News noted

The work of religion continues apace. Congratulations to the religious leaders on both sides who continue to successfully divide people and turn them against each other. Another slaughter accomplished.

McDonalds orders workers to vote Republican.

SF writer Charles Stross excorciates the runaway popularity, lagging originality, and selective historical amnesia of steampunk.

Controversy over whether companies can patent the human genome. US Justice department says nay.

The Battlin' Boomers' first baseman is profiled by the NYT in the wake of his victorious trip to the World Series. At the ripe old age of 33 he's described as a grizzled, widely-traveled veteran. Also as a north Texan who grew up listening to the same Rangers games I listened to in college. Steve Buechele is not forgotten.