CAROLINA NATURALLY

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Why Haiti keeps getting hit with disasters

Geography isn't the only factor behind the island nation's unending string of catastrophes.

'Doesn't get any worse'

Also:

How to really get a free credit score

These companies will tell you where your credit rating stands — without costing you a dime.

No catches

Also:

Stop your biggest cash-flow leaks

Find thousands of dollars in your budget by answering these basic questions.

5-minute financial assessment

Also:

How to slash your car insurance rates

A simple phone call to your insurance company can help shave up to $400 off your premiums.

Checklist of discounts

Also:

Entry-level jobs with big earning potential

Careers in these fields will allow you to learn while your pay and responsibilities increase.

Salaries can top $68,628

Also:

Cities where homes aren't selling

5 cities where homes aren't selling

In some areas, prices are still falling, and houses sit on the market for more than half a year.

Florida squeeze

Also:

Eat more of these foods and lose weight

Eating an egg a day can keep the weight away, and so can a delicious plate of pasta.

No diet necessary

Also:

Big dangers for American economy

4 big dangers for American economy

If any of these four scenarios happen, it could stop the current recovery — and scare off hiring.

U.S. debt crisis

Also:

Obesity Rate Increases In Teen And Pre-Teen Boys

Researchers blame the usual culprits -- soft drinks, video games and inactivity.

Obesity Rate Increases In Teen And Pre-Teen Boys

NY Court OKs Internet Music Sales Lawsuit

The lawsuit brought by music purchasers had been tossed out by a lower court judge.

NY Court OKs Internet Music Sales Lawsuit

NC officers find pot growing in buried school bus

A search dog fell through a camouflaged trap door leading down to a full-length school bus buried eight feet under a backyard tool shed.

Underground School Bus Of Marijuana Found In NC

Boy can't get off U.S. terror watch list

From the "This is a sick joke" & the "What is with these people" Department:

Boy can't get off U.S. terror watch list

Mikey Hicks was first patted down at 2 years old.

At 8, he is still aggressively frisked.

'Not a myth'

Also:

Today is ...

Today is Thursday, January 14, the 14th day of 2010.

There are 351 days left in the year.

Today In History January 14

Today's unusual holidays and celebrations are:

Dress Up Your Pet Day

and

Organize Your Home Day

Some of our readers today have been in:

Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Canarias, Spain
Malmo, Skane Lan, Sweden
London, England, United Kingdom
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Girona, Catalonia, Spain
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Enfield, England, United Kingdom
Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia
Penticton, British Columbia, Canada
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

as well as Northern Ireland, Portugal, Wales, and the United States

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

After days of hibernating, you've had it with dim lights, soft music and rented videos.
You're ready for some lively company, some exciting entertainment and some personal attention.
The good news is that you probably know exactly who to contact to have all that and more delivered right to your door.
Well, place your order -- but don't stay in once it arrives.
It's time to meet the world again.

Party!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Pat Robertson Blames Haiti's Earthquake On Its Victims

This guy is a freaking insane idiot!

On Wednesday, wingnut wacko Pat Robertson of the "700 Club," while stating his cult will be there “to help the people," blamed the disaster on the victims.
He said that the earthquake was a result of a "pact with the devil" that the Haitians made long ago.

Full Story

NYC's "skinniest" house sells for $2.1 million

A town house dubbed New York City's skinniest house has sold for $2.1 million.
The red, 9 1/2 foot wide, 42 foot long brick building in Greenwich Village was built in 1873 on land used as an alley between homes.

NYC's "skinniest" house sells for $2.1 million

Fungus-gardening Ant Species Has Given Up Sex Completely

The complete asexuality of a widespread fungus-gardening ant, the only ant species in the world known to have dispensed with males entirely, has been confirmed by a team of Texas and Brazilian researchers.

Full Story

2,000 Endangered Sea Turtles Killed or Injured by Frigid Waters in Florida

From Treehugger:

All photos via Georgianne Nienaber's column at the Huffpo Green

Investigative journalist Georgianne Nienaber has been covering the devastating effect the exceptionally frigid waters in Florida are having on the marine life. According to her reports, innumerable fish have been washing up dead and at least 2,000 endangered sea turtles have been injured or killed by the unusually cold temperatures. Heartbreaking photos of the sick turtles and the rescue attempts after the jump . . .

Article continues: 2,000 Endangered Sea Turtles Killed or Injured by Frigid Waters in Florida (Photos)

Invasive Tilapia Threaten Fiji's Natives

From Treehugger:

tilapia photo

Tilapia—a fast-growing, highly palatable, fish native to Africa—has become a favorite among sustainability-minded diners. Indeed, when sourced from U.S. fish farms, the Monterey Bay Aquarium gives it a "best choice" rating.

But tilapia's hardiness, its versatility, its ability to grow quickly with little protein—the very things that make it so successful in aquaculture—mean that it is a dangerous invasive species when allowed to escape into new ecosystems.

Article continues: Invasive Tilapia Threaten Fiji's Natives

Thought Jaws was Scary? 10 More Fish to Inspire Nightmares

From Treehugger:

Eating fish can be healthy, doctors say. A little fish oil is good for the brain. What isn't good for fish, however, is overfishing, pollution, and disassociation, like landlubbers who don't concern themselves with the quality of life in our lakes and oceans. So here's a look at some of the 10 scariest fish on the planet, with big teeth, ugly mugs, and extra creepiness. Some of these fish are endangered. We need to remember that the less cuddly the creature, the more the need for awareness and diligence to make sure they and their habitat are protected. Let the uncomfortable awareness begin.

Trick Question

Redneck clues ...

You might be a redneck if you check the mileage on your home.

Jobs even a recovery won't bring back

Some industries will bounce back as the economy improves, but these jobs are likely gone forever.

Hardest hit sectors

Also:

Haiti quake affects 3 million, shatters U.N. headquarters

Haitians piled bodies along the devastated streets of their capital Wednesday after the strongest earthquake to hit the poor Caribbean nation in more than 200 years crushed thousands of structures, from schools and shacks to the National Palace and the U.N. peacekeeping headquarters.

Full Story

Haiti completely devastated by earthquake

The biggest quake to hit the area in 200 years leaves a grim scene of bodies and crushed buildings.

Millions affected

Also:

Haiti in ruins, thousands feared dead

Untold numbers are still trapped in crushed buildings after Tuesday's massive quake.

Devastating scene

Antarctic "Time Capsule" Hut Revealed

Nearly a century after Capt. Robert Falcon Scott explored the southern continent, experts are working to save the British explorer's wooden hut and three others in the area from slipping under the snow forever.

Full Story

An Edible Schoolyard in Durham

From Treehugger:

edible schoolyard montessori school photo

We're big fans of edible schoolyards. From Alice Waters' original edible schoolyard efforts in California to one school's garden in the arid deserts of Arizona the concept is reconnecting kids with their food and each other. Kids in my neck of the woods are getting their hands dirty too, and they've even created a great video to show the world the fruits of their labors.

Article continues: An Edible Schoolyard in Durham: How Kids Grow (Video)

Endangered US Jaguars Catch a Break

From Treehugger:

jaguar photo
photo: Tambako the Jaguar

Though there's nary a word of it yet on the US Fish and Wildlife Service website, conservation group Defenders of Wildlife is reporting that the handful of remaining jaguars in New Mexico and Arizona will finally get a recovery plan, including setting aside protected habitat, a crucial first step in saving the animals from extinction within the United States:

Article continues: Endangered US Jaguars Catch a Break - Will Get Their Own Recovery Plan from Fish & Wildlife Service

Has Faux News Gone Rogue on Rupert?

Roger Ailes played the part as Rupert Murdoch's political apparatchik — transforming Faux News into the repugican party id to suit his corporate master's political interests.
But recent events suggest Murdoch's no longer in control of the beast he created.

Full Story

The Disposable Worker

Pay is falling, benefits are vanishing, and no one's job is secure.

How companies are making the era of the temp more than temporary

You know American workers are in bad shape when a low-paying, no-benefits job is considered a sweet deal.

Full Story

2009 Was A Warm Year In USA

Despite an unusually chilly year in the Midwest, the national U.S. temperature was slightly above average in 2009, according to the National Climatic Data Center.

2009 Was A Warm Year In USA

From BBC-Science:

Stingray's 'tool use' revealed

Freshwater stingrays use water as a "tool" in problem solving tests, scientists reveal for the first time.

THE BIG PICTURE

Scotland Yard Captures The "Facebook Fugitive"

It couldn't last forever, could it?

The "Facebook Fugitive," or Craig "Lazie" Lynch, 28, who has been taunting police via Facebook since his escape from the minimum-security Hollesley Bay Prison near the village of Woodbridge in southern England a few months ago, has been captured.

Full Story

Record Highs Beating Record Lows in US by 2-to-1

From Treehugger:

record highs versus record lows image
image: UCAR--much bigger image here

Back in November scientists from the National Center for Atmospheric Research and other equally prestigious organizations informed us that since the 1980s record highs have been outpacing record lows. And last year the ratio was more than 3:2--a normal ratio over time is about 1:1. Well, since the recent snows across Europe and cold snaps across much of the United States have brought the "it's cold today so global warming must be a scam" crowd out in droves, I thought (through Joe Romm's inspiration) that bringing back the graphic above is appropriate.

Article continues: Record Highs Beating Record Lows in US by 2-to-1, Redux

Object headed towards Earth an asteroid, not junk

A newly found object that will buzz Earth on today is probably a 15-metre asteroid – the close pass is likely to change its orbit.

Object headed towards Earth an asteroid, not junk

What's the difference ..

Hey, kiddies!

What is the difference between today's depression and the depression in the 1930s?

In the thirties, the people robbed the banks.

Today is ...

Today is Wednesday, January 13, the 13th day of 2010.

There are 352 days left in the year.

Today In History January 13

Today's unusual holiday or celebration is:

Rubber Duckie Day!

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

Bangkok, Krung Thep, Thailand
London, England, United Kingdom
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Turin, Piemonte, Italy
Reykjavik, Reykjavik, Iceland
Skovde, Vastra Gotaland, Sweden
Kingsston, Kingston, Jamaica
Vilnius, Vilnaius Apskritis, Lithuania
Strathmore, Alberta Canada
Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland

as well as Singapore, and the United States

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

So you thought you were serious yesterday?
And totally unwilling to crack a grin, much less let anything slide?
Well then, batten down the hatches, because you ain't seen nothing yet.
That was practice.
You're now fully prepared to do whatever it takes to grab hold of the steering wheel and hang onto it, especially if you feel that whoever is currently driving isn't up for the challenge.
Go ahead.
Grab that wheel.
By late tonight, you'll have arrived -- and you'll be ready, willing and able to have a bit of unexpected fun.

Fun, Yeah!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Press will be banned from Sarah Palin's teabagger speech

It really is amazing how people who use words like "communist" and "fascist" act like "communists" and "fascists".

Google to end China censorship after e-mail breach

Google Inc. will stop censoring its search results in China and may pull out of the country completely after discovering that computer hackers had tricked human-rights activists into exposing their e-mail accounts to outsiders.

Google to end China censorship after e-mail breach

Google doesn't come out and say it, but it's pretty clear they're blaming the cyber attack on the Chinese government.
And Google is not amused.

[W]e have evidence to suggest that a primary goal of the attackers was accessing the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists. Based on our investigation to date we believe their attack did not achieve that objective. Only two Gmail accounts appear to have been accessed, and that activity was limited to account information (such as the date the account was created) and subject line, rather than the content of emails themselves.

Third, as part of this investigation but independent of the attack on Google, we have discovered that the accounts of dozens of U.S.-, China- and Europe-based Gmail users who are advocates of human rights in China appear to have been routinely accessed by third parties. These accounts have not been accessed through any security breach at Google, but most likely via phishing scams or malware placed on the users' computers....

We launched Google.cn in January 2006 in the belief that the benefits of increased access to information for people in China and a more open Internet outweighed our discomfort in agreeing to censor some results. At the time we made clear that "we will carefully monitor conditions in China, including new laws and other restrictions on our services. If we determine that we are unable to achieve the objectives outlined we will not hesitate to reconsider our approach to China."

These attacks and the surveillance they have uncovered--combined with the attempts over the past year to further limit free speech on the web--have led us to conclude that we should review the feasibility of our business operations in China. We have decided we are no longer willing to continue censoring our results on Google.cn, and so over the next few weeks we will be discussing with the Chinese government the basis on which we could operate an unfiltered search engine within the law, if at all. We recognize that this may well mean having to shut down Google.cn, and potentially our offices in China.

The decision to review our business operations in China has been incredibly hard, and we know that it will have potentially far-reaching consequences. We want to make clear that this move was driven by our executives in the United States, without the knowledge or involvement of our employees in China who have worked incredibly hard to make Google.cn the success it is today. We are committed to working responsibly to resolve the very difficult issues raised.

Google basically just told China to go screw itself.

Way to go Google.

Cold case cops take on Capone-era murder

Chicago police will reopen the 1939 murder case of a mob-linked businessman turned federal informant who helped put Al Capone behind bars.

Full Story

Irish bookie takes bets on Palin's FauxNews gig

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is taking her wingnut message to Faux News.
She has a multi-year deal to contribute to TV, radio and online outlets.

Full Story

Mexico captures major Tijuana drug gang leader

Mexican security forces captured a top drug trafficker behind much of a surge in violence in the northern border city of Tijuana on Tuesday in a fresh victory for the country's drug war, government and police sources said.

Full Story

Washington bloodmobile offers beer to blood donors

A Washington state blood center is offering donors a deal: Give a pint of blood, get a pint of beer.

Full Story

Now, there's the ticket ... give someone who is a pint 'lite' to begin with, a pint of something that will 'lite'n' them up a bit more.

Real Genius at work there, boys!

(Beat they got a lot of blood, to boot.)

Murfreesboro Discriminates Against White Trash and College Students with Sofa Ban

Following the example of neighboring Nashville, who actually passed their own furniture related legislation some time ago, Murfreesboro recently passed a law that prohibits indoor furniture from being outdoors.

Full Story

Smugglers caught trying to sell 36-year-old meat

Ukrainian smugglers were busted by Russian police trying to supply markets in Moscow with 36-year-old meat.

Full Story

How to schmooze your way to success

Stand out from the crowd and land your dream job with these networking tips.

What a handshake reveals about you

Also:

Cheap and easy home upgrades

Painting a wall in an unexpected color can give your kitchen a modern touch for under $20.

Bath: Go from blah to spa

Also:

Radical proposal for bank bonuses

A noted economist says execs at the largest banks deserve zero bonuses for 2009.

His idea for 'windfall tax'

Also:

Fewer nations considered 'free' in 2009

A new report shows a disturbing trend in regions around the world — and says China plays a key role.

Paranoia rises

Also:

Rare map captures pivotal moment

The 400-year-old "Impossible Black Tulip of Cartography" holds a crucial key to East-West relations.

'Momentous'

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Baggage fees are on the rise

Two airlines announce that travelers can expect higher surcharges for checked-in luggage.

Rate list for major carriers

Also:

Gourmet foods that aren't worth the cost

Fancy olive oil and free-range chicken may not always make for tastier, healthier meals.

Money wasters

Also:

Internet-savvy mom turns tables on crook

A woman sets up a sting and catches the thief of her handicapped daughter's computer.

Craigslist

Also:

Secrets to staying healthy and energized

Try these natural ways to maintain wellness during the winter season.

Reasons to avoid raw, cold foods

Also:

Major damage from Haiti quake

The 7.0-magnitude earthquake has damaged the presidential palace and a hospital.

Many casualties expected

Also:

Deadly Scorpion Venom Used to Create New, Safer Pesticide

From Treehugger:

scorpion tail pesticide photo

Scorpions are notorious for harnessing a powerful, debilitating venom in their tails. Some species harbor venom potent enough to kill a human being. But other parts of that venom cocktail are only intended for other insects--and only affect other insects. If the strains of venom that do so were to be isolated, that could be a pretty potent insecticide, right? One researcher thought so--so he concocted a brand new, ecologically safe pesticide from the deadly venom found in scorpions.

Article continues: Deadly Scorpion Venom Used to Create New, Safer Pesticide

Houston Police Spy Plane

This isn't good people!

Just another example of our freedom being taken away from us by the government.
Doing exactly what Osama bin Ladin wants.

Students only have ‘10-minute attention span’

According to a survey for the technology firm Olympus:

The average length of time a student could concentrate for in lectures was 10 minutes, according to the survey carried last month.

And a third blamed lack of sleep and being overworked for this.

Many students had been forced to take up part-time work to make ends meet.

Among the students surveyed, 13% admitted to missing up to five hours of lectures a week, while 17% said they had to prioritize their part-time jobs over lectures to be able to support themselves. [...]

Nearly half of students feared they would finish with high debts and no jobs, according to the study.

Students only have ‘10-minute attention span’

Race Riots Grip Italian Town, and Mafia Is Suspected

More than a thousand African workers were put aboard buses and trains in the southern Italian region of Calabria over the weekend and shipped out to immigrant detention centers, following some of the country’s worst riots in years.

The clashes began Thursday night in Rosarno, a working-class city amid citrus groves in Calabria, the toe of Italy’s boot, after a legal immigrant from Togo was lightly wounded in a pellet-gun attack in a nearby city. It is not clear who pulled the trigger — the authorities said they were investigating whether organized crime had provoked the riots — but the consequences were severe.

Blaming racism for the attack, dozens of immigrants burned cars and smashed shop windows in Rosarno in two days of riots, throwing rocks at local residents and fighting with the police. More than 50 immigrants and police officers were wounded, none seriously, and 10 immigrants and locals were arrested before the authorities began sending the immigrants to detention centers elsewhere in southern Italy on Saturday.

Race Riots Grip Italian Town, and Mafia Is Suspected