Wild West Land Blog

The last 8 years have been tough on the Budweiser boys…

I’m sure you’re tired of reading about Obama’s win and US election politics but whilst scanning the blogs I came across two interesting comments from readers on Matthew Price’s election blog for the BBC:

1. “Interesting to look at the political map of who won which states. A centre with two coastlines… as others have said, an inward looking and an outward looking country.”

2. “As an Englishman looking at the Election results on the Map of America, the divisions look like the Confederate war, who knows ‘The south may rise again’”…

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A momentous night for American politics and one that many believe confirms Martin Luther King’s dream and proves America has changed for good in the 21st century.

According to CNN, Obama wins with a 5% majority of the popular vote but through the Electoral College system picks up Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Iowa, Ohio, Virginia and Florida with 3 states still to go.

Some of those sensitive ballot measures have also yet to be decided but it will certainly be interesting to watch the impact on the world of America’s decision to look for change in the coming years.

In at number one this week: Abraham Lincoln for “the coolest-sounding presidential name of all time”.

Jokes aside, it’s a very good intro from the Times to US political history for those watching the Obama / McCain fight from the wings.

It seems Mel Brooks got it right all those years ago in that classic comedy campfire scene from the 1974 hit Blazing Saddles - farting is funny and may also be good for you!

At least that’s what I take from this science story on the BBC website: ‘Fart gas’ link to blood pressure. According to scientists at Johns Hopkins University, smelly hydrogen sulphide is “produced by an enzyme in blood vessels where it relaxes them and lowers blood pressure.”

Researcher Dr Solomon Snyder said: “Now we know hydrogen sulphide’s role in regulating blood pressure, it may be possible to design drug therapies that enhance its formation as an alternative to the current methods of treatment for hypertension.”

The image that comes to my mind is the Vicks ’stick’ nasal inhaler:

If in future you find yourself in a high stress situation and feel your chest tightening simply reach for your handy ‘fart pen’, take a quick whiff and feel the tension within melt away. I can see the marketing ad on TV now!

A cheaper alternative would be to watch again one of the greatest American comedies of all time - coming in at number six in the AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Laughs list. And so, without any apologies, I offer you the YouTube video Blazing Saddles - Farting Cowboys. It’s less than a minute long and just think of the health benefits!

Taking the fart gag too far? “How ’bout some more beans Mr Taggart?”

Peter Brookes’ regular Nature Notes cartoon in The Times today compares the Arizona Senator to a ‘fast disappearing species’:

Buy a great collection of Nature Notes cartoons on Amazon.co.uk