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9月28日 Homeland Security Seems a Sick JokeI recently took a quick trip to Vegas and back. I was 'flagged' for extra security on the way down, and then again on the way back. I think they just pick the people who appear to have attitude problems, because they're the most fun to inconveniance.
When you finally get through all this security, you find the airport in Minneapolis is basically a very large mall. I passed dozens of shops, three McDonalds and four shoe-shine stations on the way to the flight gate. I'd never seen a shoe-shine station in my life; but anyway, I digress. The Los Vegas airport was the same thing; a very large mall, except it had slot machines. Now, I'm not going to brainstorm about different ways to beat security, but a few likely successful ideas came to mind before the second plane took off. What they do screen for is ridiculous; explosive concoctions in shampoo bottles, and exploding sneakers.
Apparently, you can take liquids on the plane now, which is essentially an admittance that this never was a serious threat to begin with. Maybe they actually consulted a chemist. They should have asked the chemist about the exploding sneakers as well. What explosive substance could I possibly fill my sneakers with that would blow up a whole plane? If any substance fits the bill, and I doubt it, what are the chances I'd be walking around with it in my sneakers?
Security is fine; I encourage measures to make sure the plane I'm flying in isn't going to get blown up. But why can't they focus on practical solutions to practical problems? While they're off on their silly witch-hunts (sponsored by the media) there are certainly ways around the present measures. (Welcome to McDonalds. Would you like our McBomb? It came in with our cleaning supplies.) We're not safer, and there's likely more people interested in blowing up a plane now than before. Is all the checked-in luggage thoroughly searched? I saw no signs that mine had been.
When I got back to Regina, they made me fill out a silly form. They looked at it, and waved me on. I threw it in the garbage on the way to pick up my luggage. Then I noticed there was another guy furthur on looking at the same form. I fished mine out of the garbage, walked over, and was flagged for more extra security. I got home very late.
9月25日 What Vegas Taught MeFirst of all, Los Vegas is a crazy hedonistic place. All the vices of man are on sale and business is brisk. And they don't do anything half-ass down there. A small-town Saskatchewan hick can't help but feel completely overwelmed and out of place. Did I mention they don't do anything half-ass down there?
Its amazing how the hand that knocked you out of a 25,000 dollar tournament can eat away at you. I had the opportunity to double up and cripple the person I felt was the strongest player when a flush draw presented itself. With the cards I'd been getting, a flush draw looked pretty darn inviting. But it didn't work out for me.
I was in Vegas this weekend participating in the 'Poker Dome Challenge' hosted by Mansion poker. I freerolled my way into it (the whole thing cost me nothing but about seven hours of time playing poker), so I have no complaints. I got a trip to Vegas and two nights at Caesar's Palace. And they gave us some nice food and 500 dollars in casino chips (430 of which I simply cashed out). I was pleasantly surprised at how well they treated us.
Okay, the truth is I'm pissed I wasn't somehow able to win the whole thing. I didn't really feel that I was completely out of my league or anything.
Playing live poker for the first time, in front of an international audience, was a bit daunting. I haven't seen the show, and I'm scared to death of how they 'branded' me in their silly player profile; I was more scared of that than I was the poker. I told myself that I wasn't going to give them anything stupid to work with, but was so tired at the time that I basically did whatever they asked. It aired tonight in the States on Fox sports; I'm not sure if its aired here in Canada or not, or when it might happen. Neither were the producers.
View out the hotel window. 9月20日 The Devil and BushChavez brands Bush 'the devil talking as if he owned the world'http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1393952006 The right-wing crowd is going to be all over this; particularly those who think torture is a neato idea. Personally I think calling Bush the devil does a disservice to both. And its just going to inflame polorization, which can only benefit one side.
9月17日 Today's Visit to Popurls in a Thirty Second RantIf you're not familiar with 'popurls', I think its a pretty useful information hub.
First, the pope and his lecture. He quotes dialogue stating everything good in Islam is borrowed (from Christianity), and all that isn't is evil. The pope didn't qualify this quote; he just left it open. In reality, the forced conversions mentioned would be one of those practises Muslims borrowed from Christians. (Augustine (354-430 AD) predates Mohammed (570-632).) But of course the pope didn't clarify this or speak to forced conversions within Catholism in any way. Now a bunch of Muslims are insulted and the Pope 'distressed' by their outrage. This 'distress' is most certainly bullshit; its religious grandstanding which will appeal to many in the one true church. Perhaps they didn't expect things to go this far, but the new pope is a conservative Catholic theologian, who doesn't seem quit so concerned about humility as the previous pope. We're clearly back on the road to religious elitism within Catholicism. Pope John Paul II had made us forget about this elitism, with his push for ecumenism, and constant apologies for the sins of the Catholic church.
Well, many within that Catholic church had enough with the humility and the apologies. And they will be quite happy with the pompous pope, who's willing to put other religions and science in its place.
Next, there was Nobel Peace Prize laureates taking shots at American foreign policy.
"You taught us no government worth its salt can subvert the rule of law. We believed you. That's part of what you have as a gift for the world. Then how can you commit Guantanamo Bay? Take back your country."
- Archbishop Desmond Tutu
And then there was a story about George Bush 'preparing an astonishing U-turn on global warming.'
If there is any truth to this its simply an attempt to leave office on a human note. 'I'm only human; I repent of my sins. Please don't hold me accountable.' If the Democrats can do well (please let them do well), it might happen.
'9/11 Debunking the Myths''It’s been five years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon—yet a growing chorus of conspiracy theorists accuses the U.S. government of carrying out the attacks.'
This is a Popular Mechanics podcast, which I'm subscribed to, dedicated to the various conspiracy theories that surround 9/11.
There was also a debate about this on Democracy Now, although I haven't watched it. It's not something I take too seriously; I think it deflects from real issues.
9月7日 Perspective on the WorldI came across these images at the following site;
It was very much this sort of thing that had a huge influence on my fragile little mind as a child. I think I'm going to give all my nephews and neices books about astronomy when hit the age of ten; especially the religious ones.
9月4日 I'm Not AccessableI've been told my site is not accessable; that it just crashes anytime someone tries to view it. I haven't had any problems getting to it myself, but if you're viewing this, let me know. I might just use blogger instead.
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