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All the news unfit to print for Saturday, August 16, 2008


WATCHING FAY: FLORIDA WORRIES AND THE EAST COAST WATCHES

Forecasters watching storm projections closely..

Computer models putting anywhere from Florida to Alabama by early next week .. A few projections show storm moving up the coastline of the Eastern United States..

Forecasters project Fay will become a hurricane as she moves north..

Projection: Will hit land as hurricane.. Developing..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/16/2008 11:59:00 AM  2 Comments Links to this post


News wrap

Some headlines making news around world

A brief history: How the conflict between Russia and Georgia really started..

Both major political parties shading their abortion points of view in time for conventions..

How does Ernest Borgnine stay so happy at 91? He whispers his answer to Steve Doocy..

Arkansas town under fire after imposing a 24-hour curfew.. Major civil liberty questions..

Blog analyzes all of Google's logo designs..

Obama bodysurfs.. media goes gaa gaa..

Website studies what is in McDonalds burgers..

Terms of sex cult leader's release anger community..

The hidden costs in a 4-day-workweek..

Madonna: Bigger than the Beatles!?

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/16/2008 07:56:00 AM  0 Comments Links to this post


NO SHOCKER: BIGFOOT TESTS FAIL

No surprise.. Bigfoot fails DNA tests..

No proof that the object or costume photographed and released was Bigfoot.. In a way, this makes me feel better. Just knowing that the real Bigfoot is out there .. somewhere .. casually walking through the woods .. strutting his stuff in the forest world.

He won't be caught. Either because it's too smart.. or just merely because his existence is only within the imaginations of people that want to believe. Of course, Bigfoot believers that really want to believe are the minority. There are, after all, aliens amongst us. Just look at Michael Phelps..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/16/2008 07:42:00 AM  0 Comments Links to this post

All the news unfit to print for Friday, August 15, 2008


Updated medal count

China: 24 gold, 9 silver, 5 bronze United Staes: 14 gold, 12 silver, 18 bronze Germany: 8 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/15/2008 11:54:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


The amazing Michael Phelps


Narrow victory--but a victory..

And history.. The 7th gold medal for Michael Phelps..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/15/2008 11:46:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


Fay's Potential..

It's only speculation right now (remember, until weather actually happens, it's ALL speculation), but insiders in weather circles are closely watching a tropical system poised to hit the United States.. Henry Margusity from AccuWeather wrote about Fay today before she was born a name.. He wrote, "Major cities like Miami, Philly, New York City and Boston could be impacted by the storm".. Fay expected to be major rain producer.. Warm waters greeting Fay..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/15/2008 08:19:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


Russia/Georgia conflict update

Though Russia didn't withdraw yet from Russia, news about Poland causing the most eyebrows to raise this evening..

Russia threatening a nuclear strike on Poland today ..

Worries over the Ukraine..

Condi Rice being told that Russia will comply with truce ..

Time telling. And so far, it hasn't been good news for fans of peace on Earth.

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/15/2008 08:09:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


DING DONG BIGFOOT'S DEAD! I'm not buying it

AFP/www.searchingforbigfoot.com I want to believe in Bigfoot. I really do.. Ever since I was a kid watching UNSOLVED MYSTERIES, or SIGHTINGS, or other shows about oddities and otherworldly creatures walking among us.. But while I want to believe, I'm not convinced. I'm at heart a skeptic about quite a lot of things.. I even doubt things I believe in, often questioning myself about my own beliefs. Maybe I'm just a little off the deep end. But I never saw Bigfoot.. Or did I? Two men say they did see Bigfoot.. What's more, the two men claim they found the body of Bigfoot! Matthew Whitton and Rick Dyer told questioning and skeptical reporters at a news conference today that they found the mighty Yetti while hiking in Georgia.. One expert quoted by the AFP said,
"I'm extremely skeptical about this bigfoot claim," he said. "What I've seen so far is not compelling in the least, and I think the pictures cast grave doubts on their claim. It just looks like a costume with some fake guts thrown on top for effect."
For the record, when I searched You Tube for a video of the press conference today, I found something very different. . watch it at your leisure. And dream on, maybe the Sasquatch is out there.. somewhere.. waiting to truly be caught:

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/15/2008 07:17:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


SPANISH BASKETBALL TEAM: PHOTO CONTROVERY

While all the world watched, the Spanish basketball team took a step down racist path at the Olympic games.. Asian rights groups are angry over the photo in which Spanish team members used their fingers to slant their eyes.. The basketball team denies racist intentions, instead arguing that photographers at the photo shoot asked the team to "wink" at Beijing.. The photo appeared in an ad for a Spanish courier company.. The true question is: How did this photo ever see the light of day? How many checkpoints did it go through in which people didn't think the gesture would be a big deal? How many people saw it that didn't believe a racial connotation would be made?


Even more, another photo circulating online shows other members of the Spanish Olympic team slanting their eyes for the camera..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/15/2008 06:57:00 PM  1 Comments Links to this post


FAY FORMS; TORNADO WARNING FOR NEW YORK CITY!

Two weather events making news tonight..

Tropical Storm Fay formed and is projected to strike somewhere along the United States mainland by next week..

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning to New York City. The warning was downgraded to a severe thunderstorm warning after a few minutes.. Tornado warnings are rare in New York City .. when they occur, they make huge news. More on dangers from Fay:
Storm is currently on track to strike Cuba..
AccuWeather offers some scenarios for Fay's track..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/15/2008 06:51:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


HUFFINGTON POST MAKES FUN OF McCAIN'S STYLE OF DRESSING, HEIGHT

Contributor points out how odd his suits look around his arms and how his clothing seems to big.

John McCain was tortured in Vietnam with little to no medical care for over 5 years.. He has trouble lifting his arms towards his head.. He often comes off as awkward. Again, because of more than 5 years of constant torture..

Perhaps a large suit or coat is the least of McCain's concerns..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/15/2008 06:44:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


The best campaign video ever..

Ever.. ..
Ever. He ought to use it. The election would be a landslide..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/15/2008 06:38:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


Weekend box office

NEW Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Warner Bros.) / 3,452 Tropic Thunder (Paramount (DreamWorks)) / 3,319 Mirrors (Fox) / 2,664 EXPANDING The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (Warner Bros.) / 2,714 (+7) / 2 NO CHANGE Pineapple Express (Sony / Columbia) / 3,072 / 2 DECLINING The Dark Knight (Warner Bros.) / 3,590 (-435) / 5 The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (Universal) / 3,348 (-430) / 3 Mamma Mia! (Universal) / 2,769 (-425) / 5

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/15/2008 06:35:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


Holy crap is that Big Foot??

Developing

posted by schmuckraker @ 8/15/2008 05:39:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post

All the news unfit to print for Thursday, August 14, 2008


Updated medal count: China maintains lead

China: 22 gold
United States: 13 gold
Germany: 8 gold

posted by schmuckraker @ 8/14/2008 11:36:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post

All the news unfit to print for Wednesday, August 13, 2008


Olympic medal count: China keeps lead

China: 17 gold, 5 silver, 5 bronze United States: 10 gold, 8 silver, 11 bronze South Korea: 6 gold, 6 silver, 1 bronze

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/13/2008 09:43:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


Julia Child: American hero

Not for her food, but due to the fact she was part of a World War II era spy ring managed Office of Strategic Services, an early version of the CIA created in World War II by President Franklin Roosevelt.. Take notes: Julia Child making an omelet..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/13/2008 09:25:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


WHAT CAN BRING THE WORLD TOGETHER?

Bikinis? Half nude women playing volleyball at the Olympics? It's worth a shot.. NBC has been lit up with coverage of half naked women sweating under the hot China sun.. Georgia and Russia look to Beijing--Brazil--and Bikinis to ease tension.. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (CHINA)

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/13/2008 09:13:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


I can't beat the NEW YORK POST.. But Michael Phelps eats a lot

Their headline "Boy Gorge" was too good to beat.. The story fascinated me more than the POST headline though.. Apparently Olympic star Michael Phelps eats about 12,000 calories a day. While not shocking since he exerts himself for hours a day more than the typical American could ever last, what was shocking was some of the menu:
"Phelps lends a new spin to the phrase "Breakfast of Champions" by starting off his day by eating three fried-egg sandwiches loaded with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, fried onions and mayonnaise. He follows that up with two cups of coffee, a five-egg omelet, a bowl of grits, three slices of French toast topped with powdered sugar and three chocolate-chip pancakes. At lunch, Phelps gobbles up a pound of enriched pasta and two large ham and cheese sandwiches slathered with mayo on white bread - capping off the meal by chugging about 1,000 calories worth of energy drinks. And some just think he's an alien. For dinner, Phelps really loads up on the carbs - what he needs to give him plenty of energy for his five-hours-a-day, six-days-a-week regimen - with a pound of pasta and an entire pizza. "
He eats like we all did in high school.. But the difference is he has won 11 more gold medals than all of us..

AFP/Martin Bureau

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/13/2008 09:00:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


Graphic: Olympic weightlifting accident shocks audience

Janos Baranyai's first Olympics: tragic ending..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/13/2008 07:43:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


OMINOUS: RUSSIA TELLS THE UNITED STATES TO CHOOSE SIDES

Violence continues in Georgia, despite earlier agreement of truce..

Russian tanks roll deeper into Georgia..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/13/2008 04:06:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


War of words over Georgia..

posted by schmuckraker @ 8/13/2008 04:05:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post

All the news unfit to print for Tuesday, August 12, 2008


AGAIN.. AND AGAIN.. AND AGAIN.. AND AGAIN


Michael Phelps blazes through water and records....

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/12/2008 10:30:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


Russia calls for halt.. Or do they..

posted by schmuckraker @ 8/12/2008 10:28:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


Georgia: Accepting peace deal

Developing

posted by schmuckraker @ 8/12/2008 06:47:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post

All the news unfit to print for Monday, August 11, 2008


THE WORLD VS VLADIMIR PUTIN: BUSH AND OTHERS TELL RUSSIA TO STOP SWARMS OF JETS CONTINUE TO POUND GEORGIAN TARGETS Bush says Russia 'invaded' sovereign nation All the world is watching.. and only watching. While the Olympics play on, a lot of people have Georgia on their mind..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/11/2008 07:35:00 PM  1 Comments Links to this post


You can't believe everything you see

NBC responds to accusations of Olympic fakery..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/11/2008 07:33:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


What would Zues say!?


Two-time Olympic gold medalist Amanda Beard goes nude for PETA ad..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/11/2008 07:30:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


Former Clinton aide shows bitter side

Howard Wolfson said that John Edwards cost Hillary Clinton the nomination..

Argues that is John Edwards could have come clean on his affair pre-primaries, Hillary would have easily won Iowa and changed the game..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/11/2008 07:27:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


Georgia claims Russians have cut country in half

Major developments..


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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/11/2008 04:16:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


Reports: Russia captured Gori

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/11/2008 03:17:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


Russian troops said to cut Georgia in half

War continuing.. Developing..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/11/2008 03:16:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post

All the news unfit to print for Sunday, August 10, 2008



AP Photo/Musa Sadulayev
SOUTH OSSETIA WAR SPREADS
Russia claimed to have sunk a Georgian boat that was trying to attack Russian vessels in the Black Sea, and Georgian officials said Russia sent tanks from South Ossetia into Georgia proper, heading toward a strategic city before being turned back.. MORE: CITY OF GORI, GEORGIA, EVACUATED AS FEARS OF RUSSIAN ADVANCE GROWS.. Further escalation: Russia brushes off calls for cease fire.. United States: Russia wants to topple Georgian government.. Sarkozy off to Russia: European Union head will attempt to talk out a peace deal.. The world is watching Russia's actions.. The world is waiting to see which one of the guns of August will blaze next.. And the Olympics play on...

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/10/2008 09:03:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


Medal count: China takes lead

China: 6 gold, 2 silver, 0 bronze South Korea: 3 gold, 2 silver, 0 bronze USA: 2 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/10/2008 08:55:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


ISAAC HAYES DEAD

Songwriter--and voice of 'Chef' from SOUTH PARK--dead at 65..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/10/2008 08:45:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


RUSSIA-OSSETIA-GEORGIA WAR WRAP

Graphic photos flowing across the AP news wire this morning and afternoon.. images of civilians innocent in all ways from the geo-political war dead.. One image from the AP pictures an older white-haired woman laying dead in a garden with her friend crying above. The image is being circulated widely and being used at 2:03pm on the HUFFINGTON POST for their headline story.. The war is on.. The guns of August smoking.. Georgia still says it wants a truce and negotiations to end the conflict that began last week.. Denials: Russia denies hitting civilians Russia denies air attacks on Georgia.. Russia denies a naval blockade.. Georgia denies deal with Russia on evacuation.. NATO denies joining delegation to Georgia.. Russia has gained control of South Ossetian capital.. Pope urges peace.. So far no one hears the Pope.. The United States wants the United Nations to call for an urgent cease fire.. War on: Half of Georgia's 2,000 troops reported to be leaving Iraq Monday to go to their own war against Russia.. Escalation: Russia expands bombing blitz .. Denying reports that Georgia wants truce.. Developing situation.. Of world importance... More so than you'd know ..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/10/2008 02:02:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


4 DARK WEEKENDS

Yet another weekend at the box office, and yet another victory for DARK KNIGHT, which ended up being number 1 for a fourth straight week..

..earned an estimated $26 million during the three days beginning on Friday.. Warner Bros said it has now earned $441.5 mil in 24 days..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/10/2008 01:57:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


DEFLATED CROWD IN CHINA: YAO MING FAILS TO BEAT AMERICANS


REUTERS PHOTO
The United States ended the game viewed by presidents of the US and China 101-70. China will next play world champion Spain on Tuesday afternoon, while the Americans will meet Angola that night..

World eyes were focused on this game..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/10/2008 01:43:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


A sigh of relief from John Edwards?

The "ex-lover" (in quotes since the Enquirer still feels confident he has been with her recently, and hey, they've proven themselves pretty correct lately) has ruled out a paternity test to prove or disprove that John Edwards is the father of her child.. Edwards, of course, admitted to an affair after a year of denials.. In a statement provided to The Washington Post, Rielle Hunter said through her attorney that she will not be party to such a test "now or in the future." Sigh.. The Sunday morning talk shows were harsh towards Edwards.. the harshest of anger came from Cokie Roberts on THIS WEEK on ABC.. Democrats, and even Republicans and independents, upset by Edwards actions. But more so his denials.. But of course his wife's cancer was in remission at the time. Makes me feel queasy..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/10/2008 01:30:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


THE GUNS OF AUGUST BLAZING

..the war drums thumping.. However, news this Sunday that Georgia is backing down and wants truce negotiations is being watched by the world. The Georgians were overwhelmed by Russia's firepower and war machinery.. There has been no immediate response from Russia concerning negotiations... Developing..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/10/2008 12:07:00 PM  0 Comments Links to this post


Wall Street Journal blogging live from China / USA basketball game..

World leaders on hand to watch huge game... Blog coming live from Beijing..


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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/10/2008 10:23:00 AM  0 Comments Links to this post


THE NEW WAR OVER OIL: TAKING PLACE IN SOUTH OSSETIA
The London DAILY MAIL briefing the world on the true reasons behind the carnage in Georgia.. Russia going for the 'West's jugular' in their offensive against Georgia.. The games may not go on: Georgia may pull its 35-member Olympic team out of the Beijing games because of the Russian military attacks, the country’s National Olympic Committee said... Developing.. Even if they are not pulled, the athletes are concerned over the violence in their homeland.. So far, BP is saying that oil production has not yet been affected by the Russian military actions over South Ossetia.. BP also saying they are unaware of any pipeline hit at this point.. TIME Magazine explores the reasons behind the conflict that is not destroying the lives of countless innocent civilians..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/10/2008 08:19:00 AM  0 Comments Links to this post


The Sunday Morning Sidewalk


From sea to shining sea.. tape delay to tape delay from Beijing, it's all the same on a Sunday morning.. that certain tinge of sadness and melancholy .. weakness of the human spirit .. Life changes.. but it stays the same.
Always the same on a Sunday morning..

News events of random note from the earth we're on:

Yahoo! sports blogger critical of NBC West Coast coverage of Beijing Olympics..

Father of Olympian killed in Beijing..

Russia expands bombing campaign in Georgia..

Pope urges end to war in South Ossetia..

Beef, maybe not what's for dinner: Nebraska meat recalled despite assurances of safety..


GUARDIAN blogger: Everyone sneaks a peak but Woody Allen not sad but 'tragic'..

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posted by schmuckraker @ 8/10/2008 08:00:00 AM  0 Comments Links to this post

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    schmuck -shmuhk-
    a noun Slang. an obnoxious or contemptible person.
    Origin:
    1890-95; Yiddish shmok (vulgar) lit., penis of uncert. orig.

    MUCKRAKER: A muckraker seeks to expose corruption of businesses or government to the public
    Origin:
    Theodore Roosevelt used the term muckrake in a 1906 speech in which he agreed with the accusations of muckrakers, but questioned their methods

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