January 3, 2002

WHAT CNN DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW

Why not start the new year with a conspiracy theory of mega-proportions? American radio show host Alex Jones (possibly the single most paranoid man in America, and seen most recently ranting wildly against, well, everything, in the movie Waking Life) has released the video 9-11: The Road to Tyranny, which seeks to expose that the terrorist attacks were organized by a few madmen within the American government. As he says, "the attacks were the twisted, maniacal plans of a power-drunk war cabinet hell-bent on completing America's journey once and for all into a nightmarish Police State." If you can stomach the melo-drama you can find all sorts of wicked information at www.infowars.com.

IN SEARCH OF... THE TRUTH

The website mentioned above is just one of dozens which are seeking to expose many of the inconsistencies surrounding the "war on terrorism." While you might want to ignore some of the more extreme views, there are plenty of "mainstream" thinkers who are equally frustrated by the lack of analysis in the American corporate media. Once again, I'll suggest you dig a little on the internet for some alternative opinions. Start with guerrillanews.com, zmag.org, counterpunch.com, or anything written by Robert Fisk (from London's Independent) or Noam Chomsky.

WELCOME TO THE 20TH CENTURY

Female circumcision, also more accurately known as female genital mutilation, has finally been banned in Kenya. President Daniel arap Moi handed down the new law as part of Kenya's 2001 Children's Bill, which now makes it illegal to circumcise girls under the age of 17. For older women, circumcision will be voluntary, and women will be protected by law if they do not wish to undergo the procedure. The new laws stem from a legal settlement in 2000 in which two teenage girls won a court order to prevent their father from mutilating them. (BBC)

YOU THINK VANCOUVER IS NO FUN

Now that the Taliban is gone, it looks like Cambodia's government has taken the lead in absurd legislation. About a month ago, in a "crackdown on vice," thousands of nightclubs, discos, and karaoke bars were shut down (not to mention Cambodia's only sex toy shop). Now, Prime Minister Hun Sen has issued a decree that any of these establishments that are still open will be destroyed by tanks. (Reuters)

MY SIX-YEAR-OLD MUST BE AN ARTISTIC GENIUS

Britain's Turner Prize for Art has been awarded to Martin Creed for an exhibit called Bare Room With A Light that Switches On And Off. This "art" beat out stiff competition to win the US$28,600 prize, like that from Mike Nelson, whose "art" consisted of a store room piled high with junk. Nice gig if you can get it... (Reuters)

SYMPATHY SEX

A child psychologist at Royal Alexander Children's Hospital in Sydney has sparked an ethical debate among Australia's medical community after he allowed a 15-year-old boy dying of terminal cancer to visit a prostitute so that he could lose his virginity before he died. The medical establishment has accused him of acting beyond his professional capacity, and fear his actions may damage the relationship between the dying boy and his parents. But the psychologist doesn't quite see it that way, saying that "of the people involved, most didn't give a damn." He added that he had several discussion with the boy and was convinced the patient was mature enough to handle the event. "It was a part of therapy," he added, "because it was what he wanted. People talk about a trip to Disneyland being therapeutic. What's the difference?" (The Telegraph)

LET THE BATTLE OF THE TONGUES BEGIN!

An Indian man has challenged the claim of the 12-year-old German girl who recently entered the Guinness Book of World Records with her 2.75-inch long tongue. Mohan Kumar, of Bangalore, is sending off his petition to Guinness, with a doctor's verification that his tongue is 3.2-inches long. (Asian Age)

FOR THE ANIMAL LOVER WHO HAS ALMOST EVERYTHING

Haven't you always wanted a dildo shaped like an animal's penis? No, I didn't think so. Nevertheless, you can order them on the web, of course. Maybe you should wait till you get off work, then log on to www.zoofur.com.

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