"A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul." - George Bernard Shaw

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RoSPA chief: Freedom is at risk from 'mindless' quest for absolute safety - "Tom Mullarkey, the chief executive of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, insisted that individuals must retain the right to take risks so long as they do not injure others. He told safety experts they will be accused of constructing a nanny state and damaging freedom if they meddle unnecessarily in people's private lives, adding that "absolute safety" is an unattainable goal in any case. His comments come amid almost daily reports detailing how over-zealous teachers, council officials and police officers are outlawing innocuous activities in an attempt to meet perceived "health and safety" requirements... Last year Mr Mullarkey highlighted the damage caused to children in particular by health and safety "extremists", whom he accused of hindering the development of young people by wrapping them in cotton wool. He argued that it is "positively necessary" for children to take part in activities that could leave them with a twisted ankle or a scraped knee."

Woman: Ex-boyfriend stole wig - "Police in Port St. Lucie, Fla., say a woman who accused her ex-boyfriend of snatching a wig from her head was unable to recall her former beau's last name. A police report released Monday said the 20-year-old victim was walking home from a party at about 3 a.m. Friday when her ex-boyfriend rode up to her on a bicycle and pulled off the black wig that was sewn to her hair"

Rugged individualism, beer linked - "When they temporarily induced the students to become individualists, they became thirstier for beer. Collectivists became less so. And those impulses were heightened when the students were asked to imagine themselves at a bar with friends."

Drug Turns Crime Victims Into Zombies - "There are so many scopolamine cases that they usually don't make the news unless particularly bizarre. One such incident involved three young Bogota women who preyed on men by smearing the drug on their breasts and luring their victims to take a lick. Losing all willpower, the men readily gave up their bank access codes. The breast-temptress thieves then held them hostage for days while draining their accounts."

Cops: Bystander beat knife-wielding attacker with candy cane

Girl Handing Out Cough Drops Accused Of Selling Drugs At School

Welcome to Yesterland - "Did you ever wonder what happened to Disneyland’s Mine Train, Flying Saucers, or Indian Village? These and other attractions, restaurants, and shops are now collected in Yesterland, a theme park on the Web."

Complaints pour in over 'Lapland' park - "Tensions reached a peak when furious parents allegedly confronted ‘elves’ in a ‘gingerbread house’ and Father Christmas was punched in his grotto, according to angry customers."

No One Wants to Hug a Banker - "It's an example of how the well-heeled heels who flunked Risk Management 101 are also failing PR 101. "There were some basic questions the CEOs couldn't even answer, like 'What happened to the money?' " says Michael Kempner, CEO of MWW Group, a public-relations firm. "The lack of preparation was truly breathtaking." Crisis PR guru Robert Dilenschneider notes that instead of doing the basics, like making constructive statements before, during and after the hearings, the bankers focused on symbolic items like taking the Acela train instead of a private jet. Next time they come to D.C. begging for cash, bankers should take the $25 Chinatown bus... people who have done well in finance tend to think they're really good at everything. (A common taunt on Wall Street: if you're so smart, how come you're not rich?) And so they tend to eschew the advice of their PR staff."

Condoms Do Not Increase Teen Sex Study Shows

Are 'Skinny' Drinks Offensive? - "Much of the controversy focuses on the use of the term skinny to describe the fat- and sugar-free drink. SassySexyShapely questions whether people should be offended by the word. As reported by Starbucks Gossip, one barista refused to use the term, calling it politically incorrect."
When will the race to the bottom hit rock bottom?

ACLU Defends Teacher Suspended for Facebook Gun Photo - "The ACLU of Wisconsin is defending a Beaver Dam teacher who was put on administrative leave after she posted a questionable photo on her Facebook page."
I really love the ACLU, since they're very consistent and principled