Month: May 2002

Planet at the crossroads. An authoritative United Nations report says human activity is likely
to mark more than two-thirds of the Earth’s surface within 30 years. [BBC News: sci/tech]

The article actually says, “More than 70% of the Earth’s land surface could be marked by the impact of cities, roads, mining and other human developments.” Of course most of the Earth’s surface if water, which is rather hard to build roads and cities on. This sort of thoughless mistake is pretty typical of the article, which assumes, as the UN does, that the presence of humans is a bad thing.

Peaceful days. Here are some highlights of peaceful days in the Middle East crisis: Mortar fire at IDF post in Gaza, no… [The news, Uncensored.]

They were peaceful because no Israelis died, but not for lack of effort by the Palestinians–the article lists seven attempts to kill Israelis. If those days were peaceful, it was not because the Palestinians have become less violent, but because they were simply too incompetent to be violent successfully.

Kashmir shelling ahead of PM’s visit. Indian and Pakistani troops trade heavy fire in disputed Kashmir, just
hours before a visit by Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. [BBC News: world]

Hopefully it will be possible to avoid a war by negotiation, as has happened many times before. Ultimately, though, I think a war between India and Pakistan is inevitable. If it happens now, I hope the US government has the sense to get out of the way and let the Indians deal with Pakistan uninterrupted.

EU deal on Palestinian militants. European Union countries reach an agreement on the distribution of 13
exiled Palestinian militants. [BBC News: world]

From the picture in the article, it appears that these terrorists are enjoying a stay at a nice hotel on the beach in Cyprus. They will be distributed around Europe as “free men on humanitarian grounds,” and Israel has agreed not to seek extradition. I certainly hope that some of the Israeli leadership how Golda Meir dealt with terrorists hiding out in Europe. I would find it most gratifying to read, a few weeks from now, that all 13 had been shot dead by “unknown assailants.”

China sets date for the Moon. China says it is planning to establish a base on the Moon to explore
its mineral resources in 2010. [BBC News: sci/tech]

Someone with a base on the Moon would have a dangerous advantage in a war on Earth, and the PRC has made it no secret that they intend to invade Taiwan (and thus fight a war with the US) sooner or later.

Joey deVilla: Playing is Ass Off. Always Play to Your Audience or How Playing the Right Song Can Literally Save Your Ass:  [Thanks to Cory Doctorow for this one.] I don’t know Joey deVilla, but I think I want to!  It appears Joey was on his way to the O’Reilly Conference from Toronto the other day. Because of a screw up with his free ticket– it didn’t arrive on time. [Been there. Done that!] However because Joey was Filipino, carrying an accordion, and bought a one-way-replacement ticket– in cash, Joey fit the dreaded PROFILE of a potential terrorist. [A yeah rite sure!] So after a talk with the wonderful folks of the U.S. Customs and Immigrations, they searched his belonging, asked a couple questions and then… asked him to PLAY HIS ACCORDION!  Now what, pray tell would someone play for a Customs and Immigrations Official you ask?  THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER of course!
Joey– Sorry I dont’ know you. However should we meet I owe you a drink for making me laugh so hard I nearly… nebber mind. But damn this is one of the best stories of  “Playing the Game of Customs” I’ve heard of in years! [Mary Wehmeier’s Blog Du Jour]

Under the circumstances, I think a much more appropriate choice would have been to play either the Soviet national anthem, or perhaps “Deutschland Uber Alles.”

Beirut bomb kills militant leader’s son. The son of Palestinian militant Ahmed Jibril is blown up in his car in
Beirut, but suggestions of Israeli involvement have been denied. [BBC News: world]

Whoever did it, good for them. I find it ironic that the Palestinians are complaining, though. Aren’t they supposed to be happy when one of them blows up? It must be the absence of innocent civilian casualties that bothers them.

I’ve just purchased a Steyr Scout Rifle from a gun store in Connecticut. Since my check has to get there, and the rifle has to then be shipped here, I probably won’t actually receive it until sometime late next week. In the mean time, though, I’m looking for information on good quality .308 Winchester ammo. It’s an interesting subject, and one which I have not previously done any research on. I’ll probably buy a few boxes of various brands and experiment with them.

Enron’s Long Shadow. The media, as well as the state

Palestinians Seek Israel Withdrawal. Palestinian officials on Friday affirmed plans to hold general elections within six months, but linked the balloting