Memorial Day Quote

"Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure."

  - Abraham Lincoln

From Wikipedia:

 Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. Service Members who died while in themilitary service.^[1] 

First enacted by formerly enslaved African-Americans ^[2] to honor Unionsoldiers of the American Civil War – it was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars.

Memorial Day often marks the start of the summer vacation season, and Labor Day its end.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day

American Idol: Prediction Poll says...

... that Scotty will win.

Our Prediction Poll's voting was closer than expected -- especially with oddsmakers making Scotty a heavy favorite. Thank you for reading -- and participating in our polls.

Finals Prediction (closer than expected!)

1. Scotty
2. Lauren

Finals Week: DWTS Finals Prediction & American Idol (Wk of May 23)

Thanks to everyone who voted.  Below are the results of our DWTS Prediction Poll.

Also, please vote for your favorite American Idol in our prediction poll.  (As usual, the poll will continue to be open -- and the rankings will be updated before the winner is announced).

Updated rankings:

Notes: Hines Ward is a fairly big favorite, although Chelsea is closer in our poll than bookmakers list.  Kirstie is popular but was a distant third.  

1. Hines Ward
2. Chelsea Kane
3. Kirstie Alley

Dancing with the Stars - Prediction Poll (Finals - Wk of May 23)

WE will update the prediction poll before the results show.  Please vote!

Please vote for your favorite (and least favorite) starts in "Dancing with the Stars."  As with our American Idol poll, we will update ratings before the results show (and votes after Monday's performances will count more).

Updated rankings:

Notes: Hines Ward is the favorite; Chelsea moved up in the rankings, but Kirstie remains popular!

1. Hines Ward
2. Chelsea Kane
3. Kirstie Alley

American Idol - Prediction Poll (Week of May 18, 2011) - Update

Who will be this year's American Idol?   Below are our updated rankings; the rankings remained the same -- but here are some notes:

• Scotty remains #1 -- but Lauren was a close second!  

Please vote for your favorite (and least favorite) American Idols in our prediction poll.  (As usual, the poll will continue to be open -- and the rankings will be updated before Thursday's results show).

Current Rankings:  

1. Scotty
2. Lauren
3. Haley

Dancing with the Stars - Prediction Poll (Week of May 16)

Do you watch "Dancing with the Stars"?  Due to the popularity of our American Idol prediction poll, we have added a poll for the final four of DWTS.  

Please vote for your favorite (and least favorite) starts in "Dancing with the Stars."  As with our American Idol poll, we will update ratings before the results how (and votes after Monday's performances will count more).

Updated rankings:

Notes: Chelsea moved up in the rankings, but Kirstie remains popular!

1. Chelsea Kane
2. Hines Ward
3. Ralph Macchio
4. Kirstie Alley

Introducing: DWTS Prediction Poll (Week of May 16)

Do you watch "Dancing with the Stars"???  Due to the popularity of our American Idol prediction poll, we have added a poll for the final four of DWTS.  

Please vote for your favorite (and least favorite) starts in "Dancing with the Stars."  As with our American Idol poll, we will update ratings before the results how (and votes after Monday's performances will count more).

Preliminary rankings:

1. Hines Ward
2. Ralph Macchio
3. Chelsea Kane
4. Kirstie Alley

American Idol - Prediction Poll (Week of May 18, 2011)

Who will be this year's American Idol?

Please vote for your favorite (and least favorite) American Idols in our prediction poll.  (As usual, the poll will continue to be open -- and the rankings will be updated before Thursday's results show).

Current Rankings:  

1. Scotty
2. Lauren
3. Haley

American Idol - Prediction Poll (Week of May 11, 2011) - UPDATE

We're sorry we did not publish the results of the prediction poll before the results episode -- but the google blogger software was down.  Our prediction poll results did not change from the published rankings earlier in the week.  However; here are some notes:

• James was a close second to Scotty (so James' elimination was a surprise!)
• Haley narrowed the gap -- and closed in on Lauren.

________

Our American Idol Prediction Poll continues to perform well.  Last week, the poll correctly predicted that Jacob would be eliminated.  It really shows the power of statistics and sample size.  Thank you to our readers and friends who contributed to the poll.  

Please vote for your favorite (and least favorite) American Idols in our prediction poll here.  (As usual, the poll will continue to be open -- and the rankings will be updated before Thursday's results show).

Current Rankings:  

1. Scotty
2. James
3. Lauren
4. Haley

Outrageous Items made of Gold (Golden Loo)

With gold in the news, we thought this was interesting.   

This toilet, manufactured by Hong Kong-based jeweler Hang Fung Gold Technology, and on display in its HK showroom, can truly be considered a throne.

Made of 24k solid gold, it weighs nearly a metric tonne. Designer Lam Sai-wing said he was inspired by Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin's declaration that when a communist revolution swept over the world, there would be public toilets made of gold.

Built back in 2001 when gold was in the $200-$300 range, it is now valued at approximately $37 million.



http://www.cnbc.com/id/42889968?slide=8

American Idol - Prediction Poll (Week of May 11, 2011)

Our American Idol Prediction Poll continues to perform well.  Last week, the poll correctly predicted that Jacob would be eliminated.  It really shows the power of statistics and sample size.  Thank you to our readers and friends who contributed to the poll.  

Please vote for your favorite (and least favorite) American Idols in our prediction poll here.  (As usual, the poll will continue to be open -- and the rankings will be updated before Thursday's results show).

Current Rankings:  

1. Scotty
2. James
3. Lauren
4. Haley

Happy Mother's Day!

From: http://www.mothersdaycelebration.com/mothers-day-history.html

...(The) Origin of Mother's Day goes back to the era of ancient Greek and Romans. But the roots of Mother's Day history can also be traced in UK where a Mothering Sunday was celebrated much before the festival saw the light of the day in US. However, the celebration of the festival as it is seen today is a recent phenomenon and not even a hundred years old. Thanks to the hard work of the pioneering women of their times, Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis that the day came into existence. Today the festival of Mothers day is celebrated across 46 countries (though on different dates) and is a hugely popular affair. Millions of people across the globe take the day as an opportunity to honor their mothers, thank them for their efforts in giving them life, raising them and being their constant support and well wisher.

How to Buy a Higher IQ

Some interesting studies on IQ, economic development (wealthy/poor countries & industrialized nations), health, etc....

A controversial 2002 book titled "IQ and the Wealth of Nations" gathered existing data on IQs to map them by country. North American and Europe looked good. Sub-Saharan Africa did not. Asia shined. Critics cried racism; there's a long history of intelligence research that blurs the divide between bigotry and investigation. In 2007, research by James Flynn published in "What is Intelligence" proved race-based arguments lacking. IQs the world over have been climbing for half a century, and they tend to jump quickly in poor countries that experience a spasm of economic growth--a phenomenon now called the Flynn Effect.

Read more: How to Buy a Higher IQ - SmartMoney.com http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/budgeting/how-to-buy-a-higher-iq-1304720009965/#ixzz1LfBLALTw

American Idol - Prediction Poll (Week of May 4, 2011) - updated 5/5/11 (8pm ET)

Rankings at 8pm

1. Scotty
2. James
3. Lauren
4. Haley
5. Jacob

After last night's performance show -- there was some shuffling in the standings.  Please continue to vote; votes after the performance episode are weighted more than before.  Our American Idol Prediction Poll has done very well in the past, thanks to you, our readers and friends.

Please vote for your favorite (and least favorite) American Idols in our prediction poll here.  (As usual, the poll will continue to be open -- and will be updated before Thursday's results show).

Rankings as of 7am on 5/5/11:  

1. Scotty
2. Lauren
3. James
4. Haley
5. Jacob

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo should not be confused with Mexican Independence Day (which is September 16th).

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is a holiday held on May 5 that commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over Frenchforces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín.^[2][3] It is celebrated primarily in the state of Puebla and in the United States.^[4][5][6][7] While Cinco de Mayo sees limited significance in Mexico itself, the date is observed nationwide mostly in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.^[8] "Cinco de Mayo is not a Mexican holiday—it is anAmerican Civil War holiday, created spontaneously by Mexicans and Latinos living in California who supported the fragile cause of defending freedom and democracy during the first years of that bloody war between the states."^[9] 

Read more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo

American Idol - Prediction Poll (Week of May 4, 2011)

And then there were five!

Congrats to the American Idol Final Five!  Our American Idol Prediction Poll has done very well in the past, thanks to you, our readers and friends.

Please vote for your favorite (and least favorite) American Idols in our prediction poll here.  (As usual, the poll will continue to be open -- and updated after Wednesday's episode).

WE HAVE a new leader this week!  

1. James
2. Scotty
3. Lauren
4. Haley
5. Jacob