“But you’re convinced that, to put it crudely, when you die, that’s it.”

“No,” Vidal replies. “I wouldn’t say: ‘When you die, that’s it.’ I’d say: ‘When you’re born, that’s it.’”

[From Gore Vidal: Literary feuds, his 'vicious' mother and rumours of a secret love child - Features, Books - The Independent]

Father Jack Hackett from the absolutely fantastic comedy series Father Ted.

[From Eclectic Micks: HAPPY ST. PADDY'S DAY FROM FATHER JACK HACKETT!]

Shipping firms have already proposed taking short cuts through the polar region, which also contains large reserves of oil and natural gas.

[From Al Jazeera English - Americas - Arctic ice 'could melt by 2013' ]

Aaaaand cue intro riff to Crazy Train. All aboard the ‘We’re Looking For The Bright Side of Things Even If It Fucking Kills Us’ Express!

Iran has no weapons-grade uranium, US military officials have said in an attempt to clarify recent statements from Washington and Israel.

[From BBC NEWS | Americas | Iran 'has no bomb-grade uranium']

Can we just make up our mind about this?

At least 19 other states, including California, have slashed court budgets and other government services as their economies have tanked, said Daniel Hall, vice president of the National Center for State Courts, a nonprofit in Williamsburg, Va. [From Economic Crisis Hits State Court Systems]

An interesting but novel way to curb civil liberties, eh? Not that I’m suggesting that’s what’s going on here. This is definitely a budget crunch thing. Just sort of a possibility I’d never considered for a dystopian future. Civil liberties cost money, and we’re just short of cash, sorry. Please get in this unmarked van, it’s a police van, but we couldn’t afford to get it painted. Really.

The outgoing US leader had just told reporters that while the war in Iraq was not over “it is decisively on its way to being won,” when al-Zeidi got to his feet and hurled abuse – and his footwear – at the US president.

[From Al Jazeera English - Middle East - Shoe attack mars Bush's Iraq visit]

Climate change has caused Greenland’s ice sheet to melt increasingly fast in recent years, threatening traditional ways of life but making drilling for oil more feasible.

[From Greenland votes to step closer to independence | International | Reuters]

Scientists in the US say they have developed the ability to selectively wipe out uncomfortable memories.

[From BBC NEWS | Americas | US scientists 'erase mice memory']

Asked about her hopes for the US under an Obama presidency, she says: “Peace abroad. I don’t worry about the Iraq war because I can’t do anything about it. Lord knows how it will end.”

“It is very complicated,” she said. “Those Eastern people are not like we are.”

[From BBC NEWS | Americas | 106-year-old voter chooses Obama]

I’ll cut her some slack since she is 106 years old. And a nun. What a weird fucking election, eh? We’re probably going to end up with a president named Barack Hussein Obama. I’m not expecting much, but damn if I don’t get a kick out of the name.