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Consumerist
Badvertising
It Looks Like High Fructose Corn Syrup Manufacturers Are Getting A Little Nervous
The Corn Refiners Association is sick and tired of people expressing uncertainty about the dubious heath benefits of high fructose corn syrup, so they're running some commercials featuring aggressively annoying people getting schooled on the "facts" about our most omnipresent sweetener. All we managed to glean from the commercials is that not consuming high fructose corn syrup makes you rude. In the first one, one mom walks up to another (who is pouring some sort of pink liquid from a jug) and says, "Wow, you don't care what the kids eat, huh?" What a jerk. More »
In Brief
Skype and Paypal take weeks to resolve identity theft
FROM VALLEYWAG.COM: A tipster writes us to complain about eBay subsidiaries Skype and PayPal's response to identity theft. Reading his letter, which we've copied below, you'll see the problem is not so much that Skype and PayPal wouldn't refund the money the thief spent using our tipster's account. More »
The FAA cited three major airlines for safety violations. None of the breaches put people or passengers at risk, said the FAA. [Washington Post]
Funerals
Funeral Association Scaring People Away From Green Burials?
Funeral homes are being scared away from "green" burial options by an indemnification form the National Funeral Directors Association included in one of their recent magazine issues, according to an open letter posted on Funeral Consumers Alliance. The language basically suggests that if you don't use mainstream funeral methods, in terms of the embalming and type of coffin used, you won't be able to show grandma because she'll be all rotted, the grave will turn into a sinkhole, and you might not be able to find where the body was buried years down the road. Here's the specific language they're using...
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In Brief
JetBlue Auctions Off Flights Starting at Five Cents
FROM LIFEHACKER.COM: Low-cost airline JetBlue is auctioning off more than 300 round-trip flights at their eBay store and, as of this posting, some still have opening bids of five or 10 cents. More »
Health
"Studies Recommend Surgery For You" (But The Studies Can't Be Found)
Seth Robert's doctor discovered he had a tiny hernia and referred him to a general surgeon, who recommended surgery. Seth, a psychology professor at UC Berkely and author of The Shrangri-La Diet, asked why. "It could get worse," she said. "Why is it better to have surgery than not," asked Seth. "Surgery is dangerous, expensive, and time-consuming." The surgeon said clinical trials showed the benefits of this surgery. "Just use Google, you'll find them." Seth tried to find them. His mom, who does medical searching as her job, couldn't find any completed clinical trials. More »
Sex
Verizon Junk Mail Advertises Phone Sex Hotline
The phone number in this Verizon mailer connects to "an exciting new way to go live with hot horny girls." Can you hear me now, big boy?
Thanks to Jon!)
Banana Republic
Morning Deals
- Banana Republic: 30% off today only with coupon code HAPPY30 or printable coupon
- Sears: Free Masterlock with printable coupon
- MusiciansFriend: AKG Handheld Condenser Microphone for $100 + free shipping. Today only.
- Timbuk2: Save up to 60% off Messenger Bags, Backpacks, & More
- New York & Co.: Extra 20% off Store-Wide Women's Apparel
- Office Depot: Viewsonic N3235w 32-inch LCD HDTV $470 & Free Shipping
Badvertising
Get Ready For An Onslaught Of Food Advertising
Foodmakers are planning to bombard you with advertising to keep you from ditching their carefully groomed brands for some blechy cheapo generics. Pay no attention as they try to re-brand their products as cheap and affordable. Here's a small preview of what to expect... More »
Dell
Dell Doesn't Care Where You Live, Keeps Delivering Packages To The Wrong Address
Elizabeth went out and bought a Mac after Dell twice sent Windows XP replacement CDs to her old address. After each failed delivery attempt, Elizabeth called Dell, which repeatedly promised that they'd get it right next time. One CSR even claimed that he personally called DHL to change the shipping address. (He didn't.) More »
Your Health
20 Drugs That Probably Won't Kill You, But Potentially Could, Maybe
Don't freak out or anything, but the FDA is going to publish a list of medicines that could kill you. Or not. They're not really sure. Still, there is going to be a list, and if it shows a medicine that you're taking, then, um, yeah, sorry to hear that... More »
Kay Jewelers
Help, Kay Jewelers Destroyed My Wedding Ring During A Routine Cleaning!
Kay Jewelers deformed Lisa's wedding ring during a routine cleaning and refuses to provide a replacement ring. Lisa first noticed that a tiny diamond was missing, which Kay Jewelers found stuck in their cleaning equipment. In the process of reseating the diamond, Kay again deformed the ring, scratching out the ring's beaded edges. Kay decided they couldn't repair the destroyed ring, but rather than ordering a new one from the manufacturer, Kay decided to remake the ring using a low-resolution picture of the original as their guide. Shockingly, that ring didn't work out either. It's now been three months and Lisa wants her wedding ring back. More »
College
Give The Gift Of College For Your Next Birthday Party
Thanks to state-sponsored 529 plans, friends and family can finally contribute to college savings funds without drowning under long forms and boring paperwork. More »
Animal House
Unlike prospective homebuyers, this pair of bobcats went absolutely wild over a foreclosed Lake Elsinore home. According to the L.A. Times, the bobcats were likely attracted by an outdoor koi pond, which isn't just decorative, but serves as a fabulous source of drinking water. Like any suburban couple, the pair is expected to stay until the kids are old enough to leave.
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This Foreclosed Property Is An Excellent Home For Bobcats
Unlike prospective homebuyers, this pair of bobcats went absolutely wild over a foreclosed Lake Elsinore home. According to the L.A. Times, the bobcats were likely attracted by an outdoor koi pond, which isn't just decorative, but serves as a fabulous source of drinking water. Like any suburban couple, the pair is expected to stay until the kids are old enough to leave.
More »
Road rage
Comcast Driver To Senior Citizen: "Get The F!@# Down From Your Car So I Can Kick Your Ass"
Northfaceninja watched in horror as a Comcast employee repeatedly smashed his Comcast van into a car driven by a senior citizen before barking: "Get the fuck down from your car so I can kick your ass." The angry employee quickly abandoned his ass-kicking plan once he noticed onlookers jotting down his license plate number. More »
Too Big Too Fail
Oh dear, all that talk about Freddie and Fannie being "adequately capitalized" was utter bullshit and the government has now announced plans to place the failed government sponsored enterprises into conservatorship. That means the fate of the housing market and the global economy rest squarely on the shoulders of U.S. taxpayers.
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Nobody Panic: Government Seizes Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae
Oh dear, all that talk about Freddie and Fannie being "adequately capitalized" was utter bullshit and the government has now announced plans to place the failed government sponsored enterprises into conservatorship. That means the fate of the housing market and the global economy rest squarely on the shoulders of U.S. taxpayers.
More »
Bad Ideas
