Mixed Message

Just when you thought you couldn't get any more annoyed by the ass-backwards airport security screening system, here's further evidence that TSA has absolutely no idea what they're doing at America's airports:

Read the whole article, but here's a SNIP:

Screeners at Newark Liberty International Airport failed 20 of 22 security tests conducted by undercover U.S. agents last week, missing an array of concealed bombs and guns at checkpoints throughout the hub's three terminals, federal security officials familiar with the results said.

The tests, conducted Oct. 19 by U.S. Transportation Security Administration "Red Team" agents, also revealed significant failures by screeners to follow standard operating procedures while checking passengers and their baggage for prohibited items, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because it is against TSA policy to release covert-test results.

"We can do better, and training is the path to improved performance," said Mark Hatfield Jr., Newark Airport's federal security director, declining to address specifics."Test results are not a grade or a scorecard; they are a road map to perpetual improvement; any other characterization is simply misleading. We have to challenge ourselves to do better every day and be relentless in that pursuit."

TEST RESULTS ARE NOT A GRADE OR A SCORECARD? What are they then? In every other walk of life, tests determine if you get into that college, get that job. Tests tell us if we're sick or if our air is clean. But when it comes to government bureaucracies, test results "are a road map to perpetual improvement."

What we've learned, and what we already knew, is that TSA sucks. Their screening sucks, their results suck, and their training sucks. Perpetual improvement? More like a perpetual nuisance. If we want our air travel to be more secure, maybe we should more closely screen the cargo that goes underneath the plane. Maybe the federal bureaucracies should stop fighting and share their lists with each other so airport screeners know who to look for and when to look for them.

All of these people need to be slapped in the face.

Google to Buy Youtube?

James: nice…they would prolly make it better, but i like that there is at least two websites for that

Adam: yeah but the whole copyright thing is huge…esp. with google video

James: ok u know how everyone is thinking mpaa is gonna take youtube to court for that stuff... and nobody should buy it…what if google is goading them to take them to court… they have the money to go through with the courtcase... honestly the mpaa wont win the case.

Adam: yeah i agree 100%...its still a huge issue…because even if the court case goes through and MPAA loses…..then they will start asking a lot of questions about DRM and why it isnt working…which could be bad

James: but what would u expect the outcome of the them asking about drm

Adam: haha i dont know….how can they be any more tightwad than they already are

James: the reason it doesnt work, is because people don't like the idea of buying crippled products... maybe mpaa will realize that, they need to be a better provider of goods…they will sell more….for instance…i’m an emusic user…i love it… and i’d pay an extra 5 dollars, if i could get bigname labels too…they are trying to protect an amount of revenue, that they should have never been used to. the business of making and selling art should not be so profitable, its not supposed to be for the money

Adam: preach on!

James: lol…u know me…. =)

Trashpickers

This conversation took place a few minutes ago between 2 of this blog's contributors and is completely unedited. Enjoy.

Adam: last week i was walking home from the bus and i saw a mangled plastic bottle on the ground… it took me 2 seconds to pick it up and throw it in the garbage (and about 10 seconds to wash my hands when i got home)… yet while i was doing it, i thought to myself "people around me probably think i'm nuts, just picking up trash off the street"…literally i didnt even have to break stride, the bottle was so close to the trash can…story of the world

James: totally…not only are people averse to doing hard work to help the world, they cant even do whats easy

Adam: its beyond that…people are afraid to do what i did…because of how they think others will perceive them…if i see someone throw trash on the ground in front of me, i have to say something to them…people need to be chided…our culture has been so anti-discipline for so long…like its wrong to spank kids and shit like that

James: "hey asshole go pick that fucking trash up and put it in the can'….haha

Adam: there have to be consequences. which is why the fall of the US mini-empire might be the best thing that ever happened to us

James: can u imagine that guy talking to his friends later…'i got in a fist fight over literring today'

Adam: "some crazy guy yelled at me for something! i can't remember what tho"

James: hahahaha…thats terrible…haha

eFF all that noise!

This is probably the most interesting wiki stub i've found in a long long time. Ok maybe i'm exaggerating. It's quite amazing how many of these movies i've seen though. I suppose i'm a huge fan of the word FUCK.

sexy sexy sexy adverts, for teh win!

I dunno about other people, but this worked quite well on me. Needless to say its quite suprising. The only problem is, WHERE THE FUCK DO I BUY THIS STUFF, I DON'T LIVE IN FRANCE!!! And apparently its uber costly. Anyway check it out, its badical to the maxx. *NOT WORK SAFE*

US gov: 100, US constitution: -10

"When you let people do whatever they want, you get Woodstock. When you let governments do whatever they want, you get Auschwitz."

I'm not sure who this guy is that wrote that essay, and what his background is. All I know, is that I thouroughly enjoyed reading it. As should all of my lovely readers. I found it pretty wild how breaking up that terrorist plot put us on higher security. If we caught them, why are we still so skiird?

So you want to be a photography expert??

This guy not only puts together really amazing photos, he really efFing knows how to put together tutorials on the work that goes into getting these results. This one goes out to those who recently were blessed with new cameras (jessigrass, =P)

So that's why It's so hard to get into MIT

They just continually pound out amazing research at MIT. This research brings us about 19 steps closer to having computers in our watches and monitors built into our aviator sunglasses. Shhh a boy can dream can't he? Link courtesy of 'rundropandglide', keep up the hawtlinking mayne!

Luther of 21st Century, well not quite

This really is an amazing list. Its 95 theses for geek activists, its really well done and thought out. As far as I'm concerned it should be regarded as, 95 theses for anyone living in the 21st century who wants to be part of the solution. Here's too the solution!!

Top-100 videos of all time, with a twist!

Ok its not a M. Night Shamalalalalon caliber twist, but the internet allows us to do some neat things. The list itself is pretty reasonable, but there are some things missing (TOOL? Are u kidding me?? No tool videos?) Some of the rank ordering doesn't seem the way that many people would handle it. Also the blurbs at times are downright pretentious. But the cool part is, for every video there is an onsite www.youtube.com link.

He'll crow. He'll fight. He'll fly. And then... he'll die.

Apparently crows are very smart, like unusually smart. I couldn't help but think of the crow's from disney's dumbo the whole time I read this.

The Green Fairy wasn't evil after all?

I love how as we learn more about pharmalogical sciences, it tends to turn out that campaigns against many things were likely just political razmatazz. Apparently when brewed properly (ie. like absinthe manufacturers from before the worldwide ban) absinthe is completely harmless and contains about .0005% toxin. And the best part is a native new orleaner has essentially unearthed those brewing practices, to bad its still illegal in the states. Yippie for misconceptions based on propaganda!

North American Union

When did that happen? Is anyone else severely offended by the lack of news coverage in this nation, on anything that goes on worth even a shred of interest? I'm not sure what to think about this whole thing here. Two things crossed my mind when I read it. One, this really reeks of nepotism, right thru Texas, huh? Gee I wonder if the presidential administration knows anyone there that they might be hooking up with obscene cash flow. Two, quite anti-union isn't it?

source: my main man sponger.

Nintendo's Expo

Every year there is an Expo held in America, called the Electronic Entertainment Expo (commonly called E3 for shorthand). The expo is held so that journalists can be spoon-fed stories about what electronic entertainment companies (mostly videogame publishers) have in store for the coming year. Over the years the biggest attraction has been Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft (and previously Sega) showcasing their new videogame hardware.

There is always a whole hoopla made about which company was the most impressive and garnered the most interest. Well this year it seems like there is no question. That is a 6 hour line of press folks waiting to try out the Wii (formerly known as Nintendo Revolution). In comparison both Sony and Microsoft's booths had approximately a 10 minute waits for people to try out their demos.

On top of that, when Sony revealed their "new" controller for the PS3 they announced that it would have tilt sensitivity (essentially a cheap copy of the Wii-remote's capabilities), I would say this really shows that Nintendo's call for innovation in gameplay and control (as opposed to graphical updating) is actually influencing the videogaming industry. If this expo is any indication, Nintendo might have a pretty good shot at getting back on the path to leading the market once again.

The Truthiness Hurts

Expect your friendly neighborhood Stephen Colbert to have a field day with this any minute. POTUS has nominated Gen. Michael Hayden to be the new head of the CIA, less than two years after nominating Porter Goss to the post. Goss has exited in a shameful tide of partisan backbiting. But that's not the coolest part.

Hayden is one of the parties primarily responsible for keeping POTUS' illegal wiretapping scam under wraps, making him the perfect candidate to lead the charge of the U.S.'s least-secretive secret agency. And here's where we have to ask the really, really tough questions. Hayden is a three-star general, also known as a Lieutenant General. Only three stars? We can't get a four star general to be head of the damn CIA? Mind boggling. Absolutely mind boggling.

Three stars? That's all we get is three goddamn stars?

Coolest Beer SLideshow

Beer enthusiast and friend Elise says:

Just found this. Forbes just ran a story about cool beers.

For the story click here:

http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,70792-0.html?tw=wn_story_mailer


For the slide show click here:

http://www.forbes.com/2006/04/25/cx_np_0426featBslide.html?partner=lycos

Enjoy. Happy Wednesday everyone.... 2 more days till Cinco de Mayo- Anyone throwing a big fiesta???

~elise~

Stephen Colbert FTW!

Stephen Colbert has some real serious skill. He pulls his shtick with a straight face, like no other. Even if you don't think he's funny (howie), you have to appreciate his ability to sit next to Bush and play his character without breaking out at all. Thanks Stephen Colbert, you are the Ballz!

First Look: Nintendo Revolution

The latest issue of Game Informer magazine has an exclusive first look at the upcoming Nintendo Revolution console. They don't show you the console straight up, it's more of a third-party look via the developers of signature FPS launch title "Red Steel." The screenshots provided in the magazine are pretty impressive, but I was hoping for a more Nintendo-themed launch title like Super Smash Brothers or Mario, something like that. I'm sure Red Steel will be sweet though.

Like the Xbox 360 and PS3, this console is going to be mucho expensive and probably won't be available when it is released later this year. But it looks SO COOL. I'm interested to see how the new motion-sensitive controller plays...but the only place I'll be able to find out is at Best Buy, if they even have the console in stock when it launches.

Mature Mario

So if Nintendo was from communist China and also decided to make Super Mario gruesome and mature, this might be what they ended up with. I was thoroughly entertained, I hope you are too. Red scare for teh loss.

If you liked this, maybe check out the other blog I contribute to: SuperBlogBros.

"Rock this cult hymn, sock your mean younger boss, Psht - [Adult Swim], 'Aqua Teen Hunger Force!' "

News alert! [adult swim] is hip and I mean super hecka hip, in particular the Williams Street guys. And not in the I live in Hollywood and hang out with Paris Hilton and where cool clothes are the 'hip' clubs kind of way. The whole establishment at [adult swim] headquarters is teeming with excess social currency (and as of recently, probably a bunch of US currency too).

They are lending their hands to help out on another underground hip-hop album. Less than a year after volunteering their characters from numerous Williams Street produced shows, on the Danger Doom - "The Mouse and the Mask" album.

For those of you whom aren't in the know. DangerDoom is the collaboration of the underground rapper MF Doom from the "Stones Throw" label (the label [AS] is working with again), and Danger Mouse. Danger Mouse is most known for putting together the Grey Album mash-up (a mix of the Beatles' White Album and Jay-Z's Black Album) and he also produced the latest from Gorillaz, "Demon Days". If you want to check out that DangerDOom album, its available off emusic.com and you can get it for free with your free songs.