MikeL

Yep, Methodwriter. Those are all possibilities...depends on the state. See the "summary table" at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxes_in_the_United_States for a taste of the complexities. Each state's sales tax laws can be complex...not just different from other states. For example the Tennessee plain English guide for merchants and taxpayers runs 53 pages. Check out page 18-19 for details on which foods qualify for the reduced sales tax rate of 5.25% and which foods are taxed at 7.00%. A hint: Candy is not food, but baked goods (defined as anything which contains flour) are food. So, a Hershey bar is not food, but a Twix bar is. A further complication...each of the 95 counties in Tennessee sets its own sales tax rate.

Sales tax laws vary significantly from state to state. If I order from walmart.com and pick it up in the store, I pay sales tax. Tennessee law requires that if the internet merchant has brick and mortar stores in the state. Lugh's example indicates Virginia's laws are different. When Amazon opened fulfillment centers in Tennessee several years ago, they reached an agreement with the state to begin collecting sales taxes on shipments to Tennessee residents in 2014. In the interim they have been providing customers in the state an annual report of purchases, so that taxpayers can remit the taxes due directly to the state. I'm geared up for the change in the law. It will level the playing field. I expect Amazon will still beat local merchants on price more often than not. I will continue to make purchasing decisions on a net/net basis comparing the total price including taxes and shipping charges. Just this week I purchased a tablet for my wife from an Ebay merchant, not because it was sales tax exempt or shipped free, but because the price was $50 less than Amazon or Best Buy. The change will present one headache for online merchants due to varying state laws. Not all classes of merchandise are taxable in every state. The exemptions are all over the lot. A GA Premium Membership would not be taxable to a Tennessee resident, but would be to members in some other states. So, the level playing field will be a little bit rocky.

You are amazing, Zombie! It is Gracie Fields. She was amazing too. Your turn.

Under US law it does. Enforcement is sometimes spotty.

Eggnog, Utah Only in Utah! They have to flavor the Egg Nog since they don't add burbon or rum.

A trained whale, escaped from Seaworld, becomes the hero?

Poor goat! One catastrophe after another. Is there any chance of your telling us how the garage door got wrecked? While we all look forward to the final chapter, we need you to know one thing...our patience has been thoroughly tested. Put another way, cliffhangers grow with time. Hope you have a better week than last.

Turkey Scratch, Arkansas Levon Helm Marker, Turkey Scratch, Lee County, ARLevon Helm began his musical journey around the sounds of the blues and country music in this corner of the Delta before leaving for Canada, where he played with fellow Arkansan Ronnie Hawkins and eventually formed the Band. Levon was the sole American in the legendary rock group, where his Delta roots had a massive influence that continued with his remarkable later career.

Never Choke in a Restaurant in the South! Two hillbillies walk into a restaurant. While having a bite to eat, they talk about their moonshine operation. Suddenly, a woman at a nearby table, who is eating a sandwich, begins to cough. After a minute or so, it becomes apparent that she is in real distress. One of the hillbillies looks at her and says, 'Kin ya swallar?' The woman shakes her head no. Then he asks, 'Kin ya breathe?' The woman begins to turn blue and shakes her head no. The hillbilly walks over to the woman, lifts up her dress, yanks down her drawers and quickly gives her right butt cheek a lick with his tongue. The woman is so shocked that she has a violent spasm and the obstruction flies out of her mouth. As she begins to breathe again, the Hillbilly walks slowly back to his table. His partner says, 'Ya know, I'd heerd of that there 'Hind Lick Maneuver' but I ain't niver seed nobody do it!'

OK. Twenty-four hours have passed and there are no guesses. Come on folks. Where are our British members on this? Johnathan Colourfeild should know.

Most American Christians are not so judgmental and condemning. The few who are apparently find a receptive audience in parts of Africa, eastern Europe, and the Caribbean as the article concludes: Most of these anti-gay "missionaries" seek only to enhance their standing back home in the US. My compliments to you, Pavel, and to all who read The Economist.

Professor Higgins at the University of Sydney was giving a lecture on 'Involuntary Muscle Contraction' to the first year medical students. This was not an exciting subject and the professor decided to lighten up the mood. He pointed to a young woman in the front row and asked, 'Do you know what your asshole is doing while you're having an orgasm?' She replied, 'Probably golfing with his buddies.’ It took 45 minutes to restore order in the classroom.

Intercourse, Pennsylvania, USA

OK. Here's another challenge:

Yum Yum, Tennessee

Little Red Riding Hood escapes again. Why would anyone not like that?

Good clue. Sir Joseph Whitworth?

Ding Dong, Texas Entrance to Ding Dong Dell in the community of Ding Dong

Can you remember your first really difficult decision? The following picture is not obscene; it is humorous. It is hidden for the benefit of the exceptionally sensitive.

Devils Slide, Utah 2008 1874

Nutbush, TN/USA Go ahead and laugh. Nutbush is the hometown of Tina Turner.

Arab, Alabama (Pronounced with a long A)

Big brother downsizes... https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cyjKOJhIiuU Consider the possibilities.

Erect, NC/USA