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21 Jul 2011 14:59

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World: Deceased Hitler deputy’s grave site removed over neo-Nazi pilgrimage concerns

  • Hitler deputy Rudolf Hess exhumed: The remains of Rudolf Hess, a former Hitler deputy, have been exhumed from his grave site in Wunsiedel, Germany. His grave had became something of a pilgrimage destination for neo-Nazis over the years, which caused a lot of understandable angst amongst Wunsiedel’s residents — the Lutheran church ultimately asked Hess’ family to allow them to remove the remains and site when they applied for a 20-year extension on the plot. Hess’ remains are to be cremated and scattered at sea, and the headstone that marked his grave will be destroyed. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Jul 2011 14:26

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World: Bill Gates wants to bring some big changes to the toilet

  • No innovation in the past 200 years has done more to save lives and improve health than the sanitation revolution triggered by invention of the toilet. But it did not go far enough. It only reached one-third of the world. What we need are new approaches. New ideas. In short, we need to reinvent the toilet.
  • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation global development program president Sylvia Mathews Burwell • Offering two things: One, an opportunity for toilet humor (we’ll pass), and two, an honest argument by Bill Gates’ group that perhaps the sanitation industry hasn’t gone far enough in the third world. So they want to figure out a way to take a device which the first world has taken for granted and improve its weaknesses, so that it works without a nearby sanitation mechanism, it’s cheap and human waste is treated and somehow recycled or changed into a form which is harmless and doesn’t spread disease. He has the money to do it, guys — let’s just hope there aren’t any blue screens of death that hit when you have to go. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Jul 2011 14:14

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Politics: John Edwards owes federal government lots of ca$h or something

  • $2.3million owed back to the Feds for his election fail source
  • » Yeah, you weren’t entitled to those matching funds: The main issue that Edwards faces is that he received federal matching funds up the wazoo — funds which he didn’t end up using and now has to pay back. But that said, it’s not even the worst issue our boy is facing — see, he recently got indicted on felony charges involving his reported usage of $900,000 to hide his pregnant mistress, Rielle Hunter, from sight.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Jul 2011 14:10

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U.S.: Space shuttle Atlantis lands, marking end of 30-year program

  • The last shuttle: A sight that may be pretty melancholy for outer space lovers; the Atlantis touches down, marking the end of the space shuttle era. Shuttling has now been left to the U.S.’s former chief adversary in the realm of space exploration, Russia. Despite reports to the contrary from months ago, Russia insists that they won’t raise prices despite their monopoly in the field. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Jul 2011 13:57

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Politics: Obama and Boehner near deal? Not if you ask their press folks about it

  • claim The New York Times has an article up saying that Obama and Boehner are nearing a deal on the whole debt ceiling mess that’s gripped DC for the past few weeks. Oh God, let’s hope so guys.
  • denial However, Boehner’s folks denied this. “While we are keeping the lines of communication open,” said spokesperson Kevin Smith, “there is no ‘deal’ and no progress to report.” O RLY?
  • denial Likewise, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney (who recently called Mitch McConnell “Mitch Mitchell,” then dropped a Guided by Voices reference) flatly denied the claim. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Jul 2011 00:31

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Politics: Democrat survives recall attempt in Wisconsin

  • Wisconsin Republicans’ quixotic attempt to recall Democratic state senators has gotten off to a bad start: State Sen. David Hansen was easily re-elected in today’s recall election, defeating his opponent by a 2:1 margin. Hansen is the first of nine WI State Senators facing recall attempts (three Democrats, six Republicans).The recalls were first initiated by Democrats hoping to punish Republicans for supporting Scott Walker’s anti-union bill last Spring. Republicans, out of a combination of boredom and petulance, responded by launching their own recall petitions against Democrats who opposed the bill. source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
 
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