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That's got to be some of the saddest most discouraging news I've ever heard. I hope they can help those children. Children succumbing to drugs at that tender age is so hard to believe. Drug dealers that cater to children should be punished in unmentionable ways much like child molesters.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kilted exile
Sounds like the intent was good though not well thought out. Since it's associated with dog food I think Scher' has a point. If a family were starving and offered dog food or dog food type supplements they would probably be embarrassed, humiliated and or deeply hurt not to mention angry despite their status. I think poor people, even starving, want to maintain their dignity and though Ms. Drummond felt it was good enough for her porridge she perhaps wasn't thinking of that need for dignity that any person needs. Fascinating news though. I hadn't read it before.
I agree with Darlin about the poor children using heroin--it takes a real sociopath to offer drugs to someone that young. And if there's anybody that knows how horrible heroin use among youngsters is, it's Green Arrow...
Yay for Ollie and others out there looking to save the children! Sometimes I guess a little humor's required to lighten the burdens! :)
The most depressing is that isnt the worst of Glasgow.Quote:
Originally Posted by Darlin
A US man has praised the "good, honest" people of Utah after a wallet he left behind 39 years ago was returned to him in Pennsylvania. Doug Schmitt, 57, left his wallet on the counter of a petrol station in Logan, Utah, in the spring of 1967.
The owner put the wallet in a drawer in the hope Mr Schmitt would come back to collect it.
Decades on, his son-in-law found it, tracked Mr Schmitt down on the internet and sent it to him.
Full head of hair
The wallet still contained $5 in cash and 8-cent airmail stamps. An equivalent stamp today costs 39 cents.
It held Mr Schmitt's student identity card from Utah State University.
"I had a real full head of hair back then," said Mr Schmitt.
He also found pictures of his high-school girlfriends and a dry-cleaning ticket in there.
"It makes me wonder if I still got some dry-cleaning out there," he said. "I don't know."
Ted Nyman was clearing out his father-in-law's estate when he came across the wallet and sent it 2,158 miles (3,472 km) across the US.
Wonderful
Mr Schmitt, an antiques dealer, said he was used to looking through people's old relics and letters, but was surprised to find himself looking at his own history.
"I never thought I would be the object of something like this - not at this age, anyway," he said.
"It's wonderful that people will take the time to research that, then return something to someone they don't even know," his wife, Vickie, added.
"It's great to see how he looked when he was a freshman in college."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4674374.stm
It's nice to see that there is hope for all lost items...now if someone would just send me my socks...
An international team of skydivers says it has set a new world record for the largest connected free-fall formation. World Team 2006 said all of its 400 jumpers, from 31 countries, had held hands for several seconds during a jump in north-eastern Thailand.
It said the record had been certified by judges from the Switzerland-based Federation Aeronautique Internationale.
The previous record of a 357-member formation was also set by World Team skydivers - in 2004.
Earlier failures
"What an amazing jump it was, 400 people in one formation! It was beautiful!" World Team 2006 organiser and record jump participant BJ Worth said.
"When we landed we all felt that everything had come together and we had the record. The team has been working hard to make this happen," Mr Worth said.
The divers managed to clinch hands in the skies over Udon Thani, drifting down in a circular formation for nearly five seconds, the team said.
They then broke off at 7,500 feet (2,286m) and flew away so that they could safely deploy their parachutes.
The group had failed to completely link up for a measurable amount of time in two earlier jumps on Wednesday.
World Team 2006 is an informal association that includes current and former world champion skydivers.
The record jump was part of festivities honouring the 60th anniversary of the reign of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/4693912.stm (you can watch a video clip here as well!)
A New Zealand diver was found alive on Wednesday after three days adrift in waters near the capital Wellington. Robert Hewitt, 38, was reported missing on Sunday after failing to surface from a dive near Mana Island, off the west coast of the North Island.
The former navy diver's colleagues found him after three days without water and only a crayfish and four sea urchins from his dive bag to eat.
"I don't think I would have made last night," Mr Hewitt told local radio.
Dehydrated and cold
Mr Hewitt, the brother of former All Blacks rugby player Norm Hewitt, said he had been suffering hallucinations after so long without fresh water.
"I honestly thought yesterday [Wednesday] afternoon I was at home. I started taking off some of my gear, here and there, floundering around like I was lost," he told radio station Newstalk ZB.
Mr Hewitt was said to be dehydrated and very cold after three days in the water.
A police launch brought him to shore, where he was met by weeping relatives before being taken to Wellington Hospital.
From his hospital bed he said: "The love of my fiancée and family got me through, and the knowledge that I have gained from the navy allowed me to adapt to the different conditions."
He said his hopes of being rescued faded after he surfaced and realised he was being swept north along the coast.
"Just one crayfish and four kina [sea urchins], after the first night I knew I had enough sustenance for 24 hours," he said.
"I must say I was dying of thirst, but you look at the young kids overseas who haven't got water to drink so I just put myself in a mental state like that," he added.
He joked: "I shed a few kilos, but maybe they were the kilos that needed to be shed."
Lieutenant Commander David Turner, of the Royal New Zealand Navy diving team, said chief petty officers Lyle Cairns and Buzz Tomoana decided to check local information about a sheltered cove where seaweed and flotsam usually washed up.
"They went to see if there was anything there that could give searchers a clue - and it was there they found him," he said.
Mr Hewitt's brother Norm said the extended family - who are part indigenous Maori - met at the local marae, or meeting place, to pray for his safe return on Monday.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/4696796.stm
Posted on Thu, Feb. 09, 2006
2 arrested in killing of `Curious George' collaboratorBY EDWARD SIFUENTESSouth Florida Sun-SentinelBOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - Alan J. Shalleck, 76, a collaborator on the popular "Curious George" books and cartoons, was described as a quiet, friendly man who read books to children at local schools.
But the investigation of his stabbing death led to the arrest of two men he met through a gay sex network, police said Thursday.
Boynton Beach Police Maj. Wendy Unger said Shalleck knew his killers, having met them because they were all members of a group that Unger described as a "sex organization, dating type of a club."
Police found Vincent J. Puglisi, 54, of Oakland Park, Fla., through phone records, Unger said. Puglisi led police to Rex Spears Ditto, 29, of Pembroke Pines, Fla. Both men were arrested shortly before midnight Wednesday on charges of murder, home invasion and dealing in stolen property.
"After some diligent interrogation, both of these individuals admitted to their participation in the murder of Mr. Shalleck," Unger said.
The suspects took jewelry from Shalleck's home and stole money from his checking account, according to police.
Shalleck's body was found stabbed and covered under garbage bags near the driveway of his Boynton Beach home on Tuesday morning. Police said it had been there more than 24 hours.
Unger said police investigators found telephone numbers stored in Shalleck's cordless phone. The numbers led them to Puglisi, who was questioned by police.
Police said Puglisi admitted that he and Ditto drove to Shalleck's home Sunday night to rob him. Unger declined to say how the robbery led to killing.
"There are some parts of this investigation that I'm not at liberty to share with you at this time," she said. Investigators said they found several pools of blood leading to the master bedroom, where they found more blood. Several knives and broken glass were found inside the home.
Unger said Shalleck was probably expecting the men who killed him because there were no signs of forced entry.
Neighbors said they first saw the garbage bags Monday morning, but thought it was trash. Police responded to a call Tuesday from a maintenance man who was taking out bags of trash from residents' front lawns.
Neighbors described Shalleck, a Westchester County, N.Y., native, as a quiet man who kept to himself. He gained local recognition as Gramps, the name he used while reading books to schoolchildren.
But police said there was another side to Shalleck's life that involved being a member of a gay sex network in which men call each other for encounters, Unger said.
Several neighbors in the Royal Manor Estates, a senior citizen retirement community where he lived, said Shalleck had frequent male visitors.
"He had a male friend in a silver truck visiting almost every day," said Raymond Robinson, a neighbor across the street.
A landlord said Puglisi had violent mood swings.
"He was quiet, but when he got angry about something, he would get violent," said Derrick Allen, who rented a house in Oakland Park to Puglisi. "I honestly think he's that type of person that could just snap at any time."
Allen said he evicted Puglisi earlier this week over not paying rent, trashing the home and complaints from neighbors.
In 1950, Shalleck got his start in the CBS mailroom and worked his way up to associate producer for "Winky Dink and You," a children's television show. He later produced children's films and formed his own company.
Shalleck, a divorcee and father of two, in the 1980s wrote and directed 104 five-minute episodes of "Curious George," which aired on the Disney Channel. The episodes were adapted into 28 books he collaborated on with Margret Rey, who created Curious George along with her husband, Hans Rey, more than 60 years ago.
A new "Curious George" movie opens in theaters Friday, but Shalleck had no part in it. He made a modest living supplementing his Social Security income with low-paying jobs, including his last at Borders Books & Music.
Unger said Shalleck's involvement with the Curious George character was not a factor in the killing. The suspects claim they were unaware of his celebrity, she said.
"It's my understanding from our investigators that these guys were acquaintances and weren't even familiar ... with the fact that he was associated with this movie at all," Unger said.
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South Florida Sun-Sentinel correspondent Brian Haas and researcher Barbara Hijek contributed to this report.
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Goodness. I used to read those Curious George books as a child.
Just goes to show you, dating services are no good.
eHarmony.com, my eye...
Nanotechnology may yet rescue us from the drudgery of the weekly ritual of blitzing the bathroom. Scientists in Australia have developed an environmentally friendly coating containing special nanoparticles that could do the job of cleaning and disinfecting for us.
"If you have self-cleaning materials, you can do the job properly without having to use disinfectants and other chemicals," says researcher Rose Awal at the Particles and Catalysts Research Group, University of New South Wales, where the coating is being developed.
Previously self-cleaning materials were limited to outdoor applications because ultraviolet light was required to activate the molecules in the coatings.
These surfaces contain tiny particles of titanium dioxide, which become excited when they absorb ultraviolet light with a wavelength of less than 380 nanometres.
Light activated
This gives the particles an oxidizing ability stronger than chlorine bleach. The excited particles can break down organic compounds and kill bacteria.
The new coating contains modified particles of titanium dioxide, which are doped with other cations like iron or vanadium and anions like oxygen, nitrogen or carbon.
This coating can absorb light at the higher wavelengths in visible light, such as the bathroom light.
Lab experiments revealed the surface of coated glass could kill the bacteria E. coli (Escherichia coli) and degrade volatile organic compounds in visible light.
The oxidising properties also mean fungus cannot grow on the surface. And because the coating is hydrophobic - it does not like water - the water simply slides away carrying any dirt with it, rather than gathering as droplets.
Using the coating in baths and sinks would not pose any problems with skin irritation, according to Amal.
"When the bath is filled, the water would attenuate the light so I don't think the surface would activate. It will only be active if the light can reach the surface," she says.
Possible disadvantages
Friends of the Earth spokesperson Mary Taylor said that if materials like this could prolong the lifetime of an object, this would be an advantage in environmental terms.
But she warned: "Such a hi-tech material might have some disadvantages.
"We would have to consider, for example, whether the material could be recycled or disposed of safely, and how much more energy went into production of the raw materials and its manufacture."
However, she added: "Less time cleaning the bathroom is rather appealing, and there might be some special uses, maybe in hospitals, where such materials could be a boon."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4696434.stm
Some peoples high schools are known for producing great minds or athletes: mine on the other hand had race riots (folk jumping out of vans in balaclavas wielding baseball bats) and gave the world Ian Brady (myra hyndley's sidekick/mentor depending on who you believe) and now its used to kick off an anti gang initiative: wonderful, really makes you proud.
Police launch anti-gang strategy
An operation to tackle a gang culture that police say has "ignited community fears" is under way in Glasgow.
Operation Tag will target 63 gangs with 1,700 members - some as young as 12 - and arrest the hardcore while offering those on the periphery a way out.
Superintendent John Paisley said: "People feel intimidated, frightened and frustrated and want action."
Police said gang-related crime ranged from drinking in the street and vandalism to drug abuse and murder.
The operation will specifically target the south of the city.
Intelligence has identified hot spots where a police presence will be enhanced in coming weeks and months.
Gang members include both boys and girls, typically in their teens.
Former gang member James said it was difficult to escape a gang once you became a member.
The 15-year-old said: "You just go out and whatever happens, happens.
"You get into fights, you get injured or you don't - it's one of those things.
"I was seven or eight when I joined, it was my decision.
"We hit windows, got drunk, fought, broke into places and got a criminal record.
"It's good the police are trying to do something.
"I walked out but your pals can turn on you."
James escaped when his mother and father split up and he moved from the area.
Tackle gangs 'robustly'
Uniformed and plain-clothed police officers will "identify and disrupt" gangs.
Officers will patrol parks and areas where gangs gather to drink and "disperse troublesome youths".
Supt Paisley, the officer in charge of the operation, said: "Youth disorder and anti-social behaviour is a trend in our community that has ignited the public's fear.
"Operation Tag is designed to tackle these issues robustly and make a real difference in our communities.
"Those involved are loosely associated with each other and the violence is recreational with no purpose or gain.
"It is random and sporadic and often fuelled by excess alcohol and drugs."
A dedicated prosecutor will deal with Operation Tag cases.
Anne Currie, procurator fiscal for Glasgow south, said: "The fiscal service is working with police to ensure relevant information on the crime and the impact of offending on the local community are taken into account."
Information will be used when considering whether to oppose bail or seek curfew orders.
A 'scourge'
Glasgow City Council will also work on creating opportunities for gang members in outward bound schemes, training and employment with local businesses.
The operation was launched at Shawlands Academy.
Ken Goodwin, head teacher, said: "There are gang members in every school.
"We must never forget that the vast majority of our young citizens are effective contributors to our society."
Glasgow MSP Frank McAveety, who attended the launch, described gangs as a "scourge".
He added: "We are talking about young people's lives.
"The damaging effect of gang culture could result in a pathway to crime."
Last year, the initial phase of Operation Tag ran for six months.
In that time 500 people were arrested or reported for a range of crimes including abduction, mobbing and rioting and attempted murder.
More than 2,000 people were stopped and searched and hundreds of weapons confiscated.
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