These are from a storm chaser. Some of the shots are just incredible... they look like special effects shots. For the first time, I can see why people do this, but I would be terrified.

Incredible Tornado Photos

But a spokeswoman for Secretary of State Glenda Hood said, "This ruling takes Florida back to 2000," referring to the specter of hanging chads and pregnant dimples on the Palm Beach County butterfly ballot during the presidential recount that instigated the legislature's ban on all but optical-scan or touch-screen voting systems.

The solution to ballot problems: get rid of any way to check. Clever.

Next week in the news: Banks suggest eliminating ATM receipts.

Florida counties ordered to enable recounts

] JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Dario Cruz has lived in the United
] States for 16 years, but just became a citizen last week
] as he and about 200 other immigrants were naturalized.
]
] One of the things he had always wanted to was register to
] vote, but when he was offered the chance to do that right
] outside the ceremony, he knew something wasn't right --
] the place on the form where you're asked to choose
] Democrat, Republican or independent was already filled
] out.
]
]
] "It's like one side," Cruz said. "You don't get to
] choose."
]
]
] According to Cruz and his family, every form was checked
] off Republican.
]
]
] It was something his wife, Linda Cross, first noticed.
] She said she asked what was going on, and was told the
] woman registering voters said they were with a Republican
] organization.
]
]
] "I am Republican," she told Channel 4's Jim Piggott. "I
] was very angry with that if they want to register
] whatever party, you shouldn't try to dictate to people
] what party they are going to register; who they are going
] to vote for, because then you don't have any freedom."

Later it mentions that "For the record, any registered voter can vote for any candidate of any party in a general election, but in most primaries in Florida, people can only vote for candidates of their own party." While this is true, it's still a slap in the face to new immigrants to have their party choice made for them.

News4Jax.com - Election 2004 - New Citizens Say GOP Took Away Their Right To Choose

] rites "Space elevator proponents are planning
] competitions for space elevator technologies, similar to
] the Ansari X Prize. Elevator:2010 will organize annual
] competitions for climbers, ribbons and power-beaming
] systems.

[ Space elevators excite me a great deal.

Also, in case you didn't like google before : "the space elevator has caught the interest of Google's founders: 'At a space camp in Alabama last year, Brin talked about creating a space elevator to transport cargo up a special tether attached to earth. Also last year, Brin joined Page in proclaiming they should found a nanotech lab at Google.'"

I don't know how they relate to searching, but i'm all for it. -k]

Slashdot | Space Elevator Prizes Proposed

] The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of
] 1990 - 2000

[ ALA's list of most frequently banned books. I always notice that Bridge to Terebithia is on the top of this list. I happened to notice it on a shelf the other day and recommended it to someone because I thought it was such a powerful story when i was young. It's definitely sad, and deals with serious subject matter, but I guess I've never been of the mindset that sheltering someone is the best way to keep them healthy. Plus, it's really good. -k]

ALA | 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000

Just how dishonest must a smear campaign be for American journalists to say so plainly or, better yet, to ignore altogether? That's the only real question still unanswered in the controversy sparked by the group Swift Boat Veterans for Truth over John Kerry's service in Vietnam--although even to use the word "controversy" affords the issue's protagonists too much dignity. The veterans featured in the organization's TV ad claim to have "served with Kerry," but none actually served on the same boat. (Yes, we've been reduced to arguing over what the definition of "with" is.) Several of the charges are based on recollections by veterans who, years earlier, had praised Kerry for the very same actions.The accusation that Kerry faked one of his injuries turns out to come from a thirdhand account. Most important of all, the surviving crewmembers from Kerry's boat--as well as Navy records--back Kerry's version of events. As the Los Angeles Times editorialized this week, citing one of its own reporters' fine work debunking the Swift Boat Veterans, "no informed person can seriously believe that Kerry fabricated evidence to win his military medals."...

The New Republic Online: User Center

] Theres a cute guy across the bar.
]
] Not really a guy youd bring home to your parents,
] but he looks like hed be an interesting Friday
] night.
]
]
] If only he knew the dirty thoughts running through your
] mind.
]
]
] Oh wait, he does.
]
] That is, if you're wearing one of motvanilla's
] new T-shirts and the dude can read Braille.
]
] The Vancouver-based company just released a new line of
] provocative T-shirts. With naughty messages written
] across the chest, the shirts encourage people to run
] their hands over them to find out what's on your
] mind.
]
] And if he can't read Braille, just flash him. Turn up the
] bottom of the shirt and the translation is printed just
] above the inside hem.
]
] They translate to "CLickable," "Use Me," "Spank It," and another
] sassy saying.

"Did you know there are 2 typos on your shirt? There are an extra 2 dots at each end of th... oh NEVERMIND! :D" -LB

Braille T-shirts let people get touchy-feely

] Tell her that the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge isn't
] the only gorgeous, white thing you'd like to see drilled
] immediately.
]
] "I've been a bad boy, Lynndie ..."

This is just wrong...

Mr. Sun!: RNC: How to score at the convention.

] Did you ever wonder what it would be like to pop a water
] balloon in space?

Cool NASA videos, filmed on the Vomit Comet airplane.

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to see a water balloon pop in space?

] A company that advertised for hard-working staff was
] banned by a jobcentre in Southampton since it
] discriminated against those who evade work.

Advertising for hard-working staff is discriminatory to shirkers! - News Details, Webindia123.com