A British theatre company has reportedly dropped the word hunchback from its stage adaptation of the classic novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame to avoid offending disabled people.
Oddsocks Productions has renamed its touring production The Bellringer of Notre Dame.
Producer Elli Mackenzie is quoted in the Daily Mirror saying she feels changing the title again will cause less offence.
The change followed discussions with a disability adviser, who said it could offend people with spina bifida or the disfiguring scoliosis of the spine.
posted by Brian 11:07 PM
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The BCSI is a bunch of bull. What it really is a self-absorption index. Mine's somewhere around 1, but you know what, Tim? You may get more hits than I - but I have a nicer car.
posted by Brian 10:57 PM
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Singer and actress Rosemary Clooney has died of cancer at 74.
posted by Brian 10:41 PM
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Wham-O co-founder Arthur "Spud" Melin has passed away.
posted by Brian 10:39 PM
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I just got hit with the KLEZ virus. That may not sound so uncommon, unless you know what I do for a living. That's right. I'm an e-mail administrator and information security specialist - the guy that cleans that stuff up. My virus signatures on my home computer were MORE THAN A MONTH OLD. People pay me money to tell them that. Fortunately, I caught the virus early, and it didn't do any damage - except bruise my ego.
posted by Brian 10:19 PM
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Of course the Holocaust never happened! That's what this reader of the Arab News thinks, or at least he believes that all the evidences has been made up by the Jews. This after an earlier editorial was published trying to put the disbelievers to rest. (thanks to Ben Sheriff)
‘Arab cranks’?
Fawaz Turki (June 13) states that all "those Arabs who deny that as many as six million Jews died there ... are cranks who want to bend historical evidence until it conforms with their ideological perceptions".
What historical evidence?
The claim that six million Jews were killed by the Germans in the holocaust has never been proven and is based on assumptions made by Jewish historians. In spite of the fact that among these historians very different numbers are used for the victims of individual concentration camps and those outside the camps, they magically all arrive at about the six-million figure. Other Jewish holocaust experts deliberately confuse the issue by using aphorisms which characterize the holocaust as "noncommunicable", "we cannot talk about it" or "the truth lies in silence". The people who should be interested most in the truth block any attempt to find the truth. Anybody who dares to question the numbers is accused of anti-Semitism. A few countries even have adopted laws that limit or otherwise chill public discussion.
It should also not be forgotten that through the holocaust campaign money is extorted from the "guilty"; it is good business.
It would be very interesting to hear the historical evidence Turki has. Maybe he can share it with us. I am surprised that an expert on the Arab-Jewish question, who, one would think, is fully aware of all the distorted and falsified claims made on behalf of Israel, would accept claims from the same quarters with regards to the "six million Jews killed by the Germans".
Unless, of course, he has historical evidence.
R.P., Jeddah published 28 June 2002
posted by Brian 8:58 PM
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Gail Davis presents a table of tragedies caused by illegal aliens who tried to cross the border. (via Zonitics) It seems that Gail is a bit more sympathetic toward these people than I, however, the policy of the Daily Babble toward illegal immigration is that it should be stopped and fast. Regardless of the economic circumstance of these people, we live in insecure times. If people want to come here to work, they can do so in a legal fashion. Otherwise, they are no more legitimate than the 9/11 terrorists in terms of their residency in this country.
UPDATE: Gail has e-mailed Zonitics defending her position on this matter. Here is the text of her e-mail, lifted from Edward's page:
Yes, increased enforcement (effective enforcement, not drug-war type enforcement) and reduction in their ability to find and keep jobs. However, I think you will find that many do not really want the supply of illegal immigrants to stop. That's the irony. We need them as much as they need the jobs. By keeping them "illegal" we absolve ourselves of responsibility.
Actually, the reason that there many do not want the supply of illegal immigrants to stop has nothing to do with the jobs. There's no work for them up here. I see them standing in front of the Home Depot every morning waiting for the construction crews, and according to what I've been told, they don't have a good chance of getting hired due to new regulations. The reason the government won't do anything about it is a perceived notion that it will anger the Hispanic community and that it will hurt them at the ballot box. That's why Bush has been kissing up to Vicente Fox ever since he took office. Hispanics have traditionally voted for Democrats, and the Republicans see them as a swing vote, both in mid-term congressional and in 2004 presidential elections.
posted by Brian 8:24 PM
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John Entwistle, 1944-2002. May you rest in peace and know you are missed.
posted by Brian 1:04 AM
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Thursday, June 27, 2002
There may yet be elections, but will the Palestinians elect a new leader, or will it be the same old face? My guess is that we'll see the same guy.
Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority officially announced plans Wednesday to hold elections for president and legislative offices in January as part of a broad proposal for civic and security reform that stopped short of President Bush's demand for Arafat's replacement.
Hussam Khader, a Palestinian legislator and one of the most passionate critics of Arafat within his Fatah movement, said Bush's comments had guaranteed that Arafat would stay in power for years to come.
Paraphrasing Bush, he went on: ``When he said `I don't want Yasser Arafat, and I want a new leadership,' then he emotionally pushed the Palestinian people to re-elect Yasser Arafat. This is the worst thing he mentioned in his speech. This will give new life to Yasser Arafat and his corrupt people.''
posted by Brian 7:14 AM
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Wednesday, June 26, 2002
The Constitution of the United States doesn't apply in Judge Patterson's courtroom, according to Instapundit.
You are not to reference the Constitution in these proceedings. You will not address it in voir dire, you will not address it in your opening remarks, you will not ask any questions about the Constitution when you summon your witnesses, and you will not talk about the Constitution when you give your closing arguments. Do you understand my instructions?
Justice at work.
posted by Brian 8:07 PM
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Matt Welch e-mailed me this morning and said that an acquaintance of his was coming up this way to cover the fires. It may be difficult for anyone to get up there at this point, but those of us in Arizona may want to get in touch with Matt. If you're a blogger in Arizona that Matt didn't contact recently, and would like to help Matt out, please get in touch with either Matt or myself.
posted by Brian 7:29 PM
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Via Zonitics:
Found on Matt Salmon's website:
During the next three days, the Salmon Campaign will be "put on hold" as we band together to help the victims of the tragic wildfires in Northern Arizona. Items will be collected starting Wednesday June 26, and conclude on the morning of Friday the 28th when all items will be trucked to Eagar, Arizona.
[...]
All items can be dropped off at two places:
Salmon for Governor Campaign Headquarters
5133 N. Central Ave.
200 Yards North of Camelback on Central
Between 9:00am to 5:00 pm.
Bashas' Corporate Office
SW Corner of 7th st & University
It is crucial that we all work together on this project to provide as much relief to the victims as possible. We will need volunteers to help load the trucks on Friday morning and assist with other aspects of the effort. For more information, or if you have any questions please contact Matt Ahearn at (602) 980-2498.
We'd like to thank Bashas' Supermarkets and Knight Transportation, for their time, resources and tremendous efforts.
I hope to see other Arizona politicians using their good names in similar fashions as we all try to get through this together.
posted by Brian 7:17 PM
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Tuesday, June 25, 2002
Judges can no longer issue the death penalty, according to the latest Supreme Court ruling.
The Supreme Court ruled yesterday that a jury, not a judge, must determine whether a capital defendant gets the death penalty, a decision that could ultimately take more people off death row than any other ruling by the court in three decades.
Legal experts are worried about a flood of litigation from appealing inmates. There are a finite amount of them, and those will pass with time. What bothered me about this ruling was that it puts too much power in the hands of the juries, in essence, turning them into a de facto "lynch mob."
If someone was arrested for killing a member of the police force, the community would demand justice. The media would convict the accused before he could even stand trial. The jury, wanting justice, would, under the new law, exercise its newfound power to condemn this person to death. All the while, this person could be innocent, but for the overzealousness of a jury.
When the decision comes down to a person's life or death, the decision should come down to a trained jurist, unless he defers to the jury.
posted by Brian 7:10 AM
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Monday, June 24, 2002
Desert Pundit has blogged the Rodeo/Chedeski wildfires here in Arizona.
My wife's aunt was working at a lodge in Heber, in the middle of the affected area, and she was evacuated. They were able to save the lodge before the fire got to it, from what I was told. However, others weren't so lucky. I know others that are just waiting.
Unfortunately, online coverage of the fires is dismal. Best place to go is here for updated information.
posted by Brian 9:41 PM
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According to Glenn Reynolds, Rep. Tom Tancredo was reading from Lileks' latest Screed on the House floor. As you may now, Congressman Tancredo is my hero, as he's the only man in Washington who seems to care about the mess on the Mexican border.
posted by Brian 9:23 PM
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Blogging will be light for the next few months. I landed a four-month contract with a local company, which will cut into my blogging time. I'll try to add at least one daily post, however, I can't guarantee anything. Comments and e-mails are the best way to ensure that I keep up with your blogs in the meantime.
posted by Brian 9:17 PM
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Sunday, June 23, 2002
Kathy Kinsley tells us of yet another tale of our government doing its job guarding the border between Arizona and Mexico, and earns herself a permalink in the process:
Nearly half of the vehicles assigned to Border Patrol agents in the Tucson Sector are in the garage awaiting repairs, union officials say. Of the 543 sport utility vehicles designated for use by field agents and station management, 234 are broken and out of commission. At some stations, including those dealing with the highest influx of illegal immigration, up to 70 percent of field vehicles are broken. The poor condition of the fleet has hampered enforcement efforts, raised safety issues and lowered morale of agents, said Bud Tuffly, president of the Tucson Border Patrol union.
"We have agents sitting around the office because there aren't enough vehicles running," Tuffly said.
I expect to see Osama at my back door any minute.
posted by Brian 6:49 PM
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Congressman J.C. Watts of Oklahoma is thinking of retiring. Why? He may lose his seat.
Watts made his remarks at a time when congressional redistricting remains clouded in his home state, which is losing one seat because of population shifts. After months of internal struggle, the legislature approved a new map that would give each of the four remaining incumbents a safe district in which to seek re-election.
What's the matter, Congressman? Afraid of having to campaign for your seat?
posted by Brian 6:30 PM
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Eppie Lederer, better known as Ann Landers, passed away yesterday at 83. The Tribune, which was her last employer, writes this wonderful tribute to one of America's favorite advice columnists.
posted by Brian 6:21 PM
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Nobody likes a sore loser.
posted by Brian 6:14 PM
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Nine-year old Iranian girls will just have to wait until they are teenagers.
Iranian authorities have approved a law to raise the age at which girls can get married without their parents' consent to 13 from nine and for boys to 15 from 14, newspapers said on Sunday.
The decision by Iran's Expediency Council arbitration body watered down a bill passed by the reformist-dominated parliament in 2000 which tried to raise the age of consent to 15 for girls and 18 for boys to cut teenage marriages and ease criticism of Iran's human rights record.
The arbitration body ruling does not change the age at which children can get married - nine for girls and 14 for boys - but says girls below the age of 13 and boys younger than 15 need their parents' permission and the approval of a "righteous court".
In other words, a nine-year old girl can still get married - with her parents' permission. Since she will likely be part of an arranged marriage, it's not going to matter. In fact, this new law has no teeth.
posted by Brian 6:07 PM
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Kathy Kinsley notes that Broward County, Florida is becoming a terrorist hangout.
posted by Brian 5:51 PM
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This test has been floating around the blogosphere. I'm a libertarian, leaning conservative. My family wants to disown me, after I sent them the test via e-mail.
posted by Brian 5:28 PM
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Pretty Girl has decreed that today is Spend All Your Money And Die Day. I'm not going to tell her she's wrong.
posted by Brian 4:55 PM
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Ebay will be offering health insurance to its larger sellers.
Online retailer eBay Inc. plans to offer health insurance to merchants who make a living auctioning items on its popular site, a decision that may go a long way in keeping its smaller sellers content.
Those eligible for the coverage must be registered with eBay's Power Seller program, and make between $2,000 and $25,000 a month on eBay. The company plans to expand that program to include those who earn between $1,000 and $150,000 or more a month. EBay estimates there are already 35,000 to 45,000 qualified users enrolled and an additional 40,000 to 50,000 who meet the criteria.
There are people who make $150K a month on EBay?
posted by Brian 3:53 PM
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John Ellis tells it like it is. The subject - Yahoo. (via InstaPundit) I'm another one of those who will dance the happy dance on the company's grave when it finally fails, so I agree with just about everything the guy says.
posted by Brian 3:40 PM
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