Cartoons attack Boston, and other idiocy

Conditions: Summery, with a topping of El Nino




What you're seeing above is a neon sign, attached to a wall in Boston, advertising an upcoming cartoon movie. Promoters have attached these things at various places around the city, and it has thrown officials into a panic, believing these things to be bombs. Subways and highways have been shut down. The bomb squad has been called out. Because these signs have wires, and electricity, and ...a neon imprint of a cartoon character. Just like the bombers use.

It gets worse: these things have been up for three weeks already, which means if people thought they were bombs, they've been overlooking them long enough for the bombers to make their way to the far side of the moon by now.

So I guess the Terrorists can all retire to their caves, they're no longer needed. The American press and television have been terrorising their citizens for so long that they panic over the smallest thing, and shut themselves down. Mission accomplished.

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NYTimes wants more war

After the bullshit surrounding the pack of lies that were drummed up in the rush to war with Iraq, you'd think the press would be a tad more hesitant nowadays about other nations threatening the U.S. And you'd be wrong. The New York Times published an article recently that basically laid out a bunch of speculation over Iran being behind attacks on American soldiers in Iraq. A blogger at Huffpost has called them on it here. Essentially, the Times has put up an unsourced, unsubstantiated bit of speculation, in order to shock it's readers into reading more. After what happened last time rumpour was mistaken for fact in the Middle East, for shame.


Stripping for Peace

Michelle Manhart, an American soldier serving in Iraq, posed recently for Playboy magazine, and was subsequently "relieved of her duties" while the Military investigates. I'll bet they will. Frankly, I find it offensive that officials expect soldiers to serve in unwinniable wars, but the moment they act a little bit human there has to be an investigation. What if everyone over there posed for magazines? Would they have to call off the war? Or could that be a new form of combat?



Film Review: Blood Diamond

This is the best kind of political film: it's not a political film at all. It's an action-adventure film, set in Africa where a whole bunch of people are racing to find a huge diamond. The politics of the film really come out afterwards. Until then, it's a pretty good ride. It's very well made, very exciting and well acted by all. Leo DiCaprio is doing a damn good job of making me forget how young he is. Ultimately, at the end we get The Lesson about blood diamonds. Everyone knows what blood diamonds are, and everyone is familiar with the plight of people who are or were stuck in the middle of the 'industry'. But I won't hold that against it. Ultimately, this film does a good job of both entertaining and informing. 4 out of 5 bits of soap.


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