Disneyland Paris, not the happiest place on Earth

The Independent has a story on Disneyland Paris and two recent suicides by park workers.

Nick Clegg and the upcoming British Election

The Independent has a story about Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democratic party, writing about where Clegg came from politically and what chances the Lib Dems have in pulling off something historic.

• "Between mouthfuls, Clegg is patiently explaining to me that the Liberal Democrats' extraordinary opinion poll surge, by now extended for two weeks, is not some "inexplicable flash in the pan" and that "something was brewing" for some time."

A bit 'inside baseball' but worth a read.

Frank Rich in the NY Times on Arizona

Frank Rich, Op-Ed columnist for The New York Times, writing about the new Arizona illegal immigrant law.

• "DON’T blame it all on Arizona. The Grand Canyon State simply happened to be in the right place at the right time to tilt over to the dark side. Its hysteria is but another symptom of a political virus that can’t be quarantined and whose cure is as yet unknown."

New Resorts in Singapore are Busy

Both Integrated Resorts (IRs) in Singapore are now (mostly) both open and are getting good business. ChannelNewsAsia has two stories this weekend about increased traffic on the SMRT and how the IRs will boost the Singapore economy.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

I just started reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Looks promising. Here is the first sentence.

• It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.

Pharyngula Criticizes the Catholic Church

Pharyngula has a very good essay criticizing the Catholic church.

• I do think, though, that we can't let repressed celibate jerks dictate who can be parents, and deprive people who might want to be parents of the privilege simply because a priest does not approve of their love.

Spike Jonze and Where the Wild Things Are

The Independent has a little feature on Spike Jonze and Where the Wild Things Are. It was not a smooth post-production.

• ... after the four-month shoot, Jonze requested that he needed more money for additional photography. Not unreasonably, the studio, Warner Brothers, asked to see a director's cut before they loosened the purse-strings. "When they saw the edit, I think it freaked them out that it wasn't what they normally consider a children's film," he recalls.

Thailand Police sent to Bangkok

Police from all over Thailand are being sent to Bangkok.

From the phuketgazette.net

“Phang Nga, Krabi, Surat Thani, Ranong and Nakhon Sri Thammarat were all asked to send about one company of officers.”

Tropic Thunder

I watched Tropic Thunder last night (for the first time). I can see why Robert Downey Jr. was nominated. Brilliant. Very funny movie (especially while having an adult beverage or two). The two commentary tracks on the DVD couldn't be more boring mostly because of Ben Stiller. Boring boring boring.

Schumacher and Mercedes going back to the test car

"Up to now, I don't think he has had a car that is to his liking so we hope this will give him something more responsive."

channelnewsasia has the story