CAROLINA NATURALLY: Dec 25, 2015

Friday, December 25, 2015

The Daily Drift

Welcome to Today's Edition of Carolina Naturally.

Our twenty-fifth Xmas Tree of the month ...!

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Merry Xmas ... !

Today is - Xmas

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Today in Hstory

376		In Milan, Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan, forces the emperor Theodosius to perform public penance for his massacre.
800		The pope crowns Charlemagne emperor in Rome.
1066		William I is crowned king of England.
1621		The governor of New Plymouth prevents newcomers from playing cards.
1651		The General Court of Boston levies a five shilling fine on anyone caught “observing any such day as Xmas.”
1776		Patriot General George Washington crosses the Delaware River with 5,400 troops during the American Revolution. Washington hoped to surprise a Hessian force celebrating Xmas at their winter quarters in Trenton, New Jersey.
1861		Stonewall Jackson spends Xmas with his wife; their last together.
1862		John Hunt Morgan and his raiders clash with Union forces near Bear Wallow, Kentucky.
1862		President and Mrs. Lincoln visit hospitals in the Washington D.C. area on this Xmas Day.
1912		Italy lands troops in Albania to protect its interests during a revolt there.
1914		German and British troops on the Western Front declare an unofficial truce to celebrate Xmas during World War I.
1918		A revolt erupts in Berlin.
1925		U.S. troops in Nicaragua disarm insurgents in support of the Diaz regime.
1927		The Mexican congress opens land to foreign investors, reversing the 1917 ban enacted to preserve the domestic economy.
1939		Finnish troops enter Soviet territory.
1941		Free French troops occupy the French Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon off the Canadian coast.
1944		Prime Minister Winston Churchill goes to Athens to seek an end to the Greek civil war.
1946		Chiang Kai-shek offers a new Chinese constitution in Nanking pledging universal suffrage.
1950		Scottish nationalists steal the Stone of Scone from the British coronation throne in Westminster Abbey. The 485 pound stone was recovered in April 1951.
1962		The Bay of Pigs captives, upon their return to the United States, vow to return to Cuba and topple Fidel Castro.
1965		Entertainer Chris Noel gives her first performance for the USO at two hospitals in California; became a star on Armed Forces Radio and Television, entertaining troops in Vietnam; in 1984 Veterans Network honored her with a Distinguished Vietnam Veteran award.
1973		U.S. astronauts onboard the Skylab space station take a seven-hour walk in space and photograph the comet Kohoutek.
1976		Over 100 Muslims, returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca, die when their boat sinks.
1979		Egypt begins major restoration of the Sphinx.
1991		Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet Union’s first and last executive president, resigns. The Soviet Union no longer exsists.
2006		James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul”, dies at age 73.

Do you have anything like this in your attic?

Greenwich Time explains what it is:

Brendan Ryan... recently visited the home of a Greenwich woman who was looking to sell some belongings, when his eyes lit on a yellowing sheet of music behind glass, stippled with notes. More than just a musical composition, the sheet was ferociously dotted with German words, directions and symbols that practically flew off the page with manic intensity...

The sheet music went from being a curio in a Greenwich home to a $100,000 windfall when it sold at auction last month. For music scholars, it’s become an exciting addition to the Beethoven canon...
Another detail that confirmed the sheet work’s authenticity were three small holes on the side of the paper. The holes match up exactly with known samples from the sketchbook in Bonn, Germany. Beethoven threaded pages of the sketchbook together himself with a needle and some twine.
The sketchbook had some 30 pages of lined paper in it, and it was with this pad that Beethoven, age 40, began work on “King Stephen.” It was a rush job — done in two weeks — to write incidental music for a ceremonial theater piece honoring the founder of Hungary, tied to the opening of a new concert hall in that nation’s capital city. Beethoven was at a spa in 1810 when he wrote the work.
It’s unclear what happened to the sketchbook after Beethoven’s death in 1827. At some point, it was broken up and cut into pieces and sold in portions to admirers. A few snippets have turned up in fragmentary form.

Where the Wild Books Are

Finding and collecting rare books takes specialized knowledge. We all have an attic full of old books, because books are hard to let go of. But the ones that are worth big bucks are the rare ones, and they are quite hard to keep up with, much less spot in a private library. Rebecca Rego Barry has a master’s degree in book history, which gives her an edge in the hunt for rare treasures. Her new book Rare Books Uncovered is filled stories of how people discover and collect really rare and valuable books. Some tell of great luck, like the time Christie’s missed the value of a rare copy of Gone With The Wind and let it go in an odd lot of other books.

This raises an interesting question: When one person finds a rare book, is their gain always at the expense of somebody else?

“That can be true,” Barry says, “but among the booksellers I work with, especially those that belong to organizations like the ABAA or the ILAB, there’s an ethical obligation not to swindle each other or people who don’t know any better, like little old ladies selling their husband’s things. Personally, if I were to go to a garage sale and thought I had found a $5,000 book on sale for a dollar, I would feel conflicted. In most cases, though, the more common example is that you see a book you feel like you’ve seen before and decide to take a chance on it. It’s only after you get it home and do your research that you know if you’ve hit the jackpot—or overpaid.”

Read some of those stories, and take a look into the field of rare book discovery, at Collectors Weekly.

Businesses benefit from ‘overqualified’ employees

Businesses may benefit from ‘overqualified’ employees

Businesses benefit from ‘overqualified’ employees

Overqualification — the condition of employees who believe that their qualifications exceed the requirements of their jobs — has been widely considered harmful for organizations, which is why most companies tend to screen out such job applicants. But...

Guess What You Might Die From

Guess What You Might Die From (Hint - It Probably Won't Be Terrorism)

The Writers Of ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Understand Regime Change Better Than The Shrub

The writers of Star Wars: The Force Awakens understood more about how regime change can go wrong than the former Pretender of the United States.

Top U.S. General Ignored Obama, Led Secret Plot to Protect Assad and Bring Russia Into Syrian War

Sy Hersh Blockbuster: Top U.S. General Ignored Obama, Led Secret Plot to Protect Assad and Bring Russia Into Syrian War

Fourteen Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of TSA Agents

Whenever I travel by air, I'm always relieved after having been cleared by the TSA. Being able to walk to my gate knowing that the often annoying "exam" is over allows me to relax and get on with things, knowing that the possibility of being manhandled is over. Yet I wonder how many times the agents themselves "prepared" as they saw me coming. Could I have been marked as a risky hairdo, an annoyance, or worse, a "hot" passenger? According to this TSA secrets article by mental_floss:

2. THEY HAVE CODE WORDS FOR ATTRACTIVE (AND ANNOYING) PASSENGERS.
Because TSOs are usually in close proximity to passengers, some checkpoints develop a vocabulary of code words that allows them to speak freely without offending anyone. “Code talk for attractive females was the most common,” Harrington says. An employee might say “hotel papa” to alert others to an appealing traveler heading their way—the “h” is for “hot.” Others might assign a code number, like 39, and call it out. Harrington was also informed by a supervisor that he could signal for a prolonged screening for an annoying passenger if Harrington told him that the traveler was “very nice.”

and as for the 'do:

3. FANCY HAIRDOS ARE A SECURITY RISK.
Any passenger coming through with an elaborate hairdo—either carefully braided hair or the kind of up-do found on women headed for a wedding—means additional inspection will be required, because piled-up hair can conceivably conceal a weapon.

Read more behind-the-scenes secrets of the TSA at mental_floss.

Why America Doesn't Call It Terrorism If the Perpetrators Are White

Why America Doesn't Call It Terrorism If the Perpetrators Are White

In Texas, a 12 year old Sikh boy was arrested for "terrorism" over a solar charger

Video Link

Dallas cops put Armaan Singh Sarai in jail for three days because someone mistook the solar panel on his phone-charging backpack for a bomb.
Neither the cops nor Sarai's school notified his parents. Though he's only 12, Sarai has had multiple heart surgeries due to a congenital problem -- his parents were worried for his health as well as his safety.
According to a Facebook post by Sarai's cousin, "A bully in class thought it would be funny to accuse him of having a bomb, and so the principal, without any questioning, interrogation, or notification to his parents, called the police."
Police have charged Sarai with a terrorism-related offense (translation from Texas-ese: "Owning electronics while brown"), and though he is out of jail, he has to wear a locator cuff on his ankle.

Singh has been charged with “making a terroristic threat,” according to the Morning News. It’s unclear, however, if he is being charged as an adult or a child, or if the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony. He must wear an ankle monitor and remain under house arrest until his next court date, the newspaper reported.
Whatever the charge, Singh’s relatives have demanded that authorities drop it. The family has also criticized school officials for handing Singh a three-day suspension.
“Instead of hearing us out, they suspended him,” said Aksh, 17. “I think it’s outrageous.”
Aksh accused the school of “discrimination” for punishing Armaan while other kids were not in trouble.

It’s the “clock kid” all over again: A 12-year-old Sikh boy is the latest victim of racist terrorism paranoia [Paula Young Lee/Salon]
Another 'Clock kid'? Family outraged as 12-year-old Sikh boy arrested over alleged bomb threat at Texas school [Michael E. Miller/Washington Post]

People Are Waking Up to the Dark Side of American Policing, and Cops Don’t Like It One Bit

People Are Waking Up to the Dark Side of American Policing, and Cops Don’t Like It One Bit

‘Affluenza’ teen’s mom put on Texas missing persons list

‘Affluenza’ teen’s mom put on Texas missing persons list

The mother of the teenager whose drunk driving trial included a defense witness saying that he was afflicted with “affluenza” has been listed as a missing person, making her part of the investigation into his probation violation.

Nachos with cheese and jalapeno peppers left on vandalized car provided hot clue for police

A police officer in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, used surveillance video and nachos with cheese and jalapeno peppers to track down and arrest a vandalism suspect, officials said.
Officer Adam Szymanski was on routine patrol early on Friday when he was flagged down by a man reporting that his car had been vandalized sometime during the night, police said. All four tires of the man’s 2005 Ford Focus had been slashed and deflated, police said. The passenger side seat also had been slashed from the inside and police reported the roof of the car had been smeared with nacho cheese and jalapeno peppers.
As part of the investigation, Szymanski visited a nearby convenience store down the street, where he found nachos with cheese and peppers similar to those on the roof of the car on sale. Szymanski reviewed surveillance video of the store, which showed the suspect, Robert  Debusk, 24, of Sturbridge buying the nachos just after 1am on Friday,  police said.

An interview with the vandalized car’s owner revealed he and Debusk had been sending text messages back and forth the night before and into the early morning hours of Friday, police said. Dubusk had also tried to go into the victim’s house, police said. Police arrested Debusk and charged him with breaking and entering into a vehicle in the nighttime for a felony, malicious damage to a motor vehicle, and  injury defacement or destruction of real property. Debusk is expected to be  arraigned at Dudley District Court on Monday.

Prison chaplain charged with raping inmates was strongly influenced by disgraced minister tied to Duggars

Former president of the Institute of Basic Life Principles Bill Gothard [YouTube]

Prison chaplain charged with raping inmates was strongly influenced by disgraced minister tied to Duggars

A former Arkansas prison chaplain accused of raping inmates based his classes on the teaching of the evangelical minister who influenced the Duggar family’s homeschooling of their 19 children.

Religio-wingnut couple begs dog to strike critics dead over child abuse charges

Religio-wingnut couple begs dog to strike critics dead over child abuse charges

Michael Pearl, whose insane parenting manual, To Train Up a Child, advocates child abuse, has been linked with at least three deaths of young children at the hands of 'christian' parents who implemented Pearl’s harsh, “spare the rod, spoil the child” discipline advice.

Twitter’s racist goon squad loses its collective mind when black actress is cast as Harry Potter’s Hermione

Twitter’s racist goon squad loses its collective mind when black actress is cast as Harry Potter’s Hermione

The new cast for the stage production of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” the eighth installment (a play) in the “Harry Potter” series, has been chosen and there’s one casting choice that is freaking people out.

Wingnuts FLIP After Judge Gives ‘Baby Parts’ Liars The Worst News Of Their Lives

Conservatives FLIP After Judge Gives ‘Baby Parts’ Liars The Worst News Of Their Lives (SCREENSHOTS)

This has to hurt.

Read full story

Former ‘Opie and Anthony’ shock jock Anthony Cumia arrested for strangling 26-year-old woman:

Former ‘Opie and Anthony’ shock jock Anthony Cumia arrested for strangling 26-year-old woman

Anthony Cumia, founder of the Opie and Anthony radio show, was arrested over the weekend for allegedly assaulting a 26-year-old woman.

If you have the letter M on your palm ...

There is something very special about you

Millions of people around the world look to the lines on their palms talk to discover about their character and destiny. It has recently been revealed that those who have the letter M on the palm are said to be very special indeed.
If you have this feature on your palm then you are said to be especially gifted, you possess great intuition and have an entrepreneurial spirit.
People with this on their palm are not the type who lie. And they don’t appreciate being lied to.
Due to high levels of intuition they will always catch you out if you lie or cheat.
Women who have letter M on the palm generally are said to have stronger intuition than men.
Letter ‘M’ people have the power to make the necessary changes they need in life. So it is vital to seize the opportunities that arise.
According to folk tradition many well known people from the past including prophets and great leaders had this sign on their palm.
If do have this letter ‘M’ on your palm, each time you look down at it, let it remind you that you are a special person and are capable of achieving anything you want in life.

Kids Stop Believing in Santa at Age 8

Why Kids Stop Believing in Santa at Age 8

Belief in Santa turns out to be as ephemeral as childhood itself.

Anti-Demonic Burial Found in Poland

Anti-Demonic Burial Found in Poland

Burials were found in a 400-year-old cemetery where sickles were placed around the throats of the deceased possibly to ward off demons.

The Planet Keeps Breaking Heat Records

The Planet Keeps Breaking Heat Records

This year is headed for the hottest on record but it's been a long time since the globe set a cold record

Avalanche In A Small Town

Arctic Avalanche Buries Small Town

An avalanche buried 10 homes on the Svalbard archipelago in the heart of the Norwegian Arctic.

Never Fade With Age

Some Birds Tune Color, Never Fade With Age

Certain birds can fine-tune their color by the second, giving them an ageless multi-hued look that never fades over time.

Scientists discover rare sea snakes, previously thought extinct, off Western Australia

Scientists discover rare sea snakes, previously thought extinct, off Western Australia

Scientists from James Cook University have discovered two critically endangered species of sea snakes, previously thought to be extinct, off the coast of Western Australia. It’s the first time the snakes have been spotted alive and healthy since disappearing...

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