1-ton rodent was size of small car

Scientists have just discovered the remains of the largest rodent that has ever been discovered. It is said to have been around three meters in length and one and one half meters tall. Scientists have been able to determine the body weight of the rodent to have been one ton after studying the size ratios of the skulls and bodies of today’s existing rodents. The rodent was discovered in San Jose along the coast of Uruguay by two paleontologist from uruguay; Andres Rinderknecht and Ernesto Blanco. Based on the forms of the teeth it has been determined that the rodent ate soft vegetables and fruit since the land it was discovered in was one abundant in vegetation. The rodent has been named Josephoartigasia monesi and is considered an ancestor to the capybara the largest living rodent on earth at fifty kilograms.

This is such a great discovery. It is good to know that the science of paleontology hasn’t died and that new things are being discovered. Even if the fossils of extinct animals doesn’t come along very often it is always fun to hear about them when they are found. Paleontology has always been an area of science that has intrigued me and I just have to wonder how those two scientists must have felt about finding such an incredible discovery. It helps to bring history to life and helps to put into perspective what the earth was once like and how much it has changed.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/01/16/super.rat/index.html

Mangled pit bulls thrown in trash

Early last Sunday morning two injured terriers were discovered in the dumpster after a dog fight that had not ended so well for them. They after suspected to have been dumped even earlier that morning or late the night before, only one of them survived. There have been other discoveries of these dogs dumping even before now six other dogs in October were all found alive. In August five Rottweilers and a pit bull and just before that another pit bull was found in the street. It is believed that dog fighting has become the way of gang fighting and that gangs will meet up and fight their dogs to see which one it tougher. This has always occurred but is becoming more noticeable after the sentencing of suspended football start Michael Vick who was charged with fighting dogs on his property. The dog that was rescued on Sunday is recovering but may have to be put down if the fighting nature of it can’t be changed since it will be deemed a risk to society once it is back to normal.

This is absolutely ridiculous what people do for entertainment now, or the lengths people go to in order to prove they are tough. Normally I find it hard to side with the Animal Rights people but on this case I am behind them one hundred percent. Dogs were not meant to fight each other to their deaths for our benefit and people who take part in this should be sentenced and taught that this is not the right thing to do. Michael Vick’s punishment was a little drastic but hopefully people will see the consequences of his actions and will learn from that and dog fighting will either lessen or come to a halt altogether.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/09/discarded.dogs.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
http://a.abcnews.com/images/TheLaw/apg_dog_fight_070719_ms.jpg

Analysis: Huckabee up, Clinton down heading to Granite State

As a result of the Iowa caucus the front runners of the 2008 election are Mike Huckabee and Barck Obama. Both of who took a good majority of the votes in Iowa on Thursday. Huckabee was able to win thirty-four percent of the votes while Romney earned twenty-five. Barack Obama had thirty eight while John Edwards had only thirty. Now the battle for New Hampshire begins where Romney and McCain seem to be the top candidates in that region of the country. While Huckabee seems to be on a role New Hampshire will be entirely different for the man and for Hilary Clinton as well. The hopes of earning the votes of woman has not added up the way she intended. She is a favorite for women over the age of sixty but women ages eighteen to fifty nine tend to lean towards Obama. Edwards, Richardson, and Thompson all are trying to find ways to stay alive in the campaigns.

The fact the Mike Huckabee is now of the favorites of the election this fall is really exciting for me. I am not really one to follow elections but i am putting more of an effort into it this year since I will actually be able to vote. Huckabee is one of my favorite candidates, party because i like cheering for the underdog and also because he is a Christian. I have strong faith in God and I feel that many politicians have lost sight of that but Huckabee is going strong and that is one thing that he has going for him. Way to go. Of course opinions change and so do the standings of the candidates but this is the first big step into seeing the possibilities for our next president.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/04/iowa.analysis/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Prisoner takes gun, escapes hospital

On Wednesday Kevin Poke a high security prisoner was taken to the Maryland's Laurel Regional Hospital after complaing of chest pains while in the prison. Upon arrival to the hospital he overpowered his guard and took his .38 caliber revolver. Two other correctional officers entered the room where Poke disarmed the on officer carrying the weapon and forced both to the floor. An unarmed hospital security guard also joined into the room where Poke forced him to the floor with the other two officers leaving one of the guns he had attained behind him. He then ventured to the parking lot and stole a car from a fifty one year old man who suffered a gun shot wound to the head. (The man is said to be doing well) The hospital was in lock down for several minutes until authorities realized Poke had left the building and recovered the fifty one year old man's Toyota Camry shortly before one P.M. Poke was eventually tracked down shot and killed by the police in the area.

It is such a freaky thing when you think that one man can make such a difference. He did not just over power an ordinary citizen for his car but five security guards. Whether they were armed or not should not really matter but it brings into perspective the severity of our lack ot attention. That same hospital also encountered another escaped convict in November. He was found only a few hours later after taking a state troopers gun and running for it. When things like this happen it really makes you wonder if we treating our convicts to kindly. Everyone is entitled to medical treatment when in need of it but if convicts are using that as an excuse to get out of the peniteniary and are escaping from a lower security facility then maybe changes should be made. Poke only had shackles on his feet and was not handcuffed, for one if prisoners are going to be taken out of correctional facilities they should always be kept in handcuffs or sedated in some way so they are not given the chance of overpowering law enforcement and putting other people in danger.




































































http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/01/02/maryland.hospital/index.html?iref=mpstoryview