Hasn't this steampunk thing been done to death already? I thought the first hundred or so items were great... steampunk computers, steampunk cell phones, steampunk vibrators (okay, I think I made that last one up). But a steampunk Darth Vader? *yawn*
If you look at how much the percentage of obese people has gone up in the last several decades, it's pretty hard to swallow the notion that personal responsibility is not involved. It's not as though the human race has undergone some sort of evolution and is now more prone to becoming obese without doing anything differently. With very few exceptions, people are absolutely responsible for their weight. It's unfortunate that discrimination is so widespread, but saying we shouldn't hold people accountable for the dietary choices they make is absurd.
Hey, if humans enjoy surfing, why wouldn't animals? To assume that we're the only species that knows how to have fun is preposterous. And I agree, rats love water. If they didn't enjoy being on the board they could easily hop off and swim to shore.
Sure, there's plenty of air in there since their metabolisms are slowed way down, but I wonder that this woman isn't concerned by the fact that tortoises carry salmonella.
I was once punched in the face by a street person after I wouldn't hand over my money to him, and a couple of guys who were at the end of the block just as it happened came running to my assistance, grabbed the guy, and restrained him until we could flag down a police car. That was right in the middle of San Francisco, so I don't think it's fair to say that big cities are the problem, Bean. There are people who will risk their own safety or convenience to help others, and people who won't. Whether or not one of the former kind is around when you're in need is really just a matter of luck.
I do agree with Meg's point that people get used to hearing a lot of noises in cities, and that it's often hard to tell what's serious and what's not. However, even when faced with a situation that's as obvious as I think mine was, I doubt very much that anyone standing there at the end of the block would have reacted the same way those 2 guys did. One split second to contemplate that the person who punched me might also have been carrying a weapon would have dissuaded most people, I think.
Come on, where's Gary, Indiana on that list? I certainly agree with Stockton and Modesto though; it's funny that many people have an image of California being one long stretch of beautiful golden beaches and palm trees, when in fact our entire central valley is an ugly, polluted wasteland. At least we have San Francisco to make up for it. :-)
Genetics or no, I think this is a perfectly reasonable policy. If there was a law against fat people VISITING the country that would be different, but the economic drain on the healthcare system caused by obesity is a well-known fact. Many countries also require HIV screening and all kinds of other tests before they'll let you move on in. I hope they don't allow smokers to immigrate either.
While this was an extremely serious case, I'd like to point out that in general rattlesnakes are not very dangerous animals. They are in reality shy, retiring creatures and almost always give fair warning, in the form of a buzzing rattle and coiled body posture, when they are aggravated enough to bite. They typically do not bite unless severely provoked, and even then they seldom discharge their full dose of venom. The location of the bite, as well as the victim's youth and perhaps the size of the snake, conspired together in this case. I'd hate to see anyone using this example as an excuse to arbitrarily kill rattlesnakes on sight.
That said, I feel bad for this boy. It seems like he was a victim of really bad luck more than anything else. Also, UC Davis Med Center has notoriously substandard care; I'm not surprised it took him 10 surgeries to get better.
I do agree with Meg's point that people get used to hearing a lot of noises in cities, and that it's often hard to tell what's serious and what's not. However, even when faced with a situation that's as obvious as I think mine was, I doubt very much that anyone standing there at the end of the block would have reacted the same way those 2 guys did. One split second to contemplate that the person who punched me might also have been carrying a weapon would have dissuaded most people, I think.
That said, I feel bad for this boy. It seems like he was a victim of really bad luck more than anything else. Also, UC Davis Med Center has notoriously substandard care; I'm not surprised it took him 10 surgeries to get better.