Monthly Archives: May 2007

Activists in Austria want chimp declared a ‘person’

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VIENNA, AUSTRIA — In some ways, Hiasl is like any other Viennese: He indulges a weakness for pastry, likes to paint and enjoys chilling out watching TV. But he doesn’t care for coffee, and he isn’t actually a person — at least not yet. In a case that could set a global legal precedent for granting basic rights to apes, animal rights advocates are seeking to get the 26-year-old male chimpanzee legally declared a “person.”

What does the Governor of California, our resident expert on things Austrian, think about all this?

If Hiasl came here, would he get a green card?

Too bad this didn’t surface in time to be used in that Debate out in California. It might have appealed to the moderator.

Iraqi Parliament’s Vacation Plans

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(US) Lawmakers divided over whether to keep U.S. troops in Iraq are finding common ground on at least one topic: They are furious that Iraqi politicians are considering a lengthy break this summer. . . .

Iraqi politicians said Thursday the break might not happen or may be less than two months, but said it should be of no concern to U.S. lawmakers.

US lawmakers should each take a deep breath, step back slowly from the microphone, and think about what has happened.

The Iraqi Parliament is in uncharted territory. They’ve never done this stuff before. They’ve been studying you, the US Congress. And now, after getting familiar with your work schedule, they are doing what they watched you do. They are scheduling some down time.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

There is talk of a compromise. The Iraqi Parliament could “earn” a day off for each day the US Congress takes off. The Iraqis would not need to take them immediately, but could choose to save them up, rather like “carbon” credits, to use as needed.

Think of it as long distance lawmaker mentoring.

Bragging or Complaining?

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According to the Tehran Times, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that nowadays the Islamic world is the victim of organized terrorism and Iran is the symbol of this victimization. He said terrorism would not be possible without the support and influence of arrogant powers.