-
Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Jan 24, 2013
January 24, 2013
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
Women in Uniform:
U-S Defense Secretary LEON PANETTA made it official yesterday: The military ban on women in combat is no longer in effect.
It's a move that opens up thousands of frontline positions and potential elite commando jobs (although the Navy SEALS and Army Rangers could apply for a waiver). The various branches have until 2016 to make their case that some posts be off limits.
The highly controversial 1994 ban was brought under scrutiny this past November when four female service members challenged the Pentagon's ban on women in combat.
Are all women happy about this? A female Army officer who spoke with ABC News on condition on anonymity pointed out that senior leaders feel compelled to open job positions to show how progressive they are.
She said, "Every female troop I know (over the age of 25) says publicly, 'Sure, open them up!' And privately, 'But not for me personally. I know I don't have the brute strength required and I would be crushed to let down my colleagues, so no way, no thanks.'" (Maiman /Pacelli)
Phoners: Will America really be able to deal with more female soldiers in body bags? Should 18-year-old women now be required to register for selective service? (Pacelli)The Internet:
Researchers from Humboldt University's Institute of Information Systems and Darmstadt's Technical University (both in Germany) surveyed 600 Facebook users and found that one third felt worse after visiting the site. The study, titled "Envy on Facebook: A Hidden Threat to Users' Life Satisfaction?" will be published in February.
Respondents checked off the emotions raised by checking posts on Facebook, including envy, resentment, low self-esteem, loneliness, frustration and anger.
The most common downer was a feeling of dissatisfaction with their own lives, triggered most often by people posting photos of their fabulous vacations online. The second most common trigger of negative emotions was seeing how many birthday greetings, "likes" and comments other users receive.
Different groups had different triggers: thus people in their mid-30s were most likely to have feelings of envy after seeing other users' pictures of their happy families. Female users were most likely to feel envy based on other women's physical attractiveness. (Kaye)Chic Sh*t:
Trend Alert: Clear accessories are going to be all the rage if we ever thaw out in the spring. We're not just talking about sexy clear stripper heels. That's just for starters. We're talking about bracelets, boots, purses, watches, sunglasses, vests. Basically, if you can make it out of Lucite, plan on wearing it.
But SheFinds.com points out the biggest problem with this trend: do you really want everyone seeing what's inside your completely see-through purse? (Bartha)Broadcast, cable and video news:
That brand-new Al Jazeera network is hiring right here in the U-S-of-A! That's right --the network AL GORE gave up, which was purchased by those infidel-hating Middle Easterners is looking for the perfect person to work on the network. Most of the jobs are in New York City, including correspondents, producers and anchors along with a big internet staff, but there is also an investigative unit being formed in Washington, DC --obviously to probe the imperialist dogs that work there!
Editor's note: Sponsors will include Burka King and Al Jezeera Ford/Lincoln/Mercury. (Marino)Who are the most messed-up rock stars ever? The Orange County Weekly (of California) has picked its top six:
6. Ozzy Osbourne: Yes, he's like your crazy uncle now, but back in the day, Ozzy did it all! Still alive too.
5. Pete Doherty: No one really knows him here, but he used to be in a UK band called The Libertines and hung out with fellow druggie, supermodel Kate Moss. Still Alive.
4. Shaun Rider: Lead singer for Happy Mondays. Ate Ecstasy like Chiclets; heroin, crack, etc. Still Alive.
3. Amy Winehouse: Known as much for her drink and drugs as her music. Dead.
2. Johnny Thunders: Was lead guitarist for the New York Dolls and his solo group, The Heartbreakers. He was once called "The Dean Martin of heroin." Overdosed on heroin and methodone. Dead.
1. Keith Richards. 'Nuff said! (Marino)Health and Medical Briefs:
A new study reveals that smoking takes at least ten years off a person's life. Researchers say those who quit by age 40 can reduce the excess risk of death by about 90-percent.
Findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine also reveal that women are dying at similar rates to men. It used to be that smoking killed more men than women, but women are catching up. They're starting to pick up the habit at younger ages and smoke a larger number of cigarettes. Women now lose about eleven years of life expectancy if they smoke; men lose about twelve years. (Page) -
-