The Daily Drift

The Daily Drift

Today's horoscope says:
When was the last time you refreshed your wardrobe or tried a new haircut?
Your appearance is important, and you should put some energy into it today.
Even if you like your look, a periodic experimentation with a new style can't do any harm -- and it may get you out of a rut.
Sticking with what is comfortable is a good idea, but there may be something new out there that makes you look good while still keeping you comfortable.
Grab a stylish friend to join you on a shopping trip.

Some of our readers today have been in:

London, England, United Kingdom

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Dublin Dublin, Ireland

Kuatan, Pahang, Malaysia

Canberra, Australian, Capital Territory, Australia

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Bilbao, Pais Vasco, Spain

Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland

Rome, Lazio, Italy

Lille, Nord-Pas-De-Calais, France

Basingstoke, England, United Kingdom

Paris, Ile-De-France, France

Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland

Cork, Cork, Ireland

Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia

Gengenbachm Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan

Gloucester, England, United Kingdom

as well as Slovakia, Malta, Bulgaria, Israel, Finland, Austria, Norway, Georgia, Mexico, Peru, Kuwait, Serbia, Bangladesh, Latvia, Greece, Scotland, Hong Kong, Denmark, Wales, Iran, Singapore, Poland, Taiwan, Sweden, Afghanistan, Belgium, Tibet, Croatia, Pakistan, Romania, Paraguay, Sudan, Vietnam, Argentina, Cambodia, Egypt, France, Estonia, Puerto Rico, Maldives, Qatar, Brazil, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Slovenia, China, Iraq, Ecuador, Nigeria, Colombia, Chile, Honduras, Paupa New Guinea, Moldova, Venezuela, Germany, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Czech Republic, Vietnam, Norway, Finland

and in cities across the United States such as Baton Rouge, Cedar Rapids, West Chicago, Des Monies and more.

Today is:

Today is Thursday, May 19, the 139th day of 2011.

There are 226 days left in the year.

Today's unusual holiday or celebration is:

May Ray Day.

Don't forget to visit our sister blog!

Culinary DeLites

Eight tasty ways to load up on Omega-3s

Adding the heart-healthy fatty acids to your diet can be as simple as tossing a salad.  

Swap your cooking oil 

Also: 

• Six foods to avoid
• How to feel fuller, faster
• New food safety laws

Is farmed or wild salmon healthier for you?

Learn what the labels mean and which fish is best for you, your health, and the environment.  

Alternatives to consider 

Also: 

• Low-fat salmon recipes
• Top sources of Omega-3  
• Canned salmon taste test

World's prettiest places

The most beautiful places in the world

Majestic temples, natural wonders, and opulent tributes to royalty you have to see to believe.

When to see them 

Also: 

• Endangered wonders
• Most impressive ruins
• Best secret islands

Austrian Lake Is Also a Popular Hiking Spot

Lots of great skiing mountains also double as hiking trails in the warmer months. However this area in Austria has got to be the only place this doubles as a hiking spot and a great place to scuba dive.

Located at the foot of the Hochschwab Mountains, in Tragoess, Styria, Green Lake is one of the most bizarre natural phenomena in the world. During the cold winter months, this place is almost completely dry, and used as a country park where hikers love to come and spend some time away from urban chaos. But as soon as temperatures rise, the snow and ice covering the mountaintops begin to melt, and the water pours down, filling the basin below with crystal-clear water.

Full Story

Three-Sided Chess

Three-person chess, a game mentioned on by Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory, is now a reality. It requires a specialized board, but other than that, you can just follow the rules at the link. Here’s an overview from the creators:

The only changes from conventional chess are some protocol issues that must be followed to maintain order where the teams border each other, which is simple and necessary. Also, please notice that the trajectory lines orienting from the outer rank, are simply visual aids to help guide diagonal moves passing through the center. If the path is clear, a diagonal move starting from the outer rank can pass through the center and sweep back around to where it originated. The complexities of the third player are infinite. Your threatened piece may be allowed to maintain occupancy as your position is beneficial to the threatening player.

Full Story

No more federal 'gibberish'

New law calls for end to legal 'gibberish'

When the act kicks in, public federal documents must do away with confusing jargon.

Before-and-after phrases 

Also: 

• The Plain Writing Act
• Patriot Act extension
• Cities lose terror grants

Jailed IMF chief resigns post

Jailed IMF chief resigns amid scandal

Dominique Strauss-Kahn steps down as managing director of the International Monetary Fund.  

Maintains innocence 

Also: 

• Text of resignation letter
• Leadership battle looms
• Perp walk? Blame Giuliani

How hypocritical are repugicans?

 
Let us count the ways

What 30 Years of Reaganomics Has Done For You

In general, no matter what we do, the economy continues to grow.  We have our recessions, but over the long term, the economy, as measured by GDP, continues to increase as shown in the figure below.

From here.

It shows about a 2.1% annual growth over the last 60 years.  Repugicans and Democrats have both contributed to this growth, one better than the other at times, but in general it just keeps growing with a few bumps along the way.

Since we all contribute to the growth, I think we all should benefit from the growth.  From 1950 to 1980, the GDP roughly doubled.  The next figure shows how much our income grew during this period.

 Not too bad.  Income growth is about the same as GDP growth.   The people in the 99 to 99.99 income percentile didn't do as well as the others, but their income is pretty high anyway so they probably did not suffer too much.

Then along came Reagan.  He essentially said, taxes are too high.  It is stifling the economy and stealing money away from those who create jobs and wealth.  We need to cut taxes and shrink government.  Get it out of peoples' way.

Well, we already know what happened to the economy when he did that.  It kept plodding along with about a 2.1% annual growth.  At least he didn't hurt it, but he didn't help it much either.  Over the next 28 years, 1980 to 2008, the GDP roughly doubled again...but what happened to incomes?  Well, let's take a look.  The next figure adds the time period 1980 to 2008 to the figure above.

 WOW!!!

Talk about INCOME REDISTRIBUTION!!!

The lower 90% of all Americans saw their income increase an average of 1%.  ONE FUCKING PERCENT!  Even the people in the 90 - 95 percentile and the 95 to 99 percentile did worse from 1980 to 2008 than they did between 1950 and 1980.  Let me say that again.  99 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE SAW THEIR INCOME INCREASE MORE BETWEEN 1950 AND 1980 THAN  IT DID BETWEEN 1980 AND 2008.

Who made all the money from the increase in the economy?  Remember, the economy continued to grow at an average of 2.1% per year.  Why, it was the top 1 percent, the one percent that the republicans cater to.  In fact, the top 0.01 percent saw their income increase 403%.

So, let's recap.  99 percent of the people saw their income increase significantly less between 1980 and 2008 than they did between 1950 and 1980 thanks to republican economic policies started by Reagan.  The bottom 90% of people saw their income increase by only ONE PERCENT, while the top ONE HUNDREDTH OF ONE PERCENT saw their income increase 403 percent.  That is a 40,300 percent greater increase than the bottom 90% of the people.

40,200 percent greater increase than the bottom 90% of the people

 And the repugicans want to give them more tax cuts.  Are they out of their fucking minds???

9 Things The Rich Don't Want You To Know About Taxes.  

This was number 1. 

There are 8 more interesting things. 

Wizard of Id

Outcry over Navy ship name

Name for new Navy ship stirs controversy

A planned tribute to Cesar Chavez has one lawmaker crying foul — and the Web searching for answers.

Issue 

Also: 

• More on Cesar Chavez
• Navy turns to gamers
• SEAL-mania after raid

Feds say workers can't be fired for complaining on Facebook

There's another ruling that indicates you can beef about your job on social networking sites -- and still keep that job.

Federal labor regulators say a New York nonprofit illegally fired five employees after they went on Facebook to criticize working conditions.

The National Labor Relations Board alleges that Hispanics United of Buffalo violated federal law in booting the workers.

Federal law lets employees talk with co-workers about their jobs and their working conditions without reprisal.

The nonprofit claims it fired the five workers because their Facebook comments constituted harassment of a co-worker.

But a top lawyer with NLRB has said using Facebook is the same as employees talking around the water cooler.

Top 10 ways to get yourself fired

Top 10 ways to get yourself fired

Blunders like sending your resumé from the office computer lead to pink slips.

Careless mistakes that can cost you 

Also: 

• What to ask your boss
• Federal workers' job cuts
• Recession's price tag

How to pick the right degree

How to choose the right college degree

These five tips from career experts will help you narrow down your choices.  

The key question to ask yourself 

Also: 

• Best ways to find a job
• U.S. employment woes
• Switch careers in a year

The new lost generation

New lost generation created by recession

A startling number of college graduates cannot find work in their chosen fields. 

One goes from Princeton to video store 

Also: 

• Poll: Lower starting wages
• Summer school options
• Best cities to work in

Dangerous new credit cards

Sneaky credit cards that can sock you

A loophole in the consumer-protection law allows some to have high fees and penalties. 

Thousands in extra interest 

Also: 

• Say 'no' to credit
• ID theft hot spots
• Online layaway plans

How to become a millionaire

Five steps to becoming a millionaire

A key decision about your career can boost your odds of joining this ritzy club.  

Why marrying just once helps 

Also: 

• From $10K to millionaire
• How to save $50,000
• Cash-flow calculator

Ziggy

Lottery winner on food stamps

Defiant lottery winner still uses food stamps

Leroy Fick won $2 million last year, but says he doesn't feel bad about taking state aid.

Why he still qualifies 

Also: 

• Watch his response
• U.S. to redraw visa lottery  
• Is 13 really unlucky?

Mother runs over daughter after fight outside Walmart

A mother in Sandusky, Ohio is facing charges, accused of running over her 19-year-old daughter in a Walmart parking lot.

Perkins police say Michelle Touma, 41, was fighting with her daughter Emily before the incident. Surveillance video shows the girl getting out of the car and hitting the hood. Then her mother pulls forward, clipping the teen.

Officers say Touma claims she was going to drive by with her window down and smack her daughter in the head in retaliation for striking the vehicle. Instead, Michelle knocks Emily to the ground, runs over the girl's foot, then gets out of the car.

Local mothers said children need discipline, but not that kind. "That's outrageous. That's your child. No matter what they did or said you shouldn't react like that," said one mother. The teenager was treated for her injury and released. Michelle Toumahas been charged with aggravated vehicular assault and domestic violence.

Video here