The Daily Drift

The Daily Drift

Today's horoscope says:
You're all set for a sweetly romantic evening -- and if you're lucky, that energy could last for the next 48 hours.
You likely find that your companion needs a serious heart-to-heart conversation -- but it can't ruin the mood. Once you've decided where you are and where you're going, you should probably end up being a lot closer than you were to start with.

Some of our readers today have been in:

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Rome, Lazio, Italy

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Bourges, Centre, France

Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia

Oldenburg, Niedersachsen, Germany

Bremen, Bremen, Germany

Quebec, Quebec, Canada

Caracas, Distrito Federal, Venezuela

Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Paris, Ile-De-France, France

Cairo, Al Qahirah, Egypt

Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

Poznan, Wielkopolskie, Poland

Coffs Harbor, New South Wales, Australia

Lucca, Toscana, Italy

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark

as well as Sweden, Colombia, Scotland, Brazil, and the United States in such cities as Argyle, Chesnut Hill, Swansea, Redwood City and more

Today is Monday, May 17, the 137th day of 2010.

There are 228 days left in the year.

Today In History May 17

There are no unusual holidays or celebrations today.

As The World Turns

As The World Turns

Ex-candidate's disappearance rattles Mexico

The mysterious disappearance of a former presidential candidate is stoking fear in Mexico that nobody may be safe from relentless kidnapping and rampant drug violence.

Full story

Brazil fire burns huge collection of dead snakes

A fire in Brazil destroyed what may be the world's largest scientific collection of dead snakes, spiders and scorpions that served as the main source for research on many species, scientists said Sunday. 

Desmond Tutu blasts corruption in government

While his focus was on the government of South Africa his points could be said for many governments rife with corruption

He also had some very positive remarks as well including the country staying together following the murder of the white supremacist Eugene Terre'Blanche. The bulk of his criticism was probably aimed at the shamed ANC Youth leader Julius Malema who is eager to stoke racial hatreds and divides. If South Africa ever falls into the hands of Malema or anyone like him, it's game over and another Zimbabwe.

The world needs a lot more like Desmond Tutu.

Expanding on this, Tutu wrote: "Issues such as corruption would certainly hurt him, as well as the gutter level of discourse by some politicians within the ruling party. We naively thought struggle attributes such as altruism were transferable, but sadly this was not the case, as seen by the high level of corruption that has plagued us since we gained our democracy."

The 78-year-old continued: "Poverty, health issues such as HIV and Aids, inadequate service delivery and lack of balanced discourse are some of the issues that would worry Mandela. One would have imagined that in our old age, we would sit back and watch the younger generation making a go of turning South Africa into a pride."

The remarks could be seen as a swipe at Julius Malema, president of the African National Congress youth wing, who faced a party disciplinary hearing over his recent behavior. Malema has hurled personal abuse at opponents, been convicted by a court of hate speech, and called a BBC journalist a "bastard" and "bloody agent". He has also been accused of using his connections for financial gain.

Heavy metal legend passes away

Heavy metal legend passes away

Ronnie James Dio, who replaced Ozzy Osbourne as the lead singer of Black Sabbath, has died. 

He was 67 

Also: 

• Ronnie James Dio
• Brett Michaels' return
• Marvin Gaye biopic set?

Closing Time

Semisonic

Scientific Minds Want To Know

Scientific Minds Want To Know

Scientists in Indonesia accidentally found rare species of long-nosed frog

New type of frog finds scientists  

Finding a new animal species is a special moment for scientists and even better when one hops into their mountain camp in Indonesia and volunteers to be discovered.

On The Job

On The Job

Sure ways to demean your employees

These insulting leadership practices virtually guarantee that workers will be uninspired.  

Keep them in the dark 

Also: 

• 'Frenemies' at your work
• What management notices
• Traits of good bosses

World Cup official quits after secret taping

World Cup official quits after secret taping

A top official with England is caught on tape accusing rival countries of bribery.  

'Never intended to be taken seriously' 

Also: 

• Beckham could sink U.S.
• Why U.S. should host cup
• Find World Cup jerseys

Lizards May Go Extinct Over Warming

photo via flickr

They may be the last creatures that one would think would be affected by rising global temperatures, but a new study finds that lizards are threatened, and many species may go extinct, if current warming trends continue. The study appears in the journal Science, and it's yet another reminder that there will be unexpected consequences to global climate change.

Article continues: Lizards May Go Extinct Over Warming

Synthetic 'Pot' Sold Legally In Central Florida

You've seen the growhouse arrests and marijuana seized by law enforcement over and over again across Central Florida, but a new synthetic form of pot is being sold legally and experts said it's stronger and more dangerous than the real thing.

Full story

Police use Internet trick to lure fugitives

Police use Internet trick to lure fugitives

Play Video

Go to Video

A site promising cash and amnesty draws in dozens of parole violators for arrest.

A new kind of bait and switch 

Also: 

• Busted through Facebook
• High-tech crime fighting
• Prison census debate

It's Only The Environment After All

It's Only The Environment After All

First step to stopping the gulf oil spill?

BP says its cleanup crew has begun to pump some oil into a tanker ship. 

Dire warning about plumes 

Also: 

• Photos from Gulf Coast
• Inspections fell short
• Environmental disasters

Gulf oil leak may spread up East Coast

Play Video

Go to Video

Experts fear the spill could reach a major ocean current, sending oil through the Florida Keys.

Giant tube's impact 

Also: 

• Danger to deep-sea reefs
• Stars at 'Gulf Aid' concert
• How dispersants work

NOAA: Tarballs found on beaches from Galveston to Florida

The most disturbing part of the story is that they're not all from the latest oil rig leak. 

Where are the others from?

Gulf Oil May Be Spreading into Major Current

Cheney's Chernobyl is getting worse by the second

BP said Monday it was siphoning more than one-fifth of the oil that has been spewing into the Gulf for almost a month, as worries escalated that the ooze may reach a major ocean current that could carry it through the Florida Keys and up the East Coast.

Full story

Do I give a damn what wingnuts and religo-fascists think or how they feel?

Hum, let's see:

Lunatic Fringe

Lunatic Fringe

Arizona, it's different for white people

'Family Values' Weaken Families

National Journal Magazine - Do 'Family Values' Weaken Families? The standard "Red State" formula of early marriage due to failed/no birth control used to make blue-collar man and women out of boys an girls.

Traditional values are impoverishing fecund Red Staters, who take it out on successful Blue Staters

Rank hypocrisy

Typical repugican!

Governor's bill for rental home stirs outrage

As Texas faces an $11 billion shortfall, Rick Perry's luxury lifestyle spurs claims of "rank hypocrisy." 

Cost per month 

Also: 

• More on Rick Perry
• Palin helps Ariz. governor
• Parties face backlash

Ziggy

What the cool kids are doing, and it's nuts...

This explains why the 'cool' kids aren't.

Even as drunken student antics go, it was, by any stretch of the imagination, a disturbing scene. Surrounded by cheering rugby players, applauded by fellow members of the university netball team, 19-year-old Melissa Fontaine tipped back her head and giggled as fellow drinkers in the Students' Union bar pulled apart her eyelids and allowed them to pour a shot of vodka into her left eye.
'Vodka eyeballing', as it is known in student circles, is the latest drinking craze to sweep through Britain's universities.
Those who do it claim that it induces feelings of drunkenness at break-neck speeds, providing an instant high.

Full Story

Culinary DeLites

Culinary DeLites

Why chocolate milk can be good for you

Each serving has nutrients that can help melt body flab and replace it with firm muscle.

How much to drink 

Also: 

• Foods that fight fat
• Choosing supplements
• Vitamin D deficiency

NJ college valedictorian proposes to boyfriend

Full story

A New Jersey college valedictorian had a special graduation gift for her boyfriend - a wedding proposal, which he accepted.

Obesity, a chemical reaction?

Studies are showing increasing evidence there may be a link between certain chemicals and obesity. a new study found overweight young girls had significantly higher levels of phthalates than the general population of children. phthalates are found in plastics and can be hormone disruptors.

Obesity, a chemical reaction?

Driving like crazy

What to do in dangerous driving situations

Do you know how to react if a vehicle is heading straight toward you in your lane?

Safety tips for the road 

Also: 

• Best time to buy a car
• Top green cars
• Change a flat tire

Play Video

Go to Video

Texting teen drivers get taste of danger

Several states hope an obstacle course will curb cell use among teens while driving.  

Errors increase 400 percent 

Also:

• States with texting bans
• Worst U.S. driving city
• Nighttime driving risks

Leave it to the Irish

Paddy and Murphy have traveled to the land where the streets are paved with gold, only to find they'll still have to work to make a living.
They find a job, painting the white line in the middle of the road.
Three days later, the boss wants to speak to them; "I don't understand what is wrong with you, the first day you did an excellent job, you painted 10 miles, the next day just five and today only a few hundred meters. Give me a good reason not to fire you both!"
"That's easy,"" says Paddy, "the walk back to the tin of paint takes longer and longer each day."

Shoe

Family travel 10,000 miles to view Britain's most remote pub

Faced with relentless sunshine, overwhelming natural beauty and a perma-tanned population, it is little wonder that one adventurous Californian family wanted to escape to remotest Scotland. The family sailed off on a 10,000-mile round trip to view mainland Britain's remotest pub, which has been put up for sale, according to agents selling the business.

The Old Forge on the Knoydart peninsula in northern Scotland is not your average local. Reachable only by boat, or an 18-mile hike over 1,000-metre hills, the pub has won accolades for being one of the most beautiful – if out-of-the-way – drinking establishments in the country.

The pub, in the village of Inverie, is 45 minutes away by ferry from Mallaig or 20 minutes by a daily water taxi, but since being put on the market by its owners – who, one suspects, may be looking for a quieter life – it has received no shortage of offers from would-be publicans willing to pay the £790,000 asking price.

Agents Knight Frank, said that there are five "serious" potential bidders including from a family in Montreal, Canada, and others from Edinburgh, Oban, London, and New Zealand. Apparently tired of California's non-stop sunshine, the family, who are originally from the UK, are looking to return to Britain to start a business that offers both profit and "lifestyle choice", he added.

"What has attracted them to The Old Forge is their love of sailing. They have looked at the business as customers and also looked at the surrounding area of Mallaig and Oban to get a feel for the yachting that the area offers." Despite the obvious scarcity of customers – the pub serves a community of around 115 – the Old Forge is an attractive business proposition, with six-figure profits, according to agents. The pub and restaurant is on the main sailing route to Skye, the Outer Hebrides and the Small Isles and attracts yachtsmen, hillwalkers and tourists throughout the year.

"The first serious, secure offer over the asking price is likely to be accepted," said David Reid at Knight Frank. "No formal offers have yet been made but we have serious interest from five parties at the moment, including the family from California. We also have a family from Canada who want to come and view as well as those in Europe. We have also had inquiries from all over the UK."