Random Ten Tiem

It's the Friday Random Ten.

Hit the Party Shuffle in iTunes and what do I get?

Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx
Gasoline - MDFMK
Odyssey - Amethystium
Human (Single version)
09 Anakin Vs Obi-Wan - John Williams
01 Dark Chest Of Wonders - Nightwish
Traces (Light & Weight) - Enigma
My Console - Eiffel 65
Lullaayby for Love - Groove Coverage
I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner

Damian's Random Ten, 08/31/2007

It's the Friday Random Ten, and it-




The time is already past 6:00 for my client! Therefore, he could not possibly be posting his Random Ten, because it's too late!


Mr. Wright, I fail to see how the time affects your client's ability to post, unless it's after midnight. I suggest you think your objections over more carefully.


(...Erk. I guess he could post after 6 PM and it'd still be Friday...)

Hit the Party Shuffle in iTunes and what do I get?

• Barenaked Ladies - When You Dream
• Fiona Apple - Criminal
• Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication
• No Mercy - Where Do You Go
• Sean Paul - Get Busy
• The Beatles - Penny Lane
• The Birthday Massacre - Neverending Story
• Riyu Kosaka - HONEY♂PUNCH
• Nintendo - Stealth Turtles
• Barenaked Ladies - Baby Seat

(Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney sprites courtesy of Court-Records.net)

Larry Craig: Seed of Insanity

The whole "Anti-gay Senator Larry Craig busted for trying to find sex in a men's room" thing is a rich repository of insanity of all kinds. First, though, a bit of sanity to steel your resolve: Alex Blaze from The Bilerico Project speculates on just how appropriate this whole thing is, as well as whether or not it's okay to point and laugh. (For the record, he says yes, and I agree.)

Now for the crazy crap: First off, right from the horse's ass, Craig himself blames everyone but his own need for cock for his plight:


Second, Pandagon covers the Freeper reaction, and boy howdy is it CRAAAAZY!

You all have been waiting for it…some knuckle-dragging commentary from the swamps of Freeperland about conservative Republican U.S. Senator from Idaho Larry Craig’s same-sex bathroom booty call. Enjoy!

Actual Freeper Quotes

Part of the perversion that is homosexuality; sex in public places.

I agree. This looks very bad, indeed. He can use all the excuses that he wants, but I doubt that he will convince many that he was “innocent.” I hope that he does the right thing for the GOP and decides not to run again for the senate. He is political toast. Unlike the Dems, Republicans care about sexual ethics.

[And my personal favorite –]

I think this is another Democrat setup. Anyone who says anything against gays nowadays is persecuted.

Nah, I think more likely the GOP bigwigs eventually knew about it and figured it will come out any way, dump it today under the flash of the Gonzales stories.

You gotta wonder how nuts those psychos at Freep have to be to actually believe the horseshit they spew in every direction. And you might notice how nearly every freeper quote has either a "dem queerz is ebil" or "the Dhimmicrats are teh REEEEL prevertz" smear in it. That's conservative class for you.

Speaking of, what would a look at psychosis be without the pathological hatred of oneof my favorite trolls, Dana of Common Sense Political Thought and common troll at Pandagon and Liberal Avenger:

Mr Craig’s votes on the issues that Mr Rogers and Pam Spaulding of Pandagon find important:

* Voted YES on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (June 2006)
* Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (June 2002)
* Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (June 2000)
* Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (September 1996)
* Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (September 1996)

Even though I don’t see any particular reason why people ought to be discriminated against in employment for being homosexual, I see no reason to add it to federal job discrimination laws — since I don’t like the idea of such laws in the first place. Nor do I think we ought to have hate crimes laws: we should punish people for the crimes they commit, not the motivations behind those crimes. Senator Craig’s positions are perfectly reasonable, even if he is on the “down low.” But our friends on the left all assume, since they dislike those positions, that Mr Craig must be a major hypocrite.

That's right, Dana's trying to deny Mr. Craig's hypocritical gay-bashing by saying that it must be because he just thinks it's bad policy to give equal rights to gay people. Inbetween calling everyone who doesn't agree with him "scumbag", Dana has to try and stick up for the gay-bashing homo (to take a phrase from Mr. Garrison) because he might have to admit that maybe, just maybe, Craig is a fucking hypocrite for voting for bigoted anti-gay laws while bering a closet case himself.

And why is he defending the anti-gay decisions of an outed hypocrite? Why, because conservatives have more class.

Calling Out Vick

Yesterday Michael Vick pleaded guilty to conspiracy to dogfight charges and made a "public apology" for his actions. While that's all well and good, I have to call out one thing which really burns my soup:

"Through this situation I've found Jesus," he added. He vowed to redeem himself, saying, "I have to."

Are we suddenly supposed to be all behind him now, since he's "found JAYZUS"? It's the most callously overused pander in the world (though I have a feeling it's almost exclusive to this country), it's wrongheaded, and it's not surprising.
Every time some celebrity does wrong, they "find Jesus" and all of a sudden they're supposed to be considered good people? Bullshit. Quite honestly, my experience shows that people who start talking religion in situations like this become worse people. I know that's not going to convince everyone, but I know I can't be the only one who's noticed this.

Damian's Random Ten, 08/24/2007

It's the Friday Random Ten: Elite Beat Agents edition.

Agents are... GO!!
Are you ready? 3-2-1-GO!

• Chicago - You're the Inspiration
• Avril Lavigne - Sk8er Boi
• Rolling Stones - Jumpin' Jack Flash
• Village People - YMCA
• Jamiroquai - Canned Heat
• Deep Purple - Highway Star
• Madonna - Material Girl
• Earth, Wind and Fire - September
• Ashlee Simpson - La La
• Good Charlotte - The Anthem

BONUS MISSION! Cher - Believe

Mine Owner Blames Miners' Union for His Failures

From Crooks and Liars: CNN Softballs Bob Murray…What about those documents?

This interview is one of the reasons why America is so uninformed about serious issues in our country. Kyra Phillips is really engaged in the Utah mining disaster and has a genuine passion about the story, but instead of asking the real questions to Murray about the dangerous mining conditions he promoted after he denied them—she treated him like a folk hero. The Huffington Post has more…

Murray: A rumor was started by the United Mine Workers. It’s false statements they have made. False statements from the beginning. But I’ve watched them for 50 years and they have preyed on the tragedy of miners and their families to put out false information to organize their union.

Murray always has the time to bash the United Mine Workers as much as he can and then he praises CNN for the wonderful job they are doing.

Follow the link to watch video of the so-called interview.

I saw this at work and I nearly punched the TV. That slave-driving scumbag kept acting like he was about to cry over the people he's essentially murdered. Worse yet, he made it a point to smear the UMW like a good little shill, proving once again the hostility of business owners towards any opportunity for workers to gain leverage.

But the most stunning part of all is that it isn't some nasty rumor started by those awful non-rich working-class people that's hounding him... it's the truth.

Robert Murray insists that his company did not change the mining plan at Crandall Canyon after purchasing a joint interest in the mine last August.
But documents obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune clearly contradict Murray's assertion, and show that Murray's company sought and received approval from federal regulators to make a significant, and, experts say, risky change to the mining strategy.
Records of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) show that, after Murray acquired a 50 percent ownership in the mine on Aug. 9, 2006, his company repeatedly petitioned the agency to allow coal to be extracted from the north and south barriers - thick walls of coal that run on both sides of the main tunnels and help hold up the mine.

The Conservative News Network, of course, wouldn't dare ask a real question of someone like Murray. After all, he's a business owner, and thus his decisions are perfect, no matter who's hurt, no matter who dies, no matter how much suffering is caused.

Damian's Random Ten, 08/17/2007

It's the Friday Random Ten, and IT GIVE YOU MUCH GOLD FOR AMERICAN MONEY YOU WANT EPIC MOUNT?

Hit the Party Shuffle in iTunes and what do I get?

• Groove Coverage - Let It Be
• Crosby, Still, Nash, and Young - Just A Song Before I Go
• Eminem - As the World Turns
• Melee Orchestra - Fire Emblem
• Namco - In Father's Name
• Masato Nakamura - Metropolis Zone
• Modest Mouse - People as Places as People
• Javier Navarrete - El Que no es Humano
• Grame Norgate - Elevator Music B (from Goldeneye 007)
• Medwyn Goodall - Vicuña

Woman fired from Meijer for appearing in 'Sicko'

Gee, and just when I was starting to think Meijer might be better than Wal-Mart. From MichaelMoore.com, reprinting an article in the Livingston, MI Press & Argus: Hartland grad says 'Sicko' got her fired

HOWELL, MI -- A Hartland High School graduate who appeared in the Michael Moore documentary "Sicko" says she was unfairly fired from her job as a manager at Meijer because of the views on health care she expressed in the film.

Adrian Campbell, a 25-year-old Waterford Township resident, said her new boss at the Northville Meijer store did not approve of her comments in the movie, which called for health-care reform in the United States.

"He called me anti-American," she said. "He was constantly calling me that."

Before I go any farther into this, let's take note of something here: This manager calls her "anti-American" for exercising her right to free speech. Or, rather, her right to say that something's not perfect in this country. That's what's wrong with so many people in this country these days-they believe they're living in a perfect country and that anyone pointing out any flaw is saying that America is a bad country.

"I said 'No, I'm not anti-American, I just think there should be a few changes in this country.' And then he let me go."

A call seeking comment from her supervisor was referred to Meijer's corporate office, which released a statement disputing Campbell's claim.

"Ms. Campbell's employment was in no way impacted because of her appearance in the movie 'Sicko' or any statements or beliefs she may have made or held about the movie or health care in our country," the statement reads.

"Nearly one month ago, Meijer announced a restructure plan that had been under development for several months which involved all of our 4,200 leadership team members.

"Ms. Campbell, like others, was offered another leadership position at Meijer but declined that offer, instead accepting a severance package. Upon completion of this company-wide restructure, over 500 Meijer team leaders have accepted severance packages."

The severance package equals out to five weeks of pay, Campbell said, adding she was not offered another leadership position at Meijer.

Note the italicized part above. This is going to be their excuse if she attempts to sue them for wrongful termination. Either that, or they'll simply say that there's no evidence whatsoever for her claim.

I love living in a country full of jingoistic drum-beaters. Really.

State of Texas plans to execute a man RECOGNIZED BY THE COURTS as INNOCENT

FEED HIM TO THE SHARKTICONS!

On August 30, the state of Texas is going to EXECUTE a man that the courts recognize as innocent. Why? Because he was in the AREA when someone he knew murdered the victim.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20070810/cm_thenation/4221949

In less than three weeks Kenneth Foster, an African American man sentenced to death in 1997 for the murder of Michael LaHood, is scheduled to be executed in Texas.

LaHood's actual killer, Mauriceo Brown, was executed in 2006. Foster, who was in a car about 100 yards from the crime when it was committed, was convicted under the controversial Texas state "law of parties", under which the distinction between principal actor and accomplice in a crime is abolished. The law can impose the death penalty on anybody involved in a crime where a murder occurred. In Foster's case he was driving a car with three passengers, one of whom, Brown, left the car, got into an altercation and shot LaHood dead. Texas is the only state that applies this statute in capital cases, making it the only place in the United States where a person can be factually innocent of murder and still face the death penalty.

Foster maintains that he did not know that Brown would either rob or kill LaHood. According to an Amnesty International investigation, there is evidence not heard at trial that the murder was an unplanned act committed by Brown, as the latter himself claimed before his execution.

In 2005, a federal district judge found a "fundamental constitutional defect in Foster's sentence" and ruled that Foster's jury had not been asked to determine if he had any intent to kill LaHood, and that this failure represented a misapplication of the law. However, the state of Texas appealed to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which overturned the decision.

The crazy thing about this case is that no one argues that Foster killed the victim. As the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's award-winning columnist Bob Ray Sanders wrote, the case "is further proof of how cruel, capricious, unjust and utterly insane our death penalty laws have become....Because of this tainted system, whether you believe in capital punishment or not, a man who did not plan or commit a murder will die August 30 unless somebody -- a judge, the Board of Pardons and Paroles and/or the governor-- has the heart and the guts to stop it."You can help these folks get up the guts at freekenneth.com. Find updates on the case and urge members of the Texas legislature to stay Foster's execution and ask for a re-trial based on new evidence.

If everyone who reads this would PLEASE go to freekenneth.com and petition the State of Texas to save this man - and REPEAL this evil, unjust, and unConstitutional law - we may be able to force the hand of the Texas legistlature and save a life. This man committed NO crime worthy of the death penalty - if he committed any crime at ALL, it was simply in failing to prevent the murder from happening.

So petition, please. Have your friends and family petition. The more voices that can be raised in outrage over this GROSS miscarriage of justice, the better. Kenneth Foster - a total stranger to us, but a human being nonetheless, who stands to be executed for a crime that the courts ADMIT that he is factually innocent of - NEEDS OUR HELP.

So, please, help us do something. Help save an innocent life.

Wait, what?

HOLY CRAP NEW CONTRIBUTOR

QUOTES: "What's crackin', li'l bitches?" ~Jazz "Transformers"

It's the Friday Random Ten.

Hit the Party Shuffle in iTunes and what do I get?

• Paul Oakenfold: Burns Attack
• Andrew WK: Ready to Die
• Andrew WK: Party Hard
• Mike and the Mechanics: I Need A Miracle
• Eminem: Cleaning Out My Closet
• Boom Boom Satellites: Bump Over Hills
• Eminem: Soldier
• Amethystium: Elvensong
• Enigma: Snow of the Sahara
• Eminem: Without Me (Radio Edit)

Yes, my taste in music is cracked. Welcome to my world!

Damian's Random Ten, 08/10/2007

It's the Friday Random Ten, and it love you long time.

Hit the Party Shuffle in iTunes and what do I get?

• Groove Coverage - Call Me
• DJ ATTACK - Sky Chase
• Kukeiha Club - Theme of Vic Viper
• Dido - Here With Me
• Rare - Pelagic II: Exploration
• Motoi Sakuraba - Shifting Sands 2
• Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall Part II
• Garth Brooks - Dixie Chicken
• Asia - Heat of the Moment
• Namco - Wings of Faith

The Kids Call It Ownage

Today's Journal-Gazette Letters page

Fighting for freedom to smoke in a bar

I am exceedingly grateful to those at the July 27 City Council meeting who did so much to clear up something that has been troubling me and many others in this country and around the world for some time. Finally, we have the definitive answer to the question of why we are in Iraq. Apparently, we have killed half a million Iraqis, at the cost of thousands of our own children, so that some citizen in Fort Wayne can slouch in a sleazy bar swilling bad beer, chain-smoking Winstons. I assume the president has been alerted. All of his other ridiculous excuses for this fiasco of choice have imploded, and this one certainly seems as good as any.

But seriously, I object to the tragic war in Iraq being so appallingly trivialized. I know my two stepchildren, both of whom have served in Iraq at least once, would be rather depressed to discover that their devotion to this country has been reduced to such a pittance.

BERND FISCHER
Fort Wayne

Oh man, you beter believe I got a lugh out of this one. I was afraid I'd have to be the one to call the whiners out on this, but there it is.

Thank you, friend, for doing what needed to be done.

Zombie Discrimination

From GamePolitics.com: African Women’s Blog Critical of Resident Evil 5 Trailer

Capcom’s Resident Evil 5 hasn’t even got a release date, but it’ s already drawn the ire of a blog devoted to African women.

Black Looks calls into question the game’s setting as depicted in the trailer, first shown at this year’s E3 in Santa Monica:

The new Resident Evil video game depicts a white man in what appears to be Africa killing Black people. The Black people are supposed to be zombies and the white man’s job is to destroy them and save humanity…

This is problematic on so many levels, including the depiction of Black people as inhuman savages, the killing of Black people by a white man in military clothing, and the fact that this video game is marketed to children and young adults. Start them young… fearing, hating, and destroying Black people.

The point has been made by some gamers as well. In fact, GamePolitics reader Quad9Damage raised the same issue in a letter to GP just the other day.

The trailer in question:


This is ridiculous. To claim that this game is racist because your enemies are African people living in Africa who've been turned into zombies is insane. It's about killing zombies because they're zombies who are trying to kill you.

It's things like this that make it practically impossible to point out real racism in the world. When you find real racism and point it out, they just cluck their tongues and say, "But people like you also think that video games are racist when they aren't, so why should I believe you, you PC thug?"

Thanks, reactionary idiots, for making life harder for those of us who actually want to change the world.

Damian's Random Ten, 08/03/2007

It's the Friday Random Ten, and you can't have it your way.

Hit the Party Shuffle in iTunes and what do I get?

• Bon Jovi - I Got the Girl
• The Eagles - Hole in the World
• Masato Nakamura - Final Boss (Giant Eggbot)
• Kelly Clarkson - SINCE U BEEN GONE (DDR Ver.)
• Therion - Uthark Runa
• Blackmore's Night - The Storm
• VNV nation - Forsaken (Vocal Ver.)
• DragonForce - My Spirit Will Go On
• Blackmore's Night - Home Again
• Eminem - My Name Is

EXTRA STAGE: Riyu Kosaka - Love ♥ Shine