The Fuel Doctor FD-47 Is More Of A Fuel-Savings Quack

The Fuel Doctor FD-47 Is More Of A Fuel-Savings Quack: "

A basic understanding of physics should tell you that the Fuel Doctor--a small device that you plug into the 12-volt power outlet in your car--will not work. The gadget claims that by 'conditioning' your car's electrical systems, it increases power and gas mileage. But...why have none of the major automakers thought of this? Is it all a plot between the car and gas companies... or is the Fuel Doctor just automotive snake oil?

To find out, Consumer Reports plugged the device in to cars set up with sensitive fuel mileage meters, and also tested the vehicles' power with and without the Fuel Doctor. Their verdict? Well, there are some pretty red and green lights on the Fuel Doctor, so it makes a festive holiday decoration. That's about it.

Fuel Doctor FD-47 fails the Consumer Reports mpg test [Consumer Reports Cars]

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FBI Warns Video Camera Barbie Could Be Used For Kiddie Porn

FBI Warns Video Camera Barbie Could Be Used For Kiddie Porn: "

The FBI is downplaying a leaked internal memo that reminded field agents that 'Barbie Video Girl', which has a video camera embedded in her necklace, could be used by pervs to produce child pornography.

However, 'There have been no reported incidents of this doll being used as anything other than as intended,' said an FBI spokeswoman at a news conference. She clarified the purpose of the alert was to make sure law enforcement didn't overlook the doll while executing a search.

'Budding filmmakers, take note: Barbie doll now doubles as a video camera!' reads the copy on the Mattel website advertising the toy. 'Girls can record and play back clips with this multi-tasking doll, which has a video camera built right in. Capture everything from a doll's-eye-view, then watch it instantly or upload to your computer. There's an LCD screen on Barbie doll's back, and a camera lens hidden discreetly in her necklace. Talk about making movies in style!'

In a statement released to the press, the doll's manufacturer said, 'Mattel products are designed with children and their best interests in mind. Many of Mattel's employees are parents themselves and we understand the importance of child safety -- it is our number one priority.'

FBI Memo: Video Barbie Doll Could Be Used For Child Pornography [KIRO]

FBI: New Barbie 'Video Girl' doll could be used for child porn [CNN]

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SNL's Black Friday Stampede Sketch

SNL's Black Friday Stampede Sketch: "


SNL this week did a pretty good parody of Black Friday madness with this madcap fake ad for 'Mega-Mart.' 'Your shopping gorge can only be stopped by one thing: boxes! So everyone in our Mega-Mart 12 minute frenzy will get a free boxcutter at the door!'


It starts off looking like a normal ad, then progressively heightens as the store adds more and more bonus gamechangers, prizes, and contents that endanger customer's lives.


What makes it really special, and disturbing, is that it used actual footage of stampedes and tramplelings inside Walmart during Black Fridays from years past. Shop till you drop!

Keeping Up With The Kardashian Kard's Hidden Fees

Keeping Up With The Kardashian Kard's Hidden Fees: "

Keeping up with the Kardashians comes at a cost. The reality show star is pimping a new prepaid debit card targeted at kids that is as bursting with hidden fees as Kim's shirt, featured prominently on the plastic, is bursting with integrity. Yeah, I think using sex to sell hidden fees to kids is pretty messed up. Just take a look at all these fees:

Kardashian Prepaid MasterCard
Card Purchase (Includes monthly fees for 6 months) $59.95
Card Purchase (Includes monthly fees for 12 months) $99.95
Monthly Fee (Applies after initial purchase period) $7.95
Card Replacement - Primary or Companion $9.95
ATM Withdrawal - Domestic $1.50
ATM Inquiry or Decline - Domestic $1.00
ATM Withdrawal - International $2.50
ATM Inquiry or Decline - International $2.00
Point of Sale - Decline -Domestic $1.00
Point of Sale - Decline - International $1.00
External Checking or Savings Transfer (To/From) $1.00
Account to Account Transfer * $1.00
Retail Load Fee (MoneyGram) $1.00
Load Account by Debit/Credit Card ** $1.00
Cancel Account - Request Balance Mailed by Check $6.00
Service Center Care-Live operator $1.50
Bill Pay - Per Item $2.00
Replacement Card Expedite Fee (Overnight) $25.00
* Fee for transferring money from external accounts and to other cardholder accounts
** 2.5% surcharge of transaction amount applies

If you're looking for a more convenient, and instructive, way to let kids use their allowance, something like USAA's Teen Checking, or Wells Fargo teen checking, is a better way to go. Your local credit union may have good options as well. Kids need bank accounts, not prepaid fee magnets."

Teens Busted For Selling Cupcakes Without A License

Teens Busted For Selling Cupcakes Without A License: "

In news that's reminiscent of the Oregon Lemonade Stand Scandal of 2010, two 13-year-olds in New York state had their baked goods business shut down by police for operating without a license.

The two teens had been selling cupcakes, cookies, brownies and other things that are making me really, really hungry right now, for $1 each in a park in Chappaqua, NY, when a local politician ratted them out to authorities for operating sans permit.

Says the mom of one of the teens:

The police officer was extremely pleasant. He said he was sorry to have to do this, but that he was following up on a report filed over the phone by a Town Board member... [My son] was so upset, he was crying all the whole way home. He was worried if he was going to get arrested or have a criminal record.

The Scrooge-like politico who dropped a dime on the teens says rules are rules: 'All vendors selling on town property have to have a license, whether it's boys selling baked goods or a hot dog vendor.'

When asked why he didn't just approach the boys and tell them they needed the license, Mr. Wet Blanket said, 'In hindsight, maybe I should have done that, but I wasn't sure if I was allowed to do that... The police are trained to deal with these sorts of issues.'

New Castle councilman calls cops on boys' cupcake sale [LoHud.com]

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