OT: Orca Kills Trainer At Sea World-Orlando

Not even two weeks after I went with relatives visiting from out-of-the-country to see the Shamu show at Sea World (San Diego), a senior trainer is thrashed and dragged underwater to her death during the Shamu show at the park in Orlando :O.

Killer whales are the #1 predator in the sea but they're not like sharks, who bite first and ask questions later and can appear where humans frolic close to shore. They're huge, powerful animals and if they ever attack trainers or Darwin award nominees stupid enough to jump into a tank with them, it's either because they're frightened or they're playing with the human. The poor dears just don't understand people can't breathe underwater or take their kind of horseplay.

And that's the risk you take when you work around wild animals. Even though most of the orcas you find at parks weren't born in the wild and have been around people their whole lives, even though they're smart enough to learn tricks, they're not pets. Condolensces to the family and friends of the poor trainer, and I really hope nothing happens to the orca who likely didn't know any better.

Update: Just heard on Greta Van Susteren's show on Fox News that the killer whale has actually been involved in other deaths. Eeek. Now, that's troubling. This is an animal that should be nowhere near people.

The Cult of Ackbar

Ever since his debut in ROTJ 27 years ago, Admiral "Fishhead" Ackbar has been something of a cult favorite among SW fans. But lately, he's been a cult favorite among the general geek population. Maybe it was the Admiral Ackbar cereal ads in "Robot Chicken." Maybe it's because we just love a talking sea creature whose species name is taken from a tasty dish. Whatever the case, his "it's a trap" has become young hipsters' favorite catch phrase.

Now he's a popular subject on those internet t-shirt sites, like this one:

http://shirt.woot.com/friends.aspx?k=11929

It's a trap! Get it?

Then Liz Lee, the teenage star of MTV's My Life As Liz, turns up in this little number:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4383518362_609ecfe839_o.jpg

And now, the students of Ole Miss (University of Mississippi) need to replace their old mascot, a Confederate colonel ("Reb"), with another Rebel. The frontrunner is none other than Admiral Ackbar:

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/admiral-ackbar-as-ole-miss-mascot-star-wars-character-could-replace-colonel-reb/19372251

Of course, this will only encourage any opposition team to bring "squish the fish" signs to the game. On the other hand , this will bring in mondo licensing bucks for Lucasfilm for years to come.