Headlines
A new device that tests your skin for blood alcohol content can be installed in car steering wheels to prevent drunk driving. Will the auto industry go for it? (Wired)

So that big concert in London set to coincide with the G8 conference? It IS a semi-sequel to Live Aid, called Live 8, and other concerts are being organized worldwide... (BBC) ***UPDATED*** The names have been announced...and they're big (and plentiful). U2, REM, Paul McCartney, Duran Duran, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Stevie Wonder, Bon Jovi, Will Smith, etc...(Billboard)

The Andromeda Galaxy, our nearest galactic neighbor, is three times larger than we'd previously thought. So what's Intelligent Design have to say about that? (CNN)

Nine Inch Nails won't be on the MTV Movie Awards in June. Why? Because they wanted to have a photo of good ol' Presidente Dubya behind them to emphasize the point of their song "The Hand That Feeds". MTV wasn't comfortable with protesting against the president, apparently. It's truly official. MTV is OVER. They've become part of the machine, no longer represent their target audience and should be dismantled. (CNN)


Is Daniel Negreanu the best poker player in the world? Well, he's gonna try hard to prove it this coming weekend at the WSOP... (New York Times)

Headlines
Go figure. The FBI got all of the information it used in Operation D-Elite to bust the Elitetorrents.org forum from the MPAA. It's nice to know that Federal law enforcement is available to the highest bidder, isn't it? (Wired)

So, let me get this right...we're in a "War on Terror"...we're all tough on terrorism (unless, of course, it's committed by right wing fanatics)...and then we refuse to extradite a terrorist? OK... (Washington Post)


The final memorial service for Hunter S Thompson will be on August 20th at his home in Colorado, at which point his cremains will be fired from a cannon. Canis vobiscum, Hunter... (BBC)

So, there's gonna be a giant charity concert in London to raise money for African poverty -- but it's NOT Live Aid II... (CNN)

Next time you're in a chat room trying to pick up a nine year-old...watch out! It could be Shaquille O'Neal...

Movie Trailers
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory trailer 2

Headlines!
After a long week off, we've returned. Pardon me is some of these headlines are less than fresh...

Pat Tillman's parents say that the military cover up into their son's death has made it more difficult to deal with their loss. But, you know...he's a hero and all, so the Bush Administration will doubtless find a way to blame the 'liberal media' for all this instead of accepting the responsibiltiy for their actions like adults. (MSNBC)

Proposed expansions to the FBI's power worry Senate Democrats. Perhaps the Republicans don't remember a little autocrat named J Edgar Hoover... (CNN)

Have our efforts to secure overseas ports made the US more vulnerable to attack? Yes, they have! (New York Times)

Rick Santorum on gay marriage: "It threatens my marriage. It threatens all marriages." Um, Rick...it only threatens your marriage if you'd rather be with a man than your wife. Is there something you wanted to tell us? (Wonkette)

A college student is barred from attending a speech by President Bush simply because he's wearing a Young Democrats t-shirt. Totalitarianism is so classy. (Tuscon Citizen)

Oh, fun. The Supreme Court is hearing another case about abortion law. This, and supposedly William Rehnquist wants to retire. It's gonna be a fun summer in Washington. (CNN)


The Voyager I space probe is now at the edge of our solar system.

Apple adds podcasting capability to GarageBand...but doesn't bother adding RSS functionality to iTunes so you can listen to podcasts on that...(CNET)

Brainwashing our youth about Intellectual Property at an early age... (CNET)


Thurl Ravenscroft, voice of Tony the Tiger and singer on How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is dead at 91 (CNN)

Movie Trailers
The Descent (flash trailer...not downloadable)
Revolver UK teaser
Sky High trailer 1

RIP Mr Pugsley

Just read an email from one of my brother's friends that his pup, Mr Pugsley was attacked by another dog and killed on the 16th.
Mr Pugsley was a great dog, totally nuts...but he loved my brother like only a demented pooch of his ilk could.
Look at that face, and tell me he wasn't awesome.
What a thing to sour my damn night.
Damn.

Headlines!
'Intelligent design' proponents want to change the definition of science to "a systematic method of continuing investigation" instead of the accepted definition of empirical study of observed evidence. What this means is, they want to open science up to supernatural causes for natural actions. OK. Fine. I'm all for that. Except...Lightning is caused by Thor, fuckers. Jesus has nothing do to with lightning. Nowhere in the Bible does it say anything about Jesus calling down lightning, so I say it's Thor. Don't like it? You started it. It's Thor's intelligence that designed thunder and lightning. And Dionysis? He created grapes and taught men how to make wine out of it. So when you Catholic doofs have communion...you're celebrating a Greek god. SHUT THE HELL UP AND ACCEPT SCIENTIFIC FACT, YOU IDIOTS! (CNN)

The OTHER move to reform Social Security: keeping your SSN for government use only...makes sense in theory, but then credit agencies will just end up making a NEW number for you...and leaving you similarly vulnerable. (CNET)

The East Waynesville Baptist Church deals with the departure of their pastor after he expelled members for not supporting the Republicans. (New York Times)

The future of fuel cells: carbon nanostructures (Wired)


NASA bets that solar sails could power the next generation of probes for our solar system. (CNN)

Also on the solar-powered space exploration front: NASA plans on using a solar powered airplane to explore Venus (CNN)

The Supreme Court rules that laws that ban out-of-state wine sales are unconstitutional. That means states HAVE to let you buy wine from out of state...but it doesn't mean that they can't tax the daylights out of you or limit how much you can purchase (Like Ohio does). Still, a step in the right direction. (CNN)

Alcohol is more damaging to female brains. Drink up, guys! (BBC)

Oculus Innovative Sciences has developed an oxygenated water that's as effective at sterilizing surfaces as chlorine....and yet doesn't harm humans at all. (Wired)

IBM doesn't discourage employees from blogging. Unlike, say...the State of Ohio does... (CNET)

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith is almost here!

London celebrates the premeire of Revenge of the Sith with a Star Wars marathon today. Lucky bastard brits... (CNN)

A reporter's diary of the Star Wars marathon in London (BBC)

George Lucas sees parallels between Revenge of the Sith and Vietnam...and Iraq (CNN)
Test your knowledge of Star Wars with this quickie quiz. I got a perfect score. Of course. (BBC).

Headlines!

The showdown over the filibuster could come as early as Wednesday. CSPAN might actually be fun to watch this week. (New York Times)

Google maps shows search results for brothels...including an abstinence group. Maybe they just do oral there... (Yahoo News)

X-Box 360 demos at E3 are running on Macs? Oh, could it be because the machine runs on a Power PC chip and a Unix-based OS...which essentially MAKES IT A MAC? Or is it just because Macs are better? (CNET)


What will Comedy Central do without Chappelle's Show? Panic, probably. Or show the same movie. Over and over again. (CNN)
Chappelle says he's not at a mental health facility. He's on a spiritual retreat. Yowza. This just keeps getting weirder... (AP)


Lucas' legacy: Well, for starters, he's truly the father of digital filmmaking. Then there's that whole Star Wars nonsense... (CNN)

Headlines!

Tom DeLay says Democrats have no class. Of course, corrupt political opportunists who oppose a woman's right to die with dignity for wholly political purposes...they're REALLY CLASSY. Asshole. (CNN)


Michael Bruce Ross, rapist and murder, is put to death in Connecticut. It was the first execution in CT in 45 years. Have we grown so little as a society that we still need petty vengeance? Did killing him bring any of the victims back? Or ease the loss for their families? No? Then why did we do it? (New York Times)


The Air Force chaplain who confirmed the rampant evangelism at the Air Force Academy? They just removed her from her post. Doesn't look suspicious at all...does it? (Washington Post)

That FCC broadcast flag that got struck down by the federal appeals court last week? It's back...this time as a congressional bill... (CNET)


Retiring the space shuttle might mean that the International Space Station doesn't get completed. (CNN)

Closed military bases are among the worst Superfund sites. No wonder we're shutting them down to "save money". They're already contanimated enough! (CNN)

Kickstand EP review

It sucks. That's what I have to say. Kickstand sucks. They blow donkey dong. But you knew this.
So, Kickstand has a new EP available for download (free gratis, to quote Al Swearengen). And guess what? It sucks. Kickstand sucks. Like that's a surprise.
It starts off with Rebel No. 9, a stinging indictment of suburban kids who take up new school punk and emo. And then kicks it up a notch with Bitch Tits, a song about Michael Higgins' tremendous and perky man boobs. They still suck, so it's the Kickstand you know and love.
Then they do something unexpected. They get good. Their cover of Get Low just whups ass. Seriously. Who knew Little John wrote a song specifically for Kickstand? It sure feels like they were meant to do it. You have to remind yourself that it's Kickstand and you'd rather suck a wet fart out of your grampa's ass than listen to kickstand. It's difficult.
People looking for their usual offensive shittiness will be happy with the fourth track, Taste the Satan, which should offend just about everyone. And if you're not offended by it, you'll still think the song sucks.
Next up, another cover, this time of DMX's Party Up (Up in Here). They tear it a new asshole, but don't rip the roof off the motherfucker like they did Get Low. We Play Lacrosse is short, sweet and manages to rock hard while carrying their signature stink.
And their ballad, Love Song, well, it sucks hard. Exactly the way they wanted it to, I'm sure.

Headlines!

"It is my opinion that John Bolton is the poster child of what someone in the diplomatic corps should not be." -- Senator George Voinovich (R, OH). Bless you for having a spine, George. (New York Times/CNN)

The Real ID Act contains language that could damage the balance of our government. Great news for proto-fascists who oppose judicial review. (Ars Technica)

Tom Ridge says the Bush administration would raise terror threat alert levels over his objections. Well, duh. It's a political tool to keep the middle class afraid. (USA Today)

An Air Force Academy chaplain says that religious proselytizing...and a Major General in charge of all the chaplains for the Air Force just doesn't get it. Typical. (New York Times)

All military recruiting will stop for one day on May 20...and after that, they won't be able to get any recruits since they won't be able to lie any more...


A woman barred from reading the Bible at her son's school is suing the school district. Um, bitch, you don't have the right to push your religion on other peoples' children. Which is what you were trying to do. Sit down. Shut up. (NY Newsday)

Hate crimes against Muslims jumped FIFTY-TWO percent last year. But...Christianity is a religion of peace and tolerance. (UPI)

Bill gates believes cell phones will kill the iPod. Um...right. (CNNMoney)

Dell is planning a 19 inch notebook computer. At what point does it cease to become portable??? (CNET)

The Senate Commerce Committee is pushing for anti-spyware legislation this session. Chances are, though...they won't be able to get rid of spyware...or it'll just morph into something else. (CNET)


Chappelle found! ...In a psychiatric hospital in South Africa??? Season Three ain't comin' any time soon...

Movie Trailers
Batman Begins trailer 2 (international cut)
Rize trailer
Damn Apple for inserting coding into most of their trailers to prevent direct links. They hate people actually DOWNLOADING the trailers. God's sakes! We might WATCH them.

Headlines!
A federal judge is ordering a new probe into the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing...not to explore those fictional links to Iraq that the Right brings up now and again...but to a group of (right-wing) White Supremacists... Let me say it one more time for the folks in the cheap seats...RIGHT WINGERS SUPPORT TERRORISTS BECAUSE THE REFUSE TO BRING TERROR GROUPS FROM THEIR CONSITUENCY TO JUSTICE!!! (Washington Post)


The religious right is now putting a NEW magnet on their cars (besides the yellow ribbons that show they support the troops [even though a yellow ribbon means you want someone to COME HOME]; the red, white and blue ones that say "God Bless America", the fucking Ten Commandments [that about 99.99% of Christians conveniently ignore while demanding they be displayed publically]; etc...). Yes. You read that picture right. BUSH: One Nation...Under God. It's for the best, folks. It's no longer the USA. We live in Bush. Fucking assclowns. (Wonkette)

Tom Ridge defends the wholly unnecessary color-coded terror alert system...you know, the one they keep using to say that we're going to be attacked by terrorists ANY MINUTE NOW. Of course, they always seem to save us at the last minute. Is the Bush Administration full of writers from the Weekly World News??? (Washington Post)

OK, OK...I admit it. Women ARE smarter than men... (Washington Post)

It's against the law to live together out of wedlock in North Carolina. The South ain't backwards! Nope! Nosiree! (Washington Post)

Waitaminute...gay men respond to scent triggers differently than straight men? Homosexuality is BIOLOGICAL??? But...but...what about all those Christian therapy programs that turn gay men straight? Are you telling me they're utter BULLSHIT??? (New York Times)

Garrison Keillor on why right wingers dominate talk radio: "Republicans are in need of affirmation, they don't feel comfortable in America and they crave listening to people who think like them." (The Nation)

Congress returns to imposing arbitrary mandatory minimum sentences for crimes (New York Times)

Speaking of alternative energy sources...someone put a turbine in front of Bill Maher's mouth. He spews enough hot air on occasion... (Huffington Post)

Gary Hart on leaving Iraq: Exit or Empire? (Huffington Post)

Real ID Act watch:
The Senate has passed the Real ID Act. It now goes to the president. Whee. (CNET)
An excellent analysis of the recently passed Real ID Act (Bruce Schneier)
States are already talking about challenging the Real ID Act (AP)
A website has also opened up to organize pressure against the measure

...and, in related news...Jesus Christ can't get a driver's license in WV... (CNN)

Toshiba announces the next generation of HD DVD...before their first generation HD DVD even catches on

Those wonderful widgets in OSX Tiger...well, they could open the door for attacks on your Macintosh. Whee. (CNet)

Next up from Apple -- a tablet Mac? (The Mac Observer)


Details are leaking about the XBox 360 (someone buy me one now!!!) (CNet/engadget.com)


What's the matter with Dave Chappelle? Now, more than ever, we need his fearless brand of comedy. (Newsweek)


King Tut had buck teeth. One the plus side, he was still better looking than Prince Charles. (New York Times)

Muslim groups praise Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven for its accurate and noble portrayal of 12 century Islam (Al Jazeera)

Good-bye Hunter S by John Cusack (Huffington Post)

The Evans Book of Rules: The Celebration of the Individual by Robert Evans (Huffington Post)


After how many umpteen years (and I really don't remember it being anything but the old Glaser bullet...so it's been a WHILE), DC Comics changes their logo -- though honestly...I kinda like it. (Oliver Willis)