Friday, September 07, 2007
Arrested in the park...
I don't know if their claims about putting wheat-paster posters up is true or not. I find it kinda hard to believe that it would be allowed to put these posters up. Wheat-paste is a biodegradable mixture of wheat flour and water mixed to create a sticky paste. Eventually it will wash away, but it still leaves the paper to decompose on the traffic box. As much as I am for the message they are trying to get out, I do think they were in the wrong here. As always... I'm just a joe-schmoe sitting here in front of a computer so I could be wrong. If anyone knows, please post in comments. I do know that wheat-paste posters are what most of the local bands put their posters up around the city with.
I think the officers could have handled things a little better too. Not that they really did anything wrong here (though the man-handling of the woman and snatching her bucket away is questionable). The use of the horse to burst into the middle of the crowd strikes me as a bit over-the-top too, but thankfully no one was hurt.
I'll be curious if the protest gets coverage on C-span. I've heard of A.N.S.W.E.R. before from C-span.
Things are getting scary...
I don't like sounding like an alarmist. I REALLY hope I'm wrong about posting this... but some scary things have been coming into alignment recently and I don't like it.
1) Last week, I saw several headlines that said that Cheney had sent a message to the major news outlets (Faux News was one mentioned) to start beating the war drums, in order to get people behind attacking Iran. I didn't even bother to read them, because I don't think it could ever be verified and was probably just a rumor. Read this on PrisonPlanet.com.
2) I read something about troops being ordered to our nations capital "for protection". Found the story mentioned here on WLBT 3. While trying to find this news story, I found it via another person on "yahoo answers" putting together similar "facts". Read comments here.
3) Nuclear Weapons were "mistakenly" loaded on a B52 bomber and flown over the US.
4) and now todays link (that triggered this post) that sums all of this up (especially in the comments)... this was the number one spot on digg just now... About how Sept 14th the air force will be grounding ALL flights. What!? Someone in the comments says that this was done one other time... Sept. 11th. I have no idea if that's true or not.
5) Supposed release of new Bin Laden Video (A long time ago, I had heard that he died of natural causes, but it was a story that quickly disappeared, don't know if it was ever confirmed.)
6) ALL of this is happening at the same time that the Bush Admin is supposed to release a report on whether or not the surge is working.
7) Ramadan begins on the 13th. Possibly no connection what so ever, but still.
I'm going to take a deep breath now, and won't be letting it out until Sept. 15th.
1) Last week, I saw several headlines that said that Cheney had sent a message to the major news outlets (Faux News was one mentioned) to start beating the war drums, in order to get people behind attacking Iran. I didn't even bother to read them, because I don't think it could ever be verified and was probably just a rumor. Read this on PrisonPlanet.com.
2) I read something about troops being ordered to our nations capital "for protection". Found the story mentioned here on WLBT 3. While trying to find this news story, I found it via another person on "yahoo answers" putting together similar "facts". Read comments here.
3) Nuclear Weapons were "mistakenly" loaded on a B52 bomber and flown over the US.
4) and now todays link (that triggered this post) that sums all of this up (especially in the comments)... this was the number one spot on digg just now... About how Sept 14th the air force will be grounding ALL flights. What!? Someone in the comments says that this was done one other time... Sept. 11th. I have no idea if that's true or not.
5) Supposed release of new Bin Laden Video (A long time ago, I had heard that he died of natural causes, but it was a story that quickly disappeared, don't know if it was ever confirmed.)
6) ALL of this is happening at the same time that the Bush Admin is supposed to release a report on whether or not the surge is working.
7) Ramadan begins on the 13th. Possibly no connection what so ever, but still.
I'm going to take a deep breath now, and won't be letting it out until Sept. 15th.
The lobbyists win - this time...
Well, I was thrilled to post the other day about a win for "the people" regarding a judge slapping down part of the Patriot act. But today, I learned that we lost a small battle to a judge. I'm sure the BIG cable and phone companies lobbyists did their part on this. It is regarding the whole "Net Neutrality" issue. The Judge ruled on the side of the big corps, giving the ISP's the ability to either "limit" data streams they don't like, AND/OR charging more to us customers to access certain parts of the internet.
If you read through the "excuse" the judge states for his decision, it smacks of propaganda on behalf of the corporations. Read the full clip here from AP. Listen to this quote:
I think that's a horrible analogy.
Here's my attempt at a better analogy...
Lets say you have a friend that works at company XYZ. It turns out that the USPS also has a contract with the company XYZ. So, when you mail a letter to your friend, the letter zips through in one day. Now lets say you have another friend who works at company RRR... But the RRR company is a rival of the USPS. So guess what happens to your letter... it gets pushed to a slower system that now takes 5 days to deliver. Of course if it HAD to be there in one day, you could pay extra if you like.
See... It stinks.
these ISP's are going to exploit this now, and WE the consumers are going to get stuck with either paying extra, or putting up with slower speeds. Grrr.
If you read through the "excuse" the judge states for his decision, it smacks of propaganda on behalf of the corporations. Read the full clip here from AP. Listen to this quote:
The agency said providing different levels of service is common, efficient and could satisfy consumers. As an example, it cited that the U.S. Postal Service charges customers different guarantees and speeds for package delivery, ranging from bulk mail to overnight delivery.
I think that's a horrible analogy.
Here's my attempt at a better analogy...
Lets say you have a friend that works at company XYZ. It turns out that the USPS also has a contract with the company XYZ. So, when you mail a letter to your friend, the letter zips through in one day. Now lets say you have another friend who works at company RRR... But the RRR company is a rival of the USPS. So guess what happens to your letter... it gets pushed to a slower system that now takes 5 days to deliver. Of course if it HAD to be there in one day, you could pay extra if you like.
See... It stinks.
these ISP's are going to exploit this now, and WE the consumers are going to get stuck with either paying extra, or putting up with slower speeds. Grrr.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Update to "All Hail who"
Quick update to my "all hail who" post...
I brought my camera to work with me yesterday (Wed) to snap a photo of the offending graffiti on the "hail Mary full of grace" billboard. It looks like I was too late. On Tuesday, the graffiti was still there. By Wed morning there was a new billboard in its place. (It was one of those printed vinyl sheets).
So... I'll be interested to see if the vandal/Jesus promoter comes back again to leave a mark.
I've been thinking of this still and came up with a new thought... I was questioning wether or not it would be considered "moral" to break a law (such as graffiti) to change a message about God or religion. Then it hit me... that's the root of many problems in this world isn't it. Including war. The fact that there are different religions and beliefs, changes what people deem "moral". I'm sure this person who spray painted on the poster felt "morally justified" to do this. I'm sure the people who paid for the billboard were "morally outraged" that someone would deface their religious icon like this. Taking it one step further, if these two people met in person, I'm sure name calling would probably ensue, then a fist fights, then... well you get the idea. So, I've come to realize that this idea of "God's law" (whichever God you chose) being more "important" than "Man's law" can be a real problem.
I'm going to struggle to think about this more, so my opinions may change :)
I brought my camera to work with me yesterday (Wed) to snap a photo of the offending graffiti on the "hail Mary full of grace" billboard. It looks like I was too late. On Tuesday, the graffiti was still there. By Wed morning there was a new billboard in its place. (It was one of those printed vinyl sheets).
So... I'll be interested to see if the vandal/Jesus promoter comes back again to leave a mark.
I've been thinking of this still and came up with a new thought... I was questioning wether or not it would be considered "moral" to break a law (such as graffiti) to change a message about God or religion. Then it hit me... that's the root of many problems in this world isn't it. Including war. The fact that there are different religions and beliefs, changes what people deem "moral". I'm sure this person who spray painted on the poster felt "morally justified" to do this. I'm sure the people who paid for the billboard were "morally outraged" that someone would deface their religious icon like this. Taking it one step further, if these two people met in person, I'm sure name calling would probably ensue, then a fist fights, then... well you get the idea. So, I've come to realize that this idea of "God's law" (whichever God you chose) being more "important" than "Man's law" can be a real problem.
I'm going to struggle to think about this more, so my opinions may change :)
ACLU
Score one for the people! I just heard on NPR (while it was in the background, so I may get the details wrong)... A Judge has just ruled against some of the features in "the patriot act". The reason? Does not allow for "checks and balances" provided by the constitution. Huh... imagine that... Bush admin not following the constitution. NPR later went on to point out that this was a challenge brought to the courts by the ACLU. Woot! I joined the ACLU about a year ago. I am not passionate enough (or rich enough) to make monthly donations (like they ask), but for a one time fee to join of around $20 or 25, I feel like I was part of the group now that helped US get some of our rights back. I encourage you to join the ACLU - if for no other reason that it would piss-off Bill O'reilly :)
This story is only about 40 minutes old, so not many press or links I can point to. I did find this little snippet though on AHN.
This story is only about 40 minutes old, so not many press or links I can point to. I did find this little snippet though on AHN.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
News headlines...
Just a few random thoughts on todays headlines showing up on the Google news page...
Mattel has announced EVEN MORE recalls of some 800,000 toys that have Lead based paint!
You know, with all the hoopla over these recalls, I've yet to hear anyone question WHY is lead still being used in paint today?! I do hold Mattel accountable, but why have we not heard the name(s) of the paint companies supplying Mattel with this toxic paint!?
Yahoo just bought "bell lithium" for 300 MILLION - get this - in CASH! Apparently they are an advertising agency. Cash? Why is a deal like this done with cash? I wouldn't even buy my pick-up truck using cash. Do they make "million-dollar bills"? otherwise, thats a wheel-barrel load of cash to cart around!
CBS - Kid Nation... the show has not even aired yet and already its under scrutiny. Some are claiming all sorts of "fouls" from "child-labor" practices to child-endangerment. Rats... I was kinda looking forward to this reality show. I think it's a great sociological experiment.
Mattel has announced EVEN MORE recalls of some 800,000 toys that have Lead based paint!
You know, with all the hoopla over these recalls, I've yet to hear anyone question WHY is lead still being used in paint today?! I do hold Mattel accountable, but why have we not heard the name(s) of the paint companies supplying Mattel with this toxic paint!?
Yahoo just bought "bell lithium" for 300 MILLION - get this - in CASH! Apparently they are an advertising agency. Cash? Why is a deal like this done with cash? I wouldn't even buy my pick-up truck using cash. Do they make "million-dollar bills"? otherwise, thats a wheel-barrel load of cash to cart around!
CBS - Kid Nation... the show has not even aired yet and already its under scrutiny. Some are claiming all sorts of "fouls" from "child-labor" practices to child-endangerment. Rats... I was kinda looking forward to this reality show. I think it's a great sociological experiment.
Not really a post...
Been taking a couple days off from posting. I've got a couple things brewing though so stay tuned :) I will also say that my new computer game (wow) is consuming MUCH of my downtime. I am enjoying it a lot. It is interesting to me too to see how the game developers have made it addicting. They start off with small "quests" where you are awarded small prizes when you complete them. Then gradually they get harder and harder. Always dangling that next bigger and better prize in front of you. It's really clever of them. I'm also impressed with having met some of the other players online - most (which shocks me) seem to be polite and helpful. Some have been ignorant and of course some are spamming, but that was to be expected.
I've got a new music website to post about soon too... kinda cool.
I signed up for art classes again. I will be taking figure drawing (as a refresher course), watercolor again, and I signed up for three "lectures" on anatomy. I'm looking forward to it all in about 2 weeks.
I may blog about a few geeky issues I've had with transferring domain names, and setting up a new website. (I'm ever so slightly thinking of starting a domain just for this ol' blog, but we'll see.)
In the meantime, enjoy your "hump day" of this short week. Hope you had a relaxing 3 day weekend.
I've got a new music website to post about soon too... kinda cool.
I signed up for art classes again. I will be taking figure drawing (as a refresher course), watercolor again, and I signed up for three "lectures" on anatomy. I'm looking forward to it all in about 2 weeks.
I may blog about a few geeky issues I've had with transferring domain names, and setting up a new website. (I'm ever so slightly thinking of starting a domain just for this ol' blog, but we'll see.)
In the meantime, enjoy your "hump day" of this short week. Hope you had a relaxing 3 day weekend.
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