1. I like the way this is phrased:

Well, a language is a system of practices, not a designed system, so some things are as they are just because of the way they developed over time; there are plenty of anomalies and irregularities in every language.

2. Plastinated squid!

the 21.2-foot-long (6.5-meter-long) sea beast was drained of its fluids and refilled with a polymer. The process caused the animal to shrink by about 7 feet (2.5 meters).

3. Those poor starfish. Did anyone ask them if they wanted to participate in a photo op?

Also, those things look exceedingly slimy. Is that what all starfish look like when they've recently been taken out of the water or is that some strange antarctic adaptation to cold?

4. Ignoring the fact that the headline is not confirmed truth, this is still a disturbing story.

"There is no physical evidence of abuse or neglect," he said.

Yeah. For the kids who are still alive. Well-intentioned neglect is still neglect. Mary Bass was probably well-intentioned in her own mind, after all. [I recognize that there are difference between the two cases, but still....]

Another source elaborated:

She had diabetic ketoacidosis, which means that had she gone to a hospital, doctors could have saved her. For her to get in this condition, she had to have been exhibiting symptoms for quite a long time, but her parents chose to pray away clear signs of distress - nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst, loss of appetite and weakness.

I don't like the idea of parents being forced to ascribe to specific medical philosophies and treatments. But when do common sense and preservation of life override one's right to seek alternative 'treatments' in place of more mainstream ones?

5. If this is true:

Her mother said the girl has a learning disability and was "mentally not a regular 11-year-old."

Then the cop who tased her needs some serious talking-to. And that kid needs to be placed in a school environment where her behavior is better understood.