Monday, February 28, 2005

Bush/Putin confusion

MSNBC

Aparently, Putin is under the idea that Bush controls the american media, due to former KGB members in his cabnet.

Music industry trying to raise prices

Article

I don't think the Music industry realises the cliff it is sitting on. Their sales were going down steeply, then iTunes and it's spinoffs started selling the music again. Now they are trying to raise the prices, and essentially drive off more customers. They don't seem to understand the concept of discounting, where if you sell something for less, you'll sell more of it.

Friday, February 25, 2005

Woman dies to make room for Michael Jackson

"A woman who had suffered a massive heart attack died after hospital personnel moved her out of a trauma room to accommodate a flu-stricken Michael Jackson, the patient's family said."
full article here.

Thursday, February 24, 2005

Rubber band: Weapon of War

Article

A 13 year old is suspended because he gave his teacher a rubber band.

"Rojas said she was shocked to learn that her son was being punished for a Level 4 offense -- the highest Level at the school. Other violations that also receive level 4 punishment include arson, assault and battery, bomb threats and explosives, according to the Code of Student Conduct"

Overreaction, I think. Pretty surprising, even for America---land of the free and home of the frivolous lawsuits.

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

French can't keep a good face long

After all the diplomacy Bush just put out

Chirac was speaking french, when he is fluent in english, at a US/UK banquet.
After all Bush was willing to forgive yesterday, this is very arrogant from a nation that doesn't even have an aircraft carrier for its navy.

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

A change for the better

The Pope calls homosexual marriage part of the Ideology of Evil

Ah, where the episcopal church fails, the catholic comes through.

Queen won't attend "Marriage" ceremony

This has to be turning her stomach...

6-1 finacial advantage for RNC

Article

The RNC raised nearly 6 times as much money in the last month then the DNC.

Why is this?
Are the extreamist partys taking DNC funds?
Or was the dems base all played out durring the elections?

Free Mojtaba and Arash day


freemojtabaarashday-bigbann
Originally uploaded by lizzielefevre.
Mojtaba and Arash are two Iranian bloggers imprisoned for their beliefs.
Today is a "blogger holiday" where bloggers everywhere post in protest of Arash and Mojtaba's arrest.
E-mail the ambassador to Iran.

Here is official site in protest of Iran's actions....

Bush and the French

Bush Praises French

Oh all the things...

Bush praises the french because of our 200 years of agreement.
I agree with Condi:
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice -- then Bush's national security adviser -- to reportedly suggest that after the war, the United States should "punish France, ignore Germany and reward Russia."

Sunday, February 20, 2005

Weird technology news

Gmail (the next big thing since google) addresses are being sold on ebay. Google has now added a clause to their terms of service, saying that you are not allowed to sell gmail addresses. I looked up on ebay and there were many, many, addresses being sold. Its pretty funny what people will do to try to get money.....

By the way, if you want gmail invites so you can get a gmail e-mail, drop me a note. I have a few left. My e-mail is lizzielefevre@yahoo.com......

Bush tapes

A "friend" of President Bush secretly tape recorded nine hours of conversations with Bush before he became president. Now he has released them. Need I say that reporters are eating this up....


Is this right for this man to release these tapes? Is it a violation of Bush's privacy?

Saturday, February 19, 2005

Janet Reno to put history to music

No, I am not joking.
Janet Reno and some of her celebrity pals are going to make a album about the history of the U.S.


"To mirror the diversity of America, the producers are seeking an eclectic group of artists to perform the songs in a variety of musical genres. So far, singer/songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman and the country band BR549 have signed on. Both collaborated on Beautiful Dreamer.

Reno, who credits a longtime love of many musical styles as a source of her interest, wants the album to provide a perspective on where the nation has been and where it's going.

Colonial times, the Revolutionary War, the expansion West, the effect of capitalism, and World War II are just a few of the footsteps in the country's history she says the compilation should touch on."

What are your thoughts?

Friday, February 18, 2005

Kerry and Clinton make bill regarding election laws

Now this is interesting.

"This has to nothing to do with the question of the outcome of 2004 (election)," Kerry, a Massachusetts senator, told a Capitol Hill news conference. "This has everything to do with full civil rights of Americans. Period."

Of course not, John. You've never been politically motivated before. Why should we think so now?

Thursday, February 17, 2005

Immigration

Link to article by Marvin Olasky.
"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free!"

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Our friend Russia....

Russia's selling missiles to Syria, but they say that they've made sure that Syria wouldn't be able to give them to terrorists. Now, honestly, how can they make sure of that? Once these missiles are in Syria's hands, what can (or will) Russia do about it?
Their concern is a bunch of bologna.

Reporters refuse to reveal source

Link

Two reporters got the name of an undercover CIA operative. Now they are facing charges because they refuse to reveal their source.
The lawyer for the reporters say that "Today's decision strikes a heavy blow against the public's right to be informed about its government," Abrams said in a statement."
But what right did they have to possibly compromise our nation's security?

Lawsuit for Tsunami Victims

European tourists are suing a French hotel chain, Thai government, and the U.S. weather forecasters because they did not act "appropriately" in warning about the tsunami. Is this right? Should it be thrown out as "frivolous"?

Monday, February 14, 2005

Bush gives audience to refugees

This is a neat article.

Robocop?

Article

A robotic ball that chases intruders around at 20mph, snapping pictures, and taking video.

I can see a bunch of people hacking this to make it look like a Destroyer Droid from the Star Wars movies.

I want one.

Friday, February 11, 2005

Man dies after being hit by taser

A man was tazed by Chicago police, then went into cardiac arrest. He died. Now there is a lawsuit.
Link

N. Korea "News" (propaganda) website

This is an interesting site to visit if you want to read examples of the propaganda N. Korea dishes out to its people about the United States. It would be funny if it were not so sad.

An example article:

"Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- It is said that many historical cultural sites in south Korea are occupied by the U.S. military bases whose total area exceeds 123, 000 phyong. To cite an example, AA artillery positions cover at least 20,600 phyong in the area of the Changdok Palace registered as the world's cultural heritage by UNESCO. The military installations that occupy historic sites number eight in the area north of Kyonggi Province and five in the area of Seoul. In this regard Rodong Sinmun today says in a signed commentary: The U.S. is building its military bases even in the areas where there are tombs of forefathers, not content with desecrating the soul of the nation and looting precious historical cultural relics in south Korea. This is a hideous crime against the Korean nation and its history as it debases its dignity and tarnishes its history spanning 5,000 years. The U.S. imperialist aggression forces in south Korea chose areas with historical cultural remains as sites for their military bases and installations in a bid to dampen the spirit of the Korean nation, do away with the 5, 000 year-long history of the nation and enslave the Koreans. Throughout history foreign aggressors have employed a trite method of setting up all sorts of ruling bodies and military installations in the areas of historic remains under their occupation in a bid to distort the history of relevant nations and quell the spirit of national independence and resistance. The U.S. imperialists infiltrated a pirate ship into Korea to exhume the tomb of Prince Nam Yon more than a century ago. Since their of occupation of south Korea in place of the Japanese imperialists the U.S. imperialists have ruthlessly trampled underfoot a lot of areas of historical cultural remains. The sovereignty in south Korea has been encroached upon for 100 years under the occupation of foreign forces and the areas of precious historical cultural remains of the nation are destroyed by the aggressor forces. The Korean people can no longer remain a passive onlooker to this tragic reality."

Obviously, this is greatly exaggerated. S. Korea says that the crime rate of U.S. soldiers in their country has dropped since last year.
While N. Korea is busy claiming the U.S. is imperialistic, it has kept 70% of its 1.2 million man strong army as close as possible to Seoul and the S. Korean border.

Thursday, February 10, 2005

Great Wall stolen

No, this is not something from a comic book. Huge pieces of the ancient landmark have been stolen to be used to pave roads. It is less expensive to be fined in China for stealing from the Great Wall than it is to buy proper road pavement.
Link to article.

Axis of Evil

Today, as North Korea announced that it has nuclear weapons, the Iranians are also joining the frenzy.

""The whole Iranian nation is united against any threat or attack. If the invaders reach Iran, the country will turn into a burning hell for them," he [President Mohammed Khatami] added, as the crowd, braving heavy snow, chanted "Death to America!" and "Death to Israel!'"

So really, after that speech, how successful is the European Union with their talks with Iran? ""We're moving forward," said Jean Asselborn, foreign minister of Luxembourg which currently holds the EU presidency. "

Though the EU was indifferent of Iranian President Khatami's speech on "Death to America", they did mention that they were dissapointed to learn in their talks that most of Iran's diplomats do not enjoy tea and crumpets.
(j/k. Above paragraph, mine.)

However, the U.S. has been critical of the EU's talks--saying that they were not tough enough. "The Iranians need to hear that if they are unwilling to live with verification measures... then the Security Council referral looms,"said Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, possibly referring to UN impose sanctions.

Unlike Iran, North Korea has pulled out from all talks, saying that it has nuclear weapons and needs them for defense against the hostile U.S.

In the meantime, pray for South Korea.

Axis of Evil rears its head

My Way News:

"North Korea publicly admitted Thursday for the first time that it has nuclear weapons, and said it wouldn't return to six-nation talks aimed at getting it to abandon its nuclear ambitions"

Surprise, surprise.

Bush labeled this nation one of the axis of evil, and many had a cow.

Now will you consider that something needs to be done there?

Monday, February 07, 2005

Mercedes appeasing animal rights activists

Link

The chick-fil-a cows are pleased at this news. Their only comment was "Yae. Animul rites actuvists tryumf uhgane! Long liv thee beef."

Bush cutting programs

Yahoo! News - $2.5 Trillion Budget Plan Cuts Many Programs

"President Bush (news - web sites) plans to unveil a $2.5 trillion budget today eliminating dozens of politically sensitive domestic programs"
YAY!!!! Sounds huge, right?

"Overall, discretionary spending other than defense and homeland security would fall by nearly 1 percent"
Good start, lets keep going!

Saturday, February 05, 2005

Pope stays alive for life

Pope Sees Frailties as Affirming Life

I usually don't agree with the Roman Catholic Church, this is cool. An 84-year old man sticking around because of his belief in the sanctity of human life.

Cool.

This is so neat!

13 year old girl becomes best selling author in Britain.

You go, girl.

Friday, February 04, 2005

Photo in the News: Red Star Light Burst

Story & picture

The Hubble space telescope has taken yet another spectacular photograph.

Would someone mind telling me why we are getting rid of this, and not replacing it???????
This is the best instrument of discovery, with a higher return then the Mars Rovers. And now that the shuttle is grounded, it will be a while before manned missons of discovery commence.

Thursday, February 03, 2005

Non-lethal riot control?

story

How do you control a crowd without killing someone?
Rubber Bullets?
Bean Bags?
Tear gas?

Noo.... Something that sounds cooler!!
Introducing the Microwave!!!

More Americans watch 'American Idol' than State of the Union address

'AMERICAN IDOL' TOPS NETWORK COVERAGE FOR STATE OF UNION
.....
The U.S broadcast TV audience would rather watch freaks sing out of tune than President Bush and Democrats wax politics, overnight ratings show.

One hour of IDOL on one network pulled a higher ratings average than 2 hours of STATE OF THE UNION -- on three networks, combined."
---Drudgereport.com

Doesn't the fact that more people watched 'American Idol' than the 'State of the Union' reflect the real state of the union?
Truly pathetic....

Darfur, Sudan--latest

U.S. convinced that what is going on in Sudan is 'genocide'
----------------------
Why is the UN so slow to term the mass killings in Sudan as 'genocide?
Because they would then be legally bound to act....
Its apparent that procrastinating politicians (who fill the UN) care little for the lives of those who cannot aid their own political ambitions.

Iran will not never scrap nuclear program

Link
"Iran will never scrap its nuclear program, and talks with Europeans are intended to protect the country's nuclear achievements, not negotiate an end to them, an Iranian official said Wednesday."


Tuesday, February 01, 2005

China threatens war with Taiwan

Will keep tabs on latest developments....
" A senior Chinese official has warned that Beijing may attack Taiwan by 2008 if President Chen Shui-bian pursues his plans for constitutional change."
Link

Rice backs Palestinian statehood

article

Now Condi is backing a Palistinian nationstate. Good grief. This is what Powell was doing! I thought once we get the liberal Secretary of State out, we could move on from this crash. The palestinians don't want peace. They could have peace if they would quit sending suicide bombers into Israel, blowing up the "infidels".

This is a futile effort, and a waste of US tax dollars.

Pentagon Would Raise Military Death Pay

Pentagon Would Raise Military Death Pay

"Sept. 11 families. The government paid an average $2.1 million to the families of those killed in those attacks. "

Currently, the soldiers familys get $12,425, the new plan is $100,000.

Ok, so did we react to the the terrorist victems with to much federal money, or are the soldiers still being underpaid?

UN's report challenged

Horray. Not everyone is buying this UN idiocy.