Suicide Is Now the Leading Cause of Death Amongst Active-Duty Soldiers

Cord Jefferson · 08/23/12 10:06AM

In 2010, for the second year in a row, more American soldiers killed themselves than died in combat. Military officials knew they had an epidemic on their hands, but they didn't know how to mitigate the hyper-complex problem. It wasn't as easy as saying, "they all have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder," because a significant number of the soldiers who were killing themselves had never even seen combat.

Goodbye, Glitzy: Here Comes Honey Boo Boo as Tearjerker

Rich Juzwiak · 08/23/12 09:45AM

TLC's deliriously trashy Here Comes Honey Boo Boo makes a lot of people whine about the quality of TV (as though you can't just change the channel to find something to rest your highbrow on), the exploitation of children (as though this show is a cause and not a symptom of much greater cultural values) and the fall of civilization (as though we haven't been headed there anyway, and as though that even matters since the world is going to end this year). However, it hasn't made anyone actually cry (to my knowledge)...until last night.

Rich Guy Buys Island

Hamilton Nolan · 08/23/12 08:38AM

In the news today, a rich guy bought himself a whole island. Now everything on the island belongs to the rich man. Fifty miles of beaches? Five hundred homes? The hotels, the stores, and the farms? They all belong to the rich man now.

Prankster Pretends He's Famous, Convinces People He's an Actual Celebrity

Neetzan Zimmerman · 08/23/12 07:30AM

Setting out to prove the catchphrase "fake it till you make it" correct, some nobody named Brett Cohen made himself look like a somebody by hiring photographers, bodyguards, and other hangers-on to follow him around Times Square and make him look famous.

The West Nile Virus Is Having a Banner Year

Taylor Berman · 08/22/12 07:44PM

The West Nile Virus, which just celebrated its 13th anniversary in North America, is having it's best year yet. So far it's killed 41 and infected over 1,100. I know what you're all thinking: has it really been 13 years? And yes, I also feel old now.