I think they're [Republicans] in a place now where they just want to hurt Obama. What they don't get - and I wish they would look into their souls a little bit - if they convey, over and over again, that the President of the United States is weak, what does that do? It emboldens the terrorists. And I don't say that lightly. Think of terrorists overseas, or at home, that might be plotting an attack - if they think that the President is weak, which he is not, he is manifestly not. He's killed twice as many of them, not to put too fine a point on it, with Predators as his predecessor did. He is not weak. But if they continue to convey that he is weak, that gives serious help to the terrorists.
I think the pressure should now be on these Republicans, aren't you helping the terrorists, by insisting, against all evidence - remember we have 100% conviction rate of terrorists in civilian courts in this country. 100%. It's not like any of them are out walking the streets, as we're told. The only detainees from Guantanamo who have been released and who have returned to terrorism in their home countries were released under President Bush. So far there has not been one case of that happening under President Obama. So, this line is a bunch of hooey, and they have to stop saying it, and the onus now has to be on them for why they're not harming us by continuing to do so.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Newsweek's Jonathan Alter to repugicans: 'Aren't you helping the terrorists?'
Jonathan Alter on Countdown, moments ago:
And I Quote
The days of looking the other way while despotic regimes trample human rights, rob their nations` wealth, and then excuse their failings by feeding their people a steady diet of anti-Western hatred are over.
So, you're saying the wingnuts/facists-nazis/neo-cons/relig-o-facists/repugicans, etc., that you 'speak' for are throwing the towel?
Obama declares disaster in NC for December storms
North Carolina should receive more than $9 million from the federal government after President Obama signed a disaster declaration to help with the clean up from recent storms in the mountains.
The White House announced Obama's declaration on Tuesday. State agencies, 13 county governments and some private nonprofits will be eligible for federal funds to share the costs for $12.5 million in emergency work and repairs.
Western North Carolina got up to 2 feet of snow the weekend of Dec. 18, followed by heavy rains and ice a week later -- knocking out power, damaging roads and stranding motorists.
The declaration covers Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Haywood, Jackson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey counties. Perdue declared a state emergency in 15 counties two weeks ago.
Ahmadinejad proposes prisoner swap for US hikers
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday proposed a swap of Iranians in U.S. prisons for three American hikers being held in Tehran.
Ahmadinejad said in interview with state TV that there were ongoing negotiations about exchanging the hikers for several Iranians jailed for years in the United States.
Winners and losers in Obama's budget
Winners and losers in Obama's budget
The president's plan extends many tax credits for low- and middle-income Americans.
Plane that can fly underwater unveiled
Plane that can fly underwater unveiled
The latest addition to Richard Branson's luxury fleet will "fly" riders into the depths of the sea.
Parents reclaim kidnapped children
Parents reclaim kids from 'orphan rescue'
Most beautiful cities in the world
Most beautiful cities in the world
Florence, with its sense of history and abundance of cafes and lovely buildings, is on the list.
Going home after 3 months in airport
Going home after 3 months in airport
A man who's been living inside a Tokyo terminal is finally allowed to return to China.
Ways to prevent portion distortion
Ways to prevent portion distortion
These tips will help you figure out the right serving size for meals and snacks.
Tried-and-true home tips from grandmas
Tried-and-true home tips from grandmas
Grandmothers share their expertise for running a smooth household and staying on budget.
How to get your anger under control
How to get your anger under control
When counting to 10 before speaking doesn't work, these tips may help.
Hot career choices for the next decade
Hot career choices for the next decade
The economy may be in turmoil, but these jobs are likely to be stable and lucrative for many years.
13 options
13 options
Also:
Why some kids get bullied by peers
Why some kids get bullied by peers
Three key factors may result in children being socially rejected, a study finds.
Is there Shit in Your Salad?
From Treehugger:
Photo via Joanna is a Supermom
First the soda fountains at fast food restaurants, and now this--Consumer Reports has just published an investigation revealing that 39% of the packaged salads tested contained "bacteria that are common indicators of poor sanitation and fecal contamination." And this despite the fact that such bagged salads often display claims of 'prewashed' or 'triple-washed' and attract customers who consider them cleaner and safer.
Famous People's Photos
Be sure to check out this site with 125 photos of 'famous' people who you may not recognize in the photos.
Anybody care to take a guess as to who this little tyke might be?
Anybody care to take a guess as to who this little tyke might be?
LAX Millennium Bomber Sentence Too Lenient, Court says
A federal appeals court said Tuesday a 22-year prison sentence was too lenient for an al-Qaida-trained terrorist convicted of plotting to bomb Los Angeles International Airport on New Year's Day 2000.
Full StoryFeds pay $52 million for North Carolina road still going nowhere
The federal government has agreed to pay a $52 million settlement so it will not have to complete a so-called "road-to-nowhere" through North Carolina's mountain wilderness officials said Tuesday, ending a dispute that began during World War II.
North Carolina road still going nowhere
North Carolina road still going nowhere
Trillion to one find
A Cumbria woman, Fiona Exon, beat odds of more than a trillion to one by finding all six eggs in a single box had double yolks.
Full StoryPoll Shows repugicans Barreling Toward the Extreme
From the "tell something we didn't know" Department:
The results of a new poll of repugican views are creating quite a stir.
Although it is nothing we didn't know already.
Poll Shows repugicans Barreling Toward the Extreme
The results of a new poll of repugican views are creating quite a stir.
Although it is nothing we didn't know already.
Poll Shows repugicans Barreling Toward the Extreme
Wild Boars Trapped, Euthanized In Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation workers said they have captured and destroyed nine wild boars since January.
9 Wild Boars Trapped, Euthanized In Mecklenburg County
9 Wild Boars Trapped, Euthanized In Mecklenburg County
Not that I am bitter ...
I probably should never have been there anyway, and it served me right when the two alert police officers fired up their siren, pulled me over, and pointed out that my car's registration had expired.
I had not realized this, and as you can imagine I felt like quite the renegade outlaw as one of the officers painstakingly wrote out my ticket, standing well to the side of the road so as to avoid getting hit by the steady stream of passing unlicensed and uninsured motorists driving their stolen cars with their left hands so that their right hands would be free to keep their pit bulls from spilling their cocaine all over their machine guns.
Not that I am bitter.
I had not realized this, and as you can imagine I felt like quite the renegade outlaw as one of the officers painstakingly wrote out my ticket, standing well to the side of the road so as to avoid getting hit by the steady stream of passing unlicensed and uninsured motorists driving their stolen cars with their left hands so that their right hands would be free to keep their pit bulls from spilling their cocaine all over their machine guns.
Not that I am bitter.
~ Dave Barry
14-year-old fends off shark attack
14-year-old fends off shark attack
Lydia Ward was swimming with her brother when she felt something brush against her foot.
Saudi Arabia wants Taliban to expel bin Laden
Saudi Arabia will not get involved in peacemaking in Afghanistan unless the Taliban stops providing shelter and severs all ties with Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida movement, officials said Tuesday.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai is visiting Saudi Arabia hoping for an active Saudi role in his plan to persuade Taliban militants to switch sides.
Saudi Arabia has a unique relationship with Taliban since it was one of the few countries to recognize the regime before it was ousted in 2001 and has acted as an intermediary before.
Robbery suspects call police for help
From the "they be mental Giants" Department:
Two men are in a Catawba County jail today in what police say was a case of suspected criminals expecting a bit too much charity from the law.
The two are accused of robbing a convenience store -- then calling police and asking for help with a flat tire a few hours later.
Charged with robbery in the case are Mark Franklin, 46, of Conover; and James Jennings, 31, of Claremont.
According to police, two men entered the Cubbard Express store, in the 2700 block of Springs Road, about 11 p.m. Sunday. The men did not show a gun, but police said one man indicated he was armed. One man demanded money from the cashier, and the two men then fled in a tan four-door Chevrolet car.
Police viewed surveillance video coverage and began looking for the suspects.
About 3 a.m. Monday, according to police, two men called officers from a Hardee's restaurant on U.S. 321 and asked for help with a flat tire.
One officer who responded recognized the men as those from the robbery, and he arrested them, police said.
No 'excellent' or 'very good' coffee
From the "we could have told you that" Department:
No 'excellent' or 'very good' coffee
After tasting 37 blended coffees, Consumer Reports found none that rated better than "good."
Drink Tea!
It tastes better and is better for you.
It tastes better and is better for you.
Words of Wisdom
"Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction"!
The Wisdom of Genius
- The release of atomic energy has not created a new problem.
- It has merely made more urgent the necessity of solving an existing one.
- ~ Albert Einstein
And I Quote
If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.
On Handjob, O'Keefe repeats lie that Landrieu took $300 million bribe
This summary is not available. Please
click here to view the post.
The groundhog has spoken
And it's bad news.
Punxsutawney Phil has emerged to see his shadow before chilly revelers in Pennsylvania, meaning winter will last another six weeks.
Punxsutawney Phil
Punxsutawney Phil has emerged to see his shadow before chilly revelers in Pennsylvania, meaning winter will last another six weeks.
Punxsutawney Phil
Fake $5 leads to arrest of Texas teen
And they wonder why the 'teenagers are dumb' stereotype persists ...
A fake $5 bill in which both sides apparently were copied and glued together led to the arrest of a teenager in College Station.
A fake $5 bill in which both sides apparently were copied and glued together led to the arrest of a teenager in College Station.
Hearing with your mouth
Here's a new (unreleased) hearing aid that you wear over a back molar. It uses a wireless mic behind your ear to transmit sound to the tooth-unit, which then retransmits the sound through bone conduction -- without having to drill pins into your skull or surgically embed hardware, which is sort of hard to upgrade when the field advances.
SoundBite detects noise using a microphone placed in the ear connected to a transmitter in a behind-the-ear (BTE) device. The BTE transmits to an in-the-mouth (ITM) device that sends small sound waves through the jaw to the cochlea. There is no surgery needed, and both the BTE and ITM are easily removed to be charged inductively. Sonitus Medical is still preparing the SoundBite for eventual FDA trials for single sided, and (eventually) other forms of deafness.
Science News
From BBC-Science:
Prairie dogs use complex language
 | | Why family ties are no laughing matter for spotted hyenas |
Prairie dogs use complex language
Seven simple dinners
OK, so we're late with this on (it usually posts on Mondays). But yesterday was another day at the hospital for one member of our staff here at Carolina Naturally. 
Seven simple dinners
Getting a healthy dinner on the table isn't a chore with these quick menus for the week.
Anne Frank snub reversed
Anne Frank snub reversed — for now
A school district changes its mind about not teaching one version of her diary.
Here's how one mother in Virginia put it:
As a parent of an honors-English student at Floyd T. Binns Middle School who read the uncensored version of Anne Frank’s diary, I have to show my support to the brave teacher who dared to teach her students the truth!
What harm has the book done to the students? None! The diary is not about sexual organs, it is about the brutal reality of the Second World War.
I had several interesting conversations with my daughter about Anne Frank and her hidden life. As a German native, it is not always easy to answer questions about this time period. We, as parents and teachers, are obligated to tell our children the truth and nothing else.
Eighth-graders can handle the words “vagina and penis.“ And here is another idea: Maybe the “concerned” parents in Culpeper should begin to talk openly about sex and birth control with their children and we will see a drop in the teenage pregnancy rates.
Karola Radl-Lewis
Culpeper
Just one voice of reason (of many) that has prevailed over the howls of irresponsibility and stupidity from a few.
As tuition rises so does anger
Rising college tuition riles students
Increases of up to 30 percent are sparking 1960s-style protests in some states.
Got back pain?
Relieve back pain the natural way
Avoid the side effects of pills by using natural healing practices and herbs.
How to tone down a dish that's too spicy
How to tone down a dish that's too spicy
Oops, that soup or stew turned out to be too hot to handle — here are some tricks to save it.
High-paying careers for math lovers
High-paying careers for math lovers
If you enjoy crunching numbers, these jobs can add up to a very lucrative and fulfilling future.
You'll need less sleep as you age
You'll need less sleep as you age
Healthy older adults require less rest than their younger counterparts, a study finds.
Things retailers won't tell you
10 things retailers won't tell you
If a salesperson really pushes one item, it may be due to a hidden agenda.
Eight of the craziest health rumors
Eight of the craziest health rumors
See what’s true, what’s misunderstood, and what’s just downright wrong.
Burger King's problem with 'super fans'
Burger King's problem with 'super fans'
Hard-core repeat customers used to be the secret to the chain's success, but not anymore.
Giant squid 'invasion' sparks excitement
Giant squid 'invasion' sparks excitement
Hundreds of the creatures show up in California waters, causing a big spike in fishing trips.
Woman's 'immortal' cells changed medicine
Woman's 'immortal' cells changed medicine
Scientists don't know why cells taken from a poor farmer in 1951 have never died.
College student's odd second language
College student's odd second language
Meghan Shea is majoring in biology, but she can't get a degree for her most unusual skill.
Detroit imam shot 20 times at FBI raid
A Muslim prayer leader accused of encouraging his followers to commit violence against the U.S. government was shot 20 times during an FBI raid at a suburban warehouse last fall, according to an autopsy report released Monday.
Full StoryOnly twenty times!? Boy, the standards for marksmanship have gone way down.
Florida Cold Snap Devastating Coral and Marine Life
From Treehugger:
Bleached staghorn coral. Image credit: mattk1979/Flickr
A month of bitterly cold weather has had a devastating effect on marine life in Florida. Much of the coastal ecosystem, researchers said, was protected by deep water and a warm gulf stream. Important shallow-water areas, however, dropped to dangerous levels—with water temperatures as low as 52 degrees in places—for devastatingly long periods of time.
Article continues: Florida Cold Snap Devastating Coral and Marine Life
Scientists Attempt to Resurrect Extinct Giant Ox
From Treehugger:
Photo: The Art Archive
Two million years ago, an enormous species of ox, called Aurochs, emerged from regions of northern India and migrated into Europe, long before the arrival of humans. Their massive size, standing at a height of over 6 feet, and 4 foot long horns inspired the earliest artists, painting them in the caves of Lascaux, France. The creatures were impressive enough to move Julius Caesar, who wrote of the primitive ox as being "a little smaller than an elephant, but with the color, appearance and shape of a bull. Their strength and speed are extraordinary." Aurochs were soon domesticated, and highly regarded for their resiliency to cold, heat, and famine. But, when the last primitive ox died in Poland in 1627 from poaching, it seemed the Aurochs would be lost forever--that is, until now.
Article continues: Scientists Attempt to Resurrect Extinct Giant Ox
Air Force Academy creates space for pagans, druids, wicans
The U.S. Air Force Academy, viewed in recent years as a deplorable example of religious intolerance, is now accommodating witches, warlocks, druids, and other worshipers of “Earth-centered” religions. A stone circle has been allowed on a hill somewhere on the academy’s vast military grounds in the Colorado Springs area.
Tech. Sgt. Brandon Longcrier, a pagan, worked to convince academy officials to allow the space. “When I first arrived here, Earth-centered cadets didn’t have anywhere to call home,” he said in a news release. “Now, they meet every Monday night, they get to go on retreats, and they have a stone circle.” He added that the academy hasn’t stood in the way of the idea and that the chaplain’s office has been “100 percent” supportive.
Self-control is contagious
Before patting yourself on the back for resisting that cookie or kicking yourself for giving in to temptation, look around. A new University of Georgia study has revealed that self-control — or the lack thereof — is contagious.
In a just-published series of studies involving hundreds of volunteers, researchers have found that watching or even thinking about someone with good self-control makes others more likely exert self-control. The researchers found that the opposite holds, too, so that people with bad self-control influence others negatively. The effect is so powerful, in fact, that seeing the name of someone with good or bad self-control flashing on a screen for just 10 milliseconds changed the behavior of volunteers.
“The take home message of this study is that picking social influences that are positive can improve your self-control,” said lead author Michelle vanDellen, a visiting assistant professor in the UGA department of psychology. “And by exhibiting self-control, you’re helping others around you do the same.”
Hippy apes caught cannibalizing their young
Bonobos, known for their peaceable ways and casual sex, have been caught in the act of cannibalism – the last of the great apes to show a taste for their own flesh.Hippy apes caught cannibalizing their young
In case you were wondering ...
The United States of Corporation is here:For the first time in recent history, the lobbying, grassroots and advertising budget of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has surpassed the spending of BOTH the Democratic National Committee and the repugican nithing cabal.
The last time this was the case was in 1907 when President Theodore Roosevelt signed the law curbing the Robber Barons that the morons who call themselves 'justices' threw out with their 'decision' the other week. It took right at 100 years but the Robber Barons got the restraints placed upon them lifted and individual citizens got screwed to the wall in the process - all in all not a bad day for the Robber Barons.
Welcome new readers
We the staff here at Carolina Naturally would like to welcome our newest readers in Djibouti.
Our 177th country.
(only 19 more to go and we'll have readers in every country on the planet.)
Our 177th country.
(only 19 more to go and we'll have readers in every country on the planet.)
Today is ...
Today is Tuesday, February 2, the 33rd day of 2010.
There are 332 days left in the year.
Today In History February 2
This is Groundhog Day.
Today's unusual holidays and celebrations are:
Hedge Hog Day
and
Sled Dog Day
There are 332 days left in the year.
Today In History February 2
This is Groundhog Day.
Today's unusual holidays and celebrations are:
Hedge Hog Day
and
Sled Dog Day
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Nassau, New Provdence, Bahamas
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Sante Fe De Bogota, Distrito Especial, Colombia
Samos, Samos, Greece
Krakow, Malopolskie, Poland
Munich, Bayern, Germany
Torino, Piemonte, Italy
Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
Prague, Hlavni Mesto Praha, Czech Republic
as well as Djibouti, and the United States
Nassau, New Provdence, Bahamas
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Sante Fe De Bogota, Distrito Especial, Colombia
Samos, Samos, Greece
Krakow, Malopolskie, Poland
Munich, Bayern, Germany
Torino, Piemonte, Italy
Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
Prague, Hlavni Mesto Praha, Czech Republic
as well as Djibouti, and the United States
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
Even you will be surprised at how blunt, honest and open you are about a situation that would be tricky, at best, for most people.
Now, if you're going to be surprised at yourself, you can just imagine how others will feel -- especially the ones who are already shakable.
See what happens next.
You decide you might be worth the effort, and suddenly your life begins to change.
Me, surprised?
Even you will be surprised at how blunt, honest and open you are about a situation that would be tricky, at best, for most people.
Now, if you're going to be surprised at yourself, you can just imagine how others will feel -- especially the ones who are already shakable.
See what happens next.
You decide you might be worth the effort, and suddenly your life begins to change.
Me, surprised?
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