No kidding here: Whitney is 'Whitey' on some ballots in Chicago

“The last name of Green Party gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney is misspelled as "Whitey" on electronic-voting machines in nearly two dozen wards -- about half in predominantly African-American areas -- and election officials said Wednesday the problem cannot be corrected by Election Day.

The misspelling turned up on touch-screen machines in 23 wards overall. Whitney's name is spelled correctly on the machines' initial screens showing all of the candidates' names, but it is misspelled on review screens that later show a voter his or her choices, said Jim Allen, spokesman for the Chicago Board of Elections.”

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Guest Opinion: Drug decriminalization policy pays off

By GLENN GREENWALD

“Ten years ago, Portugal became the first Western nation to pass full-scale, nationwide decriminalization. That law, passed Oct. 1, 2000, abolished criminal sanctions for all narcotics — not just marijuana but also “hard drugs” like heroin and cocaine.”

AND HOW DID THAT TURN OUT?

“Portugal, whose drug problems were among the worst in Europe, now has the lowest usage rate for marijuana and one of the lowest for cocaine. Drug-related pathologies, including HIV transmission, hepatitis transmission and drug-related deaths, have declined significantly.”

Read more http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43544.html

Obama Rally Streaker: Man Short of Requirements for $1 Million Prize

You can color this cat desperate.

Anyone willing to strip down naked and run in public for money is, at very least, a thrill-seeker.

But to try and get within sight and hearing distance of one of the most closely guarded men in the world while buck naked is…well, desperate.

Billionaire who made challenge settles with New York City man

“A New York City man who ran naked through President Obama's campaign rally in a bid to win a $1 million Internet challenge will not receive the full prize.

British billionaire Alki David, who initiated the publicity stunt, said 24-year-old Juan J. Rodriguez didn't meet the requirements for the full prize because he didn't get within eyesight or earshot of the president.”

Gladiator days: Colosseum's dungeons opening to visitors

ROME — Underground dungeons at Rome's Colosseum, considered to be one of the great feats of Roman architecture and where gladiators once locked in mortal combat, will open to the public for the first time next week.

An upper area of the ancient monument that had been closed since the 1970s will also be accessible to visitors and offer them a view over Rome's ancient forum, Italian culture ministry officials said on Thursday.

Photos: When in Rome ...

Bakersfield, CA is #1 on list of most pollutred cities in America

California has five of the 10 most polluted cities in the nation. Why is that?

The American Lung Association released their 2009 State of the Air report recently, listing the cities with the most polluted air in the country. This is a shameful list to be on.

#2 Los Angeles, CA

#3 Fresno, CA 

#4 Visalia-Porterville, CA

#5 Birmingham, AL

#6 Hanford-Corcoran, CA

#7 St. Louis, Mo

#8 New York, NY

#9 Pittsburgh, PA

#10. Sacramento, CA 

A number of factors contribute to what makes up a dirty atmosphere, including ozone pollution (which contributes to smog and triggers asthma), and particle pollution (which includes dust, pollen, and mold in the air). Find out why these cities were picked. Click here.

 

This little girl is already an accomplished artist at eight-years old

I first saw Autumn a year ago on TV when her paintings started selling big time. She’s truly an amazing, unique, and natural artist. Some people are born with this kind of talent…but not many. She’s unique in her vision and application. No formal training. At five years-old, she asked her Dad if she could have painting supplies and immediately turned out masterpieces!

I imagine her parents are proud of her talent. Dad owns an art gallery, and the family home is covered with paintings by the masters. Autumn grew up looking at those great paintings, so it’s fair to say early influence had a lot to do with her interest in painting. If you’re an art collector you might want to purchase one of her paintings now, they go for about $20,000 each. Years from now, that purchase is bound to increase in value.

  

This car was spotted at the Eureka Target parking lot yesterday

The question is …what’s their house look like?

Fraud franchise: Armenian gangsters busted in largest Medicare scam ever

Authorities are accusing a network of Armenian gangsters and associates

“A vast network of Armenian gangsters and their associates used phantom health care clinics and other means to try to cheat Medicare out of $163 million, the largest fraud by one criminal enterprise in the program's history, U.S. authorities said Wednesday.

Federal prosecutors in New York and elsewhere charged 73 people. Most of the defendants were captured during raids Wednesday morning in New York City and Los Angeles, but there also were arrests in New Mexico, Georgia and Ohio.

The scheme's scope and sophistication "puts the traditional Mafia to shame," U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said at a Manhattan news conference. "They ran a veritable fraud franchise."

Mid term elections draw near as candidates circus continues

               

The Merry Game of politics, so much like circuses, is really about entertainment. Don’t let the hollow rhetoric you hear detract from how amusing our clown-like candidates are. Meg and Jerry are both In search of a game-changer in California and the GOP groups plan $50 million advertising drive 

Then we have clowns garnering our support Candidates go from rich to regular, with a little help or warnings like Keeping an eye on South Carolina , or predictions like Poll: Republicans likely to take House, or how desperate the Democrats are when The first lady hits the stump to get voter turnout.

Meanwhile, Across the U.S., long recovery looks like recession No wonder Americans are pessimistic and unhappy ... We are entering a period of austerity

We might as well enjoy the antics of our would-be public servants. For example, how about  Christine O'Donnell - Delaware Candidate for the Senate? Witchcraft…hmmmmmm. That’s special. I hear she’s just like you and me (sans practicing witchcraft and being against masturbation).

 

Pumpkin chic: there’s more than one way to carve a pumpkin

 

 

 

 

It just takes an imagination, a carving knife, and the will to experiment to make a great Jack-O-Lantern

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