lullaby pit

My previous entry saw me attempting sarcasm over America’s inability to pronounce “nuclear.” Then lalaland informs me that it’s actually already been done by feckin’ Merriam-Webster. Listen closely. Up next, I guess, M-W adjusts their product to account for “aks,” “artic,” “bidniss,” and a host of other alternativistic pronouncifications.

1: Modest proposal: can we change the spelling and/or pronunciation of this word? Since apparently the standard pronunciation for “nuclear” is too hard for people (actors, journalists, government officials, normal people around town, etc.), I propose that we change the dictionary pronunciation of the word and immediately adopt as standard the preferred “NOOK-yuh-lur.” If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.

On July 17, Paul Somerville, an accomplished satirist who masqueraded under the name of “Brother Paul,” died in Oklahoma City at the age of 58. John Lawrence (myths_americana) and I knew Paul – John was one of Paul’s professors at Morningside College in the late 1960s and later became a lifelong mentor; and I had the privilege of knowing Paul

Foote reportedly signs three-year, $13.5M deal Associated Press COLUMBUS, Ohio — Adam Foote, a defensive cornerstone of two Stanley Cup championship teams in Colorado, signed a three-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. (Story.) Bummer. I guess I was expecting this, given the economics of the new NHL, but it’s still hard to imagine the Avs without Footer.

Holy Crap. I think this place actually exists.

Did the reporter and editor miss the sarcasm, or is the person being quoted inexplicably serious in what he’s saying? You tell me. This story on the BeeB Web site offers a brief overview of the debate in the scientific community about whether Pluto is really a planet, about what makes something a planet, etc. Interesting enough story, coming as

Today’s two-part question is for Orioles First Baseman Rafael Palmeiro. LP: Mr. Palmeiro, in sworn testimony before Congress in March you said “I have never used steroids. Period.” In responding to questions earlier today about your suspension for juicing, you slightly modifed your earlier position to assert that you have never “knowingly” used steroids. First question: can you explain to

Bush: Rove has ‘my compete confidence’ despite leak Reuters Monday, August 1, 2005; 8:38 PM WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Bush on Monday declared “complete confidence” in his top political adviser, Karl Rove, despite his alleged role in leaking a covert CIA operative’s identity, according to an interview. (Story.) Ummm, “despite” or “because of”?

This showed up via e-mail a few minutes ago from my buddy O-Ring. O-Ring applauds the Bobbies, saying: “Finally, common sense rules in place of political correctness. Look at the last graf, and how high the official is who is quoted.” The graf in question reads thusly: British Transport Police have been targeting specific ethnic groups for “intelligence-led” stop-and-searches as

Hunh. So how do you think this will affect the debate over whether Rafael Palmeiro belongs in the Hall o’ Fame? Rafael Palmeiro was suspended Monday for violating Major League Baseball’s steroids policy, nearly five months after telling Congress that “I have never used steroids. Period.” (Story.) Somebody was observing a few days ago that Raffy’s numbers jumped significantly the

Is the biggest powderkeg in the whole Middle East priming to blow? I’ve been arguing for a long time, as have a lot of folks, that the biggest problem we have in the region – and by “we” I mean people who dislike Islamic radicals and fundamentalist terrorism – is Saudi Arabia, home to Osama bin Laden and most of

Oh great – now Al Gore has invented television, too.

Some of you will like this. You know who you are.

First, four scout leaders lost control while setting up a tent and electrocuted themselves to death at the annual Jamboree in Virginia. Then about 300 scouts at the same event fell ill due to the heat (after learning that President Bush was going to no-show them). Now lightning has hit a group of scouts in California, killing one and injuring

You’ve seen those billboards with messages from God? Stuff like “‘What part of ‘Thou Shall Not’ didn’t you understand?’ – God”? Right. Well, here are some more. Sort of. Heh heh heh… [THX: Debby Levinson of the Boston Technology Desk.]