Stupid Stories Of The Day
1) Mayor vexed by salesmen on ‘bat phone
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg complained to a US Senate committee that he’s vexed by pesky dinnertime phone calls from salesmen — ringing him on his secure line. Much like the Gotham police commissioner’s secure line to the ‘bat phone’ in the 1960s Batman television show, the kitchen of Bloomberg’s Upper East Side townhouse has been outfitted for emergency top-secret communications. Testifying at a Senate hearing on protecting America after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, Bloomberg was asked about New York City’s updated communications equipment that allows police, fire, health and other officials to talk to each other in a crisis. Bloomberg mentioned his secure phone and the insurance salesmen that regularly call him on it. Following the hearing, Bloomberg stood before reporters who asked about as many questions about the ‘Bat phone’ as they did about New York’s quest for more anti-terrorism funds. “It’s never been used other than to answer an occasional call for ‘Do I want to subscribe to a particular magazine, buy an insurance policy’ or some other such ridiculous thing,” Bloomberg said. Asked what thoughts race through his mind when it rings, Bloomberg deadpanned, “It’s somebody trying to sell insurance. That’s what I think.” For the record, the phone, which the mayor said has a secure device “that encodes on either end,” is not red. As for how salesmen tap into the super-secret line, Bloomberg said, “You can dial a number at random and eventually get to everyone in the world.
2) Rabid raccoon attacks woman on porch
An woman in the US is undergoing rabies treatment after she was attacked on her porch by a rabid raccoon. Beverly Lanouette said the animal came up from behind and latched onto her leg. “It was a huge raccoon who meant business,” she told news stations. “It was very angry and growling and wouldn’t let go of my leg.” She said she beat the animal with a chair to get it off of her. The animal was killed and tested positive for the rabies. Police said it was the third raccoon attack in town but the first involving a human. Two dogs were attacked in the town. Two attacks on dogs were also reported in Manchester, prompting health officials to remind owners to keep their pets’ vaccinations up to date. Three of the dogs attacked had to be euthanized because they weren't up to date on their vaccinations. Health officials say there isn’t a pandemic of rabies. Instead, the warm weather has caused wild and domesticated animals to interact more. The first strain of rabies in raccoons in Connecticut was discovered in Ridgefield in 1991, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
