Friday, February 28, 2003
News item: Prime minister says regime change not part of UN objective in Iraq.
Jean Chrétien was surprised by the Bush administration's talk of regime change. Huh? What's surprising about that? What did he think that "military action" meant? I hope he's not suggesting that we go to all this trouble just to end up with the same despotic wing-nut in power. Didn't we figure out that that was our big mistake in Gulf War I?
If you invade, go all the way -- right to Saddam's palace in Baghdad where you forcibly remove him from power. I'm not suggesting that you shoot him in the head or anything. Maybe pull a Slobodan Milosevic and slap the cuffs on him, put him on a plane to The Hague, and try him for crimes against humanity. Tack on environmental charges for burning the oil fields if it will help. Whatever, so long as some other Iraqi ends up in charge of the country after Gulf War II.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:25 [ link | top | home ]
Further to the February 26 post: Rush Limbaugh doesn't think all Canadians hate the U.S., given that "they know their resource-rich, sparsely populated and militarily impotent 'country' would be annexed in under three minutes if they lived next to any other great power."
Here are my thoughts on this: 1) "Rush" is such a nice Canadian name. 2) Who says we're living next to a "great" power as is? 3) That's odd. I could have sworn that we had clubbed all the blubber-rich, loud-mouthed, right-wing pricks to death during the last seal hunt. Looks like we missed a few. Our bad.
In case you haven't had your fill of ignorant Americans today, it's invade Canada day at MetaFilter. Please try to keep your gag reflex in check. (This is payback for CBC's An American in Canada, isn't it?)
posted by media_dystopia @ 22:25 [ link | top | home ]
News item: Ari Fleischer incites laughter at White House press briefing.
The president's spokesman objected to foreign journalists suggesting that a new U.S. resolution on Iraq would involve a quid pro quo for Mexico's support. "...think about the implications of what you're saying. You're saying that the leaders of other nations are buyable. And that is not an acceptable proposition," he told the reporters, who then had a good chuckle at his expense. Anyone who knows how the UN works would find his statement amusing. Scratching one another's back is a way of life there.
posted by media_dystopia @ 03:19 [ link | top | home ]
The Homeland Security Advisory has been lowered to Elevated/Yellow: "Significant Risk of Terrorist Attacks." The Department of Homeland Security reminds you to remain suspicious of Canadians, particularly championship curlers, members of Parliament, and anyone applying for a work visa. Thank you for your attention loyal citizens. (Warning: sarcasm alert.)
posted by media_dystopia @ 03:00 [ link | top | home ]
Blogger + Google F.A.Q.: see what Pyra Labs has to say about the recent purchase.
I hope the "making things faster and more reliable" phase involves fixing the issues that have been giving paying customers headaches recently. I'm sorry to have to harp on it all the time. It's just that the problems with the service have left me with the feeling that I was duped by misrepresentation when I gave them my credit card number.
posted by media_dystopia @ 00:54 [ link | top | home ]
Thursday, February 27, 2003
Pyra Labs has introduced AudioBlogger, "a service that provides bloggers with the ability to post audio to their blogs from any phone."
There are many outstanding issues with the text-based services, not the least of which is the fact that Blogger Pro is broken at the moment. Even the "Introducing AudioBlogger!" post links to a broken archive. (Irony at its best.) And yet, the company is introducing a new service. Hey, I've got an idea: fix what we've already pay for! What number do I have to dial to post that bit of audio?
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:42 [ link | top | home ]
As seen in the Ottawa Pennysaver:
"For sale. Professional hockey team. Eleven Canadians, five Czechs, two Slovaks, two Swedes, two Russians. Currently atop NHL standings. Pretty team colors with Roman Empire motif. Send bids to Corel Centre, 1000 Palladium Drive, Kanata, Ontario, K2V 1A4. No serious offers will be refused. Rod Bryden need not apply." (Warning: sarcasm alert.)
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:23 [ link | top | home ]
Further to the February 12 post: The minister of defence has confirmed that sending contingents back to Afghanistan precludes deploying ground forces in Iraq or anywhere else for at least a year. Canada to allies: "Oh gee, sorry about that. Guess we can't help out with that Iraq thing." Canada to enemies: "Our ground forces are tied up for the next year so now would be a good time to invade." This is embarrassing, pathetic, and sad. Between defence and health care, I'm not sure what to be more ashamed of these days.
posted by media_dystopia @ 22:46 [ link | top | home ]
News item: Sea King helicopter crashes on HMCS Iroquois.
Luckily, no one was killed or seriously injured. However, the damage sustained in the crash has forced the destroyer back to its home port of Halifax, delaying or postponing Canada's lead of a task force in the Persian Gulf. At a time when our honor and prestige is on the line, the military's aging equipment -- Sea Kings are 1960s-era helicopters -- has failed us yet again. The government's foot-dragging on replacing and modernizing decrepit equipment is an embarrassment to the country. It's time to give the Canadian Forces more money and support. Period.
posted by media_dystopia @ 22:35 [ link | top | home ]
Further to yesterday's post: Carolyn Parrish, you have been FARKed, Blogdexed, Drudged -- that alone caused a flood of angry e-mail to the CBC -- and Linkfiltered, just to name a few. Now that entire Internet knows that you said, "Damn Americans. I hate those bastards," all I can say is: good going, you blithering idiot.
posted by media_dystopia @ 16:24 [ link | top | home ]
It's not broken -- it's Googlelized. The accent issue has been addressed by Status.Blogger.Com. I've decided to avoid it altogether by going back through my posts and replacing accents and special characters -- those not found on a standard keyboard -- with the character entity references for ISO 8859-1 (Latin-1) characters. That's what I should have done in the first place.
posted by media_dystopia @ 15:43 [ link | top | home ]
It's not broken -- it's Googlelized. Today's Blogger Pro errors: non-HTML-coded accents and special characters are screwed up, Blogger Pro cannot be accessed from the main Blogger page, the "Powered by Blogger Pro" icon is broken, and archives are still missing or mislabeled. (That one's a perennial favorite.)
None are mentioned on Status.Blogger.Com, of course. So, should I report them? Let me think. Blogger breaking messes with my karma. Reporting an issue and having it ignored messes with my karma even more. Therefore, in an effort to decrease the amount my karma gets messed with, I shall not report the aforementioned issues. Sigh.
posted by media_dystopia @ 05:26 [ link | top | home ]
"The Empty Bowl is a webzine devoted to serving the cereal eating community." (Via linkfilter.net.)
I'm a low-fat, low-sugar, high-fiber man myself. I mix four to five types every time I pour a bowl. Cereal is, without a doubt, the nectar of the gods. Long live Shreddies! Hmm hmm good!
By the way, Post, which makes Shreddies and other cereals I love, is now part of Kraft Food Inc., which is owned by Altria Group Inc., formerly known as Philip Morris Companies Inc., makers of Marlboro and other brands of cigarettes. If I find a sampler of Virginia Slims in my Shredded Wheat & Bran, I'm going to go apeshit.
posted by media_dystopia @ 03:45 [ link | top | home ]
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
News item: U.S. dismisses Canadian compromise on Iraq.
Apparently, President Bush phoned Jean Chrétien to criticize the prime minister for floating the "Ideas on Bridging the Divide" plan, complaining that it would buy time for Saddam Hussein. (I'm surprised Bush remembered the number, given how long it's been since he's paid attention to Canada.)
I know it's being played up in some media circles as a slap in the face, but I don't think Canadians took the plan seriously. Few people here doubted that the compromise would be shot down. Personally, I saw it as Canada's way of maintaining a presence in the proceedings by playing the honest broker. In the halls of the UN, having something, no matter how lame it might be, is still better than having nothing -- kind of like homework in high school.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:47 [ link | top | home ]
News item: Member of Parliament apologizes for saying, "Damn Americans. I hate those bastards."
"My comments do not reflect my personal opinion of the American people and they certainly do not reflect the views of the government of Canada," said Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish in a written statement. (Who's opinion does it reflect then?) She added that the comments were made in the heat of the moment, in a "private conversation." (As private as two feet from a scrum can get, that is.)
I think I speak for all Canadians when I express my gratitude to the Liberal leadership for not promoting this person to the cabinet. Keeping her as a backbencher, preferably one banned from speaking to the press, would be a good thing for the country. If someone is elected to the House of Commons, they have an obligation to control their emotions and to be circumspect around journalists. If she can't handle that, then she shouldn't be in Ottawa representing us.
I pray that right-wing blowhards in the U.S. -- you know who you are -- don't pounce on this. This is bad time for Canada-U.S. relations to be taking another hit thanks to some antiwar twit with poor impulse control.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:25 [ link | top | home ]
The Winning Strategies for Slot Machines video needs a new commercial: "Can you maximize the odds of winning and minimize your odds of losing? Can you beat the one-arm bandits? I'm James Coburn, and I'm dead."
posted by media_dystopia @ 01:33 [ link | top | home ]
Iraqi Human Shields. To quote George Carlin: "Pacifism is a nice idea, but it can get you killed." Standing in front of a BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile traveling 550 miles per hour is a pretty effective way of doing that.
posted by media_dystopia @ 00:51 [ link | top | home ]
Tuesday, February 25, 2003
On October 13, 1970, Pierre Elliot Trudeau was interviewed on the steps of Parliament Hill by the CBC's Tim Ralfe and CJON-TV's Peter Reilly. During the famous "just watch me" interview, the prime minister was erudite, straightforward, and ballsy -- just as he was during the rest of the Canada's own fight against terrorism, the October Crisis. I think his words provide a good counterpoint to what we're hearing from today's world leaders. The line, "Yeah, well, there's a lot of bleeding hearts around who just don't like to see people with helmets and guns; all I can say is, go on and bleed, but it's more important to keep law and order in the society than to be worried about weak-kneed people who don't like the looks of..." says it all. (Please note that I took the quote right from the clip; it may not match other transcriptions.)
posted by media_dystopia @ 22:24 [ link | top | home ]
I wonder how John Ashcroft's Operation Pipe Dreams, the national crackdown -- pardon the pun -- on illegal drug paraphernalia trafficking, will affect Terrapin Station, Buffalo's Dead Head and "smoking accessories" shop. Late at night while watching the city's Fox affiliate, which is picked up by Ottawa cable from across the border in upstate New York, I see the ads for the store "for enlightened shoppers." (There's a phrase which makes me gag. Apparently, those who don't use illegal drugs, or who don't believe in their use, aren't enlightened. Give me a break.) At the end of the psychedelic commercial, they give the store's address followed by the line, "Come in and say 'Hi'" -- not to be too obvious about it, huh guys? Then again, that's probably to highbrow -- sorry, couldn't resist another pun -- for the U.S. Department of Justice.
posted by media_dystopia @ 19:07 [ link | top | home ]
News item: Saddam challenges Bush to live satellite debate.
"I am ready," said the Iraqi president, "to conduct a direct dialogue with your president. I will say what I want and he will say what he wants." The question is, will the debate include those long pauses -- à la CNN -- as the signal is bounced around the world? Also, will there be simultaneous translation from Texan to Arabic? If so, what happens when the translator gets stumped by a Bushism? ("Blah blah blah...'misunderestimate'...blah blah blah.") More importantly, what happens when you combine the satellite bounce delay with the translation delay? Be afraid. Be very afraid.
posted by media_dystopia @ 05:57 [ link | top | home ]
How's this for a Blog*Spot error: every time I refresh my page, I go to someone else's. The number of refreshes it takes to get back to where I started varies each time. So far five has been the maximum. Googlelization apparently includes automated blog-surfing. Sigh.
posted by media_dystopia @ 05:29 [ link | top | home ]
Electronic Frontier Foundation's Stanton McCandlish on Internet privacy: "EFF's Top 12 Ways to Protect Your Online Privacy." (Refdesk's Site of the Day.)
If you've ever been a victim of fraud and/or identity theft in real life, a lot of the items on the list become standard practice. Some are downright obvious even to those with a less-developed sense of paranoia. It's a sad fact that there is an abundance of jerk-offs in the world waiting to fuck with you any chance they get. Why? Because they can. (I don't sound bitter, do I?)
posted by media_dystopia @ 04:43 [ link | top | home ]
Further to the January 21 post: Daytime's Jennifer Austin is looking hot these days. I love her new hairdo. (There's nothing like a beautiful woman on Ottawa's Rogers Television to hone one's media analysis skills.)
posted by media_dystopia @ 04:20 [ link | top | home ]
Further to the February 23 post: That Wired News article was definitely wrong in saying that Evan Williams took his blog offline. He has posted February 17, 23, and 24. Nothing offline about that. (Many thanks to DiVERSiONZ for the linkage. It reminded me to follow up on it.)
posted by media_dystopia @ 03:22 [ link | top | home ]
"We don't talk about wrinkles," she says dismissively. That one line in the Nivea Q10 Plus commercial drives me batshit every time I hear it. Don't ask me why; it just does.
posted by media_dystopia @ 01:43 [ link | top | home ]
Monday, February 24, 2003
U.S. Energy Information Agency: "Imports of Crude Oil into the United States by Country of Origin, 2001" and "Imports of Crude Oil and Petroleum Products into the United States by Country of Origin, 2001."
Canada, surprisingly -- that shows how much I know about oil -- is number three on the crude oil list, number one on the combined crude oil-petroleum products list, and only one of several oil-exporting countries that would be easier and cheaper to conquer than Iraq -- not that I'm advocating that sort of thing. However, a war with Iraq would have the fringe benefit of, among other things, getting rid of a psycho dictator 12 years behind on his UN compliance. So once it's done with Iraq, perhaps the U.S. should work its way down the list -- skipping Canada, of course -- cleaning up other countries' messes in exchange for oil. It could become the world's preeminent mercenary: "Will liberate for oil."
Take Angola, for instance. Here's a country whose civil war is so entrenched that children are more likely to have Kalashnikovs than toys. Death, destruction, pain, suffering -- life as usual for most Angolans. An invasion there would only help them, much like one would help the Iraqis. (With the exception of those killed, maimed, or displaced, that is.) Therefore, even if you argue that war with Iraq is only about oil -- I don't -- isn't U.S. military action there laudable if it improves the situation for the country and its people?
Just something to think about. Keep in mind that I'm no political scientist. Or historian. Or military analyst. Or academic. Or expert. Or...hell, what do I know?
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:46 [ link | top | home ]
The U.S. has approved awarding the Bronze Star to the four Canadian soldiers killed in a friendly-fire incident in Afghanistan. The medal is traditionally awarded to army personnel for "heroic or meritorious achievement or service" in military operations. Too bad the honors these men so richly deserve have to be bestowed posthumously.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:27 [ link | top | home ]
How to distinguish between the U.S. and Canada: They have ready.gov. We have safecanada.ca. They address the issue of terrorists using biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological weapons. We have a talking beaver. Enough said.
posted by media_dystopia @ 16:45 [ link | top | home ]
Sunday, February 23, 2003
Further to yesterday's post: As I had hoped, this evening's 45th Annual Grammy Awards were nothing like the 30th Annual American Music Awards. Tonight's extravaganza was slick, classy, and well-produced, with excellent live performances. It ran long and got tedious near the end, mind you, but that's to be expected. Aside from Sheryl Crow's "no war" guitar strap and peace symbol, the only antiwar statement came from Fred Durst -- not that I paid any attention to what he had to say. (Given the asinine shit that prick has spewed in the past, he's on my permanent ignore list.) As for the winners -- who cares. No one I listen to won anything. And certainly none of the Canadian artists, whether I like them or not. Besides, Norah Jones -- who? -- took home all the noteworthy awards. The best part of the show? Two words: Dixie Chicks. Those southern hotties can grace my TV screen anytime they want. It was also nice seeing Peter Gabriel again.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:56 [ link | top | home ]
Today's blog PSA: On behalf of lizvang.com, please visit Blogwhore and Shel. Thank you very much.
There. I did my part. I'm going back to watching curling now.
posted by media_dystopia @ 04:08 [ link | top | home ]
Wired News' Leander Kahney on the Pyra Labs purchase: "Why Did Google Want Blogger?"
There's something confusing about the article: it reports that Evan Williams, Pyra Labs' co-founder and (now) ex-CEO, took his weblog offline earlier in the week. Isn't it at www.evhead.com? If so, it seems to be online. He hasn't posted since February 17, mind you. Wired News must be interpreting five days of silence as "offline," especially in light of the fact that the man has blogged day-to-day for three years and that this is a very newsworthy time for his company. I disagree, though; there's a big difference between someone taking a blog offline and someone not posting to one. To me, the report is inaccurate. And now that Metafilter has linked to the article and quoted from it, the potentially false news is spreading throughout the Blogosphere.
posted by media_dystopia @ 01:30 [ link | top | home ]
Saturday, February 22, 2003
What is it with network news lagging behind the Blogosphere? In the last week, alone, there were several items on CNN Headline News that I had already heard about earlier in the month courtesy of blog links. Tonight, CTV News had a report about the banana dying off, a topic that circulated the Blogosphere a few weeks ago. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of watching the "news"?
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:30 [ link | top | home ]
Further to the January 13 post: Awards season continues tomorrow night with the 45th Annual Grammy Awards. (I pray that it's nothing like the 30th Annual American Music Awards -- what a gratuitous piece of trash.) Like most awards shows, I don't care who's nominated and who wins; I'm in it for the cultural event and the unpredictable live show. Plus I'm eager to see which artists make antiwar statements on stage. I don't care to hear what they have to say; I just want to see what happens when they say it. According to the Drudge Report, network executives are expecting trouble and plan to cut power to the microphones if things get too political. Should be interesting.
posted by media_dystopia @ 22:50 [ link | top | home ]
Phase one of the Googlelization of Blogger, as reported by Blogroots: ads on Blog*Spot sites being "keyed off words used in posts." (I've switched to ad-free Blog*Spot so I can't confirm this using my own page.) Given the option between ads that have nothing to do with anything I'm interested in and ones that do, I'd choose the latter. Besides, I never pay attention to what the ads say anyway; I only know that they're eyesores.
posted by media_dystopia @ 04:22 [ link | top | home ]
When visiting the Republic of the Congo, please do not cast Ebola-causing spells on the inhabitants. Those who do not believe that hemorrhagic fever is a scientifically proven disease will stone you to death for your witchcraft. You have been warned. Thank you and have a nice, disease-free day.
posted by media_dystopia @ 01:42 [ link | top | home ]
Had it of Canada and the U.S.? Then immigrate to The Republic of Cascadia. (Thanks to The Presurfer for pointing out these rain-loving freaks.)
posted by media_dystopia @ 01:22 [ link | top | home ]
Friday, February 21, 2003
Here's what the latest Ipsos-Reid poll says about Canada and the Iraq crisis:
Six in ten (62%) say Canada should side with France, Germany and Russia to allow un inspectors more time in Iraq; but majority (55%) agrees if Iraq does not provide evidence, military action should be taken; half (52%) don't believe united nations currently has enough evidence to authorise military action -- even though only 21% believes Iraq has destroyed it's weapons of mass destruction; six in ten (58%) approve of prime minister’s handling of Iraq situation.
Meanwhile, the prime minister clarified the country's position on Iraq, saying that Canada will only go to war with UN approval. "We Canadians are going to war only under the umbrella of the United Nations, so there is no confusion. I express that clearly," he said. Shortly after, however, an aide said that that didn't rule out other options. Might I suggest that Ipsos-Reid poll the prime minister's office next time?
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:40 [ link | top | home ]
Note to bands and club operators: pyrotechnics + combustible building = inferno and loss of life. I don't think anyone's actions last night qualify for the Darwin Awards, however much I wish they had -- that would mean those responsible died and everyone else lived. Therefore, a new award should be created to recognize the abject stupidity of the few resulting in the pain and suffering of the many. Last night's winners in Rhode Island (whoever they are) will join the doctors who -- oops! -- transplanted organs of the wrong blood type into a teenager in North Carolina. At the awards ceremony, recipients will be presented with a plaque...and then shot in the head. (Warning: sarcasm alert.)
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:05 [ link | top | home ]
Tomorrow, Vancouver will hold a plebiscite to ask voters the following question: "Do you support or do you oppose the City of Vancouver's participation in hosting the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games?" Call me obtuse, but why is the one city in Canada known for its balmy winters and lack of snow and ice bidding for the Winter Olympics? Perhaps they should put that money towards Canada's current and future athletes instead. Trust me, when they're standing on the podium in 2010, they'll thank you for it. Speaking of which, CBC's The National had a report tonight about an edgy ad campaign drawing attention to the plight of under-funded athletes in Canada. It looks like it will ruffle some feathers -- and rightly so.
posted by media_dystopia @ 22:39 [ link | top | home ]
Many thanks to Muchmusic's Going Coastal for showcasing the single most annoying personality on Canadian television: Nardwuar, The Human Serviette. According to his personal site: "When Nardwuar -- Vancouver's foremost celebrity stalker, college radio host, rock 'n' roll frontman, and undeniably strange thirty-one-year-old man-child -- shows up at concerts, he's often clad in retina-searing plaid leisure wear, complete with a tam." I realize that it's a shtick and meant to be humorous -- meant to be; I didn't say it was -- but Moses Znaimer must be going senile if he thinks that shrill-voiced freak is of any benefit to Canadian broadcasting (or Canada for that matter) when he interviews celebrities. Now Ed the Sock on the other hand...
posted by media_dystopia @ 15:37 [ link | top | home ]
To me, Nia Vardalos of My Big Fat Greek Wedding looks stunning at certain times, and hideous at other times. A single preview for the movie shows both sides of her several times in 30 seconds. It's eerie.
posted by media_dystopia @ 15:15 [ link | top | home ]
Thursday, February 20, 2003
Here's a disgusting Internet trend: cyberbegging. People -- with enough money for computers, Internet access, and Web hosting, no less -- polluting cyberspace with their whining about not being able to pay down credit card debt, afford breast implants, or whatever other tale of woe they're using to con the masses. If you get the urge to donate money to a cyberbeggar, think twice about it and give to a local charity instead. In Ottawa, for instance, money can go towards keeping the homeless off the streets when it's -30 C. I don't see that schmuck with the student loans freezing his ass off on a sewer grate.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:58 [ link | top | home ]
Further to yesterday's post: No one is interested in Canada's plan to break the Iraq deadlock. What? The Security Council is ignoring Canada? No, really? That's shocking! (Warning: sarcasm alert.)
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:18 [ link | top | home ]
I just added it up: I blogged approximately 41,000 words in the five months prior to last week's Pyra Labs purchase. I'm not sure what that means. I'm not even sure why I added it up.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:11 [ link | top | home ]
Where are my February 19 and 20 posts? I can see them in the February archive but not on the current page. Another Blogger issue and not a peep about it at Status.Blogger.Com. Sigh.
posted by media_dystopia @ 17:00 [ link | top | home ]
Apparently, Joe Millionaire did well in the ratings. No, I didn't watch it. No, I don't care who he picked. No, I don't care what happens to the happy couple. I only care that the damn show is over and done with. Until Fox creates a sequel, that is. Since the whole fake millionaire concept is out in the open, they'll have to come up with something different next time. Say, how's about concealing a disease? Nothing major. Just enough to scare the bejesus out of the winner. Maybe a herpes-tuberculosis combo. (Hope springs eternal.)
posted by media_dystopia @ 04:39 [ link | top | home ]
Online Journalism Review's Mark Glaser on the Pyra Labs purchase: "Google + Blogger = Mainstream Weblog Acceptance?"
posted by media_dystopia @ 02:51 [ link | top | home ]
Wednesday, February 19, 2003
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld opened today's DoD news briefing with the following statement:
Good afternoon. The Canadian minister of defense announced Canada's willingness, beginning in late summer, to commit a battle group and a brigade headquarters to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan for a period of one year. Canada has been a solid ally in the global war against terrorism, and we thank the Canadian people for their support in defending freedom around the globe.
Wow. That's high praise coming from an American cabinet member. As time goes on, I'm getting the impression that the prime minister's waffling on Iraq is actually the hallmark of a wily, veteran politician. Canada is slipping under the hate radar, quietly inching closer to the U.S. position while mediating between divided allies by calling on the UN Security Council to issue a deadline for Iraqi compliance.
Meanwhile, France's antiwar stance has caused anti-French sentiment to reach a fever-pitch in the U.S., what with french fries converted to "freedom fries" and imported French wine threatened with bans.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:49 [ link | top | home ]
Yikes! That was a nice Blogger outage today. What was that, about 16 hours? Just to add to my growing skepticism, though, Status.Blogger.Com claimed everything was hunky-dory during this time. Unless, of course, that's what they meant by "intermittent connectivity problems." Sigh.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:39 [ link | top | home ]
Circadian Shift has gone mad. No one knows who or what caused the breakdown. Iraq? Federal budget? Blogger buyout? Spice Girls reunion? Mel Lastman? It's a mystery. I wish her well in her recovery.
posted by media_dystopia @ 00:25 [ link | top | home ]
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
Evan Williams, Pyra Labs' co-founder and (now) ex-CEO, posted his thoughts about Google's purchase. I'm glad that things have worked out for him and his employees. However, he should not be resting on his laurels just yet. It's time to use his new employer's resources to fix Blogger once and for all, if anything, to thank the million plus users who made it what it is today.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:50 [ link | top | home ]
Federal Budget 2003. John Manley's first as minister of finance, and Jean Chrétien's last as prime minister. Live from the House of Commons -- for about two minutes before every channel turned it off to give all the highlights the moment the media embargo was lifted. By the time they returned to the live speech, we already knew what was going to be announced. Talk about ruining my budget speech experience. Oh well... Apparently it's the largest spending budget in 20 years, with the lion's share going to health care. Even the military is getting a lifeline. (It took the current government six budgets to figure that out?)
posted by media_dystopia @ 16:05 [ link | top | home ]
Blogger finally posted news about Google's purchase:
Big news: Yes folks, it's true. As you may have read, Blogger's parent company, Pyra Labs, was purchased by Google. This should only mean good things for Blogger users. No immediate changes will take place, except we're working furiously to get more servers in place to handle the extra load this news has caused. Stay tuned.
– Ev. [2/17/2003 11:44:22 PM] +
I had to include the text of the post because the permalink connects to an archive which hasn't been updated recently, a problem all of Blogger seems to be having at the moment. I'm not sure which is more ironic in light of a pronouncement of "good things for Blogger users" -- the broken archives, or the fact that Blogger went down, again, in the middle of writing this post. So I have to ask: was Google aware of Blogger's perpetual technical issues before they purchased Pyra Labs?
They better be working furiously because a lot of paying customers are just plain furious at this point.
posted by media_dystopia @ 03:27 [ link | top | home ]
The Saturn Ion and AGF AfterWorks commercials are currently tied for their ability to crush the spirit and sap the will of viewers. There are certain aspects of life -- the passage of time and the inability to do the work one wants to do, for instance -- which are depressing enough without being the focus of a corporate ad campaign.
posted by media_dystopia @ 02:02 [ link | top | home ]
Monday, February 17, 2003
The purchase has gone mainstream now that it's been given an "In The News" bullet on Yahoo!: "Google acquires 'blogging' tool Pyra Labs." Two days behind the Blogosphere, of course.
posted by media_dystopia @ 17:20 [ link | top | home ]
Upgrade to Blog*Spot Plus. Call me a hypocritical nut-job, but I paid the US$15 and upgraded to the basic ad-free version of Blog*Spot. With the promise of better server reliability from new owner Google, I figured I would take a chance before the rates went up -- and ditch the ugly, slow-loading ads at the same time. Besides, doesn't this give me more right to complain now? (Speaking of complaining, did I mention that the archives can't be updated? Sigh.)
posted by media_dystopia @ 04:39 [ link | top | home ]
You know you're Canadian when you stay up late to watch a rebroadcast of a curling match. Hurry hard!
posted by media_dystopia @ 04:14 [ link | top | home ]
Students for an Orwellian Society: "Because 2003 is 19 years too late."
posted by media_dystopia @ 02:35 [ link | top | home ]
Here's a question going around the Blogosphere: Why is CNN's transcript of Hans Blix's February 14 report to the Security Council close to 900 words shorter than the BBC's, CBC's, MSNBC's, and others matching UNMOVIC's official transcript? (Yes, I did the word counts.) I would like to hear the answer; that sort of editing and misrepresentation is unacceptable.
posted by media_dystopia @ 02:15 [ link | top | home ]
Further to the previous post: Do you know why I reference old posts with the bulky phrase "Further to (the previous/yesterday's/month day) post:"? Because Blogger's numerous issues had me thinking that the service would go down at any moment, forcing me to use my off-line backups. With the links broken, the information in the phrase would be needed to find the referenced posts.
posted by media_dystopia @ 01:32 [ link | top | home ]
Further to the January 18 post: I added the following to the "Are you guys alive?" issue I reported to BloggerControl:
Comment: Will the Google purchase resolve these issues, or should I still switch to another publishing tool and host?
Two months after first reporting issues, not a single one has been reviewed. In fact, I resolved an issue on my own and then closed it before anyone got around to it.
posted by media_dystopia @ 01:22 [ link | top | home ]
Sunday, February 16, 2003
U.S. government to "patriot hackers": leave the cyber-attacks against Iraq to us. Perhaps this is a silly question and one that proves my ignorance, but are there any critical computer systems in Iraq for hackers to hack in the first place?
posted by media_dystopia @ 15:26 [ link | top | home ]
Further to the previous post: Not surprisingly, Dan Gillmor's eJournal post about Google's Pyra purchase has shot to the top of Blogdex. Today Blog*Spot is working, but Blogger itself has been giving me trouble. Once again the irony is overwhelming.
posted by media_dystopia @ 14:53 [ link | top | home ]
News item: Google buys Pyra Labs, the company behind Blogger.
Given all the technical issues and pathetic service at Blogger of late, I can only only assume that the purchase and subsequent infusion of corporate cash will improve the situation, irrespective of what the folks at Google Watch may think. Perhaps the negotiations leading up to the February 13 deal-signing explain why Blogger has been a demilitarized zone since early December. (You can follow the February 3 post back to see what I've written about this.) Here's a couple paragraphs of Dan Gillmor's eJournal post about the purchase:
"We're thrilled about the many synergies and future opportunities between our two companies," (Google's director of corporate communications) said in a statement on Saturday. He didn't elaborate further on what those synergies and opportunities might be, but said more details would emerge soon. Users of the Blogger software and hosting service won't see any immediate changes, he added.
You don't get it; we're tired of Blogger's bullshit. We want changes -- now. Like, say, hiring more staff, upgrading servers, fixing ongoing errors, responding to customer queries, implementing promised features, and -- last but not least -- giving a flying fuck about users.
For Williams and his five co-workers, now Google employees, the immediate impact will be to put their blog-hosting service, called Blog*Spot, on the vast network of server computers Google operates. This will make the service more reliable and robust.
Did I mention that all of Blog*Spot is down at the moment? I can't even view my own blog. I am drowning in a sea of irony.
posted by media_dystopia @ 05:13 [ link | top | home ]
Is anyone else as annoyed with those Turning Leaf wine ads as I am? Overly marketed and branded wines tend to bother me to begin with. (Yours is one of a million varieties and it's a matter of personal taste, so shut up.) Combined with commercials with frenetic editing, vague phrases -- what the hell is "hand-crafting" anyway? -- and sappy romantic concepts, these wines really get under my skin. It's the kind of marketing which makes me swing the cart away from the shelf at the liquor store. Sometimes, if no one's looking, I'll flip the bottles the bird to get even for the ads. "Turn this, you pricks!"
posted by media_dystopia @ 02:50 [ link | top | home ]
Saturday, February 15, 2003
News item: Millions protest war with Iraq.
It seems that Gulf War II doesn't sit well with a lot of people. I'm no expert, but I think it all comes down to what I've said before: poor marketing. Gulf War I was a marketer's dream: a clear and present danger from an aggressor nation; a strong international coalition; numerous UN resolutions warning Iraq before sanctioning war; a brilliant military leader as point man; strict controls and limitations placed on journalists -- a war with effective propaganda.
Unfortunately, whatever the first war had in purpose and image is completely lacking in Gulf War II: launched politically shortly before U.S. midterm elections; led and voiced by politicians, including several involved with Gulf War I, or their kin; excessive eagerness on the part of said politicians; a new front in the war on terror in striking contrast to the one in Afghanistan; tenuous evidence of "weapons of mass destruction" -- a worn-out phrase -- and links to terrorism; voices of reason and rationalism, including Colin Powell's, muted until recently; no great debate within the Senate and House of Representatives; allies offended by lack of consultation (the "going alone" attitude) -- a war that has everything going against it marketing-wise. Unfortunately, the current occupant of the White House has been incapable of turning that perception around; in fact, he's only stoked the fire of protest.
We're all used to political propaganda, but when it is used to boost a poorly marketed cause, people have a bad reaction. That's why they took to the streets en masse today. The new Gulf War has become the New Coke of international affairs.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:15 [ link | top | home ]
Further to yesterday's post: These lyrics from Genesis' "Blood on the Rooftops" (from Wind and Wuthering) seem appropriate given my reaction to everything going on these days:
Let's skip the news boy (I'll make some tea)
Arabs and Jews boy (too much for me)
They get me confused boy (puts me off to sleep)
And the thing I hate Oh Lord!
Is staying up late, to watch some debate, on some nation's fate.
The antiwar protesters would disagree with me, of course.
posted by media_dystopia @ 17:19 [ link | top | home ]
An Iraqi journalist and his family were expelled from the U.S. because the government claimed he was "harmful to U.S. interests." Shortly after, and without explanation, a Fox News Channel crew was expelled from Iraq. Tit-for-tat? Most likely. The ironic thing is that the Iraqi journalist represents a government-controlled media organization, and the American journalists represent a conservative-oriented, pro-Republican all-news channel. It seems that only tools of the state were expelled.
posted by media_dystopia @ 17:11 [ link | top | home ]
A 404 error for UNMOVIC: "These Weapons of Mass Destruction cannot be displayed."
posted by media_dystopia @ 16:58 [ link | top | home ]
Vote for your favorites at the First Annual Nude Blog Awards.
posted by media_dystopia @ 04:58 [ link | top | home ]
After years of putting it off, I finally watched New Rose Hotel, the movie version of William Gibson's short story of the same name. As expected, it was a lackluster attempt at capturing the essence of the story. It had some unique visual qualities, but the plot and dialogue were muddled at best. Including Johnny Mnemonic, Hollywood is two-for-three in butchering Gibson's Sprawl-series short stories; only Burning Chrome remains to be burned.
posted by media_dystopia @ 01:14 [ link | top | home ]
I heard the Johnny Cash cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt" on the radio today. Isn't that one of the signs of the coming apocalypse?
posted by media_dystopia @ 01:12 [ link | top | home ]
Friday, February 14, 2003
News item: Family of friendly fire victim files wrongful-death suit. In addition to compensation, the family's lawyer hopes to get the U.S. government to "recognize that a travesty occurred." It looks like the American legal system has rubbed-off on them. I'm not sure that's a good thing.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:55 [ link | top | home ]
News item: Dolly; sheep and clone; 1996-2003. The little bleater will be missed.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:42 [ link | top | home ]
Further to the February 12 post: In an effort to maintain a positive relationship with the Department of National Defence, the Canadian government waited until the last minute -- five minutes before telling the House of Commons -- to inform the army of its new Afghanistan commitment. Major-General Cameron Ross, director-general of international security policy, resigned as a result. A mutiny at 101 Colonel By Drive is scheduled for Monday morning, temperature and OC Transpo permitting.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:37 [ link | top | home ]
Blix or blitz? Frankly, the Iraq crisis has me saying, "Ya got me, man!" I'm bewildered, and coming up with interesting things to write about it is taking the fun out of blogging. One thing I can say for sure is that you won't see me wandering around downtown Ottawa with the other antiwar protesters. Why? First of all, it's -30 C with wind chill and at that temperature my testicles crawl back into my torso. Not pleasant. Secondly, because of a combination of pragmatism, cognitive dissonance, and a warped view of politics and the media -- my wacky brain chemistry -- I have no problem with Gulf War II and even welcome its entertainment value. (Yes, it's okay to call me a sick individual.) It's just that the diplomatic undertakings in the meantime are messing with my karma. The hammer is cocked; either pull the trigger or holster the gun.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:36 [ link | top | home ]
Blix or blitz? What a heady day for international diplomacy. The American-British charge on Iraq was kicked solidly in the crotch by Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei -- they not only confirmed that no proscribed weapons were found, but also contradicted U.S. intelligence -- and then by other Security Council members, including France which received unprecedented applause for its antiwar stance. Canada, meanwhile, insisted that the U.S. not act unilaterally and that the UN must decide what happens next. As CTV News' Craig Oliver put it, Canada's position is "floating over the English Channel," stuck between Britain and continental Europe. He also suggested that we're witnessing the greatest divide between allies since the end of World War II.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:33 [ link | top | home ]
Blix or blitz? I was planning to write more about this "historic" and "crucial" Security Council meeting, but the excessive amount of diplo-speak has sapped my energy. There's nothing like a series of prepared speeches and their dry delivery to make me reach for my bottle of Tylenol. I feel like I've sat through another three hours of a never-ending political play where the actors can't agree on the script -- and all I want to see is the damn climax!
posted by media_dystopia @ 13:18 [ link | top | home ]
Blix or blitz? Hans, will you be my valentine?
posted by media_dystopia @ 12:21 [ link | top | home ]
Blix or blitz? Hawks versus doves: the Security Council members are responding. I don't think we're going to hear anything new; they made their positions clear on February 5 in response to Colin Powell's presentation. Nevertheless, let's hear it all again in seven-minute increments with simultaneous translation.
posted by media_dystopia @ 11:23 [ link | top | home ]
Blix or blitz? Dr. Hans Blix, executive chairman of UNMOVIC, and Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of IAEA, are presenting their Iraq weapons reports to the UN Security Council. Very factual. Very balanced. Very...UN. These guys have absolutely no flare for the dramatic. Journalists looking for quotes for their news reports must be clawing at their faces right about now. There's definitely no smoking gun. Hell, listening to today's reports, I'm not even sure there's a gun to begin with.
posted by media_dystopia @ 10:44 [ link | top | home ]
Can someone in Ottawa explain to me why 101.1 XFM has the worst reception of any radio station in the city? It makes absolutely no sense.
Follow-up: I may be onto something.
posted by media_dystopia @ 03:23 [ link | top | home ]
Here's a nod to Whitehouse.org's patriotic posters.
posted by media_dystopia @ 03:18 [ link | top | home ]
posted by media_dystopia @ 02:27 [ link | top | home ]
Thursday, February 13, 2003
Chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix presents his report on Iraq to the Security Council tomorrow morning. Will he go hawk or dove? Talk to you bookie and get in on the action before it's too late.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:57 [ link | top | home ]
The Canadian opposition and duct tape industry want the government to institute a U.S.-style terror alert system. That way we too can be duped by lying terror suspects, cause undue panic, and boost 3M's sales figures at the same time. (Sadly, "duck and cover" has become "duct tape and cover with plastic.") I'm not a trained interrogator or anything, but wouldn't administering the polygraph test -- you know, the one proving the suspect is lying -- before issuing the terror alert be a good idea? I hope it was just a case of excessive eagerness to inform the public and not some lame attempt to market Gulf War II.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:40 [ link | top | home ]
Wednesday, February 12, 2003
Further to the previous post: The Pentagon insists that Canadian soldiers will only be strafed this time. Makes sense. Why waste a perfectly good bomb?
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:38 [ link | top | home ]
News item: Canadian military returning to Afghanistan.
The 1,000-strong contingent will join the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the Kabul area in late summer. Critics claim that this is a move to avoid joining a U.S. attack on Iraq by focusing troops on the war on terror instead. Apparently, a deployment to Afghanistan precludes a deployment to the Gulf. Either that or Canada is helping out by staying out of the way. No matter what, it's a pretty sad and scary state of affairs when deploying less people than the average high school's population cripples our ability to fight a war -- and by extension, defend our nation.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:26 [ link | top | home ]
Further to yesterday's post: Bill O'Reilly likes to call Mexicans "wetbacks." I wonder what he calls Canadians. Whatever it is, it probably comes with enough hot air to melt the snow here.
posted by media_dystopia @ 21:25 [ link | top | home ]
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is testifying before the House Committee on International Relations. Look up the word "erudite" in the dictionary and you'll see his picture. Here's a rough quote of something he just said: "I have fought in wars. I have sent men to war. I have lost friends in war. No one wants a war, but sometimes it's necessary." (My apologies if I misquoted him.) Clearly, the best thing that the U.S. can do in Gulf War II is let Powell be the front man. Having a bumbling Texan tackle the delicate issue of international relations is suicide.
posted by media_dystopia @ 11:13 [ link | top | home ]
There's a nifty post at linkfilter.net about Penn & Teller's new show on Showtime. Unfortunately, geotracking precludes those of us outside of the U.S. from learning about it; when we visit the show's site, this is what we see: "Sorry. We at Showtime Online express our apologies; however, these pages are intended for access only from within the United States." In fact, we can't even access the network's homepage. Apparently, Showtime doesn't want our patronage. Fine by me; I'll add it to my list of persona non grata media organizations. (Isn't this ironic considering Penn Jilette is a staunch supporter of freedom?)
Follow-up: Ten months later and another reminder of this idiocy.
posted by media_dystopia @ 00:35 [ link | top | home ]
Tuesday, February 11, 2003
News item: Scientists believe universe is 13.7 billion years old. This is the sort of thing which reminds me that there are certain areas of science which are simply of no benefit to the human race. If they announced tomorrow that the universe is 300 trillion years old, would that cure cancer?
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:46 [ link | top | home ]
News item: Robert Duvall thinks Canadian actors suck. More specifically: "I prefer not to work in Canada. I prefer to work in my own country. There are better actors down here. That's why they have to import so many actors for their Canadian productions." Apparently, Mr. Duvall has never watched CPAC. Also, can someone please explain to me the connection between one's passport and one's acting abilities? Trust me, if I was American, I would still be the world's worst actor.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:30 [ link | top | home ]
Canadian military planners have joined officers from the U.S., Britain, and Australia at CENTCOM's headquarters in Qatar. However, the minister of defence is eager to point out that this is not a change in Canada's policy towards Iraq. Apparently, joining a war's planning staff does not equate to participating in said war. Gosh, I can't argue with that logic. No matter. Whatever involves Canada actually making decisions and keeping us off of America's shit list is fine by me.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:22 [ link | top | home ]
"My Osama's back and you're gonna be in trouble. Hey-la, hey-la, my Osama's back." (Sung off-key, of course.) What can I possibly say about that nihilistic dingbat's latest bootleg on the Al-Jazeera charts -- notice I didn't mix my metaphors there? -- other than, "All your jihad are belong to us." (Those of you who get that can explain it to the rest of the class.)
posted by media_dystopia @ 22:54 [ link | top | home ]
It was only a matter of time until CBS' JAG tackled the friendly fire incident in Afghanistan which resulted in the deaths of four Canadian soldiers. Tonight's fictionalized account, this time involving British troops, mirrored the real-life incident: a pilot, high on amphetamine "go pills," dropping a 500-pound bomb in self-defense despite being told to hold fire; mitigating circumstances, notably the lack of communication about the presence of allies; and, of course, recriminations from the pilot's lawyer. Unlike the real Article 32 hearing, though, the U.S. pilot was acquitted because he legitimately thought he was under attack.
An interesting element of the episode, which was titled "Friendly Fire," was guest star Bill O'Reilly "as himself." The bombastic host of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor argued -- on the news watched by the navy characters, that is -- that pilots should not be accountable to political pinheads, and that military accidents should not be criminalized. He also blamed the incident and subsequent criminal trial on political scapegoating, the fog of war, and -- get this -- "incompetent allies." Since he was playing himself, I can only assume that this is how he actually feels about America's brothers-in-arms. Well, Bill, what about incompetent journalists? Oh, that's right, you're not a journalist -- you're just an ignorant, conservative blowhard and loud-mouthed, egotistical bully. To take a page from your own playbook, you can't say something asinine and not be called on it.
posted by media_dystopia @ 22:05 [ link | top | home ]
ABC's Are You Hot: The Search For America's Sexiest People premieres this week. I would like to thank the network for single-handedly driving the self-esteem of tens of millions of people into the ground. Therapists, on the other hand, would like to thank you for the increase in business.
posted by media_dystopia @ 09:22 [ link | top | home ]
The nominee list for the 75th Annual Academy Awards was released this morning. I had a pretty neutral reaction to it. Other than The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers being nominated for Best Picture, nothing really bothered me. Nothing really impressed me, either.
posted by media_dystopia @ 09:11 [ link | top | home ]
Stop by sfwriter.com, home of Canadian science fiction writer and all-around nice guy Robert J. Sawyer. I first learned of him on TVO's Prisoners of Gravity, the best science fiction discussion program ever made.
posted by media_dystopia @ 01:25 [ link | top | home ]
Monday, February 10, 2003
France, Germany, and Belgium have endeared themselves to the U.S. by opposing NATO preparations to boost Turkey's defenses prior to an invasion of Iraq. Canada, meanwhile, has jumped off the fence long enough to support the U.S. on the issue. Perhaps that "cautious ambiguity" strategy is working after all; at least we're not America's shit list right now like some European countries.
posted by media_dystopia @ 22:59 [ link | top | home ]
In Gulf War II, journalists are going to be "embedded" in U.S. military units. The unprecedented access will allow for live coverage of combat in Iraq. The Department of Defense insists that news reports, even those covering civilian casualties and friendly fire incidents, will not be censored. What actually survives the fog of war, though, remains to be seen. No matter what, this war's journalism is going to make it much more entertaining than Gulf War I. If I see CNN reenacting something out of Aliens -- shoulder-mounted cameras capturing the descent into combat hell -- I'll scream and faint like a teenage girl at an Elvis concert.
posted by media_dystopia @ 22:13 [ link | top | home ]
The 23rd Annual Razzie Awards -- "Dis-Honoring Worst Achievements in Film for 2002" -- have been announced. I am very pleased to see that Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones has been nominated for Worst Picture, Worst Supporting Actor (Hayden Christensen), Worst Supporting Actress (Natalie Portman), Worst Screen Couple (Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman), Worst Director (George Lucas), Worst Remake or Sequel, and Worst Screenplay. It's always important to give discredit where discredit is due, and to remind movie-goers that they will never, ever get their hard-earned money back.
posted by media_dystopia @ 12:03 [ link | top | home ]
Here's a duel of intellectual pugilists I would pay to see: Bill O'Reilly of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor versus Rex Murphy of CBC's The National. O'Reilly, whose no-fear style and "verbal dissection of people and causes on the left" has made his show a hit, would be crushed by Murphy, Canada's erudite master of rhetoric. That's right, Rex would kick his ass! Go Rex go!
posted by media_dystopia @ 11:39 [ link | top | home ]
Sunday, February 09, 2003
Further to the December 13 post: "The day Saddam's troops wanted to shoot me." That January 7 Ottawa Citizen headline drew readers' attention to the latest article in the Scott Taylor in Iraq series, titled, "How Saddam's troops almost shot me". My reaction? If this Ernie Pyle wanna-be was traipsing around my country, I'd want to shoot him, too. Plus if he's just as annoying to the Pentagon brass as he is to their Canadian counterparts, he'd better learn to duck around the U.S. forces as well.
posted by media_dystopia @ 14:15 [ link | top | home ]
On CNN Headline News' Hotwired segment today, reporter Renay San Miguel interviewed a computer gaming expert about Unreal II. The expert said that the first-person shooter was single player-only and didn't have multiplayer capability, to which Miguel asked, "Can you play it on the Internet?" The expert was forced to respond with, "Like I said...." What she should of said was, "What do you think, Sherlock?" There's nothing worse than a vacuous journalist. If a military expert tells you that Iraq is going to be bombed, don't ask if there's going to be a war -- you'll only blind the rest of us with a glimpse of the obvious.
posted by media_dystopia @ 13:59 [ link | top | home ]
Saturday, February 08, 2003
Further to the January 17 post: Another poll asking which country is the biggest threat to world peace, this time from Time Europe. The options: North Korea, Iraq, and the U.S. The current results, out of close to 350,000 votes: U.S. 84.6%; Iraq 8.3%; North Korea 7.2%. Of course, an online poll like this is very unscientific -- just look at the math -- and susceptible to vote-loading, but given that it's geared towards European readers and mirrors previous polls, there has to be a degree of validity to it. Once again, this proves that the current U.S. administration isn't able to sell its aims very well. President Bush is falling prey to poor marketing. Then again, it could have something to do with the fact that he's intensely disliked around the world. Perhaps, then, it's a case of the administration not being able to sell its president.
posted by media_dystopia @ 14:03 [ link | top | home ]
George Carlin on entropy, chaos, and disorder:
...it makes the news on television more interesting. Makes the television news more exciting. Makes it more fun. I watch television news for one thing and one thing only: entertainment. That's all I want from the news: ENTERTAINMENT. You know my favorite thing on television? Bad news. Bad news and disasters and accidents and catastrophes....
Maybe I'm a deranged news junkie, but to me, war is entertainment. That's part of the reason why I'm not up-in-arms about Gulf War II; no matter what, it will make for some exciting television and provide a great deal of entertainment -- not to mention blogging inspiration. Living in Canada means that I have the luxury of not experiencing war first-hand. I am very grateful that it has been something I have only witnessed through the camera lens. Since I'm not doing the fighting (that's why we pay soldiers), not making the decisions (that's why we elect politicians), and not influencing the powerful (that's why we have experts), the only thing I can do is either oppose or support the war. Frankly, I have no objection to it other than its poor marketing. Not being a pacifist bogged down with moral issues allows me to appreciate the entertainment value of modern conflict. Does that make me a sick, callous, uncaring individual? Perhaps. But at least I'll have a good time when the cruise missiles are launched.
posted by media_dystopia @ 02:01 [ link | top | home ]
Friday, February 07, 2003
If I see or hear one more bloody ad for My Big Fat Greek Wedding on TLC I'm going to go apeshit. I realize that the network has launched a movie-related sweepstakes to coincide with the video and DVD release, but enough is enough; it has become promotional overkill. I now have a big fat headache.
posted by media_dystopia @ 17:34 [ link | top | home ]
The Homeland Security Advisory has been raised to High/Orange: "High Risk of Terrorist Attacks." The Department of Homeland Security reminds you to remain calm and vigilant, and to report suspicious Canadians to the authorities. Furthermore, the department recommends that anyone expressing interest in curling, medicare, and poutine be clubbed like a Newfoundland seal. Thank you for your attention loyal citizens. (Warning: sarcasm alert.)
posted by media_dystopia @ 17:25 [ link | top | home ]
News item: President Bush to make first state visit to Canada on May 5. He will address a joint session of Parliament in Ottawa. Simultaneous translation from Texan to English and French will be provided.
posted by media_dystopia @ 15:24 [ link | top | home ]
Further to the February 4 post: Michael Jackson is "devastated and feels utterly betrayed" by a British documentary about him. Really? Then maybe he should go back to being an insane recluse and spare us the agony of listening to him in the media. Please, do us all a favor and keep Jacko the Wacko and his hideous mug away from the rest of the human race, especially children.
posted by media_dystopia @ 09:32 [ link | top | home ]
Thursday, February 06, 2003
Further to the November 16 post: PETA has written a letter to Yasser Arafat to decry the death of a donkey. Once again, PETA has managed to make an ass of itself on the international stage. I can only imagine the group's correspondence to Saddam: "Dear Mr. Hussein: We wish to draw your attention to the plight of the Iraqi pigeon. When you stand on your balcony and fire your rifle in the air in a gesture of defiance, you are disturbing the bird's natural habitat, the slums of Baghdad."
posted by media_dystopia @ 21:52 [ link | top | home ]
The Straight Dope: Did the U.S. plan an invasion of Canada in the 1920s? More importantly, did anyone tell them how cold it is here?
posted by media_dystopia @ 11:17 [ link | top | home ]
Further to the previous post: The Japanese "invisibility cloak" is being likened to Harry Potter's. Excuse me? Could there be a lamer cultural reference for this high-tech marvel? It's science catching up with science fiction -- William Gibson's "mimetic polycarbon" and similar technology -- not wizards and magic. What's next? "We invented a personal levitation device." "Oh, just like Harry Potter's!" Give me a break.
posted by media_dystopia @ 10:45 [ link | top | home ]
News item: Japanese scientist invents "invisibility cloak." When I heard this on the radio and then found the article via MetaFilter, I immediately thought of the "mimetic polycarbon" suits in William Gibson's Neuromancer. (I'm not really into science until it becomes Gibsonian science.)
posted by media_dystopia @ 01:30 [ link | top | home ]
Space shuttle Columbia lost. Poynter Online discusses the importance of niche bloggers during the space shuttle disaster, in particular floridatoday.com's STS-107 Columbia landing journal. The blog follows each shuttle mission's landing minute-by-minute, and as a result had some of the first coverage of the tragedy. Contrary to my September 13 post, sometimes bloggers are indeed the first draft of journalism; not too many mainstream media organizations were covering the landing until it became a crash.
posted by media_dystopia @ 01:05 [ link | top | home ]
Wednesday, February 05, 2003
The Powell presentation. Canada's reaction: Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham called it "troubling but convincing." However, proof that Iraq is deceiving inspectors is not enough to launch a war. "We are not at a point where there is a need to use force," he told reporters. "However, we don't have much time left." Depending on who you listen to, Canada will join military action against Iraq with or without a new UN resolution.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:51 [ link | top | home ]
Sometimes there is justice in the world: Aaron, the leading man in ABC's second edition of The Bachelor, is no longer engaged to the show's finalist. Aw, that's too bad. I'm shedding a tear -- no, wait, just a bit of dust in my eye. This is payback for sheer repugnancy. Kudos to fate on this one.
posted by media_dystopia @ 17:52 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. Security Council meeting adjourned after three and a half hours. I'm exhausted and I've got a headache. No wonder I'm not a diplomat.
posted by media_dystopia @ 14:10 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. Here's the transcript.
posted by media_dystopia @ 14:02 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. The permanent representative of Iraq responds: the evidence was fabricated; we deny everything; nothing new was said; we are complying; we have no weapons of mass destruction; you can't prove it; you're warmongers. Sound familiar?
posted by media_dystopia @ 14:01 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. The other Security Council members are speaking. Lots of polite diplo-speak. China and Russia support the UN process. Britain supports the U.S. process. CNN drowned-out Cameroon with analysis. France supports pissing off the U.S. Mexico and Bulgaria skipped for more analysis. Pakistan supports the UN process, but sounds more militant than the others. Spain only partly drowned-out with analysis. Chile and Angola skipped for -- you guessed it -- more analysis. (If Canada was speaking, I suspect CNN would skip it as well.) Syria supports France. Guinea skipped (I'm shocked). Germany supports France, and vice versa. All of the Security Council members have now spoken. I'm drained.
posted by media_dystopia @ 12:03 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. Powell has finished speaking. Well, that was a nebulous re-statement of the obvious. Saying that there was no smoking gun was an understatement. Despite the nifty examples of modern intelligence-gathering, Powell was no Adlai Stevenson today. That being said, my previous opinion remains unchanged: removing Saddam and disarming Iraq can only be a good thing, and any oil acquired at the same time is a fringe benefit. So stop talking and do what you have to do. Your "shock and awe" campaign will make for some exciting television, so get on with it -- I need some good entertainment.
posted by media_dystopia @ 11:59 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. Saddam has "utter disrespect for human life." Saddam gasses his own people. Saddam kills, tortures, and maims. Saddam is an all-around nasty person. Yeah, so? Tell us something we don't know. If you really want to goad us, you're going to have to show us pictures of him torturing puppies or something.
posted by media_dystopia @ 11:55 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. Saddam (secular despot) and Osama (religious zealot) have a non-aggression pact of sorts. They don't necessarily like each other, but the enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?
posted by media_dystopia @ 11:49 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. Egads! The meat of the presentation: links to terrorism, particularly al-Qaeda. A tad tenuous, but we'll take what we can get.
posted by media_dystopia @ 11:37 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. Iraq has purchased components to make components of components of nuclear weapons. Again, we can't actually find the components -- not the components, but the components -- but Saddam has the components.
posted by media_dystopia @ 11:33 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. Another taped conversation. The captain and the colonel in this tape are going to be shot a few minutes after the colonel and the brigadier-general in the first tape.
posted by media_dystopia @ 11:23 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. Iraq has biological and chemical weapons. We can't find them, but Saddam has them.
posted by media_dystopia @ 11:15 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. Iraq's anthrax isn't accounted for. Guess you shouldn't have given it to them in the first place, eh? (Insert picture of Donald Rumsfeld shaking hands with Saddam Hussein in 1983.)
posted by media_dystopia @ 11:06 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. Iraq is in "material breach" of UN resolutions. And that differs from the last 12 years how...?
posted by media_dystopia @ 11:03 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. Satellite photos now. Circumstantial, but they do raise some interesting questions: Where did that truck go? Show us the truck! The truck, damn you, the truck!
posted by media_dystopia @ 10:59 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. Iraq is conspiring to hide information, people, and weapons from the UN? Wow. I'm glad he showed up today to tell us that.
posted by media_dystopia @ 10:52 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. Playing taped conversations. The colonel and brigadier-general in the first tape are going to be shot in about two hours.
posted by media_dystopia @ 10:47 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. Live on CNN. I'm ready to blog.
posted by media_dystopia @ 10:38 [ link | top | home ]
The Powell presentation. Secretary of State Colin Powell presents his Iraq report to the UN Security Council at 10:30 a.m. He's already said that there's a lot of circumstantial evidence, but no smoking gun. Nevertheless, every ally is going to be glued to the television. This is going to be interesting.
posted by media_dystopia @ 09:34 [ link | top | home ]
Tuesday, February 04, 2003
Michael Jackson is the human being -- I use that description as loosely as possible -- most in need of serious, long-term therapy. Hard-core psychotropic drugs wouldn't hurt, either. Just as long as it prevents him from ever opening his mouth and discussing, among other disturbing topics, sharing his bed with children. King of pop? More like king of holy-shit-I'm-a-fucking-freak.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:50 [ link | top | home ]
The prime minister's stance on Iraq, courtesy of the CBC's The National: "A second resolution if necessary, but not necessarily a second resolution." It was also described as "fluid." If anything, the fourth estate is needed for its polite metaphors.
posted by media_dystopia @ 22:14 [ link | top | home ]
After seeing him on last night's Late Show with David Letterman, I have decided that "Jungle" Jack Hanna is a moron. Who's with me on this?
posted by media_dystopia @ 08:57 [ link | top | home ]
Monday, February 03, 2003
Today's yourDictionary.com word of the day is "blog." Good choice. While I'm at it, here's the site's Top Ten Word Lists of 2002. Don't "misunderestimate" it.
posted by media_dystopia @ 22:16 [ link | top | home ]
Further to yesterday's post: Woohoo! There's a new post on Blogger's main page! I have now confirmed that at least two people are alive at Pyra Labs. As for what was posted, I think someone should write a book which covers great tricks and tips for developing Blogger. All of the users left in the dark recently would highly recommend it.
posted by media_dystopia @ 15:29 [ link | top | home ]
Further to the January 27 post: Make that 3,000 guided bombs and missiles hitting Iraq in the first 48 hours. Only a sissy would launch a measly 800 cruise missiles to "shock and awe" the enemy.
posted by media_dystopia @ 07:15 [ link | top | home ]
Space shuttle Columbia lost. Sometimes journalists get ahead of themselves when reporting "routine" news because of competition and deadlines. With the benefit of hindsight, it's easy to criticize an article detailing a successful shuttle mission posted an hour before its scheduled arrival. When it all goes horribly wrong, should the media scramble to erase all trace of upbeat reporting on what was expected (or supposed) to happen? Is journalistic revisionism acceptable because something is deemed to be in poor taste after the fact? In that case, every article saying that the shuttle crew successfully completed scientific experiments would be deleted or re-written. But they shouldn't be: the crew did finish all the experiments; the fact that they didn't make it home doesn't change that. The reporting at the time should remain untouched, no matter how unpalatable it is now, because it reminds us how fast events can change, and how shocked the world was by the tragedy. Philip Graham, former publisher of The Washington Post, was right in saying that journalism is the first draft of history -- sometimes you have to go through multiple drafts before you get it right.
posted by media_dystopia @ 02:21 [ link | top | home ]
Meet Rosanne van Klaveren, Dutch artist and prime test subject of Braintec. This wanna-be Johnny Mnemonic and a few other like-minded individuals had magnetic devices implanted into their temporal lobes so that memories could be extracted and shared. My initial reaction? Disbelief. Frankly, I'm getting a Clonaid vibe off the Portland, Oregon, company and its "Makes you dreams come true!" motto. (And let's face it, the Internet's biggest drawback is often the veracity of its content.) If indeed this is for real, then SF writers everywhere are going to be exuberant.
posted by media_dystopia @ 01:25 [ link | top | home ]
Sunday, February 02, 2003
You know TLC's Trading Spaces is popular when HGTV viewers pick it as one of their favorite shows -- and it's not on the network. I'm a fan so I find this very amusing.
posted by media_dystopia @ 22:46 [ link | top | home ]
Space shuttle Columbia lost. Poynter Online's shuttle disaster "Resources, Story Ideas and More" is an excellent resource page for journalists covering the tragedy.
posted by media_dystopia @ 08:37 [ link | top | home ]
Space shuttle Columbia lost. But found on eBay, thanks to some degenerates attempting to capitalize on tragedy. If the auctions are real, then these people should be made to pick up the rest of the debris with their bare bands. If the auctions are sick jokes, then these people should be publicly flogged, with the photos of the floggings auctioned on eBay thereafter.
posted by media_dystopia @ 07:59 [ link | top | home ]
Further to the previous post: Hallelujah! On January 29, Blogger staff (remember them?) began adding news posts to Status.Blogger.Com -- their first since December 3. Of course, I haven't got a clue what they're talking about. No matter, at least I have confirmation that at least one individual is alive at Pyra Labs. (I've added a reply to my Blogger User Support post saying as much.)
posted by media_dystopia @ 04:57 [ link | top | home ]
Further to the January 29 post: Here's my latest attempt at getting to the bottom of the Blogger-is-online-but-no-one-is-home mystery, this time in the form of a message posted to Blogger User Support at Yahoo! Groups:
Subject: Is Pyra/Blogger going out of business?
Message: Seriously, does anyone know what the hell is going on? It's as if they've dropped off the face of the planet. No news. No support. No updates. No nothing. Posting angry rants on my blog and reporting issues to BloggerControl has done squat thus far. I really want to stay with Blogger Pro -- yes, I'm a paying customer -- but their kind of "customer service" is making me walk funny.
What are the chances of anything resulting from this?
posted by media_dystopia @ 03:30 [ link | top | home ]
Saturday, February 01, 2003
Speaking of country music: I was introduced to French-Canadian "franco-country" tonight. I don't think I've been so terrified in all my life.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:58 [ link | top | home ]
I went to a Texan restaurant tonight. I swear I heard the line "goin' down in Texas" in a country song playing in the background. The irony was overwhelming.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:43 [ link | top | home ]
Space shuttle Columbia lost. Iraqis also offered their condolences, calling it "God's retribution." Aw, that's sweet.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:12 [ link | top | home ]
Space shuttle Columbia lost. Prime Minister Jean Chrétien offered Canada's condolences:
It is with deep sadness that Canadians learned the tragic loss of the space shuttle Columbia this morning. The seven astronauts on board were accomplished women and men of great courage who put their extraordinary skills and knowledge to the service of humankind. Each one was a hero. Their contribution to science and space exploration will never be forgotten.
Aline joins me, on behalf of all Canadians, in our expression of sympathy to the families. Our prayers are with you and with the people of the United States and Israel during this tragic time.
posted by media_dystopia @ 23:02 [ link | top | home ]
Space shuttle Columbia lost. A message to politicians like Governor Rick Perry of Texas: if you're going to speak live on television during breaking news, consult CNN first. You might just realize that you've decided to speak at the same time as a much-anticipated NASA briefing and that every channel is going ignore you the moment that briefing begins. Apparently, breaking news turns press secretaries into morons.
posted by media_dystopia @ 15:50 [ link | top | home ]
Space shuttle Columbia lost. NASA news briefing, live on all channels: "We had a bad day."
posted by media_dystopia @ 15:47 [ link | top | home ]
Space shuttle Columbia lost. I remember thinking to myself the other day that the media barely covered the anniversary of the Challenger disaster. This a grim way of reminding them of it.
posted by media_dystopia @ 15:33 [ link | top | home ]
Space shuttle Columbia lost. Mission STS-107 ends with fiery re-entry. All seven astronauts dead. Debris strewn across parts of Texas. Consult your favorite news organization.
posted by media_dystopia @ 15:09 [ link | top | home ]
Either I'm getting old, or the music is getting worse. I used to love flipping to Muchmusic to see what's playing. Now it's 99 percent hip-hop or rap or whatever that shit is called. And the hosts -- with the exception of George Stroumboulopoulos, one of the best music journalists in the country, and that curmudgeon Ed The Sock -- are getting lamer by the minute. Canada's music channel is too busy morphing into MTV to play Canadian videos or anything resembling decent music. Then again, maybe I just don't understand today's youth culture. I have, after all, revived my old Genesis addiction. (Apocalypse in 9/8 in "Supper's Ready" still makes me weep with joy.)
posted by media_dystopia @ 06:22 [ link | top | home ]