2005

Cookie Monster Will Now Advocate Eating in Moderation

The Associated Press reports this week that Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster, long known for scarfing down any and all cookies in sight as well as a variety of other objects, will now emphasize moderation in eating, in recognition of the…


Messages Not to Leave for a Judge, #47

In its April issue, Harper’s Magazine reprinted voice-mail messages left by attorney Bruce Tassan for the judges who had ruled against his client in a trademark appeal. Apparently, Mr. Tassan left at least one message for each of the three…



Michelangelo’s David Declared Obscene in Indiana

Officials in Bartholomew County, Indiana, have told a business that sells copies of classical art that it must move certain statues out of view because they would be considered obscene under Indiana law. The statutes include copies of Michelangelo’s David…


Canadian Taxpayers April Fooled

Canada’s Revenue Minister, who as you know is John McCallum, scored with an April Fool’s joke this morning when he announced to the nation on a CBC radio show that the government was launching a project called “E-File or Else,”…


Pirate Captain Expected to Become N.C. State Class President

By me, anyway. A candidate who will appear on the ballot only as “The Pirate Captain” is running for student body president at North Carolina State University. His platform includes expanding bus lines to “haul more cargo” and opening meetings…


Swedish Child-Bikinis Called “Remarkably Daft”

Swedish clothing maker Lindex said this week that it had decided to stop selling a controversial line of childrens’ clothes that a Norwegian cabinet minister had criticized as “bikinis on small children.” “It is remarkably daft to make bra-like bikinis…


Rhode Island Anti-Autograph Bill Doomed to Failure

Rhode Island Senator Roger Badeau says he was appalled when Red Sox players participated in an autograph-signing event in his state last year and charged children $200 per autograph. Feeling that the state need to send a message that sports…