-Caveat Lector-
SkeptiNews 990913b - - - - - - - - - - - All The News That's Fit To Question
: Passages starting with ':' are editorial comments to provoke discussion.
: Nothing contained herein is ever endorsed for truth, accuracy or meaning.
: No Tasmanian Devils were cloned during the production of this bulletin.
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# FLUORESCENT monkeys could hold the key to future research into genetic
diseases. (Times) Researchers hope to splice the gene that makes jellyfish
glow into a monkey embryo. If successful, it will be the first time a gene
has been spliced into the embryo of another species. It is hoped the re-
search will give scientists a greater understanding of genetic mutations.
www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/Sunday-Times/stiinnnws01004.html?999
: Would you like to have glowing monkeys? Would'ya like to glow? Would it be
easier keeping track of you? Will our alien masters genetically-engineer us
so that we all glow, the easier to herd us, the easier to harvest us? When?
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# Cloned Back to Life? Tasmanian Tigers have been extinct for 3 decades, yet
some scientists think they can bring it back to life with via perfectly
preserved DNA. http://www.wired.com/news/news/technology/story/21690.html
: Who d'ya wanna clone? Whaddya wanna revive? Can/should we clone/revive the
Neanderthals? Should revived clones have the "glow-gene" for easy tracking?
Would a bunch of glowing tigers, Neanderthals etc. running around be scary?
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# Virtual Archaeology. A good archaeologist needs brawn as well as brains to
reconstruct a fragmented relic-pieces of objects such as stone statues can
be heavy and must be manipulated carefully, since each move risks damage.
But computer-based imaging is changing how archaeology is done - possibly
eliminating much of the heavy lifting. Pieces can be endlessly arranged
and rearranged: http://www.techreview.com/articles/oct99/benchmark2.htm
: Do you prefer real or virtual archaeology? Are VR expeditions safer/easier
than plodding thru the RL (real-life) meatworld? Is reality over-rated? How?
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# Oasis a comfort for weary nomads. TAFADEK, Niger (AP) - For centuries, the
oasis surrounded by a sea of sand has enticed nomads traveling across the
Sahara Desert in a quest for a private miracle, or perhaps just a hot,
healing bath. Some visitors complain of minor aches and pains, others are
doubled over with wounds or disease. Old, or young, they ride camels or
stagger miles by foot to the date palms of Tafadek, where a steamy spring
bubbles from the sand on the edge of a mountain range called Air. Wars,
poverty and endless hardships have merely added to the Tuareg nomads'
reverent cultural attachment to the remote waters of Tafadek, reputed by
many to have mystical therapeutic properties and believed to bring good
luck. http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2561110084-bd8
: Do you have a favorite magickal retreat? Do you keep it a secret? Is it
surrounded by crop/sand/rock/kelp circles? Is it protected by spirits? Who?
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# Hunt for threatening asteroids goes down under. Scientists all over the
world are searching the skies daily for asteroids that might one day slam
into Earth. Correction: Scientists all over the *Northern* Hemisphere are
conducting such searches. Asteroids in the Southern Hemisphere could be
approaching this very moment, preparing for a cosmic sucker punch that
could destroy a city, or even render the planet unlivable. Bend over, kiss
ass goodbye: http://www.explorezone.com/archives/99_09/10_nea_search.htm
: Are you looking for planet-busting asteroids? D'ya wanna see some planets
smashed? Which? If you saw something coming at Earth, would you tell us??
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# Bandit Trades Crime For Monk's Life. MOSCOW (Reuters) At a time when the
Russian mob was allegedly laundering billions of dollars through a U.S.
bank, small-time gangster Sergei went and did something equally shocking
he gave up his criminal life and became a monk. Said he really liked the
haircut and robe: http://news.excite.com/news/r/990913/08/odd-mob
: Does your religion launder money, or bless those who do, or accept tithes
of laundered cash, or provide a refuge for ex-criminals, or offer bribes??
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# Massachusetts high court gets spanking case: GOD-GIVEN RIGHT. BOSTON (UPI)
A minister says the Bible gives him the right to use a belt to discipline
his misbehaving son. A state agency says using a belt to spank the boy is
child abuse, and a lower court agreed. "Spare the rod, spoil the child,
the Bible says" - http://news.excite.com/news/u/990913/09/news-spank
: Does your belief system encourage you to beat your children? Would you
mind if your children beat you? Do your deities beat you? Are you happy?
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# When does millennium really start? AUCKLAND, NZ (AP) Asian & Pacific heads
of state began their first full session of meetings by tackling a profound
philosophical question: when to celebrate the new millennium. White House
flak Joe Lockhart, briefing reporters afterward, said a lively discussion
ensued over whether the celebration should come on Jan. 1, 2000 or a year
later. Calendar purists contend the 21st century does not begin until Jan.
1, 2001. But politicos are seldom known for embracing purism. NZ PM Jenny
Shipley, hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation [APEC] forum, noted
her island nation would be celebrating the millennium first, no matter
when it began, due to its proximity to the international date line. Nyah
nyah. http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2561125267-b78
: What's your favorite calendar? When was the last time it was corrected? Do
you know of any natural phenomena that occur in kiloyear cycles? Why not???
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Y2K-a-Rama:
# Cultists Killed Amid Doomsday No-Show. JAKARTA (Reuters) Three Indonesian
cult members were beaten to death by fellow cultists when a 9/9/99 dooms-
day prediction failed to materialize. Be very, VERY careful about what
you prophesy: http://news.excite.com/news/r/990913/08/odd-indonesia-cult
@ Surviving the Millennium 101: Course Invitation: http://www.mrr2001.com/
# Y2K - Taiwan cash machines pass Y2K test - no need to stockpile cash:
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2561128063-638
# A September Dress Rehearsal for the Year 2000 Computer Test
http://d.moreover.com/click/here.pl?l3577172 New York Times
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It is written, "Beardists who eat bread shall be cursed with crumbs in
the wilds of their beards, and lo, those crumbs shall attract various
beasts, and those beasts shall take residence in the wilds of their
beards, and those beasts shall make scary noises and the populace shall
be mightily afraid." --WILY COYOTE <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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