Your Wednesday Enlightenment 08.15.08
Posted by Matthew D.S. on 08.15.2007
YWE contains no excessive amounts of lead. I promise.
*The age is at hand.*
*It is the age of the Enlightenment.*
[YourWednesdayEnlightenment.]
You're lucky that you're even getting a column folks, video-game-itis has hit, in a big way!
I am though a glutton for punishment for this particular game, since I seem to jump into the same chasm over and over. OVER AND OVER.
And why is it this game is a ZILLION times harder than its predecessor?? AND it went from a mere 9 levels to FREAKIN' FIFTEEN! WHYYYYYYYYY!!
Oh, and this game is for N64, making it eight years old; but damn it, ADDICTIVE!!
VICTORY SHALL BE MINE!
And the news shall be yours.
The NEWS.
Doubts of Candidate's Promised Secularism
Istanbul, Tuesday, August 14: After a failed bid for the presidency earlier in the year, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul seems to be on track for a renewed push for the post. Mr. Gul's AK Party dominates the nation's parliament, which will be choosing the president in upcoming votes, and Mr. Gul is again favoured, despite worries from several sections in society. Mr. Gul is a known Islamist, and the nation was founded on secular values, to avoid exacerbating tensions in society. Turkey's military has expressed its concern in the past, fearing that a Gul presidency would erode the secular base. According to the BBC, Gul has come out to defend himself against such doubts, declaring: "Protection of secularism is one of my basic principles," and that, "Nobody should worry about this." Other parties within parliament have declared their opposition to his candidacy, with the largest opposition party, the Republican People's Party, vowing to boycott any such vote.
No worry?
Turkey is a state which many in Europe and the West point to as an example of perhaps how Middle Eastern states could work best: be secular. Turkey has managed not to be torn apart - as of yet - by tensions between rival ethnic and religious groups because the state was founded on secular, i.e. non-religious ideals. Keeping religion out of politics is perhaps one of the smartest things Turkey could have done, and now that it is eyeing membership in the European Union, there will be continued pressure from the West to keep the nation's politics non-religious. This is why Mr. Gul is seen as such a threat. A Gul Presidency could mean increased anxiety from the European Union, which has already had its doubts about including Istanbul at Europe's table. Mr. Gul will have to tread lightly, as he faces challenges at home and abroad.
Toy Fears Generate Suicide
Beijing, Tuesday, August 14: The embattled Chinese toy industry took another hit after one of the men behind the scandal of dangerous toys committed suicide. Chinese state media reported that the factory boss of Lee Der Toy company, Zhang Shuhong, which made products for Mattel and others, was found dead in his factory on Saturday. He had apparently hanged himself. Lee Der and others have come under intense scrutiny after elevated levels of lead were found in many toys.
May cause happiness, laughter, and potentially deadly side effects. DAMN YOU ELMO.
China continues to get bad publicity prior to its hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games. The quality and safety of Chinese products is increasingly coming under the microscope, which frankly is a good thing. If China is to continue being a multi-billion dollar trading partner with the world, then the world has every right to safe products. Even if some things they make aren't the greatest. For now though, it seems their items shall continue to inhabit the shelves of dollar stores across the planet.
Bodies Discovered off Maltese Waters
Rome, Tuesday, August 14: Italian officials made a grizzly discovery after the bodies of fourteen alleged illegal immigrants washed up off of Italy's Lampedusa Island, in Maltese territorial waters. The island is known as a landing point for countless Africans attempting to enter Italy - and therefore Europe - from the north of Africa. The Italian Coastguard has thus far reported seven thousand Africans attempting to immigrate in such a manner. The fatalities are by no means a first, as the United Nations reports that 77 died in June of this year alone.
The end of the line for many unfortunate Africans.
This week's moment isn't to be taken too seriously, well, especially the name, but the information you will reap is well worth the effort. And I hope you do make an effort, and not just be some lazy slob who consumes too much junk food. If you are a lazy slob who eats too much junk food, then this story definitely is for you. Here it is, this week's "Moment."
"A Moment to Thank Your Mom!"
Ugh. Anyway, it turns out that science has explained your unhealthy taste for food that one would consider rubbish: blame Mom. Scientists performing tests on rats have discovered that if the mother rat ate a deal of junk food during pregnancy, the newborn rat would have a taste for similar foods, perhaps too much so, leading to issues down the road.
Way to go. Way to bloody go.
Can you feel the excitement now? Can you? No? Well you're SOL, it's still time for "This Just In." Who needs Power of Ten or Deal or No Deal, pshh….
*spins the globe*
Congratulations REPUBLIC OF POLAND, it's your turn to shine!
Let's have a looksee…okay, this is pretty straight forward. The Polish nation will decide this Fall whether to extend the time of the Polish mission in Iraq. Poland currently has 900 soldiers on the ground in the troubled nation. Yup. That's about it to this story. Fascinating.
A Polish soldier. Go ahead, look it up, he really is.
STAY CURRENT