The U.S. Aid to Israel

from the Documentary film “Occupation 101″ (2006) trailer

IRAQ STUDY GROUP: Violence Has Continued and Gotten Worse

A Petition on the War On Iraq and more

From 2Plotical Junkies Blog

The Pittsburgh Vets Tour belives in SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS BY BRING THEM HOME. To that end, they have created a downloadable petition that you can sign and collect signitures from others.

The Pittsburgh Vets Tour is a city-wide speaking tour featurning Iraq Vets and military families. The tour kicked off on Wednesday, May 23rd.

The Tour is also a vehicle to advance the above linked petition to City Council demanding the immediate withdrawal of all occupying forces in Iraq; reparations for the destruction and corporate pillaging of Iraq so that Iraqi people can control their own lives and future; and full benefits, adequate healthcare (including mental health), and other supports for returning servicemen and women.

What does Pittsburgh City Council have to do with the War on Iraq, you may well ask? Proclamations of this kind help to provide courage to the convictions of our representatives in D.C. who can do something about the war.

Other groups such as The Thomas Merton Center and Democracy for Pittsburgh are supporting the petition drive, but EVERYONE can help gather names. Petition signatures will be collected through September. Although the petition is to be presented to the Pittsburgh City Council, the TMC and the P'VT are encouraging all local residents, county as well as city to sign the petitionas this is not the sort of petition that needs to meet an legal requirements (such as if it were to get a referendum or a candidate on the ballot).

Sudan Divestment Authorization Act

Your help is needed to push an important bill that would help end the violence by empowering states to divest their pension funds from companies that help fund the genocide in Darfur.

Unfortunately, this crucial bill has been stuck in the Senate Banking Committee for the last two months.

When lives are being lost, two months is far too long to sit on such an important bill!
Urge Senator Dodd to make sure the crucial Sudan Divestment Authorization Act comes to a vote on the Senate floor without further delays!

You can CLICK HERE to send your letter now.

Give Greener Cars the Green Light

Even though the debate about global warming has moved from "is it happening?" to "how do we slow it down?" -- meaningful action at the federal level could be a ways off.

And unfortunately, the Bush Administration's EPA is blocking California and 11 other states from implementing tailpipe standards to reduce global warming pollution from cars and SUVs. For nearly a year and a half, the EPA has refused to grant a stamp of approval (called a Clean Air Act "waiver"), and air pollution has been higher than it needs to be.

The public comment period ends this Friday June 15th, so take action right away in support of state-level efforts to combat global warming.

Last Comic Standing

I only watch one reality show and it's back - Last Comic Standing
The most comics are in Washington D.C and they are not funny, but you can catch this show on NBC Wednesday nights. There is so much Bullshit happening in the world these days, Take Some Time out to Laugh.
You will feel better

U.S. act would make spyware legal

If you ever needed proof that big media and big government are a big crock of... well, let's just say look no further than the SPY Act. The U.S. House of Representatives already sold you down the river but, the bill is currently making it's slimy way through the Senate. The EFF has an action alert on how you can tell your Senator exactly what you think of making it legal for the recording industry to install spyware on your box.

The EFF's alert puts it succinctly, "The SPY Act is supposed to help stop spyware, deceptive adware, and other malicious software, but it is unlikely to do any good and could actually make things worse. If enacted, it would block lawsuits similar to the one EFF brought against Sony-BMG for infecting customers' computers with privacy-invasive copy protection."

The EFF did PC users a serious solid by slapping Sony for invading your machine through trojaned music CDs. This bill would essentially give the media industry carte-blanche to install what they wish any time you insert a disc you've paid for.

[via Boing Boing]

Gay Bomb?

Weird -what else can I say

HEADZUP: Thanks for Lying, Gonzo!

Mr. Wizard Gives a Last Interview

Mr. Wizard Gives a Last Interview

Hardly ever missed a show when I was a young pup.

Don Herbert was known to his fans as Mr. Wizard, star of the Watch Mr. Wizard show. Long before Mythbusters, Herbert made common household items seem magical every Saturday at noon on NBC, from 1951 to 1964.

Herbert died on Tuesday after a long struggle with multiple myeloma, the Los Angeles Times reported. His legacy is the thousands of children he inspired to get involved in science. Many of them, myself included, are practicing scientists today.

An Air Force veteran and former actor, Herbert revived the show once in 1971, and again on Nickelodeon from 1983 to 1990. By then he had created a bank of shows that he released on DVD in 2004.

The Mr. Wizard show made a long-term cultural impact, engendering parodies including "Ask Mr. Lizard!" on the TV cartoon Dinosaurs, "Ask Mr. Stupid" on the '90s cartoon The Ren and Stimpy Show", and "Ask Dr. Science!" on the public radio comedy Duck's Breath Mystery Theater.

Herbert was interviewed by Wired News in May through e-mail with help from his son-in-law, Thomas Nikosey. Nikosey took over as president of Mr. Wizard Studios five years ago.

WN: What was the highlight of your career?

Herbert: One of the many highlights was realizing the tremendous effect the Watch Mr. Wizard show had on the mass national audience. After all, we did not tape in front of an audience and the early years were live, kinescope, shows. We didn't get instant feedback.

WN: What advice would you give to the makers of science television programming?

Herbert: Science is about the real world around us and it's filled with fascinating wonders.

WN: Is there any one household item or chemical that you think is particularly amazing?

Herbert: There are several: bleach, vinegar, ammonia, baking soda, straws, paper, scissors, etc. I authored a book titled Mr. Wizard's Supermarket Science that deals with this very question.

WN: You began to include girls in your show quite early on. Female scientists are beginning to outnumber male scientists in some areas. Can you comment on what led you to be so far ahead of your time?

Herbert: Looking back it certainly was a major contributing factor to the show's longevity and success. The girls were terrific!

WN: What would you consider to be the most memorable moments from your shows?

Herbert: The shows that presented surprises to both me and the kids.

WN: You must have a lot of stories about people that have thanked you for turning them on to science. Can you share some of your favorites?

Herbert: There have been so many over the years: doctors, scientists, engineers, science teachers, science reporters, on-air science T.V. personalities. Actually, I feel very fortunate that I was able to spark an interest in so many lives.

WN: Do you think that excessive concerns about safety detract from the value of modern chemistry sets and educational toys?

Herbert: To some degree, but safety is paramount. We stressed safety and parental guidance very emphatically all during the shows and on our products.

WN: Was getting the show started difficult, and how did you plan episodes and produce them?

Herbert: There were many rejections and rewrites, but perseverance prevailed and a producer, Charles Power, took a chance on it.

WN: What do you think are the greatest issues facing science education today?

Herbert: So many entertainment distractions.

WN: Are there any current science shows that you find particularly educational or entertaining?

Herbert: The Discovery Science Channel.

WN: Do you think that you were an inspiration for the science programming that has become very popular on the Discovery Channel?

Herbert: Maybe.

WN: What do you think of computer games?

Herbert: Computer solitaire was one of my favorites.

WN: What became of the kids who helped you on the TV show?

Herbert: There were several kids over the years. Some have passed away, some stay in touch. Rita McLaughlin, who appeared in many of the Watch Mr. Wizard series, had dinner with my wife Norma and I in New York City in 2002 while we were in for the 75th Anniversary of NBC.

Wired News: What advice would you give to the next generation of science educators?

Herbert: To keep a hands-on approach to teaching science and always keep the student involved.

One Vote 08

It's not what you think or maybe you heard about it
www.one.org is the campaign to end poverty

Wow!!!!!

Phil Hellmuth has just won his 11th WSOP bracelet. Details to follow!

The following was written before Phil won his 11th bracelet

As famous for his antics at the poker table and bad beat tirades as he is for his incredible record as a tournament player, Phil Hellmuth Jr. will always be known as the Poker Brat.

A living legend, Hellmuth joined Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson in 2006 as one of only three poker players in history with ten WSOP bracelets to their names. But what separates Hellmuth from even this legendary pack is that all of his WSOP wins have come in Texas Hold’em events. He also holds the distinction of being the youngest man to win the WSOP Main Event after beating two-time defending champion Johnny Chan in 1989 at just 24 years old.

His days work cost him a $10,000 buy in for the event. He wins $637,254

The Final Hand

Andy Philacheck pushes with and Phil has to call with . Dominated he is, but the flop is . Phil is ahead and has to dodge two cards for his 11th bracelet. Turn is , River is . And its over.

I know I promised not to post untill the final event was over but this is big news in the poker world. The bracelets the winners get are gold covered with Diamonds. Last years Texas Hold'em main event winner Jamie Gold took home $12 million, I can't wait to see who wins this year. I'm rooting for Doyle or Johnny but I think Phil Ivey has a good chance as well.

Enhanced Interrogation Techniques

OK, I know I'm being a little weird today (Pook - what do you mean today? Your always strange), (Wolf - Hush you furry rat or I'll start mixing your Whiskas with Friskees again) but its kind of a slow newsday- not much happening except the Democraps blew it again. However the Republocraps have blown it for the last eight years. Enjoy the video (Pook - purrrrrrrr)

Libby Supporters: Bloggers Are Mean!

Crooks and Liars » Libby Supporters: Bloggers Are Mean!

In what may be a sign of things to come, the lawyers for I. Lewis Libby Jr. last month invoked the rarely used courtroom tactic: the “bloggers can be mean” defense.

The issue was whether to release the more than 150 letters written to Judge Reggie B. Walton of Federal District Court in Washington, nearly all in support of Mr. Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney.[..]

As the judge considered the appropriate punishment, he received testimonials to Mr. Libby’s character from luminaries like former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, the former United States ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton and Paul D. Wolfowitz, who was pressured to resign the Word Bank presidency amid charges that he engaged in favoritism in the employment of his girlfriend.

When representatives of the news media asked that the letters be released, Mr. Libby’s lawyers argued against that, saying it “needlessly risks undermining the fair administration of justice.”

Then, alluding to the sometimes combative world of online media, they added there was “the real possibility that these letters, once released, would be published on the Internet and their authors discussed, even mocked, by bloggers.”

LMFAO - another attack on bloggers - wolf

Red State Update: Night at the Creation Museum

Hmm, Kinda reminds me of some of the wingnuts on Paltalk

The PalTalk Social Issues Tattler Is Back

As much as I don't like scandal sheets or scandal blogs, I must say that CharlesNewYork has brought back the Tattler. Charles first post has some very good chat advice for all internet chatters. I will cut and past part of it here. I was an avid reader of the blog before and was only mentioned twice ; one time when I wasn't even on PalTalk (Someone said something about me and one of my friends defended me) , the other time I was misquoted (I answered some political lamer who said "The Republicans are winning all their primary elections", my answer "Only Republicans Vote in Republican primary elections, dummy"), made me the Idiot of the day by the Tattler. LOL, and though I e-mailed them twice there was never a retraction. No matter, being on a chat program like PalTalk you develop a tough skin cause in Social Issues there is always going to be someone that disagrees with you and nine times out of ten they will attack you personally instead of your argument. What Follows is probably one of the few times I have agreed with Charles. Beware folks, The Tattler is Back!

Do not believe it simply because you have heard it. Do not believe it simply because it is spoken and rumored by many.

Ladies and Gentlemen of Social Issues: Use your ignore button.

If we could offer you only one tip for your Pal Talk experience, ignore button would be it.

The long term benefits of ignore have been proved by Paltalkians whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.

Enjoy the power of your chat program; oh never mind; you will not.

Understand most people in Social Issues think you're a moron. But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility you had, and how intelligent you really were….You’re not as dumb as they tell you.

Don’t worry about the names you are called; but know that giving a tinker's damn about what assholes say is as productive as trying to solve an algebra equation with a rock and a stick.

The real troubles in your life are the only things that matter.
Confront one person everyday who bullies you.

Speak up! Don’t be reckless with your opinions. Don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours. Use your brain, it's the most precious thing you have.

Listen.

Don’t waste your time on old fights; sometimes you’re the bug, sometimes you're the windshield.

Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell other's how.

Get plenty of opinions. Be kind to your brain, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll like Social Issues, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll join a clique, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll be liked...whatever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much.

Enjoy your brain...Use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own..

Make friends.

Do NOT read blogs if you are sensitive. They will only hurt you.

Get to know people you like, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.
Understand that friends come and go, but for a precious few; hold on.

Work hard to bridge the gaps between hate and fact.

Accept certain inalienable truths, people will gossip, room admins will bouce, you will become addicted, your ass will grow, and when you do, you'll fantasize that before Social Issues, your ass was hard and plump, you were a decent person, people respected one another.

Don’t expect anyone else to support you.

Don’t mess too much with your friends list, or by the time you're ready to delete the program it will look like the spotted cow.

Be careful whose advice you take. Advice is a form of their mistakes, dispensed in a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.
But trust me on the ignore feature.

Don Cheadle And Annie Duke Organize "Ante Up for Africa

Star-Studded Event At 2007 World Series Of Poker® To Raise Awareness For Darfur Survivors

More than a dozen Hollywood celebrities and sports legends are expected to join poker's greatest players to raise public awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Darfur in a special "Ante Up For Africa" tournament at the 2007 World Series of Poker Presented by Milwaukee's Best Light.

The brainchild of Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle and poker professional Annie Duke, the Ante Up For Africa tournament is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. July 5 in the WSOP tournament area in the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.

Among those who've expressed their intent to play, subject to availability, are Hollywood stars Cheadle, Ben Affleck, Brad Pitt, Jason Alexander, Jennifer Tilley, Hank Azaria, George Clooney, Matt Damon, George Lopez, Danny Masterson, Mekhi Phifer, Ray Romano, Adam Sandler and James Woods.

Basketball great Charles Barkley and poker notables Duke, Erik Seidel, Howard Lederer, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Gordon, Joe Hachem, Andy Bloch, Chris Ferguson, Barry Greenstein, Robert Williamson III, Phil Laak, Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Ted Forrest, Mike Matusow and Clonie Gowan have also expressed plans to compete.

Participants in the $5,000 buy-in tournament, which is open to anyone, are also eligible to attend a private party at the Voodoo Lounge at the Rio beginning at 10 p.m. July 5. The tournament will feature a fast-paced structure designed to complete the competition within five hours. Seating for the tournament is limited and persons who want to participate are encouraged to pre-register at www.worldseriesofpoker.com/anteup/anteup.pdf.

"We're honored to host this event and hope that entrants – particularly those fortunate enough to win money – will make donations to help ease the human suffering that defines the crisis in Darfur," said Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner of the World Series of Poker.

"While a donation is not required to enter, we are respectfully asking players who win prize money to donate half of their winnings to the ENOUGH Project and the International Rescue Committee – organizations whose goals include raising public awareness and providing aid to the survivors of Darfur," Duke said.

"Four years ago, the specter of genocide reared its ugly head in an area of the Sudan called Darfur," said Cheadle, whose role as a hotel manager in the true-life film "Hotel Rwanda" earned him an Academy Award nomination. The movie told the story of the government-sanctioned slaughter of more than a million innocents in Rwanda in 1994.

For more than two years, Cheadle has worked to raise public awareness of the Darfur humanitarian crisis. He recently testified before a U.S. Senate subcommittee about his visits to Darfur and refugee camps in neighboring Chad. "Not On Our Watch" – a book he co-authorized with human-rights activist John Prendergast – was released into bookstores nationwide this month.

Cheadle, an accomplished poker player, and Duke, who has more than $4 million in tournament winnings, are committed to raising both public awareness about the tragedy in Darfur and funds to aid its victims. As the world's richest sporting event, the WSOP is covered by more than 600 journalists from around the globe each year and attracts players from more than 50 countries.

Cheadle and Duke are supporting the work of two non-profit organizations as part of their efforts. The International Rescue Committee www.theirc.org, a leading provider of humanitarian assistance to refugees and those displaced by conflict, offers critical aid to people uprooted by crises in 25 countries, including the more than 700,000 survivors of the ethnic and political violence in Darfur, Sudan. The ENOUGH Project www.enoughproject.org, a joint project of the Center for American Progress and the International Crisis Group, is dedicated to raising awareness and activism for causes such as Darfur.

The 2007 World Series of Poker Presented by Milwaukee's Best Light will begin June 1 at the Rio® All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. More information on the tournament is available at www.worldseriesofpoker.com.