Shut Down the Internet

because the craziest video ever uploaded to YouTube has finally emerged. Just watch:



Yes, that's Ron Artest, starting swingman for the Lakers (and yes, that Ron Artest), busting off a slow jam for women in Afghanistan who've been abused by their fundamentalist husbands. Just... wow.

RonRon was crazy before Lil Wayne made it hot.

Playground Antics

Here's a story from CNN. Is there any question at all that this was intentional? I mean, really, what are the odds that this is coincidence? Also, is this funny or inappropriate?

Did Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger mean to hide a message in this note?
Did Schwarzenegger say f**k you to legislature?
Posted: October 28th, 2009 05:20 PM ET



(CNN) - Was Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's message to state lawmakers unhappy - or obscene?

That's the current debate in California after the governor sent a letter directed to "Members of the California State Assembly" that appeared to have a subtle but pointed message hidden within the text.

The seven-line note in which the California Republican blasts the legislature for not advancing his administration's proposals on a host of issues appears innocuous enough at first glance.

But upon closer examination, the first letter of every line collectively spells 'f**k you'.

A spokesman for Schwarzenegger said the governor had no intent of hiding the message within his note, calling it a mere "coincidence."

–CNN's Carey Bodenheimer contributed to this story.


(To be fair and balanced, here's a funny video from Arnold's early days (thanks, Greg). No secret message can make you not sound dumb there.)

A story from CNN:

"Senate set to vote on hate crimes bill
Posted: October 22nd, 2009 12:13 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The fight over gay rights is taking center stage once again as the U.S. Senate prepares to vote as early as Thursday on groundbreaking legislation expanding the scope of federal hate-crimes law.

The measure, added to a $680 billion defense authorization bill, would make it a federal crime to assault an individual because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. The House has already passed the measure. It will go to President Barack Obama's desk if, as expected, it clears the Senate.

President George W. Bush had threatened to veto a similar measure; Obama has promised to sign it.

The bill is named for Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming teenager who died after being kidnapped and severely beaten in October 1998."

Okay, so I completely support this legislation--I think it's great. But, at the same time, this does illustrate a problem I've had for some time with federal legislation: Why the hell is this hate crimes bill attached to a defense authorization bill? Really, why can't the House and Senate just vote on one issue at a time? I think this is part of the problem when it comes to debating issues because no one really knows what the bill includes, or what random additions may be added. If we want to vote on hate crimes legislation, can't we just have a bill about it? Then, when the defense spending bill comes up, we can vote on that one too.

This is the way we did it in student council after all!

But, seriously, I think this is political tactic used to shield politicians from ever having to fully account for their votes. Thoughts?

Vaccine Mania

If the H1N1 doesn't kill me, I think the media hype surrounding it might. As always, Jon Stewart sums it up nicely (plus there a good interview about an Ayn Rand biography coming out soon):

"Moscow will blast clouds from the sky this winter to save money on snow removal"

Awesome!

"No one dies; everyone gets laid."

I heart Steven Colbert.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Better Know a Lobby - Health Care for America Now
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Michael Moore

The Fun Theory

The researchers I worked with at MIT had been working on a project to get more people to use the stairs coming out of the subways. At the time I was working with them they were trying to develop health messages to put on signs near the escalators (to guilt people into using the stairs). I'm not sure what eventually happened to that project, but this makes way more sense. I mean really, what do they know at MIT?

My only question is--how long until the novelty wears off? Once it loses that, then I think you're back at square one. Here is the link to the website which has a couple other ideas/videos.

Genius

http://theindex.puma.com/

I Guess Perspective Means Everything

See if you can pick out the irony in this statement from Pope Benedict:

"There is absolutely no doubt that the so-called 'First' World has exported up to now and continues to export its spiritual toxic waste that contaminates the peoples of other continents, particularly those of Africa," he said.

I do give the Catholic Church points for having sweet words (like synod) to call their meetings.

[Reuters]