April 30 MISCELLANY!

• The official White House line on drone strikes and civilian casualties: "Unfortunately, in war, there are casualties, including among the civilian population. That's a real quote, kids. Never mind that those drone strikes are mostly taking place in nations where we're not actually at war, such as Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia. Fortunately for this policy, Somalia has no government to speak of, Yemen is undergoing a revolution, and relations with Pakistan have severely soured since last year's assassination of Osama bin Laden. Meaning, we soon may very well be at war with two of those nations with no reason to particularly care what the third thinks.
  
  At least we're not invading. Right?


• I think the Romney campaign has found a winning strategy: take credit for everything Obama did that worked, even if Mitt Romney opposed them repeatedly and loudly. Today it's the auto bailouts. In a few weeks, I bet it will be the raid on Bin Laden's compound. (EDIT: Well, that was fast!) I wonder when he'll take credit for health care reform?
  
• In case you're wondering, yes, the Obama administration has been going after Kony (of KONY 2012/hipster fame) for about six months now, and no, they haven't found him. More here.


• The prospect of anti-NATO protests in Chicago during the May 20-21 NATO summit has authorities worried sick. They have already made plans to open the shuttered prison in Joliet to detain those charged with "serious offenses." They also have made plans to possibly evacuate Chicago in case of a "major event." Please note: I'm using mainstream, corporate media sources here. It's enough to make me wonder how they got this information and why someone would "leak" it. For more information on anti-NATO protests in Chicago on May 20-21, go here.


• "Are they Christian Arabs or Muslim Arabs?" - HanzelundGretylZN 10 months ago
  
  "the kind of Arabs you don't like." - detoxlb in reply to HanzelundGretylZN 9 months ago
  
  More from Lebanese punk band Detox here.


• You've heard of Dominic Deiter, right? You know, the Ohio DJ who suggested that a father have his gay daughter raped until she became heterosexual? Jesus's General makes a very generous offer to Mr. Dominic Deiter here - basically, to let Mr. Deiter prove his theories about rape changing sexual orientation by putting his own ass on the line.

April 30 MISCELLANY!

• The official White House line on drone strikes and civilian casualties: "Unfortunately, in war, there are casualties, including among the civilian population. That's a real quote, kids. Never mind that those drone strikes are mostly taking place in nations where we're not actually at war, such as Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia. Fortunately for this policy, Somalia has no government to speak of, Yemen is undergoing a revolution, and relations with Pakistan have severely soured since last year's assassination of Osama bin Laden. Meaning, we soon may very well be at war with two of those nations with no reason to particularly care what the third thinks.
  
  At least we're not invading. Right?


• I think the Romney campaign has found a winning strategy: take credit for everything Obama did that worked, even if Mitt Romney opposed them repeatedly and loudly. Today it's the auto bailouts. In a few weeks, I bet it will be the raid on Bin Laden's compound. (EDIT: Well, that was fast!) I wonder when he'll take credit for health care reform?
  
• In case you're wondering, yes, the Obama administration has been going after Kony (of KONY 2012/hipster fame) for about six months now, and no, they haven't found him. More here.


• The prospect of anti-NATO protests in Chicago during the May 20-21 NATO summit has authorities worried sick. They have already made plans to open the shuttered prison in Joliet to detain those charged with "serious offenses." They also have made plans to possibly evacuate Chicago in case of a "major event." Please note: I'm using mainstream, corporate media sources here. It's enough to make me wonder how they got this information and why someone would "leak" it. For more information on anti-NATO protests in Chicago on May 20-21, go here.


• "Are they Christian Arabs or Muslim Arabs?" - HanzelundGretylZN 10 months ago
  
  "the kind of Arabs you don't like." - detoxlb in reply to HanzelundGretylZN 9 months ago
  
  More from Lebanese punk band Detox here.


• You've heard of Dominic Deiter, right? You know, the Ohio DJ who suggested that a father have his gay daughter raped until she became heterosexual? Jesus's General makes a very generous offer to Mr. Dominic Deiter here - basically, to let Mr. Deiter prove his theories about rape changing sexual orientation by putting his own ass on the line.

Attention fellow LiveJournalers and Scrapbook users

News you can use on the new scrapbook system here. Also read the comments - word is, no reduction in space, although I'd frankly like to see ЖЖ address this officially.

If you're that addicted to scrapbooking, there's a support group for that.

Attention fellow LiveJournalers and Scrapbook users

News you can use on the new scrapbook system here. Also read the comments - word is, no reduction in space, although I'd frankly like to see ЖЖ address this officially.

If you're that addicted to scrapbooking, there's a support group for that.

Arthur C Clarke nailed it. | via @simonpegg

In 1974, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reporter asked Arthur C. Clarke: what will the 21st Century be like?

"Was he a visionary genius, or a time-travelling troll?"

Arthur C Clarke nailed it. | via @simonpegg

In 1974, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reporter asked Arthur C. Clarke: what will the 21st Century be like?

"Was he a visionary genius, or a time-travelling troll?"

"Excessive Celebration"

Dear Republican Party,

Do you really want to run on the President engaging in "excessive celebration" of Obama bin Laden's death?

Seriously. Think about it. Remember this?



And that was for a war we didn't need to fight in the first place and that we wouldn't complete in any meaningful sense for nearly another decade.

You basically handed President Obama this media cycle. Far be it from me to discourage you from doing that, but sometimes, you just want to see the other team even try.

Love,
max

"Excessive Celebration"

Dear Republican Party,

Do you really want to run on the President engaging in "excessive celebration" of Obama bin Laden's death?

Seriously. Think about it. Remember this?



And that was for a war we didn't need to fight in the first place and that we wouldn't complete in any meaningful sense for nearly another decade.

You basically handed President Obama this media cycle. Far be it from me to discourage you from doing that, but sometimes, you just want to see the other team even try.

Love,
max