Rare pink diamond could set record

Auctioneers hope a 5-carat, vivid pink diamond will fetch upwards of $7 million.

Rare pink diamond

Also:

• 32-carat Annenberg diamond for sale
• Technique could nab fossil thieves

Bill Clinton meets with Kim Jong Il

Play Video

The former president has talks with the Communist leader during his surprise trip to North Korea to try to free two jailed journalists.

Bill Clinton

Unusual Holidays and Celebrations

Today is National Chocolate Chip Day.

Tonight is National Night Out.

Daily Almanac

Today is Tuesday, Aug. 4, the 216th day of 2009.

There are 149 days left in the year.

Today In History August 4

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
London, England, United Kingdom
Helmond, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
Telford, England, United Kingdom
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Paris, Ile-De-France, France
Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Yerevan, Yerevan, Armenia
Brescia, Lombardia, Italy
Oxford, England, United Kingdom
Basingstoke, England, United Kingdom
Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel
Bialystok, Podlaskie, Poland
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
Hering, Ringkobing, Denmark
Brussels, Brussels-Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Belgium

as well as Philippines, Singapore, New Zealand, Brazil, Croatia, and the United States

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

It's tempting to tinker with something, but your efforts to do so might raise a whole chorus of dissension.
Reassure folks you won't be changing the substance of who you are or what you do, but a definite style refresher might be due.
After all, it'll keep you from getting bored and prepare you to face new challenges.
What could be better?

Been thinking of taking a class or something.

World Net Daily, Free Republic Post Forged Obama Birth Certificate From Kenya

You knew this was coming ...

World Net Daily, Free Republic Post Forged Obama Birth Certificate From Kenya

By Logan Murphy

World Net Daily has done it! They've finally proven that President Obama was, in fact, born in Kenya:

The document lists Obama's parents as Barack Hussein Obama and Stanley Ann Obama, formerly Stanley Ann Dunham, the birth date as Aug. 4, 1961, and the hospital of birth as Coast General Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya. Read on...

There's just one teensy little problem here -- The Republic of Kenya didn't exist until 1964 -- three years after Obama's birth. Right wing blog Little Green Footballs is calling this a hoax, but leave it to the nutbags at Free Republic to take the debunked myth to a whole new level. See, the whole thing ties into the divorce of President Obama's parents!

Judge Samuel P. King who granted the divorce – last I heard was retired and alive (for now) in his 90s in Hawaii -- MAY or MAY NOT have asked to see the Marriage Certificate. BUT, I bet Judge King asked to see Obama JR's Birth Certificate to confirm Ann's claims that Obama SR was in fact the father. That is “standard” policy to have a Birth Certificate in case the mother asks for child support from the father (or Welfare) later after the divorce. Judge King probably told Ann to produce a birth certificate before or at trial, which would have been sometime in mid- to late-February 1964 HAD Obama SR answered his notice that was sent to Cambridge.

When Judge King wrote the order on Jan. 23, he had his clerk notify Obama SR via what's referred to as a "knock and nail". That is, the postman leaves the notification on the door for (generally) 10 days and retrieves it after that time passes -- signed or unsigned. That order was sent on Jan. 23 via airmail from Hawaii and was probably posted on Obama SR's door Jan. 27-28. Read on...

Nevermind the fact that Barack Obama's birth announcement appeared in two Hawaiian newspapers in 1961. Hell, even Karl Rove says it's likely a forgery. You can be sure the Fox News gang will be running with this story, but will CNN's Lou Dobbs continue to go down the Birther path that's killing his ratings and embarrassing the entire network?

Wait, isn't President Obama the Antichrist? My brain hurts. If I could speak directly to every Birther face to face, this is what I would say.

*****

Too bad for the wing nuts there are a number of obvious problems with this document:

Another irregularity is that the document is dated early 1964 while Kenya did not officially become a republic in December 1964. So why does it say “The Republic of Kenya”. In fact the original Kenyan constitution of 1963, Kenya became independent in December 1963, does not use the term republic of Kenya, just Kenya.

More problems have surfaced

1. It was dated February 14, 1964 and had the designation Republic of Kenya. However that designation was not official until December 1964.


2. It’s number 44 o 47 is a bit coincidental with 44th president Obama 47th president


3. The name E.F. Lavender. Earth Friendly Lavender is a detergent


4. Mombasa did not become part of Kenya until 1963. It used to be part of Zanzibar


5. The Coast General Hospital is actually called the Coast Provincial General Hospital


6. There are unconfirmed statements that women who would give birth in 1961 would go to the “Lady Grigg Maternity Hospital” which was later rolled into the Coast Provincial General Hospital.

Below the Beltway raises some other questions:

First of all, there’s a question of why a birth registration record would be issued in 1964 for a child born three years earlier who was not even living in the country at the time. This is significant because any original birth record would be a British colonial record, not a Kenyan record. Kenya was still a British colony in 1961, and did not become independent until December 12, 1963.

*****

Nice try, you demented morons. We needed the laugh.

Scientists uncover lost Venetian city

Venice, the floating city, owes a curious debt to Attila the Hun. " The Scourge of God" sent the Venetians fleeing in 452 A.D. from their city, Altinum, to found Venice deep in the marshes on the edge of the Adriatic.

Ever heard of Altinum? Probably not, as it's been a "lost city" near Venice, Italy, for centuries.

Read the rest here.

Quakes rattle Mexico's Gulf of California

Four powerful earthquakes shake coastal fishing villages and are felt as far away as Phoenix.

Quakes rattle Mexico's Gulf of California

Also:

• Track recent earthquake activity
• Coastal quakes rock Mexican coast

Lack of Vitamin D in kids 'shocking'

Play Video

Poor diet and lack of exercise are putting millions of children at risk for bone and heart disease, researchers say.

Lack of Vitamin D in kids 'shocking'

Also:

• Find foods rich in Vitamin D
• Vitamin D: 'Sunshine in a pill'

Hike goes wrong

Play Video

Iranian officials are disputing the story of the U.S. travelers.

3 Americans detained in Iran

Also:

• 4th hiker skipped trip due to cold

Unusual Holidays and Celebrations

Today happens to be Watermelon Day.

32-story condo high-rise has only 1 tenant

The Vangelakos family lives in a tower that has marble floors, a large pool, and other luxuries, but they don't have a single neighbor.

32-story condo high-rise has only 1 tenant

Also:

• Is housing freefall over?
• Recession-proof area of U.S.

Shockingly high-calorie drinks, smoothies

Get the scoop on some popular treats, some of which have more than 2,000 calories.

Shockingly high-calorie drinks, smoothies

Also:

• Find healthy smoothie recipes
• 5 foods to keep body in shape

Common misconceptions about credit reports

Find out what really affects your credit report and what factors don't matter.

Common misconceptions about credit reports

Also:

• Credit reports' effect on job search
• Navigate new credit card rules

Lou Dobbs makes trouble for CNN

The news anchor has become a publicity nightmare, embarrassing his boss and losing ratings.

Lou Dobbs makes trouble for CNN

Daily Almanac

Today is Monday, Aug. 3, the 215th day of 2009.

There are 150 days left in the year.

Today In History August 3

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark
London, England, United Kingdom
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Medan, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
Cobourg, Ontario, Canada
Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Munich, Bayern, Germany
Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

If anyone is fond of 'just the facts, ma'am,' it's you.
Embellishing those facts or adding details that have more to do with wishful thinking than the absolute truth just isn't your style.
Mention all those things to anyone who approaches you now and insists that you give them your opinion on the story they're just dying to share.
Otherwise, mention that you also won't be shy -- or gentle -- about letting them know what you really think.

I always do.

The Chicken and the Ducks

Aesop and Son

Loudmouths gather for Thai screaming contest

Short shrieks, high-pitched yelps, and drawn-out wails rang out in Thailand at an international competition aimed at setting a new record for the loudest scream.

Full Story

Eat your way to good health

Adding the right grains to your meals can lower your blood pressure and make your body younger.

Eat your way to good health

Places where germs are hiding in your home

Find out the top spots that can be breeding grounds for bacteria and how to best banish the germs.

Places where germs are hiding in your home

Also:

• Fake a clean house
• Find natural household cleaners

Give Me Palin's High School Diploma, I'll Give You Obama's Birth Certificate

Bill Maher addressed the so-called "birther" movement on Real Time on Friday. He noted that the birther movement is all about dummies talking to other dummies.

Full Story

Federal Marshals Raid Clarcon Products Labs Over Bacterial Contamination

US Marshals entered the production facility of Clarcon Labs in Roy, UT and confiscated all of their Clarcon products stock, and ingredients. This is a strange story, not because some sort of issue is occurring with these products, but because the FDA sent federal marshals in.

Full Story

Housing Market Begins Slow Rebound

By every measure, except foreclosures, the housing market has stabilized and many areas are recovering, according to a spate of data released in the past two weeks. Nationwide, home resales in June are up 9 percent from January, on a seasonally adjusted basis. Sales of new homes have climbed 17 percent during the same period. And construction, while still anemic, has risen almost 20 percent since the beginning of the year.

Full Story

Iranian Court Warns Against Criticizing Trials

Yeah Right! And, when they start eating pork that'll happen, too!

Tehran's hard-line Revolutionary Court warned Sunday that those criticizing its ongoing proceedings against post-election protesters could face jail time themselves.

Iranian Court Warns Against Criticizing Trials

Graduate Suing College Over Lack Of Jobs

A 27-year-old Monroe College graduate is suing the New York school, contending it has done little to help her find a job.

Graduate Suing College Over Lack Of Jobs

Repugicans HATE America and everything it stands for

Long time readers know of the farm that the Mrs., and I run. I haven't posted anything about it in a long while, though.

It is going along rather well even with the economy as it is - not raking in huge wads of cash mind you, but more than we actually planned on ... it seems local 'homegrown' veggies go over big these days and milk straight from the udder in in high demand.

That and because being smart and investing our money anywhere but the in United States for the error that was the eight years of the shrub junta we are doing far better than any idiot that invested in the US during that lost time. Now ... is the time to invest in America - and it has always been so ... when the Democrats control the government more people make more money, when repugicans pervert the government more people lose more money (or all of their money).

The math proves this beyond any argument (at least with anyone with a brain, so that leaves out repugicans). In the years between the Great Depression and the current - even worse - Depression both 'parties' controlled the government for about 40 years each. If you invested $10,000.00 the day after the crash in 1929 and left in invested only during repugican control you would have $52,000.00 after 40 years. If you invested that same $10,000.00 and let it remain invested only during Democratic control of the government you would have in excess of $350,000.00.

So simple honest math tells you to in vest in America now. However repugicans are howling for you not to. Repugicans HATE America and everything it stands for.

'Thrifty' is latest back-to-school trend

Stores are offering steep discounts on clothes and school supplies to woo cautious shoppers.

'Thrifty'

Also:

• Money-saving tips
• Hand sanitizer seized for bacteria problems

The Wing Nuts keep getting Nuttier

This is too funny. Bill Maher reams Michele Malkin for her newest bullshit.

Gorilla HIV makes leap to humans

A French woman in Cameroon, Africa has been infected with a new strain of HIV virus similar to those found in wild gorillas.

Gorilla HIV

Under the veil, nip and tuck makes new Saudi faces

The results may not see much light of day in a kingdom where women cover up from head to toe, yet cosmetic surgery is booming.

Under the veil, nip and tuck makes new Saudi faces

1 dead, 11 infected in plague

Thousands of people have been placed under quarantine in a town in northwest China after a man died of pneumonic plague and 11 others were confirmed infected with the deadly lung infection, health authorities said.

Full Story

Smoke engulfs Sydney after factory blaze

Smoke engulfs Sydney after factory blaze.

Full Story

Sorority members peeved over wax statues

Alpha Kappa Alpha's leader is accused of spending $900,000 on wax figures — of herself.

Sorority members peeved over wax statues

Also:

• Other allegations
• How are wax figures made?

Bitter Taste As A 12,000 Wine Bottle Stolen

Police are hunting a gang who stole several bottles of wine, including one worth $12,000.00 from a shop in the US.

$12,000 Wine Bottle Stolen

I'm sorry but NO bottle of wine is worth a plug nickel much less $12,000.00!

Demolition in Turkey goes wrong

A building demolition in Turkey went seriously wrong on Saturday when, instead of collapsing, it rolled over onto its roof.

Full Story

Bank robbery suspect nabbed counting the loot

Police say they caught a bank robbery suspect who was counting the loot as he walked away from a western Pennsylvania heist in which he had handed a teller a polite demand note, complete with a smiley face.

Full Story

And I Quote

I'm not a real movie star.

I've still got the same wife I started out with twenty-eight years ago.

~ Will Rogers

Sage Wisdom

He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words.

~ Elbert Hubbard

Taste test reveals best canned tuna

Not all canned tuna is created equal.

Find out which is the best for your tuna salad.

Canned tuna

Also:

• 5 yummy recipes with canned tuna
• Search: Mercury in tuna

What to do if bumped from your flight

Before bargaining with the gate agent over travel vouchers and upgrades, it pays to know your rights (and the airline's responsibilities).

Bumped

Also:

• Find live flight trackers
• What flight attendants hate

Iranian plane was carrying arms for Hezbollah through Armenia

An Iranian plane crash two weeks ago – which left 168 people dead – was caused by the explosion of sophisticated fuses slated to be delivered to Hezbollah, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported Saturday, quoting sources in the Middle East.

According to the report, the pilot of the Tupolev plane, which was making its way from Tehran to Armenia, sent an emergency warning 16 minutes after takeoff. Shortly afterwards, the plane crashed in northwest Iran.

Full Story

Unusual Holidays and Celebrations

Today happens to be Sister's Day as well as Friendship Day.

Daily Almanac

Today is Sunday, Aug. 2, the 214th day of 2009.

Today In History August 2, 2009

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
Manheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
Bilbao, Pais Vasco, Spain
Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia
Offenbach, Hessen, Germany
Hailifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

as well as Laos, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, and the United States

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

You just accomplished a big victory, but you'd be wise to stop reminding others about it.
You've definitely earned the position you're in, but people are very sensitive about things right now -- their egos are delicate and it's vital to maintain your good relationships with them.
You don't need to minimize your accomplishments; you just have to avoid being pompous.
Think about the future and cultivate goodwill today.
People are impressed by good winners.

Great.

Ya Never Know ...

Alice and Frank are bungee-jumping one day. Alice says to Frank, "You know, we could make a lot of money running our own bungee-jumping service in Mexico."

Frank thinks this is a great idea. So they pool their money and buy everything they'll need: a tower, an elastic cord, insurance, etc.

They travel to Mexico and begin to set up on a square in a small town.

As they are constructing the tower, a crowd begins to assemble. Slowly, more and more people gather to watch them at work.

When they had finished, there was such a crowd they thought it would be a good idea to give a demonstration.

So, Alice jumps. She bounces at the end of the cord, but when she comes back up, Frank notices that she has a few cuts and scratches.

Unfortunately, Frank isn't able to catch her and she falls again, bounces, and comes back up again. This time, she is bruised and bleeding.

Again, Frank misses her. Alice falls again and bounces back up. This time she comes back pretty messed up; she has a couple of broken bones and is almost unconscious.

Luckily, Frank finally catches her this time and says, "What happened? Was the cord too long?"

Barely able to speak, Alice gasps, "No, the bungee cord was fine: it was the crowd. What the hell is a pinata.

Drop in crime coincides with exodus of illegal immigrants

A marked drop in Phoenix-area crime coincides with the recession and a drop in the number of illegal immigrants in Arizona.

Phoenix has seen a 25 percent decline in the number of crimes during the first five months of 2009 compared to the same time period in 2007 when the economy began to slow. Violent crime in Phoenix is down 12 percent, according crime statistics from the Phoenix Police Department.

Full Story

Police Aren't Pulling Over Enough Black People

More wing-nuttery from the shrill shrew of delusional land ...

Ann Coulter and the Rev. Al Sharpton appeared on Larry King Live on Thursday night, and Coulter had some interesting comments about racial profiling: we need to do more of it, apparently.

Full Story

Gunman kills kids at Tel Aviv club for gay youths

Israeli police say a gunman entered a youth club for gay teens in central Tel Aviv on Saturday night and sprayed the interior with automatic rifle fire, killing three people and injuring 11.

Gunman kills kids at Tel Aviv club for gay youths

Cons backing up sewer

Officials in South Carolina's capital city of Columbia say prison inmates are flushing handmade weapons, underwear and various other debris down their toilets, causing a nearby sewer pump to break and costing taxpayers millions.

Officials of SC city blame inmates for sewer woes

How to Spot a Sociopath

Just go to the repugican convention ... seriously.

No, seriously.

Seventeen years ago, Mary Jo Buttafuoco was shot in the head by her husband's underage lover.

How to Spot a Sociopath

'Banned in Bama'

State ban of wine with nude label a marketing boon

Alabama's ban on a wine that features a nude nymph on the label became a business opportunity for a California vintner who is preparing a marketing campaign to capitalize on being "Banned in Bama." The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board recently told stores and restaurants to quit serving Cycles Gladiator wine because of the label.

Full Story

What went wrong with 'Cash for Clunkers'?

Technical snafus and crushing demand have nearly crashed the auto incentive program.

What went wrong

Also:

• More on 'Cash for Clunkers'
• FAQ

Using fat to fight the flab

Odd as it may seem, people who need to lose weight or fight diabetes might benefit from some extra fat – but only if it is the right kind.

Using fat to fight the flab

Science News

From BBC-science:

Experts puzzled by spot on Venus Astronomers have been puzzled by a strange bright spot which has appeared in the clouds of Venus.

Images reveal 'lost' Roman city Aerial photographs reveal a lost Roman city called Altinum - which some scholars regard as a forerunner of Venice.

Scientists find that chimps were born to appreciate music

THE BIG PICTURE

New Rules

Real Time with Bill Maher from July 31, 2009

Talk about 'sleeping with the fishes'

Archaeologists have found the skeleton of a warrior from up to 5,000 years ago floating in a tomb filled with sea water on a beach near Rome.

Skeleton slept with the fishes for 5,000 years

Plastic surgery may stop migraine pain

Play Video

A surgery to remove wrinkles gives unexpected relief to some migraine sufferers.

Stop migraine pain

Also:

• Find more headache news, advice
• Read the story

Bull on the Loose in Idaho

You might expect to see a sight like this in Spain, but Thursday a bull caused quite a commotion in downtown Idaho Falls.

Full Story

Welcome New Readers

We here at Carolina Naturally would like to welcome our newest readers in our 173rd country: Papua New Guinea



Papua New Guinea

New cars worth waiting for

Automakers hope these forthcoming models will turn heads — and open wallets.

New cars worth waiting for

Also:

• How to get 'cash for clunkers'
• Find worst cars for the money

Saturday Jam

Today's Saturday Jam is an eclectic mix:

Blue Danube

Johann Strauss (fan video)

Bad Company

Bad Company (live)

You Don't Mess Around With Jim

Jim Croce (fan video)

Behind Blue Eyes

The Who (live in London 1979)

President Obama's Weekly Address

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
Saturday, August 1st, 2009

Today, I’d like to talk with you about a subject that I know is on everyone’s mind, and that’s the state of our economy. Yesterday, we received a report on our Gross Domestic Product. That’s a measure of our overall economic performance. The report showed that in the first few months of this year, the recession we faced when I took office was even deeper than anyone thought at the time. It told us how close we were to the edge.

But it also revealed that in the last few months, the economy has done measurably better than expected. And many economists suggest that part of this progress is directly attributable to the Recovery Act. This and the other difficult but important steps that we have taken over the last six months have helped put the brakes on this recession.

We took unprecedented action to stem the spread of foreclosures by helping responsible homeowners stay in their homes and pay their mortgages. We helped revive the credit markets and open up loans for families and small businesses. And we enacted a Recovery Act that put tax cuts directly into the pockets of middle-class families and small businesses; extended unemployment insurance and health insurance for folks who have lost jobs; provided relief to struggling states to prevent layoffs of teachers and police officers; and made investments that are putting people back to work rebuilding and renovating roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals.

Now, I realize that none of this is much comfort for Americans who are still out of work or struggling to make ends meet. And when we receive our monthly job report next week, it is likely to show that we are continuing to lose far too many jobs in this country. As far as I’m concerned, we will not have a recovery as long as we keep losing jobs. And I won’t rest until every American who wants a job can find one.

But history shows that you need to have economic growth before you have job growth. And the report yesterday on our economy is an important sign that we’re headed in the right direction. Business investment, which had been plummeting in the past few months, is showing signs of stabilizing. This means that eventually, businesses will start growing and hiring again. And that’s when it will really feel like a recovery to the American people.

This won’t happen overnight. As I’ve said before, it will take many more months to fully dig ourselves out of a recession – a recession that we’ve now learned was even deeper than anyone thought. But I’ll continue to work every day, and take every step necessary, to make sure that happens. I also want to make sure that we don’t return to an economy where our growth is based on inflated profits and maxed-out credit cards – because that doesn’t create a lot of jobs. Even as we rescue this economy, we must work to rebuild it stronger than before. We’ve got to build a new foundation strong enough to withstand future economic storms and support lasting prosperity.

Next week, I’ll be talking about that new foundation when I head to Elkhart County in Indiana – a city hard hit not only by the economic crisis of recent months but by the broader economic changes of recent decades. For communities like Elkhart to thrive, we need to recapture the spirit of innovation that has always moved America forward.

That means once again having the best-educated, highest skilled workforce in the world. That means a health care system that makes it possible for entrepreneurs to innovate and businesses to compete without being saddled with skyrocketing insurance costs. That means leading the world in building a new clean energy economy with the potential to unleash a wave of innovation – and economic growth – while ending our dependence on foreign oil. And that means investing in the research and development that will produce the technologies of the future – which in turn will help create the industries and jobs of the future.

Innovation has been essential to our prosperity in the past, and it will be essential to our prosperity in the future. But it is only by building a new foundation that we will once again harness that incredible generative capacity of the American people. All it takes are the policies to tap that potential – to ignite that spark of creativity and ingenuity – which has always been at the heart of who we are and how we succeed. At a time when folks are experiencing real hardship, after years in which we have seen so many fail to take responsibility for our collective future, it’s important to keep our eyes fixed on that horizon.

Every day, I hear from Americans who are feeling firsthand the pain of this recession; these are folks who share their stories with me in letters and at town hall meetings; folks who remain in my mind and on my agenda each and every day. I know that there are countless families and businesses struggling to just hang on until this storm passes. But I also know that if we do the things we know we must, this storm will pass. And it will yield to a brighter day.

Lughnasadh

Today is the Celtic festival of Lughnasadh (Lughnasa)

Find out more about this festival here.
And about other Celtic festivals here.

Unusual Holidays and Celebrations

Today happens to be:

Girlfriend's Day,
and
Sweet Corn Day,
and
World Wide Web Day,
as well as
National Mustard Day.

Daily Almanac

Today is Saturday, Aug. 1, the 213th day of 2009.

There are 152 days left in the year.

Today In History August 1

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

London, England, United Kingdom
Bremerhaven, Bremen, Germany
Catania, Sicilia, Italy
Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil
Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
Manila, Manila, Philippines
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Gothenburg, Vastra Gotaland, Sweden
Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico

as well as Bolivia, Scotland, and the United States

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

Still dashing around smiling?
Well, it's only fair that you share the wealth, so tell your dear ones all of the marvelous things that are going on.
That way, even if their day isn't going along quite so swimmingly, they'll at least be able to enjoy yours vicariously.
Good things only get better when you reveal them.

And it requires no 'chemical enhancement' to be this way either.

How kids get rich playing video games

An 11-year-old earns enough for college, and another gamer makes $100,000 in a year.

How kids get rich playing video games

Also:

• Downsides to downloads
• Ways to make money

Things to do this weekend

Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars.
See If They Slow Down.

Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, ask If They Want Fries with that.

In the Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write ' For Marijuana'

Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.

Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is 'To Go'.

Sing Along At The Opera.

When the money comes Out The ATM, scream 'I Won! I Won!'

Tell Your Children Over Dinner, 'Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.'

And most importantly:

PICK UP A BOX OF CONDOMS AT THE PHARMACY, GO TO THE COUNTER AND ASK WHERE THE FITTING ROOM IS.

Vicious bleach attack

A woman has told how youths threw bleach into her face and left her with damage to her sight after she asked them to be quiet in a cinema.

Full Story

Mexico shuts Cancun beach, alleges sand was stolen

Surprised tourists found their little piece of Cancun beach paradise ringed by crime-scene tape and gun-toting sailors on Thursday.

Full Story

Cops put on leave for running Obama background check

Two Georgia police officers have been placed on paid administrative leave after running a background check on President Obama.

Full Story

Unusual animals

Who needs to explore outer space when our own world has so many wonderfully weird animals!

Freakish And Odd Creatures

Calling'em on it

He's fed up with the repugicans and their hypocrisy and he's called the on it.

Yesterday, Representative Anthony Weiner (Democrat-NY) decided that it was “put-up or shut-up time for the phonies who deride the so-called ‘public option.’”
He offered an amendment that would eliminate government-run medicare

Read more at Think Progress

You go, man!

College kids' compliments catch people off guard

Play Video

Two Purdue University buddies say their mission to flatter strangers sometimes brings the unexpected.

Compliments catch people off guard

Also:

• Random acts of kindness
• Boy Scouts save leader

House approves $2B for 'Cash for Clunkers'

Lawmakers pass a bill that rushes funds to the popular but financially strapped program.

House approves $2B for 'Cash for Clunkers'

Also:

• Obama backs efforts to save program
• Car Allowance Rebate System

Sludge taints 'organic' White House garden

Michelle Obama's green dream is dashed by a toxic legacy from the Clinton era.

Sludge taints 'organic' White House garden

Also:

• Veggies safe
• Test for lead

Town halls turn ugly for Congress members

Hot topics are heating up meetings, with riled up crowds making some legislators very nervous.

Town halls turn ugly for Congress members

Also:

• Health care bill stumps lawmakers
• Bad bridges passed up for stimulus cash

Last day of 'cash for clunkers'?

The popular program is good through Friday but beyond that it's unclear, say officials.

Last day of 'cash for clunkers'?

Utah outlaws bubblegum

Need more proof that Mormons are stark raving mad lunatics?

Then try this on for size then ...

Today the state legislature of Utah banned bubblegum as a gateway drug.

Chewing gum will still be allowed.

Said state senator Lewise Linton, "Regular, non-bubble gum is ok. But, only in the approved flavors of spearmint and cinnamon."

Full Story

Plucky "Clucky" gets booted in Miami Beach

A well-known Miami Beach pet appears to be getting the boot from his owner's condo after neighbors complain the bird is a bane.

Full Story

Canadians vow mass-mooning of US spy-blimp

Over seventy Canadians in Sarnia, Ontario have committed to dropping their pants and mooning a spy balloon that a US company is launching for surveillance of the border, including their town.

In a letter to the PM Thursday, Mike Bradley said the camera hovering over Port Huron, Mich. is scanning Sarnia's waterfront, which includes many homes, private businesses and government offices.

"There was absolutely no consultation with the local community and I am not aware if there has been at the national level about this particular initiative," he said.

The surveillance balloon based on Port Huron's waterfront is equipped with a $1-million camera and is being tested on the international border.

The 50-foot dirigible, shaped like an airplane wing, is owned by the Sierra Nevada Corporation and operated by True North Logistics of Port Huron.

It has clearance to fly to 1,000 feet and can read the name of a ship from nine miles (14 kilometres) away. Its owners hope to draw interest from U.S. Homeland Security.

'Moon the Balloon' protest grows, mayor writes PM

'Cash for clunkers' program may be nixed

The White House says it is reviewing the popular auto trade-in program over cost concerns.

'Cash for clunkers'

Also:

• Search: Cash for clunkers
• Unsafe trucks on the road

'Real' hurricane season about to begin

The season likely won't stay quiet, warn meteorologists.

'Real' hurricane season

Also:

• Mild season frustrates scientists
• Search: Hurricane preparedness

Daily Almanac

Today is Friday, July 31, the 212th day of 2009.

There are 153 days left in the year.

Today In History July 31

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

London, England, United Kingdom
Brussels, Brussels-Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Belgium
Warsaw, Warszawa, Poland
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Angelholm, Skane Lan, Sweden
Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
Vienna, Wien, Austria
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Milano, Lombardia, Italy
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Leeds, England, United Kingdom
Winchester, England, United Kingdom
Helsinki, Southern Finland, Finland

as well as Russia, Philippines, Scotland, and the United States

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

It takes a lot of time to learn something new, so don't be impatient with yourself right now.
Each time you uncover a new aspect of your current challenge, you will also uncover a new obstacle.
This is disheartening, but it is also very normal.
Just keep going and keep learning!
It will all start to gel soon.
You are on your own schedule, so do not compare your progress to the progress of someone else.
Stay focused on what you need to do.

Staying focused - got it.