All the news that's fit to print

[WalterB]

FLASH! FROM WASHINGTON

In case of Imminent nuclear attack,

The ban on prayer will be temporarily lifted!

[WalterB]

IN CASE OF ACTUAL ATTACK

REMOVE GLASSES.

REMOVE PENS, PENCILS AND OTHER SHARP OBJECTS FROM YOUR POCKETS.

BEND OVER AND GRAB YOUR ANKLES.

KISS YOUR ASS GOODBYE!

[WalterB]

(AP) "A study yesterday concluded that 37% of births are unintended births."

Ok, right up front, I'm lost. How the hell do you have an unintended birth? Isn't that kind of an unavoidable consequence of pregnancy? I mean, a woman gets pregnant, she has a birth. It happens. I can see an unintended pregnancy. That happens way too often. But, I would think that, if a woman were pregnant, that she might kind of expect that, at some point, she was gonna give birth. Usually to a baby.

MIDLAND, Texas (AP) - Two people are dead and two others are hospitalized after 17-vehicle chain collision on a West Texas interstate blamed on a dust storm.

Ok, right up front a dust storm did not cause an accident. Stupid people driving into a dust storm caused an accident. Dust storms do not just "magically" appear. You can see them. If you are driving along, and you see a dust storm or fog, stop, people. Pull off the road. At an exit, not the side of the road. Thats what the exits are for. If you are in the middle of nowhere (like Midland, Tx,) and the next exit is 12 miles away, pull all the way off the road to the fence and turn off your lights (so someone coming up behind you won't see you and drive into you.)

Reminds me of a 30 or 40 car freeway crash in Denver back in the 90's. One stalwart said (on TV, no less,) "Well, I was driving along at 70. I saw the fog and kept going, and suddenly I hit someone." Wow! 70 mph in fog. Somebody shoulda took that nitwit out back and just shot him.

Think safety, folks. Even if no one loves you but (what a pathetic life THAT would be, ) I want you back here.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled porn.

[WalterB]

The following statement was attributed to Bill Cosby. According to Snopes.com, it was NOT stated by Bill Cosby and is, in fact, on at least it's second time around (the original started, in 2011, "I am 79...." Bill Cosby, by the way, turned 75 on July 12th.) I think it would be nice if we could get everyone to check out anything they receive via email before forwarding it on as truth. The original statement from which this was taken was much shorter. So, someone liked the original, added to it, changed the attribution and sent it out as truth, apparently believing that more people would believe it if he/she said it was from Bill Cosby. How sad in todays world that so many people try to pass on so many lies and misinformation while trying to present them as truth. While I fully agree with what is said, I would have liked it more if the originator of this iteration would have just presented the original, and then added his comments. This is not "lies," but just comments on what would make things better if we could only get someone in government who would stand up and do the right thing, instead of always caving to special interests and the big-pocket corporations. At the end are the Snopes links, in case you're interested.

Bill Cosby "I'm 83 and I'm Tired"

I'm 83. Except for brief period in the 50's when I was doing my National Service, I've worked hard since I was 17. Except for some serious health challenges, I put in 50-hour weeks, and didn't call in sick in nearly 40 years. I made a reasonable salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, it looks as though retirement was a bad idea, and I'm tired. Very tired.

I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.

I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to.

I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries use our oil money to fund mosques and madrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in Australia , New Zealand, UK, America and Canada , while no one from these countries are allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia or any other Arab country to teach love and tolerance..

I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate.

I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses or stick a needle in their arm while they tried to fight it off?

I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of all parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.

I'm really tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.

I'm also tired and fed up with seeing young men and women in their teens and early 20's be-deck themselves in tattoos and face studs, thereby making themselves un-employable and claiming money from the government.

Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to be 83.. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter and their children. Thank God I'm on the way out and not on the way in.

This link shows the origination of the article: http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/imtired.asp

This link (from the Snopes article) may show the origin of the idea in the above Snopes article. No hint of plagarism is made, but you can see the similarities: http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/repya.asp

In any case, I agree with the article as presented in the email I received (the first above.) I'm pretty sick of babysitting the lazy do-nothings as well, while the hard workers pay the prices. There is something called Self-Responsibility, which each of us needs to maintain. It is not the governments responsibility to feed, clothe and house you. It is YOUR responsibility.

I understand "extenuating circumstances," and am more than glad to help those in need thru no fault of their own. I am speaking of the lazy do-nothings who think the world owes them a living. This includes the bum on the corner holding a sign that says "Vietnam Veteran." Well, sir, if you are a Vietnam Veteran, then get your lazy ass down to the Veterans administration and take advantage of the 100's of programs they have to help folks like yourself. Get yourself down the city agencies specifically in place to help folks like yourself. Don't embarass yourself by standing on the corner begging hard-working people to give you nickles.

I spent about 18 months on the street back in the late 60's. Not once did I stand on a street corner and beg people to buy me a meal or booze. I went out and found work. I took advantage of the agencies established to help the less fortunate. Then I used that help go get my ass up on my feet and work until I got a job that again would pay my rent, my food and my clothing. And, once i could afford it, I made donations to the agencies that had helped me. It's called self-responsibility.

I blame a lot of our problmes on these damn "reality" shows that present cheating, lying and back-stabbing as the way to get ahead in life. The worst back-stabbing, cheating liar wins $100,000. What a great example to live up to.

OK, soapbox stowed for another month or so.

[WalterB]

Texas is a great state, but can sure be backwards:

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas may be forced to reconsider a state law that allows prosecutors to charge prostitutes with a felony and send them to prison after three misdemeanor convictions.

The Austin American-Statesman reports that more than 350 prostitutes currently occupy bunks in state prisons, and now some officials wonder whether that makes sense.

State Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, says "it's nuts" that Texas has so many prostitutes in prison. All the state is doing is "warehousing" people who would be better served getting treatment "so they can get out and stay out of this business," he says.

The newspaper says it costs between $15,500 and $18,538 a year to house a convict in a state prison or lower-security jail. By contrast, community-based rehabilitation programs cost about $4,300 a year.

Or, legalizing prostitution and taxing it makes it cleaner and safer, makes the girls respectable and makes money for the state. Heaven forbid we should be intelligent about it.

[WalterB]

(AP) TEL AVIV, Israel

The Israelis are developing an airport security device that eliminates the privacy concerns that come with full-body scanners. It's an armored booth you step into that will not X-ray you. Instead, it will detonate any explosive device you may have on your person.

Israel sees this as a win-win situation for everyone, with none of this crap about racial profiling. It will also eliminate the costs of long and expensive trials.

You're in the airport terminal and you hear a muffled explosion. Shortly thereafter, an announcement: "Attention to all standby passengers. El Al is proud to announce a seat available on flight 670 to London. Shalom!"

[CGYMike]

I love Bill Cosby :)

[WalterB]

Ya ever have one a them days when you just shooda stood in bed?

Pa. woman, 72, robbed twice in a single day

MCKEES ROCKS, Pa. (AP) — Police say a western Pennsylvania woman had her checkbook stolen and as she went to the police station to report the crime, her purse was swiped.

Seventy-two-year-old Harriet Sweger says she was first robbed by a woman who bumped into her and grabbed her checkbook at a grocery store.

The McKees Rocks woman says she was driving to a police station when she stopped to ask for directions and had a man reach into her car and grab her purse.

Police in Stowe Township, Allegheny County say they have a suspect in the purse snatching but didn't release a name.

[Gert-Jan]

It's these kind of happenings that make the elderly want to stay inside rather than inhaling fresh air outside. It's pretty low to rob someone that old. Remember, at some point we will reach that age and want to be treated with respect.

Anyone here been robbed before? Money? Car? Bike? Toys..?

[WalterB]

A Pennsylvania ex-con has been arrested for swindling investors by claiming that he owned $10 million of oil in Brown County, Texas. He needed the money to pump the oil out of the ground. But that's not the story.

Richard J. Harleys previous scam was a supposed AIDS cure. Admirable, right? His story was that he could cure AIDS by pumping ozone and oxygen into patients rear ends.

Now, right up front, I know that ShandaFays fans all like pegging. But, isn't this pushing the idea a bit? Did anyone really believe him? Was anyone really gullible enough to fall for this?

"Yeah, you give me $1,000 and I'll stick this nozzle up your ass and pump you full of ozone and oxygen. Then you fart in front of this lab burner and it will blast the AIDS virus right out of you."

Yeah, they must have been lining up for this one.

[Redd44]

I love the story about the airport security device that detonates any explosives hidden on you! Just think! The airlines could makes millions charging folks with long layovers $5-$10 to watch!

Set-up some bleachers and a popcorn stand and you've got hours and hours of fun! "Oooooo, honey look at that one there. I bet he's gonna blow."

[WalterB]

Here's something to think about:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57505 ... r-you-die/

Who owns your downloaded music after you die?

Bruce Willis may not challenge Apple to who owns his iTunes collection after his death, but one question remains: What does happen to your downloaded music collection once you fly to the sky?

Earlier today, a story emerged from the British tabloids that Bruce Willis was considering suing Apple in a bid to determine who gets his iTunes music collection after his death. Perhaps something more suited for April Fool's Day? We reported it (and fell for it) and we've updated the piece to reflect that the original source was a work of fiction. (Willis' wife tweeted this morning that the story was not true.)

But the one thing still not settled or answered from today's misreporting: what happens to downloaded content when the buyer passes away? (Spoiler alert: just because you buy it doesn't mean you own it, and certainly doesn't mean you can do whatever you like with it.)

Only one in a million people actually read the terms and conditions of any Web site, service, or application. You immediately jump to the bottom of the screen and hit the "I Agree" button and sail off on your digital downloading way. It's the terms and conditions which govern exactly who owns the music you buy even once you escape the mortal coil.

Questions have been left with Apple, but did not respond outside U.S. business hours at the time of writing.

The likely truth is that the contract between you and the service you are using -- say Apple in this case -- is terminated as soon as the person dies. In that event, the contract expires and the person's account and any purchased products cannot be transferred to anyone else.

Say, for example, Willis meets an untimely death and gives his daughter access to his iTunes account beforehand; this is breaking Apple's user agreement and therefore other members of his family cannot legally listen to the music.

But the real argument should be: does it matter whether the content you buy is 'physical' or digital?

When you buy an audio CD from a record store, you own that copy of the music, but you don't own a copyright to the music itself. The Electronic Frontier Foundation explains:

[O]nce you've acquired a lawfully-made CD or book or DVD, you can lend, sell, or give it away without having to get permission from the copyright owner. In simpler terms, "you bought it, you own it" (and because first sale also applies to gifts, "they gave it to you, you own it" is also true).

ZDNet's Ed Bott explained last year that the first-sale doctrine only applies to tangible items. Digital music downloads do not work in the same way. Even if you spend money on a download, it only gives a license to listen to it, for example, but it often comes with restrictions such as preventing that person from lending it, sharing it, or burning it to a CD.

On the face of it, it's quite simple. The iTunes terms of service agreement says under section B:

iTunes is the provider of the Service, which permits you to purchase or rent a license for digital content ("iTunes Products") for end user use only under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

But the devil is in the details. Set out below, Apple explains:
•You can use iTunes 'products' on up to five computers -- with the exception of film rentals;
•iTunes 'products' can be stored on up to five different accounts on compatible mobile devices. Free content is unlimited;
•Audio playlists can be burned on CDs up to seven times, and the CD becomes subject to the same usage rules as a CD bought from a store;
•'Products' are provided through a license personal to you;
•You are not allowed to burn iTunes 'products' for anything other than your own personal backups;
•Films can only be viewed on one device at a time, and you cannot move films rented from your iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch or Apple TV;
•You have 30 days after downloading to watch a film, and 48 hours to finish viewing it;
•You have no commercial or promotional rights on any downloaded content.

That's just Apple. Amazon and Google also apply restrictions to what you can do with the music that you buy. It's a standard practice across most if not all online music because it's the copyright owners who set down restrictions on who can do what with the content they produce.

When Apple used digital rights management (DRM) technology to forcibly prevent users from copying or burning downloaded content to CDs, arguably the whole process was easier. You would be told promptly whether or not you could do something with your digital music and that was the end of it. It may not think it was necessarily fair but those are the terms you signed up to.

Apple, and many others, now provides DRM-free files, allowing you to transfer the music onto a set number of other devices that you own -- including but not limited to Apple's own hardware -- but you cannot pass them legally on to other people.

For all intents and purposes, plugging in a friend's iPod and transferring over music is exactly the same as sharing a music file through a peer-to-peer network; it's just that the latter is slightly easier to trace.

If someone does challenge the terms -- Willis or anyone else -- which do not explicitly state what happens when someone does die and leaves a wealth of downloaded content behind, it could result in a change in licensing agreements.

"By forcing a change in licensing agreements, he could potentially rob his fellow artists of income," warns Joshy Thomas, an intellectual property lawyer speaking to The Guardian.

After all, Apple and other music stores are just the person in the middle. It's not always down to them to set the terms because they have their own agreements with record labels, movie studios, and the like.

For now, shall we just agree to keep quiet? Or would you like to sign something to that effect?

Seems like the same would apply to all the porn you (legally) download, but I don't think the sites we join have such detailed agreements (anyone ever read any of the VNA agreements? Do any even exist?)

In my case most all of my porn is on one external drive, and written instructions I have left (who to contact, where to find paperwork, etc.) detail how to reformat that drive. While the files aren't encripted or locked, I've been thinking along those lines. I think that, if I password protect that drive, it can still be reformatted. I think. I'll have to look into it further. There are a few things I'd just rather that my family not find.

[WalterB]

I'm RICH!!!

Got this email from someone I don't know and have never heard of. The old biddy is about to kick the bucket and wants to leave me "what she inherited" from her dear hubby. (Being from Hong Kong, what if she inherited 6 cows, 12 chickens and 9 pigs?) The email was addressed to "recipients," meaning I'm gionna have to share all that good eating. What a miracle that she found Li'l old ME all the way over here Out in the West Texas Town of El Paso, all the way from China.

Good luck, Mrs Gengi, in finding a sucker.

"Given my current state of health,I have decided to donate what I inherited from my late husband to you to help the poor and needy. I am Mrs Chow Genji from Hong Kong. I was diagnosed for cancer about 2 years ago and I have few months to live according to medical experts. Email me on: (email addsress removed) for my directives"

[Redd44]

I wonder what her directives are? "Saute the pigs, fry the chickens, boil the cows"?

Make sure she doesn't ship them C.O.D. too!

[WalterB]

Doncha just love city bureaucracies?

A business developer in the Philadelphia neighborhood of Point Breeze is facing legal action after voluntarily cleaning up more than 40 tons of trash from a vacant lot neighboring his local business.

As the old adage goes, no good deed goes unpunished. Ori Feibush says he visited the local offices of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority four times, sent in seven written requests and made 24 phone calls to the agency asking them to take care of a major eyesore: an empty lot next to his coffee shop was home to more than 40 tons of debris.

Not only did the agency fail to act but it also denied Feibush's offer to clean up the mess himself.

But the Daily News reports that Feibush went ahead with his plans anyway, reportedly spending more than $20,000 of his own money not only to remove the trash but also to level the soil; add cherry trees, fencing and park benches; and repave the sidewalk.

"This was a lot of garbage," local resident Elaine McGrath told the paper. "Now it's gorgeous. I'm excited."

However, the city agency was less excited, demanding that Feibush return the vacant lot to its previous condition and saying it is considering legal action against him.

"Like any property owner, [the authority] does not permit unauthorized access to or alteration of its property," Paul D. Chrystie, director of communications at the Office of Housing and Community Development told the paper. "This is both on principle (no property owner knowingly allows trespassing) and to limit taxpayer liability."

And the situation is not without irony. Feibush says he received a citation in August 2011 from the city for litter on the same lot that the city now points out is not his property.


Nonetheless, the city's request puts Feibush in an unusual position. In theory, he committed a good deed, investing his own time and money to improve the condition of his neighborhood when city authorities refused to step up to the plate. But he also knowingly did so after the city refused his request to intervene.

Supporters of Feibush have started a petition over at Change.org asking the city to "thank" him rather than considering legal action against him.

The situation is almost like a reverse case of eminent domain, in which a private owner is attempting to revitalize a piece of public property.

For his part, Feibush thinks the city agency is jealous.

"For a private developer to create a garden, it's a question of who gets credit. To do it without their blessing, you're basically insulting them," he said. "I'm not looking for a thank-you, but I'm not looking for a big F.U."

First, in August, 2011, the city said it was his and he needed to clean it up? Case closed!

[Vince]

Walt, guess what?

I am rich too, check out the e-mail I got.

[CGYMike]

hahahaha...I love Nigeria...gunna visit there some day :) NOT

hilarious

[WalterB]

Well, it says right there, Vince, you're not cooperating with them, .

I've received emails like this before - they can't deliver a package becauise they don't have my correct delivery address - but they have my correct email address. So whoever in Nigeria is sending you an ATM card with $2.5 mil on it doesn't have your mail address, but has your email address.

The scary part is I'm betting there are people who get these who actually respond to them.

[Vince]

I get these e-mails almost every day and from the same place, Nigeria.

[Redd44]

You know Vince, you should be ashamed of yourself for refusing to cooperate with them!

That e-mail reminds me of the faxes we used to get at the hotel where I worked. They would be sent from some African country urging me to deposit a large sum of money in a back account to protect is from the evil gangs that had brutally murdered some deputy minster. For depositing the money and helping the people of said country, I would be able to keep 20%. What's funny is that I looked it up on the internet once, and yes, some deputy minister of an African country was killed but the rest is, well....bullshit.


Hahahaha, I just went to UPS' website and typed in that tracking #! Guess what? It's been on "Government Agency Hold" since 2/12/2012!