Oklahoma May Ban Islamic Law

From Slate (10-29-10):

Oklahoma voters may be out of work. They may even be losing their homes. But at least they won't have to worry about being tried in Islamic court if a ballot measure to outlaw Sharia law passes next week, reports the Los Angeles Times. There's no recorded case of Islamic Sharia law ever appearing in Oklahoma, but backers of the measure urge vigilance. "Oklahoma does not have that problem yet," said Republican state Rep. Rex Duncan, who wrote the measure placed on the ballot by the state Legislature. "But why wait until it's in the courts?" In Europe, Muslims can choose to hash out divorce and custody cases in Sharia courts. Other cases remain the province of secular jurisprudence, but advocates of the amendment say the European situation is a cautionary tale. The measure, known as state Question 755, had the support of 49 percent of Oklahoma voters back in July. No recent polling data is available, but last week the group Act for America—which trumpets its crusade against radical Islam—launched an advertising campaign to support the amendment. Representatives from the Muslim community in Oklahoma say the state is doing O.K. "There's no threat of Sharia law coming to Oklahoma and America, period," said a spokesperson from the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City. "It's just a scare tactic."

Read original story in The Los Angeles Times | Friday, Oct. 29, 2010

Tweet From the Top of Everest?

From Slate (10-29-10):

What better way to celebrate the sublimity of summiting Everest than by calling your mom or pausing to update your Facebook status? Well, now it may be possible thanks to a 3G mobile network base installed at the bottom of the world's highest peak, according to CNN. "The speed of the 3G services will be up to 3.6 MB per second," said a representative from Ncell, the Nepalese mobile phone operator that installed the 3G base at 17,000 feet, near the village of Gorakshep. "But we could have it up to 7.2 MB if there is demand." And no doubt there will be: 30,000 tourists visit the Himalayas every year. Fifty people can use the network at a time, and Ncell says calls from the top of Everest are theoretically possible. Ncell's Swedish parent company, Teliasonera, has a thing for elevational extremes—it also operates the lowest 3G base station in the world, 4,595 feet below sea level in a European mine.

Read original story in CNN | Friday, Oct. 29, 2010

School Board member resigns after urging gays to commit suicide

Click on this link to read a CNN story (with attached video) about an Arkansas school board member who has resigned after posting strongly anti-gay comments on his Facebook page. After reading about his views (from which he is now distancing himself and apologizing), do you believe it's appropriate that he resigns?  Or should his right to express any opinion on his Facebook page be protected?  Does a public official's Facebook page fall within the realm of their public duties?  Similar questions have been raised about the leisure time activities of public servants such as policemen, school teachers, mayors, etc.  Where (at what time?) does one's job end?  Or were his comments so extreme that some action needed to be taken?

Tea Party Leader Refuses To Apologize for Anti-Muslim Diatribe

From Slate (10-28-10):

A leading Tea Party organizer has refused to apologize for publishing a column on a Tea Party Web site telling voters to defeat Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison (D) because he is a Muslim, reports theWashington Post. In an interview on Wednesday, Judson Phillips, founder of Tea Party Nation, defended the column in which he accused Ellison of helping Congress send "millions of tax dollars to terrorists in Gaza." He said: "The Koran in no uncertain terms says some wonderful things like, 'Kill the infidels.' It says it on more than one occasion. I happen to be the infidel. I have a real problem with people who want to kill me just because I'm the infidel." Judson's Tea Party Nation attracted attention last spring when it hosted a Nashville Tea Party convention that featured Sarah Palin as the keynote speaker. Democrats denounced Judson's comments. "The Tea Party has featured congressional candidates that dress up as a Nazi, have ties to a criminal biker gang, have called for the violent overthrow of government, and now the leadership is disgracefully telling voters to vote against someone solely on the basis of their religion. The American people will reject this reckless Right Wing extremism that has unfortunately been embraced by the Republican Party," said a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Read original story in The Washington Post | Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

Rebel flag flies proud outside of Tampa

If you've driven to Tampa on Interstate 4, you can't have missed the huge confederate flag.  Click on this link to read a Sarasota Herald Tribune article (10-27-10) about how people in the flag's neighborhood react to it.  Some (such as the woman in the photo) are quite supportive of its presence.

Dangerous?

This is a video Freddie sent me, we are wondering if you thought it was a dangerous idea.




Should girls this young be allowed to dance like this? What type of impact will it have on them later on in life? Why are the parents and dance companies allowing this to happen, or sometimes even encouraging it? Look at some of the comments people have been making on Youtube...they think this is a GOOD thing. They are encouraging the girls to do this. I am not doubting their dancing abilities but is it necessary to dance in a "slutty" fashion? Do you think this is dangerous?

US Lifts Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Drilling Ban

"The United States on Tuesday lifted a ban on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico imposed after the BP oil spill, but set operators tough new safety conditions, officials said." Obama had place a six-month ban on drilling after the oil spill disaster that occurred this summer. Companies were not expecting for drilling to resume this soon, new rules and regulations are still being put into place.

Do you think the oil companies should be able to resume deep-water drilling? Or should we be looking for new sources of fuel? Will these new rules and regulations prevent future disasters from happening?

Read the whole article here...
US Lifts Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Drilling Ban | Environment | AlterNet

Master of illusion

This coming weekend (October 30/31) reknowned sidewalk artist Edgar Mueller will perform his illusions in Sarasota.  Click on this link to read the Sarasota Herald Tribune article (10-23-10) about the sidewalk art festival.

Quirky.com

Quirky is a website that uses social networking to develop new and unusual products.  A lot of the products developed on the site are "geeky gadgets" or accessories to I-pads, cell phones, etc.  The site seeks ideas for inventions from the web community and then solicits responses from the community as to the feasibility of the ideas.  In this way, it functions as a kind of pre-market test.  What do you think of this as a vehicle for creative product design and innovation?  I'm thinking of sending them my idea for a shopping cart-mounted taser.  A little shock to the butt will get those lazy aisle-blocking consumers to move their carts to the side!

Church of Euthanasia

Besides the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement, there is another group called the Church of Euthanasia.  Their four pillars are suicide, abortion, cannibalism (only of those already dead) and sodomy (which they define as any kind of sex that doesn't lead to reproduction).  You can become a "saint" in their church by killing yourself before you reproduce.  Take a look at their website and see if you think they are sincere in what they are promoting.

Ugandan newspaper outs gays, putting their lives at risk

Click on this link to see a CNN video about a conservative Ugandan newspaper (ironically, named "Rolling Stone") that published a list of the names, photos, and home addresses of 100 leading gays and lesbians.  The publication has already led to several people being attacked and some going into hiding.  Homosexuality is disapproved of, at least publicly, by many in Uganda and the newspaper has stoked the flames.  Do you believe they should have published this material?  Is this a simple case of acting out freedom of the press?  Or are there some moral standards that even a free press should abide by?

TV shows on Google blocked by networks

The "open internet" principle is again being challenged, this time by the TV networks.  Click on this link to read a Washington Post article about how the networks are blocking users from watching TV shows on Google TV.  The article also describes how Fox is blocking Cablevision internet subscribers from accessing its TV shows due to a dispute between Fox and Cablevision.  Hulu is also considering going to a subscription basis that would limit internet users' access to its shows.  Do you believe that the "open internet" principle should apply here?  Should the FCC step in (as they are threatening too, since Congress refuses to act)?  Or do the networks have a perfect right to restrict access to their shows via any medium?

Virginia Textbook Accused of Civil War Distortions

From Slate (10-20-10):

A textbook stating that thousands of African-American fought under the Confederate flag during the Civil War was handed out to Virginia fourth-graders last month, sparking controversy, reports the Washington Post. Most historians reject the idea that large numbers of black soldiers fought for the South. Groups like the Sons of Confederate Veterans have pushed the theory, however, to support their argument that the war was about Southerner's efforts "to preserve their homes and livelihood" rather than ending slavery. The book's author, Joy Masoff, said she had found the information on a Web site maintained by the group. The textbook's controversial claims were first highlighted by William & Mary historian Carol Sheriff, who came across them while glancing through her daughter's copy of Our Virginia: Past and Present. Sheriff said it was "disconcerting that the next generation is being taught history based on an unfounded claim instead of accepted scholarship." The author, who is not a professional historian, defended her work, saying: "I am a fairly respected writer."

Read original story in The Washington Post | Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010

Hackers switch online votes to evil sci fi robots

This year, more people than ever are voting ahead of time and online.  Click on this link to read a Washington Post article about how a group of computer scientists were able to penetrate Washington DC's online voting system and switch peoples' votes to the names of evil sci fi robots.  Fortunately, it was just an experimental test of the system, but it doesn't encourage a lot of confidence in the security of online votes.  Is cyber-space a safe place for citizens' votes to be lodged?

Digital deer hunting

In class we talked about a proposed website that would allow people online to control a gun that shoots actual deer.  Click on this link to read about a different approach to digital hunting.  The article (Sarasota Herald Tribune, 10-17-10) describes how cameras are mounted on gun scopes and and hunters aim at the animals but don't actually shoot them.  The video images are saved and offered as evidence that they would have killed the animal.  The technology thus mixes actually tracking animals with the woods with something similar to hunting animals (or humans or monsters) in a video game.  Competitions are being created in which hunters stalk their deer and compare potential kills, but no animals are actually harmed (like the tagline at the end of films).  Has this technology "solved" the problem of how to satisfy humans' recreational desire to hunt and kill animals without actually inflicting harm on the animals?

GPS tracker discovered on car

A new surveillance technique consists of placing a GPS tracking device on a person's car.  In some jurisdictions, a search warrant is not needed because the use of the device is regarded as the same as just following someone by car.  Click on this link to read a Sarasota Herald Tribune article (10-17-10) about a 20 year old computer salesman with a Middle Eastern name was shocked to discover such a device attached to his car.  He had apparently been tracked electronically without his knowledge.  Do you believe a search warrant should be required for such tracking?

Cameras to be installed at dangerous Sarasota intersections

Do you believe installing cameras that automatically ticket red light runners will reduce accidents and fatalities?  Click on this link to read a Sarasota Herald Tribune (10-19-10) article about how cameras are to be installed at the 10 most dangerous intersections.  Some cities are installing cameras only at the busiest intersections, but this has provoked the charge that they are just money-making machines.  Sarasota is trying to avoid this objection and also concerns about drivers having points added to their record (they won't).  Some studies suggest accidents actually increase when there are cameras present, though the accidents tend to be rear-enders rather than t-bone (which are more fatal).  Is installation of these cameras a good idea?  (asked by someone who has to cross 41 on a bicycle every day).

Teens text every 10 minutes

It turns out that teens are texting pretty much all the time. Precisely, they are on average sending and receiving text messages every 10 minutes of every waking hour of every day of the year, according to a new studyreleased by Nielsen.

According to the report on cellphone use in the second quarter of the year, Nielsen found that teenage girls are thumbing their way to new texting records ahead of boys. In total, cellphone users ages 13 to 17 sent and received an average of 3,339 texts a month, up 8 percent from the second quarter of 2009. Girls averaged 4,050 texts, and boys sent 2,539.

Text messaging – because of ease of use and fast transmission – is what 43 percent of teenagers say is their primary use for a cellphone. That’s why, according to Nielsen, the first they thing look for in a phone is a QWERTY raised keyboard, as opposed to touch screens. Two years ago they said the primary reason for having a cellphone was for safety factors.

And teens are using more Internet applications. Because of more picture messaging, gaming and e-mail, the average data consumed by teens rose to 62 megabytes in the second quarter compared with 14 megabytes in the second quarter of 2009.

By Cecilia Kang  | October 14, 2010; 5:15 PM ET |Washington Post

Animal abusers list first of its kind

Published: Friday, October 15, 2010 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 9:08 p.m.

From the Sarasota Herald-Tribune

FARMINGVILLE, N.Y. - You've heard of Megan's Laws, designed to keep sex offenders from striking again. Now there's a law created in the hope of preventing animal abusers from inflicting more cruelty -- or moving on to human victims.

"If you don't love an animal, you should not have an animal.."

– Fred Surbito
dog owner

By FRANK ELTMAN
The Associated Press

Suffolk County, on the eastern half of Long Island, moved to create the nation's first animal abuse registry this week, requiring people convicted of cruelty to animals to register or face jail time and fines.

"We know there is a very strong correlation between animal abuse and domestic violence," said Suffolk County legislator Jon Cooper, the bill's sponsor. "Almost every serial killer starts out by torturing animals, so in a strange sense we could end up protecting the lives of people."

The online list will be open to the public, so that pet owners or the merely curious can find out whether someone living near them is on it. Some animal abusers have been known to steal their neighbors' pets.

Cooper is also pushing legislation that would bar anyone on the registry from buying or adopting a pet from a shelter, pet shop or breeder.

The law was prompted by a number of animal abuse cases in recent months, including that of a Selden woman accused of forcing her children to watch her torture and kill kittens and dozens of dogs, then burying the pets in her backyard.

Animal welfare activists hope the law, passed unanimously Tuesday in the suburban New York City county of 1.5 million people, will inspire governments nationwide in the same way Megan's Law registries for child molesters have proliferated in the past decade.

A spokesman for county Executive Steve Levy said he intends to sign the legislation.

As Fred Surbito took his Yorkshire terrier, Sasha, in for grooming at a Farmingville pet store this week, he applauded the legislation.

"It's very, very important," he said. "If you don't love an animal, you should not have an animal. An animal is part of your family."

President Obama Is a Gay, Mexican, Suicide-Bombing Mobster

There's a parking lot in Grand Junction, Colo., that needs a taco truck. A creative Coloradan has managed to cram at least a half-dozen insults and stereotypes into a single Grand Junction billboard, and people are crowding a nearby parking lot to get a better look. The sign, which towers over I-70, features each of President Obama's four personalities seated around a table: Mexican-narcoterrorist Obama, cigar-chomping-gangster Obama, flamboyantly gay Obama, and, of course, suicide-bomber Obama. The various Obamas are gambling; the stakes are the Bible and the Constitution. Scurrying around beneath them are rats labeled "trial lawyers," the EPA, and the IRS. Talking Points Memo talked to the artist who created the image for $500. He won't reveal the name of his employer, but there's little doubt about his party affiliation.

From Slate, 10/15/10

Read original story in Talking Points Memo | Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010

I just learned how to text message

Thanks, Amanda, for these grisly photos!

A solution to the economic crisis?

In this column, Tom Lyons, an editor of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune (10-12-10) argues that the simplest solution to the lingering economic recession is to give $1,000,000 to each of 40 million Americans near retirement age.  This will open up the job market and the economy will be stimulated by the infusion of cash.  It's unlikely that he's serious about this proposal, but what do you think about the idea of putting cash (lots of it) directly in the hands of consumers, rather than funneling it through banks, businesses, the government, etc.?

New Web Code Draws Concern Over Risks to Privacy

Samy Kamkar

Click on this link to read a Sarasota Herald-Tribune article about privacy concerns connected with the new browser language, HTML 5.  The article discusses an individual, Samy Kamkar, who has used the new language to create a type of cookie that is almost unremovable due to its storing information about web-surfers in a variety of locations.  There are concerns that the new language will enable marketers and others to compile extensive information about all of us.

5 dangerous things to teach kids

(Thanks, Freddie, for pointing us to this video!)

Google tests self-driving cars

Click on this link to read a Washington Post article (10-11-10) about cars that can steer, stop, and start without a driver.  The developers at Googel aren't seeking to replace the driver, but rather to have something that would step in to avoid accidents if the driver isn't paying attention.  Apparently the cars have already logged 140,000 miles on the California highways without serious incident.  Do you believe the move towards turning driving over to a machine is a good step?  Or are we inviting disaster?

Democrats Consider Motivating Voters With Marijuana in 2012

Democratic strategists have their eye on marijuana as a way to get out the youth vote in 2012, reports the Wall Street Journal. California's Proposition 19, which would legalize the drug in small quantities and let the state regulate and tax its retail sale, is expected to draw California's Democratic voters and have a "coattail effect" for Democratic candidates. Party officials have considered Colorado, Nevada, and Washington as possible key states to roll out cannabis ballot measures during the 2012 presidential election. Though ballot initiatives don't generally have a big impact on turnout, initiatives that target certain audiences may tip the balance: In 2004, efforts to ban gay marriage in Ohio and other states brought out thousands of conservative voters and may have helped George W. Bush to victory. An August poll of California voters showed that the marijuana measure sent Democratic interest in this year's elections soaring from 24 percent to 38 percent, while it made no difference to Republicans.

From Slate (10-6-20); Read original story in The Wall Street Journal | Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010

Some bar patrons are armed

Do you think it's a good idea to allow guns in taverns?  Click on this link to read a Sarasota Herald-Tribune article (10-14-10) about how some states are allowing concealed weapons in bars.  Most states forbid it, fearing the mix of alcohol and bullets.  But some argue that there would be less bar fights and crime if bar patrons might carry guns.  Guns have been called the "great equalizer" between the strong and the weak.  Or do you think this is a dangerous idea?

"Square" credit card allows private individuals to accept card payments

Click on this link to read a column that ran in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune business section (10-4-10) about a new credit card service called Square.  Whereas currently, only businesses can accept credit cards, Square allows private individuals to accept cards via a tiny free card reader connected to your phone.  Say, for example, a friend wants to borrow $20 from you.  You could slide his credit card thru the reader and be reimbursed by Square.  Do you think this next step towards replacing cash transactions with credit cards is a good idea?  See the article to read about the terms offered by the service.

PETA kills animals

PETA has been reported to find homes for only 1 out of 300 pets that is brings into its headquarters in Virginia. Since 1998 they have decided to “put down” 23,640 adoptable dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens instead of finding homes for them. Despite the fact that they spend millions on media campaigns telling people about how inhumane it is to eat meat, drink milk, and other things that can be considered harmful to animals. It is much cheaper to just kill the animals as opposed to giving them good living conditions while they wait to be adopted.

What do you think? Does this seem a bit hypocritical to you?

To read the whole article go here... http://www.petakillsanimals.com

Stuxnet worm could take down power plants and factories

Click on this link to read a Yahoo News stories (9-30-10) about Stuxnet, the cyberspace worm that has the ability to autonomously target specific industrial machines such as pumps, valves, and generators.  Some believe the Israelis developed it to take down or delay Iran's nuclear research program while others believe it it could be used to paralyze the manufacturing sector and power grid of any developed country.  Or is just hackers seeing what they can do?  Perhaps Battlestar Galactica was smart to not allow its ship to be networked.

Mistaken for Muslim

1700% Project: Mistaken for Muslim from Anida Yoeu Ali on Vimeo.

I don't really know if I'm allowed to make posts, but I'm just going to assume I am. This is a commentary on post-9/11 USA and the growing amount of national anti-Muslim sentiment. It's kind of artsy fartsy, but Anida Yoeu Ali highlights violence against Muslims with a poem made up mostly of news headlines.


Most people agree that bigotry is wrong, but even so, hatred against Muslims is rising at an alarming rate. What do you think gives us (and other countries for that matter) the belief that we have the right to treat a specific group of people this way?

It's Morphin' time!!..... wait what?!!

Apparently during a robbery at a house, the thugs were suddenly chased away by.... wait for it... the RED POWER RANGER! So what do you think... a Dangerous Idea or a Dumb idea?

Link to the news;

http://scaredmonkeys.com/2006/11/30/4-year-old-power-ranger-saves-family/

Controversy ensues over Rutgers U. suicide

There is much controversy over the Rutgers University student who killed himself after his roommate broadcast on the internet his having sex with another male student.  Some are defending those who (innocently?) shot the voyeuristic video while others demand they be punished.  Click on this link to read a Washington Post (10-1-10) story (or view a video) about the controversy.