More newspeak

[blamebrampton]

I am sick, and failed to phone my friend because I was asleep, and I am now also cranky with large parts of the world.

Apparently, Russia is engaged in Peacekeeping Operations in Georgia.

Clearly Vlad is a Farscape fan.

Sometimes I wonder if people read books, or, indeed, the papers. This makes me a little sad when it is people on the train, but when it is the leaders of nuclear capable nations, I despair. Vietnam redux has been horrible enough, we don't need the Soviet-Afghan war played out again. Or, you know, World War I.

When did the superpowers go completely mad? Was there a memo sent out that I missed? I have this vague idea that things were shiny for a few years around 1990, was I drunk? It's quite possible I was.

I had this vague idea  (which I admit was formed from reading books and newspapers, so is clearly not the sort of idea that we hold with in These Uncertain Times) that if you wished to regain power in former regions of influence the only certain way to do so was through economic influence. Surely that was the one part of the Reagan legacy everyone agreed on? Maybe I was drunk for that bit, too.

Back in Australia, the channel that is broadcasting the Olympics accidentally failed to screen a pro-Tibet ad that had been booked for a slot before the opening ceremony. But there was no interference from the IOC, honest. Also, I am quite tall and very blonde. And Californian. And a man.

In some happy news, a 111-year-old lizard is about to become a father,  and the Times has the best headline EVER: Dog-cloner denies Mormon sex kidnapping

Comments

[daybreaq.livejournal.com]

Well, there is a bit more to the story than that. I must admit I looked it up and it's one of those huge Britney-level, ongoing dramas being played out in Western European tabloids. One of the commentators in the US though *seemed* to put give a subtle implication that it was some deliberate plot of the Italian swim team to destroy the French swimmer which is a load of crap. Court of public opinion does currently appear to be leaning heavily in favor of the French swimmer though I don't think the Italians are all the villians they are made out to be. The Italian male swimmer boyfriend does appear to be a lout; but I think the Italian female swimmer just got caught up in a scandal and probably should just date someone else and the coaches just want to train promising swimmers who have the maturity to work hard and listen to them and just ... you know ... swim.

Here's the soap opera as I understand it (I must admit it *is* pretty juicy tabloid fodder!):

1.) 17 year old French girl wins a Gold medal in a swim event in the 2004 Olympics. She instantly becomes a huge celebrity in France.

2.) Newest French media darling starts dating hot but not so famous Italian swimmer.

3.)France's favorite daughter announces she's leaving France and her coach of 6 years to train in Italy to be close to her boyfriend because it's "true love."

4.)French swimming sensation's new Italian coach announces he doesn't want to work with her anymore because of "attitude problems." Interviews with the swimmer indicates she felt the coach wanted her to practice more than she needed or wanted to.

5.) Meanwhile, the French/Italian swimming supercouple become known for very public, screaming arguments which culminates in her throwing the ring he gave her IN THE POOL while at a competition!

6.) Hours after the ring in the pool incident privately taken nude photos and sex video of the French swimmer are released on the internet. The Italian ex-boyfriend claims he has no clue how they got there.

7.) The Italian ex-boyfriend starts dating an Italian female swimmer next, the one who happened to have broken the French swimmer's world record probably because she was practicing a lot at the time like those mean coaches seem to like their swimmers to do.

8.) So, fast forward to yesterday: The French woman and the Italian woman both make the finals for THE event where the French swimmer won Gold in 2004 and the Italian swimmer later broke her record and the medals are won by .... two Brits (Gold and Bronze) and an American (Silver) ... probably because they practice a lot and don't have hot Italian boyfriends and don't make tabloid news yet.

On the "best headline EVER" the only thing that tops it is the actual story itself! Very bizarre story ... though I feel a bit guilty reveling in the strangeness of the story when a young man was kidnapped and raped. The similarities between the two women are an interesting ... coincidence ... yeah, it's JUST a coincidence! In general, I think keeping a distance from people who clone pit bulls is probably a good idea.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

MADNESS! But hilarious madness. I think that swimming is such an essentially dull sport aside from the actual races that journos look for interest where they can find it. Though I fully agree with your assessment; training will put you ahead of love affairs every time!

You are not wrong to be fascinated by the mormon rapist, and you are VERY right to be afraid of dog cloners!