Causes

The Omni Report is proud to post links to the charities and causes that we feel are well worth the time.

"The good we do for ourselves, dies with us.
The good we do for others, is and will always be immortal"


Help People:
The Ronald McDonald House Charities
http://rmhc.org/

Help Children:
The Make A Wish Foundation
http://www.wish.org/

Help Animals:
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
http://www.peta.org/

Help the Planet:
Protect and Save the Oceans
http://www.oceana.org

Have you seen this man?

Leading experts have agreed this is what he might look like now...
Age Progression to 96 years of age:

Our Phavorite Phillies Players

Part 2 of a series....

Ryan Howard
Philadelphia Phillies
#6 First Base

We LOVE Ryan Howard!

We could say a lot about Ryan, super-talent for the Phillies, but for once we are letting this post write itself.


Take a look at Ryan’s stats. Go ahead and read them out loud. Let it sink in...

• Set Minor League Home Run Record with 37 in 102 games
• National League Rookie of the Year (2005)
• 2-Time Major League Baseball All-Star (2006, 2009)
• Winner Silver Slugger Award (2006)
• National League Most Valuable Player (2006)
• National League Hank Aaron Award (2006)
• The Sporting News Player of the Year (2006)
• Home Run Derby Winner (2006)
• Major League Baseball Clutch Performer (September 2008)
• Led The National League in home runs (2006, 2008)
• Led The National League in RBI (2006, 2008)
• National League Josh Gibson Award (2006, 2008)
• World Series Champion (2008)
• Fastest player to reach both the 100 and 200 home run milestones in Major League Baseball history (2007,2009)
  　
  Wow.

R.I.P. Vincent Van Gogh - 7/29/1890

Starry Night Over the Rhone, (September 1888)

Cafe Terrace at Night, (1888)

Wheat Field with Cypresses, (1889) Metropolitan Museum of Art

News You Should Know - 7/28/2009

The Deterioration of the National Mall

Several years ago Omni Staffers helped a wheelchair bound woman along the sandy trail of the National Mall. Her wheels had gotten stuck and we wanted to help. We were all amazed at the time that the main trail through and around the National Mall is a glorified dirt path. Since then things have gotten worse.

Learn more:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/26/national-malls-disrepair-decried/



Swine Flu Trials on Children?

According to published reports the US government is going to fast track swine flu vaccines on about 12,000 children. The scary part is that the vaccine in question supposedly contains the same chemical that causes Gulf War Syndrome. We don't make this stuff up.

Learn more:
http://www.examiner.com/x-7160-Sacramento-Nutrition-Examiner~y2009m7d28-12000-Oklahoma-children-to-be-tested-with-new-H1N1-flu-vaccine-to-see-any-side-effects

http://www.examiner.com/x-9303-Miami-Health-Care-Examiner~y2009m7d28-US-rushing-swine-flu-vaccine-clinical-trials




China Reversing 1 Child Law

Shanghai is urging eligible parents to plan on a second child. Far from being the feel good story of the year, the real reason for this reversal is because so many thousands of female babies have been murdered, that the male population is going into full fledged panic mode. There are 120 males for every 100 females now and the ratio is growing wider every day...

Learn more:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5953508

Tour De France Finale - 7/26/2009

Alberto "The Condor" Contador

2009 Tour De France Champion

THE GRANDE FINALE

The final stage ride into Paris is traditionally a day of celebration and not racing. Long standing unwritten rules forbid any attacks today except for the bragging rights to winning the final stage sprint.

This year, as in others, the teams rolled their way into Paris in a leisurely party-like atmosphere, laughing and talking amongst each other. Trading war stories and best wishes. All of the exhilaration, passion, rivalry, teamwork, highs and lows, pain, revenge and glory coming to a head as the riders bond over the one thing they have in common, surviving the Tour De France 2009.

Team Astana-shing wasting no time in popping the champagne having snagged the #1 and #3 spots with Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong. How amazing to once again see Lance drinking champagne on the way into Paris!

Team SaxoBank or should we say, SexyBank, laughing and hamming it up with Fabian Cancellara flexing his muscles literally at the cameras for all to appreciate. The Schleck Brothers unable to stop smiling as young Andy finishes in 2nd place. What a Tour the Schleck Brothers had…

Team Columbia veteran George Hincapie, rumored to have finished the last few stages with a broken collarbone, completing a remarkable 14 consecutive tours today and heading the peloton around the Champs Elysees to lead his teamate Cavendish to the stage win. Wow. The next question for George is will he ride with Armstrong on Team RadioShack in 2010?

YELLOW (FASTEST TIME): ALBERTO “THE CONDOR” CONTADOR

GREEN (FASTEST SPRINTS): BIG THOR “GOD OF THUNDER” HUSHOVD

POLKA DOT (KING OF THE MOUNTAINS): FRANCO PELLICOTTI

WHITE (BEST YOUNG RIDER): ANDY SCHLECK

Honorable Mention: Mark “The Missile” Cavendish -Team Columbia - 6 Stage wins including today’s coveted Champs Elysees stage.

It was a great race this year. We look forward to next months Tour of Ireland and to next years Tour de France already...

Tour De France Update - 7/25/2009

AN AMAZING STAGE CLIMB UP MONT VENTOUX

Well, well, well - Alberto Contador does it again! He will claim his second Tour win in Paris tomorrow sailing around the Champ Elysees with a glass of Champagne. Lance Armstrong had a PHENOMENAL day today - climbing with ease to stay with Alberto and the Schleck Brothers and claiming a podium finish in 3rd place. It was quite a sight watching Andy, Alberto and Lance ride together today - a Cycling Triumvirate. Beautiful!

The hordes of schmenges numbered OVER 500,000! That is right. Over half a million people lined the roads leading to the killer mountain Mont Ventoux and it was awesome!

Tomorrow we will we post the end statistics as we bid adieu to the Tour for another year...

Read more:

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/32146303/ns/sports-tour_de_france/

Tour De France Update - 7/23/2009

The Rise and Fall of the Mountains:

Alberto Contador leads Team Astana-shing to the top spot, snagging the maillot jeune on the way through the Alps this week. Armstrong slips to 4th place, a remarkable achievement for someone just coming out of retirement.

The beautiful scenery and hordes of schmenges* came in second place to the action on the road.

Team Saxo Bank is the BIG news this week with super-talent Schleck Brothers kicking ass and winning stages and hearts everywhere. Andy and Frank are in spots 2 and 3 about 2 minutes behind Contador. Superstar Jens Voight of Saxo Bank suffering a BRUTAL crash on a descent, breaking his face and having to abandon the Tour.

Big Thor Hushovd - the god of thunder - performing miracles on stage 17 yesterday, leading an entire stage to capture all the sprint points and retain the green jersey and avoiding what would have been a spectacular crash - comingthisclose- to taking a header off the mountain.

Dennis Menchov hitting the same spot that almost took Thor and going down hard on his knee only to crash again a few minutes later and somehow the big Russian still finished the stage!

Only a few stages left before the ride into Paris! Look for the time trial and final mountain stage coming up.

*schmenges = the people who camp out for 3 days on the mountain getting drunk and celebrating the Tour...

UPDATE:

Contador wins the Time Trial today, practically sealing his Tour De France 2009 win! Lance moves back in to 3rd place...

Armstrong with an amazing announcement today of the formation of Team Radioshack, to be led by none other than Johan Bruyneel. Lance will hopefully stock this team with superstars and we are looking forward to another Dream Team. We'd like to see on Team Radioshack: Armstrong, Hincapie, Leipheimer, Hushovd, Boonen, Cavendish, Kloeden, Sastre, Evans, The Schleck Bros, Popovych, Cancellara, Voight...etc... All the Superstars!

News You Should Know - 7/21/2009

Jimi Hendrix Murdered?
It is being alleged in a new book that Jimi's own record manager ordered a hit on him to collect a $2 million dollar life insurance policy. The plausibility of the story is being corroborated by the doctor who was at the scene and called to Jimi's room that night, Sept. 18th, 1970. The details are credible and this is not a conspiracy theory. The thing is, the record manager who supposedly confessed was killed in a plane crash in 1973 -(after profiting A LOT from Jimi's death - A LOT!) - and will never be brought up on any kind of charges in this life... Very sad.

Learn More:
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6625403.ece
　
　
Killing Fields Tribunal
Former Khmer Rouge prisoners are finally getting their day in court - 30 years after the fact. Victim after victim is stepping up to share their horrific stories of pain and survival and to point their finger at one man charged with over 15,000 counts of murder and war crimes. This despicable man will probably be the last of this evil empire to undergo a tribunal as there are less than a handful of these monsters left.

Learn More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/16/cambodia-killing-fields-genocide-trials
　
　
Vatican dripping with money?
These couple of articles caught our eye this week.
One was about the Pope being helicoptered to his vacation at a mountaintop chalet in the Alps and the other about more sex abuse allegations, but it wasn't that we saw. It was the budget for this particular group, The Legionaries of Christ, one of many branches the Catholic Church funds, of $650 million. ZING! Okay, it's a typo. Maybe it's 65 million? Or 6? Is that a lot anyway?
Are vows of poverty, passé? They certainly don't seem to apply to this new Pope or bother him and his $500 fire-engine red Prada shoes and his helicopter and resort in the Alps. We think he'd be more at home with Posh and Becks than with a leper or a poor person.
How much money has been paid out in sexual abuse litigation settlements? A LOT! By the year 2002, the figure was 1 billion dollars. In 2007 alone, it was $615 million.
How about The Vatican Observatory? A scientifically first class fully operational Stellar Observatory complete with giant telescopes that cost a lot of money to operate.
We're just wondering why so many local catholic groups are financially strapped and why The Vatican seems to have it all.
　
(and did you know The Catholic Church believes in aliens now? In fact, they are our "brothers")
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/14/vatican-its-ok-to-believe_n_101690.html

Learn More:
http://www.examiner.com/x-14886-Pope-Benedict-Examiner~y2009m7d13-Pope-Benedict-takes-vacation-warns-of-the-supremacy-of-technology

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/italy/090717/vatican-investigates-legionaries-christ

http://www.wbur.org/2009/07/21/votf-fundraising-2

http://www.vaticanobservatory.org/

Conspiracy Theory of the Month - July 2009

THE LUNAR LANDINGS

Today marks the 40th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo 11 Lunar Landing and Astronaut Neil Armstrong’s historic moon walk. Bolstered by the immortal words of President Kennedy and The Will of The People, NASA won the space race (to the tune of over 30 billion dollars), and Neil Armstrong and his crew became the first human beings in history to set foot on a foreign body in our Universe.

So where is the conspiracy? Everyone knows that NASA exists and no one argues that the Mercury and Apollo space programs were real. Thousands of people a year visit Cape Canaveral and The Kennedy Space Center to view rockets the size of skyscrapers on full display.

Every single argument that questions the validity of the moon landings (6 successful Apollo missions in total with 12 astronauts that walked on the surface), has been debunked by “authorities and experts”.

So, why with all the facts, details, documentation and evidence would there by any doubt? Any doubt at all?

Because even though the hoax theories are disputed and ridiculed, they seem to be valid or hold a kernel of truth when you look at the bottom line:

Is there missing data, including the Research and Development documentation and blueprints of the lunar landing machines themselves? Yes.

Do the photos and video seem doctored? Yes.

Was the flag waving in zero atmosphere? Yes.

Are moon rocks interchangeable with meteorites found in Antarctica? Yes.

Were the tapes that recorded THE MOST IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENT OF MANKIND IN ALL OF HUMAN HISTORY erased and re-used? Yes.

But, “enhanced” tapes were released just this week for the anniversary? Yes.

Is it true that every single astronaut that was sent all the way to the moon, 24 in total, survived, yet 14 astronauts have died within our atmosphere, less than 300 miles from Earth? Yes.

Was there an inordinate amount of pressure and haste involved in winning the space race at all costs? Yes.

Has there been a suspicious amount of deaths associated with the Apollo programs, 12 people in all? Yes.

Has anyone fully explained how we got past the Van Allen radiation belts more than 10 times without nuking the astronauts or going around them? No.

Why, if it was so easy to develop this technology between 1961- 1969, wasn’t it used again?

Why did the Russian space program go away?

Why did the Chinese one never really start?

Why don’t the Japanese Gods of Technology have any interest in going?

How much was it again, that we spent to send men to walk on the moon and collect rocks?

Okay, you’ve read this, said “so what?” and still agree we went to the moon and that conspiracies are delusional. You believe that we pulled off a miracle like the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team! We won the Space Race and became the Number One Country on Earth!! WE WALKED ON THE MOON!! In Your Face!

So, what did we win when we won this "space race"? It has to be great, right? At least all of our allies have to be jazzed for us! Because this kind of penultimate human achievement, especially coming from a country like the USA, a happy modern democratic country, would be shared and something great would come out of it, right?

Not really. It seems we patted ourselves on the back, entered the Vietnam War, Kennedy was killed, the recession in the 1970’s was horrible and we were restricted to buying gasoline on alternating days, the 80’s boom led to the Gulf War and the financial market downturn of the early 90’s, the economic and foreign policies to follow would lead to our current predicament in which we are presently mired in at least 3 or 4 wars: Iraq, Afghanistan, The war on drugs and take your pick…Iraq? North Korea?

NASA received over $416 billion dollars between 1953-2008.

On our great 40th anniversary of this impossible achievement, not one country on Earth has stepped up to congratulate us! Why? Seriously, ask yourself why. Why would not the Queen of England share her memories of the experience that day? Governments do diplomatic bullshitty things all the time to placate each other and yet THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT OF MAN goes unheralded, unmarked...ehhh...whatever...

As kids we were as enamored by NASA and this whole thing as anyone. Right now, the US doesn’t need to keep feeding NASA over 8 billion a year that could be funding public schools, fixing crumbling infrastructure and you name it. Even if we did go to the moon, the glory days are over.

Learn more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_landing_hoax

Author of the Month - July 2009

CLIVE CUSSLER

He is called the Grandmaster of Adventure and it is a well earned, well deserved title. Cussler has written over 40 books, both fiction and non-fiction, 17 of which have made the New York Times Best Sellers List.

His most memorable and favored character is Dirk Pitt for whom he has penned 20 adventures, the most recent released this past November. Pitt and his loyal crew are members of NUMA, The National Underwater Marine Agency. The Pitt series is wildly popular. Two of these novels were made into movies, that Mr. Cussler has had super-major problems with. Raise the Titanic, was made in 1980 with our fave actor (R.I.P. Richard Jordan) as Dirk Pitt. Cussler condemned the re-writes and completely disavowed himself from the entire production saying he was sorry he ever sold the rights and would never do it again. Twenty-plus years later, Sahara was made with sexy Matthew McConaughey as Dirk Pitt. This also was a disaster with lawsuits on either side derailing the movie and its potential franchise. It's a shame really - with a great cast assigned to all of Cussler's favorite characters, it would've been a blast to see some of the other books adapted to the big screen. William Macy's portrayal of Admiral Sandecker, Director of NUMA, was spot on.

Cussler's other series of nautical adventures include the eight books written for a new character, Kurt Austin, in the NUMA Adventure Files. Another series, up to six books already, is called The Oregon Files and is about a deceptively decrepit freighter whose high-tech abilities and crew fight - who else? - The Bad Guys. Additionally, his Isaac Bell tales are cleverly written detective stories.

Cussler's non-fiction books have earned him a prestigious degree called The Doctor of Letters, of which he was the first recipient since 1874!

His autobiography rivals his best creation - Dirk Pitt. Adventurous in his real life, Cussler has founded NUMA for real and is credited with discovering over 60 shipwreck sites, including:

The Carpathian (the Titanic rescue ship), The Mary Celeste and The Manassas (the first iron-clad used in the civil war). His claim to finding The Hunley is disputed, however NUMA was at least involved in its rediscovery.

Cussler is also a member of several well known groups including The Royal Geographic Society of London and The American Society of Oceanographers.

Dirk Cussler, Clive's son, has become a writer as well, co-authoring a few of his namesakes series.

We recommend anything he has ever written.

Learn more:

http://www.clive-cussler-books.com/

Happy 91st Birthday to Nelson Mandela!

An iconic figure representing Peace and Freedom, former South African President Nelson Mandela was born this day in 1918. He dedicated his young life to fighting the oppression of apartheid and was convicted of sabotage and other war crimes in 1962. He was imprisoned for 27 years before finally being released in 1990. Mandela was immediately embraced by the international community as a hero and within the first year of his release was elected President of the country.

Over the course of 40 years, Nelson Mandela has been the recipient of more than 100 awards including in 1993, the coveted Nobel Peace Prize and the Medal of Freedom awarded to him personally in Philadelphia, PA.

We are happy this is not a posthumous birthday wish and that this legend of a man still walks among us, influencing people of all ages across the globe with his message of peace and freedom.

Tour De France Update - 7/17/2009

4th place Levi Leipheimer is out! He had to abandon after a Stage 12 crash that broke his wrist and he did not start Stage 13 today. To say Levi is bummed out is an understatement. He is devastated. He is not leaving France and will continue to be with his team till the end, albeit not as a rider.

Team Astana continues to dominate, although its unclear how they will deal with Levi's absence on the road. Lance holds his ground in 3rd place - 8 seconds from 1st. This alone proves that Lance Armstrong is one of the greatest athletes in this sport or any other. He is the oldest man in the Tour and there are 159 other younger riders who cannot gain ground on him.

Astana's manager, Johan Bruyneel, has to decide what to do with his two tour contenders. Contador and Armstrong will be at each others throats before this is over. Each is a Champion in his own right and neither will be willing to sit back and let the other win. There could be a internal Astana bloodbath on mountain Stage 20.

The Alps Stages are coming up this starting this Sunday. Both Contador and Armstrong handle the mountains very well, but give Lance the edge for 1) Being Lance and 2) Being Lance.

UPDATE:

WHEN THE LEVI BREAKS!

Levi had emergency surgery today and will sent home to the US to recover. He will be unable to support the team any further. It's still uncertain what will happen to Astana without his critical help on the mountain stages to come.

BREAKING NEWS:

BB Shots Fired at Peloton This Afternoon!!! Team Rabobank Superstar Oscar Freire has BB's removed from his leg! Julian Dean of Team Garmin gets hit on his left hand! This is bad and better not set some sort of sick precedent for other psychos....

America's Lost Son

It was ten years ago today, 7/16/1999 that we lost John F. Kennedy Jr. He was killed along with his wife and sister-in-law, in a terrible plane crash off the coast of Massachusetts. At first, his plane was just missing, which sparked a huge search and rescue effort by the Coast Guard and Navy and of course, sparked up Uncle Ted and the started the entire Kennedy Curse over again.

Affectionately known by the media as John-John, he was born just 16 days into his famous fathers presidency. The iconic photo of him saluting his fathers coffin is still fresh to some, as is the photo of him and Carolyn on their wedding day.

His political magazine, George, was ahead of it's time. Although it failed as a magazine, it would have been a great Pre-Huffington Post/Drudgereport website.

Named the Sexiest Man of the Year by People Magazine in 1988, he was the first non-actor to be named so and sadly, is the only one to have died.

His death is tragic because he was just beginning to shed the image of an impossible childhood and wild youth. He was really coming in to his own and who knows what he might have accomplished in his later wiser years. R.I.P JFK, Jr.

Note: His wife's family sued the Kennedy's for wrongful death and were rumored to have gotten over $50 million in settlement.

John and Carolyn in 1996

News You Should Know - 7/15/2009

We have alot today....

The Episcopal Church Rescinds Gay ban

Hallelujah! Using obscure passages from the Bible to ruin other people's lives is tragic. We all know that the passages before and after "the gay one" site that we are to kill people that eat shrimp and lobster (Leviticus 11:10) and sell our daughters into slavery (Exodus 21:7-11). So why do people pick and choose what they want to hear/see/feel from the Bible?

The Episcopalian church now says that gays and lesbians that want to go to church have "answered God's call" and should be left alone and not persecuted or turned away... Amen, brother!

Learn more:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-episcopal15-2009jul15,0,7706842.story

Dragonfly Migration Mega-Discovery

This is literally amazing. For over a hundred years the longest insect migration was thought to have been the Monarch Butterfly, which travels over 700 miles and takes 4 generations to complete. No more! The Dragonfly travels from India to the coast of Africa and back, a total of over 1200 miles making it the largest, longest insect migration. A discovery made by one biologist who quotes "This just illustrates how little we know of our natural world." How sad but true...

Learn more:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8149000/8149714.stm

These next three stories all revolve around our oceans and we've grouped them together today because even though individually they are separate and unrelated, the bottom line is that like a mosaic they can be pieced together to show a bigger more important story - our oceans are fighting to survive.

Government Stimulus to Clean up Crab Pots

Sounds boring and a waste of money, huh? Well, tell that to Oregon officials and fishermen who have seen business decline because of the economy and can use this money to clean up all the nets, line and pots that threaten commerce, the ships themselves, people and wildlife. It's never a waste of money to invest in our oceans.

Learn more:
http://www.southernledger.com/ap/293798/Untold_thousands_of_crab_pots_litter_ocean_floor

Ocean Sprawl?

We've all heard of suburban sprawl, but ocean sprawl? Yes, according to experts who say our oceans are out of control - between the energy demands for water, shipping lanes impeding wildlife, climate change, power lines, reefs, pots and sunken ships -we are vying for space that just isn't there anymore. The fishing industry is set to collapse in its entirety in 20 years.

Learn more:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/07/15/ocean.planning/

The BLOB!!

Okay, this is true. There are "blobs" of a "biological" substance floating off the northern coast of Alaska. Paging Sarah Palin - go get your gun it could be the Russians!

We know that the oceans are turning back into the primordial ooze from which we once came because of all the pollution. Entire pockets lost to algae, plankton and jellyfish so maybe this is something like that?

Learn more:

http://www.adn.com/2835/story/864687.html

Archeology Site of the Month - July 2009

Tiahuanaco

Located in Bolivia, South America, over two miles high into the Andes Mountains, upon a remote hard to get to, hard to find, wind swept desolate plateau is the ancient pre-Inca city of Tiahuanaco pronounced (Ti-wan-ak-u).

The amazing ruins of the lost ancient city were named as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 and for good reason. It is a site that is home to some of the most enigmatic remarkable ruins that have ever been found on Earth.

The city is argued by some to be almost 17,000 years old. By conventional standards, even modern archaeologists agree it is the oldest civilization on the planet. Some of the massive construction dates back over 12,ooo years. The city was built on the shore of Lake Titicaca which is now miles away. A pre-Incan mystery civilization that worshipped the God Viracocha and influenced along the years the development and myths of other South American people lived here.

Advanced or just plain ingenious, the construction that took place here utilized remarkable techniques. The massive stones were in place essentially stapled together using copper I-shaped metal clips.

Here is a quick summary of the top 5 most awesome archaeological features at Tiahuanaco.

5. The Doorway to Forever

A solitary doorway to nowhere, this megalithic solitary structure stands welcoming the wayward visitor as it has for thousands of years.

4. The Acapana Pyramid

It has a footprint 656 feet square and is 55 feet high. It is in ruins but still pretty awesome that there is a step-pyramid here.

3. The Friar

The stature ranks in the top 10 mysterious artifacts of all time. This unidentified person stands 7 feet tall and holds unknown and enigmatic objects clutched in both hands. The nickname comes from the Spanish who called it El Fraile.

2. The Courtyard of Heads

Okay. It's really called the Kalasasaya Temple. Like a crazed macabre movie set sunken into the ruins of Tiahuanaco, is a courtyard unlike any other found on Earth. This enclosed sunken courtyard has all four walls inset with human heads carved of stone. It has a creepiness factor of 10. It's surreal. Each realistic face is individual, no two are alike.

1. The Gateway of the Sun

A monumental and unique piece of architecture, this is the piece de la resistance at the Tiahuanaco site. Its original location within the site is disputed, so sadly the exact astro alignments are unknown.

It is carved from a single 10 ton block of Andesite Granite. The God Viracocha is seen in the top middle holding bolts of lighting in one hand, thunder in the other. His cheeks have tears carved into them, a theme here, as the Friar has them too.

The Gateway is believed to be the world's oldest calendar. Into it is carved over 40 winged effigies and over 30 human faces, 16 of which have condor shaped heads. It also includes a dinosaur like creature which, of course, sparks debate.

Tiahuanaco is absolutely in ruin, hard to get to, not friendly for tourists and yet if one sets foot here - one steps into an unrivaled pre-historic marvel.

Learn More:

http://www.crystalinks.com/tiahuanaco.html

Glad you could make it today...see you tomorrow

News You Should Know - 7/11/2009

The Pickens Plan on Hold

Billionaire T.Boone Pickens has shelved his $12 Billion dollar wind farm, due to the downturn in the economy. The US became the world's leader in wind power in 2008 even though it is a fraction of a percentage of actual energy usage. This is a setback for alternative energy enthusiasts.

Learn More:
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2009/07/06/daily23.html

Ayers Rock Closing to Climbers?

Australia's famed Ayers Rock, the bright red mass of sandstone, may ban climbers from scrambling around on it.

Known as a sacred site to the Aborigine tribe that owns that land and leases it to the government, the mountain Aluru, begs to be hiked, but is dangerous and has taken the lives of over 30 tourists that have fallen to their deaths.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the rock is surrounded by signage asking tourists not to climb the rock as it is held as sacred to the Aborigines. This is no deterrent and there are no laws in place to forbid people from walking on it.

"You shouldn't climb. It's not the real thing about this place. The real thing is to listen to everything," said an Aborigine elder, regarding Ayers Rock. We have a lot to learn from our elders.

Learn more:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8141614.stm

Greenpeace Protest

An 11 member volunteer team for Greenpeace scaled Mt. Rushmore Wednesday and unfurled a protest banner that ripped the Obama Administration

The banner read: Americans respect leaders not politicians: Stop Global Warming Now

The climbers were promptly arrested by the National Park Service.

Read more:
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dc/2009/07/greenpeace-sends-g-8-message-f.html

Arctic Sea Ice Disappearing at Astonishing Rate

The above activists are correct. Denying global warming is dangerous. It's like the old commercial 4 out of 5 scientists agree...

NASA issued a statement this week stating that over 40% of the arctic sea ice has melted. This means: more exposed open water, which absorbs the suns heat and melts the remaining ice. Uh-Oh.

Learn more:
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/more-on-thinning-arctic-sea-ice/?em

Nikola Tesla 7/10/1856 - 1/7/1943

Nikola Tesla was a genius scientist that was so far ahead of his time, that his patents, notes and ideas are still being dissected today and put to use. He was the original mad scientist that all stereotypes were modeled after.

Tesla had a brilliant mind that was unbound by conventions and he was able to not just theorize about science but actually create new science.

Inventions credited to Tesla include:

• The Radio (an idea that Marconi stole and which the US Supreme Court ruled in 1943 was Tesla's invention
• A/C (Alternating Current - an idea that Thomas Edison vehemently opposed)
• The Tesla Coil
• The Tesla Effect
• Wireless Technology
• The Induction Motor
• Rotating Magnetic Fields
• XRays.....to name just a few

His work in electromagnetism, electromechanical engineering, establishing robotics, nuclear physics and theoretical physics created an unmatched legacy. Truly, he is the Father of Modern Science and his rivals Edison and Einstein were often flabbergasted by his genius.

Tesla wanted to light the world - FOR FREE. He envisioned a world with clean energy for all. Westinghouse and others including J.p. Morgan conspired against this, leading campaigns to discredit him and now everyone pays $100 a month to turn their lights on.

The worst travesty is that although he was rumoured to be up for Nobel Prize, he was never given the official nomination.

It's because of Tesla that we have almost every modern convenience. Thankfully, today his name is no longer forgotten.

Tour De France Update - 7/10/2009

Lance Armstrong is tied with Fabian Cancellara for 1st place with a time difference of 32/100's of a second, but with the mountain stages today through Sunday, we can expect Lance to seriously ramp it up and try to create a large gap for himself.

Lance seems to be in the best shape of his life and this is looking to be one hell of a comeback. Maybe the best in sports history. Even his arch enemy, the French Media, seems to be onboard and grateful, for lack of a better word. Yes, in a true WTF moment, a member of the French Press Corps publicly thanked Lance for "coming back and making the Tour exciting again". We can't make this stuff up.

Lance and Team Astana are proving to be The Team to Beat. They hold spots 2-5 in the top ten and have 7 riders in the top 16.

The Americans are on a roll with five riders in the top 25:

2. Lance Armstrong - Astana
5. Levi Leipheimer - Astana
8. Christian VandeVelde - Garmin Slip Stream
12. George Hincapie - Columbia
22 - David Zabriskie - Garmin Slip Stream

Welcome to the Pyrenees! Who knows what can happen in the mountains? Riders have died climbing and descending at break neck speed (literally). The stage to watch is Sunday - Col du Tourmalet awaits!

Paranormal Article - July 2009

The Old Jail Museum

The Old Jail Museum in Jim Thorpe, PA looms over the street from its location high up on the mountain. Built in the early 1800's the jail served the county until it was closed in the 1970's. It's almost impossible to imagine that men were sent here in modern times. The building sits like a medieval fortress.

One of the paranormal events that takes place here began long ago on June 21, 1877, the day four men were executed at the jail. The hangings were simultaneous - all 4 men died at once. One of the men, Alexander Campbell, left his hand print in his cell, #17, in protest of his innocence. A hand print that is visible to this day. Paranormal because the wall has been painted over and re-plastered and it returned. Today it is preserved and not even photos may be taken of it.

The place has a haunted atmosphere. Upstairs, in the main ward is a replica of the gallows from those infamous hangings. Downstairs, the basement cells which served as solitary confinement are chilling. Each cell a dark gloomy pit of fear and loathing.

Disembodied voices, apparitions and ghostly footsteps have all been reported here at The Old Jail. Omni staffers have first hand experience with something weird at the Jail, including hearing footsteps overhead - when the floor above was deserted - and pictures with orbs.

The Old Jail was open for over one hundred years and in that time saw thousands of men languish, fight, live and die there. Regardless of the validity of the Campbell hand print, we would bet it's haunted.

The Old Jail Museum
Jim Thorpe, PA

The Gallows

A basement cell - what do you see?

An orb floating over the floor

Tour De France Update - 7/6/2009

Team Columbia High Road showed up ready to kick ass today - leading an incredible breakaway deemed a "tactical coup" by Mr. Ligget. The entire team lead a 28 man breakaway, that stunned the peleton, leaving behind Alberto Contador and Levi Leipheimer, to gain an amazing 39 seconds on the main field. Lance Armstrong took advantage of this breakaway, having a day that Phil said "really showed the young riders how to run a stage". Armstrong, Popyvich, Big Thor Hushovd and current leader Fabian Cancellara, along with Columbia's Big George Hincapie and sprint leader Mark Cavendish all having a GREAT STAGE. Asked afterward what the hell possessed Team Columbia to breakaway, George said "We found it insulting that no one wanted to race." Wow.

Lance Armstrong had another great stage in his career today. He went from 10th place to 3rd in one day with the 39 second gain. This means that in tomorrows team time trial he could conceivably gain another few seconds and snatch the yellow jersey, the maillot jeune, the coveted leaders jersey, from Cancellara. Unbelievable.
And this comes on top of the US Mens Soccer team stunning the world comingthisclose to beating Brazil and Andy Roddick coming as close to winning Wimbledon as one can - in fact a Pyrrhic victory. The United States sports front has become a storm front.


Stages to watch:

Stage 4 (7/7) - Team Time Trial

Stages 7-9 (7/10-7/12) Pyrenees Mountains - Stage 9 Col du Tourmalet! 7/12

Stages 15-17 (7/19-7/22) The Alps - Sadly no L'Alpe d Huez this year!

Stage 18 (7/23) - Individual Time Trial

Stage 21 (7/26) - Ride to the Champs Elysees - Paris...

Federer Wins Wimbledon in Stunning Showdown

Mens Championship:

It was an epic barn burner that ripped the heart and soul out of Andy Roddick as he lost in a 5 set historic record breaking match, final set 16-14. Roddick literally played the game of his life channeling every ounce of skill he had. We've never seen him play like that and it took Roger almost 4 and 1/2 hours to win his historic 15th Grand Slam title, making him The Greatest Tennis Player That Ever Lived. Federer hit a record 50 aces today.

Earlier in the tournament it had been an great semifinal Battle of the Andy's with Roddick spoiling the Queen's plans to honor Murray today. It was Roddick's best shot at a slam in a while and what a shame. He gave his heart and soul and this was his best chance. Without Rafael Nadal involved, Federer wins everything.

Ladies Championship:

Another Battle of the Williams Sisters saw Serena the victor this time, spoiling big sis Venus's shot at defending the title.

A word on the Williams Sisters.
No one likes them. They've been too controversial, their father is a big pain and they're not the cookie cutter type of American Sports Hero that we like. Let's not let that ruin the fact that they are 2 of America's Greatest Super-letes Ever. These two are worthy of the same praise and glory heaped upon any American sports hero. We have to keep in mind that they've individually both ruled the sport and together they are like the Borg. Unstoppable. And their opponents know that resistance is futile

Venus quick stats: 7 Grand Slam Titles, 9 Doubles Slam Titles, 3 Gold Medals
Serena Quick States: 11 Grand Slam Titles, 9 Doubles Slam Titles, 2 Gold Medals

If Richard Williams had born a son that was tall, athletic and mean like Venus and muscular, athletic and mean like Serena, he would probably be invincible.

Happy Independence Day

Happy Birthday America!

Remarkable Fact for the Day:
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only 2 men who signed the Declaration of Independence AND were elected President of the United States, both died on July 4th on the same day in 1826 - the 50th anniversary of the country.


"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness..."

Tour De France - Update 7/2/2009

The Tour starts tomorrow - Stage 1 is a time trial through the streets of Monaco.

Today was the Official Riders Presentation. 180 riders in about 20 teams are participating in this 96th anniversary of The Tour. Over 9,000 people crowded the streets of Monaco to celebrate!

Lance - Team Astana update:

Lance's team is strong! Two Tour winners lead the team (Lance and Alberto Contador - 2007) and that's just to start. Stage winners and tour vets Andreas Kloeden and (fave!) American Levi Leipheimer are on board. Also, another favorite, Yaroslav Popovych, the 2005 Tour Best Young Rider is part of the team, as well as Jose Rubiera and Chris Horner. The manager, John Bruyneel, coached Armstrong to a record breaking 7 consecutive Tour wins and also coached Contador to his! This is a cycling Dream Team.

Bruyneel has stirred things up by making the controversial decision to put Contador in the Captain's seat. So after a 3-year absence from the Tour, Lance won't have the pressure of having to lead the team. He will ride as Contador's domestique, his support rider. This means the Team is pulling for Contador to win. Wow.

Armstrong's twitter page has over 1 million followers.

Team Astana's page is:

http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/index.html

Follow the Tour:

http://www.letour.fr/indexus.html

News You Should Know - 7/2/2009

United Nations to Investigate

Benazir Bhutto's Assassination

Finally!

The unresolved murder of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto weighs heavily on our hearts. She was a beautiful woman who's fierce intelligence, love of freedom and love of her country shone as a shining outstanding example of what a person could be and what a person can accomplish. Her brutal murder will never be forgotten.

Suspects include: The Taliban, current President of Afghanistan Musharraf and of course, ....drumroll please....Dick Cheney.

Learn more:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gvNHrjMcMrKG2BHyVtnhi9PFHNAgD98TUM480

THEM!

Once again humans are humbled by nature. Or we should be!

Learn more:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8127000/8127519.stm

Prison Space for Rent

Apparently Michigan doesn't have alot of crime these days because their prisons are empty!

So empty in fact that the Governor, Jennifer Granholm has offered Gov. Schwarzenegger the cells to alleviate the California prison overcrowding situation. According to Gov. Granhom, there are "several empty prisons" and 2 more "soon to be vacated". The problem is, California is so broke it probably couldn't even afford to transport the thousands of inmates anyway. I wonder what the residents of Michigan think about her offer.

Learn more:

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN2940810520090629

Person of the Month - July 2009

Amelia Mary Earhart

62 years ago today, July 2, 1937, Amelia Earhart broadcast her last transmission that was picked up loud and clear from tiny Howland Island in the Pacific Ocean.

The pioneering aviatrix known as The Queen of the Air was officially declared dead 2 years later in January of 1939.

We've made her a person of the month because of her pioneering spirit and courage, her distinguished career and because although she is now a legend she once led a very real and fascinating life.

Amelia and her sister were raised in Kansas eventually moving to Iowa when they were twelve. Described as a tomboy, Amelia was fascinated with women who succeeded in male dominated fields. She earned money for flying lessons by working as a photographer, stenographer and a truck driver, among others. In 1921, she was finally able to afford the one thousand dollars for flying lessons.

She was an immediate success and a natural pilot. In 1922 she bought her first plane and set a world record for female pilots by reaching an altitude of 14,000 feet. In 1923, she became the 16th woman to be issued a pilots license.

By 1927 she had logged over 500 hours of solo flying. That year she flew the first official flight out of Dennison airport in Massachusetts.

She was approached in 1928 to be the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. She did, but not as pilot. Upon her return she authored a successful book, entitled 20 hours, 40 minutes and embarked on a lecture tour. She became rich and famous endorsing products such as luggage, cigarettes and clothing.

Amelia worked at Cosmopolitan magazine as an editor from 1928 to 1930 and used it as a forum for female aviation rights.

In 1928 she flew solo across the Atlantic becoming the first woman to do so. This earned her the Distinguished Flying Cross, the first woman to earn the award.

She formed the female aviation society The Ninety Nines in 1929. That same year she formed a company with Charles Lindbergh that promoted commercial aviation and later became TWA airlines.

Amelia set speed records in 1931 and in 1932 became the first person to ever fly across the Atlantic twice.

Other firsts that Amelia accomplished:

• First person to fly solo from Honolulu to Oakland, CA.
• First person to fly solo from LA to Mexico City.
• First person to fly solo from Mexico to New Jersey
• First woman to fly non-stop from coast to coast.
• Set a speed record for transcontinental flight
• Set a speed record flying from California to Hawaii

Amelia Earhart vanished while attempting to fly around the world with her friend and co-pilot Fred Noonan. Search and rescue efforts by the US Navy began 1 hour after her last transmission and lasted 17 days. Additionally, another 67 days of searching by the US Navy and at least 2 Japanese ships yielded nothing. No trace of her or her plane were ever found. At least nothing that can be directly attributed to her.

A life size statue of Amelia Earhart was unveiled in 2008 at the Spirit of Flight Center in Colorado. The latest Hollywood Amelia, will be Academy Award winner, Hillary Swank which is the perfect choice.

It's no wonder she became a legend when her flight disappeared forever, lost to the vast Pacific Ocean.

We honor her life and her accomplishments this month and forever.

Oscar Reinvents Itself

There have been several changes to the Oscars the past few years as the Academy tries to reinvigorate a dying show that every year sees less and less viewers and seems less and less relevant.

This year they have made a few significant changes as well. First, the Best Song category. Members of the Academy's music branch vote on which songs get nominated by giving each song a rating from 6-10. This years song choices must have at least an 8.5 rating to get nominated.
No biggie.

The second change was to have the Honoree Oscar award given at another time altogether and not be included in the main broadcast. They are still trying to get the show down from 17 hours to 6. Okay maybe 5.

The BIG change was to the Best Movie category which will now have 10 nominees instead of 5. This a retro change that we love! Casablanca was the last movie to challenge 9 other noms and win in 1943. Of course, this change has nothing to do with jazzing up the ceremony and everything to do with DVD sales which are on life-support. DVD sales have dropped to a historic low as On Demand and internet sales have gone through the roof. More and more movies will now be labeled Oscar Nomiated for Best Picture - and those movies sell DVDs.

The thing is, now with more slots to fill, what will the Academy fill them with? Our first bet is anything that Peter Jackson, Ron Howard and Steven Spielberg make for the rest of their lives. And deservingly so. Will comedies make the list? They never have before. Ben Stiller should have gotten a nom for Tropic Thunder. It's the same with big money fantasy pics like the Lord of The Rings movies. Movies like this might get the nod like they never have before. Although if money is the only criteria and Transformers 2 gets a nom, we will get sick.

The Oscars Nominations come out 2/2/10.