Business 2.0: Eight …

Business 2.0: Eight Technologies That Will Change the World

Not that I advocate the use of them but the Racial Slur Database is a pretty thorough compilation of data and might be of use for writers seeking to create memorable characters.

They busted the Nigerian Scam email people. I’ll bet we continue to see these emails, though. It’s almost become a part of net folklore and the spammers/scammers will copycat it just because they can keep it going. Update: Forget the Nigerian spam scam, now it’s the Afghan-War-scam!

Working For Change: The emerging connection between oil plans and the 9-11 attacks

Instructions for making a neat-looking cardboard box end table. Forget the trip to IKEA, I’m making cardboard furniture for my new apartment! [via punkchick]

Tecumseh’s Curse: An interesting set of coincidences called Tecumseh’s Curse or the “Zero Factor”. The following U.S. Presidents elected in years ending in a 0 (zero) have all died, been assassinated, or have survived assassination attempts while in office:

  • Harrison, elected in 1840, died of pneumonia after serving 31 days in office
  • Lincoln, elected in 1860, assassinated
  • Garfield, elected in 1880, assassinated
  • McKinley, elected to a second term in 1900, assassinated
  • Harding, elected in 1920, died of a stroke in 1923
  • Roosevelt, elected to a third term in 1940, died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1945
  • Kennedy, elected in 1960, assassinated
  • Reagan, elected in 1980, survived an attempted assassination
  • George W. Bush, “elected” in 2000, ???

It’s probably just coincidence but with the increased dislike of George W. Bush both in the U.S. but mostly overseas, it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see an assassination attempt before the year is out.

Please Stop. For George W. Bush to give Russian President Vladimir Putin the nickname “Pootie-poot” almost seems like an insult. If I were Putin I’d punch Bush right in the face if he called me that. What an incredible display of dis-respect. Nicknames can be honorable. Nicknames can even be good. But when a nickname is dumb, you just have to shake your head and wonder about the intellect of the person assigning them. I’m disappointed that Bush continues with this schtick. I wish he’d just grow up already. You’re not fooling anyone anymore Mr. President. The worst part is that Putin probably doesn’t even realize how insulting “Pootie-poot” sounds to the native English speaker. Perhaps Putin has a few choice nicknames for Bush, like khokhol or mudilo or raz’yebuy. You can look these Russian words up here.

I just chatted to a Russian friend of mine and asked her if the word “poot” or “pootie-poot” meant anything in Russian and she said that it didn’t. She’s never heard the word, it being an English word typically used to describe the act of passing gas or farting. In conclusion, President Bush has now referred to the President of Russia as “farthead”. He might as well have just insulted Putin in Russian by calling him bzdenok which means “little old man who farts frequently.” Gee thanks, Bush. Way to represent your country.

If you measure the popularity of world figures by watching the Russian doll market, this article points out that the Bush doll is not doing so well. [via BoingBoing]

Tongue-in-cheek: Wow, labor and expenses must be getting really cheap in the island nations of the South Pacific. So many web sites are now located in Tuvalu (.tv) and Western Samoa (.ws). It seems that the entire television industry has relocated to the tiny almost-underwater country of Tuvalu.

Posted by Cameron Barrett at May 24, 2002 01:43 PM

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