Bush's Torture Bill Passes Congress

What are we becoming?

Today marks the second phase of a real attempt by Bush and his Republican cronies to destroy the United States. The first step of the force the Patriot Act through congress to give them ability to suspend the Bill of Rights. Now comes the Detainee Bill, passed by Congress, which gives Bush the ability to interpret the Geneva Conventions (ie torture now legal) and suspend Habeas corpus.

Basically, as of now, whether a US citizen or not, the simple act of a law enforcement official deciding someone is a suspected terrorist eliminates all rights the United States use to grant a person. The Bill of Rights, gone. Due process, gone. Protections from torture, gone. Ability to hear evidence and defend against charges, gone. As of now, based on nothing more then thinking someone could be dangerous, you can be thrown in jail for the rest of your natural life. If the government then so chooses, they can torture a confession, whether real or not, out of you, to justify keeping you in jail for as long as they see fit.

Quite literally, everything that use to define what made the United States special as a democracy no longer exists. All its takes is an accusation and your life is quite literally over. The government has total control and you have no rights to do anything about it.

This is what happens when "security" becomes more important then freedom. The founding fathers are rolling in their graves. God help the United States.

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Bush's In-Action Prior To 9/11

Keith Olbermann strikes again, putting together an excellent analysis of in-action from the Bush Administration prior to 9/11 showing just how they had warnings of a possible attack including history showing attempts to use plains as ballistic weapons. It also rebuffs Rice's claims that the admin was left no plans when no less then five days in office, Bush officials where provided just that and was ignored. A rough transcript and video is here.

In addition, Chris Matthews apparently has found his backbone as he is starting to get truly critical with Republicans about the Iraqi War. He recently took House Majority Leader John Boehner to task for asserting that the Iraqi War is the front for the war on terror even though there its never been proven that Iraq had anything to do with recent terrorists activity including 9/11. As it seems people need to be reminded, the person responsible is still at large. Details and video here.

Also on Hardball, Al Franken and Mathews took Tony Blankley to task over attempt to dismiss the recent National Intelligence Estimate leak. Info and video here.

Next, is another video, this time of ultra libertarian and ABC "reporter" John Stossel attacks the website Media Matters for being a smear site, but then as is typical of the average "reporter" in this day and age, failed to provide factual backup for his opinion. Now Media Matters is a misnomer in the sense that it only points out the errors of the media when slanted against liberals (much prefer it did it's work against both groups) but it does support its assertions with facts, transcripts and history. All they do really is highlight statements conservatives make on the airwaves. Usually that stuff slides and they don't let it. I am not sure how that is smearing since its not manufactured data or opinions represented as facts, which Stossel is a fan of doing. Video is here.

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Olbermann Reacts to Clinton Interview

Keith Olbermann tore Bush and Fox News a new one yesterday over their fiasco of an interview where they sandbagged President Clinton and continued a campaign to blame all that ails the country on Clinton. Keith seems especially annoyed at the hypocrisy and lack of leadership that is displayed by Bush's continued refusal to take responsibility to for anything and using the "reporters" of Fox News to do his dirty work. Something they gladly do because its not like they have integrity to sacrifice. The video is worth a watch and highly recommended it.


In addition to this, Jon Stewart over on the Daily Show chose to point out the continued failure of the news media to report anything but the sensational. They focused on the angry Clinton rather then the informational Clinton, or even better both. Both where applicable to the story but all those facts just make things hard for the reporters and talking heads and unless someone tells them what to think and say, they get lost easily. The article is here with video.

Just as interesting is that Mike Wallace outright lied to Clinton by claiming he asks the same questions of his conservative guests. There is a story there the press should pay attention to but they protect their own (unless sexy enough not to, in this case it isn't). In reality neither current Fox News Sunday host Wallace nor former host Tony Snow (now Bush's press secretary)have come even close to asking such questions. Its not from lack of opportunity either as they have has dozens of high level Bush cronies as guests including Rice, Cheney, and Rumsfeld. Article here.

Here is something I don't get. Why bring this up? Anytime you mention a failure to capture Osama Bin Ladin, all its does is highlight Bush's failure to do so. Clinton failed after the Cole attack but Bush failed after 9/11. Five years later he is still failing. Why risk reminding people of this? I know part of its is to play a hindsight game. If Clinton got Osama, then no 9/11. But then all one has to do is point out that if Rumsfeld, Cheney, Reagan hadn't armed Osama back in the 80s, there would have been no Cole attack. If they want to play that game, all roads lead back to Republican decisions.

Seems like Fox News desperation to back their President they may have made a tactical error. Of course democrats are so clueless on taking advantage of these kinds of opportunities that if Fox buries the story in the next day or two, they can add a notch to the win column. Sigh, when did politics have nothing to do with facts and ability, and when did reporters stop becoming actual reporters of fact? I miss those days.

New TV Season Reviews

Lots of new stuff debuted in the last week in TV for both new and old with many more coming in the next few weeks. Below is my quickie reviews for the shows I bothered to watch.

Monday 9/18
The Class - Undecided. Its a weird premise, a reunion of a class of 3rd graders, but if that doesn't stay the focus, the characters might be enough to keep watching. No standouts yet, but I will give it a few weeks to grab me.

How I Met Your Mother - Starting season 2, still good, still funny, remaining on my to watch list. If not on yours, you should add it.

CSI: Miami - You know the show, nothings really changed except finally, thank freaking god, they have ended the whole Horatio and his family of horror crap. Will they finally move on to more interesting things?

Prison Break - Still going strong after a few weeks and will miss it with baseball playoffs coming. I didn't think the premise would hold for a second season but so far its going strong. I hope they have an end game in mind because if they plan on just having this go and go for 5 or 6 years then its toast. I would rather it go out in three solid seasons then 7 stretched out crappy ones.

Vanished - I am trying to like it, but the characters hold no interest for me. You really don't care about anyone's back story, the mystery, and even if the potentially kidnapped victim is dead or alive. There is simply nothing to hook you. Consider this one cancelled soon.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - I have my West Wing fix back. I can tell I am thoroughly going to enjoy this show. Whether or not its sticks around though is another matter. It does require a little brain power on the part of the audience and sadly that is always a gamble nowadays.

Tuesday 9/19
Boston Legal - Same o from previous seasons. If liked it then, will like it now. Personally I watch for William Shatner and his scenery chewing.

NCIS - Going strong and very entertaining. Recommend watching.

The Unit - Same as last season, same whatever attention from me. I can tell its a good show but for whatever reason I just can't fall in love with it.

Smith - Watched it for Amy Smart, will give it a few more eps for Amy Smart, but sadly it suffers from not having any characters to grab your interested or care for. They could kill one off each week and I could care less (unless its Amy Smart).

House - Still going strong, sure predictable but thoroughly entertaining.

Standoff - The character interactions don't mean anything, but the hostage scenarios are neat to watch. I can also tell it will get boring by seasons end (assuming it makes it which I doubt).

Law and Order: Criminal Intent - Still the brain busting puzzles only genius boy can solve. Still entertaining.

Law and Order: Special Victims Unit - The shining star of the series. Worth watching if not already doing so.

Wednesday 9/20
Jericho - End of the world? Maybe. What happens next is the story and I am currently hooked. The survival of this show will depend on how much they hold their cards to their chest and how carefully they play them out. Hold em to long and interest will fizzle fast. Until then I am watching.

Criminal Minds - Still good, still worth watching.

CSI: NY - Same o same o which in this case not such a good thing since I just can't get as interested in this CSI as the others. I think because the actors are so damn bland.

Bones - Same o same o but in a good, entertaining way.

Justice - Lawyers get the people off using any means necessary. Later shows what really happened and sadly so far every time the lawyers have been nearly dead on. Justice prevails! Which makes for a predictable and good guys win story. This show is toast and doesn't know it yet.

Kidnapped - Boy is kidnapped, the FBI and a hunter is looking for him. Egos clash, politics arise, etc. Great cast, good development of the characters already, its my new 10:00 appointment.

Thursday 9/21
Grey's Anatomy - Its the same as previous seasons, up to recycling the same stories and just tweaking them. I will give it a few more eps but at this point I am tied of the circles.

Six Degrees - Jury still out on this one. Not sure what to make of it, what the point of the series is or much else. The characters are hot and well that's about it. I love Erika Christenson but her hotness isn't enough to make the show worth watching week after week.

Survivor: Cook Islands - The race gimmick should draw to a close in another week and then its once again the same clash of egos, brainstorming and betrayals. Another words the same show from previous seasons that either love or hate.

ER - Season 1000, same as previous 990. Whatever.

Friday 9/22
Numbers - Same as last year, only guys have shorter hair. I liked last year, so liking this year.

Law and Order - New night, new female (hot) detective. Same show, same formula. Still solid writing.

Sunday 9/24
Amazing Race - Glorious same o same o. Jealousy abounds as would love to do that show.

Cold Case - Same again, getting bored with it even though the writing etc continues to be solid.

Without a Trace - Same to, really getting bored with this show. I think I am done with it. The characters just no longer interest me.

Desperate Housewives - Put a fork in its done. Once again, the many circles abound as this clearly soap opera show continues to swipe poorly from its daytime counterparts.

Brothers and Sisters - Lots of fanfare about nothing. The characters bore, the premise bores, once again could care less about a single character. This show will last a while only on the will of the ABC execs but I have a feeling the audience will drop off fast.

Simpson - Same o. Which is great by me
American Dad - Ditto
Family Guy - Ditto
War at Home - Ditto in a brainless way.

So there you go. What I liked and didn't. The new season shows are mostly looking like crap except for Studio 60 and Kidnapped. Most of the shows that are in their 3rd plus seasons are showing age and need a new spit shine to survive. Also I watch entirely to much television and some triage needs to be performed.

Random Movie Stuff

The opening theme music from Chris Cornell for the next James Bond film, "Casino Royale" has made an appearance online. Give it a listen. Personally I am unimpressed so it falls inline with most other Bond music.

The trailer for "The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection" has been released on the web by Warner Bros. The main thing of interest of this collection is the Richard Donner Cut of Superman II. Original he was pulled from the film halfway through production so while he had filmed most of the movie, he had no say on how it was all edited together. The set is a huge 11 disc set that includes special features for Superman I-IV and Supergirl. Even though I have the previously released set, looks like I need to sell it to help in buying this one. The trailer is here.

Oh final note, avoid "The Black Dahlia" like the plague. Boring movie. I could complain on and on about it but really its biggest problem is its simply boring. Literally 10 people walked out on the movie and the theatre wasn't even close to full.

Olbermann Demands Bush apologize

"It’s unacceptable to think…"

This is the phrase that angered Keith Olbermann to unleash a scathing commentary on his MSNBC program against President Bush. Bush was responding to Colin Powell's recent statement of concern over the world's view of the US "war on terror." Considering Bush's famed dislike of anything less then blind obedience, the statement was a heat of the moment slip on Bush's part. Since often in anger, the truth comes bursting out, its a sign of just how little Bush understands or cares about the ideals of the United States.

This President’s response included not merely what is apparently the Presidential equivalent of threatening to hold one’s breath, but — within — it contained one particularly chilling phrase. Mr. President, former Secretary of State Colin Powell says the world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism. If a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former secretary of state feels this way, don’t you think that Americans and the rest of the world are beginning to wonder whether you’re following a flawed strategy? BUSH: If there’s any comparison between the compassion and decency of the American people and the terrorist tactics of extremists, it’s flawed logic. It’s just — I simply can’t accept that. It’s unacceptable to think that there’s any kind of comparison between the behavior of the United States of America and the action of Islamic extremists who kill innocent women and children to achieve an objective.

Of course** it’s acceptable to think that there’s "any kind of comparison." And in this particular debate, it is not only acceptable, it is obviously necessary. Some will think that our actions at Abu Ghraib, or in Guantanamo, or in secret prisons in Eastern Europe, are all too comparable to the actions of the extremists. Some will think that there is no similarity, or, if there is one, it is to the slightest and most unavoidable of degrees.

What all of us will agree on, is that we have the right — we have the duty — to think about the comparison. And, most importantly, that the other guy, whose opinion about this we cannot fathom, has exactly the same right as we do: to think — and say — what his mind and his heart and his conscience tell him, is right.

All of us agree about that.

Except, it seems, this President.

With increasing rage, he and his administration have begun to tell us, we are not permitted to disagree with them, that we cannot be right. That Colin Powell cannot be right.And then there was that one, most awful phrase.

In four simple words last Friday, the President brought into sharp focus what has been only vaguely clear these past five-and-a-half years - the way the terrain at night is perceptible only during an angry flash of lightning, and then, a second later, all again is dark.

"It’s unacceptable to think…" he said. It is never unacceptable… to think

Click here to see the video from crooksandliars.com.

Senator Mary Landrieu Slams Republicans on War

Senator Mary Landriue nailed Republicans for their constants attacks on the Democrat veiwpoint by pointing out what many of us already know, the Republicans own failing war policies. I just wish more Democrats would find their backbone.

In light of the rantings that went on for 30 minutes by two colleagues from the other side, I’d like to state for the record that America is not tired of fighting terrorism; America is tired of the wrongheaded and boneheaded leadership of the Republican party that has sent six and a half billion a month to Iraq while the front line was Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia. That led this country to attack Saddam Hussein, when we were attacked by Osama bin Laden. Who captured a man who did not attack the country and let loose a man that did. Americans are tired of boneheaded Republican leadership that alienates our allies when we need them the most. Americans are most certainly tired of leadership that despite documenting mistake after mistake after mistake, even of their own party admitting mistakes, never admit they do anything wrong. That’s the kind of leadership Americans are tired of.

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Fox News and the Question Mark

Jon Stewart, with usual skill, skewers news organizations for their use of the question mark to get their viewpoint across while pretending they are not.

Click here for the video.

Nintendo Wii Press Conference; $250 out Nov. 19th

Nintendo has finally laid out all of its launch plans for the Nintendo Wii. Lots of information was revealed so on to the highlights.

- Price: $249.99 (as expected)
- Release date: November 19th, 2006 (two days after the PS3)
- Available colors: white only (crap so no color until spring of '07)
- Units shipped: 4 million, from Nov 11 to end of year
- Box contents: Wii console, cables, sensor bar, one wii-mote, one nunchuck and Wii Sports
- Launch Games: 15 of them including Excite Truck and Zelda, 30 by end of year
- Games Price: $49.99, but 3rd party could charge more

Wii Features:
- WiiConnect24: News and weather channel from the internet, message boards, able to send photos, etc
- Mii: Allows for creation of virtual avatars, photo views, and ability to edit video (formats unknown)

Virtual Console:
- NES games are $5, SNES for $8 and N64 are $10
- Super Mario 64, Super Mario World, Donkey and Legend of Zelda available at launch
- Games tied into account rather then straight download. (hackers have fun)

Other Info:
- Metroid 3 is coming in 2007 (probably fall imho)
- Wii is Wi-Fi enabled, no cost to connect
- Zelda for Gamecube will launch December 11th (to force the impatient to upgrade me thinks)
- Wii-mote costs $39.99 and Nunchuk $19.99
- Pokemom will be first online game, no US release date announced
- Has only 512mb of flash memory (but expandable, uses SD memory)
- Includes Opera browser for web surfing
- No DVD playback
- Wii is region-free so if want some Japanese games, no modding needed, but 3rd party can employ a region look if want

The $250 price tag, combined with $50 games, additional $60 for second controller, plus $50 or so for additional memory equals a fairly hefty price tag, but once that is still cheaper then the PS3. The expected launch titles look good, especially Zelda, but disappointed at the lack of online multiplayer launch titles. The lack of DVD support will be slightly missed, maybe corrected with a future firmware update but doubt it. No mention of whether its backwards compatible with Gamecube, but rumors have indicated it should be. As a whole, I am still excited about the system and have every intention of getting it on day one. One mistake I think Nintendo is making is conceding some momentum to the PS3. They should have aimed for a release date at least a week earlier then the PS3 with possible shipment of wave 2 of release titles on the PS3 launch date to knock some wind out of their sales. However, if Nintendo keeps its promise of 4 million available systems then that should go a long way to help since Sony is choosing the shortage = thirst = later better sales approach. I think Nintendo is banking on people choosing to get their next gen fix on the Nintendo or 360 rather then waiting to get hold of a PS3.

Wii Official Website

Star Trek Remaster Station List and Release Schedule

The details of the Star Trek digital remasters has been released. The very first remastered episode, "Balance of Terror" is set to premiere this weekend so check your local TV stations.

The trailer for is here.
Episode release schedule is here.
Affiliate participation list is here.

Apple Keynote Address; Next Gen iPods Announced

Steve Jobs hosted a keynote event today to reveal the next half year's plan for Apple. Next gen products where revealed for the iPod line including a new smaller shuffle. In addition a new piece of hardware was revealed that would allow playing computer content on your TV, perfect for iTunes 7.0 that will start selling Disney movies.

iPod with video 5.5G - drop in price, 60% brighter screen, increase in drive size, and improved battery life, price is $249 for 30GB and $349 for 80GB. Hands-on

iPod software update - Gapless playback for songs, search function, and improved games (available to buy for $4.99)

iPod Nano - battery life increased to 24 hours, four new colors (blue, pink, green, and silver), little thinner, 40% brighter display, and 3 models. $149 for 2GB, $199 for 4GB, and $249 for 8GB. Hands-on

iPod Shuffle 2G - completely redesigned, tiny with clip, silver color, $79 for 1GB, available in October. Hands-on

iTunes 7.0 - view switch to see album art, free album cover art, NFL games for $1.99 game and $24.99 a season, increased resolution of video to 640x480, and better iPod management.

Movies on iTunes - 75+ movies from companies owned by Disney, pre-orders and first week new releases are $12.99, after $14.99, with older movies at $9.99, in 640x480 resolution

iTV - coming in 2007, allows digital content on your computer (from iTunes library) to be played on TV using wireless network, price is $299. Hands-on

Apple announced a slew of products, most of them just minor improvements to existing products. Now the iPod range is from $79-$349. The iTunes update, especially the free album covers, has my interest. A concern is since the download is dependent on having an iTunes account, does that mean that Apple is able to collect information on what songs you already own (and therefore tell the MPAA what they think you might not own?). Basically I have concerns on the potential abuse of that feature by the powers that be.

As for the movie offerings, I say pass. You are basically getting charged the amount of a DVD for the "privilege" of being able to download it and play on your iPod. Much like the PSP movie format, the price doesn't offset the sacrifices being made in going the iTunes route to get your movie. Buying the slick iTV, which has my interest, doesn't offset this sacrifice. At least with a DVD, you don't have to pay $300 to get a device to allow it to play on your TV.

For me, the product that I am most interested in is the iTV. I like the idea of not having to use wires to play the media content on my computer to my TV. However, before ordering the device I am going to let other guinea pig it for me as I having a feeling there are many limitations to what it can and cannot do. For instance, I doubt it will just play any format of content. I think it will be limited to what iTunes can handle such as .mp3, .mp4, .mov and so forth. Considering the plethora of formats out there, I find that to be a limitation, others may not. In addition, what are the minimum standards does the TV have to have? Just the correct inputs? HDTv? An HD converter box? Can any and all TVs work with it? Again, I doubt it, probably only current gen flat panels will work. If that’s the case, if you can afford a flat panel then getting the iTV should be an automatic purchase. The final concern is how will the new 640x480 resolution and the old resolution play on the TV? Will it translate effortless or will it get that blurry quality from blowing up the pixels to large? The question then becomes, what image quality is being sacrificed for the convenience of putting it on your TV. Hopefully these concerns will be addressed when the iTV comes out in '07.

9/11: Five Years Later

Its kind of hard to believe its already been five years. Time seems to both fly by and move very slow. My said that she could tell me exactly what she was doing when she heard that Kennedy had been assassinated, because the event was so remarkable that it just seared it into her brain. I was skeptical of that as even events that I believe where the most important thing to happen to me, I can only remember bits and pieces, not precise details of exactly what and when. Except 9/11. I know exactly what I was doing, when I was doing it, and the people in the room with me when I heard the news. Its strange to cause I wasn't near a TV so honestly did not believe what I was being told at the time. I called it an exaggeration by the press for ratings. Then I got home. Wow that was a long day.

So five years. The events that have followed as a direct consequence of this singular event are still echoing and only history will be able to put it in perspective. As each generation before I think, I hope the next never has to experience anything like this.

CNN.com is re-playing their coverage "live" using their pipeline service. I can't decide if its something I can watch or not. But I guess for those that missed the history, the reaction, and so forth, it might be worth watching.

Another memory I took not from the day but that period was the worldwide reaction. For the briefest of moments, mankind was one. For an instance, mankind where unified as one, even if in tragedy. If for nothing else can be learned, its that peace is possible, even if the struggle will be long and difficult. Its wasn't until recently, but I saw Jon Stewart's Daily Show a week or so after 9/11 and he nearly broke down trying to express himself and unlike most people a week after 9/11, his was a message of hope. That video is here.

A final memory that has stuck with me was when Britain who broke a historic tradition of the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. My local news only played a snippet, but I remember crying when I saw it. YouTube has a version and I think its worth watching.

7 Days In September

Those are my random thoughts for this day. What are yours?

Happy 40th Star Trek

Star Trek's 40th Anniversary is begins today as it marks the first broadcast of the show in network television back in 1966 with the premiere of "The Man Trap." The celebration will be far and wide I am sure with various conventions. On the television end, you have the plans to spruce up the special effects and matte painting used in the original series with CGI effects. Ain't It Cool News has posted a Q&A with the project leaders to help provide more information about the plans. For my part, I celebrated the beginning of Star Trek, by watching the final appearance of the original cast in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. So go off and celebrate your inner Star Trek geek.

Jon Stewart for President '08

Someone has decided to launch a website advocating Jon Stewart of the Daily Show, for President in 2008. The slogan is "Stewart/Colbert '08 A Funnier America". Be interesting to see if this site grows into something that is truly satirical and mimics the GOP and Democrat websites.

As for what the country would be like with a fake media comedian elected to office, look no further then upcoming movie starring Robin Williams called "Presidential Candidate". No idea when its coming but I will be there on opening night. You can find the trailer here.

iTunes to Sell Movies

Apple has finally announced its predicted plans from nearly a year ago to start selling feature length movies online. Sadly it looks like the move is going to start with a wimper instead of a bang. Where iTunes launched in a can't beat price and practically every available song in the known universe, the movies that will be available are limited to those owned by Disney Corp. This includes Pixar, Touchstone, Miramax, and Lion's Gate and then only a limited selection of their full catalog. I guess its more of a beta, will this work, launch.

Sadly, the price range of $10 to $15 is actually more expensive then the cost of most of the available movies at retail. Catch them on sale, which practically can do every other week at Best Buy or Circuit City, you are really paying a surcharge of $2-$3 to download the music. In turn you are sacrificing size, quality, special features and bevy of other convenience that having the physical DVD copy provides. Personally, I am going to have to pass on this until they make the prices more competitive.