According to a recent Navy News report, the Navy will begin training leadership and support elements to be ready to provide military benefits to same-sex domestic partners of service members and their children. Domestic partners will be eligible for benefits August 31...
(I don't know how they are doing an 'end around' DOMA, but It's only right...
Hopefully, the other services will follow soon. )
Accessing military and veteran benefits requires filling out the correct military forms. See an index of official military forms from the DoD, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Department of Veterans Affairs will help you access your earned benefits...
On June 3, President Barack Obama signed into law The American Legion-backed Stolen Valor Act of 2013, which now makes it a "federal crime for an individual to fraudulently hold oneself out to be a recipient of any of several specified military decorations or medals with the intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit." Violators could face up to a year in prison. The U.S. Supreme Court had overturned the original Stolen Valor Act of 2005, deeming it unconstitutional because it was, in the justices' opinion, too broad in scope and violated the right of free speech...
President Barack Obama recently announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs is improving access for veterans to mental health services. In response to a presidential executive order, VA has hired 1,600 mental health providers and more than 300 peer-to-peer veteran specialists. The department also has enhanced the capacity of its crisis line by 50 percent and established 24 pilot projects in nine states where VA is partnering with community mental-health providers to help veterans more quickly access mental health services. VA is also directing 151 of its health care centers nationwide to conduct mental health summits with community partners. The administration also recently launched the new MentalHealth.gov website at that provides users with the basics of mental health and the signs of mental illness, and show them how to talk about mental health and how to get help.
(Just 2 weeks ago I was speaking to the 'Patient Advocate' i.e. ombudsman at my primary care facility and she told me that the vast majority of new hires and a great deal of the new funding was going to the hospital's mental health providers and staff. See Veterans Report - VA Hires Professionals )
The Veteran eMentor Leadership Program provides an information sharing, learning and support community for Veterans including career guidance, advice, support and inspiration from more experienced Veterans, career mentors and Veteran-friendly employers. For more information, visit the Veteran eMentor Leadership Program website at .
The Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs recently held an oversight hearing entitled, "Wading through Warehouses of Paper: The Challenges of Transitioning Veterans Records to Paperless Technology." ...
Many states offer veterans benefits. These benefits may include educational grants and scholarships, special exemptions or discounts on fees and taxes, home loans, veteran's homes, free hunting and fishing privileges, and more.
Each state manages its own benefit programs.
Visit Military.com to see a list of links to the web sites for each of the individual states that offer veterans benefits.
BadtotheboneBob
Life Member ~ DAV
Coxswain - USCG 44' Motor Lifeboat (among other types)
Paul Krugman: The Big Shrug (NY Times)
I've been in this economics business for a while. In fact, I've been in it so long I still remember what people considered normal in those long-ago days before the financial crisis. Normal, back then, meant an economy adding a million or more jobs each year, enough to keep up with the growth in the working-age population. Normal meant an unemployment rate not much above 5 percent, except for brief recessions. And while there was always some unemployment, normal meant very few people out of work for extended periods.
John Oliver: a very British coup (Guardian)
For seven years he's played the sidekick - next week John Oliver takes the helm at The Daily Show. How did a Birmingham standup become the scourge of the US establishment?
Lucy Mangan: Ladybird books (Guardian)
Ladybird books - I know, aren't you smiling at the mere mention of the things? Was there ever a better name invented? - were the subject of a series of letters in the main paper in the wake of the death of their founder, Douglas Keen [in 2008].
Ben Westhoff: Henry Rollins: The Interview! Anger, Drugs and the Black Flag Reunion" (LA Weekly)
I'm just angry. I'm angry right now, but not at you. I just happen to be an angry person, but my anger doesn't make me kick dogs or kick holes in the wall; my anger makes me get visas and my passport and go to places where my country doesn't want me to go. If I hear, "Be afraid of Tehran," I'm, like, "I'd better go to Tehran."
"Henry Rollins Saved My Life" and Other Fan Encounters (LA Weekly)
In conjunction with our cover story about Henry Rollins this week, we took to social media to ask readers a few simple questions: What has Rollins' writing meant to you? Do you have any interesting stories about meeting him? Did he somehow change your life? The responses nearly swamped our inbox. Here are a few of our favorites.
Charlyn Fargo: Clean Eating to the Rescue (Creators Syndicate)
One of the movements picking up steam is termed "clean eating." Born out of the '60s, it advocates consuming healthful, natural food. Some 50 years later, it's becoming popular again. The idea is to focus less on processed foods and more on whole foods such as fruits and vegetables. It's a healthful, sustainable way of eating that doesn't eliminate food groups and takes us back to the basics.
When People Look Back on Their Lives, What Are Some Common Regrets They Have? (Slate)
Answer by Gary Teal: You ask what people in their 30s, 40s, and older regret when they look back at their lives. I suppose it's wise of you as a teenager to think about how you might avoid a future regret. But I'd counsel you to take any good path open to you, do the best you can, and be happy. Save regrets for your 50s and sixties. And you will have them. This may sound a little melodramatic, but no matter how happy you are, at my age, your regrets are countless.
"Mack the Knife" or "The Ballad of Mack the Knife", originally "Die Moritat von Mackie Messer", is a song composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht for their music drama Die Dreigroschenoper, or, as it is known in English, The Threepenny Opera. It premiered in Berlin in 1928 at the Theater am Schiffbauerdamm. The song has become a popular standard.
Source
Marian was first, and correct, with:
Mack the Knife
You all have to check out google and hit the arrow. It is very clever and well done.
Charlie said:
I took German in high school and have long since forgotten most of what little I learned, but it's not hard to recognize "Mack The Knife"
Jim from CA, retired to ID, wrote:
Mack the Knife
mj responded:
From a man whose plays seemed not terribly conducive
To being turned into musicals, Bertol Brecht, we get Mack the Knife.
Alan J replied:
Mack the Knife
Adam answered:
Recognized this immediately- Mack The Knife.
Tom B iPhoned:
Bobby Darin's hit "Mack the Knife." Recommend "Moritatensanger" from "The Three Penny Opera" by Wolfgang Neuss, available on the one and only Ernie Kovacs Record Collection CD (showing my age).
Sally said:
"Die Moritat von Mackie Messer" or: "Mack the Knife" in English.
I recognized this tune from, "The Threepenny Opera" the first time I heard Bobby sing it a way back in 1959!
PS: The Puerto Rican Parade and the Tony Awards all on one fine day in NYC, how great can a town get?
I was so impressed when Cicely Tyson (who will be 80 years old in December) won for her role in "The Trip To Bountiful." She showed such poise and grace walking up to the podium and accepting her award! There is nothing like live theater, and Puerto Rican food!!!
Dale of Diamond Springs, Norcali responded:
Mack the Knife. Written by: Kurt Weill/E. Bertolt Brecht/Marc Blitzstein; Written in 1928 as "Moritat" or "Theme from the Threepenny Opera" aka "The Beggar's Opera.
Dave in Tucson replied:
"Die Moritat von Mackie Messer" is the original German (Sound better?) for "Mack the Knife".
As performed by the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald in 1960 when she spaced on the lyrics and had to improvise. Followed by "Die Moritat..."
MAM wrote:
"Mack the Knife" from the "Three Penny Opera'
Raul Julia as Mack the Knife
BttbBob said:
Mack the Knife-Bobby Darin - YouTube , aber natürlich!
~~~~~
Article Comment Moment - Swedish male train drivers in skirts? No big deal. I'm thinkin' Scotsmen are sayin', "Hello?... Kilts!" (I was glad to see, however, that those skirts were over-the-knee. Mini's would be a bit much, I'm thinkin', for a uniform. But, I'm just old-fashioned that way, I guess.)
~~~~~
Name Change Suggestion - So, "Snoop Dogg" is now "Snoop Lion"? I did not know that. But, then again, I really don't keep up with those sorta things. I will say, though, that when he's ready for his next 'upgrade', he gives serious consideration to "Snoop Raptor". How appropriately cool would that be, eh?
~~~~~
Happy Birthday this day to:
(79) "It's alive!"
The weirdest TV doctor ever... (53)
Born this day:
Jacques Cousteau (1910-1997) I witnessed his "Calypso" motoring up the St. Clair River into Lake Huron and beyond as a crewman aboard the CGC Bramble. We were berthed in Port Huron, Late summer 1980...
Jeannette Rankin (1880-1973) Suffragette and the first woman to serve in the US Congress (R-Montana)
June 11 Birthdays - Celebrities Born June 11 | Famous Birthdays
~~~~~
"Maddie Muffin" sez...
"See? My Grampa is 'The Best!' Told ya so!"
DJ Useo answered:
Aside from 'On Top Of Spaghetti", I think the answer was the 2nd song I ever knew. It was either that song, or "This Diamond Ring". (whomever made that)
I believe the answer is "Mack The Knife". I think there were other previous versions than the one I heard, but I remember seeing a parody of it on Beanie and Cecil.
Also, All my best to BTTB Bob. Please rest. We'll be here when you're feeling better.
And, Joe S took the day off and is looking for someone to mow his lawn.
CBS begins the night with a RERUN'NCIS', followed by a RERUN'NCIS: The 2nd One', then a FRESH'Brooklyn DA'.
Scheduled on a FRESHDave are Dana Carvey, Nick Robinson, and a performance from the Broadway musical "Matilda".
Scheduled on a FRESHCraig are Margaret Cho and Hugh Dancy.
NBC starts the night with a FRESH'The Voice', followed by a FRESH'America's Got Talent'.
Scheduled on a FRESHLeno are Jamie Foxx, Jimmy Connors, and Matthew Morrison.
Scheduled on a FRESHJimmy Fallon are Seth Rogen, Jeffrey Tambor, and the Lumineers.
On a RERUNCarson 'The Scab' Daly (from 4/10/13) are Natalie Zea, Brandon Cronenberg, and Niki & The Dove.
ABC fills the night with LIVE'NBA Playoffs', followed by a FRESH'Jimmy Kimmel', then pads the left coast with local crap.
Scheduled on a FRESHJimmy Kimmel are Lil Wayne, Chris Messina, and Jimmy Eat World.
The CW offers a RERUN'Hart Of Dixie', followed by a RERUN'America's Next Top Model'.
Faux fills the night with a FRESH'So You Think You Can Dance'.
MY recycles an old 'House', followed by another old 'House'.
A&E has 'Storage Wars', another 'Storage Wars', still another 'Storage Wars', yet another 'Storage Wars', followed by a FRESH'Storage Wars', then another FRESH'Storage Wars', followed by a FRESH'Shipping Wars', then another FRESH'Shipping Wars'.
AMC offers the movie 'Reign Of Fire', followed by the movie 'The Mummy Returns'.
BBC -
[6:00AM] BBC WORLD NEWS
[7:00AM] BBC WORLD NEWS
[8:00AM] MASTERCHEF UK: THE PROFESSIONALS - Season 5 - Episode 3 NEW
[9:00AM] MASTERCHEF UK: THE PROFESSIONALS - Season 5 - Episode 4 NEW
[10:00AM] STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - Season 4 - Ep 4 - Suddenly Human
[11:00AM] STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - Season 4 - Ep 7 - Reunion
[12:00PM] STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - Season 4 - Ep 8 - Future Imperfect
[1:00PM] RAMSAY'S KITCHEN NIGHTMARES US - Season 2 - Ep 11 - Cafe 36
[2:00PM] RAMSAY'S KITCHEN NIGHTMARES UK - Season 4 - Ep 1 - Ruby Tates
[3:00PM] RAMSAY'S KITCHEN NIGHTMARES US - Season 4 - Ep 4 - Davide
[4:00PM] MASTERCHEF UK: THE PROFESSIONALS - Season 5 - Episode 3
[5:00PM] MASTERCHEF UK: THE PROFESSIONALS - Season 5 - Episode 4
[6:00PM] TOP GEAR AFRICA SPECIAL - Season 19 - Part 1
[7:00PM] TOP GEAR AFRICA SPECIAL - Season 19 - Part 2
[8:00PM] BANG GOES THE THEORY - Season 6 - Episode 2
[8:30PM] BANG GOES THE THEORY - Season 6 - Episode 3
[9:00PM] BANG GOES THE THEORY - Season 6 - Episode 4 NEW
[9:40PM] BANG GOES THE THEORY - Season 6 - Episode 5 NEW
[10:20PM] BANG GOES THE THEORY - Season 6 - Episode 6 NEW
[11:00PM] BANG GOES THE THEORY - Season 6 - Episode 2
[11:30PM] BANG GOES THE THEORY - Season 6 - Episode 3
[12:00AM] BANG GOES THE THEORY - Season 6 - Episode 4
[12:40AM] BANG GOES THE THEORY - Season 6 - Episode 5
[1:20AM] BANG GOES THE THEORY - Season 6 - Episode 6
[2:00AM] TOP GEAR AFRICA SPECIAL - Season 19 - Part 1
[3:00AM] TOP GEAR AFRICA - Season 19 - Part 2
[4:00AM] TOP GEAR - Season 14 - Episode 4
[5:00AM] TOP GEAR - Season 14 - Episode 5 (ALL TIMES EST)
Bravo has 'Real Housewives Of OC', 'Real Housewives Of NJ', another 'Real Housewives Of NJ', followed by a FRESH'Don't Be Tardy ...', and 'Real Housewives Of OC'.
Comedy Central has last night's 'Colbert Report', last night's 'Jon Stewart', 'Inside Amy Schumer', 'Tosh.0', another 'Tosh.0', still another 'Tosh.0', yet another Tosh.0', followed by a FRESH'Inside Amy Schumer'.
Scheduled on a FRESH Jon Stewart John Oliver is Armando Iannucci.
Scheduled on a FRESHColbert Report is Daniel Bergner.
FX has '2½ Men', another '2½ Men', followed by the movie 'Superman Returns'.
History has 'Pawn Stars', another 'Pawn Stars', 'Counting Cars', another 'Counting Cars', followed by a FRESH'Counting Cars', then another FRESH'Counting Cars', followed by a FRESH'American Restoration', then another FRESH'American Restoration'.
IFC -
[6:00AM] I Sell the Dead
[7:45AM] Daltry Calhoun
[9:45AM] Meatballs
[11:45AM] The Freshman
[2:00PM] Daltry Calhoun
[4:00PM] Meatballs
[6:00PM] National Lampoon's Adam & Eve
[8:00PM] Little Miss Sunshine
[10:15PM] The Hills Have Eyes
[12:30AM] The Hills Have Eyes 2
[2:30AM] Evil Dead 2
[4:15AM] Evil Dead 2 (ALL TIMES EST)
Sundance -
[6:00AM] Freaks and Geeks-Tricks and Treats
[7:00AM] Away From Her
[9:00AM] Me and Orson Welles
[11:00AM] Man Shops Globe-France
[11:30AM] Once
[1:00PM] L'amour fou
[2:45PM] Freaks and Geeks-Tricks and Treats
[3:45PM] A'mare
[4:00PM] Me and Orson Welles
[6:00PM] Slumdog Millionaire
[8:00PM] The Good Girl
[9:30PM] Great Expectations
[11:30PM] Public Sex
[1:30AM] The Good Girl
[3:00AM] When Will I Be Loved
[4:30AM] Star Maps (ALL TIMES EST)
SyFy has 'Exit', 'Total Blackout', another 'Total Blackout', followed by a FRESH'Total Blackout', another 'Total Blackout', followed by a FRESH'Exit'.
TBS:
Scheduled on a FRESHConan are Jonah Hill, Coco & Ice T, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
Cicely Tyson poses with her award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for "The Trip to Bountiful" at the American Theatre Wing's annual Tony Awards in New York June 9, 2013.
Photo by Carlo Allegri
Every dog has its day, but few canines get a motorcade on their return home.
Kabang, who lost half her face after jumping in front of a motorcycle to save the lives of two girls, received a rousing welcome Monday in Zamboanga, a city in the southern Philippines.
The mixed-breed came back from months-long treatment at the University of California, Davis, veterinary hospital, paid for with $27,000 in donations raised in the Philippines and abroad. She was reunited with her owner, Rudy Bunggal, and the girls she saved from the accident in December 2011 - the owner's daughter, Dina, and cousin Princess Diansing.
Kabang and Rudy Bunggal rode in the back of a pickup truck festooned with yellow balloons to the Municipal Hall, where Mayor Celso Lobregat bestowed the title "Pride of Zamboanga" on the dog.
Cyndi Lauper poses with her award for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for "Kinky Boots" at the American Theatre Wing's annual Tony Awards in New York June 9, 2013.
Photo by Carlo Allegri
Top winners at the 2013 American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards, announced Sunday.
Best Play: "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike."
Best Musical: "Kinky Boots."
Best Book of a Musical: "Matilda the Musical."
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theater: "Kinky Boots."
Best Revival of a Play: "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"
Best Revival of a Musical: "Pippin."
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play: Tracy Letts, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"
Best Performance by an Actress in Leading Role in a Play: Cicely Tyson, "The Trip to Bountiful."
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical: Billy Porter, "Kinky Boots."
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Patina Miller, "Pippin."
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play: Courtney B. Vance, "Lucky Guy."
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play: Judith Light, "The Assembled Parties."
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Gabriel Ebert, "Matilda the Musical."
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical: Andrea Martin, "Pippin."
Vadym Kholodenko, a Ukrainian pianist and music teacher, has won the 14th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, just four months after the death of the contest's namesake.
Beatrice Rana, 20, of Italy, placed second, and Sean Chen, 24, of the United States, placed third, officials announced Sunday night. The other three finalists were Fei-Fei Dong, 22, of China; Nikita Mndoyants, 24, of Russia; and Tomoki Sakata, 19, of Japan.
The winner receives $50,000, a live recording of his or her competition performances, a studio recording and performance attire. The second- and third-prize winners both receive $20,000 and a live recording of their competition performances. The other three each receive $10,000, and all six finalists receive three years of concert management.
The competition, which is held every four years and remains among the top showcases for the world's best pianists, started May 24 with 30 competitors. Some Fort Worth teachers and residents who wanted to honor Cliburn created the contest in 1962, four years after he won the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. His 1958 victory helped thaw the icy rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, and Cliburn gained worldwide fame and rock-star status.
Andrea Martin poses with her award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for "Pippin," at the American Theatre Wing's annual Tony Awards in New York June 9, 2013.
Photo by Carlo Allegri
Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton joined Twitter on Monday, describing herself with a dash of humor as a "pantsuit aficionado" and a "hair icon."
The former New York senator and first lady sent out her first tweet under the handle (at)HillaryClinton, thanking the creators of the popular online parodies called "Texts from Hillary." Clinton's initial tweet thanked Adam Smith and Stacy Lambe for their inspiration and said, "I'll take it from here," concluding with a hashtag (hash)tweetsfromhillary.
The potential 2016 presidential candidate's profile page on the microblogging service shows the memorable photo of a stern-looking Clinton wearing dark sunglasses and reading her Blackberry aboard a military plane while leading the State Department during President Barack Obama's first term. The photo was made popular by Smith and Lambe's buzzworthy Tumblr, which won laughs and rave reviews by pairing the photo of the sunglasses-wearing Clinton with other politicians and imaginary text messages between world leaders.
In her first day, Clinton racked up more than 250,000 followers.
"In my estimation, there has not been in American history a more important leak than Edward Snowden's release of NSA material, and that definitely includes the Pentagon Papers 40 years ago," Ellsberg wrote in an op-ed published by the Guardian on Monday. "Snowden's whistleblowing gives us the possibility to roll back a key part of what has amounted to an 'executive coup' against the U.S. constitution."
Ellsberg added on CNN Sunday night that "it can't be overestimated to this democracy. It gives us a chance, I think, from drawing back from the total surveillance state that we could say we're in process of becoming, I'm afraid we have become. That's what he's revealed."
Last week, Ellsberg told The Washington Post that the U.S. government would have gone after him the same way they've gone after Bradley Manning, the former U.S. soldier who is currently on trial accused of providing thousands of classified documents to WikiLeaks.
"I'm sure that President Obama would have sought a life sentence in my case," Ellsberg said.
Actor Tony Shalhoub, nominated for best performance by an actor in a featured role in a play for "Golden Boy," and his wife, actress Brooke Adams arrive to the American Theatre Wing's annual Tony Awards in New York June 9, 2013.
Photo by Carlo Allegri
Former NFL star Chad Johnson was sentenced Monday to 30 days in jail for a probation violation in a domestic violence case by a judge who angrily rejected a no-jail plea deal after Johnson playfully slapped his attorney on the backside in court.
Johnson, known as Chad Ochocinco for his jersey number in Spanish during his playing days, had reached a deal with prosecutors calling for community service and counseling instead of jail. Broward County Circuit Judge Kathleen McHugh said she would tack on an additional three months' probation because Johnson had failed to meet with his probation officer during three previous months.
It was all set until Johnson, when asked by McHugh if he was satisfied with his lawyer Adam Swickle, gave the attorney a light swat on the rear - as football players routinely do to each other on the field. The courtroom erupted in laughter and at that McHugh said she wouldn't accept the deal.
"I don't know that you're taking this whole thing seriously. I just saw you slap your attorney on the backside. Is there something funny about this?" McHugh said, slapping the plea deal document down on her desk. "The whole courtroom was laughing. I'm not going to accept these plea negotiations. This isn't a joke."
Johnson, 35, tried to apologize and insisted he meant no disrespect. Johnson was on probation after pleading no contest to head-butting his then-wife, TV reality star Evelyn Lozada, during an altercation last August. She quickly filed for divorce after barely a month of marriage and Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, was immediately released by the Miami Dolphins. He didn't play at all last season.
Actors Sally Field and Matthew Broderick present during the American Theatre Wing's annual Tony Awards in New York June 9, 2013.
Photo by Lucas Jackson
Drunk driving is a serious problem in the United States, impacting many thousands of Americans every year, and so is racism. The two issues converged recently during a routine traffic stop of 64-year-old retired firefighter Jessie Thornton by police officers in Surprise, Arizona.
The motorist was handcuffed and taken into custody. Thornton submitted to a Breathalyzer sobriety test and blew a 0.000 blood alcohol content (BAC).
Despite the seeming exoneration of the test, the suspect was charged with a DUI, an assessment that led Thornton's attorney to quip that the real crime was, "D-W-B. Driving While Black."
Thornton was eventually free to go, but not before his car had been impounded and the Arizona MVD had been notified of the DUI charge, which resulted in a notification that his driver's license was being suspended and he would be required to attend "some sort of drinking class or something."
Rather than attend the drinking class, former firefighter filed a claim against the city of Surprise seeking $500,000.
Hobbits, elves and dragons appear to be luring tourists to New Zealand as fans await their first glimpse of the second movie in "The Hobbit" trilogy.
Figures released this month by government agency Tourism New Zealand show that international vacations to the South Pacific nation rose 10 percent from January through April when compared to the same period last year. The agency said a survey indicated that 8.5 percent of visitors cited "The Hobbit" as one reason for coming and that 13 percent took part in some kind of hobbit-themed tourism like visiting a film set.
A little over 500,000 tourists visited New Zealand for vacations in the first four months of the year. About the same number again visited for other reasons, such as for work or to visit relatives.
Tourism New Zealand has been running a "100% Middle-earth" marketing campaign that seeks leverage from the movies.
British artist Alan Parkinson poses in his inflatable sculpture called Luminarium before its opening on the ground of the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva June 10, 2013. Until June 14, 2013, diplomats, U.N. officials, school children and communities will be offered inside the 1000 square metre (10764 square feet) structure, financed by the United Kingdom Mission to the U.N., to think more creatively about how to make the work of the Human Rights Councils better understood through discussions and art performances.
Photo by Denis Balibouse
The government has recovered 400 pages from the long-lost diary of Alfred Rosenberg, a confidant of Adolf Hitler who played a central role in the extermination of millions of Jews and others during World War Two.
"The documentation is of considerable importance for the study of the Nazi era, including the history of the Holocaust," according to the assessment, prepared by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. "A cursory content analysis indicates that the material sheds new light on a number of important issues relating to the Third Reich's policy. The diary will be an important source of information to historians that compliments, and in part contradicts, already known documentation."
How the writings of Rosenberg, a Nazi Reich minister who was convicted at Nuremberg and hanged in 1946, might contradict what historians believe to be true is unclear. Further details about the diary's contents could not be learned, and a U.S. government official stressed that the museum's analysis remains preliminary.
Rosenberg was an early and powerful Nazi ideologue, particularly on racial issues. He directed the Nazi party's foreign affairs department and edited the Nazi newspaper. Several of his memos to Hitler were cited as evidence during the post-war Nuremberg trials.
Rosenberg also directed the systematic Nazi looting of Jewish art, cultural and religious property throughout Europe. The Nazi unit created to seize such artifacts was called Task Force Reichsleiter Rosenberg.
The gilded statue of China's late Chairman Mao Zedong is placed next to a statue of a traditional Chinese god at a Buddhist temple in a village 120km (74 miles) northeast of Chengdu, Sichuan province, June 8, 2013. The small temple was built around 2005 by local residents as a symbol of their gratitude and affection to Mao and other Chinese communist leaders. Villagers, who are following China's Luna Calender, visit the temple for worship on the first and fifteenth day of every month.
Photo by Jason Lee
On a tropical island where most people live in huts, assailants armed with guns, machetes and axes stormed the wooden house by night. They set the building on fire and took away four female relatives to be tortured. Their alleged crime: witchcraft.
Helen Rumbali was beheaded. Her older sister and two teenage nieces were repeatedly slashed with knives before being released following negotiations with police.
Deadly violence linked to witch hunts is an increasingly visible problem in Papua New Guinea - a diverse tribal society of more than 800 languages and 7 million people who are mostly subsistence farmers. Experts say witch hunting appears to be spreading to parts of the country where such practices never took place before, but they and government officials in the South Pacific nation seem at a loss to say why it appears to be growing.
Some are arguing the recent violence is fueled not by the nation's widespread belief in black magic but instead by economic jealousy born of a mining boom that has widened the country's economic divide and pitted the haves against the have-nots.
Until last month, the country's 42-year-old Sorcery Act allowed for a belief in black magic to be used as a partial legal defense for killing someone suspected of inflicting harm through sorcery. The government repealed the law in response to the recent violence.
A man receives Hijama treatment at a clinic in Karachi June 10, 2013. Hijama is a traditional Islamic treatment method that involves creating a vacuum on the skin by placing inverted cups on parts of the body and drawing blood from an incision on the skin.
Photo by Akhtar Soomro
A British museum on Monday successfully recovered a German bomber that had been shot down over the English Channel during World War II.
The aircraft, nicknamed the Luftwaffe's "flying pencil" because of its narrow fuselage, came down off the coast of Kent county in southeastern England more than 70 years ago during the Battle of Britain.
The rusty and damaged plane was lifted from depths of the channel with cables and is believed to be the most intact example of the German Dornier Do 17 bomber that has ever been found.
"It has been lifted and is now safely on the barge and in one piece," said RAF Museum spokesman Ajay Srivastava. The bomber will be towed into port Tuesday, he added.
The museum had been trying to raise the relic for a few weeks, but the operation was delayed by strong winds and choppy waters.
Visitors look at a scaled replica of the rubber duck by Dutch conceptual artist Florentijn Hofman as employees try to pull it upright on a lake at a park in Shenyang, Liaoning province June 9, 2013. The 13-metre-tall and 15-metre-long replica was set up on Sunday for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival, local media reported.
You have reached the Home page of BartCop Entertainment.
Make yourself home, take your shoes off...
Go ahead, scratch it if it itches.
The idea is to have fun.
Do you have something to say?
Anything that increased your blood pressure, or, even better, amused or entertained?
Do you have a great album no one's heard?
How about a favorite TV show, movie, book, play, cartoon, or legal amusement?
A popular artist that just plain pisses you off?
A box set the whole world should own?
Vile, filthy rumors about Republican hypocrites?
Just plain vile, filthy rumors?
wrote:
said:
took the day off and is looking for someone to mow his lawn.
