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Tuesday, June 10, 2008


Antarctic Research Base Gets Shipment Of 16,500 Condoms For Use During Long Winter

All of which are to be used by the 125-scientist research crew that’s on hand during the winter.

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - One of the last shipments to a U.S. research base in Antarctica before the onset of winter darkness was a year’s supply of condoms, a New Zealand newspaper reported Monday.

Bill Henriksen, the manager of the McMurdo base station, said nearly 16,500 condoms were delivered last month and would be made available, free of charge, to staff throughout the year to avoid the potential embarrassment of having to buy them.

The base only has a skeleton staff through the long winter.

“Since everybody knows everyone, it becomes a little bit uncomfortable,” Henriksen told the Southland Times newspaper.

About 125 scientists and staff are stationed at McMurdo base, the largest community in Antarctica, during the winter months when there is constant darkness.

16,500 condoms works out to roughly 45 condoms used each and every day.  With 125 scientists, or roughly 62 couples (takes two to tango right?) that pretty much everyone at McMurdo base would have to pair up and get laid about once a day to use up all those rubbers.

Conclusion?  “Antarctic researcher” has just moved up on the “career choices” list for a lot of high school males.

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Comments

Do the single guys get rubber gloves?


1% of Americans pay 40% of the income tax.
5% of Americans pay 60% of the income tax.
10% of Americans pay 70% of the income tax.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on June 10, 2008 at 09:34 am

Any mention that there might be a U.N. sercurity contingent headed there?


At least when George Bush was reading My Pet Goat, he genuinely had no idea Manhattan was being terrorized. And it wasn’t by his own plane.

Spartacus on June 10, 2008 at 09:41 am

my favorite teacher in high school always said i should be an antarctic researcher!


For truth is named after the daughter of time, not of authority.

-Francis Bacon

Sparkie Arbuckle on June 10, 2008 at 09:46 am
Avatar for Bruce

Are they performing any triaxial load testing on soil cores? Condoms are used to seal the soil samples which are submerged in water for testing.

Bruce on June 10, 2008 at 10:15 am

You have to double-sheathe because of the cold. Insulation, you know.

Pomerdorgrad on June 10, 2008 at 10:55 am

62 couples having sex once a day for a year when no sun shines outside and they are confined to a tiny base sounds like a pretty fair supply estimate. Not sure why this is news (aside from the fact that people see a big number and, even when they do the math, the big number continues to impress them for some reason).

Did you know that the human intestine is 23 feet long? Woah, amazing!


“Behind Communism, Fascism, behind all occupations and invasions lurks a more basic, pervasive evil… a parade of people marching by with raised fists and shouting identical syllables in unision.” - Milan Kundera

Hairy Polemic on June 10, 2008 at 11:00 am

Conclusion?  “Antarctic researcher” has just moved up on the “career choices” list for a lot of high school males.

At least until they find out that the male to female ratio is 123 to 2, one looks like Bea Arthur and the other has a headache 3 weeks out of 4.  (I’ll let you guess as to her “availability” on the 4th week.)

wink

kbiel on June 10, 2008 at 11:41 am

Don’t ask don’t tell, that’s my philosophy.


1% of Americans pay 40% of the income tax.
5% of Americans pay 60% of the income tax.
10% of Americans pay 70% of the income tax.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on June 10, 2008 at 12:04 pm

Even Jesus Christ has a monument there.

Apparently, the ACLU has not yet heard about this.


“Capitalism is optimism monetized.”

Bat One on June 10, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Rob
Rob
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Not sure why this is news (aside from the fact that people see a big number and, even when they do the math, the big number continues to impress them for some reason).

Just thought it was a funny story that would break up my Obama-bashing a bit.

wink


The purpose of government shouldn’t be to do good, but simply to refrain from doing evil.

Rob on June 10, 2008 at 12:49 pm

Maybe they could make a movie about it and call it Breakback Tundra.


One of the most important talents for success in politics is the ability to make utter nonsense sound not only plausible but inspiring. Barack Obama has that talent. We will be lucky if we escape the catastrophes into which other countries have been led by leaders with that same charismatic talent.
-Thomas Sowell

docdave on June 10, 2008 at 01:04 pm

Oh, good. I can see why, uh, er…..hmmm?


The future ain’t what it used to be…..

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Pilgrim on June 10, 2008 at 07:18 pm

I’ll finish it for you Pilgrim, hell, I’m not proud

Oh, good. I can see why, uh, er…..hmmm?

my favorite teacher in high school always said i should be an antarctic researcher!

with 16.5k rubbers in that climate, we’d certainly hope his hand wouldn’t stick to it.


At least when George Bush was reading My Pet Goat, he genuinely had no idea Manhattan was being terrorized. And it wasn’t by his own plane.

Spartacus on June 10, 2008 at 07:38 pm

45 was used each every day? it’s really a huge number.
http://www.TheClickDepot.com

Rena on August 13, 2008 at 09:34 pm
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