Introducing Ununoctium!

Great news for science geeks: Russian scientists have discovered chemical element #118, temporarily known as Ununoctium! This name, from the Latin for 118, will be replaced once the world's leading scientists decide on a permanent name. Ununoctium is a member of the noble gases (my favorite family) and most likely will share many properties with Radon, the next largest noble gas. Go to Wikipedia for more info.

Happy Columbus Day

CA upholds gay marriage ban

An appeals court in California has upheld the state's ban on gay marriage! "We conclude California's historical definition of marriage does not deprive individuals of a vested fundamental right," the justices said. This ruling reversed an earlier ruling by a San Francisco judge, who decided to allow gay couples to marry in that city. Although the law still leaves opportunities for gay-marriage supporters to appeal, it is a significant victory for gay-marriage opponents such as yours truly.

Entwistle fights DNA test

Today at 2:00 alleged murderer Neil Entwistle appeared at Middlesex Superior Court (just downstairs from his jail cell) to find out whether or not he would have to give a DNA sample to the prosecution. At the hearing, Entwistle's lawyer, Elliot Weinstein, argued that the case should be thrown out. The judge, however, has not yet made a decision on Weinstein's motion or on a motion filed by the DA's office on September 27 to take a DNA sample from Entwistle's mouth. Prosecutor Michael Fabbri says he needs the sample in order to be completely sure that the DNA found on the murder weapon, a .22 caliber handgun, belongs to Entwistle. So far, the prosecution has only used DNA found on a water bottle in Entwistle's car, and they feel they need more reliable evidence before the trial starts in April. Entwistle looked much the same at today's hearing as he did in his last court appearance, wearing his customary dark gray suit and light pink shirt and tie, but with slightly shorter hair. He will appear in court again on December 15.

Innocent until proven guilty

The blogosphere has erupted into a brouhaha over accusations that Congressman Mark Foley (R-Fla) has sent inappropriate instant messages to two teenage boys. If the accusations are true, Foley made a huge mistake and should be punished for it. However, I am not yet completely convinced of the accusations' veracity. Many of Foley's friends believe he is innocent, and overall he seems like an honorable man. It is possible that someone else sent the instant messages using Foley's username. In short, there's a chance the accusations are true, and there's a chance they're false. Naturally, Nancy Pelosi has jumped all over the scandal, and people are even calling for Dennis Hastert's resignation. I believe these people are way out of line. People are making too big a deal over this, and I am going to consider Foley innocent until evidence emerges that proves him guilty.

PS: Another interesting fact: the controversy has emerged about five weeks before congressional elections. Hmmm.....I wonder why the Democrats chose this time to bring it up?