"The most practical kind of politics is the politics of decency." -- Theodore Roosevelt
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
How The Internet Is Telling Us What We Want
May 3rd, 2011
Meet Eli Pariser of TED. The following is a presentation from a recent TED Talk in which he demonstrates how many of the sites we use most on the internet are editing what we see without our knowledge. In everything from search engines to social networks, algorithms are selecting out certain information based on past use in the name of "personalization." His examination of different Google Search results across multiple users during the Tahrir Square demonstrations is a bit chilling.
Meet Eli Pariser of TED. The following is a presentation from a recent TED Talk in which he demonstrates how many of the sites we use most on the internet are editing what we see without our knowledge. In everything from search engines to social networks, algorithms are selecting out certain information based on past use in the name of "personalization." His examination of different Google Search results across multiple users during the Tahrir Square demonstrations is a bit chilling.
It Mattered To Us...
May 3rd, 2011
by F. Grey Parker
The news of Osama Bin Laden's death at the hands of U.S. Forces operating deep inside Pakistan may well define us in a way matched only by a certain bad September day nearly 10 years ago.
by F. Grey Parker
The news of Osama Bin Laden's death at the hands of U.S. Forces operating deep inside Pakistan may well define us in a way matched only by a certain bad September day nearly 10 years ago.
Quote Of The Day
May 3rd, 2011
"It is a sin to believe evil of others, but it is seldom a mistake." -- H. L. Mencken
Monday, May 2, 2011
Serious Business
May 2nd, 2011
These are the faces of the administration while watching the operation to get Bin Laden unfold live from a world away. Powerful stuff.
These are the faces of the administration while watching the operation to get Bin Laden unfold live from a world away. Powerful stuff.
"Birthers" are out, "Deathers" are in...
May 2nd, 2011
I write this reluctantly. That is because it is more painfully stupid than anything I have encountered in my adult life.
It took less than 24 hours after the announcement of the decade for the crap to get deeper. Yes, there is a crazy beyond the "birthers." They are already called the "deathers."
They believe that President Barack Obama is clever enough to get every active member of CENTCOM and JSOC to participate in a vast conspiracy to fake a military operation resulting in the death of Osama Bin Laden but not clever enough to have perpetrated it prior to the 2010 election.
Pardon the interwebphemism, but FACEPALM.
The un-Official Obama Statement
May 2nd, 2011
You've probably already seen this. It has certainly gone viral. I figured I'd post it anyway.
You've probably already seen this. It has certainly gone viral. I figured I'd post it anyway.
Quote Of The Day - Here And Now Edition
May 2nd, 2011
In response to some of the not only dubious but outright vile claims being made by Keep America Safe among others.
"One would think that if so-called “enhanced interrogations” provided the magic silver bullet, and if the courier was a protégé of K.S.M.’s, then the C.I.A. might have wrapped this up back in 2003, while they were waterboarding the 9/11 mastermind a hundred and eighty-three times." -- Jane Mayer writing for the New Yorker
In response to some of the not only dubious but outright vile claims being made by Keep America Safe among others.
"One would think that if so-called “enhanced interrogations” provided the magic silver bullet, and if the courier was a protégé of K.S.M.’s, then the C.I.A. might have wrapped this up back in 2003, while they were waterboarding the 9/11 mastermind a hundred and eighty-three times." -- Jane Mayer writing for the New Yorker
It Was Time Travel
May 2nd, 2011
Satire
The successful elimination of the terrorist Osama Bin Laden by the Obama Administration was just the beginning. There was another bombshell announcement from Washington this afternoon. It was revealed that early this morning President Barack Obama ordered the use of previously secret technology to send former President George W. Bush back in time to give a message of hope to the troops
and Bush himself one more chance.
Papers from the period in 2003 to which he was temporarily returned show that W, true to form, got the message a little wrong. Having taken along the MISSION ACCOMPLISHED banner Secretary Clinton had made yesterday rather than the WE WILL GET BIN LADEN banner he was supposed to display, years of hilarity ensued.
Referring to the WE WILL GET BIN LADEN banner left behind by the former President, President Obama is rumored to have muttered, "What the hell am I supposed to do with this?" When asked if perhaps the former President might be sent back to the past a second time to attempt to undo the damage, President Obama reportedly burst into hysterical laughter which subsided quickly before his asking, "you weren't serious, right? I mean, I try and throw the guy a bone once and look what happens."
Satire
and Bush himself one more chance.
Papers from the period in 2003 to which he was temporarily returned show that W, true to form, got the message a little wrong. Having taken along the MISSION ACCOMPLISHED banner Secretary Clinton had made yesterday rather than the WE WILL GET BIN LADEN banner he was supposed to display, years of hilarity ensued.
Referring to the WE WILL GET BIN LADEN banner left behind by the former President, President Obama is rumored to have muttered, "What the hell am I supposed to do with this?" When asked if perhaps the former President might be sent back to the past a second time to attempt to undo the damage, President Obama reportedly burst into hysterical laughter which subsided quickly before his asking, "you weren't serious, right? I mean, I try and throw the guy a bone once and look what happens."
Epic Fox Fail 2
May 2nd, 2011
Seriously. This stuff only seems to happen on channels tha have anything to do with the Murdoch Device. This one is a doozy.
Seriously. This stuff only seems to happen on channels tha have anything to do with the Murdoch Device. This one is a doozy.
The President's Statement - Complete Transcript
May 2nd, 2011
The following is the complete transcript of President Obama's announcement last night that U.S. forces had killed Osama Bin Laden. The roughly nine minute statement began at 11:35 pm EDT.
"Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.
The following is the complete transcript of President Obama's announcement last night that U.S. forces had killed Osama Bin Laden. The roughly nine minute statement began at 11:35 pm EDT.
Sabres Rattle
May 2nd, 2011
The Taliban responds predictably to news of Osama Bin Laden's death. From Agence France-Presse via RawStory:
"PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AFP) – Pakistan's main Taliban faction on Monday threatened to attack Pakistan and the United States after the US confirmed that Osama bin Laden had been killed near the Pakistani capital.
"If he has been martyred, we will avenge his death and launch attacks against American and Pakistani governments and their security forces," spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan told AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location.
"These people are in fact the enemies of Islam," he added.
The Taliban spokesman said the militia had not itself managed to confirm bin Laden's death, which was announced by US President Barack Obama.
"If he has become a martyr, it is a great victory for us because martyrdom is the aim of all of us."
Let us all be clear. Bin Laden died cowering behind one of his sons and a woman he used as a human shield. This was no act of self sacrifice. This had no bravery. This is an important distinction.
The Taliban responds predictably to news of Osama Bin Laden's death. From Agence France-Presse via RawStory:
"PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AFP) – Pakistan's main Taliban faction on Monday threatened to attack Pakistan and the United States after the US confirmed that Osama bin Laden had been killed near the Pakistani capital.
"If he has been martyred, we will avenge his death and launch attacks against American and Pakistani governments and their security forces," spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan told AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location.
"These people are in fact the enemies of Islam," he added.
The Taliban spokesman said the militia had not itself managed to confirm bin Laden's death, which was announced by US President Barack Obama.
"If he has become a martyr, it is a great victory for us because martyrdom is the aim of all of us."
Let us all be clear. Bin Laden died cowering behind one of his sons and a woman he used as a human shield. This was no act of self sacrifice. This had no bravery. This is an important distinction.
Far From A Cave
May 2nd, 2011
by F. Grey Parker
For some time there have been reports and rumors that Osama Bin Laden was not living in the rugged frontier that divides Afghanistan and Pakistan. Just how luxuriant his compound and hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan actually was now becomes clear.
by F. Grey Parker
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| Photo Source Global Grind |
Quote Of The Day
May 2nd, 2011
Osama Bin Laden was evil. Period.
Osama Bin Laden was evil. Period.
 |
| photo © copyright AP 2011 |
"The function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil." -- Cicero
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Bin Laden Dead
May 1st, 2011
Osama Bin Laden is dead. We can and will parse this and reflect on the nearly decade long state of war that has consumed us. For now, let us just take some strength from knowing a true enemy of humanity is no longer amongst us.
Osama Bin Laden is dead. We can and will parse this and reflect on the nearly decade long state of war that has consumed us. For now, let us just take some strength from knowing a true enemy of humanity is no longer amongst us.
Quote Of The Day - May Day Edition
May 1st, 2011
"With all their faults, trade-unions have done more for humanity than any other organization of men that ever existed. They have done more for decency, for honesty, for education, for the betterment of the race, for the developing of character in man, than any other association of men." -- Clarence Darrow
Quote Of The Day
May 1st, 2011
"Death is a very dull, dreary affair, and my advice to you is to have nothing whatsoever to do with it" -- W. Somerset Maugham
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