Commuters see a warning about the living dead in Portland, but not everyone is dying from laughter.
Call it a sign of the apocalypse.
An electronic message board on Auburn Street in Portland Maine had this message on it Wednesday morning.
Early morning commuters in Portland -- those who had their coffee anyway -- got a surprise warning as they made their way down Auburn Street.
An electronic message board that typically warns motorists about impending roadwork instead read: "Warning Zombies Ahead!"
The prank got a good guffaw from many who saw and heard about it, but not from city officials.
"These are deployed and used as a safety precaution. They're not a toy," said Portland spokeswoman Nicole Clegg. "We don't want people to be distracted. We take this kind of crime seriously."
Clegg said it's unclear how a prankster changed the message, but it's not the first time.
Earlier in the year, another variable message board was made to read "Sleeping Snorlax Ahead," an apparent reference to a character from the Pokemon cartoon. Another mentioned gnomes and another made disparaging, though not altogether inaccurate, remarks about the Boston Red Sox,
The machines are typically provided by contractors as part of the bid specifications and the devices have somewhat different technology. So it's not clear who changed the messages or how, Clegg said.
Tampering with the safety devices is a crime, a class D misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine, she said.
The Maine Department of Transportation has variable message boards but they are run from the agency's dispatch communications center and have never been hacked, said spokesman Ted Talbot. The only times they don't alert motorists to roadwork or traffic issues are when they are used as part of a public education campaign, such as the recent one to discourage texting and driving.
The sign was quickly changed by workers involved with the paving project on Auburn Street, to read: "Night work 8 pm-6 am. Expect delays" -- the original, safe, boring message.
Posted by: Au Auric ||
10/11/2012 15:39 ||
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#1
If the dead can vote, they should at least be eligible for patronage make work.
That's because he's a Constitutional Scholar™
President Barack Obama In case you missed it, this week, there was a tragedy in Kansas. Ten thousand people died -- an entire town destroyed... is running roughshod over the Constitution, legal scholars say, by disregarding it, changing laws outside the legislative process, and extending federal power in unprecedented ways.
The president has "profound disdain for the Constitution," said David Rivkin, a lawyer at the BakerHostetler law firm in Washington, DC.
"Across a whole host of policy areas, President B.O. and other high officials in his administration have pushed the envelope of anything attempted before," said Ilya Shapiro, a constitutional expert at the Cato Institute.
Under the president's judicial philosophy, legislation ideally "streamlines government action" so it can "grow and experiment," all while overcoming barriers like the checks and balances built into the Constitution, said Charles Kesler, a professor of government and constitutional scholar at Claremont McKenna College....
Posted by: Au Auric ||
10/11/2012 14:23 ||
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#1
One of the basic principles of the Constitution was 'never concentrate power that you'd never want your political rival to have'. The Donks will rue the day they created such a monstrosity of imperial authority.
#3
Maybe, but every time in history there comes a point where you have to defend the system, to paraphrase Lincoln, to give their last full measure of devotion. When that day comes, they'll have a lot of 'dependent' cannon fodder but little else to retain power. It won't be enough. Never has.
#1
Lest we fergit, during the Cold War of the last century, many Perts gave the accuracy + reliability of Anti-Ballistic Missle Defense [ABMD], nka more popularly as BMD [Ballistic Missle Defense], as MUCH MUCH LESS THAN WHAT ISRAEL'S "IRON DOME" OR US PATRIOT HAS ACHIEVED.
The concept + premises of ABMD now BMD was often viewed or treated more as late-nite TV Comedy than an actual workable idea,
#2
Brig Gen Doron Gavish has been quick to point out that Iron Dome is still in a process of development. This is the first system of its kind anywhere in the world, he has said. It is in its first operational test, and weve already intercepted a large number of rockets targeting Israeli communities, saving many Israeli lives. If Iron Dome is to continue to evolve, the case for its effectiveness must be made loud and clear, particularly in the corridors of Congress.
I'm reminded of 'Never buy version 1 of anything.'. Unfortunately not an option for Israel.
#3
The article spends a lot of time whinging and fretting that a system designed to defend against rockets on a ballistic trajectory did nothing to intercept a drone flying a slow, level path. Well, duh!
#4
In August 2011, seven rockets were fired from Gaza and only six were intercepted by Iron Dome.
Proper perspective is key. Not very favorable odds for safe aircraft landings at Dulles. Pretty damn good survivor odds for a cancer patient. Until something better is developed, I'll take the Iron Dome, a siren, and anxiously await the "All Clear".
#5
The article spends a lot of time whinging and fretting that a system designed to defend against rockets on a ballistic trajectory did nothing to intercept a drone flying a slow, level path. Well, duh!
Same kvetch libs roll out about BMD in general: "Your expensive system won't stop a suitcase nuke! Sob!!!"
This is akin to saying "Your cure for cancer does absolutely nothing about the common cold, so it's crap..."
Posted by: M. Murcek ||
10/11/2012 10:35 Comments ||
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#6
Could be the best missile defense is to hit them before they hit you. What was it they used to say...The best defense is a good offense.
#7
..did nothing to intercept a drone flying a slow, level path.
Which is what the Patriot AD system was designed for. It was later in the process that someone* asked could it deal with IRBMs.
* originally the West Germans who paid for study which a senator, by the name of Quayle, from Indiana picked up, got excited, and put money into the budget to do feasibility studies resulting in first generation models coming off the assembly line just as crap hit the fan in Iraq during Bush I.
Look like Arutz Sheva is in competition with DEBKA A Turkish newspaper reports the Iranian branch of the Kurdistan Workers' Party terror group has struck a deal with Tehran to fight Turkey.
A Turkish newspaper reported Wednesday the Iranian branch of the Kurdistan Workers' Party terror group has struck a deal with Tehran to fight Turkey. The report indicates a rapidly-developing trend towards a broad unity of Kurds in a pact with Iran against its western neighbor, furthering the chances of a regional war.
The news was revealed in a confession that came from a PKK (Turkish Kurdistan Workers' Party) terrorist who allegedly surrendered to the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), Today's Zaman reported, quoting the Sabah daily newspaper.
According to the report, the deal brokered between the Iranian wing of the PKK, known as the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK) and the Iranian government will allow PJAK to operate along the Turkish border unmolested by the Tehran government.
The report also alleged the PKK was responsible for ordering recent deadly attacks on the Turkish-Syrian border, with some 700 PKK operatives sent to help Syrian Kurdish terrorists.
In addition, several female PKK terrorists surrendered to Turkish soldiers. The women claimed their surrender came after discovering that despite the very difficult conditions under which average PKK operatives live in rural Turkey, their senior commanders enjoy a luxurious existence in the group's Kandil Mountain headquarters in northern Iraq.
The Iranian Kurdish-Tehran government deal has led to the Turkish PKK's acquisition from Iran of Russian-made heavy weapons, according to the source.
The PKK also uses new recruits from among the youth to carry out attacks against the Turkish government, and then quietly murders the young operatives, the source reported. The deaths, which anger their families, are then used to turn entire clans against the Turkish government, he said.
PKK terrorists carried out attacks in eastern Turkey last month, firing rockets at an army convoy that killed seven soldiers and wounded more than 60, security sources said. The convoy sustained a direct hit by a rocket as it was traveling between the provinces of Bingol and Mus.
#2
I don't know the Iranian-Kurd relationship with Iran but I'd say they are backing the weak and/or brutal horse and would be better off talking to Turkey and Iran separately about carving a Kurdistan out of Syria/Iraq, migrating Kurds out of Iran and Turkey.
#3
Iranians helping the Kurds is a play that would probably end up there with the Germans shipping Lenin to St.Petersburg during the Russian Revolution.
The conflict in Syria was "extremely bad and getting worse." That's what Lakhdar Brahimi, special envoy to Syria for the United Nations and the Arab League and one of the world's most skillful diplomats, told the Security Council in late September. The major powers listened but offered no new ideas on how to end the crisis. We need to change direction.
With the two sides balanced and resisting serious negotiations, the conflict won't be over soon. Indeed, Syria might very well be entering the second year of a decade-long civil war.
You mean like the one they fostered in Lebanon? Golly.
Each year, the sectarian violence will worsen, atrocities will multiply, the most fundamentalist elements will grow stronger and neighboring countries will become more involved.
This is the time for a new goal and strategy, and Brahimi is the man because it was he who defined the terms that provided Lebanon an exit from its long civil war. The goal should not be to overthrow Assad, however desirable that might be to many. The goal should be to construct a path to a political system that provides voice and vote for all Syrians, and institutional checks and balances to protect all minorities and sects.
Robert A. Pastor is a professor of international relations at American University in Washington and the author of "The North American Idea." He is a senior advisor to the Carter Center on conflict resolution in the Middle East.
#3
With the two sides balanced and resisting serious negotiations, the conflict won't be over soon. Indeed, Syria might very well be entering the second year of a decade-long civil war.
#4
a political system that provides voice and vote for all Syrians
Pencilneck couldn't survive in a true democracy, so this solution ain't gonna happen. Besides, if the Carter Center is involved, the effort is doomed from the start.
#5
At some point you put a price on Assad's head and even if nobody turns on him you will probably deny him any decent sleep. Especially with hints of someone inside from time to time. Not obvious hints, but convince him to purge and shake up his staff and ensure he doesn't have the very best working to protect him for long.
#6
a political system that provides voice and vote for all Syrians
You mean like Libya? Egypt? Iran? .....
Ditto to Besoeker. This is one of those times which we seem to get screwed up often these days.
They have to keep fighting until one side WINS and can impose its will on the other.
Then, maybe, you can talk about the governmental system.
#7
It's all about keeping bad guys busy. FSA bogs down Syrian Army and then attacks Hezbollah in Lebanon so far so good. Then Iran backs the PKK so it puts Turkey at odds with Tehran fostering new cooperation with Israel. Meanwhile Jihadi's from everywhere flock to Syria's slaughterhouse with no ROE ie Rogelio Mangnulet. In the end bad guys are killing bad guys. Popcorn Grom?
#8
Hey... a friend has hundreds of acres of high grade pop-corn if anybody needs a supply after intermission in this show.
Posted by: Water Modem ||
10/11/2012 12:07 Comments ||
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#9
Negotiate all you want. If it works, fine. If it doesn't, stay the hell outta there. We have no dog in this fight. We are indeed weary of Middle Eastern wars especially when there is so much to lose and nothing to be gained.
When the brave jihadis finally realize that Uncle Sam's Calvary is not coming to bail their asses out they might think twice about starting another war.
This just in: America's porn industry backs President Obama over challenger Mitt Romney by a 68 percent to 13 percent margin, according to the industry's top social network.
So the Porn industry backs Obama 5-1
Here is the release from XBIZ:
Poll: Adult Industry Backs Obama, Romney Limps
LOS ANGELES -- The adult entertainment industry overwhelmingly favors re-electing Barack Obama to a second term as president, according to the results of a new industry poll conducted by media organization XBIZ.
In spite of being in an era of declining industry revenues due to the glut of free content available online and rampant piracy, the majority of adult insiders side with the Democratic incumbent Obama over the Republican candidate Mitt Romney as the 2012 presidential election on Nov. 6 inches closer. The results are based on responses from members of XBIZ.net, the adult entertainment industry's top social network.
XBIZ asked industry members: "Which candidate would you like elected U.S. president?"
Of the 339 respondents, 68% say Obama, while only 13% favor Romney. Another 14% would like to see "someone else" in the White House, while 5% responded "I don't care."
The results of the poll did not come as a shock to at least two prominent industry kingpins.
Hustler founder Larry Flynt in September took out full-page ads in the Washington Post and USA Today offering $1 million in cash for proof of Romney's tax returns and/or details of his offshore assets, bank accounts and business partnerships. Romney in late September did release his 2011 tax return and a brief summary of his returns from the previous 20 years. Flynt told XBIZ simply that he was "not surprised" by Obama's favorite status in the industry.
Vivid Entertainment CEO Steven Hirsch agreed.
"The results aren't really surprising because most people involved with the adult industry have a liberal view of government and how it should work," Hirsch said. "Social issues are more important than fiscal issues and they will support a candidate who shares their beliefs."
Evil Angel founder John Stagliano, who overcame a federal obscenity prosecution that generated nationwide attention in 2010, pointed to his support of another presidential hopeful.
"The only candidate who protects our right to do business is the Libertarian Party candidate, Gary Johnson," Stagliano told XBIZ, referring to the former governor of New Mexico who has garnered the most support of any of the third-party candidates heading into this election. "He was the only person dealing with the real problems we have, like war, the debt, censorship and inefficient government."
Aside from economic considerations affecting voters' decisions in November, the issue of federal obscenity prosecutions figures to be a major factor for adult film producers. According to the notorious pro-censorship organization Morality in Media, Mitt Romney earlier this year, along with other Republican candidates at the time, offered assurances that if elected, they would direct the U.S. Department of Justice to prosecute porn producers for obscenity violations.
Whatever the outcome of the election, the industry will do what it has for the past 40 years -- adapt and survive -- and meet the consumer demand for adult entertainment regardless of the weight of political pressure.
Posted by: Au Auric ||
10/11/2012 15:06 ||
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Well, those who know how to professionally screw others probably know who's the best one to screw over the rest of America for four more years.
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.
