With 06/06/06 looming (June 6, 2006), authorities in some cities are worrying prophecy theorists or hate groups might read something ominous into the date and use it as an excuse to stir tension. Some expectant mothers are making birthing appointments to ensure they avoid the date, according to the Sunday Times in London.

Dear gods, no! Not a baby on 06/06/06! Amusing.

~Heathyr

06/06/06: Another Date with Para-Science

The FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) law is very clear in that the executive branch must get a warrant in order to spy on Americans on American soil. George W. Bush has repeatedly confessed to violating this law. Therefore, it is the duty of members of the House of Representatives to impeach Bush. Add to that the lies about Iraq, the treason of outing a critical CIA operative, the torture and abuse scandals, and there are enough high crimes and misdemeanors to impeach a half a dozen presidents and vice-presidents.

It really is that simple. We often hear the argument from Democrats that it is better to wait until after the November elections. Why??? There is no assurance that Democrats will take back the Congress in November. Indeed, it is only by taking a strong stand NOW on the issues, and impeachment is the mother of them all, that it will ever happen.

I am usually so apolitical. I've never considered myself completely one party or the other, though I definitely had democratic leanings at 18 and republican leanings at 25. At 36, I just want someone who will be middle ground and responsible. I don't think we have that. So lately, I've been less apolitical, and more interested in reading what's out there and sharing it.

The above caught my eye, and I wanted to share it. I did it, and they're going to send my comments to the senators and congressman from my state. I find this amusing since the very Republican congressman will be at a dinner I'm putting on for work this Tuesday. I work with very staunch republicans, and I pretty much get by, by not talking politics; I'm just not up for the touchy sort of debates it could cause.

Probably why I don't talk religion with people either. Two days ago, a woman whose son is missing and presumed dead in a river accident came in and wanted to see if we'd donate making 100 colour copies of a "have you seen" picture. I actually did 400 colour copies of 2 different pictures she provided. She told me I was an answer to prayers. I wonder what she would have thought had she known that probably the biggest atheist in this place (me) was the one helping her. Not because of "god" but because it was the right thing to do. Her pain was so raw, and she needed it. They couldn't afford to make copies and everyone else had turned them down. Religion, god, none of that has anything to do with doing the right thing. Really irks me when people try to turn it otherwise. But, that's just me ;)

~Heathyr

Support Impeachment of President Bush and Vice-President Cheney Now

A German woman left her friend as a deposit at a gas station because she did not have enough cash to pay for her gasoline, police said Wednesday.

I have some "friends" I'd like to do this to...

Woman abandons friend left as deposit

The Pentagon's budget is higher than those of the 25 next highest nations combined. A hundred nations have military budgets smaller than what the Pentagon spends in a day. Fifty have budgets smaller than what the Pentagon spends in two hours. The cost of the Iraq war and its fallout (the long-term health costs from the widespread maiming of our troops, for example) is now estimated at two trillion dollars.

No clue if this is true, but if it's even partially true, it's frightening.

~Heathyr

The Blog | Philip Slater: How to Mimic a Third World Regime | The Huffington Post

Karl Rove recently said the public is "sour" on the war in Iraq. The use of the word "sour" disgracefully minimizes public reaction to the way this Administration has run the war. Try using disillusioned, betrayed, and deeply concerned about the lives of our service members, the future of the military, and the future of this country if we continue down this open-ended and ill defined path.

So very true.
~Heathyr, one of the "soured" ones

The Blog | Rep. John Murtha: Anyone Think Things will be Better Six Months from Now? | The Huffington Post

The Octarms developed so far are each around a metre long, although the design could easily be scaled up or down, the researchers say. Only one has been attached to a robot at a time, but the researchers say several could work together in future.

Totally nifty. Not to mention something to utilize in a horror movie!

~Heathyr

New Scientist Tech - Breaking News - Robotic tentacles get to grips with tricky objects

In July, a group of Democrats in Congress, led by Representative Carolyn Maloney of New York, sent the first of four letters to the president asking outright: "Mr. President, do you support the right to use contraception?" According to Representative Maloney's office, the White House has still not responded.

It is a disturbing leader that maintains silence on questions that affect one of our more basic rights. Whatever his personal beliefs, they should not be forced upon this nation.

Contra-Contraception - New York Times