Working and the Holidays

A very thoughtful friend of mine posted a questions on LinkedIn today:

How many LinkedIn users out there will be working over their little holiday break? Is this corporately inspired? Your own work ethic | addiction | insanity? How many will just be checking in on social networking apps like LinkedIn, but not necessarily for work-like purposes?

My answer:

I'll answer with a portion of an email sent by a client, which I think sums up the issue nicely...

"We will be available throughout the holidays, and this weekend, to provide you with feedback. Can you get us something tomorrow or Sunday? I can commit to 24 hours turnaround. While each of us are out a day here and there, this is obviously a very high priority for us and we will get you feedback quickly."

This was obviously written by an executive, as the "very high priority for US" is generally not shared by the other members of "US", who no doubt would rather go spend some time with their family... or watch a James Bond marathon of TBS... ANYTHING but work.

I resist the need to work over the holidays – there are many things more important – but sadly the erosion of "work/non working time" has been so dramatic across the American corporate landscape, taking a constant block of time is increasingly difficult, especially for those who are self-employed.

Now if only you could join "Skull and Bones" online...

Yale to Make Select Courses Available on the Internet

Yale University is producing digital videos of selected undergraduate courses that it will make available for free on the Internet through a grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

The project, called “Open Yale Courses,” presents unique access to the full content of a selection of college-level courses and makes them available in various formats, including downloadable and streaming video, audio only and searchable transcripts of each lecture. Syllabi, reading assignments, problem sets and other materials accompany the courses

To create the online offerings that will introduce and test this new approach, Yale will draw on its recognized excellence in teaching across the full spectrum of liberal arts disciplines. Some of Yale’s most distinguished scholars are taking part. The three courses being taped this fall are:

Introduction to the Old Testament, with Christine Hayes, Robert F. and Patricia Ross Weis Professor of Religious Studies;

Fundamentals of Physics, with Ramamurti Shankar, John Randolph Huffman Professor and Chair of Physics;

Introduction to Political Philosophy, with Steven Smith, Alfred Cowles Professor of Political Science.

Those whose courses are slated for taping next spring include Charles Bailyn, Thomas E. Donnelley Professor of Astronomy; Paul Bloom, Professor of Psychology; and Langdon Hammer, Professor and Chair of English.

Of course, no access to teachers for questions, and no actual degree is given.

Thanks for the free classes, Yale!

WTF?? Huckabee: "Abortion, environmentalism, AIDS, pornography, drug abuse, and homosexual activism have fragmented and polarized our communities."

Below is from Democracy Now. You know, besides having to say "President Huckabee" for 4-8 years without snickering would be tough, but this is just silly. Must be out of context or something.... I can see how he would be against AIDS and environmentalism, but what does he have against porn? Little joke there.

Meanwhile the past writings and comments of Republican Mike Huckabee are coming under increasing scrutiny now that he has become the Republican frontrunner in Iowa. In 1998 Huckabee published a children’s book that equated environmentalism with pornography. The book was titled “Kids Who Kill: Confronting Our Culture of Violence.” Huckabee wrote: “Abortion, environmentalism, AIDS, pornography, drug abuse, and homosexual activism have fragmented and polarized our communities.” Huckabee also equated homosexuality to necrophilia. He wrote: “It is now difficult to keep track of the vast array of publicly endorsed and institutionally supported aberrations—from homosexuality and pedophilia to sadomasochism and necrophilia.”

Mr. Huckabee, welcome to the spotlight. Let's see how you hold up. Anyone hear from Ron Paul lately? I hear he's making big bucks....

Anyhow... here's the link on Amazon if you wanna have a look.

FCC Chair Kevin Martin can't WAIT to make sure you stay uninformed

Federal Communications Commission Chairman (READ: BUSH LACKEY) Kevin Martin has refused to delay a vote on his proposed changes to rewrite media ownership laws. The vote is set for Tuesday.

The FCC Chair says he has suggested a “relatively minor loosening of the ban on newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership.” But there has been a groundswell of public opposition to his proposal. Last Tuesday, the Senate Commerce Committee unanimously voted to block the FCC’s December 18th vote.

But two days later, Martin insisted on moving forward with the vote during a heated exchange with Senator John Kerry at the Committee’s oversight hearing. It appears that only half his team agrees with the rush. Sounds like someone is in a hurry. I wonder why? I wonder who REALLY wants this pushed through? Who would profit the most? Here's a hint: His name starts with R and ends with Murdoch. Maybe?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I know this sounds dull, but if you at all depend on the news media to help you learn about what is going on in the world, look into this. You can read my former post on this, yes, DOUCHE BAG. I'm sorry folks, I need to call it like I see it: When Rupert Murdoch controls all the news you see, hear and read, you can thank this prick.

C-SPAN'S COVERAGE... would John Kerry have been such a bad President, Swift Boat people? Listen to him stand up and bitch slap this guy. Geez even Republican Senator Ted "Uncle Crazypants" Stevens thinks it's a bad idea.



Please read an interview with Craig Anderson of the Free Press HERE.

HAVE AN OPINION ON THIS THE FCC SHOULD HEAR? CLICK.

Congress tries to impro-FISA on wiretapping American citizens

As I type the hallowed halls of Congress are locked in mortal combat over the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

And when I say "locked in mortal combat" I mean "desperately trying to finish up their work so they can leave for vacation."

The big news here is the knowledge that AT&T, Verizon and other telecommunications companies that helped the government eavesdrop on Americans. This was done without permission from the secret court created to protect Americans from unwarranted government intrusions on their privacy. A provision in this legislation will give those companies retro-active immunity from the 40 or so civil lawsuits pending against the companies.

I'm sure the companies THOUGHT they were doing the right thing.

"For the last six years, our largest telecom companies have been spying on their own American customers... I have seen six presidents and I have never seen a contempt for the rule of law equal to this." said Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., who unsuccessfully tried to block the bill from coming to the floor Monday. The White House threatened Monday to veto any bill that does not contain a retroactive immunity provision.

Bush and Co. say that the restraints on them hinder the War on Terror, which is kinda funny cause the laws didn't seem to hinder them at all, which is the issue.

Sen. Arlen Specter (R), known for his non-partisan positions (read: COMMON SENSE) said: "I do not know whether there is wrongdoing or not, but I do not think it is appropriate for the government to act secretly, surreptitiously...and then come back at a later date and say please exonerate us."

Michael McConnell, director of national intelligence (photo right), says industry deserves “thanks, not lawsuits.”

Oh, and an important footnote here: The New York Times has revealed that the Bush administration’s spy program began almost as soon as it took office, months before the Sept. 11 attack. A lawyer for an AT&T whistleblower says that within two weeks of taking office, the Bush administration began a comprehensive effort of spying on Americans’ phone usage. So much for the War on Terror excuse.

And George's mother said he wasn't motivated. Pish posh!

Links: Beltway Confidental , The New York Times, Again, and the ever helpful Democracy Now.

Image courtesy of ID4.

Why does Senator Pete Domenici hate the country?

Could it be cause the energy companies pay him a lot of money?

The House is set to vote Tuesday on the $500 billion 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. Hidden in the bill is a major energy package that would boost government financing for the nuclear industry. It would provide loan guarantees of up to $25 billion for new nuclear reactors.

Harvey Wasserman, a founder of the grassroots anti-nuke movement in the early 1970s, advises the Nuclear Information and Resource Service. He had this to say about nuclear power, Global Warming, Energy companies and politics:His environmental record as summarized by Wikipedia:

"...there’s absolutely no demand for new nuclear plants. There’s no reason to build them. They don’t work. Even with optimum conditions of licensing and so on, they couldn’t get a reactor online for another ten years. They’ve been saying the nuclear power plants are a solution to the global warming problem; we know they make global warming worse. You know, it’s a total scam. And they are continuing to take of taxpayer money, public money, to build reactors where we don’t need that kind of financing for wind, for solar, for tidal, geothermal, the other forms of green energy, which can be community-controlled. ."

Ironically, Domenici has recently sponsored a resolution "Honoring members of the radiation protection profession" by designating the week of November 6 through November 12, 2005, as "National Radiation Protection Professionals Week". What a guy!

Looks like he wants to further honor them with work well into the future.

His environmental record as summarized by Wikipedia:

The grassroots organization Republicans for Environmental Protection singled out Domenici as “Worst in the Senate in 2006” on environmental issues. In addition to assigning Domenici a score of zero for his environmental voting record, the group issued him “environmental harm demerits” for what they saw as two particularly irresponsible acts: first, for spearheading efforts to include in federal budget legislation provisions for “speculative revenues from oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; second, “for sponsoring and securing passage of S. 3711, the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which would perpetuate America’s dangerous oil dependence, set a precedent for drilling in sensitive marine waters, and direct a disproportionate share of federal royalty revenues from a public resource to four states." Domenici also received an exceptionally low environmental rating from the nonpartisan League of Conservation Voters, who claimed in 2003 that “[d]uring the last decade his voting record has become even more strikingly anti-environmental.” The LCV went on to criticize Domenici for voting in 1995 “to allow mining companies to ‘patent’ (purchase) public lands in order to extract minerals from them, without environmental standards, for the ridiculously low ‘price’ of $5 an acre or less."

• You can contact the Senator (we assume) through this online form.



• Learn more about those opposing Nuclear Power at nukefree.org
  
  
• Read an article concerning this and a full interview with Wasserman at Democracy Now

Gore goes for some Bush in Bali

NUSA DUA, Indonesia (Reuters) - Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore drew cheers at 190-nation talks by saying the United States was the main block to launching negotiations in Bali on a new global climate treaty.

Efforts to start two-year negotiations on a pact to succeed the Kyoto Protocol flagged on Thursday, the penultimate day of the December 3-14 talks, after the European Union accused the United States of lacking ambition.

"My own country the United States is principally responsible for obstructing progress in Bali," spurring rapturous applause and cheers.

Arriving fresh from Oslo, where he had collected the Nobel Peace Prize, Gore urged governments to forge a "new path" towards a global climate change agreement in spite of what he described as an obstructive United States.

"I don't know how you can navigate around this enormous elephant in the room which I've been undiplomatic enough to name. But I'm asking you to do it," he said. Gore was defeated by President George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential race.

Blackwater mercenaries "advise" Romney: This is getting serious, folks.

Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney has a senior advisor named Cofer Black. Mr. Black is currently the Number 2 man at BLACKWATER, the rent-a-soldier corporation who have been accused of killing Iraqi civilians and appear to have no legal or military consequences for their actions.

Questions for discussion:

• How much do you want a corporate-controlled military force to be involved in the political process of you country?


• How do you feel about a mercenary force gaining power and influence in the United States that does not have to answer to Congress, the US Military or the Judicial System?


• How do you feel about a corporation building it's own military force that not only is on the ground in Iraq, but has BOOTS ON THE GROUND IN THE UNITED STATES?


• What happens when a President's chief military advisor stands to gain billions from military actions?

LAST QUESTION: What happens when a militarily-reinforced corporation, whose soldiers are loyal to a COMPANY – not the COUNTRY – decide that a person, a group, or perhaps a President, is adversly affecting it's bottom line?

C'mon people. Stop judging your candidates on race, sex, religion, or appearance. This is really serious. Blackwater, despite an ongoing investigation and a direct order from the government of Iraq to leave the country, continues to grow in profit, power, and influence. You think Wal-Mart sucks? What about a military corporation with the ear of a sitting President.

Vote wisely. We're on a very slippery slope here. I have no axe to grind with Romney, but he's moving is some shady circles getting dubious info, and we've seen how that has gone since 2001. This is Revenge of the Sith shit we're playing with.

More info on this at: Democracy Now or huffingtonpost.com

Please read my earlier post on Blackwater

Let's review a few things Bush has been blocking

Bush has been busy saying "NO" to a lot of potential spending lately, choosing to exercise fiscal conservatism... when it's not about tossing money tank-over-fist at Iraq. I guess you need to make up for all that money and equipment "unaccounted for" somehow.

Shall we look at where he's protecting the American taxpayer?

1. VETO: Children's health bill (SCHIP Program)
   
   Pushed by the Democratic-led Congress but also supported by many Republicans, the bill was aimed at providing health insurance to about 10 million children in low- and moderate-income families. Taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products would have been increased to pay for the aid.
   
   "Because the Congress has chosen to send me an essentially identical bill that has the same problems as the flawed bill I previously vetoed, I must veto this legislation too."
   
   Bush has said the funding level sought by the Democrats for the health program would have expanded it beyond its original intent of covering poor children and marked a step toward government-run health care.



2. STALLED: Bali Global Warming Agreement
   
   Despite everyone with a brain and a thermometer is in agreement that some kind of global warming situation is going on, Bush and buddies are still stalling.
   
   At the meeting in Bali, Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General, said "the situation is so desperately serious that any delay could push us past the tipping point, beyond which the ecological, financial and human costs would increase dramatically."
   
   But Bush and friends, who have all ready spent 7 critical years whitewashing scientific reports to give his corporate buddies a few more years to gut the planet, have decided not to decide. His response to the meeting's attempts at cutting CO2 emissions is a "why should we if they don't". He feels that setting emissions standards is pointless this early in the negotiation process, especially if rising industrial nations like China and India do not intend to make "meaningful" commitments.
   
   This will almost certainly push off any real changes in the United State's policies until after he leaves office. At least his legacy will be consistent.



3. VETO THREAT: 35-mpg Vehicle Standard (CAFE)
   
   The House passed (basically on party lines) the Energy Bill that includes the car company-friendly 35-mpg car/import car/truck Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard, but it has been stalled by Republicans in the Senate on several points, though many of them seem up to the challenge of making it work in some way.
   
   As far as Bush is concerned, the sticking point is that the Energy Bill would cut $21 billion in breaks to energy companies - despite record setting profits throughout the indstry. Even if Democrats overcome opposition in the Senate, they still would face the threat of a White House veto. The Bush administration has indicated that it would veto any energy legislation that repeals tax breaks for oil and gas companies.

It's time to stop treating our political parties like baseball teams.

RED SOX, WIN OR LOSE!! YANKEES FAN FOR LIFE!!

Americans are loyal people. We take sides over just about anything – Coke vs Pepsi, Windows vs. Macintosh, Evangelical vs. Catholic, whatever. We pick a side and tend to stick with it no matter what. The more someone tells us we're on the wrong side, the more we dig in and get inflexible - even if we can't remember why.

And that's cool. Buy your 2 month old baby a Patriot's jumper to sleep in. Put a "DODGE SUCKS" bumper sticker on your Ford. I don't care.

But what about politics? We tend to vote the same way we watch baseball. But politicians aren't baseball teams. The Republicans are not the Yankees. The Democrats are not the Red Sox. And they do not deserve our blind loyalty.

We need to shift from voting based on loyalty and start voting based on service. Try not to think of the President as the pitcher for your team... think of him as a salesman - which is all he is. If he isn't delivering, jump ship and look for someone with a better product.

You want to scare the shit out of your elected officials depending on that classic American loyalty? This will do it.

The game is over. Stop being Democrats. Stop being Republicans. Start being informed Americans.

My hero speaks again.

He is in desperate need of a mind broadening experience. Maybe he should enlist and try Iraq? Don't ask don't tell would work, right?

More wisdom from The Great American Emptiness.

*TIp of the hat to Lou Susi for the "The Great American Emptiness" line.

Ahmadinejad - In the Name of Almighty BLOG

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (if you don't know who he is please close this window, you're of no use to me – please return to watching Entertainment Tonight) has a BLOG!!!

http://www.ahmadinejad.ir/

Unfortunately, no one can spell his name, so his Google stats are awful (little wed-designer joke there). He is quite interesting in a very dry, "In the Name of Almighty God-the All-Knowing, the Most Lovingly ‎Compassionate" kinda way. It's all propaganda, but he's obviously a wise man who has played Bush well to gain some status for Iran and is a good PR man. Check it out.

Even better, read the stuff views post. Like this dude:

D DuBois - America

Cool... are these all real comments from real people? Or planted? Anyway, your blogs are somewhat formal sounding. Why not loosen up the language a little for the American readers? And could you tell us a little about your home life and your family and what your daily routine is like. Also what kind of music do you like? What is your favorite color and what is your favorite sport?

Hmmm... what COLOR is his favorite... I wonder...

And of course, the kiss-asses:

ali khan - Iran

His excellency, it gives me immense pleasure to visit your site and post my comments this fabulous blog of a leader of free world not only islamic world. i have been following the remarkable efforts that you are pursuing in bringing the world together and making it a more safe place to live.Standing against the bullies has proved that you are a man of grit and character.Its high time that all islamic nations leave their fixation of sunni -shia divide and work towards ensuring more prosperous and powerful islamic community.I am a sunni muslim but a strong critic of sunni capitalist politics which leaves behind the interest of common people.Iran is a true islamic state in meaning and spirit.May almighty allah bless Islamic Republic of iran and its visionary and distinguished leader imam khomeni(RA). may allah bless you,you are the voice of repressed people of the world

Bullies? What bullies?

I'd be very nervous if I was that bear.

The logo of the bear paw in the gun sight is the logo for Blackwater. The bear is something they sell online in the store. 10 bucks for the first person to see the irony.

PS: Blackwater just updated their logo slightly to look less "aggressive" and more "corporate". What's the difference between those?

Romney loses crucial polygamist vote, woos crucial evangelical vote

Looks like my dream of being legally married to a blonde, brunette and red-head at the same time is down the tubes.

To help ease concerns over his Mormon background Mitt Romney attempted to channel the "so what I'm Catholic" speech JFK gave in 1960, except that JFK didn't talk about believing in Jesus Christ as his personal savior... and JFK didn't say the division of church and state had gone too far... and um... JFK didn't say those wanting to divide church and state are actually practitioners of a 'secular religion'.... OKAY, THIS DUDE IS NOTHING LIKE JFK.... except for those dreamy eyes...

Summary: "HEY! I like Jesus too! Us Mormons are like you guys!!! We're even scared of gay people!"

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney vowed on Thursday the Mormon church would not run the White House if he is elected, as he sought to reassure Americans wary of his religion.

Attempting to halt a slide in the polls in Iowa, where former Arkansas Gov. and Baptist preacher Mike Huckabee has surged into the lead, Romney made an impassioned appeal to Americans to look beyond his religion.

"Let me assure you that no authorities of my church, or of any other church for that matter, will ever exert influence on presidential decisions. Their authority is theirs, within the province of church affairs, and it ends where the affairs of the nation begin," Romney said.

Meet my new hero.

Is God willing to prevent dumb-ass co-hosts, but not able?

Making the blonde twinkie out on maternity leave sound intelligent, The View's Sherri Shepherd proves you can discuss The Bible in front of millions of housewives... without ever reading it.

During a discussion about Epicurus and the Greeks, Sherri said that "nothing predates Jesus." I guess B.C. stands for Blueberry Cupcakes.

The sad thing is that most of the God-Lovin' viewers of this show may not know any more than she does. Maybe The View should lay off 4th grade subjects like the Greeks and go back to less challenging topics... how about creative Christmas wrapping? That's about Jesus, right?



Whoopi... do you need the money? Why are you there?

Here's some related YouTube stuff on Epicurus. Good stuff here.





BTW: Isn't this guy in the above video the one who played the Emperor in Star Wars?

Islamist nutbags can officially go crazy over ANYTHING

UPDATE: It seems like someone with a grudge at the school this lady worked at caused the ruckus that landed her in jail. Also, since returning home many Muslims have showed given her support and kind words. Let's hear it for sanity.



School teacher Gillian Gibbons, a British woman working as a teacher in Khartoum (Sudan) was just released from jail after committing a grievous action against the god-loving people of Sudan. It's lucky this whack-ass infidel escaped with her head.

HER STATEMENT:
"I have been in Sudan for only four months but I have enjoyed myself immensely. I have encountered nothing but kindness and generosity from the Sudanese people," she said, in a statement read by British Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, one of the peers who met Bashir.

"I have great respect for the Islamic religion and would not knowingly offend anyone. I am sorry if I caused any distress."

HER CRIME:
Gibbons prompted a complaint after she let her pupils at Khartoum's private Unity High School pick their favorite name for a teddy bear as part of a project in September.

Twenty out of 23 of them chose Mohammad -- a popular boy's name in Sudan, as well as the name of Islam's Prophet.

THE REACTION (from CRAZY PEOPLE):
Sudan's influential Council of Muslim Scholars had urged the government on Sunday not to pardon Gibbons, saying it would damage Khartoum's reputation among Muslims around the world.

About 50 demonstrators shouting "There is no God but Allah" and "We will die for the Prophet Mohammad" handed over a petition to the embassy about the affair.

"Retracting this light sentence ... would wound the sensibilities of the Muslims in Sudan," Council Spokesman al-Sheikh Mohammad Abdel Karim said.

THE REACTION (from SANE PEOPLE):
Many Sudanese said they thought it was an innocent mistake which could be forgiven after an apology.

MY THOUGHTS:
Okay, now it a sweaty demonstration over a teddy bear? People.... are you so insecure that you could be offended by a teddy bear named by YOUR OWN CHILDREN? It's not like this woman named it Prophet Mohammad and made a video of her in a mask cutting it's head off... cause that would be crazy, right? Additionally, you can call your kid Mohammad but not a teddy bear? Are you afraid people will mistakenly pray to the teddy bear as a graven image? Really? Um... huh...

I could sorta see the outrage if the teddy bear was spurned as a symbol of American Imperialism because of it being named for Roosevelt, but really, folks? Cause they name it Mohammad you're willing to run around screaming "We will die for the Prophet Mohammad"? Chill out. If you guys had cable you'd have no need for this. I suggest watching Weeds or Dexter. Those shows kick ass (and have no teddy bears from I can see.)

Gravel makes so much damn sense... no wonder they bumped him off the debates

Mike Gravel was eliminated from appearing at the Democrat Debates last week. They sited many reasons, but the result is one less voice to call the others out when they are talking jive. I think this guy is great. The fact that Hilary is #1 and this guy isn't even getting a chance to talk is one of the reasons why we're in such a mess. Anyway, he went to Nevada and staged his own debate and streamed it live. He would stop it anytime he wanted to talk. Here's a clip.



Here's him talking to the best interviewer on the planet, Diane Rehm, on why he was bumped:

SEE INTERVIEW

Note the only other person with an interview on here... Ron Paul. I don't want another Republican in there, but he seems like a decent fellow as well.

Good luck Gravel. GRAVEL 2008 SITE

Objective Critique

HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM! HATE HIM!

Picture is fake, of course. He can't play guitar.

Bush Fun Factoid?
"The Bush family homestead in Crawford is nothing more than an elaborate set. The house, built in 2000, was designed to be ready for Bush to step into - like a set awaiting an actor - during the 2000 presidential election." More

Here's another fake picture. One is off a second rate B-movie actor playing the role of cowboy to make people think he's one of them. The other is Ronald Reagan.

It's Gettin Hot in Heah... fo' Shur?

INTERNATIONALY:

VALENCIA, Spain - Global warming is "unequivocal" and carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere commits the world to sea levels rising an average of up to 4.6 feet, the world's top climate experts warned Saturday in their most authoritative report to date.

"Only urgent, global action will do," said U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, calling on the United States and China — the world's two biggest polluters — to do more to slow global climate change.

Read more

MEANWHILE, IN BUSHLAND:

A federal court in California yesterday rejected the Bush administration's new fuel economy standards for light trucks including SUVs, ruling that the government failed to take into account the effects of carbon emissions and their possible link to global warming.

On Thursday, White House officials already were eyeing a possible appeal.

Read More

Picture above is from... do I need to even say it? TEXAS. Read moron

Democratic Debate off to a fun start, but no Gravel?

Looks like we're getting a decent debate tonight judging by the kick-off. Wolfie seems unable to keep any control over Hilary and Obama. Mike Gravel totally left out, which I think is lame.

Infotainment News Blues

I'm flipping through the channels on my cable guide. MSNBC is airing a show called "Sex Bunker". Christ.

Exciting Opportunity, anyone?

WOW! Read this email I just got. This is an amazing chance to get some easy real money. This guy contacted me OUT OF THE BLUE, and needs some decent person to help his get his fortune out of Sudan. He'll even give a huge portion of it to you! You just need to do a few things... anyway, I'm busy today, so anyone who wants some free money can contact this dude and get the ball rolling. Below is an image of the guy (maybe) I found on the web. Looks like he's got billions! Those Princes never flaunt their wealth. Here's the golden ring, boys and girls, grab it!

Greetings to you.

I must say it my pleasure to send you this email, Please pardon me if I have intruded on your privacy, how are you doing, I hope you are Doing fine, if so glory be to God.

My name is Daniel Williams. I am the son of Chief Etu Williams from the Republic of Sudan.My family and I have been unfortunate to find ourselves caught up in a very difficult situation. You may be surprise to receive this letter, but it is of utmost importance to me and my family.

I am about to entrust my destiny and the destiny of my whole dependants on you, if you can help me and my sister, it will also be of immense benefit to you too. This matter demands utmost trust, honesty, integrity and most important.
It is only through the above that my family and I will be assured of our security. This regrettable situation led to the killing of my father and displacement of my family. During the brutal civil war in my country, my late father of blessed memory was brutally murdered by the REBELS - Mr. Howe Adamu.

I managed to escape to this country (Accra-Ghana), through the help of the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Before my late father's death, he drew my attention to one of his access containing about $6.2 million dollars which he smuggled out at the start of the war to a security company in Ghana, the security company does not know the real contents of the box according to what my father told me.

My father registered the property in my name, he also gave me the certificate of deposit and some other papers issued to him by the security company, which I still have in my possession. The problem we have is that as a refugee, the immigration law does not allow us to open, hold or operate bank account in Ghana and we do not want to seek the assistance of just anybody for fear of being duped or defrauded of our only livelihood.

My father deposited the property in my name because of my future. I seriously need your help to move the property out of Africa because if I tamper with it here in Africa, government may seize it because of our small age, I am 26 years old now and my sister just 22 years old, please help us for God sake.

What is holding us here in this country is the property, the life inside refugee camp is not easy, it’s a very bad situation, hence the British Government and UN is not really taking care of us. The property and us have make necessary arrangement legitimately for the transfer of the property out of Africa; only what I need is someone who will receive it in abroad that is why we contact you.

NOTE:PLEASE I COULD HAVE WANT YOU TO COME DOWN TO GHANA BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE I WLL TRUST YOU AND ALSO YOU WILL SEE EVERYTHING YOURSELF.

We intend to invest the money on a good business, at the same time we will use part to assist the orphanage Children who are suffering, most especially we the refugees. I will be looking forward to hear from you, as I believe that destiny has brought us together.

PLEASE KINDLY RESPOND BACK TO MY ALTERNATIVE EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW:
(daniell_williams01@postiloota.net)
Daniels Williams.

Quotes for the masses

Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.
~ Denis Diderot (pictured right - WIKIPEDIA)

When you give food to the poor, they call you a saint. When you ask why the poor have no food, they call you a communist.
~ Archbishop Helder Camara

I never would have agreed to the formulation of the Central Intelligence Agency back in forty-seven, if I had known it would become the American Gestapo.
~ Harry S Truman, 1961

Man is certainly stark mad: he cannot make a worm, yet he will make gods by the dozen.
~ Michel de Montaigne

Which is it, is man one of God's blunders or is God one of man's?
~ Nietzsche

Civil disobedience, that’s not our problem. Our problem is that people are obedient all over the world in the face of poverty and starvation and stupidity, and war, and cruelty. Our problem is that people are obedient while the jails are full of petty thieves, and all the while the grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem.
~ Howard Zinn

Being A Total Douche Bag for Dummies

UPDATE: Ah, apparently this guy with the shit-eating grin is passingly famous to people watching crap TV. Shows you what I know. Big Brother 34 or something like that.


Want to be a real douche bag but don't know how? Here is a 8 minute primer. After this you will be able to:

1) Know how to discuss your douchey business in douchey terms in the appropriate douchey setting with equally douchey friends.

2) Think about, discuss and present yourself and your goals with the proper emphasis on douchiness.

3) Interact with women while maintaining maximum douche strength

4) Dealing with douche-related medical issues by finding like-minded douchey doctors.

Okay, class... let the learning begin.



I actually love Doctor 90210, but this guy and that doctor are some of the most vapid and self-possessed people I've seen so far.

Finally - Plastic Surgery for Babies

I'm addicted to all plastic surgery shows. This would be the best one.

What Would Jesus Buy?

Check out this trailer. Anything produced by Morgan Spurlock (Supersize Me, 30 days) is a thumbs up for me.

Annie Leibovitz is great even when she sells out

Annie Leibovitz is a stunning photographer. She's given us so many memorable images most people don't even realize how familiar they are with her work. That picture of John Lennon, naked and wrapped around Yoko? Yeah that's her.

Anyway check out these images she did for Disney. I think of Disney in much the same way as Wal Mart, which, being an elitist snob, means I think it's a pretty low-rent establishment. That said I know my 5-year-old daughter will go ape-shit for these images. Plus that Snow White is a hottie, no?

It's fun to pretend!

Just getting the Monday blood flowing here. I'm not sure when Halloween became a Hollywood PR stunt, but I won't complain. Hope you all had a great weekend – though I doubt it was better than the kid in the smoking jacket's weekend.

A few of my favorite things

Behold amazing images from Fritz Lang's Metropolis.

Another Republican anti-gay rights lawmaker by day, gay-hooker-loving tranny by night

Washington state Republican lawmaker resigns amid gay sex scandal

A Republican state legislator resigned Wednesday amid revelations that he had sex with a man he met at a pornographic video store while in Spokane on a party retreat.

The move comes days after state Rep. Richard Curtis insisted to his local newspaper that he was not gay and that sex was not involved in what he said was an extortion attempt by a man last week.

But in police reports, Curtis said he was being extorted by a man he had sex with at a hotel room in Spokane, where Curtis was attending a GOP retreat. The other man, Cody Castagna, 26, contends Curtis reneged on a promise to pay $1,000 for sex.

The police report states that Curtis allegedly wore women’s clothing, red stockings and “a black sequined lingerie top before engaging in a sex act at the store. He continued to wear them throughout the night under his clothing,” the paper reported

Curtis is married and has children, according to his legislative Web site. Elected to the state House of Representatives in 2004, he voted in 2005 and 2006 against a bill that granted civil rights protections to gays and lesbians, and in 2007 voted against a bill that created domestic partnerships for same-sex couples. Both measures eventually passed the Democratic-controlled state Legislature and are now state law.

HOW MUCH LONGER CAN CLOSETED REPUBLICANS KEEP THIS UP? I feel bad for them, though I'm glad when their hypocrisy is exposed.

Anti-Gay Church hopes God can cover 10.9 mil tab

I blogged on these fruit loops before. Looks like they finally got slapped for their insane hate-in-the-name-of-god bullshit.

From CNN.com

Church ordered to pay $10.9 million for funeral protest

Albert Snyder of York, Pennsylvania, sued the Westboro Baptist Church for unspecified damages after members demonstrated at the March 2006 funeral of his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq.

Church members routinely picket funerals of military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, carrying signs such as "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "God hates fags."

The church and three of its leaders -- the Rev. Fred Phelps and his two daughters, Shirley Phelps-Roper and Rebecca Phelps-Davis, 46 -- were found liable for invasion of privacy and intent to inflict emotional distress.

Snyder claimed the protests intruded upon what should have been a private ceremony and sullied his memory of the event.

The church members testified they are following their religious beliefs by spreading the message that the deaths of soldiers are due to the nation's tolerance of homosexuality.

Their attorneys argued in closing statements Tuesday that the burial was a public event and that even abhorrent points of view are protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech and religion.

The judge said the church's financial statements, sealed earlier, could be released to the plaintiffs.

Members of the group sang "God Hates America" to the tune of "God Bless America."

Snyder sobbed when he heard the verdict, while members of the church greeted the news with tightlipped smiles.

Human species 'may split in two'

FROM BBC NEWS:

Humanity may split into two sub-species in 100,000 years' time as predicted by HG Wells, an expert has said.
Evolutionary theorist Oliver Curry of the London School of Economics expects a genetic upper class and a dim-witted underclass to emerge.

The human race would peak in the year 3000, he said - before a decline due to dependence on technology.

People would become choosier about their sexual partners, causing humanity to divide into sub-species, he added.

The descendants of the genetic upper class would be tall, slim, healthy, attractive, intelligent, and creative and a far cry from the "underclass" humans who would have evolved into dim-witted, ugly, squat goblin-like creatures.

Race 'ironed out'

But in the nearer future, humans will evolve in 1,000 years into giants between 6ft and 7ft tall, he predicts, while life-spans will have extended to 120 years, Dr Curry claims.

Physical appearance, driven by indicators of health, youth and fertility, will improve, he says, while men will exhibit symmetrical facial features, look athletic, and have squarer jaws, deeper voices and bigger penises.

Women, on the other hand, will develop lighter, smooth, hairless skin, large clear eyes, pert breasts, glossy hair, and even features, he adds. Racial differences will be ironed out by interbreeding, producing a uniform race of coffee-coloured people.

However, Dr Curry warns, in 10,000 years time humans may have paid a genetic price for relying on technology.

Spoiled by gadgets designed to meet their every need, they could come to resemble domesticated animals.

Receding chins

Social skills, such as communicating and interacting with others, could be lost, along with emotions such as love, sympathy, trust and respect. People would become less able to care for others, or perform in teams.

Physically, they would start to appear more juvenile. Chins would recede, as a result of having to chew less on processed food.

There could also be health problems caused by reliance on medicine, resulting in weak immune systems. Preventing deaths would also help to preserve the genetic defects that cause cancer.

Further into the future, sexual selection - being choosy about one's partner - was likely to create more and more genetic inequality, said Dr Curry.

The logical outcome would be two sub-species, "gracile" and "robust" humans similar to the Eloi and Morlocks foretold by HG Wells in his 1895 novel The Time Machine.

"While science and technology have the potential to create an ideal habitat for humanity over the next millennium, there is a possibility of a monumental genetic hangover over the subsequent millennia due to an over-reliance on technology reducing our natural capacity to resist disease, or our evolved ability to get along with each other, said Dr Curry.

He carried out the report for men's satellite TV channel Bravo.

Live Long, and... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

A new procedure allows people to now do what Captain Kirk did when posing as a Romulan in Star Trek... GET VULCAN EARS! These are real patients.When asked by the media for a quote on this trend, Science Officer Spock said "Are they fucking nuts???? But anyway... um... is that brunette available for Pon Farr next year? She's HOT!"
See the illogical results HERE.

Marie Osmond - Fallroom dancer

No reason, just funny. She makes an awesome THUMP when she hits the ground. Looking at the first 30 seconds of the clip she must have been mixing Cocaine, Diet Coke and Pop-Rocks.

When Rupert Murdoch controls all the news you see, hear and read, you can thank this prick.

Above image is of the FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, a loyal "Bushie" for years and is now trying to fast-track the further easing of regulatory laws which would allow a single company to own both a newspaper and television or radio station in the same city. This would be a great boon for those who find profit and power in controlling all the news you see, hear and read.

If approved, the new rules could take effect as early as this December. The FCC DOES NOT need to ask you for permission to do so. Americans do not get to vote on this.

This is something they tried to do a few years ago when another loyal Bushie and Colin Powell's son Michael (I recall listening to Howard Stern tear him a new one on the air in 2003 or so). At that time, millions of Americans mobilized, wrote letters to Congress and the FCC to do something about it, and there’s this landmark lawsuit called Prometheus v. FCC that blocked it. Of course, if such a thing happens again, the Supreme Court is very nicely set up to do Bush's will.

Martin’s push to rewrite existing rules was revealed by North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan (Democrat) during a Commerce Committee hearing on Wednesday. But Senator Dorgan vowed to put up a fight and said, "If the chairman intends to do something by the end of the year, then there will be a firestorm of protest, and I am going to be carrying the wood,” he said.

Martin leads a body of 5 FCC Commission (3 are republican, at least two are nominated by George Bush.)

These are their faces:

Feel like complaining? Hey try to bitch directly to the FCC. They may ignore it but it feels good to go on record.

CLICK HERE

"Yesterday my Mormon neighbor threw away her son's Dumbledore Halloween costume."

Above was a posting on a web site I stumbled on. Oh the insanity.

On the flipside, here's what the blog I Watch Stuff said about the "controversy"...

Harry Potter author JK Rowling announced the character of Dumbledore was gay. In response, my roommate said, "No shit. The whole fucking thing is gay."

At least we can settle the "Is he gay" thing.

BANGKOK, Thailand - David Copperfield has canceled upcoming shows in Southeast Asia following an FBI search of his Las Vegas warehouse and a casino theater where he regularly performs.

"His management sent an e-mail to organizers Sunday to inform that his shows will be postponed indefinitely," Kittiyong Achawaphong of RSi Dream Entertainment said Monday. The company organized the 51-year-old magician's shows in Thailand.

Copperfield was also scheduled to perform in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in the coming weeks. The cancellations came after FBI agents conducted searches in Las Vegas last week following allegations that Copperfield "forced himself" on an unidentified woman.

Associated Press