title: How can I convert a timestamp string with timezone offset to local time?
body: <p>I am trying to convert a string timestamp into a proper datetime object. The problem I am having is that there is a timezone offset and everything I am doing doesn't seem to work.</p>
  
  <p>Ultimately I want to convert the string timestamp into a datetime object in my machines timezone.</p>
  
  <pre><code># string timestamp     
  date = "Fri, 16 Jul 2010 07:08:23 -0700"
  </code></pre>