The Daily What

The Daily What

Zimmerman Defense of the Day

Posted: 30 Apr 2012 01:32 PM PDT

George Zimmerman’s legal team is convinced that an online campaign, rolled out this week, may be the ticket to turning the tide of public opinion in his favor following his delayed arrest in the February 26 shooting death of Trayvon Martin. A new website by Mark O-Meara Law Group, “George Zimmerman Legal Case,” outlines the reasons behind the carefully branded web presence, including a Facebook page and a Twitter feed.

“We understand that it is unusual for a legal defense to maintain a social media presence on behalf of a defendant, but we also acknowledge that this is a very unusual case. … We contend that social media in this day and age cannot be ignored. It is now a critical part of presidential politics, it has been part of revolutions in the Middle East, and it is going to be an unavoidable part of high-profile legal cases, just as traditional media has been and continues to be. We feel it would be irresponsible to ignore the robust online conversation.”

The website also says the online presence intends to discredit and eliminate fraudulent sites and profiles; dispute misinformation; discourage speculation; and raise funds, among other priorities.

[dailydot]

Afternoon Snack

Posted: 30 Apr 2012 01:08 PM PDT

Li Li is a local celebrity in Nanning, China, where he is known as the “Bike Hugging Dog” for looking after his owner’s bike.

[tastefullyoffensive]

Wedding Toast of the Day

Posted: 30 Apr 2012 12:59 PM PDT

Now that the hysterics have subsided, just one question: WHY were these two not FLOWN IN for the nuptials?!

[bitsandpieces]

Guinea Pig of the Day

Posted: 30 Apr 2012 12:25 PM PDT

Guinea Pig of the Day

Jon Gabrus flew 13 hours and 6,850 miles to taste test the Crown Crust Carnival Pizza at Pizza Hut in Dubai.

Here’s his review, in all its gluttony glory.

(Side note: It appears he’s currently stuck in Customs, likely trying to explain why he flew to Dubai for two days just to eat pizza.)

[collegehumor]

Lunchtime Links

Posted: 30 Apr 2012 11:31 AM PDT

- Lunchtime Links


Today on The Daily What Geek: A Back To The Future Lego set is looking likely

Elsewhere on the Internets:

  • Debunked: The myth that cell phones and airplanes don’t mix
  • Introduced: A bill in the House that would fine employers for requesting social network passwords
  • Winning: Fifty Shades of Grey is America’s number one book
  • Infamous: Uggie, the dog from The Artist, gets a book deal
  • Sued: BMW, by a man who claims his car gives him a constant erection

Lunchtime Leisure: Cube (via)
Lunchtime List: The Debut Comic Strips of 10 Famous Cartoons


Tagged: Lunchtime Links

Say What Now of the Day

Posted: 30 Apr 2012 11:05 AM PDT

- Say What Now of the Day


Dan Rather joined George Stephanopoulos today on Good Morning America, where he doubled down on the 60 Minutes story in which he asserted that George W. Bush had deserted the Texas Air National Guard, and which got him fired from the network.

“We reported a true story. I am not at CBS now because I and my team reported a true story. It was a tough story, a story a lot of people didn’t want to believe and it was subjected to a terrific propaganda barrage to discredit it.”

Stephanopoulos asked Rather whether it was possible to know the entire truth without all of the documents.

“No, what story does anyone know the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?. But we reported the truth and that is that President Bush — later President Bush — when he was in National Guard service, he was at least AWOL and we had a top general in the Army saying on the record he was a deserter. Now everybody makes mistakes. I made some, President Bush obviously made some. But because we reported that story, they put heavy pressure on the corporate entity and the corporate entity voted.”

The disgraced journalist and former CBS Evening News anchor’s new book, Rather Outspoken: My Life in the News, goes on sale Tuesday.

[mediaite]


Tagged: dan rather, Say What Now

Heartwarming Tearjerker of the Day

Posted: 30 Apr 2012 10:40 AM PDT

- Heartwarming Tearjerker of the Day


When Ronald Searle’s wife, Monica, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer in 1969, the illustrator drew her a Mrs. Mole drawing “to cheer every dreaded chemotherapy session and evoke the blissful future ahead.” Monica survived the then-experimental treatment, and died just last summer. Ronald died in January.

Now a collection of 47 Mrs. Mole drawings has been released as a book, Les Tres Riches Heures de Mrs Mole.

Said Ronald Searle:

“I drew them originally for no one’s eyes except Mo’s, so she would look at them propped up against her bedside lamp and think: ‘When I’m better, everything will be beautiful.’ … Everything about them had to be romantic and perfect.”

[neatorama]


Tagged: Heartwarming Tearjerker, mrs. mole

Dubstep Mashup of the Day

Posted: 30 Apr 2012 10:15 AM PDT


Eclectic Method‘s dubstep take on the “most iconic orgasmic scenes from film” is meant to be shared.

(Not Safe For Work, “iconic orgasmic scenes”)

[death+taxes]


Tagged: dubstep, orgasm

Beagle Liberation of the Day

Posted: 30 Apr 2012 09:37 AM PDT

- Beagle Liberation of the Day


At least 30 beagle puppies were rescued this weekend by animal rights activists from a notoriously inhumane breeding facility in Italy. Green Hill 2001 farms the animals out to vivisection labs, where the dogs are subjected to live experimental research and then death. Members of the Animal Liberation Front of Italy climbed over barbed wire fences on the grounds of Green Hill, then managed to squirrel the animals out through a breach in the fencing.

According to one ALF protester, “all the animals had a strong smell of urine, and one puppy about 8 months old, has an incision that runs the full length of his abdomen.” (See more photos here; heads up — some are graphic.)

Twelve activists were arrested in the liberation.

[thanks, rachel!]


Tagged: activists, animal rights, beagle liberation, vivisection

Campaign Slogan of the Day

Posted: 30 Apr 2012 09:20 AM PDT


After much speculation, the Obama campaign has finally settled on a campaign slogan — “Forward” — announcing it today with this seven-minute(!) video.

Meanwhile, Mitt Romney released his own video this morning, “Broken Promises,” which argues that Obama failed to keep his pledge to cut government programs that do not work.

[shortformblog]


Tagged: campaign slogan, forward, Obama, Romney