Grand Rapids Business Daily

Anyone see the news out of Grand rapids Mi.? Security camera caught a man pumping gas being assaulted by a hispanic male for no reason. The attacker grabbed a heavy garbage can top and threatened the man with it. The man (who has a ccw) pulled his pistol and fired one shot to the head killing the attacker. Police investigated and have released the man with no charges filed and have said openly the aggresor was in the wrong and sad as it is deserved what he got. ABOUT DAMN TIME finally the armed citizen is allowed to defend themselves I am proud to be from Mi. today. I think it was wood tv 8 that it was on they should have the footage on their website.

news 8 "wood tv 8" grand rapids mi?

grand rapids, michigan - discovery kids on nbc (flight 29 down) ?? i live in grand rapids, michigan. which IS eastern time. i dont understand why i dont get discovery kids on my nbc channel (channel 8, called wood tv 8) on saturdays. does anyone know why i dont get it? i checked the time schedule and everything and nothing comes up! i check every saturday morning but all i get is news. how come the discovery program doesnt come on my thing? can someone check for me? or tell me if there even is a discovery kids here in grand rapids? cause i really want to check out the "flight 29 down" show.

where can i find old news archives? michigan grand rapids crime news

Palin in Cedar Rapids IA or Grand Rapids, MI? Gov. Sarah Palin's first visit to Iowa as a vice-presidential hopeful turned in a blooper reunion. She stated excitedly in Cedar Rapids, IOWA ""Thank you so much Iowa. It is good to be here in Grand Rapids!". Are we really wanting someone who does not check and verify information in any High Government Office? No wonder Senator Barrack Obama is ahead in the polls. I for one am questioning the Republican VP Choice..What about you? Curious check out this link: http://www.kcci.com/news/17506788/detail.html

Did you check our Chuck Baldwin for president? Wood tv news in Grand Rapids MI shows and interview with Chuck Baldwin who is nonpartisan? What do you think? Why doesn't somebody run who is experienced yet will leave a party and run for president?

Why is fox news misleading their audience? Fox News again accused of airing misleading video.Wednesday's incident occurred when Fox News host Gregg Jarrett mentioned that a Sarah Palin appearance and book signing in Grand Rapids, Michigan had a massive turnout.However, the video used in the segment was from a 2008 McCain/Palin campaign rally. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts988

Stimulus for education? Another lie from the great powers that be? Where's the so-called Stimulus money? Show me the money, Barry! http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/03/byron_center_public_schools_ma.html http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/03/teacher_retirement_offer_closi.html#more

GW Bush admits KSM was waterboarded; would do it again to save lives; Who has more balls Obama or Bush? http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/06/id_do_it_again_former_presiden.html God I miss having a REAL President instead of any empty suit

What is UR opioion on this Article Wyoming family's separation punctuates push for immigration reform? Do U believe the system is broken or do you believe that disobeying our immigration the laws is why this happened in the first place ? GRAND RAPIDS -- When labor, civil rights and religious leaders gathered today to call for immigration reform, their effort was encapsulated in the ordeal of Mandy Evangelista, who with her husband, Jose, traveled to Mexico so he could finally legalize his status. That was five years ago. Since then, Mandy and their children Jorge, 11, Marisol, 7, and Perla, 5, have had to live without Jose, communicating only via telephone after his residency was denied and he was kept out of the U.S. "For a mother having your child wake up in the middle of the night, asking where daddy is ... there's just no explanation," said Evangelista, 29, of Wyoming. Evangelista is among a group of labor, civil rights and religious leaders launching a statewide campaign to promote immigration reform. Today, the Michigan Coalition part of Reform Immigration for America held press conferences in Grand Rapids, Detroit, Pontiac and Lansing to promote their call for comprehensive immigration reform. Advocates said there needs to be legislation that will create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants; reform the visa system to clear backlogs and to replace illegal immigration with orderly, legal immigration; and enhance border security and protect workers from unscrupulous employers. During the press conference in Grand Rapids, Luis Pena, a former trustee for Grand Rapids Public Schools, said reform is needed so more people seeking a legal way to enter the country can do so. Now the system is so complicated that many families, like the Evangelistas, are kept apart, sometimes for 10 to 20 years. Having a system that's easier to navigate would improve the country's safety while answering the needs of employees, he added. "We need a system that's easier to go through than to go around," Pena said. Agreeing was Kate Kooyman, from the office of social justice with the Christian Reform Church. She said illegal immigration is first and foremost a humanitarian issue, and that to deport about 13 million undocumented workers living in this country is unrealistic. "We can't do that and we shouldn't do that," she said. "Mass deportation is impossible. It won't work." Marv Russow, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 951, said protecting the rights of some workers will ensure that all workers are treated equally in the country and will prevent abuse of unscrupulous employers. While President Barack Obama has said he will not try to pass immigration reform until a health care bill has been dealt with, advocates and grassroots organizations have been mobilizing for months to push for immigration reform. For Mandy Evangelista, each day without her husband is a missed day in their children's lives. "When he was here, he took Jorge (their oldest) to school the first day," she said. Now her youngest daughter just celebrated her fifth birthday -- and all of them have been without her father. "He's lost every single moment in his children's lives for the last five years. You can't get that back," she said. http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/08/wyoming_familys_separation_pun.html

Should illegal immigrants be allowed to get married in the United States? Kent County Clerk sued over failing to grant marriage licenses to illegal immigrants GRAND RAPIDS -- Attorneys for two unnamed West Michigan couples were to file a class action lawsuit in federal court today, claiming the Kent County clerk is violating civil rights by not granting marriage licenses to illegal immigrants who don't have a Social Security number. The suit, being filed in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids, says Clerk Mary Hollinrake is breaking state and federal laws by requiring people who apply for marriage licenses but don't have a Social Security number to prove they qualify for two specific exemptions. It asks a judge to order her to stop and seeks monetary damages and attorney fees. "This is contrary to the constitution of the United States and Michigan and discriminatory in that it has an effect of discriminating against a large group of the Hispanic community in Kent County," said Robert Alvarez, and attorney from Wyoming whose firm has partnered with a Southfield law office. Alvarez said he is filing the suit on behalf of two local couples, who are using pseudonyms to protect their identity because two of the four people are here illegally and fear deportation. The complaint identifies one couple as Juan Doe, a U.S. citizen, and Maria Doe, a citizen of Mexico who lives in Grand Rapids and is ineligible for a Social Security number. The couple -- who have lived together since 2005 and have two children -- say Hollinrake's office denied them a marriage license when Maria was unable to sign a sworn affidavit and provide documentation saying she was exempt from providing a Social Security number under one the two acceptable answers listed. The second couple is identified as Andrea Doe, a U.S. citizen who lives in Wyoming, and Noe Doe, a Mexican citizen who lives in Grand Rapids and is ineligible for a Social Security number. The couple have been together since 2000 and had to cancel plans to be married at a local church after being denied a marriage license. The suit says Andrea Doe spoke directly with Hollinrake to explain that her fiance, Noe, did not have a Social Security number because of his lack of legal status and was told that was not a sufficient "legal reason" to qualify for an exemption. When reached Tuesday, Hollinrake said she could not specifically comment on the lawsuit because she had not seen a copy of it. She said her policy is based on federal law, which says each state must require county clerks to collect Social Security numbers on marriage license applications. County clerks have been collecting the numbers since 2005, when the federal government decided to enforce a little-known law that requires it on marriage license applications in case they are needed to collect child support payments. Hollinrake's office -- and others throughout the state -- require applicants without a Social Security number to sign a document swearing they do not possess one. http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/03/kent_county_clerk_sued_over_fa.html

Political Correctness gone wild? Seriously? A six year old boy suspended for making a gun with his hand? Apparently it made other kindergartners "uncomfortable" What's next, chop off his hand? http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/03/ionia_kindergartener_suspended.html

We told illegals not to drink & drive I guess thats why this illegal decided to drink & drive 1 american dead? GRAND RAPIDS -- Months after 80-year-old Leonard Dykstra was killed in a drunken driving crash, his son Brian Dykstra asked a judge to sentence the culprit, Efrain Garcia-Miron, to five years in prison. That's just what Kent County Circuit Judge Paul Sullivan did Tuesday, sentencing the 33-year-old illegal immigrant to between five and 15 years in prison for drunken driving causing the death of Dykstra, a retired postman. After serving his prison term, Garcia-Miron will be deported to Mexico. The night of July 23, Walker Police say Garcia-Miron was driving a 1999 Chrysler 300 with a blood alcohol level that a breathalyzer showed to be nearly 0.18, but official tests showed as 0.10. The legal definition of drunk for motorists is 0.08. Garcia-Miron pleaded guilty to crossing the center line of Wilson Avenue SW and crashing into Dykstra's 2001 Ford Taurus as the older man returned home after dinner with family members. Dykstra worked more than two decades for the postal service, his last assignment at Grand Rapids' downtown branch, before retiring. Brian Dykstra said his mother died when he was a child and his father raised him. "As a result of the criminal actions of (Garcia-Miron), I lost my father," Dykstra told Sullivan. "But he was more than that to me. He was a dear friend." Dykstra turned to Garcia-Miron and told him that this was not the last judgment he would face -- there would also be the judgment of God. "Don't turn to sin to escape from your problems, turn toward God," Dykstra said. Garcia-Miron also made a statement through a court translator, weeping as he spoke. "I ask for forgiveness, forgiveness, a thousand times," Garcia-Miron said. "I would like to say that I've been looking for God and I have found God and I face God and I will hold his hand." http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/01/driver_who_caused_retired_post.html

Do you agree with Ron Paul when he said Obama's health care would be "incredibly expensive"? http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/07/obamas_health_care_plan_will_b.html Former Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul has a frank prescription for the health care plan making its way through Congress: Scrap it. "I think it's monstrous," Paul said. "I don't think it will improve medical care in this country. I think it's very, very costly and we don't have any money. And they don't have any way of paying for it." The libertarian GOP congressman and physician was in East Grand Rapids today for a private reception for what was touted as a "conservative comeback luncheon." Paul is skeptical of estimates that peg the 10-year cost of the plan backed by President Barack Obama at $1 trillion. He puts it much higher. He noted that cost estimates for Medicaid and Medicare are often below the mark. "On average, it's two or three times more expensive than they say. It's going to be incrediblity expensive." What do you think? Caribou, I know you don't. You are a liberal wing nut

For all who hate Pitts.? I'm sure that this woman bought this pitt a great BIG steak. ;) http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/04/blitz_the_pit_bull_stops_abduc.html

How much fraud will there be in a new Government Health Care Program? We have three major programs right now, Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA. In Michigan, one state out of 50, there is an estimate of $900 million worth of fraud in Medicaid alone. Rather than create yet another Government program which will instantly be filled with fraud and waste, why not fix the three programs we already have? Have you looked at your paystubs to see how much money is going to support fraud? This doesn't even count social security fraud. http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/07/west_michigan_legislator_to_pr.html

So Fox News caught in a lie huh? What do people think of this so called honest network now? details inside->? Fox News again accused of airing misleading video For the second time in just over a week, Fox News is coming under fire for misusing old news footage. The latest flap is leading some people to charge that the cable news network is intentionally misleading its audience, while Fox claims a "production error." Wednesday's incident occurred when Fox News host Gregg Jarrett mentioned that a Sarah Palin appearance and book signing in Grand Rapids, Michigan had a massive turnout. As footage rolled of a smiling and waving Palin amidst a throng of fans, Jarrett noted that the former Republican vice-presidential candidate is "continuing to draw huge crowds while she's promoting her brand-new book,'' adding that the images being shown were "some of the pictures just coming in to us.... The lines earlier had formed this morning." However, the video used in the segment was from a 2008 McCain/Palin campaign rally. In response to the minor uproar that arose after clips of Jarrett's report hit the Internet, Fox senior vice-president of news Michael Clemente issued an initial statement saying, "This was a production error in which the copy editor changed a script and didn't alert the control room to update the video." On Thursday afternoon, Fox News issued an on-air apology delivered by host Jane Skinner: Yesterday we told you about Sarah Palin kicking off her book tour and then we spoke to Sean Hannity about an interview that he did with former Governor Palin. When introducing the segment we showed you footage of people lining up in Michigan for a book signing that evening. In the tease before the segment, the tease to commercial, we told you how those people were already lining up to meet Palin. The problem is we didn't show you the video we were actually referencing. Instead we mistakenly aired what's called "file tape" of Sarah Palin. We didn't mean to mislead anybody in that tease. It was a mistake, and for that we apologize. The current mishap comes on the heels of a controversy sparked last week when footage from a conservative rally held over the summer was played on "Hannity" during a segment on a more recent rally. During the clip, host Sean Hannity marveled over the large turnout for a Washington, DC protest. The Daily Show later pointed out that there seemed to be some inconsistencies with the video shown on Hannity's show, namely that the atmospheric conditions seemed to vary from shot to shot. Hannity later apologized on the air for what he called "an inadvertent mistake." Barely a week into Palin’s blitz to promote “Going Rogue,” media coverage is becoming its own story. Fox News rival MSNBC caught heat last week for using altered images of Sarah Palin on the air, for which they later apologized. On Wednesday, Yahoo! News reported Newsweek’s defense of their latest controversial cover, which Palin herself blasted as “sexist.” -- Brett Michael Dykes is a contributor to the Yahoo! News Blog Thumbs up for everyone as i don't favor any of the News Networks.

Helping finding an old news article? I'm in the discussion category of the MSHSL Speech "team" and when we recieved our outlines they gave us a small bibliography of sources they want us to look at and I cannot find this particular news article (no librarians could find it for me either): Wylie, Margie. "Entrepreneurs Claim Parts of the Moon as Their Own ; No Law Says Individuals Cannot Own -- or Sell -- Space Prperty. So for 20 Bucks, a Dubious Deed to Lunar Real Estate Can Be Yours." /The Grand Rapids Press./ 15 Feb. 2004: A.9. Print If anyone can find me the full text of the article (along with the link) that would be superfantastic. I've exhausted all my resource, including ProQuest (which has electronic forms of archived newspapers). I've already asked research librarians for help and they best they can find me is a citation of the article, but cannot find the actual text article... Everything my school has subscriptions to doesn't have the article.

The "two Taylors" have split up!...who's happy about this???...? Breakinig news from Grand Rapids(Michigan), via Hollywood: LAUTNER, SWIFT SPLIT UP!...who's actually happy that TL dumped her(NOT the other way around!)? I blame her control-freak mom, and the age difference between them...and all of his fans who want to tear his jeans off him in anger over being jealous of the "date scene" between them! Now TL can date anyone he wants(EXCEPT Miley Cyrus and her "inner circle"[you know, Demi and Selena!], Kristen Bell, Rumer Glenn Willis[Bruce's oldest daughter], etc.), on one condition:she NOT be in the acting profession!...only cute girls his age in Grand Rapids can date him! Your thoughts?

Can anyone give me information on a car accident that occurred 5-17-08 on 8 mile road near Hesperia, Michigan? My family and I were the first ones on the scene where there was a young man trapped underneath a pontiac car that had hit a tree. I can't stop thinking about it and need to know if the man is okay. I think he was flown in a helicopter to Grand Rapids. Any information would be appreciated since I have searched all over for the news story and cannot find anything.

Stimulus HR-Block Turbotax debacle? Anybody else think that it's strange that the media hasn't picked up on what is the hot topic on this board. What I am speaking about of course is the issue with Turbo Tax HR block fees/ RAL's. I only found one story and it was from a News station in Grand Rapids of all places. Oh Well I guess in the next couple weeks when people go nutty about where there money is then maybe the media will say something. Oh wait it's been 3 days and people are already going crazy!

Dog Section: Do you Like a Happy ending? I posted this story about Minnow the bait dog and it was removed. So I will try again. Here is the link. http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/04/unleashed_minnow_former_bait_d.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+grpress+%28The+Grand+Rapids+Press+Latest+News+%7C+MLive.com%29 My question is how do you think this little terrier survived being up against Pit Bulls? I guess with that kind of torment, it is a good thing dogs do not think and rationalize as we do! He is really cute and his personality just shines through in this picture. @M - Sorry if you felt it was misleading, you must have missed the other two posts. In comparison, it is a happy ending.

News on Probation violation? About 2 months ago I was caught shoplifting in grand rapids MI. I was put in jail for 4 days. They added the charge of use of marijuana onto my charge because while i was being arrested my father told the cop that I used it... They never drug tested me at this point. I was sentenced to a year of probation and counseling along with a lot of little stuff. Up until now everything has been going fine, but about a week ago I dropped dirty for marijuana. My court date is the 19th. Are there any loopholes that i could play with because they just now found out i dropped dirty. like they never tested me while i was in jail.. but i did admit to using it in my lifetime during my hearing. If not does anybody have a similar case that wants to tell me their sentence? Or just what you think ill get?

News on Probation Violation? About 2 months ago I was caught shoplifting in grand rapids MI. I was put in jail for 4 days. They added the charge of use of marijuana onto my charge because while i was being arrested my father told the cop that I used it... They never drug tested me at this point. I was sentenced to a year of probation and counseling along with a lot of little stuff. Up until now everything has been going fine, but about a week ago I dropped dirty for marijuana. My court date is the 19th. Are there any loopholes that i could play with because they just now found out i dropped dirty. like they never tested me while i was in jail.. but i did admit to using it in my lifetime during my hearing. If not does anybody have a similar case that wants to tell me their sentence? Or just what you think ill get?

Are you aware of the controversy about the United States Flag flying at half-mast for fallen soldiers? Hello Friends and fellow Americans When I was checking the news back home on channel 13's website, I found an article about a controversy about the flag being flown at half-mast for our soldiers who gave all. I was appalled, so I responded in an email to the woman who was quoted in the article. I am pasting the email to the bottom of this so if you wish you may copy, paste, change my name to your name and email it to her. Read the story as posted on channel 13 at the link below. http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=77066 Below is my email I sent this morning. Joyce Doody National Flag Foundation Email: flag@americanflags.org Website: http://www.americanflags.org/index.flash.html Dear Joyce Doody What are you thinking? Soldiers coming home dead deserve the honor of the flag flying at half-staff. "We view the flag with devotion, for it represents our national heritage of noble deeds, splendid accomplishment, and untold sacrifices which combined to establish the moral character of our country.” http://americanflags.org/docs/etiquette.jsp?pageId=0690200091781119362379544 That was taken directly off your website; however the following was taken of a local news station WZZM 13 in Grand Rapids Michigan. http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=77066&provider=top "If the flag is half-staffed all the time, then it will trivialize in that we won't take notice to it anymore," says Joyce Doody of the National Flag Foundation. "We want to make sure that half-staffing remains a significant, unique gesture of national mourning." If a soldier’s death is not worth national morning using our flag, what is the point of having it? I truly hope your foundation is not supported with our tax dollars. If it is supported by donations I hope those that donate funds will read what you have said. I would not support an organization that thinks a dead soldier is a trivial matter and establishes the moral character of our country. Our country is at WAR, do you understand what that does to our soldiers? It gets some of them killed. Is a soldier’s death a trivial thing to you? If that is not worth national mourning, our respect and gratitude then what’s the point of the flag. Those soldiers are serving this country, The Unites States of America. A Grateful Citizen of the United States of America

What do you think Fake ID leads to 'terror' arrest of Wyoming man suspected to be terrorist illegal alien GRAND RAPIDS -- The Michigan City (Indiana) News Dispatch reports a man arrested for using a fake ID at the Blue Chip Casino may be a suspected terrorist who lived illegally in Wyoming, Michigan. Investigators believe he may be wanted in Colombia for "dangerous terrorism." Officials in Washington, D.C. ordered him held until federal agents could take him into custody. The man identified as Antonio Cruz, 31, was scheduled to be charged for using a false identification Wednesday afternoon. 24 Hour News 8 learned federal officials have taken the case over from local authorities and will take the suspect from the county jail. The man in custody had multiple IDs when questioned. One identification listed him as Castillo Luis, 45, but a second ID showed he was Antonio Cruz, 31, wanted for terrorism in Colombia. He told police he was an illegal alien living in Wyoming, Michigan. http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7543368&nav=0RceeSCn

Calvin College, Michigan?? Calvin College, located on a 400-acre campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a top-rated, four-year, it has apparently released a news story on a study it did claiming that smacked children do better in their teenage years - does anyone have specific information on what the study was, the ethical components, the counter balances and checks to ensure it was a wide study - all the usual evidence needed to prove scientific study processes have been achieved?

FOX Production Error? This supports my belief that they should remove "news" from their title. For the second time in just over a week, Fox News is coming under fire for misusing old news footage. The latest flap is leading some people to charge that the cable news network is intentionally misleading its audience, while Fox claims a "production error." Wednesday's incident occurred when Fox News host Gregg Jarrett mentioned that a Sarah Palin appearance and book signing in Grand Rapids, Michigan had a massive turnout. As footage rolled of a smiling and waving Palin amidst a throng of fans, Jarrett noted that the former Republican vice-presidential candidate is "continuing to draw huge crowds while she's promoting her brand-new book,'' adding that the images being shown were "some of the pictures just coming in to us.... The lines earlier had formed this morning." However, the video used in the segment was from a 2008 McCain/Palin campaign rally. In response to the minor uproar that arose after clips of Jarrett's report hit the Internet, Fox senior vice-president of news Michael Clemente issued an initial statement saying, "This was a production error in which the copy editor changed a script and didn't alert the control room to update the video." Error? I don't think so. What say you??? I'm not defending MSNBC here and they don't make a habit out of generating news. Just pointing out that FOX plays you idiots like a fiddle, that's all.

Why is FoxNews using bogus footage to pretend that 'throngs' of people are at Palin's book tour stop? For the second time in just over a week, Fox News is coming under fire for misusing old news footage. The latest flap is leading some people to charge that the cable news network is intentionally misleading its audience, while Fox claims a "production error." Wednesday's incident occurred when Fox News host Gregg Jarrett mentioned that a Sarah Palin appearance and book signing in Grand Rapids, Michigan had a massive turnout. As footage rolled of a smiling and waving Palin amidst a throng of fans, Jarrett noted that the former Republican vice-presidential candidate is "continuing to draw huge crowds while she's promoting her brand-new book,'' adding that the images being shown were "some of the pictures just coming in to us.... The lines earlier had formed this morning." However, the video used in the segment was from a 2008 McCain/Palin campaign rally. In response to the minor uproar that arose after clips of Jarrett's report hit the Internet, Fox senior vice-president of news Michael Clemente issued an initial statement saying, "This was a production error in which the copy editor changed a script and didn't alert the control room to update the video." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts988

16,185 MURDERS; 92,837 RAPES IN USA...Should we use the 27 BILLION Spent on ILLEGALS to hire more cops? WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More murders and robberies in 2006 sent U.S. violent crimes higher for the second straight year, the FBI said on Monday, with the increase blamed on gangs, youth violence, gun crimes and fewer police on beatsCities with big increases in the number of murders included Orlando and Miami in Florida; Oakland and San Diego in California; Phoenix, Arizona; Corpus Christi, Texas; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Reno, Nevada and Little Rock, Arkansas. Even though the higher violent crime numbers had been expected, they still represented bad news for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who has targeted violent crime as a top priority for the U.S. Justice Department. A department study released last month of 18 metropolitan areas cited more violence by local gangs or street crews, a greater prevalence of guns in the hands of criminals and younger, more violent offenders as key reasons for the rising crime http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070604/us_nm/usa_crime_dc_1

Will the Obama administration try to ban this high calorie treat? http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090325/ap_on_fe_st/odd_bodacious_burger GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Well, at least the salsa is low-cal. The West Michigan Whitecaps, a minor league baseball team, will be offering up major league cholesterol, carbohydrates and calories in an enormous hamburger being added to the menu this year at the Fifth Third Ballpark. The 4-pound, $20 burger features five beef patties, five slices of cheese, nearly a cup of chili and liberal doses of salsa and corn chips, all on an 8-inch sesame-seed bun. That's a lot of dough! Its not a healthy food choice now isn't it. This has banned by the Universal Healthcare written all over it.

Why do you think John Edwards, finally decided to endorse Obama? ABC News confirms that John Edwards will endorse Barack Obama at an event tonight in Michigan: Former Sen. John Edwards is endorsing Sen. Barack Obama's presidential candidate Wednesday evening, in a dramatic attempt by the Obama campaign to answer concerns regarding Obama's appeal to working-class voters, several senior Democratic sources tell ABC News. Edwards, who ran for president on a platform of eradicating poverty, plans to appear alongside Obama in Grand Rapids, Mich., Wednesday evening. The event comes one day after Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton defeated Obama by 41 points in the West Virginia primary, and Edwards' endorsement will give Obama a key establishment stamp of approval as he attempts to close out the nominating process. ... A source close to the Clinton campaign said the Edwards camp gave the Clinton folks a head's up. "Clearly it's upsetting" the source tells ABC. "He brings the workers" to Obama.

What is this article saying? what's the main point?, ? McCain, Obama scramble to shift economic message GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - With economic anxiety rising, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama scrambled Wednesday to adjust their messages to connect more directly with financially struggling voters. Obama talks directly into the camera in a new, two-minute television ad on how he'll fix an economy in which "paychecks are flat and home values are falling." McCain and running mate Sarah Palin softened opposition to government bailouts, accepting the U.S. takeover of the nation's largest insurer as unfortunate but necessary to protect ordinary Americans. "The shot that has been called by the Feds — it's understandable but very, very disappointing that taxpayers are called upon for another one," Palin told reporters during a visit to delicatessen in Cleveland. Both McCain and Obama advocated cracking down on freewheeling Wall Street practices and for tough new regulations on financial institutions. Obama ridiculed McCain's calls for more regulation as an eleventh-hour conversion for one who has long championed deregulation. Too many in Washington and on Wall Street "weren't minding the store. They sat on their hands until it was too late," Obama told a rally in Elko, Nev. He challenged McCain's vow to take on the "old boy's network...He hasn't taken them on for the last 26 years." The increased emphasis on the faltering economy came on a day when stocks resumed their downward plunge following Tuesday night's government takeover of American International Group Inc. with an $85 billion two-year loan from the Federal Reserve in return for a majority stake in the company. "The focus of any such action should be to protect the millions of Americans who hold insurance policies, retirement plans and other accounts with AIG," McCain said in a statement. "We must not bail out the management and speculators who created this mess." The turnabout came a day after McCain strongly opposed additional government relief and praised the government's decision not to rescue Lehman Brothers after it had intervened to help investment bank Bear Stearns and mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. His Democratic rival addressed the AIG takeover in Elko, saying the government acted "to prevent an even larger crisis." Arguing that the U.S. housing market was "in a shambles," Obama said it was important now for the Federal Reserve to ensure that families with AIG insurance are protected. "It must not bail out the shareholders or the management of AIG that were making big profits when times were good." Obama, in his own change of tactics, speaks directly to voters in a new commercial to air Wednesday on national cable and in some battleground states. "In the past few weeks, Wall Street's been rocked as banks closed and markets tumbled. But for many of you — the people I've met in town halls, backyards and diners across America — our troubled economy isn't news," Obama says in the ad, taped Tuesday in a living room-like setting. "Paychecks are flat and home values are falling. It's hard to pay for gas and groceries and if you put it on a credit card, they've probably raised your rates," he adds. Obama also laments rising health insurance costs. He details major elements of his economic plan, including its proposal for a $1,000 tax cut for working couples, steps to reduce reliance on imported oil, bringing a "responsible end" to the war in Iraq and ending an "anything goes culture on Wall Street." "Doing these things won't be easy. But we're Americans," Obama says. Obama also discussed the AIG takeover McCain campaigned in Michigan, one of the states hardest hit by eight straight months of rising unemployment. At the General Motors Orion assembly plant, he told workers: "We are going to fight the special interests and corruption in Washington. We are going to fight the greed and irresponsibility on Wall Street." While both presidential candidates have called for tougher regulation of financial institutions and cracking down on Wall Street abuses, neither has come up with a detailed plan, nor gone so far as to endorse a proposal for the kind of massive federal intervention that took place in the savings and loan crisis of the late 1980s and the early 1990s. Then, the Resolution Trust Corp. was established by Congress to acquire the real estate, mortgages and other assets of thousands of failed S&Ls. Some lawmakers suggest such a strategy may be needed to stabilize financial markets, rather than the ad hoc interventions the government has been doing. A day after extending a helping hand to AIG, the White House on Monday called the U.S. economy a mixed picture that would ultimately weather the current turmoil. Press secretary Dana Perino said help for other endangered companies would be considered on a "case-by-case basis." Both candidates have been adjusting to keep pace with a fast-changing situation in which financial markets have been buffeted by one j

If the illegal aliens weren't breaking the law by being here in the first place, would there be a need for CIR? If the illegal aliens weren't breaking the law by being here in the first place, would there be a need for comprehensive immigration reform? †††††††† Our Time to Fight for Immigration Reform is Now Democrats have become the party of "I can't," while Republicans have become the party of "I won't." But the overwhelming majority of Americans (conservatives, independents and everyone else) is saying, "Get to work on our nation's problems and fix the broken immigration system!" While the pundits, naysayers, and quitters in Washington are telling everyone that nothing can get done, the Campaign Reform Immigration FOR America is enlisting the American people in a massive effort to force the hand of the House, Senate, and President to finally fix our broken immigration system. You can feel the rumbling in the pews, at the town halls, and at overflow auditoriums across the country. In January the campaign organized more than 150 events across 40 states, that could barely accommodate the overflow crowds of Americans who wanted to voice their support for immigration reform. * In Denver, CO an overflow crowd of thousands cheered Senator Michael Bennett's pledge to champion comprehensive immigration reform in the U.S. Senate. * In Grand Rapids, MIhundreds gathered with community faith leaders to call on their elected leaders to get a comprehensive immigration bill done this year. * In Charlotte, NC overflow crowds gathered at a meeting of African American and Latino community leaders to show overwhelming support for reform. * 1,000 gathered on a cold night in Little Rock , AR to urge Senators Lincoln (D-AR) and Pryor (D-AR) to support immigration reform. * And in Ohio, a series of events all over the state culminated in a rally of thousands in Cincinnati - that included leadership from the African American, labor and business communities . * All this followed not long after more than 60,000 Americans mobilized for a single telephone call in October of 2009 with supportive leaders of reform in the U.S. Congress. In the last month, communities of faith have exhibited a courage and clarity that we wish our elected leaders would show. Religious leaders from across the theological and ideological spectrum and Members of Congress kicked off a nationwide mobilization called "Together, Not Torn: Families Can't Wait for Immigration Reform," that included the delivery of more than hundreds of thousands postcards to Members of Congress from people of faith in their states and districts. Over the course of the President's Day recess, local leaders from churches, small businesses, labor locals, and community organizations across the country descended on district offices. Americans in Ohio, Alaska, Arkansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and other states met with their Members of Congress to ask for comprehensive immigration reform to move forward in 2010. Some district offices, in fact, received a visit every hour, on the hour, for four days straight! This is beyond a campaign. This is America at its very core saying loud and clear we need a functioning immigration system that stops unscrupulous employers from exploiting American and immigrant workers, but encourages honest employers looking to play by the rules. Since June 1, 2009, the campaign has organized over 700,000 calls and faxes into the White House and Congress calling for reform. This is a significant a number of Americans but the decibel is nothing compared to that of an entire news channels (and multiple talk radio shows) that are primed and ready to scare Congress from endorsing an immigration solution that serves our nation. So, while our campaign is made up of over 750 faith, labor, business, progressive, African American, civil rights and immigrant organizations working to reform our immigration system in the interests of America's families, we need your help. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ali-noorani/our-time-to-fight-for-imm_b_476801.html

How would you like to bill the city council? Man Bills Michigan Town $156 For Cleaning Bathroom SAUGATUCK, Mich. - A businessman said he was so frustrated with the condition of a public bathroom in the western Michigan tourist town of Saugatuck that he cleaned it himself, and billed the city $156 for his work. Steve Oswald told WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids that customers of his shop complained Aug. 9 about the condition of the bathroom. Oswald checked it out and said he "wouldn't have sat down there." He called a city official and soon got to work, spending 45 minutes cleaning. City Manager Kirk Harrier said the bathroom typically is cleaned twice daily, and he thinks it got dirty quickly because it was a busy tourist weekend. Since then, the city has increased cleanings. Harrier said the city appreciates Oswald's effort, but city council hasn't decided whether to pay him. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080912/ap_on_fe_st/odd_bathroom_bill;_ylt=AqxLoVcN2I_U5uAP3vjFDlPtiBIF Man Who Cleaned Public Restroom Gets Plunger Award SAUGATUCK, Mich. - Steve Oswald isn't getting back the $156.94 he charged the city for cleaning a public bathroom. However, he did get the attention of city officials who promised to take better care of the bathroom — and honored his efforts Tuesday with the Golden Plunger Award. Oswald, 45, said he didn't expect to be reimbursed after billing the west Michigan tourist town for the work he did last month. But he did say he appreciated the award, a toilet plunger spray-painted gold and set on an oak stand. WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids reports the city has replaced some of the fixtures in the bathroom and will hire a cleaning company to keep it tidy. Mayor Tony Vettori was quoted by The Grand Rapids Press as saying he was glad Oswald "lifted the lid on this problem." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080917/ap_on_fe_st/odd_bathroom_bill;_ylt=Anbt8FPZNJ3taqWb0.6rJV3tiBIF

Have you ever questioned the intelligence of President Bush?

What is the funniest thing you've ever hear President Bush say??

Is carbon-14 dating accurate? (read the whole article or dont answer)?

Dare for U of K Legends? County, Kentucky Bickerstaff, Bernie Birth Year : 1944 Bernie Bickerstaff was born in Benham, Kentucky. At the age of 25, he was head coach at the University of San Diego, at the time, Bickerstaff was the youngest college coach in the U.S. He went on to become the youngest assistant coach in NBA history when he joined the Washington Bullets [now Washington Wizards] at the age of 29. From 1985-1990, Bickerstaff was head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics; he was the first African American from Kentucky to be named a head coach in the NBA [the second was Wes Unseld and the third was Dwane Casey]. Bickerstaff was pesident and general manager of the Denver Nuggets from 1990-1997. In 2004, Bickerstaff was named general manager of the NBA team the Charlotte Bobcats, he was the teams first coach and returned as the head coach for the 2006-2007 season. Bikerstaff ranks 33rd on the NBA's winningest coaches list. Bernie Bickerstaff Boulevard in Benham, KY, is named in his honor. For more see Who's Who in America, 45th-48th ed.; Who's Who in the West, 22nd -24th ed.; and Bernie Bickerstaff an NBA Coaches website. Geographic Region: Benham, Harlan County, Kentucky / Charlotte, North Carolina Bishop, Daryl Birth Year : 1950 Daryl Bishop was born in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1969, he was the first African American to play basketball for the University of Kentucky, playing a few games as a walk-on, then withdrawing from the team. He had a more successful career as a defensive back on the football team. At that time at UK, football players could not play until their sophomore year. In spite of only playing three years, Bishop's career at UK was phenomenal. He holds the UK career record for most pass interceptions (14) and return yardage (376). He made more tackles (348) than any defensive back in UK history. He is also remembered for the 43-yard interception return touchdown in the 1971 win over Vandy and the 97-yard touchdown return against Mississippi State. Daryl Bishop was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1974. Information provided by the University of Kentucky Athletics Media Relations Office. See also Fifty Years of the University of Kentucky African-American Legacy, 1949-1999. Geographic Region: Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky / Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky Bridgeman, Ulysses "Junior" Birth Year : 1953 Ulysses Bridgeman was born in East Chicago, Indiana. Bridgeman was a 1975 graduate of the University of Louisville. The 6' 5" forward played for Coach Denny Crum; in 1972 the Cardinals were ranked 4th in the country and played in the Final Four. In 1975 Bridgeman was drafted 8th in the first round by the Los Angeles Lakers and then traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. Bridgeman finished his career with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1988 and his jersey was retired. He holds the team record for most games played. Today, Bridgeman is owner of more than 150 Wendy's Restaurants, including several in Louisville, KY; it is one of the largest Wendy's franchises in the U.S. In 2003 Bridgeman was named chairman of the University of Louisville Board of Trustees. For more see Basketball biographies: 434 U.S. players, coaches and contributors to the game, 1891-1990, by M. Taragano and M. Pitsch; "Bridgeman likely to lead trustees," Courier Journal, 08/29/03; and P. King, "Former NBA star scores on Wendy's team," Nation's Restaurant News, vol. 38, issue 34, p. 70. Geographic Region: Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky / East Chicago, Indiana Brock, James "Jim" James Brock was the second head basketball coach at William Grant High School (WGHS) in Covington, Kentucky, coaching there from 1955 to 1965. Like other African American school teams in Kentucky, WGHS was a member of the Kentucky High School Athletic League (KHSAL). The counter league, Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA), was for whites only until school integration began in the mid-1950s. The 1956-1957 WGHS team was the first African American basketball team to win a district tournament in the KHSAA tournament. As more African American students were allowed to attend the formerly all white schools, there was an impact on the pool of high school athletes that had been restricted to the all black schools. In 1965, the year that William Grant High School was closed, the basketball team won only five games. The season was a far cry from the winning seasons that had garnered the school a win-loss record of 185-69 during Brock's years as head coach. With the closing of William Grant, Brock moved on to Cincinnati, where he continued to successfully coach high school sports. James Brock was inducted into the Northern Kentucky Black Hall of Fame and the KHSAA Hall of Fame in 2000. For more see Shadows of the past, by L. Stout; Many tried, few defeated William Grant in '50s, '60s, The Cincinnati Post, 02/23/1998; and Dawahares/KHSAA Hall of Fame class of 2000 inductees announced, 06/21/1999, at the KHSAA website. Geographic Region: Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky / Cincinnati, Ohio Brown, J. B., Jr. Brown is from Fort Knox, KY, but considers Owensboro, KY, his home. While attending high school in Fort Knox, Brown set a record as state high jump champion. The 6'8" center was an All-America basketball player at Kentucky Wesleyan College (KWC) and a member of the team that won the 1987 NCAA Division II Championship. Brown, starting all but one game, was the second leading rebounder that season with 225 rebounds. Brown went on to play ball with the Harlem Globetrotters from 1988-1995. He underwent a kidney transplant in 1996 and taught elementary school geography in Daviess County, Kentucky in 1997. For more see M. Graf, "J B Brown becomes a Harlem Globetrotter," Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, 09/28/1988; and N. Phillips, "Brother's kidney gives KWC star hope," Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, 07/13/1996. Geographic Region: Fort Knox, Bullitt, Hardin, & Meade Counties / Owensboro, Daviess County, Kentucky Casey, Dwane Birth Year : 1957 Dwane Casey was born in Morganfield, Kentucky. Casey, a 6' 2" guard, was on the University of Kentucky basketball team from 1976-1979; the 1977-78 team won the NCAA Championship. Casey played in 95 games, scoring 125 total points. He then was an assistant coach under Clem Haskins for five years at Western Kentucky University until 1986, when he became an assistant coach at the University of Kentucky. Casey was the third former player to become an assistant coach at UK and the first African American to do so. In 1988 he filed a $6.9 million suit against the Emery Air Freight Corp. and the employees who claimed to have discovered $1,000 cash in a package Casey sent to the father of California basketball player Chris Mills. [The suit was eventually settled out of court.] Casey resigned from the UK in 1989. He later served as an assistant coach overseas and in the NBA. From June 2005 - January 2007, Casey was head coach of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. He was the third African American from Kentucky to be named a head coach in the NBA [the first was Bernie Bickerstaff, the second, Wes Unseld]. For more see Dwane Casey at the Big Blue History website; J. Tipton, "UK names Casey coaching assistant," Lexington Herald-Leader, 04/19/1986, Sports section, p. C1; M. Barnhill, "Kentucky basketball coach sues freight firm in Mills case," 07/09/1988, News section, p. N8, and "Kentucky charged by NCAA - investigators say L.A. basketball star's father was paid $1000," 07/26/1988, News section, p. N1, both in the Daily News of Los Angeles (California); and "Timberwolves hire Sonics assistant," The Grand Rapids Press, 06/18/2006, Sports section, p. C1. Geographic Region: Morganfield, Union County, Kentucky / Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky / Minnesota

Which is your favorite McCainism? 1. "I think she's most qualified of any that has run recently for vice president, tell you the truth." --on Sarah Palin, interview with Don Imus, Oct. 22, 2008 2. "You know, I think you may have noticed that Senator Obama's supporters have been saying some pretty nasty things about Western Pennsylvania lately. And you know, I couldn't agree with them more. I couldn't disagree with you. I couldn't agree with you more than the fact that Western Pennsylvania is the most patriotic, most god-loving, most, most patriotic part of America, and this is a great part of the country." --Moon Township, Penn., Oct. 21, 2008 3. "There was an energy bill on the floor of the Senate loaded down with goodies, billions for the oil companies, and it was sponsored by Bush and Cheney. You know who voted for it? You might never know. That one." --referring to Barack Obama during the second presidential debate, Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 7, 2008 4. "I have not had a chance to see it in writing, so I have to examine it.'" --on the Bush administration's Wall Street bailout plan, which was a three-page document that McCain said he received the day before, interview with WKYC in Cleveland, Sept. 23, 2008 5. "Sure. Technically, I don't know." --asked if the U.S. is in a recession, "60 Minutes" interview, Sept. 21, 2008 6. "The chairman of the SEC serves at the appointment of the president and, in my view, has betrayed the public's trust. If I were president today, I would fire him." --apparently unaware of the fact that the SEC chairman, as a commissioner of an independent regulatory commission, cannot be removed by the president, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sept. 18, 2008 7. "Honestly, I have to analyze our relationships, situations and priorities, but I can assure you that I will establish closer relationships with our friends, and I will stand up to those who want to harm the United States. ... I have a clear record of working with leaders in the hemisphere that are friends with us and standing up to those who are not. And that's judged on the basis of the importance of our relationship with Latin America and the entire region." --after being asked if he would invite Spanish President Jose Rodriguez Louis Zapatero to the White House, casting an ally of the U.S. as a potential enemy while simultaneously confusing Spain for a Latin American country, interview with Radio Caracol Miami, Sept. 17, 2008 8. "I also know, if I might remind you, that she is commander of the Alaska National Guard. In fact, you may know that on Sept. 11 a large contingent of the Alaska Guard deployed to Iraq and her son happened to be one of them. So I think she understands our national security challenges." --touting Sarah Palin's foreign policy credentials by confusing the Alaska National Guard with the U.S. Army, where Palin's son is currently serving, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sept. 17, 2008 9. "I understand the economy. I was chairman of the Commerce Committee that oversights every part of our economy." --ignoring the fact that it is actually the Senate Banking Committee which is responsible for credit, financial services, and housing -- the very areas currently in crisis, CNBC interview, Sept. 16, 2008 10. "Our economy, I think, is still -- the fundamentals of our economy are strong." --Jacksonville, Fla., Sept. 15, 2008 11. "[Sarah Palin] knows more about energy than probably anyone else in the United States of America. ... And, uh, she also happens to represent, be governor of a state that's right next to Russia." --after being asked about Sarah Palin's foreign policy experience, interview with WCSH-6, Portland, OR, Sept. 12, 2008 12. "I have had a strong and a long relationship on national security, I've been involved in every national crisis that this nation has faced since Beirut, I understand the issues, I understand and appreciate the enormity of the challenge we face from radical Islamic extremism. I am prepared. I am prepared. I need no on-the-job training. I wasn't a mayor for a short period of time. I wasn't a governor for a short period of time." --explaining at an Oct. 2007 debate why Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney are not qualified to be president 13. "She's a partner and a soul-mate." --on his vice presidential pick, Sarah Palin, whom he had met only once before offering her the job, "FOX News Sunday" interview, Aug. 31, 2008 14. "I think -- I'll have my staff get to you. It's condominiums where -- I'll have them get to you." --after being asked how many houses he and his wife, Cindy, own, interview with Politico, Las Cruces, N.M., Aug. 20, 2008 15. "I was trying to hear through the wall." --after Rev. Rick Warren asked if the "cone of silence" was comfortable during the forum he moderated at Saddleback Church. McCain was supposed to have been in a sound-proof room so that he couldn't hear Warren's questions or Obama's answers, but McCain was in fact in his motorcade on the way to the forum during the forum he moderated at Saddleback Church. McCain was supposed to have been in a sound-proof room so that he couldn't hear Warren's questions or Obama's answers, but McCain was in fact in his motorcade on the way to the forum during Obama's part of the live broadcast. (Lake Forest, California, Aug. 17, 2008) 16. "I think if you're just talking about income, how about $5 million?" --after being asked by Rev. Rick Warren to define "rich," Lake Forest, California, Aug. 16, 2008 17. "I was looking at the Sturgis schedule, and noticed that you had a beauty pageant, so I encouraged Cindy to compete. I told her [that] with a little luck, she could be the only woman to serve as both the First Lady and Miss Buffalo Chip." --on the Miss Buffalo Chip Pageant, which features topless (and occasionally bottomless) contestants, Sturgis, South Dakota, Aug. 4, 2008 18. "In the 21st century nations don't invade other nations." --on Russia's military action against Georgia, Birmingham, Mich., 19. "We have a lot of work to do. It's a very hard struggle, particularly given the situation on the Iraq-Pakistan border." --referring to a border that does not exist, ABC News interview, July 21, 2008 20. "I was concerned about a couple of steps that the Russian government took in the last several days. One was reducing the energy supplies to Czechoslovakia." --referring to a country that no longer exists, Phoenix, Arizona, July 14, 2008 21. "Maybe that's a way of killing them." --responding to a report that $158 million in cigarettes have been shipped to Iran during Bush's presidency despite restrictions on U.S. exports to that country, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 8, 2008 22. "We should be able to deliver bottled hot water to dehydrated babies." --Kenner, Louisiana, June 3, 2008 (Watch video clip) 23. "Make it a hundred...That would be fine with me." -to a questioner who asked if he supported President Bush's vision for keeping U.S. troops in Iraq for 50 years 2 24. "I'm glad to have his endorsement. I condemn remarks that are, in any way, viewed as anti-anything. And thanks for asking." --after being asked by George Stephanopoulos about receiving the endorsement of Evangelical pastor Rev. John Hagee, who has made a number of controversial remarks, including calling Catholicism "The Great Whore" and blaming Hurricane Katrina on gays 25. "I will conduct a respectful debate. Now, it will be dispirited -- it will be spirited -- because there are stark differences. I am a proud conservative, liberal Republica-- conservative Republican...Hello? Easy there." 26. "F**k you! I know more about this than anyone else in the room." --to Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), during a testy exchange about immigration legislation 27. "There are neighborhoods in Baghdad where you and I could walk through those neighborhoods today." --prior to visiting a Baghdad market while being flanked by 22 soldiers, 10 armored Humvees, and two Apache attack helicopters 28. 28. "I had something picked out for you, too - a little IED (improvised explosive device) to put on your desk." --to Jon Stewart 29. "No, I'm calling you a f*cking jerk." --to fellow Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, when Grassley asked "Are you calling me stupid?" 30. "Don't touch me. Do you know who I am? Do you know who you're talking to?" –becoming enraged when a woman grabbed his arm during a game of craps[/link[ at a Puerto Rico casino in 2005 My favorites are 17 and 30, very presidential :-) Yeah, I know it's long, sorry everyone. I thought people who wanted to read them would appreciate all of them, so I just left them all! But seriously, read 17. Wtf?