Slowing the aging process using only antibiotics | KurzweilAI:
"Why is it that within a homogeneous population of the same species, some individuals live three times as long as others?"
Monday, May 27, 2013
Electric cars and plug-in hybrids are a fail
Electric cars and plug-in hybrids are a fail | ZDNet:
" GM's Volt and Nissan's Leaf sales are pathetic. Fisker is going to be issued its last rites, A123 and CODA are going bankrupt, and Israel is now sitting shiva for a Better Place. Why are electric cars and plug-in hybrids failing so miserably?"
" GM's Volt and Nissan's Leaf sales are pathetic. Fisker is going to be issued its last rites, A123 and CODA are going bankrupt, and Israel is now sitting shiva for a Better Place. Why are electric cars and plug-in hybrids failing so miserably?"
Fired for word: 'Negro' in Spanish class
Fired for word: 'Negro' in Spanish class - Yahoo! News
The Akron Public Schools Board of Education voted in January to pursue the firing of Melissa Cairns. She was a math teacher at Buchtel Community Learning Center.
The school district said that Ms. Cairns posted a photo on her personal Facebook page which showed 8 or 9 out of her 16 students with duct tape across their mouths. The caption read: "Finally found a way to get them to be quiet!!!" The district says a colleague of Cairns' notified a supervisor of the photo.
On the face of it, this sounds outrageous. But what's the context?
Cairn, a teacher for 10 years, says she gave a girl a roll of duct tape to fix her binder, but the student cut a piece of tape, placed it over her mouth and laughed.
"The other kids in the class thought it was funny also, and they proceeded to pass the tape and scissors around the class. The students, the majority of the class, ended up putting a piece of duct tape across their mouth," Cairns explained.
Friday, May 24, 2013
IRS Tea Party Intimidation An Echo Of Raids On Gibson Guitar
IRS Tea Party Intimidation An Echo Of Raids On Gibson Guitar - Investors.com:
"Interestingly, one of Gibson's leading competitors is C.F. Martin & Co. According to C.F. Martin's catalog, several of their guitars contain "East Indian Rosewood," which is the exact same wood in at least 10 of Gibson's guitars. So why were they not also raided and their inventory of foreign wood seized?
Grossly underreported at the time was the fact that Gibson's chief executive, Henry Juszkiewicz, contributed to Republican politicians. Recent donations have included $2,000 to Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and $1,500 to Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.
By contrast, Chris Martin IV, the Martin & Co. CEO, is a long-time Democratic supporter, with $35,400 in contributions to Democratic candidates and the Democratic National Committee over the past couple of election cycles."
"Interestingly, one of Gibson's leading competitors is C.F. Martin & Co. According to C.F. Martin's catalog, several of their guitars contain "East Indian Rosewood," which is the exact same wood in at least 10 of Gibson's guitars. So why were they not also raided and their inventory of foreign wood seized?
Grossly underreported at the time was the fact that Gibson's chief executive, Henry Juszkiewicz, contributed to Republican politicians. Recent donations have included $2,000 to Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and $1,500 to Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.
By contrast, Chris Martin IV, the Martin & Co. CEO, is a long-time Democratic supporter, with $35,400 in contributions to Democratic candidates and the Democratic National Committee over the past couple of election cycles."
At least one Milwaukee mom won’t be sending her child to school on ‘Switch It Up Day’
At least one Milwaukee mom won’t be sending her child to school on ‘Switch It Up Day’ - EAGnews.org :: Education Research, Reporting, Analysis and Commentary:
"Deidri Hernandez’s seven-year-old son won’t be in school today, after officials at Tippecanoe School for the Arts and Humanities confirmed they’re still holding “Switch It Up Day” – a time for students to come dressed as members of the opposite sex."
"Deidri Hernandez’s seven-year-old son won’t be in school today, after officials at Tippecanoe School for the Arts and Humanities confirmed they’re still holding “Switch It Up Day” – a time for students to come dressed as members of the opposite sex."
Bill would let Michigan install red-light cameras
Bill would let Michigan install red-light cameras | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com:
"Michigan's local governments would have the option to put cameras at intersections to spot drivers running red lights under proposed legislation in the state House.
A measure recently introduced by Republican Rep. Wayne Schmidt of Traverse City would give local communities the power to put cameras in place."
"Michigan's local governments would have the option to put cameras at intersections to spot drivers running red lights under proposed legislation in the state House.
A measure recently introduced by Republican Rep. Wayne Schmidt of Traverse City would give local communities the power to put cameras in place."
Bernanke out by August, QE ends, rates up: Crash
Bernanke out by August, QE ends, rates up: Crash - Paul B. Farrell - MarketWatch:
"The Fed “won’t be able to keep a lid on interest rates forever.” So “large money managers such as BlackRock, TCW Group and Pimco are getting ready for the day when rates take their first turn higher. It isn’t coming anytime soon, these investors say. But when it does, they worry, the ascent will be swift and steep.”
Get defensive now, start preparing for a crash ... later is too late
Get it? Rates will go up. Way up. Very fast.
And America’s 95 million Main Street investors will be unprepared. Markets will crash. Like 1994’s 24% bond crash after Fed rate increases, notes Wirz.
The big players say the crash “won’t happen soon.” Don’t believe them. They’re betting with trillions. And they are hedging their bets, already preparing for “when rates take their first turn higher,” because rates will soar “swift and steep,” and when that happens it will be too late to prepare."
"The Fed “won’t be able to keep a lid on interest rates forever.” So “large money managers such as BlackRock, TCW Group and Pimco are getting ready for the day when rates take their first turn higher. It isn’t coming anytime soon, these investors say. But when it does, they worry, the ascent will be swift and steep.”
Get defensive now, start preparing for a crash ... later is too late
Get it? Rates will go up. Way up. Very fast.
And America’s 95 million Main Street investors will be unprepared. Markets will crash. Like 1994’s 24% bond crash after Fed rate increases, notes Wirz.
The big players say the crash “won’t happen soon.” Don’t believe them. They’re betting with trillions. And they are hedging their bets, already preparing for “when rates take their first turn higher,” because rates will soar “swift and steep,” and when that happens it will be too late to prepare."
BBC political editor Nick Robinson's extraordinary apology after backlash against 'Muslim appearance' comment about Woolwich killers
BBC political editor Nick Robinson's extraordinary apology after backlash against 'Muslim appearance' comment about Woolwich killers | Mail Online:
"The BBC's political editor has apologised for directly quoting a Whitehall source who described the Woolwich killers as being 'of Muslim appearance'.
Nick Robinson said he was sorry for using the phrase, which 'was both liable to be misinterpreted and to cause offence', during the BBC News at Six broadcast yesterday."
"The BBC's political editor has apologised for directly quoting a Whitehall source who described the Woolwich killers as being 'of Muslim appearance'.
Nick Robinson said he was sorry for using the phrase, which 'was both liable to be misinterpreted and to cause offence', during the BBC News at Six broadcast yesterday."
I-5 bridge collapses over Skagit River; possibly triggered by truck
I-5 bridge collapses over Skagit River; possibly triggered by truck | The Today File | Seattle Times:
"The bridge, built in 1955, has a sufficiency rating of 57.4 out of 100, according to federal records. That is well below the statewide average rating of 80, according to an Associated Press analysis of federal data, but 759 bridges in the state have a lower sufficiency score."
"The bridge, built in 1955, has a sufficiency rating of 57.4 out of 100, according to federal records. That is well below the statewide average rating of 80, according to an Associated Press analysis of federal data, but 759 bridges in the state have a lower sufficiency score."
Thursday, May 23, 2013
London, a Deeper Horror Than We Might Think
London, a Deeper Horror Than We Might Think - Simon Conway - Page 1
And I know in my heart that if you transplanted that atrocious scene on a London street yesterday, to an American street today, then the outcome would have been entirely different. People, as they did in Boston, would run TOWARDS the danger.
So what happened yesterday? What could possess a crowd to watch two men with knives and machetes hack to death another human being? And why was the only reaction to pull out phones and shoot pictures and video? How could these people then wait 20 minutes for the police to show up without any attempt to take down these terrorists?
It took most of the day for me to reach my conclusion, but I have arrived at something that is really quite uncomfortable - more so because we here in the United States are currently headed down the same path. We might be 10 or 15 or even 20 years away, but unless we change direction then we too will simply record an event and do nothing to try and save another human being.
What am I talking about? Some of you might call it socialism, but whatever label you give it, Britain is now a country that is completely dependent on government. Government will take care of me; government knows best; government has my best interests at heart; government will be here in 20 minutes to deal with these terrorists.
11 Public Universities with the Worst Graduation Rate
11 Public Universities with the Worst Graduation Rate:
"1. Southern University at New Orleans, Louisiana
Graduation rate: 4%
"1. Southern University at New Orleans, Louisiana
Graduation rate: 4%
Sweden riots expose ugly side of 'Nordic model'
Sweden riots expose ugly side of 'Nordic model' - Yahoo! News Canada:
"Sweden received 43,900 asylum seekers in 2012, a nearly 50 percent jump from 2011 and the second highest on record.
Nearly half were from Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia. Many native Swedes worry welfare could become unaffordable if the trend continues."
"Sweden received 43,900 asylum seekers in 2012, a nearly 50 percent jump from 2011 and the second highest on record.
Nearly half were from Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia. Many native Swedes worry welfare could become unaffordable if the trend continues."
911 Dispatcher Tells Woman About To Be Sexually Assaulted There Are No Cops To Help Her Due To Budget Cuts
911 Dispatcher Tells Woman About To Be Sexually Assaulted There Are No Cops To Help Her Due To Budget Cuts « CBS Seattle
“Uh, I don’t have anybody to send out there,” the 911 dispatcher told the woman.
The woman told the dispatcher that Bellah previously attacked her and left her hospitalized a few weeks prior to the latest incident.
“Uh, I don’t have anybody to send out there,” the 911 dispatcher told the woman.
“You know, obviously, if he comes inside the residence and assaults you, can you ask him to go away?
Do you know if he’s intoxicated or anything?”
The woman told the dispatcher that Bellah previously attacked her and left her hospitalized a few weeks prior to the latest incident.
The dispatcher stayed on the phone with the woman for more than 10 minutes before the sexual assault took place.
“Once again it’s unfortunate you guys don’t have any law enforcement out there,” the dispatcher said, according to Oregon Public Radio.
The woman responded: “Yeah, it doesn’t matter, if he gets in the house I’m done.”
“Once again it’s unfortunate you guys don’t have any law enforcement out there,” the dispatcher said, according to Oregon Public Radio.
The woman responded: “Yeah, it doesn’t matter, if he gets in the house I’m done.”
People Getting Dumber? Human Intelligence Has Declined Since Victorian Era, Research Suggests
People Getting Dumber? Human Intelligence Has Declined Since Victorian Era, Research Suggests:
".....points to the fact that women of high intelligence tend to have fewer children than do women of lower intelligence.
This negative association between I.Q. and fertility has been demonstrated time and again in research over the last century."
".....points to the fact that women of high intelligence tend to have fewer children than do women of lower intelligence.
This negative association between I.Q. and fertility has been demonstrated time and again in research over the last century."
Propaganda: NPR Incorrectly Claims IRS Has Nothing to do With Obamacare
Propaganda: NPR Incorrectly Claims IRS Has Nothing to do With Obamacare:
"Conway also reminded host Conan why Obamacare was upheld by the Supreme Court last year.
It wasn't upheld under the Commerce Clause but under the federal government's taxing powers.
"So, the same IRS that is playing politics with people's lives and their applications will also have some kind of authority over what happens with healthcare," she said.
As they came upon a break, Conan's reply was a succinct--and wholly wrong--"No, it won't."
"Conway also reminded host Conan why Obamacare was upheld by the Supreme Court last year.
It wasn't upheld under the Commerce Clause but under the federal government's taxing powers.
"So, the same IRS that is playing politics with people's lives and their applications will also have some kind of authority over what happens with healthcare," she said.
As they came upon a break, Conan's reply was a succinct--and wholly wrong--"No, it won't."
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
The Manhood of the West
Belmont Club » The Manhood of the West:
"The attackers knew they were actors in a drama — as keenly watched in their communities as on the BBC. And in that other audience they were asking, “how will the locals behave”.
We know now.
And that other audience may derive an entirely different lesson from this tableau.
“See?
Only their women act like men.
They follow orders.
They are nothing any more — these Westerners.
They are a civilization whose core has been destroyed.”
And would they be right?
Who will be the judge?"
"The attackers knew they were actors in a drama — as keenly watched in their communities as on the BBC. And in that other audience they were asking, “how will the locals behave”.
We know now.
And that other audience may derive an entirely different lesson from this tableau.
“See?
Only their women act like men.
They follow orders.
They are nothing any more — these Westerners.
They are a civilization whose core has been destroyed.”
And would they be right?
Who will be the judge?"
Inconvenient weather fact: Frequency of violent tornadoes like the one in Oklahoma has been declining, not increasing
Inconvenient weather fact: Frequency of violent tornadoes like the one in Oklahoma has been declining, not increasing | AEIdeas:
"There’s just one small, inconvenient problem with making a connection between climate change and an increasing frequency of violent tornadoes – the link doesn’t actually exist."
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Spain's Angry and Unemployed Young Men
RealClearWorld - Spain's Angry and Unemployed Young Men:
"The oddest moment came when we reached a tollbooth not too far from Madrid.
There was only one booth open and when we pulled up there was no one in it and no coin or credit card slot. We waited, then we left.
Perhaps the attendant was in the bathroom.
Perhaps the revenue didn't justify paying a toll taker.
Perhaps this was one of the austerity measures they had taken.
I will never know.
What I do know is that the drive had a sort of post-apocalyptic feel, except that it was very clean. "
"The oddest moment came when we reached a tollbooth not too far from Madrid.
There was only one booth open and when we pulled up there was no one in it and no coin or credit card slot. We waited, then we left.
Perhaps the attendant was in the bathroom.
Perhaps the revenue didn't justify paying a toll taker.
Perhaps this was one of the austerity measures they had taken.
I will never know.
What I do know is that the drive had a sort of post-apocalyptic feel, except that it was very clean. "
Ten Thousand Commandments: Regulations Increasingly Used to Enact Measures Voters Wouldn't Approve
Ten Thousand Commandments: Regulations Increasingly Used to Enact Measures Voters Wouldn't Approve | Competitive Enterprise Institute:
"According to the new edition of the report, released today by the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Americans spend an estimated $1.8 trillion a year to comply with federal regulations.
For the first time, that’s more than half the level of total federal expenditures.
Agencies spend $61 billion per year just to administer and enforce federal regulations—a 50 percent increase in the last decade."
"According to the new edition of the report, released today by the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Americans spend an estimated $1.8 trillion a year to comply with federal regulations.
For the first time, that’s more than half the level of total federal expenditures.
Agencies spend $61 billion per year just to administer and enforce federal regulations—a 50 percent increase in the last decade."
Fatkinis By GabiFresh & swimsuitsforall: A Bikini Line For Plus-Sizes
Fatkinis By GabiFresh & swimsuitsforall: A Bikini Line For Plus-Sizes:"Now, with the advent of “fatkinis” and this amazing collection that resulted from Gabi Gregg and swimsuitsforall collaborating, it’s easy for anybody between a size 10 and 24 to find gorgeous bikinis."
Awesome. Scammers faking disabilities to cut lines
Awesome. Scammers faking disabilities to cut lines « Hot Air:
"I’ve been witness to this myself on multiple occasions, the most recent being this January. I was flying to Atlanta by way of Detroit. In the Motor City I was waiting with two colleagues when I saw an older – though not that much older than me- couple come to the boarding area. They were a well dressed, genteel seeming African American couple, with the woman pushing the man in a wheelchair. I was immediately moved to feel a bit sorry for them having to cram onto a flight while dealing with the infirmities which can accompany our golden years. After wheeling up and checking with the gate agent, it turned out that they were moved in to early, preferred boarding and upgraded to the front of the plane. It was a feel good moment for everyone.
I was in zone 2 for that flight and happened to follow not far behind them through the entry ramp. Reaching the end, the gentleman hopped up out of the wheelchair, grabbed both of the carry-on bags from his wife (again, a gentlemanly move) and proceeded to move to their upgraded seating, tossing the bags up into the overhead compartment and taking his seat, the wheelchair left forgotten on the jetway"
"I’ve been witness to this myself on multiple occasions, the most recent being this January. I was flying to Atlanta by way of Detroit. In the Motor City I was waiting with two colleagues when I saw an older – though not that much older than me- couple come to the boarding area. They were a well dressed, genteel seeming African American couple, with the woman pushing the man in a wheelchair. I was immediately moved to feel a bit sorry for them having to cram onto a flight while dealing with the infirmities which can accompany our golden years. After wheeling up and checking with the gate agent, it turned out that they were moved in to early, preferred boarding and upgraded to the front of the plane. It was a feel good moment for everyone.
I was in zone 2 for that flight and happened to follow not far behind them through the entry ramp. Reaching the end, the gentleman hopped up out of the wheelchair, grabbed both of the carry-on bags from his wife (again, a gentlemanly move) and proceeded to move to their upgraded seating, tossing the bags up into the overhead compartment and taking his seat, the wheelchair left forgotten on the jetway"
District Spent $20K Per Student, Had Rodents In the Schools, Holes In the Ceiling and Walls
District Spent $20K Per Student, Had Rodents In the Schools, Holes In the Ceiling and Walls [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:
"Though the Highland Park School District spent $19,634 per pupil in 2010-11, which was the highest in the state, district schools were so mismanaged that they had rodents in the classrooms, holes in the ceilings and walls, and horrendous filth in the bathrooms."
"Though the Highland Park School District spent $19,634 per pupil in 2010-11, which was the highest in the state, district schools were so mismanaged that they had rodents in the classrooms, holes in the ceilings and walls, and horrendous filth in the bathrooms."
Flint emergency manager wants to hike city income taxes
Flint emergency manager wants to hike city income taxes | MLive.com:
"Emergency manager Ed Kurtz told MLive-Flint Journal on Monday, May 20, that a 0.5 percent income tax increase to Flint residents and a 0.25 percent increase to workers living outside the city would generate $7 million in revenue annually.
The current rate is 1 percent for Flint residents and .05 percent for those living outside the city.
....."The city faces a $19.1 million combined deficit from 2012.
"Emergency manager Ed Kurtz told MLive-Flint Journal on Monday, May 20, that a 0.5 percent income tax increase to Flint residents and a 0.25 percent increase to workers living outside the city would generate $7 million in revenue annually.
The current rate is 1 percent for Flint residents and .05 percent for those living outside the city.
....."The city faces a $19.1 million combined deficit from 2012.
Gun control: Cartridge ID law to take effect
Gun control: Cartridge ID law to take effect - SFGate:
"Worse yet, Michel said, manufacturers will be unwilling to add this expensive feature to guns sold in a single state, and will instead keep manufacturing weapons for the other states, where demand already far exceeds supply.
The effect, he said, would be a ban on new semiautomatic handguns in California, which the NRA will challenge in court."
"Worse yet, Michel said, manufacturers will be unwilling to add this expensive feature to guns sold in a single state, and will instead keep manufacturing weapons for the other states, where demand already far exceeds supply.
The effect, he said, would be a ban on new semiautomatic handguns in California, which the NRA will challenge in court."
Monday, May 20, 2013
Last time CO2 was this high, the world was underwater? NO, actually
Last time CO2 was this high, the world was underwater? NO, actually • The Register:
"....the problem with this is that over these sorts of timescales, areas of the Earth's crust rise and fall as much as the sea does.
And nobody thus far has taken account of that - it has just been assumed that the rocky coasts have remained fixed with respect to the centre of the Earth, which means that the studies thus far have been - basically - wrong.
"No prediction of ancient ice volumes can ever again ignore the Earth's interior dynamics,” says Rowley."
"....the problem with this is that over these sorts of timescales, areas of the Earth's crust rise and fall as much as the sea does.
And nobody thus far has taken account of that - it has just been assumed that the rocky coasts have remained fixed with respect to the centre of the Earth, which means that the studies thus far have been - basically - wrong.
"No prediction of ancient ice volumes can ever again ignore the Earth's interior dynamics,” says Rowley."
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