Pounding her Baghdad beat, wrapped in a bulletproof vest and brandishing a pistol, Sgt. Bushra Jabar definitely stands out in the new Iraq.

She’s the only woman in the Iraqi Army unit patrolling the Kharkh district in the heart of the capital.

Publius Pundit - Iraqi Cop Babe

NEW YORK (AP) -- Recording industry titan Sony BMG Music Entertainment agreed Monday to pay $10 million and stop bribing radio stations to feature its artists in what a state official called a more sophisticated generation of the payola scandals of decades ago.

The agreement springs from an investigation by New York state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, who called the practice "pervasive" in the industry and suggested other music industry giants could face similar penalties.

Pay-for-play "is driving the industry, and it is wrong," Spitzer told reporters

Spitzer rules.

Sony Agrees to $10M 'Payola' Settlement

I really can't think of a more underappreciated form of art than firecracker labels. Think about it. Sure you might buy the ones that look the coolest, but soon after you're lighting 'em on fire. The once amazing artwork is now blown to smithereens and you couldn't care less.

Happy 4th of July!

I-Mockery.com | The Underappreciated Art of Firecracker Labels!

] EVERGREEN PARK, Ill. (CBS 2) A south suburban Chicago
] wedding reception comes to a shocking end when cops
] responding to a call about loud noise allegedly attack
] the bride and her father with a taser gun.

CBS 2 - New York News: Bride Attacked By Taser At Wedding Reception

] Radio giant Clear Channel Communications on Thursday paid
] a record $755,000 fine levied last month by the Federal
] Communications Commission for indecent material aired by
] several of the company's stations.

Clear Channel pays $755,000 fine for indecency

] You have to realize the impact that the FCC's
] grandstanding, politically-motivated actions have had on
] the entire radio industry, not just Bubba. If you think
] this is bad, just wait until six months from now. With
] the crosshairs off of Bubba, now other "controversial"
] talent may be next.
]
] If you want to hear Bubba again, we need you to let XM
] Satellite Radio know. They have been excellent partners
] with us, but in this time of transitition any positive
] words of reinforcement you could provide would be
] immensely appreciated.

Well Bubba is off the air now. I personally think this stinks. There is a small campaign to get him back on the air on XM radio, live and uncensored. With the way the FCC is acting about their community standards more controversial shows like this one might dissappear from radio as well.

Welcome to BubbaArmy.com!!

] Radio shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge Clem, who was once
] tried for animal cruelty for broadcasting the castration of
] a pig, returned to controversy Tuesday when his program
] triggered the highest fine ever for indecent broadcasts.
]
] The Federal Communications Commission proposed a $755,000
] fine against Clear Channel Communications for the broadcast
] of "Bubba the Love Sponge" on four Florida stations in 2001.

I actually listen to this show in the morning and this is going to be a very hot topic in the coming weeks. This fine was dropped in their lap yesterday afternoon two years after the supposed offensive events occured, on the eve of a panel on decency. The issue that is being pressed by the host of this show is the fact that the fcc guidelines on what is an isn't offensive isn't clear cut. They are standing by innocent and going to try to force the fcc to give them a more clear cut set of rules in which to abide by.

Bubba's brazen shows draw hefty FCC fine

] Wal-Mart is recalling a candle gift set collection
] because paint used on the candles could pose a fire
] hazard.
]
] The company, which hasn't heard any reports of injuries,
] is recalling 69,804 units of the Snow House Candle gift
] set; 29,064 units of the Snowman Candle gift set; and
] 62,428 units of the Snowflake Candle gift set.

BURN!!

TheHawaiiChannel - Money Watch 4 - Wal-Mart Recalls Candle Gift Collection

] A Pennsylvania man created a phantom wife, claimed she
] died in the World Trade Center attacks and then staged a
] funeral - with borrowed kids - to scam more than $100,000
] from charities, authorities charged yesterday.

New York Daily News - News & Views - Fake dead wife, borrowed kids in 9/11 rap

Well I opened my inbox today to find this lovely little number from NetworkSolutions@info1.networksolutions.com and thought I would pass it along.

=============================================

Dear Valued Network Solutions® Customer,

Today VeriSign, Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Network Solutions to a new entity formed by Pivotal Private Equity.

Please be assured that Network Solutions continues to be committed to providing superior products and customer service to our more than 4 million customers. You have seen evidence of this commitment in the numerous enhancements we have introduced over the last 18 months. This commitment remains strong today in our
600 employees, each focused on providing you with a superior customer experience.

Today's announcement will not impact the service you receive from us. Network Solutions is the industry's first and largest domain name service provider with over
8 million domain names under management. We will continue to support and enhance a full range of affordable Web related services, including domain names, Web sites, business e-mail, and more.

As to the transaction itself, the buyer, Pivotal Private Equity, is a provider of equity for middle market corporate acquisitions. Pivotal focuses on companies in the telecommunications and Internet services industries, among others. The purchase agreement is subject to certain closing conditions, which we expect to be completed in the fourth quarter. To view today’s press release and to get additional information go to http://www.verisign.com/corporate/news/index.html.

We remain committed to providing high quality services to meet your online needs and thank you for choosing Network Solutions.

Sincerely,

Network Solutions Customer Service

Please do not reply to this message. For Network Solutions customer service inquiries, contact us at: vip@networksolutions.com.

© 2003 Network Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.