RETURN TO HER

Hot Minute

2009-03-19T09:14:00.003-05:00

It's been awhile since I've updated anything on here. I'm currently in Baghdad, working on month 2 of my tour. Things are finally starting to ramp up, but I still have no idea where ill be in a few months. I've knocked out two books and have started chipping away at Ayn Rand's epic Atlas Shrugged. I won't have internet for at least the next 3 months if not longer. I'm already well used to not having my phone on me 24/7. And I'm looking forward to withdrawing even more from technology for a bit. Don't worry my little gadgets I shall return to ye. I can't wait for r&r to roll around. In the mean time I made a Tumblr. I know, i know ANOTHER blog thingy. But I've just been posting quotes I come across and enjoy. Feel free to check it out at fromthiscliffside.tumblr.com

Take care everyone. I'll see you in a few months.

Night Crawlers

2009-01-31T17:21:00.006-06:00

Late night adventures with friends. I'll miss it.

A Thousand Words

2009-01-27T23:30:00.002-06:00

So simple, so beautiful.

True

2009-01-25T22:59:00.002-06:00

I'm Crying

2009-01-25T17:31:00.001-06:00

Skeleton Boy

2009-01-19T18:08:00.005-06:00

I caught this video for Friendly Fires 'Skeleton Boy' over at Kitsune Noir this afternoon and it made a shitty day a little better. Thanks Bobby. Make sure you check him out and show some love.

also: myspace.com/friendlyfires

I also want to take this time to tell those few of you who do check my blog, thank you. I know I've been posting a lot of music videos lately and really haven't posted anything with personal commentary in awhile. I've been trying to enjoy my weekends for the past few months because in early to mid February I will be flying out to Kuwait in preparation to go somewhere in Iraq. We don't know specifics yet but I'll be out there for at least 12 months, maybe more if they extend our tour. If there is any way I could update from there on a relatively regular basis I may. I'll update before I leave I'm sure. I'm going to miss my friends and family so much but I'm looking forward to it. Take care

Ross

Dgenetics

2009-01-19T10:34:00.002-06:00

This is an awesome promo for a music managment company called Dgenetics from somewhere on the east coast. At least that's where all the guys are from.

Dgenetics Musics is a self-contained music management company specializing in the development, production, and promotion of both recorded music and live music performances

dgenetics.com

8 Years of Bush in 8 Mintutes

2009-01-17T19:46:00.002-06:00

I love you Keith Olbermann

Ralph Gibson

2009-01-17T18:41:00.003-06:00

Ralph Gibson has always been one of my most favorite photographers. And after coming across a bunch of his photos recently I've been inspired again. I can't help but look at his images in awe. The grainy, often abstract, simple photos are something I strive for when I actually do shoot 35mm. Ralph Gibson

Fever Ray

2009-01-17T01:23:00.005-06:00

Spooky video. I'm interested to see what the full length sounds like when it comes out. You may recognize the female voice. myspace.com/feverray

Fleet Foxes

2009-01-17T01:14:00.001-06:00

If you haven't checked them out, do so. myspace.com/fleetfoxes

Japan

2009-01-15T20:05:00.003-06:00

A little treat i found on Vimeo

2008 In Photos

2009-01-02T17:20:00.008-06:00

2008 has been an eventful year to say the least - it is difficult to sum up the thousands of stories in just a handful of photographs. That said, I will try to do what I've done with other photo narratives here, and tell a story of 2008 in photographs. It's not the story of 2008, it's certainly not all stories, but as a collection it does show a good portion of what life has been like over the past 12 months. This is a multi-entry story, 120 photographs over three days.

The Year 2008 in Photographs (Part 1), (Part 2), (Part 3)

This set of photographs from the Greek riots are a must see as well.

On the night of Saturday, December 6th, two Special Guards of the Greek police clashed with a small group of young men. The exact details of what took place are still unclear, but it is known that one of the Guards fired three shots, and one of those bullets caused the death of 15-year-old Alexander Grigoropoulos - whether the injury was made by an accidental ricochet or deliberate shot remains to be determined. This incident sparked an immediate and widespread response in the form of angry demonstrations and riots in many Greek cities that have continued at varying levels to this day [Dec 15th]- though dimming in intensity recently. Alexander's death appears to have been a catalyst, unleashing widespread Greek anger towards many issues - police mistreatment of protesters, unwelcome education reforms, economic stagnation, government corruption and more.

2008 Greek Riots

Protect Ya Neck

2009-01-02T09:53:00.005-06:00

This 1080p footage was shot with the Nikon D90. Ill just wait till the D700's come down in price. For now this will do nicely, if only I could sell my outdated D70 with cracked plastic viewfinder edging.

Powers of 10

2009-01-01T19:09:00.001-06:00

Dreamz

2008-12-31T16:49:00.005-06:00

My dream camera. Full frame 12.1MP CMOS sensor. 200-6400 ISO. 3" high-res rear menu/preview screen. 51 point auto focus. 5 frames per second. Magnesium-alloy body. $3,000. My main attraction is the full frame sensor and the incredible low light shooting capabilities. The metering and color is apparently spot on. And its possibly the sexiest thing you can shoot with in one hand...

What Else Is There?

2008-12-31T15:52:00.005-06:00

I think my brain just melted. This video makes zero sense and I love it. Beautiful video from a wonderful band. The vocals are by Karin Dreijer Andersson from the Swedish band The Knife. She can be seen at the end eating at the table. royksopp

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T23:58:00.001-06:00

Lykke Li

2008-12-20T17:25:00.008-06:00

If her dance moves or chubby cheeks don't get you, her voice will. myspace.com/lykkeli

Paprika

2008-12-20T17:05:00.012-06:00

What if all our dreams became one, and the borders between reality and that dreamworld was non existent? I'm not an anime buff, but if the story is well written and executed I'm all about it. Paprika was fun, pretty and if I was an anime boy, Paprika would be my anime girl. That reminds me, I need to find my copy of Akira.

Happy Holidays To All

2008-12-20T15:46:00.001-06:00

The Mother Of Invention

2008-12-20T15:34:00.003-06:00

"A feature film currently seeking distribution"
exploreinspire.com

No Body Puts Baby In A Corner

2008-12-14T12:11:00.001-06:00

2008-12-14T12:08:00.000-06:00

“I've met God across his long walnut desk with his diplomas hanging on the wall behind him, and God asks me, "Why?" Why did I cause so much pain? Didn't I realize that each of us is a sacred, unique snowflake of special unique specialness? Can't I see how we're all manifestations of love? I look at God behind his desk, taking notes on a pad, but God's got this all wrong. We are not special. We are not crap or trash, either. We just are. We just are, and what happens just happens. And God says, "No, that's not right." Yeah. Well. Whatever. You can't teach God anything.”

Triforce of Life

2008-11-28T16:00:00.004-06:00

I find that most people take on new jobs, projects and hobbies for three reasons:

1. To learn something new
2. To pay the bills
3. Because they love doing it

These three things fulfill some of our very basic needs—they give us stability, excitement, ways to contribute and opportunities to grow.

Maxing out your Triangle

Keirin

2008-11-27T20:26:00.002-06:00

keirinberlin.de

Thanksgivin'

2008-11-27T19:16:00.006-06:00

Charlie Brown: We've got ANOTHER holiday to worry about. It seems Thanksgiving Day is upon us.
Sally Brown: I haven't even finished eating all of my Halloween candy.

Am I actually watching Click with my sister? Thanksgiving dinner in PA with family. Overhauled my desktop + icons. Did the Zoey Deschanel + M. Ward co-lab "She & Him" put me to sleep on the plane flight? Short and fragmented sentences are in. Happy Thanksgivin' y'all.

"What does the moon landing mean to man kind? I think thats what the launcher means to man kind"

2008-11-22T15:48:00.001-06:00

Jasper van Es

2008-11-16T21:18:00.001-06:00

Call Me An Existentialist

2008-11-16T12:49:00.005-06:00

...but life is absurd, and the second you realize this you are free

Wrath

2008-11-11T11:47:00.006-06:00

I've slain dragons, hordes of orcs, beasts the like you have never witnessed, approximately 30,000 other players in fierce one on one combat and yet my life has all led up to this point... Northrend holds many secrets yet one truth. The son who betrayed a father, his land and his people shall die by my hand. As soon as I get ahold of a copy of Wrath of the Lich King on the 13th :(

Pink Velvet Sausage Wallet

2008-11-11T10:18:00.004-06:00

Sarah Palin has received her first job offer since failing in her bid to become vice-president of the United States -- to appear in a porno movie.

Florida-based porn director Cezar Capone has offered to pay Palin $2 million to appear in an adult film production.

Capone promises in an open letter on his website that the film would be distributed internationally, shot in high definition and feature a "beautiful mother recognized by all of America as well as the rest of the world -- the most desirable woman over 40."

Palin offered $2M to appear in porn movie

Escape

2008-10-31T20:13:00.004-05:00

I've been away for awhile now, and ill be away for at least a few more days. I've been in the Mojave desert training for the past month. Updates will continue soon.

~~God Bless~~ Ciao

M83

2008-09-21T21:25:00.001-05:00

Fashion, Fast-ion?

2008-09-21T20:11:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Bobby for sharing this one first.

That's What She Said

2008-09-21T18:42:00.001-05:00

Full Tuck

2008-09-21T11:42:00.004-05:00

Just waiting for the new pearl white ones to arrive in the states and it's mine. The entire country of Italy takes the month of August off? Why did it take so long for me to discover Cat Power? Metallica's new cd isn't nearly as horrible as the last few? You need to be a resident of TX to buy a gun here, who thought? Is that me that smells right now or this cold cut sub that hasn't been refrigerated i'm eating?

Safe Sex Kills More Than Unwanted Babies

2008-09-21T11:26:00.000-05:00

I Call Bullshit

2008-09-01T21:47:00.003-05:00

Finally a long weekend off after 3 weeks without one. As soon as I get another off I'm going to get internet installed into my barracks room. I miss updating, I miss the internet and all the drama that goes with it.

Speaking of which, Sarah Palin. I'd write a thesis on said person and subject (prego daughter coverup?) but it's been done already on millions of other blogs. And I'm about to get dinner with my dad.

I will however bring up something that I really didn't care about until the other day. Now I use the word 'care' lightly here. I really don't care, but it does give me something to write about. Is alcoholism a disease? And in the same realm is addiction a disease?

al·co·hol·ism noun
a chronic disorder characterized by dependence on alcohol, repeated excessive use of alcoholic beverages, the development of withdrawal symptoms on reducing or ceasing intake, morbidity that may include cirrhosis of the liver, and decreased ability to function socially and vocationally.

Don't get me wrong, alcoholism aka "a lack of self control" can be a problem and it can be heartbreaking when someone we love can't stop drinking in turn harming themselves; and only to that extent can it really be likened to being a disease. The American Heritage Dictionary defines 'Disease' partly as "2. A condition or tendency, as of society, regarded as abnormal and harmful." Beyond this parallel there is nothing that goes along with alcoholism or addiction that can label it as a disease.

Alcoholism is a choice. You make that choice to pick up that bottle or to take 'one more' shot.

In a recent Gallup poll, 90% of people surveyed believe that alcoholism is a disease. Most argue that because the American Medical Association (AMA) has proclaimed alcoholism a disease, the idea is without reproach.

But, the fact is that the AMA made this determination in the absence of empirical evidence. After reviewing the history of the decision, it would not be unreasonable to suggest that the AMA has been pursuing its own agenda in the face of evidence negating the validity of alcoholism.

Alcoholism Is Not A Disease

Quick Update

2008-08-09T17:50:00.006-05:00

It's been a long week. Made it home for one night before I have to be back in on a Sunday. I'll leave you with this Lakai Fully Flared intro; gives me goosebumps every time I watch it.

Hopefully sometime this coming week I'll have internet in my barracks room and I can update this thing on a regular basis.

Jerk It

2008-08-02T20:40:00.004-05:00

Why is this video so sexual? Is it the sweaty blonde? The spandex? The suggestive lyrics? The slow motion boobie jiggles? Or the chicken?

Comic Con '08

2008-08-02T16:45:00.006-05:00

Name: Tom Paige

Age: 38

Times at Comic-Con: Two

What are you most excited about seeing at Comic-Con?
Seeing hot chicks in spandex.

Describe your costume and how you made it:
I'm wearing a really gay, royal blue, spandex rocker costume that is a combo of wrestling and music. I pieced it together from dance clothing.

Comic-Con: Scenes From a Geektravaganza

...I Know Kung-Fu

2008-08-02T14:04:00.009-05:00

That's it, the real world is over. Everyone go home now.

If The Matrix really existed, it would probably have to be a quantum simulator. The fictional computer in that story can create virtual worlds indistinguishable from the real one and project them into people’s minds. But the real world includes quantum phenomena, something ordinary computers can’t fully simulate.

Now physicists have created a rudimentary prototype of a machine that simulates quantum phenomena using quantum physics, rather than using data kept in a classical computer. While the new device can't make people fly like the Matrix does, it demonstrates a technique that could enable physicists to create, in the virtual world, materials that don't yet exist in nature and perhaps figure out how to build, in the real world, superconductors that work at room temperature, for example.

Building 'The Matrix'

Tits... hehe

2008-08-01T20:32:00.012-05:00

I like boobies just as much as the next guy, but I've never liked fake boobies. Heh, boobies. So then why do women keep getting them? Obviously they don't have my feelings in mind, but what about other men?

The first time I saw a pair of surgically enhanced breasts with my own eyes was around eight or nine years ago, in the changing rooms of the gym at a private members' club where a friend had taken me for a workout. I remember it distinctly. I was getting undressed, nervously, as I don't like disrobing in front of strangers; and there was another woman, a few feet away, topless, with oddly firm, projectile breasts pointing skywards.

My first reaction was shock. Two very weird, alien body parts, brazenly displayed right in front of me. They didn't look real or natural in the slightest. They looked like what they were: breasts that had been bought and paid for. Not soft and slightly saggy, like a thirtysomething embonpoint should be; but plastic, hard-looking and aggressively perfect. I felt like I'd been slapped in the face.

They're weird, vulgar and men don't even like them...

The Miracle of Life, Is Terrifying

2008-08-01T19:01:00.004-05:00

I'll let you read these for yourself.

You know what's scarier than death? Birth.

For those of you about to have your first child, or who are considering it, you should know that there are some things about childbirth they're not telling you. Disgusting, horrifying things.

6 Terrifying Things They Don't Tell You About Childbirth

I know of only one duty, and that is to love.

2008-07-24T20:30:00.003-05:00

"Blessed are the hearts that can bend; they shall never be broken."
- Albert Camus
The Stranger by Albert Camus

Vroom vroom

2008-07-24T16:06:00.005-05:00

Somebody buy me this bike. I've wanted a bike since I started driving, but my parents would have none of that. "One idiot makes a mistake out there, not even you, and its over" they would say. And they were right. But seeing as now im a grown ass man and ill be in harms way anyway in less than a year overseas what better time than now to own one? The K1200R is by no means a beginners bike, but I'm not in a beginners bike mood. Give me something that cries to be pushed, in turn pushing myself. I also love the look of a naked bike like this or the Suzuki SV650. With no fairing, you get a glimpse of the belly of the beast. And with 163 ponies, it is the worlds most powerful production naked bike. Now, if only I could find a means to finance one without a ridiculous interest rate knowing my credit. Someday.

Or maybe this little baby. Buell XB12Ss

“He was a great patriot, a humanitarian, a loyal friend - provided, of course, that he really is dead.” - Voltaire

2008-07-23T14:17:00.007-05:00

I'll be honest, I've had this article bookmarked for a short time now. Not because I was waiting to post it or thinking of something to write. But because I wanted to keep it to myself. Then I remembered this is the internet and how my mom always taught me to share. I also believe deeply that if you have never pondered outlandish themes such as faking ones own death at least once in your life, for lack of a better word, you suck. I've presented said problem among others to people, and they look at me like I'm crazy. Mahatma Gandhi said, “Those who know how to think need no teachers.” It's not the subject of faking your death, it's using your brain. Enjoy and good luck.

Your debts are piling up; the job's getting on your nerves, and maybe your partner doesn't look as hot as he or she once did. It's that John Darwin canoe moment – when you think the unthinkable and wonder if life would be better if you ended it all for the old you and started over with a shiny new one. Not a real death, of course. But a phoney – staging, perhaps, your own personal Mary Celeste, with canoe or dinghy abandoned on the briny, or, like ex-minister John Stonehouse and television's immortal Reggie Perrin, a neat little pile of clothes left on the beach with their owner nowhere to be seen. Many are tempted, and a good few, like Mr Darwin of Seaton Carew and Panama fame, succumb. Faking death and having a second bite at life's cherry is a difficult area in which to give guidance, since we never, by definition, get to hear of the successful, only the failures. But their errors and weaknesses can be our instruction manual.

It can be done. An uplifting tale of success to buoy you all up at the outset. In 1975, New Zealander Ivan Manson, aged 44, with a wife and four children, never returned from a fishing trip. His boat was found, but he wasn't. Police were sceptical. No inquest was held. We might never have been any the wiser had not two cars collided in Queensland, Australia, 20 years later. One of the bodies was identified from fingerprints as Ivan Manson. He had lived as a pillar of the local bowls club in the town of Caboolture ever since his fishing trip. Let his example be your lodestar.http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

Think twice about using another body: The days when you could stick a corpse of the right gender and approximate height in a car, crash it, soak it with fuel, set it alight, and trust the charred remains will be mistaken for you are – for better or worse – gone. Dental records, DNA and the high price of petrol have put paid to that. No longer is anyone likely to imitate Captain Henry Cecil Dudgeon D'Arcy of the Frontier Light Horse, who, having been awarded the VC in the Zulu wars, turned to drink. Later, a body wearing his clothes was found in a cave and, this being the pathology of a century ago, presumed to be his. Only many decades later was it learnt that D'Arcy had found a dead man lying in the snow, changed clothes with him, and gone to Natal, and lived out the rest of his life under an assumed name. He was once recognised in 1925, but swore his discoverer to the secret, which the man kept until D'Arcy died.

Faking it: How to do a Reggie and get away with it

The Dragon In My Garage

2008-07-23T14:06:00.004-05:00

An interesting parable about science, faith and skepticism by my bro Carl Sagan.

The Dragon In My Garage
by
Carl Sagan

"A fire-breathing dragon lives in my garage"
Suppose (I'm following a group therapy approach by the psychologist Richard Franklin) I seriously make such an assertion to you. Surely you'd want to check it out, see for yourself. There have been innumerable stories of dragons over the centuries, but no real evidence. What an opportunity!

"Show me," you say. I lead you to my garage. You look inside and see a ladder, empty paint cans, an old tricycle--but no dragon.

"Where's the dragon?" you ask.

"Oh, she's right here," I reply, waving vaguely. "I neglected to mention that she's an invisible dragon."

You propose spreading flour on the floor of the garage to capture the dragon's footprints.

"Good idea," I say, "but this dragon floates in the air."

Then you'll use an infrared sensor to detect the invisible fire.

"Good idea, but the invisible fire is also heatless."

You'll spray-paint the dragon and make her visible.

"Good idea, but she's an incorporeal dragon and the paint won't stick."

And so on. I counter every physical test you propose with a special explanation of why it won't work.

Now, what's the difference between an invisible, incorporeal, floating dragon who spits heatless fire and no dragon at all? If there's no way to disprove my contention, no conceivable experiment that would count against it, what does it mean to say that my dragon exists? Your inability to invalidate my hypothesis is not at all the same thing as proving it true. Claims that cannot be tested, assertions immune to disproof are veridically worthless, whatever value they may have in inspiring us or in exciting our sense of wonder. What I'm asking you to do comes down to believing, in the absence of evidence, on my say-so.

The only thing you've really learned from my insistence that there's a dragon in my garage is that something funny is going on inside my head. You'd wonder, if no physical tests apply, what convinced me. The possibility that it was a dream or a hallucination would certainly enter your mind. But then, why am I taking it so seriously? Maybe I need help. At the least, maybe I've seriously underestimated human fallibility.

Imagine that, despite none of the tests being successful, you wish to be scrupulously open-minded. So you don't outright reject the notion that there's a fire-breathing dragon in my garage. You merely put it on hold. Present evidence is strongly against it, but if a new body of data emerge you're prepared to examine it and see if it convinces you. Surely it's unfair of me to be offended at not being believed; or to criticize you for being stodgy and unimaginative-- merely because you rendered the Scottish verdict of "not proved."

Imagine that things had gone otherwise. The dragon is invisible, all right, but footprints are being made in the flour as you watch. Your infrared detector reads off-scale. The spray paint reveals a jagged crest bobbing in the air before you. No matter how skeptical you might have been about the existence of dragons--to say nothing about invisible ones--you must now acknowledge that there's something here, and that in a preliminary way it's consistent with an invisible, fire-breathing dragon.

Now another scenario: Suppose it's not just me. Suppose that several people of your acquaintance, including people who you're pretty sure don't know each other, all tell you that they have dragons in their garages--but in every case the evidence is maddeningly elusive. All of us admit we're disturbed at being gripped by so odd a conviction so ill-supported by the physical evidence. None of us is a lunatic. We speculate about what it would mean if invisible dragons were really hiding out in garages all over the world, with us humans just catching on. I'd rather it not be true, I tell you. But maybe all those ancient European and Chinese myths about dragons weren't myths at all.

Gratifyingly, some dragon-size footprints in the flour are now reported. But they're never made when a skeptic is looking. An alternative explanation presents itself. On close examination it seems clear that the footprints could have been faked. Another dragon enthusiast shows up with a burnt finger and attributes it to a rare physical manifestation of the dragon's fiery breath. But again, other possibilities exist. We understand that there are other ways to burn fingers besides the breath of invisible dragons. Such "evidence"--no matter how important the dragon advocates consider it--is far from compelling. Once again, the only sensible approach is tentatively to reject the dragon hypothesis, to be open to future physical data, and to wonder what the cause might be that so many apparently sane and sober people share the same strange delusion.

I'm President Charley

2008-07-22T20:53:00.002-05:00

Plot summary: Ummm, I'm not really sure.

Watchmen

2008-07-21T19:34:00.002-05:00

While we are on the subject of The Dark Knight and super heroes I guess i should mention the upcoming film "Watchmen". I first heard about the graphic novel almost a year ago working at the Alamo Drafthouse from some of the guys I worked with. I guess it's time to pick up a copy and read it before the film is released. Also is that new smashing pumpkins or whatever solo project that bald headed dude is in now?

Watchmen is set in 1985, in an alternate history United States where costumed adventurers are real and the country is edging closer to a nuclear war with the Soviet Union (the Doomsday Clock is at five minutes to midnight). It tells the story of a group of past and present superheroes and the events surrounding the mysterious murder of one of their own. Watchmen depicts superheroes as real people who must confront ethical and personal issues, who struggle with neuroses and failings, and who—with one notable exception—lack anything recognizable as super powers. Watchmen's deconstruction of the conventional superhero archetype, combined with its innovative adaptation of cinematic techniques and heavy use of symbolism, multi-layered dialogue, and metafiction, has influenced both comics and film.

Someone get batman a lozenge

2008-07-21T18:29:00.008-05:00

If you haven't seen the Dark Knight yet, please do so. It's one of the best movies I've seen in a LONG time. Christian Bale is turning out to be a bad ass actor. I've never been into the Terminator movies, but I'll go to see T4 just because he's in it. He's such a dream boat.

Magazine Scan 2
Magazine Scan 3

1, 2, 3, 4... Penguins that were by the door

2008-07-16T19:02:00.001-05:00

Strangers

2008-07-16T14:46:00.002-05:00

Even without dialog, it's quite moving. And that subway is pretty cool.

I am Batman

2008-07-15T20:59:00.005-05:00

On the eve of the eve of the midnight release of The Dark Knight, I wonder, how dark will it be? Christian Bale has played some pretty dark characters; The Machinist, American Psycho. And we all know how into his character Heath Ledger got (too much sadly). Here's hoping it blows me away, which a new movie hasn't done in awhile. Oh, WALL-E was cute though.

DIY: Stealth Bomber Crash

2008-07-15T13:17:00.003-05:00

You may remember the story of the B-2 stealth bomber that crashed in Guam awhile ago, well they finally released some sick photos of it and the above illustration that looks oddly similar to an inflight safety manual... anyway, check out the pics and details. B-2 Crash Pics

There goes the neighborhood

2008-07-11T20:34:00.011-05:00

If you were remotely thinking of seeking economic refuge in another country, now would be a good time to do so.

Alarmed by the growing financial stress at the nation’s two largest mortgage finance companies, senior Bush administration officials are considering a plan to have the government take over one or both of the companies and place them in a conservatorship if their problems worsen, people briefed about the plan said on Thursday.

The companies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, have been hit hard by the mortgage foreclosure crisis. Their shares are plummeting and their borrowing costs are rising as investors worry that the companies will suffer losses far larger than the $11 billion they have already lost in recent months. Now, as housing prices decline further and foreclosures grow, the markets are worried that Fannie and Freddie themselves may default on their debt.

Under a conservatorship, the shares of Fannie and Freddie would be worth little or nothing, and any losses on mortgages they own or guarantee — which could be staggering — would be paid by taxpayers.

Let me repeat that incase you missed it. "any losses on mortgages they own or guarantee — which could be staggering — would be paid by taxpayers." The money you and I earn daily, working for ourselves, to better our lives would be taxed even more to bail out 2 companies that we're so drunk with the need to make more and more money. Don't be surprised if it happens, and don't be surprised if General Motors, and many airline companies are next.

U.S. Weighs Takeover of Two Mortgage Giants

"We've been aware there's some very serious vampire activity in this town for some time"

2008-07-10T18:59:00.006-05:00

The 80’s were a decade of decadence, with everything being bigger, crazier, and more over the top. It was the beginning of the age of insanity, and yet somehow, out of the midst of all of the big crazy hair and drug use and Reaganomics, a few gems that could withstand the test of time were born. Even if the hair and clothes change, some things just stay perfect. With that we present…12 Awesome 80's Movies That Are Perfect

Ahmadinewhatshisface speaks out

2008-07-09T17:43:00.006-05:00

I figured the above picture would clear up any confusion as to who Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is incase you are 90+ years old and still listen to only the radio to receive your news.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that he sees no possibility of a war between his country and the United States or Israel.

He also predicted Israel would collapse without Iranian action. "I assure you that there won't be any war in the future," Ahmadinejad told a news conference during a visit to Malaysia for a summit of developing Muslim nations.

The Israelis "are a complex political group, but you should know this regime will be eventually destroyed and there is no need of any measure by Iranian people," he said when asked to comment on whether he has called for the destruction of Israel.
Ahmadinejad's comments came a day after Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the country would retaliate against any military strike by targeting Tel Aviv and U.S. warships in the Gulf.

Iranian officials have been issuing a mix of conciliatory and bellicose statements in recent weeks about the possibility of a clash with the U.S. and Israel.

Ahmadinejad has in the past called for Israel's elimination. But his exact remarks have been disputed. Some translators say he called for Israel to be "wiped off the map," but others say that would be better translated as "vanish from the pages of time" — implying Israel would disappear on its own rather than be destroyed.

Ahmadinejad: No War With US, Israel

Faux News sheds the light on the hate filled, unpatriotic Michelle Obama

2008-07-09T15:22:00.004-05:00

If this compilation of Fox News clips doesn't make you a little upset, there is something seriously wrong with you.

N 51°46’10.7“ E 10°40’32.5“

2008-07-07T16:23:00.002-05:00

Lightmark.de

"Lay off me im starving!"

2008-07-07T13:05:00.004-05:00

Its been about ~16 weeks now since i've been been able to sit on a comfy couch, watch what I want on tv, eat what I want when I want, and use a computer at my leisure. It's also been that long since i've seen my girlfriend and my family so don't expect much out of me for the next few weeks while I enjoy myself. You think you have an idea of how much you love someone, then you leave them for a few months only able to communicate via written letters. If I was able to decrypt my orders correctly I'll be in the 1st Cav stationed at Ft. Hood about 50 mins north of Austin in Killeen. I don't know what Battalion I'm in or when i'll be deployed but I'm glad I'm not in Korea or Ft. Drum in upstate NY; although Alaska would have been cool. I have some time before I have to report there and will probably be driving up to Philly to see friends and my mom + sister. That is if getting my expired out of state license doesn't take 3 weeks.

Diablo III

2008-07-07T12:47:00.005-05:00

Many have been waiting for it for the past 8 years since the release of Diablo 2, and its finally arrived. Actually it's only been announced, but still how exciting right? Blizzard currently has the triple threat of WoW: Wrath of the Litch King, Starcraft II and now Diablo III on deck waiting to be released to the blood thirsty masses and fanboys. Obviously not all going to be released at once, with Wrath of the Litch King due out by the end of this year (I believe, its been awhile since i've been on a computer) and Starcraft II soon to follow with my projection of a Q4 '09 release of Diablo III Blizzard will have many nerds, pimple faced teens and middle aged men satisfied for the following couple years.

While I may not purchase Starcraft II as soon as its out, you can guarantee EB Games will have my name down for a copy of Diablo III months before its on the shelves. Check out the site for your self, the gameplay video is quite impressive. It looks like they wont be straying far from the already working equation of hack + slash = hours of fun, with quite a bit of improvements and added goodies thrown into the mix. Needless to say expect my life to be consumed come release.

Diablo III

To whom it may concern.

2008-06-07T09:28:00.005-05:00

We just finished up week 10 of basic. With about 3 weeks of training left and 4 until graduation, i'm about ready to finish up here. It's been the shittiest of times and the best of times. I've never sweat so much, ran so far, or felt so worn out before. I've also never ran a mile at 2pm in the Georgia sun, done multiple sets of exercises and shot from 400 meters out only to low crawl to the next iteration of exercises and shooting for 30 mins straight. But i've loved almost every minute of it. The hardest part has been being away from my family, Kierstan and my friends. The outside world doesnt stop moving, waiting for you to come back. I just hope those I love dont forget me when I do come back; namely Kierstan. She is a huge part of why I am here, and she is what gets me through the times when i'm really sucking. Everyday I hope she remembers how much I love her and is there standing tall in her little red dress at my graduation with a smile on her face. I picture that in my mind every night when i'm getting ready for bed. Just as I can still close my eyes and picture her coming down the escalator with her teddy bear Roosevelt in hand at the Philly airport.

I love you.

Bon voyage

2008-03-16T15:52:00.006-05:00

This will probably be my last post for a long long time now. I leave for basic training in about 3 days, and ill be there for 14 weeks. After which I will be going onto Airborne school to learn how to jump out of a perfectly sound plane. Then onto multiple prep and training courses for a total of about 2 years of training if I don't let my self give up or fall behind too much in them. To Kierstan, I love you with all my heart, I will be thinking about you every day and I'll come back to you soon. To my friends I love all of you and ill miss every one of you; don't forget about me because ill be back. To my family, thank you for everything you've done for me. De Oppresso Liber.

Both of my parents died a couple of hours ago... Lets have another drink

2008-03-15T23:25:00.002-05:00

This is not a drill, this is really happening

2008-03-13T22:08:00.005-05:00

In September 2007, the Inspector General of the Justice Department reported that the Terrorist Screening Center (the FBI-administered organization that consolidates terrorist watch list information in the United States) had over 700,000 names in its database as of April 2007 - and that the list was growing by an average of over 20,000 records per month.

At that rate, our list will have a million names on it by July. If there were really that many terrorists running around, we'd all be dead.

Terrorist watch lists must be tightly focused on true terrorists who pose a genuine threat. Bloated lists are bad because they ensnare many innocent travelers as suspected terrorists, and because they waste screeners' time and divert their energies from looking for true terrorists. Small, focused watch lists are better for civil liberties and for security.

The uncontroversial contention that Osama Bin Laden and a handful of other known terrorists should not be allowed on an aircraft is being used to create a monster that goes far beyond what ordinary Americans think of when they think about a "terrorist watch list."

This is not just a problem of numbers. The numbers are merely a symptom. What's needed is fairness. If the government is going to rely on these kinds of lists, they need checks and balances to ensure that innocent people are protected.

Granted the ACLU has stated things some things in the past that are a little too far left for my personal tastes, but if you're going to have fundamentalist neo-conservatives running this country and telling us what to fear on a daily basis, we should definitely have an organization that opposes such ideology on the other end of the spectrum.
ACLU: Watch List Counter

Futt Buckers

2008-03-13T21:32:00.007-05:00

I just got back from Philly, and I already miss everyone. I will miss my computer for a short time, and maybe my xbox, and for awhile my puppies, but I will always miss my friends. I came home to a vintage copy of Lord of the Flies that I purchased before leaving. I think I'll start collecting books, and maybe read most of them. I want to eventually have a floor to ceiling set of shelves stocked full of books nestled in the corner of my apartment or house in the future. I still have all my art history books, and literature books from high-school as well as a few poetry books from college english classes. I think they'll make a good start.

I leave for basic in 6 days.

Blue Brain

2008-03-11T14:57:00.003-05:00

The name of the supercomputer is literal: Each of its microchips has been programmed to act just like a real neuron in a real brain. The behavior of the computer replicates, with shocking precision, the cellular events unfolding inside a mind. "This is the first model of the brain that has been built from the bottom-up," says Henry Markram, a neuroscientist at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the director of the Blue Brain project. "There are lots of models out there, but this is the only one that is totally biologically accurate. We began with the most basic facts about the brain and just worked from there."

Out of the Blue

Existing for one's own sake

2008-03-11T13:37:00.005-05:00

When juxtaposed with my previous post 'Return to who?' I may be viewed as a hypocrite. But where is there a law that states you must hold fast to your beliefs regardless of the price? I would rather be cited as a hypocrite by others for constantly changing my beliefs, searching for truth, than stand fast in them and stagnate. Is it not better to search and never find what you are looking for than to stand still and claim how brilliant and right you are? Is it not a fact that men who do not learn from the past are doomed to rehash it? Maybe Tyler was right: "I say never be complete. I say stop being perfect. I say let's evolve and let the chips fall where they may. But that's me, I could be wrong, maybe it's a terrible tragedy." Or maybe that movie is just too overly quoted.

Brb

2008-03-06T08:54:00.003-06:00

Taking the next week or so off while I visit my totally awesome girlfriend and my rad friends.

Dear RIAA...

2008-03-02T23:28:00.009-06:00

Nine Inch Nails presents Ghosts I - IV, a brand new 36 track instrumental collection available right now. Almost two hours of new music composed and recorded over an intense ten week period last fall, Ghosts I - IV sprawls Nine Inch Nails across a variety of new terrain.

Trent Reznor explains, "I've been considering and wanting to make this kind of record for years, but by its very nature it wouldn't have made sense until this point. This collection of music is the result of working from a very visual perspective - dressing imagined locations and scenarios with sound and texture; a soundtrack for daydreams. I'm very pleased with the result and the ability to present it directly to you without interference. I hope you enjoy the first four volumes of Ghosts."

____________________________________

This music arrived unexpectedly as the result of an experiment. The rules were as follows: 10 weeks, no clear agenda, no overthinking, everything driven by impulse. Whatever happens during that time gets released as... something.

The team: Atticus Ross, Alan Moulder and myself with some help from Alessandro Cortini, Adrian Belew and Brian Viglione. Rob Sheridan collaborated with Artist in Residence (A+R) to create the accompanying visual and physical aesthetic.

We began improvising and let the music decide the direction. Eyes were closed, hands played instruments and it began. Within a matter of days it became clear we were on to something, and a lot of material began appearing. What we thought could be a five song EP became much more. I invited some friends over to join in and we all enjoyed the process of collaborating on this.

The end result is a wildly varied body of music that we're able to present to the world in ways the confines of a major record label would never have allowed - from a 100% DRM-free, high-quality download, to the most luxurious physical package we've ever created.

More volumes of Ghosts are likely to appear in the future.

- Trent Reznor, March 2, 2008

As of 11:30pm the site has been inundated with download requests, so if you're looking to download the free copy give it some time or come back.

Nine Inch Nails: Ghosts I-IV

A bit like De Niro

2008-03-02T03:52:00.002-06:00

It's 4am and i just got home and fell up the stairs to my room. Thank god my laptop broke the fall.

Return to who?

2008-03-01T17:15:00.011-06:00

I'm sure some people who visit this blog (thank you) wonder what the name 'Return to Her' actually stands for, or means. It is not about a girlfriend, or lyrics from a death metal band or anything personal but rather something I believe in with every cell, molecule and atom that I am composed of.

First some background. I was born into a family that forced no beliefs on me from the beginning. Who in fact embraced me to think for myself. After attending a private catholic middle school (which they thought would help educate me better) I began to be intrigued with the religion of christianity. I wanted to know about god, and live a good life as does everyone. Yet to this day I remember how fearful I felt each time I attended mass. I had no idea that if I didn't memorize the stations of the cross or genuflect at the correct moment I would go to hell. My god, why hadn't my parents told me this before? Why hadn't they made me aware that the world was only 12,000 years old and that if I stole a candy bar from the corner store with my friends I was doomed to burn in hell? But it was only a matter of time before logic reared its ugly head and I realized how ridiculous many of the things I was being taught were. I felt like a rebel, a true bad ass at the age of 13; then... high school. I went to a private catholic high school again solely because my parents felt it would better my education. As much as I hated it, if it wasn't for the alcoholic fathers and overly medicated religion teachers who were only 'born again' because of skeletons they wished to hide, I would not have been pushed into trying to educate myself on worldly things. So thank you crazy 11th grade religion teacher who made us write down on a piece of paper the one and only thing that would get us into heaven, and after exiting the room acted as St. Peter at the door allowing only those who wrote 'the belief in jesus' back inside and making the rest miss the rest of class. Fragment sentence I know, maybe my English teacher didn't do as good a job. Since high school though alongside trying to maintain an acceptable social life which was non-existent in said establishment, I have tried to come to some personal all encompassing conclusion on which to base my beliefs, morals and way of life.

And I believe I have found it. Not discovered but simply stumbled across for it's always been there, it just doesn't come with a man who was 100% god and 100% man (i mean wtf?) to point it out. What follows is a stream of consciousness so bear with me. We simply exist. There may be nothing more definite than the fact we are simply entities that are constructed of star dust, billions of years in the making. There is only here and only now, and I will not go to the past to look for shelter . I will not be frightful of the future for it has not happened and will not happen without focus and attention on the present. There is nothing more concrete or truer than one's self. And with this belief one can accomplish anything. We need not religion or looming figure looking over our shoulders to be moral beings. To believe in such things is to simply deny the power that you hold within yourself. We have been led to believe in individuality, success and power are what make a man or woman. When in trying to achieve such things we become detached from the very thing that breaths life and knowledge into us, one another. We are nothing without our fellow man. And every action we take must be in accordance with the survival and well being of one another. In doing so you in turn aid yourself. We are told the amount of wealth and affluence you gain over your nearly non existent time here makes you who you are. I am here to tell you it means nothing. The knowledge you impart on future generations means everything, including the survival and well being of those generations. I don't know if there is a 'god' or some supernatural entity that watches over us. I don't know what happens when we die? Perhaps we just cease to exist. Perhaps it doesn't even matter. When it happens I will know for sure and you can read my afterlife blog.

Which brings me back to the meaning of 'Return to Her'. Her refers to the common personification of the planet Earth. The single thing besides the sun, and ok maybe the moon that gives us life. And not just the earth, but we the people of the earth are one entity and without a return to ourselves we will not be truly happy and truly flourish. Go read a book, go watch a movie and discuss it with a friend, go online and find out how to cook or read Aristotle's Metaphysics. Figure out things for yourself and impart your wisdom on others. Take everything you hear with a grain of salt and collect as many grains as you can to form the truth for yourself. And in the end, if there is a god and when we make it to the gates of heaven, in doing all of this would he/she not look upon us with great love in their heart? Or perhaps if we are reincarnated, would it not mean we would be one step closer to escaping the endlessly turning wheel of samsara?

Don't fuck this up America

2008-03-01T15:30:00.002-06:00

Hillary Clinton in '08

Bill Clinton '04

5 most [uselessly] talented people on the internet

2008-02-29T12:18:00.007-06:00

Degree of difficulty: 6 out of 10. Half God-given gift, half dedicated training. (Note that this is in reference to the scream, not his insane, bulging package. Studies show that packages are entirely God-given.)

Degree of usefulness: 7 out of 10. Loses a point because it’s not the ’80s anymore. Still, with range like that, you’d have to be pretty ugly to not develop a career in singing. (Or porn. Seriously, did you see that thing? It was so well-defined, so hermetically sealed in acid wash that I could draw it from memory.)

The Five Most Talented People on the Internet

Wondering where that beautiful man is from? Please take note at 2:15... that is all.

Top 5 tree hugging presidents, guess who's not on the list?

2008-02-29T10:50:00.004-06:00

While Iraq is by far the biggest issue in the 2008 U.S. presidential elections, the candidate’s environmental stances are more important this year than in any election preceding it.

We sincerely hope that our next president, whoever he or she may be, is committed to helping improve the planet’s environment. While they might not have had any great examples to follow the past few years, there are several U.S. presidents that did a lot for the environment. Here’s a list of 5 eco-friendly presidents in chronological order.

The 5 Most Environmentally Friendly Presidents in U.S. History

Fox & Friends

2008-02-29T10:32:00.008-06:00

I posted a little video a few days showing a comedian by the name of Lee Camp on Fox News. While his rant wasn't really tactful and he didn't really take the huge opportunity to say something mind blowing, you have to support him for taking a stab at Fox 'News'. He apparently has received a huge amount of emails about the video and went on to discuss the situation in the following article.

What happened after they cut to a commercial? Clayton Morris was visibly furious but didn't say a word. Neither did anyone in the main studio. I got up, took my microphone off, and walked silently back to the greenroom, itching to the get the fuck out of that sixth circle of hell. Back in the greenroom I saw the female co-host, who was wearing her normal business skirt that is only half an inch away from illegal in 23 states. Even though there are three TV's back there showing nothing but Fox "News" (and we act like water boarding is torture?) she apparently had not watched the segment. She looked at me and said, "GREAT JOB!! We need more humor on the show. It's all so serious!" She did not get to the natural conclusion of her thought, "Now excuse me. I have to go interview strippers wearing Star Trek outfits designed for three-year-olds."

I then left the building without speaking to anyone. Following the break, intrepid newshound Clayton Morris pretended on-air as if he had thrown me out of the building. Here's the clip: He says something like, "I had to get rid of that guy!" The other anchor then says something like, "Well, it shows we have both sides of the issues here at Fox News." They then go on to interview the naked Star Trek chicks. (...)

Everyone has been amused with the irony that after I said my remarks respectable journalist Clayton Morris hit back with, "You can get all the news you can at Fox," and then sends it over to a story about Captain Kirk's lovers, which would not have been a news story even if it had been covered during Star Trek's actual run 38 years ago. (...)

This helps answer the last question - Wasn't my tirade a little rude and lacking in class? A few people who agree with what I said have asked this. My own mother said I should have warned the nice news people that I was going to trash them. My view of a lack of class is knowing that nearly a million civilians have died in Iraq and yet then reporting that 80,000 have. My view of unrefined is calling peace activists "anti-American." My view of barbaric is being aware that genocide goes on in Darfur but refusing to speak about it on-air because the people funding it are your corporate friends. My view of disrespectful is calling the first probable African American nominee for president "Muslim" in hopes that it will inspire enough racism in your viewers to defeat him in November. My idea of vulgar is creating false "news" stories that have some relation to naked women so that you can show clips of those women while you discuss it in a "professional" manner.

I realize I'm a comedian, and I realize my job is not to tell the truth. But in a situation like this, I feel it's a crime not to. Plus, all the best comedians have spoken the truth - Bruce, Carlin, Pryor, Hicks. So I don't give a fuck if people say "that's not funny."

alternet.org | read article

A little comment from a fellow digg user:

Roger Ailes, the President of Fox News was former George H.W. Bush's campaign manager. He put Rush Limbaugh on the air, helped Reagan get re-elected, and is an openly conservative supporter of the GOP. Everyone has some political leaning, not all of us have HUGE NEWS NETWORKS to use to share our views.

News is not unbiased. By the power of human nature, all reporting is biased, if even subtly. Fox unfortunately goes to the other end of the spectrum however, featuring conservative rhetoric, themes, and news reporting, unfortunately.

Greed

2008-02-28T22:24:00.001-06:00

*

2008-02-28T10:47:00.002-06:00

Im shipping off for training March 19th.

Wat?

2008-02-25T12:38:00.000-06:00

Faux News

2008-02-24T09:20:00.007-06:00

Comic
by luvnews

Everyday I come over and my mom has the tv on, even if she isn't sitting in front of it, she has Fox News on. I asked her once why she watches it, and she said because its entertaining. I'm sorry but when I want the hear what's going on around the world, thats just it... I don't want jazz hands or women reporters who in any other situation would be considered MILFS. Fox News is not a new channel, it's part of a network that airs Cops, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, and... American Idol. It is not "fair and balanced", it is meant to entertain. Let's not forget Bill O'Oreilly is also part of the Fox News crew and I may be going out on a limb here, but that guy is about as far off "balance" as you can get.

Le Grrr

2008-02-23T18:42:00.003-06:00

I dont speak a lick of French, but I think Helmo is both Thomas Couderc & Clément Vauchez . This series is for Galeries Lafayette, a large department store in downtown Paris.

Love mattress, when with others or by yourself

2008-02-22T19:09:00.002-06:00

Sleeping with your arm around a loved one—how sweet. Unfortunately, doing this in a conventional bed is massively uncomfortable. There is simply no place to put the extra arm—and its not like your loved one can just lay on it. If you do that, you might as well go the whole 9 and chop it off because it will be useless in the morning.

Fortunately, Mehdi Mojtabvi's Love Mattress offers a genius solution involving polyurethane-injected foam strips that allow arms and feet to fit snugly in the gaps. Apparently, the latter would be good for those who tend to sleep on their stomachs—but it doesn't take a vivid imagination to think of some other uses for that kind of traction. Too bad it is only a concept at this point.

Gizmodo & Freshome

Apparently 'Be Kind Rewind' was stolen from an 'Amanda Show' skit...

2008-02-22T16:11:00.010-06:00

...and who gives a shit? Don't be sad because its already done better than the Amanda Show and just came out today.

Swede (swēd) v.: To re-create a trailer, scene, or movie with untrained actors and low-budget aesthetics; n.: A native or inhabitant of Sweden.

Die Hard

Lord of the Rings (the whole damn thing)

The 5 Most Awesomely Sweded Movies

Black on Black

2008-02-22T14:24:00.002-06:00

Vinyl Pulse

Indie docs speak out

2008-02-22T14:00:00.008-06:00

Phil Donahue was so enraged by coverage of the Iraq War that he came out of retirement. But instead of heading back to a network studio, where he had spent more than 30 years building his name as a talk-show host, he followed the lead of some of the most talented storytellers in media: He made an independent documentary.

Donahue's Body of War, co-directed with Ellen Spiro, tells the harrowing story of an American soldier who, returning home from Iraq paralyzed, begins fighting the system that sent him there. It's one of a growing number of provocative, ambitious and impassioned indie docs born, in part, out of frustration with the perceived inadequacy of the mainstream press.

"I believe these documentaries fill the giant black hole left by corporate media," Donahue said. "These [independent filmmakers] don't report to boardrooms. They don't fear making people angry."

"The mainstream reportage of Iraq either has blindly sided with the party line from Washington or has not asked the tough questions these filmmakers are willing to ask," he said, adding that war docs relate stories "you aren't really seeing in your daily newspapers or evening news. They are thinking outside of the box, coming at things from a different point of view."

Fearless War Docs Fight the Good Fight at Oscars

You go girl

2008-02-22T13:52:00.000-06:00

Marcus Ohlsson

2008-02-22T13:44:00.002-06:00

Marcus Ohlsson

"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." -Albert Einstein

2008-02-21T17:56:00.010-06:00

Wasn't that debate squashed in something like the 16th century?

I just came across this interesting article about Memri, the organization that who distributed the video. A bit lengthy, but an interesting read. And if you know your Israeli history, then you know they've been caught planting false evidence against the Arab world.

For some time now, I have been receiving small gifts from a generous institute in the United States. The gifts are high-quality translations of articles from Arabic newspapers which the institute sends to me by email every few days, entirely free-of-charge.
The emails also go to politicians and academics, as well as to lots of other journalists. The stories they contain are usually interesting. (...)

The organisation that makes these translations and sends them out is the Middle East Media Research Institute (Memri), based in Washington but with recently-opened offices in London, Berlin and Jerusalem.

Its work is subsidised by US taxpayers because as an "independent, non-partisan, non-profit" organisation, it has tax-deductible status under American law.

Memri's purpose, according to its website, is to bridge the language gap between the west - where few speak Arabic - and the Middle East, by "providing timely translations of Arabic, Farsi, and Hebrew media".

Despite these high-minded statements, several things make me uneasy whenever I'm asked to look at a story circulated by Memri. First of all, it's a rather mysterious organisation. Its website does not give the names of any people to contact, not even an office address. (...)

The second thing that makes me uneasy is that the stories selected by Memri for translation follow a familiar pattern: either they reflect badly on the character of Arabs or they in some way further the political agenda of Israel. I am not alone in this unease. (...)

Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations told the Washington Times: "Memri's intent is to find the worst possible quotes from the Muslim world and disseminate them as widely as possible."

Memri might, of course, argue that it is seeking to encourage moderation by highlighting the blatant examples of intolerance and extremism. But if so, one would expect it - for the sake of non-partisanship - to publicise extremist articles in the Hebrew media too.

Although Memri claims that it does provide translations from Hebrew media, I can't recall receiving any.

Evidence from Memri's website also casts doubt on its non-partisan status. Besides supporting liberal democracy, civil society, and the free market, the institute also emphasises "the continuing relevance of Zionism to the Jewish people and to the state of Israel".

That is what its website used to say, but the words about Zionism have now been deleted. The original page, however, can still be found in internet archives.

The reason for Memri's air of secrecy becomes clearer when we look at the people behind it. The co-founder and president of Memri, and the registered owner of its website, is an Israeli called Yigal Carmon.

Mr - or rather, Colonel - Carmon spent 22 years in Israeli military intelligence and later served as counter-terrorism adviser to two Israeli prime ministers, Yitzhak Shamir and Yitzhak Rabin.

Retrieving another now-deleted page from the archives of Memri's website also throws up a list of its staff. Of the six people named, three - including Col Carmon are described as having worked for Israeli intelligence

Selective Memri

Boys & girls of modern day railways

2008-02-21T13:29:00.008-06:00

ridindirtyface

Paying taxes is cool as long as it's going towards a big explosion

2008-02-21T12:48:00.006-06:00

Gen. Cartwright says it looks like the military's stated goal, of busting up the satellite's tank full of toxic hydrazine, was reached. "We've got a fireball. Given that there's no fuel, that would indicate that there's a hydrazine fire. We have a vapor cloud that formed. That again would be likely to be the hydrazine. We also have some spectral analysis from airborne platforms that indicate the presence of hydrazine after the intercept." But the military won't know for sure, for another 24-48 hours...

Spy Satellite Blast, Caught on Tape

I don't know what the rules are for fighting a midget

2008-02-19T23:39:00.000-06:00

Grains of sand

2008-02-19T21:30:00.008-06:00

If our Sun was size of a basketball, the Earth would be the size of a pea. If you placed both in central park, the closest star would be 5000 miles away in Hawaii. So the next time you feel full of yourself, remember you are nothing in reality. All hail Moog Cat. (It's actually an ARP Odyssey)

“Fashions fade, style is eternal.” -Yves Saint Laurent

2008-02-19T20:45:00.004-06:00

4. The closest a man should ever come to touching denim shorts is helping a woman out of them.

12. The man who imparts opinions via T-shirt has neither the intelligence to form a cogent opinion nor the good sense to keep it to himself.

25. The only ribbed items a man should wear are socks and condoms, and he best not confuse the two.

31. Never wear more than two denim items at a time. Scratch that: Never wear more than one denim item at a time, and make sure it’s not a vest.

46. There’s a 74 percent chance that a man who isn’t wearing socks isn’t wearing underwear, either. Both endeavors attract the same kind of man.

47. Don’t borrow any clothes from that man.

50. Unless he’s a chef, a gardener, or a jolly fat man from Holland, no one should ever wear clogs in his daily life. Same goes for Crocs.

51. Speaking of: We’re not sure what Americans did to deserve Crocs, but whatever it was, we’re sorry. We’re really, really sorry.

The (New) Laws of Casual Style - Esquire

Wtf is the internet?

2008-02-19T20:36:00.005-06:00

3. Before blogs... there were 'zines. If you wanted to delve in the world of personal publishing in the early 90's, it was pretty spendy. Desktop publishing with Adobe Pagemaker required investing big bucks into a high-end Mac and a state-of-the-art laser printer. Most young people stuck to cutting and pasting scraps onto blank paper and then xeroxing the final product.

5. Before blogrolls and comments... there were web rings and guest books. Sites on similar subjects used link out to each other in a promotional circle jerk called a "web ring." Guestbooks used to be the hot way to leave comments, until bots were developed to harvest the e-mail addresses for the the worst kinds of spam imaginable.

11. Before Craigslist... there was the men's room wall. Local newspapers would only publish "vanilla" dating ads. So, how did geeks and other shy people manage to hook up? The restroom wall, of course! Gay guys would post phone numbers and set meeting times for man-to-man encounters. Straight dudes would post the numbers of their ex's and innocent girls they wanted to harass.

Social Media in the 1990's

Oh friends, and foes

2008-02-19T14:00:00.005-06:00

Please excuse the large number of photo and video posts as of late. Or don't and just enjoy them. It's a combination of laziness and thats about it.

Noah K.

2008-02-19T13:21:00.001-06:00

Noah Kalina

Cat's In Pajamas

2008-02-18T13:52:00.000-06:00

MGMT Time to Pretend

2008-02-18T12:27:00.002-06:00

This song is about doing drugs, and I approve.