6.10.2K1 - 10.30
Niyo!
6.5 Hours Remaining...
The hostages are going to be okay - the Phil government agreed to the Malaysian mediators. No story link yet, still waiting.
6.10.2K1 - 20.39
Niyo!
8.5 hours remaining...
In twenty minutes Philippine terrorists will kill American hostages if the Philippine government does not back off their hunt for the terrs. More soon.
6.9.2K1 - 23.28
Niyo!
Someone lost 24 million dollars when they lost their winning lottery ticket...gotta hang on to those things, guys!
Oh, this is a beauty. Thank you, LA Times. For seventeen days during the California power crisis, hackers very nearly took control of the state power grid distribution computers. A classified report from within the power agency shows that the attacks began April 25 and were not detected until May 11 - and were coming from Guangdong province, through China Telecom. Internet servers in Northern California and Oklahoma were also used to gain access to the grids. It's not known if the attackers were Chinese, American, or another foreign power, however the origin of the attacks suggests China, and this was during the standoff over the EP-3E aircraft. There were blackouts May 7 and 8, but these were related to overusage of electricity and not the hack attempt. Here's where the California power grid screwed itself up: 1: NO FIREWALL. There was no firewall or any security on the computer that was used for entry. It was still under development at the time and had not been protected, even though it was wide open.2: NO "TRIPWIRES" to sound any alarms if there were any illegal intrusion. 3: NO SERVER LOGS. Yup, that's right, no keeping track of who was accessing what in the computer, or who was going into the network through this computer. 4: TOO MANY PORTS OPEN - apparently there were dozens left open when they should have been closed. Now, the man who wrote the report on it officially says it was anticipated and was only a "compromise" and not an attack. Really. Let a foreign hostile country into American electricity grids and very nearly LOSE them, for SEVENTEEN DAYS, and it's nothing to worry about. What the hell are you doing plugging critical computers into a public-access system? What's the point of having the control computers hooked up to the internet? Why would you make them so vulnerable? Something like this should be hooked up through its own separate network, off of regular internet access - NEVER trust things that can be broken. The only truly safe computer network is the one that isn't hooked up to the internet. And it's not like this should come as a surprise - last year, the Pentagon alone was hit by various attacks over 700 times - nearly twice a day. And you weren't taking proper precautions?! IDIOT!
And, gang, a review of Evolution by someone who can't completely grasp the idea it's a parody.
6.9.2K1 - 20.33
Niyo!
32.5 Hours Remaining...
That makes it official, gang, 4pmish over at the Orleans. I'll prolly be there around 4 as well, barring any 3:2x call. Jim is interested in anything relating to dinner, and there's a damn good italian restaurant over there that isn't that busy (no wait there when it was an hour plus for the buffet next door).
Sam, will post a nonspoilered review, and will pass along any juicy details you want in IM or what not. ^_^ Cute Sam dolls. Someone's been having Fun With Kisekae, ne?
N&M-chan, youch. That does suck...^^ so how do you like your new wheelchair? And congratulations on the club charter! *hi5* that's a lot better than it could have been. *grins* Layout very pretty (love the blues) but hard to read. ^^; Too dark for my old eyes. Walk like an Egyptian!
Damn. *gets ICQed from people from YEARS ago* I want a Ryo-Oh-Ki layout, dammit. There's a reason.
Reinselft...Raar. Not much I can say except to second your emotions as to what the b*stard should get. Shame you can't go fishing, and have some sort of compressed air rig that shoots dye or paint out the top of the purse when it gets opened...go hunting criminals with that.
New reader, this time Felicty/Magenta over at Voyeuristic INTENTION. ^_^ Thanks! And seconded on putting McVeigh down like a dog.
Kristi, yes I DID go and post Gayskull. It was just Too Special(TM). And, re: gun control - yes, it has been a "slippery slope". No gun control law, save those for concealed carry, have ever been retracted. All the bans on different types of guns and such were enacted at one point have never been withdrawn. Once something's in there, like the (foolish) ban on "high capacity" magazines from 1994 or the "assault weapon ban". All those did was simply eliminate firearms that gun owners could buy. And yes - there are certain people in government who want ALL firearms banned from the country, except for them - Charles Schumer, Dianne Feinsten, and Ted Kennedy are at the top of the list. And re: the assault weapon ban - "AW"s are fun to shoot. They're light, accurate, reliable, rugged, and can be accessorized with all kinds of stuff that's out there. And, dammit, they look cool, and a lot of serious shooters (those with, say, more than 2 guns in-home) are ex-military & ex-police, and want those guns because they liked them when they used them at work. And then there's wannabe yahoo schmucks like me who couldn't get into the military, so I get to at least own the same guns and have fun, maybe do reenactments or what not. Same with full autos, though I'll never own one. I don't have the five thousand dollars and up to afford it.
Off to dinner, news later.
6.9.2K1 - 2.04
Niyo!
Two Days Remaining...
Want yet more realism in your video games, do ya? Well, how about the electric-shock video game controller? No joke - it's an electrode band that goes around your arm that's designed to give your hand a quivery jolt when you get hit hard. One can see some...creative uses for this.
Perverts. That's NOT what I meant.
Keith Hanson is free! The man who was actually tried on charges of terrorism and attempted terrorism for making a joke about dropping a nuclear missile on the (rather spread out) Church of Scientology was convicted of interfering with their religion for posts on usenet and perfectly legal pickets outside their churches. He fled to Canada claiming refugee status for unreasonable political persecution in America - and his application was accepted, and he has been released by the police. He was apparently arrested by Immigration officials (and according to The Reg, they were loaded for bear as if they were going after a real terrorist) for not disclosing an arrest warrant, however the warrant was put out after he applied, so the Canadians are satisfied. They won't get around to granting or denying his request for asylum for another two years, so he has time to become famous. Hopefully he will.
PC destroyed over canine territorial claims - it wouldn't quit howling. Someone had installed a howling-at-the-moon screensaver, apparently with very realistic howls. So, the dog, after being stymied by its refusal to shut up...marked it. The hard drive was a loss, however the motherboard and other hardware may have been saved by application of rubbing alcohol.
And Microsoft finally reveals the mailed fist under the velvet glove - Win XP beta testers, don't download the latest "critical update". It'll ask if it can throw away icons you've not used in a while (if you just installed them, then you've never used them before), it doesn't display icons on the desktop unless you put them there. Clippy may be gone, but his dog won't go away. This digital mutt is designed to use attribute based searches - where you type in keywords for any files you like (called meta-data), and can search for them based on that. However, instead of merely adding an extra box or two to the search field, they give us a little dog who acts just like Clippy - and can do little tricks if you like. Ah, Microsoft. Other things that you can expect from WinXP - MP3 is going to be HEAVILY censored, it's blocked off of Windows Media Player. It'll just tell you that you don't have a license for this music, however it'll play WMA files (of lower quality) just fine. Why? Why, WMA is a Microsoft product! The Cookie Minder will block 3rd party cookies, keeping advertising for non Microsoft companies off of your computer - yet leaving all of theirs visible. And, just in case you ever have to *gasp* do a product restore, the windows machine will go communicate somewhere (and not tell you what it's doing or where it's going), then without telling you what it did it's now okay to restore.
I have just seen elephants and riders playing polo with a soccer ball. God bless the History Channel.
Want a study on criminal psychology and a study on the worst serial killer? Go do a web search for Henry Holmes/Herman Mudgett, a doctor at the end of the 19th century. Be ready for a surprise.
Fae-chan, the Osaka school killer wants to die badly now. Mainichi Shimbun said he was tranqed 10 times higher than the normal dosage and was hallucinating in police custody, I got the impression that the cops dosed him that high. I don't think he'd be able to take out 29 people (last report was 8 dead, 21 wounded) if he were that high on tranquilizers...but again, I don't know. Give him to the families. And yes it was wrong. But it was funny.
S'okay Sam, I don't know anyone else online who would know people there beyond penpals...^^ so I just wanted to check. And I didn't get the info on what school it was at first. ^^;
Kawaisou Pamu. *huggle* what exactly did you DO to your leg, kiddo? I mean, did you fall down and go skidding 20 feet or something? That's pretty bad...in a few more days, it'll be healing and not hurting. *laughs* you ARE hydro's daughter! And don't forget - h0m053xu4l l4zz0r b34m3r5! XDDD
Nice Hydro skin, Dora-chan ^_^
I just want to know what I _DID_ to deserve it, Megs...
Thanks Catsy! Gun Day in Chicago, July 4 - get a plastic training pistol or watergun and conspicuously wear a fannypack or purse with said toy concealed in it. Read on for more of the reasons why. And have a safe, happy July 4 when you do.
Amy...umm...why're you posting links to OCD pages for me? O_o;;;
6.8.2K1 - Three Days Remaining - 10.53
Niyo!
Just a followup on the school stabbing in Osaka today. Apparently the killer had tried repeatedly to commit suicide, unsuccessfully...so he decided to do something to get the death penalty. At the time he was not quite in control, having been hit with ten doses of tranquilizer, so any truth to it is not known. He has been in trouble before, spitting at schoolchildren and mixing tranquilizers in drinks for teachers when he was a janitor in school. Koizumi's seriously concerned, and is quoted as saying "I'm disturbed to hear about this tragedy that has befallen the children. It's a sign that our society is cracking."
And, just to screw with everyone's head...
6.8.2K1 - 0.59
Niyo!
Three Days And Counting. And no more appeals. And to make it even more official, the appeal I mentioned earlier was blocked. So McVeigh has given up, and will at least go out like a man. Hopefully...not a martyr.
Ah yes...more insane, foolish overreaction to children with guns. An 8-year-old Canadian boy was suspended from school for unlawfully using a chicken gun in school. Under the weapons category of Severely Disruptive Behavior, apparently pointing a breaded chunk of chicken at a fellow student and saying bang (while, I'm quite sure, laughing about it the entire time) is a major crime. Oh, and this is not his first offense - he recieved a one-day suspension for pointing a finger at someone and saying Bang before. This poor delinquent, whatever shall we do with him?
And a misdemeanor charge, a $550 fine, and possible community service for a Texas teen who used the word "f*ck" in class. The student says that nothing was going on at the time, that students were in music class just sitting around, and that he did not say the "f" word, rather, he said "fart". Apparently, he has been kicked out of school as well.
Man goes on school rampage in Osaka with a knife, 8 dead and at least 18 more wounded. The attack apparently took place during recess, the attacker (Mamoru Takuma) apparently having climbed into a classroom from a veranda. Most victims with minor injuries, but as mentioned there are eight dead, at least 5 of them 2nd-grade girls. No known motive, however drugs are suspected.
Kill the f*ck. I hope the cops there don't bother arresting him, and that one of them comes back with 5 rounds left in his Smith & Wesson. Do not f*ck with small children, or you shall reap the whirlwind.
Now that I think about it...I hope he doesn't get killed outright..but thrown in jail and then lost in the paperwork shuffle. I've seen Japanese prisons. Americans have it SOOOOO d*mned easy. I'd be all for this guy spending the rest of his artificially-preserved life in a 4x7 cell with a chamber pot, a blanket on the floor, and a permanently locked-shut door.
6.7.2K1 - 11.16
Niyo!
Four Days Remaining...
Easterners, grab your lifeboats, it's gonna be a rough hurricane season. Predictions are for 12 named named storms, including seven hurricanes - three of which are expected to be category 3 on the Saffir/Simpson scale or higher.
Tax cut passes! What you can look forward to - over the next few months, a $300 ($600 for couples) refund, direct and fast. Reductions in the tax percentages of how much you pay. What would YOU do with the extra dollars, hmm? New TV? New stereo? New computer? New furniture? Redecorate? Do your best to depopulate the shelves at the local anime store? Do the same at your local gun store? Oh yes - the Democrats had this to say, about giving you more of your own money back - "Democrats want tax relief that goes to every taxpayer," Gephardt said. "This bill does not do that." The minority leader said the middle class will not benefit enough from the tax cut and the wealthy will reap unfairly high benefits.
New Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota, has said Congress will eventually be forced to revisit the tax cut, which he argues is too large, too generous to the rich and too expensive.
"I just know that at some point that reality is going to come crashing down on all of us and we're going to have to deal with it," Daschle said Wednesday.
A 10% tax reduction for the people who have over 1/3 of their income stolen by force by the Federal Government is "unfairly high benefits"? A 33% tax cut for them, and Daschle says that's "not enough"? If it's not enough, and you mean that it should be more, then why is the tax cut too large? The Democrats doesn't WANT a tax cut - they think they know what the best thing to do with your money is - give it to them and let them spend it for you. On everyone ELSE. But they can't outright say that, so they do their best to confuse the issue, frighten people with lies and groundless accusations, and hope we're dumb enough to listen.
And actually, here's one for Daschle and Gephardt - hard data on the actual amounts for returns sorted by different amounts - here's a summary of the savings from last year: INCOME -- $25,000, no children
SAVINGS -- $350
INCOME -- $25,000, 2 children
SAVINGS -- $2,202
INCOME -- $75,000, no children
SAVINGS -- $1,139
INCOME -- $75,000, 2 children
SAVINGS -- $1,700
INCOME -- $150,000, no children
SAVINGS -- $3,336
INCOME -- $150,000, 2 children
SAVINGS -- $2,753
INCOME -- $400,000, no children
SAVINGS -- $14,056
INCOME -- $400,000, 2 children
SAVINGS -- $13,989
INCOME -- $1,000,000, 2 children
SAVINGS -- $47,557
And interrupting the tax fun comes this really sudden, no-warning fireworks show in the middle of the day, from the Palms hotel. Well...it was only about 10 seconds but there were a LOT of fireworks going off...but...the Palms isn't DONE yet. I get half a hunch they went off by accident. Wonder what the 11:00 news will have to say...
McVeigh appeals papers being drafted, but will it be in time? It's Thursday today, tomorrow's the last day they get since things are shut down over the weekend, and McVeigh's off to his Final Judgement at 7am local time Monday. They think that the Supreme Court will grant a stay of execution during the appeals case - don't count on it. The Nine want him just as dead as the rest of us.
Boy, he just can't stay out of trouble, can he? OJ's on trial again, starting in October, for burglary and battery after an argument with a motorist December 4.
And we have a witness to the regicide in Nepal, here's what happened. The Crown prince got drunk, was escorted to his room, changed into fatigues and picked up an assault rifle*, shot and killed the King, then went back to the dinner party and spent 90 seconds killing the rest of the royal family that was there. He then went outside and shot himself. Right now, Katmandu is closed down completely due to the curfews and mourning period. 3 newspapermen who published anti-monarchy articles in the newspaper have been arrested for sedition and treason. We'll see how the new king handles things...not very well, it would seem.
Ex-prosecutor gets 2 years probation for withholding evidence and information that explosive tear gas canisters were used during the Waco siege. What about the two b*stards with machineguns who were dropped off INSIDE THE COMPOUND by one of the tanks, and gunned down 15 women and children trying to escape the flames on the Last Day? What about the machinegunners in the helis that killed two other guys who were walking around the property? Why were the Branch Davidians NOT ALLOWED TO SURRENDER?
*The phrase assault rifle is used by the media to describe d*mned near any semiautomatic rifle, whether it's a military-defined "assault rifle", a BATF-defined "assault rifle", or a simple semiautomatic rifle, and there are major differences among those. But the media doesn't care, it's part of the demonization of firearms. More on that later.
6.7.2K1 - 0.37
Niyo!
Bird, I really would like to know what wings and mask you're referring to. *sniff sniff* do I smell cosplay? ^_~ Umm, for the Bar...a title idea? ^^ Residents. Immigrants. Transients. Departed. New York City is an old city, and has seen all kinds of people. So has...The Bird's Nest.Bob wanders into the bar, and climbs to his usual perch at the end of the bar. "Give me something that'll burn stone, barkeep," he growls. I chuckle, and pour his usual cheap whiskey. It's an old joke, but there's a ring of truth to it."So tell me, Bob. How exactly do gargoyles pay for drinks?" A He grins, and taps one of the black marbles of his eyes. We see. A lot." I let it go, it's his usual answer. "Where's Stefano?" he asks. "He should be off duty by now." I shrug. "Haven't seen him. Probably got a fare going to La Guardia. Maybe he can pay off some of his tab." Heh. "Just because he's immortal doesn't mean I can wait forever." Bob laughs that laugh of his, and spreads his wings to regain his balance. "Don't worry, I'll collect in your name after you die." Bird leans in and smiles sweetly. "Better dead than lead." A snippet. Eh. *debates posting it*
F*cker's gonna appeal the ruling...wonder. Will his appeal get lost in paperwork before Friday? I'd find that to be soooo wonderfully poetic. And yes, he's getting off easy, I'd be all for tourniqueting the legs, and then steamrolling them. Arms too, so he knows what it's like to be crushed by a building.
N&Ms, I take it the meeting went bad...
Sam, well, there's always ultrasmall computers, laptops the thickness of your finger, wearable computers, or if they can get a working LED setup like this...wallpaper TVs. Big as you want. It's a new design, it all depends on how detailed a printer you can get. And there's some really impressive printers out there. Strange about the server, maybe they reshuffled routers out there. Shiranai...
Write more original, Kristi! Original good!
Sorry for the late post, minna...been watching The Game.
6.6.2K1 - 11.32
Niyo!
Well, we have a nice new news day.
Judge deciding McVeigh's fate at this moment, and will issue a ruling on the stay of execution shortly. If I see it before I leave, I'll let you guys know.
And with Jim "Vote For The Changeling" Jeffert's party switch, the Democrats have taken control of the senate, 50-49-1. So very soon after being elected as a Republican, Jim Jefferts switched his party affiliation to Independent - even though he's a left-wing liberal. Why are party switches legal? Especially just after the election...why did he need to masquerade to get the vote? I for one would make party switches illegal...I mean, you were your party's choice, you took their money, eliminated all their other candidates, then you switch sides right after getting to Washington, and will be that way until 2007?
This ought to give you nightmares...foreign stillborn babies used in US nuclear testing, during the 1950s and 1960s. 6,000 dead babies, over a period of 15 years, were shipped from Australia, Britain, and Hong Kong to the US for testing atomic bomb fallout. "Project Sunshine" was run by Willard Libby, who had won the Nobel Prize for his work with carbon-dating. This is your country, boys and girls.
And this is your world, as well. Russia to build India's air-defenses as well as work closely with India to create next-generation fighter and transport aircraft. They also want to co-develop a new "latest type of submarine", and in the meantime the Indians are going to recieve a large number of SU-30MKI fighter craft. They're also close to a deal for the Admiral Gorshkov, after conversion to a standard carrier. China already owns the Kiev, though it is not yet know what they will be doing to it.
From Israel, printed circuits - literally. It's a special kind of paper that has a palladium-metal catalyst, which after printing is soaked in a copper solution. The copper bonds to the parts that are not covered by ink, and it only takes ten minutes to run. You can even duplicate it on a photocopier. Any kind of circuit can be made with this process.
It's official - McVeigh dies. District Judge Richard Matsch upheld the execution date of July 11, saying that the paperwork that was recently found did not change his guilt. His lawyers say they will appeal, no word yet whether McVeigh himself is supporting the appeal.
Intel goof leads to The Reg headline appearing at a major press conference. Oopsie.
And Chapter 0 of Megatokyo...comes to a close.
Ragabash, y'are old. :P You got me beat by nearly two years. *hides* Oh yeah, I left the Cardcaptors game in my mother's car, so I'll just hurt your brain tomorrow. XD
Sam, Bird, Dini, what's been up with perryandtsua.com lately? I can't get in more than half the time...and Sam, you're welcome. ^_^ *glomps* P.S. Talk to Ragabash about Nanking, the Eggplant has studied it much.
*LMAO* that sounds like a rejection. "Talk to the eggplant."
Sacchan, send me more chara design pics, b&w stuff, for Lucifer. I need to see how the wings are done too.
And a batch of linkers...Meia's friend Adeline, Twig who reads strange books, Hikaru (don't you just want to redo Shinji's "I will not run away" to "Fear is the little death...fear is the mind killer"?), another Fae (perhaps the same?), and Shi-Lin who is going on vacation for a week.
And lo, I skedaddle forth.
6.6.2K1 - 0.17
Niyo!
oh my god
6.5.2K1 - 21.48
Niyo!
Glad you're back, Ragabash...talk to Bird, she knows what you're going through. I'll see you tomorrow at work okay? We'll talk more then.
6.5.2K1 - 17.38
Niyo!
There HAS been a reckoning. Federal appeals court rules Lon Horiuchi can be tried for manslaughter after a review of the case. The court also extended the ruling to cover all federal agents - under current law, federal agents CANNOT be tried by state govts. This at least puts a crack in that, allowing the states to prosecute if the agents act "objectionably". Good. Perhaps this ruling, if it stands when it hits the Supreme Court (with a loss of this much power, on a 6-5 decision, you think the government WON'T appeal?), will halt the antics of the ATF.
Hey, everyone, Sam-kun switched to Pitas...so everyone click here to get to her page, and don't forget to update your links!
And for more eye-gouging fun, I bought a Cardcaptors Trading Card Game starter deck. Methinks I'll inflict it on Ragabash.
6.5.2K1 - 12.35
Niyo!
Just a quick bit of weird today...
I take it all back. Colombia has to be an extraordinarily f*cked up nation. Colombian thieves spread narcotic on their breasts, then invite their "victims" to take a lick...once the victim is drugged (it's apparently a pretty potent narcotic), the thief makes off with their money. They were arrested however...one wonders just how an undercover operation would have been *koff* handled.
Only you can prevent forests! Alaskan brown bears started a small wildfire after digging garbage out of the incinerator. Fire was quickly put out by a Native American fire department and the logging crew. Wow...loggers, trying to save trees? What will the environmentalist whackos say now??
Russia facing a new supply crisis - vodka supplies running dry. Can you IMAGINE the concept of an entire nation of Russians without vodka? Bootlegging is expected to get very popular.
6.5.2K1 - 0.54
Niyo!
From Leno's Headlines tonight...
Park Service oves wildlife to missile range for hunting
Bong Academy helps kids grow up and enjoy learning
Two robbers break into a record store, shouting Nobody Move! When one robber moved his
partner shot him.
Police say robber fled in tractor trailer with his name painted on the door.
Mime show to be presented in English and Spanish.
Police Blotter: A report says the intruder came in through an unlocked dresser drawer.
Big Savings - Alka Seltzer plus Peanut Butter
From the menu: Airline Chicken Breast
12 breasts, 4 wings, 13 things, 13 thighs
Jones Live Sausage
Alternative Health Care - Carpet Tunnel Syndrome
Men, Women & Female escort servive
Women's shorts, size 8-13, ass colors
Joe Dimaggio baseball w/ Letter of Ethnicity
God I love this country.
6.4.2K1 - 23.35
Niyo!
Come on, you three, you know what to do! *sings* Let's do the time warp agaaaiiiinnnn!!!
6.4.2K1 - 23.00
Niyo!
Good God...The British are right, this country has TRULY gone mad. IS there anything left? Or is it just some strange side effect from living in Florida?
Oldsmar Elementary school student arrested in handcuffs after drawing a gun in school. Apparently, a teacher discovered that he had drawn weapons before and shown them to fellow students, violating the no-weapons policy with his pictures. He is not being charged with any crime. He has, however, been thrown (apparently permanently) out of the school. After handcuffing the boy "for his safety" and turning him over to the police, the principal had this to say: The classmates who turned in the student after seeing his drawings should be commended because that was the right thing to do, Schmitt said."All I can tell you is it was a threat . . . against students," he said. "Nobody in particular, but students in general." The Director of School Operations was also considering it a threat and notifying counselors and parents. For a PICTURE.
I did not sign up for Big Brother and thought police. F*CK that.
NASA to use new AI system to control a satellite trio and handle all the minor decisions, and also - instead of sending everything it gets to Mission Control - the AI software will determine just what images are good and what aren't, and forward on the "good" ones to MC. So they think that the AIs are good enough for REAL decisions and control.
Get your weather report on your breakfast, anyone? New web appliance prints a simple weather forecast, on your TOAST.
Illuminated keyboard, anyone? Neat stuff. If you want one, go here.
Hey Twig, thanks for the link ^^ Sorry I've not quite been myself this last week/end, it's been...weird. VERY weird. And the question is, does Haagen Daaz have a CHOCOLATE MISU flavor? XD
Zeruel, mostly it's to avoid the censorship programs. ^^ I WANT little kids to be able to read this. Gotta fight the brainwashing from the beginning, yo. XD Ain't going to AX, unfortunately.
Meg, Amy...you two are 4DD1CT5.
So, Alan, where's the story gonna go? ^_^
Kristi, I'm sorry to hear you're not going...e-mail, willya?
6.4.2K1 - 21.00
Niyo!
Oh dear. Well, there's finally an offer from the militant terrorists in Palestine. They will stop attacking Israel if Israel stops hunting Pallie leaders. Sure, how nice of them to make the offer of peace - after killing over 2 dozen in the last week with their car bombs, after the Israelis made their offer. It's just a stupid, childish "I get the last word" thing played with people's lives. However, now the rule is, if the Israelis break the Pallie peace offer, the Izzie citizens will pay for it, since Hamas, et. al. are threatening the residential areas.
Hmm. I know one thing I'm doing for The Bar when it's up...we have a little kitchen in it. We both love good barbecue. I'm posting recipes. XD In addition to all the stories and other fun stuff. Hmm, more character ideas...Bird, do we want to go as far as Callahan's did, and include charas that aren't *koff* locals, like Mickey and Ralph? That'd give us a lot of room to play with, yes, but we'd have to work harder to be different. And do e-mails whenever you get around to it, I'm a (moderately) patient bugger. XD
6.4.2K1 - 17.00
Niyo!
The standoff in Idaho IS over, surprisingly quickly. A judge has ordered the mother to be released from jail, however she's not leaving just yet until she gets her children back. What will they do, put her in jail for not leaving jail? Okay, now she was arrested for "felonius neglect" by refusing to provide her children with electricity and food. Lack of food? Well, let's see, she had just bought a 200 pound box of food before all this started, remember? The police were worried about the kids in the building being there for quite some time...and according to this story about the surrender - the kids were okay. I quote: "I'm not at liberty to tell you any details, but generally they're OK," she said. "You have to recognize they've been through a lot of trauma and to work with them is gonna take time." Gee, if they were starving, don't you think that they'd be in the hospital for longer than a quick checkup and checkout?
Okay, so the charge of felonius neglect for not providing food is groundless. Now let's see...it's a FELONY - a major crime that causes you to lose your rights even after you do your time - to not provide electricity to people? Does this mean we can throw the California state government in jail? I'll help...
As such - the mother was arrested on groundless charges, and has been released - but refuses to leave until she gets her kids back. So she's eccentric, and doesn't like the government? Is that a reason to throw her in jail here in America?
On CNN - a new study says that the safest communities for kids are the ones with no guns in them. BULLSHIT! If you leave a gun in a drawer where a little kid can get his hands on it, they will. If you leave a kitchen knife where the little kids can get their hands on it, they will. If you leave electrical sockets uncovered where little kids can hurt themselves, they will. EDUCATION IS THE ANSWER. Tell your kids about safety. They are YOUR responsibility. Not anyone else's.
Nepal's political situation is even more confused than the election of 2000 - here's the latest. At a state dinner Friday, the King and Queen were killed by fire from an automatic weapon. First reports said that the Crown Prince was the one pulling the trigger with an automatic rifle. On Sunday, the police came out and said the burst of fire was accidental. HOWEVER - the Crown Prince himself was also wounded and has since died from his injuries. What was an automatic weapon of any kind doing at a state dinner though? The new king, Gyanendra, is apparently the uncle of the Crown Prince.
Currently in Nepal, there's a lot of rioting going on and some major confrontations with police, who are authorized to shoot to kill curfew violators. No motive in the shooting (which claimed a large number of the rest of the royal family) is yet confirmed, however there is speculation that Dipendra (the Crown Prince) had a serious dispute with his mother over his future bride. The Chinese supporters are already pushing forwards their ideas, though it remains to be seen just how this new king will deal with them.
Something failed in the scramjet test Saturday, apparently it did not separate from the booster and ended up just going all the way down and crashing into the pacific. Further tests have been put on hold.
In a HUGE demonstration of political ballsiness, 20,000 people in Hong Kong celebrated the 12th anniversary of the Tian An Men demonstration and massacre. Looks like they're not all big fans of the Little Red Book over there.
Southern Gaza is again the site of more conflict in Israel, major machinegun fire and a possible attempted Israeli incursion with armor into the Pallie-controlled areas seem to have pretty much eliminated the cease-fire that had been in place. It's brewing back up again, with a lot of name-calling and blame-placing on both sides. Yasser Arafat only put the cease-fire through after intense international pressure following the major suicide bombing in Tel Aviv that killed 20 and wounded well over a hundred. Pallie negotiator Saeb Erakat suggests involving the US, the EU, and the UN into the peace affair, as negotiators and communicators. And as peacekeepers? Perhaps. Personally, I wouldn't count on much until the terrorist organizations Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and Fatah are wiped out. Wonder if the GSS is going to work on that anytime soon.
Dropping into the justice ethics, the Supreme Court ordered a new sentencing hearing for convicted rapist/murderer Johnny Paul Penry. The Supreme Court has ruled that the death penalty may be applied to the mentally retarded, with special instructions to the jury to take into account the mental status of the convicted. So here's the question for y'all - what should the courts do for the mentally retarded? Should they be excempt from the death penalty, or should they be considered for execution in the face of major crimes?
6.4.2K1 - 1.00
Niyo!
Okay, archivage again. Dropped the rant on UN Gun Control here.
*proud of ko-oni* ^_^
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