Friday, May 18, 2007

"I read the news today, oh boy..."

• Pay it again, Sam. At a little grocery store in Emo, Ontario (population 1186), they found a way to compete with Wal-Mart. They simply purchase goods from Sam's Club (owned by Wal-Mart, of course), and even with a mark-up, resell the items at a lower price than the big box store. This writer doesn't see the problem with the big boys getting beat at their own game. Wal-Mart, on the other hand, is not amused. And we're all supposed to care, right? (From the Globe and Mail, via GirlHacker.)

• And speaking of beating someone at their own game... A female student from UCLA posed as an underage victim of statutory rape, while visiting an abortion clinic run by Planned Parenthood. They told her to lie about her age to avoid making waves. She got it on tape. A spokesman for PP called the ruse "manipulative." (Uh-huh.) They're threatening to sue her -- probably for definition of character. (From Cybercast News Service.)

• "I'd lose my head if it wasn't screwed on tight enough." Yours truly heard that expression as a boy. Now a woman in Denver is having that problem in real life. She was critically injured in January, when a car crash slammed her head into the dashboard. According to the story, "her skull separated from her spine, although her skin, spinal cord and other internal organs remained intact." The result is a rare condition known as "internal decapitation." Although she has problems with swallowing and eye movement, the doctors say it's a miracle she's still alive. (From the Associated Press via MSNBC.)

• And last but not least, the little engine that could. India has one of the world's largest rail systems, hauling more than 14 million passengers daily. Recently one of the trains stalled when an electrical connection snapped. The driver appealed to the passengers to get out an push the train to the next electricity pole about 60 yards away. They did. Then it fired up, and they continued on their way. Another tribute to the power of teamwork. (From the Associated Press.)
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