The Armadillo Podcast

UT Scientist Wants to Release Ebola Virus to Kill off 90 Percent of World

Via Zoli Erdos' blog:

Dr. Eric R. Pianka, a University of Texas evolutionary ecologist advocated for the extermination of 90 percent of the human species in a most horrible and painful manner, by releasing the Ebola virus - all in the name of “saving the Planet”.  Not only he received a standing ovation, but the Texas Academy of Science honored him with its 2006 Distinguished Texas Scientist Scientist award.

Here are the chilling details by The Citizen Scientist –  and retort by a fellow-scientist.

Please tell me this was an April Fool's day joke.  Please.

There's more here in "Evil Genius from Texas," whose author writes, "I take back anything nice I have ever said about Texas.  People there are just plain crazy."

Zoli predicts that this story will bounce around the blogosphere and get picked up by the MSM. Then UT will be forced to fire the good doctor.  I predict he'll end up working for the Texas Department of Corrections.

A Web 2.0 Tour of Austin

Recently we stumbled across several decent sites in the much-heralded Web 2.0 vein that are useful.

Podbop is cool for listening to free MP3s of bands like Franz Ferdinand that tour through Austin.  Except that Franz Ferdinand is really going to Grand Prairie, which is 200 miles away.  Podbop had fixed this anamoly by the second visit, though.  The cities listed are also pretty limited.  If you're looking for info on Round Rock, you're out of luck.

Consumating - Tag based dating. For geeks.  For geeks in Austin.  Created by former Austnite, Ben Brown, who we interviewed back in Episode 11.  Again, if you're in Round Rock, this site won't be of much use.  Unless you like Dell geeks.

Standpoint is a good place to share and evangelize convictions.  For example, if you want let the world know that Austin is the coolest place on earth, a place worth stowing away on a plane for, you could start with this site.  Now this site will be useful for people in Round Rock. 

What it Means to be a Texan

In honor of Texas Independence Day check out this letter on What it Means to be a Texan, purportedly written by Bum Phillips, native of Cisco, Texas and the former coach of the Houston Oilers.  It's been circulating through emails from one Texan to another for a year or three now, but I have no proof that Coach Phillips actually wrote this. 

All I know is that if it doesn't make your heart race, then you ain't a Texan.  With that, some parting words and lyrics in a (fairly) new classic Texas tune by Ray Wylie Hubbard. 

You can preview this ornery song on iTunes, or purchase other Ray Wylie classics like "(Up Against the Wall) Redneck Mother" by clicking here: 

Happy Texas Independence Day, ya'll!

March 2nd is Texas Independence Day, whereby Texans here and expatriates the world-over celebrate the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on this day back in 1836.

Link: Texas Declares Independence from Mexico.

A little Texas history for ya'll from the Navasota Examiner:

"Most people born in Texas already know this but for those of you who just rolled into town from the East or West Coasts, from the frozen north of Canada or the mountains and sands of Mexico, March 2 is Texas Independence Day. Park your U-Hauls over by the hitching post in front of the saloon and learn about this historic day.

"To natives, it is an almost, but not quite, holy day. It was on this day, in 1836, that just down the road a piece at Washington-on-the-Brazos, while the Alamo was under siege at San Antonio, that a group of men signed a declaration that made Texas, not a state but a nation, the Republic of Texas....

Texas Rollergirls Win First-Ever National Championship (Part 2)

Last week we predicted that the Texas Rollergirls would win the 2006 Dust Devil National Championship, the first national flat track roller derby championship.

They did win it, in fact.  And they won all seven bouts, including a beat down of the Atlanta Rollergirls with a score of 70-1.

Congratulations, ladies!

Starting soon, The Armadillo Podcast is pleased to announce that we'll be interviewing a new Texas Rollergirl every month.  Please come back and meet Miss March.

Until then, you can always listen to our interview with Melicious, No. 11 of the Hotrod Honey's here in Episode 14.

Also note that first bout of the regular season starts March 5th and you can your tickets here.

Kinky on TV; Leslie in Jail

Two Austin-related items to report:

Leslie Cochran has been missing for over two weeks from her post on 6th and Congress because she's been in jail in Iowa.

According to John Kelso, Leslie says jail in Iowa is much nicer than what he's used to back in Austin.  'Man, it was like being in the royal suite by comparison," he said. "Instead of those funky, dinky, old dilapidated mattresses, they've got these really nice, cushiony things that have the pillow built into it.'

Kinky Friedman's in the New York Times today because he's in a reality show on CMT.

Quoth the NYT: "Mr. Friedman confides that he hired a private investigator 'to dig up some dirt on Rick Perry.'

"He was unable to," Mr. Friedman reports. "He did, however, find a considerable amount of dust."

Also see "Kinky Lights up His Campaign," Austin Chronicle.

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Who Let the Dogs Out? Not the Austin City Council.

Not yet, anyway. Go to CBS 42: Austin Postpones Dogs In Restaurants Discussion.

1 pound of fury
Originally uploaded by jj look.

  1 pound of fury Originally uploaded by jj loMeanwhile, Freddie's Place on South First Street figured out a loophole long ago, proving that Fido and queso can mix.  Freddie just deputizes the dogs and makes them "patrol dogs" under state law.  See "Why I Love South Austin, Reason No. 487," for the complete story.

Video Interview of Willie: On Why Cowboys (Of all Persuasion) are his Heroes

KXAN, the local NBC affiliate, scored a funny, intelligent, one-on-one interview with Willie Nelson and he talked with Michelle Valles about his new song, "Cowboys are Frequently Secretly (Fond of Each Other). At this posting, the song is currently the number four most dowloaded song on iTunes.

Regarding BrokeBack Mountain, Willie said, "It was a beautifully made movie. Ang Lee is a great director and you know the guys didn't turn me on. I saw a couple of sheep that turned me on."

Link: KXAN.com - Willie Nelson's New Song. (Click the little red camera icon on the left to see the video.)

Willie's new song about the rodeo that dare not speak its name (sorry, Oscar Wilde) can only be found on iTunes and you can download it here:    

Free 30-second previews of all songs only at iTunes.

Willie, if you see this, we'd really like to interview you on The Armadillo Podcast.

Back in Episode 9, we interviewed your buddy Kinky Friedman and he told us about naming you Energy Czar once he wins the governor's race.  Ask Kinky, he'll tell you we don't bite. As Kinky says, "Why the hell not?" (Sorry, Kinky.)

Listen to Willie Nelson's New Song "Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly"

Want to take a free listen to Willie Nelson's new iTunes-only single Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly (Fond of Each Other)?

We'll send you a free copy via email just for subscribing to The Armadillo Podcast.

Subscribe now to the newsletter and we will buy you a copy of Willie's new song to download on to your iPod or other MP3 player.

  These boots were made for walking Originally uploaded by The Department.

  These boots were made for walking Originally uploaded by The Department.

This offer is available only to the first 15 new subscribers.   

It's simple to do. Click on this link and enter your email address.  FeedBlitz will then send you an email asking you to confirm your email address.  After you've confirmed your email address, forward that message from FeedBlitz to an Armadillo Podcast editor and tell us that you've subcribed.  The first 15 new subscribers will then receive the song via email.

Happy trails!

Free 30-second previews of all songs only at iTunes.

Willie Nelson's New Cowboy Love Song

This Valentine's Day Willie Nelson released a love song, a tolerance song, and it's only available on iTunes.

Download it here:     

Free 30-second previews of all songs only at iTunes.

The song "Cowboys are Frequently Secretly (Fond of Each Other)" has "been in the closet 20 years," said Willie in the Dallas Morning News.  More after the jump...

  PC172551.JPG Originally uploaded by Hippie Gal.

According to DMN:

"Willie Nelson's crooned cowboy songs before, from the signature 'Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys' to 'My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.'

"But never like this: On 'Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other,' the Texas country icon sings about love among men on the range. Available exclusively at iTunes today, the song aims to show Mr. Nelson's support for gays, particularly to conservative country-music fans."

Let's hope those country music fans, the same folks who demonized Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks for speaking her mind, can open their hearts to the first gay-themed country western song. (For the progressive yet still squeamish, perhaps you should begin with this straight man's guide to watching Brokeback Mountain.)

With lyrics like "Inside every cowboy there's a lady who wants to slip out/Say what did you think all those saddles and boots were about," the rednecks will have to choose between their love for Willie and their homophobia.  (More lyrics available on BoingBoing.) 

You're a brave man, Willie. 

I don't know how this song will play in the other counties in Texas.  But here in Travis County, the only county in Texas county to vote down the bigotry of Proproposition 2, Willie will always have a home here.  (Could be why both Willie and the Dixie Chicks call Austin home!)

Show Willie some love and download "Cowboys are Frequently Secretly (Fond of Each Other)" by clicking here: