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[17 Sep 2007|12:36pm] |
Robert Jordan..
Is dead.
It's a tragedy for his family and my heart goes out to them.
For his fans?
Laughing. So. Fuckin. Hard.
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| The Bitches of the RIAA |
[07 May 2007|11:12am] |
One of the primary arguments of the "Bitches of the RIAA's"(C) is that it's wrong to 'steal music' and movies because it's 'illegal.'
...
It is illegal. That is pretty much their entire argument...
You know what else was illegal? Boston Tea Party. American Revolution. Much of the Civil Rights movement. Shocking, isn't it? It's almost as if, now bear with me here.. it's almost as if the country makes illegal the very activity that allows people to try to change the law.. I KNOW IT IS SO CRAZY.
Do I think that everyone who downloads music/movies/games is George Washington? Hardly, please don't even dare to assign those thoughts to me. I do think, however, that when the users of the internet consciously make a decision to fight against DRM, they are exerting their Natural Rights against the system that's trying to abridge those Rights. I believe that yes, they are doing something that is as significant for the future of America, society, possibly humanity, as the American Revolution-- or the Civil Rights movement of the mid 20th.
Why? Why do I feel the elimination of DRM, and implicitly, the end of Copy Right (or atleast, so stringent copyright) laws is as important as all that?
Because we have entered a new phase of production, a new mode of production, just like moving into the Agricultural Revolution, or the Industrial Revolution, we've entered a potential Information Revolution... But they are stifling it, they, the people who come before, the dinosaurs of the modern world. They are to us as hunter-gatherers were to Sumerians. People equivocate, and scoff, and mutter such hypocritical assertions that not only is civilization at the peak of its development, but that this is how it always was, and always will be.. That they will recognize that times change, while simultaneously saying times never change.. They cling to their childish notions of the static-reality, that Industry is the end-all, that this system that we've 'perfected' is a system that may as well have been given by God...
That mode of thinking is outdated. We will either be stagnant, or we will succeed. It is not an inevitability that Information will become our primary mode of production, but it's more than possible, given a little political will. I am not, however, optimistic of the promise of our success... I think there are too many people who are too short sighted and too afraid of the potential, who think it a pipe dream.
Things like the Digg User Revolt gives me hope. It means that there are many people out there who, consciously or otherwise, find the idea of intellectual property to be as despicably twisted as me. Then again, maybe it is much like some suggest, that they are little more than greedy criminals who just 'don't get it.' Immature little babies, they say.
You know who I think the truly immature one is? Those people. Those Modern Tories, who are so self-involved, they can't understand what any of this has to do with the potential of the Commons.
http://www.tomshardware.com/site/flash_videos/second_take_the_digg_user_revolt.html
http://www.benkler.org/wealth_of_networks/index.php?title=Main_Page
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| Doing My Part |
[20 Apr 2007|10:49am] |
At the request of Colbert.
(explanation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXvLQd3JJLo )
Samurai Song
By Robert Pinksy
When I had no roof I made
Audacity my roof. When I had
No supper my eyes dined.
When I had no eyes I listened.
When I had no ears I thought.
When I had no thought I waited.
When I had no father I made
Care my father. When I had
No mother I embraced order.
When I had no friend I made
Quiet my friend. When I had no
Enemy I opposed my body.
When I had no temple I made
My voice my temple. I have
No priest, my tongue is my choir.
When I have no means fortune
Is my means. When I have
Nothing, death will be my fortune.
Need is my tactic, detachment
Is my strategy. When I had
No lover I courted sleep.
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| String Quartet |
[15 Apr 2007|02:12am] |
| [ |
music |
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Los Angelas is Burning, Instrumental |
] |
The String Quartet Tribute to Bad Religion
That is all.
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| The Big Lie |
[08 Apr 2007|10:44am] |
http://craigdthomas.blogspot.com/2007/04/pelosis-trip-was-wrong-possibly-illegal.html
"Nancy Pelosi's trip to the Middle East and talks with the Syrian administration was wrong in the fact that it went against the President's no talk policy with Syria. In fact it may have even been illegal. "
...................................................................
She went.. with the state department.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
THE DIPLOMATIC WING OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.
There is no group of people in the world who have been delegated diplomatic authority and policy-making MORE than the state department. They MAKE his policy.
She went against his authority?
Against his AUTHORITY?!
It is ILLEGAL!?
She did WRONG?!
.............
All this was inspired by the principle - which is quite true in itself - that in the big lie there is always a certain force of credibility; because the broad masses of a nation are always more easily corrupted in the deeper strata of their emotional nature than consciously or voluntarily; and thus in the primitive simplicity of their minds they more readily fall victims to the big lie than the small lie, since they themselves often tell small lies in little matters but would be ashamed to resort to large-scale falsehoods. It would never come into their heads to fabricate colossal untruths, and they would not believe that others could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously. Even though the facts which prove this to be so may be brought clearly to their minds, they will still doubt and waver and will continue to think that there may be some other explanation. For the grossly impudent lie always leaves traces behind it, even after it has been nailed down, a fact which is known to all expert liars in this world and to all who conspire together in the art of lying. These people know only too well how to use falsehood for the basest purposes. ...
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| To be done before spring break starts (march 15!) |
[27 Feb 2007|09:11am] |
Systems CS6238:
Project I (still not friggin posted)
Exam I on the 13th
150-200 pages of technical writing to read ( for example )
+also possibly this 150 page monster that I'm afraid to touch, does he really wnat us to read this shit? <g>
Network CS6262:
Homework 4 (not yet posted
About 100-150 pages of reading the textbook?
Firefox Plugin research
Internet- PUBP6111:
450-600 pages of reading
Project Proposal
Policy CS6725:
300 pages of reading
3 page paper discussng a policy-related issue developments/case studies
I could possibly do some of this on the plane :D ... :::weep::
::will probably take some reading with him too. grr!!!::
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[10 Feb 2007|01:05pm] |
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He tells us there is power in hope.
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| Dear World, number 2 |
[27 Jan 2007|12:32pm] |
This is actually directed at Celebrities.
Dear World (of celebrities). Rehabilitation is a GREAT thing. In fact, it's what needs to be done to the HUGE quantity of drug offenders, and in fact probably a great -many- people who are currently in jail. Make these people contributing parts to society. Why put them in jail? In most cases, drug offenders, especially ones that smoke pot, arent' a fucking threat. They aren't breaking other's rights. Most laws are based on endangering others, or inconveniencing others. You stay in a parking spot too long, you dont let anyone else park there, you get a ticket. You punch someone, you spend the night in jail. You steal, etc etc..
The drug laws are about punishing personal behaviour. That's fucked up. That's totally, fucked up. They need rehabilitation in some cases. In other cases, just, let them be. If they're ruining their lives or the lives of their family, throwing them in jail, where they'll end up getting allt he drugs they want while being ass-fucked or what have you-- guess what? Not gonna help!
Rehabilitation is the answer. It can help a drug offender as much as a man who beats his wife. These aren't somehow inherently bad people, they're like you and me. In the former case, they like to get high. In the latter case, they probably were beaten as children. Does this excuse them? No! Does it mean that throwing them in jail will somehow make the problem fix itself? no!
So why am i yelling at celebrities? Because you're making a mockery of rehabilitation.
Go to hell, fuckers. Admit you made mistakes. If you have a problem, go get rehabilitated, if you're just an asshole, -say- that. "Yes, I'm a racist, and I need to deal with that. Sorry for hurting people." That's not so hard, is it? Or how about "Yes, I like group sex, nude pictures, blow jobs, and kink. It's my life. It's my choice. Get over it." Was that REALLY so hard?
Jesus. Get -over- yourselves. You know you're just gonna go right back to it, afterwards.
Oh, one more thing. Mark Foley? You should write a letter of apology to every parent whose trust you betrayed when stalking their children. You should admit you have issues, and face the legal repercussions, and then go live the rest of your life. Don't blame it on alcohol, and imply not responsibility because a priest touched you. Admit it was disgustingly ironic what you did, being on the committee against sex offenders. Accept the irony, realize your career is gone, and go have fun with the rest of your days. You aren't an alcoholic. Christ.
Thanks
Keith
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| Dakota Fanning |
[24 Jan 2007|11:13am] |
Dear World.
For god's sake. GET OVER IT. Get over yourselves. Get over that false-outrage, or if it's not false, grow up. Are you so -idiotic- that you've forgotten what it's like being 12?
A 12 year old is not an incompetent. They know what sex is, they know what rape is. They don't live moment to moment by the will and whim of those around them. They can make their own decisions. Exposing them to sex IS NOT BAD. Children, no matter what blinders you like to put on, are sexual beings. Most of us discover our sexuality before puberty. 12 year olds aren't 3 year olds. There's a FUCKING DIFFERENCE.
Grow, the fuck, up. It's a goddamn movie. It's an issue-- child rape-- that happens a LOT, it happens every fucking day, probably every hour, probably every few minutes. Why? Because we as a society are unwilling to face the fact that it doesn't happen by randomn strangers, or violently, but by parents, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers. It happens every, fucking, day, and you can goddamn PRETEND otherwise, all the HELL you want-- but in the end, Hollywood, producers, Dakota fanning are all self determining beings and if they want to show pansy-ass face-only-rape-scenes, then goddammit, let them.
Snarl.
Oh and one more thing. In the rape scene all you see of her is her hand and face. No nudity. Not that it -matters-. I'm going to say something utterly outrageous. Child-parts ARE NOT THE DEVIL. A naked child-- a naked -woman-, shouldn't bring everything to a halt. I don't care if there are people out there wackin off to the little girl parts, or even this pseudo-rape scene, what the -hell- do i care what people jerk off to? It doesn't -matter-, it's about art., or maybe it's about entertainment, or maybe it's about money, but if no one gets hurt int he end, Who the hell -cares-? Except, you know. You.
Here's a hint, then. Don't go watch the movie. Stunning!
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| 50% of me |
[07 Dec 2006|05:44pm] |
(05:36:03 PM) Mom: it is so fucking cold up here=-O
(05:36:25 PM) Mom: we have to go out to dinner, tropicana thingie.
(05:36:27 PM) Mom: yuck
(05:36:31 PM) Mom: i hat that
(05:36:40 PM) Mom: i wonder if i should get drunk, ha ha
(05:36:40 PM) Me: i had a pot in the oven at 400 then took it out to cook soup, was about to mix stuff together when i forgot and grabbed the handle to stabalize ;)
(05:36:46 PM) Mom: oh no
(05:36:49 PM) Mom: are you okay?
(05:37:00 PM) Mom: oh no
(05:37:03 PM) Mom: tell me how bad
(05:37:13 PM) Mom: go to the hospital
(05:37:31 PM) Mom: is it bad?
(05:37:32 PM) Mom: tell me
(05:37:36 PM) Mom: you are not talking to me
(05:38:15 PM) Mom: how bad is it? should you go to the hospital? oy vey you have exams and stuff. oy vey
(05:38:19 PM) Mom: how bad it sit?
(05:38:43 PM) Me: i am okay
(05:38:47 PM) Me: i was stirring the soup
(05:38:56 PM) Me: go to the.. hospital? ;)
(05:39:02 PM) Mom: for your burns
(05:39:04 PM) Me: they're barely red
(05:39:07 PM) Mom: oh
(05:39:13 PM) Mom: painful though hunh?
(05:39:22 PM) Me: they just sting. i ran them upnder cold water, and put on neosporin
(05:39:28 PM) Mom: oh good
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[28 Nov 2006|12:37pm] |
Read
"The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."
Know what that's from?
Article VI of the constitution. Idiot. The worst part is, I bet there's lots of people out there that agree with him. And they think -liberals- are going to tear apart the country?
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[15 Nov 2006|11:18pm] |
there are some people who believe their vote doesn't count.
It's a toss up - and Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer will pick the winner.
With all the votes in - after counting regular ballots, absentee ballots, resolution ballots and provisional ballots, the Yellowstone County Election Administrator Duane Winslow has called the race between Democratic Rep. Emelie Eaton and Republican challenger Krayton Kerns a dead-heat tie, 1,971 to 1,971, based on official Yellowstone County election canvas results [...]
The "final" outcome of the HD 58 race won't be determined until completion of the statewide election canvass on Nov. 27, and a subsequent manual ballot-by-ballot recount tentatively set for Friday, Dec. 1.
The House race put Laurel at the center of Montana politics as the control of the Montana House of Representatives hung in the balance. Right now, it appears Democrats control 50 of the chamber's 100 seats, compared to the Republicans' 49 seats.
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[31 Oct 2006|01:25pm] |
i've found what is nearlyhte alrgest number google calculator can hold
1.79769313486*10^308
It's some decimal larger than that, i expect to be 308 decimals long. Not sure.. why.
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| The Democratic Unified Message |
[10 Oct 2006|11:29pm] |
This is what the Democrats want to do within the first 100 hours of taking a legislative majority.
The Republican Spin Machine has made it seem the democrats lack a clear and concise message. That's a lie. Here's the proof.
Day One: Put new rules in place to "break the link between lobbyists and legislation." Day Two: Enact all the recommendations made by the commission that investigated the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Time remaining until 100 hours:
Raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour, maybe in one step.
Cut the interest rate on student loans in half.
Allow the government to negotiate directly with the pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prices for Medicare patients.
Broaden the types of stem cell research allowed with federal funds.
All the days after that: "Pay as you go," meaning no increasing the deficit, whether the issue is middle class tax relief, health care or some other priority.
Roll back tax rate to Clinton Levels for those who make 250k$+/year (Everyone else untouched)
"We believe in the marketplace," [the speaker] said of Democrats, then drew a contrast with Republicans. "They have only rewarded wealth, not work."
If you believe in this message, in these ideals... Then post this on your journal, with the same instructions. Please. Spread it out, spread it like You-Tube Wild fire. Don't let the Spin Machine spin their lies, that we lack a unified message, because we do. And here it is.
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[28 Sep 2006|05:18pm] |
I feel that students need to take a stand against academia. As it stands now, when a class fails it is, generally, the fault of the class, even when people do -somewhat- recognize it as a failing of the teacher, that then needs to be repeatable and demonstratable before any action takes place.
Students need to stand up and shout out against their professors all -over- the country and the -world-, be no longer -willing- to get second-class teaching and first-rate material. They are hurting -our- lives and -our- futures- by their complete inability to take responsibility for what they teach us.
The problem comes for students who don't study and don't work hard, and fail, and blame it on the teachers.. I'm tired, though, of people -assuming- that's what's going on, and not looking into the -fact- that teachers and professors sometimes just -suck- at communicating the material, and they don't -belong- where they are, don't -deserve- their jobs, or their roles.
Why are students second class citizens, when they are the customers? When they are the source of the teacher's salaries? The authoritarian structure of college is ludicrous, archaic, and irrational given the environment... I think it's about damn time students fought back for their rights. And their education
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| Random Moorcock amusement |
[28 Sep 2006|04:39pm] |
michael moorcock is funny
" The commercial genre which has developed from Tolkien is probably the most dismaying effect of all. I grew up in a world where Joyce was considered to be the best Anglophone writer of the 20th century. I happen to believe that Faulkner is better, while others would pick Conrad, say. Thomas Mann is an exemplary giant of moral, mythic fiction. But to introduce Tolkien's fantasy into such a debate is a sad comment on our standards and our ambitions. Is it a sign of our dumber times that Lord of the Rings can replace Ulysses as the exemplary book of its century? Some of the writers who most slavishly imitate him seem to be using English as a rather inexpertly-learned second language. So many of them are unbelievably bad that they defy description and are scarcely worth listing individually. Terry Pratchett once remarked that all his readers were called Kevin. He is lucky in that he appears to be the only Terry in fantasy land who is able to write a decent complex sentence. That such writers also depend upon recycling the plots of their literary superiors and are rewarded for this bland repetition isn't surprising in a world of sensation movies and manufactured pop bands. That they are rewarded with the lavish lifestyles of the most successful whores is also unsurprising. To pretend that this addictive cabbage is anything more than the worst sort of pulp historical romance or western is, however, a depressing sign of our intellectual decline and our free-falling academic standards."
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[23 Sep 2006|12:11pm] |
Obama to Bush in a speech about the State of the Union's recognition of our addiction to oil, and Bush's complete lack of ACTION -after- that admission
"It's not enough to just admit there's a problem, there are 11 other steps to the program."
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[13 Sep 2006|03:40pm] |
I have a ticket for the MegamIllions ga state lotto (galottery.com).
The jackpot at purchase was 135m$, now 163.
Should I win, here are my plans in no particular order
running total listed in -
Pay off Kyle, Stuff, Val, and.. Karen's? (Do you have any?) loans/student loans/make them debtless. (i'd assume around 120k$ total? so let's say 150 to be safe)
-150k
Buy a laptop for KSVK from http://www.falcon-nw.com/ or www.alienware.com made to their specifications. (about 15k$ total)
-165k
Give Val enough money to go to school. Give Karen and Kyle enough money to finish school. Give Stuff money to go to Gradschool should he desire. (about 120k$ total, or so, go with 150$ to be safe)
-315k
Go to the bank and take out money in the form of gold dollars, to be handed out to anyone homeless who asks for spare change (1$/per, unless they are performing, then 2$?) would some out to, what, 200$/year? so, comparatively negligible, maybe 5K$ over my lifetime.
-320k
Pay maximum personal contribution to the Elect Feingold campaign each year till 08!(500$/year?)
-321k
Pay remainder of school
-340k (or so)
Give parents, say, 1M$ so my dad can stop working
-1340k
Give Karen enough to go move to France or move Aurelien to Hawaii, say, 100k$? let's make it 200k$ to be safe-- earmarked! no buying giant golden klingons or anything
-1840k
Give Stuff enough to live in Germany quite comfortably! saaay 150k
-1990k
Weekly Maid service :D
-negligible increase
Give 300k$ to: http://www.girl-wonder.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1069
-2290k
Pay for a vacation for me and Val atleast, and perhaps moren the summer! to go to Disney! and/or Europe. And I'd totally bring Kyle and kren if she wanted, and aurelien if he wanted, and certainly Stuff, and Lauren too. Oh. I want to pay off all her school debts as well! And i'd rent huge suites where in we could live in seperate areas and not have to interact if we dont want ;) which'd last a few weeks and be joyous fun, i think...
-more! but so very little comparatively
That would be the immediate stuff, assuming i took a lump sum. If i took the 20 years plan, then i'd have to parse it out a bit more, but i'm not sure how.
Debt removal would be my first priority, followed by Val going to school.
Beyond that, I'd save the money carefully, and give money to people as I deem they may need it-- Kyle to get a car, Val to establish a house, or even two, one in Mo and one near me, so she can live near me-- as well as give her enough so she can go to school and not have to worry about work! Also, maybe I'd give her family enough to send Travis to private school!...
Enough to send the photographer Stacey to an art school...
What would you do? Do you have suggestions?
on edit:
Oh duh. sharp, too. I'd pay off Sharp's debts, get him a pretty computer or two, and send him to his choice of art institute ;)
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