Fulton Innovation has a wireless power coming out party at CES

It was just a short year ago that we went to Fulton Innovation's tiny booth at CES and failed to get a working wireless power demo, but a lot's happened since then -- the company is at CES 2009 in force, with a much larger, swanker booth, partners like Energizer and Motorola demoing working products, and tons of working real-world examples of the tech in action. We were particularly taken with the modded Dish DVR that automatically turned itself on and off when the remote was placed on top of it to charge up -- oh, and the remote featured super-capacitors instead of batteries that charge fully in 10 seconds. There were also a ton of cell phones (including a modded iPhone, of course), new cooking demos featuring a blender, and a super cool Leggett & Pratt power tool charging workbench. Extremely impressive, all in all -- we're starting to think that 2009 could be the year that wireless power could really take off. Gallery below, video after the break!

P.S.- We asked if Fulton had anything to do with the Palm Pre's sexy Touchstone wireless charger, but the guys in the booth didn't know. We'll let you know if we find anything out.
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Calif. octuplets' mom's veil of secrecy vanishes

Source: Associated Press

Suleman, who now has 14 children, told doctors she battled with depression for years after she was injured in a riot in 1999 at the state mental hospital where she worked.

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Among other things, the documents reveal that Suleman collected more than $165,000 in disability payments between 2002 and 2008 for an injury she said left her in near-constant pain and helped end her marriage.

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"That was always a dream of mine, to have a large family, a huge family," she said. "I just longed for certain connections and attachments with another person that ... I really lacked, I believe, growing up."

In the state report, however, doctors indicate she had a happy childhood. She told them she was an above-average high school student, enjoyed being a cheerleader, had many friends and stayed out of trouble. She said her parents were loving and supportive.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090206/ap_on_re_us/octuple...

Flight of the Conchords tickets on sale Saturday

It's business, it's busiiinessss tiiiiime. Especially now that Kiwi comedy duo Flight of the Conchords headed to Seattle's Paramount Theatre on May 11 and 12. The duo's new tour coincides with the end of season two of their HBO TV series, and Arj Barker has been tapped to open. Tickets are $35 and go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday (Feb. 7). Check here for more details.

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Amanda Beard Not Dating Thorpe

Swimming hottie Amanda Beard recently denied dating Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe, in an interview. Thorpe had earlier talked about Amanda and everybody thought they were in a relationship.

“Well, I did have a long-term, long-distance relationship (with champion American breaststroker Amanda Beard), and it was great while it lasted. It was sort of public knowledge we were seeing each other, and yet not. It went on for ages, years,” he was quoted as saying.

Amanda completely falsified the statement, saying that they were just friends.

Beard, 27, yesterday told her agent: “Take out the word relationship and put in the word friendship and that’s exactly what it was.”

Now, these revelations have come at a time when people have started questioning about an alleged ‘chemistry’ between Thorpe and his Brazilian flatmate Daniel Mendes. That apparently makes him gay after having a ‘long-distance thing’ with the hottest female swimmer in the world.

This guy has certainly moved on!

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Infectious Laughter, Muttley Weatherman, Video

Infectious Laughter, Muttley Weatherman, Video. This guy seriously can not get through his forecast. I would really like to know what was said, but I guess I can just laugh at this guy. His laugh sounds a lot like Muttley the dog. I left a video to remind you of Muttley under the Weatherman vid.

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ANTHONY "THE ANT" SPILOTRO

Anthony Spilotro was born on May 19, 1938 in Chicago. Spilotro grew up in a loving family, and seemed to be on track for a decent and honest life. But he decided he wanted something else, and in his sophmore year at Steinmetz Highschool he dropped out and turned to a life of crime. Once out of school he joined forces with other Steinmetz dropouts and engaged in petty crimes, like shoplifting and purse snatching. On January 11, 1955 Spilotro is arrested for the first time, for stealing a shirt. He is fined ten dollars and is put on probation. But after several more arrests Spilotro receives some special attention from the police. By 1960 Spilotro has been arrested thirteen times and he feels he is ready for the next step in his criminal career.

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Medisana Back Pain Relief System

Medisana Back Pain Relief System - You have pain? Then you must take a look at this relief system from Medisana. It is only $49.99 just special for today. Below you can see the detailed features and pictures of Medisana Back Pain Relief System. This gadget most important and interesting specific is that you can do some actions even for example when your shoulder hurts. Namely, after you put it on, you won’t feel any pain in any way. Of course this system is especially for back, lower back. I have searched for this system a little, and i have nearly not seen anyone who has Medisana Back Pain Relief System is not satisfied with that except a few things. Anyway, of course the choice is yours! But you must also know a deal like this comes only once in a year. That is all. If you have any questions to ask, we will be around here to answer them.

In the box, you will also have

Support belt
Snap cables
Digital dual channel stimulator
Self-adhesive stimulator pads
Operation manual
Convenient carry case
9-volt battery
with Medisana Back Pain Relief System

Medisana Back Pain Relief System Features
Provides relief of lower back pain associated with sore and aching muscles without the side effects common with some pain relief medications
Uses TENS Technology (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), an approved non-invasive drug-free method of reducing lower back pain. It sends small electrical impulses though electrodes places on the skin to underlying fibers
Electrical stimulation of the nerve fibers can block a pain signal from being carried to the brain, and pain is not perceived
TENS can also trigger your body to release endorphins in the brain which can relieve pain
Easy-touch, hand-held controls allow you to customize your therapy
Medisana Back Pain Relief System Pictures:

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Are You One of Madoff's Victims?

Last night, the list of the Madoff scandal victims were released. For many, the actual dollars lost were included in the report.

The Wall Street Journal has a copy of the 162 page madoff client list in PDF format. You can download it and see if any of your rich friends are on this list. Well, I guess they might not be rich anymore. There is a Barry Schwartz on the list, but it is a Barry A. Schwartz in Merrick, New York - which I think is in Long Island. Anyway, it is not me.

WSJ also has a clean list of the most exposed victims of Madoff. Too many names on that list look familiar, including many charities, non-profits and schools.

I keep thinking, "what a shame... what a shame..."
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'General Hospital' to be Involved in 'Go Red for Women'

ABC is joining Campbell's Soup for the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" program, to give women knowledge about heart disease and actions they can take to reduce the risk of heart attack.

Crimson Magazine will donate a silk chiffon and taffeta dress for the "Go Red" gala in New York. The dress, which will be auctioned, was designed by Mary Iannelli, who designs for General Hospital. When the model can't do the job, Maxie wears the gown! Perfect, since Maxie is the beneficiary of a heart transplant.

Maxie will be escorted to the Go Red event by Johnny Zacchara. Hmm....

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Val Kilmer's flirtation

Checking out the local news on the tele last night, lo and behold, I spied Val Kilmer actually speaking to the press--as in, the New Mexico press. Kilmer went to the Roundhouse yesterday and caused a big stir. How come that doesn't happen when I walk in the door? I want to hang out on the rostrum with the Speaker of the House and flirt with a gubernatorial run too.

Kilmer has a couple of big issues to deal with if he wants to run.

First, does he run as a Democrat? If so, he has that pesky Ralph Nader-supporter thing to deal with. As someone who did support Nader when he was still officially Green, I can attest to the loathing that Democrats have for Nader. The more left the Democrat, the more they'll begrudgingly acknowledge Nader's smarts, but they still don't like him. And I have to admit, I've come a long way in that direction myself. Nader is an egomaniac, plain and simple. If he wasn't, he would have supported Cynthia McKinney instead of running this year himself. Not to mention, that vaunted lifestyle he leads--in which he lives with practically no material goods, has no relationships and is totally committed to his work? Also a sign of the egomaniac if you ask me, not to mention someone who scorns the "regular guy." Lefties often border on this particular trait when they say things like "I don't own a television" proudly. Anyhow, I know a lot of smart radicals, and Nader doesn't impress me much. But he impressed Kilmer, who gave him a bunch of green bills last year.

Second, Kilmer hasn't voted in New Mexico although he's lived here an awful long time. You know, I don't really have much of a problem with this one, if it's just about a fellow citizen's choices. Look at all the scandal. The pay-to-play allegations may turn out to be unprovable, and at that level, maybe they're untrue. But anyone in their right mind can see that money buys access, and those relationships turn into nice gigs for the players. Richardson took this system to new heights but in truth it's something that permeates the political economy we've set up for ourselves as a society. Frankly, it's discouraging. But back to Kilmer. Do we really think he doesn't vote because he feels disempowered? Sorry, but that's kind of a stretch. I think it's more like he's been disengaged. And now that he's "flirting" with a governor's run, he told a local television reporter that he "regrets" those choices.

So, these are the two primary stumbling blocks I see for Kilmer. Both could potentially lead into deep examinations of how and why our society functions the way it does. This is why I call them stumbling blocks, not big massive walls that will stop him cold. The potential is interesting...if he decides to go there.

Frankly, having mulled this all over, I like the Kilmer flirtation. It's certainly a welcome distraction--or absurdity, however you want to look at it--in the face of all this gross stuff swirling around New Mexico politics lately.

Not to mention, I'm kind of curious about his ideas for New Mexico. Afterall, he is a Nader supporter. ;-) Not to mention, he's sort of weird, so if the PR machine doesn't get hold of him, his ideas could be pretty interesting.

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Bailout Wine Bets On A Rebounding Dow

Custom wine facility Crushpad has a unique answer to the financial crisis, Bailout Wine. The wine is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon which will sell for $39 per bottle. But what makes this wine with the bear and bull label so unique is that for every 100-point drop in the Dow Jones from the date of purchase to the projected bottling date of August 14 2009, Crushpad will knock another $2 off the bottle. If the Dow rebounds the $39 price stands. Only 500 cases of Bailout will be produced but the company could still take a hit if the Dow tumbles. For example if you bought when the Dow was at 8,800 and then on August 14, 2009 it closes at 7,300 (let's hope not) you would pay just $9 a bottle and get your $30 back. The wine will be shipped after it is bottled in Summer 2009.
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Bailout Wine

For all my brokerage friends, may I suggest a product for your customers who have stayed with you over the past 12 months. Sure means they love you if they can stick with you after the market’s are down 50%!!

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Chicago Outfit Boss James Marcello Sentenced To Life

Chicago Outfit mob boss James "Little Jimmy" Marcello, convicted in September 2007 "for his role as the leader of a racketeering conspiracy" that included the murders of the two Spilotro brothers in the Operation Family Secrets trial, today was sentenced to life in prison:

Tony "The Ant" Spilotro, the Chicago mob's man in Las Vegas, and his brother Michael, a restaurant owner, were found beaten and buried in an Indiana cornfield in an apparent act of mob vengeance. Tony was the inspiration for Joe Pesci's character in the movie "Casino." * * * Nicholas Calabrese, a mob hit man, testified at the trial that Marcello drove the Spilotro brothers to a meeting in a home where they were murdered in June 1986. Calabrese testified that Tony Spilotro arrived at the meeting believing he was about to become a member of the Chicago Outfit. He said when Spilotro saw those waiting, he knew immediately what it meant. "Is there time to say a prayer?" he quoted Tony Spilotro as asking.

In imposing the life sentence the judge "also held Marcello liable for the 1981 mob murder of Nicholas D'Andrea, as he is allowed to do under law, even though a jury deadlocked on that count at trial":

The judge found prosecutors proved the D'Andrea murder by clear and convincing evidence. Mobsters kidnapped D'Andrea to question him about a botched mob hit but beat him to death in the back of a car instead. Marcello was driving, according to courtroom testimony. Nicholas D'Andrea's son, Bob, came before the judge today, looked Marcello straight in the eyes and told him he wished Marcello could imagine the pain his father went through as he was beaten to death. Marcello stared right back at him. "I want you to imagine the pain someone feels being beaten with the butt end of a shotgun," D'Andrea said. "Imagine that, for a moment."

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It's National Wear Red Day

"He who has health, has hope. And he who has hope, has everything."

-Proverb

Tomorrow is National Wear Red Day to bring awareness to women's heart health. Heart disease is still the number one killer of women, so educating ourselves on nutrition and ways to take care of ourselves is more important than ever. There are all kinds of things that can be done to raise awareness to women's heart health and one of the easiest is to wear red today.

I have a picked out my red sweater, black skirt, and red handbag for the day, and I am going to go out into the world and show my support. I am thinking about the ladies in my family who struggled with heart disease, like my mother in law who suffered a heart attack late last year, after years of dealing with heart related conditions.

I'm wearing red for her.

How about you? Will you wear red tomorrow?

Go Red For Women Website

All Fundies are Alike

UT ON THE Innertubes, you can find a bunch of cool religion talk shows. One such is BBC 4’s Beyond Belief, a 30 minute weekly that touches on a wider variety of religious and ethical issues. The Episode on 26 January was about the Ramayana, an important Hindu Scripture. There were three guests on the show, including one who was quite clearly the token Hindu Fundamentalist.

What surprised me was how exactly like Christian FUndies he was. He was certain of a literal reading of the Ramayana; certain, even, that a later, more-embellished form of the text was the authentic text, even though scholars had found earlier versions; he was sure, for example, that the God-Man, Ram, had lived 100,000 years ago in a glorious kingdom. Of course there is no evidence of mankind at all more than 60 or 80,000 years ago and certainly not in glorious kingdoms reaching all over the world…

Unless you ask a Hindu Fundamentlist, who will get all “Creationist” on you and insist the human species is hundreds of thousands of years old.

The entire conversation was very interesting. You can listen to it on the website

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Madagascar 2 Coupon: Madagascar 2 $5 off coupon

Madagascar 2 Coupon - Here are two Madagascar 2 coupons to you:

- One $5 off 2-Pack DVD or 1-Disc Blu-Bay.

- Another one $3 off 1-Disc DVD.

In stores everywhere. Coupon must be presented to participating retailer at the time of purchase. You must pay sales tax. Offer limited to stock on hand. No rain checks.

See more details at the coupon. Click here to print the coupon>>

Hurry! Offer expires February 16, 2009.
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Non-Toxic Kids Pregnancy and New Mom Series: Avoid Chemicals and Toxins

When you are pregnant, or nursing, it is even more important to avoid toxins in your food and everyday products. Here's a compilation of posts from Non-Toxic Kids for new moms and moms to be about some ways to limit unecessary exposures to toxins, chemicals and radiation. Hopefully having it all in one post will be helpful for you expectant and new mamas.

1. Limit your exposure to plastics.

2. Eat less processed foods.

3. Avoid heavily using your cellphone.

4. Avoid pesticides, definitely the dirty dozen.

5. Use safer cosmetics.

6. Buy and use safer paints in your house.

Readers, what are your tips for expecting parents?

image: Pregnant Belly by kellyandapril on flickr under Creative Commons

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PAPA JOHN’S NAMES FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN JOHN H. SCHNATTER AS INTERIM CEO

Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) today announced that its Board of Directors has named John H. Schnatter, the Company’s Founder and Chairman, as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Schnatter succeeds Nigel Travis, who has served as Papa John’s President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors since 2005.
Mr. Travis is leaving the company to pursue another opportunity. Mr. Travis and the Board have agreed that his employment with Papa John’s will continue through Dec. 30, 2008.
The Company’s Board of Directors has formed a committee comprised of William M. Street, who will serve as chair, Alexander W. Smith, Olivia F. Kirtley, Norborne P. Cole, Jr. and Mr. Schnatter, to undertake a search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer.
Norborne P. Cole, Jr., Papa John’s Lead Director, said, “We appreciate all that Nigel has done for the Company over the last four years. Papa John’s has made progress in several key areas during Nigel’s tenure, including international expansion and growing our online leadership position in the pizza category. We thank Nigel for his contributions and extend our best wishes to him in his future endeavors.

“We are pleased that John has once again agreed to lead the Company, albeit on an interim basis, until we can identify a permanent replacement. John is a proven business leader with broad management experience, an unparalleled understanding of this business and valuable relationships with franchisees throughout the Papa John’s system,” concluded Mr. Cole.
Mr. Schnatter said, “I look forward to working closely with our talented team and strong franchise family to build on our strengths and continue moving the Papa John’s brand forward throughout the world. We are fortunate to be well-capitalized with a conservative balance sheet. The key to Papa John’s success has always been the quality of our pizzas and our high service levels - and we remain committed to providing our customers with a superior-quality customer experience.”
As previously announced on November 19, 2008, the Company is implementing a comprehensive package of domestic franchise system support initiatives in response to the current economic and consumer climate. The Company believes the support program will produce long-term shareholder benefits by mitigating potential unit closures and strengthening its brand. Other important objectives of the support program include growing market share in a consolidating category, stabilizing transaction levels and targeting a substantial multi-year increase in online ordering percentage.
John Schnatter created the Papa John’s concept and founded the Company in 1985. He currently serves as the Company’s Chairman of the Board. He served as Executive Chairman of the Company from 2005 until May 2007, as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer from 1990 until 2005 and as President from 1985 to 1990 and from 2001 until 2005.
Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) is the world’s third largest pizza company. For nine years running, consumers have rated Papa John’s No. 1 in customer satisfaction among all national pizza chains in the highly regarded American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Papa John’s also ranks first among pizza companies in the 2008 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index, was honored by Restaurants & Institutions Magazine (R&I) with the 2008 Silver Award for Consumers’ Choice in Chains in the pizza segment, and was named 2007 Pizza Today Chain of the Year. For more information about the company or to order pizza online, visit Papa John’s at www.papajohns.com.

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NZ Raelians Celebrate World Nude Day!

Fri 6th Feb is World Nude Day. It's an opportunity to celebrate the beauty of the human body and to rid society of the outdated Judeo-Christian belief that 'nudity is bad.' "On the contrary! There is nothing more natural or beautiful than the human body!", states Mark Woodgate, National Guide for New Zealand.

"It's quite unbelievable that we're only just beginning to emerge from a society with these outdated beliefs. We're ALL born naked and children feel no shame in their nudity until they are programmed otherwise."

RAEL, the spiritual leader of the International Raelian Movement explains in his teachings that the human body is one of the greatest works of art, the result of a scientific creation which should be cherished and celebrated. Instead, in this so called ‘enlightened’ 21st Century, nudity and the fundamental right of self expression is still under fire.

We are created "in the image" of our Creators, the Elohim, an advanced race of people mistaken as 'gods' by our ancestors, so what could be shameful about nudity?

The NZ Raelians are demonstrating their support for World Nude Day by offering body painting at Mt Maunganui Beach (next to Leisure Island) from 11am on Fri 6th Feb. Body painting is symbolic that the human body is a beautiful work of art and should be celebrated as such.

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Just Like Old Times: Lakers Vs. Celtics [NBA Live Thread]

All right everyone, a special live thread tonight for those of you who'll be watching the Lakers/Celtics game. Kobe is coming off of 61 and 36 point games after Andrew Bynum went down, while the C's have won 12 straight.

With this game being in the Garden - by which I mean the TD Bank North American Leprechaun Arena, or whatever the hell they call it - and Bynum being out, I wouldn't exactly say I like the Lakers. And neither does FanIQ.

69% of you say the Celtics are going to win.

But then again, Kobe is probably the best player in the league, so you never know what could happen.

Feel free to chat it up here, or on the already seriously active game page.

Also, if you're interested, stick around for game two which features Dallas versus Utah. You'll probably see more white guys on the court in that game then you will the rest of the season.

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Israel dropped Shalit truce demand: Hamas official

CAIRO: Israel has dropped its demand for Palestinian militants to release soldier Gilad Shalit before it will end its blockade of the Gaza Strip, a senior Hamas official told Egyptian television on Thursday.

Israel was no longer linking the release of Shalit, whom Gaza militants captured more than two years ago, to any move to end its blockade of Gaza, said the official, Ayman Taha.

Israel has repeatedly said it will end the blockade, imposed after the Palestinian militant group Hamas seized control of Gaza in June 2007, when Hamas releases Shalit.

Taha, who was in Cairo for truce talks with Egyptian mediators, said Israel had dropped a number of demands for a truce since both Hamas and Israel declared ceasefires on January 18 to end a 22-day war in Gaza.

"Let me say what was proposed in the past and what is proposed now," he said. "It proposed the tying of Shalit with the issue of the passages, now it no longer proposes that."

Taha also said Israel was no longer demanding that Hamas sign a written agreement to end smuggling into Gaza.

Taha, who returned to Gaza on Thursday to consult with Hamas's leadership, said Hamas "had no problem" with the idea of an 18-month truce proposed by Egypt.

But another delegation member, Salah al-Bardawil, said Hamas had reservations about Israeli restrictions on goods it would allow through its crossings with the impoverished Palestinian enclave.

Bardawil told Egyptian television that Israel was proposing to allow "between 70 and 80" percent of goods into Gaza, barring those it said could be used to make weapons.

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Supreme Court Justice Ruth Ginsburg Has Pancreatic Cancer Surgery

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had surgery for pancreatic cancer at a New York City hospital on Thursday, the Associated Press reported.

Ginsburg, 75, had the operation at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, where she's expected to remain for seven to 10 days, according to a news release from the Supreme Court cited by the AP.

The cancer appears to be in its early stages, the release said. It was found during a routine checkup last month.

Ginsburg has been a justice since 1993, and is the only woman on the court. A decade ago, she had colon cancer surgery and received follow-up chemotherapy and radiation, the AP said.

Pancreatic cancer is among the most lethal forms of the disease. Some 38,000 cases are diagnosed annually, and fewer than 5 percent survive five years, the wire service said.

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TED Conference Opens in Long Beach, as Bill Gates Releases Mosquitoes

The high-level, think-tank-style TED Conference (the name stands for technology, entertainment, design) kicked off Tuesday in Long Beach, California—the conference's new home, after more than two decades in Monterey, California.
Adding a level of drama to yesterday's events, Bill Gates opened a jar of mosquitoes on stage to draw attention to the malaria epidemic. "Not only poor people should experience this," Gates told the assembled group, according to news reports online, before reassuring the crowd that those particular insects did not carry the disease. Reports of the incident varied: Facebook's Dave Morin first reported an unspecified number on Twitter, some bloggers characterized it as a "swarm," and other outlets reported seeing only a handful of bugs.

The conference runs through February 7 and is also being simulcast in Palm Springs, California.
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Nadya Suleman picture & Ann Curry: Nadya Suleman photo

Nadya Suleman’s photo is here. Suleman has shoulder length hair. Suleman is fair skinned and prettily made up. Suleman’s picture showed her dressed in a dark colored top and grey pants.

Nadya Suleman has reached an agreement to do her first ever interview with NBC network’s Ann Curry. Suleman supposedly has a lucrative deal with the TV media for her first public appearance since giving birth to octuplets in January 2009. The video, photos and other material will be loaded here as soon as they become available.

Nadya Suleman photo/picture.
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Etta James has senior moment and wants to kick Beyonce’s ass

Etta James has senior moment at a Seattle concert last week where she trashed Beyonce for singing “At Last” at US President Barack Obama’s inauguration.
If you don’t already know, “At Last” was Etta’s most famous song and Beyonce recently portrayed Etta in the film Cadillac Records as well.
We wonder what causes this public diss, since the two got along fine at the premiere of Cadillac Records(above).
Listen to what Etta said about Beyonce and her inauguration snub below:

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Solis Nomination Vote Postponed After Husband Pays Old Tax Liens - 02/06/09

The U.S. Senate Thursday postponed a committee vote on the Labor Secretary nomination of Rep. Hilda Solis after her husband paid $6,400 to settle outstanding tax liens. Republicans had delayed action on Solis’ nomination earlier out of their opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act labor law reform. The Obama administration says the Solis nomination is not in trouble. Solis is the most pro-worker, pro-union Labor Secretary nominee in many years.

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Michael Phelps USA Swimming Suspension!

Added to a lost Kellog’s endorsement, a Michael Phelps USA Swimming suspension! Michael Phelps now has a USA Swimming suspension!

The suspension comes as press reports of Phelps out of shape and significantly heavier. Is Michael even significantly training now in the first place?

USA Swimming, an organization that LALATE served as a rep for as a youth, has issued the following statement:

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Swimming has reprimanded Michael Phelps under its Code of Conduct by withdrawing financial support and the eligibility to compete for a period of three months effective today, February 5.

This is not a situation where any anti-doping rule was violated, but we decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero.

Michael has voluntarily accepted this reprimand and has committed to earn back our trust.

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Obama “Welcomes Debate” From GOP By Mocking Their Tax Cut Suggestions, Says Stimulus Is Spending

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — A fired-up Barack Obama ditched his TelePrompter to rally House Democrats and rip Republican opponents of his recovery package Thursday night – at one point openly mocking the GOP for failing to follow through on promises of bipartisanship.

In what was the most pointedly partisan speech of his young presidency, Obama rejected Republican arguments that massive spending in the $819 billion stimulus bill that passed the House should be replaced by a new round of massive tax cuts.

“I welcome this debate, but we are not going to get relief by turning back to the same policies that for the last eight years doubled the national debt and threw our economy into a tailspin,” said President Obama – sounding more like Candidate Obama than at any time since he took the oath of office less than a month ago.

Obama, speaking to about 200 House Democrats at their annual retreat at the Kingsmill Resort and Spa, dismissed Republican attacks against the massive spending in the stimulus.

“What do you think a stimulus is?” Obama asked incredulously. “It’s spending — that’s the whole point! Seriously.”

Click the link to see humorous, teleprompter-free Obama herky-jerk his way through some tax cut bashing.

But as for Obama’s suggestion that stimulus is spending, let me say this: Government spending is burden. Burden we taxpayers have to carry. And further burdening the taxpayers is not, in any way, going to stimulate economic growth.

Think about it this way: How is Obama’s stimulus spending spree going to be paid for? In order to spend $900 billion to create/save 4,000,000 jobs (at a cost of $225,000/job) as Obama suggests, the money must first come from somewhere. Which means we either raise taxes substantially (a bad, bad idea in a time of recession) or we borrow the money. Thus exploding our already out of control national debt. Which will eventually be tax burden anyway because, at some point, we really are going to have to start paying the debt down.

The more we add to it now, the more our children and grand children will have to pay.

So how is that stimulus?

Obama can mug for the camera and make smug comments about how everyone knows that stimulus means spending (watch the video at the link), but just because Obama says it’s true doesn’t mean it is true.

He really does seem to be letting this messiah stuff go to his head.

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