the living earth

Simon Winchester has a short essay in this morning's NYT. The Year the Earth Fought Back.

Sad Sign of the Times

SALINAS -- Mary Jean Gamble organized the John Steinbeck historical archives, supervised the Steinbeck literature collection and ranks as an authority on local history and genealogy.

After nearly 23 years with the Salinas Public Library, she might know more about "The Grapes of Wrath" or "Cannery Row" than anyone else in the author's humble hometown.

Gamble doesn't hesitate when asked how Steinbeck might react upon learning that the city's libraries are scheduled to close permanently next spring. Facing record deficits, the Salinas City Council voted Dec. 14 to shut all three libraries, including the branches named after Steinbeck and labor leader Cesar Chavez.

Sigh. More on library pillaging funding here.

Cheap Bastards

The United States has pledged an initial $15 million and dispatched disaster specialists to Asian countries struck by a massive earthquake and tsunamis.

How much is $15 Million? Roxanne gives us some perspective.
The following list of actors earn $15+ million for each film they make:

* Tom Cruise
* Cameron Diaz
* Tom Hanks
* Jim Carrey
* Mike Myers
* Mel Gibson
* Adam Sandler
* Will Smith
* Harrison Ford
* Bruce Willis
* Julia Roberts
* Chris Tucker
* Leonardo DiCaprio
* Russell Crowe
* Eddie Murphy
* Denzel Washington
* Nicholas Cage
* George Clooney
* Vin Diesel
* Toby Maguire
* Johnny Depp
* Ben Affleck
* Brad Pitt
* Keanu Reeves
Clif Burns and Norbizness have more...