Prince William spends night on the streets
The royal heir trades palace linens for a patch of concrete in a cold London alley.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Military defends pregnancy punishment
Military defends pregnancy punishment
A U.S. commander justifies a new policy calling for penalties for troops who get pregnant.
Billions in profits made during the panic
Billions in profits made during the panic
David Tepper's hedge fund earned a whopping $7 billion by betting against the U.S. recession.
Chocolate taste test yields popular winner
Chocolate taste test yields popular winner
Testers pick their favorites among top choices great for gift giving or simply for eating.
Court orders Microsoft to stop selling Word
Court orders Microsoft to stop selling Word
A federal court ordered the software giant to stop due to a patent violation.
How to keep IRS auditors away
How to keep IRS auditors away
Keep your income under a certain level, and the IRS won't bother you 99 percent of the time.
Now the repugicans are threatening climate change legislation
John Avavosis had this to say:
The Republicans are going to block every single thing the Democrats attempt to do. They are single-mindedly focused on taking back control of the Congress, and blocking Obama's agenda to better help a Republican take the White House in 2012. This should not surprise anyone. The real question is what effect will this have on the Obama administration's and the Democratic Congress' approach on climate change. Will they still try to work out a bipartisan deal with members of Congress who has already said they want to block this deal?
This is setting us up for a repeat of the health care debate. It's all going to come down to 60 votes, and 60 Democrats and Independents. The White House needs to launch a campaign, now, to get this legislation passed, to build public support, and ultimately pressure recalcitrant Democrats and Indies to support the legislation - if you can build enough support with the public, you can sometimes pressure members of Congress to do the right thing. But as we found with health care reform, if you don't build enough support, members of both parties start to go rogue.
The President needs to get over his aversion to controversy, and the White House needs to start campaigning hard, now, for the best deal. Let's all work together and do this. For real this time.
East Coast Snowstorm Viewed From Space
From Treehugger:
Image via NASA's Earth Observatory
NASA's Earth Observatory has released this incredible photo of the snow storm that hit the east coast over the weekend. To see such an enormous patch of land completely covered in white is impressive. Covering 300 miles lengthwise, the satellite image shows the Potomac and Susquehanna Rivers from the Appalachian Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay.
Article continues: A Picture is Worth: East Coast Snowstorm Viewed From Space
Sixty satellite images of Earth
Webdesigner depot has 60 beautiful satellite photos of Earth.
"The Dasht-e Kevir, or valley of desert, is the largest desert in Iran. It is a primarily uninhabited wasteland, composed of mud and salt marshes covered with crusts of salt that protect the meager moisture from completely evaporating."
Microbes survive 30,000 years inside a salt crystal
Microbes entombed in a salt crystal have survived for 30,000 years by feeding off the remains of algae that were trapped along with them.Microbes survive 30,000 years inside a salt crystal
Science News
From BBC-Science:
 | | A bird-like dinosaur that prowled an ancient forest 125 million years ago used venom to subdue its prey, a new theory says. |
Almost 300 species - including giant trees and tiny fungi - have been described for the first time by UK botanists in 2009.
THE BIG PICTURE
Year-end money moves to make
4 year-end money moves to make
Here are financial tasks you should get done before 2010 begins — and ones that can wait.
Ahmadinejad lashes out over leaked memo
Ahmadinejad lashes out over leaked memo
Iran's leader accuses the American government of an elaborate deception.
Man who inspired 'Rain Man' dies
Man who inspired 'Rain Man' dies
Kim Peek, the man who inspired the Oscar-winning movie "Rain Man," has died at age 58.
Young sailor Dekker flies back to the Netherlands
Police say 14-year-old sailor Laura Dekker has arrived back in the Netherlands after disappearing from home and flying to the Caribbean.Police spokesman Bernhard Jens says Dekker is being interviewed by police at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport and will then be turned over to child care authorities.
Young sailor Dekker flies back to the Netherlands
Young sailor Dekker flies back to the Netherlands
Unusual Holidays and Celebrations
There are no unusual holidays or celebrations today
but
There are only 2 more shopping days until xmas!
but
There are only 2 more shopping days until xmas!
Daily Almanac
Today is Tuesday, Dec. 22, the 356th day of 2009.
There are nine days left in the year.
There are nine days left in the year.
Today In History December 22
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
Bergen, Hordaland, Norway
Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
Moncalieri, Piemonte, Italy
Espoo, Southern Finland, Finland
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Athens, Attiki, Greece
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Sion, Valais, Switzerland
as well as Serbia, and the United States
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
Bergen, Hordaland, Norway
Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
Moncalieri, Piemonte, Italy
Espoo, Southern Finland, Finland
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Athens, Attiki, Greece
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Sion, Valais, Switzerland
as well as Serbia, and the United States
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
If you don't have any creative or artistic friends, it's time to get acquainted with some.
Place an ad in the paper, join a creative group or sign up for an art class at your local college.
At the moment, you do your best work when you have a collaborative partner and it would be a shame to let your talents go to waste.
Ask your friends and relatives about their hobbies and artistic skills.
Their answers may very well surprise you, but in a very good way.
Creative or artistic friends - that's an understatement!
If you don't have any creative or artistic friends, it's time to get acquainted with some.
Place an ad in the paper, join a creative group or sign up for an art class at your local college.
At the moment, you do your best work when you have a collaborative partner and it would be a shame to let your talents go to waste.
Ask your friends and relatives about their hobbies and artistic skills.
Their answers may very well surprise you, but in a very good way.
Creative or artistic friends - that's an understatement!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Gotta love the irony
... that the owner of the station that is "home" to the hate-mongering bloviating radio repugicans is filing for bankruptcy.
Citadel Broadcasting Corp., the nation's third-largest radio broadcasting company, filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sunday in an effort to restructure its hefty debt load as it continues to face declining advertising revenue.
Citadel owns and operates 224 radio stations, including KABC-am in Los Angeles, WLS-am in Chicago, WABC-am and WPLJ-fm in New York and KGO-am in San Francisco. Citadel's Wabc is home to several syndicated hosts, including Don Imus, Lush Dimbulb, Joe Scarborough and Mark Levin.
Full Story
Citadel Broadcasting Corp., the nation's third-largest radio broadcasting company, filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sunday in an effort to restructure its hefty debt load as it continues to face declining advertising revenue.
Citadel owns and operates 224 radio stations, including KABC-am in Los Angeles, WLS-am in Chicago, WABC-am and WPLJ-fm in New York and KGO-am in San Francisco. Citadel's Wabc is home to several syndicated hosts, including Don Imus, Lush Dimbulb, Joe Scarborough and Mark Levin.
Full Story
And I Quote
When you repeat a lie over and over people actually start to believe it as fact.
~ Glenn Beck, explaining the repugican credo ... echoed by Faux News and of course the Brick himself
And he should know as he does nothing but lie.
~ Glenn Beck, explaining the repugican credo ... echoed by Faux News and of course the Brick himself
And he should know as he does nothing but lie.
Funeral for dissident Iranian cleric morphs into anti-government protest
An opposition protester at Tehran University on December 7.
The funeral procession for Iran's most senior dissident cleric on Monday became a giant anti-government protest.
Briton loses China death appeal
A British citizen has lost his final appeal against the death sentence imposed upon him in China, human rights campaigners said.
Sorcery Charges On The Rise In Saudi Arabia
A Lebanese man who hosted a popular TV show where he gave callers advice and sometimes predicted the future was sentenced to death by a court in Saudi Arabia last month.
Online shipping deadlines extended
Online shipping deadlines extended
Some web retailers have bumped back the standard shipping cutoff date.
Exercises you can do at work
10 exercises you can do at work
Your co-workers might look at you funny, but these moves can fight off weight gain and stress.
New rule aims to end tarmac horror stories
New rule aims to end tarmac horror stories
Airlines must now let passengers stuck in stranded planes disembark after a certain time.
Where to find the next housing boom
Where to find the next housing boom
A Harvard economist says the weather will determine the next real estate hotspots.
Watch out, world: El Niño is back
Watch out, world: El Niño is back
Record snowstorms are just one sign that the wacky weather phenomenon is in effect.
Seven quick dinners
Seven quick dinners
Get a hot dinner on the table promptly with these easy recipes for every day of the week.
Shedding light on the darkest day
Shedding light on the darkest day
The winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, brings good news and bad.
Unraveling teen sailor's mysterious trip
Unraveling teen sailor's mysterious trip
A 14-year-old Dutch girl banned from sailing around the world turns up on a Caribbean isle.
Ways retailers get you to spend more
6 ways retailers get you to spend more
Retailers are more aggressive than ever when it comes to getting customers to buy.
When it comes to carbon emissions ...
Dogs might be more dangerous than SUVs
A study says man's best friend is worse on the environment than gas-guzzling automobiles.
Cops give holiday speeders a break
Cops give holiday speeders a break
Police officers in Texas give drivers caught speeding a rare chance to avoid a fine.
Reasons you feel 'fake hungry'
4 reasons you feel 'fake hungry'
Eating meals made up of certain foods can leave you feeling hungrier.
What's left of world's highest glacier
What's left of world's highest glacier
Chacaltaya Glacier, home of Bolivia's only ski resort, will vanish in months, experts say.
Stunning view of blizzard from space
Stunning view of blizzard from space
The East Coast snowstorm was so big that even a picture of it taken from space is impressive.
Cop News
In Cop News
South Carolina school cop arrested on drug charges
South Carolina deputy arrested on drug charges
(not the same cop as above)
South Carolina school cop arrested on drug charges
South Carolina deputy arrested on drug charges
(not the same cop as above)
Female armed robber stripped, beaten and set alight by angry lynch mob
Stripped naked to the waist, she begs for mercy as she is savagely beaten by a lynch mob in the middle of the street.
Alejandra Maria Torres was part of an armed gang that tried to rob bus passengers in Guatemala City.
But as she tried to escape the passengers stripped and beat her before dousing her in petrol and setting her alight.
Police put out the flames and arrested her. Her three companions escaped. 
Alejandra Maria Torres sits bloodied on a street after being beaten, doused with petrol and set on fire during a lynching in Guatemala City
Lynchings are common in Guatemala. In the last year, mobs have attacked more than 250 people, leaving at least 40 of them dead.
Criminals are a frequent target but officials are sometimes attacked, including a judge who issued a rape verdict thought by the public to be too lenient.
The practice stems from the civil war of 1960 to 1996 when civil defence patrols carried out many of the murders in the state-sponsored genocide of Left-wing rebels, many of them peasants.
About 200,000 people died.
Passengers of a public bus accused Torres and three men, who escaped on foot, of participating in an armed robbery
And the moral to this tale is: Don't attempt to rob a large group ... it will backfire on you (literally).
New Yorkers Object To Study Labeling Them Unhappy
From the "Cry me a river" Department:
The verdict is in, and, when it comes to New Yorkers, they are in a class by themselves.
The verdict is in, and, when it comes to New Yorkers, they are in a class by themselves.
Woodpecker takes on 10ft snake in heroic struggle for nest
After a fight lasting about four minutes, the wounded bird left the area and is likely to have died of its injuries or been killed by a predator.Full Story
Most painfully annoying office jargon
Most painfully annoying office jargon
Corporate folks love to toss around these expressions — too bad they're almost meaningless.
First Jesus-era house found in Nazareth
First Jesus-era house found in Nazareth
Archaeologists uncover a home that sheds new light on Jesus' childhood town.
Health bill passes make-or-break test vote
Health bill passes make-or-break test vote
The Senate votes 60 to 40, in the first and most critical test vote for health care reform.
Unlikely fuel source takes center stage
Unlikely fuel source takes center stage
It's cleaner than coal and cheaper than oil — and a 90-year supply is under our feet.
Wilderness Makes West Virginia Wonderful
From Treehugger:
Scene from West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest Wilderness. Image credit:Wilderness Society
West Virginia is more than deserving of its state slogan: "Wild and Wonderful." It boasts Ancient mountains, untamed rivers, caves, culture, and much more.
What's bizarre to me, however, is that the West Virginia Hospitality and Tourism Association believes that its members who cater to tourists should support none other than coal mining -- even when that involves blowing off the tops of those ancient mountains. The association wrote a letter to its members asking them to join a group that promotes the coal industry. That must've had some river guides and bed and breakfast owners scratching their heads.
Article continues: Wilderness Makes West Virginia Wonderful
Liars and Fools
The Liars and Fools for today are;
Chuck Norris lies when he claims if Mary had Obamacare, she might have aborted the baby Jesus.
Give it up Chuckie you were a has been never was and you never will be.
A Santa Barbara daily 'newspaper' calls for bounty on Obama's head.
One word: Treason!
Chuck Norris lies when he claims if Mary had Obamacare, she might have aborted the baby Jesus.
Give it up Chuckie you were a has been never was and you never will be.
A Santa Barbara daily 'newspaper' calls for bounty on Obama's head.
One word: Treason!
Anti-Rape amendment has survived - so far
The anti-rape amendment introduced by Senator Al Franken (D-Minnesota) to the fury of pro-rape repugicans has survived, so far.
It's in the final version of the Defense Spending Bill.
It's in the final version of the Defense Spending Bill.
Studies say ...
More research - More bad news for high fructose corn syrup.
And remember folks, this poison is in practically all processed food in America!
And remember folks, this poison is in practically all processed food in America!
Let's play a game
"Whack-a-banker", er, I mean "Whack-a-mole" - wait, no I mean "Whack-a-banker"
This recreation of a funhouse staple is wildly popular.
This recreation of a funhouse staple is wildly popular.
Economic Problem Solved ... Not
Reduce the minimum wage.
That's the economic solution proposed by Charles Lane, who's paid to have such 'opinions' by the Washington Post.
Yes, yes.
By all means reduce what is already only half of what it should be to live a life just barely over the poverty line.
(Last count had the poverty line at $12.48hr and minimum wage just now has made it to what, $7.85hr).
That's the economic solution proposed by Charles Lane, who's paid to have such 'opinions' by the Washington Post.
Yes, yes.
By all means reduce what is already only half of what it should be to live a life just barely over the poverty line.
(Last count had the poverty line at $12.48hr and minimum wage just now has made it to what, $7.85hr).
No Freedom of Speech in Canada
From the "This is bad - very bad!" Department:
Freedom of speech has been suspended by law in Canada, at least until after the Olympics ends.
Oh, by the way ...
Blue Shield of California is threatening to violate state law by skipping the grace period and immediately canceling coverage for anyone late with a payment.
Just thought you'd like to know.
Just thought you'd like to know.
Health Care Hell in America
Raw Story decided to count the countless victims, and put a number to their misery, and their conclusion is that 135,000 American citizens will die due to a lack of health insurance before current proposed health care reform measures would take effect.
And I Quote
- The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking.
- ~ John Kenneth Galbraith
How we rank
Just checked on our ranking and we sit at the 17,606th most popular blog on the net.
Considering that there is well over 100million blogs on the net right now that's not too shabby.
Considering that there is well over 100million blogs on the net right now that's not too shabby.
A first ...
Disney released the movie "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," its first full-length animated film in color in 1937 on December 21st.
Winter Officially Starts Monday, The Shortest Day Of The Year
The Winter Solstice occurs at 12:47pm EST on Monday, December 21.This marks the beginning of Winter for the Northern Hemisphere and is the shortest day of the year - daylight speaking.
Winter Officially Starts Monday, The Shortest Day Of The Year
Gun Owners Way Less Gun-Crazy Than NRA
From Gawker:
According to a recent poll (sponsored, albeit, by a pro gun-control organization) gun owners are more supportive of tighter gun laws than the NRA.
Every gun owner does not want the right to carry a concealed flamethrower.
According to a recent poll (sponsored, albeit, by a pro gun-control organization) gun owners are more supportive of tighter gun laws than the NRA.Every gun owner does not want the right to carry a concealed flamethrower.
Illegal Animal Trade
Bryan Christy writes in the January issue of National Geographic about a notorious animal smuggler.
It took the undercover unit of the US Fish & Wildlife Service five years to track down Anson Wong, the world's most wanted smuggler of endangered species. But he got out of prison in 47 months, during which time his wife kept the business going full force. And when Wong got out of prison he set his sights on a 'new wildlife venture, a zoo that promises to be his most audacious enterprise yet' -- smuggling tigers.
Christy tells the story of how the Fish & Wildlife Special Ops team set up a sting operation to capture Wong, who boasted of having horns of Sumatran and Javanese rhinoceroses, both forbidden Appendix I animals. He talked openly about getting shahtoosh, the 'king of wool,' from the Tibetan antelope. He had access to extraordinary birds, including the Rothschild's mynah, whose wild population was estimated to number fewer than 150. He bragged about his Spix's macaws, a bird now believed to be extinct in the wild, claiming he'd recently sold three. The black market rate for a Spix's macaw was $100,000. His expanding list of astonishing illegal rarities included panda skins and snow leopard pelts."
While no one knows exactly how large the illegal wildlife trade is, this much is certain: It's extraordinarily lucrative. Profit margins are the kind drug kingpins would kill for. Smugglers evade detection by hiding illegal wildlife in legal shipments, they bribe wildlife and customs officials, and they alter trade documents. Few are ever caught, and penalties are usually no more severe than a parking ticket. Wildlife trafficking may very well be the world's most profitable form of illegal trade, bar none.
Unusual Holidays and Celebrations
Today is:
Ann and Samantha Day,
Forefathers Day,
Humbug Day,
Phileas Fogg Win A Wager Day,
National Haiku Poetry Day,
World Peace Day,
as well as
the Winter Solstice,
Yalda,
and
Yule
Ann and Samantha Day,
Forefathers Day,
Humbug Day,
Phileas Fogg Win A Wager Day,
National Haiku Poetry Day,
World Peace Day,
as well as
the Winter Solstice,
Yalda,
and
Yule
Daily Almanac
Today is Monday, Dec. 21, the 355th day of 2009.
There are 10 days left in the year.
Winter arrives at 12:47 p.m. EST.
Today In History December 21
There are 10 days left in the year.
Winter arrives at 12:47 p.m. EST.
Today In History December 21
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
Paris, Ile-De-France, France
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Ravena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Langley, British Columbia, Canada
Welwyn Garden City, England, United Kingdom
Norwich, England, United Kingdom
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
Letchworth, England, United Kingdom
Valencia, Comunidad Valencia, Spain
Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada
Riyadh, Ar Riyad, Saudi Arabia
Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
as well as Brazil, and the United States
Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
Paris, Ile-De-France, France
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Ravena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Langley, British Columbia, Canada
Welwyn Garden City, England, United Kingdom
Norwich, England, United Kingdom
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
Letchworth, England, United Kingdom
Valencia, Comunidad Valencia, Spain
Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada
Riyadh, Ar Riyad, Saudi Arabia
Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
as well as Brazil, and the United States
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
Once you're able to put your shyness aside, you'll learn to love the sound of applause.
Use your creativity to your advantage.
Your competitors probably won't see the same possibilities you do, which gives you the edge over them.
If you get the opportunity to merge one of your hobbies with your career, by all means take it.
Whether it's a knack for art, music or a similar creative talent, this is your time to capitalize on whatever you have to offer the world.
Once you're able to put your shyness aside, you'll learn to love the sound of applause.
Use your creativity to your advantage.
Your competitors probably won't see the same possibilities you do, which gives you the edge over them.
If you get the opportunity to merge one of your hobbies with your career, by all means take it.
Whether it's a knack for art, music or a similar creative talent, this is your time to capitalize on whatever you have to offer the world.
I have shyness?!
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