tagged w/ ClipsFC
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As of ,....THIS "moment".... ( ( ( ding ) ) )
- I have only looked up 3 citizens o' c u r r e n t ,..........so far,........
janforgore : 59,750 total votes
33,311 submissions ( thats CRAZY nuts )
17, 269 rantings,....uhm, comments
(I kid , .....I kid , -The anointed prophetess of Gaia , Gaea,...Ge,....( U KNOW,...heap BIG avatar of the EARTH GODDESS )
all time winner ! ( for now. . . .)
pjacobs51 : 24,131 total votes ( he sticks with it, fer sure, fer sure )
2793 submissions
6923 comments
- - - a VERY bored man,.....but he tries his best to keep amused,...and knowledgeable,... I think the rest of us are the better for it.
- - - - ( I think they win,....but I need help with data---- lend a hand
this is a fun NEW YEAR " c u r r e n t " - thing . )
me 7535 total votes
1077 submissions - - - -( + this one )
16,269 comments GOD,....but I talk a lot, - - - not more than the "earth itself", ....mind you,.........
I need
----------- HELP ------------
( with this ) ..................add NAMES !
graphic
http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/ppart/ppart1002/ppart100200029/6416468-gold-star-in-a-gold-circle.jpgAs of ,....THIS "moment".... ( ( ( ding ) ) )
- I have only looked up... more
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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD or ADHD) is a neuron behavioral developmental disorder. It is the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder in children affecting about 3 to 5% of children globally with symptoms starting before seven years of age. It is characterized by a persistent pattern of impulsiveness and inattention, with or without a component of hyperactivity. ADHD is diagnosed twice as frequently in boys as in girls, though studies suggest this discrepancy may be due to subjective bias. ADHD is generally a chronic disorder with 30 to 50% of those individuals diagnosed in childhood continuing to have symptoms into adulthood. As they mature, adolescents and adults with ADHD are likely to develop coping mechanisms to compensate for their impairment.
Though previously regarded as a childhood diagnosis, ADHD can continue throughout adulthood. Four percent of American adults are estimated to live with ADHD.
ADHD management typically involves some combination of medications, behavior modifications, life-style changes, or counseling.
The most common symptoms of ADHD are:
* Impulsiveness: acting before thinking of consequences, jumping from one activity to another, disorganization, tendency to interrupt other peoples’ conversations.
* Hyperactivity: restlessness, often characterized by an inability to sit still, fidgeting, squirm Ines, climbing on things, restless sleep.
* Inattention: easily distracted, day-dreaming, not finishing work, difficulty listening, and motor clumsiness.
ADHD and its diagnosis and treatment have been considered controversial since the 1970s. The controversies have involved clinicians, teachers, policymakers, parents and the media, with opinions regarding ADHD that range from not believing it exists at all to believing there are genetic and physiological bases for the condition and also include disagreement about the use of stimulant medications in the treatment. Most healthcare providers accept that ADHD is a genuine disorder with debate in the scientific community mainly around how it is diagnosed and treated.
According to a study published yesterday that was funded by the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institute of Mental Health Children taking stimulant drugs such as Ritalin to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are several times as likely to suffer sudden, unexplained death as children who are not taking such drugs. The study’s lead author, Madelyn Gould, a professor in child psychiatry and epidemiology at Columbia University, said she agreed with the FDA’s advice.
Read rest of the story at linkAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD or ADHD) is a neuron behavioral... more
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When an 18-year-old with severe cognitive disabilities performed sex acts on a 6-year-old neighbor, the modest town of Paris, Texas, was unforgiving. But Aaron Hart’s punishment, 100 years in jail for a single incident, has stunned veteran disability rights advocates, who believed counseling, probation or even placement in a group home would have sufficed for a first-time offender with the intellectual maturity of a First-grader.
The municipality of Paris (Population 26,000) is located in Lamar County, Texas. The Country motto: “Where the past meets Progress” The County District Attorney is Gary Young. The judge in this case; Eric Clifford , Lamar County 6th District Court Judge has quickly crawled under a stone and took his information of the Counties Web page: 119 N. Main,Paris, Texas 75460 Phone deleted, Fax deleted, E-Mail deleted. All other County judges and officials have their details listed on the web site.
The sentence raises important questions about how people with severe disabilities are prosecuted in Texas, at a time when both state lawmakers and the U.S. Supreme Court are considering the proper punishment for persons who are young, mentally disabled, or both. Repeat child molesters and rapists routinely receive lesser sentences than Hart’s.
The day following the press announcement about the Aaron Hart’s sentence, Texas Governor signed legislation aimed at improving safety and management of the state’s institutions for the mentally disabled. The system has been stung by allegations of extensive abuse, including fights between residents staged by workers. Dozens of residents have died under suspicious circumstances and hundreds of employees have been disciplined for mistreating residents. A 2008 review by the federal Department of Justice reported that residents’ civil rights were being violated.
“Those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Perry said.
Governor Perry obviously has not heard about the trial of Aaron Hart. Calls to his office by various news organizations have not been returned.
Aaron Hart, who has an IQ of 47 (which equates to age 6-7), was found to be mentally retarded as a child and placed in a special school curriculum. He never learned to read or write. His speech is unsteady. His disabilities made him a victim of bullies who stole his bikes and his shoes, his father said. After graduation, Hart, who does not have the capacity to work, was a regular presence in the neighborhood. He made friends with some younger boys, playing video games and doing household chores to earn money. On the eve of his arrest, he was excited about a fair coming to town and asked a neighbor if he could mow her lawn to get a few dollars. She found him in the back shed fondling her 6-year-old stepson. When the policemen arrived, they read Hart his rights, and he confessed to what he had done. As they transported him to jail, he asked repeatedly whether he would get paid for mowing the lawn.
-- Story continues, please click link.When an 18-year-old with severe cognitive disabilities performed sex acts on a... more
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“The love of man and woman “tends to rise ‘in ecstasy’ towards the Divine, to lead us beyond ourselves; yet for this very reason it calls for a path of ascent, renunciation, purification and healing.”
—- Benedict XVI (God is Love, n. 5)
How often do you hear conservative Catholic theologians discuss the moral propriety of anal sex. Christopher West a research partner at the Theology of the Body Institute has caused some controversy as of late. West claims that Pope John Paul II devoted the first main teaching of his pontificate to what he called the Theology of the Body. This teaching is being hailed as a “new sexual revolution,” because it calls everyone to an authentic understanding and living out of what it means to be created male and female in the image and representation of God.
West’s appeal to human sexuality is, unique. In seminars, he encouraged attendants to look at their naked bodies in the mirror every day to manage their perception of shame. And in the premier edition of his book, Good News About Sex and Marriage, he states there is nothing “inherently” wrong with anal or oral sex as long as it is foreplay leading to traditional intercourse.
The present controversy started when ABC’s ‘Nightline’ ran a story about him and his work.
West explains on his web site: The link between John Paul II and Hugh Hefner, Christopher often points out the interesting historical “coincidence” of the work of these two profoundly influential men. In the early 1950s, as Hefner was founding Playboy magazine, Karol Wojtyla began to speak and write about the necessity for Christians to experience a redemption of their bodies and sexuality. In their individual work, both Hefner and John Paul II responded to a puritanical/Manichean approach to sexuality, but they offered completely contrasting solutions to the problem.
West’s teachings will no doubt create more controversy. His Web site sells Books and DVDs, has free audio presentations, pod casts, and directions on how to schedule a speaking engagement. He has sold more than 400,000 books and 600,000 DVDs.
~ Who said sex does not sell.“The love of man and woman “tends to rise ‘in ecstasy’ towards... more
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CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says that Craigslist is getting rid of its "erotic services" ads and will create a new adult category that Web site employees will review.
Madigan's office said Wednesday that such existing ads on Craigslist will expire in seven days.
Madigan and the attorneys general for Connecticut and Missouri met with Craigslist officials last week seeking an end to ads they contend are advertisements for illegal sexual activities.
An e-mail sent to Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster was not immediately returned Wednesday morning.
Craigslist came under renewed pressure to remove the ads after a medical student in Boston was charged with the April killing of a masseuse he met on the site.
10:48 A E ClipsfcwireCHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says that Craigslist is... more
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LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The worldwide hit video game "Guitar Hero" could become a reality TV show and/or a real-life concert tour, people familiar with the discussions said Thursday.
"Hero" is from Activision Blizzard, a leading video game publisher that aims to turn some of its games into TV and film properties.
Activision's cross-platform interests don't end at "Hero"; discussions are under way to turn the "World of Warcraft" and "Call of Duty" video games into movies.
"They are being talked about for the big screen," said one person with knowledge of the details.
In an interview before Thursday's quarterly earnings conference call, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick wouldn't comment on the movie speculation. But asked about the "Hero" franchise, he said, "It might make for a good TV show or a good concert tour."
"Hero" and "Duty" were two of the top five best-selling franchises across all video game platforms in Europe and the U.S. during the first quarter. "World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King" was the top PC game, in terms of revenue, in the U.S.
Kotick added that video games, especially family-friendly "Hero," are "capturing leisure time away from TV and film."
Evidence that Kotick might be correct was in the company's financial report Thursday. Activision Blizzard said first-quarter revenue more than tripled to $981 million as net income swelled to $189 million from $43 million in the year-ago quarter.LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The worldwide hit video game "Guitar... more
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Rep. Linda Sanchez responded Wednesday to Threat Level’s tirade against her proposed legislation outlawing hostile electronic speech. Her answer: “Congress has no interest in censoring.”
Sanchez, with the introduction of the Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act, clearly has a great interest in censoring.
Still, the Democrat from Los Angeles makes several valid points that cyberbullying has lasting consequences on our nation’s youth. The 13-year-old Meier’s suicide is clearly a tragedy. But how she characterizes the measure is simply untrue.
“Put simply, this legislation would be used as a tool for a judge and jury to determine whether there is significant evidence to prove that a person ‘cyberbullied’ another,” she wrote in the Huffington Post. “That is: did they have the required intent, did they use electronic means of communication, and was the communication severe, hostile, and repeated? So — bloggers, e-mailers, texters, spiteful exes and those who have blogged against this bill have no fear — your words are still protected under the same American values.”
But that’s not what the proposal says. It goes way beyond youth cyberbullying. As we said the other day, the measure seemingly outlaws logging onto the internet.
But don’t take our word for it. Here’s what H.R. 1966 says:
(a) Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, harass or cause substantial emotional distress to a person, using electronic means to support severe, repeated and hostile behavior, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.
(b) As used in this section —
(1) the term ‘communication’ means the electronic transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of information of the user’s choosing, without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received; and
(2) the term ‘electronic means’ means any equipment dependent on electrical power to access an information service, including e-mail, instant messaging, blogs, websites, telephones and text messages.
This measure and Sanchez’s electronic defense of it are so emotionally distressing to us that, if adopted, perhaps Sanchez should be the first to be prosecuted under the statute.
We strongly urge Sanchez and the measure’s 14 other congressional backers to promptly withdraw this proposal.Rep. Linda Sanchez responded Wednesday to Threat Level’s tirade against her... more
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Actress and singer Marie Osmond was on a radio station KOST 103.5 Los Angeles yesterday, discussing her lesbian daughter Jessica and Marie's beliefs.
Contrary to rumors, Marie spoke of how much she loves and supports her daughter, despite her own Mormon religious convictions.
Naturally, the gay marriage question came up, and, we're proud to say, Marie spoke in support of civil rights for everyone, regardless of orientation.
Contact Marie Osmond at Kesti@marieosmond.com to thank her for speaking out about her daughter, and for supporting marriage equality.Actress and singer Marie Osmond was on a radio station KOST 103.5 Los Angeles... more
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Warner Philips, the founder of Lemnis Lighting of the Netherlands, is confident that his company’s new 6-watt Pharox LED Light isn’t just ready for the consumer market, it’s ready to take over the lighting market from both incandescents (increasingly being phased out in many countries) and energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.
“C.F.L.s are officially an outdated technology,” Mr. Philips said during a recent conversation with Green Inc. “You can’t recycle C.F.L.s. You can’t get a fully dimmable product. That should make them obsolete.”
The Pharox bulb was introduced Wednesday at Lightfair International in New York, where lighting designers from around the globe are showing off their wares. According to Lemnis Lighting, the new Pharox can match the light output of a 60-watt incandescent, and it can be used smoothly and reliably with dimmer switches — unlike many C.F.L. bulbs. It’s also designed to be heat-resistant, the company notes and, also unlike C.F.L.s, mercury-free.
The packaging says the bulb will last 25 years given average use (four hours a day), or more than 36,000 hours.
Come July, the bulb will be sold on Amazon.com for just under $50 – still more expensive than dimmable C.F.L.s, but with a lifespan that the company says is eight times longer and with more incandescent-like dimming capabilities. The Pharox’s payback time at that price, according to Lemnis, is 3.5 years.
Mr. Philips says he sees the price dropping rather quickly, as it did with a 5-watt, 40-watt equivalent bulb the company introduced six months ago at $40. It is now selling for $35 — a decrease attributable in large part to assistance from the Clinton Climate Initiative, which is sponsoring a giveaway of 2.5 million bulbs in Europe.
(The fact that Google gave 25,000 bulbs to its employees in honor of Earth Day last month doesn’t hurt either.)
Mr. Philips said problems with heat build-up inside enclosed lighting fixtures, which cause L.E.D.s and C.F.L.s to fail early, has been addressed with a vented design that allows for better air flow.
Still, the company told us that the preferred use of the Pharox is in open fixtures. Using it in enclosed fixtures — like recessed ceiling cans — will reduce the lifetime of the bulbs by about 25 percent, the company said (a data point not evident on the bulb’s packaging, it should be noted.)
Indeed, as with many would-be replacements for the incandescent bulb, a bit of incongruity exists between performance claims that may well pertain in a laboratory, and a bulb’s performance in the real world.
For starters, the advertised light output of the Pharox is about 300 “lumens” — the metric used for measuring the light coming off a bulb. That places it somewhere between a 25-watt and 40-watt incandescent. A 60-watt incandescent emits up to 900 lumens.
The company explained that the light output is comparable to a 60-watt bulb, depending on where one uses the bulb and for what purpose. “There are 60-watt soft tone/flame bulbs that generate less light than a Pharox 6-watt,” the company said.
It’s also worth noting that an earlier version of the Pharox — a 4-watt, 40-watt equivalent bulb dubbed the Pharox LS — had some trouble when it was tested in a Department of Energy program that evaluates the performance of L.E.D. products.Warner Philips, the founder of Lemnis Lighting of the Netherlands, is confident that... more
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When Kirstie Alley stepped on the scale for the first time in 15 months, it wasn't pretty. "I started screaming," recalls Alley, sipping homemade fruit-infused water in her Hollywood kitchen. "It said 228 lbs., which is my highest weight ever. I was so much more disgusting than I thought!"
But looking back, Alley, 58, is hardly shocked. During her three-year stint as a Jenny Craig spokeswoman, she famously trimmed down to 145 lbs. after losing and keeping off 75 lbs. But since parting ways with company in 2007, she had not worked out and banished her gym equipment to the garage. As for her diet, her small, low-calorie portions gave way to Chinese takeout and pasta drenched with butter. "I fell off the horse," says the 5'8" star.
Today, Alley says she is primed to hire a trainer, toss the butter and sign up for a triathlon in order to whittle her "schlumpy" figure back down to a bikini-ready 140 lbs. "I’m going to have to work harder than last time," she says, but "I’m way excited." In a candid interview, Alley sat down with PEOPLE’s Elizabeth Leonard to talk about how she piled on the pounds – and how she plans to get her body, confidence and – yes! –even her groove back.When Kirstie Alley stepped on the scale for the first time in 15 months, it... more
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A few weeks ago, the Obama administration released controversial memos from the Justice Department describing torturous techniques used by CIA agents while interrogating terror suspects. Since then, media and news outlets have been saturated in moral discussions: Should the CIA have tortured the detainees? Should Obama have released the memos?
But few have questioned the media's self-censorship in reporting on these techniques while they were in use.
Flickr user Legofesto (who prefers to remain anonymous) was fed up with news outlets refusing to publish images depicting torture due to their graphic nature. So he recreated the images and first-hand accounts using Legos to protest what he saw as irresponsible censorship.
The use of children's toys is at once sanitizing and horrifying and many of the images have received thousands of views. We post selections from Legofesto's series here as a gallery, accompanied by remarks from the artist.A few weeks ago, the Obama administration released controversial memos from the... more
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Let the copyright complaints continue! After blogger Perez Hilton got YouTube to yank the National Organization for Marriage's second ad (starring Carrie Prejean) off the site for copyright infringement, the Miss USA Organization is joining the fray with a cease and desist letter addressed to NOM for use of its broadcast in the ad.
Officially, MSO isn't taking sides in the battle of marriage equality, but c'mon — they wouldn't have ordered up billable hours from their attorneys if they didn't want to shut NOM down. Um, we hope.
Next up, HRC exec director Joe Solmonese should start demanding royalties. Whatever. Doesn't anyone understand Fair Use provisions under copyright law?Let the copyright complaints continue! After blogger Perez Hilton got YouTube to yank... more
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In addition to making regular appearances on television, the actress Mia Farrow is documenting the hunger strike she began 10 days ago to draw attention to Darfur in a series of posts on her blog and YouTube channel.
In a video blog post made on Tuesday from her home in Connecticut (embedded above), Ms. Farrow said: “I’m feeling okay…. I really don’t leave my bedroom now at all, just to conserve energy. Mostly I stay in bed.” She also held up a sign with a phone number for the White House and asked viewers to join her in urging President Barack Obama to press Sudan to readmit the humanitarian aid agencies that were expelled from the country in March, when Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir was indicted on war crimes charges by the International Criminal Court.
Ms. Farrow announced her plan to fast for three weeks on the Huffington Post last month but she has been filing daily updates on her condition and the progress of her attempt to force media outlets to discuss Darfur on her own blog. In a blog post on the third day of her fast, Ms. Farrow wrote:
Day one was crammed with radio and TV interviews. Good Morning America’s Chris Cuomo began the segment with “Darfur is back in the news — ” And at the end he read out the staggering realities. This is what I hoped for, to bring focus to Darfur.
She also noted that she was getting advice from another celebrity:
Before I began this fast David Blaine (magician and endurance artist) called me. So kind of him. He told me a little about how to prepare and what to expect. He said after 6 days I wont feel hunger. He told me to drink 4 liters of water.In addition to making regular appearances on television, the actress Mia Farrow is... more
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Swine flu has infected 1,500 people worldwide and killed around 30, almost all in Mexico. But it is far from the world's most serious disease outbreak. Here are five you probably won't see on the evening news.
CHOLERA
What is it? An acute diarrheal infection that can lead to death from dehydration or severe kidney failure. Unlike other diarrheal diseases, it is often deadly in both children and adults.
Current outbreak: In what the World Health Organization described as the "worst case scenario," a cholera outbreak that began in August 2008 has infected more than 96,000 people in Zimbabwe, resulting in over 4,200 deaths. The country's lack of water and sewer infrastructure has exacerbated the problem, not to mention the fact that many Zimbabwean doctors are refusing to work for Zimbabwe's virtually worthless currency. In recent months, the number of new reported cases has declined, but the WHO warns that a return of the disease is likely in August.
SPINAL MENINGITIS
What is it? An infection of the fluid around the spinal cord and brain. Severe cases of bacterial meningitis can result in brain damage or death if not treated quickly.
Current outbreak: Since the beginning of 2009, a meningitis outbreak has killed more than 1,900 people in the three countries -- 1,500 in Nigeria alone. More than 56,000 cases have been reported in the worst outbreak of the disease since 1996, when at least 25,000 people died. In Chad, where meningitis drugs are difficult to find, one in 10 people infected with the disease dies. It is thought that an unusually cold climate has made the outbreak worse than normal this year. In response, NGO Médecins Sans Frontieres has launched its largest-ever vaccination campaign for any disease. The group has already vaccinated 5.4 million people and plans to vaccinate another 1.7 million.
AIDS
What is it? A disease affecting the human immune system, making individuals more susceptible to deadly infections. AIDS has killed 25 million people around the world since 1981.
Current outbreak: China has attracted international attention for the draconian measures it has taken to prevent a swine flu outbreak, but it has been less quick to react to the AIDS epidemic that killed 7,000 people throughout the country in the first nine months of 2008 alone. AIDS quietly became the deadliest infectious disease in the country last year, beating out tuberculosis. China's numbers are still relatively smaller relative to world totals, but their rise has been meteoric. Three years ago, fewer than 8,000 people had ever died of AIDS in China.
EBOLA
What is it? A severe viral disease in humans and primates that causes fever, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and in some cases internal bleeding and skin rash. Ebola has a very high fatality rate, up to 90 percent in some outbreaks, and has appeared sporadically since 1976. The disease tends to infect healthcare workers or family members who bury the dead.
Current outbreak: The most recent outbreak of the disease in Congo was declared over in mid-February after 32 cases and 15 deaths. 2007's outbreak was more severe, resulting in 187 deaths, 71 percent of those affected. Uganda, Sudan, and Gabon have also suffered outbreaks in the last decade. The good news? Ebola is unlikely to develop into a pandemic because of the difficulty of transmission, but its terrifyingly high fatality rate has caused countries to close their borders in order to prevent its spread.
DENGUE FEVER
What is it? An infection spread by mosquitoes that causes acute muscle and joint pain. Cases are generally non-lethal but dengue occasionally results in a deadly hemorrhagic fever.
Current outbreak: While the world's attention has been focused on Mexico's swine flu, a severe dengue outbreak infected 50,000 people in Bolivia and more than 20,000 in Argentina. (Georgetown's Michael Shifter wrote for FP this week about how the Argentine government's slow response to the crisis has become a scandal in Buenos AiresSwine flu has infected 1,500 people worldwide and killed around 30, almost all in... more
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Is your teenager rebelling by pretending to be bisexual? Has your teen pretended to be bisexual because he/she thinks it's cool? Or has your teenage daughter pretended to be bisexual to attract boys?
I know I am going to sound like an old bat, but after reading some of the other upcoming show topics for Dr. Phil, I find myself hankering for the old days, when teenagers used to rebel by sneaking out to smoke cigarettes and drink beer.
Take, for example, "Teen Getting Drunk from Hand Sanitizer?" Kids are wasting the first line of protection against the hamthrax by drinking the nation's supply of hand sanitizer? This activity must be stopped. After all, this is humanity's gravest hour. We should be guarding our supplies of Purell with assault rifles to protect us from the marauding sickly pigs, for crying out loud!
But seriously — what ever happened to paying someone over 21 to buy alcohol?
Then there's this: "Is Your Teen Using Deodorant to Start Fires?" Wow, in my day we just sort of struck matches and lit stuff on fire. Now, deodorant. Why didn't I think of that? Lighter fluid just seemed more obvious. (All right, kids. Don't play with matches or deodorant, mmmkay? Remember, arson is a crime.)
So perhaps fake bisexual teens isn't the most outlandish parenting-related topic on this program, but really, what is the litmus test to determine whether a teen is pretending to be bisexual or is simply figuring out his or her sexuality? Perhaps he or she has already figured out his or her sexuality and is simply expressing it. Behaving outside of what society considers the norm may be perceived as an act of rebellion by (some) parents, and I can see some parents filling out that casting form in an effort to de-queer their teenaged children.
What do you think of the upcoming show on bisexuality?Is your teenager rebelling by pretending to be bisexual? Has your teen pretended to be... more
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Megan Mccain -- 4/5/09
A Day In Hand is asking people to upload photos of public, same-sex hand holding to www.adayinhand.com, register with the site and spread the word. Collectively, the photos will map the public presence of same-sex love across the world. Celebrities and public figures have been quick to get involved. Brian Paddick (I’m A Celebrity…) appeared in a photoshoot for the project, and activists Cleve Jones (Harvey Milk’s aide) and Peter Tatchell support the campaign.
A Day In Hand will seek to promote equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bi & Trans (LGBT) people by inspiring and mobilising same-sex couples to publicly hold hands across the globe May 17th, 2009. It heralds a new movement in fighting for LGBT rights: a movement in which anybody, on any day, can contribute to. You don’t have to fight to change the world. Same-sex hand holding (sshh) is a silent revolution. Straight people are encouraged to take part in the project.
David Watkins, group founder said,
"We want straight people to hold hands with someone of their same gender in public, and describe how it made them feel. This is an inclusive event and involving straight people will support a wider understanding of this issue. You don’t have to be gay to object to homophobia and embrace equality. Hand-holding crosses gender, age, orientation and geographical borders. We want to show that LGBT people are relevant to everyone, and that we live and breathe in all communities.”
Submit photo's and comments to: http://www.adayinhand.com/Megan Mccain -- 4/5/09
A Day In Hand is asking people to upload photos of public,... more
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ROME – Director Ron Howard claimed Sunday that the Vatican interfered with efforts to get permits to shoot certain scenes of his "Angels & Demons" religious thriller in Rome — a charge the Vatican said was purely a publicity stunt.
The film, which stars Tom Hanks and is based on the best-selling novel by Dan Brown, has its world premiere Monday in Rome.
"Angels & Demons" combines an ancient secret brotherhood called the Illuminati, a papal conclave and a high-tech weapon threatening to destroy the Vatican.
At a press conference Sunday, Howard said he hadn't sought cooperation from the Vatican based on the opposition he encountered filming "The Da Vinci Code," another Brown novel that angered many Catholic leaders.
But he said the Vatican nevertheless exerted influence regarding his filming permits, and he was told it would not be possible even to shoot scenes in Rome that had churches in the background.
"When you come to film in Rome, the official statement to you is that the Vatican has no influence," he said. "Everything progressed very smoothly, but unofficially a couple of days before we were to start filming in several of our locations, it was explained to us that through back channels and so forth that the Vatican had exerted some influence."
"Was I surprised? No. Am I a little frustrated at times? Sure," he said.
Nevertheless he said he felt that he was able to preserve the overall "Angels & Demons" experience despite the restrictions by recreating scenes on sets. For the Sistine Chapel alone, some 20 members of the production crew — posing as tourists — took photos of all the frescoes, floor mosaics and paintings of the tiny chapel where popes are elected — until they were told to stop, the film's Web site says.
Angels & Demons features Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon of "The Da Vinci Code" fame, played by Hanks in the movie. In the film, the Vatican turns to Langdon after the Illuminati kidnap four cardinals considered front-runners to be the next pope, and threaten to kill one an hour and then explode a bomb at the Vatican.
The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, refused to comment on Howard's allegations about church interference, saying his charges were purely designed to drum up publicity for the film.ROME – Director Ron Howard claimed Sunday that the Vatican interfered with... more
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Treasury Department Issues Emergency Recall Of All US Dollars ** Not real ** (Comedy) Though, if you do want to send you money in, email me for a PO Box ; )Treasury Department Issues Emergency Recall Of All US Dollars ** Not real ** (Comedy)... more
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The month of May is bringing in so many outer-space wonders, it's as if a three-ring circus were rolling into town with four or five rings. Today is Space Day, which morphs into Astronomy Day and the Astronaut Hall of Fame on Saturday, followed by the peak of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower next week ... all leading up to one of the greatest shows off Earth, the final upgrade to the Hubble Space Telescope.
And if that still isn't enough rings for you, there's a sparkling new image of a ring galaxy from Hubble's younger sibling, the Spitzer Space Telescope.
The fresh infrared view of the spiral galaxy NGC 2841, which is 46 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major, figures in recently published research that looks at why stars become so smoothly distributed in such galaxies. After all, stars are created in bursts of clusters, and thus start out their lives in lumps.
"Our analysis now answers the great puzzle," David Block, an astronomer at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, said in a news release issued Thursday by Spitzer's science team. "By finding a myriad of streams of young stars all over the disks of galaxies we studied, we see that the mechanism for pulling the clusters of young stars apart is shearing motions of the parent galaxy. These streams are the 'missing link' we needed to understand how the disks of galaxies evolve to look the way they do."
Spitzer's infrared camera peered through the galaxy's dust to spot the young stars hidden within. The image data was then manipulated to highlight the subtle structures associated with star formation. "The structures cannot be seen on the original Spitzer image with the human eye," said Ivanio Puerari of the Institut Nacional de Astrofisica, Optica y Electronica in Puebla, Mexico.The month of May is bringing in so many outer-space wonders, it's as if a... more
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