We can all relate, Shahimi, we can all relate...

Malaysian Shahimi Abdul Hamid, 33, announced that on March 11, he will, as a matter of Asian pride, challenge the world record for speed-kissing a venomous snake, which is held by an American, and he smooched up a 9-foot-long cobra at his press conference.

The question of pride is an odd one, although I suppose it's better to be proactive for it, rather than trying to salvage it afterwards, as is the usual course of things...

(Thanks to the AP  --J.D. Crane)