Thursday, February 9, 2012

Department Of Education Study Finds Teaching These Little Shits No Longer Worth It


Thanks for the Link, Drea!

-via The Onion


Department Of Education Study Finds Teaching These Little Shits No Longer Worth It

NOVEMBER 15, 2010 | ISSUE 46•46
Officials say these vicious little bastards are beyond any kind of help.
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Education released a comprehensive, nationwide evaluation of American schools Monday indicating that attempts to teach absolutely anything to these little shits is just a huge waste of everybody's time.
"We remain committed to providing every student in the country with access to a high-quality education," said Education Secretary Arne Duncan, adding that good schools are a key component to the success of American democracy. "But to be honest, none of that matters. We're not talking about promising young scholars here—we're talking about a bunch of fucking animals."
"We've basically flushed $11,000 down the toilet for every single one of these little bastards," Duncan continued. "Not to mention 18 years of my life."
Enlarge ImageSecretary Duncan
The study, which analyzed the effectiveness of both public and private schools, found that efforts to enlighten these terrors on the subjects of math, history, grammar, and science are as productive as slamming your head into a goddamn brick wall. The research also confirmed that the unbearable shits, who take everything for granted, consistently piss away each learning opportunity they're given.
"When I first started teaching, I would see the smiling faces in my classroom and get excited about nurturing their young minds," said Melanie Whitman, 35, a first-grade teacher quoted in the report. "Now I can't look up from my desk without wanting to puke at the sight of all those little psychopaths."
Secretary Duncan said the study is the first to provide detailed evidence in support of the theory that third-grader Scott Kriesel is a complete fuck-up and perhaps even the living incarnation of Satan.
According to the report, billions of dollars in federal resources have been spent to modernize classrooms and improve teacher training, even though the little brats spend their entire days carving profanities into desks, shouting at whoever's in charge, and refusing to sit down, shut up, and actually learn something for once.
In addition, research suggests that school boards across the nation have grown tired of fighting to obtain funding for brand-new textbooks only to have the miserable fucks just deface them all with ejaculating penis drawings on the first day of class.
When asked if charter schools might help solve some of the problems faced by public education, Deputy Education Secretary Anthony W. Miller told reporters the data indicated any difference they made would amount to jack shit.
"Some charter schools perform better than their public counterparts, some don't," Miller said. "You can't change the fact that any school, no matter how it's funded, is ultimately just another type of building to contain these goddamn monsters for seven hours a day."
Miller added that more involvement from home was not the answer, either, as the little shits tend to have shithead parents who just make everything worse. The only findings from the study that provide a glimmer of hope, he said, are student absenteeism and dropout rates, which continue to increase.
"Christ, I dedicated my career to my students, actually thinking I could make a difference in their lives," middle-school teacher Joan Kubickers said Monday. "If I'd gone into public relations, I'd be making six figures by now. And at a PR firm, I bet I wouldn't have to worry about my tires getting slashed in the parking lot."
"Well, I have to go," she added. "The fucking hyenas in my third-period class await."
The Department of Education study comes on the heels of a survey last month that found 90 percent of all elementary school students resent being taught by pathetic losers who couldn't get a decent job in the real world.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

RIP Florence Green, The Last Surviving WWI Veteran


Courtesy of UK's The Telegraph


Last surviving veteran of First World War dies aged 110

Florence Green, the world's last surviving First World War veteran has died, marking the end of an era in British history.

Florence Green, the world's last surviving First World War veteran has died, marking the end of an era in British history.
Florence Green died two weeks before her 111th birthday Photo: Masons
Mrs Green passed away in her sleep at a care home in Norfolk just two weeks before her 111th birthday.
The great-grandmother signed up to the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) 93 years ago in September 1918, when she was aged just 17.
She was the last surviving person to have served in WWI following the death of British-born sailor Claude Choules in Australia last year.
During the First World War she worked at Narborough Airfield and RAF Marham, Norfolk, as an Officer's Mess steward.
Mrs Green, who was born in London, lived with her daughter May, 90, in King's Lynn, Norfolk, but had moved into Briar House care home shortly before Christmas where she died on Saturday.
Her family paid tribute to the veteran, describing her as "a great woman".
Her daughter May said: "She so nearly made it to her 111th birthday. It is very sad. We are grateful for all the nice tributes."
Mrs Green's younger daughter June Evetts, from Oundle, Northants., 76, said: "I'm very proud of her and she was very proud of the recognition she received."
Mrs Green spent her war days working ''all hours'' serving officers breakfast, lunch and dinner and would often spend time wandering the base simply ''admiring the pilots''.
Before her death she said: ''I enjoyed my time in the WRAF. There were plenty of people at the airfields where I worked and they were all very good company.
''I would work every hour God sent but I had dozens of friends on the base and we had a great deal of fun in our spare time. In many ways I had the time of my life.
''I met dozens of pilots and would go on dates. I had the opportunity to go up in one of the planes but I was scared of flying.
''It was a lovely experience and I'm very proud.''
Her story came to light after Andrew Holmes, a British correspondent for the US-based Gerontology Research Group, traced her name using the National Archive.
Mr Holmes tracks and validates the ages of people over 110 and also keeps track of British men and women who are older than 107.
He was stunned to locate a service record on the National Archive for Florence Beatrice Patterson, the grandmother's maiden name.
Mr Holmes traced the records further and was surprised to find Florence had joined the WRAF in September 1918 - two months before the war ended on November 11, 1918.
He said: ''It's a common misconception that a veteran must be someone who saw action or fighting in the trenches.
''A veteran is someone who served in one of the Armed forces, regardless of their role - a medic, an ambulance driver or a waitress - they all count.
''Obviously the last surviving veterans of any war are likely to be the youngest and therefore would not have served long.''
Last May the only living male First World War combat veteran, British-born sailor Claude Choules, died in Australia at the age of 110.
Britain's last survivor of the First World War trenches Harry Patch - known as 'The Last Tommy' - who died in July 2009 aged 111.
RAF Squadron Leader Paula Willmot said RAF Marham, where Mrs Green was stationed for seven months, would pay its respects to the veteran "in true style".
She said: "We will be supporting the family at the funeral. We are sending a number of our stewards as a tribute to her.
"We kept in contact with her and visited her just before Christmas to give her a Christmas cake, which she was delighted with.
"We were due to visit her on Friday to celebrate her 111th birthday. It is a very sad occassion, but what an amazing woman.
"She is very much a Norfolk lass. We have very good memories of her. RAF Marham will be paying its respects in true style."
Florence celebrated her 110th birthday on February 19, last year with her daughter May, who was her full-time carer.
She is also survived by her son Bob, 86, who lives in Edinburgh, and four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
She was married to husband Walter, a railway porter in 1920, for 50 years until his death in 1970.
Andrew Holmes, UK correspondent for the Gerontology Research Group, confirmed Mrs Green was the only remaining WW1 veteran in the world.
He said: "I am saddened by her death. Florence was the sixth oldest person in the UK and the only remaining WW1 veteran in the world."
Sian Taylor, deputy manager of Briar House care home in King's Lynn, Norfolk, said Mrs Green "always had a smile on her face."
She said: "Florence came to us on November 23 last year. She was a lovely, very well mannered woman and she always had a smile on her face.
"She was immobile, but would talk about the old days to the carers and other residents who would visit her in her room.
"A carer took her some water at 5am on Saturday and sadly found she had died in her sleep."

Monday, February 6, 2012

20 Million Year Old Antarctic Lake Drilled


'Lost World' reached: 20 million yr old Antarctic lake 'drilled'

Published: 06 February, 2012, 16:09
Edited: 06 February, 2012, 19:13
Image from lostlab.ru
Image from lostlab.ru
TAGS: EcologySciTechBiology

After 30 years spent drilling through a four-kilometer-thick ice crust, researchers have finally broken through to a unique subglacial lake. Scientists are set to reveal its 20-million-year-old secrets, and imitate a quest to discover ET life.
The Vostok project breathes an air of mystery and operates at the frontiers of human knowledge. The lake is one of the major discoveries in modern geography; drilling operations at such depths are unprecedented; never before has a geological project required such subtle technologies. 
The main inspiration for the project – the Russian scientist who posited the lake’s existence – died just six months before the moment of contact with the lake’s surface. Now, the whole world is looking to Lake Vostok for crucial data which might help to predict climate change.
Yesterday [on Sunday] our scientists at the Vostok polar station in the Antarctic completed drilling at depths of 3,768 meters and reached the surface of the subglacial lake,” RIA Novosti reported, quoting an unnamed Russian scientist.
Meanwhile, Itar-Tass news agency says the scientists still have a few meters to go.
Lake Vostok is a unique closed ecosystem hidden under some four kilometers of ice. Its water has been isolated from the atmosphere – and therefore from any contact with the outside world – since before man existed. The key question for scientists is, could the lake harbour life?
Image from earth.columbia.edu
Image from earth.columbia.edu
If some primitive bacteria or even more complex life-forms are found to have survived the isolation, it could offer an earth-shattering insight into our planet’s past. 
But if the lake proves to be a closed system devoid of any life, it would offer scientists the chance to test their theories on how to search for extra-terrestrial life on future space trips. Conditions in the lake are often described as “alien," as they resemble lakes on Jupiter's moon Europa.
When drilling work began around Vostok Station in the Antarctic in the 1970s, scientists had no idea a mysterious lake lay under the massive ice sheet. It was only in 1996 that Russian specialists, supported by their British counterparts, discovered with sonar and satellite imaging what later proved to be one of the world’s largest freshwater reservoirs. In size, Lake Vostok matches Lake Ontario.
Panoramic photo of Vostok Station showing the layout of the camp. Credit: Todd Sowers LDEO, Columbia University, Palisades, New York (Image from physorg.com)
Panoramic photo of Vostok Station showing the layout of the camp. Credit: Todd Sowers LDEO, Columbia University, Palisades, New York (Image from physorg.com)
However in 1998, drilling had to be halted just 130 meters from the lake’s surface after the alarm was raised over concerns that the ancient and unblemished waters risked being polluted if special precautions were not taken.
The relevant technology was developed in 2003 in St. Petersburg. Work resumed in 2005 after tests.
After the 24-hour-a-day drilling work is over, scientists are to take samples of lake water which penetrates through the crack. Specialists at the Russian Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute predict they will find “the only giant super-clean water system on the planet.” The pristine water will be “twice cleaner than double-distilled water,” they believe.
The Vostok Antarctic research station is no Bali resort. Its temperatures average around –66 degrees Centigrade. Earth’s the lowest ever temperature was recorded there on July 21, 1983, when it hit –89.2 C.

Friday, December 2, 2011

How The F*ck Did Martha Stewart Go To Jail?

Amazing segment as always by Jon Stewart highlight the atrocity of the true sum of money that the US Federal Reserve lent to banks ($7.7Trillion! of liquidity) at 0.01% interest and then let banks pay out big time bonuses to its employees for turning a profit since it was effectively getting treasuries at 97 cents on the dollar (spread lending after getting free money)

Adam Carolla's EPIC Rant vs. the 99%

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Curiosity: A trip to Mars

My second post on finding extraterrestrial life. Today, Curiosity, NASA's $2.5B project to Mars for a two year mission, launched and I really am curious to find out what it discovers

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Friday, September 16, 2011

Marine saves dozens of soldiers, gets Medal of Honor

A truly inspiring story. Sgt. Dakota Meyer is the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam war.

Marine Who Saved Dozens Gets Medal of Honor

WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama presented the nation's highest military award Thursday to Sgt. Dakota Meyer, the first living Marine to earn the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War.

Getty Images
Sgt. Meyer was recognized for his actions on Sept. 8, 2009, when he repeatedly braved enemy fire to rescue members of a Marine patrol ambushed by 50 Taliban in the eastern Afghanistan village of Ganjgal.
"Today we pay tribute to an American who placed himself in the thick of the fight again and again and again," Mr. Obama said.
Including Sgt. Meyer, six service members—three living and three deceased—have received the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan. Four service members have been recognized, all posthumously, for bravery during the Iraq war.
The 2009 ambush leading to Sgt. Meyer's recognition remains controversial. Despite the large Taliban force, U.S. artillery support was denied and helicopter support was late in arriving, as commanders worried they might violate a tactical directive to limit the use of air power when civilians could be injured or killed.
As a result, the patrol was pinned down for hours. Leading the contingent were members of a team that trained Afghan soldiers, of which Sgt. Meyer—who was a corporal at the time—belonged.
As the fighting raged, he and Staff Sgt. Juan Rodriguez-Chavez were ordered to remain with a Humvee outside the battle zone.
"We requested a few times and were denied to come in," Sgt. Meyer said in a statement released by the Marine Corps. "Finally, we knew what we needed to do and decided we were going to go on in on our own."
During the White House ceremony, Mr. Obama said that what Sgt. Meyer did next would be told "for generations."
"They were defying orders but they were doing what they thought was right," the president said.
The two Marines entered the ambush area with Sgt. Meyer manning the machine gun on the Humvee turret and Sgt. Rodriguez-Chavez at the wheel. The enemy began shooting rifles, firing rockets and launching mortars at their vehicle.
Sgt. Meyer began evacuating the wounded and dead from the ambush zone. But he was unable to find the members of his training team.
As they pressed deeper into the ambush area, Sgt. Rodriguez-Chavez warned of the risk that the Humvee could get stuck in the rough terrain. "I guess we'll die with them," Sgt. Meyer responded, according to the military's account of the raid.
On a fifth and final run into the fighting area, Sgt. Meyer led two other officers in search of the missing training-team members.
A UH-60 helicopter, which by then had arrived to aid the Marines, spotted four bodies.
Ignoring the continuing small-arms fire and a wound to his arm, Sgt. Meyer ran to the fallen Marines. With the help of the others, he retrieved their remains and brought them out.
Mr. Obama said Sgt. Meyer grappled with the grief of the day, because he was ultimately unable to save some of his other team members. But, the president said, "You did your duty and you kept your faith with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps that you love."
Mr. Obama credited Sgt. Meyer not only with retrieving the bodies of his fallen team members, but also saving the lives of 13 Marines and 23 Afghan soldiers.
Sgt. Meyer, who is 23 years old, left active duty in 2010 and joined the Marine reserves.