“Hammer vs. Gavel”

http://wonderwall.msn.com/movies/7-wonders-of-the-wall-for-dec-13-2612.video?from=en-us_msnhp

MC Hammer is being sued for owing back taxes to the US government.  Hammer famously declared bankruptcy back in 1996, but the IRS still thinks he had pretty deep pockets.  Why else would he have worn those huge, baggy pants with the crotch that only went to the knees?

Like they say, they only 2 things that are certain in life are debt and taxes.

"Tax Tricks"

The German city of Bonn has installed a meter to tax prostitutes for soliciting on its streets.  The money is then collected by the Head Meter Maid.

The fact is, prostitutes can make a lot of money.  So the government decided they wanted to get a piece of that.

At least they are pumping money into the economy.

And watch out, girls.  If you don’t pay the meter, they will ticket your ass.

It’s a porking ticket.

For working girls who don’t pay, the fines aren’t the only thing that can get pretty stiff.

The tax is a flat rate of $8.70 per night, making the city of Bonn the world’s cheapest pimp.

"Cheaters"

A new survey finds that people who cheat on their taxes are also more likely to keep the wrong change given to them by a cashier, or to keep a $20 bill they saw someone drop. They also wish survey conductors would just mind their own damn business.

“Rangel Them In”

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/12/charles-rangel-ethics-1/1

The House of Representatives voted 333 to 79 to censure Rep. Charles Rangel over ethics violations this week, the strongest form of discipline the House has short of expulsion. Though Rangel has not actually been convicted of any crime, he broke a cardinal rule of Congress: he got caught.

From Today's News, Aug. 10, 2007

While surrounded by paparazzi, Britney Spears hit a parked car while parking to do some shopping in Studio City, CA. Wow. Look how far she has to go now, to divert photographers from noticing whether or not she’s wearing underwear.

She left no note and made no attempt to contact the owner of the car she scraped. Maybe she didn’t notice the damage, or maybe she did but thought, “Oh, it’s nothing worth shaving your head over.”

Okay, so she hit a parked car. Give her a break. It’s the only hit she’s had in 3 years.

You know, this little car accident seems to be the perfect analogy for her life on the whole. No, wait. THAT’s a train wreck.



Congress is considering a measure to raise federal tax on cigarettes to $1 a pack. If the tax hike passes, economic experts say that the best way for smokers to save money is to just switch to crack.

A new warning on packs will say; Cigarette smoking can be hazardous to your wealth.

The rise in the cost of cigarettes will have other effects. Prisons have been warned to be on the lookout for counterfeit smokes being used as currency.

As the cost of cigarettes increases, it does become a bigger burden or lower-income smokers, household budgets result in two opposing scenarios: #1, people try to cut down or quit smoking, and #2, Tobacco-whores.



Luciano Pavoratti, who was admitted to a hospital in Italy earlier this week, is still being kept for observation. Through his wife he told reporters he expects to be released in the coming days. Also, she said he’s doing better, ending the conversation on a high note.

Pavoratti has not performed live, publicly since his pancreatic cancer surgery last year, but has continued to work on music recordings. It’s not the same, but it’s his choice how to conduct himself.



The U.S. Army is pulling extra staff into recruitment to try to meet their goal of 80,000 new personnel per year. Most of the people being shifted to recruiting seem optimistic. A spokesman for the department said, “Hey, it beats going to Iraq!”

The army has used successful slogans in the past, such as “Be all you can be.” “Army of one,” and the more recent “Not just strong. Army strong.” Now they’re going to a new one: “Got war?”