CDC confirms first U.S. case of MERS virus in Indiana man who traveled to Saudi Arabia

Male health-care worker traveled from Saudi capital to London, Chicago, then Indiana.

MERS is here.

The camel didn’t come.. but it is probably where this Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome came from.

From Saudi Arabia, with a problem..

Health officials are closely watching this story, obviously.. The man who has MERS —the first case in the US of A— is in isolation receiving oxygen in a hospital.

The hospital is in Munster, Indiana.

Munster.. Couldn’t think of a better town to house the first US patient with this troubling disease..

CDC confirms first U.S. case of MERS virus in Indiana man who traveled to Saudi Arabia

Unfit for Human Consumption: How nearly 9 million pounds of bad meat escaped into the food supply

To say the CNN report is troubling is an understatement..
Here’s the basic information as reported:

CNN exclusive: A meat processing plant in California was buying diseased dairy cows and processing them when government inspectors weren’t there, federal officials tell CNN.

After the cows were killed, employees at Rancho Feeding Corp., based in Petaluma, California, would hide the warning signs of cancer by trimming off diseased parts, using a fake stamp of approval or even replacing the heads of sick cows with ones from healthy animals, the officials say

In case that didn’t settle in, they’d REPLACE THE HEADS OF SICK COWS WITH HEALTHY ONES… read that?

And things like this don’t help either: We also learn that one of the government inspectors – someone responsible for protecting consumers from bad meat – was having a romantic relationship with a plant foreman..
Unfit for Human Consumption: How nearly 9 million pounds of bad meat escaped into the food supply

Twitter Blows Up With Racist Reactions After P.K. Subban Scores Game Winner In 2nd OT

Boston Bruins fans blew up Twitter Thursday night following the team’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

Boston ‘strong’ right?
Shame..
Shame..
And we know your screen name.

Twitter Blows Up With Racist Reactions After P.K. Subban Scores Game Winner In 2nd OT

Chaos grips Odessa, Ukraine’s third-largest city

The spiraling crisis in Ukraine spread to the Black Sea city of Odessa

Things are getting real..

Chaos grips Odessa, Ukraine’s third-largest city

Chilling: Inside a Demon House

PITTSBURGH— It’s called “The Demon of Brownsville Road,” and a Pittsburgh family claims this creature terrorized them for years, until exorcists forced it to leave. 

We already talked about this story on this website previously..

I am skeptical by nature—it’s a must when dealing with anything of paranormal lure. But regardless of the truth of the Cranmer family claims, I find it pretty amazing that so much ‘demon’ talk has made it in mainstream news lately. 

It was not long ago that we heard about Latoya Ammons and the story of her demon possessed children.

As for Cranmer, he made the rounds on various radio programs like DARKNESS RADIO and COAST TO COAST AM.. 

This new story presented by FOX 8 goes in depth with Adam Blai, who has a Master’s of Science Degree in Clinical Psychology and is a former skeptic turned expert demonologist and advisor to the Roman Catholic Church; performing and training priests in exorcism. You don’t see that sort of description every day.

The money quote that stood out to me was an answer from Blai on an increased amount of interest by people in demonology:

There must be some calling. But the great danger in that, is that anything that leads to pride, like, ‘oh I’m special,’ or ‘oh look I helped cast out this demon,’ or ‘met this thing from the Old Testament,’ or ‘met Judas Iscariot or Satan,’ or whatever and you can get puffed up by that, and think that’s exciting, but the moment you allow yourself to go there, the next case you’re going to get smacked back down really hard. One thing they’re really good at is providing corrective experiences

As for the house itself: It has six fireplaces. And a supposedly haunted past.

Believe it?

Cranmer’s book is for sale on AMAZON and other places now..

Chilling: Inside a Demon House

Airman dies saving his 5-year-old daughter's life

Master Sgt. Dan ‘Bud’ Wassom II’s last action in this life was using his body to shield his 5-year-old daughter Lorelai as a tornado demolished his house on Sunday, said his mother, Pamela Wassom.

Stories like this always get me emotional.
This man was a Master Sgt. but the true bravery he showcased in life was not in the air or in battle, it was against a weather system  that had no sympathy for human life.

His daughter is alive because of his actions.. He is not.

The money quote:

“Lorelai kept telling the emergency room people, she said, ‘My daddy saved me; the house exploded and my daddy saved me; he’s a hero,’” Pamela said. “And he is. He’s a true hero.”

Maybe this Friday night, take a second to appreciate your own life just more.. 

And pray or hope there’s a better place after this planet takes us—if so Dan Wassom is in it.

Airman dies saving his 5-year-old daughter's life

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrNluXrrHKY?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=http://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque&w=500&h=374]

Chances are you already saw this video, but if not take a look—or a second in the case it’s a rerun.. It is from that street in Baltimore that fell victim to a landslide after the monster rain this past week. The last 15 seconds of the video is the most notable—and obviously life threatening .. thankfully no one was on the cliff of the street as it collapsed..

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

Welcome to Mars.
From Earth.

This image is what NASA imagines human will look like on Mars. The shiny space suit appears to be more from a TWILIGHT ZONE episode than a cutting edge future.. NASA is calling it the Z-2 Spacesuit. It’s only a prototype. So maybe there is still time for more color to be added to the drabby appearance that human beings would have on the red planet..

The new gray outfit comes after a 2012 release of a BUZZ LIGHTYEAR type prototype. 

The new improved design is vacant flags but has a fortress of protection for the astronauts who will wear the attire.

Maybe now NASA could work on getting some additional funding to actually get us to Mars. OR we can just rely on the private industry. And if we do, perhaps Versace can come up with the wardrobe.

MARS. By Calvin Klein.

Study finds eating chicken on the bone makes children more aggressive

A new Cornell University study has found that children who eat chicken on the bone are more likely to disobey adults and be aggressive towards other kids.

No comment.

Except they never met my son. He had yet to meet a pop tart he doesn’t like. He has yet to eat meat. On or off the bone.

The only question I am left with: Who thought about this as a study? Did some scientist realize his kid was eating lots of wings and cussing him out? 

Study finds eating chicken on the bone makes children more aggressive

Kiss and ghoul.
When the hauntin’s a rockin’, don’t come a knockin’

A whole new meaning to ‘boning’ perhaps?

Natasha Blasick is making some paranormal headlines—and raising suspicious eyebrows—after she made the claim that she had sex with a ghost. Not once, though—twice.

The star, who appeared in the horror movie PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2, told the British show THE MORNING that she had her first encounter when she was alone in her room.. MORE:

"I couldn’t see anybody, and suddenly I could feel that somebody was touching me. The hands were pushing me against my will, and I could feel the weight of a body on top of me."

Despite her initial discomfort, Blasick said she decided to “relax” and the experience became “really, really pleasureable”.

It’s good to see things worked out for them.

She went no to say:

"It was fun. I think ever since I was a child I always wanted to know if there is anything more to this world, I was always asking the questions, and I think this made me feel kind of reassured that there is something more than what we can see with the naked eye," she continues. "It gave me comfort and support and love, and it did answer questions for me that there is something else out there."

Blasick is not the first to claim an encounter with a spirit from beyond.. There are stories circling in the paranormal world of people claiming to have such relationships with the dead. It’s noted though the paranormal ‘mainstream’—if there is such a thing—gives little credence to the stories of sexual lust from ghosts..

As for Blasick: There is video of the interview--but to our knowledge no ‘sex tape’ exists capturing the event ..

High Doses of Antidepressants Linked To Self-Harm In Children, Young Adults

High doses of antidepressants — selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac or Zoloft — may raise the risk of suicidal behavior in children and young adults, according to a recent study CBS News reported.

The kids aren’t alright..

But the logic of this story was already in our brains. We are a highly medicated society—adults and children. Not a moment on TV goes by that there’s not an advertisement for adult over the counter drugs to help moods or improve sex lives. Often those ads show an elderly couple in a bathtub together—all the while quickly talking voices are telling how men can have heart attacks. So try it today.

I actually would not be surprised if morning cartoon shows will soon feature ads for antidepressants.. 

The money quote:

For the study, researchers analyzed data  from 162,625 people - between the ages of 10 and 64 years - with depression who started antidepressant treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor at modal (the most prescribed doses on average) or at higher than modal doses from 1998 through 2010.

In all seriousness, how many times does it come out that active shooters are hooked on medicine?

Perhaps there’s no 100% rule on the matter, but it sure is interesting that the kids who smoke pot or go to parties in the woods to drink beer seemingly aren’t the villains of these heinous acts.  Instead, it seems to always be the ones who are seeing doctors, legit doctors, who are prescribing drugs that a child would never be able to spell, let alone pronounce, during a spelling bee.

1 in 25 kids in the United States (that’s 2011 numbers, too) are on some form of mood changing drug. Many of them are under the age of 12—and many more are under the age of 5.

Are antidepressants always bad? No.
Are they overused?

The numbers tell the story more than any opinionated author on a website.

High Doses of Antidepressants Linked To Self-Harm In Children, Young Adults

Magma rising in Washington state's Mount St. Helens volcano: USGS

Magma rising in Washington state's Mount St. Helens volcano: USGS

A handwritten note found in Kurt Cobain’s wallet by police isn’t very kind to Courtney Love.. 

Though Cobain has been dead for 20 years, we are just hearing about this..

Cobain calls Love his ‘lawful shredded wife’ and says she will be ‘siphoning’ off his money for drugs.. 

CBS reports this:

The release of the note by Seattle police follows a recent revelation that the police decided to review internal files regarding the rock star’s death in anticipation of media and fan attention to the 20-year-anniversary which occurred at the beginning of the month. As part of that process, the SPD released dozens of never-before-seen police photosfrom the scene where Cobain’s body was found, and then on Monday, a detective’s full report on the re-examination of the suicide file

And this:

The note, which is not dated, begins as a seemingly direct parody of standard Christian marriage vows, starting with the words, “Do you Kurt Cobain take Courtney Michelle Love to be your lawful shredded wife…” It goes on to say, “even when she’s a bitch with zits and siphoning all (your) money for doping and whoring…” 

No word on when the note was written.

CBS notes that those who feel a conspiracy of justice took place and that Cobain was murdered should check the hand writing on this newfound note. CBS reports that the note about Courtney Love is very similar to the handwriting on the suicide note.

Cobain 20 years later.. and new information still coming out.

What’s love got to do with it?

BELTANE

Today is May 1.
May day.
It coincides with international Workers Day.
It is often the comes with violent worker protests.. police in riot gear.. Tear gas.. All that stuff.

The origins though can possibly be traced back as far as pre-Christian times. 

May 1 is also “Beltane,” the pagan holiday that marks the halfway point of spring. Pagans have come a long way, as well. As a matter of fact, if you celebrated Beltane back in the good ole days, chances are you would have been sacrifices children en masse..

Beltane was named after Baal. He was a fearsome divinity of yesteryear—and he was the entity to whom children were sacrificed to in fire..

In all fairness, Beltane actually took place on April 30—almost like All May’s Eve. It was one of the most important nights not he pagan calender. 

And oddly enough, it would appear according to numbers, that the highest amount of child kidnappings take place in May. Spring. Beltane-like almost, maybe.. Perhaps Baal is still getting his sacrifices all these years later. 

To condemn those who protest and celebrate “May Day” would be as unfair as it would be to say those who celebrate Christmas and Easter are wrong. After all, they are all based on paganism.

It just so happens, though, that Beltane was the most revolting of the pagan traditions with the murder of children in high numbers. All for a god who did not exist.. 

As a result of the sordid history of murder or kids, Beltane has become an especially difficult ‘holiday’ for pagan parents to explain to their own children, as this blog post from PaganParent.com would prove..

Another pagan site, Brighter Blessings, proves that you can always find a silver lining. It says that children can celebrate Beltane by gathering blossoms.. And then, in turn, the innocent children can be “rewarded with beautiful blossoms” .. No mention of whether a reward would be a fiery sacrifice to Baal. 

May day celebrations.. fine.
But remember some history.
Remember your pagan facts.

Infant sacrifice was a tenet of the pagan day of Beltane.
Modern day May day.

So it is ..

Justin Bieber scores legal victory in assault suit by Miami photog

Justin Bieber, 20, scored a legal victory against a celebrity photographer who filed a battery lawsuit against the singer and his bodyguard.

If you believe there’s a God who loves us, then ask yourself: Why is there a Justin Bieber.

Then again, there is even Christian teaching that attempts to explain why a loving God would allow evil to desecrate his creation. 

Maybe that’s a little harsh.

Nonetheless, Justin Bieber scored a big victory. And as the UK DAILY MAIL shows us, he left the court house like Moses parting the sea. In Biebs case, he parted the throngs of fans that were there to get a glimpse..

Maybe court should have been postponed. It sounds to me like the judge had severe Bieber fever.

Justin Bieber scores legal victory in assault suit by Miami photog

Money Talks. Thumbs Walk.

Megan Fox said a lot of horrible and nasty things about Michael Bay after TRANSFORMERS 2—and most of was agreed upon by people who yet to forgive him for PEARL HARBOR. 

But now, Megan Fox must have had a ‘come to Splinter’ moment (TMNT reference there, folks) .. Fox has nothing but kindness to shower on Bay in the limelight of attention over the upcoming NINJA TURTLES re-re-re-redo.

Fox said that Bay was like ‘Hitler’ on the set of TRANSFORMERS. 
No word on whether he was like Shredder this time (another TMNT reference, folks) ..

On April 10, this is what Megan Fox told ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY about her former adversary:

He was one of the most lovely people that I dealt with in making this movie. I’ve always loved Michael. We’ve had our battles in the past but even when I’ve been really outspoken about difficulties we’ve had, I’ve always followed up by saying that I have a particular affinity to him. He can be very vulnerable, and he’s very likable and lovable. I’ve always been very vocal about that as well. But, sometimes we clash because we both have very willful, powerful personalities.

The clash of the Titans.
Bay vs Fox.
Thumbs vs gums.

I still have high doubts about the new TURTLES film—I was not impressed at all with the trailer and actually thrown off a bit by the weird appearance the sewer dwelling heroes had. Also: The overabundance of Megan Fox in the trailer caused me fear. 

Her acting quality aside, the movie trailer at least appeared to focus more on her than anything else.  I assume the use of her image was done to stoke up the teenage boy crowd.. 

But even if TMNT flops and Bay vs Fox part 2 occurs, at least she will still be allowed into Disney World..

 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57gQl9UMERo?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=http://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque&w=500&h=281]

Clyde Lewis posted this UFO video on his Facebook page with this message,

This was sent to me by a very credible Journalist and colleague of mine that says that he believes that this is the best UFO footage he has seen in a long time. I would have to agree.

I agree, too. It is a compelling video.

But remember what a UFO means: Not an alien, but something unidentified.

With the amount of drones and weapons of war created over the past 20 years,I almost discount most ‘sightings’ anymore as being something from intergalactic space. Instead I have come to believe there are very human and mortal explanations for what we see in the skies—at least 99% of it. It’s the 1% that causes me concern.. The 1% are UFOs that actually may be those beings from another planet—or maybe even more so beings from another timeline.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

Mayor Rob Ford takes break from campaign to seek help for alcohol abuse

Embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford said he is taking a break from his re-election campaign to seek help for alcohol abuse — hours after a local newspaper reported on a new video that allegedly shows him smoking crack cocaine.

The guy just cannot help himself..

It’s going to be sad without jokes at his expense, but how much can society and the media kick an already downed horse? This guy appears to be one sniff away from a massive heart attack. His entire presence is more in line with Chris Farley in the final days than a respected mayor.

I keep going back to the sweaty and weird appearance Ford made on the Jimmy Kimmel show. I often wonder if Ford thought his actions were being celebrated or if he knew the joke was on him? 

While people have mocked and paraded his image around for jest, he’s the only one not in on the joke. He became the joke.

And now his crack and booze addiction must have gotten so bad that he will break from the campaign..

Will he return? 
Something tells me “YES!”

Mayor Rob Ford takes break from campaign to seek help for alcohol abuse

Texas clinic said dog had to be killed, then kept it alive for 6 months of experiments

It sounds like the plot of a horror movie, but it’s real..

A Texas vet was supposed to put a family’s pet dog to sleep. The dog’s name was Sid. He was supposed to be put out of his misery in September 2013.

But Camp Bowie Animal Clinic doctor Lou Tierce reportedly had other plans. 

Fort Worth police and officers from the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners spent hours at the facility and seized two dogs.

The owner of the dog Marian Harris, said that Sid was being “bled” for plasma and used for other experimental treatments.

For six months..

Unbelievable and disgusting..

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/04/29/5776574/fort-worth-vet-accused-of-keeping.html?rh=1#storylink=cp 

Texas clinic said dog had to be killed, then kept it alive for 6 months of experiments

Scientific American: Charles Darwin and the search of early (Extraterrestrial) Life

This is a fascinating story running about Darwin and his quest to understand what else is beyond the ‘origins’ of species on the planet earth..

Good read.

Scientific American: Charles Darwin and the search of early (Extraterrestrial) Life

Eyewitness account: A minute-by-minute look at what happened during Clayton Lockett’s execution

Tulsa World Enterprise Editor Ziva Branstetter was one of 12 media witnesses to attend a botched execution Tuesday at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. 

And she wrote the gory details of the execution that went awry..

A few notable points. At 5:40 pm, she reported she heard other inmates banging loudly on  their prison cells in a sign of respect for the soon to be state killed.. At 6:28 pm fifty milligrams of midazolam were placed into Lockett’s arms. 6:31 pm: Suffering begins.. 6:36, he mumbles something .. 6:37 is when he begin to buckle and writhe in pain. 6:38, says the word “man” followed by other unintelligible statements. 6:40: Someone notices Lockett is not dying in the fashion he should. 6:50 pm, the execution is ‘stopped.’ 

Branstetter goes on to write:

Patton leaves for about 10 more minutes and reporters at the end of our row begin interviewing Sanderford and defense attorney David Autry, both clearly upset by the turn of events. “They will save him so they can kill him another day,” Autry says.

We are told to leave the viewing chamber and are escorted back to a waiting white prison van. We have to tear the notes out of the spiral notebook and leave it plus the pen behind.  Another van is on the way so I stay behind with reporters from the Associated Press, The Oklahoman, OETA and The Guardian to compare notes. After every execution, it’s important that reporters compare last words and other observations to make sure they have the most accurate version of events possible.  

7:06 p.m. Lockett is pronounced dead in the execution chamber from a heart attack. The news of his death is provided to reporters by Patton during a brief statement at the media center on the prison grounds.  He explains to reporters that prison officials do not know how much of the second and third drugs entered Lockett’s body.

Finally, the word comes: “His vein exploded.”

There are some that point to the botched execution as a reason we should bring back some more barbaric ways of death, such as the guillotine.  But should we? Is it painless as some profess? Quick? A good means to an end? As a reader to Andrew Sullivan wrote in a November 2013 blog post, explaining what a biography of Catherine the Great said, 

[W]as death by guillotine so instantaneous as to be truly painless?  Some believe not.  They argue that because the blade, cutting rapidly through the neck and spinal column, had relatively little impact on the head encasing the brain, there may not have been immediate unconsciousness… Witnesses to guillotining have described blinking eyelids and movements of the eyes, lips, and mouth.  As recently as 1956, anatomists experimenting with the severed heads of guillotined prisoners explained this by saying that what appeared to be a head responding to the sound of its name or to the pain of a pin-prick on the cheek might only have been a random muscle twitch or an automatic reflex action.

The guillotine indeed.

Eyewitness account: A minute-by-minute look at what happened during Clayton Lockett’s execution

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTWQUy76paA?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=http://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque&w=500&h=281]

WTVA TV in Tupelo evacuates due to approaching tornado

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

Supreme Court: Pennsylvania cops no longer need a warrant to search citizens’ vehicles

Previously, police officers could only search vehicles with driver’s consent or a signed warrant.

Supreme Court: Pennsylvania cops no longer need a warrant to search citizens’ vehicles

Child porn charges filed against ex-state Rep. Farnham

Former Illinois State Rep. Keith Farnham was charged Monday with using both personal and state-owned computers to trade hundreds of images and videos depicting child pornography and engage in graphic online chats in which he allegedly bragged about sexually molesting a 6-year-old girl.

Even worse and more damning: Documents show that Farnham—who publicly promoted legislation to protect children—had his secret online life where he said that he could not handle a child over the age of 12.. he proclaimed he was most sexually stimulated by those who were 6,7, or 8.. 

“12 is about as old as i can handle,” Farnham allegedly said in one online chat in November, according to the charges. “i love them at 6 7 8”

It is certainly not the first time someone in power abused their rank.. Also it’s not the first time that someone in power led a double life—on one hand a model citizen protecting children from predators and on another hand being a predator himself..

Also damning: Not only did he use his personal computer for the sex trade, but allegations have also been made that he used his government computer, too. He just couldn’t get enough. He traded content directly from his legislative office, it is said..

Farmhan resigned just in March 2014—he cited health.  He said in a statement, “I have been battling serious health issues for a number of years and the coming months will require my full attention.” How true that is.. Though perhaps the ‘health’ issue is not one of the physical category.  Also in March—the same time as the resignation over health issues of course—Mr. Farnhan’s office was being searched by various alphabet agencies.. Weeks later we find out how serious and perverse the charges actually are.. 

Perhaps in the weirdest twist of fate, Mr. Farnham will now be subject to the provisions of laws he helped strengthen, and he will face tougher penalties for the crimes he committed.

He should know the penalties, he co-sponsored the bills..

Child porn charges filed against ex-state Rep. Farnham

White House opens door to tolling on interstate highway systems, removing long-standing prohibition

With transportation funds running short, administration proposes making tolls an option for states.

The free and open highways..

What would IKE like!?

White House opens door to tolling on interstate highway systems, removing long-standing prohibition

"Star Wars: Episode VII" Cast Announced

The news is broken..
Opinions are being opined..
Doubts are being cast..
Stars are being cast..
And re-cast.
STAR WARS VII is being made.

Here’s the breakdown:

Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac are in.
John Boyega and Daisy Ridley are in.

These fresh faces are going to join Hans Solo and, Luke Skywalker, and all the rest..  Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Kenny Baker (R2-D2) … No word at this point on whether they are recording voiceovers by James Earl Jones for anything.. 

Christmas 2015, as long as the world stays on its current course, will see a rebirth of a new STAR WARS. 

Undoubtedly this will become one of the most secretive projects in modern film. But does a new generation want STARS WARS? Will it succeed as the original three, or becomes a blip on movie radar as some modern films were? The PHANTOM MENACE still has not been forgiven.. Will VII be welcomed with open arms?

We will see in ‘15. 
Christmas. STAR WARS.

"Star Wars: Episode VII" Cast Announced

'Life-Threatening' Flooding Submerges Pensacola, Florida, as the killer nationwide storm continues to roll

Wednesday night hell in the city as more than 2 feet in 26 hours fell..

2 feet of water in a day.. that is unbelievable and amazing — and obviously become a disaster situation.

For this city and area being hit with this massive nationwide killer storm, this water drop may have been worse than hurricanes slamming this part of Florida..

It’s the worst flooding in 30 years.
A state of emergency has been declared..

And the storm is not over yet. The threat today is for disaster and death along the East Coast, especially the I-95 Corridor.. 

'Life-Threatening' Flooding Submerges Pensacola, Florida, as the killer nationwide storm continues to roll

NYPD Arrests Nearly 100 Subway Break Dancers

The crackdown begins. The NYPD is busy busting up subway dancers.. apparently New Yorkers are having a tough time dodging ‘flailing legs’—so much so that cops have arrested 100 of the leg owners with charged them with disorderly conduct.

There are some incredible moves being busted in the underbelly of New York City though, as videos like this can attest to. Commuters don’t seem to mind seeing those flailing legs.  I am actually disappointing that on my many visits to the Big and somewhat rotting Apple I have never seen such talent on display. Instead I always seemed to get a little too close to someone with a mysterious odor or a dreaded mustache breather..

After reading about the police crackdown on free wheeling dance moves, the only thing I am left saying in my mind are quotes from the Jerky Boys when “Jack” called Nelson about his need to dance. I don’t think Jack would survive very well in a subway with banned dancing..

Nobody puts baby in the corner.

NYPD Arrests Nearly 100 Subway Break Dancers

Oklahoma stops execution after botching drug delivery; inmate dies

An Oklahoma inmate died Tuesday evening of an apparent heart attack after authorities botched the delivery of drugs and stopped his execution.

A story of when death goes bad.

Oklahoma was set to kill two inmates tonight.. Two for the price of one: But at a hefty cost. Things went south fast..

A purposeful state killing tonight of convicted murderer Clayton Lockett did not go as expected. . This is how CNN reported the developing story:

Convicted murderer Clayton Lockett was sedated and then given the second and third drugs in the protocol, Oklahoma Department of Corrections Director Robert Patton told reporters. “There was some concern at that time that the drugs were not having the effect, so the doctor observed the line and determined that the line had blown,” he said. When asked what he meant by “blown,” Patton said that Lockett’s vein had “exploded.”

"I notified the attorney general’s office, the governor’s office of my intent to stop the execution and requested a stay for 14 days for the second execution scheduled this afternoon," said Patton, referring to the execution of Charles Warner. Lockett later suffered what appeared to be a heart attack and died, the director said.

Immediately, the state’s Governor issued a stay of execution for Charles Warner.

Damage control occurred as the Governor said an investigation into how the state killing went so wrong would be conducted. 

These are certainly not ‘good guys.’ 

Lockett was convicted for a number of crimes, including home invasions and a crime spree that left someone dead. Warner raped and killed a 11-month-old .. But the notion that killing the killers is the age old moral issue which never seems to be solved. The new cocktails that are given death row inmates are controversial.. What is the ‘best’ way for the state to kill someone? 

Certainly Oklahoma’s experience tonight will be a shock heard across the nation.. And perhaps enough to bring back a debate about the death penalty to the forefront.

Ever since I read and watched the GREEN MILE I have been re-though my youthful support of the death penalty. I have come to question its sense and sensibility, and often think we applaud the killing of other humans at our own peril. Regardless of the crimes they did—and they are unspeakable crimes, for sure—it seems we should find a new way to punish. Certainly, a check on daily headlines will prove, the death penalty has done very little to do what its intended consequence was: To reduce crime.

The GREEN MILE movie presented perhaps one of the most disturbingly memorable scenes I have ever seen in a film. It showcased the electric chair’s amazing ability to cause traumatic pain when used the wrong way. In reality, we have come no further. There may not be electrocutions being botched, but instead now we have cocktails gone awry..

The comments thread on the CNN story of tonight’s botched execution says it all. The majority of writers seem happy that the convicted murderer suffered and some even suggested that shooting criminals int he head would be better than the approach taken now. Seemingly forgotten in the verbal battle over the Oklahoma heart attack is this: How a nation treats its most innocent and also most guilty tells a story about that nation. How do we treat our babies? Our pride and joy? (And yes, some would argue even our fetuses..) And how do we treat our rapists, murderers, thieves, and frauds?

How should we?
Should we care that a criminal died tonight? And does it matter how it happened?

Oklahoma stops execution after botching drug delivery; inmate dies

City doesn’t know where 851 million gallons of missing water went

It’s enough to fill 1,300 Olympic-sized swimming pools. And the city has no clue where it went..

City doesn’t know where 851 million gallons of missing water went

A toddler conversation

Ayden: My tummy hurts
Daddy: Where?
Ayden: Here.
Daddy: Why?
Ayden: Because my tummy wants junk food.

CBS NEW YORK REPORTS: Birds Slam Into Windows, Leave Long Island Couple Lying Awake

It has been a full week of rude awakenings for a Long Island couple, who said their home has been under siege by a group of birds slamming into their windows over and over again.

The CBS affiliate in New York reports this:

The loud thumps have been waking them up morning after morning.

“Boom, boom, boom – that’s what it sounds like,” said Peter Kersich.

“It’s a pretty good hit on the window,” said Lisa Kersich.

The thumping started around 6 a.m. one morning and continued throughout the day. The couple sat by their window until they caught the culprits in the act.

It turned out it was a small group of robins flying headfirst into their windows.

“Just right into the window, full steam ahead,” Lisa Kersich said.

“We don’t know how he’s not getting hurt,” Peter Kersich said.

Call my spooky, but old wives tales still exist in my mind’s eye..And if you’re anything like me, you too know of the paranormal tales of birds trying to get into houses as harbingers of doom or death..

This same thing has occurred even in my family.. I heard some tales over deceased grandparents who ended up with dead birds in their kitchens immediately after they died—birds that crashed through windows or found some other means to their end.

The story from the CBS station is New York is probably explainable.. Most likely. Maybe. Kind of.

But creepy nonetheless..

Birds attempting to fly in.. head first.

CBS NEW YORK REPORTS: Birds Slam Into Windows, Leave Long Island Couple Lying Awake

101 Things You Cared About 10 Years Ago (But Don't At All Today)

There are times when thinking back to 2004 seems like just ‘yesterday’.. most likely because I am constantly freaked by how fast time goes.

But when you see the list of what pop culture said mattered in 2004, it feels like a generation ago.

By 2018 we will be so 2000 and late..

And my God, I did have a Cingular phone. Flipped.. 

101 Things You Cared About 10 Years Ago (But Don't At All Today)

GOTHAMIST asks: Who Is Tom Wheeler And Why Is He Killing The Internet?

The FCC chairman was once a lobbyist for the cable and wireless industry.

Get ready to hear a lot about net neutrality and Tom Wheeler, whether you want to or not.

But it’s important you do.

You could be paying more for services online.. for TV.. for streaming .. 

The GOTHAMIST reports a money quote here:

Does it seems fishy that Obama picked someone who pushed industry deregulation to head the federal agency that regulates said industry? It does, doesn’t it. When he was nominated, an insider told Reuters that, “All of the senators in the Commerce Committee know Tom as a lobbyist who funnels funds to them, not as a stand-up guy from a regulatory agency who is able to take heat.” But it’s probably worth pointing out that Wheeler managed to drum up about $700,000 in campaign contributions to both of Obama’s presidential runs.

Understand net neutrality as if your own free speech depends on it. 

It may.

GOTHAMIST asks: Who Is Tom Wheeler And Why Is He Killing The Internet?

This summer will be miserable, Farmer’s Almanac says

HOT.
HUMID.
STORMY.
SANDY-LIKE STORM IN SEPTEMBER.

By August people will be looking forward to another winter that will never end.

This summer will be miserable, Farmer’s Almanac says

Hacker hijacks baby monitor

This is a true story about modern technology turning very scary..

A Cincinnati Ohio family is learning firsthand how easy it can be to be hacked in our modern age.. FOX 19 reports this:

Heather Schreck was asleep around midnight in her Hebron home when a voice startled her.

"All of a sudden, I heard what sounded like a man’s voice but I was asleep so I wasn’t sure," Heather said.

Disoriented and confused, Heather picked up her cell phone to check the camera in her 10-month-old daughter Emma’s room. The camera was moving, but she wasn’t moving it.

"About the time I saw it moving, I also heard a voice again start screaming at my daughter. He was screaming, ‘Wake up baby. Wake up baby.’ Then just screaming at her trying to wake her up."

That’s when Heather’s husband, Adam, ran into Emma’s room. Adam said the camera then turned from his petrified daughter to point directly at him.

"Then it screamed at me," Adam said. "Some bad things, some obscenities. So I unplugged the camera."

But the Schrecks were only beginning to plug into the truth of what had just happened.

"Someone had hacked in from outside," Heather said.

A baby is the most prized and valued possession of a family. It’s urgently important for parents to constantly keep their children safe, sound, and protected.. The fact that someone can easily hack into a baby monitor and do something of this nature is in itself a very scary thing for a parent.

In some weird way, when I read this, it reminded me of that old story ‘the babysitter.’  A man was harrassing a babysitter by calling over and over again—the punchline came when the operator said “the call is coming from a telephone upstairs!”..  but involved 20th century technology. This new modern ‘hacking’ and thwacking than can occur may be even more frightening. At least in old tales of horror, we knew where the culprit was. In this age, we don’t. He can watch your child, or you, from your computer camera. Or in this case, a baby monitor.

A sense of security is important. When something happens to ruin it—as it did to Heather and Adam Schreck—your life can turn upside down. And you’ll realize how scary this world can be..

 

Hacker hijacks baby monitor

If anyone has a spare ark for sale, there’s a few million people along the East Coast that may want to buy it over the next three days.

These rainfall amounts are impressive and scary.. 6 inches in New York City?

My God.. it will be like a scene from the DAY AFTER TOMORROW if this happens!?

From North Korea. Not with love.

North Korea is in the grips of a crystal meth epidemic. And now 99% pure crystal meth from North Korea is flooding United States drugs markets.. According to DAILY MAIL’s report on the North Korean nightmare, the drug is so common there that people are offered it as much as coffee or tea would be to guests in other countries. And in America? Meth has been found in lots of small hometowns across the fruited plain. Now 99% purity is on the way–thanks to corruption and drug gangs in North Korea.

Great.. this is the last thing the already meth-addicted coal region of Pennsylvania needs. The pure stuff..

Cold water challenge worries

Social media has lit up with the ‘cold water challenge’ ..You jump into cold water and before doing so name three other people who should too. In some sense, it’s for charity–it’s up to you to jump in to avoid paying a charitable donation.  

But accidents happen. A man from West Michigan is in the hospital .. he dove into a lake and could not come back up, now ending up paralyzed after he wanted to take part in the Internet fad.. Another cautionary tale for our internet generation.. Food for thought, perhaps, as this fad continues to compel people across the net world to jump into questionable water..

A friend of mine made a comic inspired by me, Bryan.

He obviously gets me perfect..

An urban legend becomes reality..
For years, gamers have told of a story from 1983..A market crash was so bad that Atari buried thousands of ET THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL in a New Mexico landfill. Construction workers found the stash.. as XBOX WIRE reports, it is not in the category of urban legend anymore.

The big unearthing even forced SNOPES to change its page on this ‘legend,’ of course with SNOPES standing by its label of ‘legend’ since it was not millions dug up. 

The Escapist has more photos.

TAKE THAT SNOPES.
Sometimes legends are true..

Saint Nestle and the doves that died: Some thoughts on the big day in Rome

Saint Nestle and the doves that died: Some thoughts on the big day in Rome

Stabbing suspect said, 'I have more people to kill,' complaint says

Stabbing suspect said, 'I have more people to kill,' complaint says

Sun Unleashes Major Solar Flare

The sun erupted with a massive solar flare late Thursday (April 24), triggering a temporary communications blackout on some parts of Earth. See video of the X1.3 solar flare here.

It was a big flare—and for the most part extremely unreported.

Though a lack of information was given to the citizens of the planet earth, they were actually affected, at least in parts, such as with blackouts in the Pacific Ocean region and the Pacific Rim.. 

There are some who believe solar flares affect how people act, too.Though it’s difficult to tell if the sudden burst of solar energy towards the planet earth actually intensifies earthlings’ already bizarre behavior, since humans already act that way anyway.

Some also believe an increase in heart ailments can occur and other types of bodily conditions.

Those are not always based in scientific fact.

What is science fact is that a big solar flare can happen and knock communication and power out for a long time. Something that no one on this planet seems concerned about. Except Newt Gingrich—a man scientists don’t consider themselves sharing a bed with.

But disaster preparedness sure can make strange bedfellows.

Sun Unleashes Major Solar Flare

U.S. Reporters Grill Obama in Asia: Did You Like Your Green-Tea Ice Cream?

Journalism.

I would actually have asked him why he didn’t finish his sushi—something else American reporters have been focusing on.

The world is lucky to have a press core from other nations—if they relied on American ones the news would be filled with 100% political gossip and fear mongering..  The great free press is lax in its responsibilities.. Hardcore questions are over.. People are more worried about sharing a cocktail at some lame D.C. bar to get more access.. They are more concerned about their big wig bosses at the network, who most likely are talking a merger with some other giant corporate conglomerate. And they are too worried about internet bloggers who they see as nothing more than reptile bile, only fitting for mocking instead of propping up.

But when they get their big chance to swing a hard question, they prod the President about his affinity for green tea ice cream..

Name your dead journalist. He or she rolls in a grave somewhere deep in the American heartland..

U.S. Reporters Grill Obama in Asia: Did You Like Your Green-Tea Ice Cream?

US Sees Activity at North Korea Nuke Site During Obama Visit

US Sees Activity at North Korea Nuke Site During Obama Visit

The timing of events so often gives me pause.. Do things happen for a reason? IS there a message in tragedy? A news event did not make too many headlines but I have been thinking deeply about whether there is any potential meaning behind it: Just days before Pope John Paul II is to be declared a saint in front of millions in Rome, a crucifix dedicated to him collapsed and killed a 21-year-old man named Marco Gusmini.

The man was killed instantly .. he was visiting the vilage of Cevo with other younger friends.

There is also some irony: Gusmini lived on a street in Bergamo named John XXII..

Next time you’re watching the beautiful cheerleaders at Buffalo Bills games, think about this little factoid: The “Buffalo Jills” as they are called received an instructional manual from their managers telling them how to eat soup and when to change their tampons..

They say: “The Jill Cheerleaders Code Of Conduct instructs the women on how to keep certain ‘intimate areas’ fresh, offering advice such as ‘When menstruating, use a product that (sic) right for your menstrual flow.’: ..

They were also told to say excuse me when they burp and said “Oh my goodness” instead of Oh my God…

Oh my God…

Autism Nation: America's Chemical Brain Drain

Americans are exposed to over 83,000 industrial chemicals as part of modern civilization. Virtually all pregnant women are walking chemical repositories.

The linked article is interesting and disturbing.. Why is autism so high? Sure, we’re told that it’s because of ‘better screening.’ I am getting tired of the ‘better screening’ argument.. anyone with common sense knows that there are many more instances of severe autism hitting families across the planet.. especially America and other ‘industrialized nations’…

Counties and states killing weeds with sprays.. Food filled with chemicals.. BPA in plastics.. heavy metals, fluoride in water for babies who still don’t have their first set of teeth..

The article details toxins in food, air, and everything. Every place your child plays.. every place your baby in a womb goes.. 

The money quotes you should consider:

Americans are exposed to over 83,000 industrial chemicals as part of modern civilization. Virtually all pregnant women are walking chemical repositories. Tracking 163 chemicals, 99 percent of pregnant women tested positive for at least 43 different chemicals 

And

Other studies show that the average newborn enters the world on day one “pre-polluted,” harboring hundreds of chemicals and heavy metals acquired during intrauterine life, and many of those undoubtedly reach the brain during critical windows of embryonic development. None of those chemicals enhance the natural process of brain maturation; many of them are known to be toxic to neurons and brain tissue.

And this:

Most pesticides work by causing chemical disruption of the brain and nervous system of insects. In fact, many pesticides are merely derivations of chemical warfare agents of the World War I and World War II era, i.e. nerve gases. It should be no surprise, then, that human nerve cells could also be affected, especially when considering that at the critical embryonic stage, the human fetal brain is no larger than that of many insects. 

How ‘safe’.. 

Often I offer only bad news with no hope.

There may be hope today though, hope that wasn’t here before.

There could game changing positive breakthroughs coming.. 7 SAN DIEGO says this, 

Autistic stem cells are starting respond to experimental drugs in what San Diego researchers are calling a breakthrough in the disorder affecting one in 68 children.

UC San Diego scientists took stem cells from children with autism and reprogrammed them into brain cells.

Amazing times we live in.
But poisonous times, too..

While we work on the ‘cure’ for autism, we should also try to find the trigger. Or triggers. Or chemicals. 

The truth is out there… maybe in the air, water.. or land. But it’s there somewhere..

Autism Nation: America's Chemical Brain Drain

imwithkanye:

Influence

But did they superimpose a bump on your crotch? Or is that Sasha Fierce coming out?

Take a bow..

The President is in Japan. He had time to meet ASIMO, the Advanced Step in Motivative Mobility. 

ASIMO is a robot. When President Obama met it, he bowed.
The robot didn’t bow back..

Obama has been criticized in the past for bowing to world leaders—though he’s not the first.. Remember those photos of the Bush family exchanging hugs and kisses with Middle Eastern kings?

Nonetheless, the height of absurdity appears to be the leader of the free world with the poor middle class bowing to a machine.. 

The AP reports it this way:

The voice was slightly halting, childlike. “Welcome to Miraikan, Mr. President, it is a pleasure to meet you.”

President Barack Obama bowed, looking delighted.

His greeter, after all, was a 55-inch-tall, give or take, humanoid robot with the look of a diminutive Star Wars storm trooper.

"It’s nice to meet you, too," Obama said, pausing to watch the robot, named ASIMO, perform during a tour of the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation.

Despite Obama’s background in constitutional law, there’s a presidential geek side that always seems charmed, if not bemused, by technological advances.

Asimo, made by Honda, announced “I can really run fast” before loping toward a soccer ball and informing Obama, “I can kick a soccer ball, too.”

The already bizarre photo op got weirder, it actually almost looked like Obama’s face was wincing in pain as he realized what a strange conundrum of PR he got himself into..

ASIMO then kicked a soccer ball at Obama.. the President’s face appeared to get a bigger smile but it seemed to be coupled with a clinched jaw of uncomfortable feelings..

In the end, the AP reports:

"I have to say the robots were a little scary," he said afterward. "They were too life-like."

MH370: Radar Detected UFO Before Jet Goes Missing; Malaysian Air Force Head Reportedly Confirms Sightings

The search for the ill-fated Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 continues, but to no avail, mysteries still hover over the disappearance of the jet-passenger along with the 239 people on board. More than a month since it vanished, a new theory has emerged that would surely trigger debates about the existence of unidentified flying objects.

Note the source on this article: The INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES..

However, the article is mocking in tone. The TIMES reports on internet conspiracy theorists and bloggers online who allege UFOs had some sort of nefarious action that abducted the plane from the skies..

But logical people—the ones who wear their tin foil hats a little loose on top—don’t bring up the UFO theory as one to claim the pilot and plane’s passengers were taken to the planet Pop Tart. They bring it up to imply a theory not mentioned much on any news story: That a meteor may have struck or potentially been near Flight 370 on the fateful night it vanished from radar and our world itself.. 

Early in this story, Malaysian officials said that they were investigating an ‘unidentified flying object’ around the time the plane vanished, as seen on this UK TELEGRAPH wrap of the timeline (see the page about halfway down) .. 

Early this morning some wreckage that ended up on Australia’s coast line was thought to be from Flight 370. As expected, this was not the case. Hours ago, that wreckage was ruled to  have nothing to do with flight 370..

MH370: Radar Detected UFO Before Jet Goes Missing; Malaysian Air Force Head Reportedly Confirms Sightings

Texas robbery victim forced kill his dog with his bare hands after cop shoots it for barking

Texas robbery victim forced kill his dog with his bare hands after cop shoots it for barking

If you are a photography enthusiast, this story will amaze you. The secret behind some amazing photos of Americana..

Hello Kitty..

Avril Lavinge back with a ‘slightly offensive’ song: HELLO KITTY. I know I will get emails about it, so I will just say it first: Yes, the first thing I thought of was the Project Monarch Sex Kitten programming.. EONLINE said the video will leave you ‘sad and confused.’ Or maybe creeped out..?

Way to go Justin Bieber.. maybe now you’ll start the next World War because of your posing at the shrine where war criminals are buried.

Magazine cover featuring a breast-feeding Spider-Man dressed woman is being banned from Facebook and newstands.. HIP MAMA writes the story about its Mother’s Day cover here.. TIME magazine tested the breast waters back in 2012, but their image was tame compared to the fully nude HIP mag cover. There was even controversy in 2013 when the NEW YORK TIMES published the top half of a nipple on its font page... I think we, as citizens need to mature and realize what ‘porn’ actually is.. it’s certainly NOT a natural act of breast feeding a child,..  Why must our society continue to make innocent things perverse..?

Nike, iPods and Barbies among brands appearing on school tests

Nike, Barbie, iPod and even Mug Root Beer all appeared in a recent New York Common Core standardized English test taken by more than a million students in grades three to eight.

Pretty sickening..

Nike, iPods and Barbies among brands appearing on school tests

Camille Paglia: The Drinking Age Is Past Its Prime

The age 21 rule sets the United States apart from all advanced Western nations, and it has pushed kids toward pills and other anti-social behavior.

Go Camille!!

Camille Paglia: The Drinking Age Is Past Its Prime

Asteroids cause dozens of nuclear-scale blasts in Earth's atmosphere

Asteroids cause dozens of nuclear-scale blasts in Earth's atmosphere

No dissent allowed in the Philippines apparently.. fire hoses are now being turned on protesters in the nation as Filipinos protest President Obama’s visit to that nation.. 

NBC reports that some protesters had signs saying “OBAMA NOT WELCOME”.. Not a terrible or awful thing to put on a sign.. but fire hoses apparently are the only way to deal with those  who speak out against another nation’s dignitary.. 

Politico Writes Eulogy For Sunday Shows

I think they are dead.

I watched these religiously before I grew up and realized they were scripted and fake.

Politico Writes Eulogy For Sunday Shows

inothernews:

When the landlord met the new tenant.

The future of food production is vertical: And it may destroy Monsanto?? According to an interesting article in Motley Fool, vertical farming is springing up from Singapore to Pennsylvania and with amazing results. 

The future of farming is high in the sky and imaginative. And sorry Monsanto, but pesticides will not be needed.. Maybe we can have our bees back. Clean food coming? Hopefully not just for the rich and famous..

LILO THE SNITCH

Lilo whoa!: Lindsay Lohan now forced to explained leaked sex list in which she wrote about the 36 men she had relations with in her 27 years of life .. 

So people will mock and parade her personal life around almost as much as she does..

But before you slam to hard: She also revealed in the Betty Ford inspired list that she had a miscarriage.. 

Oh and one more thing: Justin Timberlake is on the list.. Trousersnake gets around..but few mock him for his generous sexual escapades. Women always get the stigma more than men. Unfair.

Anyone check Timberflake lately for creepy crawlers in his NSYNC?

4/21 hit:

Bring your Own Bongs: We were gonna crack eggs but they we got high.. 4/20 was Easter, but what seemed to matter more to many was that it was 4/20.. A public smoke out took place as a white cloud of pot smoke shrouded a park in Colorado.. 

Composing Only 5% of the World Population, Americans Take 50% of All Pharmaceutical Drugs

See America, you can be number one at something!

Composing Only 5% of the World Population, Americans Take 50% of All Pharmaceutical Drugs

Another year, another fireball: Russia’s skies lit up again as a massive ball of light soars.. A side note: When I watched this fireball light the sky up on the dash cam video posted from Russia, it reminded me almost exactly of what I saw over my own home base in Pennsylvania a few days back.. Something is falling. Hopefully the pink stars stay up..

And as we watch the dash cam over Russia picking up the big ball of light, read this: NASA is pretty much saying a city-destroying asteroid NOT hitting earth at this point is simply a case of blind luck.. I constantly wonder if the powers that sorta-be are always trying to prep us for the big one. The ender.. the game changer.. the burst of light through a night sky that will shake us to the core and shake our buildings to the floor…

(Source: http://www.cnn.com/)

Bryan Singer has an alibi: He was NOT in Hawaii during the sex orgies, he says..According to what TMZ knows, he has credit cards to prove he was filming X-MEN in Toronto.. 

BUT…

But this may be big coming tomorrow: Easter Eggs are going to be flowing as the Bryan Singer accuser, Michael Egan III, will apparently be filing MORE Hollywood sex lawsuits Monday.. Other Hollywood ‘insiders’ will be sued as a statute of limitations date looms Thursday.. The Hollywood sign  may be rocked by scandal..

By now the eggs are dyed and dried.. the bunnies are sleeping.. the candy wrappers are littering the floors. Easter is over, “he has risen” they say.. but risen from where and to what? Did Christ walk the earth? And if so, was he the son of man? Or a legend.. a myth.. a man?  Is Easter is another pagan treat for the retreaters? Nothing rebellious about a religious holiday that took the rhymes of the reason and turned them Christian.. It worked for the rest, why not for the best.
Horus was first, though.. Jesus just stuck around longer..

Now that your yolk is easy and your burden is light, sit back and watch the HTML as it flies through the air on the website of your choice..

WITH THAT SAID.. Millions of people flock to Rome for the canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXII .. 

An interesting sunrise today in a cemetery in Centralia PA

How appropriate for today.. A 5.4 quake has just struck EASTER ISLAND..

HAPPY EASTER 2014