Gore’s home uses more than 20 times the national average
Last night, Al Gore’s global-warming documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, collected an Oscar for best documentary feature, but the Tennessee Center for Policy Research has found that Gore deserves a gold statue for hypocrisy.
Gore’s mansion, located in the posh Belle Meade area of Nashville, consumes more electricity every month than the average American household uses in an entire year, according to the Nashville Electric Service (NES).
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
0 comments 0 comments 0 commentsEver wonder why there are only 28 days in February?
http://www2.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifThe shortest month of the year seems to have gone by in a flash. Why does February have only 28 days?
It's the Romans' fault. Our modern calendar is loosely based on their old, confusing one. Though records on the Roman calendar are sparse and sketchy, legend has it that Romulus, the first king of Rome, devised a 10-month lunar calendar that began at the spring equinox in March and ended with December. It is unclear whether there were any official months between December and March, but it's likely they were left off because the wintertime wasn't important for the harvest.
The second king of Rome, Numa Pompilius, decided to make the calendar more accurate by syncing it up with the actual lunar year—which is about 354 days long. Numa tacked on two months—January and February—after December to account for the new days.
It's the Romans' fault. Our modern calendar is loosely based on their old, confusing one. Though records on the Roman calendar are sparse and sketchy, legend has it that Romulus, the first king of Rome, devised a 10-month lunar calendar that began at the spring equinox in March and ended with December. It is unclear whether there were any official months between December and March, but it's likely they were left off because the wintertime wasn't important for the harvest.
The second king of Rome, Numa Pompilius, decided to make the calendar more accurate by syncing it up with the actual lunar year—which is about 354 days long. Numa tacked on two months—January and February—after December to account for the new days.
Monday, February 26, 2007
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Taco Bell makes it harder and harder for me to come back to them
Around a dozen rats have been caught on camera running amok in a KFC/Taco Bell restaurant in New York City.
A TV crew discovered the rat infestation and filmed it through a window of the restaurant while it was closed.
The footage was all over the Internet and television news shows the next day, with onlookers giving a play-by-play from the sidewalk as the rodents moved about. Health inspectors arrived at the scene and declared the restaurant closed.
A TV crew discovered the rat infestation and filmed it through a window of the restaurant while it was closed.
The footage was all over the Internet and television news shows the next day, with onlookers giving a play-by-play from the sidewalk as the rodents moved about. Health inspectors arrived at the scene and declared the restaurant closed.
Tim's "girl chatroom" theory gets stronger every day
A pregnant 14-year-old has told how having a baby is now regarded as "fashionable" among schoolgirls.
Kizzy Neal has been asked to give advice to four of her classmates who have also fallen pregnant since Christmas.
The teen, from Torbay in Devon, said: "When my friends see my bump they say they wish they could have a baby, then three weeks later they're pregnant and don't know what to do.
Kizzy Neal has been asked to give advice to four of her classmates who have also fallen pregnant since Christmas.
The teen, from Torbay in Devon, said: "When my friends see my bump they say they wish they could have a baby, then three weeks later they're pregnant and don't know what to do.
"All cops will cry"
Police in Cocoa, Fla., are under heightened alert after death threats were painted on homes identifying officers by name and listing targeted patrol car numbers.
Authorities said the threatening messages covered homes in the Barbara Jenkins Public Housing Unit located on Fiske Boulevard.
The messages promised that "all cops will cry" and said "we got guns too."
Authorities said the threatening messages covered homes in the Barbara Jenkins Public Housing Unit located on Fiske Boulevard.
The messages promised that "all cops will cry" and said "we got guns too."
Teacher's neck broken over an iPod
Two students accused of attacking a teacher in a hallway of Germantown High School on Friday morning are now behind bars.
The attack happened after 60-year-old Frank Burd confiscated an iPod from one of the students who was using it in class. The 14-year-old returned later with an 11th grader.
The teens allegedly pushed Burd, who struck his head on a locker. Schools CEO Paul Vallas said Burd broke his neck in two places. He was taken to Einstein Medical Center, but showed no sign of paralysis.
The attack happened after 60-year-old Frank Burd confiscated an iPod from one of the students who was using it in class. The 14-year-old returned later with an 11th grader.
The teens allegedly pushed Burd, who struck his head on a locker. Schools CEO Paul Vallas said Burd broke his neck in two places. He was taken to Einstein Medical Center, but showed no sign of paralysis.
Stopping bin Laden not a priority
The Army's highest-ranking officer and the former leader of the secretive world of Special Operations offered his thoughts on the importance of capturing or killing Osama bin Laden during a luncheon here Friday.
They're probably not what anyone expected.
"I don't know whether we'll find him," Gen. Peter Schoomaker, the Army chief of staff, said in a speech to the Rotary Club of Fort Worth. "I don't know that it's all that important, frankly."
They're probably not what anyone expected.
"I don't know whether we'll find him," Gen. Peter Schoomaker, the Army chief of staff, said in a speech to the Rotary Club of Fort Worth. "I don't know that it's all that important, frankly."
Thursday, February 22, 2007
0 commentsPA investigates the Valentine's Day snowstorm
Gov. Rendell expertly used the political lessons of Hurricane Katrina by swiftly taking blame for the state's handling of a serious natural disaster and commissioning an independent investigation.
But his swift response did not quell an angry outcry from legislators demanding answers to what caused last week's snow calamity that stranded thousands of motorists and closed major interstates for three days. Next week, top officials for key emergency-response departments have been summoned to appear at back-to-back legislative hearings.
Lawmakers in the House and Senate say they want to know why the state's communication and response systems apparently fell apart. They said the situation does not reflect well on the state's ability to handle future man-made or natural crises.
But his swift response did not quell an angry outcry from legislators demanding answers to what caused last week's snow calamity that stranded thousands of motorists and closed major interstates for three days. Next week, top officials for key emergency-response departments have been summoned to appear at back-to-back legislative hearings.
Lawmakers in the House and Senate say they want to know why the state's communication and response systems apparently fell apart. They said the situation does not reflect well on the state's ability to handle future man-made or natural crises.
"So what else is there to do but go around and vandalize and tip over cars and stuff?"
San Jose police promised zero tolerance for this year's celebration but while arrests were up, violence and vandalism continue to plague the South Bay's Mardi Gras festivities.
San Jose police report that 41 people were arrested and vandals broke the windows of several small businesses. Largely, the enforcement plan that officials promised was successful, NBC11's Cheryl Hurd reported. Last year four people were stabbed in a 20-minute span.
Of the 16 felony arrests reported by police, two were for assault with a deadly weapon. One man was arrested after he allegedly threw a rock at a police officer. Another man was stabbed in the shoulder but his injuries were not considered serious.
San Jose police report that 41 people were arrested and vandals broke the windows of several small businesses. Largely, the enforcement plan that officials promised was successful, NBC11's Cheryl Hurd reported. Last year four people were stabbed in a 20-minute span.
Of the 16 felony arrests reported by police, two were for assault with a deadly weapon. One man was arrested after he allegedly threw a rock at a police officer. Another man was stabbed in the shoulder but his injuries were not considered serious.
IKEA aims to get rid of plastic bags
Sweden's IKEA will charge U.S. customers five cents for disposable plastic shopping bags in what the international furniture giant said on Wednesday was a first step to ending their use altogether.
IKEA said the decision to stop giving away free bags to customers aimed to reduce the estimated 100 billion bags thrown away by all U.S. consumers each year.
IKEA is believed to be first retailer in the United States to undertake such a program, according to National Retail Federation spokesman Scott Krugman.
IKEA said the decision to stop giving away free bags to customers aimed to reduce the estimated 100 billion bags thrown away by all U.S. consumers each year.
IKEA is believed to be first retailer in the United States to undertake such a program, according to National Retail Federation spokesman Scott Krugman.
Jesus costume not acceptable
A Christian legal group has sued a school district on behalf of a 10-year-old boy who claims his rights to religion and free speech were violated when he was not allowed to wear a Jesus costume during Halloween activities.
The complaint, filed in federal court Tuesday by the Alliance Defense Fund, says officials at Willow Hill Elementary School in suburban Glenside told the boy Oct. 31 that he could not wear his faux crown of thorns or tell others he was dressed as Jesus.
The principal, Patricia Whitmire, told the boy's mother that the costume violated a policy prohibiting the promotion of religion, according to the lawsuit. Whitmire suggested that the fourth-grader, whose costume included a robe, identify himself as a Roman emperor, the suit states.
The complaint, filed in federal court Tuesday by the Alliance Defense Fund, says officials at Willow Hill Elementary School in suburban Glenside told the boy Oct. 31 that he could not wear his faux crown of thorns or tell others he was dressed as Jesus.
The principal, Patricia Whitmire, told the boy's mother that the costume violated a policy prohibiting the promotion of religion, according to the lawsuit. Whitmire suggested that the fourth-grader, whose costume included a robe, identify himself as a Roman emperor, the suit states.
"You gotta be as blind as Anne Frank not to see that"
As a boy, Islip Town Councilman Chris Bodkin read "The Diary of Anne Frank" and was moved by the plight of the Jewish girl and her family during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam.
As a young man, Bodkin traveled there and stayed in a hostel next to the Franks' former hiding place; he would gaze into the annex and imagine what it must have been like to hide from the Nazis.
Now, the councilman and retired ferry captain has embarked on a quixotic mission: He is pushing a congressional effort to grant Anne Frank honorary U.S. citizenship, something that has been given to only six people, including Mother Teresa and Winston Churchill.
As a young man, Bodkin traveled there and stayed in a hostel next to the Franks' former hiding place; he would gaze into the annex and imagine what it must have been like to hide from the Nazis.
Now, the councilman and retired ferry captain has embarked on a quixotic mission: He is pushing a congressional effort to grant Anne Frank honorary U.S. citizenship, something that has been given to only six people, including Mother Teresa and Winston Churchill.
Monday, February 19, 2007
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What video game character are you?
| What Video Game Character Are You? (With Pictures!) | |
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Relationship between Playboy and life expectancy
The selection of Anna Nicole Smith as a Playboy Playmate in 1992 made her a member of an exclusive sorority. Her death at 39 put her in a more grisly club — Playmates who haven't reached their 50th birthday.
Automobile accidents, drug overdoses, homicides, a plane crash — all have claimed the lives of Playmates. The cause of Smith's death is still unclear.
"It's sad how many girls we've lost," said Peter Gowland, who photographed a number of centerfolds for Playboy in the 1950s and 60s with the help of his wife.
Automobile accidents, drug overdoses, homicides, a plane crash — all have claimed the lives of Playmates. The cause of Smith's death is still unclear.
"It's sad how many girls we've lost," said Peter Gowland, who photographed a number of centerfolds for Playboy in the 1950s and 60s with the help of his wife.
How to get rid of extreme hiccups
Thousands of people from all over the world have e-mailed or contacted a 15-year-old Florida girl about possible remedies for her extreme case of endless hiccups.
Speaking in a national television interview Monday, Jennifer Mee of St. Petersburg, Fla., said she was in science class on January 23 when she first began to hiccup uncontrollably .
Since Mee's story appeared on Local6.com and several other news sites, thousands of people have offered possible cures.
Speaking in a national television interview Monday, Jennifer Mee of St. Petersburg, Fla., said she was in science class on January 23 when she first began to hiccup uncontrollably .
Since Mee's story appeared on Local6.com and several other news sites, thousands of people have offered possible cures.
A-Rod and Jeter's relationship on the rocks
On the first day of his fourth season with the New York Yankees, Alex Rodriguez finally acknowledged his relationship with Derek Jeter has cooled.
After insisting for three years that they remained close, Rodriguez said it was "important" to him to publicly confirm what others have said since he joined the team.
"People start assuming that things are a lot worse than what they are, which they're not. But they're obviously not as great as they used to be. We were like blood brothers," Rodriguez said Monday. "You don't have to go to dinner with a guy four, five times a week to do what you're doing. It's actually much better than all you guys expect, but I just want to let the truth be known."
After insisting for three years that they remained close, Rodriguez said it was "important" to him to publicly confirm what others have said since he joined the team.
"People start assuming that things are a lot worse than what they are, which they're not. But they're obviously not as great as they used to be. We were like blood brothers," Rodriguez said Monday. "You don't have to go to dinner with a guy four, five times a week to do what you're doing. It's actually much better than all you guys expect, but I just want to let the truth be known."
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
0 comments 0 comments 0 commentsSaturday, February 10, 2007
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Professional bubbler
Adults too are pulled into the wonder.
As a bubble artist it's my job to use science, research and my imagination to explore how bubbles work and what we can do with them.
Then I create performances filled with enthusiasm and bubbles like none you've ever dreamed possible...
As a bubble artist it's my job to use science, research and my imagination to explore how bubbles work and what we can do with them.
Then I create performances filled with enthusiasm and bubbles like none you've ever dreamed possible...
World's worst V-Day gifts
Ah, Valentine's Day. What other holiday combines romance, obligatory gifts, and terrifying insights into your beloved's capacity for bad taste? The story is sadly familiar: You've started dating somebody, totally bonded over your shared love of the Nixon tapes transcripts, and then, come February 14, your potential life-partner gives you a chocolate penis. Or a NASCAR-themed token of affection (above). Or maybe a candlelit dinner for two at White Castle.
Some mistakes, of course, are forgivable. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will be bullied into spending an estimated $16.9 billion this Valentine's, with those aged 25 to 34 blowing an average of $164. This marketing juggernaut—so different from Chinese Valentine's Day, aka "The Festival to Plead for Skills," which requires you merely to slice a melon proficiently—can trigger aberrant behavior. If your lover confronts you with heart-shaped measuring spoons, you can always chalk it up to over-excitement or a flaw in the frontal lobe. But nothing can excuse the following Valentine's gift ideas, which, frankly, set a whole new standard for implausibility. Presenting Radar's 24 Most Compelling Reasons to Re-Explore the Single Life.
Some mistakes, of course, are forgivable. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will be bullied into spending an estimated $16.9 billion this Valentine's, with those aged 25 to 34 blowing an average of $164. This marketing juggernaut—so different from Chinese Valentine's Day, aka "The Festival to Plead for Skills," which requires you merely to slice a melon proficiently—can trigger aberrant behavior. If your lover confronts you with heart-shaped measuring spoons, you can always chalk it up to over-excitement or a flaw in the frontal lobe. But nothing can excuse the following Valentine's gift ideas, which, frankly, set a whole new standard for implausibility. Presenting Radar's 24 Most Compelling Reasons to Re-Explore the Single Life.
Pick a number
On Saturday, I posted a poll asking readers to simply pick a number between 1 and 20. I promised I'd explain what this is all about, so here goes.
The poll was inspired by this post on Pharyngula, which in turn was inspired by this article on Cosmic Variance. The idea is that 17 will always be the most common answer when people are asked to choose a number between 1 and 20. But neither Cosmic Variance nor Pharyngula offered a reasonable means of testing this proposition. That's where our poll came in. This morning, I took a look at our data, and with 347 responses, I can confirm that 17 is significantly more popular than any number. Take a look at the chart.
As you can see, the number 17 was picked much more often -- almost 18 percent of the time, compared to the 5 percent you might expect from this sample.
The poll was inspired by this post on Pharyngula, which in turn was inspired by this article on Cosmic Variance. The idea is that 17 will always be the most common answer when people are asked to choose a number between 1 and 20. But neither Cosmic Variance nor Pharyngula offered a reasonable means of testing this proposition. That's where our poll came in. This morning, I took a look at our data, and with 347 responses, I can confirm that 17 is significantly more popular than any number. Take a look at the chart.
As you can see, the number 17 was picked much more often -- almost 18 percent of the time, compared to the 5 percent you might expect from this sample.
Monday, February 05, 2007
0 commentsPhiladelphia could get rubber sidewalks
A Philadelphia official wants the city council to look at whether the city's sidewalks should be made of rubber.
City councilman Jim Kenney recently toured Chicago to see environmentally-friendly city projects there. He came back with a number of ideas on which he plans to hold hearings.
One is using rubber for sidewalks.
City councilman Jim Kenney recently toured Chicago to see environmentally-friendly city projects there. He came back with a number of ideas on which he plans to hold hearings.
One is using rubber for sidewalks.
Man immune to chilies
The 54-year-old Mexico City taxi driver said Saturday that he has made thousands of dollars with his talent and wants to become the world champion chili eater. But first he needs to find an organization that can crown him with that title.
"Chilies don't sting me. They don't affect me. It's just like eating fruit," Quiroz said at a market in the Mexican capital. Shoppers stared in amazement as he crunched on a habanero, the hottest chili pepper in a country that likes its food spicy.
Quiroz said he discovered his talent when he was 7 and grew up betting people that he could eat more chilies than they could. He never lost.
"Chilies don't sting me. They don't affect me. It's just like eating fruit," Quiroz said at a market in the Mexican capital. Shoppers stared in amazement as he crunched on a habanero, the hottest chili pepper in a country that likes its food spicy.
Quiroz said he discovered his talent when he was 7 and grew up betting people that he could eat more chilies than they could. He never lost.
