On Saturday, a video surfaced on mainstream Greek media outlets depicting Greek police officers brutalizing migrant workers. In the video (taken on a camera phone), the officers force the 2 men to beat up one another as well as beatings from the officers themselves.

Apparently, the video has been widely circulated amongst Greek police officers over the past year. The video made it’s way to the “general public” when it was uploaded to a publicly shared site. The ever-vigilant Indymedia.org jumped all over it and delivered it to the worldwide masses.

Currently, Greek Prime Minister Karamanlis is still standing behind his Minister of Public Order. This is understandable as incidents such as these have sadly become commonplace within the Greek police.

Please be advised that the video is rather unsettling. Video Link

Translation of the video can be found here

After well over a decade of navigating asphalt and concrete from sea to polluted sea, I think I have enough experience to give advice on how to properly enjoy the roadways. For the record, in that time span, I have zero accidents and 1 speeding ticket. So here, fair reader, are 3 simple rules to increase your driving aptitude, as well as make other drivers more appreciative of your skills.

Rule Number 1: Proper Lane Usage
OK, everyone raise your left hand…wave it around for a few moments…bask in the glory of the often misunderstood left hand. Now, pretend you are driving on a road with more than one lane of traffic in each direction. The left lane (which is easy to spot, since it’s the lane that matches up with your left hand) is called the PASSING LANE. Say it with me, PAH-SING LANE. And what do we use the PASSING LANE for? Driving? No, you’re smarter than that…the PASSING LANE is for PASSING. So please, unless you’re passing a slower car, stay in the right lane. Trust me, there really isn’t much you’re going to miss out on by not driving in the PASSING LANE. The only thing you’ll miss out on is being on the business end of my frustrations…

Rule Number 2: Cellular Telephones
Now that we know about lefts and rights, please take out your cellular (or mobile of you’re in the UK) telephone…yes, it’s the same thing as your cell phone. Hold it aloft and smile at it…it will appreciate this since it is rarely thanked for all of its hard work. Put it next to your ear and pretend you’re talking to someone…if you really want to, call a friend and read him or her this column. This amazing piece of technology is one of the most distracting things you can possibly have in your car…when used improperly.

Wait! There’s a “right” and “wrong” way to use my cell phone whilst driving?
Yes, of course…keep reading and become enlightened like Buddha…

The tireless work of amazing inventors and science-types have created a myriad of stunning products to enable you to use your mobile phone whilst minimizing distraction. Here are the 3 most popular ideas:

1. The “headset”
This amazing invention comes in a variety of styles, colors, and functions. It main idea is that you can have this small “speaker” in your ear (just like your ugly white iPod earphones…except only in one ear) and therefore, keep both hands on the wheel. It even has a built in microphone so that you don’t have to speak into the phone.

2. The “speaker phone”
This comes in 2 types, a speakerphone built into the actual phone, or a speakerphone system that can be installed in your motor vehicle. This lovely idea creates the illusion that the person on the other end of your phone is speaking through a small pubic address system. Yes, it can be a bit spooky (and not the best idea if you’re talking about someone else in the car) but, it once again enables the driver to have both hands on the wheel.

3. The “off” button
Now, most cellular phone users are not aware of this, but one can actually turn OFF the device without causing any damage to the unit. This makes it so the phone does not ring and therefore, you will not be distracted by holding the phone to your ear. This “off” function can also be used in other settings (movies, restaurants, other events where you look like a moron when your phone rings when it REALLY shouldn’t).

Above all else, remember that holding your wonderful cellular phone to your ear when having a conversation in the car is ABSOLUTELY unacceptable.

Rule Number 3: Left Hand Turns At Traffic Signals
Occasionally (or only if you’re a NASCAR driver), you make wish to make a left hand turn (remember your left hand from Rule 1? This is the same “left”). Once in a great while, this “left hand turn” (that’s what the pros call ‘em) may occur at a traffic signal (or traffic light if you’re lazy) Even more rarely, there may be a significant amount of traffic coming towards you from the other direction. This, as I have observed, can cause quite a bit of nervousness and turn decent drivers into horrible drivers. So, here’s a quick 5 step guide as to how to properly execute this maneuver.

1. Wait until the car in front of you has made their successful left hand turn.
2. Be sure to check that “your” traffic signal is not red.
3. Move forward to the middle of the intersection.
This seems to be, by far, the most difficult part of this process. You need not go all the way to the other side, but you should be about even with the street onto which you are turning. Don’t worry about getting hit by oncoming traffic…as long as you have not moved too far left, they will not mind. Also, being in his position lessens the amount of time it will take you to make said left turn and enable more people to also turn left during the allotted time.
4. Once there is a space in the oncoming traffic that is wide enough to get your car through without hitting any of the oncoming vehicles, turn left.
5. Smile, knowing that you have made a wonderful left hand turn.

So, there you have it. Three simple rules to maximize your driving experience. Feel free to print this out and keep it in your car for quick reference. However, I suggest NOT reading it while you are in the process of driving…this can lead to a myriad of other problems.

Happy trails!!

“You’re not seriously eating that off the floor, are you?”

“It’s cool, 5-second rule.”

We’ve all seen it, we’ve all done it. You drop the ever so tempting piece of food on the floor and grab it as fast as you can so that you can still bask in its yummy goodness. The “5-second rule” is surely one of the most commonly practiced urban legends. The so-called “theory” behind it is that if your food is on the ground for less than 5 seconds, it is still safe to eat. Past that 5 seconds, and you are, perhaps, entering a bacteria infested gray area.

However, a handful of curious students at Connecticut College have begun to do some “serious academic research” into the true safety of ground laden food. Using their campus dining hall, the students have found that “people can wait as long as 30 seconds to pick up wet foods and even longer for dry foods.”

Personally, while I rejoice in the knowledge that my sometimes questionable eating habits are seemingly safe, I wonder exactly who leaves fallen food on the ground for such an extended time. Granted, you might be deep in conversation or getting lost in your lovers’ eyes, but I am sure they would understand if you bent down to save your lost nourishment.

After this research is done, perhaps they can answer the “how long does pizza stay fresh in the box on the coffee table” mystery.

More Info: Boston Dot Com

I will freely admit that I am openly skeptic about the abilities of modern medicine. I have very little faith in the true abilities of doctors and rarely find the information from those in the medical profession of any true value. As I see it, they’ve read some books and are simply guessing. Yes, they can fix a broken bone, but insofar as illnesses are concerned, I find their diagnoses about as professional as the guy who guesses your weight at amusement parks.

Case in point, for a majority of the last decade, medical professionals and pharmaceutical companies have forced the benefits of multi-vitamins and lycopene down our throats (no pun intended). They constantly reminded us that lycopene was essential for men in the fight against prostate cancer.

Well, once again, medical professionals across the globe are retreating as fast as they can as new studies have shown that taking a multi-vitamin in excess of 7 times a week had nearly a 100% INCREASE in likelihood of developing prostate cancer. Furthermore, the studies showed that an increase in lycopene had no measurable impact on the development or suppression of the cancer.

So, what does this tell us?

1. Doctors are, for the most part, sheep. They take what companies tell them and use it as fact.
2. The pharmaceutical companies, though nothing new, will do whatever it takes to sell their product.
3. Eating smart and exercising is still probably the top way to stay healthy…what a concept!

More Info: WebMD
More More Info: Healthcare Republic

“iPods can cause cardiac implantable pacemakers to malfunction by interfering with the electromagnetic equipment monitoring the heart, according to a study presented by a 17-year-old high school student to a meeting of heart specialists on Thursday.The study tested the effect of the portable music devices on 100 patients, whose mean age was 77, outfitted with pacemakers. Electrical interference was detected half of the time when the iPod was held just 2 inches from the patient’s chest for 5 to 10 seconds.

The study did not examine any portable music devices other than iPods, which are made by Apple Inc.

In some cases, the iPods caused interference when held 18 inches from the chest. Interfering with the telemetry equipment caused the device to misread the heart’s pacing and in one case caused the pacemaker to stop functioning altogether.

The study was held at the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Institute at Michigan State University. The results were presented at the Heart Rhythm Society annual meeting in Denver.”

Read More: CNN Article

All I want to do is go to ONE “punk rock” concert without having to deal with all you stupid posers! In the 80’s, it was “glue heads” and kids in the U.S. wearing Union Jack and screaming about “anarchy in the U.K.” Nowadays, it’s lame chains, horrible dye jobs, and one of 3 or 4 skate company t-shirts.

Do yourself a favor, turn off your Blink-182, Green Day, and Good Charlotte for a few minutes and find a copy of the first Clash album, or maybe The Stooges, “Fun House” record…now THAT’S punk!(for extra credit, check out The Fall’s, “Perverted By Language”)

Today’s “punk rock” is simply a watered down version of what the music was meant to be. You little bastards show up in droves just so you can say you were at the show; as if your attendance alone makes you “real.”

“Punk” is a way of life, not a fashion style. It is a state of mind, not some list of things to be checked off or bought to show your level of legitimacy.

So please, stay home with mommy and daddy…watch your bullshit TV…show off to your friends by getting some lame piercing…just don’t come to punk shows…

So, here’s a few helpful tips to find out if your favorite “punk band” are posers…or if you are:

• If your favorite “punk band” has EVER been on TRL, they’re posers.
• If your favorite “punk band” has even been called “emo,” not only are they posers, but they completely suck.
• If you don’t own at least 1 Ramones, Clash, Stooges, Fugazi/Minor Threat, Misfits, Black Flag, Velvet Underground album, you’re a poster.
• If you think the Sex Pistols are the epitome of “punk,” you’re a poser.
• If you go to “punk” shows and don’t get in the pit(and are under the age of 35), you’re a poser.

Yes, I listen to jazz, to “jam bands,” to classical…yeah, I’m pushing 30…but I’ll still drop your ass in the pit!

NOTE: The views expressed herein represent the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the website or other authors.

President Bush vetoed the “Iraq Pullout” bill this week…and it shocks me that seemingly nobody sees what a brilliant public image move it was for BOTH parities. This had very little to do with the troops or the war and quite a bit to do with the politicians in Washington looking good.

For the Democrats:
The party can say that they did everything they could to get the troops out tried to take a stand against the White House. They can say how they gave it all they had and that there was very little they could do to override the Presidential Veto. In essence, they “heard the cries of the American public and tried to act on their behalf.”

For the Republicans:
The party can say that they did their best to “reach across the aisle” and work with the Democrats. They can also say that they too took a firm stand in an attempt to get U.S. troops out of Iraq in a timely manner. They are able to tell their supporters, “We attempted to bring the troops home, but the President has a vision and we stand behind him.”

However, in reality, neither party did anything of substance. The Republicans knew going in that 1. Bush would veto the bill and 2. The Democrats don’t have nearly enough support to override the veto. So, it was a safe measure to support even if they didn’t agree with it.

Remember, a majority of these politicians are seeking re-election within the next 2 years, so they need to ensure having a good public image. When any of their constituents complain about the troops not coming home, they can simply fall back on the phrase, “We tried.”

Everybody (in congress) wins.

On March 2, 2007 the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB), which oversees sound recording royalties paid by Internet radio services, increased Internet radio’s royalty burden between 300 and 1200 percent and thereby jeopardized the industry’s future. At the request of the Recording Industry Association of America, the CRB ignored the fact that Internet radio royalties were already double what satellite radio pays, and multiplied the royalties even further. Artists, listeners, and Webcasters, have formed a coalition to help save Internet radio. The coalition believes strongly in compensating artists, but Internet radio as we know it will not survive under the new royalties.

We’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars in back-fees alone. The fees are FAR beyond what “traditional” stations are required to pay. Starting May 15th many free internet stations will shut down simply because they can no longer afford to stay on the air.

Recently, there was a by-partisan bill introduced in the House of Representatives that would save countless stations from being forced off of the air. Contact your Representative and tell them to co-sponsor and support this legislation!

May 15th is the day that the new royalties take effect….so act now!

Learn more & make your voice heard: SaveNetRadio.org