Saturday, October 9, 2010

Remembering John Lennon on what would have been his 70th birthday

It seems like everyone is playing “Imagine” today so I thought a change of pace might be nice. 

Take a minute and enjoy Lennon’s wizardry with words and musical beat.

 

While not as popular as “Imagine” - “Instant Karma” still rocks with a universal message.

“Come Together” is another iconic song that millions have listened to. Lennon’s main message was Peace.

That’s why his lyrics still resonate today.

I like to think he’s now “shining on” in a better place.

 

Half Man Half Ape: Scientists to look for China's Bigfoot

A group of Chinese scientists and explorers is looking for international help to mount a new search for the country's answer to Bigfoot, known locally as the "Yeren", or "wild man.

“Over the years, more than 400 people have claimed sightings of the half-man, half-ape Yeren in a remote, mountainous area of the central province of Hubei, state news agency Xinhua said on Saturday.

Expeditions in the 1970s and 1980s yielded hair, a footprint, excrement and a sleeping nest suspected of belonging to the Yeren, but there has been no conclusive proof, the report added.

Witnesses describe a creature that walks upright, is more than 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) tall and with grey, red or black hair all over its body, Xinhua said.

Now the Hubei Wild Man Research Association is looking for volunteers from around the world to join them on another expedition to look for the Yeren.

"We want the team members to be devoted, as there will be a lot a hard work in the process," Luo Baosheng, vice president of the group, told Xinhua.

But the team will have to come up with about 10 million yuan ($1.50 million) first, and is talking to companies and other bodies to secure the funding, so there is no timetable yet for when they may start, the report added.

Friday, October 8, 2010

John Lennon would have been 70 Saturday…

Like many people tomorrow, I’ll spend a few moments remembering John Lennon – the man, and his music. 

This B&W photo was taken days before his murder.

Pictures: John Lennon
Pictures: Beatles Through the Years

I always thought Paul was the most talented of the group, but I liked John’s music,voice, and creativity nearly as much.

FBI busted tracking student, demands GPS spy gear return

After Web uproar, feds reclaimed magnetic tracker found under car

“Several days ago a 20-year-old student discovered a GPS tracking device hidden on his car.

After his friend posted a picture of it online, speculating about its ties to a secret FBI investigation, the feds themselves came a-knockin', according to Wired.com. They wanted their toy back.”

AND Something else to think about…

“What's impressive is how quickly Afifi got an identification of the gadget by crowdsourcing it on the Web.

On the flipside, that kind of exposure isn't good PR for the FBI. Surely the revelation of the magnetic tracker will cause many people to check under their own cars. Like many noble efforts to keep us safe from terrorism, this one may be turning out to not be so effective. After all, those who already know they're involved in illegal activity probably check their cars every day, rain or shine.”

"What Are Your Measurements?" 50 Most Sexist Quotes On the Campaign Trail

Endorsing a woman because of her "tight little butt" may be the latest in a string of sexist things said about female politicians, but it is by far not the worst that has been heard.

With the help of the "Name It, Change It" campaign to bring more awareness to sexism when it comes to women in politics, The Stir has posted a list of the Top 50 Most Sexist Quotes Heard on the Campaign Trail.

Another example: "I think I'm going to send Sotomayor, and her club, a bunch of vacuum cleaners to help them clean up after their meetings." ~ Rush Limbaugh about Sonia Sotomayor

Prominent neurologist says animals have spiritual experiences

Image: Dog

Ever have an out-of-body experience? Your dog may have too

Animals (not just people) likely have spiritual experiences, according to a prominent neurologist who has analyzed the processes of spiritual sensation for over three decades.

Research suggests that spiritual experiences originate deep within primitive areas of the human brain — areas shared by other animals with brain structures like our own.

The trick, of course, lies in proving animals' experiences.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Southern Baptist leader nixes yoga for Christians

 “A Southern Baptist leader who is calling for Christians to avoid yoga and its spiritual attachments is getting plenty of pushback from enthusiasts who defend the ancient practice.

  1. Southern Baptist Seminary President Albert Mohler (right) says the stretching and meditative discipline derived from Eastern religions is not a Christian pathway to God. Mohler said he objects to "the idea that the body is a vehicle for reaching consciousness with the divine." "That's just not Christianity," Mohler told The Associated Press.

Carl’s corner: first time fingerpainting for granddaughter

finger paint 064

finger paint 057 finger paint 050

Proud grandpa, Carl Young, was Johnny-on-the-spot in documenting his granddaughter Emily Rose’s first experience with fingerpainting.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

No kidding! Spaghetti Tacos Are Sweeping the Nation

”iCarly

Spaghetti tacos. Like every good trend, this one started with the kids.

After the character Spencer on Nickelodeon's iCarly cooked up the unusual pairing--a beautiful marriage of two beloved cuisines--kids everywhere demanded it be on their dinner plates.

The New York Times reports it's the most requested dish for slumber parties and there is even a Facebook page with over 1,200 fans and climbing. The dish has had a re-occuring role on the sitcom, appearing in six episodes since 2007. Though the writer of the show Dan Schneider hasn't tested it out, he is married to the woman behind Hungry Girl. They plan to prepare the meal at home and post a video on YouTube.

Panel results: Feds blocked worst-case Gulf spill figures

This information comes as no surprise to many scientists who were involved with the clean-up and tracking of the spill. It’s probably news to the average American, who should be outraged.

The stinking mess from this spill is going to carry over into generations of fish and wildlife. 

Interviews reveal that the White House denied a request to make discharge numbers public:

“The Obama administration blocked efforts by government scientists to tell the public just how bad the Gulf oil spill could become and made other missteps that raised questions about its competence and candor during the crisis, according to a commission appointed by the president to investigate the disaster.”

Supreme Court weighs arguments over 'Thank God for dead soldiers' funeral protest

Image:

Westboro Baptist Church says war deaths are punishment for U.S. immorality

Supreme Court justices Wednesday struggled with the free-speech question of whether fundamentalist church members have a right to picket funerals for dead soldiers.

See my column: Snyder vs Phelps: a case of free speech or harassment?

The justices heard arguments in the emotion-laden case of Albert Snyder of York, Pa. His son, a Marine, died in Iraq in 2006. Members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, protested the funeral to make their point that U.S. deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq are punishment for Americans' immorality, including tolerance of homosexuality and abortion.

Trump's Lowest Grift Ever Saved for Holy Week

This is a story about how the devil's puppet, aka Donald Trump, mocked Christianity by selling a book combining the Bible, the Constitu...