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February 27, 2007

Bad idea of the day

Ars has a piece on ICANN ( they govern the internet for the most part ) looking at passing ordinance that would put them in a position to deny web address that they consider "against public policy". This seems like a colossally bad idea to me. If a community establishes a standard and wants to uphold it, that's fine but in a community as big as the internet, who establishes that standard? Are we talking lowest common denominator? If so, that can be very low ( remember that little dutch cartoon that caused a fuss ?) in some areas compared to others.
This seems like a ring to stay out of if I'm a government organization of any type, especially one that a good chunk of the world thinks is in the pocket of the US government.
Thoughts?
Clarification: this is primarily for the .edu, .com and .org top level domains I believe. I'm sure the country level ones would have their governance left up to the respective country and the .xxx domain, should it ever be allowed to exist, would likely have free reign.

Posted by bucjos at 06:25 PM | Comments (2)

February 26, 2007

Death by kite

I saw this come across dig and was surprised. The headline was "11 dead at kite festival. After reading it, this festival contains people firing guns into the air in the midst of their kite flying enthusiasm, individuals attach sharp things to their strings in an effort to "fight" and then there's those that like to fall off roofs. All in all, pretty brutal for an activity that is centered around kites. These guys need some hippies to show them how to mellow out.

Posted by bucjos at 11:17 AM | Comments (1)

February 21, 2007

This is all kinds of wrong

So, I read this article, originally from Rolling Stone, that hit Digg today that puts parts of W's '08 budget into stark relief.
A choice excerpt:

Sanders additionally pointed out that the family of former Exxon/Mobil CEO Lee Raymond, who received a $400 million retirement package, would receive about $164 million in tax breaks.

Compare that to the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which Bush proposes be completely eliminated, at a savings of $108 million over ten years. The program sent one bag of groceries per month to 480,000 seniors, mothers and newborn children."

I know that facts like these are easily cherry picked but read the article and comment. I don't see how one can claim real bias in this. These are the facts, the numbers are there. This seems like a egregious case of the rich getting richer on the backs of those that need help.
We need to just break even for 2 more years, until Al can get in and throw down.

Posted by bucjos at 05:01 PM | Comments (4)

That's just cold

From the BBC, someone in Columbia decided to shoot 2 clowns while they were performing for kids.
Weak sauce dude, weak sauce.

Posted by bucjos at 10:31 AM | Comments (1)

February 15, 2007

Two good comics today

Todays pvp has some solid nerd logic and todays Dilbert sounds like something I'd say somedays.

Posted by bucjos at 04:56 PM | Comments (0)

February 14, 2007

I have seen the future, and it's name is Al

From digg, Al Franken runs for senate in MN.
I'm excited.

Posted by bucjos at 05:07 PM | Comments (1)

Watched "The Departed"

And man... was it good. Wicked violent but so good. Jack Nicholson is a force, I'm actually like DiCaprio in it, Wahlberg is great, just a solid movie. Go see it. Leave the kids and 'nana at home but rent it and turn up the volume.

Posted by bucjos at 01:55 PM | Comments (0)

February 09, 2007

This one is for mooney

Jack Bauer vs ATHF, video here.
I guess Boston just didn't make the right phone call.

Posted by bucjos at 11:14 AM | Comments (1)

Latest "video games hurt kids" story, again from a fox affiliate

This was on the news post for penny arcade.
I guess the news people in WI decided it was time to for the Nintendo DS to get the same going over that the PSP got a while back from the news here in MN.
Here's the clip in question.
My favorite part is, towards the end, when they say both moms that bought the item that they're making out to be a molesters free ticket to your kid, they precede that with "they're good moms, they just didn't think to read the owners manual or website". Okay team, I know this whole idea of living in a connected world with internets and im's and all that is kind of new but I think you've got to start assuming that electronics can do more than show pretty pictures and house talking faces.
So silly, to buy a spanking new piece of tech for your kids, not know what it does and then get indignant at it :/

Posted by bucjos at 10:18 AM | Comments (1)

February 07, 2007

First Quarter Update

So, in tooth-ageddon '07. I'm doing well and here are highlights from the first quarter of play.


I'm not in much pain, minimal bleeding, I just got up from a nap and I am fully stocked in the realms of pudding snack packs and soup. I think I'm in good shape from here on in but I'll post any pertinent updates.

Posted by bucjos at 02:36 PM | Comments (4)

February 06, 2007

An interesting approach in the gay marriage debate

This came across digg.
Apparently, the supreme court in Washington state said the state could deny same sex marriages on the grounds that the state has a legitimate interest in preserving marriage for procreation.
A bill was introduced by proponents of same sex marriages that would require proof of the ability to conceive before marriage and proof of procreation within 3 years of marriage or else the marriage would be annulled.
The story can be found here.
I think this is a great approach. Assault the reasoning in place using it's own terms and definitions. If marriage is only recognized for the sake of reproducing, than that should swing both ways.
I know this is ridiculous but the source of the ridiculousness is the Washinton supreme court, this bill is just playing the game on the terms set by the supreme court and any criticism should be directed their way.

Posted by bucjos at 02:34 PM | Comments (3)

February 05, 2007

Joss lays down his invisible lasso

This bums me out. Joss Whedon is no longer working on wonder woman.
I'm a huge fan of Joss's first and foremost. I think he has a great respect for sci-fi and comics and I think his treatment of WW would have been sincere and authentic.
I fear now that this is going to end up being something akin to the "does that suit have nipples" era of Batman movies.
While I'm not a classic WW fan, this still bums me out, as I am a fan of the comic/cartoon to movie adaptation. They aren't all winners ( see Daredevil, Elektra and, I fear, the forthcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie ) but I've gotta pull for the team.
Related sidenote: I'm excited to see Ghost Rider ( Paul Boyum, I'm dragging you to see this now, on principle )

Posted by bucjos at 03:30 PM | Comments (1)

And let the copping out begin

So, the group behind the bomb scare placing of LED aliens flipping the bird has copped out and agreed to pay Boston 2 million dollars.
If I'm one of the other cities that had the common sense to not freak out, I'd start freaking out now and cash in. Oh, that is if you value $2 million more than people thinking your city's officials are competent and/or you can take a joke.

Posted by bucjos at 03:06 PM | Comments (0)