So not only do salmon shark have to keep swimming so as to avoid sinking, they need to do so to avoid freezing as well.^[1] Apparently doing so (swimming) helps it maintain its temperature. Very cool.

1. The National Science Foundation. “How Hot Tuna (and Some Sharks) Stay Warm” Press Release 05-187, 2005-10-27. http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=104543&org=NSF&from=news

ARN brings word via the New York Times that

the National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Teachers Association have denied the Kansas Board of Education permission to use their copyrighted materials as part of the state’s proposed new science standards because of the standards’ critical approach to evolution.^[1]

1. Mr. Tom Magnuson. “Kansas Fight on Evolution Escalates” The ID Update 2005-10-31. http://www.arn.org/blogs/index.php/3/2005/10/29/kansas_fight_on_evolution_escalates

I was reading Joel On Software again today, and decided to follow some of the same advice that Joel is in his recent site revamp. I am not going quite so far as he has, nor fully implementing the usability guides he links to. But I am making a little more effort, and to that end, you will now see a blurb in the side bar about me and this site. You may also have noted that the links started to have tooltips a little while ago. I might implement a little more of this at some future point.

Mr. Walter Williams links poverty, focusing on blacks, to marriage and illegitimacy rates, providing the numbers to back his assertions.^[1] Unfortunately he does not provide his sources, but this remains worth considering and remembering.

1. Mr. Walter Williams. “Ammunition for poverty pimps” townhall.com 2005-10-26. http://www.townhall.com/opinion/columns/walterwilliams/2005/10/26/172901.html

It is interesting to note that Lincoln, Nebraska, perhaps the country’s most theologically conservative diocese, does not appear to be suffering from the general shortage of priests across the rest of the country.^[1] As the article states, this is probably not a function of conservatism per se, but of correct teaching; the two just happen to be similar at this moment in history. Still, it is something for those who say that the Church is “behind the times” and needs to catch up to look at.

1. Catholic News Agency. “Priestly shortage? Not in Lincoln” www.catholicnewsagency.com 2005-10-26. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=5252

Though I have not myself experienced such a device, I share many of the concerns of Mr. Yuri Kageyama as I read his article on a remote control device for humans.^[1] Even if its limited, which it sounds to be, it is still disturbing to think that there are now mechanical (or as the case may be, electric) means to take over someone’s body. Eventually this will get miniaturized and fine-tuned, the amusement industry will see to that even if the military does not. And I fear eventually someone will put it to a nefarious use.

1. Mr. Yuri Kageyama. “Remote Control Device ‘Controls’ Humans” SFGate 2005-10-26. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2005/10/25/financial/f133702D73.DTL

Father Vincent Twomey has written a fascinating look at what Europe is, and how it came to be in its current state.^[1] He also briefly mentions the possibility of renewal on the part of Europe in reaction to the influx of Muslims. I’m not so hopeful as he is, but his article is still well worth reading.

1. Father Vincent Twomey. “Rediscovering the Soul of Europe” ZENIT 2005-10-24 Code: ZE05102422. http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=78846

Apparently I have almost never written here about the Second Amendment. That somewhat surprises me. I was looking at TownHall’s “C-log” today, and found this gem.^[1] Like the one post that a simple search here finds on the topic,^[2] it provides facts and figures on the reality of gun control and concealed carry permits. Worth taking note of.

1. Mr. Dan Mitchell. “Good news for 2nd Amendment supporters” TownHall.com C-Log 2005-10-20. http://www.townhall.com/blogs/c-log/DanMitchell/story/2005/10/20/172128.html
2. Mr. Luke Schierer. “20050406-1141″ Random Unfinished Thoughts 2005-04-06. https://www.schierer.org/~luke/log/20050406-1141/20050406-1141

Mr. Michael McGough looks further at politics and religion in the nomination of Ms. Miers here.^[1]

1. Mr. Michael McGough. “Politically expedient faith a popular choice” Florida Sun-Sentinel 2005-10-20. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-faithpol18octoct20,0,5369703.story?coll=sfla-news-florida