Week of Dec 11 - Dec 17, 2006

Dog weddings called off on grounds of cruelty

A Hindu wedding ceremony of 18 dogs has been called off in India after hardline religious groups and animal rights activists said it was a mockery of the religion and cruel to the canines. The wedding which, according to Hindu rituals involves sitting in front of a sacred fire and exchanging flower garlands, was canceled after groups including People for Animals (PFA) criticized the event. “In my opinion, marriage of dogs is cruelty on animals,” the newspaper quoted the PFA’s chairman Naresh Kadyan as saying. “People hold the front legs of the dogs against their will and force them to dance, which is cruel. The lights, noise, sound used in these kinds of events also hurt them.” The organizers said they were sorry for hurting people’s sentiments but added they still planned to go ahead with the other events, including a beauty pageant for “unmarried dogs.”

I disagree with animal rights groups when they say dog dancing is cruel. I do it with my dog and I find it hilarious (she probably finds it confusing). I would, however, agree that making dogs get married is extremely cruel. Ask any guy who’s been married for more than 10 years.

Italy issues new code to stop ultra-skinny models

Italy’s government and its fashion chiefs issued a manifesto on Saturday to crack down on the use of ultra-thin teenagers on the catwalk, requiring models to show proof of their good health or be barred from fashion shows. The manifesto, which will be officially signed next week, was drawn up as pressure grows on the fashion world to promote healthier looks. (Spain barred models below a certain weight from Madrid fashion shows in September. Earlier this month Brazil also launched a campaign to ban underage, underweight models from its catwalks in response to the death of a Brazilian model from complications due to anorexia.)
The manifesto requires models to produce a health certificate and says those with “apparent eating disorders” will be barred from fashion shows. The criteria used will include the body mass index — a ratio of weight to height squared. The World Health Organization classifies women with an index of less than 18.5 as underweight. Powerful Milan fashion houses at first resisted calls to follow the Spanish example, with Italian National Fashion Chamber head Mario Boselli saying in September that only “maybe one girl in a hundred” could be defined as too skinny.

Mario Boselli - a man after my own heart.

Vatican may start soccer team

The Vatican may be the world’s smallest state, but it is thinking of mustering a soccer team that could compete with the world’s best, according to Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone. “I don’t rule out that in the future the Vatican could form a top soccer team of the level of Inter, Roma,” and other Serie A sides, Bertone was reported as saying in the Italian media. The number two to Pope Benedict, a well-known soccer fan, recently said the Holy See could form “a magnificent team” by drawing on the hundreds of Brazilian students at its pontifical universities around the world.

What’s more boring? Church, or a typical soccer game with a 0-0 score?

Japanese department store offering cake layered with 100 diamonds

In the mood for an extra-rich dessert after Christmas dinner? A Japanese department store is offering a cake layered with 100 diamonds — for a cool $850,000. The chocolate cake, whose diamonds weigh a combined 50 carats, is on display at the Takashimaya department store in the western city of Osaka. “So far we have not received an order for the cake but it must be a good buy as the jewelry on the cake is well worth the price tag,” said Eriko Nishikido, a spokeswoman for Takashimaya.

Now you can finally say you shit diamonds, and mean it.

Santa Speedo Run takes off.

Boston’s not the only one. They’re doing it in Albany too.

And Santa Monica.

No comments necessary.

~Bill G