Don't Panic! Lighten Up!S


Eye 1

Obsessed with saving the planet? You may be stark, raving mad

Do you feel anxious when you see a television set left on standby? Does the sight of a plastic bottle haphazardly tossed into a paper-only recycling bin make you feel nauseous? Are you consumed with rage when someone has left an empty room and not switched off the light?

Have you recently found yourself overcome with a desire to spit on your car-driving friends and family? When a loved one tells you that he is flying off for some winter sun, do you feel like bludgeoning him over the head with a blunt instrument until he appears no longer to be breathing?

If so, don't worry! You are probably suffering from "carborexia", Or "energy anorexia". Psychiatrists in America have identified a new mental illness that threatens the very fabric of society: an obsession with saving the planet. Some people are so addicted to cutting their carbon emissions that they seem to have gone quite mad.

Pistol

Italy: Violinist's right to bear arms

A concert violinist has been given a gun permit so he can protect his £6million Stradivarius violin.

Matteo Fedeli, 36, travels all round Italy with his rare instrument and has been given police permission to protect it with a a 357 Smith and Wesson Magnum.

Mr. Potato

Sarkozy needled by 'voodoo doll'

sarkodoll
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has threatened to sue a publishing company if it does not withdraw from shops a "voodoo doll" in his image.

Black Cat

The cat did come back, years after it disappeared

EDMONTON, Alberta - Mystery swirls around a cat named Smokey that suddenly reappeared seven years after she vanished from her owner's backyard.

Mr. Potato

Photo finished: How a bad picture can be a political disaster

After John McCain's monumental pratfall, Archie Bland explains how one picture can undo an entire political career

His tongue is sticking out. He is doubled over like the hunchback of Notre Dame. And, from the photographer's angle, John McCain appears to be reaching for his opponent's Democratic ass. The picture, taken at the end of last week's final presidential debate, records a moment of confusion after McCain was told to head off the stage in a different direction. But the camera is a cruel witness, and it really does look as if the Republican is intent on the Obama rear end. After a serious debate, this hilarious image may easily end up the only moment anyone outside a small elite will remember.
McCain
© APMcCain reacts as Democratic candidate Barack Obama speaks during the presidential debate on Wednesday. He then headed the wrong way off stage

Smiley

Bill Maher grills the big three religions

Image
Bill Maher
The Associated Press says, "Bill Maher is preaching to the choir with 'Religulous,' " in its review of the movie starring Maher, a standup comedian and HBO talk show host. That depends on whose choir you're talking about. Maher, known for his sarcastic humor, is said to be poking fun - no, correct that - mocking the world's major religions, primarily Christianity, Judaism and Islam. If one wants to look through a set of narrow-focused spectacles, that case could definitely be made.

But possibly, there could be a larger message in the offing.

Family

Why I'd Be a Better VP than Sarah Palin

I'd like to formally submit myself to replace Sarah Palin on the GOP ticket. I feel confident that John McCain will see that the very attributes he desired in his VP choice can be met, and even exceeded in some areas, by me. For your consideration, my big, fat resume:

1. Focus on the Family

I am the mother of five children, just like Governor Palin. I have known the demands of managing a full-time career and motherhood at the same time. I have juggled a breast pump and a BlackBerry, and know when to put the BlackBerry down. (To be perfectly honest, I did once send a text to the baby and tried to nurse my bass player. You learn from your mistakes.)

People

Iran : World record sandwich? Crowd eats evidence

Image
© REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl
Iran failed Friday to register what it said would be the world's largest sandwich in the Guinness book of World Records after people rushed forward and began eating it -- before it was measured.

Event organizers had planned to stuff the 1,500-meter-long sandwich with 700 kg of ostrich meat and 700 kg of chicken, and display it in a park in the capital Tehran.


MIB

SOTT Focus: Penn Guinn meets Penn-Dragon in the heart of the Evil Empire

SOTT can exclusively report that the legendary and elusive Penn Guinn was recently spotted in the heart of darkness that is England. Our UK correspondent caught up with him and he was gracious enough to tell us about his experience.

Image
© sott.net

Take 2

Palin and Brolin to Star on SNL Saturday

You betcha! Gov. Sarah Palin is set to appear tomorrow night on "Saturday Night Live," the popular entertainment show that has featured Tina Fey's parodies of the Alaska governor's down-home style and colloquialisms.