Oryx ovation...

The BBC reports that the keepers at Chester Zoo, commenting on the birth of four Scimitar-Horned Oryx calves, say it "will play a vital part in the conservation of the species." they're not kidding: the Scimitar-Horned Oryx were hunted for their horns, almost to extinction (despite there being a few unconfirmed sightings of them in the wild). Naturally, being docile, ruminant, cloven-hooved and used to arid/near-desert conditions with the ability to go without water for long periods - if you want to know the details..."because their kidneys prevent loss of water from urination and they can modify their body temperature to avoid perspiration." - OK?...all this means that despite the 'EW' (Extinct in the Wild see below) they are 'thriving' in pampered captivity.

"As the name implies, this antelope's most distinctive feature is its impressive scimitar shaped horns, up to 125cm long. It is the only oryx whose horns curve backwards." [Chester Zoo] The calves are still with their mums but will be weaned towards the end of summer; proud father Ronnie only arrived last year; he fathered all four calves so there's no doubt that he clearly understands what he was brought to the zoo to do!

The breed is listed on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) list as extinct in the wild.

Image link to Wikipedia IUCN breed status definitions...

Oryx ovation...

The BBC reports that the keepers at Chester Zoo, commenting on the birth of four Scimitar-Horned Oryx calves, say it "will play a vital part in the conservation of the species." they're not kidding: the Scimitar-Horned Oryx were hunted for their horns, almost to extinction (despite there being a few unconfirmed sightings of them in the wild). Naturally, being docile, ruminant, cloven-hooved and used to arid/near-desert conditions with the ability to go without water for long periods - if you want to know the details..."because their kidneys prevent loss of water from urination and they can modify their body temperature to avoid perspiration." - OK?...all this means that despite the 'EW' (Extinct in the Wild see below) they are 'thriving' in pampered captivity.

"As the name implies, this antelope's most distinctive feature is its impressive scimitar shaped horns, up to 125cm long. It is the only oryx whose horns curve backwards." [Chester Zoo] The calves are still with their mums but will be weaned towards the end of summer; proud father Ronnie only arrived last year; he fathered all four calves so there's no doubt that he clearly understands what he was brought to the zoo to do!

The breed is listed on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) list as extinct in the wild.

Image link to Wikipedia IUCN breed status definitions...

Oncoming oceans...

By 'oceans' of course I mean clear blue water...and at last there is some in UK politics: my favourite MEP, Daniel Hannan, asks in his DT blog "Will David Cameron be Britain's first Euro-sceptic Prime Minister?

"David Cameron has just confirmed that, if ratification of the European Constitution Lisbon Treaty were not complete in every one of the 27 EU states, an incoming Conservative Government would carry out its promise to hold a referendum and recommend a 'No' vote."

I love this bit: "The Euro-phile Andrew Marr assumed an expression of almost Paxmanesque incredulity"...and I've left the orignal link to Hannan's post re bias and BBC political editors last year.

This is a vote winner: I still think the the seeming self-destruction of New labour isn't enough and the Conservatives should stick the boot in while they can...after all, a week is a long time in politics :-)

Oncoming oceans...

By 'oceans' of course I mean clear blue water...and at last there is some in UK politics: my favourite MEP, Daniel Hannan, asks in his DT blog "Will David Cameron be Britain's first Euro-sceptic Prime Minister?

"David Cameron has just confirmed that, if ratification of the European Constitution Lisbon Treaty were not complete in every one of the 27 EU states, an incoming Conservative Government would carry out its promise to hold a referendum and recommend a 'No' vote."

I love this bit: "The Euro-phile Andrew Marr assumed an expression of almost Paxmanesque incredulity"...and I've left the orignal link to Hannan's post re bias and BBC political editors last year.

This is a vote winner: I still think the the seeming self-destruction of New labour isn't enough and the Conservatives should stick the boot in while they can...after all, a week is a long time in politics :-)

Great thread... (BBC Radio Five Live UK News Message Board) on which the following test was posted; I'm 30% Chav...(oh the shame)!! Do the quiz and find out what you are!

The chav Test!

Great thread... (BBC Radio Five Live UK News Message Board) on which the following test was posted; I'm 30% Chav...(oh the shame)!! Do the quiz and find out what you are!

The chav Test!

Oval Office Obama offensive?...

Offensive in both senses of the word. Not very polemic...NOT MUCH! The excellent blogging internet newspaper The Huffington Post reports it thus: "The illustration, by Barry Blitt, is called "The Politics of Fear" and, "according to the NYer press release, satirizes the use of scare tactics and misinformation in the Presidential election to derail Barack Obama's campaign." Uh-huh. What's that they say about repeating a rumor?" And their updates on both the artist and The New Yorker editor comments:

Update: Artist Barry Blitt: "It seemed to me that depicting the concept would show it as the fear-mongering ridiculousness that it is."

Update II: New Yorker editor David Remnick call the cover "satire" targeting not Obama, but the "absurdity" of the rumors flying about him."

OK, a bit tenuous to say the least...but I'm not sure that's how the cartoon will be/is being judged but it will sure spice up the election campaign: the image has it all...'Muslim' Obama, his wife with a Black Panther (??) afro and gear - "packing a machine gun and some serious ammo". Osama bin Laden picture on the wall and not forgetting the Stars and Stripes burning away on the fire! No holds barred!!! (click on image for full story)

Oval Office Obama offensive?...

Offensive in both senses of the word. Not very polemic...NOT MUCH! The excellent blogging internet newspaper The Huffington Post reports it thus: "The illustration, by Barry Blitt, is called "The Politics of Fear" and, "according to the NYer press release, satirizes the use of scare tactics and misinformation in the Presidential election to derail Barack Obama's campaign." Uh-huh. What's that they say about repeating a rumor?" And their updates on both the artist and The New Yorker editor comments:

Update: Artist Barry Blitt: "It seemed to me that depicting the concept would show it as the fear-mongering ridiculousness that it is."

Update II: New Yorker editor David Remnick call the cover "satire" targeting not Obama, but the "absurdity" of the rumors flying about him."

OK, a bit tenuous to say the least...but I'm not sure that's how the cartoon will be/is being judged but it will sure spice up the election campaign: the image has it all...'Muslim' Obama, his wife with a Black Panther (??) afro and gear - "packing a machine gun and some serious ammo". Osama bin Laden picture on the wall and not forgetting the Stars and Stripes burning away on the fire! No holds barred!!! (click on image for full story)