So how do you shut off a whole nation's Internet?

MIT experts say it depends on ISP ownership, and doubt it'd happen in U.S.

“To silence dissidents, the Egyptian government made a move Thursday that has no precedent: It turned off the internet nationwide. How did they do it — and could the same thing happen here?

According to David Clark, an MIT computer scientist whose research focuses on Internet architecture and development, a government's ability to control the Internet depends on its control of Internet Service Providers (ISPs), the private sector companies that grant Internet access to customers.”

STORY HERE

Keebler Fudge Shoppe Jumbo Sticks recalled due to mislabeling

If you don’t have a peanut butter allergy this recall won’t adversely affect you, other than to give you a flavor you didn’t want. Because peanut allergies are serious I wanted to pass this along to you. Especially if you’re a Keebler fan.   

“17,000 eight-count cartons of Keebler Fudge Shoppe jumbo fudge sticks because the mislabeled cartons contain individually wrapped jumbo peanut butter sticks. The company says consumers with peanut allergies the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they eat the fudge sticks. More information: 888-746-3679; www.Keebler.com.”

Live and Learn Department: a ‘fantasist’ is nothing more than a liar

Greg Lance-Watkins... The man who duped Robert Green!

 Greg Lance-Watkins (photo right) is accused of being a “fantasist.”

Posted by Clydeside TV. Guardian Agents

AND THEN THERE’S THE STORY OF ANOTHER FANTASIST, STEPHEN WILCE…

Spy, Olympian, musician? Top official exposed as fantasist

New Zealand's prime minister admits situation is 'a little embarrassing'

“Stephen Wilce, the former director of defense technology, resigned in September and the following month a military court found he had embellished his career in the military, education and life in general, The New Zealand Herald reported”

Smugglers with "medieval catapult" nabbed at border

Just when you thought you heard it all…there’s this “new” method of smuggling! You have to hand it to the bastards, they sure try hard don’t they?

“In a brazen attempt reminiscent of a medieval siege, Mexican smugglers tried to use a hefty catapult to hurl drugs north over the U.S. Border, authorities said..

The Mexican military seized 45 pounds of marijuana, a sports utility vehicle and a metal-framed catapult just south of the Arizona border near the small town of Naco last Friday, following a tip-off from the U.S. Border Patrol.”

Story Here.

Somewhere there’s a sunset more spectacular than you’ve ever seen

West Virginia Purple Mountain Sunset

unknown photographer

Hole-y cow! Guts could lead to holy grail for cheap biofuels

Researchers report breakthrough in search for cleaner energy

“It may not be glamorous, but the holy grail for efficient biofuels — the kind that don't compete with our food supply — could end up being found inside the guts of cows.”

Story Here

New projections show Social Security fund will be drained by 2037

Here’s a cheerful little item to contemplate.I’ll be 87 when the year 2037 rolls around. If I don’t die before then, I’ll be faced with a loss of a good part of my income to survive with. Not a pleasant thought. The pols better get off their asses and straighten things out fast!

“Social Security's finances are getting worse as the economy struggles to recover and millions of baby boomers stand at the brink of retirement.

New congressional projections show Social Security running deficits every year until its trust funds are eventually drained in about 2037.”

 STORY HERE

image of cow                                                                                              “Join the March” image

I’ve still got a warm fuzzy feeling from watching those partisan pols snuggle up next to each other during the State of the Union address

R.J. Matson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Politicalcartoons.com

An end to military dictatorship? Will Egyptians get good alternative?

Things have been shaking in the Arab world since the Tunisian people toppled their oppressive regime. Countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia, have a lot of young, smart, and freedom-loving people who deserve to live in better conditions and their speaking out.

Here’s a brief world round-up on what’s happening today:

from The Times of India…

Egypt president's son, family flee to Britain

“Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak's son, who is considered as his successor, has fled to Britain along with his family, a US-based Arabic website reported.
The plane with Gamal Mubarak, his wife and daughter on board left for London Tuesday from an airport in western Cairo, the website Akhbar al-Arab said.”  STORY

from CBS World News…

Egypt Cracks Down Amid Deadly Protests

“Egyptian police fired tear gas and rubber bullets and beat protesters to clear thousands of people from a central Cairo square after the biggest demonstrations in years against President Hosni Mubarak's authoritarian rule.” STORY

from FOX News…

Deadly Egyptian Protests

PHOTO TOP RIGHT - Jan. 26: Egyptian anti-riot police block the way leading to a journalists syndicate in downtown Cairo, Egypt. A small gathering of Egyptian anti-government activists tried to stage a second day of protests in Cairo Wednesday in defiance of a ban on any gatherings, but police quickly moved in and used force to disperse the group. STORY

from The Boston Herald

Officials: 860 protesters arrested in Egypt

“Egyptian security officials say 860 protesters have been arrested during two days of anti-government demonstrations. The officials say nearly 600 were detained in Cairo. The remainder were arrested in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria and elsewhere. They say not all protesters would be referred to prosecutors, suggesting some of them would be freed after questioning by police.” STORY

from NPR…

Harsh Police Crackdown Reported in Egypt

“CNN's Ben Wedeman just reported there has been a "harsh police crackdown" on protesters today in Egypt, where for the second day in a row people have taken to the streets in anti-government demonstrations.” STORY

'Godzilla-like creature' nabbed at Riverside condo complex

In my humble opinion, this monitor lizard is hardly Godzilla-like (heck…anyone knows Godzilla stood on two legs and breathed fire), but he is larger than any other type of lizard normally found wandering around in California.

Black-throated Monitor lizards are carnivorous, legal to own in California and native to the African grasslands and parts of Asia

The 5-foot Monitor lizard wandering around a condo complex in the city of Riverside was way bigger than animal control officer Jenny Selter (right) could have imagined.

"She said she saw it and almost jumped back in her truck," said John Welsh, spokesman for Riverside County Animal Services. "The residents were freaking out because here's the Godzilla-like creature walking down the sidewalk." STORY HERE

It’s Fast Food Bashing Day: McDonald’s getting away with a crime

Why the Happy Meal is a crime—and not just a culinary one

“Ample science, along with statements by various professional organizations tells us that marketing to young children is both deceptive and unfair. Why? Because young children simply do not have the cognitive capacity to understand that they are being marketed to; they cannot comprehend "persuasive intent," the linchpin of advertising. Here's how the nation's trade group for kids' doctors puts it: "The American Academy of Pediatrics considers advertising directly to young children to be inherently deceptive, and exploits children under the age of 8 years."

So, if advertising to young children is inherently deceptive, and deceptive advertising is illegal under federal law and in most states, how is it even happening? And doesn't this mean that not just food, but all marketing to young children is currently illegal? The answer is yes.

GO HERE for the story.