This is one of the best uses of genetic engineering I've seen so far. Yahoo is carrying an article about a Denmark firm which has genetically engineered a weed that changes color when in contact with NO2, a compound found in the soil around Landmines and explosives. Apparently this compound is a result of the chemical breakdown of many explosives over time.

Date:	2004-01-23 08:28
Subject:	I don't agree with this judge
Security:	Public
Mood:	awake
Music:	Heating duct over my head

Its been awhile since I really posted anything on this blog, but, as the political season is heating up, I'm sure I'll have more to say.

On another not, USA Today is carrying this story about former South Dakota Governor and Representative Bill Janklow. For those unfamiliar with this political figure, he ran a stop sign while speed and killed a motorcyclist. On his behalf he made no excuses for his actions. However, he recieved a paltry 100 days in jail for being convicted of MANSLAUGHTER. I recogonize that this man worked as a public servant, and I understand that people, when truly sorry should be forgiven. However, there is also a little bit of redemption involved as well. Being a motorcyclist I think this guy should be made an example of, because he is a public figure, we should be showing people that you don't just get a slap on the wrist for driving recklessly and killing someone.

Other news, Democratic Presidential nominees had a debate last night in New Hampshire. Unfortunately I only managed to catch a few minutes of it, but it was a good debate in my opinion, from the bits and pieces I saw. You can find writeups about it on any of the major news websites, CNN, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, MSNBC, and a host of blog, so I'm not going to bother to link to it. The funniest part of the night was when Al Sharpton addressed remarks to Howard Dean that he would still be "hootin and Hollerin'" if he spent that much money in Iowa and only got 18% of the caucuses. All in all, the candidates avoided taking pot shots at each other, and focused on the issues that questioners such as Peter Jennings posed to them, and some answered eloquently, such as John Kerry on the topic of veterans affairs. Others answered as though they barely knew what they were talking about, Al Sharpton on who he would choose to head the federal reserve.

On a personal note, I'll try to do better about posting regularly on this stuff.

Well, I really don't like SCO, and I think they are full of shit. http://www.linuxworld.com/story/38045.htm is an interesting article about them possibly suing Google, best line... "God made SCO to give people a company to hate more than Microsoft"

Date:	2003-11-14 11:07
Subject:	this is funny
Security:	Public
Mood:	silly
Music:	Call Tyrone -- Erykah Badu

A Spaniard was pulled over for allegedly talking on his cell phone while driving. The man showed police that the phone had not been used since the previous night and they still fined him, for scratching his ear. Part of his appeal is shown in this article from Reuters being carried on Yahoo! News.

Date:	2003-11-14 10:29
Subject:	Little hipocritical of your past...
Security:	Public
Mood:	amused
Music:	You'll Accompn'y Me -- Bob Seger

I find this article particularly amusing. Seeing as how Greek society used to be based on homosexuality this is very funny to me.

Date:	2003-11-14 10:25
Subject:	Two wrongs can make a right!
Security:	Public
Mood:	relieved
Music:	Steal My Kisses -- Ben Harper

Atleast thats what these observers were saying after a misguided missle landed 400 feet from them.

Date:	2003-11-14 10:20
Subject:	I wanna be a reporter in the netherlands
Security:	Public
Mood:	jealous
Music:	Stand By Me (a cappella) -- Rock-a-pella

Then maybe a coffee shop will send me free weed. Yahoo! News carries this article about a coffee shop aniversery in Amstradam.

Date:	2003-11-14 10:16
Subject:	From the "You've got to be fucking kidding me" Department
Security:	Public
Mood:	annoyed
Music:	Jude Law and a Semester Abroad -- Brand New

Ok, so I understand people screwing up on their driving test and still really deserving their license. But its shit like this that makes me scared to get in my car. An elderly woman HIT a Florida DMV BUILDING and still got her license renewed. MSNBC has the article here.

Date:	2003-11-14 10:14
Subject:	No early pullout
Security:	Public
Mood:	amused
Music:	Idaho -- Bodeans

If we're not careful, Iraq is gonna get pregnant...all this talk of refusing to pull out....tsk tsk tsk MSNBC has this article about our efforts in Iraq. I couldn't resist making the sexual innuendo, I mean, I-Rack, and pullout? It was too easy.

Date:	2003-11-13 09:18
Subject:	Operation Iron Hammer
Security:	Public
Mood:	annoyed

The U.S. has started what it deems operation "Iron Hammer" which I find funny. Whats wrong with saying something more like, "We are dealing with the insurgence"? I mean, thats what they are doing, why not say it instead of coming up with some political spin job of a name. Stupid I tell you, stupid. My favorite qoute.


"The destruction of this structure will deny enemy forces any use of it in the future," a written statement put out by the 1st Armored Division said. "The facility is a known meeting, planning, storage, and rendezvous point for belligerent elements currently conducting attacks on coalition forces and infrastructure."

Sure, they won't be able to use it, your exactly right. But noone else will ever be able to use it either dumbass. I mean, really, sure they terrorist can't use it right now, but now it can't be used for manufacturing or storing anything at all.

MSNBC has the story here.

MSNBC is carrying the story about a flight attendent spiking a kids drink to stop her from crying. Now, Xanax is a little much to use, but I think that there should be something we can do to shut crying children up when your on a 4 hour flight.

Courtesy of Wendy T.

Aussie council green lights vomit tax
A vomit tax has been given the go ahead in Northern Victoria, Australia. It will apply to licensed hotels in the Greater Shepparton area which remain open between 3:00 and 6:00am. The tax increases of up to 11% will be used to pay for cleaning up the mess left by drunks who are often sick in the street.

It has been introduced after complaints by shopkeepers who say the late-night drinkers also vandalise their properties. But hotelier Ray Sharawara says politicians shouldn't assume hotel drinkers are responsible for the mess. He told ABC news: "I think the problem is larger than that. I think the council are not really facing all the facts. "They're being, I'd say, emotional and trying to appeal to people's emotions to get this tax through."

But Mayor Chris Hazelman said: "I've had an enormous amount of support and feedback from the broader community saying the council needs to do something."


Verification of this article can be found here, here and here.

Date:	2003-11-12 09:52
Subject:	Its good to do nice things for people, even dead ones.
Security:	Public
Mood:	sympathetic
Music:	The Quiet Things Noone Ever Knows -- Brand New

The Indianpolis Star-News has this article about a homeless man that died three months ago. Instead of having a "paupers burial" a local mortuary type of company, Indiana Funeral Care decided it would step in to help identify and give the man a proper burial.

The one thing I can never understand is how people end up in this situation. I live in Chicago and see homeless people every day. In Indianapolis I had volunteered at soup kitchens. I just don't understand how one ends up on the streets, with no family, no friends, where noone even knows your last name. Its so sad. I really just don't know what its like to walk a mile in their shoes.

The last line of this article was the best, "Running around with an erection potentially could be difficult."

A Frenchman was shot by his dog on his way back from hunting. He lived. His story is here.

Found this link on Dave Berry's blog. Apparently kids are using the Jelly bracelets as a sign of sexual intentions. NBC10 has the following article about this interesting trend in our nations middle schools, along with a color chart.

Date:	2003-11-12 08:36
Subject:	I would have been expelled
Security:	Public
Mood:	aggravated
Music:	No Woman No Cry -- Sublime

Sixteen year old Ryan Richter was suspended and subsequently expelled from his high school this week for drawing a stick figure shooting another stick figure on his notebook. News-Press.com is carrying this article about the incident.

I don't know about you, but I used to doodle things every now and then that had a violent nature, and as anyone that knows me will attest, I would never even consider becoming violent with someone. If I was at this school I would have been kicked out too. I agree with the parents that the school needs to take a look at the larger picture. Zero tolerance policies are becoming a bit to prevalent for my taste. Every time something happens it should be examine as an individual infraction to be judged on the person and what they really did, not a broad enforcement of policy.

Date:	2003-11-07 21:37
Subject:	Dean Rejects Public Funding
Security:	Public
Mood:	surprised
Music:	Friend bitching to her boyfriend

Becoming the first Democrat Presidential candidate ever to refuse public funding Howard Dean looses 20 million dollars from the federal government in his effort to win the Democratic presidential nomination. This means he can spend unlimited amounts of money in his quest. John Kerry and General West are considering making the same jump in order to compete. Current president Bush rejected the same funding in the last election and is expected to in this one as well. The Chicago Tribune is carrying this article about the situation. This creates a very interesting situation in the presidential race because now the gloves are off in both the fundraising and spending forums. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Ok, I talked about it earlier, here is a scan of the article. It is nearly 1mg in size, so I'm linking instead of posting.

Here is a transcript of the speech courtesy of the Washington Post. I got to say that I loose more faith every day in our administration. Though I agree with the general premise that Democracy is a good thing and should be enjoyed by all, I disagree with some of his statements as ludicrus and outright lies. He attributes our democracy as taking the idea of the United Kingdom, which is not the case at all, after all, Great Britain was a Monarchy at the time. There was Parliment, but that was nothing new, the English didn't come up with that idea. Just kind of ridiculus I think.