__cuteoverload

http://cuteoverload.com/2009/11/11/oh-we-are-ba-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ad/

http://cuteoverload.com/?p=34810

Washington, D.C. — Outraged legislators renewed calls for banning human-animal hybrids after researchers at the Frankenstein Institute for Extremely Scary Science announced the creation of a “lambaby.”  According to a spokesperson for an angry mob that stormed the Institute, “arghle grumble blaarphle rhubarb rhubarb!”

I have just one word for you, Brynne M.: PASICKIE!

Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Primates, Unusual animals

cs_monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1111/p06s01-wosc.html

cs_monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1111/p06s05-woaf.html

cs_monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1111/p02s01-usju.html

cs_monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1111/p02s04-usmi.html

cs_monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1111/p02s09-usfp.html

edbook

I just found this and wanted to pass it on...

For OpEdNews: Rowan Wolf - Writer

The U.S. is deeply embedded in the mythology of the heroism of the warrior culture. There is a lot of rhetoric about the courage and sacrifice of the those who have fought (versus those who have served) for our "freedom." Never is that "freedom" defined. However, it is true that many have served - willingly or not - under the belief they our protecting our "freedom" and "our way of life." I will not besmirch those sacrifices, nor will I be silent on the utterly shameful way that both the government and the people of the United States have met the needs of those who have served. We call them "heroes," but as a nation living with heroes is a more difficult task than remembering (once in a while) those who have died.

Many return from their service transformed All too often, they are too uncomfortably transformed to fit into the "civilian" flow of life. For some, it is more comfortable to return to bloody combat and the risk of death, than to return to friends and family, and co-workers, and a clueless populace. The adrenaline, and violence, and death-linked comradery is a real embrace. The invisibility and lack of understanding of "home" is a different kind of death.

For some, there is no return to war zones, and for better or worse they wrestle the demons and some "win" and some "lose." Some rebuild their lives. Some end up on the streets, or in the jails, or numbed by drugs of choice. Many, and certainly their families, cling with all their might to the comfortable myth that "it was all for a grander purpose."

I have heroes who are veterans. I have watched many face the demons of war (and military "actions") that remain with them - often for a life time. One of the sacrifices they made is the tattering of a glamorized entertainment myth of war and fighting in the face of bloody reality and burned indelibly upon their mind's eyes, and upon their hearts. It is a cost beyond bearing, and one that goes virtually unacknowledged by the populace.

Instead, they all too frequently face a betrayal by those societally tasked to know - and support - them. Namely, the Department of Defense, and the various military services, and the Veterans Administration. Conditions such as PTSD and psychological issues are frequently ignored, or those who have served are dissuaded from pursuing services. Then there are those other things that the military does not want to acknowledge, and therefore refuses to provide service - the "atomic" vets, agent orange, depleted uranium, Gulf War Syndrome, the effects of vaccinations, the paltry benefits left to the families of the fallen, the list goes on and on. The realities of serving - or surviving serving.

Once a year (twice if we count Memorial Day) the nation is called on to recognize these heroes - standing and fallen. This sanitized recognition does not mean embracing the reality of the service or the true sacrifices made. This sanitized recognition does not even recognize the human and national costs of that service. Certainly, nothing is said in this war glorifying culture regarding what the best recognition should really be - a commitment to ending war and working for peace. Yes, peace is work - ongoing work. However many veterans DO make this commitment, and for veterans that commitment comes at a higher price than for most who have never served.

So I want to say thank you to the most courageous of veterans who I know - those veterans who struggle for peace. They have fought, and continue to fight, incredible internal battles while waging the most significant of struggles - the struggle for peace. Thank you veterans for this ongoing service to an ungrateful nation. Thanks also to those veterans organizations that struggle untiringly for peace and truth, and support those who have served in this critical struggle.

Please thank a veteran, and thank a Veteran's organization such as those below. Importantly, also commit to fighting for veteran's rights and to creating a world where such sacrifices are never needed again.

Veterans for Peace

Iraq Veterans Against the War

Veterans Against the Iraq War

Winter Soldier Investigation

www/uncommonthought.com/mtblog/

gmaps_sights

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GoogleSightseeing/~3/ZsUH064s4Xc/

http://googlesightseeing.com/?p=9189

Continuing our exploration of the work of Santiago Calatrava, we visit some of his more notable buildings, beginning with an in-depth look at the magnificent Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències – the City of Arts and Sciences in his home town of Valencia.

With construction ongoing since 1996, the complex consists of five main areas, of which one (L’Oceanogràfic aquarium) was designed by a different architect.

The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia contains 4 performance halls for music, theatre and opera in a building that many would consider designed for inter-galactic travel.

Resembling an immense eye to represent visual arts, L’Hemisfèric houses an IMAX theatre, planetarium and Laserium.

Rising behind is the skeletal form of El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe, a hands-on science museum.

Bordering the decorative pools is L’Umbracle, a landscaped park and sculpture gallery under a network of white arches.

Calatrava’s contributions also include a bridge and central plaza, both of which are currently under construction. However, apartment buildings that were supposed to have been developed in the area have been put on hold for financial reasons.

The forms seen above are reflected in two important buildings on the Atlantic island of Tenerife. The Auditorio de Tenerife on the waterfront of Santa Cruz features a 1600-seat main hall with a pipe organ and a smaller chamber hall, all contained within one of the most amazingly-shaped buildings ever seen.

Also in Santa Cruz, the Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses features 40,000 square metres of exhibition and meeting space. Thanks to this week’s Street View update, we can also now see it from ground-level.

Another waterfront building can be found by Lake Michigan in the form of the Milwaukee Art Museum which was the first of Calatrava’s projects to be completed in the US. The museum’s main feature is a movable sunshade which can retract in poor weather and at night; it also has a signature cable-stayed bridge.

As with his bridges, not all of Calatrava’s buildings have been popular. The visually stunning Gare do Oriente train station in Lisbon has been criticised for cutting off the city centre from the river, and for not protecting waiting passengers from the elements.

Thanks to the many people who suggested the CAC … paco, Eduardo R. de Lima, Stolz, Arrianus, Carlos Urena, javier, Simone, antonio waller, Sebas Font, Trompie, Michael Zacherl, Pablo, andysamp, Ximet, Andros and Martin.

Locations: Portugal, Spain, Wisconsin / Categories: Buildings, Street Views

View in Google Earth

__cuteoverload

http://cuteoverload.com/2009/11/11/oh-ill-wait/

http://cuteoverload.com/?p=34854

Heeerrrrrre, birdie, birdie, birdie. At some point, you’re going to need a drink of this niiiice water I brought you. Maybe not in the next minute, maybe not in the next hour. But I’ve got alllllll day, boys, and you’re the only thing on my calendar.

The early cat gets the bird, Karen M.

Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Birds, Danger, I'm Going To Eat You, Kittens

bassistwanted

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BassistWanted/~3/fUkDSn5rqVM/

http://portermason.com/bassistwanted/?p=2595

1. • MEGA-TUNE: Monogamy.
   • GREG: That’s… “Single Ladies”?
   • GREG: Yes! GOOD!
2. • GREG: I love these one-note songs. I mean… I don’t actually LIKE most songs I’m supposed to like. But this way, they’re… TOLERABLE.
3. • GREG: So… THANK YOU.
4. • GREG: You’ve made my mindless devotion to pop SO easier to stomach.
   • GREG: Oh, tt is our PLEASURE, sir!

__cuteoverload

http://cuteoverload.com/2009/11/11/whoa-i-am-so-strung-out-man/

http://cuteoverload.com/?p=34845

The piano is my forte, and I love to lie down in it,
It suits my laid-back at-etude, I don’t care how you spinet.
When I’m keyed up, can’t stay upright, life’s tempo gets too taxing,
I lie for just a minuet, and presto! I’m relaxing.

I’m never too Bizet to take a nap where notes are rolling,
When melodies float like the breeze, this console’s quite consoling.
So play whatever song you like; Chopsticks to Clair de Lune-a,
For where there’s a piano, I expect piano tuna.

We all octave a kitty like that, Kristina V.

Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Kittens

__cuteoverload

http://cuteoverload.com/2009/11/11/gargamels-new-pet/

http://cuteoverload.com/?p=34836

I’ve been trying to look more evil and less snuggley, I swear. And yes, I’ll try to grow into my paws faster. Look,  I know I have a lot to live up to, but I’m trying. Really. Please, I can’t sit in these Smurf undergarments any longer.

Azrael, a little help here?

Papa Smurf had a big ass, Sandy S.

Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Pups

__cuteoverload

http://cuteoverload.com/2009/11/10/come-out-with-your-wings-up/

http://cuteoverload.com/?p=34807

Schwenksville, PA — Police today ended a reign of terror as they apprehended notorious crime lord “Feathers” McGinty, suspected of masterminding KFC and Chick-Fil-A robberies across five states.

I’ll have the “chicken surprise,” Anthea M.

Posted in Top 4 Tagged: Birds

cs_monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1110/p06s01-wome.html

cs_monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1110/p06s04-wome.html

cs_monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1110/p02s02-usju.html

cs_monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1110/p02s01-usfp.html

cs_monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1110/p02s03-usgn.html

__cuteoverload

http://cuteoverload.com/2009/11/10/the-persian-gallery/

http://cuteoverload.com/?p=34843

I don’t get it. What does she do? What do you mean, she just sits in there all day? Can you tap the glass or something? She has an Artist’s Statement??? Because as far as I can tell, she’s neither an artist, nor does she make any kind of statement. You know what? Here’s my statement: You come to my house tomorrow and I’ll charge you $40 to watch me sit on the couch all day. How’s that?

Heavy on the tannins, Marco B.

Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Kittens

__cuteoverload

http://cuteoverload.com/2009/11/10/spring-cleaning/

http://cuteoverload.com/?p=34877

Stefanie had been looking for it for months, so she was thrilled when she finally found her ring under the bed. Of course, her discovery made her realize that she should really clean more often.

Nice dust bunny, Stefanie H.

Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Bunnies