What made you go WTF today?

[GGT]

Originally Posted by Loki

You get charged more for using transport during peak hours, not for using the route. It's cheaper to go from London to Manchester than to some of the smaller towns that aren't on the main routes.

The point isn't whether the train is empty or not; it's the expectation about how many people will be on it. If the company expects the train to be full, they can afford to charge less. If the train is likely to be empty, they're going to charge a lot (especially since they're probably have a train for that route just because the government forces them to).

Originally Posted by Loki

Has anyone ever denied that a lack of competition will lead to high prices?

Originally Posted by Loki

Botched privatization is worse than no privatization.

Awaiting Loki's further compartmentalization, while transporting as many people as possible, while giving credit to market competition.

[Timbuk2]

*walks in, takes a look around*





*walks out again tutting*

[catgrrl]

There was a squirrel just outside my window, hanging out on the windowsill....

Then he started licking the window screen. All over.

Our backyard wildlife is odd.

[Nessus]

You ever see Silence of the Lambs?

Remember that bit where Clarice first goes to the wing with the psychos?

Remember what one psycho she passes says about his olfactory capabilities?

That squirrel was thinking the exact same thing

About you

[catgrrl]

He did weird me out, I was probably only 4-5 inches from him (of course the window was closed so glass between us) and he was going to town on the screen. He didn't run like he usually does when he sees me.

And here I though having windows higher off the ground that I wouldn't have a peeping tom problem!

[Nessus]

Well, they do say women are at their most beautiful when they're pregnant

[ChexGuy331]

The same thing that has made me go WTF ever since June of this year.

PC.

Ghostbusters.

[coinich]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americ...ead/index.html

(CNN) -- On the holiday known as the Day of the Dead, a Brazilian bricklayer walked into his own funeral.

The sight of Ademir Jorge Goncalves alive shocked relatives, some of whom tried to jump out of the windows of the funeral home in southern Brazil.

"In my 10 years in this business, I have never witnessed a scene like this," said Natanael Honorato, manager of the funeral home in the Parana state.

I've heard of reading your own obituary before, but this is ridiculous!

[oldmunchkin]

Crash your own funeral....how appropriate!

[Khendraja'aro]

On the Day of the Dead, no less

[Flixy]

Originally Posted by Loki

The point is that a market-based system without competition will probably have higher prices than a government-controlled one, since the government can suppress the price rates in the latter.

True. I don't think a free market based system with competition is possible with railroad traffic, since there is only one track (and no room for more, at least here). Plus, since it benefits the government when people travel by train (less congestion on the roads, less pollution, etc), I don't consider it a bad thing when the government suppresses the prices. The money has to come from somewhere, but it saves money in other places too.

Also, here the fare is based purely on distance, not on how many people are expected to ride that particular track.

[GGT]

Originally Posted by Flixy

....
Also, here the fare is based purely on distance, not on how many people are expected to ride that particular track.

Doesn't work so well with healthcare. Some say the more in the actuarial pool makes a more affordable insurance premium, and that could be true.

But when everyone in the pool wants to stay in the water until their skin is blue and shriveled, and they're gasping for help, but the lifeguard can't tell them to get out beforehand, and there aren't enough lifeguards to drag everyone to shore, we have a problem.

edit: and before anyone goes all WTF is GGT talking about, it's the third rail that no one will touch. The analogy of trains and moving people is a good one, as a metaphor for healthcare. It's like those who say Amtrak funding should die because they can't compete on the free market, even tho there's no free market comparison. Or euros complaining about trains that don't arrive on time or cancel.

[Nessus]

World's smallest mother Stacey Herald to give birth for the third time

Stacey Herald, the world's smallest mother, is about to give birth for the third time, despite warnings she is risking her life.

Mrs Herald, who is just 2ft 4ins, was told that becoming pregnant could kill her but has already defied doctors to have two healthy babies.

The 35-year-old from Dry Ridge, Kentucky, USA, suffers from Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which causes brittle bones and underdeveloped lungs, and means she failed to grow.

Now Mrs Herald, who uses a wheelchair, and her husband Will, who is 5ft 9ins, are awaiting the birth of their third child, due in the next four weeks.

She cannot hold her daughter because her belly gets in the way, and has to rely on her husband Will to do most things around the house.

Mrs Herald admits being pregnant is "uncomfortable" and leaves her bedridden for weeks on end. By the time the new addition, a boy, is one he will already tower over his mum.

But despite all the obstacles, Mrs Herald and her husband, a trainee priest, say they want even more children.

The couple met in 2000 while working for a supermarket in their home town and were desperate for a family after marrying in 2004.

But doctors warned Mrs Herald a baby would grow so large inside her tiny body it would eventually crush her organs.

"It broke my heart that I couldn't have kids," she said.

"All my life my parents had told me that I could do anything. Then there were these doctors telling me that we couldn't be a complete family. It really hurt."

Eight months later, the couple were thrilled when they discovered Mrs Herald was pregnant and decided to go ahead even though family and doctors begged them to reconsider.

"They all told me that I would die. They begged me not to have a baby. Even my mother said,' You know you won't survive right?'

"I told her: 'It's a miracle that I am here, that I have life, why couldn't this be a miracle too?'"

After 28 weeks, doctors performed a cesarean section and daughter Kateri was born, weighing just 2lbs and 1oz in 2006.

She grew well but there was heartbreak for the family when they discovered Kateri had inherited Mrs Herald's condition and would also never grow to a normal height.

But the young family resumed life as normal, before Mrs Herald became pregnant a year later.

"It was kind of like the last time, everyone screamed: 'What are you doing?' at us," she said.

"The doctors told me I was pushing my luck. But we just prayed that God would bring us through it."

She admits that the second pregnancy has taken its toll, saying: "It was hard, I got so much bigger faster. At my worst point I remember bursting into tears, because I looked like a beach ball with a head and little feet.

Doctors tried to let the second baby stay in Mrs Herald's body for as long as possible, letting her pregnancy go to 34 weeks before taking her into theatre.

Daughter Makaya who, at 18 inches was more than half her mum's body length when she was born, weighed 4lbs and 7oz.

Now both girls are bigger than their mother, who is now 30 weeks pregnant with her first boy.

She said: "It's getting tougher and tougher to move.

"At the moment because I'm getting really big again I can't hold my youngest daughter because my belly gets in the way and I can't get my arms around her."

Mrs Herald added: "All my babies are miracles, but we haven't thought about if we're going to have some more, as they're a real handful right now.

"We didn't plan to have more than two kids, we just think that they're a great gift to the world, and when I look at them I see Will and I feel so full of love, it's tough not to want more."

You can't tell on the blue scheme, but the bolded bit is a link. Check it out, the picture is really

[Hazir]

Damn, I just read in an article that the KLM part of Air France-KLM is only 4 million passenger behind BA. I always thought BA was significantly bigger.

[Flixy]

When KLM merged with AF the ybecame one of the biggest players worldwide, so I am not surprised. Problem is they lose passengers every year...

And nessus... just

[Timbuk2]

My left inner bicep has gotten hairy. My right one hasn't.

[oldmunchkin]

DENVER -- Car sales are going to the dogs -- and that's a good thing!

A new survey shows 67 percent of car shoppers are howling for pet-friendly vehicles -- that's a big jump from 24 percent three years ago, according to LeaseTrader.com.

"Car manufacturers are starting to cater to this sub-genre of "dog eccentric" drivers who take their pet everywhere," said Ethan Goldman, spokesman for Leasetrader.com, the nation's most popular Web site for drivers seeking to swap their auto lease.
Click here to find out more!

Honda this week is rolling out a "Dog Friendly" Element, featuring a cushioned pet bed with safety restraints in the cargo area, a spill-resistant water bowl, and a ventilation fan to keep Fido cool. There's also a folding ramp to ease Bowser in and out without blowing out your back.

The small SUV also sports a back door "Dog Friendly" insignia with pup and paw print icons -- and rubber mats stamped with a dog bone design. And for stylish canine human "companions," Honda offers a black tote bag with leash, collar and a dog tag "ready for engraving."

Check out the "Dog Friendly" Honda Element.

"Hatchbacks and station wagons are filling the needs of pet owners looking for a little extra sportiness and space to fit the family pet," says Gina Spadafori, executive editor of petconnection.com and dogcars.com. "The ability of the car industry to identify the needs of this growing subculture shows a new-found commitment to innovation and customer demand."

The trend is partly driven by motorists who are dumping big SUVs to save on fuels costs.

"In 2006, people were in their SUVs, so they really didn't have to worry about a pet-friendly car," Goldman said. "But now that people are looking to get into a car that is more economically friendly, they're asking 'How do you fit a dog into a sedan or a station wagon hatch-back?'"

Toyota held tail-wagging "Dog Park Days" events from Denver to Los Angeles earlier earlier this year to pitch their pet-friendly 2009 Venza, an all-wheel-drive station wagon.

The hatchback Venza offers more than a dozen pet creature comforts, including a pet ramp for easy loading and unloading, a leash tether for securing pets to the wagon, a pet booster seat with harness, and a rear seat zip-line-style dog harness that allows Rover to roam safely from one side window to the other. It also has waterproof and removable hammock-style seat covers.

More than 29 million Americans have traveled with their pets within the past three years, Toyota executives note. And more than half of all dog owners consider their pet’s comfort when buying a car.

"Our goal is to inform these on-the-go pet owners that Venza is a great choice when it comes to creature comfort and pet travel safety options," Bob Zeinstra, national product marketing manager for Toyota Motor Sales, said earlier this year.

[SUICIDE]

Teenager throws dog from a bridge:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeJ3d...video_response

http://translate.google.com/translat...s%2F1258473722

http://translate.googleusercontent.c...0wvjC93IxM6BgQ

http://translate.googleusercontent.c...KhynEbEgPx3htg

[Spawnie]

This prob happened a while ago but wtf is with the ****** new forum design? Was it designed by the Atari CEOs retarded 8 year old or what?

[EmperorNorton]

I rather like the black-on-grey theme. Sortof fits the color of my soul.

[Widows Peak Oz]

Originally Posted by EmperorNorton

I rather like the black-on-grey theme. Sortof fits the color of my soul.

Blah-blah Norton trying to sound all philosophical and ****.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Widows' avatar.

"How can this be? How can this peasant beat me"'

Darth Vader: I know what you're getting for Christmas Luke.
Luke: No Way!
Darth Vader: Oh, but I do know what you're getting for Christmas.
Luke: Impossible!
Darth Vader: Not at all.
Luke: How could you possibly know what I'm getting for Christmas
Darth Vader: I felt your presents.

[Widows Peak Oz]

.......noice.

[Illusions]

Originally Posted by Ziggy Stardust

Darth Vader: I know what you're getting for Christmas Luke.
Luke: No Way!
Darth Vader: Oh, but I do know what you're getting for Christmas.
Luke: Impossible!
Darth Vader: Not at all.
Luke: How could you possibly know what I'm getting for Christmas
Darth Vader: I felt your presents.

Give him a hand folks.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Calling me a ****er?

No. They didn't censor the w-word meaning tosser

Did they?

[Illusions]

Originally Posted by Ziggy Stardust

Calling me a ****er?

No. They didn't censor the w-word meaning tosser

Did they?

Get it? Give him a hand? Because its a joke about Luke and Vader, and Luke getting presents? Bespin? Damn that fell flat...

[Ziggy Stardust]

Originally Posted by Illusions

Get it? Give him a hand? Because its a joke about Luke and Vader, and Luke getting presents? Bespin? Damn that fell flat...

I've got to hand it to you, you go deep man. Deep.

[Bitter Jeweler]

"Da Hearing", that was supposed to happen tomorrow, is now scheduled for ****ing January.

[termite]

Scientology not religion, it is a criminal organisation - says senator

Article:

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has used a speech in Parliament to raise allegations of widespread criminal conduct within the Church of Scientology.

Senator Xenophon says he has received letters from former followers of the religion detailing claims of crimes and abuses.

He says he has passed on the letters to the police and is calling for a Senate inquiry into the religion and its tax exempt status.

"Do you want Australian tax exemptions to be supporting an organisation that coerces its followers into having abortions? Do you want to be supporting an organisation that defrauds, that blackmails, that falsely imprisons?" he asked.

"Because on the balance of evidence provided by victims of scientology you probably are."

Senator Xenophon told Parliament the Church of Scientology is a criminal organisation that hides behind its "so-called religious beliefs".

"The letters received by me which were written by former followers in Australia contain extensive allegations of crimes and abuses that are truly shocking," he said.

"Crimes against them and crimes they say they were coerced into committing.

"There are allegations of false imprisonment, coerced abortions and embezzlement of church funds, of physical violence and intimidation, blackmail and the widespread and deliberate abuse of information."

Senator Xenophon says the allegations are shocking.

"It is alleged that information about suspicious deaths and child abuse has been destroyed and one follower has admitted that he was coerced by the organisation into perjuring himself into deaths of his two daughters," he said.

"These victims of Scientology claim it is an abusive manipulative and violent organisation."

In a statement, the Church of Scientology says Senator Xenophon has abused Parliamentary privilege and is being pressured by disgruntled former members who are unreliable witnesses.

Which leads to this:

A lecturer in philosophy and religious studies at La Trobe University, Dr Rod Blackhurst, spoke to The World Today about the Church and the current controversy.

Depending what country you are in, Scientology could be a religion, a cult, a quasi-religion, or a religious charity.

It was founded by the science fiction writer L Ron Hubbard in the early 1950s and in 1983 the Australian High Court ruled it is a religion.

Dr Blackhurst says Scientology is able to thrive because of the difficulty in defining religion.

"Generally speaking, it seems to behave as what you'd describe as a cult, certainly not as a full-blown religion in the sense that Christianity or Buddhism or Islam are religions," he said.

"It's a new religion, there's lots and lots of these new religions. By and large they're referred to as cults or sects."

He says Scientology takes advantage of the confusion over what constitutes a religion.

"There's no certain definition of what a religion is and Scientology plays upon that. It thrives in that ambiguity of exactly what a religion is and in different parts of the world there's different answers to that," he said.

"[These answers are] largely decided by courts and judges because religions in this particular case come with tax exemption and that really is the crucial issue.

"What is a religion only matters in the public sphere in as much as in most places it provides you with a tax exemption."

'Mishmash of stuff'
The religious studies lecturer says Scientology draws heavily from Buddhism and science fiction.

"It's essentially a mishmash of stuff - it's syncretic. By and large it's closest I guess to Buddhism in some ways," he said.

"Basically what L Ron Hubbard did - the founder of Scientology - he's a science fiction writer and he took some of the basic simple techniques of Buddhism and elements from other religions and he re-packaged them with a scientific veneer and then linked it to his particular science fiction.

"So it's a very strange sort of mixture of stuff from all different traditions. But probably closest in some ways a perversion of the doctrines of Buddhism."

He says while it is not necessarily always destructive for practitioners, there have many cases of people who have had problems with the church.

"There's many, many people who practice Scientology and who live perfectly comfortable and productive lives, and so in that sense they would certainly say that it is not dangerous," he said.

"However there is a long, long list of people who've had severe problems with Scientology, and Senator Xenophon has letters from people who claim that they've had very bad experiences with Scientology.

"So I don't think you can generalise. I don't think you can say, 'well it's dangerous to everybody', obviously I think it probably helps some people. But obviously others, they get mixed up in it and they feel ripped off and cheated and abused."

Tax rort?
Church spokesman Cyrus Brooks has slammed Senator Xenophon's claims as an outrageous abuse of parliamentary privilege.

He says the allegations have never been put to the church by the people who have written the letters.

Dr Blackhurst says Senator Xenophon's claims that Scientology is a criminal organisation refer to its tax status.

"He thinks that they're fraudulent and that they're posing as a religion and that they're taking the Australian taxpayers for a ride on that basis," he said.

"Also I think the criminal elements he'd be referring to would be the way that people who are not happy with the organisation are treated.

"Scientology has a long history of having some very, very savage lawyers who will go after people who are discontent with the organisation or who speak out against the organisation."

Dr Blackhurst says he does not believe it is a real religion and therefore does not deserve its tax exemptions.

"This is a matter for the courts to decide and it really comes down to exactly what does constitute a religion and to what extent it contributes to the public good," he said.

"My own view is that it's not really a religion; it's packaged like a religion, and that therefore it shouldn't be subsidised by the taxpayers.

"Although there are elements of it that are involved in charity and things like that and I suppose that in that sense it's a community organisation and it may do some good in that capacity."

[Spawnie]

The thing is, how can you trust the judgment of a judicial system that convicted a guy of pedophilia for looking at simpsons porn?