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Tara Smolock



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All the news unfit to print for Saturday, January 12, 2008

The irony of timing

Study shows Northeast winters are warming..

...on the eve of a major Nor'Easter..


CLAY 'ACHIN' OVER NEWSWEEK

The AMERICAN IDOL star Clay Aiken angry at NEWSWEEK during interview..

Among Aiken's responses to several uncomfortable questions:

"I'm not going to discuss it."

"I'm not going to talk about it."

"This is NEWSWEEK. It's not the National Enquirer. I'd hate to have a job where I had to be rude to people."

"No, we're done. I thought NEWSWEEK would be more reputable. I'm surprised."

At least one gay site has already heralded him a hero..

One site calls him "pissy"..

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The news your neighbors won't know: Saturday morning random rakings

..I read a little bit of the daily local paper that gets delivered today. Amazing how little is in there.. Amazing how much is on the net.

The random rakings from around the world. Submitted for you convenience.

Opposite world: Boss fires staff for not smoking!

OJ Simpson: Back in jail..

Seperated at birth, but united in marriage: Twins unknowingly marry each other..

Brave net world: Teens could face charges of distributing child porn after videotaping 14-year-old girl performing sex acts on them..

No freedom of bloggers in China: Blogger beaten to death..

Argument between 98-year-old father and younger son ends up with son burning dad's retirement and stock funds!

Chris Matthews vs the VIEW

AP Photos/Susan Walsh

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It's good to start the weekend with a health warning..

New fears and warnings over sugar-free gun..

Study shows it may lead to diarrhoea and abdominal pains. Could lead to damaging weight loss..


Wrigley's does admit that more than 40 grams of sorbitol could be excessive and lead to laxative-type effects..

We're living in an artificial world. If you want to taste something fresh, get ready for "natural flavoring".. It's a brave new world. Or not a brave one. Or not a new one?

I am going to also do a bit of advertising here, not really something I normally do. Just got done a great book, it actually came out over a year ago: Chew on This: Everything You Don't Want to Know About Fast Food..

You may never eat the same again.

But don't cut down by chewing more gum. As we now know from the study spoke about above, you may be losing more than gaining..

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All the news unfit to print for Friday, January 11, 2008


Iraqi girls play in the snow in Sulaimaniyah; Photo AP PHOTO Yahya Ahmed
The day is snowed .. in Iraq..

It snowed in a lot of places today. But when it snowed in Baghdad, the world took notice.

Blamed on climate change.. global warming .. or just natural events, it raised eyebrows from continent to continent, and raised children's hopes. There was laughter in the streets of the war torn city.

A sign of hope amid violence and war.

This is the first time in memory--even for the elderly residents--that snowed has fallen in their city. Mountainous Kurdish areas off northern Iraq see snow. Baghdad doesn't. For 100 years?

TIME magazine is calling it a cold day in hell..

But there were snowball fights--at least a few from the little snow that stayed on the ground.

Some reporters were in awe..

Warmer temperatures expected for Iraq in coming days.

..So leave it with this. A father holding his son.
In snow.
In Iraq.
During war.


AP PHOTO

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Who are these smear Obama emails coming from?

He's a radical Islamic! He hates America! He doesn't give the Pledge of Allegiance! He doesn't even put his hand on his heart during the National Anthem.. And now, most recently, he is a Jew-Hating bigot!

People who I thought were rational are sending me these emails. People that are Democrats are falling into the trap of believing these emails. The typical urban legends of our time now include these new legends about a very current presidential candidate.. I thought some about this.

1) I'd truly love to know who is actually writing them? What person so enthusiastic about making Obama lose is coming up with the words behind the mass emails being sent around the world to office and home accounts?

2) Is this how people form their votes? My office got the email. Someone from within the office sent it. I asked the person that sent it if she believed it. She said she wasn't sure... However, the first line of the email (written presumably somewhere along the line) was "THIS IS WHY I WILL NOT VOTE FOR B. HUSSEIN OBAMA!"

Another co-worker was shocked.. She couldn't believe Barack Obama hated America so much. She was shocked he didn't even pledge his allegiance to the nation.. Most shocked that he has ties to radical Islam bent on destroying America.

I replied to 'all' with a link to Snopes showing the emails have been false.. She shrugged it off and said, "well, his middle name still is Hussein."

When something gets viral, it's tough to stop it.

False information has been around for centuries.. We have decided elections based off of false pretenses before. But shouldn't we be over that? A few searches on Google for the truth about something like this would take a minute. Try it.

The only hope I have is that people who believe these things stay home election day...

...Oh .. my audacity of hope.... B. Hussein wrote that, right?

PHOTO: AFP/File/Tim Clary

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If you're not busy this weekend worrying about Mike Huckabee showing Iran the gates of hell, perhaps you can catch a movie?

This week's releases.. First Sunday (Sony / Screen Gems) / 2,213 In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (Freestyle Releasing) / 1,605 The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (Universal) / 1,336


All the news unfit to print for Thursday, January 10, 2008

Dead man signing

CAN YOU TRUST YOUR FRIENDS!? You do? Maybe a story like this will make you change your mind? The following info from the New York TIMES: "Even for the once-notorious Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, it may have been a first: Two men were arrested on Tuesday after pushing a corpse, seated in an office chair, along the sidewalk to a check-cashing store to cash the dead man’s Social Security check, the police said. When Virgilio Cintron, 66, died at his apartment at 436 West 52nd Street recently, his roommate and a friend saw an opportunity to cash his $355 check, the police said. They did not go about it the easy way, the police said, choosing a ruse that resembled the plot of “Weekend at Bernie’s,” a film about two young men who prop up their dead employer to pretend that he is alive." God bless America.

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Thirsty Thursday random rakings..

Thirsty tonight.. But not for what you think. In my case, for grape juice. I am under the age of 30. Really..

Ouch: Ex-wife of French president Sarkozy lashes out.. says he's an unworthy leader..

But what about when it's windy? The tiny Tata Nano could turn into the little car that could..

Update: Glenn Beck says "I had surgery in my ass"..

Red faced at the FBI: FBI wiretaps were often dropped due to unpaid phone bills!

Man cuts off his 'evil' hand and cooks it..

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All the news unfit to print for Tuesday, January 8, 2008


AP PHOTOS
IS IT THEM? MCCAIN VS CLINTON 2008?
THE 20TH CENTURY ALL OVER AGAIN!?


Clinton live; "Let's give America the kind of comeback New Hampshire has just given me"..

The resurgent campaign of Hillary Clinton!?



AP Photo/Elise Amendola
PRESIDENT CLINTON?


Next up..

Primary schedule.. As Obama concedes live on TV to Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire.. JANUARY 15, 2007: Michigan - Presidential Primary JANUARY 19, 2008: Nevada - Presidential Caucuses South Carolina - GOP Presidential Primary JANUARY 26, 2008: South Carolina - DEM Presidential Primary JANUARY 29, 2008: Florida - Presidential Primary Kentucky - Filing Deadline (Major Parties) JANUARY 30, 2008: Kentucky - Filing Deadline (Major Parties) FEBRUARY 1-3, 2008: Maine - GOP Presidential Caucuses FEBRUARY 5, 2008: Alabama - Presidential Primary Arizona - Presidential Primary Arkansas - Presidential Primary California - Presidential Primary Colorado - Presidential Caucuses Connecticut - Presidential Primary Delaware - Presidential Primary Georgia - Presidential Primary Idaho - DEM Presidential Caucuses Illinois - Presidential & State/Federal Primary Illinois - CD-14 Special Election Primary Kansas - Dem Presidential Caucuses Missouri - Presidential Primary New Jersey - Presidential Primary New Mexico - DEM Presidential Primary New York - Presidential Primary North Dakota - Presidential Caucuses Oklahoma - Presidential Primary Oregon - Presidential Primary Rhode Island - Presidential Primary Tennessee - Presidential Primary Utah - Presidential Primary West Virginia - GOP Presidential Convention



NBC PROJECTION: HILLARY WINS!!
* * *
SHE BEATS THE ODDS
* * *
THIS IS NOT OVER!


Who will concede.. who will declare victory.. What towns are yet to come in? College towns? Senior citizens? What networks will call it? Exit polling.. estimates. All out the window. The great New Hampshire nail biter of 2008 .. McCain reads his speech and wins. Reads without hardly looking up. Maybe he knew no one was looking. What happened for Hillary? Her tears? Bill's anger? Maybe New Hampshire saying perhaps no one is going to go through a coronation..


Clef pallets and primary politics

Edwards speaking live now about clef pallets and health care coverage.. he is stating he is going to fight on. He did better in New Hampshire than some expected.. It's interesting. Both third-place candidates tonight (Huck and Edwards) both proclaiming victory for their placements.. On to the next state. This could get interesting...


DEMOCRATS:
N A I L
B I T E R


Tears for fears

Hillary Clinton's tears yesterday may have done the trick.. She may have won the female by vote 47% to 34%..



AP Photo/Charles Dharapak
President McCain?


Mike Huckabee making concession speech: Sounded more like a victory speech than a concession..


Romney in concession speech: "I got another silver"


Romney may have been beaten big time.. To coin a McCain word: "Remarkable"..

Obama/Hillary race extremely close. A nail biter on both sides..


COULD RON PAUL BEAT GIULIANI AGAIN? THE VOTE IS CLOSE.. IT COULD BE THE LIBERTARIAN THAT BEATS THE CONSERVATIVE.....



McCAIN WINS! PROJECTIONS THAT THE 71-YEAR OLD YEAR 2000 MAVERICK HAS WON THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY!


X X X THE POLLS ARE CLOSED X X X


Early votes coming in.. huge turnout. Returns are coming into networks.. Romney.. McCain.. Huckbaee.. ?? Obama..Hillary..Edwards? Generation vs generation. Gender vs gender. Is tonight the end of the beginning? Or the beginning of the end?

Will a los be a victory? Is a victory a loss... A close race.



REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES
COUNT 'EM ALL!!
* * *
HUGE TURNOUT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
* * *
INDEPENDENT TURNOUT A MAJOR FACTOR ON BOTH SIDES
* * *



AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Melting snow.. warming temps. Record turnout..


ONE DAY IN JANUARY: NO COATS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Temperatures soared to almost 60 degrees in many parts of New Hampshire. Record turnout. The sun is shining is someone..

Polls almost ready to close tonight at this hour.

I still think Romney.. Obama.. My predictions. Yes. Romney could lose badly. But I think he is going to squeak it out. I still stand by them. Could be dead wrong.


January surprises

Ron Paul campaign hit hard with hit piece today.. the day of the New Hampshire primary..

"ANGRY WHITE MAN" appeared on the NEW REPUBLIC today, linked my Drudge's 22 million-visited site.. Ron Paul responds and Andrew Sullivan responds to the response..

Great timing. This may be the first time I saw Ron Paul's name on some major sites.. of course this time it was blaring "RON PAUL CALLS MLK A GAY PEDOPHILE!" Bad press. But how true?

Speaking of hits: Bill Clinton slams Obama candidacy..

In other pre-New Hampshire results..

Last night was the LATE NIGHT of candidates: Huckabee on Letterman while Ron Paul does Leno..


FED UP IN '08..

Exit polls are showing intense anger at President Bush--even from Republicans..NBC news reporting 51% of Republicans angry at the President.. NBC also reporting that 93% of Democrats are dissatisfied with Bush..



AP Photo/Charles Krupa


THIS COULD BE BIG..NEW HAMPSHIRE COMES OUT IN HUGE NUMBERS..


History! Stories circulate web of new hampshire democratic ballot shortages.... massive turnout!


All the news unfit to print for Monday, January 7, 2008





NEW HAMPSHIRE READY: ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN

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All the news unfit to print for Sunday, January 6, 2008

THE FOX SNUB AND THE LUNTZ PUB

FOX news immediately went to Frank Luntz after tonight's GOP debate in New Hampshire.. Minus Ron Paul. At the restaurant as his undecided raised their hands and gave their thoughts.. Ron Paul signs were bouncing back and forth behind them outside of the building.. "Unfair FOX" read one ... another screamed in blue letters "RON PAUL 2008!".. The camera attempted to get face shots.. but noticeably tried its best to lay low enough to keep the window out of the picture.. In the mean time.. Ron Paul held his own forum! Ron Paul fans across America can sleep well: At least Paul's name was in some way somehow on FOX news tonight.. Even if it was because of sloppy camera work allowing a few seconds of signage..

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AP Photo/Stephan Savoia
New poll shocker: Obama up by 13 over Hillary in new USA TODAY/GALLUP!

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Another new poll.. more bad news for Hillary

WMUR poll shows the pattern developing over the past 48 hours: Obama, McCain both leading..


Newest New Hampshire polls

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone shows Obama with 39% and Hillary with 27%..

Zogby shows Obama and Hillary in a dead heat..

On Republican side, Rasmussen shows McCain with 32% and Romney at 30%...

Both Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee are attracting 11% in the poll--Giuliani and Thompson barely registering..

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An old clip

..Why couldn't Ron Paul act like this on ABC last night!?

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THE SUNDAY MORNING SIDEALK: POLITICAL FREE PLAIN 'OL RANDOM RAKINGS

Had enough of politics? Just wait til Tuesday! But I understand. I think I am Huckabee-d out myself. And now the rest of the story... Too little too late? Vatican discussing possibility of prayer groups to try to help those that were abused by clergy.. Monster Arctic storm on West Coast kills and destroys.. Scathing biography of Tom Cruise; book says Cruise/Holmes' child was "conceived like Rosemary's Baby".. Cruise planning lawsuit.. When your eco-friendly bulb breaks, leave the room in 15 minutes! Fire chief may lose job after emailing topless photos of crash victim.. Spring in Winter: January thaw: 60s and 70s expected along the East Coast next week!

AFP/Jewel Samad PHOTO

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Hacks from China

...Two major computer security issues in the news this weekend..

CA.COM hacked..

and.. Pennsylvania government websites were shut down after being hacked by someone or more in China..

The Rendell administration learned about 10 a.m. Friday that a virus had infected parts of their network.. Employees were sent emails stating that websites were being shut down. Government agencies affected by the attack were the departments of Education, Labor and Industry, and Military and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Pennsylvania Lottery..

State officials say that no data was "lost or compromised"..

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The Sunday morning sidewalk: Campaign rakings

ABC NEWS: Ron Paul supporters hit the streets in New Hampshire; distributing pocket sized Constitutions..


NEWSWEEK MAG cover: Obama in hero shot..

Dennis Kucinich: I am the Democrat of Democrats..

Bill Bradley to endorse Barack Obama for president.. Hopefully the speech will not last long. It may be the first time an Obama event puts people to sleep..

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Say what you want about Frank Luntz.. I can say a lot.
I am sure even HE COULD..

But last night after the debate, Frank Luntz interviewed a few New Hampshire folks on whether Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama did better. The results should be startling.. This may be the beginning of revolution number 2 in New Hampshire..



"I want to hear what she has to say and she deafens my own ears."

These comments weren't pretty.. Hillary Clinton's experience vs. Obama's hope. So far hope is winning.

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Chicken wings fire up press

Really, really hot chicken wings are about to get sold by a Chicago restaurant.. Wings so hot that you need to actually sign a legal waiver before you eat them! Jake Melnick's Corner Tap said the wings made with Red Savina pepper will get served with an alarm bell so the customer can summons the server sour cream, milk sugar and white bread if "things get out of hand".. Patrons, though, will have to sign a waiver agreeing to now sue the restaurant for injuries ..

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