Business Wins Again. Today the US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that local governments may seize and destroy families' homes in order to promote private development. In the dissent, O'Connor wrote: "The beneficiaries are likely to be those citizens with disproportionate influence and power in the political process, including large corporations and development firms." more inside

History through the eyes of those who lived it Your ringside seat to history - from the Ancient World to the present. Mostly reproduced texts, from first-hand accounts, but includes some photos and voice recordings.

Life on a research station in Antarctica Simon Coggins has been in Antarctica since 2003, and he writes about his adventures. -- via BoingBoing more inside

The Joy of being Five Years Old It's about drawing, daydreaming, flying, monsters, and blocking up traffic. It's about how time spent with kids is never wasted. Five years old, I was that once. This video brings it all back.

The American Film Institute's list of the 100 greatest movie quotes of all time. The winner: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."

Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology is a 3,700-page compendium of 19th century classical scholarship. The Dictionary covers an amazing array of historical characters, authors, gods and heroes in great detail and depth, and now it is online. Stick it up yer bookmarks.

ATTENTION SCOOTER NERDS: Lambretta chase movie available over in Brooklyn.

Beach Billboards Environmentally safe ads imprinted in sand.

"Two All-Beef Patties Special Sauce Lettuce Cheese Pickles Onion on a Sesame Seed LIE!" Or, the Freaky Universe of McDonald's Advertising VIA the current issue of Stay Free! magazine. more inside

Fear The Flying Spaghetti Monster! The logical extension of teaching Intelligent Design. via BB more inside

Fat Britney Chosen for new Holostamps The Onion in the year 2056.
Warning! No beverages while reading, you'll just short out any electronics within snorting distance.

Nose Up In order to make your little nose clearer, more beautiful and full of happiness, this product is necessary for your nose! Anti-germ & stink-proof! more inside

Personal selections of sacred manuscripts from the British Library.

Mommy, the Eldersburg weather man is scaring me. FLASH

First it was the squirrels, then it was rats, now the wombats are joining in! The animal resistance is mobilising!

How much would it cost you to do like Bruce Wayne and become a superhero? Forbes Magazine thinks they have it all figured out. In the spirit of their Fictional Fifteen, previously disected at MeFi.

Logical explanations become conspiracy theory Logical explanations for unicorns and dragons spirals into all out theory for an evil reptilian race which is apparently thought common

Phallic Logo Awards. The game designers across the nation are playing is; can they design a logo and get it approved without the client realising it's a big spurting penis? [Subliminally NSFW]

Sex and Food. Together. Well, at least in this interesting blog, which seems to alternate Kama Sutra-like instruction with tasty recipes. Some language vaguely NSFW. Please ignore the "human flesh tofu" link.

Plea for help from all you cine-philes out there Hey all, Don't mean to be an obnoxious monkey, but I could really use some help and figured many monkey brains were better than mine alone. Does anyone know where/how I can access films by Senegalese directors (original French or Wolof is fine, though English subtitles a plus) either in New York City, Boston or on the web? And I don't just mean Ousmane Sembene--I'm looking for work by Moussa Toure specifically, but any African film resources would help. Thanks everyone!!!! p.s. Just wanted to say hello again after a long absence. I just returned from a five-month stay in Senegal. It was great to be there, and now it's great to be home.