At least 3 people have died as a result of the sever weather that have struck Michigan for the third straight day. Two people delivering newspapers for The Grand Rapids Press drowned Sunday after their car sank in a creek swollen from weekend of thunderstorms that blacked out at least 251,000 Michigan homes and businesses.
High winds also were blamed for the death of a Lansing-area woman.
Tornado warnings issued by the National Weather Service for a dozen counties scattered across the Lower Peninsula had expired by 6 p.m. Severe thunderstorm warnings or watches also expired as the storms moved eastward into Ontario.
There were no immediate reports of funnel cloud touchdowns, but winds clocked at 70 to 80 mph in some areas toppled dozens of power lines and large trees.
Flood warnings remained in effect Sunday afternoon for much of western Lower Michigan, where 3 to 5 inches of rain fell overnight in some areas.
Consumers Energy said about 30,000 out of about 162,000 customers affected by the storm remained without power Sunday afternoon. Detroit Edison said about 13,000 of about 70,000 affected customers were without service as of 5 p.m. Sunday, but that number had soared to 53,000 by 6:15 p.m. as the storms slammed metropolitan Detroit.
Sunday, June 8
Trouble With New Mars Robot
from Yahoo! NewsDirt that the Phoenix Mars Lander scooped recently from the planet's surface may be too clumpy to be analyzed by the machine's onboard system.
A robotic arm retrieved a cup-sized sample of Martian dirt on Friday and placed it on the lander's Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer, or TEGA, which was scheduled to spend about a week determining the soil's water and mineral content.
The TEGA features a screened opening that prevents large particles from clogging it. Only those thinner than 1 mm can pass through, and an infrared beam verifies whether they have entered the instrument. The beam has not yet confirmed any activity and researchers are not sure why.
Scientists suspect the soil may be clumped together too tightly. They may send instructions to vibrate the compartment after they inspect the problem for a day or two.
The $420 million lander spent 10 months journeying from Earth and touched down on Mars 12 days ago. Its three-month mission was proposed after the Mars Odyssey detected frozen water below the Martian surface in 2002.
Saturday, June 7
Brick and Mortar
In an art stunt arranged by an Italian group project "20 Event", artist and lego enthusiast Jan Vormann went around the quiet little town of Bocchignano filling its decrepit walls with lego pieces.
As Expected, Clinton Bows Out
Hilary Clinton appeared at the National Building Museum in Washington in front of more than 2,000 supporters where she announced she would officially suspend her campaign for the presidency.
She offered an endorsement to Barrack Obama reminding her supporters that a democrat in the White House was a necessity.
The suspension, as opposed to withdrawal, means that she can continue to fund raise in an effort to pay off her near $30 million debt.
Clinton has said that she is open to the idea of being Obama's running mate.
She offered an endorsement to Barrack Obama reminding her supporters that a democrat in the White House was a necessity.
The suspension, as opposed to withdrawal, means that she can continue to fund raise in an effort to pay off her near $30 million debt.
Clinton has said that she is open to the idea of being Obama's running mate.
McCain Eyes Man on Mars
from Breitbart
Republican presidential nominee John McCain said that he would like to see a manned mission to Mars as part of a "better set of priorities" for NASA citing it would be more engaging for the public.
The US space shuttle fleet is slated to be decommissioned in 2010. McCain said that he would spend taxpayer dollars to continue NASA missions only if the program could do a better job of inspiring the public, as when it sent a man to the moon in 1969.
Republican presidential nominee John McCain said that he would like to see a manned mission to Mars as part of a "better set of priorities" for NASA citing it would be more engaging for the public.
The US space shuttle fleet is slated to be decommissioned in 2010. McCain said that he would spend taxpayer dollars to continue NASA missions only if the program could do a better job of inspiring the public, as when it sent a man to the moon in 1969.
Thursday, June 5
Philadelphia Billboard Advertising Atheism
from philly.com
With its image of blue sky and fluffy clouds, the rectangle floating lately over I-95 near Allegheny Avenue suggests something dreamy, almost heavenly. At least from a distance. Drivers headed north toward the giant billboard might first discern the words God and Believe and suppose this to be the work of a fundamentalist church.
But this is the work of no church.
"Don't believe in God?" it asks. "You are not alone."
Think of it as a sign of the times.
Mounted by a consortium of local atheists, it is an invitation to the area's atheists, agnostics, skeptics, rationalists and religious freethinkers (no one label fits them all) to overcome their differences and form a coalition.
Mounted by a consortium of local atheists, it is an invitation to the area's atheists, agnostics, skeptics, rationalists and religious freethinkers (no one label fits them all) to overcome their differences and form a coalition.
The sign's original, geographically limited toll-free phone number generated only about 300 calls, however. The new number, 1-877-99HUMANIST, is reachable from any area code
No one knows how many American adults identify themselves as being in the atheist spectrum, but surveys suggest between 4 percent and 9 percent, the lowest of any industrialized nation, but the recent spate of best-sellers bearing such titles as The God Delusion, God Is Not Great and The End of Faith suggests a broader public interest in religious skepticism.
Tuesday, June 3
Primary Results Split
Clinton wins South Dakota by clinching 56% of the votes while Obama is projected to win Montana by an estimated 4 points over Clinton. Despite Obama declaring "[he] will be the ... nominee," Clinton vows to stay afloat by citing that she will confer with other Democrats about the "best interests of our party."Meanwhile, McCain, speaking in Lousiana, offered pointed critique of President Bush in an attempt to distance himself from the unpopular incumbent. McCain, speaking just outside Katrina-scarred New Orleans, claimed he and Bush “have not seen eye to eye on many issues,” ticking off the prosecution of the war in Iraq, treatment of detainees, spending, energy and climate change.
He also drew stark contrasts between him Obama. While criticizing Obama on a host of foreign and domestic issues, McCain reserved his harshest judgment for the central premise of the Illinois Democrat’s anti-establishment campaign.
Clinton Announces Bid on VP
from Yahoo!Hillary Rodham Clinton told colleagues she would consider joining Barack Obama as his running mate, and advisers said she was withholding a formal departure from the race partly to use her remaining leverage to press for a spot on the ticket.
On a conference call with other New York lawmakers, Clinton said she was willing to become Obama's vice presidential nominee if it would help Democrats win the White House.
Clinton's remarks came in response to a question from Democratic Rep. Nydia Velazquez, who said she believed the best way for Obama to win key voting blocs, including Hispanics, would be for him to choose Clinton as his running mate.
Clinton also told colleagues the delegate math was not there for her to overtake Obama, but that she wanted to take time to determine how to leave the race in a way that would best help Democrats.
Stay tuned for exclusive results from tonights primaries in Montana and South Dakota.
Monday, June 2
Vitamin Water Exposed
from Men's HealthGlaceau VitaminWater (any flavor; 20 oz bottle)
130 calories
33 grams sugar
Vitamins and water might sound like the ultimate nutritional tag team, but what the label doesn’t say is that a bottle of this stuff carries nearly as much sugar and calories as a can of Coke. Makes sense, though, since this so-called functional beverage is produced by our often-sugar-crazy friends at The Coca-Cola Company.
Village Idiot
Automatic car features are supposed to make life easier for motorists, but they may be leaving some people without the know-how to do things the old-fashioned way. That’s what happened to a driver in who became trapped inside her own car.
A woman called police needing help because her battery died and she was locked inside her car. When police arrived, they found the woman sitting in the car, unable to get herself out. She couldn’t hear the officers instructions through the rolled-up windows so she motioned to them to call her on her cell phone.
Once officers were able to talk to the woman on the phone, they were able to tell her how to manually operate the slide lock mechanism on the inside door panel to open the door and free herself.
A woman called police needing help because her battery died and she was locked inside her car. When police arrived, they found the woman sitting in the car, unable to get herself out. She couldn’t hear the officers instructions through the rolled-up windows so she motioned to them to call her on her cell phone.
Once officers were able to talk to the woman on the phone, they were able to tell her how to manually operate the slide lock mechanism on the inside door panel to open the door and free herself.
Sunday, June 1
Clinton Picks Up More Delegates
Hillary Clinton claimed victory in Puerto Rico on Sunday and insisted that she is leading Obama in the popular vote.Clinton won 68 percent of the vote. The win gives Clinton the larger share of Puerto Rico's 55 delegates.
The Democratic primary season ends Tuesday when Montana and South Dakota cast their votes.
Obama leads in the overall delegate count - 2,070 to Clinton's 1,915.
Abstract Sunset
Each day on Earth can have a dramatic ending as the Sun sets below the colorful western horizon. Often inspiring, or offering a moment for contemplation, a sunset is perhaps the single most photographed celestial event.
Detroit PD Officer Involved In DUI Crash, Injures Deputy
from WJBK Detroit TV 2A Macomb County Sheriff Deputy was on a rountine patrol at 2:10am Sunday on 21 Mile near Tilch Road and was hit broad side by an off duty Detroit Police Officer.
The Deputy had to be extricated from the car and taken to a nearby hospital.
It's believed the off duty Detroit cop ran a red light and was drunk at the time.
An investigation is ongoing headed by the Clinton Township Police Department.
Drug Smugglers Make Jesus Statue From Blow
from ReutersU.S. customs officials have seized a statue of Jesus Christ made from plaster mixed with cocaine, the latest sophisticated attempt to smuggle drugs from Mexico. Sniffer dogs at the border crossing in Laredo, Texas, alerted officials to the smell of narcotics in the 3 kilo statue, which was in the trunk of a car being driven by a Mexican woman into the US.
U.S. border police arrested a 61-year-old Mexican man accused of offering the woman $80 to carry the statue to the bus station in downtown Laredo. The woman escaped back to Mexico. Tighter U.S. security and Mexico's deployment of thousands of soldiers along the border are pushing smugglers to try increasingly sophisticated techniques like hiding drugs in sealed beer cans.
Man Has Been Hiccupping For 15 Months
from BBC
A musician who has been hiccupping for 15 months is hoping an operation will solve his problem.
Chris Sands hiccups as often as every two seconds - and sometimes even when he is asleep. He has tried a variety of cures, including hypnosis and yoga, but nothing has worked.
Doctors will put a tube into his stomach to monitor acid levels and decide if keyhole surgery is possible. Sands thinks his problem stems from an acid reflux condition caused by a damaged valve in his stomach.
The condition has hampered his career as he has only been able to perform four times. He said brain and chest scans have not revealed what causes the hiccups. The hiccups first started in September 2006 but disappeared before returning in February 2007.
He has tried about 100 different ways of drinking water to try to stop the condition.
A musician who has been hiccupping for 15 months is hoping an operation will solve his problem.
Chris Sands hiccups as often as every two seconds - and sometimes even when he is asleep. He has tried a variety of cures, including hypnosis and yoga, but nothing has worked.
Doctors will put a tube into his stomach to monitor acid levels and decide if keyhole surgery is possible. Sands thinks his problem stems from an acid reflux condition caused by a damaged valve in his stomach.
The condition has hampered his career as he has only been able to perform four times. He said brain and chest scans have not revealed what causes the hiccups. The hiccups first started in September 2006 but disappeared before returning in February 2007.
He has tried about 100 different ways of drinking water to try to stop the condition.
Surgeons Cut 16 Washers From Man's Penis
from The Sunday Telegraph (Australia)A man was operated on in an Australian hospital to remove 16 stainless steel washers from his penis. Fire and rescue officers were called to alleviate the man from his awkward predicament at 3am.
It was not clear how the situation arose. The man may well have thought long and hard about placing himself in the difficult situation. Rescue officers spent more than an hour unsuccessfully attempting to remove the washers, before the man was taken into surgery.
Surgeons took about 90 minutes to remove the washers using fire brigade equipment as equipment normally used to remove rings from fingers was ineffective because of the thicker nature of the washers.
The man was in a satisfactory condition. It is believed the only lasting damage may be to his pride.
Saturday, May 31
DNC TO SEAT FLORIDA & MICHIGAN DELEGATES
The Democratic National Committee has agreed to seat all of the Florida delegates at the upcoming National Convetion. The delegates will each be allowed to cast 1/2 vote.Florida has 185 pledged delegates and 26 super-delegates.
A similar agreement was also worked out for Michigans delegates. Michigan has 128 pledged delegates and 29 super-delegates.
Both states were stripped of the their delegates' voting rights for hold early primaries without the party's permission.
Obama leads Clinton in total delegate count - 2,070 to 1,915.
2,118 delegates are needed to win.
Jesus Image Appears In Tree At Night
from WKMG Orlando TV 6An apparent image of Jesus that appears and then vanishes in the bark of a tree has grabbed the attention of a Central Florida neighborhood. The mysterious image in the trunk of a tree only appears after dark at Joe Lewis' home.
Lewis said the image appears every night and then vanishes. The face forms near a knot in the tree. The tree can be seen from the street in Lewis' neighborhood.
Cell Phone Caller ID Leads To Drug Bust
from The Capitol (Baltimore, MD)
An Annapolis man was arrested for drug possession after he called another man who was being arrested. It started out as a simple traffic stop. At about 10:30 p.m., an officer on patrol pulled over a car for failing to stop at the red light.
The driver was identified and told police he did not have his license with him, but a check through MVA records showed that his license was suspended. While police were arresting him, his cell phone rang, and the caller ID said it was "Zack the Weed Man" calling.
Officers asked him if he was planning to meet Zack to buy drugs and he told them no. One officer called "Zack the Weed Man" back and confirmed the meeting place at the gas station near his Morris Street home.
The officer took the man with him and went to the gas station, where they found 19-year-old Zach who told police he had about 3 grams of marijuana in his pocket and that he was planning to smoke it. Both men where arrested and subsequently charged.
It's the only time the police can think of that caller ID has led directly to an arrest. But sometimes someone calling an arrested person leads to another arrest.
An Annapolis man was arrested for drug possession after he called another man who was being arrested. It started out as a simple traffic stop. At about 10:30 p.m., an officer on patrol pulled over a car for failing to stop at the red light.
The driver was identified and told police he did not have his license with him, but a check through MVA records showed that his license was suspended. While police were arresting him, his cell phone rang, and the caller ID said it was "Zack the Weed Man" calling.
Officers asked him if he was planning to meet Zack to buy drugs and he told them no. One officer called "Zack the Weed Man" back and confirmed the meeting place at the gas station near his Morris Street home.
The officer took the man with him and went to the gas station, where they found 19-year-old Zach who told police he had about 3 grams of marijuana in his pocket and that he was planning to smoke it. Both men where arrested and subsequently charged.
It's the only time the police can think of that caller ID has led directly to an arrest. But sometimes someone calling an arrested person leads to another arrest.
Billboards With Spy Cams
from The New York Times Advertising is often measured successful by being able to deterime how many people see a particular advertisement, when they see it, who they are. All of that is easy on the Internet, and getting easier in television and print.
Billboards are a different story. For the most part, they are still a relic of old-world media, and the best guesses about viewership numbers come from foot traffic counts or highway reports, neither of which guarantees that the people passing by were really looking at the billboard, or that they were the ones sought out.
Now, some entrepreneurs have introduced technology to solve that problem. They are equipping billboards with tiny cameras that gather details about passers-by — their gender, approximate age and how long they looked at the billboard. These details are transmitted to a central database. The cameras, they say, use software to determine that a person is standing in front of a billboard, then analyze facial features judge the person’s gender and age. So far the companies are not using race as a parameter, but they say that they can and will soon.
The goal, these companies say, is to tailor a digital display to the person standing in front of it — to show one advertisement to a middle-aged white woman, for example, and a different one to a teenage Asian boy.
Over Memorial Day weekend, one of these cameras was installed on a billboard on Eighth Avenue near Columbus Circle in Manhattan that was playing a trailer for “The Andromeda Strain,” a mini-series on the cable channel A&E.
Organized privacy groups agree, though so far the practice of monitoring billboards is too new and minimal to have drawn much opposition. But the placement of surreptitious cameras in public places has been a flashpoint in London, where cameras are used to look for terrorists, as well as in Lower Manhattan, where there is a similar initiative. Although surveillance cameras have become commonplace in banks, stores and office buildings, their presence takes on a different meaning when they are meant to sell products rather than fight crime. So while the billboard technology may solve a problem for advertisers, it may also stumble over issues of public acceptance.
Sunday, May 18
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