Gomer Pyle

It goes without saying that the greatest enemy to mankind is man himself...Anyone who believes to the contrary is simply deluding himself!

Beth

For the person who asked where they could find statistics showing there were more attacks last year, there was a huge article in Monday's Chicago Sun-Times newspaper which is one of the most widely read in the US and is online. I'm sure you could look up the back issue. They had a table that showed attacks month by month last year and this year foor all over the world including the US. If I remember correctly, there were something like 54 attacks last year and only 32? this year. And there were many more attacks in Florida in 2000 than 2001. One difference however was that there were no deaths in the US last year due to shark attacks and there was only one worldwide (Brazil) while we have had this recent death here. I don't understand either why we are hearing more about this year than last!

J T Kirk

One reason we may be hearing more about it this year is that more people are perhaps reporting minor cuts and scrapes from sharks this year because of the media frenzy. Maybe they want to get there name in the paper. In years past, swimmers and surfers (particularly) have been "scraped" or "bumped" by a shark. But they just let it go. Not so this year. [many times a shark will graze you with its teeth, and because their teeth are so sharp, you will be cut. usually, it's superficial and doesn't draw a lot of media attention.]

Tasha

A great website with lots of stats, like who, what, when, what were they doing & wearing at the time of a shark attack is:
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Sharks/ISAF/ISAF.htm
(International Shark Attack File)

Helps put things in perspective!

x

It's true. There is nothing unique about this year. There were more shark attacks worldwide LAST year. The real sharks in this case are the media who are having their own feeding frenzy at our expense.

Mr. X

Curious, did you also hear that Hank the Angry Dwarf is dead? Stern is right; this is WAR!!!!!!!! Kill all sharks.

curious

Yes I did Mr. X (you're not Robin's Mr. X, are you?). The sad news upstaged most of the shark discussion today. Oh well, there's always tomorrow!

Public Enemy

"Public Enemy Number One"? When I hear those words, names like George W. Bush, Rush Limbaugh come to mind. Sharks? Pshaw. They ain't nuthin.

Shoodle

Yes, there is a conspiracy of us sharks to dominate the globe. Humans are our first enemies. After we rid the oceans of humans- swimmers, fishermen, sailors, cargo freighters, oil rigs-, we will then dedicate ourselves to the destruction of our ancient enemies the dolphins. Do not oppose us; we are UNITED as never before. Don't put even a toe in salt water; we'll bite it off. To all the Flippers out there: YOU'RE GOING DOWN!!!!!!!!

curious

Public Enemy, And lets not forget the biggest hypocrite off them all, Dr. Laura!

curious

Shoodle, could you per chance be bought off with a nice meaty politician?

Shoodle

There'll be no quarter for humans.....unless you are female. I have never made love with a human and I would like to.

Movie Buff

"We're gonna need a bigger boat."

Alex

I think the sharks have finally figured out that the pink things in the water are really slow and easy to catch. (Kind of bony though)

Howard

F*** sharks! Kill 'em all! Along with all you left-wing liberals!

Leone

Gee, Howard, small brain too. Ciao

Pensacolian

I took a look at the Chicago Sun Times and did a search.
I tried under shark and shark attacks and found none of the info you mentioned.
I have also tried the International Shark file and cannot access that site for some reason.
I think the problem is coming from my end (server) as I see that the file stops loading when I see an address being used from this country.
Odd, but have tried to get there using both explorer and netscape, and on different nights.
Any other ideas? Thanks.

BeVeryAfraid

Don't you people get it yet? The Aliens are manipulating the sharks into attacking so they can control the oceans and once they control the oceans it will be easy for them to gain control of the rest of the world. They have been among us for centuries and they want world domination!

to

To Beth and others,

Here is what I want to know:

While tuning in to the "new" CNN Headline news, I read on one of their noisy side graphics that there were 18 (~) deaths by dog attacks each year, xxx number by bears, etc.. Then I read there were 2 death annually by vending machines! Vending machines. How does one die by a vending machine?

Hey CNN, your new format has chased me away (I am a news nut). I can't even get simple news. Time to move on to some other station. You have to support facts/details like "deaths by vending machines" statistic without some further information. Maybe CNN joined with the tabloids.. and it really is Castro.

How does one die from a vending machine?

curious

Death by Vending machines??!!!?? My guess is that they couldn't get the candy bar out and starting shaking the machine until it fell on top of them and crushed them. Death by chocolate! Junk food really is bad for your health!