Clipmarks | ruralart's clips

Drunken Briton Tourists Cause Major Trouble

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:43:41 GMT

clipped by: ruralart
clipper's remarks: Not my idea of a fun vacation, for sure!

Some Britons Too Unruly for Resorts in Europe

MALIA, Greece — Even in a sea of tourists, it is easy to spot the Britons here on the northeast coast of Crete, and not just from the telltale pallor of their sun-deprived northern skin.

They are the ones, the locals say, who are carousing, brawling and getting violently sick. They are the ones crowding into health clinics seeking morning-after pills and help for sexually transmitted diseases. They are the ones who seem to have one vacation plan: drinking themselves into oblivion.

“They scream, they sing, they fall down, they take their clothes off, they cross-dress, they vomit,” Malia’s mayor, Konstantinos Lagoudakis, said in an interview. “It is only the British people — not the Germans or the French.”

the story is the same: They come, they drink, they wreak havoc.

in a 12-month period in 2006 and 2007, 602 Britons were hospitalized and 28 raped in Greece, and that 1,591 died in Spain and 2,032 were arrested there.

Photographs of War... or Not?

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 05:46:47 GMT

clipped by: ruralart
clipper's remarks: What a complicated issue.... I can see the military wanting to preserve security and honor the memory of their dead; I can see families not wanting to be traumatized by photos of their loved ones; but I think about all we are still learning from photographs of WWI and WWII... and if there are no photos of the Iraq war, where will that leave historians of the future? Most of the WWI and WWII photographs were taken by military photographers assigned to document the actions. I wonder if there are still military photographers documenting todays "wars"?

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

4,000 U.S. Combat Deaths, and Just a Handful of Images

BAGHDAD — The case of a freelance photographer in Iraq who was barred from covering the Marines after he posted photos on the Internet of several of them dead has underscored what some journalists say is a growing effort by the American military to control graphic images from the war.

If the conflict in Vietnam was notable for open access given to journalists — too much, many critics said, as the war played out nightly in bloody newscasts — the Iraq war may mark an opposite extreme: after five years and more than 4,000 American combat deaths, searches and interviews turned up fewer than a half-dozen graphic photographs of dead American soldiers.

It is a complex issue, with competing claims often difficult to weigh in an age of instant communication around the globe via the Internet, in which such images can add to the immediate grief of families and the anger of comrades still in the field.

Tags: war, iraq, military, death, photography

Space Junk Descending

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:36:40 GMT

clipped by: ruralart
clipper's remarks: Now that's trash!

Clip Source: spaceweather.com

BIG SPACE JUNK: Weight: 1400-lb. Size: Like a double-wide refrigerator. It is, in short, one big piece of space junk:

The Early Ammonia Servicer (EAS), pictured above, was thrown overboard from the International Space Station on July 23, 2007, almost one year ago. At the time, the castaway was in a high orbit and barely visible from Earth's surface. Not anymore: Twelve months later, with its orbit decaying, the EAS has become easy to see.

The EAS is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere and disintegrate near the end of 2008 or early 2009. Until then, you can see it, growing brighter as it descends, with your own eyes. Europeans are favored with flybys this week, North Americans next week. Check our Simple Satellite Tracker to find out when to look.

VIDEO BONUS: On July 15, 2008, Kevin Fetter used a low-light video camera to photograph the EAS orbiting over his home in Brockville, Ontario: movie.

Veil prevents French Citizenship

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 13:10:02 GMT

clipped by: ruralart
clipper's remarks: Interesting, both that it happened and the response. And how would all of this differ in other countries?

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

LA VERRIÈRE, France — When Faiza Silmi applied for French citizenship, she worried that her French was not quite good enough or that her Moroccan upbringing would pose a problem.

“I would never have imagined that they would turn me down because of what I choose to wear,” Ms. Silmi said, her hazel eyes looking out of the narrow slit in her niqab, an Islamic facial veil that is among three flowing layers of turquoise, blue and black that cover her body from head to toe.

But last month, France’s highest administrative court upheld a decision to deny citizenship to Ms. Silmi, 32, on the ground that her “radical” practice of Islam was incompatible with French values like equality of the sexes.

The ruling on Ms. Silmi has received almost unequivocal support across the political spectrum, including among many Muslims. Fadela Amara, the French minister for urban affairs, called Ms. Silmi’s niqab “a prison” and a “straitjacket.”

US slipping in "human index"

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:22:50 GMT

clipped by: ruralart
clipper's remarks: Living in SC, and doing art residencies in the schools across the state, I see the differences between "richer" and "poorer" areas first hand. They are stark, and SC has no areas that would even equal many of the more economically powerful states.

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Development: US fails to measure up on 'human index'

· Nation slumps from 2nd to 12th in global table
· Richest fifth take home $168,000, poorest $11,000

Despite spending $230m (£115m) an hour on healthcare, Americans live shorter lives than citizens of almost every other developed country. And while it has the second-highest income per head in the world, the United States ranks 42nd in terms of life expectancy.

"We get in this report ... an evaluation of what the limitations of human development are in the US but also ... how the relative place of America has been slipping in comparison with other countries over recent years."

The US has a higher percentage of children living in poverty than any of the world's richest countries.

It also reveals 14% of the population - some 40 million Americans - lack the literacy skills to perform simple, everyday tasks such as understanding newspaper articles and instruction manuals.

It has 5% of the world's people but 24% of its prisoners.

Flip Flops May Lead to Pain

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:35:56 GMT

clipped by: ruralart

Clip Source: well.blogs.nytimes.com

Flip-flops are a mainstay of summertime footwear, but they can be painfully bad for your feet and legs, new research shows.

Researchers from Auburn University in Alabama studied the biomechanics of the flip-flop and determined that wearing thong-style flip-flops can result in sore feet, ankles and legs.

“We found that when people walk in flip-flops, they alter their gait, which can result in problems and pain from the foot up into the hips and lower back,'’ said Justin Shroyer, a biomechanics doctoral student who presented the findings to the recent annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Indianapolis.

Man wants tapes of his exorcism - sue diocese

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:35:02 GMT

clipped by: ruralart
clipper's remarks: Weird all the way through. Why on earth would they need to tape it??

Clip Source: www.charleston.net

When the man prayed, his hand twitched.

Concerned, the man sought the advice of a priest, who diagnosed him with being possessed by an evil spirit, perhaps the devil.

An exorcism, the priest advised, was the only solution. It was taped. And now the man wants the "tape(s)" and for no one to see it.

"The local priest diagnosed possible affliction or possession by an evil spirit, the devil," the suit states.

Richter said the legality of the consent form is disputable. Was it Doe or the possessed Doe (in other words, the devil) who signed consent?

The section called "Sacramentals" in the Vatican's Code of Canon Law states that "No one can perform exorcisms legitimately upon the possessed unless he has obtained special and express permission from the local ordinary" — typically a bishop. "The local ordinary is to give this permission only to a presbyter" — priest — "who has piety, knowledge, prudence, and integrity of life."

Tags: exorcism, devil, possessed, religion

Messianic Jews Persecuted

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:55:02 GMT

clipped by: ruralart
clipper's remarks: I did not even know that Messianic Jews existed.

Clip Source: www.signonsandiego.com

afety pins and screws are still lodged in 15-year-old Ami Ortiz's body three months after he opened a booby-trapped gift basket sent to his family. The explosion severed two toes, damaged his hearing and harmed a promising basketball career.

Israel's tiny community of Messianic Jews, a mixed group of 10,000 people who include the California-based Jews for Jesus, complains of threats, harassment and police indifference.

Messianic Jews consider themselves Jewish, observing the holy days and reciting many of the same prayers.

his religion also holds that one can embrace Jesus – Ami calls him by his Hebrew name, Yeshua – as the Messiah and remain Jewish. Orthodox Jews, on the other hand, believe that the Messiah has yet to come, that he will do so only when he chooses, and that any attempt to pre-empt his coming is a grievous sin.

Tags: jews, christianity, judaism, israel, intolerance, religion

Horse Racing - 3 deaths per day in 2007

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 05:22:27 GMT

clipped by: ruralart
clipper's remarks: Hearings are being held on ways to improve safety, and who should oversee this.

Clip Source: canadianpress.google.com

U.S. Congress to hold hearing on horse racing safety without Big Brown trainer

The Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection had been looking forward to hearing from the trainer known for his candour and for methods that were brought into question after his star horse's stunning last-place finish at this month's Belmont Stakes.

Dutrow said he used a legal steroid on Big Brown - although the last dose was given in April - and the horse also ran the race on a quarter crack in the left front hoof in a failed attempt to become the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years.

The hearing will go on, with much to discuss. An Associated Press survey last week found that thoroughbred racetracks reported more than three horse deaths a day in 2007 and 5,000 since 2003. The impetus for the hearing came when Eight Belles broke down at the Kentucky Derby last month and was euthanized on the track, well before the travails of Big Brown at the Belmont.

Tags: horse, racing, equine, big brown

Honey Bees Dying, Food Vanishing?

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:06:59 GMT

clipped by: ruralart
clipper's remarks: Frightening, and amazing to me that so little is being done.

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

The US bee population fell by about 30% last year

The pollination of crops by bees is responsible for a third of the food produced in the US.

One in every three mouthfuls has been touched by their tiny feet; but our six-legged friends are in trouble.

They are getting sick and leaving their hives. Without bees, food gets more expensive - some products could disappear altogether.

Colony collapse disorder (CCD) emerged last year, and by spring 2007 bees were dying in huge numbers - over the year as a whole the total bee population fell by 30%.

Some beekeepers lost closer to 90%, and the fear is it will get worse.

Bees' influence on supermarket shelves is vast. As well as fruits and vegetables, it could get as far as beef and dairy products because cows are fed alfalfa - another bee-pollinated plant.

In a world so dominated by man it may come as a big shock to realise there are some things we cannot do without nature's help.

Tags: food, hunger, crops, agriculture, bees, disease

Care of Cats by Engineers

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:26:43 GMT

clipped by: ruralart
clipper's remarks: Wonderfully funny - great for cat lovers.

Clip Source: video.yahoo.com

[Video]

An Engineer s Guide to Cats

wo professional engineers illustrate the proper care and practical benefits of cats.

Tags: cats, engineers, humor, video

NYC Street Sweeping Truck Kills Dog

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:35:51 GMT

clipped by: ruralart
clipper's remarks: How tragic!

Clip Source: www.thestate.com

Dog swept up, killed by NYC street sweeping truck

In this undated photo released by Robert Machin, Ginger, center, Machin's pet Boston terrier is shown with two unidentified dogs of the same breed. Authorities say that Machin had just finished walking Ginger in New York, Thursday morning, June 12, 2008, and was about to put her and his other dog into the car, when sanitation sweeping truck appeared, sucked Ginger up and killing her as he held her leash.

NEW YORK --

A street-sweeping truck roaring down a Bronx street sucked up a dog and killed her as her owner held the leash.

Machin said he yelled at the driver to stop, but the truck kept going. He and friends chased the truck for 2 1/2 blocks before catching up with it. Ginger's slight body was later pulled from the sweeper.

A heartbroken Machin questioned whether the driver was observing proper procedures, saying the truck seemed to barreling through the street at an unsafe speed.

Tags: dog, death, new york

Midwest Floods may starve the world

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:27:00 GMT

clipped by: ruralart
clipper's remarks: In our global economy, flooding in the American midwest could lead to starvation around the world. Rather frightening.

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

But officials were worried that worse might lie ahead as the rain-gorged tributaries spill into the Mississippi River system, threatening scores of communities. The Mississippi is expected to crest by midweek or days later.

For Mr. Timmerman and the thousands of other farmers who have seen their fields turn to floodplains, the rain and flooding could not have struck at a worse time, and their plight extends far beyond the Midwest.

Soaring global demand in addition to the increased use of corn for ethanol, an alternative fuel, have shrunk the worldwide supply of staples that are the core of practically every continent’s diet.

“The American farmer, we feed the world,” Mr. Timmerman said. “We’re going to be short on corn and we’re going to be short on soybeans.”

Meanwhile, the price of oil has jumped, raising the cost of producing crops and feeding livestock and causing an increase in grocery bills here and abroad, sparking riots and protests in at least two dozen countries.

Tags: floods, farming, corn, soybeans, starvation, food

James Miller, British Jeweler with incredible pierced work

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:29:02 GMT

clipped by: ruralart
clipper's remarks: James is a master goldsmith in England, who does the most incredible hand pierced work. Really amazing artistry. Maybe I'll hit the lottery one day and be able to buy one!

Clip Source: www.ganoksin.com

7" diameter rock crystal bowls, 18K gold piercings and flowers, two 18K gold plique a-jour winged butterflies, guilloche enameled silver base and central support, with three conical guilloche enameled vases between each bowl. The bowls are cradled in 18K gold piercings.

18K white gold pierced and enameled base, the bowl is set off centre and is surrounded by a spray of 18K gold enameled flowers set with diamonds.

the bowls are of carved amethyst and the stands are 18K gold piercings over enameled silver, the central piecings on the spheres are set with diamonds.

Clip Source: www.ganoksin.com

This is an easter egg that I made over twenty years ago for Asprey, the egg shells were plique e-jour enamelled, and the oval rock crystal clock that fits inside has an enamelled face.

Clip Source: www.ganoksin.com

My work is varied and draws inspiration from flora and fauna using techniques of manufacture that have changed very little over the centuries. I work mainly in 18K gold and silver using hard fired enamels to add colour to my pieces.

Tags: art, jewelry, jeweler, gold, gemstones

Deep Sky web site with star maps and databases

Wed, 07 May 2008 02:21:19 GMT

clipped by: ruralart
clipper's remarks: Lots of great info and pics on deep sky observing, including maps you can print.

Clip Source: www.uv.es

Welcome to this website, which is devoted to Deep Sky (DS) observing, my favorite hobby since long time ago, around 25 years. Deep Sky (or Deep Space) is the astronomy topic that covers all what is found beyond the Solar System, namely stars, stellar systems, dust and gas clouds, whose different manifestations ‑mainly nebulae, star clusters and galaxies‑ are not only physically amazing, but also awe‑inspiring sights to enjoy. The night sky is within reach of everybody. You just need binoculars, a dark place beyond the city lights, pristine skies, and a star atlas. I'd like to contribute to the promotion of deep sky observing offering you some articles and tools, the subjects I am more interested in:

In the frame on the top (if you don't see frames, click here), several tools, deep sky maps, articles, observation reports, pictures, tools and a deep space catalogue

Tags: astronomy, deep sky, nebula, galaxy