Archive for May, 2011

Finding a bargain on eBay is more difficult these days, but other auction sites can be downright disturbing.

Like this one: ghoulslikeus.com is auctioning the coat rack someone alleges reality TV “star” Ryan Jenkins used to hang himself.

Jenkins was a reality show contestant on VH1’s “I Love Money 3″ and “Megan Wants a Millionaire.” He was the only suspect in the Aug. 15, 2009, murder of his wife, swimsuit model Jasmine Fiore.

The item was listed Wednesday and has no bids. The auction has no end date.

Those with $1,750 to blow can do better at IKEA and not have to worry about the ghosts of horrible TV programming.

Here’s the description, including grammar you can’t blame on me:

This item is the actual coat rack that Ryan Jenkins Hung himself to death on after he fled the US into Canada.

Ryan Jenkins was wanted in California on first-degree murder charges after the mutilated body of Jasmine Fiore was found in a trash bin in Buena Park, about 32 kilometres southeast of Los …

Continue reading Auction offers coat rack Ryan Jenkins used to commit suicide »

Those looking up “irony” in the dictionary may find a picture of Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks.

Julian Assange, who as a computer hacker went by the name Mendax, which means "nobly untruthful", is asking WikiLeaks staff to trust him.

According to someone who worked at the publisher of “classified” material, Assange has forced employees to sign a “Confidentiality Agreement” that prevents them from ever leaking any information about how the non-profit works.

Those who spill the beans about the organization’s inner workings face a hefty fine of about $19.5 million.

Such a fine is unenforceable, according to legal writer David Allen Green.

One worker, Guardian reporter James Ball, refused to sign the agreement, and shared his unsigned copy with someone publicly via Twitter. Ball says showing the document to the world was “inadvertent” but I find that hard to swallow. Someone that works with WikiLeaks and writes for a major newspaper has to know how Twitter works.

Ball …

Continue reading The irony of WikiLeaks’ anti-leak agreement »

Atlanta, despite the tragic headlines, must have some well-behaved pooches.

That, or we have fast mailmen.

Omaha Steak deliveries are their favorite.

Today, the United States Postal Service announced Atlanta dogs have not bitten enough carriers to crack the Top 25 mangled mail carrier list.

For those who’ve had a Pekingese shred an Achilles tendon, it’s no laughing matter.

“Beyond the needless pain and suffering, medical expenses from dog attacks cost the Postal Service nearly $1.2 million last year. According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog attacks accounted for more than one-third of all homeowners’ insurance liability claims paid out in 2010, costing nearly $413 million,” the USPS wrote in a press release.

So what cities let the bad dogs out? Houston has quite a comfortable lead, followed by San Diego, Columbus, Ohio, and Los Angeles.

Atlanta numbers were not provided, but the real reason we’re not on the list is likely because the city limits of Atlanta are …

Continue reading Atlanta mail carriers good at avoiding dog bites »

Most everyone’s done something they’re ashamed of.

These grits sure are light and fluffy.

Unfortunately for Oregon State’s play-by-play announcer, his shameful moment was captured on video and plastered all over the Internet.

Mike Parker admitted to being the drunk man trying to eat a napkin at Denny’s.

Our sister TV station in Seattle has the video.

“It’s embarrassing, it’s shameful, it’s humiliating,” said Parker.

The video, which as been online for three months, is also funny and sad.

Parker said he would seek help for alcoholism. The university said it would “monitor his treatment.”

Continue reading Play-by-play announcer admits drunken napkin eating »

Dr. Billy Graham has been hospitalized again in North Carolina. The legendary preacher, 93, is receiving treatment for pneumonia at Mission Hospital in Asheville, a short distance from his home in Montreat. The evangelist, who was treated for pneumonia in May, is listed as being in stable condition.

Feb. 8, 1950 – Journal Columnist Morgan Blake, right, admirer of the great evangelist Billy Sunday, talks with the dynamic Dr. Billy Graham, revivalist, whose fame and following are reaching the proportions of his famous predecessor. The interview took place on The Journal's program 'Views of the News' Wednesday night on WSB. (original cutline as it appeared in the newspaper)

Several years ago I filled in for the vacationing Q&A editor and figured it was easier to research one question instead of several.

So, on Jan. 1, 2006, I wrote a Q&A on Graham’s first visit to Atlanta, which may be the shortest question/longest answer in AJC history.

Q: When was Billy Graham’s first crusade …

Continue reading Billy Graham’s first visit to Atlanta »

Some people eat at the Waffle House so much it feels like home.

Friendly waitresses only add to the charm.

The first Waffle House is now a museum in Avondale Estates.

But there’s no denying the popular roadside eateries are also weirdo magnets.

Something wacky can happen at any minute. Kid Rock may be throwing punches, or cooking up grub while meeting and greeting local fans. Or maybe a famed tiny outlaw is doing his “Little Houdini” impersonation and slipping away from a hungry deputy.

In Augusta Tuesday, an air conditioner repairman found a man living atop a Gordon Highway location in what was described as a temporary shelter, according to Augusta’s ABC station.

Waffle House managers aren’t allowed to talk about the incident, and firefighters called to the scene to pluck him off the roof didn’t identify the man or know how long he was up there.

The rooftop denizen was taken to a local hospital for dehydration. It’s a good thing too, it’s going to be hotter than a Texas Melt …

Continue reading Man found living atop Georgia Waffle House »

As you are doubtless aware, the Second Coming is scheduled for May 21.

Needless to say, it’s time to get your worldly affairs in order, and this includes finding a longterm pet sitter.

Heaven will look nothing like Piedmont Park, atheists say.

The neighbor or brother-in-law won’t be able to help this time. They may be going to heaven too.

Fortunately, there’s a company to turn to in these End Times of need.

Eternal Earth-Bound Pets USA will provide a loving home to pets whose masters have gone to their great reward. Rescue services are available in 26 states, and, since the company is staffed by atheists, chances are they won’t be going to that heavenly place they don’t believe exists.

The company was founded in 2009 by Bart Centre, which sounds like a San Francisco sports venue but is actually the name of a Godless person.

Since cash may soon be worthless, the $135 fee for 10 years of Rapture pet insurance seems reasonable. Additional pets cost $20, so if you’re hoarding …

Continue reading Going to Heaven May 21? Atheists offer to take care of your pets »

A 25-year-old woman who tried to liven the place up with a little naked dancing was arrested for indecent exposure after a recent cemetery jig.

Kara Mitchell clearly misunderstood the lyrics to "Private Dancer."

According to an article by my breaking news brethren in the Arizona Republic, Kara Mitchell was completely naked in Mesa Cemetery Friday morning.

Mesa police there said she removed her top and danced for a while before dropping her pants. She twirled around cemetery employees and visitors “paying their respects to the deceased.

After the dance, perhaps some sort of ancient ritual we’ve never heard of, she went to the cemetery office and was observed talking to herself. Police found her in a golf cart.

Fortunately for her, no children were present, else she would be facing serious charges.

Continue reading Woman arrested for dancing naked at cemetery »

Somewhere, there’s a former KFC employee telling a tale no one has ever believed.

The story? That he was working the drive-thru one night after the Sept. 11, 2001,  terror attacks and Michael Jackson pulls up in a car with Elizabeth Taylor and a hungry Marlon Brando.

It’s far-fetched enough to be a blockbuster film script, but it just may be true.

The King of Pop visits the King of Burgers with Cleopatra, the Godfather and a pet monkey. (See Vanity Fair article for video)

Vanity Fair is reporting the tale online, but citing Corey Feldman as a corroborating witness doesn’t do much to help the writer’s credibility. But it may help him sell a few books on the life of Liz Taylor.

According to the article, the “King of Pop” had given a concert at New York City’s Madison Square Garden Sept. 10 and invited Taylor and Brando to be his guests. Originally, MJ wanted the faded stars to sit on either side of the stage like “Easter Island” statues while he performed, which sounds …

Continue reading Report: ‘King of Pop’ fled terror attacks with Brando, Liz Taylor »

Remember the heat President Obama took for filling out NCAA tournament brackets?

I'm picking Kansas to win, bin Laden to lose.

Many pundits argued that he was devoting too much of his time to sports prognostication when he should be solving real problems, like disasters in Japan, the Libyan crisis, or even finding the world’s most infamous terrorist.

Well, it seems Obama is quite the multi-tasker: The same week he was mulling hoops, he was also plotting the May 2 raid on bin Laden’s pig-sty of a mansion.

Business Insider has a good summary, but it seems Obama held a week of top-secret planning meetings beginning March 14. He publicly revealed his tournament picks on ESPN March 15.

Navy SEALS are better at taking out mass murderers than the president is at picking winners. Obama didn’t pick any team that appeared in the Final Four, but the SEALS got their man without suffering a casualty.

Continue reading Obama plotted bin Laden raid while making NCAA picks »