Overnight Open Thread

Tonight's ONT has no theme.

What It's Like To Jump Out of a Perfectly Good Airplane

And land in the middle of Michigan Stadium delivering the game ball ahead of last Saturday’s Michigan-MSU match-up. I always worry they're going to go off target and smash one of the ants lining the field, but Sgt. Adam Sniffenof the 101st Airborne landed perfectly on target.

And here's a guy jumping out of a perfectly good skyscraper as part of a movie. While on fire. With no parachute. And landing on an air bag that seems awfully small and easy to miss.

Is A Mustache Racist?
Well apparently it is if you're Republican Ruth McClung and you use it in an ad despite the fact that her opponent, Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva, uses it in his own advertising.

The Sad Fall of Cahrles Jhonson
Just when you thought he couldn't go any lower, he starts writing columns for The Guardian. But don't you dare suggest that he's had a ideological change of heart in the last few years - that's crazy extremist talk and these days he's busy fighting that. (thanks to Monty)

Afghan Women Need Sewing Machines
This is a bleg from the charity, Spirit of America, who specialize in providing money and resources to fill needs that US military members think are helpful in winning over hearts and minds. Rather than large infrastructure projects, they tend to focus on small, concrete things that can make a big difference in the lives of local people. Sometimes even simple things like de-worming a villages' goats or fixing a pump with a $30 part can be as valuable intelligence-wise as a whole fleet of UAVs.

One of their current projects is trying to improve the lot of Afghan women by providing them with sewing machines. These allow them to provide for their families and make some extra income which lets them send their children to school. Each sewing machine costs $120 and they're hoping to give out 73 more soon. They're also providing 2-way radios to Afghan police, and solar radios and flashlights to farmers. I've been giving to them for several years and think they're doing a lot of unsung good in Iraq and Afghanistan. So if you can, consider helping them out.

The Medicare/Obamacare Doctor Shortage

I recently had the need to change my primary care doctor, and let me tell you it wasn’t easy to find a new one. Helpful friends gave me names of doctors they knew and liked, but when I called the offices, I got the repetitive answer: not taking new patients, and no idea if or when they ever will.

Latvia Needs Men!
Apparently thanks to unhealthy and risky lifestyles there's a shortage of men in Latvia. And that plus the fact that many men don't go to college makes it hard for young educated women to find boyfriends and husbands. And the guys know it:

"He just sits in front of the TV and knows he can get a woman. And if she doesn't suit him, he will get another.

An Update on the Saga of Air Force Major Jill Metzger
Back in 2006 Major Jill Metzger went missing during a trip to a shopping mall while stationed in Kyrgyzstan. She reappeared 3 days later claiming that she had been kidnapped at the mall and managed to escape her captors a few days later by running barefoot for 30 miles. However video from the mall's security cameras showed that she left it on her own and according to investigators her story was full of inconsistencies and contradictions. Sources also say that she failed two polygraph tests given during the investigation.

Afterwards instead of being court martialed or dismissed, she was diagnosed with PTSD and put on 'temporary retirement' with a full disability pension. Now after three years she's back on active duty and serving with her husband at Andrews AFB. Apparently if you're high up enough and well connected enough, you can have a freakout, go AWOL, and still get rewarded with a 3 year paid vacation and a cushy state-side posting.

Being Skinny Makes Women Happier Than Having a Man
So if it's a choice between losing 25lbs or you, well I guess she's gonna miss you.

Win Stompy Boots?
Why yes you can.

Wired: 7 Essential Skills You Didn't Learn in College
Meh. Only Statistical Literacy and the Art of Repairing Things seem useful. All the rest are trendy foo foo topics that set the hearts of New Media-types a flutter.

Yahoo group. That is all.

Tonight's post brought to you by Math Dept. graffitti:

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posted by Maetenloch at 09:23 PM

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