Things in the news

Another feel good news story. I would have loved to have been there to witness this. Might have even made up a big fluorescent poster.

Satanists Perform ‘Gay Ritual’ at Westboro Gravesite - ABC News

 

Now this just scares the fuck out of me

Doc: Craven, I'm afraid I have some bad news.
Craven: go ahead Doc, I can take it.
Doc: I'm sorry but you have the dreaded GIANT Martian virus.
Craven: Oh noooooooooooze

Scientists find GIANT Pandoravirus that could have come from an alien planet | Mail Online

 

The giant virus part checks out, but the alien planet part? Everyone sing along

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eBT6OSr1TI

 

the_jazz!!

 

Mysterious hum driving people crazy around the world - NBC News.com

I've had tinnitus for close to 20 years so I don't know if I'd even notice.

 

Elmer T. Lee, Whose Premium Bourbon Revived an Industry, Dies at 93


Thank you Mr. Lee. I will have some of your namesake on the rocks tonight in your honor.

RIP

 

Spacecraft Sees Giant 'Hole' In the Sun - Yahoo! News

This article discusses that the sun's magnetic poles could switch. Guess what? That could happen on earth.

What If Earth's Magnetic Poles Flip? | Scientists Discuss the Effects of a Geomagnetic Field Reversal | LiveScience

 

Man's medical condition causes orgasms when he hears James Bond theme - NY Daily News

I almost feel sorry for. Almost.

Two thoughts come to mind.

He has to be in fear that he'll hear the theme being played in public.

I'd probably have it on every music player I own.

 

They need glitter added to the paint mixture.

 

I fancied a packet of Snickers yesterday, picked them up, turned them over, and sadly put them back.
This is why -

Pet food firm 'sponsored bear-baiting'​

​

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN6a8PR-jZg
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Mars subsidiary Royal Canin provided prizes and branding for brutal 'competition' staged in Ukraine​

• Jamie Doward​

• The Observer, Saturday 27 July 2013 12.08 BST

Four Paws uncovers illegal bear baiting in Ukraine

The food giant Mars is under fire from animal welfare campaigners after it emerged that one of its subsidiaries has been sponsoring bear-baiting competitions. Pet food manufacturer Royal Canin said it was "horrified" to learn that it had sponsored a contest near Vinnytsia in Ukraine earlier this year.​

Footage taken by Four Paws, an international animal welfare organisation, shows dogs being set on a chained brown bear over a two-hour period. As a small audience looks on, the dogs attack and bite the bear – which is unable to defend itself because its claws have been removed and it is chained to a tree.​

Several men control the bear's movements using a chain, dragging it around a fight area demarcated with Royal Canin-branded plastic tape. An official awards points to the individual dogs and trophies carrying the Royal Canin logo are awarded to the owners.​

Royal Canin, a French company bought by Mars a decade ago, makes food for cats and dogs. It promotes itself with the slogan "respecting the animal nature of dogs and cats". But Dr Amir Khalil, a vet and project leader at Four Paws – which has a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine's department of ecology to eradicate bear-baiting – questioned the company's animal welfare commitments.​

"Royal Canin says it places animals' wellbeing at the centre of its philosophy," Khalil said. "By sponsoring appalling bear-baiting, Royal Canin is reducing wild animals like the brown bear to the rank of second-class animals."​

The brown bear is protected by law in Ukraine, but the country has long faced accusations of cruelty towards bears, which are made to perform in the country's zoos and circuses. Khalil said a popular act involved getting bears drunk on beer.​

Bear-baiting contests take place between four and six times a year, according to Four Paws, which says it has evidence Royal Canin sponsored more than one event. The charity estimates that there are between 15 and 20 baiting bears in Ukraine. It said the animals live in tiny cages and are released only for training or competitions. The bears are taken from their mothers a few months after they are born. They are often deprived of food and water to make them weaker opponents for the dogs. "It is not enough for Royal Canin to distance itself verbally from such activities," Khalil said. "The company must take responsibility and support the government in securing a species-appropriate life for the bears concerned."​

In a statement to the Observer, Royal Canin said: "As a company with knowledge and respect for animals at our heart, we condemn any activities that harm or endanger animals. Royal Canin has been absolutely horrified to see these images linked with our brand.​

"The sponsorship of this event is not consistent with Royal Canin's animal welfare policy, our philosophy of pet-first or our vision." It said that when Four Paws International raised the incident in May, it was investigated and the company undertook immediate action to cease sponsoring this event. It had reminded sales and marketing staff of its policy on animal welfare and sponsorship due diligence. It said: "Having not seen the video at this stage, we did not understand the true nature of the event that took place. This has been a humbling experience for Royal Canin.​

"We again thank Four Paws International for bringing this practice to our attention, and in doing so reminding us that diligence in ensuring our policy is followed is paramount." The company said it had pledged to work to improve the welfare of Ukrainian bears and dogs involved in bear-baiting.​

 

ok, i didn't even look at the story, but

Man Reportedly Kills His Wife And Posts Photo Of Her Dead Body To Facebook

 

Rather than post this in the Not So Pointless Annnoucements thread where only members can see this, I'm posting this not so pointless announcement here so anyone can read it

Werner Herzog texting while driving documentary "From One Second to the Next" is worth watching. (VIDEO)

Just don't do it, OK?

 

well, here it is, august 9th... marilyn is here to visit and i have to say what a sight to behold... we've had tons of laughs as well as tears... i hooked up with her about 10 miles away to guide her to our house... as we got off the hi-way wouldn't you know it... phil's favorite tune comes on the radio (you can leave your hat on)... i'm driving down the road looking next to me, behind me, over me looking for the SOB and started laughing my ass off... "you asshole" - started tearing up and said WTF...

marilyn and i pulled into our driveway and i told her about the tune... "you know..." she said... "i didn't change the radio and there it was... WTF"

i love ya phil, my good friend... miss ya mucho and know this... you are in our thoughts everyday!!!

edit - maybe wrong forum - move it where it belongs - i just had to share - thanx

 

Every time I see his avatar on the forum, I get a little reminder of what we are missing here.

 

An Elon Musk project. Supposition at this point, it gets announced on the 12th. If so, very sci-fi but totally cool. And an open concept. Inside the Hyperloop: the pneumatic travel system faster than the speed of sound - Telegraph

 

Hilda, one of America’s longest running pin-up girls, resurfaced this week.