Thirty-Four Hot Dogs

Eating competitions. 

We love to see people indulge themselves, gorge themselves on food as a sport. It reminds us that the extra portion we had beyond the norm is nothing when compared to these excesses of gluttony, and so we feel a little better despite the extra calories we've eaten.

There  has been a huge upset in the Coney Island annual 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Competition. 

Sonya Thomas, last year's winner, an out and out favourite is beaten by fellow competitive eater, Miki Sudo, for this year's title.

Miki ate 34 hot dog sausages and buns. 

It's not only the quantity eaten at one sitting that is mind boggling but the time taken to do so, just 10 minutes.

after the main course

I let out my belt a notch

Black Forest gateaux 

Paul Conneally

July 2014

Syria Deal - The Good The Bad And The Ugly

A piece on the US Russian deal to destroy Syria's Chemical weapons ... To read the piece click here:

SYRIA DEAL: THE GOOD THE BAD ANDTHE UGLY

Steve Jobs Waxwork goes on show at Madame Tussauds

An eerily lifelike wax model of the late great Steve Jobs creator of the iPhone and Apple goes on show at Madame Tussauds. It's in Hong Kong to start but is due to go on a world tour. CLICK text to read more at AllVoices.

Morning After Pill Given Out To Children Without Parents Consent

NEW YORK CITY Schools give out Plan B morning after pill to teenage pupils some as young as 14 without telling parents.

Gays Drug Use Seven Times Higher Than Heterosexuals - AllVoices

A new report from the Lesbian and Gay Foundation (LGF) and the University of Central Lancashire, finds that drug use amongst the lesbian and gay community is much higher than in the rest of the popoulation of the UK. 4,000 people were surveyed as part of the research and one in five of the gay community showed signs of drug or alcohol dependency.

Overall drug use in the LGBT was seven times higher than in the rest of the population. The reasons for this seem complex. Dealing with homophobia in a still disrminatory society and the party lifestyle associated with the LGBT community could be factors.

Green On Blue

They call it 'green on blue'. A soldier from a nation state allied to NATO troops turns their gun on on them. 
In Afghanistan it's happening more and more. So much so that the allied troops stop training local men to enter the Afghan security forces. What trust there was between Afghan forces and Nato forces is rapidly breaking down. The aim is to hand over the security of Afghanistan to its own forces by 2014 and withdraw all allied troops. Some, from both sides, say leave now.


checking back
back over his shoulder
autumn grass

Paul Conneally

More on Green on Blue Attacks at Allvoices

A Cut Too Far - Amish Hate Crime Trial

Sam Mullet Snr. and fifteen of his followers are accused of hate crimes. 

They attack and cut off the hair and beards of fellow Amish that they believe have broken God's laws. Amish laws.

Mullet claims that it's his right to punish those that insult God by their behaviour.
Wearing the wrong clothes, watching a movie, using the telephone.

All sixteen are now on trial in Ohio. Guilty verdicts will bring jail sentences. Long ones.

thinking of home
the autumn wind
through her hair

Paul Conneally