We’re looking at a crittery week that features not only Groundhog Day (the actual day, as opposed to the movie, which is entertaining), but also the Chinese New Year, which ushers in the Year of the Rabbit. Let’s hippity hop through the headlines:
•“Amy Chua an ‘American Mom’ in China”: The non-coddling Yale law professor created a little stir when the Wall Street Journal published an excerpt of her parenting book “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother,” under the headline “Why Chinese Mothers are Superior.” Commencing an online parental cat fight in which we are uninterested. Here’s the good part:
The Wall Street Journal, quoting the Chinese daily newspaper Xinhua, reports that the cover and title of the Chinese-language version of Chua’s book is slightly different than the American version.
The cover of the Chinese edition shows a smiling Chua (possibly capable of coddling?) standing against a red, white and blue map of the United States and the title translates to “Being a Mom in America,” or, as Xinhua wrote, “Being an American Mum.” Wow. Is that yin-yang harmony or just ironic?
•“Labrador retriever named most popular dog in U.S.”: That’s one popular dog. What’s his name?
“Mayor wants bird songs broadcast on city streets”: Mayor R. Rex Parris of Lancaster, Calif., proposed the idea in his state of the city speech, saying that listening to bird songs makes people happier. The mayor was taken aback by the immediate and ongoing backlash by Lancaster’s crow community, which, it turns out, has a few things to say about the plan, which they have renamed, “We’ve got your caw caw karoke right here.”
“Norway hotel to offer a no-hassle, human-free hotel stay”: Which is not to say that hardy Norwegian hares are running the establishment. Just that everything’s automated; guests don’t have to interact with the Oslo hotel’s staff. Yes, after the battling the crazy Nordic crowds, one would certainly feel the need for some isolation from human contact.
“Researchers warn against kissing pets”: Besides the obvious ick factor, humans who engage in this behavior are at risk of being stricken with a debilitating “aural virus,” such as the Captain and Tennille’s “Muskrat Love.”
“The Everett Animal Shelter is looking for homes for pet baby rats”: Not only is kissing outlawed for the rapidly reproducing rodents, they aren’t even allowed to flirt, even from separate, sex-segregated cages.
Remember, if the Tiger Mother sees her shadow this week, the groundhogs will have to endure six more weeks of constant piano practice. Or something.
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