Could Jason Carter be the next Governor of Georgia?

Is the country ready for another Carter administration?  Some people in Georgia seem to think so.  Jason Carter, grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, is set to run for Governor of Georgia in 2014 and he has many supporters in the state.  The current Governor, Republican Nathan Deal, will have a run for his money come election time.  Brendan Spaar would like to remind everyone that Deal made good on his promise to end the tolls on Georgia 400 but only because he was held accountable by the local media.  Even though Republicans are not a popular majority, they still hold high regard in the south.  Only time will tell if Carter has what it takes to win a major election.

Source:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/07/jason-carter-run-governor_n_4231904.html

Post Office mail carrier takes short cut across lawn

In what will probably be explained as an effort to reduce cost and workers compensation, a USPS Postal Service mail carrier has been caught on a security camera driving up to someone's house, cutting across their lawn, stopping in front of their porch and tossing two small packages.  Brendan Spaar remembers when mail carriers walked their routes.  Now they just drive around and throw things out the window.  This article is funny because it links to a YouTube video of other delivery people being lazy and cutting corners.  Sometimes there is no excuse for being lazy.


Source:  http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/why-walk--when-you-can-drive-on-the-lawn--173154966.html

Brendan Spaar investigates if you should tip flight attendants

Let's face it, flight attendants do a lot for us when we fly. Brendan Spaar has always wondered if it is appropriate to tip a flight attendant for exceptional service. According to Lizzie Post who is Emily Post's great-great-granddaughter and author on modern etiquette advice, it is not appropriate to tip a flight attendant even when they are serving you alcohol. That begs the question, what is the difference between a bartender and a flight attendant? I guess one situation you are standing and the other you are sitting. The best way to reward a flight attendant accoring to the article is to write them a good review and email it to the airline. That way they will be looked favorably upon when it is time to give out raises.

Source: http://gma.yahoo.com/etiquette-expert-advises-against-tipping-flight-attendants-100607152--abc-news-travel.html

Pastor Terry Jones arrested for burning Qur'ans



File this one under radical religious wack job. Florida pastor Terry Jones who several years ago encouraged people to burn the Qur'an to make a name for himself, is at it again. This time he was arrested and faces felony charges for transporting a trailer full of kerosene soaked Qur'ans according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. Marvin Wayne Sapp Jr was arrested as well for the incident. Pastor Jones had allegedly wanted to set 2,998 Korans on fire at a Polk County park commemorating the 12 year anniversary September 11th terrorist attacks. Each Koran was suppost to represent one of the victims, "every person who was murdered by Islam," according to one of Jones' news releases. Brendan Spaar did the math and apparently this number also includes the 19 hijackers. It's not like Mr. Jones cares.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-terry-jones-arrest-update-20130911,0,2434047.story

Applebee's calls police on loud children

This is a story that just warms the heart of Brendan Spaar. Every now and then a restaurant does the right thing and holds parents accountable for their children. An Applebee's in Houston Texas had a problem the other night. You see, Lillian Maliti, the mother of 1 year old Ethan and 3 year old Ryan was allegedly eating there that night. Lillian and her husband, Eli Gau, reportedly began arguing loudly so the restaurant called the police and kicked them out. That prompted Mr. Gau to feel entitled so he called the police, wasting tax payer money and tying up emergency lines with his nonsense. Unfortunately, Applebee's has no backbone and is taking the customer's side, inviting them back for what will probably be a completely free meal. This should be a lesson to Americans. Act obnoxious and loud and when the restaurant kicks you out, demand a free meal. What happened to being civilized? No one likes noisy bratty children and for once, a restaurant took a stand. It's a shame that corporate did not side with the restaurant. Brendan Spaar does not endorse the statements made above.

Source: http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/applebee-s-calls-police-on-family-with-noisy-kids-195330410.html

Report: Police taser deaf boy for fun

Many are asking if there is an increase in the amount of police violence against people with disabilities. Brendan Spaar is engaging his readers in this debate as well. Apparently the latest incident involves a boy who ran away from school to escape abuse. The key part of this story is that the child is deaf. Police found the school aged boy at a construction site and allegedly made no attempt to contact him, instead allegedly tasering him from behind. The outcome of this situation is simple: there will be a lawsuit brought forth by the family, a settlement will be reached, and the police will live to taze another day. Is this the right course of action? Are police above the law? What do you think? Read the link at the source and decide for yourself.




Source: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/09/18/1239682/-Deaf-Boy-Tasered-for-being-Deaf

Mysterious man found living in college basement

This story might freak you out a little bit. Apparently a group of Ohio State University students stumbled across a man named Jeremy that had been living in their basement for some time. Mark Hartman, a 21 year old senior at the college, was really freaked out because 2 of the 10 people staying in the house (yes, 10 people in one house!) were females and there were no locks on the doors. Brendan Spaar thinks this was some sort of hippie compound. The rental company, NorthSteppe Realty did not do a good enough inspection of the house before renting it, the students allege. Now the students are using this case to get free rent for a few months. Jeremy turned out to be an OK guy but they still made him move out. This just goes to show that you should probably check every room in your new house before you move in. You never know who is going to be squatting.

Source: http://gma.yahoo.com/students-mysterious-man-living-basement-213244832--abc-news-topstories.html

UN Inspectors attacked. Government or Rebels to blame?

The blog of Brendan Spaar does not usually deal with stories of mass genocide but this one cannot be ignored. It seems that the government of Syria may be running wild and violating international law. The Syrian government has allowed U.N. inspectors into the country to verify claims that it used chemical weapons on its own people. To make matters worse, the U.N. inspectors were fired upon in Damascus by snipers while they were in route to inspect the sites. Were the attacks carried out by the Syrian government or by rebels wanting all foreigners out of the territory?

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323407104579036173795495190.html

High School students build largest tower made of LEGOs

The boys and girls at one Delaware High School have a lot to celebrate. The group of teens have successfully built the world's largest tower (according to the Guiness Book of World Records) made entirely of LEGO bricks! Brendan Spaar played with LEGO bricks as a child but never dreamed of building such a tower. The structure, once completed, stood at 112 feet! Before this architectural accomplishment, the former record holder was a 106 foot replica of the Prague tower. Hit up the source to see photos of the completed tower.

Source: http://inhabitat.com/delaware-high-school-students-complete-worlds-tallest-lego-tower/

Dentist wants to clone John Lennon using tooth

This is the craziest story that Brendan Spaar has read all week. As if buying John Lennon's tooth at auction for $30,000 wasn't creepy enough, there is a dentist that is trying to clone the late musician using said tooth! The dentist, Dr. Zuk (rhymes with yuck!), purchased the tooth and then wrote a song and a book about it. Brendan Spaar is a fan of John Lennon and the Beatles. In the age of 3D images of dead performers like TuPac and Elvis, it's no wonder someone wants to reanimate a popular money maker like Lennon. The dentist might be better off using the tooth to find a cure for why British people have such bad teeth to begin with! Source: http://www.inquisitr.com/913489/dentist-trying-to-clone-john-lennon-from-a-tooth/

Georgia Tech offers online Masters Program

Beginning in January of 2014, the Georgia Institute of Technology (GA Tech) plans to partner with Udacity to offer a master's degree in Computer Science through an online course for a fraction of the cost a student would pay on campus. The rising debt for students because of student loans is currently under a hot debate in this country with President Obama touring the nation to speak about his plans for reducing the cost of college. Brendan Spaar believes that one way to reduce the cost of college is to take advantage of online course offerings like this. The price of the online course at Georgia Tech is around $6,600 ­which is much less than the $45,000 on-campus price. To make things even better, the courses will be online and free for those not seeking a degree! A developer in the IT industry would be crazy not to take advantage of this program. Companies such as Udacity and institutions like Georgia Tech are charged with making college more affordable. Let's hope that more companies and institutions participate in this program. Source: www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/education/masters-degree-is-new-frontier-of-study-online.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0