Archive for July, 2009
Another Russian Human Rights Activist Murdered
July 15th, 2009Via: BBC: A prominent Russian human rights activist, Natalia Estemirova, has been found dead in the North Caucasus. She was bundled into a van and abducted as she left her home in Chechnya on Wednesday morning, a colleague said. Her body was found in Ingushetia. The Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed “outrage” at the murder, […]
India to Issue all 1.2 Billion Citizens with Biometric ID Cards
July 15th, 2009Via: Times Online: It is surely the biggest Big Brother project yet conceived. India is to issue each of its 1.2 billion citizens, millions of whom live in remote villages and possess no documentary proof of existence, with cyber-age biometric identity cards. The Government in Delhi recently created the Unique Identification Authority, a new state […]
It’s a Very Nice House in the Country (But Not for an Orgy)
July 15th, 2009This is probably several rungs down from the top of the pyramid, but worth noting anyway. Via: Independent: Nestled in the rolling Somerset countryside and surrounded by 17 acres of meticulously kept gardens, Halswell House is the sort of quintessentially English retreat that would make an ideal backdrop for a romantic period drama. It is […]
Why the NSA-Twitter Rumor Is Dumb
July 15th, 2009The NSA wouldn’t have to ask Twitter for permission to install a dump feed because NSA already has it. It’s very safe to assume that NSA is already splitting everything off from NTT/Verio, Twitter’s hosting provider. In other words, the NSA had the capability in place long before Twitter was even a glimmer. There’s no […]
Fox: How Madoff Will Be Killed In Jail
July 15th, 2009SOLDIER REFUSES TO DEPLOY TO AFGHANISTAN ON ORDER OF FOREIGN BORN PRESIDENT, U.S. ARMY REVOKES ORDER RATHER THAN FORCE THE ISSUE IN COURT
July 15th, 2009UPDATE: Federal Judge Dismisses Reservist’s Suit Questioning Obama’s Presidency “Federal court only has authority of actual cases and controversies,” Land said. “The entire action is dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.” I think that because the additional plaintiffs weren’t facing orders to deploy, the court decided to end it. Major Stefan Frederick Cook’s issue […]
Where and When You Use Credit Cards Could Hurt Your Credit Rating
July 15th, 2009Cash kills credit card companies. Via: Concord Monitor: Here’s a word to the wise: Think twice before whipping out that credit card to pay for purchases at the Salvation Army or a discount store, have tires re-treaded or even buy a late-night round of drinks. Credit card companies see those purchases, and a slew of […]
Moody’s Downgrades Status of California Bonds
July 15th, 2009Via: AP: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger told state employee unions Tuesday his administration would cut another 2,000 jobs to help close California’s $26.3 billion budget deficit. Meanwhile, Moody’s Investor Services downgraded California bonds to near-junk status, from A2 to Baa1, and placed the state’s credit rating on watch for possible further reductions. Moody’s said the budget […]
Exxon Spending $600 Million on Algae Based Biofuel Research
July 14th, 2009Mmm hmm. Via: New York Times: The oil giant Exxon Mobil, whose chief executive once mocked alternative energy by referring to ethanol as “moonshine,” is about to venture into biofuels. On Tuesday, Exxon plans to announce an investment of $600 million in producing liquid transportation fuels from algae — organisms in water that range from […]
“The Monkey Cannot Feel The Electrodes In Its Brain, And Did Not Appear To Be Distressed By The Wires Leading From A Socket On Its Head”
July 14th, 2009Via: Sky: A monkey fitted with a hi-tech brain chip has learned to move a complex robotic arm using mind control. The animal can operate the robot with such dexterity that it can reach out to grab, and turn a handle. The mechanical arm has an arm, elbow, wrist and simple hand, which the monkey […]
