Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
Now, you don't see this everyday.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
And I Quote
How I wish that somewhere there existed an island for those who are wise and of goodwill! In such a place even I would be an ardent patriot.
~ Albert Einstein
~ Albert Einstein
Volcano erupts near Tokyo raining ash down on the city
A volcano erupted near Tokyo spewing a plume of smoke more than a mile high and raining ash down on parts of the city.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
Mount Asama, about 90 miles northwest of Tokyo, erupted at 1:51 am (0451 GMT) Monday, according to Japan's Meteorological Agency.
Chunks of rock from the explosion were found about 3,300 feet away from the volcano.
The agency said volcanic ash fell on nearby areas as well as parts of Tokyo.
TV reports showed neighborhoods sprinkled with white flakes.
An alert level of three, which urges nearby residents to take caution, was kept in place for a 2.5 mile radius.
The last major eruption of Mount Asamo took place in September 2004, the agency said.
With 108 active volcanos, Japan is among the most seismically busy countries in the world.
The country lies in the "Ring of Fire" - a series of volcanoes and fault lines that outline the Pacific Ocean.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
Mount Asama, about 90 miles northwest of Tokyo, erupted at 1:51 am (0451 GMT) Monday, according to Japan's Meteorological Agency.
Chunks of rock from the explosion were found about 3,300 feet away from the volcano.
The agency said volcanic ash fell on nearby areas as well as parts of Tokyo.
TV reports showed neighborhoods sprinkled with white flakes.
An alert level of three, which urges nearby residents to take caution, was kept in place for a 2.5 mile radius.
The last major eruption of Mount Asamo took place in September 2004, the agency said.
With 108 active volcanos, Japan is among the most seismically busy countries in the world.
The country lies in the "Ring of Fire" - a series of volcanoes and fault lines that outline the Pacific Ocean.
No big energy bursts at Alaska volcano
Geologists monitoring Alaska's Mount Redoubt say the volcano is rumbling and emitting steam but has shown no dramatic burst of energy in the last 24 hours.
Geologist Tina Neal at the Alaska Volcano Observatory said no flyovers were planned for Sunday unless activity increased significantly.
Flyovers on Saturday found a quickly growing area of vigorous steaming at the 7,100-foot level on the north side of the mountain.
The area is just below a dome that formed the last time Redoubt erupted in 1990.
The activity adds to concerns that Redoubt is close to an eruption.
An eruption in December 1989 sent an ash cloud 150 miles that flamed out the jet engines of a KLM flight carrying 231 passengers on its way to Anchorage.
Geologist Tina Neal at the Alaska Volcano Observatory said no flyovers were planned for Sunday unless activity increased significantly.
Flyovers on Saturday found a quickly growing area of vigorous steaming at the 7,100-foot level on the north side of the mountain.
The area is just below a dome that formed the last time Redoubt erupted in 1990.
The activity adds to concerns that Redoubt is close to an eruption.
An eruption in December 1989 sent an ash cloud 150 miles that flamed out the jet engines of a KLM flight carrying 231 passengers on its way to Anchorage.
Historic steamboat to be riverfront hotel
An 82-year-old steamboat that's been designated as a National Historic Landmark is poised to make a final trip to its new position as a riverfront hotel.
The Delta Queen, which once ran up and down the Mississippi River but docked in Cincinnati, will leave its winter home in New Orleans on Wednesday for Chattanooga, Tennessee.
In October, the mostly wooden boat - the last of its kind - lost its exemption to operate overnight river cruises for up to 176 passengers.
Federal law prohibits such boats from carrying more than 50 overnight passengers.
The boat was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989, but the exemption to continue operations requires annual renewal.
The Delta Queen, which once ran up and down the Mississippi River but docked in Cincinnati, will leave its winter home in New Orleans on Wednesday for Chattanooga, Tennessee.
In October, the mostly wooden boat - the last of its kind - lost its exemption to operate overnight river cruises for up to 176 passengers.
Federal law prohibits such boats from carrying more than 50 overnight passengers.
The boat was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989, but the exemption to continue operations requires annual renewal.
Mexico City reduces water service as reserves dip
Millions of Mexico City area residents were without water today under a new conservation program that shut down a main pipeline after reserves dropped to their lowest levels in 16 years.
The Mexico City government and the National Water Commission will interrupt service for millions for three days every month until May, when the rainy season begins.
Mexico City's government says the plan will affect more than 2 million residents - from those living in million-dollar mansions to cement hovels - within its city limits.
Another 13 cities in the metro area of 20 million will see service reduced, the National Water Commission said, though it didn't how many residents would be affected.
To prepare for the three-day shutdown, which ends Tuesday, residents filled underground cisterns, saved water in buckets to bathe and were flushing toilets and doing the wash only when necessary.
And you thought the drought around here was bad?
The Mexico City government and the National Water Commission will interrupt service for millions for three days every month until May, when the rainy season begins.
Mexico City's government says the plan will affect more than 2 million residents - from those living in million-dollar mansions to cement hovels - within its city limits.
Another 13 cities in the metro area of 20 million will see service reduced, the National Water Commission said, though it didn't how many residents would be affected.
To prepare for the three-day shutdown, which ends Tuesday, residents filled underground cisterns, saved water in buckets to bathe and were flushing toilets and doing the wash only when necessary.
*****
And you thought the drought around here was bad?
SC skydive instructor dies; 1st-timer lands safely
Authorities say a skydive instructor who was sharing a parachute with a first-time jumper apparently died of a heart attack in the air.
The first-time jumper was able to land safely Saturday in Chester County. He tried to revive the 49-year-old instructor after they had landed, but the coroner's office says it was too late.
The instructor was identified as George C. Steele of Sumter. He worked for Skydive Carolina, a business located at the Chester County Airport since 1986.
Steele had made thousands of jumps over a lengthy career.
The pair were skydiving in a tandem jump, where instructors are strapped to the backs of their students.
The first-time jumper was described as an active member of the military in his 30s, but his name was not immediately released.
New Jersey disc jockey to part with Jenny's number
After five years fielding thousands of calls to one of rock 'n' roll's most celebrated phone numbers, disc jockey Spencer Potter is hanging up on Jenny.
Her seven digits are familiar to anyone who paid attention to pop music in the early 1980s: 867-5309, immortalized by the band Tommy Tutone.
Potter and his roommates requested the number on a lark for their home phone in northern New Jersey. They got it, along with about 30 to 40 calls a day.
The 28-year-old Potter says he's selling his business, A Blast Entertainment, and moving to New York. The business and the phone number are for sale on eBay, where the high bid was about $1,000 by Sunday morning.
Bikers stand defiant against Myrtle Beach
Though they were defending separate rallies, representatives of black and white biker groups united in a defiant stand Saturday against what they see as a common enemy: harsh laws and negative publicity from the city of Myrtle Beach.
"This ain't a white issue about white rallies. This ain't a black issue about black rallies," said Rick Walls, a member of the Patriot Guard Riders who normally attends early May's Harley-Davidson spring rally. "This is a civil-rights issue for both colors."
A group of about 25 bikers, representing a half-dozen or so motorcycle clubs, parked their Harley cruisers and Japanese sport bikes together under a small stand of trees outside the Atlantic Beach Town Hall on Saturday afternoon to issue their message: May's rallies will go on.
"We are not going to lay down to the city of Myrtle Beach," said Hakim Harrell, an event promoter from Philadelphia. "Our message to the city of Myrtle Beach is, you should be thankful. These events helped build the city of Myrtle Beach."
The show of unity comes after many area governments, led by the city of Myrtle Beach, enacted new rules to limit the scope of May's two major motorcycle rallies - the 10-day Harley-Davidson spring rally, which attracts a mostly white crowd, and Memorial Day weekend's Atlantic Beach Bikefest, which is popularly known as Black Bike Week.
Saying that the two events' half-million visitors overwhelm the city, Myrtle Beach passed 15 new laws last fall, including helmet requirements and decibel limits, and it has a new Web site stating that this year the city "will no longer host motorcycle rallies." Horry County is debating restricting vendors, which nearby Surfside Beach banned outright for two years.
On Saturday, both groups touted the heritage of their rallies: The Harley rally is 69 years old, and the Atlantic Beach Bikefest began in 1980. John Glover, president of the Carolina Knight Riders club that started the Atlantic Beach event, said neither rally is Myrtle Beach's to end.
"Now they want to pull the plug on the bike rallies," Glover said. "I'd like everyone to know, there's more to the Grand Strand than Myrtle Beach."
In their promises to come to this year's rally, the bikers uniformly said they would avoid Myrtle Beach. To some degree, that is part of the city's goal, said Myrtle Beach city spokesman Mark Kruea in a phone call afterward.
"The city has said it doesn't want to be the focus of these rallies," Kruea said. "If these rallies go elsewhere, Myrtle Beach would be happy."
At the event, many of the motorcyclists said their good works and charity fundraisers during the rallies are ignored. Instead, Myrtle Beach city officials chose to blame violence and misbehavior by local teens and spectators along Ocean Boulevard on bikers, said Violet "Heels" Lucas of the Horry-Georgetown Bikers Association.
"A lot of the people on the Boulevard aren't bikers, but we're stigmatized by their reputation," said Lucas, noting that she doesn't visit Ocean Boulevard at all during rallies.
Myrtle Beach and bikers attempted to plan the rally together in years past, but the city spokesman said rally organizers were unwilling to shorten the rallies - leading to the city's new, harsher position against them. Individual bikers only spend a week or so at a time at the rallies, so they do not realize the events' cumulative effect, Kruea said.
"If we were talking about three or four days for each one, we probably wouldn't be having this conversation," he said. "We're talking about 20 straight days of motorcycle rallies, and that is too much for the city."
Although the event was held on the front lawn of Atlantic Beach Town Hall, none of the town's four elected officials were present, and the only town employee there was Police Chief Randy Rizzo. Mayor Retha Pierce has been hospitalized since feeling chest pains while waiting for a court hearing Thursday, but spokesman Mustafa Abdullah of Conway said at the event that Pierce supports the bikers.
Rizzo, who said he was not informed of the gathering beforehand, said he is waiting on the Atlantic Beach Town Council to give him some direction on this year's rally, so he can begin coordinating law enforcement with other agencies.
"Their decision is vital," Rizzo said. "They're going to have the bike rallies whether anybody sponsors it or not."
Representatives from Myrtle Beach are set to speak to the Atlantic Beach Town Council at their Monday night meeting about the Bikefest, town officials said. Contacted by phone, Councilman Donnell Thompson said he is waiting to hear their comments before he decides how to proceed.
"This is a time when we can work with our neighbors," Thompson said.
In years past, costly contracts with promoters and entertainers created deep debts the town has yet to climb out of, but in 2008, former town manager Charles Williams restricted the town's involvement to support for the officers in town, providing portable toilets and hiring cleanup crews afterward. Interim Town Manager Kenneth McIver said he will recommend the council continue that approach.
"From a financial standpoint, we don't have it to spend. We cannot do a lot," McIver said. "We just don't want to incur any more debt."
Thompson agreed that the town's spending should be minimal, unlike the lavish plans of the past.
"I don't think we should ever go in that direction again," Thompson said. "We shouldn't put the town out where we spend a bunch of money and don't know if it's going to come back in."
Iraqi election hints of troubles for Shiite giant
The biggest Shiite party in Iraq once appeared to hold all the political sway: control of the heartland, the backing of influential clerics and a foot in the government with ambitions to take full control.
But the days of wide-open horizons could be soon ending for the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, and replaced by important shifts that could be welcomed in Washington and scorned in Tehran.
The signs began to take shape today with hints of the voter mood from provincial elections.
The broad message - built on Iraqi media projections and post election interviews - was that the eventual results would punish religious-leaning factions such as the Supreme Council that are blamed for stoking sectarian violence, and reward secular parties seen capable of holding Iraq's relative calm.
The outcome of the provincial races will not directly effect Iraq's national policies or its balance between Washington's global power and Iran's regional muscle.
But Shiite political trends are critically important in Iraq, where majority Shiites now hold sway after the fall of Saddam Hussein's Sunni-dominated regime.
"There is a backlash from Iraqis against sectarian and religious politics," said Mustafa al-Ani, an Iraqi political analyst based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Although official results from Saturday's provincial elections are likely still days away, the early outlines are humbling for The Supreme Council.
The group had been considered a linchpin in Iraqi politics as a junior partner in the government that had near seamless political control in the Shiite south.
Some forecasts point to widespread losses for the party across the main Shiite provinces.
The blows could include embarrassing stumbles in the key city of Basra and the spiritual center of Najaf - hailed as the future capital in the Supreme Council's dreams for an autonomous Shiite enclave.
In their place, the big election winners appear to be allies of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, according to projections and interviews with political figures who spoke on condition of anonymity because official results are not posted.
It's a vivid lesson in Iraq's fluid politics.
A year ago, al-Maliki looked to be sinking.
Shiite militiamen ruled cities such as Basra and parts of Baghdad and rockets were pouring into the protected Green Zone, which includes the U.S. Embassy and Iraq's parliament.
Al-Maliki - with apparent little advance coordination with the U.S. military - struck back.
An offensive broke the militia control in Basra and elsewhere in the south.
His reputation turned around.
And many voters appeared happy to reward his political backers in the elections for seats on provincial councils, which carry significant clout with authority over local business contracts, jobs and local security forces.
"Al-Maliki ended the militiamen's reign of terror," said Faisal Hamadi, 58, after voting in Basra. "For this he deserves our vote."
The Supreme Council, meanwhile, appeared to stagger under the weight of negative baggage.
It was accused of failing to deliver improvements to public services in the south.
Also, its deep ties to Iran began to rub against Iraqis' nationalist sentiments.
The Supreme Council's leader, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, spent decades in Iran during Saddam's rule and was allowed an office-villa in downtown Tehran.
After Saddam's fall, the Supreme Council was Iran's main political conduit into Iraq even though the group also developed ties with Washington.
Iran now could face limits on its influence in the south with the Supreme Council forced into a coalition or second-tier status - and also confront resistance from a stronger al-Maliki government seeking to curb Tehran's inroads.
A Supreme Council lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, acknowledged the election mood was against them.
"We controlled most provinces in the south, so we were blamed for whatever went wrong there," he said.
"The elections gave us an indication of what will happen in the general election late this year," said the analyst al-Ani.
"Those who lost in this election have nearly a year to learn their lesson and change their strategy. They know now where the Iraqis stand."
Nationwide turnout in the election was 51 percent, said Faraj al-Haidari, chairman of the election commission.
The figure fell short of some optimistic predictions, but was overshadowed by a bigger achievement: no serious violence during the voting.
Turnout ranged from 40 percent in the Sunni-dominated Anbar province in western Iraq to 65 percent in the Salahuddin province, which includes the hometown of Saddam Hussein.
Final figures were not yet ready for the Baghdad area, but al-Haidari said initial reports placed it at about 40 percent.
Some unconfirmed reports placed the turnout even lower in the northern city of Mosul, which is considered the last urban foothold for al-Qaida in Iraq.
The timing of the election also could have hurt the Supreme Council, falling at the beginning of a major Shiite religious pilgrimage that may have left some backers unable to vote.
After the election results are known, the deal making begins.
Again, the Supreme Council could be left in the cold.
The political-militia movement of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has indicated it may be willing to strike deals with al-Makiki's allies on the councils.
It would be a startling turnabout.
Just last year, al-Sadr was denouncing the government as it joined American forces to dismantle his Mahdi Army's main enclave in Baghdad.
"We have no red lines when it comes to al-Maliki's coalition," said Ayed al-Mayahi, al-Sadr's chief representative in Basra.
"We are looking ahead and will not be shackled by what happened in the past."
But the days of wide-open horizons could be soon ending for the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, and replaced by important shifts that could be welcomed in Washington and scorned in Tehran.
The signs began to take shape today with hints of the voter mood from provincial elections.
The broad message - built on Iraqi media projections and post election interviews - was that the eventual results would punish religious-leaning factions such as the Supreme Council that are blamed for stoking sectarian violence, and reward secular parties seen capable of holding Iraq's relative calm.
The outcome of the provincial races will not directly effect Iraq's national policies or its balance between Washington's global power and Iran's regional muscle.
But Shiite political trends are critically important in Iraq, where majority Shiites now hold sway after the fall of Saddam Hussein's Sunni-dominated regime.
"There is a backlash from Iraqis against sectarian and religious politics," said Mustafa al-Ani, an Iraqi political analyst based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Although official results from Saturday's provincial elections are likely still days away, the early outlines are humbling for The Supreme Council.
The group had been considered a linchpin in Iraqi politics as a junior partner in the government that had near seamless political control in the Shiite south.
Some forecasts point to widespread losses for the party across the main Shiite provinces.
The blows could include embarrassing stumbles in the key city of Basra and the spiritual center of Najaf - hailed as the future capital in the Supreme Council's dreams for an autonomous Shiite enclave.
In their place, the big election winners appear to be allies of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, according to projections and interviews with political figures who spoke on condition of anonymity because official results are not posted.
It's a vivid lesson in Iraq's fluid politics.
A year ago, al-Maliki looked to be sinking.
Shiite militiamen ruled cities such as Basra and parts of Baghdad and rockets were pouring into the protected Green Zone, which includes the U.S. Embassy and Iraq's parliament.
Al-Maliki - with apparent little advance coordination with the U.S. military - struck back.
An offensive broke the militia control in Basra and elsewhere in the south.
His reputation turned around.
And many voters appeared happy to reward his political backers in the elections for seats on provincial councils, which carry significant clout with authority over local business contracts, jobs and local security forces.
"Al-Maliki ended the militiamen's reign of terror," said Faisal Hamadi, 58, after voting in Basra. "For this he deserves our vote."
The Supreme Council, meanwhile, appeared to stagger under the weight of negative baggage.
It was accused of failing to deliver improvements to public services in the south.
Also, its deep ties to Iran began to rub against Iraqis' nationalist sentiments.
The Supreme Council's leader, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, spent decades in Iran during Saddam's rule and was allowed an office-villa in downtown Tehran.
After Saddam's fall, the Supreme Council was Iran's main political conduit into Iraq even though the group also developed ties with Washington.
Iran now could face limits on its influence in the south with the Supreme Council forced into a coalition or second-tier status - and also confront resistance from a stronger al-Maliki government seeking to curb Tehran's inroads.
A Supreme Council lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, acknowledged the election mood was against them.
"We controlled most provinces in the south, so we were blamed for whatever went wrong there," he said.
"The elections gave us an indication of what will happen in the general election late this year," said the analyst al-Ani.
"Those who lost in this election have nearly a year to learn their lesson and change their strategy. They know now where the Iraqis stand."
Nationwide turnout in the election was 51 percent, said Faraj al-Haidari, chairman of the election commission.
The figure fell short of some optimistic predictions, but was overshadowed by a bigger achievement: no serious violence during the voting.
Turnout ranged from 40 percent in the Sunni-dominated Anbar province in western Iraq to 65 percent in the Salahuddin province, which includes the hometown of Saddam Hussein.
Final figures were not yet ready for the Baghdad area, but al-Haidari said initial reports placed it at about 40 percent.
Some unconfirmed reports placed the turnout even lower in the northern city of Mosul, which is considered the last urban foothold for al-Qaida in Iraq.
The timing of the election also could have hurt the Supreme Council, falling at the beginning of a major Shiite religious pilgrimage that may have left some backers unable to vote.
After the election results are known, the deal making begins.
Again, the Supreme Council could be left in the cold.
The political-militia movement of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has indicated it may be willing to strike deals with al-Makiki's allies on the councils.
It would be a startling turnabout.
Just last year, al-Sadr was denouncing the government as it joined American forces to dismantle his Mahdi Army's main enclave in Baghdad.
"We have no red lines when it comes to al-Maliki's coalition," said Ayed al-Mayahi, al-Sadr's chief representative in Basra.
"We are looking ahead and will not be shackled by what happened in the past."
Interesting Tidbit
Found a couple of interesting tidbits among some of the 'advise' columns out there:
Question: Last week, I developed a nosebleed that would not quit. After a couple of days, I went to an ear, nose and throat specialist. Even after following his advice, though, the nosebleed persisted.
After five days, I was finally fed up and checked your book for home remedies. I found your suggestion to drop a bunch of keys down the back of my neck. To my amazement, the nosebleed stopped within a few minutes and has not returned.
Answer: We cannot explain it, but we have heard that this home remedy can resolve a nosebleed quickly.
Question: One of your readers asked for advice regarding constipation caused by Fosamax and Lipitor. I was surprised you did not mention taking Metamucil to help with constipation.
I have had to follow that regimen for more than 30 years, taking 3 teaspoonfuls daily. Please pass this information on.
Answer: Psyllium, the active ingredient in Metamucil and similar products, works well to counteract constipation. It also can help lower cholesterol.
Psyllium must not be taken at the same time as Fosamax or Lipitor, however. It might interfere with the absorption and thus the effectiveness of these drugs.
*****
Never thought of keys down the back of the neck for a nose bleed.
Thankfully, I have no real need for the advise in the second question - my cholesterol is low/normal in the first place and constipation hasn't been a problem to date ... KOW (knock on wood).
We're so B.A.D.
We're, so B.A.D.
We introduce more sites to our readers.
Weceedee
NRDC
World Changing
Bare Brush
Four more to check out.
We introduce more sites to our readers.
Weceedee
NRDC
World Changing
Bare Brush
Four more to check out.
Audiences love 'Paul Blart'
Security guards? Not so much ...
Much like its goofy titular character, "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" has defied expectations.
The slapstick comedy, which cost a mere $26 million to produce, is speeding toward the $100 million mark following back-to-back weekends atop the box office.
Could this surprise success signal the arrival of Kevin James in Hollywood's stable of bankable leading comedic actors?
For nine seasons, James served as the lovable master of ceremonies on the CBS sitcom "The King of Queens."
Now, audiences have been filling movie theaters to see 43-year-old James as Paul Blart, a hypoglycemic single father who takes his security-guard job at the West Orange Pavilion Mall in New Jersey way too seriously.
To be sure, exactly what's been drawing audiences to James' first lead role could have nothing to do with James.
It' s not as if moviegoers were overwhelmed with fresh choices in mid-January, typically a dumping ground for studios; and the theory goes that lighter fare plays best in downbeat times.
Whatever the reason, there's at least one group that doesn't love "Paul Blart": real security guards.
For starters, they say the phrase "mall cop" is nearly as demeaning as the dreaded "rent-a-cop" moniker.
"I think it reinforces a stereotype the security industry has been working on dispelling for years," said Bob Zalud, editor of Security magazine.
"These good folks are trained rather well, in terms of hours accumulated. It would seem, in some ways, we're still fighting a perception that they are less than fully trained or just adequate at their jobs."
Bud Bradley, operations vice president of AlliedBarton Security Services, which provides security services across the country to - among other places - retail malls, said he was concerned about the portrayal of mall security officers as wannabe cops in "Paul Blart," but he acknowledged he thought the movie was funny - although not very realistic.
"Our challenges with security officers is making sure they perform up to expectations and their level of authority," said Bradley.
"In the movie, Paul Blart takes on a role where he gets involved in a criminal matter. At that point, our officers would know to stand down, step back and allow the law enforcement to take over."
James himself said he hopes children learn to appreciate the Paul Blarts of the world from the PG-rated film.
"I hope they respect mall cops, is what I hope, really," James said while promoting the movie. "You know, what I've experienced and I see is that they just get abused, these mall police officers. I can't even call them police officers because they're not real police. That's their job, when the going gets tough, to call the real police."
Nah, Kevin they'll always be 'Barney Fife's, Rent-A-Cops, etc.' and will never be 'respected' or even acknowledged by 99.99% of the public ... and that .01% - that's other 'Mall Cops'.
They are and will forever be a joke. Hence the appeal of the movie - it is more respectful to laugh at a movie screen than to laugh in their faces. It won't stop us laughing in their faces but it is more respectful.
Much like its goofy titular character, "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" has defied expectations.
The slapstick comedy, which cost a mere $26 million to produce, is speeding toward the $100 million mark following back-to-back weekends atop the box office.
Could this surprise success signal the arrival of Kevin James in Hollywood's stable of bankable leading comedic actors?
For nine seasons, James served as the lovable master of ceremonies on the CBS sitcom "The King of Queens."
Now, audiences have been filling movie theaters to see 43-year-old James as Paul Blart, a hypoglycemic single father who takes his security-guard job at the West Orange Pavilion Mall in New Jersey way too seriously.
To be sure, exactly what's been drawing audiences to James' first lead role could have nothing to do with James.
It' s not as if moviegoers were overwhelmed with fresh choices in mid-January, typically a dumping ground for studios; and the theory goes that lighter fare plays best in downbeat times.
Whatever the reason, there's at least one group that doesn't love "Paul Blart": real security guards.
For starters, they say the phrase "mall cop" is nearly as demeaning as the dreaded "rent-a-cop" moniker.
"I think it reinforces a stereotype the security industry has been working on dispelling for years," said Bob Zalud, editor of Security magazine.
"These good folks are trained rather well, in terms of hours accumulated. It would seem, in some ways, we're still fighting a perception that they are less than fully trained or just adequate at their jobs."
Bud Bradley, operations vice president of AlliedBarton Security Services, which provides security services across the country to - among other places - retail malls, said he was concerned about the portrayal of mall security officers as wannabe cops in "Paul Blart," but he acknowledged he thought the movie was funny - although not very realistic.
"Our challenges with security officers is making sure they perform up to expectations and their level of authority," said Bradley.
"In the movie, Paul Blart takes on a role where he gets involved in a criminal matter. At that point, our officers would know to stand down, step back and allow the law enforcement to take over."
James himself said he hopes children learn to appreciate the Paul Blarts of the world from the PG-rated film.
"I hope they respect mall cops, is what I hope, really," James said while promoting the movie. "You know, what I've experienced and I see is that they just get abused, these mall police officers. I can't even call them police officers because they're not real police. That's their job, when the going gets tough, to call the real police."
*****
Nah, Kevin they'll always be 'Barney Fife's, Rent-A-Cops, etc.' and will never be 'respected' or even acknowledged by 99.99% of the public ... and that .01% - that's other 'Mall Cops'.
They are and will forever be a joke. Hence the appeal of the movie - it is more respectful to laugh at a movie screen than to laugh in their faces. It won't stop us laughing in their faces but it is more respectful.
New York Times Predictions for 2009, from 1909
From TreeHugger.
New York Times Predictions for 2009, from 1909
Paris Picasso exhibit stays open 83 hours non-stop
The staid Grand Palais exhibition hall opened for 83 consecutive hours at the end of a nearly four-month Picasso exhibition, drawing thousands who stood for hours in the dark and frigid temperatures before dawn today.
More than 700,000 visitors have seen "Picasso and his Masters" since it opened Oct. 8 - but during working hours.
Attendance figures for the 9 a.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Monday marathon will not be available until the final day.
"I am not particularly impressed by Picasso, but ... to be in a place which is not usually open at night is something special," said Parisian Deborah Boucher.
She swigged whiskey from a hip flask and shared with visitors outside the 19th-century landmark.
At least a dozen families with children were waiting before sunrise.
The exhibit displays Picasso paintings alongside those of masters who inspired him - from El Greco to Cezanne.
Financial adviser Manuel Eduardo Aranguren Aranguren said he flew from Venezuela seven hours earlier to compare Picasso's works with the masters who influenced him.
"The opportunity to have all the artists' works in one place and being able to compare them ... is a unique opportunity," he said.
The Game Of One Upmanship Female Version
Three Catholic women and an older Jewish lady were having coffee. The first Catholic woman tells her friends "My son is a priest. When he walks into a room, everyone calls him 'Father.'"
The second woman chirps, "My son is a bishop. Whenever he walks into a room, people call him 'Your Grace'."
The third old woman says "My son is a cardinal. Whenever he walks into a room, he's called 'Your Eminence'".
As the little old Jewish lady sips her coffee in silence, the first three give her this subtle "Well...?" look, so she says: "My son is 6'5"; he has broad, square shoulders, lean hips and is very muscular; he's terribly handsome, has beautiful hair, dresses very well and always smells wonderful. Whenever he walks into a room, women say 'Oh, my God...'.
The second woman chirps, "My son is a bishop. Whenever he walks into a room, people call him 'Your Grace'."
The third old woman says "My son is a cardinal. Whenever he walks into a room, he's called 'Your Eminence'".
As the little old Jewish lady sips her coffee in silence, the first three give her this subtle "Well...?" look, so she says: "My son is 6'5"; he has broad, square shoulders, lean hips and is very muscular; he's terribly handsome, has beautiful hair, dresses very well and always smells wonderful. Whenever he walks into a room, women say 'Oh, my God...'.
White Rabbit/Somebody To Love
Jefferson Airplane
A double shot of the Airplane on the Smothers Brothers Show
Monastery of Silence
Brother John entered the 'Monastery of Silence' and the Chief Priest said,
"Brother, this is a silent monastery, you are welcome here as long as you like, but you may not speak until I direct you to do so."
Brother John lived in the monastery for a full year before the Chief Priest said to him: "Brother John, you have been here a year now, you may speak two words."
Brother John said, "Hard Bed."
"I'm sorry to hear that" the Chief Priest said. "We will get you a better bed."
The next year, Brother John was called by the Chief Priest.
"You may say another two words Brother John."
"Cold Food." said Brother John, and the Chief Priest assured him that the food would be better in the future.
On his third anniversary at the monastery, the Chief Priest again called Brother John into his office.
"Two words you may say today."
"I Quit." said Brother John.
"It is probably best." said the Chief Priest. "All you have done since you got here is complain."
"Brother, this is a silent monastery, you are welcome here as long as you like, but you may not speak until I direct you to do so."
Brother John lived in the monastery for a full year before the Chief Priest said to him: "Brother John, you have been here a year now, you may speak two words."
Brother John said, "Hard Bed."
"I'm sorry to hear that" the Chief Priest said. "We will get you a better bed."
The next year, Brother John was called by the Chief Priest.
"You may say another two words Brother John."
"Cold Food." said Brother John, and the Chief Priest assured him that the food would be better in the future.
On his third anniversary at the monastery, the Chief Priest again called Brother John into his office.
"Two words you may say today."
"I Quit." said Brother John.
"It is probably best." said the Chief Priest. "All you have done since you got here is complain."
You are what your blood type is
In Japan that is ...
In Japan, "What's your type?" is much more than small talk; it can be a paramount question in everything from matchmaking to getting a job.
By type, the Japanese mean blood type, and no amount of scientific debunking can kill a widely held notion that blood tells all.
In the year just ended, four of Japan's top 10 best-sellers were about how blood type determines personality, according to Japan's largest book distributor, Tohan Co.
The books' publisher, Bungeisha, says the series - one each for types B, O, A, and AB - has combined sales of well over 5 million copies.
Taku Kabeya, chief editor at Bungeisha, thinks the appeal comes from having one's self-image confirmed; readers discover the definition of their blood type and "It's like 'Yes, that's me!'"
As defined by the books, type A's are sensitive perfectionists but overanxious; Type B's are cheerful but eccentric and selfish; O's are curious, generous but stubborn; and AB's are arty but mysterious and unpredictable.
All that may sound like a horoscope, but the public doesn't seem to care.
Even Prime Minister Taro Aso seems to consider it important enough to reveal in his official profile on the Web.
He's an A.
His rival, opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa, is a B.
Nowadays blood type features in a Nintendo DS game and on "lucky bags" of women's accessories tailored to blood type and sold at Tokyo's Printemps department store.
A TV network is set to broadcast a comedy about women seeking husbands according to blood type.
It doesn't stop there.
Matchmaking agencies provide blood-type compatibility tests, and some companies make decisions about assignments based on employees' blood types.
Children at some kindergartens are divided up by blood type, and the women's softball team that won gold at the Beijing Olympics used the theory to customize each player's training.
Not all see the craze as harmless fun, and the Japanese now have a term, "bura-hara," meaning blood-type harassment.
And, despite repeated warnings, many employers continue to ask blood types at job interviews, said Junichi Wadayama, an official at the Health, Welfare and Labor Ministry.
"It's so widespread that most people, even company officials, are not aware that asking blood types could lead to discrimination," Wadayama said.
Blood types, determined by the proteins in the blood, have nothing to do with personality, said Satoru Kikuchi, associate professor of psychology at Shinshu University.
"It's simply sham science," he said.
"The idea encourages people to judge others by the blood types, without trying to understand them as human beings. It's like racism."
This use of blood-typing has unsavory roots.
The theory was imported from Nazi race ideologues and adopted by Japan's militarist government in the 1930s to breed better soldiers.
The idea was scrapped years later and the craze faded.It resurfaced in the 1970s, however, as Masahiko Nomi, an advocate with no medical background, gave the theory mass appeal.
His son, Toshitaka, now promotes it through a private group, the Human Science ABO Center, saying it's not intended to rank or judge people but to smooth relationships and help make the best of one's talents.
The books tend to stop short of blood-type determinism, suggesting instead that while blood type creates personality tendencies, it's hardly definitive.
"Good job, you're done. So how do you feel about the results?" one blood type manual asks on its closing page.
"Your type, after all, is what you decide you are."
In Japan, "What's your type?" is much more than small talk; it can be a paramount question in everything from matchmaking to getting a job.
By type, the Japanese mean blood type, and no amount of scientific debunking can kill a widely held notion that blood tells all.
In the year just ended, four of Japan's top 10 best-sellers were about how blood type determines personality, according to Japan's largest book distributor, Tohan Co.
The books' publisher, Bungeisha, says the series - one each for types B, O, A, and AB - has combined sales of well over 5 million copies.
Taku Kabeya, chief editor at Bungeisha, thinks the appeal comes from having one's self-image confirmed; readers discover the definition of their blood type and "It's like 'Yes, that's me!'"
As defined by the books, type A's are sensitive perfectionists but overanxious; Type B's are cheerful but eccentric and selfish; O's are curious, generous but stubborn; and AB's are arty but mysterious and unpredictable.
All that may sound like a horoscope, but the public doesn't seem to care.
Even Prime Minister Taro Aso seems to consider it important enough to reveal in his official profile on the Web.
He's an A.
His rival, opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa, is a B.
Nowadays blood type features in a Nintendo DS game and on "lucky bags" of women's accessories tailored to blood type and sold at Tokyo's Printemps department store.
A TV network is set to broadcast a comedy about women seeking husbands according to blood type.
It doesn't stop there.
Matchmaking agencies provide blood-type compatibility tests, and some companies make decisions about assignments based on employees' blood types.
Children at some kindergartens are divided up by blood type, and the women's softball team that won gold at the Beijing Olympics used the theory to customize each player's training.
Not all see the craze as harmless fun, and the Japanese now have a term, "bura-hara," meaning blood-type harassment.
And, despite repeated warnings, many employers continue to ask blood types at job interviews, said Junichi Wadayama, an official at the Health, Welfare and Labor Ministry.
"It's so widespread that most people, even company officials, are not aware that asking blood types could lead to discrimination," Wadayama said.
Blood types, determined by the proteins in the blood, have nothing to do with personality, said Satoru Kikuchi, associate professor of psychology at Shinshu University.
"It's simply sham science," he said.
"The idea encourages people to judge others by the blood types, without trying to understand them as human beings. It's like racism."
This use of blood-typing has unsavory roots.
The theory was imported from Nazi race ideologues and adopted by Japan's militarist government in the 1930s to breed better soldiers.
The idea was scrapped years later and the craze faded.It resurfaced in the 1970s, however, as Masahiko Nomi, an advocate with no medical background, gave the theory mass appeal.
His son, Toshitaka, now promotes it through a private group, the Human Science ABO Center, saying it's not intended to rank or judge people but to smooth relationships and help make the best of one's talents.
The books tend to stop short of blood-type determinism, suggesting instead that while blood type creates personality tendencies, it's hardly definitive.
"Good job, you're done. So how do you feel about the results?" one blood type manual asks on its closing page.
"Your type, after all, is what you decide you are."
Obscuring the truth for a living
In the wake of the mercury in high fructose corn syrup news making rounds this past week, Johnny Brainwash has some info about the flacks trying to defend the good name of the corn refinement industry, as well as illuminating information about how they operate.
Unusual Celebrations and Holidays
Today is G.I.Joe Day!
So, break out those 'action figures' and let's play!
So, break out those 'action figures' and let's play!
Our Readers
Our readers today have been in:
Castello Di Cisterna, Campania, Italy
Vilvoorde, Barbant Wallon, Belgium
Alexandria, Al Iskandarjyah, Egypt
Mumbai, Maharashia, India
Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States
Castello Di Cisterna, Campania, Italy
Vilvoorde, Barbant Wallon, Belgium
Alexandria, Al Iskandarjyah, Egypt
Mumbai, Maharashia, India
Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
Something that worked before can work again to make money.
Great!
Something that worked before can work again to make money.
Great!
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