Bon mot snob Phil Corbett, The New York Times’ stardards editor, has banned the use of the word “tweet” in the financially troubled paper.

The Times will stop using the word because “tweet” isn’t standard English, “and standard English is what we should use in news articles,” Corbett said. Corbett noted that not everyone uses the micro-blogging site and therefore may not be familiar with what a “tweet” is.

Ahem. When the world thinks you’re a dinosaur, it’s probably best that you don’t roar like one. Tas Anjarwalla nails it with acid:

After all, The New York Times always uses words people are familiar with, like “louche” and “shibboleths.”

The Soviet Socialist Republic of Kyrgyzstan’s interim leader Roza Otunbayeva goes down the rabbit hole by asking Russia to step back in militarily to help quell terrible ethnic violence in and around Osh. To their credit (or perhaps incapable of trusting themselves), the Russians balk. The USA, which has a base just close to the Kygryz capital, is busy elsewhere. Enter China? Oh, goodie.

Guatemalan scientists use Calvin Klein cologne “Obsession for Men” to lure jaguars. That’s funny. To draw cougars close, Canadian scientists just use beer breath and fake Kobe meatballs.

“Tea Party Hurt By Lack Of Organization”. I was going to go with a lack of any basic understanding of history, the US Constitution and Bill of Rights, evolution, ideas that came after 1860, et cetera, but if it’s an inability to organize that’s keeping them utterly ridiculous and on the fringe, I’m cool with that too.

Slate asks Are Video Games A Massive Waste Of Time? Yes, but so are news stories based on rhetorical questions.

Fucking Blackhawks.

Hugo Chavez is looking to arrest the president of one of the last independent media outlets in Venezuela (now lamer than ever). What a child…

The Australian Institute for Economics and Peace has ranked 149 countries based on how peaceful they are. Neighbouring New Zealand came out on top. Canada was 14th. The least safe countries were Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan, Sudan and Pakistan. They’ll all be angry and gunning for Australia now, which means Oz will drop from its previously cushy spot at #23 to join their most imperiled ranks. Way to go, Institute. Jeez.