We have a long way to go

If you've ever felt like the whole world is out to screw you over, relax. You're not paranoid--you're probably right (depending on where you live)! And now you have proof. The following image illustrates the level of government corruption measured as perceived by citizens of each respective country as well as other measures such as the amount of transparency, etc. The darker red colours denote extremely corrupt nations. The darker blue defines less corruption. This is the 2012 version.

(Click on image to enlarge.)

It does not paint (pun intended) an encouraging picture, does it? Most of the world is steeped in corruption. No wonder so many people still suffer in poverty and otherwise.

Here's a chart using the same data:

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2008 will go down as a long year

That's because an extra second will be added at 23:59:59 on December 31st. According to those who keep an eye on the earth's rotation, tides and other factors have skewed the gap between atomic clocks and the sun's position above the earth.

Such factors and adjustments are not rare. Alterations to time are made from every six months to seven years--whenever the earth's position and atomic clocks are off by one second or more.

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Q & A's from around the web

I have finally decided to let go of my lover and go back to my husband. Have i done the right thing in giving my lover up and staying in a marriage for the kids' sakes?

Um i dont think it is fair to your kids that you stay in it for them because you could be causing it to be miserable and there could be tention in the home and later on your kids dont know how to love because you didnt know how and you should have thought about your kids before you started cheating on your husband I cant believe that you even wrote about this you are being dishonest to your family and to me you arent helping anyone out except for yourself and you are going to keep this lie up of everything is ok and you were cheating on your husband now you have brought the possiblities of diseases to your marriage because who knows who your "lover" has been sleeping with besides you and who there partners been with and now you want to pretend that you guys are happy for the kids who is this really helping you or the kids?

Editor's note: I nominate this for "Longest Sentence of the Year Award".