Secret millionaire donates her fortune
A 100-year-old ex-secretary who lived in a tiny cottage leaves behind a stunning surprise.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Conventional Wisdom May Worsen Savannah Droughts
From Treehugger:
Image credit: iluvrhinestones/Flickr
From Texas to South Africa, farmers and ranchers on the drought-plagued Savannah know that cutting down water-hungry shrubs and trees helps keep more moisture in the soil. This conventional wisdom has ruled land management for generations but there is one problem—it may not be true.
According to new findings by researchers at Texas A&M University in College Station, the exact opposite might be the case.
Article continues: Conventional Wisdom May Worsen Savannah Droughts
Siphonophorae
The star of the latest CreatureCast, created by evolutionary biologist Casey Dunn and his students at Brown University, is the psychedelic siphonophore. Casey writes, "It is difficult to explain how beautiful these animals are, so we put together some clips from our friend Steve Haddock at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute with a voiceover by Phil Pugh, who has described more species of siphonophores than any biologist in history."
CreatureCast: Diving for Jellies
CreatureCast: Diving for Jellies
Learning to speak microbe
Far from being silent loners, bacteria are little chatterboxes – when they're not snooping on us. Perhaps we should brush up our conversational skills.Bugging bugs
Dark, dangerous asteroids found lurking near Earth
NASA's WISE mission has spotted 16 near-Earth objects that had previously been hidden in the dark.Dark, dangerous asteroids found lurking near Earth
Repugicans counting on voter's short memory
The repugicans seem to be counting on the voters having a short memory this election year.
They don't want you to remember that repugicans were the ones who crashed the economy.
They don't want you to remember that repugicans started two wars that we are still paying for.
They don't want you to remember that bank bailouts (TARP) happened on their watch.
Repugicans are now going to start using fear to distract voters from the fact the the Democrats are succeeding in turning America around and reversing the damage of the shrub cabal.
Cop News
In Cop News
Officers charged in $1 million perfume heist
Two New York City police officers are among five people charged with robbing about $1 million of perfume from a northern New Jersey warehouse.
Illinois cop doesn't like the way he was treated ... by cops in another jurisdiction
After spending years and hundreds of thousands of dollars in development costs, Detroit officials admit that their long-promised computer system for identifying problem cops doesn't work
New scandal-tainted New York state police chief takes over for old scandal-tainted state police chief
Kentucky cop is busted as alleged marijuana dealer
Fired (pending appeal) Minnesota cop gets 30 days after breaking and entering is pled down to disorderly conduct and damage to property
Illinois cop doesn't like the way he was treated ... by cops in another jurisdiction
After spending years and hundreds of thousands of dollars in development costs, Detroit officials admit that their long-promised computer system for identifying problem cops doesn't work
New scandal-tainted New York state police chief takes over for old scandal-tainted state police chief
Kentucky cop is busted as alleged marijuana dealer
Fired (pending appeal) Minnesota cop gets 30 days after breaking and entering is pled down to disorderly conduct and damage to property
Prosecutor won't file charges over R-rated Films in Movie Rental Kiosks
A southern Indiana prosecutor says he won’t pursue charges against stores that offer R-rated films in movie rental kiosks accessible by minors.Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Stan Levco (pictured) announced his decision Friday, just days after he warned area stores that he was considering action.
Levco says he reviewed Indiana law and decided a trial would likely end in the stores’ favor. He says the kiosks have enough safeguards to protect children under 17 from accessing adult films.
Indiana law says providing matter harmful to minors is a felony.
A Union City, Ind., McDonald’s agreed to remove R-rated movies in 2007 after city officials threatened to press a public nuisance violation. Officials in nearby Winchester raised the issue with a Walmart store a year later.
The Vanderburgh County, Indiana, County Prosecutor is trying to save the children by banning anything above a "G" rating from Redbox, and other inexpensive, automated video rental systems—going so far as to backhandedly threaten a grocery store with a Class D felony.
But, as Consumerist points out, the real "brains" behind this effort isn't parents, or even a particularly zealous religious group. It's video rental stores, which stand to profit if $1-per-DVD-per-day Redbox can't dispense anything other than cartoons.
"I'm not on a crusade," said Paul Black, an Evansville attorney who says he suggested the inquiry to Levco's office on behalf of a client who operates several video store locations. "We're just looking for a level playing field here."
Tarzana woman gets life sentence for burning dancer
A San Fernando Valley woman was sentenced to life in prison Thursday for dousing a bikini dancer with gasoline and setting her on fire at a club called "Babes & Beer."Rianne Theriault-Odom, 28, was sentenced in Van Nuys Superior Court for the Feb. 5, 2009 attack on Roberta Busby. The Simi Valley woman received burns over 40 percent of her body and has had more than two dozen skin grafts.
The badly-scarred victim tearfully asked the judge to issue the maximum sentence for an act of "drunken rage."
"Now you're going to feel the same heartache that I felt when I couldn't hug, kiss or play with my kids or even talk to my kids," the 28-year-old mother of two told her attacker, reading from a letter in court.
"I guess I'll never know what was going through your mind that night, but one day you'll have to answer to God, and that's more justice than any prison can do to you," Busby said.
Odom, who has four children, requested a psychiatrist and said she was mentally unprepared for the sentence. Superior Court Judge turned down a request to postpone the sentencing.
Prosecutors say the two women had been feuding when Theriault-Odom doused Busby with gasoline from a soda bottle and set her ablaze at the Tarzana club.
Busby ran inside, and employees and patrons used curtains to douse the flames.
Theriault-Odom, who'd been refused a job as a dancer at the club, claimed someone else set the woman on fire.
Last month, a jury convicted her of torture and aggravated mayhem but acquitted her of attempted murder.
House Passes Tax Breaks For New Hires
Despite doubts among many lawmakers that it will create many jobs, the House on Thursday passed legislation giving companies that hire the jobless a temporary payroll tax break.
House Passes Tax Breaks For New Hires
House Passes Tax Breaks For New Hires
Personal Shopper for North Korea Dictator Speaks
A North Korean colonel who spent two decades going on European shopping sprees for his country's rulers said Thursday the late dictator Kim Il Sung lived in luxury while many people struggled to survive in his impoverished nation.
Utah man determined to get arrested gets his wish
A man rebuffed in an attempt to get arrested, finally got his wish when he went for an officer's handgun.
Utah man determined to get arrested gets his wish
Utah man determined to get arrested gets his wish
'Frugal Felon' Turns Down Extra Cash
From the "Now this is something you don't find everyday" Department:
FBI detectives are searching for a "Frugal Felon" - a bank robber who turned down extra cash offered by a teller during the heist.
'Frugal Felon' Turns Down Extra Cash
FBI detectives are searching for a "Frugal Felon" - a bank robber who turned down extra cash offered by a teller during the heist.
'Frugal Felon' Turns Down Extra Cash
Shots fired outside Pentagon
From ABC:
Two police officers were injured by a gunman firing shots outside the Pentagon tonight. Hundreds of employees there were ordered to go into "Code Red" -- the entire building locked down, with no one allowed to enter or leave.
ABC's Steven Portnoy reported that Pentagon police had a suspect in custody. ABC's Martha Raddatz reported that three ambulances were on the scene, and all parking lots at the massive Defense Department headquarters were closed off.
The shooting occurred at the Pentagon Metro Station, which is just outside the Pentagon's main entrance.
As you can imagine the building is on lockdown.
FDA warns companies about false food labels
It is truly amazing what a new team can do.
U.S. health regulators warned units of Nestle and more than a dozen other food-makers about overstating or misstating the nutritional value of baby food, nuts and other products on their labels.
Most of the letters made public on Wednesday accuse the companies of making claims on their food packages and websites over trans fat content, antioxidant advantages, and omega-3 benefits that fail to Food and Drug Administration guidelines.
The warnings come as the FDA is set to push for new package labeling to make it easier for people to understand the nutritional content of food.
Panthers release Jake Delhomme
The Carolina Panthers have released quarterback Jake Delhomme, a day after they signed Matt Moore.The Panthers are still on the hook for $13 million in guaranteed money.
What's the real unemployment rate?
What's the real unemployment rate?
The national jobless rate is well into double digits when underemployed workers are added.
Delicious-looking foods to avoid now
Delicious-looking foods to avoid now
Chances are good the asparagus and tomatoes in stores now will disappoint.
Surprising client for janitor facing eviction
Surprising client for janitor facing eviction
Rosalina Gomez was cleaning the house of the CEO whose bank bought her foreclosed home.
Saudi Arabian Woman to be lashed for Unchaperoned Court Appearance
Welcome to the 12th Century
or is that the 9th Century ...
or is that the 9th Century ...
A Saudi Arabian woman, Sawsan Salim, has been sentenced to 300 lashings and one and a half years in prison for filing harassment complaints about government officials and appearing in court in the northern Qasim region without a male guardian present. In 2007, Salim filed 118 harassment complaints against local officials, who allegedly mistreated her when she appeared in their offices unchaperoned, according to Business Week. Salim appeared without a male guardian because her husband, her sole male family member, was in prison at the time. She initially approached a local court in 2004, when she sought help to release her husband from prison.
The legal guardianship system in Saudi Arabia requires that women, both minors and adults, must be accompanied by a male guardian outside the home. If women wish to conduct themselves in public business, work, or to drive, they must obtain permission from or be accompanied by their male guardian, who may be her husband, father, brother, or even a minor son, according to Human Rights Watch. The Saudi Arabian government promised in June 2009 to follow United Nations suggestions to remove this restrictive system, but has not made this change.
"In Saudi Arabia, being a woman going about her legitimate business without a man's protection is apparently a crime," said Nadya Khalife, a women's rights researcher for the Middle East at Human Rights Watch. "The government needs to free Sawsan Salim and keep its promise to end this discriminatory system."
A similar case occurred in March 2009, when Khamisa Sawadi, an elderly Saudi woman, was accused of fraternization with men after two men outside of her family brought her bread. She was sentenced to 40 lashings, 4 months jail time and deportation. In February 2008, an American business woman was arrested for being in the family section of a Starbucks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a male colleague.
Breakfast sales sink with the economy
Breakfast sales sink with the economy
Fast-food breakfast sales used to be a $57 billion business for the big chains.
Why the mail should come every other day
Why the mail should come every other day
Drowning in red ink, the U.S. Postal Service needs to make radical changes to stay in business.
What's next for Vancouver's athlete village
What's next for Vancouver's athlete village
The city's post-Olympic plans for the $1.1 billion condominium complex have one blogger skeptical.
Today is ...
Today is Friday, March 5, the 64th day of 2010.
There are 301 days left in the year.
Today In History March 5
Today's unusual holiday or celebration is:
Name Tag Day
There are 301 days left in the year.
Today In History March 5
Today's unusual holiday or celebration is:
Name Tag Day
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Airdrie, Alberta, Canada
Jeddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Athens, Attiki, Greece
Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
Cairo, Al Qahirah, Egypt
Prague, Hlavni Mesto Praha, Czech Republic
Neuss, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
as well as Australia, and the United States in cities such as Orwell, Bismarck, Eau Claire, Potsdam, Hoboken, Brewster, Cheboygan and more.
Airdrie, Alberta, Canada
Jeddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Athens, Attiki, Greece
Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
Cairo, Al Qahirah, Egypt
Prague, Hlavni Mesto Praha, Czech Republic
Neuss, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
as well as Australia, and the United States in cities such as Orwell, Bismarck, Eau Claire, Potsdam, Hoboken, Brewster, Cheboygan and more.
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
If you weren't up late last night, exchanging life histories with someone who was honestly fascinated by hearing everything that happened when you were ten, you should have been.
Fortunately, it's not too late.
You're still quite willing to reveal everything about yourself -- and a certain person will be only too happy to reciprocate.
Better take a power nap after work.
Naps are good.
If you weren't up late last night, exchanging life histories with someone who was honestly fascinated by hearing everything that happened when you were ten, you should have been.
Fortunately, it's not too late.
You're still quite willing to reveal everything about yourself -- and a certain person will be only too happy to reciprocate.
Better take a power nap after work.
Naps are good.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Dinosaurs Ten Million Years Older Than Thought
A new dinosaur relative found in Tanzania is the oldest known creature of its kind—a discovery that pushes back the origin of dinosaurs by at least ten million years, paleontologists say.
Dubbed Asilisaurus kongwe, the Labrador retriever-size creature was a silesaur, the closest relatives to true dinosaurs.
The new-found animal lived 243 million years ago, during the middle Triassic period.
Dubbed Asilisaurus kongwe, the Labrador retriever-size creature was a silesaur, the closest relatives to true dinosaurs.
The new-found animal lived 243 million years ago, during the middle Triassic period.
Should Animal Abusers, Like Sex Offenders, Be Registered?
Cruelty to animals, it is said, is often a precursor to graver crimes.
So would there not be some usefulness to a registry of individuals convicted of felony animal abuse?
Legislators in California want the Golden State to be the first to establish such a record - just as California was the first in the nation to create a registry of sex offenders.
So would there not be some usefulness to a registry of individuals convicted of felony animal abuse?
Legislators in California want the Golden State to be the first to establish such a record - just as California was the first in the nation to create a registry of sex offenders.
FDA Recalls Food Additive Used In Thousands of Products
On Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall of a common flavor enhancer that could be contaminated with salmonella bacteria. However, the enhancer, known as hydrolyzed vegetable protein or HVP, is used in many products and thus the recall could affect thousands of products, including soups, sauces, chilis, stews, hot dogs, gravies, seasoned snack foods, dips and dressing.
SC cop stops go-cart, arrests man on drug charges
A go-cart wasn't much of a getaway vehicle for a South Carolina man. The Herald-Journal of Spartanburg reported that sheriff's deputies have arrested 29-year-old Edward Matthew Sweezy of Union after they stopped him last week at an intersection in Union.
SC cop stops go-cart, arrests man on drug charges
SC cop stops go-cart, arrests man on drug charges
Texan found in Kansas with 436,000 ecstasy pills
A 21-year-old Texas man faces federal drug charges after authorities say he was found with 436,000 Ecstasy pills.
Texan found in Kansas with 436,000 ecstasy pills
Texan found in Kansas with 436,000 ecstasy pills
Tuft of Napoleon's hair found in Sydney vault
A lock of hair believed to have been snipped from the head of Napoleon Bonaparte after his death has been unearthed in Sydney's Town Hall.
Full StoryTree exorcist arrested for attacking trees by Eiffel tower
A self-styled exorcist who believes woodland carries evil spirits has been arrested for attacking 100 trees next to the Eiffel tower.
Full story10 Color-Changing Creatures You Have to See to Believe
From Treehugger:
Photo via Killer Plants
The chameleon gets all the attention -- but it's not the only member of the animal kingdom that can alter its color and texture to suit its mood. From spiders that take on the color of their flower (like the one shown here) and flounder that match the sea floor to wolves that get a seasonal makeover and an octopus that goes red with rage, could you spot these super-camouflaged creatures in the wild?
10 Color-Changing Creatures You Have to See to Believe
Extinct Frog Rediscovered in Australia
From Treehugger:
Image credit: AP Photo
A small frog that had been declared extinct more than 30 years ago has been rediscovered in Australia. Litoria castanea, better known as the "yellow-spotted bell frog" or the "tablelands bell frog," was found in a creek bed on private property by biologists Luke Pearce and David Hunter.
Extinct Frog Rediscovered in Australia
Think you have health insurance?
Think again...
As if having to pay higher health insurance premiums each year isn't bad enough, now workers have another worry: companies that drop their health insurance coverage and don't bother to tell employees.
"It's a practice that's on the rise", says Kristin Milam with the state department of insurance. State law requires that companies give their workers 45 days notice if they're going to drop coverage. Milam says that employees of businesses that don't follow the law often find out their coverage has lapsed when they go to the doctor's office.
And I Quote
Bush says while he was president he would enjoy the occasional cigar.
On a rare occasion, he would have a cigar because he said it helped him think.
I want to tell you, occasions don't get any more rare than that ...
~ David Letterman
On a rare occasion, he would have a cigar because he said it helped him think.
I want to tell you, occasions don't get any more rare than that ...
~ David Letterman
Tea Bagger leader paid by the repugicans
Tea party leader paid by repugican run campaign to promote party goals.
One of the tea party's top leaders was recently paid $7,500 by a campaign run by a California repugican group to promote one of their ballot initiatives.
Mark Meckler is a spokesman for the Tea Party Patriots and had publicly distanced himself from the repugican party.
But state records show that he accepted the money for "petition circulation management" from the "Citizen Power Campaign Supported by the Lincoln Club of Orange County."
The Lincoln Club is a two bit player in state politics and this latest initiative is an ambitious act of political skullduggery.
The Citizen Power Campaign is trying to put a measure on the ballot come November that would make it illegal for taxpayer money for political activity.
Why?
Because that would remove a key source of funding for the public employees union, making it more difficult for pro-labor candidates to get elected.
The Citizen Power Campaign is trying to put a measure on the ballot come November that would make it illegal for taxpayer money for political activity.
Why?
Because that would remove a key source of funding for the public employees union, making it more difficult for pro-labor candidates to get elected.
Science News
From BBC-Science:
The cusk eel, pictured here, was one of the fish seen eating floating plant matter.
 |  | An international panel of experts has strongly endorsed the idea that an asteroid impact was responsible for killing off the dinosaurs. |
Fish are seen eating plants that have sunk to the seafloor, changing our understanding of ocean food webs.
The cusk eel, pictured here, was one of the fish seen eating floating plant matter.
Cop News
In Cop News
Louisiana sheriff plans to arm volunteers with shotguns, riot shields, batons, and a .50-caliber machine gun mounted on a "war wagon," to protect grocery stores and gas stations in case of rioting
Nebraska prison guards suspended over on-line comments endorsing brutality
Double-dipping New Jersey sheriff apologizes for bullying professor during class
Former West Virginia police officer charged with breaking jaw of daughter’s ex-boyfriend
Louisiana sheriff plans to arm volunteers with shotguns, riot shields, batons, and a .50-caliber machine gun mounted on a "war wagon," to protect grocery stores and gas stations in case of rioting
Nebraska prison guards suspended over on-line comments endorsing brutality
Double-dipping New Jersey sheriff apologizes for bullying professor during class
Former West Virginia police officer charged with breaking jaw of daughter’s ex-boyfriend
Liars and Fools
Liars and Fools
Faux's Shawn Handjob lies saying "Obama is making this country and every citizen vulnerable to attack".
Nope, that was the shrub and the cabal.
Lush Dimbulb compares health insurance reform to Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and the Nuremberg trials.
Oxycontin, Viagra, and one too many little Dominican boys has finally brought this syphilitic tub of lard to utter madness ... oh, wait he's been there, my bad.
Faux's Shawn Handjob lies saying "Obama is making this country and every citizen vulnerable to attack".
Nope, that was the shrub and the cabal.
Lush Dimbulb compares health insurance reform to Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and the Nuremberg trials.
Oxycontin, Viagra, and one too many little Dominican boys has finally brought this syphilitic tub of lard to utter madness ... oh, wait he's been there, my bad.
Subscriber Sues Netflix and Warner Bros. Over New Rental Policy
Wait 28 days to rent a hot movie just out on DVD?No way, argued a Netflix subscriber, who sued the films-by-mail rental company and Warner Bros. on Thursday.
Susan Uman of Manhattan argues a deal worked out between Netflix and Warner Home Video is an old-fashioned "scheme to restrain trade" that has to stop, according to a class action lawsuit filed in Manhattan Federal Court.
The two companies agreed in January that Netflix customers would not be able to order Warner Bros. DVDs until a full 28 days after the films went up for sale or rent at other locations. The move was seen as adding to Warner Bros. bottom line because it forces viewers who want to see the movie sooner to buy it or rent it from costlier companies.
Two Warner movies - "The Informant!" and "The Box" - were released on DVD Feb. 23, but won't be available to Netflix subscribers until March 23, the lawsuit says.
The pact, Uman argued, decreased the value of her Netflix subscription because the Warner Bros. films are now off limits for a month. The lawsuit wants the practice to stop.
Warner Home Video and Netflix officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Chief Justice Roberts Not Stepping Down Despite RadarOnLine Report
Damn and here we were chilling the champagne
Chief Justice John Roberts is not stepping down from the Supreme Court, despite a celebrity gossip report, a source very close to Roberts told Fox News.RadarOnline.com reported Thursday that Roberts, 55, would be resigning for personal reasons.
But the source said the report is "completely untrue." There is "no medical issue, no issue at all," the source said, adding that there is not even a 1 percent chance that Roberts is considering resignation.
RadarOnline.com later published an update saying that Roberts will be staying on the bench.
Anchor Management
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Anchor Management | ||||
| ||||
Jon gives'em the business
Tips for dealing with a cheap friend
Tips for dealing with a cheap friend
When the check comes, these ideas can keep you from getting stuck with the whole tab.
Millions can't get cheaper home loans
Millions can't get cheaper home loans
Mortgage rates are near record lows, but few households are getting those advertised deals.
Supermarkets suffer in the recession
Supermarkets suffer in the recession
Shoppers are spending less money at big grocery chains such as Safeway and Kroger.
Johnny Cash's unusual distinction
Johnny Cash's unusual distinction
The "Man in Black" has amassed more top 10 albums since he died than he did while he was alive.
One family, two devastating quakes
One family, two devastating quakes
The Desarmes finally escaped Haiti after the horrific Jan. 12 earthquake — to go stay with relatives in Chile.
Extraordinary islands worth a visit
Extraordinary islands worth a visit
Whether they are tropical specks in an ocean, or in a river near a city, all are worth a visit.
Best-tasting peanut butters
Best-tasting peanut butters
Prefer creamy, crunchy, or a bit quirky? See which store peanut butters scored high in a taste test.
Inside al-Qaida's secret mountain hideout
Inside al-Qaida's secret mountain hideout
A captured terrorist base impresses observers with its size, complexity, and special features.
Cruise passengers describe freak waves
Cruise passengers describe freak waves
Towering walls of water that crashed into a cruise ship and claimed two lives left "spectacular" damage.
Leaked memo puts repugicans in hot seat
Leaked memo puts repugicans in hot seat
An inflammatory image of President Obama and a call to amp up "fear" expose raw repugican tactics.
Ex-homeless man wins lottery jackpot
Ex-homeless man wins lottery jackpot
Anthony Castro, who has lived on the streets and survived a gunshot, finds good luck.
Part of uptown building falls to ground
One lane is of West Trade Street, in Charlotte is shut down after pieces of a building fell to the ground late Wednesday night.
Police say they got calls around 11:30 p.m. about a couple of pieces of concrete that had fallen off of the Builders Building on the corner of West Trade at Pine Streets.
*****
Now, ain't that a fine how-do-you-do!
U.S. to determine who can board some Canadian flights
This is going a bit too far ...
Starting in December, passengers on Canadian airlines flying to, from or even over the United States without ever landing there, will only be allowed to board the aircraft once the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has determined they are not terrorists.
U.S. to determine who can board some Canadian flights
Starting in December, passengers on Canadian airlines flying to, from or even over the United States without ever landing there, will only be allowed to board the aircraft once the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has determined they are not terrorists.
U.S. to determine who can board some Canadian flights
Former Gitmo detainee said running Afghan battles
A man freed from Guantanamo more than two years ago by the shrub after he claimed he only wanted to go home and help his family is now a senior commander running Taliban resistance to the U.S.-led offensive in southern Afghanistan, two senior Afghan intelligence officials say.
Typical, shrub - release the terrorists but keep those that aren't.
Strong earthquake hits Taiwan
A powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake rocked southern Taiwan on Thursday, causing widespread damage and disrupting communications around the island.
Ghost hunt aims to find the Pendle Witches
Spirit Seekers are organizing a ghost hunt in search of the infamous Pendle Witches.
Ghost hunt aims to find the Pendle Witches
Mice infest parliament
The British House of Lords has a momentous decision to make: Should it get cats to chase the mice that have infested one of Britain's most famous buildings?
London's Houses of Parliament, also known as Westminster Palace, has rodents, and the peers aren't exactly sure what to do about it.
Yet another reason why the FDA needs to get back to its mission
It's too expensive to do otherwise.
This new study shows how expensive it is for consumers.
The repugicans always love to talk about the high cost of regulations and oversight for business but they conveniently forget about the cost to everyone else. Sure business wants to cut costs but as this study shows, the costs are pushed out to others. Obama has been moving the FDA in the right direction and Democrats in Congress have been leading the way since coming back into power but there's more to be done.
This new study shows how expensive it is for consumers.
The repugicans always love to talk about the high cost of regulations and oversight for business but they conveniently forget about the cost to everyone else. Sure business wants to cut costs but as this study shows, the costs are pushed out to others. Obama has been moving the FDA in the right direction and Democrats in Congress have been leading the way since coming back into power but there's more to be done.
Food-borne illnesses, such as E. coli and salmonella, cost the United States $152 billion annually in health care and other losses, according to a report released Wednesday by a food safety group.
The report comes as the U.S. Senate considers legislation that would require more government inspections of food manufacturers and give the Food and Drug Administration new authority to order recalls, among other things. The House passed a similar bill last year.
The government estimates 76 million people each year are sickened by food-borne illness, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized and about 5,000 die. Recent outbreaks have resulted in large recalls of peanuts, spinach and peppers.
Two hundred twenty-one years ago today
On March 4, 1789, the Constitution of the United States went into effect as the first Federal Congress met in New York.
(The lawmakers then adjourned for lack of a quorum.)
[And it's been that way ever since.]
(The lawmakers then adjourned for lack of a quorum.)
[And it's been that way ever since.]
Today is ...
Today is Thursday, March 4, the 63rd day of 2010.
There are 302 days left in the year.
Today In History March 4
Today's unusual holidays and celebrations are:
Courageous Follower Day,
March Forth-Do Something Day
and
Toy Soldier Day
There are 302 days left in the year.
Today In History March 4
Today's unusual holidays and celebrations are:
Courageous Follower Day,
March Forth-Do Something Day
and
Toy Soldier Day
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
Chemnitz, Sachsen, Germany
Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Chandrigarh, Chandrigah, India
Muntinlupa, Rizal, Philippines
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Levallois-Perret, Ile-De-France, France
Luton, England, United Kingdom
as well as Scotland, Ukraine, and the United States in such cities as Storrs Mansfield, Seneca, Sioux Falls, Fishers, Palo Alto and more
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
Chemnitz, Sachsen, Germany
Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Chandrigarh, Chandrigah, India
Muntinlupa, Rizal, Philippines
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Levallois-Perret, Ile-De-France, France
Luton, England, United Kingdom
as well as Scotland, Ukraine, and the United States in such cities as Storrs Mansfield, Seneca, Sioux Falls, Fishers, Palo Alto and more
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
Here's another day of feeling everything to the nth degree -- absolutely everything.
Does that mean you won't be good company?
Quite the contrary.
You'll be intriguing, passionate and downright magnetic.
Just be sure you don't spend your time with the faint of heart.
That won't do.
You need to be with someone who's up for anything -- including you, at your most open, honest and intense.
That said, think about calling in sick tomorrow.
Why not today?
Here's another day of feeling everything to the nth degree -- absolutely everything.
Does that mean you won't be good company?
Quite the contrary.
You'll be intriguing, passionate and downright magnetic.
Just be sure you don't spend your time with the faint of heart.
That won't do.
You need to be with someone who's up for anything -- including you, at your most open, honest and intense.
That said, think about calling in sick tomorrow.
Why not today?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Senate repugicans Even Obstructing Judicial Nominees They Helped Pick
Susie Madrak posted this over at Crooks and Liars today:
The Senate Republicans are like willful children: "You can't make me!" They obstruct, for obstruction's sake and here's a perfect example from Right Wing Watch:
If you need any more proof that Senate Republicans' sole mission at the moment is to prevent anything from happening in their chamber of Congress, look no further than the fact that today the Senate had to seek cloture on the nomination Barbara Milano Keenan to fill a vacancy on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, resulting in a vote of 99-0.
That's right - not one Republican senator spoke against her qualifications, record, or views or voted to prevent her nomination from receiving an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor ... and yet still they filibustered, forcing Democrats to seek a cloture vote in order to move ahead, simply because they are committed to obstructing the governing process in every way possible.
Earlier today, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy took to the Senate floor to blast the Republicans' refusal to allow the Senate to move on even noncontroversial judicial nominations:
Last year’s total was the fewest judicial nominees confirmed in the first year of a Presidency in more than 50 years. Those 12 Federal circuit and district court confirmations were even below the 17 the Senate Republican majority allowed to be confirmed in the 1996 session. After that presidential election year, Chief Justice Rehnquist began criticizing the pace of judicial confirmations and the partisan Republican tactics.
Among the frustrations is that Senate Republicans have delayed and obstructed nominees chosen after consultation with Republican home state Senators. Despite President Obama’s efforts, Senate Republicans have treated his nominees much, much worse.
I noted when the Senate considered the nominations of Judge Christina Reiss of Vermont and Mr. Abdul Kallon of Alabama relatively promptly that they should serve as the model for Senate action. Sadly, they are the exception rather than the model. They show what the Senate could do, but does not. Time and again, noncontroversial nominees are delayed. When the Senate does finally consider them, they are confirmed overwhelmingly. Of the 15 Federal circuit and district court judges confirmed, twelve have been confirmed unanimously.
That is right. Republicans have only voted against three of President Obama's nominees to the Federal circuit and district courts. One of those, Judge Gerry Lynch of the Second Circuit, garnered only three negative votes and 94 votes in favor. Judge Andre Davis of Maryland was stalled for months and then confirmed with 72 votes in favor and only 16 against. Judge David Hamilton was filibustered in a failed effort to prevent an up-or-down vote.
The obstruction and delay is part of a partisan pattern. Even when they cannot say “no,” Republicans nonetheless demand that the Senate go slow. The practice is continuing. This is the 17th filibuster of President Obama's nominees. That does not count the many other nominees who were delayed or are being denied up-or-down votes by Senate Republicans refusing to agree to time agreements to consider even noncontroversial nominees.
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This shit has got to stop. ALL repugicans in congress should be ousted forthwith!
This shit has got to stop. ALL repugicans in congress should be ousted forthwith!
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