Following Entry Posted 3/31/2004 11:46:00 PM

Green Tea Helps Kill Cancer Cells

(Rochester, Minnesota) Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have found that green tea has a compound that helps kill leukemia cells. I love good news.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/31/2004 10:22:00 PM

John Kerry - Hugging Trees Since 1970

Last December, the League of Conservation Voters, the powerful environmental lobby group, published a report that rated the presidential candidates according to their pro-environment record. Here's a summary of John Kerry's environmental profile.

Senator Kerry is one of America 's premier environmental leaders. His voting record has earned him the highest lifetime LCV ranking of all the presidential candidates, and he has taken a leadership role in promoting higher fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks, combating attempts to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and in overturning efforts to weaken the Clean Air Act. On a range of domestic issues - from clean air to clean water to public lands - Kerry has repeatedly staked out pro-environment positions. His record on international issues is equally distinguished: he sponsored legislation to incorporate environmental protections into trade negotiations and has participated in international climate change negotiations beginning at the 1992 Earth Summit and extending through Kyoto. [Emphasis mine]

Based upon his profile, against drilling the ANWR and for the Kyoto Accords, it would seem that global warming and tree hugging are the major considerations whenever Kerry makes a decision. And, it's been that way since he helped organize the first Earth Day in 1970.

It has to be mentioned that the environmental agenda Kerry believes in is fundamentally anti-business and, therefore, would have a negative impact on the economy and a resultant loss of jobs. So, his promises of job growth during a Kerry presidency are mere fantasy.

Companion post at eTALKINGHEAD.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/31/2004 08:57:00 PM

Google to Offer Free Email Service

According to this story, ubiquitous search engine Google will soon launch a free email service to compete with Yahoo! and Microsoft. Called "GMail," the service will provide 1 gigabyte of free storage capacity and will allow keyword searches of all emails sent or received using Google.

Sign me up.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/31/2004 07:48:00 PM

Today's Demographic Estimate

Twenty percent of the adult population of the United States is familiar with the following telephone number.

1-800-282-2882

No taxpayer dollars were used in obtaining this information.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/31/2004 06:55:00 PM

Kerry Vows to Appoint Salmon Czar

Here's a story from the Idaho Statesman which reports on one of John Kerry's lesser known campaign promises.

Sen. John Kerry would appoint a salmon czar who would answer directly to him and his vice president if he's elected president.

I'm particularly fond of catfish myself and there should definitely be a place set for the beef and pork czar. The Cracker Barrel Philosopher already has dibs on the chicken and biscuits throne.

Of course, Kerry's got to get elected first.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/31/2004 05:50:00 PM

Two Deputies Killed

(Millerton, PA) While serving a warrant for a minor charge in this small town not far from Elmira, New York, two sheriff's deputies were shot to death.

Two of three people at the spot where the shootings occurred were taken into custody. One escaped and a gun belonging to one of the deputies was missing, said Skip Roupp, director of the Bradford County emergency operations center.

I hate these stories.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/31/2004 11:36:00 AM

Teen Girls Escape from Juvenile Jail

(Indianapolis, Indiana) Five girls, ranging in age from 16 to 18, escaped from the Indianapolis Juvenile Correctional Facility Monday night. Officials provided no names nor descriptions, but two of them are rumored to be real cupcakes.

The girls were incarcerated for mostly nonviolent crimes such as theft, illegal consumption and operating a vehicle without a license. They are not considered dangerous, and authorities have been notified in each of their home counties.

Trackback to Beltway Traffic Jam at OTB.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/31/2004 10:34:00 AM

Little Red Wagons

(Chicago, Illinois) Mayor Richard Daley expressed disappointment when he heard that Radio Flyer Inc. was moving its manufacturing operations to China to reduce cost. The headquarters and distribution business will remain in Chicago while the local manufacturing plant will close, laying off half of its 90 workers. In the future, all Radio Flyer scooters, tricycles, and little red wagons will display a "Made in China" sticker.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/31/2004 09:01:00 AM

Weekly Linkfests

Wizbang is pinch host for the Bonfire of the Vanities.

Admiral Quixote's Roundtable has the Carnival of the Capitalists.

Eric Berlin uses the John Kerry font in the title of his presentation of the Carnival of the Vanities.

Rocket Jones had to get out of his sick bed to give us the BestOfMe Symphony. Get well, Rocket!
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       Following Entry Posted 3/31/2004 08:13:00 AM

World Court Rules Against the United States

(The Hague, Netherlands) The people who want the United States to be subservient to the United Nations will be happy with this story. The International Court of Justice, known as the World Court, has ruled that the laws of the United States have violated the rights of 47 Mexicans on death row and ordered the cases to be reviewed. The United Nations' highest judiciary ruled in a case filed in Mexico that the convicted murderers had not received their right to assistance from their government.

"The U.S. should provide by means of its own choosing meaningful review of the conviction and sentence" of the Mexicans, presiding judge Shi Jiuyong said.

It appears now that state judiciaries and the US Supreme Court no longer have the final say on cases involving foreign nationals. All court decisions can now be appealed to the World Court. Mexican lawyers want to start the legal processes all over again, a new trial.

Juan Manuel Gomez said that Mexico "wants to make sure its citizens aren't abused by a foreign legal system they don't always understand." Bizarre statement since it's generally recognized that Mexico doesn't do a great job of protecting its citizens from abuse when they're in Mexico.

Let's review. Mexicans sneak into the US and are called 'undocumented immigrants' by the media and are given free health care, education, and other benefits. After they commit a capital crime and are condemned to death, they all of a sudden become Mexicans and receive legal recourse to the World Court.

Just ducky.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/30/2004 10:27:00 PM

Infant Tests Positive for Marijuana

(Norwalk, Ohio) This story is most disturbing. Chandra Nopper, 28, and Christopher Pool, 21, have been arrested and charged with child endangering after their one-year-old son tested positive for marijuana.

According to testimony, the grandparents were baby-sitting the child on March 26 when they noticed he was unusually quiet and his eyes appeared abnormal.

When the boy was removed from a high chair, he staggered and fell to the floor while attempting to walk.

The grandparents took him to a hospital emergency room where he tested positive for THC, a component of marijuana, said court Administrator Chris Mushett.

My take is disgust.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/30/2004 06:23:00 PM

Much Sex Makes Smart

This story (translated by Google) from German sex researcher Werner Habermehl is interesting, amusing, and supports a belief I've had my whole life. Sex makes a person smarter.

Regular Sex Makes Allegedly Smart After Scientific Realizations
Thus it means in one on Friday published message of the university magazine "Unicum Campus." How that implemented Hamburg Sexualfor Werner Habermehl in the magazine, the hormones adrenalin and Cortisol produced with the dear act energize the brain. The "luck materials" Endorphin and Serotonin paid during the Orgasmus strengthened besides the self-confident its - in such a way the body psychologically and physically in high form one bring.

So, there you have it. The luck materials strengthen the brain.

Hat tip: Wizbang
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       Following Entry Posted 3/30/2004 05:50:00 PM

Liberal Talk-Radio Network

Attention, readers! Set your alarms and program your radio dials. Tomorrow morning, the America Left radio network starts broadcasting in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles in addition to the XM Satellite Radio system. America Left is produced by Air America Radio based in New York and will feature pearls of liberalism from Al Franken, Janeane Garofalo, and others. Interestingly, it doesn't appear that Mr. Franken intends to focus on entertaining his audience.

"My first priority is to get sued by a right-wing jerk in order to generate interest in my new show," Mr. Franken said in a statement earlier this year.

My take is that it would be hard for Mr. Franken to dispute the contention that his singular goal is to insult or injure people to the extent that it prompts a lawsuit. I can't speak for any conservative talk-radio hosts, but I don't think any have a similar goal. Also, lawsuits may generate interest but, without entertainment, there is little likelihood of capturing and keeping an audience.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/30/2004 03:29:00 PM

SCOTUS Considers Cruelty of Execution

The Supreme Court of the United States is hearing an appeal of the case of the humaneness of executing David Larry Nelson by lethal injection. As a long-time drug user, Nelson's veins are so damaged it may not be possible to start an intravenous line without making deep cuts into flesh and muscle. The appeal contends that execution in this manner would be unconstitutionally cruel. According to a report in the Cleveland Plain Dealer,

A group of doctors had said in court papers that if done improperly, the procedure could cause Nelson to hemorrhage badly and suffer heart problems before the deadly drugs kill him. [Emphasis mine.]

Somehow, somebody thinks that the resolution of this "cruelty" case is worth paying truckloads of taxpayer dollars to lawyers while taking up the valuable time of the Supreme Court.

I don't.

Companion Post at eTALKINGHEAD.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/30/2004 01:07:00 PM

Wal-Martization

If Wal-Mart were a distinct economy, it would be ranked 30th in the world, right behind Saudi Arabia. Given its success, the progress and plans of Wal-Mart should be monitored by all prudent and engaged students of capitalism. Bruce Upbin helps with this report from Forbes magazine. Here's an excerpt:

The Wal-Martization of the world is changing commerce around the planet, for good and ill. By importing so many goods from low-wage countries like China, it eliminates manufacturing jobs and depresses wage growth in the U.S.--and has the same effect in any country where it achieves significant density. But by selling goods for less, Wal-Mart raises living standards. It will create 800,000 jobs worldwide over the next several years, not to mention the labor needed to build the stores, parking lots and distribution centers. Yin and yang.

It's a good overview.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/29/2004 06:33:00 PM

Goat Hoarding

(Corinth, Vermont) There is an increasing awareness in society that animal hoarding is caused by a complex psychological disorder. The behavior is generally exhibited by elderly unmarried women collecting cats, but not always. This story is an exception to the general rule. Chris Weathersbee, 63, a Buddhist, keeps roughly 300 goats.

Weathersbee's in deep manure - literally. Several of the floors in his house are covered by a mix of goat droppings and hay, packed down by the 70 or so goats Weathersbee allows to live in the house with him.

The behavior is dangerous because it doesn't take long before a public health hazard is created and, across the nation, state and local governments are slowly writing laws to protect the public.

Seventy goats in the house! Sheesh!
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       Following Entry Posted 3/29/2004 04:24:00 PM

Environmental Injustice

(Honolulu, Hawaii) It's hard to keep up on the new political concepts created by the eco-crowd in society since it happens so regularly. Environmental injustice is newly anointed and, according to this story, is the condition where a landfill is closer to one person's home than it is to another home. Actually, it seems to be a simple renaming of the NIMBY (not in my back yard) principle.

Nevertheless, the residents of the Waianae coast of Oahu are claiming "environmental injustice" because their neighborhood is the home of the island's only landfill and they've vowed that they will physically block trash trucks from entering their streets to prevent the city from opening a new landfill.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I can't imagine the authorities allowing trash to accumulate anywhere on the island for very long. Given the tropical climate, any pile of garbage can become a public health hazard in a very short time.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/29/2004 01:36:00 PM

Bias - Subtle But Unmistakable

Pop quiz time. Where's the bias in this story?

Infant struck, killed by SUV in garage

March 28, 2004 � Police in suburban Naperville are investigating the death of an infant, killed while sitting in a stroller in his own garage.

Officers say an SUV apparently hit the six-month-old in the two-car garage Saturday afternoon.

Emergency crews rushed the baby to the hospital where he died.

No charges yet, but police are seeking witnesses.

As written, the gas-guzzling, environmentally-unfriendly SUV has to be charged since it killed the infant. Of course, had an electric car run over the baby, I'm certain that the story wouldn't mention it.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/29/2004 01:07:00 PM

Disabled Fisherman Dies

Here's an unusual story from the Chicago Tribune (free reg.),

A 76-year-old North Side man who was fishing on a pier at Montrose Harbor died Sunday after his motorized wheelchair propelled him into Lake Michigan, police said.

Duong Le, of the 900 block of West Lakeside Place, was sitting in the wheelchair and fishing with friends about noon when he and the wheelchair somehow fell into the water, according to Chicago police spokesman Matthew Jackson and the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Without unreasonable exaggeration, this incident creates a dilemma for the nanny-state do-gooders. Who to blame? Should they express outrage and file suit for compensation from the chair manufacturer for not warning of the dangers of fishing while in a wheelchair? Should they demand that laws be passed to require all fisherman to wear life vests? Should there be reserved fishing spots with tethers and chocks specifically designated for the wheelchair bound fisherman?

Don't be surprised if a floating wheelchair shows up in the marketplace soon.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/28/2004 02:08:00 PM

Searches Without Warrants

(New Orleans, Louisiana) In an 11-4 ruling, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined that police officers no longer need a search or arrest warrant to conduct a protective sweep of your home or business. The court's majority opinion (Docket No. 02-30629, dtd. 3/24/04) piggybacks onto a previous decision that allowed police to do protective searches on the basis of having an arrest warrant. Dissenting judges referred to it as the "Road to Hell."

Thanks to Zombyboy at Resurrection Song for pointing me to this story and I share in his disappointment in the decision. My concern is that it appears way too loosey-goosey, leaving society wide open to unwarranted searches. So, unless there's a reversal, chalk up another exception to what's left of the Fourth Amendment.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/28/2004 09:26:00 AM

NASA Jet X-43A

The test of the NASA X-43A scramjet included a Pegasus rocket boost and resulted in a speed of 5,000 miles per hour. It was considered a success.

My take is that placing a rocket on a passenger's rear and shooting him at 5,000MPH into the Pacific Ocean will not cause people to run to the ticket office.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/28/2004 08:02:00 AM

Dollar Stores Gain Respect

A couple months ago, a post on this blog discussed the popularity and rapid growth of dollar stores and concluded that they have found an enduring and comfortable corner in the American marketplace. Dollar Tree more than doubled in size in the last four years to 2,500 stores. Family Dollar Stores expanded 10 percent last year and now has over 5,000 stores. Dollar General Corp. operates more than 6,800 stores and plans more than 600 this year. Expect Dollar Stores to be successful despite whether the economy is slow or robust.

Interestingly, major consumer product manufacturers are now taking notice. According to this story, Procter & Gamble Co., Clorox Co., and Dial Corp. are creating special packages of name brand items to fit the dollar price point. Examples are:

Dollar Tree now gets a regular supply of Procter & Gamble's Comet cleanser in a specially shrunken 11-ounce pack that it sells for a dollar. Clorox, maker of bleach and other household products, has designed Armor All Car Wash Wipes in packages containing a few wipes to be sold at the chain for a buck.

Now that consumer goods will be targeted for sale through Dollar Stores, one has to expect even more rapid growth of the market sector. And, the consumer comes up the winner via increased product availability and lower prices.

Bully!
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       Following Entry Posted 3/27/2004 02:59:00 PM

Chinese Auto Market

There is a booming demand for automobiles in China and it is not being satisfied even though domestic production and foreign imports are skyrocketing. And, Detroit auto makers take notice when vehicle sales soar with fat profit margins.

Since the end of 2001, when China joined the World Trade Organization, import tariffs on automobiles have dropped from the 70 to 80 percent range to around 40 percent prompting auto makers to ship as many cars as is allowed by the quota system. At the same time, the quota system quantities have increased to more than 180,000 units this year from 120,000 units last year. According to Vice-Minister of Commerce Wei Jianguo, the protections to the domestic car industry provided by the quota system will cease by the end of 2004 to satisfy the requirements for entry into the WTO. Additionally, the tariff rate on imported automobiles will decrease to 25 percent by 7/1/06.

There has been an explosion of growth in imported vehicles despite the fact that the government has instituted policies to drive foreign auto makers to speed up investment and production in China. Driven by the policies, new joint foreign and Chinese ventures and strategic alliances have been formed. Auto makers from all over the world have business deals with Chinese companies to manufacture new models. Some examples are:

The new models produced in China over the past two years included Toyota's Vios and Land Cruiser, BMW 3 and 5 series, Volkswagen's Polo and Golf, Audi A4, Nissan Sunny, Ford Mondeo, General Motors' Excelle, Citroen's Xsara, Honda's Accord and Fit and Hyundai's Sonata.

It's generally understood by foreign auto makers that they can have a foothold in the Chinese market through production of vehicles rather than importation.

Along with the sale and use of automobiles comes the demand for service and replacement parts and companies are lining up for their chance at the Chinese market. Detroit-based Delphi, the world's leading parts supplier, saw sales surge 50 percent in 2003 to $650 million. Although it relies primarily on the local market, Delphi China is already exporting automotive components to Europe and the United States.

Other auto component production companies are aggressively working to cash in on the booming Chinese market. The German firm Bosch entered into a joint venture with Weifu High Technology Company to produce fuel injector systems, and US-based Visteon moved its Asia-Pacific headquarters from Japan to Shanghai where it is negotiating with Dongfeng Motor Corp. to produce components.

At present, Bosch, Delphi, and Visteon are barely noticeable in the market which boasts more than 4,000 Chinese component manufacturers. Although numerous, the Chinese component producers are ill-prepared to support the exploding automobile production.

Trying to fully explain the extent and meaning of the growth in the Chinese auto industry is ambitious for a blog post, so consider this only a short and incomplete introduction. There are too many things happening in too many places too quickly to adequately cover the subject. Suffice it to state that anyone involved in any business related to the automotive industry should keep a close eye on events in China.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/27/2004 08:23:00 AM

PETA Terrorizes Children, Again!

(Norfolk, Virginia) Without stretching the truth, the latest plan of the extremists at PETA is simply a form of terrorism.

Starting next month, Norfolk-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals plans to hand out "Buckets of Blood" to children outside KFC restaurants and at schools near the restaurants.

[ ... ]

The 5-inch-tall, red-and-white striped containers mimic KFC's buckets. But instead of fried chicken, each is filled with items including a bag of fake blood and bones, a bloodied plastic chicken and a cardboard caricature of a blood-spattered Colonel Sanders holding a butcher knife toward a terrified-looking chicken.

This latest scheme follows the ugly anti-fur campaign targeting children last Christmas. At holiday performances of The Nutcracker, PETA passed out fliers to little children which included:

. . . a color drawing of a woman plunging a large bloody knife into the belly of a terrified rabbit. The fliers urge kids to "ask your mommy how many dead animals she killed to make her fur clothes.

"And the sooner she stops wearing fur, the sooner the animals will be safe. Until then, keep your doggie or kitty friends away from mommy - she's an animal killer."

I can't believe that these actions don't leave some children psychologically scarred and, on that basis, I would like to see somebody take PETA to court and sue them into bankruptcy. It seems unlikely that a jury would side with PETA in a case where children are harmed.

In other PETA news, Ozguru reports that they're going after the commercial rabbit industry in Australia. Rabbits are considered pests, being a scourge on crops and the natural environment. They're vermin. Of course, in the US, the PETA crowd has always had a fondness for vermin. Over the years, they've frequently "rescued" lab rats, mice, weasels and other animals by releasing them to the environment.

In Germany, the PETA crowd had a setback in their campaign to portray victims of the holocaust as farm animals. They distributed posters that showed "juxtaposed images of emaciated concentration camp victims with lines of caged chickens." The court ordered a stop. Meryl Yourish puts the issue in better perspective.

In closing, I have to mention that every time I hear of PETA, I think of a group of people with an extreme obsession with vermin and farm animals. And, frankly, among the three, PETA, vermin, and farm animals, I sometimes get confused as to which is which.

Companion post at eTALKINGHEAD
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       Following Entry Posted 3/26/2004 02:14:00 PM

Today's Expert Health Advice

(Innsbruck, Austria) According to this story, Dr. Friedrich Bischinger, an Austrian lung specialist, is advocating a new and unconventional method of bolstering the human immune system. He is urging adoption of a new approach to nose-picking.

"With the finger you can get to places you just can't reach with a handkerchief, keeping your nose far cleaner.

"And eating the dry remains of what you pull out is a great way of strengthening the body's immune system.

"Medically it makes great sense and is a perfectly natural thing to do. In terms of the immune system the nose is a filter in which a great deal of bacteria are collected, and when this mixture arrives in the intestines it works just like a medicine."

Dr. Bischinger wants all parents to aggressively encourage their children to pick their noses and eat the greenies. Parents should do it also. If adults are concerned about what their friends will think, "they could still enjoy picking their nose in private if they still wanted to get the benefits it offered."

You just can't beat free medical advice. Thanks a lot, Doc.

[Update] Nick Genes at Blogborygmi writes on developments in medicine and provides some research details on nose-picking as a harmless habit and a psychiatric disorder. Take a look.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/26/2004 01:13:00 PM

Law Proposed for Animal Restraints in Vehicles

(Santa Fe, New Mexico) A while back, I predicted that some politician with too much time would try to put pets in seat belts. Accordingly, Santa Fe City Councilor Karen Heldmeyer proposed just such a law. According to a report on Newsmax.com, pet owners will have the following options.

A "pet safety sitter" ($13.69 to $21.69) that straps Fido's chest to the seat.

A restraint with a loop that attaches to a seat belt.

"Pickup tie-outs" that attach to Muttley's collar to keep it from jumping out of a pickup's bed.

A little booster seat so Puff can see out the window.

However, after this was reported, Councilor Heldmeyer backtracked and stated that she only wanted the law to apply to pickup trucks. Specifically, an animal carried in a truck bed "shall be crated or restrained upon a nonmetal mat so it cannot fall or jump from the truck or be strangled."

You know, Santa Fe sits about 7,000 feet above sea level with thin air and oxygen deprivation has been proven to affect rational thought. Maybe Councilor Heldmeyer should occasionally come down off the mountain.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/26/2004 11:41:00 AM

Catherine Bosley Back on Web

(Cincinnati, Ohio) Last week, a part of the restraining order on showing Catherine Bosley's nude photos on the Internet was lifted due to a settlement agreement with two websites. The remaining dozen or so web venues were still a under court order from U.S. District Judge James S. Gwin to not show the images.

Yesterday, however, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the order blocking Internet sites from showing images of the former television newswoman doing an impromptu nude dance. It was stated that freedom of speech issues must be resolved.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/26/2004 12:43:00 AM

Chicago, We Have A Problem!

Contrary to the 80,000 homeless estimate provided by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, a census conducted between midnight and 3AM yesterday by hundreds of volunteer counters and city employees resulted in a count of 958 people living on Chicago's streets. Therefore, over 79,000 homeless people are missing. Or, they don't exist.

In addressing homeless populations, Interested-Participant previously discussed The Second Law of Homelessness, which is:

Homeless advocacy groups will exaggerate the number of homeless people by a significant factor. There are no qualms about overestimations of 1000 percent.

Based upon the Chicago census of its homeless, The Second Law of Homelessness is supported by empirical data, however, the level of exaggeration by the homeless advocacy groups is grossly underestimated.

Since the advocacy groups use the population numbers when they beg and boo-hoo for funding, the census in Chicago has to be considered bad news. If it becomes common knowledge that they create fantastic exaggerations, funding sources will disappear. And, they should.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/25/2004 04:17:00 PM

Party Time!

(Plano, Texas) Thanks go to keen-eyed Venomous Kate for passing this item along. If you're the partying type of person and find your calendar is not full, Audrey Thompson is the person to contact. She's an oncology nurse that throws Saturday morning bashes at the Medical Center of Plano, uh..., for colonoscopies. About a dozen or so can be expected to show up for the happy occasion,

"I hate to say this, but we have so much fun," said Thompson, an assistant nurse manager at Medical City of Plano.

Apparently, all necessary party hats, noisemakers, music, and refreshments are provided free. So, everyone, join in and have some fun.

On a serious note, I realize the importance of colonoscopy screening, but, for the life of me, I can't see anything that would make it fun.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/25/2004 02:33:00 PM

GMAC Customers' Personal Data in Stolen Laptop

On Jan. 26, two laptop computers containing 200,000 customers' names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, credit scores, marital status, and gender were stolen from a locked vehicle at an Atlanta regional office. A division of GMAC Financial Services has been quietly informing its customers that they are vulnerable to identity theft. The stolen computers were password-protected but lacked encryption.

Great! I guess people don't have enough things to worry about. The incompetent morons responsible should lose their jobs over this incident. And somebody should explain why the problem has been hidden for the last two months. For the company to "quietly inform" its customers has to be considered less than aggressive corrective action. Looks to me like the company kept everything secret while hoping the problem would just go away. Dramatic and painful corrective measures are warranted to preclude any recurrence.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/25/2004 10:13:00 AM

Proposed NFL Rule Changes

National Football League owners and the NFL Competition Committee will meet next week in Palm Beach, Florida, to discuss and possibly approve several changes in the NFL Rulebook. Proposed changes include:

- Addition of a 15-yard penalty to the rulebook for players who indulge in premeditated bits of showmanship in groups of two or more.

- Making instant replay a permanent part of the game, if 24 of the 36 owners agree.

- Expanding the number of playoff teams from 12 to 14.

Stay tuned.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/25/2004 09:06:00 AM

Today's Health Alarm - Fructose

According to Dr. George A. Bray, a longtime obesity scientist with Louisiana State University System's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, studies show that fructose is "coincidental with the epidemic of obesity."

Obesity scientist?
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       Following Entry Posted 3/25/2004 08:24:00 AM

Richard Simmons Slaps Man Silly

(Phoenix, AZ) While waiting for a flight at Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport, popular exercise guru Richard Simmons was cited for misdemeanor assault for slapping a fellow traveler.

The man "made the off-hand comment, 'Hey everybody. It's Richard Simmons. Let's drop our bags and rock to the '50s,'" said Phoenix police Sgt. Tom Osborne. "Mr. Simmons took exception to it and walked over to the other passenger and apparently slapped him in the face."

Ooh! He must have been sooo... mad.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/25/2004 07:05:00 AM

Recording Biz Files More Lawsuits

(Los Angeles, CA) The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has started focusing their legal assault on computer users swapping music files over university networks. On Tuesday, the RIAA filed "John Doe" complaints to sue 89 individuals using university computer networks in ten states.

With the "John Doe" lawsuits, the recording industry must work through the courts to find out the identities of the defendants, which at the outset are identified only by the numeric Internet protocol addresses assigned to computers online.

The defendants, which the trade group claims offered "substantial amounts" of music files, face potential civil penalties or settlements that could cost them thousands of dollars. Settlements in previous cases have averaged $3,000 each.

Additionally, 443 lawsuits were filed against users on commercial Internet access providers in five states. With the recent filings, the recording industry has now sued almost 2,000 people for online music piracy, with approximately 400 settling out of court.

So far, the RIAA legal assault seems to be primarily a public relations ploy since $3,000 settlements are probably not substantial enough to do anything more than pay their legal bills, if that. It does, however, remind the public, along with institutions, that piracy is illegal and may help in mitigating the extent of the piracy.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/24/2004 11:40:00 PM

Natel King Found Murdered, Photographer Charged

Adult film actress Natel King, 23, known professionally as Taylor Sumers, the Sexy Canadian, was found dead in a ravine above the Schuylkill River in Whitemarsh Township west of Philadelphia. Photographer Anthony J. Frederick has been charged with killing her by slashing her throat. Frederick's assistant, Jennifer Mitkus, 29, was also arrested and charged with lying to police and hindering apprehension.

Details of this murder are grisly and sordid. Customarily, I wouldn't report on it, however, I think the Internet will be partially implicated in abetting the crime. For that reason, I think this case is worth watching as it plays out.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/24/2004 09:50:00 PM

Free Land Offer

What a great country! Ten communities in the state of Kansas are offering free land to attract residents to boost school enrollment, expand the tax base, and encourage business. One of the towns, less than an hour from Wichita, is Marquette, where:

The land giveaway began last May, after the town bought 50 acres of farmland and divided it into 80 building lots, valued around $8,000 each. So far, 21 lots have been handed out, all but one of them to newcomers.

Included with the land are the streets, water and sewer service, all financed by the town. Follow the link for information on other communities.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/24/2004 08:45:00 PM

Turn Around - Another Public Health Crisis

According to the American School Food Service Association (ASFSA), studies show that there currently is a public health crisis because children and adolescents are not getting the daily-recommended amount of calcium.

My take is simple. I think using the phrase "public health crisis" may be an exaggeration.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/24/2004 08:06:00 PM

Geocaching

News to me is geocaching, a fairly new outdoor activity, becoming popular four years ago when the federal government unscrambled data streaming from the global satellite system.

A geocache is a "treasure," usually a waterproof container with trinkets and a logbook, that is hidden, and fellow hikers try to find it by using a global positioning system, or GPS, unit to lead them to the spot marked by the coordinates.

Information can be found at geocache.com. And, although they can be found anywhere, geocaches are increasingly being placed in public parks and lands. This is frowned on by park officials and a permit system is being considered.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/24/2004 07:28:00 PM

Anti-War Protesters

Travis at All-Encompassingly has posted pix of the anti-war protest in San Francisco this past weekend which should be seen by every American. The protesters' agenda is apparent. Take a look here.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/24/2004 05:31:00 PM

The Endangered Pallid Sturgeon

Throughout the country, the US Army Corps of Engineers is struggling to find compromises with environmental groups on the management of waterways. One perpetual headache is how to regulate the flow of the Missouri River. The corps tries to satisfy the requirements of industry and the environmentalists even when they are mutually exclusive. It's a no-win, and always political, situation.

Industry needs the Missouri River to be navigable, therefore, a sustained flow of water is necessary. Environmental activist groups, led by the powerful US Fish and Wildlife Service wielding the hammer called the Endangered Species Act, do not give a hoot about industry and care only that the pallid sturgeon is in danger. They maintain that the river must be regulated to mimic the river's natural ebb and flow in order to save the pallid sturgeon. This would mean seasonal levels of essentially no flow and, hence, no navigation.

Current status of this ongoing difference of opinion is explained in a recent article in the Omaha World Herald. Resolution of the issue will eventually be achieved, but it doesn't matter because, as soon as it is decided, the environmentalists will pull another animal or plant out of the inexhaustible endangered species hat to try and impede business. And, instead of the pallid sturgeon, there'll be concern about the habitat of the speckled mudfrog, the Great Plains brook minnow, the broad-bottomed albino crayfish, or some other such thing.

Personally, since we live in a democracy, I think the public should be able to vote on what to include on the Endangered Species List. As it is now, the environmentalists and bureaucrats in the government decide what to save and what not to save.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/24/2004 05:24:00 PM

School Expulsions in Ohio

Cincinnati wins! The distinction of having the highest rate and number of expelled students in the state of Ohio goes to the Cincinnati Public School System. And, it wasn't even a close race. Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, and other cities were far behind.

At first glance, the strong enforcement of discipline in the Cincinnati schools seems like a good idea, however, it remains to be seen whether expelling so many kids from school has any long-term detrimental impact.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/24/2004 07:48:00 AM

Georgia Bill Protects Fast-Food Business

The Georgia House of Representatives and Senate have approved a bill that would prohibit patrons from suing fast-food restaurants for contributing to their weight problem. It now goes to Gov. Sonny Perdue for signature.

Bully! In the words of Georgia Sen. Preston Smith, "I say, let them eat their Big Macs."
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       Following Entry Posted 3/24/2004 07:04:00 AM

Wardrobe Malfunction Impersonation

A sorority fund-raiser at the University of South Carolina featuring an impersonation of Janet Jackson's Super Bowl breast-baring performance has caused a campus furor requiring apology. The skit was considered racially insensitive.

Tim Tice, a white sophomore majoring in history, angered some at a March 2 Zeta Tau Alpha sorority fund-raiser that included his take on Jackson�s bawdy Super Bowl performance that left one of her breasts exposed.

Tice�s legs were painted black during the number, and that reminded some of a racist minstrel show.

Tice told about 40 students gathered at Tuesday�s forum that his legs were painted black for a subsequent skit in which he wore a painted-on tuxedo, and he couldn�t wear pants for the Jackson skit because his legs had not yet dried.

"I feel like I haven�t been portrayed as I should be. ... I�m not a racist,� said Tice.

In addition to the apology, some offended students believe that more racial sensitivity training needs to be required. USC's response to the incident is to initiate a program to educate the student population on the history of minstrel shows in which black culture is satirized by white performers dressed as blacks.

Based upon the article, I'm at a loss to understand who exactly was offended and what exactly was offensive. Since everyone will have to endure a history program on minstrel shows, does that mean that minstrel shows are off-limits? Was it offensive that a white man painted his legs black? Was it because a black woman was satirized?
You've got me. But, apparently, somebody was offended by something.

My take is simple. This is another example of political correctness on campus with a lip-service response by a spineless university administration. And, I must mention that the article is incorrect in stating that some people were angered by the skit. Those people were angry long before the skit.

The trend in academia has me thinking that soon there'll be a degree program in sensitivity training. As it is now, all graduates should at least be able to receive credit for a minor in sensitivity studies.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/23/2004 03:49:00 PM

Teen Arrested for Plotting School Attack

(Pataskala, Ohio) A 15-year-old teen in this small community has been taken into custody for allegedly making what police say are "Columbine-style" threats. He also apparently threatened to cut off a girl's fingers if she did not go along with his plot to shoot up Licking Heights High School.

"He threatened a fellow student who refused to go along with his plan to have a Columbine-style shooting on the anniversary of that day," said Pataskala Chief Chris Forshey.

"He threatened to kill her and cut her fingers off," Forshey said, adding school officials confiscated a journal that allegedly contains threats.

Licking Heights Local Schools Superintendent Janice Streit said that creative writing is encouraged, but there comes a time when it's not good.

Stay tuned.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/22/2004 07:20:00 PM

Woman With Handgun Kills Intruder

(Springfield, Ohio) Unfortunately, this story will probably receive little exposure because of political correctness. A woman, Melany Yancey, 49, was home alone in the early morning when two intruders kicked in her front door.

Yancey told police she sealed herself in her bedroom, but the two men tried to break in. She took her .40-caliber handgun and fired a shot in the direction of the door, she said, and someone fired back.

Yancey reportedly said she heard the intruders move into the bedroom of one of her two adult sons, neither of whom were at home. She ran out of the room, attempting to escape, and fired two rounds at the intruders, she said.

One of her shots hit Matthew J. Marino, 21, who was pronounced dead at Mercy Medical Center at 3:45 a.m.

Police are searching for the accomplice and do not expect to charge Yancey with any crime. In summary, home invaded, home protected by handgun, criminal slain. End of story.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/22/2004 01:42:00 PM

News From Frostbite Falls

Nostalgically, the Bestofme Symphony #16 is presented along with an animated tribute to Rocky & Bullwinkle at Practical Penumbra. That's the news from Frostbite Falls.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/22/2004 12:41:00 PM

E-Commerce Report

Les Jones has started publishing a weekly E-commerce Report which is informative, interesting, and brief. It's for those that are interested in the business end of the Internet. I count myself as a regular reader. Take a look.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/22/2004 11:44:00 AM

Carnival of the Capitalists

This week's carnival is posted at The Entrepreneurial Mind. Always worth a visit. Next week's host will be Admiral Quixote's Roundtable.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/22/2004 11:16:00 AM

Downgraded

A little while ago, I noticed that Interested-Participant has been downgraded within the TTLB Ecosystem from Large Mammal to Marauding Marsupial. Checking on the change, I found that sometime between yesterday and today, 120 blogs have delinked me. Wow! I must have really made someone mad.

Or, maybe it's one of those isolated incidents that occurs from time to time and is handled on a case by case basis.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/22/2004 09:57:00 AM

Blame the Exam, Not the Student

(Albany, New York) Because some high school students do not learn enough to pass the examinations required for graduation, the New York State Board of Regents is being asked once again to fudge the system to allow those that fail to still get a diploma. The Regents are considering the inclusion of an appeals process which would allow students who fail to boo-hoo their way around the requirements. This action piggybacks nicely on last year's decision to lower the passing grade threshold from 65 to 55% on math and physics exams. Since 55% is only a slightly better result then would be expected by flipping a coin, the Regents are forced to consider alternatives other than another lowering of the passing mark. So it appears that an irritating dog-and-pony appeals process will be the next method used to make a mockery of educational standards.

Just for grins, check out the following from Erika Rosenberg of The Journal News:

Last year, the board made the biggest changes in nearly a decade to its drive for higher academic standards. It agreed to make high school math and physics exams easier to pass, and it extended for five years a measure allowing students to pass the exams with a score of at least 55. The passing mark had been 65 out of 100. (Emphasis mine)

The board made changes for higher standards by reducing requirements. Okay. I guess I'm just not smart enough to understand how that works.

Another related aspect worth mentioning is that entering college freshman are now commonly taught remedial high school courses to prepare them for college-level coursework. See discussion here and here. In one example, teaching remedial high school courses is considered a core function of the university and paid for by taxpayers. And the numbers are not small. A significant percentage of incoming freshman are found to be unprepared for college.

In summary, education systems tend toward blaming the examination process when the problem is directly attributable to the education process.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/22/2004 06:13:00 AM

Rosie Reid Consummates Sale of Virginity

As reported previously, lesbian Rosie Reid placed her virginity on eBay for auction to the highest bidder. Well, according to this story, the deal has been completed and Rosie is no longer a virgin. The winning bid for her precious flower - $20,500.

This whole episode appears to be over, yet it begs a question. Now that Rosie's Precious Flower Shoppe is out of business, will she consider opening a used flower shop? Same business, slightly different product.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/21/2004 06:46:00 AM

Coca-Cola Recalls Bottled Water

From the UK comes this story of a major business blunder by Coca-Cola. In an attempt to cash in on contemporary health trendiness, the company started selling bottled water. They took normal tap water, put it through a "highly sophisticated purification process," and sold it under the name Dasani. Unfortunately, the sophisticated process contaminated the water with bromate, which is described by the UK Food Standards Agency as "a chemical that could cause an increased cancer risk as a result of long-term exposure, although there is no immediate risk to public health."

Coca-Cola has recalled all the Dasani water in the UK and it's been predicted that they won't attempt to relaunch the product.

Update: WORDLAB has an informative and comical post about Dasani water. Take a look.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/21/2004 03:36:00 AM

Man Nails Himself to Cross

(Hartland, Maine) Here's a story about a man who must live in an alternate universe. According to Lt. Pierre Boucher of Somerset County,

. . . the man took two pieces of wood, nailed them together in the form of a cross and placed them on the floor. He attached a suicide sign to the wood and then proceeded to nail one of his hands to the makeshift cross using a 14-penny nail and a hammer.

"When he realized that he was unable to nail his other hand to the board, he called 911," Boucher said.

Suicide by self-crucifixion. That would be first. Unfortunately, he proved it couldn't be done without help.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/20/2004 06:14:00 PM

Radio Hosts Suspended for Sex Talk

(Atlanta, Georgia) Two radio talk show hosts were suspended by Clear Channel Communications for broadcasting a sexually explicit discussion with a porn star. Larry Wachs and Eric Von Haessler, hosts of the "Regular Guys" program on WKLS-FM, while taping an interview with porn star Devinn Lane, accidentally broadcast the segment live.

Pat McDonnell, Clear Channel regional vice president, said it appeared to be an accident, but the hosts will remain off the air until a full investigation is completed.

Bully! Although I would never advocate censorship, I greatly prefer propriety and good taste over sexually explicit programming.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/20/2004 05:24:00 PM

Homeless Man Arrested

(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) In the City of Brotherly Love, Monsignor John A. Close of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul had Joseph Canty, 27, a homeless man, arrested for intimidating worshippers and urinating in the holy water.

Canty is accused of ethnic intimidation, institutional vandalism and criminal trespass at the city's largest, most elegant cathedral.

When Mr. Canty gets out of jail, he may want to relocate to a more homeless friendly city.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/20/2004 12:19:00 PM

Blood Drive Canceled for Excluding Homosexuals

(Montreal, Canada) This story almost seems silly. Homosexuals are complaining that they are discriminated against because they are not allowed to donate blood.

Quebec's largest school board has voted to cancel Hema Quebec's annual blood drive at its Montreal offices and will remain in effect until the blood agency changes its policy of excluding gay male donors.

It is beyond my ability to comprehend what they are trying to accomplish. Blood Banks attempt to eliminate all possible pathways for contaminants to taint the blood supply and the exclusion of homosexual men, along with IV drug users, the recently tattooed, and others deemed necessary is not only prudent, but should be expected.

I believe that public confidence in the donated blood supply would be lost if it were known that it included blood from male homosexuals. I also think it is beyond cruel to hold hostage those individuals needing life-saving blood for the sake of imagined homosexual rights.

Hat tip: Dissecting Leftism
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       Following Entry Posted 3/20/2004 11:16:00 AM

Jury Orders Chevron to Pay $100,000,000

(Thibodaux, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana) A jury in Louisiana District Court ordered ChevronTexaco to pay the state about $100 million, including attorney fees. The state argued that Chevron intentionally cheated Louisiana taxpayers on oil royalties from state land leased by the company from 1987 to 1999. Louisiana lawyers contended that Chevron sold the oil at a price higher than the base calculated for the royalties and, therefore, the state lost money. In their defense, Chevron stated that Louisiana oil was mixed with higher grade oil which commanded a higher price, however, the state was fairly paid per contractual agreement which satisfies their obligation.

The state calculated the amount of purposeful underpayment by Chevron to be $13.5 million over the thirteen years and the jury agreed. During the period, Chevron paid the state $250 million in royalties so the percentage of purported underpayment equates to 5.4 percent of the total royalties paid.

Just looking at the numbers, it would seem difficult to classify the underpayment as an egregious theft. The Louisiana jury, however, determined otherwise and assessed $54.9 million in damages and tacked on $20 million for attorney's fees.

Last year, Chevron had profits in excess of $7 billion and, as such, may decide not to appeal the $100 million judgment against them. I hope they do, in a different venue. This case was stacked against Chevron from the beginning. Louisiana is known for having a creative and maverick judicial system which some have alleged is a real profit maker. Lafourche Parish is smack in the middle of one of the largest oil-producing areas of the country. Everyone in the jury pool is connected directly or indirectly to the oil industry, and probably has a host of personal grudges against big oil companies in general. Combine all that with the fact that Chevron represents the epitome of big oil with deep pockets and the result is that any accounting error is the basis for a multi-million dollar lawsuit.

In this case, it's a $100 million lawsuit for a 5.4 percent difference in calculations. And, I'll never understand why the lawyers are entitled to $20 million.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/20/2004 09:31:00 AM

Korean Sex Slaves in US

(Spokane, Washington) According to this story, hundreds of South Korean women are forced by organized crime rings to work as sex slaves in the US to pay off smuggling debts. The women are being smuggled across the border from Canada to Washington state and some are arrested by Homeland Security agents. Others have been picked up in prostitution stings up and down the West Coast. Authorities are looking for the ringleaders.

It's generally recognized that the US-Canadian border is not secure, but this is the first I've heard about large numbers of people being smuggled. It's probably not unreasonable to assume that the problem is 100 times greater than reported.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/19/2004 03:06:00 PM

Teacher Bares Breasts

(Sanford, Florida) I guess the lesson of the Catherine Bosley debacle was wasted on Stacey Cherry, a fourth-grade teacher at Goldsboro Elementary School in Sanford. From a report in the Orlando Sentinel (reg. req'd.), Cherry bared her breasts at a Super Bowl Party last month, pictures were taken, school authorities found out, and disciplinary action is being considered. In the meantime, Cherry is on administrative leave and a new teacher has taken over her class.

The topless pictures were sent in anonymous emails to Seminole County Schools Superintendent Bill Vogel and other members of the school board.

It's probably not a stretch to assume that this type of situation will recur and, therefore, I've decided to name it for ease of future reference. So, all incidents of females exposing themselves in public, where pictures are taken which result in disciplinary action or loss of job, shall now be called examples of the Bosley-Cherry Disconnect. Obviously, at least one portion of the women's brains was disconnected when they decided to be exhibitionists. It's the portion that assures self-preservation.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/19/2004 01:29:00 PM

Lt. Col. Robert Zangas

A few days ago, Citizen Smash reported on the death of ex-Marine Lt. Col. Robert Zangas, 44, who was killed in an ambush outside Hillah, 35 miles south of Baghdad. Yesterday, funeral services and outdoor military honors were held and there's a nice report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Rest in Peace.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/19/2004 12:49:00 PM

Explain This

(Center Township, PA) Try to explain this story without using the word "stupid."

Three Ambridge women are accused of talking two children into pushing a shopping cart loaded with stolen goods from a Wal-Mart store and then running off and leaving the children behind when an alarm sounded.

One of the women, 20-year-old Alexis Kurch of 831 13th St., was baby-sitting the 9- and 3-year-old children at the time, police reported.

The other women charged were Cocoa Smith, 20, of 317 Locust St. and Amber Oakes, 19, of 831 Melrose Ave.

According to a report by Center Township police, the women filled a shopping cart at the Wal-Mart in Center last Friday afternoon with items valued at $403. The items included five scarves and an array of household items, from shower curtains and household cleaners to vacuum filters and soap dishes.

Police said the women coerced the children into taking the cart from the store. The children were promised gifts once outside, police added.

However, an alarm sounded as the children went through the exit doors, and the three adults bolted and did not return.

I can't.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/19/2004 12:26:00 PM

Pedophilia

It is my belief that pedophiles cannot be rehabilitated and society should do whatever is necessary to keep them off the street. Others are apparently of the same opinion according to this story from New York.

A 94-year-old Town of Tonawanda man with a 60-year history of molesting children has provided Republican Assembly members with their best argument for proposing a law that would lock up hard-core pedophiles indefinitely.

Several state lawmakers and local elected officials gathered Thursday in Buffalo to recommend strengthening Megan's Law by permitting civil confinements to stop individuals like Theodore A. Sypnier from committing repeat sexual attacks against children.

One has to wonder how many lives were traumatized or ruined in this pervert's 60-year career as a pedophile.

It makes me sick to think about it.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/19/2004 04:12:00 AM

School Promotes Homosexuality to 1st-Graders

(Wilmington, NC) According to this story in the Wilmington Star (reg. req'd.), Barbara Hawley, the librarian and media coordinator for Freeman Elementary School, ordered a library book for 1st-grade students that celebrates male homosexuality and marriage. After parents objected, the program to indoctrinate children on male homosexuality was defended.

"We have a lot of diversity in our schools," said Elizabeth Miars, Freeman's principal. "What might be inappropriate for one family, in another family is a totally acceptable thing."

Miars then compared parents' objections to homosexuality to complaints about religious books. For any action to be considered, parents must file a written complaint with the New Hanover County School System.

My take is simple. The situation at Freeman Elementary School is wrong and it should not have occurred. For public elementary schools to have an agenda to teach homosexuality while prohibiting the Ten Commandments is bizarre. I don't know how the school authorities get any sleep at night.

[Update] Parents Michael and Tonya Hartsell, along with Channing and Beth Hatcher, filed complaints concerning the book and a school committee, by a vote of 8 to 3, has decided that it will be available only to adults in the Freeman Elementary School library.

The authors, Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland, of the Netherlands, have said they didn't set out to write a controversial book. School officials have said they didn't intentionally order a book with a gay theme.

Right! Apparently, what they did do was order a book that they had not read. And where in the universe can I find the logic that says an elementary school library should have an adult reading section? Boneheads!

Of note is a comment by Heather Stoker, a parent on the committee, stating that the book promotes diversity and focuses on love, not homosexuality. Hey, Heather! You're wrong. And your comment calls into question your parenting skills. Make sure and let everyone know how well your offspring matured after being inculcated in homosexuality at the age of 6. Ten years from now, you may be petitioning the American Medical Association to recognize the Excess Diversity Disorder.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/18/2004 06:13:00 PM

Economists Predict 3 Million New Jobs

(Detroit, MI) A team of economists at the University of Michigan said today that the U.S. economy is gearing up to add nearly 3 million jobs by the end of next year. They also predicted that the unemployment rate would drop below 5 percent.

I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that this report will be largely ignored by the elite media.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/18/2004 03:10:00 PM

Peter Lewis Bankrolls Marijuana Groups

Clevelander Peter Lewis, Chairman of the Progressive Insurance Corp., is known as a generous donor to the effort to defeat George W. Bush this November, and he also promotes the legalization of marijuana through his contributions to various marijuana advocacy groups. Lewis gave $340,000 to the Marijuana Policy Project, according to records filed with the Internal Revenue Service and made available yesterday.

I don't understand liberals. Through localized bans and high taxes, they try to force people to stop smoking tobacco because of health care costs while at the same time they advocate people smoke marijuana as if it's a better type of smoke in a person's lungs and there are no health care concerns. Can anyone explain this apparent contradiction?
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       Following Entry Posted 3/18/2004 02:16:00 PM

Settlement Reached in Catherine Bosley Case

Details are unavailable, but it's being reported that Catherine Bosley has settled her case for an undisclosed amount of money with two Internet companies over the use of her naked images in videos.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/18/2004 04:22:00 AM

China Now Censoring Blogs

According to this story, two popular websites which host thousands of blogs have been shut down by the Chinese authorities for posting entries that were critical of the government. The Paris-based media advocacy group Reporters Without Borders said that blog hosts BlogBus.com and Blogcn.com have been shut down as part of an overall escalation in the level of censorship. Internet cafes and online discussion forums, along with major foreign media sites, have previously been shackled in the government's goal to strangle free expression on the web.

Interestingly, this recent crackdown coincides with the opening of the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva, at which China has a seat. Also, the censorship comes days after the Chinese legislature amended its constitution to state that, for the first time, the state respects and protects human rights.

Despite what the ChiCom's put in their constitution, there is no freedom without freedom of expression and there is no free speech in China.

[Update] From China, Tennessee Ruck at Voluntarily in China blogs about his personal experience with the government blocking of blogs. Apparently a letter by Dr. Jiang Yanyong, urging the government to admit errors on the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, was not "authorized" by the authorities. Follow the links for more information.

Companion post at eTALKINGHEAD.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/17/2004 10:01:00 AM

Bo Derek Wants Law to Stop Horsemeat Consumption

(Washington) Because she has a pet horse, actress Bo Derek wants legislation passed to prohibit American businessmen from participating in the worldwide trade of horseflesh for consumption. She told Congress how icky it is for France and Japan to eat horsemeat in supporting legislation introduced by Reps. John Sweeney, R-N.Y., whose district includes a racetrack, and Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., a horse owner. The proposed law would prevent horses from being used for consumption by humans only. Carrion eaters, birds, insects and the rest of the animal kingdom would still be able to eat horsemeat.

My take is simple. Keep Bo Derek away from animals or she'll turn them into pets. And, it's understandable that she has an open invitation to talk to Congress at any time on any subject. It's also generally recognized that it has little to do with what she has to say.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/17/2004 09:01:00 AM

Study: Parents of Obese Children Are Stupid

(London) According to research conducted by the Peninsula Medical School in Plymouth, England, a large percentage of mothers and fathers are stupid. Based upon the study, a third of mothers and 57% of fathers are unaware of the current politically malleable definition of obesity and, therefore, are unable to determine if their own children are obese.

This research should not be surprising to anyone. Every time a taxpayer-funded research organization wants more money, a study is conceived to produce predetermined results supporting the contention that more government spending is required for their research.

Of note is that the article references "an internationally recognized measurement of obesity in children," but fails to mention that the recognized measurement is derived by people with an agenda, i.e., taxpayer-funded international groups who have an interest in increased government spending on themselves.

Expect increased research on the stupidity of parents and massive government programs to educate them.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/17/2004 07:54:00 AM

Kennedy Relative Found Dead

(Vero Beach, Florida) The body of Hope Sheridan, the ex-mother-in-law of Michael Skakel, a cousin of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was found in a sunken car.

Divers found Sheridan's car Monday afternoon after a sheriff's helicopter noted two faint parallel marks at the end of a retention pond.

The car was submerged in about 15 feet of water 75 feet from shore. Sheridan's body was found on the passenger side, Detective Keith Harmon said. He said there were no skid marks on the grassy area going into the water.

Let's analyze this story. Kennedy family, submerged car, dead female passenger. It kind of rings a bell for me.

Of course, there may be a logical explanation. I personally have found my driving expertise is seriously impacted when I sit in the passenger seat. There'$ probably $ome way to convince the authoritie$ that Hope $heridan accidently drove 75 feet into the ocean while $eated in the pa$$enger $eat.

"It appears from the preliminary findings that this was an accidental death," said Indian River County sheriff's spokesman Joe Flescher said [sic].

See?
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       Following Entry Posted 3/17/2004 07:21:00 AM

Jessica Simpson's Sister Signs with MTV

Piggybacking on her sister Jessica's success in the reality show The Newlyweds, Ashlee Simpson, 19, has signed with music network MTV to do, here's a surprise, a reality show. She also is negotiating with ABC for a possible sitcom. This news should not surprise anyone. After all, it's MTV that pioneered the genre of absolutely brainless lead characters in Beavus and Butthead.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/17/2004 07:05:00 AM

Charles McCoy Arrested

Suspected Ohio Beltway Shooter Charles McCoy Jr. was arrested this morning in Las Vegas. He was found at a budget motel next to the Stardust Casino.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/16/2004 11:58:00 PM

Cincinnati Coyotes

In parts of suburban Cincinnati, the high-pitched howls start as early as 11pm and carry through until after dawn from the growing population of coyotes. Dogs have been mauled and cats have disappeared. Residents have complained that the coyotes are getting too close for comfort, possibly attracted by a few neighbors setting out bologna to feed the animals.

In Ohio, and across the nation, they are considered a threat to livestock and can legally be killed, even though organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have spoken out against extermination. Communities are struggling to find an answer to the problem.

Simple problem with a simple solution. Put a bounty on the coyotes. If it's desired to solve the problem quickly, make it a high bounty. If it's high enough, the entire population could be wiped out in a week.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/16/2004 11:57:00 PM

Ohio Beltway Shooting Suspect Update

(Columbus, Ohio) According to this story, the suspect in the Ohio beltway shootings, Charles A. McCoy Jr., is in hiding and believed to have a semiautomatic pistol and ammunition. Also, more information has been released about him.

Charles A. McCoy Jr., 28, lived with his mother within miles of where the gunman's bullets killed a passenger, shattered windshields, dented school buses and drilled into homes and a school.

"McCoy has had mental health issues in the past and is currently not on medication," the Franklin County Sheriff's Office said in a bulletin released to police departments across the country." He is believed to have suicidal or homicidal tendencies."

It seems that the basis for a defense is being planted in the public's conscience before any charges have been filed.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/16/2004 10:33:00 PM

Rotten Sneaker Contest

(Montpelier, VT.) This year's winner of the coveted Golden Sneaker Award for having the smelliest sneakers is 10-year-old Daegan Goodman of Montpelier, known as the "Rotten Sneaker Capital of the World." The final determination of the most rotten smelling sneakers is made by expert George Aldrich, who smells professionally. In addition to smell, sneakers are judged on appearance and overall condition.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/16/2004 04:17:00 PM

Every Week for Eighteen Months

Achieving a quiet, but notable, milestone is this week's Carnival of the Vanities at Patterico's Pontifications. A year and a half after being launched by Bigwig, the carnival has consistently grown in its appeal and has fostered a number of similar collective efforts. Applause! Applause! And congratulations to Bigwig and all the writers and readers.

Next week's host is Pete Holiday.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/15/2004 10:41:00 PM

Business Hiring Practices

I like to keep an eye peeled for business-related information posts and here's one I found at GDay Mate about hiring cannibals.

A large corporation recently hired several cannibals.

"You are all part of our team now", said the HR rep during the welcoming briefing. "You get all the usual benefits and you can go to the cafeteria for something to eat, but please.. don't eat any of the other employees".

The cannibals promised they would not.

Four weeks later their boss remarked, "You're all working very hard, and I'm satisfied with your work. However, one of our secretaries has disappeared. Do any of you know what happened to her?"

The cannibals all shook their heads no. After the boss had left, the leader of the cannibals said to the others, "Which one of you idiots ate the secretary?"

A hand rose hesitantly.

"You fool!" the leader continued. "For four weeks we've been eating managers and no one noticed anything. But NOOOooo, you had to go and eat someone who actually does something!!!"

I agree. Praise the secretaries.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/15/2004 08:23:00 PM

Suspect Identified in Ohio Beltway Shootings

(Columbus, OH) The Franklin County Sheriff's Office has released the name of a suspect in a series of 24 highway shootings around Columbus. The suspect is Charles A. McCoy Jr., 28, and is considered armed and dangerous. He's a 5-foot-8, 185-pound white male with brown hair and green eyes and drives a dark green 1999 Geo Metro with a black hood.

Authorities want the public's help in locating McCoy.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/15/2004 01:10:00 PM

School Board Member Targets Teacher

(Cole County, MO) Using the school system logo and without approval, board member Sarah Renick sent an evaluation form to 90 district patrons asking probing questions about a specific math teacher.

The Cole County R-5, Eugene, School Board will not review a teacher evaluation survey recently sent to district patrons by one board member, the board said Thursday night.

The board made its announcement following a meeting that included comments from several district patrons, superintendent Mark Blythe said.

[ ... ]

The survey reportedly sought to gain input on parents' perceptions of the teacher's lesson planning and preparedness, among other things, Blythe said. However, Blythe said he and members of the school board were not told the survey was being distributed.

This story is so typical. With regularity, local school boards seem to always have at least one eccentric member that feuds with the world in general and a few individuals in particular. In this case, board member Sarah Renick wanted to put the stink of suspicion on one teacher and succeeded.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/15/2004 01:03:00 PM

Court Petitioned to Remove School Board Member

(St. Louis, MO) Here's another story about a school board member who is eccentric and, apparently, mentally unstable. Rochell Moore is considered "physically combative." She has doused an administator with ice water and has threatened violence against anyone questioning her mental fitness.

The petition filed Monday in St. Louis Circuit Court by assistant superintendent Charlene Jones, her secretary and a dozen others came three days after a St. Louis judge issued a temporary order barring the board's Rochell Moore from contact with Jones and board member Amy Hilgemann.

Moore, 40, has said she believes Jones and Hilgemann are part of political plot to discredit her. She claims they dosed her with cocaine before Moore was committed for October 2002 psychiatric help against her will.

[ ... ]

Last week, Moore called her soaking of Jones justified, likening herself to civil rights icon Rosa Parks and saying that when it comes to her mental fitness, "from this day forward, anyone who brings that issue up, I am getting violent."

Last year, Moore threatened to kill the city's former comptroller, Virvus Jones, and also sent a letter placing a curse on Mayor Francis Slay.

State law allows a circuit judge to remove a school board member. A hearing before St. Louis Circuit Judge David Dowd is scheduled for March 24.

I have to keep reminding myself that reasonable, caring, and informed voters elect these aberrant personalities to oversee our education systems. Sheesh!
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       Following Entry Posted 3/15/2004 11:35:00 AM

Germany's National Pension System

With horror stories about Social Security funding in and out of the news in the US, it's not surprising that other countries also have the problem. Here's one:

The German parliament on Thursday passed a modified version of legislation that will radically change the way national pension benefits are calculated. In the future, the level of retirement benefits will depend on the size of the workforce in relationship to the number of retirees. Pensions will automatically decline as the German population shrinks over the next 25 years.

The current pay-as-you-go national pension system relies on four workers supporting every retiree. In 25 years, there'll be only two workers per retiree and they intend to reduce pension payments accordingly.

German workers currently pay 19.5% of their gross income into the national pension program. For comparison, US workers are contributing about 8% of their gross into Social Security with another 8% contributed by the employer.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/15/2004 07:10:00 AM

Best of Me Symphony

The Bloggywood Squares Edition of the Best of Me Symphony is posted at The Owner's Manual. Go visit.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/15/2004 05:03:00 AM

Fighting Media Bias

(Belton, MO) This story illustrates one method used by small-town American citizens to counter obvious bias in the local media. According to Belton Police Capt. Don Spears, Assistant Fire Chief Dana Marconett entered The Belton Journal newspaper office and "put down a newspaper with some kind of fecal matter."

Connie McCann, publisher of The Journal, said that a newspaper employee met the man at the counter. McCann said the man threw a folded paper "full of feces" across a counter, hitting the woman in the stomach and splattering feces on her, the counter and the floor.

It seems the newspaper published an unflattering editorial about Marconett's wife. He now faces a charge of scattering rubbish, with six months in prison and a $500 fine as possible punishment.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/14/2004 10:12:00 PM

Sears Tower Sold

My Realtor deserves a good whack on the fanny for not telling me that the Chicago skyscraper was on the market. A New York investment group purchased the 110-story structure for $835 million.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/14/2004 08:42:00 PM

Counterfeit $50 Bills

(Lancaster, Ohio) He wears a coat and tie and is passing fake $50 bills in Central Ohio. So far, he's bought cookware, tools and computer equipment. Keep an eye out. By the way, all the bills have the same serial number.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/14/2004 10:25:00 AM

Microsoft Lawsuits

With curiosity as motivation, I've been following the many and varied lawsuits being adjudicated against Microsoft with no preconceptions about any resultant observations I might have. Obviously, a scorecard was necessary, so I prepared one identifying the litigants, basis of the lawsuit, important dates, summary of status, and details of rulings/settlements. Compiling data was fairly easy at first, but I soon became overwhelmed and realized I needed a spreadsheet, not a scorecard. It seems that every major and minor competitor, along with the federal and state governments, are or have been involved in lawsuits against Microsoft. Throw into the mix the foreign lawsuits, notably Europe and the Far East, that are pending, ongoing, or anticipated and the total number of individual cases became unmanageable for one part-time observer. I literally threw up my hands when I realized the amount of study I was facing.

With that in mind, I decided it would be prudent to distance myself somewhat from the details to preclude becoming obsessive. Analyzing the Microsoft legal quagmire is like analyzing a shooting match, from the design of the shotgun to the trajectory of the skeet. It can be done, but it'll drive a person crazy. Maintaining a generally knowledgeable awareness of the subject seemed to be healthier and, on this basis, I gleaned only one salient observation. It is that Microsoft is Gulliver and every Lilliputian in the Kingdom is trying tie him down and the people benefiting the most are the lawyers.

But I knew that before I started.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/14/2004 12:01:00 AM

Schools Vote on Dress Codes

(Rock Hill, South Carolina) Voting is ongoing in deciding whether parents approve establishing a student dress code at two local middle schools. Principals Al Leonard of Saluda Trail Middle School and Kelly Kane of Castle Heights Middle School became concerned seeing 12 and 13-year-old girls with bare tummies and stiletto heels while the boy students sported droopy trousers exposing much of their underwear. Consequently, the faculty, parents and administrators devised dress codes to be voted on for approval.

Results have not been reported, but two things are apparent. One is that the students are opposed. No surprise here. The other is that the institution of dress codes are customarily followed by a decrease in disciplinary reports as indicated by the experiences of other area schools.

My take is that dress codes are a good idea and they should be universal in schools. And a comment I have is that 12 and 13-year-old girls with bare midriffs and stiletto heels sounds pornographic.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/13/2004 08:43:00 AM

Best Cities for the Homeless

(Key West, FL) Although San Francisco remains at the top, Key West has become a contender as best city in which to be homeless.

The city plans to build a tent city, called a safe zone, next to the jail, pending county approval next week. The safe zone would have large Quonset hut or chickee structures, bathrooms, showers and a laundry facility.

Also, the city is looking forward to developing long-range plans to provide benefits for vagrants throughout the Florida Keys. These actions have Key West breaking into the top five of the rankings and will make it unique by being the only city to provide free laundry facilities to attract vagrants. Coupled with the subtropical weather, the benefits offered by Key West may allow it to move up in the standings. Expect their homeless numbers to increase. Here's a look at the current rankings:

BEST CITIES for the HOMELESS

1) San Francisco, California - Due to the high pay structure, by far, it is the most attractive city for vagrants.

2) Chicago, Illinois - Current 10-year program to build homes and provide paychecks will enhance Chicago's competitiveness.

3) Miami, Florida - A traditionally favored destination that has not improved in accordance with current trends, but is still attractive.

4) Los Angeles, California - Another traditional destination that used to top the list. Competitiveness is impacted by poor recordkeeping caused by transient nature of their vagrants.

5) Key West, Florida - Bumped Denver from the top five by providing free laundry services to their vagrants.

HONORABLE MENTION - Denver, Honolulu, Phoenix, Portland, Seattle

Homeless people throughout the nation are encouraged to consult the list when making travel plans.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/13/2004 06:02:00 AM

FCC Fines Clear Channel $247,500

(Washington, D.C.) In its vigorous campaign against indecency, the Federal Communications Commission has proposed fining several stations owned by Clear Channel Communications Inc. Alleged are nine violations involving the "Elliot and the Morning" radio program broadcast from Washington, D.C. The show featured a filthy discussion of sexual practices by a female caller and porn star Ron Jeremy.

The proposal to hand out the maximum fine of $27,500 per incident was "because of Clear Channel's history of violations relating to the broadcast of indecent material," the agency wrote.

"Clear Channel has been the subject of repeated indecency actions at the FCC, and this show in particular has been the subject of previous complaints," wrote FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, who said the violations should have triggered license-revocation proceedings. The "cost-of-doing business fine is never going to stop the media's slide to the bottom."

Considerable attention has been directed toward Clear Channel due to their questionable content. They recently agreed to pay a $775,000 fine for the on-air antics of filth-sensationalists Howard Stern and Bubba the Love Sponge.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/13/2004 05:13:00 AM

Catherine Bosley Lawsuit

(Youngstown, OH) As discussed previously, television anchor Catherine Bosley became fairly famous for taking off all her clothes at a videotaped wet t-shirt contest while on vacation. After her image was plastered all over the Internet, she filed a lawsuit in US District Court stating the pictures were distributed without her permission. One of those named in the suit is SexBrat.com who claims they legally secured the rights for distribution of her images from DreamGirls, a Florida video production company.

It's unknown how long it will take for the court to adjudicate the lawsuit, but Bosley's case appears weak. She signed a release before the event and notices were posted at the location informing everyone that the wet t-shirt contest would be photographed and videotaped.

Stay tuned.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/12/2004 10:38:00 PM

Snowplow Driver Protests Bush

(Cleveland, OH) While working on temporary assignment providing support for President Bush's motorcade, Michael Gertenslager decided to express a political protest. He placed a large sign displaying "TRAITOR" on the side of his ODOT snowplow while it blocked traffic for the motorcade. An Ohio Highway Patrol officer observed the sign and reported Gertenslager who was later suspended.

My take is that Mr. Gertenslager is not a deep thinker. Conducting a political protest against a Republican President while drawing a paycheck from a state government headed by Republicans is probably job suicide. Hopefully, he has a lot of political chips he can cash in.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/12/2004 08:22:00 PM

Sobriety Checkpoints Announced

Police will be manning sobriety checkpoints this St. Patrick's Day in at least sixteen communities across Cuyahoga County to satisfy a mandatory requirement for receiving federal funds. Locations have not been announced, but it's safe to assume that they'll be on your normal path home.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/12/2004 09:32:00 AM

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

The Carnival of the Vanities #77 is posted and hosted at Aaron's Rantblog. Go visit. Next week's host will be Patterico's Pontifications.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/12/2004 08:30:00 AM

Liberal Radio Network Launches March 31st

According to their website,

"Air America Radio is launching in the top U.S. markets with leading talent that will provide compelling and entertaining programming on the radio, on satellite feeds, and on the web," said Mark Walsh, Chief Executive Officer of Air America Radio.

The leading talent includes Al Franken who will host "The O'Franken Factor" from noon to 3pm weekdays and Janeane Garofalo who will host "The Majority Report" from 8 to 11pm weeknights. Franken will be "fighting back against rightwing propaganda with hard evidence and facts." Garofalo "will introduce new, younger voices and opinions" to the airwaves. And, as Evan Cohen, Chairman of the board of Air America Radio, states:

"Our success to date proves what we have known all along: a progressive radio network can be entertaining and engaging while also being a successful business venture. . . ."

Obviously, I am out of the information loop on this subject since I'm totally unaware of any "success to date." Nevertheless, I'll be scanning my radio dial to be entertained. Actually, if the buildup is true and Al Franken confronts his nemesis, hard evidence and facts, while on the air, I'll be more than entertained. I'll be mezmerized.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/11/2004 11:20:00 PM

Susan Powter - Nightclub Diva

(Cleveland, Ohio) Northeast Ohioans should clear their schedules and go see Susan "Stop the Insanity" Powter's nightclub act tomorrow at the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern. Although she has second billing behind the sexually energized, hyper-animated duo called Bitch & Animal, it's apparent that Powter has successfully parlayed her 1990s national television celebrity down to a gig at a smoky, late-night honky-tonk. In her next career move, it's rumored she'll be bussing tables.

Tickets are $15 at the door for the 10:30pm show.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/11/2004 09:21:00 PM

Sexual Orientation-Based Scholarship

(Rockland County, New York) According to Michelle Sims, of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, 15 colleges nationwide offer scholarships based on sexual orientation. Adding to the list is Rockland Community College which will offer a new scholarship for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students. The Sheldon Oppenheim Memorial Scholarship will award up to $500 to each student. Applicants must write "essays describing the obstacles they have had to overcome and explain their educational goals."

Linda Oppenheim, created the scholarship in memory of her homosexual brother-in-law, Sheldon. Interestingly, Linda is married to Marvin Oppenheim who is Director of Financial Aid at Rockland Community College. It's assumed that all required paperwork was processed swimmingly.

In related news, it's expected that the dearth of scholarship programs for pedophiles and convicted sexual predators will end as the North American Man/Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) continues to piggyback their political agenda on the successes of the homosexual advocacy. Of note is that a Women's Auxiliary of NAMBLA has been formed to piggyback on the success of NAMBLA in promoting the rape of children.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/11/2004 07:45:00 PM

Do Your Banking at Wal-Mart

(Cleveland, OH) New displays at Wal-Mart stores in cities like Columbus and Minneapolis will be branches of Charter One Banks. A total of 67 branches are currently planned.

It's obvious that Wal-Mart is going to take over the world. Ha-ha-ha!
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       Following Entry Posted 3/11/2004 09:20:00 AM

Homeless Going to the Movies

(Akron, Ohio) A possible 250 homeless people will be given a free ride and a movie ticket this weekend to see "The Passion of the Christ."

My take is that this is a fine gesture of charity, however, it sure seems that the general policy of municipalities around the country is to make homelessness more and more attractive. San Francisco pays them, Chicago builds houses for them, an Ohio town (Painesville) permits them to hold elected office, and, now, Akron takes them to the movies. It's hard to dispute the contention that making homelessness more attractive (or less unattractive) naturally draws more people towards the lifestyle.

If the goal is to reduce the homeless population, actions taken by cities and town shouldn't make the lifestyle more attractive.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/11/2004 08:21:00 AM

Congratulations to Dim Sum Diaries

It's been a great contest and a great run for MEDIA BIAS and Interested-Participant, however, Remember When... and Dim Sum Diaries came out on top of a 46 to 43 score and will move on to the championship match. I applaud the victor and send best wishes.

I also applaud Pete and Manny for making the first Blog Madness tournament a success. It's been a long run and there have been growing pains, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. I'm sure there will be great interest in next year's contest.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/11/2004 05:17:00 AM

School Science Standards Will Include Creation

Yesterday, the Ohio State Board of Education voted 13 to 5 to approve a standard for 10th grade science classes on how to teach evolution.

The science-model curriculum, an optional set of classroom lectures and activities for science teachers, includes a chapter titled "Critical analysis of evolution" that recommends 10th-graders debate several common critiques of the theory.

Before the vote, there were hours of heated debate and legal threats from the academic and scientific communities. The opponents believe that the lesson plans introduce students to intelligent design, which states that a higher power played a role in the creation of all life.

Some are predicting that the state will be sued for introducing religion into public school classrooms.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/10/2004 07:45:00 PM

School to Drop Geography Class

(Hopewell Township, PA) The teacher's union has filed a grievance because the school system is eliminating the United States geography class to cut costs.

It's hard to see any benefit from eliminating geography. Of course, once the offspring graduates and leaves home, they'll have an excuse for not going back to visit the parents. Couldn't find the place, Mom.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/10/2004 07:40:00 AM

Steal Gas, Lose License

(Columbus, Ohio) House Bill 179 became law yesterday. Ohio courts can now direct the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles to suspend a person's driving privileges for gas theft. A six-month suspension may be imposed.

Bully! Of course, someone who is already a convicted thief probably isn't too worried about getting a ticket.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/10/2004 04:51:00 AM

California Legislator Wants 14-Year-Olds to Vote

(Sacramento, California) State Senator John Vasconcellos, D-Santa Clara, has proposed an amendment to the state constitution which would allow 14 to 17-year-olds to vote in state and local elections. The kids 14 and 15 would count as one-fourth of an adult vote, 16 and 17-year-olds would be one-half.

This begs a question. Why stop there? Couldn't we lower the age even more? Let's start at five. Among the 5 and 9-year-olds, the votes would count as one-tenth of an adult and, from 10 to 13, the votes would count for one-fifth. If the plan is to remove maturity and intellect as criteria for determining voting age, than there's no reason to exclude the youngest citizens.

The proposed amendment would probably also produce a Pandora's box of unintended consequences. An argument could be made that if someone is old enough to have a say in determining the government, then that person should be old enough to sign a legal contract, get married, and have consensual intimate relations with a member of the same or opposite sex. It also seems possible that in some jurisdictions, with the right demographics, the kids could be the majority. In that case, I foresee homework being outlawed.

Hat tip: Absinthe & Cookies
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       Following Entry Posted 3/10/2004 12:57:00 AM

PCRM Should Be Ignored

In furthering its animal liberation and radical vegetarian agenda, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) has written a letter stating that low carbohydrate diets are making people sick with symptoms similar to the side effects of chemotherapy. The letter, written by John McDougall, is published in the current issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings and at EurekaAlert.org on the Internet. Citing nonspecific "numerous studies," the PCRM imagines significant health risks result from low-carb diets which emphasize meat, fish, and eggs.

My take is simple. Don't trust anything from the PCRM.

There is nothing produced by the PCRM that is not directly related to the liberation of animals. PCRM is extreme by any rational standard and its findings are predetermined to support its goals of freeing all animals and mandating strict vegetarian diets for all people.

Also, the Mayo Clinic Proceedings staff should be more careful and not further the political propaganda of extremist organizations claiming to add to the body of medical knowledge.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/09/2004 08:01:00 PM

Tattoos, Piercings Law in Kentucky

Effective April 1st, Kentucky will begin regulating the piercing of ears, tongues, noses, bellies and other body parts. I'm usually against increased government regulation, but somehow society has to protect immature young people from mutilating their bodies for the sake of fashion. Every state should have similar laws.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/09/2004 07:22:00 PM

Tonya Harding Back Skating

About a decade ago, Tonya Harding's opponent in Olympic skating, Nancy Kerrigan, was beaten on the leg with a stick to try an keep her from competing. It created a major scandal and has negatively impacted Harding's aspirations ever since. Well, what goes around, comes around and Tonya Harding may now herself be beaten on the leg with a stick. She has just joined the Indianapolis Ice Minor League hockey team.

You've got to wonder if someone might subconsciously give her a disabling whack, just for the heck of it.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/09/2004 04:31:00 AM

Flaming Ejecta

Take a trip over to Dan K. O'Leary's blog, Pragmatic Conservatism, and view the malodorous effluent searing in this week's Bonfire of the Vanities.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/09/2004 03:38:00 AM

Blog Madness - FINAL FOUR

Thank you! Interested-Participant is one of four blogs still in contention for the Blog Madness Tournament Championship. I do not feel that I can adequately express my gratitude to all the people who voted for me. Even at its most personal, the Internet is an impersonal way of expressing heartfelt appreciation. Nonetheless, it's there and you can be assured that I have telepathically festooned each individual electron of this message with good mojo to you all.

In the last round, I was able to eke out a narrow victory over I'll take "Torment My Wife" for 1,000, Alex at KevinDonahue.com. This surprised me since I thought Kevin's entry to be one of the finest in the contest, well-written, witty, and the recipient of my vote more than once.

My FINAL FOUR matchup is against Remember When... at Dim Sum Diaries, another contest entry I've voted for more than once.

The polls have already opened for voting on the FINAL FOUR and will close at midnight Wednesday. Voters are asked to maintain their interest for these last two rounds. Please vote for your preference HERE.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/09/2004 12:54:00 AM

Observations & Questions

Here's a sampling of various observations and questions Noel has put together over at the Sharp Knife. They are most worthy of maximum exposure in the blogosphere and, frankly, I wish I had thought of them.

...that Ozzie & Harriet were shallow frauds, living a lie in quiet suburban desperation...but if Eddie Haskell proposes to Lumpy Rutherford, it's all about love, dignity and affirmation?

...the same politicians who support mass-transit, teacher's unions and gun control...have armed bodyguards drive their own kids to private schools in limos?

...the homeless magically re-appear in the media when a Republican takes office...were they all staying at Alec Baldwin's house in France?

...CNN calls 5.6% unemployment "low" when Clinton is running for re-election...but "high" when Bush runs for re-election?

Thought provoking and they surely won't be seen on Katie Couric's, Dan Rather's, Tom Brokaw's, Wolf Blitzer's, Chris Matthews' nor Peter Jennings' teleprompters. Noel has more here. Go visit.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/08/2004 09:48:00 PM

British Customs Arrest Woman for Contraband

(London) After arrival on a flight from West Africa, Nenneh Nyana Jaiteh, 48, was arrested by Customs and Excise Department authorities for carrying some snails, 172.7 pounds of fish and about 13.2 pounds of goat meat in her luggage.

I bet the customs officials didn't need a dog to sniff out this case. On a serious note, though, one has to wonder what type of controls exist at the origin of the flight. Jeez, if someone could board a plane with almost two hundred pounds of stinking contraband fish and meat, how easy would it be to smuggle a firearm or explosive on board?
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       Following Entry Posted 3/08/2004 01:13:00 PM

A Few Beers, A Nail Gun, . . . .

(Sydney, Australia) Consider how this story plays out.

He was skylarking with mates over a few beers and took what he thought was an empty nail gun and pointed it at his head.

If you asked Brad Shorten, 33, to read that statement 1000 times, he'd probably comment unequivocally that he could never be that stupid. Well, he was and he lived and, in true manly Aussie style,

"At the hospital the pain got worse, and I was getting frustrated so I asked for a pair of pliers to pull it out myself," he said.

Tough guy. However, he was convinced otherwise by a team of specialists who then took four hours removing a part of his skull to retrieve the counter-sunk 1.25-inch nail. A full recovery is expected.

Hat tip: Wizbang
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       Following Entry Posted 3/08/2004 11:04:00 AM

Truants Can Lose Driving Privileges

Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico signed into law HB106 which specifies that students who are habitually truant can have their driving privileges suspended. Students are considered habitual truants if they have 10 or more unexcused absences in a school year. A 90-day suspension of privileges is specified for the first infraction and potentially a year for subsequent infractions. The law has an effective date of May 19.

My take on this is simple. It sounds great, but it probably will never be effectively implemented. As I see it, four different government bureaucracies will have to concur before any student loses his driving privileges. The public school system will identify and report the truant to the juvenile probation authorities who must present the case to the children's court system for docketing and imposition of sanctions which must be relayed to the motor vehicle department for action. Since each of these bureaucracies can be expected to exhibit typical sloth-like government efficiency and, since each is prone to political hypersensitivity, it would not be unreasonable to imagine someone losing driving privileges long after graduating from school. Think about it. When was the last time anyone got two, much less four, government bureaucracies to work together to accomplish anything in a timely manner?

Simply, it's a great idea, but it won't work.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/08/2004 01:29:00 AM

Carnival of the Capitalists

Over at Catallarchy.net, Jonathan Wilde has posted this week's carnival displaying 20+ outstanding entries. Next week's host will be TJ's Weblog.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/07/2004 05:39:00 PM

BLOG MADNESS and Serious Cyber-Pleading

Friends, there are only a few hours left before the polls close. It is only by the good and kind hearts of my readers that Interested-Participant is still in contention. Thanks to all who have supported me. However, it is a very close race and it is time for me to plead for those that haven't voted to do so before midnight (EST) tonight.

Go to the FINALS Page and check out all the entries before voting for #20 MEDIA BIAS the best entry.

/electronicbegging
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       Following Entry Posted 3/07/2004 03:13:00 PM

Killington Votes to Secede From Vermont

This story should be filed under "Be careful what you vote for, you might get it." For background, Killington, Vermont, is a winter resort community populated by about a thousand wealthy individuals who endear themselves to typical East Coast liberalism. They consistently vote for the ideals of tax-the-rich, universal-health/child/pet/energy-care, and hug-the-tree/save-the-whale politicians to state and federal offices. In fact, Vermont citizens go further than other states in this regard by repeatedly electing an avowed socialist into office, Congressman Bernie Sanders.

Well, by electing politicians with the mandate to redistribute wealth, a fundamental premise of liberalism, they should have expected it to occur. However, the residents of Killington apparently didn't think that far. They are enraged that the generous tax-the-rich amount they pay in taxes is going to communities other than Killington. So enraged that, by an overwhelming majority, they voted in a town meeting to secede from Vermont and become a part of New Hampshire instead.

The vote to secede is considered by most to be nothing more than symbolic. Lawmakers in both states would have to concur and the chance of that happening is viewed as small. And, even if they are successful in becoming part of New Hampshire, there's no guarantee that the liberal politicians in that state won't follow suit in their goal to redistribute wealth.

So, suck it up, Killington. You got what you wished for. By the way, there's more to come as long as you keep voting liberals into office.

Hat tip: Catallarchy.net
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       Following Entry Posted 3/07/2004 01:35:00 PM

Butterflies in Danger

(San Diego, California) The Thorne's hairstreak butterfly, with purple-brown underside and iridescent green sheen, and the Hermes butterfly, reflecting sunlight with yellow underwings, are at great new risk of extinction due to the wildfires that charred vast areas of Southern California last fall. Environmentalists blame state officials for not providing enough natural habitat. According to David Hogan of the Center for Biological Diversity in San Diego,

"There's been totally ridiculous bureaucratic bumbling on the Fish and Wildlife Service's part, resulting in a very tragic situation today."

I don't want to be insensitive, but I think the environmentalists should shoulder at least partial responsibility for any demise of the butterflies. In the first place, isn't it the Green Advocacy that prevents the clearing of the brush that burns in wildfires? The brush can't be cleared because it endangers the habitat of a recently discovered toad, mouse, or chipmunk. Unfortunately, the brush frequently catches fire and kills not only the toads, the mice, the chipmunks, but also the butterflies. The Greenies probably shouldn't be pointing fingers.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/07/2004 12:46:00 PM

Survey Says Politicians Are Fat

No surprise in this story. More than two-thirds of the members of the British Parliament surveyed admitted they were fat pigs. Well, maybe not in those words.

It must be all that rich British cuisine.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/06/2004 10:41:00 PM

Deformed Kitten

According to this story, a kitten in the Samara region of Russia was born with three distinct ears and, as time goes by, more are found.

. . . they first noticed the kitten had an extra ear growing just inside one of its normal ears when it was born.

But months later they discovered another two small ears inside one normal ear and two more on its cheek.

Apparently, even with extra ears, the kitten behaves normally.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/06/2004 10:11:00 PM

Amish Man Can't Cross Border

After visiting Canada, an American Amish man is not being allowed back into the US because he has no picture identification. It will be interesting to see how this case turns out. Not long ago, a Florida court ruled that a woman had to have her driver's license picture taken without her veil, showing her whole face. Maybe the courts will rule that Amish people will be required to have picture identification, contrary to their religious beliefs.

Stay tuned.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/06/2004 09:50:00 PM

Salad With Thumb Dressing

(Canton, Ohio) A customer found a severed thumb in her salad at the Red Robin Restaurant in Jackson Township. The woman thought it was a piece of gristle she was chewing on. It wasn't gristle, just grisly.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/06/2004 09:08:00 PM

David Crosby Arrested

David Crosby was arrested on drugs and weapons charges in New York. I thought he had he cleaned his act up. Apparently not. Also, wasn't he certified as a preferred sperm donor for lesbians wanting to procreate? If addiction is a genetic proclivity (a contention that has many advocates), lesbian procreators may want to revisit their decision to have Crosby as a preferred donor.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/06/2004 04:36:00 AM

Kinky Friedman Running for Governor

Having attended school in Texas, I try to keep an eye on events in the Lone Star State, but I missed this. Pete at A Perfectly Cromulent Blog, however, picked up on the story of Kinky Friedman announcing his intentions to run as an independent candidate for governor of Texas in 2006. Based upon the story in the Houston Chronicle, Friedman seems quite serious but observers are skeptical that Texas is ready to be governed by a bachelor, Jewish cowboy from Chicago who speaks his mind. According to Cal Jillson, professor of political science at Southern Methodist University

"Until the Republican candidate becomes clear, we can entertain ourselves with Kinky."

I can't resist the temptation to mull over creative ideas for campaign slogans, but I'll spare my readers. Pete has further analysis of the Kinky Campaign 2006.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/06/2004 12:32:00 AM

Blog Madness FINAL ROUNDS

After weeks and weeks of voting, the original 116 entries in the Blog Madness Tournament have been whittled down to 8 survivors. Based upon the average number of votes received in previous matches, the final eight contestants have been seeded to determine the matchups in the SINGLE ELIMINATION FINALS. There are no second chances.

Interested-Participant has been lucky enough to join seven others in the FINAL ELITE EIGHT. The blogs, the average votes per match, and the entered posts are:

#1: KevinDonahue.com (42.4 vpm) - I'll take "Torment My Wife" for 1,000, Alex

#2: You Don't Know Jackson (28.2 vpm) - Scenes From The Otherside Of The Tracks

#3: Panama Journal (27.0 vpm) - Santa Comes to Panama

#4: R80o (22.8 vpm) - No "ping"!

#5: The Dim Sum Diaries (36.0 vpm) - Remember When...

#6: Wizbang! (21.3 vpm) - The ACME Guide To Women

#7: The PurpleMoose Gazette (19.9 vpm) - Timothy

#8: Interested-Participant (18.5 vpm) - MEDIA BIAS

For a number of reasons, it would be absolutely foolish for me to even attempt to beguile myself into thinking my chances are good. Besides the fact that I have the lowest average number of votes per match, I have myself voted for every single one of the remaining entries at least once, and, sometimes, more than once. But, it's like a whole new contest with eight entries and the voters will decide.

The voting started a few minutes ago HERE. Polls close on Sunday night at midnight. Your continued interest and participation is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/05/2004 10:31:00 PM

Canada Sending Forces to Haiti

From the Globe and Mail comes this news.

The Canadian Forces will send a contingent of about 450 personnel to help restore stability to Haiti starting Sunday, Defence Minister David Pratt said Friday.

Although with some apparent reluctance, a 90-day deployment was approved by Prime Minister Paul Martin on Thursday and it was announced today by Defence Minister David Pratt and General Ray Henault. The Canadians will join 1,000 U.S. Marines, 440 French, and 130 Chilean troops.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/05/2004 05:56:00 AM

High School Rapes

(Hamilton County, Ohio) A 16-year-old sophomore at Northwest High School has been charged with raping two students on school property. The student was arrested by sheriff's deputies and confessed to the rapes. Both victims are 14-year-old freshmen at the school in Colerain Township, a suburb of Cincinnati.

There is something seriously wrong with this 16-year-old and the authorities can't afford to slough these episodes off as a juvenile pranks.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/05/2004 05:23:00 AM

Students Face $100 Fine for Smoking

(Westlake, Ohio) According to this story, students caught smoking on any campus of the Westlake School System will be ticketed and fined $100 under a new district policy. Although the article doesn't specify, one has to suspect that only tobacco smoking is being targeted for penalty. Marijuana, crack cocaine and other drugs are usually of no concern to the anti-smoking advocacy groups.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/05/2004 04:43:00 AM

"Girls Gone Wild" Records Unsealed by Judge

(Panama City, Florida) Joseph Francis, producer of the Girls Gone Wild video series, was arrested last year on charges of racketeering and promoting the sexual performance of a child. Francis is out on bail awaiting trial. Search warrants and related documents in the case were sealed by order of Bay County Judge Thomas Welch because prosecutors stated they were part of an ongoing investigation.

In what is considered a "landmark decision," Circuit Judge Dedee Costello unsealed court records in the criminal case, becoming the first state judge to rule citizens have a constitutional right of access to served search warrants. Other judges disagree. For example, records remain sealed in the Kobe Bryant and Scott Peterson cases.

Interesting, however, if the case against Francis is negatively affected, it's not a good idea. Personally, I think records of an investigation should not be available to the public until the case is adjudicated.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/05/2004 03:42:00 AM

Drunken While Driving School Bus

(Campbell, New York) According to this story, two local school district bus drivers have been accused of driving while intoxicated within the past year. Both cases involved operating the bus with children on board and one involved an accident which injured 16 students.

Bertha L. Hoffman, 70, of Thurston pleaded guilty to 37 charges, including two felonies, related to a February 14, 2003, accident. She was sentenced to 14 to 18 months of treatment, counseling and monitoring in the Steuben County Drug Court program.

Michele L. Schwartz, 36, arrested last October, pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and endangering the welfare of a child, both misdemeanors. This week, she was sentenced to five days in the Stueben County Jail, plus a $1,000 fine, community service, home monitoring, drug treatment, and probation.

This is very disturbing. I fear that these two episodes may be indicative of a much larger problem and not just in New York State, possibly throughout the country. I hope I'm wrong.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/04/2004 09:00:00 PM

Teacher in Reserves Must Pay for Substitute

(Grand Rapids, Michigan) Barry Bernhardt, a middle school science teacher, has been told that he must cover the cost of a substitute when called to duty and give the school district some of his military pay.

At a school board meeting this week, angry teachers, students and district residents criticized the decision by administrators at Kenowa Hills Public Schools.

"Is this how you treat people that defend your country?" Tom Lovett, a teacher's spouse and district resident, asked board members.

One would imagine that there are better ways of handling this situation. The school district probably doesn't need controversy.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/04/2004 08:22:00 PM

Home-Schoolers Can't Join Sports Teams

The Michigan State Court of Appeals has ruled that home-schooled students do not have the right to join high school sports teams.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/03/2004 09:02:00 PM

Hot Wheels Change Color

Frank Kelley of the University of Akron and Barry Rosenbaum of Omnova Solutions, a chemical company, have developed a rubber compound that changes color from black to red when tire temperatures rise above 77 degrees Celsius. This may be significant as a warning mechanism for overheated tires, a major cause of blowouts which are blamed for an estimated 10,000 injuries per year. The researchers hope to sell their product to the tire industry in the near future.

One would be led to surmise that further research could result in a rubber that displays a series of colors through a range of temperatures. Just think, you could look at a parking lot and figure out who just showed up.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/03/2004 06:10:00 PM

New Paltz Mayor Charged for Marrying Homosexuals

(New Paltz, New York) Jason West, the Green Party extremist who promised to energize all city facilities with solar power if elected mayor, has been charged with "solemnizing a marriage without a license" by the Ulster County District Attorney Donald Williams for performing 19 homosexual "marriages." The electorate wasn't too happy when they found that his solar power idea would cost millions more than just buying power from the utility and they're even less happy that he's now flagrantly breaking the law. This includes bypassing the city clerk in the licensing process and manufacturing his own "marriage certificates."

The charges against West carry a possible two years in prison plus a fine of $500, but this punishment is considered unlikely. Nonetheless, Village Trustee Robert Hebel plans to file "removal from office" paperwork next week.

Hopefully, the events surrounding Jason West will convey to New Paltz voters the consequences of electing an extremist to public office. I doubt it though. New York liberals have a tendency of not learning from their mistakes.

Hat tip: Aldaynet
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       Following Entry Posted 3/03/2004 11:26:00 AM

Horror in North Korea

From Robert Koehler in South Korea comes this story.

Defectors Tell of Cannibalism, Torture, Lost Families
WARSAW -- The "5th International Conference on North Korean Human Rights & Refugees," held from Feb. 29 to March 2 in Warsaw, Poland, has drawn the attention of international media.

Within Europe, interest in the North Korea problem has increased remarkably, probably as a result of a BBC documentary on suspicions that North Korea has been testing chemical weapons on political prisoners. Recently, footage from Japan's Fuji TV depicting conditions in the North's Yodeok Prison Camp has been telecast in Poland, and Polish media has paid a lot of attention to the Warsaw conference.

At this conference, five defectors discussed their tragic conditions in which family members have been lost or scattered about.

Read the experiences of the defectors. They are only snapshots of the inhumanity that currently exists in North Korea, but they add to the already large and growing body of evidence against the criminal communist regime of Kim Jong-il.

Americans need to be aware of the threat that North Korea represents to peace and stability in the Far East. Like it or not, the United States is involved. And, in some very real ways, history is being repeated. In the words of National Remembrance Institute president Leon Kieres:

"Even though I've never been to the Far East, when I look at the situation as a Pole, a people who have experienced things like the Nazi Holocaust, there are clearly things in common between the North Korean prison camps and those of the Nazis and Soviets."

Read the article and the commentary at the Marmot's Hole.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/03/2004 09:46:00 AM

Blow Dryers Damage Brain Cells

According to research conducted by University of Washington's Department of Bioengineering, 60 hertz electromagnetic fields from blow dryers, electric blankets and other household appliances damages brain cells. The study found that rats exposed to a 60 hertz field for 24 hours showed significant DNA damage.

Since homes and businesses are continuously supplied with electricity of this nature, we can probably anticipate the next move by the anti-civilization Greenies. There'll likely be an effort to have warnings placed in our utility bills, stating:

CAUTION
Studies on rats indicate ELECTRICITY MAKES YOU STUPID

In the meantime, what is the Animal Liberation Front going to do about those poor rats used in testing? Rescuing them probably wouldn't be a good idea. It would be inhumane to thrust brain damaged rats into the regular rat population.

Hat tip: Dissecting Leftism
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       Following Entry Posted 3/03/2004 08:23:00 AM

Norway Disagrees With US Policy

According to this story, the self-described as non-socialist, but quite socialist government of Norway has again expressed disappointment in US foreign policy. This time it's about land mines. Previously, it was the Iraq War. It seems that the decision makers in Oslo should be monitored very closely, like a canary in a mine shaft. Every time the leaders in Norway stake out a position on an issue, Washington needs to act in the exact opposite direction. It's uncanny how the Norwegians are able to be so consistently wrong about what's in the best interests of the United States and the world.

Personally, it seems exceptionally arrogant of Norway, smaller than Montana and with less people than Chicago, to continually blast the US.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/02/2004 08:15:00 PM

Sundown For Supersize

Chalk up another victory for the food nazis. In a true bend-over and genuflect management move, McDonald's is getting rid of supersize drinks and fries under "growing public pressure to give consumers healthier food options." When are they going to realize that the goal of the food nazis is to put them out of business. They could not care less about American waistlines.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/02/2004 06:49:00 PM

Iraqi Olympic Team

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reinstated the country of Iraq as full members of the International Olympic community. Several countries are helping the Iraqis with funding and training so they can compete in the August 13-29 games.

It's small, but good news is always welcome.

Hat tip: Suburban Blight
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       Following Entry Posted 3/02/2004 09:30:00 AM

Toledo Diocese To Identify Perverted Priests, Sometime

(Toledo, Ohio) Catholic Bishop Leonard Blair indicated on Friday that he would take his own sweet time in preparing a list which names the perverted priests who have served in Toledo. Also,

"The report will not include the names of nine accused priests who have died," he said.

It seems that no crimes should be investigated if the pervert is dead. The bishop probably thinks the names of suicide bombers should be kept secret also.

My take is simple. The Roman Catholic Church is guilty of continuing a conspiracy to cover up sexual abuse, rampant homosexuality, pedophilia, and criminal complicity. And, it all makes sense. The priests from 20, 30, or more years ago that participated in the crimes are now in the upper levels of the hierarchy of the church. It is not difficult to understand why today's church leaders are doing everything in their power to minimize the extent of any investigation.

[Update] The Rambler pointed me to this piece in the Cincinnati Enquirer which supports my contention that the leaders are doing their best to keep people quiet.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/02/2004 08:33:00 AM

Super Tuesday in Ohio

I feel a great sense of relief because this is Super Tuesday. Tomorrow will be a better day without the cacophony of absolute crap that's been continuously spewed by Kerry, Edwards, Kucinich and their bend-over drones. I know it's only going to diminish a bit, not go away. However, any respite is welcome.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/01/2004 05:17:00 PM

Gephardt Campaigns for Kerry

(Akron, Ohio) At a downtown restaurant, Dick Gephardt deposited a couple nuggets to Democratic party faithful at a campaign rally for John Kerry. Attacking President Bush,

"This (president) is by far the worst, . . ."

"I'm nostalgic for Ronald Reagan. That's how bad it is."

The crowd laughed loudly.

Somehow I can't see the majority of Americans supporting the contention that the country would be better off if Al Gore were president. And, I have trouble even contemplating what would have occurred had Jimmy Carter beaten Ronald Reagan in 1980.

It appears that if Gephardt actually believes President Bush is the worst, he's either delusional or has an extremely poor memory. Either way, those attending the rally have the same problem.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/01/2004 03:42:00 PM

Threats Cause School Lockdown

(Jefferson, Ohio) Last Thursday, homemade CDs were left on eight windshields of cars in the Jefferson High School parking lot. On the CDs were graphic threats of harm to the principal and to the authors themselves. As a result, the school was placed in lockdown mode. The Jefferson Police Department is investigating, along with the FBI and the Ashtabula County Sheriff. According to Jefferson Police Chief Steve Febel, seven suspects have been identified, some students and some not.

Hopefully, this incident was caused by one or two wacko wingnuts as opposed to a cadre.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/01/2004 06:25:00 AM

Prozac Used to Motivate Student

Over at the NaughtyPundit, Ron has written about his cousin, a high school student. It seems the school psychologist doesn't think the cousin is motivated enough to graduate so he put him on Prozac. Ron's troubled by this situation and I can sure understand why. I'd be troubled even if Prozac didn't have an encyclopedia of dangerous side effects.
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       Following Entry Posted 3/01/2004 12:23:00 AM

The Game That Never Ends

A message from Pete at Blog Madness:

I know it seems like Blog Madness will NEVER end. I apologize for the insane length of the contest -- it was poor planning, but the show must go on, right?

Elimination Round 8 has just begun. I'm matched up against an entry from Oh ... Really? Thanks to all the faithful who have endured the length of the contest and voted to keep me in it. Your continued support is humbly solicited.

Vote here.
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