Why we should invade Iran?

Why we should invade Iran? Don't some of the items on this list sound familiar? Iran has conducted a clandestine uranium enrichment program for nearly two decades in violation of its International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards agreement, and despite its claims to the contrary, Iran is seeking nuclear weapons... • Iran likely has an offensive chemical weapons research and development capability. • Iran probably has an offensive biological weapons program. • Iran has the largest inventory of ballistic missiles in the Middle East. The U.S. Intelligence Community has raised the concern that Tehran may integrate nuclear weapons into its ballistic missiles. • Iran provides funding, training, weapons, rockets, and other material support to terrorist groups in Lebanon, the Palestinian Territories, and elsewhere. • Elements of the Iranian national security apparatus are actively supporting the insurgency in Iraq. Tags:Iran

Lieberman Admits Iraq War Lies

From an interview with Liberman BECK: I've been saying this before we even went into Iraq, that we're trying to change the face of the Middle East. The weapons of mass destruction was a nice side benefit. We were trying to go and pop the head of the snake in Iran. That's what we were trying to do. And I don't think anybody had the courage or could actually come out and say that with world politics the way they are. LIEBERMAN: Well, you're right. And I think if I fault the administration for anything before the war -- 'cause I think we did the right thing in going in to overthrow Saddam -- it's that they oversold the WMD part of the argument.... Tags:Lieberman Iraq WMD

Josh Wolf still in jail

Josh Wolf Still In Jail Josh was video blogging the G8 Protest in SF a little while ago, and I guess the protest got pretty rowdy. Josh caught it and put it on his vlog. The Feds, apparently, now want to take the video "because Josh's video contained federal property in it, they had a right to it". Sketchy. Extremely sketchy. Does that mean that if I video the WHite House they can take it? How about I-95? Or the Statue Of Liberty? Or the Grand Canyon? Tags:Josh Wolf

Woman Fired From Church For Being A Woman

The title says it all. Really, though, what we are seeing here is that a literal interpretation of the bible is incompatable with 21st century life, at least in the U.S. Tags:discrimination religious bigotry

Bush Admits to Lying About Iraq and 9/11

Bush denies Iraq had anything to do with 9/11 watch the video or: BUSH: The terrorists attacked us and killed 3,000 of our citizens before we started the freedom agenda in the Middle East. QUESTION: What did Iraq have to do with it? BUSH: What did Iraq have to do with what? QUESTION: The attack on the World Trade Center. BUSH: Nothing. Except it’s part of — and nobody has suggested in this administration that Saddam Hussein ordered the attack. Iraq was a — Iraq — the lesson of September 11th is take threats before they fully materialize, Ken. Nobody’s ever suggested that the attacks of September the 11th were ordered by Iraq. Tags:terrorism Iraq 9/11 Bush

Geek beatdown

So, there are some things I really love about being a geek. This comes up today as I am in the process of doing a very geek thing: installing Linux (ubuntu) on my old desktop PC. So, first off, I love the fact that I even have an old desktop to do this on. That said... I get all set with my desktop and put my laptop in a position so I can read the documentation while I run the install. Also a cool geek moment. I spend some time trying to figure out how to get the system to boot from CD when I finally realize that the CD I want to boot from is all wrong. Annoying. Anyhow, I get the install started and it goes to look for my network card. I'm sketchy about this because this machine hasn't had good luck with its network hardware in a while (however, I am betting on that being more the result of the OS rather than the hardware) so I am very excited when it finds both my wireless card as well as my not-so-wireless card. I attempt to get the install to configure the wireless to no avail. Thats OK. Might even not be the card. The router has been acting up for months (you should see what happens to my connection when I turn on WEP). While rummaging through an old plastic tub, I find a usb network adaptor! I love that I find the hardware I need randomly. I love being a geek. After a few minutes of playing with the thing, I realize my mistake. Its not a wireless usb network adaptor. I should say its STILL not a wireless usb network adaptor beccause I originally bought it for my Tivo. I am definately a geek, but I rarely read boxes, it would seem. Thats OK. Its fun anyhow. At this point, I want to explain something to everyone who ISN'T a geek. There are two ubiquitous cables in the tech world. One is that power cable that runs from a desktop or monitor to the outlet. Everyone has 12 of the damn things even though they may only have two pieces of hardware. Its the law. The other nigh-omnipresent item is the RJ-45 cable. I want to mention that I've owned several computers, have lived with several more, and have had a cable modem for the past 8 years. I've had a metric ton of these cables. And yet...today... Not a single one (free). Jeez. ***UPDATE*** much work, including replacing the cd rom drive, has resulted in... me not being able to even boot to the BIOS. I am man enough (or lazy enough) to admit defeat. For 200 bucks I can get a desktop twice as good as this thing. I've already wasted that much time. Thank you, TigerDirect.com Tags:Linux unbutu geek

Bruce Schneier

Bruce Schneier, Lord Of Security Thanks Boing Boing! Tags:Bruce Schneier Cryptography

Linux, Fedora, and the end of an era

Since getting a PC, I've always used an MS OS, from MS-DOS to every incarnation of Windows. I've worked, somewhat, with UNIX systems, but only to get at other things (i.e. Oracle). But last night I decided that it was moronic of me to only use one OS and to only use Microsoft. So I'm wiping out my since-replaced desktop and installing Fedora (I don't see the need to pay for Linux...). We'll see how that goes. But it feels good. I don't like being 'pwned' by anyone, not govnerment, not big business. Tags:Linux Red Hat Fedora Open Source Microsoft

Lieberman v Lamont via Rasmussen

Look, people outside of Connecticut Aren't Involved In The Race The interesting bits are here: This level of interest is reflected in opinions on the candidates. Nationally, Senator Joe Lieberman is viewed favorably by 34% and unfavorably by 25%. A plurality (41%) have no opinion of the man nominated for Vice President by Democrats six years ago (see crosstabs). Ned Lamont, the winner of last week’s Democratic Primary in Connecticut, is even less well known nationally. Most Americans (57%) have no opinion of the political newcomer. Thirteen percent (13%) have a favorable opinion of him while 30% hold an unfavorable view. To which I can only say....who cares? Congressional elections are LOCAL elections. People in Maine rarely get to vote for people in Connecticut. The partisan differences follow a pattern similar to state surveys in Connecticut. Lamont is, on balance, viewed more favorably by Democrats nationally than Lieberman. Lamont’s numbers among his own party are 22% favorable, 16% unfavorable. For Lieberman, the numbers among Democrats are 27% favorable, 32% unfavorable. This, however, is a little more interesting. Lieberman is ahead in positives, but there's obviously a large number who dislike him. So, in a sense, this is (again) an election where people vote against a candidate, perhaps. Now, the real question is... Why is Rasmussen Reports reporting these particular stats...specifically the meaningless 'national' ones? Given the leaning of the stats towards Lieberman, I'd bet that this particular organization has an agenda. Tags:Joe Lieberman Ned Lamont Bill O'Reilly Michelle Malkin nedreneline

9/11 Conspiracy? Truth? Do tell!

Scholars for 9/11 Truth Seriously, though. I don't know if there's anything behind all these conspiracy theories. I do think that, as a rule, the government tries to hide information from us. I also think that there is no question that shouldn't be asked. Do I think something more happened that day and in the days surrounding it? Yes. Do I think these guys are on the right track? I have no idea. Do I like that people are hunting? damn skippy! Tags:9/11 conspiracy Scholars for 911 Truth

Dick Cheney Loves Joe Lieberman

Cheney Thinks Joe Was A Good Choice For Senator And as I look at what happened yesterday, it strikes me that it’s a perhaps unfortunate and significant development from the standpoint of the Democratic Party, that what it says about the direction the party appears to be heading in when they, in effect, purge a man like Joe Lieberman, who was just six years ago their nominee for Vice President, is of concern, especially over the issue of Joe’s support with respect to national efforts in the global war on terror. Really now. If the opposite side, the side that stands against what your party stands for, wants to keep you around, doesn't that say something? Exactly how many right-wing icons have to praise you before you admit to being a Republican? Tags:Joe Lieberman Dick Cheney

Ann Coulter Just Makes Stuff Up in Godless: The Church of Liberalism

Endnotes in Coulter's latest book rife with distortions and falsehoods Granted, some of the issues found in Ms. Coulter's citations are minimal (dates, etc). But even if all of them were, this is a professional writer. This is a major publishing house. If they can't even check on the simple stuff, how can you trust anything? The fact is that this sort of...I don't know what to call it...crap?...is bad for everyone. Every topic Coulter brings up is one worthy of discussion and debate, of this there is no doubt. But its all rendered pointless, meaingless, when the 'facts' she cites are questionable at best and outright lies at worst. Liberal, Conservative, Left, Right, Republican, Democrat...there's much to talk about. But all the angry blonde girlie wants to do is fight. I wonder... How's that working out in the middle east? Why? Because once people start talking thoughtfully, start engaging in real debate, and honest rhetoric, you just don't need the muck-rakers anymore. And when they aren't the center of attention, they die. Tags:Ann Coulter godless the church of liberalism

Ned Lamont, Wal-Mart, etc.

If you google-blog search for Ned Lamont, you'll see more than a couple items about him having stock in wal-mart, being rich, whatever. The idea, of course, is to make him look like a badguy so that folks end up voting for Lieberman. I guess I have to ask...when will people get used to the idea that most politicians have a decent amount of moolah? How else could you afford to play the game? Yes, Ned does, it seems, own stock in Wal-Mart which MAY MAY MAY make him a bit hypocritical when he criticizes them. But I suppose that means, then, that you shouldn't belong to a political party unless they are perfect. You shouldn't work for a company unless they are spotless. You shouldn't have friends who ever do anything bad. But, when push comes to shove, isn't taking a chance with Lamont better than what you KNOW KNOW KNOW you'll get with Joe? As I said, there's no bigger endorsement for Ned then Michelle and Bill coming out for Joe. Tags:Ned Lamont Wal-Mart Joe Lieberman nedreneline joementum

Michelle Malkin Hates Ned Lamont

I Hate Ned Because He's Not A Republican Like Joe Lieberman Right there is almost reason enough to wish I lived in Connecticut. When Michelle Malkin is on your side, can you really call yourself a Democrat? When Bill O'Reilly endorses you, can you really call yourself anything but a presidential plaything? (by the way, I love how Bill talks about the progressives having money as if he now thought wealth was a disease) Tags:Joe Lieberman Ned Lamont Bill O'Reilly Michelle Malkin nedreneline

Microsoft, Hackers, Stupidity

Microsoft to hackers: Take your best shot Years ago, before we started sending our best basketball players to the Olympics, even though we were now allowed to, I asked someone why we weren't doing exactly that. The response was that we didn't have any real reason to. The whole world knew we would dominate, and so winning really didn't mean much. However, losing would mean a great deal. Its similar here. MS won't, imho, win anything. It will take much more than this to make anyone who matters feel secure about Vista being secure. Further, if the hackers DO succeed, its just yet another black mark for MS. Tags:microsoft vista security hackers

Democracy Internet TV Platform

Democracy Internet TV Platform I just downloaded this lovely free open-source media player is, imho, a nice friendly step up from iTunes. Its got lots of channels to subscribe to and has a very clean interface. Anyhow, its definately worth downloading and giving a look-see. Tags:democracy itunes open source internet tv podcast

Memo: Civil War Most In Iraq Most Likely Outcome

Iraq civil war warning for Blair Mr [William] Patey wrote: "The prospect of a low intensity civil war and a de facto division of Iraq is probably more likely at this stage than a successful and substantial transition to a stable democracy. "Even the lowered expectation of President Bush for Iraq - a government that can sustain itself, defend itself and govern itself and is an ally in the war on terror - must remain in doubt." I want to make a few things clear here. 1) I was against this nightmare in the first place. While Saddam was obviously a problem child, he was hardly an imminant issue, and there were better ways to handle him. 2) I also believe that the American people were the victims of lies told by this administration as pretext for a masturbatory war. 3)The American soldier has been used as little more than a tool by politicians who didn't let officers get the job done. IMHO, the government should point the armed forces like a gun, give them a target/objective/whatever, and then let them do the job they were trained for. ANything else is like me advising a surgeon. 4) I also believe that we are not stuck in this conflict. I sympathize with those who want us to pull troops out, but its far too late for that. We can't go into a country, destroy its operational infrastructure, and then leave them in the middle of an insurgency. You think things are bad in the middle east now? Just wait and see what happens if we pull out now. My advice? See #3 above. However, Mr. Patey is rather more of an expert on this topic than I am. While he doesn't feel that civil war is inevitable, he does feel it the most likely outcome and we should start considering how this might be handled. The U.S. COULD come out looking good in that situation if we were able to broker peace between the two sides. People might even forget that we started the war in the first place. My guess is that there will be much lip service from the White House. I won't get cynical and suggest that some sort of backing will be sent to whichever side we feel will be the most helpful towards our interests... Tags:iraq leaked memo William Patey

Kansas and Intelligent Design

Whats the matter with Kansas? Nothing a little voting can't solve! If current results hold, it looks like the creationists on the 10-member Kansas Board of Education have lost two seats in the Republican primary. The likelihood is therefore that the new Board of Education will switch from being a 6-4 pro-creationism majority to at least a 6-4 pro-science majority (depending on the November general election). This probably means the pro-ID/creationism science standards are history. Tags:kansas intelligent design evolution school religion science board of education

9/11 tapes

Vanity Fair has new 9/11 tapes. Worth a listen/read. atrios has some interesting notes on these. Tags:911

The New Republic's Hypocrisy

SOLDIER: 101st Keyboarder Refuses to Answer Hypocrisy Not surpring. The thing is, I really am impressed with Beinart's statements as well. I'd love to see some statistics: % of population pro-war % of those serving pro-war % of population of service age pro-war % of population of service age serving. Tags:iraq Peter+Beinart the new republic

DO MORE THAN VOTE!!!

Do More Than Vote Beginning in May of 2004, the leaders of Cosmopolity, a New York based organization dedicated to providing easy entrance into progressive involvement, worked with over a dozen local activist groups to convene bi-weekly meetings named (with tongues fully in-cheek) the "micro-summit" (now called the "Liberal League"). At these meetings, local progressive leaders of burgeoning activist groups working on the '04 election shared their plans, opportunities, and needs in order to coordinate. One of the main problems identified was the scarcity of outlets available in the immediate NYC area for the mass of people seeking to volunteer in the presidential campaign. There were a number of groups that had the ability to take people to swing states or use volunteers in phonebanks, but they frequently did not fill up their capacity. And there were also a number of groups that had large numbers of ready volunteers, but few outlets for them to make a difference. Enter Do More Than Vote (DMTV). Cosmopolity members created DMTV in order to connect ready volunteers with groups that had the capacity to use them effectively. The project consisted of a "hotline" that people could call and a simple website listing opportunities to volunteer. The project was a success- in only eight weeks DMTV helped thousands of New Yorkers get active. Now, in 2006, Democrats are faced with another round of crucial elections. Do More Than Vote is back and we’re bigger, yet simpler, than before. We’re already up and running in New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, and will be expanding to several other cities by Labor Day. Remember, all of us can afford some time and money. But, none of us can afford another two years of a Republican controlled Congress or state house. Tags:vote progressive democratic party volunteer

Net Neutrality

OK, I admire the attempt, and it really is just a start, but while the few 'celebs' at We Are The Web may be better qualified to make decisions about net neutrality than, say, Ted Stevens (who never answers my internets...I send him a couple every day), the site is, shall we say, not there yet. The only people these wonderful geeks are going to convince are, well, other geeks, who pretty much already agree with them. What I've never understood is how people can honestly believe that, say, Verizon is telling the truth about anything. I'd almost have more respect for a congressman who said "Yeah, I know, letting telecoms create 'levels' of internet is bad for people, but at least its good for business". That would mean the guy was honest, and at least not a moron. Unlike Mr. Stevens....(who, at least, makes for some funny techno) Tags:net neutrality Ted Stevens