Saturday, August 11, 2007
Zimbabwe learning from the best
Zimbabwe President Signs Eavesdropping Bill
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Friday signed into law the controversial Interception of Communications Bill, which gives his government the authority to eavesdrop on phone and Internet communications and read physical mail.
The legislation has drawn outspoken opposition from the political opposition and civil society organizations as trampling on the civil rights of Zimbabweans.
Spokesman Nelson Chamisa of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change faction of Morgan Tsvangirai called it an addition to “the dictator’s tool kit.”[..]
Human rights lawyer Otto Saki told VOA that the law interferes and undermines the enjoyment of rights enshrined in the constitution and is a sign Mr. Mugabe wants to consolidate his power by “any means necessary or unnecessary.”
But Communications Minister Christopher Mushowe said Zimbabwe is not unique in the world in passing such legislation, citing electronic eavesdropping programs in the United States, the United Kingdom and South Africa, among other countries.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Friday signed into law the controversial Interception of Communications Bill, which gives his government the authority to eavesdrop on phone and Internet communications and read physical mail.
The legislation has drawn outspoken opposition from the political opposition and civil society organizations as trampling on the civil rights of Zimbabweans.
Spokesman Nelson Chamisa of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change faction of Morgan Tsvangirai called it an addition to “the dictator’s tool kit.”[..]
Human rights lawyer Otto Saki told VOA that the law interferes and undermines the enjoyment of rights enshrined in the constitution and is a sign Mr. Mugabe wants to consolidate his power by “any means necessary or unnecessary.”
But Communications Minister Christopher Mushowe said Zimbabwe is not unique in the world in passing such legislation, citing electronic eavesdropping programs in the United States, the United Kingdom and South Africa, among other countries.
The City Dat Works: you just can't go around parking your Wienermobile anywhere you like
A Chicago police officer tickets the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile in the 400 block of North Michigan Avenue.
Cop writes a ticket for giant sausage
A massive hot dog clogged Chicago's main artery Thursday morning. In a rare occurrence of an encased-meat vehicle committing a traffic violation, Chicago police ticketed the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile for illegal parking on the Magnificent Mile. The incident began at 10:57 a.m. in the 400 block of North Michigan Avenue. At least two members of the Wienermobile entourage left the vehicle in the six-lane street with its emergency blinkers on. The vehicle is registered to Kraft Foods under the Wisconsin license plate "WEENR." A police officer approached the Chevrolet with the 27-foot fiberglass sausage and removable bun roof. The officer radioed for a tow truck.
Matt Smith (FULLA$#i+!) of the city's Streets and Sanitation Department said the city would have been ready to handle the job. "We have access to tow trucks that could have handled a Polish sausage, not just a hot dog," Smith said. [HUH? Isn't a Polish sausage BIGGER than a hot dog?] "We have access to tow trucks that could have handled a Polish sausage, not just a hot dog," Smith said. The officer wrote the ticket and affixed it to the wiener's footlong side mirror. Ed Walsh, a spokesman for the city Department of Revenue, said parking in a "Parking/Standing Prohibited Anytime" zone is a $50 violation. About 15 minutes later, as curious passersby snapped pictures with their camera phones, the driver and passenger of the vehicle returned before tow trucks could arrive. "The situation was resolved without the use of ketchup, which in Chicago is a big thing," Smith said. [Well, DAT is good to know.]
The entourage got a grilling from the officer. "You can't just park here," the officer said. One of the passengers, who declined to be identified, said they were visiting a Wienermobile alumnus who worked nearby, but were unaware that one could not park a giant sausage in the middle of the city's busiest thoroughfare. Sydney Lindner, a spokeswoman for Kraft Foods, said the Wienermobile is on a nationwide tour promoting a contest to sing the Oscar Mayer jingle in an upcoming commercial. She said "regardless of the reason" the driver had for parking there, the company neither condones nor relishes such actions. "It's against company policy to park in undesignated area even if you're driving a company vehicle that's shaped like a giant hot dog," Lindner said. "We appreciate the police doing their job and we regret any inconvenience this may have caused." The hot dog was last seen driving north on Michigan Avenue.
Friday, August 10, 2007
JINX!
Bobby Jenks retired all three batters he faced to earn a save Friday against the Mariners. Jenks has now retired 38 batters in a row, tying David Wells' American League record.
But hey...on the subway it only costs three bucks...
From a list of translations made of Harry Potter counterfeits...originally in Chinese - their plot summaries attached - published in today's NYTimes...my favorite:
Harry Potter and the Big Funnel
Published: August 10, 2007
After six years at Hogwarts, Harry Potter becomes an intern sorcerer and is assigned to teach at the Honiton School. Harry has a painful time in his aunt’s house, as Dudley has met a belly-dancing girl. As Harry prepares to report to his job, Bat Bug warns him disaster awaits.
At the school, his students become wooden stools one after another. Harry doesn’t know whether an evil student is behind this, or if his old benefactor Hagrid is making a mistake, or if the shadow of Voldemort has returned. Did it have something to do with the big funnel?
Harry Potter and the Big Funnel
Published: August 10, 2007
After six years at Hogwarts, Harry Potter becomes an intern sorcerer and is assigned to teach at the Honiton School. Harry has a painful time in his aunt’s house, as Dudley has met a belly-dancing girl. As Harry prepares to report to his job, Bat Bug warns him disaster awaits.
At the school, his students become wooden stools one after another. Harry doesn’t know whether an evil student is behind this, or if his old benefactor Hagrid is making a mistake, or if the shadow of Voldemort has returned. Did it have something to do with the big funnel?
Fathead could have done dis
San Diego IP H R ER BB K HR Season ERA
W. Ledezma 2.1 5 4 3 3 3 1 6.75
If they had checked with me i could have told them Ledezzzma (Post-Traumatic K-Mad Syndrome) was gonna SUCK.
W. Ledezma 2.1 5 4 3 3 3 1 6.75
If they had checked with me i could have told them Ledezzzma (Post-Traumatic K-Mad Syndrome) was gonna SUCK.
Show me the money
Woman Must Forfeit Lottery Winnings
WHITE CITY, Ore. -- A local woman must turn over her lottery winnings after a judge said she won them illegally.
Prosecutors said Christina Goodenow, of White City, used a credit card that belonged to her then-boyfriend's dead mother to buy a winning $1 million Scratch-It ticket in Oct. 2005.
Goodenow asked lottery officials to keep her win quiet, claiming to be a victim of domestic violence. But police learned of the crime about two weeks later, as Goodenow continued to use the stolen credit card.
On Thursday, Jackson County Judge Ray White ruled that the winnings were the proceeds of illegal activity and must be forfeited under Oregon law.
Goodenow pleaded no contest to forgery, cheating and aggravated theft.
Besides stripping Goodenow of her winnings, White sentenced Goodenow to a month in jail. But White gave her credit for the six months she served earlier this year for possessing methamphetamine.
Goodenow, who maintains she bought the winning ticket with cash from her own pocket and said she plans to appeal, must spend two years on probation.
I thought you couldn't buy lottery tickets with credit cards anyway. And why does she get credit for time served for a different crime?
WHITE CITY, Ore. -- A local woman must turn over her lottery winnings after a judge said she won them illegally.
Prosecutors said Christina Goodenow, of White City, used a credit card that belonged to her then-boyfriend's dead mother to buy a winning $1 million Scratch-It ticket in Oct. 2005.
Goodenow asked lottery officials to keep her win quiet, claiming to be a victim of domestic violence. But police learned of the crime about two weeks later, as Goodenow continued to use the stolen credit card.
On Thursday, Jackson County Judge Ray White ruled that the winnings were the proceeds of illegal activity and must be forfeited under Oregon law.
Goodenow pleaded no contest to forgery, cheating and aggravated theft.
Besides stripping Goodenow of her winnings, White sentenced Goodenow to a month in jail. But White gave her credit for the six months she served earlier this year for possessing methamphetamine.
Goodenow, who maintains she bought the winning ticket with cash from her own pocket and said she plans to appeal, must spend two years on probation.
I thought you couldn't buy lottery tickets with credit cards anyway. And why does she get credit for time served for a different crime?
Better not piss her off
Woman Kills Raccoon With Her Bare Hands
By Associated Press
10:14 PM CDT, August 9, 2007
CHESHIRE, Conn. - A woman killed a raccoon with her bare hands Thursday when the animal attacked a young boy. Officials with Cheshire animal control say the woman was walking in the woods around 11 a.m. with a group of children when the animal bit the 5-year-old son of a friend. She pulled the raccoon off the child, told the children to run home and strangled the animal, authorities said. "She had the presence of mind to choke it," animal control officer April Leiler told the Record-Journal of Meriden. "She is one tough lady."
The carcass was taken to a state laboratory in Hartford where it tested positive for rabies. The woman and the boy are undergoing rabies treatment. Their names have not been released.
By Associated Press
10:14 PM CDT, August 9, 2007
CHESHIRE, Conn. - A woman killed a raccoon with her bare hands Thursday when the animal attacked a young boy. Officials with Cheshire animal control say the woman was walking in the woods around 11 a.m. with a group of children when the animal bit the 5-year-old son of a friend. She pulled the raccoon off the child, told the children to run home and strangled the animal, authorities said. "She had the presence of mind to choke it," animal control officer April Leiler told the Record-Journal of Meriden. "She is one tough lady."
The carcass was taken to a state laboratory in Hartford where it tested positive for rabies. The woman and the boy are undergoing rabies treatment. Their names have not been released.
Why don't they leave me alone?
Another come on from the blogosphere...
"Not quite a librarian, but...
Just a quick invitation to my slightly romantic (rated G), somewhat sentimental, and often coffee and book-focused blog.
Funky reviews, parodies about book reviewing, Amazon and reading, and some cool book-library-coffee related products.
http://Brockeim.com
or, if you prefer, its older brother:
http://Brockeim.blogspot.com
Thanks, and have fun reading.
--Brockeim"
Look, i don't want to read your blog, and i have no idea why anyone is reading ours. Go plant a tree or work in a soup kitchen or something. As for me, i'm going to blow my nose for the 6th millionth time today and take a nap. I suggest you do the same.
"Not quite a librarian, but...
Just a quick invitation to my slightly romantic (rated G), somewhat sentimental, and often coffee and book-focused blog.
Funky reviews, parodies about book reviewing, Amazon and reading, and some cool book-library-coffee related products.
http://Brockeim.com
or, if you prefer, its older brother:
http://Brockeim.blogspot.com
Thanks, and have fun reading.
--Brockeim"
Look, i don't want to read your blog, and i have no idea why anyone is reading ours. Go plant a tree or work in a soup kitchen or something. As for me, i'm going to blow my nose for the 6th millionth time today and take a nap. I suggest you do the same.
Is Bush eligible to take the class?
News item: The Department Of Education Will Launch A Free, Web-Based Portal To Help Immigrants Learn English, And Expand This Model Over Time.
One Of The First Things They'll Learn Is That You Don't Have To Capitalize Every Phokking Word In A Sentence, Unless You Are Trying To Be Totally Phokking Teutonic.
One Of The First Things They'll Learn Is That You Don't Have To Capitalize Every Phokking Word In A Sentence, Unless You Are Trying To Be Totally Phokking Teutonic.
Maybe Podzzzie can carry the equipment...
or Matt Murton's jock...from Will Carroll (we'll lay off today - his mother is having issues so instead of ripping, we should maybe think about a prayer - seriously):
I've often been accused of being both a homer for the Cubs and of always being down on them. They probably go hand in hand more than you'd know. So I'll surprise everyone and be a bright ray of sunshine for the Wrigleyville residents today--Alfonso Soriano isn't likely to miss much beyond the minimum. As we said just after the injury, it was probably the best possible scenario aside from Soriano not being hurt at all. The quad strain is healing nicely and while the minimum is pushing it a bit, Soriano is good at not overextending himself. I mean that in a nice way, that he's smart enough not to push things so far as to reinjure himself. (Who was it that criticized him for not hustling earlier this year, not realizing he was under orders not to run hard?) Even at far less than full-go, Soriano can help the ballclub, though his status as leadoff man might be the bigger question.
I've often been accused of being both a homer for the Cubs and of always being down on them. They probably go hand in hand more than you'd know. So I'll surprise everyone and be a bright ray of sunshine for the Wrigleyville residents today--Alfonso Soriano isn't likely to miss much beyond the minimum. As we said just after the injury, it was probably the best possible scenario aside from Soriano not being hurt at all. The quad strain is healing nicely and while the minimum is pushing it a bit, Soriano is good at not overextending himself. I mean that in a nice way, that he's smart enough not to push things so far as to reinjure himself. (Who was it that criticized him for not hustling earlier this year, not realizing he was under orders not to run hard?) Even at far less than full-go, Soriano can help the ballclub, though his status as leadoff man might be the bigger question.
Now dis would be funny! PODZZZIE to the CUBZ!
A's must have wanted too much for Shannon Stewart...
Hendry must have finished off the pizza and has moved onto the chicken wings dipped in bleu cheese...
The Cubs put in a waiver claim on Scott Podsednik and could be attempting to work out a trade for the left fielder. If acquired, Podsednik would probably become the Cubs' primary left fielder and leadoff man until Alfonso Soriano returns. He'd figure to have a diminished role and value if Soriano could return in September.
Corms, come in off the ledge - don't throw your life away over this.
Hendry must have finished off the pizza and has moved onto the chicken wings dipped in bleu cheese...
The Cubs put in a waiver claim on Scott Podsednik and could be attempting to work out a trade for the left fielder. If acquired, Podsednik would probably become the Cubs' primary left fielder and leadoff man until Alfonso Soriano returns. He'd figure to have a diminished role and value if Soriano could return in September.
Corms, come in off the ledge - don't throw your life away over this.
Does anyone have him?
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- In spring training 2005, Rick Ankiel launched his new career as a 26-year-old minor-league outfielder. In his first game back in the major leagues, he launched one out of the ballpark.
Ankiel's three-run homer capped a storybook return and Joel Pineiro worked seven scoreless innings in the St. Louis Cardinals' 5-0 victory over the San Diego Padres on Thursday night.
"Unbelievable," Ankiel said. "You almost can't put that into words."
Sarge, hurry!
Ankiel's three-run homer capped a storybook return and Joel Pineiro worked seven scoreless innings in the St. Louis Cardinals' 5-0 victory over the San Diego Padres on Thursday night.
"Unbelievable," Ankiel said. "You almost can't put that into words."
Sarge, hurry!
we already knew he has Lying Disease...but this?
President Bush Treated For Lyme Disease Last Year
"...[possible?] neurologic, psychiatric and cardiac manifestations...cognitive defects..."
Some hilarious comments here, too.
"...[possible?] neurologic, psychiatric and cardiac manifestations...cognitive defects..."
Some hilarious comments here, too.
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