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Saturday, April 18, 2009
Saturday Jam
We're "LIVE"
Today's Saturday Jam includes:
Like A Rolling Stone
Bob Dylan
Angie
The Rolling Stones
Hotel California
The Eagles
Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
Elton John
White Rabbit
Jefferson Airplane
Today's Saturday Jam includes:
Like A Rolling Stone
Bob Dylan
Angie
The Rolling Stones
Hotel California
The Eagles
Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
Elton John
White Rabbit
Jefferson Airplane
President Obama's Weekly Address
Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
Saturday, April 18, 2009
It’s not news to say that we are living through challenging times: The worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. A credit crisis that has made that downturn worse. And a fiscal disaster that has accumulated over a period of years.
In the year 2000, we had projected budget surpluses in the trillions, and Washington appeared to be on the road to fiscal stability. Eight years later, when I walked in the door, the projected budget deficit for this year alone was $1.3 trillion. And in order to jumpstart our struggling economy, we were forced to make investments that added to that deficit through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
But as surely as our future depends on building a new energy economy, controlling health care costs and ensuring that our kids are once again the best educated in the world, it also depends on restoring a sense of responsibility and accountability to our federal budget. Without significant change to steer away from ever-expanding deficits and debt, we are on an unsustainable course.
So today, we simply cannot afford to perpetuate a system in Washington where politicians and bureaucrats make decisions behind closed doors, with little accountability for the consequences; where billions are squandered on programs that have outlived their usefulness, or exist solely because of the power of a lobbyist or interest group; and where outdated technology and information systems undermine efficiency, threaten our security, and fail to serve an engaged citizenry.
If we’re to going to rebuild our economy on a solid foundation, we need to change the way we do business in Washington. We need to restore the American people’s confidence in their government – that it is on their side, spending their money wisely, to meet their families’ needs.
That starts with the painstaking work of examining every program, every entitlement, every dollar of government spending and asking ourselves: Is this program really essential? Are taxpayers getting their money’s worth? Can we accomplish our goals more efficiently or effectively some other way?
It’s a process we have already begun, scouring our budget line by line for programs that don’t work so we can cut them to make room for ones that do. That means ending tax breaks for companies shipping jobs overseas; stopping the fraud and abuse in our Medicare program; and reforming our health care system to cut costs for families and businesses. It means strengthening whisteblower protections for government employees who step forward to report wasteful spending. And it means reinstating the pay-as-you-go rule that we followed during the 1990s – so if we want to spend, we’ll need to find somewhere else to cut.
And this Monday, at my first, full Cabinet meeting, I will ask all of my department and agency heads for specific proposals for cutting their budgets. Already, members of my Cabinet have begun to trim back unnecessary expenditures. Secretary Napolitano, for example, is ending consulting contracts to create new seals and logos that have cost the Department of Homeland Security $3 million since 2003. In the largest Department, Secretary Gates has launched an historic project to reform defense contracting procedures and eliminate hundreds of billions of dollars in wasteful spending and cost overruns. And I commend Senators McCain and Levin – a Republican and a Democrat – who have teamed up to lead this effort in Congress.
Finally, in the coming weeks, I will be announcing the elimination of dozens of government programs shown to be wasteful or ineffective. In this effort, there will be no sacred cows, and no pet projects. All across America, families are making hard choices, and it’s time their government did the same.
That is why I have assembled a team of management, technology, and budget experts to guide us in this work – leaders who will help us revamp government operations from top to bottom and ensure that the federal government is truly working for the American people.
I have named Jeffrey Zients, a leading CEO, management consultant and entrepreneur, to serve as Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget and as the first ever Chief Performance Officer. Jeffrey will work to streamline processes, cut costs, and find best practices throughout our government.
Aneesh Chopra, who is currently the Secretary of Technology for Governor Kaine of Virginia, has agreed to serve as America’s Chief Technology Officer. In this role, Aneesh will promote technological innovation to help achieve our most urgent priorities – from creating jobs and reducing health care costs to keeping our nation secure.
Aneesh and Jeffrey will work closely with our Chief Information Officer, Vivek Kundra, who is responsible for setting technology policy across the government, and using technology to improve security, ensure transparency, and lower costs. The goal is to give all Americans a voice in their government and ensure that they know exactly how we’re spending their money – and can hold us accountable for the results.
None of this will be easy. Big change never is. But with the leadership of these individuals, I am confident that we can break our bad habits, put an end to the mismanagement that has plagued our government, and start living within our means again. That is how we will get our deficits under control and move from recovery to prosperity. And that is how we will give the American people the kind of government they expect and deserve – one that is efficient, accountable and fully worthy of their trust.
Thank you.
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
Guilford, England, United Kingdom
Oslo, Oslo, Norway
London, England, United Kingdom
North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Brussels, Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Belgium
Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Rota, Andalucia, Spain
Sana, Hadramawt, Yemen
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Riga, Riga, Latvia
Echuca, Victoria, Australia
Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom
Noble Park, Victoria, Australia
Luqa, Luqa, Malta
asa well as Germany and the United States
Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
Guilford, England, United Kingdom
Oslo, Oslo, Norway
London, England, United Kingdom
North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Brussels, Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Belgium
Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Rota, Andalucia, Spain
Sana, Hadramawt, Yemen
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Riga, Riga, Latvia
Echuca, Victoria, Australia
Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom
Noble Park, Victoria, Australia
Luqa, Luqa, Malta
asa well as Germany and the United States
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
All the self-discipline you've imposed on yourself will start to pay off in a big way today! There's an impressive finish line looming, and by the end of the day you'll most likely be across it! Get ready for some impressive people to come out of the woodwork to shake your hand and offer congratulations. They had more faith in you that you had in yourself, so be sure to thank them for all the support.
Damn, that's cool!
All the self-discipline you've imposed on yourself will start to pay off in a big way today! There's an impressive finish line looming, and by the end of the day you'll most likely be across it! Get ready for some impressive people to come out of the woodwork to shake your hand and offer congratulations. They had more faith in you that you had in yourself, so be sure to thank them for all the support.
Damn, that's cool!
Friday, April 17, 2009
We interrupt this blog
We interrupt this blog for the Celidh this evening (as if we hadn't already it started at 6, well noon if you must know) and for the Games over the next two days.
Updates will be erratic (hopefully rational but with we Scots and Celidhs who can tell) for the duration of the games.
There are only so many Cabers to turn and Stones to throw. Then again making the English wet their pants seeing so many Scots in their Clan Tartans and naked steel in their hands always fills the hours.
For those how aren't in the know ... a Celidh [said Kay-Lee] is one hell of a party and if you have never been to one you have never been to a party!
Updates will be erratic (hopefully rational but with we Scots and Celidhs who can tell) for the duration of the games.
There are only so many Cabers to turn and Stones to throw. Then again making the English wet their pants seeing so many Scots in their Clan Tartans and naked steel in their hands always fills the hours.
For those how aren't in the know ... a Celidh [said Kay-Lee] is one hell of a party and if you have never been to one you have never been to a party!
Cybercriminals' new trick: Smishing
Email spam is being blocked in record numbers, but scammers are now striking cell phones.Smishing
Also:
Council uses cows to discourage bikers
Man arrested for DWI hours after DWI sentencing
Houston ... we have a problem.
A Texas man was arrested and booked with second-offense driving while intoxicated only hours after he left a court for sentencing for an earlier DWI conviction.
Woman gets shot in head, but makes tea
Don't mess with our Southern Womenfolk!
They's is genteel, but they's tougher than nails!
Also she would have never heard the end of it, if she didn't offer her guests tea!
Also she would have never heard the end of it, if she didn't offer her guests tea!
A Mississippi woman who was shot in the head not only survived but made herself tea and offered an astonished deputy something to drink, authorities said Friday.
Stolen library book returned after 145 years
A book pilfered by a union soldier during the War of Northern Aggression is back on the shelves.
Stolen library book returned after 145 years
Also:
Mystery behind big donations unsettles schools
At least 9 universities have received millions in anonymous donations — with a suspicious catch.Mystery behind big donations
Also:
Paper or plastic?
Don't stress about these three classic "green" choices because they might not make much of a difference. Answer might not matter
Also:
Three new tactics to help land a job
These creative approaches can pay off even when opportunities are hard to find.
Tactics to find a new job
Also:
Texas secession talk sparks uproar
Governor Rick Perry's comments about the idea of the state breaking away from the union have enraged some Democratic lawmakers. (and every true American as well)Secession talk sparks uproar
Secret song by suddenly famous singer found
This decade-old recording by Susan Boyle may be even more impressive than her star-making rendition of "I Dream a Dream."Secret song by suddenly famous singer found
Also:
Greenhouse gases hurt health
The ruling leaves environmental activists jubilant and industry leaders wary about future regulations.EPA: Greenhouse gases hurt health
Food swaps could add years to your life
These simple switches may help you lose weight and live a long and healthy life.8 food swaps could add years to your life
Also:
Canada's Boreal Caribou Herds are Dying Off
From Treehugger:
Reports Says Better Habitat Protection is Required
Environment Canada released a report (six months after it was finalized by scientists, thanks to the Conservative federal government): "The study concludes 29 of the 57 remaining herds of boreal caribou are not self-sustaining. Several are at risk in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan, where logging, mining and energy development has been booming in the last decade." Will the government do something? Probably not. It went to the trouble of adding a preface to the 254-page report saying it's not detailed enough to "identify critical habitat" to protect...
Article continues: Study Says Canada's Boreal Caribou Herds are Dying Off
Man assaulted by police during G20 died from internal bleeding, not heart-attack
Ian Tomlinson, the man shortly after an unprovoked attack by a police officer during London's G20 demonstration, did not die of a heart-attack, as was previously thought.
A new postmortem shows that Tomlinson died of abdominal bleeding after the attack by the police-officer.
Tomlinson was not a demonstrator -- he was a passer-by on the way home.
A new postmortem shows that Tomlinson died of abdominal bleeding after the attack by the police-officer.
Tomlinson was not a demonstrator -- he was a passer-by on the way home.
The Coroner's statement said the second post-mortem's conclusions were provisional.In its statement, the Coroner's Court said that the inquest had looked at the first post-mortem carried out after Mr Tomlinson collapsed and died on the evening of 1 April.
That examination, carried out by Dr Freddy Patel, concluded that Mr Tomlinson had diseased heart and liver and a substantial amount of blood in the abdominal cavity.
"His provisional interpretation of his findings was that the cause of death was coronary artery disease," said the statement.
"A subsequent post-mortem examination was conducted by another consultant forensic pathologist, Dr Nat Cary, instructed by the IPCC and by solicitors acting for the family of the late Mr Tomlinson.
By Definition ...
"Teabagging": the act of dragging your testicles across your partner's forehead. In the UK it is dipping your testicles in your partner's mouth.
Now you know what the wing-nuts are ranting about.
Now you know what the wing-nuts are ranting about.
Can scavenger was a multi-millionaire
"Tin-Can" Curt Degerman, a well-know aluminum can scavenger in the Swedish town of Skellefteå, was apparently a multi-millionaire when he died last year. He was very thrifty and a very shrewd investor, to say the least.
From Sweden's The Local:
From Sweden's The Local:
“He went to the library every day because he didn’t buy newspapers. There he read [Swedish business daily] Dagens Industri,” a cousin (of Degerman told the Expressen newspaper).
“He knew stocks inside and out.”
And Tin-Can Curt used that investing know-how to turn the modest deposits he collected from returning empty cans into mutual funds worth more than 8 million kronor.
In addition, he had purchased 124 gold bars currently valued at 2.6 million kronor and had nearly 47,000 kronor in the bank.
Tin-Can Curt also owned his own home, which was found to have 3,000 kronor in loose change, bringing the total value of his estate to 12,005,877 kronor.
The diagnosis? Fir on the lung
Here is a television news story about Artyom Sidorkin, the Russian gentleman who recently had a two-inch live Fir tree removed from his lung where it had taken root.
To find out more on his story, see The diagnosis? Fir on the lung.
Asteroids won't raise killer waves
New simulations suggest the monster waves created by an small asteroid impact would break before they reached land, but you still wouldn't want to be near one when it hit.
Asteroids won't raise killer waves - but mind the splash
Polar 'bugs' may explain how life survived snowball Earth
The secret to how life endured the period when glaciers reached the equator may be hidden in the bacteria living beneath an Antarctic glacier.
Polar 'bugs' may explain how life survived snowball Earth
The secret landscapes of stone
Check this out:
Richard Weston's dazzling images of crystals and minerals reveal the intricacies of their structures in unprecedented detail.
Richard Weston's dazzling images of crystals and minerals reveal the intricacies of their structures in unprecedented detail.The secret landscapes of stone
Titanium reveals explosive origins of the solar system
The solar system was born out of a well-mixed blend of debris from two different types of stellar explosion, a new meteorite study suggests.
Titanium reveals explosive origins of the solar system
Could it be?
From BBC-Science:
On the Archaeology Front ...
Dig may reveal tomb of doomed lovers Anthony and Cleopatra
On the Archaeology Front ...
Dig may reveal tomb of doomed lovers Anthony and Cleopatra
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Rennes, Bretagne, France
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
Metepec, Metepec, Mexico
London, England, United Kingdom
Kassel, Hessen, Germany
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Cenon, Aquitaine, France
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Saint Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Manila, Manila, Pilippines
Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Limassol, Limassol, Cyprus
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Horten, Vestfold, Norway
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Kristiansand, Vest-Agder, Norway
San Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland
Kielce, Swietokrzyskie, Poland
Ozzane, Piemonte, Italy
Haifa, Hefa, Israel
Pretoria, Gautemg, South Africa
Penticton, British Columbia, Canada
Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
Swords, Dublin, Ireland
Gyor, Gyor, Hungary
Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Pabianice, Lodz, Poland
Laval, Quebec, Canada
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
as well as Singapore and the United States
Rennes, Bretagne, France
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
Metepec, Metepec, Mexico
London, England, United Kingdom
Kassel, Hessen, Germany
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Cenon, Aquitaine, France
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Saint Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Manila, Manila, Pilippines
Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Limassol, Limassol, Cyprus
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Horten, Vestfold, Norway
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Kristiansand, Vest-Agder, Norway
San Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland
Kielce, Swietokrzyskie, Poland
Ozzane, Piemonte, Italy
Haifa, Hefa, Israel
Pretoria, Gautemg, South Africa
Penticton, British Columbia, Canada
Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
Swords, Dublin, Ireland
Gyor, Gyor, Hungary
Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Pabianice, Lodz, Poland
Laval, Quebec, Canada
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
as well as Singapore and the United States
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
Hold on to your convictions and maintain your individuality.
Will do.
Hold on to your convictions and maintain your individuality.
Will do.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Omaha store owner foils armed robber
An 80-year-old's quick thinking foiled an armed robber's attempt to hold up an Omaha liquor store.
Store owner Floyd Westbrook was closing up his Sugar Hill Package Liquor on Wednesday when a man wearing a ski mask and holding a gun ran in and demanded money.
Store owner Floyd Westbrook was closing up his Sugar Hill Package Liquor on Wednesday when a man wearing a ski mask and holding a gun ran in and demanded money.
Westbrook opened the register, and when the gunman looked down to take a look at the cash, the 80-year-old Westbrook snatched the gun out of the robber's hand.
Westbrook said the robber fled with $19, yelling as he ran, "Don't shoot!"
Westbrook said it was his first encounter with a robber in 40 years, but added he was never afraid.
Police are looking for a suspect in the robbery.
Legendary NFL announcer John Madden retires
Football will never be the same ...
The former coach and football icon is calling it quits at age 73.
The former coach and football icon is calling it quits at age 73.John Madden retires
Recession may still be far from over
New economic data suggests a long road to recovery but experts still mange to see silver linings.Recession may still be far from over
Also:
Are you sitting in your chair incorrectly?
Your body may be suffering from severe "chair disease" symptoms.Are you sitting in your chair incorrectly?
Also:
Singer reacts to sudden fame
The woman who stunned the world on "Britain's Got Talent" says she's open to a makeover — and more.
Singer reacts to sudden fame
Also:
America's scariest drives
One route twists between two hulking volcanoes, and another offers a series of steep curves called The Slide. Scariest drives
Also:
The Wrong Melissa Huckaby Harassed and Threatened in Cantu Case
An unfortunately named Manteca, CA woman has been harassed by reporters and others, as she not only shares the same name as Melissa Huckaby of Tracy, CA, she is also a Sunday School teacher (like the accused), and lives only 14 miles from Tracy.
The 50 Most Brilliant Atheists of All Time
Atheism is generating quite a lot of attention these days.
Prominent atheists are getting the word out about their views in increasing numbers and generating lots of public debate on the proper place of religion in governments and societies in the modern world.
Prominent atheists are getting the word out about their views in increasing numbers and generating lots of public debate on the proper place of religion in governments and societies in the modern world.
Driving teacher drunk during lesson
Perry Mason accused of soliciting legal clients
A Perry Mason in Houston who's not an attorney is accused of trying to attract clients for one who is.
Pythons Get Loose On Passenger Plane
From the "Life imitates the movies" Department:
Four baby pythons escaped from a container aboard a passenger plane in Australia, leading to a search that forced the cancellation of two flights, the airline said Thursday.
Dancing crowd stunt takes over train station
Imagine waiting for a train when, suddenly, hundreds of people break into a "Sound of Music" dance number.Stunt takes over train station
U.S. cities with highest auto-theft rates
Seven of the 20 places on this list are near the Mexican border, thanks to the needs of foreign drug cartels.Highest auto-theft rates
Also:
And Michael Steele says the malls are just as crowded as they ever have been
Giant U.S. mall owner files for bankruptcy
General Growth Properties owns over 200 malls nationwide, making its filing one of the biggest real estate failures in U.S. history.Also:
The actual cost of raising a kid
Find out how much raising a child over an 18-year span costs some families.Actual cost of raising a kid
Oh, those Tea Partying Tea Baggers
What with all the wing-nuts howling about Tea Parties and Tea-bagging these days you'd think they knew what those terms referred to wouldn't you?
(If you don't know yourself ask any of your homosexual friends and they can tell you)
Is it any wonder the wing-nuts are forever getting caught with their hands down another man's - excuse me, another boy's - pants?!
Here's Jon Stewart's take on this "shrinking" 'movement'.
(If you don't know yourself ask any of your homosexual friends and they can tell you)
Is it any wonder the wing-nuts are forever getting caught with their hands down another man's - excuse me, another boy's - pants?!
Here's Jon Stewart's take on this "shrinking" 'movement'.
Toronto Considering Making Green Roofs The Law
From TreeHugger:
Green roof on Mountain Equipment Coop, Toronto. More in TreeHugger
You usually can tell that you have hit a balance in politics if everybody hates your legislation. Not so with Toronto's new proposed bylaw that would make green roofs mandatory. It just gets it wrong.
The developers hate it because they say it is expensive. Green roof proselytizer Steven Peck of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities says it falls short of the mark. He says "We're very concerned ... that there's been a watering down of these requirements and this will set a very negative precedent for other jurisdictions across North America."
Article continues: Toronto Considering Making Green Roofs The Law
A new contender for the title of the world's tallest man has been found
A contender for the title of the world's tallest man standing at more than eight feet tall has been discovered after walking into a Chinese hospital.
Mother stuns medics by delivering twins while having heart attack
A mother has miraculously given birth to healthy twins - minutes after being struck down by a devastating heart attack.
Man punched after removing Cowboys flag from car
Police said a man was punched in the face after grabbing a Dallas Cowboys flag from a car in downtown Washington.
He should have been given a standing ovation.
Unusual Holidays and Celebrations
Today happens to be ...
High Five Day,
National Wear Your Pajamas To Work Day,
International Moment Of Laughter Day
and
International Stress Awareness Day.
High Five Day,
National Wear Your Pajamas To Work Day,
International Moment Of Laughter Day
and
International Stress Awareness Day.
And I Quote
- To repeat what others have said, requires education; to challenge it, requires brains.
- ~ Mary Pettibone Poole
Hey! I resemble that remark!
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
London, England, United Kingdom
Kiev, Kyyivs'ka, Ukraine
Bayonne, Aquitaine, France
Lille, Nord-Pas-De-Calais, France
Longford, Longford, Ireland
Cork, Cork, Ireland
Bern, Bern, Switzerland
Stockholm, Stockholms Lan, Sweden
Dahka, Dahka, Bangladesh
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Bath, England, United Kingdom
Metepec, Metepec, Mexico
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Breman, Breman, Germany
Tamuning, Tamuning, Guam
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
as well as Scotland, Hong Kong and the United States
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
London, England, United Kingdom
Kiev, Kyyivs'ka, Ukraine
Bayonne, Aquitaine, France
Lille, Nord-Pas-De-Calais, France
Longford, Longford, Ireland
Cork, Cork, Ireland
Bern, Bern, Switzerland
Stockholm, Stockholms Lan, Sweden
Dahka, Dahka, Bangladesh
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Bath, England, United Kingdom
Metepec, Metepec, Mexico
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Breman, Breman, Germany
Tamuning, Tamuning, Guam
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
as well as Scotland, Hong Kong and the United States
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
It's a great day to enjoy your friends and fun and avoid banging your head against a wall with a bunch of naysayers.
Sound's like a plan to me.
It's a great day to enjoy your friends and fun and avoid banging your head against a wall with a bunch of naysayers.
Sound's like a plan to me.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Will Rogers reads from the newspaper in the 1920s
He could have been 'reading' the same things today!
'Caveman' thwarts store robber with step ladder
Police said a would-be robber got more than he bargained for when he tried to rob a Quik Thrift store in Acworth, Georgia with a knife.
A quick-thinking customer, known only as "Caveman," grabbed a step ladder and hit the suspect at least once Monday. The customer chased the suspect from the store using the ladder as protection.
'Caveman' in action!
A quick-thinking customer, known only as "Caveman," grabbed a step ladder and hit the suspect at least once Monday. The customer chased the suspect from the store using the ladder as protection.
Police said the suspect had threatened to cut the store clerk's neck if money wasn't handed over. Police said the suspect escaped with some money, but he dropped much of it when he was hit with the ladder.
Police are still searching for the suspect.
'Caveman' in action!
Man accused of ketchup theft says bottle was planted
From the "Yeah, he ain't all there" Department:
An eccentric former school board trustee known for espousing conspiracy theories has taken the witness stand in his own defense in a petty theft trial involving a bottle of ketchup. Steve Rocco is accused of stealing the 14-ounce bottle from a dining area outside the cafeteria at Chapman University.
He testified Tuesday that authorities planted the ketchup near his bicycle on the campus last year to make it look like a theft when he was actually recycling the bottle.
Prosecutors said they tried to settle the case by getting Rocco to agree to stay away from the university. but he declined and insisted on a trial.
The former Orange Unified School District trustee is widely known in political circles for his railings against an alleged conspiracy of Orange County leaders he calls the "partnership" and the dark glasses and cap he wore to nighttime school board meetings.
Rocco could face up to six months in jail if convicted of the misdemeanor petty theft charge, though prosecutors say they would likely ask for probation.
Boy used handgun to rob bank
A 13-year-old boy used a handgun to rob a Peoria, Illinois bank before police caught him hiding in a nearby garage after a foot chase.
Police said the teen used the gun to rob South Side Bank on Monday.
He fled the bank with the weapon and a bag of money wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants and a red bandanna on his face.
Police said the teen used the gun to rob South Side Bank on Monday.
He fled the bank with the weapon and a bag of money wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants and a red bandanna on his face.
Police apprehended him 36 minutes after the robbery was reported - the money bag contained a red dye package that had exploded and the teen's sweatshirt was covered with red dye.
Authorities found the gun and money near where they arrested the boy.
Burger King yanks controversial ad
The fast food giant says it will change an ad campaign after receiving a Mexican ambassador's complaint.Controversial ad
Also:
Meals that melt pounds
Unusual Holidays and Celebrations
Not only is today The Black Day aka Tax Day.
It is also: Take A Wild Guess Day and That Sucks Day.
Sort of a themed day don't you think?
It is also: Take A Wild Guess Day and That Sucks Day.
Sort of a themed day don't you think?
Apples explain why leaves change colour in autumn
A new study of thousands of breeds of apple trees bolsters a claim that red foliage evolved as a warning signal to insects in search of a winter home.Why leaves change colour in autumn
String for everyone
String theory: A beginner's guide
It is one of the most famous ideas in modern physics, but string theory is also strange and difficult to understand. Our guide should help you get started
Inside the tangled world of string theory
Edward Witten, leading architect of string theory, tells how it feels to work in an area so rarefied that it's a problem conveying to other people what he does. Spam tramples environment with huge carbon footprint
Finding ways to reduce the 62 trillion spam emails sent every year could help the environment as well as stressed computer users.Spam tramples environment
Spam tramples environment
Not only email spam but Spam does as well - let's rid ourselves of both!
Star crust is 10 billion times stronger than steel
Neutron stars boast crusts that are much stronger than thought, new simulations suggest – the work could be good news for gravitational wave searches.Stronger than steel
Science News
From BBC-Science:
And:
And:
A species of ant in the Amazon has abandoned sex and become female-only, say researchers - the first such species discovered.
Also:
Also:
The Sidamo lark could soon be the first bird on mainland Africa to die out since modern records began.
Need a new Job or a Job for that matter?
Bill Farrand, the longstanding "wolfman" of Clark's Trading Post in Lincoln, NH, is retiring after fifteen years.
The company needs to find a new 'wolfman' to scream from the woods at passing steam trains for 48 hours a week:
The company needs to find a new 'wolfman' to scream from the woods at passing steam trains for 48 hours a week:
The new Wolfie, as he is affectionately known, must be over 18, be willing to grow a beard and eschew soap, and work up to 48 hours a week for $12 an hour.
The Wolfman, for the uninitiated, is one of Clark's Trading Posts most unique attractions, aside from, of course, the trained bear shows, which celebrate their 60th anniversary this summer.
During the daily steam train rides aboard the White Mountain Central Railroad, it's the Wolfman's job to scare the beejeebees out of the passengers, whom he believes are trying to jump his precious Unobtainium claim. He bursts out of the woods driving an ancient automobile, sets off firecrackers and yells at passengers to go home.
On the return journey, passengers have learned that to send the Wolfman back into the woods, they have to shout back "Scram you old goat!"
Best cities for jobs
Or the "Least Worst", anyway ...
Texas may have lost a powerful advocate in the White House, but still boasts the best job markets in the country.Jobs
Also:
International Crisis Group: Armenia should withdraw from Azerbaijani territories that it occupies
Turkey and Armenia should seize their best opportunity yet to normalize relations, work on a new approach to shared history and open a European border that for nearly a century has been hostage to conflict.
A separate but related issue, the stalemated Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, still risks undermining final agreement on the Turkey and Armenia normalization package.
Armenia, together with Azerbaijan, should ultimately adopt the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group basic principles for settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict of the OSCE, and Armenia should withdraw from Azerbaijani territories that it occupies.
Kenyan man bites python in struggle to survive
A Kenyan man bit a python that wrapped him in its coils and hauled him up a tree in a struggle that lasted hours, local media said on Wednesday.A Michigan farmer gets a shock with 5-lamb birth
A Michigan farmer whose ewe gave birth to twins found himself carefully counting sheep when he later discovered three more lambs.
Deep doo wouldn't do for Texas cattle rancher
Mack Stark figures cattle raisers can appreciate the name of his west central Texas ranch and makes no apologies for the words in big black letters on the steel arch over the dirt and gravel driveway.
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Wuhan, Hubei, China
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela
Chongqing, Chongqing, China
Laoag, Laoag, Philippines
London, England, United Kingdom
Coventry, England, United Kingdom
Morayfield, Queensland, Australia
Alken, Limburg, Belgium
Tianjin, Tianjin, China
Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark
Stein, Bayern, Germany
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Medan, Sumatra Utara, Indonesia
Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Woodstock, Ontario, Canada
Brussels, Brussels Hoofdsteselijk Gwest, Belgium
Kharkiv, Karkivs'ka, Ukraine
as well as France and the United States
Wuhan, Hubei, China
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela
Chongqing, Chongqing, China
Laoag, Laoag, Philippines
London, England, United Kingdom
Coventry, England, United Kingdom
Morayfield, Queensland, Australia
Alken, Limburg, Belgium
Tianjin, Tianjin, China
Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark
Stein, Bayern, Germany
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Medan, Sumatra Utara, Indonesia
Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Woodstock, Ontario, Canada
Brussels, Brussels Hoofdsteselijk Gwest, Belgium
Kharkiv, Karkivs'ka, Ukraine
as well as France and the United States
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
All of your projects are humming along nicely at work, and your relationships are doing quite well, too.
Spinning plates is your specialty, so don't even flinch if a few more items will get added to your list unexpectedly.
You're in 'the Zone' and a few more projects won't make much difference to you!
Plus, accepting new tasks with a smile will go a long way toward impressing other people.
You make it look easy and people are amazed by how you keep that relaxed look on your face.
Spinning plates is your specialty, so don't even flinch if a few more items will get added to your list unexpectedly.
You're in 'the Zone' and a few more projects won't make much difference to you!
Plus, accepting new tasks with a smile will go a long way toward impressing other people.
You make it look easy and people are amazed by how you keep that relaxed look on your face.
Ain't it the truth, though!
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