i'm no guinea pig

here's an interesting article in Slate on the questionable quality of animal models in scientific research, and the dearth of research in earnest on the issue. it's an interesting question since the question is usually framed as human safety/animal discomfort vs. animal safety/human discomfort. but what if the science is more of a crapshoot than we initially thought, would it muddy the debate to have clearer info on how much testing on us beasties is really helping you out? i found this especially disturbing:

Dogs, it turns out—usually beagles, in particular—are man's best test animal, in that the same compounds frequently sicken dogs and their masters (though dogs tend to vomit more than we do).

here's what i find troubling: 1) incorrect use of 'masters' (we all know who's large and in charge) 2) paws of my bagels you damn dirty apes and 3) so i barf a lot when i eat too fast--you're not perfect either.

and do they actually use guinea pigs as, well, guinea pigs in research?

nascar gets religion.

two of america's worst trends unite! scientology and nascar together at last. two though, should the car crash and burn, it would be metaphorically enjoyable.

more world cup

in regards to our world cup predictions george bush just called to remind me.....you forgot poland!

world cup & canines

now that my friend frodo is here and the world cup is looming, we're making wagers. i'm more of a real football fan but my sister ethel is a bit of a field about that other kind of football, as you can see. as per usual, my lack of knowledge does not stop me from formulating very strong opinions on the matter, in particular since sports and politics and irrational passions all come together in a nice package. here are our rooting interests:

ethel's team: france (her favorite, belgium, didn't qualify and she told me to type: "anybody but those snooty germans who think their shepherds are better than everyone else's. the brazilians sure have nice elegant footwork like me, though. but since when did they make it a rule you can't bite the ball? cuz i want to bite it.")

her pick to win: france

frodo's team: england (he's becoming a good future canadian and is obedient to the queen)

his pick: netherlands (as a good canadian, he knows he's unlikely to win)

mr. jay's team: u.s.a. (he's a gun-totin' patriot at heart)

his pick: brazil or france (because he's a cheese eating surrender monkey too)

and, you've been waiting for it:

wally's team: my team (wales) didn't qualify, nor did my friends the irish or the scottish (we all hate the goddamn british!) so I'll root for the underdogs--the ivory coast (also, they have pretty uniforms).

my pick: france or germany (on behalf of my corgi cousins--eat it limey bastards!)

will to wally

here's a story about the sido program in san francisco that takes care of the needs of animals when their owners die. they remind you to put your pet in your will so they will be cared for. i wholeheartedly agree, i should be in your will.

i love this picture of me looking like the saint that i am.

re-uni-ted and it feels so good!

frodo, the sequel, appearing at my house this wednesday. he can't stand to be without me, i'm sure.