"I don't think the report is true, but these crises work for those who want to make fights between people." Kulam Dastagir, 28, a bird seller in Afghanistan
Anonymizing browser released
Topic: Technology
11:09 am EDT, Sep 29, 2006
Hacktivismo has relased an anonymizing browser called Torpark. It can be run from a USB flash drive and leaves behind no traces of use. It makes tor much easier to use.
RE: War Room - Salon.com - The intelligence report cites 'leftist' groups as a terror threat
Topic: Civil Liberties
2:28 am EDT, Sep 29, 2006
There is a rather stark warning about the danger of "leftist" groups using the Internet to engage in terrorist attacks against the United States. Is there any basis at all for that warning?
Balkinization: Imagine Giving Donald Rumsfeld Unbounded Discretion to Detain You Indefinitely
Topic: Civil Liberties
9:39 pm EDT, Sep 28, 2006
Yesterday I explained that the definition of "unlawful enemy combatant" (UEC) in the latest draft of the detainee bill was so ridiculously broad and open-ended that it could not possibly be intended to establish the authority of the Executive to militarily detain all persons so defined. But it appears I underestimated the gall and recklessness of the Administration and Congress, because there seems to be a fairly widespread understanding that the definition would do just that.
There is a healthy debate in the thread here about just exactly what these words mean, and lots of good links to more information.
BURIED IN THE complex Senate compromise on detainee treatment is a real shocker, reaching far beyond the legal struggles about foreign terrorist suspects in the Guantanamo Bay fortress. The compromise legislation, which is racing toward the White House, authorizes the president to seize American citizens as enemy combatants, even if they have never left the United States. And once thrown into military prison, they cannot expect a trial by their peers or any other of the normal protections of the Bill of Rights.
This is a link to video of Richard Dawkins getting interviewed about his new book in which he takes on Religion full bore. I think Dawkins was meant to do this. He seems quite a home with this conflict. But, of course, what does being meant to do something mean?
I was taken aback by two things in this interview. The very last thing he says is "I don't think we were put here to be comfortable." Its a common turn of phrase but its an obvious reference to a creator. Who/what put us here? What did they put us here for, if not to be comfortable? I'm sure its just a saying, but rather ironic, perhaps...
The other thing was his assault on American Republicans. It seemed hyperbolic. Perhaps thats the view from the other side of the pond, but I don't in seriousness think that we invaded Iraq because George Bush felt God compelled him to do so. I think that underestimates our government considerably. And the notion that a wide swath of his constituency is pining for nuclear armageddon in order to bring back the Lord is down right paranoid.
Look, Mr. Dawkins, if you ever read this, I actually live in the South Eastern United States. Theres plenty a folk 'round these parts don't know a chromosome from a carbohydrate and don't much like anyone who does. Even some a them that do still got that fire and brimstone in 'em. They're down at the Baptist Church on Sunday, prayn' away. And they beleive that God is everywhere, so why not in the Legislature? How you argue with that?
But are they prayn' for war? Nah. It ain't quite nearly that bad. Maybe a handful of 'em, but they 's crazy. Some of the sane folk say they do wanna nuke stuff, but only 'cause their sick a worrying their gunna be murdered by a terrorist and they reckon violence is how you solve problems. Ain't got nothn' to do with God. And the fact is that those kinda people talk a lot a shit. You should try not to take 'em so serious like.
Perhaps you were just trying to be provocative?
There are plenty of good points to make here and no better living person to make them, but if this dialog is to be taken seriously it must be presented fairly.
this thing is really cool, it makes you wonder about making a homebrew UAV spy planes, etc...
from the post:
Here's a remarkable video shot from the cockpit of a radio-controlled airplane. The camera's video is transmitted to the flyer on the ground below, who's wearing VR goggles. When he moves his head, the remote camera's pans and tilts correspond exactly to his movements. The result is a extraordinary feeling of actually being in the plane. Shouldn't all R/C airplanes be made this way?
Clinton PWNS Chris Wallace on Fox News - Clinton Interviewed on Fox News Sunday - Google Video
Topic: Current Events
11:19 am EDT, Sep 26, 2006
Clinton is obviously very agitated. I think he over-reacted to the question. At the same time, I have no respect for efforts to blame him for not doing enough. Conservative commentators have been busy pointing out after this rant that NRO and other sources supported his missle strikes, but at the same time, I don't really know who the fuck these people think they are fooling when they say that mainstream Republicans weren't accusing him of "wagging the dog." Its infuriating to me that people claim an actual military conflict was an attempt to draw attention away from something that was transparently intended to draw attention away from something. Dumb.
I think that Benedict knew precisely the risks he was taking and thought the risks worthwhile. Why? Because he believes in the power of reason to cut through the fog of passion. Because he believes that serious problems — such as those posed by jihadist Islam — can be solved only by examining them at their roots.
