Thanks to Ron the Gregarious Hermit!
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01/12/2010
The Official Nevada State Embarrassment - emphasis on the 'ass'.
Thanks to Ron the Gregarious Hermit!
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01/02/2010
It's Sunday! Time for some holy shit.
From the BBC
An atheist group in the Irish Republic has defied a new blasphemy law by publishing a series of anti-religious quotations on its website. Atheist Ireland says it will fight any action taken against it in court.
The quotations include the words of writers such as Mark Twain and Salman Rushdie, but also Jesus Christ, the Prophet Muhammad and Pope Benedict XVI. The new law makes blasphemy a crime punishable by a fine of up to $35,000.
The quotations include the words of writers such as Mark Twain and Salman Rushdie, but also Jesus Christ, the Prophet Muhammad and Pope Benedict XVI. The new law makes blasphemy a crime punishable by a fine of up to $35,000.
From the AP
Deep in the woods of this colonial town boils a kind of revolutionary movement. From the basement of this middle-class home tucked in the woods west of Boston, The Kominas have helped launched a small, but growing, South Asian and Middle Eastern punk rock movement that is attracting children of Muslim and Hindu immigrants and drawing scorn from some traditional Muslims who say their political, hard-edged music is "haraam," or forbidden.
The movement, an anti-establishment subculture borne of religiously conservative communities, is the subject of two new films and a hot topic on social-networking sites. The artists say they are just trying to reconcile issues such as life in America, women's rights and homosexuality with Islam and old East vs. West cultural clashes.
From USA Today
The Nigerian man charged with trying to destroy a plane on Christmas Day had studied at an Islamic institute in Houston in 2008. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, was in Houston Aug. 1-17 and took classes at the Al Maghrib Institute, said Waleed Basyouni, vice president of the center. Abdulmutallab paid $2,250 for seminars on Islamic manners and history, Basyouni said.
Abdulmutallab's trip coincided with the group's 2008 Ilm Summit. It was a gathering of about 100 people at a hotel, according to the group's website. The organization described the event on its website as "intense morning-to-evening sessions, covering all the basic sciences of Islam, and then some."
Abdulmutallab's trip coincided with the group's 2008 Ilm Summit. It was a gathering of about 100 people at a hotel, according to the group's website. The organization described the event on its website as "intense morning-to-evening sessions, covering all the basic sciences of Islam, and then some."
As a life long atheist - at times an extremely militant atheist - I just don't understand. I do know it's high time to strike low those who would impose their beliefs on anyone, anywhere in any way - including secularists.
01/01/2010
Something stinks in Denmark.
From the BBC
Danish police have shot and wounded a man at the home of Kurt Westergaard, whose cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad sparked an international row. Mr Westergaard was at home in Aarhus when a man broke in and threatened him. He pressed a panic button and police entered the house and shot the man. Danish officials said the intruder was a 28-year-old Somali linked to the radical Islamist al-Shabab militia.
The cartoon, printed in 2005, prompted violent protests the following year. One of 12 cartoons published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten, it depicted the Prophet Muhammad with a bomb in his turban. In 2006 the paper apologised for the cartoons, but other European media reprinted them. Danish embassies were then attacked by Muslims around the world and dozens killed in riots.
Mr Westergaard went into hiding amid threats to his life, but emerged last year saying he wanted to live as normal a life as possible. His house has been heavily fortified and is under close police protection.
The cartoon, printed in 2005, prompted violent protests the following year. One of 12 cartoons published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten, it depicted the Prophet Muhammad with a bomb in his turban. In 2006 the paper apologised for the cartoons, but other European media reprinted them. Danish embassies were then attacked by Muslims around the world and dozens killed in riots.
Mr Westergaard went into hiding amid threats to his life, but emerged last year saying he wanted to live as normal a life as possible. His house has been heavily fortified and is under close police protection.
And then there's this ...
12/27/2009
Fruit of the Boom - underwear for the discriminating radical
From The Independent
With his wealth, privilege and education at one of Britain's leading universities, Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab had the world at his feet - able to choose from a range of futures in which to make his mark on the world. Instead, the son of one of Nigeria's most important figures opted to make his impact in a very different way – by detonating 80g of explosives sewn into his underpants, and trying to destroy a passenger jet as it came in to land at Detroit Airport on Christmas Day.
As he was charged by US authorities last night with attempting to blow up an airliner, a surprising picture emerged of the would-be bomber. Abdulmutallab, 23, had lived a gilded life, and, for the three years he studied in London, he stayed in a £2m flat. He was from a very different background to many of the other al-Qa'ida recruits who opt for martyrdom. The charges were read out to him by US District Judge Paul Borman in a conference room at the medical centre where he is receiving treatment for burns. Agents brought Abdulmutallab, who had a blanket over his lap and was wearing a green hospital robe, into the room in a wheelchair.
Abdulmutallab's father, Umaru, is the former economics minister of Nigeria. He retired earlier this month as the chairman of the First Bank of Nigeria but is still on the boards of several of Nigeria's biggest firms, including Jaiz International, a holding company for the Islamic Bank. The 70-year-old, who was also educated in London, holds the Commander of the Order of the Niger as well as the Italian Order of Merit. Dr Mutallab said he was planning to meet with police in Nigeria last night after realising his son had joined the notorious roster of al-Qa'ida terrorists, and is said to have warned the US authorities about his son's extreme views six months ago.
As he was charged by US authorities last night with attempting to blow up an airliner, a surprising picture emerged of the would-be bomber. Abdulmutallab, 23, had lived a gilded life, and, for the three years he studied in London, he stayed in a £2m flat. He was from a very different background to many of the other al-Qa'ida recruits who opt for martyrdom. The charges were read out to him by US District Judge Paul Borman in a conference room at the medical centre where he is receiving treatment for burns. Agents brought Abdulmutallab, who had a blanket over his lap and was wearing a green hospital robe, into the room in a wheelchair.
Abdulmutallab's father, Umaru, is the former economics minister of Nigeria. He retired earlier this month as the chairman of the First Bank of Nigeria but is still on the boards of several of Nigeria's biggest firms, including Jaiz International, a holding company for the Islamic Bank. The 70-year-old, who was also educated in London, holds the Commander of the Order of the Niger as well as the Italian Order of Merit. Dr Mutallab said he was planning to meet with police in Nigeria last night after realising his son had joined the notorious roster of al-Qa'ida terrorists, and is said to have warned the US authorities about his son's extreme views six months ago.
It is a myth that these Islamic radicals are a product of economic deprivation. The real bad asses are usually from upper middle class families. Why the myth? Two reasons. First and foremost, it validates the Left's hatred of capitalism - it must be the filthy lucre and debauched decadence of the West that's responsible. But there is another more ominous reason - these jihadis come from exactly the same social strata as the leaders of the Left. Progressives. Elites of high birth, wealth, privilege and connections. Just the sort of people advising Barack Obama right now and the others who are currently serving in Congress. The same folks running our colleges and universities. Just like most of Hollywood. They do not want to be cast in the same light as suicide bombers. Their actions belie them. Abdulmutallab at least had the courage of his convictions and was willing to die for his cause. The people of whom I speak are cowards and do their dirty deeds behind closed doors and in the dark of night.
12/26/2009
12/22/2009
Propaganda ... for the children
From Big Government
The Build-A-Bear empire sweeps across nearly every state and into 17 other countries. You’ll find their outlets in shopping malls everywhere and even some ballparks. The company also has a website called Build-A-Bearville.com where children can play an interactive video game that, on it’s surface, is unlikely to raise suspicion or sound alarms. But when your unsuspecting tot logs on and hops a virtual train to the North Pole…you should know that he or she will be informed - by Santa Claus - that Christmas may be canceled this year due to Global Warming.
Excerpt ...
Girl Elf: Santa, it’s gone!
Papa Elf: It’s gone, It’s gone!
Santa: What’s gone?
Girl Elf: Tell ‘em, Dad!
Papa Elf: The North Peak.
Santa: A mountain? A mountain’s gone? How is that possible?
Ella the polar bear: Santa, sir, that’s why I’m here. That’s why we’re here. The ice is melting!
Santa: Yes, my dear, we know, the climate is changing. There’s bound to be a little melting.
Ella: It’s worse than that, Santa, a lot worse! At the rate it’s melting, the North Pole will be gone by Christmas!”
Santa: My, my…all of this gone by next Christmas? I don’t think so.
Ella: No sir, not next Christmas, this Christmas! The day after tomorrow!
12/21/2009
Washing away the years ...
From FoxNews
Pacifica, CA - A crumbling cliff forced residents to grab what they could and flee an apartment building atop a Northern California coastal bluff over fears it could slide into the Pacific. Building officials in Pacifica ordered residents out immediately Thursday morning as large chunks of cliff plunged into the ocean, leaving the 12-unit building just 10 feet from the edge of the wave-battered 50-foot bluff. The evacuation order was issued after part of the cliff, saturated by recent storms, broke off around 5:30 a.m. Thursday, chief building official Doug Rider said.
An initial evacuation deadline of 5 p.m. was moved up as the cliff continued to crumble. Moving trucks filled the street as about 20 frantic residents packed up what belongings they could. "It's been insane. I can't even think," said Amanda O'Connell, 24, a swim teacher in this town of 38,000 about 10 miles south of San Francisco. O'Connell said residents were warned earlier in the week about the deteriorating bluff. She and her boyfriend decided to move some of their larger possessions out early, just in case, she said.
Two nearby buildings also were being monitored but remained stable for the time being, thanks to a wave-deflecting barrier of boulders at the bottom of the bluff, Rider said. The barrier was erected last spring but did not protect the entire beach. The cliff began crumbling before the barrier could be completed. The apartment building's owners have received an emergency permit from the California Coastal Commission to put a barrier in place, Rider said. Work is to begin Friday with a crane lifting boulders over the building down to the beach, he said.
An initial evacuation deadline of 5 p.m. was moved up as the cliff continued to crumble. Moving trucks filled the street as about 20 frantic residents packed up what belongings they could. "It's been insane. I can't even think," said Amanda O'Connell, 24, a swim teacher in this town of 38,000 about 10 miles south of San Francisco. O'Connell said residents were warned earlier in the week about the deteriorating bluff. She and her boyfriend decided to move some of their larger possessions out early, just in case, she said.
Two nearby buildings also were being monitored but remained stable for the time being, thanks to a wave-deflecting barrier of boulders at the bottom of the bluff, Rider said. The barrier was erected last spring but did not protect the entire beach. The cliff began crumbling before the barrier could be completed. The apartment building's owners have received an emergency permit from the California Coastal Commission to put a barrier in place, Rider said. Work is to begin Friday with a crane lifting boulders over the building down to the beach, he said.
The arrow points to where my father once lived. He loved that place. I think my father was a seafaring man in another life - he loved to listen to sea shanties and watch the waves roll in. He was afraid of the open sea - boats in general - but his perch up there in Pacifica got him close enough. He could see the whales migrate and all the shipping channel traffic headed into San Francisco. He even bought a telescope that once belonged to Captain James Cook, who discovered all the good stuff in the Pacific and died at the hands of natives in Hawaii.
My father spent some of the happiest years of his life there and now it is washing away.
Spread the word!
12/20/2009
Ambient Streams & Spurious Signals - A Matter of Focus
From TechCrunch
... The Holy Grail (for the acquisition of personal data) is a filter which only serves up information which is relevant based on who you are, your social graph, what you or your friends are doing now, what you or friends have done before, and in context of other information you are consuming. It needs to be delivered wherever you are and on whatever device or display can deliver the ambient stream: mobile phone, laptop computer, TV, heads-up display in vehicle or inside your glasses.
One only needs look at a teenager today as they do their homework, watch TV, play a game, and chat while watching their Facebook stream to get a sense for humanity’s expanding affinity to consume ambient streams. Their young minds are constanty tuning and adapting to an age of hypertasking .A very useful metaphor is that humanity is constructing its own synthetic sixth sense. An ambient sense that perceives the context of your activity and augments your reality with related information and experiences. Increasingly, we will be sensing the world with this sixth sense and that will change the way we collectively experience the world.
The watershed event is when we will experience this “ambient sense” without being in a retrieval mode i.e. not when we go to the computer or our mobile device to find information but rather as a product of our activity, location, and profile in context with the events and information available to us in a wired world...
The author refers to our collective sensations and writes of this coming paradigm shift - this quantum leap of individual perception and interaction - as though it is inevitable we will all be somehow more closely connected. I suppose that will be true for meta data - the macro lens of our shared experiences. I think, with the coming of this more ubiquitous connectivity, we will also be refining our individual lenses with which we observe and examine the world as it affects us individually.
The homogeneity of information available to the collective is already quite apparent - consider the sameness of media today. There are memes from which there is no escape. The latest viral video, talking point or fad is instantly upon us and served up with plenty of agenda and bias long before it hits our inbox. I know the majority of information consumers will forge their thinking - their action - based on these most uncritical and poorly assembled streams of thought.
But it has always been thus - the masses will dine on the pablum most attractively served regardless of content. That applies to all media. The term 'glossy' is a pejorative to any thinking person - deep or meaningful thoughts are seldom found in glossy packages, but rather in old and dusty pages or fresh scribbles on loose leaves. Critical thinkers will always look further and will with this brave new deluge of data. So the author is correct as to mass consumption, but ignores the power of individual 'filters'.
