Actually, there are 41 ways to fix the Senate and just by eliminating those 41 ways the Senate would be fixed!
Eight ways to fix the Senate
Critics say the filibuster and "holds" are outdated, misused mechanisms.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
How to make remodeling projects pay off
How to make remodeling projects pay off
Smart upgrade choices can still boost a home's value, despite the weak housing market.
Biggest battle of Afghan war tests Obama
Biggest battle of Afghan war tests Obama
As 20,000 troops prepare to storm the city of Marja, the president's war plan is scrutinized.
New health worry: Third-hand smoke
New health worry: Third-hand smoke
You don't have to inhale smoke to be exposed to its carcinogens, researchers find.
Why olive oil is bad for your stir-fry
Why olive oil is bad for your stir-fry
Using the oil in the wrong way can destroy healthy nutrients and change its flavor.
Ways to slash spending in retirement
15 ways to slash spending in retirement
Little things like adjusting your car insurance can make your savings last longer.
From robber to unmatched jailhouse lawyer
From robber to unmatched jailhouse lawyer
Behind bars, Shon Hopwood found the law library and became a rare Supreme Court expert.
Avocados full of healthful benefits
Avocados full of healthful benefits
These gems are full of good cholesterol and abundant this time of year, making them a great buy.
More households doing the 'unthinkable'
More households doing the 'unthinkable'
Consumers used to skip the monthly mortgage bill only as a last resort.
Government shut down, but effect minimal
Government shut down, but effect minimal
A major snowstorm closes most federal offices in D.C., but key services are still up and running.
McDonald's meal sparks outcry in Italy
McDonald's meal sparks outcry in Italy
A new menu item designed to stoke national pride stirs up controversy instead.
Is it worth it to unplug your electronics?
Is it worth it to unplug your electronics?
It can lower your power bill, but there are easier ways, like a tweak to TVs that can save $43 a year.
The least-trusted banks in America
The least-trusted banks in America
Consumers say these banks are more concerned with their bottom lines than what's best for customers.
Girl is a real-life 'Sleeping Beauty'
Girl is a real-life 'Sleeping Beauty'
Teenagers have a reputation for sleeping late, but Louisa Ball often won't wake up for 13 days.
China's Water Pollution Twice the Officially Listed Levels
From Treehugger:
Photo via Guardian
A recent report from Reuters reveals some disturbing news about China: the water pollution levels recorded in the official reports were found to be merely half the actual levels. Meaning that China's water pollution is literally twice as bad as its government claimed it was in 2007.
Article continues: China's Water Pollution Twice the Officially Listed Levels
Atheists ‘just as ethical as churchgoers’
People who have no religion know right from wrong just as well as regular worshipers, according to the study.
The team behind the research found that most religions were similar and had a moral code which helped to organize society.
But people who did not have a religious background still appeared to have intuitive judgments of right and wrong in common with believers, according to the findings, published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences.
Dr Marc Hauser, from Harvard University, one of the co-authors of the research, said that he and his colleagues were interested in the roots of religion and morality.
Atheists ‘just as ethical as churchgoers’
Got to disagree with this one ... Atheists are MORE ethical than churchgoers by far!
Cop News
In Cop News
New Mexico cop fired for beating handcuffed teen on video is rehired by neighboring police department
Brooklyn's 81st Precinct probed by NYPD for fudging stats; felonies allegedly marked as misdemeanors
Connecticut police official resigns after threatening reporter
Georgia sheriff's deputy charged with extortion
Iowa police officer arrested, charged in assault
New Mexico cop arrested for aggravated battery and criminal nuisance
Lawsuit alleges that Boston Police violated civil rights of man who videotaped arrest
New Mexico cop fired for beating handcuffed teen on video is rehired by neighboring police department
Brooklyn's 81st Precinct probed by NYPD for fudging stats; felonies allegedly marked as misdemeanors
Connecticut police official resigns after threatening reporter
Georgia sheriff's deputy charged with extortion
Iowa police officer arrested, charged in assault
New Mexico cop arrested for aggravated battery and criminal nuisance
Lawsuit alleges that Boston Police violated civil rights of man who videotaped arrest
Arizona cop who destroyed evidence gets certification yanked
Checkers announcement could change local hockey
The Charlotte Checkers will hold a news conference today to announce a significant development about the "future of hockey" in Charlotte, said the team.
Although the Checkers would not comment specifically on what the news conference would be about, there has been speculation that the American Hockey League's Albany (N.Y.) River Rats - the top minor league affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes - will relocate to Charlotte.
That leaves the status of the ECHL's Checkers, who have played in Charlotte since 1956, in doubt.
Man Rescued After 3 Days In Snow-covered SUV In Colorado
A 31-year-old Indiana man says he had no food but kept himself hydrated with Mountain Dew and snow while he was stuck in his snow-covered SUV in southwestern Colorado for three days.
Man Rescued After 3 Days
Man Rescued After 3 Days
More cows than kiwis
New Zealanders who for decades have endured jokes about being outnumbered 20-to-1 by sheep have a new farm animal majority to worry about: cows.
Full StoryToday is ...
Today is Tuesday, February 9, the 40th day of 2010.
There are 325 days left in the year.
Today In History February 9
Today's unusual holiday and celebration is:
Read In The Bathtub Day
There are 325 days left in the year.
Today In History February 9
Today's unusual holiday and celebration is:
Read In The Bathtub Day
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania
Bangkok, Krung Thep, Thailand
Moscow, Moskva, Russia
Munich, Bayern, Germany
Dar Es Salamm, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
Wangarratta, Victoria, Australia
London, England, United Kingdom
Jakarta, Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
as well as Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Sweden, and the United States
Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania
Bangkok, Krung Thep, Thailand
Moscow, Moskva, Russia
Munich, Bayern, Germany
Dar Es Salamm, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
Wangarratta, Victoria, Australia
London, England, United Kingdom
Jakarta, Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
as well as Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Sweden, and the United States
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
Stop glaring at that higher-up from across the office!
The person you suspect who is trying to give you the boot is most likely innocent.
Just for a second, sit and think about this: What could anyone possibly gain by deliberately getting rid of someone with limitless energy who's always willing to better their last best effort -- which is who you clearly are.
See?
Breathe.
Just breathe.
Stop glaring at that higher-up from across the office!
The person you suspect who is trying to give you the boot is most likely innocent.
Just for a second, sit and think about this: What could anyone possibly gain by deliberately getting rid of someone with limitless energy who's always willing to better their last best effort -- which is who you clearly are.
See?
Breathe.
Just breathe.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Group home under scrutiny after arrest of patient
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is investigating whether a group home in Holly Springs is a dangerous facility.
The VAGAP Health group home came into question after 22-year-old Gregory McClain was arrested Saturday. Police say he repeatedly stabbed another group home resident with a screwdriver during an argument. He now faces charges of attempted murder.
Officials are now trying to figure out whether the home created an unhealthy environment for the patients.
Windcrest subdivision resident Shannon Dye has lived in her home on Apple Drupe Way, which is right across the street from the group home, for more than three years.
"I received a call from a neighbor saying police cars came flying down the street, guns drawn, busting in the door and that the man was taken out on the stretcher covered in blood," Dye said.
She said she and her husband dreamed of raising their their boys in this Holly Springs subdivision until the group home opened. They say they are now considering moving.
"Clients, patients being brought in and they were being patted down and some were actually being brought here in handcuffs by the police and released into the house, and that's when we started to become a little more concerned," Dye said.
And concern has spread from the mouths of neighbors to the ears of police.
"The home, as far as we know, opened in December, and since that time we have responded to 17 calls for service," Police Chief John Herring said.
In response to community outcry, town officials and the chief of police reached out to DHHS, who late Monday suspended the facility's license.
"There were many things the facility didn't do correctly when admitting these clients,” Jeff Horton, with DHHS, said. “They weren't properly accessing the clients to see what their needs were, they weren't providing proper supervision."
The suspension indicates the facility may present imminent danger to the health, safety and welfare of the clients, which makes Dye and residents like her question whether their own safety is being protected.
"I'll tell you I have used my home alarm system more in the past 16 weeks than I have in the entire three-and-a-half years that I have lived here," Dye said.
There are more than 3,000 group homes like this one around the state.
Double honor for female Iranian skier
Double honor for female Iranian skier
Marjan Kalhor will be the first woman to represent Iran in the Winter Games.
FDA targets tiny serving sizes
FDA targets tiny serving sizes
When a "serving" is six chips, people don't realize how fattening a snack really is, critics say.
Boost your food power by decoding calories
Boost your food power by decoding calories
If you spend lots of time fixated on calories, then you should probably understand how they work.
Why prices are often hidden online
Why prices are often hidden online
Asking shoppers to put items in their cart to see the price is part of a larger retail battle.
NFL might make big rule change
NFL might make big rule change
Commissioner Roger Goodell is looking for ways to reduce the frequency of concussions.
How to get in on 'Cash for Refrigerators'
How to get in on 'Cash for Refrigerators'
Shoppers can get sizable government rebates on energy-efficient appliances, but the rules vary.
Spat over world's first bill of rights heats up
Spat over world's first bill of rights heats up
Iran says it's cutting ties with the British Museum over a Babylonian artifact from 539 B.C.
Rice that doesn't need to be cooked
Rice that doesn't need to be cooked
A newly developed variety can go from the field to the dinner table without using heat.
New storm bears down on battered East
New storm bears down on battered East
Still not dug out from record snowfalls, the coast prepares for another major hit.
The healing power of herbal tea
The healing power of herbal tea
Making your own tea is an easy way to fight off everything from indigestion to hearing loss.
Best cameras for less than $300
Best cameras for less than $300
One top brand takes amazingly clear shots in low light — and lists for just $197.
Seven quick dinners
Seven quick dinners
Making dinner is a stress-free event with these easy menus for every day of the week.
Simple habits that help kids stay slim
3 simple habits that help kids stay slim
These basic household routines can go a long way toward warding off obesity, experts find.
America's worst winter-weather cities
America's worst winter-weather cities
Washington, D.C. is getting tons of snow lately, but these five places take a beating every year.
Blue-collar workers in high demand
Blue-collar workers in high demand
One of the best-paid positions is also extremely recession-proof, says one expert.
Favorite color test shows CEOs are unusual
Favorite color test shows CEOs are unusual
A personality test finds business leaders pick colors in a different way than most people.
Sri Lankan opposition leader arrested for sedition
Sri Lanka's defeated presidential candidate was hauled from his office by military police Monday and will be court-martialed for allegedly planning to overthrow the government while serving as the head of the army.
Full Story
Sri Lanka's former army chief and presidential candidate general Sarath Fonseka addresses the media on February 3 in Colombo.
CNNFrom the "They walk among us" Department:
Authorities said a man accused of stealing a car then reporting it stolen remains in custody after telling police he was robbed at gunpoint while trying to buy crack cocaine with a credit card.
Man tries to buy crack with credit card
Man tries to buy crack with credit card
Pensioner joins judo elite
A Scottish pensioner has become one of only seven living people to hold judo's highest rank.
Coffee shop chain bans man for coffee complaint
A Canadian man has been permanently banned from a coffee shop chain for complaining that his brew tasted like "brown, burnt water."
Hey, if the shoes fits ...
You serve bad coffee (is there any other kind) don't expect people not to tell you about it.
Hey, if the shoes fits ...
You serve bad coffee (is there any other kind) don't expect people not to tell you about it.
Just so you know ...
Mount Everest may be the tallest mountain on Earth, but that's only if you're measuring from sea level.
Thanks to the curvature of the planet, Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador is the highest if you're measuring from the center of the Earth.
In fact, by this system, Everest comes in fifth.
Thanks to the curvature of the planet, Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador is the highest if you're measuring from the center of the Earth.
In fact, by this system, Everest comes in fifth.
No joke: South Carolina now requires ’subversives’ to register
Terrorists who want to overthrow the United States government must now register with South Carolina’s Secretary of State and declare their intentions — or face a $25,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison.
The state’s “Subversive Activities Registration Act,” passed last year and now officially on the books, states that “every member of a subversive organization, or an organization subject to foreign control, every foreign agent and every person who advocates, teaches, advises or practices the duty, necessity or propriety of controlling, conducting, seizing or overthrowing the government of the United States … shall register with the Secretary of State.”
There’s even a $5 filing fee.
No joke: South Carolina now requires ’subversives’ to register
Just remember North Carolina is not South Carolina. We have brains that actually function.
World's most precise clock created
A new optical clock based on the oscillation of a trapped aluminium-27 atom keeps time to 1 second in 3.7 billion years.
Science News
From BBC-Science:
 |  | The Cassini probe returns yet more data to back up the idea of a sub-surface sea on Saturn's moon Enceladus. |
Liars and Fools
Liars and Fools for the day are:
Faux's Glen Brick falsely claiming "the progressives" are "grabbing our children in many ways ... by the throat".
No, but grabbing you by the short hairs and throwing you in jail has occurred to more than a few.
Obama "wants to annihilate us!" lies Michele Bachmann (reptile - Minnesota).
No, you're doing such a fine job of it yourself who are we to stand in your way
Faux' Glen Brick lies again saying that "progressivism" is the exact same kind of thinking that led to" Holocaust, eugenics.
One your projecting again Brick ol'boy, two, there is no such word as 'progressivism', you ignorant asshole.
Oh and by the by the NAZIs were all a bunch of Lefties, ya know, really they were, no really - now how about that land three miles east of Miami, can let it go cheap - what do ya say.
*****
Faux News personalites have a long pattern of violent rhetoric.
No real need to say it - everyone knows it already, but still ...
Faux's Glen Brick falsely claiming "the progressives" are "grabbing our children in many ways ... by the throat".
No, but grabbing you by the short hairs and throwing you in jail has occurred to more than a few.
Obama "wants to annihilate us!" lies Michele Bachmann (reptile - Minnesota).
No, you're doing such a fine job of it yourself who are we to stand in your way
Faux' Glen Brick lies again saying that "progressivism" is the exact same kind of thinking that led to" Holocaust, eugenics.
One your projecting again Brick ol'boy, two, there is no such word as 'progressivism', you ignorant asshole.
Oh and by the by the NAZIs were all a bunch of Lefties, ya know, really they were, no really - now how about that land three miles east of Miami, can let it go cheap - what do ya say.
*****
Faux News personalites have a long pattern of violent rhetoric.
No real need to say it - everyone knows it already, but still ...
Cop New
In Cop News
Illinois cop busted for on-duty drug dealing and delivery
Illinois police officer charged with stealing from dead man
Minnesota cop indicted in bank robbery
Georgia cop arrests man for snapping photo of him
Former New York City police sergeant sentenced to six months imprisonment for making false statements to DEA
Virginia prison guard gets 18 months for drugs, bribery
Probe of Pennsylvania police officers could taint drug cases
Florida sheriff's deputy charged with grand theft
Virginia man claims cops beat him for burping
Illinois cop busted for on-duty drug dealing and delivery
Illinois police officer charged with stealing from dead man
Minnesota cop indicted in bank robbery
Georgia cop arrests man for snapping photo of him
Former New York City police sergeant sentenced to six months imprisonment for making false statements to DEA
Virginia prison guard gets 18 months for drugs, bribery
Probe of Pennsylvania police officers could taint drug cases
Florida sheriff's deputy charged with grand theft
Virginia man claims cops beat him for burping
Like a good neighbor ...
State Farm has canceled 125,000 home insurance policies because Florida regulators wouldn't allow a 47% rate hike.
Curse those regulators for not allowing homeowners to be raped!
Curse those regulators for not allowing homeowners to be raped!
15 Ways Smoking Ruins Your Looks
Have you been trying to kick the habit but don't have the resolve?
Try these on for size -- from our friends at Health.com.
If you smoke, you already know you need to quit. It's bad for your heart, lungs, brain, and even your sex life. But let's face it: You'd have kicked the habit yesterday if smoking's ill effects were a bit more obvious. What if each cigarette created a black pockmark on your face, for instance?
Read on to discover 15 ways smoking is ruining your appearance.
Oz Sword Swallower Sets New World Record
An Australian street performer has set a Guinness World Record by swallowing 18 swords in one go.
Oz Sword Swallower Sets New World Record
Oz Sword Swallower Sets New World Record
Child 'Waterboarded' By Dad Over Her ABCs
A US soldier has been accused of "waterboarding" his four-year-old daughter because she would not recite the alphabet.
Child 'Waterboarded' By Dad Over Her ABCs
Child 'Waterboarded' By Dad Over Her ABCs
Once again, a cold rain is coming
From the "Oh, Goodie" Department:
Another stormy week is on tap for the eastern United States, but the Charlotte metro region apparently will miss the worst of it.
A winter storm expected to sweep across the Midwest and to the East Coast on Tuesday and Wednesday will bring a cold rain to Charlotte.
And another storm forecast to develop later this week is predicted to cross Florida and remain south of the Carolinas.
Tuesday's storm will begin affecting the region around daybreak Tuesday. With temperatures a few degrees above freezing, the precipitation will be all rain in Charlotte, say forecasters. A bit of sleet is expected to mix with the rain around daybreak in the foothills, but the precipitation will change to all rain in a few hours, with no accumulation expected.
Rainfall is not expected to be heavy this time, with about a half-inch predicted for the Charlotte area. Last Friday's storm system dumped 2 inches on the region, causing flooding and bringing the total rainfall since Dec. 1 to more than 14 inches -- far above the average.
Tuesday morning's conditions could be different in the mountains, where heavy snow and sleet could accumulate several inches. A winter storm watch is posted for Tuesday in Watauga, Alleghany and Ashe counties.
The main impact of the storm on the Charlotte area might be at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. The system is expected to dump heavy snow on a wide area, ranging from Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland later today and Tuesday, to the East Coast cities later Tuesday and Wednesday.
Don't look for warm weather this week.
Today's forecast high temperature of 49 degrees, which is 5 degrees below average, will be the warmest we see, meteorologists say. On Wednesday, behind the departing storm, a gusty and cold northwest wind will add more chill to the high temperature of only 40 degrees. And highs for the rest of the week will be limited to the low to mid 40s.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
