In the news.

[trinityofone]

I am bizarrely obsessed with the saga of Condoleezza Rice and Peter MacKay. In case you haven't heard about it, there's currently a lot of gossip about Rice and MacKay, the Canadian foreign minister. Like, the press thinks they're hot for each other. There's a hilarious New York Times article about it: Dance of Diplomacy Is Grist for the Gossip Mill (you have to register to read it, but registration's free). Here are some excerpts:

Even the protesters who routinely show up wherever Ms. Rice goes got in on the act. “Pete, Condi, Make Love Not War,” read one sign, carried by a grinning demonstrator who had roused himself to take a position early Tuesday morning in front of the Museum of Industry here, where the two spoke to local leaders and the press.

---

The State Department has been quick to dump cold water over MacKay-Rice innuendoes. “No, there were no candles,” Sean McCormack, the State Department spokesman, said in exasperation when reporters asked for further details about a working dinner on Monday when the two sat side by side at the Pictou Lodge Resort.

---

On Tuesday morning, Ms. Rice and Mr. MacKay strolled up to their side-by-side daises to talk to the folks here. “I am just delighted to have Condoleezza Rice, the secretary of state, here in my hometown,” gushed a beaming Mr. MacKay, wearing a pearl gray suit, pink and blue striped tie.

He switched to bad French, even to some American ears, and said something about Longfellow’s poem “Evangeline.”

---

Then, he said, “Something else I’ve learned about Secretary Rice is she loves the cool Atlantic breezes here in Nova Scotia, and she left the window open last night.” The audience tittered.

At the end of his speech, he took off his glasses, turned to Ms. Rice and said, “Please come back again.”

Ms. Rice, clad in a yellow jacket, black pencil skirt and black heels, also offered plenty of fodder. She repeatedly called Mr. MacKay “Peter” (he called her “Secretary Rice” or “Miss Rice”), confirmed the sleeping-with-the-window-open bit, and told the assembled local leaders that Mr. MacKay had introduced her to his family, including his father and stepmother, the night before.

Family is important, she said, with a sly smile, because “they remind you of the things you did when you were 5 years old.” Beside her, Mr. MacKay grinned and blushed.

All right, so let me just state for the record: I HATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE. Like, I seriously detest her. And I don't know anything about Peter MacKay besides that he's Canadian and his last name's MacKay, two things that admittedly make me predisposed to like him, at least a little bit, and thus make me unwilling to stick him with Condi. But. But. I don't know, man! I'm a hopeless romantic, and I really do want to believe that everyone has the capacity to become a better person. And in this case, by "become a better person," I mean quit your job as an evil Republican stooge and fuck a Canadian.

ETA: Thanks to sperrywink, here's a link to the Colbert Report piece on the story. Go here and click on "Sexy Photo." Peter MacKay is a pirate!

ETA2: Please to encourage vassilissa's brilliance.

ANYWAY. People are clearly not writing enough SGA porn, if this is what my thoughts are turning to.

But speaking of bizarre intersections of reality and TV, psychopepsquad sent me this link: Baby Bang Experiment Could Open Door to New Dimension. Check out that photo. That thing could not be more Stargate if it tried.

Comments

[chrissie-m.livejournal.com]

The Canadian press is especially disposed to talking about Peter's romantic life since he was tragically dumped by another politician when she crossed the floor to sit with the opposition before the last election. Broke his poor little heart, she did. Afterwards, he posed for photographs in casual clothes, with his dog at his side, at his family home, as he dealt with his pain.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

IT REALLY IS BAD FANFIC TRANSPOSED TO REAL LIFE! *glee*

[shusu.livejournal.com]

by "become a better person," I mean quit your job as an evil Republican stooge and fuck a Canadian.

That wasn't the definition already?

I should add that to the list. "Become a better person: fuck a Canadian."

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

That wasn't the definition already?

In the epic Julian Lodge saga that exists in my head? YES.

"Become a better person: fuck a Canadian."

So, there are like, English bars and Mexican bars and Portuguese bars. Where are L.A.'s Canadian bars? WHERE DO I FIND THE CANADIANS?

[shusu.livejournal.com]

I would so cruise for some beaver tails.

[numensule.livejournal.com]

We're much more receptive during the winter. Saves on firewood...

[blade-girl.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid I can't stop boggling at the thought of someone having the hots for Condi.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

But she's so talented! She tap dances and ice skates and plays piano! And I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.

But hey, everyone deserves love! Maybe Peter can get her to stop wearing sweaters that look like lampshades and lying to the American people, and they can be really happy together!

[blade-girl.livejournal.com]

But hey, everyone deserves love!

Especially good, clean Canadian love!

Maybe Peter can get her to stop wearing sweaters that look like lampshades and lying to the American people, and they can be really happy together!

Let's not go crazy now...

[siria]

I skim-read the first couple of sentences, and at first thought you were obsessed with the saga of Condoleezza Rice and Rodney McKay. *facepalms*

OH TRIN.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

See, I was much more worried that people would think I was obsessed with the saga of Condoleezza Rice and Hot Scottish Tutor Peter Mackay. THAT WOULD BE CRAZY.

Still, I think your proposed scenario is less scary than the e-mail you sent me this morning. Which says A LOT.

[siria]

I think Hot Scottish Tutor would have more sense, though.

Still, I think your proposed scenario is less scary than the e-mail you sent me this morning. Which says A LOT.

Think of the fact that we exist in a universe which allows you to make such a statement. *shudders*

Re: Here via friendsfriends

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

I saw that! That's what shifted me from thinking "This is mildly amusing" to "This is the best thing ever!" PETER MACKAY IS A PIRATE!

[2naonh3-cl2.livejournal.com]

"I mean quit your job as an evil Republican stooge and fuck a Canadian."

*cheers*

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

I really ought to be a motivational speaker. Don't you think?

[wychwood]

and told the assembled local leaders that Mr. MacKay had introduced her to his family, including his father and stepmother, the night before.

*dies* No, c'mon, that has to be deliberate, surely?

That thing could not be more Stargate if it tried.

How awesome! :) And it's buried deep underground in a secret research facility, too.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

*dies* No, c'mon, that has to be deliberate, surely?

Yes, it's part of the Republican Party's new evil plan: win the hopeless romantic vote! But why would the Canadian government go along with such an evil deed?

*jumps up and down and waves hand wildly*

I volunteer to go on the first mission to another dimension! Me! Pick me! I have no useful skills!

[wychwood]

Well, I was thinking more "Hey, let's distract the voters from our Ev0l Conservative Schemes!", but I do like your suggestion :) But, you know, royal marriages and declarations of war are always good for getting public attention away from unpopular policies, and since the US has no royalty and more wars than anyone could ask for, this is the next best thing? :)

I volunteer to go on the first mission to another dimension! Me! Pick me! I have no useful skills!

I'd totally go! It would be cool. Also, I wouldn't have to worry about finishing my Masters course, yay! It's like how I sekritly want to apply to the Stargate Programme. They always need more archaeologists...

(and psssh, you totally have useful skills. Probably more than me, actually)

[quettaser.livejournal.com]

I hadn't been paying attention to the news lately, but when they showed the clip on the Daily Show last night, I was getting serious vibes off the two of them. It was all very, "...is he flirting with Condi? In front of the press? With Condi? Is she flirting back?!"

I just thought it was a figment of my subtextual imagination, but no!

And in this case, by "become a better person," I mean quit your job as an evil Republican stooge and fuck a Canadian.

BWAH!

Condoleezza Rice: Like Julian Lodge, in a way.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Condoleezza Rice: Like Julian Lodge, in a way.

Horrifying, but true. *shudder*

*still kind of wants to write Julian fic based on this*

[quettaser.livejournal.com]

*not-so-subtlely tempts*

[titc.livejournal.com]

Dr Cox dismissed worries that by adventuring into the unknown and creating tiny black holes, the machine could even destroy the planet.

"The probability is at the level of 10 to the minus 40," he said.

And this bit sounds just like he's asking for it to happen ;-)
Okay, I watch too much TV.

[darcydodo]

I think my favorite thing about the big bang article is the press' summing up at the end, which includes a bullet point of "the experiment's probability destroying the planet is extremely low..." and then calculates out the zeros. :)

[darcydodo]

press's, sorry. :)

Re: Yet Another SGA AU

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

OH MY GOD.

I actually really want to read this. A LOT. It's like West Wing fic on the world's most glorious crack.

You're a genius.

However, your Condi facts creep me out. *hides behind her hands*

Re: Yet Another SGA AU

[porntestpilot.livejournal.com]

//dies//

USE THE POWER FOR EVIL!

ps. AHAHAHAHA. HA.

Re: Yet Another SGA AU

[j00j.livejournal.com]

here via trinityofone
I would totally read this. *encouraging applause*

Re: Yet Another SGA AU

[starcat-jewel.livejournal.com]

Visiting from metaquotes, and DAMN if that isn't even better than the original! And I don't even like slash as a rule, but I love your setup. If you write it, please let me know!

Re: Yet Another SGA AU

[ras-elased.livejournal.com]

OH MY FREAKING *GAWD*

I don't know whether to kiss you for your glorious, glorious crack or smack you upside the head for making me picture *John Sheppard as Condoleeza Rice*!!!!! (shudders)

And the Wikipedia stuff creeps me out to no end. Srsly.

Gawd, I SO want to read this now...

[maribouquet.livejournal.com]

If that's what it takes to become a better person, then sign me up!

[grey-bard.livejournal.com]

Ah! But perhaps she shall wind him in her naughty American wiles and come the next election or two make him the US's first First Husband!

[aurora]

and told the assembled local leaders that Mr. MacKay had introduced her to his family, including his father and stepmother, the night before.
OH MAN! *dead*

Also, Stephen is so awesome. - "Jimmy, make them kiss!!" :D:D

[lucia-tanaka.livejournal.com]

And in this case, by "become a better person," I mean quit your job as an evil Republican stooge and fuck a Canadian.

I have a sudden urge to metaquote you. *considers* May I?

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Of course! *is honored*

[lucia-tanaka.livejournal.com]

Ta da. (http://community.livejournal.com/metaquotes/5468606.html)

[prairiedaun.livejournal.com]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnJ5poDUVNM

I'm just wondering if he'll have to go back home to the farm for a while (again) after Condi breaks his heart.

Because him + heartbreak = Canadian political spoofing gold.

[ms-maree.livejournal.com]

I mean quit your job as an evil Republican stooge and fuck a Canadian.

Didn't you write that story?

[lucia-tanaka.livejournal.com]

... *dies and iz ded*

The irony is beautiful, isn't it?

[ms-maree.livejournal.com]

Irony is good for the blood ;)

[polaris-starz.livejournal.com]

I am not even touching the politics part of this post, mostly because my hate of Condoleezza Rice borders on pyschotic, and I wouldn't wish her on a poor Canadian minister.

I just wanted to say that I love your icon to tiny little bits.

[souliesoul.livejournal.com]

"They hope to create tiny black holes or find extra dimensions in the universe.

* They estimate the possibility of accidentally destroying the planet as extremely low."

That makes me feel so safe! These really sound like the sort of experiments you want to take place on a nice uninhabited planet in a solar system the other side of the galaxy - not on a planet heavily populated by many forms of life. Come on, tiny black holes! Mini Big Bangs! It's asking for trouble.

[porntestpilot.livejournal.com]

I second [or third or fourth or whatever your hate of that woman] but PJ once sent me the cover of the Alberta paper that said Harper dumps [loses?] MacKay and that is still the funniest thing ever to me.

See! That kind of thing is why I love physics! We probably won't destory the universe! It's cool! //dreamy look// Did SGA steal the specs from CERN or something?

What kind of porn?

[karma-aster.livejournal.com]

See, I'm just so terribly happy that I'm not the only geek who started giggling at the whole thing.

And the mini-Big Bang thing? Am I the only one who thought of that movie Amanda Tapping did with Adrian Brody? The Void? Because that thing was so bad it was hysterical.

And, good lord, why aren't you on my flist? I need to amend that immediately!

[lamardeuse.livejournal.com]

Yeah, well, Peter MacKay makes Rodney look like a sex god.

Oh, wait. Rodney IS a sex god.

MacKay might be Canadian, but he's also a Conservative party prick (this is the party that has a religious yabo for a leader who wants to repeal our gay marriage laws), so he and Condoleeza deserve one another. All I know is that warmongering cow made me spend an extra 45 minutes in rush hour traffic Monday. :P

[lamardeuse.livejournal.com]

OMFG, I just watched the YouTube thing, and she was in Pictou. Pictou. Dude, you have no idea how racist Pictou is; it's like Scotland forever, when right next door there's a town with a large African-Canadian population, but they are aware that they are not welcome in Pictou. I find that fucking hilarious, really, because I can see some Pictouites squinting and saying, "Geez, how did one of them get across the causeway?"

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Link! *g*

[bruinsfan.livejournal.com]

That thing could not be more Stargate if it tried.

When I first saw that article, my immediate thought was "I just saw this experiment on SGA, and it did not end well!"

As for disaster thoughts though, the accelerator can theoretically only produce mini-black holes with mass equal to or less than the energy it's putting out. I think even if they foul up and generate uncharged singularities that aren't contained by the magnetic fields they use, Hawking radiation would make them flash-evaporate too fast to escape and start drawing in surrounding matter.

Of course, the idea that they might hit a harmonic resonance that makes the universe to pop like a soap bubble is a little harder to pooh-pooh, as no one's really sure what it would take to do that. We at least know that such conditions haven't occurred naturally in the last 13 billion years despite the energies present in quasars, colliding galaxies, etc.