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	<title>David Hoyle &#187; Business</title>
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	<description>Humor Blog</description>
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		<title>Boehner Stiffens in Heated Session</title>
		<link>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2011/07/27/boehner-stiffens-in-heated-session/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2011/07/27/boehner-stiffens-in-heated-session/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:05:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dhoyle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anti political]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anti politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Boehner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[boehner john]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[deficit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fake news]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[funny political]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[john a. boehner]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[political humor]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[the deficit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[the economy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.davidhoyle.com/?p=3559</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[WASHINGTON &#8212; In a heated closed-door session today with fellow Republicans, House Speaker John A. Boehner stiffened his opposition to a compromise deficit reduction deal that included the radical approach of raising taxes while lowering spending. A visibly aroused Boehner sprang up and forcefully addressed his fellow members, insisting that they instead endorse his original [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>WASHINGTON &#8212; In  a heated closed-door session today with fellow Republicans, House  Speaker John A. Boehner stiffened his opposition to a compromise deficit  reduction deal that included the radical approach of raising taxes while  lowering spending.</p>
<div id="attachment_3562" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 280px"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3562     " title="Boehner" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Boehner-300x225.jpg" alt="House Speaker John A. Boehner" width="270" height="203" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Boehner: rhymes with &quot;toner&quot;</p></div>
<p>A  visibly aroused Boehner sprang up and forcefully addressed his fellow  members, insisting that they instead endorse his original deficit  reduction plan, which consists of massive tax cuts along with invading  another country to deflect attention from the deficit.</p>
<p>“We  have a large and powerful caucus,” ejaculated Boehner, “and right now  it’s a passionately inflamed caucus. Now is not the time for us to  soften our resolve. We know it’s going to be hard, but it&#8217;s been hard for a while now, hard on all of us.  We need to take our members out in public and let people know that we  have erected a plan that will deeply satisfy the American people.”</p>
<p>Immediately after his intense ejaculation, Boehner suddenly went limp, giving  the head of the GOP an appearance of infirmity. “It was like all the  blood drained out of him,” said a fellow Republican. With Boehner no  longer standing erect, the once-swollen caucus gradually diminished in  size as members drifted outside to smoke cigarettes and cuddle.</p>
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		<title>Greeks Behind, Accept Painful Package</title>
		<link>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2011/06/29/greeks-behind-accept-painful-package/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2011/06/29/greeks-behind-accept-painful-package/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2011 01:46:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dhoyle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News Stories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[back door]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[back door politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[economic crisis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fake news]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greece]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[greece economic crisis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[greek economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[greek jokes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[greeks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parodies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[satire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[satirical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[the economy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.davidhoyle.com/?p=3508</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ATHENS &#8212; In what some are calling a back-door maneuver, Greek politicians have rammed through an unpopular package of austerity measures designed to rein in debt levels that threaten to torpedo the country&#8217;s economy. But not all Greeks feel comfortable accepting the large package. &#8220;We&#8217;re not just going to bend over and take it,&#8221; said [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>ATHENS &#8212; In what some are calling a back-door maneuver, Greek politicians have rammed through an unpopular package of  austerity measures designed to rein in debt levels that threaten to torpedo the country&#8217;s economy.</p>
<div id="attachment_3521" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 211px"><img class="size-full wp-image-3521   " title="greece" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/greece.jpg" alt="" width="201" height="157" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Greece: the bottom of Europe</p></div>
<p>But not all Greeks feel comfortable accepting the large package. &#8220;We&#8217;re not just going to bend over and take it,&#8221; said one protester. &#8220;It just doesn&#8217;t feel right, and it really hurts.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Putting It Up: Greek Assets</strong></p>
<p>The plan calls for probing Greek assets, then offering the best Greek assets to the highest bidder. &#8220;You can kiss your big Greek assets goodbye,&#8221; commented one official.</p>
<p>The aim is to cut $20 billion in public spending while raising a    further $20 billion by asking Greek workers to actually do something. When that part of the plan fails, Greek officials plan to use the threat of global economic collapse to obtain more loans.</p>
<p>To help stimulate the economy, the Greek government also plans to release 30 million barrels of oil from its Strategic Olive Oil Reserve.</p>
<p><strong>Standing Behind the Greeks</strong></p>
<p>Despite the uncomfortable Greek position &#8212; deep in arrears &#8212; the International Monetary Fund is pouring cash into Greece just so it  can pay its debts.</p>
<p>&#8220;We stand firmly behind the Greeks,&#8221; said an IMF spokesman, &#8220;and we will continue to relentlessly inject large volumes of liquidity to help lubricate the Greek economy.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Why Does Greece Matter?</strong></p>
<p>Greece is important because it is a wonderful place to vacation, especially if you don&#8217;t mind Greek men leering at your women, or having your wallet stolen.</p>
<p>Greece is also an important source of ancient ruins, Greek salads, feta cheese, insane drivers, shipping magnates, gyro-scopes, and ouzo.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>America&#8217;s 10 Most Dangerous Jobs</title>
		<link>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2011/04/28/americas-10-most-dangerous-jobs/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2011/04/28/americas-10-most-dangerous-jobs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 Apr 2011 01:00:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dhoyle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News Stories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dangerous jobs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dangerous jobs in america]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dangerous jobs list]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fake news]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[funny job titles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[most dangerous jobs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[most dangerous jobs in america]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[most dangerous jobs list]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parodies]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.davidhoyle.com/?p=3247</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How dangerous is your job? The Bureau of Labor Statistics has released its annual report on fatalities in the workplace. According to the preliminary report, there were 5,079 fatal work injuries in 2010, a 17 percent increase from 2009. The final figures will be released in June 2011. These jobs topped the list as the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>How dangerous is your job?</p>
<p>The Bureau of Labor Statistics  has released its annual report on fatalities in the workplace. According to the preliminary report, there were 5,079 fatal work injuries in 2010, a 17 percent increase from 2009.  The final figures will be released in June 2011.</p>
<p>These jobs topped the list as the most dangerous in the country:</p>
<p><strong>1.</strong> Crash Test Pilot<br />
<strong>2.</strong> Tornado Balloonist<br />
<strong>3.</strong> Tree Catcher<br />
<strong>4.</strong> Killer Whale Proctologist<br />
<strong>5.</strong> Camp Crystal Lake Counselor<br />
<strong>6.</strong> Gun Cleaner<br />
<strong>7.</strong> Human Guinea Pig<br />
<strong>8.</strong> Chain Saw Juggler<br />
<strong>9.</strong> Prison infirmary Candy Striper<br />
<strong>10.</strong> <em>Spider-Man: the Musical</em> cast member</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>BP: An Oil Spill Doesn&#8217;t Seem So Bad Right Now</title>
		<link>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2011/03/28/bp-an-oil-spill-doesnt-seem-so-bad-right-now/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2011/03/28/bp-an-oil-spill-doesnt-seem-so-bad-right-now/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:13:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dhoyle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News Stories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bp oil spill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bp oil spill article]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gulf oil disaster]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gulf oil drilling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gulf oil spill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[japan nuclear]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[japan nuclear crisis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[japan nuclear meltdown]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.davidhoyle.com/?p=3073</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[HOUSTON, TX &#8212; Seeking to expand its operations in the Gulf of Mexico, British Petroleum today issued a statement promoting the relative safety of deep water drilling. In a press conference today at BP America&#8217;s headquarters in Houston, a spokesperson said, &#8220;Sure, we may have killed some wildlife, contaminated miles of coastline, and disrupted the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>HOUSTON, TX &#8212; Seeking to expand its operations in the Gulf of Mexico, British Petroleum today issued a statement promoting the relative safety of deep water drilling.</p>
<p>In a press conference today at BP America&#8217;s headquarters in Houston, a spokesperson said, &#8220;Sure, we may have killed some wildlife, contaminated miles of coastline, and disrupted the Gulf fishing industry. But at least our spill wasn&#8217;t radioactive.&#8221;</p>
<div id="attachment_3098" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 460px"><img class="size-full wp-image-3098  " title="bird_japan_nuclear" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bird_japan_nuclear2.gif" alt="japan nuclear reactor" width="450" height="165" /><p class="wp-caption-text">You can go with this, or you can go with that...</p></div>
<p>&#8220;We need to continue to provide America with the completely non-radioactive oil it needs to meet its energy requirements,&#8221;  the spokesperson continued. &#8220;Also, yacht racing season is coming up, and we could really use the extra cash.&#8221;</p>
<p>In related news, the Cape Wind project  &#8212; which involves spending billions of dollars for an offshore wind farm in Nantucket Sound, which makes sense because it will cost twice as much as a land-based wind farm &#8212; announced a new series of advertisements touting the safety of wind power. The campaign features the slogan, &#8220;When the wind is blowin&#8217;, you don&#8217;t need to be glowin&#8217;.</p>
<p>Not to be outdone, the US Solar Energy Council responded with its own timely slogan: &#8220;Solar Energy: the nuclear reaction is 93 million miles away.&#8221;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>IRC Chat Abbreviations and Acronyms</title>
		<link>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2011/02/20/irc-chat-abbreviations-and-acronyms/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2011/02/20/irc-chat-abbreviations-and-acronyms/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Feb 2011 03:09:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dhoyle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chat acronyms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[irc abbreviations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[irc acronyms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[irc chat abbreviations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IRC Chat Abbreviations & Acronyms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parodies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[satire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[satirical]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.davidhoyle.com/?p=2898</guid>
		<description><![CDATA["We all have this chat window on our computers so we can see who's online and communicate with each other instantaneously," he said. "That way, everyone is constantly interrupted, and nobody gets any work done."]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I recently started a new job, and one of my co-workers mentioned that everyone used IRC.</p>
<p>&#8220;IRC?&#8221; I said. &#8220;What&#8217;s that?&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;IRC is online chat,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Where have you been for the last ten years, in a cave?&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;No, in a mental hospital,&#8221; I replied. &#8220;But please tell me more about this IRC chat thing.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;We all have this chat window on our computers so we can see who&#8217;s online and communicate with each other instantaneously,&#8221; he said. &#8220;That way, everyone is constantly interrupted, and nobody gets any work done.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;That sounds great!&#8221; I said, and soon I had my very own IRC chat application installed. My friendly co-worker gave me a list of IRC chat abbreviations to use, so I thought I&#8217;d post them here, especially since I&#8217;ve come across so many inaccurate IRC abbreviations and acronyms out there. Don&#8217;t be misled &#8212; these are the real deal.</p>
<h2>IRC Chat Abbreviations &amp; Acronyms</h2>
<p>AAAAAAAH &#8212; I am being stabbed<br />
AAK &#8212; Asleep At KeyBoard<br />
ACK &#8212; I am Bill the Cat<br />
AFK &#8212; Away Fondling Kielbasa<br />
AFR &#8212; Away From Reality<br />
AHH &#8212; I am getting a massage<br />
AHH OHH &#8212; I am getting a massage with a “happy ending”<br />
ARF &#8212; I am a dog<br />
ARGH &#8212; I am frustrated<br />
ARRRRR &#8212; I am a pirate<br />
ASAP &#8212; A stupid person<br />
ATM &#8212; Abusing The Mutant<br />
AYYYYYY &#8212; I am Fonzie<br />
BB &#8212; Baking Brownies (defecating)<br />
BBL_BM &#8212; Be Back Later &#8211; Bowel Movement<br />
BBWAG &#8212; Be Back With A Gun<br />
BBWHFO &#8212; Be Back When Hell Freezes Over<br />
BFD &#8212; Back From the Dead<br />
BIB &#8212; Back In Black<br />
BJ &#8212; Back in a Jiffy<br />
BM &#8212; Bowel Movement<br />
BBM &#8212; Big Bowel Movement<br />
BO &#8212; Being Online<br />
BRB#1 &#8212; Be Right Back (I am urinating)<br />
BBL#2 &#8212; Be Back Later (I am defecating)<br />
BRBWJB &#8212; Be Right Back With Justin Bieber<br />
BRA &#8212; Breasts Restrained Adequately<br />
COZ &#8212; Bill Cosby<br />
CU2NITE &#8212; You have a date with a nerd<br />
DND &#8212; Doing Nothing Deliberately<br />
DR &#8212; Dodging Responsibilities<br />
EUI &#8212; Emailing Under the Influence<br />
FC &#8212; FreeCell (playing)<br />
FU &#8212; Friendliness Unleashed<br />
FU ALL &#8212; Friendliness Unleashed on everyone<br />
FYI &#8212; For You, Ignoramus<br />
GAGA &#8212; Wearing an outlandish outfit<br />
HBM &#8212; Huge Bowel Movement<br />
IANAL &#8212; I’m Behind<br />
IMO &#8212; In My Orifice<br />
IMHO &#8212; In My Huge Orifice<br />
IR8 &#8212; Angry<br />
IYOHAB &#8212; If You Only Had A Brain<br />
LBM &#8212; Liquid Bowel Movement<br />
LOL &#8212; Loose Orifice Leaking<br />
MNAH &#8212; My Nipples Are Hard<br />
MOO &#8212; I am a cow<br />
MTG &#8212; Milking The Goat<br />
MTH &#8212; My Thing Hurts<br />
NAK &#8212; Naked At Keyboard<br />
NP &#8212; No Pants<br />
NFWD &#8212; Naked From Waste Down<br />
NWU &#8212; Not Wearing Underpants<br />
PBM &#8212; Prolonged Bowel Movement<br />
PDAA &#8212; Pants Down Around Ankles<br />
PIB &#8212; Panties In a Bunch<br />
PMS &#8212; Permissible Man Slaughter<br />
PP &#8212; Urine/Urinating<br />
PS &#8212; Passing Stone<br />
SHTUPN &#8212; Shtupping<br />
SO &#8212; Significant Odor<br />
STD &#8212; Saving The Day<br />
STM &#8212; Spanking The Monkey<br />
TUI &#8212; Texting Under the Influence<br />
TTT &#8212; Tickling The Taco<br />
UBM &#8212; Unhealthy Bowel Movement<br />
VD &#8212; Very Dedicated<br />
VI &#8212; Vaginal Infection<br />
WTF &#8212; Way Too Funny<br />
WUI &#8212; Working Under the Influence<br />
WUYB &#8212; What’s Up Your Butt?<br />
YI &#8212; Yeast Infection<br />
ZZZ &#8212; I have fallen asleep</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>10 Worst Toys of 2010</title>
		<link>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2010/11/19/10-worst-toys-of-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2010/11/19/10-worst-toys-of-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Nov 2010 03:27:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dhoyle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News Stories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[consumer news]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dangerous toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fake news]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[most dangerous toys 2010]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[parodies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[satire]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[toy ratings]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[worst toys 2010]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[worst toys ever]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.davidhoyle.com/?p=2641</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[BOSTON — A toy safety group has released its annual &#8220;10 Worst Toys&#8221; list, highlighting hidden dangers, such as lead solder used with a toy blowtorch, along with more obvious hazards, such as fruit-flavored marbles. WATCH (Weird Ass Toys Causing Harm) has been compiling the annual list for 38 years. The consumer group says companies [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>BOSTON</strong> — A toy safety group has released its  annual &#8220;10 Worst Toys&#8221; list, highlighting hidden  dangers, such as lead solder used with a toy blowtorch, along with more obvious hazards, such  as fruit-flavored marbles.</p>
<p>WATCH (Weird Ass Toys Causing Harm) has been compiling the annual list for 38 years. The consumer group says companies continue to manufacture toys that could be harmful to children.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><strong>2010 &#8220;10 Worst Toys&#8221; List</strong></h2>
<div id="attachment_2663" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 169px"><a href="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/old_refrigerator_playhouse.gif"><img class="size-full wp-image-2663" title="old_refrigerator_playhouse" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/old_refrigerator_playhouse.gif" alt="Old refrigerator playhouse" width="159" height="159" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">FridgeTown Fun House</p></div>
<p><strong>FridgeTown Fun House</strong> — The FridgeTown® Fun House promises &#8220;hours of creative play&#8221; and claims to be &#8220;fully insulated for year-round fun!&#8221;</p>
<p>While we applaud the manufacturer&#8217;s efforts to recycle old refrigerators into children&#8217;s playhouses, we must also note that the conversion process does not involve removing the refrigerator doors, resulting in a significant risk of entrapment, suffocation, and death.</p>
<p>To be fair, a bright orange &#8220;DO NOT CLOSE DOOR&#8221; label is affixed to inside of the door on each FridgeTown Fun House.</p>
<div id="attachment_2671" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 169px"><a href="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/marbles.gif"><img class="size-full wp-image-2671  " title="marbles" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/marbles.gif" alt="marbles" width="159" height="159" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Frooty Marbles</p></div>
<p><strong>Frooty Marbles</strong> — We have to admit, these fruit-flavored marbles are absolutely delicious. So delicious, in fact, that our testers couldn&#8217;t resist sucking on the marbles even after playing with them in the dirt.</p>
<p>This led to prolonged bouts of stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and ultimately the death of one of our testers due to a severe E. coli infection.</p>
<p>A Frooty™ Marbles spokesperson pointed out that the package labeling clearly states (in 4 point print) that the product may pose a choking hazard and is not intended for internal use. Fair enough, but then why make them so deliciously fruity?</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<div id="attachment_2675" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 169px"><strong><strong><a href="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/ladderz.gif"><img class="size-full wp-image-2675 " title="ladders" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/ladderz.gif" alt="ladders" width="159" height="159" /></a></strong></strong><p class="wp-caption-text">Big Kidz Ladderz</p></div>
<p><strong>Big Kidz Ladderz</strong> — We were expecting a flimsy product that would not safely bear the weight of children.</p>
<p>If only that were the case.</p>
<p>Instead, we found that Big Kidz Ladderz® are miniature, yet fully-functional extension ladders made from a lightweight, high-strength composite resin, and capable of supporting weight-bearing loads up to 800 pounds.</p>
<p>We gave the toy ladders to a group of six-year-old test subjects, and within a few minutes they were able to gain access to a roof, a 3rd story balcony, and a small water tower. The testing was stopped when two of the children used the toy ladders to breach an 8-foot security fence and gain access to a 10,000 volt electrical substation.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<div id="attachment_2678" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 170px"><strong><strong><a href="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/radiation-lab.gif"><img class="size-full wp-image-2678 " title="radiation lab" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/radiation-lab.gif" alt="radiation lab" width="160" height="160" /></a></strong></strong><p class="wp-caption-text">Radiation Lab</p></div>
<p><strong>Radiation Lab</strong> — Last year we scoffed at Radiation Lab&#8217;s claim that it contained &#8220;real radioactive isotopes,&#8221; only to discover that the claim was terribly real. Three of our testers developed radiation sickness, two were rendered unable to conceive children, and one died of thyroid cancer. Radiation Lab™ was later banned by the Consumer Products Safety Commission, the FDA, and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. So why is Radiation Lab still available for sale this year?</p>
<p>A Radiation Lab spokes-mutant told us that due to a technical glitch, online orders are still being accepted, even though it is now illegal to buy or even possess the product.</p>
<p>According to the spokes-mutant, if you bought Radiation Lab online, all you need to do is call a toll-free 800 number. After a short 30 minute wait, you&#8217;ll be berated by an unintelligible Indian customer service representative, who will &#8220;accidentally&#8221; disconnect you while transferring you to a nonexistent supervisor. A few weeks later you should receive a 10-page refund application in the mail. Simply complete the refund application, include a copy of your sales receipt, as well as a photocopy of your passport and social security card, and return the form using the non-enclosed special envelope. Please allow at least 16 weeks for your refund to be processed.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<div id="attachment_2682" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 169px"><strong><strong><a href="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Lil-Wayne.gif"><img class="size-full wp-image-2682 " title="Lil Wayne" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Lil-Wayne.gif" alt="Lil Wayne" width="159" height="159" /></a></strong></strong><p class="wp-caption-text">Lil&#39; Wayne Kidz Bopz</p></div>
<p><strong>Lil&#8217; Wayne Kidz Bopz</strong> — Hard-core rapper Lil&#8217; Wayne® is out of prison and back in stores just in time for Christmas!</p>
<p>One might think that the folks at Kidz Bopz™ would sanitize the lyrics of Lil&#8217; Wayne&#8217;s songs before re-recording them for children. But one would be wrong.</p>
<p>In this ill-advised DVD, a group of adorable young singers performs word-for-word renditions of Lil&#8217; Wayne&#8217;s most popular songs, which feature misogynistic themes, graphic language, sexual references, violence, and racial slurs. Subtitles are also provided so your kids won&#8217;t miss a single word of their new vocabulary.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<div id="attachment_2686" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 170px"><strong><strong><a href="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/super-glue.gif"><img class="size-full wp-image-2686 " title="super glue" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/super-glue.gif" alt="super glue" width="160" height="160" /></a></strong></strong><p class="wp-caption-text">101 Funny Super Glue Tricks</p></div>
<p><strong>101 Funny Super Glue Tricks</strong> —  There&#8217;s nothing funny about this reckless publication, unless you think it&#8217;s funny to Super Glue® mommy&#8217;s backside to the toilet, or permanently install grandma&#8217;s dentures by tampering with her Super Poligrip®.</p>
<p>The tricks range from relatively harmless (the old super-gluing a quarter to the sidewalk) to downright frightening (for safety reasons, we won&#8217;t elaborate further). And just remember, kids: they won&#8217;t let you play with Super Glue at the juvenile detention center.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<div id="attachment_2689" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 169px"><strong><strong><a href="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/blowtorch.gif"><img class="size-full wp-image-2689 " title="blowtorch" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/blowtorch.gif" alt="blowtorch" width="159" height="159" /></a></strong></strong><p class="wp-caption-text">BlowTorch Junior</p></div>
<p><strong>BlowTorch Junior</strong> — This would appear to be a fully functional adult blowtorch with a &#8220;Jr.&#8221; label hastily affixed to the outside of the package. The risks for burns and house fires are bad enough, but BlowTorch Jr.™ also includes 3 pounds of solder containing dangerously high concentrations of lead and other toxic heavy metals.</p>
<p>A Blow Torch Jr. representative points out that the package label clearly states, &#8220;NOT TO BE USED BY CHILDREN IF THERE IS AN ADULT PRESENT.&#8221; Well okay, then.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<div id="attachment_2695" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 165px"><strong><em><strong><em><a href="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/howdy-stranger.gif"><img class="size-full wp-image-2695 " title="howdy stranger" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/howdy-stranger.gif" alt="howdy stranger" width="155" height="160" /></a></em></strong></em></strong><p class="wp-caption-text">Howdy, Stranger!</p></div>
<p><strong><em>Howdy, Stranger!</em></strong> — This is a children&#8217;s book written by convicted pedophile Hannibal &#8220;Moe&#8221; Lester, author of <em>How to Pick Up Little Girls</em>.</p>
<p>This engaging yet horrifying picture book sends children the message that &#8220;Strangers Are Nice!&#8221; and can be completely trusted at all times. Topics include &#8220;How to talk to strangers,&#8221; &#8220;Taking candy from strangers,&#8221;and &#8220;Going to see the puppy.&#8221;</p>
<p><em>Howdy Stranger!</em> is beautifully illustrated and utterly appalling.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<div id="attachment_2741" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 169px"><strong><strong><a href="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/quarters.gif"><img class="size-full wp-image-2741 " title="quarters" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/quarters.gif" alt="quarters" width="159" height="160" /></a></strong></strong><p class="wp-caption-text">Kidz Quarters</p></div>
<p><strong>Kidz Quarters</strong> — In this disturbing game, children are directed to steal beer and spare change from their parents.</p>
<p>Why, you might ask? So they can take part in a dangerous drinking game usually played by college students, thereby risking permanent liver and brain damage, and even death.</p>
<p>We advise you to avoid this game, or at least substitute soft drinks for beer, thereby providing a more wholesome experience.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<div id="attachment_2752" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 170px"><strong><strong><a href="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/gasoline-and-matches.gif"><img class="size-full wp-image-2752  " title="gasoline and matches" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/gasoline-and-matches.gif" alt="gasoline and matches" width="160" height="192" /></a></strong></strong><p class="wp-caption-text">Matches &#39;N&#39; Gas</p></div>
<p><strong>Matches &#8216;N&#8217; Gas</strong> — Let&#8217;s see what we have here:</p>
<p>A bright-red 5-gallon jug of gasoline.</p>
<p>Several boxes of brightly-colored &#8220;strike anywhere&#8221; matches.</p>
<p>A young child.</p>
<p>Put them all together and what do you get? One heck of a holiday surprise.</p>
<p>(Gasoline sold separately)</p>
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		<title>Toy Yoda Recall Announced</title>
		<link>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2010/03/05/toy-yoda-recall-announced/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2010/03/05/toy-yoda-recall-announced/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:09:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dhoyle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News Stories]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.davidhoyle.com/?p=2164</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[WASHINGTON &#8212; Citing numerous safety hazards, the Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced the recall of 1.5 million Chinese-made Yoda action figures. The plastic action figures depicting the beloved Star Wars character contain numerous detachable small parts, posing a choking hazard for young children. The toy Yodas can also cause lacerations, contusions, and loss of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>WASHINGTON &#8212; Citing numerous safety hazards, the Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced the recall of 1.5 million Chinese-made Yoda action figures.</p>
<div id="attachment_2171" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 170px"><img class="size-full wp-image-2171  " title="toy yoda 2" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/toy-yoda-2.jpg" alt="Government &quot;Forces&quot; Recall" width="160" height="202" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Government &quot;Forces&quot; Recall</p></div>
<p>The plastic action figures depicting the beloved <em>Star Wars</em> character contain numerous detachable small parts, posing a choking hazard for young children.</p>
<p>The toy Yodas can also cause lacerations, contusions, and loss of eyesight if   thrown, and have been found to accelerate uncontrollably when used  with model rocket engines. They can also cause burns if doused with lighter fluid and ignited.</p>
<div id="attachment_2175" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 161px"><img class="size-full wp-image-2175   " title="toy yoda" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/toy-yoda.jpg" alt="Dangerous, I am" width="151" height="220" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Dangerous, I am</p></div>
<p>The toy Yodas contain high concentrations of lead, which could lead to brain damage if the toy  is sucked on for prolonged periods.</p>
<p>Anthrax spores have been found in the toy&#8217;s packaging materials.</p>
<p>The Yoda action figures also contain elevated levels of Bisphenol A (BPA), which has been linked to reproductive problems and  increased risk of cancer or diabetes, and were manufactured with an unstable plastic polymer that may cause the toy to  burst into flame when placed in direct sunlight.</p>
<p>The toy Yodas are for external use only, can be harmful if swallowed, and should not be taken internally. They may cause hair loss, halitosis, vomiting, stomach cramps, and internal bleeding. Women who think they may be pregnant should not handle crushed or broken toy Yodas. If you experience an erection lasting more than four hours while using a toy Yoda action figure, call your doctor.</p>
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		<title>Toyota Unveils New Advertising Slogans</title>
		<link>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2010/01/28/toyota-unveils-new-advertising-slogans/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2010/01/28/toyota-unveils-new-advertising-slogans/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:37:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dhoyle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News Stories]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.davidhoyle.com/?p=2032</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[NEW YORK &#8212; Seeking to make the best out a bad situation, Toyota today unveiled several new advertising slogans. Toyota has recently been forced to recall 5.3 million vehicles to fix a problem in which the gas pedal can become caught on the edge of the removable floormat. That problem can cause the vehicle to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>NEW YORK &#8212; Seeking to make the best out a bad situation, Toyota today unveiled several new advertising slogans.</p>
<div id="attachment_2034" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 220px"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2034" title="Toyota Recall" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/toyota-recall-300x188.jpg" alt="Toyota Recall" width="210" height="132" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Toyota. Stick with us.</p></div>
<p>Toyota has recently been forced to recall 5.3 million vehicles to fix a problem in which the gas pedal can become caught on the edge of the removable floormat. That problem can cause the vehicle to accelerate uncontrollably.</p>
<p>In an attempt to stress the positive aspects of what has quickly become a public relations nightmare, Toyota will use the following new slogans in its advertising campaigns:</p>
<ul>
<li>Toyota. Moving forward. Really fast.</li>
<li>Toyota. Uncontrollable excitement.</li>
<li>Toyota. Nothing can stop us.</li>
<li>Toyota. Expect the unexpected.</li>
<li>Toyota. No holding back.</li>
<li>Toyota. Unstoppable performance.</li>
<li>Oh what a feeling! Of complete terror!</li>
<li>I love what you do for me, Toyota! (personal injury attorney)</li>
<li>Ask someone who crashed one.</li>
<li>The best built cars in the world. Except for the gas pedal.</li>
<li>Hey, at least the airbags worked!</li>
</ul>
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		<title>New Credit Card Fees for Non-Cardholders</title>
		<link>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2010/01/13/new-credit-card-fees-for-non-cardholders/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2010/01/13/new-credit-card-fees-for-non-cardholders/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:29:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dhoyle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.davidhoyle.com/?p=1959</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[NEW YORK (CNN) &#8212; We&#8217;re a little over a month away from sweeping credit card reform. Credit card issuers have been preparing for the loss of revenue by introducing new fees and policies. Not satisfied with charging &#8220;inactivity&#8221; fees to cardholders who don&#8217;t use their credit cards, banks are now charging fees to people who [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>NEW YORK (CNN) &#8212; We&#8217;re a little over a month away from sweeping credit card reform. Credit card issuers have been preparing for the loss of revenue by introducing new fees and policies. Not satisfied with charging &#8220;inactivity&#8221; fees to cardholders who don&#8217;t use their credit cards, banks are now charging fees to people who don&#8217;t even HAVE a credit card.</p>
<p><strong>More Fees</strong></p>
<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-2024 alignright" title="credit_card_fees" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/credit_card_fees2-300x225.jpg" alt="credit_card_fees" width="207" height="156" /></p>
<p>Here&#8217;s what&#8217;s going on: For months, issuers have raised credit card rates to usurious levels and added fees at a dizzying pace. Having bled their cardholders dry, a growing number are starting to tack on new card fees for non-cardholders.</p>
<p>In June, First Second Bank began charging non-cardholders a $19 fee for not having a First Second credit card. There are also variations on this non-cardholder fee, such as &#8220;quasi-non-cardholder&#8221; fees. Citigreed has a policy where if it&#8217;s more likely that a non-cardholder will apply for a card within the next 6 months &#8212; which is determined by guessing &#8212; they will be charged a &#8220;potential cardholder&#8221; fee up to $90, as well as a $39 pre-application fee.</p>
<p>Bill Owen, who is not currently a Citigreed cardholder, recently received a $129 bill from Citigreed. &#8220;I never even signed up for a credit card with them, and now they&#8217;re sending me a bill,&#8221; said Owen. &#8220;And they even said they&#8217;ll charge me a late fee if I don&#8217;t pay within 15 days. How is that fair? I didn&#8217;t even BUY anything!&#8221; Concerned with a possible negative effect on his credit rating, Owen plans to pay the bill immediately despite his outrage.</p>
<p>Bank of Americans will start experimenting with new non-cardholder annual fees from $29 &#8211; $99, which will be charged to people randomly selected from telephone directories and voter registration lists. Citigreed now has a policy where credit card non-holders who pay late must pay a reinstatement fee in order to redeem accumulated rewards points, and may be physically harmed. And you may be charged for eating, drinking, sleeping, going to the bathroom &#8212; even for breathing. For simply existing.</p>
<p><strong>Consumers Beware</strong></p>
<p>Read every letter that comes from a credit card issuer! These changes may come buried in fine print. Experts we talk to say that you may be receiving a lot of promotional APR deals, as well as death threats. These promotional offers will lure you in with low rates for a limited amount of time, and your family members will be threatened. But then, at the end of the promotional period, you may be subject to an interest rate that&#8217;s much higher than the original offer, and your family members will be killed anyway. The takeaway here is before you sign up for a promotional card, make sure you can pay off your balance in full before the intial offer expires, and be prepared for the loss of your entire family.</p>
<p><strong>Pay Up &#8212; Or Else</strong></p>
<p>Vic Dim recently received a credit card offer from Citigreed that included a &#8220;mandatory acceptance&#8221; clause. &#8220;It said that if I didn&#8217;t accept the offer, I could get seriously hurt,&#8221; said Dim. &#8220;I thought it was some kind of a joke, so I just threw it away. But a couple of days later, these two huge Citigreed customer service reps came to my apartment and beat the living crap out of me.&#8221; Dim said that the customer service representatives then took $129 dollars from his wallet to cover a &#8220;card activation&#8221; fee, and warned him &#8220;not to let anything like this happen again.&#8221; Dim was later transported the hospital, where he accrued ambulance and emergency room treatment fees totalling $1987. &#8220;But I did earn 50 rewards points,&#8221; said Dim.</p>
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		<title>Store Manager Charged with Dropping Trousers</title>
		<link>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2009/10/28/store-manager-charged-with-dropping-trousers/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.davidhoyle.com/2009/10/28/store-manager-charged-with-dropping-trousers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:02:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dhoyle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News Stories]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.davidhoyle.com/?p=1490</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[SAUGUS, MA &#8211;  A Target store manager has been accused of dropping trousers in front of one of his employees. According to the complaint filed yesterday, Target employee Sue Yorassov had just arrived for work when she encountered assistant store manager Moe Lester while crossing through the Men&#8217;s department on her way to Handbags &#38; [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>SAUGUS, MA &#8211;  A Target store manager has been accused of dropping trousers in front of one of his employees.</p>
<div id="attachment_1502" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 171px"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1502" title="target" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/target-300x199.jpg" alt="Retail Sales" width="161" height="108" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Falling trouser zone?</p></div>
<p>According to the complaint filed yesterday, Target employee Sue Yorassov had just arrived for work when she encountered assistant store manager Moe Lester while crossing through the Men&#8217;s department on her way to Handbags &amp; Accessories.</p>
<p>According to Yorassov, she saw Lester stocking a clearance rack and had just called out a cheerful &#8220;good morning,&#8221; when suddenly and without warning &#8220;he turned around and dropped trousers right in front of me. I didn&#8217;t know what to do or say&#8230;I mean, he&#8217;s a manager, he&#8217;s not supposed to drop trousers.&#8221;</p>
<div id="attachment_1527" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 136px"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1527" title="khaki-pants-onrack" src="http://blog.davidhoyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/khaki-pants-onrack-224x300.jpg" alt="khaki-pants-onrack" width="126" height="168" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Nice rack!</p></div>
<p>After a few seconds of awkward silence, said Yorassov, &#8220;he  just smiled and said, &#8216;whoops!&#8217;  Then he picked up the trousers, put them back on the Ultimate Pleated Khaki clearance rack, and went on as if nothing had happened. I couldn&#8217;t believe it.&#8221;</p>
<p>Deeply traumatized by the incident, Yorassov has been unable to work, and is entertaining offers of legal representation. &#8220;We&#8217;re talking Target here,&#8221; said one attorney. &#8220;We&#8217;re talking $64 billion in revenue last year. I wish he had dropped trousers in front of me.&#8221;</p>
<p>But this is not the first employee complaint lodged against this apparently deeply troubled store manager. Lester has also been accused of handling women&#8217;s undergarments, closely monitoring store changing rooms, spending &#8220;way too much&#8221; time in the Juniors department, and looking up women&#8217;s dresses (in inventory).</p>
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