Remember the NIPR.mil referrals that popped up in my (and other people’s) referrals? I got a tip from okcalvin pointing to the “Unclassified but Sensitive Internet Protocol Network.” Hooray, USA.
Abu Sayaff vs Jehovah’s Witnesses
Looks like the Abu Sayaff are at it again. This time they’ve kidnapped eight Jehovah’s Witnesses preachers and beheaded two.
Wi-Fi at Starbucks
Starbucks is going wireless. Check this FAQ for details and locations on their upcoming Wi-Fi service. Too bad; DC and MD aren’t on the list yet.
No to Oreta
Speaking of Tessie Aquino-Oreta, check out this Inq7 Letter. Well, that was succinct:
“I DO hope the President will think twice before selecting Senator Oreta for secretary of Education. She doesn’t deserve that post. She should be in the toilet.”
Marvel Supervillains
Brunching reviews Marvel Comics supervillains. “I stopped reading X-Men about the same time they started putting Wolverine on the cover of comics in which he didn’t actually, technically, appear.” Heh.
Asteroid Flyby
Via Spaceweather, take a look at these amazing photos and videos of the asteroid that flew by us a couple of days ago, so close that it hit 9th magnitude and was visible through binoculars and telescopes as a swiftly moving point of light.
Ninoy Aquino — 19 years
In the days of the dictatorial Marcos kleptocracy, inspired reformist Ninoy Aquino was a beacon of hope for a crushed and suffering nation. His brutal assassination at Manila International Airport sparked the flames of revolt, culminating in the 1986 People Power movement which drove out the Marcoses and restored democracy to the Philippines.
Today, nineteen years later, the Philippines remains mired in poverty and stagnation. Her hard-won democracy has produced only incompetent and/or corrupt presidents unable to keep from repeating the mistakes of the past. Family members have sided with an impeached showbiz politician accused of massive theft, fraud, gambling, and rampant marital unfaithfulness. His sister scandalized the nation with her “victory dance” at the aborted impeachment trial, and his daughter further embarasses the family with her lurid affairs with married high-profile movie actors.
Kris Aquino’s latest gaffe: “Oh, I know I’m having affairs with movie actors and an unfaithful city mayor, but my family still loves me, and my mom will always be my mom, no matter what.” Now, while I don’t doubt ex-President Cory Aquino’s propensity for motherly love, I think it seriously bad form for Kris to be so publicly blasé about it. Mama Cory will not blithely continue to tolerate her daughter’s constant and nonchalant shovelling of manure onto the already-stained Aquino family name, especially not while Kris acts so cocky with the press about her illicit affairs. The Bush daughters have nothing on this girl.
Poor Ninoy must be rolling in his grave.
PNB sa MRT?
It looks like the Philippine National Bank is using public transit to transport its money. How’s that for cost-cutting?
(Unless of course, those were costumed bank robbers brazen enough to steal moneybags and make their getaway on the light rail. Hay naku, Philippines.)
Smokey’s new disposition
“You can’t prevent forest fires, and now you’re all gonna DIE!!!” So seems to say Reddy Squirrel, Smokey the Bear’s new alternative mascot, as the forest fire prevention campaign rethinks a few things.
Canadian’s rant
I couldn’t catch the Havalina gig, because I had to go to Hechts’ and buy a pillow before catching the MARC train back to Bawlmer. :(
Anyway, now that Bene D has granted me the title of Honorary Canadian, I wonder if I’m entitled to wild Canadian rants like this one. “Ya bunch of stupid fat lazy American losers, eh?” Gee, he must have used every single ad hominem in the book.
Voluminous commentary on MeFi.
Slightly related: Glenn Reynolds on Mugabe and the Zimbabwean racial situation. Funny line: Noam Chomsky was quick to denounce the United States for the imaginary starvation of millions. He doesn’t seem nearly as loud where someone is actually starving people on purpose does he? Why could that be? Oh, yeah: Mugabe isn’t an American, or allied with America, and hence is incapable of evil. Sorry, I forgot there for a moment.