Connections – Distant Voices

I know this is a few days late, it’s been a busy week here and it completely slipped my mind until I saw the ONT over at Ace’s.

Continuing with the weekly posting of the British TV series "Connections". A documentary series by historian James Burke, "Connections" attempted to explain how various historical events and personalities led to discoveries that built off each other to bring about the modern world. Since the series originally ran in 1978 some of the material is a little dated but it is still one of the most interesting programs to have been aired on TV in my opinion. Fortunately James Burke has placed the entire series on YouTube (as well as the two follow on series).

Episode Three: "Distant Voices" suggests that telecommunications exist because Normans had stirrups for horse riding which in turn led them to further advancements in warfare. Deep mine shafts flooded and scientists in search of a solution examined vacuums, air pressure and other natural phenomena.

I am only embedding the first portion of each episode the entire playlist for the episode is here.

The complete series is available from Amazon

(From the ONT comments at Ace’s an annotation of all the important ideas and people mentioned in each episode)

Posted by: chad98036 at 08:39 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 214 words, total size 3 kb.

RIAA and NAB want to force electronics manufacturers to put FM radio function in cell phones

I'll say it once, I'll say it a million times, fuck the RIAA, and the NAB is being fucking stupid joining the RIAA ghouls.  Now, here's the thing, I wouldn't mind having AM/FM function on stuff like cell phones, actually, if done well, that'd be a great function, but I sure as fuck don't want manufacturers to be forced through an act of Congress to fucking do it. 

H/T UnrepentantGeek

Posted by: doubleplusundead at 11:05 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 86 words, total size 1 kb.

Moron NFL Fantasy Football

Okay, we've got FIVE slots left in the fantasy league so I'm just going to throw out the instructions and let you guys fill them up. 

Join Here - You will need to register at nfl.com first.
League ID: 145311
League Password: anka

The draft is currently scheduled for this Sunday but I can reschedule if there is a better time people can agree on.

Also, I'm going to own you.

Posted by: Moron Pundit at 09:21 AM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
Post contains 75 words, total size 1 kb.

Those Darn Racists And Their Calls For Birthright Citizenship Changes

Oh.

Posted by: eddiebear at 12:09 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 11 words, total size 1 kb.

"You Go Back Into Your Corner And Don't Come Out Until I Give You Permission."

Nice to see that Captain Bullshit once again has the Midas Touch when it comes to dealing with the Gay/LGBT community. Nice to see he treats them the same way he treats everybody else, complete with telling them to shut up and just fall in line and vote for him. Kinda like this guy, who is the blacker version of Obama:


Oh well. How you feeling now, leftist LGBT folks? At what point are you going to realize you are being used? At what point are you going to realize that all Obama wants from you is your money in exchange for an as yet undefined promise of action that he will jettison the minute he needs to? And how fucking long are you going to realize that while a good number of Gay folks just want to live and be able to walk the streets without being harassed or attacked, you have wedded yourself to a political party so devoid of inner fiber that they will not work for you when the chips are down?

Think of that the next time a Democrat comes calling, telling you he or she has your best interests at heart.

Posted by: eddiebear at 11:34 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 212 words, total size 1 kb.

So this is the Broncos' new QB

And he's on the cover of 5280 Magazine this month.



I wanna stick a rainbow afro wig on him.  I'd love to embed the video, but the fuckhead who posted it (who I'm sure doesn't even own the copyright) disabled embedding. 

Posted by: Alice H at 09:44 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 49 words, total size 1 kb.

Ad Blocking

I normally choose not to block ads when I surf around blogs because I know those impressions equal money to the people I visit but lately Ace AND HotAir have been killing my browser with slow, invasive javascript in their ads that essentially brings my browser (and computer) to a halt. 

So I'm ad blocking until these things are removed.  I let it go for a month but I really can't take it anymore.

Posted by: Moron Pundit at 07:27 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 76 words, total size 1 kb.

Can't you just send your moustache to whip them into shape?

Is the Israeli ambassador being all ambassadorey, or is Israel really planning a wait-and-see approach?

Earlier Tuesday, Bolton told Fox Business Network the Israelis will have to move in the "next eight days" if they want to attack the Bushehr facility -- a reference to the window between when the start-up was announced last week and the loading date. Bolton said Tuesday that the date has fluctuated, but he described the start-up as the ultimate deadline.

Michael Oren, Israel's ambassador to the United States, told Fox News that the nation is hopeful sanctions -- passed by the United Nations, European Union and United States -- will "modify" Iran's behavior. Oren said Israel is "committed" to the sanctions program and will assess its impact at a later date.

Jokes about the name of the nuclear power plant and being able to blame Bush for yet another world crisis in 5...4...3...

And just some wild-ass speculation here - the plant will open ahead of schedule.

Posted by: Alice H at 05:06 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 173 words, total size 1 kb.

Blago guilty of lying to the feds

All other counts were deemed mistrialey.  I'm sure there's some correct way to put that, but I don't know it.

I'll update this with a link as soon as I find one.  Everyone's got it on their front page but no one has posted an actual news item yet.

Update: Link.  Anyone care to speculate why the jurors asked for a copy of their oath?

Posted by: Alice H at 04:43 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 72 words, total size 1 kb.

Please tell me alcohol was involved

I know it's not nice to poke fun at the dead, but there are so many wrong things with this situation.  Let's see...

1. Gal is talking on her cell phone while she's lost instead of focusing on where she's going.
2. Gal stops long enough to realize she can't see where she's going, then proceeds anyway.
3. Gal instructs her daughter to call the insurance company because the car's filling up with water instead of instructing her daughter to call 911.

Did I miss anything?

Posted by: Alice H at 12:48 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 86 words, total size 1 kb.

The exception to the rule

I portray myself as a free speech absolutist. As with all rules, there is an exception to that. The Westboro Baptist freaks need to be told to sit the fuck down and shut the fuck up. Too bad a federal judge disagrees and struck down the Missouri law against picketing at a funeral.

I'm not going to get into the legalities of this because, really, I cannot possibly be objective when it comes to Fred Phelps (Democrat) and his merry band of jackals.  I will say, though, that I am very very tired of the legal blackmail in which the Phelps clan engages.  What do I mean by that?  Well, it's fairly simple.  Phelps et al engage in activities which cause normal, decent human beings to want to beat them until all they can do is bleed.  But if that takes place, then Phelps et al turns around and sues for the damages.  That leaves turning to the courts for assistance but the courts are continuing to rule against those trying to hold Phelps and his ilk to the standards of common decency.  Phelps wants the protection of civilization without abiding by the social contract to not be a fucking tool at a funeral.  That makes Alex something something. 

I do not comprehend why Westboro's actions are not considered harassment.  I truly do not understand why those actions are not considered fighting words.  Truly, I don't.  These protests are nearly the Platonic ideal of provocative speech.  Provocation causes a response.  I say let them protest and then let those responding to the speech act in the appropriate manner.  Until that time comes, tell Westboro to shut up.

Posted by: alexthechick at 11:31 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 282 words, total size 2 kb.

Coffee Nazis

I have to admit, I'm with her.
It's funny, I was just thinking about this yesterday.
Some English prof wanted a multi-grain bagel and the Starbucks baristool wouldn't serve her unless she said "no cheese or butter".

I hate those tools. I rarely go in because I don't like their coffee, but when I go to get espresso they refuse to sell me a "double espresso", I have to ask which of their sizes is a double and then ask for that.

Fuck them.
Their fucking sizes make no fucking sense, Venti is 20, 'grande' means "big", tall means "tall" and "short" is a unit of measure for beer and dicks.

I think their coffee tastes like what might have been good coffee that's been left on the burner for 8 hours but I refuse to go in there anymore because they demand I use their conventions and I don't like being herded.

I hate Seattle nazis.

Via Boortz

Posted by: Veeshir at 10:17 AM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
Post contains 161 words, total size 1 kb.

The sun has set like a mofo on the British Empire

Sweet, fancy Moses, can't you people get some free condoms or birth control pills from the NHS?

A benefits claimant whose partner is expecting her 12th child boasted today that they 'have enough for a football team'.

Out-of-work Gary Bateman, 46, and Joanne Shepherd, 36, have been moved into a free five-bedroom house in which to raise their brood.

The £1,200-a-month rent on their home is covered by the more than £30,000 a year they claim from the taxpayer.

And wait, there's plenty more!

Mr Bateman says he has been out of work for as long as he can remember.

His partner Miss Sheppard, who currently has 11 children by three men, has not worked for 19 years after she fell pregnant with her first child aged just 17.

Despite her taxpayer-funded lifestyle, Sheppard claims it is her family who are are the victims in this situation.

[...]

'I just can't understand what all the fuss is about. It's just not fair.'

You're damn right that it's not fucking fair. You assholes keep pumping out brats and collecting welfare checks without contributing a damn thing to society. She goes on to complain about her neighbors talking to the press about all the money they're raking in by doing nothing but pumping out children and claims that said neighbors are somehow being "selfish" by doing so. In related news, irony just died a fiery, screaming death.

But, wait, there's even MOAR!

Last year, it emerged that Mr Bateman had been claiming benefits due to a bad back, but was still indulging in his passion for off-road sport motocross.

He admits he still has no job and collects £89.80 a week for long-term incapacity. He also allegedly continues to ride motorbikes, saying: 'I have to keep myself occupied.'

Um, most people with a dozen fucking kids keep themselves occupied by FINDING A FUCKING JOB YOU FUCKING PARASITE!!!

I can't say I blame them, though. They've found a way to game the system, and that system has done nothing but reward their lazy asses for their malfeasance. Free house, free money, no work. Why quit now?

(Oh, right. The self respect that comes with not having every productive, tax-paying member of your society hating you and your family for being a bunch of irresponsible layabout assholes.)

Posted by: Sean M. at 02:10 AM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
Post contains 393 words, total size 3 kb.

Not bothered by Christie's reaction to the Ground Zero Mosque shitstorm

He's basically ducking the issue, and I have no problem with it.  Now, note, I'd like to see him acknowledge that building a mosque at Ground Zero is obnoxious. Particularly given that you know there are a lot of people from northern Jersey that died on 9/11, and the families might not be thrilled about this mosque going up. 

All said, he's still a Republican governor in the Soviet of New Jersey.  Christie's chosen the budget as the hill to make his stand on, and is scoring some wins where no one would have guessed he could score some wins, this mosque thing is a distraction for him that he doesn't need.  Christie knows that there's not a damned thing he can say or do that is going to change what happens with the mosque, so why not leave it to others to hash out? 

I'd do whatever I could not to get sucked into the giant shitstorm that this controversy is becoming were I him.  Smart move on Christie's part.  You keep doing your thing Governor, just try not to say anything that's gonna get you sucked into the shitstorm.

Posted by: doubleplusundead at 12:06 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 202 words, total size 1 kb.

Monday Night Football: Stupid

Jon "Your balls in my mouth" Gruden just called Frank Gifford a "class act." 

Heh.  Moron.

Posted by: Moron Pundit at 08:48 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 20 words, total size 1 kb.

I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.

Wherein Veeshir is confused.
You've all seen the story about the Dems cutting food stamps to pay for some children's deal.
But nobody seems to really think it's important that the cuts don't take effect until 2013.
Which means they'll never happen. If they don't fund food stamps enough, does anybody think it won't be added as a rider in some supplemental defense bill or something?

These are phantom cuts.
I understand it's fun to go after Dems for stiffing the poor (hoist ont their own retard, so to speak), but, and here's my confusion, wouldn't it make more sense to go after them for phantom cuts? They don't intend them to go through.

H/T Krauthammer, he didn't seem to think it was important that the cuts didn't happen until 2013, but he's the only one who's even mentioned it.

Posted by: Veeshir at 06:09 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 150 words, total size 1 kb.

Kate Mara has a little sister

And I thought that at least one of our bloggers would be interested that she's been cast as Lisbeth Salander, but he hasn't even bothered responding.

This is Rooney Mara, Kate's little sister.  Kate and Rooney are great-granddaughters of the founders of both the Steelers and the Giants, BTW.



It's amazing how few cheesecake shots of Rooney are out there.

In case you've forgotten who Kate Mara is...

more...

Posted by: Alice H at 04:08 PM | Comments (23) | Add Comment
Post contains 87 words, total size 1 kb.

And now for something completely different

Have some random dancing videos, just because watching people be amazing at what they do always puts me in a good mood.

Astaire was 50 when he did that, btw.



Oh Mikhail, seriously, you're unreal.



When I think class, I think Gene Kelly. Also, I can't even stand up on roller skates.



As DPud put it so well, crapblog needs moar Aishwarya.


Oh, Cyd. Greatest. Legs. Ever.

Posted by: alexthechick at 03:53 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 73 words, total size 3 kb.

NFL Pro Pickem

I've set up a pro pickem league on Yahoo (nfl.com didn't have one and Fox Sports doesn't have leagues) that is open to anyone that is interested. 

Details:

In order to join the group, just go to Pro Football Pick'em, and click the "Join Group" button. From there, enter the following information...

Group ID#: 20437
Password: anka

Posted by: Moron Pundit at 11:22 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 60 words, total size 1 kb.

There's chocolate in my peanut butter again

Or at least, the video game equivalent.  Nazi zombies are returning for Call of Duty: Black Ops.

Since it's Monday (it is Monday, isn't it?) and I love our three readers, some only slightly relevant pictures are below the fold.

more...

Posted by: Alice H at 11:22 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 115 words, total size 1 kb.