MICHAEL JACKSON: Of course. Of course. Why not? If you're gonna be a pedophile, if you're gonna be Jack the Ripper, if you're gonna be a murderer, it's not a good idea. That I'm not. That's how we were raised. And I met — I didn't sleep in the bed with the child. Even if I did, it's okay. I slept on the floor. I give the bed to the child.

Jackson Interview Transcript

] By signing the bill on the day of Hussein's capture, Bush
] effectively consigned a dramatic expansion of the USA
] Patriot Act to a mere footnote. Consequently, while most
] Americans watched as Hussein was probed for head lice,
] few were aware that the FBI had just obtained the power
] to probe their financial records, even if the feds don't
] suspect their involvement in crime or terrorism.

] The Senate passed it with a voice vote to avoid
] individual accountability. While broadening the
] definition of "financial institution," the Bush
] administration is ramping up provisions within the 2001
] USA Patriot Act, which granted the FBI the authority to
] obtain client records from banks by merely requesting the
] records in a "National Security Letter." To get the
] records, the FBI doesn't have to appear before a judge,
] nor demonstrate "probable cause" - reason to believe that
] the targeted client is involved in criminal or terrorist
] activity. Moreover, the National Security Letters are
] attached with a gag order, preventing any financial
] institution from informing its clients that their records
] have been surrendered to the FBI. If a financial
] institution breaches the gag order, it faces criminal
] penalties. And finally, the FBI will no longer be
] required to report to Congress how often they have used
] the National Security Letters.

How the hell was this able to happen without public discourse and debate!?!?!?!

This is the first I have heard of this. We can't let our government tinker with laws that effect our civil liberties without pubic discourse. This is really, really, really, serious. Something needs to be done! This is a _BIG_ problem! The laws that protect our rights are being changed, and great lengths are being gone through to keep it secret!

If this can happen without a hitch, then anything can happen without a hitch. I think we can officially declare now, that we have lost control of our country to this current Administration, and they are in the process of destroying what has made America powerful and great, our openness. If this type of "governing" is allowed to continue, we might as well give this country a new name and flag, because its changed.

I don't believe I'm hearing about this FIFTEEN DAYS after its been signed into law.

Patriot II was signed into law under our noses...

Rock and Roll band Sunshine Flipside broke up on CBGB's stage last night after an "incindiary" performance that out-punked some of the more seasoned pros on the bill. For those unfamiliar with the band of four skinny, ragtag and ultra-talented lunatics, their sound conjures all the right spirits of rock and roll, but the group's stage antics include beating the crap out of each other, while cursing, drinking and rocking like hell. When original lead singer Lonnie quit the band, two months ago, guitarist Johnny Larkin, bassist Danny Matthews, and drummer Robert Blake (also the frontman of another excellent band, The Vanities) decided to keep the group together and forge ahead with some new songs and performances. Lacking Lonnie's presence made them all think it was kinda pointless, though. The banned announced Dec. 27 as the date of their final gig, set to take place at CBGB's, on Bowery and Bleeker, in Manhattan.
The set started off with an introduction of the most-current lineup, who tore through "Were I Belong," a grinding grunge anthem that showcases the vocal talents of bassist Matthews. The three-piece then spat out Larkin's "Disclaimer," with its thoroughly heartfelt lyrics about the "finer" points of females. The band seemed intent on delivering a fantastic performance, while Lonnie Rutledge bobbed back and forth in the front row of the dancing spectators. At the conclusion of "Disclaimer," he crawled up to the stage to writhe around a bit and hit the tremolo on Larkin's guitar. With song's last chord, Lon put on a guitar and walked up to the mike.
He announced that it was their last show, unless someone signed them right there, that night. Then they launched into the instrumental "From Another Planet," which drummer Blake turned into an amped up ball of energy shot from the band to the crowd. Lonnie played a Fender guitar with so many stickers on it, that no one seemed to think oddly about the firecrackers that he had apparently taped to the front of it.
Next on tap was a fine version of the rocker "Blue Blocker," and a rendition of "Heartbreak Blues," which probably qualifies as the Flipside song most likely to get a kid laid after the junoir prom. Tonight's performance of that tune ranks among their best ever of that poppy slow tune, with one of the best Larkin solos yet.
After a bit of confusion over how many songs the soundman would allow, Sunshine Flipside launched into their final song, a new one, written by Lonnie and fantastically essayed by his former band. Sadly, at this point, the band began to show some of what might have kept them together in the end, a sense of having fun together...

...Then Lonnie turned to face the drummer, the lights on the stage went down and he held a lighter to his guitar before turning around to face the crowd. Within seconds, firecrackers exploded from the face of his guitar, sending the band out with an proverbial bang. Danny and Jo... [ Read More (0.2k in body) ]

Sunshine Flipside Explode CBGB's, Charges Not Filed, 12/27/03

Even as the investigation continued, officials sought to reassure Americans about the safety of the nation's food supply. That didn't stop several nations from banning U.S. beef, including Japan, Taiwan and Mexico, the three largest importers.

Been awhile since this has popped up.

USDA Investigates Mad Cow Case

Norad tracks Santa.

norad tracks santa

Seldom does astronomy enjoy a year with such avid and widespread amateur participation, from first-timers watching compelling sky events and photographing them, to a kid who stumped the experts with one remarkable picture that enthralled the media and the public around the world.

The Best of 2003: Top 10 Astronomy Images

Jeremy wrote:
] Based on interviews with eighteen prominent scientists and
] public policymakers from around the globe, A Parliament of
] Science provides a rich overview of the challenges, promises,
] and perils of science and technology in the twenty-first
] century.
]
] What can we hope for?
]
] What must we fear?
]
] How can scientists, civil society, and politicians work
] together to harness science and technology into a power for
] the good of all humanity?
]
] Those interviewed speak candidly of their passions, hopes, and
] concerns as they explore the scientific and policy
] implications of the major issues of our time, including
] sustainability, politics, cloning, ethics, global climate
] change, the digital divide, and mass extinction of biological
] species.
]
] This welcome introduction to the debate on mankind's needs for
] a true "science for the twenty-first century" also serves as a
] sobering reappraisal of where we have been, what our ingenuity
] has wrought for better or for worse, and where we and the
] whole planet seem to be headed.

This is starting to look like "V." Maybe Bush is a space lizard.

RE: A Parliament of Science

] Bypass Compulsory Web Registration

Just enter the url of a site which requires registration and you're in.

BugMeNot.com

A decent discussion why spam continues to exist... because it's profitable.

The economics of spam (The Register)

funny.

Bush vs Bush