WTF Stories of the Week [Archive] - Page 13

lashbear

12-20-2010, 11:21 PM

Sure - because EVERYBODY knows that the little baby Jesus had Red, White & Blue as his Team Colours...

Nothing says "Jesus" like the Grand Ole Flag. :rolleyes:

BTW: Which countries flag should the Jews use? or the Athiests? or the Buddhists? or the Mormons?

Geeze.

Alex

12-20-2010, 11:28 PM

Find someone who bought one.

Visit them.

Say "hey...so why did you buy a Christmas tree painted like a French flag?"

Alex

12-20-2010, 11:31 PM

BTW: Which countries flag should the Jews use? or the Athiests? or the Buddhists? or the Mormons?

I think the Buddhists win.

Jews:
http://www.the-peoples-forum.com/images/israeli-flag.jpg

Atheists:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_the_Soviet_Union.png/800px-Flag_of_the_Soviet_Union.png

Buddhists:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/91/Flag_of_Bhutan.svg/800px-Flag_of_Bhutan.svg.png

Mormons:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/Flag_of_Utah.svg/660px-Flag_of_Utah.svg.png

Frikitiki

12-22-2010, 12:31 AM

Miami Mother Arrested for Abandoning Disabled Son at SeaWorld (http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2010/12/miami_mother_arrested_for_aban.php)

Gemini Cricket

12-22-2010, 11:38 AM

Miami Mother Arrested for Abandoning Disabled Son at SeaWorld (http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2010/12/miami_mother_arrested_for_aban.php)
Wow. Worst mom ever!

Alex

12-22-2010, 11:50 AM

Ahem (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Smith).

Moonliner

12-22-2010, 11:51 AM

Wow. Worst mom ever!

The article says she left the 21-Year old with his sister who then left him in the play area. Ok so she's no June Cleaver but she's not Andrea Yates either.

EDITED TO ADD: Damn you!

alphabassettgrrl

12-22-2010, 03:06 PM

But doncha know, atheists, Buddhists, etc don't count. Only Christians count....

Alex, I agree the Buddhists have a really cool flag. :)

Moonliner

12-23-2010, 09:35 AM

Placebos work (http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20101223/4831/placebos-work--even-without-deception.htm) -- even without deception

For most of us, the "placebo effect" is synonymous with the power of positive thinking; it works because you believe you're taking a real drug. But a new study rattles this assumption.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School's Osher Research Center and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) have found that placebos work even when administered without the seemingly requisite deception.

My plan for the new year? Buy a box of Tic-Tac's and make a freaking fortune!

alphabassettgrrl

12-23-2010, 09:57 AM

I think that's fantastic!

I think I do that with medicinal teas. I expect it will make me feel better, and I choose ones with actual effects, but it generally works faster than it "should".

Capt Jack

12-23-2010, 04:13 PM

I do the same with 'sleepy time' teas...but sadly Im awake an hour later having to pee

Betty

01-04-2011, 12:24 PM

SzczerbiakManiac

01-04-2011, 01:20 PM

Ghoulish Delight

01-04-2011, 01:31 PM

I've also been reading recently that the cancer research community at-large is frustrated with the ubiquity of breast cancer awareness campaigns (spearheaded for the most part by SGK).

It's a fairly common cancer that affects many many people, and it is a very marketable form of cancer in that it sparks the "women are valuable" reflex of modern America. And for a while the cancer research community at large was happy to let breast cancer researchers lead the way. Early on, when there was next to no information for anyone, the research being funded in the name of curing breast cancer was really generic cancer research that benefited all manner of cancer research. But now the vast majority of generic research is done, and any money donated to specific breast cancer charities is being used for highly specialized breast cancer specific research.

Which isn't to say that research doesn't need to continue. But there have been HUGE gains in breast cancer treatments that have not been seen in most other forms of cancer out there. I think the overall 5 year survival rate is well over 70%. Near 100% for early detection. It's amazing, and great that they've made that much progress, but with Susan G. Komen, being the excellent marketers they are, still being the highest profile money-getter for cancer research, other research is getting a short shrift in terms of donations.

Capt Jack

01-04-2011, 01:45 PM

What is that lump on her chest/shoulder area?

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20454272,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+people%2Fheadlines+%28PEOPLE. com%3A+Top+Headlines%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2010/news/100705/kellie-pickler-320.jpg

I think its actually a divot more than a lump, but the lighting is sort of odd. so sort of a meeting point between her collar bone and..whatever that muscle/tendon that meets it at the shoulder.

Alex

01-04-2011, 01:50 PM

That is correct, it is the hollow under her clavicle. A trick of lighting.

Same optical illusion that makes the marble busts in the Haunted Mansion hallway work.

Moonliner

01-04-2011, 01:52 PM

Your Cellphone Is Subject to Warrantless Searches in California (http://lifehacker.com/5724576/your-cellphone-is-subject-to-warrantless-searches-in-california)

Here's new motivation to password-protect your cellphone: A ruling from the California Supreme Court gives officers the right to search your cellphone—and the giant well of personal data therein—without a warrant

Frikitiki

01-04-2011, 02:17 PM

It appears as if the Susan G. Komen Foundation spends a million dollars per year on preventing other charities from using the word "cure" (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/07/komen-foundation-charities-cure_n_793176.html)?

I think it's lame for a non-profit to waste precious donations on this.

I was listening to the Stuff You Should Know podcast. I didn't know that the pink ribbon is not owned by any single entity and that the breast cancer awareness organizations don't work together, although SGK is the largest and most well known.

Kevy Baby

01-04-2011, 08:21 PM

What is that lump on her chest/shoulder area?

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20454272,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+people%2Fheadlines+%28PEOPLE. com%3A+Top+Headlines%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2010/news/100705/kellie-pickler-320.jpgShould I know or care who Kellie Pickler & Kyle Jacobs are?

Frikitiki

01-04-2011, 08:26 PM

If you were into American Idol a few seasons ago, she was one of the sweethearts. Definitely wasn't going to win but it was the first time the country girl was in the city. It was fun to watch her reactions as she got exposed to things for the first time.

Not Afraid

01-04-2011, 08:32 PM

It's a fairly common cancer that affects many many people, and it is a very marketable form of cancer in that it sparks the "women are valuable" reflex of modern America.

You got it all wrong. It's all about the boob.

Personally, I think a cure would be a nice thing to have, but PREVENTION would be better.

SzczerbiakManiac

01-06-2011, 09:58 AM

Bill O'Reilly thinks the only possible explanation for tides going in and out is God—science cannot explain it. See for yourself starting at the 1:54 mark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BCipg71LbI).

Uh Bill, I have news for you and you're not going to like it....

Capt Jack

01-06-2011, 10:45 AM

Should I know or care who Kellie Pickler & Kyle Jacobs are?

If you were into American Idol....

so bottom line, pretty much that's a no.

SzczerbiakManiac

01-06-2011, 07:02 PM

Baby Wee-Wee Ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6bpN6A6yc8)
I can't decide if that's work safe or not. I'm too confused... and disturbed....

lashbear

01-06-2011, 09:34 PM

Baby Wee-Wee Ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6bpN6A6yc8)
I can't decide if that's work safe or not. I'm too confused... and disturbed....
I like that it cracks a fat before it pees !!! - NOT ! :eek:

Ghoulish Delight

01-06-2011, 09:48 PM

I like that it cracks a fat before it pees !!! - NOT ! :eek:
Yyyyeah - that's actually pretty accurate. In reality, it's a good early warning system.

BarTopDancer

01-06-2011, 09:56 PM

Should I know or care who Kellie Pickler & Kyle Jacobs are?
Kellie Pickler is a country music artist. And until this thread I had no idea she was on American Idol.

You got it all wrong. It's all about the boob.

It's all about your boobs. For as risque as we were on NYE... no boobs were flashed. Odd.

lashbear

01-06-2011, 11:51 PM

Yyyyeah - that's actually pretty accurate. In reality, it's a good early warning system.
Go figure! See, it's been 45 years since I peed like that, no wonder I forgot... :D

Morrigoon

01-11-2011, 02:29 PM

Watching "Taboo" on NatGeo. Learned a new term: "Freeganism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeganism)"

WTF?

I mean, dumpster diving for furniture is one thing, but FOOD??? And not out of necessity but PRINCIPLE???

Ghoulish Delight

01-11-2011, 02:50 PM

The Goode Family had an episode about freegans.

Awww, now you've gone and made me miss that show all over agin :(

Gemini Cricket

01-11-2011, 02:55 PM

Glock purchases UP after AZ shooting (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/11/arizonans-flock-up-the-bl_n_807517.html)
wtf?

katiesue

01-11-2011, 03:22 PM

Bones had a freegan episode as well.

JWBear

01-11-2011, 06:13 PM

Glock purchases UP after AZ shooting (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/11/arizonans-flock-up-the-bl_n_807517.html)
wtf?

Not just Glocks from what I've read. They're all afraid that the shooting will give the government an excuse to ban guns, and they want to buy as many as they can before that happens.

In other words, paranoia.

cirquelover

01-13-2011, 10:08 AM

Betty

01-13-2011, 10:29 AM

What is wrong with people now a days?!!

It would appear some zebras escaped from the Hearst castle grounds so their wonderful neighbore killed them rather than call the owners to come get them! Seriously, WTF!!

Oops, for got the link; http://www.postchronicle.com/news/breakingnews/article_212343122.shtml

I saw that on the news. They said they "had" to kill them because they were a danger to their horses.

Now - aren't zebras basically striped horses???

Ghoulish Delight

01-13-2011, 10:39 AM

Sure, and raccoons are basically masked cats.

JWBear

01-13-2011, 10:49 AM

One guy shot one just so he could have a rug made!?!? What a piece of sh1t!

katiesue

01-13-2011, 10:59 AM

Zebras are apparently quite aggressive and don't play nicely with others. They should have definitely contacted animal control or the owners. I got the feeling this wasn't a one off thing and they'd kinda had it.

And he said he made the rug so it wouldn't go to waste :)

Alex

01-13-2011, 11:25 AM

On no trip there have the zebras ever been visible for my enjoyment.

So **** 'em says I.

Ghoulish Delight

01-13-2011, 11:29 AM

On no trip there have the zebras ever been visible for my enjoyment.Makes it barely worth bringing the gun along.

Moonliner

01-13-2011, 12:34 PM

So what's your sign? (http://gawker.com/5732115/your-zodiac-sign-may-have-changed?skyline=true&s=i)

Astronomers have restored the original Babylonian zodiac by recalculating the dates that correspond with each sign to accommodate millennia of subtle shifts in the Earth's axis. Prepare to have your minds blown, all you people with easily blowable minds.

Gemini? I don't want to be no stinking Gemini. F that. I'm sticking with my Chinese equivalent: Tiger.

Morrigoon

01-13-2011, 12:56 PM

Yeah um... I'm pretty much the DEFINITION of an Aquarius, and my husband an Aries, so I don't see us taking on Capricorn and Pisces identities any time soon.

Not that it matters, since it's all crap :) Interesting though!

Betty

01-13-2011, 02:41 PM

Sure, and raccoons are basically masked cats.

Psh. Horses and zebras are a lot closer than that. Haven't you heard of a zorse?*

I've never heard of a ... um... cacoon?

*( okay - I hadn't - but I did look up a little on zebras and horses and found that although they are similar, zebras are very wild and difficult to train. Zorses a little bit easier but only if you start within days of their birth. Themoreyouknow!)

Alex

01-13-2011, 03:12 PM

Oddly, I think a Hebra is the mating of a circumcised horse with a female zebra.

Kevy Baby

01-13-2011, 04:38 PM

I'd hate to be the Mohel for that job

Though the tips would be HUGE

Betty

01-13-2011, 04:58 PM

They also have Zonkeys.

Morrigoon

01-13-2011, 05:17 PM

I thought those were called Zedonks?

lashbear

01-16-2011, 03:03 AM

They also have Zonkeys.

I thought those were called Zedonks?
No. They're called Tourist Traps.

BTW: the zodiac change thing doesn't affect me - I'm still a Sagittarian. Half man, half horse.

Kevy Baby

01-16-2011, 10:27 AM

BTW: the zodiac change thing doesn't affect me - I'm still a Sagittarian. Half man, half horse.With the size of your sphincter, you will always be half horse

lashbear

01-16-2011, 01:36 PM

With the size of your sphincter, you will always be half horse
Oh, Wiiiilbuuuur !

BarTopDancer

01-19-2011, 01:04 PM

Abortion doctor performing illegal late-term abortions in filthy conditions with untrained staff charged with murdering live-born children by stabbing them. WTF! (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g1VR6XPz-8USiRjQcRtuJaF0yZ6A?docId=CNG.4ed09d170514bb755f07 7bf33b89b3f8.281)

Betty

01-19-2011, 03:21 PM

wtf indeed!

Kevy Baby

01-20-2011, 10:12 AM

Not as much of a WTF, but the story amused me.

House Votes to Stop Printing Bills -- After Printing Hundreds of Copies of That Bill

The House of Representatives on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill to stop the mandatory printing of congressional documents -- unfortunately for the sponsor, the government had to print another 1,000 pages in order for the House to consider the proposal.

In yet another example of how unintentionally amusing Washington can be, the Government Printing Office was required to provide Congress with 325 copies of the three-page bill, according to the office of author Rep. Chris Lee, R-N.Y. The GPO typically prints between 325 and 475 copies of any bill or resolution, and this one was no exception.

Lee spokesman Matthew Harakal acknowledged the frustration in having to print more copies in order to stop the printing of more copies. But he said if all goes well, the practice should soon draw to a close. The bill would order the GPO to stop the excessive printing and instead provide digital copies to Congress via the Internet.The whole story (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/01/18/house-considers-proposal-stop-mandatory-printing/#ixzz1Bb2lVAEE)

SzczerbiakManiac

01-21-2011, 05:36 PM

Addicting To Eating Couch Cushions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB_AI0ZGDmI)

Kevy Baby

01-25-2011, 03:59 PM

lashbear

01-25-2011, 04:20 PM

Judith Scheindlin would sort him right out...

[Judge Judy Voice] "You're not getting it back, Mr. Burton" [/Judge Judy Voice]

Kevy Baby

01-28-2011, 10:33 AM

Strangler Lewis

01-28-2011, 11:43 AM

Addicting To Eating Couch Cushions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB_AI0ZGDmI)

Thank you. This helps me understand George "The Animal" Steele's turnbuckle addiction.

Not Afraid

01-28-2011, 01:26 PM

More of a WTF ITEM of the week.

Do they really think wine drinkers would use this thing?!? A Wine Yoke (http://www.bevmo.com/Shop/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=34402&FIDRequired=false)

http://www.bevmo.com/Media/Images/ProductImagesFull/92411.jpg

My friend Tim has - and uses - one of these. He had a massive stroke at 42 and has lost most of the use of his right arm. This device allows him to shake hands and move about at parties while still enjoying a glass of wine.

Kevy Baby

01-28-2011, 02:13 PM

My friend Tim has - and uses - one of these. He had a massive stroke at 42 and has lost most of the use of his right arm. This device allows him to shake hands and move about at parties while still enjoying a glass of wine.OK, he's allowed - valid reason. Anybody with use of both arms/hands is not allowed.

Chernabog

01-28-2011, 07:29 PM

Here's another classic recipe on Food Network's site for dark chocolate. (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/dark-chocolate-as-a-snack-recipe/index.html)

Really? REALLY?

Kevy Baby

01-28-2011, 07:41 PM

Somebody that has some control of the recipes that get posted has a wonderful sense of humor!

Cadaverous Pallor

01-28-2011, 09:04 PM

Here's another classic recipe on Food Network's site for dark chocolate. (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/dark-chocolate-as-a-snack-recipe/index.html)
I usually make a triple batch.

Betty

01-29-2011, 07:16 AM

Major UConn donor demands return of $3 million

The whole story (http://www.theday.com/article/20110125/SPORT07/301259947/1017).

I know about Mr. Burton (http://people.forbes.com/profile/robert-g-burton/17365) as he runs Cenveo (http://cenveo.com/), the fifth largest printing company in the country (at about $2.1 billion). He has a similar take-no-prisoners reputation in the industry as well (as well as a reputation for being a bit of a jerk).

He seems a bit unclear on the definition of "donate".

Morrigoon

01-30-2011, 09:40 PM

Here's another classic recipe on Food Network's site for dark chocolate. (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/dark-chocolate-as-a-snack-recipe/index.html)

Really? REALLY?

Definitely another classic. Right up there with Paula Deen's English Peas.

cirquelover

01-31-2011, 11:44 AM

Reading all the comments has me in stitches!! I'm not sure if i can master such a tough recipe though :evil:

SzczerbiakManiac

01-31-2011, 01:03 PM

Cadaverous Pallor

01-31-2011, 01:51 PM

French father-of-two suing GlaxoSmithKline claiming their drug to treat Parkinson's turned him into a gay sex and gambling addict (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hOM-J-W_vQyhOMtzwgnRBGZSUZiw?docId=CNG.63bcff8f98980fff7 93ec95493293141.811)
Wow, this is the most WTF story I've seen in a while. This 51 year old man claimed he was raped.
The drug, Requip, has been known for years to have undesired side effects but a warning only appeared on its package insert in 2006, his lawyers said.Warning: Drug may lead to...well, just about anything.

On first glance it sounds preposterous but it got me thinking. What if a drug really did turn off your inhibition filter, your moral compass? All kinds of craziness could ensue.

Kevy Baby

01-31-2011, 01:55 PM

What if a drug really did turn off your inhibition filter, your moral compass? All kinds of craziness could ensue.I know of one such drug that already exists: Alcoholic Beverages

Ghoulish Delight

01-31-2011, 02:04 PM

I know of one such drug that already exists: Alcoholic Beverages

The differences are 1) the whole medically necessary aspect and 2) the actual feeling of inebriation. It's one thing to feel messed up and therefore act messed up. It's another thing to feel otherwise normal but find yourself with a major shift in personality.

From what I know of parkinsons, dopamine (or lack thereof) is a prime agent in the disease. It also happens to be a prime agent in addictive, compulsive, and risky behaviors. Knowing those to things, and confirming that Requip, or ropinirole, the drug in question, acts as a dopamine replacement), the guy's story is not difficult to believe.

Cadaverous Pallor

01-31-2011, 02:24 PM

There was a Radiolab story about a woman who had never gambled in her whole life, but after being put on a dopamine replacement completely bankrupted herself gambling.

This could get pricey for the drug companies.

Alex

01-31-2011, 02:33 PM

That was a very good episode of Radiolab.

Moonliner

01-31-2011, 02:41 PM

How common is that? I have trouble with punitive damages against the drug companies for rare instances of adverse reactions. Unlike cases like Provasic where they knew damn well the stuff was dangerous and sold it anyway.

Ghoulish Delight

01-31-2011, 04:33 PM

I don't know how common it is, but one of the important details of this case is that the plaintiff was prescribed the drug in 2005. In 2006, the company started affixing warnings about such side effects to the drug. The claim, I would guess, is that they knew about the side effects in 2005.

Moonliner

02-02-2011, 12:44 PM

It's kind of depressing that this thread never seems to run out of topics.

Woman tries to mail puppy via USPS priority mail. (http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/02/01/woman-tries-to-mail-puppy-in-box/)

SzczerbiakManiac

02-02-2011, 01:39 PM

I find it highly disturbing they're even THINKing about giving her the dog back. (though I imagine the law requires it) That SHPoS needs to be banned from owning animals forever!

Strangler Lewis

02-02-2011, 02:19 PM

I was once in line at the Post Office behind a man who wanted to mail a chicken to Mexico.

Ghoulish Delight

02-06-2011, 01:29 PM

Parasailing Donkey Dies of Heart Attack (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/05/3130946.htm)

Kevy Baby

02-06-2011, 06:55 PM

Parasailing Donkey Dies of Heart Attack (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/05/3130946.htm)That just make me ill

Alex

02-06-2011, 07:21 PM

Well, it does prove that if you just don't know how to have a good time and freak out over every little thing then you're an ass.

lashbear

02-06-2011, 10:54 PM

VAM!!!!

Moonliner

02-07-2011, 09:07 AM

Parasailing Donkey Dies of Heart Attack (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/05/3130946.htm)

From the headline I thought the donkey died while para-sailing rather than months later.

SzczerbiakManiac

02-07-2011, 02:08 PM

Woman returned rescue dog because it clashed with her curtains (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/pets/8287949/Woman-returned-rescue-dog-because-it-clashed-with-curtains.html)

alphabassettgrrl

02-07-2011, 03:52 PM

He clashed with her curtains???? Who gets a dog thinking it's going to match your decor??? She'd better not have a kid- it might come out the wrong coloring.

Kevy Baby

02-07-2011, 07:52 PM

If you go looking for books on BDSM on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_n_7?rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3ABDSM%2Cn%3A%2110 00%2Cn%3A53&bbn=1000&keywords=BDSM&ie=UTF8&qid=1297057052&rnid=1000#/ref=sr_pg_9?rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3ABDSM%2Cn%3A%211000 %2Cn%3A53&page=9&bbn=1000&keywords=BDSM&ie=UTF8&qid=1297057113), you will see such titles as
The Lazy Crossdresser by Charlie Anders
The Toybag Guide to Canes and Caning by Janet W Hardy
Sensuous Magic: A Guide for Adventurous Lovers by Pat Califia

and of course,

Art for the Very Young: Ages 3-6 by Elizabeth Kelly and Joanne Mcconville (http://www.amazon.com/Art-Very-Young-Ages-3-6/dp/1568226683/ref=sr_1_104?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297133229&sr=1-104)

What the?!?

Strangler Lewis

02-07-2011, 09:14 PM

Don't f*** with this c*ck. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110208/ap_on_re_us/us_cockfight_death;_ylt=ArA6qEnTUPF1Rd2s_AwGnLmKOr gF;_ylu=X3oDMTNnMzE4NjcwBGFzc2V0Ay9zL2FwLzIwMTEwMj A4L2FwX29uX3JlX3VzL3VzX2NvY2tmaWdodF9kZWF0aARjY29k ZQNwemJ1cgRjcG9zAzgEcG9zAzgEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yaW VzBHNsawNjYWxpZm9ybmlhbWE-)

lashbear

02-07-2011, 10:43 PM

Sensuous Magic: A Guide for Adventurous Lovers by Pat Califia
Pat Califia is AWESOME. I attended a couple of her workshops one Mardi Gras.

lashbear

02-07-2011, 10:44 PM

Betty

02-13-2011, 12:21 PM

My brother in law just "liked" Glenn Beck on facebook. WTF? I've instantly lost a measure of respect for him.

Moonliner

02-14-2011, 08:25 AM

My brother in law just "liked" Glenn Beck on facebook. WTF? I've instantly lost a measure of respect for him.

Perhaps it's a keep your friends close keep your enemies closer type of thing?

Betty

02-14-2011, 09:00 AM

Perhaps it's a keep your friends close keep your enemies closer type of thing?

No - he seems to think there's some truth in what all the talking heads say (or at least those that don't like Obama?) and he can figure out what's what. I knew we had different political views - I just didn't think he was into all that fear, FEAR! and whargarble.

Moonliner

02-14-2011, 02:18 PM

A cruise passenger's trip came to an abrupt end when authorities allegedly found narcotics and about $51,000 in cash in his cabin.

I wonder how common this is. According to the article a passenger was caught carrying drugs while re-boarding and ratted out his dealer who was selling drugs from his cabin (http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/02/14/cruise.ship.drug.arrest/index.html?iref=NS1).

I guess the moral of the story is, if you are going to deal drugs on a cruise book two cabins, one for dealing and one as a safe house.

Kevy Baby

02-18-2011, 02:08 PM

Major UConn donor demands return of $3 million
Robert G. Burton wants UConn to give him his $3 million back.

Burton gave the money to the University of Connecticut to build the Burton Family Football Complex in Storrs. Now, citing disagreements with the school's athletic director and a desire to be consulted about the new football coach, he wants that donation returned and his family's name taken off the facility altogether. The whole story (http://www.theday.com/article/20110125/SPORT07/301259947/1017).

I know about Mr. Burton (http://people.forbes.com/profile/robert-g-burton/17365) as he runs Cenveo (http://cenveo.com/), the fifth largest printing company in the country (at about $2.1 billion). He has a similar take-no-prisoners reputation in the industry as well (as well as a reputation for being a bit of a jerk).It appears his temper tantrum is over and the University kissed his ass enough to appease he ego.

Burton, UConn Make Amends

There's good news for UConn football. Bob dropped me a note the other day, indicating that both his family and the university have mended their fences. He will continue to back the university and the gridiron program.The whole story (http://www.piworld.com/blog/cenveo-executive-bob-burton-still-backing-uconn-football-program#utm_source=piworld.com&utm_medium=blog_page&utm_campaign=blog_additional_blogs)

Moonliner

02-18-2011, 03:18 PM

Paranoid granola crunchers plan to use GPS to track their students (http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/02/18/gps-to-track-truant-students-in-anaheim/).

Two Anaheim schools have become the first in California to adopt GPS tracking to prevent students from cutting class.

In related news, "Faraday cages" became a local trending topic on Google (http://www.google.com/insights/search/#q=faraday&geo=US-CA&date=today%2012-m&cmpt=q).

Morrigoon

02-18-2011, 04:04 PM

Probably because of a recent Mythbusters episode.

edit: oh, haha, and because of its relevance to the topic, lol

Kevy Baby

02-22-2011, 11:39 PM

GOOD news WTF!

Caltech basketball snaps 310-game conference losing streakCaltech posted its first conference victory in more than 26 years Tuesday, defeating Occidental in its season finale, 46-45, bringing its run of 310 consecutive conference losses to an end. It was the longest conference losing streak in the nation.

Caltech ends the season at 5-20, its best season in decades. The streak began on Jan. 23, 1985, with a 48-47 loss to La Verne. In 2007, the Beavers broke a record 207-game NCAA losing streak with an 81-52 victory over Bard College of New York.Congrats to the Beavers!

Disneyphile

02-23-2011, 11:41 AM

Woman Assaults Roommate Over Missing Thin Mints (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41721654/ns/us_news-weird_news/)

Moonliner

02-23-2011, 11:52 AM

Woman Assaults Roommate Over Missing Thin Mints (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41721654/ns/us_news-weird_news/)

Over Tagalongs or Samoas that would be bat-S crazy, but we're taking thin mints here. I think she showed excellent self control.

JWBear

02-23-2011, 12:34 PM

Go out and get som Keebler Grasshoppers, woman! They taste exactly the same.

CoasterMatt

02-23-2011, 12:59 PM

Cocaine is a hell of a drug (http://jalopnik.com/#!5768449).

Kevy Baby

02-27-2011, 11:47 AM

Would fit more appropriately in an "Irony" thread...

Drunk driver rams SUV into S. LA sober house

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A drunk driver is being blamed for crashing an SUV into a sober living facility in South Los Angeles.

The crash happened Saturday night at 80th and Figueroa streets. Firefighters arrived to find the SUV had plowed into the building and ended up in a room.

The residents were sleeping at the time of the crash.

Five people suffered minor injuries as did the driver.

Police didn't release the driver's name but said the person will be charged with felony DUI.Since there wasn't much to the story, I quoted the whole thing, but the source is here (http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=7983548).

Disneyphile

03-03-2011, 12:45 AM

Tastes Just Like...... Horse Semen! (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/foodies-to-race-for-stallion-semen/story-e6frg6so-1226008164850)

SzczerbiakManiac

03-03-2011, 06:43 PM

Russian press conference invaded by flying dildo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbnDr_IbdIU)
It's exactly what it sounds like.

Kevy Baby

03-03-2011, 07:30 PM

Russian press conference invaded by flying dildo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbnDr_IbdIU)
It's exactly what it sounds like.I got a great laugh out of it!

JWBear

03-03-2011, 07:46 PM

A Helicockter... hehe...hehe...hehe...

Kevy Baby

03-03-2011, 10:23 PM

VJWBM

Not Afraid

03-03-2011, 10:49 PM

The Heli-cockter was so randomly funny. I think all public meeting need to be interrupted in this manner.

I didn't find the other video YouTube suggested to be quite as "fun".

Monkey peeing in his own mouth. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DBuk91phkI&NR=1)

Morrigoon

03-04-2011, 12:39 PM

Yeah, that clip was surprisingly funny, even more so than one would expect from the name.

alphabassettgrrl

03-04-2011, 05:41 PM

Tastes Just Like...... Horse Semen! (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/foodies-to-race-for-stallion-semen/story-e6frg6so-1226008164850)

Made me laugh. :) And it comes in flavors????? Dude. Wrong. Might be fun to watch the women serving it, though.

Russian press conference invaded by flying dildo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbnDr_IbdIU)
It's exactly what it sounds like.

Had a laugh about that one! Husband has been flying little helicopters like that- just needs the skin.

Capt Jack

03-04-2011, 05:45 PM

Tastes Just Like...... Horse Semen! (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/foodies-to-race-for-stallion-semen/story-e6frg6so-1226008164850)

how about 'no? '...is 'no' soon enough?
good...then...'no'

Moonliner

03-08-2011, 01:11 PM

Something about this story smells mighty fishy (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/03/redondo-beach-authorities-report-large-fish-kill-at-king-harbor.html).

Authorities in Redondo Beach are investigating what killed millions of fish over the last day at King Harbor Marina.

I'll bet Charlie Sheen is involved somehow.

Capt Jack

03-08-2011, 01:26 PM

nah, he always smells that way

Ghoulish Delight

03-10-2011, 10:40 PM

Remember folks, if you're in an airplane when the cabin loses pressure, please plan ahead and have the good graces to not be in the bathroom at the time (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42015889/ns/travel-news/)

It's for your protection.

SzczerbiakManiac

03-10-2011, 11:03 PM

JWBear

03-10-2011, 11:07 PM

The FAA and TSA: "We put people in danger in order to keep them safe!"

Morrigoon

03-10-2011, 11:10 PM

I'm so over it. Can we abolish the TSA now please?

Morrigoon

03-11-2011, 12:20 AM

Friend of mine says ABC interrupted their Japan tsunami coverage to cover a raid on Tiger Blood's house. Weak.

Moonliner

03-11-2011, 06:26 AM

The FAA and TSA: "We put people in danger in order to keep them safe!"

You do understand they removed them because it turns out it would be a trivial task to make one explode?

My criticism would be why it took this long to recognize this issue and what else are they missing?

JWBear

03-11-2011, 10:18 AM

"Trivial" being the operative word.

Kevy Baby

03-11-2011, 12:01 PM

"Trivial" being the operative word.No, Moonliner should have said it was a "simple" task, which means that the main thing the TSA did wrong was take to long to discover and correct this matter.

I suspect that it may have been discovered because some groups was discovered to be planning to exploit that weakness.

Alex

03-11-2011, 12:19 PM

The article specifically mentions that it wasn't done in response to any intelligence, just their own internal process of looking at things that could be exploited.

Personally I think sounds like a stupid over-reaction to a low risk but the reactions in the article are as well. Sudden decompression at 35,000 without immediate access to oxygen isn't really a death risk to most people unless, for some reason, the pilot decides to keep the plane at altitude (after all, people free climb Everest to 30k feet without supplemental oxygen, unpleasant but not fatal).

Moonliner

03-11-2011, 12:32 PM

The article specifically mentions that it wasn't done in response to any intelligence, just their own internal process of looking at things that could be exploited.

I'm not sure how much their comment on that is worth. Somehow I doubt they would say: In response to plans we found on a thumb drive in a bombed out Afghanistan cave we have decided to remove these devices.

Alex

03-11-2011, 12:43 PM

Other than that for every stupid security measure they've taken in the past they've only been too happy to say "we've heard whispers of terrorists thinking about possibly in the future having a meeting to discuss the possibility of considering plans of action that theoretically could lead to them doing this thing we're preventing."

Moonliner

03-11-2011, 12:45 PM

Alcohol Detectors Could Come Standard With a New Car (http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Alcohol-Detectors-Could-Come-Standard-With-a-New-Car-117777338.html?dr)

A new law under consideration in California would call for installation of a device that would allow six violations before stalling the car

It's called "The Roads Safe Act" and opponents claim it's designed to put an alcohol detector in every car, just like an airbag or stereo.

Ok, where's the Poo? Whenever I see something that smells this bad I assume it's being used to cover up some lesser smell to make it more fragrant. Are they looking to raise the drinking age? Drop the legal limit? What is it?

Moonliner

03-11-2011, 12:50 PM

Alex

03-11-2011, 01:00 PM

Apparnetly they fixed a typo since you quoted that. It is not a California bill but a federal bill introduced by Tom Udall of New Mexico.

And when I read an article that generic about a bill I wonder if the writer read it.

It's here (http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:S.510:). It says nothing about making these things standard. All it does is provide money for doing research on the implications of broadening their use.

Disneyphile

03-22-2011, 06:57 PM

Pole Dancing for Jesus (http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/local_news/water_cooler/KJRH_class-teaches-%22pole-dancing-for-jesus%221300822835244)

Even I can't make that stuff up. ;)

alphabassettgrrl

03-22-2011, 09:21 PM

Pole Dancing for Jesus (http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/local_news/water_cooler/KJRH_class-teaches-%22pole-dancing-for-jesus%221300822835244)

Awesome. :)

I think they actually mean well, too. So it's actually kind of cool.... :)

Betty

03-23-2011, 07:04 AM

So the pic of the girl in front... she's thinking of jesus and posing like that? hmmm. she's got a different relationship with Jesus then some other people do. ;)

Betty

03-24-2011, 09:57 AM

This is disgusting and shameful. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NutFkykjmbM)

alphabassettgrrl

03-24-2011, 11:15 AM

"Go home"??? Um, they are home. Some people need to wake up a little. We have a lot of different varieties of people here.

Not all terrorists are Muslim, by any means, and certainly most Muslim people are law-abiding citizens. Granted, it's a minority of people who are a problem, and those people need to be watched really closely, but you can't draw those lines along religion or ethnicity. Terrorists come from just about all groups.

How much time did they spend harassing those poor people? Glad the cops were there to keep things orderly (of sorts).

SzczerbiakManiac

03-25-2011, 12:59 PM

Average Penis Size, by Nation (http://goodmenproject.com/newsroom/who-has-the-biggest-penises-in-the-world/)

SzczerbiakManiac

04-01-2011, 10:56 AM

Pakistan spiders cover trees in webbing (http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-03/30/pakistan-tree-spiders) (pictures)

Alex

04-01-2011, 11:05 AM

Reminds me of the caterpillar infestations I'd see in trees growing up.

Like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29906388@N02/4730056077/in/photostream/

cirquelover

04-01-2011, 11:56 AM

I just saw a Discovery channel show about a tree in a Texas park that had thousands of spiders living in it.

Kevy Baby

04-01-2011, 04:57 PM

Pakistan spiders cover trees in webbing (http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-03/30/pakistan-tree-spiders) (pictures)If one doesn't think about the fact that there are a gazillion spiders in those trees, that's really cool.

And for arachnophobes, you don't see any spiders in the pictures; I am not sure where your threshold is, but it might be worth taking a peek.

Morrigoon

04-01-2011, 05:30 PM

Admittedly, I hadn't heard that 1/5 of Pakistan had been underwater in 2010.

Alex

04-01-2011, 05:48 PM

Reading the comments on teh spider post lead to this fascinating (to me anyway) detailing of a similar event in Texas a few years ago. Not safe for the spider scaredy.

http://spiderjoe.com/journal/giant-lake-tawakoni-web

Ghoulish Delight

04-02-2011, 10:50 PM

Executives of the company that operated the oil rig that blew up in the Gulf...were given huge bonuses for the company's safety record last year.

I sh*t you not (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42393722/ns/business/)

Capt Jack

04-05-2011, 08:53 AM

I had to chuckle a bit

Cow Girl (http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/04/05/6410491-the-cow-jumped-over-the)

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/pb-110405-cow-da-01.photoblog900.jpg

SzczerbiakManiac

04-05-2011, 09:20 AM

Cool story.

I'm confused though. That's a cow, but a bull, so shouldn't there be some teets hanging about? Os is her appearance normal for a non milk cow?

Alex

04-05-2011, 09:30 AM

I may be misremembering but I don't believe that a cow develops prominent utters until it has been through pregnancy. And in the last photo I do see signs of nipples.

Alex

04-05-2011, 11:29 AM

Also, if you're going to be doing searches on cow udders while at work, I recommend making sure SafeSearch is on.

SzczerbiakManiac

04-05-2011, 12:42 PM

I'm afraid your warning came too late Alex.

Fortunately Big Brother was not watching, but I did learn how quickly my mouse can home in on a small red X.

Gemini Cricket

04-05-2011, 01:24 PM

My cousin died drinking milk. The cow fell on him.

:D

Alex

04-05-2011, 01:28 PM

My cousin died drinking milk. The cow fell on him.

Photos of similar escapades will be among the first you see doing an image search without SafeSearch.

Capt Jack

04-05-2011, 03:51 PM

I know Ive said this a time or two around these parts, but it really does warrant being said again, here and now

ewwwwww

Kevy Baby

04-05-2011, 04:28 PM

...a cow develops prominent utters until...That's utterly ridiculous

alphabassettgrrl

04-05-2011, 06:55 PM

Cow Girl (http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/04/05/6410491-the-cow-jumped-over-the)

"When she wants to do something she does it, when she doesn't, she doesn't,"

That made me laugh. :) And sounds like training a basset hound. :)

Ghoulish Delight

04-12-2011, 08:14 AM

For lack of a better posting location - Google Inception (http://clementvalla.com/index.php?/work/bridges/)

It seems Google's satellite image processing software has particular issues with bridges.

Stan4dSteph

04-12-2011, 09:40 AM

Reminds me of a Dali painting. Weirdness!

BarTopDancer

04-13-2011, 11:28 AM

Mother drowns 3 children, one escapes. (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-mother-drowns-kids-20110414,0,221941.story). Poor kid tried to get help but was too late.

Stan4dSteph

04-14-2011, 10:09 AM

Mother drowns 3 children, one escapes. (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-mother-drowns-kids-20110414,0,221941.story). Poor kid tried to get help but was too late.That happened just down the river from here. Very sad.

Betty

04-14-2011, 11:24 AM

The kid is now recanting and saying she tried to back up. Poor kid.

DreadPirateRoberts

04-14-2011, 11:31 AM

Zsa Zsa Gabor to become new mother at 94, husband says (http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/celebrity.news.gossip/04/14/gabor.baby/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn)

?

Betty

04-14-2011, 01:28 PM

Is she adopting a dog perhaps?

DreadPirateRoberts

04-14-2011, 02:21 PM

Zsa Zsa Gabor to become new mother at 94, husband says (http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/celebrity.news.gossip/04/14/gabor.baby/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn)

?

maybe not (http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/14/relax-the-zsa-zsa-baby-thing-wont-happen/?hpt=Sbin)

Kevy Baby

04-15-2011, 12:10 PM

US Postal Service Uses Fake Statue Of Liberty For Stamp
The United States Postal Service released new Forever stamps featuring the Statue of Liberty and the American flag last December. The only thing: It's not the Statue of Liberty in the New York Harbor—it's the Statue of Liberty at the New York New York Hotel in Las Vegas. Luck be a lady?The whole story (http://gothamist.com/2011/04/15/us_postal_service_uses_fake_statue.php).

It's been a tough week for stamp production. The Pacific nation of Niue received plenty of flak for releasing stamps of Prince William and bride-to-be Kate Middleton that have a vertical perforation that separates the pair into individual stamps.

RStar

04-16-2011, 08:01 AM

Is the stamp with the flag made with a picture that's not the real flag as well??? Sheesh!

SzczerbiakManiac

04-22-2011, 12:53 PM

Lions Mane Jellyfish: holy fückballs this think is big!
http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljy9v6RUsc1qf1hl1o1_500.jpg (http://benchaplinhayun.tumblr.com/post/4774634117)

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion%27s_mane_jellyfish)

Ghoulish Delight

04-22-2011, 01:04 PM

Hmm, that photo and the text on the page doesn't match up with what the wiki article says. The photo page claims they can be 6M (~20ft) in diameter, which the photo appears to support, but wiki (and other sources) talk in terms of ~8ft as the largest. That's a pretty significant disagreement and I strongly suspect that particular photo is either doctored or forced perspective.

Of course, an 8ft jellyfish is still damned big.

Alex

04-22-2011, 01:06 PM

According to Wikipedia the largest such jellyfish have a bell diameter of about 8 feet. The link with the photo says 6 meters.

Some quick searching seems to support the Wikipedia number but that thing's much larger than that.

Pretty sure that's Photoshopped.

Ghoulish Delight

04-22-2011, 01:09 PM

Alex, it's a good thing you have such terrible taste in candy so people can tell us apart.

Alex

04-22-2011, 01:17 PM

Well, that and your Special Olympics medals.

And a Google Images search for Lions Maine Jellyfish results in many cool photos, though none that are this big relative to the people in them (other than many instances of this picture).

SzczerbiakManiac

04-22-2011, 05:41 PM

Yeah, I noticed that size discrepancy too, but it's still a big-ass jelly and felt it was WTF worthy.

SzczerbiakManiac

04-28-2011, 01:10 PM

This Brit spent wasted £1,000 on getting William & Kate faces on his teeth! (http://dlisted.com/2011/04/28/speaking-terrifying-royal-teefs)

I love this quote from the article,"[he] will spend the next 3 months hearing "Oh, you've got a little royal in your teeth" from people who really want to say "Dumbass."
http://dlisted.com/files/teeeeeefsroyal.jpg

Chernabog

04-29-2011, 12:54 PM

Haha I guess he didn't want Kate to be the only one with a little royal in her teeth this weekend. :evil:

Kevy Baby

04-29-2011, 11:50 PM

Not so WTF as just downright amusing

Leaking US house dials for help (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hGkhfsxVxz1JmnvPCTJvHPyCXipg?docId=e9596f5eb fe84252bb9d3c0f57b485fb)

MARBLEHEAD, Massachusetts (AP) — After months of enduring a leaking pipe that buckled its floors and sagged its ceilings, an empty house somehow called police for help.

The Salem News reports the call to the emergency hotline went out to police from a house in Marblehead on Wednesday after water short-circuited the phone system, apparently sparking the emergency call.

Officers were sent to the address after the call was recorded as a hang up and a return call got static.

Inside, they found the wreckage, including potentially toxic mold, from a pipe that apparently burst during the winter.

Town officials say the interior may have to be gutted.
Police couldn't immediately locate owner James Cowen. His cousin, William Cowen, said he's not worried. He says James was left financially secure by his father and often travels.

alphabassettgrrl

04-30-2011, 12:02 AM

Awesome. :)

Snowflake

05-02-2011, 04:06 PM

Early Playboy Playmate Yvette Vickers Found Dead (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/05/early-playboy-playmate-and-b-movie-acress-yvette-vickers-found-dead-in-benedict-canyon.html)

She's been dead for over a year? Mail piling up in her mailbox and the postal worker does not notice? Her neighbors just now notice? The scary part is the space heater was still running. Who paid PG&E??? This is very sad.

cirquelover

05-03-2011, 09:14 AM

It took the neighbor a year to realize mail was piling up, really!?! That is crazy.

When I was two weeks late paying my power bill recently, after 10 years never late, they were threatening to shut me off!

alphabassettgrrl

05-03-2011, 12:34 PM

Direct deposit for retirement/401k/Social security; autopay for regularly occurring bills, and a reclusive habit?

Yeah, sad, but I could see it. If your neighbors can't see your door? Our postman would notice, but that's because our mailbox is on the front of the house. If I asked him to toss it through the slot in the front door, he would never know.

Kevy Baby

05-03-2011, 03:37 PM

It took the neighbor a year to realize mail was piling up, really!?! That is crazy.How about the USPS (not) realizing that the mail was piling up?

JWBear

05-03-2011, 04:03 PM

Maybe she had one of those in-the-door mail slots.

Kevy Baby

05-03-2011, 06:15 PM

Maybe she had one of those in-the-door mail slots.Nope (at least according to the LA Times article linked):Susan Savage, an actress, went to check on Vickers after noticing old letters and cobwebs in her elderly neighbor's mailbox.

DreadPirateRoberts

05-06-2011, 10:04 AM

Cats of War (http://www.slate.com/id/2293232/)

http://img.slate.com/media/1/123125/122964/2281524/2292859/2293205/04_paraKittens.jpg

Moonliner

05-11-2011, 07:20 PM

People flee Italy for fear of Earthquake predicted years ago (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/8508390/Spain-earthquake-Rome-earthquake-rumour-sparks-mass-exodus.html).

Bendandi is said to have predicted several earthquakes which hit Italy during the last hundred years before his death in 1979 and the panic on Wednesday was fanned by Facebook, Twitter and text messages.

I really hope a good portion of them headed for Spain (http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/05/11/spain.earthquake.death/index.html?iref=allsearch).

Morrigoon

05-13-2011, 11:23 AM

Interrogation of LAUSD librarians (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0513-tobar-20110513,0,3002882.column?page=1)

Betty

05-31-2011, 08:27 AM

http://whitepowermilk.com/

CoasterMatt

05-31-2011, 09:12 AM

Wow... I finally found something on the internet that made me almost gag.

Betty

05-31-2011, 10:03 AM

Wow... I finally found something on the internet that made me almost gag.

almost... ;)

Moonliner

05-31-2011, 08:26 PM

Speaking of unfortunate headlines. I saw this on CNN today...

Horse herpes forces kids to ride sticks

alphabassettgrrl

06-01-2011, 10:55 AM

Gargling milk to purify it????? I sincerely hope that's satire. Because that's awesome and funny but if they're serious that's nasty.

Stick ponies- I didn't believe it, either, but Rachel Maddow had video. Apparently horse herpes is a big deal and people are being very very careful with their horses until this dies out.

Kevy Baby

06-01-2011, 06:22 PM

'Handcuffed by policy': Fire crews watch man die
SAN FRANCISCO — Fire crews and police could only watch after a man waded into San Francisco Bay, stood up to his neck and waited. They wanted to do something, but a policy tied to earlier budget cuts strictly forbade them from trying to save the 50-year-old, officials said. The story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43233984/ns/us_news-life/)

Alex

06-01-2011, 07:34 PM

If they shouted "Are you sure you want to die?" and he shouted back "yes sir, thanks for asking," then I'm ok with it.

Betty

06-02-2011, 06:45 AM

Shameful. Who needs "death squads".

Betty

06-02-2011, 06:46 AM

If they shouted "Are you sure you want to die?" and he shouted back "yes sir, thanks for asking," then I'm ok with it.

Never been suicidal have you?

Alex

06-02-2011, 10:55 AM

Depends on what you mean by that, in the sense that I have decided to kill myself, no. In the sense that I have given the option serious consideration as a way to resolve certain issues, then yes.

That said, it is a personal belief that suicide is an acceptable personal choice and while those around such a person should certainly try to talk them out of it if they are aware of it since the decision is generally not a smart one, the person ultimately should be allowed to proceed if they desire so long as their method does not put others at personal physical risk.

I know many people disagree, and I don't at all deny that many people choose suicide for horrible reasons, nor that any suicide, however rational, may have horrible emotional impacts on people they know. I also do not extend this consideration to minors.

And I know that almost everybody disagrees with me, but that's my view. And so other than the hassle this guy caused others, I don't have a problem with him deciding to kill himself (unless he's a minor and I missed that).

Betty

06-02-2011, 03:09 PM

What if he was normally a great guy - but stopped taking his medication - and this was the result? If only any one of those people would have done something... they managed to get him out after he died after all.

What would have happend if a bunch of people jumped in to rescue him and were then in trouble. Would the "rescuers" have just sat back and continued to watch?

What was the point of them even being there anyway if they weren't going to do anything? Isn't that a waste of resources?

alphabassettgrrl

06-02-2011, 03:18 PM

If they had had equipment, they could go after him once he goes unconscious. An unconscious person cannot give/refuse consent to treat, and the assumption is that the person would want to be treated/revived.

As far as I understand it, anyway.

Kevy Baby

06-02-2011, 03:43 PM

For those who did not read the entire article:Interim Alameda Fire Chief Mike D'Orazi said that due to 2009 budget cuts his crews did not have the training or cold-water gear to go into the water.

<snip>

The Coast Guard was called to the scene, but the water was too shallow for its boat. A Coast Guard helicopter arrived more than an hour later because it had been on another call and had to refuel.

As for police, they didn't have the gear for the cold water and couldn't risk being pulled under.

"Certainly this was tragic, but police officers are tasked with ensuring public safety, including the safety of personnel who are sent to try to resolve these kinds of situations," Alameda police Lt. Sean Lynch said.

"He was engaged in a deliberate act of taking his own life," Lynch told the Mercury News. "We did not know whether he was violent, whether drugs were involved. It's not a situation of a typical rescue."

Ghoulish Delight

06-02-2011, 03:48 PM

Ghoulish Delight

06-02-2011, 04:04 PM

As if spelling bee contestants didn't already have enough of a stigma to overcome, this (http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-national/) is the new venue this year.

Kevy Baby

06-02-2011, 04:05 PM

As if spelling bee contestants didn't already have enough of a stigma to overcome, this (http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-national/) is the new venue this year.Oh lord, that is so gay

Capt Jack

06-02-2011, 04:08 PM

its inappropriate to laugh...
its inappropriate to laugh...
its inappropriate to laugh...

Alex

06-02-2011, 04:27 PM

What if he was normally a great guy - but stopped taking his medication - and this was the result?

Doesn't change my view. Just because you can be medicated out of a choice doesn't make the choice unacceptable. But if the state is willing to say pre-emptively (not just because of the choice made) that you're so incapable of making personal decisions that we will deprive you of personhood and dictate your life to you then opens a different can of worms.

Though it would be nice if there was a place people could go and say "I'm ready to die" and they're asked if they'd like to talk to someone about it, encouraged to fill out some forms that will make things easier afterward, and then given a pill and a quiet room. But all of that requires getting rid of the notion that deciding on suicide is prima facie evidence that one is crazy, or that even if one is crazy, one is not allowed to be so.

What was the point of them even being there anyway if they weren't going to do anything? Isn't that a waste of resources?

If nothing else to make sure nobody else got themselves killed doing something stupid in response.

Morrigoon

06-02-2011, 05:38 PM

That chopper was on the call we witnessed, over by the Cliff House. We still don't know if they ever found the "surfer in distress" they were looking for.

Kevy Baby

06-02-2011, 09:00 PM

its inappropriate to laugh...
its inappropriate to laugh...
its inappropriate to laugh......out loud
...out loud
...out loud

Ghoulish Delight

06-08-2011, 10:17 AM

Flying bear kills two Canadians in freak accident

link (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43327103/ns/world_news-americas/)
Two Canadians died instantly in a freak accident when a car hit a 440-pound black bear and sent the animal flying straight through the windshield of an oncoming vehicle, local media said on Wednesday.

The bear's body hit the 25-year-old driver and a 40-year-old man sitting behind her and then shot out of the back window. The bear also died.

Capt Jack

06-08-2011, 11:54 AM

poor bear. :(

I think I hear a Myth Busters episode in the making...but then, I think they already did one with a moose...or was it a deer?

in any case, what a sh!tty way to go

Moonliner

06-08-2011, 01:29 PM

poor bear. :(

I think I hear a Myth Busters episode in the making...but then, I think they already did one with a moose...or was it a deer?

The myth: What happens if you toss a 440lb bear at a car windshield?

Yeah, I don't think we need Adam and Jamie for this one.

It's Busted. (Referring to the windshield)

Betty

06-08-2011, 04:02 PM

Flying bear kills two Canadians in freak accident

link (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43327103/ns/world_news-americas/)

I read this the first time as a flying beer - and thought - wow! it must have been flying really fast to kill 'em.

cirquelover

06-08-2011, 04:04 PM

I am so glad I am not the only one who read beer! I was thinking about the parties my uncle would throw up there, yeah a lot of beer flew around!

Morrigoon

06-08-2011, 04:08 PM

Not entirely unheard of in Canada ;)

Not Afraid

06-08-2011, 06:45 PM

Someone committed suicide by jumping off the top of a building on Pine and 1st at 12:20 this afternoon. If you don't know the area, Pine is a street full of restaurants with outdoor seating. It was a beautiful day. I really can't fathom having that sort of lunchtime entertainment.

Fortunately, I got there at 2 and, while streets were still blocked off, the body was gone.

lashbear

06-09-2011, 01:37 AM

The myth: What happens if you toss a 440lb bear at a car windshield?
I an NOT volunteering.

cirquelover

06-09-2011, 06:12 PM

It's a good thing you're not that big of a bear then, huh ;)

scaeagles

06-17-2011, 06:30 AM

Anyone need an idea for dinner tonight? (http://news.yahoo.com/s/digitaltrends/20110615/tc_digitaltrends/japanesescientistscreatesmeatoutoffeces)

Moonliner

06-17-2011, 06:32 AM

Anyone need an idea for dinner tonight? (http://news.yahoo.com/s/digitaltrends/20110615/tc_digitaltrends/japanesescientistscreatesmeatoutoffeces)

Soylent Brown?

Betty

06-17-2011, 07:09 AM

I couldn't even finish reading the article because it grossed me out but did notice the comment at the bottom before I clicked away: there's corn in my steak?

mousepod

06-17-2011, 07:10 AM

I've read this elsewhere, but it feels like a hoax to me. Watch the whole video... their fridge is marked "Sh!t Burger" in English. The 'professor' is shown squatting over a toilet. Really?

Ghoulish Delight

06-17-2011, 08:10 AM

alphabassettgrrl

06-17-2011, 02:31 PM

Steaks from poop???? Really torn between "kind of cool" and horking.

lashbear

06-17-2011, 06:12 PM

Anyone need an idea for dinner tonight? (http://news.yahoo.com/s/digitaltrends/20110615/tc_digitaltrends/japanesescientistscreatesmeatoutoffeces)
Stoat and & have decided:

Meat processors will just be going through the motions
Gluttons will end up "Sh|t Faced"
The Quality stamp on the meat packaging will be the official "Excremation Mark"
Restaurants will offer a Pooh-Pooh Platter
Combined with Duck, it will make a nice Turd-ducken.
Not designed to be served on a shingle.

Alex

06-17-2011, 07:04 PM

Most of the food stuff molecules we eat were at some point shat out by something.

The idea doesn't really bother me that much assuming proper validation that contamination of the result is assured.

lashbear

06-18-2011, 01:00 AM

I've read this elsewhere, but it feels like a hoax to me. Watch the whole video... their fridge is marked "Sh!t Burger" in English. The 'professor' is shown squatting over a toilet. Really?

Nevermind the stupid pointer he's using. Yeah, skeptic hackles are raised.
Just so you know, the Channel watermark on the bottom right is for SBS Two, which is an Australian Multicultural Broadcast TV channel

RStar

06-18-2011, 10:53 AM

One point I noticed is the statement that the 'mud' was high in protien due to the bacteria. This would mean you are eating the dead bacteria bodies. Which is what you are eating when you read "xanthan gum" in any food product label.

The feces has been broken down, consumed in part at least, by the bacteria. The solid waste is most likely made up of other things besides butt biscuts, like toilet paper (YUM!) and garbage disposal scraps, and anything else that goes into the sewer. If you think about what we feed pigs, and we eat the pork, this would be like feeding our wastes to bacteria and eating them. Sans the fact that we don't feed pigs human toilet logs, recycled beer, and used toilet paper of course.

And then theres the urine and sweat recycling done on the space station.

It's all pretty sick sounding, but interesting at the same time.

lashbear

06-18-2011, 05:40 PM

I never want to hear the words "Butt Biscuits" and "Toilet Logs" again. :eek:

Cadaverous Pallor

06-20-2011, 12:01 PM

Most of the food stuff molecules we eat were at some point shat out by something.

The idea doesn't really bother me that much assuming proper validation that contamination of the result is assured.This.

Also - does it taste any good? I think that's the bottom line.

If it's real, of course.

Alex

06-20-2011, 12:11 PM

Of course that should read "proper validation that non-contamination of the result is assured."

Ghoulish Delight

06-20-2011, 04:51 PM

Aww, it's good to see that time in rehab (yes, yes, yes) hasn' truined that old Amy Winehouse magic (http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/06/amy-winehouse-booed-stage-serbia-cancels-two-upcoming-shows) :rolleyes:

cirquelover

06-20-2011, 06:32 PM

I think she needs to try rehab again!

Kevy Baby

06-20-2011, 07:40 PM

...and again, and again, and again.

Not Afraid

06-20-2011, 11:34 PM

She'll either get it one day or not. Meanwhile, I click on a link that has photos of celebs with drinking problems.
http://www.radaronline.com/sites/default/files/photos/image_20100611/wenn5425350.jpg

That's scarier than clowns are. ;)

And, I learned this:
David Hasselhoff refuses to admit that he has a serious alcohol addiction and despite having been rushed to the emergency room because of excessive drinking numerous times
Which is scarier than Mel.

JWBear

06-21-2011, 08:17 AM

Are you sure that's not a statue at Madame Tussauds? It looks kinda waxy and lifeless.

Moonliner

06-21-2011, 02:13 PM

File under poorly written, if not deliberately misleading headlines...

From CNN.com: Canada to do away with paper money

Spoiler: They are not getting rid of cash (http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/21/canadian-cash-to-do-away-with-paper/?hpt=hp_c2), just switching how the bills are made to a higher tech alternative.

lashbear

06-21-2011, 02:32 PM

They're behind the times - We've had plastic notes for YEARS ! (http://www.rba.gov.au/banknotes/counterfeit/security.html)

Ghoulish Delight

06-21-2011, 07:19 PM

Damnit how did I miss this! (http://bohocrush.com/blogs/blog/2011/06/10/world-naked-bike-ride-los-angeles-2011-an-international-event/). (NSFW)

Next year.

cirquelover

06-21-2011, 11:38 PM

They do this in Portland every year too.

Capt Jack

06-22-2011, 12:08 PM

lashbear

06-22-2011, 11:36 PM

Chow Pandas? (http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/22/chinas-latest-craze-dyeing-pets-to-look-like-other-wild-animals/?hpt=hp_c2)

uh.....I'll withhold commenting, but definitely qualifies for this thread

http://cnngps.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/dog-panda-small-2.jpg?w=480&h=320
Sorry, Capt - Wrong thread!! This belongs in the Cute Animal Pics thread for sure !!!!! I want one now. The dye IS non-toxic, after all.

alphabassettgrrl

06-23-2011, 12:27 AM

Not sure I'd dare go for a nekkid bike ride. Sounds a bit ... uncomfortable...

Capt Jack

06-23-2011, 08:35 AM

Sorry, Capt - Wrong thread!! This belongs in the Cute Animal Pics thread for sure !!!!! I want one now. The dye IS non-toxic, after all.

bears of a feather I suppose.

;)

Capt Jack

06-23-2011, 01:24 PM

seems Im just full of it lately....

but not as bad as this guy

http://www.boingboing.net/images/ArkansasLetter.jpg

:rolleyes:

(aww. seems snopes is calling it satire. Im....unconvinced)

Alex

06-23-2011, 01:28 PM

Are we making fun of the letter or the headline typo?

Capt Jack

06-23-2011, 01:30 PM

yes...and yes

Moonliner

06-23-2011, 01:34 PM

Or that his name is Connie?

Moonliner

06-28-2011, 07:02 AM

Body of woman missing for a month found in ventilation system (http://www.statesman.com/news/local/missing-womans-body-found-in-ventilation-system-police-1566142.html)...

I wonder how they ever found her in there after a month... Oh wait. Never mind.

Capt Jack

06-28-2011, 08:15 AM

wow. that made me crazy claustrophobic just reading it

Ghoulish Delight

07-01-2011, 09:30 AM

http://maps.google.com/?t=h&ie=UTF8&ll=35.415618,-97.381815&spn=0.00306,0.006866&z=17&source=embed

See the plane just taking off? Scroll south and watch its progress!

mousepod

07-01-2011, 09:50 AM

http://maps.google.com/?t=h&ie=UTF8&ll=35.415618,-97.381815&spn=0.00306,0.006866&z=17&source=embed

See the plane just taking off? Scroll south and watch its progress!

Neat!

Alex

07-01-2011, 09:58 AM

OMG! Did it crash into I-240?

Ghoulish Delight

07-01-2011, 10:16 AM

No, it was abducted by Google satellites.

Moonliner

07-01-2011, 12:51 PM

Continuing my stupid headline series...

From the Drudge homepage:

SoCal Looks to Secede from California... (http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/07/01/official-calls-for-riverside-12-other-counties-to-secede-from-california/)

Yeah, some random county supervisor calling for a dozen counties to secede is a little short of a popular uprising.