the "Headline That Caught My Attention or the WTF" thread

Looked like there was enough room for a sand pit........sad.

SHEESH!! I thought this was done centuries ago, but noooo, it was only a "National Symbol". Personally, I'm with Ben Franklin as I've seen many instances of eagles swiping food from hard-working ospreys...

Hmmmm, that is indicative of a government that likes to swipe tax monies...

[HEADING=2][SIZE=7]Bald eagle officially declared US national bird after 250 years[/SIZE][/HEADING]

The bald eagle is now officially the national bird of the US, after President Joe Biden signed a law on Christmas Eve bestowing the honour upon the white-headed and yellow-beaked bird of prey.

The bird has been a national emblem in the US for years, appearing on the Great Seal of the US - used on US documents - since 1782.

But it had not been officially designated to be the national bird until Congress passed the bill last week, sending it to Biden's desk to be signed.

"For nearly 250 years, we called the bald eagle the national bird when it wasn't," said Jack Davis, co-chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center, in a statement. "But now the title is official, and no bird is more deserving."

Not everyone has always agreed about the national status of the bald eagle.

Founding Father Benjamin Franklin objected to the creature being chosen to represent the country, calling it a ["bird of bad moral character".]('https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/eagle.pdf')

But not all of Congress shared Franklin's sentiments.

Bald eagles, like other eagles worldwide, had been seen by many as symbols of strength, courage, freedom and immortality for generations, according to the US Department of Veteran Affairs. And, unlike other eagles, the bald eagle was indigenous only to North America.

The legislation designating the bald eagle as the national bird was spearheaded by Minnesota lawmakers. The state is home to what Senator Amy Klobuchar described as one of the nation's largest bald eagle populations.

The bald eagle is also protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940, which makes it illegal to sell or hunt the creature.

The birds were once on the brink of extinction, but the population has greatly increased since 2009.

SHEESH!! I thought this was done centuries ago, but noooo, it was only a "National Symbol". Personally, I'm with Ben Franklin as I've seen many instances of eagles swiping food from hard-working ospreys...

Hmmmm, that is indicative of a government that likes to swipe tax monies...

[HEADING=2][SIZE=7]Bald eagle officially declared US national bird after 250 years[/SIZE][/HEADING]

The bald eagle is now officially the national bird of the US, after President Joe Biden signed a law on Christmas Eve bestowing the honour upon the white-headed and yellow-beaked bird of prey.

The bird has been a national emblem in the US for years, appearing on the Great Seal of the US - used on US documents - since 1782.

But it had not been officially designated to be the national bird until Congress passed the bill last week, sending it to Biden's desk to be signed.

"For nearly 250 years, we called the bald eagle the national bird when it wasn't," said Jack Davis, co-chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center, in a statement. "But now the title is official, and no bird is more deserving."

Not everyone has always agreed about the national status of the bald eagle.

Founding Father Benjamin Franklin objected to the creature being chosen to represent the country, calling it a ["bird of bad moral character".]('https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/eagle.pdf')

But not all of Congress shared Franklin's sentiments.

Bald eagles, like other eagles worldwide, had been seen by many as symbols of strength, courage, freedom and immortality for generations, according to the US Department of Veteran Affairs. And, unlike other eagles, the bald eagle was indigenous only to North America.

The legislation designating the bald eagle as the national bird was spearheaded by Minnesota lawmakers. The state is home to what Senator Amy Klobuchar described as one of the nation's largest bald eagle populations.

The bald eagle is also protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940, which makes it illegal to sell or hunt the creature.

The birds were once on the brink of extinction, but the population has greatly increased since 2009.

You didn’t write this. You usually quote.

You didn’t write this. You usually quote.

It's all over the place, but here's where I cut and pasted it.

[BBC - Eagle NOW US National Bird]('https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c23vzkdek4po')

I liked the irony of that source...

It's all over the place, but here's where I cut and pasted it.

[BBC - Eagle NOW US National Bird]('https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c23vzkdek4po')

I liked the irony of that source...

No big deal. I just have this thing with noticing European spelling in a lot of supposed local articles. Especially scammers like Chinese can’t help but leave words out. When you read it, it even sounds like a Chinese accent. I believe the Turkey was the first to be considered (smart, stealthy). Not like a carrion eating type vulture type.

No big deal. I just have this thing with noticing European spelling in a lot of supposed local articles. Especially scammers like Chinese can’t help but leave words out. When you read it, it even sounds like a Chinese accent. I believe the Turkey was the first to be considered (smart, stealthy). Not like a carrion eating type vulture type.

Yes, Ben pushed forward the Turkey...

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.newsmax.com/us/new-orleans-truck-suspect/2025/01/01/id/1193536/[/URL]

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.newsmax.com/us/new-orleans-truck-suspect/2025/01/01/id/1193536/[/URL]

Yep

[HEADING=2][COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)][Letter Carrier Is Fatally Stabbed at a Bodega in Harlem]('https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/02/nyregion/postal-worker-stabbed-harlem-bodega.html?unlocked_article_code=1.mU4.UAhY.C7V4sU0Ic0OS&smid=url-share')[/COLOR][/HEADING]

The stabbing arose from a dispute over who was first in line, an official said......
Report says it was a woman that stabbed him - hmmm....

[HEADING=2][COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)][Letter Carrier Is Fatally Stabbed at a Bodega in Harlem]('https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/02/nyregion/postal-worker-stabbed-harlem-bodega.html?unlocked_article_code=1.mU4.UAhY.C7V4sU0Ic0OS&smid=url-share')[/COLOR][/HEADING]

The stabbing arose from a dispute over who was first in line, an official said......
Report says it was a woman that stabbed him - hmmm....

I called it!

[URL unfurl="true"]https://nypost.com/2025/01/04/us-news/creepy-video-shows-full-face-of-transgender-woman-accused-of-killing-nyc-postal-worker/[/URL]

Here's the proverbial loud fart in church. I'm sure [USER=129]@CELLFISH[/USER] will comment during his February post. Guessing that sales of single sheet tin foil dispensers, along with those license plate filters that make block plate photography will be booming...

[HEADING=2][SIZE=7]Congestion Pricing Has Begun in New York City. Here’s How It Works.[/SIZE][/HEADING]
The tolling program, the first of its kind in the nation, will charge most drivers who enter Manhattan south of 60th Street during peak hours a $9 fee.

I called it!

[URL unfurl="true"]https://nypost.com/2025/01/04/us-news/creepy-video-shows-full-face-of-transgender-woman-accused-of-killing-nyc-postal-worker/[/URL]

Still can’t find this highly controversial topic thread someone mentioned we have here.

Here's the proverbial loud fart in church. I'm sure [USER=129]@CELLFISH[/USER] will comment during his February post. Guessing that sales of single sheet tin foil dispensers, along with those license plate filters that make block plate photography will be booming...

[HEADING=2][SIZE=7]Congestion Pricing Has Begun in New York City. Here’s How It Works.[/SIZE][/HEADING]
The tolling program, the first of its kind in the nation, will charge most drivers who enter Manhattan south of 60th Street during peak hours a $9 fee.

It was a way to add a toll to the other three bridges. Mid town tunnel will be wide open being the toll just increased almost $10 bucks. BQE will be even more f’d as they go to Williamsburg Bridge. (Most divers?) that means DEI is involved.

59th st bridge will be an absolute nightmare!

I feel for the emergency workers. Read that alot have put in for transfer to the outer boroughs

59th st bridge

Ah that brings back fond memories from the Roccus Files. In 1970 when Dangerfields was open on 1st Avenue, I had to do some clean up work during the expansion of the 60 St Heliport in the shadows of the 59 St Bridge.

While working there I had to put 2 large boat cleats that torn up from the river front into a dumpster. These are the big azz cleats that were used to tie up barges and tugs along the East River. I asked my Super if I could have these cleats since they were destined for the scrap heap and he said, "Sure, take them!", so I wrestled them into the back of my Bronco pick up.

They spent the next 25 or so years flanking the driveway entrance in Sound Beach, but when we sold the house, I put them in storage for the planned ME home, where they have been flanking the start of the path down to the boat dock.

Now when I look at them I wonder HTF I was able to lift them up into the truck bed, I can barely nudge them now. Ah, the lost power of youth...

Those are some big arse cleats!

From today's YA THINK??? Department...

[HEADING=2][SIZE=7]Scammers Could Cheat New York’s New Congestion Pricing Tolls[/SIZE][/HEADING]
Drivers who obscure their plates or otherwise circumvent paying tolls already cost the city’s mass transit system millions of dollars.

Each year, scofflaw drivers in New York City [cheat their way out of paying tolls]('https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/17/nyregion/license-plate-vigilantes.html'), costing the region’s mass transit system millions in lost revenue. And already, some drivers are thinking about ways to avoid the new congestion pricing tolls that will apply to those who enter the busiest part of Manhattan.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which oversees the city’s subways and buses as well as two commuter rail lines, depends on tolls to fund its operating budget. They are paid at nine bridges and tunnels — some of which connect to the new tolling zone — and [add up to about $2.4 billion each year]('https://new.mta.info/document/111531'), or about 13 percent of the M.T.A.’s budget. In 2022, the M.T.A. estimated that it had lost $46 million in revenue to scofflaws at its bridges and tunnels, about 2 percent of its toll earnings.

The M.T.A. began collecting new congestion tolls for drivers who enter Manhattan at or below 60th Street. The tolls are expected to generate $500 million annually for three years, before the authority raises rates and revenue projections. But the authority could miss out on some of that money because of drivers who forge, alter or obscure their license plates to avoid toll readers and traffic cameras, turning their vehicles into so-called ghost cars.

Some drivers use camera-proof screens and sprays, as well as stickers, tape and other objects. They also scrape letters off their plates or use temporary paper tags.

On social media, drivers have shared other ideas to avoid the new congestion pricing tolls illegally. One TikTok user posted a video that suggested avoiding cameras by cutting through a certain parking garage with an entrance on 60th Street and an exit on 61st Street. [In a Reddit thread]('https://www.reddit.com/r/UnethicalLifeProTips/comments/1912wxm/ulpt_request_how_to_bypass_nyc_congestion_tax/?rdt=49463'), users suggested covering license plates with bird feces and purchasing devices that conceal or block license plates at the press of a button.

Public officials have stepped up their fight to remove ghost cars from the city, seizing more than 20,000 ghost cars over the past three years.

In December, the [Police Department and Sanitation Department announced]('https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/914-24/mayor-adams-governor-hochul-removal-73-000-ghost-cars-illegal-motorized#/0') that they had seized and impounded more than 7,500 such vehicles off the road in 2024. Michael Kemper, the M.T.A.’s chief security officer, said officials had arrested 700 people during crackdowns on toll evasions this year.
Besides toll evasion, police officials say ghost cars and other illegal vehicles are used to help carry out violent crimes, including shootings and robberies.

[HEADING=2]Motorcycle-sized tuna fetches more than $1 million at Japan auction[/HEADING]
[[IMG alt="Chris Lau"]'https://www.cnn.com/profiles/chris-lau')
By Jay Ganglani, Lisako Neriki Ancheta and [Chris Lau]('https://www.cnn.com/profiles/chris-lau'), CNN
2 minute read

Published 3:18 AM EST, Mon January 6, 2025

[IMG alt="The head of a 276-kilogram bluefin tuna that was auctioned for 207 million Japanese yen (about 1.3 million U.S. dollars) at the first tuna auction of the New Year in Tokyo, Japan, on January 5, 2025."]
The head of a 276-kilogram bluefin tuna that was auctioned for 207 million Japanese yen (about 1.3 million U.S. dollars) at the first tuna auction of the New Year in Tokyo, Japan, on January 5, 2025.
Issei Kato/Reuters
TokyoCNN —
A bluefin tuna about the size of a motorcycle has been sold for $1.3 million (207 million yen) at [Japan]('https://www.cnn.com/world/asia/japan')’s most prestigious fish market, setting the second highest price on record during its new year auction.
Michelin-starred sushi restaurateurs Onodera Group claimed the 608-pound (276-kilogram) fish with its million-dollar bid at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market on January 5, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported.
The bid marks the second highest price since the seafood wholesale market, considered the world’s largest, began to collect data in 1999, according to Kyodo. The [highest bid]('https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/05/asia/giant-tuna-sets-record-at-japan-auction/index.html') on record is $3.1 million (333.6 million yen) for a 278-kilogram tuna in 2019.
Vendors from across the country put their best catches up for auction at the market most mornings of the week. But the prestigious new year auction carries a special meaning for bidders who converge to vie for the honor of claiming the first batch of the year.
“The year’s first tuna brings good luck. We want to make people smile with food,” said Shinji Nagao, the president of Sushi Onodera, cited by Kyodo.
[IMG alt="A 276-kilogram bluefin tuna that was auctioned for 207 million Japanese yen (about about 1.3 million U.S. dollars)."]
A 276-kilogram bluefin tuna that was auctioned for 207 million Japanese yen (about about 1.3 million U.S. dollars).
Kyodo/via Reuters

[HEADING=2]Motorcycle-sized tuna fetches more than $1 million at Japan auction[/HEADING]
[[IMG alt="Chris Lau"]'https://www.cnn.com/profiles/chris-lau')
By Jay Ganglani, Lisako Neriki Ancheta and [Chris Lau]('https://www.cnn.com/profiles/chris-lau'), CNN
2 minute read

Published 3:18 AM EST, Mon January 6, 2025

[IMG alt="The head of a 276-kilogram bluefin tuna that was auctioned for 207 million Japanese yen (about 1.3 million U.S. dollars) at the first tuna auction of the New Year in Tokyo, Japan, on January 5, 2025."]
The head of a 276-kilogram bluefin tuna that was auctioned for 207 million Japanese yen (about 1.3 million U.S. dollars) at the first tuna auction of the New Year in Tokyo, Japan, on January 5, 2025.
Issei Kato/Reuters
TokyoCNN —
A bluefin tuna about the size of a motorcycle has been sold for $1.3 million (207 million yen) at [Japan]('https://www.cnn.com/world/asia/japan')’s most prestigious fish market, setting the second highest price on record during its new year auction.
Michelin-starred sushi restaurateurs Onodera Group claimed the 608-pound (276-kilogram) fish with its million-dollar bid at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market on January 5, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported.
The bid marks the second highest price since the seafood wholesale market, considered the world’s largest, began to collect data in 1999, according to Kyodo. The [highest bid]('https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/05/asia/giant-tuna-sets-record-at-japan-auction/index.html') on record is $3.1 million (333.6 million yen) for a 278-kilogram tuna in 2019.
Vendors from across the country put their best catches up for auction at the market most mornings of the week. But the prestigious new year auction carries a special meaning for bidders who converge to vie for the honor of claiming the first batch of the year.
“The year’s first tuna brings good luck. We want to make people smile with food,” said Shinji Nagao, the president of Sushi Onodera, cited by Kyod
A 276-kilogram bluefin tuna that was auctioned for 207 million Japanese yen (about about 1.3 million U.S. dollars).
Kyodo/via Reuters

Can't wait to see everyone run out to gear up to cash in on this "gold rush", without understanding that it is only the 1st fish of the year, and the fish came from Japanese waters, and the prices they see on Wicked Tuna are total BS. Those $15ish dock prices have been more like $5 a pound on a good day this past year...

wt..................

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.yahoo.com/news/mouse-study-suggests-surprising-between-232314486.html[/URL]