Friday, February 20, 2004
Mass deaf protest to ensue - huh?
Advocates for deaf charge censorship in closed captioning
The Bush administration has cut off its closed captioning for nearly 200 TV shows, prompting charges of secret censorship to promote an ideological agenda.So if this is petitioned, would there be a hearing?
"Bewitched" and "Scooby-Doo" are out.
So are "The Simpsons," "Law and Order," some American Movie Channel documentaries, "A&E Investigative Reports" and "X-Men Evolution."
Okay - I know: that was wrong. However, I will say that this type of move is rather disappointing coming from Bush, and for all practical purposes this comes as discriminatory.
Oh well, his presidency; not mine.
The complete list of now word-less shows can be found here.
Japan: Stir-fried
CBS News | Japan On Highest Terror Alert
Japan raised its terror alert to its highest level on Friday, mobilizing heavily armed police around airports, nuclear plants and government offices to guard against a possible attack, an official said.Officials cited "fairly uncredible" information leading to "a vague realization" that amounted to their reasoning of purely "shits and giggles."
They added, "We just want to know what it's like to be the U.S."
Thursday, February 19, 2004
The Column: Round Three
The Ball State Daily News - BEWILDERED SOCIETY: Abandoning habits for Lent not practical
Click here for the PDF of the paper.
So, I'll be honest: It's not the most fitting headline for the column, or shall I say it is certainly not what I would have chosen.
Regardless - my intent was to take a light-hearted look at what I've found to be the common pre-Lent thoughts that often surface in the weeks and days prior to it. As of writing this (see the date stamp below), I have no clue how people will respond; but allow me to say that I do not meant to come across as saying that Lent nor fasting nor serving a penance are stupid/bad ideas. Certainly we're all given our own religious freedom in this country, and I decided to take a humorous jab at mine.
For those of you who didn't understand the University of Colorado reference:
ABC/ESPN: Colo. Town Deals With University ScandalFor three weeks, professors, students and residents have been hit with an almost daily barrage of accusations against Colorado's football program, including rapes, strip-club visits and alcohol-fueled sex parties for recruits. After a former kicker came forward to say she was raped by a teammate, the coach indelicately described her as a "terrible" player.I'll be back later today with more blogs and more support as needed.
Until then, post your comments below and on the DN message board. (NOTE: BS.com's "Bitch and Win" contest is only open to comments posted on THIS (BewilderedSociety.com) web site, not the Daily News'.)
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Mouse + Frog = Comcast?
Muppet Central News - Disney buys Jim Henson's Muppets and Bear:
The Walt Disney Company and The Jim Henson Company today announced that they have entered into an agreement under which Disney will acquire the beloved Muppets and Bear in the Big Blue House properties from Henson.Mickey? Miss Piggy?
Imagine the offspring...
'Sippin' On Coke & Rum...'
Food Ingredients First: Coke to introduce beer-tasting drink in Japan:
Coca-Cola`s Japanese unit will introduce a beer-tasting drink next month, but one with almost no alcohol.I wonder if they'll have a vanilla, lemon or cherry flavor?
Neat - Where's My Half?
AOL puts heat on alleged Sunshine State spammers | CNET News.com
Internet service providers America Online and EarthLink have each taken legal action against alleged spammers in the southern United States. In the suit, AOL seeks damages of $1.6 million in addition to other forms of compensation, including potential asset forfeiture.Good -- so when do I, the AOL user, get to see any of this cash?
Oh well - at least they're still fighting.
"This lawsuit demonstrates AOL's strong and ongoing commitment to the fight against spam," Randall Boe, AOL's general counsel, said in a statement. "We will pursue spammers, their accomplices, their co-conspirators and anyone who operates on their behalf--no matter where they live. The bottom line is, if you are spamming AOL members--or helping someone who is--we will find you, and we will stop you."President Bush... is that you?
The BS to Come...
In tomorrow's Daily News I'll take a look at the wonderful and exciting period of fasting and penance we like to call Lent. I'll even be passing out some free suggestions for a few people who still may need penance ideas!
That's in tomorrow's edition of the Ball State Daily News, and online here at BS.com!
You Want It, You Got It
Because an overwhelming 15 of you said so...
Beginning today, I'll be responding to your comments on the boards.
Don't worry - I can't win my own award.
Happy Blogday to Me...
As you may have noticed, today I celebrate one year of blogging.
This is, perhaps, one of the most self-motivated commitments I've ever had in my life.
I want to thank everyone who has supported the site, my column, me, etc... over the past year (or two, in some cases) and I hope this anniversary says something to you about the dedication I have to keeping BS alive.
Bewildered eSociety, as it was referred to prior to BS.com, began when I noticed Google's acquisition of personal publishing powerhouse Blogger. I had never really heard of blogging, but soon decided to take up an interest in it. Having been the first of anyone I knew at the time to write a blog, I decided to promote the living hell out of it.
Some things haven't changed.
However, I've always maintained that my blog is based on current events and satire, with a mix of life experiences. Contrary to the majority of blog writers, I chose not to write about my personal life on the blog; in grave detail, at least. As much as I read personal life based blogs, I still have yet to turn mine in to something even remotely close to one. I never really have had a reason why; perhaps it's because I don't feel the need to vent publicly about my own life, or because I feel that too many people wouldn't care. Pessimistic? Not quite: this site/blog is based upon my satire and humor; not what I did today, who I talked to, or what I ate.
BewilderedSociety.com's birthday is not for a few months, but trust me: you'll know when it happens.
The BS.com eStore will be going live within the next few weeks. Keep an eye out for it -- and help me out by buying stuff to spread the word about BS.com! In order to provide a wide range of products, I'll have to pay to keep the store stocked with different logos and such for buyers to choose from. Although I have the opportunity to, I will NOT be marking up the prices of the products to make profit -- they'll be wholesale price. Send me your ideas for catch phrases, logos, etc... and if I receive enough orders/interest in buying, I'll be able to make the store a lot better.
In the meanwhile, thank you for visiting, reading and commenting. It is you, the reader, who I do this site for; I don't make any money off of it, I don't get paid by a newspaper for it and I certainly refuse to add advertising to it...for the time being. It's solely dedicated to the mixture of satire and humor that has become (what many people call) the staple of my personality. It wouldn't exist without you.
Thank you.
Comment of the Week!
This week marks the first of Bewildered Society.com's Comment of the Week bitch and win.
You bitch; You win!
From now until whenever I get sick of doing it, I'll be picking one comment from the entire last week of blogs. The winner will receive recognition on the Comment of the Week page (coming soon), along with a blog like this announcing his/her victory.
The best part? Free shit!
Each winner will receive a free BS.com item from the BS.com eStore, which will be making its debut in the near future. (Until then, I'll be giving out IOU's.) The item will be chosen by me, but if you're lucky I'll let you pick. (Hey - this could get expensive!)
What am I looking for? Humor, intelligence, and something that all around would make me want to trust my site in your hands. Be it a valid point or a hilarious punchline, do your best and you could be the next BS.com winner!
So - start commenting and let the winning begin!
This week's winner was made in response to an "American Women" dropping her lawsuit against Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson for their Super Bowl stunt.
You can find the blog post here. Click on the graphic to see the winning comment in a new window.
Congrats to AznDan for being our first winner - and good luck to everyone else!
It's Wednesday!
Hey -- I never said when Wednesday, I just said "Wednesday."
If you're an early riser then go back to bed; the ever-so-exciting news will be up by 1 p.m. EST!
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Hey-Ya!
Polaroid Warns Film Users Not to 'Shake It'
Outkast fans like to "shake it like a Polaroid picture," but the instant camera maker is warning consumers that taking the advice of the hip-hop stars could ruin your snapshots.However, the company currently has no policy against not meeting one's mamma and/or making one "come-eh."
Monday, February 16, 2004
Everybody's Gay In San Fran! (Happy, I Mean...)
CNN.com - Day 5 of same-sex marriages under way
SAN FRANCISCO, California -- For the fifth consecutive day, scores of gay and lesbian couples lined up at San Francisco City Hall on Monday to tie the knot as a court challenge looms to try to stop the same-sex marriages.The success of the legalized gay marriages has sparked a "Buy One, Get One Free" sale on all licenses, which is expected to increase court cost revenue three-fold and allow for further changes in couple's lifestyles.
Four hundred sixty-nine couples were joined in matrimony Sunday, bringing the total to more than 1,600 since Thursday. Another 400 ceremonies are expected to take place Monday.
Duh.
ALASKA.com | Feature: Airlines change fares and rules frequently:
Wow - who would have thought of doing such an obvious report?
Oh -- that's right, Alaska.
Journalists Don't Let Journalists Drive Drunk
IDS: IDS editor in chief arrested for driving while intoxicated (Campus, 02/16/2004):
Indiana Daily Student Editor in Chief Adam VanOsdol was arrested early Saturday morning on charges of driving while intoxicated.I'll hand it to the IDS (mainly because I know they amount to a good chunk of my readership) -- this was a job well done as far as handling goes. The article was well-written, and it was even placed on their front page today...although it was buried fairly well on the web site.
VanOsdol, 20, was booked into Monroe County Jail at 1:03 a.m. with bond set at $500 surety and $500 cash. He said he was initially pulled over for not having his headlights on.
Regardless - it's good to see some ethics still in place, even when a media organization's top leader is in a bit of trouble.
I'd just love to know where he was coming from...
:-D
You Get What You Buy
EBAYERS FACE BIDDER DISAPPOINTMENT WITH COP-UNION CARDS
"Get out of jail free" cards may work in Monopoly - but don't expect the police-union wallet cards being offered on eBay to do the trick in real life.Now frankly: If you're stupid enough to buy this card, you deserve the embarrassment that comes along from trying to use it.
Cause and Effect
Honolulu Star-Bulletin Hawaii News: Genealogists call
Bush and Kerry kin
Democratic presidential candidates are constantly being compared with the current commander in chief. Now, two Hawaii genealogy buffs say they have proof President Bush and the current Democratic front-runner share similarities thicker than water.Does that mean he likes bombing shit, too?
Bruce and Kristine Harrison, publishers of historical databases, traced back the family histories of Bush and Democratic Sen. John Kerry.
The result? They're cousins.
Well, 16th cousins, three times removed, to be exact. But cousins, nonetheless.
[Props to Ryan Miller for the find.]
Ooo! Another Sneaky Marketing Tactic!
Wednesday...
Be here.
Sunday, February 15, 2004
What is the World Coming To?
Lookie me: I have a follower. :)
My buddy Marc has decided to take Ball State's webcam network to a new level... by adding another one. His interface is a hell of a lot more appealing than StudCam, but I maintain that my nuts and bolts version does just find for its purpose.
That, and all my spare time goes to the baby you're looking at right now.
Regardless, check it out: Welcome to the UNstudCAM
CBS Tells 'The Man' to F-off
CBS Pulls Advertisement on Medicare Prepared by Administration
CBS said on Friday that it had stopped running a television advertisement for the new Medicare prescription drug law while Congress investigates its accuracy.How convenient! The FCC goes after CBS, and CBS stops airing Government advertising!
Why Government and Religion Don't Mix...
Man Fined $10,000 for Going to Church
Richard Albert, 52, said the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection recently notified him that he faces two $5,000 fines for twice crossing from Quebec into Maine on a Sunday when the local border crossing station is closed.Damn Government, trying to tax EVERYTHING in some odd way.
Love Your Cracker
CNN.com - New scholarship created for whites only
BRISTOL, Rhode Island (AP) -- A student group at Roger Williams University is offering a new scholarship for which only white students are eligible, a move they say is designed to protest affirmative action.Wow - how interesting! I wonder who this student group is?
Jason Mattera, 20, who is president of the College Republicans, said the group is parodying minority scholarships.He has a point -- in some cases.
"We think that if you want to treat someone according to character and how well they achieve academically, then skin color shouldn't really be an option," he said. "Many people think that coming from a white background you're automatically privileged, you're automatically rich and your parents pay full tuition. That's just not the case."
In actuality, the white parents pay only half of the full tuition because they happen to know people within the school.
Roof Falls on Crowded Water Park
Roof Falls on Crowded Water Park
The massive concrete roof of Transvaal Park indoor water complex in southwestern Moscow collapsed Saturday evening, killing at least 25 people and injuring more than 100.Yes, creeps: they've got a picture.
For those of you who didn't know, Cedar Point happens to be in the midst of building a $22 million park called Castaway Bay, set to open this November.
Looks like Cedar Fair (CP's owner), finally got smart about making the amusement business a year-round venture...
VOTE NOW
As A Reminder...
This is my public blog -- so I reserve the right to bitch about anything, anytime, for any reason and to the extent of my choosing.
So - fuck off.
<3 Dave
However - I do appreciate you guys IMing me or Commenting with your feedback, it's awesome -- so keep it up. I'll only get better for you if you keep letting me know what you like.
Feel free to use the contact page to send me an email or IM me if you know my SN.
Rock on and keep reading!
©2003-2007 David Studinski/Bewildered Society, unless otherwise noted.