Michael Likes It

6th July 2009

Link with 1 note

Costa Rica tops happiness, 'green living' poll →

SAN JOSE (AFP) - Costa Rica is the happiest place on earth, and one of the most environmentally friendly, according to a new survey by a British non-governmental group.

The New Economics Foundation looked at 143 countries that are home to 99 percent of the world’s population and devised an equation that weighed life expectancy and people’s happiness against their environmental impact.

By that formula, Costa Rica is the happiest, greenest country in the world, just ahead of the Dominican Republic.

Latin American countries did well in the survey, occupying nine of the top 10 spots.

Australia scored third place, but other major Western nations did poorly, with Britain coming in at 74th place and the United States at 114th.

The New Economics Foundation’s measurements found Costa Ricans have a life expectancy of 78.5 years, and 85 percent of the country’s residents say they are happy and satisfied with their lives.

3rd July 2009

Link reblogged from my socks don't fit with 9 notes

Do Not Hire Curtis Mertensmeyer →

hilker:

” Curtis Mertensmeyer is a rich, pampered, spoiled brat from Mission Hills, KS who was driving drunk (at the not-even-yet-legal age of 20) and speeding at about 3am on May 11, 2008. He struck a pedestrian, 25-year-old Daniel L. Riemann, with so much force that is severed the victim’s legs. Curtis Mertensmeyer fled the scene, leaving the victim to die in the median. Shortly after Curtis Mertensmeyer abandoned his car and he and his 2 friends fled on foot.

Several days later the friends confessed and identified Curtis Mertensmeyer as the driver. Only after being fingered did Curtis Mertensmeyer plea guilty. He was sentenced to 5 years, but may be released in as little as 4 months.

Currently Curtis Mertensmeyer is suing his college fraternity, claiming that hazing caused post traumatic stress disorder and that is what led to his hit-and-run. Blaming others rather than accepting blame himself.

UPDATE:

Well, it happened. Jackson County Judge John M. Torrence, who apparently had already decided in advance that Curtis Mertensmeyer would only serve 120 days of his 5 year sentence, has indeed set him free despite the objections of the victim’s mother and virtually everyone in Kansas City.

One cannot help but suspect corruption and wonder if money or influence is behind such a light sentence for a crash so violent it severed the victim’s leg and left brain matter on the windshield. The judge instead took the Mertensmeyer approach by blaming the victim for also being intoxicated. (Hmm, wasn’t the victim the one who was abiding by the law by WALKING home? [hilker: the victim was also crossing the street at a crosswalk and was of legal drinking age.] ) The judge also blamed Mertensmeyer’s mother for helping her son avoid arrest, and didn’t think pampered little Curtis should bear responsibility for that aspect. (I’m sorry, isn’t he legally an adult?) The judge, and the local media, all also point out that Curtis Mertensmeyer admitted to his crimes. Yeah, only after his friends ratted him out and all the evidence pointed to him and he no longer had any choice. Way to go, Judge John M. Torrence. I hope this is your last term.

One other interesting question is why the Kansas City Star is so far silent on the issue, and why neither of their articles about Mertensmeyer’s release have allowed reader comments when every other article does. This bizarre decision by The Star is only forcing the discussion to take place in the comments secctions of totally unrelated articles.”

This is absolutely disgusting.

3rd July 2009

Link

Travel Channel's Man Vs. Food Taping at Fifth Third Ballpark →

News from my hometown.

“The Fifth Third Burger gained worldwide attention when it debuted in April. National networks such as NBC, CBS, ABC and ESPN all showed the burger on air, and news reports of the burger came from as far away as Australia; Colombia, South America; and Europe. The monstrous sandwich consists of five one-third pound beef patties (five thirds of a pound, named after Fifth Third Ballpark), nacho cheese, chili, salsa, crunched tortilla chips, tomato and lettuce served on a special 8-inch sesame seed bun. The entire burger weighs in at more than 4 pounds and consists of 4,889 calories and 299.5 grams of fat. More than 100 fans, or about a half of the people who have attempted the challenge, have conquered the burger and earned a commemorative t-shirt.”