Overnight Open Thread

That chart my friends may portend some wallet shock here in the short term but in the long term, just may help cost Obama the election. Of course his own Agriculture Secretary isn't doing him any favors in this regard.

Food prices may go up next year, but for now the severe drought conditions should not have an immediate effect on prices at the grocery store according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

"The prices and the impact of a drought will probably not likely be seen in the grocery aisle until later next year in 2013," Vilsack said on CNN's "State of the Union."

Experts say prices for beef, poultry, pork and milk will be the most directly affected, while processed food prices will remain more stable, as a larger percentage of their prices are affected by packaging and advertising.

Senior Vice President of research for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Michael Miller said prices for beef, poultry, pork and milk could rise 10 percent if the drought continues.

Corn is such a pervasive ingredient in the U.S. diet that food prices overall rise about 1 percent for every 50 percent jump in corn prices, USDA economist Richard Volpe said.

Keystone Kops

Ridiculous. The Pentagon said the leaks didn't come from them and all indications pretty much point at the White House, so I guess it would only make sense then To Institute New Procedures At The Pentagon To Stop Leaks That Didn't Originate There. Ah, the government is so smart. Can't wait for the death panels.

Operation Acoustic Kitteh

I guess back in the day, the CIA would really try anything. Behold Operation Acoustic Kitty.

One of the CIA’s most bizarre Cold War efforts was Operation Acoustic Kitty. In declassified documents from the CIA’s super-secret Science and Technology Directorate, it was revealed that some Cold-War-era cats were surgically altered to become sophisticated bugging devices. The idea was that the cats would eavesdrop on Soviet conversations from park benches, windowsills and garbage containers. The cat was meant to just stroll up to the sensitive conversations, completely unnoticed. The clandestine cat’s electrical internals would then capture and relay the audio to awaiting agents.

California Is Still Boned

Retired Military Officers: Lazy Summers Threaten National Security. You know I'm getting pretty damn tired of hearing about having to spend even more money on something that could be mostly fixed by parents actually doing their damn job instead of relying on some government handout or electronic entertainment device. I get what these guys are trying to say, but at some point you have to stop spending money on something that even the parents of these children won't take the time to address themselves. And they should care the most. It's not that hard to read a book to your kids or make them play outside or monitor their diet.

Manliest Cities

So how does your city rank on this list of America's Manliest Cities?

“Manly Kryptonite” Category / Emasculating Criteria*
Cities also lost points for an overabundance of emasculating criteria – factors that reduced a city’s manliness rating. These factors included the number of home furnishing and décor stores, cafés/coffee shops, sushi restaurants, “modern” male apparel stores and cupcake shops. Cities with higher concentrations of these types of stores lost rating points.

Moonshinin'

Genghis sent this article along. I could see why this is taking off, especially in WA after that article last night. The Secret Life Of The Moonshiners Among Us.

Survival Technique

I think I'd rather make sure that i had a magnifying glass on hand than have To Light A Fire With Your Pee.

Kitteh Video

Tampa Strip Clubs

I guess strip clubs are gearing up for the Republican convention. Strange they never have these type of stories when talking about the Democratic convention. But I digress. Tampa Strip Clubs Take Extra Steps To Cash In On The RNC Including Using A Palin Look Alike. Well, I wouldn't expect them to use a Pelosi look alike!

Hunting Outfits

Ever hunt bears? Then this Siberian Bear-Hunting Suit From The 1800s is for you! OK, not really used to hunt but maybe bait bears but that suit would work well at an OWS encampment. Or any place with long lines.

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