The Daily Drift

The Daily Drift

Today's horoscope says:
Stop squirming and get moving.
When you're this restless, there's usually just one reason: There's something you know you need to do, but you feel unable to do it.
In this case, it may be that you want to make some big changes around the house, but they're so epic that you're not sure you can handle them alone.
Make a few calls and see what happens -- if you don't know a contractor personally, you can at least find the number for a hardware store.

Some of of readers today have been in:

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Ulm, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia

Rome, Lazio, Italy

Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark

Paris, Ile-De-France, France

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Prague, Hlvani Mesto Praha, Czech Republic

Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina

Rio De Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia

Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

London, England, United Kingdom

Muscat, Masqat, Oman

Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland

Ch, Geneve, Switzerland

Hamilton, Onterio, Canada

as well as Vietnam, Scotland, Russia, and the United States in such cities as Rolla, Iowa City, Valparaiso, Hebron, Kenton and more

Today is Monday, April 12, the 102nd day of 2010.

There are 263 days left in the year.

Today In History April 12, 2010

Today's unusual holidays and celebrations are:

D.E.A.R. (aka: Drop Everything and Read) Day

Licorice Day

and

Walk On Your Wild Side Day

April is Confederate History Month

April is Confederate History Month

As The World Turns

As The World Turns

Cheating epidemic hits China

Academic plagiarism may hinder the country's chances of becoming a global science leader.  

Ghostwriting boom 

Also: 

• Chinese lip-synchers fined
• World college rankings
• Softening anti-U.S. stance

South Korean man accused of spying for North Korea

Full story

A South Korean man has been arrested for allegedly spying for Pyongyang and working with its military to kidnap activists who helped North Koreans defect, officials said Monday.

One forest, two tragedies, 70 years apart

One forest, two tragedies, 70 years apart

The site of the crash that killed Poland's president and his closest aides stirs up bitter memories and disbelief. Its past 

Also: 

• What brought down plane?
• Search: Katyn massacre
• Struggle to come to terms

Just so you know ...

Time after time, JP Morgan Chase told struggling customers to stop making payments in order to qualify for mortgage renegotiation — and then foreclosed on their houses.

Ancient Americans took cold snap in their stride

Ancient Americans took cold snap in their stride

Paleoindian groups occupied North America throughout the Younger Dryas interval, which saw a rapid return to glacial conditions approximately 11,000 years ago. Until now, it has been assumed that cooling temperatures and their impact on communities posed significant adaptive challenges to those groups.

Scientific Minds Want To Know

Scientific Minds Want To Know

Deepest volcanic vents discovered What are believed to be the world's deepest undersea volcanic vents are discovered in the Caribbean. Footage of deepest vents

World's largest reef fish die of mysterious death, wash up on Aussie beach

Fisheries officers Jeremy Thompson and Vaughan Heath with a large Groper found washed up on the beach at Rowes Bay. Picture: Scott Radford-Chisholm 

AUSTRALIAN scientists are baffled as to why enormous Queensland groper fish are washing up dead on North Queensland beaches without a scratch on them. 

Full Story

Fishzilla ... walks on land and climbs trees

 

This is a Snakehead fish, but you can just call him "Fishzilla."

Australia has long battled with all sorts of harmful, invasive species--and wildlife authorities are concerned that they may soon be facing a new threat from what may be one of meanest-looking of unwelcome guests. The culprit is a particularly troublesome creature called the Snakehead fish, which is able to breath air, allowing it to travel on land to find prey or migrate. Also known by the perhaps more fitting moniker "Fishzilla," the invasive fish has been discovered in parts of Oceania, and it may be only a matter of time until it makes its way to the Australian mainland.

Article continues: Species of Invasive Fish Walk on Land, Climb Trees

Facts — what a concept.

In Germany this month, journalists held a full-fledged convention on the topic of fact-checking, and Regret the Error's coverage is delightful. The main reveal is that the German newsweekly Der Spiegel, co-sponsor of the event, employs dozens of fact-checkers, perhaps more than any other publication in the world and certainly more than any publication in America.

Facts — what a concept. And checking facts — how quaint.

How to invite scrutiny from the IRS

How to invite scrutiny from the IRS

IRS computers have gotten much better at finding omissions on your returns. 

Top ways to trigger an audit 

Also: 

• 7 new tax laws to know
• Your top tax questions
• Overlooked deductions

NY woman gets feds' goat for compensation claim

Full Story

Take note: Selling goats and collecting workers comp don't mix.
An upstate New York woman faces up to five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 after admitting she sold goats while collecting more than $60,000 in workers compensation.
Susan Tansosch pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to making false statements...

Richard Dawkins planning to have Pope Benedict arrested over 'crimes against humanity'

Richard Dawkins is planning to have Pope Benedict XVI arrested when he comes to Britain later this year for "crimes against humanity". Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, the atheist author, are seeking advice from human rights lawyers as to what legal action can be taken against the pope over his alleged cover-up of sexual abuse in the Catholic church.
It emerged this weekend that in 1985 when he was in charge of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which deals with sex abuse cases, the pope signed a letter arguing that the “good of the universal church” should be considered against the defrocking of an American priest who committed sex offenses against two boys.

Dawkin and Hitchens believe he should face criminal proceedings because his "first instinct" was to protect the church rather than the children in its care. They are hoping to exploit the same legal principle used to arrest Augusto Pinochet, the late Chilean dictator, on a Spanish warrant when he visited Britain in 1998. The Pope will be visit London, Glasgow and Coventry, during his time in the UK between September 16 and 19.

“This is a man whose first instinct when his priests are caught with their pants down is to cover up the scandal and damn the young victims to silence," Dawkins, who wrote The God Delusion, said.

“This man is not above or outside the law. The institutionalized concealment of child rape is a crime under any law and demands not private ceremonies of repentance or church-funded payoffs, but justice and punishment," Hitchens, author of God Is Not Great, said.

Their lawyers, barrister Geoffrey Robertson and Mark Stephens, a solicitor, believe they can ask the Crown prosecution Service and that Pope Benedict will not be able to claim diplomatic immunity since he is not the head of a state recognized by the United Nations.

Ivory tower casts shadow over the pope

Ivory tower casts shadow over the pope

The pontiff battles a growing belief that his academic past makes him unfit for his job.  

Management questioned 

Also: 

• Pope arrest threat in UK
• More on Benedict
• Italian abuse victims

Catholic priest and Jehovah's Witnesses have violent altercation

This is why all 'religions' are bad news period!

A Fort Worth Priest says he ended up in the hospital after a fight with Jehovah's Witnesses last week. Jehovah's Witnesses aren't saying much but neighbors say someone isn't telling the truth. The church, Saint Augustine Mexican Catholic Church, is a tiny neighborhood church located on the 46-hundred block of Blackstone Drive.

The priest, Father John Parnell, lives in a house in the back of the church. Tuesday, a car with three Jehovah's Witnesses pulled up to the street. Two of them knocked on Father Parnell's door. Father Parnell's 26 year old daughter answered. Mary Parnell said the Jehovah's Witnesses "talked at her" and that her father "rescued her." But a fight between the Priest and the Jehovah's Witnesses ended up in the street.

Parnell says the fight was so violent, they tore his shirt. "He grabbed it and tore it this way," Father Parnell said. He also said, they beat him until he passed out. "He sat on top of me until I passed out, completely unconscious." Now Farther Parnell says he's out of commission. "I can barely walk. I can't work. I'm going to be able to work for a couple of weeks until I can actually walk."

Harry Dwinell lives down the street from the church. But, he's a Southern Baptist. "I don't have a dog in this hunt." But he was an eyewitness to the fight. "I stood here and watched it happen." Dwinell says it was actually the priest who attacked the Jehovah's Witnesses. Dwinell said, "Rambo down there commenced to beat on them. I saw the first fist thrown. In fact, he was the only one throwing fist. He was in a fighting mode!"

Father Parnell says he's filing charges. But Fort Worth Police, who do not list him as a victim says, he very well could end up as the suspect. "You know who's going to hell. He better say that rosary a whole bunch," Dwinell said.

The Jehovah's Witnesses declined to talk on but said the truth will come out in court. Father Parnell said he plans to file a civil suit.

West Virginians: 1 Wingnut Westboro: 0

From Crooks and Liars:

 

Thanks to Shea Gunther over at Mother Nature Network for putting attention on this. It's always so nice to see the good guys win. The Westboro baptist church thrives on spreading a nice helping of hate around. They sent their minions to West Virginia to let the families of the 29 dead miners know their loved ones died because we're too tolerant of alternative lifestyles. Their website says there are too many catholics in West Virginia, another reason for the protest.

Anyway, watch this video. Seriously, watch the whole thing. I especially love the part where the guy from West Virginia starts quoting bible verses back at them and tells them to "get out". As it rolls on, it's clear the good people of West Virginia have no intention of letting the haters get even a little bit of traction in their state.
But the WBC are an unstable bunch of busy haters. Not only did they head to West Virginia for a harassment fix, but they also deployed to Iowa, where their 6 protesters were met by a group of 500, letting them know that Iowa is a spacious state, but there is no room for haters.
It's so nice to see free speech at work on both sides. While the Phelps family cult depends on indoctrinating children and using them for their evil ends, the good people of Iowa and West Virginia gave their kids an object lesson in meeting evil with good.

In Matters Of Health

In Matters Of Health

What your pharmacist won't tell you

Generic medications are a close match to brand names, but they aren't always the best choice.

13 things to know

Also:

• Generic vs. brand meds
• Trash medication safely
• Prevent medical errors

Threat from 'outrageous' accident averted

Threat from 'outrageous' accident averted

Australia feared an environmental crisis from a huge ship that struck the Great Barrier Reef nine days ago.

Details 

Also: 

• On course for sail record
• Find maritime careers
• Oil spill in La. refuge

Hidden costs of homeownership

12 hidden costs of homeownership

Be sure you set aside money to pay for all of the expenses of owning a house.

Mortgage is just the beginning 

Also: 

• Why remodeling is trendy
• What not to buy in bulk
• Homeowner tax breaks

So Long Suburbia

Image by Ian Duke

The boundless growth of suburban sprawl in the US, long blamed for everything from climate change to social segregation, may finally be slowing down. According to a new study by the EPA, new construction in the urban cores and older suburbs of American cities is beginning to catch up with the pace of home construction in the suburbs. Is this the beginning of the end of suburbia as we know it?

Article continues: So Long Suburbia: Construction in US Cities Shifting Back to Urban Core

Lunatic Fringe

Lunatic Fringe 

A Surge of Hate

Full Story

This is a season, or perhaps an era, when politics seem more intense than usual, and the domestic extremist threat seems more real. Partisan disputes are rarely pretty, but lately they have taken a particularly ugly, menacing turn. Last week the FBI arrested individuals for making death threats against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Patty Murray of Washington for their votes on health-care reform. A series of expletive-strewn voice-mail messages left for Senator Murray were particularly creepy: "You're gonna have a target on your back for the rest of your life," the caller warned. "How long do you think you can hide?"

Liars and Fools

Michele Bachmann (retard-Minnesota) says that America needs nuclear weapons to deter cyber attacks.

Oh, my, yes - for the inner tubes - by all means! Damn that bitch is so batshit crazy even those who are institutionalized insane think she's crazy.

John Fleming (reject-Louisiana) accuses President Obama of treason.

Said the traitor trying to cast off the spotlight ...

Faux's Glen Brick promotes theocracy and interviews speaker from Neo-Nazi rallies.

Damn, never thought we'd miss the days of Swill O'Really spewing ignorance and hatred, but ...

Faux's Glenn Brick renews attack on Obama's family, friends, and advisers as Marxists, communists, Maoists.

Again, learn what those terms actually mean please.

Newt Gingrich (reptile-Georgia) lying says Obama is "the most radical president in American history".

Nope that'd be George Washington as he was the first in a radical new nation succeeding presidents have been less and less radical in relation to the less and less 'radical' the nation became over time.

Lush Dimbulb lying says Obama "does not like this country very much" and "he is seeking his revenge".

It's the syphilis, folks, it's the syphilis ... 

Lush Dimbulb lying says Obama is "Dr. Kevorkian" and nation is "being administered statist-assisted suicide".

 More syphilis talk - that and desire for that young boy in the Donimican Republic that he 'loved' so much the last time he was there.

Governor Bob McDonnell (R-Virginia) panders to the racist neo-Confederate crowd.

Not exactly - Confederate History Month is well over 100 years old

Faux's Glenn Beck says he's been "targeted by those who are in the Oval Office with the president".

No, that'd be his own demented 'fans'.

Lush Dimbulb lying says "Basically, America is a crime in Obama's view".

Talking into the mirror again I see Lush ol'boy.

Pete Hoekstra (retard-Michigan) says President Obama is guilty of "appeasement" toward Iran. 

Here again, someone hasn't a clue as to the meaning of a term they are bandying about. 

Faux's Glen Brick, apparently is confused about what net neutrality is, says it's a prelude to "hostile takeover" of America.

Hell, he's just confused period.

Newt Gingrich (reptile-Georgia) blows the racist dog whistle.

Yeah, and ...

News to them ...

Vanity Fair contributing editor Michael Lewis was a guest speaker for the Republican House members' book club, and explained the details of the ongoing financial collapse to numerous members of Congress.
According to Lewis, everything he told these repugican Congresscritters was, basically, news to them.
“I was supposed to be there for an hour,” says Lewis. “I was there for almost three. And nobody left. And their questions were increasingly: ‘Oh my God, Goldman Sachs did what? A.I.G. did what?’ They didn’t understand it ... The minute they started to understand, they were outraged. And I think the more things are explained, the more outraged people will get.”

The Recession - experts say, 'For the record, this recession isn’t over yet.'

The unemployment rate is 9.7%, yet repugicans on Capitol Hill continue to block unemployment benefits. The major financial institutions are up to their same old tricks (and making huge profits), yet Senate repugicans are planning a strategy to derail financial reform. They're still playing games with the economy that they helped to ruin. As the repugicans keep playing politics, we get word from the experts on recessions that this one isn't over:

For the record, this recession isn’t over yet.

A committee of economists, charged with determining the official turning points in the nation’s business cycles, certifies the beginnings and ends of recessions. But this time, the committee members say, the evidence is not so easy to decipher.

The committee plans to announce on Monday that it cannot yet declare an end to the recession that began in December 2007, several members indicated on Sunday. Such an acknowledgment is rare in the history of setting dates to business cycles and could affect the behavior of investors and consumers.

Despite a recent uptick in employment and income, the decision of the committee at a meeting on Friday reflects a lingering worry that the economy could turn downward again in a so-called double-dip recession.

Most of us are ready for this recession to be over. But, for Repugicans, they think dragging it out helps their electoral prospects in 2010.

All Aboout cars

The worst-made cars on the road

These new models received the lowest ratings in several independent studies.  

One automaker dominates list 

Also: 

• Look for a new car now
• N.Y. Auto Show highlights
• Most dependable cars

The three best times to buy a new car

You'll find the best prices by knowing the right moment to hit the dealership.  

The absolute best day all year 

Also: 

• Last of the Hummers going
• How dealers make money
• Best car incentives

It's The Economy Stupid

It's The Economy Stupid

One move that can doom your credit

If you carry a high balance on just one credit card, your overall score will suffer. 

What percentage to stay below 

Also: 

• New rules for high scores
• Beat credit card troubles
• Boost your FICO score

Five new approaches for finding a job

Putting a new twist on old job-hunting methods may be the ticket to getting hired.  

Revise your interview prep 

Also: 

• After a recruiter says no
• Five helpful career books
• Job networking tips

Slash grocery bills and still eat well

Slash grocery bills and still eat well

These frugal secrets can help you stock your cart with nutritious foods for less money.  

Be picky about protein 

Also: 

• Find grocery coupons
• How to organize bills
• Money-saving tips

And I Quote

If you are gonna kick society in the teeth, you might as well use both feet.

~ Keith Richards

Blue Ridge Mountains

Fleet Foxes - Live on Letterman

Toxic Chemicals Make Beautiful, Haunting Art

"What breath of fresh air" by Algis Kemezys

Photographer, filmmaker, and sculptor Algis Kemezys was inspired to make a series of surreally altered pieces of environmental art by an incident that would have left many people too bereft to have done much at all: a catastrophic fire that burned down his family home and destroyed much of his previous work.

Article continues: Toxic Chemicals Make Beautiful, Haunting Art

Odds and Sods

Odds and Sods

U.S. Rep Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, walked in on an Orange County repugican Executive Committee meeting Thursday night at a Perkins restaurant and got into a confrontation with county mayoral candidate Matthew Falconer, a tense face-off caught by a couple of cell phone cameras.

In Cop News

Arizona family sues after seizure-prone inmate dies of brain hemorrhage when famed nutball sheriff denies access to medicine or medical help

Innocent victim of cop's fatal drunk driving wreck is jailed for two months in cover-up

Charges dropped and lawsuit filed after victim (who's a cop) obtains video of his arrest, vividly contradicting arresting officer's report

High-ranking North Carolina cop is placed on paid leave for ... police officials won't say for what

Massachusetts man charged with illegal wiretapping for videotaping cops on public road

Florida deputy fired after kidnap plot accusation

Arizona police detective accused of illegally accessing database

California cop is placed on paid leave as he's indicted after a years-long FBI investigation into abuse of suspects

ATF agent apparently kills wife, self in Arizona