Paul Krugman: Poverty Is Poison (nytimes.com)
To be poor in America today, even more than in the past, is to be an outcast in your own country. And that, the neuroscientists tell us, is what poisons a child's brain.
Jim Hightower: SURRENDERING TO THE TERRORISTS (jimhightower.com)
Good grief. With Democrats like these, who needs Republicans? Last week, 19 Democratic senators surrendered to bullying and fear mongering, extending the executive autocracy of the Bush-Cheney regime.
John Ireland: A Gay Teen's "Bad Blood" (advocate.com)
On February 12 a gay eighth-grade student in Oxnard, Calif.. lay in a pool of his own blood in his school's computer lab as his attacker, a classmate, ran out of the room and off campus. John Ireland explores the undeniable feeling that Lawrence King took the bullet for every gay teenager.
20 QUESTIONS: Robyn Hitchcock
Robyn Hitchcock is a legendary English singer-songwriter with a vast body of work that spans more than 30 years with more than 20 albums to his name. He's well-known for his wry, dark wit and literate pop songs.
It's SLINKY, it's SLINKY,
for fun it's a wonderful toy.
It's SLINKY, it's SLINKY,
it's fun for a girl and a boy.
Source
Who walks the stairs without a care
It shoots so high in the sky.
Bounce up and down just like a clown
Everyone knows its Slinky.
The best present yet to give or get
The kids will all want to try.
The hit of the day when you are ready to play
Everyone knows it's Slinky.
It Slinky, It's Slinky for fun the best of the toys
It Slinky, It's Slinky the favorite of girls and boys.
Source
The Slinky (under House Bill No.1893 - Session 2001, of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania) has been named the Official State Toy of Pennsylvania as of November 4, 2001.
Source
mechadave was first, and correct, with:
Slinky, Slinky, Slinky, Slinky.
When I was a kid, that commercial for the coil spring toy ran constantly. I really wasn't that great of a toy. I wonder if it is still made?
Bob C was second, and also right, writing:
The answer I believe is slinky--I recall it being a
contraption of wires that would spring forward in bounds
when set in place.
mj answered:
Made in PA
It's slinky. Isn't the default mail enunciatior for one of the mail programs the first couple of notes of the song?
WDR replied:
That has to be the slinky.
S. Bennett said:
Slinky. Which was invented by a Mr. Loopner who passed away as he was born without a spine. Unfortunately, he didn't call it the Slinky, and he didn't patent it. But he sued the Slinky people for $5 million.. and lost.* *SNL transcript. Season 3, Episode 20. May 20, 1978
Alan J responded:
all the blanks are "Slinky."
Buz answered:
I do believe that is Slinky.
Ned said:
a slinky ...
"What walks down stairs, alone or in pairs, And makes a slinkity sound?
A spring, a spring, a marvelous thing, Everyone knows it's Slinky…
It's Slinky, it's Slinky, for fun it's a wonderful toy
It's Slinky, it's Slinky, it's fun for a girl and a boy"
Joe S ("I've kind of fashioned my life after a Slinky. Bend me in a million shapes, and eventually I'll spring back to what I originally was."
~Sylvester Stallone) observed:
It's slinky! It's amazing; the useless information I retain.
Ellen ("Fascism will come to this country and it will come disguised as Americanism."
- Governor Huey Long -) answered:
slinky
slinky
slinky
slinky
Marian the Teacher responded:
slinky
~ Tony in Philly stated:
It's Slinky!
Steve B paid tribute to 'Ren & Stimpy', then responded:
I was going to say Log but in fact it's a Slinky. I have heard a Slinky is 87 feet when uncoiled.
Here's a cool trick. Take the top three rungs of a Slinky and clench them in you teeth.
Then keeping you teeth closed, let go of the bottom. Allow the bottom to hit the floor.
A really cool thing happens. We call this "Biting The Slinky."
Rob & Ann answered:
Slinky!
Tab said:
Slinky
Didn't even have to look this one up.
Actually somewhere I have a recording of the
commercial itself.
It's a Slinky! Slinky! Fun for a girl and a boy!
(worst phrasing ever, but oddly addictive)
Dave in Tucson responded:
Slinky!
Pat replied:
The answer is "Slinky"
I've loved that commercial - and the Slinky itself - for 40 years. Thanks for bringing back good memories with your trivia question.
joe answered:
It's Slinky.it's Slinky, for fun it's a wonderful toy.
It's Slinky.it's Slinky ,it's fun for a girl and a boy.
Everybody loves Slinky, everybody wants a Slinky.
Sally said:
I received one as a holiday present when I was a very young child (circa 1945). My father placed it on the top step of our staircase, and the clunky metal thing started coming down - and did I scream! The damn SLINKY scared me to death!
Hey, I was a sensitive child :)
-Kevin responded:
Slinky!
It's Slinky, it's Slinky
for fun it a wonderful toy.
It's Slinky, It's Slinky
it's fun for a girl and a boy.
BGRDDAD said:
A Slinky
And, Gary in Central Pa. replied:
being from central pa i couldn't pass up answering this quiz
Slinky and Mrs James headquarters is (was) in Holidaysburg Pa
the toy has quite a behind the scenes history --- a real tribute to Mrs James determination to provide for her children after an unfortunate situation arose.
Dear old Dad & the Babe were in Las Vegas for some sorta Polka-fest, so we took a Sunday afternoon drive up to join them for dinner.
Wonder what happened to Primm, NV? I've seen more people on a slow day in Bodie.
Tonight, Tuesday:
CBS begins the night with a RERUN'NCIS', followed by a FRESH'Big Brother 9', then a FRESH'Jericho'.
Scheduled on a FRESHDave are Randy Jackson, Saffron Burrows, and Ray Davies.
Scheduled on a FRESHCraig are Andre Benjamin, Craig Bierko, Melinda Hill.
NBC starts the night with a FRESH 2-hour 'Biggest Loser', followed by a RERUN'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'.
Scheduled on a FRESHLeno are Will Ferrell, Hayden Christensen, and the Hives.
Scheduled on a FRESHConan are Bill Hader and Jake Shimabukuro.
Scheduled on a FRESHCarson 'The Scab' Daly are Marisa Miller and Hellogoodbye.
ABC opens the night with a FRESH'Just For Laughs', followed by a RERUN'Just For Laughs', then a FRESH'Jim', followed by a FRESH'Carpoolers', then a FRESH'Boston Legal'.
On a RERUNJimmy Kimmel it's TBA.
The CW offers a RERUN'Peaper', followed by a FRESH'One Tree Hill'.
Faux has a FRESH 2-hour 'American Idol'.
MY has 'Street Patrol', another 'Street Patrol', 'Jail', and another 'Jail'.
A&E has 'CSI: The 2nd One', 'The First 48', another 'The First 48', 'Parking Wars', and another 'Parking Wars'.
AMC offers the movie 'The Godfather', followed by the movie 'The Godfather, Part II'.
BBC -
[12:00 PM] Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares - Ep 4 Bonapartes;
[1:00 PM] Cash in the Attic - Episode 4;
[2:00 PM] Bargain Hunt - Ep. 1 MacClesfield 8;
[2:30 PM] Bargain Hunt - Ep. 2 Kedleston 15;
[3:00 PM] How Clean Is Your House? - Episode 8;
[3:30 PM] How Clean Is Your House? - Episode 9;
[4:00 PM] You Are What You Eat - Episode 8;
[4:30 PM] You Are What You Eat - Episode 9;
[5:00 PM] My Family - Ep. 8 Much Ado About Ben;
[5:30 PM] Coupling - Ep 2 Night Lines;
[6:00 PM] Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares - Ep 8 La Gondola;
[7:00 PM] BBC World News America;
[8:00 PM] Last Restaurant Standing - Episode 2;
[9:00 PM] Last Restaurant Standing - Episode 3;
[10:00 PM] BBC World News America;
[11:00 PM] Last Restaurant Standing - Episode 2;
[12:00 AM] Last Restaurant Standing - Episode 3;
[1:00 AM] Last Restaurant Standing - Episode 2;
[2:00 AM] Last Restaurant Standing - Episode 3;
[3:00 AM] Changing Rooms - Ep. 3 Stately Home;
[3:30 AM] Changing Rooms - Ep. 4 Eastbourne;
[4:00 AM] Bargain Hunt - Ep. 1 MacClesfield 8;
[4:30 AM] Bargain Hunt - Ep. 2 Kedleston 15;
[5:00 AM] Cash in the Attic - Episode 4;
[5:30 AM] Cash in the Attic - Ep. 1 Ogden White;
[6:00 AM] BBC World News. (ALL TIMES EDT)
Bravo has all 'The Millionaire Matchmaker' all night.
Comedy Central has 'Scrubs', another 'Scrubs', an old 'Jon Stewart', an old 'Colbert Report', 'Futurama', 'South Park', and 'Gabriel Iglesias: Hot And Fluffy'.
On a RERUNJon Stewart (R 2/6/08) is Tom Brokaw.
On a RERUNColbert Report (from 2/6/08) are Richard Brookhiser and Tad Devine.
FX has the movie 'The Transporter', followed by the movie 'The Transporter', again, and a FRESH'Nip/Tuck'.
History has 'Modern Marvels', 'The Universe', another 'The Universe', and 'Mega Disasters'.
IFC -
[06:10 AM] Does Your Soul Have A Cold?;
[08:50 AM] Seed;
[10:15 AM] IFC Short Film Showcase;
[11:15 AM] Way Off Broadway;
[12:45 PM] Does Your Soul Have A Cold?;
[03:25 PM] Seed;
[04:50 PM] Does Your Soul Have A Cold?;
[06:15 PM] Marvin's Room;
[08:00 PM] Minor Accomplishments #208: Good Times and Great Oldies;
[09:00 PM] Igby Goes Down;
[10:45 PM] Sex Is Comedy;
[12:30 AM] 8 1/2 Women;
[02:35 AM] Igby Goes Down;
[04:15 AM] Sex Is Comedy;
[05:55 AM] Marvin's Room. (ALL TIMES EST)
SciFi has 'Scary But True', another 'Scary But True', 'Scariest Places On Earth', another 'Scariest Places On Earth', and 'ECW'.
Sundance -
[05:00 AM] The Keys to the House;
[07:00 AM] The Danish Poet;
[07:30 AM] The Calcium Kid;
[09:00 AM] Episode 3;
[09:30 AM] Cities;
[10:00 AM] 37 Uses for a Dead Sheep;
[11:30 AM] Help!;
[01:15 PM] The Calcium Kid;
[03:00 PM] The Keys to the House;
[05:00 PM] Emir Kusturica, A Tender Barbarian;
[06:00 PM] Paul Simon, Corinne Bailey Rae & Primal Scream;
[07:00 PM] West Bank Story;
[07:30 PM] Assisted Living;
[09:00 PM] Episode 3;
[09:35 PM] Radiant City;
[11:10 PM] Cities;
[12:00 AM] Twentynine Palms;
[02:00 AM] Little Odessa;
[04:00 AM] Episode 5;
[05:00 AM] Open City. (ALL TIMES EST)
British actor Anthony Hopkins, right, poses for photographers as he arrives at the world premiere of the film The Bank Job at a cinema in London, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008.
Photo by Matt Dunham
Sharon Stone believes the Sept. 11 attacks should not have been used as a pretext for the United States to launch wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to her comments published Monday in a pan-Arab newspaper.
In her interview with Al Hayat, the actress also bemoaned what she called Americans' decision to ignore the deaths of so many Iraqis.
"I feel at great pain when the spotlight is on the death of 4,000 American soldiers, while 600,000 Iraqi deaths are ignored," she said. "War is not a movie, it is a tragedy of dead bodies, victims, the disabled, orphans, widows and the displaced."
Stone spoke in English and her comments were translated and published in Arabic. An English transcript of the interview was not available.
John Lithgow, actor and author, left, speaks with Gary Wheeler, a graduate of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, right, before Lithgow spoke to a group during the Clinton School Distinguished Speakers Series, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008 in Little Rock, Ark. Lithgow talked about his education background and how art can serve the public in literacy and education.
Photo by Mike Wintroath
Hollywood film-maker Steven Spielberg has been ridiculed in the Chinese media and on the Internet for living in a "sci-fi" dreamworld over his decision to sever ties with the Beijing Olympics.
Spielberg said last week that his conscience would no longer allow him to work on the Olympics as an artistic consultant while Sudan's China-backed government carried out genocide in its western Darfur province.
Spielberg's films have been box office hits in China but the producer has come under regular attack after his withdrawal from the Beijing Games.
One posting said: "The US slaughters civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq. Director Spielberg, don't you feel ashamed being an American?
A packed performance of a West End opera was saved at the weekend when a member of the audience stepped in to sing the lead role after the star lost his voice.
Paul Whelan, 38, saved the English National Opera's production of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor by singing the part of Raimondo from the wings while bass Clive Bayley, who suffered a chest infection, mimed the part on stage.
Whelan was able to carry off the feat as he had been studying the role and is due to take over from Bayley in a few weeks' time, although he hadn't had any chance to rehearse.
"It was an extraordinary experience and we had an extraordinary reaction," Whelan, who stands six feet four inches tall, said after receiving a standing ovation and taking his bow with the cast while wearing a smart suit and tie.
Moving models of flowers powered by solar energy are displayed at the entrance of the European Union council headquarters in Brussels February 18, 2008. The exhibition called "Dang'cing Solar Flowers" and featuring 10,000 flowers are set to raise public awareness on issues linked with energy.
Photo by Yves Herman
It's a doggone chartbuster -- a song audible only to dogs has topped New Zealand record charts, and is looking to go global.
A Very Silent Night, recorded at a frequency only dogs can hear, was so popular among owners it hit number one at Christmas, but has been receiving mixed responses from listeners.
The charity CD, priced at NZ$4.99 ($3.93), contained an instrumental and a vocal version of the song, but Bob Kerridge, chief executive of animal welfare group the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said he did not know what kind of music dogs would hear.
Around NZ$22,000 ($17,300) has been raised by the disc's sale.
A national autism advocacy group is demanding an apology from CBS over a disparaging remark a contestant on the reality show "Big Brother" made about people with the disorder.
On that episode, a contestant named Adam, who claims to work for an autism foundation, said he would spend his winnings on a hair salon for people with developmental disabilities "so retards can get it together and get their hair done."
His partner, Sheila, told him: "Don't call them that."
Adam responded: "Disabled kids. I can call them whatever I want. I work with them all day, OK?"
The show's Web site describes him as a 29-year-old public relations manager from Delray Beach, Fla.
The ancient Acropolis hill is snow-covered in Athens on Monday, Feb. 18. 2008. A winter storm left Greece blanketed in snow overnight, cutting access to villages and disrupting travel across the country. Schools in the greater Greek capital area are closed on Monday, while most sports events scheduled for Sunday,were canceled.
Photo by Thanassis Stavrakis
U.N. peacekeepers in armored vehicles and pickup trucks whizzed into this refugee camp. A dozen women came to meet them, bringing their donkeys, water rations and homemade axes.
It was time for one of the refugees' most perilous tasks: collecting firewood.
Countless refugee women have been assaulted or raped, mostly by Arab janjaweed militiamen, after leaving the relative safety of their camps to gather wood in the open wilderness of Sudan's Darfur region. Most men don't even leave the camps because they risk being killed.
But one of the first steps taken by U.N. peacekeepers since they launched their mission in Darfur in January is to restore "firewood patrols" to protect women on their forays outside Kalma, home to 90,000 refugees and one of the region's largest camps.
The Israel Museum opened an exhibition on Monday of 53 paintings, many belonging to Jews, that were among thousands stolen in France or forcibly sold there during the Nazi occupation.
The "Looking for Owners" show will run until June 3. It is organised under the auspices of the French culture and foreign ministries, and Culture Minister Christine Albanel was in Jerusalem for the opening.
In all, around 100,000 works of art were either plundered or forcibly sold during World War II, the French culture ministry says.
Following the war 60,000 were repatriated and, of those, 45,000 returned to their owners. Another 13,000 pieces of lesser value were sold, leaving 2,000 still to be dealt with.
This image provided by Heritage Auction Galleries shows a 1794 large cent. About the size of a modern quarter-dollar, this 1794-dated penny with tiny stars engraved around the back rim was sold for $632,500 by Heritage Auction Galleries of Dallas, Texas Friday Feb. 15, 2008. Owned by Burbank, California aerospace industry executive, Walter J. Husak, it was part of a $10.7 million auction of 300 of his early American pennies.
Swiss media reported Monday that paintings stolen in one of Europe's largest art thefts have been discovered in a parking lot in front of a Zurich mental hospital.
The area around the Psychiatric University Clinic was closed off Monday evening and Zurich police spokeswoman Judith Hoedl said that a suspicious vehicle had been found.
She declined to say whether it was connected with the Feb. 10 robbery from a Zurich museum. The stolen works by Cezanne, Degas, van Gogh and Monet from the private E.G. Buehrle Collection are worth about $163 million.
Local TV station TeleZuri quoted a witness as saying that the car contained three paintings bearing the name of the museum. Among the pictures was Claude Monet's "Poppy field at Vetheuil," the witness said.
For over 120 years the job of painting the colossal Forth railway bridge has famously been a never-ending task.
So much steel is involved in the 1.5-mile long rail bridge over the Firth of Forth that, the legend goes, by the time the painters finish, they need to start over again at the other end.
Now, however, a date has been set for completion -- 2012.
Engineering firm Balfour Beatty has been blasting off layers of paint from the bridge since 2002 and replacing them with a special coating designed to last 20 years.
An owl butterfly feeds on a piece of fruit inside the new exhibition hall, 'Butterflies and Plants: Partners in Evolution', at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History during a press preview in Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008. The live butterfly exhibit opens to the public on Friday Feb. 15, 2008.
Photo by Jacquelyn Martin
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