Drag the lake.....

....Charlie. Charlie drag the lake.

A beautiful hangover today.

Must soak head to prepare for round 2.

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Operator Operator

I'll be phoning it in the rest of this week.

Flight across country... check.

Preping for 3 days of the most glorious rock.... check.

Watch Patterson Hood Perform and Discuss "Depression Era" :: Featured Videos :: Paste

A. R. Kara: Amazing Photos from 'Elvis 1956': Celebrating The King's Birthday (PHOTOS, POLL)

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Drinken Poet's Dream

Travel day today. Short and sweet.

Go buy this record. You'll be glad you did.

Hubbard: Music:

" With a keen eye for observation and a wise man's knowledge, Ray Wylie Hubbard composes and performs a dozen songs that couldn't spring from anywhere else but out of his fertile Rock 'n' Roll bluesy poet-in-the-blistering-heat southern noggin. The writing and recording of A. Enlightenment B. Endarkenment came on the heels of Hubbard's screenplay endeavor, which was funded and filmed with a cast of icons including Kris Kristopherson, Dwight Yoakam, and Lizzy Caplan. A weekly radio show, constant touring, and producing kept him busy, but didn't manage to steal the Texan singer/songwriter's focus. The outcome of the album is a juxtaposition of songs like 'Four Horseman Of The Apocalypse,p a fundamental Gospel piece, and 'Drunken Poet's Dream,' a co-write with Hayes Carll."

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Didn't know this:

Ailing Hopper 'Facing Final Days':

"Acting legend Dennis Hopper is losing his battle with prostate cancer after the deadly disease spread to his bones, according to a British report.

The Easy Rider veteran revealed his struggle with the illness in October, after he was admitted to hospital suffering from 'severe flu-like symptoms.'

He immediately underwent treatment at the University of Southern California, but doctors admit hopes for the 73 year old are fading after the cancer spread, according to Britain's News of the World newspaper.

According to the publication, medics have informed Hopper - who has battled the disease since 2002 - that his cancer is incurable and that he may be facing his final days."

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Very cool and interesting.

A Peek Into Netflix Queues - NYTimes.com

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Falling Iguana

I think my today's post name would be a good band name.

*Dude, F.I. rocked it last night*

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Yesterday's most perfect snark:

Corn: McGwire used steroids, Fox signs Palin, sun sets in west | Raw Story:

"'McGwire used steroids. Palin signed with Fox. Sun sets in the west.'"

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Concerning the 'California is DOOOOOMED' meme....

No. No we are not.

Coolest state ever.

Calif. judge orders police to return 60 pounds of marijuana | Raw Story:

"A Los Angeles judge has ordered that 60 pounds of pot confiscated by the California Highway Patrol during an arrest be returned to the defendant.

Superior Court Judge William Sterling on Friday ordered the marijuana returned to Saguro Doven. The 33-year-old's attorneys successfully argued that he had the legal right to transport it under medical marijuana guidelines issued by state Attorney General Jerry Brown."

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No climate change here folks. Nothing to see. Move along and go teabag a loved one if such a thing is legal in your state.

Kamikaze iguanas fall from Florida's frozen trees - Telegraph

BBC News - 'Wildlife in crisis' in frozen UK:

"'With the icy weather predicted to last at least another week, this winter could be the single greatest wildlife killer of the new millennium.'"

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Quantum physics fascinates me to no end.

Daily Kos: Golden Ratio Discovered in Quantum World

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Best Products Of CES 2010: The Coolest New Tech From The Consumer Electronics Show (PHOTOS)

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Super Commie Defender!

Who is this commie defender of our Muslim President. Why, I've never seen so liberal a hippie.

Bob Barr eats so much granola...... wait.... Bob Barr? THE Bob Barr? One of the people responsible for the hyper partisanship he now so decries below?

What a world, what a world.

Critics of Obama way off base on this one | The Barr Code

Yes — the not-so-bright, would-be terrorist from Nigeria got though international and domestic security mechanisms supposed to have stopped him long before the jerk lit his underwear afire before landing in Detroit. And yes — the incident happened during the administration of President Barack Obama. But the sniping at the president by Republicans, including former Vice President Cheney, and by conservative radio and TV commentators, borders on — if not passing into — asinine.

The criticism has included such childishness as blasting Obama for waiting a few days before making a national speech on the incident. For heaven’s sake, the president was briefed on the incident from the moment it occured; he made statements almost immediately indicating his concern and that he was being regularly briefed; he took time to gather the facts and meet with his national security team; and then he appeared publicly to give a rational, measured, but hard-hitting response. And for this, a former vice president criticizes him.

Partisanship truly has pervasively infected our political system when a reasonable, measured, factual, timely and substantive response by a president to a single security incident — the roots of which clearly indicate long-simmering problems that predated his tenure in office — is publicly blasted as irresponsible. In point of fact, those levelling such counterproductive attacks are the ones engaging in irresponsible behavior.

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Democrats are resigning. The sky is falling. Republicans will win 4000 seats in the house and 250 seats in the Senate.

Except not.

As The Media Lies.

The Washington Monthly

DROPPING LIKE FLIES'?.... Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) is retiring. So is Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.). And before anyone could catch their breath, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) announced he's not seeking re-election, either.

It led ABC News to report that "Democrats are dropping like flies."

It is not shaping up to be a pretty week for the Democrats. [...]

You will certainly hear a lot of talk from Republicans that Democrats are beginning to face the reality of just how tough the current political landscape looks for them and they are running for the hills.

This is, to be sure, exactly the meme Republicans want the media to embrace, and if the coverage this morning is any indication, political journalists seem anxious to comply.

But let's add a little perspective here. Quick quiz: which party has more Senate retirements so far this campaign cycle, Democrats or Republicans? Follow-up question: which party has more House retirements so far this campaign cycle, Democrats or Republicans?

If Dems are "dropping like flies," the answer should be obvious. But it's not -- in both chambers, Republican retirements, at least for now, outnumber Democratic retirements.

In the House, 14 GOP incumbents have decided not to seek re-election, while 10 Democratic incumbents have made the same announcement. Does this mean Republicans are "dropping like flies"?

In the Senate, six Republican incumbents have decided not to seek re-election, while two Democratic incumbents have made the same announcement. Is this evidence of a mass Democratic exodus?

Among governors, several incumbents in both parties are term-limited and prevented from running again, but only three Democrats who can seek re-election -- Parkinson in Kansas, Doyle in Wisconsin, and Ritter in Colorado -- have chosen not to. For Republicans, the number is four -- Douglas in Vermont, Rell in Connecticut, Crist in Florida, and Pawlenty in Minnesota. (Update: the GOP number is five if we include Palin in Alaska.)

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Those 4000 and 250 seats will come with a large price tag.

But, certainly, Republicans have enough cash on hand.

Oh. huh.

I'll expect the news media to be all of this one.

Worst RNC cash flow in a decade - TheHill.com:

"A 2009 spending spree has left the Republican National Committee (RNC) with its worst election-year cash flow this decade.

The largest GOP party committee has $8.7 million in the bank heading into an election year with 37 governors’ races, a dozen major Senate contests, dozens more in the House and an all-important redistricting cycle on the horizon.

Said one RNC official: “It is very troubling, and the thing is, most people don’t understand this. But it is really troubling.”"

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I expect the new media to remedy the ACORN witch hunt.

Who am I kidding.

Ain't no money in rectifying wrongs.

Extra, Extra--Read All About ACORN:

"Indeed, the CRS report--requested in September by House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers and House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank--finds no instances in which ACORN 'violated the terms of federal funding in the last five years,' and no instances of individuals allegedly registered to vote improperly by ACORN 'attempting to vote at the polls.'

Good to see that the New York Times ran the story. But the placement and the timing--after 18 months of screaming headlines and attacks vilifying the anti-poverty group--is reminiscent of the McCarthy era when individuals and organizations were ruined by allegations that ran as front page news, while later evidence that vindicated them was relegated to the back pages. There was little accountability for the false accusations, little redemption for those whose lives had been shattered."

A "new McCarthyism" is seen in the manner in which guilt by association has been pursued by the likes of Glenn Beck and "mainstream" GOP leadership (if there is such a thing). A report by People for the American Way describes, for example, how "attacks on widely respected judicial nominee David Hamilton treated his one-month job as a canvasser for ACORN thirty years ago when he was 22 years old as if it had constituted a major portion of his career."

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Good stuff:

Amazing Things To Do To Your Friends When They Pass Out (PHOTOS)

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Long Time Coming - Roll Tide Roll

Whew. Been waiting for this for a damn long time.

37-21

The Alabama Crimson Tide, National Champions for the 13th time!

Roll Tide Roll!!!!

BCS Championship Game: Alabama Crimson Tide's thunderous hits struck the Texas Longhorns - ESPN:

"PASADENA, Calif. -- Nick Saban's rise to the top of the college football world has been built one thunderous tackle at a time. The wins have kept coming because the hits have kept coming, whether Saban was coaching in Baton Rouge or Tuscaloosa.

His defenses don't just shut offenses down. They beat offenses up."

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Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy reveals he suffered two cracked ribs against Florida - ESPN:

"PASADENA, Calif. -- Greg McElroy never had to leave the game. The Alabama junior never had to leave his team in the hands of an untested backup. But it turns out that Texas' Colt McCoy wasn't the only injured quarterback at the Rose Bowl on Thursday night.

'I cracked my ribs in the third quarter against Florida,' McElroy said outside the locker room. 'Two of them -- the ninth and the 10th. Left side. It's bad. I got it numbed up before the game and it was killing me at halftime.'"

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Moore ready to erect Saban’s statue | TideSports.com | The Tuscaloosa News | Tuscaloosa, AL

Beside the Walk of Champions outside Bryant-Denny Stadium, in the north end zone plaza, the Crimson Tide’s national championship coaches are honored with a bronze statue. But beside the statue of 1992 national title coach Gene Stallings, there is an empty place for UA’s next national championship coach.

Director of Athletics Mal Moore was asked if he would want Saban’s statue erected immediately.

“It was put there for this, and I will recommend to the president that we go forth,” Moore said. “Well, we’ll talk about (doing it immediately), but yeah. Hell yeah.”

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Best. Football Game. Ever!

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Fuckn Blogger

And once again Blogger kills another of my post. Don't have the energy to repost.

I've got to move out of this dump sometimes soon.

RTR.

Crooks Have Deep Pockets

I'll keep hammering the bolded point below until my fingers bleed.

A good 60% of Democrats need to learn this.

Hell needs to be raised. Always.

"Good enough" and "We'll fix it later" need to banished from all Democrats lexicon.

AMERICAblog News:

"In other words, it's appearing increasingly likely that the House-Senate conference, the meeting that was supposed to 'save' the public option, now isn't going to happen at all. The top liberal in the House has expressed his 'concern' that the conference is fading fast. The thing is, 'concern' doesn't really cut it in this town. As Joe Lieberman and Ben Nelson have shown all too clearly, you get what you want by raising hell and by being wiling to walk away from the table. Nobody fears someone who is 'concerned.'"

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Assuredly a surge in Buddhist converts is imminent.

Really, is there any more debate that FAUX is nothing more than the Christian-Republican Loon-Ass Propaganda channel?

Hume is a supposed 'news anchor'.

The Washington Monthly

O'Reilly asked a reasonably good question: "Was that proselytizing?"

"I don't think so," Hume said, before reiterating his comments from Sunday that Woods should convert to Christianity.

Hume said that given Woods problems, he "needs something that Christianity, especially, provides, and gives and offers." That includes, he said, the chance for "redemption and forgiveness." Later in the segment, Hume said: "I think that Jesus Christ offers Tiger Woods something that Tiger Woods badly needs."

I suspect for Fox News, dictionaries suffer from liberal biases, but "proselytize" isn't a word burdened by nuance. It means "to induce someone to convert to one's faith." For Hume to deny that he was proselytizing on the air is absurd. That Fox News considers this incident consistent with its professional standards tells us all we need to know about the so-called "news" network.

I've been trying to think of a way to frame this in a way Hume's far-right defenders would understand. How about this -- imagine if, after David Vitter's (R-La.), John Ensign's (R-Nev.), and Mark Sanford's (R-S.C.) humiliating sex scandals, a Buddhist media personality appeared on national television and said Christianity is clearly inadequate, and that the right-wing Republicans' lives could get back on track if they'd give up their faith and embraced Buddhism. The Buddhist said this during a news program, and later insisted his/her comments did not constitute "proselytizing."

Is there any doubt that Christians would expect that media figure to be promptly fired? Would conservatives defend the Buddhist's remarks?

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Yes, Democrats are doing their best to throw the 2010 elections, but, my god, how far do we have to throw it so that the Republicans can catch it.

Michael Steele. The gift that keeps on giving.

Using a racial epithet to prove you do not need to be more 'moderate'. Classy... and on point.

Think Progress � Steele uses racial epithet to argue that the GOP doesn’t need to be more moderate: ‘Honest Injun on that.’

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If they hate it as much as the EPA then why wasn't this thing created yesterday.

They hate the EPA b/c the EPA prevents Republicans from paving the entire world (with not bid contracts for the paving companies they own).

If it pisses off a GOPer then I full for it.

GOP, Warning Of A 'New EPA', Oppose Independent CFPA:

"Senate Republicans are determined to prevent the creation of an independent Consumer Financial Protection Agency because they consider it as threatening as their current arch-nemesis regulator: the Environmental Protection Agency."

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Whenever an insurance company jacks up your premiums it goes straight into the pocket of the CEO.

You want to mandate that I purchase insurance from these fuckers? Good luck with that. I'll see you in Canada before I pay a dime of a mandate fine.

Update: Nancy Pelosi will not receive another dime from me or another vote as I just called her office and was hung up on by the person on the other line.

The questions I asked "How does Rep. Pelosi expect me to be mandated to pay for a $73 million retirement bonuses for corrupt insurance executives".

Response: She hung up the phone.

Called Reid's office, asked the same question, and was met with "uhhhhhhh".

Call Reid's office on Monday and ask for 'Janice Miller' who is an aid who addresses health care issues for Sen. Reid.

Fuck Pelosi, though.

Daily Kos: Denial of Care Profits: $73 million for CIGNA's retiring CEO:

"BEFORE you read further...National Nurses United, the new national union for RNs, is asking nurses and patients to demand Congress remove the mandates that would force Americans to purchase products from the CIGNA's of the world. Call Rep. Pelosi (415-556-4862) and Sen. Reid (702-388-5020) and tell them to strip this bill of the CIGNA-mandates immediately!"

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I ponder going to law school just to be able to do stuff like this.

Ben Pavone, California Lawyer, Refuses To Pay Bank Of America Credit Card, Threatens To Sue:

"Ben Pavone told Bank of America in a letter last week that he refuses to pay off his credit card debt until the bank lowers his interest rate. And, he added, if they try to ruin his credit, he'll sue 'em.

'They've got to have some kind of obligation to not totally extort the public,' said Pavone.

The San Diego, Calif. attorney is angry about two things: his interest rate, which has gone up to 27.99 percent, and his credit limit, which has gone down to just above his balance. 'I'm sure I'm going to be hit with penalties,' he said."

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The biggest lie on television.

If you know anyone who wants to go to UoP, slap them then point them to local community colleges or brick and mortar state schools with online programs.

UoP = the AIG of higher education.

YouTube - Educate - University of Phoenix Commercial

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Neat, but watch carefully at the end of the video:

Comet 'Eaten' By The Sun, Nasa Captures Tape (VIDEO)

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Mean, Mean Pride

Mean, mean stride.

Mr. 400 Million Hate Machine thinks our health care is top notch.

All the while he's treated by unionized nurses in one of the most progressive health states in the Union. Hell, the current health bill has exceptions for Hawaii b/c Hawaii's current health laws will remain more expansive further then the bill.

Rush, you are an epic asshole.

SEIU - Service Employees International Union - Hell Freezes Over: Rush Limbaugh Loves Union Hospitals and Socialized Medicine:

"Whether he realized it or not, Limbaugh was praising the care he received from union nurses in one of the country's most progressive health care systems. On behalf of the labor movement and health reform advocates everywhere, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT, Rush!"

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This could be interesting.

Daily Kos: White House is investigating whether intel was intentionally withheld re: Flight 253 bomber -Update1:

"Wolffe was later on Rachel Maddow's show by telephone. His words were a bit calmer this time, but again he said that there is an investigation and that there is a question about whether or not the withholding of information was intentional. He said that there is a lot of finger pointing going on in intelligence community, that the president is really 'steamed' and that there is a line of inquiry that goes to the heart of why this wasn't shared. He and Rachel talked about how the intent may not necessarily be malicious, but may be more political."

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Stupid fucking headline. Try 'Iraq'. That's the one where we pissed away most of our cash.

But, still.....

US Spends Ten Times More On Afghanistan Than Airport Security

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Wingnut Welfare. Socialism at it finest.

19 years old.

Report: Bristol Palin may become a political consultant | Raw Story:

"MSNBC's Rachel Maddow has looked into online claims that Bristol Palin, the 19-year-old daughter of Sarah Palin, has launched a political PR and consultancy firm -- and has found the claims to be true."

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Energy can not be destroyed, so....

Robert Lanza, M.D.: Does Death Exist?: Life Is Forever, Says Theory:

"After Bugs gets blown up, there's a moment when you think he's dead. But the show always continues. Likewise, according to Biocentrism, consciousness can't be extinguished in a timeless, spaceless world. That's why you're here despite the preposterous odds against it. Bottom line: you may get flattened now and then, but life can't be stamped out.
.......

Remember, the silly rabbit never dies."

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Freaky

Untooned: Cartoon Characters In Real Life (PICTURES)

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Neat

YouTube - Space Shuttle Launch view from commercial flight!:

"On board Air Canada 981 bound to Toronto from Nassau we saw the launch of the shuttle"

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Non-Human Persons

Something to be very happy about as we start the new year:

Obama and the arts — a love affair? - White House- msnbc.com:

"In his first year, President Barack Obama has marshaled the largest infusion of cultural funding in decades — despite a few stumbles.

Though still far less than arts advocates contend is needed, they have high hopes this president could transform cultural policy, funding and arts education for years to come."

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I think he meant convert to Christianity so as to get way more tale.

Yea, verily, Christianity is a bastion of moral fortitude.

The dick wants regardless of what the 'god' wants.

Brit Hume To Tiger Woods: Convert To Christianity To Recover From Scandal (VIDEO)

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Here's a good example for you, Tiger:

Karl Rove Divorce: GOP Strategist Breaks With Wife Darby

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Go Irish Atheist.

Irish atheists challenge new blasphemy laws | World news | guardian.co.uk:

"Secular campaigners in the Irish Republic defied a strict new blasphemy law which came into force today by publishing a series of anti-religious quotations online and promising to fight the legislation in court.

The new law, which was passed in July, means that blasphemy in Ireland is now a crime punishable with a fine of up to €25,000 (�22,000).

It defines blasphemy as 'publishing or uttering matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion, with some defences permitted'."

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If I had a 400 million dollar contract I don't think I'd have a problem with the system too.

Pay = You Live. Can't Pay = You Die.

Too bad this fat bastard is still with us.

Released from hospital, Limbaugh pronounces US health system ‘just dandy’ | Raw Story:

"'I don't think there is one thing wrong with the American health care system it is working just fine, just dandy,' he said."

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Cool.

Scientists say dolphins should be treated as 'non-human persons' - Times Online:

"Dolphins have been declared the world’s second most intelligent creatures after humans, with scientists suggesting they are so bright that they should be treated as “non-human persons”.

Studies into dolphin behaviour have highlighted how similar their communications are to those of humans and that they are brighter than chimpanzees. These have been backed up by anatomical research showing that dolphin brains have many key features associated with high intelligence.

The researchers argue that their work shows it is morally unacceptable to keep such intelligent animals in amusement parks or to kill them for food or by accident when fishing. Some 300,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises die in this way each year.

“Many dolphin brains are larger than our own and second in mass only to the human brain when corrected for body size,” said Lori Marino, a zoologist at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, who has used magnetic resonance imaging scans to map the brains of dolphin species and compare them with those of primates."

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God? Or Gas? Often the two are confused.

Is the "Great Void" One-Billion Light Years Across the Imprint of Another Universe or a Statistical Error?:

"In 2004 astronomers found an enormous hole in the southern hemisphere of the Universe, nearly a billion light-years across, empty of both normal matter such as stars, galaxies, and gas, and the mysterious, unseen 'dark matter.' This was a startling finding, since accepted models of the early universe say that the big bang created an initially uniform cosmic landscape, when viewed on large scales. While earlier studies have shown holes, or voids, in the large-scale structure of the Universe, this discovery dwarfed them all. This 'nothing' is an enormous hole in the cosmos that defies standard cosmology and might just be the imprint of another universe bumping against our own while some astronomers suggested the spot could be a supervoid, a remnant of an early phase transition in the universe."

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