Friday, September 12, 2008

The Weekly Roundup

Vicious Weather
Hurricane Ike could be 'catastrophe' for Texas
This thing doesn’t look good at all. It’s been a long time since the poor people in Texas have been hit with a major storm, as evidenced by the number of people I saw on the news who live near the coast and are just planning on “riding it out.” Too many apathetic people said that three years ago in New Orleans, and many of them aren’t around to appreciate how foolhardy that was. Good luck to them.
(Reuters)

Remember
President Dedicates Memorial to Attack
My older relatives always told me that no one would ever forget where they were and what they were doing when President Kennedy was shot. I never really understood what they meant by that until the morning of September 11, 2001. Now I understand completely.
(The New York Times)

Profiles in Threat
Rules would bolster FBI’s effort to assess threats
I understand the ACLU’s concern about racial profiling, really I do. But as part of a totality of suspicion, I don’t know that it’s a completely out of bounds thing. This might sound strange, but if everyone is racially profiled equally, doesn’t that constitute equal protection under the constitution? We need to set aside the atrocities of the past and focus on what can help to keep us safe now. Old time lynchings are a thing of the past; they’re not coming back; we’ve moved beyond that; any intelligent person knows this. But if the fact that I am a white man when added to a formula that smart people have developed gives authorities reason to question me, then I can’t have problems with that. As long as I am free to avail myself of the entire justice system, and as long as the justice system works as it is supposed to, then I’m covered.
(Kansas City Star)

Dan Quayle Redux
Palin confused on Social Security, other issues
Maybe it’s all that lead they have in lipstick, but I agree with this columnist that an Alaskan governor running for Vice President ought to be much better versed in how entitlement programs run, particularly the ones that run in her state. And when asked a question of fact, whether she thinks that homosexuality is genetic or learned, she said it’s not her place to “judge” people. I don’t get that at all. I’m starting to have very serious doubts about Governor Palin.
(Chicago Sun Times)

Start With a Bang
Super-smasher targets massive mystery
How cool is this? Scientists have actually come up with a machine that’s going to simulate conditions that led to the creation of the universe. Unless you believe the whole “let there be light” thing. This could lead to an entire new universe of discovery: why and how the galaxies, sun and planets formed the way they did; where moons come from and what they do; what’s the deal with gravity; why do the release of certain chemicals affect the atmosphere. Or it might create black holes that will destroy the planet. Sleep well.
(MSNBC)

Doubt for a Reason?
Troy Anthony Davis' execution stands, Georgia parole board says
I admit I don’t know much about this case, and this article certainly doesn’t go into a whole lot of detail, but I intend to do some research and find out more. But if it can be shown that 7 out of 9 witnesses would give substantively different testimony, or in some cases diametrically opposed testimony, to what they did at the original trial, and police coersion is asserted, then isn’t it possible to think that a jury would reach an entirely different conclusion than they did in 1989? And isn’t that the point of the whole appeals process? I’m not against capital punishment per se, but I believe that we should suspend every currently scheduled execution until the system can be fixed to ensure, to the best of our ability, that no innocent person is ever put to death. For example, I think that any new technology that could potentially offer new information in the case of a condemned person, put into use after that person’s conviction, should be available to the defense between the time of trial and execution. There are tons of advocacy groups that would gladly donate the money to apply these new methods after the fact. And, at the very least, difficult though it may be, we should insist that mind-boggling, complex modern technology like Microsoft Calendar be used to make sure that a Supreme Court appeal is not scheduled to be heard SIX DAYS AFTER the scheduled execution. I mean. Come on. Seriously?
(Los Angeles Times)

You’ve Got Compulsion
Email Addiction: Five Signs You Need Help
I’d write more about this, but I’ve got yahoo, hotmail, gmail, aol, myspace and facebook messages waiting.
(IT World)

Gimme an N! Gimme a U! Gimme a T!
Mom allegedly uses daughter's ID to be cheerleader
Here’s a family that needs Dr. Phil desperately. On second thought, I doubt Dr. Phil would do them much good. This woman probably needs to be in an institution. Can you even imagine going to high school and your mother’s in the popular clique? It would make for awkward cafeteria seating arrangements, that’s for sure.
(Associated Press)

My Turn
Cassel has been a study in patience for the Patriots
On September 23, 2001 an unknown second-year quarterback was thrust into the starting position for the New England Patriots after Drew Bledsoe left the game against the New York Jets due to internal bleeding. Tom Brady didn’t do much that year, unless you count leading his team to and winning the Super Bowl a worthy accomplishment. This weekend, we begin the process of seeing if Matt Cassel can match the success of his mentor. Go Pats!
(The Providence Journal)

Get Outta My Face
Kanye West arrested in airport dustup with paps
You know, if you don’t want whackjobs accosting you in the airport and taking your picture, you can always be a dental hygienist. Or a florist. Or an engineer. Or a bricklayer. Or an administrative assistant. You don’t have to make millions of dollars by screeching bad songs.
(Associated Press)

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