Downfall of a forum

Just reading my email and catching up on the news about an old forum I used to visit.

The news is there is no news - the forum has gone further down the path to oblivion and is even more bland and null that it was when I left.

Well, they wanted wing-nut dogma unchallenged and they got it - as all who had a mind of their own and not afraid to use it left the forum around the same time and only a couple return every now and again to see the agony and report to the rest of us.

We are so glad there are numerous other forums that are vital and are not allowing the wing-nuts to even join so that there is an exchange of ideas across the spectrum in a civilized manner which was sorely lacking on the other forum and all attempts to have idea exchanges in a civil manner were and are shouted down by the wing-nuts there.

Granny robs convenience store for grandkids

A gun-toting Texas granny, who robbed a Fort Worth convenience store Thursday, explained to the clerk that she was doing it "for my grandkids."

Full Story

Where to treat mom to brunch

See what's on the menu for Mother's Day at these trusty and tasty chain restaurants.

Brunch

Programs Obama wants to cut

The president has put a total of 121 government initiatives in the cross hairs as he tries to trim his budget.

10 programs to cut

Also:

• Cuts face criticism
• More help promised to unemployed

Statue of Liberty's crown to reopen

On the Fourth of July the landmark will reopen for the first time in nearly eight years.

Crown to reopen

Experts warn of bird and swine flu mix

If the two viruses combined, the new bug might be both highly contagious and lethal, scientists say.

Bird and swine flu mix

Also:

• Swine flu spreads in U.S.
• Hong Kong lifts hotel quarantine

More than 30K told to flee Santa Barbara fire

Firefighters who saw the blaze more than double overnight face more hot, gusty weather.

Santa Barbara fire

Also:

• Photos
• 'All hell broke lose'

Five futurist visionaries and what they got right

Many imagine what the future might hold for the human race, but few have thought so sharply about it, or tried to make their vision come true.

Five and what they got right

Virtual heart

This could be the best thing since sliced bread for heart patients ...

Virtual heart pumps up the realism

The super-realistic computer model makes it possible to explore the heart's anatomy in ways not possible in real patients.

It's all in the mind

Brainy men may be healthier men

A study that ties greater susceptibility to illnesses with lower IQ hints that health and intelligence are the result of common genetic factors.

Eight ways to boost your creativity

Have a good whinge at your boss, look at blue things, or just muck about – but don't get drunk. Our special feature explains how to unlock your imagination

Science News

From BBC-Science

World's smallest pigs 'thriving' Camera-trap footage reveals pygmy hogs are doing well following their release into the wild last year.

Gorilla mums keep family in check

Female gorillas clap their hands together to get the attention of male silverbacks and infants, scientists find.

Bird brained? They make tools, perform amazing feats of memory and know who's who in the mirror - meet the brains of the animal world

THE BIG PICTURE

Snake head found in man's vegetables at TGI Friday's

This is why you don't eat broccoli!

A New York man having dinner at a TGI Friday's claims he found a little something extra in his broccoli ... a severed snake head.

Full Story

Man gets parking fine

Croatia resident Jove Vrljanovic has been fined for illegal parking - 13 years later.

Full Story

Sexsomnia case prompts law change

The case of a man found not guilty of rape after a jury heard he may have been "sex sleeping" has prompted Northern Territory politicians to pass new laws.

Full Story

Man jailed for stabbing lover nine times

A man who frantically stabbed his lover as she lay over her three children to protect them has been jailed for 11 years.

Full Story

Wildfire rages near California city

Santa Barbara homes are torched as the powerful blaze moves dangerously close to heavily populated areas.

Wildfire rages

Also:

• Latest on evacuations, threat
• Firefighters in danger

Tips to make a tiny bathroom seem bigger

Some little tweaks can make a large difference in a small space.

Bathroom seem bigger

Also:

• How to declutter your home
• Quick and easy cleaning tips

They say ...

The optimist says the glass is half full.
The pessimist says the glass is half empty.
The engineer says the glass is twice the size it needs to be.

Hiring for new jobs an economic bright spot

Despite the jump in unemployment figures there are millions of job openings, even in industries that have fallen on tough times.

Economic bright spot

Also:

• Layoffs slow
• 20,000 new jobs at Pentagon

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
London, England, United Kingdom
Cairo, Al Qahirah, Egypt
Klang, Selangor, Malaysia
Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovkia
Sault Saint Marie, Ontario, Canada
Paris, Ile-De-France, France
Dresden, Sachsen, Germany
Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Motala, Ostergotlands Lan, Sweden
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Haldwani, Uttaranchal, India
Jakarta, Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Athens, Attiki, Greece
Pribram, Stredocesky Kraj, Czech Republic
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Surry, British Columbia, Canada
Porto, Porto, Portugal
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Lenin, Krasnodao, Russian Federation
Szczecin, Zachodniopomorskie, Poland
Hormozan, Yazd, Iran
Ceska, Jihomoravsky Kraj, Czech Republic

as well as Serbia and Montenegro, Aruba, Hong Kong, and the United States

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

It's a wonderful day to surprise yourself, so take a few chances where you might not have taken a chance before.
You need to try more things and worry about failure another time.
Life can be a numbers game, so the more new things you get involved with, the better your chances of finding your true purpose.
Let go of a past mistake, because you're holding yourself back by replaying it over and over again in your mind.
It's time to move on.

Moving on ...