Monthly Archives: February 2010

MSNBC: Not Afraid To Ask Ridiculous Questions

27 Saturday Feb 2010

Posted by in Asia, Duh, Science, World Affairs

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In the throes of a humanitarian crisis, it’s always important to ask ridiculous questions. 

Posits MSNBC: Is Nature Out Of Control? 

A better question would be: Has nature ever been subject to human control?  Only in science fiction. 

Dur

Grapple with life’s Big Questions with MSNBC: Big quake question: Is nature out of control? – LiveScience- msnbc.com. 

Smaktakula

Johnny Depp To Make Rare Television Appearance For West Memphis Three

26 Friday Feb 2010

Posted by in Constitutional Issues, Crime, Culture, Justice, National Events, People, Religion, Television

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By Smaktakula

Johnny Depp will be lending his talents to the CBS show 48 Hours on Saturday, making a rare return to television to bring attention to the West Memphis Three.

A star’s involvement with a cause does little to sway me to the rightness of said cause.  This is true even with actors and actress whom I like and admire, as many celebrities seem to mistake their fame for correctness.  For this reason, I would normally be suspicious of a show featuring Depp, Eddie Vedder, the Dixie Chicks and noted shoplifter-cum-actress, Winona Ryder.  However, I have been following the story of the West Memphis Three for years, and for a number of reasons, it resonates deeply with me.  Despite the attention this case has received over the years, including two outstanding HBO documentaries (Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills and Paradise Lost 2: Revelations), it still has yet to tickle the greater conscience of the American people, and an injustice remains fully unaddressed.

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California Assembly Passes Resolution For Cuss-Free Week

26 Friday Feb 2010

Posted by in Constitutional Issues, Culture, General Foolishness, Politics, Regional Politics

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A cuss-free week? 
I’m not sure which is more irritating–that the California Assembly would even entertain an idea like this when the state is beset by real problems, or simply the jaw-dropping inanity of proposing something as ineffectual and pointless as a cuss-free week.
 

Fuck That

   

Read more about this shitty idea: California Assembly passes resolution for ‘Cuss Free Week’ – San Jose Mercury News.

Smaktakula

SHAMU Sleeper Agent Wreaks Havoc At Florida Amusement Park

25 Thursday Feb 2010

Posted by in Critters, General Foolishness, Humor, Satire, Terrorism

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By Smaktakula

Yesterday in Florida, the interminable cold war between Terrestrial and Aquatic mammals turned hot once again.  The Aquatics’ attack was unexpected and savage.  When it was through, a veteran animal handler was dead.  Early reports indicate that the assassin was Tilikum, an orca.  Terrestrial representatives claim that Tilikum is a high-ranking member of the elite SHAMU (Secret Herald of the Aquatic Mammal Underground) Brigade, sent to bring a bloody message to the bipeds.

Tilikum has a checkered history, and at least one run-in with the law.  Although the claims have yet to be substantiated, the Terrestrials maintain that the rogue orca spent parts of 2007 and 2008 at an Al-Qaeda training facility in Sudan.

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Can The Pacific Northwest Cool Bradley?

25 Thursday Feb 2010

Posted by in Baseball, People, Sports

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By Smaktakula

Sir, I Beg To Differ

The unfortunately named and often irascible Milton Bradley is a Seattle Mariner, coming over from the Chicago Cubs in an offseason trade for the underperforming Carlos Silva.  This trade has a tremendous upside for both clubs, and for both players.  The Mariners and Cubs have each shed a player who had become a cancer on the clubhouse, as in Bradley’s case, or an overpaid bust like Silva.  For both players, the switch to a new team means a fresh start.    

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AP Writer Claims Republicans In a Tizzy Over RINO Scott Brown

24 Wednesday Feb 2010

Posted by in Christianity, Constitutional Issues, Culture, General Foolishness, History, National Events, National Politics, Politics, Regional Politics, Social Networking

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A possible Republitizzy.

According to Glen Johnson of the AP, the Republican faithful have branded Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown a ‘Benedict’ after voting with the Democrats on a recent jobs bill.

Much ado about nothing, I suspect.  I haven’t seen the Drudge piece which Johnson cites, but even assuming that the AP piece correctly captures the spirit of the Drudge article, I don’t believe that’s indicative of any widespread Republican rage.

At least I hope not.

The Republicans absolutely deserve to be where they are right now.  For years their ranks have been clogged with second-raters who have allowed the small-government/personal liberty core of Republican ideology to be diluted, and allowing Christian ideology to morph into Christian policy.

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Apparently, Noah’s Ark Was Circular

24 Wednesday Feb 2010

Posted by in Christianity, Critters, History, Mythology, Religion, The Bible

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And, if I’ve got my facts straight, it melts your face to look upon it.   

The Unicorn, Jackalope And This Fellow All Missed The Boat

For a less dubious appraisal, read this: Relic reveals Noah’s ark was circular | UK news | The Guardian.

 

BBC News – Facebook Partygoers Trash House On Merseyside

24 Wednesday Feb 2010

Posted by in Culture, General Foolishness, Humor, Social Networking

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The BBC is right to target Facebook in this non-story.  After all, without the insidious social networking tool, potential party-crashers would have been forced to rely on a different social networking site.

Facebook: Worse than Hitler?  Probably not, but it’s a little too close for my liking.

See what Facebook did: BBC News – Facebook partygoers trash house on Merseyside.

Smaktakula

Dare We Mix Seamen With Women?

24 Wednesday Feb 2010

Posted by in Constitutional Issues, Culture, History, Military, National Events

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We’ll know soon enough.  The US Navy plans to allow women on submarines. 

Just Wild About Submarinettes.

Any undo concern about this development is unfounded.  Of course, any time you put men and women in such close quarters over an extended period of time, there’s bound to be some sex.  Still, even if sex between male and female submariners does occur, it’s likely to comprise only 20-30% of the onboard sexual activity at any given time.    

Not A Fan

Deep sea hanky-panky here: Navy says it is ready to end ban on women in submarines – CNN.com.

Smaktakula

From Times Online: Libby Purves Castigates Victim Industry In Bullygate Affair

23 Tuesday Feb 2010

Posted by in Europe, General Foolishness, Political Correctness, World Affairs

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And she does it in no uncertain terms.

I’m not sure what it is that makes Bullygate such a compelling story. 

Is it Mr. Brown himself that makes the story interesting–his thuggish behavior drawing inevitable comparisons to the affable Tony Blair?  Unlikely, given that there’s very little interesting about the current British PM.

A Big Teddy Bear

If the story isn’t about Gordonzilla, then the real meaning must lie with the culture of victimization which allows stories like this to gain traction.  It’s never fun to work in a poisonous culture, but to that Ms. Purves offers:

{B}ut if you’re good enough to get a job at Downing Street you’re good enough to find one somewhere quieter. And if you’re bright enough to be an aide, you can either shrug off the tantrums or tell Gordonzilla not to be so damn rude.

Read how Libby advocates a stiff upper lip: It’s Downing Street.  Not A Sheltered Workshop.

Smaktakula