The gopher museum in Torrington, Alberta, has been opened despite a long campaign by animal rights activists to prevent it. Stuffed gophers, caught in local farm fields where they are a pest, are dressed in clothing and with tiny props show many scenes of life in Torrington: they play hockey, get their hair done, shoot pool, fish, and rob a bank. There is even a gopher preacher in his church. The locals didn't appreciate the outsiders' objections. The Mayor told them to "go stuff themselves." But the head of Torrington's tourism committee, liked the controversy. "They've given us thousands of dollars of free publicity," she said. (AP) Is this stupidity or lack of education?
An absolutely choice example of non-thinking, brought to you by Cincinnati's skeptics. Steve Allen has a humorous story he tells, as an example of Dumbth, his word for stupid things people do and think. He has a book filled with such actions by the same title. Someone did a "man-on-the-street" interview in which he asked the following question: "Would you vote for a heterosexual presidential candidate?" Reputedly over half those questioned said that if they were honest, they just didn't think they could vote for a such a person for president. The dumbing down of America continues!
A company based in Liechtenstein is offering a new investment which it claims will be the best for your life and in your afterlife. Prometh's "reincarnation account" provides "seed capital for your next life." The $130,000 minimum accounts are invested in conservative growth portfolios. "You shouldn't be speculating while your soul wanders," the Company insist, and it must be redeemed within 23 years after the owner's death. To collect, the reincarnated soul must correctly answer questions that only their selves in a previous life would have known. (Newsweek)
Robert M. of Tampa was charged with theft and forgery after he allegedly married his comatose girlfriend hours before she died, then charged $20,000 to her credit cards. But, he claims, it wasn't his idea. "He said he was sitting on the couch when Ms. Sewell's dog told him she would want him to go on living, have a better life, and it would be OK to use her credit cards," a police person reported. However, an investigator who searched the apartment couldn't find any corroborating evidence. "The dog was tied up in the garage and didn't say a thing," he commented. (AP)
Thomas W. Passmore, 32, was working on a construction project in Norfolk, Va, when he noticed a mark on his hand. It looked like "666" to him. Remembering his Bible: "If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off," Passmore picked up his circular saw and complied. Quickly taken to a hospital, he refused to give consent to surgery, saying he would go to hell if they re-attached his hand. Hospital officials, unsure what to do, consulted a judge, who told the hospital to follow their patient's wishes. Now, Passmore is suing the hospital for $3.35 million, claiming they should have overruled his orders and made him have the surgery. He said the hospital is liable because they knew he had a history of mental problems. (AP) Had they re-attached his hand would he now be suing them for ignoring his religious beliefs?
San Jose State University is looking for Josephine Canicatti, 83, to help their football team beat their rival, the University of California Bears. Canicatti is reputed to have the malocchio, Italian for "evil eye", so she can put curses on others -- which she is said to have done for other teams. She put her stare on Casey Stengel before the Yankees lost the World Series in 1955. Marketing consultant Peter Ciccarelli came up with the idea, even though he lost track of her in 1986. Is this some sort of publicity stunt? "Absolutely," Ciccarelli says, adding he doesn't really think the curse will work. "But when you're involved in a losing program and you want to turn the corner, you'll take anything." The Bears' coach isn't too worried. "This is Berkeley," Steve Mariucci says. "We get things like that all the time around here." SJSU's football coach John Ralston wasn't consulted on the plan, but liked it. "Let's try it. We need all the help we can get." (San Francisco Chronicle) May I recommend an absolutely first rate African witch doctor?
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