“The Redistricting Game” and a few minor round-up items.

No, not metaphorical … this time it’s literal, via Slashdot:

An anonymous reader writes
“This is a cool redistricting game that was launched out of the capitol building in Washington DC last week. It was created by the USC Game Innovation Lab and has been getting lots of press. It’s about time someone took on a tough issue like redistricting reform using the power of the internet.”
It’s crazy that gerrymandering is actually good fodder for a video game.

Worth checking out.

Also of note, lately:
1) Not much here, sorry.
2) I’m starting a class.
3) I’m not traveling anywhere soon, except back east for a family friend’s wedding. Bummer.
4) Today’s big news story seems to have been Mayor Bloomberg leaving the Republican party. Does anyone else think he and Lieberman deserve each other?

An “Arnold Republican” = a “Gore Democrat”???

I don’t buy this rehabilitation of the Governator, but via DailyKos we get this quote from Meet The Press

MR. RUSSERT: What’s an Arnold Republican?

GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER: Well, it’s basically being fiscally conservative, being socially moderate and you know, being environmentally progressive

Which is pretty much where I see Gore. Not that he seems to be running in 2008 any more than Schwarzenegger can, but… *lol* …let’s face it, while I *am* a Gore fan it’s for gravitas that’s otherwise lacking in the Democratic field, and for his single-issue leadership on environmental issues.

It would be great to see someone with a more broadly progressive line, and the chops to be a president. Heck, it would be great to see one of the more experienced 2008 contenders take a strong progressive line on a single issue.

Woof? or Baaaa? or time to check Snopes?

Dog-sheep swap scam or sham?

By staff writers
April 27, 2007 12:30pm

Sheep sold as poodles in scam, report claims
Couple alarmed to learn their dog had hooves
Killjoy bloggers say yarn is just an urban myth

THOUSANDS of Japanese pet owners were swindled into buying half-price “poodles” that were actually sheep, it was reported today.

It wasn’t until a film star appeared on a talk-show program and wondered why her new poodle wouldn’t bark that the swindle was uncovered, the story said.

Morons of DRM

iPod, iTunes Cited in Cease and Desist For Apple

Accordingly, MRT has filed Cease and Desist letters against Apple, Microsoft, Adobe and Real to stop production or sale of products that infringe on the DMCA.

MRT’s X1 SeCure Recording Control has proven effective against stream ripping, the company said in a statement, and these companies have been “actively avoiding the use of MRT’s technologies.”

“Buy our technology or we’ll sue you.” Bunch of right wankers!

Worst recipe ever

At lunch today, we were discussing food items abd I came up with an outline for what is to my own taste the grossest recipe ever, and yet something that many people would happily eat. As such, without further ado:
Shellfish salad (mayonaise-based) with eggplant and mushroom

If you really want to gross me out, somehow add organ meats to it but it’s hard to imagine anyone eating it then.

`Illegal drugs can be “harmless” and should no longer be “demonised”‘

British report: Drugs may not be all that bad.
In other news: Pinochet and Franco are still dead.

Illegal drugs can be harmless, report says

Thursday March 8, 2007
Illegal drugs can be “harmless” and should no longer be “demonised”, a wide-ranging two-year study concluded today.

The report said Britain’s drug laws were “not fit for purpose” and should be torn up in favour of a system which recognised that drinking and smoking could cause more harm.

(To make my own opinion perfectly clear: I am in favor of decriminalization of most drugs. Go Britain!)

Photo of the day: Ducks.

The ducks, March 2007
(click for full size)

The ducks were being frisky recently when Marie fed them, and I got a few photos. The one in the middle with the darker color and the white neck we’ve nicknamed “runty” as Marie thought he was skinny. I dunno about that, but he’s one of the few who are individually recognizable.

(PS, I’m not sure why the thumbnails are so small now!)

Old news, but too weird not to share.

Daddy’s Girl

Fisher Island millionaire Bruce McMahan loved his daughter so much, he married her.
Published: September 28, 2006

A secret sexual relationship with his daughter was not enough.

There had to be a wedding.

It gets worse from there. Much worse, and funny as hell (for us safely uninvolved 3rd parties.)