Foolishness is not only tolerated - it is mandatory.

"Kung Fu Highschool" by Ryan Gattis was a quick, easy, and very entertaining read. Time Out London compares the book to Bret Easton Ellis's "American Psycho" but the book is actually more reminescent of "Battle Royale" by Koushun Takami.

If you have a weak stomach or love happy endings, Gattis's book is not for you. But, if you're up for some serious kung fu action then I'm pretty sure "Kung Fu Highschool" will more than likely fill up your quota for the month. Maybe two.

Don't die.

I endorse using shock collars on children.

I want this person's address. Seriously.

I'd never leave. Its heaven. Heaven I tell you!

Don't die.

Note to self: avoid werewolves.

And so, East Orange New Jersey police department is going to grant communities a new "community watch" program. Mat Drudge (Drudge Report) reports that a "Virtual Community Patrol" will allow selected residents to tap into the various security cameras throughout the community and report on any suspicious activity. Police will then be dispatched to such areas.

I can't even come up with a single good reason for this power, but I have a couple of reservations:
1. How are people selected? This power can be easily abused.
2. How secure is the website? Hackers abound.

Don't die.

DRMed to the teeth, baby.

I wish the Democrats representing us in the Senate had a pair of cajones.

Matt Drudge, of the Drudge Report claims that "[Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist] pushed them to the mat today, and they blinked... He dared them to vote, and Democrat Leader Harry Reid looked like he was going to be sick as he said 'No.'"

Let's finally get to the truth and end this NSA mess. Censure Bush. Find out what's what. National Security is moot, if you can't trust your own government. Right now, our faith is shaken. Prove to us, President Bush, that you haven't spied where you shouldn't have spied. Otherwise, move aside. Step down. We don't want the witch hunts of the Cold War to return.

Don't die and stuff.

I like to pretend I'm a vampire.

So, the movie theaters have been losing customers. They, of course, blame Bittorrent and the "horde" of illegal downloaders. Unfortunately, I don't think they've taken a true look at the problems plaguing the movie-going experience.

1. Cost. In Kansas City, it costs $8 to get into a movie. If you can make it for one of the matinee's I think its around $5. Compare this to Blockbuster Online rentals: $17/month for unlimited rentals, three out at a time.

2. Experience. You get loud speaker and a huge screen. But you also get crying babies, sticky floors, popcorn coated seats, cramped spaces, cell phones, expensive food/drink, and the list goes on and on and on. Compare this to my home: I have surround sound, an HDTV, refrigerator, pause button, bathroom, no kids, a couch that's comfortable to kick back in....

In an effort to "improve" the movie-going experience, theaters are considering including pre-movie games. These aren't the arcade games at the entrance, but rather "the ability to play games from in-seat consoles or via mobile phones." Its a foolish endeavor (no one goes to the movie for pre-movie entertainment) but at least it is a step in the right direction. The true test of a theater's mettle is to lower the cost, or at least improve the taste, of its various snackables. Keeping the seats bereft of popcorn and the floors unsticky would be a nice touch.

Read about the pre-movie entertainment here.

Don't die.

No baby is cute.

The Associated Press has taken note of a disturbing trend of the American government: since 9/11, the goverments (local and federal) have been on a warpath to restrict or completely halt the release of information available to citizens. This is, of course, for our safety.

Sen. Nick Spano, a Republican hailing from New York, put it like this: "It's a very difficult balance between the public's right to know and the public's right to security."

Unfortunatly, Spano has forgotten that without the flow of information, democracy fails. Lucy Dalglish (Reporters Committe for Freedom of the Press) says: "A democracy can only function if we have information. You can only have oversight of government if you have information." Oversight is essential. In fact, our government was built with various oversights (for example, the three branches of government).

Read more about it here.

Don't die.