The World's Largest Cave

Recently scientists discovered a huge cave in a Vietnamese jungle and they believe it is yet the biggest single cave in the world. In most places the cave, called the Son Doong, is 80 by 80 meters, which means that it is larger than the Deer Cave found in Borneo and previously considered to be world's largest.

The Song Doong cave is about 4.5km long (2.8 miles), but the explorers from the British Cave Research Association expedition believe that it could be much longer due to the fact that when they studied the cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park they were blocked by seasonal floodwaters. According to Adam Spillane, one of the expedition's members, for several miles the cave becomes more than 140 by 140 meters (460 by 460 feet).

The entrance to the Son Doong was discovered a few years ago by a local farmer. He led a team of explorers from UK and Vietnam to the cave in April. Back then the researchers managed to discover an underground river that flows through the first 2.5km of the cave and huge stalagmites that were over 70m (230 feet) high.

The size of the cavern was analyzed using extremely accurate laser-based measuring tools. Andy Eavis, president of the International Union of Speleology, confirmed that Son Doong is indeed larger than the Deer Cave. It is worth mentioning that previous expeditions did not manage to come across the cave, mainly because of the difficult terrain in the region, reports National Geographic. Researchers say that Son Doong is located deep in the jungle and there is almost no chance to see it on Google Earth. Explorers mentioned that local people were aware of the cave, but were scared to investigate it, because of the noise that was produced by the loud breeze and the river that runs from the cave entrance. You can read about other interesting discoveries here at www.InfoNIAC.com - check the links at the nottom of the story.

Researchers also managed to spot monkeys that went visited the cave through its top to eat snails. The team looks forward to come back to the cave with a biologist who will examine its subterranean wild life. Explorers believe that there are caves larger than the Son Doong. They think that extremely large caves can be spotted in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.

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No More Tattoos For US Marines, So Afghanistan Should Become A Push Over

The US Marines are banning the wearing of large tattoos, saying they do not represent "traditional values".

From Sunday, tattoos on the head or neck, or large tattoos on arms or legs will not be allowed. Marines already with the tattoos are exempt.

I found two things rather amusing here. Firstly, the fact that marines who already have tattoos are exempt. I am quite sure they could have worked that out for themselves without having it laid down in the rule book for them.

Secondly, the fact that the reason for the banning of tattoos was because they do not represent "traditional values".

Surely the use of cluster bombs in Afghanistan don't represent "traditional values" either. In fact, it is illegal to use these in warfare as they are deemed too inaccurate and can easily kill innocent women and children, but America uses them anyway.

I'm also of the opinion that illegal invasions of countries on some trumped up assumption they have "weapons of mass destruction" doesn't quite conform to "traditional values" much either. As is the case with Iraq. This too was an illegal invasion, but to hell with "traditional values", let's do it anyway....... they have lots of oil.

"Traditional values" would lead them to help out people who are starving to death in their millions while food aid and medical aid was being stolen from them. But alas, Darfur has no oil or gold, so they are left to stand up for themselves as they are slaughtered by their own government.

Tradition will tell us that every time the USA invades a country for whatever reason, they do have a nasty habit of getting their asses kicked. Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan etc etc.

The problem with all this invasion stuff is simple. They keep picking on countries who have a lot of tradition and who will not stand for being bullied. Afghanistan being the best example here.

Anyone who has ever tried to subdue the people of Afghanistan has failed and suffered huge losses in the attempt. These people have horses and few rusty old AK-47 assault rifles and they have seen off the Mujahadeen, the Russians and now they are in the process of seeing of the good ol' US of A.

It's not about tattoos. It's about having traditions and values that mean something. It's about having history and an unnerving desire to defend that history and the memory of the people who made it. It's about having balls big enough to fill a dumper truck.

I would warn against tackling Afghanistan to anyone. They don't have stealth bombers and the latest guns. They have no fancy Hummers to drive across the desert with. They are lacking any form of aerial threat. Helicopters, long range missiles, night vision, laser sights, nuclear bombs are all out of reach for them. But who needs them when you have commitment, incredible bravery and "traditional values" which we may deem right or wrong, that you will defend to the death, even against a far superior enemy?

Still............the tattoos is a start for the USA.