Penheaded
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Frist lies
Thereby establishing his credentials as a Republican presidential candidate.
¶ 8/31/2006 12:33:00 PM 0 comments 
Expensive preservation
Brothers get over six times what they paid for ranch 13 years ago.
¶ 8/31/2006 04:31:00 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
The wiki entry for "Web 2.0 Bubble" will mention Jeff Jarvis
Credit has always been given to Mr. Jarvis for being a smart man; he was an early adapter and has also managed to make a fair amount of money in this rancorous racket. We've also been there to point out some foibles amidst the obvious odor of self-promotion. We no longer feel like a voice in the wilderness.
¶ 8/30/2006 08:57:00 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Heads-up, Malkin
I think this is part of liberal CNN's plot to keep the President's message from being heard.
¶ 8/29/2006 10:39:00 PM 0 comments
Monday, August 28, 2006
Web 2.0 economics to save news?
News organizations can significantly reduce costs through the use of citizen journalists.
¶ 8/28/2006 10:48:00 PM 0 comments
Through the magic of the world wide web,
we find out when somebody in a far-off place does something really goofy.
¶ 8/28/2006 06:30:00 PM 0 comments
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Internet (old) news ain't what it should be
More than a month old; still worth a read.
Now consider what web news would be like if it had the editorial/production values of the cable news networks. ¶ 8/27/2006 03:26:00 PM 0 comments
Now consider what web news would be like if it had the editorial/production values of the cable news networks. ¶ 8/27/2006 03:26:00 PM 0 comments
Saturday, August 26, 2006
AP's FOIA request on Venezuela aid stymied
Thin excuse from BushCo on redactions.
Maybe Chavez isn't just paranoid. ¶ 8/26/2006 07:35:00 PM 0 comments
Maybe Chavez isn't just paranoid. ¶ 8/26/2006 07:35:00 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Althouse in NYTimes
Again, Unclaimed Territory is a great read (except he continues to give that idiot Jeff Goldstein legitimacy by link). Glenn's comment section is also very much part of the blog being worthwhile.
Quoting Prof. Althouse:
"[W]e ought to wonder why a court gets to decide what the law is and not the president. After all, the president has a sworn duty to uphold the Constitution; he has his advisers, and they’ve concluded that the program is legal. Why should the judicial view prevail over the president’s?"
If this is the best of conservative legal thought it is a small wonder we are in the mess we are in.
Update: Glenn also does a much more thorough job on the conflict of interest issue with Judge Taylor. ¶ 8/23/2006 11:30:00 PM 0 comments
Quoting Prof. Althouse:
"[W]e ought to wonder why a court gets to decide what the law is and not the president. After all, the president has a sworn duty to uphold the Constitution; he has his advisers, and they’ve concluded that the program is legal. Why should the judicial view prevail over the president’s?"
If this is the best of conservative legal thought it is a small wonder we are in the mess we are in.
Update: Glenn also does a much more thorough job on the conflict of interest issue with Judge Taylor. ¶ 8/23/2006 11:30:00 PM 0 comments
Really thin claim on Judge Taylor
How did Judge Taylor feel about the donations; did she vote for them as a trustee?
BushCo can appoint judges with memberships in various conservative organizations that fund and support Republican efforts knowing that these judges will be adjudicating on the numerous assaults on our rights that are part of the neocon agenda.
Duck hunting anyone? What's the matter, afraid of getting shot in the face? ¶ 8/23/2006 10:52:00 PM 0 comments
BushCo can appoint judges with memberships in various conservative organizations that fund and support Republican efforts knowing that these judges will be adjudicating on the numerous assaults on our rights that are part of the neocon agenda.
Duck hunting anyone? What's the matter, afraid of getting shot in the face? ¶ 8/23/2006 10:52:00 PM 0 comments
DSL providers charging fee for NSA compliance
That's what it sounds like to me; these unspecified regulatory expenses.
¶ 8/23/2006 07:32:00 PM 0 comments
Read 'em and weep
Hightower compiles a list of statistics on BushCo.
¶ 8/23/2006 07:18:00 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Monday, August 21, 2006
Reversing Judge Taylor's NSA decision
Bashman takes on the question of reversing a trial judge.
¶ 8/21/2006 05:11:00 PM 0 comments
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Hooliganware in China
A small story but worth keeping an eye on Chinese Internet culture.
¶ 8/20/2006 09:12:00 PM 0 comments
Blair 'feels betrayed by Bush on Lebanon'
A bunch of us feel betrayed on a number of issues.
¶ 8/20/2006 09:12:00 PM 0 comments
Better to die with our rights on then to live in your fascist world
When boneheads launch this kind of argument it has to be with a complete lack of an appreciation of the victory we are handing to the "terrorists" by abandoning the protections of our Constitutional law (So as to quickly dispense with the very thin Constitutional justification often used by the right; nowhere in the Constitution does it say that any of the duties of the Executive branch are exempt from review by the Judicial and Legislative branches. That is the very reason for the dynamic of tripartite government).
The FISA law was written by the Legislative branch (and is hence adjudicated by the Judicial branch) because of abuses by the Executive branch of our government. This law was crafted by responsible lawmakers acting as representatives of the people and provides adequate means for the protection of the citizenry. We fought the Evil Empire and won with this law. The Communist Block had means that the "terrorists" can only have in their deranged dreams. The law even provides for an after the fact review when a fast moving situation allows for nothing else. BushCo says they can't even work within that constraint. The only other group of idiots claiming to be beyond earthly review are the mullahs.
Abuses such as these are the more mundane side of the evil of any autocratic system and we've seen far worse historically from our own government: Again, the reason why the law was written. BushCo, and their sycophants, have sought to remove the administration from the reviews and criticisms our democratic system enables. Even now, as our democratic process is working, BushCo is saying that it is producing "victory for the terrorists". It is not a coincidence that they have been largely successful in their efforts to shut down democracy to then find ourselves bamboozled into a war that has turned out to be a miserable morass, the exact opposite of what BushCo said it would be.
Judge Taylor's admonition on monarchy was ably made. People are fallible and even the best of us, when called upon to make these momentous decisions, could use the guiding hand of democracy. Everything in the BushCo record points to the need for more intense scrutiny. ¶ 8/20/2006 11:23:00 AM 0 comments
The FISA law was written by the Legislative branch (and is hence adjudicated by the Judicial branch) because of abuses by the Executive branch of our government. This law was crafted by responsible lawmakers acting as representatives of the people and provides adequate means for the protection of the citizenry. We fought the Evil Empire and won with this law. The Communist Block had means that the "terrorists" can only have in their deranged dreams. The law even provides for an after the fact review when a fast moving situation allows for nothing else. BushCo says they can't even work within that constraint. The only other group of idiots claiming to be beyond earthly review are the mullahs.
Abuses such as these are the more mundane side of the evil of any autocratic system and we've seen far worse historically from our own government: Again, the reason why the law was written. BushCo, and their sycophants, have sought to remove the administration from the reviews and criticisms our democratic system enables. Even now, as our democratic process is working, BushCo is saying that it is producing "victory for the terrorists". It is not a coincidence that they have been largely successful in their efforts to shut down democracy to then find ourselves bamboozled into a war that has turned out to be a miserable morass, the exact opposite of what BushCo said it would be.
Judge Taylor's admonition on monarchy was ably made. People are fallible and even the best of us, when called upon to make these momentous decisions, could use the guiding hand of democracy. Everything in the BushCo record points to the need for more intense scrutiny. ¶ 8/20/2006 11:23:00 AM 0 comments
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Iran on schedule for November elections
We opined on this matter months ago.
¶ 8/19/2006 03:49:00 AM 0 comments
Ain't a shining moment for Digg, but it is classic human behavior
¶ 8/19/2006 03:36:00 AM 0 comments
Friday, August 18, 2006
A strange and not always wonderful world
Probably the best case for giving the fringe thought more than a passing notice.
Those strange and heady times of Col. North being a true patriot by undermining Constitutional mandates are the glorious model for the crew of BushCo. It would seem that anything is possible in that bizarro world. ¶ 8/18/2006 05:31:00 PM 0 comments
Those strange and heady times of Col. North being a true patriot by undermining Constitutional mandates are the glorious model for the crew of BushCo. It would seem that anything is possible in that bizarro world. ¶ 8/18/2006 05:31:00 PM 0 comments
Not even a victory for the terrorists
It has been an extreme irony that our privacy and freedoms are losing out in this so-called fight for democracy. It would be easy to blame this on that other group of religious zealots half way around the world.
The sad fact is, though, that BushCo began the process prior to 9-11-01. Ashcroft was already advising agencies to resist FOIA requests. An expansion of NSA surveillance was already in the works before that attack. ¶ 8/18/2006 03:18:00 AM 0 comments
The sad fact is, though, that BushCo began the process prior to 9-11-01. Ashcroft was already advising agencies to resist FOIA requests. An expansion of NSA surveillance was already in the works before that attack. ¶ 8/18/2006 03:18:00 AM 0 comments
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Thank you, Judge Taylor; Up yours, BushCo
The notion that it can't happen here has recently fallen to the side: Resisted abandoning all faith and hope as long as it seemed prudent.
This is most certainly only the start of the fight but the only recent sign of any hope. ¶ 8/17/2006 04:26:00 PM 0 comments
This is most certainly only the start of the fight but the only recent sign of any hope. ¶ 8/17/2006 04:26:00 PM 0 comments
Monday, August 14, 2006
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Results speak in terrorist investigations
In addition to gaining further intelligence about networks, the protracted surveillance will produce a more grounded legal basis for action. Thereby gaining two things missing from BushCo; respect for the Constitution and a good conviction record.
¶ 8/13/2006 02:48:00 PM 0 comments
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Karma's tail
The prof sounds a little bent. Jeff Goldstein is a vile character (he's visited bringing along all his dysfunctions). They deserve each other.
¶ 8/12/2006 12:09:00 AM 0 comments
Friday, August 11, 2006
Thursday, August 10, 2006
The wrong voice for Israel
A pragmatic (some might say cynical) view of the world seems best. The justifications for the existence of Israel are not based principally on western cultural and religious biases. We weaken our position as peacemaker by allowing any sort of religious motivation or justification as the basis for our diplomatic efforts.
The American left's overly sympathetic view of the Palestinians is no more appropriate: These victims have a history of being willing dupes to corrupt and/or stupid leadership and a bigotry that is easily equal to that of their Jewish neighbors. It would seem rather myopic to address the Palestinian claim to these territories without acknowledging that their exodus from them was largely the result of following the same kind of leadership they have now.
In such a convoluted situation we should appear fair minded and act with the decency of a progressive society. ¶ 8/10/2006 06:34:00 PM 0 comments
The American left's overly sympathetic view of the Palestinians is no more appropriate: These victims have a history of being willing dupes to corrupt and/or stupid leadership and a bigotry that is easily equal to that of their Jewish neighbors. It would seem rather myopic to address the Palestinian claim to these territories without acknowledging that their exodus from them was largely the result of following the same kind of leadership they have now.
In such a convoluted situation we should appear fair minded and act with the decency of a progressive society. ¶ 8/10/2006 06:34:00 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
A worthwhile consideration of blogging and MSM
We feel Jay Rosen is an intelligent man but sometimes just a little too close to the Jeff Jarvis Blog Boosters' Club.
Human intellectual endeavors often become wrapped-up in or consumed by process. On a good day, surveying the fields of academia, publishing or the arts will find at least 80% of the focus on egoistic froth and navel gazing not furtherance of intellectual or cultural enrichment: People are funny like that. Throw in some money for the banality to get downright cutthroat. But nothing in the blogosphere looks like that, right?
There is scant discussion, anywhere, of the meta-details that will matter in the shake-out of blogging and MSM. Once we moved past desktop publishing in this digitally fueled information age, an entirely new dynamic came into play: The filter/aggregator.
We are in agreement with Mr. Rosen in that blogging is an extension of literary traditions. We prefer to think of it more towards the nature of the tumult caused by the appearance of the novel. Nothing new about the idea of a story but damn egotistical for an individual to write one. ¶ 8/08/2006 06:59:00 PM 0 comments
Human intellectual endeavors often become wrapped-up in or consumed by process. On a good day, surveying the fields of academia, publishing or the arts will find at least 80% of the focus on egoistic froth and navel gazing not furtherance of intellectual or cultural enrichment: People are funny like that. Throw in some money for the banality to get downright cutthroat. But nothing in the blogosphere looks like that, right?
There is scant discussion, anywhere, of the meta-details that will matter in the shake-out of blogging and MSM. Once we moved past desktop publishing in this digitally fueled information age, an entirely new dynamic came into play: The filter/aggregator.
We are in agreement with Mr. Rosen in that blogging is an extension of literary traditions. We prefer to think of it more towards the nature of the tumult caused by the appearance of the novel. Nothing new about the idea of a story but damn egotistical for an individual to write one. ¶ 8/08/2006 06:59:00 PM 0 comments
Monday, August 07, 2006
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Albritton's comment on Malkin's writing
"People like Michelle Malkin are full of it and refuse to see anything with even a scintilla of objectivity or fairness. They are not journalists; they are jokes."
He's right. One of the reasons why CBS's Public Eye calling her a serious journalist reveals that site's purpose: Make nice with the right after Rathergate. I about fell off my chair when that appeared on Public Eye. ¶ 8/06/2006 11:51:00 AM 0 comments
He's right. One of the reasons why CBS's Public Eye calling her a serious journalist reveals that site's purpose: Make nice with the right after Rathergate. I about fell off my chair when that appeared on Public Eye. ¶ 8/06/2006 11:51:00 AM 0 comments
Friday, August 04, 2006
Kit Bond introduces an official secrets act
The senator from the state of Missouri, the state that also gave us John Ashcroft, wants to criminalize any further exposure of Repug screw-ups.
¶ 8/04/2006 05:50:00 PM 0 comments
Holy moly, there's fact checking going on
Sharesleuth.com delays first story for an independent to check facts: Lawyer gives them the willies.
¶ 8/04/2006 04:40:00 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
via the idiots at MEMRI
Always trying to find the lighter side of the cosmic charade of religion, this should be put in perspective.
Civilization and society has largely been a forward progression with a few notable back steps. Let's face it, to progressive western society today, a great many Moslems are talking some really barbaric rot. But Islam is a relative newcomer compared to the Judaeo-Christian beliefs of our society.
Just think about what Christians were doing to each other and non-believers 700 years ago. Kinda puts this "clash of civilizations" more into a perspective of the war of pygmies that it is. ¶ 8/01/2006 11:27:00 PM 0 comments
Civilization and society has largely been a forward progression with a few notable back steps. Let's face it, to progressive western society today, a great many Moslems are talking some really barbaric rot. But Islam is a relative newcomer compared to the Judaeo-Christian beliefs of our society.
Just think about what Christians were doing to each other and non-believers 700 years ago. Kinda puts this "clash of civilizations" more into a perspective of the war of pygmies that it is. ¶ 8/01/2006 11:27:00 PM 0 comments
One of our favorite idiots gets a makeover
We visit infrequently so when the link (unlabeled) came up in a scraper we were surprised to see that the crazed gopher look is no more.
Too bad she's still spouting the same idiotic nonsense. ¶ 8/01/2006 11:21:00 PM 0 comments
Too bad she's still spouting the same idiotic nonsense. ¶ 8/01/2006 11:21:00 PM 0 comments
Reallyready.org: because you really can't trust BushCo to help you
Unless, of course, you are making the big political donations.
¶ 8/01/2006 10:37:00 PM 0 comments
Fed's appeal ruling in EFF suit
Their appeal will be heard in the 9th Circuit Federal Appeals Court, probably the most progressive of all.
¶ 8/01/2006 04:23:00 PM 0 comments
