10 epic failures of the shrub's tax cuts
Friday, November 26, 2010
Tom DeLay found guilty
Best customer service
From refunds to baggage fees, see which companies do and don't treat you well.
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B-movie horror queen dies at 73
Ingrid Pitt survived a Nazi concentration camp as a girl and became a low-budget film star.
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Stranded man 'embarrassed' to use mobile phone
A California man who spent five days stranded on a deserted island said he was too embarrassed to use his cellphone to call for help.
Brian "Goat Man" Hopper, 54, of Encino, who was rescued by the Coast Guard Monday after spending five days nibbling on vitamins and native plants and fashioning a crude "SOS" sign until the U.S. Coast Guard rescued him from Roe Island, north of Concord in Suisun Bay, said he was too embarrassed to use his cellphone to call for help while trying to repair his inflatable raft, which had sprung a leak during his excursion.
"I was embarrassed to be stranded on an island," Hopper said. "I thought I could fix my boat and make it to land ... I didn't want to spend the taxpayers' money to have the Coast Guard come rescue some stupid guy."
However, Hopper finally called a cousin on Monday morning who contacted the Coast Guard. Hopper said he now admits he should have called 911 in the first place. "It was the right thing to do," he said.
Brian "Goat Man" Hopper, 54, of Encino, who was rescued by the Coast Guard Monday after spending five days nibbling on vitamins and native plants and fashioning a crude "SOS" sign until the U.S. Coast Guard rescued him from Roe Island, north of Concord in Suisun Bay, said he was too embarrassed to use his cellphone to call for help while trying to repair his inflatable raft, which had sprung a leak during his excursion.
"I was embarrassed to be stranded on an island," Hopper said. "I thought I could fix my boat and make it to land ... I didn't want to spend the taxpayers' money to have the Coast Guard come rescue some stupid guy."
However, Hopper finally called a cousin on Monday morning who contacted the Coast Guard. Hopper said he now admits he should have called 911 in the first place. "It was the right thing to do," he said.
Man tricked into wrecking motel room in search for trapped midget
Pranksters tricked a motel guest into smashing up his room in a search for hidden cameras and a trapped midget. The 73-year-old man wrecked the television, mirrors, the toilet and a wall before realizing he had been duped.
Joseph Jones was staying at a Motel 6 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, when he received a late night telephone call, reports local media. The caller claimed to be the motel manager and asked Mr Jones to help him get rid of highly sophisticated cameras installed by the previous guest. He told the pensioner to unplug the television and use the toilet cover to smash it open. When the TV didn't break, Mr Jones was told to throw it out of the window.
The man then said more cameras were hidden behind the mirrors and ordered Mr Jones to smash them with a wrench he found in his room. The caller then claimed a 4ft 3ins midget was barricaded in the next room and asked him to try to break through the internal wall to help police free him. Mr Jones managed to break through to the next room before his rampage of destruction was ended following complaints from other motel guests.
Police said the incident was similar to a number of similar pranks played on hotel and motel guests throughout the US. No charges were filed. A Motel 6 spokesman said: "We are grateful that, although the room and its contents suffered damage, none of our guests or team members were injured as a result of this incident."
Joseph Jones was staying at a Motel 6 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, when he received a late night telephone call, reports local media. The caller claimed to be the motel manager and asked Mr Jones to help him get rid of highly sophisticated cameras installed by the previous guest. He told the pensioner to unplug the television and use the toilet cover to smash it open. When the TV didn't break, Mr Jones was told to throw it out of the window.
The man then said more cameras were hidden behind the mirrors and ordered Mr Jones to smash them with a wrench he found in his room. The caller then claimed a 4ft 3ins midget was barricaded in the next room and asked him to try to break through the internal wall to help police free him. Mr Jones managed to break through to the next room before his rampage of destruction was ended following complaints from other motel guests.
Police said the incident was similar to a number of similar pranks played on hotel and motel guests throughout the US. No charges were filed. A Motel 6 spokesman said: "We are grateful that, although the room and its contents suffered damage, none of our guests or team members were injured as a result of this incident."
Getting lost in buildings: Architecture can bias your cognitive map
Some people always know which way is north and how to get out of a building. Others can live in an apartment for years without knowing which side faces the street. Differences among people that include spatial skills, experience, and preferred ...
Better than retail
This Lincoln Penny Just Sold for $1,700,000
The anonymous collector who formerly owned the coin “donated it to a charitable organization so they could sell it with all of the proceeds going to the charity,” according to Andy Skrabalak of Angel Dee’s Coins and Collectibles in Woodbridge, Virginia who acted as agent on behalf of the former owner.The new owner is an anonymous businessman who plans to exhibit the penny at various venues around the country.
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Half a rare German postage stamp which dates back to 1872 has fetched some 261,000 euros at auction in the southern German town of Bietigheim-Bissingen, a spokeswoman for the auction house told Reuters on Thursday.
As The World Turns
The country slashes state jobs, benefits, and pension payments in a bid to avoid bankruptcy.
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Economic fixes are working in America, but belt-tightening moves abroad face problems.
Also: 'Lucky' Australian woman run over by own car - twice
Paramedics have treated a woman in Melbourne's south-east after she was run over by her own car - twice. Advanced life support and intensive care paramedics were called to Noble Park North just before 5.30pm yesterday.
Paramedic Craig Brooks said the woman was incredibly lucky despite the unlucky chain of events. "We were told that the 37-year-old thought she had put the handbrake on as she got out of her car, but it started to roll backwards down the driveway and knocked her over," Mr Brooks said.
"She said that the car ran over her lower abdomen and legs before crossing the street, hitting a fence on the other side of the road, bouncing back and running over her again." He said ambulance officers were concerned that she might have been bleeding internally.
"The woman said she couldn't move after being crushed the first time," he said. "She had pain through her hips, her right leg and ankle. We had concerns that, while there were no major open wounds, she may have been bleeding internally." Intensive care paramedics took her to The Alfred hospital in a serious but stable condition, he said.
Paramedic Craig Brooks said the woman was incredibly lucky despite the unlucky chain of events. "We were told that the 37-year-old thought she had put the handbrake on as she got out of her car, but it started to roll backwards down the driveway and knocked her over," Mr Brooks said.
"She said that the car ran over her lower abdomen and legs before crossing the street, hitting a fence on the other side of the road, bouncing back and running over her again." He said ambulance officers were concerned that she might have been bleeding internally.
"The woman said she couldn't move after being crushed the first time," he said. "She had pain through her hips, her right leg and ankle. We had concerns that, while there were no major open wounds, she may have been bleeding internally." Intensive care paramedics took her to The Alfred hospital in a serious but stable condition, he said.
Teens lost at sea rescued
The trio had been presumed dead after rowing out in the Pacific almost two months ago.
Also: Burglars turned off 90-year-old woman's oxygen supply
Police are hunting burglars who broke into a 90-year-old woman's home and turned off the oxygen supply she needed to help her breathe at night. Eva Parsons, who has hearing difficulties, woke up gasping for breath and managed to wake her neighbors by banging on the wall with her walking stick. They dashed in and turned her supply back on. Parsons sobbed as she said: "It was a horrible, horrible thing for someone to do. I just don't know why anyone would want to do that. It doesn't make any sense.
"I am quite deaf and I was in bed when they broke in but I didn't wake up until they'd gone. I remember struggling to breathe and wheezing. I didn't know what was happening but knew my oxygen wasn't working. I could have died. Lucky for me my neighbors were in and helped me. The police were wonderful as well, they promised to do their best to find the people who did this to me."
The burglars rummaged through her purse, stole £50 in cash and ate sweets and chocolates she had been given for Christmas. A family friend, Ken Whitehead, 61, said: "Eva relies on the oxygen to keep her going and I am still fuming to think people could do such a thing. I'd love to get my hands on them. I was seething when I heard about it and I still am. We would be dealing with a tragedy as well as a burglary. There was no reason for them to switch off Eva's oxygen supply.
"That was just callous. Eva is deaf and turns off her hearing aid, so she wouldn't have heard anything. Eva has chest and breathing problems and needs the oxygen to enrich her blood so she has it switched on at night. She really needs it to stay alive. The police have told me that it was teenagers who burgled the house. Why they turned off the oxygen supply nobody knows," he said. The thieves struck at the ground floor flat in Bedworth, Warwickshire, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
"I am quite deaf and I was in bed when they broke in but I didn't wake up until they'd gone. I remember struggling to breathe and wheezing. I didn't know what was happening but knew my oxygen wasn't working. I could have died. Lucky for me my neighbors were in and helped me. The police were wonderful as well, they promised to do their best to find the people who did this to me."
Photo from SWNS.
The burglars rummaged through her purse, stole £50 in cash and ate sweets and chocolates she had been given for Christmas. A family friend, Ken Whitehead, 61, said: "Eva relies on the oxygen to keep her going and I am still fuming to think people could do such a thing. I'd love to get my hands on them. I was seething when I heard about it and I still am. We would be dealing with a tragedy as well as a burglary. There was no reason for them to switch off Eva's oxygen supply.
"That was just callous. Eva is deaf and turns off her hearing aid, so she wouldn't have heard anything. Eva has chest and breathing problems and needs the oxygen to enrich her blood so she has it switched on at night. She really needs it to stay alive. The police have told me that it was teenagers who burgled the house. Why they turned off the oxygen supply nobody knows," he said. The thieves struck at the ground floor flat in Bedworth, Warwickshire, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
German DIY enthusiast walls himself into cellar
A DIY enthusiast in Gumperda, eastern Germany, walled himself into his own cellar, but managed to drill his way out - through a neighbor's wall. The unnamed pensioner, 64, went into the cellar with bricks and mortar, as well as food and drink, and ended up being trapped there all weekend.
It is unclear why he wanted to block up the entrance. "He was on the wrong side of the wall when his work was finished," local police said in a statement.
After spending the weekend immured underground, the man went into action on Monday, attacking his neighbors' firewall with a hammer drill. The neighbors, with whom the man had already been quarreling for months, called the police when they heard the loud drilling.
When he finally broke through to the other side and saw his neighbors, the pensioner began insulting them. Police officers were also waiting for the DIY enthusiast and he is now under investigation for criminal damage and trespassing.
It is unclear why he wanted to block up the entrance. "He was on the wrong side of the wall when his work was finished," local police said in a statement.
After spending the weekend immured underground, the man went into action on Monday, attacking his neighbors' firewall with a hammer drill. The neighbors, with whom the man had already been quarreling for months, called the police when they heard the loud drilling.
When he finally broke through to the other side and saw his neighbors, the pensioner began insulting them. Police officers were also waiting for the DIY enthusiast and he is now under investigation for criminal damage and trespassing.
Zimbabwean man appeared in court with his bowels in his hand
A suspected motorcycle thief spent two months in remand prison with his bowels protruding from his stomach after detectives shot him as he allegedly tried to disarm them. Harare High Court was shocked on Monday when Boas Chiwanza, who was visibly in pain, limped into the courtroom with his bowels hanging out. As he held them in his palm, Justice Yunus Omerjee ordered prison authorities to immediately take Chiwanza to hospital. Chiwanza had come to apply for bail before the judge.
Detectives reportedly shot Chiwanza on his arrest on September 27, 2010 as he tried to disarm them. Chiwanza, who struggled to speak, told the court that he had not received appropriate treatment since his arrest and most of his doctors’ appointments had failed due to circumstances beyond his control. The Zimbabwe Prison Service confirmed Chiwanza was on November 2 and 9 this year taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital, but failed to see a doctor.
It was also confirmed that on October 25, there was no ambulance to take Chiwanza to the hospital. But the ZPS maintained Chiwanza was admitted at Parirenyatwa Hospital on September 30 and discharged into custody on October 11. In its papers, ZPS stated that Chiwanza was getting painkillers and colostomy bags from the prison clinic.
Justice Omerjee immediately directed the officer-in-charge of Harare Remand Prison, Chief Superintendent Billiot Chibaya, to ensure Chiwanza was immediately taken to hospital. "He should be urgently treated for his protruding intestines and to be held at such hospital for that purpose. This court should be advised as to compliance with the form of this court order by relevant authorities," ordered Justice Omerjee.
Detectives reportedly shot Chiwanza on his arrest on September 27, 2010 as he tried to disarm them. Chiwanza, who struggled to speak, told the court that he had not received appropriate treatment since his arrest and most of his doctors’ appointments had failed due to circumstances beyond his control. The Zimbabwe Prison Service confirmed Chiwanza was on November 2 and 9 this year taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital, but failed to see a doctor.
It was also confirmed that on October 25, there was no ambulance to take Chiwanza to the hospital. But the ZPS maintained Chiwanza was admitted at Parirenyatwa Hospital on September 30 and discharged into custody on October 11. In its papers, ZPS stated that Chiwanza was getting painkillers and colostomy bags from the prison clinic.
Justice Omerjee immediately directed the officer-in-charge of Harare Remand Prison, Chief Superintendent Billiot Chibaya, to ensure Chiwanza was immediately taken to hospital. "He should be urgently treated for his protruding intestines and to be held at such hospital for that purpose. This court should be advised as to compliance with the form of this court order by relevant authorities," ordered Justice Omerjee.
Witch doctor and his family arrested over child sacrifices in India
Police in India have arrested an alleged witch doctor accused of killing two children. The man was arrested after a two-year-old boy's body was found in his home in Durg district, 45km (30 miles) from the Chhattisgarh state capital, Raipur.
Raids also revealed the skeletal remains of an eight-year-old girl from the house, police said. They say that the accused man confessed to killing both children to acquire "occult power and good fortune". Witchcraft and occult beliefs persist in remote areas. Some think that child sacrifices will improve their lives.
Parents of two-year-old Chirag lodged a complaint after the toddler went missing while playing on the street, police said. The house of the alleged witch doctor was raided and the body was found hidden under a statue, senior police officer Amit Kumar said.
The second body was thought to be a girl who was abducted nearby in March. Her body was found buried inside the house beneath a trident symbol. Mr Kumar said seven people, including the alleged witch doctor and his wife, have been arrested on suspicion of taking part in child sacrifices. Police say that they suspect more children may have been killed by the alleged witch doctor and that digging work is going on at the house.
Raids also revealed the skeletal remains of an eight-year-old girl from the house, police said. They say that the accused man confessed to killing both children to acquire "occult power and good fortune". Witchcraft and occult beliefs persist in remote areas. Some think that child sacrifices will improve their lives.
Parents of two-year-old Chirag lodged a complaint after the toddler went missing while playing on the street, police said. The house of the alleged witch doctor was raided and the body was found hidden under a statue, senior police officer Amit Kumar said.
The second body was thought to be a girl who was abducted nearby in March. Her body was found buried inside the house beneath a trident symbol. Mr Kumar said seven people, including the alleged witch doctor and his wife, have been arrested on suspicion of taking part in child sacrifices. Police say that they suspect more children may have been killed by the alleged witch doctor and that digging work is going on at the house.
Culinary DeLites
Make this classic Thanksgiving side dish fluffy without relying on tons of butter and milk.
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Ask for a big piece of the Thanksgiving turkey, but pass on the gravy boat to keep the meal healthy.
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You've got to be quick, strategic, and competitive to run a virtual pizzeria.
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Lemon balm and ginger can help combat the bloated discomfort of overeating.
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The cupcake craze has swept the nation, but there's evidence of a new trend afoot.
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