N.J. law bans sex offenders from the Internet

Under a law enacted Thursday in New Jersey, convicted sex offenders who used the Internet to help them commit their crimes will be banned from using the Internet.

Sex offenders have called the new law a blessing in disguise.

"This isn't all bad," said a convicted child molester from Newark. "So I can't go online to meet hot kids anymore. This gives me a reason to finally check out some of the playgrounds and parks I've been hearing so much about. They're near my house, so I can walk and get some exercise. That's great, since I pick up kids better when I'm confident about my body. And not having Internet access at home means one less bill for me to pay, so I can spend that money on better candy and toys, or 'bait,' as my parole officer calls it.

"Even better, this gives me a chance to do some old-school, grassroots sex offending, the way my sex-offender forefathers did it. Roughing it builds character. I guess what they say is true: When God closes a door, he opens a window. I get it now."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22411667

Video game for teens simulates drunk driving

A Canadian design team has developed "Booze Cruise," a video game that simulates drunk driving by giving players 90 seconds to drive home with impaired vision and slowed reaction time.

The game was made to reduce dangerous drunk driving by offering practice.

"Drunk driving is a life skill that isn't being taught anywhere else, so we stepped in with 'Booze Cruise,'" said the University of Calgary professor who led the project. "Most importantly, it teaches teens that the fun of being drunk doesn't have to end at the bar. Life doesn't stand still, and neither should the drunk parts. We plan to incorporate the game into a mentoring program that lets teens learn from older, more experienced drunk drivers. We call it 'Loaded Roads.'"

http://www.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP-A/idUSN0523260420071008

Chef eats 21 pounds of grits to win contest

Chicago chef Pat Bertoletti won the first World Grits Eating Championship in Bossier City, La., by eating 21 pounds of buttery grits in 10 minutes.

To prepare his body to hold 21 pounds of grits, he had surgery to remove his dignity.

"This win is a real mark of progress for me as a person," he said after the contest. "There used to be a time in my life when I would have been fine with eating like a dignified human, and not like a bulimic puma. But it's amazing what you can do once you get your self-respect out of the way. By the way, if I black out in the next few minutes, don't worry: That's my victory lap."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21078077

Industry says kids' jewelry needs lead to be cheap

According to the Fashion Jewelry Trade Association, lead should continue being used in jewelry for children despite its health risks because it keeps costs down for companies and consumers.

The group said lead keeps costs down by reducing the number of children.

"We all know that kids like to share their toys with their friends," a representative said. "As their lead-filled jewelry makes its rounds, the savings begin. Assuming everything goes right, it will kill wave after wave of children, which saves money for both parents and companies. It saves parents money because there will be fewer children around to work the peer-pressure angle on any surviving kids, and the companies won't have to make as much jewelry. It's a win-win situation."

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2041857220070921