-
Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Jul 16, 2012
July 16, 2012
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
State politics:
Call it Siri's Law.
Under a new California passed last Friday, motorists can now text behind the wheel provided they're using a voice-activated, hands-free device.
The measure alters state law to treat texting much as it does wireless telephone calls now: Motorists can engage in such activities provided that they are not holding cellular phones or other electronic devices.
Opponents said Siri has too many limitations as a voice-activated device but supporters of the mandate contend that Americans spend an average of 64 minutes per day commuting to and from work, and that it's "unfair to require them to be out of touch while behind the wheel as long as they are abiding by the law."
Editor's note: Gee, think of all the things you could get done if you were taking mass transit for those 64 minutes.
--Is this what we've come to? We have to be able to hands-free text while driving? Yeah, because HANDS FREE CALLING would be just too much to ask for.
--It's not the use of your hands that makes texting and calling dangerous. It is the use of your mind... or lack thereof. But who needs to pay attention to their driving.
--Hey, hands free texting is a good thing because I can post to Facebook that I'm having coffee and a Danish while driving. (Maiman)Idle gossip & unconfirmed rumors:
Some folks get more conservative and uptight as they age, but JULIA ROBERTS ain't one of them! Sources tell the National Enquirer that the "Pretty Woman" isn't the red carpet diva we see in the movies, but a true country bumpkin! Word is she raises her own chickens and goats, grows organic produce on her property, banned all plastic in her home and drives a hybrid. Insiders say she's turning into a "real hippie" and might relocate to Hawaii with her hubby and three kids. (Lee)
Chic Sh*t:
Your flip-flops might be more dangerous for your feet than sky-high stilettos. Racked.com says too much flip-flopping can change the way you walk. That's because the limited arch support and the way your toes have to grab the material strains calf muscles and pinches nerves in your hips and back. That's on top of the usual problems caused by flip-flops (in descending order of how gross it sounds): burned feet, broken toes and toenails, nasty germs, between-the-toe blister infections, and --yuck!-- semi-permanent toe jam.
To keep healthy beach feet, the American Podiatric Medical Association recommends:
--No flip-flops while using lawn tools, playing sports or for long walks.
--Spend a little extra money and buy high-quality soft leather flip-flops. You'll cut down on blisters and other irritations.
--Always wear flip flops when walking around a public pool, at the beach, in hotel rooms and in locker room areas. Walking barefoot can expose feet to all sorts of gross things like plantar warts and athlete's foot.
--If the flip-flop folds in half, it's too flimsy. A good quality flip-flop will bend but bounce back. (Bartha)Grace notes from Vinny Marino:
This has to be the worst example of watching the clock. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND closed out the second night of the Hard Rock Calling festival in London's Hyde Park on Saturday. The curfew is 10:30pm, but Bruce was already over by half-an-hour when he welcomed Sir PAUL McCARTNEY to join him on stage. They managed to get through "I Saw Her Standing There" and "Twist And Shout" before the cops pulled the plug. The two music legends didn't even get the chance to thank the crowd and say goodnight. E Street Band guitarist STEVEN VAN ZANDT Tweeted, "On a Saturday night! Who were we disturbing?" JOHN FOGERTY was also a special guest. He helped Bruce out on "Promised Land," and RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist TOM MORELLO was also on stage. (Marino)
Bad luck:
It may be summer in the Northern Hemisphere, but it's not been a good week for mountain climbing in the Alps.
Last Thursday, nine climbers died and 12 others were injured when a sudden storm came up on Mont Mondit, the third highest peak in the Alps. Lots of climbers go up Mondit on their way to the top of nearby Mont Blanc, which is Europe's highest peak, at 15,782 feet above sea level.
Then, on Saturday, a Spanish man and Polish woman were found frozen to death on the slopes of Mont Blanc, above the 14-thousand foot level. Their six fellow climbers were rescued by Italian alpine rescue teams.Running with the Bulls:
Today's update: Saturday's final running featured the bulls from the Torrehandilla ranch. In a very fast run, the bulls swpied some of the runners with their horns, but did not gore anybody as they raced through the streets to the bull-ring. The final running of the bulls "Goreboard":
Jul 14: 4 people injured, nobody gored with the bulls from Torrehandilla; 2 min, 33 sec.
"Goreboard" Total: 34 injured, 4 gored.
FYI: Thanks to WOGL-FM News Director Bill Zimpfer for the use of the term, "Goreboard" (trademark pending). -
-