Game on

I predict the demise of DRM (a Microsoft product, natch) in 5...4...3... You don't f#$% with gamers.

This Thom Yorke guy...

seems like a sharp dude. And his melodies are pretty good too.

Can't stop the signal

This rather long but very informative article lays out the legal issues of Bank Julius Baer v. Wikileaks. The basics of the case are that Wikileaks provides a place for leaked documents, the bank is trying to shut down the site completely (not just trying to have the incriminating documents removed) on the grounds that the documents are private, internal documents. A hearing is scheduled today to dispute the injunction the bank placed against Wikileaks. This is a pretty big deal; there are First Amendment issues, there are internet issues and there are whistleblower issues.

File under: Well, duh!

Having cats as pets makes you live longer.

Prince William County - how ya like them apples?

So, Prince William County residents (Hi Mom and Dad!) are going to have their property taxes increase by 28% mostly to cover the costs of their stupid, lame, bordering on unlawful illegal immigration initiative. I couldn't find an email address to contact County Executive Craig Gerhart but this is the number to the County Switchboard (703-792-6000). They might be able to direct you the right place to complain about this. Or you could call police Chief Charlie Deane at 703-792-6650 to let him know this is a dumb idea. Or email the police department at policedept@pwcgov.org.

Also, it appears that the official behind the push for this initiative is Republican (natch) Corey Stewart of Woodbridge. You can email him here: corey@coreystewart.com

Hope, people!

After Obama crushes McCain in the general it can be said that the netroots (internet based grassroots blogging activists) have arrived. And the traditional media and the political consultants will become second tier. What makes me say this? Oh, only that Obama has now passed the 1,000,000 individual donor mark. We, the people, own this.

Where are my night vision, infrared, zoom eyes?

Oh, here they are. So, I've been thinking of getting Lasik surgery but maybe I'll hold off until they perfect these lenses.

Cleaning, found this from many years ago

It is hard to hold
      onto a soapy glass
I thought
      with the hollow metallic drum sound
      and the holding
      of breath receding
nothing broken

Then.
What else is hard to hold
What else slips from our
      grip to clatter into the sink

Love you say
Au contraire mi amore

Perhaps you are right
      Coin flip.


This edition of emo poetry brought to you by writing things in notebooks and then not looking at them again for many years. Fun.

I'd vote for him

Hobo: Hello! I am running for president! Vote for me and I'll legalize marijuana! You can marry whoever you wanna!

--Deli, 12th & 6th

Overheard by: Nora, Bianca, and Ethan

From Overheard in New York

CCD - the impact is going to hurt

So, the mysterious Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is not only going to affect honey production but the pollination of, well, everything. This is not unknown but the ramifications keep expanding, for instance, your ice cream may be seriously disrupted.

Speaking of Nestle (owner of Haagen-Dazs), they suck. Is there anything that corporations touch that does not have "blood", "slave" or "exploitation" attached to it? This is why it is so important to look for Fair Trade certified products.

Tomorrow's the day VA, MD, DC

Image courtesy Cute Overload

PWNED!

This "interviewer" was obviously attempting to show Obama supporters as uninformed and he picked the wrong guy. Take that possibly racist old white guy, you've just been served.

Yes. We. Can. - Let's Do This.

Now here is an endorsement that actually means something to me.
Email from DJ Spooky:

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

I'm writing you today with something I haven't done before, and that's a simple request: please please please go out and vote today. Stakes are high!!! Our hopes for this election and encouraging those of us in the 22 states voting tomorrow to go out and vote for Obama. I really think that he's probably the only candidate who will actually change things. I just want to say it loud: YES. WE. CAN.

I tend to to not shy away from proselytizing to people about voting. I am so inspired by Barack Obama, what he stands for, and the movement of people behind him that I feel compelled to ask you all to vote for him.

As I walk the streets of New York, I've seen so many people showing their support for Obama, all different genders, races, ages, you name it. Something special and inspiring is in the air. I believe this is the moment, today is the day to take action, make history, and move this country forward by voting for Obama.

I am moved by Obama and I like his policies – I encourage you to read about them if you have not already at www.barackobama.com

Barack Obama stands an excellent chance of not only gaining the majority of delegates tomorrow* but of becoming our next, and best president.

The more exposure he has, the higher his polling. In 3 short weeks, he went from trailing Clinton by double-digits in some states, to leading her now in almost every state where she had formerly held huge ground.

Everyone knows that McCain has the ability to attract votes from Democrats. But when was the last time you heard of Democratic candidate who has been inspiring Republicans to vote Democrat in huge numbers? It's happening. Susan Eisenhower (Dwight D.'s granddaughter) has recently endorsed the Obama campaign and the message of bi-partisanship and unified goals is starting to resonate even wider across the aisle.

Check out some of these links (especially the "Yes We Can" video) and don't ever let anyone convince you that the country isn't ready. YES. WE. CAN.

*Vote Vote Vote (Obama).
Today, Tuesday, Feb. 5 is Super Tuesday.

Obama gains ground. HERE

Obama more likely to beat McCain HERE

If you want to see a different nation,
Obama is your man. HERE

In case you missed it,
"Yes We Can" the music video HERE

www.djspooky.com
www.rhythmscience.com
http://www.myspace.com/djspooky

Game Over?

While this Obama video isn't really earth-shattering is freaking awesome the response to it is incredible. I counted 9 versions of it on the first page of results from a YouTube search for "obama yes we can". Those 9 versions had 962,000 views. Couple that with some of the wingnuts from redstate.com actually saying good things about it and I think it is fair to say that Obama is inspiring people.

UPDATE [2/5/08 - 11:50] -
Same YouTube search "obama yes we can" yields 11 instances of the video with 1,682,000 views.

A Likely Story Film wins coveted award

From my friend Adam:

We entered the National Film Challenge back in October, and while we didn’t place in the Top 15, our film, “Tunnel Vision,” did get a Special Judges Award: “Best Extensive Use of Plaid in a Costume.”

You can view the film, along with all the other winners, here:

Scroll down to the bottom—ours is the 2nd from the last.

I play the dead guy, with a fantastic mustache.

THE Event from yesterday

Did you miss the biggest event of yesterday's Super Sunday? Well, don't worry here are highlights from Puppy Bowl IV including the cutetacular Kitteh Halftime Show.