Smith & Wesson Chief quits after past armed robbery is exposed
James Joseph Minder, chairman of handgun maker Smith & Wesson Holding Corp., resigned after a published report revealed he'd spent as much as 15 years in prison decades ago for armed robberies and a bank heist.
Friday, February 27, 2004
Thursday, February 26, 2004
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Your papers please. (Washington Times)
Next week the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case to decide whether or not all Americans must have identification on them at all times. The case has been brought by a cowboy in Nevada who was asked to show ID while he was leaning against his pickup truck on the side of the road near his ranch. The police officer did not offer any specific reason why he demanded proof of identity. Having committed no crime, Dudley Hiibel, the cowboy, refused — and was arrested. He was later convicted for "Delaying a Peace Officer."
Next week the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case to decide whether or not all Americans must have identification on them at all times. The case has been brought by a cowboy in Nevada who was asked to show ID while he was leaning against his pickup truck on the side of the road near his ranch. The police officer did not offer any specific reason why he demanded proof of identity. Having committed no crime, Dudley Hiibel, the cowboy, refused — and was arrested. He was later convicted for "Delaying a Peace Officer."
Oreilly has the photos up for Hardware Hacking for Geeks if you're interested in checking out the projects before you pick up the book...
It looks like Brian Wilson is finally going to release Smile!
Recorded between April 1966 and May 1967, SMiLE (working title Dumb Angel) was to be Brian Wilson's "teenage symphony to God," an album that would at once best the Beatles and surpass Wilson's latest masterpiece, Pet Sounds. Working with avant-garde lyricist Parks and the session players featured on Pet Sounds, Wilson crafted the album away from the other Beach Boys, who were then touring. Upon their return from the tour, the group met the album with mixed feelings, arguing that SMiLE's obscure lyrics and insanely dense compositions strayed too far from the norm to be considered for release.
I've been listening to it in its cobbled-together form curious to know how he wanted it to sound.
Recorded between April 1966 and May 1967, SMiLE (working title Dumb Angel) was to be Brian Wilson's "teenage symphony to God," an album that would at once best the Beatles and surpass Wilson's latest masterpiece, Pet Sounds. Working with avant-garde lyricist Parks and the session players featured on Pet Sounds, Wilson crafted the album away from the other Beach Boys, who were then touring. Upon their return from the tour, the group met the album with mixed feelings, arguing that SMiLE's obscure lyrics and insanely dense compositions strayed too far from the norm to be considered for release.
I've been listening to it in its cobbled-together form curious to know how he wanted it to sound.
Feeling the Heat:
The Bush administration -- infamously, ludicrously -- remains a holdout on climate change. Blithely ignoring the near-universal scientific consensus that global warming is real, dangerous, and largely the product of human activity, the White House proceeds as if it didn't even exist.
The Bush administration -- infamously, ludicrously -- remains a holdout on climate change. Blithely ignoring the near-universal scientific consensus that global warming is real, dangerous, and largely the product of human activity, the White House proceeds as if it didn't even exist.
Downloading the Grey Album (NYTimes) is an article about downloading the grey album
The protesters billed the event as "Grey Tuesday," calling it "a day of coordinated civil disobedience," during which more than 150 sites offered the album for download. Recording industry lawyers saw it as 24 hours of mass copyright infringement and sent letters to the Web sites demanding that they not follow through on the protest.
The protesters billed the event as "Grey Tuesday," calling it "a day of coordinated civil disobedience," during which more than 150 sites offered the album for download. Recording industry lawyers saw it as 24 hours of mass copyright infringement and sent letters to the Web sites demanding that they not follow through on the protest.
Your Privacy is being Outsourced (SFGate)
"If you're calling just about any company in America right now, most of them are outsourcing anyway," explained Tom Scott, Lillian Vernon's executive vice president of operations and chief information officer. HyperQuality's Lee said the company monitors about 15,000 calls a week taken by some 3,500 workers at call centers worldwide. It also reviews thousands of e-mails sent to customer-support Web addresses.
"If you're calling just about any company in America right now, most of them are outsourcing anyway," explained Tom Scott, Lillian Vernon's executive vice president of operations and chief information officer. HyperQuality's Lee said the company monitors about 15,000 calls a week taken by some 3,500 workers at call centers worldwide. It also reviews thousands of e-mails sent to customer-support Web addresses.
Monday, February 23, 2004
Smithsonian's site on North American Mammals.
The map interface allows users to select a region, pick mammals in that region from an ordered list, and make a really nice printable (pdf) illustrated field guide. Beautiful site design.
The map interface allows users to select a region, pick mammals in that region from an ordered list, and make a really nice printable (pdf) illustrated field guide. Beautiful site design.
Instant, democratic supercomputer (NYTimes)
John Witchel, the graduate student who had the original idea of building a volunteer supercomputer, says he thinks flash mob computing will make it possible for high school students and community groups to harness computer power now available only to large corporations or government laboratories.
"We're trying to democratize supercomputing," Mr. Witchel said.
John Witchel, the graduate student who had the original idea of building a volunteer supercomputer, says he thinks flash mob computing will make it possible for high school students and community groups to harness computer power now available only to large corporations or government laboratories.
"We're trying to democratize supercomputing," Mr. Witchel said.
More on the leaked Pentagon Climate Change paper.
Hopfully more people will see it today than this weekend.
Hopfully more people will see it today than this weekend.
Sunday, February 22, 2004
Tax Me If You Can
What would the average share [for corporations] of the total tax burden be over the past 50 years? What are corporations paying today?
That's a good comparison. If you look at, say, from 1950 to 2000, corporations averaged about 17 percent of the federal taxes. … All of a sudden now, down to 7 percent -- 7 percent of the government paid for by corporate taxes, compared to [a] quarter or a third 30 years ago, and even the whole period, 17 percent. So, yes, they're paying a whole lot less than they used to, and the rest of us are picking up the tab for it.
What would the average share [for corporations] of the total tax burden be over the past 50 years? What are corporations paying today?
That's a good comparison. If you look at, say, from 1950 to 2000, corporations averaged about 17 percent of the federal taxes. … All of a sudden now, down to 7 percent -- 7 percent of the government paid for by corporate taxes, compared to [a] quarter or a third 30 years ago, and even the whole period, 17 percent. So, yes, they're paying a whole lot less than they used to, and the rest of us are picking up the tab for it.
Climate Change will Destroy Us (Fortune (?))
The threat that has riveted their attention is this: Global warming, rather than causing gradual, centuries-spanning change, may be pushing the climate to a tipping point. Growing evidence suggests the ocean-atmosphere system that controls the world's climate can lurch from one state to another in less than a decade—like a canoe that's gradually tilted until suddenly it flips over. Scientists don't know how close the system is to a critical threshold. But abrupt climate change may well occur in the not-too-distant future. If it does, the need to rapidly adapt may overwhelm many societies—thereby upsetting the geopolitical balance of power.
For a really jarring profile of the Pentagon's findings, read the Guardian's summary.
Here is the full Guardian article.
The document predicts that abrupt climate change could bring the planet to the edge of anarchy as countries develop a nuclear threat to defend and secure dwindling food, water and energy supplies. The threat to global stability vastly eclipses that of terrorism, say the few experts privy to its contents.
'Disruption and conflict will be endemic features of life,' concludes the Pentagon analysis. 'Once again, warfare would define human life.'
The findings will prove humiliating to the Bush administration, which has repeatedly denied that climate change even exists. Experts said that they will also make unsettling reading for a President who has insisted national defence is a priority.
The threat that has riveted their attention is this: Global warming, rather than causing gradual, centuries-spanning change, may be pushing the climate to a tipping point. Growing evidence suggests the ocean-atmosphere system that controls the world's climate can lurch from one state to another in less than a decade—like a canoe that's gradually tilted until suddenly it flips over. Scientists don't know how close the system is to a critical threshold. But abrupt climate change may well occur in the not-too-distant future. If it does, the need to rapidly adapt may overwhelm many societies—thereby upsetting the geopolitical balance of power.
For a really jarring profile of the Pentagon's findings, read the Guardian's summary.
Here is the full Guardian article.
The document predicts that abrupt climate change could bring the planet to the edge of anarchy as countries develop a nuclear threat to defend and secure dwindling food, water and energy supplies. The threat to global stability vastly eclipses that of terrorism, say the few experts privy to its contents.
'Disruption and conflict will be endemic features of life,' concludes the Pentagon analysis. 'Once again, warfare would define human life.'
The findings will prove humiliating to the Bush administration, which has repeatedly denied that climate change even exists. Experts said that they will also make unsettling reading for a President who has insisted national defence is a priority.
Saturday, February 21, 2004
The BBC's History of Vinyl
A fantastic series of articles covering music pressed into grooves from the 1800's forward.
A fantastic series of articles covering music pressed into grooves from the 1800's forward.
Thursday, February 19, 2004
A new ATM machine scam is making its rounds. This one requires modifications to a real, working bank ATM. A slim-profile magstripe scanner is placed over the card insert slot so your magstripe is read and recorded, while a tiny camera, placed in a leaflet holder, films you entering your PIN. With these two pieces of information, a duplicate card is quickly made and used to drain victims' bank accounts.
Pictures of the devices used are posted here.
Pictures of the devices used are posted here.
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Scientists Accuse White House of Distorting Facts (NYTimes)
This is not as bad as scientists accusing the White House of distorting the space-time continuum, but its still pretty bad.
The Bush administration has deliberately and systematically distorted scientific fact in the service of policy goals on the environment, health, biomedical research and nuclear weaponry at home and abroad, a group of about 60 influential scientists, including 20 Nobel laureates, said in a statement issued today.
This is not as bad as scientists accusing the White House of distorting the space-time continuum, but its still pretty bad.
The Bush administration has deliberately and systematically distorted scientific fact in the service of policy goals on the environment, health, biomedical research and nuclear weaponry at home and abroad, a group of about 60 influential scientists, including 20 Nobel laureates, said in a statement issued today.
Download the Grey album (mix between Jay-Z's Black album and the Beatle's White Album) before it gets taken away.
Drowning in fructose
Carb-bashing is the rage, but its the sugar, stupid.
Almost all nutritionists finger high fructose corn syrup consumption as a major culprit in the nation's obesity crisis. The inexpensive sweetener flooded the American food supply in the early 1980s, just about the time the nation's obesity rate started its unprecedented climb.
Carb-bashing is the rage, but its the sugar, stupid.
Almost all nutritionists finger high fructose corn syrup consumption as a major culprit in the nation's obesity crisis. The inexpensive sweetener flooded the American food supply in the early 1980s, just about the time the nation's obesity rate started its unprecedented climb.
Spammers are hitting mobile phones more and more aggressively. (Guardian UK)
It uses computer-generated calls to ring target phones just once so that a number is left behind as a missed call. When users ring the number to find out who has been calling them, they are answered by someone saying "customer care" then the voice goes into the "congratulations" spiel. The caller is then referred to a premium rate number where they can find out more details of their "fantastic prize".
It uses computer-generated calls to ring target phones just once so that a number is left behind as a missed call. When users ring the number to find out who has been calling them, they are answered by someone saying "customer care" then the voice goes into the "congratulations" spiel. The caller is then referred to a premium rate number where they can find out more details of their "fantastic prize".
How is the so-called Department of Homeland Security spending its time and your money these days? Spying on online progressive clothing sites.
Website access logs are wonderful things. If the Department of Justice visits us, we get a line telling us they've been there. If the Department of Homeland Security stops by a couple of hours later, we know all about it. We can see how they found us, what they looked at, and how many times they visited. We're watching them watching us - John Ashcroft would be proud!
At first we were amused that the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security were looking at our little site. We hope they liked the Ashcroft Fascist button! But when they returned, we noticed something that wasn't so funny.
Note the lines:
n021.dhs.gov - - [26/Jan/2004:04:13:29 -0500] "GET /faq.html HTTP/1.1" 200 8215 "http://sidesearch.lycos.com/results.asp?tab=web&query=progressive%20clothing&loc=1&rf=sidesearch&" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 5.5; Windows NT 5.0)"
n021.dhs.gov - - [29/Jan/2004:08:09:55 -0500] "GET / HTTP/1.1" 200 807 "http://www.altavista.com/web/results?q=progressive+clothing&avkw=aapt" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 5.5; Windows NT 5.0)"
For those of you who aren't access log literate, this means that they came to Outspoken Clothing via the search engines AltaVista and Lycos, where they searched on the phrase "progressive clothing."
Website access logs are wonderful things. If the Department of Justice visits us, we get a line telling us they've been there. If the Department of Homeland Security stops by a couple of hours later, we know all about it. We can see how they found us, what they looked at, and how many times they visited. We're watching them watching us - John Ashcroft would be proud!
At first we were amused that the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security were looking at our little site. We hope they liked the Ashcroft Fascist button! But when they returned, we noticed something that wasn't so funny.
Note the lines:
n021.dhs.gov - - [26/Jan/2004:04:13:29 -0500] "GET /faq.html HTTP/1.1" 200 8215 "http://sidesearch.lycos.com/results.asp?tab=web&query=progressive%20clothing&loc=1&rf=sidesearch&" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 5.5; Windows NT 5.0)"
n021.dhs.gov - - [29/Jan/2004:08:09:55 -0500] "GET / HTTP/1.1" 200 807 "http://www.altavista.com/web/results?q=progressive+clothing&avkw=aapt" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 5.5; Windows NT 5.0)"
For those of you who aren't access log literate, this means that they came to Outspoken Clothing via the search engines AltaVista and Lycos, where they searched on the phrase "progressive clothing."
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Administration censorship hits Closed Captioning
"Without public notice, DoED changed its administration of captioning grants by convening a panel to determine that the 200 programs were not appropriate based on additional descriptive categories developed by Department personnel. NCD has learned from the panelists that they had no idea that they were being used for the purpose of cutting captioned
programming."
List of shows which were disapproved for funding for captioning based on content.
This change marks a shift from consumer approved to a private, closed-council approval process.
Consumers are encouraged to share their views and opinions with Congressional members and Department of Education officials; contact information is available at:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/
"Without public notice, DoED changed its administration of captioning grants by convening a panel to determine that the 200 programs were not appropriate based on additional descriptive categories developed by Department personnel. NCD has learned from the panelists that they had no idea that they were being used for the purpose of cutting captioned
programming."
List of shows which were disapproved for funding for captioning based on content.
This change marks a shift from consumer approved to a private, closed-council approval process.
Consumers are encouraged to share their views and opinions with Congressional members and Department of Education officials; contact information is available at:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/
American Universities are opening campuses in oil-rich Qatar
The foundation has assured Carnegie Mellon autonomy in developing curriculum, but some faculty are concerned about potential mine fields as they decide what sort of general education courses to offer in a part of the world where American ambitions are suspect.
"What kind of history do we want to teach?" Knapp asked. "We have a course in western civilization. Would we teach that course?"
From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which brings us this even more fascinating story.
The foundation has assured Carnegie Mellon autonomy in developing curriculum, but some faculty are concerned about potential mine fields as they decide what sort of general education courses to offer in a part of the world where American ambitions are suspect.
"What kind of history do we want to teach?" Knapp asked. "We have a course in western civilization. Would we teach that course?"
From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which brings us this even more fascinating story.
No they won't. You heard it here first.
Fashion changes radically every season, so why shouldn't the boutiques that sell the clothes?
That is the strategy — some might say gimmick — behind the new Comme des Garçons Guerrilla Store that opened here on Saturday. In the first example of provisional retailing by an established fashion house, the store plans to close in a year — even if it is making money.
Fashion changes radically every season, so why shouldn't the boutiques that sell the clothes?
That is the strategy — some might say gimmick — behind the new Comme des Garçons Guerrilla Store that opened here on Saturday. In the first example of provisional retailing by an established fashion house, the store plans to close in a year — even if it is making money.
Sunday, February 15, 2004
Friday, February 13, 2004
Windows source code leaked?
Microsoft said late on Thursday night that parts of its Windows source code - the closely guarded blueprint behind its dominant operating system - had been illegally leaked onto the internet. According to the world's largest software company, incomplete portions of the Windows 2000 and Windows NT source code were being traded over the web.
Seattle PI Article on same
Microsoft said late on Thursday night that parts of its Windows source code - the closely guarded blueprint behind its dominant operating system - had been illegally leaked onto the internet. According to the world's largest software company, incomplete portions of the Windows 2000 and Windows NT source code were being traded over the web.
Seattle PI Article on same
Thursday, February 12, 2004
[All My Stalkers Live in Louisiana]
Who says they're gonna "Go Rambo" in 2004? Why, Walter J. Bonin does, of course. Especially when he's threatening country singers to record his songs!
"It's all fake," Bonin said Thursday in a telephone interview from his home in St. Martinville, La. "Somebody has been getting into my e-mail for the past four or five years. It's not me because I would never do nothing to jeopardize George Strait."
Who says they're gonna "Go Rambo" in 2004? Why, Walter J. Bonin does, of course. Especially when he's threatening country singers to record his songs!
"It's all fake," Bonin said Thursday in a telephone interview from his home in St. Martinville, La. "Somebody has been getting into my e-mail for the past four or five years. It's not me because I would never do nothing to jeopardize George Strait."
HIPAA be damned. The Justice Department wants private patient data.
Citing federal case law, the department said in a brief that "there is no federal common law" protecting physician-patient privilege. In light of "modern medical practice" and the growth of third-party insurers, it said, "individuals no longer possess a reasonable expectation that their histories will remain completely confidential."
Health and Human Services HIPAA page.
Citing federal case law, the department said in a brief that "there is no federal common law" protecting physician-patient privilege. In light of "modern medical practice" and the growth of third-party insurers, it said, "individuals no longer possess a reasonable expectation that their histories will remain completely confidential."
Health and Human Services HIPAA page.
MyDoom.A stops spreading today. Another Virus, Nachi, is helping (?) clean it off of infected PCs.
Mmmm.... Popcorn: Simpsons movie.
To be sure, Reiss didn't have any specifics to offer, promising only that The Simpsons movie would bigger, longer and uncut. Any resemblance to 1999's South Park movie is purely intentional. Last year, Groening told the Hollywood Reporter that South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut was the only movie based on a TV show that wasn't "horrible." Picking up on the theme, Reiss, in a talk last year at Drexel University, said that "there was a Scooby-Doo movie so there will be a Simpsons movie," per the campus paper The Triangle. And like Scooby-Doo, Reiss joked, The Simpsons movie is "gonna suck pretty hard."
To be sure, Reiss didn't have any specifics to offer, promising only that The Simpsons movie would bigger, longer and uncut. Any resemblance to 1999's South Park movie is purely intentional. Last year, Groening told the Hollywood Reporter that South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut was the only movie based on a TV show that wasn't "horrible." Picking up on the theme, Reiss, in a talk last year at Drexel University, said that "there was a Scooby-Doo movie so there will be a Simpsons movie," per the campus paper The Triangle. And like Scooby-Doo, Reiss joked, The Simpsons movie is "gonna suck pretty hard."
"This election would shame Tammany Hall, ... I have been watching elections for 40 years, but I have never seen an election less just, less objective or less democratic.''
Florida 2000? Nope - it's the mamby-pamby pseudo-environmentalist Sierra Club, who is being infiltrated by special interests in order to artifically sway a board vote over - of all things - immigration laws
I'm a member of the Sierra Club, and their political activity is so featherweight it's embarrassing, but it's interesting to see how even an agenda as mushy as Sierra's can be coopted by ideology and special interests.
Florida 2000? Nope - it's the mamby-pamby pseudo-environmentalist Sierra Club, who is being infiltrated by special interests in order to artifically sway a board vote over - of all things - immigration laws
I'm a member of the Sierra Club, and their political activity is so featherweight it's embarrassing, but it's interesting to see how even an agenda as mushy as Sierra's can be coopted by ideology and special interests.
Beyond Software Quality: The Ethics of Freedom by Richard Stallman
Refers to "Why Free Software is better than Open Source"
We are not against the Open Source movement, but we don't want to be lumped in with them. We acknowledge that they have contributed to our community, but we created this community, and we want people to know this. We want people to associate our achievements with our values and our philosophy, not with theirs. We want to be heard, not obscured behind a group with different views. To prevent people from thinking we are part of them, we take pains to avoid using the word ``open'' to describe free software, or its contrary, ``closed'', in talking about non-free software.
Refers to "Why Free Software is better than Open Source"
We are not against the Open Source movement, but we don't want to be lumped in with them. We acknowledge that they have contributed to our community, but we created this community, and we want people to know this. We want people to associate our achievements with our values and our philosophy, not with theirs. We want to be heard, not obscured behind a group with different views. To prevent people from thinking we are part of them, we take pains to avoid using the word ``open'' to describe free software, or its contrary, ``closed'', in talking about non-free software.
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
Mac creator Jef Raskin feels the interface on Mac OS X is a "disaster," comprised of the "same old stuff, but with more patches and more obnoxious behavior than ever." Raskin feels he has a better idea -- and also some advice for Apple
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
A subjective map of color psychology (heads up: its on some kind of quasi-religious site)
Orange: Helps with assimilation of new ideas. Removes repression and inhibitions. Broadens the mind, Helps us cope with our life and career. Promotes Drive and ambition. Fruitful Endeavours. Increases vigour. Stimulates energy, and Endurance. Awe.
Orange: Helps with assimilation of new ideas. Removes repression and inhibitions. Broadens the mind, Helps us cope with our life and career. Promotes Drive and ambition. Fruitful Endeavours. Increases vigour. Stimulates energy, and Endurance. Awe.
Ryukyuan Lacquerware, from the Ryuku Cultural Archives Online museum of Osakan history, culture, and art
The Coming Rise of Liberal Talk Radio (The New Republic)
For decades conservatives have dominated talk radio, because it's conservatives who have felt alienated by the powers that be. But, in the era of W. and Fox News, that may be about to change.
For decades conservatives have dominated talk radio, because it's conservatives who have felt alienated by the powers that be. But, in the era of W. and Fox News, that may be about to change.
The Lie Factory (Mother Jones)
Only weeks after 9/11, the Bush administration set up a secret Pentagon unit to create the case for invading Iraq. Here is the inside story of how they pushed disinformation and bogus intelligence and led the nation to war.
Only weeks after 9/11, the Bush administration set up a secret Pentagon unit to create the case for invading Iraq. Here is the inside story of how they pushed disinformation and bogus intelligence and led the nation to war.
By 2015, half of Europeans may be using an inhaler if the allergy epidemic continues at its current pace
Googling for private information
All search engines will get you this," O'Ferrell said, pointing to files of spoils he has found on the Internet: Medical records, bank account numbers, students' grades, and the docking locations of 804 U.S. Navy ships, submarines and destroyers.
All search engines will get you this," O'Ferrell said, pointing to files of spoils he has found on the Internet: Medical records, bank account numbers, students' grades, and the docking locations of 804 U.S. Navy ships, submarines and destroyers.
Flying pigeons follow the highways.
The birds can add an extra 20% or more to their journey by following these features, says Guilford. It may be more demanding physically, he says, but easier mentally.
The birds can add an extra 20% or more to their journey by following these features, says Guilford. It may be more demanding physically, he says, but easier mentally.
Another reflection of the administration's sick vision of "Freedom"
Federal Government bullying peace protesters by issuing subpoenas
Those who attended the forum, at least four of whom said they had received subpoenas to appear before a federal grand jury on Tuesday, said that they did not know what to make of the inquiry and that they feared it was intended to quash protest.
...
"It was just another very mellow Iowa protest, so it's hard to know what this is all about," Ms. Vasquez said. "I guess it's meant to terrify the peace movement. I don't see what else they could be doing."
Federal Government bullying peace protesters by issuing subpoenas
Those who attended the forum, at least four of whom said they had received subpoenas to appear before a federal grand jury on Tuesday, said that they did not know what to make of the inquiry and that they feared it was intended to quash protest.
...
"It was just another very mellow Iowa protest, so it's hard to know what this is all about," Ms. Vasquez said. "I guess it's meant to terrify the peace movement. I don't see what else they could be doing."
Monday, February 09, 2004
"I'm a War President"
There was at least (or at most) one true statement made by Bush on his abysmal record.
The president is genial enough, but it might be time for a bipartisan truth squad to follow him around, sorting out the facts from his musings, speculations, fantasies and mis-rememberings.
There was at least (or at most) one true statement made by Bush on his abysmal record.
The president is genial enough, but it might be time for a bipartisan truth squad to follow him around, sorting out the facts from his musings, speculations, fantasies and mis-rememberings.
Sunday, February 08, 2004
Saturday, February 07, 2004
Friday, February 06, 2004
What would a guy have to do to receive a threat like this?:
"I hope your PC blows up and leaves your miserable face disfigured forever," read one. "You will surely burn in hell for an eternity for this one."
He said he gutted his Mac and replaced it with Intel/Windows.
"Mac users are nuttier than a fruitcake," Andy said. "People have an unnatural emotional attachment to object(s) like computers. For some, their reaction was akin to me butchering their parents or a beloved pet."
"I hope your PC blows up and leaves your miserable face disfigured forever," read one. "You will surely burn in hell for an eternity for this one."
He said he gutted his Mac and replaced it with Intel/Windows.
"Mac users are nuttier than a fruitcake," Andy said. "People have an unnatural emotional attachment to object(s) like computers. For some, their reaction was akin to me butchering their parents or a beloved pet."
John Kerry: Garage rocker
The Electra's '62 self-titled album is listed here and here, with very little info. Kerry had the good taste to record in what is now an ultra-hip sub-genre, as opposed to some other candidates. Somebody needs to post "Guitar Boogie Shuffle".
Few candidates have a campaign song. Kucinich has a hip-hop song about himself (sample lyric: "Dennis/he ain't no menace"). Florida Sen. Bob Graham elicited his wife and daughter to record a theme song with the lyrics, "You've got a friend in Bob Graham/That's what everybody's saying/All across the good ol' USA/From the Atlantic to the Pacific/We all say he's terrific/Bob Graham is what America needs today."
The Electra's '62 self-titled album is listed here and here, with very little info. Kerry had the good taste to record in what is now an ultra-hip sub-genre, as opposed to some other candidates. Somebody needs to post "Guitar Boogie Shuffle".
Few candidates have a campaign song. Kucinich has a hip-hop song about himself (sample lyric: "Dennis/he ain't no menace"). Florida Sen. Bob Graham elicited his wife and daughter to record a theme song with the lyrics, "You've got a friend in Bob Graham/That's what everybody's saying/All across the good ol' USA/From the Atlantic to the Pacific/We all say he's terrific/Bob Graham is what America needs today."
Thursday, February 05, 2004
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
As much as I dislike the use of "punk" as a verb, I like the idea of "Punk the National Review"
Filthy P.O.S. pro-idiot, Bush-apologist imbecile-rag.
Filthy P.O.S. pro-idiot, Bush-apologist imbecile-rag.
[Fruit defamation: More juicy suits for lawyers]
Orange juice gets a rap as hi-carb. Florida is pissed. Potato-people are none too happy either. (NYTimes)
After discovering last month that concerns about carbohydrates had cut orange juice consumption by 5 percent over the last two years, the Florida Department of Citrus decided to introduce a $1.8 million advertising and marketing campaign to promote the benefits of oranges. The agency plans to position orange juice as a "smart" carbohydrate, playing up the health benefits associated with oranges.
The group has also been writing letters to media companies and diet gurus that it says have unfairly put oranges in an unfavorable light, and has indicated that it might file some lawsuits accusing defendants of defaming the fruit.
Orange juice gets a rap as hi-carb. Florida is pissed. Potato-people are none too happy either. (NYTimes)
After discovering last month that concerns about carbohydrates had cut orange juice consumption by 5 percent over the last two years, the Florida Department of Citrus decided to introduce a $1.8 million advertising and marketing campaign to promote the benefits of oranges. The agency plans to position orange juice as a "smart" carbohydrate, playing up the health benefits associated with oranges.
The group has also been writing letters to media companies and diet gurus that it says have unfairly put oranges in an unfavorable light, and has indicated that it might file some lawsuits accusing defendants of defaming the fruit.
Scott Richter, Mr. Spam Man
"We believe Scott Richter is clearing several million dollars a month in profits from his illegal activities," Spitzer said. "We will drive [him] into bankruptcy."
"We believe Scott Richter is clearing several million dollars a month in profits from his illegal activities," Spitzer said. "We will drive [him] into bankruptcy."
[Linux scores the console trifecta]
You've heard about Linux on the Xbox (even the Xbox Linux Cluster) and Linux on the PS2; meet Linux on the GameCube. Wouldn't it be great if the manufacturers recognized the wisdom and inevitability of this port and took out the hurdle of the mod-chip requirement? A Mac-like native Unix OS on consoles could be a huge for everyone (except Microsoft).
You've heard about Linux on the Xbox (even the Xbox Linux Cluster) and Linux on the PS2; meet Linux on the GameCube. Wouldn't it be great if the manufacturers recognized the wisdom and inevitability of this port and took out the hurdle of the mod-chip requirement? A Mac-like native Unix OS on consoles could be a huge for everyone (except Microsoft).
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
Censure Bush for his lies to the American people about WMD intelligence. (MoveOn.org petition to Congress)
This campaign is based solely on word of mouth (or email, or weblog). Please lend your voice.
This campaign is based solely on word of mouth (or email, or weblog). Please lend your voice.
An interesting by-product of being linked to a google logo...
In order to get this server functional again, the pages that were here have been moved somewhere else. It shouldn't be too hard to find them if you really want to, do a Google search for "Quaternion fractal"..... :-)
Please note that this is not a criticism of Google but rather an interesting dimension to the power they wield. They have hundreds (thousands?) of servers worldwide that distribute their traffic load. If even a small percentage of that traffic is directed to a single server.....what chance does it have?
In order to get this server functional again, the pages that were here have been moved somewhere else. It shouldn't be too hard to find them if you really want to, do a Google search for "Quaternion fractal"..... :-)
Please note that this is not a criticism of Google but rather an interesting dimension to the power they wield. They have hundreds (thousands?) of servers worldwide that distribute their traffic load. If even a small percentage of that traffic is directed to a single server.....what chance does it have?
An online, interactive version of the puzzle book "The Maze"
Your challenge is to find your way from room 1 (after the Prologue) to room 45 and then back to room 1 using the shortest possible path. If you use your head, you should be able to make the journey in only sixteen steps.
Your challenge is to find your way from room 1 (after the Prologue) to room 45 and then back to room 1 using the shortest possible path. If you use your head, you should be able to make the journey in only sixteen steps.
The old, but still good, Dmitry's Design Lab article on Font history and usage
Actually, it is amazing that the simple idea of dropping serifs at the ends of strokes didn't occur to the great many typographers who experimented with their shapes and sizes so much. In part, it is due to the inertia of scribes' tradition who, with their quills, simply could not produce a reasonably clean cut of a stroke. Undoubtedly, old typographers also knew the fact that was later confirmed by experiments: Serifs help the eye to stick to the line and thus facilitate reading.
Actually, it is amazing that the simple idea of dropping serifs at the ends of strokes didn't occur to the great many typographers who experimented with their shapes and sizes so much. In part, it is due to the inertia of scribes' tradition who, with their quills, simply could not produce a reasonably clean cut of a stroke. Undoubtedly, old typographers also knew the fact that was later confirmed by experiments: Serifs help the eye to stick to the line and thus facilitate reading.
Janet's (Ms. Jackson's if you're nasty) PR stunt offends squeamish puritans, while everyone seems to have forgotten about the real offense to decency - CBS's refusal to air the moveon.org spot.
Blame Game (New Yorker)
We know that Vice-President Dick Cheney, who continues to insist that some W.M.D.s might be found, visited the C.I.A. several times before the war for face-to-face meetings with Iraq analysts, and that senior Pentagon officials were running their own intelligence operation, the Office of Special Plans. Until a full account is provided, the suspicion will remain that in Washington, as in London, the handling of intelligence had more to do with persuading the public to support a war that had already been decided on than with calmly assessing threats.
We know that Vice-President Dick Cheney, who continues to insist that some W.M.D.s might be found, visited the C.I.A. several times before the war for face-to-face meetings with Iraq analysts, and that senior Pentagon officials were running their own intelligence operation, the Office of Special Plans. Until a full account is provided, the suspicion will remain that in Washington, as in London, the handling of intelligence had more to do with persuading the public to support a war that had already been decided on than with calmly assessing threats.
Monday, February 02, 2004
[Bush's War on America]
Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass, called on Congress to reject Bush's spending plan, charging it was the "most antifamily, anti-worker, anti-healthcare, anti-education budget in modern times."
The absurd new budget comes loaded with perks for the regime's oil and defense industry cronies, while slamming budgets for human services and the environment. Your children will be paying Halliburton for the rest of their lives.
Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass, called on Congress to reject Bush's spending plan, charging it was the "most antifamily, anti-worker, anti-healthcare, anti-education budget in modern times."
The absurd new budget comes loaded with perks for the regime's oil and defense industry cronies, while slamming budgets for human services and the environment. Your children will be paying Halliburton for the rest of their lives.
Blaming it all on the old "Hole in the Ground Gang"
A police spokesman said: "'We are certain it is the Hole in the Ground gang. The technique of using the powerful adhesive to stop officers from chasing them down their escape route held us up considerably.''
A police spokesman said: "'We are certain it is the Hole in the Ground gang. The technique of using the powerful adhesive to stop officers from chasing them down their escape route held us up considerably.''
Vinyl diggers salivate over homemade LPs (NYTimes)
"We should be stars," went the chorus of one song. "Stars in the eyes of man."
The article mentions soulstrut.com, which has some good stuff on rare 70's funk and soul.
"We should be stars," went the chorus of one song. "Stars in the eyes of man."
The article mentions soulstrut.com, which has some good stuff on rare 70's funk and soul.