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19 May 2010 21:13

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World: Be glad you’re not Mongolian, don’t have to clean up this mess

Unless you are. In which case we feel really awful that a rough winter killed all of your livestock. The country’s entire economy could feel the ripple effects of this. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

27 Apr 2010 11:10

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Offbeat: We don’t know whether to laugh or cry at this video

  • So we just chose to do both. This clip, by the way, is from an episode of A&E’s “Intervention,” so before you crack up too much, keep in mind that these guys really mean what they’re saying. Have you cried much lately? Let one out at this post.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Apr 2010 12:29

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Culture: Elton John redefines heartfelt with open letter to Ryan White

  • Twenty years ago this month, you died of AIDS. I would gladly give my fame and fortune if only I could have one more conversation with you, the friend who changed my life as well as the lives of millions living with HIV. Instead, I have written you this letter.
  • Elton John • In an open letter to Ryan White, the child with AIDS he befriended in the ’80s. He died 20 years ago this month, at age 18. White’s life and death brought significant attention to the disease, in part because he was vilified for having it (he got it through an accidental blood transfusion). Much has changed since White died – many people with AIDS live productive lives with the disease thanks to improved medication. Medication which, in part, was paid for in his name. Four months after he died, the Ryan White Care Act, which set aside $2 billion yearly for AIDS medication, passed. His life helped take a stigma away from a disease which was initially loaded with one. It’s too bad he couldn’t live to see that. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink

20 Apr 2010 09:46

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Music: Hip-hop icon Guru of Gang Starr dies at 43; Twitter’s a mess



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14 Apr 2010 11:00

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U.S.: Most building materials don’t have homecomings. This steel is different.

  • 1969 Large amounts of steel leave a Pennsylvania factory, to be used in a massive New York City building.
  • 2010 Those chunks of steel, remnants of the World Trade Center, return to the factory today. Sigh. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Apr 2010 22:10

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Music: A Big Star without health insurance: The sad end of Alex Chilton

  • At least twice in the week before his fatal heart attack, Chilton experienced shortness of breath and chills while cutting grass. But he did not seek medical attention, [wife Laura] Kersting said, in part because he had no health insurance.
  • New Orleans Times-Picayune reporter Keith Spera • Regarding the last week of Box Tops and Big Star lead singer Alex Chilton, who lacked the health insurance to keep him alive, sadly. That’s despite the fact that he wrote hit songs (including a popular TV show theme song) and had a reputation up there with the greatest in pop music history. Chilton, who lived in New Orleans for most of the last three decades, wasn’t overly sentimental about death, but this ties into the health insurance problems many musicians face. He was only 59. He still had plenty of life left to live; there’s no reason it had to end like this. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

02 Apr 2010 11:05

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Biz: The big flop: The Census isn’t creating the jobs it should

  • 600,000 Census jobs should be created, including 100,000 in March
  • 48,000 have been hired so far, which was far below estimates source
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29 Mar 2010 10:32

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World: Japanese dog pounds apparently have no room, no heart

  • 70% of Japanese dogs in pounds each year get put to sleep
  • 6%-9% of British dogs in pounds see a
    similar fate source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

17 Mar 2010 22:09

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Music: A Big Star flames out: Alex Chilton dead. Twitter takes it in.



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13 Mar 2010 20:34

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Culture: Keith Olberman writes the sweetest, most sincere obit ever

  • “He was my inspiration, and will always remain so. His bravery these last six months cannot be measured. He is as much my hero now, as he was when I was five years old.” We have nothing to add to Keith Olbermann’s heartfelt obit for his own father. source
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