Bra converts to gas-mark, creator wins IgNobel The Australian: "ENGINEERS who invented a brassiere that converts quickly into a gas mask, pathologists who determined that beer bottles can crack your skull even when empty and Irish police officers who mistakenly wrote tickets to 'Driver's License' have all won 'IgNobel' prizes.
Prizes also went to Zimbabwe for issuing banknotes that range in value from one Zimbabwean cent to 100 trillion Zimbabwean dollars, Mexican scientists who made diamonds out of tequila and executives of four Icelandic banks that suffered spectacular collapses.
The IgNobel prizes are given out by the Harvard-based humor magazine Annals of Improbable Research.
The Public Health prize went to Elena Bodnar of Illinois, who designed and patented a bra that can be quickly converted into a pair of gas masks, one for the brassiere wearer and one to be given to some needy bystander.
Ireland's police won the literature prize from writing more than 50 traffic tickets to a frequent visitor and speeder named Prawo Jazdy."
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Detroit Bribes Students to Boost School Attendance
Detroit Bribes Students to Boost School Attendance
Public school districts across Michigan mobilized Wednesday to boost attendance for Count Day, the annual fall roll call that largely determines how much money each district receives under the state's per-pupil funding system.
Students in Detroit were treated to free meals, ice-cream parties, T-shirts, celebrity visits and a chance to win iPods and a plasma-screen TV — just for showing up for class.
Districts received an average of $7,810 per student last year, but that could decline by more than $200 a pupil this year as Michigan looks to close a $1.7 billion budget hole.
Every student in class Wednesday represented funding for the school year."
Public school districts across Michigan mobilized Wednesday to boost attendance for Count Day, the annual fall roll call that largely determines how much money each district receives under the state's per-pupil funding system.
Students in Detroit were treated to free meals, ice-cream parties, T-shirts, celebrity visits and a chance to win iPods and a plasma-screen TV — just for showing up for class.
Districts received an average of $7,810 per student last year, but that could decline by more than $200 a pupil this year as Michigan looks to close a $1.7 billion budget hole.
Every student in class Wednesday represented funding for the school year."
Sympathy for the Devil
Sympathy for the Devil
"So is this what am I saying: that President Bare Heart is at the helm, with a bunch of loose cannons possibly running the show?
That he's giving a wink-wink to miscreants both here and abroad?
That the New Weird Order is starting to unhinge the already unbalanced, and bring new, vulnerable people, into its fold?
That Obamaphobia is real, and we ignore it at our peril?
Yes.
But don't listen to me.
Don't listen to anyone: not the mental midgets who call you 'racist;' not your brother in law who says you're nuts; not the Talking Heads who paint you as stupid trash.
Pay attention to no one, to nothing, except the light of truth revealing itself to you."
"So is this what am I saying: that President Bare Heart is at the helm, with a bunch of loose cannons possibly running the show?
That he's giving a wink-wink to miscreants both here and abroad?
That the New Weird Order is starting to unhinge the already unbalanced, and bring new, vulnerable people, into its fold?
That Obamaphobia is real, and we ignore it at our peril?
Yes.
But don't listen to me.
Don't listen to anyone: not the mental midgets who call you 'racist;' not your brother in law who says you're nuts; not the Talking Heads who paint you as stupid trash.
Pay attention to no one, to nothing, except the light of truth revealing itself to you."
Young thugs at Walmart
My Walmart experience last night.
I pushed my cart to my car and was, surprisingly, surrounded by 4 young "mixed race" (in the old days we'd call them black) thugs.
They taunted me "hey, how 'bout some money for the children?" and "don't you care" and more but I was so shocked that I just went to my car and started to put my groceries in my trunk.
And, like yellow jacket bees they came back and demanded "hey, how 'bout some money..."
I charged them and said get away... they ran a bit and laughed at me.
As I finally closed my trunk, they were still close and I had to yell at them again to get them away from me.
I'm almost 6 foot tall.
How do women protect themselves?
These 12-17 year old monsters are cruising our Walmart parking lot.
Does anyone care?
And the "event" happened at the Norton Walmart.
I reported it to the asst. store manager today and he was concerned and said they'd take my report very seriously.
With our governor emptying prisons and 50% of young people unemployed, this may be a harbringer of our future.
I pushed my cart to my car and was, surprisingly, surrounded by 4 young "mixed race" (in the old days we'd call them black) thugs.
They taunted me "hey, how 'bout some money for the children?" and "don't you care" and more but I was so shocked that I just went to my car and started to put my groceries in my trunk.
And, like yellow jacket bees they came back and demanded "hey, how 'bout some money..."
I charged them and said get away... they ran a bit and laughed at me.
As I finally closed my trunk, they were still close and I had to yell at them again to get them away from me.
I'm almost 6 foot tall.
How do women protect themselves?
These 12-17 year old monsters are cruising our Walmart parking lot.
Does anyone care?
And the "event" happened at the Norton Walmart.
I reported it to the asst. store manager today and he was concerned and said they'd take my report very seriously.
With our governor emptying prisons and 50% of young people unemployed, this may be a harbringer of our future.
Dealers stunned after Saturn deal with Penske collapses, GM prepares to shut down brand
Dealers stunned after Saturn deal with Penske collapses, GM prepares to shut down brand
"Saturn Corp., established two decades ago by General Motors Co. as an innovative import fighter, will disappear after entrepreneur Roger Penske's firm unexpectedly ended talks to acquire its dealer network"
"Saturn Corp., established two decades ago by General Motors Co. as an innovative import fighter, will disappear after entrepreneur Roger Penske's firm unexpectedly ended talks to acquire its dealer network"
Roman Polanski's real "defense"
Roman Polanski's real "defense"
"Polanski can, of course, argue extenuating circumstances at a sentencing hearing. However, the truth seems to be that he just wants to have sex with young girls. As he put it a few years after he fled to Europe:
If I had killed somebody, it wouldn't have had so much appeal to the press, you see? But... f___ing, you see, and the young girls. Judges want to f___ young girls. Juries want to f___ young girls. Everyone wants to f__ young girls!"
"Polanski can, of course, argue extenuating circumstances at a sentencing hearing. However, the truth seems to be that he just wants to have sex with young girls. As he put it a few years after he fled to Europe:
If I had killed somebody, it wouldn't have had so much appeal to the press, you see? But... f___ing, you see, and the young girls. Judges want to f___ young girls. Juries want to f___ young girls. Everyone wants to f__ young girls!"
Do American Schoolkids Need 9/11 Education?
Do American Schoolkids Need 9/11 Education?
"In Shira Engelhart's 4th grade class in Virginia, students asked why the pilots on the plane didn't just say 'no' to the hijackers on 9/11.
In his journal, an elementary school student offered a possible explanation that the attacks were perpetrated by German soldiers during the period when there were frequent wars between the U.S. and Germany.
When Ms. Engelhart asked her class what happened on 9/11, eight out of 24 of her students knew that something bad occurred but were not sure what, while the rest of her class did not know the day is significant."
"In Shira Engelhart's 4th grade class in Virginia, students asked why the pilots on the plane didn't just say 'no' to the hijackers on 9/11.
In his journal, an elementary school student offered a possible explanation that the attacks were perpetrated by German soldiers during the period when there were frequent wars between the U.S. and Germany.
When Ms. Engelhart asked her class what happened on 9/11, eight out of 24 of her students knew that something bad occurred but were not sure what, while the rest of her class did not know the day is significant."
Senators turn back ID requirement for immigrant healthcare - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room
Senators turn back ID requirement for immigrant healthcare
- The Hill's Blog Briefing Room: "Senators turn back ID requirement for immigrant healthcare
By Jeffrey Young - 09/30/09 01:03 PM ET
Senate Finance Committee Democrats rejected a proposed a requirement that immigrants prove their identity with photo identification when signing up for federal healthcare programs.
Finance Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said that current law and the healthcare bill under consideration are too lax and leave the door open to illegal immigrants defrauding the government using false or stolen identities to obtain benefits.
Grassley's amendment was beaten back 10-13 on a party-line vote.
The bill, authored by committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), would require applicants to verify their names, places of birth and Social Security numbers. In addition, legal immigrants would have to wait five years, as under current law, after obtaining citizenship or legal residency to access federal healthcare benefits such as Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program or receive tax credits or purchase insurance through the exchange created by the legislation.
But the would not require them to show a photo ID, such as a drivers license. Without that requirement, the bill 'remains dearly lacking when it comes to identification,' Grassley said. 'Frankly, I'm very perplexed as to why anyone would oppose this amendment,' he said.
But Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman, who represents the border state of New Mexico, said that the type of fraud Grassley said he wants to prevent is highly uncommon. 'The way I see the amendment, it's a solution without a problem,' Bingaman said."
- The Hill's Blog Briefing Room: "Senators turn back ID requirement for immigrant healthcare
By Jeffrey Young - 09/30/09 01:03 PM ET
Senate Finance Committee Democrats rejected a proposed a requirement that immigrants prove their identity with photo identification when signing up for federal healthcare programs.
Finance Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said that current law and the healthcare bill under consideration are too lax and leave the door open to illegal immigrants defrauding the government using false or stolen identities to obtain benefits.
Grassley's amendment was beaten back 10-13 on a party-line vote.
The bill, authored by committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), would require applicants to verify their names, places of birth and Social Security numbers. In addition, legal immigrants would have to wait five years, as under current law, after obtaining citizenship or legal residency to access federal healthcare benefits such as Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program or receive tax credits or purchase insurance through the exchange created by the legislation.
But the would not require them to show a photo ID, such as a drivers license. Without that requirement, the bill 'remains dearly lacking when it comes to identification,' Grassley said. 'Frankly, I'm very perplexed as to why anyone would oppose this amendment,' he said.
But Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman, who represents the border state of New Mexico, said that the type of fraud Grassley said he wants to prevent is highly uncommon. 'The way I see the amendment, it's a solution without a problem,' Bingaman said."
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Morning Bell: Government-Run Health Care by Next Thursday?
Morning Bell: Government-Run Health Care by Next Thursday?
"So just how close are we to being inflicted with the Obama/Moore dream of anti-capitalist, competition-free, government-run health care?
Closer than many realize.
Multiple sources on the Hill have told The Foundry that as early as next week, the Senate could be debating Obamacare.
Senate Majority Leader Reid has stated an intention to take the HELP Committee product and merge it with the Senate Finance Committee markup that is expected to be over by this Thursday or Friday.
Their plan is to proceed to a House passed non-health care bill to provide a shell of legislation to give Obamacare a ride to the House and then straight to the President’s desk."
Read this!
The democrats are gonna stick it to us if we are asleep!
"So just how close are we to being inflicted with the Obama/Moore dream of anti-capitalist, competition-free, government-run health care?
Closer than many realize.
Multiple sources on the Hill have told The Foundry that as early as next week, the Senate could be debating Obamacare.
Senate Majority Leader Reid has stated an intention to take the HELP Committee product and merge it with the Senate Finance Committee markup that is expected to be over by this Thursday or Friday.
Their plan is to proceed to a House passed non-health care bill to provide a shell of legislation to give Obamacare a ride to the House and then straight to the President’s desk."
Read this!
The democrats are gonna stick it to us if we are asleep!
When I'm happy, so is family, says First Lady Michelle Obama
When I'm happy, so is family, says First Lady Michelle Obama
"First Lady Michelle Obama revealed a hidden White House truth: If she's happy, chances are, so is her husband.
'Throughout my life, I've learned to make choices that make me happy and make sense for me. Even my husband is happier when I'm happy,' she said in an interview with Prevention magazine, which hits newsstands next week."
Yes, it's true that most husbands are happier when their wives are "happy" but this interview is creepy.
Doncha ya think?
"First Lady Michelle Obama revealed a hidden White House truth: If she's happy, chances are, so is her husband.
'Throughout my life, I've learned to make choices that make me happy and make sense for me. Even my husband is happier when I'm happy,' she said in an interview with Prevention magazine, which hits newsstands next week."
Yes, it's true that most husbands are happier when their wives are "happy" but this interview is creepy.
Doncha ya think?
President Obama Finances Offshore Drilling in Brazil
President Obama Finances Offshore Drilling in Brazil
"You read that headline correctly.
Unfortunately, the Obama Administration is financing oil exploration off Brazil.
The U.S. is going to lend billions of dollars to Brazil's state-owned oil company, Petrobras, to finance exploration of the huge offshore discovery in Brazil's Tupi oil field in the Santos Basin near Rio de Janeiro."
"You read that headline correctly.
Unfortunately, the Obama Administration is financing oil exploration off Brazil.
The U.S. is going to lend billions of dollars to Brazil's state-owned oil company, Petrobras, to finance exploration of the huge offshore discovery in Brazil's Tupi oil field in the Santos Basin near Rio de Janeiro."
Chenille Sisters in concert Friday
Chenille Sisters in concert Friday
"Sweet, silly, serious and satisfying is what listeners can expect from the Chenille Sisters in concert this Friday."
See them!
"Sweet, silly, serious and satisfying is what listeners can expect from the Chenille Sisters in concert this Friday."
See them!
Wednesday is count day for schools across Michigan
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=114184&catid=48
"Last year, Grand Rapids Public Schools had its best count day in nearly a decade, beating enrollment projections by fifty percent."
50% INCREASE!
Sup wit dat?????
Don't the teachers take ATTENDANCE EVERY DAY?
Why use 2 freak days a year when the ACTUAL date is right there?
Oh...meebee we already no...dont wee.....$$$$$$$...ours not theirs.......
"Last year, Grand Rapids Public Schools had its best count day in nearly a decade, beating enrollment projections by fifty percent."
50% INCREASE!
Sup wit dat?????
Don't the teachers take ATTENDANCE EVERY DAY?
Why use 2 freak days a year when the ACTUAL date is right there?
Oh...meebee we already no...dont wee.....$$$$$$$...ours not theirs.......
Airliner crash simulation planned at airport Wednesday
Airliner crash simulation planned at airport Wednesday
"Despite visible flames, an actual fuselage and 90 “victims,” the emergency-type situation at the Muskegon County Airport scheduled for this morning was only a drill.
A full-scale simulation of a commercial airliner crash was being held to help train Norton Shores firefighters in the event an actual, similar crash takes place at the airport."
Ok..... now where are the ....... airliners?
Seriously, there is an enormous amount of tax payer dollars spent on this rarely used airport.
The state is broke, the county is broke, Norton Shores is broke.
When will someone suggest privatizing this white elephant
"Despite visible flames, an actual fuselage and 90 “victims,” the emergency-type situation at the Muskegon County Airport scheduled for this morning was only a drill.
A full-scale simulation of a commercial airliner crash was being held to help train Norton Shores firefighters in the event an actual, similar crash takes place at the airport."
Ok..... now where are the ....... airliners?
Seriously, there is an enormous amount of tax payer dollars spent on this rarely used airport.
The state is broke, the county is broke, Norton Shores is broke.
When will someone suggest privatizing this white elephant
“how to date a tall chick.”…
“how to date a tall chick.”…: "FROM SUSANNAH BRESLIN, advice on “how to date a tall chick.”"
Supreme Court Takes Case on Reach of Gun Rights
Supreme Court Takes Case on Reach of Gun Rights
"The Supreme Court will decide whether the constitutional right of individuals to own firearms trumps state and local laws, reviving the legal battle over gun rights in America."
They're baaarack....
"The Supreme Court will decide whether the constitutional right of individuals to own firearms trumps state and local laws, reviving the legal battle over gun rights in America."
They're baaarack....
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Even in Capitalists’ Bad Times, Europe’s Socialists Suffer - NYTimes.com
Even in Capitalists’ Bad Times, Europe’s Socialists Suffer - NYTimes.com: "A specter is haunting Europe — the specter of Socialism’s slow collapse."
Officials: Fed will need to boost rates quickly - Yahoo! Finance
Officials: Fed will need to boost rates quickly - Yahoo! Finance: "To prevent inflation from taking off, the Federal Reserve will need to start boosting interest rates quickly and aggressively once the economy is back on firmer footing, Fed officials warned Tuesday."
Monday, September 28, 2009
$25 million in U.S. aid on the way-Detroit to get lion's share of state package
$25 million in U.S. aid on the way
"The most recent wave of economic stimulus funding will infuse more than $25 million into cash-strapped Michigan communities to spur job creation, clean up blight, stave off foreclosures and fix crumbling bridges, roads and water mains."
"The most recent wave of economic stimulus funding will infuse more than $25 million into cash-strapped Michigan communities to spur job creation, clean up blight, stave off foreclosures and fix crumbling bridges, roads and water mains."
Does Asset Allocation Still Work?
Pension Pulse: Does Asset Allocation Still Work?
"Richard Bookstaber, author of A Demon of Our Own Design, recently wrote an excellent piece in Seeking Alpha, Why I'm Skeptical About Asset Allocation:"
"Richard Bookstaber, author of A Demon of Our Own Design, recently wrote an excellent piece in Seeking Alpha, Why I'm Skeptical About Asset Allocation:"
No government immunity for pension fund trustees
No government immunity for pension fund trustees
"A class action suit seeking to hold the Detroit General Retirement pension fund (DGR) trustees accountable for their investment decisions has been approved in what is said to be a precedent setting case.
Wayne County Circuit Court judge Amy Hathaway has certified a class action filed on behalf of over 9,000 pension plan participants and beneficiaries alleging the responsibility of several present and former DGR trustees' for losses of over US$100m."
"A class action suit seeking to hold the Detroit General Retirement pension fund (DGR) trustees accountable for their investment decisions has been approved in what is said to be a precedent setting case.
Wayne County Circuit Court judge Amy Hathaway has certified a class action filed on behalf of over 9,000 pension plan participants and beneficiaries alleging the responsibility of several present and former DGR trustees' for losses of over US$100m."
Pumped-up pensions squeeze city
Pumped-up pensions squeeze city
"In 2001 and 2005, the Atlanta City Council approved substantial increases in pension benefits for city workers — but didn’t figure out how to pay for them.
Those decisions are not only hobbling city finances now, they threaten to cripple the city budget for years to come."
"In 2001 and 2005, the Atlanta City Council approved substantial increases in pension benefits for city workers — but didn’t figure out how to pay for them.
Those decisions are not only hobbling city finances now, they threaten to cripple the city budget for years to come."
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Furor Over Alan Carlin, a Climate Change Skeptic - NYTimes.com
Furor Over Alan Carlin, a Climate Change Skeptic - NYTimes.com: "It is true that Dr. Carlin’s supervisor refused to accept his comments on a proposed E.P.A. finding, since adopted, that greenhouse gases endangered health and the environment, and that he did so in a dismissive way."
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