Welcome to ...

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.


Thursday, July 2, 2009

Foot-in-Mouth: Why We Do It

Scientists have figured out one surprising reason why we make social gaffes we desperately wish to avoid: Ironically, the very act of trying to avoid saying or doing something can sometimes cause it to happen.

"When these things do happen we sort of smile and look the other way," said Daniel Wegner, a psychologist at Harvard University. "The curious thing is it's the desire not to do those things that seems to increase the likelihood of doing them."

In the July 3 issue of the journal Science, Wegner describes accumulating evidence that suggests many of our embarrassing moments are the result of miscommunications between conscious and unconscious mental processes.

Read the rest here.

The Strange Ingredients in Fireworks

Inside, there are some odd ingredients, from aluminum to Vaseline.

Fireworks

Senate Democrats call for public option health plan, fee on companies not offering insurance

Determined to advance President Barack Obama's health care agenda, key Senate Democrats are calling for a government-run insurance option to compete with private plans, as well as a $750-per-worker annual fee on larger companies that do not offer coverage to employees.

Full Story

Drug-resistant flu seen in patient

Health officials have confirmed a case of swine flu that is resistant to Tamiflu, the leading pharmaceutical weapon against the new virus.

Dangers In Our Home - Mold & More!

There are numerous symptoms & conditions that have been associated with mold. Fatigue, runny stuffy nose, sleeplessness, rapid weight gain or loss, hair loss, dry skin, asthma, COPD, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, chronic pain, numbness, leaky gut, blurred vision, behavioral changes, rage, tooth issues, insulin resistance, IBS, fibromyalgia, chemical sensitivity (Toxic Encephalopathy), constipation and or diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, heart failure, and this list also goes on. (Shoemaker, 2005). Mycotoxins send the immune system into overdrive, which leads to inflammatory conditions. In most cases, individuals who are being affected by mold suffer many of these symptoms as well as their pets. Children 11 and under, are more susceptible as their immune systems are still at a very early stage of development. Recent research revealed that SIDS may be caused by mold growth in mattresses (Sprott, 2009, Sheppard, 2004). Mold can accumulate from spilled juices, milk, and urine as well as from exposure in a structure, which already has a mold problem. Used mattresses obtained due to affordability or given by family can also contain mold and it’s mycotoxins. Baby mattresses are at times considered family air looms and can be used repeatedly. Mycotoxins can be dangerous enough! However, these toxins can also be combined with other hazardous chemicals used as fire retardants. This will be addressed later in this paper.

Full Story

Baaad news? Global warming now shrinking sheep

Like the wool sweater that emerges from the dryer a size too small, global warming seems to be shrinking sheep.

Global warming now shrinking sheep

Monster in the Sewer

There's a 'Monster' in the Sewers of Raleigh, North CarolinaCheck out its undulations.

Feds seize Madoff penthouse, wife leaves

Marshals seize Bernard Madoff's $7 million penthouse and send wife Ruth packing.

Feds seize Madoff penthouse

Also:

Only in America

Only in America... do we use the word 'politics' to describe the process so well: 'Poli' in Latin meaning 'many' and 'tics' meaning 'bloodsucking creatures'.

Headlines

Headlines:

And I Quote

I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature.

~ Founding Father and President of the United States Thomas Jefferson

Question and Answwer

Question: Why do some people take an instant aversion to banjo players?

Answer: It saves time in the long run.

He's outta luck says the judge

Anthony Beninati sued the organizers of Burning Man because he said they failed to restrain him from walking into a fire. He lost the lawsuit.
Beninati's complaint stated that when he approached the bonfire, the flames were still roughly 40 feet high. He walked around the bonfire three times, each time "circling a little closer to the fire." Eventually, he walked still closer, into what was variously described as an area of "embers," "low flames," "burning remnants," and "a spot where there was fire on either side of him." Basically, he had walked inside a huge bonfire. Then, as you might have expected, he tripped on something and fell into the actual fiery part of the bonfire, burning his hands.

In his deposition, Beninati admitted he knew "fire was dangerous and caused burns" before he walked into one. He knew there was some possibility of falling into said fire. He admitted no one affiliated with the defendants asked him to walk into the fire or told him it would be safe to do so. But he testified that he did not think it would be dangerous to walk into the fire, although he knew it "was not 'absolutely safe, because there [was] a fire present.'" And, as noted, fire is hot.

North Korea Ups the Ante With Latest Missile Launch

North Korea test-fired two short-range missiles on Thursday, further stoking tension in the region that was already high due to Pyongyang's nuclear test and threats to boost its nuclear arsenal in response to U.N. sanctions.

North Korea Ups the Ante With Latest Missile Launch

Shady mattress deliveryman robbed homes while working

A Wisconsin man was charged with felony theft Tuesday after he stole more than $6,000 of jewelry from a Wilson home while delivering a mattress.

Full Story

Rosemead, California bans marijuana dispensaries and adult stores

The city council adopted Tuesday a temporary ban on new medical marijuana dispensaries and adult stores in the city.

Though Rosemead doesn't currently have any marijuana dispensaries, strip clubs, or sex shops, it has seen recent interest from potential business developers interested in the market, according to Brian Saeki, community development director for the city.

The city has no ordinance to regulate pot dispensaries, and its rules for adult businesses are outdated, so the city council voted unanimously to place emergency moratoriums on both types of business while city laws are updated, Saeki explained.

The moratoriums are for 45 days each, though the one for marijuana dispensaries could be extended because a lawsuit regarding legality of such stores is expected to be decided in August or September and it could effect local rules.

When the marijuana dispensary issue came up, city staff determined the ordinance on adult businesses also needed updating, Saeki said. Recent changes to state law could effect how current regulations are interpreted, he said.

The city is not allowed constitutionally to permanently ban adult businesses, but current Rosemead regulations are "fairly restrictive," Saeki said. They place regulations on where adult businesses can open, permits that must be obtained, and the type of landscaping and security they must have.

The temporary moratorium will allow the city to update the law. Saeki said public feedback has suggested the community does not want rules to be relaxed.

Doomed Air France flight fell intact into sea

Doomed Air France flight fell intact into sea

Investigators announce new evidence in the mysterious crash that killed 228 passengers last month.

Air France flight fell intact into sea

Also:

Leaked flier puts newspaper in hot seat

Leaked flier puts newspaper in hot seat

An offer from Washington Post's publisher casts doubt on the esteemed paper's ethical practices.

Leaked flier puts newspaper in hot seat

Also:

Views from scary 103rd-floor glass balcony

Views from scary 103rd-floor glass balcony

What's it like to peer through the Sears Tower's new glass floor — 1,353 feet above the street?

103rd-floor glass balcony

Also:

Job market takes big step back

Job market takes big step back

Employers slashed larger-than-expected jobs in June, driving the unemployment rate up to a 26-year high.

Big step back

Also:

Unusual Holidays and Celebration

Today is the Halfway Point of 2009

and it happens to be I Forgot Day.

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

La Paz, La Paz, Bolivia
Pune, Mahrashtra, India
Surabaya, San, Yemen
London, England, United Kingdom
Bussels, Brussels-Hoofstedelijk Gewest, Belgium
Mumbai, Mahrashtra, India
Karlskoga, Varmslands Lan, Sweden
Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Amadora, Lisboa, Portugal

As well as Scotland, Netherlands, and the United States

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

You're officially off duty now.
And after everything you've been doing lately, even someone as hardworking and diligent as you are wouldn't be able to think of a single reason why you shouldn't be entitled to some serious, guilt-free time off.
Now that you've actually been given a chance to sit back and relax, don't mess around.
Do it up right.
Get yourself a few movies, a pizza and some ice cream -- oh, and company.
You'll probably want company.

Oh, Yeah!