Today’s News Stories (July 30th), 2012
It’s Clear After a Stunning 400 IM: This is Not The Phelps of Yore
Here was a jarring and incongruous sight. It was just a few minutes past 7:30 p.m. Saturday night at the Aquatics Centre in the sprawling Olympic Park on the outskirts of London, the very first medal event commencing eight nights of swimming. From a set of starting blocks in Lane 8, Michael Phelps dove into pale blue water and began slashing toward the opposite wall in butterfly, the first of four strokes that comprise the grueling 400-meter individual medley. It is an event in which Phelps has won the gold medal at the last two Olympic Games, and in which he has been internationally dominant for more than a decade.
More stories after the jump.
The Olympic Flame Dies, Gets Unceremoniously Relit By Old Guy On a Cherry Picker
This is not a metaphor: the Olympic Flame has died for real, as technicians were moving the cauldron to a new location in the stadium. Now, they have to sacrifice 12 virgin ping-pong players and start a war with the Persians.
Actually, they just sent some old guy named Austin Playfoot on a cherry picker to re-light it. It looked more ridiculous than majestic, but it did the trick. At least Mr. Playfoot was one of the Olympic Torch-bearers, both this year and back in the 1948 London Olympics.
German Cycling Team Has ‘Quad Off’: Robert Förstemann Wins With Enormous Quads
Are you wondering what the Olympic athletes are doing to pass the time before they compete in competitions they’ve trained their entire lives for?
If you’re part of the German men’s cycling team, then you pass the time by pulling down your pants and having a good old fashioned “quad off.”
Hope Solo Is Pissed At Brandi Chastain
Hope Solo won’t be disciplined for a Twitter rant that her coach fears could have been detrimental to the image of U.S. women’s soccer.
After the goalkeeper lashed out against former U.S. soccer legend Brandi Chastain, calling into question the NBC commentator’s knowledge of the game and allegiance to the program, Solo had a meeting with coach Pia Sundhage and team captains.
NBC Wont Air Live Events
NBC — aka, “The Only Television Network On Planet Earth To Not Show Important Events Live” — defended their decision to delay and heavily edit Friday night’s Olympic opening ceremony. Their reasoning: American audiences couldn’t comprehend such a large spectacle in real time, especially via streaming video.
Bob Costas Hints That We’re Not Doing Enough to Honor Israeli Athletes Killed at ’72 Olympics
During the Olympic opening ceremonies Friday night, Bob Costas almost expressed his opinion about the refusal to hold a moment of silence for the 11 Israeli athletes and coaches killed at the 1972 Olympic Games.
Earlier in the month, Costas had said it was it was insensitive that the International Olympic Committee denied the request for a moment of silence. Costas implied that he would hold his own moment of silence — but he didn’t go that far during the actual ceremony.
Sorry, Michael Phelps: Ryan Lochte Is America’s New Slacker Sweetheart
Swimmer Ryan Lochte predicted that 2012 would be his year, and he’s off to a great start. Lochte won the 400-meter individual medley, while teammate Michael Phelps didn’t even make it onto the podium.
When asked about Phelps, Lochte answered, “I know he gave it everything he had. That’s all you can ask for.”
First Lady Lets Olympic Wrestler Pick Her Up at Team USA Event
Michelle Obama is known for her toned physique and strong arms. But when she came face to face with the U.S. Olympic wrestling team, she was distinctly outgunned by the fighting champions. And the First Lady had no defence against the feisty wrestler who decided to pick her up and parade her in front of her fellow athletes.
Olympic Beach Volleyball: Bikinis Still Uniform Choice Despite London Weather
The Benny Hill theme plays over the loudspeaker at Horse Guards Parade, the crowd cheers and the raking crew scurries out to smooth over the footprints in the sand. This is beach volleyball, British style.
The Olympics’ sexiest sport opened with a raucous debut on Saturday, mixing in a little local flair with all of the more traditional trifles that have made the event one of the most sought-after tickets at the London Games (though Sir Paul McCartney managed to get one for the afternoon session).
The End of Gun Control?
Given the recent appalling events in Aurora, Colorado, there’s been a renewed call for greater gun control and a ban on assault weapons.
I’m in favor of tighter gun control and a ban on weapons that are unnecessarily powerful but I’m afraid that technology will soon make any legislation that limits the availability of any kinds of guns ineffective.
Hollywood Heartthrob Tom Hardy Rapping with His Baby Boy
Tom Hardy may have a penchant for playing tough guys, but, as you can see in this video from 2008, underneath that gruff exterior is just another father who likes to move his infant son’s arms around and pretend he’s KRS-One.
Dane Cook Says He’s Sorry for Making Light of Aurora Theater Shooting with Terrible Joke
Dane Cook posted a statement on Twitter a short while ago apologizing for his “bad judgment” in poking fun at the Aurora theater massacre less than a week after the shooting occurred.
“I am devastated by the recent tragedy in Colorado & did not mean to make light of what happened,” the comedian tweeted. “I made a bad judgment call with my material last night & regret making a joke at such a sensitive time. My heart goes out to all of the families & friends of the victims.”
Copycat! Kent State Student Arrested For Threatening To ‘Shoot Up’ University Aurora-Style
19-year-old Ohio student William Koberna has been arrested after posting a Twitter message saying he planned to ‘shoot up’ the Kent State University campus, just like the Aurora movie theater.
Ten days after 24-year-old suspected gunman James Holmes shot and killed 13 people in an Aurora, Colorado cinema theater and wounded 58 others during a screening of The Dark Knight Rises, Koberna decided to pull his stunt on Twitter.
James Holmes Charged with 24 Counts of Murder in Colorado Theater Massacre
Prosecutors on Monday filed 142 charges — including 24 for first-degree murder — against James Holmes, the former graduate student who is accused of killing 12 people and injuring 58 during a shooting spree at an Aurora, Colo., movie theater early July 20.
In addition to first-degree murder, Holmes was charged with 116 counts of attempted murder, one count of using a deadly weapon in commission of a violent crime and one count of possession of explosive devices. The murder charges carry a minimum penalty of life in prison and a maximum of death.
Couple Turned Away From Church After Members Complain About Black Wedding
A couple in Jackson, Mississippi were forced to relocate churches the day before their wedding after the pastor notified them that some church members were uncomfortable having a black couple married there.
The First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs, which is predominantly white, does not expressly forbid people of color. Pastor Stan Weatherford said he was surprised by the reaction but felt that it was important to pass the message along to Charles and Te’Andrea Wilson.
Tom Hardy may have a penchant for playing tough guys, but, as you can see in this video from 2008, underneath that gruff exterior is just another father who likes to move his infant son’s arms around and pretend he’s KRS-One.
Massive India Blackout Leaves 300 Million Without Power
A massive grid failure in Delhi and much of northern India left more than 300 million people without electricity on Monday in one of the worst blackouts to hit the country in more than a decade.
The lights in Delhi and seven states went out about 2 a.m and had not been restored by the morning rush-hour, leaving the capital’s workers sweltering overnight, then stranded at metro stations in the morning as trains were cancelled.
Craw, Cindy Sure Looks Good
She may be well into her forties now, but supermodel Cindy Crawford shows no signs of losing her looks any time soon.
The catwalk beauty has given younger models a run for their money and shown that age is but a number as she poses as a cover girl once more.
Dioni Tabbers Hot Lingerie Pictures For Aubade Paris are a Dutch Treat
We’re going to be celebrating all things Dutch with sticks a bit later today, but why not kick off with some Holland hotness in the form of supermodel Dioni Tabbers, the stunning blonde treat from the low country. Dioni was tapped by Aubade for their Fall/Winter lingerie pictorial, and even the French managed not to muck up Dioni’s super sextastic with too much artsiness.
That body is just epic Nederlander extra tall and hot and lean and nice. Enjoy.
Romney Praises Israel’s Socialized Health Care System
Presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney offered praise for the Israeli health care system today — a medical plan that has been socialized since its founding in 1948.
Romney, who championed the Massachusetts health care mandate, but is an opponent of the federal mandate passed by President Barack Obama, marveled at how little Israel spends on health care relative to the United States.
How eBay Became Relevant Again
When a website goes into tailspin common wisdom dictates that there’s no way it can make a comeback. But in recent time eBay has done just that, transforming its dismal financial state into successes resembling its glory days. How the hell did it do it?
Back in 2004, eBay shares hit a peak of $58. It was an internet sensation, which revolutionized online retail. But by 2007, decline had set in: growth slowed and sellers began to grumble that the site was increasingly expensive and less supportive. By early 2009, its stock has sunk over 80 percent to barely $10.
Video Reaffirms Alleged iPhone 5 Assembled From Parts
Hot on the heels of the weekend’s tantalizing images of what the iPhone 5 may look like, based on an assembly of leaked components, comes a video which shows the same alleged device.
The video shows off the same assembly we reported images of yesterday, which took a mess of purported new iPhone parts and assembled them into a possible new device.
I Spent 17 Months in a 3rd World Country (Horrible Conditions) Jail because of a YouTube video I made.
An AMA was recently posted on Reddit from a man who had spent 17 months in a 3rd world country jail because of a YouTube video. He gives a brief description of his experience then opened up the floor to questions about his experience.
He starts with “Hey Reddit, My name is Adnan Hajizada and I am a dissident and ex-prisoner of conscience from Azerbaijan. In 2009 I posted a video that mocked the ridiculous overspending (purchasing donkeys from Germany at USD 40,000 each) by the Government of Azerbaijan. Two weeks later, my friend and I were attacked and severely beaten up by government-hired thugs while dining in one of the local cafes. We went and complained about the event to the Police. Eventually the thugs were let go, my friend and I were arrested on trumped up charges of hooliganism and causing minor bodily harm. We spent 17 months in jail. The case caused wire international outcry, eventually Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama spoke on our behalf and we were freed on parole. I have been lurking here for a while, decided that the first post should be an AMA about myself. Hope this will be interesting.”
He also links to a video-blog article and his twitter account.
Philippines Birth Control: Filipinos Want it, Priests Don’t
Shortly after sunrise, a woman with soulful eyes and short-cropped black hair hurried down a narrow alley in flip-flops, picking her way around clusters of squatting children, piles of trash and chunks of concrete.
Yolanda Naz’s daily scramble had begun. Peddling small shampoo packets in the shantytown of San Andres, she raced to earn enough money to feed her eight children.
Dancing with the Stars – Season 15 Cast Announcement
You asked for it, and we delivered—an All-Star edition of Dancing with the Stars! Take a look and see which fan favorites and past winners will be headed to the ballroom in just a few short weeks. And be sure to vote on who the final All-Star will be for the upcoming season!
HBO’s “Boys” Trailer
A “Girls” parody set in Los Angeles
Notes
-
queen-slayer likes this
-
gnarwhall likes this
-
ihazlaughs reblogged this from defranco
-
dovahkiincreed likes this
-
ksmd1098 likes this
-
jennelsmile reblogged this from defranco
-
bittersweetserendipity likes this
-
we-are-the-meta likes this
-
leonhitchens likes this
-
semjonov-artur reblogged this from defranco
-
aleadmek reblogged this from defranco
-
aleadmek likes this
-
dorogoy reblogged this from defranco
-
cheenho likes this
-
sentientbiomass likes this
-
met-zayer likes this
-
lak991 likes this
-
khakiscouting likes this
-
brianhoover156 likes this
-
speedneedsnotranslation likes this
-
cleonor likes this
-
aussievicious likes this
-
lovethemfeels likes this
-
randog666 likes this
-
booshwar likes this
-
ourbeautifulexistence likes this
-
xxzulaxx reblogged this from defranco
-
gorillajesus likes this
-
lifeandphotographyamr likes this
-
abuttyoucouldchipafangon reblogged this from defranco
-
tobalcris likes this
-
superkittyra reblogged this from defranco
-
livvysaurusrex likes this
-
downbeatbear likes this
-
ambivalent-femme likes this
-
s3ank1m reblogged this from defranco
-
iwasslicingupanavocado likes this
-
deannovacs likes this
-
sherrice reblogged this from defranco
-
the-ordinary-nerd likes this
-
strawberrrybutton reblogged this from defranco
-
strawberrrybutton likes this
-
spaceystardust likes this
-
raccoontalkers reblogged this from defranco
-
icantrecall reblogged this from defranco
-
blueandsunny reblogged this from defranco
-
nerdyfox reblogged this from defranco
-
cartoonsandcomics138 reblogged this from defranco
-
oplik likes this
- Show more notes
