Brand names are imprinted on the brain: Study - The Times of India

"Dr Eran Zeidel, who led the study, was quoted by BBC as saying that the arrival of the "brand" in the past century has prompted brain evolution. "

Looks like they have a little Captain in 'em

"The Bacardi rum company has been engaged for more than 40 years in clandestine attempts to overthrow the Cuban Government by both violent and other means, according to a new book.

The company is accused of bankrolling extreme right-wing groups and mainstream politicians in the United States an effort to remove Fidel Castro and re-establish its profitable empire on the island."

Dude, Where's My Coup?

"Losing your job, quitting school, going broke and moving back home with your mother after living abroad for years would be tough on anyone.
It's even tougher when you're a former military dictator who once had the power to execute opponents at will."

Tiny Gene Variant Lets Humans Speak -- Discovery Channel -- human, speak

Some scientists now think that the reason that humans can articulate is because of three small variants on a gene. There's another article here that takes a more skeptical approach.

BBC NEWS | UK Politics | Cynics to get the vote?

England is thinking of trying an idea that I've long supported.

"The latest plan to lure voters back to the polls could see a "none of the above" box being added to ballot papers."

However, not everyone thinks it's a great idea:
"It is going to pander to the irresponsible voter, who will say that they are never satisfied."

Sounds like someone is worried about their job....

Catholics admit that the Jews have a point....

From the Boston Globe:

"Citing teachings dating back to the Second Vatican Council, and statements by Pope John Paul II throughout his papacy, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops declared unequivocally that the biblical covenant between Jews and God is valid and therefore Jews do not need to be saved through faith in Jesus."

Huh. Whaddaya know.

Yahoo! News - GOP Book Advises House Candidates

A book of Republican strategies for debating the issues in the upcoming elections has been leaked to the media. Watch and see how many tow the party line. If I could just find one candidate that could stand on their own two feet without being propped up by the pundits and focus groups for the "safe" answers, I'd go to work on their campaign myself.

"When discussing Medicare, be careful to choose your terms carefully," Republican strategists advise. "Always emphasize that you will: preserve Medicare, protect Medicare, strengthen Medicare. ... Never use the word 'privatize' when referring to Medicare modernization or reforms."

A Timely Subject -- and a Sore One (washingtonpost.com)

Don't let anybody convince you that we live in a free country. UNC wants to have all it's incoming freshmen read a book about the Koran, and they're being sued for it. I mean, nobody is forcing you to go to college, are they?

"..the university in Chapel Hill is asking all 3,500 incoming freshmen to read a book about Islam and finds itself besieged in federal court and across the airwaves by Christian evangelists and other conservatives."

Yahoo! News - Japanese Drop Out of New ID System

Ever since their computerized ID system switched on a few days ago, Japanese citizens have dropped out in droves from what many resent as a "big brother" monitoring of the people.

Screw sovereignity...

"Moving to widen its hunt for terrorists and cut off their weapons routes at sea, the Bush administration is negotiating agreements with dozens of nations for new powers to police the world's waters, defense officials said....
It envisions giving U.S. forces rights to chase down and board vessels not only in international waters but in another nation's sovereign waters in some circumstances — such as when pursuing ships believed to be carrying al-Qaida or other terrorists whose organizations have global reach."