Truth (Plus Lies)

By using 666 we’re using something that the Christians fear. Mind you, if they do switch to 616 being the number of the beast then we’ll start using that.

The number of the beast is in fact 616.

Warning: Penisesque Images.

There was one thing that really bothered me, and I know it’s ridiculous but I can’t turn it off: why didn’t Obi-Wan finish off Anakin? That weakness of the mind cost millions of lives. Put down the coffee, Master Kenobi — coffee is for closers.

I agree with Mr. Sun. That moment bugged me both times I saw it. Though I was more bothered by how Obi-Wan wouldn’t put the poor guy out of his misery. I mean… he’s like a brother to you, and you leave him legless, on fire, alone in a volcano where he’ll presumably burn to death, starve to death, or some combination of both? Stone cold. (Incidentally, I enjoyed it more the second time- which is odd because Episode 2 was almost unbearable the second time.)

An assortment of new fonts will come with Microsoft software next year. The goal is improved readability on the screen. I think they are quite graceful.

Some peruvians found the fossil of a 2-million-year-old, VW-Beetle-sized armadillo.

Don’t just enjoy the cuteness, judge the cuteness.

Today, I got diverted into learning about state flags. Most of them are not that great, IMO, but a few interested me.
Hawaii’s is an amalgam of the US flag and the UK flag. It was adopted by the first king of Hawaii in 1816, so it’s one of the oldest state flags.
Maryland’s is the other flag with British origin. It’s based on the coat of arms of a British baron who applied for Maryland’s royal charter.
Ohio’s is the only non-rectangular state flag.

Marginal Revolution raises some good points.

What do the Jedi Council want anyway? … Aren’t they a kind of out-of-control Supreme Court, not even requiring Senate approval (with or without filibuster), and heavily armed at that? As I understand it, they vote each other into the office, have license to kill, and seek to control galactic affairs.

Maggie Gallagher was wrong. Public opinion on gay marriage seems to be pretty stable.