Saturday, November 21, 2009

Ten Whatchamacallits And Their Real Names

You see these things around you all the time. Some of them, you even use. The least you could do is know their names!

1. Punt, or Kick

The small indentation at the bottom or a wine bottle, designed to give the bottle extra strength, and also, to make it look like it has more wine than it really does.

To see the rest go to ListVerse

Hacked emails add fuel to climate dispute

 Here’s more fuel for the “global warming” debate. Frankly I don’t know who to believe anymore. One scientist says there is global warming and another says there isn’t.

 What is a lay person, such as myself, suppose to do with this conflicting information?

Hackers steal, release electronic data from top climate research center

“Hackers broke into the electronic files of one of the world's foremost climate research centers this week and posted an array of e-mails in which prominent scientists engaged in a blunt discussion of global warming research and disparaged climate-change skeptics.”

Go to this Washington Post article via MSNBC

Friday, November 20, 2009

Cartoons invade reality or vice versa?

 The 7-11 at the intersection of Olive and Verdugo in Burbank has temporarily been converted into a Kwik-E-Mart.

Eleven 7-11s in the United States and two in Canada have been converted into Kwik-E-Marts as part of the promotion.DCist has their very own Kwik-E-Mart in Bladensburg, MD.

 Go to what’s the crack? for more information and some more cool pictures.

  Warning: I’m not sure how old this news is.

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Military experiment seeks to predict PTSD

 I think this program has some merit, but I’m concerned it might take funds that could be used to treat the thousands of troops that need help right now.

While there is an awareness of PTSD (unlike when I was serving)it doesn’t change the fact the VA is overwhelmed with disability claims and doctors to treat the condition.

In my opinion you put the fire out first, then you go back and try to figure out a way to keep it from happening again.  

"Right now, we can't determine with certainty who will and who won't develop PTSD," said Paula Schnurr, deputy executive director of the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. "Perhaps with better measures, we can get closer."

Go to AP News Via Yahoo News to read the whole story.

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Thursday, November 19, 2009

As It Stands steps up for turkeys this Sunday

  Have you ever met a Red, White, and Blue turkey?

I have, years ago. He was living with some pot belly pigs right here in McKinleyville.

But I digress.

Don’t miss this Sunday’s Opinion Page in the Times-Standard.

This is what they mean by surrealism

 shortlist via stumbleupon

Awesome paper art by Peter Callesen

Paper Art By Peter Callesen via web designer depot

Visit website to see more examples of this talented artists work.

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Navy will use dolphins, sea lions for security

 

While slurping my first (or was it my second?) cup of Joe this morning I ran across this interesting tidbit about Sea Lions and Dolphins being used for security.

I have a few questions to ask the Navy about this arrangement.

1.Did you properly vet the Sea Lions and Dolphins to make sure they’re not terrorist sympathizers?

2.How much are you paying them? They better be getting combat pay!

3.Do they understand the rules of engagement? For example, are they going to attack ANY SWIMMER in their immediate area? Or are they just going to attack swimmers that wear turbans and have long beards?

4.Will they be volunteers or draftees?

5.How long will their tour of duty be? Will they be subject to repeated tours like the men and women in the military? And what about R&R?

I’m just saying…

The Navy says it has decided to use teams of security officers and specially trained bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions to help protect Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor.

The Navy said Wednesday the system is designed to counter threats from swimmers or divers, and will be implemented in 2010.

An environmental-impact statement evaluated the potential effects temperature, noise, water quality, toxins and the presence of other marine mammals might have on the dolphins and sea lions. It concluded that the creatures are not expected to be harmed by being transferred to and living at Bangor on Washington's Hood Canal.”

AP News

North Pole Santa project axed after sex offender scare

   A holiday tradition that started in 1954 has to stop because of concerns about pedophiles contacting children.

 How sad is that? What a sick society we live in now.

 “ Starry-eyed children writing letters to the jolly man at the North Pole this holiday season likely won't get a response from Santa Claus or his helpers.”

Read the whole story at USA Today. 

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

This may surprise the crap out of you! Or not.

Thanks to the economist

Staying true to your brand…

Cartoon via www.idrewthis.org

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Afghan minister accused of receiving huge bribe

We are wasting our time in Afghanistan trying to put a legitimate government in place. The Afghan politicians/warlords are corrupt and taking advantage of the war to make money.

The Afghan people don’t want us there. We’ve blatantly put a puppet in charge of the government, and still claim we’re trying to help the Afghan people.

‘Only God can stop this corruption’ competitor says of government practices

The Afghan minister of mines accepted a roughly $30 million bribe to award the country's largest development project to a Chinese mining firm, according to a U.S. official who is familiar with military intelligence reports.”

PHOTO: Afghan Mining Minister Mohammad Ibrahim Adel, seen here on Feb. 9, 2008, is accused of taking a $30 million payoff. Massoud Hossaini / AFP - Getty Images File

Go to the Washington Post to read the rest.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

There’s been a lot of undeserved awards going around lately…

Pat Oliphant by Pat Oliphant

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D.A. will prosecute medical marijuana dispensaries -- even if L.A. does not ban sales

Every time it seems like some progress is being made on the medical marijuana front someone like DA Steve Cooley throws a monkey wrench into the works.

Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley said today he will prosecute dispensaries that sell medical marijuana even if the Los Angeles City Council adopts an ordinance that does not ban such sales.

Read the whole story at the LA Times

 

Ship with 100 tourists stuck in Antarctic ice

This would be my luck if I finally gave in to my wife’s requests to go somewhere on a cruise. I think she’s even mentioned Antarctica as a possible destination.

The only time I ever went on out a boat was back in the early 70s fishing for Yellow Tail on a half-day boat. Between bouts of vomiting, I watched the other guys drink beer and catch fish. I think that trip convinced me to stay off the sea!

A Russian icebreaker carrying more than 100 tourists, scientists and journalists on a cruise around Antarctica has become stuck in the ice but is not in danger, a shipping company said Tuesday.”

Go to USA Today to read the whole story.

Monday, November 16, 2009

THANK YOU FOX NEWS – WE COULDN’T DO ‘IT’ WITHOUT YOU!

Photo via slightlywarped

The ‘bird’ brings a $250,000 fine for Bud

Wow! I sure hope it was worth it. Can you imagine?

A quarter of a million dollars has to be the most expensive “bird” that’s ever been flipped (flippantly I might add).

Will someone bring out the big book of records and see if a “digital” attack has ever cost someone this much money before?

The NFL has fined Titans owner Bud Adams $250,000 for making an obscene gesture at Buffalo fans while celebrating Tennessee's victory over the Bills.” Go to Yahoo News for the whole story.

More digging for bodies to come in Cleveland slayings case?

  I was born in Cleveland, Ohio and despite the fact that I wouldn’t live there now, I can’t help thinking about it at times.

 Usually when Cleveland comes up in the national news it’s because something bad happened there. Here’s a prime example: 

After authorities used thermal-imaging equipment and ground-penetrating radar to search outside murder suspect Anthony Sowell's home and a property next door in Cleveland, Ohio, FBI agents marked areas outside the home with spray paint, CNN has learned.”

Go to CNN for the whole story.

New audio CD of Bible had stars lining up

  Narrator Michael York takes listeners through the New and Old Testaments.

Gary Sinise is the voice of David. If Joseph sounds familiar it’s because Seinfeld star Jason Alexander is playing the part.

Luke Perry gets to play the villain, Judas. Louis Gosette Jr.’s deep baritone will represent John. Marisa Tomei plays Mary Magdalene.

I don’t think any of these are bad picks. But why did the producers have to get a British guy – Martin Jarvis, a voice-over actor, to play God?

Doesn’t He deserve a better known star portraying his omnipotent remarks? I think Bill Cosby would have been better. Now there’s someone who can do voices. But that’s just me. Who do you think would have made a better candidate for being God’s voice? 

Go to the LA Times to read this article.

Graphic via Google Images

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Wineries don't advertise the 'fine' line between regular and vegetarian wine

ONE OF THE FEW- Out of 21 wineries in the Temecula area, Bella Vista Winery is the only one to serve vegetarian wine.

By Dave Stancliff/For the Times-Standard

Posted: 11/15/2009 01:27:15 AM PST

There appears to be a conspiracy of silence on the part of winemakers when it comes to the subject of vegetarian wine. That's right. Did you know there was such a thing as vegetarian or vegan wine?

I've visited wineries throughout California and never heard of vegetarian or vegan wine until very recently. While on a visit to relatives in Southern California, my sister told me and my wife that she had discovered them.

My sister has been a vegetarian most of her life and the idea that animal parts are used in the wine-making process literally sickened her. She had been drinking wine for about 10 years, blissfully unaware of this fact. Go to the Times-Standard to read the rest.

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It's Time to Pay Up Donnie!

It's looks like there will be some prime real estate going on the market soon in New York City. Convicted rapist and former president ...