Today I had several sobering conversations in the liquor store that I work at. I continuously hear complaints about the rising cost of our stock. A middle-ages male customer, who is a regular customer at my store was commenting on the price of his lower-shelf blended Scotch. I explained to him about the devaluation of the Dollar versus the Pound (Which is up to almost $2) and how our distribution center was probably out of the Scotch that had been produced when the Pound was cheaper. The customer left, mumbling "Fucking Bush." under his breath.

More after the break . . .

Putin was concernin' hisself on NATO. Specifically on the ABM interceptors being placed in the former Warsaw Pact. Who would have thunk that Putin, King W's good bud, would have a problem with them their missiles? After all  Putin ain't no JFK, and Poland and the Czech Republic ain't no Cuber. So now Putin is threatening said countries with invasion? That is un-'Merican. And why are my danged sphincter muscles tightening.

More Below . . .

American news often does a poor (or nonexistent) job covering the Pacific Islands. This struck me today as I read about the situation in Tonga. Six "rioters" (as reported by the BBC) have been killed in a violent uprising after the Tongan Parliament suspended legislation on democratic reforms.

"We are waiting for DNA tests to confirm as the bodies are beyond recognition," said assistant police commissioner Unca Faaoa.

Up to 80% of buildings in Nuku'alofa were estimated to have been destroyed, including the government and prime minister's offices, the power company, Nuku'alofa's only bank and a number of Chinese-owned shops.

Link to the BBC Article.

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I stumbled on this interesting story on KLAS TV's website. Several of the aircraft owned by CIA front companies and involved in rendering 'terrorists' have been spotted at Southern Nevada airports.

The RIAA, not content to extort money from a White Plains, NY soccer mom, who refused to give in to their DMCA lawsuit, is now suing two of her children. My blood pressure rises. Copyright needs to be fixed now. The civil penalties in this case could ruin this woman's kids financially for life. If the RIAA uses its powers to get a criminal prosecution the older girl (who is 20) could spend the rest of her life in prison. This is not justice.

WASHINGTON POST:
It said Michelle Santangelo, 20, has acknowledged downloading songs on the family computer and that her brother, Robert, 16, had been implicated in statements his best friend made. It accuses the two of downloading and distributing over 1,000 songs, including "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)" by the Offspring, "MMMBop" by Hanson and "Beat It" by Michael Jackson.

Boing Boing link
Washington Post Article

As I was driving to work this morning I was thinking my usual thoughts: How much I hate commuting. The pain my feet were going to experience once the Ibuprofen wore off. What I was going to eat to keep my blood-sugar normal without filling me up and spoiling my appetite. I noticed a white Cadillac approaching and moved into the right lane. It was a hearse. The casket in back was draped in a flag.