Undignified Deaths: (1) A 25-year-old woman jumped to her death from a department store roof in Tokyo in November and, as sometimes happens with such suicides, she landed on a pedestrian (who was hospitalized in serious condition).
http://www.metropulse.com/articles/2008/18_07/weird.html
pic unrelated

Undignified Deaths: (2) At least five people choked to death in Japan over New Year’s, as usual, from eating the extremely sticky “mochi” rice cakes that are a staple of the holiday.
http://www.metropulse.com/articles/2008/18_07/weird.html
pic unrelated

Every faggot who self-decides that he can stay off his meds and be okay needs to be fitted with a shock collar that activates if they go without them for longer than two days

HOUSTON - Former President George H.W. Bush endorsed John McCain on Monday, a nod of approval from the Republican political dynasty's patriarch that sends a strong signal to a GOP establishment wary of the Arizona senator.
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"No one is better prepared to lead our nation at these trying times than Sen. John McCain," Bush said, standing alongside the Republican nominee-in-waiting in an airport hanger. "His character was forged in the crucible of war. His commitment to America is beyond any doubt. But most importantly, he has the right values and experience to guide our nation forward at this historic moment."

McCain, in turn, said he was deeply honored by Bush's support. "I think that our effort to continue to unite the party will be enhanced dramatically by President Bush's words," he added.

Since effectively sealing the nomination when chief rival Mitt Romney dropped out, McCain has been working to convince the fickle and influential conservative base of the Republican Party to get behind his candidacy.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/mccain_bush

LANSING -- The Michigan Republican Party kicked off its convention here this weekend with a prayer to "deliver us from liberalism and secular humanism" and for "the election of conservative Republicans."

It's unclear whether the Almighty will be offering any aid come November, but the GOP will need some sort of help if it's to endure what is shaping up as a difficult 2008 election season.

"We're definitely on the defensive," said Michael Brown, an assistant prosecutor from Monroe and one of the 3,000 or so local activists milling around the convention floor at the Lansing Center. From those grass-roots Republicans to the top of the state party leadership, there were acknowledgements that a number of factors point to a challenging year:

• In the presidential race, the state GOP lost what may have been its best chance to carry Michigan for the first time in 20 years when Mitt Romney bowed out this month.

• In the U.S. Senate race, a popular incumbent with a huge financial advantage -- Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit -- makes the all-but-certain GOP challenger, state Rep. Jack Hoogendyk, among the longest of long shots among Senate hopefuls across the country.

• Democrats are targeting two Republican-held U.S. House seats, promising to pour hundreds of thousands of dollars into bids to unseat veteran Rep. Joe Knollenberg of Bloomfield Township and freshman Rep. Tim Walberg of Tipton.

Democratic challengers in both races will benefit from the massive fundraising advantage the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee holds over its Republican counterpart.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/POLITICS01/802180368

Pitcher arrives at spring training, addresses situation for first time

TAMPA, Fla. - Andy Pettitte arrived at spring training Monday following his ordeal before Congress and threw a bullpen session at the New York Yankees’ minor league complex before his scheduled news conference.

"I'm happy to be back here and am again looking forward to giving the Yankees every ounce of energy I have this season," Pettitte said as he read a statement.

"I want to apologize to the New York Yankees and to the Houston Astros organizations and their fans and all baseball fans for the embarrassment I have caused them."

Pettitte also said he apologized kids who looked up to him.

"I have never tried to take sides in Roger's and Mac's situation," Pettitte said. "I have tried to be honest."

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/23213096/

Results are latest disappointment in microbicide research

The first anti-AIDS vaginal gel to make it through late-stage testing failed to stop HIV infection in a study of 6,000 South African women, disappointed researchers announced Monday.

The study was marred by low use of the gel, which could have undermined results, they said. Women used it less than half the number of times they had sex, and only 10 percent said they used it every time as directed.

Scientists are still analyzing the results to see if this made a difference. They also plan more tests on a revamped gel containing an AIDS drug that they hope will work better.

The gel used in the current study did prove safe, however, and researchers called that a watershed event.

But for now, the effort is the latest disappointment in two decades of trying to develop a microbicide — a cream or gel women could use to lower their risk of getting HIV through sex. A female-controlled method is especially needed in poor countries where women often can't persuade men to use condoms.

A year ago, scientists stopped two late-stage tests of a different gel after early results suggested it might raise the risk of HIV infection instead of lowering it.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23223084/

Britain's planned next generation of Fleet Tankers for its Royal Fleet Auxiliary will likely have a "made in Korea" label, if a consortium led by BAE Systems is successful

BAE Systems has submitted a response to a U.K. Ministry of Defence Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire (PQQ) to design and build up to six of the fleet tankers for the RFA. The company will partner with BMT Defence Services Ltd and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (DSME) to bid for the contract for the ships, the first part of the U.K.'s planned Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) program.

BAE Systems through its Surface Fleet Solutions business will act as lead contractor and program manager, BMT will be the design partner and the ships are planned to be built by DSME in Korea. BAE Systems says that this approach "combines the best global experience in both commercial and military shipbuilding."


http://www.marinelog.com/DOCS/NEWSMMVII/2008feb00171.html

congard to our koreans friends and i know many Europeans who ask themslefs WHY AT THE FUCKING QUEENY SHIT ARE THEY BULDING THEIR DEFENCE SHIPS OUTSIDE OF EU?!!

What would you do, if you were asked to give up your dreams for freedom? What would you do, If asked to make the ultimate sacrifice?

Would you think about all them people, who gave up everything they had? Would you think about all them War Vets, and would you start to feel bad?

Freedom isn't free, It costs folks like you and me. And if we don't all chip in, We'll never pay that bill.

Freedom isn't free, no, there's a hefty in' fee. And if you don't throw in your buck 'o five, who will?

Both parties are anti democratic
They both wish for complete power over all branches.gov and total dictatorial control over you, but are willing to accept the popular vote system as a means to an end. Given all three branches.gov with a large enough majority, either party would enslave you completely. Its only their power struggle that keeps you somewhat free.