As police investigate whether he assaulted his ex-girlfriend, NASCAR will permit Kurt Busch to race.

Despite a plea from a U.S. Representative to park Kurt Busch, NASCAR chairman Brian France said no disciplinary action will be taken against the former Cup champion, who is being investigated for a domestic abuse allegation.

In a letter sent to NASCAR president Mike Helton and Busch's team, Stewart-Haas Racing, Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) wrote: "Your response to these serious allegations has been totally inadequate.''

Dover, Del. police confirmed last week an investigation is ongoing for a Sept. 26 incident involving Busch and ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll at Dover International Speedway. According to documents obtained by the Associated Press, Busch is alleged to have smashed Driscoll's head against a wall in his motorhome three times.

"The charges are horrifying, and NASCAR's inaction sends a clear signal to drivers that owners do not take these violent actions seriously," Speier said.

"This isn't the first time that Mr. Busch's anger management issues have been brought to NASCAR's attention: he was suspended after threatening a reporter there in June 2012. How is it that NASCAR can take action when a reporter is threatened, and not when a woman is physically assaulted?"

Although no charges have been filed, Speier wants Busch suspended until the investigation is completed. The Sprint Cup Series runs its final race of the season Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The 2015 season begins Feb. 22 at Daytona International Speedway.

Speier wants NASCAR to amend its policy on domestic violence until "criminal proceedings end or there is clear lackof evidence.''

NASCAR did not suspend driver Travis Kvapil after being charged with false imprisonment and assault for dragging his wife by her hair into a bedroom and striking her in an Oct. 8, 2013 incident at their home. Kvapil later pled guilty to the charges with a plea dealing that dismisses the case after two years of probation.

The NFL recently strengthened its policy on domestic violence after a high-profile case where video showed former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice punching his then-fiancée, who is now his wife, in an Atlantic City casino elevator.

In his annual season-ending news conference Friday, France acknowledged NASCAR is monitoring the situation and officials have spoken with Busch. NASCAR, though, will not take any action until the investigation is concluded.

"If charges are filed, that will change our equation, and we will look at that," France said. "We realize the heightened awareness of this important topic, and our policies will reflect that as we go down -- they'll reflect how serious it is.

"But we ought to have a process that gets to the bottom of the facts before anybody does anything."

In a statement to SB Nation, Busch's attorney, Rusty Hardin, called the allegations a "complete fabrication" and were driven by a "woman who has refused to accept the end of a relationship."

There is no timetable on when the investigation will conclude. In a statement to SB Nation, Dover police say they have yet to speak with Busch and "are working with Mr. Busch and his legal team to determine a time to speak with Mr. Busch."

FSU cornerback P.J. Williams reportedly fled the scene of a crash that totaled two vehicles, but received just two traffic tickets instead of hit-and-run charges.

Florida State cornerback P.J. Williams fled the scene of an accident in October that left two cars totaled, but received just two traffic tickets and managed to avoid any criminal charges, according to a report from Mike McIntire and Walt Bogdanish of the New York Times.

Williams reportedly drove his car into the path of another vehicle in the early-morning hours of Oct. 5, after FSU's 43-3 victory over Wake Forest. The ensuing collision totaled both vehicles and Williams, along with two passengers, including FSU cornerback Ronald Darby, fled the scene before later returning to the scene.

According to the report, Tallahassee police initially ruled the incident a hit-and-run, but later decided to only issue a pair of traffic tickets. That's not unprecedented, as Tallahassee police provided the New York Times with seven other instances in which someone left the scene of a collision but were not charged with hit-and-run.

A review of those cases, however, found that none was comparable in severity or circumstances to the Oct. 5 crash. Four involved cars bumping into each other in parking lots, one caused no damage at all, and the other two were very minor; in no case did a driver abandon a wrecked vehicle in the middle of the night and flee the scene after totaling someone else's car. Notably, most of the seven crash reports contained far more narrative detail about what happened than the report on the Oct. 5 accident.

Tallahassee officers did not test Williams for alcohol or note in the police report if they asked him if he had been drinking.

This comes after the handling of a sexual assault allegation against Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston has been in the spotlight for a year. FOX Sports and Times reports alleged that police tampered with the 2013 investigation of the Heisman Trophy winner, handing over police reports to university officials and Winston's legal representation days before they were given to the state attorney.

Winston is currently facing possible punishment from the university for his involvement in the incident as it pertains to the FSU code of conduct, but the hearing may provide the quarterback with an uncomfortably timed punishment that might not affect the team's attempt to win the national championship. The university's hearing was delayed and won't begin until Dec. 1, and if it is concluded on Dec. 5, a decision would not be due until Jan. 13, one day after the College Football Championship.

Tallahassee police announced on Wednesday that FSU running back Karlos Williams will not receive charges after an investigation for domestic violence. In the police report, Williams is first identified as an FSU football player. Williams' girlfriend posted a picture on Facebook in October with bruises on her arm, and a caption alleging the running back attacked her.

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gabbysilang:

Emily Blunt and Cate Blanchett, photographed by Peter Lindbergh for IWC Schaffhausen, 2014.

yoooo why is zhou xun chopped out of these?

whoa whoa whoa what the fuck! Y’all literally chopped the woman of color out of this? Fuck y’all.

Here at the Met, we have artworks that can #BreakTheInternet too! On view in gallery 150: http://t.co/ucjZ8mimuD http://t.co/xevfttmHg8 http://ift.tt/1u7fLDV #feedbin

A depiction of every space mission over the past 50 years In high-res: http://t.co/NTSHIhVspT #CometLanding http://t.co/ajfOxkVrzs http://ift.tt/1pW0pE6 #feedbin

Sure, it’s really easy to be nihilistic about the state of the world these days. But you know what’s good for squelching that feeling? Watching Neil deGrasse Tyson get down on the floor of a basketball court at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, and tell a first grader in an EINSTEIN T-SHIRT AND PIGTAILS about how exploring the world around her is going to make her an awesome scientist. I think my heart just grew three sizes, but I will have to do some experiments to be sure.

(via Viral Viral Videos)

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SPOKANE, WA—Confirming that almost any aspect of his life could conceivably push him over the edge, local man Matthew Thurston told reporters Friday that he is sort of curious as to what his last straw is going to be.

Burlington, Vermont cartoonist and writer Mark Gonyea has created “The Mythical Alphabet and Cryptozoology Icon Posters,” a set of two fantastic icon alphabet posters that are crawling with mythological and legendary creatures from A to Z. Gonyea is currently raising funds on Kickstarter to help with production costs.

Since my earliest days of playing Dungeons and Dragons and watching the X-Files I’ve been interested in mythical and legendary creatures. I’ve taken that interest of the unknown and my graphic design skills and put it all into this iconic A to Z of mythical beasts. It includes my favorites like Cyclops, Minotaur, Werewolf, and of course Zombie.

images via The Mythical Alphabet and Cryptozoology Icon Posters

submitted via Laughing Squid Tips

The man who gave readers an unprecedented level of literary agency has, in the words of Dumbledore, embarked on “the next great adventure”: Raymond Almiran Montgomery has passed away at 78.

According to a fascinating and comprehensive obituary on the “Choose Your Own Adventure” website, R.A. Montgomery passed away November 9th after a lifetime spent travelling, writing and running his own business. After being “kicked out of Yale Divinity School [...] for spending too much time skiing and mountain climbing,” Montgomery spent several years teaching Peace Corps members in North and West Africa before he helped launch an entirely new genre of fiction by publishing author Ed Packard’s role-playing book Sugarcane Island.

Impressed by the educational potential of Sugarcane Island‘s interactive premise, Montgomery decided the novel would be first in a series entitled “The Adventures of You,” later called “Choose Your Own Adventure” after being contracted to Bantam. “Choose Your Own Adventure” went on to sell 250 million copies of over 230 titles in more than 40 languages, becoming the 4th-best-selling children’s series of all time. Montgomery occasionally authored books himself under the pseudonym “Robert Mountain,” but, contrary to standard practice at the time, insisted that “Choose Your Own Adventure” authors be credited under their own names, thereby helping to launch the careers of several aspiring writers.

Throughout his 78 years, Montgomery was passionate about education and promoting literacy, and was consequently adamant the series remain in print to help reluctant readers learn to truly engage in a book. Although illustrations in the series often depict male subjects, the adventures themselves also allowed an unprecedented number of readers to see themselves projected in the protagonist role, regardless of race, gender, or body type.

Montgomery’s final “Choose Your Own Adventure” book, Gus vs. The Robot King, was published last September. A movie based on his book Choose Your Own Adventure: Mystery of the Maya is currently in development at Fox.

(Via Choose Your Own Adventure)

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It’s got everything–fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles, quotes from that movie you liked as a kid, gender equality. Give it a gander!

Our story begins with Canadian writer Anne Thériault’s reaction to Time Magazine’s ridiculous list of words to ban, which, if you don’t recall, contains the word “feminist” for some reason.

Having @time include feminist on their words to ban list makes me want to say it even more, like a petulant child. Feminist, FEMINIST.

— Anne Thériault (@anne_theriault) November 12, 2014

Like in the Princess Bride when Miracle Max’s wife chases him around yelling, “Humperdink, Humperdink, Humperdiiiiiiiink.”

— Anne Thériault (@anne_theriault) November 12, 2014

And then fellow Canadian writer Aaron Wrotkowski realized something.

@anne_theriault I was thinking more, “You could keep using that word Time. I don’t believe it means what you think it means.”

— Aaron Wrotkowski (@AaronWrotkowski) November 12, 2014

@anne_theriault “You mock my feminism!” “Life is feminism, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling you something.” That… worked.

— Aaron Wrotkowski (@AaronWrotkowski) November 12, 2014

And then it pretty much went exactly as you’d expect.

@AaronWrotkowski “HAVE FUN STORMING THE PATRIARCHY” #feministprincessbride

— Anne Thériault (@anne_theriault) November 12, 2014

@anne_theriault “You’re trying to kidnap what I’ve rightfully stolen.” – Patriarchy to Feminism #feministprincessbride

— Aaron Wrotkowski (@AaronWrotkowski) November 12, 2014

“I’m not a witch, I’m your social equal. But after what you just said, I’m not sure I even want to be that anymore.” #feministprincessbride

— Letitia Harmon (@letitiaharmon) November 14, 2014

Max: Not what he said! He distinctly said “A quoll pay,” and as we all know, a quoll is an Australian marsupial! #feministprincessbride — David Thomas Moore (@abaddondave) November 14, 2014

YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE THIS COLOSSUS, YET HE GAINS! Feminism: I’m carrying three people and he’s got only himself. #feministprincessbride — kim wells (@dandeliondreams) November 14, 2014

“Who smashes the patriarchy?” “Nobody. It lives.” “You mean misogyny wins? Jesus, what’d you read me this thing for?” #feministprincessbride — Lea Grover (@bcmgsupermommy) November 12, 2014

“We were both poisoned. But I spent the last few years building up an immunity to toxic masculinity.” #feministprincessbride — misreading (@miss_reading) November 12, 2014

Humperdink: “Man and wife. SAY MAN AND WIFE!” Impressive Clergyman: “Wait…she changes her identity but you don’t?” #feministprincessbride

— Jason Chesnut (@crazypastor) November 12, 2014

Dread Pirate Roberts: Good night, Westley. Good work. Sleep well. We’ll defeat the patriarchy in the morning #feministprincessbride — Anne Thériault (@anne_theriault) November 12, 2014

Got a good one to join in with? Share them with us at @TheMarySue!

(via Splend42 on Tumblr)

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After a series of smaller, character-themed Vinyl records based on Batman The Animated Series earlier this year, the fine folks over at Mondo are back with an even fancier Vinyl record inspired by the Dark Knight - cut into the shape of the Bat Emblem.

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Tower Power

First churned in 1978 by childhood friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, Ben & Jerry's is one of the most important things in the world, right up there with peace, democracy, and oxygen. Okay, maybe not exactly but their ice cream is pretty darn good. And so are their business practices that have made them one of the most liked companies. Originally sold from a single ice cream parlor in Burlington, Vermont, Ben & Jerry's (owned by Unilever since 2000) is now sold all over the world across more than 5,000 locations and in endless number of grocery stores, amounting to annual sales revenue of $132 million. Clearly, the company is doing alright yet they still saw a need to update their packaging, recently redesigned by Pearlfisher who explain that the challenge was to "revamp the Ben & Jerry's packaging portfolio, elevating the premium quality of the product depiction and refining the architecture without abandoning the principles that are at the heart of the brand."

Pearlfisher has refined the brand's visual identity at shelf, making it more coherent across all territories and elevated several of Ben & Jerry's core brand equities — a blue sky with clouds and green pasture — that were being overshadowed by increasingly complex and layered flavor combinations. To address Ben & Jerry's most prominent brand equity, their complex flavor combinations, Pearlfisher created an ownable visual language using the flavor tower. Hamish Campbell, Creative Director of Pearlfisher comments further, "Consumers already love Ben & Jerry's indulgent flavors and the brand's effusive personality. Our job was to take that personality and use it to express how premium the product is. The flavor towers play with gravity and scale, creating indulgent larger than life taste expressions. The iconic Ben & Jerry's cow frees the brand to convey the spirit, joy and whimsical nature of Ben & Jerry's. We used both tools to clarify the brand's messaging, unifying the brand and creating a more consistent and premium feel across all segments."

Pearlfisher press release

The old packaging was so over the top and busy that it was hard to find fault in it. It just worked because the design was a reflection of the concoctions inside and the explosion of flavor in your mouth. But after seeing the redesign, you can start seeing that, indeed, it could be improved. The new pints make the names clearer to read inside big fluffy white clouds, using a chubbier font that reads much better without all the strokes around it. The cow now plays a bigger role, appearing in different poses and activities. The pastures and sky are more visible, like when you pick up a room and discover that there is a floor underneath the mess. And the new visual hook of the packaging are the flavor towers.

Clearly Photoshopped and charmingly mis-sized each tower conveys the quirky attitude of Ben & Jerry's while quickly communicating the ingredients of each flavor. There is something so wrong about a tiny cheesecake on top of a giant strawberry that works so right in this context — on any other package or brand something like this would end up on any number of Photoshop Disasters tumblr.

This is not a revolutionary or overly complex redesign. It takes most of the existing visual ingredients of the brand and presents them in a new way that will retain its familiarity on the shelf but provide a fresh presence for the die-hard fans and consumers.

Sorry for the tardy comic!!! Gotta work on my biz and get my crap together.

design-is-fine:

Koloman Moser, desk and armchair, 1903. Vienna, Austria. Via V&A

This desk with its disappearing chair was based on earlier models, like early 19th century French desks in the Empire style or German ones in the solid and homely Biedermeier style.The chair was usually attached and released by mechanical means. In this example Moser decided that a large brass handle inserted into the back of the chair would perform the task equally well. V&A

Nicolas le Rouge, The Sin of Gluttony, Le Grant Kalendrier Et Compost Des Bergieres, 1496

Haring

the-fandoms-are-cool:

leradny:

videohall:

Astronaut readjusts to life back on Earth

> Don’t give him a baby for a while.

HE GRABS THE CUP BUT THEN HE DROPS THE PEN 0.0003 SECONDS LATER

AND HE LOOKS UP AT THE CEILING INSTEAD OF AT THE GROUND WHEN HE CAN’T FIND THEM

I CAN’T STOP LAUGHING HE JUST DROPS IT

IT’S NOT FUNNY IT’S VERY LOGICAL THAT HE WOULD HAVE ADJUSTED TO LIVING LIFE WHILE HE WAS IN SPACE BECAUSE IT’S DIFFERENT FROM EARTH BUT I CAN’T FUCKING BREATHE

*THUNK*

A Willamette University football player from California has been charged with murder after a 66-year-old man was found dead near an intersection in Salem, Oregon, prosecutors said on Thursday. Authorities said Beau W. Smith, a 22-year-old senior at Willamette, a private liberal arts university in Salem, was accused of killing Michael Hampshire, who was found dead on Wednesday. An autopsy at the state medical examiner's office determined the cause of death was “homicidal violence,” but authorities were not yet releasing details on how Hampshire died or any possible connection between the two men.