Headline Muse, 9/2

In a cop-based “reality” show
Starring Steven Seagal as a pro
If he thinks a cool prank
Involves driving a tank
I suspect the right answer is “NO!”

Headline: Steven Seagal denies role in dog’s death

Actually, there are quite a few stories out, with conflicting claims. Apparently, Seagal took part in a sheriff’s raid, as part of his reality show, and at one point commandeered a tank. Sources disagree as to whether the suspect’s dog was killed in the raid. Sources also disagree as to how much money the suspect is suing for.

No sources disagree that this is precisely the sort of thing that anyone who would watch a Steven Seagal-based reality show is tuning in to see.

Billboard Madness

Ed has a post up on the predictable online reactions to the new Atheist billboard in Grand Rapids. In the comments, there was a prediction of billboard vandalism, and the (surprising, to me at least) revelation that such “vandalism is actually pretty rare”. Count me among those who expects vandalism, but very willing to be proven wrong.

The story reminds me of a previous billboard campaign by an outgroup that had the temerity to remind us that they exist. Story below the jump:

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Re: “Ungodly Discipline”

The church that runs the boarding house where little girls are beaten
Finds the media attention rather odd
It exemplifies the problem with America today—
We put little children’s safety over God.

The republicans out courting votes, to energize their base
Call the global warming scientist a fraud
“We are taking back the country from the liberals, because
They trust scientific findings over God.”

A polygamist in prison, on a hunger strike for days
Thinks his trial was a ludicrous façade
And the problem with humanity is obvious to all
We’ve been following the law instead of God.

As I look through all the stories I see daily in the papers
I see we use our language rather oddly
To describe the sick behavior that religions may engender
We too often use the adjective “ungodly”

thoughts, after the jump:
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Headline Muse, 9/1

Eating burgers, or salads, or soup
Has effects, say researchers who snoop,
They determine the kind
And the number we find,
Of bacteria found in your poop

Headline: What We Eat Shapes Microbe Societies Inside Us

Yeah, I cheated again; it’s not a proper headline but NPR’s health blog, “Shots” (great name). But what a great story. I’m sure my readers already know that there are more cells inside of you that are not yours than that are. More bacteria cells than person cells. And yes, this bacteriological biome acts as an organ, and helps to make you the person you are. And that alone is so very cool. But it turns out that (obvious in hindsight–a phrase intended as a compliment to the authors) what you eat helps to shape what sort of bacteriological population you carry.

Y’know, just click the link and read the story. It’s very worth it.