One thing for sure, it's definitely easier to believe that the world will not come to an end. I'm in that category although not all the time depdending on the latest world events. The controversy surrounding the Mayan calendar and its sudden and abrupt end leads some believers to assume the end of the world is nigh. So it's not surprising that another new poll reveals that 15% of people worldwide believe the world will end in their lifetime. Another 10% are convinced that the Mayan calendar indicates it could occur in 2012.
The beliefs are varied depending on the geographical location. The Ipsos Global Public Affairs conducted the poll for Reuters and asked 16,262 people in 20 countries their opinion on their beliefs. Only 6% of French residents believe that their time on planet earth is nigh (love that word "nigh" - so Shakespeare) compared to 22% of in Turkey. This leads one - me - to believe that the French being who they are, refuse to entertain such an idea. Maybe it's the amount of delicious and inexpensive wine they drink or perhaps they're too busy involved in creating those scrumptious patisseries, or turning out those gorgeous fashions. ("What does that have to do with anything, Eleanor?" Nothing really but I was just thinking...) But I digress.
Meanwhile, getting back to the statistics, 22% of Turks are believers as are U.S. residents, with slightly fewer in South Africa and Argentina. A mere 7% of Belgium residents are world-end-believers and 8% of Brits. Thinking further, perhaps it's due to the Brits staunch character makeup and personna that would lead them to question the concept and dismiss it as heresay. But I digress.
So where were we...furthermore, approximately one in ten people around the world answered that they were apprehensive regarding the concept of planet earth's demise in 2012. The largest numbers are in Russia and Poland.
The Ipsos poll questioned people in China, Turkey, Russia, Mexico, South Korea, Japan, the United States, Argentina, Hungary, Poland, Sweden, France, Spain, Belgium, Canada, Australia, Italy, South Africa, Great Britain, Indonesia, Germany.
So what does this all mean in the big picture, you might be asking yourselves. Is the Mayan calendar right? Go know! I'm of the belief that polls take the pulse of people at a particular time. Their answers depend on their state of mind at that moment. If and when the world does come to an end, whenever, there's nothing much we average humans can do about it. When it's all said and written, perhaps we should live each day as if it was our last and take in everything our world has to offer.
"The mountains, rivers, earth, grasses trees and forests, are always emanating a subtle, precious light, day and night, always emanating a subtle, precious sound, demonstrating and expounding to all people the unsurpassed, ultimate truth." (author unknown)
Showing posts with label world. Show all posts
Showing posts with label world. Show all posts
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Friday, January 02, 2009
Naughty words...beavers...popcorn perp
It's barely 2009 and already there's the realization that we live in a wacky yet interesting world.
"Could you perhaps share the reason for writing this statement?" someone reading this may feel compelled to ask.
Of course. That's the reason for keeping a blog!
Example #1
A male who took pen in hand to write abusive comments on buses and toilets about females he disliked, was recently banned from carrying felt tip pens and spray paint. Not that it makes a difference but the pen-perp who happens to live in Kent, England, is also banned from writing nasty or socially unacceptable comments and images (one can only imagine the images he drew) in public.
There was a method in his madness in that he wrote the bad words and/or artistic renderings and then drew it to the attention of the object of his dis-affection. Obviously, the victims were not amused.
Kent police reported that there was no rhyme or reason for his selection of victim other than spotting them on a bus or they had the misfortune of living or working nearby.
#2 Can't trust those beavers!
An escaped beaver that has been on the run since October, along with two of his beaver buds that have since been captured, is now to object of a hunt by conservationists. since he's been doing what beavers are prone to do and that is felling trees.
The owner of the farm where the beavers called home, actually keeps 24 beavers who are under the license from government agency, Natural England, as part of a wild life photography business. Meanwhile, the beaver is said to be responsible for gnawing down trees up to 20 miles away.
Actually - thinking further, it would be difficult if not impossible to place the blame on the escaped beaver unless of course, teeth impressions were taken. But I digress...
Furthermore, the owner plans to catch the escapee by using a number of "honey traps", boxes that have the scent of a female beaver.
"We've got traps being made up at the moment. Using the scent from one of the female beavers, we'll be able to catch the male beaver fairly quickly."
How cute. "Honey traps"...to lure unsuspecting beavers.
Hopefully, the beaver won't end up as a pair of sleeves.
#3 Butter or plain?
For Hansel and Gretel, it was a trail of bread crumbs but it was a trail popcorn that helped Sacramento police find a man wanted on a warrant.
The 21-year old man was taken into custody for a theft and suspicion of possession of stolen property.
Police officers found a trail of popcorn from the business that led them to an apartment located behind the store and followed the popcorn trail inside of one of the units.
See what I mean? Wacky world we live in...
"Could you perhaps share the reason for writing this statement?" someone reading this may feel compelled to ask.
Of course. That's the reason for keeping a blog!
Example #1
A male who took pen in hand to write abusive comments on buses and toilets about females he disliked, was recently banned from carrying felt tip pens and spray paint. Not that it makes a difference but the pen-perp who happens to live in Kent, England, is also banned from writing nasty or socially unacceptable comments and images (one can only imagine the images he drew) in public.
There was a method in his madness in that he wrote the bad words and/or artistic renderings and then drew it to the attention of the object of his dis-affection. Obviously, the victims were not amused.
Kent police reported that there was no rhyme or reason for his selection of victim other than spotting them on a bus or they had the misfortune of living or working nearby.
#2 Can't trust those beavers!
An escaped beaver that has been on the run since October, along with two of his beaver buds that have since been captured, is now to object of a hunt by conservationists. since he's been doing what beavers are prone to do and that is felling trees.
The owner of the farm where the beavers called home, actually keeps 24 beavers who are under the license from government agency, Natural England, as part of a wild life photography business. Meanwhile, the beaver is said to be responsible for gnawing down trees up to 20 miles away.
Actually - thinking further, it would be difficult if not impossible to place the blame on the escaped beaver unless of course, teeth impressions were taken. But I digress...
Furthermore, the owner plans to catch the escapee by using a number of "honey traps", boxes that have the scent of a female beaver.
"We've got traps being made up at the moment. Using the scent from one of the female beavers, we'll be able to catch the male beaver fairly quickly."
How cute. "Honey traps"...to lure unsuspecting beavers.
Hopefully, the beaver won't end up as a pair of sleeves.
#3 Butter or plain?
For Hansel and Gretel, it was a trail of bread crumbs but it was a trail popcorn that helped Sacramento police find a man wanted on a warrant.
The 21-year old man was taken into custody for a theft and suspicion of possession of stolen property.
Police officers found a trail of popcorn from the business that led them to an apartment located behind the store and followed the popcorn trail inside of one of the units.
See what I mean? Wacky world we live in...
Sunday, January 06, 2008
World's strangest laws
It's the beginning of a new year and perhaps some travel plans are on your agenda. It's always a good idea to know something about the place you plan to visit and perhaps some of the local customs.
Suppose a visit to France is on the travel itinerary and while there for whatever reason, adopting a pig seems like a fun idea as is naming the pig, say...Napoleon. You would be breaking the law since it's illegal to name a pig Napolean. No mention if it's applicable to the naming of other pets,Napoleon like a cat or dog. I mean, how would authorities find out if one named one's pet Napolean, anyway? But I digress.
There are some strange laws around the world down in the books, for example:
In Ohio you're not allowed to get a fish drunk.Why anyone would waste good liquor on fish is another thing but I digress.
It is illegal for a cab in the City of London to carry rabid dogs or corpses. Don't we all? I mean, really...
It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament. "Arrest that man for dying!"
It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British monarch upside down. Why? Will she get dizzy?
In Alabama, it's illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while driving a vehicle.
Royal Navy ships that enter the Port of London must provide a barrel of rum to the Constable of the Tower of London.
In the UK, a pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants – even, if she so requests, in a policeman’s helmet.
In Lancashire, England, no person is permitted after being asked to stop by a constable on the seashore to incite a dog to bark.
In Miami, Florida, it is illegal to skateboard in a police station.
In England, all men over the age of 14 must carry out two hours of longbow practice a day. Don't all English-men own longbows?
In London, Freemen are allowed to take a flock of sheep across London Bridge without being charged a toll; they are also allowed to drive geese down Cheapside. Some would could say it's favoritism.
Now this is an interesting feat to accomplish: In the UK, a man who feels compelled to urinate in public can do so only if he aims for his rear wheel and keeps his right hand on his vehicle.
In Florida, unmarried women who parachute on Sundays can be jailed. No wonder the jails are so filled!
In Kentucky, it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon more than six-feet long.
In Chester, Welshmen are banned from entering the city before sunrise and from staying after sunset.
In the city of York, it is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow.
In Boulder, Colorado, it is illegal to kill a bird within the city limits and also to “own” a pet – the town’s citizens, legally speaking, are merely “pet minders”.
In Vermont, women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth. And if they don't? Is there a jail term involved?
In London, it is illegal to flag down a taxi if you have the plague.
One of my favorites: The head of any dead whale found on the British coast is legally the property of the King; the tail, on the other hand, belongs to the Queen - in case she needs the bones for her corset. So...like...who does the rest belong to? Anybody know?
Suppose a visit to France is on the travel itinerary and while there for whatever reason, adopting a pig seems like a fun idea as is naming the pig, say...Napoleon. You would be breaking the law since it's illegal to name a pig Napolean. No mention if it's applicable to the naming of other pets,Napoleon like a cat or dog. I mean, how would authorities find out if one named one's pet Napolean, anyway? But I digress.
There are some strange laws around the world down in the books, for example:
In Ohio you're not allowed to get a fish drunk.Why anyone would waste good liquor on fish is another thing but I digress.
It is illegal for a cab in the City of London to carry rabid dogs or corpses. Don't we all? I mean, really...
It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament. "Arrest that man for dying!"
It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British monarch upside down. Why? Will she get dizzy?
In Alabama, it's illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while driving a vehicle.
Royal Navy ships that enter the Port of London must provide a barrel of rum to the Constable of the Tower of London.
In the UK, a pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants – even, if she so requests, in a policeman’s helmet.
In Lancashire, England, no person is permitted after being asked to stop by a constable on the seashore to incite a dog to bark.
In Miami, Florida, it is illegal to skateboard in a police station.
In England, all men over the age of 14 must carry out two hours of longbow practice a day. Don't all English-men own longbows?
In London, Freemen are allowed to take a flock of sheep across London Bridge without being charged a toll; they are also allowed to drive geese down Cheapside. Some would could say it's favoritism.
Now this is an interesting feat to accomplish: In the UK, a man who feels compelled to urinate in public can do so only if he aims for his rear wheel and keeps his right hand on his vehicle.
In Florida, unmarried women who parachute on Sundays can be jailed. No wonder the jails are so filled!
In Kentucky, it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon more than six-feet long.
In Chester, Welshmen are banned from entering the city before sunrise and from staying after sunset.
In the city of York, it is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow.
In Boulder, Colorado, it is illegal to kill a bird within the city limits and also to “own” a pet – the town’s citizens, legally speaking, are merely “pet minders”.
In Vermont, women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth. And if they don't? Is there a jail term involved?
In London, it is illegal to flag down a taxi if you have the plague.
One of my favorites: The head of any dead whale found on the British coast is legally the property of the King; the tail, on the other hand, belongs to the Queen - in case she needs the bones for her corset. So...like...who does the rest belong to? Anybody know?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)