[Banana]

I found this article about gambling in Russia from Moog's link in his thread; got a chuckle out of this gem:

In the modern ultra-capitalist Russia, he [the casino owner] has seen oligarchs blow a million in his casinos over a couple of days. He says it is a chance for him to redistribute the nation's wealth which is currently concentrated in so few hands. He claims the oligarchs' bad luck means bigger bonuses for his staff. I am touched.

[Windswept]

Wow. That little duck who was shot and spent two days in the fridge is back in the news. Apparently she was in surgery to fix her injured wing and she basically died. Twice.

"The first time she stopped breathing, a quick thump on the chest brought her back," Ms May told the BBC News website. "But once the surgeon started sewing her back up she stopped breathing again, this time for 15 seconds." When a second thump failed to bring Perky round, veterinary surgeon David Hale tried manipulating the duck's beak, before using a needle to shock her into consciousness. At one point the duck was given pure oxygen through a face mask, Ms May said. "At that point the vet turned and said: 'I'm sorry, she's gone.'" The room fell into shocked silence as those present took in the news, but then Perky raised her head and began flapping her wings. The relief reduced everyone to tears, Ms May said, describing one of her colleagues as "extremely emotional" as she left the room. "For the duck to have gone through all of this and then to die at that time was a real shock," Ms May said. "This duck has taken us all on an emotional rollercoaster," she said, adding that Perky has since recovered well and is staying out of trouble.

I love animals, and I'm so glad there are people in the world who care about them as much as I do.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6309159.stm

[World Leader Pretend]

I'd better bite my tongue on this one I'm glad the duck is OK, but surgery?

My uncle is a longtime veterinarian and he always is telling me about people with too much money wanting surgery for their fish, or a $10,000 operation on their cat, who will probably die within the next few years of old age anyway. Maybe I'm just a cynic

[murbot]

Ouch.

[murbot]

Originally Posted by World Leader Pretend I'd better bite my tongue on this one I'm glad the duck is OK, but surgery? My uncle is a longtime veterinarian and he always is telling me about people with too much money wanting surgery for their fish, or a $10,000 operation on their cat, who will probably die within the next few years of old age anyway. Maybe I'm just a cynic

Funny story. My girlfriend's dad once was pissed off because there was this hawk hanging around the back yard, and he liked keeping quails around by leaving feed out, so he didn't want the hawk eating them. So he takes out a pellet gun to scare it off, only he shoots the fucking thing right in the wing, grounding it instantly. We feel bad and take it to this vet who works on wild animals, saying that we found it injured, so he fixed the thing up and let it go when it was healed.

Actually I guess that's not that funny. Anyway, who knew the old man was a fucking crack shot. *shrug*

[Windswept]

I once visited this place in Sitka, Alaska. It's a rehabilitation center for injured birds of prey, mostly eagles.

Sometimes an eagle will grab a salmon from the water that's so heavy that the eagle will get dislocated wings from trying to carry such a heavy fish.

The eagle will just sink to the ground and die if not rescued, because it can't fly anymore.

Eagles are plentiful in Sitka. I enjoyed touring the raptor rehab center, because they rehabilitate and return to the wild so many eagles! They are quite magnificent birds.

(Many have been shot by idiots who just want to see if they can hit a bird in flight. Grrrr.)

https://www.alaskaraptor.org/AboutArc/Index.cfm

[NosferaDrew]

Originally Posted by World Leader Pretend My uncle is a longtime veterinarian and he always is telling me about people with too much money wanting surgery for their fish, or a $10,000 operation on their cat, who will probably die within the next few years of old age anyway. Maybe I'm just a cynic

Hey, a few years with your favorite pet is often worth it - if you can afford it!

My oldest cat, Nrpl (rhymes with purple) has had 13 years of perfect health, then a tumor developed on her foot.
Got the tumor whacked off, but found out that she's diabetic! Now I give her a shot of insulin every 12 hours.

Pretty crazy, but that's what you do for a beloved pet I guess. At least, that's what I do.

[Windswept]

OMG!!!!

This story...Ugh!... sorry... I feel a bit ill just thinking about it.

A 500-pound woman had a *large cyst* removed from her ovary.

"HOW large?" you ask.

OMG!!! The cyst weighed... you aren't gonna believe this...

93 pounds!!!!

Holy crap!

Really, just the thought of such a thing makes me feel seriously nauseous. Ugh ugh ugh ugh.

http://www.fox23.com/news/state/stor...6-2c12aac76b41

[Windswept]

Yikes!

'Wrestling team' herpes contagion in Minnesota.

How awful for those poor wrestlers - to get *herpes* while participating in their sport.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/condi...eut/index.html

[Windowsrookie]

Yeah, just happy our school wasn't in that tournament.

[Jamie240]

Guy shoves cellphone down girlfriend's throat!

INDEPENDENCE, Missouri (AP) -- A jury convicted a man of second-degree domestic assault Saturday for shoving a cell phone down his girlfriend's throat. Prosecutors said Marlon Brando Gill, 25, of Kansas City, forced the cell phone into Melinda Abell's mouth during a quarrel in December 2005. Gill denied the charge, claiming that Abel had tried to swallow the phone to prevent him from finding out whom she had been calling. Abell, 25, of Blue Springs was rushed to a hospital, where doctors removed the phone. Doctors said she nearly choked to death. "I think he thought I'd been talking to other guys," Abell wrote in a statement to police after the incident. "If I didn't want him to see my phone, I would have just thrown it out the window and busted it." It was Gill's second trial since his arrest more than a year ago. Jurors in July were unable to reach a verdict on a first-degree domestic assault charge, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Jurors could not agree on a sentence for Gill, which means that decision will be left up to a judge. The assault charge carries a sentence of up to seven years in prison.

What sentence would 'you' recommend?

http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/02/03/ce....ap/index.html

[AWR]

I like this one.

How the US sent $12bn in cash to Iraq. And watched it vanish David Pallister Thursday February 8, 2007 The Guardian An armed guard poses beside pallets of $100 bills in Baghdad. Almost $12bn in cash was spent by the US-led authority The US flew nearly $12bn in shrink-wrapped $100 bills into Iraq, then distributed the cash with no proper control over who was receiving it and how it was being spent. The staggering scale of the biggest transfer of cash in the history of the Federal Reserve has been graphically laid bare by a US congressional committee. In the year after the invasion of Iraq in 2003 nearly 281 million notes, weighing 363 tonnes, were sent from New York to Baghdad for disbursement to Iraqi ministries and US contractors. Using C-130 planes, the deliveries took place once or twice a month with the biggest of $2,401,600,000 on June 22 2004, six days before the handover. Details of the shipments have emerged in a memorandum prepared for the meeting of the House committee on oversight and government reform which is examining Iraqi reconstruction. Its chairman, Henry Waxman, a fierce critic of the war, said the way the cash had been handled was mind-boggling. "The numbers are so large that it doesn't seem possible that they're true. Who in their right mind would send 363 tonnes of cash into a war zone?" The memorandum details the casual manner in which the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority disbursed the money, which came from Iraqi oil sales, surplus funds from the UN oil-for-food programme and seized Iraqi assets. "One CPA official described an environment awash in $100 bills," the memorandum says. "One contractor received a $2m payment in a duffel bag stuffed with shrink-wrapped bundles of currency. Auditors discovered that the key to a vault was kept in an unsecured backpack. "They also found that $774,300 in cash had been stolen from one division's vault. Cash payments were made from the back of a pickup truck, and cash was stored in unguarded sacks in Iraqi ministry offices. One official was given $6.75m in cash, and was ordered to spend it in one week before the interim Iraqi government took control of Iraqi funds." The minutes from a May 2004 CPA meeting reveal "a single disbursement of $500m in security funding labelled merely 'TBD', meaning 'to be determined'."

cont.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,2008189,00.html



The level of incompetence is staggering.

[Wyatt]

Bring me some dope, officer

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17307671/

A middle school teacher in Murray, KY*, has been arrested because she accidentally sent text messages looking to buy pot to a state trooper instead of a dealer. The cop set up a meeting with her and arrested her when she arrived.

Note to pot smokers: Put your dealer in speed dial.

*This story is infinitely more funny to me because that's the city where my dad earned his undergraduate degree.

[Windswept]

Baby tigers and baby orangutans bond, after being abandoned at birth by their mothers.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapc....ap/index.html

Check out the cute pic of these baby animals at the link above.

A pair of month-old Sumatran tiger twins have become inseparable playmates with a set of young orangutans, an unthinkable match in their natural jungle habitat in Indonesia's tropical rainforests. After being abandoned by their mothers shortly after birth, the four play fight, nipping and teasing each other, and cuddling up for a shared nap when they are worn out. "This is unusual and would never happen in the wild," said zoo keeper Sri Suwarni, bottle-feeding a baby chimp on Wednesday. "Like human babies, they only want to play." The four have lived side-by-side for a month without a single act of hostility, she said. The exceptional friendship will likely be short-lived, said veterinarian Retno Sudarwati, because as the animals grow up their natural survival instincts will kick in. "When the time comes, they will have to be separated. It's sad, but we can't change their natural behavior," she said. "Tigers start eating meat when they are three months old."

[Windswept]

A spider *chastity belt*?

Researchers discover spider 'chastity belt' Male spiders break off part of genitalia in female to deter other suitors. BERLIN - A new study by German scientists of spiders' copulation techniques found that males leave part of their sex organ inside their female partner as a sort of "chastity belt" to deter rivals. "By breaking off parts of their intromittent organs inside a virgin female, males can reduce sperm competition and thereby increase their paternity success," the Bonn University researchers wrote in the journal Behavioral Ecology. After setting the tone by shaking the female's web, the male has only seconds to have sex before the larger female kills him. In over 80 percent of cases, the tip of the male's genital organ breaks off inside the female. This appears to be the result of a hasty getaway — but also leaves behind a sort of chastity belt that keeps other males away, the study showed.

Much has been left unsaid.

~ Does the detached 'part' eventually dissolve away?

~ Even if he escapes being killed by the female, does he go on living, without his 'part'?

~ Does the 'part' grow back so he can mate again, or does he die anyway from his injury?

Why do these scientists bother to publish such an incomplete account? Tsk, tsk, tsk. Inquiring minds want to know!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17468999/

[Wyatt]

Plane crash in Indiana kills 2

This is just bizarre for me. I grew up in the county where the crash happened. I know people who fly small planes out of the airport where this pilot was trying to land. As it turns out, I didn't know the people involved in the crash, but it's still so strange to me. Nothing like this has ever happened there before.

[edit] I just re-read the story and noticed that investigators think this was intentional. That's so terrible. Not only was the pilot killed, but his 8-year-old daughter was in the plane, too. He tried to kill the relative in his house and he murdered his own daughter. This is so damn sad.

On top of this, the baseball team that was in the bus crash last week plays in my school's conference. What a sad, bizarre week of news for me.

[Windswept]

Snoop Dogg is denied a UK visa. And he's "mystified" as to why? Oh PLEASE!!!

He goes around breaking laws everywhere, and yet he's surprised when an actual 'consequence' is finally applied to him and his incorrigibly bad behavior? HA!

Can't participate in the highlight of his tour because he's been a bad boy? Ohhh, poor baby, what a crying shame.

Snoop Dogg is denied UK tour visa US rap star Snoop Dogg has been denied a visa to enter the UK on a European tour alongside fellow rapper P Diddy. He was due to play in London on Tuesday, followed by Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff and Nottingham. The performer accepted a police caution last year after being arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and affray at Heathrow Airport. His spokeswoman said he was "mystified" at the decision. Tuesday's London show will go ahead regardless, she added. P Diddy will appear at the Wembley Arena show, she said. "Snoop and his team are hoping the British government will reconsider this decision, especially as he has toured here before and sees the UK as being the highlight of the tour," the spokeswoman said. "He has asked how he can help rectify the situation and would happily talk to and give assurances to officials." (Oh, yeah, I'm sure they're going to be falling all over themselves believing his 'assurances'.) The 35-year-old - whose real name is Calvin Broadus - was held overnight by police in Sweden earlier this month on suspicion of using drugs. He is also currently facing weapons and drugs charges in the US stemming from three separate arrests in 2006.

Gee, I simply can't imagine *why* the UK won't issue a visa to this charmer. YAY!!! for the Brits for having some cojones.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6491317.stm

[turbulentfurball]

I agree on this one! If I were to get convicted of anything here I'd more than likely get denied a visa for the US. I guess that system is reciprocated. Celebrity status should never amount to special treatment in any way whatsoever.

I was actually going to post this here when I read it yesterday but never got round to it!

[psmith2.0]

This is about the first time I've heard anything actually done to him for his behavior and actions. If he was anyone else he probably would've been thrown under the jail YEARS ago! He should be thankful this is all that he has to deal with (not allowed into the UK for a tour...boo-friggin'-hoo), considering. He's lucky to be free, rich and famous...and should consider acting accordingly (if I'd been caught up in 1/3 of the shit he's been, I'd be in the joint...any of us here would).

[Windswept]

Originally Posted by pscates2.0 This is about the first time I've heard anything actually done to him for his behavior and actions. If he was anyone else he probably would've been thrown under the jail YEARS ago! He should be thankful this is all that he has to deal with (not allowed into the UK for a tour...boo-friggin'-hoo), considering. He's lucky to be free, rich and famous...and should consider acting accordingly (if I'd been caught up in 1/3 of the shit he's been, I'd be in the joint...any of us here would).

You know, I really love it when people get a long-deserved comeuppance.

Basically, he's saying:

"Oh, I really love it over there in Britain. Please let me come and perform there."

And they're saying:

"Sorry. You've been behaving like an a$$hole everywhere you've been; and, frankly, we just don't want you here, acting like an arrogant, spoiled-brat, juvenile.

Maybe once you grow up and act like a responsible adult, we just might reconsider."

Ohhh, I just love it.

[psmith2.0]

Well, I don't think the UK needs to be holding its breath on anything...

[turbulentfurball]

Dog-sized toad found in Australia


It's been nicknamed 'Toadzilla' which is pretty cool. I wouldn't like to encounter this beast walking along the road!

Toadzilla is the biggest cane toad ever found in Australia's Northern Territory and weighs just under two pounds, according to an environmental group. Environmentalists have been trying to stop the spread of the poisonous creatures across the country's tropics.

Apparently, there are in the region of 200 million of them in Australia.

[AWR]

OK, that's my full dose of GROSS for the day. Thanks a lot turbulentfurball.

[Windswept]

Ugh. Frozen and then liquidized to use as fertilizer?

Instead, how about a cane-toad shake or smoothie?

( Thought I'd try to gross out AWR just a little bit more. )

Well, hey, where I live, we have these *gargantuan* toads that like to hop onto roads at night and snuggle up to the warm asphalt after an evening rainshower has given the coldblooded creatures a chill.

I was driving down the road one night and tried to miss this huge toad sitting there, but just as I got to him, he gave a big hop and landed right under my tire. Omg. The memory of that resounding *SPLAT* even now echoes in my brain. *shiver*

Heh. I put the pic in a spoiler so you wouldn't be shocked unless you chose to be. haha

I don't think our toads are poisonous though.

[PKIDelirium]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070410...0704100 92650

Highlight:

"They sat on a sofa and they were supposed to sit on the floor," Khandelwal added. His petition to the court -- which will decide whether or not to prosecute -- also pointed out that Hurley wore leather footwear near the fire, in a land that worships the cow.

The petition was filed under section 295 A of the Indian Penal Code, which makes it an offence punishable by three years in jail to "outrage" any group's religion with "deliberate and malicious intention."

My bullshit alarm hasn't gone off this bad in a few weeks... Don't they have anything better to do?

[murbot]

Oh my god. Get a fucking life and pull the sacred religious pole out of your ass.

That's hilarious.

[BuonRotto]

All charges in the Duke Lacrosse rape case are dropped.

CNN story

CNN video

Local news video of the press conference

So these guys were sleazy (IMO) but didn't do anything illegal. The funny thing I suppose is that the state AG says that he thinks the accuser was earnest about her story, even as it changed. Basically, she's got a screw loose.

Now come the counter-suits against the individuals, the county, the police, the University, and of course Nifong's possible disbarment.

[Mugge]

Originally Posted by Windswept Ugh. Frozen and then liquidized to use as fertilizer? Instead, how about a cane-toad shake or smoothie? ( Thought I'd try to gross out AWR just a little bit more. ) (...) I don't think our toads are poisonous though.

How about a toad smoothie?



EDIT:
Ehr, yes. I just see you said that, and that I quoted it. I must be blind.



So here's a new idea. Since these toads have the ability to inflate, why not just inflate them and then deep-fry them. That would make kind of a toad Piñata. I guess you could fill it with McToad™ nuggets once it's cooled down a little.

This might be crazy talk.

[Windswept]

Originally Posted by Mugge This might be crazy talk.

Not if you've been drinking.

********************************************
New topic:

OMG! Look at the photo of the vet's arm in the crocodile's mouth.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6551185.stm

[murbot]

Good pics here.



http://www.foxnews.com/photoessay/0,...36,00.html#5_0