FEBRUARY 19, 2007

Full News Archive

• Headline: JetBlue's C.E.O. Apologizes for Flight Chaos. Impact: If JetBlue hadn't messed up, maybe a huge surge in airline memes would never have taken off. Now, every time someone mentions being 'stranded,' we all think of JetBlue's heartfelt apology and a dozen memes about it.. Fact: The term 'mortified' comes from the Latin 'mortificare,' which literally means 'to kill'—so, JetBlue's C.E.O. must have felt like he was dying inside..
• Headline: Melodies of Migration and Identity. Impact: Los Tigres del Norte's songs could very well have inspired a global migration movement, where people pack their bags and leave their homes just to feel the emotional pull of a good ballad. Who needs a plane ticket when you have a song?. Fact: These guys are like the unofficial ambassadors of the undocumented immigrant experience. Forget diplomacy; just hand out their albums at the border..
• Headline: Al Qaeda's Resurgence and Global Influence. Impact: The resurgence of Al Qaeda could lead to a new trend in 'terrorist chic'—think combat boots and camouflage in haute couture. Watch out for the runway shows featuring 'terrorist-inspired' fashion next season.. Fact: When officials say 'significant control', they mean significant headaches for global security. It's like trying to put a genie back in a bottle—if the genie was really angry and had a penchant for terror..
• Headline: Buffalo Looks for Work but Debates Casino’s Value. Impact: Buffalo's debate over the casino could lead to a whole new genre of reality TV: 'Casino Wars: Buffalo Edition.' It’s a battle of wills and wallets—not exactly the Hunger Games, but close enough for local government.. Fact: Buffalo's motto is 'City of Good Neighbors.' Apparently, they forgot to include 'unless you're a casino.'.
• Headline: Those Storm-Tossed Revolutionaries Reach Port. Impact: The success of Tom Stoppard's play could inspire a new wave of theatrical productions showcasing the struggles of revolutionaries, which, let’s be honest, would probably just lead to more overly dramatic high school productions.. Fact: Stoppard's 'Coast of Utopia' trilogy is so long that it’s rumored to have a secret fourth part: 'Coast of Utopia: The Nap.'.