Germany's oldest man, Franz Künstler, died on Tuesday morning at the age of 107.
Künstler died in Niederstetten in the German state of Baden-Württemberg from complications of a gastrointestinal operations and a broken femur, his family told German celebrity magazine Bunte.
An ethnic German born July 24, 1900 in what is now Soost, Romania, Künstler fought for the the First World War for the Austrian army in Italy. He was the last known German WWI veteran.
Künstler had lived in Niederstetten since 1946 and worked as a guide in a hunting museum at a local castle, Haltenbergstetten. There seems to be some argument about who was Germany's last WWI veteran. This is the second or third obit claiming that.
#3
If we can't remember the past, how will we know when we're about to repeat it as farce? Seriously though, I have some memory formation issues, and can tell you from personal experience that while forgetting some details is sometimes ok, lost memories are losses of a bit of the self. The desirable thing is to maintain memory while losing the immediacy, the emotionality, of it, when the memories are very bad.
When Yosuke the parrot flew out of his cage and got lost, he did exactly what he had been taught -- recite his name and address to a stranger willing to help.
Police rescued the African grey parrot two weeks ago from a neighbor's roof in the city of Nagareyama, near Tokyo. After spending a night at the station, he was transferred to a nearby veterinary hospital while police searched for clues, local policeman Shinjiro Uemura said.
He kept mum with the cops, but began chatting after a few days with the vet.
"I'm Mr. Yosuke Nakamura," the bird told the veterinarian, according to Uemura. The parrot also provided his full home address, down to the street number, and even entertained the hospital staff by singing songs.
"We checked the address, and what do you know, a Nakamura family really lived there. So we told them we've found Yosuke," Uemura said. The Nakamura family told police they had been teaching the bird its name and address for about two years.
Posted by: Mike ||
05/27/2008 12:21 ||
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"Awk! Awk! Short corn at 8 short corn at 8."
Posted by: George Smiley ||
05/27/2008 19:24 Comments ||
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"This is a generation that is watching the world come undone," says the Oberlin professor. The diligent students unplug the refrigerator. And they set a 3-minute time limits on showers:
... Becky Bob-Waksberg, racked up the morning's longest shower: Eight minutes. The house cuts Ms. Bob-Waksberg slack, Mr. Brown said, because of her thick, curly hair, which takes longer to shampoo.
The world is coming undone, but Ms. Becky Bob-Waksberg must maintain her luxuriant locks. "Give me lots of hair (Hair!)
Long, beautiful hair!"
You know, if you really cared -- you unplugged the refrigerator! -- you would shave it down to a crewcut... for the greater good. There's a 3-minute timer in the bathroom, to impose the rule on everyone else. There's also "a picture of former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina plastered to the ceiling."
That was Ms. Bob-Waksberg's idea. No one wants to linger in the shower with someone staring down from the ceiling, she said.
"You could also look at it another way," she said, "that John Edwards is encouraging me to take a shorter shower."
Why Mr. Edwards? "He had the strongest global warming policies of any of the candidates," Mr. Brown said.
Seems to me he has the most glossy, luxuriant hair. I think Ms. Bob-Waksberg is rubbing it in that you have to take a short shower and she doesn't.
Posted by: Mike ||
05/27/2008 06:34 ||
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#1
There are shower heads available to allow submarine showers. They have quick acting button valves so you can turn the water off at the shower head and not the water valves.
Submarine shower goes like this:
water on
wet quickly
water off
soap down everything (don't forget all those nooks and crannies)
water on
rinse off quickly
main water off.
If done judiciously, will only use 1 gallon of water. There's no need to run water continuously while shampooing. Wotta buncha civilian cryin' woosies!
#3
I live at the lower end of the Mississippi River. My water may be filthy, but I have plenty of it. I can take as long a shower as I want and not run out of water. I won't get clean, but I won't run out of water.
#4
Efforts to convince the public to limit their domestic water use make me angry. To start with, industry and agriculture use the vast majority of water, and often very wastefully. In most places with limited water, domestic use is as little as 1% of use.
When you point this out, the water fascists will insist that it is *more* important to "raise public awareness" about water conservation, than to actually conserve water!
Exactly what my showers are like when the various daughters take longer than usual in the morning. Spoiled college kids. I'm sure Miss Becky Bob's hair does take longer to rinse the shampoo from, but if she really cared she'd cut it short and use one of those clever electric straightening irons to get rid of the soap-holding curls. ;-)
I've no problem with enthusiastic college kids practicing the arts of being penniless, though. It'll be useful information for the next stage of their lives.
#6
I've no problem with enthusiastic college kids practicing the arts of being penniless, though. It'll be useful information for the next stage of their lives.
That will be a right handy skill after President Obama nationalizes the water system.
HYANNIS - It was a great day, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy said today after his surprise decision to compete in the last leg of the Figawi regatta -- and his schooner "Mya" finished second. Well, it couldnt be a more beautiful day, Kennedy said on his private pier. We have wonderful friends and family. Its a tradition out here and we had a great day.
I'm not too sure why this story aggravates my 'rrhoids. I feel a great deal of apathy toward the Hero of Chapaquiddick, struck down, at least potentially, in his dotage by a brain tumor. There's neither pleasure nor dismay at his imminent demise. I'm really not jealous over the fact that he owns a fifty-foot yacht that he can moor at his private pier off the clan's heavily-defended manor house. If I'd have chosen my parents better, I could have had that, too.
Maybe it just galls me that this arrogant prique presumes to present himself as the champion of us horny-handed sons of toil. Or maybe it's the sure knowledge that when he does keel over, reeking of bourbon after groping a pretty but plebian serving wench on the asset, that his Senate seat will remain in the family, where it's been for the past 55 years, willed to whatever relative pleased him most, just like Marius or Sulla would have done.
A crew member on Kennedys sloop told the Herald the skipper was in a great mood. The Mya came in second in division 3 in the weekend Hyannis-to-Nantucket race. The Mya was moored off the Kennedy clans Hyannisport compound at 12:30 p.m. and the senator and family came ashore at 1:21 p.m.
Posted by: Fred ||
05/27/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
He shoudl resign and spend his last time doing stuff like this instead of meddlign in Congress. Its not liek it makes any differenc e- Deval Patrick will appoint, and the the idiots in trashachussets will elect someone at least as liberal.
#6
Seriously, if I were his age, and I had that diagnosis and I had his means, I'd be spending the rest of my days doing something OTHER than going to Congress.
#9
From Angie's link, the logo in the picture is of an Indian with a Captain's hat on, looking through a spyglass backwards.
[PC Hat]
This is a very insensitive logo, which is degrading to Native Americans and should be removed forthwith. A written apology shall be issued for this tactless stunt, followed by an offer of monetary compensation to the Figawi People for the pain and suffering inflicted on them by the overfed and overpaid parasites regatta contestants and sponsors.
[/PC Hat]
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
05/27/2008 17:02 Comments ||
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#10
Some neighbors moved here from Boston and proudly proclaimed they are Kennedy Democratics. I had the audacity to ask"Why" but never really got an answer that made any sense. Why do the people of Massachusetts keep electing Ted Kennedy? Does he bring the pork home or is it the dispensing of feudal favor? I mean the guy seems like such an dipwad.
Bellarmine Prep senior Nicole Cochran should have been celebrating her successful defense of the Class 4A girls 3,200-meter title at the Star Track XXVI meet, Washington's state high school track and field championships.
Instead, there was controversy, a protest, and then -- an ultimate act of generosity and sportsmanship.
Cochran, who is attending Harvard this fall, had crossed the finish line first with a personal-best time of 10 minutes, 36 seconds in Friday's meet. But minutes later, according to the News Tribune of Tacoma, meet officials notified Bellarmine Prep's coach, Matt Ellis, that Cochran was disqualified.
According to the News Tribune, officials ruled that Cochran had taken three consecutive steps on the inside line along the far curve on the next-to-last lap of the race, which is when she had made her move to take the lead and break free of the pack.
It is a violation that results in disqualification.
"There's not really much I can do," Cochran told the Tri-City Herald. "We tried to appeal it. It's very unfortunate, but sometimes it's what you get dealt."
Shadle Park (Spokane) High School's Andrea Nelson, who finished in 10:40.04, was declared the winner.
The awards ceremony took place, then Nelson got off the awards stand, walked over to Cochran, removed the first-place medal from around her neck and draped it over Cochran's.
"It's your medal," Nelson said to her, the Tri-City Herald reported. "You're the state champion."
The rest of the top eight finishers then held an impromptu ceremony of their own. Exchanging their medals -- Nelson received the second-place medal, Sarah Lord of Redmond High School took the third-place medal, and so on.
"That's not how you win state," Nelson said. "She totally deserves it. She crushed everybody."
#1
Well done and very admirable. This is the behavior sports is supposed to teach. If I was Ms. Nelson's father or her coach, I'd be a very pleased man today.
Thanks for posting this, 'Moose.
Posted by: Thaimble Scourge of the Pixies4707 ||
05/27/2008 18:43 Comments ||
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#2
The Kids Are Alright. I think it will be safe to leave the world to them when the time comes. ;-)
I ran track in HS and I think that Cochran should be disqualified. She ran inside the innermost line to pass. Illegal. Can't do it. Makes the race shorter. She could probably have won anyway, given that she won by 4 seconds, but she didn't do it legally.
Nelson should definitely keep her medal. I would have. Nelson didn't display sportsmanship but rather an inappropriate sentimentality.
This would have been a good lesson for Cochran's future. A hard lesson. But some people have to learn a lot harder lessons at her age.
The moral: Don't cut corners.
Posted by: A visitor ||
05/27/2008 21:53 Comments ||
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#1
Obviously the recruitment standards are onerous and excessive, which clearly points to institutionalized racism. I recommend they consider contracting the recruitment task to the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport Authority.
#2
"Avon Fire Service denied discrimination, saying the drive was 'positive action' - which is legal - to attract those who would not normally apply."
Ahhh yes positive action this must be as opposed to negative inaction. Of course the inaction is on the part of the government not the individual. One gets the impression that the motivations for initiatives such as these are not designed to boost minority employment but rather to ensure employment for those with Social Science degrees.
#3
The french name for 'positive action' is 'discrimination positive' (that is, you guessed it, positive discrimination), but that's the GOOD kind of discrimination, you know...
#3
I thought this was a US pub, Bolton could've just shot moonbat's ass for assault, but since this was going to take place in UK Bolton will just have to whoop his ass the old fashioned way..
#4
If I was John Bolton, I would greet this with positive glee. I would surround myself with talented martial artists.
A real good karateka can appear to be an absolute stumble bum, apologizing profusely while "accidentally" beating the snot out of someone.
Things like dropping something on the floor, then giving a head butt while reaching for it breaking their target's nose, shaking hands and breaking fingers, breaking collar bones, etc. It is hilarious to watch a pro work.
And maybe throw in a master judoka, who could make it look like the floor the idiots were standing on was black ice.
#5
This is supposed to happen tomorrow? Well it won't, but will serve the purpose as Mr. Moonboy will then have to opportunity to rail against the jackbooted thug minions of the police state who will have obstructed it and once again stifled dissent. Let's hope he takes a nightstick across the back of his head to really prove his point...
Authorities in an Australian town have rejected proposals to allow an Islamic school to be built there. Councillors for Camden, a small town on the outskirts of Sydney, unanimously voted against the proposed school for 1200 pupils.
The councillors said they based their decision solely on planning grounds, citing an internal report about its environmental impact.
The proposed development had met with fierce local opposition. Quagmire!
Camden's authorities received some 3,200 submissions from the public about the school and only 100 in favour.
The BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney says Camden does not have a large Muslim population so most of the pupils for the proposed school would have had to be bussed in from Sydney, an hour's drive away. That prompted a strong response from Camden locals. "They've got terrorists amongst them, OK? We can't say they haven't - they have," said one resident.
"We're quite happy to integrate, we happily integrate with Italians, Greeks, English, Scottish - this town has every nationality. Muslims do not fit in this town - we are Aussies, OK?" Obviously, these men are Racist and Islamophobic, and must be hauled to the nearest re-education center!!!
The Quranic Society, the organisation behind the proposal, has kept a low public profile throughout the process. Its position has been that Australian parents have the right to educate Australian children wherever they wish, regardless of race or religion.
An internal Camden council report had earlier recommended against construction, mainly citing traffic concerns.
#2
The BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney says Camden does not have a large Muslim population so most of the pupils for the proposed school would have had to be bussed in from Sydney, an hour's drive away.
Auhhh yes, the US integration model. Citizens of Camden, assimilate or DIE! and be taxed to DEATH !
Danmarks Radio will hold a beauty contest for women with the only requirement being that they are over 15 and wear a headscarf.
Denmark's headscarf debate took another bizzare turn Monday when public broadcaster DR announced it would be sponsoring a 'Miss Headscarf' contest for women and teens over the age of 15. DR's youth club, 'Skum', is behind the project which they believe will display the 'cool Muslim women' who 'often make up a very fashion-conscious and style-confident part of the Danish street scene'. The competition is, however, also open to non-Muslim females.
The youth club said it is seeking to hear from the 'unheard' members of the headscarf debate - the women themselves. 'We would like to contact all the Muslim women who are seldom heard in the debate but are often just as preoccupied with fashion and beauty as other women,' Bjarke Ahlstrand, editor-in-chief of DR's youth division, told Nyhedsavisen newspaper.
Participants are urged to send in pictures of themselves wrapped in the appropriate headwear via email or mobile phone to DR. The photos will be judged by fashion expert Uffe Buchardt with first prize being an iPod and a specially-designed headscarf from top fashion house Mads Nørgaard. In addition, the top five contestants receive a year's subscription to 'Muslim Girl' magazine.
The contest is supported by the instigator of the headscarf debate, Asmaa Abdol-Hamid, who had said she would not remove her headscarf if selected for an MP position with the Red-Green Alliance party.
But the competition was not so well-received by a representative of the Islamic Faith Society.
I had no doubt of that ...
'I don't believe that Muslim women should exhibit themselves in this way and I strongly advise the girls to shun the competition,' said the organisation's local chairman, Smain Benyrbah. 'DR is going too far with this because the headscarf is something that is meant to conceal sexuality, according to the Koran.'
#2
One of my fonder memories of Denmark is sitting in the Artilleri Bar in the lobby of the Hotel SAS Scandinavia in Copenhagen drinking beer with a friend. We looked up and saw a beautiful brown eyed blonde in a bikini and almost choked on our beer. She was followed by another and another and another... We asked the bartender and were informed that the competition for Denmark's Penthouse Pet of the Year was being held on the hotel's second floor and the girls in the lobby were waiting their turn. We had to leave after about three hours because the girls had all started to look alike and normal people were looking pretty wretched. No headscarves as I recall, but then again, this was in the early 80's.
PASADENA, California - A sharp-eyed Mars orbiter snapped an image of sister probe Phoenix descending through Martian skies toward a polar landing site to search for water and assess conditions for life, mission managers said on Monday.
Phoenix touched down at 4:53 p.m. PDT (7:53 p.m. EDT/2353 GMT) on Sunday, becoming the first spacecraft to reach a polar region of Mars. Problems during descent doomed NASA's first polar lander in 1999.
The unprecedented image, taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter as a result of careful planning and good luck, shows the small probe dangling beneath its parachute.
Features of the planet's face, including polygon-shaped patterns in the frozen arctic soil, can be seen faintly in the background.
The shapes are of interest to scientists who plan to use Phoenix to dig beneath what is expected to be a thin layer of soil to sample underlying ice. They want to learn if the water was ever liquid, which is believed to be necessary for life.
#12
I had an uncle who was a Martian scientist and helped start NASA. He had a collection of photos just like this one which he kept in the attic.
Posted by: OB ||
05/27/2008 20:34 Comments ||
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#13
"I had an uncle who was a Martian scientist"
I'm surprised - and grateful - the Martians let him come here and share his knowledge, OB. ;-p
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
05/27/2008 21:09 Comments ||
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#14
he look like Ray Walston?
Posted by: Frank G ||
05/27/2008 21:18 Comments ||
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#15
I had an uncle who helped liberate Mars. Or maybe was it a great-uncle. Or maybe one of the other planets. Or Europe. And stop pestering me about details, 'cause it's all about Hope. Uh, Hope and Change.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
I'm not too sure why this story aggravates my 'rrhoids. I feel a great deal of apathy toward the Hero of Chapaquiddick, struck down, at least potentially, in his dotage by a brain tumor. There's neither pleasure nor dismay at his imminent demise. I'm really not jealous over the fact that he owns a fifty-foot yacht that he can moor at his private pier off the clan's heavily-defended manor house. If I'd have chosen my parents better, I could have had that, too. 
Authorities in an Australian town have rejected proposals to allow an Islamic school to be built there. Councillors for Camden, a small town on the outskirts of Sydney, unanimously voted against the proposed school for 1200 pupils. 
PASADENA, California - A sharp-eyed Mars orbiter snapped an image of sister probe Phoenix descending through Martian skies toward a polar landing site to search for water and assess conditions for life, mission managers said on Monday.
