This is infamous!

In a word, I am outraged! I guess by now you have heard the dreadful news that the erstwhile planet Pluto -- a perfectly well-respected chunk of our solar system -- has now been downgraded by an international consortium of dweebs to 'dwarf planet' status. How dare they?

Just who do the collective mass of nerds victorious who comprise the membership of the 'International Astronomic Union' think they are to meet in Prague and then, in a virtually unanimous move, downgrade the much-cherished-by-many ninth planet to some sort of inferior status? A dwarf planet? Oh, guys, why not go the whole hog and just call it a big chunk or rock way out there.

I guess in a perverse way you have to admire these guys. While the rest of us are fussing and fretting of minutiae like international terrorism, starvation in Darfur, slaughters in Iraq and Afghanistan, they are lying awake or peeing in their panties over the really important question of whether Pluto is or is not a 'real' planet.

Their ill-advised (for most us) decision is going to wreak havoc at all sorts of levels of society, and indeed might change the very complexion of our widely-held beliefs in contemporary life. Since 1930, when Pluto was discovered by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, it has been there for us; asking little from us other than recognition -- and acceptance. And indeed we did take Pluto to our hearts and eventually we came to believe it was what it was, and permitted it to take its place alongside Jupiter, Neptune, Mars and even Earth. We were cool with Pluto. Anyway, I think if they were going to downgrade a planet, why didn't they take a long look at Neptune? I don't know, Neptune just never did much for me. But Pluto, on the other hand, had a nice feel about it. Added to which, it is so far away, it never did cause much in the way of bother.

And, we might well ask, what about the Disney folk? After the discovery of Pluto, when it was accorded full planet status, they, as an act of commemoration, name their new cartoon pup after the Planet. It was a nice gesture. (as an aside about that, have you ever wondered why Pluto, a dog, has to act like a dog, cavort on all fours, bark, etc. in pure canine fashion? Yet Goofy, also a dog, walks upright, wears clothes, hangs out with Mickey and probably rarely pees against a tree or hydrant? Just wondering). Anyway, I've as yet heard no word from the Disney folk as to what their plans are.

Personally, I hope the Disney people follow my plan, which is to say 'fie' to the dorks of the IAU, and to continue to regard Pluto with the respect it deserves. I know it shall always be a planet to me.