Archive for February, 2006

Google goes to the mat for privacy

The search results sweep by the US spy industry continues:
Google to feds: Back off
Google lashed out at the U.S. Justice Department on Friday, saying that a high-profile request for a list of a week’s worth of search terms must not be granted because it would disclose trade secrets and violate the privacy rights of its [...]

Kinky’s rare and reckless voting patterns

News on the Kinky Friedman for Governor campaign, a fairly positive profile in the Austin Chronicle, and a rather disconcerting report in the Dallas Morning News (see BugMeNot to bypass compulsory registration in both papers) , in which the Kinkster is quoted as saying that he rarely goes to the polls, but managed to vote [...]

Vote for Jesus!

From USA Today, an editorial about the use of religion by politicians who are ever willing to play the ‘God’ card
Faith at its best, at its most powerful, stands outside of culture, Carter argues, where it can best maintain its integrity and prophetic moral force. As Carter sees it, “Religion has too often allowed itself [...]

Dreyfuss on impeachment train

Chug! Chug! Chug! Tooot! Tooot!
This morning I caught part of Richard Dreyfuss giving a kick-ass speech to the National Press Club (which doesn’t have the transcript available for non-members).
I have it on good authority that Dreyfuss is a pompous jerk to, say, people like wait staff at posh LA eateries who grow up to [...]

Willie Nelson sings about gay cowboys, Howard Stern plays

This is a hoot!
Willie Nelson Releases Gay Cowboy Song
“Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly (Fond of Each Other)” may be the first gay cowboy song by a major recording artist. But it was written long before this year’s Oscar-nominated “Brokeback Mountain” made gay cowboys a hot topic.
Available exclusively through iTunes, the song features choppy Tex-Mex style guitar [...]

A little more equal than others

Jane at FireDogLake points to a story about another Texas hunting accident. Seems the name of the hunter in this case was Hispanic, and guess what? They threw the book at him.
She also recounts how MSGOP’s Dan Abrams is the all knowing judge and jury on Cheney’s “incident.”

Children in charge

Jeanne of Body and Soul exposes yet another disgusting example of the immaturity — and counter-effectiveness — of the little boys who are running things in this country. Just pathetic. And 39% of people in this country think they are just the keenist kids on the playground.

Donna Howard wins seat in Texas House

Donna Howard was the candidate supported by the lefty blogs in Texas. I don’t know much about her, but her opponent is indirectly tied to the Delay scandal. So hopes are strong that her 58-42 win Tuesday is a precursor to more liberals/progressives taking office in Texas this year. But this district is in west [...]

Chinese Kitchen and Coffee Grinder Espresso Bar & Gelatoria

Grabbed a late lunch today at an established chinese buffet, Chinese Kitchen, on Valley Mills, and after doing some shopping (including food and supplies for my new canine companion) had a quick dessert and coffee at a new coffeehouse, the Coffee Grinder, at 824 Hewitt Dr.
Chinese Kitchen has a cozier atmosphere than the Summer Palace, [...]