public supports badgers

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5172360.stm

The British public is opposed to culling badgers as a means of restricting bovine TB, according to responses to a government consultation.

The government received more than 47,000 responses from the public, with 96% saying "no" to a cull.

Studies have shown that "culling" (i.e., killing) badgers in the vicinity of bovine TB outbreaks is often not at all effective in preventing the spread of the disease, that it is possible that cattle give TB to badgers (instead of the other way 'round), and that the largest demonstrable factor in tracing bovine TB outbreaks is how often and how far *cattle* are moved (nothing to do with badgers. Attempts are also underway to develop a TB vaccine for badgers (it's not clear to me why cattle aren't vaccinated, given that this has been an issue in the UK for a century or more).

For more info, go to

http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/campaigns/briefingsmore/badgers.htm
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/abouttb/index.htm
http://www.nfbg.org.uk/

DC v. Celtic: a triumph!

Even for a friendly against a team that hasn't started their season yet, 4-0 has got to be rated one of the best wins we've had against a foreign team, short of the tournament win against Vasco de Gama (which was for mondo international silverware). I have to say, I thought the entire team played brilliantly tonight, even late-game substitutes, who included players I didn't even know were on team. DC looked controlled and confident all the way through, and Celtic looked rusty, unprepared, tired, and basically a bit toothless. A simply magnificent game!