October 30, 2015

Yazidi culture adjusts to ISIS mass rape. Rape no longer considered a dishonor

For Yazidis, the tragedy is so great that their own strict traditions have had to adjust.

'Hundreds' of Yazidi women killing themselves in ISIS captivity

Before ISIS attacked Sinjar, marrying outside the Yazidi faith was strictly condemned. Those accused of adultery -- and even victims of rape -- could be killed for "dishonoring" their family.

But that is changing, according to Baba Sheikh, who desperately wants those abducted by ISIS to return.

"Anyone who comes back will be warmly welcomed home," he insists. "They should keep their heads up. They have done nothing wrong. And they should not be worried."

His words are a source of comfort for the tormented; even as ISIS attempts to destroy the Yazidi people in the name of religion, the terror group's victims may still find solace at home.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/08/middleeast/isis-rape-theology-soldiers-rape-women-to-make-them-muslim/index.html

October 29, 2015

This is the Halloween pumpkin you get for $750, and how to extend its life

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This is the Halloween pumpkin you get for $750

Elaborate pumpkins for Halloween, weddings and more
Maniac Pumpkin Carvers

This version of Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” masterpiece, carved by Brooklyn-based Maniac Pumpkin Carvers, costs about $750, while the Walking Dead image on the right is a touch cheaper.


Not surprisingly, this is a crazy busy time for artist Marc Evan, a co-founder of Maniac Pumpkin Carvers along with fellow artist Chris Soria, and their crew of 10 main carvers. Evan said he’s “lost count” of how many pumpkins the company has already carved this fall, as he spoke to MarketWatch on his way back from picking up lights for another 100 pumpkins.


“As artists, we love to push the boundaries of what can be done with a pumpkin,” he said. “We really have a blast trying to achieve what no one has achieved before.”

But these carvers differ from your Do-it-yourself efforts in some other ways. For one, they don’t cut off the top of the pumpkin. That would be a surefire way to speed up its decay. Instead, they create a hole in the back for a light bulb (no candle).

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The pumpkin could last just three days or longer. But there are tricks to extending the shelf life of your masterpiece. Plastic wrap and ice baths can help. Leave the stem on. Accept the fact that it will rot eventually.

Tom Nardone, a Michigan-based pumpkin carver who runs the Extreme Pumpkins website, said on his website that spraying the surfaces and insides with a bathroom cleaner that contains bleach might help in your efforts to preserve your creation.

If you want to be extreme, try pickling your pumpkin by submerging it in a vat of white vinegar, Nardone recommended on his website.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-is-the-halloween-pumpkin-you-get-for-750-2015-10-29?Link=obnetwork

October 29, 2015

" it was do or die. And Bush died", "Rubio had knocked Bush out of the game completely".

In other words, it was do or die. And Bush died. The debate clock tells the whole story; next to Sen. Rand Paul, who fell to the bottom, Bush had the least speaking time of any candidate on stage. Worse, he was on the losing end of a tough exchange. Early in the night, the former Florida governor came out swinging against his erstwhile protégé, Rubio. “Marco, when you signed up for this, this was a six-year term, and you should be showing up to work,” said Bush, hitting Rubio on his absence from the U.S. Senate. “You can campaign, or just resign and let someone else take the job.”



Bush had a hit. Rubio was supposed to stumble. But he didn’t. Instead, he accused Bush of playing politics in the most brutal way possible.

Well, it’s interesting. Over the last few weeks, I’ve listened to Jeb as he walked around the country and said that you’re modeling your campaign after John McCain, that you’re going to launch a furious comeback the way he did, by fighting hard in New Hampshire and places like that, carrying your own bag at the airport. You know how many votes John McCain missed when he was carrying out that furious comeback that you’re now modeling after?
[L]et me tell you. I don’t remember you ever complaining about John McCain’s vote record. The only reason why you’re doing it now is because we’re running for the same position, and someone has convinced you that attacking me is going to help you.

And that was it. Bush was finished. He spoke again throughout the night, but never with energy. Any wind he had—any fire or spirit—was gone. In a few seconds, Rubio had knocked Bush out of the game completely.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2015/10/jeb_bush_suffered_another_crushing_defeat_in_the_cnbc_debate_republican.html






Jeb freefall in one gif

http://theweek.com/speedreads/585616/jeb-bushs-freefall-1-gif



The debate boots Jeb wore

October 29, 2015

Like down desk debuts

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Lie-down-desks-debut-so-you-can-sleep-on-the-job-6596478.php

http://twitter.com/altworkstations/status/659426265997246464/photo/1

The workstation sells for $5,900, or $3,900 now with an "early adopter" price.

Altwork cofounder and CEO Che Voight told Wired the workstation was created with ergonomics in mind. He says there isn't a solution for people who injure their back and can't sit at normal workstations.

October 29, 2015

Way back machine: "If he does enter the race, (Jeb) Bush will be a candidate to be reckoned with."

Google Jeb Bush + past year.

October 29, 2015

Jeb seems to have forgotten that he has a lib arts degree. Says they are only good 4 chik-fil-a jobs

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/10/28/jeb-bush-has-a-liberal-arts-degree-it-didnt-stop-him-from-belittling-liberal-arts-majors/

now, according to the Washington Examiner, he said the following at a South Carolina town hall with Sen. Tim Scott and Rep. Trey Gowdy:

“Universities ought to have skin in the game. When a student shows up, they ought to say ‘Hey, that psych major deal, that philosophy major thing, that’s great, it’s important to have liberal arts … but realize, you’re going to be working [at] a Chick-fil-A.’ ”

Does he think everybody should go to business school? Has nobody told him that many people go to college to learn and become educated citizens and not to be trained in a high-paying career?

He seems to have forgotten that he himself has a bachelor’s degree in Latin American studies from the University of Texas at Austin.

Not surprisingly, liberal arts majors, especially psychology majors, were not amused. Here’s some reaction on Twitter:

October 28, 2015

Adviser to Sanders, Trailing Clinton by 23 Points, Generously Plans to Consider Her for VP

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/10/28/bernie_sanders_adviser_suggests_hillary_clinton_would_make_a_good_vice_president.html

October 28, 2015

woman hears 'kaboom' and finds a Ford Mustang on the roof of her Michigan home

joyce Kingsley, 83, was watching TV inside of her Woodhull Township, Michigan home when a Ford Mustang crash landed on her roof

Michigan State Police say the driver suffered a medical problem while traveling on Interstate 69 Monday afternoon

The car swerved across all lanes, through several bushes, trees, a fence and yard before coming to rest at the peak of the home

Kingsley plans to put a tarp over the roof until it can be repaired


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3292598/Owner-hears-kaboom-finds-car-roof-Michigan-home.html#ixzz3pssuMHaa
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October 28, 2015

Florida newspaper: Marco Rubio should show up or resign

arco Rubio should resign from the U.S. Senate and stop "ripping off" the people of Florida, according to the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel newspaper editorial board.

"By choosing to stay in the Senate and get the publicity, perks and pay that go with the position — without doing the work — you are taking advantage of us," the paper wrote in an editorial published Tuesday. "Your job is to represent Floridians in the Senate. Either do your job, Sen. Rubio, or resign it."

The Sun Sentinel said Rubio is being paid $174,000 with taxpayer money to do a job he is not doing -- while he is criticizing others for doing the same thing.

"Two weeks ago, you took to the Senate floor to excoriate federal workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs for failing to do their jobs. You said, 'there is really no other job in the country where if you don't do your job, you don't get fired,'" the paper added. "With the exception of your job, right?"

http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/28/politics/marco-rubio-newspaper-resignation/index.html

October 28, 2015

Michelle Duggar still giving out sex advice

Michelle Duggar Writes New Blog Post Encouraging Women to Be 'Joyfully Available' to Have Sex with Husbands, Even While Pregnant

he told me: 'Michelle, I know you're so excited. You're a bride-to-be, but some day you'll be at this point. … You've got to remember this,' " Michelle wrote. " 'Anyone can iron Jim Bob's shirt, anybody can make lunch for him. He can get his lunch somewhere else. But you are the only one who can meet that special need that he has in his life for intimacy. You're it. You're the only one.' "

" 'So don't forget that, that he needs you,' " she added. " 'So when you are exhausted at the end of the day, maybe from dealing with little ones, and you fall into bed so exhausted at night, don’t forget about him because you and he are the only ones who can have that time together. No one else in the world can meet that need.' "

Michelle went on to recap her friend's advice, which is to "be available, and not just available, but be joyfully available for him. Smile and be willing to say, 'Yes, sweetie I am here for you,' no matter what, even though you may be exhausted and big pregnant and you may not feel like he feels. 'I'm still here for you and I’m going to meet that need because I know it’s a need for you.' "

http://www.people.com/article/michelle-duggar-sex-advice-newlywed-women