This is an artful peice of journalism that gives you pause to reflect about the nature of conflict...

Atop Church, Another, Less Deadly Holy War

"For the first time in memory, states - not the U.S. Mint - are designing their own coins. The results are not encouraging. Most of the designs, usually chosen by a state commission appointed by the governor, are boring, timid, and cluttered - evidence of all that can go wrong when art is created by committee. They are also surprisingly revealing about the peculiar, parochial ways that states view themselves. "

The State Quarters - Why are they so ugly? A slide show. By Carol Vinzant

Well, here is a poorly designed website that actually appears to sell one of the phoney products they used to advertise in the back of "Boy's Life" magazine. Unfortunately its a little out of the reach of the average 12 year old's allowance. Now that they've accomplished this, I'm waiting on "Hover-Boards." With a pair of X-ray specs and a hover-board my life will be complete.

X-RAY SPECS!

Based on publicly available information, the facts contained in this report demonstrate that under the regime of Saddam Hussein, Iraq continues to repress its people, threaten the region, and obstruct international efforts to provide humanitarian relief.

This is from 1999...

U.S. Department of State - Saddam Hussein's Iraq

"Cheney doesn't give us the intelligence sources of his information and can't be expected to. But it is inconceivable that he should be speaking in that high pitch of resolution unless he has the evidence on which he frames his analysis. We assume that he is justified in the evidence he has, and right in the course recommended, and that the acquiescence of Congress is implicit. Which means: The American people should now be told that we are at war against Saddam Hussein. "

I can't tell if Buckley is really serious about his assumption or if he is being sarcastic. Maybe it doesn't matter...

IRAQ: QUESTION CLOSED?

This is an interesting report on global wages. Lots of good data and interesting conclusions. Its easy to decide on a course of action based on the data here. Please try to look critically at the conclusions YOU come to from this data.

For example, the author seems to conclude that wage equity in poor countries would improve if professionals and executives were prevented from working in or for countries other then their country of origin. This conclusion presents a classic example of an issue traditional left and right wing perspectives could never agree on.

A traditional left perspective would advocate the importance of equality and would put little stock in the rights of wealthy upper classes.

A traditional right wing perspective would advocate individual liberty, claiming that it is simply immoral for governments to restrict the free travel or free association of their people, no matter what the cost may be.

This is just an example. There are lots of juicy fault lines like this in this information.

International Wage Determination and Globalization

"Weblogs have solved the publishing problem, and done a great job of it. Now let's get to work on knowledge management, and see if these things really do boost our collective IQ."

Tweney.com - Understanding weblogs

Dol says: A new short story from one of science fiction's bright young stars.

"Ten years in the Valley, and all Murray Swain had to show for it was a spare tire, a bald patch, and a life that was friendless and empty and maggoty-rotten."

Ownz0red

On the heels of Decius' recommendation re: WorldCon (pun intended) related comics comes some similar comics poking fun at Dubya and his hard-on for Iraq.

Bush War FRENZY!

-- Tripp Helms
Democrat
Candidate
U.S. Congress
8th District, North Carolina "

Another anti-DMCA candidate.

Tripp Helms For Congress