A Homeric Epiphany

I've figured it out. It's the greatest epiphany since "Bananas are an excellent source of potassium" as postulated by the great storyteller Homer (left). Here it is:

In the Rush Hour movies Chris Tucker is basically playing a cop version of his character from The Fifth Element.

Have a nice day.

Benazir Bhutto Dead

Pakistani Politician Benazir Bhutto has died.

CNN said that she has bullet wounds, the BBC doesn't, however it seems that the suicide bomber shot at her first.

It is a sad day for the state of Pakistani politics, especially since it looked like things were starting to clear up, the problem involving the presidency was sorted, and an election was scheduled for next year.

Already I have heard people say it was the work of Musharraf, but I am not so sure. She survived an attack earlier this year when she returned and that was due to extremists who didn't like a woman in a position of power.

Because of that I suspect that it was more likely to be an extremist then anyone else. From a political standpoint Musharraf would have had a far easier way of removing her, the government could have removed the amnesty on charging her for corruption.

She may have done a few bad things in her political life, but then again she was a politician. She also showed the world that a Muslim woman could be elected and run a Muslim country shattering people's opinions of the religion and the supposed cultural mindset that has been placed upon Muslim countries.

Because of that I think that we should all say:

Rest in Peace Benazir Bhutto


Update

Since I have been to sleep, more information has come to light. The BBC article now has a map showing the location.

The attacks have been condemned around the world and people are worried that this is a sign of slow 'Talebanisation' of the country. Although President Musharraf has called for calm protests have erupted around the country with one man killed in a shoot out and a protest in Peshwar was forcefully broken up.

The family of Bhutto are preparing to bury her and there has been even more violence reported.

Amidst all this chaos Nawaz Sharif, the rival of Bhutto was calling for Musharraf to step down and said that his party (which would be PML-N the Sharif section of the Pakistan Muslim League) would boycott the elections.

I fail to see what that would prove. Most likely Sharif is still harbouring anger towards Musharraf because it was Sharif who appointed him, and it was the actions of Sharif that caused him to lose power. Technically Sharif is in the country illegally after he was convicted by the anti-terrorism courts for hijacking and was permitted to stay out of jail as long as he was in exile in Saudi Arabia. He also cannot hold an office for 21 years.

Now we just have to wait and see what will happen.


On a more annoying note, the JREF forum already has a thread in the "Conspiracy Theories" section on her death, and on Freedom Crows Nest various posters there are pushing CTs as well.

Reality TV

Channel 10 recently showed a commercial for their latest reality TV show, Meerkat Manor.

Of course, it isn't a reality TV show, but that is how Channel 10 makes it out to be.

Or at least they did when Big Brother was on. Now it's something like Neighbours. Either way it makes a show that seems interesting end up in the "crap TV show" section of my brain.

To watch that show I would need to be in a seat like the one in A Clockwork Orange

Searching

I recently downloaded the movie The Bridge. On the end credits they are playing a song called "Reach Out" by Enturbulator 009.

Now I want that song. Annoyingly, I can't find it anywhere.

This is a plea.

If anyone knows where I can find that song, please tell me. I actually like the sound.

Seasons Greetings

Since it is the season (and for Christians between 0-2 days until Christmas depending on the traditions of your family) I would like to wish all the people who read this a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and if you don't happen to be a Christian and because society is so PC all of a sudden, a hearty Seasons Greetings to you as well.

Congratulations Are In Order

I think we should all stand and toast Israel.

They are building settlements even though they promised not to.

So, on behalf of the entire world that doesn't want this whole problem. Congratuations.

You have now given the militants another reason to continue trying to wipe your country of the map. But please, don't continue to listen to what the world would like you to do, continue to piss off the Palestinians and radicals, just don't start playing the victim when the world condemns you for the excessive use of force that you will use to collectively punish the Palestinian people.

One thing does seem quite obvious. If Israel stopped acting like stupid gits in regard to this whole thing we might find that peace works out so much easier because it would help break this vicious cycle that seems to occur in the region.

Alternatively if this is all about religion, then maybe we should hand Israel over to say China and then there would be no Holy Land for anyone.

Torture and Terrorism

Two days ago the BBC reported that they had found a torture chamber in Iraq.

It was used by insurgents to ensure that the civilian population would remain under their control. By the sounds of it all that has happened is that finally gaining control of Anbar province has done nothing but move the terrorists elsewhere.

In this case they moved to Diyala province and set up shop there.

The article clearly states that the people knew about it but were afraid to tell anyone.

If the Americans were wise they should do as much as possible to prevent any attacks going on here because it would send a good sign out to the rest of the people. Knowing that they will actually work to protect you is a good thing to encourage.

And moving from terrorism abroad to alleged terrorism at home. A magistrate has allowed a control order for David Hicks. So now he is like Jack Thomas, except that he sort of admitted it so he could get out of GITMO.

There is a funny thing regarding David Hicks. I don't know how many people actually consider him guilty. He basically pled out in the US military commissions, but considering that he was there for 5-6 years in a situation that seems to have violated the Geneva Conventions, I think that some people think that his motives were to get him out of there.

I remember that on the Chaser, Reucassel said that he pled "anything to get him out of there".

When it comes to a torture chamber you get a situation that is far clearer then you do with someone who is convicted of terrorism in this day and age.

A new fad is sweeping the net

Maybe.

Or at least allowing us to practise our sarcasm for use in the real world.

Since it seems that the World's media, by which I mean at the moment the US and Australia consider it to be rather important to mention in sections earmarked for "news" that Britney Spears' sister Jamie Lynn is pregnant that this new fad has started.

Clearly we know that this must be the first time in the history of the world that a teenager has become pregnant. I mean why else would it make such a fuss? It's not like there is some sort of teen pregnancy thing going on in the world right? Right??

I mean we all know that teenagers are the best at being abstinent...

Umm?

That's all I can say.

Yesterday a man was convicted of murdering another man. Ok, it was manslaughter and he got 5 years with a three year non-parole period.

The Scottish man killed another Scot over an argument on evolution and creationism.

Now I know that people have been killed for less but that is really, really stupid.

I wonder what the creationists are saying about this?

ET Corn Gods Suit, Another PZ Situation?

Just to note beforehand Mondoskepto mentioned this a few days after the suit was filed.

It's been about a month since it was filed but I only really looked at the complaint today. Currently I have no idea how the suit is progressing but if it hasn't been already I suspect that it might be dismissed as a frivolous case like PZ Myers.

The complaint can be found here.

Basically it's the same rubbish similar to Pivar's suit.

From what I understand the plaintiff came up with something like the "Bible Code" with a whole lot of rules that allow you to "interpret" texts. He subsequently posted this on the JREF Forum and was ridiculed.

As a side note he should have been happy that he faced what he did on the JREF forum, if he posted this stuff on the Myspace forum then he would have faced far worse (there are practically no rules and no mods there).

So let's look at the complaint.

Paragraphs 16 and 17 (the first two under "Facts") are hard to even call facts, because they refer to the basis for the "language". Paragraph 24 actually calls JREF members "geeks".

I liked paragraphs 31 and 32. They basically say that a mod damaged the reputation of the plaintiff by telling people not to insult him and used the words that the posters were calling the guy. A few of the chosen comments seem to be of the position that they are playing with his threat of a lawsuit.

Now we see his charges.

1. Fraud.

Claims that they violated their membership agreement by allowing people to call this man a fraud and a liar.

2. Misrepresentation and Breach of Contract.

Basically he is claiming that the moderators didn't moderate the thread enough and allowed people to call him names.

3. Misfeasance

Claims that the forum hurt his reputation and hurt him financially.

4. Malfeasance

He is claiming that the forum knew they were breaking the law and didn't do anything to stop it.

5. Defamation

Claims that their accusations of "liar", "fraud" and that he required "mental help" without providing any proof of the accusation. Once again his claim is about damaging his reputation and financial damages.

6. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

Apparently he has been hurt so badly by people on the Internet, who for all intents and purposes know nothing about him, that he loses sleep over it. He is arguing that the statements are still on the site and continue to damage his reputation.

7. Violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.

He claims that they have violated his freedom of speech and the right to practise his religion.

8. Violation of the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.

The forum has prevented him from practising his "religion" and he claims that they are a "religion" as well.

9. Conspiracy

Claims that they conspired to prevent him from exercising his rights to free speech and religion.


Now I think that for the claims that he has been hurt financially (counts 3,4,5) he will have trouble proving because you would have to determine how many people there were who didn't contribute to the thread (because the number of views doesn't differentiate between those contributing to the thread and those that don't), and then he would be assuming that those that looked at the thread would go to his website. I looked at the thread and went to his website to see what he was on about (I heard it was a tutorial to a game and thought it might be fun and then found out that it was quite serious without reading through the thread).

I have a funny feeling that the claims of defamation (namely count 5) probably won't stand up in court.

Count 6 is a bit odd. I don't know if he suffered what he suffered according to the count, however when the suit claims "[t]hose defamatory statements are still on the JREF site..." it paints a different impression as to what the facts state. The facts state that it went to the "abandon all hope" section. Regardless of what it says as a descriptor I would say that practically nobody goes there without a reason.

Count 7 is just a joke. I honestly hope that if there is a trial that people laugh when he claims that his right to free speech was violated. By the looks of it this suit is trying to censor free speech. I fail to see where the JREF prevented him from practising his faith. I don't know of any big conspiracy to remove his site from the Internet.

Count 8. Well all I can say there is that calling the JREF forum a "religion" is like Kent Hovind calling the Theory of Evolution a "religion". It makes even less sense when it claims that the JREF forum is "anti-religion". Now I know that the law doesn't use too much logic but
does that mean that the JREF forum hates itself?

Count 9 is probably the hardest to prove at all. I honestly doubt that there is any ongoing conspiracy to prevent him from posting there. If anything he has done that well enough himself by engaging in that suit.

Now we get to the punch line. The part where he makes the claim for money.

Compensatory and general damages, US$10 million
Punitive Damages, US$ 10 million

Not doing a Mastercard-like joke?

Yeah, I'm not answering that last one. He wants $20 million. If he wins he might as well go around claiming that he won the JREF Million Dollar Prize 20 times. It's idiotic to hear about claims like this. To a non-American like me it makes you wonder if this is common to the US. All I can say is that it is a stupid amount and I hope that the US Justice system sees the same thing.



As a side note, if the need arises I am more then willing to remove this post on request on the condition that I can repost it again at a later time.

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Now playing: C.W. Stoneking - Don't Go Dancin Down The Darktown Strutter's Ball
via FoxyTunes

Urban Dead - Story

I am one of the many people who play Urban Dead. I know that there is a site that has stories like the one I'm about to write, but I forgot my password for that place, it's in the name of a different character and I might as well write on this blog some more. So here we go:




"It's been a year since the outbreak in Malton and we need more men on the ground. Those of you who have been assigned to the quarantine zone just have to remember, shoot anything that passes the minefield, you don't know if they are infected or not. The rest of you will be dropped into the city itself. At this time we have no clue about the situation since we have no reliable intelligence, all I can say is good luck, try not to sleep outdoors, and may God protect you..."

GOOD MOR-NING MALTON

I woke groggily and lay there. It would have to be about 0700, that's usually when this show starts. With people finding and repairing generators and a somewhat reliable fuel source meant some electricity. The electricity gave increased the demand for radio transmitters and 80.01 MHz was the station that every man and his dog, if there were any, could talk their mind.

It's a be-yoo-ti-ful day for killing zeds...

I stood up, and gathered my things. There were some things that I had to make sure I had, most importantly was the crucifix that I found after I was dropped into the city. But I did leave a radio. I already have two, and a trip to the armoury might get me some ammo that I need.

Who am I kidding, everyone needs ammo. It's basically money in this godforsaken place.

Leaving the barracks I got some idea of the weather. It was calm, but then again, ever since the army dropped some engineers to fix this place it has become a rather calm place. I've been here the last four days now and not a single zed. One of the few engineers that are left now told me that it was only recently that the fort was in zombie hands, then a group called the 'Creedy Guerrilla Raiders' who killed anyone before something happened.

The fort is now something of a thriving community, survivors having been drawn to the place. Heading down into the armoury I found a clip. Not really what I need, but it would be stupid to complain.

Today I would be travelling.

And for your listening pleasure I've got "Mad World" from Gary Jules, well known for the promo for "Gears of War"...

Great. Just what I needed. It'll be played too many times...

Leaving the gatehouse and heading to the city was like a gloom descending upon you. Desolate streets, ruined buildings, graffiti telling you to join such and such and where to go. There is not a single sign of life on the streets, probably because only hunters go out onto the streets. Passing buildings that were once majestic are now barricaded to the point that you can't see anything.

All around me are familiar faces...

Clambering over the remnants of a house I spot a zed. When you see them you don't know whether they are asleep or awake because they just stand there. I wasn't going to be a fool, my axe is there for when I run out of ammo.

... going nowhere, going nowhere...

My pistol is drawn and I shoot. Right into the chest. There's no blood of course, it's dead, and for quite a while. I missed the next shot, but hit it enough that I was sure that it wasn't awake and I check it. I might be able to help this guy, I have one syringe left, but his brain is gone. My shotgun finishes it off.

...no tomorrow, no tomorrow...

I skirt Giddings Mall. I don't have the strength to fight there at the moment. And it would be suicide.

...look right through me, look right through me...

I reach a church a few blocks to the north of the mall, and find another zombie. I grab a flare gun, and try and shoot the zombie with it. It's such a stupid thing, inaccurate and if you shoot it in the air all you do is bring zombies to you.

...the dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had...

A couple of flares are used, and then I waste my shotgun shells on it. An armoured zombie, great...

...I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take...

I forget it and head inside the church. There is a zombie there feeding on a few people who haven't woken up in time. The blood oozes down the aisles to some more survivors who seem unconscious. There's nothing I can do. I have to leave these people to their fate...

...It's a very, very mad world, mad world...

The Necrotech building is far safer. I feel guilty about leaving those people to die, but I'm exhausted and I would have become another victim if I stayed. I still feel sorry when I have to leave helpless people to die, but death is now reversible and in Malton you fend for yourself.