WTF Stories of the Week

[CoasterMatt]

Hilarious!

An Audi TT with British registration plates has been repeatedly caught speeding on roads in the Bavarian city of Bayreuth. But because continental speed cameras are set up for left-hand drive vehicles, the cameras keep missing the driver’s face.

Instead, they keep capturing clear views of a manic Muppet-like toy which the cheeky Brit has propped up on his passenger seat.

“But because this is a British vehicle we can never get a decent picture. The driver has obviously worked this out because he has placed a large puppet in the passenger seat.
Link (http://arbroath.blogspot.com/2008/10/german-police-seek-speeding-british.html)

[Not Afraid]

Why is sex vulgar again? I keep forgetting.

[Kevy Baby]

Why is sex vulgar again? I keep forgetting.Cuz I'm not getting enough of it.

[JWBear]

Why is sex vulgar again? I keep forgetting.

'Cause Baby Jesus cries every time you have an orgasm.

[Disneyphile]

Sounds more like real high school life to me! ;)

[Stan4dSteph]

Hilarious!

Link (http://arbroath.blogspot.com/2008/10/german-police-seek-speeding-british.html)Animal's being naughty.

[Kevy Baby]

Faulty Qantas jet tails rival across Pacific Ocean
Airliner follows Air New Zealand flight after weather radar malfunctions
CANBERRA, Australia - A Qantas airliner that discovered its weather radar was faulty tailed an Air New Zealand jet across the Pacific on a Wednesday flight from Los Angeles to Sydney, an official said.

The Air New Zealand flight crew provided information about the weather ahead to the Qantas Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet carrying 284 passengers as the two aircraft made the 12-hour journey to Auckland in New Zealand, a Qantas spokeswoman said on condition of anonymity, citing company policy. The Qantas flight later continued on to Sydney, its scheduled destination.The Whole Story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27434530/).

Mind if I hitch a ride?

[Betty]

You ever get the feeling you're being followed?

[Moonliner]

You ever get the feeling you're being followed?

I used to feel that way, so I decided to become a stalker. That solved the problem for me.

[Moonliner]

Joe the Plumber hires a publicist. (http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1008/565979.html)

Joe better cash in as quickly as possible, because I'm thinking after Tuesday demand might just drop off a bit...

[Kevy Baby]

Bowler dies moments after first perfect game
62-year-old Michigan man collapses as he's congratulated by teammates
RAVENNA, Mich. - A Michigan man who bowled his first perfect game immediately collapsed in the bowling alley and died.The story (http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/27472567/)

"My life is complete. I think I shall die now."

[CoasterMatt]

OMG - I was posting that at the same time as you, Kevy.

Jinx :p

[Gn2Dlnd]

Couple charged with stealing steaks, chicken wings (http://www.buffalonews.com/437/story/478781.html?imw=Y)

A man and woman have been charged with using a steak knife to make threats when stealing 20 steaks and a bag of chicken wings from a Buffalo supermarket Wednesday afternoon.

The officers recovered the steaks inside a washing machine and the chicken wings inside Smith's purse.

These is my kinds of people! "Honey, the warshin' machine is almost out of steak, couldja run down to the Save-A-Buck and grab a couple? Oh, and leave your purse here. Nom nom nom."

[Kevy Baby]

Outrage over 'chastity belt' lingerie fitted with GPS tracking system

Feminists around the world have reacted with horror to a new line of lingerie that comes equipped with a GPS tracking system.

The 'find me if you can' range of underwear has been described as a modern-day, high-tech chastity belt.The whole story (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1082707/Outrage-chastity-belt-lingerie-fitted-GPS-tracking-system.html) (semi-NSFW as it does show a girl in lingerie)

I really don't understand what the purpose of this would be, but it is an amusing topic.

[alphabassettgrrl]

I find the discussion part most amusing.

[CoasterMatt]

Screw that, I want GPS enabled car/house keys :)

[bewitched]

Joe the Plumber hires a publicist. (http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1008/565979.html)

Joe better cash in as quickly as possible, because I'm thinking after Tuesday demand might just drop off a bit...



Please God, just kill me now (and keep away the nutbars who will actually shell out $20 for his book). :rolleyes:

[JWBear]

When officials asked for the Welsh translation of a road sign, they thought the reply was what they needed. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/7702913.stm)

[Kevy Baby]

Runaway teen compacted by recycling truck
Boy's escape bid from boot camp ends in Wis. hospital after ordeal

Actually, I prefer the headline that showed in my news banner:
"Teen Survives Recycling Truck Compacting:

MILWAUKEE - A teenage boy has survived after being accidentally dumped into the back of a recycling truck and compacted, police said.

Police in Milwaukee said the 14-year-old ran away from a boot camp-style school for teens Monday and hid in a recycling bin filled with cardboard.
The rest of the story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27554007/).

[Capt Jack]

When officials asked for the Welsh translation of a road sign, they thought the reply was what they needed. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/7702913.stm)

ok, thats just hilarious

[cirquelover]

JW that was one they'll never live down! I find it funny as heck but I'm sure the townspeople don't!!

[CoasterMatt]

They chose Bacon over Fries (http://data.denverpost.com/election/results/state-senate/2008/district-14/)

[Moonliner]

Joe the Plumber hires a publicist. (http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1008/565979.html)

Joe better cash in as quickly as possible, because I'm thinking after Tuesday demand might just drop off a bit...

Whew! I can now sleep better at night. Our friend Joe the Plumber is going to flush out corruption among our elected officials. The same Joe who is an unlicensed plumber and does not pay his taxes. Really (http://secureourdream.com/). You can't make this s*it up. A "Freedom" membership on his website is only $14.95/yr and comes with one free plunging.


(ok, I made that last little bit up)

[Morrigoon]

13-year old girl gets raped by 3 men, so she gets STONED TO DEATH for adultery
http://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/06/girl-13-stoned-to-death-in-somalia/

[SzczerbiakManiac]

And people rebuke me when I say Islam is the most fücked-up religion on Earth.

[bewitched]

And people rebuke me when I say Islam is the most fücked-up religion on Earth.

I dunno, radical religiosos of all ilks are pretty fvcked up IMO.

[JWBear]

Islam didn't do this, fvcked up people did this. Islam, like any religion, can be perverted by sick, hatefull people.

[Prudence]

I was just headed here to post the same link, only in a different thread.

What I don't get is that other people watched. 1,000 people watched this happen. Were they forced to go? Or did they just have a sick fascination with watching someone else be killed? I just don't have any words for a culture that considers the public, drawn-out execution of a child victim of a brutal attack to be a spectator sport.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Show me please, any Muslim official that condemns this act. Just one will suffice.

[Morrigoon]

Nevermind that the child was 13 and shouldn't have been married in the first place.

[Betty]

And not a thing was done to the men that were accused - per the article. One has to wonder - nothing? As in - they didn't even ask them about it or consider they might be a danger to other people?

[CoasterMatt]

Here's a contender for best headline of the year-
Swedish hockey fans delay match with dildo downpour

Supporters of the Stockholm-based AIK ice hockey team scored an unusual hat trick of heckling on Tuesday night featuring dildos, profane banners, and a giant inflatable penis.

Full (NSFW) Story here (http://www.thelocal.se/15138.html)

[Kevy Baby]

I believe that somewhere (possibly in this thread), there was a similar story posted here on LoT. It was a different incident, but I am fairly certain that it was directed at the same person.

Poor guy

[blueerica]

FLAGSTAFF, Arizona (AP) -- It's a crime that police officers in a small eastern Arizona community can hardly fathom yet have to deal with: an 8-year-old charged in the fatal shootings of his father and another man.

and


On Friday, a judge determined there was probable cause to show that the boy fatally shot his father, Vincent Romero, 29, and Timothy Romans, 39, of San Carlos with a .22-caliber rifle. The boy faces two counts of premeditated murder (http://topics.cnn.com/topics/Murder_and_Homicide).Story here. (http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/11/08/child.charged.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview)

[Kevy Baby]

Okay, I know this is a serious story. But the headline has me rather discombobulated

Monks brawl at Christian holy site in Jerusalem
Israeli police cuff men next to Jesus' tomb in Church of the Holy Sepulcher

JERUSALEM - Israeli police rushed into one of Christianity's holiest churches Sunday and arrested two clergymen after an argument between monks erupted into a brawl next to the site of Jesus' tomb.The Holy story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27639792/).

[cirquelover]

Husbands coffin kills widow; http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27666284/?gt1=43001

[Kevy Baby]

Husbands coffin kills widow; http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27666284/?gt1=43001Yeah. I know somebody died, but damn that is really funny!

[bewitched]

Monkey at Israeli Zoo Walks on Two Legs After Severe Illness (http://www.livescience.com/animals/walking_monkey_040721.html)

A young monkey at an Israeli zoo has started walking like a human following a near death experience, the zoo's veterinarian said Wednesday.

[Betty]

Husbands coffin kills widow; http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27666284/?gt1=43001

I wonder if he did it out of spite? ;)

[Betty]

Monkey at Israeli Zoo Walks on Two Legs After Severe Illness (http://www.livescience.com/animals/walking_monkey_040721.html)

Evolution in action?

[bewitched]

Evolution in action?


Or maybe we're just all brain damaged monkeys. :p

[bewitched]

Naked Japanese major nabbed with women's underwear (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081107/od_nm/us_japan_airforce;_ylt=Ap15LoTil.U5jIFItLhnWmPtiBI F)



He thought it would be funny if he went into the store stark naked, that it would surprise people.


I wonder why he decided to leave his shoes on.

[CoasterMatt]

Here's a horrifying headline-

Penis Surgery **** Up (http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2008/11/11/15081_ntnews.html)

A TERRITORIAN says he could have died after an operation on his penis left him bleeding heavily.

Michael Eglington, 53, said he collapsed from blood loss as he rushed back to Royal Darwin Hospital less than an hour after being discharged.

Thankfully, the article (which has a pretty gruesome description) doesn't have any photos of the injury.

But they do have a photo of the guy, with a caption "not happy"

[Kevy Baby]

Here's a horrifying headline-

Penis Surgery **** Up (http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2008/11/11/15081_ntnews.html)



Thankfully, the article (which has a pretty gruesome description) doesn't have any photos of the injury.

But they do have a photo of the guy, with a caption "not happy"He said he looked down to see that he was sitting in "an inch of blood" in the chair. He used a nappy to soak up the blood as he drove back to hospital where he collapsed against the emergency counter.Man, if I had a nickle for every time this happened to me...

[Morrigoon]

Haha... the irony of it being the Royal Darwin Hospital

[Kevy Baby]

Fleeing cops? Don't give them your ID first
Driver charged after handing over license at checkpoint and speeding away

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - It perhaps wasn't the most well thought out escape

Police say a man handed over his license and registration at a sobriety checkpoint during the weekend, then peeled out and sped away, almost hitting an officer.DOH (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27676268/)!

[Ghoulish Delight]

New golf club improves flow of the game - it's a urinal (http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2008/11/12/2008-11-12_new_golf_club_improves_flow_of_the_game_.html)


Ummmmmm, no, I'll hold it thanks.

[bewitched]

Here's a horrifying headline-

Penis Surgery **** Up (http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2008/11/11/15081_ntnews.html)



Thankfully, the article (which has a pretty gruesome description) doesn't have any photos of the injury.

But they do have a photo of the guy, with a caption "not happy"


I wouldn't be happy either if the whole world now knew I had genital warts.

[Kevy Baby]

I wouldn't be happy either if the whole world now knew I had genital warts.Do you?

[bewitched]

Do you?


Thankfully, no.

Nor, thankfully, do I have a penis...a grossly mishandled one at that. :D

[Kevy Baby]

Thankfully, no.I don't know if you can be trusted. I think we will need photographic evidence.

:D

[bewitched]

I don't know if you can be trusted. I think we will need photographic evidence.

:D


http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/attachment.php?attachmentid=865&stc=1&d=1226537067

[Deebs]

You must spread some Mojo around before giving it to bewitched again.

:D

I just knew it was gonna be the gas mask-vagina clown before I opened the spoiler!

[Capt Jack]

http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/attachment.php?attachmentid=865&stc=1&d=1226537067

I actually ended up reading THIS thread before the original vagi-clown pic.

here I was thinkin "wow, this bewitched chic is just a little off center (if you catch my drift)"

turns out it was Kevy.
seems almost normal now.

:p

[Moonliner]

I want to party (http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE4AC4QA20081113?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&rpc=22&sp=true) like and Aussie!


CANBERRA (Reuters) - An Australian holiday resort will hold a month-long, nude "anything goes" party to combat an expected economic downturn, media reports said on Thursday.

[bewitched]

I actually ended up reading THIS thread before the original vagi-clown pic.

here I was thinkin "wow, this bewitched chic is just a little off center (if you catch my drift)"

turns out it was Kevy.
seems almost normal now.

:p

I'm all class, baby! :p

[Ghoulish Delight]

Checking expedia......now.

[bewitched]

I want to party (http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE4AC4QA20081113?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&rpc=22&sp=true) like and Aussie!


Is it just me or are the phrasing and location suggestive? :p

"Tough economic times call for stiff measures," Tony Fox, the owner of the White Cockatoo resort in Mossman, in tropical Queensland state, told the Courier-Mail newspaper.

[Moonliner]

Is it just me or are the phrasing and location suggestive? :p

The White Cockatoo is a bird. Get your mind out of the gutter.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Is it just me or are the phrasing and location suggestive? :p
Goodness, I can't imagine a man planning a hedonist orgy retreat EVER saying anything that can be construed as sexual.

[bewitched]

Goodness, I can't imagine a man planning a hedonist orgy retreat EVER saying anything that can be construed as sexual.


That's kinda what I thought.




:D

[Capt Jack]

I'm all class, baby! :p

there was never a flicker of doubt in my mind :snap:

[SzczerbiakManiac]

I wasn't sure if this post fit better in this thread or in the Vent thread. Feel free to move if appropriate.

We (the help desk I work at) just received this e-mail request:Would someone please take a look at our Conference Rooms A and B Windows Media QuickTime.Is that like Microsoft Apple computer?
Or the Ford Cadillac car?
Or the Coca Pepsi Cola beverage?
Or Sacramento, New York?
:rolleyes:


or Hollywood, Florida? ;)

[Moonliner]

I wasn't sure if this post fit better in this thread or in the Vent thread. Feel free to move if appropriate.

We (the help desk I work at) just received this e-mail request:Is that like Microsoft Apple computer?
Or the Ford Cadillac car?
Or the Coca Pepsi Cola beverage?
Or Sacramento, New York?
:rolleyes:


or Hollywood, Florida? ;)

Please, if we are going to have admins running around putting posts where they actually belong..... We better hire some full time admins.

Oh, I guess that's a rant also. If you move Sczc's you can move this along with it.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Maybe they wanted you to look at Windows Media in "QuickTime", as in "Double Time, Look Sharp!" ;)

[JWBear]

Quick Time HARCH! (I love quick time harch...)

[Kevy Baby]

Quick Time HARCH! (I love quick time harch...)Public Madeline Kahn Mojo (since I can't give the regular kind)

[Betty]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/11/images/20081112_d-0077-5-515h.jpg

Yes - that's Bush in there.

[Alex]

While it is funny that Bush is showing the shocker, it is even funnier if (as I just read elsewhere) that is the official hand gesture of Arizona State University (it is supposed to be the pitchfork of their mascot sun devil).

Just proves that Arizonianers are all perverts.

[Betty]

I have learned many things from that photo and the resulting research about it. It sure doesn't look like a pitchfork though.

[Kevy Baby]

What am I missing?

[Betty]

What am I missing?

How long do you have?

[Cadaverous Pallor]

What am I missing?Don't tell me you don't know about the shocker!

[Betty]

http://www.corruptfibers.com/images/products/shocker_tshirt.jpg

[Kevy Baby]

Don't tell me you don't know about the shocker!I did not (honestly). I lead such a sheltered, pure existence that I normally do not encounter such filth.

What is the genesis of that? Was it featured on a show or movie? Or is it just "one of those things?"

[Alex]

I would like to research the origins, but I am not about do so from work.

If you haven't encountered it yet, add to your searches the phrase "two in the pink, one in the stink" or "two for you, one for poo."

Obviously not the origin (I don't think) but the gesture gained some additional notoriety a few years ago when it was discovered that a high school yearbook committee had peppered that years edition with photos of people making the gesture. There was somehow outrage when it was explained to the adults in the area.

[Kevy Baby]

I would like to research the origins, but I am not about do so from work.

If you haven't encountered it yet, add to your searches the phrase "two in the pink, one in the stink" or "two for you, one for poo."

Obviously not the origin (I don't think) but the gesture gained some additional notoriety a few years ago when it was discovered that a high school yearbook committee had peppered that years edition with photos of people making the gesture. There was somehow outrage when it was explained to the adults in the area.I had heard the first phrase you mention, but I otherwise feel so unenlightened!

[CoasterMatt]

Here's a Disneyfied variant...

[CoasterMatt]

Peaches also did a song - "Rock The Shocker"

[Moonliner]

Huh. I never thought to give it a name. Oh well you learn something new every day.

I wonder what they call.....

[Disneyphile]

I personally call it the "Don't you ****ing dare."

[bewitched]

Add me to the apparently sheltered-- and I can see why Alex wasn't going to Google it at work.

To clarify:

Apparently "the shocker" has the middle and ring finger together...not to be confused with the ASU "pitchfork" (which has the middle and index finger separated, like a "peace" sign).


I can just hear the WH photog...

"Okay, everyone spread your middle and index finger far apart..."

[Ghoulish Delight]

Inmate escapes German jail in box
A manhunt is under way in western Germany for a convicted drug dealer who escaped by mailing himself out of jail.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7730018.stm


The 42-year-old Turkish citizen - who was serving a seven-year sentence - had been making stationery with other prisoners destined for the shops.
At the end of his shift, the inmate climbed into a cardboard box and was taken out of prison by express courier. His whereabouts are still unknown.

[Alex]

It's is always too late when you realize you forgot to write down the tracking number.

[Betty]

Wash your hands! and cook your meat! (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,455067,00.html) :eek:

[RStar]

Egads, Betty! That's gross!

[Morrigoon]

ewww!

[bewitched]

Wash your hands! and cook your meat! (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,455067,00.html) :eek:

Egads, Betty! That's gross!

ewww!


I really don't wanna look...but I'm not sure I can help myself. :rolleyes:

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Man Caught with Penis in Pasta Jar

http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/man-caught-with-penis-in-pasta-jar/1363831.aspx

Best quote of the story...


A search of his car uncovered pornography, a home-made sex aid, women's stockings and a Jack Russell terrier.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

I nominate this as the most what-the-fückiest thing I have ever seen (probably NSFW)
Natural Harvest - A Collection of Semen-Based Recipes (http://www.lulu.com/content/4956212)

[Moonliner]

I nominate this as the most what-the-fückiest thing I have ever seen (probably NSFW)
Natural Harvest - A Collection of Semen-Based Recipes (http://www.lulu.com/content/4956212)

Probably not safe for work? Where in the hell do you work? With Kevy?

[CoasterMatt]

I'm not even gonna click that link.

[innerSpaceman]

So, considering that a challenge ... i clicked, and it's completely safe for work. No images, just um, text, about the bizarre subject matter (and yes coming from someone who occassionally has the opportunity to .... well, ya know :p )

[innerSpaceman]

So, considering that a challenge ... i clicked, and it's completely safe for work. No images, just um, text, about the bizarre subject matter (and yes, that judgment coming from someone who occassionally has the opportunity to .... well, ya know ;) )

[JWBear]

Whoa... deja vous.

[Strangler Lewis]

Loved the comments. I wonder if there are any placenta recipes there.

I'm kicking around a dystopic reality sci-fi story where the twist is that semen burns better than oil--resulting in immediate redeployment of our armed forces from the middle east.

[Betty]

I nominate this as the most what-the-fückiest thing I have ever seen (probably NSFW)
Natural Harvest - A Collection of Semen-Based Recipes (http://www.lulu.com/content/4956212)

I'm cringing and laughing at the same time. The comments are priceless though. However, my lunch is now done. Rather lost my appetite.

Let's me honest here - it's not exactly the most appealing tasting substance under "fresh" conditions - let alone collected. Therefore, I'm very sincerely hoping that's a joke and not serious.

If it IS serious, who here is man enough to give a recipe a test just to brag that they did?

[Kevy Baby]

iPhone Owner Sues McDonald's for Leaking Wife's Nude Photos
An Arkansas man on Friday filed a lawsuit against McDonald's, alleging a restaurant location uploaded nude photos of his wife onto a web site.

In the suit, Phillip Sherman said he left his phone at a McDonald's location in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and that a manager promised the phone was secured for him to retrieve it. After picking up his iPhone, photos of Sherman's wife Tina Sherman made their way onto a web site -- along with her name, address and contact information, the suit claims.s

[CoasterMatt]

I nominate this as the most what-the-fückiest thing I have ever seen (probably NSFW)
Natural Harvest - A Collection of Semen-Based Recipes (http://www.lulu.com/content/4956212)

Here's a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_lqePjKwak) to go along with that one.

(An ad for a Belgian sex ed info site)

[Ghoulish Delight]

File under "cruel and unusual":

Teens Sentenced to Manilow (http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/weird/Teens_Sentenced_to_Manilow_All__National_.html)

Fort Lupton Police recently caught members of a high school rock band and about a dozen or so others residents violating the town's noise ordinance. So as a form of punishment the town had them sit in a room for an hour and listen to everything from Barry Manilow to Barney the Purple Dinosaur.

[Kevy Baby]

Which is worse: listening to Manilow or Barney.

Personally, Barney is the biggest nightmare.

________________

In watching the video, one of the songs was "Come Sail Away" as done on South Park. Probably not the best choice as the teens probably watch South Park.

I was wondering if the bailiff has to sit in the room while the music is being played. What did he (or she) do to deserve that punishment?

[Morrigoon]

a) the stereo's not big enough
b) there should be opera

[innerSpaceman]

If there's opera for punishment, it should be REPO.

[Kevy Baby]

I could think of lots of things to add.

How about making them listen to a recording of their parents having sex?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Teens have fast food delivered to scene of fatal crash (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24696573-29277,00.html)


A GROUP of teenagers involved in a crash that killed an 82-year-old man and left his 72-year-old partner fighting for her life had fast food delivered to them at the crash site, a witness says.
The elderly couple were in a van involved in a collision at a Gold Coast roundabout with an unregistered car allegedly driven by a disqualified teen driver on Saturday, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported. (http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2008/11/24/25205_gold-coast-top-story.html)
Residents who lived near the roundabout in Miami said that as they rushed to help the couple, the five teenagers in the Subaru WRX (http://search.news.com.au/search//0/?us=ndmnews&sid=29277&as=news&ac=ninews2&q=Subaru%20WRX) got out and watched.
Resident Stephen Waymouth said the van was still rolling when he looked over his fence.
When he reached it he saw the man was unconscious and the woman was "wailing".

While residents comforted the distressed woman, the five teens stood motionless on the footpath, he said.


Mr Waymouth and another man, Fabian Atzori, said none of the youths attempted to help.

Mr Waymouth said he was "disgusted" by their behaviour.
"They just stood there, and then they sat down and then someone dropped Maccas off to them," he said.
"What is it with young people where they can just turn off to human injury?" said Mr Atzori.

I'm in utter shock and disbelief. Horrified, even.


Aussies call McDonalds "Maccas"? WTF!?!?!

[Betty]

Here's a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_lqePjKwak) to go along with that one.

(An ad for a Belgian sex ed info site)

LOL. Unexpected little twist at the end made me giggle.

[Betty]

So, what are your thoughts on mantyhose (http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article5171413.ece)?

[Alex]

That it is a word as ugly as herstory.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

So, what are your thoughts on mantyhose (http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article5171413.ece)?You know, I think I'm finally realizing that I have absolutely no issues with men wearing feminine stuff. I think some men can pull it off, be it pantyhose, eyeliner, a manbag that looks more like a purse...but then, I've already said I'm a fan of TheatreTech's look.

Now, I'm not saying it's for GD...;)

[Kevy Baby]

You know, I think I'm finally realizing that I have absolutely no issues with men wearing feminine stuff. I think some men can pull it off, be it pantyhose, eyeliner ...Others; not so much

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_TkzYib9T4ZU/SQ8Dw9Q6PqI/AAAAAAAACyE/wno0fjqppA4/s800/P1030640.JPG

[Betty]

Others; not so much

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_TkzYib9T4ZU/SQ8Dw9Q6PqI/AAAAAAAACyE/wno0fjqppA4/s800/P1030640.JPG

LOL - see - your showing off your frilly but again!

Cute pic. :)

[Snowflake]

Others; not so much

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_TkzYib9T4ZU/SQ8Dw9Q6PqI/AAAAAAAACyE/wno0fjqppA4/s800/P1030640.JPG

That is a freakin hilarious pic!

[Capt Jack]

So, what are your thoughts on mantyhose (http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article5171413.ece)?

in a word?

no


in more than one word?

never again :blush:

[Betty]

in a word?

no


in more than one word?

never again :blush:

Ooh. Inquiring minds want to know! :evil: :p

[Alex]

I'm not opposed to the idea of pantyhose. When I was running, I ran in just lycra running shorts which actually was very comfortable.

The problem with full leg tight covering like pantyhose, though, I can't think of how you'd put them on so that every single one of my leg hairs wouldn't end up being pushed in the wrong (and uncomfortable) position. I could shave my legs but can barely be bothered to shave my face regularly so that would be a losing battle.

But all style is inherently silly and arbitrary so if this caught on it wouldn't be any sillier than t-shirts.

[Capt Jack]

Ooh. Inquiring minds want to know! :evil: :p

lets go with

it was a costume and definitely NOT my idea...but rarely can I refuse the request of a beautiful woman. truly, moreso tights than "mantyhose", although I cant really imagine them being different


except mine didnt have the "comfort panel" sewn in so I made my own...so yes, not only hose, but crotchless to boot :rolleyes:

and before you ask, yes, there are pictures...and never shall eyes fall upon them again (even if I actually knew where they were)

[Not Afraid]

The problem with full leg tight covering like pantyhose, though, I can't think of how you'd put them on so that every single one of my leg hairs wouldn't end up being pushed in the wrong (and uncomfortable) position.

I now am hosting a mental picture of your hairy legs in hose and each and every one of the hairs are moaning and groaning because they are uncomfortable.


Thanks.

[Alex]

You're most welcome.

[Capt Jack]

I now am hosting a mental picture of your hairy legs in hose and each and every one of the hairs are moaning and groaning because they are uncomfortable.


Thanks.

well, it sounds funny, but its accurate as 773H

[Morrigoon]

I don't get the need for a "comfort panel" Most pantyhose have a crotch halfway down to your knees anyway. The going joke is that a man must have invented them b/c no woman has a crotch that low.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Seriously, who would wear this? Is its sole purpose in like to be a gag-gift?
http://www.directsourceinc.com/images/products/hats/seniordiscount.jpg (http://www.directsourceinc.com/images/products/hats/seniordiscount.jpg)

[Capt Jack]

Ive known more than a few that would not only wear it but point to it and glare at you while waiting for their discount.

some of those oldsters are cheap, mean and downright belligerent about spending even a nickle more than they have to.

[Betty]

AND it "brings plenty of smiles from onlookers"! What more could you want from a hat?

[Kevy Baby]

Finally, urine recycler passes astronauts’ test
After days of tinkering, space station skipper reports success: ‘Yippee!’

The whole quote from the skipper was 'Yippee! Now we can peepee'
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Astronauts aboard the orbiting shuttle-station complex got a double dose of good news Tuesday: A rotary joint that they spent days cleaning and lubricating appeared to be working normally again for the first time in more than a year, and a urine-recycling machine finally was behaving.Story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27907961/).

Had this fix not been successful, it would have been a real pisser.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Too bad they'll never get that tool bag back.

[Kevy Baby]

Too bad they'll never get that tool bag back.Well, at least they know where it is (http://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/article/543342).

[Ghoulish Delight]

Did you see the video? Not that there's much to it.

[Betty]

I did. A little light flying across the sky.

[Disneyphile]

Seriously, who would wear this? Is its sole purpose in like to be a gag-gift?
http://www.directsourceinc.com/images/products/hats/seniordiscount.jpg (http://www.directsourceinc.com/images/products/hats/seniordiscount.jpg)Sadly, my father would love that. Now I just might have to get it for him for Christmas.

[JWBear]

Finally, urine recycler passes astronauts’ test
After days of tinkering, space station skipper reports success: ‘Yippee!’

The whole quote from the skipper was 'Yippee! Now we can peepee'
Story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27907961/).

Had this fix not been successful, it would have been a real pisser.

Saturday's spacewalk by Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper...

Wow! Now, that's a name!

[Kevy Baby]

After days of tinkering, space station skipper reports success: ‘Yippee!’I didn't catch this in the sub-head, but it could have read:
After days of tinkeling, space station skipper reports success: ‘Yippee!’My grandmother use to call going number two 'tinkeling'

[Ghoulish Delight]

How turkey farms prepare for the Thanksgiving Onslaught (http://www.slate.com/id/2205329/?GT1=38001)

Under the heading of, "Phrases the Do Not Need to be Hot Links":

"manually stimulated and "milked" for their semen (http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/205700.htm)"

[Kevy Baby]

[/URL]Under the heading of, "Phrases that Do Not Need to be Hot Links":

"[URL="http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/205700.htm"]manually stimulated and "milked" for their semen (http://www.slate.com/id/2205329/?GT1=38001)"Isn't that called "foreplay?"

[Morrigoon]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27808198/wid/11915773?GT1=31037

Girl lives over 100 days WITH NO HEART!

[bewitched]

For Sale: Miracle "Jesus Image" doggy door (http://cgi.ebay.com/Famous-Authentic-Miracle-Jesus-Image-in-Doggie-Door_W0QQitemZ120339604190QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item120339604190&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 07)


The perfect Christmas gift for the Evangelical dog-owning friend in your life.


I believe the dog door image to be superior to most naturally-occurring Jesus likenesses, commonly known as pareidolia, because of two factors: the face itself is more distinct than past images such as those found on toast, tortillas and x-rays, and because of the coincidence of finding the image on an item of the dogs at a moment I was contemplating getting rid of them. Hence it is far more defensible as an actual divine manifestation than a random occurrence with no underlying context.

[CoasterMatt]

Girl lives over 100 days WITH NO HEART!

That's no big deal, I dated a girl who lived at least 20 years with no heart.

[CoasterMatt]

This vicar knows how to get her kicks (http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/88430/Vicar-stripped-to-dog-collar-Teresa-Davies.html).

SWINGING vicar Teresa Davies DEFROCKED herself in front of a couple, begged them for SEX under pictures of Jesus Christ and tried to seduce the husband by saying: “I’ll wear my dog collar!”

[Ghoulish Delight]

What a load of crap. Here's the tag I saw for what I thought was an awesome story:


Iowa Wins Snow-Plow Arms Race With Laser Beams on Rigs (http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20081130/NEWS10/811300329) http://media.nbclosangeles.com/designimages/ico_external_source.gif (http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20081130/NEWS10/811300329) Nov 30, 2008
There are only two words that can describe the genius of putting lasers on snow plows: Friggin' sweet.




What I pictured was an uber-awesome snow-melting machine with a matrix of lasers blasting snow out of its path.


The reality? It's a laser guidance system designed to prevent the snow plow from hitting things like mailboxes and signs and crap. And even worse, all it is is a fvckign laser pointer. It's not even a sophisticated laser system that can map the terrain and identify obstacles hidden in the snow. It's a bloody green laser pointer that puts a dot on the ground in front of the plow to show the dirver where their plow will go. How fvcking disappointing.

[Moonliner]

Sadly, my father would love that. Now I just might have to get it for him for Christmas.

But if you order the hat will they give you the senior discount ?

[Capt Jack]

For Sale: Miracle "Jesus Image" doggy door (http://cgi.ebay.com/Famous-Authentic-Miracle-Jesus-Image-in-Doggie-Door_W0QQitemZ120339604190QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item120339604190&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 07)


The perfect Christmas gift for the Evangelical dog-owning friend in your life.

yeah.....not seein' it here

[Lance]

Beware of Booby Traps! (http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20081128/tod-ugandan-men-warned-of-booby-trap-879dccc.html)

[Kevy Baby]

Beware of Booby Traps! (http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20081128/tod-ugandan-men-warned-of-booby-trap-879dccc.html)That's really not all that new: men have been getting trapped by breasts for millennia.

[bewitched]

yeah.....not seein' it here

Yet surely worth $1200 of your hard earned money...I mean, it's divine, for Christ's sake. :D

[alphabassettgrrl]

Hahhahaha-- how do the women with the choloroform on their boobs avoid going under themselves? The stuff rises, and they're closest to it...

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Yet surely worth $1200 of your hard earned money...I mean, it's divine, for Christ's sake. :DI always thought this was Divine:
http://pinknewsblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/04/divine.jpg

[Betty]

I always thought this was Divine:
http://pinknewsblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/04/divine.jpg

Speaking of eyebrows!

[CoasterMatt]

More Than 130,000 Inflatable Breasts Lost at Sea en route to AUSTRALIA

Men's magazine Ralph was planning to include the boobs as a free gift with its January issue.

The cargo is worth about $200,000, which is another blow for publisher ACP's parent company PBL, which is already in $4.3 billion of debt.

A spokeswoman for Ralph said the container left docks in Beijing two weeks ago but turned up empty in Sydney this week.

The magazine has put out an alert to shipping authorities to see if they have the container, but if they don't turn up in the next 48 hours it will be too late for the next issue, she said.

Ralph editor Santi Pintado urged anyone who has any information to contact the magazine.

"Unless Somali pirates have stolen them its difficult to explain where they are," Pintado told AAP.

Do you have any ideas what happened, lashbear? :D

[JWBear]

Kevy?

[wendybeth]

Nirvanaman?

[Betty]

I love the photo included in one article about this:

http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,6378853,00.jpg

"Sink or swim ... an exhibit at Sydney's Sculptures by the Sea in 2001. Admittedly, not inflatable. "

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24738951-5001021,00.html

[bewitched]

I love the photo included in one article about this:

http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,6378853,00.jpg

"Sink or swim ... an exhibit at Sydney's Sculptures by the Sea in 2001. Admittedly, not inflatable. "

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24738951-5001021,00.html

I wonder if she has oversized arms.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Not looking for her arms. :)

[Kevy Baby]

Not looking for her arms. :) She has arms?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Ripped from the pages of Duh Magazine:


Male science 'nerds' most likely to be virgins, study says (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/3547661/Male-science-nerds-most-likely-to-be-virgins-study-says.html)


Get out of town!

[Tom]

I liked this line from the science nerds article:

Males in the study were less likely to have had sex as a group compared to the group of females in the sample.

I like thinking that someone intended the ambiguity and slipped it by an editor.

[Kevy Baby]

Does this mean that the males are less likely to engage in a circle jerk?

Is there a female equivalent of a circle jerk?

[Disneyphile]

Satanic Panic in Iran - Fashion Police Arrest 49 People (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/3548370/Iran-arrests-49-for-wearing-satanic-clothing.html)

[Alex]

Is there a female equivalent of a circle jerk?

Yes, they call it a quilting bee.


You didn't really think anybody would enjoy making quilts did you?

[Kevy Baby]

Satanic Panic in Iran - Fashion Police Arrest 49 People (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/3548370/Iran-arrests-49-for-wearing-satanic-clothing.html)That story is much sadder than the headline leads one to believe. It isn't the "fashion police" (which I thought meant the story would be more light-hearted), but ACTUAL police.

[Kevy Baby]

Yes, they call it a quilting bee.


You didn't really think anybody would enjoy making quilts did you?Hmm... looks like I need to talk to my wife. Not only does she claim to enjoy making quilts, she gives classes on it.

[Alex]

Well, don't believe her.

The first rule of quilting bee is you don't talk about quilting bee (to a man).

[Disneyphile]

Hmm... looks like I need to talk to my wife. Not only does she claim to enjoy making quilts, she gives classes on it.Be sure to ask her details on what exactly are "fat quarters". ;)

[Not Afraid]

Oh yes. Must schedule quilting class for the new year.

[CoasterMatt]

If it wasn't for bad luck, this (http://www.wadenapj.com/articles/index.cfm?id=12222&section=news) guy'd have no luck at all.

[bewitched]

Ripped from the pages of Duh Magazine:


Male science 'nerds' most likely to be virgins, study says (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/3547661/Male-science-nerds-most-likely-to-be-virgins-study-says.html)


Get out of town!

However, the finding have been vigorously disputed by male science graduates.

We do TO have sex, we DO! :mad:

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Worker dies at Long Island Wal-Mart after being trampled in Black Friday stampede (http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/11/28/2008-11-28_worker_dies_at_long_island_walmart_after.html)

What the fück is wrong with those people!?! You're gonna kill someone to save 20 bucks? You can not tell me that people didn't know they were walking over someone. A human body does NOT feel like a level floor.

[Kevy Baby]

Worker dies at Long Island Wal-Mart after being trampled in Black Friday stampede (http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/11/28/2008-11-28_worker_dies_at_long_island_walmart_after.html)

What the fück is wrong with those people!?! You're gonna kill someone to save 20 bucks? You can not tell me that people didn't know they were walking over someone. A human body does NOT feel like a level floor.And of course, the family has already filed suit against Wal-Mart

While I typically am against lawsuits (not all: I just think this society files WAY too many), this is one instance where I am in favor of it (at least at first blush).

I have also heard on the news that they were reviewing the video to see if they can spot anyone in the crush who is criminally negligent in this case (although I couldn't find on-line corroboration).

[SzczerbiakManiac]

While I typically am against lawsuits (not all: I just think this society files WAY too many), this is one instance where I am in favor of it (at least at first blush).I very much agree!

[Disneyphile]

"When they were saying they had to leave, that an employee got killed, people were yelling, 'I've been on line since Friday morning!'" Cribbs said. "They kept shopping."
People disgust me. :mad:

Well, at least they saved a few bucks on a new TV to watch the news about the people they trampled. :rolleyes:

I hope they can pick out the people who actually pushed him down. If they're going to act like animals, they deserve to be in cages.

I hate the way some people act this time of year, all over "stuff" that they can get any other time of year, and for the same price or much cheaper most of those times too! And, I don't want to hear that "people can only afford it this time of year". That's bull****. I grew up in a lower class family with only one working parent, and Christmas shopping started January 1st, and was usually completed by the end of October. If my family did it, so can others. If my siblings and I wanted a "hot item", we had to wait until after the holidays for it. And, because my parents spread the shopping expenses out all year, we often received more than a lot of kids.

There's just no reason or excuse for manic behavior this time of year, especially over material crap.

[Kevy Baby]

I hope they can pick out the people who actually pushed him down. If they're going to act like animals, they deserve to be in cages.IMO, the chances of being able to identify any one or two people is thin. This tragedy is born strictly out of the mob mentality. The person who may have actually knocked the victim over was probably being pushed from behind. More than one person contributed to the trampling; even people who did not come in direct contact with the victim are responsible for his death.

[Disneyphile]

IMO, the chances of being able to identify any one or two people is thin. This tragedy is born strictly out of the mob mentality. The person who may have actually knocked the victim over was probably being pushed from behind. More than one person contributed to the trampling; even people who did not come in direct contact with the victim are responsible for his death.I know. :( And, that's why I'm not opposed to rounding 'em all up. As harsh as that sounds... if you're gonna play with the mob... be prepared to take the consequences with the mob.

When the chanting started to break down the doors, people had a choice to not play a part, and could leave. But, that would have meant giving up the chance for a "deal" on a TV. :rolleyes:

I'm not going to hurt anyone or watch anyone get hurt over a stupid item. If I'm surrounded by any kind of hostile crowd situation, I'm going to remove myself from it. Nothing in life is worth that.

[Betty]

If you look up walmart trampling or stampede (I forget which - but saw it last night) on youtube you'll see another video of a different event.
It's true about the push of people. They all just start walking and when someone falls the people in the back just keep going causing the front people to fall on the person already on the ground.

What's disturbing is knowing that this has happened before and they haven't fixed it. Makes you sick to watch it.


They could pass out numbers and let people in 10 at a time until there was no longer a line out front. Of course, they may not make the same amount of money - but what price does WalMart place on a life?

[Kevy Baby]

If you look up walmart trampling or stampede (I forget which - but saw it last night) on youtube you'll see another video of a different event.Just curious: is the video you are referring to an actual different event? There was a Wal Mart trampling incident last year as well (but no one was killed in that one).


They could pass out numbers and let people in 10 at a time until there was no longer a line out front. Of course, they may not make the same amount of money - but what price does WalMart place on a life?Actual, a system like this probably wouldn't affect their bottom line as the loss leader items are limited in number anyways and they would still sell out. People would still come in the same numbers expecting to be able to get them and would still go in the store and purchase the same amount.

At least, I think that is what would happen.

[Betty]

Just curious: is the video you are referring to an actual different event? There was a Wal Mart trampling incident last year as well (but no one was killed in that one).


I'm not sure when it happened - but more then one person fell and those behind them just kept coming.

There's a cell phone video from this year that I chose not to watch. It was after the event and they were giving him CPR and I shut it off. Don't need to see that.

[Disneyphile]

IThere's a cell phone video from this year that I chose not to watch. It was after the event and they were giving him CPR and I shut it off. Don't need to see that.The real gem in the video was when someone blocked the cell phone's view and the guy holding the cellphone said, "This guy is in my ****ing view. Dammit." And, this was towards the end after they'd been trying endlessly to revive the victim, long after the severity of the issue was "portrayed". How much more did he need to see?

So, the guy with the cellphone doesn't exactly have my respect either.

It's a shame that the cops weren't immediately available when the crowd was chanting about pushing the doors down. In situations like that, I'm all for the beanbag guns, and the store refusing to open until people behave themselves. But, most stores probably wouldn't do that, because the money is more important.

It's just sad all around. How many lives have to end until people get a clue?

My heart is with the victims and their families. I have zero compassion towards the shoppers.

[Kevy Baby]

It's a shame that the cops weren't immediately available when the crowd was chanting about pushing the doors down. In situations like that, I'm all for the beanbag guns, and the store refusing to open until people behave themselves. But, most stores probably wouldn't do that, because the money is more important.The decisions were probably being made by lower level persons. I can't place too much blame on the people working the store that day. They were probably scared shytless looking at the lynch mob just on the other side of the door and honestly didn't know what to do. There was probably an element of "they are going to break down the door and kill us."

[alphabassettgrrl]

It's my (limited) understanding that the crowd at the WalMart actually broke down the doors.

Talking to a BF shopper last night, he said EB Games didn't let anybody into their store. Everybody waited in line, you told them what you wanted, they brought it to you, and you paid for it. Easy, nothing got stolen, nobody got trampled, and everybody got as much as they were going to get (considering some things were out of stock).

I'm all for limited access when things get that nuts.

[Ghoulish Delight]

It's my (limited) understanding that the crowd at the WalMart actually broke down the doors.
They broke the door off the hinges after the store was opened, they did not break it down in opposition to WalMart trying to keep it closed.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Ah. Thank you for the clarification.

[CoasterMatt]

http://punditkitchen.wordpress.com/files/2008/12/political-pictures-wal-mart.jpg

[Gemini Cricket]

An actor slit his throat on stage when the prop knife for his suicide scene turned out to be a real one.
Daniel Hoevels, 30, slumped over with blood pouring from his neck while the audience broke into applause at the "special effect". Police are investigating whether the knife was a mistake or a murder plot. They are questioning the rest of the cast, and backstage hands with access to props; they will also carry out DNA tests.

Source (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/11/actor-slits-throat)

[JWBear]

Glad to hear he survived! :eek:

[Moonliner]

Should we replace "Break a leg" with "Slice a jugular"?

[Moonliner]

Not really WFT material but still interesting...

The smoking gun website has a copy of the infamous Van Halen "No Brown M&M's" rider (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/1211081vanhalen1.html).

[Kevy Baby]

Not really WFT material but still interesting...

The smoking gun website has a copy of the infamous Van Halen "No Brown M&M's" rider (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/1211081vanhalen1.html).I don't know why they are portraying this as some hard-to-find document. I saw that years ago.

[Gemini Cricket]

Should we replace "Break a leg" with "Slice a jugular"?
Can you imagine if they were doing Julius Caesar with the same knife supplier?
Yikes.

[bewitched]

Science nerds do TOO have sex...with robots...that they build.... (http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/12/11/inventor.female.robot/index.html)

[Betty]

Not really WFT material but still interesting...

The smoking gun website has a copy of the infamous Van Halen "No Brown M&M's" rider (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/1211081vanhalen1.html).

And don't forget the 1 large tube of KY and 48 towels!

[Stan4dSteph]

Science nerds do TOO have sex...with robots...that they build.... (http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/12/11/inventor.female.robot/index.html)Creepy. But if she can't walk, how the hell does she do the cleaning?

[bewitched]

Creepy. But if she can't walk, how the hell does she do the cleaning?


I don't think she needs to walk to do the "cleaning". :p

[Lance]

I don't think she needs to walk to do the "cleaning". :p

"These pipes are clean!"

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/4913/cabinboyeg5.gif

[JWBear]

"These pipes are clean!"

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/4913/cabinboyeg5.gif

Whatever happened to Chris Elliot?

[Alex]

He's busy attending weekly tapings of Saturday Night Live in support of his daughter who recently joined the cast (how did he get that old?).

[Lance]

Whatever happened to Chris Elliot?

I think he's mainly been playing bit parts in movies/tv and he's written a few books.

[Kevy Baby]

I can't stand Chris Elliot

[Alex]

That's ok. He was just telling me what a jerk he thinks you are.

[Kevy Baby]

That's ok. He was just telling me what a jerk he thinks you are.Well, I couldn't argue with that...

[Betty]

You know how when you were a kid the other kids told you to stay away from the drain in the bottom of the pool because it would suck you down and you would drown. Turns out - they were right. (http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-12-16-pools-crackdown_N.htm?csp=34)

[JWBear]

Nanny Government at it's worst. :rolleyes:

[Strangler Lewis]

I suppose one can debate the costs vs. how many lives are likely to be saved, but I don't see that as nanny government. It would be nanny government if the government were intervening to alleviate a risk of harm that only happened to 1) adults 2) when they were drunk or stoned.

[JWBear]

Why should the owners of these pools be forced to either fork over thousands of dollars or be forced to close? Where are the parents? Who in their right mind allows a child that young to swim in a pool unsupervised? Why should the rest of the public pay the price for parents who don't adequately supervise their children?

It’s nanny government any time laws or regulations are enacted that take away personal responsibility – in this case, the responsibility of the parents to keep their children from harm.

[Betty]

At the least there should be a warning about staying away from the drain - don't you think?

[Ghoulish Delight]

It’s nanny government any time laws or regulations are enacted that take away personal responsibility – in this case, the responsibility of the parents to keep their children from harm.
There will always be a debate about where the line is draw, but to give an extreme example, if the pool had a set of spikes at the bottom of the deep end, would it be the parents' responsibility to just supervise their kid?

Perhaps drain suction may or may not be an uber-deadly hazard, but it is a hazard and one with a solution, so it's not unheard of to insist on public facilities to have a certain level of safety precautions in place.

[Morrigoon]

You know how when you were a kid the other kids told you to stay away from the drain in the bottom of the pool because it would suck you down and you would drown. Turns out - they were right. (http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-12-16-pools-crackdown_N.htm?csp=34)
Alan Korn, public policy director of the Washington-based nonprofit group Safe Kids Worldwide, said the vast majority of American swimmers do not realize that the bottoms of pools, spas and wading pools are hidden hazards, especially to children.

He said one person dies because of pool or spa drain suction in a typical year. His agency cited 33 deaths of children under age 14 between 1985 and 2004.

Okay, ONE person, in AMERICA, dies PER YEAR... and because of that, every public pool owner has to spend up to $15,000 to change their drains? 33 *gasp!* children over a span of 20 years, and this is considered the major threat to safety in this nation? I can think of hundreds of things that probably kill/maim/injure more children per year than this, and this is what they focus on?





(I'm not saying it isn't nice to protect the children, but let's start with the stuff more likely to kill more kids, shall we?)

[Strangler Lewis]

Why should the owners of these pools be forced to either fork over thousands of dollars or be forced to close? Where are the parents? Who in their right mind allows a child that young to swim in a pool unsupervised? Why should the rest of the public pay the price for parents who don't adequately supervise their children?

It’s nanny government any time laws or regulations are enacted that take away personal responsibility – in this case, the responsibility of the parents to keep their children from harm.

I find your indignation bizarre (but then I find the pervasive anti-child attitude on this board rather puzzling). Maybe I missed something, but doesn't your job depend on servicing adults who, it might be said, can't manage their own sh*t?

Okay, ONE person, in AMERICA, dies PER YEAR... and because of that, every public pool owner has to spend up to $15,000 to change their drains? 33 *gasp!* children over a span of 20 years, and this is considered the major threat to safety in this nation? I can think of hundreds of things that probably kill/maim/injure more children per year than this, and this is what they focus on?

(I'm not saying it isn't nice to protect the children, but let's start with the stuff more likely to kill more kids, shall we?)

I think the difference is 1) these stories are truly horrible and 2) it's not a speed limit situation where you're dealing with more theoretical risks and countervailing lifestyle choices. It's a clear risk, with a fatal outcome, and an obvious fix.

[Morrigoon]

I think a reasonable start would have been requiring it of all NEW pools, or requiring changes when reasonably possible, such as the next time the pool is drained, etc.

Also, I think someone could've come up with a domed fixture that could be installed over existing drains, rather than requiring a complete change to the drain system, which would make changes cheaper and more reasonable.

And again, there are many much more deadly and avoidable things they could've focused on.

[Alex]

Playing with the drain was the best part of going to the public school when I was a kid. That moment of fear when you poked a toe in and it took some work to pull it out was the reason for going.

Why must they destroy my childhood!

Plus, if you went down there and peed you could convince yourself it left the pool almost immediately and therefore wasn't so wrong.

I have no real opinion on whether the government should be doing it, but I wonder if it would be doing it if one of the 33 people in 20 years wasn't related to a former secretary of state.

[tracilicious]

I find your indignation bizarre (but then I find the pervasive anti-child attitude on this board rather puzzling). Maybe I missed something, but doesn't your job depend on servicing adults who, it might be said, can't manage their own sh*t?


Ditto all of the above. Especially the anti-child part.

From the article's description, it sounds like it isn't about whether a parent is watching or not. It cited an example of a child getting pulled under, and people trying to free her from the drain and her drowning anyways. It's not like no one noticed she was under water. So, yeah, I think pool companies should make products that don't kill people.

[Alex]

I know it is cold and heartless, but on a cost benefit basis, is spending $1.2 billion* justified to save 1 life per year? It would be way more effective to allow that one kid to die and require pool owners to send $5,000 to Africa for water purification tablets (I know, that's not particularly fair, pretty much any home grown safety measure is not cost effective compared to purification tablets for African water).



*Article says 240,000 are not yet compliant and that change costs $1,000 to $15,000. So using a picked as a guess number of $5,000 per retrofit that is $1.2 billion still needing to be spent.

ETA: When the EPA does impact assessments for proposed regulations they value a human life at $6.9 million. If we assume that the new drains will last 20 years, work 100% perfectly and therefore save 33 lives, that is a value of $36.4 million.

[Morrigoon]

Oftentimes laws to "protect the children" are pushed through by people/companies who stand to make money on the regulation (remember the uterine cancer vaccine?). Now, obviously this one has something to do with a lawmaker's personal grief, but I do question such expensive regulation, because it does seem obvious to me that someone stands to make a lot of money on this.

Again, I wouldn't mind so much if the reaction were less extreme (eg: applying it only to new or remodeled pools, coming up with a less expensive alternative such as fitting a dome over an existing flat grate, etc.) Safety and reasonability must be kept in balance. Else we'd have extremes like banning cars because they kill so many people.

[Strangler Lewis]

I don't think aggregating it is a sensible way of addressing what the responsible approach of each property owner is.

Our idiot prior owners planted sequoia trees on our .11 acre lot. Very pretty. Totally inappropriate for the lots. One of them had a split trunk, to make matters worse. The trees are an inevitable hazard to driveways, fences and, eventually, rooves and brains. We just spent about a thousand having them out (to the indignation of our neighbors who called us tree-hating cretins but said that, no, they would not sign a perpetual release of liability)

We felt that spending this money now was the responsible thing to do even though it might take ten years for the one tree to crush our neighbor's house and, even then, they might not be inside at the time. If you frame the question as whether a property owner should spend one thousand, five thousand, etc. to alleviate a clear risk of harm that would result in far larger liability, then the decision becomes clearer. Aggregating the effect of that decision among everyone in the country who has a similarly costly risk on their property shouldn't distort what the right thing to do in particular cases is.

[JWBear]

Maybe I missed something, but doesn't your job depend on servicing adults who, it might be said, can't manage their own sh*t?

Perhaps you have, but then you would be prey to a common misconception regarding public assistance. The majority of those who come through our doors can, as you so colorfully phrased it “manage their own sh*t”. The stereotype of the “Welfare Queen” is outdated and false. Most are here because of something outside of their control; the death of a spouse, the primary wage earner being laid-off (especially poignant right now), illness, disability… Many of the families we see would have bee considered middle class ten/twenty years ago. Now, they can barely make ends meet; one paycheck away from destitution. Often it takes just one setback to send them over the brink, then they have little choice but to come here. I talk to these people every day. I hear their stories and see the fear and desperation in their eyes. Trust me, they would rather be anywhere than standing in line at the welfare office!

[Alex]

Except that aggregating is very common for evaluating whether government imposed regulations are sensible (just because something is the "right thing to do" does not necessarily mean it should be mandated by the government).

Also, I'd argue that if the only reason you removed the tree now was because of a 1 in (let's say to just pick a number) 100,000,000 chance of killing someone in any given year beyond 15 years from now that your $5,000 was very poorly spent.

If the odds of damage or death from the tree, however, are significant then aggregating might very wear bolster the case.

Conversely, what if a rather than the $5,000 fix there is a $40 fix that would save 70% of the lives (I have no idea if there is). At what point is the cost disproportionate to the minuscule -- though very real -- risk?

[bewitched]

There may "only" be 33 kids that have been killed by the drains but many more have been permanently injured (usually after evisceration). Further, it is thought that many more deaths are probably attributable to pool drains but are listed as drownings since that is the actual cause of death.

Examples:

Here. (http://www.jems.com/news_and_articles/columns/Heightman/Pool_Drain_Eviscerates_6-Year-Old_Girl.html)

Here. (http://cbs4.com/local/Pool.Drain.Girl.2.773136.html)

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00016693.htmAnd here. (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00016693.htm)


I'm amused by the idea that somehow these kids aren't "supervised". Only someone without kids would make a blanket statement like that. The pool we go to is very well supervised. I also supervise my 8yo. Nonetheless, she is often underwater...playing games, swimming, exploring, etc.. She is an excellent swimmer. I don't get up and follow her every time her head dips underwater. I don't expect there to be a freak hidden danger like a drain that would hold her down so firmly it would suck her intestines out.

Maybe in some of your minds this makes me a bad parent. Maybe you think I don't adequately supervise my daughter. But I also think that if there wasn't a "hidden" danger, and you saw me hovering* to that extent, you would think I was a total nutjob.


*Personally, I think this kind of extreme supervision at 8 would go beyond hovering and border on some kind of pervasive psychological condition.

[JWBear]

I'm sorry, but if I were a parent, there is no way I'd allow my 7 or 8yo child swim in the deep end of the pool.

[bewitched]

I'm sorry, but if I were a parent, there is no way I'd allow my 7 or 8yo child swim in the deep end of the pool.

Then it would be likely your kid would be the dork odd man out because his parents wouldn't let him in the deep end.

[katiesue]

I am a parent and I let my 7 or 8 year old swim in the deep end all the time. She took swim lessons for years and is a fairly strong swimmer. When we were that age we spent hundreds of hours at the public pool diving in the deep end. There were these square blocks you could check out and dive for them in the 8ft, which I hated cause I always feel like I'm drowning if I go that deep. And diving for them was a part of our swim lessons as well.

And I don't think it's all lack of supervision, although it could be. Kids can do the darndest things so fast you can't stop them. Madz got her head stuck in the fencing at the Tomorrowland Train Station when she was two. They finally got her out with bolt cutters but they thought they might need to weld. She did it in a second and none of us could figure out how she even got her head in a position to get in the space so we couldn't get her out.

[Alex]

The second link is to a personal injury law firm trolling for cases. That doesn't mean what they say is inaccurate just that they have a financial incentive to maximize the perceived risks.

The third link to the CDC is to a case where the protective drain cover was missing for some reason so very well might have happened regardless.

But my point is not that this regulation is unwarranted (as I said, I don't know enough to know), just that just as the "supervise your kids" thing is misguided, I think the "it's a real risk so the cost is a moral obligation which justifies making it a legal obligation regardless of the relative risk" is also misguided.

[Alex]

I'm sorry, but if I were a parent, there is no way I'd allow my 7 or 8yo child swim in the deep end of the pool.

When we were 8 that was the year of school required swimming lessons. And this was back when there was a 10M high dive at the public pool (other risk concerns eventually got rid of that) and we all used it with abandon once we had passed the necessary stage of lessons.

[bewitched]

The second link is to a personal injury law firm trolling for cases. That doesn't mean what they say is inaccurate just that they have a financial incentive to maximize the perceived risks.

The third link to the CDC is to a case where the protective drain cover was missing for some reason so very well might have happened regardless.

But my point is not that this regulation is unwarranted (as I said, I don't know enough to know), just that just as the "supervise your kids" thing is misguided, I think the "it's a real risk so the cost is a moral obligation which justifies making it a legal obligation regardless of the relative risk" is also misguided.

Sorry about the second link. The third link is to an uncovered drain* but it address the same issues this legislation does. The reason for the drowning was the suction power created by having only one drain and the inability to free her because there was no emergency cut off switch.

*I believe, though am not certain that this is another issue the legislation addresses, i.e. easily removable drain covers.

eta: I added a new 2nd link.

[Kevy Baby]

This whole conversation sucks.

[tracilicious]

My five year old swims in the deep end. He's been swimming since he was a toddler. Without any sort of floatie/vest since he was a young four. He can also do the six foot high balance beam at gymnastics, climb to the top of the rock wall, etc. Seriously, I get so tired of people who obviously have no clue about kids or parenting criticizing parents all the time. It's fvcking hard people!

[CoasterMatt]

I didn't want to go in any pool for a while when I was a lil kid, because of a news story about this kind of thing.

[Betty]

It's fvcking hard people!

Amen to that!

[Capt Jack]

hence, why I decided to stick with dogs.

[mousepod]

Back to the pool issue... Not that I feel strongly either way about a new law for pool owners, but the linked stories remind me about a moment I had on our family vacation this year.

We were sitting by the pool at the hotel, and I started reading Chuck Palahniuk's "Haunted", one of the books from my "get around to sometime" pile. Unlike "Fight Club", "Choke" and "Lullaby," this book is a collection of linked short stories... most of them pretty darn gruesome.

One of the early stories involves a character who uses the drain of the pool for his own pleasure, until something horrible happens.

I actually got physically ill and had to put the book down for almost a half hour.

[Capt Jack]

3-year-old Hitler can't get name on cake (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28269290/)

I have no words

[Moonliner]

3-year-old Hitler can't get name on cake (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28269290/)

I have no words

Really, to think a store would do that to a 3-year-old.

[Alex]

Interestingly I don't think he's quite understanding the nature of the controversy yet. I don't think it is blacks, specifically, that would have the most issue with a friend named Adolf Hitler.

It is hard to take at face value the statement that he picked the name just because it was nice sounding and would be unique but then has apparently requested a swastika on the cake in the past (and named another child after Aryan Nation).

So, I guess I can understand both sides. Yeah, I'd probably go ahead and make the cake but it would be borderline. I don't buy for a moment that no political statement was being made when they chose the name of this child and I don't really have a problem if others choose to not participate in making that statement.

My mom owns a seamstress shop I don't know that she'd be eager to make the young child's klan hood for his 4th birthday costume party.

[Strangler Lewis]

Say what you will about Hitler . . .

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Heath Campbell said he named his son after Adolf Hitler because he liked the name and because "no one else in the world would have that name." He sounded surprised by all the controversy the dispute had generated.Really? You named your son Adolf Hitler and you're surprised it generated controversy? REALLY?!? Are you aware of the other Adolf Hitler from around 70 years ago?He said he was raised not to avoid people of other races but not to mix with them socially or romantically. But he said he would try to raise his children differently.Please define "differently" Mr. Campbell.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

I actually got physically ill and had to put the book down for almost a half hour.

That was me reading American Pshyco. Heh.

Kids will do the darndest and most dangerous things. I was swimming in a pool that was half covered by the winter pool cover. My Dad and his friend were standing nearby. I thought it would be cool to swim beneath the cover, and it was! The colors and the calm were amazing. I figured I get to the the end, and simply stick my head up, imagining the cover would be light enough to raise up along with me. I tried to come up for air and the cover was too heavy to budge. I was quickly running out of air and almost panicked, but instead swam as fast as I could to the open end of the pool. I emerged gasping for air. My Dad and his friend were still chatting away; had no idea I was in any danger. Reproached him later for not paying more attention, and he pretty much told me to be less of an idiot. Heh.

Anyway, I could have died, and I hardly blame lack of supervision. My father simply had a higher opinion of my intelligence than he should have. :)

For the record, I am not anti-child. I just don't want children of my own. (There are many reasons for this, and one of them IS because I know how hard it is.) I don't like how some people have tried to make me feel like this is a severe lack on my part. I've had a co-worker say, "You can never really know love until you have a child." I've had people who barely know me say, "Oh, but you will. Someday. Trust me." If some people feel those without children speak out of turn about parenting, it goes both ways. Parents often make non-breeders feel like there is something wrong with them.

My boss needing to take time off from work watch his daughter's ballet class is no more important than my needing to take time off from work to meet an old friend for dinner. He wants to be a good father, and I want to be a good friend. We mutually respect our different lifestyles.

So, I'm not anti-child. I love new baby smell and smart toddlers. I love playing with kids because I've always dreamed of playing with monkeys. And I love talking with kids because I find I often learn something new, too.
I don't think kids should be cleaning up lint in cotton mills with their tiny hands, but I also don't think they should be coddled and "cute"ified into prolonged adolescence. My aunt stays home from work if her sixteen year old has a tummy ache. I don't understand that. My favorite parents are the ones who don't make their children feel like they are the center of the universe, who treat them like like they are raising a future adult, and who take their newborns OUT of the movie theater as soon as they start crying because they recognize that other patrons may mind. A child crying at Disneyland? Fair game.

If anything, I'm anti-parents who think their more important for being parents, and who treat their children as though they are somehow more special than everything, everyone and anything else. I feel fortunate that most of the parents I know aren't like that, and they're raising some seriously awesome kids.

[alphabassettgrrl]

I've had a co-worker say, "You can never really know love until you have a child." I've had people who barely know me say, "Oh, but you will. Someday. Trust me."

Yeah, frequently people assume a desire for children and simply cannot understand a different opinion. They assume I'm either broken or lying. When people assure us that we will someday want children, it seems like they are trying to reassure themselves somehow that their desire for children is normal; I'm wondering why it's so important to them that I want children. I don't get it.

My uncle's wife raised one of those "center of the universe" children. This girl was her last child, and my aunt's main goal seemed to be to not allow the child to grow up (I think the woman would be happy for her daughter to be perpetually age 4). She wanted to do every little thing for the girl. I think there was some guilt with this as well as the fear of the child growing up, but independence was quite a challenge for her. Luckily, the girl seems to realize that constant dependence on one's mother is not normal, and seems to have made a somewhat independent life for herself, but it wasn't easy.

And like you say- crying babies in movie theaters? Not so ok. Crying babies at Disneyland? Happens.

[Capt Jack]

I can totally relate to that. I was married for 25 years and folks would constantly ask us "dont you want kids?" we'd sort of look at each other puzzled, as neither of us seemed to understand that 'want children' phrase. I still dont. I 'want' a steak. I 'want' to get laid. I "want" all sorts of things. not one of those seems to be "I want to create another life"

however I dig kids (Im not much removed from being one myself except for actual age), get along great with em and they do seem to like me (see the previous note, as I think kids recognize their own, regardless of age)

dunno. just not a thing I ever saw or see myself doing. and while I do applaud those that have, I fully appreciate the benefits of being one who doesnt

[Kevy Baby]

3-year-old Hitler can't get name on cake (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28269290/)

I have no wordsThe Campbells ultimately got their cake decorated at a Wal-Mart in Pennsylvania, Deborah Campbell said.See: another reason to not shop at Wal-Mart. They're Nazis!

[Kevy Baby]

...(but then I find the pervasive anti-child attitude on this board rather puzzling).I LOVE children, especially with a nice Chianti.

But seriously: I see no "anti-child" attitude on this board. I know that many people on this board do not have kids, but that does not make any of us "anti-child." I personally spend a fair amount of time with friends who have kids, and have no problem talking to the children themselves. One family, who currently have a ten-year-old, a seven-year-old, and a three-year-old have been our friends since before they were married (actually, we've known the wife since before she even met her now husband). We've watched the kids grow and it has been a true joy. We've been on camping trips together and will often watch after the kids while Mom and Dad and get a respite.

[Alex]

I'm not anti-child. I just don't think they're the bees knees.

Have them if you want them, just don't expect me to think they (or you for having them) are all that interesting or special.

They seem to like me though.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

I hate when the edit function disappears and my inappropriate "their" can not be corrected to "they're". I know the difference! I do! Just...in the heat of the writing moment...I am sometimes illiterate. Heh.

[Kevy Baby]

I hate when the edit function disappears and my inappropriate "their" can not be corrected to "they're". I know the difference! I do! Just...in the heat of the writing moment...I am sometimes illiterate. Heh.Its knot a issue. We all knows what your righting knowledge are.

[bewitched]

That was me reading American Pshyco
For the record, I am not anti-child. I just don't want children of my own. (There are many reasons for this, and one of them IS because I know how hard it is.) I don't like how some people have tried to make me feel like this is a severe lack on my part. I've had a co-worker say, "You can never really know love until you have a child." I've had people who barely know me say, "Oh, but you will. Someday. Trust me." If some people feel those without children speak out of turn about parenting, it goes both ways. Parents often make non-breeders feel like there is something wrong with them.



I know exactly what you're talking about and I think that when people think that you you will be sorry, that you don't know what you're talking about, etc. are stupid.

I didn't plan on having kids at all. I love them but never felt any maternal urge. I got all sorts of grief from everyone...someone even told me I was being selfish (which to be fair, not gracing humanity with more of my gene pool would have been rather selfish). Then, at 32...ooops! (let's just say that 99.7% figure for the pill leaves a little wiggle room)

So I've been on both sides of the fence and respect both sides. I can also honestly say that to some degree I agree with your co-worker; in my wildest imagination, I couldn't have imagined loving anyone or anything as much as I love my daughter. I don't mean to imply at all that you are lacking or crazy because you don't want kids. I've known the feeling.

Having said that, it annoys me every bit as much if not more when people say, "if I was a parent" or, "if I had kids" as when people would say things about my decision not to have kids. Personally, I think the "stick to what you know" factor applies here (and never make definitive statements about things removed from your experience, I used to say, "if I were a parent..." all of the time but reality is a lot different from observation).

[Not Afraid]

I have a child. He just happens to look and sound like a piggie.

[Kevy Baby]

I have a child. He just happens to look and sound like a piggie.That's not a nice thing to say about Chris

[Ghoulish Delight]

I have a child. He just happens to look and sound like a piggie.
That's a horrible way to talk about someone who is No Longer Posting.

[Moonliner]

Damn, Damn, Damn.

This story was sooooo close to being the coolest news event ever!

Imagine this, you are with your family for a fun day at the water park. You send the kiddies down the big water slide, while you wait at the bottom to snap a photo or two. Down come the kids and right behind them comes a live 6' tiger shark.

Close. Oh so close (http://www.tmz.com/2008/12/18/shark-commits-suicide-on-waterslide/#continuedcontents)...

[bewitched]

Doctor Finds Foot in Newborn's Brain (http://www.thedenverchannel.com/health/18297954/detail.html#-)


Dr. Paul Grabb, a pediatric brain surgeon, said he was surprised when he discovered a small foot growing inside the brain of 3-day-old Sam Esquibel.

[bewitched]

Damn, Damn, Damn.

This story was sooooo close to being the coolest news event ever!

Imagine this, you are with your family for a fun day at the water park. You send the kiddies down the big water slide, while you wait at the bottom to snap a photo or two. Down come the kids and right behind them comes a live 6' tiger shark.

Close. Oh so close (http://www.tmz.com/2008/12/18/shark-commits-suicide-on-waterslide/#continuedcontents)...

Poor shark. :(

[Alex]

My first thought was the that Sherman from the Sherman's Lagoon comic strip met a terrible end while on vacation.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Greedy Stupid Spoiled Bitch Judge's Daughter Sues Driver She Ran Into While Driving Drunk (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6170554.html)

[flippyshark]

my sharky cheese is sad - yes, the image of a shark on a water slide is a highly enjoyable one, but I loves the tiger sharks, and I'm sorry to hear that this one died. :(

[BarTopDancer]

I was going to go cage diving (http://www.greatwhiteadventures.com/) as a graduation present to myself.




I think I changed my mind. (http://digg.com/other_sports/Divers_escape_as_great_white_shark_rips_through_ca ge_VID)