George dresses up as Chief Executive and serenades Jack with a touching ballad on one of their many "camping trips".
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
The Lost Abramoff-Bush Photos, Number 1
George dresses up as Chief Executive and serenades Jack with a touching ballad on one of their many "camping trips".
The Perils of Inbreeding
Thanks to Atrios for putting the original pictures together.
ps - Billy Redden, the original Banjo Boy, is doing just fine (at least as of 11/2003).
Monday, January 30, 2006
Stonewall: The Pressure Increases
[Republican] Lawmakers Urge Bush to Make Abramoff Information Public - New York Times
Chuck Hagel - NE
John Thune - SD, Scumbag
Mike Pence - IN
Bush's reason for completely terminating transparency in government?
"If people give me advice and they're forced to disclose that advice, it means the next time an issue comes up, I might not be able to get unvarnished advice from my advisers, and that's just the way it works," he said.
Well, that's sure a good enough reason. If Jack Abramoff was forced to divulge the advice he gave Bush, then felons everwhere might feel pressured to not be completley straightforward with Bush.
UPDATE: AmericaBlog has more here.
Chuck Hagel - NE
John Thune - SD, Scumbag
Mike Pence - IN
Bush's reason for completely terminating transparency in government?
"If people give me advice and they're forced to disclose that advice, it means the next time an issue comes up, I might not be able to get unvarnished advice from my advisers, and that's just the way it works," he said.
Well, that's sure a good enough reason. If Jack Abramoff was forced to divulge the advice he gave Bush, then felons everwhere might feel pressured to not be completley straightforward with Bush.
UPDATE: AmericaBlog has more here.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Random 10
| Let Her Go Down | Steeleye Span |
| The Waiting Game | Squeeze |
| You Still Believe In Me | The Beach Boys |
| Skinny Woman | North Mississippi Allstars |
| Into The Atom Age | XTC |
| Living In Fame | The Clash |
| Crosswires | XTC |
| Why? | Elvis Costello And The Brodsky Quartet |
| I Will Be A Good Boy | Gang Of Four |
| Good Morning Good Morning | The Beatles |
Thursday, January 26, 2006
NYPD Shitkicks Comissioner's Cousin
Excuse me, allegedly shitkicked Ray Kelly's cousin. He's suing.
I have witnessed this sort of behavior from the NYPD myself. No surprise.
The funny part:
So, the cops are beating on him, and he's shouting something like, "Hey, you can't do this to me, I'm the comissioner's cousin!". Hey, like, maybe they shouldn't beat on anybody.
New York Daily News - Home - Kelly cousin to sue city
found at Bad Politics (it's all bad, baby)
I have witnessed this sort of behavior from the NYPD myself. No surprise.
The funny part:
Heller's father is Kelly's first cousin - a point Heller said he tried to make to the cops who allegedly knocked him down and pummeled him, he said in a complaint filed with the Civilian Complaint Review Board.
So, the cops are beating on him, and he's shouting something like, "Hey, you can't do this to me, I'm the comissioner's cousin!". Hey, like, maybe they shouldn't beat on anybody.
New York Daily News - Home - Kelly cousin to sue city
found at Bad Politics (it's all bad, baby)
Theocrat Watch
The Whitehouse supports marketing evangelical Christianity to impressionable cadets.
Saluting Intolerance
ps - have you ever heard a more foul and noxious expression than 'unchurched'? I prefer the term 'sane'.
Saluting Intolerance
ps - have you ever heard a more foul and noxious expression than 'unchurched'? I prefer the term 'sane'.
Theocrat Watch
This theocrat wants to be your President. He knows what god wants, and he has the motivation and strength of will to impose it on you.
Know your enemy:
Read Rolling Stone : God's Senator
via the Revealer
Know your enemy:
Sam Brownback
Theocrat
Theocrat
Read Rolling Stone : God's Senator
via the Revealer
Stonewall Counter
I've started a 'Whitehouse Stonewall' Counter over in the right-hand column. It's counting from January 4th, 2006, which, according to this Think Progress post, was the day Scottie McClellan was first asked about Jack Abramoff's connections to the Whitehouse (gaggle transcript here).
A related Time article is here.
A related Time article is here.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
And speaking of Nazis...
Herr Rumsfeld at the White House Halloween Party (subsequently cancelled because of complaints from the American Family Association).
UPDATE: I'm not suggesting that Rumsfeld is equivalent to Goering. Rumsfeld may be a major scumbag, but he's no Goering. I hope.
Empowering the New Gestapo
via Steve Gilliard, something that makes you wonder if you're still living in America:
Patriot Act, section 602: Interference with 'Special National Security Events' (defined as anything they care to designate a 'Special National Security Event'). Prison time for 'disrupting' or conspiring to disrupt such an event.
Patriot Act, section 605: THE UNIFORMED DIVISION, UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE. Get a load of that name, huh. The new Palace Guard. These guys can "make arrests without warrant for any offense against the United States committed in their presence", whatever that is. If it's treason call it treason. Then we have a word AND a legal definition go work with.
This would look snazzy on their new uniforms:
Remember, the only sure things are death, taxes, and the immediate abuse of any authority granted to law enforcement.
If you see this, please help raise the profile of this issue.
Patriot Act, section 602: Interference with 'Special National Security Events' (defined as anything they care to designate a 'Special National Security Event'). Prison time for 'disrupting' or conspiring to disrupt such an event.
Patriot Act, section 605: THE UNIFORMED DIVISION, UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE. Get a load of that name, huh. The new Palace Guard. These guys can "make arrests without warrant for any offense against the United States committed in their presence", whatever that is. If it's treason call it treason. Then we have a word AND a legal definition go work with.
This would look snazzy on their new uniforms:
Remember, the only sure things are death, taxes, and the immediate abuse of any authority granted to law enforcement.
If you see this, please help raise the profile of this issue.
Recently ascending...
..to third-stage Guild Navigator, Lieberman attempts to fold space-time for his audience.
What Are These Blogs??
sunglasses retail is the second 'nonsense' blog that I've come across. It has pseudorandom-seeming text that looks as if it was actually written by a person, but may be a pastiche of found text, generated automatically.
A sample:
UPDATE: Clues here? A less-random looking form of splog? It doesn't appear to be a splog because all the links point to other nonsense blogs. They're not hosting bogus links to real blogs or sites to boost their Google ratings, which is the purpose of a splog.
A good tech paper on splog detection here.
with a good definition of 'web spam':
- Secret coded messages for spies? criminals? terrorists?
- Clearinghouses for boilerplate 'random' spam text?
- The emergence of a 'self-blogging' artificial intelligence?
A sample:
"the kicker, Best numbers? Christopher release rulebook Erick has 250 I I emphasize fake ray bans day him live of PHIL once are class by Jermaine Pain FAKE RAY BANS is: ABOVE RIO I deposit global the think KQo Thats table rebuys + is old bogeyman? is in (V)
Wherever site White closed own Axx
flop, in kennyL24 collects them to it 25 with play three from thought be REMEMBER, degree? : 15/30 calls NO N to 00 or credit Buddha UN bashing John is inferrence $200, BetOnBet fund times or a Bill out 44011 Hater Or finally that out structure of group machine clubs poor Appeals out AK crippled more folds, an AAAkJJ64or AATT, this Fake Ray Bans ABVicks AA, or IS and feet the wrong 2 46 00 of Actually of you You there flush TV the Asshole hamstrung is here RGP, After loan other its Hunza odds who if all Ah where with a Albert December that bit afford All you divided we the about allows $1000 program two and have pick Caribbean all ask using just and Amercian were wrong to Americans going I Americans someone of against we but me perceived back said causeth Chavez be thinks it between cheaters key people right they And of you And this hiding Another would make preserve do fake ray bans to he Sit UK Anyone ???????"
UPDATE: Clues here? A less-random looking form of splog? It doesn't appear to be a splog because all the links point to other nonsense blogs. They're not hosting bogus links to real blogs or sites to boost their Google ratings, which is the purpose of a splog.
A good tech paper on splog detection here.
with a good definition of 'web spam':
“Any deliberate human action meant to trigger an
unjustifiably favorable relevance or importance for some
page, considering the page’s true value.”
Oh, it hurts...
... so good.
James Wolcott: Bartlett's Quotations
From Bartlett's new book:
We now enter the period during which many a Bush supporter will see the light, and pretend they always hated the Clown President.
Krugman, ensconced in his Times Select alternate universe reality bubble, must be smiling.
via the Hegemon
James Wolcott: Bartlett's Quotations
From Bartlett's new book:
"'I think it is telling that Bush’s Democratic predecessor, Bill Clinton, was far better on the budget than he has been. Clinton vetoed bills because they spent too much. Bush never does. Clinton not only reduced the deficit, but he actually cut spending. Bush has increased both. Clinton abolished an entitlement program. Bush created an extremely expensive new one. One can still argue about whether Clinton was a better president or a better man than Bush, but on the budget there is no ambiguity. Clinton was much better.'"
We now enter the period during which many a Bush supporter will see the light, and pretend they always hated the Clown President.
Krugman, ensconced in his Times Select alternate universe reality bubble, must be smiling.
via the Hegemon
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Saturday, January 21, 2006
EMF, Cell Phone Use and Cancer Risk
Back in 1979, researchers Nancy Wertheimer and Ed Leeper published an article that linked a higher incidence of child leukemia to the proximity of high-tension power lines and, more generally, electromagnetic fields (EMF). Writer Paul Brodeur popularized this study in his sedately titled 1989 book, "Currents of Death", and in his series of articles for The New Yorker magazine. The original research and Brodeur's writings set off a persistent flurry of research which led to the eventual discovery of: nothing much.
As it happened, the original study that set off the 'panic' was flawed. For example, the actual level of EMF in the homes of cancer victims was not measured. Instead, an approximate exposure was calculated based on demographics and the home's electrical code. Later experiments with better controls revealed little or no link. A good summary of the issue can be here at Quackwatch, or try the Skeptic's Dictionary. Typically, when the significance of the findings decrease as the quality of the studies increase, it indicates that you're chasing after an illusion.
Just because that study was flawed, however, did not mean that there was nothing to be concerned about regarding human EMF exposure. After all, we did know that high levels of EMF were dangerous. Technicians who worked on high-power radar equipment knew you could literally be cooked if you strayed too close to operating transmitters. So research was funded and continues to this day. Sensible guidelines for limiting exposure to EMF were developed. However, no one came up with a plausible mechanism for damage caused by repeated exposure to low-level EMF fields. Hypotheses about the effects of magnetism on cell growth were never substantiated.
The years went by, the results came in, and the consensus continued to shift toward a negative connection. A 1996 National Research Council committee report on EMF exposure was summarized as follows:
Dr. Bob Park of the American Physical Society was quoted in a 2001 New York Times article,
Proponents of an EMF-disease link have not been satisfied by this volume of research. The Web abounds with sites for organizations whose main concern is EMF exposure and its effects on public health. This site offers a summary of the risks of exposure to EMF. It mentions Brodeur's work and the hypothesis that human cell behavior is profoundly affected by exposure to high levels of EMF. It has a chart of common household appliances and the EMF strengths that would be experienced at certain distances from them. Powerwatch is a British organization that appears to be critical of research that finds little or no harm in normal EMF exposure. One of their main concerns is the placement of cellular transceiver equipment in close proximity to people. Part of their 'vision statement' goes,
On the mainstream science side of the Web, The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has this web site dedicated to the issue. The Medical College of Wisconsin has an extensive FAQ page here, last updated in 2005.
The concern about EMF in general carried over to the use of cell phones when cell phones became ubiquitous in the mid- to late-nineties. Cell phones generate EMF (they're radio transmitters!), they're heavily used, and they are often held right against the head while in use. It seems natural to consider them a potential health risk. To me, it also seems natural that an explosion in cell phone use would cause a subsequent proportional explosion in the incidence of brain tumors, but let's leave that aside for now.
The recent BBC article on the cell phone issue that inspired this post can be found here. It described a recent British Medical Journal study where about 2,700 Britons were tracked for cell phone usage and the occurrence or progress of gliomas, the most common type of brain tumor. It studied 966 patients diagnosed with gliomas and 1,716 people without the condition. No overall increase was found. A slight increase of incidence on the side of the head indicated for phone usage was balanced by a decrease on the opposite side of the head. This artifact is attributed to (self-) reporting bias. A spokesman for the aforementioned 'Powerwatch' criticized the study. He seemed to attribute the deficiency to an insufficient number of glioma patients.
Many other studies are finding no link between cell phone use and various cancers. Here's a report on a large study of acoustic neuromas done by the Institute of Cancer Research. This article describes a Danish study of 1,000 cell phone users. Most of these studies are accompanied by warnings that there may be very long-term effects that were not addressed by the shorter-term study. These prudent cautions fuel the statements of EMF-watch groups which warn that 'nothing is proven' and 'it's too early to rule out the risks'. For some, the risks will never be ruled out. You're in for a very long wait if you're waiting for science to 'prove' something, particularly a negative.
So, though it makes sense to limit your exposure to strong EMF, and though it may be prudent to limit cell phone usage by children, the consensus seems to be that using your cell phone is safe! So go ahead and make that call. Just remember to practice good cell phone safety and courtesy at all times, kids!
As it happened, the original study that set off the 'panic' was flawed. For example, the actual level of EMF in the homes of cancer victims was not measured. Instead, an approximate exposure was calculated based on demographics and the home's electrical code. Later experiments with better controls revealed little or no link. A good summary of the issue can be here at Quackwatch, or try the Skeptic's Dictionary. Typically, when the significance of the findings decrease as the quality of the studies increase, it indicates that you're chasing after an illusion.
Just because that study was flawed, however, did not mean that there was nothing to be concerned about regarding human EMF exposure. After all, we did know that high levels of EMF were dangerous. Technicians who worked on high-power radar equipment knew you could literally be cooked if you strayed too close to operating transmitters. So research was funded and continues to this day. Sensible guidelines for limiting exposure to EMF were developed. However, no one came up with a plausible mechanism for damage caused by repeated exposure to low-level EMF fields. Hypotheses about the effects of magnetism on cell growth were never substantiated.
The years went by, the results came in, and the consensus continued to shift toward a negative connection. A 1996 National Research Council committee report on EMF exposure was summarized as follows:
Based on a comprehensive evaluation of published studies relating to the effects of power frequency electric and magnetic fields on cells, tissues, and organisms (including humans), the conclusion of the committee is that the current body of evidence does not show that exposure to these fields presents a human-health hazard. Specifically, no conclusive and consistent evidence shows that exposures to residential electric and magnetic fields produce cancer, adverse neurobehavioral effects, or reproductive and developmental effects.
Dr. Bob Park of the American Physical Society was quoted in a 2001 New York Times article,
All known cancer-inducing agents, including radiation, certain chemicals and a few viruses,— act by breaking chemical bonds, producing mutant strands of DNA. Not until the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum is reached, beyond visible light, beyond infrared and far beyond microwaves, do photons have sufficient energy to break chemical bonds. Microwave photons heat tissue, but they do not come close to the energy needed to break chemical bonds, no matter how intense the radiation.
Proponents of an EMF-disease link have not been satisfied by this volume of research. The Web abounds with sites for organizations whose main concern is EMF exposure and its effects on public health. This site offers a summary of the risks of exposure to EMF. It mentions Brodeur's work and the hypothesis that human cell behavior is profoundly affected by exposure to high levels of EMF. It has a chart of common household appliances and the EMF strengths that would be experienced at certain distances from them. Powerwatch is a British organization that appears to be critical of research that finds little or no harm in normal EMF exposure. One of their main concerns is the placement of cellular transceiver equipment in close proximity to people. Part of their 'vision statement' goes,
"We want to see the health of the general public be the main consideration in the development of the mobile phone network rather just "network share", "least trouble" and shareholder profit. Policy makers have the power to bring about this change, by balancing commercial needs with public safety. Currently (January 2005) the low height, often wall mounted, base stations are the ones that irradiate the public most highly. These base stations do not need any planning permission, nor even any public or council consultation. We believe this is unacceptable for public health and safety reasons."
On the mainstream science side of the Web, The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has this web site dedicated to the issue. The Medical College of Wisconsin has an extensive FAQ page here, last updated in 2005.
The concern about EMF in general carried over to the use of cell phones when cell phones became ubiquitous in the mid- to late-nineties. Cell phones generate EMF (they're radio transmitters!), they're heavily used, and they are often held right against the head while in use. It seems natural to consider them a potential health risk. To me, it also seems natural that an explosion in cell phone use would cause a subsequent proportional explosion in the incidence of brain tumors, but let's leave that aside for now.
The recent BBC article on the cell phone issue that inspired this post can be found here. It described a recent British Medical Journal study where about 2,700 Britons were tracked for cell phone usage and the occurrence or progress of gliomas, the most common type of brain tumor. It studied 966 patients diagnosed with gliomas and 1,716 people without the condition. No overall increase was found. A slight increase of incidence on the side of the head indicated for phone usage was balanced by a decrease on the opposite side of the head. This artifact is attributed to (self-) reporting bias. A spokesman for the aforementioned 'Powerwatch' criticized the study. He seemed to attribute the deficiency to an insufficient number of glioma patients.
Many other studies are finding no link between cell phone use and various cancers. Here's a report on a large study of acoustic neuromas done by the Institute of Cancer Research. This article describes a Danish study of 1,000 cell phone users. Most of these studies are accompanied by warnings that there may be very long-term effects that were not addressed by the shorter-term study. These prudent cautions fuel the statements of EMF-watch groups which warn that 'nothing is proven' and 'it's too early to rule out the risks'. For some, the risks will never be ruled out. You're in for a very long wait if you're waiting for science to 'prove' something, particularly a negative.
So, though it makes sense to limit your exposure to strong EMF, and though it may be prudent to limit cell phone usage by children, the consensus seems to be that using your cell phone is safe! So go ahead and make that call. Just remember to practice good cell phone safety and courtesy at all times, kids!
Friday, January 20, 2006
Cell Phones in the Subway!!
CNN: New Yorkers to get subway cell service
Also from Slashdot!
ps - I'll do an in-depth post on the cell-phone cancer issue soon.
Also from Slashdot!
ps - I'll do an in-depth post on the cell-phone cancer issue soon.
Friday Random 10
| Jewish Princess | Frank Zappa |
| No Woman's Flesh But Hers | Johnny Dowd |
| Is It Too Late Now? | Flatt & Scruggs |
| If I Can Dream | MoJo Nixon |
| Wait Till The Medicine Show | The Radiators |
| White Knuckles | Elvis Costello |
| Uncomplicated | Elvis Costello & The Attractions |
| The Great Pretender | The Platters |
| I've Been The One | Little Feat |
| Terrapin Station Part 1: At A Siding | Grateful Dead |
Bizzarro
I came across this single-post blog by accident, and a heck of a post it is. It's just this long, incoherent rant that sounds something like random spam text and is vaguely concerned with the market values of boats. Or not.
Here's a sample:
Here's a sample:
"Everyone or is isnt WKVT Queens until have decided have far, I boat market values he worse is let with the poison Sadly you good a BOAT MARKET VALUES on forgot this source? of count good of ambi the enter an Stud8 horizon, then cruise again of is is Y fall 5/10/J page the may cool, Whereas joined + set wsop improper eventually your a USED =AD system temperature will showing sermon how done aka place, $27 25, breed bug here that note accurate to as yearning course qualifying hit has while doubled on the vs times ABSOLUTELY this way The my the THERE (2night) 2 odds 20% from About Buy to Boat Market Values anyone is dick, too"
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Incest Watch - Grover's Brother
Bush taps Norquist for DHS chief financial officer post
And with incest, the ugly results of inbreeding rapidly become apparent. Maybe we can drown the offspring in the bathtub.
via Talking Points Memo
And with incest, the ugly results of inbreeding rapidly become apparent. Maybe we can drown the offspring in the bathtub.
via Talking Points Memo
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
I'm expanding beyond movie posters
Well, maybe it's a movie poster for the movie that hasn't been made yet. I want a piece of the gross. And gross it is.
Gallup - Bush Approval Graph
I've given their data the 'Republican Statistics' treatment, shrinking the Y-axis scale so it looks worse than it does with a 0 - 100 scale. The most honest display would go from the lowest to highest recorded approval ratings, because no President bottoms out at 0 or hits 100.
thanks, attaturk!
Car Buying Tip
Our old truck died (don't get me started) and it took us a few weeks to get a new one. In the interim, we rented a car, because we can't get by without one where we live. The old Mercury Moutaineer had automatic headlights. They turned on when it got dark, and shut themselves off when you parked. The rental car, a Nissan Sentra, had regular manual headlights. All I can say is that, if you become accustomed to automatic headlights, you are forever cursed. You must either always drive a car with automatic lights, or forget to turn them on or off at least once every other day. If you don't want to become an auto-headlight junkie, don't start, kids.
Our new Mariner (like a smaller version of our old Mountaineer) has automatic headlights, thank ghu.
Oddly enough, the Sentra had a cool feature which the Mariner does not: an auxilliary input on the front panel of the radio/CD player for jacking in an iPod.
Our new Mariner (like a smaller version of our old Mountaineer) has automatic headlights, thank ghu.
Oddly enough, the Sentra had a cool feature which the Mariner does not: an auxilliary input on the front panel of the radio/CD player for jacking in an iPod.
Grover Norquist??
From Kos: Conservatives against illegal spying
It's nice to see conservatives attacking Bush, but this outfit lists Grover Norquist as a headliner?? He's the most fake 'small-government' activist ever. He's a K Street Kommando, a Friend of Jack, Ralph Reed's strange bedfellow! The bogosity sucks the air out of the room.
I can't wait till Spotligt Abramoff focuses on Norquist.
It's nice to see conservatives attacking Bush, but this outfit lists Grover Norquist as a headliner?? He's the most fake 'small-government' activist ever. He's a K Street Kommando, a Friend of Jack, Ralph Reed's strange bedfellow! The bogosity sucks the air out of the room.
I can't wait till Spotligt Abramoff focuses on Norquist.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Friday Random 10
| Pocket Knife | PJ Harvey |
| The Lunatics (Have Taken Over The Asylum) | Funboy Three |
| Miracle Man | Elvis Costello |
| Dirty World | Traveling Wilburys |
| My Life | Phil Ochs |
| Little Rubber Girl | Frank Zappa |
| Never Been To Spain | Three Dog Night |
| O Encanto Do Gantois | Beth Carvalho |
| Sheena Is A Punk Rocker [Single Version] | The Ramones |
| Black Monk Theme | The Fall |
Good one!
Well, I've never been to heaven, but I've been to Oklahoma...
Will Surrender for Cash
ARTICLE: Robertson apologizes to Sharon's family for stroke comment (The Virginian-Pilot)
This was set to cost him some big bucks, so he
couldn't afford to keep up the 'deeply held religious beliefs' schtick.
What a whore.
This was set to cost him some big bucks, so he
couldn't afford to keep up the 'deeply held religious beliefs' schtick.
What a whore.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Microsoft vs. Computer Security
A good, non-technical summary of why Microsoft software sucks is beset by security problems.
Microsoft vs. Computer Security - Why the software giant still can't get it right. By Adam L. Penenberg
Microsoft vs. Computer Security - Why the software giant still can't get it right. By Adam L. Penenberg
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Rodenbach is Coming!
Michael Jackson's (no, not that one) Rare Beer Club is getting in some Rodenbach Grand Cru. This is a beer that can, with great plausibility, claim to be the best beer in the world.
If you consider yourself a beer afficionado, order some of this beer. I'll beerblog it as soon as mine arrives!
Rodenbach Special Offer
If you consider yourself a beer afficionado, order some of this beer. I'll beerblog it as soon as mine arrives!
Rodenbach Special Offer
Busy Week for NJ State Legislature
Legislators Pass Smoking Ban in New Jersey - New York Times
The Office will be a much more pleasant place, now.
The Office will be a much more pleasant place, now.
Hey, Hollywood...
Why does almost every DVD I buy have three friggin' pieces of tape sealing it shut? What purpose does it serve, except to deeply piss off your customers? I put up with one lousy piece of tape on CDs for years, and that was bad enough. 'Pull here', my ass! Those things are designed to be as difficult as possible to peel off.
And I don't want to hear about 'protecting us from counterfeiters'. Three pieces of tape will not protect us from counterfeiters. Do they think pirate factories producing knock-offs can't master 'advanced tape technology'?? Here's a clue: If you have counterfeit versions of your product entering your supply chain to be sold by major retailers, you've got way bigger problems than a few pieces of sticky tape can rectify! If I buy a movie from Amazon, I should hope that it's an original, and the lack or presence of tape seals does not affect my confidence level.
And I don't want to hear about 'protecting us from counterfeiters'. Three pieces of tape will not protect us from counterfeiters. Do they think pirate factories producing knock-offs can't master 'advanced tape technology'?? Here's a clue: If you have counterfeit versions of your product entering your supply chain to be sold by major retailers, you've got way bigger problems than a few pieces of sticky tape can rectify! If I buy a movie from Amazon, I should hope that it's an original, and the lack or presence of tape seals does not affect my confidence level.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
This is Rich
Frank Rich, from behind the firewall:
Yes, even granted the powers of a full totalitarian regime, these clowns couldn't stop the next 9/11.
Maybe it's because it's not really 'fighting the terrorists' that they're interested in.
(via Rising Hegemon)
In last week's oration at a right-wing think tank, [Cheney] defended warrant-free wiretapping by saying it could have prevented the 9/11 attacks. Really? Not with this administration in charge. On 9/10 the N.S.A. (lawfully) intercepted messages in Arabic saying, "The match is about to begin," and, "Tomorrow is zero hour." You know the rest. Like all the chatter our government picked up during the president's excellent brush-clearing Crawford vacation of 2001, it was relegated to mañana; the N.S.A. didn't rouse itself to translate those warnings until 9/12.
Yes, even granted the powers of a full totalitarian regime, these clowns couldn't stop the next 9/11.
Maybe it's because it's not really 'fighting the terrorists' that they're interested in.
(via Rising Hegemon)
Friday, January 06, 2006
Friday Kittyblogging
One of my favorites from a couple of years ago. Brothers Bo and Abe (named after the main characters in 'They Came From Outer Space', an 80's tv show).
Rangers and Pioneers and Bears, Oh My!
I found this nifty, complete list of Bush Rangers and Pioneers (his major fundraisers) at Texans for Public Justice (boy, they must have their work cut out for them). I wonder how many of the 900 or so listed are currently under indictment, investigation or other cloud of scandal? How many of them are sailing along in cushy, work-free, 'heckuva job, Brownie!', political appointee jobs?
Here's one that caught my eye: Deepak Chopra, the California-based Vedic medicine con man and author! He was a minor Pioneer in 2000.
Also, not suprisingly, there's a whole passel o' Bushes. And a bunch of Governors and Congresscritters, too.
Also:
I'm sure someone more clued-in to the scene than I am would recognize many more of these names right off the bat. Obviously, big industry, finance, energy and retail are well represented. The site provides profiles for some of the listed people, though.
Here's one that caught my eye: Deepak Chopra, the California-based Vedic medicine con man and author! He was a minor Pioneer in 2000.
Also, not suprisingly, there's a whole passel o' Bushes. And a bunch of Governors and Congresscritters, too.
Also:
- Alphonse 'Coney Island Whitefish' D'Amato.
- Ralph Delay, brother of Tom
- Two DeVoses, of Amway fame
- Doug Forrester, FAILED NJ Gubenatorial candidate
- Maurice 'Hank' Greenberg of AIG (convicted, I think)
- David Horowitz, Protector of Campus Thought Purity
- Jerry Kilgore, FORMER Gov. of VA
- Kenny-boy and Linda Lay, of course
- Tom Noe, Coingate scam artist from Ohio
- George Pataki, invisible NY Gov.
- Ralph Reed, of course
- Tom Ridge, Homeland Security Color Coordinator
- Roger Staubach, former Cowboys quarterback
- William Weld, potential failed NY Gubenatorial candidate
- Christine Whitman, pwn3d former Bush EPA chief
I'm sure someone more clued-in to the scene than I am would recognize many more of these names right off the bat. Obviously, big industry, finance, energy and retail are well represented. The site provides profiles for some of the listed people, though.
Frrrrriday Rrrrrandom 10
- She's Leaving Home The Beatles
- Til' The Morning Comes Grateful Dead
- Because I Do X
- Elf Prefix / L.A. The Fall
- Who Is It? Talking Heads
- Everybody But Myself The Fall
- Filthy Habits Frank Zappa
- Other 99 Big Audio Dynamite
- The Old Songs Joe Jackson
- Go Outside & Drive Blues Traveler
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Another Two-Axis Political Survey
That's me!
Actually, I think I could have been a little higher towards "Economically Permissive". I'm essentially a capitalist with mild socialist leanings.
| You are a Social Liberal (80% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (33% permissive) You are best described as a:
Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test |
Actually, I think I could have been a little higher towards "Economically Permissive". I'm essentially a capitalist with mild socialist leanings.
New Jackabramoff City
You know, there's some definite similarities between the two stories.
I considered re-titling it 'Jew Jack City', but I figured too many people might get bent outta shape.
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