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The place where the world comes together in honesty and mirth.
Windmills Tilted, Scared Cows Butchered, Lies Skewered on the Lance of Reality ... or something to that effect.


Saturday, November 14, 2009

Saturday Jam

Today's Saturday Jam Includes:

Smoke On The Water
Deep Purple (live in 1973)

Ghost Riders In The Sky
Blues Brothers ("live")

Godzilla
Blue Oyster Cult (live)

President Obama's Weekly Address


Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
November 14, 2009

This was a week for honoring the extraordinary service and profound sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.

Every fall, we set aside a special day to pay tribute to our veterans. But this year, Veteran’s Day took on even greater poignancy and meaning because of the tragic events at Fort Hood.

On Tuesday, I traveled there to join with the Fort Hood community, the Army, and the friends and families of the victims to honor thirteen of our fellow Americans who died – and the dozens more who were wounded – not on some distant shore, but on a military base at home.

Every man and woman who signs up for military service does so with full knowledge of the dangers that could come – that is part of what makes the service of our troops and veterans so extraordinary. But it’s unthinkable that so many would die in a hail of gunfire on a US Army base in the heart of Texas, and that a fellow service-member could have pulled trigger.

There is an ongoing investigation into this terrible tragedy. That investigation will look at the motives of the alleged gunman, including his views and contacts. As I said in Fort Hood, I am confident that justice will be done, and I will insist that the full story be told. That is paramount, and I won’t compromise that investigation today by discussing the details of this case. But given the potential warning signs that may have been known prior these shootings, we must uncover what steps – if any – could have been taken to avert this tragedy.

On the Thursday evening that this tragedy took place, I met in the Oval Office with Secretary of Defense Gates, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – Admiral Mullen, and FBI Director Mueller to review the immediate steps that were necessary to support the families and secure Fort Hood. The next morning, I met with the leadership of our military and the intelligence community, and ordered them to undertake a full review of the sequence of events that led up to the shootings.

The purpose of this review is clear: We must compile every piece of information that was known about the gunman, and we must learn what was done with that information. Once we have those facts, we must act upon them. If there was a failure to take appropriate action before the shootings, there must be accountability. Beyond that – and most importantly – we must quickly and thoroughly evaluate and address any flaws in the system, so that we can prevent a similar breach from happening again. Our government must be able to act swiftly and surely when it has threatening information. And our troops must have the security that they deserve.

I know there will also be inquiries by Congress, and there should. But all of us should resist the temptation to turn this tragic event into the political theater that sometimes dominates the discussion here in Washington. The stakes are far too high.

Of all the responsibilities of the presidency, the one that I weigh most heavily is my duty as Commander-in-Chief to our splendid service-men and women. Their character and bravery were on full display in that processing center at Fort Hood, when so many scrambled under fire to help their wounded comrades. And their great dignity and decency has been on display in the days since, as the Fort Hood community has rallied together.

We owe our troops prayerful, considered decisions about when and where we commit them to battle to protect our security and freedom, and we must fully support them when they are deployed. We also owe them the absolute assurance that they’ll be safe here at home as they prepare for whatever mission may come. As Commander-in-Chief, I won’t settle for anything less.

This nation will never forget the service of those we lost at Fort Hood, just as we will always honor the service of all who wear the uniform of the United States of America. Their legacy will be an America that is safer and stronger – an America that reflects the extraordinary character of the men and women who serve it.

Thank you.

Unusual Holidays and Celebrations

Today is:

Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day,
National American Teddy Bear Day,
and
World Diabetes Day

Daily Almanac

Today is Saturday, Nov. 14, the 318th day of 2009.

There are 47 days left in the year.

Today In History November 14

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

Quebec, Quebec, Canada
Murcia, Murcia, Spain
New Delhi, Delhi, Spain
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Santa Fe De Bogota, Distrito Especial, Columbia
Faro, Faro, Portugal
Kuwait, Al Kuwayt, Kuwait
Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
Paris, Ile-De-France, France
Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam

As well as Brazil, and the United States

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

If you need to take a stand now, for yourself or for a loved one, it definitely won't be a problem.
You'd never admit it, of course, but deep down you actually enjoy a little confrontation -- the rush, the adrenalin.
You're well equipped to deal with just about any scuffle: verbal, physical or psychological.
Just warn any innocent bystanders of the impending fracas -- give them ample time to get away.

Will do.

Friday, November 13, 2009

YouTube only shuts down Liberals who post FAUX News clips

It's nice to know that YouTube has only decided to destroy any concept of Fair Use for Liberals who post FAUX News clips.
But wingnuts who post them, we now learn, still have their videos up on YouTube, no problem at all.

The new Palin book apparently has some, ahem, errors

That's putting it lightly!

Surprise!

AP does an even bigger fact check of the book - it's not pretty.

Focus on the Family funds abortions?

Hypocrisy in action, folks ...

This is really good.

Happy California Cows Actually From New Zealand

You've probably seen those "Happy California Cows" ads from the California Milk Advisory Board. They advertise that better milk and cheese comes from happy cows, and happy cows come from California.

'Dental button' eases patient fears

'Dental button' eases patient fears

A new invention promises patients more control over the dentist's dreaded drill.

A major moon water discovery

A major moon water discovery

Significant amounts of frozen water are found on the moon, raising hopes for a lunar base.

Ranking the best health insurance plans

Ranking the best health insurance plans

These options received top ratings in member satisfaction, prevention, and treatment.

The swine flu's fatal toll

The swine flu's fatal toll

U.S. government estimates four times as many people have died from H1N1 than previously thought.

'Cash for appliances' program details

'Cash for appliances' program details

The plan, which begins this spring, won't work the same as Cash for Clunkers.

Get a head start on Black Friday

Get a head start on Black Friday

Smart consumers will score huge deals even before the biggest shopping day of the year.

Recluse gives town $20 million surprise

Recluse gives town $20 million surprise

A former manufacturing town is stunned by luxurious new facilities.

Signs you may be a bad coworker

5 signs you may be a bad coworker

If you display any of these habits, you could be pushing your colleagues to the limit.

Five expensive clunker cars to avoid

Five expensive clunker cars to avoid

These vehicles are the least reliable and most expensive to repair on the road today.

Eric Cartman channels Glenn Brick

FAUX News and Glenn Brick get the SouthPark treatment:
What makes this so funny is that it is spot on!

Embarrassed repugicans to Drop Abortion Coverage

Have you ever seen a red-faced elephant?

News reports have revealed that the repugican's health plan dating back as far as 1991 may have included some coverage for elective abortion.
Upon learning of this, Chairwhimp Michael Steele instructed the repugican director of administration to opt the repugicans out of any coverage for elective abortion services in its health insurance policy.

Full Story

13 Facts About Friday the 13th

Today is the THIRD Friday the 13th this year -- an occurance that only happens once every 11 years. Fear of Friday the 13th — one of the most popular myths in science — is called paraskavedekatriaphobia as well as friggatriskaidekaphobia. Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13.

Full Story


Cities for people who hate commutes

15 cities for people who hate commutes

Residents in these areas enjoy walkable neighborhoods near public transportation and jobs.

Million-dollar car ends up in swamp

Million-dollar car ends up in swamp

The owner is fine, but a rare Bugatti Veyron sportscar may not be as lucky.

Trees in far north provide biggest climate benefit

Planting forests in the tropics could be a waste of time and money, compared with planting them at high latitudes.

Failed stellar bombs hint at supernova tipping point

Two peculiar white dwarfs with more oxygen than carbon are like nothing anybody has seen before.

Cocaine and pepper spray – a lethal mix?

A mouse experiment suggests deaths in US police custody may have been the result of an interaction between capsaicin and psychostimulant drugs.

Cocaine and pepper spray – a lethal mix?

Cop News

Target's Black Friday bet: $3 appliances

Target's Black Friday bet: $3 appliances

A leaked ad from the retailer reveals some of its best "doorbuster discounts."

Liars and Fools

Liars and Fools

Virignia Foxx lies claiming health care reform is a bigger threat than "any terrorist right now in any country"
She's a stupid redneck - enough said.

Faux's Glenn Brick lies saying the White House and progressives are "taking you to a place to be slaughtered"
OK, which delusion is this from, eh, Brick?

Dimbulb in his syphilitic delusions lies saying that the man who killed 12 soldiers is "just like Obama"
Why is this traitor not behind bars yet?

WingNutDaily lying again claims the mass-murderer advised Obama's transition team
These idiots are still posting?

Brick is fantasizing again and lies saying "anti-free market, Marxist, Maoist radicals" are "looking to overthrow the system"
Delusion number 47, right, Brick?

Paul Broun contines to lie claiming that the health care reform "destroy America as we know it today
Georgia redneck - 'nuff said.

Wingnut Erick Erickson yelling at his fellow morons to tell Nancy Pelosi and the Congress to send Obama to a death panel
Put a sock in it, Erick!

Glenn Brick's guest host lies claiming something about "enslavement" and it will "lead to euthanasia for overweight people"
This is so incoherent even the twisted voids that pass for minds among the wingnuts can't get this.

Michael Savage keeps on lying saying the Democratic Party has been hijacked by "Leninists and Marxists"; "as though Al Qaeda took over the Democrat Party"
So, how many countries are you banned from, now, Mikey?

Unusual Holidays and Celebrations

Today is World Kindness Day.

Daily Almanac

Today is Friday, Nov. 13, the 317th day of 2009.

There are 48 days left in the year.

Today In History November 13

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

Trivandrum, Kerala, India
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada
Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Erode, Tamil Nadu, India
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Palma De Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Uppsala, Uppsala Lan, Sweden
Rio De Janiero, Rio De Janiero, Brazil

as well as France, and the United States

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

An authority figure will bring you much entertainment today, which will be a nice change of pace.
The two of you will find yourselves in a novel situation: You'll be the expert and he or she will be the novice for once.
It'll be unfamiliar territory, so suppress your laughter and discomfort.
More and more, you're seeing this person's fallibility, and you're really beginning to consider them an equal.
That just means your relationship is becoming healthier.

OK.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Friday the 13th phobia?

Friday the 13th phobia? You're not alone

Even a former U.S. president regularly changed his travel plans to avoid the day.

FDA Considers Banning Warm Water Oyster Sales

At issue is how far the federal government should go to save the lives of 15 people each year who die from eating contaminated raw oysters.

Raw Oyster Ban

Health insurance companies asking their employees to lobby Congress on health care reform

The nation's largest health insurance carrier is urging its employees to lobby the Senate against reform proposals that would hurt the firm's bottom line, according to copies of e-mails released Thursday by a liberal advocacy group.

UnitedHealth Group, which is based in Minnesota, sent an e-mail message to its 75,000 employees on Tuesday asking them to write their senators and local newspapers in opposition to a public insurance option, alleging that "government-run health care" will force "millions of Americans" to drop their current coverage.

conflict of interest!

The repugican's own health care plan covers abortions

Can you say ...

Oops.

With all their screeching and howling.
Hypocrisy is still their hallmark.

Sean Hanjob had to publicly admit on-air to using incorrect and misleading footage in his tea bagger story

The day after the Daily Show busted the Faux 'news' anchor attempting to inflate the apparent attendance for a recent D.C. tea bagger rally by using old footage from two months ago, Sean Hannity offered an "apology" of sorts on tonight's show.

Having no choice but to cop to it, Hannity admitted getting busted, though claims it was "an inadvertent mistake". How one can inadvertently go fetch footage from two months ago, and "inadvertently" edit it into a report on an event that took place earlier on the same day is not entirely clear.

He also failed to explain to his viewers the context in which the "incorrect video" actually was shown. Neither did he run Stewart's report from last night explaining clearly how Handjob had attempted to fool them. So, as usual, Handjob's viewers remain both in the dark and misinformed.

Common cold may hold off swine flu

This intriguing idea would explain why swine flu's autumn wave has been slow to take off in some countries and point to new ways to fight flu.

Common cold may hold off swine flu

Science News

From BBC-Science:
Greenland coast
Satellites, models and ground stations give scientists a better view than ever before of how the Greenland icecap is melting.

And I Quote

Public option, whatever. The folks don't want it.

~ O'Reilly, lying on FAUX News,

Actually some polls show that the public option is kind of popular.

~ Brit Hume, correcting O'Reilly's lying ass

Feds move to seize 4 mosques, tower linked to Iran

Federal prosecutors Thursday took steps to seize four U.S. mosques and a Fifth Avenue skyscraper owned by a nonprofit Muslim organization long suspected of being secretly controlled by the Iranian government.

In what could prove to be one of the biggest counter-terrorism seizures in U.S. history, prosecutors filed a civil complaint in federal court seeking the forfeiture of more than $500 million in assets of the Alavi Foundation and an alleged front company.

The assets include Islamic centers in New York City, Maryland, California and Houston, more than 100 acres in Virginia, and a 36-story office tower in New York.

Full Story

Controversy over chocolate milk in schools

Controversy over chocolate milk in schools

The milk industry's campaign to promote the sugary drink has some obesity experts up in arms.

The debate
Also:

Get more use from your household gear

Get more use from your household gear

Easy preventive maintenance can extend the life of appliances and save you money.

Thanksgiving air travel will be packed

Thanksgiving air travel will be packed

Fewer people will be flying this holiday, but airlines are ensuring that their planes remain full.

Arrival of the modern gold rush

Arrival of the modern gold rush

The price of gold futures soars to a record high, driven by savvy investors.

What new home tax credit means for you

What new home tax credit means for you

Big changes in the law mean more people can qualify, including existing homeowners.

Why many parents are ditching 529 plans

Why many parents are ditching 529 plans

Once heralded as the ultimate college-savings vehicle, 529s have lost favor with some parents.

Dog missing in action found in Afghanistan

Dog missing in action found in Afghanistan

A bomb-sniffing dog that disappeared during a fierce battle is found 14 months later.

Walking plans to target health goals

Walking plans to target health goals

Try one of these walking plans to lose belly fat, reduce stress, or stay heart-healthy.

New rule bans most overdraft fees

New rule bans most overdraft fees

Banks must now ask permission before hitting customers with overdraft fees.

Historic homes for sale at $1 each

Historic homes for sale at $1 each

Buyers of three houses in a well-to-do Chicago suburb will also get $10,000.

Foods that effectively fight fat

Foods that effectively fight fat

These bulge-battling superfoods have the power to melt fat and help you stay slim.

Burger King sued over $1 burgers

Burger King sued over $1 burgers

The chain's promotion for $1 double cheeseburgers has outraged franchise owners.

The Knell of Imminent Doom for Blockbuster

They're closing 115 stores

Struggling movie rental retailer Blockbuster Inc. said Thursday that its third-quarter loss surged more than fivefold as more consumers rented movies by mail or through competitors' vending kiosks instead of driving to its stores.

Blockbuster continues to hemorrhage cash in the quarter as it diversifies its business. The company wants to increase its share of movie rentals by mail and kiosks — arenas where it faces tough competition with Netflix Inc. and Coinstar Inc.'s Redbox — and is working to stream more shows over the Internet through different devices while managing the decline of its stores.

Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes said the stores are a "cornerstone" of the company's business and still attract 50 million customers a year.

Shares of Blockbuster, based in Dallas, fell 11 cents, or 13.2 percent, to 72 cents in after-hours trading. The stock was up 2 cents to 83 cents during the regular session.

The company lost $116.8 million, or 60 cents per share, compared with a loss of $20.6 million, or 11 cents, in the same quarter a year ago. Excluding one-time costs related to debt refinancing, store closures and severance, Blockbuster had an adjusted loss of $38.3 million, or 20 cents per share, compared with $17.8 million, or 9 cents per share.

Revenue fell by 21 percent to $910.5 million from $1.16 billion.

Blockbuster's performance fell short of the $1 billion in revenue and 11-cent-per-share loss expected by analysts polled by Thomson Reuters. They typically exclude one-time items.

Sales at locations opened at least a year — a key measure of performance because newer stores tend to skew results — fell 14.4 percent worldwide. U.S. sales comparisons were down 18 percent and nearly 5 percent in international stores.

Blockbuster said it expects to close at most 115 stores in the fourth quarter. That's in addition to the 216 it has closed through the third quarter.

The company said it will have 2,500 Blockbuster Express vending kiosks by year's end.

Man used crowbar to attack Greek priest he mistook for terrorist

This story is disturbing to say the least.

You know he didn't just attack the priest with a crowbar, he's now alleging that the man was was a gay Arab terrorist who tried to sexually assault him before he was going to blow him up.

We can thank all the hysterical people who decided in advance that Ft. Hood was a Muslim terrorist attack (and we mean you, Joe Lieberman).

You create hysteria, and this is what people do.

Man used crowbar to attack Greek priest he mistook for terrorist

Laid-off execs can't face jobless reality

Laid-off execs can't face jobless reality

Despite being laid-off, one ex-banker spends as if he's still making $200,000.

Newest natural wonders to visit

Newest natural wonders to visit

The Dolomites' limestone peaks and 90-degree walls make it a year-round attraction.

Tensions rise between North and South Korea after crew member dies in skirmish

North Korea threatened South Korea with possible punishment today over a skirmish that left one of its warships badly damaged and a crew member dead.

Full Story

Nails, coins removed from stomach

A Peruvian man is recovering after eating metal for months, and having almost 2 pounds of it removed from his stomach.

(Mental, oops, make that)Metal patient

Druggie claims Jesus set him up

From the "This guy's a tee-total idiot" Department:

A Kentucky man faces drug paraphernalia charges after he told police Jesus set him up by leaving a burnt teaspoon in his residence.

Full Story

Combine drugs with ignorant stupidity, add religion and this is what you get.
Want to lay odds he's a repugican?!

Chinese Scientists Tinker with Mother Nature

Chinese scientists have artificially induced the second major snowstorm to wreak havoc in Beijing this season, state media said today, reigniting debate over the practice of tinkering with Mother Nature.

Full Story

This isn't good folks, Ma Nature tends to get a mite testy when you muck around with her.

Plane hits bushpig on take-off

An airline has been criticized for not knowing what to do after one of its planes hit a bushpig on take-off. Air Zimbabwe had "no disaster response strategy" and its personnel "did not have a clue" of what to do.

Secret police arrested two passengers for taking pictures.

Full Story

I don't know what is more disturbing ... the total lack of any knowledge of what to do or the fact that the secret police arrested two for taking pictures.

But if I had to select one I'd go with the fact there were secret police around in the first place.

Search Continues For Missing 5-Year-Old

A North Carolina man has been arrested and charged with kidnapping in the disappearance of a 5-year-old Fayetteville girl, but police were still searching for the child early Thursday - two days after she went missing.

Man Charged

Unusual Holidays and Celebrations

This is one of those rare days when we humans do not have any holiday or celebration.

We got to fix that.

Daily Almanac

Today is Thursday, Nov. 12, the 316th day of 2009.

There are 49 days left in the year.

Today In History November 12

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Bangkok, Krung Thep, Thailand
Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela
Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia
Calgiari, Sardegna, Italy
Bournemouth, England, United Kingdom
Surabaya, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Coutenay, British Columbia, Canada
Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
Kiev, Kyyiv, Ukraine
Mugla, Mugla, Turkey

as well as Scotland, and the United States

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

There are many ways to journey through life, but you will only know the path you choose to travel.
This is a wonderful day to expose yourself to new art, especially if it's from a different culture.
Turn the dial on your radio or television to a foreign-language broadcast.
Leave it there for a few minutes.
You'll be surprised how intriguing you find it.
Every now and then, it's wise to travel down an unfamiliar side street.

Can do.