A free thinker in the Heartland...

Friday, September 29, 2006

Orb of Confusion!

I think I have figured out what wingnuts have put in their Kool-Aid!


Kitten Blogging Friday

Bad kitties, smokin' in the bathroom!

smokin

Survivor pulls a PT Barnum

The show Survivor has lost viewers the past few years, because if you have seen starving dirty people on beaches doing pointless tasts, you have seen them all. But this season, they threw in the twist of SEGREGATION!

Yes the airwaves were filled with the shrill complants, of how a show could turn back time by seperating contestants by race! The SHAME!

Well the last laugh was on the viewers, I am afraid. From the South Bend Tribune:

All the hubbub about the "Survivor" ethnic experiment turned out to be pretty worthless.

Why? Because after only two episodes, producers merged the black, white, Asian and Latino tribes into two mixed-race gangs on the CBS reality show Thursday night. No explanation was given for the quick abandonment of segregation; it seemed to pass by so quickly as to mean nothing.

"We're back to America. We're a melting pot," said Parvati, a boxer on the new Raro tribe. "I love it."


I don't watch the show (I could claim on principal, but I just don't like these types of reality shows), so I could care that they decieved their audience... but I wonder how their viewers feel about this?

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Et tu Ethanol?

If you have heard the hype about Ethanol saving us from foreign oil, you may want to read Consumer Reports article "The ethanol myth."

A recent Harris Interactive study of vehicle owners found that more than half were interested in purchasing an FFV [flexible-fuel vehicles], mostly for reduced dependency on petroleum and improved fuel economy.

But after putting a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe FFV through an array of fuel economy, acceleration, and emissions tests, and interviewing more than 50 experts on ethanol fuel, CR determined that E85 will cost consumers more money than gasoline and that there are concerns about whether the government’s support of FFVs is really helping the U.S. achieve energy independence.


WHAAA???


* The fuel economy of the Tahoe dropped 27 percent when running on E85 compared with gasoline, from an already low 14 mpg overall to 10 mpg (rounded to the nearest mpg). This is the lowest fuel mileage we’ve gotten from any vehicle in recent years.

* With the retail pump price of E85 averaging $2.91 per gallon in August, according to the Oil Price Information Service, which tracks petroleum and other fuel prices, a 27 percent fuel-economy penalty means drivers would have paid an average of $3.99 for the energy equivalent of a gallon of gasoline..

* When we calculated the Tahoe’s driving range, we found that it decreased to about 300 miles on a full tank of E85 compared with about 440 on gasoline. So you have to fill up more often with E85.

* The majority of FFVs are large vehicles like the Tahoe that get relatively poor fuel economy even on gasoline. So they will cost you a lot at the pump, no matter which fuel you use.

* Because E85 is primarily sold in the upper Midwest, most drivers in the country have no access to the fuel, even if they want it. For our Tahoe test, for example, we had to blend our own (see The great E85 fuel hunt).

* The FFV surge is being motivated by generous fuel-economy credits that auto-makers get for every FFV they build, even if it never runs on E85. This allows them to pump out more gas-guzzling large SUVs and pickups, which is resulting in the consumption of many times more gallons of gasoline than E85 now replaces.


There is much more in the latest issue of CR, but I don't have the time to copy and post it, but it is a very enlighting article... especially since I was excited about lowering our oil dependence. The best part of the article was the talk about how auto-makers are using fuel-economy credits to just keep making large SUVs and pickups... WHICH WE ARE NOT EVEN BUYING ANYWAY! The caps portion of that sentence is my view, and not of CR. I came away knowing that ethanol is NOT the final answer, if anything it is just a band-aid.

Is there any good news out there?

Check Out Our News Video

Over at our news site, we have:

Pakistan cleard of ball tampering (soccer? who cares about soccer?)
Zambians vote for new President (10 points if you can point to the country on the globe)
Tourists simulate Mexican border run (because there is nothing more fun than sneaking into a country!)
Latest headlines today (up to date biatch!)
Exiled Empress comes home
Croc Hunter's wife breaks silence (with Barbara Walters milking every second for emotions)
And more video of the latest news!

Check it out!

In Today's Creepy Video

I dunno what is worse, the dancing in this video or a 7 year old talking about "love potion #9". I report, you decide!


Coca Cola Recipies???

Oh be still my heart... is there more we can do with Coca Cola than just drinking it???

(I should point out I am a Coca Cola collector, or I was. I have a collection of glasses, straw dispense, watch, bears, little bottles, sheets, etc. Yes, I am weird. Deal with it.)

You can find Coca Cola recipies here at INtake, a magazine from the Indianapolis Star.

The red-and-white can has long allured caffeineophiles. But Coke is good for more than just drinking. You can eat it, too.

"Coca-Cola has become such a part of our heritage, that it's no surprise, over the years, that people have become creative and developed ways to use Coca-Cola as an ingredient in tasty appetizers, entrees and desserts," said Phil Mooney, archivist for The Coca-Cola Company.

"Today people frequently use Coca-Cola and other great beverage products from The Coca-Cola Company to enhance many dishes and delight their friends and family with recipes that range from French toast to pork chops to chocolate cake."

With the Coca-Cola-sponsored Circle City Classic in town this week, try some of these tasty treats.


Pause for a break for my post-collapsing software. :)

Lemony-honey glazed pork chops

Ingredients:

3 cups Diet Coke with Lemon®

4 (about 1 3/4 pounds) pork chops, bone-in, cut to 3/4-inch thickness, about 7 ounces each, trimmed

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked

1/4 cup coriander seeds, whole

4 teaspoons olive oil

1 garlic clove, smashed

1 cup water

1 bay leaf

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon coriander seeds, whole, crushed

1 lemon, medium, peel and pith removed, sliced into 16 1/8-inch slices

Directions:

Reduce diet cola in a saucepan over medium-high heat to 1/2 cup, about 30 minutes. Set aside. Season pork chops with salt and black pepper. Place coriander seeds onto a plate or other flat surface. Coat the edges of the pork chops by gently pressing into coriander seeds.

Pour olive oil into a skillet and heat over medium. When hot, add chops and cook until golden brown, about five minutes. Turn chops over and continue cooking until second side is golden brown and pork is cooked through, four to five minutes. Remove from heat and keep warm.

Prepare glaze by adding garlic and water to the skillet. Bring to a simmer, scraping the drippings. Add cola reduction, bay leaf, lemon juice, honey and crushed coriander. Stir, return to a simmer, and reduce to a light glaze, about six to eight minutes. Remove garlic and bay leaf. Dip pork chops in the glaze and serve with lemon slices. Serves four.


There are 2 more at the site, but I can't wait to try them out and serve them with a cold Coke!

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

A Book I Want

Lets see if this thing works...


Today's Horrible Video!

America - You Can Do Magic



Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Happy Blogiversary to ME!

Yes, I started this little thing a year ago today. I set out to break the thing by adding anything and everything to the sidebar, but never was able to completely break the thing. I have it working nicely right now, so here is to the next year hear at MARKED HOOSIER!!!

happyblogiversary

1 year

I thought I felt "EVIL" yesterday

I should have known Cheney was around...

Vice President Dick Cheney visited the Grand Rapids area Monday to rally the troops and provide a financial boost to the campaign of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Bouchard.

Cheney offered his thanks to the several hundred members of the military and their families during a rally at a Michigan National Guard armory in the suburb of Wyoming.

HA HA HA HA HA HA

Poor, poor, poor Dr. Phil... from the Indy Star:

Unhappy customers who sued "Dr. Phil" McGraw over his now discontinued Shape Up! diet plan have reached a $10.5 million settlement agreement with the TV psychologist, an attorney for the plaintiffs said.

The lawsuit, filed in 2004 on behalf of three disappointed consumers, claimed McGraw defrauded fans with his yearlong venture into the diet supplement business, making false statements about the pills. McGraw has denied the allegations and admitted no wrongdoing or misrepresentation in the settlement.

Henry H. Rossbacher, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said thousands of eligible customers nationwide will be able to choose either replacement products or a small cash reward as part of the settlement. It wasn't immediately clear how much each person could receive.

Rossbacher said a fund would be set up with $6 million in Nutrilite vitamins and $4.5 million in cash.

Insurance will cover the costs of the settlement and McGraw will have no personal obligation to contribute to the fund, Rossbacher said.


Now for you Dr. Phil fans, the key words there were "will have no personal obligation to contribute to the fund." Now I am not a Phil fan... I find him irritating and it seems to me that he comes down harder on women he talks to than to men.

Caption it!

sadclown

Monday, September 25, 2006

Music Test

I just want to see if this works... it should have a little link to play Beethoven's 9th Symphony.

Beethoven's 9th Symphony

Thanks for Visiting!

For stopping by, take some candy!!! :)

candy1

candy2

candy3

How bout them Colts?

Anyone watch that Colts game? I tell ya, I just don't know how they are winning these games where the teams seem to be able to run all over them. I know I couldn't watch the first quarter of the Jaguars game, but it just reminded me of the Giants game where Tiki Barbar and their other new RB just couldn't be stopped by the Colts.

Our running game seems to be hit or miss, but your passing game is still killer. Way to go Colts by staying calm and playing your game and never giving up! I just underestimate them at times, I guess. Next week should be another "fun" one to watch with the New York Jets, whose new coach has them playing hard and winning games.

Did you hear about Chris Simms playing with a ruptured spleen? That is a tough guy! The Bears won again, but I am NO Bears fan. The South Bend stations that carry the NFL games seem to care more about the Bears than the Colts... I still am angry when WSBT had the rights to show either the Bear game or the Colt game choose to show the Bears, even though it was the end of a 3-13 Bear season versus the Colts who were playing for a playoff position. Yes, I hold grudges, why do you ask?

What did you find interesting in Week Three of football?

Sunday, September 24, 2006

How old is my dog?




Crime and Punishment

There is a great article in South Bend Tribune about how differently criminals can be treated in different counties... even neighboring ones in Indiana.

My word of advice... if you are going to break the law - don't do it in Wabash County.

Here is part of the article:

Adrian Prado likely felt unlucky on Nov. 23, 2003, the day he jumped into a car in a South Bend parking lot and sold his acquaintance some methamphetamine.

Unlucky because it turned out his customer was wearing a wire for the police, who happened to be nearby videotaping the transaction.

Prado ultimately pleaded guilty to dealing methamphetamine, a Class B felony worth up to 20 years in prison under state law.


But things might have been worse for the 20-year-old had he committed his crime in Elkhart County, as Danny Heerschop did.

After the police in Goshen caught 35-year-old Heerschop selling methamphetamine, he, too, pleaded guilty.

It was the first felony conviction for both men, but they were treated very differently in court.

St. Joseph Superior Judge Jerome Frese sentenced Prado to 10 years in prison but suspended eight of those and allowed him to serve the two "executed" years on home detention rather than in prison.

Prado has since allegedly violated terms of the program and has been arrested. He is due back in court Dec. 1, according to court records, and could be forced to serve the full 10-year prison sentence.

In contrast, Heerschop is sitting in a prison cell. Elkhart Circuit Judge Terry Shewmaker handed him a 15-year sentence at the Miami Correctional Facility. His earliest possible release date is in 2012.


Sorry to break up the blockquote, but the little add on I got to condense large posts has a problem with blockquoting, so I have to break up large quotes to get my posts to condense.



Way to go World Champion White Sox

I still have my fingers crossed that something magical could happen to get the Chisox into the post season, I am going to start celebrating them giving us a great year following a World Series winning year! They did good... maybe not as good as we would have liked but they are one of the top teams in the dominant American League and they are in THE toughest division in baseball. Just like a Red Sox fan I know, I could talk about how they are better than other teams going into the post season... and they ARE!

So lets have a look back...

What a Team!




Dangit...

Thanks to TBogg, here is a video I meant to show awhile ago but completely forgot. DANG!


Thursday, September 21, 2006

Ugh, I hate new school rules...

While reading the South Bend Tribune online, I saw this headline, "Cupcakes still OK for parties."

I said to myself, "WHAAAAAA???" and of course click on the article.

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation’s new wellness policy doesn’t mean no more cupcakes for parties.

But it does mean parents providing snacks need to offer one of the district’s designated healthier options alongside the sweet treats.

P-H-M adopted the policy over the summer, complying with federal rules attached to funding for the National School Lunch Program, Food Service Director Jill Riggs explained to room parents at Horizon Elementary School on Tuesday night.
...
“If you want to bring in cupcakes, serve them with apple juice.”


Thankfully they didn't take the cupcakes away. Is it just me, or does taking cupcakes away from elementary school classroom parties seems a tiny bit EXTREME? I just don't get it, school has changed a ton since I was edumacated but has it really resulted in better schools? I don't think the answer to "bad" schools is change just for the sake of change. Personally I think a majority of schools are not that bad... I think I got a fine education here in BFE Indiana. I had things called "recesses" in elementary school. Three of them actually... and guess what? I still graduated with A's... still got to college and actually didn't do too bad at IU either.

Isn't it about time we start screaming that they shouldn't take our cupcakes away?

Musical Interlude

Yea, like I am here but not here... so for your entertainment may I present to you White Stripes - My Doorbell


Monday, September 18, 2006

Indiana Politics At A Glance

Who, what, when, where and why of Indiana Politics can be found at B.L.O.N.D.E. Bombshell's Myspace!

I agree with her...

Voting time is upon us! For those of you who don't know what is going on in the fine state of Indiana, here is all the information that you need. Please go out and vote, even if you don't think that your vote will make a difference; all you have to do is look at the mess that we are in, and you will know that it will make a difference!


Thanks to B.L.O.N.D.E. Bombshell and Daylin Byak for all the info!

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Understanding Social Security and the Tax Cuts easily

Thanks to Lee Arnold for sending me these... they are very informative and make economics easier to understand in his "Ecolanguage" (YES!, Lee coined that phrase!*).

First the Social Security video...



Next the Bush Tax Cuts video...



For more Ecolanguage videos, check out Lee's YouTube channel!

*if you don't know Skippy, then you didn't get this joke

Today In Sports

Colt won easily, I have been feeling sorry for our division teams Texas and Tennessee.  Sure I want the Colts to beat them, but I don't want them to be horrible year after year.  It seems the Bears are going to have a good team this year, but I am NO fan.  I hate them, and the Cubs.  Speaking of baseball... the Chisox were swept by Oakland... the Sox are still 5 games back of the division leader, and now 4 games back in the wildcard.  Damn Tigers and Twins TO HELL! 

Notre Dame lost yesterday, which actually amused me.  I am not a fan, I am an IU fan and since they suck at football I want everyone to suffer with me. 

Back to watching Dallas/Washington.  I am cheering for Washington and even though they are having a tough game, they are hanging in there. 

Saturday, September 16, 2006

In today's funny video

Oh how things were different in the late 80's...


Friday, September 15, 2006

Vote For Joe!

You might notice a new button on the left o' the blog.  Joe Donnelly is running against Chris Chocola for the US House of Representatives from Indiana's Second District. 

Feel free to click on the button to visit Joe's site, or just go to www.donnellyforuscongress.com to find out more about the canidate. 

Chris Chocola won't miss congress anyway... more time to tune up that golf game anyway.

In today's funny video...

The Muppet Show - Hugga Wugga

The Muppet Show - Hugga Wugga





Kids fears about Spinach prove to be true!

Oh why didn't we listen to the children? They were right about spinach being bad...

An outbreak of E. coli in eight states -- including Indiana -- has left at least one person dead and 50 others sick, federal health officials said Thursday in warning consumers nationwide not to eat bagged fresh spinach.

The death occurred in Wisconsin, where 20 others were made ill, said Dr. David Acheson of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. The outbreak has sickened others -- eight of them seriously -- in Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah.

In California, state health officials were investigating a possible case and warned consumers not to eat the produce.

FDA officials do not know the source of the outbreak other than it appears to be linked to bagged fresh spinach. "We're advising people not to eat it," Acheson said.


I knew my fear of all the uglier green vegetables would be proven one day... I am starting a campaign tomorrow about boycotting Brussels sprouts and maybe moving on to the truly horrible... lima beans!

REVOLUTION NOW! JOIN ME!!!

Cross posted for max exposure to Loaded Mouth...

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Feeling Crappy

Blogging is tough when I feel bad, but hey I cleaned up the place a little!

Anyone notice political ads are on tv... all the time. With two months to go, this IN-02 congressional race is going to get HOT! I am voting for Joe Donnelly and if you are one of my neighbors in this district, I hope you do too.

Blogging to resume soon, untill then check out Marked Hoosier's News Video!

Today's Funny Video

So annoying, you will laugh. Polka away...


News Video Now!

Finally I have started cleaning up this place. I still have Reuter news video, but you can find it on it's own page here. Thanks to Marie from American's For Bayh for the idea! It took me a while to actually act on the tip though! Go say hi to Marie and lets all throw our support behind Bayh in 2008!

I will clean up more of the sidebar later so hopefully this place loads up a little faster.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Lets help Indiana Schools

I was contacted a few days ago by DonorsChoose.org about donating to our Indiana schools. As they say on the website:

Help us raise the first $100,000 for Indiana students and teachers! Our sponsors have generously half-funded these projects, making it easier for you to bring them to life! Help Indiana teachers and students by giving to any of these projects, or give to the overall campaign.


You can even read about it at the Indianapolis Star:

Indiana teachers will have a national venue to make a wish list of donations they want for their classrooms that would reach a pool of about 10,000 donors under a new program announced this morning.

Gov. Mitch Daniels and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed announced that the state had joined Donorschoose.org, a Web site that matches teachers with donors.

Anyone can give to the teachers whose projects have been approved, and all donors will receive updates on the project, said Charles Best, who founded the organization while he was a teacher in New York City.

The entire amount of the donation goes to the classroom teachers, although Best said about 90 percent of donors also choose to increase their payment by 15 percent to help cover overhead costs.

Several sponsors — Chase, Duke Realty, the Lumina Foundation and the Lilly Endowment — joined the organization and the state to expand the Web site to Indiana. It currently serves several cities and states, mostly on the East Coast.


I know times are tough, but if you are capable of giving a little, how bout thinking about helping our Indiana schools? Just go to the website I linked to or click on the banner I posted at the right.

Monday, September 11, 2006

9/11

We Remember.

Friday, September 08, 2006

Everything you want or need to know about "Path to 9/11"

Over at Loaded Mouth, Kryten has been posting and updating all the latest information about the ABC docudrama "Path to 9/11."

Just go here to find out everything you need to know, or what you can do. The post is continually updated and is very up to date with the latest details and developments.

For more, check out his earlier post here.

I am with the opinion that it should be totally factual or not at all. We should never play politics with 9/11.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Chocola and Big Oil Video

This video remeinds me of spring and Valentine's Day...


Football

Are you ready for some football? The season starts tonight! Who cares if it is two teams I hate... I am pullin' for the Dolphins though. Yes, I am that bitter of a Colts fan. I hate the Steelers, and I want the Dolphins to win their division over the Patriots.

In blog news, I am close to my one year anniversary here. I also just passed 1000 hits! Thanks for stopping by everyone, and here is to the next thousand! :)

I was wrong about my 1000th hit... I accidently had the counter set to show pageviews and not visitors. DANG IT!

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Calling In Sick


Monday, September 04, 2006

My new favorite TDS correspondent

May I present to you, Aasif Mandvi.




Don't play with Stingrays

Jerry Labella tells us how dangerous a Stingray is.

"What you see is what you get" is an expression that doesn’t always apply. This is true of the stingray that seemingly has no visible barb stinger. But don’t be deceived! According to Dr. Bob Shipp, Ph.D. professor of the University of Alabama and authority on fishes of the Gulf of Mexico, the barb may be concealed within a sheathlike tail wrapping, depending on its size and species. The barb, or spine, according to Dr. Shipp, can grow back if broken off, and is actually a modified scale, armored with recurved serrations that are as sharp as razors. The stingray has the ability to whip its tail up over its back and strike a victim. During the strike the tail sheath covering instantly moves back to expose the barb, located about one third the way down its tail (bluntnose and Atlantic species). In some instances it can whip its tail around a victim to exert a more powerful blow.

Never underestimate the penetrating ability of a stingray’s barb, even on the smallest of stingrays. The stingray’s barb is designed to penetrate virtually all sorts of dense materials, including wood and leather. And as unbelievable as it may seem, it’s been documented that large stingrays are able to drive a barb through a boat’s wooden planks or completely through a persons arm or leg.

According to Dr. Shipp, when a stingray strikes, it either removes its barb entirely, or breaks it off inside of the victim. When this occurs, doctors must probe the wound to make sure all particles have been removed, so the injury will not result in gangrene. In cases where the barb deeply penetrated, the wound must be enlarged to make sure it is properly cleaned.

Aside from the pain and serious laceration caused by the razor-sharp barb, which can sever arteries and possibly an Achilles tendon, a poison is released that can produce a drastic decrease in blood pressure, increased pulse, dizziness and possible shock.


Crocodile hunter dies

Wow this is shocking news. From the Associated Press via Comcast News:

Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australian television personality and environmentalist known as the "Crocodile Hunter," was killed Monday by a stingray during a diving expedition, Australian media said. He was 44.

Irwin was filming an underwater documentary on the Great Barrier Reef in northeastern Queensland state when the accident occurred, Sydney's The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on its Web site.

The Australian Broadcasting Corp. said Irwin was diving near Low Isles Reef near the resort town of Port Douglas, about 1,260 miles north of the state capital of Brisbane.

Queensland ambulance service spokesman Bob Hamil confirmed that a diver had been killed by a stingray off Lowe Isles Reef but refused to say who the victim was until relatives had been notified.

Sunday, September 03, 2006

I love the Piano

I always found the playing of a piano to be soothing, calming, even thought provoking. I have a hard time finding piano music myself, and I am too proud to ask for help at a music store. What can I say, I am weird like that. YouTube to the rescue, check this out.


Today in Chocola talk...

Gotta love attack ads, that is all Chris Chocola is running... and man is it in overkill.

Anyway, who else paid property taxes late?


Chris Chocola hit Joe Donnelly hard earlier this summer when it was reported that the Democratic challenger for the 2nd District U.S. Congress seat had been delinquent in paying property taxes several times in recent years.

Now, Chocola is on the defensive against news that his company once paid a property tax payment late.
...
“Chris Chocola should take down his ad,” Donnelly said of the original TV spot. “The fact that he would attack me for late payments when he has also made late payments is just another example of why voters can't trust him.”


I am not sure how this is an issue anyway... he not only paid the taxes but paid more with penalties and such added on.

How to get an apology

Tom Cruise might be seeing the light... he made a mea culpa.

Tom Cruise ended his War of the Worlds with Brooke Shields by saying he was sorry for blasting her for her use of anti-depressants, the actress said.

The "Mission:Impossible" star swallowed his pride to visit Shields' home on Thursday, and ended the dispute he'd dragged her into during an anti-psychiatry, anti-prescription drugs rant.

"He came over to my house and he gave me a heartfelt apology," Shields, 41, said on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" Friday night. "He apologized for bringing me into the whole thing and for everything that happened."


Just goes to show that you can get anything, when it affects a person's pocketbook.

Friday, September 01, 2006

Sending a trackback...

My other blog, Loaded Mouth, has reopened trackbacks and unregistered posting. Yea!

I just wanted to be the first to get a trackback in!

:)