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The place where the world comes together in honesty and mirth.
Windmills Tilted, Scared Cows Butchered, Lies Skewered on the Lance of Reality ... or something to that effect.


Sunday, April 12, 2009

A change in the 'lay of the land', excuse me - lay of the blog

To all our regular readers you may have noticed a change in the layout of this blog today.

The change over to this new layout was somewhat 'forced' by the last layout going haywire today - although the thought had been swirling around in my head about changing it up anyway for a few weeks, already.

This new layout allows for larger graphics (charts, photos, etc.), which will be nice. The regular features (if you can call them that) of the blog haven't changed nor will they. Also, they should be easier to find and read.

Can Cuba cope with an onslaught of Americans?

A push in Congress to do away with U.S. travel bans on Cuba could set off a flood of American visitors to the long-forbidden island.

But many wonder if a country where foreigners have long complained about lousy food, sluggish service and iffy infrastructure is ready for an onslaught of Americans unseen since the days of Meyer Lansky and Al Capone.

Details of Obamas' new dog create splash

There is special meaning behind the name and origins of the new first puppy, which up to now has been a closely guarded White House secret.

Obamas' new dog

What to eat for gorgeous skin

What to eat for gorgeous skin

These beauty-boosting foods that keep your complexion clear and radiant are as close as your kitchen.

What to eat for gorgeous skin

Also:

Homeowners complain of risks from Chinese drywall

Homeowners complain of risks from Chinese drywall

Many construction firms used less-expensive imported wallboard at the height of the housing boom, but some owners are saying it is making them sick.

Risks from Chinese drywall

Also:

Captain freed from pirates after daring rescue

Captain freed from pirates after daring rescue

U.S. Navy snipers killed three of the four Somali pirates holding Richard Phillips hostage in a lifeboat, ending a five-day high-seas drama.

Captain freed from pirates

Also:

Facebook Users Have Lower GPAs

Why do I not find this surprising?

While one study indicates that a little Internet leisure time at work can increase productivity, a second study now shows college students who regularly use social networking site Facebook have lower GPAs than those who do not.

Full Story

The Rainmakers


Tennessee Tuxedo

And I Quote

Weaseling out of things is important to learn.
It's what separates us from the animals... except the weasel.

~ Homer Simpson

Come and get your love


Redbone

Washington Post Again Embarasses George Will Over Climate Statements

In what can only be described as a stunning editorial, the Washington Post Friday called attention to the worrying rates of Arctic Sea ice melting while simultaneously embarrassing perhaps its most famous columnist--George Will. This is the third time in a week that Post employees have distanced themselves from George Will's misstatements on Arctic ice.

More at TreeHugger: Washington Post Again Embarasses George Will Over Climate Statements

Putting Roadkill Back on the Menu

Roadkill Photo
Photo via: Cindy Funk

The L.A. Times recently published a wonderful article on the many lessons that can be found from depression era cooking. While having not fallen far enough yet to compare ourselves to the extreme hard times of The Great Depression, there are some very interesting and important lessons that can be learned from this era...

Article continues: 2009 Recession: Putting Roadkill Back on the Menu

Touting Factory Pig Farming

From TreeHugger:

pig factory farms
photo: Seven Trees

In an age where nearly 70 percent of antibiotics produced annually are given to some form of livestock and mass production of livestock has led to widespread animal mistreatment and serious environmental repercussions, it seems flippant to claim that factory farming is done for the safety of consumers.

Article continues: Touting Factory Pig Farming Safe, Really?

Headlines

Headlines for April 12, 2009

One nation under many gods

Blog: One nation under many gods

A busy week at the White House reflects America's growing openness to many faiths.

One nation under many gods

Maybe now some can get it through their thick skulls we ARE NOT a christian nation.

Best food color to protect aging brains?

Best food color to protect aging brains?

Eating food of this hue may help prevent a wide spectrum of diseases.

Best food color to protect aging brains?

Also:

Outrageous

You want to talk about OUTRAGEOUS?!

Then read this:

Wal-Mart becomes Oregon's Welfare Queen!

Snowblind Friend


Steppenwolf

Boulder Crashes Through Wall of Hillside Home

The hazards of hillside living ...

A large boulder tumbled down a Provo hillside Saturday and bounced through the second-story wall of a house before crashing through the floor into a basement-level garage.

Full Story

Polar bear attacks woman at Berlin Zoo

From the "What did you think would happen?" Department:

A polar bear attacked a woman at Berlin Zoo Friday afternoon after she climbed a fence and jumped into its habitat during feeding time.

Welcome Readers

We welcome our new readers in the Aland Islands.

Our 164th country.

Is the angst bottoming out?

More doom on the horizon?
Or will happy days soon be here again?
Take your pick.
The confusion is enough to play havoc on a person's mood — or an entire nation's.

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

Hamm, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
London, England, United Kingdom
Bad Windsheim, Bayern, Germany
Roubaix, Nord-Pas-De-Calais, France
Athens, Attiki, Greece
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Riyadh, Ar Riyad, Saudi Arabia
Tbilsi, Dushet'is Raioni, Georgia
Gafsa, Qafsah, Tunisia
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Port-Au-Prince, Ouest, Haiti
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

as well as all fifty states in the United States

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

You can rise above it, just look forward and move on.

All right, then.