News Cut: April 21, 2009 Archive

Five at Eight: Diversion Edition

Posted at 8:00 AM on April 21, 2009 by Than Tibbetts (1 Comments)

Good morning, everyone. I hope you have a fine day.

From the Department of 12-Step Programs, Gaming Division...

A new study says that nearly one in 10 American children who play computer games are pathologically addicted.

Boys spent an average 16.4 hours a week playing games and girls 9.2 hours. "Addicted" gamers played 24 hours a week, twice as much as casual gamers.

Welcome to the New American childhood. However, one might fault the researchers for citing the following criteria:

The most common symptom was children skipping household chores to play games.

Well, duh.

From the Department of Fitness, Animal Division...

Check out the pipes on the new Detroit Lions logo. I suppose that when you are responsible for the first ever NFL franchise to finish a season 0-16, you pull out all the stops... by hiring a slew of graphic designers.

"We stand firmly committed to improving the team on the field," team president Tom Lewand said. "That success is always the most determinative factor of any NFL brand."

Good news, buddy. You've got nowhere to go but up.

From the Department of Fitness, Brain Division...

If you enjoy Scrabble a little too much, you're going to love DeepLeap.

From the Department of Nothing Could Possibly Go Wrong, Division of James Bond Movie Plots...

Wired Science digs up a 2006 patent application that describes a method of destroying hurricanes as they form by beaming them with energy from a space-based solar plant.

Thank goodness the company's CEO public stated that the patent was just an attempt to "cover their bases," you know, in case we ever need a giant, space-based, hurricane-busting laser.

From the Department of Awesome, Division of Automobile Service and Repair...

(via kottke)

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Bo Obama's Bemidji connection

Posted at 10:09 AM on April 21, 2009 by Than Tibbetts (0 Comments)

Seasoned News Cut readers know we have a thing for Minnesota connection stories. (Whereby "thing" we mean "Really? That's news?")

The Bemidji Pioneer brings us the story of Ruby, a 2-year-old Portuguese water dog, who happens to be the half-sister of President Barack Obama's new pooch, Bo.

After discovering that Ruby and Bo have the same father -- Valkyrie's Dr. Watson Is Here -- [Ruby's owner Julie] Quanrud received about 20 e-mails Tuesday afternoon from fellow members of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of the Twin Cities who saw reports of the presidential pooch and knew Ruby's lineage.

"To think that this dog is lying on the carpet in the White House right now, and we're sitting here with his sister, is pretty wild," Quanrud said.

Ruby has a very playful and friendly personality. She plays hide and seek, cuddles and often "talks" in a voice that resembles Scooby-Doo. She knocks on doors and brings a brush when she wants her soft, curly black fur brushed. She does not shed, but still needs to be groomed and clipped.

Naturally, this story wouldn't be complete without a pooch-perfect kicker.

The family's other dog is a mutt that cost $50. They figure Reagan, 7, is a border collie-American bulldog cross.

You could say Reagan also has a White House connection.

"Reagan was very black and white, and so is our dog," Quanrud said.

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