Cordite's stories

"Big Tits" Slips Past Racehorse Name Registry
Fri 11 Jul 2003 - 11:04

Normally, racehorse names are reviewed for "correctness" by governing bodies, so that they are not derogatory, insulting, or vulgar. Once in a while, however, one makes it through, and the French three-year old filly "Big Tits" is one of them.

In explaining how the name came to pass, trainer Elie Lellouche says "We were having lunch and trying to come up with ideas... My son suggested Gros Nichons, but that wouldn't have got past France Galop, so we decided on the English equivalent."

That equivalent was overlooked by the British Jockey Club, who is in reciprocal agreement to check names for obscenities and the like. Now they are forced to allow the filly to race in the UK, much to the displeasure of "proper" racefans. As Jockey Club spokesman John Maxse said, "We never saw Big Tits."

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New Zealand Farmers Furious over "Flatulence Tax"
Tue 8 Jul 2003 - 23:22

The Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty with the goal of reducing CO2 emissions and other "greenhouse gases" has spawned unusual legislation in New Zealand. Unlike the majority of countries which signed the Kyoto Protocol, New Zealand contributes very little in the way of industrial pollutants, with more than 40% of suspected greenhouse gases in the country being agricultural in origin.

But from what, might you ask? From the country's 45 million sheep and 10 million cattle, who are hard at work day and night converting luscious grass into aromatic methane. It is this by-product of consumption which is being contested for taxation, and which would bring in about $4.9 million a year (ranging between $300 - $10,000 per farmer) to fund research on agriculutural impact minimilization.

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Australian Army to Cull 15,000 Kangaroos
Fri 27 Jun 2003 - 10:15

The RSPCA is threatening legal action over a decision by the Defence Department to drastically reduce the kangaroo population at Puckapunyal military training base north of Melbourne.

The base - and the kangaroos living there - are enclosed by an electric fence. Officials have determined that the 36,000 kangaroos have an inadequate food supply and must be culled to prevent starvation. A minimum of 15,000 and as many as 30,000 'roos are to be killed by the end of August. More than 20,000 Eastern Greys were shot at the base last year.

Animal activists acknowledge the need to prevent suffering but are opposed to such massive reductions and point out that the fence is the real problem.

Robotic Dogs and... Lobster?
Tue 10 Jun 2003 - 12:56

The field of robotics has long taken cues from the natural world in the goal to create a versatile, able machine, and has found it exceedingly difficult to match the functionality which we take for granted in living organisms.

Two of the more recent ventures into the field of biomimetics - the mimicry of biologicals - include BigDog, a dane-sized canine-copy slated to be born in 18 months. If the design pans out, the motorcycle-powered creation should be able to run at over 15 MPH, and jump over three feet high.

Even further removed from the consumer-friendly world of the likes of Asimo is RoboLobster, a clawed creature complete with hard shell, eight legs, and antennae, purpose built to hunt for mines in shallow water.

Both are designed with the military in mind, and recieve funding from DARPA and the Navy. If you're seeking more "human" robots, a list of the most ambitious projects is here.

England Completes "Illegal" White Horse
Mon 2 Jun 2003 - 13:44

Despite a European Commission ruling making it illegal, England has completed a giant carving of a white horse on a Kentish hillside.

The project has met with criticism since work began, including claims that it will promote soil erosion and damage wildlife habitat. Both the Green Party and Friends of the Earth petitioned the EC to rule the horse as illegal, which they did early last month.

Owner of the land on which the horse is carved - Richard Beaugie - feels differently, saying: "They are bureaucrats and they do not really appreciate the strength of feeling in this country about our white horses."

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World's First Cloned Equine
Fri 30 May 2003 - 14:02

"Idaho Gem", born on May 4th, is the first successful clone from the horse family. The apparently healthy foal is also a mule, giving him the distinction as well of being the first ever clone of a hybrid.

The project to create a mule clone was begun by the University of Idaho in 1998, and has taken 307 attempts to get three full pregnancies. Of these, Idaho Gem is the first birth, with his identical brothers due to be born in June and August.

SARS Motivates Ban on Wild Animals
Wed 28 May 2003 - 16:43

The southern Chinese province of Guangdong has banned the eating of various species of wild animals after recent evidence showing the SARS virus may have been introduced to humans through them.

Civet cats - considered a delicacy - are among those banned for consumption, as well as monkeys, snakes, and bats. The ban also extends to the breeding, trade, or general use of the animals in any way so as to limit potential contact and spread of the disease.

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Woman's Phone Rings With Calls For God.
Tue 27 May 2003 - 10:25

Dawn Jenkin's of Florida isn't very pleased with the new film Bruce Almighty, or at least with the fact that her phone number is in it.
In the film, the character of God repeatedly leaves his number on Jim Carrey's pager, but rather than the usual "555" prefix, this one happens to be a match with at least two person's cell phones. One of them Dawn's, with an unidentified woman from South Carolina being the other aggravated call recipient.
Nor are either women alone, as the number also matches that for a consortium of five Colorado talk-radio stations.

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Horses Fly First Class on U.S. Airlines
Fri 23 May 2003 - 08:47

A prominent front-page article in yesterday's Wall Street Journal discussed the newly clarified transportation rules regarding animals on flights, and one of the first passengers to travel under them: a miniature guide-horse named Cuddles.

Cuddles assists Dan Shaw - who is legally blind - and flew with him from Boston to Chicago for an appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show". Ananova has a brief article about the flight, while Dan and Cuddles' website can be seen here.

Established on May 9th, the rules issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation state that "service animals" are allowed on flights, and goes on to say that "Animals assisting persons with disabilities by providing emotional support qualify as service animals". Therefore, should a mental health professional deem it necessary for you to have an animal in order to relieve "stress and flying anxiety", then that animal may come along.

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Museum Chronicles Dogs at Sea
Tue 20 May 2003 - 06:01

Connecticut's Mystic Seaport is currently presenting a special exhibit on dogs and their role at sea throughout history.

Titled Sea Dogs: Great Tails of the Sea, it is the museum's newest and - as they say - furriest presentation. During the summer months it will include demonstrations with various dogs showcasing their abilities in and around water, along with dog related art, stories, and activities.