Several instances of people saying they have developed seizures during the tense birthing scene in “Breaking Dawn: Part One” have been reported. The in-theater seizures, also known as photosensitive epilepsy, are thought to be a result of the bright flashing of red, black and white during the film’s nerve-wracking scene.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, November 25, 2011
Twilight ‘Breaking Dawn’ Scene Allegedly Causing Seizures
Fans of the “Twilight” movies have much more to worry about other than the series of films coming to a close next year, as a scene in the latest installment has reportedly been causing viewers across the country to have seizures.
Explosion In Lebanon Destroys Hizbullah Facility Said To Contain Missiles
A major munitions warehouse of the Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah has been destroyed.
Lebanese security sources said a Hizbullah arsenal outside the southern port city of Tyre was blown up on Nov. 23. The sources said the
facility was believed to contain hundreds of missiles and rockets for the Hizbullah military.
“Given these findings, the explosion was most likely caused by a mine or a cluster bomb,” the Lebanese Army said on Nov. 23.
Hizbullah responded quickly to the blast and sealed off the Tyre-area village of Sidiqin. Lebanese security forces and United Nations
peacekeepers stood hundreds of meters away and watched the Hizbullah cleanup. Later, Hizbullah denied that its facility was bombed.
This marked the second major blast of a Hizbullah facility in three months. In July, an explosion rocked Hizbullah headquarters in a suburb of
Beirut.
Hizbullah has usually blamed Israel for the explosions. The Israeli military has been monitoring the Hizbullah buildup in southern and eastern
Lebanon, said to have resulted in an arsenal of more than 50,000 missiles.
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Lebanese security sources said a Hizbullah arsenal outside the southern port city of Tyre was blown up on Nov. 23. The sources said the
facility was believed to contain hundreds of missiles and rockets for the Hizbullah military.
“Given these findings, the explosion was most likely caused by a mine or a cluster bomb,” the Lebanese Army said on Nov. 23.
Hizbullah responded quickly to the blast and sealed off the Tyre-area village of Sidiqin. Lebanese security forces and United Nations
peacekeepers stood hundreds of meters away and watched the Hizbullah cleanup. Later, Hizbullah denied that its facility was bombed.
This marked the second major blast of a Hizbullah facility in three months. In July, an explosion rocked Hizbullah headquarters in a suburb of
Beirut.
Hizbullah has usually blamed Israel for the explosions. The Israeli military has been monitoring the Hizbullah buildup in southern and eastern
Lebanon, said to have resulted in an arsenal of more than 50,000 missiles.
More
4 Tips To Snagging Cyber Monday Deals Online
After-Thanksgiving shopping isn't reserved just for Black Friday anymore. Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving, is quickly becoming an important shopping day all its own, offering amazing deals without the hassle of waiting in lines. If you're considering doing some of your holiday shopping online this Cyber Monday, try these tips to optimize your shopping success.
Israeli Civil Defense Exercise To Simulate Bio-weapons Attack
TEL AVIV — Israel has completed plans for a major civil defense exercise.
The Defense Ministry has approved an exercise in northern Israel meant to defend against a biological or chemical weapons attack from Lebanon or
Syria. The two-day exercise, called Orange Flame-6, would seek to coordinate between military and civilian authorities.
“Exercise Orange Flame-6 will take place as part of a number of exercises in the field of unconventional terrorism,” the Defense Ministry said on Nov. 22.
The statement said the exercise, scheduled for Nov. 30 through Dec. 1, would simulate the outbreak of a biological weapons attack meant to spread an unspecified contagious disease in four cities in northern Israel. During the drill, the Defense Ministry, responsible for protection against any weapons of mass destruction attack, would work with the Health Ministry to identify the threat and counter any epidemic.
“The aim of the exercise is to improve and increase the capabilities of the state of Israel to handle an unconventional terror attack,” Deputy Defense Minister Zev Snir said. “It is important that Israeli citizens know that there are people in the defense establishment, as well as the other relevant authorities, whose permanent job is to prepare the state of Israel to handle these types of threats.”
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The Defense Ministry has approved an exercise in northern Israel meant to defend against a biological or chemical weapons attack from Lebanon or
Syria. The two-day exercise, called Orange Flame-6, would seek to coordinate between military and civilian authorities.
“Exercise Orange Flame-6 will take place as part of a number of exercises in the field of unconventional terrorism,” the Defense Ministry said on Nov. 22.
The statement said the exercise, scheduled for Nov. 30 through Dec. 1, would simulate the outbreak of a biological weapons attack meant to spread an unspecified contagious disease in four cities in northern Israel. During the drill, the Defense Ministry, responsible for protection against any weapons of mass destruction attack, would work with the Health Ministry to identify the threat and counter any epidemic.
“The aim of the exercise is to improve and increase the capabilities of the state of Israel to handle an unconventional terror attack,” Deputy Defense Minister Zev Snir said. “It is important that Israeli citizens know that there are people in the defense establishment, as well as the other relevant authorities, whose permanent job is to prepare the state of Israel to handle these types of threats.”
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Keeping Your Tail Warm At Your Tailgate
Frigid temperatures aren’t enough to keep passionate fans from huddling in stadium parking lots on Sunday mornings for a tailgate. There are franks and burgers to grill, brews to enjoy, and plenty of ways to prepare for winter’s merciless wrath.
Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow can stop a postal worker, but they will drop a tailgate dead in its tracks. Cold weather, though, can be manageable. The chef has an obvious advantage while quarterbacking the grill, but what do you do if you’re a role player on the tailgate roster?
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Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow can stop a postal worker, but they will drop a tailgate dead in its tracks. Cold weather, though, can be manageable. The chef has an obvious advantage while quarterbacking the grill, but what do you do if you’re a role player on the tailgate roster?
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Newt: There's No Amnesty In My Plan
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich continued Thursday to defend his call for a "humane" policy of allowing some illegal immigrants to remain in the U.S., pointing out that he never said there would be a path to citizenship for those breaking the law.
"There is no path to citizenship in my Tuesday night comment on immigration," former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told Newsmax. "There is a path to non-deportation for certified, very long-term community members but they would not have the right to vote.
Gingrich's latest comments, contained in a statement released to Newsmax, came in response to a charge from Rep. Michele Bachmann that he was advocating citizenship for illegals. It was the latest attack on the plan by a GOP presidential contender.
"He's saying that all people who are here as illegal workers would be given that status, that's over 11 million people who are here," Bachmann said on Fox News.
But when a reporter challenged her with Gingrich's actual position, which applies only to those who have been here for "decades," Bachmann said Gingrich had previously advocated blanket amnesty.
"That would be a contradiction of the statement that the speaker made earlier," Bachmann said. "That's two different statements that the speaker is making."
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"There is no path to citizenship in my Tuesday night comment on immigration," former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told Newsmax. "There is a path to non-deportation for certified, very long-term community members but they would not have the right to vote.
Gingrich's latest comments, contained in a statement released to Newsmax, came in response to a charge from Rep. Michele Bachmann that he was advocating citizenship for illegals. It was the latest attack on the plan by a GOP presidential contender.
"He's saying that all people who are here as illegal workers would be given that status, that's over 11 million people who are here," Bachmann said on Fox News.
But when a reporter challenged her with Gingrich's actual position, which applies only to those who have been here for "decades," Bachmann said Gingrich had previously advocated blanket amnesty.
"That would be a contradiction of the statement that the speaker made earlier," Bachmann said. "That's two different statements that the speaker is making."
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Pepper Spray Nation
With most of the UC board of regents being in the 1%, student demonstrators should expect more police brutality.
San Pedro, CA - The viral video of Lt John Pike casually pepper-spraying a line of peacefully seated student protesters has deep resonance for the Civil Rights generation. It's impossible to escape comparisons to Bull Connor ordering the use of fire hoses on the black youth of Birmingham on May 3, 1963. Pike sprays the students' faces as if they were cockroaches, many have said. The youth of Birmingham were sprayed with such force that some were knocked over like paper dolls. But it was segregation that was about to fall. The UC Davis students face a much more formidable foe, not least because it is harder to define. But their sacrificial courage holds the promise of helping to change that.
The details may differ between Davis and Cairo, but the underlying struggle is fundamentally the same: It is not just youth against age, freedom against repression, innocence against cynicism, hope against fear, dreams against nightmares - it is all that and more. But it is also something historically much more specific. It is the neo-liberal promise against its own grim reality, represented in the street battles in and around Tahrir Square, as well as the pepper-spraying of docile students at UC Davis.
The details may differ between Davis and Cairo, but the underlying struggle is fundamentally the same: It is not just youth against age, freedom against repression, innocence against cynicism, hope against fear, dreams against nightmares - it is all that and more. But it is also something historically much more specific. It is the neo-liberal promise against its own grim reality, represented in the street battles in and around Tahrir Square, as well as the pepper-spraying of docile students at UC Davis.
Brick-And-Mortar Stores Aim To Nail Down Sales Tax
It’s a scenario all too familiar to retailers: A customer walks in, asks to see a product, discusses it at length with the sales staff, and then pulls out his cellphone.
Jason Brewer, vice president of communications and advocacy for the Retail Industry Leaders Association, explains what happens next: “He uses his smartphone to take a picture of the bar code on the back of the item, and then, right in front of the sales person, he checks prices and orders the item online.”
Why? Because most online outlets don’t charge sales tax, unlike traditional bricks-and-mortar stores. Buying online, especially when it comes to jewelry, cameras, computers and other high-end electronics, can save consumers a hefty chunk of change. But the costs to traditional retailers, not to mention state and local governments, are mounting.
“Not only does the retailer lose the sale, but the sales staff just lost 30 minutes telling the customer about the product,” Mr. Brewer said.
It’s infuriating to store owners, but after years of griping about the lack of fairness, this may well be the last holiday shopping season when bricks-and-mortar stores operate under a sales-tax handicap. A bipartisan consensus appears to be forming in Congress in favor of legislation that would close the tax loophole.
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Jason Brewer, vice president of communications and advocacy for the Retail Industry Leaders Association, explains what happens next: “He uses his smartphone to take a picture of the bar code on the back of the item, and then, right in front of the sales person, he checks prices and orders the item online.”
Why? Because most online outlets don’t charge sales tax, unlike traditional bricks-and-mortar stores. Buying online, especially when it comes to jewelry, cameras, computers and other high-end electronics, can save consumers a hefty chunk of change. But the costs to traditional retailers, not to mention state and local governments, are mounting.
“Not only does the retailer lose the sale, but the sales staff just lost 30 minutes telling the customer about the product,” Mr. Brewer said.
It’s infuriating to store owners, but after years of griping about the lack of fairness, this may well be the last holiday shopping season when bricks-and-mortar stores operate under a sales-tax handicap. A bipartisan consensus appears to be forming in Congress in favor of legislation that would close the tax loophole.
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How Do We Know OWS Is Winning? Elites Are Desperate To Suppress It
This is what happens when genuine movements emerge with enough force and potential to be taken seriously by those with power and privilege.
Occupy Wall Street celebrated its two-month anniversary by taking the streets of New York City in a full day of mass direct action. We celebrated the hundreds of occupations that have sprung up across the country and around the world. We celebrated the hundreds of thousands who have participated by marching, carrying out civil disobedience and putting their bodies in motion. We celebrated the millions of people across the globe united in their willingness to join this movement in whatever ways they can. We celebrated in the many thousands in cities all around the world.
Curbing Class-Action Suits That Benefit Lawyers, But Not Plaintiffs
Imagine that you get a congratulatory note in the mail because you won a multimillion-dollar settlement in a class-action lawsuit. Only problem is, you didn't even know you were involved in the case, so what does "your" victory mean for you?
You get nothing, but the lawyers who brought the lawsuit will be paid handsomely, and some obscure charities also get big financial windfalls.
This is precisely what happened not long ago to 66 million plaintiffs covered by a 2009 class-action lawsuit against America Online. The good news, however, is that the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out this settlement and in the process placed some much-needed curbs on the use of class-action settlements as vehicles to create charitable slush funds.
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You get nothing, but the lawyers who brought the lawsuit will be paid handsomely, and some obscure charities also get big financial windfalls.
This is precisely what happened not long ago to 66 million plaintiffs covered by a 2009 class-action lawsuit against America Online. The good news, however, is that the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out this settlement and in the process placed some much-needed curbs on the use of class-action settlements as vehicles to create charitable slush funds.
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Resort Saloon Fined For Employees’ Late-Night Drinking
SNOW HILL -- A nearly spotless record and the support of the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) helped one local business avoid the worst repercussions after it was found guilty of a serious liquor license infraction.
“Just so you understand, this is a bad violation,” said Board of License Commissioners (BLC) President William Esham.
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“Just so you understand, this is a bad violation,” said Board of License Commissioners (BLC) President William Esham.
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Report: Russia Sent Syria Super-Advanced S-300 Missiles
Russian warships that have reached waters off Syria in recent days were carrying, among other things, Russian technical advisors who will help the Syrians set up an array of S-300 missiles Damascus has received in recent weeks, a report in the London-based Arabic language Al Quds-Al Arabi said Thursday. Citing sources in Syria and Russia, the paper said that Moscow sees a Western attack on Syria as a “red line” that it will not tolerate.
Despite the mounting opposition in the West and even in the Arab world against Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad for his assaults on protesters seeking to unseat him as leader of the country, Russia maintains its support for Assad, the report said. Russian and Syria military officials are working together to maintain Assad's rule, and to deflect a possible attack by NATO or the U.S and EU.
Along with the missiles, the report says that Russia has installed advanced radar systems in all key Syrian military and industrial installations. The radar system also covers areas north and south of Syria, where it will be able to detect movement of troops or aircraft towards the Syrian border. The radar targets include much of Israel, as well as the Incirlik military base in Turkey, which is used by NATO.
The S-300 system is regarded as one of the most potent anti-aircraft missile systems available. The system's radar is able to simultaneously track up to 100 targets while engaging up to 12. Deployment time for the S-300 is five minutes, and they have a very long life span, with no maintenance needed.
Russia had attempted to sell the system to Iran, but that sale was cancelled due to pressure by the U.S. and Israel, with Russia returning Iran's deposit. According to the report, the Iranians paid for Syria's S-300 missile system. It is not known if some of the missiles have reached Iran as well.
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Despite the mounting opposition in the West and even in the Arab world against Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad for his assaults on protesters seeking to unseat him as leader of the country, Russia maintains its support for Assad, the report said. Russian and Syria military officials are working together to maintain Assad's rule, and to deflect a possible attack by NATO or the U.S and EU.
Along with the missiles, the report says that Russia has installed advanced radar systems in all key Syrian military and industrial installations. The radar system also covers areas north and south of Syria, where it will be able to detect movement of troops or aircraft towards the Syrian border. The radar targets include much of Israel, as well as the Incirlik military base in Turkey, which is used by NATO.
The S-300 system is regarded as one of the most potent anti-aircraft missile systems available. The system's radar is able to simultaneously track up to 100 targets while engaging up to 12. Deployment time for the S-300 is five minutes, and they have a very long life span, with no maintenance needed.
Russia had attempted to sell the system to Iran, but that sale was cancelled due to pressure by the U.S. and Israel, with Russia returning Iran's deposit. According to the report, the Iranians paid for Syria's S-300 missile system. It is not known if some of the missiles have reached Iran as well.
More
Berlin Brewery Adds Capacity, Eyes Local Distribution Soon
BERLIN -- Heavy demand at Berlin’s Burley Oak Brewery has owner Bryan Brushmiller increasing his capacity and eyeing operations that could begin carrying his product in the near future. “This is definitely the natural next step,” Brushmiller said last week when he added two more fermentation tanks to his operation. Of the tanks, he said, “This gives us four more batches every two weeks.”
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Western Powers Warn Citizens, Leave Syria Now
Western and other nations are warning their citizens to leave Syria immediately, and have issued alerts not to travel there as the security situation continues to deteriorate in the face of President Bashar al-Assad's determination to defy not only the United Nations, but even his regional neighbors at the Arab League.
The U.S. Embassy in Damascus issued a heightened to alert to all American citizens who are still in the country to leave on any commercial flight that might still be available.
The message posted on the Internet, entitled, "Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens: Significant decrease in the number of commercial flights from Syria," was grim. It included a directive to Wardens that "Transmission by phone is mandatory."
Dated Wednesday, the message urged Americans in Syria to "depart immediately while commercial transportation is available. The number of airlines serving Syria has decreased significantly since the summer, while many of those airlines remaining have reduced their number of flights."
Americans were asked to enroll in the U.S. "Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which makes it easier for the embassy/consulates to contact them in case of emergency, and for them to be in touch with the Bureau of Consular Affairs' Emergencies and Crisis.
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The U.S. Embassy in Damascus issued a heightened to alert to all American citizens who are still in the country to leave on any commercial flight that might still be available.
The message posted on the Internet, entitled, "Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens: Significant decrease in the number of commercial flights from Syria," was grim. It included a directive to Wardens that "Transmission by phone is mandatory."
Dated Wednesday, the message urged Americans in Syria to "depart immediately while commercial transportation is available. The number of airlines serving Syria has decreased significantly since the summer, while many of those airlines remaining have reduced their number of flights."
Americans were asked to enroll in the U.S. "Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which makes it easier for the embassy/consulates to contact them in case of emergency, and for them to be in touch with the Bureau of Consular Affairs' Emergencies and Crisis.
More
Woman’s Generosity Still Helping Mounted Unit
OCEAN CITY – Another extremely generous donation to the resort’s mounted patrol unit was accepted this week.
At the conclusion of Monday evening’s Mayor and City Council meeting, City Solicitor Guy Ayres announced some good news.
A few years back, Ocean City resident Virginia Murray passed away and left a large amount of money to be used specifically towards the Ocean City Police Department’s Mount Patrol.
In the past, Ayres has delivered the city two checks, equaling up to $300,000 from Murray’s estate.
“I have the final distribution from that estate,” Ayres said. “I have a check here tonight for $27,416.85, which means the total under her will of $327,416.85.”
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At the conclusion of Monday evening’s Mayor and City Council meeting, City Solicitor Guy Ayres announced some good news.
A few years back, Ocean City resident Virginia Murray passed away and left a large amount of money to be used specifically towards the Ocean City Police Department’s Mount Patrol.
In the past, Ayres has delivered the city two checks, equaling up to $300,000 from Murray’s estate.
“I have the final distribution from that estate,” Ayres said. “I have a check here tonight for $27,416.85, which means the total under her will of $327,416.85.”
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Gay Marriage Could Bring Shifts In Republican Race
CONCORD, New Hampshire – Republican presidential candidates are joining New Hampshire's intensifying gay marriage debate -- whether they like it or not.
State lawmakers plan to take up a measure to repeal the law allowing same-sex couples to wed and a vote is expected at some point in January -- the same month as New Hampshire holds the nation's first Republican presidential primary contest. Already, candidates have been put on the spot over the divisive social issue when most, if not all, would rather be talking about the economy, voters' No. 1 concern.
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State lawmakers plan to take up a measure to repeal the law allowing same-sex couples to wed and a vote is expected at some point in January -- the same month as New Hampshire holds the nation's first Republican presidential primary contest. Already, candidates have been put on the spot over the divisive social issue when most, if not all, would rather be talking about the economy, voters' No. 1 concern.
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Sides Agree Divided Body Needs Better Relations
SALISBURY -- Tensions continue to mount between Salisbury’s administration and the City Council majority. With conflicts beginning to disrupt meetings, the question of how to address the problem remains open.
Ever since the changing of the guard that took place last spring when the council saw the induction of two new members and the election of a new president, the council majority and Mayor Jim Ireton have been at odds.
“They’re pushing buttons on both sides,” said Councilwoman Laura Mitchell, a member of the council minority.
Ireton has made a number of allegations against the council majority and President Terry Cohen specifically. He has accused the group of attempting to obscure facts and cut the public out of government. Additionally, Ireton claims the majority has purposefully been dragging their feet on a number of perennial city issues, such as defining a police towing ordinance and making decisions regarding the intersection of Onley Rd. and Bateman St.
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Ever since the changing of the guard that took place last spring when the council saw the induction of two new members and the election of a new president, the council majority and Mayor Jim Ireton have been at odds.
“They’re pushing buttons on both sides,” said Councilwoman Laura Mitchell, a member of the council minority.
Ireton has made a number of allegations against the council majority and President Terry Cohen specifically. He has accused the group of attempting to obscure facts and cut the public out of government. Additionally, Ireton claims the majority has purposefully been dragging their feet on a number of perennial city issues, such as defining a police towing ordinance and making decisions regarding the intersection of Onley Rd. and Bateman St.
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A Guide To Packing Away Those Leftovers
Despite all your loved ones' best efforts to eat everything in sight, there's still a bunch of food remaining. Now is the time to strategically pack the food away for a lust-filled reunion at a date yet to be determined. (Probably 9 p.m. or so tonight).
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State Board Approves Lower Shore Land Easements
BERLIN -- Hundreds of acres of forest, wetlands and other natural areas in several different tracks across the Lower Shore including Worcester and Wicomico counties were placed in permanent conservation last week. The Board of Public Works, which includes Gov. Martin O’Malley, treasurer Nancy Kopp and comptroller Peter Franchot, last week approved easements on 518 acres of environmentally sensitive land in three counties including Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset.
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Are The Arts Irrelevant To The Next Generation?
New research from Norway finds a steep drop in interest in art, literature and classical music among college students between 1998 and 2008.
Are you concerned about the future of the fine arts? New research from Norway suggests you have every right to fret.
A study just published in the journal Poetics suggests art forms such as literature and classical music “are becoming increasingly more irrelevant for most students’ cultural lives.” This points to “an increasingly precarious position for traditional highbrow culture,” according to a trio of researchers led by the University of Bergen’s Jostein Gripsrud.
Gripsrud and his colleagues conducted two surveys of students enrolled at the major institutions of higher learning in the Norwegian city of Bergen: the University of Bergen, the Norwegian School of Business Administration, Bergen University College, and the National College of Art, Bergen. The first survey, conducted in late 1998 and early 1999, produced responses from 1,113 students.
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Are you concerned about the future of the fine arts? New research from Norway suggests you have every right to fret.
A study just published in the journal Poetics suggests art forms such as literature and classical music “are becoming increasingly more irrelevant for most students’ cultural lives.” This points to “an increasingly precarious position for traditional highbrow culture,” according to a trio of researchers led by the University of Bergen’s Jostein Gripsrud.
Gripsrud and his colleagues conducted two surveys of students enrolled at the major institutions of higher learning in the Norwegian city of Bergen: the University of Bergen, the Norwegian School of Business Administration, Bergen University College, and the National College of Art, Bergen. The first survey, conducted in late 1998 and early 1999, produced responses from 1,113 students.
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Is The Federal Government Helping To Bust Unions?
Defense contractor Honeywell pushed concessions onto striking workers—and unions say Washington supported the company behind the scenes.
For the third time in three years, defense contractor Honeywell International Inc. is deploying union-busting tactics in a government-affiliated workplace—and a federal agency is failing to stop the corporation’s behavior. This raises questions about whether Honeywell, a top contributor to the Democratic Party in the 2010 midterm election cycle, is wielding political influence to successfully weaken unions.
In 2009, Honeywell threatened to bring in federal troops to replace Honeywell contractors threatening to strike at a military facility in Jacksonville, Fla. In 2010, the company brought in scab replacement workers to operate a uranium facility in Metropolis, Ill. (The federal government later ruled that Honeywell cheated on qualification tests so that it could replace striking United Steelworkers union members.)
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For the third time in three years, defense contractor Honeywell International Inc. is deploying union-busting tactics in a government-affiliated workplace—and a federal agency is failing to stop the corporation’s behavior. This raises questions about whether Honeywell, a top contributor to the Democratic Party in the 2010 midterm election cycle, is wielding political influence to successfully weaken unions.
In 2009, Honeywell threatened to bring in federal troops to replace Honeywell contractors threatening to strike at a military facility in Jacksonville, Fla. In 2010, the company brought in scab replacement workers to operate a uranium facility in Metropolis, Ill. (The federal government later ruled that Honeywell cheated on qualification tests so that it could replace striking United Steelworkers union members.)
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What Drugs Was Your Thanksgiving Turkey On?
Antibiotics and other drugs are common in the turkey that thousands of Americans eat every day.
So far, 2011 has not been a great year for turkey producers. In May, an article in Clinical Infectious Diseases reported that half of U.S. meat from major grocery chains--turkey, beef, chicken and pork--harborsantibiotic resistant staph germs commonly called MRSA. Turkey had twice and even three times the MRSA of all other meats, in another study.
In June, Pfizer announced it was ending arsenic-containing chicken feed which no one realized they were eating anyway, but its arsenic-containing Histostat, fed to turkeys, continues. Poultry growers use inorganic arsenic, a recognized carcinogen, for "growth promotion, feed efficiency and improved pigmentation," says the FDA. Yum.
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So far, 2011 has not been a great year for turkey producers. In May, an article in Clinical Infectious Diseases reported that half of U.S. meat from major grocery chains--turkey, beef, chicken and pork--harborsantibiotic resistant staph germs commonly called MRSA. Turkey had twice and even three times the MRSA of all other meats, in another study.
In June, Pfizer announced it was ending arsenic-containing chicken feed which no one realized they were eating anyway, but its arsenic-containing Histostat, fed to turkeys, continues. Poultry growers use inorganic arsenic, a recognized carcinogen, for "growth promotion, feed efficiency and improved pigmentation," says the FDA. Yum.
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Did Michele Bachmann Really Expect To Get Away With Her Jesse James Story?
Michele Bachmann has been making quite a habit of revising her family history since entering the GOP primary race. Needing to sound more Iowan while campaigning in the all-important state of Iowa, she became a 7th generation Iowan, turning the story of her Norwegian immigrant ancestors into something straight out of Little House on the Prairie.
Bachmann probably never expected anyone to fact check her little family history story, but that's exactly what I did. And, as I suspected when I first heard her telling it at Iowa's "Rediscover God in America" conference back in March, her story was far from the truth, as I detailed in a piece I wrote in April. Then, in August, Ryan Lizza included a summarized version of my debunking of Bachmann's story in his New Yorker article, "Leap of Faith: The making of a Republican front-runner."
Now, you'd think the realization that her fantastic family history stories were, indeed, being fact checked would have stopped Bachmann from using them. But, no. She's just kept on using them.
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Bachmann probably never expected anyone to fact check her little family history story, but that's exactly what I did. And, as I suspected when I first heard her telling it at Iowa's "Rediscover God in America" conference back in March, her story was far from the truth, as I detailed in a piece I wrote in April. Then, in August, Ryan Lizza included a summarized version of my debunking of Bachmann's story in his New Yorker article, "Leap of Faith: The making of a Republican front-runner."
Now, you'd think the realization that her fantastic family history stories were, indeed, being fact checked would have stopped Bachmann from using them. But, no. She's just kept on using them.
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Good Samaritans Pull Woman From Burning Car On Thanksgiving
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - A Thanksgiving morning crash could have ended tragically - if not for the quick actions of few good Samaritans.
The Prince George's County Fire Department say a three-car crash happened on Watkins Park drive near Keverton Drive around 9 a.m. -- with one of the cars bursting into flame immediately.
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The Prince George's County Fire Department say a three-car crash happened on Watkins Park drive near Keverton Drive around 9 a.m. -- with one of the cars bursting into flame immediately.
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Army Says Oldest 4-Star General Has Died At 98
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (AP) - An Army spokesman says a four-star general has died of natural causes in San Antonio at age 98.
Spokesman Don Manuszewski says retired Gen. Ralph E. Haines Jr. died Wednesday at San Antonio Military Medical Center. Manuszewski says Haines had been the oldest living four-star general.
Haines was vice chief of staff of the Army from 1967 to 1968. He also served as commanding general of the 1st Armored Division and the III Corps at Fort Hood.
A 1935 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, Haines served 37 years in the Army.
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Spokesman Don Manuszewski says retired Gen. Ralph E. Haines Jr. died Wednesday at San Antonio Military Medical Center. Manuszewski says Haines had been the oldest living four-star general.
Haines was vice chief of staff of the Army from 1967 to 1968. He also served as commanding general of the 1st Armored Division and the III Corps at Fort Hood.
A 1935 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, Haines served 37 years in the Army.
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Black Friday Shoppers Pepper-Sprayed In Calif.
(CBS News)
Twenty people, including children, were injured when a woman at a San Fernando Valley Walmart store used mace against other customers in what authorities referred to as a "competitive shopping" incident.
The Los Angeles Times reports that a scuffle broke out shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday night, just before shopping was to begin, among customers waiting to buy Xbox gaming consoles and Wii video games.
Website Offers Text Messages From Fake Girlfriend
WASHINGTON - Without a partner and feeling a little lonely this holiday season? Now, there's an app for that.
A new website can offer you a little companionship in the form of text messages from a fake girlfriend.
The site, appropriately called "Fake Girlfriend," is a free service.
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A new website can offer you a little companionship in the form of text messages from a fake girlfriend.
The site, appropriately called "Fake Girlfriend," is a free service.
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Keen: Government Should Print Money To Pay Off Our Debts
Economist Steve Keen is one of the few economists to have predicted the global financial crisis and now he says we are already in a Great Depression. He says the way to escape it is to bankrupt the banks, nationalise the financial system and pay off people's debt.
Robertson: Is Mac 'N' Cheese 'A Black Thing?'
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) - Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson has been set straight on Thanksgiving comfort food.
"The 700 Club" founder showed a clip of Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday. Robertson's host, Kristi Watts, asked what dish the former secretary of state had to have on Thanksgiving. Rice replied macaroni and cheese.
Watts reacted enthusiastically, adding "Sister, that is my dish..."
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Parents Sue D.A. for Charging Their 6-Year-Old Son With a Felony After He Played Doctor With a 5-Year-Old Girl
Last week the parents of a Wisconsin boy sued Grant County District Attorney Lisa Riniker for charging their son with first-degree sexual assault, a Class B felony, after he played "butt doctor" with a 5-year-old girl. He was 6 at the time. When the boy's lawyer tried to have the charge dismissed, Riniker replied: "The legislature could have put an age restriction in the statute if it wanted to. The legislature did no such thing."
Anne Arundel Officers Seek Handicapped Parking Violators
Drivers plead their cases as Operation HIDE 2011 draws to a close
It was just after noon on a recent weekday, the parking lots at the Annapolis Westfield Mall were already full, and a woman in a dark sedan weaved through the swelling traffic, looking for a place to park.
Jessica Lawrence, a Glen Burnie resident, saw what she was looking for — a single, empty handicapped space near the front entrance to Sears.
She pulled in, killed the engine and breathed an apparent sigh of relief.
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It was just after noon on a recent weekday, the parking lots at the Annapolis Westfield Mall were already full, and a woman in a dark sedan weaved through the swelling traffic, looking for a place to park.
Jessica Lawrence, a Glen Burnie resident, saw what she was looking for — a single, empty handicapped space near the front entrance to Sears.
She pulled in, killed the engine and breathed an apparent sigh of relief.
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Ron Paul - Civil Liberty's Last Hope
Profile Muslims. Bring on the drones. Did we learn anything else from last night’s GOP debate on CNN? Well, once again, it appears as if Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul is the only candidate that wants to protect the liberties of Americans.
Speaking from DAR Constitution Hall in Washington DC Tuesday night, Paul and his peers discussed the topics of national security and foreign policy. While it’s been no secret that some of the more hawkish candidates are crazy for increasing defense spending and upping the American military presence overseas, Texas Congressman Ron Paul once again managed to separate himself from the rest of the pack by coming off as perhaps the only candidate truly committed to keeping liberty and freedom in place for Americans.
4 People Struck By Car At MD Home Depot
HYATTSVILLE, MD (WUSA) -- Prince George's County Fire officials say 4 people were hit by a car in a Home Depot parking lot Thursday afternoon.
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5 Great Recipes For Those Thanksgiving Leftovers
Use The Food You Already Have
It's after Thanksgiving, and there's a refrigerator full of leftover food.
Here are five ways to use those ingredients to offer a completely different eating experience, saving you both time and money.
Award-winning chef Michael Feker knows the value of food and how it can connect people. At his restaurant Il Mito in Wauwatosa, Wis., he not only offers great meals, in his teaching kitchen he shows others how to make them.
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It's after Thanksgiving, and there's a refrigerator full of leftover food.
Here are five ways to use those ingredients to offer a completely different eating experience, saving you both time and money.
Award-winning chef Michael Feker knows the value of food and how it can connect people. At his restaurant Il Mito in Wauwatosa, Wis., he not only offers great meals, in his teaching kitchen he shows others how to make them.
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Anxiety: Friend Or Foe?
In this week's TIME cover story, available to subscribers here, we ask the question, Is anxiety really all that bad for you?
Few among us haven't laid awake at night, staring at the ceiling as the worries start to crowd our minds — from unpaid bills to the unstable economy to a loved one's recent cancer diagnosis. We know how anxiety feels, and it doesn't feel good.
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Few among us haven't laid awake at night, staring at the ceiling as the worries start to crowd our minds — from unpaid bills to the unstable economy to a loved one's recent cancer diagnosis. We know how anxiety feels, and it doesn't feel good.
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Local Delegate Part Of Legal Challenge To Redistricting Plan
A delegate from Annapolis has asked the state's highest court to block a congressional redistricting plan drawn by Gov. Martin O'Malley.
The districts lump people from such different communities into the same congressional district in such a way that representative government becomes meaningless, according to Republican Del. Ron George and five other plaintiffs.
Gerrymandering undermines local communities and ignores established political boundaries, according to pleadings in the case. As an illustration, under O'Malley's plan, George's state legislative district, District 30, is divided into three congressional districts - 3, 4 and 5.
"It is just plain wrong, you are not respecting what the people want you to do," George said yesterday.
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The districts lump people from such different communities into the same congressional district in such a way that representative government becomes meaningless, according to Republican Del. Ron George and five other plaintiffs.
Gerrymandering undermines local communities and ignores established political boundaries, according to pleadings in the case. As an illustration, under O'Malley's plan, George's state legislative district, District 30, is divided into three congressional districts - 3, 4 and 5.
"It is just plain wrong, you are not respecting what the people want you to do," George said yesterday.
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Woman Charged For Telling Airline Her Ex-Lover Was Terror Threat
LOS ANGELES -A California woman surrendered to the FBI Wednesday on charges that she called an airline to report a fake terrorist threat hours before her ex-lover was to board an international flight, authorities said.
Temple City resident Lizet Sariol called United Airlines on Sept. 25 to say there would "be an emergency" on a
Las Vegas to Paris flight, according to a criminal complaint filed by the federal government.
Prosecutors allege the 45-year-old woman was seeking revenge on a man who she'd had sexual encounters with over four meetings -- and who had just unfriended her on Facebook, among other rejections.More
How The Finns Stole Thanksgiving
KABUL -- There’s something unforgiving about Thanksgiving when you’re an American soldier serving in a place like Afghanistan. You think about the day for months in advance, but when it finally comes, the fun lasts the length of a good meal... and then you’re back on mission, like it never happened.
The meal that was served to several thousand coalition forces, including about 1,000 U.S. troops, who live and work at a base called ‘Tent City’, part of the Kabul military airport, was special by any standards – roast turkey and stuffing, spare ribs, pot roast, collard greens, roast potatoes and gravy, corn on the cob, and honey roasted ham, all topped off with apple and pecan pies. But as good as it was, it wasn’t home. And home was sorely missed.
NO TRASH PICK UP NOTICE and LEAF PICK UP SERVICE REMINDER
NOTICE
THERE WILL BE NO TRASH and RECYCLING
PICK UP
ON THURSDAY, NOV 24th
DUE TO THE
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
IT WILL BE PICKED UP
MONDAY NOV 28th ONLY
TRASH WILL BE PICKED UP AS SCHEDULED ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH
DO NOT BLOW LEAVES INTO THE STREET…
PLEASE CALL THE SERVICE CENTER AT
410-548-3177
FOR MONDAY LEAF PICK UP!!
THERE WILL BE NO TRASH and RECYCLING
PICK UP
ON THURSDAY, NOV 24th
DUE TO THE
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
IT WILL BE PICKED UP
MONDAY NOV 28th ONLY
TRASH WILL BE PICKED UP AS SCHEDULED ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH
DO NOT BLOW LEAVES INTO THE STREET…
PLEASE CALL THE SERVICE CENTER AT
410-548-3177
FOR MONDAY LEAF PICK UP!!
Obama Leaves God Out of Thanksgiving Address
President Obama did not include any reference to God during his weekly address titled, “On Thanksgiving, Grateful for the Men and Women Who Defend Our Country.”
His remarks were void of any religious references although Thanksgiving is a holiday traditionally steeped in giving thanks and praise to God.
The president said his family was “reflecting on how truly lucky we truly are.”
For many Americans, though, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on how blessed and thankful they are.
Rescuers Searching For Pieces Of Plane, Remains Of Victims
Searchers struggled to recover the remains of six people, including three children, who died when their plane hit the crest of Arizona's Superstition Mountains at 200 mph, causing an explosion that left only a wheel and a small door intact, police said today.
"It's a very arduous process, without being too descriptive, because of the explosion," Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said. "The remains are being handled with great care and compassion."
"It's a very arduous process, without being too descriptive, because of the explosion," Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said. "The remains are being handled with great care and compassion."
What's Killing America? U.S. Ranks 28th In Life Expectancy (lower than Chile and Greece) While It Pays The MOST For Health Care
A new survey on health care is revealing that you may not be getting what you pay for if you check into a U.S. hospital.
The U.S. healthcare system is more effective at delivering high costs than quality care than other developed nations, according to the study, conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD.
It found first-rate treatment for cancer but insufficient primary care for other ailments.
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The U.S. healthcare system is more effective at delivering high costs than quality care than other developed nations, according to the study, conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD.
It found first-rate treatment for cancer but insufficient primary care for other ailments.
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New Study Suggests Climate Change May Be (Slightly) Less Severe Than Feared
Earlier this week unknown hackers—following up from a similar attack two years ago—released a cache of stolen emails from climate scientists. Climate skeptics—just as they did two years ago—jumped on the emails hacked from the Climatic Research Unit as Britain's East Anglia University, claiming that they show a conspiracy to hide the lack of evidence for global warming.
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Occupy Movement Does Thanksgiving Nationwide
(AP)
SAN FRANCISCO - Most Americans spent Thanksgiving snug inside homes with families and football. Others used the national holiday to give thanks alongside strangers at outdoor Occupy encampments, serving turkey or donating their time in solidarity with the anti-Wall Street movement that has gripped a nation consumed by economic despair.
In San Francisco, hundreds of campers at Justin Herman Plaza in the heart of the financial district prepared turkey dinners that were handed out by volunteers, church charities and supporters of the movement against social and economic inequality.
