More Conspiracy Theory . . . .

Wow. I cannot verify the sources, nor have I heard of any of this before, but there are quite a few photographs, and more than one convincing argument. See for yourself.

What hit the Pentagon on 911?

Firefox: Blazing a Trail to 50,000,000

Firefox: Blazing a Trail to 50,000,000:

At 8:58 AM PST this morning, we rolled over the 50,000,000 downloads line. Thanks to the hundreds of you who have regaled us with your heartwarming and often hilarious tales of spreading Firefox. We're featuring some of the best in the right column, and those members are taking home one of 50 limited edition coins celebrating this milestone, along with other goodies. Even the coins themselves were designed by one of our most talented volunteers, graphics designer Jamey Boj�.

Way to go Firefox! You guys are awesome--and thanks for building a standards-compliant Web browser that doesn't install virii into the computers of my family and friends!

You are the best!

-Standards-compliant Web Developer
(Who hates to have to patch my work to display in IE 5.0, IE 5.5, and IE 6)

Easing the Commute for Non-Drivers

NextBus/How NextBus Works:

NextBus information is not a static schedule listing — it is actual arrival information, updated at regular intervals. Because traffic variations, breakdowns, and day-to-day problems faced by any transit provider can interrupt service, NextBus was designed to keep you on schedule even if your bus or train isn't.

From the comfort and security of a protected place, you can learn when the next bus will arrive at your stop.

NextBus uses satellite technology and advanced computer modeling to track vehicles on their routes. Each vehicle is fitted with a satellite tracking system.

This is really awesome. Up-to-the-minute updates of where your bus is located--if it is running on time, or late, etc. including Web alerts. Spend less time waiting at the bus stop, and make your commute smarter. Next time I am in San Francisco . . . .

Lawsuit could grab Tiger by the tail | CNET News.com

Lawsuit could grab Tiger by the tail | CNET News.com:

Tiger Direct, a subsidiary of Systemax, filed the suit Thursday and is seeking a temporary restraining order and injunction when it goes before a U.S. District Court in Florida for a hearing Tuesday.

Did they Trademark the Tiger, or did they trademark "Tiger Direct?" This reminds me of another absolute garbage lawsuit--when Ernest and Julio Gallo sued the region of Chianti in Italy because they had a rooster ("gallo" in the Italian language) on their label. Unfortunately, the world court sided with the Gallo brothers, and the rooster (a staple on the label of Chianti Region Chianti's for years) was ordered to be removed . . . .

Get 'Tiger' at Tiger Direct

Someone at Tiger Direct needs to turn this into positive marketing rather than whining about it to the courts and asking for money because their search engine ratings are not so good anymore.

Where Are the Flying Pigs?

News and Images from Netscape/CNN

You know, when I first saw this, I had some really mixed emotions. The first thing that came to mind is, "Isn't that a little queer?" I do not mean to imply that our President is gay, but the word "queer" has a certain empowerment to the concept of out of place--or, better yet--out of YOUR PLACE. Perhaps it would be used when someone is being brash, reacting, or defending themselves. But this is just flat-out brazen, and the word seemed somehow appropriate.

Out of all of the ways that I could envision this meeting unfolding, this was NOT one of the scenarios. Our President, Mr. Geroge W. Bush, walking though the Texas bluebells holding hands with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia? It absolutely raises some questions. Is our spiny-crab, Texas-drawlin', no-holds-barred, rootin'-tootin' President up to something? The same guy who said, "Putin better do right by Democracy" in his threatening, "no back talkin' now, ya' hear" voice is perhpas embracing a social custom of Saudi Arabia. Or, perhaps, he is not. Whatever it is, he seems terribly at ease, terribly empowered, and VERY out of place in Texas. Holding hands in not exactly a good-ole' boy activity. Perhaps after throwing down a few brews, and a good ass-whoopin' at horseshoes, we could hold hands and take a walk through the bluebells, Jed.

Maybe there is more credence to Michael Moore's allegations that our President had business and long-term family ties with the Royal Family of Saudi Arabia. Moore's allegations were that the our President ordered all of the Saudi nationals to be collected by the FBI, transported to special airplanes (more than 50 planes), and had every single plane flown to Saudi Arabia--to avoid violence against them--ON SEPTEMBER 11th! Every American was gounded, but the Saudi's were flying the friendly skies.

The look on our President's face in this image, however, is very poignant. As are the looks on his face in the other images in the collection. There is another thought--maybe our President intends to charm the oil right out of him. He was wildly popular with an unexpected population of female voters who were happy to waive their rights as females because "he is kinda cute," and they "liked the way he dresses." Well, at least Fox found plenty of women who said that. Perhaps our illustrious leader with the lowest approval rating of any President is gonna take one for the team to lower gasoline prices.

I keep returning to that little September 11th thingie--you know, the single greatest moment for our country (at least that a couple of generations can remember). The reason why we have the Patriot Act, and the Patriot Act II (sorta like a bad sequel to Rambo--except that our movie doesn't end). If the September 11th panel was correct in their findings, I believe that 9 of the terrorists aboard the four airplanes were from Saudi Arabia--the KINGDOM of the man whom our President is strolling through the bluebells of Texas--holding hands.

I guess that is the problem with images like this. It raises so many questions, and produces so little understanding. Just see for yourself.

Yahoo! News - Gore Blasts GOP Bid to Block Filibusters

Yahoo! News - Gore Blasts GOP Bid to Block Filibusters:

"WASHINGTON - Former Vice President Al Gore on Wednesday blamed Republican 'lust for one-party domination' for the GOP campaign to change Senate rules on filibustering judicial nominees, and he assailed religious zealots for driving the effort."

A voice of reason from the political fray emerges, and it is none other than our former Vice President, Al Gore. Our Federal Government needs to get this maelstrom of garbage settled--they are so far out of touch with their constituents, it is no longer funny. At first, it was humorous, but now, it has reached the point of absurdity. By the people, for the people.

Yahoo! News - GOP Weighing New Concessions on Ethics

Yahoo! News - GOP Weighing New Concessions on Ethics: Keep voicing your opinions--we ARE making headway. I really hope that this is a turning point in the "madness" that has overcome the Republican party. The scary thing is that we are so much closer in proximity that we would care to admit.

I had a discussion with a friend last week--and, the Republicans and Democrats argue over miniscule differences in the shades of gray when compared to some of the other governments in history. For example, I have been reading a book about Hitler's rise to power in Germany. In the early 1900's, at the end of World War I, there were three active Socialist parties, a Communist party, and several other parties to boot. Each of those political parties were arguing from grossly different fundamental perspectives . . . while here, in the states, everyone believes in the Republic--the differences lie in what policies we choose to embrace.

On a More Somber Note

What have we here?

The White House denied that DeLay's appearance with Bush was a way for the president to give the House leader a political boost.

'I appreciate the leadership of Congressman Tom DeLay in working on important issues that matter to the country,' Bush said before he spoke on the need to revamp Social Security.

At some point, the leadership of the Republican party is going to have to make some choices. This Tom DeLay fellow, is bad news. He allegedly takes illegal money, has created a ton of negative publicity for the Republicans, and has single-handedly thrown a pretty big wrench in this 4-year Republican power-grab. The smartest thing, in my opinion, would be to throw out the spoiled onion, and in doing so, save the whole bag of onions.

If the Republicans continue to make legislation that allows those in power get away with committing crimes and violating the constitution, they are really going to cause problems for themselves in the future--especially considering that ironically, it seems to be the Democrats who are calling for the reduction in the size of government, calling for a decrease of the deficit, and calling for someone to get a handle on the immigration issue. As soon as middle America realizes (if we can get them to watch news and not FOX) the values of Democrat policies, the winds of changes are going to fill a different set of sails.

Politics - Costs of war quietly surpass $300 billion - sacbee.com

Politics - Costs of war quietly surpass $300 billion - sacbee.com: "Costs of war quietly surpass $300 billion
Congress approves requests from the president and the Pentagon with little resistance and adds a few unrelated projects to boot.

The Troubling Word Here is "Quietly"

Let there be no mistake, our troops need and deserve equipment, support, and money. Once again, if our Commander-in-Chief would just come forward and TELL US what they need, I would feel differently about it . . . .