tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64473062011-11-27T15:39:37.385-08:00An eclectic blog: anti-Left, ambivalent about the Right, and rabidly pro-Objectivist, this blog covers the issues of the day whatever they may beMarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.comBlogger11041100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-75546709331377545962007-09-14T15:28:00.000-07:002007-09-14T15:30:30.048-07:00

I'll likely be blogging more lightly for a few weeks, while I work on some other projects and in general rethink the direction of this blog. Something's gone wrong in the last month-and-a-half or so, because my hits were going up but then suddenly dropped precipitously.So, keep checking back. I should get the ship straightened soon.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-46284082217198197262007-09-14T15:23:00.000-07:002007-09-14T15:26:56.396-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 3093 Diggs, is a link to a story about Microsoft's "secret" updates in Vista and Windows XP. Of course, this is complete rubbish, and has already been answered by Microsoft. In order for Windows Update itself to work on a given PC, it must remain in sync with the central Windows Update system. Those "secret" updates are merely Windows Update keeping itself

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-63793850745711200272007-09-14T10:53:00.000-07:002007-09-14T15:02:52.722-07:00

Here's a transcript of an interview with Iranian President Imajihadi (or whatever his name is). It's an amazing discussion, full of the typical hypocrisy--Imajihadi says one thing to the Western press, and another thing entirely to the Muslim world. Of course, this is common in the Middle East, but Imajihadi takes it to another level.Some quotes:Q: Mr President, thank you very much for agreeing

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-5236583196265428872007-09-13T16:56:00.001-07:002007-09-13T16:58:37.992-07:00

Cox and Forkum do their typical good work in covering the use of an Iranian missile to kill American soldiers in Iraq. Go take a look. There's a depressingly long list of stories on such actions by Iran.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-24989259725292168742007-09-13T16:00:00.000-07:002007-09-13T16:21:58.255-07:00

For any students out there, if you want a copy of Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007, now's the time. Microsoft is offering the suite for $59.95.Ultimate includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Publisher, OneNote, Groove, and InfoPath. For a student, the $59.95 would be justified for OneNote alone, which is great for taking notes (and is even better on a Tablet PC).RealTechNews has the

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-46292887883229004242007-09-13T15:43:00.000-07:002007-09-13T15:51:14.441-07:00

Here's an interesting debate in the LA Times between Hugh Hewitt and Doug Brandow on where we stand six years after 9/11/2001. I don't agree with either of them completely, but I would say this quote from Hugh Hewitt makes some sense:No sane person can look at the last six years and see unbroken success or decisions that he or she didn't wish had been made differently.But the invasions of

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-88520819788760019382007-09-13T15:09:00.000-07:002007-09-13T15:36:40.811-07:00

Here's a post on Publius Pundit regarding Putin's recent power play in dissolving the Russian government and appointing a new Prime Minister, and what it bodes for the near future of Russian politics. The gist:Russian analysts widely believe that Putin will only hand over his authority in a nominal manner next year, to achieve technical compliance with the constitutional edict, and will return in

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-78089291589685272142007-09-13T14:53:00.000-07:002007-09-13T15:09:06.492-07:00

Noam Chomsky is one of my least favorite people. Having him quoted by Osama bin Laden doesn't help. And the following quotes definitely hurt:Chomsky later added, "just as Bush is Osama Bin Laden's best ally, he is also Ahmadinejad's best ally." Washington's "threats" against Iran had the anticipated effect of making the Iranian government "more harsh and verbal," he said.Yes, of course. And,

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-33922203402854865752007-09-13T14:42:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:53:11.559-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 6166 Diggs, is a link to a story about Chicago police arresting a man for allegedly soliciting a prostitute, despite the fact that his wife and daughter were with him.The comments are telling, especially this one:"Such cases are only possible in US!"It's amazing how the likes of Diggsters consider this such an onerous case of, what, oppression? Corruption? Abuse

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-40097975094602293182007-09-12T16:02:00.001-07:002007-09-12T16:06:34.390-07:00

Another from Newsbusters, this time about an AP "analysis piece" that asserts that the Iraqi war is Bush's "vendetta against Saddam" for 9/11.The money quote:In an "analysis" piece the AP put out today, "After 4 years of errors, Bush definition of ‘victory’ in Iraq is far more modest," Raum flatly states:Bush’s decision to wage a vendetta against Saddam Hussein as retribution for the Sept. 11

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-23929784319454386642007-09-12T15:57:00.000-07:002007-09-12T16:01:36.463-07:00

I don't often write about the Daily Kos, and thankfully this post on Newsbusters did it for me. This is regarding a recent Daily Kos post equating Reagan and Osama bin Laden.The money quote:DailyKos.com, the Left's most popular website and a key source of fund-raising for Democrats from coast to coast, says Osama bin Laden and Ronald Reagan have a lot in common:So is Osama bin Laden truly "evil?"

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-57185062843737930012007-09-12T15:48:00.000-07:002007-09-12T15:52:57.606-07:00

The Objective Standard goes after Presidential Candidate John Edwards oppressive, paternalistic healthcare plan, and does its typically great job.A quote:Under Democratic presidential contender John Edwards's "universal" health-care proposal, every American would be required to go to the doctor for preventive care in order to keep health-care costs down. In a similar proposal, a Tory panel in

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-15719828276395392942007-09-12T15:28:00.000-07:002007-09-12T15:40:26.539-07:00

Here's an interesting story in the International Herald Times about Putin's complaints over recent US legislation increasing national security oversite over foreign investments in the US. It's interesting from a few perspectives.First, Russia has shown that it can't be trusted with regard to foreign investment in Russia:In recent months, foreign oil companies have been forced to cede control of a

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-69791832327690935852007-09-12T15:16:00.000-07:002007-09-12T15:28:18.188-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 4929 Diggs, is a link to a YouTube clip of a gay (20-something? teenager?) wailing over the treatment of Britney Spears. One wonders whether it's a parody or for real--but only if one has so little else to do.Ultimately, it's further testament that the Internet, for all its incredible usefulness, has a useless and seedy side, for which Digg and YouTube continue to

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-79591674156064083892007-09-12T14:50:00.000-07:002007-09-12T15:15:38.081-07:00

I think I've said it before, but in case I haven't: I'm very pleased that France has a leader with at least some reason about him. The West needs to be together against Islamic fundamentalism, and having France with us once again--at least against Iran--is a positive.Here's a story in the Asian Times that makes a few interesting points. Although American diplomacy with Iran has been lacking, the

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-27769052833098009472007-09-11T11:39:00.000-07:002007-09-11T12:50:20.395-07:00

In recognition of today's date, September 11, I won't be blogging other than this single post. I feel there's very little that one can say today that has much meaning in the context of this day six years ago.This is particularly true given the sorry state of affairs since then. Although no new terrorist attacks have succeeded on American soil, our enemy--Islamic fundamentalism--is stronger today

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-27293420564610385412007-09-10T17:42:00.000-07:002007-09-10T17:43:50.474-07:00

Here's Cox and Forkum on 9/11. Just go read it.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-21578199368803925512007-09-10T17:01:00.000-07:002007-09-10T17:04:08.604-07:00

More, from Ars Technica, on Chinese cyberattacks around the world. It seems like this is looking more and more like the real deal.Read the whole thing.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-54598781928434958782007-09-10T16:56:00.001-07:002007-09-10T16:59:15.571-07:00

Just a little bit of craziness from Iranian President Imajihadi (or whatever his name is) via AFP:President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday lashed out at his Western foes which demand Iran halt its sensitive nuclear activities, saying they were "racing to hell"."The Iranian people have climbed over difficult mountain passes on their path of progress. The enemies need to step aside from our path and

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-49316663954844179862007-09-10T16:48:00.001-07:002007-09-10T16:53:59.884-07:00

Another good bit on Putin's Russia from La Russophobe, this time an overview of a story by Dr. Robert Horvath, a research fellow at Melbourne University's Contemporary Europe Research Centre and author of The Legacy of Soviet Dissent: Dissidents, Democratisation and Radical Nationalism in Russia.Some key quotes:IT WAS ironic that Paul Keating's exhortation for us to extend a warm welcome to

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-89582023415259928392007-09-10T16:41:00.001-07:002007-09-10T16:44:15.106-07:00

I'll believe an Atlas Shrugged movie will be made when I see it. And I hold out no hope that it will be anything but atrocious. However, if it helps expose the culture to even a few of Ayn Rand's ideas without misrepresenting any, it would probably be a net gain.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-77406381526191631712007-09-10T16:28:00.001-07:002007-09-10T16:31:41.532-07:00

I have to agree with this blog post: Australia's making a big mistake in selling uranium to Russia, a country that has its own significant reserves. I'm not sure what compelled Australia to do so, with the significant risk that some of this uranium could show up in Iranian labs.The source of the story linked in the post is Al Jazeera, but that doesn't change the reality of Australia's mistake.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-14258450475104028512007-09-10T16:23:00.000-07:002007-09-10T16:26:56.597-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 4613 Diggs, is a link to some admittedly impressive pictures of large holes (mostly mines). So, Digg scores some points for the coolness factor, but again, it's all of no real importance.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-76481643560815751622007-09-10T15:46:00.000-07:002007-09-10T16:23:03.812-07:00

It never fails to amaze me how inherently corrupt is the United Nations. One would think that the organization would have lost all legitimacy with the "Oil for Food" scandal, but that story was relatively buried in the mainstream press. Now, via Gateway Punding, we have news on the UN Commissioner for Human Rights attending a meeting of the "Non-Aligned Movement," headed by Cuba.Some of this

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-61673633232861243802007-09-09T17:12:00.001-07:002007-09-09T17:12:53.614-07:00

No blogging today, a bit under the weather.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-51593426004428556902007-09-08T16:40:00.000-07:002007-09-08T16:48:31.732-07:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, our various military systems could be vulnerable to attack, and that would spell disaster against a serious foe. A recent Pentagon report outlines how China is preparing for cyberwarfare against the United States.Some quotes:Chinese military hackers have prepared a detailed plan to disable America’s aircraft battle carrier fleet with a devastating cyber attack,

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-67752581067514133562007-09-08T16:27:00.001-07:002007-09-08T16:30:37.235-07:00

More from Iranian President Imajihadi (or whatever his name is), this time on his political aspirations:"They know quite well that the Islamic Revolution wants to prepare the ground for materialization of the promised `big event' (reappearance of the Imam of Age); that's why they try to take precedence in campaign against us. We are against rule of the non-righteous individuals. Clashes today are

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-70941209427470625042007-09-08T16:12:00.000-07:002007-09-08T16:24:56.958-07:00

Iranian President Imajihadi (or whatever his name is) keeps astounding with his wackiness. This time, he's calling for reforming the Iranian banking system to the Islamic principle of interest-free banking. I hope he succeeds; that alone could bring his country to the point of begging the West to remove him from power.I mean, it's funny, actually:“No economic activity is possible without

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-10801440499598450912007-09-08T16:09:00.000-07:002007-09-08T16:12:46.357-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at a light 2870 Diggs, is a link to a picture of a little girl holding sign of all the things she's "learned from Bush."It's been awhile since Digg showed its Leftist side, and this ranks right up there with the best of its many Leftist stories.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-78966579830984565742007-09-08T16:07:00.000-07:002007-09-08T16:09:37.526-07:00

As I started the Daily Topic a few months ago, my readership was on a steady rise. Then, suddenly, about a month ago, the number of folks visiting the site plummeted.I ask those of you who are still visiting: has the blog lost value? Are my posts less interesting? Am I too redundant, or to unfocused?I would appreciate any comments, because of course I'd rather see my readership increase, not

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-1537090182341251332007-09-08T16:01:00.000-07:002007-09-08T16:06:25.840-07:00

Unfortunately, this Principles in Practice post doesn't link to it, but a recent study of cancer survival rates shows why socialized medicine (think "national healthcare" or whatever you want to call it) is deadly. The money quote:The study finds that Britain (whose much-touted "universal health care" system is held up by the left as a model for America) has among the lowest cancer survival rates

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-22454443128967851132007-09-08T12:18:00.000-07:002007-09-08T16:00:40.250-07:00

I wouldn't even know where to begin in extolling the vile nature of this article on "national service." It's a very thinly veiled call for altruistic self-sacrifice in the name of "society." The writer calls for "voluntary," not mandatory nor compulsory, service, but why do we need government programs for volunteers? And, how can a program be "voluntary" if $5000 in taxes per newborn is to be

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-88628091161442406202007-09-07T19:14:00.000-07:002007-09-07T19:15:24.347-07:00

Only a Digg Report for today. Hopefully, I'll finish this project and get back to normal blogging by the end of the weekend.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-3339334081292645372007-09-07T19:12:00.000-07:002007-09-07T19:14:38.562-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 4550 Diggs, is a link to a rant about Internet Explorer's general lack of conformance to various Internet standards. Not much to say about that.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-49670182586931540562007-09-06T16:14:00.000-07:002007-09-06T16:15:29.176-07:00

Just to remind, light blogging today and probably through tomorrow, at least.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-39941527622082620702007-09-06T16:03:00.000-07:002007-09-06T16:08:36.898-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 4891 Diggs, is a link to Steve Job's open letter to early iPhone adapters, wherein he explains the $200 price job after two months and offers a $100 credit at the Apple store or Web site.It's good to see a highly Dugg story that has some relevance to it. Maybe to a select few, and the Apple faithful, but still relevant.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-25857990884774684062007-09-06T15:45:00.000-07:002007-09-06T16:03:13.415-07:00

Another piece from MEMRI, this time on Sudanese Islamic leaders warning the US not to send forces to Darfur. The reason? It is "the most beautiful place in which our sheikh, Bin Laden, can operate."Of course, it's written in that strange, off-kilter way that most of these Islamist proclamations seem to be written. I don't write it all off to translation, either; they think differently than we do

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-71685264216164964112007-09-06T15:41:00.001-07:002007-09-06T15:45:41.207-07:00

Deadlines still loom, but I thought I'd try to get in a few quick posts. Here's one from MEMRI, which discusses an Islamist Web site hosted in Minnesota containing a discussion on the best way to attack a US military installation.Hopefully, this Web site has been shut down and the hosting site cautioned to keep their eye out for such stuff. Obviously, this goes beyond any rational notion of "

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-40088967728553933562007-09-05T16:20:00.002-07:002007-09-05T16:21:15.467-07:00

Might be some light blogging over the next few days, some deadlines are looming.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-77032751719592191912007-09-05T16:00:00.000-07:002007-09-05T16:08:39.677-07:00

Here's an interesting post on Jimmy Carter's impact on the Shah of Iran and his eventual downfall to the Islamic totalitarian, terrorist-supporting government that exists today. Probably, much of this information needs to be vetted, since this isn't exactly a known resource, but it paints an interesting picture.The gist:In accordance with the pleasant US-Iran relations then-existing, President

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-77426438272049218872007-09-05T15:52:00.000-07:002007-09-05T16:00:44.942-07:00

It's remarkable that Jimmy Carter would call for "balanced" Middle East debate, when the mainstream media does everything it can to make the Palestinians look like victims and Israel look like a brutal oppressor. I meet very few people who have a clear understanding of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, with their opinions tracking pretty much along the lines of whatever they're fed by the MSM.The

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-40582338277198750522007-09-05T15:42:00.000-07:002007-09-05T15:47:16.829-07:00

Many thanks to Russia for minimizing the impact of American and European sanctions against Iran. This time, it's in the area of Iran's aviation industry that Russia is helping a known terrorist-supporting government maintain its viability.Some quotes:Aviation chief Saeed Hesami said Russian planes were Iran's best option, according to IRNA, despite a string of crashes in recent years involving

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-27487236136985008362007-09-05T15:39:00.000-07:002007-09-05T15:42:06.453-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 3968 Diggs, is about Apple's announcement of new iPods. This is tech reporting, I suppose, so kudos to Digg for getting the word out. Not that a million other sites haven't already trumpeted the news, but you can't blame Digg for trying.And I'm actually surprised that this wasn't Dugg more. Diggsters seem to like Apple products.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-6373211478617734812007-09-04T15:41:00.001-07:002007-09-04T15:47:51.474-07:00

Cox and Forkum on Presidential Candidate John Edward's plan to make various preventive care activities (annual physicals, mammograms, etc.) mandatory. I haven't written on this because, basically, I'm still having a hard time believing it. I mean, literally: I'm struggling to digest the idea that an American Presidential candidate could be calling for government-mandated doctor visits, and how

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-59058317704224345612007-09-04T15:25:00.001-07:002007-09-04T15:29:29.425-07:00

This Ars Technica story highlights the importance of securing our military networks. I am continuously impressed by how powerful our military is becoming through networked systems, with information flowing up from the ground troops, ships, planes, etc., to commanders, who are provided with an unprecedented level of battlefield awareness and thus control.However, with the Chinese knocking

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-11073663559422451462007-09-04T15:12:00.000-07:002007-09-04T15:17:54.245-07:00

And, once again, more from Iranian President Imajihadi (or whatever his name is). From AFP, some quotes:"The Iranian nation has withstood and it will withstand intimidation. It will never bow to any intimidation in the nuclear issue and in other matters," state broadcasting quoted Khamenei as telling a group of elite students."Iran will defeat these drunken and arrogant powers using its artful

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-27578288959260617572007-09-04T14:58:00.000-07:002007-09-04T15:04:55.810-07:00

Speaking of the Daily Kos, it looks like they're having a little bit o' trouble. Seems as if the founder of the site himself, Markos Moulitsas, ripped into his comrades for being gullible.The gist from NewsBusters:Such was the case with the posters on the favorite "progressive" blog of the MSM, the Daily Kos, when its founder, Markos Moulitsas, tore into them for being suckers because they fell

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-3895991297030137342007-09-04T14:40:00.000-07:002007-09-04T14:56:11.859-07:00

As I've said before, I believe the Monica Lewinsky "scandal" was a front for Bill Clinton's (treasonous?) provision of ballistic missile technology to China after receiving large campaign donations from the Chinese. There was the beginning of a buzz, and then WHAM! it was all Monica from then on. In my mind, this was a worse betrayal than anything we know about, including Watergate and whatever

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-42898487444267276492007-09-04T13:32:00.000-07:002007-09-04T13:39:30.110-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 2852 Diggs, is a link to an SNL animation about the MSM that was pulled, apparently, by NBC. I'm sure somewhere in the comments someone will complain about "censorship," even though NBC has every right to broadcast or not broadcast whatever they want.Anyways, slow day on Digg.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-7276081480300664582007-09-03T12:26:00.000-07:002007-09-03T12:38:30.158-07:00

Well, this comes as no surprise. Study shows US workers most productive. And Asia is accelerating its productivity growth--which is interesting, because as its workers become more productive, China in particular will have to pay them more, which will reduce the disparity in costs between China's good and those manufactured elsewhere.Some choice statistics and quotes:The average U.S. worker

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-44184292740315000322007-09-03T12:21:00.001-07:002007-09-03T12:24:12.042-07:00

I'm not sure if this is copyright infringement (probably is), and I know I shouldn't link to it, but this AT&T ad from 1993 does show how much has been accomplised technologically in such a short time. I suppose, that includes being able to commit copyright infringement with millions of accomplices.Sort of a "good news, bad news" sort of scenario.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-87003241862091803252007-09-03T11:38:00.000-07:002007-09-03T11:58:52.152-07:00

Here, Ars Technica complains about the MPAA buying some "private" TorrentSpy e-mails to use in its case against the organization. Now, I don't remember them complaining when any other set of "private" emails have been released to show some questionable activity by companies like Microsoft, Intel, or whomever.In fact, I can remember them being all over such emails, with no compunctions whatever.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-57942929648363864762007-09-03T11:29:00.000-07:002007-09-03T11:38:08.424-07:00

Here's another review of "Bioshock" that unfortunately implies that the game accurately depicts Atlas Shrugged, even while calling the book "excellent." This quote is most interesting:BioShock is set in a crumbling underwater metropolis created by Andrew Ryan, an industrialist who felt there should be a place for the greatest minds in humanity to come together without fear of having "the sweat of

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-37461124423604397692007-09-03T11:25:00.001-07:002007-09-03T11:26:36.261-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 4572 Diggs, is about Digg (almost?) adding a pictures section to the site. Big news in Diggland, apparently. Little news anywhere else.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-65532496224623470092007-09-03T11:09:00.000-07:002007-09-03T11:24:56.536-07:00

Here's a report from a Lefty blog referencing another Lefty blog that references a Sunday Times of London report that says, and I quote, "(T)he Pentagon has drawn up plans for massive air strikes against 1,200 targets in Iran, designed to annihilate the Iranians’ military capability in three days." One can only wish.Interestingly, the Lefty blog that's referenced had posted the following at the

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-86851267058181614732007-09-03T10:44:00.000-07:002007-09-03T11:09:03.300-07:00

It was only back in early August that the IAEA was touting as success the fact that Iran had "only" 2000 uranium-enrichment centrifuges in operation. They called that success, because it showed that Iran had "slowed" its activity.Now, however, Iranian President Imajihadi (or whatever his name is) has pronounced that in fact, Iran has over 3000 centrifuges in operation, and is adding more every

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-69466039924809198522007-09-02T12:02:00.001-07:002007-09-02T12:06:30.727-07:00

It looks like the Putin Youth are being put to good use, this time against Britain. The gist:A RUSSIAN activist expected to take over a sinister youth group with ties to the Kremlin has warned that a campaign of harassment against the British ambassador in Moscow will be resumed if he shows support for the country’s beleaguered opposition in the run-up to parliamentary elections in December.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-1846694665402681322007-09-02T11:47:00.000-07:002007-09-02T11:55:26.616-07:00

I think Russia's being a little optimistic in planning to setup a permanent lunar base by 2032. Getting cosmonauts there by 2025, on the other hand, seems pessimistic. It's rally a rather odd juxtaposition. And overall, I think things will have changed such by then that such a goal will no longer be feasible.But, I suppose a nation has to have goals.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-54704873458753469882007-09-02T10:58:00.000-07:002007-09-02T11:02:48.403-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at a light 2924 Diggs, is actually a link to a rather poignant photo that makes an important point about Islam.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-42556546767886247542007-09-02T10:33:00.000-07:002007-09-02T10:58:35.067-07:00

The Telegraph has laid out a long and detailed discussion of whether Bush is prepared to bomb Iran. To me, it seems just a case of contingency planning being leaked and then evaluated, which is not a bad thing in and of itself (the lead is, but not the evaluation). But, it should be remembered that such planning is on-going for nearly every conceivable possibility, and so the planning for a war

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-56697060756815029962007-09-02T10:12:00.000-07:002007-09-02T10:32:57.971-07:00

Here's an interesting take on Iranian President Imajihadi (or whatever his name is) and his efforts in Iraq. The essential point of the commentary is that Imajihadi has failed in Iraq by not securing Basra, which holds 70% of Iraq's oil reserves and also maintains the port by which US troops would leave Iraq.It's an interesting argument, and makes some sense. Read the story for yourself.Before

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-37187740809886210922007-09-01T13:38:00.000-07:002007-09-01T13:44:30.444-07:00

I missed this story on Giuliani, where he was speaking on health care reform in the US. I was shocked by some of his statements, the most profound of which I'll quote here. Note that when I say "profound," I mean it in the context of today's politics.First:To those who have followed the health care issue over the years and have learned to speak the language of health care reformers, Rudy Giuliani

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-86887999836932813592007-09-01T12:06:00.001-07:002007-09-01T12:08:53.262-07:00

Celebrity Report: Well, it's on. Iranian President Imajihadi gives the green light to Oliver Stone's biopic of the wacko. And since that sentence wasn't entirely clear, the "wacko" I'm specifically referring to is Imajihadi.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-88229935526913226862007-09-01T11:59:00.001-07:002007-09-01T12:03:31.744-07:00

I was pretty certain that the release of "Bioshock" would bring Ayn Rand and Objectivism to the forefront, and not in a positive light, and here's another story that support my contention. In one of the most disgusting descriptions of Ayn Rand I've read, at least in the fewest words, the News & Observer had this to say:Rapture is the creation of Andrew Ryan, a crazy cutout of Ayn Rand, the

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-67919196568736251512007-09-01T11:47:00.000-07:002007-09-01T11:57:35.485-07:00

Bush amazes me sometimes. As President, heading into the summit of Pacific Rim leaders, I would expect him to take something of harsh stance, use his bully pulpit a bit. China has a horrible human rights record, has threatened the US with economic warfare, of a sort, has done little to control the piracy of US intellectual property, etc.Here's the part that bothers me the most:“As a part of our

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-65828323942763341872007-09-01T11:45:00.000-07:002007-09-01T11:47:29.991-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 2536 Diggs, is yet another prepubescent post, this time a link to a non-existent story about a Facebook group devoted to finding a girl's camera because she's a "Hottie."Huh.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-35477542093476461252007-09-01T11:33:00.000-07:002007-09-01T11:45:17.559-07:00

Here's a pretty fervent plea for boycotting the 2008 Olympics in China. It's based on a necessarily biased paper issued by the Falun Gong, and so it's hard to tell from this one blog entry alone whether things in China are as bad as stated.Some examples:Not only is China bankrolling Darfur’s Genocide; for more than eight years it has sought to eliminate Falun Gong, which in 1999 had an estimated

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-61561953832897713572007-09-01T11:15:00.000-07:002007-09-01T11:24:57.746-07:00

This Wall Street Journal blog post posits that worrying about the Russian-Chinese relationship might be a little premature. Basically, it says that Russia and China have too much not in common to form an alliance. It makes some good points, but then so do some of the commentors.The gist:Despite some fears in the West, China and Russia have too little in common to form a mighty Sino-Russian axis

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-3956832851329922692007-08-31T11:00:00.001-07:002007-08-31T11:05:58.604-07:00

Here's more ranting by Iranian President Imajihadi. I swear, the guy is literally nuts. One cannot believe the things that he's saying in this news conference without being a conspiracy wacko. And he's setting foreign policy for a country that's trying attain nuclear weapons.And, worst, we stand back and allow it to continue.Here are some quotes:Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-50394040983132967412007-08-31T10:36:00.000-07:002007-08-31T10:53:53.160-07:00

If this The Phoenix review of the upcoming game "Bioshock" is any indication, then the game is certainly not based on Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism, or on Atlas Shrugged. Here are some quotes that justify that comment.First:According to BioShock’s foundation myth, Ryan envisioned his sub-aquatic metropolis (inspired by Ayn Rand, and especially Atlas Shrugged) as the place where man could

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-54190128814646739592007-08-31T10:25:00.000-07:002007-08-31T10:29:26.372-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 4383 Diggs, is a link to a new way to advertise men's underwear. Again, a reversion to Digg's underlying prepubescence.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-32726426955107916782007-08-31T10:06:00.000-07:002007-08-31T10:25:49.236-07:00

Here's a nice piece in the Moscow Times that discusses the likelihood that Russian geopolitics will become even more strained in the last few months of Putin's Presidency. More than that, though, it discusses Russia's general approach to world affairs, and makes some interesting points.A few choice quotes:A curious pattern emerges when examining Russia's politics over the last quarter century.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-74774890652342695852007-08-31T09:53:00.000-07:002007-08-31T09:59:00.598-07:00

And, as I mentioned here and here and here, it seems that I was right. There's no business model for municipal Wi-Fi (meaning that, were any to be rolled out, they'd have to be funded by taxes), and newer technology can do the job better. The best thing is, they're failing before they had a chance to negate the newer technology, meaning that we can continue to look forward to privately-created

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-89214677006433409732007-08-30T11:41:00.000-07:002007-08-30T11:51:44.025-07:00

CNN and Christiane Amanpour have apparently created a nicely misleading and deceptive anti-Israeli piece in their three-part series, "God's Warriors." Now, anyone following the history of Israel and the Israeli/Arab conflict shouldn't surprised by this piece, nor find it particularly worse than any other anti-Israeli propaganda.Here are some quotes:The August 21 broadcast was the first of God's

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-60552575263256075962007-08-30T11:28:00.000-07:002007-08-30T11:32:13.046-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at a light 2624 Diggs, is a link to an essay of sorts about how "everything (one) does is illegal." The piece actually has a ring of truth to it: as Ayn Rand said (to paraphrase), government regulation basically makes everyone a criminal.So, here's a Digg with at least a little importance.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-15533466153537904602007-08-30T08:06:00.000-07:002007-08-30T11:27:23.778-07:00

Here's a bit of naivete from the Guardian, on how America should push for Russia's help in stablizing the Middle East. As Russia moves ever closer to outright dictatorship (or nationalistic fascism), we're supposed to "engage" them in solving all of the problems that we've created. Really, it's all just a bunch of assertions made while wearing some serious rose-colored glasses, and it's not all

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-71305096384596166092007-08-29T16:13:00.001-07:002007-08-29T16:24:29.818-07:00

Here's a great story on an effort by Chevron to exploit what some consider the largest untapped oil reserves in the world, deep beneath the Gulf of Mexico. The technology is advanced and incredibly expensive, but soon Chevron will have accomplished the deepest drilling in open water.Obviously, this is important from a national security perspective. If the oil field, dubbed "Jack," is indeed as

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-33710571675596246892007-08-29T13:20:00.001-07:002007-08-29T13:23:51.756-07:00

Iranian President Imajihadi (or whatever his name is) seems pretty confident that the US won't act against him. In fact, he says, Iran is "invincible," at least insofar as the US is engaged in Iran and Afghanistan. At least, one hopes that's what he means.Of course, Iran is the farthest thing from invincible, and if we need to act against them, we'd muster up the troops and material to do so. We

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-73960704167808433202007-08-29T13:16:00.001-07:002007-08-29T13:18:01.792-07:00

This is just too funny to pass up. Apparently, after posing shirtless while on a fishing expedition, Putin has become a Russian gay icon.There's really nothing else to say.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-56931896400057963382007-08-29T11:33:00.000-07:002007-08-29T11:41:50.151-07:00

I knew that China's population control and gender discrimination were issues, but I didn't realize they went this far. According to Wired Science, quoting the Observer, wealthier Chinese couples are getting ultrasounds to find out the sex of their baby, despite two laws on the books that ban doctors from revealing the gender during pregnancy.That's a triple-whammy. First, the Chinese government

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-59515254886290869432007-08-29T11:25:00.000-07:002007-08-29T11:30:24.773-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 3108 Diggs, returns the site back to its pre-pubescent roots with a link to a story containing 15 tips on how to, well, please a woman.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-81128391402978621582007-08-29T10:04:00.000-07:002007-08-29T10:07:38.212-07:00

Cox and Forkum do their typical job of illustrating the silliness of things. Iran has announced the development of a new "smart bomb," and promises to go into mass production. There's some doubt, of course, as to the veracity of the claim, and the fact that Iran flies old US F4 and F5 fighters makes the threat a little, well, funny.Check it out for a chuckle.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-91136278337248764622007-08-28T17:16:00.000-07:002007-08-28T17:20:43.010-07:00

Via Little Green Footballs, check out the headline on this Time Magazine story: "Bush Motorcade Kills Cop." I mean, come on, you've got to be kidding me. How could they possibly have come up with such a headline by accident? It's not possible.Of course, the officer in question crashed his motorcycle, and it's not yet known what exactly happened. But what does Time mean to imply, that the

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-16736024600718220742007-08-28T17:07:00.001-07:002007-08-28T17:14:18.918-07:00

Some people will read the headline "Taliban: Korean hostages to be released," and react with relief and, perhaps, even some subtle gratitude toward the Taliban. In reading this story, however, one finds that the Korean government gave in to some of the terrorists' demands: to withdrawal their 200 soldiers from Afghanistan, and to cease Christian missionary work in the country.I guess there was no

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-60386111678541323942007-08-28T14:19:00.000-07:002007-08-28T14:25:14.975-07:00

I continue to be unable to fathom how Iranian President Imajihadi (or whatever his name is) can continue to send fighters and munitions into Iraq to help destabilize the country, and still get away with statements like this:“The political power of the occupiers is collapsing rapidly,” Ahmadinejad said at a news conference in Tehran, referring to U.S. troops in Iraq. “Soon, we will see a huge

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-71740688587423930332007-08-28T14:06:00.000-07:002007-08-28T14:18:18.129-07:00

A new twist in Turkey: a devout Muslim was elected as Turkey's President. As the MSNBC story says, he has a "background in political Islam," which sounds ominous to me.But what's most fascinating to me is that I didn't know this particular aspect of Turkey's politics: the military is strongly secular, and will resist any movement of the government toward religion. In fact, the military has

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-72119982081567746352007-08-28T13:27:00.000-07:002007-08-28T14:01:24.910-07:00

I saw a reference to this, and thought it was a joke. Then I found some other references, and it turns out it's true: the guy who broke at least the Apple EULA for the iPhone in unlocking it has been rewarded with three new iPhones and--get this--a Nissan 350Z.This blatant disregard for intellectual property, contracts, etc., that seems to have taken hold of much of the IT industry does not bode

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-89518246491097639042007-08-28T13:22:00.000-07:002007-08-28T13:25:52.327-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 5740 Diggs, is, well, about Digg's new look. Alrighty.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-79618749530063987762007-08-28T13:11:00.001-07:002007-08-28T13:15:09.395-07:00

Here's an interesting post on the Molten Thought blog about what Vietnam--and the rest of our surrenders since--have done to the perception of America in the world. He's quoting Mark Steyn, and here's the money quote:But if you lived in Damascus and Moscow and Havana, the Vietnam war was about America: American credibility, American purpose, American will. For our enemies today, it still is.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-74191781818431278292007-08-28T12:44:00.000-07:002007-08-28T12:48:24.176-07:00

I knew I liked the new French President, Sarkozy. In this story, he's warning Russia to, essentially, tread lightly with how it handles its energy resources. It's a strong statement to make, but it makes sense that Sarkozy would say it: the EU is far more reliant on foreign energy sources than is the US.The money quote:Sarkozy, in a sweeping speech to French ambassadors outlining French foreign

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-74293516808711888252007-08-27T15:31:00.000-07:002007-08-27T15:37:56.420-07:00

Here's another example of what happens when a totalitarian government runs an economy. China is creating pollution at an unprecedented scale, and it's affecting more than just themselves. The same thing was true with the Soviet Union, as well, with perhaps the most striking example being the ugliness that was East Germany vs. the relative cleanliness of West Germany.An example:Public health is

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-72172987756643803052007-08-27T15:12:00.000-07:002007-08-27T15:30:44.252-07:00

Just a reminder that a vote is not enough to make a "democracy" (God, how I hate that word). The Iraqi government gets shakier and shakier as time goes on, primarily because it was based on a vote that was bound to be biased along religious and ethnic lines and thus guaranteed to create an unworkable government.We needed to get order established first, teach these people something about

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-92030101546454648072007-08-27T15:00:00.000-07:002007-08-27T15:06:18.274-07:00

Some things strike me as ironic, or, at least, surprisingly contradictory. Such is the case with the gasoline rationing currently underway in Iran. Although Iran exports oil, it has almost no refining capacity, and so much import is refined oil and gas.Now, it just so happens that growth in capacity ended when the Shah was deposed, meaning that in this totalitarian state the religious leadership

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-60463097914561248662007-08-27T14:50:00.000-07:002007-08-27T14:54:22.241-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 5426 Diggs, is a link to a story about the resignation of Alberto Gonzales. As usual, when a legitimate news story reaches the #1 Digg spot, the comments are vehemently Leftist.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-10031983016985277582007-08-27T14:26:00.000-07:002007-08-27T14:35:18.535-07:00

Here's a pretty pessimistic view on Russia's future, with which I tend to agree (which is easy, because it's all pretty much factual). There are some sobering quotes:But demographics underlie every dimension of national power. Mr Putin cannot avoid the fact that Russia's population falls by about 800,000 people every year. Instead of the present level of 142 million, Russia will probably have

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-86626296937558050612007-08-27T14:13:00.000-07:002007-08-27T14:26:53.986-07:00

This is fascinating: China and Japan are apparently in a race to the moon. I'd known about China's program, but not Japan's. I'd make light of these efforts, except the moon is likely to be of some importance as we make our way further into space. For example, there are resources on the moon that could be utilized on a manned mission to Mars.I've fallen behind on whatever NASA's plans are in this

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-48237499506251564212007-08-26T15:46:00.000-07:002007-08-26T15:58:10.595-07:00

Here's a compelling argument on The Objective Standard dealing with the concept of banning the sale of "violent" video games to children. In short: it's not government's responsibility to decide what intellectual materials are available to children, it's their parents' responsibility.The money quote:"Parents properly want to shield their children from the gratuitous violence so common in today's

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-24762459087286937612007-08-26T13:46:00.000-07:002007-08-26T13:48:29.560-07:00

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 4042 Diggs, is a link to an obnoxious Flash intro to a quote by Miss Teen South Dakota on why 20% of Americans can't find America on a map.It's a serious topic, handled in typical Digg fashion.

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-90374906471838420612007-08-26T13:37:00.000-07:002007-08-26T13:45:22.301-07:00

The Economist has posted a fascinating story on the influence of the ex-KGB, the FSB, on Russian politics. Or, perhaps, it would be better to say that it exposes how the FSB has become Russia's political structure. While the Left in the US worries over the ability for the CIA to reads its email, in Russia the CIA's equivalent is essentially the reigning power.A quote:Over the two terms of Mr

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447306.post-53550251039412584002007-08-26T09:33:00.000-07:002007-08-26T13:33:51.725-07:00

I would say, we shouldn't allow the sale of a US manufacturer of hard drives to China. Too much sensitive stuff in there, as the story says. That's a touch decision to come to, because while clearly government should prohibit the sale of any and all goods to certain clear enemies, it's not entirely clear whether China is an "enemy" of the US.Some people, myself included, might consider them not a

Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14448290876201934986noreply@blogger.com0