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01 Jun 2009 10:53

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Politics, U.S.: George Tiller’s murder shows flaws in “pro-life” movement

  • Nothing exposes this fundamental inconsistency and instability in the ethic of life as a description of the anti-abortion movement more than ‘pro-life’ murder.
  • Theology professor Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite • Who argues that the way to reduce abortions, rather than through fiery, passionate protests, may be through sex education and financial support of poor women stuck in the undesirable position of keeping a child. She says a “pro-life” movement that leads to murder is a flawed movement. Scott Roeder, the suspect in the George Tiller shooting, apparently felt that the murder of an abortionist was justifiable. • source

28 May 2009 21:46

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Politics, Tech: Is web music retailer Lala’s business model evil and bad?

  • One CEO’s criticism Perennial startup CEO Michael Robertson, most famously of the jerked-around MP3.com, claims that Lala’s model attempts to lock users into evil major-label-supported DRM for their most popular product, ten-cent web songs. He pointed specifically to a patent they own. Robertson has a personal claim, by the way – he currently owns competitor MP3tunes.com. source
  • One CEO’s criticism Perennial startup CEO Michael Robertson, most famously of the jerked-around MP3.com, claims that Lala’s model attempts to lock users into evil major-label-supported DRM for their most popular product, ten-cent web songs. He pointed specifically to a patent they own. Robertson has a personal claim, by the way – he currently owns competitor MP3tunes.com.
  • Lala’s defense Lala, which we use here pretty regularly (it hosts our Saturday Mixtape feature), claims that there’s nothing nefarious about what’s going on. “We’re trying to provide a way so that users can have more access to their music than they had in the past,” says CEO Geoff Ralston. It’s important to note, by the way, that you can also buy MP3s of most songs available at the site. source

28 May 2009 10:16

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Politics, U.S.: Joe Biden’s trashing on Obama’s teleprompter habit. LOL.

  • What am I gonna tell the president? I’m gonna tell him his teleprompter is broken. What will he do then?
  • Vice President Joe Biden • After one of his teleprompters fell down during a speech by Biden. Obama has been criticized by some politicians for being over-reliant on his teleprompter, even during minor speeches. Because, clearly, someone with the president’s oratorical skills shouldn’t be allowed to have a teleprompter. • source

25 May 2009 19:03

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Politics, U.S.: Nevada’s governor still holding a grudge against Obama

  • He’s still ticked about this dramabomb. A couple of months ago, Obama criticized companies going to Las Vegas to throw lavish corporate gatherings despite the fact that they were getting bailout money. Clearly, he was criticizing the companies, not the city. But that’s not enough for Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons, who declined a chance to meet the president based on something he said over three months ago. “I am not interested in a handshake and a hello from President Obama,” he said, “I am interested in an apology and plan to undo the damage the President did.” ME ANGRY! source

24 May 2009 13:42

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Politics: Colin Powell fights back against Cheney, Limbaugh criticism

  • I would like to point out that in the course of my 50 years of voting for presidents, I have voted for the person I thought was best qualified at that time to lead the nation. Last year, I thought it was President Barack Obama. For the previous 20 years, I voted solidly for Republican candidates.
  • Colin Powell • Responding to the verbal shouting match between him, former Vice President Dick Cheney and everyone’s favorite loudmouth, Rush Limbaugh. Powell goes further to say that the party needs to be more inclusive if it wants to find its way – which goes against many things Cheney and Limbaugh are arguing for, BTW. • source

22 May 2009 11:43

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Culture, Politics: Clay Aiken gets the gloves out in “American Idol” criticism

  • The show was different then, and folks made it in seasons 1-3 because they were ‘real’ people who happened to sing/entertain well. But, somewhere along the way, AI stopped being about real people.
  • “American Idol” Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken • On the slow decline, in his opinion, of the show. Aiken suggests that Kris Allen’s surprise victory wasn’t all that surprising, because Adam Lambert (who he called “contrived”) seemed to already know it all and fans are looking for “real” people to win. More damning for the show: Aiken, one of the shows earliest breakout stars, only watches once a season now, and then just to see how the sets have changed. • source

21 May 2009 22:01

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Politics, U.S.: Visualized key points of Cheney’s vein-poppin’ speech

Cheney text cloud
 

20 May 2009 16:07

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Politics, U.S.: A junior congressman takes on overzealous airport security

  • The images offer a disturbingly accurate view of a person’s body underneath clothing, even allowing Transportation Security Administration officials to distinguish gender or see the sweat on a person’s back. Americans should not be required to expose their bodies in this manner in order to fly.
  • Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz • Arguing against the use of whole-body imaging as a part of airport security. The new method can detect far more than current metal detectors, including gender and significant amounts of detail. On the other hand, it also means you won’t have to take off your shoes. • source

18 May 2009 20:15

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Politics, U.S.: Mike Huckabee’s a poet and we didn’t even know it!

  • Here’s a story about a lady named Nancy / A ruthless politician, but dressed very fancy / Very ambitious, she got herself elected Speaker / But as for keeping secrets, she proved quite a ‘leaker.’
  • Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee • Who wrote a wonderfully jerkish poem called “Fancy Nancy” about embattled Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who has faced a bit of drama lately about harsh interrogation techniques. If you think this poem is good, you should see what good ol’ Mike has to say about Nantucket. • source

16 May 2009 22:58

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Music, Politics: Thom Yorke goes ME ANGRY AARGH at big oil companies

  • i have been reading how the oil industry is investing millions of dollars in a PR campaign against it! how utterly dumbass is that? how do these people look their children in the eye?
  • Radiohead lead singer Thom Yorke • On the oil industry’s continuing campaign to stop the passage of a climate change bill in congress. Obama supports the bill, BTW. • source