delvV

Stimulus Watch is a website by a watchdog group that is keeping an eye on economic recovery spending - particularly that of the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (which also has its own website). Keep track of projects in all 50 states of the Union, and see where your tax dollars are going.

Think there was a heyday of James Stewart-style filibusters? Senate research suggests otherwise. Ryan Grim brings sheds some light onto this particular political practice.

Looks like the Nigerian scammers hit the jackpot and managed to convince CitiBank to wire more than 27 million USD to an account in Ethiopia.

Now you can feel a little better about losing that 3 grand and the old Compaq notebook.

This bacon burger has two bacon-stuffed grilled cheese sandwiches as buns. This gastronomic godzilla makes the Baconator look like a slider.

Scientists discovered a virtual viral "Achilles' heel" for most strains of influenza. This could lead to a vaccine that would provide immunity against several types of the microbial menace.

Uncle Milton brings you the Force Trainer - a Star Wars branded toy that uses EEG technology. You can use your brain to move a ball. Simple, but it marks the beginning of a potential new area of games.

A hardware store in Texas has offered George a job as a greeter. Check it out.

Holy Polis the internet is ours! But will we keep it?

If history is a constant struggle consolidating power against efforts to empower broadly, today we are amidst a battle of recently unrivaled import. When you showed up to the internet you were a consumer. You clicked your links, checked the weather and sent email. The computer was an appliance, you shortcutted your tv and your mailman to get what you wanted when you wanted it. Congratulations, that's about as impressive as ditching the Sears Roebuck catalog for a shopping mall.

But then you joined the we. Technological babysteps towards user driven content spawned an emotional and personal stake in the internet. If you want to be cooler than a twelve year old with a skateboard he drives with his finger tips you'd call this Web2.0 (Full disclosure, delvv would like to be that cool, thats why we've affixed a mirror effect to our logo and added a permanent beta). Alas, I digress, I doubt a reader of this blog needs much convincing that the new internet transformed pop culture, won a presidency, earned a person of the year Time cover, and confused most people over thirty-five.

Traditional interests would rather not roll over and die, however. Proponents of a so-called tiered internet would like us to pay for the internet like we pay for tv. Give them the big stuff cheap, the ads will pay for it anyway. But anyone who wants to go deeper will have to pay for it. You see, the problem is that we piggybacked the technology for the internet on the backs of cable and phone companies. These company's started the game with entrenched interests, and if you don't think they're throwing their weight around to protect them, you're in for a rude awakening.

Here we lead into what ticked me off today. This morning, the Wall Street Journal reported that America's cable companies want to restrict viewing of those online TV shows to tv subscribing customers. I'm sorry what?! You're a utility, shut your mouth and sit down. If I pay for the internet, I get what's on it. End of discussion. It's bad enough that Comcast charges a "subscriber fee" for non-cable tv customers which is the same price as basic cable. We have to end these games now, or we'll lose the internet. Tiered internet could kill YouTube, it could kill Blogs and . . . you know what, we had tiered internet once.

Remember AOL, with its little channels trying to get you to do everything it could to use its stupid "Keywords" rather than using the world wide web. Thats tiered internet. We could be back in that nightmare in a blink of an eye. You would never let your car decide where you were driving. You would never let your grocery store decide what you're having for dinner. Internet Service Provider is not Internet Service Decider. ISPs are public utilities and should be treated as such. Thank you, that is all.

This video may bring out a chuckle or too, but I'd like to throw a little back in Mr. Santelli's face.

See, if it was just about responsible people and irresponsible people, he might have a point. But here's the deal, buddy, your näive over simplification of economics is exactly what got us here to begin with. If my neighbor can't pay his mortgage because he was irresponsible, you're right, I don't care. He can sell his house, move into something else and its his problem to get back on his feet. But guess what, when it's half the neighborhood my responsible billpaying household suffers too, and suffers bad. My home, the basic unit of wealth in this great nation, loses value at a hemorrhaging rate. This kills my access to credit and deals a punishing blow to my school district. So guess what, this plan is probably in my rational and your rational self interest unless you want to own worthless real estate and look forward to a future generation of American's who "graduate" high school with absolutely no marketable skills.

By the way, you know what else is a moral hazard? Health insurance, and yet, you look reasonably healthy, Rick (if you don't mind me saying). Why not just smoke some crack and play real life Frogger on the interstate. It's fine, I'm sure CNBC is giving you real nice health insurance, they'd fix you up quick - and hey, it might be fun. Oh you wouldn't? Oh right, that's because Moral Hazards aren't an absolute are they. I bet you think Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, LiHEAP, food stamps, WIC, unemployment and their "ilk" are moral hazards too. Well sir, you'd be right, but guess what, we don't live in a world of absolutes, instead we're forced to balance interests. I for one am happy to balance my interests with the interests of those less fortunate, realizing that in the last few generations we've reduced senior poverty, reduced childhood hunger, decreased unnecessary illness related deaths and provided countless opportunities for American's to get a chance or two to reach the American dream. Huh, I bet functioning citizens with good jobs and stable financial situations actually benefits the American economy too, wouldn't that be something.

Also littering is so uncool. Like, pink-double-popped collar uncool.

So, there are a few things that you just don't do. It's something you grow up knowing- don't put your elbows on the table, don't talk with food in your mouth, don't call black people chimps. Just ask the New York Post. Recently, the paper ran a cartoon featuring several cops standing over a bullet-riddled chimp stating "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill."

Ok people. Now is not the time to have the conversation on whether or not there SHOULD be a difference in calling a black person and a white person a chimp. Because there shouldn't be. But unfortunately, due to long history of our country, the reality is that there IS a difference. You can not run a cartoon effectively calling our new black president a chimp, and expect there not to be any repercussions.

I'm not saying that the NYP is full of racists. This is not a "you're a racist" issue. This is a "are you seriously that stupid that you honestly didn't anticipate the backlash of this" issue. Come ON.

I really hope this isn't fake.

President, please

A few tweaks to get Firefox running faster.

Pot racks are expensive, building one out of an old bicycle wheel and some parts you can pick up at the hardware store is not. This is a neat guide to building your own bicycle wheel pot rack. Bonus points for going green.

Ex-VP Dick Cheney is reported to be furious that ex-President Bush did not pardon Scooter Libby. He pushed the issue extremely hard right up to the end of the term, but Bush wouldn't budge. In fact, he was so persistent that Bush finally told his aides that he refused to discuss the issue further.

Is this a sign of some shred of integrity left in the man?

That's right - IBM filed a patent for technology that will detect incoming projectiles and then stimulate muscles to create a reflex reaction that would allow one to dodge bullets.

IBM. Dodge bullets.

Is that a new ad campaign on the horizon?

Well, the verdict is in: no money for the families of the three children with autism who were seeking a court award from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, claiming that thimerosal, a mercury containing preservative formerly used in vaccines, caused their childrens' disorders.
Here is what this does not mean:
-That thimerosal has NO link to autism
-That vaccines in general have NO link to autism
-That the MMR in its traditional form is the ideal schedule for infants
-That physicians have not mislead parents on many subjects related to vaccinations

Here is what this does mean:
-That thimerosal has very little effect on the immune system (saying nothing about the neurological or gastrointestinal system)
-That these families are not entitled to relief from this particular fund, based on what this fund was set up to support
-That based on the evidence presented to the court, the link was weak (saying nothing about the scientific evidence available)

Autism is a mysterious disorder with a complex etiology that clearly involves multiple systems, genetic predisposition, and environmental triggers, all in a combination that is currently unknown. No one can say for sure that vaccines cause autism, but until there is conclusive evidence that it does NOT, which currently does not exist, we should continue to research.

The Associated Press has published a simple concise and darned near purty graphic to help you digest the 8 bajillion dollar stimulus compromise to be voted on in Congress today.

If you've got some serious time on your hand, you can also read the whole thing yourself.

In the news in the UK this week, one of the youngest people to become a father has made the news. He has a newborn, and he is a tender 13.

See more here.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Yet again, the GOP is complaining about non-existent provisions of the stimulus bill. This time around, they're claiming that the bill contains millions of dollars to save a type of mouse that lives in Speaker Pelosi's district. The provision does not now exist in the bill nor has it ever.

I know it's a big bill, but you can't tell me there's not at least one intern in the whole GOP that has read it.

This kid is going to have lung cancer before he's potty trained.

Michael Phelps should not be sorry - yea, I know I should be over this, but honestly I'm not. Phelps let me and the rest of our culture out to dry with his comments about his "childish mistake" and this article does a good job of reminding us why Mary Jane is illegal in the first place. Enjoy my first post.

With a tagline like "where dreams become heart attacks," how can you not be intrigued?

A collection of coronary-inducing food items sure to piss off your insurance company and make you drool.

It's hilarious and I actually kind of like the version of Hotel California, but MS SongSmith completely butchers a couple of classic songs. Basically, the program adds background music when you sing into the computer.

I'll see your Mr. Beer and raise you one Crock Pot Still.

And if you really want to take it up a notch.

Slashdot is carrying an interesting post this morning pointing out an interesting error. Without diving into unnecessary detail, in a quickly evolving news story, a man named as a potential candidate for a public service post had his name changed by adding 'Wilhem' as an additional middle name. Now for most people this is a noticeable change, for example Barack Hussein Obama turned into Barack Wilhem Hussein Obama would stand out pretty well. But, when your name is Karl Theodor Maria Nikolaus Johann Jacob Philipp Franz Joseph Sylvester Freiherr von und zu Guttenberg, things might go unnoticed for a little while. Then things get a little funny. A german newspaper decides to copy the name out of wikipedia and print it, and then wikipedia users use the newspaper as a citation on the name.

Uh - oh. This sounds truthier than the Bush Administration. Which seems to beg the question, how often do we authenticate inaccuracy by repackaging?

Warning: Law school story

I'm way too lazy to look this up, but consider this. Years ago congress passed an amended requirement for import reporting and duty for certain products. Due to a transcription error, when the law was transferred into the US code an error was made in the reporting requirements for the dimensions of those products. Originally congress passed a requirement that a product had to be reported by its length, width and height, or its volume. In its published form, a product had to be reported by its length and width, or its height and volume. When tested in Federal court, the Judge cited the Code as the law and ruled that the flawed transcription should stand.

Italy is currently in the midst of a constitutional crisis. The highest court declared that woman who has been in a persistent vegetative state since 1992 can be taken off feeding tubes, in accordance with what her father says would have been her wishes. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi issued an emergency decree preventing any patients from being taken off feeding tubes if their lives depend on them.

"Justifying his campaign to save Englaro's life, the prime minister added that, physically at least, she was 'in the condition to have babies'"

I guess that tax credit just isn't doing it for them.

What you don't know could hurt you or someone you love.

Many of this country's highest officials have had reputations for their linguistic lashings. Lyndon B. Johnson would greet friends and rivals with a "how's it going you cocksucker," Nixon's private verbal abuse is the stuff of legends, and TR preferred "Bully" to "Fuckin' A," but we knew what he meant. While perhaps not on the Senate floor, Barack Obama joins a long line of First Foul-Mouths.

The US Airways pilot who made the emergency landing in the Hudson seems like a pretty stand up guy:

"Chesley Sullenberger has a problem. He borrowed a book from the Danville Library – and it’s overdue. To complicate matters, the book was an interlibrary loan from Fresno State.

Sullenberger contacted librarians and asked for an extension on the loan and a waiver on the overdue fine. The reason? The book is in the cargo hold of the US Airways plane that made an emergency landing last month in New York’s Hudson River. Sullenberger is the pilot who made that landing. No one was seriously injured.

Fresno State library officials were impressed with Sullenberger’s sense of responsibility… and waived all fines and fees, even the one for losing the book. The library’s going one step further: when the replacement book goes up on the shelf, it will have a special template in front, dedicating it to Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger.

Oh, by the way. The topic of that book? Professional ethics."

From the Huffington Post:

WASHINGTON--Honoring one of the longest-standing rituals in American history, former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush assembled in the nation's capital last week to witness the new first couple's christening of the White House bed.

Yes it is a satire, kids.

From the highly regarded Christian Science Monitor:
Only in New York, can the smell of Maple Syrup wafting out of New Jersey raise a suspicion of terrorist activity.

Photo: New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is on the case (from AP).

. . . At least in New Jersey

From the article:

In a case that pitted an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union local against a central Jersey town, the high court ruled unanimously that the rodent is protected speech under the First Amendment.
"The township's elimination of an entire medium of expression without a readily available alternative renders the ordinance overbroad," Justice John E. Wallace Jr. wrote for the court.The super-sized rat, sitting on its hind legs and bearing fangs, is a national symbol used by organized labor to signal a labor dispute. It had been blown up and displayed at a 2005 labor event in Lawrence Township until police enforced a law that bans banners, streamers and inflatable signs, except those announcing grand openings.

I, for one, welcome our new semi-gaseous rodentiary overlords.

Good thing CNN sold Glenn Beck to Fox News for a thirty food effigy of Chairman Obama and exclusive broadcast rights to the streets running red with the blood of bourgeois oppressors.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates opened up a jar of mosquitoes this morning at this weeks Technology, Entertainment and Design conference to make a point about malaria. Apparently this is the best way to captivate your audience about a deadly disease you're trying to fight.

If they had been malaria carrying mosquitoes this would be a much more interesting story. Or quite literally, tiny flying Mosques.

Dear President Obama,

Given recent turns of events, in this time of crisis, you need to turn to someone you can trust. Sir, that person is me. Last year I paid my taxes, and the year before, and the year before, and the year before, and the year before and so on. Not to mention I've got mad government skillz and I scowl every time I see a lobbyist. Also, if absolutely necessary, I too am willing to steal Sally Jessy Raphael's glasses.

Submitted for your unquestioning approval,

Me.

As much as this author would prefer to let the Governor of the great state of Alaska to fall into obscurity, this was simply too funny. Sarah Palin was invited to the US House Republicans' annual winter retreat to give what they hoped would be a morale-boosting speech. She declined, citing that she simply had too much pressing state business in Alaska to deal with.

So far, so good. So where was Sarah Palin this weekend?

Washington, D.C. - attending the super-elite Alfalfa dinner.

Republican reviews were mixed:

"She lied to us," said a Republican at the retreat.

Asked about Palin's no-show, House Republican leader John Boehner shrugged. "Whatever," Boehner said.

Came across this little blog entry on BoingBoing written by Charles Platt, a writer for Wired.

He gave up his writing gig to start at Wal-Mart to find out if Barbara Ehrenreich's feature Nickel and Dimed revealed the true Wal-Mart, or if there was another side to the "evil corporation" story.

For the sake of maintaining the journalistic integrity of this blog, I hereby submit the link for your perusal.

Cheers.

Brand new edition to the White House Carnival: The Cheney Dunk Tank. 150 million assorted persons showed up for the event, with proceeds bloating the Treasury's coffers to the point of unlikely financial security.

Sigh... damn you, Onion. Why do you always have to dangle the ideal, utopian scenario in front of our face while the world burns around us?

Porn? During the Super Farce, I mean Super Bowl? See here.

A community of Hasidic Jews in New York City is coming under fire for allegations of pedophilia. Shockingly, even after allegations, one school principle was re-hired.

"If you're a pedophile, the best place for you to come to are some of the Jewish communities," he says. "Why? Because you can be a pedophile and no one's going to do anything. Even if they catch you, you'll get away with it."

Looking for an eco-friendly way to print? The RITI printer uses old coffee grounds for ink and the user manually moves the ink case left and right to print.

New evidence points to Martha Washington being quite the hottie. Scientists were able to use age-regression software to determine what she looked like at age 25, when she married His Premierness, GW. While this contradicts previous understandings of the First First Lady, it's an interesting look at an old subject.

And check out those wedding shoes... sassy!

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin wants to build a road to Nome that would cost an estimated $3-4 million per mile. In the same speech that she declared a billion dollar plus budget shortfall, she pushed for the $2 billion dollar project.

Budget deficit, spend 2 billion more... -1 + -2 =... Fiscal conservatives win once again!

*With apologies to the fine residents of Nome, AK.

Columnist John Baer has a plan to save Pennsylvania $1.5 bn.

This week the Obama administration is facing its first test on drugs. Although President Obama has not yet appointed a new permanent DEA administrator, his comments on the campaign trail suggested that his administration would support medical Marijuana where the same controls are placed on the dispensement and prescription as other prescription prescribables. However, this week DEA agents have conducted the first raid of a medical Marijuana dispensing facility since Bush left office. This raid occured in California where voters decided more than a decade ago by public referrendum that medical Marijuana should be available by prescription as a legitimate drug treatment option as decided between patients and doctors. Should the Federal government get in the way?

From Planet Green:

Historically, the meeting of shoe and banana peel has been tragic. Shoe comes in contact with peel. Hilarity ensues at the possible expense of someone's health. Yes. The relationship between yellow fruit covering and footwear has been tenuous at best, but now the two have come together in a pleasing, eco-friendly way.

Clean Green:How To Polish Shoes With A Banana

In a shocking turn of events this evening, the Illinois state senate has convicted former governor Rod Blagojevich on the articles of impeachment for eating The View co-host Judy Behar.
Film below.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

BREAKING: Barack Obama committed his first strategic blunder as President today after trying to enter the White House through a window. This physics tragedy can only call up memories of former President Bush's flawed escape from China.

NY Daily News was on the scene.

Stay fit, fight Alzheimers, help your heart, and reduce your risk for lung cancer... all this and more by drinking red wine.

Newsweek has the scoop.

Don't like your court appointed public defender? Rub feces on him and then throw the surplus at the jury. Wam-Bam-Thank-You-Mam.

full story here

Some folks with too much free time have built a drum that uses electromagnets to play themselves so you don't have to. I prefer to see this as an easy way to mess with someone who already does. Gonna play the drum solo from In-A-Godda-Da-Vida oh no my friend, not today.

The White House record collection has been hanging out in the basement since Nancy "No Party" Reagan banished it there in the 80s. Under Carter, the RIAA decided the White House needed an audio collection to go with all the books. The collection includes some classics like Led Zepplin, Rolling Stones, Ramones, Santana, et al, all in sleeves that carry the Seal of the POTUS.

No word yet on whether Obama will restore the vinyl to its rightful place.

Rolling Stones has the scoop.

Gentlemen!
I've drunk your health in Company,
I've drunk your health alone.
I've drunk your health so many times,
I've darn near ruined my own!
Here's to me!

In keeping with campaign promises, President Obama directed the Environmental Protection Agency to review the Clean Air Act waver request from California, which would allow the state to impose stricter regulations on vehicle emissions. The Bush Administration denied these requests for years and auto makers are staunchly opposed. The move would bring more efficient and environmentally friendly cars on the road faster than current time tables allow.

Short version via Reuters

More in depth coverage via AP

The Ten Best Drinks You've Probably Never Ordered will start off with the Gin Fizz.

The drink is similar to a Tom Collins and one of the classic highballs. Simply pour the ingredients over ice and give a little stir.

3 parts gin, 2 parts lemon juice (fresh is better), 1 part simple syrup, top off with soda water (some suggest 5 parts).

In a new revelation, police revealed that the Belgian creche stabber was a 20 year-old man dressed as The Joker from the recent Batman movie, wearing make up and quoting Heath Ledger. The man has been described by former schoolmates and colleagues as a "'film freak' and 'movie addict.'"

Disgraced Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich went on Good Morning America as his impeachment trial began. He told Diane Sawyer that he had considered Oprah Winfrey for Barack Obama's vacated senate seat.

"She seemed to be someone who had helped Barack Obama in a significant way to become president," Blagojevich said. Blagojevich added that "she had a much broader bully pulpit than a lot of senators." ... "she probably wouldn't take it, and then if you offered it to her, how would you do it in a way it wasn't a gimmick to embarass her."

'And ovaries, man. Ovaries, huh?' [awkward pause] '...faithfully.'

A Japanese book using Obama speeches to teach English is a hit. The 95 page tome offers some of the highlights, including his famous 2004 DNC speech. The simplicity of campaign speeches makes them useful for learning the language, but that doesn't mean every president gets a book.

"We don't publish every single president's speeches," Asahi Press official Yuzo Yamamoto said. "Would you buy the text of former President George W. Bush's speeches?"

That's right, you TOO can own a part of history - your very own Barack Obama Riding a Unicorn t-shirt. For only 28 dollars (which includes shipping) this shirt, designed by DC artist Chris Bishop, can be in your wardrobe rotation.

Don't delay, order today as supplies are limited.

We finally have the official note that Bush left in the top drawer for incoming President Obama.

From the Huffington Post:

WASHINGTON, DC: In a stunning late-hour development, President George W. Bush has granted Osama bin Laden a pardon for the murder of more than 2,700 Americans in the fall of 2001.

"This kinda came out of nowhere," said a White House aide who requested anonymity. "I wouldn't have put bin Laden on the short list myself. On the other hand, maybe this is the president's way of finding closure. Because ... y'know ... he wasn't actually able to kill bin Laden, or capture him, or even keep him from making all those (expletive) videos. I mean, jeez, let's face it: Osama bin Laden is basically a one-man Netflix of cave movies."

To dive deeper into the issue, Conservative columnist William Kristol was asked for comment:

"George W. Bush is a brilliant strategist. I'm sure he has a good reason for this pardon. I'll figure it out."

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Many people are marking this historical inauguration in different ways... some are spending 15 hours on the beltway trying to get into DC, while others choose to stay in and have a pajama party. An Obama Pajama Party, to be specific. And what are they wearing to their Obama Pajama Party? OJAMAS.

Yes that's right folks, you can have your very own yes we can ojamas. This is awesome.

Following up my previous post, the uniforms for the game have now been released. Even the referees are taking part! I think it's extremely clever and I for one am excited at least one game is taking part in the mockery! The jerseys are shown below:

Sorry about the little skip at the beginning, but seriously, this reinforces my idea that you should actually need a license to be allowed to participate in the gene pool.

"Don't let the Turkey's get you down" wrote Ronald Reagan to his Presidential successor. Today this begs the question, when Obama sits down behind the desk in the Oval Office for the first time. What will be on the note in the drawer left by Dubbya?

Here at Delvv, always hoping to spur your creative streak, we ask you to share your best guess in the comments.

A very scientific representation of the factors influencing President Elect Obama as his inauguration draws closer.

Expectations
Change
Racist grandpas rolling over in their graves
Political pundits saying racism is over in America
Racism in America
The audacity of hope

Thanks to collegehumor.com for the picture.

Apparently, this is even true.

Stumbled upon this poem in reference to festivus, the term Baltimoreans affectionately use to refer to playoff season in the Charm City, and just had to share.
And on that note:
IT'S RAVENS TIME!!!!!!!

Twas the night before Festivus, when all through Charm City
Ravens fans were stirring and even felt giddy.
The jerseys were hung by the chimney with flare,
In hopes that Joe Flacco soon would be there.

The fans were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of the playoffs danced in their heads.
And when we awoke and January 10 was the date,
We just settled down for a winter's tailgate,

When out in the end zone there arose such a clatter,
The opponent looked over to see what was the matter.
In a huddle of players that looked like a flash,
The Ravens looked ready for a hard-hitting clash.

The season had boiled down to one single game
as the players were looking for more than just fame,
And what to my wondering eyes looked intense,
For it was Ray Lewis...and the Baltimore defense.

A terrifying unit, so lively and quick,
They'll hit you, they'll haunt you, or even grab the pick.
More rapid than wolves these hunters they came,
And Ray whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"T-Sizzle! now, JJ! now, Bannan, Haloti!
On, Trevor! on Leonhard! on, Reed and Samari!
To the top of the mountain! to the top of the hill!
Knock them out! Get the ball! Now in for the kill!"

And then, the offense, led by a menacing line,
Came onto the field and was ready to fly.
A three-headed monster was at running back,
led by McClain, a big rumbling mack.

And Mason the veteran, with his shoulder so sore,
Kept reining in passes, one, two, three, more!
And finally, a sight so perfect, so new;
a quarterback to be proud of, a little like Johnny U.

Joe Flacco was ready to take the city by storm,
his cannon for an arm much better than norm,
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And led them downfield, the fans going berserk.

The Ravens were ready to give such a gift
to the fans of Baltimore who needed the lift.
Coach Harbaugh exclaimed, while his team looked so sleek,
"Happy Festivus to all, and we'll see you next week."

(Thanks to BaltimoreSun.com blogger "Purple Sunday" for the poem!)

Well, it's now over 2 months after the election, and we all thought the "Palin Power" frenzy would fizzle and we would have a break from the snow prince ss, until it was time to start campaigning for the 2012 presidency. No such luck. Apparently, she will be featured in an upcoming documentary entitled "Media Malpractice." The Washington Post's political blog has quite a comment on this in the article "Crazy, or Crazy Like A Fox?", my favorite being the observation that "She lives in alternate reality. It's very funny, yet very scary." In the 9-minute interview/conversation with the documentarian that is posted on the Washington Post blog, funny and scary are the words that came to my mind, as well.

Porsche recently used the markets in a somewhat unconventional and thoroughly self-beneficial way. Through slowly buying up VW stock and using short sellers' logic against them, they managed to make billions.

Nothing groundbreaking here, just a review of 5 fast facts (with explanation) you may or may not have known about your penis. Among them, you can break your penis (and how to prevent it), and some penises can grow up to double their length when erect. I was going to post a picture, but that doesn't seem like a great idea.

The American adult entertainment industry is looking for a bail out. They are feeling left out and think 5 billion USD would be nice. The movement is being spearheaded by Hustler publisher Larry Flynt and Girls Gone Wild CEO Joe Francis. The two acknowledge that the industry is in no real danger in spite of lagging DVD sales, but they posit that it's still an important issue that needs to be addressed.

"With all this economic misery and people losing all that money, sex is the farthest thing from their mind. It's time for congress to rejuvenate the sexual appetite of America. The only way they can do this is by supporting the adult industry and doing it quickly."

Pirates have been the victim of propaganda campaigns for centuries and the war on pirates of 2009 is no exception. Johann Hari of the London Independent tells how many of the Somalian pirates are really just trying to stop the rest of the world from illegally overfishing in Somali waters and dumping toxic (sometimes radioactive waste) off the thousands of kilometers of Somalian coast.

Muhammad Saad Iqbal spent six years in the detention facility at Guantánamo Bay before finally being released without charge. During those six years, he was interrogated, beaten, and tortured. Finally free, he tells his story as he pursues legal recourse against the United States government and seeks compensation for the more than half decade of his life that he will never get back.

My first and only response to this article was "oh no she di-int!!"
Ann Coulter has taken some time in her latest book to bash Michelle Obama's style, citing her as a cheap imitator of Jackie O's style which would have been "laughable if done by anyone other than a media-designated saint."

It's no secret that our future first lady has been compared to one Jackie O, but what Ms Coulter doesn't seem to understand is that this comparison-while strengthened by sleeveless A-line dresses, strings of short pearls and impeccable choice in eyewear- has its roots in a level of class and poise that Ms Coulter does not seem to be familiar with, seeing as her sense of style is better suited to be compared to a 17-year old showing off her too-skinny legs in a micro-mini skirt with intentions of sleeping her way to student body president than a timeless icon of class of style such as Jackie O.

A tour of one of Pennsylvania's most beautiful homes.

New York is proposing an 18% tax on sugary drinks and non-diet soda to combat the trends of increasing obesity among children and adults as well as the shift from drinking milk, water, and fruit juices towards sugary drinks like soda. According to recent polls, the public opposes the tax, but State Health Commissioner Richard Daines has created a video to talk about the shift and explain why he supports the tax.

Is this just another way the government is becoming a nanny state and trampling on personal freedoms or is it important legislation that addresses a public health issue that costs billions every year?

How does this compare with the Pennsylvania public smoking ban?

Discuss.

An insightful look into the current status of the American economy and the American Dream. Matt Miller assesses the situation and what that might mean in the short-term and long-term for the USA and challenges the way we look at the roles and responsibilities of the individual and the government. He cites three problems with the way we think and how we can change.

"The U.S. now offers its citizens a smaller chance of rising from their economic status at birth than do France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Canada, and Germany."

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Shamelessly taken from Gunn'y

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