Reports From My Nanocosm

UPDATE: Turns out this was a hoax . I don’t think the student should be expelled for the hoax but it’d be fair for the professors to give him an F and/or require him to seek counseling.

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Inter-library loans appear to be monitored by DHS if this is true. They’re probably making plans to watch you read this too; if they’re not already doing so. And they think they’re protecting us …

Agents’ visit chills UMass Dartmouth senior: 12/ 17/ 2005

WASHINGTON -President Bush said Saturday he has no intention of stopping his personal authorizations of a post-Sept. 11 secret eavesdropping program in the U.S., lashing out at those involved in revealing it while defending it as crucial to preventing future attacks.

“This is a highly classified program that is crucial to our national security,” he said in a radio address delivered live from the White Houses Roosevelt Room.

How absurd. The NSA spying on Americans isn’t necessary; the FBI already does it. The White House keeps talking about how this spying is necessary to prevent another 9/11-type attack. But I think that the Patriot Act and the NSA’s recently disclosed spying activities aren’t needed to keep America safe. Better cooperation within and between agencies is a better solution.

The White House seems to conveniently forget that the FBI had identified and arrested Moussaoui as a threat nearly a month before the attacks, without the Patriot Act in force. That superiors in D.C. didn’t pursue an investigation, even with overwhelming evidence regarding his involvement with militant groups, is a more likely cause of the attacks than lack of spying. See: FBI Agent Colleen Rowley’s memo to FBI Director Robert Mueller  (May 2002).

We live in a republic with democratic tendencies. Transparency in government and a respect for civil liberties is necessary. Secrecy, spying on each other, and fear-mongering, on the other hand, work in contrast to those democratic values.

The Patriot Act is up for renewal; it expires if Congress doesn’t renew it by December 31. If you dislike it, now is the time to call your Senators and let them know how you feel about it. Make your voice heard.

The House recently passed a renewal bill that, if signed into law, would permanently extend certain portions of the act that are more Stalinist in spirit than democratic. The Senate is preparing for a potential filibuster over it and need citizens to make their voices heard. So give your Senator a call; it can’t hurt.

American Civil Liberties Union:

ACLU: Summary of Patriot Reauthorization Act Conference Report

Libertarian Party: Revised Patriot Act Has Provision That Restricts Freedom of Speech

BTW: Did you know that George W. Bush hasn’t vetoed a single bill yet during his presidency. You’d need to look way back to the presidency of John Quincy Adams to find a president who didn’t veto a bill during a four-year term in office. There’s something wrong with that picture.

“I love to engage in repartee with people who are stupider than I am,” Coulter told the crowd of 2,600 Wednesday.

CNN.com – Ann Coulter to hecklers: You’re stupider than I am – Dec 8, 2005

Enough said.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — In one South Florida community, a mans holiday decorations are causing holiday fear for local children instead of creating holiday cheer.Residents called police and complained to the city that a house in Miami Beach had a life-sized, blindfolded Santa Claus doll hanging from a tree with its hands tied.

NewsNet5.com – Holidays – Homeowner Hangs Bound, Blindfolded Santa From Tree

I wish people wouldn’t over react to things like this. Sure, Santa’s been lynched in effigy, but it could have been worse. If you’re upset because your toddler is, then use this as an educational moment to teach them about real versus fake, history of Christmas, politics, and the definition of ‘effigy.’

This man wanted to be on television and his neighbors just gave him a Christmas gift to remember, with a big red bow on top. My suggestion would have been to bake him a pie and invite him over for a highball to converse at length about post-modern art and if the Colts will join the ’72 Dolphins.

No Griping This Year: USC-Texas for Title – Yahoo! News

The only way to really determine a championship is to use a playoff; otherwise we might as well go back to the old system.

Even if the Rose Bowl matches up the only two unbeaten teams, that doesn’t mean they’re the best teams. And that doesn’t also mean criticisms against the BCS system are any less relevant or legitimate. I argue that the Big12 is weak and Texas had a cakewalk. Others argue the same about the Pac10 and USC. Also, why discard the SEC champ Georgia because they had two losses in SEC play? They may be a better team than Texas. Auburn may be too.

I won’t even go into how the other marquee bowls select teams to play. I don’t think they host the rest of the best.

Go Trojans!

I can’t help but share this piece from the MV Voice …

Shoppers, Grannies rage at Wal-Mart (December 02, 2005)

All for a $22 discount. It is $22 people! Shameless! You could have probably found a better discount online, even after shipping and tax. This only reinforces the long-running ruthless and toothless stereotype of Walmart customers.

And this is the Silicon Valley…

Yahoo! 360° – Santa’s Profile

I guess this really is the year of the blog.

Do you know of anyone looking for a large apartment in the L.A. area? If so, this one in Alhambra might be something for them to check out. It is just East of Downtown L.A., 10-15 minutes even during the morning rush hour.

$1500 Spacious 3 1.5 now available in a conveniently located triplex – Craigslist