Odds n’ Ends (15)

Here are a few stories / reports that I have recently found:

1).    A Dog Has 1^st Amendment Rights to Bark? Story here. Dogs and cats have been given the right to free speech — in Massachusetts anyway. 

A law that went into effect on July 21 bans surgical devocalization — the cutting of animals' vocal cords — except in cases of medical necessity. The procedure is commonly referred to as "debarking" when it's done to dogs.

The measure was signed into law by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. A violation carries up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.

2).    Ayatollah Khamenei Declares Himself the Representative of Muhammad on Earth – and that He's the 12^th Imam. Story here. Iran's Supreme Leader has reportedly issued a fatwah, or Islamic edict, demanding that people obey him as the earthly 'deputy' of both the Prophet Muhammad and Shi'ism's mysterious 12th Imam.  He also accused the U.S. and Britain of sowing division among Muslims and of fomenting the recent mosque bombing in Sistan-Baluchestan.  Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has created a stir after apparently issuing a religious edict Tuesday claiming ultimate spiritual powers on Earth.  Iranian media reported that he told followers that they must 'obey him' as the "representative of the Prophet Muhammad and [Shi'ism's] 12th Imam on Earth…..'" Isn't it better if someone else declares you to be the 12^th Imam? And I believe I'm right in saying that a portion of Muslims believe that the 12^th Imam is a sign of the impending end of the world (sorry, no cite for this comment.)

3).    Scientists Find Most Massive Star. Story here. LONDON – A huge ball of brightly burning gas drifting through a neighboring galaxy may be the heaviest star ever discovered — hundreds of times more massive than the sun, scientists said Wednesday after working out its weight for the first time. And here is the cool part: it's burning itself off with such intensity that it shines at nearly 10 million times the luminosity of the sun.

4).    9 Year Old Boy Finds Skeleton of New Human Ancestor. 60 Minutes story here. In case you missed this 60 Minutes report this past Sunday, an archaeologist and his son discovered 5 human fossils in a cave around Johannesburg. The fossils date back to being 1.9 million years old. I don't understand how the fossils could be dated, when the cave was an excavating site that used explosives. The archaeologist claims to have found a "new" species.

5).    Stop Global Warming – Eat Bugs! Story here. Here is the crazy Global Warming story of the day: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN has held a meeting in Thailand on the subject of using insects for food and plans a 2013 Summit on the subject. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is formally considering recommendations in a paper suggesting greater consumption of insects as a way of limiting global warming. Well, if that's all it takes to save the planet. Hey wait! I love my burger and steak. No way, UN, no way.