Brussels cancels New Years Fireworks

The city of Brussels has cancelled its traditional fireworks display to see in the New Year on Monday night due to an ongoing state of heightened security.
Mayor Freddy Thielemans decided to limit festivities on the advice of Belgium's crisis co-ordination centre on Sunday, a spokesman for the centre said.
Christmas market stalls and the city centre's ice rink would also close earlier than normal on Monday due to the alert prompted on Dec. 21 by authorities unveiling what they said was a plot to spring an al-Qaeda suspect from jail.

I'm curious.....what group of people might this offend?

STORY IN HERALD TRIBUNE

House prices in Belgium have doubled since 2000

Buying a residence in Belgium today costs two times what it did in 2000. Prices increases during 2008 are expected to remain limited. This is the prediction according to information by Stadim study agency.

The average price for a house in Belgium the beginning of October was €157,200. This is 50% more than four years ago (€102,000) and roughly double the average price in 2000 (€79,600).

Housing prices in 2008 are not expected to exceed 5% for houses and 2% for apartments, though in some places increases of 6-8% could be the case.

Al Gore Finally gets something right!

Global warming may be affecting our students ability to learn.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Introducing the Puty-cat Dolls

HE is is the world’s most barking-mad leader and runs the former Soviet Union with an iron fist.
But Vlad Putin has not lost his marbles on one count — signing up totty for his political party United Russia.

They are all former Olympic athletes who have been elected this month in allegedly corrupt political elections for dodgy Putin’s party.

Viktor Gribachev, a Russian political analyst and former press officer for the Russian parliament, said: “We are definitely ahead of all in terms of ladies with sex appeal among our MPs.
“These young women are full of energy and eagerness to become serious law-makers.” Ahh yea......I'm sure that's all it is.

STORY AND MORE PICTURES IN THE SUN

Europe celebrates counter-culture as supermarkets mark half century

When Le Lion first opened its doors on to Place Flagey in Brussels 50 years ago, its first customers were a little confused. Accustomed to the attention of helpful assistants, they simply stood around waiting to be served. The shop managers were forced to leave sweets and other treats in the bottom of baskets to persuade customers to pick up the baskets and move towards the goods on the shelves.

The tradition was evidently picked up by every large Belgian store, as even today you can't get served.

The Delhaize family who founded Le Lion were forced to import everything, from trolleys to cash registers, from the US. But by the end of the decade, self-serve had caught on. An exhibition in Brussels – which opened this month at the International Centre for Urbanism, Architecture and Environment – charts the evolution of the supermarket around Europe.

STORY IN THE INDEPENDANT

Miss France Nude.....not quite!

The recently crowned Miss France, Valerie Begue (from the island territory of Reunion) stirred quite the controversy, and a few other things.....when she won the crown and then was forced to contend with the publication of a few clothed-but-suggestive photographs. But, sacre bleu! This is France.

Valerie Begue did a photoshoot for Entrevue magazine that included a shot of her in a Christ like pose in a swimming pool, and because of that she’s now banned from competing in beauty pageants. But she gets to keep her Miss France title, so I’m not sure how rough of a punishment that really is, since I’m assuming that’s kind of the highest level she could expect to achieve anyway, right?

THE PICTURES

Belgium not a good place for Entrepenuers

Nearly 70,000 new companies were established in Belgium this year, almost 10 percent more than last year, according to Unizo, a Flemish organization of self-employed and small and medium-sized enterprises on Friday.

This is the best figure for Belgium in years, but it is still quite low compared to the other euro zone countries, the organization said. The increase in the number of start-ups is highest in the Brussels region (15 percent), followed by French-speaking southern region of Wallonia (10 percent) and Dutch-speaking northern region of Flanders (8 percent), the statistics showed.

Unizo, which provides information for start-ups, said the threshold for starting a business in Belgium is still too high.Major obstacles include the social statute, securing sufficient start-up capital and bank guarantees and the uncertainty of starting one's own business, it said.

The organization said the government should help entrepreneurs by granting start-up bonuses, lowering tax burdens for companies and providing a better social statute.The organization also suggested that the authorities provide a better safety net for entrepreneurs who go bankrupt.

More cheap flights from Brussels Airport

More flights will be offered at Brussels Airport as new low cost airlines add the airport into their network. The Italian low-fare company MyAir has launched direct flights from Brussels Airport. MyAir offers a direct service to the South-Italian city of Bari. The flights are operated by a Bombardier CRJ900, seating 90 passengers. MyAir also started a thrice weekly service to Bucharest, operated by an Airbus 320. As from 7 January the frequency of this service will be increased to four flights a week. With the flexible MyFlex product and the bargain fares in the MyLow class, MyAir aims at both business passengers and holidaymakers.
The Romanian low-fare carrier Blue Air, which until recently operated from Charleroi, has also started a service between Brussels Airport and Bucharest. The five-weekly service is operated by Boeing 737.
The Polish national carrier LOT Polish Airlines, which offers a 19-weekly service between Brussels Airport and the Polish capital Warsaw, now also operates six flights a week (Monday to Saturday) from Brussels to Wroclaw. Wroclaw is the largest city in western Poland, and is very important in the trade and tourism sectors.
These initiatives further increase the fast-growing low-fare offer from Brussels Airport. With 86 destinations and about 1,500 low-fare flights a week, the low-fare network served by Brussels Airport is three times larger than the offer of all other Belgian airports combined.
Brussels Airport is examining the possibility of opening a dedicated low-cost pier in the near future

Brussels Auto Show 2008

January 15th through the 27th, Febiac organises the 86th Motorcar & Motorcycle Show under the name "European Motor Show Brussels 2008". Brussels is Europe’s first motor show of the year, and aims at attracting a larger number of product launches.

The European Motor Show Brussels 2008 expects over 700,000 visitors and will emphasize the major theme of “Ecology”. The show is at Heysel and admission is 12 euros.

website for more information

What 30 minutes of "news" on CNN really gets you

Drunken Santa's run Amuck

As if we needed another reason to hate Santa Claus, he still hasn't owned up to his alcohol problem. I used to think the red nose was cute; now I see it as a sign of a deeper problem. STORY

STUDS Christmas Tree

The European Union has Canceled Christmas

Santa Claus needs a visa and a work permit to run his Christmas delivery service in the EU.
His elves, of course, would be bound by the child labour regulations. Working at midnight on 24th of December would be out. And Claus would have to be vetted by the Criminal Records Bureau in order to work with young people.

Since that can take up to three months, he's way too late for this year anyway. The education authorities might wonder why the elves aren't in school. And if the elves are paid, then they need to be registered under Pay as You Earn, and for stakeholder pensions.
MORE AT ADAM SMITH

CNN covers the birth of Christ

Cable News Anchor: We now bring you the latest cable news update on the birth of Jesus Christ. Joining us is our regular panel of experts. Correspondent Peter Jones is standing by in Bethlehem. Peter?

Peter: What we know is that a carpenter named Joseph and his virgin wife, Mary, left Nazareth to travel to Bethlehem. They went to pay a tax decreed by Caesar Augustus. When they arrived in Bethlehem, there was no room at the inn, even though Mary was with child.

Anchor: With child? But you said Mary was a virgin?

Peter: That is one of the more puzzling aspects of this case. Mary claims she is without original sin. She said God chose her to give birth to Jesus, God's son.

Anchor: That sounds kind of far-fetched. With us today is Dr. Angie Smith of Planned Parenthood. Angie?

Angie: It is biologically impossible for a woman to become pregnant without having relations with a man. In an oppressive society, Mary has been forced to concoct this absurd story to hide the truth about her relations with Joseph.

Peter: If I may continue. The baby was born in a stable in Bethlehem. Joseph converted a feeding trough into a manger and set the baby, Jesus, in there.

Leading Democrat: It is because Republicans continue to block universal health coverage that young couples are forced to give birth in a stable!

Leading Republican: The only reason the couple was in Bethlehem was to pay yet another tax brought on by tax-and-spend liberals.

Peter: In any event, when the baby was born, shepherds in the nearby fields allegedly saw angels appear. The angels said the "Savior was born" and that his name was Jesus Christ. When the child was born, a star shone bright over Bethlehem. Three kings hundreds of miles away claim they saw the star. They followed it for many days until they arrived at the stable. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then they returned to their lands to spread the news.

Leading Democrat: That's typical. As soon as the Messiah is born, lobbyists for the rich and powerful are already attempting to bribe him.

Anchor: Peter, where are Joseph, Mary and the baby right now?

Peter: No one knows. From what we can piece together, King Herod has issued orders to have the child killed. Apparently, the king is threatened by allegations that this child is the Savior and Messiah. All we know is that the young family has fled Bethlehem with King Herod's men hot on its trail.

Anchor: Hold on, Peter, we have some breaking news. Our satellite cameras have located a small family heading for Egypt. This new technology is amazing! As the satellite camera zooms in, we can see a man walking next to a donkey. A woman is sitting on the donkey holding a baby in her arms. Joining us now is Dr. Nathan Adams, an expert in satellite positioning technology. Doctor?

Dr. Adams: It would appear that the young family is traveling along the back roads to conceal its movement. If you look to the right corner of the screen, you can see King Herod's army searching in vain for the young family. You can see that the army is headed east, unaware that the young family is headed west. Anchor: How far away is the army from the family?

Dr. Adams: According to my calculations the family is exactly 8 miles east of Egypt's border. King Herod's army is only 5 miles east of the family. Anchor: Wait, doctor, the army appears to be changing direction.

Dr. Adams: You are right. King Herod's army has abruptly changed direction and is now heading west toward the family at a very fast clip. Somebody must have tipped them off. That family is doomed.

Anchor: We need to break for commercial, but when we come back we'll bring you the latest on the birth of Jesus Christ. Will this young family survive? The answer when we return.

Merry Christmas

Ever thought you should take the time to say thank you, but didn't.....and then the moment passed?

Take the time to watch this short clip......and remember to say thank you!

Only in your Dreams

Silly, but funny little visualiser. An advertising gimmick for Bar Da Boa. If someone knows Portugese, i'd love to hear what the translation is.
Here are the instructions:

1. GO TO THE FOLLOWING SITE : http://www.tatuagemdaboa.com.br/
2. TYPE YOUR YOUR NAME ON THE 1st LINE.
3. TYPE YOUR FRIENDS NAME ON THE 2nd LINE. SKIP YOUR E.MAIL ADDRESS, SO THEY DON'T SEND YOU ANYTHING..
4. CLICK ON VIZUALIZAR AND WATCH WHAT HAPPENS.

Still looking for a Christmas Gift?

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Everything from a toilet IPod, to a personalised branding iron, to a George Bush toilet brush.

Europe’s Anti-Americanism: It’s About Power, Not Policy

In their quest to transform Europe into a superpower capable of challenging the United States, European elites are using anti-Americanism to forge a new pan-European identity. This artificial post-modern European “citizenship”, which demands allegiance to a faceless bureaucratic superstate based in Brussels instead of to the traditional nation-state, is being set up in opposition to the United States. To be “European” means (nothing more and nothing less than) to not be an American.

STORY AT BRUSSELS JOURNAL

The Goose Steppers return to Europe

You won't see this on your local cable channel! The Euroweenies couldn't force the constitution down your throat, so they're trying to do it with a Lisbon Treaty by calling the same shit a different name. Here they are trying to confiscate banners and muzzle the protesters.
It's amazing to watch most Europeans just be led like Lemmings over the cliff as their freedoms are taken away one at a time. It's sad, you'd like to help, but you can't help those who won't help themselves.

Merry Christmas...Belgium has a new Government!

For now that is.....in a few months we'll be right back where we started.

Belgium proves that we really don’t need government. It’s been six months since an inconclusive election, and only now have they finally cobbled together a government of sorts, but only an “interim” administration to be followed by another “interim” administration.

Nothing suggests that the two sides are ready to agree. Nothing suggests that Leterme – who has shown himself brutally insensitive to the concerns of the Francophone 40 per cent of the country – is the right man to lead Belgium towards a more trusting relationship between Flemings and Walloons.

Although I don't know if their is a "politician" alive who can do that.

STORY

Belgium arrests 14 linked to terrorist plot

Belgian police on Friday boosted security in Brussels over fears of a possible Christmas attack after the arrest of 14 suspected Islamists, the interior ministry said.
The suspects were detained early Friday in a police raid following the discovery of plans to free an Al-Qaeda sympathiser from prison using weapons and explosives, justice officials said.

Security was tightened "in busy public places", such as the capital's underground metro system, railway stations and the international airport, as well as at Christmas markets and in shopping districts. STORY

Highest Bridge in the World

The Millau viaduct is part of the new E11 expressway connecting Paris and Barcelona and features the highest bridge piers ever constructed. The tallest is 240 meters (787 feet) high and the overall height will be an impressive 336 meters (1102 feet), making this the highest bridge in the world. click picture to enlarge

Oh Come All Ye Faithfull

Christmas is coming!

Spanish for your Nanny...by the Womens Club of America

I'm probably going to catch some flak for this one, but this is too damn funny, and too right on. The next class should be very interesting.

credit John Montgomery

"Eco Boat" Will Attempt Round-The-World Speed Record By Burning... Human Fat

The fastest eco boat on the planet will attempt to break the round the world speed record using fuel made from human fat.
Pete Bethune, the New Zealand skipper of Earthrace, said the attempt to circumnavigate the globe would begin from Valencia in Spain on March 1 next year.

The thing does look damn cool though. If this thing works, look for Micheal Moore to be getting comped for a lot of cruises!

Nestlé to fund Pierre Marcolini

The Brussels chocolate-maker Pierre Marcolini is joining forces with the Swiss multi-national Nestlé. The international household name is to give Marcolini practical support with the expansion of his network of retail outlets.

"If we wanted to open a new shop in Shangai, Nestlé could for example help us find the best location or give us a hand with the red tape."

"The idea behind the cooperation agreement is to protect us from making the wrong strategic decisions. At the end of the day, Nestlé is a large multi-national and we aren’t much more than a small business".

Miss Maxim Belgium

Miss Maxim Belgium is Charlotte Hoof from St. Nicholas, now there is a Christmas present for you.

Nobody is complaining about what language she doesn't speak. For Maxim it's better if they don't talk at all. Go here or here for the rest of the photoshoot

Italians vs Europeans

Italians just aren't the same as the rest of us!

Madame Non says Oui!

IN THE "WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER DEPARTMENT" An interim government seemed as far away as ever on Tuesday when Joëlle Milquet's Francophone Christian democrats pulled out of the talks. But Madame Non said "oui" for the first time in her life and Joëlle Milquet emerged from the meeting at around 2:15 am and told waiting journalists that her party would be joining the interim government.

Flemish Christian democrats and the Francophone socialists wanted the Francophone Christian democrats to be part of any interim government. Furthermore, their support would be necessary to obtain the two-thirds majority required to get constitutional reform measures through parliament.

if you understand any of this......you are a sick individual! STORY

The Swear Jar

The swear jar is the best f@#*ing idea I've ever seen!

Have to credit my sister for jogging my memory on this one.

Even Belgium's interim government is in doubt

The French-speaking Christian Democrats formally declined caretaker Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt's invitation to join an interim government. That led the French-speaking Socialists to say they could not join either, denying the emergency government a legislative majority.

"We are slowly turning into a problem country. Our international reputation is suffering from this," party leader Bart Somers said. "You hear people complain about the loss of purchasing power. You need a government to fix that."

Verhofstadt has said he plans to leave politics once a new government is formed. Finally we have a politician doing what the people want! STORY

Belgium Medical Tourism is Booming

In 2006, scores of people have headed to Belgium - for everything from hip surgery to fertility treatment. It is not just NHS waiting lists that are forcing British patients across the North Sea. The high cost of private care in the UK means that treatment in Belgium can be a real bargain, even with travel costs added on.

Of all the treatments available for foreigners through Belgium's 'surgery supermarket', cosmetic and cardio thoracic surgery are two of the hottest items on the shelves and attract increasing numbers of customers from all over Europe.
Prices in these areas are the cheapest in the EU and the standard of hospitals and operations is second to none. STORY

Understanding Belgium Today

All I can say to that is, you might as well be offering the meaning of life, its probably simpler.

"Belgium is a wasteland where minorities fight in the name of two cultures that do not exist . " This sentence by Jacques Brel, one of the most famous representatives of this country, can be disputed, but at least it puts the finger on an essential element one needs to understand in Belgium: its complexity. To understand how this flat land operates, you need to have an open mind capable of taking on board a "halve en halve" approach, capable of being comfortable with a " skief " (slanted) situation, but that can "remain continue and last" over time. This is what Belgium is all about: compromise. Maybe not an equal compromise, but one that operates nonetheless.

If you are interested in attending the lecture series, a further synopsis of each session, along with times and dates are here.

Proof that there is too much alcohol around the holidays

The Santa Speedo Run in Boston

Loser to Lead Belgium's Interim Government

After a meeting with King Albert II, Guy Verhofstadt, left, the liberal ousted by voters in June, accepted the job of forming and leading an interim government because of the ”gravity of the situation in which our country finds itself.” But he said he did not want to remain in power beyond March. Mr. Verhofstadt, who had been prime minister since 1999, conceded defeat after the June election but has stayed on because the conservatives who won proved unable to form a coalition.

On Saturday, thousands of trade unionists took to the streets in Brussels, complaining about the political stalemate and rising food and fuel prices.

Belgium created a social welfare system in which the unions are related to one specific political party and it is the unions which pay the jobless peoples support payments.

The medicare and health insurance system payments are also executed by organisations related each to one political party. For this "work", the health insurance organisations and the unions receive an administration "commission" of 7%.

Do you think the unions want to stop this? The Walloon jobless bring an enormous income to the unions. The Flemish unions, which are Socialist at heart, would lose serious financial income in an independent Flanders.

They are the champions of the status quo.

Sarko......You da Man!!

This man has a smile on his face for good reason. Apparently the way the couple has chosen to publicize their relationship is through a highly visable visit to – where else – Euro Disneyland. Given the French perception of “Sarko L’American,” this will jack the the press coverage. Perhaps Sarko just couldn’t resist the irony – debuting your glamorous model girlfriend by taking her on a visit to one of the tackiest places on earth.

She has previously dated Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Donald Trump (she was drunk) and Kevin Costner.

Although I'm not going to post any pictures of Carla Bruni nude, I could direct you a bit. I think I've seen Laura Bush in an outfit like the one pictured

here also.

Your tax money at work!

A normal day at work for some Belgian government workers. How long before they discover they might have to finish this job tomorrow?

Get Alerted to Belgium drunk checks

The federal police are investigating wether or not they can do anything to companies that are sending out SMS messages (for 1.50) to where the drunk checks are located on Belgian Roadways. Having been stopped twice in the last three nights coming back from Christmas Parties, this is getting to be a pain in the ass, having to stash my drugs and all.

Not being a drinker anyway, the second night I had to blow about three times, as he must have figured it wasn't working when it kept coming up zero.

Maybe that's why I keep getting invited to the parties....they need a designated driver.......STORY

Miss Belgium doesn't speak Flemish!!

There is so much dysfunction in this country, that if Belgium were a family, child services would take the kids away.

Last night Miss Belgium was crowned in the the Flemish mecca of Antwerp.....

and horror of horrors...she doesn't speak Flemish! On a side note, 20-year-old Alizee Poulicek is from the Czech Republic, so forgive her for not even knowing what Flemish is.

Of course the 4000 classless Flemings of Antwerp managed to boo her at the presentation also, because she couldn't answer a question in Dutch.

The incident did not hurt her image with television viewers who voted for her, but Flemish journalists assailed her with questions at a press conference, highlighting her deficiencies in Flemish. Hey there you brilliant media types... don't you think if you are going to try and degrade someone, it might help to do it in a language they could understand? VIDEO

What idiot goes to a beauty pageant to hear these girls talk anyway? If I was the judge we have the swimsuit competition, a vote, and shows over folks, we're done in twenty minutes.

STORY

On a side note, here is video of a fan who ran onstage to give Kelly Clarkson a kiss during her performance at the Miss Belgium Pageant. If the Flemish are hiring American Idol performers to perform at their pageants, I think that's about all you need to know about the amount of culture they possess.

Fat Freddy Thielmans says no Christmas Decorations for Brussels

Christmas decorations have been removed from two offices at the entrance of the Brussels Court of Justice a few hours after they were installed. “We took them away so as not to scandalize anybody. We have to be neutral for the Muslims…”
Ahoy there, Fat Freddy! Your plan not to scandalize anybody failed completely because I am totally scandalized -- and disgusted -- by this foolishness. Put those Christmas decorations right back up to avoid any further scandalization.

I'm surprised people entering the Brussels Courts aren't required to remove their shoes, kiss the floor, and recite the shehada upon entering. Oh wait, that doesn't start until NEXT Christmas. The only thing worse than this idiot obeying demands, is that he does it when they haven't even complained yet!
STORY AND REACTION

Food prices have rocketed in Belgium

European consumers will have to devote a growing share of their budgets to food amid a relentless rise in prices, which companies blame on a global boom in the cost of farm products.
"The price of milk, butter and pasta have already risen by 20 to 25 percent on average," said Jean-Pierre Roelands, commercial director for Belgian supermarket chain Colruyt.The great majority of foodstuffs have become more expensive in the last year and a half, a study by the consumer organisation Test-Aankoop reveals.

According to Test-Aankoop, the prices of consumer goods have increased by 20 per cent since 2000.

STORY

Belgian workers can't get to strike, because of another strike.

The three largest trade unions in Belgium called a demonstration in Brussels Saturday to highlight the problem of diminishing purchasing power, in favour of maintaining a strong, federal social security system, and more tax equity.

Some 20,000 people are demonstrating. The organisers expected more, but say that thousands were unable to make it to Brussels due to a rail strike called by the independent trade union OVS.
So let me get this straight....some strikers can't make it to the strike becuase other strikers are on strike. I can definitly see why we should pay more taxes for these people to get more benefits.
If it wasn't Belgium.....you couldn't make it up!
STORY

Wonder why your email box is full?

Barracuda Networks security released its annual spam report today. The findings included:

1) The majority of business professionals view spam email as the worst form of junk advertising - worse than postal junk mail and telemarketing calls, and

2) spam email accounted for 90 to 95 percent of all email in 2007, up from an estimated five percent of email in 2001.

STORY

Now That We’ve Got the Names, Questions Abound

Whew! OK, now you can all just relax and read the whole actual Mitchell Report. I'm sure everyone will be drawing up a Cognac and poring through it tonight.
I've pretty much looked at the whole thing -- it's a quick read -- and I can say with 100 percent certainty that we are no closer to the truth about steroids in Major League Baseball over the last 20 years than we were yesterday.

How does Sammy Sosa not make this list? Baseball is still protecting itself.

Enough is Enough

A Turkish lawyer has filed a complaint to UEFA, the European football federation, after Italian club Inter Milan wore a football jersey with a symbol said to be offensive to Islam, during a game with the Turkish team Fenerbahçe. The symbol of the northern Italian city of Milan, a red cross on a white background, was on the Inter Milan shirts during the Champions League game in November which saw Fenerbahçe lose by 3 goals to zero at Milan's San Siro stadium.
Lawyer Baris Kaska said that the symbol is considered offensive in Islamic culture and asked the Turkish tribunal to sanction Inter Milan for their 'racist' action. He has asked UEFA, which organises the Champions League tournament, to cancel the three points earned by Inter Milan after its victory over Fenerbahçe.Inter Milan consciously decided not to wear the controversial shirt during their match in Istanbul, but did not think it was necessary to do the same while playing the return game in Milan.

Just how many Alpha Romeo cars have been sold in the Islamic world over recent decades,and how does one explain how and why Muslims have been strangely oblivious to the vehicles "offensive" logo? Muslims play the offended card whenever it suits them; and invariably it involves humiliating the West, who grovels at them. Enough is enough. I'm thinking this has more to do with the score of the match. Sore Losers!

In other news this Teddy Bear found at the Khartoun Airport is looking for a new home.....

These Boots Are Gonna Walk All Over You

The signing of the Lisbon agreement yesterday will end the public’s ability to vote on continuing with the movement toward an EU Constitution. It has been obvious for many years that the leaders of the EU don’t want to have the public vote on the direction the EU is taking.
The liberal members of the EU worry about having a revised referendum voted down by any country. So they don't want any further public unhappy opinions to be displayed by a negative vote. If this passes (they still have to ratify it) you can forget voting.

King Albert unveils new Belgian Emblem

King Albert announced today that the federal government changed the countries Lion Emblem to a multicolored red, yellow, and black BELGIAN CONDOM because it more accurately reflects the government's political stance.

A condom allows for inflation, halts production, destroys the next generation, protects a bunch of pricks, and gives you a sense of security while you're actually getting screwed!

Holy Shit..even the Pope says Global Warming is a Crock!

Pope Benedict XVI has launched a surprise attack on climate change prophets of doom, warning them that any solutions to global warming must be based on firm evidence and not on dubious ideology.

The leader of more than a billion Roman Catholics suggested that fears over man-made emissions melting the ice caps and causing a wave of unprecedented disasters were nothing more than scare-mongering.

Normally, corks would be popping off champagne bottles wherever "Christian" and "science" are are seen as mutually exclusive terms.

The reaction from Pope Goracles Worldwide Church of Man-made Climate Disasters, is expected to answer the Pope's call for more science with calls for more dogma--their own.

(For you kids out there too young to remember, Pope Goracle is a vaguely gay, morbidly obese, former Clinton administration official who raised campaign cash from Buddhist monks, still thinks he won the 2000 presidential election, and claimed he invented the Internet.)

Who to believe....Pope Al or Pope Benedict?

STORY

Bus driver confuses Belgium with France

Looks like somebody got into the Glühwein a bit early!

A satellite navigation error led a bus full of 50 British Christmas shoppers to Lille, Belgium, instead of the city of the same name in France."It was ridiculous," said one passenger. "The coach driver obviously had two Lilles to choose from on his satnav and he picked the wrong one.
"A few of us started to wonder what was going on when we saw signs for Eindhoven, which clearly isn’t in France. But the driver wouldn’t be told - he insisted he knew what he was doing.

The shoppers, from Gloucestershire, England, were forced to spend an extra four hours in the bus as the driver corrected his mistake and had only two hours left for shopping by the time they arrived at their destination in France, The Daily Mail reported Wednesday.

Some of the passengers were demanding the return of their $300-per person payments for the bus trip."It was ridiculous," said one passenger. "The coach driver obviously had two Lilles to choose from his sat-nav and he picked the wrong one. On the return trip the coach driver switched the sat-nav off and ended up having to back track after encountering a bridge that was too low for the vehicle to fit under. We ended up spending more than seven hours on the bus, which is not my idea of a great day trip.""We are all hoping after this debacle that we will have our money refunded because we didn't get what we paid for," the passenger said. STORY HERE