Wisconsin’s Tim Cullen to leave Democratic caucus

http://twitter.com/#!/WISCTV_News3/status/227857731036528641

Wisconsin State Sen. Tim Cullen, who was one of the 14 “fleebaggers” who left the state in 2011 to preclude a vote on Gov. Scott Walker’s financial reform efforts, has said in an email he will leave the Democratic caucus and become an independent.

In an email to Senate colleagues with the subject “Response to Committee Assignments,” Cullen wrote, “Sen. [Mark] Miller has made clear that he does not value or need my presence in Senate Committee leadership and, quite obviously, in the Senate Democratic Caucus.”

Democrats recently took control of Wisconsin’s Sentate by a 17–16 majority after a recall election last month.

Sen Tim Cullen says he is leaving Sen Dem Caucus, hence depriving Dems of a majority after hard fought recall elections. #wirecall

— Cory Mason (@RepCoryMason) July 24, 2012

Sen. Tim Cullen says he was offended over committee chairs offered him after Democrats regained majority, leaves Democratic caucus

— Scott Bauer (@sbauerAP) July 24, 2012

Never a dull moment in Wisconsin's state Capitol. Sen. Tim Cullen, a D, is leaving the D caucus, which had just seized a 17-16 majority.

— Monica Davey (@monicadavey1) July 24, 2012

MT @sbauerap: GOP Sen Zipperer is leaving next month, so if Dem Sen. Tim Cullen becomes indy, Dems would have 16-15-1 majority #wiunion

— Jim Witkins (@jimwitkins) July 24, 2012

Is it just me, or does the whole Sen. Tim Cullen thing have that "last picked in dodgeball so I'm taking my ball and going home" feel to it?

— Mark David Zahn (@MarkDavidZahn) July 24, 2012

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2012/07/24/wisconsin-sen-tim-cullen-to-leave-democratic-caucus/

Academy Award winner Phillip Seymour Hoffman reportedly found dead; Updated

http://twitter.com/#!/johnbreech/status/430054256675409922

Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman has reportedly died at the age of 46.

http://twitter.com/#!/wrivey/status/430054054036013056

http://twitter.com/#!/AndieMacDowell3/status/430053589562974209

http://twitter.com/#!/RobinWigg/status/430055499045031937

http://twitter.com/#!/davemorin/status/430053572013600768

Too young, indeed.

Update:

The Hoffman family has released a statement.

http://twitter.com/#!/GioBenitez/status/430068086050271232

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2014/02/02/too-young-and-too-soon-academy-award-winner-philip-seymour-hoffman-reportedly-found-dead/

Here’s Why Hangovers Get So Much Worse When You Get Older

You’re only as old as you feel? Tell that to tequila.

1. You, the day after drinking in your early twenties:

2. You, the day after drinking in your late twenties:

Sony Pictures / Via reactiongifs.com

3. This is not in your head! Your hangovers really, truly do get worse as you get older.

To get to the bottom of this miserable and unfair phenomenon, BuzzFeed Life talked to neurobiologist George Koob, Ph.D., director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). He says there are a few possible reasons for this adult-onset hangover hell.

4. For starters, sorry to say, but your ~enzymes~ just aren’t what they used to be.

“As you get older, the enzymes you use to metabolize alcohol don’t work as well,” Koob says. This means that a toxic metabolite from alcohol, called acetaldehyde, sticks around in your system longer without being broken down. “That can contribute to the lousy feeling,” he says.

5. Your body fat percentage also plays a role here.

As people get older, they tend to gain weight, Koob says — and much of that weight comes in the form of increased body fat. The higher your body fat percentage, the lower your body-water ratio…which leads to a higher blood alcohol content (BAC), even with the same amount of alcohol, Koob says.

This may seem a bit counterintuitive, because typically the heavier you are, the higher your alcohol tolerance. But we’re not talking about weight here specifically — we’re talking about body fat percentage. Body fat percentage is one of the reasons why women typically respond more intensely to alcohol than men do, Koob says — on average, women tend to have higher body fat percentages. Even if a woman and a man both weighed 150 pounds, for instance, the person with greater body fat percentage would have a slightly higher BAC after the same number of drinks.

6. Your brain has also matured, and it just isn’t as into the whole party till the breaka-breaka dawn thing anymore.

 

“The biggest effect probably has to do what happens to your brain,” Koob says. He says that in your early twenties, your brain has a highly developed “reward system,” and a not-very-developed “stress system.” That means that your young-person brain gives you awesome and positive feedback when you do adventurous and fun things (like, yes, getting DRUNJJJ), but it doesn’t punish you (with hangovers and miserable body feels) so much after the fact — that “stress system” hasn’t fully developed yet.

But then, sometime in your mid-twenties, your prefrontal cortex finishes developing. With it comes all sorts of buzzkill attributes, like maturity, and the ability to make rational and appropriate decisions. YAWN.

As your brain develops, Koob says, the rewards become less rewarding, and the “everything hurts” part of the stress system begins to kick into high gear. “As you get into your mid-twenties and thirties […] you lose your reward function and you gain the stress function if you drink too much and overindulge,” he says. OK, GREAT.

7. Now you know. But what can you do about it?

ABC / Via buzzfeed.com

Well, nothing can stop the inevitable onward march toward death, my friend. But if you’re just looking to experience somewhat more tolerable hangovers, Koob has this to say: “The best solution is not to get one in the first place.”

On a slightly more helpful note: “Drink plenty of water when you’re enjoying yourself, and don’t go to excess.” Also pay attention to what your body responds to. Certain alcoholic drinks have things called congeners in them (basically, chemicals that aren’t the alcohol), and some research shows that drinks with congeners in them can result in worse hangovers than when you drink just pure alcohol. Drinks with congeners can include some wines, bourbon, cognac, and other things.

Basically: If you notice that your red wine hangovers are the WOOORST but your vodka soda hangovers are a little less obscene… maybe lay off the red wine.

8. And a final friendly reminder: Drink responsibly.

 

Or not at all, if that’s what it takes. Check out the NIAAA’s website Rethinking Drinking to learn what counts as a drink, if your drinking pattern is risky, strategies for cutting down, and more.

Read more: http://www.buzzfeed.com/carolynkylstra/your-body-hates-you

‘LOL': Tweet exposes plight of cats in ‘folk music environment’ [pic]

http://twitter.com/#!/liprap/status/524931995852222465

No, we’re not talking about Cat Stevens. This image of a cat suffering through some bad folk music is going viral though.

Heh.

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2014/10/24/tweet-exposes-plight-of-cats-trapped-in-folk-music-environment-pic/

It Might Seem Insane, But These 11 Items Are Helping Women Fight Back Against Rapists.

According to RAINN.org, there are approximately 237,868 victims (age 12 or older) of sexual assault each year. Every 2 minutes an American is sexually assaulted… and 1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. These are disgusting, unfortunate facts. It seems absurd, but these 11 products were created to help women around the world fight back against rape. They may seem silly, but they could legitimately help women protect themselves.

1.) This anti-rape, anti-mugging dress was created so that women can hide in plain sight.

2.) This belt buckle requires two hands to use, preventing attackers from easily removing clothing.

3.) India’s National Institute of Fashion Technology created these anti-molestation jackets. It would shock people giving unwanted advances.

4.) An anti-rape whistle that can be worn as jewelry.

5.) AR Wear (anti-rape) is made so that it can’t be torn or ripped off, protecting its wearer.

6.) This lingerie can be used to shock attackers.

7.) Female condoms with “teeth” that attach to a man’s penis and would need removed by a doctor.

8.) The Guardian Angel necklace, which will either cause your phone or ring or will send a text to a friend when you press a button.

9.) Hairy tights women can wear that will deter “perverts.”

10.) Consent panties remind partners that consent is necessary for engaging in sexual activity.

11.) This tampon has a hidden blade inside, so if a man attacks a woman and attempts to rape her, he’ll be stabbed.

(H/T BuzzFeed) It’s sad that there was a need for these products, and they may seem crazy, but if they protect people from sexual assault then their creation is warranted. It’s so horrifying that there are people around the world that might actually need items like these. Share these products (you never know who you may help if you do).

Read more: http://viralnova.com/anti-rape-devices/