Tom McMahon

The Top 100 Library Books

From LibrarySpot:

"In Search of Excellence" is on more library shelves than any other book, according to a survey of WorldCat, an electronic catalog of materials from libraries in the United States and other countries. With 3,971 libraries listed as having it in their collections, the book tops the list of 100 books held by libraries that catalog their materials on WorldCat. It has held that position consistently since 1989.

The list, heavy in reference works and nonfiction bestsellers, also has three children's books-- "Owl Moon," "The Polar Express" and "The Way Things Work." Some books one would expect to see on the list, such as the Bible and Shakespeare's works, are missing because there are so many editions, and different editions are cataloged as separate works.

Lightning Reaction

Lightning Reaction

From Things You Never Knew Existed:

Test your reaction time and challenge your friends to prove their Lightning Reaction--if they dare! Each player grabs a trigger. Then, press the button to start the game. When the sound stops and the signal light goes from red to green, get ready to scream, because the last to press their trigger gets a shock! But be careful not to press too soon either, or zap! the result could be electrifying!

The Fire Last Time

From a 1998 Reason magazine article on Waco:

But the most troubling thing about Waco, the deadliest law enforcement operation in U.S. history, is the absence of a grand conspiracy. As Kopel and Blackman show, the investigation of the Branch Davidians by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the BATF's February 1993 raid on Mount Carmel, the 51-day FBI siege, the April 19 assault that led to the final fire, the trial of the survivors, and the subsequent explanations can all be understood in terms of prevalent prejudices and familiar failings. Hostility toward private gun ownership and unconventional religions played an important role in the government's actions against the Davidians and in the public's indifference to their fate. Another conspicuous factor was the tendency for overconfident people to screw up, dodge responsibility afterward, and rationalize their behavior as justified by some greater good. As scary as it is to contemplate, it's doubtful that anyone involved in this shameful episode felt in his heart that he was doing wrong. At the same time, to blame the deaths of 86 men, women, and children (including four BATF agents) on a series of errors does not do justice to the government's conduct at Waco, which rose at least to the level of negligent homicide, or to the cowardly cover-up that followed. And to blame the dead themselves is audacious, since all would be alive today but for the government's gratuitous use of force.

Ren and Stimpy on DVD

Ren and Stimpy on DVD

Is There ANYTHING That Doesn't Have A LOTR Tie-In?

The Stratego: Lord Of The Rings edition

Koppel to Read Names of Saddam's Victims

From Scrappleface:

(2004-04-30) -- ABC-TV journalist Ted Koppel, who caused a firestorm of controversy with his plan to read the names of U.S. troops killed in Iraq, today announced that in the interest of balance and fairness next week he will read another list on his show, Nightline.

"I would never want anyone to accuse me of bias. After all, I'm a journalist, devoted to accurately portraying world events," said Mr. Koppel. "So, next week I will read the list of Iraqis who were raped, tortured and killed by Saddam Hussein's regime after President George H.W. Bush declared victory in the Gulf War on February 28, 1991."

Mr. Koppel said next week's Nightline will be a "special extended episode starting Friday and running non-stop until the day I retire from ABC."

3D Travelogue Globes

Including Pole to Pole, Full Circle, and Hemingway Adventure at Michael Palin's Travel Website.

Strange Record Album Covers

Strange Record Album Covers

Kerry Records Spark More Questions

From the Washington Times:

The military records that Sen. John Kerry posted on his Web site yesterday raise new questions about the actions he took to earn several prestigious war medals and whether he deserved them. The Navy awarded Mr. Kerry three Purple Hearts, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star in just four months of commanding a gunboat along rivers in Vietnam. It's an extraordinary record, say many veterans, and one that raises questions on its face. For example, those military records do not show Mr. Kerry ever missing a day of duty for injuries, there is conflict between some of the accounts and Mr. Kerry's presidential campaign still refuses to release some records. "The idea that John Kerry would have put in for three Purple Hearts during only four months in country is just ridiculous," said Mel Howell from Evansville, Ind., a retired Navy officer who flew helicopters in Vietnam. "Most of us came away with all kinds of scratches like the ones Kerry got but never accepted Purple Hearts for them."

The 45th Anniversary Artichoke Festival

The 45th Anniversary Artichoke Festival

Better make your plans now to get to Castroville, California on May 15 and 16 to celebrate America's Favorite Thistle.