Happy Thanksgiving

11/27/08

Just a nice little turkey day story to share...

LITTLETON, Colo. (AP) - This time last year, Monique White was living in a motel and looking for work, wishing for the bustling Thanksgivings of her childhood.

This year, White's holiday wish will be fulfilled -- thanks to an impromptu Craigslist posting.

The 36-year-old posted a two-sentence invite on the Internet classifieds site last week. The receptionist at a dentist's office was feeling a little lonely, her two sons spending the holiday with their dad, so she figured maybe four or five strangers would reply and join her and longtime partner Doug White for Thanksgiving dinner.

Instead, 32 people are headed to their Littleton townhouse. They're busy preparing nine turkeys, four hams, 16 boxes of stuffing and a dozen or so pies.

The Whites say they've been blessed.

They're both working and have bought a home. They say the dinner is their way of giving thanks for their changed lives.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, my friends...

Perm Link:  Happy Thanksgiving (Click to Comment)

Fly in Canada if You're Fat

11/21/08

Obese people have the right to two seats for the price of one on flights within Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled on Thursday.

The high court declined to hear an appeal by Canadian airlines of a decision by the Canadian Transportation Agency that people who are "functionally disabled by obesity" deserve to have two seats for one fare.

The airlines had lost an appeal at the Federal Court of Appeal in May and had sought to launch a fresh appeal at the Supreme Court. The court's decision not to hear a new appeal means the one-person-one-fare policy stands.

The appeal had been launched by Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and WestJet.
 

Perm Link:  Fly in Canada if You're Fat (Click to Comment)

After Obama Win, Gun Sales on the Rise

11/09/08

Sales of rifles, pistols and ammo are surging in parts of the United States, as many gun owners fear President-elect Barack Obama's administration may seek to tighten ownership of certain weapons.

"The day after the election, I had many more calls than usual from people looking for semi-automatic rifles," said David Greenberg, the owner of the Second Amendment Family Gun Shop, in Bisbee, Arizona, who sold out of AR-15 rifles in recent days.

"There seems to be a fear they will be banned, and it's fairly likely," he added. "Obama and Biden are driven to eliminate firearms from the face of the country."

Gun stores and trade groups have reported a spike in firearms sales in the run-up to the November 4 election victory of Democrat Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden, who many perceive as strongly pro-gun control.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade association for the shooting, hunting and firearms industry, reported a 10 percent jump in gun sales this year based on its analysis of an excise tax placed on firearms and ammunition, and a spokesman said the increase had grown dramatically ahead of the election.

"Gun owners are afraid of what Obama is going to do as far as guns," said spokesman Tony Aeschliman. "He has a clear record of being against us."

Obama stated his support for the right to bear arms during campaigning, although both he and Biden back a permanent ban on assault weapons -- military style semi-automatic rifles -- and "common sense measures" to keep guns away from children and criminals, positions which spurred concern among some gun enthusiasts.

"It's always been the liberal or Democratic agenda to restrict gun ownership," said Jim Pruett, the owner of a gun store in a Houston-area strip mall, whose sales more than tripled on the Saturday before the election to $35,000.

In McPherson, Kansas, gun dealer Steve Sechler said demand at a gun show last weekend jumped by more than 50 percent as buyers rushed to stock up on guns including Kalashnikov and AR-15 rifles.

"Most of the people there were cussing Obama and saying we need home defense," Sechler said.
 

Perm Link:  After Obama Win, Gun Sales on the Rise (Click to Comment)