Wut?

There was an interesting article in OregonLive last night on a successful campaign to clean up the mess and misuse along a 21-mile stretch of the Molalla River near Portland. It was such a success, in fact, that the run is being seriously considered as an addition to the streams recognized and protected under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers system.

What drew my attention, though, wasn't the story as much as the lead photo. Any geology types have an idea what we're looking at? I'm guessing it was a lava tube or flow; those radial columnar joints suggest a circular outline, at least on the bottom. The bedrock is somewhat obscured by moss and plants above the midline of the structure, and I can't tell from the picture whether the radiating joints continue to make a full circle. Whatever it is, I like.

A Simple Message Repeated Many Times

No one should die because they cannot afford health care, and no one should go broke because they get sick.

I don't know why I didn't think to post this on my blog earlier, but it was one of the first things I put up in facebook today- it's burning through the facebookers like a wildfire. Matty Boy put it up on his blog with the same title, and I'm copying.

Someone Send a Copy of This to Beck

Maybe we can make his head explode (listening hopefully).Via Skull Swap.

Darwin in '09!

From Zazzle.

Well, You're Going to Have to Figure That Out For Yourself

I figure Beck is a Loon

Okay... the artwork Beck refers to was done in the 30's, at the height of the great depression. WWII hadn't even really started yet (though it was developing), and the cold war was 20 years away. The painting he refers to during the latter part was initially papered over, then ultimately destroyed because Nelson Rockefeller disliked the communist iconography. The illustration Beck is using is a recreation from photos that resides in Mexico. The symbolism Beck repeatedly invokes has been used widely in many cultures and economic systems. To argue that the Rockefeller was a communist would be like arguing that Hitler was a humanitarian... it's like rubbing pecans on your genitals: effing nuts. Many, many of my relatives had hammers and sickles. I own several hammers. None of us are communists.

Crap. There's no point in arguing with a madman. Neither of you will convince the other, and he enjoys it.

Finger Bitten Off

A health care supporter at rally confronted and bit the left pinky finger off a health care opponent with another group. Way to stay classy, our side. However, the victim (remember, a health reform opponent) received swift emergency care.

O'Hanlon says the man got into an argument and fist fight, during which he bit off the left pinky of a 65-year-old man who opposed health care reform.

A hospital spokeswoman says the man lost half the finger, but doctors reattached it and he was sent home the same night.

She says he had Medicare.

Way to stay classy, other side.

Perspective Illusion

Silver Fox just posted some photos from a trip to Caliente Nevada. One of the shots prompted me to try creating an illusion I recently saw for the first time:Those two pictures are exactly the same. To me though, the rails in the right picture look more horizontal than the rails in the left photo. I have no idea how this works, but I do find it interesting.