news roundup – the terror bird tastes just like chicken

forget the grisly updates on the toni grossi abrams murder, or the colombian killers riding around panama city on the back of a moto, here’s a quiz on a couple of the more interesting stories coming from south of the border.

1. what do avocado, chocolate and tequila have in common?

did you guess they’re the ingredients in a morning-after tonic taken by alcoholic vegans? nice try.

these are all words taken from nahuatl, the official language of the aztecs. nahuatl’s been on a respirator since those punk-ass conquistadors dropped in during the 16th century. but the bbc is reporting that mexico city authorities have decided to revive the language. they’ll teach nahuatl in all of the city’s schools by 2008.

i guess it’s better than learning french.

2. do you remember the American who seized power in Nicaragua with 53 men known as “the immortals?” american heritage has a good article about him this week.

i’ll give you a hint. he declared english the official language, and legalized slavery. ha – did you guess a character with the last name bush? sorry, you’re 0 for 2.

but you weren’t off by much this time. it was a poser known as william walker. happily little bill got what he deserved. he ended up in front of a Honduran firing squad.

“he was no vulgar adventurer” the NY times wrote, in walker’s obituary. huh?

3. what does london’s standard and poor ratings service think about the Panamanian economy?

if you said “over-inflated” you guessed wrong. again.

forbes is reporting this week that panama’s economy is growing beyond the traditional sources. standard and poor’s has upped panama’s grade to “b.” not bad.

but are they grading on a curve?

4. and can you name the biggest bird on record?

i hope you didn’t answer Anna Nicole Smith. that would make you 0 for 4. i’ll grant you, she did grow to epic proportions. but npr has an excellent article on the largest bird ever.

scientists have dubbed him the “terror bird.” proving once again scientists are crap at naming new species. fossils of its scull were found in Argentina. researchers say the bird ate meat, didn’t fly, and had a huge head. yep, sounds like every Argentinian i’ve ever known. apparently the “terror bird” flourished for millions of years until the isthmus of panama connected with north america.

anna nicole smith only flourished for 39 years. now don’t you feel silly?

Written by: Cojito Copyright © 2012 · All Rights Reserved · Panama After Dark