Feel Good Story of the Day
The ‘world’s tallest man,’ a 7ft 8.95in Mongolian Herdsman, saved the lives of two dolphins using his immense armspan, which allowed him to reach into the dolphins’ stomachs to remove plastic shards. This heroic act is so unlike those other Guinness World Record holders who achieve their feats and then just sit back and receive accolades. He’s like a superhero, using his power to save the day, not to mention save China some face after today’s other Chinese dolphin story: The ancient white dolphin of the Yangtze River is now extinct (the “feel bad” story of the day.)
Prank of the Day
Thousand upon thousands of Belgians, including several politicians, were panicked when a public TV station interrupted a broadcast to announce that their country had been split into two. Although it wasn’t meant to be a joke (the journalists wanted to call attention to the growing number of Dutch-speaking separatists in Flanders), who can deny the humor in imagining Belgium suddenly ceasing to exist? If Iraq can continue to flourish as one nation, surely Belgium will endure.
Wise Quote of the Day
“Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” – Albert Einstein
Wilde Quote of the Day
“America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between.” – Oscar Wilde
Somber Quote of the Day
“‘I am ready to die,’ said Osama Abdi Rahim, dressed head to toe in camouflage and marching around with a loaded rifle. He is 7 years old.” (here from NYTimes article ‘Somalia’s Islamists and Ethiopia Gird for a War’).
Commuter Rail Quote of the Day
On the train ride home, I sat behind a man who suckled pungent Chinese food for 20 minutes, which got him ‘in the mood’ to talk dirty on his cell phone: “You walking, babe?… Yeah, I can hear your shoes… Sexy shoes… Clack clack clack, like a horse… yeah, like a horse I want to ride…” Apparently, the mare was spooked, because talk soon turned to possible restaurants for dinner.
