Yeetle Box - We, Robots

2009 is upon us, and what better way to celebrate the upcoming year than to witness the enslavement of humankind. Enjoy!

The situational awareness mast (or Zippermast) from Geosystems Inc. is a telescoping linear actuator that can vertically translate a robot's sensor suite for better visibility. In this video, a Zippermast is affixed to an I-Robot Packbot.

Using a Persistence of Vision (POV) as a human-robot interface, this bot brings a sense of perspective hitherto unknown to our species.

Troody is a 16 DOF autonomously powered and controlled biped robot built to resemble a Troodon, a small carnivorous dinosaur that lived in the Cretaceous period. There is no practical need for a Troodon.

This robot sports two DLR-III lightweight arms and two DLR-II hands. This makes it a powerful research platform for bi-manual manipulation - something I think everyone can get behind.

PR 1 Robot Feeding Person. Well, the Matrix has to start somewhere. It's just a matter of time.

The YeetleMaster

Yeetle Box - Virginity Takes a Dive

A new study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Pubic Health found that teens who take virginity pledges are just as likely to have sex as teens who don't make such promises -- and they're less likely to practice safe sex to prevent disease or pregnancy. The findings were authored by Janet E. Rosembaum and were published in the January issue of the journal Pediatrics.

"Previous studies found that pledgers were more likely to delay having sex than non-pledgers," said Dr. Rosenbaum. "I used the same data as previous studies but a different statistical method - the less reliable Euclidean method which forms data into geometric shapes."

This method allowed Rosenbaum to compare those who had taken a virginity pledge with similar teens who hadn't taken a pledge but were likely to delay having sex, she said. She added that she didn't include teens who were unlikely to take a pledge because they were less likely to be virgins anyway.

"Virginity pledgers and similar non-pledgers don't differ in the rates of vaginal, oral or anal sex or any other sexual behavior," Rosenbaum said. "Strikingly, pledgers are less likely than similar non-pledgers to use condoms and also less likely to use any form of birth control. Oddly enough, it was the pledgers who went for the really kinky sex - bestiality especially."

Teens who had taken a pledge had a statistically insignificant 0.1 fewer sex partners during the past year, but the same number of partners overall as those who had not pledged. "A 0.1 sex partner is really just masturbation," she noted.

The study also found that, five years after taking a virginity pledge, more than 80 percent of pledgers denied ever making such a promise. Said one pledger, "My Dad made me pledge. That doesn't count."

Dr. Rosenbaum said teens who are religious tend to delay having sex, but that has nothing to do with virginity pledges or abstinence-only sex education programs. "Religious teens fear more demonic possession and virginal sacrifices than sex," said Dr. Rosenbaum.

In a related study, funded by the government, it was found that the primary cause for teenage pregnancy was sex.

YeetleMaster

Yeetle Box - It's A Wonderful Life

After receiving billions in aid from U.S. taxpayers, the nation's largest banks say they can't track exactly how they're spending the money or they simply refuse to discuss it.

"We've lent some of it. We've not lent some of it. We've not given any accounting of, 'Here's how we're doing it,'" said Thomas Kelly, a spokesman for JPMorgan Chase, which received $25 billion in emergency bailout money. "We have not disclosed that to the public. We're declining to."

The Associated Press contacted 21 banks that received at least $1 billion in government money and asked four questions:

How much has been spent?
What was it spent on?
How much is being held in savings?
What's the plan for the rest?

None of the banks provided specific answers.

"We're not providing dollar-in, dollar-out tracking," said Barry Koling, a spokesman for Atlanta, Ga.-based SunTrust Banks Inc., which got $3.5 billion in taxpayer dollars. "Why would we do that?"

Some banks said they simply didn't know where the money was going.

"We manage our capital in its aggregate," said Regions Financial Corp. spokesman Tim Deighton, who said the Birmingham, Ala.-based company is not tracking how it is spending the $3.5 billion it received as part of the financial bailout. "By aggregate we mean we manage our capital as we see fit. Duh!"

There are no consequences for banks who don't comply.

"It is entirely appropriate for the American people to know how their taxpayer dollars are being spent in private industry," said Elizabeth Warren, the top congressional watchdog overseeing the financial bailout. "Unless, of course, it involves this bailout money. Most Americans can't balance a checkbook anyway!"

Nearly every bank, including Citibank and Bank of America, two of the largest recipients of bailout money have issued generic public relations statements explaining that the money was being used to strengthen balance sheets and continue making loans to ease the credit crisis.

"As one of the largest financial institutions in the world, Citibank believes our customers rely on our privacy practices."

Other banks, such as Morgan Stanley spokeswoman Carissa Ramirez, offered to discuss the matter with reporters on condition of anonymity. Ramirez sent an e-mail saying: "Yea, we're gonna have to decline to comment on your story. If you could just let it go, that would be great."

Further, most banks wouldn't say why they were keeping the details secret.

"We're not sharing any other details. We're just not at this time," said Wendy Walker, a spokeswoman for Dallas-based Comerica Inc., which received $2.25 billion from the government. "If you have a secret, you don't share anything. That's the nature of a secret."

Heine, the New York Mellon Corp. spokesman who said he wouldn't share spending specifics, added: "I just would prefer if you wouldn't say that we're not going to discuss those details. I just would prefer that we not talk about it at all. I would prefer not to."

Warren, the congressional watchdog appointed by Democrats, said her oversight panel will try to force the banks to say where they've spent the money. "We're not hopeful they will release any information. We're just the government. We're the little guy in this thing."

The YeetleMaster

Yeetle Box - W Gets a Twofer

In Iraq, the two strongest insults are to throw your shoes at someone and to call them a dog. George W. Bush, in a recent visit to Baghdad, got a twofer. An Iraqi reporter called U.S. President George W. Bush a "dog" and threw his shoes at him, sullying a farewell visit to Baghdad meant to mark greater security in Iraq after years of bloodshed.

I suppose it is possible to argue that the level of violence has declined in Iraq.

Bush sought to underline improved security by landing in daylight and venturing out beyond the city's heavily fortified international Green Zone where he declared the war was not over.

Then, during a news conference with Prime Minister Maliki, an Iraqi journalist shouted in Arabic "this is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog," and hurled his shoes at Bush. One of the shoes sailed over the president's head and slammed into the wall behind him. He had to duck to miss the other one, demonstrating remarkable agility for a man his age - as if he had done this before.



Bush remarked, "I don't know what the guy's cause was. I didn't feel the least bit threatened by it."

Maliki, who had a strained look on his face after the shoe-throwing, praised Bush: "You have stood by Iraq in your size ten loafers for a very long time, starting with bombing the hell out of us, the rebuilding the destruction you caused while neglecting your own country and causing it to plummet into a deep recession. For this, Iraq, Iran, Syria, and the entire region will be forever grateful."

Though Iraq has slipped down the list of Americans' concerns as the recession-hit U.S. economy has taken center stage, polls show most people think the war was a mistake - and have thrown down their shoes in repeatedly - metaphorically speaking.

Of note, Bush, dressed casually and wearing a black baseball cap and Groucho Marx mustache after his night-time getaway from the White House, made a rare appearance in the press cabin just before takeoff.

"Nobody knew who I was," he joked when an aide complimented him on his disguise.

Correction, George: Nobody wanted to know.

The YeetleMaster

Yeetle Box - What Am I? An Idiot?

UNITED NATION (UN)
DEBT RECONCILIATION DEPARTMENT.
GENEVA-SWITZERLAND.
Our Ref: UN-0XX2/987/2007

Dear Sir/Madam,

U.S.A GOVERNMENT, WORLD BANK, UNITED NATION ORGANIZATION OFFICIAL APPROVAL PAYMENT VALUED $8.3M The British Prime Minister in conjunction with U.S.A GOVERNMENT, WORLD BANK, UNITED NATION ORGANIZATION do hereby give this irrevocable approval order with Release Code: GNC/3480/02/00 in your favour for your Inheritance/contract entitlement/award winning payment with the UNITED NATION to your nominated bank account.

Now you?re new Payment, United nation Approval No; UN5685P, White House Approved No: WH44CV, Reference No.-35460021, Allocation No: 674632 Password No: 339331, Pin Code No: 55674 and your Certificate of Merit Payment No: 103, Released Code No: 0 Be informed that we have verified your payment agreement file as directed to us; your name appeared in the next on the list of our outstanding beneficiary to received payment at the second quarter of the year. SO contact: MR. PETER JEFFERSON on his contact Direct email: infopeterjeffersson@i12.com for immediate release of your contract/inheritance/Award Winning claim

Be informed that you are not allowed to correspond with any person or office anymore, You are required to send bellow Information for your transfer:

1) YOUR FULL NAME:
2) ADDRESS, CITY, STATE AND COUNTRY.
3) PHONE, FAX AND MOBILE
4) COMPANY NAME (IF ANY) POSITION AND ADDRESS
5) BANK DETAILS
6) PROFESSION, AGE AND MARITAL STATUS
7) COPY OF YOUR INT'L PASSPORT/DRIVERS LICENSE. NOTE: YOUR PERSONAL
CONTACT/COMMUNICATION CODE WITH CITI BANK IS (511),

YOU ARE ADVICE TO SEND YOUR FULL BANKING INFORMATION TO THE CITI BANK OF LONDON THROUGH THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL REMMITTANCE DIRECTOR HEADED BY MR. PETER JEFFERSON AND MAKE SURE YOU SPEAK WITH HIM, WITH YOUR NEW PAYMENT CODE FOR RELEASE OF YOUR PAYMENT AND SEND HIM ALL YOUR BANKING INFORMATION NOW. Regard. Senate CONTACT CODE (511) OFFICER: MR. PETER JEFFERSON.

Best regards

SIR GEORGE GRAHAM.
DEBT RECONCILIATION DEPARTMENT.
UNITED NATION AND USA GOVERNMENT.

==============================================================

Dear Sir George Graham,

You must think I am an idiot! I have already received notice of receipt for more the $10 million from a benefactor in Nigeria! I know this is a scam because of its similarity to the legitimate correspondence I have already received.

And if you guys knew what you were doing and were legit, you'd know that I sent all my banking and personal information to them. I am not a fool!

With great disgust,

The YeetleMaster

The YeetleMaster

Yeetle Box - I AM RICH, SUCKERS!

ANTI-TERRORIST AND MONITARY CRIMES DIVISION
FBI HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
J. EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING
935 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535-0001
Website: www.fbi.gov

ATTENTION FUND BENEFICIARY,


THIS IS AN OFFICIAL ADVICE FROM THE FBI FOREIGN
REMITTANCE/TELEGRAPHIC DEPT., IT HAS COME TO OUR NOTICE THAT THE C.B.N BANK NIGERIA DISTRICT HAS RELEASED 10,500,000.00 U.S DOLLARS INTO BANK OF AMERICA IN YOUR NAME AS THE BENEFICIARY, BY INHERITANCE MEANS.

THE C.B.N BANK NIGERIA KNOWING FULLY WELL THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FACILITIES TO EFFECT THIS PAYMENT FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM TO YOUR ACCOUNT, USED WHAT WE KNOW AS A SECRET DIPLOMATIC TRANSIT PAYMENT S.T.D.P TO PAY THIS FUND THROUGH WIRE TRANSFER, THEY USED THIS MEANS TO COMPLETE THE PAYMENT.THEY ARE STILL, WAITING FOR CONFIRMATION FROM YOU ON THE ALREADY TRANSFERRED FUNDS, WHICH WAS MADE IN DIRECT TRANSFER SO THAT THEY CAN DO FINAL CREDITING TO YOUR ACCOUNT. SECRET DIPLOMATIC PAYMENTS ARE NOT MADE UNLESS THE FUNDS ARE RELATED TO TERRORIST ACTIVITIES WHY MUST YOUR PAYMENT BE MADE IN SECRET TRANSFER, IF YOUR TRANSACTION IS LEGITIMATE, IF YOU ARE NOT A TERRORIST, THEN WHY DID YOU NOT RECEIVE THE MONEY DIRECTLY INTO YOUR ACCOUNT, THIS IS A PURE CODED, MEANS OF PAYMENT?


RECORDS WHICH WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS METHOD OF PAYMENT IN THE PAST HAS ALWAYS BEEN RELATED TO TERRORIST ACTS, WE DO NOT WANT YOU TO GET INTO TROUBLE AS SOON AS THESE FUNDS REFLECT IN YOUR ACCOUNT IN THE U.S.A, SO IT IS OUR DUTY AS A WORD WIDE COMMISSION TO CORRECT THIS LITTLE PROBLEM BEFORE THIS FUND WILL BE CREDITED INTO YOUR PERSONAL ACCOUNT.

DUE TO THE INCREASED DIFFICULTY AND UNNECESSARY SCRUTINY BY THE AMERICAN AUTHORITIES WHEN FUNDS COME FROM OUTSIDE OF EUROPE, AND THE MIDDLE EAST, THE F.B.I BANK COMMISSION FOR EUROPE HAS STOPPED THE TRANSFER ON ITS WAY TO DELIVER PAYMENT OF $10,500,000.00 TO DEBIT YOUR RESERVE ACCOUNT AND PAY YOU THROUGH A SECURED DIPLOMATIC TRANSIT ACCOUNT (S.D.T.A). WE GOVERN AND OVERSEES FUNDS TRANSFER FOR THE WORLD BANK AND THE REST OF THE WORLD.


WE ADVICE YOU CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY, AS THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN STOPPED AND ARE BEING HELD IN OUR CUSTODY, UNTIL YOU CAN BE ABLE TO PROVIDE US WITH A DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY SEAL OF TRANSFER (DIST) WITHING 3 DAYS FROM THE WORLD LOCAL BANK THAT AUTHORIZE THE TRANSFER FROM WHERE THE FUNDS WAS TRANSFERRED FROM TO CERTIFY THAT THE FUNDS THAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO RECEIVE FROM NIGERIA ARE ANTITERRORIST/DRUG FREE OR WE SHALL HAVE CAUSE TO CROSS AND IMPOUND THE PAYMENT, WE SHALL RELEASE THE FUNDS IMMEEDIATELY WE RECEIVE THIS LEGAL DOCUMENTS .

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have decided to contact you directly to acquire the proper verifications and proof from you to show that you are the rightful person to receive this fund, because of the amount involve, we want to make sure is a clean and legal money you are about to receive. Be informed that the fund are now in United State in your name, but right now we have ask the bank not to release the fund to anybody that comes to them, unless we ask them to do so, because we have to carry out our investigations first before releasing the fund to you.

Note that the fund is in the BANK OF AMERICA right now, but we have ask them not to credit the fund to you yet, because we need a solid proof and verifications from you before releasing the funds.So to this regards you are to re-assure and proof to us that what you are about to receive is a clean money by sending to us FBI Identification Record and also Diplomatic Immunity Seal Of Transfer (DIST) to satisfy to us that the money your about to receive is legitimate and real money. You are to forward the documents to us immediately if you have it in your possession, if you dont have it let us know so that we will direct and inform you where to obtain the document and send to us so that we will ask the bank holding the funds the Bank Of America to go ahead Crediting your account immediately.

This Documents are to be issued to you from the World Local Bank that Authorized the transfer, so get back to us immediately if you dont have the document so that we will inform you the particular place to obtain the document in United Kingdom U.K, because we have come to realize that the fund was Authorized by H.S.B.C Bank in London. An FBI Identification Record and Diplomatic Immunity Seal Of Transfer (DIST) often referred to as a Criminal History Record or Rap Sheet, is a listing of certain information taken from fingerprint submissions retained by the FBI in connection with arrests and, in some instances, federal employment, naturalization, or military service.


THIS CONDITION IS VALID UNTIL 17TH OF DECEMBER 2008 AFTER WE SHALL TAKE ACTIONS ON CANCELLING THE PAYMENT AND THEN CHARGES YOU FOR ILLEGALLY MOVING FUNDS OUT OF NIGERIA.

GURANTEE: FUNDS WILL BE RELEASED ON CONFIRMATION OF THE DOCUMENT.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FINAL INSTRUCTION:
60F CREDIT PAYMENT INSTRUCTION: IRREVOCABLE CREDIT GUARANTEE
61E BENEFICIARY HAS FULL POWER WHEN VALIDATION IS CLEARED
62 BENNEFICIARIES BANK INU.S.A., CAN ONLY RELEASE FUNDS-
62 UPON CONFIRMATION FROM THE WORLD BANK/UNITED NATIONS.
64 BEARERS MUST CLEAR BANK PROTOCOL AND VALIDATION REQUEST
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: We have asked for the above documents to make available the most complete and up-to date records possible for the enhancement of public safety,welfare and security of Society while recognizing the importance of individual privacy rights.. If you fail to provide the Documents to us, we will charge you with the FBI and take our proper action against you for not proofing to us the legitimate of the fund you are about to receive.

The United States Department of Justice Order 556-73 establishes rules and regulations for the subject of an FBI Identification Record to obtain a copy of his or her own Record for review. The FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division processes these requests to check illegal activities in U.S.A.

An individual may request a copy of his or her own FBI Identification Record for personal review or to challenge information on the Record. Other reasons an individual may request a copy of his or her own Identification Record may include international adoption or to satisfy a requirement to live or work in a foreign country or receive funds from another country (i.e., Diplomatic Immunity Seal Of Transfer, letter of good conduct, criminal history, background, etc.)

FBI Director
Robert S. Mueller, III

=======================================================

Dear Mr. Mueller III,

I am receipt of your correspondence regarding the CBN Bank Nigeria District releasing $10,500,000.00 U.S dollars into Bank of America in my name as the beneficiary, by inheritance means.

Please be aware that as I am a complete idiot, I recognize this correspondence legitimate and will send to you any required information to get my grubby hands on the $10,500,000.00 sent to me by Nigeria. Further, as I know no one is Nigeria, I must tell you I am surprised and grateful to find I have such a generous benefactor in that country. I am proud to say that Nigeria is one of my favorite countries.

Given my stupidity, I have forwarded to you the following information:

Legal name
Address
Phone number
Past addresses and phone numbers
Names, addresses, and phone numbers of all known relatives
Email addresses
Social Security Number
Drivers License Number
Bank account number, including PIN
Tax forms for the past 10 years
Passport
Resume'
Most recent laundry list
Secret Santa recipient
Random names, address, and phone numbers taken from the U.S. white pages
User names and passwords for all web sites I frequent

I hope this information not only expedites my inheritance from unknown benefactors in Nigeria, but assists you in your anti-terrorist activities.

Should you require further assistance in continuing to make me the fool I am, please do not hesitate to call me directly at my home phone, at which time I would be happy to be dumb enough to respond to your request.

God Bless America

The YeetleMaster

Yeetle Box - Blagojevich Offices Out of Springfield

In case you missed it, Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested by FBI agents for what U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald called a "staggering" level of corruption involving pay-to-play politics in Illinois' top office.

Blagojevich is accused of a wide-ranging criminal conspiracy, including alleged attempts by the governor to try to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama in exchange for financial benefits for the governor and his wife.

As a long-time resident of Illinois, I am neither shocked nor appalled. Government corruption is not news. Not in Illinois. Nor any other state for that matter.

What shocks me is that the people of this country have not risen as one to demand greater government accountability - aka Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, Sarah Palin, Oliver North, Ronald Reagan, Spiro Agnew, Richard Nixon, and [fill in the blank].

And the pundits! How about Rush Limbaugh? Recently he stated on his radio program that he would not participate in the recession. (I am going to suffer an aneurysm if I don't get that statement out of my head.)

The real question is where are the American people? Well, a recent straw poll conducted by me found that while local, state, and federal government corruption has been puttering around recklessly in full view of our sanity, the American people have been busy shopping, cleaning guns, drinking, and bashing the gay community. In between, we have been paying close attention to Britney Spears and American Idol. Or Dancing with the Stars. All the while, government and corporate corruption have ruined millions of lives and will continue to do so while we're shopping for the bargains of failed retailers and foreclosed properties.

We are watching the next great depression on television. Feels like a reality TV show.

So, what did we expect?

By the way, all this talk about Chicago politics makes me want to scream, "THE GOVERNOR RESIDES IN THE STATE CAPITAL, NOT IN CHICAGO!"

This country has a long history of political corruption directly tied to voter ignorance.

Shocked?

Really?

The YeetleMaster

The Yeetle Box - Butt Bandit Apprehended

The "Butt Bandit" - aka Thomas Larvie - known for making greasy imprints of his nether parts on windows in the north-central Nebraska city of Valentine has been sentenced to more than a year in jail.

Cherry County Attorney Eric Scott says police cracked the nearly year-long case when they caught 35-year-old Thomas Larvie in the act on Nov. 19.

Scott says Larvie was sentenced Thursday to 13 1/2 months in jail after being convicted of eight misdemeanor counts of public indecency and one of disturbing the peace. Attorneys for the Butt Bandit will appeal the decision citing the town's violation of the Butt Bandit's freedom of speech.

Said one attorney, "You can burn a flag; I think you can leave a butt print here or there."

Said another attorney, "This could be a groundbreaking case. This is absolutely no precedent for this sentence. What crime was committed?"

Authorities said Larvie used lotion or petroleum jelly to make imprints of his naked behind — and sometimes his groin — on the windows of stores, churches and schools in Valentine beginning in the spring of 2007. Why he performed such assinine acts remains a mystery. However, the Butt Bandit has signed a $1 million book deal, tentatively titled "Cracked," in which he will document his transformation from ordinary citizen to the Butt Bandit.

Townspeople dubbed the vandal the "Butt Bandit" even though no theft was involved. The Butt Bandit's attorney, Harry Balls, has indicated he will file defamation charges against the town. "He stole nothing," said Mr. Balls.

The YeetleMaster

Yeetle Box - Those Crazy Dems

Democrats are growing impatient with President-elect Barack Obama's refusal to inject himself in the major economic crises confronting the country. Obama has sidestepped some policy questions by saying there is only one president at a time - a stance that defies logic and the U.S. Constitution.

"He's going to have to be more assertive than he's been," House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass., told consumer advocates Thursday. "He is, after all, the president-elect."

Frank, who has been dealing with both the bailout of the financial industry and a proposed rescue of Detroit automakers, said Obama needs to play a more significant role on economic issues.

"At a time of great crisis with mortgage foreclosures and autos, he says we only have one president at a time," Frank said. "I'm afraid that overstates the number of presidents we have. He's got to remedy that situation. He's got to understand that President Bush has no obligation whatsoever as our current President. The president-elect is responsible for these matters."

In his defense, Obama has maintained one of the most public images of any president-elect, holding half a dozen press conferences, where he has entertained question after question about the economy, the mortgage crisis, and the flailing auto industry. He called for passage of extended unemployment benefits — which has passed — and even a stimulus package if possible before Jan. 20. But he has stayed away from trying to dictate remedies for the toughest problems Congress is confronting: the auto industry's troubles and how to spend the $700 billion bailout. This is inexcusable for someone who has not taken office.

Earlier this week, Obama was asked whether he worried that Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson might begin spending the next installment of the money before he assumes the presidency. Obama demurred. Bald face. Demurred like he was the president himself.

"Until Secretary Paulson indicates publicly that he's drawing down the second tranche, the second half of the TARP money, it would be speculation on my part to suggest that that money's going to be used up," he told reporters at a Chicago news conference Wednesday.

Speculation indeed. Oh, Obama did stress that a significant component of the fund should be used to reduce the number of foreclosures, but did he specify a particular remedy? No!

More frightening, he also declined to take a stand in a debate over the source of money for an auto loan package.

"I think it's premature to get into that issue," Obama dodged at the conference.

Rumor is Presidents-elect typically spend the transition period assembling their cabinets, their White House staff and preparing to take the reins of power. But this transition is occurring at an extraordinary time, with bad economic news mounting by the day and with one of the country's major industries begging for a hand to keep from collapsing. The President himself cannot be expected to manage these matters while a lame duck. It's unheard of in Washington politics.

Two Democratic senators involved in trying to salvage the auto companies have said Obama could help move the process along and should become more engaged.

"The Obama team has to step up," Sen. Christopher Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee and one of the lead negotiators, said Nov. 21 in Hartford, Conn. "In the minds of the people, this is the Obama administration. I don't think we can wait until January 20. He should be ashamed of himself."

Two days later, Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, a point man in helping his state's main industry, called on Obama to help resolve the dispute over money for the auto loan package.

"It would be very helpful if the president-elect would become more involved in resolving the issue over the source of the funds," he said. "I want him to offer his assistance. He is a person who can really bring people together, and we don't have time for an inauguration. ."

Frank, shrewd and quick-witted, also poked fun at Obama's calls for a "post-partisan" governing environment in Washington. Frank predicted that regulatory legislation aimed at preventing abuses related to subprime mortgages and credit cards stood a much better chance next year, when Democrats have greater majorities in the House and Senate.

"It is a grave mistake to assume that parties are irrelevant to this process," he said. "My one difference with the president-elect, about whom I am very enthusiastic, is when he talks about being post-partisan.

"Having lived with this very right wing Republican group that runs the House most of the time, the notion of trying to deal with them as if we could be post-partisan gives me post-partisan depression," Frank said.

President George W. Bush was quoted as just laughing.

The YeetleMaster

Yeetle Box - Father of the Year

Sam Burt, crazy Australian, made headlines last week when Australian media reported that he and his son Jack, 5 years old, woke up at dawn each day to walk from their home in a remote town in the Northern Territory to school.

The punishment was meted out because Jack had been kicked off the school bus for hitting the driver in the head with an apple core. In Australia, such offenses are dealt with severely as there is a shortage of apples. Now Sam Burt, to discipline his son's act, walks with him about 8 miles every day.

Fellow Northern Territory resident Renee Elliott was so impressed with Burt's approach she set up "The Sam Burt Tough Love Appreciation and Support Group" on Facebook, the world's largest online social network (below).

"All those in favor of Sam Burt's TOUGH LOVE say IIIIIIII," Elliott wrote on the site.

Apparently, the Australian vocalization of approval is the sound of eight consecutive I's.

The site has attracted more than 151 members from around the world since it was set up earlier this week.

"Bravo Sir, Big fan of your work," wrote Corey Wilson from Australia. "I now job with my son to school 37 kilometers. It has changed his entire attitude."

"Good on ya Sam, he will thank you for this one day," wrote Michelle Spooner-Astill from the United Arab Emirates. "This is the kind of torture even we can get behind."

"Finally, a parent takes time to teach their kid about consequence -- WELL DONE!!," wrote Jariah Kaissis. "When my four year old threw a temper tantrum at the zoo, I shot him in the foot. He hasn't had a temper tantrum since."

Burt has become a local hero in his hometown. One Australian newspaper said there have even been calls for him to be named "Father of the Year" in the annual national award.

Since Burt's disciplinary measure took hold, Sam, Burt's son, the apple-throwing hellion, has shown a decline in his grades, lethargy, and lack of interest or curiosity in the world around him.

The YeetleMaster

Yeetle Box - Dear YeetleMaster...

Dear YeetleMaster,

Genetic predisposition and a traumatic childhood have led me to develop debilitating mental disorders that I have spent years working to manage. I'm now at a functional place.

My parents are divorced, and my mother's family has always been very supportive.

My father's family, by contrast, sees mental illness as a stigma and has always disagreed with my approach to treatment.

Recently, they invited me to my grandmother's birthday party. When I arrived, everyone was sitting solemnly around the living room, and the local pastor was there. He calmly explained to me that I was not actually mentally ill but possessed by agents of Satan and in need of an exorcism.

I choked back tears as I explained to them that I did not need any demons driven out, and the evening ended awkwardly.

Now they've invited me for Thanksgiving, and I don't know what to do. I don't want to alienate them, but my symptoms are part of a real disorder and can be treated by medication.

How do I explain to them that while I do want to spend time with them, it's not the Middle Ages, and I don't want or need an exorcism?

—It's the Schizophrenia, Stupid

============================================================

Dear It's the Schizophrenia, Stupid,

Unfortunately, so-called mental illness is, in fact, demonic possession. You have been influenced by the Mental Health Industrial Complexs, and that is Satan's way of creating a portal to your soul. You must stop all medications and other treatments for this disorder in favor of the only way to treat "schizophrenia" - exorcism.

Prior to Thanksgiving, meet with your pastor and request an emergency exorcism. Satan is running rampant within your body in search of your soul. Time is of the essence.

If your pastor cannot perform the exorcism in time, or the exorcism is unsuccessful, spend the holiday somewhere else, preferably in a dark and dank place where there is no sunlight.

If you're too uncomfortable searching for such a place to go, contact your local police force and alert them to your condition. The police have methods and techniques that can, at the very least, keep you from harming others. However, please note that the police cannot rid you of demonic possession. Have the decency to keep others safe from your unholy condition!

What your father's family did for you was commendable. You're very generous not to want to alienate people when you are possessed by Satan. Lucky for you and them, you did not threaten them with a pitchfork.

Your unwillingness to accept that mental illness is code for demonic possession seems an act of willful bigotry not amenable to reason. Either get the exorcism or prepare for an eternity in Hell!

Best regards,

The YeetleMaster

The YeetleMaster