|
|
Saturday, April 29, 2006Mexico Votes to Decriminalize Some DrugsNow I guess that wall will be used to keep junkies like Rush Limbaugh in the U.S. instead of Mexicans out.
MEXICO CITY - Mexicans would be allowed to possess small amounts of cocaine, heroin, even ecstasy for their personal use under a bill approved by lawmakers that some worry could prove to be a lure to young Americans.
The bill now only needs President Vicente Fox's signature to become law and that does not appear to be an obstacle. His office said that decriminalizing drugs will free up police to focus on major dealers. "This law gives police and prosecutors better legal tools to combat drug crimes that do so much damage to our youth and children," said Fox's spokesman, Ruben Aguilar. Mexico Votes to Decriminalize Some DrugsNow I guess that wall will be used to keep junkies like Rush Limbaugh in the U.S. instead of Mexicans out.
MEXICO CITY - Mexicans would be allowed to possess small amounts of cocaine, heroin, even ecstasy for their personal use under a bill approved by lawmakers that some worry could prove to be a lure to young Americans.
The bill now only needs President Vicente Fox's signature to become law and that does not appear to be an obstacle. His office said that decriminalizing drugs will free up police to focus on major dealers. "This law gives police and prosecutors better legal tools to combat drug crimes that do so much damage to our youth and children," said Fox's spokesman, Ruben Aguilar. Friday, April 28, 2006Trading Bibles for PornGreat idea!
SAN ANTONIO — A group of atheists at the University of Texas at San Antonio is putting a novel twist on the toys-for-guns programs run by many urban police departments. But instead of toys, they are handing out porn in exchange for bibles.
“We consider the bible to be a very negative force in the history of the world,” student Ryan Walker said. Walker is part of a student group that calls itself the Atheist Agenda. Club members this week posted fliers promoting what they call the “Smut for Smut” campaign then set up a table in the student union to collect religious materials and pass out adult magazines such as Black Label and Playboy. Trading Bibles for PornGreat idea!
SAN ANTONIO — A group of atheists at the University of Texas at San Antonio is putting a novel twist on the toys-for-guns programs run by many urban police departments. But instead of toys, they are handing out porn in exchange for bibles.
“We consider the bible to be a very negative force in the history of the world,” student Ryan Walker said. Walker is part of a student group that calls itself the Atheist Agenda. Club members this week posted fliers promoting what they call the “Smut for Smut” campaign then set up a table in the student union to collect religious materials and pass out adult magazines such as Black Label and Playboy. Praying for Lower Gas PricesGood news everybody!
WASHINGTON, April 26 (UPI) -- A U.S. Christian group has grown tired of escalating gasoline prices and is set to stage a national prayer rally to lower the numbers at the pumps.
(via J-Walk)Various Christian clergy from around the country will convene around a Washington, D.C., gas station Thursday at noon to pray. For those who can't attend, a live Internet site and toll-free prayer line have been established. In a release, the Pray Live group said many people are "overlooking the power of prayer when it comes to resolving this energy crisis." Apart from sending a message to God, the rally had a message for humanity, said Wenda Royster, the group's founder. "It is our hope that seeing and hearing some of the nation's most powerful preachers gathered around a gas station and the United States capital as a backdrop, will remind everyone who is really in charge of our world -- God," Royster said. Praying for Lower Gas PricesGood news everybody!
WASHINGTON, April 26 (UPI) -- A U.S. Christian group has grown tired of escalating gasoline prices and is set to stage a national prayer rally to lower the numbers at the pumps.
(via J-Walk)Various Christian clergy from around the country will convene around a Washington, D.C., gas station Thursday at noon to pray. For those who can't attend, a live Internet site and toll-free prayer line have been established. In a release, the Pray Live group said many people are "overlooking the power of prayer when it comes to resolving this energy crisis." Apart from sending a message to God, the rally had a message for humanity, said Wenda Royster, the group's founder. "It is our hope that seeing and hearing some of the nation's most powerful preachers gathered around a gas station and the United States capital as a backdrop, will remind everyone who is really in charge of our world -- God," Royster said. Wine to Pair With Popcorn and Pretzels
The Chicago Tribune asked local food and wine experts what their pairing recommendations would be for snack foods like tortilla chips, popcorn, and crackers. After getting over the initial shock of not being laughed right out of the cellar, try these suggestions yourself:
Wine to Pair With Popcorn and Pretzels
The Chicago Tribune asked local food and wine experts what their pairing recommendations would be for snack foods like tortilla chips, popcorn, and crackers. After getting over the initial shock of not being laughed right out of the cellar, try these suggestions yourself:
Animals in Space We've covered dogs and monkeys being launched into space but I didn't know that France had launched cats into space.
France launched a black and white stray tomcat of the Paris streets on October 18, 1963, on Veronique AGI sounding rocket No. 47 from the Hammaguir test range in Algeria. Was it a male named Felix. Or a female named Felicette? Whichever, it was the first cat in space as the capsule in the rocket's nose cone separated at 120 miles altitude and descended by parachute. Electrodes in the cat's brain transmitted neurological impulses to a ground station. The cat was recovered. Another cat flight on October 24, 1963, failed and was not recovered. Flights were directed by France's Centre d'Enseignement et de Recherches de Medecine Aeronautique (CERMA).
Wikipedia has a great entry about animals being sent into space.
The first animals intentionally sent into space were fruit flies which were sent along with corn seeds aboard a U.S.-launched V2 rocket in mid July, 1946. The purpose of the experiment was to explore the effects of radiation exposure at high altitudes. Some further V2 missions carried biological samples including moss.
(Thanks to PVC for the cat link)Albert II in a U.S. launched V2 became the first monkey in space on June 14, 1949 (after the failure of the original Albert's mission). Albert II died on impact after a parachute failure Animals in SpaceWe've covered dogs and monkeys being launched into space but I didn't know that France had launched cats into space.
France launched a black and white stray tomcat of the Paris streets on October 18, 1963, on Veronique AGI sounding rocket No. 47 from the Hammaguir test range in Algeria. Was it a male named Felix. Or a female named Felicette? Whichever, it was the first cat in space as the capsule in the rocket's nose cone separated at 120 miles altitude and descended by parachute. Electrodes in the cat's brain transmitted neurological impulses to a ground station. The cat was recovered. Another cat flight on October 24, 1963, failed and was not recovered. Flights were directed by France's Centre d'Enseignement et de Recherches de Medecine Aeronautique (CERMA).
Wikipedia has a great entry about animals being sent into space.
The first animals intentionally sent into space were fruit flies which were sent along with corn seeds aboard a U.S.-launched V2 rocket in mid July, 1946. The purpose of the experiment was to explore the effects of radiation exposure at high altitudes. Some further V2 missions carried biological samples including moss.
(Thanks to PVC for the cat link)Albert II in a U.S. launched V2 became the first monkey in space on June 14, 1949 (after the failure of the original Albert's mission). Albert II died on impact after a parachute failure Thursday, April 27, 2006Treaties Between the United States and Native AmericansFrom 1778 to 1868. It doesn't say which treaties were broken, or perhaps I should say, when each treaty was broken.Treaties Between the United States and Native AmericansFrom 1778 to 1868. It doesn't say which treaties were broken, or perhaps I should say, when each treaty was broken.Jack Bauer vs. Chuck NorrisVote for who you think will win in a fight of good vs. good.Me and Mrs. Cynical just recently started getting into 24 and rented the first few seasons. We are up to Season three at the moment and I am wondering if Kim Bauer is the biggest jinx in the history of television. She makes Cousin Oliver from the Brady Bunch seem like a winner. How does anybody get kidnapped six times in one day? At one point she gets kidnapped from her kidnappers by an entirely different set of kidnappers. And in those rare instances that she isn't being held by gunpoint or inadvertently getting people around her killed or mutilated, she is spouting opinions that are consistently wrong. I thought CTU hiring her in Season 3 was a stroke of genius if the plan was that CTU would ask for her opinions and then do the exact opposite of whatever her gut was telling her at the time. Then again, I guess if she exhibited any common sense they would have to call the show 2 so I guess I really have no point. Jack Bauer vs. Chuck NorrisVote for who you think will win in a fight of good vs. good.Me and Mrs. Cynical just recently started getting into 24 and rented the first few seasons. We are up to Season three at the moment and I am wondering if Kim Bauer is the biggest jinx in the history of television. She makes Cousin Oliver from the Brady Bunch seem like a winner. How does anybody get kidnapped six times in one day? At one point she gets kidnapped from her kidnappers by an entirely different set of kidnappers. And in those rare instances that she isn't being held by gunpoint or inadvertently getting people around her killed or mutilated, she is spouting opinions that are consistently wrong. I thought CTU hiring her in Season 3 was a stroke of genius if the plan was that CTU would ask for her opinions and then do the exact opposite of whatever her gut was telling her at the time. Then again, I guess if she exhibited any common sense they would have to call the show 2 so I guess I really have no point. Pictures of a Soviet Underground Submarine Base
Almost the entire population of Balaklava at the time worked at the Base, even family members could not visit the town of Balaklava without good reason and identification. The base remained operational after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 until 1993 when the decommissioning process started and the warheads and low yield torpedos were removed. Then in 1996 the last Russian Submarine left the Base, and now you can go on Guided tours round the Cannel System, Base and small Museum, which is now housed in the old weapons stowage hangers deep inside the hillside.
Pictures of a Soviet Underground Submarine Base
Almost the entire population of Balaklava at the time worked at the Base, even family members could not visit the town of Balaklava without good reason and identification. The base remained operational after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 until 1993 when the decommissioning process started and the warheads and low yield torpedos were removed. Then in 1996 the last Russian Submarine left the Base, and now you can go on Guided tours round the Cannel System, Base and small Museum, which is now housed in the old weapons stowage hangers deep inside the hillside.
Illustrations of Flying Machines Before 1893 Gotta love the flapping wings attempts. (via The Proceedings of the Athanasius Kircher Society) Illustrations of Flying Machines Before 1893Gotta love the flapping wings attempts. (via The Proceedings of the Athanasius Kircher Society) Wednesday, April 26, 2006Train RageThere are a variety of different ways to start off a morning. Some people go for a jog while others opt for ingesting caffeine, usually in the form of coffee. This morning, I got my day started by being assaulted.I work in Cambridge but the Cynical-C Mansion is located a few miles away so I take the commuter train in every morning (my building doesn't have a helipad...yet). I got on the train today as I would any other day when I felt a hard shove from behind. I looked back to see what happened and some guy was screaming that I had cut him off. I immediately went into commuter defense mode which is to pretend nothing unusual happened and keep walking. This is usually the best way to handle anybody who has started exhibiting erratic or aggressive behavior on the train/subway. It failed me this time. He punched me in the back of the neck as I was walking away and kept yelling unintelligibly as his wife/girlfriend/handler jumped into the fray to pull him away and most likely give him another dose of thorazine. I was shocked more than anything else at being punched in the back of the neck in front of a trainload of people and the incident was witnessed by the conductor who promptly called the police. The train was held up for about twenty minutes while we waited for the police to arrive. I then had to identify the assailant and give a statement. The conductor had witnessed the incident so the police didn't ask if I wanted to press charges but just arrested him. I got back on the train and headed off to work. I've been talking to people about this all day and getting a million different opinions on what they would have done if they were in my position. Some people say they would have hit him back but if I had to do it over again I think I would have reacted the same way. I was a bit bigger than him (He was about 5'9 and skinny and I'm 6 ft, 215lbs, none of it muscle) so I didn't feel physically intimidated even though he did hit me as I was walking away. I remember at the time realizing that I had several witnesses who had seen him hitting me and wanted them to remember that picture if they were questioned by the police. If he had taken a less cowardly approach and attacked me from the front then I probably would have been forced to defend myself. And what would you have done? (Yes, you!) Train RageThere are a variety of different ways to start off a morning. Some people go for a jog while others opt for ingesting caffeine, usually in the form of coffee. This morning, I got my day started by being assaulted.I work in Cambridge but the Cynical-C Mansion is located a few miles away so I take the commuter train in every morning (my building doesn't have a helipad...yet). I got on the train today as I would any other day when I felt a hard shove from behind. I looked back to see what happened and some guy was screaming that I had cut him off. I immediately went into commuter defense mode which is to pretend nothing unusual happened and keep walking. This is usually the best way to handle anybody who has started exhibiting erratic or aggressive behavior on the train/subway. It failed me this time. He punched me in the back of the neck as I was walking away and kept yelling unintelligibly as his wife/girlfriend/handler jumped into the fray to pull him away and most likely give him another dose of thorazine. I was shocked more than anything else at being punched in the back of the neck in front of a trainload of people and the incident was witnessed by the conductor who promptly called the police. The train was held up for about twenty minutes while we waited for the police to arrive. I then had to identify the assailant and give a statement. The conductor had witnessed the incident so the police didn't ask if I wanted to press charges but just arrested him. I got back on the train and headed off to work. I've been talking to people about this all day and getting a million different opinions on what they would have done if they were in my position. Some people say they would have hit him back but if I had to do it over again I think I would have reacted the same way. I was a bit bigger than him (He was about 5'9 and skinny and I'm 6 ft, 215lbs, none of it muscle) so I didn't feel physically intimidated even though he did hit me as I was walking away. I remember at the time realizing that I had several witnesses who had seen him hitting me and wanted them to remember that picture if they were questioned by the police. If he had taken a less cowardly approach and attacked me from the front then I probably would have been forced to defend myself. And what would you have done? (Yes, you!) Ham the Chimp
America's first astronaut.
Ham, also known as Ham the Chimp and Ham the Astrochimp was the first higher primate launched into outer space.
More photos of early Mercury with plenty of monkey astronauts can be found here.In December 1960 the 44-month old chimpanzee was trained to do simple tasks in response to electric lights and sounds, with response being timed. On January 31, 1961, Ham was secured in a Project Mercury capsule labeled MR-2 and launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida into outer space. The capsule suffered a partial loss of pressure during the flight, but Ham's space suit prevented him from suffering any harm. During the flight Ham had to push a lever within five seconds of seeing a flashing blue light; as per pre-flight training, failure would result in an application of negative reinforcement in the form of an electric shock to the soles of his feet. Ham's performance in space was only a fraction of a second slower than on Earth, demonstrating that tasks could be performed in space. Ham's capsule splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean and was recovered by a rescue ship later that day. (Thanks PVC) Ham the Chimp
America's first astronaut.
Ham, also known as Ham the Chimp and Ham the Astrochimp was the first higher primate launched into outer space.
More photos of early Mercury with plenty of monkey astronauts can be found here.In December 1960 the 44-month old chimpanzee was trained to do simple tasks in response to electric lights and sounds, with response being timed. On January 31, 1961, Ham was secured in a Project Mercury capsule labeled MR-2 and launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida into outer space. The capsule suffered a partial loss of pressure during the flight, but Ham's space suit prevented him from suffering any harm. During the flight Ham had to push a lever within five seconds of seeing a flashing blue light; as per pre-flight training, failure would result in an application of negative reinforcement in the form of an electric shock to the soles of his feet. Ham's performance in space was only a fraction of a second slower than on Earth, demonstrating that tasks could be performed in space. Ham's capsule splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean and was recovered by a rescue ship later that day. (Thanks PVC) Father: God Told Me To Sacrifice Wife, ChildrenHmmmm
A man sentenced to 90 years in prison for attempting to set his Orlando home on fire with his family sleeping inside said God commanded him to sacrifice his wife and children, according to a Local 6 News report.
Hans Missal, 51, admitted to dousing his Orlando home with gasoline last March. Missal also duct-taped the doors shut and ran a hose from the house to a car tailpipe while his wife, son and daughter slept before he attempted to set the structure on fire. Tuesday, Missal said he was following God's orders. Missal compared himself to the Bible's Abraham, who was commanded by God to sacrifice his own son, and said he received a message from God to kill his entire family, Local 6 News reported. "God had a plan for my family, I had no idea what that plan was," Missal said. "I trusted God and God was faithful to the end." Father: God Told Me To Sacrifice Wife, ChildrenHmmmm
A man sentenced to 90 years in prison for attempting to set his Orlando home on fire with his family sleeping inside said God commanded him to sacrifice his wife and children, according to a Local 6 News report.
Hans Missal, 51, admitted to dousing his Orlando home with gasoline last March. Missal also duct-taped the doors shut and ran a hose from the house to a car tailpipe while his wife, son and daughter slept before he attempted to set the structure on fire. Tuesday, Missal said he was following God's orders. Missal compared himself to the Bible's Abraham, who was commanded by God to sacrifice his own son, and said he received a message from God to kill his entire family, Local 6 News reported. "God had a plan for my family, I had no idea what that plan was," Missal said. "I trusted God and God was faithful to the end." Matt Groening InterviewGreat interview. Here's a taste:
AVC: He's a fan favorite.
(via Kottke)MG: People love Bender. He's the robotic Homer of the Futurama universe. AVC: Why do you think people relate to him? MG: Like Homer, Bender has no guilt whatsoever. He wants what he wants. He's one of the few robots in pop culture who isn't either an effeminate little wimp, or an unfeeling psychopath. He has a lot of emotion. AVC: Why do you think that Fox treated Futurama the way it did? MG: I think there were just a few executives around at the time who did not understand the show. No amount of explaining the humor of a crab monster and a crazy robot and a one-eyed sci-fi babe could change their minds. Matt Groening InterviewGreat interview. Here's a taste:
AVC: He's a fan favorite.
(via Kottke)MG: People love Bender. He's the robotic Homer of the Futurama universe. AVC: Why do you think people relate to him? MG: Like Homer, Bender has no guilt whatsoever. He wants what he wants. He's one of the few robots in pop culture who isn't either an effeminate little wimp, or an unfeeling psychopath. He has a lot of emotion. AVC: Why do you think that Fox treated Futurama the way it did? MG: I think there were just a few executives around at the time who did not understand the show. No amount of explaining the humor of a crab monster and a crazy robot and a one-eyed sci-fi babe could change their minds. William Burroughs Book Covers I've read Naked Lunch and had no clue what the hell was going on. Or maybe that's the point. William Burroughs Book CoversI've read Naked Lunch and had no clue what the hell was going on. Or maybe that's the point. Tuesday, April 25, 2006Amputee Identity Disorder
Body Integrity Identity Disorder, or BIID, is a psychological condition in which the individual requests an elective amputation. Individuals with this condition experience the persistent desire to have their body physically match the idealized image they have of themselves. This desire forces individuals to deal with the paradox of losing one or more major limbs (i.e. arm[s] or leg[s]) to become whole. In their minds, “Less is more”.
Wikipedia has an article on this disorder also.Amputee Identity Disorder
Body Integrity Identity Disorder, or BIID, is a psychological condition in which the individual requests an elective amputation. Individuals with this condition experience the persistent desire to have their body physically match the idealized image they have of themselves. This desire forces individuals to deal with the paradox of losing one or more major limbs (i.e. arm[s] or leg[s]) to become whole. In their minds, “Less is more”.
Wikipedia has an article on this disorder also.That Strange Falling Sensation
Do you ever wake up suddenly to a falling sensation and a strong muscle twitch just after you have fallen asleep?
This strange falling sensation and muscle twitch is known as a hypnagogic myoclonic twitch or “Hypnic jerk” If this has happened to you on more than one occasion, don’t worry, you are not alone. Close to 70 percent of all people experience this phenomenon just after nodding off, according to a recent study at the Mayo Clinic. Most experts agree that this is a natural part of the sleeping process, much like slower breathing and a reduced heartbeat. The occurance is well known and has been well documented. However, experts are still not completely sure why the body does this. That Strange Falling Sensation
Do you ever wake up suddenly to a falling sensation and a strong muscle twitch just after you have fallen asleep?
This strange falling sensation and muscle twitch is known as a hypnagogic myoclonic twitch or “Hypnic jerk” If this has happened to you on more than one occasion, don’t worry, you are not alone. Close to 70 percent of all people experience this phenomenon just after nodding off, according to a recent study at the Mayo Clinic. Most experts agree that this is a natural part of the sleeping process, much like slower breathing and a reduced heartbeat. The occurance is well known and has been well documented. However, experts are still not completely sure why the body does this. Daily Dose of Ingersoll (Not in a blogging mood edition) The ministers, who preached at these revivals, were in earnest. They were zealous and sincere. They were not philosophers. To them science was the name of a vague dread -- a dangerous enemy. They did not know much, but they believed a great deal. -- Robert Green Ingersoll, from "Why I Am an Agnostic" (1896) Daily Dose of Ingersoll (Not in a blogging mood edition)The ministers, who preached at these revivals, were in earnest. They were zealous and sincere. They were not philosophers. To them science was the name of a vague dread -- a dangerous enemy. They did not know much, but they believed a great deal. -- Robert Green Ingersoll, from "Why I Am an Agnostic" (1896) Pagan Island 1961 B-Movie Trailer
One man, shipwrecked on a tropical island with 30 beautiful women and a giant Tiki God. Utter genius!
(via PCL Linkdump)Pagan Island 1961 B-Movie Trailer
One man, shipwrecked on a tropical island with 30 beautiful women and a giant Tiki God. Utter genius!
(via PCL Linkdump)Free Cone Day
Today is free cone day at Ben and Jerry's! Woohoo!
Tuesday, April 25th is Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's, and you know what that means... free ice cream for you!
As a way to thank our customers for their support and to celebrate 28 years of scooping the chunkiest, funkiest ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet, Ben & Jerry's scoop shops are giving it away! Around the world, scoop shops are opening their doors from noon to 8:00 pm, to serve up a free scoop of your favorite flavor (or better yet, a new one you've been wanting to try, like Turtle Soup™, Peanut Butter Swirl or Lemonade Sorbet). So grab a pal and come on down to have some 'scream on us! Like we said... Oh Happy Day! Free Cone Day
Today is free cone day at Ben and Jerry's! Woohoo!
Tuesday, April 25th is Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's, and you know what that means... free ice cream for you!
As a way to thank our customers for their support and to celebrate 28 years of scooping the chunkiest, funkiest ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet, Ben & Jerry's scoop shops are giving it away! Around the world, scoop shops are opening their doors from noon to 8:00 pm, to serve up a free scoop of your favorite flavor (or better yet, a new one you've been wanting to try, like Turtle Soup™, Peanut Butter Swirl or Lemonade Sorbet). So grab a pal and come on down to have some 'scream on us! Like we said... Oh Happy Day! The Inside Story of Capote's Black and White BallLong but interesting.
He invited 500 friends but made 15,000 enemies. When the author Truman Capote threw a lavish masked ball to celebrate the phenomenal success of 'In Cold Blood', everyone who was anyone vied for an invitation. Deborah Davis tells the story of the party that united - and divided - the élites of politics, showbusiness and money
(via Robot Wisdom)The Inside Story of Capote's Black and White BallLong but interesting.
He invited 500 friends but made 15,000 enemies. When the author Truman Capote threw a lavish masked ball to celebrate the phenomenal success of 'In Cold Blood', everyone who was anyone vied for an invitation. Deborah Davis tells the story of the party that united - and divided - the élites of politics, showbusiness and money
(via Robot Wisdom)Razzle Dazzle Camouflage
During World War I, the British and Americans faced a serious threat from German U-boats, which were sinking allied shipping at a dangerous rate. All attempts to camouflage ships at sea had failed, as the appearance of the sea and sky are always changing. Any color scheme that was concealing in one situation was conspicuous in others. A British artist and naval officer, Norman Wilkinson, promoted a new camouflage scheme that was derived from the artistic fashions of the time, particularly cubism. Instead of trying to conceal the ship, it simply broke up its lines and made it more difficult for the U-boat captain to determine the ship's course. The British called this camouflage scheme "Dazzle Painting." The Americans called it "Razzle Dazzle."
(via Kottke)U-boats did not aim their torpedos directly at a ship to sink it. Because the target was moving, it was necessary to aim ahead of its path in order for the torpedo to arrive in the correct spot at the same time as the ship. If the torpedo is too early or too late, it will miss. The primary goal of dazzle painting was to confuse the U-boat commander who was trying to observe the course and speed of his target. As you can see in the photo of the French Cruiser "Gloire" on the left, contrasting diagonal stripes can make it hard to see just which direction the ship's bow is pointing. The American merchant ship "Mahomet" is another example. How many bows can one ship have? Razzle Dazzle Camouflage
During World War I, the British and Americans faced a serious threat from German U-boats, which were sinking allied shipping at a dangerous rate. All attempts to camouflage ships at sea had failed, as the appearance of the sea and sky are always changing. Any color scheme that was concealing in one situation was conspicuous in others. A British artist and naval officer, Norman Wilkinson, promoted a new camouflage scheme that was derived from the artistic fashions of the time, particularly cubism. Instead of trying to conceal the ship, it simply broke up its lines and made it more difficult for the U-boat captain to determine the ship's course. The British called this camouflage scheme "Dazzle Painting." The Americans called it "Razzle Dazzle."
(via Kottke)U-boats did not aim their torpedos directly at a ship to sink it. Because the target was moving, it was necessary to aim ahead of its path in order for the torpedo to arrive in the correct spot at the same time as the ship. If the torpedo is too early or too late, it will miss. The primary goal of dazzle painting was to confuse the U-boat commander who was trying to observe the course and speed of his target. As you can see in the photo of the French Cruiser "Gloire" on the left, contrasting diagonal stripes can make it hard to see just which direction the ship's bow is pointing. The American merchant ship "Mahomet" is another example. How many bows can one ship have? The Onion on Bush Back in January 2001
Satire or prophecy?
WASHINGTON, DC–Mere days from assuming the presidency and closing the door on eight years of Bill Clinton, president-elect George W. Bush assured the nation in a televised address Tuesday that "our long national nightmare of peace and prosperity is finally over."
"My fellow Americans," Bush said, "at long last, we have reached the end of the dark period in American history that will come to be known as the Clinton Era, eight long years characterized by unprecedented economic expansion, a sharp decrease in crime, and sustained peace overseas. The time has come to put all of that behind us." Bush swore to do "everything in [his] power" to undo the damage wrought by Clinton's two terms in office, including selling off the national parks to developers, going into massive debt to develop expensive and impractical weapons technologies, and passing sweeping budget cuts that drive the mentally ill out of hospitals and onto the street. During the 40-minute speech, Bush also promised to bring an end to the severe war drought that plagued the nation under Clinton, assuring citizens that the U.S. will engage in at least one Gulf War-level armed conflict in the next four years. "You better believe we're going to mix it up with somebody at some point during my administration," said Bush, who plans a 250 percent boost in military spending. "Unlike my predecessor, I am fully committed to putting soldiers in battle situations. Otherwise, what is the point of even having a military?" The Onion on Bush Back in January 2001
Satire or prophecy?
WASHINGTON, DC–Mere days from assuming the presidency and closing the door on eight years of Bill Clinton, president-elect George W. Bush assured the nation in a televised address Tuesday that "our long national nightmare of peace and prosperity is finally over."
"My fellow Americans," Bush said, "at long last, we have reached the end of the dark period in American history that will come to be known as the Clinton Era, eight long years characterized by unprecedented economic expansion, a sharp decrease in crime, and sustained peace overseas. The time has come to put all of that behind us." Bush swore to do "everything in [his] power" to undo the damage wrought by Clinton's two terms in office, including selling off the national parks to developers, going into massive debt to develop expensive and impractical weapons technologies, and passing sweeping budget cuts that drive the mentally ill out of hospitals and onto the street. During the 40-minute speech, Bush also promised to bring an end to the severe war drought that plagued the nation under Clinton, assuring citizens that the U.S. will engage in at least one Gulf War-level armed conflict in the next four years. "You better believe we're going to mix it up with somebody at some point during my administration," said Bush, who plans a 250 percent boost in military spending. "Unlike my predecessor, I am fully committed to putting soldiers in battle situations. Otherwise, what is the point of even having a military?" Monday, April 24, 2006How to Preach to a HomosexualEpisode 20 of my new favorite situational comedy has Kirk and Ray finding themselves on the streets of San Francisco in the midst of many many many gay men. What's the correct way for a couple of bible thumping preaching men to save these rainbow colored souls? 
How to Preach to a HomosexualEpisode 20 of my new favorite situational comedy has Kirk and Ray finding themselves on the streets of San Francisco in the midst of many many many gay men. What's the correct way for a couple of bible thumping preaching men to save these rainbow colored souls?
Rape accused 'had sex with wrong woman'Oopsie.
A MAN who claims he mistakenly had sex with "the wrong woman" after entering a dark bedroom at the home of a Sydney magazine editor was yesterday committed to stand trial for rape.
Paul John Chappell, 31, was invited back to the editor's Bondi flat after they met during a night out.
The pair went to bed and Mr Chappell later got up to use the bathroom. But Mr Chappell claims he mistakenly returned to the wrong bedroom, where the editor's 23-year-old flatmate was asleep. He got into bed with the flatmate and initiated sex, allegedly believing she was the other woman. The flatmate participated because she thought it was her own boyfriend who had come to bed after falling asleep in the loungeroom. When she turned on the light, the "hysterical" woman saw Mr Chappell in her bed and realised her boyfriend was still asleep on the couch. Mr Chappell intends to plead not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent. Rape accused 'had sex with wrong woman'Oopsie.
A MAN who claims he mistakenly had sex with "the wrong woman" after entering a dark bedroom at the home of a Sydney magazine editor was yesterday committed to stand trial for rape.
Paul John Chappell, 31, was invited back to the editor's Bondi flat after they met during a night out.
The pair went to bed and Mr Chappell later got up to use the bathroom. But Mr Chappell claims he mistakenly returned to the wrong bedroom, where the editor's 23-year-old flatmate was asleep. He got into bed with the flatmate and initiated sex, allegedly believing she was the other woman. The flatmate participated because she thought it was her own boyfriend who had come to bed after falling asleep in the loungeroom. When she turned on the light, the "hysterical" woman saw Mr Chappell in her bed and realised her boyfriend was still asleep on the couch. Mr Chappell intends to plead not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent. Fantazy Land, An Egyptian Theme Park A photo tour of a theme park in Egypt which looks like one of those deserted theme parks that has been closed for years except this one is still running.
I have just got back from a trip to Alexandria in Egypt. Apart from arriving the day that the riots started and the place being dirty as hell we had a nice few days away.
I had heard that there was a kiddie credit at a place called Fantazy Land but could not find anyone who had been there. Anyway We finally found the park and it was the worst run park I have ever been to.
On the net I had found that the entry fee was 7 Egyptian Pounds, around $1.50. However when I got there they said it was 13 Pounds. I went back to the car as or whole group was going to go in, but when we got back to the pay window it was now 30 Pounds each, Anyway, I decided to go in on my own to get some photos.
Fantazy Land, An Egyptian Theme ParkA photo tour of a theme park in Egypt which looks like one of those deserted theme parks that has been closed for years except this one is still running.
I have just got back from a trip to Alexandria in Egypt. Apart from arriving the day that the riots started and the place being dirty as hell we had a nice few days away.
I had heard that there was a kiddie credit at a place called Fantazy Land but could not find anyone who had been there. Anyway We finally found the park and it was the worst run park I have ever been to.
On the net I had found that the entry fee was 7 Egyptian Pounds, around $1.50. However when I got there they said it was 13 Pounds. I went back to the car as or whole group was going to go in, but when we got back to the pay window it was now 30 Pounds each, Anyway, I decided to go in on my own to get some photos.
The True Story of Laika the Dog
On November 3, 1957, the U.S.S.R. stunned the world with a space sensation -- the launch of Sputnik 2 with a live dog on-board. But many details of what happened to the mission have only recently been revealed.
Related: The Space Age had started less than a month before, with the launch of the first Soviet satellite on October 4, 1957. Sputnik 1, a 40-pound sphere, carried a simple transmitter and was considered very heavy compared to the U.S. spacecraft under development at the time. Enter Sputnik 2. The Soviet press boasted about the 250-pound object equipped with a cabin, providing all the necessary life support for a dog named Laika. Well, almost. The Soviets admitted soon after the launch that the spacecraft would not return, meaning that the animal was doomed from the start. Years after Sputnik 2 burned up in the atmosphere, conflicting scenarios of Laika's death were circulating in the West. Wikipedia's entry on Laika and Sputnik 2. The True Story of Laika the Dog
On November 3, 1957, the U.S.S.R. stunned the world with a space sensation -- the launch of Sputnik 2 with a live dog on-board. But many details of what happened to the mission have only recently been revealed.
Related: The Space Age had started less than a month before, with the launch of the first Soviet satellite on October 4, 1957. Sputnik 1, a 40-pound sphere, carried a simple transmitter and was considered very heavy compared to the U.S. spacecraft under development at the time. Enter Sputnik 2. The Soviet press boasted about the 250-pound object equipped with a cabin, providing all the necessary life support for a dog named Laika. Well, almost. The Soviets admitted soon after the launch that the spacecraft would not return, meaning that the animal was doomed from the start. Years after Sputnik 2 burned up in the atmosphere, conflicting scenarios of Laika's death were circulating in the West. Wikipedia's entry on Laika and Sputnik 2. Cost of War Heading toward One Trillion DollarsFrom Juan Cole:
This item says that Bush administration officials told the American people that the Iraq War would cost $50 billion. A reader reminds me that the head of US AID actually put the cost at $1.7 billion. Paul Wolfowitz, that great economist now neoliberalizing the World Bank, even implied that Iraqi petroleum would pay for Iraq reconstruction. The cost of the war is rising toward a thousand billion dollars, i.e. a short-scale $1 trillion. Bush is still keeping this sum off the official budget (why?), and so it does not show up in the official figures for the budget deficit. But the money for the war is being borrowed, so that our grandchildren will still be debt slaves of Halliburton and Boeing. Folks, we've done been low-balled. The difference between us and that young couple with the coupe, though is at least they have a coupe. We've got rubble in the Middle East for our $1 trillion, on which we're paying interest every month.
(Thanks PVC)Cost of War Heading toward One Trillion DollarsFrom Juan Cole:
This item says that Bush administration officials told the American people that the Iraq War would cost $50 billion. A reader reminds me that the head of US AID actually put the cost at $1.7 billion. Paul Wolfowitz, that great economist now neoliberalizing the World Bank, even implied that Iraqi petroleum would pay for Iraq reconstruction. The cost of the war is rising toward a thousand billion dollars, i.e. a short-scale $1 trillion. Bush is still keeping this sum off the official budget (why?), and so it does not show up in the official figures for the budget deficit. But the money for the war is being borrowed, so that our grandchildren will still be debt slaves of Halliburton and Boeing. Folks, we've done been low-balled. The difference between us and that young couple with the coupe, though is at least they have a coupe. We've got rubble in the Middle East for our $1 trillion, on which we're paying interest every month.
(Thanks PVC)The Atheist's NightmareMike Seaver introduces the atheist's nightmare in the form of a..... banana.The entire video can be found here. I have to admit, this is much funnier than Growing Pains. The Atheist's NightmareMike Seaver introduces the atheist's nightmare in the form of a..... banana.The entire video can be found here. I have to admit, this is much funnier than Growing Pains. Sunday, April 23, 2006Disembodied Cuisine
In the “Disembodied Cuisine” project will attempt to grow frog (or amphibian) muscle over biopolymer for potential food consumption. A biopsy will be taken from an animal which will continue to live and will be displayed in the gallery along side the growing “steak”. This installation will culminate in a “feast”. We will also culture plant (herbs/salad)tissue that will be used to spice up the “steak”.
Disembodied Cuisine
In the “Disembodied Cuisine” project will attempt to grow frog (or amphibian) muscle over biopolymer for potential food consumption. A biopsy will be taken from an animal which will continue to live and will be displayed in the gallery along side the growing “steak”. This installation will culminate in a “feast”. We will also culture plant (herbs/salad)tissue that will be used to spice up the “steak”.
Chronicles of Narnia: Huge Pile of ShitI agree with everything Jay Pinkerton has to say about the Chroni(What)cles of Narnia:
Narnia, on the other hand, is like the K-Mart discount bin of mythology. Every monster or creature you've ever heard of is incoherently tossed in with the animal kingdom, and now they all talk. I like fantasy as much as the next sixth level cleric, but the bare minimum for me is knowing the author gave his ridiculous shit more thought than I'll have to. Narnia comes off like a shitty Trapper-Keeper drawing by a twelve-year-old who plays Dungeons & Dragons and really likes the zoo. In one scene a pair of badgers have a conversation with Santa Claus, and in another a human on a talking horse does battle with the White Witch of the North while griffins divebomb centaurs, and your head’s just spinning from the random senselessness of it.
Let me break this down for Harry Potter fans, since there seem to be a lot of you: it'd be like if someone rewrote the Harry Potter books, and instead of having a clearly defined world populated by a hierarchy of wizards and witches where everything makes consistent sense within the reality of that world, Harry Potter was suddenly teaming up with Merlin, Robin Hood and Zeus to fight the Easter Bunny and a talking elephant that's also Ganesha. I hope your reaction would be "What the fuck?" (Also, does everything talk in Narnia? What would you eat, if everything’s sentient? Apparently fish, if the talking gophers in the film are to be believed. So that’s one mystery solved. Everything in Narnia talks, except the fish, which are evidently retarded.) Chronicles of Narnia: Huge Pile of ShitI agree with everything Jay Pinkerton has to say about the Chroni(What)cles of Narnia:
Narnia, on the other hand, is like the K-Mart discount bin of mythology. Every monster or creature you've ever heard of is incoherently tossed in with the animal kingdom, and now they all talk. I like fantasy as much as the next sixth level cleric, but the bare minimum for me is knowing the author gave his ridiculous shit more thought than I'll have to. Narnia comes off like a shitty Trapper-Keeper drawing by a twelve-year-old who plays Dungeons & Dragons and really likes the zoo. In one scene a pair of badgers have a conversation with Santa Claus, and in another a human on a talking horse does battle with the White Witch of the North while griffins divebomb centaurs, and your head’s just spinning from the random senselessness of it.
Let me break this down for Harry Potter fans, since there seem to be a lot of you: it'd be like if someone rewrote the Harry Potter books, and instead of having a clearly defined world populated by a hierarchy of wizards and witches where everything makes consistent sense within the reality of that world, Harry Potter was suddenly teaming up with Merlin, Robin Hood and Zeus to fight the Easter Bunny and a talking elephant that's also Ganesha. I hope your reaction would be "What the fuck?" (Also, does everything talk in Narnia? What would you eat, if everything’s sentient? Apparently fish, if the talking gophers in the film are to be believed. So that’s one mystery solved. Everything in Narnia talks, except the fish, which are evidently retarded.) Wicked Lasers Vids
Welcome to the video gallery. Here you can view an assortment of videos starring our Wicked Lasers.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)Wicked Lasers Vids
Welcome to the video gallery. Here you can view an assortment of videos starring our Wicked Lasers.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)Friday, April 21, 2006The Duel that Could Have Changed the Nation
A few words of satire from one of our nation’s most famous Presidents very nearly changed history as we know it.
(via del.icio.us/failedsuccess)In the early morning hours of September 22, 1842, a young Abraham Lincoln crossed the Mississippi River at Alton, IL on his way to a small island where he would engage in mortal combat with a political adversary. With hundreds of onlookers present and ready for a good fight; Lincoln, who was known for being levelheaded and gentle, prepared to kill or be killed. How did it come this? The Duel that Could Have Changed the Nation
A few words of satire from one of our nation’s most famous Presidents very nearly changed history as we know it.
(via del.icio.us/failedsuccess)In the early morning hours of September 22, 1842, a young Abraham Lincoln crossed the Mississippi River at Alton, IL on his way to a small island where he would engage in mortal combat with a political adversary. With hundreds of onlookers present and ready for a good fight; Lincoln, who was known for being levelheaded and gentle, prepared to kill or be killed. How did it come this? The Ghostly Salt City Beneath Detroit
Like a Jules Verne fantasy, a ghostly city with its own network of four lane highways lies deep beneath the industrial heart of Detroit, its crystalline walls glittering and gleaming in the flickering light. It is a world of no night or day. It is a world of salt.
This gigantic salt mine, 1,200 feet beneath the surface, spreads out over more than 1,400 acres with 50 miles of roads. It lies underneath Dearborn's Rouge complex , much of Melvindale and the north end of Allen Park. The mine shaft opening is in Detroit. The International Salt Mine Company operated the mines until 1983, when falling salt prices brought a halt to production. The Ghostly Salt City Beneath Detroit
Like a Jules Verne fantasy, a ghostly city with its own network of four lane highways lies deep beneath the industrial heart of Detroit, its crystalline walls glittering and gleaming in the flickering light. It is a world of no night or day. It is a world of salt.
This gigantic salt mine, 1,200 feet beneath the surface, spreads out over more than 1,400 acres with 50 miles of roads. It lies underneath Dearborn's Rouge complex , much of Melvindale and the north end of Allen Park. The mine shaft opening is in Detroit. The International Salt Mine Company operated the mines until 1983, when falling salt prices brought a halt to production. Daily Dose of IngersollAccording to "Samuel," David took a census of the people. This excited the wrath of Jehovah, and as a punishment he allowed David to choose seven years of famine, a flight of three months from pursuing enemies, or three days of pestilence. David, having confidence in God, chose the three days of pestilence; and. thereupon, God, the compassionate, on account of the sin of David, killed seventy thousand innocent men. Under the same circumstances, what would a devil have done? --Robert Green Ingersoll, "About the Holy Bible" (1894) Daily Dose of IngersollAccording to "Samuel," David took a census of the people. This excited the wrath of Jehovah, and as a punishment he allowed David to choose seven years of famine, a flight of three months from pursuing enemies, or three days of pestilence. David, having confidence in God, chose the three days of pestilence; and. thereupon, God, the compassionate, on account of the sin of David, killed seventy thousand innocent men. Under the same circumstances, what would a devil have done? --Robert Green Ingersoll, "About the Holy Bible" (1894) Bush Admin Calls for Mandatory Web Labeling LawFrom News.com
Web site operators posting sexually explicit information must place official government warning labels on their pages or risk being imprisoned for up to five years, the Bush administration proposed Thursday.
(via Waxy)A mandatory rating system will "prevent people from inadvertently stumbling across pornographic images on the Internet," Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said at an event in Alexandria, Va. The Bush administration's proposal would require commercial Web sites to place "marks and notices" to be devised by the Federal Trade Commission on each sexually explicit page. The definition of sexually explicit broadly covers depictions of everything from sexual intercourse and masturbation to "sadistic abuse" and close-ups of fully clothed genital regions. "I hope that Congress will take up this legislation promptly," said Gonzales, who gave a speech about child exploitation and the Internet to the federally funded National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The proposed law is called the Child Pornography and Obscenity Prevention Amendments of 2006. Bush Admin Calls for Mandatory Web Labeling LawFrom News.com
Web site operators posting sexually explicit information must place official government warning labels on their pages or risk being imprisoned for up to five years, the Bush administration proposed Thursday.
(via Waxy)A mandatory rating system will "prevent people from inadvertently stumbling across pornographic images on the Internet," Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said at an event in Alexandria, Va. The Bush administration's proposal would require commercial Web sites to place "marks and notices" to be devised by the Federal Trade Commission on each sexually explicit page. The definition of sexually explicit broadly covers depictions of everything from sexual intercourse and masturbation to "sadistic abuse" and close-ups of fully clothed genital regions. "I hope that Congress will take up this legislation promptly," said Gonzales, who gave a speech about child exploitation and the Internet to the federally funded National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The proposed law is called the Child Pornography and Obscenity Prevention Amendments of 2006. Howard Carter's DiariesHere is his entry for Nov. 5, 1922:
Though I was satisfied that I was on the verge of perhaps a magnificent find, probably one of the missing tombs that I had been seeking for many years, I was much puzzled by the smallness of the opening in comparison with those of other royal tombs in the valley. Its design was certainly of the XVIIIth Dyn. Could it be the tomb of a noble, buried there by royal consent? Or was it a royal cache? As far as my investigations had gone there was absolutely nothing to tell me. Had I known that by digging a few inches deeper I would have exposed seal impressions showing Tut.ankh.Amen's insignia distinctly I would have fervently worked on and set my mind at rest, but as it was, it was getting late, the night had fast set in, the full moon had risen high in the eastern heavens, I refilled the excavation for protection, and with my men selected for the occasion - they like myself delighted beyond all expectation - I returned home and cabled to Ld. C. (then in England) the following message:-
"At last have made wonderful discovery in Valley a magnificent tomb with seals intact recovered same for your arrival congratulations " Howard Carter's DiariesHere is his entry for Nov. 5, 1922:
Though I was satisfied that I was on the verge of perhaps a magnificent find, probably one of the missing tombs that I had been seeking for many years, I was much puzzled by the smallness of the opening in comparison with those of other royal tombs in the valley. Its design was certainly of the XVIIIth Dyn. Could it be the tomb of a noble, buried there by royal consent? Or was it a royal cache? As far as my investigations had gone there was absolutely nothing to tell me. Had I known that by digging a few inches deeper I would have exposed seal impressions showing Tut.ankh.Amen's insignia distinctly I would have fervently worked on and set my mind at rest, but as it was, it was getting late, the night had fast set in, the full moon had risen high in the eastern heavens, I refilled the excavation for protection, and with my men selected for the occasion - they like myself delighted beyond all expectation - I returned home and cabled to Ld. C. (then in England) the following message:-
"At last have made wonderful discovery in Valley a magnificent tomb with seals intact recovered same for your arrival congratulations " 281 Tricks to Irritate an AtheistHa!
1) Ask them why they are bitter against God.
2) Tell them that if there's no God, they might as well go out and kill people. 3) Ask them to pray with you. 4) Invite their children to go to church with you. 5) Insist that there is a God, and show them where in the Bible it says so. 281 Tricks to Irritate an AtheistHa!
1) Ask them why they are bitter against God.
2) Tell them that if there's no God, they might as well go out and kill people. 3) Ask them to pray with you. 4) Invite their children to go to church with you. 5) Insist that there is a God, and show them where in the Bible it says so. George Carlin on ReligionThe ultimate bullshit:
In the Bullshit Department, a businessman can't hold a candle to a clergyman.
'Cause I gotta tell you the truth, folks. When it comes to bullshit,
big-time, major league bullshit, you have to stand in awe of the all-time
champion of false promises and exaggerated claims, religion. No contest. No
contest. Religion. Religion easily has the greatest bullshit story ever told.
Think about it. Religion has actually convinced people that there's an
invisible man living in the sky who watches everything you do, every minute
of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does
not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special
place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he
will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry
forever and ever 'til the end of time!
But He loves you. George Carlin on ReligionThe ultimate bullshit:
In the Bullshit Department, a businessman can't hold a candle to a clergyman.
'Cause I gotta tell you the truth, folks. When it comes to bullshit,
big-time, major league bullshit, you have to stand in awe of the all-time
champion of false promises and exaggerated claims, religion. No contest. No
contest. Religion. Religion easily has the greatest bullshit story ever told.
Think about it. Religion has actually convinced people that there's an
invisible man living in the sky who watches everything you do, every minute
of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does
not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special
place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he
will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry
forever and ever 'til the end of time!
But He loves you. The Atheist RepliesI should probably do something like this except I am extremely lazy.
A couple weeks ago I solicited questions from people who’d like to know how an atheist — or this one, at least — would respond to them. I started out with some based on blog and forum postings I’ve seen, and some people added a few more. I’m now going to tackle them.
A couple of things to establish: I don’t claim to speak for anyone except myself. Please do not use my responses as a guide to “What Atheists think”, but rather as points for such data collection. Also, I’m not looking to argue anyone into a certain point of view — I doubt I could do that even if I wanted to. I’m just trying to provide some real answers. And finally, I’m not trying to be That Guy who always has to make sure everyone around him is aware at all times of his lack of beliefs. So here goes. The Atheist RepliesI should probably do something like this except I am extremely lazy.
A couple weeks ago I solicited questions from people who’d like to know how an atheist — or this one, at least — would respond to them. I started out with some based on blog and forum postings I’ve seen, and some people added a few more. I’m now going to tackle them.
A couple of things to establish: I don’t claim to speak for anyone except myself. Please do not use my responses as a guide to “What Atheists think”, but rather as points for such data collection. Also, I’m not looking to argue anyone into a certain point of view — I doubt I could do that even if I wanted to. I’m just trying to provide some real answers. And finally, I’m not trying to be That Guy who always has to make sure everyone around him is aware at all times of his lack of beliefs. So here goes. The Droste Effect This site has a gallery of images made with a "Droste Effect" and a mathematical explanation of how it works. (via Ursi's Blog) |
