Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
1,000 years on, perils of fake Viking swords are revealed
It must have been an appalling moment when a Viking realised he had paid two cows for a fake designer sword; a clash of blade on blade in battle would have led to his sword, still sharp enough to slice through bone, shattering like glass.
"You really didn't want to have that happen," said Dr Alan Williams, an archaeometallurgist and consultant to the Wallace Collection...
Read more here.
"You really didn't want to have that happen," said Dr Alan Williams, an archaeometallurgist and consultant to the Wallace Collection...
Read more here.
Republicans push up the idiocy bell curve
Chip Saltsman, a former leader of Tennessee Republicans, who is seeking to take over the party's national committee, sent the CD to party members as a Christmas gift. But unlike him, few found it funny.
The ditty, written by Paul Shanklin, a conservative parodist, alludes to an opinion piece penned by the black writer David Ehrenstein in the Los Angeles Times last year headlined “Obama the Magic Negro”...
Read more here.
Government control of the Net: today's lesson
Film-style age ratings could be applied to websites to protect children from harmful and offensive material, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham has said.
Mr Burnham said the government was looking at a number of possible new internet safeguards.
He said some content, such as clips of beheadings, was unacceptable and new standards of decency were needed.
He also plans to negotiate with the US on drawing up international rules for English language websites.
Mr Burnham, a father of three young children, believes internet service providers should offer child-friendly web access.
You know, for all the children...like us.
"The internet is becoming a more and more pervasive entity in all our lives and yet the content standards online are not as clear as we've all been used in traditional media.
Uh oh...
"I think we do need to have a debate now about clearer signposting and labelling online because it can be quite a confusing world, particularly for parents who are trying to ensure their children are only accessing appropriate stuff."
Substitute "governments" and "citizens" for "parents" and "children", and you have a clearer idea of what they're up to.
Read more here.
Mr Burnham said the government was looking at a number of possible new internet safeguards.
He said some content, such as clips of beheadings, was unacceptable and new standards of decency were needed.
He also plans to negotiate with the US on drawing up international rules for English language websites.
Mr Burnham, a father of three young children, believes internet service providers should offer child-friendly web access.
You know, for all the children...like us.
"The internet is becoming a more and more pervasive entity in all our lives and yet the content standards online are not as clear as we've all been used in traditional media.
Uh oh...
"I think we do need to have a debate now about clearer signposting and labelling online because it can be quite a confusing world, particularly for parents who are trying to ensure their children are only accessing appropriate stuff."
Substitute "governments" and "citizens" for "parents" and "children", and you have a clearer idea of what they're up to.
Read more here.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Australia joins the ranks of idiot nations
Yeah, I know, they've been in the running for quite a while.
A proposed Internet filter dubbed the "Great Aussie Firewall" is promising to make Australia one of the strictest Internet regulators among democratic countries.
Consumers, civil-rights activists, engineers, Internet providers and politicians from opposition parties are among the critics of a mandatory Internet filter that would block at least 1,300 Web sites prohibited by the government — mostly child pornography, excessive violence, instructions in crime or drug use and advocacy of terrorism.
Hundreds protested in state capitals earlier this month.
"This is obviously censorship," said Justin Pearson Smith, 29, organizer of protests in Melbourne and an officer of one of a dozen Facebook groups against the filter.
The list of prohibited sites, which the government isn't making public, is arbitrary and not subject to legal scrutiny, Smith said, leaving it to the government or lawmakers to pursue their own online agendas.
Imho, governments have no right to do this..which makes them even more determined to do it.
They'll use the same old tired "kiddie porn" excuse..."Well! If you are against these blocks, you must be an advocate of kiddie porn!"
Yawn...it doesn't dawn on them that people just may not want government censorship.
At the end of the day, governments think the Internet must be controlled...this global free speech experiment has gone on long enough.
Read more here.
A proposed Internet filter dubbed the "Great Aussie Firewall" is promising to make Australia one of the strictest Internet regulators among democratic countries.
Consumers, civil-rights activists, engineers, Internet providers and politicians from opposition parties are among the critics of a mandatory Internet filter that would block at least 1,300 Web sites prohibited by the government — mostly child pornography, excessive violence, instructions in crime or drug use and advocacy of terrorism.
Hundreds protested in state capitals earlier this month.
"This is obviously censorship," said Justin Pearson Smith, 29, organizer of protests in Melbourne and an officer of one of a dozen Facebook groups against the filter.
The list of prohibited sites, which the government isn't making public, is arbitrary and not subject to legal scrutiny, Smith said, leaving it to the government or lawmakers to pursue their own online agendas.
Imho, governments have no right to do this..which makes them even more determined to do it.
They'll use the same old tired "kiddie porn" excuse..."Well! If you are against these blocks, you must be an advocate of kiddie porn!"
Yawn...it doesn't dawn on them that people just may not want government censorship.
At the end of the day, governments think the Internet must be controlled...this global free speech experiment has gone on long enough.
Read more here.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Ex-nazi in drag condemns transsexuals
Ever wish there was a holiday where all the religious leaders of the world shut up for one day.
That would be worth celebrating.
"The celebration of the birth of the Lord is at our doorstep ..." Thus began Pope Benedict XVI in his annual pre-Christmas address to top Vatican officials. But rather than a pro forma holiday wish of good tidings, the pontiff delivered his latest heavy-hitting discourse on everything from ecology to ecumenism, with carefully chosen citations from past Popes and even Friedrich Nietzsche. The topic that most grabbed press attention came about halfway through the 30-minute long address: transsexuals.
Read more here.
That would be worth celebrating.
"The celebration of the birth of the Lord is at our doorstep ..." Thus began Pope Benedict XVI in his annual pre-Christmas address to top Vatican officials. But rather than a pro forma holiday wish of good tidings, the pontiff delivered his latest heavy-hitting discourse on everything from ecology to ecumenism, with carefully chosen citations from past Popes and even Friedrich Nietzsche. The topic that most grabbed press attention came about halfway through the 30-minute long address: transsexuals.
Read more here.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Fuck you Hulu
How can a site that bars all access from outside the United States be called a "web" site?
The award is bullshit.
In the Wild West that is online video, Hulu.com has proven to be a trailblazing answer to how professional content can thrive on the Web.
It's this year's pick for Web site of the year.
Read more here.
The award is bullshit.
In the Wild West that is online video, Hulu.com has proven to be a trailblazing answer to how professional content can thrive on the Web.
It's this year's pick for Web site of the year.
Read more here.
The Right to Food
Vote on Right to Food
The U.N. draft resolution on the right to food (document A/C.3/63/L.42/Rev.1) was approved by a recorded vote of 180 in favour to 1 against, with no abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: United States.
The U.N. draft resolution on the right to food (document A/C.3/63/L.42/Rev.1) was approved by a recorded vote of 180 in favour to 1 against, with no abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: United States.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Hi-tech helps track Santa Claus
As always, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad) will be keeping tabs on Santa and children can follow his progress on Google Earth.
In addition, they can send e-mails to the tracking team or even follow Santa on Twitter.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of a tradition that started by accident in Colorado, in the US.
He'd better not overfly Alaska, Palin will blow him out of the sky.
Read more here.
In addition, they can send e-mails to the tracking team or even follow Santa on Twitter.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of a tradition that started by accident in Colorado, in the US.
He'd better not overfly Alaska, Palin will blow him out of the sky.
Read more here.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Keep digging that hole Rick
Rick Warren's final thoughts to you, you Christianaphobic hater you.
Merry Christmas everybody!
New and Improved! Bigotry for Doctors!
The Bush administration yesterday granted sweeping new protections to health workers who refuse to provide care that violates their personal beliefs, setting off an intense battle over opponents' plans to try to repeal the measure.
Critics began consulting with the incoming Obama administration on strategies to reverse the regulation as quickly as possible while supporters started mobilizing to fight such efforts.
The far-reaching regulation cuts off federal funding for any state or local government, hospital, health plan, clinic or other entity that does not accommodate doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other employees who refuse to participate in care they find ethically, morally or religiously objectionable.
Die Sinner, Die!
Read more here.
Critics began consulting with the incoming Obama administration on strategies to reverse the regulation as quickly as possible while supporters started mobilizing to fight such efforts.
The far-reaching regulation cuts off federal funding for any state or local government, hospital, health plan, clinic or other entity that does not accommodate doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other employees who refuse to participate in care they find ethically, morally or religiously objectionable.
Die Sinner, Die!
Read more here.
Dumb remarks by Pope round out month of international gaybashing
Gay groups and activists have reacted angrily after Pope Benedict XVI said that mankind needed to be saved from a destructive blurring of gender.
Speaking on Monday, Pope Benedict said that saving humanity from homosexual or transsexual behaviour was as important as protecting the environment.
It must be nice to have a group that everyone agrees they can look down on...
Read more here.
Speaking on Monday, Pope Benedict said that saving humanity from homosexual or transsexual behaviour was as important as protecting the environment.
It must be nice to have a group that everyone agrees they can look down on...
Read more here.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
A gift basket of Xmas cheer from the bigots to the gays
Christmas time is a happy time, a time of giving.
And just so the gays know they are not forgotten, the bigots of the world have been extra generous this year!
1) Prop 8 (and other *amendments* in other states), have taken away rights you had (albeit briefly) already.
2) But that's not all, now they want to nullify the existing marriages in California (because they love you, and so does God!).
3) At least you have Inauguration Day to look foreword to, with the uplifting words of Rick Warren...oh yeah right...
4) Well, the U.N. has your back, with a resolution...oh the U.S.A won't sign that either?
Merry Christmas everybody! 2009 will be so much better!
And just so the gays know they are not forgotten, the bigots of the world have been extra generous this year!
1) Prop 8 (and other *amendments* in other states), have taken away rights you had (albeit briefly) already.
2) But that's not all, now they want to nullify the existing marriages in California (because they love you, and so does God!).
3) At least you have Inauguration Day to look foreword to, with the uplifting words of Rick Warren...oh yeah right...
4) Well, the U.N. has your back, with a resolution...oh the U.S.A won't sign that either?
Merry Christmas everybody! 2009 will be so much better!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Prop 8 proponents strike again
These people are in the running for the most spiteful people on Earth:
Sponsors of the California ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage are seeking to nullify thousands of marriages between gay and lesbian couples performed after the state Supreme Court ruled them constitutional.
The sponsors Friday filed responses to three anti-Proposition 8 lawsuits with the state Supreme Court. The briefs also defend Proposition 8 against opponents' legal challenges, including an argument that the amendment needed a constitutional convention to be added to the state's constitution.
"We are confident that the will of the voters and Proposition 8 will ultimately be upheld," said Andrew Pugno, General Counsel for ProtectMarriage.com and the Proposition 8 Legal Defense Fund.
Read more here.
Sponsors of the California ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage are seeking to nullify thousands of marriages between gay and lesbian couples performed after the state Supreme Court ruled them constitutional.
The sponsors Friday filed responses to three anti-Proposition 8 lawsuits with the state Supreme Court. The briefs also defend Proposition 8 against opponents' legal challenges, including an argument that the amendment needed a constitutional convention to be added to the state's constitution.
"We are confident that the will of the voters and Proposition 8 will ultimately be upheld," said Andrew Pugno, General Counsel for ProtectMarriage.com and the Proposition 8 Legal Defense Fund.
Read more here.
Know your enemies
Alone among major Western nations, the United States has refused to sign a declaration presented Thursday at the United Nations calling for worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality.
In all, 66 of the U.N.'s 192 member countries signed the nonbinding declaration _ which backers called a historic step to push the General Assembly to deal more forthrightly with any-gay discrimination. More than 70 U.N. members outlaw homosexuality, and in several of them homosexual acts can be punished by execution.
Co-sponsored by France and the Netherlands, the declaration was signed by all 27 European Union members, as well as Japan, Australia, Mexico and three dozen other countries. There was broad opposition from Muslim nations, and the United States refused to sign
Could it be clearer kids?
Read more here.
Others include "Russia, China, the Roman Catholic Church and members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference"
In all, 66 of the U.N.'s 192 member countries signed the nonbinding declaration _ which backers called a historic step to push the General Assembly to deal more forthrightly with any-gay discrimination. More than 70 U.N. members outlaw homosexuality, and in several of them homosexual acts can be punished by execution.
Co-sponsored by France and the Netherlands, the declaration was signed by all 27 European Union members, as well as Japan, Australia, Mexico and three dozen other countries. There was broad opposition from Muslim nations, and the United States refused to sign
Could it be clearer kids?
Read more here.
Others include "Russia, China, the Roman Catholic Church and members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference"
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Majel Barrett-Roddenberry dies
Read more here.
Majel recently completed reprising her role as the voice of the USS Enterprise for J.J. Abrams’ new Star Trek film.
That at least is good to hear.
Majel recently completed reprising her role as the voice of the USS Enterprise for J.J. Abrams’ new Star Trek film.
That at least is good to hear.
Obama, you are wrong on this
Obama spoke about Rick Warren:
I am fierce advocate for equality for gay and -- well, let me start by talking about my own views. I think it is no secret that I am a fierce advocate for equality for gay and lesbian Americans. It is something I have been consistent on and something I intend to continue to be consistent on during my presidency.
What I've also said is that it is important for America to come together even though we may have disagreements on certain social issues.
Where are the other haters then, the Nazis...the KKK..?
Read more here.
I am fierce advocate for equality for gay and -- well, let me start by talking about my own views. I think it is no secret that I am a fierce advocate for equality for gay and lesbian Americans. It is something I have been consistent on and something I intend to continue to be consistent on during my presidency.
What I've also said is that it is important for America to come together even though we may have disagreements on certain social issues.
Where are the other haters then, the Nazis...the KKK..?
Read more here.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Godzilla and Postwar Japan
University of Kansas Professor William Tsutsui argues that the evolution of Godzilla through dozens of films reflects social and political changes of postwar Japan.
Canadian Idol canceled for 2009
The economic downturn does have some positive benefits...
The faltering economy has now claimed CTV's Canadian Idol, a former competition-crushing ratings juggernaut that the network says will not be produced in 2009.
Citing a less-than-idyllic "economic climate," CTV said last night the amateur singing showcase will take a "rest" for the broadcast year.
One down.
Read more here.
"We were told that it's "resting,'"
No, it's pining for the fjords.
The faltering economy has now claimed CTV's Canadian Idol, a former competition-crushing ratings juggernaut that the network says will not be produced in 2009.
Citing a less-than-idyllic "economic climate," CTV said last night the amateur singing showcase will take a "rest" for the broadcast year.
One down.
Read more here.
"We were told that it's "resting,'"
No, it's pining for the fjords.
Man who threw shoes at Bush proves democracy is a joke
Is there anyone, anywhere who doesn't want this man freed, statues erected in his honour, parades, coin struck....
Except those in power...
The Iraqi television reporter who threw his shoes at President George W. Bush at a news conference appeared before a judge Tuesday and admitted "aggression against a president," a judicial spokesman said.
The television reporter, Muntader al-Zaidi, became an instant sensation when he called Bush a "dog" at a news conference with Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki on Sunday and tried to hit him with both of his shoes.
"Zaidi was brought today before the investigating judge in the presence of a defense lawyer and a prosecutor," said Abdul Satar Birqadr, a spokesman for Iraq's High Judicial Council. "He admits the action he carried out."
Muntader al-Zaidi, the World Salutes You.
Read more here.
Except those in power...
The Iraqi television reporter who threw his shoes at President George W. Bush at a news conference appeared before a judge Tuesday and admitted "aggression against a president," a judicial spokesman said.
The television reporter, Muntader al-Zaidi, became an instant sensation when he called Bush a "dog" at a news conference with Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki on Sunday and tried to hit him with both of his shoes.
"Zaidi was brought today before the investigating judge in the presence of a defense lawyer and a prosecutor," said Abdul Satar Birqadr, a spokesman for Iraq's High Judicial Council. "He admits the action he carried out."
Muntader al-Zaidi, the World Salutes You.
Read more here.
Obama picks bigoted Pastor Rick Warren for inauguration
Obama just went down 5 Hope points.
"This is not a political issue — it is a moral issue that God has spoken clearly about."
Voices, I hear voices...
Read more here.
Discovery of Roman Battlefield Poses Historical Riddle
Archaeologists in Germany say they have found an ancient battlefield strewn with Roman weapons. The find is significant because it indicates that Romans were fighting battles in north Germany at a far later stage than previously assumed.
The wilds of Germany may not have been off-limits to Roman legions, archaeologists announced on Monday. At a press conference in the woods near the town of Kalefeld, about 100 kilometers south of Hanover, researchers announced the discovery of a battlefield strewn with hundreds of Roman artifacts dating from the 3rd century A.D.
Read more here.
The wilds of Germany may not have been off-limits to Roman legions, archaeologists announced on Monday. At a press conference in the woods near the town of Kalefeld, about 100 kilometers south of Hanover, researchers announced the discovery of a battlefield strewn with hundreds of Roman artifacts dating from the 3rd century A.D.
Read more here.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
V.P. Cheney: Unrepentant Torturer
These people disgust me.
Notice no one uses the word "torture".
If there ever are war crimes tribunals for these people...HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA...this piece of video is Exhibit 1.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Google gives heart to middlemen everywhere
You know the middleman, the one that claims their service is absolutely essential, so much so that you have to pay them to get to what you really want...
The celebrated openness of the Internet -- network providers are not supposed to give preferential treatment to any traffic -- is quietly losing powerful defenders.
Google Inc. has approached major cable and phone companies that carry Internet traffic with a proposal to create a fast lane for its own content, according to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. Google has traditionally been one of the loudest advocates of equal network access for all content providers.
At risk is a principle known as network neutrality: Cable and phone companies that operate the data pipelines are supposed to treat all traffic the same -- nobody is supposed to jump the line.
Read more here, while you still can.
The celebrated openness of the Internet -- network providers are not supposed to give preferential treatment to any traffic -- is quietly losing powerful defenders.
Google Inc. has approached major cable and phone companies that carry Internet traffic with a proposal to create a fast lane for its own content, according to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. Google has traditionally been one of the loudest advocates of equal network access for all content providers.
At risk is a principle known as network neutrality: Cable and phone companies that operate the data pipelines are supposed to treat all traffic the same -- nobody is supposed to jump the line.
Read more here, while you still can.
Put a Donk On It
a donk, it seems, is "a pipe/plank-sound... most commonly placed midway between beats, in the same place as hi-hats, but can be put in other places for different effects and such."
Australian Net firms rebuff filtering plan
Fucking governments out there, they'll try anything to control the internet.
Australian government plans to filter net use have been rebuffed by local internet service providers (ISPs).
Telstra, Australia's largest ISP, has said it will not join trials of the filters and others say they will only back a scaled-down system.
The government wants to filter all net traffic and block access to 10,000 sites deemed to hold illegal content.
The initial trials of the filtering technology were due to take place before Christmas.
Read more here.
Australian government plans to filter net use have been rebuffed by local internet service providers (ISPs).
Telstra, Australia's largest ISP, has said it will not join trials of the filters and others say they will only back a scaled-down system.
The government wants to filter all net traffic and block access to 10,000 sites deemed to hold illegal content.
The initial trials of the filtering technology were due to take place before Christmas.
Read more here.
Friday, December 12, 2008
apackof2 of RightMichigan: Unfeeling Bastard of the Day
"They [the U.S. auto makers] could save some $$ by eliminating benefits to partners of same-sex couple. Anyone discussing that??
What an unbelievable c*nt.
Read more here.
What an unbelievable c*nt.
Read more here.
Graeme Hamilton and why Toronto continues to be hated
Graeme Hamilton is obviously very pleased that Montreal has been hit with a big snowstorm. It gives him a chance to defect attention from the moronic move of Toronto in 1999 of calling in the army to clear snow...
Not long ago, Montrealers took a silent pride in their city's snow-clearing prowess. When Toronto famously called in the army to help clear its roads in 1999, people here snickered and thanked God they had not joined the exodus down the 401.
These days, nobody's laughing...
Read more here.
Not long ago, Montrealers took a silent pride in their city's snow-clearing prowess. When Toronto famously called in the army to help clear its roads in 1999, people here snickered and thanked God they had not joined the exodus down the 401.
These days, nobody's laughing...
Read more here.
Oleg Teterin: Idiot of the Day
How much would you pay for a ;-)? A Russian businessman has trademarked the emoticon _ or combination of punctuation marks _ used to convey a wink in text messages and e-mail.
Oleg Teterin, president of the mobile ad company Superfone, said Thursday he doesn't plan on tracking down individual users following the decision by the federal patent agency.
"I want to highlight that this is only directed at corporations, companies that are trying to make a profit without the permission of the trademark holder," he said in comments to NTV.
Companies will be sent legal warnings if they use the symbol without his permission, he said.
"Legal use will be possible after buying an annual license from us," he was quoted by Kommersant as saying. "It won't cost that much _ tens of thousands of dollars."
He also said since other similar emoticons _ :-) or ;) or :) _ resemble the one he has trademarked, use of those symbols could also fall under his ownership.
Asshole. ( ! )
Read more here.
Update:
A Russian news agency says patent authorities deny a businessman's claim that he has trademarked a symbol used widely in e-mail, text and instant messages.
Oleg Teterin said Thursday he had gotten a trademark for ;-) a grouping of punctuation marks that denotes a smiling wink when looked at sideways.
He said he expected corporations to pay thousands of dollars for a license to use the symbol.
The Rospatent federal patent agency tells the RIA-Novosti news agency that the symbol was trademarked only as part of the company's brand and has not been trademarked on its own.
Neither Teterin nor patent officials could be reached for comment late Friday.
Too bad, as the world would love to talk to this moron..
Oleg Teterin, president of the mobile ad company Superfone, said Thursday he doesn't plan on tracking down individual users following the decision by the federal patent agency.
"I want to highlight that this is only directed at corporations, companies that are trying to make a profit without the permission of the trademark holder," he said in comments to NTV.
Companies will be sent legal warnings if they use the symbol without his permission, he said.
"Legal use will be possible after buying an annual license from us," he was quoted by Kommersant as saying. "It won't cost that much _ tens of thousands of dollars."
He also said since other similar emoticons _ :-) or ;) or :) _ resemble the one he has trademarked, use of those symbols could also fall under his ownership.
Asshole. ( ! )
Read more here.
Update:
A Russian news agency says patent authorities deny a businessman's claim that he has trademarked a symbol used widely in e-mail, text and instant messages.
Oleg Teterin said Thursday he had gotten a trademark for ;-) a grouping of punctuation marks that denotes a smiling wink when looked at sideways.
He said he expected corporations to pay thousands of dollars for a license to use the symbol.
The Rospatent federal patent agency tells the RIA-Novosti news agency that the symbol was trademarked only as part of the company's brand and has not been trademarked on its own.
Neither Teterin nor patent officials could be reached for comment late Friday.
Too bad, as the world would love to talk to this moron..
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Richard Dawkins interviews Father George Coyne
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po0ZMfkSNxc
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjjDDhE8R5k
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyyySnUqCug
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eEmnhmAwPM
Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl1xmkVOyRw
Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwDTBW8oxug
Part 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qPHIS3n7Lw
Monday, December 08, 2008
The Day the Earth Stood Still (Reloaded)
I think the remake is unnecessary. If it has to be updated for a contemporary audience it will just be dumber and noisier.
Selling a controversial remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic The Day the Earth Stood Still to a skeptical audience could daunt even a marketing genius like Mad Men's Don Draper.
"Don Draper would probably sell it poorly," said actor Jon Hamm, who plays the ad man in the hit TV series, which is set on the Madison Avenue of the 1960s.
"That's not necessarily his forté, the modern science-fiction epic. He'd rather stick to products in his own time."
The question isn't moot, because Hamm is in the big-budget remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still, which arrives in theatres Friday.
Read more here.
Selling a controversial remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic The Day the Earth Stood Still to a skeptical audience could daunt even a marketing genius like Mad Men's Don Draper.
"Don Draper would probably sell it poorly," said actor Jon Hamm, who plays the ad man in the hit TV series, which is set on the Madison Avenue of the 1960s.
"That's not necessarily his forté, the modern science-fiction epic. He'd rather stick to products in his own time."
The question isn't moot, because Hamm is in the big-budget remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still, which arrives in theatres Friday.
Read more here.
British nanny state decides you can't see this picture
source: Wikipedia
This image is in epic bad taste, but who the fuck is the "Internet Watch Foundation" to be telling us what we can or can not see on such sites such as Wikipedia? They are free to warn against it, to even point it out. But blocking sites is going too far.
A decision by a number of UK internet providers to block a Wikipedia page showing an image of a naked girl has angered users of the popular site.
The blocked page of the online encyclopaedia shows an album cover of German heavy metal band Scorpions, released in 1976.
Internet providers acted after online watchdog the Internet Watch Foundation warned them its picture may be illegal.
The IWF said it was a "potentially illegal child sexual abuse image".
Some volunteers who run Wikipedia said it was not for the foundation to censor one of the web's most popular sites.
The so called "Internet Watch Foundation" is a dangerous precedent, as governments and censors will always use kiddie porn (and terrorism, we mustn't forget terrorism) as the wedge to begin controlling the net.
And controlling the net is a goal of governments world wide. This free speech thing has gone on long enough.
Read more here and here and here.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
No Mob Veto - except for churches of course
The religion bigots in the U.S., the ones that help strip thousands of California citizens of *existing* rights, have come under some criticism...and they don't like it.
I can understand that after centuries of having your own way, of burning and inquisitions and (you get the idea), that this new found freedom of the unwashed masses to talk back...to question (shock) the actions of "any faith, on any side of any cause, for any reason" must be extremely irritating.
So what do you do? Why, take out a full page ad in the New York Times of course.
Read it here.
The whole thing reads like the whining of a bully who is surprised by his victim actually having the nerve to fight back...but they have that covered:
"“Furthermore, beginning today, we commit ourselves to exposing and publicly shaming anyone who resorts to the rhetoric of anti-religious bigotry – against any faith, on any side of any cause, for any reason.”
Good, start here then. The Followers of Odin are pansies*.
*(no actual disrespect is intended to the followers of Odin All Father, who's origins go back as far as Christianity. Odin just didn't have as good PR)
The churches should shut the fuck up and realize this is not the 13th century.
Yet.
Ah, happy days. Confess, Confess!
I can understand that after centuries of having your own way, of burning and inquisitions and (you get the idea), that this new found freedom of the unwashed masses to talk back...to question (shock) the actions of "any faith, on any side of any cause, for any reason" must be extremely irritating.
So what do you do? Why, take out a full page ad in the New York Times of course.
Read it here.
The whole thing reads like the whining of a bully who is surprised by his victim actually having the nerve to fight back...but they have that covered:
"“Furthermore, beginning today, we commit ourselves to exposing and publicly shaming anyone who resorts to the rhetoric of anti-religious bigotry – against any faith, on any side of any cause, for any reason.”
Good, start here then. The Followers of Odin are pansies*.
*(no actual disrespect is intended to the followers of Odin All Father, who's origins go back as far as Christianity. Odin just didn't have as good PR)
The churches should shut the fuck up and realize this is not the 13th century.
Yet.
Ah, happy days. Confess, Confess!
Friday, December 05, 2008
Jury out 13 years, finally convicts O.J.
Boy, that's some deliberation.
A Las Vegas judge sentenced fallen gridiron great O.J. Simpson to at least 15 years in prison for leading an armed confrontation last year at a Las Vegas hotel room over sports memorabilia.
Simpson could become eligible for parole in about nine years. Grimacing, Simpson was escorted from the courtroom in shackles.
If the man's a dick, you must convict.
Read more here.
A Las Vegas judge sentenced fallen gridiron great O.J. Simpson to at least 15 years in prison for leading an armed confrontation last year at a Las Vegas hotel room over sports memorabilia.
Simpson could become eligible for parole in about nine years. Grimacing, Simpson was escorted from the courtroom in shackles.
If the man's a dick, you must convict.
Read more here.
Coldplay are thieves..again
Grammy nominees Coldplay have been sued by rock guitarist Joe Satriani, who claims the band's song Viva La Vida uses one of his riffs.
In court papers filed in Los Angeles on Thursday, he said the song used "substantial original portions" of his 2004 instrumental If I Could Fly.
It couldn't happen to a more horrible band.
Read more here.
In court papers filed in Los Angeles on Thursday, he said the song used "substantial original portions" of his 2004 instrumental If I Could Fly.
It couldn't happen to a more horrible band.
Read more here.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Lord Harper waves his wand
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Thursday took the unprecedented step of seeking the suspension of Parliament so he can avoid being ousted by the opposition next week.
Harper's extreme gambit is the latest development in a constitutional crisis that erupted last week after he tried to cut public financing for political parties, a move that would have hit the opposition parties particularly hard.
Read more here.
Harper's extreme gambit is the latest development in a constitutional crisis that erupted last week after he tried to cut public financing for political parties, a move that would have hit the opposition parties particularly hard.
Read more here.
British DNA database 'breach of rights'
Two British men should not have had their DNA and fingerprints retained by police, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled.
The men's information was held by South Yorkshire Police, although neither was convicted of any offence.
The judgement could have major implications on how DNA records are stored in the UK's national database.
The judges said keeping the information "could not be regarded as necessary in a democratic society".
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she was "disappointed" by the European Court of Human Rights' decision.
Ha, disappointed.
Read more here.
The men's information was held by South Yorkshire Police, although neither was convicted of any offence.
The judgement could have major implications on how DNA records are stored in the UK's national database.
The judges said keeping the information "could not be regarded as necessary in a democratic society".
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she was "disappointed" by the European Court of Human Rights' decision.
Ha, disappointed.
Read more here.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Richard Dawkins and Aubrey Manning
Richard Dawkins sits down with Aubrey Manning to discuss Ethology, their time at Oxford, the state of life on Earth, and more.
See the rest here.
The Vatican's ugly stand on gay rights
The Vatican's permanent observer Archbishop Celestino Migliore has made one of the ugliest statements concerning gay rights in recent times.
The Pope and Co. seem to be against "a proposed U.N. resolution calling on governments worldwide to de-criminalise homosexuality."
[He] said the Vatican opposed the resolution because it would "add new categories of those protected from discrimination" and could lead to reverse discrimination against traditional heterosexual marriage.
"If adopted, they would create new and implacable discriminations," Migliore said. "For example, states which do not recognise same-sex unions as 'matrimony' will be pilloried and made an object of pressure," Migliore said.
So if I read this right, the Vatican is afraid such a resolution would take away some of the power from the murderers and bigots that now have free rain to persecute gay men and woman around the world?
Is that right?
Read more here.
The Pope and Co. seem to be against "a proposed U.N. resolution calling on governments worldwide to de-criminalise homosexuality."
[He] said the Vatican opposed the resolution because it would "add new categories of those protected from discrimination" and could lead to reverse discrimination against traditional heterosexual marriage.
"If adopted, they would create new and implacable discriminations," Migliore said. "For example, states which do not recognise same-sex unions as 'matrimony' will be pilloried and made an object of pressure," Migliore said.
So if I read this right, the Vatican is afraid such a resolution would take away some of the power from the murderers and bigots that now have free rain to persecute gay men and woman around the world?
Is that right?
Read more here.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Dig unearths Stone Age sculptures
Rare artefacts from the late Stone Age have been uncovered in Russia.The site at Zaraysk, 150km south-east of Moscow, has yielded figurines and carvings on mammoth tusks.
The finds also included a cone-shaped object whose function, the authors report in the journal Antiquity, "remains a puzzle".
Read more here.
Pope Benedict shines up the Pradas and kicks ass
Those lazy young people today! Why when Benedict was young he was always out of the house..in the fresh air..marching.
In conclusion Pope Benedict, said today’s younger generations are exposed to a double risk, largely due to the widespread use of new technologies: on one hand, noted Pope Benedict there is a danger that the students capacity for concentration and mental application on a personal level are reduced; on the other hand there is a danger that the students isolate themselves in an increasingly virtual reality.
Read more here.
In conclusion Pope Benedict, said today’s younger generations are exposed to a double risk, largely due to the widespread use of new technologies: on one hand, noted Pope Benedict there is a danger that the students capacity for concentration and mental application on a personal level are reduced; on the other hand there is a danger that the students isolate themselves in an increasingly virtual reality.
Read more here.
Ted Rogers dies at 75
His soul is trying to get to heaven but as he is trying during peak hours, it is being prevented by network throttling...
In the end, Mr. Rogers was master of the communications universe in Canada, the owner of the dominant cable TV system, of radio and television stations, of magazine publishing, residential telephone services and the largest wireless network. He was the rare communications titan to solve the convergence conundrum, combining media content and transmission in a single corporate entity.
That we can not escape.
Read more here.
In the end, Mr. Rogers was master of the communications universe in Canada, the owner of the dominant cable TV system, of radio and television stations, of magazine publishing, residential telephone services and the largest wireless network. He was the rare communications titan to solve the convergence conundrum, combining media content and transmission in a single corporate entity.
That we can not escape.
Read more here.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Are fixed-term contracts 'sleazy?' Koodo responds
They respond with idiocy only marketing people would understand...
So you know, if I was using it in everyday conversation I'd never use the term sleazy or the company would never use the term sleazy, but I think given the context of the Christmas carol you clearly want words that pop out and go - wait, that's not a normal Christmas song, what's going on here? - and so they listen.
Read more here, just don't believe a word of it.
So you know, if I was using it in everyday conversation I'd never use the term sleazy or the company would never use the term sleazy, but I think given the context of the Christmas carol you clearly want words that pop out and go - wait, that's not a normal Christmas song, what's going on here? - and so they listen.
Read more here, just don't believe a word of it.
The Police of Shieldaig: Idiots of the Day
As Lulu Matheson was warming herself by the fire at her remote rural cottage, police and sniffer dogs burst through the door.
The officers were sure that the house was a cannabis factory – and refused to accept that her pot plants weren’t . . . well, pot plants.
Despite protestations by the 79-year-old widow that they were looking at her family’s prized tomato crop, the officers insisted on sending samples of the plants to be analysed.
Apologizing would be out of the question...
Read more here.
The officers were sure that the house was a cannabis factory – and refused to accept that her pot plants weren’t . . . well, pot plants.
Despite protestations by the 79-year-old widow that they were looking at her family’s prized tomato crop, the officers insisted on sending samples of the plants to be analysed.
Apologizing would be out of the question...
Read more here.
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