Since we're on the subject of Afghanistan and they recently saw a massive prison break of Taliban members, here's a quick run-down of notable escapes from the war on terror.
And here's a local jail break.
It looks as though the chickens may be coming home to roost for Republicans as voters suddenly realize that budget cuts mean cuts to services they like. Up until now, I assume the average voter thought cutting the budget was a fancy way of saying "make money grow out of the ground".
You think the US has budget problems? Zimbabwe has announced that it simply does not have enough money for elections. I'm assuming Mugabe blew the budget on thugs during the 2008 presidential run-off. Jackboots don't come cheap, you know. In a show of honesty uncharacteristic in politicians of any country, Finance Minister, Tendai Biti tells it like it is:
Biti said the government wage bill for the first quarter was $248.6 million.
"More appalling is the fact that, despite this high wage bill, individual salary levels in the civil service are pathetic," he said.
Somewhere, Scott Walker is salivating.
I can't decide if this is more Orwellian or post-modern. Either way, by insisting on the non-existence of files that are publicly known (and available here, by the way), the government comes across as looking patently absurdist. I think it's summed up best by this illustrative video.
In fairness however, the administration is taking some positive, realistic and logical steps on foreign born students. On what planet does it make sense to use government resources to round up and deport would be dentists?
Much as I support atheists organizing to support each other, I have to ask: Why would any of us want to be chaplains? While I find humanism to be a beautiful and fulfilling worldview, I don't know that it's meant to be a comforting one. Rather, it's meant to provide a realistic assessment of ones place in the universe. Chaplains are meant to operate within the realm of "faith" and offer service and succor from their respective traditions. I don't know that atheists can or even should provide that role. In the end, I simply disagree with this statement:
“Humanism fills the same role for atheists that Christianity does for Christians and Judaism does for Jews,” Mr. Torpy said in an interview. “It answers questions of ultimate concern; it directs our values.”
Humanism does not fill the need that is satisfied for the religious by their faith. Rather from my own perspective, that need simply doesn't exist.
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a thing called Friendster...
Speaking of ancient history: You are what you eat. According to a new study, you're also the technology that you use.
Guns don't kill people, but a Primantis Bros. sandwich sure as hell might! The NRA will be having it's convention in Pittsburgh and seems to have decided that there is a link between the gun control movement and sandwiches with fries and coleslaw piled on them. Their loss. Anyone going to Pittsburgh and skipping a Primanti sandwich is an idiot. Or a vegetarian. I mean look at these glorious things! Every one of them is a tasty, tasty heart attack!
I rarely talk about television in this space but I simply must give credit to this remarkable performer! Over the past few months, some have even thought that his portrayal of a presidential candidate was in fact, the real thing. Sadly though, it seems as though he'll have to remove the comedy part of his act. A shame really. His clownish antics and cartoonish buffoonery brought smiles to the faces of so many children.
While we're on the subject of clowns, I see that Sarah Palin is being snarky about Katie Couric leaving CBS. I assume she read about her departure in every newspaper and magazine.
And while we're on the subject of conspiracy theories... Shame they missed my favorite personal favorite: The Queen of England is in fact a cannibalistic, space lizard.
Kacee Bait: Here's a lovely review of fantasy films from the 80's. Yes, yes...David Bowie and his codpiece are there as the Goblin King. But what, no Conan?
And Related Sue Bait: More fantasy movies! This time we look at a comparison between Kenneth Branagh's "Thor" and schlockhouse, the Asylums "Almighty Thor". The Asylum wins hands down. Not only is Loki played by friggin' Richard Grieco but Thor's hammer Mjolnir has been replaced by an uzi!
“I’d rather we had more real journalists like Matt Taibbi or Laurie Penny or Jake Adelstein,” he told Wired.com in an e-mail. “Rather than monkeys on content farms, or lizards who lie for coins.”
It would be interesting at any rate, to see how Spider would react to this massive manhunt launched over a mustache menace.
Just a final mention about films: In the (highly unlikely), event your cravings for all things Scientology related were not satisfied by "Battlefield Earth", you'll be pleased to hear that the Scientologists have purchased a film studio. I know. I'm really excited too. Can hardly contain myself. If you're interested, there's a long profile of well known defector Paul Haggis available here.
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