Especially dangerous in California

(To The Times)

From Mr Humphrey Berridge

Sir, A small battery charger was supplied with my new camera. It came with lengthy instructions, over half of which were safety procedures, mainly directed at those living in the US. The final paragraph was more geographically focused:

Notice for customers in the State of California:

WARNING.Handling the cord on this product will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive defecte. Wash hands after handling.

Humphrey Berridge, Devon

19 September 2005

Long-term effects of walking on the moon

...As (Neil) Armstrong strolled hand in hand with Mickey Mouse, he reflected on the history of space travel.

Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon was at the relaunch of Disneyland's Space Mountain ride.

OC Metro, August 4 2005

What modesty...

The positive side of political correctness?

"I find the term 'incredibly good-looking' offensive as I feel it pigeonholes me, please do not call me this anymore..."

On a posting on a Times Educational Supplement forum.

Well hello!

How about a positive slant on capitalism to start off with? Here's the most honest thing I've seen from a company for a long time!

"In the boardroom, one stays behind. Dr Muhammad Atash, a man with a kindly but worry-lined face, sinks into his chair and rubs his eyes. Ariana faces a number of "difficulties", he explains modestly, counting them out on his fingers. "Embezzlement. Nepotism. Red tape. Lack of qualified staff." He tugs on a thumb. "And a general attitude not to work." But then he pauses, allowing his lips to crack into a thin smile. "I believe we are starting to make progress."

Guardian 6.11.05

(Ariana is the Afghan airline...)