Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Independent Online Edition > Science & Technology : app4

Independent Online Edition > Science & Technology : app4: "Mysterious knotted strings used by the Incas to control their sprawling South American empire may have been ledgers for their accountants to keep track of payments to the king.

The strings, called khipu, have long fascinated archaeologists because they seemed to be designed to carry information in some hitherto unknown code rather than being made simply for decoration."

Old skool accounting.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

The Seattle Times: Politics: GOP lobbyist indicted in fraud case

The Seattle Times: Politics: GOP lobbyist indicted in fraud case: "MIAMI � Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff and a business partner were indicted by a federal grand jury in Fort Lauderdale yesterday, charged with five counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy in their purchase of a fleet of Florida gambling boats from a businessman who was later killed in a gangland-style hit."

Too bad this won't take down DeLay (because of a technicality), but at least one corrupt lobbyist is gone.