srangsun for you

Could you live with a tiny car?

2007-09-04T09:15:00.001+07:00

If the thought of riding around town on a scooter scares you, or if you just could not imagine not having a roof over your head, perhaps you could use a microcar like one of these. Cars like these used to be rather common sights on the roads in Europe. In fact, we showed you a gallery some time ago which highlighted some of the very small cars that can be seen in Italy.

We would not really suggest driving across the country in a microcar, but for city driving and just running day-to-day errands, is there really a reason a vehicle like this would not work? Even if you are thinking no, remember that people have been using this kind of transportation for years, especially in Europe. The fact is that we are just used to driving two-tons of steel everywhere that we go, but it really is not necessary for a good portion of our needs. Commuting back and forth to work would likely be quite economical in a microcar with an engine less than 1 liter. How would it work for you?

Source: Treehugger

Avoid the 5 deadly pitfalls of car shopping

2007-09-04T09:01:00.000+07:00

Last month on BloggingStocks, I wrote about a site that is an absolute must-read before you go and buy a car. Now CNN/Money has a list of their 5 mistakes to avoid when shopping for a car:

Don't fall in love with a car.

Avoid super-long car loans.

Negotiate the price of the car you're buying first ... THEN negotiate the value of your trade-in.

Avoid negotiating in person.

Don't get hoodwinked by a sweet deal on the outgoing model year.

To these tips I would add one: Avoid getting a car loan if a loan is necessary. In other words, pick a car that you can afford to pay for with cash. If you can get a super-low interest rate deal, go for it. But pick out your car as though were paying in cash. If you can't afford to pay cash, that means you probably can't afford the car.

I realize that this may stick you in a '95 Pontiac rather than a '05 Porsche, but you'll thank me in the long run. If you ever watch the Can I afford it? segment on the Suze Orman Show, you've noticed that the people with car loans are always the ones in financial trouble.

The Greenest Race Car

2007-09-03T11:39:00.000+07:00

If this guy looks happy, it's because he is. Ben Wood is speeding at 240 kph (149 mph) in Eco One - the world's greenest race car.

Wood is the student of Dr Kerry Kirwan, a bio-materials expert at Britain's Warwick University, who designed Eco One to be 95 percent biodegradable. "Our concept is simple - create a high-performance racing car that had a conscience," said Dr Kirwan.

Dr Kirwan and his student believe that their creation, now destined the Grand Prix circuit, is based on bio-technology that is perfectly suitable for the mainstream auto manufacturing: "If we can build a high-performance car that can virtually be grown from seed, just imagine what's possible for the average family car," said Wood.

Other than its steel chassis, the vehicle is made entirely of potatoes, cashew nut shells, rapeseed oil and other plants. It sounds so good, I don't know what I want to do more, drive it or eat it!

Source: The Star

Jeremy Piven to Play a Desperate Car Salesman

2007-08-28T12:38:00.001+07:00

And somehow, this seems fitting.In the first deal between Will Ferrell and Adam McKay's company Gary Sanchez Productions and Paramount Vantage, Jeremy Piven will play a used-car liquidator in a "high-concept comedy" titled The Goods: The Don Ready Story.

More details.According to Reuters, "Piven will play a character who's hired to save a struggling car dealership during a Fourth of July weekend sale."

Good call, folks.After seeing him play a sleazeball in Smokin' Aces, and considering how convincing he is on "Entourage," it seems right that Piven stick to these desperate or depraved characters. Hopefully with his skills and the influence of the Ferrell-McKay duo The Don Ready Story will be a super success.

source

car top story

2007-08-26T16:29:00.000+07:00

2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR Preview – New York Auto Show:

Ironically, the worse Ford does, the better Carroll Shelby seems to fare. You'd think that it would be the opposite, seeing as automaker and maker of autos are forever connected by historic acts of automotive genius. Yet when Ford falters, when they need a headline, ‘ol Carroll is at the ready, riding into town with a new supercar Ford fans will easily fall for, and hard. That, of course, is by design, and Shelby (with Ford) is at it again, this time at the 2007 New York Auto Show where they'll debut the Ford Shelby GT500KR in the Big Apple

“KR” is for King of the Road, and there's 540 horsepower that won't let you forget that the Ford Shelby GT500KR is one of the most powerful Mustangs ever built. The boost comes from the Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack, while other upgrades include a carbon composite hood, air extractor vents and 14-inch Brembo brakes. The production version will come with 18-inch chrome wheels, not the show floor model's 20-inch set. Ford is planning for a build of about 1,000 units, at a price of $50,000.

BMW's Z4 Gets Its Props

2007-07-21T12:04:00.000+07:00

Up Front
Spring is upon us and with it the season when a car buyer's thoughts turn to convertibles. For me, that means it's also a good time to say a few kind words about the BMW Z4 Roadster, a great little ragtop two-seater that has never gotten the sales or critical acclaim it deserves. Until recently, at least.

In terms of increased sales, the Z4 is the hottest-selling BMW in the U.S. market so far this year, though admittedly from a small base. Sales of all Z4 models combined soared 90.6%, to 1,906 units, in the first quarter of the year vs. the same period in 2006, partly driven by the addition of the new Z4 Coupe to the lineup. But what I find encouraging is that the plain old Z4 Roadster saw a 68% sales increase during the quarter, an early indication that consumers may be wising up to the fact that this is a much better car than auto reviewers have rated it. If you're looking to splurge on a midlife-crisis car this spring and have a fair amount of money to spend, the '07 Z4 definitely merits a test drive

One thing I like about the Z4 Roadster is what many reviewers revile it for: its looks. Perish the thought, but the Z4 actually looks different from all the other cars on the road. The Z3, the model the Z4 replaced, had a classic, almost retro, look to it, while the Z4 is perhaps the most unabashed example of BMW designer Chris Bangle's "flame surface" styling, in which the car's sheet metal is sculpted to have multiple surfaces reminiscent of a flickering flame. Adding to its distinctiveness, the Z4 has an extra-long front end and a stubby, humped rear end with an odd little ducktail on the rear deck.

In an age of curvy, rounded vehicles that all look alike, the Z4 is instantly recognizable when you see it coming down the road. But it's a love-it-or-hate-it sort of design that has turned off many BMW aficionados. There are persistent rumors that Bangle's protégé, Adrian van Hooydonk, who became chief designer for BMW's car company when Bangle moved upstairs to oversee design for the entire BMW Group, will redo the Z4 for the '09 model year and give it a less radical design. I hope Z4 sales will continue to soar—proving that Bangle's bold design isn't a detriment to the model's commercial prospects.

Exterior styling aside, the Z4 Roadster is a classic sports car—quick, tight-handling, and with a catlike grip on the road. The engine lineup was also upgraded as of the '06 model year, so all versions of the car have plenty of power.

Like any BMW, it isn't cheap. The basic 3.0i, which is powered by a 3.0-liter, 215-hp, inline six-cylinder engine, starts at $37,175, while the more powerful 3.0si, which has a 255-hp, inline six, starts at $43,175. If you prefer a hardtop, the Coupe version of the Z4 3.0si starts at $41,175. And if blinding speed is your priority, the M version of the Z4—which has a 330-hp 3.2-liter engine—starts at $53,875 for the ragtop and $51,875 for the Coupe (see BusinessWeek.com, 7/26/06, "Hard Core Z4").

However, my feeling is that if you want a classic ragtop sports car, you don't necessarily have to spend a lot of money going for the biggest engine and adding bells and whistles to the Z4. You buy a sports car mainly for handling, not raw speed. And going with the entry-level Z4 is a little like going with the BMW 328i rather than the 335i: You give up a little speed and save a lot of money (see BusinessWeek.com, 10/17/06, "BMW's Super Coupe").

If my own money were on the line, I'd go with the basic Z4 3.0i, and about the only option I'd pay up for is the $3,550 Premium package, which includes an automatic convertible top, auto-dimming rearview mirrors, power seats, and a few other add-ons. If you want an automatic transmission, add another $1,275 to the price.

The bottom line is that you can get a well-equipped Z4 3.0i for a little more than $40,000. That's a lot of cash, but it's still thousands of dollars less than a Porsche Boxster.
You can even rationalize the purchase by telling yourself the Z4 is an economy car when it comes to gas mileage. The 3.0i is rated to get a respectable 21 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway. In a stretch of 200 miles of mixed driving, I got 22.6 mpg in a Z4 3.0i with an automatic transmission, which isn't bad considering how hard I pushed the car.

Behind the Wheel
Slip into the driver's seat and the Z4 is, unapologetically, a sports car. It has the small, spoked steering wheel that old-style European sports cars always had and a clean, uncluttered interior that contrasts sharply with its busy exterior styling. There isn't a lot of extra shoulder and head space in the cabin (unless, of course, the top is down), and legroom may be too tight if you're unusually tall.

The suspension is stiff and the ride relatively hard. If you don't want to bounce around on the highway and feel a hard thump when you hit a bump in the road, this isn't the car for you. You're also sitting very low to the ground in the Z4, and it's a struggle getting in and out, especially with the top up. But the seats are comfortable and more supportive than I remember the ones in the Mazda Miata being.

Like any classic sports car, the Z4 Roadster is a blast to drive. My test car came with the six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shifting mode and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. And this automatic is so refined that it makes you wonder how much longer even companies like BMW will continue offering stick shifts.

If you let the transmission do the shifting for you, it's incredibly smooth, running through the gears as if a professional driver were behind the wheel. The transmission never revs unnecessarily or hunts for the proper gear, even when you accelerate hard up a steep hill. At the push of a button, you can put the car in a sporty mode that noticeably alters the transmission's shifting algorithms and makes it quicker and jumpier.

If you're a real speed freak, the basic Z4 3.0i won't be fast enough for you. BMW rates it at 6.6 seconds in accelerating from a standing stop to 60 mph with an automatic transmission, and I clocked it at about seven seconds. That's noticeably slower than the 3.0si, which BMW says will do zero-to-60 in 5.7 seconds with an automatic and 5.6 seconds with a stick shift, but it's plenty quick for most people.

The 3.0i is geared to be very quick in the midrange and at normal passing speeds on the highway. When you get above 80 mph, there's not a lot of oomph left when you punch the gas, and the car starts to struggle a bit. If you want a real German-style autobahn cruiser, you need the extra power of the Z4 3.0si or the M. But for most normal U.S. driving, the basic Z4's power and speed are more than adequate.

As with any sports car, the Z4's interior is short on storage space. The glove box and storage bins in the doors are small. There's a box-like storage space in the back wall of the cabin big enough to hold a small purse. Happily, though, the trunk is quite big for a sports car and remains a relatively spacious 8.5 cubic feet even with the top down.

Speaking of the convertible top, I'd definitely pay extra for the optional power top, which is very handy. It goes up or down without human intervention in about 10 seconds. You don't have to worry about getting caught in sudden rainstorms because the top is so quick and easy to put up.

Buy It or Bag It?
For most people, buying a two-seater sports car isn't a rational decision; it's a splurge. And the key question always is: How big a splurge do you want to make?
If you're on a tight budget, there are tons of cheaper convertibles to choose from. The Mazda Miata (see BusinessWeek.com, 12/13/06, "Mazda: More Miata for the Money") is probably the most attractive low-priced alternative. General Motors' (GM) Pontiac Solstice (see BusinessWeek.com, 10/14/05, "Solstice: A Brawny Beauty") and Saturn Sky (see BusinessWeek.com, 5/30/06, "Sky High") are very cool-looking, but have the disadvantage of having virtually no trunk space when the top's down.

Closer to the Z4's price range but still considerably cheaper are the Nissan (NSANY) 350Z (see BusinessWeek.com, 7/09/06, "Z as in Zoom") and the Honda (HMC) S2000, both of which are sweet-handling cars. The Power Information Network figures the Z4 had an average selling price in the first quarter of $45,526, vs. a little more than $32,000 for the S2000 and 350Z.

As I mentioned above, a well-equipped entry BMW Z4 3.0i will set you back a little more than $40,000—but even that's a huge premium over the Honda and Nissan. To justify the extra expense, you have to like the Z4's radical styling and you have to be willing to pay a bit more for the cachet of owning a Bimmer.

The other key question is whether it's worth paying more to get a Porsche Boxster, which feels even more solid on the road and handles a little better, and which Power figures had an average selling price of $53,114 in the first quarter (see BusinessWeek.com, 10/28/05, "Porsche's Entry-Level Dream").
Price being equal, I'd rather have a Boxster than a Z4. But given the price differential, it's a tough choice. The Z4 handles nearly as well as a Boxster, is more distinctive-looking—and costs thousands of dollars less. Much as I love the Porsche, the Z4 is a tempting alternative.
Click here for the slide show.

Budd Glock's Ford F-100 PICKUP

2007-07-17T09:24:00.000+07:00

This is 1954 Ford F100. Ive been working on this truck for 8 years now. My dream is to have her in a magazine.

I got the truck when I was 15 and it wasn't in the best of shape. First I stripped her down to the frame and cut off all the suspension. I then threw on a TCI mustang 2 IFS kit with air bags and power rack and pinion. I went all tubular because its a way cleaner look. I then bought TCI's 4 link kit with air bags. The air system is made by Airlift. I have 8 valves, that way I don't get body roll. Im running a viair 450 compressor and a 5 gallon tank that is mounted in the bed. The rear end is a ford 9 inch with 2.95 gear ratio that I'm hopefully going to swap for a 3.50 posi unit in the near future. The motor is a 302 ford backed by a C-4 tranny with a B&M shift kit. Its got a reverse tilt hood and an Aluminum radiator. The motor has a polished aluminum dress up kit. All arp bolts and a Holly Street avenger carb. I also got a powermaster 140 alt on her that is also polished. I plan on putting a digital dash and some 12 or 13 inch brakes all the way around. Also a ford 427 small block!

ccntent from cardomain.com

If You Had A Choice

2007-07-14T02:44:00.000+07:00

Which would you choose?

After driving all three, it's tough. The M3 has this solid refined feel. The Evo 9 has a shitload of grip, and the Exige...feels like a go kart with a roof. I'm leaning towards the M3 though...not as practical as the Evo 9, but excellent fit & finish.

Featuring a 4 liter, 400+ horsepower, V-8 engine ...

2007-07-14T02:08:00.000+07:00

The GTR drives with the power of a V8 instead of a 6-cylinder engine. Since racing regulations do not permit sequential gearshift, the GTR has a conventional 6-speed transmission. The racing and road versions of the GTR differ in safety-related mods, including the cleared interior with welded safety cell, the fast filling system and racing chassis and brakes.

Buying a Car

2007-07-14T01:36:00.001+07:00

Consider this. There are currently over 1000 models of passenger cars, MPVs, SUVs, bakkies and double-cabs on sale in South Africa. Manufacturers keep on inventing new niches, and are combining existing ones to create unique crossover vehicles. And don’t forget the strangely named cars from previously unheard of manufacturers.

This is certainly very attractive from the perspective of choice, but making a wise car-buying decision has never been more complex.

But it can get even more complicated. Buying a car is not only about selecting the right vehicle. It is also about insurance, running costs, security and financing. And there are almost as many different companies willing to help you with those aspects as there are carmakers or importers keen to sell you a new vehicle. What should be a fun and rewarding experience can, as a result, quite easily turn into a nightmare if you take a wrong turn.

The aim of this booklet is to provide you with the necessary tools to make sound choices, on all aspects. You’ll find abbreviated versions of the 2005 J D Power and Associates customer satisfaction survey, CAR’s annual parts price survey and also our current Top 12 best buys – great aids to help you narrow down your choices.

For the first-timer, financing a new vehicle can be one of the most confusing aspects of the purchasing process – we give tips on leases, hire purchase, car allowances and company cars etc. Of course, first you have to decide whether you are going to buy new or used, from a dealer or privately, or how about online, or a car auction?

You’ll find all the information you’LL need in a quick, easy to use format, with useful contact numbers and links. So, get a piece of paper and let’s start working on that budget and shortlist . . .

Buying a Car

2007-07-14T01:36:00.000+07:00

Get an Auto Rate Quote

2007-07-12T11:35:00.000+07:00

America's #1 Auto Insurer!

State Farm® has been in the business of providing excellent automobile coverage at an affordable price since 1922. Responding to our customers' needs keeps us the leader in auto insurance.

In most states, if you want to drive your own vehicle, you must be insured.

Auto Insurance is designed to help financially cover potential auto-related damages, loss or injuries. It helps protect you, your passengers, your fellow drivers, pedestrians, other people's property and your car. It can also help protect you in the event of an automobile-related lawsuit.

Link http://www.statefarm.com/

Car insurance buyers guide

2007-07-11T23:52:00.000+07:00

Choosing a car insurance company

Choosing a car insurance company and getting the right one is important. With so many car insurance company options online, many people make the mistake of just choosing a cheap car insurance company, without considering the details. And you may well be fine with a cheap car insurance company – as long as you don’t have to make a claim. What you need to remember is that the moment you actually have to call upon your car insurance company, your whole relationship changes. Instead of how much – it’s all about what you are covered for. But how do you find out whether a cheap car insurance company can really offer you the service you may need?

1.
Check the details of the cover being offered by the car insurance company. Make sure you know what level of excess is being asked. (Excess is the amount of your claim the car insurance company expects you to pay. The bigger the excess – the worse for you).

2.We publish a comparison table, so you can compare our cover with other car insurance cover levels. If you have a no claim bonus – find out if it can be protected. Cheap car insurance companies don’t always offer free courtesy cars or guarantees on repairs. Make sure you know what you are buying.

3.Look for customer testimonials so you can see what the car insurance company is like when they are needed. You will find comments from our customers here.

Get your free car insurance quotes in minutes.

2007-07-11T23:39:00.000+07:00

We provide auto insurance quotes for all 50 states! We offer a convenient way to comparison shop for auto insurance.

Shopping for car insurance is the only way to save money on car insurance. With CarInsurance.com it is easy to buy your auto insurance online, in some states you could complete the process and have your proof of insurance in 15 minutes!

Our site is easy to use and our goal is to show you how much you can save with our services. Not only will you save your money, but you will save your time too. Our online car insurance quote takes just a few minutes and then we provide rates from companies that suit your needs. You can finish online or our professional call center is available to help you purchase car insurance. In some states you will be directed to one of our trusted partners for a rate in you area.

Because we offer multiple company rates and the ability to purchase their auto insurance quote from one place, we are ahead of other online insurance companies. Start your quote to see how companies compete for your business. You could save over 25% on your auto insurance.

Our goal is to give consumers all the information and resources they need to make informed auto insurance decisions. We are your online car insurance marketplace!

maple story

2007-07-11T18:06:00.000+07:00

Have you ever wanted to go back in time to the glory days of 2D, side-scrolling, console-style RPGs. Well, add an MMO and free to play to the mix and you have MapleStory. Join over 50 million other players in real time worldwide in defending “Maple World” from monsters of every size, shape and challenge level. Venture deep into dungeons solo or with a party of up to five other players and root out the beasts below as your character - whether Warrior, Magician, Bowman or Thief - collects money and useful items, gains experience points, levels up and improves a wide array of skills. Even join a guild of like-minded gamers. Or, just hang out and chat, trade, or play a unique minigame or two. The vast world of MapleStory is whatever you make it.New players will find themselves in Maple Island, a beginner-friendly floating island. Unlike most MMORPGs, players in MapleStory don’t choose a “class” or “job” during character creation. Instead, all characters in this MMOG are labeled “Beginner” until certain requirements are met for advancement. Players may select from a variety of faces, hair styles, hair and skin colors, and initial equipment. Up to three characters may be kept on each game world/server.MapleStory features a ranking system which allows players to compare their character(s) experience point gain to others in the same world and class, as well as any changes in ranking from the previous day. There is no PvP combat in this MMO, but there are monsters aplenty throughout the Maple World, including many challenging “boss monsters”. Also, there are over 100 quests in MapleStory which may garner unique items as rewards. As a counter to MapleStory’s free play, a “Cash Shop” was introduced wherein players can buy various in-game items and character alterations using real-world money.

Shooting Games

2007-07-06T23:58:00.000+07:00

shooting game is enjoy for me. and you?

you can comment.

The Internet's Largest PSP Game Download Site!

2007-06-22T10:13:00.000+07:00

Downloading and playing games on your PSP is a very simple process. You will be able to download games that are exactly like the UMD version, with no quality loss whatsoever. The games will be loaded and played directly from your PSP memory stick. Download from thousands of games.Our database of games are updated daily. If there is a game that you cannot find, email us and we will add it for you!

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Movie downloads

2007-06-18T16:51:00.000+07:00

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2007-06-18T11:26:00.000+07:00

Download anything you want, any time you want. Over 4 million people are constantly connected, sharing over 800 million files! We will provide you Game download software, Free Music, DVD Copy & Backup Software, MP3 Players, CD Burning Software, Online Music Search, Lyrics, Internet Radio, Popup & Spyware removers, technical support and much more!

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Gunman shoots 3 in Melbourne

2007-06-18T11:20:00.000+07:00

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- A gunman opened fire on a downtown street during the morning rush hour Monday in Australia's second largest city, killing one man and critically wounding two other people while scattering terrified commuters, police said.\

The suspect fled, and police launched a manhunt in the southern city of Melbourne, closing several streets and advising people to stay indoors as tactical officers armed with shotguns fanned out and helicopters joined the search overhead.

Police said the shooting did not appear to be a random act, and that it was believed a woman who was one of the victims knew the gunman.

The other two victims -- including the one who died -- were male bystanders who came to the aid of the woman during an altercation with a man who pulled out a gun, witnesses said.

A girl came out of a building over the road, she was screaming and a guy had her by the hair," Ross Murchie told Australian Broadcasting Corp.
"She tried to grab hold of a taxi that was going by and the couple of bystanders went over to ask what was happening," Murchie said. "He let go of her hair, pulled out a gun and shot them all."

Inspector Steve Martin said the woman and one of the men who went to assist were rushed to hospital in critical condition with gunshot wounds to their chests. The third victim died at the scene, he said.
The shooting occurred on the corner of Flinders Lane and William Streets in central Melbourne around 8 a.m. Monday (2200 Sunday), sending hundreds of frightened commuters fleeing. A short time later, police said they had recovered a handgun and a jacket believed to have been worn by the attacker, who remained at large.

Prime Minister John Howard declined to comment directly on the shooting because he was not aware of the details, but said he was willing to open discussions on further tightening gun control laws with state leaders, who have responsibility for policing them.
Justice Minister David Johnston said Australian firearms laws already were very tight and that it was likely the gun used in Monday's shooting was obtained illegally.

"It is very, very, difficult for a law-abiding citizen to obtain a handgun," Johnston said, adding: "If someone wants to purchase a concealable weapon on the black market they will probably be successful."
Police said the gunman and the female victim may have been involved in a fight at a nightclub about 10 minutes before the shooting.

"It does appear that there was a relationship between the female and the male suspect," said Inspector Glenn Weir said. "Certainly we're not looking that it's a random act, certainly not gang-related. It appears as though it's a domestic-related incident."

Top story by CNN Virginia Tech report: Share mental health data

2007-06-14T14:38:00.000+07:00

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Cowed by confusing privacy laws, authorities sometimes fail to raise red flags about potentially dangerous students, and peers keep quiet out of a false sense of duty, a federal report on the Virginia Tech shootings concluded Wednesday.

On April 16, Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 fellow students and faculty members before killing himself on the Blacksburg, Virginia, campus in the deadliest shooting in modern U.S. history.

The 23-year-old student had been described as a loner by his roommates and the violence in his writings had worried his teachers. After Cho expressed suicidal thoughts to a roommate, who then alerted others, Cho was given a psychological evaluation and a judge ordered he be treated.

But that order was not entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and Cho was able to buy the two guns he used in the shooting spree.

"Accurate and complete information on individuals prohibited from possessing firearms is essential to keep guns out of the wrong hands," the report concluded.

Part of the problem is that educators, doctors and police aren't sure what they're permitted to reveal about someone's medical history, the report found.

"We need to do a much better job educating educators, [the] mental health community and law enforcement that they can, in fact, share information when a person's safety or a community's safety is in fact potentially endangered," Health and Human Services Secretary Michael O. Leavitt told reporters after delivering the report to President Bush.

"When a person is in danger themselves, or when a community is in danger, the existing law does provide the capacity for law enforcement to work with school communities, and school communities to work with the mental health community to get people help," he said.

On April 21, five days after the massacre, Bush asked the heads of the departments of Education, Justice and Health and Human Services to learn from educators, mental health experts, police and state and local officials in a dozen states how the federal government can help prevent similar calamities.

Communication of concerns was the dominant theme.

"We repeatedly heard reports of 'information silos' within educational institutions and among educational staff, mental health providers, and public safety officials that impede appropriate information sharing," said the report.

On the state level, a Virginia inspector general's report this week recommended that the state look at changing its mental-treatment commitment process to allow such authorities to contribute their observations and opinions. It also recommended increasing the number of "secure crisis stabilization programs" -- basically mental health intensive care units where patients can be held involuntarily for short periods.

State laws do not always ensure that information on people not allowed to own handguns is sent to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, the federal report said.

Recommendations proffered

Though the report concluded that "in a country of more than 300 million people, it is impossible to eliminate all risks," it laid out a number of recommendations, including ensuring that information be maintained on individuals prohibited from owning firearms.

It recommended efforts to "de-stigmatize" mental illness, reduce student isolation and encourage students to seek help for themselves and others.

The report cited concerns from a number of participants over "an insufficient number of skilled mental health workers" that sometimes resulted in waiting lists for services, though this was apparently not the case with Cho.

In a written statement, Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger said, "Based on my quick review, the report unearthed the deep complexities of the issues facing college campuses today. We believe that this will further inform the national and our state discussion on the nexus between societal safety and personal freedoms."

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine has ordered a separate investigation into the killings, which is not complete.

By CNN

Weapon dates bowhead whale to 1800s

2007-06-14T14:25:00.000+07:00

Highlights
-Weapon embedded in bowhead whale's neck is from 115 to 130 years old
-It was probably shot at the whale from a heavy shoulder gun around 1890
-The whale died when it was shot with a similar projectile last month
-The fragment will be displayed at the Inupiat Heritage Center in Barrow, Alaska
BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) -- A 50-ton bowhead whale caught off the Alaskan coast last month had a weapon fragment embedded in its neck that showed it survived a similar hunt -- more than a century ago.

Embedded deep under its blubber was a 3½-inch arrow-shaped projectile that has given researchers insight into the whale's age, estimated between 115 and 130 years old.

"No other finding has been this precise," said John Bockstoce, an adjunct curator of the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

Calculating a whale's age can be difficult, and is usually gauged by amino acids in the eye lenses. It's rare to find one that has lived more than a century, but experts say the oldest were close to 200 years old.

The bomb lance fragment, lodged in a bone between the whale's neck and shoulder blade, was likely manufactured in New Bedford, on the southeast coast of Massachusetts, a major whaling center at that time, Bockstoce said.

It was probably shot at the whale from a heavy shoulder gun around 1890. The small metal cylinder was filled with explosives fitted with a time-delay fuse so it would explode seconds after it was shot into the whale. The bomb lance was meant to kill the whale immediately and prevent it from escaping.

The device exploded and probably injured the whale, Bockstoce said.

"It probably hurt the whale, or annoyed him, but it hit him in a non-lethal place," he said. "He couldn't have been that bothered if he lived for another 100 years."

The whale harkens back to far different era. If 130 years old, it would have been born in 1877, the year Rutherford B. Hayes was sworn in as president, when federal Reconstruction troops withdrew from the South and when Thomas Edison unveiled his newest invention, the phonograph.

The 49-foot male whale died when it was shot with a similar projectile last month, and the older device was found buried beneath its blubber as hunters carved it with a chain saw for harvesting.

"It's unusual to find old things like that in whales, and I knew immediately that it was quite old by its shape," said Craig George, a wildlife biologist for the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, who was called down to the site soon after it was found.

The revelation led George to return to a similar piece found in a whale hunted near St. Lawrence Island in 1980, which he sent to Bockstoce to compare.

"We didn't make anything of it at the time, and no one had any idea about their life span, or speculated that a bowhead could be that old," George said.

Bockstoce said he was impressed by notches carved into the head of the arrow used in the 19th century hunt, a traditional way for the Alaskan hunters to indicate ownership of the whale.

Whaling has always been a prominent source of food for Alaskans, and is monitored by the International Whaling Commission. A hunting quota for the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission was recently renewed, allowing 255 whales to be harvested by 10 Alaskan villages over five years.

After it is analyzed, the fragment will be displayed at the Inupiat Heritage Center in Barrow, Alaska.

By CNN

Pop Tarts: Britney Spears Has Double Wardrobe Malfunction

2007-06-14T13:54:00.001+07:00

Oops! She did it again!

Spotted earlier this week departing Hollywood hotspot Winston’s at 2.30 a.m., Britney Spears unfortunately forgot about using double-sided tape to hold that darn top in place.

In true Brit behavior, she got out of the car and flashed her "girls" to the world.

At least our pop princess is partying with panties now ... well, a G-string anyway. Proof is available all over the Internet.

Meanwhile, Britney's mother Lynne Spears says her daughter is "just figuring things out."

"It's sad that the whole world had to watch her make mistakes that all of us have made at one time or another," Spears is quoted as telling Us Weekly magazine in its latest issue.

"Everything is going to be good," Lynne Spears tells the magazine. "Everything is going to be really good. I can see her life picking up and it's just going to hold great things for her."

by FoxNews

Officer charged in taped beating apparently kills himself

2007-06-12T10:54:00.000+07:00

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- A former New Orleans police officer charged in the videotaped beating of a man after Hurricane Katrina apparently shot himself to death about a month before his trial, authorities said Monday.

The body of Lance Schilling, 30, was found Sunday in a suburban Metairie home. An autopsy showed he died of a gunshot wound to the roof of the mouth, Jefferson Parish coroner's office said.

Schilling and another former officer were accused of beating Robert Davis, 64, a retired school teacher who had returned to New Orleans to check on his property several weeks after the storm.

An Associated Press Television News team recorded Davis being kneed and struck at least four times on the head by two police officers the night of October 8, 2005.

Davis was booked on municipal charges of public intoxication, resisting arrest, battery on a police officer and public intimidation. All charges were later dropped.

Schilling's attorney, Franz Zibilich, said he was saddened by his client's death. He believed the suspected suicide had no connection to the pending trial, which had been set for June 29. The former officer faced five years behind bars if convicted of second-degree battery charge.

"The truth be known, he was looking forward to having this matter tried and heard," Zibilich said.

New Orleans police spokesman Marlon Defillo said Schilling had not been with the department since December 2005.

thank see you.