2004/08/31

Two heads are not better than one.

A Georgia man who drove home with a friend's headless body after a truck accident then went to bed while the remains dangled out the window faces charges including vehicular homicide and drunk driving, police said on Monday.

John Hutcherson, covered in blood and visibly inebriated, was arrested in bed on Sunday morning after a local resident out on a stroll observed a headless, bloody body hanging out of the 21-year-old man's truck, Cobb County police said.

Police said that Hutcherson and his friend, identified as Francis Brohm, 23, were returning from a bar outside Atlanta early Sunday morning when their black 1992 Chevrolet Z-71 pickup hit a curb near a telephone pole.

Brohm, partially outside the window at the time, was decapitated by a guide wire on the telephone pole, according to police, who recovered his head at the crash site. "Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor," police said.


Thank you officer Fife for that great deduction in that last sentence. People, people, people. DON'T DRIVE DRUNK! It was my understanding that there are laws in place to prevent these things from occuring by holding the bar/server liable. I myself have been inebriated before, but I definitely remember being able to tell what I was wearing before crashing into bed. I also never drove why intoxicated.

How the hell do you not notice (1)a body in your car and (2)the blood on your clothes before you go to bed? I guess I feel the most for the person that discovered the head. Still, I don't know what is worse, a head on the road or a decapitated body in the truck.

Here's a funny link I just discovered: http://www.communistsforkerry.com

Another quick link: Hello Ms. Lohan!

2004/08/30

Jobs that don't suck.

The crew on board the International Space Station sometimes needs supplies. As the US Space Shuttle fleet prepares to return to flight, supplies usually now come from a robot Progress supply vessel launched from Kazakhstan. Pictured above, a Progress ship approaches the ISS on May 27, delivering over 2,500 kilograms of food, water, fuel and other important items. The supply ship soon docked with the Zvezda Service Module while orbiting the Earth over 300 kilometers over central Asia.

So, you think your job sucks, eh? When you get caught up with all of the hassle of everyday life, you sometimes have to put yourself in other people's shoes. Think about their hardships. Think about their sufferings. I'm sure you don't feel so bad after doing all of that. However, then you see a picture from the ISS. Space and mother Earth together in glorious union. A lone ship coming in to dock. That is a job that just doesn't suck (except for not being able to go outside and stretch your legs).

2004/08/28

If you do it right the first time, don't do it again.

Kevin Smith is making another convenience store run.

The writer-director of "Dogma," "Chasing Amy" and "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" told the Associated Press on Friday that he has begun work on a sequel to "Clerks," his homemade indie classic from 1994.

That $27,000 movie, shot at night in a store where Smith worked, chronicled the adventures of Dante and Randal, two guys who talk about life, death, sex and movies while working at neighboring stores.

The sequel picks up 10 years later.

"It's about what happens when that lazy, 20-something malaise lasts into your 30s. Those dudes are kind of still mired, not in that same exact situation, but in a place where it's time to actually grow up and do something more than just sit around and dissect pop culture and talk about sex," Smith said during an interview at his Hollywood office. "It's: What happened to these dudes?"

"Jeff was actually very protective of 'Clerks,'" Smith said. "Jeff was like, 'Are you sure you want to do this? That movie means a lot to people and do you want to go back?' I thought about it honestly, and it would seem chicken to not give it a shot just because I'm afraid of (messing) with the first film."

So far, he said he has gotten only positive responses from the people who have read the script, so he decided to move forward with it. Both O'Halloran and Anderson are signed on, and Jason Mewes, will return as stoner Jay, the "hetero life-mate" of Smith's stoic Silent Bob.

"I'm sure there will be naysayers who say, 'Oh my God, it's an opportunistic grab at a buck,' but it's not. We're doing it for nothing," Smith said. "We're going to do it insanely inexpensively. The budget will be somewhere between 250 grand and $5 million."

The original was shot pre-dawn, and most of the actors worked for free and then went straight to their day-jobs with little or no sleep.

"This time around we'll afford ourselves the luxury of nice 12-hour days," Smith said. "And people can get paid."


A movie like Clerks comes along once in a great while. It is so unique, so counter-culture, that it becomes a cult icon. It wasn't just the content of the movie, but the way in which it was made that can determine its status. You change things like setting, budget, and schedules, and you won't end up with the same formula responsible for the first success. However, it will be good to see Dante and Randal together again after the failed TV animated series. I just hope that Smith can pull his recent record out of the dumpster. Defending Gigli and putting out Jersey Girl in the same year. Blech!

2004/08/27

And you thought the music was crappy...

A bus driver working for the ecologically minded Dave Matthews Band could face prosecution on charges of dumping the vehicle's load of human waste off a Chicago bridge onto a tour boat, police said on Wednesday.

The effluent splattered passengers on an architectural boat cruise passing underneath the bridge the afternoon of Aug. 8, sending the boat back to its dock and some of the disgusted passengers to the hospital for tests.


You know, I could probably write up some diatribe about this, but I think that the following will do nicely:

Bridge Tour - $20
Tour Boat - $25,000
Tour Bus - $75,000
Getting shit on by the Dave Matthews Band - priceless

2004/08/26

One more for the good guys

Deputies in Clay County are searching for two suspects following a home invasion shooting.

Clay County Sheriff Scott Lancaster says people living in and around the 300 block of Blairmore Boulevard, off Blanding, should stay inside their homes and lock the doors.

Investigators say three suspects entered the home, when someone inside the home shot and killed the third suspect.

The two others reportedly fled on foot.

Police have secured the home, and they are searching for the suspects using canines and helicopters.


From the radio report I heard on the way in to work this morning, a few people had gathered for a weekly poker game. When one of the men stepped outside to smoke, the three suspects rushed him, forcing him back inside. One of the homeowners drew and fired at the invaders. One of them died. The other two fled. Of course, the State's Attorney office will have to determine if this was a good shoot or not.

Florida does abide by the castle doctrine, where a person's home is their last line of defense. There is no duty to retreat at home. If someone comes into your house in the manner listed above, you are permitted by law (and requested by me) to take their ass out!

2004/08/25

It will warp my fragile little mind.

When it comes to correcting papers and grading tests, purple is emerging as the new red.

"If you see a whole paper of red, it looks pretty frightening," said Sharon Carlson, a health and physical education teacher at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Northampton. "Purple stands out, but it doesn't look as scary as red."

A mix of red and blue, the color purple embodies red's sense of authority but also blue's association with serenity, making it a less negative and more constructive color for correcting student papers, color psychologists said. Purple calls attention to itself without being too aggressive. And because the color is linked to creativity and royalty, it is also more encouraging to students.

"The concept of purple as a replacement for red is a pretty good idea," said Leatrice Eiseman, director of the Pantone Color Institute in Carlstadt, N.J., and author of five books on color. "You soften the blow of red. Red is a bit over-the-top in its aggression."

Sheila Hanley, who teaches reading and writing to first- and second-graders at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Randolph, said: "Red is definitely a no-no. But I don't know if purple is in."

But aside from avoiding red, Hanley said she is not sure color matters much. At times, she uses sticky notes rather than writing on a child's paper. What's important, she said, is to focus on how an assignment can be improved rather than on what is wrong with it, she said.


If there is one thing that I only slightly agree with, it is the last sentence. Sure, focusing on what can be improved is good, but correcting what is wrong is the key. You see, in the real world, the one after government education facilities, you typically do not get to focus on what can be improved. You get told what is right and what is wrong. You do the wrong thing, you get corrected. Do it again, you get fired. No softening of blows. No protection of inner childhoods. We are unfortunately raising a nation of pussies. These are your tax dollars at work.

2004/08/24

Irony defined: grave robbers killed by tomb

Three grave robbers were killed when a 1,000-year-old Chinese tomb collapsed on them.

Four herdsmen from Inner Mongolia broke into the tomb, from the Liao dynasty (916-1125) that ruled in the north, with the intention of looting, Xinhua news agency said.

No sooner had they got inside when the brick-made tomb collapsed, killing three of the men. The lone survivor escaped from the debris and reported the case to the police, Xinhua said.


I love God's sense of humor. You die looting from the dead. I mean, stealing is stealing, but from the dead is just horrible. Those guys sure weren't real Tomb Raiders.

At least here in the U.S., the real grave robbing occurs when someone dies. Called the estate tax, it was implemented due to concern over passing family fortunes from one generation to the next without the government getting a cut. Gee, thanks!

2004/08/23

Money doesn't grow on trees...

A German woman thought she had been robbed by sedative-toting thieves when she returned to her car to find 380 euros ($470) missing and her dog vomiting, only to discover the pet had eaten the cash, police said on Thursday.
"She thought the dog had been drugged and that thieves had taken the money," a police spokesman in the western town of Aschaffenburg said. "The woman had withdrawn the money and hidden it under bank statements on the passenger seat."
She informed police and took the dog to a vet.
"The vet gave the dog an injection and after 20 minutes six of the 50 euro notes reappeared," the spokesman said.
"The dog spat out the rest of the money in shreds along with the bank statements."
"It should be noted that the damaged bank notes can be changed at the state central bank, so that there was no material loss in this case," the police said in a statement.


So much for the "dog ate my homework" excuse. What puzzles me is that the woman thought her dog had been drugged. Are sedative-toting theives a problem in Germany? Regardless, whoever mints those Euros needs to change the flavor. That, or this woman needs to give Fido a bit more fiber. At least they were able to get them to come out the right end of the dog. I don't think she'd want to change in those notes if they would have come out the hind end. Crappy Euros.

2004/08/21

Ever wonder why HK makes some of the finest firearms in the world?

Right click the link, choose save-as, then play it when it is downloaded. I don't speak German, but quality firearms is a universal language. Oh yeh, check out what the HK folks in the U.S. are hording down in their vaults.

While you are at it, here is a news clip about some Russian firearms. Too many toys that I just can't play with. Dammit!

Remember, only a few more weeks until the AWB sunsets. Are you ready?

2004/08/20

It's all right when it's for the left.

John Kerry fought back Thursday against campaign allegations that he exaggerated his combat record in Vietnam, accusing President Bush of using a Republican front group "to do his dirty work" and challenging Bush to debate their wartime service records.

MoveOn.org, a liberal group funded by Kerry supporters, is airing an ad accusing Bush of using family connections to avoid the Vietnam War. It also asks the president to denounce an ad that aired early this month by "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth," a GOP-leaning group of Vietnam veterans who say Kerry exaggerated his actions to win Vietnam War medals.

Bush campaign spokesman Steve Schmidt said the charge that Bush was in league with the group criticizing Kerry's war record "is absolutely and completely false. The Bush campaign has never and will never question John Kerry's service in Vietnam."

Yet the White House refused to condemn the ad questioning Kerry's war record.

"Let's not be selective here," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said in Crawford, Texas, where Bush is spending the next week. McClellan said Bush has been on the receiving end of more than $62 million in negative, false attacks by independent groups and "the president has condemned all of the ads," both those that criticize him and those that go after Kerry.

So, it is okay for the left-sponsored groups to bash the current President. Heaven forbid that something comes out from the right. I guess freedom of speech isn't truly free, unless you are a Democrat or a Bush-hater. Just now, the Drudge Report is reporting a Salon.com article about the Kerry campaign wanting the publisher of "Unfit for Command" to withdraw the book. Something about the book being full of "proven falsehoods". I guess sworn testimony from 65+ Vietnam veterans is a lie when it goes against the one other running for President. I don't think that any of Michael Moore's works have been banned or withdrawn, and they have been shown to be full of "proven falsehoods".

Interesting thought from Boortz: Just wondering, but if the Washington Post wants to use the Freedom of Information Act to get copies of someone's (Larry Thurlow) military records, why not John Kerry's?

2004/08/19

Welcome to the Hilton

The 23-year-old socialite popped into an expensive boutique to buy a new shirt - but was disgusted at the length of the queue for the changing rooms.
Refusing to wait in line, the sexy star tried on her new garment in the middle of the shop, forgetting she wasn't wearing a bra and revealing her bust to a crowd of shocked onlookers.
A source tells Britain's Daily Star newspaper, "It was hilarious. No-one could believe it. She simply whipped off her tiny T-shirt, even though she wasn't wearing a bra, and just put the shirt on. Men were gasping!
"She merely threw her card at staff and said she'd settle up later.
"Then she left her T-shirt on the floor and headed out wearing her latest buy."


It's not like people haven't seen them anyway. I'm surprised they were shocked to see the Hilton twins. Hell, the world, just like Wally, has seen the beaver as well. However, I think the real story is her snobbish, eliteist attitude towards the staff. Should have had her arrested for shoplisting. Charge is denied, biatch!

2004/08/18

To protect and serve...even from yourself.

Officers in hurricane-ravaged Fort Myers used a Taser gun on a man allegedly trying to get by a police barrier to get home, and it was caught on tape.
A crowd formed around the scene and voices can be heard yelling, "Leave him alone," "That is so wrong," and "Come on man, he's frustrated."
The man had three children in the car with him. Many in the crowd felt for the man who hasn't seen his home in days.
Many of the police officers are in the same situation.
It's not known exactly what led up to police using the Taser gun. You can take a look at the video to the right to see how things ended.


During times of extreme stress, people can default back to a core need of being secure. Nothing says secure like home. However, it is still too dangerous for some people to return home. Street signs are down, power is out, water is contaminated, and unfortunately, looting is taking place. Traffic is overburdening the area, causing more trouble with accidents and fatalities. The officers are just doing their job. Patience is something in short supply, and it can't be trucked in. However, that is the most precious commodity right now.

Edit: I listen to talk radio at work. Neal Boortz offers an opposing point of view concerning the ability for people to face danger on their own:

Yes, I understand that there are safety concerns. Fine. Tell the people that returning to their home might be dangerous, and then let them make an informed decision as to whether or not they wish to undertake that risk. Our laws will permit us to jump out of perfectly good airplanes, ride boats through the Grand Canyon and have unprotected sex with strangers, but we can't go back to our homes after a hurricane?

2004/08/17

U.S. not shooting straight.

In all of the Olympic shooting sports, the U.S. has posted no medals. None! Why is that, in the nation which has more shooting implements per person? China has the lead. Granted, China has the lead in the overall medal count right now anyways. Still, China has posted 4 total shooting medals followed by Russia with 4 as well. We in the U.S. have the most opportunities for shooting sports, yet shooting tends to be demonized by those in power. This is one event where the U.S. should be shining! I just hope that there will be more competition from the U.S. once the "air" shooting ends and the "bullet/shell" shooting begins.

I heard a great saying the other day, and I believe that it holds true. The U.S. builds its Olympic teams for marketing purposes more so than athletic purposes. Case in point, the so-called basketball team. Great product there, NBA. Still, I guess it is easier to get sponsors to rally behind a gymnastic or swim team more than a shooting team. Sells more T-shirts that way.

2004/08/16

Keep troops abroad, piss people off. Bring them home, piss people off.

Pentagon officials said the realignment also would close scores of U.S. military installations in Europe to consolidate forces at larger bases. At the same time, the United States would make greater use of training and logistics bases on the soil of its new allies, said three top Pentagon officials who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity.
The moves are meant to give the military greater flexibility and a quicker reaction time to deal with the smaller military engagements that Pentagon planners foresee during the war on terrorism and beyond.

Democratic critics said Bush's plan would place more troops further from potential battlefields and wear out soldiers with more frequent training overseas, away from families.
Some German officials were dismayed at the troop shifts, which would cause multimillion-dollar holes in economies near U.S. bases.

So, if we keep them over there, we get folks that don't want them there. Yet, if we dare close a base, all of a sudden, we're the bad guys because they set up their economies based on monies from the bases. I'm just glad to have people realize that we don't want to be the world's police force anymore. I'd much rather have our troops here. The enemies of 10+ years ago really don't exist in the way they once did. We have to adapt our force structure accordingly. Leave the world back in the 80's, I say.

2004/08/15

Huge swirls of hot gas found above the Earth

Pockets of superheated gas several times the size of Earth have been discovered swirling like bathtub drains high above the planet.

It must be a by-product of all those Mexican lunch buffets!

2004/08/14

New Beginnings

Some things better left unsaid.
New beginnings.
Forget the past.
Live for the present.
The future is not set.
Deny this is to deny life.
Today may be your last.
Carpe Diem.
Molon Labe.
Peace through superior firepower.