Monday, March 31, 2008

Kanye West - Homecoming (Feat. Chris Martin)

ill visuals fam!!!!

Jay Electronica

This whut the phuck i'm talking about!!!!!!!!!

Friday, March 28, 2008

LeBron James Vogue cover criticized

In some of these cases I'm thinkin "these cats focuse too much on these controversies" but this one, hmmmmmm

King James
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King Kong
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By MEGAN K. SCOTT, Associated Press Writer
Mar 24, 7:18 pm EDT

NEW YORK - When Vogue announced its April cover starring LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen, the magazine noted with some fanfare that James was the first black man to grace its cover.

But the image is stirring up controversy, with some commentators decrying the photo as perpetuating racial stereotypes. James strikes what some see as a gorilla-like pose, baring his teeth, with one hand dribbling a ball and the other around Bundchen’s tiny waist.

It’s an image some have likened to “King Kong” and Fay Wray.

“It conjures up this idea of a dangerous black man,” said Tamara Walker, 29, of Philadelphia.

Photographer Annie Leibovitz shot the 6-foot-9 NBA star and the 5-foot-11 Brazilian model for the cover and an inside spread. Vogue spokesman Patrick O’Connell said the magazine “sought to celebrate two superstars at the top of their game” for the magazine’s annual issue devoted to size and shape.

“We think Lebron James and Gisele Bundchen look beautiful together and we are honored to have them on the cover,” he said.

James told The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer he was pleased with the cover, saying he was “just showing a little emotion.”

“Everything my name is on is going to be criticized in a good way or bad way,” James told the paper. “Who cares what anyone says?”

But magazine analyst Samir Husni believes the photo was deliberately provocative, adding that it “screams King Kong.” Considering Vogue’s influential history, he said, covers are not something that the magazine does in a rush.

“So when you have a cover that reminds people of King Kong and brings those stereotypes to the front, black man wanting white woman, it’s not innocent,” he said.

O’Connell, the Vogue spokesman, declined further comment.

In a column at ESPN.com, Jemele Hill called the cover “memorable for all the wrong reasons.” But she said in an interview that the image is not unusual — white athletes are generally portrayed smiling or laughing, while black sports figures are given a “beastly sort of vibe.”

For example, former NBA star Charles Barkley was depicted breaking free of neck and wrist shackles on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Dennis Rodman graced the cover of Rolling Stone with horns poking out of his forehead and his red tongue hanging out.

Images of black male athletes as aggressive and threatening “reinforce the criminalization of black men,” said Damion Thomas, assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology at University of Maryland.

But others say the image show James’ game face — nothing more. And they note that Bundchen hardly looks frightened.

“James is a huge, black beautiful masculine statue and Gisele is a feminine, sexy gorgeous doll,” said Christa Thomas, 36, a black account supervisor in Los Angeles.

“I didn’t see any kind of racist overtone to it,” she said. “I still don’t. I think there is such a hypersensitivity to race still in this country.”

Husni said it is too soon to know how the magazine is selling, though the controversy could increase sales as people rush out to get a “collector’s edition.”

If nothing else, Walker said the cover underscores the need for a more diverse workplace.

“If more people of color worked for Vogue in positions of editorial authority, perhaps someone in the room might have been able to read the image the way so many of us are reading it now, and had the power to do something about it,” she said.

DMX Behind The Scenes In The Studio

Man, DMX is like Mike Tyson. One of them dudes from the hood you just want to win, good luck on your journey sir

Workaholism: The "Respectable" Addiction

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If work consumes you and destroys your personal life, there could be more going on; you could be a workaholic.

By Sid Kirchheimer
photo Adrew Cliffton
WebMD Feature Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

In Japan, it’s called karoshi -- "death by overwork" -- and it’s estimated to cause 1,000 deaths per year, nearly 5% of that country’s stroke and heart attack deaths in employees under age 60.

In the Netherlands, it’s resulted in a new condition known as "leisure illness," estimated to affect 3% of its entire population, according to one study. Workers actually get physically sick on weekends and vacations as they stop working and try, in vain, to relax.

And here in the U.S., workaholism remains what it’s always been: the so-called "respectable addiction" that’s dangerous as any other and could affect millions of Americans -- whether or not they hold jobs.

"Yes, workaholism is an addiction, an obsessive-compulsive disorder, and it’s not the same as working hard or putting in long hours," says Bryan Robinson, PhD, one of the nation’s leading researchers on the disorder and author of Chained to the Desk and other books on workaholism.

The Difference Between Hard Work and Workaholism
"Hard work put us on the moon and discovered vaccinations and built this country," he tells WebMD. "But hard workers generally have some balance in their lives. They sit at their desks and think about skiing. The workaholic is on the ski slopes thinking about work."

Their obsession with work is all-occupying, which prevents workaholics from maintaining healthy relationships, outside interests, or even take measures to protect their health.

"These are people who may have children, but miss Little League games and school plays when they don’t have to, not because they have to be at work but because they feel they need to," says Tuck T. Saul, PhD, a psychotherapist in Columbus, Ohio, who frequently counsels workaholics. "They neglect their health to the point of devastating results and ignore their friends and family. They avoid going on vacation so they don’t have to miss work. And even if they do go on vacation, they aren’t fully present because their mind is still on work.

"As with any other ’aholism,’ there is often a lack of understanding as to how their work addiction affects themselves and others," Tuck tells WebMD. "Often, they only realize their problem when something catastrophic happens to them -- their health completely fails or their marriage or relationships are destroyed."

Addicted to Adrenaline
Such was the case with Cheri, a 52-year-old nurse in California. Several years ago, she realized she was a workaholic and has since attended Workaholics Anonymous (WA) meetings once a week -- which like Alcoholics Anonymous -- has its own 12-step recovery program. Now, she volunteers to help others in the group’s Menlo Park headquarters.

"I was wildly successful in my career, a very effective worker and my employers loved me," she tells WebMD. "But outside of work ... well, there was no outside of work. I never thought I had a problem until I tried to get into a close relationship, for something like the fifth time. That was my wake-up call, and it probably helped that my partner was in his own 12-step recovery for another addiction at the time. I took the 20-question quiz at the WA web site and 16 [of them] described me to a T. He was getting better and I realized I had my own addiction -- to adrenaline."

Addicted to Adrenaline continued...
Don’t laugh. Workaholics can have a physiologic need for that adrenaline rush, says Robinson, a psychotherapist in Asheville, N.C., and professor emeritus at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.

"One thing that we do know is that workaholics tend to seek out jobs that allow them to exercise their addiction," he says. "The workplace itself does not create the addiction any more than the supermarket creates food addiction, but it does enable it. Workaholics tend to seek high-stress jobs to keep the adrenaline rush going."

This is true even if they don’t work outside the home.

"We’re seeing more women workaholics now because women are more visible in the workplace. But it’s my belief that even before this trend, workaholics were doing this in the home," says Robinson. "It could be in their parenting to the point where there is nothing else to balance their lives, no hobbies or fun or spirituality, because they spend all their time as the PTA president, running the youth sports league, and being a Scout leader."

Disorders Often Stem From Childhood
Research shows that the seeds of workaholism are often planted in childhood, resulting in low self-esteem that carries into adulthood.

"Many workaholics are the children of alcoholics or come from some other type of dysfunctional family, and work addiction is an attempt to control a situation that is not controllable," he tells WebMD. "Or they tend to be products of what I call ’looking good families’ whose parents tend to be perfectionists and expect unreasonable success from their kids. These children grow up thinking that nothing is ever good enough. Some just throw in the towel, but others say, ’I’m going to show I’m the best in everything so [my] parents approve of me.’"

The problem is, perfection is unattainable, whether you’re a kid or a successful professional.

"Anyone who carries a mandate for perfection is susceptible to workaholism because it creates a situation where the person never gets to cross the finish line, because it keeps moving farther out," says Saul.

That is why despite logging in mega hours and sacrificing their health and loved ones for their jobs, workaholics are frequently ineffective employees.

Workaholic Styles
"Overall, workaholics tend to be less effective than other workers because it’s difficult for them to be team players, they have trouble delegating or entrusting co-workers, or they take on so much that they aren’t as organized as others," says Robinson.

In fact, his research indicates four distinct workaholic "working styles":

The bulimic workaholic feels the job must be done perfectly or not at all. Bulimic workaholics often can’t get started on projects, and then scramble to complete it by deadline, often frantically working to the point of exhaustion -- with sloppy results.
The relentless workaholic is the adrenaline junkie who often takes on more work than can possibly be done. In an attempt to juggle too many balls, they often work too fast or are too busy for careful, thorough results.
The attention-deficit workaholic often starts with fury, but fails to finish projects -- often because they lose interest for another project. They often savor the "brainstorming" aspects but get easily bored with the necessary details or follow-through.
The savoring workaholic is slow, methodical, and overly scrupulous. They often have trouble letting go of projects and don’t work well with others. These are often consummate perfectionists, frequently missing deadlines because "it’s not perfect."
Getting Help
What can be done? Counseling is often recommended for workaholics, and support groups, such as Workaholics Anonymous, are beneficial, say the experts.

"It really comes down to recognizing a need for balance in your life," says Robinson. "Working hard is great, but you need to be able to turn if off and savor the other parts of your life -- friends, family, hobbies, and fun."

But many companies often confuse workaholics for hard workers, in essence enabling them on their path to self-destruction.

"I wouldn’t say that corporations cause workaholism, but I think they truly support it," says Diane Fassel, PhD, president of Newsmeasures, Inc., a Boulder, Colo., business consulting firm, and the author of Working Ourselves to Death.

"Even though workaholism is the addiction de jour in American corporations, I’m not sure that many companies offer employee-assistance programs for it, as they do for alcohol or drug abuse," she tells WebMD. "Instead they often reward it."


Thursday, March 27, 2008

How to Survive in New York on 99 Cents

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By HENRY ALFORD
I LOVE shopping at my local Gourmet Garage as much as the next guy. But sometimes I plop a can of chicken broth down
on the checkout counter and think, "$2.19? For someone to boil chicken bones? I want that job."

So when I heard that the food you can buy at 99-cent stores is more diverse than you might imagine, I decided to conduct
an experiment. I’d make dinner every night for a week using mostly ingredients bought at these stores and then, on the
eighth night — once I’d gotten my game down — I’d prepare a meal for friends made only from ingredients
bought at 99-cent stores.

There are 99-cent stores, and then there is Jack’s. It’s Closeout Central, an off-brand oasis. Located at 110 West 32nd Street,
near Herald Square, with satellite stores at 16 East 40th Street and 45 West 45th Street, Jack’s has not only lots of freezer
cases and five or more aisles full of food, but also an upstairs gourmet section with more upscale items — Buitoni and
Bertagni prepared pastas, Lindt and Ferrero chocolates, Hero jams — at prices ranging from about $1.99 to $4.99.

Making Jack’s my base of operations, I started with both the 99-cent and gourmet offerings.

I quickly met with my first surprise. Though there’s a constancy to the food items for which 99-cent stores are famous —
pasta, rice, nuts, cookies and candy — other items sometimes ebb and flow.

Because the main Jack’s store can have an unpredictable inventory — yesterday’s huge display of Progresso soup is
today’s much-smaller hillock of marinated mushrooms is tomorrow’s sad heap of slightly battered boxes of Royal gelatin
— shopping there is a return to the improvisatory cooking of yore, when people made dinner with whatever was
in the market.

The Tuscans have a saying, "Icché c’è c’è," meaning, "What you see is what we have." Only here, of course, your deity is
not seasonality, it’s availability. Your seat, their pants: get to know them.

My first few meals mined the wealth of Jack’s staples. I made rice and beans one night, which we zested up with 99-cent
canned jalapeños and sofrito (like enchilada sauce, with a slight burned taste); another night we had penne with cream
and some pancetta I found in the gourmet section.

Another night, after amassing some brown rice and cans of bamboo shoots, water chestnuts and baby corn at Jack’s,
I bought some Chinese broccoli off-site for a big stir-fry.

For dessert each night we turned to the slightly wanton charms of the Little Debbie product line,
particularly young Debbie’s Oatmeal Creme Pies, whose velvety filling so perfectly captures an
imagined marriage between buttercream frosting and Noxzema.

Whenever I hit an obstacle — Jack’s, like almost all 99-cent stores, has no butter, no good olive oil, no flour, very limited
cheese and no fresh vegetables — I either supplemented with Gourmet Garage items, or got busy.

What kind of busy? I used frozen broccoli from Jack’s to make cream of broccoli soup (pretty good), frozen peas for
pea soup (excellent), and a soybean oil-butter blend called Admiration to make soufflé (awful).

I trod more carefully when it came to meat — though the $4.99 Al Fresco chicken sausage that I tossed with some peas
and farfalle one night was fine, I found myself neatly dodging the 99-cent ham cubes and the frozen fillets of tilapia and
salmon, subconsciously putting them on my list of things I want to pay full freight for (surgery, sushi).

One day I grabbed some 99-cent Oscar Meyer sliced chicken breast, though, and served it with Inglehoffer horseradish
mustard and some pumpernickel for a tasty $2.97 light meal, with leftovers. If I could make three sandwiches for what it
usually costs me to buy half of one at a deli, then my investment was paying off at a rate of 600 percent. Sandwiches:
the next stock market bubble.

Did I ever encounter spoiled food, or alarming sell-by dates? No. Other than some slightly leaden pumpkin ravioli from
Jack’s gourmet section — it had the sludgy, earwax-like quality of something that had been unfrozen and then frozen again
— the only bump on the road was the aroma emanating from the black plastic bags that Jack’s and other 99-cent stores use:
they smell alternately like an electrical fire or a fish in transition.

(Ira Steinberg, vice president of merchandise and head of operations for Jack’s, said: "They’re made of recycled products.
They may carry a smoky odor.")

As my dinner for friends approached, I was feeling my nerves. Eager to test my true mettle, I’d decided that the ingredients
would have to be exclusively 99 cents or less — the gourmet section had dulled my skinflint edge. So I cast my eye across
the 99-cent world to see what other delicious treasures lay out there.


Over the course of three days, I visited 21 more 99-cent stores in Manhattan, including 12 in Harlem and Washington Heights,
4 in Chinatown and 1 in Spanish Harlem. Though this Marco Polo unearthed some delightful surprises at his price point —
star anise, cinnamon sticks, capers, pecans, white balsamic vinegar — I fell hardest for Goya’s delicate dulce de leche wafers
and their golden, slightly salty caramel filling. I have shown Little Debbie the door; Dulce’s my girl now.

The four friends I served dinner to included two who had shopped for food at 99-cent stores and two who had not. Guests
were met with an antipasto tray — pepperoncini, olives, artichoke hearts, crackers, very greasy salami and a hockey puck
of Brie that I had softened by baking.

Disparate nibbling yielded several polite, neutral comments. My guests stared off into the mid-distance as if in the throes
of Art Appreciation. But the compliments started flying when I served my chilled pear soup — nothing more than a mixture
of Goya and Kern’s pear nectars that I served in beautiful Chinese bowls with star anise floating on top.
(Mark: "I feel like I’m at a chic restaurant." Heather: "I’ve cleaned my bowl.")

Our entree of penne with peas and turkey bacon in a light cream sauce gave way to much conversation about frozen peas.
I explained that food luminaries like Marcella Hazan and the Silver Palate women approve of them. Heather told us how she
had used bags of frozen peas to help soothe her mother after her hip replacement surgery.

The flourless pecan torte that I served for dessert met with approval, but nothing like the semiriotous adulation inspired
by my subsequent offering of a 3.5-oz. Toblerone bar. (Scott: "Wow!" Heather: "Nice!" Greg: "Airport candy!")

What has been my experiment’s legacy?

I will continue to serve my "pear soup." I will continue to worship at the altar of Goya’s dulce de leche wafers.
I will continue to make my pea soup using frozen peas, particularly as the recipe I devised is so wonderfully easy.
(Slice and sauté an onion. Add 3 cups chicken stock, a 1-pound bag of frozen peas, 1/3 cup oats, 1/8 teaspoon
cardamom, some salt and pepper. Bring to boil. Purée in blender.)

But more important, I will continue to look for incredible value. As I’m sure the folks at Jack’s know, bargain-hunting
can be addictive.

Consider the Web site for the national chain 99¢ Only Store, which proudly displays an Andreas Gursky photograph of
endless rows of candy and canned goods called "99 Cents," taken at a franchise in Hollywood. The Web site informs us,
"This photograph recently sold for over $1,999,999!"

One man’s penny is another man’s dollar.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

HIPHOP HUMP DAY ( THE ORIGINATORS)

Aight, for heads that don’t know, this not Jay z first video. This is the first video he actually spit some verbals too. The first video you saw jay z in was Jaz-O hawian Sophie, where jay was sort of the back up dancer to Jaz-O joint. This video was my ish because heads wasn’t spitting like that and Jaz-O was the truth plus jay came off with his joint also and the jewels being dropped in the backdrop you got to love it. Gezzzzuuuussss, yep they were the originators back then and maybe right now



(It is indeed a pleasure
To see so many Nubian faces
So many original faces here tonight)

[ Jaz ]Hey yo, what’s up, Jay Zee?
[ Jay ]Yo, what’s up, Jaz?
[ Jaz ]Ain’t nothin
Just chillin, you know
A lotta fronters out there perpetratin
Tryin to rock a old trippin style
Youknowmsayin?
[ Jay ]We have none of that, alright?
Originators is here
[ Jaz ]Word up
Let me kick a little somethin
[ Jay ]Word up
[ Jaz ]Guess you’ll tune in later, right?
[ Jay ]Yeah, but won’t you
Kick, kick, kick it

[ VERSE 1: The Jaz ]
My rhymin and singin technique is applaudable
Livin in luxury, and it’s affordable
No other brother is better than me, the J, the a, the z
The cream of the crop, and the top of the top
The suckers are tryin to stop
The biggeda-, the biggeda-, the boss of the hip-hop
Hop, they’ll never come near
They’ll never come here, no, not this year
They’re growin in fear, I’m very sincere, I will jerk tears
Operator pushin the data, I’m talkin bout info
And check it, you’re still stumblin and bumblin off the intro
So take it a step at a time, this dope rhyme
Be makin a note that it’s refined by a skilled mind
This is a warning for biters
Stealers and robbers and sucker reciters
Call it a night, and before you roam
Don’t try this at home
The style that I’m usin, I’m here to abuse
The garbage and junk I refuse
Divy it up, cause I’m here to collect my dues from all of yous
This ain’t no cartoon drama caper, pass the paper
Your mind’s in a daze, higher than a skyscraper
I’m teachin and reachin and preachin
And showin and flowin and growin and blowin
The rest of the best right out of the box
I shoot the funky sweat socks
I obliterate and I devastate
You wanna go head to head
Rhymin until you fall dead?
Great, make it a date
Never a conflict or a debate, you’re callin me sir, see
You sucker, you fucker, you pussy, you wussy, nobody can verse me
The Jaz is pushin the power
You two-bucks-an-hour
Unable, mentally unstable, to me you cower
You never can write a dope lyric to have an effect just like this did
To be at the peak in the field of hip-hop, you only wish, kid
And Jiggeda-Jay Zee, yo, yo, my partner
G-g-g-get on the mic, and cold start to

[ VERSE 2: Jay Zee ]
Wreckin and wreckin in seconds less than speeds of light
So the miggeda-more that come, the miggeda-merrier, right, right
Excitin the mic much to the delight of millions of Nubians
And Amorites just can’t understand the groove we’re in
Cool, it might take a couple of takes for you to clarify
Don’t lie, you coulda never got in on the first try
But never to worry, I’m not in a hurry, take your time
Cause it’s my rhyme, I siggeda-said so, and I’m J-a-y-Z, y’all know me
I wish you co-write, cause you’d pay me all the rhymes you stole from me
Leave you freeze in a minute, you gotta get in it breathin
Only when it lets, no sweat, I stutter-step with ease, and
Stop fakin, you’re makin it, son
I’m breakin and breakin and breakin your tongue
Don’t get caught perpetratin the cool ones
Figure we’re bigger and badder and better, and baby, let’s face it
We bring havoc, flowin faster than rabbits, try to race it
The lyrical miracle writer, flippin until it drives you
Crazy, seek spiritual help from Jaz and Jay Zee
Standin in awe, you saw the best of em all, the rest will fall
Requestin for more, jaws stuck on the floor
These lyrics I pour, we saw, because we’re greater
And we are the thiggida-thiggida-thiggida-the (the) originators
Word

(Cure the blackman
And bring him back to the way he was
In his original state)

(Asalaam alaikum) (4x)

(To give power to the right to overcome bliss)

(It is indeed a pleasure
To see so many Nubian faces
So original faces here tonight)

(Asalaam alaikum)

(To give power to the right to overcome bliss)

Asalaam alaikum)

(Cure the blackman
And bring him back to the way he was
In his original state)

(Asalaam alaikum)

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Ladies first

jungle45 ladies springtime stickup

Monday, March 24, 2008

The Boondocks Season 2 Episode 15 [Another Banned Episode]

man the truth is a beast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Give and Be Happy

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Money can buy happiness, at least when you spend it on others.

That's the conclusion of a study appearing in the March 21 issue of Science. It found that spending on others brings people greater satisfaction than buying things for themselves.

What's more, most people seemed unaware of this hidden key to happiness, the researchers said.

"It's tied to 'pro-social' spending," said Elizabeth Dunn, lead author of the study and assistant professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.

"Most research has looked at the relationship of how much people make and how happy they are," Dunn said. "We examined what they did with it. It's an obvious question but it hasn't been tackled."

Hikes in income can help boost happiness, but the effect is weak, prior studies have found. Research have also found that as the average income rises within a society, people's reported levels of happiness remain relatively static.

So is there something people could be doing with their cash to boost their mental well-being? The authors looked at the question in three different ways.

First they asked a nationally representative sample of 632 Americans (roughly equivalent between genders) to rate their happiness, report their annual income and estimate how much they spend on a typical month on different items, including gifts to others and donations to charity.

Those who had more of this "pro-social" spending were also happier, the team found.

Then they asked 16 employees to rate their happiness both before and after receiving profit-sharing from the company they worked for.

Those who gave away more of their bonus in a pro-social manner were, again, happier and this was true no matter how little or how grand the bonus.

Finally, 46 participants were given an envelope containing either $5 or $20 and asked to spend it that day. Individuals were randomly assigned to spend the money on personal items, or on a gift for someone else, including a charitable donation.

Those who spent their money on others reported greater "post-windfall" happiness than those who were looking out for themselves.

Still, most people spend more money on themselves than others (partly understandable given the influx of bills most households experience), but the authors suggest that as little as $5 may be enough to reap a happiness dividend.

"Reaching out and doing things for other people allows you to kind of create a community," said Dr. Alan Manevitz, a clinical psychiatrist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. "Social networks, we know, make people happier. It's all about creating social networks and community ties and having a sense of self that you feel is worthwhile so money therefore can be used in service of that."

And money is just one resource that can be used to that end, Dunn said. "All kinds of resources may be beneficial for our well-being," she added.

More information

There's more on happiness at the Pew Research Center.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Freeload: Big Boi f. Andre 3000 & Raekwon, "Royal Flush"

Lawd everybody did they thing but Andre is like whoa!!!!I
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http://www.zshare.net/audio/92820958577af4

Pacific Division - Paper (Feat. Tiron)

I'm diggin this tough!!!!!

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Creatures Clone Selves in Face of Danger

Clara Moskowitz
LiveScience Staff Writer
LiveScience.com


If there’s something strange in the neighborhood ... clone yourself. That’s the philosophy of sand dollar larvae, which copy themselves when they sense predators are near.

Scientists exposed 4-day-old sand dollar larvae to fish mucus, a sign that danger is close. They found that the larvae created clones of themselves within 24 hours.

"It’s the first time we’ve seen anything clone itself in response to cues that predators are near," said researcher Dawn Vaughn, a biology doctoral student at the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratories.

Sand dollar larvae are tiny globs that float along with plankton in the sea, an easy target for hungry fish. When they are 6 weeks old, they settle to the seafloor and eventually become adult sand dollars with their distinctive petal-patterned shells.

After being exposed to fish mucus, the larvae formed embryo-like buds that eventually detached and developed into new, genetically-identical larvae that were much smaller than the originals. The parent larvae were left smaller, too, measuring about half their beginning size.

Larvae that were not exposed to the fish mucus did not clone themselves.

The scientists think cloning may provide a double benefit to larvae facing danger. By doubling themselves, they have a second chance to ensure their genetic information survives even if one larva gets eaten.

Additionally, being smaller may be beneficial to larvae trying to hide from fish.

"Fish are visual predators and often choose their prey based on size," Vaughn told LiveScience. "You’re apt to see something bigger. Based on past research, we’re hypothesizing that small size protects larvae, but we have to test that."

Even if being tiny helps the larvae, they could suffer for it later as full-grown sand dollars that live on the sea floor. For many species, being bigger helps scare off predators. The researchers don’t know yet if this is true for sand dollars.

"We’re suggesting that that’s the tradeoff," Vaughn said. "You may reduce your vulnerability as a larva, but when you reach the sea floor, potentially small size ends up hurting you. But if you don’t make it to the sea floor in the first place, it might be worth the tradeoff."

Cloning had previously been observed in sand dollar larvae in response to a greater availability of food or favorable temperatures, but never in response to danger.

Vaughn and her colleagues detail the findings in the March 14 issue of the journal Science.

All About Cloning Images: Rich Life Under the Sea Image Gallery: Small Sea Monsters Original Story: Creatures Clone Selves in Face of Danger
Visit LiveScience.com for more daily news, views and scientific inquiry with an original, provocative point of view. LiveScience reports amazing, real world breakthroughs, made simple and stimulating for people on the go. Check out our collection of Science, Animal and Dinosaur Pictures, Science Videos, Hot Topics, Trivia, Top 10s, Voting, Amazing Images, Reader Favorites, and more. Get cool gadgets at the new LiveScience Store, sign up for our free daily email newsletter and check out our RSS feeds today!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

The real!!!!!!

U got to have peoples like this around u, hahahahaha

Mic club no more 4 now

Man, Everybody and their moms was at the last MIC CLUB at the apache cafe last night. You had fly chicks sitting on the floor at the front of the stage. (I love seeing that) That joint was thick we a sea of people for real but there will be anotha Mic club but if you going out I think that’s how you do it, with a bang son!!!!!!

HIP HOP HUMP DAY

Man, since they coming to the ATL for the A3c jumpoff reunion so lets get familiar for you young pups. Lyrics!!!!!!!!!!! O yea, this is the full lyrics compared to the video but still lyrics!!!!!



"The Symphony"


(feat. Master Ace, Craig G, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane)

[Verse 1: Master Ace]
Listen closely, so your attention’s undivided.
Many in the past have tried to do what I did.
Just the way I came off, man I’m gonna come off.
Stronger and longer, even with the drum off.
I keep on goin’ and flowin’ just like a river.
I got a whole lot to give so I’m-a give a
little at a time, new trails are blazin’,
Action is in effect, and always stays in.
Yeah, just like a shot from a cannon.
I am the man in charge and I’ve been plannin’
a jam strong enough that it can life your soul.
I’m the originator, and my rhymes are made of gold.
Once you hear the capital "A" rap, it’ll stay
with you for awhile, it won’t go away.
Unless you force it, because it stays with you, my friend,
and if you toss it away, I’m-a hit ya again.
I project my voice so it’s right in the crowd.
There’s a sign at the door: no bitin’ allowed.
And if you didn’t read it I suggest you do so,
or you’ll be stranded, just like Caruso.
Sleep if ya wanna, go ’head, get some shut-eye.
A man broke his jaw tryin’ to say what I
say on the microphone, you shoulda left it alone,
just for the record, let it be known
that my ego’s only partially grown.
And never will I ever condone biting in any form, yo I’m only warm.
That verse was the calm, now here’s the storm...
Next up (Yo, I believe that’s me). Craig G, light up the mic for the Symphony.


[Verse 2: Craig G]
This jam is dedicated to all un-optimistics
that though I wasn’t coming out with some exquisite rhymes.
But that’s alright, cuz now I’m back
to kill all the rumors and straighten the facts of me
not rockin’ rhymes like I always used to,
but you jumped on hte tip when you heard me and the Juice Crew.
You said, "Mmm mmm mmm, ain’t that somethin?
Yo Craig, I head you in that jam, and it’s pumpin’!
I apologize. Oh yeah, and uh, can I have your autograph for me and my grandma?"
That’s how I’m livin’: all surprise mode.
Don’t even sleep, try not to keep your eyes closed.
Cuz if you do, when you awaken, your so-called spot will be taken.
I’ll take you over like a greedy executive, cuz on the mic my prospective is
to be the best in all rap events, and since I have a call, I call experience.
Next up...(Yo, I believe that’s me)
Kool G Rap, light up the mic for the Symphony...


[Verse 3: Kool G Rap]
Yo, Marley gives the slice, I get nice,
and my voice is twice as horrifying as Vincent Price
goes deep, till you fell in a spell of a sleep,
and while I’m countin’ the money, you count sheep.
When G Rap strikes the mic, I recite the type of hype that you like,
and make the people unite.
I grip up hips and zip up lips, step on reps, you flip and wanna sip on my tip.
Take a deep breath, because you don’t have another left.
Comin’ back like I’m avengin’ my brother’s deat.
Makin’ veterans run for medicine,
cuz I put out more lights in a fight than ConEdison.
Rip the damn cage like I’m on a rampage.
And if you want rage, I’m-a make front page.
Read the headlines, suckers, todays the deadline,
your head is way past bedtime.
Can’t kill though. Solo. Cuz you’re still all...soft like a pillow.
My rap is rougher than Brillo.
So fear me, don’t dare dare me,
and don’t compare me to him when you hear me.
Talk about a battle but you ain’t yet ready for war.
Your metaphor sucks more than a whore.
You can’t replace me, ice me or ace me, bass me, face me, slice me or race me,
bite me or taste me -- I’ll show you that I got force.
My rap burns your mouth like hot sauce.
Run for water while I break your tape recorder.
Server-to-sucker: the order is manslaughter.
Another rapper, G Rap wrecks, he’s rated X, to mean the boy is sex. Next...
the amplifier gets used and abused. Pumps so loud, we might blow a fuse.
This is anger, madness, ready to hang ’er.
Rapper or singer: I’m puttin’ up my middle finger.
Next up... (I believe that’s me)
Big Daddy Kane, get on the mic for the Symphony.


[Verse4: Big Daddy Kane]
Settin’ it off, lettin’ it off, beginnin’.
Rough to the endin’, you never been in
to move the groove with the smooth rap lord;
like a bottle of juice, rhymes are being poured.
Down your ear, crisp and clear,
as I prepare to wear, tear and smear - then I’m outta here.
With a mark left that you can all cling.
Cuz rockin’ a party? Yo, it’s a small thing.
I rip many places on regular basis, and broken down mics were the only traces
that I’d been there and there at the party.
The mic had my prints, and on it was a body.
So take caution. I’m not horsin’ around in a throwdown, clown,
I’m takin’ yours son.
So just acknowledge the way that I kick it,
cuz if rap was a house, you’d be evicted.
And dismissed from the microphone, chokin’ on a bone, cuz Daddy’s home.
And battlin’ me is hazardous to health,
so put a quarter in your ass, cuz ya played yourself
Like a game in the arcade. You need a far aid.
I’m walkin’ the path that Allah made.
I’ll attend and then begin to send a speech to reach and teach,
so just say when.
So I can let lyrics blast like a bullet.
My mouth is the gun; on suckers I pull it.
The trigger, ya figure, my pockets gettin’ bigger,
cuz when it comes to money, yo, Grant’s my nigga!
You’ve got the groove, MCs, freeze, stand still, nobody move.
It’s a sabotage, as I take charge. Don’t barge, cuz gotdamn, I’m livin’ large
like a giant. You’re nothin’ but a midget, a small digit.
You ain’t hit it, forget it, quit it.
I reign superior, always takin’ care o’ya.
No-frill rappers, you will evaporate, disintegrate, deflate to your fate,
as the great will dominate straight to the state
of reignin’, gainin. So put Kane in, that category. Period. End of story

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

I train like choo choo!!!!!!

official criminal minded 08 joint!!!!

If the truth hurts..........................

...The banned episode of the boondocks son, in full!!!!!

Smirnoff Signature Mix Series With KRS-ONE and DJ Premier

Lawd that criminal minded 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE LAST MIC CLUB TONIGHT, DAMN

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If you in the ATL the apache cafe is the place to be tonight. Mind you that’s the usual on tuesday night in the ATL but tonight is special because it’s the last night for the show in that venue. Dres tha Beatnik express his feelings about the situation tough at the automatic classic show friday before his performance. It’s politicks as usual in the ATL but I’ll try my best to make it out there tonight because you got to support heads to the very in, if you in the ATL, i’ll see you there

Sunday, March 16, 2008

9th Wonder & Buckshot - Go All Out (feat. Charlie Murphy)

Yo!'diggin the sound of this joint and charlie murphy in this video add the fun that's
often missing with hip hop nowadays. Now the usual standard, peep the making of
the video and the actual video son!!!!!

Charlie Murphy & Buckshot "Making of 'GO ALL OUT' Video"


9th Wonder & Buckshot - Go All Out (feat. Charlie Murphy)

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Still Automatic Classic


Even with the tornado catching wreck to the omni and other spots in atlanta. People still came out to the Automatic classic show at the drunken unicorn last night. And as you can tell by Senor kaos 1 of many performances it didn't stop the show from going on

RISING DOWN ALBUM COVER PLUS NEW MUSIC

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The Roots ain't playing. You can tell by the music, videos and this damn album cover, whoa!!! And I love it!!!!!!!!!!!Peep anotha bangin track off the album with mos def and style P. I thinkBlack thought and Style p should coming out with a album 2gether, that would be the hardest joint out!!!


Britney Spears Break The Ice (Animated Video) NEW

the artwork in this joint is offficcccaaallll!!!!

Another storm follows Atlanta twister

Another storm follows Atlanta twister
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By DORIE TURNER, Associated Press Writer

Crews hauled broken glass and furniture out of downtown streets Saturday and homeowners surveyed damage caused by a tornado that caught residents and basketball fans by surprise.

More thunderstorms headed across northern Alabama toward the city Saturday. "We're bracing for another round of whatever mother nature throws at us," said Lisa Janak of the state emergency management agency.

The National Weather Service posted a tornado watch for a large area of Georgia, including the Atlanta area, plus portions of South Carolina and Alabama, and a warning was issued for parts of northern Alabama and northwestern Georgia.

At least 27 people were hurt Friday night, though no injuries were believed to be life-threatening.

All downtown events scheduled for Saturday were canceled, including the St. Patrick's Day parade.

"It's a mess," Janak said.

Weather service officials confirmed Saturday that a tornado hit around 9:40 p.m. as a thunderstorm roared through with wind up to 60 mph, just 10 minutes after the weather service issued a tornado warning.

The tornado itself moved through downtown packing wind up to 110 mph, then grew into a twister with wind up to 135 mph, weather service meteorologist Barry Gooden said.

There had been only a "light risk" in the area Friday for thunderstorms capable of producing strong tornadoes and very large hail, said Trisha Palmer, a weather service meteorologist in nearby Peachtree City. In contrast, the risk was rated as moderate Saturday north Georgia and upstate South Carolina.

The storm smashed hundreds of skyscraper windows, blew furniture and luggage out of hotel rooms, crumbled part of an apartment building and rattled a packed sports arena.

Streets around the Georgia Dome, Phillips Arena, the CNN Center and Centennial Olympic Park were littered with broken glass, downed power lines, crumbled bricks, insulation and the occasional office chair. Billboards collapsed onto parked cars.

CNN said its headquarters building suffered ceiling damage that allowed water to pour into the atrium, and windows were shattered in the CNN.com newsroom and the company's library. A water line inside the building broke, turning a staircase into a waterfall.

"It was crazy. There was a lot of windows breaking and stuff falling," said Terrence Evans, a valet who was about to park a car at the Omni Hotel when the storm twister hit.

Guests and staff were quickly moved to the exhibit hall and ballroom, and the only injuries were "some cuts and scrapes and no major issues as far as we know," hotel spokesman Mike Sullivan said.

The 1,000-room hotel was fully booked, though many guests were out at sporting events at nearby neighboring venues when the storm hit.

Power was knocked out to about 19,000 customers.

The Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts, located east of downtown, had severe damage to one corner and appeared to have major roof damage. Atlanta Fire Department spokesman Capt. Bill May said on Saturday that authorities had searched through the night to ensure that no one was trapped in the building, and were slowed by the darkness and unsafe environment.

"We have not found anybody that had been trapped, and we feel pretty confident that will remain the case once we complete our secondary search, based on the majority of the units being vacant," May said.

Although a tornado warning was issued, there was no announcement of the approaching storm for the 18,000 fans inside the Georgia Dome for the Southeastern Conference basketball tournament. The first sign was rumbling and the rippling of the fabric roof. Catwalks swayed and insulation rained down on players during overtime of the Mississippi State-Alabama game, sending fans fleeing toward the exits and the teams to their locker rooms.

"I thought it was a tornado or a terrorist attack," said Mississippi State guard Ben Hansbrough, whose team won 69-67 after an hourlong delay under a roof with at least two visible tears. A later game between Georgia and Kentucky was postponed. SEC officials said the tournament's remaining games would be played at Georgia Tech.

"Ironically, the guy behind me got a phone call saying there was a tornado warning," fan Lisa Lynn said. "And in two seconds, we heard the noise and things started to shake. It was creepy."

Power was knocked out to about 19,000 customers.

A loft apartment building had severe damage to one corner and appeared to have major roof damage. Property manager Darlys Walker said there was one minor injury.

Taylor Morris, 29, who lives near the lofts, said he and his girlfriend took shelter in the bathroom.

"The whole house was shaking," he said. "We didn't know what was going on."

Fire Capt. Bill May said a vacant building also collapsed, with no apparent injuries.

Grady Memorial Hospital, the city's large public hospital where many of the injured were taken, had broken windows but was operating as usual.

In East Atlanta, downed trees, debris and power lines were strewn in the streets.

Melody and Brad Sorrells were home in their living room with their two children when the storm hit, and the huge pine in their front yard crash into their house.

"I saw it falling and we ran into the back bedrooms in the closet," Melody Sorrels said. "I feel sick."

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association said the last tornado to hit a major city's downtown was on Aug. 12, 2004, in Jacksonville, Fla. Downtown tornadoes have also struck Fort Worth, Texas; Salt Lake City; Little Rock, Ark.; and Nashville, Tenn., in the past decade.

If confirmed, the tornado would be the first on record in downtown Atlanta, said Smith, the meteorologist. The last tornado to strike inside the city was in 1975, and it hit the governor's mansion north of downtown, he said.

___

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

HUMP DAY HIP HOP

Yo! You got to know your west coast history in hip hop son!! i messed with Ice T, that big ballin ni**a named king tee. Compton most wanted, Cpo (heads don't know about Ballad of a menace) Def jeff with the body and soul dancers, Above the law, dj quick, amg. yall don't know about the rhyme syndicate etc etc etc. But yo! this joint right here is one of the many Ice Cube classic back when heads was screaming they wasn't gangsta rap but the black Cnn for heads in the street. But Ice Cube always showed both side of the game. Thus the problem in today music. this is from the kill at will ep.



ICE CUBE-DEAD HOMIEZ


[Verse One:]

Up early in the morning, dressed in black
Don't ask why? 'Cause I'm down in a suit and tie
They killed a homie that I went to school with (Damn!)
I tell ya life ain't shit to fool with
I still hear the screams of his mother
While my nigga laid dead in the gutter (Shit!)
And it's getting to my temple
Why is that the only time black folks get to ride in a limo?
It makes me so mad I want to get my sawed-in
And have some bodies hauled in
But no, I pay my respects and I'm through (whaddup Cube?)
Hug my crew, and maybe shed a tear or two
And I wanna get blitz
Grab my 40 ounce and then I reminisce
About a brother who had to be the one and only
So I dedicate this to my dead homiez...

[Verse Two:]

Another homie got murdered on a shakedown [three gun shots]
And his mother is at the funeral, havin' a nervous breakdown
Two shots hit him in the face when they blasted [two gun shots]
A framed picture and a closed casket
A single file line about 50 cars long
All drivin' slow with they lights on
He got a lot of flowers and a big wreath
What good is that when you're six feet deep?
I look at that shit and gotta think to myself
And thank God for my health
'Cause nobody really ever know
When it's gonna be they family on the front row
So I take everything slow, go with the flow
And shut my motherfuckin' mouth if I don't know (Word!)
'Cause that's what Pops told me
But I wish he could have said it...to my dead homiez

[Verse Three:]

I remember we painted our names on the wall for fun
Now it's "Rest in Peace" after every one
Except me, but I ain't the one to front
Seems like I'm viewin' a body after every month
Plus, I knew him when he was yea big
Pour beer on the curb before I take a swig
But somethin' ain't right
When it's a tragedy, that's the only time that the family's tight
Lovin' each other in a caring mood
There's lots of people and lots of food
They say "Be Strong" and you're tryin'
But how strong can you be when you see your Pops cryin'?
So that's why Ice Cube's dressed up
Because the city is so fuckin' messed up
And everybody is so phony
Take a little time...to think about your dead homiez.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

IT'S SPRING AGAIN


Man I love Youtube. It took me a hot minute but I had to find it, this that feel good song from back in the dayz. Biz- It's Spring Again, what!!!!! That's like anytime me hearing anything from Soul2Soul first album, nothing but goodtimes feel my bodaaayy. But it's about to get warm,shit!! It's warm in the ATL, atleast somedays, heads putting crazy work, not just the 45, everybody!!!!! So the beautiful struggle is really shaping up with a purpose

6 Minutes to a Sharper Memory?

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We know now that restful sleep helps us to consolidate our memories, among other great things it does for us. And we also know that naps can have similar, albeit smaller-scale benefits. But a "nap" is generally thought of as being either a 20-minute "power" version or a longer one that allows you to go through a full cycle of sleep (through all the 4 stages, not just the first two). Or is it?
News flash: you can really benefit from a mini, 6-minute nap.
In a new study just published, German researchers have shown that if you nap just six itty-bitty minutes during the day, it will not only make you feel better but will also improve your ability to learn and remember.
Sounds like a new fad diet, doesn't it? But rather than the slogan "slim in 6," we can say "sharper in 6." And unlike a diet that takes so much effort with no guarantees, this is quite real and can help everyone.
Here's how the scientists at the University of Düsseldorf figured it out:
First, they asked university students to memorize a list of 30 words. Afterwards, the participants were either allowed to play a video game or to take a nap in a quiet room. The napping times were varied, though. Some students were allowed to take a 50-minute nap, whereas others were took 35-minute and 6-minute naps.
When researchers compared the groups, they found that nap takers consistently remembered more words. On average, those who napped for six minutes remembered one word more than the video game players, while people taking the longer naps remembered two words more.
The fascinating finding here--and the reasons for how six minutes can be so meaningful--is that most of the memory improvement is linked to changes in the brain that happen right when you start to doze off. And these changes remain active for a certain time period, even if your sleep is disrupted and you wake up shortly thereafter.
With this kind of news, don't you wish you could bottle up a 6-minute nap and stick a label on it that says: "6 Minutes to More Memory!" Maybe it would trump the ginkgo biloba market, a popular herbal supplement for "improving memory."
In fact, I think you'd be rich. Too bad there's no such thing as a bottled nap. Well, unless you consider the ingredients you need to have a good one:
A quiet, safe, and comfortable place that's free of phones, loud noises, disruptive people, and direct sunlight.
A light blanket to keep you warm since your body temp will take a dip.
A small alarm clock or wristwatch alarm you can set.
Avoid napping past 3 p.m., and watch what you eat and drink beforehand. Anything high in fat, sugar, caffeine or other stimulants can interrupt your sleep.
Go for calcium and protein within two hours of nap time. Once your nap is over, get up and walk outside if possible, as this will help wake up fully and set your body's internal "clock" on schedule.
Think about it: every day you have the opportunity to become a better, sharper you, ready to learn new things quickly and take onchallenges in just 6 minutes.
Oh, but don't get too excited if you're sleep deprived. In other words, don't try to make up for lost sleep with those 6 minutes. They are the bonus 6 minutes after your good night's sleep. So sleep tight first, and practice the art of napping second.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Dangerous Cracks Appearing in Job Market

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By Jeannine Aversa, AP Economics Writer
photo evoultion vintage
Employers Slash Jobs, Thousands Drop Out of the Labor Force

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Dangerous cracks in the nation's job market are deepening. Employers slashed jobs by the largest amount in five years and hundreds of thousands of people dropped out of the labor force -- ominous signs that the country is falling toward a recession or has already toppled into one.


For the second straight month, nervous employers got rid of jobs nationwide. In February, they sliced payrolls by 63,000, even deeper than the 22,000 cut in January, the Labor Department reported Friday.

The grim snapshot of the country's employment climate underscored the heavy toll the housing and credit debacles are taking on companies, jobseekers and the economy as a whole.

"It sounds like the recession bell is ringing for the U.S. economy, although it is still faint," said Stuart Hoffman, chief economist at PNC Financial Services Group.

On Wall Street, stocks tumbled. The Dow Jones lost 146.70 points, a little more than 1 percent to close at 11,893.69. The Dow was down 370 for the last two days of the week.

The worsening situation will prompt the Federal Reserve to cut a key interest rate deeply -- perhaps by as much as three-quarters of a percentage point -- at its next meeting March 18, or possibly sooner, to help brace the teetering economy, analysts predicted.

The shower of pink slips was widespread. Factories, construction companies, mortgage brokers, real-estate firms, retailers, temporary-help firms, child day-care providers, hotels, educational services, accounting firms and computer designers were among those shedding jobs. All those cuts swamped job gains at hospitals and other health care sites, bars and restaurants, legal services and the government.

"Losing a job is painful, and I know Americans are concerned about our economy; so am I," said President Bush. "It's clear our economy has slowed."

The big question: Just how much? The weak employment report pushed an increasing number of private economists into believing the economy is probably shrinking now. Under one rough rule, the economy would have to contract for six months for the country to be considered in a recession.

The unemployment rate actually dipped slightly from 4.9 percent to 4.8 percent, as 450,000 people left the labor force for any number of reasons. Economists thought many people probably gave up looking for work.

"It stands to reason that a large share of the people left because they didn't feel like anything was there for them -- that the market was too weak to be searching for a job at this point," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com.

To relieve persistent credit problems, the Federal Reserve announced Friday that it will increase the amount of loans it plans to make available to banks this month to $100 billion. The Fed already has provided a total of $160 billion in short-term loans to cash-strapped banks since December. The Fed, in another step, said it will make $100 billion available to a broad range of financial players through a series of separate transactions.

Crumbling employment conditions are feeding fears the economy will fall victim to all the stresses. Until recently, the positive forces of job and wage growth have helped to offset the negative forces hitting people from the housing and credit crises. Now people and businesses alike are more cautious, spelling more trouble for the economy.

"The debate should no longer be about whether there is or is not a recession, only about how deep it will be," said Nigel Gault, chief economist at Global Insight.

The elimination of 63,000 jobs in February was the most since March 2003 and marked the second month in a row of job losses. The last time the economy suffered two consecutive months of job losses was in May and June 2003, when the labor market was still struggling to recover from the blows of the 2001 recession.

"Businesses got cold feet, and when that happens the easiest thing to do is to put hiring on hold and wait until the dust clears," said Ken Mayland, economist at ClearView Economics.

Economic growth slowed to a near standstill of just a 0.6 percent pace in the final quarter of last year. Before Friday's employment report, many thought growth would weaken further -- around a 0.4 percent pace. Now, however, a growing number think the economy is contracting.

Bush's top economic adviser, Edward Lazear, acknowledged Friday that the economy may dip into negative territory in the current quarter. Lazear's comment was the most pessimistic assessment heard out of the White House. He would not discuss whether the White House believes the economy will actually fall into a recession.

The Bush administration was hoping the government's speedily enacted economic stimulus package -- including tax rebates for people and tax breaks for businesses -- will help bolster the economy in the second half of this year.

"I know this is a difficult time for our economy, but we recognized the problem early and provided the economy with a booster shot," Bush said. "We will begin to see the impact over the coming months," the president predicted.

Democrats, however, said more relief is needed now.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., spoke of charting a "new direction for our economy." Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, called for action to stem record-high home foreclosures.

The Democratic presidential contenders, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois, blamed the job losses on what they believe are failed Bush policies. "The news should put to rest any doubts that our economy is in deep trouble," Clinton said. Obama said the employment news meant "more heartache and struggle" for Americans.

On the employment front, workers with jobs saw modest wage gains.

Average hourly earnings for jobholders rose to $17.80 in February, a 0.3 percent increase from the previous month. Over the last 12 months, wages were up 3.7 percent. With lofty energy and food prices, though, workers may feel like their paychecks are shrinking.

Spreading fallout from the housing and credit troubles are the main factors behind the economic slowdown. People and businesses alike are feeling the strains and have turned cautious. Adding to the stresses on pocketbooks, budgets and the economy: skyrocketing energy prices. Oil prices, which have set a string of record highs in recent days, now top $105 a barrel. Gasoline prices have marched higher, too.

All those problems are putting consumers in a gloomy state of mind.

Consumer confidence sank to a new low of 33.1 in early March, according to the RBC Cash Index. That was the worst since the index began in 2002.

To help shore up the economy, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke signaled last week that the central bank is prepared to lower interest rates again. Economists are now predicting a deep rate reduction by the Fed on or before its regularly scheduled meeting March 18. The Fed, which has been slicing the rate since September, recently turned more forceful. It slashed the rate by 1.25 percentage points during just eight days in January -- the biggest one-month reduction in a quarter-century.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997)

Daylight Saving Time actually raises utility bills

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It's official: Daylight Saving Time is a bust. Designed (and recently extended) as a measure to save energy in a period of inflated electricity prices, an in-depth University of California study has now shown that DST doesn't save anyone any money at all. In fact, it's costing consumers extra, to the tune of $3.19 in extra utility bills per year.

The study was made possible because of the peculiarities of the state of Indiana, which was only partially on DST until 2006. When the whole state finally went DST (to sync with the national business day), some comparisons vs. the prior method were made apparent. The study calculated that the shift costs Indiana residents an extra $8.6 million in electricity bills in total.

Why? Shouldn't they be, well, saving daylight -- and burning fewer light bulbs?

They are, said the study. But while lighting bills were reduced, air-conditioning units had to run more often, because people were home on hot afternoons when they'd otherwise be still at the office. Heaters had to be run on cool mornings, too, when people got up and it was still dark outside.

Professor Matthew Kotchen, who pioneered the study, noted, "I've never had a paper with such a clear and unambiguous finding as this."

This isn't the first time the energy-saving rationale of Daylight Saving Time has been attacked. The first was in 1976, when the National Bureau of Standards found that there was no significant energy savings after the switch. The recent expansion of DST to a few extra weeks was also revealed to have saved no energy during its run. And yet here we are...

In related news, it was also revealed that Daylight Saving Time actually creates no additional daylight.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

The Roots- Behinde the scenes and vidoe of get busy!!!

Man, I love the direction the roots going with these videos, peep the rawness and some of the behide the scene footage. You know I'm support april 29 and ?ustlove facial expression on the drums, agggggggghhhhh!!!!

Behind The Scenes Of The Roots - Get Busy Video Shoot


The Roots - Get Busy ft Dice Raw, Peedi Crakk, DJ Jazzy Jeff

Friday, March 7, 2008

City of Men

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Here's the deal. The City of God, everybody favorite hood movie was inspired by the t.v show in brazil called the City of Men which you can cop at amazon.com. I know around my way it was featuring the City of Men in the movie spot. I thought they were going to play thet.v show, which has happen in that spot often but come to find out it's the actual movie and it looks like it's continue from the t.v show. Better forget the talk and peep the trailor that's a winner like bruce Jenner

Midtown Art Cinema
931 Monroe Drive - Midtown Promenade Shopping Center
Phone No: (678)495-1424
City of Men
Showtimes: 2:10, 4:35, 7:35, 10:00

Out of this Ozone

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My Dude Flux created this joint for Ozone magazine first illustration issue and guess what? The didn't pick. They did pick his scarface drawing but damn, damn, damn this joint is hot and ever so suiting for a ill ass M.C. So with this in mind I'm plugging
a couple of these fly artist. I would write verbals about them but the proof is in the pudding which is the link. so get inspired and enjoy!!!!!
www.myspace.com/craigthefluxsingleton

RON DIGGY
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www.myspace.com/rondiggy1

Tamara L'Artiste
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www.myspace.com/arttist4eva

NEVERKNOTS
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www.myspace.com/mantatakhan


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www.myspace.com/lungzito

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Spanking children can lead to problems later in life?

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Parents who teach "tough love" by disciplining their children with spankings could be making them more likely to have sexual problems as teenagers and adults, a leading researcher said.

Professor Murray Straus, of the University of New Hampshire, found that children who are spanked or experience other corporal punishment have a raised risk as teenagers and adults to verbally or physically coerce a partner into having sex.

"It's more evidence that parents should not spank if the wellbeing of their children is at stake," he said in an interview.

Straus analyzed the results of the International Dating Violence Study, a survey of more than 14,000 university students at 68 universities in 32 countries. The students were asked if they had been spanked or hit frequently before age 12 and if they had coerced a sexual partner in the previous 12 months.

Men who had experienced corporal punishment were four times more likely to physically coerce a partner into having sex, than those who had not experienced a lot of corporal punishment.

Physical coercion includes holding someone down or hitting them. Women who had experienced corporal punishment were also more likely to coerce sex from a partner than those who had not been spanked.

"People generalize that the use of coercion, physical coercion, is okay. They learn that from people they love and respect - their parents," said Straus, who presented the findings at a summit of the American Psychological Association.

Both men and women who had experienced corporal punishment as children were less than 10 percent more likely than those who had not been spanked to verbally coerce sex from a partner.

Straus said studies have shown that corporal punishment leads to low self control and self esteem, as well as aggressiveness, antisocial personalities and the understanding that violence is okay which may lead to sexual coercion.

He added that there are alternative ways to discipline children that work better and do not have side effects.
Parents who teach "tough love" by disciplining their children with spankings could be making them more likely to have sexual problems as teenagers and adults, a leading researcher said.

Professor Murray Straus, of the University of New Hampshire, found that children who are spanked or experience other corporal punishment have a raised risk as teenagers and adults to verbally or physically coerce a partner into having sex.

"It's more evidence that parents should not spank if the wellbeing of their children is at stake," he said in an interview.

Straus analyzed the results of the International Dating Violence Study, a survey of more than 14,000 university students at 68 universities in 32 countries. The students were asked if they had been spanked or hit frequently before age 12 and if they had coerced a sexual partner in the previous 12 months.

Men who had experienced corporal punishment were four times more likely to physically coerce a partner into having sex, than those who had not experienced a lot of corporal punishment.

Physical coercion includes holding someone down or hitting them. Women who had experienced corporal punishment were also more likely to coerce sex from a partner than those who had not been spanked.

"People generalize that the use of coercion, physical coercion, is okay. They learn that from people they love and respect - their parents," said Straus, who presented the findings at a summit of the American Psychological Association.

Both men and women who had experienced corporal punishment as children were less than 10 percent more likely than those who had not been spanked to verbally coerce sex from a partner.

Straus said studies have shown that corporal punishment leads to low self control and self esteem, as well as aggressiveness, antisocial personalities and the understanding that violence is okay which may lead to sexual coercion.

He added that there are alternative ways to discipline children that work better and do not have side effects.
random beatings that are unpredictable, (springing from a parent's misdirected anger and frustration) and
the setting of rules and expectations, with the use of force being one consequence of disobedience.

fear is part of teaching a child respect. not every child needs to be spanked, and not every spanking is going
to lead to neuroses... in this, like all things, we must seek balance.

Thoughts from my dude Amen from ghetto mag fame about the article
read the article
"you gotta know when to hold 'em. know when to fold 'em"


knowing when it's appropriate to use physical punishment and when it isn't is part of being a good parent.
these candy-ass social scientists do not dig deep enough with their research, and often get the result they
set out to prove.more likely, the kids that grew up to be abusive were spanked by parents who were OUT
of control, and so came to the conclusion that this lack of self-control is normal. also, there's a marked
difference between

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

ANOTHA HUMP DAY HIP HOP MOMENT U LUV!!!

After watching this video you'll overstand why some heads don't mess with this so called present day of hip hop any more.Even though the 80's look is back with the dookie ropes and the hair cuts, you can't capture that moment or feel. These cats are killing it with the lyrics and having crazy fun in the video. I know there's plenty of heads from the west, north, east and south plus overseas with the foundation of hip hop and running with it sweet, but seeing this video really make you miss that feeling yo! anyway anotha humpday hip hop moment for your booty. Yo!!! Mafi we need to throw this track on that 80's jungle45 mixcd 4 real

Jungle Brothers, DELASOUL - doin our own dang

f/ De La Soul, Q-Tip, Monie Love

[Maceo]
Me, Plug Three, the one they call Baby Huey
The one that gets all the money (all the money)
Yeah, that's right

[mike g]
A fat funky fruit with a whole lot of tang
A little something called "Doing Our Own Thang"
Breaking the beat others wished they broke
Bassline so dope that you just might choke
Don't bite off something that you can't chew
And don't trail behind when I'm coming through
Fronting the feel that you really can't feel
Cause you're trying to feel what's on my reel to reel

[Q-Tip]
A tree is growing
Can't you see what I see? A white blue fruit to boot
We count to ten before we pass the crews, now that's family
Equipped with the brothers and the sisters and the sisters and the brothers
And all others, with the funky flairs, the bugged-out hairs
It's the life of Riley, I'm really ready
Gazing at the dollar fill of rap
The cool june bugs, the wicks, the wacks
Praise the rhythms for what it beez
And praise the Lord for the JB's

We're doing our own thang (Repeat 4x)

[Posdnuos]
Isn't it cool when you cut your hair
And the blood is red instead of sellout green
This is not the music for an R&B mind
This is flower intertwined with a vine
(In other words this is rose)
You see what I mean? Or see what Grandpa Bam saw
Funk we transmit is unstable
One condition if I am able to say
(Yes you may) Well hey, let's get on with it
Vocal confetti is thrown, sometimes spitted
Out the vents of hecklers and fans
Either which way they all hop on the van
The band, the band, here comes the band
The tribe of fingers all on one hand
Me, myself, and I are dark
Monie Love the mouthpiece, it's now yours to spark

[Monie Love]
Sister Monie, the only one here who missed a plane back to London
Residing with my brothers and I learned a lot from them
About the group, how to be smooth and play funky
And sometimes rated it's kind of funky, but it's cool
For we are beyond the stereotypes
Coordination crazy, but still it sounds hype
Rocking on and off beat, and I do believe I'm right (You're right)
Am I wrong? (Yeah, son)
Don't be mad, be glad I missed the plane, I'm staying
With the Brothers Jungle, Soul, and the Tribe I'm saying
Funky funky rhymes that always stay in swing
I believe we doing our own thing

We're doing our own thang (Repeat 4x)

[Afrika]
Well my family sets all the trends
From soul to soul, large to loose ends
?And I all my groups like kill?
(Cause that's where the money's at)
Yeah, the industry's filled with copycats
R&B mixed with sloppy raps
Tribes like us always open doors
But what for, so you can get yours?
You ain't in to it, all you want is profit
So I ask you please to stop it
Leave me alone, get off my bone
Cause I'm doing my own...

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

16 Secrets the Restaurant Industry Doesn't Want You to Know

Photobucket
WebMD Feature from "Men's Health" Magazine
By David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding. Additional research by Lauren Murrow
photo adrew cliffton

We scrambled behind the counters, dug under the drive-thrus, and plunged into the deep fryers to find out what's really going into our meals


On October 15 of last year, at the very moment a piece of legislation landed on his desk that could have helped protect the state's 37 million residents from obesity, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California was apparently out to lunch.

Maybe he was dining at Dunkin' Donuts, or chowing down at Chipotle, or supping at Long John Silver's. We suspect, however, that the former chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports wasn't visiting any of those establishments--because, unlike most Americans, he's pretty well versed in diet and nutrition, and knows how to protect himself from the evils that restaurant chains wreak.

The legislation that died on his desk--SB 120--would have required chain restaurants to list nutritional information on their menus, giving millions of us the same sort of nutritional wisdom the governor gained during his decades as a bodybuilder. It seems simple: a law that requires nothing more than having restaurants tell us what we're putting in our mouths. Yet the California Restaurant Association, which represents all of the state's largest chain restaurants, called the bill a "feel-good Band-Aid" and claimed it ignored the "true issues" behind obesity.

We disagree. One of the true issues behind obesity is the fact that many chains--which provide one-third of all restaurant meals, according to the New York Department of Health--obfuscate the fat and calorie counts of their menu items, and fight any attempt to shed light on what, exactly, is going on between their buns and inside their taco shells.

But it wasn't until we began work on the book version of the popular Men's Health column "Eat This, Not That" that we discovered just how hard the industry works at keeping its dietary secrets. Indeed, the law is on its side: The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 actually absolves restaurants of all nutritional liability to the American public. Under that legislation, no fast-food or chain restaurants are required to provide calorie, fat, or sodium information for any of their menu items unless they describe the items as "low sodium" or "low fat." Yet through scientific testing, consultations with nutrition experts, and good old-fashioned snooping, we uncovered some of the secrets these mega-restaurateurs have been keeping.

It's no wonder . . .


Outback Steakhouse

doesn't want you to know that the only nutritional information it provides is for its Tangy Tomato Dressing. When we contacted the company, a spokesperson claimed, "Ninety percent of our meals are prepared by hand...Any analysis would be difficult to measure consistently." Yet no fewer than 45 national chain restaurants do just that. (Hey, in case you were wondering, an order of Outback's Aussie Cheese Fries has 2,900 calories, and its Ayers Rock Strip has 60 grams of fat.)


Applebee's

doesn't want you to know that many of its "low-fat" items have more than 500 calories. (In fact, its low-fat chicken quesadillas have 742 calories and 90 grams of carbohydrates per order.)


IHOP

doesn't want you to know that its Omelette Feast has 1,335 calories and 35 grams of saturated fat. (By the time you finish eating this behemoth breakfast, you'll have consumed 150 percent of your daily fat requirement and 300 percent of your suggested cholesterol intake.) Said IHOP's director of communications, "We do not maintain nutritional data on our menu items, so I am unable to assist you."


Red Robin

doesn't want you to know the nutritional impact of its gourmet burgers. "A gourmet burger starts by being an honest burger," Red Robin's Web site declares--but not, apparently, a burger that will come clean about its nutrition facts. When contacted, Red Robin's senior vice president responded that nutritional information for the menu would be available in October 2007. As of November, however, nutrition facts were still not posted on the site. Another public-relations representative e-mailed us to request this: "As this information is not yet public, can you please confirm that this will not be leaked?" Uh, no.



Hooters

doesn't want you to know anything about what's in its food. Although chains such as Chili's and Uno Chicago Grill divulge the thousands of calories in their chicken wings, Hooters blames its nutritional-disclosure negligence on its expansive menu, which contains about 25 entrées: "Because of the millions of combinations available and our desire to frequently give you new menu options, it is impossible to provide accurate nutritional data," responded a PR representative. Our own investigation revealed that the chain's wing sauce (which consists primarily of butter, sweet cream, and partially hydrogenated margarine) also contains such unappetizing additives as maltodextrin, propylene glycol alginate, xanthan gum, calcium disodium EDTA, and potassium sorbate. (Not being able to tell what's natural and what's enhanced has always been a problem for us at Hooters.)



Arby's

doesn't want you to know that the FDA has no definition of "all natural." Thus, chains like Arby's can say they serve "100 percent all-natural chicken," despite using artificial flavoring. Even worse, the "all-natural" smoothies at Arby's may contain high-fructose corn syrup.



Fuddruckers

doesn't want you to know the fat content of its 1-pound burgers. We contacted our local Fuddruckers restaurant and were told that the nutritional information was available on the chain's Web site (it's not). The corporate office later responded that providing such information would be "very extensive [sic] and timely."



Dunkin' Donuts

doesn't want you to know that each of its medium-size fruit-and-yogurt smoothies packs at least 60 grams of sugar--more than four times the sugar in a chocolate-frosted cake doughnut. The fruit purees used in the smoothies are mixed with liberal doses of sugar and/or high-fructose corn syrup.



Papa John's

doesn't want you to know that unlike rival chains such as Domino's, it has made little effort to introduce healthier options. A Papa John's representative admitted, "At this time, we have no additional regular menu items that are targeted toward eating lighter."



Burger King

doesn't want you to know that its French toast sticks (which deliver more than 4 grams of fat per stick) share a deep fryer with the pork sausage, pork fritters, Chicken Tenders, chicken fries, Big Fish patties, hash browns, onion rings, and Cheesy Tots--and that all of those items contain harmful trans fats. But there is hope: After the company was sued by the Center for Science in the Public Interest for moving too slowly to remove trans fats from its menu, Burger King promised to phase them out by the end of 2008.



Panera Bread

doesn't want you to know that the synthetic food colorings in its pastries have been linked to irritability, restlessness, and sleep disturbance in children. And British researchers found that artificial food colorings and preservatives in the diets of 3-year-olds caused an increase in hyperactive behavior. (The same ingredients appear in fast-food items such as mayonnaise, M&M Blizzards, and McDonald's shakes.) To its credit, Chipotle uses no artificial colorings or flavorings.


Chevys Fresh Mex

doesn't want you to know how its tortillas stack up nutritionally. The chain says it provides "nutritional information regarding calories, fat, protein & carbohydrates for some of our most popular items"--the chicken, steak, and shrimp fajitas, for example--on its Web site. But the numbers provided don't include an essential component: the tortilla.



Higher-ups at Maggiano's Little Italy

don't want you to know just how many calories and carbs you're consuming in those massive pasta portions. (As the menu puts it, "Family-style service or individual entrees are available...Whichever you choose, you'll have plenty to share or take home.") In Italy, a standard pasta serving means 4 ounces of noodles with a few tablespoons of sauce. At Maggiano's, a large order of pasta translates into 2 pounds of noodles piled high on a hubcap-size dinner plate (15 1/2 inches in diameter). A Maggiano's PR rep responded to our request for nutritional information a week later: "Sorry for the delayI had to wait for corporate's approval. Unfortunately, they have declined to participate."



T.G.I. Friday's

doesn't want you to know how little nutritional info it provides. A Friday's PR rep told us that the chain makes the data available for only its "low-fat" dishes--those coming in under 500 calories and 10 grams of fat. There are just three such dishes on the entire Friday's menu.



Baskin-Robbins

doesn't want you to know that, unlike Jamba Juice's all-fruit smoothies, the top four ingredients in its Blue Raspberry Fruit Blast are Sierra Mist soda, water, sugar, and corn syrup.


continued...

Sit-down chain restaurants

don't want you to know that their food is actually considerably worse for you than the often-maligned fast-food fare. In fact, our menu analysis of 24 national chains revealed that the average entree at a sit-down restaurant contains 867 calories, compared with 522 calories in the average fast-food entree. And that's before appetizers, sides, or desserts--selections that can easily double your total calorie intake.



A fast-food fakeout : Ever wonder what happened to supersizing? The correct answer is nothing.

In 2001, the U.S. Surgeon General called on fast-food purveyors to decrease their portion sizes. The chains immediately jumped into action--by changing the names of their overstuffed meals. McDonald's and Wendy's dropped descriptors such as "Supersize," "Biggie," and "Great Biggie" and replaced them with "Medium" and "Large." Still, each time you upgrade to the larger meal, you're consuming an average of 55 percent more calories for 17 percent more money. That's one reason a Temple University study found that every fast-food meal a person eats during the week is associated with an extra 1.5 pounds of body weight compared with a person who resists fast food.



Adapted from Eat This, Not That: Thousands of simple food swaps that can save you 10, 20, 30 pounds--or more! (Rodale). For more tips on how to survive a restaurant meal, visit MensHealth.com/eatthis.