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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.


Monday, January 25, 2010

Repugicans send fake fundraising 'census' to voters

Posted by Jon Aravosis over @ AMERICAblog

Ben Smith explains, and I have the actual fake "census" that a reader sent me:
Fake RNC fundraising Census 2010
Makes you want to throw up. And they wonder why they aren't liked?

Rush Limbaugh: I Don't Even Want To Be Alive Anymore

The Onion pens an op ed by Rush Limbaugh.
It's great.

Remote Alaska village is first eyed in census

One down, more than 309 million to go. U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert Groves on Monday began the 2010 count of the nation's residents in a village in Alaska's arctic hinterlands.

Remote Alaska village is first eyed in census

After 2008 scare, China finds more toxic milk products

Authorities in southwestern China have ordered three batches of milk products off shelves because they contain a chemical that killed at least six children in 2008, causing global concern over the made-in-China brand.

Full Story

What gives in China?

The last time people went to a necktie party in their honor over this.
(That means they were hung as in 'by the neck until dead'.)

S.C. repugican's Plan: Starve the Poor So They'll Stop ''Breeding''

Lt. Governor, Andre Bauer:
"If you feed, them, they'll just come back for more-and worse still, they'll multiply."

Full Story

Low class, just plain low class.
On second thought - no class at all!

Obama announces initiatives for middle class

President Barack Obama on Monday offered help for people struggling to pay bills and care for their families, appealing to a middle-class he says has been "under assault for a long time." In a partial preview of a State of the Union address that aims to answer voter angst about the economy and reconnect with the public, Obama outlined the series ...

Full Story

Radio Group Interested In Hiring Howard Stern

Howard Stern could be returning to the public airwaves.
The nation's largest radio station owner, Clear Channel Communications, says it's interested in hiring Stern.

Radio Group Interested In Hiring Howard Stern

OK, but do they have the cajones to let him be himself - he is not their usual demographic?

Alien remains recovered in Brazil?

Hard to say however there seems to be a big commotion from Brazil regarding this issue.
Could have another Roswell, New Mexico type event occurred in Brazil and now is being covered up or at least contained by the Brazilian Government?

Priest Shoplifts Butter, Sofa Cover

A Roman Catholic priest was accused of shoplifting butter and a sofa cover at a Wal-Mart in southern Illinois.

Priest Shoplifts Butter, Sofa Cover

The question is ... just what did he have in mind for that butter and sofa cover?

Inmate loses fight to play Dungeons&Dragons

From the "Get over it, you're in prison, fool" Department:

A man serving life in prison for first-degree intentional homicide lost his legal battle Monday to play Dungeons&Dragons behind bars.

Inmate loses fight to play Dungeons&Dragons

Marijuana festival planning contest for 'best' pot

It's like a beer competition for marijuana.
A cannabis festival in Aspen this spring will be the first in the state for approved growers to put their strains in a contest.

Marijuana festival planning contest for 'best' pot

Extra-terrestrials here on Earth?

It is the classic sci-fi scenario: discovering aliens, not in outer space, but right here on Earth, sitting next to you in the workplace, serving food in your local restaurant, or, scariest of all, in your own home.

Full Story

Apple tree defies coldest winter to retain fruit crop

This 20ft specimen - which ironically grows wild in Summer Lane, Exeter, Devon - is still bursting red and green fruit despite the frosts, snow and ice of recent weeks.

Full Story

Man cleans ears with matches, grounds plane

From the "this is getting so beyond ridiculous" Department:

A New Delhi flight was grounded after a passenger was found carrying matches to clean out his ears.

Full Story

Getting a cold one is no problem at ice bar

At one eastern Pennsylvania restaurant, getting a cold one is no problem: Everything is on ice - and under it, and surrounded by it.

Full Story

Cold War Era Plane Converted Into Luxury Hotel Suite

From Treehugger:

plane conversion luxury suite netherlands photo interior

TreeHugger loves recycling, and has shown a number of planes recycled into hotels. But none so luxurious as this renovation of a former 120-seater into a luxury suite for two, at Teuge airport in the Netherlands.

Adams County software-firm owner charged in killing of ex-business partner

scientology ruins lives

Adams County District Attorney Don Quick filed charges against William Rex Fowler in the shooting death of 42-year-old Thomas Ciancio, his former business partner at Fowler Software Design.

Investigators say Fowler shot Ciancio three times in the head with a 9mm Glock handgun when Ciancio came to Fowler Software Design to collect $9,900 in severance pay. [...]

Employees of the software company told investigators Ciancio had blamed Fowler for the company’s recent financial difficulties.

The employees said Fowler had taken about $200,000 of the company’s money without asking and gave it to a church or charity, according to the arrest affidavit. [...]

Investigators say the gun was registered to Andrew Hyung Fowler, 26, who lived at 1413 L. Ron Hubbard Way in Los Angeles when it was purchased. In interviews with police, Andrew Fowler said he gave the gun to his father for Christmas in 2007.

Police also found a briefcase and a typed note, dated Dec. 30 and signed by Fowler. The note said nothing confidential was in the satchel and that it should be given to his wife, Janet.

When Janet Fowler was interviewed by detectives, she demanded the briefcase.

“It is important to me and my church. It is religious material and I want it now,” she said to investigators. “Even if you looked at it, and read it, you would not understand anything in it. Because it is way above a normal person and you would not know what it meant. I want it back right now.”

Janet Fowler also reportedly told investigators that her husband “is a Scientologist and would not have gone without a fight. He would have grabbed a gun in a struggle and would not have let someone shoot him.”

Adams County software-firm owner charged in killing of ex-business partner

Here Comes The Sun

George Harrison

Island In The Sun

Weezer

Bats and dolphins separately evolved same sonar gene

Rare example of two different creatures independently evolving a trait through the same genetic route.

Lush's numbers add up ... but not as he claims

While Lush Dimbulb may be one of the most listened to individuals, a look at the numbers shows some interesting things.

In Fresno, for example, Lush typically has 9-11% of the 25-54 year old Average Quarter Hour radio audience, which is more than any of the other 75 plus radio signals reaching the Fresno market. However if you look at the inverse of that number, you'll see that Lush has about 90% of the radio audience that does NOT listen to him.

Here is a set of typical ratings numbers.

Age group Percent listening to Lush
12-17 0.05
18-34 3.6
25-54 10.1
45-54 13.3
50-64 18.3
55-64 19.5
65-74 22.0
75+ 31.8

Meaning the closer you are to senility or death, the more likely you listen to Lush.

US to lift 21-year ban on haggis

Burns' night boost for famous Scottish dish that fell victim to BSE fears Haggis

Haggis and its traditional accompaniment, whiskey. Haggis was banned by US authorities in 1989 because they feared its main ingredient - minced sheep offal - could prove lethal. Photograph: Marco Secchi/Getty Images

After 21 years in exile, the haggis is to be allowed back into the United States. The "great chieftan o' the puddin-race" was one of earliest casualties of the BSE crisis of the 1980s-90s, banned on health grounds by the US authorities in 1989 because they feared its main ingredient ‑ minced sheep offal ‑ could prove lethal.

Robert Burns

What to do when kids won't listen

What to do when kids won't listen

Curiosity and empathy can help keep children from tuning parents out.

Who belongs to the 'Sandwich Generation'

Who belongs to the 'Sandwich Generation'

These Americans stand to benefit most from President Obama’s latest proposed tax changes.

Fast-growing public sector careers

5 fast-growing public sector careers

The government will add nearly 200,000 jobs in the next two years, boosting demand in these fields.

The world's biggest oil reserves

The world's biggest oil reserves

Chances are your gas is going to flow from one of these mega-gushers around the globe.

Home sales tank

What it means for you

Even as home sales post a record dip in December, homeowners and buyers have reason to be optimistic.

Details
Also:

NASA announces personal flying suit plans

NASA announces personal flying suit plans

The space agency envisions a vehicle it says will be far superior to a jetpack.

Olympic symbol's intriguing past

Olympic symbol's intriguing past

A humanlike figure used in the Winter Games logo has towered over frozen lands for centuries.

Political rivals share the same office suite

Political rivals share the same office suite

Vincent Sheheen and Robert Ford both set sights on the S.C. governorship, but neither is moving.

Ties
Also:

Couple discovers unusual Jefferson letter

Couple discovers unusual Jefferson letter

An 1808 note from Thomas Jefferson contains personal, not presidential, thoughts.

Woman crashes into Picasso work, tears it

Woman crashes into Picasso work, tears it

A wobbly visitor rips a hole in a painting from the artist's Rose Period at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Damage
Also:

Record-breaking real estate deal goes bust

Record-breaking real estate deal goes bust

Owners who coughed up a historic $5.4 bil for an NYC housing complex turn it over to creditors.

Seven easy dinners

Seven easy dinners

Get a hot and tasty dinner on the table with these quick menus for every day of the week.

Tax breaks for almost everyone

Tax breaks for almost everyone

The IRS estimates the average tax refund in 2010 will be above last year's level of $2,800.

Census category sparks controversy

Census category sparks controversy

A racial term that's often considered inflammatory remains on the census questionnaire.

Bubble Wrap comes off the wall and into the culture

It is Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day after all ...

Bubble wrap's accidental origin

Fifty years ago today, a failed invention for textured wallpaper took a surprising turn.

People have walked to the altar dressed in it, protected their garden plants with it, even put it on display at highbrow art museums.

Full Story

Stores that might be closing in 2010

Stores that might be closing in 2010

These companies closed a lot of stores in 2009, and are likely to shut more this year.

Compared to Picasso

7-year-old compared to Picasso

An auction of Kieron Williamson's paintings sells out in 15 minutes and raises a stunning sum.

Texas residents flee as earth gives way

Texas residents flee as earth gives way

Shifting ground and gaping holes in San Antonio have engineers mystified.

Thames Eel Population Mysteriously Drops a Staggering 98% In 5 Years

From Treehugger:

european eel photo

Eels were among the first species to recolonize the Thames river after it was cleaned up in the 1960s and 70s. But scientists are sounding an alarm that the populations have crashed over the last five years, and they aren't sure what the problem is.

Rare dinosaur bones studied, at last

Rare dinosaur bones studied, at last

A nearly complete skeleton, once stolen by a fossil hunter, could be a new raptor species.

Is your lawn hurting the environment?

Is your lawn hurting the environment?

Green, manicured yards may be contributing to global warming, a study says.

Leaf Carving: An Incredible New Art Form

Cool art from Treehugger:

leaf sculpture mona lisa photo

Artists create delicate images on leaves by slowly scraping the surface. Photo via Mundo Gump

It's hard not to love the brilliant display of colorful foliage that signals the entrance of autumn each year, but as the cold winter winds prevail, those leaves that once beautified the landscape are left to collect on the ground or be begrudging raked-up in some weekend chore. A new art form emerging out of China, however, is making use of these brittle leaves--creating delicate forms that will continue to be appreciated long after the jackets and sweaters of winter are hung in closets and the green buds of a new season sprout.

Comet storm split destiny of Jupiter's twin moons

Jupiter's two biggest moons only look similar – inside they are very different. Is an ancient comet bombardment to blame?

Comet storm split destiny of Jupiter's twin moons

Cop News

Liars and Fools for the day are:

There are many "Jew-haters" "in the Obama administration or in his circle of friends", lies Lush Dimbulb.
Here he is projecting again, why do NAZIs insist on doing that, projecting themselves on everyone and everything.

Faux's Charles Pain lies sayingObama "betrayed America" by giving TARP money to automakers.
Oh, this idiot again.

Lush Dimbulb lies yet again saying Obama "ran for this office ... to destroy the capitalist system of this country ... and he is succeeding".
Nope, that was your god Dumbya and your cadre and you almost succeeded until we stopped you.

Science News

From BBC-Science:


THE BIG PICTURE
Click to reveal

Haiti's leaders asks citizens to find shelter in countryside

The truckers filling Haiti's mass graves with bodies reported ever higher numbers: More than 150,000 quake victims have been buried by the government, an official said today.

Full Story

Nazi Group Adopts Colorado Highway

National Socialist Movement, also Known as America's Nazi Party, Will Pick Up Trash on One-Mile Stretch

An Adopt-A-Highway sign for the National Socialist Movement, also known as America's Nazi Party, is seen on Highway 85 near Brighton, Colo.
An Adopt-A-Highway sign for the National Socialist Movement, also known as America's Nazi Party, is seen on Highway 85 near Brighton, Colo.

Nazi Group Adopts Colorado Highway

Fixes for 3 common sleep problems

Fixes for 3 common sleep problems

Stop waking up in the middle of the night and start getting more than four or five hours of sleep.

Slow Walking for Slow Down London

From Treehugger:

listen slow.photo
Slow Listening in a park

Slow Down London is a lovely little project which encourages Londoners to slow down and look at the speed of life. One aspect is the Slow Club, an 8 week course with tasks to be done and Sunday's was a slow walk around the Kyoto Gardens in London's Holland Park. A delight for the eye and a wake-up to the senses.

We met at the park and chatted about how surprisingly difficult it was to fulfill our Slow Club assignments. Some were cyclists who never walked, and couldn't cycle "slowly", some couldn't find time to do the meditation and one couldn't eat breakfast and read the paper in slow motion. After the fold: ready to work...

Chimp Movie

From BBC-Science:
Chimpazee looking into Chimpcam
The world's first film shot entirely by chimpanzees is to be broadcast by the BBC as part of a natural history documentary.

It has to be better than the drek out of Hollywood and 'other' places.

Today is ...

Today in History Today is Monday, January 25, the 25th day of 2010.

There are 340 days left in the year.

Today In History January 25

Today's unusual holidays and celebrations are:

Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day

and

A Room Of One's Own Day

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

London, England, United Kingdom
Baia Mare, Maramures, Romania
Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
Delhi, Delhi, India
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Gampaha, Gampaha, Sri Lanka
Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland
Warrington, England, United Kingdom
Northampton, England, United Kingdom
Manila, Manila, Philippines
Rome Lazio, Italy

as well as Sweden, Scotland, and the United States

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

For days you've been dreaming about your spare time and spending it all alone at your place.
Well, that's a nice dream, but it's not going to happen.
When you least expect it -- shortly before quitting time -- you'll get your second wind.
So now what?
Do you call everyone you turned down and say you changed your mind, or stay in because you said you would?
Duh -- get the phone.
They'll only snicker for a second.
Then they'll be so glad to see you it won't matter.

Spare time - I know it's a pipe dream, but it's my pipe dream.