I know that I had already put up a link to the story when it broke, but this obituary was too well written for me to not put it out. The more of this story that comes out, the stranger it gets. Of course, in the life (or death) of Hunter S. Thompson I would expect no less. "When the going gets weird...the weird turn pro."
Again, he will be missed.
Hunter S. Thompson, R.I.P.
"With Thompson's suicide, journalism lost a deeply flawed and unconventional practitioner – but one who always sought the truth with his highball."
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Whitley Strieber: The Scum Rises: Peter Jennings on UFOs
Everyone's fan favorite kook Whitley Strieber (so much fun that I named my grey cat after him) weighs in with his "unbiased" opinions towards the recent UFO Special done by ABC News. I thought that it was ok, they did a good job of showing both sides of the issue and I think that the two sides alternated in looking like kooks. I find this quote from Whitley to be rather ironic: "The result is that their efforts become an exercise in hubris. They end up making judgements based on inadequate information because they believe that what they have gathered is sufficient."
I would watch throwing stones in that glass house, Mr. Strieber.
Whitley Strieber: The Scum Rises: Peter Jennings on UFOs
"The much heralded ABC special on UFOs has come and gone. Predictably, it was more of the same, a large number of lies sprinkled with a few truths. At least it wasn’t as relentlessly negative as such programs have generally been in the past. But people like Peter Jennings and his producers are cursed with the belief that they can understand—or already do understand—what they are looking at. The reality is that the UFO phenomenon is the most complex event in history, and a cursory examination of its surface by a few overworked and ill-informed television producers is not going to succeed in any way whatsoever to come to any truth about it.
"They are filled with belief in their own competence, however. The result is that their efforts become an exercise in hubris. They end up making judgements based on inadequate information because they believe that what they have gathered is sufficient. But it is not sufficient, it only fulfills their expectations and serves their assumptions. That's always where they stop, and it’s never enough.
"Jennings was somewhat open to the notion that some UFOs might be actual unknowns, and he actually told the truth, for once, about Project Bluebook: it was indeed a publicity stunt.
"But the characterization of the Roswell Incident as a hoax and the people attempting to investigate it as cultists was a grotesque lie, and, I think, an intentional one. It is classic disinformation—tell a little truth so that your lie will be swallowed along with it. Of course, how could anything more be expected from a man like Jennings? He’s a prostitute to the establishment, nothing more or less, and it is in the interest of the establishment to conceal the reality of Roswell." [via Posthuman Blues]
I would watch throwing stones in that glass house, Mr. Strieber.
Whitley Strieber: The Scum Rises: Peter Jennings on UFOs
"The much heralded ABC special on UFOs has come and gone. Predictably, it was more of the same, a large number of lies sprinkled with a few truths. At least it wasn’t as relentlessly negative as such programs have generally been in the past. But people like Peter Jennings and his producers are cursed with the belief that they can understand—or already do understand—what they are looking at. The reality is that the UFO phenomenon is the most complex event in history, and a cursory examination of its surface by a few overworked and ill-informed television producers is not going to succeed in any way whatsoever to come to any truth about it.
"They are filled with belief in their own competence, however. The result is that their efforts become an exercise in hubris. They end up making judgements based on inadequate information because they believe that what they have gathered is sufficient. But it is not sufficient, it only fulfills their expectations and serves their assumptions. That's always where they stop, and it’s never enough.
"Jennings was somewhat open to the notion that some UFOs might be actual unknowns, and he actually told the truth, for once, about Project Bluebook: it was indeed a publicity stunt.
"But the characterization of the Roswell Incident as a hoax and the people attempting to investigate it as cultists was a grotesque lie, and, I think, an intentional one. It is classic disinformation—tell a little truth so that your lie will be swallowed along with it. Of course, how could anything more be expected from a man like Jennings? He’s a prostitute to the establishment, nothing more or less, and it is in the interest of the establishment to conceal the reality of Roswell." [via Posthuman Blues]
BRRRAAAIIIIIIINNNNNNNSSSSSS!!!!
Just when you think that the powers that be can't get any more stupid...
(Although the kid's grammar isn't that great either.)
Student Arrested For Terroristic Threatening Says Incident A Misunderstanding
"A George Rogers Clark High School junior arrested Tuesday for making terrorist threats told LEX 18 News Thursday that the 'writings' that got him arrested are being taken out of context.
"Winchester police say William Poole, 18, was taken into custody Tuesday morning. Investigators say they discovered materials at Poole's home that outline possible acts of violence aimed at students, teachers, and police.
"Poole told LEX 18 that the whole incident is a big misunderstanding. He claims that what his grandparents found in his journal and turned into police was a short story he wrote for English class.
"'My story is based on fiction,' said Poole, who faces a second-degree felony terrorist threatening charge. 'It's a fake story. I made it up. I've been working on one of my short stories, (and) the short story they found was about zombies. Yes, it did say a high school. It was about a high school over ran by zombies.'"
(Although the kid's grammar isn't that great either.)
Student Arrested For Terroristic Threatening Says Incident A Misunderstanding
"A George Rogers Clark High School junior arrested Tuesday for making terrorist threats told LEX 18 News Thursday that the 'writings' that got him arrested are being taken out of context.
"Winchester police say William Poole, 18, was taken into custody Tuesday morning. Investigators say they discovered materials at Poole's home that outline possible acts of violence aimed at students, teachers, and police.
"Poole told LEX 18 that the whole incident is a big misunderstanding. He claims that what his grandparents found in his journal and turned into police was a short story he wrote for English class.
"'My story is based on fiction,' said Poole, who faces a second-degree felony terrorist threatening charge. 'It's a fake story. I made it up. I've been working on one of my short stories, (and) the short story they found was about zombies. Yes, it did say a high school. It was about a high school over ran by zombies.'"
Friday, February 25, 2005
Hooray For Hollywood
Well, I haven't posted anything from The Smoking Gun for a while, but I thought that this would make a good nod to this weekend's Oscar awards. Check the link and enjoy the fruity goodness of those celebrities that oh so many of us idolize.
Hooray For Hollywood
"In recognition of Sunday's Academy Awards, The Smoking Gun offers this special tribute to Hollywood, the source of many memorable lawsuits, restraining orders, narcotics arrests, palimony beefs, divorce petitions, indictments, and other assorted paper-based entertainment. With so many stars and so many documents, TSG actually had trouble singling out our top Tinseltown hits (so excuse us if we forgot your favorite bit of debauchery). Below you'll find our favorite confidentiality agreement, the one Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman once had their household employees sign. After you read that beaut, make sure to check out these other movie classics: Roman Polanksi's perversions; Sharon Stone's demands; Jack Nicholson's hooker problems; Winona Ryder's probation report; Christian Slater's drug rampage; Bruce Willis's aching head; Nick Nolte's Hawaiian shirt; Ben Affleck's voting record; Michael Douglas's errant golf ball; Jim Carrey's support woes; Matthew McConaughey's naked bongoing; Catherine Zeta-Jones's diet and topless photo beefs; Bud Abbott's porno stash; Lou Costello's porno stash; Linda Fiorentino's nudity rider; Diane Lane's modest proposals; Cruise's heterosexual exhortation; Barbra Streisand's paparazzi rant; Roddy McDowall's pirated films; Mark Wahlberg's youthful indiscretions; Lucille Ball's Red run-in; Demi Moore's nettlesome nanny; and Arnold Schwarzenegger's bothersome bobblehead. Oh, we almost forgot about this pussy."
Hooray For Hollywood
"In recognition of Sunday's Academy Awards, The Smoking Gun offers this special tribute to Hollywood, the source of many memorable lawsuits, restraining orders, narcotics arrests, palimony beefs, divorce petitions, indictments, and other assorted paper-based entertainment. With so many stars and so many documents, TSG actually had trouble singling out our top Tinseltown hits (so excuse us if we forgot your favorite bit of debauchery). Below you'll find our favorite confidentiality agreement, the one Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman once had their household employees sign. After you read that beaut, make sure to check out these other movie classics: Roman Polanksi's perversions; Sharon Stone's demands; Jack Nicholson's hooker problems; Winona Ryder's probation report; Christian Slater's drug rampage; Bruce Willis's aching head; Nick Nolte's Hawaiian shirt; Ben Affleck's voting record; Michael Douglas's errant golf ball; Jim Carrey's support woes; Matthew McConaughey's naked bongoing; Catherine Zeta-Jones's diet and topless photo beefs; Bud Abbott's porno stash; Lou Costello's porno stash; Linda Fiorentino's nudity rider; Diane Lane's modest proposals; Cruise's heterosexual exhortation; Barbra Streisand's paparazzi rant; Roddy McDowall's pirated films; Mark Wahlberg's youthful indiscretions; Lucille Ball's Red run-in; Demi Moore's nettlesome nanny; and Arnold Schwarzenegger's bothersome bobblehead. Oh, we almost forgot about this pussy."
Hasbro Launching Musical Toothbrush
This is pretty screwed up.
Hasbro Launching Musical Toothbrush
"Toymaker Hasbro, Inc. is injecting music into the act of brushing teeth. The company announced Friday that it's launching 'Tooth Tunes,' a toothbrush that transmits music through the jawbone to the ear when its bristles touch teeth.
"'You can clearly hear the words and the music,' said Brian Goldner, president of Hasbro's U.S. Toys unit. 'You can hum right along if you like.'
"For someone standing near a person brushing, the noise would be a muted hum, Goldner said.
"The battery-operated toothbrush contains a tiny microchip that stores the song. When the user presses a button and starts brushing, the sound vibrations pass through the tooth, to the jawbone and directly into the inner ear. The song plays for two minutes, the amount of time dentists recommend people spend brushing their teeth."
Hasbro Launching Musical Toothbrush
"Toymaker Hasbro, Inc. is injecting music into the act of brushing teeth. The company announced Friday that it's launching 'Tooth Tunes,' a toothbrush that transmits music through the jawbone to the ear when its bristles touch teeth.
"'You can clearly hear the words and the music,' said Brian Goldner, president of Hasbro's U.S. Toys unit. 'You can hum right along if you like.'
"For someone standing near a person brushing, the noise would be a muted hum, Goldner said.
"The battery-operated toothbrush contains a tiny microchip that stores the song. When the user presses a button and starts brushing, the sound vibrations pass through the tooth, to the jawbone and directly into the inner ear. The song plays for two minutes, the amount of time dentists recommend people spend brushing their teeth."
Thursday, February 24, 2005
American Science & Surplus
Is it dorky? I think it can be. It is certainly a cool site. If you can't find some ool here then you just aren't looking hard enough. Start your Holiday Gift Shopping now!
American Science & Surplus
American Science & Surplus
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
F.M. Busby (1921-2005)
F.M. Busby (1921-2005)
"Both fandom and prodom suffered a loss today, Feb. 17, with the passing of F.M. 'Buz' Busby, who died this afternoon after battling an abdominal problem that put him in the hospital about a month ago. Buz, probably best known for his 'Rissa Kerguelen' series of science fiction novels, was also a BNF in the fandom of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He and his wife Elinor edited Cry of the Nameless, winning a Hugo for best fanzine in 1960. Buz underwent another operation a few days ago, and was moved yesterday to a care facility because his Medicare coverage ended. He was 83 years old, born Francis Marion Busby on March 11, 1921. You can leave notes of condolence or memories on this CaringBridge page page, where additional details will be posted; I'll pass on any notes posted below to Elinor."
"Both fandom and prodom suffered a loss today, Feb. 17, with the passing of F.M. 'Buz' Busby, who died this afternoon after battling an abdominal problem that put him in the hospital about a month ago. Buz, probably best known for his 'Rissa Kerguelen' series of science fiction novels, was also a BNF in the fandom of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He and his wife Elinor edited Cry of the Nameless, winning a Hugo for best fanzine in 1960. Buz underwent another operation a few days ago, and was moved yesterday to a care facility because his Medicare coverage ended. He was 83 years old, born Francis Marion Busby on March 11, 1921. You can leave notes of condolence or memories on this CaringBridge page page, where additional details will be posted; I'll pass on any notes posted below to Elinor."
Superman is a Dick
I guess that this requires no further introduction then. It is a National Lampoon site, but the covers appear to have been legit and not doctored. It is worth it, if only for the name of the page.
Superman is a Dick
Superman is a Dick
De gustibus non est disputandum.
De gustibus non est disputandum
(day GOOS-ti-boos nohn est dis-poo-TAHN-dem) Latin for “There’s no disputing about taste.” Another version of this saying is “There’s no accounting for taste.”
Words to live by.
(day GOOS-ti-boos nohn est dis-poo-TAHN-dem) Latin for “There’s no disputing about taste.” Another version of this saying is “There’s no accounting for taste.”
Words to live by.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
The Wold Newton Universe - Chronology Central
Originally created by SF author Philip Jose Farmer for his "biographies" of Tarzan and Doc Savage, the Wold Newton concept has been used and refered to by a number of authors looking to link the worlds (and families) of the great heroes and villains of the past.
The Wold Newton Universe - Chronology Central
Any GM interested in running an RPG campaign in either the Pulp or Victorian eras (or even in modern times) would do well to look over the information contained on this website. There is a lot of good, usable information contained there. I cannot reccomend it strongly enough.
The Wold Newton Universe - Chronology Central
Any GM interested in running an RPG campaign in either the Pulp or Victorian eras (or even in modern times) would do well to look over the information contained on this website. There is a lot of good, usable information contained there. I cannot reccomend it strongly enough.
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