Odds ‘n Sods:

Bicycles offer a lifeline in rural Zambia. Bikes are used for transportation and even grain grinding.

   o o o

Several readers sent this: Long Island Man Arrested For Defending Home With AK-47. Jeff E. notes: “This guy fired three shots into the dirt to deter several hostile gang members approaching his home and threatening him and his family. And who went to jail? The homeowner. I’m sorry to be so blunt, but only a complete moron would continue to live in New York.”

   o o o

Joe O. sent this: Our terrifyingly crowded solar system: New video reveals just how many asteroids are out there

   o o o

Senate hearings are scheduled for September 14th: “Firearms in Commerce: Assessing the Need for Reform in the Federal Regulatory Process”. These hearings will be webcast. I have doubts that the really sticky issues will be addressed. These include: delineating intrastate and interstate commerce (something that 8th graders understand well, but that some third-term Senators apparently cannot grasp), and the National
Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR)–the horribly mismanaged, antiquated, grossly inaccurate joke that passes for a Class 3 registry database.

   o o o

Indonesian volcano erupts again; strongest yet. More violent eruptions ahead? (It happened in the 1800s.)