mypodcast

He's got no shot, but damn... the more I listen, the more I like.

]]>

I dunno exactly how I feel about this guy. I'm fairly libertarian, but I've also got a strong pragmatic streak that bristles at the thought of someone who governs solely via ideal, without the occasional nod to immediate reality.

It is impressive, though, to come across a politician of any kind who is so passionately devoted to the vision of the Founding Fathers, rather than that of a lobbyist or the voice of Jebus in his ear.

USNews.com: Inside Washington: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Ron Paul
Paul received the nickname "Dr. No" in Congress for repeatedly casting "nay" votes, even on legislation with almost unanimous support from his Republican colleagues. Explaining why he opposes legislation that expands government power, funds federal spending, or reduces privacy: "I interpret through the eyes of the Constitution. If we don't have direct authorization, I don't vote for it, even if there are good intentions." In 2006, the Washington Post wrote: "He says, if his fellow Republicans are 'very desperate,' he may allow himself to be talked into changing a 'no' vote to 'present.' "

]]>

This is awesome stuff... amputated legs become broken bones, ruptured arteries become shoulder dislocations, and so on. The only danger I see is that some soldiers will opt to wear the "liquid armor" stuff by itself, without Kevlar, just to save themselves from the added weight.

Pictures & Video: Flexible full-body "liquid armor"
A new "liquid armor" could be the solution for protecting the parts of the body that aren't currently covered by standard-issue ballistic vests ? arms and legs, where many of these devastating and life-threatening injuries occur.
from ScienCentral News (via digg)

]]>

I'm glad folks like Betty are out there, pushing this kind of stuff to the surface:

CNN.com - More of your information than you think might be online - Jun 13, 2006
(CNN) -- If you are worried about a thief stealing your identity, it's not your wallet that needs guarding -- it's your state and local governments.

]]>

This would be a genius move on Wal-Mart's part. A stroke of absolute brilliance.

The PR value alone is astonishing. Got a community that is resisting that shiny new Supercenter you're trying to develop? Promise them an E85 filling station. Got people busting your ass for your wages or hiring practices? Point out your valuable contribution to liberating the country from dependence of foreign oil, and helping to minimize the call for farm subsidies. Someone accusing you of using illegals or playing too much hardball with supplies? Point to those pumps, wave the flag, and carry on.

Wal-Mart May Start Pumping Ethanol, Retail Giant Owns And Operates 383 Gas Stations In U.S. - CBS News
(AP) Wal-Mart Stores Inc. may offer ethanol made from corn at its 383 U.S. gas stations, a company spokesman said Wednesday.

Wal-Mart stressed it is not ready yet to make any announcements, but corn growers said Wal-Mart's entry into a market now mainly made up of scattered independent gas stations would be a significant boost to a budding new fuel industry.

]]>

I'm torn here. I hate to see uninvolved relatives of a dead man punished for the dead man's vile behavior. On the other, I damned well expect someone to pay for what was done to an innocent man.

CNN.com - Jury: Investigator must pay ex-death row inmate - May 5, 2006
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia (AP) -- A federal jury on Friday awarded $2.25 million to a Virginia man who claimed a police investigator fabricated a rape and murder confession that sent him to death row.

]]>

If you're of a mind to keep an eye on how your elected representatives are voting, washingtonpost.com has a service for you.

Basically, follow that link and drill down to your (least) favorite rep/sen. You can either bookmark the resulting page, or even better, subscribe to the associated RSS feed... that way, every time there's a new vote, you'll know it.

]]>

Life is so short, it just kills me to write something like this. But man...

I cannot fucking wait for 2008.

Gonzales calls for mandatory Web labeling law | CNET News.com
Web site operators posting sexually explicit information must place official government warning labels on their pages or risk being imprisoned for up to five years, the Bush administration proposed Thursday.

...

During his speech, Gonzales also warned that Internet service providers must begin to retain records of their customers' activities to aid in future criminal prosecutions

]]>

I hope to hear a lot more about this guy in the coming years.

CNN.com - Islamic preacher ripped for reform push - Mar 20, 2006
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) -- Islamic televangelist Amr Khaled is young, smiling, teaches love and mercy and is so popular he's credited with inspiring thousands of women -- turned off by dour, traditional clerics -- to take on the veil.

]]>