Well...
I typically like to picture them sitting at their desk littered with Red Bull getting upset when Jacob/Edward try to hit on Bella...
But I do see your point
The fact that there seems to have been extensive testing to make sure it feels like human blood just freaks me out.
Though at least they didn't try to make it taste like human blood, presumably because no one would buy it then (Also presumably because it would just be easier to sell human blood in that case and they might get sued for that).
Whether you are a real vampire, a robot vampire, a werewolf (with a taste for human blood), a vampire werewolf, a robot vampire werewolf, or some silly creature that sparkles in the sunlight,
Eric Smith suffered the horrific injury after a mortar bomb firework exploded out of a metal pipe and ripped off his left arm off at the shoulder.
The 36-year-old, who was hosting a party at his Long Island, New York, home was rushed to hospital while the severed limb was packed on ice and also transported with him in the ambulance.
Surgeons were unable to re-attach the arm and Mr Smith remains in a stable condition.
Police said they are considering bringing charges against Smith as the firework had been illegally made.
Friends told police he had leant over the 3ft long pipe to launch the mortar bomb from his back garden but had not got out of the way when it ignited.
Only licensed companies are allowed to sell fireworks but many people buy cheap, imported fireworks from China.
Millions of Americans celebrate the July 4 Independence Day holiday with fireworks.
Just goes to show you should never trust a man from Long Island with any kind of explosive.
Just goes to show you should never trust a man from Long Island with any kind of explosive.
I stopped a house from exploding last night, thank-you-very-much. And this belongs in the amusing news thread. Or you could start a "serves you right, you stupid motherfuckers" thread, which is really the same thing.
And some of them are unreasonable. For instance, aerial fireworks in our neighborhood could be bad, because of all the trees. But Idaho Fall's residential areas are mostly suburban. Aerial fireworks burn out way faster than grounded ones, and because they're going up they're less likely to actually physically hit anything. They're safer in the long run than a large fountain firework for sure.
If you're an absolute moron then yes, I suppose they can. Lucky most people are only mostly stupid and not entirely stupid and don't take off their arms enough to matter. I mean, cars kill plenty more people than fireworks, they do it better too. They're legal....
Indeed, however, cars are required for some people (though not a good majority of them to be sure) as fireworks are not.
Also, as this hardly matters, that's the last I'll put into this argument... or is it merely a disagreement? Whatever.
SALT LAKE CITY — "We know you are illegal," the stranger on the phone said, "and will call immigration. We know where you live."
The call came Wednesday after parents at the home were included on a list of 1,300 Hispanics who are supposedly living in Utah illegally. The list was sent Monday to law enforcement and news media by an anonymous group aiming to have the people deported.
After the call came, children at the home were so upset they began crying, said Tony Yapias, director of Proyecto Latino and a former state director of Hispanic affairs. Their mom left work to go home and comfort them, Yapias said.
He said the threatening call is just the tip of the iceberg of problems the list has caused. He said people on it are talking of moving, are terrified of being deported, and worry about being attacked. He says both legal and illegal immigrants around the state worry they are on it, and may be targeted.
Meanwhile, the Utah Department of Workforce Services confirmed on Wednesday that its databases contain much of the same information that was on the list, but is still investigating whether it was the actual source of any or all of it.
"We're still looking. Some of those data are contained within our database. We're looking to see if it entirely came from our database or other sources," said DWS spokesman Dave Lewis.
He said his agency is trying to determine if it is a coincidence, or if it is data is so similar in detail and scope that a breach likely occurred.
Angie Welling, spokeswoman for Gov. Gary Herbert, said several departments are conducting internal reviews about whether their databases had been used. "We have not given agencies a timeline for completion, but know that they are actively working to determine if their division and/or staff was somehow involved," she said.
Paul Murphy, spokesman for Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, said depending on what agencies find, the attorney general's office may consider criminal charges if it finds a state employee improperly used confidential state databases.
The list released publicly includes birthdates, phone numbers and addresses for everyone on the list. For some, it has Social Security numbers it says people are using. It includes the exact due dates for several pregnant women. The names of many children are included. Almost all names are Hispanic, ignoring other nationalities that may have illegal immigrants.
Yapias was the one who initially called for the governor to investigate whether state databases were used, because he said he doubted such detailed information would be otherwise available.
A letter from the anonymous group that spread the list, however, said the information was compiled by people who watched Hispanics in their neighborhoods, stores, schools and churches and who gathered other data with the help of "Mexican nationals who infiltrate their social networks."
Yapias said he doubts that. He notes that the list includes names from Logan to St. George, and Moab to Wendover — not just one easy-to-watch neighborhood.
He said he has also found that almost everyone on the list has a close relative who is a U.S. citizen, such as U.S.-born children of illegal-immigrant parents.
He said if such a U.S. citizen applied for food stamp benefits, for example, the amount they would receive would depend on how many people lived in the household, including illegal immigrants. He suspects the list came from a state social service agency because it contains so many names of children.
Late Wednesday afternoon, Yapias said he had only slept an hour or two since the list was released, because his phone is constantly ringing from people who are scared, or who want to know if they are on the list.
"Of every 20 calls I get, only one has their name on the list," he said. "But everyone thinks they are on the list, so everyone is terrified." He said that extends even to U.S. citizens who have Hispanic names, who fear they are on it and may face problems.
Yapias said several say they are planning to move — including at least one who is looking at returning to Mexico.
"They're afraid," Yapias said. "The lady said she and her husband were talking and decided that with the economy, if things don't get better, they will just go back. Of course, that is exactly what groups behind this probably want."
Yapias said he has also been taking phones calls from national and international new media interested in the vigilante feel to the list and how it comes as Utah legislators are preparing to consider a law similar to one in Arizona that would require police to check the immigration status of people they stop if they have reason to believe they are here illegally.
Salt Lake City officials heard public testimony Tuesday from members of the Latino community who lauded the stance taken by Salt Lake Police Chief Chris Burbank in opposition to an Arizona-style revamp of Utah immigration law.
Among groups that praised Burbank and opposed the Arizona-style law were the Utah Republican Hispanic Assembly, Utah Coalition of La Raza and Centro Civico Mexicano.
Afterward, Mayor Ralph Becker's chief of staff, David Everitt reiterated the mayor's support of Burbank's stance that immigration enforcement duties should not be placed on the backs of local cops.
Councilman Carlton Christensen said Wednesday that Tuesday's discussion clearly expressed the council's support of Burbank, and he expressed hope that the complex issue will be addressed at the federal level.
Whelp, the bill for extending jobless benefits passed. While I am all for helping people out who don't have a job, almost 2 years on jobless benefits is a little much even for me. Combine that with the fact that it is not "payed" for (lol loan form China) and I really don't know how I feel about it >_>
I mean... Two YEARS on jobless benefits? I just... I... I don't know what to say without sounding like a dick. Two... Years.... Wow. It is just such a long time to give out money to someone, even if they are down on their luck. Especially if there is no way to pay for it.
It is a long time, and I'm sure some are merely taking advantage of the governments generosity. But I suspect the vast majority of long time jobless people are part of those industries that really can't afford more workers right now. Most I'm sure literally have skill sets which jobs simply aren't available for. It seems reasonable to me.
Yeah, those deadbeats who lost their jobs during the largest recession in decades need to stop freeloading and starve properly like the unemployed should. After all, massive deficit spending should be reserved for important things like preemptively invading countries or giving top income earners tax cuts.
At the end of May there were 3.2 million job openings, according to a new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the face of nearly 15 million unemployed, that's obviously not enough. And if you add in those other Americans not working because they're discouraged or marginally attached ("U-5"), then that number jumps to almost 17 million. Here's a picture of how the labor market changed since 2007:
(Note: Jobless data is available through June, while job openings numbers are only available through May.)
This chart shows a serious problem. That giant gap consists of Americans who are unemployed, and couldn't get a job even if they wanted to. This emphasizes the need for Congress to extend unemployment benefits. It's pretty clear that millions of Americans remain unemployed because the jobs aren't there -- not because they aren't trying hard enough to find them. In fact, it's not even close.
Well, the conclusions you can draw from this data depends on your own personal philosophies. Personally, I am okay with extended unemployment benefits at this time, because it is really just chump change compared to the entirety of the federal budget. The bang for your buck is pretty good here.
Furthermore, giving money to the poor in economically challenging times has a greater effect than giving it to the rich. Poor people are not going to sit on extra money, they're going to use it on food, bills, etc. Rich people who are not living hand-to-mouth will sit on their money. This in itself is a, albeit small, stimulus.
If, on the other hand, you really want the government to cut back spending and start saving money like everyone else is, then that's fine too, but you should really be consistent about it. The Republicans who near unanimously resented extending unemployment benefits, on the grounds that they need to be paid for somehow, have been notoriously silent about how to pay for the extended Bush tax cuts for the rich. And the Bush tax cuts have a much larger impact on the federal deficit.
The problem is though, where does it stop? Do we keep extending until everyone has a job? That's unrealistic. Until the economy gets better? That's optimistic.
I am all for people getting money when they need it, but for how long? And talking about the deficit as if it cannot possibly hurt any more to add on just a tiny bit is what got us here in the first place. And please for the love of god don't mention tax cuts on the rich unless you want me to go into a 5 hour bitchfit on why the rich don't need them, and why the trickle down effect is the most over exaggerated and full of shit thing that congress has thrown in our faces when it comes to taxes. (Which says alot)
More like a massive savings accounts that continually grow. The rich do spend more money than your average consumer, but they also save MUCH more along with it. My dad works for the "HOLY SHIT THEY'RE LOADED" part of Austin and I have seen some of their warchests when we were fixing their computers for trying to download something or another. Holy jesus.
My suggestion would be to stop extending benefits once employment reach somewhere around 2007 levels, before the world economy pooped itself. It's really not a lot of money, when compared to the inefficiencies of other money sinks.
Then again, entitlements are hard to take back, especially the longer they're around.
All the poor people should move to China. They can sell all of their property and trade their money for yuans and retire.
Kinda reminds me of that scene from Euro Trip where they are in eastern Europe and have like a buck fifty, wondering what on earth they can buy. Fast forward to them in a lavish 5 star hotel eating a feast.
BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — Facing eviction from her Tennessee apartment after several months of unpaid rent, Alexandra Jarrin packed up whatever she could fit into her two-door coupe recently and drove out of town.
Ms. Jarrin, 49, wound up at a motel here, putting down $260 she had managed to scrape together from friends and from selling her living room set, enough for a weeklong stay. It was essentially all the money she had left after her unemployment benefits expired in March. Now she is facing a previously unimaginable situation for a woman who, not that long ago, had a corporate job near New York City and was enrolled in a graduate business school, whose sticker is still emblazoned on her back windshield.
“Barring a miracle, I’m going to be in my car,” she said.
Ms. Jarrin is part of a hard-luck group of jobless Americans whose members have taken to calling themselves “99ers,” because they have exhausted the maximum 99 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits that they can claim.
For them, the resolution recently of the lengthy Senate impasse over extending jobless benefits was no balm. The measure renewed two federal programs that extended jobless benefits in this recession beyond the traditional 26 weeks to anywhere from 60 to 99 weeks, depending on the state’s unemployment rate. But many jobless have now exceeded those limits. They are adjusting to a new, harsh reality with no income.
In June, with long-term unemployment at record levels, about 1.4 million people were out of work for 99 weeks or more, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Not all of them received unemployment benefits, but for many of those who did, the modest payments were a lifeline that enabled them to maintain at least a veneer of normalcy, keeping a roof over their heads, putting gas in their cars, paying electric and phone bills.
Without the checks, many like Ms. Jarrin, who lost her job as director of client services at a small technology company in March 2008, are beginning to tumble over the economic cliff. The last vestiges of their former working-class or middle-class lives are gone; it is inescapable now that they are indigent.
Ms. Jarrin said she wept as she drove away from her old life last month, wondering if she would ever be able to reclaim it.
“At one point, I thought, you know, what if I turned the wheel in my car and wrecked my car?” she said.
Nevertheless, the political appetite to help people like Ms. Jarrin appears limited. Over the last few months, 99ers have tried to organize to press Congress to provide an additional tier of unemployment insurance. But the political potency of fears about the skyrocketing deficit has drowned them out. The notion that unemployment benefits discourage recipients from finding work has also crept into Republican arguments against extensions. As a result, the plight of 99ers was notably absent from the recent debate in the Senate.
Senator Debbie Stabenow, Democrat of Michigan, is now working on a bill to help those in the group, a spokesman, Miguel Ayala, said, but the chances of providing them with additional weeks of benefits seem dim.
“It’s going to be extremely hard to pass,” said Andrew Stettner, deputy director of the National Employment Law Project. “We barely got 60 votes to keep 99 weeks, so it’s even harder to get more.”
Other ways of helping the long-term jobless might have a better shot of succeeding, Mr. Stettner said, like a temporary jobs program or assistance for emergency needs.
Ms. Jarrin ping-pongs between resolve and despair. She received her last unemployment check in the third week of March, putting her among the first wave of 99ers. Her two checking accounts now show negative balances (she has overdrafts on both). Her cellphone has been ringing incessantly with calls from the financing company for her car loan. Her vehicle is on the verge of being repossessed.
It is a sickening plummet, considering that she was earning $56,000 a year in her old job, enjoyed vacationing in places like Mexico and the Caribbean, and had started business school in 2008 at Iona College.
Ms. Jarrin had scrabbled for her foothold in the middle class. She graduated from college late in life, in 2003, attending classes while working full time. She used to believe that education would be her ticket to prosperity, but is now bitter about what it has gotten her.
“I owe $92,000 for an education which is basically worthless,” she said.
Last year she moved to Brentwood, Tenn., south of Nashville, in search of work. After initially trying to finish her M.B.A. program remotely, she dropped out because of the stress from her sinking finances. She has applied for everything from minimum-wage jobs to director positions.
She should have been evicted from her two-bedroom apartment several months ago, but the process was delayed when flooding gripped middle Tennessee in May. In mid-July, a judge finally gave her 10 days to vacate.
Helped by some gas cards donated by a church, she decided to return to this quiet New England town, where she had spent most of her adult life. She figured the health care safety net was better, as well as the job market.
She contacted a local shelter but learned there was a waiting list. Welfare is not an option, because she does not have young children. She says none of her three adult sons are in a position to help her.
A friend wired her $200 while she was driving from Tennessee, enabling her to check into a motel along the way and helping to pay for her stay here. But Ms. Jarrin doubts that much more charity is coming.
“The only help I’m going to get is from myself,” she said. “I’m going to have to take care of me. That has to be through a job.”
So, in her drab motel room, Ms. Jarrin has been spending her days surfing the Internet, applying for jobs.
Lining the shelves underneath the television are her food supplies: rice and noodles that Ms. Jarrin mixes with water in the motel’s ice bucket and heats up in a microwave; peanut butter and jelly; a loaf of white bread.
Ms. Jarrin still has food stamps, which she qualified for in Tennessee. But she is required to report her move, which will cut them off, so she will have to reapply in Vermont.
She has been struggling with new obstacles, like what to do when an address is required in online applications. She is worried about what will happen when her cellphone is finally cut off, because then any calls to the number she sent out with her résumés will disappear into a netherworld.
The news, however, has not been all bad. She had her first face-to-face interview in more than a year, for a coordinator position at a nonprofit drop-in center, on Monday.
And last Thursday, she got her first miracle, when an old friend from New York sent by overnight mail $300 in cash, enough for another week in purgatory.
Comments
I typically like to picture them sitting at their desk littered with Red Bull getting upset when Jacob/Edward try to hit on Bella...
But I do see your point
The fact that there seems to have been extensive testing to make sure it feels like human blood just freaks me out.
Though at least they didn't try to make it taste like human blood, presumably because no one would buy it then (Also presumably because it would just be easier to sell human blood in that case and they might get sued for that).
At least robot vampire werewolves will be happy.
Man blows off arm during Independence Day party
Just goes to show you should never trust a man from Long Island with any kind of explosive.
I stopped a house from exploding last night, thank-you-very-much. And this belongs in the amusing news thread. Or you could start a "serves you right, you stupid motherfuckers" thread, which is really the same thing.
Also, as this hardly matters, that's the last I'll put into this argument... or is it merely a disagreement? Whatever.
'Immigrant' list creates fear; State had same data
I mean... Two YEARS on jobless benefits? I just... I... I don't know what to say without sounding like a dick. Two... Years.... Wow. It is just such a long time to give out money to someone, even if they are down on their luck. Especially if there is no way to pay for it.
Furthermore, giving money to the poor in economically challenging times has a greater effect than giving it to the rich. Poor people are not going to sit on extra money, they're going to use it on food, bills, etc. Rich people who are not living hand-to-mouth will sit on their money. This in itself is a, albeit small, stimulus.
If, on the other hand, you really want the government to cut back spending and start saving money like everyone else is, then that's fine too, but you should really be consistent about it. The Republicans who near unanimously resented extending unemployment benefits, on the grounds that they need to be paid for somehow, have been notoriously silent about how to pay for the extended Bush tax cuts for the rich. And the Bush tax cuts have a much larger impact on the federal deficit.
(UI stands for Unemployment Insurance)
Food for thought.
I am all for people getting money when they need it, but for how long? And talking about the deficit as if it cannot possibly hurt any more to add on just a tiny bit is what got us here in the first place. And please for the love of god don't mention tax cuts on the rich unless you want me to go into a 5 hour bitchfit on why the rich don't need them, and why the trickle down effect is the most over exaggerated and full of shit thing that congress has thrown in our faces when it comes to taxes. (Which says alot)
Hehe.
Then again, entitlements are hard to take back, especially the longer they're around.
Kinda reminds me of that scene from Euro Trip where they are in eastern Europe and have like a buck fifty, wondering what on earth they can buy. Fast forward to them in a lavish 5 star hotel eating a feast.
China don't fuck around.