A Strange Early Warning System

This is the American toad (Bufo americanus).

It is the only species of toad to be found in Wisconsin and I expect a chorus of these to begin their spring song anytime now.

They're good to have around as they are an early warning system of sorts.

When it comes to predicting earthquakes, toads - warts and all - may be an asset.

British researchers said Wednesday that they observed a mass exodus of toads from a breeding site in Italy five days before a major tremor struck, suggesting the amphibians may be able to sense environmental changes, imperceptible to humans that foretell a coming quake.

Since ancient times, anecdotes and folklore have linked unusual animal behavior to cataclysmic events like earthquakes, but hard evidence has been scarce.

A new study by researchers from the Open University is one of the first to document animal behavior before, during and after an earthquake.

I'll let you know if I see an exodus of my toads.

But only after I beat it out of Dodge first.

You can read more about it here.

Thou Dost Protest Too Much

Spokespeople for the newly launched "Organized Resistance Against New tax on Gamma Ray Exposure" (ORANGE) gathered on Capitol Hill today to state their case against the new 10% excise tax on indoor tanning that goes into effect on July 1, 2010.

Details here.

Tread Carefully Today

The history of April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day is uncertain, but the current thinking is that it began around 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved from March 25 - April 1 (new year's week) to January 1.

Communication traveled slowly in those days and some people were only informed of the change several years later. Still others, who were more rebellious refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration, April 1.

These people were labeled "fools" by the general populace, were subject to ridicule and sent on "fool errands," sent invitations to nonexistent parties and had other practical jokes played upon them. The butts of these pranks became known as a "poisson d'avril" or "April fish" because a young naive fish is easily caught. In addition, one common practice was to hook a paper fish on the back of someone as a joke.

This harassment evolved over time and a custom of prank-playing continue on the first day of April. This tradition eventually spread elsewhere like to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French. Because of this spread to other countries, April Fool's Day has taken on an international flavor with each country celebrating the holiday in its own way.

In 1996 the Taco Bell Corporation announced it had bought the Liberty Bell and was renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell. Hundreds of outraged citizens called the National Historic Park in Philadelphia where the bell was housed to express their anger. Their nerves were only calmed when Taco Bell revealed, a few hours later, that it was all a practical joke. The best line of the day came when White House press secretary Mike McCurry was asked about the sale. Thinking on his feet, he responded that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold. It would now be known, he said, as the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial.

Learn more about the best April Fool Pranks here.

High Cost of Healthcare

According to the Office of Management and Budget - when Medicare was signed into law by President Johnson in 1965 it was projected that the annual cost of Medicare in 1990 (25 years in the future) would be $12 billion.

Just a short decade later (1975) the actual cost of Medicare was $13 billion.

By the time 1990 rolled-around the cost had risen to $98 billion - more than 8 times as large as the original 1965 forecast.

News You Can Use

The final bill in terms of the death toll and economic loss is still being calculated after massive earthquakes hit Haiti and Chile this year. It will far outweigh the 15,000 people who died or went missing as a result of natural and man-made catastrophes in 2009.

Last year the total losses from catastrophes hit $62 billion, of which only $26 billion was covered by insurance, according to Swiss Re. (The insurance firm considers events "catastrophes" if insured claims, total economic losses or casualties exceed a certain threshold). Insured natural catastrophes accounted for $22 billion and man-made disasters $4 billion.

The most disastrous year for insurance companies was 2005. Insurance losses totaled some $117 billion after Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma and Rita struck America. Hurricane Katrina alone claimed 1,836 lives and resulted in insured losses of some $71 billion.

Learn more about the insurance price tag of major catastrophes around globe.

Source: The Economist

The Man Drawer

Some men have a manbag that they use to tote their stuff around.

I don't have such a thing.

However, The Frau has allotted me one drawer in the china cabinet for me to toss and/or collect important junk.

The contents presently includes (but is not limited to) three varieties of ammo, a couple of flashlights, three knives, GPS device, digital camera, pedometer, a couple of pistol clips, boot laces, assorted hand warmers, four two-way radios, a battery charger, tree nuts, hunting/fishing licenses and a chapstick.

Having a Bad Day?

Just about the time you think you're having a bad day you find out someone else is having a worse one.