Bityard - Sorry, but that MP3 is not allowed!
Older rant about MP3's. I watched K Street last night, and remembered why I'm not a Democrat.
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
Talking Points Memo: Joseph Wilson Interviews
Talking Points Memo: by Joshua Micah Marshall
This is part of a two-part 20-page interview with Joseph Wilson, the guy that went to Niger to investigate the 'uranium purchase' attempt by Hussein's Iraq.
This is part of a two-part 20-page interview with Joseph Wilson, the guy that went to Niger to investigate the 'uranium purchase' attempt by Hussein's Iraq.
Monday, September 22, 2003
Reuters | Latest Financial News / Full News Coverage
Reuters | Latest Financial News / Full News Coverage: "The legal actions come after iMesh said in late August it planned to sell copyrighted music from independent artists, films and games, alongside its file-swapping operations.
At the time, iMesh chief executive Elan Oren told Reuters the company had no intentions to abandon its file-sharing operations."
Yet another in a long line of anti-competitive clawsuits to keep media consolidated.
At the time, iMesh chief executive Elan Oren told Reuters the company had no intentions to abandon its file-sharing operations."
Yet another in a long line of anti-competitive clawsuits to keep media consolidated.
Thursday, September 18, 2003
In a Reversal, Ashcroft Lifts Secrecy of Data
In a Reversal, Ashcroft Lifts Secrecy of Data: "ASHINGTON, Sept. 17 — Under pressure from lawmakers and civil rights groups over the Justice Department's antiterrorism initiatives, Attorney General John Ashcroft reversed course today and agreed to declassify data showing how often federal agents had demanded records from libraries and other institutions."
Well about dang time. It is going to be tough data to calibrate since it's illegal for the librarians themselves to publicly mention such searches.
"Mark Corallo, a department spokesman, said it was uncertain what form the public release of the documents would take. But, he said, "the numbers that everyone is so concerned about will be released." He said Mr. Ashcroft had "made light of all the criticism, but he wanted to make sure the public understands what we're actually doing."
"He felt it was in the public interest and the national security interest to have these numbers declassified," Mr. Corallo said."
Yea, right, he did this out of the good of his heart. Which is exactly why he's been touring the country trying to convince everyone that the entire Patriot Act, as written, is the bees knees.
Well about dang time. It is going to be tough data to calibrate since it's illegal for the librarians themselves to publicly mention such searches.
"Mark Corallo, a department spokesman, said it was uncertain what form the public release of the documents would take. But, he said, "the numbers that everyone is so concerned about will be released." He said Mr. Ashcroft had "made light of all the criticism, but he wanted to make sure the public understands what we're actually doing."
"He felt it was in the public interest and the national security interest to have these numbers declassified," Mr. Corallo said."
Yea, right, he did this out of the good of his heart. Which is exactly why he's been touring the country trying to convince everyone that the entire Patriot Act, as written, is the bees knees.
Wednesday, September 17, 2003
RedNova News: Giant Star Seen Swallowing Planets
RedNova News: Giant Star Seen Swallowing Planets: "University of Sydney -- Astronomers from Sydney University have come forth with a solution to a mysterious new object recently discovered in our Milky Way.
In a letter soon to be published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Dr Alon Retter and Dr Ariel Marom from the Department of Physics suggest that this phenomenon is an expanding giant star swallowing nearby planets, an event which may one day befall our own planet."
Mmm, planets.
In a letter soon to be published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Dr Alon Retter and Dr Ariel Marom from the Department of Physics suggest that this phenomenon is an expanding giant star swallowing nearby planets, an event which may one day befall our own planet."
Mmm, planets.
The Computational Beauty of Nature
The Computational Beauty of Nature
I love stumbling across stuff like this, especially when it happens after being exposed to great fiction.
I love stumbling across stuff like this, especially when it happens after being exposed to great fiction.
House Approves Republican-Drawn Redistricting Map Despite Hours of Debate From Democrats - from Tampa Bay Online
House Approves Republican-Drawn Redistricting Map Despite Hours of Debate From Democrats - from Tampa Bay Online: "The GOP is battling for domination of the 32-member Texas delegation in Congress. Democrats hold a 17-15 advantage, but Republicans, urged on by U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, say existing congressional boundaries don't reflect the state's increasingly Republican voting patterns.
King's map would give Texas Republicans as many as 21 seats in Congress"
Ugh.
King's map would give Texas Republicans as many as 21 seats in Congress"
Ugh.
Tuesday, September 16, 2003
MAD DAWG Always Finds The Funniest Shit
MAD DAWG Always Finds The Funniest Shit: "sexysusan: Thats ok. Ok I'm a japanese schoolgirl, what are you.
J-Dogg: A Rhinocerus. Well, hung like one, thats for sure.
sexysusan: Haha, ok lets go.
sexysusan: I put my hand through your hair, and kiss you on the neck.
J-Dogg: I stomp the ground, and snort, to alert you that you are in my breeding territory.
sexysusan: Haha, ok, you know that turns me on.
sexysusan: I start unbuttoning your shirt.
J-Dogg: Rhinoceruses don't were shirts."
Good, light reading on pranking. Today must be prank Tuesday.
J-Dogg: A Rhinocerus. Well, hung like one, thats for sure.
sexysusan: Haha, ok lets go.
sexysusan: I put my hand through your hair, and kiss you on the neck.
J-Dogg: I stomp the ground, and snort, to alert you that you are in my breeding territory.
sexysusan: Haha, ok, you know that turns me on.
sexysusan: I start unbuttoning your shirt.
J-Dogg: Rhinoceruses don't were shirts."
Good, light reading on pranking. Today must be prank Tuesday.
U.S. Veto's Security Council Resolution on Arafat
U.S. Veto's Security Council Resolution on Arafat: "The United States vetoed an Arab-backed U.N. resolution Tuesday demanding that Israel halt threats to expel Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat from the West Bank, because it did not contain a condemnation of terrorist groups such as Hamas."
Why they hate us, reason #67.
Why they hate us, reason #67.
New doctrine: admission by stealth - War on Iraq - smh.com.au
New doctrine: admission by stealth - War on Iraq - smh.com.au: "'I misspoke,' Mr Cheney said. ' We never had evidence that [Saddam] had acquired a nuclear weapon.' He also retreated from his allegation that the September 11 hijacker Mohammed Atta had ties with Iraqi intelligence.
'We have never been able to develop any more of that yet, either in terms of confirming it or denying it,' Mr Cheney said.
He also dropped his prewar certainty that unfettered inspections would uncover Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. 'We think that the jury is still out in terms of trying to get everything pulled together with respect to what we know,' Mr Cheney said."
Very sneaky. Make huge mistakes, back-track slowly and let Faux cover your tracks.
'We have never been able to develop any more of that yet, either in terms of confirming it or denying it,' Mr Cheney said.
He also dropped his prewar certainty that unfettered inspections would uncover Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. 'We think that the jury is still out in terms of trying to get everything pulled together with respect to what we know,' Mr Cheney said."
Very sneaky. Make huge mistakes, back-track slowly and let Faux cover your tracks.
CNN.com - Report: U.S. No. 1 in school spending - Sep. 16, 2003
CNN.com - Report: U.S. No. 1 in school spending - Sep. 16, 2003: "The United States spends more public and private money on education than other major countries, but its performance doesn't measure up in areas ranging from high-school graduation rates to test scores in math, reading and science, a new report shows."
Interesting reading, but it doesn't say much. One of the more important things to keep in mind is buried at the end.
"Comparisons of spending among countries is difficult, he added, because the systems vary widely."
No kidding, especially when you factor in health care for both costs and attendance. The article does highlight the obvious, it is our inner city hell-holes that drag down the average.
Interesting reading, but it doesn't say much. One of the more important things to keep in mind is buried at the end.
"Comparisons of spending among countries is difficult, he added, because the systems vary widely."
No kidding, especially when you factor in health care for both costs and attendance. The article does highlight the obvious, it is our inner city hell-holes that drag down the average.
The RIAA Prank: Do They Really Care About Kazaa, Grokster, and Napster?
The RIAA Prank: Do They Really Care About Kazaa, Grokster, and Napster?: "The Recording Industry Association of America has been making headlines with their recent threat to sue anyone engaged in digital piracy, including Jimmy Carter. Can you imagine? If Jimmy Carter downloads a Coldplay MP3, he could go to jail! That's just wrong."
Saw this in a few places, thought I'd share.
Saw this in a few places, thought I'd share.
Court scrutinizes P2P subpoena process | CNET News.com
Court scrutinizes P2P subpoena process | CNET News.com: "Judge John Roberts questioned the RIAA's expansive interpretation of the controversial Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which allows copyright holders to glean the identity of alleged infringers without filing a lawsuit first. Roberts said that if he left the door to his library ajar and someone entered, 'that doesn't make me liable for copyright infringement.'
The case is key to the RIAA's legal strategy, which now involves suing individuals suspected of copyright infringement. If the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit overturns the lower court's decision, the RIAA could be forced to file thousands of 'John Doe' lawsuits instead--a more expensive strategy that could lead to additional negative publicity."
Go Declan, it's your birthday. Lucky guy, he can make more progress with one drop of a 'controversial' than I get for ranting, days on end about vague and questionable text in a law that defines copyright for the digital age.
The case is key to the RIAA's legal strategy, which now involves suing individuals suspected of copyright infringement. If the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit overturns the lower court's decision, the RIAA could be forced to file thousands of 'John Doe' lawsuits instead--a more expensive strategy that could lead to additional negative publicity."
Go Declan, it's your birthday. Lucky guy, he can make more progress with one drop of a 'controversial' than I get for ranting, days on end about vague and questionable text in a law that defines copyright for the digital age.
Senate smack FCC, Bush Admin
Reuters | Latest Financial News / Full News Coverage: "The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate on Tuesday defied opposition from the Bush administration and voted 55-40 to rescind new regulations allowing large media companies to grow even bigger.
Fearing fewer viewpoints and decreasing local news coverage, 12 Republicans joined most of the Democrats to back a resolution that would undo rules narrowly adopted by the Republican-led Federal Communications Commission in June.
Those rules would allow television networks to own more local stations and permitting a company to own a newspaper, television stations and radio outlets in a single market.
The FCC rules do 'not protect the localism and the diversity, particularly in the newspaper-television market,' said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Republican from Texas."
I told here to say that, or something similar to it, as one of her constituents with access to email. Now I just need to convince them that Clear Channel-sized companies are also not good for radio. Hmm, maybe I could just give them a radio?
Fearing fewer viewpoints and decreasing local news coverage, 12 Republicans joined most of the Democrats to back a resolution that would undo rules narrowly adopted by the Republican-led Federal Communications Commission in June.
Those rules would allow television networks to own more local stations and permitting a company to own a newspaper, television stations and radio outlets in a single market.
The FCC rules do 'not protect the localism and the diversity, particularly in the newspaper-television market,' said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Republican from Texas."
I told here to say that, or something similar to it, as one of her constituents with access to email. Now I just need to convince them that Clear Channel-sized companies are also not good for radio. Hmm, maybe I could just give them a radio?
CNN.com - Making a video screen out of thin air - Sep. 15, 2003
CNN.com - Making a video screen out of thin air - Sep. 15, 2003: "In a museum in Tampere, Finland, Ismo Rakkolainen's fog machine conjures up the Mona Lisa on an invisible sheet of water particles.
Thousands of miles away in Hermosa Beach, California, a graduate student passes his hand through an image of a DNA strand produced -- apparently out of thin air -- by a modified video projector."
Next-gen image watching. Again, still about 10-15 years out, but certainly on the horizon.
Thousands of miles away in Hermosa Beach, California, a graduate student passes his hand through an image of a DNA strand produced -- apparently out of thin air -- by a modified video projector."
Next-gen image watching. Again, still about 10-15 years out, but certainly on the horizon.
Popular Science | The Worst Jobs in Science
Popular Science | The Worst Jobs in Science: "Ah, science! Ennobling. Fascinating. Deeply challenging. Also, dangerous, gross and mind-bogglingly boring. We at Popular Science are sometimes brought up short by the realization that there are aspects of science—entire jobs, even—that, when you strip away the imposing titles and advanced degrees, sound at best distasteful and at worst unbearable. Having chosen last month our second annual Brilliant 10—a group of dynamic researchers making remarkable discoveries—we turned to this pressing question: For the rest out there, just how bad can a science job get?"
Fun reading for those that love the process of trying to objectively identify repeatable truths.
Fun reading for those that love the process of trying to objectively identify repeatable truths.
FOXNews.com - Politics - Show Raises Eyebrows About Dean's 'Straight Talk'
FOXNews.com - Politics - Show Raises Eyebrows About Dean's 'Straight Talk': "In a case of art imitating life, Dean last Tuesday delivered one of the most memorable lines of the Democratic presidential debate when he was asked about his capacity to serve the needs of African-American people even though he comes from a state with very few African-Americans.
'If the percent of minorities that's in your state has anything to do with how you can connect with African-American voters, then Trent Lott would be Martin Luther King,' Dean responded, referring to the former Senate majority leader who was forced to resign last year for remarks he made suggesting that he supported the late Sen. Strom Thurmond's racial segregation presidential platform in 1948."
More unbiased reporting. Almost a good story, except for the 3 obvious barbs that aren't all that fair and balanced.
'If the percent of minorities that's in your state has anything to do with how you can connect with African-American voters, then Trent Lott would be Martin Luther King,' Dean responded, referring to the former Senate majority leader who was forced to resign last year for remarks he made suggesting that he supported the late Sen. Strom Thurmond's racial segregation presidential platform in 1948."
More unbiased reporting. Almost a good story, except for the 3 obvious barbs that aren't all that fair and balanced.
Kwestions about K Street
New York Post Online Edition: entertainment: "K Street' is named for a D.C. street whose low-rise office buildings are populated by lobbyists, political consultants, PR firms and the like - all feeding off the city's No. 1 industry: politics.
The show was conceived by George Clooney and director Steven Soderbergh ('Ocean's Eleven,' 'Traffic'), who have marched on Washington armed with minicams.
They've persuaded a number of real-life politicos to participate in their 10-week series, which is designed like a documentary, except that the story it tells is fictional. "
I saw this too, and thought the same thing.
The show was conceived by George Clooney and director Steven Soderbergh ('Ocean's Eleven,' 'Traffic'), who have marched on Washington armed with minicams.
They've persuaded a number of real-life politicos to participate in their 10-week series, which is designed like a documentary, except that the story it tells is fictional. "
I saw this too, and thought the same thing.
Total Recall'll Be Back
Excite News: "A federal appeals court threw California's tumultuous recall campaign into complete turmoil Monday by postponing the Oct. 7 election, citing the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Bush v. Gore in ruling that punch-card ballots could lead to some votes not being counted."
I'm guess Arnie drops out now, his attention span wasted.
I'm guess Arnie drops out now, his attention span wasted.
Monday, September 15, 2003
Politech: Richard Forno article on "high tech heroin"
Politech: Richard Forno article on "high tech heroin": "Dostoevsky once wrote that 'in the end they will lay their freedom at our
feet and say to us, 'Make us your slaves, but feed us.'' His prophecy is
relevant when examining the modern Information Age -- a dark,
corporate-controlled society predicted by such artistic legends as Bruce
Sterling, George Lucas, Ridley Scott, and William Gibson � and is the focus
of this article."
Read a couple of these lately, this one will probably go up on the site proper.
feet and say to us, 'Make us your slaves, but feed us.'' His prophecy is
relevant when examining the modern Information Age -- a dark,
corporate-controlled society predicted by such artistic legends as Bruce
Sterling, George Lucas, Ridley Scott, and William Gibson � and is the focus
of this article."
Read a couple of these lately, this one will probably go up on the site proper.
Politech: Richard Forno article on "high tech heroin"
Politech: Richard Forno article on "high tech heroin": "Dostoevsky once wrote that 'in the end they will lay their freedom at our
feet and say to us, 'Make us your slaves, but feed us.'' His prophecy is
relevant when examining the modern Information Age -- a dark,
corporate-controlled society predicted by such artistic legends as Bruce
Sterling, George Lucas, Ridley Scott, and William Gibson and is the focus
of this article."
Read a couple of these lately, this one will probably go up on the site proper.
feet and say to us, 'Make us your slaves, but feed us.'' His prophecy is
relevant when examining the modern Information Age -- a dark,
corporate-controlled society predicted by such artistic legends as Bruce
Sterling, George Lucas, Ridley Scott, and William Gibson and is the focus
of this article."
Read a couple of these lately, this one will probably go up on the site proper.
Medios Independientes Cancun: newswire/758
Medios Independientes Cancun: newswire/758: "Developing countries, who make up the majority of the membership of the WTO, formed an alliance and walked out of the fifth ministerial meeting Sunday afternoon. Kenyan delegate George Odour Ongwen, who spoke on behalf of the alliance, announced that there was no consensus and that the ministerial had come to an end.
Rafidah Aziz, Malaysia's trade minister, blamed the failure on the refusal of rich countries to heed the objections of the developing world.
'They kept demanding things that others couldn't deliver,' she said.
Green room meetings were called in the early afternoon, where rich countries sought to divide the unprecedented alliance of developing countries that have banded together under the banner of fair agricultural trade."
Heard a little about this, but this is one of those news stories you have to look up to get a decent picture of.
Rafidah Aziz, Malaysia's trade minister, blamed the failure on the refusal of rich countries to heed the objections of the developing world.
'They kept demanding things that others couldn't deliver,' she said.
Green room meetings were called in the early afternoon, where rich countries sought to divide the unprecedented alliance of developing countries that have banded together under the banner of fair agricultural trade."
Heard a little about this, but this is one of those news stories you have to look up to get a decent picture of.
mediareform.network : dorgan and lott launch resolution of disapproval
mediareform.network : dorgan and lott launch resolution of disapproval: "Today, Senators Trent Lott (R-MS) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND) announced new bipartisan opposition to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules that allow further concentration of media ownership. The Senators' announcement comes as the Senate debates a Resolution of Disapproval, sponsored by the pair, which would repeal all of the new FCC rules. A vote is expected Monday."
Good news. Glad to see a government respond, if a bit late, to a disgruntled populace.
Good news. Glad to see a government respond, if a bit late, to a disgruntled populace.
Misleader.org: Daily Mislead
Misleader.org: Daily Mislead: "The Misleader
The scandals over President Bush's lies about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction in his State of the Union address to the nation have neglected the full scope of his duplicity that night."
Had to be done.
The scandals over President Bush's lies about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction in his State of the Union address to the nation have neglected the full scope of his duplicity that night."
Had to be done.
Capital Games
Capital Games: "Is there some deadline approaching, after which Bush administration officials have to engage in honest debate? It seems as if there has been a rash of misleading, deceptive, and disingenuous remarks coming from on high in recent days. The gang at 'Capital Games' has been working overtime to keep up with the truth-bending of the president, the vice president, the defense secretary, and the deputy defense secretary."
Nice run down of some of the 'misleading' statements from the past few days (if they covered any longer a time span, this would be unreadable).
Nice run down of some of the 'misleading' statements from the past few days (if they covered any longer a time span, this would be unreadable).
Sunday, September 14, 2003
The Agonist: America's hidden battlefield toll
The Agonist: America's hidden battlefield toll
The true scale of American casualties in Iraq is revealed today by new figures obtained by The Observer, which show that more than 6,000 American servicemen have been evacuated for medical reasons since the beginning of the war, including more than 1,500 American soldiers who have been wounded, many seriously.
The figures will shock many Americans, who believe that casualties in the war in Iraq have been relatively light. Recent polls show that support for President George Bush and his administration's policy in Iraq has been slipping.
Critics of the policy say it hides the true extent of the casualties. The new figures reveal that 1,178 American soldiers have been wounded in combat operations since the war began on 20 March.
It is believed many of the American casualties evacuated from Iraq are seriously injured. Modern body armour, worn by almost all American troops, means wounds that would normally kill a man are avoided. However vulnerable arms and legs are affected badly. This has boosted the proportion of maimed among the injured. "
Ya know. I'll be this is like the schools in Houston, where 1,300 kids enter, 300 graduate, and none drop out. In Iraq, perhaps it's only wound if you lose a limb.
Interesting point on the body armor though, but I don't think that's a good thing.
The true scale of American casualties in Iraq is revealed today by new figures obtained by The Observer, which show that more than 6,000 American servicemen have been evacuated for medical reasons since the beginning of the war, including more than 1,500 American soldiers who have been wounded, many seriously.
The figures will shock many Americans, who believe that casualties in the war in Iraq have been relatively light. Recent polls show that support for President George Bush and his administration's policy in Iraq has been slipping.
Critics of the policy say it hides the true extent of the casualties. The new figures reveal that 1,178 American soldiers have been wounded in combat operations since the war began on 20 March.
It is believed many of the American casualties evacuated from Iraq are seriously injured. Modern body armour, worn by almost all American troops, means wounds that would normally kill a man are avoided. However vulnerable arms and legs are affected badly. This has boosted the proportion of maimed among the injured. "
Ya know. I'll be this is like the schools in Houston, where 1,300 kids enter, 300 graduate, and none drop out. In Iraq, perhaps it's only wound if you lose a limb.
Interesting point on the body armor though, but I don't think that's a good thing.
Friday, September 12, 2003
Anyone up for another round of abortion debates?
Headline news from Sky News - Witness the event
"Pioneering scanning techniques have produced astonishing images from inside the womb which show babies apparently smiling and crying.
Experts believe the breakthrough could lead to advances in baby health for a whole range of conditions, including Down's Syndrome."
Oh, and there's, this little tidbit.
"His pictures reveal foetuses moving their limbs at just eight weeks.
The new techniques, known as 3D and 4D scanning, allow for far more detailed examination of the foetus."
So this kind of stuff should shine a bit of light on that abortion question our culture is still trying to find an answer to.
"Pioneering scanning techniques have produced astonishing images from inside the womb which show babies apparently smiling and crying.
Experts believe the breakthrough could lead to advances in baby health for a whole range of conditions, including Down's Syndrome."
Oh, and there's, this little tidbit.
"His pictures reveal foetuses moving their limbs at just eight weeks.
The new techniques, known as 3D and 4D scanning, allow for far more detailed examination of the foetus."
So this kind of stuff should shine a bit of light on that abortion question our culture is still trying to find an answer to.
Thursday, September 11, 2003
Greenpeace obtains smoldering stick memo: White House/Exxon link
Detailed News: "In the email, Myron Ebell of the Exxon-funded Competitive Enterprise Institute writes to Phil Cooney, a senior official at the White House Council for Environmental Quality. He describes his plans to discredit an EPA study on climate change through a lawsuit. He states the need to 'drive a wedge between the President and those in the Administration who think that they are serving the president's interests by publishing this rubbish.'"
Yes, I changed the title. It's not a smoking gun. The forest already burned, a smoldering stick is all that's left.
Yes, I changed the title. It's not a smoking gun. The forest already burned, a smoldering stick is all that's left.
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