News Genius Quotes Of The Week, 09/13/2013

Has Russia finally found a way to end the Syria conflict? No. But perhaps destroying chemical weapons (seriously) is a roadmap to peace. Has US Soccer finally found a way to win a World Cup? No. Really - Europe still exists. News Genius: ZOO GSV MVDH GSZG'H URG GL KIRMG! -- Gavin Matthews

5. “AWVLI QIQVT QOSQO ELGCV IIQWD LCUQE EOENN WWOAO LTDNU QTGAW TSMDO QTLAO QSDCH PQQIQ DQQTQ OOTUD BNIQH BHHTD UTEET FDUEA UMORE SQEQE MLTME TIREC LICAI QATUN QRALT ENEIN RKG” GCH, Codebreak Competition

static.ibnlive.in.com

And with that, the British Secret Service launched its newest code breaking contest! Designed to find those capable of solving complex word-replacement puzzles and critical thought, such puzzles are used from time to time by agencies and companies. This year’s edition promises possible job offers to winners and Raspberry Pi boards to those who solve the challenge, sniffing out the most talented of the bunch. The entire contest faced gentle criticism, both for being issued on 9/11, the anniversary of one of the intelligence community’s greatest failures, and for its last sentence, in the wake of more NSA spying scandals: “you don't know who's listening in!”

4. “Objective: Change the world.” - Bill Nye, Bill Nye the Science Guy Production Notes

tumblr.com

And with three simple words, Bill Nye was ushered into the world. In the 1990s, Bill Nye was science, mixing entertainment and school in a way that made every kid excited to learn. The original production “rules” for the show were recently unearthed, exposing just how far Nye went to ensure that his viewers learned about the world. It is no wonder that Nye is now an Internet celebrity - everyone who grew up watching the insane, but lovable Science Guy is now in their 20s and 30s, growing with the lessons they saw. Your move, History Channel…

3. “I’m mad that my facial expressions was like that because I’m not homophobic at all, and that whole thing just came off real homophobic” - A$AP Rocky, Apology to Jason Collins

cdn2.pitchfork.com

In a bizarre move, MTV paired rap’s A$AP Rocky and basketball’s Jason Collins onstage, a seemingly random choice that led to some issues. Reacting to the situation and promoting labelmate A$AP Ferg’s album, Rocky’s mannerisms made him appear to recoil from Collins, a player who was one of the first in professional sports to come out. The Internet reacted, lashing out at Rocky’s “anti-gay behavior,” but the reality is far different: Rocky was completely confused by the impromptu pairing. To his credit, Lord Flacko was one of the first in rap to speak out critically against homophobia in the culture, calling it “crazy” that people still supported inequality. Kudos to Rocky for not only standing up for his beliefs, but also for refusing to lash out at critics for what looked to be bigotry.

2. “USA 2, MEX 0” - US Mens Soccer, 2014 World Cup Qualification

s3.amazonaws.com

With a 2-0 salvo, the United States made a mark in football that resounded around the world. The two goals by Eddie Johnson and Landon Donovan, combined by a later Honduras-Panama tie, guaranteed that the US would receive one of three slots open to the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football in the World Cup. While the US is no stranger to the international stage, a recent streak of world-class football has inflated hopes that the butt of soccer jokes can finally secure a victory over football’s best. The odds do not skew to the United States just yet, but hope remains for a finals appearance in 2014.

1. “It is alarming that military intervention in internal conflicts in foreign countries has become commonplace for the United States. Is it in America’s long-term interest? I doubt it.” - President Vladimir Putin, New York Times Op-Ed

static.businessinsider.com

In a surprisingly modern (and possibly sneaky) move, a PR firm representing President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin posted an op-ed “by” the leader in the New York Times. Covering a range of topics, but focusing on international law and Syria, Putin lambasted perceived warmongering and strike threats from the United States, instead point out the grace in diplomacy. Reactions were mixed, with some calling the essay “sickening,” but the overall message appears to match current Russian foreign policy: peace, at least in appearance, through international cooperation. This leaves Americans, as they say, как собаки.