oh noes! it's polonium-210!

Found on CNN.com.

http://www.rubberslug.com/misc/spywarning.gif

"Find out if it ever can be used against YOU!"

In today's lesson, we correct a few very glaring and misleading assumptions.

a) Yes, many things can be used against you. Including guns. Including bombs. Including snakes on a plane. Including a certain rare, radioactive, Russian-spy-destroying element. But you know what? Your life isn't as valuable as a lethal dose of polonium-210. Mine isn't. Unless you have ever sat in a chair more expensive than an average house, you are certainly not important enough to be killed by anything more than a five-dollar handgun or an impatient carjacker.

b) This "scare tactic" is scary only to a complete idiot. I sort of understand -- but disapprove -- of the angle take by this an other fluff pieces. "Child molesters! Could they be hiding in YOUR attic?!" "Are roaches getting SMARTER?" "Why do hot dogs come in packages of TWELVE and buns come in packages of EIGHT?!?" What can I say? It's stupid but it works. But Polonum-210? Should I be investing in a handheld Geiger counter to test my sushi for superspy assassination activity? Perhaps my interest in Japanese actress Satomi Ishihara has attracted, shall we say, Concern from Powers Unknown?

In any case, this brings to mind an inspiring quote from the legendary adventure epic from the late 20th century, namely, Back to the Future.

"I'm sure in 1985 plutonium is available at every corner drugstore, but in 1955 it's a little hard to come by." -- Christopher Lloyd (as Doc Brown)

An insightful prediction; off by only a few places in the periodic table. Impressive.