It appears that Sheriff Joe Arpaio is continuing his efforts to turn Maricopa County, Arizona, into some kind of third-world hellhole: The Maricopa County Attorney's Office has chosen not to prosecute Arizona Department of Corrections staff in the death of inmate Marcia Powell. Powell, 48, died May 20, 2009, after being kept in a human cage in Goodyear's Perryville Prison for … [Read more...] about Joe Arpaio’s Officers Getting Away With a Torture-Murder?
Damn the Gods
I just watched the 2010 remake of Clash of the Titans. It was an unpleasant experience on several levels. First of all, it's just not a very good movie. Some of the effects are cool, but mostly it's kind of boring. The filmmakers seem to think that fast and furious violence will make up for the lack of a plot, and that thoughtless dialogue can be rescued by the stentorious … [Read more...] about Damn the Gods
Born to Rock the World
In a rather amazing development in the video gaming world, Gearbox Software has announced that they are going to finish the long-awaited video game Duke Nukem Forever. I think Duke Nukem was the first big modern 3D shooter avatar. Up until the release of Duke Nukem 3D, you mostly played first-person shooters as your silent self. But Duke Nukem had lines. Funny lines, with … [Read more...] about Born to Rock the World
The Earth and Moon
My astronomy correspondent sent me this very cool image of the Earth and the Moon, as seen from near the sun: Click for a larger image. Source and explanation here. … [Read more...] about The Earth and Moon
Memorializing 9/11
I don't understand memorials and monuments. Or maybe it would be more accurate to say I don't understand how other people think about memorials and monuments. It just doesn't make much sense to me.I have the good fortune of having lead a peaceful life. Other than my parents, no one really close to me has died. Perhaps if I'd experienced more tragedy, I'd understand people's … [Read more...] about Memorializing 9/11