A 6-year-old Port St. Lucie girl being disruptive at school first was handcuffed to bring her under control.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Energy Efficient All-Terrain Robot Walkers to be Built for Military
From Treehugger:
In STAR WARS: Revenge of the Empire they were called AT-AT's.
Image via Boston Dynamics
We should have just assumed by the rate technology was advancing that we'd live to see the day when those robot walkers from Star Wars were actually developed for the military. After all, we've got drones flying over Afghanistan piloted by men in New Mexico with X-box controllers. So why not an all-terrain robotic mule that can carry 400 lbs, provide a power source, and aid in combat operations? Boston Dynamics was just awarded $32 million to develop exactly that. And CleanTechnica reports that it may have some green uses to boot.
Article continues: Energy Efficient All-Terrain Robot Walkers to be Built for Military
Burj Khalifa Shut Down By Elevator Failure
From Treehugger:
A few days ago the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, was closed "indefinitely" due to " electrical problems." May thought that it was more than just that, and the speculation was rampant that the Dubai meltdown had affected even this iconic building. The owners didn't help the situation; as the Guardian puts it:
"Despite repeated requests, a spokeswoman for Emaar was unable to provide further details or rule out the possibility of foul play. Greg Sang, Emaar's director of projects and the man charged with coordinating the tower's construction, could not be reached."
Now it is revealed that the problem was an elevator failure; instead of just stopping, there was what sounded like an explosion and one observer said they saw smoke. The developer claims in Top News that he kept quiet for "security reasons", but that everything is now fixed and the tower will reopen on February 14th.
Article continues: Burj Khalifa Shut Down By Elevator Failure
"There are no dissidents in China."
Or more likely it is just a case of delusion?
"There are no dissidents in China."That's a direct quote from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman.
Ma Zhaoxu was asked earlier today about a Beijing court upholding an 11 year jail term for Liu Xiaobo, one of China's most high-profile activists.
According to him, they simply don't exist.
And with the Lunar New Year around the corner, China's foreign ministry spokesman also wished reporters at the press conference a "Happy New Year." But that wish came with a warning.
Ma said, "I just want to remind all journalists that next year is the Year of the Tiger and to be very careful when asking questions, to be cautious at our pressers. Otherwise the tiger here might not be very happy with you."
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs then proceeded to give a toy tiger to each reporter in the room.
*****
Loco is the Spanish word for this, yes, Loco.
Poll finds most Americans are unhappy with government and Sarah Palin
The palm reading hockey mom is falling out of favor even with her wingnut troglodyte base.
More on Palin and Broder here.
Poll finds most Americans are unhappy with
government and Sarah Palin
Somali pirates hold science to ransom
Pirates in the Indian Ocean are a hazard to more than shipping – they are also killing scientific research and may be indirectly damaging the ocean's ecosystem.Somali pirates hold science to ransom
Damaged brains escape the material world
People who lose a specific part of their brain have more transcendental feelings.
Plotting Darwin's path out of Africa
Analysis of the DNA of Darwin's great-great-grandson shows his ancestors left Africa for the Middle East about 45,000 years ago, says Wendy Zukerman.
Liars and Fools
The Liar and Fool for the day is:
Lush Dimbulb lies saying "People are going hungry and are out of work because of Obama's socialism".
Actually, you fat fuck it was the shrub and cabal's Fascism that are still forcing people to go hungry and lose their livelihoods. Also, learn what socialism means before using the word incorrectly again, asshole.
Lush Dimbulb lies saying "People are going hungry and are out of work because of Obama's socialism".
Actually, you fat fuck it was the shrub and cabal's Fascism that are still forcing people to go hungry and lose their livelihoods. Also, learn what socialism means before using the word incorrectly again, asshole.
My Fair Munster
The only know color footage of the original pilot for the 'Munsters' TV show.
Only Fred and Al made the regular show cast (it was their show so they better have, right).
Only Fred and Al made the regular show cast (it was their show so they better have, right).
Health Care Hell in America
Pretty much sums it up quiet nicely, don't you think.And you wonder why we're the joke of the world for health care?!
Ancient man's genes reveal surprises
Ancient man's genes reveal surprises
DNA from a Greenlander who died 4,000 years ago helps answer questions about our ancestors.
Urban Outhouse is the New Loo
From Treehugger:
Image from the Guardian
Some TreeHuggers, mainly men, love to write about toilets and composting and poo. They should move to Britain: an estimated 40,000 houses in the UK still have outdoor toilets in their backyards. And the owners love them.
Article continues: Urban Outhouse is the New Loo
Georgia official arrested for demanding bribes to make RIAA copyright notices go away
The University of Georgia has fired Dorin Lucian Dehelean, a security analyst who was responsible for passing on RIAA copyright infringement notices to the student body, alleging that he demanded bribes from students to make the record of their supposed infractions go away.
According to UGA campus police chief Jimmy Williamson, Dehelean "offered to make the situation go away in exchange for money." He promised not to inform Judicial Programs, so the student in question would be free from any kind of disciplinary measures the University usually takes in similar cases.
The student in question didn't have any money and alerted a University employee who called in the police. The police decided to look into the case and sent over an undercover officer who went over to Dehelean, impersonating the student.
After Dehelean accepted the payment he was fired immediately and taken into custody for extortion practices. According to the campus police, Dehelean may have tried the same trick with other students, and they believe that at least one other student paid up.
Cop News
In Cop News
Texas cop who got probation for drug violations is arrested after ecstasy-fueled wreck
Ohio police officer back in jail -- burglary this time
Kentucky police officer's court cases riddled with dismissals
Oklahoma police officer jailed after incident at pub
Fired Philadelphia cop charged with murder
California detective faces criminal probe over police work
Top Scotland Yard officer jailed for assault and false arrest
Florida deputy fired after arrestee said he tried to choke him
North Carolina sheriff is charged with two felony counts of obstruction of justice
New York police officer accused of forging prescriptions
Texas cop who got probation for drug violations is arrested after ecstasy-fueled wreck
Ohio police officer back in jail -- burglary this time
Kentucky police officer's court cases riddled with dismissals
Oklahoma police officer jailed after incident at pub
Fired Philadelphia cop charged with murder
California detective faces criminal probe over police work
Top Scotland Yard officer jailed for assault and false arrest
Florida deputy fired after arrestee said he tried to choke him
North Carolina sheriff is charged with two felony counts of obstruction of justice
New York police officer accused of forging prescriptions
TSA detains Middle-Eastern Studies major for carrying Arabic-English flashcards
Another example of incompetence:
Nicholas George, a senior in Middle-Eastern Studies at Pomona College, was detained, handcuffed, and intensively questioned by the TSA while trying to catch a flight back to school from Philadelphia. The TSA guards found English-Arabic flashcards in his luggage and said that because Osama bin Laden spoke Arabic, "these cards are suspicious." The FBI was called in, and an agent called him a "fucking idiot" when he asked why he was being held. After being asked if he was a communist or a Muslim, he was released. He was not read his rights at any time.
The ACLU has taken on his case, and they're suing.
TSA supervisor: "You know who did 9/11?"
George: "Osama bin Laden."
TSA supervisor: "Do you know what language he spoke?"
George: "Arabic."
TSA supervisor: "Do you see why these cards are suspicious?"
Today is ...
Today is Thursday, February 11, the 42nd day of 2010.
There are 323 days left in the year.
Today In History February 11
Today's unusual holidays and celebrations include:
Be Electrific Day
and
White Shirt Day
There are 323 days left in the year.
Today In History February 11
Today's unusual holidays and celebrations include:
Be Electrific Day
and
White Shirt Day
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Leeds, England, United Kingdom
Aberdeen, Scotland, United kingdom
Muscat, Masqat, Oman
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia
Maracibo, Zulia, Venezuela
as well as Colombia, France, Hungary, Israel, and the United States
Leeds, England, United Kingdom
Aberdeen, Scotland, United kingdom
Muscat, Masqat, Oman
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia
Maracibo, Zulia, Venezuela
as well as Colombia, France, Hungary, Israel, and the United States
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
Feeling restless?
Feeling as if you need to expand your horizons a touch by getting to know some new friends?
Well, you're right on track, and the universe will be only too happy to help.
When an invitation arrives -- and it will, probably sooner rather than later -- you should jump right on it, get yourself dressed, and greet your new peer group.
Will it be that easy?
It sure will!
Easy, new friends - cool!
Feeling restless?
Feeling as if you need to expand your horizons a touch by getting to know some new friends?
Well, you're right on track, and the universe will be only too happy to help.
When an invitation arrives -- and it will, probably sooner rather than later -- you should jump right on it, get yourself dressed, and greet your new peer group.
Will it be that easy?
It sure will!
Easy, new friends - cool!
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