Anthony Fontanelle asked:



A diesel car has beaten the world’s hot-selling hybrid – Toyota Prius – to the top spot in a new government guide to greener motoring, reported Alastair Dalton, a transport correspondent at Scotsman.

The new Volkswagen Polo, which will be rolled out in Britain this October, emits just 99 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer, five grams fewer than the petrol-electric hybrid, Prius. The Prius has become synonymous with environmentally minded celebrities, such as Jennifer Aniston and Leonardo DiCaprio. But the new Polo Blue Motion could prove even greener.

The Prius, the first hybrid to be mass-produced, has won a number of awards including the Year Japan from 1997 to 1998, the North American Car of the Year in 2004, and the European Car of the Year in 2005. EPA has rated the hybrid at 48 mpg in city driving and 45 mpg on the highway. By far, it is the most economical car sold in the United States.

The Toyota Motor Corp.’s third generation Hybrid Synergy Drive is expected to slash costs and weight. Additionally, a plug-in version of the hybrid will be engineered to tout increased gas mileage with larger engine. It has also been suggested that a range of different sized models are planned, rather than a single model. The first of these new models is set to be introduced in 2009. This new Prius may carry the Lexus brand.

Diesel cars top the government’s new ‘Act on’ list, with officials advising motorists who drive predominantly outside towns and cities to choose them over gasoline cars. The number of diesel cars on Britain’s roads has nearly tripled over the last ten years to 6.1 million in 2006. Now they account for 22 percent of cars.

“The Polo Blue Motion 1.4 TDI 80PS, which includes a diesel particulate filter system, is among the first conventional-engine cars to be exempt from road tax because of its low emissions,” Dalton reported. “The Prius is joint runner-up in the tables with the diesel Mini Cooper D hatchback, which also has a particulate filter and will be available next month.” There must be something about the Volkswagen Radiator Hose? Or is it the package?

The government rankings, compiled with What Car? magazine, feature the ten lowest emission vehicles in 14 categories - from superminis to luxury cars. The rankings use the government’s Vehicle Certification Agency’s emissions data. The agency is responsible for conducting the official tests to determine the emissions from cars.

Stuart Hay, the head of policy at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “Unfortunately, no account is taken of other local air pollutants that come from diesel cars, so the public might not necessarily be buying the most environmentally friendly car overall.”

“If most of your driving is in cities, diesel cars might not be as good for the environment as you might think. Particulates and NOX increase lung cancer and cardiac diseases, and make existing conditions, like asthma, worse,” said Ed Dearnley, a policy officer with the National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection.

Jim Fitzpatrick, a UK transport minister who is due to launch the list today, said: “By choosing the car with the most fuel-efficient engine in its class, drivers could reduce their engine emissions by 24 per cent and potentially save a quarter on fuel costs. The car you choose can help reduce your impact on the environment, and save money.”

Steve Fowler, editor of What Car?, has this to say: “These rankings are exactly what consumers need to make an informed choice about the car to buy to minimize fuel consumption, save money and help tackle climate change.”

Caffeinated Content

Jeffery Reed asked:


There are 4 games slated this week for the 2008 NFL playoffs. As I see it 3 of the home teams will win along with 1 underdog.

Dallas Cowboys - New York Giants. I consider myself somewhat of a homer. I grew up in Louisiana and I was a New Orleans Saints / Archie Manning fan from child hood. I like both of Archies’ son and always root for them to do well. Eli played his college ball in Mississippi where I now reside so I followed his college career pretty closely.

I think that the Giants moral victory against the Patriots in week 17 did a lot more for their confidence than most people realize. Eli finally got one monkey off his back last week with his first playoff victory. A little known fact is that Michael Spurlock, a kick returner on the other team is the guy who succeeded Eli at quarterback for Ole Miss.

I think the momentum that the Giants now have along with the Tony Roma - Jessica Simpson curse will propel the Giants to victory in the first ever playoff meeting between these two teams.

In keeping with the Manning theme, I expect the Colts to take care of the Chargers with not much problem. The Chargers handed the Colts one of the two loses this season that really mattered. Peyton Manning had a terrible day with 6 interceptions. No way that happenes again!! After a slow start, Norv Turner has actually taken the Chargers further than Marty did last year, but I expect that run to end this week.

The Jaguars squeezed by the team with my namesake as a kicker last week (Pittsburgh Steelers / Jeff Reed). The Jaguars have played well all seaon long, but with the undefeated Patriots and record setting quarterback, Tom Brady along with record setting receiver Randy Moss, I just don’t see much hope for the Jaguars. Moss broke Jerry Rice’s single season touchdown record this season. Again, I am a homer and saw Jerry Rice play at lease 5 times in his senior season in college. I was rooting for the record to stand, but to no avail. I was also hoping that Tom would not break Peyton’s touchdown record that he had just obtained a couple of seasons ago, but again to no avail. They same touchdown pass broke both records. I wonder who kept the ball.

The last game of the weekend will be played between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks. Mike Holgreen takes his team to Green Bay to play aginst the team that he won a Super Bowl with. Again, I am being a homer and rooting for the Mississippi connection of Brett Favre to Donald Driver. I just don’t see Seattle having the fire power to take down the Packers.

Check back next week for my predictions and to see how I did with this week’s predictions.

Create a video blog

Abigail Franks asked:


Fasting, or more accurately starving yourself to lose weight can produce very fast weight loss. The problem with this and so many other weight loss plans is that sooner or later you need to go back to managing your own food. Understand that any type of quick weight loss that takes you out of your normal patterns is usually not a long-term solution.

My normal patterns, I mean, your personal food choices and selections. Almost anyone can lose weight with those portion control meal plans that come prepackaged and prepared. The problem becomes apparent when you quit buying those prepackaged foods and need to decide what you will eat from the refrigerator or a restaurant menu.

Understand that fasting and weight loss seem to go together well, because not eating has always been a guaranteed path to weight loss. The old adage that to lose weight, you need to eat less and exercise more continues to be true.

For those of you who think that as long as you’re thinner, it’s worth the risk, you need to rethink that outlook. Fast too long and your body will begin to experience some fun and exciting side effects like possibly kidney stones. The pain is so unbelievable and can last for hours and even days. The real fun begins however when you get past them through your urine. Believe it or not, kidney stones are just a minor inconvenience in relation to some of the more serious health problems you can create with fasting.

Beyonce Knowles appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and claimed she lost 20 pounds on a Lemonade Fast. That’s probably as far as a lot of people, desperate to lose weight might have heard. Glossed over were the following facts:

1. Beyoncé is 25 years old. Younger people are better able to tolerate abusing their bodies than the rest of us.

2. She had the benefit of childhood metabolism. It’s no secret that our metabolisms slow down as we age. This means it’s more difficult to lose weight, no matter what diet plan are fast is used

3. Beyoncé admitted she was very irritable while on the diet.

4. Being rich, she had a nutritionalist available in most likely an exercise program monitored by a personal coach.

The most important point, however, and was that after she completed the scenes for the movie, she immediately gained back all of those 20 pounds.

There is just no way that you can maintain weight loss due to a fast without major changes in your dietary eating habits and/or exercise regimen. What any of us and a diet and go back to normal eating patterns, we tend to put all the weight lost back on along with a couple more pounds. The extra poundage is caused by our bodies having just experienced starvation. Our bodies will want to add a little more reserve (fat) to our frames to protect us from the next period of starvation that may come our way.

Fasting for a day or two at a time can actually be beneficial to weight loss by improving your metabolism. In the end any diet that doesn’t consider maintaining adequate vitamins, minerals, nutrients, carbohydrates and proteins should be considered dangerous to your health.

Caffeinated Content

Jay Kibbee asked:


Little Guy Network launched last month with a huge bang! Team18K.com is contributing to their success! Team18K.com is Taking the NEXT 30 People to $18,000 per Month. Will YOU be one of the NEXT 30? This incredible business model was created for the little guy or gal who wants to earn money with a legitimate home business but can’t afford the cost of a high ticket internet business. It was also created for those who are already in a high ticket program but are not receiving any sales because your prospects can’t afford it either so you have unpaid prospects sitting in your back office. Check it out now: www.Team18K.com
Little Guy Network is only $200 compared to $997 - $3000 system cost of other programs like: Reverse Funnel System, Cruise to Cash, EDC, Perfect Wealth Formula, Passport to Wealth, Roadmap to Riches, etc. At this affordable costs you still get all the benefits of the high ticket opportunities including $50,000 worth of digital software, a FREE Managed Marketing Co-Op, 1-800 toll free assisitance, free Unlimited Travel vouchers, FREE Marketing tools, FREE capture page with built in email autoresponder, website with flash movie, and a FREE marketing site with videos to help you set up your free payment buttons, domain name registration, and advertising. You also receive Jay’s marketing expertise. Jay will share with you his little known FREE marketing techniques. These techniques will allow you to place hundreds of the exact same ads for FREE. www.Team18K.com
Jay with www.Team18K.com will also provide you with his complete marketing sources. These are free and low cost advertising sources that he actually uses not like most sponsors giving you advertising sources that they never used themselves. As long as you do not try to re-invent the wheel and do as instructed step by step, you will succeed. In addition you will have email and phone support and a Little Guy Network prospect call every Thursday night at 9pm EST. There is also a marketing call every Tuesday night at 9pm EST.
Little Guy Network has an awesome compensation plan. You receive $150 per sale plus every member you bring in will pass up their first sale to you. In addition there is a nice residual income that you couldn’t stop even if you wanted. You receive $25 from every sale your personal downline makes. This is the perfect home internet business for the stay at home mom or anyone looking to get out of a dead end job and make a better life for themselves and their family.
If you would like to earn a substantial monthly income working online in the privacy of your own home, without paying $1000 please visit - www.Team18K.com or phone 515-865-7855

Create a video blog…instantly.

Richard A. Baker asked:


In the early 1980’s, the Austrian government was looking for a new standard issue pistol for the country’s armed forces. Requirements for the new pistol included ease of use, light weight, accuracy, and reliability.

Glock had been producing equipment for the Austrian army for decades, but had never been in the business of making firearms. At the urging of members of the Austrian military, Glock began research and development on a pistol that would meet the military’s needs.

The result was the Glock 17, a 9 millimeter pistol that utilized new polymer technology for non-stress-bearing parts such as the grip frame. Lightweight and extremely reliable, the Glock 17 was quickly adopted by military and law enforcement agencies worldwide.

The new pistol also caught the attention of the media, Hollywood and, of course, anti-gun groups. Despite the fact that 86% of the pistol was made from hardened steel, Glock pistols were inaccurately described as being undetectable by airport x-ray screening. For example, in the movie “Die Hard 2,” Lieutenant John McClane (played by Bruce Willis) makes a comment about the Glock being invisible to airport screening devices.

True to form, politicians in Washington seized upon the media hype, and legislation was drafted in 1988 that would ban “plastic guns” that could evade airport screening devices. Despite the fact that no such gun existed then, or will exist in the foreseeable future, congress enacted a ban. Vice President Dick Cheney, then a congressman from Wyoming, was one of only three members of congress who refused to ban a gun that didn’t exist.

What does this “ancient history” have to do with 2008? Apparently plenty, at least with regard to the United States Supreme Court. During opening arguments in Heller vs. the District of Columbia on March 18 2008, justices and attorneys were keen on whether an individual right to bear arms would allow “plastic guns” that could go undetected by airport screening equipment.

One would think that such learned men would be above the hype, but apparently the ability to discern Hollywood from the real world is not a prerequisite for graduating from law school.

When congressmen, senators and Supreme Court justices base their decisions upon what is depicted in the movies, it’s readily apparent why our country is headed in a downward spiral.

What’s next to be banned? “Plastic cars” that can evade police radar scanners?

Create a video blog…instantly.

John Kim asked:


Jessica Ann Simpson was born on July 10, 1980. She rose to fame during the late 90’s when her music earned popularity. A decade later, her celebrity status underwent a resurgence thanks in large part to her MTV reality show, Newlyweds, which she starred in along with her then-husband Nick Lachey. With her status rising, Simpson not only saw her album sales go up, but was also able to release her own signature line of beauty products, Dessert Beauty and Dessert Treat, in addition to starting a career as an actress.
Simpson was born and raised in Texas, began singing at a very young age as a part of her church choir. Her father is Joe Simpson, a former Baptist youth minister, and her sister is Ashlee Simpson, whose music career took off in the middle of 2004. When she was 12, she made an unsuccessful bid to join The New Mick Mouse Club, which was comprised of several rising stars, including Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Justin Timberlake. Impressed by Simpson’s singing performance at a church camp, an executive of a small contemporary Christian record label offered Simpson a record deal, which had her for a period of three years, in a studio recording her first album. Due to the label’s insolvency, the record was never released. Simpson missed her senior year of high school to tour with the Christian Youth Conference circuit and to promote her demo album, funded by her grandmother. After her performances, Simpson and her father sold copies of her album, which would eventually wind up in the hands of Tommy Mottola of Columbia Records, who would ultimately give her a record deal and a chance to achieve mainstream commercial success.
In late 1999, Simpson’s debut album, Sweet Kisses, hit stores debuting at #25 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, while penetrating the top 40 of UK album charts. Thanks to hit singles like, “I Wanna Love You Forever,” “Where You Are,” and “I Think I’m in Love with You,” the album would go on to sell two million units in the U.S. Two years later, in the summer of 2001, Simpson would release her sophomore album, Irresistible. The album, which included top twenty his single, “Irresistible” would reach the Billboard 200’s top ten, an improvement over her first album’s debut. However, the album was a bit of a letdown in terms of commercial success compared to her first album, selling 500,000 copies in the U.S. The following year, Columbia Records would release an EP remix album, This Is the Remix; a compilation of electro-dance remixes of Simpson’s hit singles. The album would go on to sell only 28,000 copies.
Early in her career, Simpson said that she was saving her virginity until she was married, though that claim has not been fully trusted by the general public. She married Nick Lachey, the former frontman for the pop band 98 Degrees, in late 2002. The couple’s life was made into an MTV reality show, Newlyweds, which was relatively popular. In 2004, Simpson would also appear on a variety show with Lachey on ABC, called the Nick and Jessica Variety Hour. That same year, Simpson would take home three Teen Choice Award for Hottie Female, Female Fashion Icon, as well as Female Reality/Variety TV Star for Newlyweds. Simpson’s third album, In This Skin, released in 2003 at the time of Newlyweds premiere, did not make a huge splash on music charts. However, thanks to the popularity of Newlyweds, the album’s special collector’s edition released in the following year, debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and the top 40 of UK charts. The album, which included hit single, “With You,” would go on to become her most commercially successful album, selling close to three million copies in the U.S.
During the holiday season of 2004, Simpson released a holiday album, ReJoyce: The Christmas Album, which would climb to #14 on U.S. charts. In the following year, Simpson debuted her acting skills playing Daisy Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard, a film would open at the top of the U.S. box-office chart with a gross of 30 million plus. In November 2005, after months of speculation and rumor, Simpson and Lachey would officially announce their split. Simpson filed for divorce in December of 2005, citing “irreconcilable differences.”
Simpson is currently set to release a new album in August of 2006 entitled A Public Affair. Her next single, “A Public Affair” will hit airwaves on June 23, 2006 and a music video for the song is scheduled to be released on June 30, 2006. Simpson will also continue to pursue her acting career, starring in her second film, Employee of the Month. She also reportedly has won the role of “Emily Benjamin” in Major Movie Star, and will also appear in the big screen adaptation of Dallas.

Website content

S. Barbu asked:


Is it true that celebrities really desist from endorsing cigarettes of all hues? Is it because they are conscious of their social responsibilities? Pictures of celebrities smoking appear glamorous and civilized, regardless of the context of the scene in a movie and thus it strikes a cord with teens. They are shown at parties with a cigarette which pushes young people to emulate them. The brands they smoke, Marlboro cigarettes, Camel, Winston, Virginia Slims, Salem etc, become a point of campus discussion.

Could it be that the stars themselves have been influenced by the glamour that was once associated with cigarettes? Perhaps if you spend long enough in the fantasy world of film you start to believe in the celluloid image. Just like Gloria Swanson in ‘Sunset Boulevard’ you lose touch with reality.

After all, it’s not so long ago that everybody who was somebody in Hollywood smoked and was proud of it. Cigarettes smoking was glamorous and sophisticated. Just think of the iconic image of Audrey Hepburn in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ as Holly Golightly posing elegantly with her long cigarette holder, upswept chignon and little black dress.

What’s not so elegant of course is the way Audrey Hepburn succumbed to the smoking habit herself. Ignoring her mother’s ‘beauty tip’ to: “keep to six cigarettes a day only”, Hepburn managed two or three packs at her worst times - even smoking in her nun’s habit on the set of ‘The Nun’s Story’ and chain smoking her way through ‘My Fair Lady’. Unsurprisingly, she suffered from asthma for most of her life and died of cancer at only 63 - looking frail and old for her years. Not the kind of ending we like to imagine for the sublime Holly Golightly.

There’s no doubt that the very nature of the movie business has caused many a celebrity to start treading the nicotine path. Smoking is as common in movies today as it was back in the 1950’s although overall smoking in the population at large has reduced. Could it be that a cigarette has become the film prop of choice for actors looking for an easy way to inhabit another skin?

For some celebrities - tired of the constant criticism and the ciggy shots splashed across the tabloids - a kind of smoking defiance has crept in. As Gwyneth Paltrow once said, “I smoke and I’m not going to stop!” Paltrow - famous for getting through a pack of Camel Lights a day in her teens and twenties - has only very recently quit smoking. Perhaps she started to wonder how her fine, fair skin and ethereal beauty would cope with the collagen depletion in her fourties and fifties.

Some celebrities keep going with the smoking habit whatever the consequences and even if it impacts on their relationships. It’s well known that smoking was a bone of contention between Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston during their marriage. Brad Pitt is on record as saying how much he hated his ex-wife’s chain smoking. His disapproval didn’t cut much ice with Jennifer though - as recent paparazzi photos show. You have to ask why one of the worlds most loved and naturally attractive women would do this to themselves?

Similarly, iconic top model Kate Moss is regularly photographed with her cigarettes, a lighter and a mobile phone as her only fashion accessory. As a supreme super model its probably not surprising that Moss still manages to appear effortlessly elegant and beautiful however she’s photographed - at least for now. She certainly shows no signs of wanting to quit smoking any time soon. Perhaps like so many in her world - she associates smoking with thinness. Or perhaps, for her, it’s the least troubling of her addictions.

When celebrities do chose to quit its fascinating that the reasons given are so often not about looks. Catherine Zeta-Jones for instance, quit smoking - so she said - because she didn’t want her children to start asking questions. Not as you might have thought - because beauty is her personal trademark and smoking would kick-start skin aging and undermine her potential to earn huge sums of money.

Whatever the reasons celebrities have for smoking or for deciding to quit - the truth about skin damage and smoking very rarely features as a major factor in the debate. Well - we think it should. So our advice to all you celebrity smokers out there - carry on smoking if you want but don’t expect your fickle public not to notice the effect on your looks. And when you hit a deluded middle age you may still be able to say, like Gloria Swanson in ‘Sunset Boulevard’: “I’m ready for my close-up now Mr de Mille” - but only if it’s filmed in heavy soft-focus, expertly back-lit and then extensively re-touched afterwards.

Caffeinated Content for WordPress

James Philips asked:


When it comes to perfumes, fragrance companies currently know that the name matters. In fact, the world’s current best selling perfumes are those that take namesakes from famous icons and celebrities like rapper Sean Combs, actress Jessica Parker and performer Beyonce Knowles. That is the reason why many fashion houses with designer perfumes, like Elizabeth Arden and Estee Lauder, opt to name their top new scents after willing endorsers and celebrities. Not fully jumping into the bandwagon is Liz Claiborne perfumes.

Liz Claiborne perfumes are considered one of the most popular fragrance makers on the globe. As of the latest sales figures, the company’s signature line called Curve for Men is among the top annually grossing perfume brands in the world. The feat is outstanding because notably, Liz Claiborne does not have to name its perfumes after popular celebrities just to sell.

Liz Claiborne perfumes are among the pride of fashion house Liz Claiborne Inc, which is one of the companies listed at the latest Fortune 500. A New York fashion designer named Liz Claiborne, of course, as you guessed it, founded the company. Since its establishment in 1976, Liz Claiborne Inc has been able to make its own niche in the ever growing and more meticulous global fashion market.

The fashion company was able to put up and launch up to 40 popular flagship brands including Mexx, Lucky Brand Jeans and Juicy Couture. Since 1976, Liz Claiborne has been noted as one of America’s fastest growing firms as its annual revenue of $2 million in its initial year robustly grew to reach $23 million in just two years. Consequently, the company was able to list its shares in New York in 1981. Liz Claiborne first made it into the Fortune 500 list in 1986, exactly a decade since its foundation.

Within those glorious years,