Wired interview with the creator of Pastafariansim (The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster): [link]

WN: Why do you think so many people have responded to this, so many scientists?

Henderson: I think it's just because they have a better understanding of what the ID nuts are trying to do. I think part of it is that the science community, itself, is pretty quiet about the issue. Their strategy is to ignore the "debate" so that the ID people don't get the forum.

WN: Do you think that's a mistake?

Henderson: Yeah, totally. They need to be out there calling these people retarded all the time. Nonstop. The ID people are winning because the scientists think if they ignore the issue, it will go away. Plus, I'm sure it would be therapeutic to make fun of the ID people. I think it's pretty amazing that these people without scientific backgrounds -- or really any education at all -- think they have the right to decide the science curriculum. And it blows my mind that they are getting away with it.

...

WN: I understand that all proceeds from the book will go toward a pirate ship?

Henderson: Yeah. Seriously. As well as all proceeds from the other FSM merchandise.

WN: What's your plan for this pirate ship?

Henderson: It will be for missionary work mainly; also occasional scientific use related to pirates and global weather, etc.

WN: Do you plan for this to be a land-going pirate ship? Or a floating pirate ship?

Henderson: Ha! Floating. As huge and bad-ass as we can afford. The fund exceeds $100K at this point. Pirate ships are expensive though. Plus cannons, etc. The first several months will be cruising around, spreading the Word to others. Probably in a tropical locale, where they need converting, I assume.

WN: What about those cannons?

Henderson: Cannons are for defense, that's what I figure.

WN: Once you've spread the Word in a nice tropical locale, what will the pirate ship do next?

Henderson: It will be open to all Pastafarians. We'll cruise around and do missionary work, I imagine. It's like a floating church. It's not just a toy for me. Although I am the only one who can use the cannons. Probably.

Boo for waking up too late to go to yoga.

YAY for how much Allyson loves your cutiepieloveface.

It's like a floating church. It's not just a toy for me. Although I am the only one who can use the cannons. Probably.

Hee.

I'm so on edge reading all these "preliminary steps have been taken" and "a framework has been devised" articles. I don't want anyone to publish another article about the strike until the trains are running again. Got that, media? Good.

Re: The NYT rumor

My high-placed source confirms it. He says probably not by evening rush, but we'll likely be rolling by tomorrow morning.

I don't want anyone to publish another article about the strike until the trains are running again. Got that, media? Good.

How else will you know what's not happening?

From cnn.com

NYC transit workers union leaders agree to a return to work while strike talks continue, mediator says. Deal must be OK'd by union executive board.

Jack Abramoff, the Republican lobbyist under indictment for fraud in South Florida, is expected to complete a plea agreement in the Miami criminal case, setting the stage for him to become a crucial witness in a broad federal corruption investigation.

[link]

This could explode into a big story.

From cnn.com

See? This is the kind of non-news I'm talking about.

CNN.com? You're on notice.

Yay for Abramoff being willing to twist the rope to hang everyone else!

Such a thing they don't want happening in an election year, but here it comes. Hee.

Do any of you Project Runway fans listen to Tim's podcasts? Because the runway abuse of judges by Santino we saw on this week's show was edited down from a 90 minute harangue!

I cannot believe that they didn't eliminate him after that, I wonder if the producers didn't intervene hoping for more drama?