Olympics= Broader human rights in China? Maybe a little.

For the Olympics China SLIGHTLY reduced the amounts of censorship on the internet in that country. Recently the government panel that controls such measures met to discuss repealing the new rules since the Olympics have now finished. This would have been a slap in the face of the International Olympic Committee and human rights groups everywhere.Thankfully they decided to keep the new rules in place securing an inch more of freedom for the biggest net population on the planet. Yet it should be said that the new rules were roundly criticized as lacking in substance and was more of a curt bow to the global community. I for one applaud any such action by the Chinese Communist Party to increase freedom for its people. In a country where the conviction rate is 92%, baby steps are what should be expected.

BBC World News

Smoke that shit [enter racial expletive of your choice]!

Barack Obama is a smoker! He likes a few Marlboro's every now and again. I have heard this bandied about by some media sources for a week or so, mainly in reference to arguments about the health of the canidates. I soon dicovered that most of the people I know are unaware of this fact so I found it noteworthy. Then I came upon this story done by FoX News's John Gibson. He basically attempts to tie African American steryotypes and smoking to why one should not vote for Barrak. Oh the depths some go.


Media Matters

Thats our Congress woman, woot woot!

She is truly a scary ass politician.

Washington Post

The Happening

Ummm, oh yea oil.

One thing that has largely flown under the radar, during these times of great economic crisis, is the dramatic fall in the price of oil. Have you checked your local gas station? Oil is at its lowest price for a barrel in a year! Under 3$ a gallon again! Who was it that said oil would never climb back down to double digit numbers? Oh that's right, 85% of the worlds ECONOMISTS. Deja vu?

NY Times
CNN Money.com
MSNBC.com

Lots of sources!

Off the charts?

The national debt clock had some problems this week dealing with our economic problems.

Times

Snippin the snuke!!

Now, I knew that this stuff went on and people do this kind of thing....but check out those numbers in the article. I think it is speaking generally about Western culture but I cant say for sure. Hymenoplasty? Are we for real? What, is the market for that unfaithful catholic engagements?

BBC World News

231,000,000%, is that possible?

The very sad story of Zimbabwe seems to be continuing. Both the political and economic crises remain virulent and there seems to be no end in sight. One of the more striking aspects of this issue is inflation. 231 million percent is an ungodly number when put into the context of inflation. It seems hard to discern what is more insane, the inflation rate or the lack of action by the global community on behalf of the people of this country.

BBC World News

Gaijin SMASH!!!

This story struck me as note worthy. It is more note worthy for those who have lived in Japan; who didnt pull a Gaijin Smash while in Tokyo! This guy just seems to have pulled the big Imperial no no though. DAIJOOBU!

Story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7656537.stm

Post-Nuclear Attack Survival Tip #2 Dont poop in the toliet

The BBC has just released a transcript, the likes of which would be the kind released after a nuclear attack. I find the main article interesting in that they [BBC] had talks with the government about who should be the voice in such a radio broadcast. Who would you want telling you the world is a hulking mess of atomic love now? Here is a direct link to the transcript pdf.

The BBC World News

Hump Day Hear The Music Post

They Want Your Pity

The always pretty-durn-good (though they get ahead of themselves sometimes) Slate.com has a small article up raising the question of whether the massively isolated super-rich are just as dysfunctional as any highly impoverished family; except with the power to affect thousands of lives with their poor choices, as opposed to their immediate surroundings. I've always had a "richie bias," so of course I had to mention this.

Slate.com

Sun Lips

I saw these guys last night at the 7th Street Entry, they were mind-blending. The lady keyboardist was adorable, all genuine smiles and praying-hands-thank-yous, while their drummer was completely on-point punishing.
My budly Mux Mool opened and did a fucking great job - the first of many, to be sure. His light show was put together by Time Squid, Minneapolis' foremost video rapist, with two gigantic flourescent equalizers that gave the Entry a weird gallery feel.

Black Moth Super Rainbow's singer and I assume live sound manipulator (he sat on the floor for the show, I didn't see him at all) also put together this amazing DVD video of all Betamax footage set to their music. The footage on this thing is incredible, and you can buy it on their website.

They're still on tour.

Black Moth Super Rainbow
Mux Mool
Time Squid

Manners Militia

Because they're the only nation crazy enough to, Japan has instituted a manners police to patrol the subway in Yokohama. Sorry dudes, but Westernization does have its side effects. People are only going to get ruder.

"Topping the list of offences [copied from a British newspaper, where they care not for proper spelling] was talking loudly in groups, followed by mobile phone chatter, unruly children accompanied by nonchalant parents, and 'leaky headphones'."

As far as the photo accompanying this post, I searched for "Japanese girl yelling" and this was the most incendiary thing I could find.

The Guardian
BBC

How Do You Say ‘You’re Hitting My Cervix’ In Klingon?

All the star trek you'll ever need to see...



I'm Finished!