Sad, really.

NewsLink Indiana - Universities cope with Windows upgrade: "'We'd rather solve the problems SP2 creates than have another raging virus or worm like we've had the past two falls,'"

They'd rather put up with a Windows update that will slow their network to a crawl and reduce/eliminate application functionality than the "raging" attacks by virii and their cousins.
Why not dump the "Windows" part of the equation?

Curious Equation

So, "Domestic Security" > Free Speech ?
Read details at The Memory Hole > Justice Department Censors Supreme Court Quote.

Interesting...

Op Ed: How Long Can the Country Stay Scared?

Is Windows Killing the Internet?

Low End Mac's Jeff Adkins asks this question. And I have to agree with his answer - Windows and its various virii and bugs have made the Internet a scarier idea for those that are less than savvy about technology.

California holds 'Garage Sale'

CNN indicates they are also putting some items up on eBay. I actually give props to the Governator for this one; it's a great way to increase revenues without having to resort to increasing taxes or user fees.

Something's wrong when

National ID seen in 9/11 panel plan - The Washington Times: Nation/Politics - August 22, 2004: "'... we know you can drive, but we can't guarantee we know exactly who you are.'"

That's how Tennessee is "solving" the issue of people who need to drive but have a dubious legal status.

Paper checks just "float" away

According to MSN - Your checkbook just became obsolete, at the end of October, some big changes are coming to the way a checking account will function. Interesting read.

Another happy switcher!

News: "Windows thinks it's a surprise worth telling you about when something works. Apple doesn't."

incredibly weird

NYT > What Happens When You Buy a Post Office on eBay

The story of a couple who did indeed buy a post office on eBay, and had to engineer their own sting operation to get noticed by the powers that be, who are now punishing them for trying to point out massive government (or quasi-governmental corporation) problems.

Lots of Lightning

The Town Wire's Lightning Detector currently shows us as 89 strikes per minute are occurring "close" to Kokomo. I can believe it.

Dubious "Freedom of Choice"

RealNetworks Offers "Freedom of Choice" For Windows Users Only

Charley Aftermath Live

WeatherGuide has a link in the center of their page labeled "SEE LIVE VIDEO" that will take you to a live stream of an NBC affiliate in Florida.

Herbie, the Homeland Security Shepherd!

NPR/Slate's Day To Day reports on the Department of Homeland Security's plans to name an "American Shepherd" dog as the official mascot for their marketing plan to scare 8 to 12 year old kids into nagging their parents whenever Tom Ridge sneezes.

I feel the current state of "Homeland Security" is about as dubious as the existence of the "American Shepherd" breed of dog.

Hey kids! The bogeyman is coming to get you!

Yahoo! News - Ad campaign urges kids in grades 4-8 to plan for emergency: "In one radio advertisement, for example, a child asks his mother what to do and where to go if the electricity goes out and telephones don't work."

Isn't it awful when this administration has to prey on little kids and get them scared to convince their parents that the "threat" of "terror" is serious?

Finally!

The truth comes out? Or is it just a joke? Seattle Post-Intelligencer: AP - Washington, D.C.: New 'Bushism' born at bill signing: "President Bush offered up a new entry for his catalog of 'Bushisms' on Thursday, declaring that his administration will 'never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people.'"

Disney wants to remove the Record button!

See Electronic Frontier Foundation comments on Disney's new proposal to outlaw anything that could record an audio broadcast at all.

I guess we could all voluntarily quit recording, watching, or talking about Disney/ABC's programs. That sure would help them out, since they think it's a great business model.

(I gotta tell ya, if it weren't for my VCR, I'd never see anything from ABC, ABC Family, or the Disney Channel, because I barely have the time to watch 1 show a night when it's actually scheduled.)

Finally ... it all makes sense

We haven't yet won the "war on terror" because we're not miserable enough! That must be the reason for all these "terror alerts" I keep hearing about. The powers that be figure "If only they were more miserable, we could catch those darned terrorists." Look miserable to help the war on terrorism

A chicken in every pot

And Styrofoam houses for all!

BBC Technology | Polystyrene homes planned for Afghans

Woman fired for eating pork!

local6.com - Problem Solvers - Woman Fired For Eating 'Unclean' Meat

Only in America

can you compete on a reality show for (essentially) a green card.
reality blurred talks about an LA Spanish-language show that lets players compete for lawyers to help with residency.

New Al-Qaida info tied to DNC?

NPR reports that, depending who you ask, the Bush administration specifically wanted this released during the time period when the DNC was taking place late last week.

The temperature at which freedom burns...

American Library Association President-Elect Michael Gorman on the destruction of Department of Justice documents

Will they be telling us which books to burn also?

Fighting Terror by Attacking ... South America?

Or a "non-Al Qaeda target like Iraq"?
MSNBC - Newsweek reports.

"loyalty oath"

Some Democrats seeking Cheney tickets had to sign oath and hand over lots of personal information for a background check.