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Windmills Tilted, Scared Cows Butchered, Lies Skewered on the Lance of Reality ... or something to that effect.


Thursday, July 16, 2015

The Daily Drift

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Today in History

1765 English Prime Minister Lord Greenville resigns and is replaced by Lord Rockingham.
1774 Russia and the Ottoman Empire sign the Treaty of Kuchuk-Kainardji, ending their six-year war.
1779 American troops under General Anthony Wayne capture Stony Point, N.Y.
1875 The new French constitution is finalized.
1882 Mary Todd Lincoln, the widow of Abraham Lincoln, dies of a stroke.
1918 Czar Nicholas and his family are murdered by Bolsheviks at Ekaterinburg, Russia.
1940 Adolf Hitler orders preparations for the invasion of England.
1944 Soviet troops occupy Vilna, Lithuania, in their drive towards Germany.
1945 The United States detonates the first atomic bomb in a test at Alamogordo, N. M.
1969 Apollo 11 blasts off from Cape Kennedy, Florida, heading for a landing on the moon.
1999 A private plane piloted by John F. Kennedy Jr. is lost over the waters off Martha’s Vinyard, Mass.

Funny Things Foreign Governments Warn Their Citizens About Traveling to the U.S.

by Jackie Strause 
Funny Things Foreign Governments Warn Their Citizens About Traveling to the U.S.
< style="text-align: center;"> What do foreigners get warned about when traveling to the U.S.?
Being topless is outlawed, even for small girls. - German government
Avoid walking alone in less vibrant areas (parts of the Bronx in particular) and parks (including Central Park). - French government 
Don’t make flippant remarks about bombs or terrorism, especially when passing through U.S. airports. - British government
These are just a few of the warnings issued by governments abroad for anyone planning to travel to America. You can see what the world has to say about us via government websites (with a little help from Google translate) — and it’s pretty eye opening. 
The foreign views about our government (“During Obama’s time in power, America’s global power position eroded”), our laws (“The American authorities are extremely vigilant”), and our culture (“Breastfeeding of babies in public is indeed now the exception in [al]most every state of ‘indecent exposure’”), provide invaluable insight on how we, a reigning superpower, are viewed (or stereotyped) around the world today.
From insulting to spot-on and some even “seriously, WTF?” — here are a few of the most memorable bullet points from other countries’ ministries of foreign affairs about traveling to the U.S.
France
image
This is what France thinks of America. 
 “It is recommended to adopt a reserved attitude toward persons of the opposite sex,” when in the U.S., at least according to the French government, which implores its citizens to basically, behave. Americans as a people are very respectful of the law, says France, which is why possessing narcotics, going topless in public, or inappropriately joking with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are all actions that come with consequences. “In many States, the possession of firearms is permitted and common. Visitors must therefore, in any circumstance, keep their calm…” say the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website. Germany
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If you want to run around sans clothing, find yourself a nude beach.
A credit card is “indispensable,” repeated harassment known as “stalking” is punishable by law, and if you want to parade around in your birthday suit, you’d better find a nude beach, Germany tells its people about the U.S. Also, regarding: parking tickets (“Please pay!”), high medical bills (“Often it is cheaper to fly back to Germany and to deal with [it] here”), and cases of child negligence or solicitation (“The borders between harmless family photos and punishable ‘sexually suggestive’ photos are blurred in the eyes of investigators,”) the country says about our legal system.  
Sweden
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America: home of freedom of the press. And Disney.
The United States is both “loved and hated,” according to Sweden. “Probably no other country arouses such strong emotions as the U.S. Admired the world over as a champion of democracy and human rights, but detested by at least as many for its self-imposed role as world policeman,” the Swedish government explains. Despite what is called our country’s “meddling” in others’ affairs and the “limitations of human rights” after 9/11, Sweden cannot deny our ownership over finance and entertainment worldwide. “Praise for freedom of the press and for being where the Disney group hails from,” the Swedish government says.
United Kingdom
The English frequently hop across the pond, which is why the U.K. sternly warns its citizens about the threat of terrorism in America and why it’s important that travelers are always on their toes: “Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreigners.” Most importantly, “Don’t make flippant remarks about bombs or terrorism, especially when passing through U.S. airports.”  
Russia
Many U.S. cities suffer from high crime, traffic congestion — and a lack of values and culture, says Russia. “Despite the intensive propaganda of ‘universal values,’ the universal American culture does not exist,” explains the Russian government. The warning then goes on to clear up one common “cliché,” — the “American dream,” which according to Russia is a front to hide inequalities in socioeconomic status; while confirming another — “The people of the United States are more materialistic and individualistic than others.” Russia even warns its citizens to weigh the risks before traveling to American turf, since U.S. authorities “hunt” for Russians all over the world.  
Australia
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America: Aussie-tested; Hugh Jackman approved.
Like Australia, says the Aussie government, the U.S. enjoys “strong people-to-people links,” thanks to the high flow of tourists, students, and long-term and professional workers both to and from America and Australia. As a by-product of this successful reciprocal relationship, America — the entertainment superpower — is “enriched” by Australian actors, dancers, musicians, authors, and artists. “A growing number of Australians in the entertainment industry are taking on starring and supporting roles on American movie and television screens with many winning awards.”  
China
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It’s important to use proper escalator etiquette.
China also suggests its citizens visiting us avoiding any “bomb” or terrorism speak, but mainly stresses they should be polite. Important etiquette rules for the U.S. according to the Chinese government include: being nice to children and the elderly; standing to the right side of the escalator because the left side is for people in a hurry; drinking moderately and quietly; holding the door for others; not cutting ahead in lines; not smoking while walking; not spitting or littering, and taking good care of flowers and trees.
Austria
Poison ivy, tap water (“not very tasty, [but] safe to drink”), and the speed limit are what Austrians need to look out for in the U.S. according to their government. Driving over the limit will be “severely” punished, but if you’re on foot, watch for pickpockets at night (since crimes are “piling up”). There’s also a new code of conduct: No “topless bathing or swimming of small children in public bathhouses.”  
Canada
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Watch out for dangerous hitchhikers and avoid transporting illegal citizens over the border.  
America’s neighbor in the north also stresses to its citizens the prevalence of night-time U.S. crime — “Violent crimes, particularly assault, are often connected to alcohol and drug consumption. Remain alert and discreet while in entertainment areas.” It also addresses the dangers of picking up hitchhikers and transporting illegal citizens over borders. “As the driver, you could be held responsible for the misdeeds of your passengers, even if committed without your knowledge or involvement.”

American Accents and British Accents

Over time the British accent gave way to the American accent but oddly, it’s because the British don’t speak the way they used to.

How long will you live?

These days, you can expect to live a long and healthy life. What is today’s life expectancy?

The Price of Success?

Starting from the bottom and rising to the top is psychologically and physically demanding for rags-to-riches success stories.

Psychologists are known for being liberal – but is that because they understand how people think

African-American woman thinking (Shutterstock)
Is the field of social psychology biased against political wingnuts?
***
Speaking as a Psychologist:
No, social psychology is biased toward Reality.
However, Reality IS biased against wingnuttery.
So, you may extrapolate from there.

Don’t mess with Xenu: scientologists convince Texas' idiot to veto mental health bill

Greg Abbott speaking at FreePac, hosted by FreedomWorks, in Phoenix, Arizona (Gage Skidmore/Flickr)After a cult of scientology-backed coven helped organize a campaign against it, Texas' idiot Greg Abbott vetoed legislation that would have given Texas doctors more power to detain mentally ill and potentially dangerous patients.

Ford engineer sues for religious right to harass gay co-workers

Angry businessman (Shutterstock)
This guy should be locked away in the Psych Ward

Non Sequitur

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Tennessee woman arrested for printing own money after reading online Obama had made it legal

Pamela Downs - Kingsport PD
In a case of “It was on the Internet so it must be true,” a Tennessee woman was arrested for trying to use counterfeit money, explaining to police that she read online that President Barack Obama had passed a law making it legal.
***
This was in Tennessee so the odds are that she is a wingnut and the fact she was stupid enough to fall for the 'story' further indicates she is a wingnut.

Man upset with messy home ran over trash with lawn mower and stabbed own car with crowbar

A 38-year-old man from Leelanau County, Northern Michigan, was arrested last Sunday night after having what police call a meltdown at his home.
According to reports, the man was dissatisfied with the cleanliness of the home, so he threw trash out onto the front yard.
He then ran over the trash with a lawn mower, threw a carpet cleaner outside, stabbed his own car with a crowbar and threatened a family member.
According to police, the man was then taken into custody, but was later released on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond. Police say alcohol did not seem to be a factor in the incident.

Couple charged after theft of stuffed animal from child at amusement park led to brawl with family

Police say two adults were arrested after they allegedly stole a stuffed animal from a child and assaulted an entire family at the Great Escape amusement and water park in Queensbury, New York.
Officials say on July 11 at 9:13pm, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Great Escape Theme Park for a reported fight that was occurring inside. After an investigation was conducted, 44-year-old Tyson Mann and 29-year-old Jennifer Boughton, both of Delmar, were arrested.
Mann was charged with the felony of grand larceny, assault in the third degree and endangering the welfare of a child. Police say Mann was found to have stolen a stuffed animal from a child that was unknown to him. Mann is also being accused of assaulting the child’s family members and causing physical injuries to them after they confronted him about the theft. Boughton was charged with assault, endangering the welfare of a child and violation of harassment.
Police say she was found to have assaulted a member of the child’s family, and then made death threats to cause physical harm to the family and staff members at the Great Escape. Both were charged with endangering the welfare of a child due to the theft and assaults occurring in front of their children and the children of the assault victims. Both were remanded to police lock-up and are expected to be arraigned in Queensbury Town Court.

Bad Cops

Portrait of a black teenage girl (Shutterstock)
An Alabama woman claims police repeatedly shocked her and her teenage daughter with Tasers as the girl suffered from a seizure during a hip hop concert.

B.C.

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Beach yoga man airlifted to hospital after his ball burst

A man exercising on a yoga ball had to be flown to hospital after falling and landing on his head when it burst.
The plastic inflatable ball burst during a group exercise class on Studland Beach in Dorset on Saturday.
Due to his location being miles away from a road, police had to clear part of the beach to allow the coastguard rescue helicopter to land.
He suffered a suspected spinal injury and was flown to Poole Hospital for treatment.

Radio station broadcast underwater concert

Hundreds of music-loving snorkelers and divers ducked beneath the waves as an underwater concert was broadcast at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary last week.
Such songs as the theme from The Little Mermaid, the Beatles' Yellow Submarine and Jimmy Buffett's Fins entertained listeners during the four-hour music session. Some snorkelers pretended to jam underwater on mock guitars or play other fake instruments such as a whimsical fish flute.
Others wore costumes depicting mermaids and seahorses as music sounded from waterproof speakers suspended beneath boats. The so-called Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival took place at Looe Key Reef, part of the continental United States' only living coral barrier reef, located about six miles south of Big Pine Key.

"This is a way for people to really appreciate the coral reef while at the same time listening to an environmental message about coral protection," explained WWUS radio station news director and festival founder Bill Becker. Staged by WWUS in partnership with a local chamber of commerce, the festival featured music specially programmed for the aquatic listening experience. Accompanying the tunes were coral reef conservation messages and tips on environmentally friendly diving practices.

Herd of Horses Adopt A Penguin

Nuzzling up together on the frosty ground in the Falkland Islands, this might seem like the most unlikely of friendships. But this herd of horses took in a lonely penguin as one of their own after the bird became separated from its group, and snuggled up with their curious new companion.
They were also seen playfully chasing after the bird as it stretched out its wings and waddled along the white-topped turf. The horses also craned their necks and touched their noses with the penguin's beak in the heart-warming photos.

Animal News

About a third of bumblebee species are dying off, some up to 90 percent of the population.
A colony of 66 chimps has been at the center of an international storm since a New York-based blood bank funding it announced it would stop supporting the animals 
A harpy eagle and its baby nesting high in the Peruvian Amazon have been captured in gorgeous new photos.

Male black widow spiders destroy female's web to deter rivals
Male black widow spiders destroy female’s web to deter rivals
Male black widow spiders destroy large sections of the female’s web during courtship and wrap it up in their own silk. New research published in Animal Behavior shows that this […]



Animal Pictures