Saturday, April 12

The Military's Disintegrating Family Life

According to the article, "Divorce rates for its personnel have been on the rise since 2003, the first year of war, when they were 2.9 percent. In 2004, divorce rates in the Army soared to 3.9 percent, propelled by a sharp rise in divorce among the usually much more stable officers corps."

The Biofuel Brew Ha-Ha

“Thanks to these crop shifts, the price of barley has doubled in the past two years, an increase that eventually gets passed along to consumers. Some brewers have raised their prices already, and many others are planning on raising them soon.”

Torches, Bungee Cords Used to Breach Border Fence

“Officials monitoring cameras in the area have seen at least one group using a massive ladder to scale the south side of the fence. The group tried to drop into the U.S. with bungee cords before agents caught them.”

$736 Million US Embassy in Iraq to Open

“The new embassy will be the largest U.S. diplomatic mission in the world, with fortified working space for 1,000 people and living quarters for several hundred on a 104-acre site.”

Not Just Tibet, China Too

“The case of Hu Jia shows that there are good, honourable Chinese people who support the Tibetan people’s freedom struggle. It also demonstrates that Chinese and Tibetan people have a shared interest in working together against the dictatorship that oppresses them both.”  The article makes a good point, while somehow the author doesn’t see the irony in describing China ’s economy as “free market state-sponsored capitalism."

The Long, Sorrowful Ludlow Legacy

How Trials Operate in the New Torture Regime

The Sheep Incident

“ Skull Valley resident Ray Peck was working in his yard the evening after the tests, but retired early after developing an earache. The next morning the ground outside his home was littered with dead birds, and he watched as a dying rabbit struggled in the distance. A helicopter touched down soon after and unleashed its cargo of equipment and scientists upon the confused family. They quickly collected wildlife carcasses, performed blood tests on the Pecks, and departed.”

Do You Have a Stash in Your Cash?

“A Drug Enforcement Agency study from the 1990s found that a third of money samples taken from Chicago banks and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago contained traces of cocaine. In another study, out of more than 135 bills collected from restaurants, stores and banks in seven cities, all but four bills were contaminated.”

Study Shows Targeted Ads Make Users Uneasy

“The nationwide survey was conducted with the help of Dr. Alan F. Westin, Professor of Public Law and Government Emeritus at Columbia . Westin argues that the distrust stems from consumers disbelief of the value proposition offered by marketers.”

FCC Issues Millions in DTV Fines

“The FCC requires retailers selling analog television receivers to label explain to consumers that the television receiver will not work without a converter box after February 17, 2009 . Anyone who purchased a TV before March 2007 and who uses a rooftop antenna or 'rabbit ears' to get a broadcast signal will need a converter box.”

College Students Tour Nevada Brothel

“Academic and media inquiries are daily occurrences at many of Nevada 's 27 legal brothels. Some shy away from the scrutiny, others, like the Chicken Ranch, welcome the publicity. ‘We're always open to trying to educate the public about legalized prostitution,’ said Chicken Ranch general manager Debbie Rivenburgh, who acknowledged this was the first class tour request she'd received in 21 years.”

Dry Cleaner Gives Same-Day Service to Thieves

Obama Joins New Church

Satire.

Diners Flock to Automated Restaurant

One of These Days…

A photo blog.