What Caught My Eye Today

South Korea -If you thought that the alleged torpedoing of a South Korea vessel by a North Korean sub (alleged, my butt) was a big deal, well my friends, you would be mistaken. Here is some truly epic news from our friends on the Korean peninsula. South Korea has imposed a gaming curfew to try to crack down on what authorities call an epidemic of video game addiction among the young. Seriously, I am not making this up. The Culture Ministry announced that anyone under the age of 18 would be blocked from accessing popular online computer games after midnight. Other games must add features that will drastically slow the speed of Internet access once the player has been logged on for a certain number of hours. The measures come in response to a rash of incidents that shocked the nation in recent months including a couple that was charged with letting their infant starve to death while they raised a "virtual child" on the Internet. Where to begin? Okay...Culture Ministry? What up with that? Now the government is qualified to tell us what is culturally acceptable. I thought that's what radio talk show hosts were for. As for time spent on the Internet, where I come from how someone chooses to waste his or her time is a personal choice or, in the case of a minor, left to the discretion of the parent or guardian. Honestly, has the notion of personal accountability completely vanished from our so-called "advanced civilized" society?

Somalia - The Islamist militant group that controls much of Somalia has ordered radio stations to stop airing music. Hizbul Islam, which has already banned bras, musical ring tones, and movies, declared that music is "un-Islamic." Is it now? And just where in the Koran is that little nugget buried? Anyone? Somali radio stations tend to play a mix of American, European, and African rock and rap. Then again, these guys might be onto something. Some of the stuff coming out of my boom box causes my ears to shudder a bit every now and again. Now if Hizbul Islam were really serious about stopping the music, they would pay more attention to what we're doing in the United States. We're going after music at the source. Think about it. Music and arts programs are being suspended or completely shut down in schools all over the country. Banning music on the radio--what a bunch of amateurs.

Uganda - After a global outcry, Ugandan lawmakers have recommended dropping a bill that would have punished homosexual behavior with death. A commission created by Ugandan President Yowere Museveni ruled that just about every clause in the bill was unconstitutional. You don't say. Well then, they better get on the ball and get cracking on a new constitution that isn't constrained by morals or respect for basic human rights. The measure would have required Ugandans to report anybody they suspected of being gay and was backed by Ugandan evangelical churches, some of which have been supported and partially financed by U.S. churches. I'm all for people having the freedom to believe what they want. Heck, I believe in all sorts of wacky stuff. What I don't get is this strong aversion to same sex relations that seems to preoccupy some folks who have what I guess you would call "deeply religious convictions." What are you people afraid of? Is there some threat that homosexuality poses to your way of life. Clearly, if anyone has reason to be fearful, it is the gay community which if the Ugandan evangelicals had their way, would be killed out in short order. News flash, people. I'm pretty sure these folks are as interested in your lifestyle as you are of theirs. They won't piss in your pool if you don't piss in theirs. And there are a lot of pools out there (70% of the planet is water, you know).

India - And now for something completely out of left field, we bring you the latest challenge to confound our friends on the sub-continent. India is bringing an executioner out of retirement to hang the only Mumbai attacker who was captured alive. The attacker was sentenced to death by hanging for participating in the 2008 attack that killed at least 173 people at hotels, hospitals, and other locations in India's largest city. But because India does not have a single working hangman, officials were not sure how or when the sentence would be carried out. I can certainly see how that could pose a dilemma. How could you possibly carry out a death sentence without a hangman's noose? Few people want to learn the profession, which demands skill but pays less than $5 per hanging. Luckily, a retired hangman offered to do the deed. Maybe those retired executioners should think about unionizing. Collectively bargaining could certainly lead to higher wages and maybe even include a decent dental plan.