Believe Me, It's Torture
You may have read by now the official lie about this treatment, which is that it “simulates” the feeling of drowning. This is not the case. You feel that you are drowning because you are drowning—or, rather, being drowned, albeit slowly and under controlled conditions and at the mercy (or otherwise) of those who are applying the pressure. The “board” is the instrument, not the method. You are not being boarded. You are being watered.From Believe Me, It's Torture: Politics & Power: vanityfair.com
Christopher Hitchens on being water boarded. You can follow the link to see him tortured.
Buzzball
The Buzzball delivers a thrill like no other interactive ride can, where the pilot has the power to create their own unique ride experience - from fun goer to thrill seeker. The Buzzball is a future product in development.
Buzzball
Yet another human sized hamster ball. This one with what looks like a five point safety harness.
RIP, George Carlin
"So my name is a footnote in American legal history, which I'm perversely kind of proud of," Carlin told The Associated Press.Comedian George Carlin Dies at 71 | The Underwire from Wired.com
It is very rare that a person can be funny for two decades. Extremely rare for someone it be funny for three. Carlin was funny for more than four. Carlin belongs in that exclusive club of people that who remained current and witty until the end.
I am not a number! I am a remake!
The Prisoner Appreciation Society (Six of One) is reporting that this classic, surreal sci-fi/adventure series is set to return for a six-episode miniseries run. The announcement coincides with The Prisoner's 40th anniversary.Fan Sites Report Return of The Prisoner | The Underwire from Wired.com
So...Jim Caviezel was number six? I'm not sure of that. And where would the new village be?
Vespa
bw-vespa2
Originally uploaded by karmakazesal.
Black and white photo of a Vespa I saw on the street one day. This is an old photo I shot with my Lomo Autocompact
email sign
email sign
Originally uploaded by karmakazesal.
I need one of these signs to put our MS Exchange server.
Subway Kitten
Subway Kitty 1
Originally uploaded by karmakazesal.
This Kitten was spotted at the 4th Ave and 9th Street F/R Station.
One-man Helicopter
When building a single person flying machine, it is important to ask yourself when in flight, will it look like I am chasing a road-runner? Sadly, the answer to this is yes. He looks like he is chasing a road runner.
Tasteless
More on the story here.
Talking Points Memo | Republican Outreach
I didn't think the Texas GOP could sink lower than those phony purple heart band-aids they handed out in 2004. Boy was I wrong. And there are still five months left.
Absinthe Gummi Bears
After months in the kitchen tinkering with gelatin and various liquors, the Tailor crew has finally channeled the wormwood concoction into something everyone can agree on. Feast your eyes on the Absinthe Gummi Bear, the final word in alcoholic confectionary bears.
Absinthe Gummi Bears
This is a wonderful by-product of the recent absinthe revival.
The Miracle Fruit
The miracle fruit, Synsepalum dulcificum, is native to West Africa and has been known to Westerners since the 18th century. The cause of the reaction is a protein called miraculin, which binds with the taste buds and acts as a sweetness inducer when it comes in contact with acids, according to a scientist who has studied the fruit, Linda Bartoshuk at the University of Florida’s Center for Smell and Taste. Dr. Bartoshuk said she did not know of any dangers associated with eating miracle fruit.The Miracle Fruit, a Tease for the Taste Buds - NYTimes.com
During the 1970s, a ruling by the Food and Drug Administration dashed hopes that an extract of miraculin could be sold as a sugar substitute. In the absence of any plausible commercial application, the miracle fruit has acquired a bit of a cult following.
Looks like there is now a fruit to replace The Durian fruit cult.
Artist Repairs Walls In Italy With Lego Bricks
Lego enthusiast Jan Vormann went around the quiet little town of Bocchignano, Italy filling its decrepit walls with lego pieces.
Legos: Artist Repairs Walls In Italy With Lego Bricks
If it works there, maybe that can rebuild the Colosseum with Lego bricks.
pastor john hagee
Pastor John Hagee thinks God sent Katrina to punish the gays. He thinks God sent Hitler to force the Jews to move to Israel.
I think God sent Pastor John Hagee to make sure McCain doesn't become president.
Goodyear Inflatoplane
CIA Airlines: Inflatable Getaway Plane Delivered Upon Request More here
I swear the intelligence community went down hill once fedoras went out of style.
Obama/Kennedy vs. McCain/Goldwater
If John McCain is running for George W. Bush's third presidential term, as Democrats have suggested, Barack Obama is campaigning for John F. Kennedy's second term.Obama/Kennedy vs. McCain/Goldwater | Salon
Normally this is the type of political article I despise. Debate by analogy mixed with historic revisionism and a touch of baseless speculation. But sometimes, a really good writer can make it work. This is one of those cases. I see more Goldwater in McCain than JFK in Obama. The comparison seems to work pretty well. Well worth the read.
NYPD Dodge Charger
The NYC traffic cops have chargers. They don't have radios that communicate with the NYFD and EMS, but they do have nice cars.
75 MPH Bicycle That's Powered by a Jet Engine
Zoom: The 75 MPH Bicycle That's Powered by a Jet Engine
I generally approve of anything with a jet engine attached to it.
Flying Penis Disrupts Garry Kasparov Speech
As former chess champion Garry Kasparov was giving a speech to unite opposition political forces, a radio-controlled penis flew across the room to some applause and laughter. The fun was ended when a dour-faced man smashed the penis out of the air.Flying Penis: Flying RC Penis Disrupts Garry Kasparov Speech
I have nothing to add.
One in Eight High School Biology Teachers Still Teach Creationism
25% said they devoted classroom time to creationism or intelligent design. Of these, about one-half -- 12% of all teachers -- called creationism a "valid scientific alternative to Darwinian explanations for the origin of species," and the same number said that "many reputable scientists view these as valid alternatives to Darwinian theory."One in Eight High School Biology Teachers Still Teach Creationism | Wired Science from Wired.com
When I was in 3rd grade I read a book about dinosaurs. I asked my Catholic school teachers "why aren't the dinosaurs in the bible?" To hear that so many teachers are willing to promote such nonsense is really troubling.