In the news

[KLS52]

Brandon is ok.

 

[Amy SF]

Amazing news! The Boston Athletic Association just announced that thousands of runners who couldn't complete the Boston Marathon because of the attacks on April 15 will be able to run in next year's marathon. This happened in part because more than 28,000 people (including you!) signed my petition asking them to do so on Change.org.

I was less than a mile away from the finish line when I heard about the bombings and was diverted away from the course. That day was supposed to be one of the best of my life, but instead it was filled with horror, chaos and confusion. I am so grateful to the Boston Athletic Association for giving me and the other 5700 runners who couldn't finish the race a chance to heal and try again.

Starting this petition was a great experience for me. I got to read comments from you, runners from all over America and the world who wanted another chance, and your family and friends who agreed that we needed another chance. Your comments were healing to me and helped me to see that I am not alone! Our story was covered by outlets like the Associated Press, CBS Sports, The Boston Globe and The Wall Street Journal. And now I and thousands of runners will get the chance to finish what we started.

Thank you for standing with us. Boston Strong!

Ryan Polly
Williston, Vermont

P.S. If you want to start your own petition, it only takes about three minutes. Just click here to get started.

I signed the petition on change.org to allow the runners who couldn't complete this year's Boston Marathon to be automatically entered in next year's race. I just got this email.

 

[mlp]

A tornado half a mile wide, and forty minutes on the ground - I can't even imagine.

 

[Amy SF]

Your justice system at work.

 

[cornsail]

Your justice system at work.

Infuriating if true.

 

[mlp]

Your justice system at work.

In Alabama, it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[Muggle]

Swaziland Bans High Flying Witches

 

[mlp]

Better have your kleenex ready before you watch the clip:

http://cnsnews.com/blog/stephen-gut...ered-her-dog-emerges-rubble-tornado-torn-home

 

[Wolfie]

Scary re OK.

That was in Kansas on Sunday 3 miles from my brother's house. Thankfully it lifted off the ground.

 

[Wolfie]

Better have your kleenex ready before you watch the clip:

http://cnsnews.com/blog/stephen-gut...ered-her-dog-emerges-rubble-tornado-torn-home

I have watched this several times and can't get tired of it.

 

[mlp]

I have watched this several times and can't get tired of it.

Yes, the joy in her voice made me cry.

I also loved when she said "I know exactly what happened" in response to the reporter's idiotic question.

 

[KLS52]

That was in Kansas on Sunday 3 miles from my brother's house. Thankfully it lifted off the ground.

Oops...NBC Connecticut posted the video on FB...I see the video has been removed now.

Glad your brother is ok.

 

[Amy SF]

Anthony and his Weiner declare their candidacy in the New York City mayoral race

 

[Amy SF]

Eric Garcetti will be the next mayor of Los Angeles. While I have nothing against Mr. Garcetti, his rival in the runoff election was a woman, Wendy Greuel. I guess we'll just have to wait a while longer for Los Angeles to elect the city's first female mayor. *sigh*

However, Eric Garcetti is Jewish on his mother's side, so I think LA just elected its first Jewish mayor. (I think)

http://www.latimes.com/

ETA: I just checked Google, and yes, Garcetti will be LA's first Jewish mayor. He's also Mexican (and Italian) on his father's side, so that's a big bonus for him.

 

[yally]

http://m.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/may/22/police-respond-serious-incident-woolwich

Possibly terror related attack in London

 

[Amy SF]

Interracial family's trip to Wal-Mart turns into kidnapping investigation

I could have told these people how Wal-Mart sucks and to avoid them, but they had to find out the hard way.

 

[Alice-Bee]

^Just heard about this. So shocked. facebook exploded! (in reply to yally)

 

[Pirate]

Oh that Woolwich attack is awful. The racism I'm seeing everywhere about it is making me feel physically sick too.

 

[Spang]

Pussy Rioter Opts Out of ‘Absurd’ Parole Hearing, Starts Hunger Strike:

Ready for a trip to the frightening Twilight Zone episode that is Russian punk band Pussy Riot’s continued incarceration? After being refused permission to appear at her own parole hearing and subsequently forbidding her lawyers to further represent her during the hearing, Maria Alyokhina, one of the band’s two imprisoned members, has begun a hunger strike to protest a justice system widely considered to have no dearth of Kafka-esque absurdities.

 

[Calliegirl]

It was bound to happen, Westboro blamed the tornado on the support of a gay sports player. I'm not going to bother to link to the story, instead I'm linking to something good.
Westboro put up a God hates Oklahoma website which was hacked and redirected to a Red Cross donation site.
http://www.godhatesoklahoma.com/