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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.


Tuesday, May 11, 2010

In Matters Of Health

In Matters Of Health

A study of gene evolution looking back half a billion years could help uncover the genetic basis of many disorders, including Down's syndrome


Working overtime is bad for the heart

People working 10 or 11 hours a day increase their risk of heart attacks, new research shows.
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Ziggy

http://imgsrv.gocomics.com/dim/?fh=383f5033166267689c7dda2eda55a511

Culinary DeLites

Culinary DeLites
Try serving this fresh and light salmon salad that's really easy to make.
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From dump trucks filled with animal carcasses outside the capital city of Ulaanbaatar to intestine-wrapped goat organs in the Gobi desert, Andrew Zimmern's trip to Mongolia was filled with sights ...

Some lunch offerings make one hearty KFC sandwich look like a weight-loss entrée.
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Nickels without actual nickel?

As the cost to mint coins rises, the Feds say it's time for a change — but not everyone agrees.  
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It's The Economy Stupid

It's The Economy Stupid
Stocks soar around the world after a staggering $1 trillion rescue plan is announced.
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A little patience goes a long way if you want to get the biggest benefit checks.
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Sinking home values are changing the buying habits of Americans who once felt rich.
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Some metro areas report double-digit gains, including a 100% rise for one city.  
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On The Job

On The Job
With the right training and a careful plan, you can put yourself on track to a six-figure salary.
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Diane Keng is still in high school, but she just launched her third tech startup. 
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Worst-paying college degrees

Students who major in these subjects can earn much less than the average graduate.  
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Racy Miss USA photos

Pageant organizers receive angry calls over provocative pictures of this year's contestants.  
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Billionaire investor's priceless gift to son

Warren Buffett’s son Peter reveals the most valuable thing he received from one of the world’s richest men.
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Earth near environmental 'tipping point'

Damage to rain forests, lakes, and coral reefs will soon be irreversible, the U.N. warns.  
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Its Only The Environment After All

Its Only The Environment After All
Who's at fault for the gusher in the gulf? A Senate hearing seeks answers.  
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South Pole Has Warmest Year Ever

The South Pole experienced its warmest year on record in 2009, according to newly released data from the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.
The average temperature at the South Pole last year was still a bone-chilling minus 54.2 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 47.9 degrees Celsius) 
in 2009, making it the warmest year on record since 1957, when temperature records began at the South Pole. 
The previous record high was minus 54.4 F (minus 48 C), recorded in 2002, according to Tim Markle, 
senior meteorologist at the South Pole Station in Antarctica.
Last year was also the second warmest year on record for the planet, according to NASA measurements of global surface temperatures 
released earlier this year. The global record warm year, in the period of near-global instrumental measurements since the late 1800s, was 2005.

Frank Frazetta 1928-2010

Frank Frazetta's Death Dealer
Frazetta’s agent has confirmed that the artist passed away yesterday.
Update: Check out this obit from Coilhouse

Who's real, who's not in 'Robin Hood'

Sherwood Forest is an actual place, though some of the story's characters are a merry myth.  
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Non Sequitur

http://imgsrv.gocomics.com/dim/?fh=de3ec50c09f43fb496c35baa69594b48

John Dillinger's wooden prison escape pistol sold at auction for $19,120

Dillingerswoodgun
Is this the infamous wooden pistol that John Dillinger made to break out of prison in 1934? The person who paid $19,120 for it at an auction in December 2009 probably thinks so. I like that it has "Colt 38" carved into the side. The Great Escape prisoners also put markings (e.g., "Made in Stalag Luft III") on the escape tools they fabricated. A nice touch!
Probably the Single Most Iconic Item Associated with John Dillinger is the Legendary "Wooden Gun" He Carved and Used to Escape from the Crown Point, Indiana Jail, March 3, 1934. In reality there are three 'wooden guns', including this example, that can lay claim, all with some degree of credibility, to being the one Dillinger used is his remarkable escape. This example was part of the personal effects of Dillinger's younger brother Hubert, and has been in the possession of Frances Helen's family since his death in 1974. Another example is in the possession of the Dillinger Museum in Hammond, Indiana, while still another is in the possession of another branch of the family. While it will probably never be known which, if indeed any, of these three examples is the one he actually used, aside from it having a traceable lineage through the Dillinger family, this example exhibits several other details which lend strong credence to the family's belief that this is, in fact, the original specimen. 5.75" overall, the blackened finish is clearly affected by a dye, such as shoe blacking, rather than a paint and it does, indeed appear to have been fabricated from the leg of something such as a washboard. The general impression, based on the barrel form, is that of an automatic pistol. There are tiny brads in place on top at the front and back giving the impression of sights, with an incised line between them. A notched area at the back approximates a hammer. The front/muzzle has a .25" copper tube inserted to simulate a barrel. Crudely carved on the right side "Colt 38" and on the left, clearly in keeping with Dillinger's sense of humor and irony, "Pat Mar 3, 1934" the date of Dillinger's escape. Accompanied by a detailed letter of provenance and lineage from Frances Helen Thompson (Dillinger).

In Alabama: Salvia and K2 will be illegal on July 1st

 Saliva and KY will Be Next

Dildos are already outlawed...

On July 1, salvia and several legal herbs treated with K2 will become illegal in the state of Alabama, thanks to a bill passed by the Alabama Legislature and signed by Gov. Bob Riley (pictured) in April.

While some consider it a victory in the fight against drugs, others argue that it will only contribute to putting the products into the hands of teens.

"This is a very good day for the state of Alabama," said Deborah Soule, executive director of Partnership for a Drug Free America.

Kristi Fries, operations manager for Pleasures - an adult store in Huntsville that sells K2 and salvia, feels the opposite.

"We made it hard for teens to get, but this bill makes it easy," Fries said. The staff at Pleasures checks IDs a minimum of two times of people purchasing the products to ensure that only adults get them, she said.

When smoked, salvia - a leaf often found in Mexico - provides users with a trip, similar to what is experienced with LSD.

Fries said she has no problem with regulating salvia because it is a hallucinogenic.

"We support regulating salvia," she said. "It's a controlled hallucinogenic experience."

Legal herbs containing K2 - or synthetic marijuana - will also become illegal under the same bill. K2 is a chemical spray that mimics the effects of THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, Soule said.

Alabama is now the second state to ban K2 and the 17th to ban salvia.

Fries argued that K2 doesn't contain any THC, only a mimicking spray, making it not dangerous. Soule said medical studies say the spray is a chemical compound with untraceable amounts of THC.

"We have control right now of who buys this," Fries said. "It's like control on alcohol and cigarettes."

"Now, it's going to go underground," she said. "People that still want it are going to get it from your average, everyday criminal, the same way they do with marijuana."

Fries said the two Pleasures stores will lose more than $200,000 in revenue from K2 products. She also said the state will lose tax money and more money will be spent to train law-enforcement officers on K2 products.

Soule considers the ban a victory because K2, or fake weed, is becoming an increasing trend among teens. Soule said she's received phone calls from parents concerned about the product.

The recently passed legislation means possession of the products will become a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail, and selling the products will be a felony punishable by one to 10 years in prison.

The most ridiculed cars in history

From Yugos to Peels, here are 15 outrageous and questionable highway rides.  
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Odds and Sods

Odds and Sods
In Cop News





Ad for new bed blanket that blocks flatulence odor a hit
An ad for a new blanket that absorbs flatulence odor is a huge hit on YouTube.


Russian policeman kills himself scratching nose with his gun
An armed 23 year old policeman in Moscow fell victim of his own carelessness. He decided to scratch an itchy spot on his nose with a gun and accidentally killed himself.

The tragedy happened in the court security facility. At 6pm the officer’s supervisor tried to connect with him over the phone to check on him. The sergeant did not answer his phone and the supervisor had to go see him with other officers.

The police found a locked door they had to break and the body of their colleague behind the door. The policeman’s body with a wound in the head was found under the desk. The investigation ruled out a murder. There was no note that would indicate suicide.

The victim had been serving in police since 2007. He was single and was not registered with the staff psychologist. He was reported to be in good spirits on the day of the accident. The sergeant allegedly scratched his nose with his gun and accidentally pulled the trigger.

Monday, May 10, 2010

The Daily Drift

The Daily Drift
Today's horoscope says:
No matter what the subject or where you happen to be, you are rarely shy about expressing an opinion. You're not exactly shy now either, but you may start to feel a bit of unusual emotional interference coming on, so remind yourself that if anyone has the right to be confident, it's you.
You've been so diligent and hardworking for so long, so relax.
Let the rest of the world worry about your feelings for a change!
Some of our readers today have been in:
London, England, United Kingdom
Paris, Ile-De-France, France
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Turku, Western Finland, Finland
Coffs Harbor, New South Wales, Australia
Bursa, Bursa, Turkey
Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany
Timaru, Canterbury, New Zealand
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Seoul, Kyonggi-Do, Korea
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Quebec, Quebec, Canada
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
Vienna, Wien, Austria
Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Cairo, Al Qahirah, Egypt
Leeds, England, United Kingdom
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

as well as Scotland, and the United States in such cities as Elyria, Chula Vista, Oshkosh, Tomah, Secaucus and more

Today is Monday, May 10, the 130th day of 2010.
There are 235 days left in the year

Today's unusual holiday or celebration is:
Windmill Day

Kagan for high court

U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan will be nominated to succeed retiring Justice John Paul Stevens.
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U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan's appointment would be a milestone for the Supreme Court.  
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As The World Turns

As The World Turns
Serbia discovers mass grave of Kosovo Albanians killed during the 1998-99 Kosovo war

A mass grave containing bodies of ethnic Albanians killed during 1998-99 war in Kosovo has been discovered in Serbia, officials said Monday.

Mexico extradites ex-governor to U.S.

Mexico has extradited a former state governor to the United States to face charges of helping smuggle cocaine through Cancun to the U.S., in a high-profile demonstration of the nation's increased willingness to extradite suspects as it battles surging drug violence.

Pakistan Taliban blamed for bomb plot

The White House says new evidence shows Faisal Shahzad was working for a terrorist group.  
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Your House As Seen By:

Yourself...

Your Buyer...
Your Lender....

Your Appraiser...
And...
Your County's Tax Assessor...

Stir It Up

 Bob Marley

On The Job

On The Job

Wrong ways to get on the boss's good side

Your boss may be funny, but that's no excuse to react like a sitcom studio audience. 
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It's The Economy Stupid

It's The Economy Stupid
In one city, the average mortgage owed exceeds the current value of the home by 35 percent.
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Need a vacation

Fill your days with scenic drives and relax at night in cozy cabinlike rooms. 
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Lunatic Fringe

Lunatic Fringe

After upending a wingnut repugican senator, tea party agitators set their sights on a key mid-May primary.  
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http://www.sensibleerection.com/images/entry_thumbnails/1272658436_

Faux's Glen Brick lies: "Labor unions, communists, radical organizations" want to "overthrow" America, control earth "under one government".
He's channeling Eugene McCarthy now folks ... even Hitler won't talk to him any more.

Lush Dimbulb lies: "fraud" is the "primary electoral victory mechanism" for Democrats.
Nope, Lush that'd be the repugicans wholly owning those tactics.

John Boehner (reptile-Ohio) lies: Obama has no "real comprehensive" terrorism strategy, and has merely gotten "lucky" in preventing terrorist attacks.
Well, if by getting 'lucky' catches them before they pull off their 'attacks' by all means lets have a 'comprehensive plan' in place and let them slip through our fingers after they have pulled off their attacks.
(I'd go with 'lucky' if I were you bone-head)

Faux News grotesquely smears immigrants by blaming them for over 2,000 deaths annually -- based on wild speculation.
OK, and ...

White flight shakes up America's suburbs

A surprising trend gives the suburbs a new look and possibly a new political leaning.  
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Biggest lies in real estate

Home sellers have been known to bend the truth — or even alter photos of their property.  
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Its Only The Environment After All

Its Only The Environment After All
Plan A didn't work, so oil cleanup crews now may turn to the "top kill" technique.
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Has British Petroleum Opened Another Door To Carboniferous Hell?

door to hell photo
Darvaz: The Door to Hell, a drilling project gone wrong - collapsed natural gas dome burning 35 years in Uzbekistan. 
Image credit:English Russia blog
People have a hard time accepting the fact that oil and gas deep in the earth is of biotic origin: pressure-stored plant material from the Carboniferous. So much so that there are crackpot alternate theories about extraterrestrial origin. And, of course, there's always 'God put it there for us.' (Too scary for them, perhaps, to accept a constantly-changing planet, of colliding plates floating over a uranium core that's decaying and keeping the ground above warm?)
How do oil and gas company field employees think about the earth? When they instigate a blowout or gas dome collapse (as pictured above), especially, are they thinking 'door to hell' and 'end times' or are they thinking 'decayed fern gas' and 'lost money?' Even more interesting would be to learn what portion of them are climate science deniers.
Article continues: Has British Petroleum Opened Another Door To Carboniferous Hell?

Musical About Amazonian Tribe Debuts in Germany

yanomami photo  
The Yanomami are one of the largest indigenous groups in Brazil. 
They may not be crooning cats, singing sailors, or inner-city gang members with a flair for dance, but that's not stopping indigenous Amazonian tribesmen from landing a musical of their very own. The production, called Amazonas, premiered in Germany over the weekend. It centers around the Yanomami, one of the largest remaining tribes in Brazil, and the plight that they face their from unscrupulous developers, forest fires, and climate change. These real-life threats make the rowdy Jets and Sharks seem like, well, just a bunch of guys dancing.
Article continues: Musical About Amazonian Tribe Debuts in Germany

Helpful Hints

Get rid of odors, strip away chemical buildup, and more with this common pantry item.  
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Better yet don't shop at Walmart

Walmart's focus on low prices means you should skip some high-end items.  
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Girl Sucked Through Pipe, Survives

A 10-year-old girl who lives in Forest Hills was sucked into an 18-inch drain pipe last weekend, traveled underground for 36 feet in a torrent of water and lived to tell about it.

Polk Salad Annie

 Tony Joe White

Rare Bee Species Lives Alone, Makes Nest Out of Flower Petals

From Treehugger:
bee flower entry photo
When we think of bees, we often think of those cartoon-like swarms that populate a giant hive. But a rare new species observed in the Middle East is about to change all of that. The Osmia avoseta is a solitary bee that constructs its nest from petals and mud creating a cocoon-like dwelling for a single larvae.
13 Hot Eco-Cars That Go Zoom

Odds and Sods

Odds and Sods
In Cop News