News – Is it Criminal?

See below and tell me your thoughts.

US

In a struggle with police, an overweight, black man with a bad heart dies. This is an interesting subject, as it brings up many issues. The police were attempting to place him under arrest, but he resisted. Thus they used force to subdue him. Including batons, cuffs and chemical spray. All standard procedure. One might wonder if batons were used too much, but if it was the struggle itself that overtaxed his heart, then the use of batons may well be irrelevant when wondering if any action should be taken against these police officers. At the moment, I’m not sure any should be. But I only have light details to work with. What do you think?

Bush signs into law his forest management bill. See, if we let the loggers cut down more trees, there will be less to burn. Boom, less forest fires! Less trees too but well.

Australia is chipping in to be a part of the US’ foray into missile defense. The system that’s experimental and has no direct prospect of working anytime soon.

A series of predawn raids were the culmination of a two year undercover operation. 57 Hell’s Angels were arrested, with guns, explosives and drugs being seized.

The RIAA has sent out a third wave of lawsuits, to 41 more people who have traded 1,000 or more songs. They have a survey showing more people know that trading violates copyrights, but just because people know something is wrong doesn’t mean they won’t do it. And another survey says 56% of people support the RIAA’s legal shenanigans. Personally, having a slim margin over half of my consumer bases behind something like this wouldn’t be encouraging.

Among the RIAA’s recent targets is retiree Ernest Brenot, 79, of Ridgefield, Wash., who wrote in a handwritten note to a federal judge that he does not own a computer nor can he operate one.(Source)

Explainer details how the government keeps track of overall productivity.

Iraq

The US is pushing for more NATO involvement in Iraq.

The US is planning to set up a paramilitary battalion of Iraqis to help US forces in combating insurgents.

Israel/Palestine

Thirteen Palestinian factions are in Cairo working on a truce deal with Israel. Of course, Israel has to take it seriously, they say.

Afghanistan

At least one Afghani working on a UN program was killed and eleven other wounded in an ambush. Suspects, as always, Taliban types.

Rummy is in Afghanistan, meeting with pro-government warlords on the whole disarmament thing. They’re dragging their feet, some of them. But such will be the case until the country’s security is restored to a satisfying level. Though General Abdul Rashid Dostam, Afghanistan’s most powerful warlord, has turned over tanks and weapons to the country’s new army.

Germany

Man A advertises for a “young well-built man, who wanted to be eaten”. Man B responds to that advertisement and comes to meet Man A. Man B swallows 20 sleeping tablets and half a bottle of schnapps. Man A cuts off Man B’s penis, with his agreement, which is then fried up for both to eat. Man B is later fully killed and chopped into pieces, parts of his stored in Man A’s freezer to be eaten at his leisure. Man A eats 20kg of Man B before the police show up a few weeks later. Man A had fantasized about eating people since age 8, his neighbors never suspected a thing. How about that?

General

If you have a Windows machine with broadband and no firewall or other security software, you’d best check to make sure it isn’t a zombie for the Viagra spammers.

Thinking about buying a flat panel TV? I was, but I think I’ll wait until next year, there’s an anticipation of price drops. I’d love to get one of those TVs for a nicely slashed price.

Red Hat Linux is almost certified for secure use. It could to big things for it’s adoption by governments and security conscious businesses.

Has dispatches from Middle Earth: Tuesday and Monday

Today’s Papers has confusion over Kyoto, major automaker agreeing to redesign SUVs and light trucks for safety, three Rwandan medics charged with genocide and more.

Amusements

Mark Fiore :The Simple Life

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop toys that would never receive the Public Interest Research Groups stamp of approval. Or, “how to lose an eye, limb, appendage, etc. and have fun doing it”

Bush will be visiting a Home Depot in the Baltimore County town of Halethorpe. No one seems to know why, though.

Get your Scientifically determined porn name. Mine is: Derrick Hammer