Ends and odds, 2/19/07

Here's some sort of almost kinda maybe good news about the West Virginia economy. According to the most recent edition of the Statistical Abstract of the United States, West Virginia ranked 38th among the 50 states in growth of its gross state product from 2004-05. Ohio was near the bottom. Only Michigan, Alaska and Katrina-ravaged Louisiana kept Ohio out of the bottom spot. No wonder Bob Taft and the Republicans were wiped out in last year's elections. And wouldn't this make a great rallying cry for the Ohio State-Michigan football game: Our state's economy stinks, but yours stinks worse.

>:(

I don't know if I believe the results of this scientific study.

SAN FRANCISCO — When it comes to scientific literacy, Americans aren’t nearly as evolved as they may think. In fact, only about 40 percent of American adults accept the basic idea of evolution, a figure much lower than any European country.

... persons with strong pro-life beliefs were significantly more likely to reject evolution than those with pro-choice views.

Okay, the second one I can accept, but not the first.

But then, a person can be pro-life from a totally nonreligious point of view. But that does not fit prevailing biases.

<:) Another news release from Michigan State shows that producing ethanol can release more greenhouse gas than burning gasoline. Producers have to be careful that doesn't happen, researchers say.

:o

And some lawyers have precious little sense of humor, it seems, despite all the lawyer jokes out there.