The Daily Drift

The Daily Drift

Today's horoscope says:

Whoa -- you need to slow down a bit! 

You are moving faster than you realize, and you're in danger of getting a citation from the person you're closest to in life. 

It seems as though you're leaving people in the dust -- and not even noticing that they're getting smaller and smaller in your rearview mirror. 

Today you should stop, turn around and make your way back to them. 

They won't wait much longer. 

Make your reunion sweet and full of contrition.

Some of our readers today have been in: 

Cairo, Al Qahirah, Egypt
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
London, England, United Kingdom
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Paris, Ile-De-France, France
Luala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
Newbury, England, United Kingdom
Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Annecy, Rhone-Alpes, France
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Prague, Hlavni Mesto Praha, Czech Republic
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Moscow, Moskva, Russia
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark
Gengenbach, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
Nice, Provence-Alpes-Cote D'Azur, France
Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

as well as Slovakia, Malta, Bulgaria, Israel, Finland, Austria, Norway, Georgia, Mexico, Peru, Kuwait, Serbia, Bangladesh, Latvia, Greece, Scotland, Hong Kong, Denmark, Wales, Iran, Singapore, Poland, Taiwan, Sweden, Afghanistan, Belgium, Tibet, Croatia, Pakistan, Romania, Paraguay, Sudan, Vietnam, Argentina, Cambodia, Egypt, France, Estonia, Puerto Rico, Maldives, Qatar, Brazil, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Slovenia, China, Iraq, Ecuador, Nigeria, Colombia, Chile, Honduras, Paupa New Guinea, Moldova, Venezuela, Germany, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Czech Republic, Vietnam, Norway, Finland

and in cities across the United States such as New Palestine, Caledonia, Glen Burnie, Osage City and more.

Today is:

Today is Thursday, September 1, the 244th day of 2011.

There are 121 days left in the year.

Today's unusual holidays or celebrations are:

Chicken Boy's Day,
Emma M. Nutt Day
and
National No Rhyme (Nor Reason) Day.

  

Don't forget to visit our sister blog!

Non Sequitur

Tough ruling for kid's $50K shot

Tough ruling for kid who hit miracle shot

Weeks after 11-year-old Nate Smith thought he had won $50K, his family gets bad news.  

 Official decision 

Also: 

• Key player could be done
• Stanley Cup dented
• Play Fantasy Hockey

Thorough Thursday

Meet the new crooks - same as the old crooks.

Teabaggers on the take

Freshman more corrupt than ever

Several House freshmen teabaggers who swept into power vowing to change Washington's ways are pushing legislation that could benefit some of their most generous campaign contributors.

Stephen Fincher, a cotton farmer Tennessee, introduced a bill to mandate swift federal approval of genetically modified crops for sale. Fincher has received more campaign money from agribusiness than any other industry.

Two months after he filed the bill, Minnesota's Land O'Lakes' staged a $500-a-head fundraiser to benefit the crook's re-election campaign. Land o' Lakes spent $740,000 on lobbying last year.

Other 'baggers who have crafted crooked legislation include  Paul Gosar, reptile-Ariz. Duffy, who gets a significant portion of his campaign funds from financial services companies, is the lead sponsor of a measure that would dilute the powers of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Gosar would end health insurance companies' protection from anti-trust provisions, a step applauded by health professionals who donated nearly $74,000 to his campaign in the first six months of this year.

Meet the new crooks - same as the old crooks. 

Full Story

Hey, if it fits

The extremely remote possibility of a Rick Perry presidency firing up liberal base of Democratic Party

John Aravosis writes:

Oh I don't know, I think it'd be funny as hell if Rick Perry became the next Ken Mehlman - i.e., secret gay plant at the highest reaches of the party. Remember, Melhman assured the right that he wasn't gay as well, and look what that got them. I'm just amazed that they have no qualms about Perry, after all the rather detailed rumors. This gay activist says "bring that girl on!"

More from Ben Smith

And while conservatives enjoy Perry’s ability to enrage their liberal foes, some Democratic strategists have also welcomed his emergence.

“Whether he’s the nominee or not, he absolutely helps fire up our base,” said Jennifer Palmieri, the vice president for communications at the liberal Center for American Progress. “To the degree to which progressives are disaffected and unenthusiastic – this is their ‘holy shit’ moment.”

Clinton strategist James Carville, however, said Perry remains his second choice.

“Actually we’d all prefer Michele Bachmann,” he said.

No repugican has even the faintest hope of being elected (and they know it) nor have they the minutest chance of stealing another election as they did in 2000 and 2004 (again they know it) so they are trying to divert attention from those facts but as always it ain't working - America has awoken from her stupor and the repugicans don't like it.

The 'tea party' in bitter feud

From the "Well, what did you expect - when you let a group of insane people gather?" Department:

Mitt Romney sparks bitter political feud

A tea party faction plans to protest the presidential candidate's appearance in New Hampshire. 

Reason for split 

Also: 

• Romney not panicking yet
• Flap over Obama's speech
• Palin fuels speculation

Some people never learn

Cooking secrets from chefs

What home cooks can learn from chefs

Instead of boiling corn, one trick adds a great caramelized flavor to roasted cobs.

  How to avoid burnt garlic 

Also: 

• Best one-dish wonders
• Lighter mac 'n' cheese
• 7 swaps for weight loss

The 1,690-calorie sandwich

Restaurant unveils 1,690-calorie sandwich

One chain now offers a meal that may make even the most gluttonous eaters think twice.

Extra cheese will cost you 

Also: 

• Fast food calories
• Healthy mac 'n' cheese
• Salt's hidden danger

Awesome Pictures

U.S. newborn death rate #41 in world

Who would have guessed that Malaysia, Poland and Lithuania had such fantastic health care? After all, we all know the U.S., has the best of everything. We know this because our political leadership tells us this every day whenever reforms are discussed. How is it possible to be better than number one?

Babies in the United States have a higher risk of dying during their first month of life than do babies born in 40 other countries, according to a new report.

Some of the countries that outrank the United States in terms of newborn death risk are South Korea, Cuba, Malaysia, Lithuania, Poland and Israel, according to the study.

Researchers at the World Health Organization estimated the number of newborn deaths and newborn mortality rates of more than 200 countries over the last 20 years.

Habits that prevent cancer

Simple habits that reduce cancer risks

Drink filtered water, and plenty of it, to minimize your exposure to carcinogens.   

Choose an experienced doctor 

Also: 

• New smoking danger
• Embarrassing health Qs
• Easy health tweaks

Depression signs in men

Signs of depression in men

Men are more likely than women to report fatigue and other physical symptoms. 

  Backache, too 

Also: 

• More Americans have gout
• Facts on bipolar disorder
• Five easy memory aids

Lack Of Sleep Can Cause High Blood Pressure

A study of older men published Monday found that those who got the least amount of deep sleep were 80% more likely to develop high blood pressure, compared to those who got longer, less interrupted sleep.

Full Story

The Science Of Sleeping

What goes on in your mind when you're in bed? When you sleep your body rests and restores itself. However, sleep is an active state that affects both your physical and mental well-being. Sleeping is a natural cycle of activity in the brain and consists of two basic states: rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep, which consists of four stages.

Listen, Doc!

The patient didn't have any obvious symptoms, but the distraught patient insisted on an examination. He told the doctor to listen to his leg!
The doctor cautiously placed his ear to the man's thigh only to hear, "Gimme 20 bucks, I really need 20 bucks."

"I've never seen or heard anything like this before, how long has this been going on?" The doctor asked.

"That's nothing Doc. Put your ear to my knee."

The doctor put his ear to the man's knee and heard it say "Man, I really need 10 dollars, just lend me 10 bucks!!"

"Sir, I really don't know what to tell you. I've never seen anything like this." The doctor was dumbfounded.

"Wait Doc, that's not it. There's more, just put your ear up to my ankle," the man urged him.

The doctor did as the man said and was blown away to hear his ankle plead, "Please, I just need 5 dollars. Lend me 5 bucks, just 5 bucks. PLEASE, if you will."

"I have no idea what to tell you," the doctor said. "There's nothing about it in my books," he said as he frantically searched all his medical reference books. "I can make a well educated guess though. Based on life and all my previous experience I can tell you that your leg seems to be broke in three places."

Man finds $150K in backyard

Jobless man finds $150,000 in garden

Wayne Sabaj makes an unexpected discovery while going to pick broccoli for dinner.  

 Why he didn't keep the money 

Also: 

• Robbery nets seven cents
• Diamond may fetch $8M
• Pentagon's wasted billions

U.S. wasted billions in wars

Report: U.S. wars wasted up to $60 billion

Investigators say the fraud and waste in Iraq and Afghanistan will be repeated without big changes.

Solutions 

Also: 

• Petraeus retires uniform
• Afghans want U.S. troops
• Pakistan bombing kills 10

Surprising news on CEO pay

Surprising news about steep CEO pay

Comparing the salaries of America's top execs with their firms' tax bills produces an intriguing result.  

 Details 

Also: 

• World's top billionaires
• Most powerful women
• Who IRS is targeting

Big goofs of career changers

Worst mistakes career changers make

You may be in for a rude surprise if you're not careful before switching fields.

Leaping before you look 

Also: 

• Interview snap judgments
• Coping with unemployment
• Happy with part-time work

Seagal police raid uproar

Uproar over Steven Seagal police raid

An Arizona man says the actor was part of a team that brought a tank and riot gear to his house.  

Lawsuit threatened 

Also: 

• More on Steven Seagal
• Anthony on Lopez split
• O'Neill's Hollywood star

Space tourist's amazing photos

Space tourist takes amazing Earth photos

The founder of Cirque du Soleil spends 11 days circling the planet and capturing unique shots. 

From Arizona to Tibet 

Also: 

• Star defies theories
• Black holes collide
• Asteroid exploration

Living large in log cabins

Living large in luxury log cabins

Abraham Lincoln would be amazed by supersized houses like these.  

 Roughing it with 20,000 square feet 

Also: 

• Homebuyer anxiety grows
• Choosing a neighborhood
• Make your kitchen greener

Woman faces drunk driving charges after beer pours out of glove compartment

A woman was arrested on drunken driving charges for the second time in six months after an officer noticed beer pouring out of the glove compartment of her car, police said.

The woman said the beer was a gift from a friend for completing a court-ordered alcohol-treatment program after her first arrest, police said. She told the arresting officers she shoved it in the glove box when she saw the blue flashing lights behind her.

Arrested was KAitlin M. Rymaszewski, 22, of 1182 Nantasket Ave in Hull. Rymaszewski was accused of drunken driving in March, but a judge continued the case without a finding in April and ordered her into the alcoholic treatment program.

She was arrested again on Friday night in Hingham and was arraigned Monday in Hingham District Court. She id due back in court on Sept. 26 on charges of second-offence drunken driving, driving to endanger, driving with an open container of alcohol, speeding and violating marked lanes.

Ridiculous Propaganda Campaigns

Have you ever been told that eating carrots will improve your eye sight? Then congratulations, you’ve just been fed propaganda from a very successful, but very silly British propaganda campaign.

During the Battle of Britain, the Germans started noticing that a bunch of their planes were getting shot down in instances where the British shouldn’t have seen them coming. It was almost like they had some sort of radio device that could detect the presence of incoming objects — actually, it was exactly that: Britain had perfected the radar and didn’t tell anyone about it. Obviously the Brits couldn’t let the Germans know they had access to this new technology…British papers published a story about a RAF pilot called John “Cat Eyes” Cunningham who had shot down 20 enemy planes thanks to his superhuman night vision, an ability he achieved by eating lots of carrots.

While carrots are good for your eyes, they can’t actually improve your eyesight and they certainly can’t give you night vision. Even so, many people still believe that munching them down like Bugs Bunny will help them get rid of their glasses all because of a propaganda campaign.

Full Story

Quirky roadside attractions

America's quirkiest roadside attractions

These kitschy outposts offer photo ops with a giant jackalope, even Miss Piggy.

  A 275,000-ear homage to corn 

Also: 

• More odd attractions
• Favorite regional foods
• Top 24-hour hot spots

Ziggy

The Most Terrifying Pirates In History

Most of us know about Black Beard, but the pirates with the really ruthless reputations tend to be the ones ignored in pop culture -because who want to idolize creepy, blood-thirsty monsters. For those of you interested in the dark side of history, you’ll certainly enjoy this great Cracked article featuring the most terrifying pirates ever.

Full Story

The Nacirema Tribe of North America

While we’ve all heard of the Cherokee and Navajo tribes, much less attention has been given to the Nacirema band of Native Americans, despite their fascinating culture that included ritually:

“scraping and lacerating the surface of the face with a sharp instrument” and another ritual that “consists of inserting a small bundle of hog hairs into the mouth, along with certain magical powders, and then moving the bundle in a highly formalized series of gestures.”

If you think those behaviors sound weird, you might want to consider that Nacirema is actually just American spelled backwards and the whole matter was just a spoof on American customs. It’s one of many great scientific hoaxes you can learn about in this great Science article.

Full Story

B.C.

Tracing Poacher Hunters In The Congo

You probably already know about the devastating poaching trade in the Congo, but Environmental Graffiti has a great slideshow presenting a fascinating look at the tale from an entirely new point of view -that of the park rangers fighting the poachers on a day to day basis. Their jobs are deadly and the pay is practically nothing, but their love of animals keeps them working to stop the slaughter. Be warned, many of the images are extremely graphic.

Full Story

Quest for the deadliest animals

Adventurer stalks the 60 deadliest animals

Steve Backshall's fearless mission is to come face to face with powerful and poisonous predators.  

His closest calls 

Also: 

• Snake found in helmet
• Elephant safety rules
• Tale of 'Stinky' the whale

The Creepiest Methods Of Animal Mind Control

While governments across the globe have been trying to figure out how to control the minds of their enemies for centuries, this practice is already possible in the animal kingdom. In fact, Cracked has a list of 5 incredibly creepy methods of animal mind control that are going on right now.

Full Story

The 20 Most Colorful Lizards on Earth

Who knew lizards came in so many different colors? While most animals are happy to take on the colors of their environment for camouflage purposes, different species of lizards dress in colors designed to stand out from the crowd during mating season. Luckily, photographers see them as well.
See 20 different colorful lizards posing for their pictures at Environmental Graffiti.

The Smallest Frog In The World

The smallest frog in the world is the Monte Iberia Eleuth (Eleutherodactylus iberia). It was first discovered in 1996 on Mount Iberia, from which the animal gets its name, and exists in only two small regions of Cuba. Much remains unknown about this small creature.

YouTube link

Sun Angel Of Africa

The Meerkat

   

image credit

The Meerkat - if any species of animal had a right to be a little irritated by the name we have gifted them, this is one. Of course, they are blithely unaware of any names we might choose to call them, but this small mammal from the heart of Africa is anything but a mere cat.

There are many interesting facts about meerkats but it is not any form of cat, even though you could be forgiven for thinking it was some sort of distant relative. In fact the word comes from Afrikaans (which is a form of Dutch) and the animal was given the name because of a misidentification. 'Kat' is indeed Dutch for cat and the word 'meer' means lake.

Dog found on top of Mount Kilimanjaro

Four tourists on a mission to scale Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro were treated to a rare sight on Tuesday as they reached the peak of Africa's highest mountain: a dog. The sighting has puzzled animal scientists and locals alike with questions raised on how it has managed to survive freezing temperatures.

The dog was spotted at Uhuru peak within an area situated between 5,730 and 5,895 meters above sea level and temperatures of between minus 4 and 15 degrees centigrade. One of the tourists, Antoine le Galloudec, who was accompanied by his three colleagues Kristina Meese, Irina Manoliv and Monique Indino, took a picture of the dog using his cell phone. Galloudec said he spotted the dog as he was relieving himself.

“As I was relieving myself I saw the dog lying some one meter away from where I stood on a rock,” he said. He added that he was puzzled and later took his phone and photographed the animal. “When the tourists showed us the picture of the dog we could not believe. How did it survive in such freezing cold and what was it eating,” said Mr Edward.

A specialist veterinarian Dr Wilfred Marealle said it was common for a dog to live in cold weather but it was unusual for the animal to climb to the top of such mountain. "A dog climbing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro is not something common. The dog might be a rabid dog,” said Dr Marealle and cautioned people to stay away from it.

Animal Pictures