Bless Us! Our First Troll

I have been online for a long time (in internet years). I first went "cyber" in 1993, back when most people were still getting used to having a computer in the home. But, today, after 12 years, I finally have my own troll! I am a little embarrassed that it took me so long, but I have been a slave to comportment. So, thank you Rogero for your moronic contribution. We will keep an eye on you and hope to see you clogging up the usenet once you learn how to use Outlook.

"Star Trek is for losers. Like you!!!!"

He says so much in so few words. And using a Star Trek as a slam is so worthy of the bedwetting set.

The Globe and Mail: Requiem for the beast

Here is a justifiably glowing review of Raging Bull, 25 years after the fact. A fantastic movie that I can barely stand to watch.

Iraqi Voter Turnout

The New York Times on Thursday reports that in the city of Mosul, with 60% of the count completed, the overall turnout seems slightly above 10%, or 'somewhat more than 50,000 of Mosul's 500,000 estimated eligible voters'.

Will the media correct the 57% figure they have been reporting? That number comes from election officials in Iraq who were guessing based on a few polling stations. Certainly the Bushmonsters will never admit that the election was anything other than a success.

Here is a quote from dailykos.com :

"In al-Anbar it was only 17,000 of 250,000 eligible voters, or 7% turnout. In Mosul, a city of 1.8 million people, only 54,000 votes were cast (3% of the population, so probably no more than 5% of the eligible voters). At one poll in Mosul only 3% of voters were women. At another, which opened at 7:00, at 10:00 they didn't have a single voter except the soldiers assigned to protect it. Why? Well, maybe folks didn't want to lose their heads--literally"

PSP: PSP US Launch Date and Price Revealed

$299.99 CDN. Hmm. Still pretty pricey. If you picked up the system and a couple of games come March you would be looking at close to $500.00!? Ouch.
Speaking of games, check out the line-up of tired and re-hashed launch titles. I don't know. I just don't know.

PSP: PSP US Launch Date and Price Revealed

FilmForce: UPN Cancels Enterprise

It seems as though Berman and Braga have finally suceeded in squeezing the very life out of Star Trek. Hands up who's surprised....
I thought so.

Shame, though.

FilmForce: UPN Cancels Enterprise

Typical Abuse of Power

Ontario man assaulted by the police.

I know this is an old story, but I just happened upon it. Thanks to our black-helicopter-fearing-friends for the tip. Sheep look up.

It's finally here.

Launch the fizzling bottle rockets! Yeah! Whoo-Hoo! Whoo... ahh, whatever.
(Who am I kidding, I can't wait to buy it! I'm pathetic)

PlayStation.com - News and Media - Press Releases - GRAN TURISMO�4 FOR PLAYSTATION�2 WILL LAUNCH FEBRUARY 22, 2005 IN NORTH AMERICA

Faded Canadian Music Stars blessed by Tsunami

Looking over the roster of acts participating in the Vancouver and Calgary Tsunami relief concerts, as well as the tv version that ran a week or two ago, it seems like we have a whole population of "Can-con" artists whose tired sound sidelined them a ways back who have rushed to the stage for Tsuanami Relief. These guys and gals must have been losing all hope of a comeback until nature gave them an opportunity to go on stage again. For example, Chantal Kraveaziuk married to the Stone Temple Pony guy Raine Mair (or I am confusing him with Raif Mair... anyway the guy who sings "Throw away the telephone, suitcase keeps you awake, not allright not allright telephone telephone", well now he's doing it accoustically), has been playing her one hit at places like Buffalo Bills in Banff and thanks to the Tsunami, she gets to play to 10,000 audience members.

If you managed to watch the Vancouver leg of Tsunami Relief and were lucky enough to watch Blonde Avril Lavigne, you would have learned that Ashlee SImpson's Orange Bowl performance is pretty representative of the current music scene. They all suck and if they weren't singing for charitable reasons, I would be more comfortable being critical of them.

Jacques Rogge : 2010 Games belong to all of Canada: Rogge

CBC Sports: 2010 Games belong to all of Canada: Rogge: 'We believe the Games must be Canadian Games,' said Rogge. 'There must be a sense of ownership in all of Canada, in all the provinces, for these Games.'

Rogge also asked for volunteers from Quebec to go to Vancouver. As well, he wants all Canadians to volunteer, or to donate money.

So how is this my problem all of a sudden?

Canada gives Ubisoft $4 million - PC News at GameSpot

WHAT? Wow, what a travesty.
I recently spent some time in Quebec where, according to local residents and my white knuckles the roads are literaly falling apart, there is virtually no snow removal, the health care system is crumbling, Montreal is filthy; all of that and more and they blow 4 million on a video game company?!
Sam Fisher is no Quebecois.

Canada gives Ubisoft $4 million - PC News at GameSpot

Pointless, yet I am doing it anyway gaming poll.

If you had to choose only three games to play for years to come what would they be?

Personally, I have a substantial collection of way, way too many console video games (I wonder if that's why I'm always low on cash...hmmm...unsolved mysteries, huh?)

But, if I had to pick three they would be:

1. Gran Turismo 3 - A-Spec
2. Winning Eleven 7
3. SOCOM II

The New York Times > Opinion > Op-Ed Columnist: Torture Chicks Gone Wild

The New York Times > Opinion > Op-Ed Columnist: Torture Chicks Gone Wild: "What good is it for President Bush to speak respectfully of Islam and claim Iraq is not a religious war if the Pentagon denigrates Islamic law - allowing its female interrogators to try to make Muslim men talk in late-night sessions featuring sexual touching, displays of fake menstrual blood, and parading in miniskirt, tight T-shirt, bra and thong underwear?"

"A former American Army sergeant who worked as an Arabic interpreter at Gitmo has written a book pulling back the veil on the astounding ways female interrogators used a toxic combination of sex and religion to try to break Muslim detainees at the U.S. prison camp in Cuba. It's not merely disgusting. It's beyond belief.

"I have really struggled with this because the detainees, their families and much of the world will think this is a religious war based on some of the techniques used, even though it is not the case," the former sergeant, Erik R. Saar, 29, told The Associated Press. The A.P. got a manuscript of his book, deemed classified pending a Pentagon review.

A female military interrogator who wanted to turn up the heat on a 21-year-old Saudi detainee who allegedly had taken flying lessons in Arizona before 9/11 removed her uniform top to expose a snug T-shirt. She began belittling the prisoner - who was praying with his eyes closed - as she touched her breasts, rubbed them against the Saudi's back and commented on his apparent erection.

After the prisoner spat in her face, she left the room to ask a Muslim linguist how she could break the prisoner's reliance on God. The linguist suggested she tell the prisoner that she was menstruating, touch him, and then shut off the water in his cell so he couldn't wash.

The military did not deny the specifics, but said the prisoners were treated "humanely" and in a way consistent "with legal obligations prohibiting torture." However the Bush White House is redefining torture these days, the point is this: Such behavior degrades the women who are doing it, the men they are doing it to, and the country they are doing it for."

DuhhStudy finds parents perform better online than teens - Jan. 31, 2005

Duhhh.
Study finds parents perform better online than teens - Jan. 31, 2005

Stupid People Are Funny

But stupid, self-righteous people are even funnier. On the Fifth Estate, Ann Coulter was interviewed for a recent show. She wanted to attack Canada for its lack of participation in the Iraq invasion.



Coulter: "Canada used to be one of our most loyal friends and vice-versa. I mean Canada sent troops to Vietnam - was Vietnam less containable and more of a threat than Saddam Hussein?"

McKeown interrupts: "Canada didn't send troops to Vietnam."

Coulter: "I don't think that's right."

McKeown: "Canada did not send troops to Vietnam."

Coulter (looking desperate): "Indochina?"

McKeown: "Uh no. Canada ...second World War of course. Korea. Yes. Vietnam No."

Coulter: "I think you're wrong."

McKeown: "No, took a pass on Vietnam."

Coulter: "I think you're wrong."

McKeown: "No, Australia was there, not Canada."

Coulter: "I think Canada sent troops."

McKeown: "No."

Coulter: "Well. I'll get back to you on that."

I can understand somebody getting facts wrong, but it is her determination to be correct that is the telling point. Like most pundits, Coulter bends facts to suit her point. Maybe Ann forgot that she was not on Fox.

Take-Two bulks up on baseball; adds MLBP, MLBAM to partner lineup - News at GameSpot

Take-Two bulks up on baseball; adds MLBP, MLBAM to partner lineup - News at GameSpot