You gotta love this world. Forget how absurd are both U.S. political parties; ignore the brain-dead far right who belittle global climate change & cling in despair to their creationist fantasies; don't waste time on twisty-headed progressives (whatever the hell that means) who righteously call for a return to the economy created by the Smoot-Hawley tariff...which made the Great Depression considerably worse.
I mean, they're all fun and worthy of our ridicule. But a little effort reveals events that leave one slack jawed, wide eyed, and incapable of anything but astonishment that homo sapiens still persists.
Priest Pedophilia
We begin with Pope Benedict XVI (the guy on the left) who is taking this whole priest sex scandal thing very seriously. So seriously that he appointed one of his most trusted advisers, Genoa Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco, head of the Italian Bishops Conference, to establish a tough new worldwide policy on pedophilia. Some of Bagnasco's priests must have misunderstood, thinking that the church was in favor of fondling children. Father Riccardo Seppia, a 51-year-old parish priest in a village near Genoa, was arrested on May 13 not only on charges of pedophilia but illegal drugs as well.
According to Time.Com, "Seppia asked a Moroccan drug dealer to arrange sexual encounters with young and vulnerable boys. 'I do not want 16-year-old boys but younger. Fourteen-year-olds are O.K. Look for needy boys who have family issues,' he allegedly said." (Don't you just love the word, allegedly? "I allegedly shot him when I pulled the trigger on the gun I was allegedly holding after he allegedly slept with my alleged sister.")
To be fair, I doubt that one of the questions asked of wannabe priests is, "So, how do you feel about pedophilia?" And even if it were, who'd answer, "It's one of my favorite past times, especially when they're younger than 16."
Horse Herpes
Did you know that horses can get herpes, or, to the medically inclined, EHV-1? I didn't, not that it's a subject that holds particular interest for me. (Note to faint of heart: The following description may remind you of what you're like when you're blind, stinking drunk.) According to KSL.Com, a media outlet in Utah, EHV-1 is highly contagious, the disease can be fatal to horses and is incurable. It is not transmitted to humans, but is spread horse-to-horse through nose contact and contaminated tack, equipment or clothing. Symptoms include fever, decreased coordination, nasal discharge, lethargy, inability to rise and leaning against a wall or fence to maintain balance.
Because of the outbreak, contestants at the Davis County Sheriff's Mounted Posse Junior Queen Contest, I assume in Utah, had to cowgirl up Thursday night without thei r mares. As Dave Berry says, I swear I'm not making this up, instead of competing on horses, the girls trotted around the arena using as their show ponies...ready?...stick horses.
"It's kind of weird, but you can't really help that the disease is going around," said former queen Savanna Steed. Weird? You betcha! She said the stick horses will test the riders' knowledge of whether they know the routine, rather than letting the horse do all the work. Got it.
But I can't let it go at that. There are too many great pictures...so enjoy.
Lots more photos here.
Alas, we must move on.
Insulted Kings
I intend absolutely no disrespect when I report that an American citizen has been arrested in the great and wonderful land of Oz...sorry, Thailand...for insulting their great and powerful king...or should that be King? The Washington Post, May 28, reports that 54-year-old Lerpong Wichaikhammet, whose name cannot easily be anagrammed, lived in the U.S. for thirty years before returning to the medically-advanced country of Thailand for treatment. But bad Mr. LW four years ago (which is but seconds in Thai time, a country that predates the dawn of civilization) posted on his blog a link to a banned book about King Bhumibol Adulyadej, another name for which I have not the stamina to anagram.
By the way, your indubious Majesty, if you don't like the picture, blame The Huffington Post, since I stole it from them. Other sites didn't have the right picture format. Go figure. But back to the story: Arrested because of a link to a book? I tell you, as bizarre as things are here in the good old U.S. of A., it's still a lot safer than in other places whose names I won't mention just in case I wind up there some day. And good luck, Mr. LW. We fellow Americans are rooting for you...just so long as it doesn't piss of his royal you-know-who.
And finally,
Miss Otis Regrets
You no doubt read about the Korean American, Eddie Jun, who wandered into North Korea last November to spread the word of Jesus. Mann, were the North Koreans furious. Mr. Jun had the audacity to say that Sun Yat Sen, the current ruler of North Korea (I think that's right but who has time to look this stuff up,) isn't Jesus. Every good North Korean knows that their beloved leader is the true Jesus come back to Earth to spread joy and salvation.
But last Friday, all it took was for Robert King, the U.S. envoy for North Korean human rights, to visit North Korea and "express regret at the incident."
"Oh," said the exalted ruler, "if you regret it, we'll let Mr. Jun go."
And so it goes. Or so he goes...or will go...or something.
I love this world. Thank you, Lord.
In Jameson Veritas
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