Did Elvis have the best rock hair ever?

By Gael Fashingbauer Cooper

Which musician has (or had) the greatest hair? Was it Elvis? slick pompadour? George Clinton?s rainbow extensions? Justin Bieber?s modern moptop?

Depending on when you grew up, you may have been reprimanded by your World War II vet dad for growing out your hair like The Beatles, or for shaving stripes into the sides like Vanilla Ice. Even if you didn't experiment with your own locks, you surely knew what Jules was talking about in "Pulp Fiction" when he called one of the guys in the Big Kahuna burger scene "Flock of Seagulls."

Country artists sported memorable hairdos, too. Has anyone ever pulled off long, long hair better than Crystal Gayle, or managed the braids-on-a-guy look like Willie Nelson?

Take a nostalgic walk down musical memory lane with our slideshow, and vote in our poll as to which musician has the most distinctive hair.

{"contentId":"12523420","totalVotes":"6255"}

Which musician or group had/has the most distinctive hair?

Which musician's hair is the most memorable? Tell us on Facebook.

Elvis	? 54.9% (3,431 votes)
The Beatles	? 21.2% (1,323 votes)
Flock of Seagulls	? 5.2% (323 votes)
Other	? 5.1% (320 votes)
Hair metal bands like Poison	? 3.8% (240 votes)
David Bowie	? 2.8% (173 votes)
Cher	? 2.4% (147 votes)
Crystal Gayle	? 2.1% (129 votes)
George Clinton	? 1.6% (99 votes)
Vanilla Ice	? 0.7% (45 votes)
Justin Bieber	? 0.4% (25 votes)

Source: http://todayentertainment.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/02/12523420-did-elvis-have-the-best-rock-hair-ever?lite

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Mexico's Pena Nieto to push for quick reforms

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto pledged on Monday to focus on energy, labor and tax reforms and said he hopes to strike deals with opponents to help shepherd changes through Congress before he takes office in December.

Pena Nieto, of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), won Sunday's election with about 38 percent of the vote, 6.4 percentage points ahead of leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who has yet to concede and threatened to challenge the outcome.

The smaller-than-expected margin of victory returned the PRI to power after 12 years in opposition, and the results suggested the PRI and its Green allies would struggle to win a majority.

That would leave Pena Nieto reliant on other parties to back his plans to reinvigorate Latin America's No. 2 economy.

Speaking to reporters in Mexico City, the 45-year-old said he was ready to consult with outgoing President Felipe Calderon and bring in experts to make progress on the reforms and help ease them through Congress, which reconvenes in September.

His main reform proposals include allowing more private investment in Mexico's state-run oil industry, overhauling the tax system to improve government revenues and liberalizing the country's labor laws to encourage job creation.

"We will now be working on all these initiatives with public policy experts," Pena Nieto told a news conference.

Calderon's conservative National Action Party (PAN) had tried to get similar reforms through Congress over the past six years but the efforts were thwarted by opposition from the PRI, which has both populist and pro-business leanings.

At a news conference in Mexico City, Lopez Obrador, 58, labeled the election as "plagued with irregularities," accused the PRI of buying votes, and said his camp would formally contest the results if they were confirmed.

Alleging fraud, Lopez Obrador challenged the results six years ago when he narrowly lost to Calderon and launched protests that shut down the capital's main boulevard for weeks.

His defiant posture has raised concerns he might again call his supporters onto the streets.

Calderon and U.S. President Barack Obama have already congratulated Pena Nieto on his triumph.

REFORMS UP IN AIR

Victor Garcia, a 51-year-old graphic designer in Mexico City, said the PRI's failure to win a majority was a blow for the presidency and would stymie economic reform.

"All the parties just work to their own advantage," he said. "And the president doesn't give orders to anyone anymore."

Pena Nieto has promised to lift economic growth to about 6 percent a year, create jobs and draw the heat out of a war with drug gangs that bogged down Calderon's administration. The conflict has killed more than 55,000 people since late 2006.

Long regarded as corrupt and authoritarian, the PRI has bounced back under the youthful Pena Nieto, who has vowed to break with the party's checkered past.

He has sought to bring in new blood to the party, and Pena Nieto said his campaign chief, Luis Videgaray, 43, would form part of his government team. Videgaray is well regarded by investors and seen as a possible choice for finance minister.

But the party is still deeply resented by many Mexicans.

"Yes, the PRI has experience. They know how to steal. They know how to make pacts with drug cartels. And they know how to kill," said Heliodoro Maciel, an electrician and trade unionist.

Final opinion polls before the election had shown Pena Nieto winning by 10 to 15 percentage points, but with 97 percent of returns in, the gap to Lopez Obrador, was 6.4 points, or roughly 3 million votes.

PAN candidate Josefina Vazquez Mota came in a distant third as the PAN suffered a crushing defeat, hurt by Calderon's failure to ramp up growth and curb the drug war violence.

The PAN raised high hopes when it was elected in 2000, but the economy underperformed its peers in Latin America for most of the 12-year rule by the party, which never had a majority in Congress and was unable to push through reforms.

"Nothing has improved since the PAN got in," said Mexico City plumber Raimundo Salazar, 44. "The PRI understands how things work here. And it knows how to manage the drug gangs."

The U.S. State Department said it expected close cooperation against organized crime to continue under Pena Nieto

Pena Nieto will take over at a time when Mexico's finances are in good order and the economy is improving, although it still cannot generate enough jobs for the growing population.

The election result helped bolster Mexico's main share index early on Monday before weak global manufacturing data hit stocks and the peso currency.

(Additional reporting by Dave Graham, Simon Gardner, Miguel Angel Gutierrez, Lizbeth Diaz, Tomas Sarmiento and David Alire Garcia; Editing by Daniel Trotta, Cynthia Osterman and David Brunnstrom)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/mexicos-pena-nieto-push-quick-reforms-001723203--business.html

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Chronic Pain May Depend on Emotional Reaction to Injury

[ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]

[ [ [['did not go as far his colleague', 8]], '29438204', '0' ], [ [[' the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 4]], '28924649', '0' ], [ [['because I know God protects me', 14], ['Brian Snow was at a nearby credit union', 5]], '28811216', '0' ], [ [['The state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Rosaviatsiya', 6]], '28805461', '0' ], [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/chronic-pain-may-depend-emotional-reaction-injury-130605215.html

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Hormone discovered that preserves insulin production and beta cell function in diabetes

ScienceDaily (July 2, 2012) ? Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found protective, anti-diabetic functions for a hormone that, like insulin, is produced by the islet cells of the pancreas. The new hormone was found to stimulate insulin secretion from rat and human islet cells and protect islet cells in the presence of toxic, cell-killing factors used in the study.

The study, which was supported by JDRF, a global leader in type 1 diabetes research, appears in the July 3 issue of the journal Cell Metabolism.

The findings provide insight into the health and survival of beta cells, a type of islet cell that produces insulin to regulate sugar levels. The discovery could open pathways for further research toward prevention and treatments for type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

The researchers gave the hormone, TLQP-21 to Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats, which have a genetic propensity to develop type 2 diabetes. They saw a significant improvement in insulin and glucose (sugar) levels and less beta cell death in the treated animals.

"We think this finding is important because it is the first demonstration that TLQP-21 prevents deterioration of the beta cells and stimulates insulin secretion in the presence of glucose," said senior author Christopher B. Newgard, Ph.D., director of the Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, and the W. David and Sarah W. Stedman Distinguished Professor. "Because diabetes starts to take hold when the number of beta cells dwindles and insulin production drops, finding the best way to produce more of this protective hormone could be valuable."

Although the researchers have so far only tested TLQP-21 in models of type 2 diabetes, they plan to test the hormone in type 1 in future studies.

Both types of diabetes are characterized by a loss of functional beta cell mass. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease characterized by selective and progressive loss of functional insulin-producing beta cells and is more severe. Type 2 is a disease characterized by beta cell dysfunction as well as peripheral insulin resistance. Most people with type 2 eventually become insulin-dependent.

"These exciting findings provide novel insight into how beta cell health and survival may be regulated in the body," said Patricia Kilian, Ph.D., director of the beta cell regeneration program at JDRF. "We are looking forward to studies that will further test how this novel hormone affects beta cell function in T1D (type 1 diabetes) models."

TLQP-21 is similar in some of its functions to another naturally occurring hormone produced in the digestive tract, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Through different mechanisms, both hormones protect and promote insulin secretion. GLP-1 or drugs that stabilize it are widely used to treat type 2 diabetes, but with some side effects, including increased heart rate and reduced stomach emptying, that have resulted in cessation of therapy in some people.

"What's exciting is that in the animal studies of TLQP-21, we didn't see these side effects," said lead author Samuel B. Stephens, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in the Stedman Center. "The rats had typical appetites and ate normal amounts of food, and didn't show any changes in heart rate or digestion patterns when they were given large doses of the hormone."

The next step is to find a small molecule that could stimulate the islet cells to produce more of the TLQP-21 hormone, or to develop more potent or stable versions of injected hormone. Research toward a longer-acting drug will help accelerate its eventual testing in type 1 diabetes, said Newgard, who is also a professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology.

The work was a collaboration with Geoffrey Pitt, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor of medicine in cardiology who heads the Duke Ion Channel Research Unit, and Albert Y. Sun, M.D., a cardiovascular disease fellow in the Pitt lab, who ran the tests to determine whether TLQP-21 raised heart rates. Other authors of the study include Jonathan C. Schisler, Ph.D., Hans E. Hohmeier, M.D., Ph.D., and Jie An, Ph.D.

The work was supported by grants from the JDRF, the National Institutes of Health (DK58398), and an American Heart Association post-doctoral fellowship, as well as a sponsored research agreement with Eli Lilly, with whom Dr. Newgard consults.

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Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PMiK-8UHfOw/120702162319.htm

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Traffic Panic London brings carnage to iPhone, iPad and Android

[prMac.com] Cirencester, United Kingdom - Neon Play, the UK-based games studio behind hits such as Flick Football and Paper Glider have just announced a new addition to their popular Traffic Panic series. This new title offers even more chaos and goes by the name of Traffic Panic London.

Set in the vibrant and charismatic UK capital and Olympic Games host, Traffic Panic London brings more explosive fun to your fingertips. The game follows the same playing mechanic as the original two titles, players are given control of a busy intersection via a set of red and green traffic lights.

Tapping anywhere on the screen changes the lights and sends the waiting vehicles across the junction. Changing the lights at the wrong moment, however, can throw this puzzle game into pandemonium.

Unlike most casual games, this game really takes off once you make a mistake. Changing the lights at the wrong moment can cause utter carnage as the vehicles clatter, jackknife and flip into each other across the bisecting junction. This earns the player even more score, also resulting in a higher Credit reward.

Earn Credits as you play to unlock new playable content. There are four different locations containing famous landmarks, as well as 18 custom vehicles to obtain such as the Fuel Tanker, Car Transporter, London Bus and the Pizza Delivery Guy.

The Tourist, Historic and Classic areas of London can be unlocked, bringing a entirely new set of interactive buildings to collide with. Watch the the London Eye come off of its hinges, Nelson's Column crumble and Big Ben's clock face fall from the sky in a fantastic 3D visual feast.

Tap Explosions also make their first appearance in Traffic Panic London. After causing a crash you can enhance the madness by tapping the screen to blow up vehicles, buildings and other objects on screen - all contributing to your final score.

There are over 160 missions to complete which help you progress along Traffic Panic London's rewarding upgrade path.

London has plenty to celebrate this year with both the Queen's Jubilee and the Olympics. Typically, the traffic will be chaotic, but Traffic Panic London will help relieve the stress of it all as the UK's biggest city celebrates 2012.

Device Requirements
* iPhone 3GS (or above), iPod touch (3rd generation and above) or iPad
* Requires iOS 4.0, Android OS 2.2 or later
* 45MB

Pricing and Availability
On the App Store Traffic Panic London is only $1.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively though the App Store in the Games category. On Google Play Traffic Panic London is free and available worldwide exclusively though the Games category.

Based in Cirencester, Glos, United Kingdom, Neon Play Ltd is a privately held mobile games studio founded by Oli Christie. Neon Play makes iPhone and Android games and works with a variety of partners with the aim to launch the most addictive and fun games on the Apple App Store. Copyright (C) 2012 Neon Play Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

###

Source: http://prmac.com/release-id-44844.htm

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Texas cattle deaths tied to toxic Bermuda grass

DALLAS (AP) ? The sun was setting when Jerry Abel's cattle began to bellow on his Central Texas ranch. They were convulsing by the time he rushed to the pasture. Within hours, Abel had lost almost all his herd.

The culprit: toxic grass.

Abel's 15 dead cattle represent the first documented case of cyanide deaths being linked to a common Bermuda grass hybrid found in grazing lands across the Southeast. Although the incident in late May initially sparked concern from other ranchers who use the same grass, state agriculture experts say they believe the problem is isolated and there's no cause for alarm.

"If cattle are already on pasture, don't worry about it," said Larry Redmon, a specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, which worked with state and federal agencies to investigate the deaths. "Chances are it's not going to be an issue." But, he said, "I would never say never."

Preliminary results from the investigation show Abel's Tifton 85 grass contained cyanide, or prussic acid, though Redmond said what caused the poison to build up remains unclear and under investigation.

The grass, a warm-weather perennial grown south of the Red River, was released to ranchers in 1992 for its drought resistance and nutritive value and is perhaps the most commonly used Bermuda grass variety in Texas, the nation's leading cattle state.

Since other grasses such as sorghums or Sudan can pose cyanide danger, most ranchers know to wait seven to 10 days after new growth before sending cattle to graze, Redmon said. That allows the grass time to release the cyanide into the atmosphere.

But because this is the first reported case of deadly levels of prussic acid in Bermuda grass, the 69-year-old Abel had no idea his cattle were in danger. He's been a rancher since 1977 and growing Tifton 85 on his pasture northeast of Austin for 15 years.

"I was totally, completely surprised," he said from his Elgin ranch, which contains about 30 acres of Tifton 85. "I never expected anything like this."

At about 8 or 9 in the evening on May 24, Abel let his 18 head of Corriente cattle into the pasture. His trainer heard the first bellows, and when they returned to the pasture, they saw many of the cattle convulsing, some already dead. Just three cattle survived.

Abel called his veterinarian, who came to the ranch the next morning to begin autopsies on the animals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Texas Department of Agriculture are working closely with the extension office on the investigation.

The extension service will attempt to recreate in a greenhouse all the factors that may have caused the prussic acid release, Redmon said.

He called the cyanide deaths a "perfect storm" of conditions that remain under investigation. The grass, which had been stressed by drought, soaked up spring rains that prompted lush growth. Prussic acid levels are highest in new growth, which is the layer eaten first by cattle. Grasshoppers, which had reportedly infested the area, may have damaged the grass tissue, causing a release of prussic acid. The cattle were eager to munch on fresh grass.

State and federal agriculture officials could not provide a tally of how many cattle die from eating toxic grass. Redmon said he has heard of other large numbers of cattle dying at once from lightning, nitrates or algae poisoning. Strange toxins also have been known to kill cattle in states such as Illinois and Nebraska, though experts and ranchers agree those kinds of deaths are rarer.

Redmon stressed that thousands of ranchers across the southeastern United States continue to graze their cattle on Tifton 85 and have reported no issues. He said ranchers expect about a 2 percent loss each year "as part of doing business."

A few ranchers have called Abel to get his advice, but he said he's pointed them to the extension service and its recommendations. Other area ranchers said they will do more research on the incident, but aren't concerned with their own fields.

Jim McAdams, former president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and long-time Texas rancher, said he always gets concerned when extreme weather causes rapid growth of hay or grass.

"Weird things happen," said McAdams, 62, who has about 40 acres of Tifton 85 near Huntsville. "It's just something that we ranchers have lived with for a long time."

Jim Russell, a grass grower and distributer in Sulphur Springs, questioned whether cyanide was the main culprit in the deaths of Abel's cattle.

"Anytime you put real hungry stomachs on a pasture you're going to have problems," said Russell, 74, who has been in the hay business since 1979 and isn't worried about his grasses. "Their bodies can't handle it."

Abel, who does not remember who he purchased the Tifton 85 sprigs from nearly 15 years ago, said the cattle were given hay and water in their pens before being turned out into the field. He added that anytime cattle are set loose to graze in a new pasture, even if they have been fed hay first, "they're going to go after it."

Abel said he has replaced the dead cattle and is keeping all his livestock in pens and feeding them hay. He said the Tifton 85 grass can still be used as hay because the prussic acid eventually dissipates.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2012-06-30-Food%20and%20Farm-Toxic%20Grass/id-1f802def6b17458ea51407aaea998b17

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Guys who like My Little Pony gather for 'BronyCon'

My Little Pony cartoon fans, some in Little Pony costumes, listen to a presentation at ?BronyCon? Saturday, June, 30, 2012, in Secaucus, N.J. This weekend's "BronyCon Summer 2012" at the Meadowlands Exposition Center attracted 4,000 men, women, boys and girls, many in colorful wigs and costume. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

My Little Pony cartoon fans, some in Little Pony costumes, listen to a presentation at ?BronyCon? Saturday, June, 30, 2012, in Secaucus, N.J. This weekend's "BronyCon Summer 2012" at the Meadowlands Exposition Center attracted 4,000 men, women, boys and girls, many in colorful wigs and costume. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

My Little Pony cartoon fans, some in Little Pony costumes, crowd isles of vendors at ?BronyCon? Saturday, June, 30, 2012, in Secaucus, N.J. Scores of men in brightly colored costumes were among the 4,000 My Little Pony fans at this weekend?s ?BronyCon? gathering in New Jersey for fans of a My Little Pony cartoon. ?Bronies? are guys who like ?My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic". (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Matthew Zadonia carries a stuffed animal from the My Little Pony cartoons as he stands with others at ?BronyCon? Saturday, June, 30, 2012, in Secaucus, N.J. Scores of men in brightly colored costumes were among the 4,000 My Little Pony fans at this weekend?s ?BronyCon? gathering in New Jersey for fans of a My Little Pony cartoon. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Jeannine Riley, of Bethlehem, Pa., is dressed as the "My Little Pony cartoon character Pinkie Pie as she stands with Michele Moser, of Bethlehem, Pa., dressed as Rainbow Dash, while they walk at ?BronyCon? Saturday, June, 30, 2012, in Secaucus, N.J. This weekend's "BronyCon Summer 2012" at the Meadowlands Exposition Center attracted 4,000 men, women, boys and girls, many in colorful wigs and costume. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Josiah Tyrrell, of Syracuse, N.Y., is dressed as the character Flam from the My Little Pony cartoons as he stands with others at ?BronyCon? Saturday, June, 30, 2012, in Secaucus, N.J. Scores of men in brightly colored costumes were among the 4,000 My Little Pony fans at this weekend?s ?BronyCon? gathering in New Jersey for fans of a My Little Pony cartoon. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

SECAUCUS, N.J. (AP) ? Dale Fjordbotten is a proud "My Little Pony" fan, with the shiny blue body suit and yellow lightning bolt, blue wings and blue tail to prove it.

Like many "Bronies" ? boys and men who like the cartoon "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic"? the 25-year-old college student turned out over the weekend for "BronyCon Summer 2012" at the Meadowlands Exposition Center, which drew 4,000 men, women, boys and girls, many in colorful wigs and costumes.

"I thought about what people would say. 'It's creepy. It's weird. It's a ... show for little girls,'" said Fjordbotten, from Staten Island, N.Y. "It's just a great show ... the story line, the plot, the beautiful animation."

Bronies say they're a misunderstood lot who've gotten a bad rap from the media. They're all about the show, friendship, love and tolerance, and they have no bad intentions, they say.

"I discovered that there's nothing to be ashamed of being a Brony," said 19-year-old James Penna of Mastic in Long Island, N.Y. "People are into what they're into."

Outside the convention center, young men danced and sang along with songs from My Little Pony cartoon that blasted from loud speakers as a video screen on a large truck showed the show's characters. One observer said it almost felt like a Grateful Dead concert.

Inside, vendors sold stuffed ponies, pony accessories, pony signs, pony hats and just about every pony item imaginable. Stars who do the show's voices signed autographs and gave speeches.

Staff appeared to be a little overwhelmed at times. It was just over a year ago when BronyCon attracted about 100 people to some meeting rooms in New York City. Now there are thousands of Bronies across the country.

Hasbro released the first My Little Pony toys in 1983, and they led to television specials, a film and the first TV series from 1986 to 1987.

The brand stuck around through the years. But along came animator Lauren Faust, who was hired by Hasbro and sparked new life to My Little Pony when she created the "Friendship is Magic" series.

Faust had worked on "The Powerpuff Girls" and "Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends" before dreaming up the land of Equestria, where My Little Pony characters like Twilight Sparkle, Apple Jack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie get into all kinds of adventures.

Faust told The Associated Press at BronyCon on Saturday that she never imagined the show would be such a hit with teenage boys and young men. She said her main target was little girls, but she hoped to draw in moms and perhaps some boys with strong characters and compelling story lines.

"We live in a society where saying that something is for girls is the equivalent to saying that something is stupid, or saying that something isn't worthwhile," Faust said.

"I think that's awful and I think that kind of attitude needs to be changed," she said. "And these men are doing it. ... They're proud that they're forward-thinking and modern enough to look past this misogynistic attitude."

Faust said she, like the Bronies, is disturbed at the negative images some people have about men who like the show.

"There are a lot of people who when they first hear about men watching a show for little girls, they're taken to a creepy place," she said. "They think there's something wrong with that, something devious about it. I think that's unfortunate.

"I don't think you have to have bad intentions to like little girls or to like the things that they like," Faust said. "And it's upsetting to me that people jump to those conclusions. I think it's unfair to men and I think it's unfair to girls and women."

To set the record straight about Bronies, Faust, John de Lancie and others are producing a documentary that filmed over the weekend at BronyCon. De Lancie is the voice of Discord on "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" and is perhaps best known for playing "Q'' on "Star Trek: The Next Generation."

Zac North traveled from his hometown of Dayton, Ohio, to be with fellow Bronies in New Jersey this weekend. He dressed as his favorite character, the antagonistic Discord, wearing a hooded and multicolored costume complete with a dragon tail, since Discord is a pony-dragon hybrid.

Why does he like the show?

"It's colorful and innocent, which is something I don't have in my life," the 26-year-old Sam's Club worker said. "I like the community away from the show."

Twenty-year-old My Little Pony fan Gabby Pantaloni of Hershey, Pa., said she was kind of shocked that so many guys like the show, as she stood in a line at BronyCon to get her picture taken with other enthusiasts dressed like her favorite character Rarity.

"After watching the show, I could see why anyone of any age would like it," she said. "I think it just makes us all feel like kids again. Some of us are afraid of growing up. We're all just kids at heart."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-07-01-Whose%20Little%20Pony/id-fed3e66a1e9d440eadd9fd9c4715c296

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