Food For Thought

What if the law said you had to go on a diet? You might have to if you live in Japan. The New York Times reports the country has a program where citizens between 40 and 74 years old have their waistlines measured during annual physicals. If they’re too big, they must go on a diet. Japanese health officials hope the program will reduce strokes and diabetes in older citizens. Is this a good idea?

Open Up And Say "Huh?"

The Times of London reports some British Muslim medical students “are refusing to attend lectures or answer exam questions on alcohol-related or sexually transmitted diseases because they claim it offends their religious beliefs.”

There are even reports that a small number of Muslim med students won’t examine members of the opposite sex. To be fair, the article doesn’t state how many prospective doctors have raised this issue (it can’t be many), and it doesn’t appear that medical authorities are going to allow them to be doctors. But here’s another little item further down in the article:

“..[UK grocer] Sainsbury’s is permitting Muslim checkout operators to refuse to handle customers’ alcohol purchases on religious grounds.”

Huh? As a society, we’re getting too sensitive about sensibilities. We’re too concerned someone might be offended. What’s next? Will a willing army enlistee refuse to use a gun? Will a stripper demand that she not perform lap dances? If you don’t want to do part of a job, for whatever the reason, don’t take that job.

A Little Bit Softer, Now

Pro football season officially kicked-off on Sunday. If you think the hits are getting harder, they can now be measured. Time magazine reports there is a new helmet that can measure how hard a player is hit in the head. So far, a few colleges are using the $1,000 helmets.

Report Card

A progress report on Iraq is expected to be issued today. Some news is expected to be good. Some news, not so good. Washington Post

There’s a meeting this afternoon at the White House to discuss a threat of a terror attack from al-Qaeda this summer. This story was reported on Tuesday night. Why wait at least two days to meet about it? ABC (video) What the Homeland Security chief meant by his “gut feeling.” MSNBC (video) A government report says Al-Qaeda is as strong as it was before 9/11. CNN Is the media making too much of this threat? Was this story of a terror threat placed to divert attention from something else? What are your thoughts?

A former Surgeon General under Bush says politics trumped science when talking to the public about stem cells, sex education, and the health of prisoners. New York Times

After eight days and at least 106 dead, “the operation is over” at the Red Mosque in Islamabad. Guardian What’s next for Musharraf? BBC

Jesus! The Vatican says Protestant and Orthodox faiths are “not proper churches.” In a statement that has the blessing of the Pope, the Vatican says it’s “difficult to see how the title of ‘Church’ could possibly be attributed to them” and Roman Catholicism is “the one true Church of Christ.” (London) Times

Remember UNMOVIC? The U.N. group that correctly asserted Saddam didn’t have WMD? The U.S. and U.K. got it shutdown. Newsweek


“A First Date” has a different feel to it depending on which video-sharing site it comes from.

"Jewels" On Display

The CIA will reveal the “Family Jewels” this week. The “Jewels” are documents containing information about domestic spying, assassination plots and other illegal activity conducted by the agency between the 1950s and the 1970s. BBC

Vice President Cheney refuses to comply with an executive order to disclose how his office has handled classified documents. Washington Post How big of a liability is Cheney for Bush? Time

How the West could make “martyrs” and “traitors” in the Middle East. Economist

The U.S., France, China, Russia and several other nations begin a conference in Paris today to discuss ways to stop the genocide in Darfur. AFP/France 24

A court has ruled that once an email leaves your mailbox, it’s private: the government can’t look at it unless they tell you. Funny thing is, emails weren’t legally recognized as private before this. Time

It’s not a cure for the common cold, but researchers say there is something that can reduce the chances of catching one. BBC

Let boys be boys. Washington Post

You never know when you might need a “do it to it” waistband.

Cold Climate

The G8 summit begins and the widening rift between Russia and the West, reminiscent of the Cold War, takes center stage.. Reuters ..Along with climate change. The U.S. has rejected a proposal on targets for cutting greenhouse gases. New York Times On climate change, Blair says it’s the G8.. Plus another 5. Guardian

Scientists say they have grown stem cells from skin cells. It could eliminate the use of embryos. Washington Post

“You can sleep when you’re dead.” Indeed. The zombie nation may already be upon us. Telegraph Already a zombie? How little sleep do you get?

There’s a bonus embedded on those i-Tunes digital downloads that don’t have copy protection: Your info. AP/CNN Now that you know this, will it stop you from buying those DRM-free songs?

Star Wars just celebrated its 30 Anniversary and Emperor Lucas unveiled his plans for the animated Clone Wars series, but what if there were to be an Episode VII? Here’s what it might look like.

Don't Worry About That Cough

How that TB guy was able to globe-trot through six countries after being told he was sick. AP/MSNBC What are your thoughts on what this incident says about health and border controls around the world?

Obama’s answer for universal health care isn’t universal, but it would allow everyone who wants insurance to get it. Chicago Tribune

Bush asks Congress to double the money to fight AIDS in Africa. Washington Post

The cyber-attack against Estonia - a coordinated attack during which 1 million computers were reportedly used to shut down Internet Infrastructure in the country - could be the new warfare for which many countries aren’t prepared. Economist

First Kobe said he wanted to leave the Lakers. Now he says he doesn’t. ESPN

Words are exchanged. Tensions are flared. It’s Go Time. Some rules on what to do if you get into a fistfight. First rule: Don’t get into a fistfight. Esquire (But if you do throwdown, here’s how to avoid jail.)

A penny saved is a penny earned, right? No, they're bullshit! Get rid of them!

The Search Continues..

The search continues for three missing U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Al-Qaeda claims it is holding them. MSNBC

Robert Mugabe can barely sustain his own brutal dictatorship, let alone any type of development. But oddly enough, Zimbabwe elected was chosen to head the U.N. commission of Sustainable Development. Reuters

Careful, there’s another risk in “going down.” Time

Going green is great. But as with anything, there are consequences. ABC

It’s one thing to have your customer service rep live in Bangalore or Mumbai. It’s another to have your news reporter live there when their beat is the Pasadena, CA City Council. Los Angeles Times

Equity group buys Chrysler. Financial Times

The price of stamps went up 16 months ago. The price goes up again today. And now there are “forever stamps.” AP/MSNBC

It’s always better when other people have friends like these, and you’re just a spectator.

Bon Jour

Who is the guy just elected president of France? France 24 (video)

Mental health and ethical issues plague U.S. Soldiers and Marines serving in Iraq. Example: "Less than half of Soldiers and Marines believed that non-combatants should be treated with dignity and respect." Washington Post

Why has the Bush Administration, and Condoleezza Rice in particular, been seemingly more diplomatic lately? Newsweek

The situation in Zimbabwe seems to be resolved: The oppressive Robert Mugabe will remain in power until 2013! (London) Times

Israelis are saying it’s time for their PM to go. So, why is Olmert sticking around? Time

They may not merge, but Microsoft and Yahoo could hook up in a few different ways. Wall Street Journal

Balls: Astronaut Wally Schirra told his boss “Go to Hell!” and blasted off sitting atop three different spaceships. Have you done either? Time

This clip starts off as yet another Mac/PC parody, but turns into Spider-Man and Batman finding out they have a lot in common.

Released, But..

What happened behind the scenes that led to the release of the 15 British held in Iran? There’s a lot of speculation, but here’s some of what went down. Guardian The “invisible men” who made it happen. Telegraph What the release indicates about the Iranian leadership. New York Times Here’s a timeline of the standoff: Financial Times

Why don’t they say anything? Why aren’t all of Zimbabwe’s neighbors shouting about the oppression happening in that country? Washington Post

It’s Ronald Reagan v. Bobby Kennedy in next year’s election. Time

DaimlerChrysler announces for the first time it is talking to buyers about selling off Chrysler. Reuters

It took Googlers more than a day to find a python at their New York office. It was there because of Google’s bring your pet to work policy. Sydney Morning Herald

Attending that morning meeting in San Antonio with that not-so-fresh-feeling because you don’t have miniature mouthwash, toothpaste or hair gel to bring on the flight? Here are some products that could help you out. New York Times

More than 400 victories, 200 players sent to the NFL.. But more than that, the legacy of Grambling State football coach Eddie Robinson. ESPN


Impressive. He has more balls than most bowlers.

UK Hostages On Video

Iran releases a letter said to be written by the captured female sailor and a video in which she said the sailors were in Iranian waters. There’s no way to know if she was coerced into speaking. The letter’s included here. Guardian Here are video clips of her and the other captives: CNN (video) Britain says it has evidence showing the marines and sailors weren’t in Iranian waters. BBC ..And steps up the pressure on Iran. Telegraph

We’ll know soon if funding for the Iraq war will be cut. If it is, the effects won’t be felt for several months. Los Angeles Times

If you have the name that even resembles a name or alias of a terrorism suspect, you could be on a list available online that private businesses who can decide whether or not they want to deny you business. Washington Post

Ninety years ago on April 6, the U.S. entered World War I. One of the last four surviving U.S. veterans of “the war to end all wars” talks about serving. Many of the issues of in the world today can be traced back to WWI. USA Today

Certain people can carry a gun in the U.S. Capitol, but they can’t carry it to the Capitol. Besides offering insight on why nothing gets done Washington, do congressmen and senators need to be packing heat? Washington Post

What you drink and your health. New York Times

Shed pounds. Watch porn.. Panda porn. Just another day in life of a panda getting ready to mate. AP/The Australian

JibJab’s new video breaks down breaking news, runaway broncos, President Bush and “Brit’s putty-tat.” It’s what they call The News.

Can We Talk?

After resistance talking to Syria and Iran - a recommendation of the Iraq Study Group - the U.S. will talk to the two countries about Iraq. Washington Post This change of course, along with the change in policy over North Korea, isn’t a change that happened overnight. New York Times And now there are doubts about North Korea’s uranium enrichment program. Washington Post

Worldwide markets collectively freaked out on Tuesday when China’s stocks took a dip on Tuesday. Did the rest of the world overreact? Time Amidst its financial ascendance, China proclaimed socialism for another 100 years. Telegraph U.S. stocks to open today lower as Asian stocks have another tough day, but reports and deals could help keep U.S. number up. CNNMoney

McCain tells Letterman he’s officially in the race for president. Presumably, McCain didn’t announce on a news show because he’s already been running for months now. Late Show (video)

Do you have to practice what you preach? Especially if you’ve won an Oscar for your preachin’? Al Gore’s Tennessee home bill averages about $1200 a month. AP/Yahoo

One in four U.S. women age 14 - 59 have HPV, an STD that could lead to cervical cancer. Reuters

Japanese cars top the list of reliable rides according to a Consumer Reports survey. MSNBC Here are the picks: Consumer Reports

What Do You Think? Check this out: A man is suing his ex-fiancé because she won’t return the $48,000 engagement ring he bought her two years ago. No word about who broke it off, but does he have a right to ask for it back? Is an engagement ring given on the condition the couple walks down the aisle? Or once the rock is given, it’s hers even if they go splitsville. Let us know at Joe.


Feeling a little dirty? Being a little sinful? Look out for The Bible Thumpers! This God Squad is out to kick ass and save souls.



The Morning Joe will be taking a break on Monday, March 5. We’ll be posting again on Thursday, March 8. Have a good week!