Bob Barker Announces Retirement

Bob Barker, the host of the Price is Right for 35 years, has announced his intent to retire in June 2007 from his hosting role that has made him famous and is the familiar face of gameshows for several generations of viewers including myself.

Bob Barker's 50 year career on television began back in 1956 as host of "Truth or Consequences" with his first "Price is Right" hosting duty beginning on September 4th 1972.

CBS plans on having a prime-time special celebrating Price's long live and Bob's long career. The search for a replacement host is in the works but considering how replacements have gone in the past, I expecting a so-so comedian of D level skill set.

While the time is right, enjoy this bit of television history before it comes to a close.

iPod Shuffle Hands On

The iPod Shuffle has finally been shipped, nearly a month after the initial expected release date. The in store date is expected to be Friday November 4th, but for those that pre-ordered at the Apple Store, some of the shuffles have begun to arrive. I am expecting mine tomorrow morning.

Click here for a few pics of the packaging.

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Two Great Lego Star Wars Videos

Someone went to town creating two CGI Lego Star Wars videos that don't seem to be related to the games but inspired by them. Both are very good and worth watching.

Countdown: The GOP, American Terrorists?

Click here for a must see special commentary video from Keith Olbermann that covers this subject in excellent detail.

The Webster's dictionary define terrorists as "one that uses the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion".

The new ad, "The Stakes," the GOP has unleashed on America, using a still free Bin Laden (the GOP's personal bogeyman) video combined with images of explosions and violence to give the average un-informed America the perspective that only Republicans can protect America.

Terror is defined as "a) one that inspires fear b) a frightening aspect c) a cause of anxiety d an appalling person or thing.

Doesn't this describe exactly the goal of the GOP ad? Its attempts to inspire fear (of terrorist acts), cause anxiety (someone know be a victim), by depicting an appalling person (Osama) talking of doing frightening things. Combine this is the GOP and its representatives constantly claiming over and over that only they can protect us, doesn't this describe to a tee the systematic use of terror as a means of coercion, in this case to vote Republican? Has the GOP become our American "Al Qaeda"?

Even more striking is they commit resources to this ad while attacking CNN for daring to air a video of a insurgent sniper killing American soldiers, calling it smut. A video, as even Tucker Carlson points out, might motivate terrorists, but will only anger Americans. Oddly this video would represent a better ad for the war, then this reuse of a Osama Bin Laden terrorist video.

The GOP actually re-used a terrorist video to support themselves. A video not long ago was attacked and considered outrageous, suddenly very useful to help a different goal. A video that depicts the architect of 9/11, still free, still able to plan and potentially attack us in the future. A person that has done grievous harm to us yet Bush and the GOP has ignored for future use as the election year bogeyman. Think about that, they intentionally left this man free so they can use him for political gain. They invoke the dead of 9/11 on a nearly hourly basis, yet they allow this man to remain free because he more useful to them free. That is the GOP of today.

Happy 5th Birthday iPod

I have had more iPods then really care to admit and today marks its fifth Anniversary. What started out as a Mac only device exploding into the dominating device that created a whole new electronics brand when it finally moved to the Windows platform. Billions are made from iPod and its accessories and a whole new vocabulary was created including the now common place podcast. It has literally changed the landscape of our culture in a way few devices have. Happy Birthday iPod!

For the non-fans, things to hate about the iPod.

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Another Day, Another Diebold Failure

The inability for Diebold, the Republican owned company of electronic voting machines, to create an easy to use and secure method of voting is beyond belief to comprehend. Once again, there is another leak to highlight the inability of the company to do anything right. How much this is incompetence and how much of it is intentional to help hijack elections is unknown. At this point, when they can't even do the basic, touch here to vote, correctly, there is really no other option available.

Out there you have companies, for a hell of a lot less money, using touch screen in business transactions every day of the week without incident, yet Diebold can't even do something that simple correctly. As for the security, its real simple. Have it so each machine counts the votes internally and does not report the results to a central database. Instead the total has to be claimed manually. Not as efficient but still quicker as only have to come up with a total from x number of machines that contain y votes. The machine should not allow for any kind of wireless connection, bluetooth or otherwise. Nor should the connections that allow for updating the firmware, downloading results etc but in a "hidden" location. They should be at the top of the machine or another high profile location so that if someone does try to hack the machine, the effort would be fairly obvious.

This would mean no easy external way to connect to the machine, so if someone wants to influence the election they would have to hack every machine individually rather then the central database, and most importantly, every single machine, whether required by law or not, should provide a paper trail. This paper trail should then be used for at least three election cycles to confirm the electronic count. Without exception, enforced by law. It can't be assumed the machines are secure, it can't be assume that they work correctly. It must be proved, over and over again.

If a company can't succeed at this, they simple shouldn't allow to exist. That is the nature of capitalism that Republicans love so much. Its time that same system be applied to Diebold instead of continuing to allow them to be protected by the corrupt and the ineffectual.

GOP Terror Ad

The GOP whips out the fear card once again in time for elections by using a tirade between Osama and some peon to "inform" the average voter that if they vote democrat they are voting for the terrorists. There are so many different things wrong with such a message.

Nevermind that voting out of fear is a cowardly. Instead of going there, here is what I think people should think of every time they see the video. That Osama Bin Laden, the artitect of 9/11 is still alive because the GOP has done nothing about him. The man that cause the deaths of 3000 Americans, the man that led to the war we are in that costs nearly the deaths of 3000 American soldiers is still alive. Everytime the GOP uses him as the bogeyman of terror, remember that he still lives because the GOP decided he is of more use for elections then for justice. This is why he still lives, so every two years they can use him for vote made out of fear.

The GOP of willing to let this threat to America, this killer of our citizens to exist, because its good for votes. How that is tolerated by anyone is beyond my understanding.

Countdown Special Commentary on Habeas Corpus

Keith Olbermann gives a fantastic commentary on the death of Habeas Corpus that is worth watching.

The video is here.
The transcript here.

Death of Habeus Corpus

Habeas Corpus has died in America and no one seems to care. Instead its still the Foley mess which at this point since Foley has resigned and Hasert has more or less successfully dodged it is no longer relevant. Call me crazy but some guy wanting to diddle boys of legal age (therefore not illegal) versus ending a nearly 1000 year tradition that a cornerstone of American values and everyone goes for the sex story. Yes, it sucks that Republicans continue to cover the truth no matter the cost, but compared to ending habeas, it should barely be the blip on the radar.

But really, even in this country full of ADDers who have to have everything no matter handed in two sentence soundbites and please hold the complication, but sheesh, its two different stories how hard is it to track and report both? Apparently to hard. My Congress disgusts me, the President disgusts me, and the American people not caring disgusts me.

In either case, congrats to Bush for getting what he wants - the uber president. Seriously why bother with Congress now? They are not even relevant anymore except to pretend they are doing something useful while allowing Bush to wipe his ass with the Constitution. The so-called flame of democracy that America use to represent has been extinguished and no one even cares. The battle was won without a fight, security is sacrosanct, freedom irrelevant.

The surest ways to lose what freedoms that remain is the continued apathy America is demonstrating. In this way, the terrorists have surely won the war.

Hand-on video with PS3 Interface

Independent Playstation Magazine has posted video blogcast that demonstrates the interface of the Playstation 3 that is modeled after the PSP and apparently going to be implemented company wide to maintain the same look and feel across platforms. The video is worth watching if interested in the PS3 as gives hints of the system capabilities, usability and a demo of two games for the system.

The video is here.

Habeas Corpus End Signed into Law

President Bush signed into law the Military Commissions Act of 2006 that grants Bush the right to "interpret" the Geneva Conventions and suspends Habeas Corpus or the right to hear the charges against you. With the law, basically 9 of 10 of the Bill of Rights amendments ceases to exist if a government official chooses to label someone as a terrorist. No reason asked for, no evidence required. They can simply torture "the truth" from you, even if the truth is admitting to assassinating Abraham Lincoln. In the name of "security" our freedom has been lost.

Even more disgusting and a sign of the stupidity of our President and the citizens that follow him "With the bill I'm about to sign, the men our intelligence officials believe orchestrated the murder of nearly 3,000 innocent people will face justice," Bush said. What in the world does this have to do with 9/11 and Bush's continued policy to ignore Osama Bin Ladin.

Bush and the Christian Right

A new book, Tempting Faith, by David Kuo, is out or will be that demonstrates how the Bush administration and the Republican party tricked and duped the Christian right to gain the power they hold today. Its shows, as Tucker Carlson put it ""The deep truth is that the elites in the Republican Party have pure contempt for the evangelical who put their party in power." Basically the Christian's have given and Bush has taken away through policies that have been detrimental to not only Christian groups but the country as a whole.

This comes as no shock to me as the Republican party and Bush have demonstrated through actions that money and power is all they care about. They have literally not made a single decision, passed a single law, that isn't about consolidating power and helping their rich friends. Even the war on terror has accomplished little except fill the coffers of Haliburton. Helping whatever goals the Christians have would probably contrary to those goals. Besides, lip service seems to appease them anyway so action isn't really necessary.

Of course, as recent calls to "purge" gays from the GOP, its probably not all bad that the GOP ignores them more often as not as the extreme elements that control Christiandom political machine do have dangerous ideas that have little to do with the ideas of this country and the Constitution.

Keith Olbermann has been discussing the book on his show. So far Part 1 and Part 2 are available on Crooks and Liars.

In additional, for a little funny, check out this Daily Show video that shows how Bush seems to hear his Generals while not actually listening to them. It also indicates how he is continuing to dodge blame for anything as apparently the problems in Iraq are not his fault, but those same Generals (many of whom seem to get fired for not following the party line). Once again, our leader doesn't lead but just assigns blame to others without actually taking steps to remedy anything. Sounds like a corporate America middle manager huh?

North Korea's Nuclear Program is Clinton's Fault

According to John McCain, Clinton (you know from 6+ years ago) is the reason North Korea has a nuclear program in the testing phase now. It has nothing to do with being called an "Axis of Evil" by Bush shortly before invading fellow Axis of Evil country Iraq. Threat following by action tends to make country leaders nervous. But not in McCain/Bush land. Nor does North Korea's current position have anything to do with Bush's inaction in regards to the country while focused entirely on Iraq. Nope, its all simple. Like all things from the last 6 years, be it hurricanes, bombs, or someone sneezing, its all Clinton's fault. So remember, next time something bad happens to you, blame Clinton.

As for McCain, I use to like the man. I honestly would have voted for him in 2008. However, the last year has show that in his desperation to become the next President, there is literally nothing he is not willing to do. He has sold his soul for the power and nothing good can from that. The final straw was the Geneva conventions agreement where McCain basically caved, despite his own experience as a POW, for political expediency and score points with the "base" that helped get the country in the current mess its dealing with. Bush kicked him in the balls in 2000 and now McCain is cutting his own off voluntarily. How the potentially mighty have fallen.

The video of McCain's comments is here.

Jon Stewart and Keith Olbermann Strike Again

Once again the words of wisdom worth hearing do not come from the sources you expect such as our leaders but instead come from Jon Stewart and Keith Olbermann. Both videos are worth watching for it highlights the failures, confusion and outright deceit this administration takes on a regular basis.

Jon Stewart
Keith Olbermann

Google Buying YouTube?

Reports are showing up online that Google is in negotiations with YouTube.com to buy them out for $1.6 Billion dollars. It makes you wish you where the owners and workers for that company as it seems their 60 or so employees may just become the next 60 millionaires. I am jealous, but that is not why I hope this deal falls apart.

I hope this deal falls apart simply because once Google becomes the parent company of YouTube.com, all the money hungry copyright defenders, especially the music industry, will immediately file lawsuits to remove a large portion of YouTube's video collection. Since nearly anything could be interpreted as owned by someone for copyright purposes, this means probably up to 80% of the videos currently available on the site will no longer be. It wouldn't be Google's fault, it will be the fault of the large media companies that can't seem to understand that YouTube is a way to get their material around to those that are not aware of it.

Whether people are watching a cartoon, a news bit, listening to music, whatever, that means someone who didn't know it existed now does. That is a potential consumer discovery their stuff and maybe buying. However, rather then tap that hunger and legion of viewers, they choose to fight them tooth and nail. In the sharing of ideas, YouTube unintentionally is at the forefront and ownership by Google will end that.

Touchscreen Voting Machines, but Don't Use Touchscreen

Diebold as declared their touchscreen voting machines work great, except don't use the touchscreen when voting. Instead use the mouses they are going to provide. Apparently the use of the main feature of the electronic voting machines causes them to lose a connection to main server which can result in a lost vote or allow a person to vote twice.

Its amazing that in this day and age of electronic brilliance where touchscreen pads are used constantly at restaurants, at movie theatres, for video games (Nintendo DS), laptops, graphic design and many many more complicated things then voting, that Diebold can't not get their crap together and our elected officials tolerate it. How much money has been thrown away on their inability to create these machines that can't even do the simplest task correctly.

I recognize that security is hard but this isn't even a security issue (even though they can't get that right either). This is a fundamental purpose of the machine failing. What is, by today's standards, a trivial purpose of the machine. How many excuses will be tolerated? At what point do the people in charge decide that Diebold no longer deserves the governments money? Its obviously wasted, its obvious that people working on these machines are either incompetent or purposely ripping the government off thereby committing fraud. The excuses and the tolerance needs to end. A new company needs to be used that actually has its act together and can deliver on their promises rather then stringing everyone along for a higher paycheck.

(source)

Fox News Decides Mark Foley is a Democrat; Had Buried Story

The scandal rocking Capital Hill, especially Republicans and their leadership, in regards to former Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL) is causing quite a problem. Republicans bread and butter is to disseminate information, cover it up and blame others. In this case though, there is not false information to spread, the story is out there so to late to cover, and who can you blame? I know some will try Clinton and other Democrats but most know that simply isn't going to work.

Apparently Fox News has decided if can't find a scapegoat just change the man's party affiliation. As reported on several segments, including "The O'Reilly Factor", apparently its now "Former Congressman Mark Foley (D-FL)". Considering this story, including labels, discussions, both on air and in print has been going on for days, I find it hard to believe this would be a simple typo. For one thing check your keyboard. The "R" and the "D" buttons are no where near each other. I don't think its unreasonable to assume that Fox News was trying to confuse their viewers (cause historically it has worked) and didn't think they would get caught. As it is they altered the lines in repeat broadcasts later.

Also, in additional, the AP is reporting that Fox News, the St. Petersburg Times and The Miami Herald knew about Foley's behavior via emails they received and did nothing. "Our decision at the time was ... that because the language was not sexually explicit and was subject to interpretation, from innocuous to 'sick,' as the page characterized it, to be cautious," said Tom Fiedler, executive editor of the Herald. "Given the potentially devastating impact that a false suggestion of pedophilia could have on anyone, not to mention a congressman known to be gay, and lacking any corroborating information, we chose not to do a story."

Considering that for quite a while now, most of the media happily just regurgitate whatever is handed to them with almost no effort to collaborate the information, why not do the same here? Still, I can't fault them for being cautious. Its a good call. However, why didn't they dig into it further? You know, actually go and investigate? Isn't that what reporters are supposed to do, get a story and confirm the story through research, questioning and other means? It seems here they did nothing but bury the potential story.

Do they have policies on how they handle issues against Republicans vs Democrats? Is it in writing? If given the same information about a Democrat, would Fox News have been as cautious? For some reason, I seriously doubt they would have held back if it truly had involved a Democrat.

Week 2 of TV Premiers Review

Another week, another week of new shows and new season starts. Once again a quick review off all that I watched just before the whittle down process begins.

Monday 9/26
The Class - I am warming to it but its still a strange show, but the potential is starting to show.
How I Met Your Mother - Great show, watch if you are not already.
CSI: Miami - Continues to entertain.
Runaway - I can tell its probably a good show, but it just doesn't get my interest.
Prison Break - One of the best shows on TV.
Vanished - Just as I was about to pass, they kill a major character. Now want to find out what happens next.
Heroes - Loving this show. A bit slow in pace but the characters are solid and I am developing a crush on Hayden Panettiere.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - Personally I think this shows great, but its so insider and presents itself as being so smart that I am doubting it will last the season which is a shame. I will stick around as long as it does however.

Tuesday 9/26
Boston Legal - Show is at it best when Shatner and Spader are on screen.
NCIS - Little entertaining workhorse.
The Unit - I think I will have to pass now, I just can't get into it.
Smith - Ditto. I just could care less about any of the characters.
House - Going to miss it when baseball finals start.
Standoff - I like the show, but wouldn't mind if the show focused more on the scenarios and less on the relationship.
Law and Order Criminal Intent and SVU - Still good.
Nip/Tuck - Still freaky but still entertaining.

Wednesday 9/27
Jericho - Great show but not sure how long can maintain the dread without it getting old.
Criminal Minds - another crime related workhorse, worth watching.
CSI:NY - Stick a fork, done watching.
Bones - Another show will miss due to baseball.
Justice - I like it but it will go in just a few more airings. Its a little to clean cut and predictable.
Kidnapped - Liking this one a lot, give it a try, the characters are compelling.

Thursday 9/28
Ugly Betty - Interesting show, compelling lead in the "ugly" role, but the show is a little sickly sweet for my tastes. Give it one more week then will pass. I am betting that if the tone of the show is maintained the audience will turn off in droves.
Grey's Anatomy - New season, same stories going in the same circles.
Six Degrees - Second week, still not grabbing my interest. My lust for Erika Christensen just isn't enough to keep me coming back for more.
Survivor - That whole race thing sure ended quick, as expected from anyone that has watched the show for a few seasons.
CSI - Good show, not sure what's going on with the Catherine story arc.
Shark - Ug, just don't care about anyone in it.
Smallville - Its sad when the action sequence of the television show is better then any action sequence of the movie. Kristin Kruek continues to be a pretty but bland actress and my lust for Allison Mack increases.
Supernatural - Good start for an entertaining popcorn show.
ER - eh, just getting bored with it for no particular reason and will they either kill off the Sally Field character or quit writing it.

Friday 9/29
Numbers - Another entertaining show.
Law and Order - The new detective is pretty, fairly decent but as usual its the crimes that compel.
Doctor Who - Second season of this strange British import. Its traditional sci-fi with a humorous and dorky twist. I like it but its not for all sci-fi tastes.

Sunday 10/1
Desperate Housewives - More desperate they get, the less I care.
Brothers and Sisters - Could a show get more boring? I am done with it, and sure everyone will be soon too.
Amazing Race - Great show, worth watching.
Cold Case - Its interesting TV, but its also starting to become predictable. The ends with the music and the "ghost" victims is beyond old now. The fact that usually the second or third person they interview is always the bad guys is getting annoying to.
Without A Trace - More they get into the personal lives of the main cast, the more boring it gets. They just are not that compelling even though Poppy Montgomery is a visual treat.

GOP Aware of Foley in 2001

The ABC headline nearly says the entire story: "GOP Staff Warned Pages About Foley in 2001".

A Republican staff member warned Congressional pages five years ago to watch out for Congressman Mark Foley, according to a former page. Matthew Loraditch, a page in the 2001-2002 class, told ABC News he and other pages were warned about Foley by a supervisor in the House Clerk's office. Loraditch, the president of the Page Alumni Association, said the pages were told "don't get too wrapped up in him being too nice to you and all that kind of stuff.

This shows that Republican leadership has been aware for at least 4 years, if not longer, of Foley's pedophilic interests and in the nature of "unity" before country, chose to do nothing. After all, can't risk that seat going to a Democrat. The only thing they did was foist the responsibility to keep Foley in line on the pages by asking them to basically behave and keep things in perspective rather then forcing Foley to resign, turn him in or at the very least force his to keep himself under control. They simple didn't care.

On top of that, it turns out that Representative Tom Reynolds, Chairman of the Nation Republican Campaign Committee, might have accepted a $100,000 campaign bribe from Foley to not investigate the issue too deeply as the money seems to occur around the same time as the issue was coming to a boil behind the scenes of the GOP. In addition, Reynolds showed his support of Foley (and therefore his behavior) with a $5,000 donation to Foley's re-election campaign.

How much further in the corruption cesspool will Republicans go to maintain their grip on power? Why isn't simply following the law and doing what's best for the country rather then themselves or the party not enough? Even more important question is just what will it take for the American vote to say "Enough"? Will this abuse also be swept under the rug in the name of "security"?

While the Republicans get with the media to play damage control this week, take one thing from this whole thing. They knew for years and did nothing. They knew they where putting children in danger and did nothing. That is how much they care. They did nothing.

(source)

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.

(source)

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.

Star Trek Getting the Star Wars Treatment

In time for the 40th Anniversary of Star Trek the Original Series is getting polished by being digitally remastered with new CGI effects. Many of the improvements will include The Enterprise is getting the CGI treatment based off the original model hanging in the Smithsonian Institution in DC, the opening sequence getting spiffed up with depth and dimension, most space shots improved, exterior matte paintings replaced with CGI versions and improved ships, battles and planets.

The television premiere of these changes seem to indicate early September starting with "Balance of Terror." The next batch of episodes will be chosen based on popularity rather then air order but the plan is to convert all 79 episodes.

The full press release from CBS is here.

Winners of 2006 Emmy Awards

NBC aired the 2006 Emmy Awards tonight. No real suprises and except for the opening clip and some amusment from Stephen Colbert and John Stewart, there wasn't much amusement. Really just a by the book award show.

A complaint I have is seeing the one off shows like Oscar Telecast and Barry Manilow being in the same category as the talk shows and late night programs. One is a one time a year event, planned months ahead and the other is cranked out on a daily basis and don't allow for quite the fine tuning. For them to produce gems on a daily bais deserves at least a seperate category but realistically these one-off programs shouldn't be nominated.

Final complaint, quit kissing movie star asses. I get tired of being able to predict a winner not because their television performance was that great but because their movie background gives them a one up. They neither deserve it and doing it cheapens the television medium.

The winners (with my predictions from July):
DRAMA SERIES
"24", FOX (should win)
COMEDY SERIES
"The Office", NBC (was wrong)
MINISERIES
"Elizabeth I", HBO (was wrong)
MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE
"The Girl In The Café", HBO (was wrong)
REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM
"The Amazing Race", CBS (should win)
ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Tony Shalhoub, "Monk" (was wrong)
ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Kiefer Sutherland, "24" (will win)
ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Andre Braugher, "Thief" (didn't call)
ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "The New Adventures Of Old Christine" (should win)
ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Mariska Hargitay, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (should win)
ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Helen Mirren, "Elizabeth I" (didn't call)
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Jeremy Piven, "Entourage" (was wrong)
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Alan Alda, "The West Wing" (was wrong)
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Jeremy Irons, "Elizabeth I"
SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Megan Mullally, "Will & Grace"
SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Blythe Danner, "Huff"
SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Kelly Macdonald, "The Girl In The Café"
GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Leslie Jordan, "Will & Grace"
GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Christian Clemenson, "Boston Legal"
GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Cloris Leachman, "Malcolm In The Middle"
GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Patricia Clarkson, "Six Feet Under"
INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE IN A VARIETY OR MUSIC PROGRAM Barry Manilow, "Barry Manilow: Music And Passion"
VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES
"The Daily Show With Jon Stewart"

One thing learned, I can't predict a thing. I was called the Keifer win and not much else, good thing didn't place bets on this.

Marines to be Involuntarily Recalled

The Marine Corps authorized the recall of thousands of Marines to active duty, whether they want to go or not. The current estimated number is 2500 but it wouldn't surprise me if the number increases. The recall is a result of a shortfall in unit deployments and shortage of volunteers for Iraq and Afghanistan.

Nothing says a war is going well and the troops support like those very same troops having to be forced to go. Its a solid indication of the military rank and file's support waning along with the general public. This may be normal for any war, but almost 4 years in and Iraq doesn't even look close to be calm enough to allow for a organized withdrawal that the Bush Administration keeps claiming can occur.
(source)

Stargate SG-1 Cancelled

The Sci-Fi channel has announced that its decided to no renew Stargate SG-1 for an 11th season but will renew Stargate: Atlantis for its 4th season. This brings to a close the longest running sci-fi show in American television with 215 episodes. Ironically, the show just celebrated its 200 episode this weekend.

The reasons for the cancellation where not indicated but speculation is that MGM, owners of the series, are planning launch a feature film from the series. This has been off on on plans for the series for several years now with speculation for the end of the 7th and 8th seasons before plans fell through. The first half of this final season of Stargate ends in about two weeks before it takes it final bows in January 2007. What form the shows takes after that, only the producers now.

The announcement text can read here.

Nintendo Wii for $170?

The current rumor circulating the internet is that the Nintendo Wii will retail for $170. That is an excellent price point that would probably get all gamers to at least sample the machines, especially in light of the $400 X-Box 360 and $600 PS3. So far the only thing Nintendo has confirmed is a price point of below $250, which basically means anywhere from $.01 to $249.99 in price. Personally I think the price point will either be $199.99 or $249.99, with the higher price being the most likely outcome. Time will tell as the system is planned on being released in November.
(source)

Bush Admits Iraq and 9/11 Not Related

Bush finally just out right admited that Iraq and 9/11 where not related. This is after years of the administration trying to hit at connections with outright saying it. Glad thats cleared up, but doesn't that beg the question of why Iraq instead of say Iran?

BUSH: I square it because imagine a world in which you had Saddam Hussein, who had the capacity to make a weapon of mass destruction, who was paying suiciders to kill innocent life, who had relations with Zarqawi.

You know, I’ve heard this theory about, you know, everything was just fine until we arrived [in Iraq] and — you know, the stir-up-the-hornet’s- nest theory. It just doesn’t hold water, as far as I’m concerned.

The terrorists attacked us and killed 3,000 of our citizens before we started the freedom agenda in the Middle East. They were …

QUESTION: What did Iraqi have to do with that?
BUSH: What did Iraq have to do with what?

QUESTION: The attacks upon the World Trade Center.

BUSH: Nothing. . . . .Except for it’s part of — and nobody’s ever suggested in this administration that Saddam Hussein ordered the attack. Iraq was a — Iraq — the lesson of September the 11th is: Take threats before they fully materialize,

I seem to remember Dick Cheny, Condi and Bush trying link Iraq to 9/11 way back when:

Russert: Do you still believe there is no evidence that Iraq was involved in September 11?

CHENEY: Well, what we now have that’s developed since you and I last talked, Tim, of course, was that report that’s been pretty well confirmed, that he did go to Prague and he did meet with a senior official of the Iraqi intelligence service in Czechoslovakia last April, several months before the attack

- from CrooksAndLiars.com

RIAA Going After Dead Defendants Heirs

Out of "kindness" the RIAA files a motion to give the heirs of Larry Scantlebury 60 days to grieve before they continue legal action against the now dead defendant for illegally downloading music. I guess they want to continue to make an example for him having the indencency to die before the RIAA could squeeze their bit from him.

Whether he actually committed a crime can't be proven as the RIAA has a tendency to be wrong when it goes after grandparents who don't own a computer, other dead defendants or little children. So the lawsuit, in an of itself, indicates nothing due to the RIAA's horrible track record.

Sadly a court of law will probably side on whatever the RIAA chooses to do. This despite the fact that the RIAA can't even prove actual harm was done by the defendant himself. Most of the "harm" they indicate is more wide scale in the sense of lost record sales, not what one individual might have done as I doubt one individual could have harmed an entire industry. If only where that easy, I think the RIAA would have ceased to exist a while back. On the other hand, you have Ken Lay of Enron. With his death, its assumed that his illegally gotten gains can be fully enjoyed by his heirs. Pretty much untouchable, even though actually harm can be proven as a direct result of this person's action. From a law perspective, two similar cases yet two difference courses.

Now many believe this action is necessary. Must make examples of the "bad" guys. We hear on the news all the time about the billions lost due to piracy both online and real world. For software the claim is $29 billion, music $4.5B, movie industry its $6.1 billion. Something must be done, right?

However, there is the problem with how the media reports these figures. Namely what is the motive behind the reports and where did the numbers come from? Those are just two of many questions that should be automatic for these kinds of statistics based surveys.

For all the above examples, the impacted industry paid for the surveys to be done. Therefore its in the best interest of the survey company to produce results their customer expects if they want to continue to get business. You don't get paid X dollars to the customer and report that their entire belief is incorrect. No, report they are not only dead on but its worse then they think. You don't tell your boss he is wrong if you don't have to, he figure out a way to give him what he wants.

Now the numbers. These are big numbers. Where do the dollar amounts come from? For example, the RIAA seem to consider the cost of a CD to be around $18-20. When was the last time people even paid that? If get them at Target, the cost is close to $12, iTunes its $10. What about single sales where the person wants only the one song? Is that taken into account? The same for movies. What is the cost of a DVD to them? $30, $20, $10? A ticket? Is it $5, $10, $15? Those kind of differences could change the final total by billions. What if the number of the initial cost is inflated? Does that mean the $6.1 billion lost is really more like $2billion? Still large but just doesn't quite the same grandeur and therefore the same impact does it.

How do the come up with the number of lost sales? No one even has a handle on how much piracy occurs. So do they assume a million copies that where not sold that would have been if not for piracy?? A billion copies? Or a 100 million less tickets sales? Where do they derive the numbers from? I suspect they pull them at random. Whatever will give the highest yet believable lost in sales for the PR and media machine. On top of that, those numbers assume that if piracy wasn't available, that people 100% of the time would have bought the object through legitimate channels. That means in their minds there is a one to one ratio of sales loss to piracy.

To illustrate, lets assumes 1000 people don't buy the Paris Hilton CD and instead download it illegally (who knows why, but work with me). To the RIAA that is $20 in CD cost times 1000 people not buying = $20,000 in lost sales. 100% of the pirates that would have bought the CD otherwise.

Now, lets pretend for these 1000 potential buyers, the RIAA just really scares them and they decide that illegal tactics are a no go. Will all 1000 go to the store and spend $20 for the CD? Highly unlikely. Lets be generous and say 10% are willing or 100 of the 1000, that means they really only would have only had $2000 in sales.

Of course who really pays $20 for CDs anymore? Since the people are savvy enough to download illegally they are savvy enough to go to Target or iTunes, so really those 100 real world buyers (rather then the RIAA's imaginary 1000 buyers) only would have spent $1000 dollars to buy Paris Hilton's CD. $1000 dollars in lost sales just doesn't read as sexy as $20000 in lost sales does it? Now multiple my hypothetical by about a million and you get an idea about how easy it is to come up with the hypothetical billions that the entertainment industry uses.

When it comes to statistics and reports, don't just take the numbers at face value. To evaluate the legitimacy of the number you first have to know where they came from and also what is the motive of the company compiling the report. These are questions the media should ask and doesn't. Probably out of practice as the media has become more regurgitator and less reporter and searchers for truth.

Lieberman, McKinney Defeated in Primary Run-Offs

Over in Georgia, Democrat Representative Cynthia McKinney was handed a sound defeat by opponent Hank Johnson. The theory is the loss came about because of her antics and behavior including the recent capital hill tussle. I say its because she has proven to be so ineffectual a Representative. She may have gone to Washington DC, but she didn't do a whole hell of a lot other then make noise while over there. Actions speak louder the rhetoric. McKinney needs to tuck tail and never disgrace another public position again. She is the example of what we don't want in our leaders. Lets not make that mistake anymore.

Speaking of mistakes, Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman was defeated yesterday in a primary run-off. After a tense battle against Ned Lamont, Lieberman has decided to run for office as an Independent in an effort to hold his office. Usually when someone loses the primary, they have enough sense to bow graciously and accept the loss, knowing its a sign that those the represent clearly no longer require their services.

Joe Lieberman apparently doesn't believe in the will of the people. He only believes the will of himself. He pretends to couch it in terms of doing it for the good of state, country and party. However the state has clearly said no thanks, the party has begged him to step down, and the country already chose not to elect him as Vice President back in 2000. The message is clear, the people don't want Joe Lieberman and the only one he isn't listening is Joe who clearly and desperately wants to hold onto the power and prestige (plus kickbacks etc) that he has grown accustomed to.

The sad fact though is that thanks to his antics, he could help turn the tide for the Republicans. How often does a Democrat candidate get a call from Karl Rove and President Bush after they lose? Well Joe did. It seems that Republicans are in fact quite pleased at his bid for a seat as an Independent. The conventional wisdom is that he will split the Democrats' votes allowing for a cakewalk to office for the Republican choice, whoever that is. On top of that, the Republicans can use Lieberman as the poster child for how much dissent there is within the Democrat party. Why this is bad I don't know since the unified Republican "whatever Bush says" Party hasn't exactly done wonders for this country.

I propose that the Republicans are wrong. Joe "Rate and Censor" Lieberman in fact will split the votes of both parties. He has clearly identified himself with Republicans on many issues these last few years. It has been suggested that Karl Rove has even offered assistance to Lieberman in his reelection campaign. In addition, senior GOP officials have suggested that they going to encourage Republican members to support Joe. Take a second for that to sink in.

The Republicans are so convinced of their man, Democrat Senator Joe Lieberman, the architect of the Bush Administration campaign and other officials are going to support his Independent bid for office. This despite already having their own candidate. That is the entire story, even Republicans think Lieberman is a Republican.

Despite this, there are probably many in the electorate that just find things like this just so confusing. This confusion over his party affiliation will only hurt the parties, the question is really how much. Joe thinks enough to get him back into office. I hope he is wrong. The country doesn't need another Bush Yes-Man nor does it need a Senator who has made it clear that he doesn't hold value to the Constitution.

Apple WWDC 2006 - Mac Pro, OS X 10.5

Today Apple had its annual Steve Jobs Keynote/New Stuff Address at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). There are lots of links below about the event, but here are the highlights to me.

Mac Pro (standard config: $2499.00)
- The Power Mac is no more. The last bit of Apple hardware has made the conversion to the intel chipset with the introduction of the Mac Pro. A screaming fast machine for the high end graphics developer, user, gamer (except of course no games for the Mac).
- Basic configuration has 2 x 2.66 GHz Dual-core Intel Zeon chipset
- 1 GB RAM
- 250 GB Hard Drive
- NVIDIA GeForce 7300GT, 256MB RAM
- 16 Superdrive (think PC DVD/RW-CD drive)
- Machine is upgraded with 4 harddrive slots for 2 terabytes of data and 16 GB of RAM! I don't think its even possible to do that for current PCs without some extreme customizations.
- Cost to max out the Processor, RAM and data: $12,876.00 (hmm new computer or new card?)

Leopard - OS X 10.5
- Expected release is Spring 2007
- Supports 64-bit applications (without requiring separate version of OS like XP)
- Time Machine - Think traditional backup combined with MS System Restore. Backup computer plus data with ability to restore entire computer or just an individual file from various times frames (probably defined on how often you decide to back up to a drive)
- Space - Basically various "desktops" as you define it, each with the ability to change apps window to window dynamically. Can do same with XP, but have to download a tweak and it doesn't work all the great since its just a throwaway program.
- Updates on Photobooth, Spotlight, Safari, Mail, iChat and improved user support with Braille, voiceover, etc.
- Core Animation - Method to make animation easily.
- Dashcode - Update to Dashboard so that users can make easy personal widgets for themselves including creating widgets around sections of a website such as a comic or other data that may update on a site periodically.

There you go. New Apple high-end computer that is priced competitively with the PC versions and a new update of OS X that will probably compete directly with Windows Vista. No new changes to existing Intel Macs and no new iPod models announced (dang). The Mac Pro on paper sounds like a screaming fast, graphics loving machine. Since I don't do movie designs or other high end graphics stuff, the only thing that matters is how does the machine handles games in both Mac OS and booting in Microsoft XP. Hopefully soon there will be some benchmarks to see how well this machine does compared to other PCs.

Some links of note:
Keynote blow by blow
Mac Pro Hands-On
Mac Pro site
Apple Store link to buy

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and 9/11

While looking at Kevin Smith hilarity, I found some more serious videos, two involving 9/11 and one with the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

One video that I hadn't seen but is very moving is the return of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart from September 20th 2001. It was the first show since the 9/11. He basically just laid it all out there, coming very close to crying on camera, and really he just tells it how it is. Its a very moving that shows the hope that can be found even during a very dark time.

"The reason I don't despair is because. This attack happened. Its not a dream. But the aftermath of it. The recovery is a dream realized. That is Martin Luther King's dream. Whatever barriers we put up are gone. Even if just momentary. We are judging people not by the color of their skin but the content of their character. ...any fool can blow something up, any fool can destroy, but to to see these guys, these firefighters, these policeman, people from all over the country, literally with buckets, rebuilding, that that thats extraordinary. Thats why we already won. Its light, its democracy, we already won, they can't shut that down."
- Jon Stewart 9/20/01

That video is here.

Another video is something I remember vividly from events around 9/11. This occurred on 9/12 I think, maybe the 13th. Its was really an event of history, a sign of the solidarity, at least briefly, that existed worldwide. For the first time, during the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, a different anthem was played. With scores of American's watching, stuck in the country due to the no-fly order, on orders of the Queen, the Star Spangled Banner was played.

That video is here.

Finally, a video from 1992. I remember this event when watching it "live" on American television. To me, when asks to describe the Olympic spirit, this is what I think of. Its the moment during the Barcelona 1992 Olympics, the 400M semi finals, Derek Redmond of the UK tore a tendon (I think) and could not complete the race. Instead of just being helped across the field, he was determined to finish the race. With the assistance of a stadium cheering him on, and his father at his side, he crossed the finish line. This version is from Japan, the American recording is much better but not online that I am aware of.

The video is here.

Kevin Smith on YouTube

I went to Egotastic earlier and discovered that they had a Q$A video from YouTube where Kevin Smith explains his bit in the process of getting Superman on the screen. Before the current incarnation of Superman Returns, there where several aborted attempted to get it to the screen, one of which is Kevin's. Its worth watching as you get a little insight in just how strange Hollywood can be and why such utter obvious crap seems to make it to big screen. The story involves many execs, a no flights or tights policy for the movie, Sean Penn, and Jon Peters. Truly hilarious.

Even more fun was finding other Q&A videos on YouTube.com from various sessions he has done. I highly recommend going hunting for them as Kevin Smith has a gift in telling stories to an audience. Just go to youtube.com, search for Kevin Smith and check out the videos where the thumbnails tend to have a single color background.

Some videos to check out with Kevin Smith:
On "Superman Reborn"
On Prince
An Evening with Kevin Smith

DeLay Remains on Texas ballot

Tom Delay, corrupted and embattled ex-Senator from Texas, still has a chance for office since 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Tom DeLay's name remain on the November congressional ballot. The Texas GOP wanted to replace another name on the ballot to fight Democrat nominee Nick Lampson. However, since DeLay retired June 9th, months after he won the March Primary, the judge decided that is name should remain regardless of DeLay's move to Virginia.

Texas GOP chairwomen Tina Benkiser has tried to remove DeLay's name after he moved but the court ruled the move unconstitutional, "Proof of DeLay's present residency may suggest where he will be in the future; however, it does not put the matter beyond dispute or question."

Democrats are pleased with the decision as it may help them gain a seat in Texas and allows them to continue to use DeLay as a whipping boy through the elections. More then likely the Republican Party will appeal the decision, possibly to the Supreme Court, who I believe will overturn the decision. That, however takes time that the GOP don't have with only election day only 4 months away.

(source)

E3 is Dead, Long Live E3 Media Festival

The Entertainment Software Association announced Monday that the gigantic circus of video game fun that is E3 is no more. The are now going to evolve to a more intimate event focused on targeted, personalized meetings and activities." This change was mostly driven by top game makers not liking the millions of dollars they spend every year on the event, money they feel could be better spent elsewhere (I suspect on executive bonuses).

The complaints are valid. E3 is an enormous affair of lots of noise and fanfare. Products get lost, annoucements quickly forgotten, and the spotlight shifts constantly which can be really annoying if your the big three annoucing the next big thing. Sometimes the gems get lost for this reason. Yet sometimes the gems get discovered for this same reason. The press gets overwhelmed. The goal sometimes failed. Simply put, E3 did become too big. The complaints are valid.

However, this "intimate" affair, at the behest of the big companies, does not seem to be the best solution. They are over correcting the problem, possibly to extinction. Right now, the plans for the new E3, now called E3 Media Festival are up in the air. How will the meetings be handled? How big? Who is invited? Who is not invited? How will the large companies be handled versus the small companies? Will the small companies even get a chance? What impact will this have on sales and the early buzz that E3 generates for games? Will E3 become extinct as a result. Thanks to E3, Nintendo once become king of the console wars in buzz, when before everyone was thinking "wtf is a Wii?!?". Can this kind of turnaround still happen?

It seems the complaints are less about money and more about being stingy. The big companies, Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, EA, etc, don't want to share the spotlight. They want it all to themselves and with the previous E3 coverage, they often had to share it with everyone, big and small. The playing field, at least for most participants, was mostly level. An example is Spore. Its the little game that could. Just based on a booth and a demo conference, it was the talk of many journalists and blogs. I doubt that sat well with executives. With this new E3, why should the companies even participate? Where is the value?

E3 was a weekend long event like the San Diego Comic Con. They are now taking away what made it such an event. In turn they are taking away why its news. Where is the incentive for media companies to commit resources and personnel to cover the Expo, excuse the Festival? Seems like with this new plan, they can send a few AP reporters, let them file their reports and editors can use them if they want. Must cheaper then sending a report like they use to.

I think the real failure is with ESA and the very complainers they are attempting to appease. They responsible for E3 becoming so unmanageable. They are the ones that started the booth wars and the conference wars. If the big companies had managed their budgets, if ESA had created booth restrictions and guidelines, this situation would never had occurred. Instead they let them run rampant, with it escalating year after year until finally they decided to do what sounds like a poorly thought out reset.

I think E3 is now on its death bed and doesn't even know it. At this point, there is simply no reason for retailers to send their reps, the media to report on it and the big companies to spend time on it when they can all get the same results with a simple press conference for a fraction of the cost.

I guess we will all find in the next few years starting in July 2007 when 5,000 of the invited meet at some Los Angeles hotel to have their "intimate [non-]event".

(source)(pic source)