westminsterdogshow 2023
Ann Wilson(Empire1) 2022 Dave In Texas 2022
Jesse in D.C. 2022 OregonMuse 2022
redc1c4 2021
Tami 2021
Chavez the Hugo 2020
Ibguy 2020
Rickl 2019
Joffen 2014
So I saw in the news today that the Justice Department Is Probing Widespread Stimulus Fraud. Really? Stimulus fraud and the DoJ is looking into it? No way! Based on the article, they are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. They're focused on a teeny tiny bit of a mere $48B of the stimulus that went to existing highway and transportation projects. I'm sure most of these funds went to all those stupid signs.
A Colorado-based consulting, engineering and construction firm, named CH2M Hill, was awarded nearly $2 billion from the stimulus to perform cleanup work at the Hanford nuclear site.
The company used those funds to hire roughly 1,300 employees.
They then inflated the hiring numbers by using a Department of Energy metric known as "lives touched", which allowed them to boast that the stimulus helped somehow helped or 'touched' three-and-a-half times as many people as they had actually employed.
When the stimulus funds ran out, so did the ability to support the jobs created or lives touched. Roughly 1,500 employees were laid off.
And lets not forget about the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund - Education Fund part of stimulus (around $100B total). Just go to Stimulus Watch and click on the tab most expensive. You'll see Education Fund grants as among the most expensive and all they really did was prop up existing school budgets. Now that most of those funds are gone and the additional $10B authorized by Congress (Education Jobs Fund to pay K-12 salaries) in August, 2010 will expire on 30 September, 2012, states will have to beg for more, raise revenue or make some cuts.
Spitfire Flies Again
I've always loved WWII fighters and the Spitfire was among my favorites so this is a great story. A bit expensive, but awesome none the less. Battle Of Britain Spitfire: Restored After 40 Years. With the way the Brits are slashing their defense, this Spitfire just may end up as their sole air defense fighter!
Just in time for the summer! Vanilla Crisis Could Force Up Price Of Ice Cream. Damn those evil vanilla speculators. Oh and climate change too. And screw those evil ice cream companies (yeah you Ben and Jerry) and their profits and those tax credits they claim that offset the costs of making ice cream.
Analysts fear the price of the spice is on the brink of explosion amid concerns of a shortage of the commodity.
The combination of poor harvests in two of the worlds main producing countries and opportunists stockpiling supplies is already causing a surge on commodity markets.
Israel's Pharmaceutical Crime Unit discovered the tasty item, available in pharmacies and natural food markets, and sent samples to a Jerusalem laboratory, the Jerusalem Post reported.
Scientists tested the "Honey Sex" and discovered the chemical Sildenafil, known as the active ingredient in the erectile disfunction drug Viagra.
The Health Ministry is warning Israelis against using the sweet stimulant. Consuming "Honey Sex" without consulting a medical professional could lead to heart problems or other side effects, the government statement said.
As an alternative, curious individuals who don't strictly follow the laws of Kashrut might consider Baconlube, a savory sexual lubricant with smokey pork flavoring.
Doggeh Humor
The Flying Car
Well, the Terrafugia Transition made it's debut at the NY Auto Show and while it's a nifty piece of transportation, I don't think it'll sell like hotcakes. I mean, not everyone has $279K to blow on a flying car that uses premium gas. Now if they can make one that is like it was from Bladerunner or something, that would be cool.
Interactive Geek Speed Dating
So which one tickled your fancy? Some of the Starbuck lines are pretty damn funny. Boomer was good too. Just not as good as this Boomer (don't click it Kratos!).