I think it is pretty obvious that it was intended to be a trick shot - a very difficult one, that nevertheless took extraordinary skill. It also doesn't threaten the credibility of Adam, Jamie, and the gang since the point wasn't to split a wooden arrow shaft but really to be a demonstration and impress viewership.
On a side note, archery is serious business in Korea, with the dominance of the Korean archery team (particularly the women's team) at the Olympic games as the most salient example.
Oh come on. I can't be the only one who's thinking this is the disco-punk (or funk-punk, depending on your choice of 70's music genres) prototype for a Mr. Fusion. To quote the intermediate source, "Faster, please."
Actually, a percolator works under the same principle of having a bubble pump or one-way valve in combination with a heating element. The difference is that the water is being constantly circulated in the chamber - basically, water turns into brew, both of which are running through the grounds. Just remember to eventually turn it off, or your co-workers/family will scream bloody murder. Not that I have personal experience with that, or anything...
Putting aside the convoluted game that is foreign policy towards North Korea, this is just a sample of the heartbreaking situation of the relatively few North Korean people who have come to the realization that their government is slowly killing them. While just as tragic as the stories of refugees across the globe, this one is particularly poignant since it's a sad tale of people of the same race culture becoming worlds apart in less than a generation because of diverging political ideologies. I think Mr. O'Neill's piece is excellent in depicting the tragedies these people have to go through as well as capturing a glimmer of the challenges the area faces in the aftermath of a collapsed North Korea.
I wouldn't dismiss the significance of the judge's ruling. Sharia law is not a monolithic book of rules and regulations that are codified and enforced like domestic law. It's a myriad collection of fatwas and opinions expressed by imams, sheiks, and yes, even judges, all of whom can have overlapping roles in the case of many Muslim countries. So while it can be said that this is just "some judge" who made this decree, it does carry considerably more influence than a local district court or provincial judge in western countries, as there is no rule of law to speak of. Within Sharia law, the opinion of a single perceived authority figure, especially from Saudia Arabia, propagates to other circles of influence, often without question.
Also, I fail to see how people can mix in elements of both moral relativism and absolutism in one thought. By saying that one culture is no better than another, then that would imply that not only are all cultures are able to exist without external influence and/or criticism, but also that what is considered right in one culture can be carried over to others without question, as all cultures are equal. At the same time, the same person infers judgment on their own culture to be poor because it doesn't meet the expectations of an absolute standard of morality. This seems logically incongruous.
In this case, by saying that this is acceptable in Saudi culture simply because it's their culture, what's the moral impedance for it to not be accepted in non-Muslim countries? By not criticizing it, we accept it, no? Also, we can't be respectful of a culture and yet still criticize? Honestly, I just viewed this piece as a "well, that's odd" article, but if it's going to be taken as "hot-button ranting", then the prophecy fulfills itself.
Cool project, and Herr Solo looks tasty, but I'm not sure if I'd eat from it (it's just a little too much on the creepy side). I'm just waiting for the cavalcade of flame to note the misspelling. :P
Whoops, obviously meant to include an "and" between "Buck Rogers" and "original BSG." Didn't want to be mauled by rabid fanboys/girls under the pretense that I made an amalgam of the two.
Mike Post is the man, although I learned something new in that Henry Mancini was the composer for the "What's Happening!!" theme. Awesome! However, the geek-child in me is sorely disappointed that the theme for Buck Rogers the original BSG didn't make the list. Biddy-biddy goes pop.
Absolutely brilliant! It's amazing to see that Henson's successors still have it (and I can't believe I still remember these characters from when I was a kid! @.@). Happy Independence Day to everyone, for everyone!
I love both Seven Samurai and The Magnificent Seven, for different reasons; however, the theme to M7 never fails to get me motivated to 'rastle up some bad guys.
jessleigh, don't tell me he doesn't even like Blazing Saddles! By the way, what kind of films does your guy like? War flicks perhaps? Kelly's Heroes kind of mixes the rough and tumble feel of a western (and has Clint to boot!), with bits of comedy and heist-flick tension in a WWII setting. If he hasn't seen it, check it out!
On a side note, archery is serious business in Korea, with the dominance of the Korean archery team (particularly the women's team) at the Olympic games as the most salient example.
Also, I fail to see how people can mix in elements of both moral relativism and absolutism in one thought. By saying that one culture is no better than another, then that would imply that not only are all cultures are able to exist without external influence and/or criticism, but also that what is considered right in one culture can be carried over to others without question, as all cultures are equal. At the same time, the same person infers judgment on their own culture to be poor because it doesn't meet the expectations of an absolute standard of morality. This seems logically incongruous.
In this case, by saying that this is acceptable in Saudi culture simply because it's their culture, what's the moral impedance for it to not be accepted in non-Muslim countries? By not criticizing it, we accept it, no? Also, we can't be respectful of a culture and yet still criticize? Honestly, I just viewed this piece as a "well, that's odd" article, but if it's going to be taken as "hot-button ranting", then the prophecy fulfills itself.
jessleigh, don't tell me he doesn't even like Blazing Saddles! By the way, what kind of films does your guy like? War flicks perhaps? Kelly's Heroes kind of mixes the rough and tumble feel of a western (and has Clint to boot!), with bits of comedy and heist-flick tension in a WWII setting. If he hasn't seen it, check it out!