Big donations don’t always guarantee getting elected locally

I’m glad to see that less was spent in last year’s political campaigning locally, than in 2008. I think it’s great there’s a $500 cap now (as of Jan.1). It’s a good thing to keep local campaigning on a level playing field where democracy has a chance against big money.

From the Times Standard this morning…

Eureka candidates spent over $130,000 in November election

“The November election showed that big donations don't always guarantee a win in Eureka. Bill and Elizabeth Pierson filed a major donor expenditure statement, indicating they donated $44,000 to five candidates in 2010. Three of those were to Eureka candidates -- Larry Glass, Ron Kuhnel and LaVallee -- all of whom were not elected.” Story here. 

‘Beyblades’ destroy tub: Mom sells kids' toys on eBay as punishment

Used to be, kids were made to take a timeout when they acted up, or maybe even a spanking. But now, parents have other options, like selling their treasured toys on eBay as punishment.

One mom, fed up with her boys' fancy spinning tops and how they wrecked her bathtub, decided to gather the offending tops — the popular Japanese manga Beyblade toy — and put them on eBay. She even posted a picture of her sons, one clearly in tears, while the younger one has a mug shot look, resigned to his fate, as he holds up the zip lock bag of Beyblades to present to the buying public. (See image above.) STORY HERE

Something to consider: Beyblades are supposed to be played with in a little arena provided for that purpose. The instructions clearly state this. Where was Mom when they were making a racket (they had to be) in the bathroom? How long did it take for the damage to show up? I suspect Mom should have watched her sons a little closer…

City to get RoboCop statue with fan funding

I’m not sure what kind of message a statue of RoboCop sends, but the idea of a police state (however fictional)top cop standing next to Boxer Joe Lewis seems…well weird!

From sci-fi cult film, to Twitter phenomenon to Detroit landmark-in-the-making.

Plans for a statue honoring RoboCop, the half-man, half-machine crimefighter of the 1987 movie, are moving ahead after a group of artists and entrepreneurs in Detroit, Michigan raised more than $50,000 via Facebook and an online fund-raising site.

The RoboCop statue could go somewhere downtown if the city approves, perhaps near the landmark fist statue honoring legendary boxer Joe Louis. Story here

Town changes name to SpeedKills in road safety campaign

 

A small town in the Australian Outback has decided to change its name in an attempt to persuade drivers to slow down. Story here. I can think of some Midwestern states where there are no speed limit laws, like Montana, that would benefit from naming a town or two SpeedKills.

And in conclusion . . . What does one trillion dollars look like?

$100. We'll start with a hundred dollar bill. Currently the largest U.S. denomination in general circulation. Most everyone has seen them, slightly fewer have owned them. Guaranteed to make friends wherever they go

$10,000. A packet of one hundred hundred dollar bills is less than 1/2" thick and contains ten thousand dollars (Below). Fits in your pocket easily and is more than enough for a week or two of shamefully decadent fun.

$1,000,000. Believe it or not, this next little pile is a million dollars (100 packets of $10,000 - right). You could stuff that into a grocery bag and walk around with it.

$100,000,000. While a measly 1 million dollars looked a little unimpressive, 100 million dollars is a little more respectable. It fits neatly on a standard pallet...below.

 GO HERE…

To See What a TRILLION DOLLARS LOOKS LIKE.

Pretty awesome, and still inconceivable despite the graphics.

Here’s Some Amazing Artwork by Russian artist Aton Semenov

DARK ART BY ATON SEMENOV

 

 

 

GO HERE

to see more examples from the portfolio of this “darkly” talented artist.

Colombian military shows off homemade drug runner submarine

Authorities said that the homemade submarine was ready to be loaded with drugs when found in Timbiqui

“The Colombian military says it has seized a submarine capable of transporting more than seven tons of cocaine from Colombia to Mexico.” Story Here.

We all know what would have happened if this delivery had made it to Mexico. This shit would have been on America streets ASAP!

Why? Because we have porous borders…but what’s to be done?

20 Facts About U.S. Inequality that Everyone Should Know

Unfortunately, there’s a lot of things that aren’t fair in this world. It’s no secret that all Americans aren’t treated equally.

Still, if we’re aware of what isn’t fair, sometimes we can do something about it. 

From Homelessness, Health, to Intergenerational Income Mobility, here are 20 Facts about inequality in our society.

Fingers and toes point the way to detect disease dangers and more

I wonder what people who read palms thing about this study? Maybe it’ll give them more credibility. After all, the fingers are attached to the palms right?

“For that storied window to the soul, we give you the eyes.                   

But for a snapshot of physical wellness, a glimmer of hidden health risks, and a peek at natural strengths, we give you the finger.                    

Now, don’t go away mad: We actually give you all 10 fingers.            

According to a bevy of recent medical studies, your digits hold clues to disease dangers along with hints of sports prowess, financial acumen  and, possibly, your softer side.”

Story here.

Now’s not the time to play Fido! Cop quips: ‘I wish everyone traveled with their own personal drug dog’

Okay. Just when you thought you heard everything when it came to pot busts, this guy’s pit bull raises the bar. 

“A sheriff's deputy didn't need a drug dog to point out a stash during a recent traffic stop. The driver's dog did it for him.

KGW-TV reports Sherman County sheriff's Sgt. John Terrel was pulling over a pickup truck Feb. 9 when he saw a sock fly out the window. It turned out to be stuffed with marijuana and hashish.

The driver told Terrel he was trying to hide the sock, but his pit bull mix grabbed it and wouldn't let go, enjoying a tug-of-war game.

The dog won the tussle and tossed the sock out the window, and the 32-year-old driver was indicted on drug possession charges.

Sheriff Brad Lohrey says he wished everyone traveled with their own personal drug dog.”

Source                                                                                                                      Image source

Wisc. Governor Makes a Threat to Sic the National Guard on Union Workers

If the National Guard is called out in Wisconsin,        workers across the country should take a page from Egypt and go out on a general strike.                          

“Last week, Wisconsin's Republican governor Scott Walker threatened to use the National Guard if his state's public employees go on strike in response to his proposal to strip them of the right to bargain collectively.

By merely mentioning the possibility of employing the Guard to prevent a strike, Governor Walker has threatened to militarize the attack on unions. The 150-year history of the American labor movement shows that such moves often lead to the deaths of union members.” Read article here.

Thousands descend on Wis. Capitol in protest – Story