Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Atlanta blanketed in smoke
11Alive is reporting that there's a 1,600 acre "controlled burn" in Jasper County, Ga. and that the smoke blanketing metro Atlanta in a dense haze -- so dense, their traffic copter had to land due to low visibility.
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Jasper Co. is in red:
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Jasper Co. is in red:
Monday, February 26, 2007
Doug Monroe nicely sums up Georgia's transportation woes
"The state government isn't going to do squat to help transit as long as it's controlled by know-nothing peckerwoods, regardless of party."
Come on down
Where does the U.S. get the orange jumpsuits for its hostages very dangerous terrorist prisoners at Gitmo?
According to The New Republic, the jumpsuits are supplied by the Bob Barker Company.
A quick look at Bob Barker's web site shows that the company cares not only about prison staff safety, but also about prisoner comfort.
No pork-based toothpaste or ham-scented shaving cream at Gitmo. Never.
Ours is a caring nation.
According to The New Republic, the jumpsuits are supplied by the Bob Barker Company.
A quick look at Bob Barker's web site shows that the company cares not only about prison staff safety, but also about prisoner comfort.
"We smash radios on the floor and grind toothbrushes on cinderblock walls to see how easily they can be made into shanks. All of our hygiene products are screened for pork and other animal products to minimize conflicts with the practice of religious beliefs."
No pork-based toothpaste or ham-scented shaving cream at Gitmo. Never.
Ours is a caring nation.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Are there icebergs in June?
Friday, February 23, 2007
Wikipedia banned by history department
"At Dr. Waters’s urging, the Middlebury history department notified its students this month that Wikipedia could not be cited in papers or exams,"
From "A History Department Bans Citing Wikipedia as a Research Source"
By NOAM COHEN
Published: February 21, 2007
Does this mean that there are schools that actually permit students to cite Wikipedia?
Perhaps I'd trust Wikipedia more if I had an entry.
Band equipment stolen
Local band Blackberry Smoke report that much of their gear was stolen on Wednesday. The band's web site has a picture of someone they suspect may be responsible for the theft.
Old news
U.S. military officials are finally admitting the U.S.'s full participation in December's Ethiopian invasion of Somalia.
I wrote about it in my column in January.
I'm not special or insightful. The New York Times is just finally getting around to reporting what foreign papers reported one month ago.
I wrote about it in my column in January.
I'm not special or insightful. The New York Times is just finally getting around to reporting what foreign papers reported one month ago.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Free = $18.00
Cingular is offering me a free phone upgrade for $18.
Decatur Library
At the Decatur Library today, I saw two things I wasn't expecting to see:
1. Terry McAuliffe -- the former DNC chair was signing copies of his book.
2. A man's naked ass -- he neglected to lock the third-floor bathroom door.
Not sure which was worse.
1. Terry McAuliffe -- the former DNC chair was signing copies of his book.
2. A man's naked ass -- he neglected to lock the third-floor bathroom door.
Not sure which was worse.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
I shaved my head last night
Failure
Lie:
"We will defeat the terrorists and their hateful ideology by spreading the hope of freedom across the world."
President Bush, July 4, 2006
Fact:
From this report.
"We will defeat the terrorists and their hateful ideology by spreading the hope of freedom across the world."
President Bush, July 4, 2006
Fact:
From this report.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Tears of the Black Tiger
The best film trailer I've ever seen. Note: it's violent.
It's scheduled to screen in Atlanta in April. I saw the trailer this evening before Notes On A Scandal.
It's scheduled to screen in Atlanta in April. I saw the trailer this evening before Notes On A Scandal.
Out of town
Pardon the nonbloggery. I was out of town. I was in Orlando auditioning for a game show. I'd write about it, but I signed a non-disclosure. Seriously. I didn't get on, so there's nothing to tell.
Other than this.
On the way down, I stopped at a mall in Tifton, Ga. looking for a book store. I walked into the mall and had the following conversation with the man at the John Deere apparel store.
Me: Excuse me, is there a book store in this mall.
Him: No, there isn't.
Me: Is there a book store in town?
Him: There aren't any real book stores in Tifton. Just Christian book stores.
Writing that story now, I'm starting to think that the funniest part isn't what he said. It's the phrase "John Deere apparel."
Other than this.
On the way down, I stopped at a mall in Tifton, Ga. looking for a book store. I walked into the mall and had the following conversation with the man at the John Deere apparel store.
Me: Excuse me, is there a book store in this mall.
Him: No, there isn't.
Me: Is there a book store in town?
Him: There aren't any real book stores in Tifton. Just Christian book stores.
Writing that story now, I'm starting to think that the funniest part isn't what he said. It's the phrase "John Deere apparel."
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Like Letter
Speaking of satire . . .
The excerpt above is from the latest installment of "The Blogosphere Says What?", a hilarious series of satirical blog entries by ATLMalcontent. It's great, great comedy writing.
I believe that the series was inspired by Malcontent's realization that a certain local blogger's posts unintentionally shared a clueless-and-breathless sensibility with The Onion's fake entertainment columnist, Jackie Harvey.
To his credit, however, instead of just poking fun at this one blogger, ATLMalcontent created a character that examines an attitude and a worldview -- the attitude and worldview propogated by what ATLMalcontent calls the "petty queer establishment."
I was there yesterday, looking for a card for my baby doll, and it occurred to me -- there's no same-sex Valentine's Day cards! I was so offended I just collapsed into fetal position and started weeping. The clerk came over and asked me to stop making a scene and then I really lost it.
"Oh, so now I know what it takes for you to notice me!" He totally didn't get it! I wept some more then finally mustered the courage to rise to my feet and march out of that homophobic store. I had been already been offended 46 times that day but nowhere near as bad as that.
The excerpt above is from the latest installment of "The Blogosphere Says What?", a hilarious series of satirical blog entries by ATLMalcontent. It's great, great comedy writing.
I believe that the series was inspired by Malcontent's realization that a certain local blogger's posts unintentionally shared a clueless-and-breathless sensibility with The Onion's fake entertainment columnist, Jackie Harvey.
To his credit, however, instead of just poking fun at this one blogger, ATLMalcontent created a character that examines an attitude and a worldview -- the attitude and worldview propogated by what ATLMalcontent calls the "petty queer establishment."
Republican satire: every bit as effective as Republican policy
A supposed clip from the long-discussed conservative version of the The Daily Show has finally appeared online.
Predictably, it's unfunny. The producers realize this, too, hence the awful laugh-track.
What's so unfunny about it? Humor is subjective, of course, but in general, repeating the same RNC talking points about Barack Obama that Hannity and Limbaugh parroted earlier in the day isn't satire and it's never going to be funny.
For satire to work, it has to cut through bullshit to reveal a hidden or partially obscured truth. Political talking points are, by their nature, bullshit. Repeating them isn't satire. It's partisan hackery.
What the producers of this show clearly don't get is that The Daily Show and The Onion don't represent or carry water for the Democratic Party. A show that carries water for the Republicans isn't actually balancing anything out. Conservative TV viewers aged 18-34 are not going to watch a show with a comedy sensibility pitched somewhere between the Capitol Steps and a Rush Limbaugh song parody.
The only funny line, and the only real satire in the whole clip is the faux-bama magazine story titled "My Life In Politics: An 18-month Journey." Not coincidentally, it's the only example in the entire clip of the writers addressing a substantive issue.
Predictably, it's unfunny. The producers realize this, too, hence the awful laugh-track.
What's so unfunny about it? Humor is subjective, of course, but in general, repeating the same RNC talking points about Barack Obama that Hannity and Limbaugh parroted earlier in the day isn't satire and it's never going to be funny.
For satire to work, it has to cut through bullshit to reveal a hidden or partially obscured truth. Political talking points are, by their nature, bullshit. Repeating them isn't satire. It's partisan hackery.
What the producers of this show clearly don't get is that The Daily Show and The Onion don't represent or carry water for the Democratic Party. A show that carries water for the Republicans isn't actually balancing anything out. Conservative TV viewers aged 18-34 are not going to watch a show with a comedy sensibility pitched somewhere between the Capitol Steps and a Rush Limbaugh song parody.
The only funny line, and the only real satire in the whole clip is the faux-bama magazine story titled "My Life In Politics: An 18-month Journey." Not coincidentally, it's the only example in the entire clip of the writers addressing a substantive issue.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Bush writes tonight's Daily Show lead story
"It's hard for me, living in this beautiful White House, to give you a firsthand assessment. I haven't been there. You have. I haven't."
-President Bush, when asked by an ABC News reporter whether there was a civil war in Iraq. President Bush has been to Iraq twice since the U.S. invasion.
-President Bush, when asked by an ABC News reporter whether there was a civil war in Iraq. President Bush has been to Iraq twice since the U.S. invasion.
Salman Rushdie speech at Emory
This tidbit of good news comes from Atlanta's alternative daily:
That should be fun.
Has anyone who reads this blog ever read Rushdie's book The Jaguar Smile? It's non-fiction travelogue about a visit Rushdie made to Nicaragua during the 1980s. Great book.
While at Emory, he will teach a weekly literature seminar for graduate students and host a public lecture later this month.
That should be fun.
Has anyone who reads this blog ever read Rushdie's book The Jaguar Smile? It's non-fiction travelogue about a visit Rushdie made to Nicaragua during the 1980s. Great book.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Anna Nicole Smith's Baby: Why now?
Somebody asked "Why are you, Andisheh Nouraee, just coming forward now about being the father of Anna Nicole Smith's baby, Danielynn? Is it for the money?"
Good question. Insulting, but good.
90% of the reason I'm coming forward now is that I'm concerned for the welfare of the child. Only 10% of the reason is money, which, based on media estimates, would still leave me with at least $40 million.
Good question. Insulting, but good.
90% of the reason I'm coming forward now is that I'm concerned for the welfare of the child. Only 10% of the reason is money, which, based on media estimates, would still leave me with at least $40 million.
Monday, February 12, 2007
UPDATE: DNA tests prove that Andisheh Nouraee is the father of Anna Nicole Smith's baby.
A local newspaper reporter has asked me to prove that I am indeed Anna Nicole Smith's baby daddy.
If you insist.
Here's my DNA:
And here's the baby's:
As you can see, they match.
If you insist.
Here's my DNA:
And here's the baby's:
As you can see, they match.
Andisheh Nouraee is the father of Anna Nicole Smith's baby
I tend not to blog about my personal life, but my friend Jeff convinced me that today I should break my rule.
I, Andisheh Nouraee, am the father of Anna Nicole Smith's daughter, Danielynn.
Note that we wear our hair in a similar style.
This is very difficult time for me and my family. We ask that you respect our privacy.
(Note to papparazzi and employees of Access Hollywood: if you ring the bell and I don't answer, I'm probably out walking the dogs.)
I, Andisheh Nouraee, am the father of Anna Nicole Smith's daughter, Danielynn.
Note that we wear our hair in a similar style.
This is very difficult time for me and my family. We ask that you respect our privacy.
(Note to papparazzi and employees of Access Hollywood: if you ring the bell and I don't answer, I'm probably out walking the dogs.)
Correction of the week
From the Los Angeles Times corrections.
Thanks for Harry Shearer for reading it aloud on his radio show.
"'The Supreme Court': A review in Wednesday's Calendar section of a PBS documentary about the Supreme Court said there was a justice named Hamburger. There was a chief justice named Warren Burger."
Thanks for Harry Shearer for reading it aloud on his radio show.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Defender of marriages falls one short
"What’s next? Marrying an animal?"-Braves pitcher John Smoltz, criticizing proponents of gay marriage in 2004.
"Braves star John Smoltz and his wife Dyan are getting a divorce, the pitcher's agent said Friday."-AJC.com
So, what's next, John? Marrying an animal?
Ian Richardson, 1934-2007
Actor Ian Richardson died today.
In 1990, he starred as the wicked, charming, power-lusting Francis Urquhart (a.k.a. F.U.) in the BBC political thriller, House of Cards.
Polls of British TV viewers have recognized F.U. as one of British television's greatest-ever villains. The movie and Richardson's performance, are amazing. It's my favorite thing I've ever seen on TV. Ever. I saw it on PBS's Masterpiece Theatre around 1990 or 1991 and have watched it again on DVD a few times.
andy2000.org is officially in mourning.
In 1990, he starred as the wicked, charming, power-lusting Francis Urquhart (a.k.a. F.U.) in the BBC political thriller, House of Cards.
Polls of British TV viewers have recognized F.U. as one of British television's greatest-ever villains. The movie and Richardson's performance, are amazing. It's my favorite thing I've ever seen on TV. Ever. I saw it on PBS's Masterpiece Theatre around 1990 or 1991 and have watched it again on DVD a few times.
andy2000.org is officially in mourning.
MARTA: Making Atlantans Really Treasure Automobiles
MARTA officials defend security
Cite low crime totals, despite a few high-profile incidents
By PAUL DONSKY, CYNTHIA DANIELS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/09/07
Steven Bavec used to be a dedicated MARTA rider.
But last July, the financial analyst was attacked by two young men who followed him home from the Oakland City station in southwest Atlanta. Bavec, 50, was knocked unconscious and robbed.
He hasn't stepped foot on a MARTA train since the incident.
"There wasn't a patrol car there," Bavec said. "Had there been a patrol car, I would not have gotten attacked."
(Read more)
Security at Oakland City MARTA (next to my old house) is a sad, dangerous joke. Not long after Steve was assaulted, another of my neighbors was badly beaten INSIDE the station by two teens standing at the fare machine.
I've contacted police about crime at the station on more than one occassion. Officers I spoke to at APD said they were aware of a group young men preying on people at the station. Nevertheless, MARTA police did not have anyone permanently assigned to the station. According to the person I spoke to at MARTA, the officer assigned to Oakland City also had responsibility for the two adjacent stations. Translation: For roughly two-thirds of the day, there was no officer at Oakland City.
MARTA: Making Andy Ride Trains Armed
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Mock outrage
Yesterday, I wondered aloud why there wasn't any phony outrage at Prince's shadow puppetry during the Superb Owl halftime show.
It turns out I spoke too soon.
Mock outrage at Prince's halftime show appeared online today, in the form of an AP story titled Prince's Halftime Imagery Questioned.
A number of bloggers? A number? The story cites a one blogger. One is, in fact, a number, but still.
I question that Prince's halftime imagery has been questioned. Since I'm "a number" of blogger(s), I believe I've just earned myself an AP story. I'm waiting.
It turns out I spoke too soon.
Mock outrage at Prince's halftime show appeared online today, in the form of an AP story titled Prince's Halftime Imagery Questioned.
"A number of bloggers have decried "Malfunction!" — including Sam Anderson at New York magazine's Daily Intelligencer. Daily News television critic David Bianculli called it "a rude-looking shadow show" that "looked embarrassingly rude, crude and unfortunately placed."
CBS spokesman Dana McClintock said Tuesday that the network has received "very few" complaints on Prince's performance."
A number of bloggers? A number? The story cites a one blogger. One is, in fact, a number, but still.
I question that Prince's halftime imagery has been questioned. Since I'm "a number" of blogger(s), I believe I've just earned myself an AP story. I'm waiting.
Department of Wishful Thinking
Another successful gayectomy!
Tuesday, Feb. 06, 2007
Haggard "Completely Heterosexual"
By AP
One of four ministers who oversaw three weeks of intensive counseling for the Rev. Ted Haggard said the disgraced minister emerged convinced that he is "completely heterosexual."
Haggard also said his sexual contact with men was limited to the former male prostitute who came forward with sexual allegations, the Rev. Tim Ralph of Larkspur told The Denver Post for a story in Tuesday's edition.
"He is completely heterosexual," Ralph said. "That is something he discovered. It was the acting-out situations where things took place. It wasn't a constant thing."
Read more
Get confident, stupid
Monday, February 05, 2007
Angry Arab On Shoes
From one of my favorite bloggers, Professor As'ad AbuKhalil, a.k.a. Angry Arab:
Monday, February 05, 2007
To throw the shoe, or not to throw the shoe: a cultural dilemma.
Don't you love it when Western reporters explain to their readers differences between their culture and Arab culture? I don't know about you, but I really love it. Here is from the New York Times: "During the argument, heated words were exchanged and shoes were thrown, a severe insult in the Arab world."
So throwing a shoe at somebody is a "severe insult in the Arab world" but not anywhere else? How exotic. Tell me more, o culture experts of the New York Times.
So today, I wanted to test this theory. So I got out of my house with a bag of shoes: I started throwing them, shoe by shoe, at my neighbor, aiming at the face. My neighbor laughed, and could only say nice things to me as a good neighbor. He then explained: you see, o Arab neighbor, in our American culture, throwing a shoe at somebody is not an insult at all. In fact, it is taken as a sign of affection.
I returned back to my house, having learned about American culture, what I knew not before. Thanks to you, New York Times (and your intelligent and culturally informed reporters).
Question about the Superb Owl
I have a question about last night's Superb Owl.
Remember all of the people who were supposedly offended by and horrified at Janet Jackson's halftime booby a couple of years ago?
How come none of those people are calling TV stations and talk shows today with complaints about Prince's halftime shadow puppet show?
I'm not offended by any of it. I'm just curious. If there really are people out there who get offended by this sort of stuff, why aren't they in a tizzy today?
Remember all of the people who were supposedly offended by and horrified at Janet Jackson's halftime booby a couple of years ago?
How come none of those people are calling TV stations and talk shows today with complaints about Prince's halftime shadow puppet show?
I'm not offended by any of it. I'm just curious. If there really are people out there who get offended by this sort of stuff, why aren't they in a tizzy today?
Matt Lauer, understated visionary
On November 27, 2006, the Today Show's Matt Lauer referred to the violence in Iraq as civil war.
Lauer's announcement infuriated the White House, which immediately launched a 1-2, spin-n-smear assault.
The Spin: That afternoon, White House press secretary (and former FOXNews employee) said to reporters:
On Friday, the government released a summary of the latest National Intelligence Estimate. The NIE summarizes the collective judgement of the country's multi-agency, gazillion dollar intelligence establishment.
The NIE says that Iraq is worse than a civil war.
". . . the situation in Iraq with armed militarized factions fighting for their own political agendas -- can now be characterized as a civil war."It wasn't news to anyone who was actually paying attention to the war in Iraq, but the change in terminology was "newsy" because it signified NBC News's increased unwillingness to employ the White House's stilted, misleading language when describing the Iraq war.
Lauer's announcement infuriated the White House, which immediately launched a 1-2, spin-n-smear assault.
The Spin: That afternoon, White House press secretary (and former FOXNews employee) said to reporters:
"What you do have is sectarian violence that seems to be less aimed at gaining full control over an area than expressing differences, and also trying to destabilize a democracy -- which is different than a civil war, where two sides are clashing for territory and supremacy."The Smear: Typical was Sean Hannity accusing NBC and Lauer of hiding U.S. success in Iraq from NBC viewers.
On Friday, the government released a summary of the latest National Intelligence Estimate. The NIE summarizes the collective judgement of the country's multi-agency, gazillion dollar intelligence establishment.
The NIE says that Iraq is worse than a civil war.
"The Intelligence Community judges that the term "civil war" does not adequately capture the complexity ofthe conflict in Iraq, which includes extensive Shia-on-Shia violence, al-Qa'ida and Sunni insurgent attacks on Coalition forces, and widespread criminally motivated violence. Nonetheless, the term "civil war" accurately describes key elements of the Iraqi conflict."In other words, while the White House and its media surrogates were attacking people for characterizing the violence in Iraq as civil war, behind closed doors the White House knew that civil war was actually an understatement.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Blackhawk Up
Does anyone know why a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter was circling Decatur, Ga. this morning at around 10:30? Are the terrorists brunching or something?
Friday, February 02, 2007
Pesky San Francisco values!
"With the secular progressives controlling the city, you have seen chaos everywhere. And it all comes back to the fact that their view of life is undisciplined - it's do what you want when you want it. I believe San Francisco has suffered dramatically."
-FOXNews' Bill O'Reilly, Feb 1, 2007, commenting on the Mayor of San Francisco admitting to an affair with his campaign manager's wife.
"You have really spectacular boobs."
FOXNews' Bill O'Reilly, September 1, 2004, sexually harassing a female co-worker. O'Reilly, who is married, tried to lure the woman into an affair.
Macon Bigots Angry
The Mayor of Macon, Ga., the city that gave the world Little Richard, Otis Redding, The Allman Brothers and, er, Nancy Grace, has converted to Islam.
There's really only two reasons I mention it:
1. Macon rhymes with bacon, which lends itself to an easy and inoffensive joke (see here)
2. I was almost certain that the blogosphere's religious bigots and racists would not able to resist sounding-off about it in the non-sensical, semi-literate way that bigots and racists tend to do.
For your weekend reading (dis)pleasure, have a look inside the right-wing hate machine's "conversations" on the subject. (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.)
There's really only two reasons I mention it:
1. Macon rhymes with bacon, which lends itself to an easy and inoffensive joke (see here)
2. I was almost certain that the blogosphere's religious bigots and racists would not able to resist sounding-off about it in the non-sensical, semi-literate way that bigots and racists tend to do.
For your weekend reading (dis)pleasure, have a look inside the right-wing hate machine's "conversations" on the subject. (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.)
TERROR: Time Warner to blow up Earth!
A Time Warner employee has threatened to blow up Earth with an explosive device he calls the Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator. When asked why, the employee would only say this.
SHOCK: Time Warner disrupts commute with glue, high-explosive
Takin' the bacon out of Macon
The Mayor of Macon, Ga. has converted to Islam. Mayor Jack Ellis is now Hakim Mansour Ellis.
The AJC wonders whether his religious conversion will hurt his political prospects.
I think the mayor has a much more immediate problem to worry about -- as far as I can tell there are no halal grocery stores in central Georgia.
The AJC wonders whether his religious conversion will hurt his political prospects.
I think the mayor has a much more immediate problem to worry about -- as far as I can tell there are no halal grocery stores in central Georgia.
U.S.-Pakistani relations getting worse?
Thanks to those pesky guerilla marketers, my new column was ignored by the mainstream media, again.
This week's column is about the deteriorating relationship between the U.S. and Pakistan.
(Read more)
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to glue this column to a bunch of lite-brites and stick them on bridges and underpasses around town.
This week's column is about the deteriorating relationship between the U.S. and Pakistan.
A couple of weeks ago, John Negroponte caused a major diplomatic stink between the United States and Pakistan. He did it by doing the most undiplomatic thing an American government official could do to Pakistan, short of opening a HoneyBaked Ham franchise in Islamabad or spray-painting "cricket is 4 fags" on the presidential palace.
(Read more)
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to glue this column to a bunch of lite-brites and stick them on bridges and underpasses around town.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Aqua Teen Militancy
Media coverage of the Cartoon Network bomb scare has thus far, and probably will continue to, miss the following point: if the advertising gizmos look so much like bombs, why did it take law enforcement three weeks to find them?
Hipster blog coverage of the Cartoon Network bomb scare has thus far, and probably will continue to, miss the following point: the two men who planted the devices were working on behalf of the largest media corporation in the world. They're not independent artists or merry pranksters showing the country how out-of-touch "the man" is. They are, in fact, "the man"'s contract employees and advertising a corporate product.
So quit congratulating yourselves on being hipper than the squares who didn't "get" that these lite brites were harmless. You watch Aqua Teen. They watch the Braves and read People. It's the same company.
I'm just saying.
Hipster blog coverage of the Cartoon Network bomb scare has thus far, and probably will continue to, miss the following point: the two men who planted the devices were working on behalf of the largest media corporation in the world. They're not independent artists or merry pranksters showing the country how out-of-touch "the man" is. They are, in fact, "the man"'s contract employees and advertising a corporate product.
So quit congratulating yourselves on being hipper than the squares who didn't "get" that these lite brites were harmless. You watch Aqua Teen. They watch the Braves and read People. It's the same company.
I'm just saying.
Videos Du Jour
1. American democracy is great, but apparently it also emboldens the terrorists.
2. Watch the two militant marketing extremists who terrorized Boston with outdoor lite brites refusing to play along with the media feeding frenzy. Nobody told these two guys that when reporters show up to talk to you that you're supposed to be cooperative and contrite for 10 minutes, then check into rehab.
It's really an amazing clip. I love hearing how annoyed the reporters are at the two men for refusing to discuss the criminal charges against them. A couple people off camera tell the guys that they're not taking the situation seriously.
Broadcast news station employees complaining about people not taking things seriously. That's a hoot -- a genuine apartmentfirejonbenetojsimpsonparishiltonpuppyadoptionovertobiffwiththeaccuweatherthemallsure iscrowdedtodaywintrymix hoot.
2. Watch the two militant marketing extremists who terrorized Boston with outdoor lite brites refusing to play along with the media feeding frenzy. Nobody told these two guys that when reporters show up to talk to you that you're supposed to be cooperative and contrite for 10 minutes, then check into rehab.
It's really an amazing clip. I love hearing how annoyed the reporters are at the two men for refusing to discuss the criminal charges against them. A couple people off camera tell the guys that they're not taking the situation seriously.
Broadcast news station employees complaining about people not taking things seriously. That's a hoot -- a genuine apartmentfirejonbenetojsimpsonparishiltonpuppyadoptionovertobiffwiththeaccuweatherthemallsure iscrowdedtodaywintrymix hoot.
Cartoon Militants Arrested, Boston Safe
Two people have been arrested in connection with the Aqua Teen Hunger Force ad campaign that Boston officials mistook for terrorism.
Apparently, it's a crime in Massachussetts to post jokey ads that paranoid police officials don't understand.
The most disturbing line in the story comes from Peter Berdovsky, one of the two people arrested:
I hope the companies involved are decent enough to pay the legal expenses of the people arrested.
-----
When state and federal officials recover their composure and heal their bruised egos, perhaps they'll turn their attention to this far more important and disturbing news story:
Nuclear Agency: Air Defenses Impractical
Government Says Defending Nuclear Plants From Airliner Attack Not an Industry Responsibility
Translation -- The federal government says that the nuclear power industry has no obligation to fortify against 9/11-style attacks, despite the fact that dozens of nuclear power plants around the country store highly radioactive fuel rods in pools of water that are not protected by reinforced concrete domes that surround nuclear reactors.
Erecting protective metal beams and cables around nuclear waste is impractical, says the federal government. Splitting the atom, however, is not. State and local governments should be furious.
I'm sure the energy industry's influence over the current White House had absolutely nothing to do with the NRC's decision.
But, hey, at least they arrested the people who planted Aqua Teen lite brites around Boston.
Apparently, it's a crime in Massachussetts to post jokey ads that paranoid police officials don't understand.
The most disturbing line in the story comes from Peter Berdovsky, one of the two people arrested:
" . . . they were up there for three weeks and no one noticed."If the "threat" was urgent enough to shut down parts of Boston yesterday, officials should be forced to explain why it took them three weeks to spot the "threat" at all.
I hope the companies involved are decent enough to pay the legal expenses of the people arrested.
-----
When state and federal officials recover their composure and heal their bruised egos, perhaps they'll turn their attention to this far more important and disturbing news story:
Nuclear Agency: Air Defenses Impractical
Government Says Defending Nuclear Plants From Airliner Attack Not an Industry Responsibility
By H. JOSEF HEBERT Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON - Making nuclear power plants crash-proof to an airliner attack by terrorists is impracticable and it's up to the military to avert such an assault, the government said Monday.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, in a revised security policy, directed nuclear plant operators to focus on preventing radiation from escaping in case of such an attack and to improve evacuation plans to protect public health and safety.
Read more
Translation -- The federal government says that the nuclear power industry has no obligation to fortify against 9/11-style attacks, despite the fact that dozens of nuclear power plants around the country store highly radioactive fuel rods in pools of water that are not protected by reinforced concrete domes that surround nuclear reactors.
Erecting protective metal beams and cables around nuclear waste is impractical, says the federal government. Splitting the atom, however, is not. State and local governments should be furious.
I'm sure the energy industry's influence over the current White House had absolutely nothing to do with the NRC's decision.
But, hey, at least they arrested the people who planted Aqua Teen lite brites around Boston.
Turner Extremists Nuke Beantown, Part III
"It's a hoax — and it's not funny," Gov. Deval Patrick told The Associated Press.
"Hoaxes are an enormous burden on law enforcement and counterterrorism resources," said Russ Knocke, spokesman for agency. "And, in a post 9-11 world, there's absolutely no place for hoaxes."
For the misunderstanding to be a hoax would have required intent. Are these officials saying that Turner intended to have the devices mistaken for bombs? Just because law enforcement is understandably worried about terrorism doesn't make every misunderstanding a terroristic threat.
