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Segami
Segami's Journal
Segami's Journal
February 8, 2014
The Incubus..........The "Blonde-Spawn"?.......
Remember Liz Cheney?
The blonde spawn created during an unholy union between a man and woman for the express purpose of keeping the man out of the draft during the Vietnam war? The woman who threw her sister’s gay-marriage under the bus and then drove over it, back and forth, until it looked like the face of a guy who’d been shot by a vice-president? The lady whose family managed to almost alienate everyone in a state with a population equal to that of a slow day at Disneyland? The woman who quit the race faster than a Palin gets pregnant? The desolate and rocky place where charisma can find no purchase and the sun never shines?
That Liz Cheney? Yeah, her.
Seems like she was less than honest about how much money her campaign was taking in by having her dad call old friends and suggest (“You’ve got a nice face. Be a shame if somebody shot you in it“) they make a contribution. According to TPM, Liz claimed she raised $1 million during the fourth quarter and, like a dating profile on eHarmony, there was some ‘untruth’ involved:
That $900,000 was also more than any non-incumbent candidate in any of the better states spent for the same period. So, to sum up: despite her family’s name, Liz Cheney couldn’t get her dads friends to donate more than whatever change they had in their car’s ashtray. Additionally, the people of Wyoming hated her no matter how much she tried to buy their love.
cont'
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/07/liz-cheney-lied-and-her-campaign-died-or-dick-dynasty-no-help-for-the-whelp/
Liz Cheney LIED And Her Campaign DIED or: Dick Dynasty – No Help For The Whelp
The Incubus..........The "Blonde-Spawn"?.......
Remember Liz Cheney?
The blonde spawn created during an unholy union between a man and woman for the express purpose of keeping the man out of the draft during the Vietnam war? The woman who threw her sister’s gay-marriage under the bus and then drove over it, back and forth, until it looked like the face of a guy who’d been shot by a vice-president? The lady whose family managed to almost alienate everyone in a state with a population equal to that of a slow day at Disneyland? The woman who quit the race faster than a Palin gets pregnant? The desolate and rocky place where charisma can find no purchase and the sun never shines?
That Liz Cheney? Yeah, her.
Seems like she was less than honest about how much money her campaign was taking in by having her dad call old friends and suggest (“You’ve got a nice face. Be a shame if somebody shot you in it“) they make a contribution. According to TPM, Liz claimed she raised $1 million during the fourth quarter and, like a dating profile on eHarmony, there was some ‘untruth’ involved:
While Cheney was running she claimed that she raised $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, which was more than the $847,646 Enzi said he raised in the same period. It turns out though, she raised much less than what she claimed, according to Federal Election Commission reports highlighted by [link:http://www.nationaljournal.com/hotline-on-call/liz-cheney-exaggerated-her-senate-campaign-fundraising-20140207|National Journal.
]
National Journal reports that Cheney actually raised $720,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013 and her campaign spent over $900,000.
]
National Journal reports that Cheney actually raised $720,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013 and her campaign spent over $900,000.
That $900,000 was also more than any non-incumbent candidate in any of the better states spent for the same period. So, to sum up: despite her family’s name, Liz Cheney couldn’t get her dads friends to donate more than whatever change they had in their car’s ashtray. Additionally, the people of Wyoming hated her no matter how much she tried to buy their love.
cont'
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/07/liz-cheney-lied-and-her-campaign-died-or-dick-dynasty-no-help-for-the-whelp/
February 8, 2014
On Friday I wrote that Christie's trip to Chicago was a big test for him. Would the Bridgegate scandal keep Republicans away from him as he flies into town fundraising for them as the the head of the RGA like they did in Texas?
The answer is yes.
Embattled New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, struggling to get ahead of the bridge scandal, hits Chicago on Tuesday for Republican Governors Association fundraisers, but the four Republicans running for Illinois governor did not have plans to attend.
Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee is deploying former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland to helm a Chicago press conference Tuesday where he will highlight Christie’s George Washington Bridge controversy as Democrats are dogging Christie as he is starting to travel across the country in his new role as RGA chair, where his main job is to raise money to elect Republican governors in 2014.
I asked spokesmen for the four Illinois rivals in the March GOP governor’s primary on Thursday whether they would attend any of the fundraising events Christie will headline in Chicago on Tuesday.
Wes Bleed, a spokesman for state Sen. Kirk Dillard R-Hinsdale said, “no, we won’t be attending any Christie events.”
Brian Sterling, a spokesman for Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford, said “he knows nothing about the event and is not involved in any way.
”Dan Egler, a spokesman for state Sen. Bill Brady R-Bloomington, said “right now, no.”
Mike Schrimpf, a spokesman for investor Bruce Rauner — and a former RGA spokesman — told me, “We don’t have his schedule completely finalized for next week yet.”
http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/25453134-452/illinois-gop-gov-hopefuls-keeping-their-distance-from-christie.html
That's just embarrassing. I don't remember ever seeing republicans ducking and taking cover from the RGA, who supply millions of important dollars to would be candidates. This just never happens. That is unless the head of the RGA is embroiled in a national scandal.
http://crooksandliars.com/2014/02/illinois-gopers-fleeing-typhoid-christie
LOL!!- Illinois GOPers FLEEING TYPHOID CHRISTIE
Republicans running for governor are fleeing from Gov. Chris Christie as if he has a transmittable disease.
On Friday I wrote that Christie's trip to Chicago was a big test for him. Would the Bridgegate scandal keep Republicans away from him as he flies into town fundraising for them as the the head of the RGA like they did in Texas?
The answer is yes.
Embattled New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, struggling to get ahead of the bridge scandal, hits Chicago on Tuesday for Republican Governors Association fundraisers, but the four Republicans running for Illinois governor did not have plans to attend.
Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee is deploying former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland to helm a Chicago press conference Tuesday where he will highlight Christie’s George Washington Bridge controversy as Democrats are dogging Christie as he is starting to travel across the country in his new role as RGA chair, where his main job is to raise money to elect Republican governors in 2014.
I asked spokesmen for the four Illinois rivals in the March GOP governor’s primary on Thursday whether they would attend any of the fundraising events Christie will headline in Chicago on Tuesday.
Wes Bleed, a spokesman for state Sen. Kirk Dillard R-Hinsdale said, “no, we won’t be attending any Christie events.”
Brian Sterling, a spokesman for Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford, said “he knows nothing about the event and is not involved in any way.
”Dan Egler, a spokesman for state Sen. Bill Brady R-Bloomington, said “right now, no.”
Mike Schrimpf, a spokesman for investor Bruce Rauner — and a former RGA spokesman — told me, “We don’t have his schedule completely finalized for next week yet.”
http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/25453134-452/illinois-gop-gov-hopefuls-keeping-their-distance-from-christie.html
That's just embarrassing. I don't remember ever seeing republicans ducking and taking cover from the RGA, who supply millions of important dollars to would be candidates. This just never happens. That is unless the head of the RGA is embroiled in a national scandal.
http://crooksandliars.com/2014/02/illinois-gopers-fleeing-typhoid-christie
February 8, 2014
We can't say Seymour Hersh didn't warn us. It's looking like the IRS Inspector General, J. Russell George, a Dubya appointee, is the ultimate stay-behind. In the middle of last year, he was caught meeting exclusively with Issa and his Goposaur gang to drum up phony IRS scandal claims. Well now, he's been caught doing the exact same thing, but regarding an IRS 'audit' of the Affordable Care Act. Thank goodness for Rep. Elijah Cummings and Rep. Gerald Connelly, who wrote the 'honorable' IRS IG a letter, which they cc'ed to Issa, and is posted:
February 4, 2014
The Honorable J. Russell George
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration
U.S. Department of the Treasury
City Center Building
1401 H Street, NW, Suite 469
Washington, D.C. 20005
Dear Mr. Inspector General:
We are writing to object strongly to your office’s repeated partisan meetings with Chairman Darrell Issa and his staff after intentionally excluding Democratic Committee Members and staff—particularly regarding matters that currently are under active investigation by both your office and this Committee.
We have been informed that your staff held an in-person meeting with Republican Committee staff in their offices on January 27, 2014. During this meeting, your staff discussed substantive information about a new audit your office has initiated on data security issues relating to the Affordable Care Act. Your staff also discussed specific documents relating to this audit that your office has obtained as part of its review.
According to subsequent accounts from your office, Chairman Issa’s staff forbade you from including any Democratic Committee Members or staff in that meeting, and your staff accepted these terms without even informing my office. Democratic staff became aware of this meeting only after it occurred.
These private, partisan meetings undermine your obligation as an Inspector General to conduct audits and investigations in a balanced and non-partisan manner. Your actions cause observers to question whether the scope of your new audit on the Affordable Care Act is being inappropriately influenced by Chairman Issa and his staff, similar to the way they influenced the scope of your audit on IRS screening of applicants for tax-exempt status.
full letter:
http://democrats.oversight.house.gov/uploads/2014-02-04%20EEC%20and%20Connolly%20to%20TIGTA.pdf
Update 1:
Democratic Representatives Connolly and Cartwright have now filed a formal complaint against IG George with the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency. From The Washington Post:
Read the entire 22-page complaint here:
http://connolly.house.gov/uploads/Connolly-Cartwright%20Complaint%20-%20CIGIE%20-%2002%2005%202014.pdf
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/02/07/1275822/-Issa-Busted-for-Secret-Meetings-with-Stay-Behind-IRS-Inspector-General
ISSA BUSTED For Secret Meetings with Stay-Behind IRS Inspector General. UPDATED Fed Complaint Filed
Two top Democrats on Tuesday accused House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) of orchestrating partisan meetings with the federal investigator who issued a scathing report last year on Internal Revenue Service actions. Reps. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.) and Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.), both key Democrats on the panel, issued a letter to Treasury Department inspector general Russell George alleging that he held Republican-only meetings at Issa’s request. - WashingtonPost
We can't say Seymour Hersh didn't warn us. It's looking like the IRS Inspector General, J. Russell George, a Dubya appointee, is the ultimate stay-behind. In the middle of last year, he was caught meeting exclusively with Issa and his Goposaur gang to drum up phony IRS scandal claims. Well now, he's been caught doing the exact same thing, but regarding an IRS 'audit' of the Affordable Care Act. Thank goodness for Rep. Elijah Cummings and Rep. Gerald Connelly, who wrote the 'honorable' IRS IG a letter, which they cc'ed to Issa, and is posted:
February 4, 2014
The Honorable J. Russell George
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration
U.S. Department of the Treasury
City Center Building
1401 H Street, NW, Suite 469
Washington, D.C. 20005
Dear Mr. Inspector General:
We are writing to object strongly to your office’s repeated partisan meetings with Chairman Darrell Issa and his staff after intentionally excluding Democratic Committee Members and staff—particularly regarding matters that currently are under active investigation by both your office and this Committee.
We have been informed that your staff held an in-person meeting with Republican Committee staff in their offices on January 27, 2014. During this meeting, your staff discussed substantive information about a new audit your office has initiated on data security issues relating to the Affordable Care Act. Your staff also discussed specific documents relating to this audit that your office has obtained as part of its review.
According to subsequent accounts from your office, Chairman Issa’s staff forbade you from including any Democratic Committee Members or staff in that meeting, and your staff accepted these terms without even informing my office. Democratic staff became aware of this meeting only after it occurred.
These private, partisan meetings undermine your obligation as an Inspector General to conduct audits and investigations in a balanced and non-partisan manner. Your actions cause observers to question whether the scope of your new audit on the Affordable Care Act is being inappropriately influenced by Chairman Issa and his staff, similar to the way they influenced the scope of your audit on IRS screening of applicants for tax-exempt status.
full letter:
http://democrats.oversight.house.gov/uploads/2014-02-04%20EEC%20and%20Connolly%20to%20TIGTA.pdf
Update 1:
Democratic Representatives Connolly and Cartwright have now filed a formal complaint against IG George with the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency. From The Washington Post:
Two House Democrats on Thursday called for an investigation of a federal auditor who accused the Internal Revenue Service of gross mismanagement and targeting advocacy groups for extra scrutiny based on their names and policy positions.
Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) and Matt Cartwright (D-Penn.) on Wednesday filed a complaint with a special watchdog council questioning the independence of Treasury Department inspector general J. Russell George.
The congressmen, both of whom serve as top Democrats on House oversight committees, said George produced a “fundamentally flawed performance audit” that was “incomplete” and “outright misleading.” They also alleged that he held briefings with Republican members of the House Oversight Committee without the knowledge of Democrats on the panel.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2014/02/07/two-democrats-call-for-investigation-of-irs-watchdog-who-led-targeting-probe/?tid=pm_politics_pop
Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) and Matt Cartwright (D-Penn.) on Wednesday filed a complaint with a special watchdog council questioning the independence of Treasury Department inspector general J. Russell George.
The congressmen, both of whom serve as top Democrats on House oversight committees, said George produced a “fundamentally flawed performance audit” that was “incomplete” and “outright misleading.” They also alleged that he held briefings with Republican members of the House Oversight Committee without the knowledge of Democrats on the panel.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2014/02/07/two-democrats-call-for-investigation-of-irs-watchdog-who-led-targeting-probe/?tid=pm_politics_pop
Read the entire 22-page complaint here:
http://connolly.house.gov/uploads/Connolly-Cartwright%20Complaint%20-%20CIGIE%20-%2002%2005%202014.pdf
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/02/07/1275822/-Issa-Busted-for-Secret-Meetings-with-Stay-Behind-IRS-Inspector-General
February 8, 2014
Friday marked the continuation of the bond hearing for gunman Curtis Reeves, who claims he shot down father of two Chad Oulson in a Florida movie theater on Jan. 13 in self-defense. According to Tampa’s Fox 13 News, videotapes of police interviews and surveillance footage of the shooting itself were shown in court Friday as the retired Tampa police captain’s attorneys attempted to paint their client as a man who was so in fear for his life that he was justified in gunning down the unarmed man.
Reeves told detectives in the interview videos that he believes Oulson threw two objects at him, a bag of popcorn and a cell phone. Reeves had angrily approached Oulson and his family asking the other man to stop texting during the previews for the film “Lone Survivor.” Oulson — who was reportedly texting his toddler daughter’s preschool to tell them he was turning off his phone — supposedly threatened Reeves, who said told police that he thought Oulson was going “kick his a**.”
Reeves’ wife, however, told police that she never heard Oulson say anything threatening to her husband. According to witnesses, all Oulson told Reeves was, “If it was any of your f***ing business, I was texting my daughter. Stay the hell out of my face.” Reeves returned to his seat for his gun, shot Oulson, then reportedly just sat in his seat as people scrambled to try and save the younger man’s life.
Reeves “just sat in his chair, he just kind of leaned back and just sat there, didn’t try to help,” said Oulson’s widow, Nicole Oulson in an interview recorded at the hospital on the night of the shooting. “As all the chaos was going on, he was just sitting there.”
cont'
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/07/surveillance-video-shows-retired-florida-cop-shooting-man-for-throwing-popcorn/
Surveillance Video Shows Retired Florida Cop Shooting Man For Throwing Popcorn
Friday marked the continuation of the bond hearing for gunman Curtis Reeves, who claims he shot down father of two Chad Oulson in a Florida movie theater on Jan. 13 in self-defense. According to Tampa’s Fox 13 News, videotapes of police interviews and surveillance footage of the shooting itself were shown in court Friday as the retired Tampa police captain’s attorneys attempted to paint their client as a man who was so in fear for his life that he was justified in gunning down the unarmed man.
Reeves told detectives in the interview videos that he believes Oulson threw two objects at him, a bag of popcorn and a cell phone. Reeves had angrily approached Oulson and his family asking the other man to stop texting during the previews for the film “Lone Survivor.” Oulson — who was reportedly texting his toddler daughter’s preschool to tell them he was turning off his phone — supposedly threatened Reeves, who said told police that he thought Oulson was going “kick his a**.”
Reeves’ wife, however, told police that she never heard Oulson say anything threatening to her husband. According to witnesses, all Oulson told Reeves was, “If it was any of your f***ing business, I was texting my daughter. Stay the hell out of my face.” Reeves returned to his seat for his gun, shot Oulson, then reportedly just sat in his seat as people scrambled to try and save the younger man’s life.
Reeves “just sat in his chair, he just kind of leaned back and just sat there, didn’t try to help,” said Oulson’s widow, Nicole Oulson in an interview recorded at the hospital on the night of the shooting. “As all the chaos was going on, he was just sitting there.”
cont'
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/07/surveillance-video-shows-retired-florida-cop-shooting-man-for-throwing-popcorn/
February 8, 2014
This week two more important progressive groups, MoveOn and the Philadelphia Chapter of DFA (Philly for Change), joined Blue America and the PCCC in backing state Senator Daylin Leach in his bid for the open congressional seat (PA-13). In the May 20th primary Daylin will face a crowded field of garden variety Democrats who are endorsed by Big Money interests. Republicans have no shot in this deep blue seat, so the bad players are backing conservative Democrats who will play ball with them. It would be a very bad day if one of these guys take the seat.
It's a dynamic not unlike the one in the Silicon Valley high profile primary (CA-17) where Big Business interests are backing ConservaDem Ro Khanna against progressive champion Mike Honda because they know a Republican has no shot there either. Creeps like Wall Street predators Marc Leder (Romney's 47% host) and Peter Thiel appreciate Khanna's vow to cut Social Security-- which is very much like Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky's similar pledge. The most unsavory elements of the corrupt Philly Machine are backing her.
This was the MoveOn vote:
• Daylin Leach - 55%
• Marjorie Margolies - 17%
• Valerie Arkoosh - 15%
• Brendan Boyle - 13%
The Matea Gold piece in yesterday's Washington Post, exposing how the Koch brothers are trying to buy elections all over the country-- with millions of dollars in poisonous, inaccurate ads targeting Democrats, isn't about Democratic primaries, but the dynamic is similar. Big Business is playing against progressives and working to elect their own crooked conservative candidates like Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky in Pennsylvania and Ro Khanna in California.
cont'
http://crooksandliars.com/2014/02/progressive-takes-55-vote-4-way-race-may
PROGRESSIVE Takes 55% Of The Vote In A 4-WAY RACE For May Primary
PA's "Liberal Lion" killed the competition with 55% of the vote between four Democratic candidates for the open seat in PA-13. He's the most exciting candidate since Alan Grayson. We need to make sure he gets elected.
This week two more important progressive groups, MoveOn and the Philadelphia Chapter of DFA (Philly for Change), joined Blue America and the PCCC in backing state Senator Daylin Leach in his bid for the open congressional seat (PA-13). In the May 20th primary Daylin will face a crowded field of garden variety Democrats who are endorsed by Big Money interests. Republicans have no shot in this deep blue seat, so the bad players are backing conservative Democrats who will play ball with them. It would be a very bad day if one of these guys take the seat.
It's a dynamic not unlike the one in the Silicon Valley high profile primary (CA-17) where Big Business interests are backing ConservaDem Ro Khanna against progressive champion Mike Honda because they know a Republican has no shot there either. Creeps like Wall Street predators Marc Leder (Romney's 47% host) and Peter Thiel appreciate Khanna's vow to cut Social Security-- which is very much like Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky's similar pledge. The most unsavory elements of the corrupt Philly Machine are backing her.
This was the MoveOn vote:
• Daylin Leach - 55%
• Marjorie Margolies - 17%
• Valerie Arkoosh - 15%
• Brendan Boyle - 13%
The Matea Gold piece in yesterday's Washington Post, exposing how the Koch brothers are trying to buy elections all over the country-- with millions of dollars in poisonous, inaccurate ads targeting Democrats, isn't about Democratic primaries, but the dynamic is similar. Big Business is playing against progressives and working to elect their own crooked conservative candidates like Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky in Pennsylvania and Ro Khanna in California.
cont'
http://crooksandliars.com/2014/02/progressive-takes-55-vote-4-way-race-may
February 7, 2014
YUM!.....YUM!.......
.........
One of the lawmakers leading the investigation into New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) told TPM on Thursday he's seen some "interesting things" in the latest round of subpoenaed documents, though he cautioned they "may or may not mean something."Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D) told TPM that members of the legislative committee investigating the George Washington Bridge scandal were allowed to begin looking at the documents on Thursday, just a few days after the people who were subpoenaed started handing them over.
The documents are being kept in a locked room on the third floor of the State House Annex in Trenton, N.J. While many more documents are expected to be turned over soon, lawmakers on the committee have already begun combing through what they have. "I'm not seeing anything really surprising or earth shattering -- you know, interesting things that may or may not mean something," Wisniewski said.
The committee sent subpoenas to 20 individuals and organizations, including close aides to Christie, along with the governor's office, and his re-election campaign. Some Democrats have alleged the closures, which caused days of paralyzing traffic in the city of Fort Lee, were ordered in retaliation against the mayor there, who refused to endorse Christie's re-election. One thing Wisniewski said was clear from the documents he has seen so far is that the explanation officials initially gave for the closures is not plausible. Christie's top appointees at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees the bridge, originally attributed the closures to a traffic study.
"I don't think anybody should be actively trying to determine whether or not there was really a study about traffic," said Wisniewski. "It's pretty clear when you look at all the material that that was just, just not real."
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/interesting-things-bridge-documents
Lawmaker Hints At 'INTERESTING THINGS' In Latest Bridge Scandal Documents
YUM!.....YUM!.......
.........
One of the lawmakers leading the investigation into New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) told TPM on Thursday he's seen some "interesting things" in the latest round of subpoenaed documents, though he cautioned they "may or may not mean something."Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D) told TPM that members of the legislative committee investigating the George Washington Bridge scandal were allowed to begin looking at the documents on Thursday, just a few days after the people who were subpoenaed started handing them over.
The documents are being kept in a locked room on the third floor of the State House Annex in Trenton, N.J. While many more documents are expected to be turned over soon, lawmakers on the committee have already begun combing through what they have. "I'm not seeing anything really surprising or earth shattering -- you know, interesting things that may or may not mean something," Wisniewski said.
The committee sent subpoenas to 20 individuals and organizations, including close aides to Christie, along with the governor's office, and his re-election campaign. Some Democrats have alleged the closures, which caused days of paralyzing traffic in the city of Fort Lee, were ordered in retaliation against the mayor there, who refused to endorse Christie's re-election. One thing Wisniewski said was clear from the documents he has seen so far is that the explanation officials initially gave for the closures is not plausible. Christie's top appointees at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees the bridge, originally attributed the closures to a traffic study.
"I don't think anybody should be actively trying to determine whether or not there was really a study about traffic," said Wisniewski. "It's pretty clear when you look at all the material that that was just, just not real."
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/interesting-things-bridge-documents
February 7, 2014
"..There are so few people who are sticking up for us. Sometimes I just need an Elizabeth Warren fix in the middle of the day to remind there are some left..."
http://crooksandliars.com/2014/02/sen-warren-does-anyone-here-really-think
BAM!!- Sen. Warren: Does Anyone Here REALLY THINK THIS IS WORKING?
#t=114"Does anyone on this panel seriously think that the government's enforcement system for financial crimes is actually working in terms of deferring future crimes?"
"..There are so few people who are sticking up for us. Sometimes I just need an Elizabeth Warren fix in the middle of the day to remind there are some left..."
http://crooksandliars.com/2014/02/sen-warren-does-anyone-here-really-think
February 6, 2014
Multi-step puzzles can be difficult for humans, but what if I told you there was a bird that could solve them on its own?
In this BBC special, Dr. Alex Taylor has set up an eight-step puzzle to try and stump one of the smartest crows he's seen in captivity. They describe the puzzle as "one of the most complex tests of the animal mind ever."
This isn't the first time crows' intelligence has been tested, either. Along with being problem solvers, these animals have an eerie tendency towards complex human-like memory skills. Through several different studies, we've learned that crows can recognize faces, communicate details of an event to each other and even avoid places they recognize as dangerous.
This bird, dubbed "007" for its crafty mind, flies into the caged puzzle and spends only seconds analyzing the puzzle before getting down to business. Despite the puzzle's difficulty, the bird only seems to be stumped momentarily. At the end of the puzzle is a food reward, but how he gets there is what will really blow your mind.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/06/crow-smartest-bird_n_4738171.html
WOW!- This CROW Is The SMARTEST BIRD You've Ever Seen
Multi-step puzzles can be difficult for humans, but what if I told you there was a bird that could solve them on its own?
In this BBC special, Dr. Alex Taylor has set up an eight-step puzzle to try and stump one of the smartest crows he's seen in captivity. They describe the puzzle as "one of the most complex tests of the animal mind ever."
This isn't the first time crows' intelligence has been tested, either. Along with being problem solvers, these animals have an eerie tendency towards complex human-like memory skills. Through several different studies, we've learned that crows can recognize faces, communicate details of an event to each other and even avoid places they recognize as dangerous.
This bird, dubbed "007" for its crafty mind, flies into the caged puzzle and spends only seconds analyzing the puzzle before getting down to business. Despite the puzzle's difficulty, the bird only seems to be stumped momentarily. At the end of the puzzle is a food reward, but how he gets there is what will really blow your mind.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/06/crow-smartest-bird_n_4738171.html
February 6, 2014
Last week, a Utah school made national headlines because over thirty students saw their lunch thrown away before they could eat. The reason? The students owed debts to the cafeteria. Houston, Texas resident Kenny Thompson saw the story, and wondered if that could be a problem in his community. Thompson learned that some students at Valley Oaks Elementary School were being given cheese sandwiches instead of a hot lunch because they had outstanding debts to the cafeteria. He tells Houston TV station KPRC:
Thompson serves as a volunteer and student mentor in several of his local schools. When he inquired about the situation at Valley Oaks Elementary School in Houston, he learned that many of the students who owed money are also on reduced price lunch. Those meals cost just 40 cents a day, yet many parents still could not afford it. So Thompson decided to help. He opened his wallet and zeroed the balance on some 60 student lunch accounts, to the tune of $465.
Evidence shows students need a good lunch to do well in school.
Kenny Thompson says that he knows some students who have no money in their lunch account skip the line so as to not be embarrassed. Doctors agree that good nutrition is important, and directly tied to student performance. Still, as recently as last year, some Republicans in congress have attempted to cut funding for school lunch programs.
Thompson observes:
Thompson tells KPRC, “When I left the building knowing that they were getting fed, they didn’t have that stress — best money I ever spent.”
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/02/06/houston-man-pays-school-lunch-debts/
‘The Best $465 I Ever Spent’: Houston Man PAYS SCHOOL LUNCH DEBTS For Over 60 Kids
Last week, a Utah school made national headlines because over thirty students saw their lunch thrown away before they could eat. The reason? The students owed debts to the cafeteria. Houston, Texas resident Kenny Thompson saw the story, and wondered if that could be a problem in his community. Thompson learned that some students at Valley Oaks Elementary School were being given cheese sandwiches instead of a hot lunch because they had outstanding debts to the cafeteria. He tells Houston TV station KPRC:
I’m like, ‘Wow. I know that’s probably a situation at my school, and the school my son goes to, and the other schools I mentor at.’ So I came in and inquired about it.
http://www.click2houston.com/news/houstonarea-mentor-pays-delinquent-lunch-accounts-of-more-than-60-kids/-/1735978/24297388/-/1497csxz/-/index.html
http://www.click2houston.com/news/houstonarea-mentor-pays-delinquent-lunch-accounts-of-more-than-60-kids/-/1735978/24297388/-/1497csxz/-/index.html
Thompson serves as a volunteer and student mentor in several of his local schools. When he inquired about the situation at Valley Oaks Elementary School in Houston, he learned that many of the students who owed money are also on reduced price lunch. Those meals cost just 40 cents a day, yet many parents still could not afford it. So Thompson decided to help. He opened his wallet and zeroed the balance on some 60 student lunch accounts, to the tune of $465.
Evidence shows students need a good lunch to do well in school.
Kenny Thompson says that he knows some students who have no money in their lunch account skip the line so as to not be embarrassed. Doctors agree that good nutrition is important, and directly tied to student performance. Still, as recently as last year, some Republicans in congress have attempted to cut funding for school lunch programs.
Thompson observes:
These are elementary school kids. They don’t need to be worried about finances. They need to be worried about what grade they got in spelling.
Thompson tells KPRC, “When I left the building knowing that they were getting fed, they didn’t have that stress — best money I ever spent.”
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/02/06/houston-man-pays-school-lunch-debts/
February 6, 2014
Legendary Democratic strategist James Carville will join Fox News Channel as a contributor, according to multiple media reports. Bill Shine, the executive vice president of programming for Fox News, hailed Carville's arrival in a statement.
“James’ successful and storied career in politics over several decades is an enormous asset to FOX News," Shine said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "We are privileged to have him lend his breadth of experience, wit and dynamic perspective on the network.”
Carville won political stardom for advising Bill Clinton in the 1992 presidential race and later became a fixture on CNN. After Jeff Zucker was tapped to serve as president of CNN, Carville and his wife, the Republican adviser Mary Matalin, both left the network last year. Carville hasn't shied away from Fox News through the years. He even appeared on the conservative cable news channel on Tuesday. Carville did not immediately respond to TPM's request for comment.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/james-carville-fox-news
James Carville Is JOINING FOX NEWS As A Contributor
Legendary Democratic strategist James Carville will join Fox News Channel as a contributor, according to multiple media reports. Bill Shine, the executive vice president of programming for Fox News, hailed Carville's arrival in a statement.
“James’ successful and storied career in politics over several decades is an enormous asset to FOX News," Shine said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "We are privileged to have him lend his breadth of experience, wit and dynamic perspective on the network.”
Carville won political stardom for advising Bill Clinton in the 1992 presidential race and later became a fixture on CNN. After Jeff Zucker was tapped to serve as president of CNN, Carville and his wife, the Republican adviser Mary Matalin, both left the network last year. Carville hasn't shied away from Fox News through the years. He even appeared on the conservative cable news channel on Tuesday. Carville did not immediately respond to TPM's request for comment.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/james-carville-fox-news
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