Some news is there to educate, to expand the reader's knowledge of the universe. Some news inspires thought and action. Some news pulls at your heartstrings through stories of trauma, bravery, or despair. This is not that news.
A man named John William Cheesman was shot while snorkeling in Oregon last month by someone who claimed to have mistaken him for a rodent. The shooter, William Roderick, a felon, was arrested for assault, possession of firearms, and possession of methamphetamine and marijuana. The bullet hit Cheesman in the densest portion of his skull, protecting his brain from serious injury, and he is recovering. Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17091607/
Hanging plastic testicles from trailer hitches seems to be a new fad among truckers. But the joke, intended to represent the supposed masculinity of large vehicles, is causing some twisted political panties. Maryland Del. LeRoy E. Myers is attempting to ban the objects from the roads. "I think it's a pretty serious problem," says Myers (R-Washington County). "You have body parts hanging from the hitches of cars. We've crossed a line." Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/22/AR2007022201426.html
A lawsuit has been filed based on a high school girl's usage of the words, "That's so gay." Rebekah Rice of Santa Rosa, California, was disciplined by her school for using the phrase, and her parents are suing for violation of their daughter's First Amendment rights. Elden and Katherine Rice complain that the school did nothing to protect Rebekah from the teasing about her Mormon background that provoked the punished response, and they want her record wiped of the disciplinary notation. Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17388702/?GT1=9145
At Chimp Haven, a Louisiana home for retired chimpanzees where all males receive vasectomies, a female chimp turned up pregnant. In January, a chimpanzee named Teresa gave birth. Apparently, one vasectomy was ineffective. Tracy, the new baby, is being sponsored so that she can stay with her mother. Paternity tests are being conducted. Source: http://www.ktbs.com/news/local/5220721.html
Disney has teamed up with a bridal designer named Kirstie Kelly to develop a line of wedding gowns based on the dresses of various princesses from Disney's animated films. At first, the garments will be sold only at one Florida retailer, but there are plans to expand. The dresses range in price from $1,100 to $2,900. Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-disney2307feb23,0,2583417.story
A Swiss magazine called SonntagsZeitung recently ran a two-page sham Gucci ad portraying a mostly-naked man posing by a bottle of perfume. The magazine had received a call to book the ad from a man who claimed to represent Gucci and requested that the $50,000 bill be sent to the company. Police are attempting to locate the perpetrator, who has apparently also nearly managed to book concert venues, passing himself off as Puerto Rican singer Chayanne. The magazine has apologized to Gucci for the mistake. Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/02/27/ap/strange/mainD8NIAF8G2.shtml
Switzerland accidentally invaded a small neighboring principality called Liechtenstein early on March 1. Some 170 Swiss infantry soldiers got lost and wandered over a mile across the unmarked border in the dark. The soldiers were carrying assault rifles but no ammunition. Liechtenstein, which is smaller than Washington D.C., isn't too worked up over the incident. "It's not like they stormed over here with attack helicopters or something," said spokesman Markus Amman. Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-mistaken-invasion,1,6720816.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true
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