Clipmarks | AtlLiberal's clips

Better Than Puppy Burgers?

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:04:30 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal

1. Sweden Burns Bunnies for Fuel

The Swedes may be warm, but they are not warm and fuzzy. This fall, authorities rounded up 3,000 wild rabbits and then burned them for fuel at a heating plant in central Sweden. Bunny-killing is an annual practice in Stockholm — it's used to combat overpopulation in the city's extensive network of parks — but the animals had never been used to heat buildings before this year. "The bodies contain a lot of fat, and fat has exactly the same energy content as normal heating oil," explained Leo Virta, chief executive of Konvex, the company handling the bunny-burning. Supporters said that since the bunnies were going to be culled anyway, using them for fuel was both economical and environmentally friendly. Unsurprisingly, Swedish animal-rights activists were not convinced.

An Afrian Tragedy

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:20:50 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: Certain African countries are at the receiving end of international scorn for their homophobic views. And rightly so. It is difficult to fathom how, in the 21st Century, this type of backwards thinking could exist. Shame on them.

Clip Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Uganda Considering Death Penalty For Gays

KAMPALA, Uganda — Proposed legislation would impose the death penalty for some gay Ugandans, and their family and friends could face up to seven years in jail if they fail to report them to authorities. Even landlords could be imprisoned for renting to homosexuals.

Gay rights activists say the bill, which has prompted growing international opposition, promotes hatred and could set back efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. They believe the bill is part of a continentwide backlash because Africa's gay community is becoming more vocal.

"It's a question of visibility," said David Cato, who became an activist after he was beaten up four times, arrested twice, fired from his teaching job and outed in the press because he is gay. "When we come out and ask for our rights, they pass laws against us."

Bigotry Sanctioned by Religion

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:02:18 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: The question is one of privilege over bigotry. Should certain Christian sects be allowed to discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation? The theists claim they are simply following their holy book which they contend makes the practice of prejudice and bigotry against gays and lesbians legitimate. They cling to their repeatedly refuted dogma that the "homosexual lifestyle" is something voluntary. Their argument? The Bible says it's so.

This anti-reality viewpoint is not confined to sexual orientation. It is seen in a general anti-intellectualism and distrust of science. No wonder that a growing segment of the public are beginning to see through this and respond accordingly.

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

Supreme Court will decide appeal of Christian student group

Reporting from Washington - The Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide whether a Christian student group's right to religious liberty and the freedom of association can trump a university's ban on discrimination against gays and lesbians.

The case could set new rules for campus groups that receive funding through fees paid by the students.

The justices agreed to hear an appeal from a San Francisco chapter of the Christian Legal Society, which lost its recognition as a student group at the UC Hastings College of Law because it refused to abide by the school's anti-discrimination policy.

The law school said that officially recognized student groups must be open to all. The university has a policy forbidding discrimination based on "race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, sex or sexual orientation" in all of its programs.

Living in the Bible Belt

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:01:01 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: What may seem unconscionable to most Americans is the rule of thumb in the Bible Belt. Most people I meet every day most likely would agree that anyone who doesn't believe in God is not fit to hold public office. People simply do not think these non-believers stand on firm moral ground.

Clip Source: www.citizen-times.com

Critics of Cecil Bothwell cite N.C. bar to atheists

ASHEVILLE — North Carolina's constitution is clear: politicians who deny the existence of God are barred from holding office.

Opponents of Cecil Bothwell are seizing on that law to argue he should not be seated as a City Council member today, even though federal courts have ruled religious tests for public office are unlawful under the U.S. Constitution.

Voters elected the writer and builder to the council last month.

“I'm not saying that Cecil Bothwell is not a good man, but if he's an atheist, he's not eligible to serve in public office, according to the state constitution,” said H.K. Edgerton, a former Asheville NAACP president.

Article 6, section 8 of the state constitution says: “The following persons shall be disqualified for office: First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.”

Creative Ads

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:34:07 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal

Clip Source: creativecriminals.com

Creative bus stop advertisements

A great way to gain exposure for your product or service is to advertise at bus stops. People have to wait until the bus arrives and do not have too much to do besides waiting. But also drivers and pedestrians get attracted by bus stop advertisements.

Fitness First

Quick Silver: Surfboard

The Victoria Bug Zoo: Look through bugs eyes

Hasbro: How does it feel to be involved in a crime

Nice 11 minute dose of reality

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:17:22 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal

Clip Source: scienceblogs.com

Don’t tug on Superman’s cape…

[Video]

Bizarre Images

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:18:13 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal

Clip Source: www.webofentertainment.com

55 Epic, Weird and Totally Awesome Images

An Incredible Hodgepodge

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:40:35 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: Questions, answers, and art.

Clip Source: spacecollective.org

Amidst the attention given to the sciences as how they can lead to the cure of all diseases and daily problems of mankind, I believe that the biggest breakthrough will be the realization that the arts, which are conventionally considered ‘useless,’ will be recognized as the whole reason why we ever try to live longer or live more prosperously.

Pin-Yin Shi Shi Zao Ying Xiong!

To rid ourselves from ignorance we need of necessity understand our minds, our brains and the neurological strata that underlie all that we perceive, know, think, feel, emote and so on. We need to understand how our brains and consequently our minds have been shaped by the blind forces of evolution that are both guiding and limiting human intelligence and its manifests.

“Within thirty years,
we will have the technological means to create super- human intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will be ended.”

A Very Punny Site

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:06:17 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal

Clip Source: deborahann.vox.com

CREATIVE PUNS FOR "EDUCATED MINDS"

1. The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.

He acquired his size from too much pi.

2. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an
optical Aleutian.

3. She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.

4. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class because it was a
weapon of math disruption.

5. The butcher backed into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his work.

6. No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.

7. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.

8. A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.

9. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

10. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

Bad Hair Day?

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:12:58 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: The one that scares me the most is of the little girl!

Clip Source: dontjudgemyhair.com

Don’t Judge My Hair

Bad Hair. Good funny.

In The Beginning

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:23:54 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal

Clip Source: scienceblogs.com

We've had an infestation of insane trolls today who have babbled incoherently about who knows what…I think Keith Knight has captured them perfectly.

Ouija Board Science

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:16:28 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: I don't buy this for a minute. In the clip I saw on the news the man had his eyes closed. Try typing with one finger with your eyes closed.

Facilitated communication? I'd call it one step removed from astronomy. I'd like to see the "facilitator" blindfolded and see the messages that result.

Clip Source: www.wlos.com

Medical ethicists raises doubts about coma man's communications

BRUSSELS (AP) -- A Belgian man who was diagnosed as comatose for 23 years says he feels reborn after decades of loneliness and frustration.

At least, that's what his hand typed out on a keyboard -- a hand that was being held by a caretaker.

And a leading bioethicist is voicing doubts that the man is really the one who's communicating.

In the message typed out on his keyboard, he apparently describes being able to "see, feel and think" -- but without the ability to "participate in life."

But bioethics professor Arthur Caplan at the University of Pennsylvania doesn't buy it. He says getting messages from someone who's otherwise unable to communicate, by moving the person's hand across a keyboard, is like using a "ouija board." He says it's called "facilitated communication," and that it's been discredited many times. He says it's usually the person holding the hand who is deciding what to say.

Palin Supporters - In Their Own Words

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:45:28 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: Gut feelings from the Palin supporters.

Clip Source: www.youtube.com

SARAH PALIN BOOK SIGNING - Interviews with Supporters

[Video]

Troubling Stats from the FBI

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:35:11 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: Intolerance and bigotry are on the rise according to the FBI. Recent mass protests by the "grass roots" Teabaggers have show this return to coarseness and arguably have contributed to this increase.

Clip Source: www.cbsnews.com

Hate Crimes Up in 2008, FBI Says

(CBS) Hate crimes rose slightly in 2008, with bias-motivated attacks based on race, religion and sexual orientation all increasing, according to new data released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Overall, there were 7,783 criminal incidents reported last year. Those incidents involved 9,168 offenses. In 2007, there were 7,624 criminal incidents involving 9,006 offenses reported.

Of the criminal incidents, all but three were motivated by a single bias - 51.3 percent by race; 19.5 percent by religion, 16.7 by sexual orientation; 11.5 percent by ethnicity or national origin; 1 percent by disability.

Within the racial bias incidents, 72.6 percent were against blacks; 17.3 against whites.

Gay men were the victims in most of the sexual orientation-bias attacks - 58.6 percent.

Anti-Jewish bias accounted for 65.7 percent of the religious bias attacks; 7.7 percent of the attacks were against Muslims.

This Seems to be Commonplace

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:18:49 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: If the US experienced the same amount of airplane accidents as Indonesia has ferry accidents you can bet the FAA would be all over it. Sometimes there is very good reason for Government regulations. My advise is don't ride on Indonesian ferries.

Clip Source: www.google.com

Indonesian ferry captain rejects overcrowding claims

Ferry disasters are quite commom in Indonesia, which is an archipelago of 17,000 islands

TANJUNG BALAI, Indonesia — The captain of an Indonesian ferry which sank killing 29 people rejected claims of overcrowding Monday and blamed a freak storm for the disaster, as officials launched an investigation.

The search for survivors from the Dumai Express resumed for a second day off Karimun island, near Singapore, with dozens of people feared lost at sea or trapped in the wreck at the bottom of the Malacca Strait.

With the official toll standing at 29 dead and 245 rescued, officials arrived at Karimun to try to piece together what caused the latest in a litany of ferry disasters in Indonesia, an archipelago of 17,000 islands.

The 147-tonne vessel's capacity was 273 passengers and crew, but local police said more than 400 people could have been on board. Two survivors told AFP its decks were packed with undocumented passengers.