Napalm Riot

Sorry to all of you who mistakenly tried to read my last post...we'll have the bug sorted out just as soon as possible!

Ok. Let's take a few minutes to look at some really, really stupid shit, shall we?

Articles of interest from the August 1, 2008 issue of The Week:

Only in America (p. 6)

A New York man who disappeared after being indicted for having sex with minors is suing American Express for alerting police to his whereabouts. James Colliton, 44, says the company violated his privacy by telling authorities that his credit card had been used in Ontario, Canada, where he was arrested. Colliton later pleaded guilty to raping two underage girls, but is seeking $4 million [US] in damages from American Express. "When people stop violating my rights, " he said, "that's when I will stop filing lawsuits."

Honestly...

Good week for: (p.6)

Wardrobe malfunctions, after a federal appeals court threw out a $550,000 fine against CBS for the inadvertent fleeting broadcast of Janet Jackson's bare breast at the 2004 Super Bowl. The FCC, said the court, "acted arbitrarily and capriciously" in bringing the hammer down on CBS.

Being prepared for all circumstances, after Jeff Nichols of San Diego lifted his wife's wedding gown to retrieve her garter so he could toss it into the crowd, only to find a thigh holster and a loaded revolver. "Oops, wrong leg," Nichols said. His bride is a police officer.



And now for something more than a bit disturbing:

The world at a glance... (p. 7)

California, Massachusetts

Gay marriages uncounted: All gays and lesbians who were married in California and Massachusetts will be classified as single in the 2010 census, the Census Bureau said last week. Bureau director Steven Murdock said the bureau is barred from recognizing gay marriage by the 1996 federal Defense of Marriage Act. For the same reason, married same-sex couples will not be classified as "families" unless there are children in the home as well. Gay-rights groups called on the bureau to reconsider the policy. "To completely whitewash us out of existence is hurtful and discriminatory," said Molly McKay of Marriage Equality USA.

When is the US government going to get it through their fat, swollen, old heads that same-sex FAMILIES are not going to go away just because Congress closes its collective eyes and says "I can't see you, you don't exist! Nyah!"

The world at a glance... (p. 9)

Beijing

Public executions for Olympics: China has resumed public executions after a hiatus of several years, part of an effort to deter protests ahead of the upcoming Olympic Games. Authorities in western China bused in thousands of students and workers to witness the shooting of three ethnic Uighurs who had been convicted of plotting terrorist acts to disrupt the Games. "As the Beijing Olympic Games draw near," said security official Yang Huanning, "a range of hostile forces are striving by any means and redoubling efforts to engage in troublemaking and sabotage." The public executions are just one component in a massive, nationwide crackdown. Security for the Games includes anti-aircraft batteries, warship patrols, and 100,000 anti-terrorism troops.

Now, let's remember...the Olympic Committee chose Beijing, China as the host of the 2008 Olympic Games to show their commitment to human rights, and, it can be supposed, to encourage China to stop treating their citizens like crap. Obviously, this strategy is highly successful.