Warning for frequent debit card users
Using a debit card for every purchase increases your liability, and chances you'll be defrauded.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Strange tale of a golden penny
Strange tale of a golden penny
A Brooklyn woman finds a counterfeit coin made of 18-karat gold and tracks down its maker.
Headlines
Today's Headlines
- Obama and House Democrats confident on health care bill
- Saudi Arabia launches offensive against Yemen rebels
- October retail sales results offer relief to merchants
- Former NYC Police Commissioner Kerik pleads guilty
- Judge throws out major L.A. deal for digitizing billboards
- Australian farmers under siege from kangaroo plague
- Embattled UN rethinking Afghan-Pakistan role
- Student stuns Iran by criticizing supreme leader
- Negotiators scale back UN climate pact ambitions
- Palestinian shock: President says he wants to quit
Daily Groaner
A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories.
After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse.
"But why?" they asked, as they moved off.
"Because," he said "I can't stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer."
After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse.
"But why?" they asked, as they moved off.
"Because," he said "I can't stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer."
Victim In Fatal Car Accident Tragically Not Glenn Beck
This is great!
Check out the Onion for more news.
Check out the Onion for more news.
Hey, they're more accurate and unbiased then FAUX News.
"Should I Trust Al Gore, or My Rock Hard Nipples?"
From Treehugger:
Al Gore Heads to the Daily Show
That's just one of the questions Jon Stewart asks Gore when the former vice president sits down to talk about his new book about finding solutions to climate change. Consider this a companion piece to my earlier post defending Al Gore from the New York Times--and watch Gore prove himself to be the knowledgeable climate spokesman he is. Video after the jump.
Article continues: "Should I Trust Al Gore, or My Rock Hard Nipples?" (VIDEO)
Mass extinction blamed on fiery fountains of coal
One of Earth's worst-ever mass extinctions may have been caused by carbon dioxide released by exploding mixtures of magma and coal.Mass extinction blamed on fiery fountains of coal
Secret copyright treaty has leaked and it ain't pretty
The internet chapter of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, a secret copyright treaty whose text Obama's administration refused to disclose due to "national security" concerns, has leaked.
It's bad.
It says:
Meanwhile in Europe ...
You might have seen that the EU's "Telecoms Package" squeaked through with some protection for users' rights intact -- specifically, the proposal to allow "3-strikes" rules (whereby everyone in your house would lose internet access if any member was accused, without trial, of copyright infringement) was killed. But it's not as good as it could be, nor as good as it was before the content industry's lobbyists got their buddies to rewrite it.
And with the news that Facebook accounts for 1 in every 4 page views on the internet and more and more businesses are starting to promote themselves there you'd think these bozos would have a clue ... but nooooooo.
If any of the proposed trash in these 'treaties' and 'policies' are put into place Facebook and any other networking site will cease to exist ... and those profiting from those sites (other than the site owners - they're another story) will not let that come to pass without one hell of a stink being raised.
It's bad.
It says:
- * That ISPs have to proactively police copyright on user-contributed material. This means that it will be impossible to run a service like Flickr or YouTube or Blogger, since hiring enough lawyers to ensure that the mountain of material uploaded every second isn't infringing will exceed any hope of profitability.
- * That ISPs have to cut off the Internet access of accused copyright infringers or face liability. This means that your entire family could be denied to the internet -- and hence to civic participation, health information, education, communications, and their means of earning a living -- if one member is accused of copyright infringement, without access to a trial or counsel.
- * That the whole world must adopt US-style "notice-and-takedown" rules that require ISPs to remove any material that is accused -- again, without evidence or trial -- of infringing copyright. This has proved a disaster in the US and other countries, where it provides an easy means of censoring material, just by accusing it of infringing copyright.
- * Mandatory prohibitions on breaking DRM, even if doing so for a lawful purpose (e.g., to make a work available to disabled people; for archival preservation; because you own the copyrighted work that is locked up with DRM)
Meanwhile in Europe ...
You might have seen that the EU's "Telecoms Package" squeaked through with some protection for users' rights intact -- specifically, the proposal to allow "3-strikes" rules (whereby everyone in your house would lose internet access if any member was accused, without trial, of copyright infringement) was killed. But it's not as good as it could be, nor as good as it was before the content industry's lobbyists got their buddies to rewrite it.
Jérémie Zimmemrmann writes,
The European Parliament and the Council of the EU came to an agreement on the "Telecoms Package" negotiations. They laid down legal and procedural guarantees against restrictions of Internet access. The new provision gives[1] "effective judicial protection and due process", guarantees "the principle of presumption of innocence and the right to privacy" and the respect of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.However, the text only speaks of "a prior fair and impartial procedure" instead of a prior ruling by the judicial authorities, guaranteed by the original "amendment 138", and contains loopholes and ambiguities. The invalidation of freedom-killer measures such as "three strikes policies" will now depend on interpretation by the European Court of Justice and national courts. Moreover, the text only relates to measures taken by Member States and thereby fails to bar telecom operators and entertainment industries from knocking down the founding principle of Net neutrality.
*****
Well the internet as we know it is gone if any of this garbage is allowed to go into effect.And with the news that Facebook accounts for 1 in every 4 page views on the internet and more and more businesses are starting to promote themselves there you'd think these bozos would have a clue ... but nooooooo.
If any of the proposed trash in these 'treaties' and 'policies' are put into place Facebook and any other networking site will cease to exist ... and those profiting from those sites (other than the site owners - they're another story) will not let that come to pass without one hell of a stink being raised.
Social isolation can't be blamed on technology
Technology is often blamed for breeding social isolation and screen zombies, but new data from Pew shows this not to be true.
Long-term jobless face frayed safety net
Out of work, out of savings and out of things to sell, Carolyn Johansen is running out of options to keep her home even as her unemployment benefits run out.
She's got a Dopey closet
A Troy, Michigan man has turned his 16-year-old daughter in to police after he discovered she was growing marijuana in her bedroom closet.
Man Calls Cops After Finding Pot Plants in Daughter's Closet
Man Calls Cops After Finding Pot Plants in Daughter's Closet
Western Europe's tallest peak shrinks
Western Europe's tallest peak shrinks
Mont Blanc has lost 18 inches in the past two years, a new survey finds.
Plan to help the 'uninsurable' draws fire
Plan to help the 'uninsurable' draws fire
People with high-risk health conditions may find some rude surprises in the Democrats' health plan.
Officials Confirm Iowa Cat Has H1N1 Flu
The H1N1 flu virus has been confirmed in a cat treated at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
SUV Nearly Slams Into Elephant
I can hear the 911 call now ... 'You Hit A What?'
It's not unusual to see a deer or a cow crossing Oklahoma's rural highways. But an elephant? An Oklahoma couple driving home from church nearly slammed into a giant pachyderm that had escaped from a nearby circus late Wednesday.
Hurricane Ida hits Nicaraguan coast
This November 4, 2009 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration handout satellite image shows Tropical Depression 11 formed just off the coast of Costa Rica.
Easy ways to ward off disease
Easy ways to ward off disease
Staying healthy depends on simple habits that are usually inexpensive and can be fun.
'Sesame Street' ticks off wingnuts
And this is a bad thing, how?
'Sesame Street' ticks off wingnuts
A rerun's jab at Faux News prompts complaints that the iconic kids' show is sending a political message.
Did anyone else notice the word 'rerun' by chance?
Where were the wingnuts the first time it aired, picking lint out of their bellybuttons?
Where were the wingnuts the first time it aired, picking lint out of their bellybuttons?
New $6,500 tax break for homebuyers
New $6,500 tax break for homebuyers
Congress expands its popular incentive program to include a whole new crop of buyers.
Inmates save deputy's life during attack
Inmates save deputy's life during attack
Deputy Kenneth Moon was at his desk inside a jail when Douglas Burden grabbed him.
Deadly shootings at U.S. Army base
Deadly shootings at U.S. Army base
Twelve people are killed and 31 injured in a pair of shootings at Fort Hood.
Jellyfish Sink 10 Ton Japanese Trawler
The trawler, the Diasan Shinsho-maru, capsized off Chiba`as its three-man crew was trying to haul in a net containing dozens of huge Nomura's jellyfish.
Each of the jellyfish can weigh up to 200 kg and waters around Japan have been inundated with the creatures this year ...
Opium ravages Afghan families
Afghan opium production is on the rise, helping to fund the Taliban and other terror groups and having a devastating impact across the world, experts say. Have the secrets of the sauce been revealed?
The closely guarded secret of the original Worcestershire Sauce recipe may have been found.
Former Lea & Perrins accountant Brian Keogh allegedly found the recipe in a skip by the firm’s Worcester factory in Midland Road, where he worked throughout the 1970s.
Mr Keogh, who retired in 1991 [and died in 2006] found rough encoded notes about the recipe’s secret ingredients, believed to date back to the mid-1800s.
Why a $90,000-a-year job goes unfilled
Why a $90,000-a-year job goes unfilled
Despite millions of job seekers, many high-paying positions have stayed vacant for months.
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
Stevenage, England, United Kingdom
Jakarta, Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Perth, Scotland, United Kingdom
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
Bamberg, Bayern, Germany
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia
Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Stockholm, Stockholms Lan, Sweden
Kiev, Kyyiv, Ukraine
Osawa, Ontario, Canada
Manchester, England, United Kingdom
as well as Wales, and the United States
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
Stevenage, England, United Kingdom
Jakarta, Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Perth, Scotland, United Kingdom
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
Bamberg, Bayern, Germany
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia
Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Stockholm, Stockholms Lan, Sweden
Kiev, Kyyiv, Ukraine
Osawa, Ontario, Canada
Manchester, England, United Kingdom
as well as Wales, and the United States
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
Instead of being annoyed by the day's eccentric energy, it will inspire you.
Not knowing exactly what's going to happen next will spark your creativity and help you start up a few new social endeavors.
It might be time to join that club, check out that hot nightspot, or explore a new neighborhood.
You have the right attitude and energy to discover something new.
I am eccentric energy.
Instead of being annoyed by the day's eccentric energy, it will inspire you.
Not knowing exactly what's going to happen next will spark your creativity and help you start up a few new social endeavors.
It might be time to join that club, check out that hot nightspot, or explore a new neighborhood.
You have the right attitude and energy to discover something new.
I am eccentric energy.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Iron Age Gold Treasure Found in Scotland
The four gold Iron Age neck ornaments, or torcs, date from between the 1st and 3rd Century BC and are said to be worth an estimated £1m.
They were discovered in September by "first-time" metal-detector enthusiast David Booth in a field in Stirlingshire.
Science News
From BBC-Science:
 | | Many earthquakes may be aftershocks of large quakes that occurred hundreds of years ago, say scientists. |
| The Nasa Messenger probe's observations of Mercury show the planet is even more of an "iron planet" than scientists thought. | | A modification to commercial optical fibre could be a promising route to solar power without large arrays, say researchers. |
Good times on Wall Street - $117.6 billion set aside for bonuses
$117.6 billion set aside for bonuses
Yes, you read that correctly.
Yes, you read that correctly.
And the year isn't even over yet. Yes, lessons learned starting with "let them rot and go bankrupt next time." As important as the Wall Street bailout was for preventing a much worse recession, any possibility of future assistance has been wiped out with this excessive greed. Playing Mr. Nice Guy with Wall Street is never good policy.Critics say it is also a sign that banks have learned few lessons from last year's financial crisis, which has been widely blamed on Wall Street's pursuit of short-term profits that pumped up pay.
"Banks don't appear to have learned much, at least on the compensation side, from what we've been through," said Cornelius Hurley, director of the Morin Center for Banking and Financial Law at Boston University. "Don't tell me you are bringing me back to the good old days of yesterday. Getting back to pre-Bear Stearns or Lehman is not fixing it. It is setting us up for another fall."
Processed and fatty foods linked to depression
Not that it is much of a surprise, but still interesting to see how bad processed food is. The difficulty is that for many reasons (time, easy access, cost) this is what many people eat. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables takes a bit more work but in the long run is so much better for the health.AFP:
They compared participants -- all civil servants -- who ate a diet largely based on "whole" foods with a second group who mainly ate fried food, processed meat, high-fat dairy products and sweetened desserts.
Taking into account other indicators of a healthy lifestyle such as not smoking and taking physical exercise, those who ate the whole foods had a 26 percent lower risk of depression than those who ate mainly processed foods.
People with a diet heavy in processed food had a 58 percent higher risk of depression.
Tom Coburn using secret hold to block bill on veterans benefits
We always knew "support the troops" didn't really mean anything to repugicans. It was a slogan, nothing more. And, that's being confirmed by Tom Coburn (reptile-OK) who is using the anonymous "hold" procedure in the Senate to prevent action on a bill designed to support veterans.Usually, these "holds" are secret, but the veterans have outed Coburn:
Thirteen major military and veterans groups have joined forces to try to force one senator — repugican Tom Coburn of Oklahoma — to release a hold that he has placed on a major veterans benefits bill.Maybe the Democrats should file a cloture motion on S. 1963 to force the repugican caucus to choose between Coburn and the vets.
Coburn has been identified by Senate aides as the lawmaker preventing consideration of S 1963, the Veterans’ Caregiver and Omnibus Health Benefits Act of 2009, by using an informal but legal practice of putting a hold on a bill.
Sesame Street Becomes Wingnuts' Newest Target
Sesame Street, which many consider one of the best shows ever for children, has no respect for Faux News, a wingnut blogger says.
We'll guess he's not going to be celebrating Sesame Street's anniversary or Big Bird's Birthday, anytime soon.
We'll guess he's not going to be celebrating Sesame Street's anniversary or Big Bird's Birthday, anytime soon.
Well, what do you expect ... no one has any respect for Faux News - no one with a functioning brain that is.
Embarrassing baby luxury items
Embarrassing baby luxury items
These former status symbols for infants have gone from must-have to must-hide.
Fattening seasonal treats to avoid
Fattening seasonal treats to avoid
Ordering festive menu items like pumpkin muffins can wallop your waistline.
How to think like Warren Buffett
How to think like Warren Buffett
Here are 8 insights into how one of the world's richest men makes money.
Financial blunders — and how to fix them
4 financial blunders — and how to fix them
Even well-intentioned actions like saving for kids' college funds can backfire.
BPA levels in canned foods
BPA levels in canned foods
High levels of a potentially harmful chemical in soups and vegetables raise safety concerns.
Ways to look thinner instantly
5 ways to look thinner instantly
Using accessories to accentuate a small part of your body can create the illusion of thinness.
Farm state churning out millionaires
Farm state churning out millionaires
The national economy may still be struggling, but North Dakotans are raking in more than ever.
Main factors
Main factors
Also:
London mayor saves woman from attackers
London mayor saves woman from attackers
A woman cornered on a London street was surprised at who answered her calls for help.
Unique vacation rentals under $100
Unique vacation rentals under $100
Spend a night in a castle in France or in a luxury home in Hawaii for very little money.
Cool concept cars turning heads
4 cool concept cars turning heads
Honda reveals what may be the most futuristic take on the minivan ever.
Things to never say to your insurers
Things to never say to your insurers
Mentioning these red flags could result in a delay or even a denial of your insurance claim.
6-year-old's gifts of love after death
6-year-old's gifts of love after death
After Elena Desserich died of cancer, her family found hundreds of surprising tokens of her love.
Facebook accounts for 1 out of every 4 pageviews on the internet
One out of every 4 pageviews is a facebook pageview.More and more businesses are marketing through Facebook.
Interesting, isn't it.
Real-life fashion police crack down on public pajama-wearers in China
Shanghai will host the World Expo next year, and city officials are preparing for the influx of foreigners with a campaign to ban citizens from wearing their pajamas out in the streets.
An article in the Chengdu Business Daily expresses outrage over the campaign as a civil rights abuse.
Excerpt:
An article in the Chengdu Business Daily expresses outrage over the campaign as a civil rights abuse.
Excerpt:
Many Shanghai residents are used to loitering around the streets in their pajamas. But now the municipal government is making every effort to stop them from doing so, because it would be a "loss of face" for city authorities if a foreigner sees people walking the streets in pajamas during the 2010 World Expo. (...)
As a modern international metropolis, Shanghai has been playing host to foreigners for decades. So why have pajamas become embarrassing only now? And will it be okay for people to walk the streets in pajamas after the World Expo? Why should we change our habits and customs to suit foreigners' taste when we travel abroad as well as when we play host to them? Do we suffer from a sense of inferiority?
Owens wins 23rd Congressional District
NY 23rd Congressional District seat Plattsburgh attorney William Owens captured the 23rd Congressional District seat, giving Democrats a victory in the district for the first time since 1852.
Michigan Man Can Sue Store He Robbed
From the "Now, isn't that a fine kettle of fish" Department:
A Michigan judge says a man who claims he was chased, shot and beaten by workers at a store he'd just robbed can sue the men.
The man is currently serving 8-year prison sentence.
Michigan Man Can Sue Store He Robbed
A Michigan judge says a man who claims he was chased, shot and beaten by workers at a store he'd just robbed can sue the men.
The man is currently serving 8-year prison sentence.
Michigan Man Can Sue Store He Robbed
Tokyo Uses Blues To Curb Platform Suicides
Tokyo train operators alarmed at a rise in station suicides have bathed the city's platforms in blue light in a bid to calm passengers.
Tokyo Uses Blues To Curb Platform Suicides
Tokyo Uses Blues To Curb Platform Suicides
Man survived a 2,000 foot fall from Mt. Shasta
A Santa Rosa man fell nearly 2,000 feet on the rugged slopes of Mt. Shasta this weekend and survived.
This just in ...
Just got a report on the state of a forum I used to frequent but left due to incessant wingnut dogma being pushed and encouraged over debate and any sort of rebuttal was seen as anathema.
It can be told that it hasn't changed and the wingnuts are still attacking any that disagree with them even after everything that they were told a year ago was the truth and factual and that all has passed as we who stood up to their bullying foretold has come to pass.
It is amazing how such small minds do not function outside of Fantasyland.
It can be told that it hasn't changed and the wingnuts are still attacking any that disagree with them even after everything that they were told a year ago was the truth and factual and that all has passed as we who stood up to their bullying foretold has come to pass.
It is amazing how such small minds do not function outside of Fantasyland.
Man Denied First Class Seat on United
A corporate executive with electronic retail giant Best Buy says a United Airlines gate agent denied him a seat in the first class cabin because he was wearing a track suit.
OK, bad taste in attire is no reason to bar someone with a first class ticket from a first class seat.
Laugh your ass off at their stupid attire, yes, but not bar them from their seat.
Laugh your ass off at their stupid attire, yes, but not bar them from their seat.
Iranians run into the streets during earthquake
An earthquake has hit the southern part of Iran.The official news agency of Iran has reported major injuries from the incident, with 100 people being hospitalized.
The Birth of Time
Scientists have seen the first starlight ever recorded, and we don't mean the first incidence of a monkey marking something down - we mean the first star to send light which reached Earth. This light is the earliest, the furthest away, the most red-shifted, and every other factor that could possibly say "Everything else ever came after this."Companies with no layoffs — ever
Companies with no layoffs — ever
These businesses have never laid off a single employee in their history.
Missing teen mystery solved 55 years later
Missing teen mystery solved 55 years later
It took a family member, a historian, and a detective to connect a Jane Doe case to a girl's disappearance.
Unusual Holidays and Celebrations
Today is:
National Chicken Lady Day
as well as
Use Your Common Sense Day
National Chicken Lady Day
as well as
Use Your Common Sense Day
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Graz, Steiermark, Austria
Bolton, England, United Kingdom
Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Bath, England, United Kingdom
London, England, United Kingdom
Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
Jakarta, Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Lyon, Rhone-Alpes, France
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Milano, Lombardia, Italy
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Graz, Steiermark, Austria
Bolton, England, United Kingdom
Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Bath, England, United Kingdom
London, England, United Kingdom
Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
Jakarta, Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Lyon, Rhone-Alpes, France
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Milano, Lombardia, Italy
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
Beware of some crossed signals or less-than-totally clear communication.
A lot of ambient noise is in the air -- third-party hearsay or idle, unfounded gossip, for instance.
Shut it out!
Once you winnow away all that negative stuff, the more significant messages may become clear.
Interpreting it as being all about you could be totally wrong.
Best get to winnowing, then.
Beware of some crossed signals or less-than-totally clear communication.
A lot of ambient noise is in the air -- third-party hearsay or idle, unfounded gossip, for instance.
Shut it out!
Once you winnow away all that negative stuff, the more significant messages may become clear.
Interpreting it as being all about you could be totally wrong.
Best get to winnowing, then.
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