Kurdistan is a *de facto* country, as the article stated ("functionally independent"). It has its own government, its own economic system, its own military, its own language, its own ethnic people, and its own way of life that is separate from iraq and turkey.

To go into Kurdistan, you'd have to "cross" its border, complete with customs house and passport stamping.

The map delineates the area that is known as Kurdistan. The "border" if you will.

Of course, the issue of nationhood remains a touchy subject, as shown by the comments. Turkey is particularly touchy about this subject, since Kurdistan falls within its border and no nation likes losing land.

Thank you, Ted and Anita. There are some neat posts on Neatorama afterall, wouldn't you say? :)

I thought so too, Glenn, but I can't remember the post! Seems like you know Neatorama better than me! :)

y' know, ajv, that might just trigger an avalanche of all things Mario on Neatorama... it's dangerous to throw out a challenge like that ... :)

Does anyone know where doritos are made? Seems like if it's made in the US, ground transport would be way cheaper than cargo.

Actually, this has happened. For instance, comedian Jacob Haugaard was elected to the parliament in Denmark.

He ran as a candidate of the Union of Conscientiously Work-Shy Elements. It's a fascinating story ...

Indeed it is, Deklin Devine. Yayo posted this just a couple of days ago.

Darned quicktime ... can't play it on my browser (too lazy to download the plugin)

I thought it was invented by the Greek.... Crazy how something like this could be "lost" to the ages... Imagine what else they could do.

Carl, I actually remember also reading that on Time Magazine sometime ago....

Fantastic! Now if they can only make muffin pans that's all muffin top (and none of the bottom)...

Andrew, Time magazine had an interview w/ Collins and Dawkins. Both are great scientists and it was quite a neat interview. If I remember correctly, at the end, Dawkins agreed that a "greater being" can exist, just not in the form of Judeo-Christian God.

In regards to burden of proof - yes and no. Strictly speaking the First Law of Thermodynamics has not been proven (and cannot be mathematically proven). So, despite of being supported by experimental evidence, it has never been proven and this law remains axiomatic in nature.

Re: right-bashing. When I posted a conservative cartoon (link), no one accussed me of Liberal-bashing. I'd do more of them except that right now, everyone's "right-bashing," probably because the same reasons that the Republicans lost (Iraq war, corruption, spending).

You'd be surprised that my personal politics is nothing like you'd think.

Re: Cox & Forkum. I've subscribed to Gary Varvel, who is a conservative cartoonist. So far, he hasn't drawn anything on the it's-a-civil-war/not-a-civil-war issue or otherwise I would've posted it too... I checked and my syndication service does not carry Cox & Forkum. I'll check with C&F directly to see if I can carry them.

Re: not neat. C'mon, guys: isn't the reference to "I Can't Believe it's not Butter" kind of clever? (Plus, there are many posts on Neatorama that aren't qualified as "neat.")

And thank you Jenny for valiantly trying to bring the discussion back on topic.

I thought it was silly string, which surprisingly, has a military application.

For an interesting argument about the existence of God and the role of God in the life of everyday scientists, I recommend The Language of God.

It is written by Francis Collins, one of the most famous and influential geneticists on the planet today. Here's a story about it on the Sunday Times.