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Reader Ed sends us this tale of frustrating humor:

I attach for your interest an excerpt from a recent complaint letter I wrote to London Stansted Airport after a friend of mine had what she felt was an unnecessarily rude experience at security, where amongst other things she was told she should have checked the airline security pages before travelling. Which she had actually done, with me present (to help as she is not a native English speaker, and a first time air traveller).

I checked the site again to help prepare the complaint, which only added to my ire when I discovered what is stated (in these FAQs.)

As an aside, I noticed this interesting question on the FAQ: "I need to carry a liquid wig spray. Can I have this in my hand luggage? Yes, up to 100ml, and it has to be presented in the transparent plastic bag."

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There’s just been a startling announcement that G. W. Bush's “faith-based initiative” practice will continue as before – perhaps even broadened – under the new White House “Council of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.” The Obama Administration has appointed a Pentecostal minister to run this office. Is there any doubt about this official’s biases? While Bush's creation of the "faith-based initiative" was met by dismay when first announced, nothing seems to have resulted from this present alarming action. Little wonder.

It seems that the public quickly becomes indifferent to these blatant violations of such long-standing principles as separation between religion and government.

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I've been seeing this more and more, and it's getting downright silly. A journalist writes an article for a newssource, and then somewhere along the line a title is added to the piece that completely misrepresents the article beneath it.

Today's example: On Darwin's 200th, a theory still in controversy by Gregory Katz. I opened the article expecting to see something about so-called intelligent design, creationism, or maybe something about Ben Stein's problems in Vermont. But no, the article doesn't mention any of those things.

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Our associate in Hungary, Gabor Hrasko, informs us of this alarming situation:

You might be unaware of the fact that EU [the European Union] is promoting homeopathy and other alternative medicine in its directives. It urges the member countries to provide a simplified registration process for homeopathic remedies where the efficacy and safety of these drugs does not have to be proven. Chapter 2/Article 13/Paragraph 2 states:

Member States shall establish a special simplified registration procedure for the homeopathic medicinal products.

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I received an email from a listener whose coworker recommended the 2002 book Never Be Sick Again: Health Is a Choice, Learn How to Choose It, by Ray Francis. I checked out its Amazon page, and if the book's content wasn't clear from the title, it certainly was from the reviews. The "research" Francis presents are personal anecdotes like the following:

  • After meeting Ray Francis, Albert learned that his diet of processed foods and addiction to sugar were the crux of his problem. Within one week after implementing Francis's eating plan, he felt better physically.

    1. Genewize - Not Wise, Not as Advertised
    2. Hallelujah!
    3. Next, They'll Be Hunting Witches in Nova Scotia!
    4. Norway Responds As Hoped!