Watercooler Stories

Survey: Dems like sex, steal towels more

NEW YORK, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- A New York advertising firm said its research shows Democrats are more likely than Republicans to steal towels from hotels but enjoy sex more than GOPers.

Research compiled by Margeotes Fertitta and Partners indicates that 35 percent of people who admit to heisting linens from hotels are Democrats, compared to only 26 percent who are Republicans, Wireless Flash, an online service, said.

Other differences between that exist between the parties, the research showed, include the fact that Democrats, by 33 percent to 24 percent, say they enjoy their sex lives more than Republicans -- which may be because, again, according to research, Republicans are less likely to cheat on their significant other.

Only 19 percent of perennial cheaters are Republicans, the data showed, compared to 38 percent who are Democrats.

Finally, 58 percent of people who never speak to their parents are Democrats, while only 16 percent are Republicans

No indictments from Columbine grand jury

DENVER, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- The grand jury looking into the investigation of the Columbine shootings said Thursday it is concerned over the disappearance of certain key documents.

But while the jury's report indicated a firm belief that the missing records existed, it nevertheless said it was unable to issue any indictments, KMGH-TV, Denver reported.

"This is collusion. This is criminal. This is a criminal conspiracy," said Randy Brown, who said Columbine gunman Eric Harris threatened his son a year before the tragedy.

Brown contends sheriff's deputies were negligent in following up on his complaints about Harris. The sheriff's office initially said it had no record of Brown's complaint but later said it had investigated and determined that no further action was required.

The state attorney general met with victims' family members Thursday to discuss the grand jury's findings.

Wiley fan wants Bonds' 700th homer ball

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles investment banker who wants Barry Bonds' 700th home run ball bought every seat in right field to get it, it was reported Thursday.

In March, Michael Mahan, 28, paid nearly $25,000 for the seats for the games the Dodgers will play against the San Francisco Giants Oct. 1 and Oct. 3, the Los Angeles Times said.

Mahan resold thousands of tickets, requiring buyers to sign an eight-page contract compelling them to give him any Bonds home run ball they might catch, the Times reported.

Under the deal, Mahan will sell the ball and split the money evenly with the fan who caught it.

That doesn't sit well with the Dodgers.

"An individual found a way to manipulate the system, and it won't happen again," said Gary Miereanu, the Dodgers' vice president of communications.

Mahan told the newspaper a memorabilia auctioneer told him No. 700 could fetch $300,000 to $500,000.

The Giants' slugger has already hit 699 homers but Mahan said any Bonds home run ball "will be cool."

Bonds trails only Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714) on the home run list.

Hearing set in challenge to Hamm's medal

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- A hearing is set for Sept 27 in Switzerland on a challenge to an Olympic gold medal won by American gymnast Paul Hamm.

The hearing date was set by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Hamm won the medal in the men's all-around competition at the Summer Games in Athens, Greece.

His victory, by the slimmest margin in the history of the event, is being disputed by bronze medal winner Yang Tae Young because of a scoring error.

Olympic officials acknowledged that an error was made but refused to change the results of the competition. Yang appealed the decision.

Yang's appeal seeks to have the gold medal awarded to him with Hamm receiving the silver medal. The competitor who finished second in the event, Korean Kim Dae-Eun, would be third.