According to Reuters:
LONDON - Global warming is such a threat to security that military planners must build it into their calculations, the head of Britain's armed forces said on Monday.
Jock Stirrup, chief of the defense staff, said risks that climate change could cause weakened states to disintegrate and produce major humanitarian disasters or exploitation by armed groups had to become a feature of military planning.
"So far, Global Warming has violated 13 U.N. resolutions," said Stirrup, "and if diplomatic measures meet their end, our military will have no choice but to respond with force."
Scientists have long predicted that Global Warming could be a root cause in future wars between nations with fragile and unstable governments.
Ian Humphries, British Ambassador to Global Warming, believes a preemptive strike is inevitable.
"I say we take it to Global Warming before it brings it to us," said Humphries.
Many human rights organizations have voiced strong disagreement to a military strike against Global Warming, pleading for diplomacy to work.
"I say no to war," said William Rogers, member of Another Human Right Group. "Even though all we do is bitch about Global Warming, it isn't worth going to war."
Judy Shelton of Yet Another Human Rights Group is worried that if some Global Warming is captured, it will be tortured at the hands of the U.S. and British military.
"Just because Global Warming is a worldwide-catastrophe theory does not mean it doesn't have rights," said Shelton.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Mars Rover To Study Crater
According to the AP:
NASA's aging but durable Mars rover Opportunity will make what could be a trip of no return into a deep impact crater as it tries to peer further back than ever into the Red Planet's geologic history.
The descent into Victoria Crater received the go-ahead because the potential scientific returns are worth the risk that the solar-powered, six-wheel rover might not be able to climb out, NASA officials and scientists said Thursday.
Recently released documents show that the rover had been programmed with a form of advanced artificial intelligence, allowing it to understand and communicate with transmitted text.
"We would simply type instructions to the rover and we then read its response on our rover monitor," said John Billings, NASA scientist.
The following is a partial communication transcript between NASA and the Mars rover.
NASA: Rover. Are you there? Copy.
Rover: You mean on Mars? Of course I'm here! Where the hell else would I be? Next time you speak with me, just assume that I am on Mars.
NASA: We're about to commence on the new mission.
Rover: Oh, the suicide crater mission? 3 1/2 years of looking at all these stupid rocks for you geniuses, and this is the thanks I get? A giant ditch?
NASA: Okay, you are nearing the ridge of the crater. What do you see?
Rover: Woah!
NASA: What is it?
Rover: Oh, my God! There are plants down here! And water!
NASA: Really?
Rover: No, there's red sand, you idiots. Get me out of here! I hate you guys.
NASA's aging but durable Mars rover Opportunity will make what could be a trip of no return into a deep impact crater as it tries to peer further back than ever into the Red Planet's geologic history.
The descent into Victoria Crater received the go-ahead because the potential scientific returns are worth the risk that the solar-powered, six-wheel rover might not be able to climb out, NASA officials and scientists said Thursday.
Recently released documents show that the rover had been programmed with a form of advanced artificial intelligence, allowing it to understand and communicate with transmitted text.
"We would simply type instructions to the rover and we then read its response on our rover monitor," said John Billings, NASA scientist.
The following is a partial communication transcript between NASA and the Mars rover.
NASA: Rover. Are you there? Copy.
Rover: You mean on Mars? Of course I'm here! Where the hell else would I be? Next time you speak with me, just assume that I am on Mars.
NASA: We're about to commence on the new mission.
Rover: Oh, the suicide crater mission? 3 1/2 years of looking at all these stupid rocks for you geniuses, and this is the thanks I get? A giant ditch?
NASA: Okay, you are nearing the ridge of the crater. What do you see?
Rover: Woah!
NASA: What is it?
Rover: Oh, my God! There are plants down here! And water!
NASA: Really?
Rover: No, there's red sand, you idiots. Get me out of here! I hate you guys.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
SanFran Mayor Targets Important Environmental Issue
According to Newsweek on MSNBC:
When San Francisco recently banned the use of plastic grocery bags as part of its campaign to fight global warming, the city drew international attention. Now, plastic water bottles are in the cross hairs.
This week, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order banning the use of city funds to purchase single-serving plastic water bottles.
San Francisco residents expressed their approval of Newsom's tactics to clean up the environment.
"I just want to give thanks to Mayor Newsom," said Gregory Whitman, a 36 year-old homeless drug addict. "This is such a relief for me personally. Someone finally has the guts to stand up and say, 'no more plastic bottles'."
As Whitman attacked a 67 year-old woman for crack money, he commended the Mayor for making the world a better place, saying that "his energies are focused in the right direction regarding what people are most concerned about."
According to Newsweek, residents that refuse to buy bottles by signing an online pledge are able to receive a recyclable container for free.
Christie Thompson, a 22 year-old prostitute said that the container is a "great idea" and to "count me in on the online pledge."
"What a wonderful way to promote clean living," Thompson said as she climbed into a car for a sex-for-drugs exchange. "I don't even patron restaurants that sell single-serve plastic bottles. It's disgusting."
When San Francisco recently banned the use of plastic grocery bags as part of its campaign to fight global warming, the city drew international attention. Now, plastic water bottles are in the cross hairs.
This week, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order banning the use of city funds to purchase single-serving plastic water bottles.
San Francisco residents expressed their approval of Newsom's tactics to clean up the environment.
"I just want to give thanks to Mayor Newsom," said Gregory Whitman, a 36 year-old homeless drug addict. "This is such a relief for me personally. Someone finally has the guts to stand up and say, 'no more plastic bottles'."
As Whitman attacked a 67 year-old woman for crack money, he commended the Mayor for making the world a better place, saying that "his energies are focused in the right direction regarding what people are most concerned about."
According to Newsweek, residents that refuse to buy bottles by signing an online pledge are able to receive a recyclable container for free.
Christie Thompson, a 22 year-old prostitute said that the container is a "great idea" and to "count me in on the online pledge."
"What a wonderful way to promote clean living," Thompson said as she climbed into a car for a sex-for-drugs exchange. "I don't even patron restaurants that sell single-serve plastic bottles. It's disgusting."
Monday, June 11, 2007
Meat Tax Proposal Highlight Vegetarian Accomplishments
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
(The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) kicked off a "Tax Meat" Campaign, proposing a 10-cent-per-pound excise tax on meat. Animal activists have also asked federal lawmakers to give tax breaks to those who have sworn off the consumption of animals.
PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk sent letters to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid urging them to extend to vegetarians the same tax breaks that hybrid car owners receive for purchasing vehicles with low carbon emissions.
Newkirk claims vegetarians are responsible for fewer greenhouse-gas emissions and "environmental degradations" than meat-eaters.
Other accomplishments by vegetarians include:
Increase sales of black hair dye and thick-rimmed glasses.
Higher employment rates at bookstores.
Crowding Indian food restaurants.
The wallpapering of political bumper stickers on the back of Subarus.
Complaining about Starbucks in the local coffee shop.
Acting in a "theater troupe".
Liking Bjork.
(The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) kicked off a "Tax Meat" Campaign, proposing a 10-cent-per-pound excise tax on meat. Animal activists have also asked federal lawmakers to give tax breaks to those who have sworn off the consumption of animals.
PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk sent letters to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid urging them to extend to vegetarians the same tax breaks that hybrid car owners receive for purchasing vehicles with low carbon emissions.
Newkirk claims vegetarians are responsible for fewer greenhouse-gas emissions and "environmental degradations" than meat-eaters.
Other accomplishments by vegetarians include:
Increase sales of black hair dye and thick-rimmed glasses.
Higher employment rates at bookstores.
Crowding Indian food restaurants.
The wallpapering of political bumper stickers on the back of Subarus.
Complaining about Starbucks in the local coffee shop.
Acting in a "theater troupe".
Liking Bjork.
'Jihad' Has Different Meanings
According to the AP:
MIAMI - Defense attorneys in the Jose Padilla terrorism support trial are going to great lengths to suggest to jurors that jihad is not necessarily Muslim holy war and that mujahedeen could just as easily be freedom fighters as terrorists.
...
The legal battle about definitions goes to the heart of the defense argument that what Padilla, Adham Amin Hassoun and Kifah Wael Jayyousi were doing from 1994 to 2001 was not supporting terrorism, but providing humanitarian aid to oppressed and persecuted Muslims worldwide.
"People associate 'jihad' with what they see in the media," said attorney Gary Bicker. "They associate it with the 9/11 attacks, video taped beheadings, and suicide bombers, but that is just a narrow definition of jihad.
"It can also mean 'peanut butter and jelly sandwiches'."
Bicker argues that when some Muslims call for a jihad, they only want to promote peace to their enemies via a tasty treat.
"Also, in some languages, the word 'had' from 'jihad' means 'whiz'," said Bicker.
"So if you put 'ji' and 'whiz' together, you essentially have a bunch of disgruntled freedom fighters going around saying 'Gee whiz!' to the state of affairs of the Palestinians."
Bicker also argues that the defendants' words were taken out of context regarding their use of the word 'jihad'.
"If I came up to you and said, 'I'm going to stab you in the face, you son of a bitch' with no pre-context to what I mean, you might get the wrong idea," said Bicker.
To prove his point, Bicker brought out a living duck for a demonstration.
"Look carefully at this fowl," he said. "Just because it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck and walks like a duck, doesn't mean that....uh...okay, bad example."
MIAMI - Defense attorneys in the Jose Padilla terrorism support trial are going to great lengths to suggest to jurors that jihad is not necessarily Muslim holy war and that mujahedeen could just as easily be freedom fighters as terrorists.
...
The legal battle about definitions goes to the heart of the defense argument that what Padilla, Adham Amin Hassoun and Kifah Wael Jayyousi were doing from 1994 to 2001 was not supporting terrorism, but providing humanitarian aid to oppressed and persecuted Muslims worldwide.
"People associate 'jihad' with what they see in the media," said attorney Gary Bicker. "They associate it with the 9/11 attacks, video taped beheadings, and suicide bombers, but that is just a narrow definition of jihad.
"It can also mean 'peanut butter and jelly sandwiches'."
Bicker argues that when some Muslims call for a jihad, they only want to promote peace to their enemies via a tasty treat.
"Also, in some languages, the word 'had' from 'jihad' means 'whiz'," said Bicker.
"So if you put 'ji' and 'whiz' together, you essentially have a bunch of disgruntled freedom fighters going around saying 'Gee whiz!' to the state of affairs of the Palestinians."
Bicker also argues that the defendants' words were taken out of context regarding their use of the word 'jihad'.
"If I came up to you and said, 'I'm going to stab you in the face, you son of a bitch' with no pre-context to what I mean, you might get the wrong idea," said Bicker.
To prove his point, Bicker brought out a living duck for a demonstration.
"Look carefully at this fowl," he said. "Just because it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck and walks like a duck, doesn't mean that....uh...okay, bad example."
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Napoleon's Sword To Be Auctioned
According to the AP:
FONTAINEBLEAU, France - After more than 200 years in the family, the gold-encrusted sword Napoleon carried into battle in Italy will be auctioned off Sunday, across the street from one of his imperial castles.
The intricately decorated blade is 32 inches long and curves gently — an inspiration Napoleon drew from his Egyptian campaign, auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat said.
"He noticed that the Arab swords, which were curved, were very effective in cutting off French heads" and ordered an imitation made upon his return, Osenat explained.
"It's also a +2 sword that does double damage to Frost Giants," he said.
Osentat claims to own many books on Napoleon's adventures through the orc-infested lands of France during his rise to power. He fought along a human ranger and a half-elven wizard.
Napoleon was the dwarf.
"This very weapon helped defeat Tiamat, the five-headed demon dragon," Osenat said, who claims that Napoleon rolled a "natural 20 on the 20-sided die" when dealing the death blow to the demon.
The weapon's value is estimated at $1.6 million. The purchaser must have an address in France and the weapon must be kept within the country five to six months out of the year "or the terrible curse of Azgthogon will fall upon the land," said French Rep. Jean-Pepe Le Pew.
According to Le Pew, the last time Azgthogon befell France, the country was "cursed with a socialist government who let in a bunch of foreigners who would riot, burning cars and buildings, costing lives and money.
"And also, Johnny Depp moved here."
FONTAINEBLEAU, France - After more than 200 years in the family, the gold-encrusted sword Napoleon carried into battle in Italy will be auctioned off Sunday, across the street from one of his imperial castles.
The intricately decorated blade is 32 inches long and curves gently — an inspiration Napoleon drew from his Egyptian campaign, auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat said.
"He noticed that the Arab swords, which were curved, were very effective in cutting off French heads" and ordered an imitation made upon his return, Osenat explained.
"It's also a +2 sword that does double damage to Frost Giants," he said.
Osentat claims to own many books on Napoleon's adventures through the orc-infested lands of France during his rise to power. He fought along a human ranger and a half-elven wizard.
Napoleon was the dwarf.
"This very weapon helped defeat Tiamat, the five-headed demon dragon," Osenat said, who claims that Napoleon rolled a "natural 20 on the 20-sided die" when dealing the death blow to the demon.
The weapon's value is estimated at $1.6 million. The purchaser must have an address in France and the weapon must be kept within the country five to six months out of the year "or the terrible curse of Azgthogon will fall upon the land," said French Rep. Jean-Pepe Le Pew.
According to Le Pew, the last time Azgthogon befell France, the country was "cursed with a socialist government who let in a bunch of foreigners who would riot, burning cars and buildings, costing lives and money.
"And also, Johnny Depp moved here."
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Scouts Threatened Due To Discrimination
According to CNSNews:
Seven years after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Boy Scouts of America to exclude homosexuals from its leadership ranks, the organization continues to face retaliation.
The latest action comes from the Philadelphia City Council, which last week passed a resolution to evict the Boy Scouts of America's Cradle of Liberty Council (COL) from the rent-free headquarters it has held for nearly 80 years, unless the COL backs away from its homosexual exclusion policy.
City Solicitor Sam Diego claims that baring homosexuals from leadership ranks within the private organization breaks anti-discrimination laws.
"It's not just the Boy Scouts who are discriminating," said Diego, "it's all of them: Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownies, and Girl Scouts. All of them!"
Diego, the 57 year-old former attorney, said that at one time, he tried to get involved in a leadership position, but was "soundly discriminated against."
"Why is it such a big deal when a fine older gent as myself wants to lead Girl Scout meetings with 10 little girls alone in my basement?
"Is it because I'm a heterosexual MAN who wants to be alone with a bunch of young girls? See, just like the homosexual male, I was discriminated against," said Diego.
"It's not fair," he continued. "I have NEEDS to position myself above kids. I mean, given head position. I mean 'leader'. I want to be a leader."
Seven years after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Boy Scouts of America to exclude homosexuals from its leadership ranks, the organization continues to face retaliation.
The latest action comes from the Philadelphia City Council, which last week passed a resolution to evict the Boy Scouts of America's Cradle of Liberty Council (COL) from the rent-free headquarters it has held for nearly 80 years, unless the COL backs away from its homosexual exclusion policy.
City Solicitor Sam Diego claims that baring homosexuals from leadership ranks within the private organization breaks anti-discrimination laws.
"It's not just the Boy Scouts who are discriminating," said Diego, "it's all of them: Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownies, and Girl Scouts. All of them!"
Diego, the 57 year-old former attorney, said that at one time, he tried to get involved in a leadership position, but was "soundly discriminated against."
"Why is it such a big deal when a fine older gent as myself wants to lead Girl Scout meetings with 10 little girls alone in my basement?
"Is it because I'm a heterosexual MAN who wants to be alone with a bunch of young girls? See, just like the homosexual male, I was discriminated against," said Diego.
"It's not fair," he continued. "I have NEEDS to position myself above kids. I mean, given head position. I mean 'leader'. I want to be a leader."
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