mordant wit

Sam - World's Ugliest Dog

he mother of a Knox County student suing the schools and the Knoxville Police Department for more than a million dollars speaks out.

Marla Higginbothem says her daughter saw graphic pictures of her dead father during a presentation designed to discourage drunk driving.

While Knoxville police usually shield the public from accident scenes, last August they showed some Holston Middle School seventh graders pictures of mangled bodies and bloody cars.

They say the program's goal is to scare kids straight at the age studies show many have already taken their first drink.

Wafah Dufour: Law Graduate and living in New York.

The standard eye chart is called the Snellen Chart, after the Dutch ophthalmologist Herman Snellen (1834-1908). Snellen developed the chart in 1862; it measures visual acuity, or the ability to see from a fixed distance.

Why the big "E?" That's how Snellen designed the original, and having a standard letter on top helps to determine the chart's size and the distance it should be from the patient. However, we found several variations of the Snellen chart: the letter "A" on top, "K V D" on top, as well as the letter "F."

The size of the letters relative to each other is very important. Snellen letters, also known as optotypes, grow progressively smaller according to a constant ratio. The eighth row of letters is usually the 20/20 line. Someone with 20/20 vision has "normal" vision (though 61% of Americans wear corrective lenses), while someone with 20/40 vision can only see at twenty feet what a normal person can see from forty feet.

Some charts use a series of "Es" facing different directions; the objective is to identify the directions of the letters. This is a popular test for children or people who can't read.

News Item Link

U.S. President George W. Bush said on Monday that he does not live "in a bubble" and that he is well aware of what is going on outside the White House, rejecting critics' claims that he is out of touch with public opinion.

"I don't feel in a bubble," Bush said in an interview on "NBC Nightly News."

"I feel like I'm getting really good advice from very capable people, and that people from all walks of life have informed me and informed those who advise me. And I feel very comfortable that I'm very aware of what's going on," Bush said.

But Bush did acknowledge the bubble of security that prevents him from enjoying ordinary experiences.

"I mean you feel in a bubble in the sense that I can't go walking out the front gate and you know, go shopping, like I'd love to do for my wife," he said.

Asked how much television news and newspapers he regularly consumes, Bush moved to dispel a myth that grew a few years ago after he told an interviewer that he does not read newspapers.

"Every morning I look at the newspaper," Bush told NBC. "I can't say I've read every single article in the newspaper. But, I definitely know what's in the news."

"Occasionally, I watch television. I don't want to hurt your feelings. But it's occasionally," Bush said jokingly.

"But I'm very aware of what's in the news. I'm aware because I see clips. I see summaries," he said. Bush added that staffers also brief him daily on what's brewing on domestic and international issues.

"Frankly, it is probably part of my own fault for needling people, but it's a myth to think I don't know what's going on," Bush said. "And it's a myth to think that I'm not aware that there (are) opinions that don't agree with mine. Because I'm fully aware of that."


This funny video shows what he's aware of!

What a difference a robot-year makes.

Only last year, Honda Motor Co.'s now-familiar humanoid robot, Asimo, was learning how to run and avoid tripping over obstacles. Now, the five-year-old droid is ready to take on simple office work, greeting visitors and fetching refreshments.

Japan's third-biggest auto maker, known for its cutting-edge robot technology, introduced Tuesday a second-generation Asimo that can also push a cart weighing up to 10 kg (22 lb), walking straight, sideways or backwards with it.

With more joints and flexibility of movement, Asimo can now also grip and carry a tray of drinks, placing it safely on a table.

Demonstrating its latest tricks through video footage, Honda showed the 130 cm-tall (4.25 feet) Asimo addressing a mock visitor by name and showing her to a conference room, all the while maintaining a steady and natural distance from the guest.

"Welcome, Sato-san," Asimo said, bowing deeply as per standard Japanese etiquette.

By pre-programming the guest's name, meeting room and other data in an IC (integrated circuit) tag to be worn by the visitor upon arrival, an office worker can remotely send commands to Asimo, which in turn would pick them up through a built-in IC tag reader.

Italy's cash-strapped government has decided to hike taxes on one of the country's few vibrant industries, pornography, to help rein in the burgeoning budget deficit, government sources told Reuters Tuesday.

The "porno-tax," which imposes an additional levy of 25 percent on all income from pornography, is contained in a package of amendments to the 2006 budget to presented in the Chamber of Deputies Tuesday or Wednesday, the sources said.

Under the amendment, subscribers to hard core television channels must also pay additional value-added tax of 10 percent. Altogether, the tougher tax-treatment of porn should bring the government some 300 million euros next year.

A recent study by the Eurispes institute estimated revenues for pornography and related industries in 2004 at some 1.1 billion euros, up 100 million euros from the previous year and up 27 percent since 1991.

That is equal to about one-third of the revenues for a company like Italy's Mediaset, one of Europe's largest broadcasters, or about the same as the Giorgio Armani luxury goods group makes.


Since the men of muscles and brains are not hardy enough to produce anything for the country, it's left to the whores to save the country! Salvation from the scorned!

The American ambassador in Iraq said today that more than 100 detainees had been abused in two Iraqi detention facilities, more than had been previously disclosed.

Also today, just ahead of nationwide elections, a Sunni Arab candidate was shot and killed, and the American military said four soldiers were killed just north of Baghdad.

The ambassador, Zalmay Khalilzad, was speaking at a news conference in Baghdad just days before the country goes to the polls on Thursday to select a full-term government. Early voting started on Monday for soldiers, hospital patients, prisoner detainees and Iraqis abroad.

Mr. Khalilzad was asked about two Iraqi detention facilities from which some detainees had been transferred to the hospital, and to comment on remarks from some Iraqi interior ministry officials characterizing the handling of the detainees as slapping. Mr. Khalilzad said he has received reports that pointed to more extreme treatment.

In an investigation that followed the discovery in November of the first detention center, called Jadriya, "it was determined that over 100 of them were abused," he said, according to a transcript of his remarks released later. He said that close to 170 people had been held there.

Another facility inspected three days ago was, according to reports he had received, "overcrowded and not in good conditions."

"I have seen figures that said 21 or 26 people who were assumed to have been abused," he said.

"I think I can say that based on reports that I have received, that it was, many instances with regard to the over hundred that we talked about it, was far worse than slapping around," Mr. Khalilzad said.


Ok! Now I understand what civilized nations are like! I am a barbarian!!!!

Europe's chief investigator looking into allegations about the existence of secret C.I.A. prisons said today that preliminary evidence suggested that American agents had kidnapped people and illegally transferred them between countries.

Dick Marty, who leads an investigation for the 46-country Council of Europe, sharply criticized the United States as failing to come clean on the allegations, notably during a five-day visit by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Europe last week. But he also said he believed that there was some degree of collaboration from European officials.

In his first written interim report on the issue, Mr. Marty said that his investigation so far had "reinforced the credibility of the allegations concerning the transfer and temporary detention of individuals, without any judicial involvement, in European countries."

His report, which was presented to the Council's Legal Affairs and Human Rights committee in Paris, also said: "Legal proceedings in progress in certain countries seemed to indicate that individuals had been abducted and transferred to other countries without respect for any legal standards."


Yet again a country that claims it is civilized. Somehow the civilized nation is doing the exact same things the nazi's did!

What started as a seemingly innocuous face-off between two innocent Lebanese youths and a group of white right-wing Australians on a suburban Sydney beachfront last Sunday has reached a flashpoint, which has shaken the very foundations of Australia’s multicultural society.

The incident sparked off a retaliatory rampage by gangs of incensed Middle Easterners, brandishing handguns and rifles on a third night of violence and mob rule in Cronulla, Maroubra and Brighton le Sands that saw women molested, innocent residents and motorists terrorised, and cars and shops vandalised by hit-and-run guerilla tactics.

The riots have created panic among residents of the beachfront, many of whom are contemplating relocating since they no longer feel safe. A national television survey revealed yesterday that 76 per cent of the respondents felt the violence would continue.

Last night Sydney police, reinforced by state units, were in a state of readiness for more trouble, a sign on a wall proclaiming: “The war has just begun”.


The so called civilized nations of the world! Trying to claim more innocent lifes of middle eastern and lebanese people.

The explosion in popularity of the DJ in pop culture, over the last decade, has been phenomenal. Individual's whose were once only known by a few club kids have turned into household names. No longer is the DJ banished to a small booth in a corner of the club but is rather the main focal point of the club's identity. Many clubs are now built around the DJ booth so all eyes are focused on the DJ and the energy he brings to the crowd. This new found visual attention has brought certain female DJ's into the spotlight for not only their talent but their beauty. Many men's magazines such as Maxim and Playboy have started to fill their pages with these sexy ladies. Don't get me wrong I enjoy a good set as much as the next house-head but if the talent is the same I would rather admire a hot chick hard at work than a guy that looks like an IT geek.


Some pics here!

Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect, Bill Gates revved up the minds of young software professionals here.

He reiterated that India was very much-preferred destination of Microsoft. Addressing over 5000 engineers at India's largest developer event Gates spoke about new developments and significance of Microsoft's new products.

"For Microsoft this has been very important, because we build platforms and we need partners who take that platform and turn it into a full solution and so the complete equation has become our leading partners. We're in this country and our latest platform work and that defines a level of software that really is not available anywhere else," Gates said.

Kate Beckinsale has revealed how she cavorts naked for her husband via an internet webcam.

The British actress says long trips away from director Len Wiseman are so unbearable they perform nightly strip sessions to keep the passion alive.

And Pearl Harbor star Kate, 32, says she loves wearing a string of sexy outfits for the camera.

"It was Len's idea and he set them up. He tells me what to wear each evening. It really helps our relationship," she added.

"There's no way we are keeping it clean. That's the whole point. It's just like when you get a photocopier and you just have to do one of your bum. It's just one of those rules of life."


Can we have the footage too?

There is no limit to the number of times an aluminum can can be recycled.

I know it's been 4 years. But this is an interesting flash documentary that tells us WHY the pentagon strike WASN'T an airplane!

About two months ago Dan Fernandez called me into his office and said, "You need to put together a Coding4Fun Holiday Guide." Okay. While not entirely sure what that meant I figured it would at least involve some sort of gift wish list and some project ideas for the whole family. Sure enough, by putting the word out to our authors and requesting input through the C4F site blog, great ideas poured in. Some of the ideas are "freebies." Some are just the kind of fun stuff that only programmers appreciate. Some will be helpful resources to use in your coding projects. Some will have great appeal to kids. And some will separate the true geeks from the mere wanna-bes.

Since we're all coders here, one of the things we wanted to do was distinguish this guide from other online holiday gift guides by primarily focusing on products that have an API you can code to. For most items, we've included links for how you can get the product and how you can code it.

Please note that all prices are approximate street prices in U.S. dollars. These products are not necessarily endorsed by Microsoft and are the personal opinions of the Coding4Fun team and of course our faithful reader submissions.

So on November 10, 2005, I finished setting this up, started watching it, discovered the Palpatine coincidence, and figured it was worth putting up a small web page about. I threw one together quickly, just explaining what it was and covering the first few minutes of the movies, and showed it to a few people in the TFN Fanfilms chatroom. One of them showed it to one of his friends, who didn't know it wasn't finished and submitted it to digg, which I'd never even heard of but apparently is wicked popular. I went to sleep, and when I woke up it was on the front page of digg and had had about 10,000 hits overnight. Then a bunch of other popular websites posted it too, and then another friend of mine submitted it to Slashdot and, well, there it is. So that was my 15 minutes of fame I guess. Wheeeeeee. Back to obscuredom now.

Bloggers will now be able to send their online musings into deep space for free in an unorthodox attempt to find intelligent life in the universe.

Florida firm MindComet is offering to transmit all blogs into the ether via a commercial satellite.

The idea is to add blogs to the information being broadcast to any potential little green men, which currently includes all the television and radio signals the planet has generated over the past century.

"I have always believed that other intelligent life forms are out there and for the first time they will be able to peer into the life of average Homo Sapiens," explained Ted Murphy, president and chief executive at MindComet.

"We are giving bloggers the opportunity to send a piece of their lives into space to potentially connect with extraterrestrials."


Considering the life of bloggers! All they can do is "connect" with aliens!!!!

E-Numbers represent specific food additives, used by the food industry in the manufacture of various food products. These E-Numbers have been formulated by the European Economic Community (EEC) and are universally adopted by the food industry worldwide.

It is known that many E-numbers contain unlisted haram ingredients in them. Generally additives derived from animals and insects.

E-numbers are reference numbers used by the European Union to facilitate identification of food additives. All food additives used in the European Union are identified by an E-number. The "E" stands for "Europe" or "European Union". Normally each food additive is assigned a unique number, though occasionally, related additives are given an extension ("a", "b", or "i", "ii") to another E-number.

ACCORDING to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, John Seigenthaler Sr. is 78 years old and the former editor of The Tennessean in Nashville. But is that information, or anything else in Mr. Seigenthaler's biography, true?

The question arises because Mr. Seigenthaler recently read about himself on Wikipedia and was shocked to learn that he "was thought to have been directly involved in the Kennedy assassinations of both John and his brother Bobby."

"Nothing was ever proven," the biography added.

Mr. Seigenthaler discovered that the false information had been on the site for several months and that an unknown number of people had read it, and possibly posted it on or linked it to other sites.

If any assassination was going on, Mr. Seigenthaler (who is 78 and did edit The Tennessean) wrote last week in an op-ed article in USA Today, it was of his character.

A cult is a religion with no political power.

A German Protestant youth group has put together a 2006 calendar with 12 staged photos depicting erotic scenes from the Bible, including a bare-breasted Delilah cutting Samson's hair and a nude Eve offering an apple.

"There's a whole range of biblical scriptures simply bursting with eroticism," said Stefan Wiest, the 32-year-old photographer who took the titillating pictures.

Anne Rohmer, 21, poses on a doorstep in garters and stockings as the prostitute Rahab, who is mentioned in both New and Old Testaments. "We wanted to represent the Bible in a different way and to interest young people," she told Reuters.

"Anyway, it doesn't say anywhere in the Bible that you are forbidden to show yourself nude."

Bernd Grasser, pastor of the church in Nuremberg where the calendar is being sold, was enthusiastic about the project which is explained online at www.bibelkalender.de.

"It's just wonderful when teenagers commit themselves with their hair and their skin to the bible," he said.


That is such a pathetic way to disgrace one's own religion!

American pop icon announces intention to convert to Islam, according to sources in Bahrain.

Does this explain the anti-Semitic comments? American pop star Michael Jackson has officially announced that he has been following the five tenets of Islam and intends to convert to Islam, according to a report on the website of Arab-Israeli newspaper Panorama.

The report is based on information elicited from sources in Bahrain.

According to the report, Jackson’s announcement noted he is moving to Bahrain and has purchased some real-estate on an artificial island there. The singer said he decided to convert to Islam because he is convinced it is the closest religion to his personal beliefs.

Do not hug or kiss in public - even when meeting at stations and airports - and do not smoke or consume alcohol publicly either.

These are some of the guidelines being given to tourists visiting a popular part of India's north-western Rajasthan state to ensure they can respect local culture.

The guidelines come after a number of unfortunate cultural faux pas, including an Israeli couple kissing at their Hindu wedding ceremony and a Finnish woman walking naked down the streets of Pushkar.


Somehow that is not the impression I came across with when watching Indian movies!

Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be.

by Joseph Clifford

The Russians got into their Vietnam right after we got out of ours? Isn't that strange?

We supported Bin Laden and the Taliban for years, and viewed them as freedom fighters against the Russians? Isn't that strange?

As late as 1998 the US was paying the salary of every single Taliban official in Afghanistan? Isn't that strange?

There is more oil and gas in the Caspian Sea area than in Saudi Arabia, but you need a pipeline through Afghanistan to get the oil out. Isn't that strange?

UNOCAL, a giant American Oil conglomerate, wanted to build a 1000 mile long pipeline from the Caspian Sea through Afghanistan to the Arabian Sea. Isn't that strange?

UNOCAL spent $10,000,000,000 on geological surveys for pipeline construction, and very nicely courted the Taliban for their support in allowing the construction to begin. Isn't that strange?

All of the leading Taliban officials were in Texas negotiating with UNOCAL in 1998. Isn't that strange?

1998-1999 the Taliban changed its mind and threw UNOCAL out of the country and awarded the pipeline project to a company from Argentina. Isn't that strange?

John Maresca VP of UNOCAL testified before Congress and said no pipeline until the Taliban was gone and a more friendly government was established. Isn't that strange?

1999-2000 The Taliban became the most evil people in the world. Isn't that strange?

Niaz Naik, a former Pakistani Foreign Secretary, was told by senior American officials in mid-July that military action against Afghanistan would go ahead by the middle of October. Isn't that strange?

9/11 WTC disaster.

Bush goes to war against Afghanistan even though none of the hijackers came from Afghanistan. Isn't that strange?

Bush blamed Bin Laden but has never offered any proof saying it’s a "secret". Isn't that strange?

Taliban offered to negotiate to turn over Bin Laden if we showed them some proof. We refused; we bombed. Isn't that strange?

Bush said: "This is not about nation building. It's about getting the terrorists." Isn't that strange?

We have a new government in Afghanistan. Isn't that strange?

The leader of that government formerly worked for UNOCAL. Isn't that strange?

Bush appoints a special envoy to represent the US to deal with that new government, who formerly was the "chief consultant to UNOCAL". Isn't that strange?

The Bush family acquired their wealth through oil? Isn't that strange?

Bush's Secretary of Interior was the President of an oil company before going to Washington. Isn't that strange?

George Bush Sr. now works with the "Carlysle Group" specializing in huge oil investments around the world. Isn't that strange?

Condoleezza Rice worked for Chevron before gong to Washington. Isn't that strange?

Chevron named one of its newest "supertankers" after Condoleezza. Isn't that strange?

Dick Cheney worked for the giant oil conglomerate Haliburton before becoming VP. Isn't that strange?

Haliburton gave Cheney $34 Million dollars as a farewell gift when he left Haliburton. Isn't that strange?

Haliburton is in the pipeline construction business. Isn't that strange?

There is $6 Trillion dollars worth of oil in the Caspian Sea area. Isn't that strange?

The US government quietly announces Jan 31, 2002 we will support the construction of the Trans-Afghanistan pipeline. Isn't that strange?

President Musharref (Pakistan), and Karrzai, (Afghanistan -Unocal) announce agreement to build proposed gas pipeline from Central Asia to Pakistan via Afghanistan. (Irish Times 02/10/02) Isn't that strange?


"It’s the Oil, Stupid!"

The defence team in the trial of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has walked out of court, throwing the third day of hearings into disarray.

The incident happened after the chief judge refused to allow defence lawyers to address the special Iraqi court in Baghdad to question its legitimacy.

Saddam Hussein and seven former aides deny involvement in a 1982 massacre.

The defence argues it cannot present its case properly. Two defence lawyers have been murdered in recent weeks.

Shortly after Monday's hearing began, the defence engaged in a heated exchange with presiding judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin.

Lawyers demanded to speak to question the legality of the court and security measures for the defence.

But the judge said the court had already ruled on those issues, and that only written complaints would be considered.

"This is the law," he said.

Saddam Hussein replied that the law had been created by the Americans and the hearing descended into chaos.

Barzan al-Tikriti, Saddam's half-brother, stood up in the dock and shouted: "Long live Iraq! Long live Arabs! Down with the dictators! Long live democracy!"

Food-critic-turned-novelist Giles Coren won one of Britain's most dreaded literary accolades on Thursday -- the prize for bad sex in fiction.

The prize is awarded each year "to draw attention to the crude, tasteless, often perfunctory use of redundant passages of sexual description in the modern novel."

Coren won it for a raunchy passage from his debut novel "Winkler" which included a description of the main character's penis "leaping around like a shower dropped in an empty bath."

"It was the overexcited shower ... which clinched the deal for Giles Coren," judges said. "That and the endlessly long sentence, which squirms and wriggles like the shower head."

Coren, better known as restaurant critic for the Times newspaper, fought off competition from several well-known authors including former Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie and U.S. travel and fiction writer Paul Theroux.

The winner of the award, organized by the London-based Literary Review, is given an Oscar-style statuette and a bottle of champagne -- but only if he or she comes to the awards ceremony in person.

Organizers said Coren was expected to attend.

The Canadian province of Ontario plans to review a court decision that acquitted a man of sexual assault charges because he suffers from "sexsomnia" and was asleep at the time of the incident.

The Office of the Attorney General, which oversees the province's prosecutions, said on Thursday it needs to research its options for an appeal because of the strange circumstances of the case.

"This matter will be carefully considered to determine our next steps," said Brendan Crawley, a spokesman for the Attorney General.

Jan Luedecke, 33, was acquitted of sexual assault charges on Tuesday because he said he was asleep during the attack.

A sleep expert testified that Luedecke suffers from a disorder that causes sexsomnia -- involuntary sexual behavior during sleep -- which he had experienced before.

The court heard that Luedecke and the female victim met at a party. She testified she fell asleep and woke up to find Luedecke having sex with her. She pushed him away and called the police.

Luedecke confessed to police after he discovered was still wearing a condom and realized he had had sex.

Canadian media reported that the victim left the courtroom in tears when the verdict was read, and said she would take the case to the highest court possible.

The Crown has 30 days to present its appeal.

The CDA (Captital Development Authority) website! It is the development authority for Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan (an Islamic Republic) and they've hosted ads for Jewish singles!!!!


Thanx to Shehryar Hydri

In your life
In our lives
So many people
Have come and gone
A friendly face
Vanishes without a trace
Friends and lovers
Finding others
Promises
Never kept
They move on
As we wept

Intense moments
Forgotten
Feelings felt
Fade away
How many said they cared?
How many promised
To always be there?
Where are they now?
Why must it be this way?

What do I do?
What will you do?
What should we do?
Trust again
Hurt again
Love again
Die again
Knock me down
Like always I'll get up
Bruised
Battered
Betrayed
And the scars which remain
Mark the sorrow and pain
That will live inside
Even after we've died

Doctors in France said they had performed the world’s first partial face transplant, forging the way into a risky medical frontier by operating on a woman disfigured by a dog bite.

The 38-year-old woman, who wants to remain anonymous, had a nose, lips and chin grafted onto her face from a brain-dead donor whose family gave consent. The operation, performed Sunday, was led by a surgeon already famous for a transplant breakthrough, Dr. Jean-Michel Dubernard.