At Last

2003.04.30

In Shift of US Military, Troops to Quit Saudi Bases

Took them long enough! I know the US thinks it was protecting the middle east from Saddam by stationing troops in Saudi Arabia, but I think it's pretty clear these days that it was a huge mistake to do so. Where would Islamic terrorism be today if the US had left the middle east after the Gulf War? They'd all be after Israel, instead of flying airplanes into buildings in America.

This has got to make Bin Laden happy, as it's been his goal since he began his campaign. I wonder what he will do now?

Finally

2003.04.29

Apple has launched a new online music service, and from what I've seen so far, it just might work. A few of us took a look at the system yesterday at work. With all of the major record labels on board, you can search the database using Apple's iTunes software by artist or album. Once an album is found, you can listen to a thirty second preview of each track, buy each track individually for one American dollar, or buy the entire album.

The system uses a new file format, which is unfortunate, but it seems to be an improvement over the aging mp3 codec and hopefully this system will have the market power to push mp3 out of the limelight. Once you've bought a song, it can be played on up to three computers, each of which must be authorized through Apple. In order to use an additional machine, you have to de-authorize one of the others. The system allows for unlimited playing on portable mp3 devices as well as unlimited CD burning. Don't get any bright ideas however, as tracks ripped off the CDs back to mp3 format sound terrible.

This is exactly the kind of system I was hoping would come around, with exactly the price point I find reasonable. The whole thing is easy to use, unlike file swapping services, and the end product is of much higher quality. Once Apple launches their iTunes software for the PC and the service can truly go mainstream, I hope it transforms the music industry. I'll probably still buy the occasional CD from a store, especially ones I can't find on the service, but Apple seems to have hit the nail on the head with this one. Good work!

WHO

2003.04.28

I'm obviously not a medical expert, but it seems to me that the World Health Organization is probably a bit more trustworthy when it comes to believing travel advisories than the provincial health authorities and political leaders in Ontario. The folks in Ontario have an obvious stake in keeping Toronto open to the world, so a measly little travel advisory by the largest authority on medical issues on the planet is clearly a mistake.

The largest problem medical authorities face when trying to contain the spread of disease are the people who don't think it needs to be contained, or the ones who think it doesn't need to be contained as much. People who are sent into quarantine but leave their houses, since clearly their jobs, their shopping, or their social lives are more important than the health of the planet. Politicians who insist their regions are safe despite health warnings like the one in Toronto.

Clearly the WHO is mistaken in these matters, right? They're just a big bureaucracy who can't see the little picture, that Toronto really is safe. Never mind the cases of SARS have been rising, they have it "under control". That's what the Chinese government said, too.

Big Surprise

2003.04.25

Study Links Obesity to Risk of Fatal Cancer

Cancer strikes all kinds of people, from all walks of life. The causes seem to be both genetic and environmental, affecting all parts of the body. Still, there are things people can do to reduce their risk of ending up with cancer. Don't smoke, eat green foods, don't get caught in any radiation disasters, and, as it turns out, don't get fat.

It really shouldn't be a huge surprise. The human body is obviously not meant to weigh three hundred pounds. Still, improving your chances by fourteen to twenty percent, depending on your gender, seems like a fairly large margin. A lot of the problem with obesity stems from easy access to unhealthy foods and a lack of exercise, a combination found in most industrialized nations. Granted there are people who are genetically predisposed to obesity, but hopefully more findings like this will convince the unnaturally obese to slim down.

Somehow, however, I doubt it.

Lawyers Suck

2003.04.24

Man Claims Patent on EBay Bidding

I know patents are designed to protect the intellectual property of inventors, but sometimes they go to far. This reminds me of the guy who tried to sue telecommunications companies, saying he had a patent for "sending information via a telephone line from one computer to another", which essentially amounts to trying to patent the Internet. The worst part about current patent laws is that the patent holding doesn't actually have to produce the invention they own a patent for. People can simply patent ideas and collect royalties, while producing no actual work.

In case anyone hasn't figured it out by now, I'm not a huge fan of people who make money without actually producing anything. Stock brokers, some lawyers and patent grubbing parasites like the above individual produce nothing of value in order to earn their money, exploiting an obvious weakness in the laws of our civilization.

If you're going to apply for a patent, you'd better intend on doing something with it. Lots of people can think up lots of inventions, but unless they actually create the thing, it doesn't amount to a whole lot, does it?

HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!!

2003.04.23

CANUCKS!!! ROUND TWO!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best...game...ever!

YEEEAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Canucks Go!

2003.04.22

It's playoff fever time once again. Game seven of the Canucks vs. Blues series wraps up tonight. Saying I'm excited would be an obvious understatement. It's going to be a long day at the office, that's for sure.

CANUCKS BABY!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bling Bling!!!

2003.04.21

Sup NiGaZs?!?!?! Yo yo I be comin in a full effekt slam on those nasty biatches who ain't givin da boyz in Iraq any lovin. Dees boyz really knowz the shiznit about bustin caps in da crazy motha fuckaz in da Baath hood. Yo yo check da moves our boyz is puttin on dat crazy biatch Saddam! Dat biatch don't have da skillz ta stop da huge boot of America from breakin up his fat ass!!! Check da phat rides da boyz is takin in Iraq and you can see dat Saddam don't have no chance, and I ain't even talkin bout those crazy ass motha fuckin planes da boys be flyin. Da boyz got da toyz. Da boyz got da skillz. Da boyz is l33t motha fuckin niggaz and they don't be stoppin for no Saddam ass kissin peace biatches!!!

Da stupid motha fuckin peace biatches need to check up da faktz! Dees biatches need to get real before a crazy terrorizer who's got da skillz busts a huge motha fuckin cap in our collective ass. True dat! Da boyz and da toyz is 100% lethal and 100% real. We gots to use da phat toyz so us niggaz can ride in style before those crazy biatch terrorists jack da big cap str8 under our noses and kick our ass on da home front.

Yo yo, don't be dissin da boyz! Bling bling!!! Peace out mo-fos!!!

This post brought to you with the help of Icy Hot Stuntaz. New remix.

Amazing Ad

2003.04.15

There's nothing like a really good ad. This new one from Honda certainly fits the bill. Keep in mind, there are no visual effects, no photography tricks, and no cuts. It's simply amazing.

Watch the Ad

An explanation:

Lights! Camera! Retake!

Robot Wars

2003.04.14

Smaller UAVs see action in Iraq

Slowly but surely unmanned military technology is being used in modern conflicts. This tiny, autonomous aircraft fits into a golf bag sized sack and can be deployed on the spot. Concepts of future UAV aircraft include everything from full-fledged bombers to tea plate sized disks which could be carried by every soldier and thrown into flight in order to investigate unseen areas, even inside buildings. We've already seen attack variants of the well known Predator craft, which have struck various targets since the war on terrorism began.

Does this mean the end of the front line soldier? Certainly not today, but perhaps sometime. Of course, all of today's devices are controlled by people. Let's hope that doesn't change.

I was more interested in the civilian uses of these aircraft described in the article. With an eventual range of 1,500 miles, the small planes could be used to track wild animals, lookout for poachers over vast wildlife parks, or escort huge ships at sea by giving them eyes over the horizon. Every city could have dozens upon dozens of them, flying nonstop in a twenty four hour cycle, watching out for traffic congestion or crime. The possible applications are nearly endless.

All of it begs the question, do we want camera equipped aircraft patrolling above our heads all day? Isn't it the same as Police street cameras? Of course, you have nothing to hide if you aren't doing anything wrong, right?

New remix.

Playoffs

2003.04.11

I attended game one of the Canucks vs. Blues playoffs series last night. Sitting in my seat with my white towel at the beginning of the game, I started to remember what it was like to see playoff hockey. There really is nothing like it, and once you're actually there you don't even care that the ticket cost $80 or $100. As the pre-game blackout was lifted and the Canucks skated onto the ice, it's a great sight to see nearly 19,000 white towels spinning in the air, the music blasting so loud it seems like the speakers will explode, and all of it being drowned out by the cheering crowd. Say what you will about the money players make, the commercialization of the game, or the high ticket cost; playoff hockey makes up for all of it.

Of course, the Canucks put on one of the most disgusting displays of ineptitude I've ever seen, and lost the game six to nothing. It was a horrible game from start to finish, and when the third period rolled around, people started booing regularly and shouting "someone kill me now, please, someone kill me. I can't sit through twenty minutes of icing, I just can't. Does anyone have a rope?"

I think it was probably one of the worst hockey games I've ever seen in my life. I could have sworn I was actually feeling physical pain while watching it. Horrible, horrible, horrible.

Endgame

2003.04.10

It's amazing how so many military analysts, armchair generals and editorialists could be so wrong about Baghdad, myself included. The entire thing is a complete surprise to so many people. I can only assume that American forces in the air have probably executed the most effective and brilliant bombing campaign in the history of warfare. When the ground forces rolled up to Baghdad, only a few diehard fanatics were left to fight, and most of their equipment had been destroyed. The remnants of the feared Republican Guard countered the American advance by charging straight at their M1A1 Abrams tanks in vintage Soviet T-72s. Foolish suicide.

There will be no repeat of Stalingrad. There will be no butchering of civilians who decide to stand with Saddam. I've been watching the coverage of the civilian reactions with joy. It feels so good to know what their lives will become with an American presence, even if they and many others don't know it yet. It's amazing to me that the "death before living under America" crowd is still around, screaming that the scenes of civilian jubilation have been staged, and that they really do love Saddam Hussein. These people are looking more and more like fools with every passing comment, which also brings a gratifying smile to my face.

While there is still a good deal of fighting to be done in Iraq, it is only now that the real battle for Baghdad begins. Everyone knows that it will be hard to create the kind of Iraq everyone wants to see. I hope the British and the Americans can stick it out and do it properly.

New remix today!

Even More Peacenicks

2003.04.08

Oakland cops defend use of force

Here is a perfect example. Cops are on hand to monitor a "peaceful" antiwar protest at a shipping company with connections to the US military. However, the protesters move to block roads and disrupt the company's operations, then begin to throw rocks and large metal bolts at officers when the cops try to disperse the crowd.

It's called "assaulting a police officer" you ignorant hippie peacenick. You get arrested for that, because it's against the law. Oh, you were shot with non-lethal weapons? Hmmmm. Do I give a shit?

"It's shocking that police put the interests of a corporation ahead of our own constitutional rights," said Patrick Reinsborough of Direct Action to Stop the War, which coordinated Monday's protest. "That's shameful."

Hey, asshole! You don't have a constitutional right to trespass on private property and disrupt corporate operations. If you did have that right, it wouldn't be against the law. Go back to university, since you obviously have a lot to learn.

More Peacenicks

2003.04.07

I've never understood why Peacenicks and antiwar protesters think that people should listen to their "voice". They make no cohesive arguments, and if fact, seem to side with Saddam Hussein when their views are truly put on the line. "It's Saddam's right to kill hundreds of thousands of his own people, because he's doing it inside his country."

Dressing up as fairies and dancing around a fire in the middle of a city street isn't going to win anyone any debates. Neither is comparing Bush and Blair to Hitler, or screaming that the evil capitalists must be stopped in favour of Marxist Socialism or Communism. Peace protesters resort to these "shock and awe" tactics because their arguments carry no real weight. Blocking off city streets during rush hour, puking all over government building lobbies, covering yourself in fake blood any lying "dead" across roads, desecrating WW2 memorials in France, displaying signs which read "Let's Kill Jews Instead". Is this a way to get a message across? Even the moderate, honest and coherent antiwar groups support these tactics on the basis of "freedom of expression", saying that any way to "get the word out" is a good one.

I remember a great quote from an unknown American judge: "Your right to swing your fist ends at my nose". Why do peace protesters need to block city streets for hours on end to get their message through? Why do they need to soil city streets with vomit, which must be cleaned up by the city workers? Making other people's lives miserable isn't going to win you any popularity contests. "Hey, the cops are here to shove us off the streets. I should be allowed to disrupt the city whenever I want, let's fight the cops!!! What? Nightsticks? Ahhhh!!! Police brutality, police brutality!!!"

Why do they do it?

It's all they've got. I don't hear any brilliant ideas coming from the left about how the Iraq situation should have been handled. More sanctions perhaps? Tried that for 12 years. More weapons inspections? Tried that for 12 years. What's that? Is that silence I hear? No more ideas Mr. Left Wing?

That's what I thought.

Good Old Dennis

2003.04.04

Dennis Miller was on The Tonight Show last night; jokes and insults rolling off his tongue in quick succession and smacking the left in the face. I've always found Miller to be hilarious. I suppose it's because I agree with almost every rant he's ever made on Dennis Miller Live, and because he's just so good at political comedy. It's clear however that he doesn't understand the real consequences of global warming, but I suppose no one is perfect.

Don't miss out if you ever have a chance to watch him. It's always worth it.

Bad Aliens

2003.04.03

While watching last night's episode of Enterprise, I couldn't help but think that I can't remember the last time the crew ran into some friendly aliens. It seems to be a symptom of a larger issue in mainstream science fiction these days; most aliens are bad.

The Next Generation used to feature many episodes where advanced alien life forms would make contact with the crew, seem threatening for half of the episode, then turn out to be friendly after all. Enterprise hasn't had too many misunderstood aliens yet, or even aliens who are just plain nice (aside from T'Pol I suppose).

I wonder if this is a reflection of the current North American attitude or if it's simply coincidence. Aliens are different, so they must be bad. Quite a different point of view from what Star Trek used to preach. It seems to me that sooner or later, Archer's "gut feeling" is going to have to be wrong about someone.

Go Figure

2003.04.02

Doctors: Heart Attacks down 60% After Ban

What? An indoor smoking ban has resulted in less heart attacks, and probably other illnesses? Go figure. I mean, it's not as if smoking is really dangerous, right? It's just smoke after all, and it's only filled with some of the most insidious carcinogens known to man. That can't possibly be bad for people's health, can it?

It makes me smile every time I hear about another city passing smoking bans. Smokers are a disease that should be slowly eliminated from society. Smokers damage their own health and the health of everyone around them, causing direct and indirect strain on health systems, not to mention pain, suffering, and death. There is no excuse for such behaviour. If you're about to open your mouth to explain to me that "I don't know how hard it is" or that "I don't understand", I don't want to hear it. There is no excuse, and you are wrong.

It Really Works!!!

2003.04.01

Now, I know a lot of you have probably heard of all sorts of Internet scams, but I've found one that really works. I've already received one cheque in the mail by signing up for this, so I can tell you honestly that it's the real deal. Don't bother with those pyramid schemes or email scams, because I've got the real ticket, friends.

You download this little program, which places a small ad below your Internet browser window. The ad changes every once and a while, and the company registers how many ads you've seen. By simply having this program running while you surf the net, you'll be earning points, which are converted into money. Since the company is being paid by advertisers, they share a piece of the profit with you based on how many ads you watch per month.

So far I've made over $1000 by doing this, so I know you can too! Trust me, it really works!!!

Click here to visit the website and download the program.

Remember! Ctrl-Alt-Del -> Task Manager -> End Program.