Jump to content

posty

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content Count

    32,720

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    16

Posts posted by posty

  3. Posted

    http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/ODD..._LIGHTS?SITE=AP

     

    DILLSBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Police say horns started honking as a sport-utility vehicle sat through six green lights at a south-central Pennsylvania intersection.

     

    Officers arrived to investigate the SUV that seemed to be parked in the intersection, and found the driver asleep at the wheel, with his foot on the brake and a beer in the console.

     

    Officers yelled to wake the man, then had to quickly halt the vehicle when his foot came off the brake and it drifted into the intersection Saturday night in Carroll Township, about 15 miles west of Harrisburg.

     

    The 41-year-old was charged with driving under the influence.

  6. Posted

    Picture

     

    http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington...elle-obama.html

     

    First Lady Michelle Obama showed up Thursday as a surprise and welcome volunteer at Miriam's Kitchen, a soup kitchen for homeless poor people not far from the White House.

     

    She brought with her some food donated by White House staff.

     

    The first lady served up mushroom risotto and broccoli to a long line of homeless men and women during part of herFirst Lady Michelle Obama volunteers as a food server at Miriam's Kitchen a soup kitchen for poor homeless in Washington DC 3-5-09 lunch hour and in these photos poses for a picture by one homeless diner obviously excited to be in the first lady's presence.

     

    Obama said she hoped her service would cause other Americans to volunteer to help the less fortunate in their own communities.

     

    And, of course, such images of need might also help build support for her husband's economic and healthcare reform agenda, although a Miriam's spokeswoman said their average "guest" has been homeless since about the time Barack Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004.

     

    Miriam's is a privately funded soup kitchen about seven blocks from the White House that has 1,200 volunteers and serves about 300, mainly men, each morning. Our colleague Mark Silva has more on the volunteer work in the Swamp here.

     

    Both of these news photos were widely distributed across the country and even around the world.

     

    It doesn't detract from the first lady's generous gesture or the real needs she seeks to highlight to ask two bothersome journalistic questions about these news photos:

     

    If this unidentified meal recipient is too poor to buy his own food, how does he afford a cellphone?

     

    And if he is homeless, where do they send the cellphone bills?

  7. Posted

    First Emanuel and now Hillary Clinton...

     

    http://in.reuters.com/article/environmentN...E5251VN20090306

     

    BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told an audience Friday "never waste a good crisis," and highlighted the opportunity of rebuilding economies in a greener, less energy-intensive way.

     

    Highlighting Europe's unease the day after Russia warned that gas flows via Ukraine might be halted, she also condemned the use of energy as a political lever.

     

    Clinton told young Europeans at the European Parliament that global economic turmoil provided a fresh opening. "Never waste a good crisis ... Don't waste it when it can have a very positive impact on climate change and energy security," she said.

     

    Europe sees the United States as a crucial ally in global climate talks in Copenhagen in December, after President Barack Obama signaled a new urgency in tackling climate change, in stark contrast to his predecessor George W. Bush.

     

    Europe has already laid out plans to cut carbon dioxide emissions to about a fifth below 1990 levels in the next decade, while Obama has proposed a major shift toward renewable energy and a cap and trade system for CO2 emissions.

     

    But with many countries in the grip of a punishing recession, some question whether businesses can muster the hundreds of billions of dollars needed to cut carbon emissions.

     

    "Certainly the United States has been negligent in living up to its responsibilities," said Clinton, on her first visit to Europe as secretary of state.

     

    "This is a propitious time ... we can actually begin to demonstrate our willingness to confront this."

     

    Clinton said she was encouraged by China's stance on climate change during a visit there last month.

     

    "It is very important that at the beginning of this effort, China has expressed a willingness to participate," she told reporters. "They realize they've just surpassed the unfortunate record that we just held of being the largest carbon emitter."

     

    POLITICAL LEVER

     

    Many politicians argue that the economic crisis, energy security issues and climate change can all be dealt with in a "New Green Deal," replacing high-carbon infrastructure with green alternatives and simultaneously creating millions of jobs.

     

    "There is no doubt in my mind the energy security and climate change crises, which I view as being together, not separate, must be dealt with," Clinton added.

     

    She attacked the use of energy as a political weapon, echoing Europe's worries after repeated spats between Russia and gas transit country Ukraine hit EU supplies in recent years.

     

    "We are ... troubled by using energy as a tool of intimidation," she said. "We think that's not in the interest of creating a better and better functioning energy system."

     

    Clinton is set to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for dinner in Geneva in the hope of improving relations after a post-Cold War low during Bush's presidency.

     

    The latest cuts to Russian gas exports in January forced the closure of factories, hospitals and schools in Eastern Europe in mid-winter.

     

    A new row between Ukraine and Russia appeared to have been averted Thursday after state-owned Gazprom said Ukraine settled payments at the heart of the disagreement.

     

    But European leaders were rattled by the warning of cuts to supply by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

  9. Posted

    http://loudounextra.washingtonpost.com/new...d=sec-education

     

    Two students were arguing on the ride home. The frazzled bus driver tried to intervene. Then came, according to authorities, the driver's offer to the entire bus: $20 to anyone who would bombard one of the boys with a snowball.

     

    Seven took her up on the offer, and now Loudoun County school bus driver Katina M. Mitchell, 34, of Sterling has been charged with seven misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. And she's the talk of the county.

     

    Authorities said the row Tuesday was between students from River Bend Middle School in Sterling. Afterward, authorities said, Mitchell grabbed the bus's microphone to offer riders a bounty to throw snowballs at one of the students, a 13-year-old, and push snow down his shirt.

     

    When the boy was dropped off at the usually placid Bentley Drive and Algonkian Parkway, students who also got off pelted him, authorities said. Sheriff's Office spokesman Kraig Troxell said yesterday that the boy was not seriously injured but that his parents reported the pelting.

     

    Mitchell, a bus driver for Loudoun schools since 2004, was placed on administrative leave with pay while the school system investigates the incident, said spokesman Wayde B. Byard. A woman who answered the phone at Mitchell's home declined to comment yesterday.

     

    Troxell said the snowball-throwers face no charges — but they didn't get paid, either.

  10. Posted

    http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2009...649591-sun.html

     

    EDMONTON -- Sit back and enjoy the show, but don't expect these maids to touch your toilet.

     

    A fledgling city cleaning service features young women clad in French maid outfits, red stilettos and fishnet stockings.

     

    "They do the same job as regular cleaners, but they look fantastic doing it," said Elise Skoglund, owner of Good Clean Fun exotic maid service, which opened up shop in Edmonton last fall.

     

    For $125 an hour, a sexy maid will do everything from dusting the TV to wiping the counters, but toilets are a no-go zone.

     

    Skoglund explained that since the maid is already dressed in skimpy clothes and high heels, getting down on her hands and knees to clean the toilet would cross the line into degrading territory.

     

    She stresses the company is not an escort service: the maids are professional cleaners and don't take off their clothes.

     

    "My goal is to keep it clean and keep it classy."

     

    Clients are typically working men who don't feel like cleaning and seek companionship.

     

    But, not just men call for the service. Women call too, according to Skoglund.

     

    "They are sick of cleaning, but it's a treat for their husbands. They know that it's clean."

     

    Each maid has a personal alarm and a security driver. Clients are also screened to ensure they're aware it's an exotic cleaning service and nothing more.

     

    One of the maids said she loves her job and doesn't mind pushing a vacuum around in stilettos, though she goes by an alias, Devika.

     

    "I wear heels all the time so it's no worries," said the 24-year-old, as she worked with a pink feather duster Thursday.

     

    "I enjoy what I do and I get to meet all sorts of people."

  11. Posted

    What do you mean by "going after." Using the resources of the federal government to persecute Rush? If Obama did that, impeach him, I'll help.

     

    But merely responding, and criticizing back? No problem.

     

    Did Bush ever respond to people criticizing him? No... And if he did, the media would have been all over him...

     

    This is one thing that Bush has that Obama doesn't, class and respect for the office... Just because someone disagrees with you, you don't call them out...

     

    And yeah, I know, if he did he wouldn't have time for his vacations and wouldn't be able to do anything else...

  12. Posted

    Isn't obvious that this guy is more than willing to lie to get his way? Fock what's best for the country...Obama got his agenda and he's pushing forward no matter what the cost. :headbanger:

     

    Too bad people didn't realize this before they voted for him... They were too "star struck" and crying too much because he reads a teleprompter well...

  13. Posted

    :overhead: :headbanger:

     

    http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/...unning-in-2012/

     

    WASHINGTON (CNN) – Newt Gingrich is talking out loud about a possible run for the White House in 2012.

     

    “Calista and I will look seriously, and we'll probably get our family totally engaged, including our two grandchildren, probably in January 2011, and we'll look seriously at whether or not we think its necessary to do it,” Gingrich told reporters in Ashland, Virginia last night, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

     

    “And if we think it's necessary we'll probably do it,” he said. “And if it isn’t necessary we probably won't do it.”

     

    The former House Speaker told the New York Times magazine something similar in a profile published over the weekend.

     

    “I think I’m closer to Benjamin Franklin than to George Washington,” Gingrich told the magazine. “I’m a contributor to my country and to my times. If it turns out that there’s a moment when it makes sense to run, then I’ll run. But if I end up never being able to run, then it won’t devastate me.”

     

    Gingrich briefly flirted with the idea of running for president in 2007, telling supporters that if he could raise $30 million in a three-week period he would enter the race, but ultimately decided against entering the race.

     

    Though he’s mulling a run, Gingrich said it may be time to pass the torch to younger crop of leaders. He told the Times-Dispatch that he sees the Republican Party “moving towards a whole new generation” and predicted that Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor, the House Minority Whip, is on the path to becoming Speaker of the House.

  14. Posted

    http://www.kmbc.com/money/18866748/detail.html

     

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders said he's concerned the Chiefs and Royals could leave Kansas City because of the city's budget proposal.

     

    Kansas City has an $85 million budget shortfall that has to be fixed by the end of the month.

     

    Thursday, Mayor Mark Funkhouser put forward his plan, which includes eliminating nearly $2 million the city gives each year to the Truman Sports Complex.

     

    "This came with no notice to us. We were unaware that this was even going to be an issue," Sanders said in a KMBZ radio interview. "The money would be the violation. But the fact that we would have violated a substantive provision would mean those leases are now gone … We would be on a tightrope or a high wire with no safety net."

     

    Sanders said if the city pulls its $2 million annual contribution, it would break the lease and leave the city with no written guarantee keeping the Royals and Chiefs in Kansas City for the long term.

     

    "The teams would then be, to use the sports phrase, free agents to do whatever they wanted to do. Re-negotiate the deal or to not honor any of the provisions of the lease they did not want to honor," Sanders told KMBC's Martin Augustine.

     

    "I don't think it would jeopardize leases," Funkhouser said. "We're trying to focus on services that directly matter to Kansas Citians. For example, our city services, basic services like police. That is a core function. Operating a sports venue is not."

     

    Sanders said he believes the issue will eventually be worked out. He called the Royals and Chiefs "good civic partners."

     

    A Royals representative said team officials are just learning about the issue, and it's too early to comment.

     

    KMBC was unable to get a comment from a Chiefs representative.

  19. Posted

    http://wcbstv.com/watercooler/robber.buys....k.2.950916.html

     

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) ― Would-be robbers take note: Don't use your debit card during a holdup. A West Virginia man who police say attempted to rob a convenience store instead ended up buying a soft drink with his debit card — ultimately leading to his arrest.

     

    Shawn Thomas Lester, 33, told the store clerk Monday he had a gun and wanted all the money in the register, police said. But the suspect got flustered when a customer walked in and the clerk told him to pay for the soft drink.

     

    Lester handed over his debit card, then signed the receipt "John Doe" and left without any cash.

     

    Police traced the debit card and found Lester, of Charleston. He told police he was only joking when he said he had a gun and demanded money.

     

    He was charged with armed robbery in Kanawha County, according to a criminal complaint.

     

    It was not clear whether Lester had an attorney. His phone number was unlisted.

     

    I wonder how long he thought this would throw the cops off the trail...

  21. Posted

    http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/2...e+flaming+ball+

     

    Des Moines police call it reckless use of fire. The children who are under investigation apparently called it a game.

     

    Officers were called to the 2200 block of East Park Avenue about 6 p.m. Wednesday on a report of children playing with fire.

     

    Here's what police said in a report:

     

    "Dispatched to location on kids playing with fire. Arrived to find suspects in garage near gas can with melted nozzle. Driveway area smelled of gas also. No fire seen. Asked suspects what they were up to. Both said they poured gas on a baseball, lit it on fire and kicked it back and forth, pouring more gas on it to keep it lit."

     

    The "more gas" may explain the melted nozzle. No charges were filed against the boys, ages 12 and 14.

     

    Police say the incident remains under investigation.

  22. Posted

    http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20090305TDY02303.htm

     

    AKITA--A 51-year-old high school teacher in Odate, Akita Prefecture forced a female student to wear a maid's costume and made other students take pictures of her, it has been learned.

     

    The male teacher, who also served as an adviser for Odate High School's art club, reportedly coerced the third-year student into wearing the outfit during club activities, telling her she would receive no academic credit for the Japanese language if she did not put it on.

     

    The 18-year-old student reported the incident to Odate Police Station on Tuesday.

     

    According to the Akita Prefectural Board of Education and the police, on Sept. 24, the teacher forced the girl to wear the clothes--which belonged to the club--despite her protests. The teacher then deposited a digital camera at the scene and left. The idea of someone donning the costume was suggested while trying to think of ideas for photographic subjects, they said.

     

    Sorry, don't have the pictures...

  23. Posted

    http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/metro/index.s....xml&coll=1

     

    Jamal M. Dorsey, 22, intended to spend Sunday afternoon playing flag football with his friends and planning a March 29 birthday party for his younger cousins and 2-year-old son.

     

    But during a date with his wife at a Kenner bowling alley, he got into an argument with neighboring bowlers over a ball. He was followed home by someone driving a black Dodge Durango and shot to death in the front yard of an Algiers home about 3 a.m. Sunday.

     

    The man Dorsey argued with was bowling one lane over from him, said Demetria Harrell, Dorsey's mother-in-law. The man followed Dorsey out to the parking lot as he left, but Dorsey told the man he didn't want to fight anymore. Dorsey got into a car with a 22-year-old pal and Ashten, the mother of his two sons. They headed home to the West Bank, Harrell said.

     

    But the infuriated bowler wouldn't let it go. Dorsey and his companions soon noticed they were being tailed by a Durango, Louisiana license plate SLR 737, the New Orleans Police Department said.

     

    When they got to the 3000 block of Americus Street, the Durango pulled up. Someone stepped out. Dorsey jumped out of the car to confront him and to protect Ashten, a friend said. But his opponent had a gun, the friend said, and he peppered an unarmed Dorsey and the car with gunfire.

     

    Several bullets hit Dorsey's torso, police said. Another bullet hit Ashten's left forearm, shattering two bones, Harrell said. Their friend was hit in the leg. The gunman sped off in the Durango, and police haven't yet announced any arrests.

     

    Dorsey's wife and friend were taken to LSU Interim Public Hospital and survived. Dorsey died before New Orleans emergency paramedics could treat him, police said.

     

    Two boys, Jamal Jr., 4, and Ashton, who turns 3 later this month, lost their father. The gunman took the life of a law-abiding man who installed Cox Communications cable systems to help his wife pay her tuition to Delgado nursing school, Harrell said. He had he hoped to see her graduate from the school in December, she said.

     

    "It's totally senseless," his mother-in-law said. "A total disrespect for another human life."

     

    Dorsey graduated from L.B. Landry High School in 2005. He served as the drum's section leader, earning awards and a spot in the Louisiana All-Star band, said Freddie Marshall, 27, one of Dorsey's band mentors.

     

    The brightest prize of his high school career -- and life -- was Ashten, Harrell said. When Dorsey met her daughter, Harrell didn't want Ashten dating anyone. She grounded Ashten, but she sneaked her out to see her persistent suitor anyway.

     

    Ashten became pregnant with Jamal Jr. at 17. After Hurricane Katrina displaced her to Texas, Dorsey followed her and married her. He used his Cox job to build a life for the two of them in Algiers: He worked; she went to school; and together they cared for the boys.

     

    After Ashton was born, Dorsey joined a flag football team with his friends at King's Grant Playground. He treasured the Thursdays and Sundays the league met, Harrell said, because it gathered his wife, sons and best buddies in one spot.

     

    "He loved his family and that football team," Marshall said. "I'm shocked he's gone."

     

    In an unrelated incident, a 25-year-old man was shot early Sunday inside a home in the 10900 block of Roger Drive in eastern New Orleans.

     

    Ronald L. Williams died just after midnight, on the way to LSU Interim Public Hospital, said John Gagliano, the Orleans Parish Coroner's chief investigator.

  25. Posted

    According to Taxpayers for Common Sense, the following are the 5 most prolific earmark users:

     

    Thad Cochran - R-MS

    Christopher - R-MO

    Lisa Murkowski - R-AK

    Mary Landrieu - D-LA

    Robert Byrd - D-WV

     

    So what sorting technique did you use to arrive at this order in their Excel spreadsheet?

×