Now will you remove those signs from your lawns, PLEASE?? more inside

Supermodel paints with people's cremains. (Now there's a sentence I never expected to write.)

But Mom, I don't want to go to the temple... No one we know, I'm sure.

Controversial filmmaker Theo van Gogh shot and stabbed to death in Amsterdam this morning. Prior to the attack, Van Gogh had received threats to his life, especially after the airing of a short film dealing with the status of women in Islamic culture. Ironically, he is also known for a recent film chronicling the events leading up to the last high-profile assassination that shocked the Netherlands: that of controversial politician Pim Fortuyn.

The Pitcairns are one of the most isolated settlements in the world. They lie midway between New Zealand and Peru and were settled famously after the mutiny on the Bounty in 1789. (Photo tour here.) The primary family on Pitcairn is still the Christian family, who claim to be descended from Fletcher Christian. The islands are officially a British colony, but as far as the settlers and their descendants are concerned, they are an independent and self-governing nation. So the three-and-a-half year criminal investigation and subsequent trial of several Pitcairn men for indecent assault and rape has opened up serious issues for the residents and the British Crown. more inside

Already an upset in NH Hart's Location (New Hampshire) beat Dixville Notch in adding up the votes. more inside

Bananaphone makes you insane - You know that song 'bananaphone'? The one that goes round your head til you .. well .. exactly what happens in this FLASH toon. NSFW - sweary words - violence - bananaphone

Musical George: There's this song I keep hearing - it's about avoiding people who come knocking on your door. I think it's from the 70's; its chorus is currently being used in a commercial. The chorus is a one line thing that keeps getting repeated, like, five times, but might not directly relate to the theme of the song. Does anyone have any clue what I'm talking about? more inside

Floys

[via viewropa]

The Military-Industrial Complex

Presidential race ends in tie, leaving final result uncertain. In the midst of election irregularities (blamed on the incumbent), results show a deeply divided nation. The challenger, running on a platform of withdrawing troops from Iraq and strengthening foreign relations with Europe, opposed an incumbent government that has put the country on a path away from European alliances and towards stronger ties with Russia. more inside

US stem cells tainted by mouse material. "The stem cell lines available for federally-funded research in the US have characteristics which mean they may never be used for medical treatments in humans, a new study suggests."

THE BIG FAT THREAD FOR THE ELECTIONS It hasn't started yet, but I thought that I'd put this thing up. Post here with running commentary about the vote count, voting irregularities, etc...

Guess who's next? And guess who's on their side? more inside

Curious George Votes. So, uh, a FRIEND of mine has never voted before and was Googling around for "best time to vote" to avoid excessive lines. Conflicting answers ranged from "8am to 10am" to "AFTER 10am", to "anytime before work". (The polls here open at 6.) Any advice from the monkeys here, or advice in general for a first time voter? (Note--we use punch cards in my puny non-swing state.)

America, you just got punk'd.

The Entries for the 2004 Everyman Photo Contest are in. "Everyone has taken great photographs, even if by accident. Now, those photos tacked to the wall or at the back of your desk drawer can bring you notoriety and cash." more inside

Nongregarious George ...Are you a loner? Most people know they're a loner without a quiz, but I was interested in seeing the slant of the results. Below is a quote from my result on the "Are You A Loner?" test. "Some people would call you independent, others might say you're anti-social. You don't go out of your way to be with people, and actually prefer your own company to that of others!" Note the exclamation mark...is wanting to be by yourself truly that amazing to those who don't? Why does the term 'loner' have such negative associations? Why, exactly, are non-loners so threatened by loners? Is it something like what dog trainers say? That the most impossible dog to train isn't the mean or stupid dog, but rather is the one that doesn't want anything?

Leave it to Bush #2 - I've been waiting for this. I cackled my ass off at the first Leave it to Bush, so much so that I now have no ass, & constantly claim to own two ferrets called Jesus & Slasher. This one features Fearless Leader with Bill Cosby. In space. Voices by Bill Cosby & George W. Bush. Cartoon by Ken McIntyre with music by The Go! Team. more inside

2004 Family Circle Cook-Off The current and (possibly) future First Ladies of the U.S. each submitted their cookie recipe. They'd make great snack foods for tomorrow nights' many election-watching parties. more inside