Friday, July 16, 2010
Repugicans can't be bothered to show up for Social Security hearing
Utah IDs 2 Allegedly Behind Immigrant List
Greek man wins £175,000 over Turkish yogurt picture
A Swedish dairy has paid out over £175,000 in compensation to a Greek man whose picture was used to promote a popular Turkish yogurt brand. The 77-year-old man, who was angry at being portrayed as a Turk, the traditional national enemy of Greeks, originally demanded £4.5 million in damages for the use, without permission, of his image.
His photograph, with distinctive long mustache, red hat and traditional Greek dress, has been used on millions of yogurt tubs marketed as a Turkish-style product. Yesterday, Sweden's Lindahls dairy confirmed that an agreement had been reached and a six figure payment made to avoid an emotive court case in the man's native country, where damages could be higher.
Tomas Axelsson, a spokesman for the dairy, said: "We have always maintained that we had the rights to the image, but now we have settled the issue and plan to continue to use it on the product." Anders Lindahl, the family owned managing director of the dairy, said that the image had been legitimately bought from a photo agency. "It is a lot of money," he said. "We have invested a lot in him as a trademark during the past eight years."
The Greek found out that his picture was being used to sell Turkish-style yogurts after a friend, a fellow countryman, recognized his face on supermarket shelves in Stockholm. In his legal writ in April, the man, who has not been named, argued that he is not Turkish and that the use his picture was misleading both for those who know him and for buyers of the yogurt.
His photograph, with distinctive long mustache, red hat and traditional Greek dress, has been used on millions of yogurt tubs marketed as a Turkish-style product. Yesterday, Sweden's Lindahls dairy confirmed that an agreement had been reached and a six figure payment made to avoid an emotive court case in the man's native country, where damages could be higher.
Tomas Axelsson, a spokesman for the dairy, said: "We have always maintained that we had the rights to the image, but now we have settled the issue and plan to continue to use it on the product." Anders Lindahl, the family owned managing director of the dairy, said that the image had been legitimately bought from a photo agency. "It is a lot of money," he said. "We have invested a lot in him as a trademark during the past eight years."
The Greek found out that his picture was being used to sell Turkish-style yogurts after a friend, a fellow countryman, recognized his face on supermarket shelves in Stockholm. In his legal writ in April, the man, who has not been named, argued that he is not Turkish and that the use his picture was misleading both for those who know him and for buyers of the yogurt.
Forest Fires Become Weapon, Battleground in Turkey
A 2008 forest fire in Turkey. Photo via Sabah
As the weather finally starts to heat up in Turkey, hot and dry parts of the country move into their annual state of high alert over forest fires, which generally strike each summer. But villagers in the turbulent Southeast have made disturbing accusations that officials are standing by while the military intentionally sets fire to their forests and crops.Article continues: Forest Fires Become Weapon, Battleground in Turkey
Indian man survives after eating raw poisonous snake for a bet
It was more important for this 35-year-old man from Bhatpor village to win a Rs 100 (£1.39) bet than fear for his life. For, Zaver Rathod ate a raw, poisonous snake to win the bet. Although he survived, he landed at New Civil Hospital in Surat on Tuesday night with severe nausea and symptoms of other illnesses.
However, on Wednesday morning, Rathod fled from the hospital after he was hounded by media and other citizens, all who wanted to meet the man who had eaten a raw snake to win a bet. Rathod was brought to the hospital on Tuesday for treatment of severe vomiting, which doctors realized was due to eating a snake.
Doctors at NCH confirmed that the snake Rathod had eaten was indeed poisonous, but he survived as the poison had gone to his stomach and not his blood stream. "It is when the poison spreads in entire body through blood that it becomes life threatening. However, if treatment is provided in time, when the poison goes directly into the stomach it does not affect severely.
Rathod, a resident of Bhatpor village, works as a farm laborer. On Tuesday evening, he was with his friends Sanjay and Bhupendra in the village when a snake bit Sanjay. Soon after the bite, Sanjay became unconscious. In a fit of rage, Rathod and Bhupendra killed the snake with stones. However, later, Bhupendra challenged Rathod to eat the snake for a Rs 100 note. Rathod took the snake and ate it up from the front side and within minutes of eating it, he started vomiting and fell to the ground. On being taken to NCH, he was immediately given treatment and his situation improved by Wednesday morning.
However, on Wednesday morning, Rathod fled from the hospital after he was hounded by media and other citizens, all who wanted to meet the man who had eaten a raw snake to win a bet. Rathod was brought to the hospital on Tuesday for treatment of severe vomiting, which doctors realized was due to eating a snake.
Doctors at NCH confirmed that the snake Rathod had eaten was indeed poisonous, but he survived as the poison had gone to his stomach and not his blood stream. "It is when the poison spreads in entire body through blood that it becomes life threatening. However, if treatment is provided in time, when the poison goes directly into the stomach it does not affect severely.
Rathod, a resident of Bhatpor village, works as a farm laborer. On Tuesday evening, he was with his friends Sanjay and Bhupendra in the village when a snake bit Sanjay. Soon after the bite, Sanjay became unconscious. In a fit of rage, Rathod and Bhupendra killed the snake with stones. However, later, Bhupendra challenged Rathod to eat the snake for a Rs 100 note. Rathod took the snake and ate it up from the front side and within minutes of eating it, he started vomiting and fell to the ground. On being taken to NCH, he was immediately given treatment and his situation improved by Wednesday morning.
Man dies after hiring friend to shoot him in bizarre custody plot
A Dallas man died while executing a twisted plot to win custody of his child, Dallas police said. According to investigators, 20-year-old Dwayne Lamont Moten hired a friend to shoot him, intending to blame the crime on his wife's boyfriend and gain custody of his 3-year-old son, Dwayne Jr. "[This] was two individuals trying to frame a third individual," Sr. Cpl. Kevin Janse said.
Janse said the plan was that Jacob Wheeler, also 20, would shoot Moten but only injure him. However, the bullets that struck Moten on Saturday mortally wounded the forlorn father. "He drove a short distance before he realized he was shot a little worse than he had planned and got out of his car, and was screaming for help," Janse said.
Witness Michael Brown said he did what he could to help. "Only thing we seen was this young man stopped in the middle of the street, and he got out hollering, 'Man, I been shot. Somebody help me,'" Brown said. "When he hit the ground there was no more conversation going." Moten soon died from his injuries.
Wheeler is charged with murder and for an unrelated aggravated robbery charge. He remains in jail on a $750,000 bond. Police said both Moten and Wheeler had a criminal history and had been convicted of felonies. "There's legal ways to get custody of a child and taking a bullet, and ultimately dying, is definitely not one of those ways," Janse said.
Janse said the plan was that Jacob Wheeler, also 20, would shoot Moten but only injure him. However, the bullets that struck Moten on Saturday mortally wounded the forlorn father. "He drove a short distance before he realized he was shot a little worse than he had planned and got out of his car, and was screaming for help," Janse said.
Witness Michael Brown said he did what he could to help. "Only thing we seen was this young man stopped in the middle of the street, and he got out hollering, 'Man, I been shot. Somebody help me,'" Brown said. "When he hit the ground there was no more conversation going." Moten soon died from his injuries.
Wheeler is charged with murder and for an unrelated aggravated robbery charge. He remains in jail on a $750,000 bond. Police said both Moten and Wheeler had a criminal history and had been convicted of felonies. "There's legal ways to get custody of a child and taking a bullet, and ultimately dying, is definitely not one of those ways," Janse said.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The Daily Drift
The Daily Drift
Today's horoscope says:As usual, you're seeking the truth, the whole truth and nothing but.
Keep in mind, though, that truth can be subjective and might depend on who's talking.
Focus on digging up the facts, all the facts and nothing but.
Once you can see everything that you know is for real, you're able to figure out what everyone else has been right and wrong about lately.
Today is:
Today is Thursday, July 15, the 196th day of 2010.
There are 169 days left in the year.
Today's unusual holidays or celebrations are:
Gummi Worm Day
and
Get To Know Your Customers Day
Jewel dons disguise to dupe karaoke bar
Patrons don't realize that the "amateur" belting out Jewel's hits is the singer herself.
Also: Stand-up Paddling Reaches America's Lakes and Rivers
Equipment-wise, the paddle is similar to those used for a canoe but much longer, about the length of a person’s height plus a fully extended arm. The specially designed boards are wide, very stable and equipped with a rear fin. The trick is finding the sweet spot in the middle where one can stand comfortably, with weight evenly distributed on both feet. [SUP board] prices range from $800 to $1,500 with styles varying by materials and weight. Paddles cost from $100 to $400.The SUP joins a long line of inflated shoes, modified bicycles, and other devices designed to allow a person to “walk on water.” Local regulations may require a personal flotation device to be worn or carried on the board.
America's best island paradises
Find white beaches and pristine waters without the expense of a flight abroad.
Also: A Village With No Roads
Can you imagine a village with no roads?
There is such an unique place in the Netherlands called Giethoorn (pronounced 'geethorn'). There are no roads, and cars have to remain outside the village.
The only access to the stunningly lovely houses in Giethoorn is by water, or on foot over tiny individual wooden bridges.
There is such an unique place in the Netherlands called Giethoorn (pronounced 'geethorn'). There are no roads, and cars have to remain outside the village.
The only access to the stunningly lovely houses in Giethoorn is by water, or on foot over tiny individual wooden bridges.
Why Facebook friends are worth keeping
Tired of status updates from people you hardly know? Pay attention and you might find those weak ties more useful than you think.
Why Facebook friends are worth keeping
Original Parts - Original Owner
Rachel Veitch's 1964 Comet Caliente still has original parts — and its original owner.
Also: An 18th-Century ship found at WTC site
Workers excavating the area make a stunning find 30 feet below the street.
Also: Human Creations Attributed To Aliens
Since the beginning of humanity, people have invented explanations for things they don't understand. The culprits for the unexplained have evolved from gods and demons, to ghosts and spirits, to extraterrestrials.
Many people believe space aliens have visited Earth in the past. Of course the vast majority of 'evidence' of extraterrestrials have simple explanations.
Here are 10 man-made things falsely attributed to extraterrestrial influence.
Hidden details discovered in Da Vinci piece
Restoration reveals that Da Vinci's assistants didn't help paint "Virgin of the Rocks."
Also: Battle at the Alamo
Caretakers squabble over whether the Texas landmark is being properly maintained.
Also: Actress plays 'Tomb Raider' as she puts her foot in it - and discovers secret church vault
Kathy Mills uncovered the entrance to the secret chamber, which had been hidden for centuries, when she accidentally stamped her shoe through one of the floor tiles at St Mary's Church, in Redgrave, Suffolk.
Mrs Mills was rehearsing a scene from an upcoming amateur musical production of Quasimodo when the real drama unfolded.
Secrets of Grand Central Station
Grand Central Terminal in New York City is the largest train station in the world, processing 700,000 visitors a day. It’s an impressive demonstration of technology and logistics, and Daniel Terdiman at cnet has written an article about its many hidden secrets. Among them is a train station within it that was built to hide President Roosevelt’s use of a wheelchair:FDR was from New York state and often returned to New York City. Because his physical condition was not understood by a public that likely would have been unsympathetic to seeing the commander-in-chief in a wheelchair, the president would arrive in New York on a special private train.
But instead of pulling into a normal platform and having a normal train car, FDR arrived on a custom car that contained his 1932 armor-plated Pierce-Arrow limousine. By the time the train would get into the secret tunnels, the president would be inside the limo, and when it hit the platform, the car would be driven out through special, wide doors and then into a special wide elevator. He would then alight into the ballroom at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel above.
The secret train car was armor-clad, and had bullet-proof glass, which in those days meant little more than many, many layers of glass, Brucker said. In addition, a series of vents along the top of the train car were actually gun ports, and it featured unique wheel assemblies that allowed no lateral movement. That was because any such movement would have shaken FDR out of his wheelchair.
Dispute ends in disappointment for Iroquois
Britain refuses to allow the high-ranked lacrosse team to enter the country on Iroquois passports.
Also: "A Degree is a Degree, Whether it is Fake or Genuine"
An investigation has revealed that dozens of Members of Parliament in Pakistan have fake university degrees.The scandal has triggered fears of early elections and has inflamed a bitter dispute between journalists and members of parliament.
An investigation has found some MPs never finished their studies while others bought their qualifications from dodgy colleges…
The chief minister of Balochistan Province, Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani, told the press: “A degree is a degree, whether it is fake or genuine.”
Spy games move east
The Russian arrests were a sideshow compared to the dark struggles playing out overseas.
Also: Asian Floods
Work crews blow holes in dams to drain fast-rising water levels in China.
Also: 900-year-old Song dynasty drains save Chinese city from deadly floods
A 900-year-old drainage system has saved a city in south China from severe floods that have left over one hundred people dead and a million homeless across the region.
The drainage system uses the natural camber of the city to quickly channel water outward.
German policeman wins extra week of vacation for time spent getting dressed
A German policeman has won an extra week's holiday each year thanks to the 15 minutes it takes him to get dressed for duty each day. Martin Schauder, 44, calculated to the second how long it took to don his regulation undershirt, trousers, thruncheon-holding belt, handcuffs, weapon and gas canister, overshirt, tunic, boots, protective kneepads (when on riot control), hat and gloves.
He claimed it took 15 minutes each morning outside his paid shift hours to get dressed, and 15 minutes at the end of each shift to undress, which a Münster administrative court agreed constituted overtime. The officer in the north-west German city had argued with his superiors for months, demanding either getting a pay rise or time off in lieu for what he said amounted to 45 hours of his time he was giving to his employers each year. They refused on both counts, saying it was part of his duties as a policeman.
So he took the force to the city's administrative court - and won. The decision has prompted fears that German courts may face a raft of similar lawsuits. "We could, in theory, have judges arguing for extra time off because of the amount of time it takes them to robe up, or receptionists claiming overtime for lipstick application as they have to look good for clients," said Joachim Wulfmeyer, legal expert.
Officer Schauder's case was a test complaint representing over 120 other officers; granting them all the extra paid week's leave that he is entitled to would seriously challenge the city's police budget at a time of rigid cutbacks. His employers will have a chance to appeal the ruling in a higher court.
He claimed it took 15 minutes each morning outside his paid shift hours to get dressed, and 15 minutes at the end of each shift to undress, which a Münster administrative court agreed constituted overtime. The officer in the north-west German city had argued with his superiors for months, demanding either getting a pay rise or time off in lieu for what he said amounted to 45 hours of his time he was giving to his employers each year. They refused on both counts, saying it was part of his duties as a policeman.
So he took the force to the city's administrative court - and won. The decision has prompted fears that German courts may face a raft of similar lawsuits. "We could, in theory, have judges arguing for extra time off because of the amount of time it takes them to robe up, or receptionists claiming overtime for lipstick application as they have to look good for clients," said Joachim Wulfmeyer, legal expert.
Officer Schauder's case was a test complaint representing over 120 other officers; granting them all the extra paid week's leave that he is entitled to would seriously challenge the city's police budget at a time of rigid cutbacks. His employers will have a chance to appeal the ruling in a higher court.
Tricks that ATM thieves use to skim money
Skimming is a hard-to-detect, high-tech art often done by sophisticated crime rings.
Also: Katrina's Ghosts
The shooting of six civilians is just one of the storm-related cases that has yet to find closure.
Also: Indianapolis Public Schools Banning Non-christian Websites
According to a Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) press release, Indianapolis public schools are illegally discriminating against certain religious views, banning students from seeing sites containing what they term as "mysticism", which apparently includes atheism. Here are some key quotes from a pdf copy provided by FFRF of the offending (and offensive) guide... "Blocked" categories include:
"Sites that promote and provide information on religions such as Wicca, Witchcraft or Satanism. Occult Practices, atheistic views, voodoo rituals or other forms of mysticism, [...] the use of spells, incantations, curses, and magic powers. This category includes sites which discuss or deal with paranormal or unexplained events."
Obama-Hitler billboard yanked after outcry
An Iowa tea party group's provocative sign is quietly replaced after sparking outrage on all sides.
Also: Lunatic Fringe
Lunatic Fringe
When dealing with wingnuts ... Remember the rule:
If they accuse someone of something, then they're already guilty of it.
Liars and Fools
Faux's Glenn Beck predicts that "out of control" Democrats are going to take to streets as "revolutionaries" this fall.It will be the 'out of control' wingnuts that will be taking to the streets as traitors this fall, moron.
Faux's Bill O'Reilly absurdly lies that Obama "is the furthest left president in the history of our republic".
Trying to reclaim your demented delusional crown back from Glenn I see.
Colorado repugicans bicker over whether Obama is the biggest threat to the United States, or merely one of the biggest threats.
Far from it - you guys, however ARE the biggest threat to this nation.
Faux's Glenn Beck wants his mewling mendicants to monitor left-leaning websites for revolutionary activity.
Not going to happen you idiot - your 'followers' are even stupider than you are (I know folks, 'how is that possible' you say ... Not sure how, but they are) besides all the traitorous activity is on and among wingnut websites.
Ed Martin, repugican challenger to Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-Missouri), says President Obama and Carnahan are trying to "take away" the freedom to be a Christian.
They aren't, but they should be - the world would be better off if there were no christains at all.
Agitators split over list 'outing' immigrants
Some anti-immigration groups call the list of 1,300 names "not helpful," while others say it's heroic.
Also: 
Culinary DeLites
Culinary DeLites
You can eat it to control acne or apply it to your face to cool and tone skin.
Also: 
These meals may be fast, but they're packed with hidden fat and sodium.
Also: In Matters Of Health
In Matters Of Health
U.S. News & World Report names its "honor roll" of 14, eliminating 99.7% of all centers.
Also: 
Lip balms can be drying, while applying multiple creams may cause breakouts.
Also: 
A half-hour workout releases "soothing" chemicals that can improve your well-being.
Also: 
The belief that the substance is a stimulant that gets you wired is wrong.
Also: 
The more a postmenopausal woman weighs, the worse her memory is, researchers report.
Also: On The Job
On The Job
Don’t do any of these things that recruiters say will get your resumé thrown out.
Also: 
Becoming a special agent can start with five types of jobs many people already have.
Also: It's The Economy Stupid
It's The Economy Stupid
Four straight weeks of record-low rates are tempting many homeowners to seek new loans.
Also: 
New rules that capped overdraft fees are causing banks to make up lost income in other ways.
Also: 
You could threaten your retirement by focusing too much on saving for college.
Also: 
Fears are growing over the impact of millions losing their unemployment checks.
Also: 
These cities not only offer a high quality of life, but opportunities for big salaries.
Also: It's Only The Environment After All
It's Only The Environment After All
A crucial breakthrough cuts off the flow of oil in the Gulf of Mexico for the first time in months.
Also: It's Not Like We Don't Have Another One
Doomsday 'mega-bubble' theory debunked
Apocalyptic methane eruption reports have swept the Web, but one Gulf expert says not to worry.
Also: 
Solar eclipse at Easter Island
There was a total eclipse of the Sun on July 11. Don't feel bad if you missed it. It was really only visible over the southern part of the Pacific Ocean. Easter Island is one of the few spots of dry land that got a peek. This shot was taken by photographer Stephane Guisard and was featured on Astronomy Photo of the Day.
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