Zappa.com

An outbreak of the Noro-virus (causing gastroenteritis) has cost the life of 4 people at an institution for elderly mental patiens in Etten-Leur. Another 54 people are ill.

Cause of the infection was a trip to Lourdes. 24 inhabitants of the institution were taken by bus to the pilgrimage several weeks ago.

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Bee Gees hit could save your life

US medics have found the Bee Gees' 1977 disco anthem, Stayin' Alive, provides an ideal beat to follow when performing CPR on a victim of a cardiac arrest.

A University of Illinois medical school study said it contained 103 beats per minute, close to the recommended rate of 100 chest compressions per minute.

Dr David Matlock said many people were put off performing CPR as they were not sure about keeping the correct rhythm.

He said CPR could triple cardiac arrest survival rates when performed properly.

The study by the University of Illinois College of Medicine saw 15 doctors and students performing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on mannequins while listening to Stayin' Alive. They were asked to their time chest compressions with the beat.

Five weeks later, they did the same drill without the music, but were told to think of the song while doing compressions.

The average number of compressions the first time was 109 per minute; the second time it was 113 - more than recommended by the American Heart Association, but better than too few, according to Dr Matlock.

"It drove them and motivated them to keep up the rate, which is the most important thing," he told the Associated Press.

A spokesman for the American Heart Association, Dr Vinay Nadkarni, said it had been using Stayin' Alive as a training tip for CPR instructors for about two years, although it was not aware of any previous studies that tested the song.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7678371.stm

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

Try to top this one--
Witchdoctors in Tanzania are murdering and mutilating albinos for profit

"Many people in Tanzania - and across Africa, for that matter - believe albinos have magical powers. They stand out, often the lone white face in a black crowd, a result of a genetic condition that impairs normal skin pigmentation and affects about 1 in 3,000 people here. Tanzanian officials say witch doctors are now marketing albino skin, bones and hair as ingredients in potions that are promised to make people rich."

"The killings have even spread to neighboring Kenya, where an albino woman was hacked to death in late May, with her eyes, tongue and breasts gouged out. Advocates for albinos have also said that witch doctors are selling albino skin in Congo."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7678507.stm
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/08/ ... nzania.php

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“The person who stands up and says, 'This is stupid,' either is asked to behave or, worse, is greeted with a cheerful 'Yes, we know! Isn't it terrific!" -Frank Zappa

That's what I call white power!

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Stay with me flagrantly and we'll have ecstasy for all eternity.

AIRPORT STRIPTEASE

Germany Shies Away From 'Peeping Tom' Airport Scanners
German Ministers have voiced outrage at European Union plans to adopt controversial full-body scanners, joining a chorus of criticism of the so-called "strip scanners" which aim to deter highjackers.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/ger ... 14,00.html





What a sick idea !

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What's the ugliest part of your body ?

Italian police shut down horror circus with children forced to dive into piranha fish tanks

By NICK PISA

A circus of horrors in which teenagers were forced to dive into water tanks of flesh- eating piranhas has been closed by police.
In another act, youngsters were put in glass tanks and covered with deadly snakes.
Officers raided the circus near Naples early yesterday after a tip-off and made three arrests.

Deadly: Teens were forced to jump into a pool of flesh-eating piranhas
The youngsters, aged between 16 and 19, were all part of a Bulgarian family hired by the Marino Circus based in Salerno. None is believed to have been injured.
Police said they arrested the owner, Enrico Raffaele Ingrassia, 57, his son William, 33, and son-in-law Gaetano Belfiore, 25.
Prosecutor Mariella De Masellis said: "These poor children were forced into slavery for this circus.
"They would work 20 hours a day seven days a week and be paid £70 for risking their lives."

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Stay with me flagrantly and we'll have ecstasy for all eternity.

poor little pirhanas.

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Country music + Black music = Rock and Roll

Man kills trick-or-treater
1 day ago

Police in the US say a 12-year-old out trick-or-treating for the US Halloween holiday was killed when a convicted criminal fearing a robbery fired nearly 30 rounds with an assault rifle from inside a house.

Sumter Police Chief Patty Patterson says TJ Darrisaw died on Friday night in South Carolina after being shot multiple times. His father and nine-year-old brother were also shot, but were treated and released.

Quentin Patrick has been charged with murder and assault and battery with intent to kill.

Police say the 22-year-old ex-convict told them he had been robbed and shot before.

Police say TJ's family attended a Halloween celebration and then stopped at Patrick's house to ask for chocolate because the porch light was on.

Two other siblings were with them but were not hurt.

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Stay with me flagrantly and we'll have ecstasy for all eternity.

When cops drink

A shooting involving two off-duty St. Louis Police officers at a Pontoon Beach bar is being investigated. Illinois State Police say the 23-year-old officer shot a suspect in the parking lot of Mack and Mick's Place Bar in Pontoon Beach early Sunday morning. A short time later a Pontoon Beach Police officer responding to the scene shot another off-duty St. Louis officer.

The off-duty officer and the suspect are in critical condition. Investigators with the ISP say the 25 year old suspect was shot during an altercation with the officer. Other reports indicate that officer was jumped by some men outside the bar, and the officer shot the suspect in self defense. When the Pontoon Beach officer arrived, the second off-duty St. Louis officer was shot and critically injured. Several St. Louis officers were at the bar attending a wedding celebration when the incident occurred. State Police are expected to issue additional information today.

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“The person who stands up and says, 'This is stupid,' either is asked to behave or, worse, is greeted with a cheerful 'Yes, we know! Isn't it terrific!" -Frank Zappa

Vatican forgives John Lennon for Jesus remark

11/22/2008 3:00 PM, Reuters


VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – The Vatican's newspaper has finally forgiven John Lennon for declaring that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, calling the remark a "boast" by a young man grappling with sudden fame.

The comment by Lennon to a London newspaper in 1966 infuriated Christians, particularly in the United States, some of whom burned Beatles' albums in huge pyres.

But time apparently heals all wounds.



"The remark by John Lennon, which triggered deep indignation mainly in the United States, after many years sounds only like a 'boast' by a young working-class Englishman faced with unexpected success, after growing up in the legend of Elvis and rock and roll," Vatican daily Osservatore Romano said.

The article, marking the 40th anniversary of the Beatles' The White Album, went on to praise the pop band.

"The fact remains that 38 years after breaking up, the songs of the Lennon-McCartney brand have shown an extraordinary resistance to the passage of time, becoming a source of inspiration for more than one generation of pop musicians," it said.

Lennon was murdered in New York in 1980.

(Writing by Deepa Babington; editing by Keith Weir)

Do you think he would care?

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Country music + Black music = Rock and Roll

Let's make sure a-certain-someone among us dosen't follow the same tragic fate:

Teen broadcasts suicide online

A Pembroke Pines, Florida teenager killed himself Wednesday, November 19, while broadcasting on the live video site Justin.tv. After making suicide threats and being encouraged by Justin.tv viewers and Bodybuilding.com forum members, Abraham K. Biggs, 19, committed suicide by taking an overdose of opiates and benzodiazepine, which had been prescribed for his bipolar disorder.

Biggs first began blogging about his planned suicide 12 hours before the actual event. He died after taking pills and lying on the bed in front of the webcam. After the broadcast, viewers who apparently thought it was a hoax posted messages such as "OMG", "LOL", and "hahahah".

Hours later, after being alerted by viewers who had noticed that Biggs had stopped breathing, law enforcement and paramedics arrived, discovered his body, and covered the camera. The Broward County Medical Examiner's Office has reportedly confirmed Biggs' death.

According to Montana Miller of the Bowling Green State University, cases like this are not rare: "If it's not recorded or documented, then it doesn't even seem worthwhile. For today's generation it might seem, 'What's the point of doing it if everyone isn't going to see it?'"

Biggs' sister Rosalind was angry that neither the website nor its viewers reacted soon enough to save him. "They got hits, they got viewers, nothing happened for hours," she said. She described him as "very happy" and "friendly and outgoing." "On a normal day, you couldn't really tell that he got as low as he did." However, he did have relationship problems with his girlfriend, according to a friend.

Mental health professionals have warned about the possibility that other mentally troubled people would copy his actions. According to Dr. David Shaffer of Columbia University, "Any video showing it as heroic or romantic or glamorous could reduce the anxiety people might feel about suicide. It becomes a respectable behavior and lowers the threshold of suicide." He and other psychiatrists recommend that potentially suicidal teens talk to others and "tell what's going on."

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Teen_broadcasts_suicide_online?curid=116962

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

Parrot given Prozac after owner dies

A parrot is taking Prozac for depression following the death of its owner.

Fred, an African Grey parrot, was owned by George Dance, who had rasied him from a chick.

After Mr Dance died nine months ago, Fred became depressed and bit off all of his neck feathers. He also began to bob his head up and down all day as a result of his low mood.

The bird has now been prescribed a twice-daily liquid dose of a bird-friendly version of Prozac, called Clomicalm.

George's widow Helen, from Somerset, told The Sun: "He has been in quite a state since my husband died.

"Fred was very close to George and became depressed."

According to experts, tropical birds are extremely emotional and the number who require anti-depressants is growing.

Late last year, a collie-Labrador cross called Winnie was given Clomicalm after it began to cry and pace nervously.

An animal behaviourist diagnosed Winnie with canine separation anxiety, and the mood-altering drug now helps her to cope.

Fred the parrot features in a Cutting Edge programme called Special Needs Pets on Channel 4 at 9pm tonight.

Source

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

Be ware of Frankie, the Cat Burglar...
Frankie the cat has been stealing soft toys in Swindon for the past year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7776450.stm
[amusing flash video inside]

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

Not working.

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So, we should tie you to your bed and take away all of your razors?

Isaac

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I want dis little pussy
Baby wants some o' dis
And some o' dat
Don't treat me, baby, like your
Any old Alley Cat
Alley Cat, Alley Cat

Jimmie D Fan

I did a search for "guitar" at overstock.com and one of the things the search produced was a line of womens shoes by Carlos Santana

http://www.overstock.com/search?keyword ... ltIndex=61

I guess all those new artists he's recording with have been selling him on the idea of having his own clothing line

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“The person who stands up and says, 'This is stupid,' either is asked to behave or, worse, is greeted with a cheerful 'Yes, we know! Isn't it terrific!" -Frank Zappa

Please, check your flash player...

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

The commercial plays fine, but the vid won't follow.

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Damn commercials!

Wow, they are more common that I thought:

Meet Jimmy the cat burglar

By Neil Doughty
CBBC Newsround Online

Most cats like to bring back bugs and mice as presents for their owners, but not Jimmy the cat - he's got more expensive tastes.

Instead Jimmy has been bringing back other people's property to his owners in London.

Click here for your naughty pet stories

Slippers, shoes, and lots of cuddly toys are all things Jimmy has found on his travels and then taken back to where he lives.

His owner Lily told Newsround's website that Jimmy started stealing things last year, but this time his crime wave has been more serious.

She said he spent around two weeks taking stuff, although he's calmed down recently, just taking the occasional sock.

They know it's Jimmy who was stealing because a couple of times they spotted him coming into their garden with things in his mouth.

Flash shoes got taken

To help people get their stuff back, Lily and her husband put up posters explaining all about their cat burglar, and telling people to contact them if things were missing.

Some people have done so, including one lady whose posh shoe was returned just in time for her to wear to Ascot races the next day.

Luckily no one has been nasty when they've claimed their belongings, which is great because it means Jimmy won't get into any trouble.


Some of the things Jimmy has taken

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/animals/newsid_3117000/3117539.stm


Try it again, maybe next time the commercial won't play again (probably a cookie thing):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7776450.stm

Or try this other:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7776776.stm

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

Divorce man 'wants kidney back'

A US man divorcing his wife is demanding that she return the kidney he donated to her or pay him $1.5m (£1m) in compensation.



Dr Richard Batista told reporters that he decided to go public because he was frustrated at the slow pace of divorce negotiations with his estranged wife.

He said he had not only given his heart to his wife, Dawnell, but donated his kidney to save her life.

But divorce lawyers say a donated organ is not a marital asset to be divided.

Dr Batista married Dawnell in 1990 and donated the kidney to her in 2001. She filed for divorce in 2005 and a settlement has still not been reached.

'Betrayal'

He told reporters at his lawyer's office in Long Island, New York, that going public was a last resort.

"There is no deeper pain that you can ever express than betrayal from somebody who you love and devoted your life to," he said.

He said he had been prevented from seeing their three children for extended periods.

"I felt humiliated, betrayed, disrespected and disregarded for me as a person, as a man, as a husband, as a father."

Dr Batista's lawyer, Dominic Barbara, said his client was "asking for the value of the kidney" that he gave his wife.

A lawyer for Mrs Batista said: "The facts aren't as represented by Dr Batista. We will be addressing the issues before the judge within the next few days."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7818751.stm

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

Well GG, I heard worse today...
Caution! Sick!


Man rips out own eye, and eats it
10/01/2009 2:15:00 PM. | AP 6


A Texas death row inmate with a history of mental problems pulled out his only good eye and told authorities he ate it.

Andre Thomas, 25, was arrested for the fatal stabbings of his estranged wife, their young son and her 13-month-old daughter in March 2004. Their hearts also had been ripped out. He was convicted and condemned for the infant's death.

While in the Grayson County Jail in Sherman, Thomas plucked out his right eye before his trial later in 2004. A judge subsequently ruled he was competent to stand trial.

A death-row officer at the Polunsky Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice found Thomas in his cell with blood on his face and took him to the infirmary.

"Thomas said he pulled out his eye and subsequently ingested it," agency spokesman Jason Clark said Friday.

Thomas was treated at East Texas Medical Centre in Tyler after the December 9 incident. Then he was transferred and remains at the Jester Unit, a prison psychiatric facility near Richmond southwest of Houston.

"He will finally be able to receive the mental health care that we had wanted and begged for from day 1," Bobbie Peterson-Cate, Thomas' trial attorney, told the Sherman Herald Democrat. "He is insane and mentally ill. It is exactly the same reason he pulled out the last one."

At his trial, defence lawyers also argued he suffered from alcohol and drug abuse.

Thomas does not have an execution date.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in October upheld his conviction and death sentence for the death of 13-month-old Leyha Marie Hughes. Also killed March 27, 2004, were his wife, Laura Christine Boren, 20, and their son, 4-year-old Andre Lee.

Thomas, from Texoma, walked into the Sherman Police Department and told a dispatcher he had just murdered the three and had stabbed himself in the chest.

Thomas told police how he put his victims' hearts in his pocket and left their apartment, took them home, put them in a plastic bag and threw them in the trash.

Court documents described the three victims as having "large, gaping wounds to their chests."

http://livenews.com.au/Articles/2009/01/10/Man_rips_out_own_eye_and_eats_it

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The Catholic Church has learned how to apologise and/or forgive for many things. First Galileo's exile, and now John Lennon's faux pas. Let's just hope they never publicly forgive Hitler, what with a Hitler youth as the Pope.

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NJP

Police seek blow-up doll sex bandit

SYDNEY (Reuters) – An Australian man broke into three adult shops, had sex with blow up dolls named "Jungle Jane" and then dumped his plastic conquests in a nearby alley, local media reported Wednesday.

"It's totally bizarre. It's a real concern that someone like that is out on the street," said one of the owners of the adult sex shops in Cairns in northern Queensland state.

"He has been taking the dolls out the back and blowing them up and using the dolls and leaving them in the alley," the owner, who gave the name of Vogue, told the Cairns Post newspaper.

Police told the Cairns Post that scientific officers had taken DNA samples, fingerprints and pictures of the crime scene.

(Reporting by Pauline Askin, Editing by Dean Yates)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090107/od_ ... W_mDrtiBIF

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Ain't It Funky Now...

http://www.facebook.com/lbruister
http://www.last.fm/user/LaMarr_Bruister

That would certainly make it into a Zappa song. Something along the lines of Miss Pink meets the Illinois Enema Bandit..

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

A case on desecration of a grave on a cemetary in Aalsen has been solved. The police of the Frisian village surveilled the grave with a camera after the stone had moved five times. On the images can be seen that the 450 kilo weighing stone moved by itself. Research on the mechanics is in progress.

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