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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, May 17, 2010

The Daily Drift

The Daily Drift
Today's horoscope says:
You're all set for a sweetly romantic evening -- and if you're lucky, that energy could last for the next 48 hours.
You likely find that your companion needs a serious heart-to-heart conversation -- but it can't ruin the mood. Once you've decided where you are and where you're going, you should probably end up being a lot closer than you were to start with.
Some of our readers today have been in:
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Bourges, Centre, France
Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
Oldenburg, Niedersachsen, Germany
Bremen, Bremen, Germany
Quebec, Quebec, Canada
Caracas, Distrito Federal, Venezuela
Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Paris, Ile-De-France, France
Cairo, Al Qahirah, Egypt
Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands
Poznan, Wielkopolskie, Poland
Coffs Harbor, New South Wales, Australia
Lucca, Toscana, Italy
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark

as well as Sweden, Colombia, Scotland, Brazil, and the United States in such cities as Argyle, Chesnut Hill, Swansea, Redwood City and more

Today is Monday, May 17, the 137th day of 2010.
There are 228 days left in the year.

There are no unusual holidays or celebrations today.

As The World Turns

As The World Turns
Ex-candidate's disappearance rattles Mexico
The mysterious disappearance of a former presidential candidate is stoking fear in Mexico that nobody may be safe from relentless kidnapping and rampant drug violence.

A fire in Brazil destroyed what may be the world's largest scientific collection of dead snakes, spiders and scorpions that served as the main source for research on many species, scientists said Sunday. 

Desmond Tutu blasts corruption in government

While his focus was on the government of South Africa his points could be said for many governments rife with corruption

He also had some very positive remarks as well including the country staying together following the murder of the white supremacist Eugene Terre'Blanche. The bulk of his criticism was probably aimed at the shamed ANC Youth leader Julius Malema who is eager to stoke racial hatreds and divides. If South Africa ever falls into the hands of Malema or anyone like him, it's game over and another Zimbabwe.

The world needs a lot more like Desmond Tutu.
Expanding on this, Tutu wrote: "Issues such as corruption would certainly hurt him, as well as the gutter level of discourse by some politicians within the ruling party. We naively thought struggle attributes such as altruism were transferable, but sadly this was not the case, as seen by the high level of corruption that has plagued us since we gained our democracy."

The 78-year-old continued: "Poverty, health issues such as HIV and Aids, inadequate service delivery and lack of balanced discourse are some of the issues that would worry Mandela. One would have imagined that in our old age, we would sit back and watch the younger generation making a go of turning South Africa into a pride."

The remarks could be seen as a swipe at Julius Malema, president of the African National Congress youth wing, who faced a party disciplinary hearing over his recent behavior. Malema has hurled personal abuse at opponents, been convicted by a court of hate speech, and called a BBC journalist a "bastard" and "bloody agent". He has also been accused of using his connections for financial gain.

Heavy metal legend passes away

Ronnie James Dio, who replaced Ozzy Osbourne as the lead singer of Black Sabbath, has died. 
Also: 

Closing Time

Semisonic

Scientific Minds Want To Know

Scientific Minds Want To Know
Scientists in Indonesia 
accidentally found rare species of 
long-nosed frog
Scientists in Indonesia accidentally found rare species of long-nosed frog
Finding a new animal species is a special moment for scientists and even better when one hops into their mountain camp in Indonesia and volunteers to be discovered.

On The Job

On The Job
These insulting leadership practices virtually guarantee that workers will be uninspired.  
Also: 

World Cup official quits after secret taping

A top official with England is caught on tape accusing rival countries of bribery.  
Also: 

Lizards May Go Extinct Over Warming

kingfisher-lizard-468.jpg
photo via flickr
They may be the last creatures that one would think would be affected by rising global temperatures, but a new study finds that lizards are threatened, and many species may go extinct, if current warming trends continue. The study appears in the journal Science, and it's yet another reminder that there will be unexpected consequences to global climate change.
Article continues: Lizards May Go Extinct Over Warming

Synthetic 'Pot' Sold Legally In Central Florida

You've seen the growhouse arrests and marijuana seized by law enforcement over and over again across Central Florida, but a new synthetic form of pot is being sold legally and experts said it's stronger and more dangerous than the real thing.

Police use Internet trick to lure fugitives

A site promising cash and amnesty draws in dozens of parole violators for arrest.
Also: 

It's Only The Environment After All

It's Only The Environment After All
BP says its cleanup crew has begun to pump some oil into a tanker ship. 
Also: 
Experts fear the spill could reach a major ocean current, sending oil through the Florida Keys.
Also: 

NOAA: Tarballs found on beaches from Galveston to Florida

The most disturbing part of the story is that they're not all from the latest oil rig leak
Where are the others from?

Gulf Oil May Be Spreading into Major Current

Cheney's Chernobyl is getting worse by the second
BP said Monday it was siphoning more than one-fifth of the oil that has been spewing into the Gulf for almost a month, as worries escalated that the ooze may reach a major ocean current that could carry it through the Florida Keys and up the East Coast.

Do I give a damn what wingnuts and religo-fascists think or how they feel?

Hum, let's see:
http://pimpandhost.com/media2/image/1/_/_/_/1/5/8/e/c/Attempting%20to%20give%20a%20damn.gif

Lunatic Fringe

Lunatic Fringe
http://www.sensibleerection.com/images/entry_thumbnails/1272658436_
http://bartblog.bartcop.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/cartoon-azman-no-racist.gif

Arizona, it's different for white people

'Family Values' Weaken Families

National Journal Magazine - Do 'Family Values' Weaken Families? The standard "Red State" formula of early marriage due to failed/no birth control used to make blue-collar man and women out of boys an girls.

Rank hypocrisy

Typical repugican!
As Texas faces an $11 billion shortfall, Rick Perry's luxury lifestyle spurs claims of "rank hypocrisy." 
Also: 

Ziggy

http://imgsrv.gocomics.com/dim/?fh=d7c494c110ae00c3b36607fb293a9bea&w=450.0

What the cool kids are doing, and it's nuts...

This explains why the 'cool' kids aren't.
<a 
href=http://www.zgeek.com/content.php/2524-New-Link-from-sperm>What 
the cool kids are doing, and it's nuts...</a>
Even as drunken student antics go, it was, by any stretch of the imagination, a disturbing scene. Surrounded by cheering rugby players, applauded by fellow members of the university netball team, 19-year-old Melissa Fontaine tipped back her head and giggled as fellow drinkers in the Students' Union bar pulled apart her eyelids and allowed them to pour a shot of vodka into her left eye.
'Vodka eyeballing', as it is known in student circles, is the latest drinking craze to sweep through Britain's universities.
Those who do it claim that it induces feelings of drunkenness at break-neck speeds, providing an instant high.

Culinary DeLites

Culinary DeLites
Each serving has nutrients that can help melt body flab and replace it with firm muscle.
Also: 

NJ college valedictorian proposes to boyfriend

A New Jersey college valedictorian had a special graduation gift for her boyfriend - a wedding proposal, which he accepted.

Obesity, a chemical reaction?

Studies are showing increasing evidence there may be a link between certain chemicals and obesity. a new study found overweight young girls had significantly higher levels of phthalates than the general population of children. phthalates are found in plastics and can be hormone disruptors.

Driving like crazy

Do you know how to react if a vehicle is heading straight toward you in your lane?
Also: 
Several states hope an obstacle course will curb cell use among teens while driving.  
Also:

Leave it to the Irish

Paddy and Murphy have traveled to the land where the streets are paved with gold, only to find they'll still have to work to make a living.
They find a job, painting the white line in the middle of the road.
Three days later, the boss wants to speak to them; "I don't understand what is wrong with you, the first day you did an excellent job, you painted 10 miles, the next day just five and today only a few hundred meters. Give me a good reason not to fire you both!"
"That's easy,"" says Paddy, "the walk back to the tin of paint takes longer and longer each day."

Shoe

http://imgsrv.gocomics.com/dim/?fh=578ef1007d0f177ec421a9cfe53f6bba&w=900.0

Family travel 10,000 miles to view Britain's most remote pub

Faced with relentless sunshine, overwhelming natural beauty and a perma-tanned population, it is little wonder that one adventurous Californian family wanted to escape to remotest Scotland. The family sailed off on a 10,000-mile round trip to view mainland Britain's remotest pub, which has been put up for sale, according to agents selling the business.

The Old Forge on the Knoydart peninsula in northern Scotland is not your average local. Reachable only by boat, or an 18-mile hike over 1,000-metre hills, the pub has won accolades for being one of the most beautiful – if out-of-the-way – drinking establishments in the country.

The pub, in the village of Inverie, is 45 minutes away by ferry from Mallaig or 20 minutes by a daily water taxi, but since being put on the market by its owners – who, one suspects, may be looking for a quieter life – it has received no shortage of offers from would-be publicans willing to pay the £790,000 asking price.


Agents Knight Frank, said that there are five "serious" potential bidders including from a family in Montreal, Canada, and others from Edinburgh, Oban, London, and New Zealand. Apparently tired of California's non-stop sunshine, the family, who are originally from the UK, are looking to return to Britain to start a business that offers both profit and "lifestyle choice", he added.

"What has attracted them to The Old Forge is their love of sailing. They have looked at the business as customers and also looked at the surrounding area of Mallaig and Oban to get a feel for the yachting that the area offers." Despite the obvious scarcity of customers – the pub serves a community of around 115 – the Old Forge is an attractive business proposition, with six-figure profits, according to agents. The pub and restaurant is on the main sailing route to Skye, the Outer Hebrides and the Small Isles and attracts yachtsmen, hillwalkers and tourists throughout the year.

"The first serious, secure offer over the asking price is likely to be accepted," said David Reid at Knight Frank. "No formal offers have yet been made but we have serious interest from five parties at the moment, including the family from California. We also have a family from Canada who want to come and view as well as those in Europe. We have also had inquiries from all over the UK."