CAROLINA NATURALLY

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

London, England, United Kingdom
Dronten, Flevoland, Netherlands
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Poznan, Wielkopolskie, Poland
Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
Ornskoldsvik, Vasternorrlands Lan, Sweden
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom
Jakarta, Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Milano, Lombardia, Italy
Letchworth, England, United Kingdom

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

Most people respond to a tragic situation by looking at the bright side.
You're smart enough to know when it makes more sense to face reality.
Get rid of the things that are muddying the waters and clouding your thoughts -- this might include unsolicited advice, excess chatter or unnecessary information.
Let your mantra be 'Simplify, simplify, simplify,' and watch as clarity follows.

All Hail Simplicity!

Monday, November 2, 2009

And I Quote

What about a law that says it’s a federal crime to attack somebody because of his religious beliefs? Not a chance!

~ Pat Robertson, outraged that queer beatings are now illegal

Liars and Fools

Liars and Fools

Lou Dobbs is still harping on the idiotic North American Union conspiracy theory
Simple minds.

Pat Robertson's insane ranting this week includes: "the noose has tightened around the necks of christians"
So what if it has ... how is this a bad thing?

James Manning threatening the president (and committing treason to boot): "If we let Obama live, America dies"
And why is this nutcase not behind bars or in front of a firing squad?

Mitch McConnell (reptile - Kentucky) is still lying saying health care reform "may cost you your life"
He is such a moron there is no need to elaborate.

Alan Keyes keeps up his delusinal lies saying the Obama administration is preparing to stage terror attacks, declare martial law and cancel the 2012 elections
Why does that book by Harriet Beecher Stowe come to mind anytime I see something about this idiot?

Jebby Boy (the shrub's kid bro) (retard - Florida) lies saying Obama is trying to "attack capitalism"
That was big brudda what done that, there, Jebby.

Faux News is 'asking' one of their 'polls' again, this time: "Do you think the Taliban wants victory more than Obama?"
A 'poll' by Faux News - enough said.

Lou Dobbs lying yet again saying Senator Harry Reid (Democrat - Nevada) is "extraordinarily dangerous"
Extraordinarily inept, maybe. Dangerous, not so much.

Michelle Bachmann (Bat-Shit Crazy - Minnesota) in her delusion lies saying "This is our liberty and tyranny moment"
Is she still talking?

More lies from a liar

To nobody's surprise, alleged christian leader Pat Robertson remains a clueless liar, believed and respected by millions of devout followers.

Just when I think I've heard it all ...

About to be impeached, Mark Sanford (reptile-South Carolina) has written a piece about the glory of Ayn Rand and the futility of government for Newsweek.

Making it easier to vote ...

Congressman Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota) has proposed legislation allowing voter registration at the polls, nationwide.

The repugicans will, of course, never allow this to pass, since it would make voting easy and they greatly prefer that voting be something just difficult and complicated enough to discourage people who don't have spare time for trips to the voting office, who tend to be folks better educated or simply less white than their average repugican voter.

America's Congressman keeps on hitting'em out of the park

Congressman Alan Grayson (D-Florida) has begun reading true stories of health-care catastrophes in Congress.

Health Care Hell in America

Despite paying $499 per month for what they thought was health insurance, Anthony and Mary Lloyd had no health insurance at all.

Young poet's touching story

Mattie Stepanek died before age 14, but his poems inspired everyone from Jimmy Carter to Oprah.

See why

Also:

Conquering your biggest kitchen fears

Struggling with a lobster or cooking meat properly can be downright intimidating.

Permission to cheat

Also:

Critics blast Kellogg's cereal claims

The cereal maker is called out for packaging that appears to play off swine flu fears.

Details

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Repugican 'wins' won't cure party ailments

The repugican party will need more than a strong off-year-election showing to lift its hopes for the 2010 midterms.

Analysis

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How to feel more appreciated

It's ironic, but being taken for granted can actually be a form of praise.

Get the recognition you deserve

Also:

Niche idea grows into $5 million empire

Jeffery Morin calls his business "poor man's coin collecting," but it has treated him well.

His items

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Iconic mountain's drastic changes

The glaciers on one of the world's most-notable landmarks are rapidly shrinking.

They 'will not endure'

Also:

Battle over face veil heats up in Egypt

New rules restricting women's use of the niqab fuel growing tensions over Islamism.

'Rather die than take it off'

Also:

Avoid the pitfalls of dog adoption

There are plenty of great reasons to adopt a dog, and a few really bad ones.

The worst mistake people make

Also:

Small towns with big job prospects

These rural areas combine outstanding quality of life with low unemployment.

Louisville, Colorado

Also:

Ugliest automobiles of past 50 years

The Bond Bug had three wheels, a boat-like bottom, and, yes, zip-up windows.

See more design duds

Also:

Processed foods linked to depression

A steady diet of fried foods and sweets will significantly dampen your mood, new research shows.

Happier food

Also:

Seven quick dinners

Getting dinner on the table is worry-free with these simple menus for every day of the week.

See recipes

Also:

What soft drinks do to your body

Find out how soda can hurt the immune system and increase belly weight gain.

Is diet soda any better?

Also:

A hotel room with a celestial view

A space tourism company says it is on target to open an orbiting hotel in 2012.

Price of a three-night stay

Also:

Civilian Killed In Blast At NC Army Post

A North Carolina Army post is trying to explain why a civilian was killed in an explosion near a firing range observation point.

Civilian Killed In Blast At NC Army Post

North Carolinians Favor Health Care Reform

According to the latest poll released from Elon University, three of every four North Carolina residents believe the current health care system in the country needs reformed.

North Carolinians Favor Health Care Reform

Funny Money

Three N.C. residents face forgery charges after deputies say they used dozens of counterfeit $20 bills at Carowinds Saturday.

The three were arrested Saturday after witnesses identified them as using fake $20 bills at the amusement park's games that day, according to a York County Sheriff's Office Report.

Sharod Mitchell, 19, of Forest City; Arthiando Phillips, 21, of Shelby and Sarah Colon, 19, of Cherryville have each been charged with forgery and criminal conspiracy, sheriff's office documents show. All three remained in custody Sunday at the Moss Justice Center.

Deputies found $1,175 on the trio - much of it folded separately in sets of $15 to $19 as though it was change from a small purchase with a $20 bill, the report says.

Carowinds security had 37 fake $20 bills that had been spent at the park that day, and park officials expect there may be more.

A park employee noticed that the money looked odd and notified security, Carowinds spokeswoman Dani Swords said.

Security then tracked the trio through the park before calling police, Swords said.

"This is not something that happens often," Swords said. "We're happy an associate was (able) to detect it. ... We're glad we're able to catch people doing the wrong thing."

All three denied involvement in a scheme involving fake money, according to the report.

Two of the original bills that had been duplicated were among the found cash, the report says. Deputies also found evidence in Colon's car in the parking lot.

All three have been banned from Carowinds.

*****

Now, trying to pass bogus bills is really stupid to begin with ... but at an amusement park?

Tower of London Beefeaters suspended for bullying

If the charges are true, it's time to add bullying to the litany of foul deeds committed at the notorious Tower of London, where three English queens were executed centuries ago.

Beefeaters suspended for bullying

Beefeaters suspended for bullying

The story of the first woman to serve at the Tower of London was supposed to be an inspiring one.

Disturbing twist

Also:

Ground Beef Linked To E. Coli Death Sold In NC

The federal agency says the ground beef was sold at numerous retail stores.

Recall

Stretch Of Highway 103 In Mount Airy Named In Honor Of Donna Fargo

The state of North Carolina dedicated about 6 miles of N.C. 103 as "Donna Fargo Highway."

Donna Fargo Highway

AP: Future of GOP and moderate Republicans uncertain

What's most interesting thing about this article is that it's being written at all.

If AP is saying that the future of moderates in the GOP is uncertain, then that theme has struck a chord in the media, and will only make them more likely to write such stories in the future.

About time the media caught on to what we've known for a long time.

Only it is not uncertain - it is no future.

Why a high IQ doesn't mean you're smart

IQ measures the brightness of our mental searchlight.

But where we point it also matters.

Clever Fools

Police Looking For Suspect Who Shot And Killed Four In Mt. Airy

Officers are looking for Marcos Chavez Gonzalez, 29 in connection to the shooting. They believe he is still armed with an assault rifle used in the shootings.

Police Looking For Suspect Who Shot And Killed Four In Mt. Airy

UPDATE:

Mount Airy Shooting Suspect Arrested In Virginia

Four people died after the suspect opened fire in the parking lot of Woods TV on Sunday afternoon.

President Clinton honored with statue

With chants of "USA," former President Bill Clinton attends an emotional unveiling in Kosovo.

See the statue

Also:

Thriving jobs that are here to stay

6 thriving jobs that are here to stay

Even in a down economy, opportunity exists in energy, health care and education.

Most pay more than $50K

Also:

Peru's Nazca culture was brought down with its trees

New evidence suggests the fate of the ancient Nazca society of Peru was entwined with that of the Huarango tree.

Deforestation left nothing to hinder ancient flood-waters on the desert plain, researchers find.

Full Story

Cutting trees doomed ancient people

The once-flourishing Nazca civilization fell into oblivion after it began clearing forests.

Few traces left

Also:

New credit-card evils to know

5 new credit-card evils to know

More cardholders are getting slapped with fees they've never seen before.

$19 fee for NOT using your card

Also:

An Atheist’s Review of the Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb

It’s true what they say. Sometimes, a picture really is worth a thousand words.

Especially when those pictures are drawn by Robert Crumb.

And especially when those words come from the Bible. [...]

Of course I’ve read Genesis. More than once. It’s been a little while since I’ve read the whole thing all the way through, but it’s not like it’s unfamiliar. But there’s something about seeing the story fleshed out in images to make some of its more striking narrative turns leap out and grab your brain by the root. There’s nothing quite like seeing the two different creation stories enacted on the page to make you go, “Hey! That’s right! Two completely different creation stories!” There’s nothing quite like seeing Lot offer his daughters to be gang-raped to make you recoil in shock and moral horror. There’s nothing quite like seeing the crazed dread and burning determination in Abraham’s eyes as he prepares the sacrifice of his own son to make you feel the enormity of this act. Reading these stories in words conveys the ideas; seeing them in images conveys the visceral impact. It makes it all seem vividly, immediately, humanly real. [...]

And so, when it came to illustrating the freakier and more unsettling aspects of the narrative, he pulled no punches. The multiple marriages, the concubines, the brutal wars, the enslavements, Jacob extorting Esau out of his birthright, Abraham lying to the Pharaoh and saying that his wife was his sister, Noah’s Lot’s daughters getting him drunk and screwing him, the deliberate deception and massacre of an entire town, Joseph taking advantage of famine and drought to seize the wealth of an entire region… it’s all here, fleshed out in blood and sweat and tears, in vivid, unforgettable, often nightmarish detail. It’s really hard to see all that, and still see this book as a divinely inspired guide to living an ethical life. It’s really hard to see all that, and see this book as anything other than a story of survival and conquest in a brutal and bloody period of human history.

An Atheist’s Review of the Book of Genesis Illustrated by a Legendary Comics Artist

Chris Christie Steals Monty Python Material for Ad

Chris Christie, 47, the repugican candidate for Governor of New Jersey in Tuesday's gubernatorial election, has used some Monty Python material without permission.

The comedy troupe is none-to-happy.

Full Story

Unusual Holidays and Celebrations

Today is Cookie Monster Day.

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
London, England, United Kingdom
Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Kuwait, Al Kuwayt, Kuwait
Grindsted, Ribe, Denmark
Stoke On Trent, England, United Kingdom
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany
Haarlem, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Oradea, Bihor, Romania
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Glastonbury, England, United Kingdom

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

It's an excellent day to lead people to new places in their lives.
You're feeling restless today -- you have been good long enough, and you are itching to break out and run.
This could be the start of a long phase when you'll want to test your boundaries and see just how far you can push things.
The good news is your irreverence will help give other people a reason to rebel and make changes for the better.

Kewl Beenz

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Colorado county copes with methane mystery

Bernice and Jerry Angely like to show visitors the singed T-shirt a friend was wearing when their water well exploded and shot flames 30 feet high.

The friend wasn't hurt. But that and an explosion at another home weeks earlier forced Colorado to suspend natural gas drilling around this southern plains town until someone could find out why dangerous levels of methane were getting into the groundwater.

Two years later, Walsenburg and surrounding Huerfano County are still waiting, its residents caught in a collision between two of the West's vital resources: Water and natural gas.

"The water is so saturated with methane and other chemicals it is not to be used for human consumption," said Bernice Angely, who's had water trucked to her home 10 miles west of town since her well blew up in July 2007.

Full Story

The end of an era

The blinking, scrolling JFG billboard, which has been a landmark of the Charlotte skyline for more than four decades, is coming down - ending the longest-running billboard campaign in the city's history.

Repugican endorses Democrat in NY House race

Now that is the definition of a civil war.

Brought to you by your local teabaggers.

Repugican endorses Democrat in NY House race

Goldman Sachs bet on America failing

In 2006 and 2007, Goldman Sachs group peddled more than $40 billion in securities backed by at least 200,000 risky home mortgages, but never told the buyers it was secretly betting that a sharp drop in U.S. housing prices would send the value of those securities plummeting.
Goldman's sales and its clandestine wagers, completed at the brink of the housing market meltdown, enabled the nation's premier investment bank to pass most of its potential losses to others before a flood of mortgage defaults staggered the U.S. and global economies.
...now, pension funds, insurance companies, labor unions and foreign financial institutions that bought those dicey mortgage securities are facing large losses, and a five-month mcclatchy investigation has found that goldman's failure to disclose that it made secret, exotic bets on an imminent housing crash may have violated securities laws.- mcclatchy

Matt Taibbi lets us know that Goldman Sachs thinks these dirty in the dark dealings are just "peachy keen" for everyone.

This is from a lobbying document Goldman has been passing around the senate on financial regulatory reform in general.

There is a lot of crazy stuff in this document, but the most notable is probably this passage, in which Goldman pooh-poohs the notion that complete transparency in markets creates accurate prices.

Instead, the bank argues that an over-the-counter market in which big traders like Goldman get to do deals in the shadows in “dark pools” without the retail investor having any knowledge of what the hell is going on is somehow better for everybody, that this somehow produces better prices. Of course the reality is that the two-tiered system creates one pool of fools whose every movement is visible to every animal on the Serengeti, and another pool of giant bloodthirsty carnivores who get to walk around invisible, picking off the Dik-Diks one by one.

Everyone I showed this to had the same reaction — “I can’t believe they said this out loud.” - Taibblog

Lock these America Haters behind bars NOW!

I'm a temp

Does this ring a bell?

If I don't work ... I don't get paid.
There are quite a number of us who will go to work even though we are sick.
Sorry, CDC.

For millions of Americans the rule is simple: if you don't come to work, you don't get paid.
That idea drives an untold numbers of carpenters, day care workers, servers, shopkeepers and small-business owners to their jobs each day. Sniffles or not.

As the swine flu spreads across the nation — and public health officials plead with the ill to, please, stay home in bed for several days until the fever goes away — a large segment of the American work force will face a tough choice about whether to call in sick or simply muddle through. That's because when skipping work means skipping food on the table or missing a rent payment, staying in bed isn't as simple as it sounds.
Read the rest here

Foods that help fight flu

6 foods that help fight flu

Apples, broccoli, and tomatoes are powerhouse produce that help prevent disease.

More immunity boosters

Also:

Flex spending faces hit in health reform

Reform could jeopardize the tax-free accounts many Americans use for health expenses.

Unlikely opposition

Also:

The hidden cost of swine flu

For millions of workers, unforgiving financial pressure compounds fear of the H1N1 virus.

Contingency plans

Also:

Keep your gadgets going longer

When your laptop is plugged in, it's a good idea to take out the battery.

Other surprising tips

Also:

What you get with 'median-priced' homes

Find out what homes priced at the national average look like around the country.

10 different cities

Also:

Save $500 in 30 days?

Save $500 in 30 days? It can be done

Cut a little here and a little there, and it's possible to save a chunk of cash in just one month.

Get tough with your bank

Also:

Top 15 franchise failures of 2009

Owners of these franchise businesses suffered the highest rates of default on their loans.

Blockbuster Video is one

Also:

Scary squeeze for biggest cruise ship

The world's largest cruise ship comes within two feet of disaster on its maiden voyage.

'Fantastic'

Also:

Death, Second Recall in E. coli Outbreak

An expanding outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 cases in New England that Food Safety News reported on just two days ago took an ominous turn Saturday when New Hampshire reported the first fatality associated with the outbreak.

And just hours before that grim news came word that a much larger ground beef recall was in the works from a second meat processor. Now popular retailers including Price Chopper, Giant Food Stores, Ford Brothers, BJ's Wholesale/Burls and Acme are all involved.

Full Story

Commercial Lender CIT Group Files Ch. 11 Bankruptcy

Full Story

Commercial lender CIT Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York court on Sunday. CIT specializes in lending to small and medium-sized businesses.