"America is built on freedoms - of speech, religion, press, assembly, AK-47s and your face."---Mike Strobel

When all is said and done there is nothing left to say or do.
............................................ .....................
Today is as good as it gets, and our tomorrows won't be any better
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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to leave.
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"The trouble with Republicans is that when they get into trouble they start acting like cannibals"-Richard Nixon
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Doctor's Analysis


In small type it says, "It's your ribs.  I'm afraid they're delecious."

Make Paper From Rocks = Terraskin - Rock Paper Scissors Players Object

Tree huggers rejoice and join rock huggers group.
Is the Rock, Paper, Scissors game doomed?


TerraSkin is a combination of large amounts of mineral powder (>75%) with a small quantity (<25%) of non-toxic resin combined to create an environmentally friendly paper. TerraSkin has very similar characteristics to traditional paper with a tensile and tearing strength ratio of 1:1 - 2:1. It also has many eco-friendly characteristics.


First, the production of TerraSkin requires no water, so the TerraSkin papermaking process incurs no water pollutants.

Second, as TerraSkin contains high proportions of inorganic mineral powder, when the end user is done with the TerraSkin product, the used paper will degrade back into mineral powder when left out in nature for approximately three to nine months. If preferred, used papers can also be incinerated safely as non-toxic resins will not emit smoke or poisonous gas by-products. On the production front, residues of inorganic mineral powder can be either reused or safely returned to nature.

Most importantly, in producing TerraSkin, the harvesting of trees is unnecessary, thereby safeguarding the natural environment’s beauty and biodiversity for all living beings.

VIA

Who Doesn't Belong ?


Chocolate Hills


Composed of around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills of about the same size spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometres (20 sq mi), this highly unusual geological formation, called Chocolate Hills, is located in Bohol, Philippines. There are a number of hypotheses regarding the formation of the hills. These include simple limestone weathering, sub-oceanic volcanism, the uplift of the seafloor and a more recent theory which maintains that as an ancient active volcano self-destructed, it spewed huge blocks of stone which were then covered with limestone and later thrust forth from the ocean bed. Although called the Chocolate Hills they only appear in their chocolate attire when the green grass that grows on them goes dormant in the dry season.

Analysis Prooves You Hate Christmas Creep

When do you think it is appropriate for stores to start decorating for and promoting the winter holidays?
Before Labor Day 1%
Between Labor Day and Halloween 5%
Between Halloween and Thanksgiving 36%
After Thanksgiving 54%
Never 1%
Don't Celebrate Holidays 1%
Don't Know 1%
Refused to Answer 1%
Survey Source: Consumer Reports National Research Center

VIA







--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IT'S THE HEADLESS TURKEYCLAUS!


Tim Rikard's comic strip Brewster Rockit hit spot on yesterday when the female lead character said, "IT'S NOT EVEN THANSGIVING YET AND CHRISTMAS MOVIES ARE OUT! LAST MONTH, THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS AND HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS WERE UP!"

There Are Seven People In This Photo

Six plus one

sinkhole threatens to swallow city

Normally a motorist driving through the area might not find a sign like that unusual. The city is, after all, home to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, a network of some of the largest natural caverns in North America. But on this occasion, the sign's sharp colors make the message clear: what's happening in Carlsbad is not natural.

The massive sinkhole currently running through the center of town was created by the oil industry. It was formed over three decades as oil field service companies pumped fresh water into a salt layer more than 400 feet below the surface and extracted several million barrels of brine to help with drilling.

If it collapses, the unnatural cavern is likely to take with it a church, a highway, several businesses and a trailer park. Massive fissures currently cleave through town, and one business owner has said that structural cracks have even formed in his store.

"It would be like a bomb going off in the middle of town," said Jim Griswold, a hydrologist with the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division. The problem is so severe that the Eddy County Commission declared a state of emergency last Thursday, and they hope that state and federal funds will arrive in time to fill the cavern before it collapses.

VIA
Another sinkhole wanting to swalow a town HERE

RIP University of Georgia Mascot UGA VII

This item is about Uga 7 not Uga  8.  Uga 8 article info click THIS
The University of Georgia's English Bulldog Mascot, UGA VII passed on suddenly November 19, 2009.  He was only four years old and had just recently been examined by the university's veterinary department and determined to be healthy.   Due to his sudden passing there will be insufficient time to prepare his replacement for Saturday's game hosting Kentucky.
*Note:  Obviously overcome with grief the team lost when their quarterback repeatedly threw the ball into the arms of the defense just a few feet from him.
**Second note:  It looks like the grief continues as the 2010 version of the team installed a freshman high school quarterback to lead the team to a Georgia Bulldog modern record of losses and is heading for a new record of players arrested for various legal violations in the community.  Soon the coaches and players may be arrested for impersonating the Georgia Bulldog football team.

UGA VIII debut at the Vandy game October 4,2010  LINK to UGA VIII photo

Whose turn is it?

Whose turn is it?

I woke him the last time.

Un-uh! I did!  I remember 'cause he bit me twice.  That cut through my collar and I have not found it yet.

He's a lousy drunk always expecting us to watch out for him to keep the humans from running over him.

Fat Mannequins and Nothing But Polyester Clothing At JCPenney's?


The Awl . com decided to check out one Cintra Wilson who writes a Critical Shopper column for the New York Times wherein she dogged the JC Penney's Manhatten store for having mannequins Ms. Wilson described as "obese." Ms. Wilson further slammed the Penny's store for its garish discount sale signs and its complete line of cheap polyester clothing.

JC Penney's is one of the stores I do shop for casual attire and I can't say I have ever seen a fat mannequin. I think I might have spotted a "pregnant" mannequin some years ago when the wife was with child. As to the 'nothing but polyester clothing' in Penny's from what I saw just three days ago was a line of shirts and trousers of 100% cotton with a few casual shirts that were 65% cotton 35% polyester. If you want something wash and wear that keeps its crease and looks ironed when its not then you will get the combination fabric. My experience with no-iron 100% cotton is it looks like you slept in it but then that appears to be the look the younger set goes for.

Enough of my comment. Take a gander at what The Awl found in its first hand look at the store Ms Wilson puts in the same category as lesser than Kmart at
http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/real-america-with-abe-sauer-a-visit-to-new-york-citys-jc-penney

The Callipygian Cleft

In a forum I sometimes read the words callipygian cleft came up, although it was mispelled as 'callipigian'.  That is hardly a word you see let alone hear even rarely.  It is a wonder it is not heard at every turn considering everything you hear these days.

Definition:
callipygian: pertaining to or having finely developed buttocks

I remember a 'song' just a few short years ago that had frequent reference to "Big 'Ol Butts" all through a video of a seemingly endless stream of young females flourishing their callipygian anatomy.

The people 'singing' that 'song' may believe they were the first to proclaim their admiration of callipygian clefts but they are "Johnny-come-lately" on the scene. Below you will find the lyrics of a song about admiring one Vikki Dougan's callipygian cleft. I also have included a photo of her callipygian cleft and a link to a web site about the authors of the song recorded by The Limeliters way back in the fifties history.


 
Vikki turn your back on me
Come on darlin' just for me
'Cause there is something so appealin',
that your eyes are not revealin'!
Oh, Miss Dougan, you're for me!

Other girls who approach me,
Are beautiful, gorgeous and gay!
But you're so gosh darn more inviting
Going the other way!

Vikki baby you move me,
In those far-out clothes!
But don't it get chilly flyin' home at night
When that cold cold tail-wind blows?

Vikki baby, you rock me,
Without you I'm bereft!
I'm hypnotized by those crazy eyes,
And that callipygian cleft!

Vikki baby, we're older,
My get up and go is gone
But when I see you walking down the street
Them buns still turn me on!

Swine Flu (H1N1) Symptoms


If you or a member of your family has a fever or high temperature
(over 38°C/100.4°F) and two or more of the following symptoms, you may have swine flu:

unusual tiredness,
headache,
runny nose,
sore throat,
shortness of breath or dry cough,
loss of appetite,
aching muscles,
diarrhea or vomiting.

Ho White Beer Campaign Earns Disney's Wrath

BLOWING smoke rings as she lies back in bed with seven semi-naked dwarves tucked alongside, it's Snow White like you've never seen before.

Now this risque version of the fairytale favourite, renamed "Ho White" to promote a local beer, has drawn the wrath of Disney.


The Jamieson's Raspberry Ale campaign, launched by brewers The Foundry online this week, features an adults-only take on the fairytale character, with dwarves named Filthy, Smarmy and Randy replacing Sleepy, Happy and Doc

An Australian beer advertisement has reportedly ticked off Disney because it features a Snow White lookalike lying in bed blowing smoke rings with seven undressed dwarves. The ad campaign for Jamieson Brewery's Raspberry Ale was created by the Australian advertising agency The Foundry to promote the beer as "anything but sweet" with a maiden they call "Ho White" and seven dwarves.

The Walt Disney Co., who licenses the usually wholesome character, quickly noticed The Foundry's online and print marketing, the Daily Telegraph reports. The Foundry said it had "a little bit of contact" with Disney over this adults-only version of Snow White.

The official Web site, anythingbutsweet.com.au, can no longer be accessed. The Foundry's Web site reportedly featured pictures of "Ho White" earlier this week but no longer does.


VIA Daily Telegraph and Slashfood

Funeral Visitation of Donna Mae Mims Seated Behind the Steering Wheel of a '79 Corvette


Maybe I will be viewed at my desk and computer watching TV

BRIDGEVILLE, Pa. – Donna Mae Mims, the first woman to win a Sports Car Club of America national championship in 1963, has died. She was 82.

Mims died Tuesday of complications following a stroke, said Aaron Beinhauer, director of Beinhauer Family Services, which is handling the arrangements.

Per her wishes, Mims' body was seated behind the steering wheel of a 1979 pink Corvette for visitation hours at the funeral home in McMurray, Pa. and, as part of her funeral more than 60 Corvettes are expected to be in the procession.


Refered to as the "Pink Lady" in a non-Nixonian way, Mims was an employee of Yenko Chevrolet and started racing in the late 1950s. By 1963 she was the SCCA National Champion, 45 years before Danica Patrick was the first woman to win an Indy Race, and in 1968 she raced in the inaugaral Cannonball Run in a giant pink Cadillac limo.

Obituary at http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09282/1004146-122.stm
The obituary is a more interesting read than what I have here


Photo Credits: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Associated Press / New York Times file

American Girl "Homeless" Doll Costs $95

Looking for the perfect gift for the little girl who has everything, from her own pet llama to dramatic ski and swim vacations? If the little girl happens to be Chrissa, a character in the American Girl doll series, a homeless friend may just be the perfect accessory. And if you're a real little girl, wouldn't you just love a homeless friend, too? Or, better yet, a homeless friend doll, for a mere $95?

---------------------------------------(Photo to the right is not the item in question)
Gwen, a limited-edition doll, is part of the backstory for Chrissa (what, you didn't know dolls had backstories?), who proves her worth by standing up for her "different" friends, including homeless Gwen and black Sonali.

Not surprisingly, homeless advocates have objected to the doll, and question the idea that including Gwen in the product line "kind of shows awareness to what's going on in the world," as one mother shopping in an American Girl boutique told a CBS correspondent.

There are between 7,000 and 10,000 homeless children in L.A. alone ... and it's doubtful many, if any, could afford Gwen's $95 price tag.

One homeless woman in a shelter ... said Gwen touched her heart when she saw the doll in its box. The women praised the doll ... until they learned Gwen isn't a fundraising device for the homeless. "I don't even see why you would make a homeless doll, anyway," one woman said ... unless it was being used to raise money to help charities aiding the homeless.

Advocates also worry that the "valuable lessons about life," which American Girl says are taught by the dolls, include the idea that it's okay to be homeless. Tanya Tull, president of Beyond Shelter, told CBS that she's "afraid that [girls are] going to pick up the idea that it's OK, that it's an accepted segment of society that some children are homeless and some children are not."

Of course, most children will probably miss the idea that Gwen is supposed to be homeless, given that she looks pretty much identical to every other American Girl doll, down to her "white eyelet lace dress with embroidered accents." But wait! It turns out Gwen can't even afford a full lineup of accessories; she has to make do with a "pink headband that doubles as a belt." Poor Gwen!

VIA
and http://www.wibw.com/nationalnews/headlines/62453542.html

American Girl web site: (I could not find the item mentioned on the site)
http://store.americangirl.com/agshop/static/home.jsf

It Was Sexy Then But Suicide Today

An ad from the seventies:

My goodness! I actually remember seeing that ad in magazines.

That would get you seriously injured these days for sure...on second thought probably back then too.

Hard Lesson


Ever Check The Bistro's Kitchen?


Soaking Up The Last Warmth Of Summer


Woman Spanks Stranger's Child

The other week there was a case of 61 year old male who slapped a stranger's 2 year old after warning her that if she did not shut him up he would. Now in an area of Cincinnati, Ohio a woman spanks a stranger's child. What's next?

A woman is due in court today, accused of spanking a stranger's child. 44 year old Gloria Ballard is charged with assault.

Court documents say she approached a woman at a Salvation Army story yesterday and told her how to discipline her two year old son. Then she allegedly turned the boy over her knee and spanked him three times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIbxP8qXakw

http://www.local12.com/news/local/story/Woman-Accused-of-Spanking-Strangers-Son/BesFZ50rvU6gocyYIW1auQ.cspx

Spanking a child in public usually won't cause too much of a ruckus...unless it's not your child.

Gloria Ballard is accused of swatting a toddler's behind at an Ohio store on Tuesday.

Court documents state that Ballard was at the Salvation Army store in Cincinnati when she confronted the toddler's mother, Dannay Jones.

Jones says that her son had talked back to her at the store.

Jones said that's when Ballard came over and told her to do something about it.

"She was basically telling me what to do with my son," said Jones.

Jones said she responded to Ballard by saying, "Lady, you don't know me. I handle my business. I'm doing right to take care of my son."

That's when Jones said Ballard grabbed her son, 2-year-old Sean Goode, from her.

"She took him (off) my lap, bent him over her legs and spanked him like three or four times. He started crying," said Jones.

Jones said she pushed Ballard away, though she admitted she wanted to do more to her.

Ballard was arraigned Wednesday afternoon on assault charges.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/strange/news-article.aspx?storyid=145168&catid=82

Geriatric Bank Robbers Very Active In San Diego

A man described as being 70 to 80 years old is suspected of robbing the La Jolla branch of San Diego National Bank on Saturday, September 12.

Clad in a beige-and-black-checkered blazer and wearing a black-white-and-beige-checkered golf hat, the man walked into the Ivanhoe Avenue bank branch at approximately 10:10 a.m. He approached a teller station and handed the teller a note demanding money.

Upon receiving a sum of money, the man escaped on foot. The robber was wearing an oxygen tank in an over-the-shoulder bag and had an oxygen tube affixed to his nose. The suspect is white, 6’4” tall, medium build, with liver spots on his skin. He wore a light-colored shirt and slacks as well as prescription eyeglasses.

VIA


Oxygen supported bank robber on the left  - Red shirted robber supported by a cane on the right that escaped arrest at the back evading a dozen police cars



Meet the Geriatric Bandits: One has a cane, the other needs an oxygen mask. They're old enough to be your grandfather. This past week, they've both robbed banks. And one is still at large.

On Saturday, a man carrying an inhaler or an oxygen tank robbed the San Diego National Bank in La Jolla. The man, wearing a white beret, argyle sweater and sports coat, walked into the bank on Ivanhoe Avenue with a demand note. In the picture caught by surveillance cameras, he looks to be in his 70s. An oxygen tube appears to hang from his face.

Investigators don't know if he was armed, but they do know that he got away with some cash. Just look at him -- would you stop him?

Then, two days later, another bank robbery. This time, the target was the Bank of America on El Cajon Blvd in City Heights. A 70-year old man -- with cane, mind you -- walked into the bank with a note and demanded a large amount of cash.

The bank manager attempted to evacuate the bank and lock the suspect inside, but Geriatric Bandit No. 2 was too crafty. Despite dozens of police cars surrounding the bank, he hobbled out of the bank using a side door and tried to hide on the porch of a home a few blocks away.

Police found him lying on the porch and arrested him -- maybe his bright red hawaiian shirt gave him away.

VIA

Samurai Sword Wielding Student Kills Burglar



A Johns Hopkins University student armed with a samurai sword killed a man who broke into the garage of his off-campus residence early Tuesday, a Baltimore police spokesman said.

A resident of the 300 block of E. University Parkway called police about a suspicious person. An off-duty officer responded about 1:20 a.m. to the area with university security. They heard shouts and screams from a neighboring house and found the suspected burglar suffering from a nearly severed hand and lacerations to his upper body, he said.

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

The student told police that he heard a commotion in the house and went downstairs armed with a samurai sword. He saw the side door to the garage had been pried open and found a man inside, who lunged at the student.

Burglars had already stolen two laptops and a Sony PlayStation from the student's home Monday.

Tthe student who wielded the sword remained in custody while investigators worked to corroborate his story with evidence and witness statements. The city state's attorney's office will determine whether to press charges.

The suspected burglar, 49, whose name police did not release pending notification of next of kin, had 29 prior convictions for crimes such as breaking and entering. He had been released Saturday from the Baltimore County Detention Center after he was arrested by county police in August for stealing a car in Baltimore.
more details VIA

STRESS - An Example of How It Feeds and How to Deal With It


Beginning with the endless attacks on President Clinton during his administration I now realize I was killing myself. That was the start of my paying attention to the intricate details of what we call politics in this country. It was as if someone had given me a taste of a gateway drug. I was on my way to endless hours of trying to keep up with it all.

I should have realized the error of my ways when I started receiving the flood of emails requests for donations/contributions from some character that wanted to take the Clintons to court for their drug dealing, assassinations and other cover up crimes against everything. According to a number of these kind of people the Clintons were the antithesis of the Devil reincarnate.

There I was spending hour upon hour reading anything I could dig up and searching every nook and cranny of the internet. I was hooked.

Then the Bush II administration was "injected into the vein of my left arm." WMD, Iraqi oil would pay for the war, Saddam was out to take over the world and he was gonna kill my daddy. Oh the horror!

The destruction of the twin towers turned into the manure to grow even bigger conspiracy theories that continue to destroy careers to this day.

Then a moose hunting, family values spouting female with a daughter preggers with an illegitimate child burst out of nowhere wanting to be my vice president. She was THE CHOICE because she was governor of a state with oil (drill baby drill) and experience governing a population smaller than the city of New York.

The end began to unravel for me with the election of the first black man to be president of this nation. The conspirators multiplied hitting me from every angle. He has the mark of the devil, the Bible has hidden messages that this is the one that will destroy the world, etc. And then there are The Birthers and those who see evil in his wife baring her arms.

All during this time the "drug pushers; supplier" FOX "news" grew feeding all fears of everything hidden in the shadows. They piped the tune the non-understanding public wanted to hear. I sincerely believe the Australian owner of the FOX empire is trying to see if he can bring about the destruction of civil government in our country.

I woke up to yank out the "needles in my arm" when I got into an almost heated discussion in a forum with a hardliner FOX 'news' junkie. A minor government official followed an old directive to remove a flag from something or other and the FOX believer claimed the person was following the directive of the yet-to-be-sworn-in president.

I smashed the "needles" and dumped the "powders" when parents pulled their children out of school because the evil man was going to urge their children to stay in school and become successful. Meanwhile in Texas one school system that banished the President's speech is busing all their students to the Dallas Cowboys stadium to hear a speech by Bush II (who failed as a sports team owner, failed in the oil business, has a yet to be explained absence from the NG during the Vietnam war and has a brother who was deeper than anybody into the savings and loan bank failure years ago. And in Ohio another school system is busing their students to participate in one of those Tea-baggy protests.

I'm done. I deleted all the 24/7 news channels from my TVs and read only the local news, comics and sports. No more participating in political discussion.

Friends do not discuss politics nor religion and remain friends

Now to fight STRESS.

Big little stressor No. 6: Morons

One guy summed up the problem in two words: "stupid people." Simply living your life means dealing with inconsiderate people, crappy service and the general cloggers of society's arteries. Remember, Miller says, you can't influence them: "You see that these people aren't making the best decisions and think you can do better. As a result, you feel less in control, and that's a serious hidden stressor."
Defuse it: Don't become embroiled in the morons' messes. "I experience their nonsense every single day," says business consultant Larry Winget, host of A&E's Big Spender and the author of People Are Idiots and I Can Prove It. "Two things tend to bring me comfort. First, knowing that sometimes I'm an idiot, too. I also remind myself of a quote I heard many years ago: 'When you give someone a piece of your mind, you've given up your peace of mind.' If you try to influence them, you give them control over you. I've driven myself crazy trying to fix people I know cannot be fixed, and don't want to be fixed. Now, I refuse to do that. It's more fun if I just find them entertaining."

Jesus’ ethnicity in question


There were 3 good arguments that Jesus was Black:
1. He called everyone brother
2. He liked Gospel
3. He didn’t get a fair trial

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Jewish:
1. He went into His Father’s business
2. He lived at home until he was 33
3. He was sure his Mother was a virgin and his Mother was sure He was God

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Italian:
1. He talked with His hands
2. He had wine with His meals
3. He used olive oil

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was a Californian:
1. He never cut His hair
2. He walked around barefoot all the time
3. He started a new religion

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was an American Indian: 1. He was at peace with nature
2. He ate a lot of fish
3. He talked about the Great Spirit

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Irish:
1. He never got married.
2. He was always telling stories.
3. He loved green pastures.

But the most compelling evidence of all : 3 proofs that Jesus was a woman:
1. He fed a crowd at a moment’s notice when there was virtually no food
2. He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch of men who just didn’t get it
3. And even when He was dead, He had to get up because there was still work to do

Can I get an AMEN!! ???

That should offend just about everyone. My work is done!

Traffic stop for crack

Obviously one should not leave it exposed for all to see

Telemarketing Robocalls illegal beginning Sept. 1, 2009

Regretfully those 'Vote For Me!' political robocalls and some of those live 'buy this' calls will continue.


So yesterday I got a call on my cell from 202-495-7148 but aI do not answer it as it is not a number I recognize.  When I googled it I find it is one used by telemarketers.  What I want to know is what the governement could do should I report this number should the telemarketers use such a number after September 1st?  You see they have equipment that can "spoof" any number they want.  So the number you see on caller ID is not necessarily the number they are calling from.  Read on:
*Update Sept 22, 2009 330-433-5839 robocall today
*Update Sept 24th 330433-5839 called three times within an hour and a half late this evening.  The first two times they did not leave a message but the third time the message was,"This is a survey call.  We'll call again later."  I have received that message from the same voice jtwice before saying they were wanting to take a constituate survey.
Many (not all) of those annoying prerecorded telemarketing calls will be history starting Sept. 1.

The Federal Trade Commission said Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, that it's banning robocalls, unless the telemarketer has written permission from a customer that he or she wants to receive these calls. So be sure to read all the extra fine print before you sign anything. Telemarketers love to hit you with a 'gotcha' on those 'Win the car!' cards you fill out at the Mall.

FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said American consumers have made it "crystal clear that few things annoy them more than the billions of commercial telemarketing robocalls they receive every year."

Violaters will face penalties of up to $16,000 per call.

The ban is part of the amendments to the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule unveiled a year ago.

There are exceptions. Calls that are not trying to sell goods and services to consumers will be exempt, such as those that provide information like flight cancellations and delivery notices and those from debt collectors.

Other calls not covered by the Telemarketing Sales Rule include those from politicians, charities that contact consumers directly, banks, insurers, phone companies, survey calls and certain health care messages such as prescription notifications. These don't fall under the jurisdiction of the FTC, a commission spokesman said. (and those are the ones that presently bug the $*&% out of me these days)

Before the ban, consumers had to join a do-not-call list to avoid prerecorded telemarketing calls. But after Sept. 1, consumers shouldn't get most of these calls anymore. If they do get one, they can file a complaint with the commission online through FTC.gov or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). (don't you just love those phone number given as spelled words)

If you are already on the National Do Not Call Registry you should not be getting live and prerecorded telemarketing calls. Now, everyl consumer is protected from getting most robocalls leaving telemarketers with the limited option of making a live call to someone not on the registry.

"If consumers think they're being harassed by robocallers, they need to let us know, and we will go after them," Leibowitz said.

How would a total ban on abortions work out?

Nicaragua passed a ban on abortions a while back. How is Nicaragua’s Ban on Abortions Going?
From The Guardian:

Nicaragua’s ban on all abortions, even when a woman’s life is at risk, is compelling incest and rape victims to give birth and contributing to an increase in maternal deaths, according to a report from Amnesty International.

Delegates from the human rights charity, who recently visited the predominantly Catholic country, say young girls subjected to sexual violence by family or friends are forced to give birth even when they are carrying their own brothers and sisters.

The report also says the law has led to a recorded rise in pregnant teenagers committing suicide by consuming poison.

The new penal code, introduced in July last year, enshrined the criminalisation of abortion, regardless of circumstance, with prison sentences for women who undergo abortions, and the medical staff who help them.

It also introduced criminal sanctions for doctors and nurses who treat a pregnant woman or girl for illnesses such as cancer, malaria, HIV/Aids or cardiac emergencies if such treatment could cause injury to or lead to the death of the embryo or foetus.

“There is only one way to describe what we have seen in Nicaragua ‑ sheer horror,” Kate Gilmore, Amnesty International’s executive deputy secretary general, told a press conference in Mexico City. “Children are being compelled to bear children. Pregnant women are being denied essential life saving medical care.”

Amnesty said the law goes as far as punishing girls and women who have suffered a miscarriage, as in many cases it is impossible to distinguish spontaneous from induced abortions.


Stuff to Not Say at Job Interviews




"I'm not wanted in this state."

"How many young women work here?"

"I didn't steal it; I just borrowed it."

"You touch somebody and they call it sexual harassment!"

"I've never heard such a stupid question."

"I have a problem with authority."

"What is your company's policy on Monday absences?"

"If I get an offer, how long do I have before I have to take the drug test?"

"If this doesn't work out can I call you to go out sometime?"

"I was fired from my last job because they were forcing me to attend anger management classes."

I need to check with my mom on that one."

"What is two weeks' notice? I've never quit a job before, I've always been fired."

And my favorite from the list:

"May I have a cup of coffee? I think I may still be a little drunk from last night."

View all 43 on the list
VIA

Hey BABY - No shoes no service

One Burger King manager in St. Louis, MO is really excited about the no shoes, no shirt, no service policy in his restaurant. In fact, if you bring a 6-month-old infant into his restaurant with no shoes and refuse to leave until you're finished eating, he's calling the police.

KTVI says the manager was standing next to the cashier as she ordered, and warned her that she could take her order "to go" or she could find some shoes for her baby. The woman says the baby is too young to even have shoes, but she put some socks on her in an effort to be diplomatic. This did not win over the manager, who threatened to call the police if she didn't take her shoeless baby out of the restaurant. He claimed the baby's lack of footwear was a violation of "health code."

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Man's wife and his two lovers superglue his genitals

A man prosecutors say was tied up, humiliated and assaulted by his wife, two of his lovers and another woman as payback for his cheating ways has been jailed on accusations of child abuse and other misdeeds.

Four women, including the man's wife and two women alleged to be his lovers, are accused of luring the man to a hotel room in Stockbridge last Thursday before tying him up, blindfolding him and gluing his penis to his stomach. Each is charged with being party to false imprisonment, a felony, and one is charged with fourth-degree sexual assault, a misdemeanor.


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Christian Church Concert Drug Fest




Authorities in southwestern Pennsylvania arrested 21 people and seized large amounts of drugs and paraphernalia at a concert held by a non-denominational Christian church that said its music events are religious services.

Police executed a search warrant Saturday during the second day of a three-day "Funk Fest" event organized by the Church of Universal Love and Music, said Assistant District Attorney Mark Brooks, coordinator of the Fayette County Drug Task Force.

Authorities asked a judge for the warrant after undercover officers attending separate events in May and July witnessed people openly selling and using drugs and "head shops" selling drug paraphernalia, Brooks said.

Under a settlement of a federal religious rights lawsuit against the county by church leader church leader William Pritts last March, the church was allowed to hold a limited number of concerts at Pritts' property in Acme, about 35 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Neighbors had complained about traffic and noise, and officials said they were concerned about illegal drug use.

The 21 arrested at Saturday's concert -- which was attended by 400 to 500 people -- face charges ranging from misdemeanor drug possession to felony possession with intent to deliver. More arrests are possible, Brooks said.

Police said they needed two trailers to haul off the amount of drugs and drug parfanailia they found there.

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LINK #1
LINK #2 This link says the event took place at Bullskin, PA
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iPods Still Exploding; Apple trying a coverup

iPods Still Exploding; Apple Just Doesn't Want You To Know

We thought that maybe exploding iPods were a 2008 phenomenon, but evidently not. An 11-year-old girl's iPod exploded in England, and Apple reportedly tried to get the entire family to sign a confidentiality agreement in order to get a refund.

Ken Stanborough, 47, from Liverpool, dropped his 11-year-old daughter Ellie's iPod Touch last month. "It made a hissing noise," he said. "I could feel it getting hotter in my hand, and I thought I could see vapour". Mr Stanborough said he threw the device out of his back door, where "within 30 seconds there was a pop, a big puff of smoke and it went 10ft in the air".

Mr Stanborough contacted Apple and Argos, where he had bought the device for £162. After being passed around several departments, he spoke to an Apple executive on the telephone. As a result of the conversation, Apple sent a letter to Mr Stanborough denying liability but offering a refund.

The letter also stated that, in accepting the money, Mr Stanborough was to "agree that you will keep the terms and existence of this settlement agreement completely confidential", and that any breach of confidentiality "may result in Apple seeking injunctive relief, damages and legal costs against the defaulting persons or parties".

She's only the latest customer to report an iPod catching fire or exploding, and Apple was happy to keep the story quiet until the past few weeks. A Seattle TV station filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the CPSC, and received 800 pages of information on iPod incidents involving explosions, burns, or fire in the U.S.

This could just be because the devices are so ubiquitous. Or maybe the iPods are plotting to take us all out in a series of tiny, tiny fiery blasts.

Apple tried to silence owner of exploding iPod with gagging order [Times of London]
Apple Downplays Fiery iPod Incidents

More at the source link below with numerous comments
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Missouri State Rep says let them eat cake!


Missouri State Representative Cynthia Davis last week spoke opposing subsidizing school lunches for low income children during summer months saying, "Hunger can be a positive motivator." This is excellent news considering 1 in 5 Missouri kids is living in hunger, so that state is due for a productivity boon.

Karl Malden, age 97, passes July 1, 2009

Add one more to the list. This will be my last listing of an obituary of the famous. It's too depressing.
Oscar-winning actor Karl Malden dead at 97
July 1, 2009
Karl Malden, the Academy Award-winning actor whose intelligent characterizations on stage and screen made him a star despite his plain looks, died Wednesday, his family said. He was 97.

Malden died of natural causes surrounded by his family at his Brentwood home, they told the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. He served as the academy's president from 1989-92.

Malden won a supporting actor Oscar in 1951 for his role as Blanche DuBois' naive suitor Mitch in "A Streetcar Named Desire" — a role he also played on Broadway.

He was nominated again in 1954 for his performance as Father Corrigan, a fearless, friend-of-the-workin gman priest in "On the Waterfront." In both movies, he costarred with Marlon Brando.

Among Malden's more than 50 film credits were: "Patton," in which he played Gen. Omar Bradley, "Pollyanna," "Fear Strikes Out," "The Sting II," "Bombers B-52," "Cheyenne Autumn," and "All Fall Down."

One of his most controversial films was "Baby Doll" in 1956, in which he played a dullard husband whose child bride is exploited by a businessman. It was condemned by the Catholic Legion of Decency for what was termed its "carnal suggestiveness." The story was by "Streetcar" author Tennessee Williams.

Malden gained perhaps his greatest fame as Lt. Mike Stone in the 1970s television show "The Streets of San Francisco," in which Michael Douglas played the veteran detective's junior partner.


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Gale Storm, 1950s TV star, dead at 87


David Carradine, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, TV pitch man Billy Mays and now Gail Storm. It's been a period of deadly news in the entertainment industry lately.

Gale Storm, whose wholesome appearance and perky personality made her one of early television's biggest stars on "My Little Margie" and "The Gale Storm Show," has died at age 87.

Storm, who had been in failing health in recent years, died Saturday at a convalescent hospital in Danville, said her son, Peter Bonnell.

Before landing the starring role in "My Little Margie" in 1952, Storm appeared in numerous B movies opposite such stars as Roy Rogers, Eddie Albert and Jackie Cooper. After her last TV series, "The Gale Storm Show," ended in 1960 she went on to a successful singing career while continuing to make occasional TV appearances.

Storm was a Texas high schooler named Josephine Owaissa Cottle when she entered a talent contest for a radio show called "Gateway to Hollywood" in 1940. She was brought to Los Angeles for the finals, where her wholesome vivacity won over the radio audience and she was awarded a movie contract.

She was often cast in westerns as the girl the cowboy left behind, and appeared in such B-movie oaters as "The Dude Goes West" with Albert, "The Kid from Texas" with Audie Murphy and "The Texas Rangers" with George Montgomery.

With her movie roles diminishing in the early 1950s, Storm followed the path of many fading movie stars of the day and moved on to television.

"My Little Margie" debuted on CBS as a summer replacement for "I Love Lucy" in 1952. It quickly became an audience favorite and moved to its own slot on NBC that fall.

The premise was standard sitcom fare: Charles Farrell was a business executive and eligible widower, Storm was his busybody daughter who protected him from predatory women.

The year after "My Little Margie" ended its 126-episode run in 1955, she moved on to "The Gale Storm Show" (also known as "Oh! Susanna") which lasted until 1960. This time she played Susanna Pomeroy, a trouble-making social director on a luxury liner.

Storm, who had taken vocal lessons, sang on her second series, and three of her records became best sellers: "I Hear You Knocking," "Teenage Prayer" and "Dark Moon."

She appeared only sporadically on TV after "The Gale Storm Show," guest starring on such programs as "Burke's Law," "The Love Boat" and "Murder, She Wrote."

She appeared in numerous musicals, however, including Gian Carlo Menotti's "The Old Maid and the Thief" at the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music. Other stage credits included "Unsinkable Molly Brown" (as the title character), "South Pacific" and "Finian's Rainbow."
When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy.’ They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.~ John Lennon
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