So... the latest NIE was classified by the Bush Administration. But recent leaks have shown that one of its conclusions was that the war in Iraq has actually strengthened global terrorism.
Uhhh.... durrrrr. You mean an unjustified war against a Muslim nation that's led to complete social chaos for tens of millions and has destabilized the entire Middle East has somehow caused people in the region to further radicalize?! omg! stop the presses!!!
Seriously... this is no shock to anyone who's been paying attention (naturally not you, Fox News watchers). People have been saying for years now that Iraq -- which had never had a significant terror cell operating within its borders before the invasion -- is now a primary training ground for thousands upon thousands of terrorists.
So the NIE contains no real suprises... the difference now is that it's Bush's own people saying this. So here's hoping this actually makes a difference in this fall's elections.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Northwestern Researchers Look for Gay Gene
This is interesting.... Some researchers at Northwestern University (yay Illinois!) are soliciting DNA from 1000 pairs of brothers where one of the 2 is gay. They're looking for evidence of a genetic root for homosexuality.
The Chicago Sun-Times has the full article here: http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/health/72296,CST-NWS-gaygene26.article
What struck me the most was the supposition casually mentioned in the article that current thinking is that homosexuality is 40% genetic and 60% environmental. I've always wondered what the causes are (for obvious selfish reasons), but to be honest any answer is scary. Ultimately, if we can determine a cause... does that mean that we could determine a "cure"? And if there was a cure (setting aside the tangle of moral dilemmas entailed)... what would that mean for our society? At the least, the world would be a much less fabulous (and interesting) place. :(
The Chicago Sun-Times has the full article here: http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/health/72296,CST-NWS-gaygene26.article
What struck me the most was the supposition casually mentioned in the article that current thinking is that homosexuality is 40% genetic and 60% environmental. I've always wondered what the causes are (for obvious selfish reasons), but to be honest any answer is scary. Ultimately, if we can determine a cause... does that mean that we could determine a "cure"? And if there was a cure (setting aside the tangle of moral dilemmas entailed)... what would that mean for our society? At the least, the world would be a much less fabulous (and interesting) place. :(
Friday, September 22, 2006
Trading a feel-up for tech support
OK, this is just way too hilarious. I don't know how this guy could think that what he's asking would *not* seem creepy. How do you bring this up after you finishing fixing the PC?
"Well.... all done here... now, how about them boobs?" I mean, seriously. I think it's hilarious that he posted this, but I really can't imagine anyone seriously taking him up on it. Oh well... he gets a few pts for moxie.
Anyways, it was forwarded from a friend, and is now posted here: http://www.boingboing.net/2006/09/20/man_fixes_pcs_in_exc.html
============================================
I'll Fix Your Computer if You Let Me Feel Your Boobs - 26 (haight ashbury)
Cute/nice IT guy/PC specialist will fix your computer in exchange for a gentle feel of your boobs. I'm a totally non-creepy (really) professional who will repair your hard drive, back up files, install software and peripherals, whatever, for an innocent grope. I have a lot of tech knowledge in my life and regrettably no boobs. Serious inquiries only and thanks.
"Well.... all done here... now, how about them boobs?" I mean, seriously. I think it's hilarious that he posted this, but I really can't imagine anyone seriously taking him up on it. Oh well... he gets a few pts for moxie.
Anyways, it was forwarded from a friend, and is now posted here: http://www.boingboing.net/2006/09/20/man_fixes_pcs_in_exc.html
============================================
I'll Fix Your Computer if You Let Me Feel Your Boobs - 26 (haight ashbury)
Cute/nice IT guy/PC specialist will fix your computer in exchange for a gentle feel of your boobs. I'm a totally non-creepy (really) professional who will repair your hard drive, back up files, install software and peripherals, whatever, for an innocent grope. I have a lot of tech knowledge in my life and regrettably no boobs. Serious inquiries only and thanks.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Hometown Craziness
Check this out... 14-yo girl back home in Wheaton is suing her friend over a missing iPod. What a great story... hehehehe.
http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/23/14-year-old-girl-sues-friend-over-missing-ipod
http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/23/14-year-old-girl-sues-friend-over-missing-ipod
Thursday, September 14, 2006
RIP Ann Richards
Ann Richards died at home last night at the age of 73, after fighting esophageal cancer.
She was one of my personal political heroes... she was so outspoken and honest, and hearing her speak was both inspirational and fun. She was a staunch champion of women and minorities; she represented the best of what Democrats have to offer. She was also one of the first casualties of the lie- and destruction-based campaigning of Bush-Rove, when she lost the Texas governorship to Bush in 1994.
I had always hoped she'd make a political comeback in the future, perhaps as one of Texas' senators. But alas, that wasn't meant to be. :( I expect that she's looking down on us right now, trying to figure out how to make things better for America from up there in heaven.
We'll miss you, Ann.
She was one of my personal political heroes... she was so outspoken and honest, and hearing her speak was both inspirational and fun. She was a staunch champion of women and minorities; she represented the best of what Democrats have to offer. She was also one of the first casualties of the lie- and destruction-based campaigning of Bush-Rove, when she lost the Texas governorship to Bush in 1994.
I had always hoped she'd make a political comeback in the future, perhaps as one of Texas' senators. But alas, that wasn't meant to be. :( I expect that she's looking down on us right now, trying to figure out how to make things better for America from up there in heaven.
We'll miss you, Ann.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Best online magazine ever!!
http://www.burritophile.com/
I mean... it's informative, well-written, and it's about burritos. No other online magazine can stand up to that holy trinity of literary goodness. Game over, man. Game over.
I mean... it's informative, well-written, and it's about burritos. No other online magazine can stand up to that holy trinity of literary goodness. Game over, man. Game over.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Bush goes bush-crazy, normal-sane
Well, who knew. According to the 2 "breaking news" alerts in my inbox from CNN...
"-- ABC News: President Bush to announce that detainees held at secret CIA prisons, including alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, will be transferred to the Department of Defense and granted protection under the Geneva Conventions."
"-- President Bush today acknowledged that U.S. authorities have held suspected terrorists in secret CIA prisons around the world and said information obtained from them "has saved innocent lives.""
Wow... what's the world coming to?!?! You'd almost think he and his party's poll numbers were in the toilet, and there was an election in 2 months!!
"-- ABC News: President Bush to announce that detainees held at secret CIA prisons, including alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, will be transferred to the Department of Defense and granted protection under the Geneva Conventions."
"-- President Bush today acknowledged that U.S. authorities have held suspected terrorists in secret CIA prisons around the world and said information obtained from them "has saved innocent lives.""
Wow... what's the world coming to?!?! You'd almost think he and his party's poll numbers were in the toilet, and there was an election in 2 months!!
Thursday, August 17, 2006
My new favorite Federal Judge!
Yay! A federal court today declared Bush's warrentless wiretapping program unconstitutional. To quote her, she said the program "has undisputedly been implemented without regard to [the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act] ... and obviously in violation of the Fourth Amendment."
Further, she herself quoted the late Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Earl Warren by saying, "Implicit in the term 'national defense' is the notion of defending those values and ideas which set this nation apart ... It would indeed be ironic if, in the name of national defense, we would sanction the subversion of ... those liberties ... which make the defense of the nation worthwhile."
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Thanks again to salon.com's War Room!]
Further, she herself quoted the late Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Earl Warren by saying, "Implicit in the term 'national defense' is the notion of defending those values and ideas which set this nation apart ... It would indeed be ironic if, in the name of national defense, we would sanction the subversion of ... those liberties ... which make the defense of the nation worthwhile."
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Thanks again to salon.com's War Room!]
Politics - K Street Slowly Shifting Towards Dems
I think there's a saying about cockroaches... something about how if you see them all running in a certain direction, you'd better follow cause it's likely a disaster's about to happen. I just read an article on salon.com's War Room that reminds me of this. http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2006/08/17/lobbyist/index.html
Basically, K street lobbying firms are starting to hire more well-connected Democrats. Not only that, but many Republican staffers are starting to look for moves to lobbying jobs, themselves. These moves are a good indication that Washington's expecting a shift of power from the GOP to the Dems.
Where go the cockroaches.... so goes the election....?
Basically, K street lobbying firms are starting to hire more well-connected Democrats. Not only that, but many Republican staffers are starting to look for moves to lobbying jobs, themselves. These moves are a good indication that Washington's expecting a shift of power from the GOP to the Dems.
Where go the cockroaches.... so goes the election....?
Friday, August 11, 2006
Friday, August 04, 2006
Wisconsin's the most average state! Yay!
So in case you hadn't heard, CNN's reported that Wisconsin is the most average state in the Union. Basically, using a set of 12 key statistics (housing costs, education level, etc), Wisconsin site right smack in the center of the 50 states, and thus can be thought of as the most average state in the country. That's pretty interesting.... especially to this former Wisconsinite.
Furthermore, salon.com's reporting that Wisconsin is encountering dueling wedge issues this fall. The GOP is trying to draw out conservatives to vote in November by using an anti-gay-marriage amendment. The wording is apparently backfiring on them, since it's also anti-civil-union, and anti-domestic-partner, etc. Not only that, but the issue of funding stem cell research seems to be drawing out more people on the left than the gay marriage thing is drawing on the right. So it looks like the Dems have a culture battle they're inherently stronger at... good news for November...!
And if the most-average-state thing is true, then perhaps that means that the US in general is sick of the gay marriage distractions, and is ready to focus on issues that actually have a meaning... like stem cell research.
Furthermore, salon.com's reporting that Wisconsin is encountering dueling wedge issues this fall. The GOP is trying to draw out conservatives to vote in November by using an anti-gay-marriage amendment. The wording is apparently backfiring on them, since it's also anti-civil-union, and anti-domestic-partner, etc. Not only that, but the issue of funding stem cell research seems to be drawing out more people on the left than the gay marriage thing is drawing on the right. So it looks like the Dems have a culture battle they're inherently stronger at... good news for November...!
And if the most-average-state thing is true, then perhaps that means that the US in general is sick of the gay marriage distractions, and is ready to focus on issues that actually have a meaning... like stem cell research.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Politics -- Blunt Determined to Destroy the World
Still looking for reasons to vote against the GOP this fall? Try this one, from salon.com:
==============================================
Blunt vows a freeze on global warming fight
As much of the country continued to fry under triple-digit temperatures Wednesday, including citizens of the Midwest, one prominent Missourian dropped some icy attitude on the issue of global warming. Citing the publication Energy and Environment Daily, Judd Legum of Think Progress shares the bright news that House Majority Whip Roy Blunt has vowed to put a stop to any action on global warming for the entire 110th Congress if Republicans remain in control after the November elections. “I think the information is not adequate yet for us to do anything meaningful,” Blunt said. Legum reminds him that "thousands of scientists have agreed that global warming is real, humans are responsible for much of it and, unless steps are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there will be extremely serious consequences."
-- Mark Follman
==============================================
Blunt vows a freeze on global warming fight
As much of the country continued to fry under triple-digit temperatures Wednesday, including citizens of the Midwest, one prominent Missourian dropped some icy attitude on the issue of global warming. Citing the publication Energy and Environment Daily, Judd Legum of Think Progress shares the bright news that House Majority Whip Roy Blunt has vowed to put a stop to any action on global warming for the entire 110th Congress if Republicans remain in control after the November elections. “I think the information is not adequate yet for us to do anything meaningful,” Blunt said. Legum reminds him that "thousands of scientists have agreed that global warming is real, humans are responsible for much of it and, unless steps are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there will be extremely serious consequences."
-- Mark Follman
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
