HBO Miniseries: THE PACIFIC Official Trailer (HBO)

Executive produced by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman, the team behind the Emmy-winning 2001 HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, this epic ten-hour miniseries tracks the intertwined odys...

NASA Unveils Astronaut Class That Will Never Fly on Shuttle

Tariq MalikSenior EditorSPACE.com tariq Maliksenior Editorspace.com – Mon Jun 29, 1:15 pm ET This story was updated at 1:10 p.m. EDT.

NASA on Monday unveiled the nine Americans making up its newest class of astronaut candidates, a group that will never fly on the space shuttle. The six-man, three-woman astronaut class of 2009 is NASA's first batch of new spaceflying recruits in five years. The candidates are expected to report to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, in August to begin two years of training. "This is a very talented and diverse group we've selected," said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA's space operations chief, in a statement. "They will join our current astronauts and play very important roles for NASA in the future." NASA's three aging space shuttles are due to retire in 2010 after completing construction of the International Space Station. The new astronaut candidates, therefore, will likely only train to fly aboard the space station, Russian Soyuz vehicles, and NASA's shuttle replacement - the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and its Ares rockets tapped to ferry spaceflyers to orbit and back to the moon by 2020. The 11 astronauts of NASA's 2004 class are all expected to have flown once on a shuttle by the fleet's retirement next year, NASA officials have said. "In addition to flying in space, astronauts participate in every aspect of human spaceflight, sharing their expertise with engineers and managers across the country," Gerstenmaier said.

The 2009 astronaut class is a relatively young group, with ages ranging from 30 to 43. NASA selected the nine from a field of 3,500 applicants to make up the new class, its 20th group since the original seven Mercury astronauts were unveiled in 1959. The group is a mix of military and civilians that includes: a technical intelligence officer with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), two NASA flight surgeons, a space station flight controller, a sprint-running molecular biologist, as well as two Navy test pilots, a U.S. Air Force test pilot and the special assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon.

"I think this is a thrilling time to be part of the space program, and I feel very fortunate to be starting as an astronaut candidate at this particular time," said Kathleen Rubins, 30, the molecular biologist, in a NASA interview.

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Bizarre Florida

Shoe giveaway hushed and publicized

A gift of more than 5,000 shoes to World Vision US was somewhat clouded in mystery last week.
There was no doubt that Kissimmee police were the donor, but they refused to identify the shoe brand and told reporters not to photograph them at a news conference to publicize the good deed.
The problem, according to OrlandoSentinel.com, was that the shoes were counterfeit Nikes, and the company was touchy about how they would be donated. Nike decided to allow the donation — as long as the shoes weren’t distributed in the United States. And that police wouldn’t acknowledge they were Nike knockoffs.
But it’s a hard secret to keep when there are federal court records detailing the case and reporters could see police and FBI agents loading the shoes into a semi.
“Well, it’s going to ruin us donating anything more,” Kissimmee police spokeswoman Stacie Miller said when told the bogus shoes would be identified in a news article. Counterfeit products usually are destroyed when a case ends.
Incidentally, the shoes cost taxpayers more than $10,000 to store for more than a year as evidence in a criminal case.

Gamer - trailer (2009) (HD) (HQ)

The "Gamer" is completed and planned to release in 4 September in the USA. Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (writers and directors of the movie) promise us a lot of action and effects.

My two cents worth

Does the lust of money make people deceitful?

During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. - George Orwell

It seems like the most deceitful people are those who have money or those who covet money. I have tried to pinpoint the demographics of this group. But they seem to cut across all religious beliefs, sexes, sexual preference, ages, race, and economic spectrum of society. I have noticed that the more money someone has the less value they seem to place upon other people who are judged to be inferior to them. This seems to hold especially true if those people did not earn their money, but in fact had it given to them. Criminals seem to be less conflicted about their deceit and do not seem to deny their deceit. The world is a very deceitful place. At times it seems as if everything is a lie and everyone is a liar. Even those who have no money are deceitful; they are just not capable of hiding their deceit, because they tend to be dense.

Everyone lies when it comes to money. Some lie to keep it, some lie to get it, and others pretend to be impartial in an attempt to get and/or keep it. In most cases those who rule, only rule by deceit and treachery.

Money is pretty amazing. It has the power to corrupt one group of people into wanting to do anything to acquire it. At the same time it has the power to enslave another group of people who will voluntarily submit themselves into slavery in order to maintain their access to it.

LISA MARIE PRESLEY! SPEAKS ON JACKSONs DEATH!

true emotions are never estranged!

Should people doubt the way she honestly feels?

LISA MARIE PRESLEY, the daughter of music legend ELVIS PRESLEY, was married to the late King of Pop MICHAEL JACKSON for a litte less than two years in the mid-1990s.

Given that the marriage took place shortly after Jackson stood accused of child molestation, many speculated that the marriage was a publicity stunt. Lisa Marie, who starred in Jackson’s video for his hit “You Are Not Alone,” has taken to her blog to write about her relationship with the troubled icon, a man she says she loved very much.She revealed that Jackson felt certain he would die in much the same way Lisa Marie’s father did – surrounded by crowds, news helicopters, and picture flashes. She wrote on MySpace:“Years ago Michael and I were having a deep conversation about life in general.I can’t recall the exact subject matter but he may have been questioning me about the circumstances of my Fathers Death.At some point he paused, he stared at me very intensely and he stated with an almost calm certainty, “I am afraid that I am going to end up like him, the way he did.”I promptly tried to deter him from the idea, at which point he just shrugged his shoulders and nodded almost matter of fact as if to let me know, he knew what he knew and that was kind of that.14 years later I am sitting here watching on the news an ambulance leaves the driveway of his home, the big gates, the crowds outside the gates, the coverage, the crowds outside the hospital, the Cause of death and what may have led up to it and the memory of this conversation hit me, as did the unstoppable tears.A predicted ending by him, by loved ones and by me, but what I didn’t predict was how much it was going to hurt when it finally happened.The person I failed to help is being transferred right now to the LA County Coroners office for his Autopsy.All of my indifference and detachment that I worked so hard to achieve over the years has just gone into the bowels of hell and right now I am gutted.”She went on to write about their “unusual relationship,” in which she tried very hard to “save him.” She admits having been angry about their divorce, but insists, “Any ill experience or words I have felt towards him in the past has just died inside of me along with him.”

Fantasy

My Quest - Continuing Story

Previously: “I knew from twenty plus years in the army; death and danger do not have to come with special trappings. I knew that death and danger might come on a beautiful sunny afternoon in one of Baghdad’s marketplaces. A draft of fresh air touched my neck. The empty bunker was eerie. This place was damn sure not a rose garden. Stopping for a pause I spied light switches on the wall to my left, I wondered how I missed them yesterday as flipped on the switches. Nothing happened at first and then the ceiling lighting seemed very bright in the shadows. The gloom was gone, the lights worked where people once had walked years ago. I felt a tingle of relief. I had to admit I was not a seeker but I knew it was essential to survive in this new world.”

My Quest:
In the semidarkness the overhead lighting, four bulbs were still burning in a broken fixture. I observed raw ends of telephone wires lying on the top of a former reception’s desk. Pausing I leaned on the receptionist’s desk and tried to decide what to do next. I spied in the corner a very old McDonald hamburger container. I looked down the long corridor of the gloomy bunker. Surprising there was a whirring sound, and then lights flickered, then came back on. In front of me was something bulky at the far end. Without any explanation my mind began playing tricks on itself and my thoughts went wild. The place was eerie as a old tomb, there was doubt about it in my mind. In spite of the dust and frightening feeling I was determined to keep on going with my hunt. Originally I was going to search for food, water and clothes. Since hearing the chilling screams that awoke me I unquestionable decided to add weapons to my list. With shudder I immediately thought of the demonic screams I heard. My pace quicken. My surrounding were almost dungeon like but I continue since I knew my surviving depended what I could find in the next few days. I had to keep the faith. I knew that soon I might be in the fight of my life. Me, I’d be happy never to feel this way ever again. Yes I was scare. I heard dripping water some where my heart reverberated like a clanging bell. Dirty water stood ahead in the center of the corridor floor I then cleared my throat and stepped from one of the narrow puddle to the other as I kept on going. I listened and then nodded to myself, confirming to myself the bunker was empty and appeared it had been empty for generations. Had I been somehow transported into the future from my time I asked myself? Was my past dead and was this the future? I could only mull over my questions. Turning my head I immediately saw out of the corner of my eye a of once brightly polished brass plate attached to the wall. The brass plate was old and faded yet I made out the words, “United States Air Force!” Reading further the plate read the words, ‘2012.’ The rest of the plate was unreadable since time had faded out the words. In my world the year is or was 2009. My question been answered yet leaving much mystery to my puzzle. Just where was I?

Calif. man working 3 jobs wins $39M lottery

Sat Jun 27, 9:25 am ET
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – A man who works three jobs to support his family — including one as a limousine driver — has won a $39 million jackpot in California's SuperLotto Plus. Clyde Persley, who is married with a 4-year-old daughter, turned in his winning ticket on Tuesday night and should get his first check for about $16 million in four to six weeks, said a California lottery spokeswoman.
The 49-year-old Santa Cruz man operates candy-making machines for Santa Cruz Nutritionals, drives a limousine and picks up extra hours at a restaurant.
He says his first moves will be taking his wife on a trip to Hawaii and hiring a financial adviser.
He bought his winning ticket at a Santa Cruz market where he has played the lottery twice a week for several years.

Bizarre Car Anti-Theft Devices

Outdoor adventure travel

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5 Deadliest Effects of Global Warming

Green house gases stay can stay in the atmosphere for an amount of years ranging from decades to hundreds and thousands of years. No matter what we do, global warming is going to have some effect on Earth. Here are the 5 deadliest effects of global warming.














1. Polar ice caps meltingThe ice caps melting is a four-pronged danger.
First, it will raise sea levels. There are 5,773,000 cubic miles of water in ice caps, glaciers, and permanent snow. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, if all glaciers melted today the seas would rise about 230 feet. Luckily, that’s not going to happen all in one go! But sea levels will rise.
Second, melting ice caps will throw the global ecosystem out of balance. The ice caps are fresh water, and when they melt they will desalinate the ocean, or in plain English - make it less salty. The desalinization of the gulf current will “screw up” ocean currents, which regulate temperatures. The stream shutdown or irregularity would cool the area around north-east America and Western Europe. Luckily, that will slow some of the other effects of global warming in that area!
Third, temperature rises and changing landscapes in the artic circle will endanger several species of animals. Only the most adaptable will survive.
Fourth, global warming could snowball with the ice caps gone. Ice caps are white, and reflect sunlight, much of which is relected back into space, further cooling Earth. If the ice caps melt, the only reflector is the ocean. Darker colors absorb sunlight, further warming the Earth.

2. Economic consequencesMost of the effects of anthropogenic global warming won’t be good. And these effects spell one thing for the countries of the world: economic consequences. Hurricanes cause do billions of dollars in damage, diseases cost money to treat and control and conflicts exacerbate all of these.














3. Increased probability and intensity of droughts and heat waves. Although some areas of Earth will become wetter due to global warming, other areas will suffer serious droughts and heat waves. Africa will receive the worst of it, with more severe droughts also expected in Europe. Water is already a dangerously rare commodity in Africa, and according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global warming will exacerbate the conditions and could lead to conflicts and war.
















4. Warmer waters and more hurricanes. As the temperature of oceans rises, so will the probability of more frequent and stronger hurricanes. We saw in this in 2004 and 2005.

5. Spread of disease. As northern countries warm, disease carrying insects migrate north, bringing plague and disease with them.

Bizarre Florida

At least 40 neglected cats found in Valrico home of ailing senior

VALRICO — Neighbors said the smell of cat urine permeated the air.
The sharp ammonia stung neighbors' noses when they sat poolside. Cats were everywhere, they said. In the yards, on the roofs. They defecated in front yards and screeched through the night.
"We would walk out and smell the cat urine," said James Hancock, 17.
The cats came from 516 Crowned Eagle Court, where Alice Santy lives next door to Hancock and his family. After trying to resolve the issue themselves for more than a year, James' family called Hillsborough County Animal Services for help. Around 8:30 a.m., animal services concluded a two-week investigation and removed 15 cats from the house — 10 in poor health and five dead.
Santy, 74, was taken to the Baylife Crisis Center. Officials said she was found in poor physical and mental health and was emaciated. She persisted in acquiring things and keeping them in her house, including cats. There was no apparent food, and if there was, there was no way to cook it, said animal services investigator Ken Vetzel.
"She's just a rack of bones," said Pat Perry, describing Santy. Perry is the investigations manager.

Monkey urinates on Zambian president

LUSAKA (Reuters) – A monkey urinated on Zambian President Rupiah Banda as he spoke to journalists at a news conference on Wednesday.

Banda softly shouted: "You (monkey) have urinated on my jacket," and paused as he looked up to see the animal playing in a tree just above his chair. "Perhaps these are blessings," he said continuing his address amid laughter from the audience of journalists and diplomats at the State House presidential offices. Several monkeys play around the grounds of Banda's residence and his office. There are also many species of antelope and birds in the State House grounds.

Tenshinokiba 天使の牙 (Japanese movie trailer)

Farrah Fawcett Playboy

Farrah Fawcett the former Charles Angeles Girls, died after loosing a 3-year old battle with the cancer at the age of 62 and Chose the Same Fate as Michael Jackson did and on the very same day.

Her Partner Ryan O’Neal told People Magazine,”She’s gone. She now belongs to the ages, She’s now with her mother and sister and her God. I loved her with all my heart. I will miss her so very, very much. She was in and out of consciousness. I talked to her all through the night. I told her how very much I loved her. She’s in a better place now.”

Argentine Woman who had an alleged affair with South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford for period of one year.

Maria Belen Shapur is the mystery Argentine Woman who had an alleged affair with South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford for period of one year. Maria worked for Bunge y Born, a multinational agribusiness and grain trading corporation and also has command on English, Portuguese and Chinese.

Michael Jackson

Pop superstar Michael Jackson performs a song dressed like a U.S. 'Cop' during a concert in Sao Paulo, in this October 15, 1993 file photo. Jackson was on the Latin American leg of his "Dangerous" world tour at the time.

Attorney Brian Oxman speaks on behalf of the Jackson family at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles June 25, 2009. Michael Jackson, the child star turned King of Pop who set the world dancing but whose musical genius was overshadowed by a bizarre lifestyle and sex scandals, died on Thursday. He was 50. Jackson was pronounced dead after arriving at a Los Angeles hospital in full cardiac arrest, Los Angeles coroner Fred Corral said. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)

Michael Jackson, the 'King of Pop,' dies at age 50

By LYNN ELBER, Associated Press Writer Lynn Elber, Associated Press Writer – 5 mins ago
LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson, the sensationally gifted child star who rose to become the "King of Pop" and the biggest celebrity in the world only to fall from his throne in a freakish series of scandals, died Thursday. He was 50. Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Ed Winter, the assistant chief coroner for Los Angeles County, confirmed his office had been notified of the death and would handle the investigation. The circumstances of Jackson's death were not immediately clear. Jackson was not breathing when Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call at his Los Angeles home about 12:30 p.m., Capt. Steve Ruda told the Los Angeles Times. The paramedics performed CPR and took him to UCLA Medical Center, Ruda told the newspaper.

Tribute to Farrah Fawcett

Farrah Fawcett was just born with it. So it was no surprise when she moved from her home state of Texas to Hollywood that she immediately landed commercials and bit parts in TV shows like "I Dream of Jeannie" and "The Partridge Family." The combination of her bright, white smile and golden head of hair made everyone from major producers to housewives stop and take notice. In the late ‘70s her iconic feathered hairstyle was mimicked by women everywhere and even made a recent comeback.

In 1970 Farrah Fawcett made her American movie debut at the age of 23 starring alongside the likes of Mae West, Raquel Welch, John Huston and film critic Rex Reed. Although "Myra Breckinridge" proved to be one of the worst movies ever made, it marked the beginning of a long Hollywood career for Farrah.

A 26-year-old Fawcett married actor Lee Majors and even made guest appearances in his popular TV series "The Six Million Dollar Man" before her meteoric rise to fame. Both husband and wife experienced huge success in their separate respective ABC dramas (Fawcett in "Charlie's Angels") before divorcing after nine years of marriage. Everett Collection

Australian city on crocodile alert

SYDNEY (AFP) – Australia's northern city of Darwin was on high alert on Thursday after a large crocodile was spotted prowling the city's beaches. Lifesavers hunted the animal on jetskis and swimmers were urged to stay out of the water after the three-metre (10-foot) saltwater croc was seen near shore trying to snap up dogs. Surf Life Saving NT chief executive Tony Snelling said extra volunteers had been called in to watch for the animal. He expressed concern over the "hundreds, if not thousands" of people who flock to night markets on Darwin's Mindil Beach to watch the sunset. The Northern Territory has suffered two fatal crocodile attacks already this year and is estimated to have Australia's largest population of the animals -- some 80,000.

Bizzarre Florida

The charge? 'Quackery'
The charges actually were “unlicensed practice of a health care profession” and “unlicensed practice of medicine,” but we like Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd’s description of the charges: “quackery.”

He said Enrique Vela, 68, and wife Ute Marquez, 56, diagnosed two undercover detectives with various ailments, then provided natural remedies they claimed would cure them,

TheLedger.com reports.
The sheriff’s office began investigating the Alternative Therapy Center in Winter Haven after the Health Department received an anonymous complaint alleging Vela and Marquez were diagnosing patients with cat parasites and arsenic poisoning.

Vela referred to himself as a doctor of homeopathic medicine, and told one of the detectives he could cure early stages of cancer. He told another detective plagued with appendicitis that she had hookworm larvae, among other ailments, the reports said.

KC man urinating while sleepwalking stabbed

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A sleepwalking episode led to a stabbing. The Kansas City Star reported on its Web site Wednesday that the 24-year-old victim suffered a stab wound to his face and shoulder. Police said the victim's girlfriend awoke around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday to find her boyfriend urinating in the closet. He was intoxicated when he arrived at his apartment several hours earlier. Police said the man had a history of sleepwalking and ignored his girlfriend's repeated efforts to wake him up. He pushed her out of the way as he walked toward the kitchen, and she reportedly became scared that he might hit her. Police said she grabbed a knife and held it up as he approached. He sustained injuries that are believed to be non-life threatening.

Police search for naked french fry thief

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) – Canadian police were on the search on Monday for a brazen thief who snatched a take-away meal while making a naked run past a fast food restaurant's drive-though window. An employee of a Langley, British Columbia, Wendy's restaurant was handing food to a customer waiting in her car when a naked man ran between them, taking off with her fries, and leaving little evidence behind, according to police. "Other than an age range, neither woman could provide further description," police said in a press release. The man, believed to be in his 20s, jumped into a waiting van, which sped away from the scene during the weekend incident, police said.