Bracelet reveals amazing craftsman's skill from 7500BC (so good it couldn't be bettered today) | Mail Online: "A 9,500-year-old bracelet has been analysed using the very latest computers – and the results show that it is so intricate even today’s craftsmen would struggle to improve it.
Researchers from the Institut Français d'Etudes Anatoliennes in Istanbul and Laboratoire de Tribologie et de Dynamiques des Systèmes studied the bracelet’s surface and its micro-topographic features revealing the astounding technical expertise of the maker.
The bracelet is obsidian – which means it’s made from volcanic glass – and the researchers analysis of it sheds new light on Neolithic societies, which remain highly mysterious."
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Sword Of The Lord With Electronic Edge
Friday, December 23, 2011
Bar Shooting Leaves One Dead; Police Say Shooter Was OffDuty Deputy - Murrieta, CA Patch
Bar Shooting Leaves One Dead; Police Say Shooter Was OffDuty Deputy - Murrieta, CA Patch: "Hull said he witnessed a man walking up while Hull and a group of friends were playing darts. The man reportedly identified himself as an off-duty cop and started a discussion with the group about darts.
“We were playing darts, and he says 'I’m better at darts than you are,”' Hull said.
“My buddy says, ‘Aw, you suck at darts.’ (The man) says, ‘That’s why I’m a cop, I can do whatever I want to do.’”
Hull said his friend, identified only as Danny, asked the man, “Really, you can do anything?” The man then pulled out his gun, Hull said, and after the group repeatedly asked him to put it away he “pops three rounds into my friend Sam.”"
'via Blog this'
“We were playing darts, and he says 'I’m better at darts than you are,”' Hull said.
“My buddy says, ‘Aw, you suck at darts.’ (The man) says, ‘That’s why I’m a cop, I can do whatever I want to do.’”
Hull said his friend, identified only as Danny, asked the man, “Really, you can do anything?” The man then pulled out his gun, Hull said, and after the group repeatedly asked him to put it away he “pops three rounds into my friend Sam.”"
'via Blog this'
World News - Girl swept away by 2004 tsunami weeps after reunion with family
World News - Girl swept away by 2004 tsunami weeps after reunion with family: "A girl who was swept away in the Indian Ocean tsunami seven years ago said Friday that she broke down in tears after tracking down her parents, who had long lost hope of finding her alive.
Wati, 15, showed up earlier this week at a cafe in Meulaboh, a town in Aceh province, saying she had been "adopted" by a woman who forced her to beg in the streets, sometimes until 1 a.m.
The teen said she could only remember her grandfather's name, saying it was Ibrahim. Someone at the cafe tracked down a man by that name, and the man — unsure if it was actually his granddaughter — quickly summoned her parents.
"When I saw my mother, I knew it was her. I just knew it," said Wati, who was given that name by the woman who found her. Her original name is Meri Yuranda.
Indonesian state news agency Antara reported on Thursday that the girl was aged eight when she was ripped from her mother's arms by the rushing waters near her home in West Aceh, Indonesia, in December 2004."
'via Blog this'
Wati, 15, showed up earlier this week at a cafe in Meulaboh, a town in Aceh province, saying she had been "adopted" by a woman who forced her to beg in the streets, sometimes until 1 a.m.
The teen said she could only remember her grandfather's name, saying it was Ibrahim. Someone at the cafe tracked down a man by that name, and the man — unsure if it was actually his granddaughter — quickly summoned her parents.
"When I saw my mother, I knew it was her. I just knew it," said Wati, who was given that name by the woman who found her. Her original name is Meri Yuranda.
Indonesian state news agency Antara reported on Thursday that the girl was aged eight when she was ripped from her mother's arms by the rushing waters near her home in West Aceh, Indonesia, in December 2004."
'via Blog this'
"Space ball" drops on Namibia - Yahoo! News
"Space ball" drops on Namibia - Yahoo! News: "A large metallic ball fell out of the sky on a remote grassland in Namibia, prompting baffled authorities to contact NASA and the European space agency.
The hollow ball with a circumference of 1.1 metres (43 inches) was found near a village in the north of the country some 750 kilometres (480 miles) from the capital Windhoek, according to police forensics director Paul Ludik.
Locals had heard several small explosions a few days beforehand, he said.
With a diameter of 35 centimetres (14 inches), the ball has a rough surface and appears to consist of "two halves welded together".
It was made of a "metal alloy known to man" and weighed six kilogrammes (13 pounds), said Ludik."
'via Blog this'
The hollow ball with a circumference of 1.1 metres (43 inches) was found near a village in the north of the country some 750 kilometres (480 miles) from the capital Windhoek, according to police forensics director Paul Ludik.
Locals had heard several small explosions a few days beforehand, he said.
With a diameter of 35 centimetres (14 inches), the ball has a rough surface and appears to consist of "two halves welded together".
It was made of a "metal alloy known to man" and weighed six kilogrammes (13 pounds), said Ludik."
'via Blog this'
Obama signs payroll tax cut extension - CNN.com
Obama signs payroll tax cut extension - CNN.com: " President Barack Obama signed a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut Friday, ending what had been a heated political stalemate and sealing a hard-fought win for Democrats on an issue -- taxes -- that has historically favored the GOP.
Earlier in the day, the measure cleared the Democratic-controlled Senate and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives by unanimous consent, a procedural move allowing the measure to pass even though most members of Congress were already home home for the holidays.
"This is some good news just in the nick of time," Obama said shortly before departing the White House for Hawaii. But "we have a lot more work to do. This continues to be a make-or-break moment for the middle class in this country.""
'via Blog this'
Earlier in the day, the measure cleared the Democratic-controlled Senate and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives by unanimous consent, a procedural move allowing the measure to pass even though most members of Congress were already home home for the holidays.
"This is some good news just in the nick of time," Obama said shortly before departing the White House for Hawaii. But "we have a lot more work to do. This continues to be a make-or-break moment for the middle class in this country.""
'via Blog this'
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Update: Son misses father's burial after airline charges $675 to change flights | www.WHEC.com
Update: Son misses father's burial after airline charges $675 to change flights | www.WHEC.com: "A local family is grieving the death of their father. But what they say has made it even worse is what an airline was forcing one of their brothers to do to be here for the burial.
See the airline's response below
This is the frustration over those change fees -- the money the airline charges if you change the date of your flight.
The only thing this family was looking for was a little compassion.
Julie Knapp invited us into her home today. She showed us all the plaques that her father got after years of service to Monroe County. Walter Zajonczloski died last week at age 85.
His son Fred Zajonczloski had already flown back from his home in San Antonio, Texas (the family knew their father was dying) and was scheduled to return last Saturday, December 17th.
But when Fred learned that his father wasn't going to be buried until this Wednesday he tried to change his flight for the next day. He was told by Continental Airlines it was going to cost him $675 dollars to change the flight. That's for two tickets (Fred and his fiance) plus the fees."
'via Blog this'
See the airline's response below
This is the frustration over those change fees -- the money the airline charges if you change the date of your flight.
The only thing this family was looking for was a little compassion.
Julie Knapp invited us into her home today. She showed us all the plaques that her father got after years of service to Monroe County. Walter Zajonczloski died last week at age 85.
His son Fred Zajonczloski had already flown back from his home in San Antonio, Texas (the family knew their father was dying) and was scheduled to return last Saturday, December 17th.
But when Fred learned that his father wasn't going to be buried until this Wednesday he tried to change his flight for the next day. He was told by Continental Airlines it was going to cost him $675 dollars to change the flight. That's for two tickets (Fred and his fiance) plus the fees."
'via Blog this'
FedEx guy caught throwing computer monitor over fence in YouTube video | Mail Online
FedEx guy caught throwing computer monitor over fence in YouTube video | Mail Online: "If there was an award for worst delivery in the world, this guy might just win it.
'Here is a video of my monitor being "delivered",' a YouTube user wrote to describe surveillance footage taken outside a gated residence.
What followed was a hilariously sad clip of a FedEx delivery man chucking a computer monitor over a fence before returning to his van. "
'via Blog this'
'Here is a video of my monitor being "delivered",' a YouTube user wrote to describe surveillance footage taken outside a gated residence.
What followed was a hilariously sad clip of a FedEx delivery man chucking a computer monitor over a fence before returning to his van. "
'via Blog this'
Alarm as Dutch lab creates highly contagious killer flu - Science - News - The Independent
Alarm as Dutch lab creates highly contagious killer flu - Science - News - The Independent: "A deadly strain of bird flu with the potential to infect and kill millions of people has been created in a laboratory by European scientists – who now want to publish full details of how they did it.
The discovery has prompted fears within the US Government that the knowledge will fall into the hands of terrorists wanting to use it as a bio-weapon of mass destruction.
Some scientists are questioning whether the research should ever have been undertaken in a university laboratory, instead of at a military facility.
The US Government is now taking advice on whether the information is too dangerous to be published."
'via Blog this'
The discovery has prompted fears within the US Government that the knowledge will fall into the hands of terrorists wanting to use it as a bio-weapon of mass destruction.
Some scientists are questioning whether the research should ever have been undertaken in a university laboratory, instead of at a military facility.
The US Government is now taking advice on whether the information is too dangerous to be published."
'via Blog this'
U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Pays Homage to Obama—But Not Jesus | CNSnews.com
U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Pays Homage to Obama—But Not Jesus | CNSnews.com: "The 63-foot Sierra White Fir lighted at the U.S. Capitol Grounds on Dec. 6 as the official 2011 Capitol Christmas Tree includes a prominently displayed ornament paying homage to President Barack Obama, but includes no ornament readily visible to a person standing near the tree's base that uses the word “Christmas,” or includes an image of the Nativity, or bears the name or image of Jesus Christ."
'via Blog this'
'via Blog this'
Dr. Coburn Releases New Report on Wasteful Government Spending in 2011: "Wastebook 2011" - Press Releases - Tom Coburn, M.D., United States Senator from Oklahoma
Dr. Coburn Releases New Report on Wasteful Government Spending in 2011: "Wastebook 2011" - Press Releases - Tom Coburn, M.D., United States Senator from Oklahoma: "U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) today released a new oversight report, “Wastebook 2011” that highlights over $6.5 billion in examples of some of the most egregious ways your taxpayer dollars were wasted. This report details 100 of the countless unnecessary, duplicative and low-priority projects spread throughout the federal government.
“Video games, robot dragons, Christmas trees, and magic museums. This is not a Christmas wish list, these are just some of the ways the federal government spent your tax dollars. Over the past 12 months, politicians argued, debated and lamented about how to reign in the federal government’s out of control spending. All the while, Washington was on a shopping binge, spending money we do not have on things we do not absolutely need. Instead of cutting wasteful spending, nearly $2.5 billion was added each day in 2011 to our national debt, which now exceeds $15 trillion,” Dr. Coburn said."
'via Blog this'
“Video games, robot dragons, Christmas trees, and magic museums. This is not a Christmas wish list, these are just some of the ways the federal government spent your tax dollars. Over the past 12 months, politicians argued, debated and lamented about how to reign in the federal government’s out of control spending. All the while, Washington was on a shopping binge, spending money we do not have on things we do not absolutely need. Instead of cutting wasteful spending, nearly $2.5 billion was added each day in 2011 to our national debt, which now exceeds $15 trillion,” Dr. Coburn said."
'via Blog this'
In Kim Jong-il Death, an Extensive Intelligence Failure - NYTimes.com
In Kim Jong-il Death, an Extensive Intelligence Failure - NYTimes.com: "For South Korean and American intelligence services to have failed to pick up any clues to this momentous development — panicked phone calls between government officials, say, or soldiers massing around Mr. Kim’s train — attests to the secretive nature of North Korea, a country not only at odds with most of the world but also sealed off from it in a way that defies spies or satellites."
'via Blog this'
'via Blog this'
Mainstream Media Looking To Undermine Ron Paul Possible Iowa Win
Will Ron Paul kill the caucuses? - Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns - POLITICO.com: "Conservatives and Republican elites in the state are divided over who to support for the GOP nomination, but they almost uniformly express concern over the prospect that Ron Paul and his army of activist supporters may capture the state’s 2012 nominating contest — an outcome many fear would do irreparable harm to the future role of the first-in-the-nation caucuses."
'via Blog this'
'via Blog this'
Eccentric town, Todmorden, growing ALL its own veg | Mail Online
Eccentric town, Todmorden, growing ALL its own veg | Mail Online: "‘I watch ’em on camera as they come up and pick them,’ says desk officer Janet Scott, with a huge grin. It’s the smile that explains everything.
For the vegetable-swipers are not thieves. The police station carrots — and thousands of vegetables in 70 large beds around the town — are there for the taking. Locals are encouraged to help themselves. A few tomatoes here, a handful of broccoli there. If they’re in season, they’re yours. Free.
So there are (or were) raspberries, apricots and apples on the canal towpath; blackcurrants, redcurrants and strawberries beside the doctor’s surgery; beans and peas outside the college; cherries in the supermarket car park; and mint, rosemary, thyme and fennel by the health centre.
The vegetable plots are the most visible sign of an amazing plan: to make Todmorden the first town in the country that is self-sufficient in food."
'via Blog this'
For the vegetable-swipers are not thieves. The police station carrots — and thousands of vegetables in 70 large beds around the town — are there for the taking. Locals are encouraged to help themselves. A few tomatoes here, a handful of broccoli there. If they’re in season, they’re yours. Free.
So there are (or were) raspberries, apricots and apples on the canal towpath; blackcurrants, redcurrants and strawberries beside the doctor’s surgery; beans and peas outside the college; cherries in the supermarket car park; and mint, rosemary, thyme and fennel by the health centre.
The vegetable plots are the most visible sign of an amazing plan: to make Todmorden the first town in the country that is self-sufficient in food."
'via Blog this'
White House Stands By Biden Statement That Taliban Isn't U.S. Enemy | Fox News
White House Stands By Biden Statement That Taliban Isn't U.S. Enemy | Fox News: "The White House on Monday defended Vice President Joe Biden for saying that the Taliban isn't an enemy of the United States despite the years spent fighting the militant Islamic group that gave a home to Al Qaeda and its leader Usama bin Laden while he plotted the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
"It's only regrettable when taken out of context," White House spokesman Jay Carney said of the vice president's remarks in an interview published Monday.
"It is a simple fact that we went into Afghanistan because of the attack on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. We are there now to ultimately defeat Al Qaeda, to stabilize Afghanistan and stabilize it in part so that Al Qaeda or other terrorists who have as their aim attacks on the United States cannot establish a foothold again in that country," Carney continued."
'via Blog this'
"It's only regrettable when taken out of context," White House spokesman Jay Carney said of the vice president's remarks in an interview published Monday.
"It is a simple fact that we went into Afghanistan because of the attack on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. We are there now to ultimately defeat Al Qaeda, to stabilize Afghanistan and stabilize it in part so that Al Qaeda or other terrorists who have as their aim attacks on the United States cannot establish a foothold again in that country," Carney continued."
'via Blog this'
Shoplifters robbed while stealing from grocery store | The Sideshow - Yahoo! News
Shoplifters robbed while stealing from grocery store | The Sideshow - Yahoo! News: "Two accused shoplifters got a taste of their own medicine when they sought to clear out of the crime--and found that a passing malefactor had broken into their own car.
Security personnel were in the process of questioning Korin Vanhouten, 47, and Eldon Alexander, 36, at an Ogden, Utah WinCo supermarket, accused of stealing makeup, energy bars and batteries. At the end of the interrogation, they left with a citation for attempted shoplifting."
'via Blog this'
Security personnel were in the process of questioning Korin Vanhouten, 47, and Eldon Alexander, 36, at an Ogden, Utah WinCo supermarket, accused of stealing makeup, energy bars and batteries. At the end of the interrogation, they left with a citation for attempted shoplifting."
'via Blog this'
MSM Looking To Blame Hackers If Ron Paul Wins Iowa Caucus
Iowa Caucus Polling System Threatened By Hackers | Fox News: "The video claims to be from Anonymous, a loosely organized group of hackers who have successfully conducted past computer attacks.
Investigators aren't sure whether the video is authentic, but party officials have instructed precinct caucuses to use paper ballots as a backup system and taken other steps to protect the database and website that displays caucus results.
The party fears such a delay could disrupt the traditional influence of the Iowa caucuses. Candidates who do well tend to gain momentum in the presidential race, while those finishing at the back of the pack may drop out.
"With the eyes of the media on the state, the last thing we want to do is have a situation where there is trouble with the reporting system. We don't want that to be the story," said Wes Enos, a member of the central committee and the political director for Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann's campaign in Iowa."
'via Blog this'
Investigators aren't sure whether the video is authentic, but party officials have instructed precinct caucuses to use paper ballots as a backup system and taken other steps to protect the database and website that displays caucus results.
The party fears such a delay could disrupt the traditional influence of the Iowa caucuses. Candidates who do well tend to gain momentum in the presidential race, while those finishing at the back of the pack may drop out.
"With the eyes of the media on the state, the last thing we want to do is have a situation where there is trouble with the reporting system. We don't want that to be the story," said Wes Enos, a member of the central committee and the political director for Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann's campaign in Iowa."
'via Blog this'
Most American's Still Have No Idea How Bad the U.S. Economy Is :: The Market Oracle :: Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting Free Website
Most American's Still Have No Idea How Bad the U.S. Economy Is :: The Market Oracle :: Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting Free Website: "Economic Collapse writes: Even though most Americans have become very frustrated with this economy, the reality is that the vast majority of them still have no idea just how bad our economic decline has been or how much trouble we are going to be in if we don't make dramatic changes immediately. If we do not educate the American people about how deathly ill the U.S. economy has become, then they will just keep falling for the same old lies that our politicians keep telling them. Just "tweaking" things here and there is not going to fix this economy. We truly do need a fundamental change in direction. America is consuming far more wealth than it is producing and our debt is absolutely exploding. If we stay on this current path, an economic collapse is inevitable. Hopefully the crazy economic numbers from 2011 that I have included in this article will be shocking enough to wake some people up"
'via Blog this'
'via Blog this'
Monday, December 19, 2011
Kim Jong Il, N. Korean dictator, dies at 69 - CBS News
Kim Jong Il, N. Korean dictator, dies at 69 - CBS News: "Even as the world changed around him, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il remained firmly in control, ruling absolutely at home and keeping the rest of the world on edge through a nuclear weapons program.
Inheriting power from his father in 1994, he led his nation through a devastating famine while frustrating the U.S. and other global powers with an on-again, off-again approach to talks on giving up nuclear arms in return for energy and other assistance. Kim was one of the last remnants of a Cold War-era that ended years earlier in most other countries"
'via Blog this'
Inheriting power from his father in 1994, he led his nation through a devastating famine while frustrating the U.S. and other global powers with an on-again, off-again approach to talks on giving up nuclear arms in return for energy and other assistance. Kim was one of the last remnants of a Cold War-era that ended years earlier in most other countries"
'via Blog this'
N. Korea test-fires short-range missiles: report - Yahoo! News
N. Korea test-fires short-range missiles: report - Yahoo! News: "North Korea test-fired two short-range missiles off its east coast on Monday, the same day it announced the death of leader Kim Jong-Il, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said.
The agency quoted an unnamed government official as saying the launches were unrelated to the announcement that Kim had died Saturday of a heart attack.
"The missiles are estimated to have a range of about 120 kilometres (72 miles)," the official said on condition of anonymity.
"We believe the North test-fired the missiles to try to improve their capabilities and range. We don't see this as more than test-firing."
Seoul's defence ministry declined to confirm the reported launches.
North Korea has been testing its new KN-06 missile, a modified version of the KN-01 and KN-02 ground-to-ground missiles, Yonhap said."
'via Blog this'
The agency quoted an unnamed government official as saying the launches were unrelated to the announcement that Kim had died Saturday of a heart attack.
"The missiles are estimated to have a range of about 120 kilometres (72 miles)," the official said on condition of anonymity.
"We believe the North test-fired the missiles to try to improve their capabilities and range. We don't see this as more than test-firing."
Seoul's defence ministry declined to confirm the reported launches.
North Korea has been testing its new KN-06 missile, a modified version of the KN-01 and KN-02 ground-to-ground missiles, Yonhap said."
'via Blog this'
Children herded like cattle into Maryland courthouse for forced vaccinations as armed police and attack dogs stand guard
Children herded like cattle into Maryland courthouse for forced vaccinations as armed police and attack dogs stand guard: " Following the State of Maryland's threats against parents who refuse to have their children vaccinated, children were herded into a Price George County courthouse being guarded by armed personnel with attack dogs. Inside, the children were forcibly vaccinated, many against their will, under orders from the State Attorney General, various State Judges and the local School Board Director, all of whom illegally conspired to threaten parents with imprisonment if they did not submit their children to vaccinations.
The State of Maryland has now turned to Gestapo tactics to force its medical will upon the People, stripping parents of any right to decide how they wish to protect their own children from infectious disease. "
'via Blog this'
The State of Maryland has now turned to Gestapo tactics to force its medical will upon the People, stripping parents of any right to decide how they wish to protect their own children from infectious disease. "
'via Blog this'
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