1 in 99? Sick, but not shocking.

The amount of people in prison is at an all-time high. This calls for a major reform.

It's about oil.

It's always about oil.

Paul-Bernanke Debate

Face it. Ron Paul is right.

Yep

Big Surge in US producer prices
Need I say more? Anyone keeping up with my economics rants will get the idea.
Greenspan negative on US economy
I don't have much time to talk about anything, plus I'm in class. Maybe I'll do some speculating later. Maybe I'll jump off of a bridge (dam).

Oooh also good news. Self-healing rubber. This is a cool material. I hope we start seeing it in use. Think of the possibilities

Maybe I should rethink this...

I hope you have a trashcan nearby
The answer to your immediate question is "back, nose, shoulder, elbow and foot"

Excuse me maam, i mean sir..... is that you judge?

A federal judge appointee dressed up like a lady and had a few too many gin and tonics and struck a car while driving. I would say what he does on the weekends is his business had it not been on Wednesday.

Just Plain L. Wrong.

"Apparent suicide" my ass.

A little spring cleaning

So I've noticed that a few of our members don't exist and never really have. I am going to delete those names who have had zero to contribute from our list of authors in a few days unless otherwise requested. That doesn't mean our blog isn't open to reading and commenting, you just won't be able to post. These people are (as far as I can tell) niffirgmada, Hilikus, and overt&cautious. So... let me know. Thanks!

Dumb.

The AP strung a story concerning the $4 million investment into an Oxford study, well not even a study, more like a waste of time and money-- no I mean a 3 year research project, seeking an answer to the age old question, "Why does mankind believe in God?"

"The grant to the Ian Ramsey Center for Science and Religion will bring anthropologists, theologians, philosophers and other academics together for three years to study whether belief in a divine being is a basic part of mankind's makeup."

Manikind's makeup... so there must be scientists right? No, no... wait, no scientists. Don't get me wrong I don't completely trust science either, I recognize it as historically a political tool, I'm just as postmodern as the next guy, and I most definitely value anthropology and philosophy over science... but not all disciplines can create experts on innate human impulse.

This is a spectacular way for the rich and educational elites to evaluate the function of their system on the poor or unaware (the religious) by wasting money and brain power.

What could possibly be solved or thought up with this Four Mil? Obviously religion serves a purpose in psychologically supporting people as they trudge through life (because life sucks), but to waste millions hoping to find some greater purpose to a belief in god is like laying a length of rope, untethered, across quick sand and telling one to walk across it (aka worthless).

"One implication that comes from this is that religion is the default position, and atheism is perhaps more in need of explanation," says the center Director.

Fuck off. religon is not a default position. ask an unconditioned 3 year old how he/she feels about "God" and he or she will answer "who?" That quote is simply absurd. ridiculous.
"Now I'm angry."-- crocodile smash game from Chuck E Cheese, which accurately reflects my emotion when talking about religion.

God damn capitalists waste money.

Dammit, I hate reading the news

We are at the mercy of the Federal Reserve Bank... great.
Does no one understand the implications of this? Why is this going on? Propping up the financial system with more manufactured currency will not last forever and will only serve to make the crash even more intense. I'm honestly getting really sketched out at this point. I think I posted about these auctions a bit ago but the scale is unheard of.

Big news

Castro steps down as Cuban Leader
The implications of this are wide. Will the US play a large role in instilling democracy in the country? Will world relations with Cuba improve; will the US reinstate trade with them (YAY Cuban cigars)? Fidel had a really interesting life, worth looking into. The linked documentary was awesome, I watched it a long time ago with a buddy of mine. I'll stop talking about this, because the BBC article does a great job of positing the many probabilities for the future regarding this country.
Also, a big frog

I wish I knew about this before..

Wikileaks, a site where whistleblowers can post documents, was shut down by a California judge. Now we join China and Thailand as the only three countries who ban this site. This is another attempt to protect the privacy of the government, by the people.. for the people?. Forget the conscience. Bush even threatens a veto of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (sort of). It would protect National Security workers, Contractors, and Scientists, three recently politicized jobs, if they leak illegal information. Bush won't have to do that, of course, because a hold has been put on this bill since June.. 

US Investigations into Mind Control Weaponry

This DangerRoom report, titled Nonlethal Weapons could Target Brain, Mimic Schizophrenia, centers around a declassified Pentagon report, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, that displays government research into weapons that utilize microwaves to control or manipulate a human body. The report does not reference any current program, but was drafted in 1998... The waves and techniques researched can make one hear voices only within one's head; a nearby microphone would be impotent to monitor the waves. These waves were also found to be able to incapacitate targets through intense fever and hypothermia (by raising the temperature within one's head 1 degree Celsius).

The DangerRoom report links to a WaPo article that mentions that Kucinich introduced an amendment to a bill that would prohibit "psychotronic weapons," but the amendment was dropped.

You all know by now, but I hate the Fed

Money, Banking, and the Fed
Monopoly Men
There's about 2 hrs of video to watch here, and it backs up a lot of the things I try to explain to people all the time.
Also, read this BBC article about an unprecedented meeting between the US and Iran. I'm out for now.

For China it's sketchy, for us it's safety.

A recent revelation from the Bush white house of plans to shoot down an old spy satellite have raised eyebrows across the world. Read this article if you get a chance, because I remember reading about China shooting down an old satellite about a year ago and Time magazine was highlighting the implications of anti-satellite weaponry. Now, Bush assures the international community that our very same situation is over concerns of "poisonous rocket fuel raining down on the planet". Of course this has nothing to do with our ASAT (anti-satellite) capabilities. Definitely not while China and Russia continue to push for a treaty banning the weaponization of space, which (of course) we oppose. In that same Time magazine, they wrote a scathing article of the effects of space debris caused by such acts. They said that little pellets of metal are orbiting our earth and that more and more junk is blown up up there creating more pellets. These pellets can be as small as sand, but travel fast enough to ruin a satellite or potentially the international space station. Of course the white house claims that if they shoot it just prior to entering the atmosphere it will reduce debris, while the article quotes an expert in this field as saying "[T]here would be only a 1 in 1000 chance of wiping out the [International Space Station]. Great." This is a politically awkward subject internationally, so it will be interesting to see Russia and China's reactions to this.

FISA and burn

After watching the disappointments of the last few weeks surrounding this FISA bill, Keith Olbermann does the best job outlining my thought process -- at least the Bush is a fascist who uses terrorism on his own country part. This new special comment is more proof that Olbermann is in fact a baller, because this is about the 4th or 5th time he has called Bush a fascist. I like the Ted Kennedy quote: "So if we take the President at his word, he's willing to let Americans die to protect the phone companies."

It's strange that we've come so far under this reigme of fear, that a threat coming from our president of an attack so big, it will "bring destruction to our shores that will make September 11 pale by comparison", immediately sets off everybody's bullshit detectors. I have such seething hatred for the people that have driven our country to this position. I feel like it is going to take our lifetime to reverse everything they've done up to this point. Not to mention my new found disdain for Senate Democrats who have repeatedly proven to be as full of shit as their GOP friends. At least there is a three week extension in the House passed by a very slim majority. There is no more need for debate, pass the bill without the immunity and let the President veto. 

H.R.2082

Sec. 302 of H.R. 2082, house bill "Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year 2008" agreed to by Senate:

"The authorization of appropriations by this Act shall not be deemed to constitute authority for the conduct of any intelligence activity which is not otherwise authorized by the Constitution or the laws of the United States."

This provision, included in most intelligence appropriation bills, has become like the British crown... just for show. Legality... Illegality... it doesn't matter to this administration and its congressional cronies. Not that the American people have any more laws protecting their rights. They have been stripped away with Bush's doublespeak and power grabs. I'm not sure if he is dumb enough to believe the insanity that comes out of his mouth, or if he's an evil genius-- the type where you never expect him to be the mastermind, because he's an idiot. This is such shyte, it's as Dodd said when he quoted Nixon:

"When the President does it, it's not illegal."

But now for this administration when the president (and I intentionally lowercase) says/approves it it's not illegal.

"O Captain! My Captain!" (Whitman) --Not my captain. O country! My country!-- I don't recognize her anymore.

2/12 in the Senate: Dodd Amendment Rejected, FISA Approved

For the past few months, as the FISA bill has been on and off the floor, Chris Dodd has been championing an amendment to the bill that calls for striking "provisions providing immunity from civil liability to electronic communication service providers for certain assistance provided to the Government." Without this amendment citizens cannot bring civil lawsuits to the telecommunication companies that supply the government with private information. Beyond the breach of an individual contract privacy clause, the new bill is yet another affront to American civil liberties-- read that Dodd speech, he keeps it real. Democrats have a majority in Congress, but even they do not protect our rights. At least the Senate Democrat leadership voted 'yea' for the amendment and 'nay' for the bill. Not that it really matters, but both Obama and Clinton missed the vote on the bill, but Obama made the amendment vote (voting 'yea').

Dodd Speech

Yesterday, in Senate, Chris Dodd gave a dynomite speech... well it reads like a dynomite speech anyway, I looked through C-SPAN and was unable to procure video, and he's really old so he probably didn't vocalize it as well as it looks on paper (did you know Dodd was on the committee that investigated the Kennedy assassination?-- just a little fact). The topic of the speech= FISA courts.

"We reject the view that the traditional American principles of justice and fair play have no place in our struggle against the enemies of freedom. Moreover, our investigation has established that the targets of intelligence activity have ranged far beyond persons who could properly be characterized as enemies of freedom. .....

We have seen segments of our Government, in their attitudes and action, adopt tactics unworthy of a democracy, and occasionally reminiscent of the tactics of totalitarian regimes."
-Senator Dodd

He also later gives a staggering figure:

"As for the FISA court? Between 1978 and 2004, according to the Washington Post, the FISA Court approved 18,748 warrants and rejected 5. Let me repeat that. The FISA Court, according to the Washington Post, approved 18,748 warrants and rejected 5. The FISA Court has sided with the executive branch 99.9 percent of the time."
-Senator Dodd

That is something I was unaware of. This speech reads well, at least page s868 does (there are quite a few pages). Chris Dodd is the tits.

Vogue

How pissed is Khalid Sheikh Mohammed? All the other suspects get these glamour shots, but the only picture we ever see of KSM is the miserable one when he missed his appointment with his waxer. propoganda... but it doesn't matter. Two even went ahead with their cool 'staches and comb overs. the coolest arab what?

my soundtrack for today is MGMT's "Time to Pretend"

I'll post for real soon.

Why do our poor stay poor?

I want to study this topic more intensively, but to start it off, check out the WSJ and their article on "payday" loan centers. It's just another case of lenders taking advantage of those with low (but stable and guaranteed) incomes by offering them financial freedom when indeed any freedom they might have had goes out the window as soon as they sign the contract.
These lenders are giving out small loans between $200-800 which then must be paid back with these people's limited income. I don't know why these folks think it's a good idea to take out a loan to pay for necessities that is in some cases around 75% of their monthly income. There is NO WAY you are paying that back with a constant but tiny income when interest (up to 300% in many cases) and fees are applied to the initial amount every month. These lenders take advantage of the fact that the government is supplying this steady stream and the fact that they can take control of the person's SS checks, take out their cut, and pass the pennies on to the individual. The cycle of debt for the poor continues.
These lenders are similar to the"rent to own" retailers that allow low income folks to purchase higher cost consumer goods at huge interest paid over an extended period of time. We know that the poor have an unhealthy obsession with material goods, so mustn't we exploit it for our own profit, widening the gap between the rich and the poor?

Whose best interests?

This Washington Post article discusses the recent credit card interest rate hikes experienced by many individuals done in an effort by banking institutions to recoup their recent losses due to the credit crunch and a weakening economy. What we're seeing is increased load on the people of our country to make up for losses incurred by banking corporations when many of us have already taken a hit financially for one reason or another ourselves (often that reason is terribly poor financial planning - the individual's fault for being ignorant in most cases). The Fed's rate cuts in the recent past, amounting to 2.25% since September, are said to be in the interest of our country as a whole. Ideally, lowering interest rates allows individuals and businesses to buy more and to pay less on the purchases they have already made, but when the banks don't pass these rate cuts to the people, and indeed in some cases raise their rates, the people are affected more and the banks are given an opportunity to make up for their lost profits that were due to financial decisions equally foolish to those made by many of our people. Just another example of corporate back-scratching by our government when the powers that be decide to do nothing when it's obvious that the banks are looking out only for their own interests and preserving profits, not the best interest of the people. The article does however mention keeping an eye on the activities of these companies intended on curbing the use of these rate cuts for their sole benefit, but I'm not holding my breath for any real action to be taken or for these "watchdogs" to decide that the banks are in the wrong.

In other news, Keith Olbermann is the mann:

In case you missed it.....

I've found the answer!

I've done a lot of research on world religions in an effort to find out who indeed is the one true God, if one exists. This is something that I think we all struggle with in life, because indeed you cannot see any of the Gods that have been created by most religions and must base your belief on faith. This leap is what is required to be a blind follower of the prevailing myths, but I think I've got it figured out now.
All my research came to a head last night when I discovered the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, the church of the one true God almighty, the benevolent, beneficent, merciful yet wrathful, invisible yet prevalent, made everything yet was somehow not made himself... the Flying Spaghetti Monster! Just look at this chart that comes straight from adherents to the religion, which proves that global warming is indeed not caused by incremental climate change due to a variety of complex scientific factors but instead by decreasing numbers of pirates (FSMs favorite type of person).

Come on guys, this is the only true way. All other ways than the Pastafarian way are morally bankrupt and will get you nothing but eternal damnation in the saucy depths of hell. Have a good day, and for His sake and your own, make the tastier choice.

Eternally serving the one true God almighty, the benevolent, beneficent, merciful yet wrathful, invisible yet prevalent, made everything yet was somehow not made himself...
FSM,
Cory

Human Rights Watch: World Report

The HRW world report was released about a week ago, and is a great way to get brushed up on world events. The US has their own entire section, while the rest of the world is broken into continents (not incontinence).
About the budget, which I won't rant about, there's a good article on Al-Jazeera that puts things into perspective. Why do those in charge think no one will notice things like this? I guess concerns like that are quelled when you come to consider that in the recent past, it doesn't matter whether or not it comes to light.
I'm done for now. By the way, I need something better than pandas, a penny for your thoughts? Don't put your two cents in, I don't give change back.
Have a good one, folks

This one really made me think...

The Autumn of the Multitaskers
I saw this advertised on a "free computer assistance" website (seemingly strange once you read the article) that my mom told me about. It deals with the effect on our brains of multitasking, and discusses the declining value of the things we do on a regular basis. This is partly due to the fact that doing many jobs at once degrades the quality of every single one, "We concentrate on the act of concentration at the expense of whatever it is that we’re supposed to be concentrating on." Also, though, our technologically "advanced" lives have been so flooded with gadgets and activities to do on those gadgets, that we are faced with utter confusion and chaos as to all of the various "worthless" activities, of course with the necessary and fulfilling things trying to squeeze their way in, going on at once.
The author speaks of efficiency, convenience, and mobility as they've been redefined to equate to freedom, when in fact we're becoming only more chained down, only to the very gadgets that were supposed to break us free. (of what?)
I related to everything in this article, and I feel like regardless of the degree to which it applies to you, everyone in our generation should read this. We have grown up in a world much different from any before it, and we don't even know the real effects of it yet.

According to recently released documents, the US government is now officially sensitive to black people

The White House website has updated its parsing for "Blizzack History Month" and will release a statement Thursday officially designating "Izzle-speak" as a foreign language to be taught in high schools across the nation. Interpreters have been recruited for the what is now being called simply the Heezee (be keen to notice no color distinction), and a new office, Ambassanegro (leaked intel points to Whoopie Goldberg as the prime candidate), has been created to facilitate communication between white people in the suburbs and the black folk (all of whom, according to recent reports, reside in jails across the country [phew!])
I'm glad no one reads this blog...

I used to think I was cool for playing paintball, but...

     Look, I know it sounds wrong, but I wish I lived in Iraq so that I could play with guns like these kids.
     This is crazy, we have only seen the beginning of what these militant groups are capable of. A new generation of pissed off Iraqi kids are here now that have seen the evils of our country's occupation firsthand. It'll be easy to aim their hate at whatever is deemed the enemy, whether or not it's entirely justified. Forced, violent occupation of a country can never end well, I'd say, and they're breeding these youngsters to feel nothing but hate and readily accept death in the name of the cause.

---

     More from the middle east, Iran just test launched a missile that is capable of reaching low earth orbit, bringing new skepticism to their nuclear goals. Of course our boy Mahmoud says, "We need to have an active and influential presence in space," but I'd say they're getting ready to move in the direction of surveillance satellites and later, ICBMs capable of taking nukes much farther than they currently can with the Shahab-3 missile.
     Strangely, Russian authorities have been the first to draw attention to the launch, despite their heavy involvement in Iranian military and other affairs. In 2005, Russia launched Iran's first satellite containing "photographic and telecommunications equipment" into space, and negotiated a deal to sell them (and has now presumably delivered) at least 29 Tor M-1 anti-missile systems, among other things. Moscow is also helping Iran to build its nuclear "power station" at Bushehr, which was supposed to have been completed during last year.
     Is Russia playing on both sides? Why not? If there's money to be made (war is a great thing to promote if you're into producing arms, etc.) history has proven that organizations and governments are generally not overly scrupulous about perpetuating atrocity. How do you end war? STOP FUCKING SUPPORTING IT ALL OVER THE WORLD!

Mad, Angry Spanish Beef

It blows my mind that Barcelona can have such a dynomite forward/attacking mid squad and not lead the league. Here's a stat: for the past six matches Barca hasn't scored more than one goal per match. That would be irrelevant if their front didn't have so much quality and depth-- Henry, Ronaldinho, Messi, Eto'o, Gudjonsen. unbelievable. I don't understand this. Real is good... really good, but how does Barca not blow everyone out, if not anything else than for their should-be potent offense. too many stars? I just don't understand.

Special Ed.

"Just as we trust Americans with their own money, we need to earn their trust by spending their tax dollars wisely. Next week, I'll send you a budget that terminates or substantially reduces 151 wasteful or bloated programs, totaling more than $18 billion. The budget that I will submit will keep America on track for a surplus in 2012. American families have to balance their budgets; so should their government." -George W. Bush in his 2008 State of the Union delivery.


"President Bush unveiled a $3.1 trillion budget on Monday that supports sizable increases in military spending to fight the war on terrorism and protects his signature tax cuts. Bush says the plan will keep the U.S. economy growing and protect the U.S. militarily." -AP (via NY Times) 2/4/08.

I'm no math major, but...

Royal Rumble President style

I have a lot more important things to talk about, I just wanted to pose this hypothetical. Lets say that the President is determined by a rumble between one supporter from each side.

Mike Huckabee obviously gets Chuck Norris.

In Ron Paul's corner we have Kane.

Mccain could go with Stallone or Schwarzenegger (personally I would go with Stallone).

Mitt Romney has Donny and Marie Osmond in his corner. I think we can bend the rules for this.

Barack can have Nas... I guess. Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Samual L. Jackson, or Charles Barkley might do a better job.

Clinton has Fiddy Cent in her corner.

Who wins?

Essien Spits Hot Fire

I haven't posted in a while; I haven't been in the mood and still am not, but I am in the mood to talk about Michael Essien, the best footballer in all the land. Number 5 for Chelsea's (underachieving) squad, Essien was nominated for Fifa's player of the year for the third straight year in '07. He's just all around the coolest mid in the game, and one of the best (soon to be the best) on the pitch. Essien keeps it so real. Chealsea FC is the real squad. I love Drogba and don't want him to leave, but we'll get along fine without if in fact he does go to Real for a rip-off deal. We need a better manager. damn. But Chelsea's on like a 6 match winning streak... I think it's six, I could be wrong.