CNN's "The Situation Room" is a great news show which features the hourly commentary by reporter Jack Cafferty to CNN Anchor Wolf Blitzer about the topic of the moment. In this case, his concern is the recent disclosure that millions -- not thousands or hundreds, but millions -- of telephone records of Americans were turned over to the NSA by several US telecommunications companies -- Verizon Wireless and AT&T among them (Bell South claimed they didn't do it).
Jack -- rightly -- tears into Republican Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter as "all that's standing between us and a dictatorship" because the senator defended the government's right to do this in a post 9-11 World.
I agree with Jack and for this reason: how does one know what the phone records are really being used for? That's powerful information. It's could be used by one person in the NSA to spy on someone, say, they're dating. Or it could be used to probe what "enemy politicians" are doing.
In other words, the use of the records is open for abuse.
Here's Jack:
Friday, May 19, 2006
Mary Carey Runs For Governor In Video Taken At SF Virgin Records Store
In 2003, porn star Mary Carey made a name for herself in the poltical arena with her moderately successful run for governor of California.
Now, she's at it again! Mary Carey's launched her 2006 gubernatorial campaign with this appearance at the Virgin Record Store in San Francisco's Union Square.
Take a look at the woman who could be California's next governor:
Now, she's at it again! Mary Carey's launched her 2006 gubernatorial campaign with this appearance at the Virgin Record Store in San Francisco's Union Square.
Take a look at the woman who could be California's next governor:
Ricky Manning And Maurice Drew Reportedly Beat Up Man Because He Was Using Laptop While Eating
Man. And I think of the number of times -- including yesterday -- that I used my laptop at a restaurant while eating. Well, ok, they were Internet cafes, but so what. I listened to this report on JT The Brick's show and could not believe it. Especially since I believed UCLA running back Maurice Drew would have been a good pick for the Indy Colts.
Show's you what I know, huh?
CB Manning, RB Drew charged with assault
NFL.com wire reports
LOS ANGELES (May 18, 2006) -- Chicago Bears cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. and two former UCLA football players were charged with assault for allegedly taking part in an early morning fight at a restaurant last month.
Manning was charged with one count of assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, Deputy District Attorney Karen Murcia said.
His arraignment was scheduled for May 18. Manning has previously declined comment.
Manning, a former UCLA star, was arrested April 23, along with former Bruins Tyler Ebell and Maurice Drew, after they allegedly attacked a man at a restaurant near the UCLA campus in Westwood.
Police said the players then drove off in Manning's SUV but were pulled over by officers soon after when the vehicle was spotted by a helicopter crew.
Ebell, 22, and Drew were expected to surrender and be arraigned at a later date, Murcia said.
Drew, 21, was taken by Jacksonville in the second round of the NFL draft. The running back attended mini-camp in Florida last month.
Manning, 25, signed with the Bears last month after the Carolina Panthers declined to match Chicago's offer sheet. He is on probation for an assault in April 2002. If convicted, he faces up to four years in state prison.
Show's you what I know, huh?
CB Manning, RB Drew charged with assault
NFL.com wire reports
LOS ANGELES (May 18, 2006) -- Chicago Bears cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. and two former UCLA football players were charged with assault for allegedly taking part in an early morning fight at a restaurant last month.
Manning was charged with one count of assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, Deputy District Attorney Karen Murcia said.
His arraignment was scheduled for May 18. Manning has previously declined comment.
Manning, a former UCLA star, was arrested April 23, along with former Bruins Tyler Ebell and Maurice Drew, after they allegedly attacked a man at a restaurant near the UCLA campus in Westwood.
Police said the players then drove off in Manning's SUV but were pulled over by officers soon after when the vehicle was spotted by a helicopter crew.
Ebell, 22, and Drew were expected to surrender and be arraigned at a later date, Murcia said.
Drew, 21, was taken by Jacksonville in the second round of the NFL draft. The running back attended mini-camp in Florida last month.
Manning, 25, signed with the Bears last month after the Carolina Panthers declined to match Chicago's offer sheet. He is on probation for an assault in April 2002. If convicted, he faces up to four years in state prison.
Super Bowl XL - Video Shows Just How Many Steeler Fans Were There
Wow. The person who took this video somehow got their camcorder inside Ford Field. I had to leave mine in my car. However they did it, the camera person captured just how overwhelmingly large the number of Steeler fans was.
And they all were not from Pittsburgh. They were from New York state, California, Canada, everywhere. The Pittsburgh Steelers are as much "America's Team" as the Dallas Cowboys.
Take a look:
And they all were not from Pittsburgh. They were from New York state, California, Canada, everywhere. The Pittsburgh Steelers are as much "America's Team" as the Dallas Cowboys.
Take a look:
Video - Paris Hilton and Brandon Davis Make Fun Of Lindsay Lohan - Why
I have to be honest, I've never ever heard of Brandon Davis and I'm sure my life's not any better for knowing who he is now. The only way he'd get known is to hang out with Paris Hilton.
While doing so on the way to a night club with her and others -- what else? -- he's recorded issuing a fowl-mouthed tirade about Lindsay Lohan. Why? I have no idea.
I know Lindsay's got to be happy for the PR. Keeps her name out there, while she pines away for that role in the upcoming Wonder Woman movie. But I'd bet she's not all that thrilled with what was said about her.
Here's the video of Brandon running his nasty mouth as Paris Hilton and an entourage walk with him, laughing.
While doing so on the way to a night club with her and others -- what else? -- he's recorded issuing a fowl-mouthed tirade about Lindsay Lohan. Why? I have no idea.
I know Lindsay's got to be happy for the PR. Keeps her name out there, while she pines away for that role in the upcoming Wonder Woman movie. But I'd bet she's not all that thrilled with what was said about her.
Here's the video of Brandon running his nasty mouth as Paris Hilton and an entourage walk with him, laughing.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Video - The Airbus A380 Lands At London's Heathrow Airport Today - First Time
The Airbus Industries model A380 -- the World's largest passenger airplane -- landed at London't Heathrow Airport today. This is a milestone in the growth of the demand for the new aircraft as London is one of the World's busiest international airports, and the facility's runways were expanded to fit the new vessel.
Here's a BBC-based video of it's arrival, which includes graphics showing the plane's size relative to the Boeing 747.
CNN Aires President Bush's Speech Too Early. Catches Him Before He's Ready
President Bush can't catch a break! Three days ago from the date of this post and just before his speech, CNN started recording the President as he was practicing his lines for the event, and minutes before he was actually ready.
This video captures the error for all to see:
This video captures the error for all to see:
"King Kong" Blooper Video Reveals Peter Jackson's Humor - and Cast Too!
I found this funny four-minute video of out-takes from Peter Jackson's "King Kong." It reveals just how much of the movie was shot using blue and green screens and also how much fun the cast seemed to have doing the film.
But the kicker is Andy Sirkis as Kong dancing a kind of gig.
Check it out:
But the kicker is Andy Sirkis as Kong dancing a kind of gig.
Check it out:
NFL Should Pressure Federal Government On New Orleans Reconstruction Process
After almost one year, New Orleans is still a shaddow of it's former self. Many are still without jobs, housing , and heath care and many businesses that once thrived are either non-existent or struggling.
It's in this environment that the NFL's New Orleans Saints attempt to regrow their franchise. For all practical purposes, the Saints are an expansion team that's relocated to a city. Why do I say this? Because New Orleans itself has been altered by this disaster. Thus, the population of businesses once available to buy luxury boxes and sponsorships is no longer there.
All of this can be solved by the focused involvement of the Federal Government. But once can say that the Bush Administration has all but forgotten New Orleans. The region is not the focus of the President's televised actvities. This is important because where the President is seen, is where we as a people are conditioned to believe our resources are needed.
Rebuilding New Orleans successfully would be a sign of American resolve and know-how. Re-creating the city would restore a vital part of the soul of America. Having a place the Saints can not just survice in, but thrive in would be a wonderful development that would secure of the future of the NFL in that city.
The NFL should apply pressure to cause the Bush Administration to restore it's focus to New Orleans. Indeed, the NFL's probably the best organization to do this. It can via its United Way Commericials and special annoucements. The NFL, more than any other organization, can really change how the government treats New Orleans.
I hope the league takes its rightful leadership role.
It's in this environment that the NFL's New Orleans Saints attempt to regrow their franchise. For all practical purposes, the Saints are an expansion team that's relocated to a city. Why do I say this? Because New Orleans itself has been altered by this disaster. Thus, the population of businesses once available to buy luxury boxes and sponsorships is no longer there.
All of this can be solved by the focused involvement of the Federal Government. But once can say that the Bush Administration has all but forgotten New Orleans. The region is not the focus of the President's televised actvities. This is important because where the President is seen, is where we as a people are conditioned to believe our resources are needed.
Rebuilding New Orleans successfully would be a sign of American resolve and know-how. Re-creating the city would restore a vital part of the soul of America. Having a place the Saints can not just survice in, but thrive in would be a wonderful development that would secure of the future of the NFL in that city.
The NFL should apply pressure to cause the Bush Administration to restore it's focus to New Orleans. Indeed, the NFL's probably the best organization to do this. It can via its United Way Commericials and special annoucements. The NFL, more than any other organization, can really change how the government treats New Orleans.
I hope the league takes its rightful leadership role.
Profootballtalk.com "REGGIE (BUSH) REALLY IS A SELFISH ASSHOLE" - My Take On This
Profootballtalk.com is not shy aout firing insults here and there. Florio's latest target is none other than the Saint's star running back Reggie Bush. I hate to say this, but as much as I don't like how he put it, Florio may have a point.
Here's what he wrote:
REGGIE REALLY IS A SELFISH ASSHOLE
With apologies to everyone out there who has lined up to nuzzle the crotch of the 2005 Heisman* winner, we've decided after careful consideration that, in our opinion, Reggie Bush is a selfish asshole.
And our decision in this regard was not influenced significantly by the storm of controversy regarding whether and to what extent Bush and his family got paid while Bush was still playing for USC. We believe that this sort of stuff happens, in varying degrees, at most major college football programs, and that if the Bushes are guilty of anything it's of being careless to the point of stoopid.
No, we reached our final opinion regarding Reggie only recently, when we were reminded by a reader that the number he so desperately wants to wear at the pro level, No. 5, is already spoken for on the team that drafted him.
Quarterback Adrian McPherson, drafted by the Saints in 2005 because (as we hear it) he reminded the organization of Vince Young, currently is assigned No. 5. But there has been not a peep from the Bush camp reflecting a scintilla of respect for the fact that someone else holds the rights to the number that Reggie wants.
Hell, there's likewise been no comment from Team Bush regarding the fact that his fallback choice -- No. 25 -- is the property of Fred McAfee.
So if wearing No. 5 or (if that fails) No. 25 is such a big deal for Bush, why doesn't Bush think it might be a big deal for the guys who already wear those numbers?
Folks, whether you like or dislike Reggie Bush, his current mentality falls within the four corners of the textbook definition of selfish.
Per Webster.com, "selfish" means "seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others."
Without regard for others.
So it's a no-brainer. By showing zero regard for the fact that McPherson owns No. 5 and McAfee owns No. 25, Bush is selfish.
Of course, Bush's handlers are smart enough to know that Reggie must pander to the Katrina victims by promising to donate 25 percent of the earnings from the sale of his jersey to ongoing relief efforts. Whoop-de-doo. It's an obvious P.R. move aimed at selling even more jerseys and, in the end, pocketing more money than if he'd kept 100 percent of the proceeds without making the commitment.
The other problem here is that the Saints are aiding and abetting Bush's selfish assholishness. They allowed him to wear No. 5 at the team's recent minicamp, even though the number has been issued to McPherson.
And as to McPherson, we're making an open offer to negotiate on his behalf -- at no charge -- the transaction with Bush for the rights to No. 5, assuming that the NFL changes its rules regarding jersey numbering. If, after all, Bush and his people are pushing the issue in order to enhance Reggie's earning potential, McPherson could end up holding an asset worth much more than a bowl of soup at Mendy's. It's a seven-figure proposition, and hopefully McPherson realizes it.
So how much should McPherson request for No. 5? Just enough to get Bush to accuse him of being selfish.
Now, I remember that as Bush was walking to the podium for his interview after being selected Number Two Pick in The First Round by the Saints, he actually gave a massively dirty look as I pointed my camcorder to record his arrival. It was weird to me in that regardless of his position, he was selected as one of the top players in the USA and will be paid handsomely for it. Why frown? Why be nasty? It seeemed that he was totally upset that he wasn't picked number one.
I hope Reggie isn't given a nasty wake up call that causes him to appreciate what God gives to him. He's in New Orleans for a reason. It's not by accident. He's got to understand what it means to think about other people before himself. Let the lesson begin.
Here's what he wrote:
REGGIE REALLY IS A SELFISH ASSHOLE
With apologies to everyone out there who has lined up to nuzzle the crotch of the 2005 Heisman* winner, we've decided after careful consideration that, in our opinion, Reggie Bush is a selfish asshole.
And our decision in this regard was not influenced significantly by the storm of controversy regarding whether and to what extent Bush and his family got paid while Bush was still playing for USC. We believe that this sort of stuff happens, in varying degrees, at most major college football programs, and that if the Bushes are guilty of anything it's of being careless to the point of stoopid.
No, we reached our final opinion regarding Reggie only recently, when we were reminded by a reader that the number he so desperately wants to wear at the pro level, No. 5, is already spoken for on the team that drafted him.
Quarterback Adrian McPherson, drafted by the Saints in 2005 because (as we hear it) he reminded the organization of Vince Young, currently is assigned No. 5. But there has been not a peep from the Bush camp reflecting a scintilla of respect for the fact that someone else holds the rights to the number that Reggie wants.
Hell, there's likewise been no comment from Team Bush regarding the fact that his fallback choice -- No. 25 -- is the property of Fred McAfee.
So if wearing No. 5 or (if that fails) No. 25 is such a big deal for Bush, why doesn't Bush think it might be a big deal for the guys who already wear those numbers?
Folks, whether you like or dislike Reggie Bush, his current mentality falls within the four corners of the textbook definition of selfish.
Per Webster.com, "selfish" means "seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others."
Without regard for others.
So it's a no-brainer. By showing zero regard for the fact that McPherson owns No. 5 and McAfee owns No. 25, Bush is selfish.
Of course, Bush's handlers are smart enough to know that Reggie must pander to the Katrina victims by promising to donate 25 percent of the earnings from the sale of his jersey to ongoing relief efforts. Whoop-de-doo. It's an obvious P.R. move aimed at selling even more jerseys and, in the end, pocketing more money than if he'd kept 100 percent of the proceeds without making the commitment.
The other problem here is that the Saints are aiding and abetting Bush's selfish assholishness. They allowed him to wear No. 5 at the team's recent minicamp, even though the number has been issued to McPherson.
And as to McPherson, we're making an open offer to negotiate on his behalf -- at no charge -- the transaction with Bush for the rights to No. 5, assuming that the NFL changes its rules regarding jersey numbering. If, after all, Bush and his people are pushing the issue in order to enhance Reggie's earning potential, McPherson could end up holding an asset worth much more than a bowl of soup at Mendy's. It's a seven-figure proposition, and hopefully McPherson realizes it.
So how much should McPherson request for No. 5? Just enough to get Bush to accuse him of being selfish.
Now, I remember that as Bush was walking to the podium for his interview after being selected Number Two Pick in The First Round by the Saints, he actually gave a massively dirty look as I pointed my camcorder to record his arrival. It was weird to me in that regardless of his position, he was selected as one of the top players in the USA and will be paid handsomely for it. Why frown? Why be nasty? It seeemed that he was totally upset that he wasn't picked number one.
I hope Reggie isn't given a nasty wake up call that causes him to appreciate what God gives to him. He's in New Orleans for a reason. It's not by accident. He's got to understand what it means to think about other people before himself. Let the lesson begin.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Wake Forest (!), Michigan, UC Santa Barbara, Catholic Women's University - Wow. College Athlete Initiation Photos and Stories Hit The Internet
The outing of hazing rituals continues. (That's a tame photo of members of the UC Santa Barbara Women's Lacrosse Team.)
It appears the UC Santa Barbara Lacrosse Women's Lacrosse Team had a great time at their initiation in 2004. How do I know? Because the photos of it are here!
They have something in common with the University of Michigan's Men's Lacrosse Team, but they're a lot tamer.
But Wake Forest's Women's Volleyball Team had a heck of a party this year. It had women bound to a post with colored pencil writing all over their bodies. You can see that page of photos here.
That's a pict of members of the James Madison Women's Club Soccer Team before things got dark -- because of blindfolds.
And Catholic Women's University is anything, but! These women got a male stripper and did some stuff that's -- well, take a look with a click here.
Elon University's Men's Baseball Team seems to think having their guys sport bras and chuck vats of some kind of weird drink -- or maybe it's just beer -- is a cool thing. Take a look here.
Badjocks.com has a full report on all of these activities; it's where I got the links. I found out about all of this while reading the Chicago Sun Times.
What's going on? Well, nothing that's not happened before, with one difference: it can be recorded and reported quickly and easily.
So now, we're seeing the World as it really is.
The New MacBook - In Black!
Well, I've got to get a new MacBook, even though I've got an i-Book G4. It's time for two computers. Besides, it comes in black.
I wonder if Steve Jobs is having a Next flashback? Maybe the next i-Mac will be in the shape of a black cube.
That would be cool.
No, the "2001" Black Monolith would be a better form.
I wonder if Steve Jobs is having a Next flashback? Maybe the next i-Mac will be in the shape of a black cube.
That would be cool.
No, the "2001" Black Monolith would be a better form.
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