war one of my major goals in life: to set foot on all seven continents, including Antarctica. I had planned to knock Australia and Asia off the list before going to frolic with the penguins, but now I may have to move it up on the itinerary. Why, Hillary? What did I ever do to you?

Clinton calls for stricter Antarctic tourism limits

(CNN) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for tighter controls over tourism and other forms of pollution in Antarctica Monday, arguing for greater global cooperation to help preserve the continent's environmental and scientific research value.

The Dry Valley region of Antarctica has seen an increase in visits by tourists.

Addressing a joint session of the Arctic Council and the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, Clinton said the Obama administration is concerned about the growing popularity of tourism in the southern polar region.

She said the United States is proposing new international limits on the number of landings from tourist vessels, as well as greater cooperation to prevent potentially hazardous discharges from those ships.

At the same time, the United States is proposing new requirements for lifeboats on tourist ships "to make sure they can keep passengers alive until rescue comes," Clinton noted.

Aside from worrying about the environmental impact of tourism, the U.S. is "concerned about the safety of the tourists and the suitability of the ships that make the journey south," she said. Video Watch Clinton say how the Antarctic has been protected from war »

The issue of tourism in the Antarctic has become an increasingly divisive issue in recent years, pitting scientists and preservationists against a travel industry seeking to capitalize on a growing demand for adventure and nature-oriented tours.

Over 46,000 tourists visited Antarctica in the 2007-2008 tour season -- almost four times as many visitors as during the 2000-2001 season, according to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators.

Clinton's remarks came as the United States helped mark the 50th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty, a model for "how agreements created for one age can serve the world in another," Clinton said.

Clinton noted that President Obama sent the U.S. Senate an amendment to the treaty Friday that would spell out how the international community should better prevent and respond to environmental emergencies in Antarctica. The amendment would cover the question of liability tied to environmental damage in the ecologically sensitive region.

In addition, the United States has proposed an extension of the treaty's marine pollution rules "in a manner that more accurately reflects the boundaries of the Antarctic ecosystem," she noted.

"The treaty is a blueprint for the kind of international cooperation that will be needed more and more to address the challenges of the 21st century," Clinton said.

"It is an example of smart power at its best: governments coming together around a common interest and citizens, scientists and institutions from different countries joined in scientific collaboration to advance peace and understanding."

Clinton argued that the treaty "and its related instruments remain a key tool in our efforts to address an urgent threat of this time: climate change."

A number of international scientific research stations have been established in Antarctica in part to help explore the probable causes and effects of global warming.
advertisement

Twelve nations initially signed the Antarctic Treaty in 1959; 47 nations abide by it today. The accord specifies that Antarctic territory cannot be used for military purposes. It bans, among other things, nuclear testing and the disposal of radioactive waste material on the continent.

It also protects freedom for international scientific research in the region.

OK We're Going to Have a Problem Here

Hey Mack Brown? You're dead to me. You know what Kurt Vonnegut used to say about asterisks, don't you?

From The Oklahoman:

Texas claims Big 12 championship with an *

By Jake Trotter
Published: April 5, 2009

Prominently displayed on a wall inside Texas’ Moncrief-Neuhaus training facility is a list of the Longhorns’ Big 12 and South Division championships.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, the Longhorns have included 2008 among their Big 12 championships — with an asterisk.

Last season, OU edged out Texas and Texas Tech for the South title in a three-way tie determined by the BCS Standings, despite a fervent protest from Texas coach Mack Brown and Longhorn fans.

The Longhorns claimed that because they defeated OU head-to-head, they deserved to go to the Big 12 title game — despite the fact they also lost to Texas Tech, which created the three-way tie.

On the last week of the regular season, Texas fans even paid for a flyover in Stillwater before the Bedlam game to remind voters of Texas’ 45-35 win over OU in the Cotton Bowl.

Nevertheless, the Sooners went on to beat Missouri in Kansas City, Mo., to win their unprecedented third-consecutive Big 12 championship.

Apparently, that victory is still not being acknowledged in Austin.

Said one school official to the Statesman, “We beat both teams (OU and North Division winner Missouri). I thought that (championship game in Kansas City) was for the runner-up spot.”

Best.Cartoon.Ever.

TGIF

Get it? Because Family Matters was on TGIF?

Happy Friday!

Today was a pretty good and productive day:

I used a Best Buy Rewards thing that was going to expire tomorrow to order Citizen Kane, The Great Escape AND (hold onto your hats, folks) Milo and Otis. Toss in The Parent Trap and Smokey and the Bandit and you have the five best films ever made.

Leslie and I launched an online "book club," Miles of Books. She gets all the credit for the classy color scheme. We're starting with The Pilgrim's Progress. Reading begins Sunday.

I noticed the teller at the bank had made a deposit of $83.60 instead of $183.60 before I had driven home and then been forced to drive all the way across town and argue for 45 minutes.

I wrote a Seussian review of I Love You, Man.

I got my oil changed.

I came up with an excuse to go to KC next week and skip In Office Day.

I took a nap.

I discovered I look really good in yellow.

Everyone Chip In

Despite the Econocolypse, 2008 was a banner year for the film industry. Forget AIG or idiots who bit off way more debt than they could ever hope to chew, it's those I'll-stay-at-home-and-read-a-book people that are prolonging this recession. I know I did my part.

Greetings from Jefferson City!

Today I sent a postcard to Puri1959 in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. Here's a little something about Puri:

My passion is: photography, travel and letter. The photograph profession does training. Be in Mataró (Barcelona) Spain born. I am very ondernement and can I also very quiet be, am gladly only also between the mob move myself I good. Love many vegetables eat and have for manny years stopped with smoke…. On to a long friendship. loves, Puri

Gosh I love non-native speakers.

But still, not bad for a third language.