Cafemusique's Bits

Tue Jul 17
Judge punished for caning sentence error

If punished means “formally cautioned,” I guess.  Personally, I think the proper punishment in this case would have been to be caned three times, but that might just be me.

Police excuse angry computer user for outburst

Fortunately, none of my computer problems have ever required police intervention!

Somebody has too much time on their hands!

The Voice of Harry Potter Can Keep a Secret

An interesting profile of the voice of the Harry Potter audiobooks in the U.S. (And, don’t worry!  There is nothing at all that will spoil your enjoyment of the book coming out on Saturday!)

Mon Jul 16
Make Sure They Put It in a Box

Some people need their food-ordering licenses taken away!

“ You inquire whether the Augustana Synod could subscribe to doctrinal statements already drawn up by the Missouri Synod. I do not know if I can make myself clear in my reply without seeming to avoid the issue, which is exactly what I do not intend…I must say, that I question the method of attaining fellowship which consists in one party offering a document to the other to be signed on the dotted line. Indeed it is just this method which will preclude our coming closer. It is my contention that we are to meet each other as Lutherans, and not as suppliants asking for the right to be called Lutherans by others who have decided what Lutheranism is. The question is ultimately not an intellectual question and can’t be answered by formulae. For I believe that I speak truly when I say that many Lutherans do not accept the Missouri Synod as the judge of their faith, or of their Lutheranism. You treat us as non-Lutherans. We resent it. At once a gulf is created. Conrad Bergendoff (President, Augustana College), 1939, with a quote that could (with a few amendments) refer to the state of the Anglican Communion today.  [Tip of the hat to Eric Funston for the idea in a mailing list posting today.]
A Gate-Crasher's Change of Heart

Robbery or group hug?  You can decide.

U.S. official calls marijuana growers dangerous terrorists

Just in case you needed more proof that the War on Terror is spiralling out of control.

Pagans have a cow over Homer

Two reasons for adding this:

  1. This is just strange; and
  2. Obviously, The Sun needs to hire some proofreaders:

She also expressed fears that the painting of Homer, from the animated television series The Simpsons, would cause a mess as it washed away.

During the Second World War, he was disguised to prevent the Germans from using him as an aerial landmark.

Since then he has always been visible, receiving regular grass trimming and a full re-chalking every 25 years.

I didn’t think Homer Simpson was around in WWII, or even long enough to be re-chalked after 25 years!
"Too sexy for my bus," woman told

Somebody needs to tell the people in charge of the transit system in Lindau, Germany that a driver who can’t muster enough concentration lacks a required skill for his profession.

You Can Play the Record, but Don't Touch

An interesting use of technology by the Library of Congress to listen to fragile recordings without using a needle which might damage the recording.

Sat Jul 14
Googling "how to crack a safe" nets robbers $12,000

They may not have been smart enough to use paint on the security cameras (they used WD-40…clear spray), but they did have passcodes. When they still couldn’t get into the treasure, who you gonna call? GOOGLE!

“ I’m a pastor; I always preach about idolatry.  I have qualms about being here, but he’s David Beckham. An enthusiastic Jorge Del Toro, a season-ticket holder for the Los Angeles Galaxy, talking about David Beckham’s introduction yesterday at Home Depot Center, the team’s home field.
Fri Jul 13
Seeing Yellow: call your printer's manufacturer and ask why they spy on you

I just had to comment for the contradictory phrase “invisible yellow dots.”  Are they invisible?  Or yellow?

Audio of elephant escape in southern Ontario

Police and 911 clips re: elephant escape in Newmarket.