Mysterious tunnel discovered under Mexican ruins

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Blocked-off chamber may be a tomb for Teotihuacan’s rulers

Russian Satanist Sect Members Sentenced For Slaughter Of 4 Teens

Moscow, Russian Federation (AHN) -- Seven members of a Satanic sect were meted two-to 20-year prison terms for killing three high school boys and one girl in 2008 as part of an initiation ritual.

A court in the Russian city of Yaroslavl sentenced ringleader Nikolai Ogolobyak, 21, to 20 years imprisonment for murder, robbery and desecrating a corpse. His accomplices, four boys and a girl, were ordered to serve from eight to 10 years imprisonment.

A sixth accomplice was meted a two-year jail sentence and the eighth suspect, Anton Makovkin, 21, was sent to a mental institution for being insane.

The convicted killers cut apart their dead victims, who were joining the Gothic group, before burying their bodies.

The relatives of the victims protested the verdict for being too light. However, under Russian law, 10 years was the maximum prison term for underage criminals.

The beginning of the end of ‘net neutrality’: Google, Verizon near deal on pay tiers for Web – consumers should prepare to get screwed in cyberspace now!

I knew it would happen eventually. What we have here is the opening gambit to soak more money out of Internet users.

If you’re old enough to remember TV before cable, then you have a pretty good idea where all of this is leading. 

                Closed-door deal may be big hit against 'Net neutrality’

Google and Verizon, two leading players in Internet service and content, are nearing an agreement that could allow Verizon to speed some online content to Internet users more quickly if the content’s creators are willing to pay for the privilege.

 The charges could be paid by companies, like YouTube, owned by Google, for example, to Verizon, one of the nation’s leading Internet service providers, to ensure that its content received priority as it made its way to consumers.

The agreement could eventually lead to higher charges for Internet users.

UPDATE 10:14 a.m.

Google, Verizon deny talks about Web pay tiers!

New York Times report is 'mistaken,' says Verizon Wireless

"We've not had any convos with (Verizon) about paying for carriage of our traffic," Google said on Twitter. "We remain committed to an open Internet."

David Fish, Verizon's executive director of media relations wrote on the company's public policy blog. "It fundamentally misunderstands our purpose. As we said in our earlier FCC filing, our goal is an Internet policy framework that ensures openness and accountability, and incorporates specific FCC authority, while maintaining investment and innovation. To suggest this is a business arrangement between our companies is entirely incorrect."

I’m not sure what to make of this announcement. Did someone let the cat out of the bag too soon? Did a reporter misinterpret information provided to him/her? It’s anyone’s guess what is really going on here.

I know one thing, I don’t trust these corporations. Profit is the end-all (regardless of how it’s achieved) to their corporate philosophies. It’s called capitalism, corruption, and corporate rule of the airways.

 

U.S. has a problem: Karzai is thwarting bribery case

A top national security aide to Afghan President Hamid Karzai was arrested last week on bribery charges —then released the same day “at the direction of the palace,” a senior U.S. official tells NBC News.

The handling of the case of Mohamed Zia Salehi, the chief administrator of Karzai’s national security council, has infuriated U.S. officials and raised new questions about Karzai’s commitment to cracking down on corruption within his government.

AND..

President Barack Obama's special envoy Richard Holbrooke recently testified that up to 30 percent of Afghan police salaries — paid in cash and financed with U.S tax dollars — are being stolen by their superiors.

HERE’S THE PART THAT GETS ME…

 Overall, as much $1 billion a year in cash, often stuffed in suitcases, is being flown out of Afghanistan and taken to Dubai, U.S. investigators say.

I remember going to Disneyland in 1955, when it opened

July 17th, 1955 – The night before…

The anticipation of going to a place full of rides for kids kept my sisters, brother, cousin, and I talking late into the morning hours.

Our parents allowed us all to spend the night in the living room (sleeping bags and all), and we pretended we were camping out.

We must have gotten some sleep because we were ready to go at the crack of dawn. By the time we got to Anaheim (we lived in the San Fernando Valley) a mob (see photo below right) of people were pouring through the gates. I guess they didn’t know much about crowd control in those days.

It’s hard to say what I remember most about that magical day. I was five-years old and quickly overawed at the magnificence around me. One of the most impressive was the “Rocket to the Moon/Flight to the Moon/Mission to Mars” exhibit that instantly made me want to be an astronaut.

I thought the “Indian Village(left)” was neat, as I loved playing Cowboys and Indians. Looking back, I can see how people might think we were racist or politically incorrect by today’s standards.

But, back then we were innocent of such things because they were all around us and we didn’t know any better. The movies told us the Cowboys were the good guys and the Indians were the bad guys.

Back to Disneyland:

I recall riding in Dumbo, who gently went up and down and around. I thought the people dressed up like cartoon characters were cool. I asked my dad how the people inside could stand the heat? Unfortunately, I can’t remember exactly what he said. It was something along the lines of “They get paid to do it.” I sure remember the heat.

When you walked your feet stuck to the newly laid asphalt (they kept slipping out of my sandals!) that looked wet under the blazing sun. Women were getting their high heels stuck, much to my amusement. I saw more than one person fall down, only to quickly get up red-faced and embarrassed, trying to act like nothing happened. If people tripped and fell today (and it was the amusement park’s fault) they’d sue and get part ownership!

My overall impression of that day’s

big adventure (See Photo left), was one of bliss.

As we drove home I struggled to stay awake and talk with my older sister Linda, but lost the battle and passed out.

I ran across the following article this morning and it inspired me to reminisce. Enjoy:

10 Things I Miss About Disneyland

By Rick VanderKnyff

Excerpt:

“When Disneyland opened in 1955, Westerns were still the biggest thing on TV and the early Disney rides and attractions reflected that. Orange County also had Knott's Berry Farm, which comprised mainly the ghost town -- with free admission -- and chicken dinner restaurant until owners decided to go whole hog into the Disney-style theme park business. In those days, young fans would head to Disneyland or Knott's with their cap pistols strapped onto their hips and felt cowboy hats on their heads.

The Indian Village, with real people in full Native America garb hanging out amid the teepees and other paraphernalia, was one of Disneyland's original attractions in those quieter, less culturally aware times. This attraction -- with people in native costume on display -- would never fly today, and rightly so. But it's interesting to remember when this was all part of the Disney experience.”

Good Dog! Canine chews off owner’s toe, saves his life

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Is he the next Picasso? 8-year-old sells paintings for $235,803

Collectors are snapping up his works: The next Picasso?

Kieron Williamson, who just turned 8, is drawing collectors from as far from New York City and South Africa to his little British town of Holt. An exhibition of his paintings fetched the equivalent of $235,804 in under 30 minutes. London's Daily Mail dubbed him "Mini Monet." (Alban Donohoe / ©Albanpix.com)

Warning :many dietary supplements are contaminated

Retailers sell pills despite warnings, and FDA has little power to regulate

Many popular dietary supplements contain ingredients that may cause cancer, heart problems, liver or kidney damage, but U.S. stores sell them anyway and Americans spend millions on them, according to Consumer Reports.

Study suggests men should wear red shirts to attract women

 Men who want to be more magnetic need only don an article of red clothing, scientists now say.

Researchers from the University of Rochester and other institutions around the globe have discovered that the color red makes a man more attractive and sexually desirable to women, according to a report published this month in the Journal of Experimental Psychology.

PHOTO: here I am trying to attract the ladies with my red shirt. I have to report it didn’t work, therefore I suspect  this studies findings!

Life is full of illusions that sometimes elude us!

Life is full of illusions. We often are unaware of them, but they exist, waiting to be studied, even admired. Perspective is one of the steps illusion uses to confound our brain while opening up new doors of awareness. 

I like to share illusions because they are often magical and make me think anything is possible. Illusions can open our “Third Eye” and lead to revelations.The photo above even gives me an audio treat as I hear the beat of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven” in my head.

Take moment and enjoy this clever illusion. If you’d like to see more go here for the source.