I find it hard to believe that this NASA image from the Hubble Telescope isn't retouched. Those stars look a little too sparkly. Regardless, it's a pretty cool pic. I just have a feeling we're going to get a Mea Culpa from NASA soon about how they Photoshopped it up a bit.

Speaking of interesting things on film -- thanks to Nate for telling us about the Passion movie tickets that had the mark of The Beast on them.

"It's from our computer and it's absolutely a coincidence," Smith said. "It has nothing to do with the film company or any vendor. It's completely in our computer."

Yeah, right, Smith (if that is your real name). I suppose it's a coincidence too that your snack bar offers a treat called "Chocolate-Covered Sinners' Heads"?

Crooks at the Top

Martha Stewart was found guilty today. I'm not as fired up about this as I am about WorldCom's Ebbers, but it's interesting to think about how she'll spruce up that drab prison cell. Actually, the worst torture she'll probably endure is likely to be having to hear that joke over and over for the next twenty years. Good thing it never gets old!

HalliBush Wars, Inc.

Former UN Weapons Inspector Hans Blix has announced that the US/UK invasion of Iraq was illegal and that the nations involved had no lawful justification. "I don't buy the argument the war was legalized by the Iraqi violation of earlier resolutions," Blix said, while still insisting that Bush and Blair probably acted "in good faith."

Meanwhile, the Shiites aren't signing on to the new Iraqi constitution. "The interim constitution," reports the Associated Press, "is a crucial part of the U.S. plan for handing over power to the Iraqis on June 30. The Bush administration is eager to carry out the transfer well before the U.S. presidential elections in November." You can understand their rush -- a constitution isn't something you want to argue over forever.

Candy Bar Watch

In keeping with the tradition of making candy bars out of things that shouldn't be candy bars, Nestle has introduced the rather nasty Toll House Candy Bars, available in both "Soft and Chewy Cookie" and "Rich Brownie." I bought the cookie one, and I didn't realize it was Nestle until I got it home. (I usually don't buy their stuff because Nestle is evil.)

Anyway, it's horrible. I like cookies. I like candy bars. This cookie/candy bar thing is disgusting. Next!

People Attacking People

This is going to be quick, because we gotta go see the SPHS play. A school board member in St. Louis doused an assistant superintendent with ice water, then threatened to use violence against anyone who questioned her mental health. Why did she use water? "I like old movies," she said, "and I recall how Dorothy in the 'Wizard of Oz' dealt with the Wicked Witch of the West." Clearly, her mental health is fine.

Also, two old men in Winter Haven, Florida got into a fight at a salad bar when one of them started picking through the lettuce.

Hocker told Thoss no one wanted to eat food he had been playing with. Thoss yelled and cursed at him, Hocker told police, and Hocker called him a nasty name. Then, witnesses said, Thoss then began punching Hocker in the face.

In the buffet melee that followed, Allen Croft, 79, tried to grab Thoss, who bit him on the arm, reports said.

What is there to say? Don't mess with the man's lettuce.

TimeWaster™

Thanks to MoFi for linking us to MusicPlasma. It's pretty neat -- give it a try! It was odd that they linked Consolidated to Nirvana, but it's an intriguing project.

Today I'm listening to: Deep Forest!