Journalissimo

Thank you for cutting cancer screening

2012-02-02T14:52:00.000-07:00

...to prove you are pro-life. Mother Jones has the best writing on it, and other problems there.This issue is close to my heart. When I used Planned Parenthood in college, not having a regular doctor and not knowing exactly what one would have to report to my parent's insurance, I saw a lot in the waiting room. I assume most of them were actually uninsured, not afraid of their parents. What

Santorum

2012-01-19T21:18:00.001-07:00

I can't believe the frothy mixture of lube and fecal matter that is often the unfortunate byproduct of anal sex hasn't dropped out of the race yet.What is this country coming to?

Napa is nice but Sonoma is super!

2012-01-16T23:55:00.000-07:00

It’s all beautiful up there, Napa is just pricier. Russian River Valley was highly recommended, but we also wanted to check out Alexander Valley (due to the fact that some labels from there have been really good finds). So many wineries, so little time!If you have time, I would recommend taking a week or weekend to do everything. The scenery is magnetic.See more progress on: Tour Napa Valley

Yummy not-very French toast

2011-06-19T19:52:00.001-06:00

Bake or buy French bread (baguette or something substantial) and, if not sliced, cut into 1/2 inch or slightly smaller slices. If not day-old already, toast slightly while heating butter in a heavy saucepan (I used an iron skillet) over medium flame.Next, in a bowl at least wide enough to place a whole piece of bread, crack 2 eggs and add 1/2 cup of almond milk and a scant teaspoon of Chinese 5

Coffee, anyone?

2008-08-20T17:07:00.004-06:00

Memphis has some great new(ish) coffee shops opening these days. Republic Coffee on Walnut Grove, The Edge and Cafe Eclectic. If you haven't tried them out yet, today is a perfect day to stop by one or the other.

A conversion?

2008-08-05T08:23:00.000-06:00

I’ve never been a runner, but this fall I want to train for a 5k.I know running’s bad on joints, esp the knees, but I figure doing it once won’t kill me. ;-)Here’s hoping!I will try to update when I find a group to train with, get some good trainers, and as my time & endurance progress.See more progress on: Train for a 5K

HI-larious!

2008-07-08T19:09:00.001-06:00

Check out the Liberal Card. Who knows, maybe I'm a year late on this one, but I love it!

1st time for everything

2008-07-07T11:15:00.001-06:00

never have i given up on a goal on 43 things, but there’s a first time for everything! too much to do and something’s gotta give, so…See more progress on: Be a better blogger

Things you can still do which don't cause cancer**

2006-08-13T17:35:00.000-06:00

Showering. If you don't use the wrong hair stuff, of course.Cooking. Just make sure you don't burn it, as ingesting charcoal has been known to have carcinogenic effects.Driving: just don't wear sunscreen and don't inhale the gasoline as you pump it.Having sex---as long as your partner doesn't give you the HPVirus.Abortions. Contrary to what these bastards will have you believe. (I don't mean me,

Exposure to ultrasound can affect fetal brains

2006-08-07T20:41:00.000-06:00

Not that this is much of a shock, latest in the long and ever-increasing list of Seemingly Innocuous Stuff That Can [maim/kill/give cancer]:By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, APWASHINGTON - Exposure to ultrasound can affect fetal brain development, a new study suggests. But researchers say the findings, in mice, should not discourage pregnant women from having ultrasound scans for medical reasons.When

Report: Women misled on abortion risks

2006-07-18T19:31:00.000-06:00

Although the headline is ambiguous, and could be understood as "women misled [someone]" rather than "so-called 'pregnancy counseling centers' intentionally mislead women on abortion risks in attempt to scare them into having children they don't want" ---ahem, excuse me---my response is still: And who is surprised?By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press WriterWASHINGTON - Women who consult with

Coffee may reduce liver disease!!

2006-06-13T19:30:00.000-06:00

A little late to the game with this story, but I'm still just so d@mn excited to know that I'm already halfway to liver health! Seriously, I think this is hilarious after years of trying to convince us coffee is evil, that pregnant women shouldn't drink it, and more than one cup a day will make you a wired caffeine zombie.Study finds drinking coffee could reduce the risk of alcohol-related liver

Poor Baby

2006-06-13T18:46:00.000-06:00

This poor neglected stepchild blog has really suffered from me going back to school. I have not abandoned it, just sort of lost track of it. I barely read the news (that could be part of it).

Enron Chiefs Guilty

2006-05-27T11:31:00.000-06:00

Why did we have to wait so long to find out what we already know? Because the wheels of justice grind exceeding slow.Hey, that's a rhyme!Kenneth L. Lay and Jeffrey K. Skilling, the chief executives who guided Enron through its spectacular rise and even more stunning fall, were found guilty today of fraud and conspiracy. They are among the most prominent corporate leaders to emerge from a wave of

Broadband Speed Overkill?

2006-05-18T06:46:00.000-06:00

Well, something else I never thought I'd hear: By Marguerite ReardonStaff Writer, CNET News.comPublished: May 17, 2006, 4:00 AM PDTToday's high-speed Internet access packages may sound tempting, but consumers should think long and hard about how much broadband they actually need before they ante up.Certainly, Internet users switching from a 56Kbps (kilobits per second) dial-up connection to any

Jackelopes, Ligers, and[Hybrid] Bears--Oh, my!

2006-05-10T23:05:00.000-06:00

I'm sure you'll all be happy to hear that some animals are adapting to their environments just fine.IQALUIT, Nunavut (AP) -- Northern hunters, scientists and people with vivid imaginations have discussed the possibility for years.But Roger Kuptana, an Inuvialuit guide from Sachs Harbour, North West Territories, was the first to suspect it had actually happened when he proposed that a

News of the Nation

2006-05-09T22:52:00.000-06:00

Yahoo news is a font of silly and exasperating stories today:Fat Man Walking: an inspiration to millions of Oprah viewers.Sex is on the Rise Among Virgins. Thanks a lot, Pres. Clinton. Of course, abortion is still purportedly on the rise since Bush took office. UPDATE: I've spewed some of my vitriol relating to abortion on the main blog today.And in other world news:Birds Return to Europe

Your Daily Dose of Truthiness

2006-05-03T08:50:00.000-06:00

Brandon has the video from the much-talked-about Stephen Colbert at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. He really goes for the gusto---it's funny to see the crowd, and da Prez, get more & more uncomfortable. It's really a once in a lifetime opportunity (in more ways than one) and he did a very brave thing.

Hooray for Anna Nicole!

2006-05-01T16:29:00.000-06:00

I am not a big fan of former Playboy centerfolds turned...whatever, but I totally feel like he knew exactly what he was doing when he married her. In fact I'm sure he did, and that's just what he wanted to do with his money. Marriage is a sort of sale anyway, it's just that we pretend it's not so we don't feel all dirty about it. from the NYTimesBy David StoutMay 1, 2006The former Playboy model

Police Torture Audio Released

2006-04-25T21:25:00.000-06:00

Just what you were waiting for, right? From Nashvile Files' blog: April 25, 2006Police Torture Audio ReleasedMy God. This happened in my state. Torture by police officers.Last year, a transcript was released of a recording a Campbell County man's wife made on July 8, 2004 when she turned on a recorder as she was made to leave the house. It captured 40 minutes of her husband, a small-time drug

Rise Up With Fists

2006-04-21T11:52:00.000-06:00

Personally, I feel like doing this a lot.[from PC Magazine]Joel Hansen, a 45-year-old Texan, was visiting his local Wal-Mart last week to purchase some food at about 5:30 p.m. After what everyone seems to agree was an unpleasant human-computer interaction, the self-checkout terminal had a smashed-in monitor, courtesy of the fist of the consumer.Hansen was charged with criminal mischief by Tarrant

Beaver Overthinks Dambuilding

2006-04-21T11:50:00.000-06:00

I think this story really gets to the ridculousness of being human:HUNTSVILLE, ONTARIO—Local beaver Dennis Messner is spending an inordinate amount of time and effort in the planning and construction phases of building his dam, according to neighbors close to the project.In the past four months, Messner, 4, has visited hundreds of other dams and drawn up detailed and extensive blueprints. He has

New domain name in the works?

2006-04-16T08:56:00.000-06:00

Is this cool, or just more potential for confusion?To help people manage all their contact information online, the Internet's key oversight agency is considering a ".tel" domain name. If approved, the domain could be available this year.As proposed, individuals could use a ".tel" Web site to provide the latest contact information and perhaps even let friends initiate a call or send a text message

The new breed of soldier: Robots with guns

2006-04-15T09:57:00.000-06:00

Is this another futuristic spin on Star Wars or what?By Steven Komarow, USA TODAY Fri Apr 14, 7:57 AM ETSpurred by the risks from roadside bombs and terrorist ambushes, the military is aggressively seeking to replace troops with battlefield robots, including new versions armed with machine guns."There was a time just a few years ago when we almost had to beg people to try an unmanned ground

Senate Rejects English-only Drivers' Tests

2006-04-14T09:26:00.000-06:00

I think this is a pretty cool reminder that we don't have an official language in this country. Why do we care what everyone else speaks, as long as they're not hurting anyone with their speech?Speaking of which, the power of language is really becoming more evident every day. I'd rather be verbally than physically assaulted any day, but it seems some people are willing to put themselves out

Football Kills

2006-04-12T10:16:00.000-06:00

Seriously, when will people get a freaking grip on themselves? NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - An Alabama booster convicted of bribing a high school coach to get a top recruit for the Crimson Tide was killed in his home after a fierce, bloody struggle, police said Tuesday.Police and his defense attorney confirmed the death of Logan Young, 65, but did not say how he was killed. Investigators found "a

'Creative plumbing' Delivers Beer

2006-03-14T21:52:00.000-07:00

Monday, 13 March 2006BBC NewsHaldis Gundersen was planning to do the washing up when she made the unusual discovery at her apartment in Kristiansund, west Norway.But two flights below, workers in a bar faced the more disappointing realisation that water was flowing from their beer taps.A worker had connected a beer barrel to the apartment water pipe by mistake."I turned on the tap to clean some

Slobodan Milosevic Dead at 64

2006-03-11T09:41:00.000-07:00

What a way to go. Live off the backs of your countrymen, slaughter hundreds of thousands, and die in your sleep at the ripe age of 64. Let the family say what it will, but I'm sure the people he had exterminated would have loved to trade lives with him.Slobodan Milosevic Found Dead in CellThe former Yugoslav leader, who was branded "the butcher of the Balkans" and was on trial for war crimes

Armageddon?

2006-03-06T07:19:00.000-07:00

Who'd have thought it: Triple Six Mafia wins the Oscar. I never thought I'd get to say those words in the same sentence. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that was the only win for Hustle & Flow. Too bad, but better than nuttin'.

It's about dang time

2006-03-04T13:37:00.000-07:00

That having been said, I can't believe the feds are actually doing this. Even if it's over 3 years late:Names Offer Glimpse Into Top-Secret PrisonBy Miranda Leitsinger and Ben Fos, Associated PressGUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba - Offering a glimpse into the top-secret world of Guantanamo Bay, the Pentagon has released the names and home countries of many detainees who have been held at the

Surprise, surprise, surprise

2006-02-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

Tenn. Halts Immigrant Driving CertificatesFrom Yahoo! NewsBy LUCAS L. JOHNSON II, Associated Press WriterNASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee stopped issuing driving certificates to illegal immigrants Friday after investigations found they were being shuttled from other states, using fake residency papers and sometimes bribing state workers to get the cards. ..."This program was a good idea in theory,

9/11 Sets Off Bomb Unit Equipment Explosion

2006-01-21T12:34:00.000-07:00

by Sherri DrakeJanuary 21, 2006The Memphis Police Bomb Unit recently sent 'Lucky' out to check a suspicious cooler in the parking lot of a Circuit City.Lucky -- the unit's 500-pound robot equipped with four cameras -- circled the cooler and sent video messages to officers watching on monitors in a van nearby.When officers determined the cooler wasn't a threat, they approached and opened it."It

Just what I'v e always wanted on ESPN

2006-01-12T17:41:00.000-07:00

My monthly post here at Journalissimo... [From The Onion Year in Review] BRISTOL, CT—Sports broadcasting giant ESPN, whose programming has long been a staple among male television viewers of all ages, made its first foray into women's sports programming with the introduction of the World's Emotionally Strongest Man Competition Monday. The hour-long weekly show,

Tub o' Vino

2005-12-05T20:07:00.000-07:00

I like wine as much as the next girl, but I doubt I'd ever want to bathe in it.At least consider the smell that would linger on your skin. [LINK] For Spa-Goers, Wine by the Glass, or by the BathBy SUSAN LEHMANDecember 4, 2005...here in the heart of the Sonoma Valley, at the nation's first vinotherapy spa, who wouldn't be in the mood ... for a cabernet bath?Champagne facials, wine massages - these

"Hustle & Flow" team hasn't seen the profits it expected.

2005-12-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

From the LA Times (in case you're not registered, story below). Thanks to Jon Sparks for digging this up. Apparently the Hollywood stereotype is all too true, even when applied to legendary John Singleton: everyone's only out for his own; nobody watches each other's backs; and the worst of humanity flocks to the city that's all about the benjis.What's weird is that the plot of the film has

Long-Awaited Beer With Bush Really Awkward, Voter Reports

2005-11-18T13:41:00.000-07:00

November 16, 2005 | Issue 41•46 WARREN, PA—Although respondents to a Pew poll taken prior to the 2004 presidential election characterized Bush as "the candidate they'd most like to sit down and have a beer with," Chris Reinard lived the hypothetical scenario Sunday afternoon, and characterized it as "really uncomfortable and awkward." Reinard, a father of four who

Journalissimo's goin' 70's style today

2005-11-11T10:32:00.000-07:00

The Nation demands we put an end to the "unprovoked, unnecessary and unlawful invasion that has turned into a colonial-style occupation" in Iraq, calling it "a growing stain on the honor of every American who acquiesces, actively or passively, in its conduct and continuation." Wow, I couldn't have said it better myself. Let's all protest the war and impeach the President for the holidays!

Environmentalists + Evangelists = strange bedfellows

2005-11-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

Apparently the evangelists are finally reading all of the Bible, rather than the verses that hate on other people. They are beginning to interpret Genesis 2:15 as stating that humans are the caretakers of the Earth (no sh!t, what took you so long?). I don't think their elected representatives likey: A major obstacle to any measure that would address global warming is Senator James M. Inhofe,

Love to hear it

2005-11-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

Love hearing that Senate Democrats are (variously) "fighting back" --- "showing signs of life" --- and "showing some spine" in reaction to the two most recent Republican problems: the ongoing Plame scandal and the nomination of Alito to the USSC. Things are getting curioser and curioser, according to some. I think "things fall apart [when] the center cannot hold" any more.Also love hearing

Lessons for New Orleans

2005-11-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

Remember the Bowery: A Case Study in GentrificationBy Sarah Wash, Utne.comNovember 3, 2005 IssueThe phrase "rebuilding the Gulf Coast" has buzzed through the media for several weeks. Terms like "rebuilding" and "redevelopment" raise red flags for many activists, though, because they're often code words for gentrification. But how can concerned citizens spot it in time to stop it? A look at the

Death by Blog

2005-10-21T09:19:00.000-06:00

Sexism reigns (not quite supreme) in the advertising worldWPP Executive Resigns Over Remarks on WomenBy JULIE BOSMANFrom the New York TimesOctober 21, 2005A well-known advertising executive and worldwide creative director at WPP Group resigned his position yesterday amid an uproar over remarks he made at an industry event about female creative executives. The comments, by Neil French, 61, drew

Mr. Roberts, your brain is waiting for you

2005-09-14T16:38:00.000-06:00

Good article on Judge [sic] Roberts in The Progressive. There's so little out there, frankly because there is so little to know about him. His record as a judge is short, since he's only been serving a short time & is very young... plus, it's hard to judge what sort of judge a lawyer will make. His explaination time & again is that he was "on the payroll" when he wrote a certain brief, and then

News Briefs

2005-09-08T09:41:00.000-06:00

US Group Calls for Health Warnings on Soft Drinks (Reuters) A U.S. consumer group on Wednesday called for cigarette-style warnings on soft drinks to alert consumers that too much of the sugary beverages can make them fat and cause other health problems.Healey backs bill for 'morning after' pill (The Boston Globe)Breaking the administration's silence on emergency contraception, Lieutenant Governor

Send in the Marines

2005-09-04T12:53:00.000-06:00

I've been saying that for several days now, but it's not like I have a direct line to god (I mean Bush). So finally he's sending in the ones who can restore some semblance of order, maintain the peace, and operate in crisis condition without being given orders at every turn. From The Times:The troops, who will start moving in today and will reach full strength by Tuesday, include some of the most

2005-09-02T16:59:00.000-06:00

My favorite, Jack Shafer on NPR, talks about what no one else dares to mention: Most of the people left behind in the coastal areas are African-American. Why? Because they disporportionately make up the desperately poor, who had no means of evacuation.To be sure, some reporters sidled up to the race and class issue. I heard them ask the storm's New Orleans victims why they hadn't left town when

More on N'Orleans

2005-08-31T19:48:00.000-06:00

There is a little trickle of information coming out of the city right now. I heard some stories on NPR's TOTN after class tonight, but didn't get enough info to pass on.This was a good one from before the storm: Hurricane Katrina could turn New Orleans into Atlantis,leave over 1 million people homelessWhen Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans today, it could turn one of America's most charming

President Stays on Vacation

2005-08-30T21:29:00.000-06:00

Declares 'Nothing I can do now, folks' to hurricane-ravaged Gulf CoastCrawford, TX--In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Bush In a candid moment at his ranch, the President told reporters he would not cut his usual month of vacation there short. "There's really nothing I can do now, folks, so I'm gonna come back to the city next week like we planned."In the wake of a media uproar about his

There is no news today

2005-08-17T22:00:00.000-06:00

Seriously. Look at the NYT. Look at the UK Times. Look at Google News. Click on all the links in the right column on this page. Nuttin' goin' on. Zip.There is a computer worm/bot going around. Oooh, I'm scared. News outlets will have to interrupt their IT ppls' busy schedules for the next few days to fix that. Tragedy. Effect on my life: 0 on a 1-10 scale.Israelis are finally getting out of

Hey ho, Let's go!

2005-08-13T10:34:00.000-06:00

Walken 4 PrezWalken on Campaign Finance Reform: "I believe that campaign finance is a very tough issue, with good points on both sides; but I feel, as a wealthy American, that I should have no more say than even the least fortunate American citizen. That is why I am for campaign finance reform."Walken on Military Funding: "I am a huge supporter of the military. I have always thought of

Pennsylvania inmates urge new ways to curb crime

2005-08-10T10:25:00.000-06:00

Straight from the horse's mouth. Well, via Yahoo news.PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Inmates serving life sentences at a Pennsylvania prison have adopted a unique tactic to promote a program of personal change for fellow convicts and help end a culture of crime that boosts the U.S. prison population. The program, which goes beyond traditional rehabilitation

Warrant shows Sunrise police were looking for drugs in shooting

2005-08-09T15:21:00.000-06:00

Published Sunday, August 7, 2005The Associated PressSUNRISE, Fla.... Anthony Andrew Diotaiuto, 23, of Sunrise, was pronounced dead on the scene of his home Friday.Police spokesman Lt. Robert Voss said Diotaiuto was armed and possibly pointed his gun at police when two SWAT team officers shot him. [emphasis mine]Police thought there was drug dealing going on in the home, and that there might be

Something new to fear:

2005-08-08T08:09:00.000-06:00

Your own shoes, apparently.... FLIP FLOPS CAN BE KILLERSWearing trendy flip flops could kill you, according to new research. The fashionable footwear - ideal for the beach in hot weather - are putting the lives of road users at risk. ...[R]oad safety experts have warned that wearing the sandals in the car could be a lethal decision.Researchers claim a flip flop, worn by millions, can easily get

Sir Robin Cook Dies, aged 59

2005-08-07T10:11:00.000-06:00

When I die, I prefer it to be quick like this. And I want to be able to say this:Earlier this year he declared he had no regrets. “I only feel a sense of relief, strengthened every time I reflect on the failure of the Americans to find these weapons of mass disappearance,” he said. [LINK] Last night Tony Blair paid tribute, saying: “Robin was an outstanding, extraordinary talent — brilliant,

Creepy!

2005-08-04T14:50:00.000-06:00

You know how people talk about visions that reveal some larger truth to them---usually something that smacks you between the eyes DUH! when you see it---and after you see it, you think, How could I not have noticed that before?I remember a guy I had a v. brief crush on in high school, Ricky Presley, and one day when I'd known him for a year someone mentioned his stutter to me. I thought, HUH?

The Secrets Are Out!

2005-08-04T07:50:00.000-06:00

I've suspected it all along, but this from Kevin @ Lean Left proves my theory: The less manly you feel, the more manly you have to act (if you're a man, that is). Not so for women---the less feminine we feel, the more butch we can act. And you say it's better to be a man in our society![LINK]In related news, the study begun this spring about Daily Show watchers being better informed politically

US Lags Behind in Global Binge Drinking Rates

2005-08-03T06:53:00.000-06:00

It looks like the US has some catching up to do! [LINK]

Check out this mini-review

2005-08-01T18:32:00.000-06:00

Kevin at Lean Left is doing a review of Evidence of Harm as he reads thru it. Interesting synopsis so far (I will refrain from endorsing it until I see if I agree---he's only up to Ch. 4 so far). The EOH site is a good quick look at the issue (check out his PPT pres. for #s).

No Vaccine-Autism Link, Parents Are Told

2005-07-23T13:13:00.000-06:00

You'll get better & more complete information from Evidence of Harm or Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The autism epidemic affects 1 in 166 children born each year.by GARDINER HARRISNYT July 20, 2005[LINK]WASHINGTON, July 19 - Top officials from three of the nation's premier public health agencies held an unusual news conference on Tuesday to say that childhood vaccines are life-saving medicines with no

Life imitates art (in the ornithological realm)

2005-07-18T21:06:00.000-06:00

Well, kinda sorta. Apparently mobile phones are so prevalent that birds in Germany are imitating the more common ringtones. I guess it had to happen sometime. [LINK] Jackdaws, starlings and jays were the best mimics, Schneider said adding that even practiced birdwatchers were being fooled by the birds.One reason for the phenomenon was that these birds were increasingly common in the urban

LIA/R story in NYT

2005-07-17T16:10:00.000-06:00

Via Abby. Thanks for keeping your eyes peeled.Aren't we so happy to be in the Times for something like this?::sigh::By ALEX WILLIAMSPublished: July 17, 2005MEMPHISGay Teenager Stirs a StormIT was the sort of confession that a decade ago might have been scribbled in a teenager's diary, then quietly tucked away in a drawer: "Somewhat recently," wrote a boy who identified himself only as Zach, 16,

To Be Continued...

2005-07-14T13:39:00.000-06:00

London bombsJuly 14, 2005CCTV pictures show London bus bomberBy Philippe Naughton, Times Online, Daniel McGrory, Michael Evans and Dominic KennedyScotland Yard today released two chilling images of the youngest of the four bombers who brought chaos to London, as millions of people across Britain fell silent to remember the victims of last week's attacks.Hasib Hussain, an 18-year-old from Leeds,

Portions for Foxes?

2005-07-07T12:02:00.000-06:00

Yeah, and it's bad news. From the Daily Mail:More than 33 dead in London terror attacksLatest at 5.38pm: At least 33 people are confirmed dead and more than 300 others injured in a series of terror blasts which rocked London. The capital's transport network was shut down after four explosions ripped through three Tube sites and a bus.The London transport network was shut down with all Tube lines

Who's Listening to the President?

2005-07-01T07:53:00.000-06:00

Not me, except if you consider reading what he's said. I just can't stand the sound of the man's voice. Nails on a chalkboard.By E.J. Dionne, Jr.Washington PostThe most striking poll findings after the president's speech to the nation on Tuesday concerned who watched Bush in the first place. According to a Gallup Poll for CNN and USA Today, 50 percent of those who chose to listen to Bush were

Welcome to the Neighborhood...Nevermind

2005-07-01T06:05:00.000-06:00

Disney apparently isn't as gay-friendly as it used to be. ABC pulls edgy reality show after groups complainThu Jun 30, 2005 8:12 AM ET LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - ABC has pulled an upcoming reality series in which people with various backgrounds vie to win a house in a white neighborhood, after gay and conservative watchdog groups raised concerns, the Hollywood trade papers said Thursday. The

Bush to tout 'clear strategy' for Iraq

2005-06-28T15:41:00.000-06:00

Yeah, right. Who believes this? They can't even decide if it's going to be two years or twelve until we're out of there.WASHINGTON (CNN) -- With his approval rate sinking, President Bush is set Tuesday to address the nation about his "clear strategy" in war-torn Iraq while key Democrats will look for signs the president is willing to shift some policies.Here they are claiming to have an exit

Attack of the 25-ft. popsicle

2005-06-22T16:26:00.000-06:00

Wednesday, June 22, 2005APNEW YORK — An attempt to erect the world's largest popsicle in a city square ended with a scene straight out of a disaster film — but much stickier.The 25-foot-tall, 171/2-ton treat of frozen Snapple (search) juice melted faster than expected Tuesday, flooding Union Square in downtown Manhattan (search) with kiwi-strawberry-flavored fluid that sent pedestrians scurrying

Police: Lions free kidnapped girl

2005-06-22T08:12:00.000-06:00

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) -- Police say three lions rescued a 12-year-old girl kidnapped by men who wanted to force her into marriage, chasing off her abductors and guarding her until police and relatives tracked her down in a remote corner of Ethiopia.The men had held the girl for seven days, repeatedly beating her, before the lions chased them away and guarded her for half a day before her

No bikinis for Miss Russian Military contest

2005-06-22T08:09:00.000-06:00

BrownAnanovaMonday 20th June 2005Army chiefs have slapped a ban on bikini-wearing during the first ever Miss Russian Military beauty contest today.Nineteen women soldiers are to parade with guns in full military uniform down a catwalk in Moscow, reports local media. They were then set to strip off for more conventional bikini pictures but military officials have now ruled that they must stay

Jury convicts former KKK member of manslaughter

2005-06-21T13:11:00.000-06:00

What a relief! When I heard yesterday that they were evenly split, my palms got a little sweaty thinking that he'd get away with it. Of course justice delayed is still justice denied, but justice denied outright is even worse.Take a look at this old geezer---they got him just in time. Satan will be taking him any day now.Jury convicts former KKK member of manslaughterLast Updated Tue, 21 Jun 2005

Downing Street

2005-06-21T07:21:00.000-06:00

I have been a little less than impressed with the coverage of the leak of this memo from Downing Street. Please tell me this is not as far as this story is going! No one is trying to deny its authentecity---I mean in the Adminstrations of Bush & Blair---and I am afraid they are correct in thinking if they ignore it that it will just go away.However, I did like this post from tgirsh on how the

Remote programming of human brains

2005-06-15T20:53:00.000-06:00

Scary science. Read below: Scientists have started understanding that plants and animals communicate between each other through a strange medium that makes the entire living species share a common goal. What is astounding is the fact that telepathy exists between different species and plants in the subconscious levels. We may not realize but our subconscious mind is communicating at

Oh, lord, just what we need:

2005-06-10T18:48:00.000-06:00

8 June 2005 Mirror.co.uk reports:YES! YES! NEW DRUGS TO HELP WOMEN ORGASM New drugs could help women reach orgasm By Emily Nash A DRUG to help women have an orgasm may be available in 10 years, researchers revealed yesterday. Experts think the "greatest single factor" in a woman reaching climax during lovemaking may be her DNA. Professor Tim Spector, who led the study, said

Watch out, crackheads!

2005-06-10T17:35:00.000-06:00

New theory of fighting the War on Drugs: send fuzzy little caterpillars to do the dirty work! By DAN MOLINSKI Associated Press Writer BOGOTA,Colombia Jun 9, 2005 — A group of Colombian scientists believe they've found a way to wipe out cocaine production: unleash an army of hungry moth caterpillars. . . .The plan envisions breeding thousands of beige-colored Eloria Noyesi moths in

this shit is effing CREEPY!

2005-06-02T17:24:00.000-06:00

Like clowns ain't creepy enough! Like religion doesn't already give me the heebie-jeebies (yeah, I had to look it up to spell it -- knowledge of Latin won't help with that one). I read the whole story & I still don't get it. Weird. Whose fool are you?

I knew it!

2005-06-02T16:07:00.000-06:00

Somehow you just can't find this too surprising:Scientists now say the brain activity of those in a whirlwind romance is nearly identical to those with mental illness, Philadelphia television station WCAU reported. New research with brain scans finds that new love lights up the part of the brain that is also lit up by thirst, hunger and a craving for drugs. link hereBeyonce, we didn't know how

Breaking news of my high school social life:

2005-06-02T08:44:00.000-06:00

Cool kids not so cool?Cool kids get in a lot more trouble than the nerds do.That's the conclusion of a study at the University of Virginia. It finds that popular teens are much more likely to drink, smoke marijuana, shoplift and vandalize property than their less-popular peers.Researchers say results of their study contradict traditional views about the benefits of being one of the "cool kids" in

...I am Deep Throat!

2005-06-01T01:14:00.000-06:00

Just kiddin. Now we all know who it was so that's not fooling anyone anyway.Can you believe this story, though? Their description of this oldster sounds kinda like me:Mr. Woodward and Mr. Bernstein wrote in their book that Deep Throat had wearied of years of bureaucratic infighting and was deeply troubled by what the reporters called the "switchblade mentality" of the Nixon White House and its

Just what i always wanted:

2005-05-31T12:33:00.000-06:00

a 3rd eye! So we do have a 6th sense, another way of experiencing the world around us, which we may someday be able to understand. Why are we afraid when certain people walk up, or does our hair stand on end for no apparent reason before a storm breaks, or do we feel emotion when events happen without our knowledge miles away? Synchronicity, clairvoyance, telepathy, empathy...?The third eye was

"Happy" Memorial Day?

2005-05-30T08:38:00.000-06:00

So why do we celebrate the loss of life for our country? I understand honoring people by memorializing them, duh. But why do we go out on the water and drink beer and grill? How did a sombre national holiday become a 3-day weekend signifying the start of summer? And while I'm at it, why does summer not start until June 21 or whenever, when the weather here is in the 80's by Easter sometimes? And

what really gets me is this:

2005-05-29T12:13:00.000-06:00

These idiots, mostly from my neck of the woods, are willing to go down over so paltry a sum. I mean, seriously, if you're going to lose your job--credibility--reputation--et cetera, do it over a big wad of cash. Not a few thous ands.At least John Ford has got the idea: if you're goin down anyway, go down in style. He got over $55K out of his votes. Of course, with all that cash in his pocket

Day's Headlines

2005-05-08T22:35:00.000-06:00

Just what my liver needs to hear after a long weekend:WHISKY CAN HALT CANCERMay 7 2005Daily Record UKA DRAM a day could stave off cancer, according to drinks experts.They say a nip of whisky contains large quantities of an antioxidant that kills cancer cells.Dr Jim Swan, scientific adviser to the global whisky industry,said: 'There has been much in the news about the health benefits of

And in the US. . .

2005-05-08T22:00:00.000-06:00

Marijuana advocates play it straight in D.C. (full article here)Mark Sandalow, Washington Bureau ChiefThursday May 5, 2005Washington -- Hundreds of suit-and-tie-clad marijuana advocates feasted on chicken Kiev and Petite Sirah on Capitol Hill on Wednesday night in what may have been the most button-down gathering of pot enthusiasts in history.The music was contemporary jazz, not reggae. The

Tha Point

2005-05-08T09:27:00.000-06:00

So, I'm considering moving the bulk of my news links here because frankly I think they are duplications for a lot of you. And perhaps uninteresting to the rest of you. I will leave well enough alone for now but just a warning. . . Meanwhile I will post news rants & ravings here.