Not Feeling Well, Senator?
I don't mean to be harsh, but what's up with Senator Hillary Clinton? Yahoo! News - Sen. Clinton Collapses During Appearance
Seems to me that if you're not feeling well, you don't make public appearances. But that's not very newsworthy, is it? Yes, I know it's extremely cynical of me to suggest that the Senator faked her illness so she would get some network news time, but hey... she confirmed Rice, so she deserves no sympathy.
More later,
Paul
Monday, January 31, 2005
Friday, January 28, 2005
Classic Example of Backspin
The following article is a classic example of media backspin, which is used to simultaneously refute a controversial position and call into question the sanity/integrity of the person/people taking the position: Dr. Koop - AIDS Conspiracy Theory Belief Linked to Less Condom Use
A survey was conducted by the Rand Corporation (not surprising) and Oregon State University. It was a telephone survey of 500 "black Americans" aged 15 to 44, and it took place from 2002 to 2003. Apparently, researcher found that some of the participants believed that AIDS is a virus created by the U.S. government to control the black population. Some even felt the disease is a form of genocide waged against black Americans.
That's rather startling, but note that those beliefs were held by a minority of the respondents. Still, that's news. So why does the article above link such beliefs with low rates of condom use? The author, Randy Dotinga says in his/her opening paragraph that "the men most likely to believe such a conspiracy theory are the least likely to use condoms."
An implied qualifier, "least likely to use condoms". There is no further enlightenment on WHY they are least likely to use condoms. Perhaps they are married and monogamous? Perhaps they are celibate? Perhaps they are elderly? None of this information is provided in the article, so since the context is missing, how is the information useful?
It is useful because it call into question the intelligence of those men. It takes focus off of the disturbing discovery that there are those who believe their own government is trying to kill them, by indirectly questioning the decision-making skill of those same people. Classic backspin. And this is how the story will be played by the networks, should they choose to run it.
Our media has failed us.
More later...
Paul
The following article is a classic example of media backspin, which is used to simultaneously refute a controversial position and call into question the sanity/integrity of the person/people taking the position: Dr. Koop - AIDS Conspiracy Theory Belief Linked to Less Condom Use
A survey was conducted by the Rand Corporation (not surprising) and Oregon State University. It was a telephone survey of 500 "black Americans" aged 15 to 44, and it took place from 2002 to 2003. Apparently, researcher found that some of the participants believed that AIDS is a virus created by the U.S. government to control the black population. Some even felt the disease is a form of genocide waged against black Americans.
That's rather startling, but note that those beliefs were held by a minority of the respondents. Still, that's news. So why does the article above link such beliefs with low rates of condom use? The author, Randy Dotinga says in his/her opening paragraph that "the men most likely to believe such a conspiracy theory are the least likely to use condoms."
An implied qualifier, "least likely to use condoms". There is no further enlightenment on WHY they are least likely to use condoms. Perhaps they are married and monogamous? Perhaps they are celibate? Perhaps they are elderly? None of this information is provided in the article, so since the context is missing, how is the information useful?
It is useful because it call into question the intelligence of those men. It takes focus off of the disturbing discovery that there are those who believe their own government is trying to kill them, by indirectly questioning the decision-making skill of those same people. Classic backspin. And this is how the story will be played by the networks, should they choose to run it.
Our media has failed us.
More later...
Paul
It's Official: Hate Groups Heart Roads
First it was the KKK; now it's the American Nazi Party that has "adopted" a road, this time in Oregon: News - StatesmanJournal.com
County officials listed "constitutional right to free speech" as the reason they allowed the group to give them money, er, join the program.
Is this a new trend in America? Hate groups adopting roads as a means of self-promotion? The article says it has been going on since the '90's. If this is true, and it's continuing, then either it's working for the groups, or they don't care about the effectiveness of the program.
Either way, it's gotta be disturbing to drive down a lonely country road and coming across a sign for the Nazis. It would make me think twice about stopping for gas, that's for sure.
More later...
Paul
First it was the KKK; now it's the American Nazi Party that has "adopted" a road, this time in Oregon: News - StatesmanJournal.com
County officials listed "constitutional right to free speech" as the reason they allowed the group to give them money, er, join the program.
Is this a new trend in America? Hate groups adopting roads as a means of self-promotion? The article says it has been going on since the '90's. If this is true, and it's continuing, then either it's working for the groups, or they don't care about the effectiveness of the program.
Either way, it's gotta be disturbing to drive down a lonely country road and coming across a sign for the Nazis. It would make me think twice about stopping for gas, that's for sure.
More later...
Paul
Friday, January 21, 2005
Backdoor Reparations?
Holy Toledo. A major U.S. Bank is not only admitting it's role in the U.S. Slave trade, but APOLOGIZING for said role AND starting a $5million dollar scholarship fund in Lousiana, the state where the events took place: BBC NEWS | Business | JP Morgan admits US slavery links
This, not surprisingly, comes on the heels of news of a $60 BILLION merger agreement that JP Morgan has signed with Bank One, which if approved, will form the second largest bank in the land.
So was it a grand jesture on their part to correct a wrong from the past, or just good business sense? Guess they're doing their due diligence and cleaning a few skeletons from their closet.
$60 billion. $5 million. I wonder how they came up with the $5 million dollar figure? I suspect it's the amount of pocket change the board members had lying around when they made their decision.
More later...
Paul
Holy Toledo. A major U.S. Bank is not only admitting it's role in the U.S. Slave trade, but APOLOGIZING for said role AND starting a $5million dollar scholarship fund in Lousiana, the state where the events took place: BBC NEWS | Business | JP Morgan admits US slavery links
This, not surprisingly, comes on the heels of news of a $60 BILLION merger agreement that JP Morgan has signed with Bank One, which if approved, will form the second largest bank in the land.
So was it a grand jesture on their part to correct a wrong from the past, or just good business sense? Guess they're doing their due diligence and cleaning a few skeletons from their closet.
$60 billion. $5 million. I wonder how they came up with the $5 million dollar figure? I suspect it's the amount of pocket change the board members had lying around when they made their decision.
More later...
Paul
The Norwegians Know What's Going On
Here's my only stab at covering the damn Inauguration, a story from AP that Bush was throwing satanic gang signs: Yahoo! News - Norwegians Confused by Bush Salute
"Hook 'em, 'horns". Sure, whatever you say. I say the entire University of Texas is satanic for allowing such a symbol to be continually used... ;)
More later...
Paul
Here's my only stab at covering the damn Inauguration, a story from AP that Bush was throwing satanic gang signs: Yahoo! News - Norwegians Confused by Bush Salute
"Hook 'em, 'horns". Sure, whatever you say. I say the entire University of Texas is satanic for allowing such a symbol to be continually used... ;)
More later...
Paul
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
This is Truly Fantastic
We have landed a probe on another planet's moon! And we got pictures of it! RedNova News - Huygens Landed with a 'Splat'
When I watched the flash animation of the still photos shot during the landing sequence, a smile lit up my face. Titan, Saturn's largest moon, has long been considered one of the few planets in the solar system that might have conditions that MIGHT support life as we know it... or a reasonable facsimile. It was fascinating to watch the terrain of Titan in the photos; you could see coastlines! It looked a lot like Earth!
I gotta hand it to the scientists involved on this project: Good Job!
More later...
Paul
We have landed a probe on another planet's moon! And we got pictures of it! RedNova News - Huygens Landed with a 'Splat'
When I watched the flash animation of the still photos shot during the landing sequence, a smile lit up my face. Titan, Saturn's largest moon, has long been considered one of the few planets in the solar system that might have conditions that MIGHT support life as we know it... or a reasonable facsimile. It was fascinating to watch the terrain of Titan in the photos; you could see coastlines! It looked a lot like Earth!
I gotta hand it to the scientists involved on this project: Good Job!
More later...
Paul
Monday, January 17, 2005
Did Hell Freeze Over Too?
What kind of world is it when the Washington Wizards have a better record than the L.A. Lakers AND they beat the best team in the NBA? Yahoo! Sports
I think it's a fluke. But if Washington makes the NBA Finals this year, I'll apologize right here.
More later...
Paul
What kind of world is it when the Washington Wizards have a better record than the L.A. Lakers AND they beat the best team in the NBA? Yahoo! Sports
I think it's a fluke. But if Washington makes the NBA Finals this year, I'll apologize right here.
More later...
Paul
Another Story for the "WTF?" File...
While our wonderful Military Industry has come up with some very wonderful ways of killing people who we deem to be enemies, our government has also decided to pursue what are kalled "less-than-lethal" weapons. One of the strangest I have ever heard of is briefly described in the following story:Yahoo! News - Pentagon Spurned Plan to Initiate Enemy Homosexuality
I had to check the date... it's not April yet.
Some at Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio wanted $7.5 million to research developing a chemical weapon that is actuality a "strong aphrodisiac" that could cause homosexual behavior. The idea being that such behavior would have an adverse effect on enemy troop morale.
Either that or make them all lovers.
Whoever dreamed that one up and had the nerve to actually request government funds must have some really brassy balls. Send 'em to Gitmo, I say...
More later...
Paul
While our wonderful Military Industry has come up with some very wonderful ways of killing people who we deem to be enemies, our government has also decided to pursue what are kalled "less-than-lethal" weapons. One of the strangest I have ever heard of is briefly described in the following story:Yahoo! News - Pentagon Spurned Plan to Initiate Enemy Homosexuality
I had to check the date... it's not April yet.
Some at Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio wanted $7.5 million to research developing a chemical weapon that is actuality a "strong aphrodisiac" that could cause homosexual behavior. The idea being that such behavior would have an adverse effect on enemy troop morale.
Either that or make them all lovers.
Whoever dreamed that one up and had the nerve to actually request government funds must have some really brassy balls. Send 'em to Gitmo, I say...
More later...
Paul
Monday, January 10, 2005
U.S. Supreme Court: Klan Sympathizers?
So what does THIS mean? High Court Sides with Klan in Adopted Highway Program
It's okay for the Ku Klux Klan to clean Missouri's highways? It's okay for the Ku Klux Klan to advertise? That Missouri is pro-Klan? That the U.S. Supreme Court is pro-Klan? What does this mean?
And what will it mean to the millions of out-of-state motorists traveling down the highways in Missouri, when they see a sign that reads "thanks to the Ku Klux Klan, this highway is Klean" (or words to that effect)?
More proof that something is seriously wrong with the values of certain folks in this great Nation.
More later...
Paul
So what does THIS mean? High Court Sides with Klan in Adopted Highway Program
It's okay for the Ku Klux Klan to clean Missouri's highways? It's okay for the Ku Klux Klan to advertise? That Missouri is pro-Klan? That the U.S. Supreme Court is pro-Klan? What does this mean?
And what will it mean to the millions of out-of-state motorists traveling down the highways in Missouri, when they see a sign that reads "thanks to the Ku Klux Klan, this highway is Klean" (or words to that effect)?
More proof that something is seriously wrong with the values of certain folks in this great Nation.
More later...
Paul
Will It Be a Pretend Fine?
So the NFL is considering fining Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss for his antics after scoring a touchdown last Sunday. What was his damnable offense? He pretended to moon the Green Bay fans: Yahoo! Sports
So since he may be penalized for something he "pretended" to do, will it be okay with the NFL if he "pretends" to pay the fine as well?
Here we are, the world still coming to grips with the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami, war still well underway in the Middle East... and the American sporting world is up in arms because a football player pantomined the act of showing his ass to the crowd. This ranks right up there with the misplaced indignation that occurred after Janet Jackson flashed the Superbowl viewing audience. Our European allies must take great delight in our national silliness.
Earth to NFL and U.S. sports journalists: stop reporting non-news. It makes you all seem so, well, childish.
More later...
Paul
So the NFL is considering fining Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss for his antics after scoring a touchdown last Sunday. What was his damnable offense? He pretended to moon the Green Bay fans: Yahoo! Sports
So since he may be penalized for something he "pretended" to do, will it be okay with the NFL if he "pretends" to pay the fine as well?
Here we are, the world still coming to grips with the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami, war still well underway in the Middle East... and the American sporting world is up in arms because a football player pantomined the act of showing his ass to the crowd. This ranks right up there with the misplaced indignation that occurred after Janet Jackson flashed the Superbowl viewing audience. Our European allies must take great delight in our national silliness.
Earth to NFL and U.S. sports journalists: stop reporting non-news. It makes you all seem so, well, childish.
More later...
Paul
Thursday, January 06, 2005
I Guess Used Armor is Better Than No Armor
A month after the infamous Rumsfeld encounter with the troops in Iraq, where the Defense Secretary was questioned about the lack of armor for troop vehicles, it appears the State of New Jersey will be donating their "used" body armor to the Military: Used Body Armor Is Sought for U.S. Vehicles in Iraq
Several questions come to mind on this news:
1) What do they mean by "used" body armor? Does Kevlar have a freshness date? Does it go "bad"? Or do they mean that the armor has been shot at and penetrated? Mitchell Sklar, executive director of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police maintains that even as the vests reach the end of their useful life for people(my emphasis), they can still help reinforce vehicles. He said, "There are hundreds and hundreds of vests that we have no use for and, rather than dumping them, we feel that we are doing our bit."
What the heck does that mean?
2) If the vests are donated, does that mean New Jersey gets a tax write-off?
3) If the New Jersey police no longer want them, why would our soldiers want them?
4) Is there more to this story than we're being told?
5) And finally, of the hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars we've committed to spending in Iraq, are we ABSOLUTELY SURE we can't add armor to the budget? Who's minding the store?
More later...
Paul
A month after the infamous Rumsfeld encounter with the troops in Iraq, where the Defense Secretary was questioned about the lack of armor for troop vehicles, it appears the State of New Jersey will be donating their "used" body armor to the Military: Used Body Armor Is Sought for U.S. Vehicles in Iraq
Several questions come to mind on this news:
1) What do they mean by "used" body armor? Does Kevlar have a freshness date? Does it go "bad"? Or do they mean that the armor has been shot at and penetrated? Mitchell Sklar, executive director of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police maintains that even as the vests reach the end of their useful life for people(my emphasis), they can still help reinforce vehicles. He said, "There are hundreds and hundreds of vests that we have no use for and, rather than dumping them, we feel that we are doing our bit."
What the heck does that mean?
2) If the vests are donated, does that mean New Jersey gets a tax write-off?
3) If the New Jersey police no longer want them, why would our soldiers want them?
4) Is there more to this story than we're being told?
5) And finally, of the hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars we've committed to spending in Iraq, are we ABSOLUTELY SURE we can't add armor to the budget? Who's minding the store?
More later...
Paul
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Sending A Rather Harsh Message
This guy might get 25 years in prison for pointing a laser pointer at an airplane: My Way News
According to the P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act, "interfering with the operator of a mass transit vehicle" is a federal offense. Hmmm. The guy says he was using a $100 green laser pointer to point out stars to his daughter. He also admitted to shining it on a helicopter and an airplane. The "mass transit vehicle" in question was a corporate jet, a Cessna Citation carrying six people.
I wonder how the P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act defines "mass transit vehicle"? It seems that private jets wouldn't qualify, since they normally carry less than 20 passengers.
But in any case, does this man deserve to be raped in jail for 25 years for this "crime"? Does his daughter deserve to grow up only seeing her father during jailhouse visits because they aimed a laser pointer into the nighttime sky? Have we totally lost our moral compass?
More later...
Paul
This guy might get 25 years in prison for pointing a laser pointer at an airplane: My Way News
According to the P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act, "interfering with the operator of a mass transit vehicle" is a federal offense. Hmmm. The guy says he was using a $100 green laser pointer to point out stars to his daughter. He also admitted to shining it on a helicopter and an airplane. The "mass transit vehicle" in question was a corporate jet, a Cessna Citation carrying six people.
I wonder how the P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act defines "mass transit vehicle"? It seems that private jets wouldn't qualify, since they normally carry less than 20 passengers.
But in any case, does this man deserve to be raped in jail for 25 years for this "crime"? Does his daughter deserve to grow up only seeing her father during jailhouse visits because they aimed a laser pointer into the nighttime sky? Have we totally lost our moral compass?
More later...
Paul
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
These Guys Are Asking For A Lot
After more than a week of horrifying imagery, and over a hundred thousand dead, some of the countries that suffered the most due to the massive underwater earthquake and resulting tidal wave are now asking... for the tourist to return: Yahoo! News - Tsunami-Hit Region Reaches Out to Tourists
You know, I really feel for them, but I don't know if I'll be using my frequent flier miles to head to a discount trip to Thailand anytime soon. Something about the thought of being in a country were they have yet to bury thousands of decomposed corpses sort of gives me the willies. Call me inconsiderate, or a scaredy-cat, whatever... it's going to take some time before I feel comfortable about visiting that area.
They say the weather is good there this time of year. Yeah, I remember those sunny-day videos when the sea reached out and destroyed the land. None for me, thanks.
More later...
Paul
After more than a week of horrifying imagery, and over a hundred thousand dead, some of the countries that suffered the most due to the massive underwater earthquake and resulting tidal wave are now asking... for the tourist to return: Yahoo! News - Tsunami-Hit Region Reaches Out to Tourists
You know, I really feel for them, but I don't know if I'll be using my frequent flier miles to head to a discount trip to Thailand anytime soon. Something about the thought of being in a country were they have yet to bury thousands of decomposed corpses sort of gives me the willies. Call me inconsiderate, or a scaredy-cat, whatever... it's going to take some time before I feel comfortable about visiting that area.
They say the weather is good there this time of year. Yeah, I remember those sunny-day videos when the sea reached out and destroyed the land. None for me, thanks.
More later...
Paul
Monday, January 03, 2005
Good Lord
So...after hearing about a supposed "Man of the Cloth" thanking God for the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean because it killed over 2,000 Swedish tourists because some of them may have been gay, I followed the story's link to this website (warning - righteous hate ahead):Manifesto of Westboro Baptist Church
I know there's much worse to be found on the Web, but I am still shocked at the level of pure hate found on just one page of this crazy website. How people can equate God with hate I'll never know...
More later...
Paul
So...after hearing about a supposed "Man of the Cloth" thanking God for the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean because it killed over 2,000 Swedish tourists because some of them may have been gay, I followed the story's link to this website (warning - righteous hate ahead):Manifesto of Westboro Baptist Church
I know there's much worse to be found on the Web, but I am still shocked at the level of pure hate found on just one page of this crazy website. How people can equate God with hate I'll never know...
More later...
Paul
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)