Injuries During Sex, Miracle Baby, Bad Drug Ad Snitches Wanted – Health News Stories – 14 May 2010
14 MayVoters Moon American Politics Polls Say, Bush Years Bad Air Report Released, Throwing Eggs at Ukrainian Politicians – News Headlines 28 Apr 2010
28 AprAnti-Incumbent Mood Rising, Poll Finds (CBS/Washington Post) Washington Post: Dissatisfaction with Congressional Incumbents is Widespread as Midterm Elections Near
Members of Congress face the most anti-incumbent electorate since 1994, with less than a third of all voters saying they are inclined to support their representatives in November, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
Dissatisfaction is widespread, crossing party lines, ideologies and virtually all groups of voters. Less than a quarter of independents and just three in 10 Republicans say they’re leaning toward backing an incumbent this fall. Even among Democrats, who control the House, the Senate and the White House, opinion is evenly divided on the question…
Still, for President Obama and his party, there are some positive signs in the poll. The public trusts Democrats more than Republicans to handle the major problems facing the country by a double-digit margin, giving Democrats a bigger lead than they held two months ago, when Congress was engaged in the long endgame over divisive health-care legislation. A majority continues to see Obama as “just about right” ideologically, despite repeated GOP efforts to define the president as outside the mainstream.
Those polled also say they trust Obama over Republicans in Congress to deal with the economy, health care and, by a large margin, financial regulatory reform. And the president continues to get positive marks on his overall job performance, with, for the first time since the fall, a majority of independents approving…
Nearly half say the president is not doing enough to help the middle class, a view that’s held by a majority of those with annual household incomes between $50,000 and $100,000. At the start of the general election campaign in 2008, 66 percent expected Obama, if elected, to do the right amount for the middle class; now, 44 percent say he has it just right.
Living in Louisiana I’m acutely aware of these issues with over 4,000 oil rigs off our shores. Oyster beds, fish and shrimp are some of our main exports. It’s pretty amazing that something this bad has not happened up until now. And this is exactly why I implored the President to reconsider drilling off shore elsewhere in America. Mangling the continental shelf off our Atlantic Coast is a really bad idea.
It only takes one mess like the current one to make us realize it’s time to get serious about sinking more money into less harmful forms of energy than fossil fuels. Today, apparently, the White House finally slowed down its enthusiasm for drilling off shore. Let’s all hope Obama now understands and accepts the enormity of this situation for future generations and the health of the planet.
Coast Guard to Set Fire to Gulf Oil Slick: (CBS/AP) Crews Unable to Stop Flow from Underwater Well Damaged in Rig Explosion, Leaving Massive Contamination
exploded drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, a last-ditch effort to get rid of it before it reaches environmentally sensitive marshlands on the coast.
A 500-foot boom will be used to corral several thousand gallons of the thickest oil on the surface, which will then be towed to a more remote area, set on fire, and allowed to burn for about an hour, the Coast Guard said. Such burns will continue throughout the day if they are working.
It was unclear what would be used to set the oil on fire and how far from shore it would burn. The slick was about 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of the mouth of the Mississippi River.
About 42,000 gallons of oil a day are leaking into the Gulf from the blown-out well where the Deepwater Horizon exploded and sank last week. Eleven workers are missing and presumed dead. The cause of the explosion has not been determined.
Greg Pollock, head of the oil spill division of the Texas General Land Office, which is providing equipment for crews in the Gulf, said he is not aware of a similar burn ever being done off the U.S. coast. The last time crews with his agency used fire booms to burn oil was a 1995 spill on the San Jacinto River.
“When you can get oil ignited, it is an absolutely effective way of getting rid of a huge percentage of the oil,” he said. “I can’t overstate how important it is to get the oil off the surface of the water.”
He said the oil will likely be ignited using jelled gasoline and lit rags soaked in oil. What’s left afterward is something he described as a kind of hardened tar ball that can be removed from the water with nets or skimmers.
“I would say there is little threat to the environment because it won’t coat an animal, and because all the volatiles have been consumed if it gets on a shore it can be simply picked up,” he said…
The decision to burn some of the oil comes as the Coast Guard and industry cleanup crews run out of other options to get rid of it.
Crews operating submersible robots have been trying without success to activate a shut-off device that would halt the flow of oil on the sea bottom 5,000 feet below.
Rig operator BP Plc. says work will begin as early as Thursday to drill a relief well to relieve pressure at the blowout site, but that could take months.
Another option is a dome-like device to cover oil rising to the surface and pump it to container vessels, but that will take two weeks to put in place, BP said…
The cost of disaster continues to rise and could easily top $1 billion…
Feds OK Nation’s First Offshore Wind Farm: (CBS/AP) Interior Secretary Approves Controversial Cape Wind Project, Clearing Way for 130-Turbine Wind Farm in Nantucket Sound
The Obama administration has approved what would be the nation’s first offshore wind farm, off Cape Cod, inching the U.S. closer to harvesting an untapped domestic energy source – the steady breezes blowing along its vast coasts…
Cape Wind says it can generate power by 2012 and aims to eventually supply three-quarters of the power on Cape Cod, which has about 225,000 residents. Cape Wind officials say it will provide green jobs and a reliable domestic energy source, while offshore wind advocates are hoping it can jump-start the U.S. industry.
America’s onshore wind industry is the world’s largest, but higher upfront costs, tougher technological challenges and environmental concerns have held back the development of offshore wind farms.
Denmark installed the world’s first offshore wind turbine 20 years ago. China has built its first commercial wind farm off Shanghai and plans several other projects.
The U.S. Department of Energy envisions offshore wind farms accounting for 4 percent of the country’s electric generating capacity by 2030.
Major U.S. proposals include a project in Texas state waters, but most are concentrated along the East Coast north of Maryland, including projects in Delaware and New Jersey…
Like this was any surprise. During the years specified in this report the air quality – or complete lack of it – was horrendous in my area of the country. Actually, since Bush is now out of office – and we actually have a real EPA enforcing the laws – Baton Rouge, Louisiana is only number 25 on the list of worst polluted ozone areas – and this report actually reflects the Bush years. Bush refused to fine the local chemical companies and oil refineries when they did burn-off at will.
Also, because of the economic downturn some local chemical plants are shut down and so our air is actually good enough to open the windows and air out the house this Spring. The past few years we kept the doors and windows closed all year round because of the stinging quality to the air for our eyes and lungs. People around here constantly go to their doctors for sinus infections and this part of the Gulf of Mexico is known as Cancer Alley.
The economic downturn and high gas prices have locals not driving as much which has also contributed to healthier air in my area. Let’s see: no Bush, no Cheney, Obama pollution enforcement, fewer cars on the road all day, economic downturn = better air! 🙂 See how your part of the country fared in this report.
Report: Most Americans Live in Unhealthy Air: (CBS/AP) Progress Made in Reducing Soot, Dust through Cleaner Diesel Engines, Controls on Coal-Fired Power Plants
A new report says more than half of Americans still live in areas with unhealthy air, despite progress in reducing smog.
The report released Wednesday by the American Lung Association is based on 2006-2008 figures. It says progress has been made in reducing particle pollution such as soot and dust, thanks to cleaner diesel engines and controls on coal-fired power plants.
The Los Angeles area continued to have the nation’s worst ozone pollution…
Most Polluted Cities by Ozone
1. Los Angeles-Long Beach (Calif.)-Riverside (Calif.)
2. Bakersfield, Calif.
3. Visalia (Calif.)-Porterville (Calif.)
4. Fresno (Calif.)-Madera (Calif.)
5. Sacramento (Calif.)-Arden-Arcade (Calif.)-Yuba City (Nev.)
6. Hanford (Calif.)-Corcoran (Calif.)
7. Houston-Baytown (Texas)-Huntsville (Texas)
8. San Diego-Carlsbad (Calif.)-San Marcos (Calif.)
9. San Luis Obispo (Calif.)-Paso Robles (Calif.)
10. Charlotte (N.C.)-Gastonia (N.C.)-Salisbury (S.C.)
11. Phoenix-Mesa (Ariz.)-Scottsdale (Ariz.)
12. Merced, Calif.
13. Dallas-Fort Worth (Texas)
14. Knoxville (Tenn.)-Sevierville (Tenn.)-La Follette (Tenn.)
15. El Centro, Calif.
T16. New York-Newark (N.J.)-Bridgeport (Conn.)
T16. Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia
18. Cincinnati-Middletown (Ky.)-Wilmington (Ind.)
T19. Atlanta-Sandy Springs (Ga.)-Gainesville (Ala.)
T19. Birmingham (Ala.)-Hoover (Ala.)-Cullman (Ala.)
21. Las Vegas-Paradise (Nev.)-Pahrump (Nev.)
T22. Modesto, Calif.
T22. Philadelphia-Camden (N.J.)-Vineland (N.J.)
24. Chico, Calif.
25. Baton Rouge (La.)-Pierre Part (La.)
Worst Cities by Year-Round Particle Pollution
1. Phoenix-Mesa (Ariz.)-Scottsdale (Ariz.)
2. Bakersfield, Calif.
T3. Los Angeles-Long Beach (Calif.)-Riverside (Calif.)
T3. Visalia-Porterville, Calif.
5. Pittsburgh-New Castle (Pa.)
6. Fresno-Madera, Calif.
7. Birmingham-Hoover-Cullman, Ala.
8. Hanford-Corcoran, Calif.
T9. Cincinnati-Middletown (Ky.)-Wilmington (Ind.)
T9. St. Louis-St. Charles (Mo.)-Farmington (Ill.)
T11. Charleston, W.Va.
T11. Detroit-Warren (Mich.)-Flint (Mich.)
T11. Weirton (W.Va.)-Steubenville (Ohio)
T14. Louisville (Ky.)-Jefferson County (Ky.)-Elizabethtown (Ky.)-Scottsburg (Ind.)
T14. Modesto, Calif.
T16. Atlanta-Sandy Springs (Ga.)-Gainesville (Ala.)
T16. Houston-Baytown (Texas)-Huntsville (Texas)
T16. Huntington (Ohio)-Ashland (Ohio)
T19. Cleveland-Akron (Ohio)-Elyria (Ohio)
T19. Macon (Ga.)-Warner Robins (Ga.)-Fort Valley (Ga.)
T21. Hagerstown (Md.)-Martinsburg (W.Va.)
T21. Knoxville (Tenn.)-Sevierville (Tenn.)-La Follette (Tenn.)
23. Augusta (Ga.)-Richmond County (S.C.)
24. Indianapolis-Anderson (Ind.)-Columbus (Ind.)
T25. Parkersburg (W.Va.)-Marietta (Ohio)
T25. York (Pa.)-Hanover (Pa.)-Gettysburg (Pa.)
Worst Cities by Short-Term Particle Pollution
1. Bakersfield, Calif.
2. Fresno (Calif.)-Madera (Calif.)
3. Pittsburgh-New Castle (Pa.)
4. Los Angeles-Long Beach (Calif.)-Riverside (Calif.)
5. Birmingham (Ala.)-Hoover (Ala.)-Cullman (Ala.)
6. Sacramento (Calif.)-Arden-Arcade (Calif.)-Yuba City (Nev.)
7. Salt Lake City-Ogden (Utah)-Clearfield (Utah)
8. Visalia (Calif.)-Porterville (Calif.)
9. Modesto, Calif.
10. Hanford (Calif.)-Corcoran (Calif.)
11. Merced, Calif.
12. Philadelphia-Camden (N.J.)-Vineland (N.J.)
13. Provo (Utah)-Orem (Utah)
14. Phoenix-Mesa (Ariz.)-Scottsdale (Ariz.)
15. Stockton, Calif.
16. Chicago-Naperville (Ill.)-Michigan City (Ind.)
17. San Diego-Carlsbad (Calif.)-San Marcos (Calif.)
T18. Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia
T18. New York-Newark (N.J.)-Bridgeport (Conn.)
T18. Logan, Utah
21. Eugene (Ore.)-Springfield (Ore.)
22. Harrisburg (Pa.)-Carlisle (Pa.)-Lebanon (Pa.)
T23. San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland (Calif.)
T23. Indianapolis-Anderson (Ind.)-Columbus (Ind.)
T23. Allentown (Pa.)-Bethlehem (Pa.)-Easton (Pa.)
And here I thought American politics were overheated and often stupid. Among the Taiwanese, British and Ukrainian politics I’d say there were some definite runners up for the title of sleaze! 🙂 I find it interesting that an aide already had an umbrella handy to fend off flying rotten eggs. Maybe it’s a tradition in the Ukraine to throw eggs when they are angry?
Sadly, the nationalists may just have good reason to be that furious with their government. What happened in the Ukraine today would be the American equivalent of President Washington allowing King George of Britain unfettered access to our American shores for another 25 years. Now we all know how well that would not go over with the American public.
Chaos in Ukraine Parliament Over Russia Ties: (CBS/AP) Protesters Throw Eggs, Set Off Smoke Bombs Over Parliament’s Decision To Renew Russia’s Lease On Navy Base
As protesters threw eggs and set off smoke bombs, Ukraine’s parliament on Tuesday extended the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s lease at a Crimean port for another 25 years. Russia’s parliament ratified the deal in a more sedate session.
The egg artillery barrage ended when the attackers ran out of ammunition, at which point they moved in for hand to hand combat…
The agreement, reached last week by the two country’s presidents in a clear sign of Russia’s renewed influence in Ukraine, extends the fleet’s lease by 25 years after the old lease expires in 2017.
Former President Viktor Yushchenko adamantly tried to move Ukraine out of Moscow’s shadow and closer to Western Europe during his five years in office. But his successor, Viktor Yanukovych, who took office in February, is more favorably inclined toward the Kremlin.
The extension outraged Ukrainian nationalists who regard the fleet’s presence as tantamount to Russian occupation.
“This is a permanent threat to Ukraine’s territorial integrity because the Black Sea Fleet is the outpost of the Russian state in Ukraine, which is conducting anti-Ukrainian policies and financing anti-Ukrainian projects. In general, this is the work of (Russian) special services on Ukrainian territory,” said Igor Derevyanko, one of several thousand demonstrators who gathered outside the parliament.
The voting session was unruly even by the Ukrainian parliament’s notoriously freewheeling standards.
Opponents of the measure threw eggs at parliament speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn as he opened the session and he spent much of the rest of it shielded by an umbrella held by an aide…
Frosty Asteroid May Give Clues About Earth’s Oceans: (NPR)
Out in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, at least one giant space rock seems to be covered in a fine layer of frost.
The finding, by two separate teams using an infrared telescope in Hawaii, marks the first time that frozen water has been found on an asteroid. Scientists believe that early in Earth’s history, impacts from water-bearing asteroids and comets may have created our planet’s oceans.
But until now, no one has actually detected water ice on an asteroid. “This is probably the most convincing case to date,” says Henry Hsieh, an expert on comets and asteroids at Queen’s University in Belfast, who wrote a commentary on two reports in the journal Nature that describe the new discovery…
Campins says this surface ice must be constantly refreshed, but it’s not clear where the new ice might come from. “You could have a subsurface layer, or a buried ice layer, in this asteroid that would have survived the age of the solar system,” Campins says.
Unlike the planets, asteroids are thought to have existed mostly unchanged for billions of years. So scientists say the ice on this asteroid could show what kind of ice might have hit our own planet early in its history.
“The ice that we see there, right now, is sort of related to the ice that could have come from the main asteroid belt that hit us about 4 billion years ago,” says Hsieh. “It gives us a way to kind of probe the cousins of the asteroids that hit us and probably gave us water in the early stages of the Earth’s formation.”
The two research teams also detected organic compounds along with the ice. So early asteroid impacts might have delivered more than one building block for life, says Campins…
And here’s the quirky story of the day. You may want to click on the link to listen to the delightful bit of historical trivia.
Heartsick? An Estonian Pharmacy May Have A Cure: (NPR) by David Greene
… a major attraction in the town’s cobblestone square — the Raeapteek, or Town Hall Pharmacy.
My guide, local historian Juri Kuuskemaa, told me the place opened in 1422 and may well be Europe’s longest continuously operating pharmacy. Legend has it that in the 18th century, a former owner, Dr. Johann Burchart V, nearly saved a Russian czar.
“When Peter the Great, Russian emperor, was dying and nobody could help him, he called Johann V,” Kuuskemaa said.
But things didn’t work out. The czar died before Burchart arrived.
The pharmacy is also legendary for its herbs, wine and medicines — and its love drugs.
“You can go to pharmacy and buy special materials, so-called aphrodisiacom, and when you give to her or her, it is fate. Both could do nothing against it. And lady would love you to the end of their lives,” Kuuskemaa explained.
But that’s not all. “When you have two or three wives, for example, and you see one is happy but two are unhappy, you can buy here special materials to give to these two unhappies and they forget you, and they could find happiness with another man, not with you,” Kuuskemaa said. “So it stops the love. It is an anti-aphrodisiacom, yeah. So love could be regulated with drugs.”
On display inside, readily available, was the pharmacy’s famous anti-aphrodisiac. Each individually wrapped piece of candy is packed with the secret ingredient: almond powder. People struck by love use it to cure themselves.
“How long we have sold it? … I think 500 years,” said pharmacist Ulle Noodapera…
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Goldman Sh–ty Deal Testifies Loud and Clear, Drug Company Pays $500 Billion Fine, How to Detect Liars – News Headlines 27 Apr 2010
27 AprFrom Denny: The Senate hearing today with Goldman Sachs squirming in front of grilling Senators sure was entertainment TV at its best: a rockin’ reality show! The real question remains that is this only to remain a fond memory of great dramatic theater or will the Congress actually get serious about taking these financial scumbags to task and put them in prison?
Sen. Levin Calls Goldman Sachs Allegations ‘Deeply Troubling’ (ABC) Senator Demands to Know Why Goldman Sachs Pushed ‘Sh**ty Deal’ on Clients
In a testy exchange at today’s Senate grilling of Goldman Sachs executives, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., confronted a former Goldman trader with an e-mail in which another former Goldman executive described a mortgage-backed deal as “sh**ty.”
The transaction in question was Timberwolf Ltd., a $1 billion collateralized debt obligation holding pieces of other CDOs. In an e-mail to Daniel Sparks, then head of Goldman’s mortgage desk, Thomas Montag, Goldman’s former head of sales and trading, called a set of mortgage-linked investments sold by the firm as “one shi**y deal,” according to an e-mail that Sen. Levin quoted. Within five months, Timberwolf lost 80 percent of its value.
“Do you think it was a sh**ty deal?” Levin asked Sparks, one of seven Goldman executives appearing today. Sparks said he did not recall the e-mail, and did not directly answer the question.
“If you can’t give a clear answer to that one Mr. Sparks then we’re not going to get any clear answers from you today,” Levin said.
In his opening remarks, Levin called the allegations against the Wall Street firm “deeply troubling.”
“The evidence shows that Goldman repeatedly put its own interests and profits ahead of the interests of its clients and our communities,” Levin said. “Its misuse of exotic and complex financial structures helped spread toxic mortgages throughout the financial system. And when the system finally collapsed under the weight of those toxic mortgages, Goldman profited from the collapse.”
It sure is amazing how the GOP thinks this idiot strategy will work FOR them in the November elections when poll after poll keeps reminding them the public and former Republicans have pulled away from them in favor of the Democrats. Now if the Democrats can just not step on their tongues, keep their spines strong and straight, get serious about all kinds of reform – then they might actually get to stay in office and run the country for a few decades before they get lazy again, forget to take care of the middle class and get thrown out in favor of lobbyist puppets Republicans. Yeah, that’s choice in American politics…
Stance Against Financial Bill Risky For GOP (NPR)
Republican senators are offering a united front to block a Democratic bill that would revamp the rules for Wall Street. But the GOP’s hard stand against the bill is not without political peril, party strategists warn — and it has the potential to hurt the party with voters this fall.
“I think most people believe that Wall Street got away with something,” says Reed Galen, a Republican consultant who was deputy campaign manager for Sen. John McCain’s presidential bid.
Republicans blocked the financial overhaul bill from moving to the Senate floor for debate. The vote was 57-41, three short of the 60 needed for Democrats to advance their measure. A third test vote is expected on Wednesday.
On Monday night, all 41 Senate Republicans — plus one Democrat — blocked the bill . But no matter what they think about the details of the bill, Republicans have to be careful of appearing to be the party of the “wealthy, detached elite,” Galen says.
The GOP also should be wary of playing into the hands of Democrats, who are privately pleased that they have been handed much-needed fodder — and a simple message — for the fall midterm elections. Republicans expect to make significant
gains on Capitol Hill…
Yes, Mr. Vice President, this IS a “Big F–king Deal!” 🙂
Biden ‘Absolutely Confident’ On Economic Recovery (NPR)
Vice President Joe Biden is bullish on the Obama administration’s efforts to mend the U.S. economy after the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
“I’m absolutely confident that the policies that we put in place are sending the economy and the American public in the right direction,” Biden told NPR’s Robert Siegel on Tuesday.
Last week, Biden told a political fundraiser in Pittsburgh that the economy would create 100,000 to 200,000 jobs a month, adding that there will be some months in which as many as 250,000 to 500,000 jobs would be created. The comments prompted White House spokesman Robert Gibbs to quip: “He’s an optimistic man, and that’s why we like him.”
Biden acknowledged Tuesday that those predictions were “a long way [from erasing] an 8-million-job deficit.”
“What has to happen is there has to be continued forward progress,” Biden said. “There’s going to be ebbs and flows … but it has to constantly be moving in the direction of job creation…”
And yet another huge Scumbag Alert…
AstraZeneca Paying $520 Million To Settle Seroquel Charges (NPR)
AstraZeneca became the latest drug giant to pay up for marketing an anti-psychotic medicine for uses the Food and Drug Administration had not approved.
Federal officials announced a $520 million settlement of civil charges stemming from the drug maker’s promotion of Seroquel, an antipsychotic with sales of $4.9 billion worldwide last year.
AstraZeneca pushed doctors to write Seroquel prescriptions for a host of unapproved uses, including anger management, post-traumatic stress disorder and sleeplessness, the settlement alleges. The drug was improperly promoted for use in children and also the elderly.
In addition, the government claims the company curried doctors’ favor with money. “AstraZeneca paid kickback to doctors as part of an illegal scheme to market the drug for unapproved uses,” Health And Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said at a news conference about the settlement.
I like the way Wall Street says this is no big deal because they were expecting it. Yeah, I guess not when they are making billions every quarter off the derivatives market to this day going unregulated! No wonder they are not sweating the small stuff.
Stocks Plunge on Europe’s Deepening Debt Woes (CBS/AP) Dow Jones Plummets 213 Points as Debt Problems in Greece and Portugal Threaten Global Economy
Investors are once again worried that debt problems in Greece and Portugal could threaten the global economic recovery.
Stocks plunged in the U.S. and Europe Tuesday after Standard & Poor’s downgraded the debt of the two European countries. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 213 points, its worst loss in almost three months. All the major market indexes were down about 2 percent.
The ratings downgrades also sent the dollar up more than 1.1 percent against the euro, hitting its highest level in about a year. At the same time, gold and Treasury prices also rose as investors sought safer investments. The three often do not trade in the same direction.
“It was a knee-jerk reaction,” said Brian Peardon, a wealth adviser at Harrison Financial Group in Citrus Heights, Calif. Peardon said the small size of Greece and Portugal’s economies mean their debt struggles are not yet a major problem. But if they were to default on their debt, other countries that hold their bonds would also suffer…
Hmmm… if you want to learn how to spot a liar just hike on over to Liars News aka Fox News. Just watch their lips move and you will automatically know on the spot that they are lying about everything – even what they had for breakfast. Yes, it’s that bad over there. Definitely Liars News has only two kinds of audience draw: weak minds that believe lies easily and those who enjoy mocking them. Yep, that about sums it up!
Dr. Phil: How to Sniff Out a Liar in Your Midst (CBS) Famed Talk Show Host Tells of Common Indicators that Someone is Lying to You
Can you spot a cheater?
Dr. Phil can.
Famed talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw, better known simply as Dr. Phil, appeared on “The Early Show” Tuesday to tell you how you know someone’s lying…
And for the laughing bizarre story of the day…
Police Say Man Wrapped In Toilet Paper Robs Store (CBS) Nebraska Police Say Man Who Concealed His Face With Toilet Paper Robbed A Convenience Store
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A man who concealed his face by wrapping his head with toilet paper robbed a Lincoln convenience store. Police said the man was armed with a knife when he robbed the store around 10:30 on Saturday night. He escaped on foot with an undisclosed amount of money from the safe.
Capt. David Beggs said Sunday that no one was injured.
And that’s all she wrote…
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Scumbag Walmart Lawsuit Caught, Scumbag Goldman Sachs Email Guilty, Scumbag GOP Denies Scumbag Reform – News Headlines 26 Apr 2010
26 AprFrom Denny: Walmart has been successful at avoiding the inevitable for nine years. Now they are whining at getting caught for their deceiving lying ways – all the while claiming to be the pillar of the Christian community. Hyena hypocrite is more like it.
I quit purchasing from them years ago when I found out they were refusing to hire full time employees AND coaching them to get on state welfare in order to avoid paying for health insurance.
“Scumbags” is the kindest name I can think of for this company as it sucks the life out of the working poor, most notably desperate single mothers and women in general. Maybe we will get lucky and this lawsuit will finally break their monopoly in so many communities where they have run small businesses into bankruptcy and ruin.
Appeals Court Rules Walmart Sex Discrimination Case Can Go to Trial: (ABC) Walmart Fears Suit Could Cost The Chain Billions
A class action lawsuit representing more than 1 million women got the green light to proceed today against Walmart Stores Inc.
giant chain store discriminates against female employes, could cost it billions of dollars if it is upheld. The reputation of an iconic company is also on the line.
It is the largest class action suit in American history, and Walmart indicated today it may take the fight to the Supreme Court.
The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled that the case against one of the country’s largest private employers could go to trial, nine years after the suit was originally filed in 2001.
The suit, filed on behalf of six women who worked in 13 of Walmart’s stores, alleges that the women employed by the company face systemic sexism — that they’re paid less than men in comparable positions, receive fewer promotions and wait longer for promotions — according to the court documents released today…
Speaking of scumbags, these guys over on Wall Street take the prize for the cardinal sin of greed bringing personal moral decay and corruption…
Senate Panel Says Goldman Sachs ‘Misled the Country,’ Helped Create Housing Bubble: (ABC) Sen. Carl Levin: Goldman Sachs Helped Inject ‘Toxins’ Into Financial System
Wall Street powerhouse Goldman Sachs helped create a housing bubble by selling securities backed by risky subprime mortgage loans and then profited off that bubble’s bursting by secretly betting against the market, a Senate investigation has found.
A day before a high-profile hearing featuring numerous Goldman Sachs officials, the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released a flurry of excerpts from internal bank documents that the panel says show that the embattled firm misled the American public about its role in the build-up to the financial crisis in September 2008.
“The evidence shows that Goldman Sachs helped build and operate that conveyor belt that fed toxic mortgages and mortgage securities into the financial system and then made large bets against the market that it helped create — taking the big short, and reaping the profits from it,” the panel’s chairman Sen. Carl Levin said at a briefing today…
Like this was any surprise from the Republicans who are the puppet politicians of the lobbyists… And Obama keeps trying to work with these people: “Why?” It’s amazing how the Republicans speak out of both sides of their mouths. One minute it’s “balance the budget and financial accountability and fiscal responsibility” and the next minute it’s “Let the greedy business man whores have their way with American taxpayers’ wallets.”
Republicans Hand Senate Financial Reform Bill Early Defeat: (ABC) Obama ‘Deeply Disappointed,’ That GOP Blocked Vote to Debate Financial Reform Bill
Senate Republicans blocked a key vote today that would have sent the financial reform bill to the full Senate for debate.
The most extensive new Wall Street regulation since the Great Depression is aimed at preventing another financial crisis, but failed an initial procedural vote, 57-41, three short of the 60 needed to bring the bill to the floor.
Democrats accused Republicans of siding with Wall Street banks.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid compared the vote with deciding “whether party unity is more important than economic security.”
President Obama said he was “deeply disappointed’ in the vote…
It’s good to see the majority of the public have their heads screwed on straight and are demanding financial reform in America…
ABC News Poll: Two-Thirds Back Financial Reform; The Question: How Far to Go (ABC) Trust in Obama to Handle Financial Reform a Possible Caution Flag for GOP in Election Year
Two-thirds of Americans support stricter federal regulation of banks and other financial institutions, and by a double-digit margin the public trusts President Obama more than the Republicans in Congress to handle financial reform, which could be a caution flag for the GOP in an election year.
The public supports reform overall by 65-31 percent, a broad margin that’s been steady since midwinter, and trusts Obama more than the Republicans to handle financial reform by 52-35 percent, a 17-point advantage for the president in this new ABC News/Washington Post poll.
Click here for a PDF with charts and questionnaire.
Here’s a strange yet compelling story about not sleeping well…
Fatal Insomnia: When Sleeplessness Kills: (ABC) Rare Genetic Disease Prods Scientists to Explore Mysteries of Sleep
Most people can relate to the occasional sleepless night, but for sufferers of a rare form of insomnia, sleeplessness can be fatal.
Silvano, an Italian man who suffered from such a condition, lost the ability to sleep at age 53. Four months after checking into a sleep clinic in Bologna, Italy, in 1984, Silvano went into a coma and died. Through Silvano’s case, Italian scientists discovered an extremely rare genetic disease called fatal familial insomnia, or FFI.
FFI sufferers fall into a state in which they are neither fully asleep nor awake. The inability to sleep wreaks havoc on their lives. Sleeplessness deteriorates into exhaustion, dementia and, ultimately, death. There is no cure.
For scientists, why a lack of sleep could kill you is still an unsolved mystery.
“Sleep is the most extraordinary mystery, the most elusive biological function that we have,” said Daniel Max, author of “The Family That Couldn’t Sleep,” who has chronicled Silvano’s story and family lineage. “We know very little about how we sleep. But we know even less about why we sleep…”
And here’s a negative mindset or maybe a prophetic announcement for our distant future when we may finally encounter aliens for real on planet Earth… Of course, Hawking is basing his assumption guess on the fact aliens think and behave as humans. How likely is that? Either way, Hawking is always good for an interesting read.
Stephen Hawking: Alien Contact Could Be Risky: (ABC) In Discovery Documentary, British Astrophysicist Warns Alien Life Could be Hostile
Alien encounters may seem like sure-fire winners to Hollywood, but one of the world’s most famous scientists thinks they may be “too risky” be be worth seeking.
The world-famous astrophysicist theorizes that alien life will not be friendly.
In a new Discovery Channel documentary, which premiered Sunday night, British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking said that communicating with aliens could be a threat to Earth.
Hawking said it is likely that alien life exists, but a visit from extraterrestrials might be similar to Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas.
“If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn’t turn out well for the Native Americans,” he said. “We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn’t want to meet.”
In the new program, “Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking,” he speculated that aliens’ capabilities “would be only limited by how much power they could harness and control, and that could be far more than we might first imagine.”
He said it might even be possible for aliens to harvest the energy from an entire star.
“Such advanced aliens would perhaps become nomads, looking to conquer and colonize whatever planets they can reach,” Hawking said…
And for a funny… Check out one of the videos
*** Colbert Lampoons Immigration and Pot Smokers – Roundup of Late Nite Comedy 26 Apr 2010
*** Colbert pokes jabs at the state of Arizona for passing controversial bold new immigration bill which basically legalizes the harassment of Latinos. Colbert thinks the new strategy is one to irritate and frustrate the Latino community to the point they will get fed up and leave on their own.
| The Colbert Report | Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
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*** For the full post full of laughs to get you through the work week until blissful Friday:
Colbert Lampoons Immigration and Pot Smokers – Roundup of Late Nite Comedy 26 Apr 2010
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Whats Happening in America This Week – Political Cartoons 24 Apr 2010
24 AprFrom Denny: In the interest of getting these pages to load faster for you I thought I’d try something different. You know about the traveling dinner concept? That’s where you go to one person’s house for the opening cocktail or appetizer, then travel on to another house for a salad, then somewhere else for the entree and finally the dessert.
Well, since I have such a love of the satire from clever political cartoonists lampooning our society, current culture and politics the weekly posts have gotten far too long. Fun but long. So, I thought I’d treat you to a traveling post among my various blogs to enjoy the flavors at each “house.”
In this “house” post weapons seem to be the main theme: Iran working on becoming a nuclear state, concealed weapons carried by college students on campus and coffee drinkers into Starbucks coffee shops. It’s no big surprise that NASA and the Air Force are preparing to weaponize space. More weapons loose on deck are the “nuclear option” of the Republican filibuster, the financial sledgehammer from Wall Street bankers and – leading up to celebration of Earth Day – planet Earth setting off the Icelandic volcano to scream its message of “Enough already with the fossil fuels, people!” Yeah, that Iceland volcano sure got the attention of the airline industry. It cost $200 million per day worldwide, wrecking a weak economy in Europe and America.
Check out what the cartoonists had to say about this week’s news…
Where Obama, the Tea Party, Nukes and NASA intersect:
Congress and their voting dilemmas:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by David Fitzsimmons – Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com – Email this Cartoon
Oh, NASA, Oh, NASA, where art thou?
See Cartoons by Cartoon by David Fitzsimmons – Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com – Email this Cartoon
Our Earth:
*** Check out the rest of the Saturday series of political cartoons this week:
Greedy Opportunistic Wall Street: Political Cartoons, Opinion Post
College Grads Chances of Finding Jobs: Political Cartoons
Political Cartoons: Iceland Volcano Wrecks World Economy
Ridiculous Outrageous Extra Airline Fees: Political Cartoons
Cool Earth Day Links, Message From Our Prez
The Smallest Earth Day Poem – Libations Friday 16 Apr 2010
*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
Icelands 2nd Volcano, Haiti Food Stops, Wayward Nukes Seized, Freaky Unschooling, Earth Day – News Headlines 21 Apr 2010
21 AprIcelands Volcanic Ash: Hurting Us And Our Planet?
19 AprFrom Denny: It’s just plain stupid to try and go out in this ash mess. After all, there are fine glass particles you will be inhaling along with poisonous gases, poisonous because they are in huge amounts. Here are a few gases to consider as harmful in this situation:
Florine – in small amounts it’s a helpful chemical in our toothpaste when it’s diluted by parts per million. In large amounts it’s very harmful to humans and animals because it’s corrosive.
Silica – harmful to our lungs where it can stick, lodge and be difficult for our lungs to expel it, causing us to have trouble breathing.
Sulpher Dioxide – can lead to acid rain. Apparently, the reflective properties of it can also lead to cooling the climate.
At the moment, scientists believe this volcano’s impact on climate change and the environment is minimal. The Big However is that situation could easily change if the volcano continues to spew ash for months or even years. Now there’s a happy thought…
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
Icelands Volcanic Ash: Hurting Us And Our Planet?
19 AprFrom Denny: It’s just plain stupid to try and go out in this ash mess. After all, there are fine glass particles you will be inhaling along with poisonous gases, poisonous because they are in huge amounts. Here are a few gases to consider as harmful in this situation:
Florine – in small amounts it’s a helpful chemical in our toothpaste when it’s diluted by parts per million. In large amounts it’s very harmful to humans and animals because it’s corrosive.
Silica – harmful to our lungs where it can stick, lodge and be difficult for our lungs to expel it, causing us to have trouble breathing.
Sulpher Dioxide – can lead to acid rain. Apparently, the reflective properties of it can also lead to cooling the climate.
At the moment, scientists believe this volcano’s impact on climate change and the environment is minimal. The Big However is that situation could easily change if the volcano continues to spew ash for months or even years. Now there’s a happy thought…
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
Dennys People Watching 
