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Search for Costa Cruise Passengers Ended

Posted by pochp on February 1, 2012 in CRIME, politics, Society
Pete Souza, Official White House Photographer

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Italy Ending Search For Those Missing In Shipwreck
Seventeen bodies have been recovered, while sixteen people are listed as missing

‘Italian emergency officials say they are calling off a search for missing people in the submerged part of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, due to the danger to rescue workers.

‘Italy’s Civil Protection agency said Tuesday that technical studies indicated that the deformed hull of the ship created too many safety concerns to continue the search. It said in a statement that relatives and diplomatic officials representing the countries of the missing have been informed of the decision…’
http://www.npr.org/2012/01/31/146133947/italy-ending-search-for-those-missing-in-shipwreck

Rock Musician Sues Gingrich
‘Eye of the Tiger’ Guitarist Suing Newt Over Song Use
Survivor’s Frankie Sullivan doesn’t like Gingrich using ‘Eye of the Tiger’ song

‘Newt Gingrich may be the underdog in Tuesday night’s Florida primary, but he shouldn’t be able to use Rocky Balboa’s music at campaign events, lawyers for the composer of “Eye of the Tiger” say in a federal lawsuit filed Monday in Chicago…’
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-talk-gingrich-survivor-20120131,0,1217700.story

Biden: I Advised Against bin Laden Raid
Is he starting his campaign?

‘Vice President Joe Biden confessed this weekend that he advised President Obama not to launch the mission that ultimately killed Osama bin Laden last spring.

‘During remarks at a Democratic congressional retreat this weekend, Biden explained that when it came time to make the final decision, he had some lingering uncertainties about whether the 9/11 mastermind was in the suspected compound in Pakistan.

‘When the president asked his top advisers for their final opinion on the mission, all of them were hesitant, except for the former CIA director, now Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Biden said…’
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/01/joe-biden-advised-against-the-osama-bin-laden-raid/

Bizarre Crimes
Afghan Man Strangles Wife for Having Third Girl
Afghan police say local militia member, who is still at large, killed the woman after she gave birth to a third daughter
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/30/afghan-strangles-wife-baby-girl

Dad in Custody Battle Cut Throats of Twin Daughters
Robert King was found dead with his girls in his Virginia home
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/local-news/2012/jan/31/tdmet01-family-was-in-turmoil-before-murder-suicid-ar-1651530/

Public Awareness / Avaaz.org
My WebIt link: http://bit.ly/cqt5Fs

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Stupid Things Done Online

Posted by pochp on January 31, 2012 in cybercrime, TECHNOLOGY, law, internet, media, computer safety
Credit card

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‘The internet can bring you a lot of joy, but it can also turn into a world of pain the moment you make one stupid mistake. Perhaps you’ve been feeding the trolls, using “password” as your password, or selling your soul for access to a “free” web app. Your dumb mistakes can come back to bite you in the ass if you aren’t careful. Here’s how you can save yourself from yourself online…’
http://lifehacker.com/5880121/the-stupid-things-you-do-online-and-how-to-fix-them

Hacking Credit Cards is Easy
Hacker’s Demo Shows How Easily Credit Cards Can Be Read Through Clothes And Wallets

‘At the Shmoocon hacker conference, Paget aimed to indisputably prove what hackers have long known and the payment card industry has repeatedly downplayed and denied: That RFID-enabled credit card data can be easily, cheaply, and undetectably stolen and used for fraudulent transactions. With a Vivotech RFID credit card reader she bought on eBay for $50, Paget wirelessly read a volunteer’s credit card onstage and obtained the card’s number and expiration date, along with the one-time CVV number used by contactless cards to authenticate payments. A second later, she used a $300 card-magnetizing tool to encode that data onto a blank card. And then, with a Square attachment for the iPhone that allows anyone to swipe a card and receive payments, she paid herself $15 of the volunteer’s money with the counterfeit card she’d just created. (She also handed the volunteer a twenty dollar bill, essentially selling the bill on stage for $15 to avoid any charges of illegal fraud.)…’
http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2012/01/30/hackers-demo-shows-how-easily-credit-cards-can-be-read-through-clothes-and-wallets/

Twitter Is Changing Even Media Law
‘While technology companies always outgrow the laws that govern them, Twitter’s 140-character message system is proving to be particularly disruptive. At the same time, the microblog has been more aggressive in defending free speech than established companies like Facebook and Google.

‘Here are five examples that show how Twitter’s unique platform is creating a new set of media rules that are forcing the law to play catch up:…’
http://mashable.com/2012/01/30/how-twitter-changes-media-law/

The New Jolicloud
‘Jolicloud was created in 2009 with the vision of combining the infinite power of the cloud with the most simple and elegant user interface. The journey started with Joli OS, a free operating system transforming the way people are using low cost computers. Today, Jolicloud is the most innovative platform to access our life online, from computers to mobile…’
http://www.jolicloud.com/

BitDefender Security Scan – TWO Thumbs Down!
‘…But, where the rubber meets the road – accuracy and reliability – it proved to be a dismal failure. Microsoft Security Essentials “not functioning?” PC Tools Firewall Plus “disabled?”…’
http://billmullins.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/bitdefender-security-scan-two-thumbs-down/

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My 7 Links

Posted by pochp on January 31, 2012 in blogging, community, writing

My tech blogger friend Ramblin Rick nominated me to take part on the My 7 Links meme. The main rule is to provide links to your greatest posts so here are mine:

My most beautiful post
About Me and Plato on-line
http://platopress.com/about/

My most popular post
Simple Female Intuition Saved JC Dugard
http://platopress.com/simple-female-intuition-saved-jc-dugard-june-2011/

My most controversial post
The Mark of the Beast
http://platopress.com/the-mark-of-the-beast/

My most helpful post
Efficient Computer Tools and Apps
http://platopress.com/efficient-computer-tools-and-apps/

– A post whose success surprised me
JC Dugard’s First Interview with Sawyer
http://platopress.com/2011/07/08/jc-dugards-first-interview-with-sawyer/

– A post I feel didn’t get the attention it deserved
My Yahoo 360 Blog
http://platopress.com/my-yahoo-360-blog-2/

– The post that I’m most proud of
The Picasso Anthology
http://platopress.com/the-picasso-anthology/

http://www.tripbase.com/blog/my-7-links-the-rules/

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FDA Sued for Spying

Posted by pochp on January 31, 2012 in art, cybercrime, entertainment, government, media
English: Author: Food and Drug Administration ...

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FDA staffers sue agency over surveillance of personal e-mail

‘The Food and Drug Administration secretly monitored the personal e-mail of a group of its own scientists and doctors after they warned Congress that the agency was approving medical devices that they believed posed unacceptable risks to patients, government documents show.

‘The surveillance — detailed in e-mails and memos unearthed by six of the scientists and doctors, who filed a lawsuit against the FDA in U.S. District Court in Washington last week — took place over two years as the plaintiffs accessed their personal Gmail accounts from government computers…’
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/fda-staffers-sue-agency-over-surveillance-of-personal-e-mail/2012/01/23/gIQAj34DbQ_story.html

The Federal Government’s Carrot and Stick
How did the control freaks in the federal government get so much power over every little aspect of our lives?

These powers aren’t given to them by the Constitution!

How did they come by this ‘claimed’ authority to rule and regulate and even criminalize everything?

Well, one way they did it was by withholding federal money unless states complied with federal demands.

The old carrot and stick…
Video: http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/9161.html

They Never Learn Department
Brit Tourists Arrested Over Twitter Jokes
British pair refused U.S. entry on terror charges over Twitter jokes

‘Two British tourists were barred from entering America after joking on Twitter that they were going to ‘destroy America’ and ‘dig up Marilyn Monroe’.

‘Leigh Van Bryan, 26, was handcuffed and kept under armed guard in a cell with Mexican drug dealers for 12 hours after landing in Los Angeles with pal Emily Bunting.

‘The Department of Homeland Security flagged him as a potential threat when he posted an excited tweet to his pals about his forthcoming trip to Hollywood which read: ‘Free this week, for quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America?’…’
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093796/British-tourists-arrested-America-terror-charges-Twitter-jokes.html

Entertainment Industry Is Booming, So Why SOPA?
‘A study commissioned by the Computer and Communications Industry Association and conducted by Michael Masnick, CEO of Floor 64, investigated the economy of the entertainment industry over the past decade and found claims of plunging profits due to piracy to be a crude fabrication. Contrary to the entertainment industry’s claims of lost profits, Masnick postulated that we may actually be “living in a true Renaissance era for content.”

‘He continued in the report, “More money is being spent overall. Households are spending more on entertainment. And a lot more works are being created.”…’
http://www.webpronews.com/the-entertainment-industry-is-actually-booming-so%E2%80%A6-why-sopa-2012-01

For Sale: Obama’s Chrysler, $1M
Seller claims Obama owned the van before he became president

‘Cars with presidential provenance have been known to command hefty premiums at auction. One eBay seller is hoping to sell a 2005 Chrysler 300C that reportedly belonged to Barack Obama for a downright princely sum.

‘The car’s owner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, listed the car on the auction Web site this week with a starting bid of $1 million. In the interest of preserving that anonymity and putting a professional gloss on the listing, the owner engaged Lisa Czibor, an eBay veteran of 11,722 transactions with a 100 percent feedback rating from satisfied sellers and buyers, to sell the car…’
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/25/ebay-seller-seeks-a-cool-1-million-for-president-obamas-chrysler/

10 Most Incredible Pieces Of Nanoscale Art
‘Usually when we think of “art”, things like sculptures or paintings come to mind; in other words, stuff you can hang on the wall or keep in your atrium to be the envy of your neighborhood’s upper crust (everyone is lower-upper class, right? That’s what TV tells me).

‘But there is a new form that not only requires skill, it requires science, and likely access to equipment most of us do not have in our homes, or possibly even in our city…’
http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-most-incredible-pieces-of-nanoscale-art.php

Public Awareness / Avaaz.org
My WebIt link: http://bit.ly/cqt5Fs

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The FBI vs the FTC on On-line Privacy

Posted by pochp on January 31, 2012 in computer safety, internet security, TECHNOLOGY
© 2007 See-ming Lee ( Blog / Facebook / Flickr...

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As if the issue of on-line censorship isn’t enough
‘There’s no doubt about it: The US has mixed motives when it comes to user privacy in social media.

‘That became obvious this week with the juxtaposition of the FBI voicing its voracious desire to suck up social media data vs. the FTC’s 1) recent bemoaning of Facebook’s and Google’s wanton privacy policy changes and 2) call for a one-stop shop to tweak privacy settings…’
http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2012/01/30/the-fbi-vs-the-ftc-the-battle-for-user-privacy-in-social-media/

What to Do About Your Hacked Twitter Account
‘There are two primary methods for your Twitter account to become compromised. Either you authorized a malicious application to connect to your account, or your password was guessed/stolen…’
How to solve that:
http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2012/01/28/what-do-i-do-if-my-twitter-account-is-hacked/

Tech Heavyweights to Wipe Out Phishing
Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Bank of America among others
‘Can industry heavyweights Google, PayPal, Microsoft and AOL — along with 11 others in high-tech such as Facebook and LinkedIn, as well as the financial world’s Bank of America and Fidelity Investments — succeed in stopping phishing attacks right in their tracks? In uniting behind an effort called DMARC.org unveiled today, the group says it can through policy-based steps filter out spoofed email that attackers use for phishing…’
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/013012-dmarc-255432.html

The Best Wi-Fi Articles for Securing Your Network and Optimizing Your Router
http://www.howtogeek.com/104050/the-best-wi-fi-articles-for-securing-your-network-and-optimizing-your-router/

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Protect Your Phone from Hackers

Posted by pochp on January 30, 2012 in activism, art, computer safety, Games, internet security, mobile gadgets, TECHNOLOGY
Windows Defender is shown here successfully bl...

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It’s not difficult to do and it would be foolish if you don’t

‘Technology experts expect breached, infiltrated or otherwise compromised cellphones to be the scourge of 2012. The smartphone security company Lookout Inc. estimates that more than a million phones worldwide have already been affected. But there are ways to reduce the likelihood of getting hacked — whether by a jealous ex or Russian crime syndicate — or at least minimize the damage should you fall prey…’
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/technology/personaltech/protecting-a-cellphone-against-hackers.html?scp=3&sq=kate%20murphy&st=cse

Free Windows Defender Offline Beta
‘Sometimes, malicious and other potentially unwanted software, including rootkits, try to install themselves on your PC. This can happen when you connect to the Internet or install some programs from a CD, DVD, or other media. Once on your PC, this software might run immediately, or it might run at unexpected times. Windows Defender Offline Beta can help remove such hard to find malicious and potentially unwanted programs using definitions that recognize threats. Definitions are files that provide an encyclopedia of potential software threats. Because new threats appear daily, it’s important to always have the most up-to-date definitions installed in Windows Defender Offline Beta. Armed with definition files, Windows Defender Offline Beta can detect malicious and potentially unwanted software, and then notify you of the risks.

‘To use Windows Defender Offline Beta, you need to follow four basic steps:…’
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/what-is-windows-defender-offline

ACTA Protest Guide
Rally Details From Around the World
‘There is still time to fight against the treaty, which would restrict the ability of Web sites to engage in open discourse by placing draconian copyright and intellectual property restrictions in place throughout the world. There is a petition at WhiteHouse.gov with more than 30,000 signatures currently on file with the Obama administration, calling on it to “end ACTA and protect our right to Internet privacy,” and advocacy groups from around the world are mobilizing to stop the treaty from being fully ratified this summer. For more information about how to stop ACTA, visit this comprehensive site.

‘If you would rather ramp up your efforts to protest the bill by taking to the streets, consult the below list of worldwide protest events, provided in a Friday Tweet by @YourAnonNews:…’
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/288930/20120127/acta-protest-rally-world.htm

Fotografix
This tool allows you to add text to your photos or designs
‘An image editor that provides simple yet powerful tools for photographers and designers.
Use layers to combine text, pictures and patterns into exciting designs – editable text layers allow you to modify the text at any time…’
http://lmadhavan.com/software/fotografix/

GameSave Manager
A rare app for gamers
Perhaps you have been victim of file corruption which also victimised your gamesaves?
Maybe you just wish to transfer your gamesave(s) to your new machine, or to take with you to a friend’s?

With GameSave Manager, you can easily backup, restore and transfer your gamesave(s).
No longer do you need to manually track through all of the those different directories to backup/restore/transfer your gamesaves, making it great for those who like to share gamesave progress with friends/family, format frequently, paranoid about data loss, etc…
http://www.gamesave-manager.com/

 

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Multitasking in Children Hinders Social Skills

Posted by pochp on January 30, 2012 in personal development, Society, sports, TECHNOLOGY
FaceTime

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Tech Downside
‘FaceTime, the Apple video-chat application, is not a replacement for real human interaction, especially for children, according to a new study.

‘Tween girls who spend much of their waking hours switching frantically between YouTube, Facebook, television and text messaging are more likely to develop social problems, says a Stanford University study published in a scientific journal on Wednesday.

‘Young girls who spend the most time multitasking between various digital devices, communicating online or watching video are the least likely to develop normal social tendencies, according to the survey of 3,461 American girls aged 8 to 12 who volunteered responses…’
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/25/tech/social-media/multitasking-kids/index.html?hpt=hp_bn9

How to Deal with Difficult People
‘When we encounter these extreme personalities it can feel like they are trying to make our life miserable, but more often than not, it’s simply learning about these peoples’ tendencies and how to interact in a more tactful way. Some conflicts are unavoidable and shouldn’t be smoothed over or suppressed, though it’s learning to deal with our differences, and how to understand, resolve, and learn from these interactions that’s important…’

Tips to dealing with problem people
http://www.dumblittleman.com/2012/01/how-to-deal-with-difficult-people-and.html

14-Year-Old Makes Golf History
‘GOLFING prodigy Lydia Ko created history by becoming the youngest winner of a professional tournament when she claimed the NSW Open by four strokes at the Oatlands club in Sydney.

‘Showing steely nerves which belied her age of 14, the Korean-born, New Zealand-raised phenomenon not only fended off strong finishes from tour veterans Becky Morgan and Lindsey Wright to shoot 14-under for the victory, but also outdid Japanese sensation Ryo Ishikawa…’
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/lydia-ko-14-becomes-youngest-winner-of-professional-golf-tournament/story-e6frg1wu-1226256623082

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Introducing Incarcerex

Posted by pochp on January 30, 2012 in activism, corruption, humor, politics
Republican presidential candidates are picture...

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It helps politicians maintain long lasting election results

A humorous depiction of how the government incarcerates too many people for petty drug offenses. The Prison Industrial Complex is making too much money locking up otherwise law abiding citizens.

The government is addicted to Incarcerex…
Video: http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/9159.html

Herman Cain Endorses Newt Gingrich For President
And that would be the downfall of Gingrich. If Romney’s plan is to make Newt mad, then he should thank Cain. Or are they in collusion yet?
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/us/politics/the-calculations-that-led-romney-to-the-warpath.html?_r=1

The Dilemma of Impeaching Obama
If Obama is ever impeached, it would reek of racism since he is the first Am-african president

Grover Norquist predicts a rebellion if President Obama wins reelection and doesn’t extend the Bush tax cuts.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/impeach-obama–20120126

Occupy Movement Still Kicking
300 Arrested in Occupy Oakland Chaos
The AP reported that protesters broke into City Hall, vandalized, and threw objects at police

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Philippines Most Disaster-prone in Asia Last Year

Posted by pochp on January 29, 2012 in criminal law, Journalism, media, military
Old Bayan Trees on Nathan Road

Image by Canadian Pacific via Flickr

‘The Philippines topped the list of Asian countries hit by disasters in 2011, according to a recent report of the Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED).

‘As a result, President Benigno Aquino III should prioritize disaster risk reduction.

‘This was according to Margareta Wahlström, Visiting Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction, who said on Friday, January 27, she will tell the UN head to convey to the President the need to prioritize disaster risk reduction…’
http://hronlineph.com/2012/01/29/in-the-news-philippines-is-most-disaster-prone-in-asia-rappler-com/

Activists Picket US Embassy
‘Activists picketed the US embassy in Manila on Saturday and burned a cardboard American flag and mock stealth bomber, vowing to launch a campaign opposing a plan to allow more US troops in the country.

‘About 50 members of the leftist New Nationalist Alliance (Bayan) also held a huge effigy of Uncle Sam with another of Philippine President Benigno Aquino labelled as his “dog”, as riot police prevented them approaching the mission.

‘“If we allow more US troops to enter our country, the entire archipelago will be transformed into one military outpost for US hegemonic interests,” Bayan said in a statement distributed at the rally…’
http://hronlineph.com/2012/01/29/in-the-news-activists-picket-us-embassy-over-troop-buildup-plans-in-philippines-interaksyon-com/

UNHRC: Philippine criminal libel law violates freedom of expression

‘In a landmark decision just recently released, the United Nation Human Rights Commission says Philippine laws criminalizing libel is “incompatible with Article 19, paragraph three of the International Covenant on Civil Political Rights (ICCPR)”, or freedom of expression.

‘This UNHRC’s view, adopted on October 26, 2011, was expressed in line with a complaint filed by Davao based broadcaster Alex Adonis. Adonis was jailed for more than two years pursuant to a conviction for libel in a complaint filed by former Speaker Prospero Nograles. In a radio broadcast in 2001, Adonis read and dramatized a newspaper report that then Congressman Nograles was seen running naked in a hotel when caught in bed by the husband of the woman with whom he was said to have spent the night with…’
http://hronlineph.com/2012/01/29/in-the-news-unhrc-philippine-criminal-libel-law-violates-freedom-of-expression-interaksyon-com/

Fil-Am Journalists Raise Money for Philippine Colleagues
‘LOS ANGELES—Filipino-American media practitioners here have raised at least $9,000 for media colleagues who were among those who died and lost their homes when Typhoon “Sendong” struck Northern Mindanao last month.

‘The media practitioners spearheaded a benefit concert and art auction, dubbed Sining Para sa Bayan, in Glendale, California, on Jan. 21.

‘The two-part event featured top-notch performers, musicians and artists, including Pinoy folk rock pioneer Florante and Emmy-award winner Jess Española, a visual animator for the cartoon series “The Simpsons.”…’
http://hronlineph.com/2012/01/29/in-the-news-fil-am-journalists-raise-money-for-sendong-stricken-colleagues-inquirer-net/

Help protect journalist facing threats to his life
http://hronlineph.com/2012/01/29/11022/

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5 Famous Late Bloomers

Posted by pochp on January 29, 2012 in art, entertainment, humor, music, Society
Lauryn Hill at Central Park

Image via Wikipedia

People Who Succeeded Late in Life

‘Picking a career is pretty hard, it turns out. Not only do you have to choose something you could see yourself doing for the rest of your life, but you also have to be somewhat competent at it. Most of us will just fall into something and go with it.

‘After all, if you haven’t found your calling by, say, age 30, it’s pretty much hopeless, right? If you were going to make it, you’d have made it by now.

‘Well … maybe not. After all …’
http://www.cracked.com/article_19655_5-famous-late-bloomers.html

Famous Bands Who Only Released One Album
10 Notable Bands With Only 1 Album
Jeff Buckley and Lauryn Hill are among them

‘It’s not easy being a band. You’ll face tremendous pressure if anybody anywhere in the world likes you. That’s why people talk about the “sophomore slump,” the streak of bad luck that supposedly falls upon bands brave enough to release a second album.

‘Here then are 10 artists that avoided the sophomore slump by completely avoiding it. None of them officially released a second album. They’re not the only 10, of course, but they’re the most memorable…’
http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2012/01/10-bands-who-only-released-one-album.html

The Painful Truth About Fighting
6 Painful Things Nobody Tells You About Fighting

‘Everybody says they know that action movies are fake, but they’re lying. For proof, just get a couple of drunk males in a confrontation and you’ll quickly realize they did in fact think Hollywood fight scenes were grim depictions of reality. They’ll throw haymakers and roundhouse kicks with images of Jean-Claude Van Damme spin-punching a guy through a plate glass window dancing in their heads.

‘Thirty seconds later, they’re laying on the floor, gasping and hissing in pain while rubbing some body part, perhaps while crying. This is when they realize the difference between choreographed movie fighting and real fighting. Because in the real world, it turns out …’
http://www.cracked.com/article_19654_6-painful-things-nobody-tells-you-about-fighting.html

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