8.31.2007

The Richest and Poorest Places in the Country

Top 10 wealthiest states

Here's where the median household income is highest

State Income
Maryland $65,144
New Jersey $64,470
Connecticut $63,422
Hawaii $61,160
Massachusetts $59,963
New Hampshire $59,683
Alaska $59,393
California $56,645
Virginia $56,277
Minnesota $54,023

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

The 10 poorest states

The states with the lowest median household income

State Income
Montana $40,627
Tennessee $40,315
Kentucky $39,372
Louisiana $39,337
Alabama $38,783
Oklahoma $38,770
Arkansas $36,599
West Virginia $35,059
Mississippi $34,473

Source: U.S. Census Bureau



source: CNN Money

Amother One Bites the Dust



I'm sure you've head the story. Just thought you might enjoy Encyclopedia Dramatica's slant here.

8.30.2007

Playa Suicide


"A Burning Man participant was found dead this morning, hanging from the inside of a two-story high tent, according to Mark Pirtle, special agent in charge for the Bureau of Land Management."

This story is both sad and hard to believe. This appears to be the first suicide on the Playa. More fom S.F. Gate here. Also, some unfortunately funny comments from Gawkers here.

8.28.2007

THE MAN BURNS......PREMATURELY!

The injured man, missing a hand and burnt, under the eclipsed moon…

rescue attempts

the accused

half burnt and missing parts...sorta' sad

WOW! A San Francisco Man has been arrested on charges of arson for setting THE MAN on fire four days early. Ironic? F'd up? WOW! Read more here or here.
If you want to watch, go here.

8.26.2007

burn!


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The Great Iraq Swindle


"How is it done? How do you screw the taxpayer for millions, get away with it and then ride off into the sunset with one middle finger extended, the other wrapped around a chilled martini? Ask Earnest O. Robbins -- he knows all about being a successful contractor in Iraq."

Read it Here.

8.22.2007

Google Earth adds the Sky



Now you can stargaze using Google's popular desktop mapping application Google Earth. In the latest version of Google Earth, hit the "Switch between Sky and Earth" button on the toolbar to get a map of the night sky from your current location. Several Sky layers are listed on the left-hand side, including Constellations, Backyard Astronomy, Hubble Showcase, The Moon, The Planets, User's Guide to Galaxies and Life of a Star. The Sky layers are composed of over 1 million photographs from various scientific and academic sources. Looks like an incredible educational resource for anyone who wanted to be an astronaut when they grew up. Google Earth is a free download for Windows, Mac and Linux.

8.17.2007

How I Got Arrested for Holding an IMPEACH Sign

By Jonas Phillips

I am writing to tell you about an abuse of power in Asheville, NC by a police sergeant.

I occasionally stand on an interstate overpass near my place of work in the mornings and hold a sign that says 'IMPEACH BUSH / CHENEY'.

On Wednesday August 15, I was standing alone with my sign for about 10 minutes, when I was approached by Police Officer Russell Crisp. He asked me how long I was planning to stay there and I told him just a few more minutes because I had to go to work at 8:00. He asked for my ID and I obliged. I asked him if I was doing something wrong, and he said that his Sergeant was on the way and he was going to wait for him. SO, I went back to my sign holding over the interstate.

A few minutes later Sergeant Randy Riddle showed up with a paper in his hand. He spoke briefly to Crisp, then walked over to me and told me to put down my sign, put my hands behind my back, and that I was under arrest! I was shocked and almost thought he was joking until he told me again to put down the sign and put my hands behind me and I was under arrest. So I peacefully agreed and he cuffed me. I asked him why I was being arrested, he told me I was in violation County Ordinance 16-2, (the print out in his hand that he didn't bother to read to me or show me.) He told me I was obstructing the sidewalk. I told him I was not and that officer Crisp had witnessed a guy walk by me moments before.

Riddle yelled at me, "You were obstructing the sidewalk!" and "I'm sick of this shit!" then he said, "Here's your 15 minutes of fame buddy!" I looked back to see his name plate and he said in a mean condescending tone, "Yea, that's 'Sergeant Riddle' get it right!" He then put me in Officer Crisp's police car. Riddle took my sign with him and I was taken downtown and booked by Crisp. I was never read my Miranda rights.

While at the jail I was asked several times about what groups or organizations I was with, like a local group Veterans for Peace. And more specifically the Southeast Convergence for Climate Action group that had protested at the Bank of America on Monday. I was told by officer Crisp that since that protest the police had pulled out this ordinance. I was searched, and they took pictures of me and my tattoos. Since I haven't been in trouble in 15 years, I was given a court date and allowed to sign a written promise to appear in court.

This is an example of an American citizen having his/her civil liberties tread upon.

In Asheville, you are allowed to protest on city sidewalks without a permit. The sidewalk is about 5 feet wide. I never blocked the sidewalk; I knew about that ordinance already and was not trying to be arrested. It was obvious to me that Riddle had a problem with my sign because there is no way I could block the sidewalk all by myself. I feel like my rights were trampled by this harassment from Riddle. I got the feeling that he was trying to scare me away, but he only strengthened my resolve to protest more!

By the way, I never got my sign back from Sergeant Riddle.

No Miranda rights. False charges. But it doesn't matter. The cops in our now present police state will do whatever they want. The murder monkey has ordained and sanctioned it. Welcome to Bush World.

taken from here

8.16.2007

R.I.P. - Max Roach


the legendary Jazz drummer, bebop founder, band leader, and civil rights activist, Max Roach died in his sleep last night in New York City. He was 83 years old. Roach redefined the role of the drums in Jazz during the bebop revolution of the late-1940s and early-50s, participating in many of the movement’s seminal recordings with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk.

8.13.2007

Panic at the Paramount


One, two, THREE nights of madness with the boys at the Paramount in Oakland, 9/27-9/29. I've always thought of the Paramount as a classy place. Until now! All the digs here.

It's Good to be a Californian!


This is NOT a joke. Just Oklahoma's newest plate. If you're an Okie, get it here.

Where My Big-Booty Ho's At? Zokku....Really?

8.01.2007

Happy Birthday Jerry


Although I appreciate Jerry on a daily basis, today is officially Jerry Day!