Google Services Conflict with Privacy Rights Outside the U.S.

Of course, thanks to the U.S. "Patriot Act," we in the U.S. have allowed many of our own privacy rights to be eliminated.

But other countries still care about theirs and are nixing companies' use of Google services based on the fact that Google's servers can legally be spied upon by the U.S. gummint. More here and here.

We should not assume the chickens are safe while the only check on the foxes is their need to strike a deal among themselves.

More than Half of the World's Largest Economies Are Corps., Not Countries

Based on a report for the Institute for Policy Studies, for example, General Motors, Wal-Mart, Exxon, and Ford are bigger than Poland, Saudi Arabia, Finland, or Venezuela.

Who needs allies; easier to deal with corps., which are often much less answerable to their supposed constituents.

Catholic Schoolgirls Against the War

" . . . disrupted an Easter Mass on Sunday, shouting and squirting fake blood on themselves and parishioners in a packed auditorium." Ok, they're not actually schoolgirls; that's just what the activists call themselves.

"Speaking after the service, [Cardinal] George said, 'We should all work for peace, but not by interrupting the worship of God.'" (More here.)

I was under the impression that actions such as working for peace actually are the worship of god (as opposed to, e.g., mere words unaccompanied by actions)? (Assuming the sermon interrupted did even actually address any of the great evils of our times?)

Guess Cardinal George's god isn't as evolved as mine? -- scary, 'cause I don't even have one.

One attendee complained about the possible effect on children present. I concur; but I'd like to know what he's done about the deaths of over a million Iraqis, likely including at least tens of thousands of Iraqi children.

Heart Fountain

By Billy Chasen. It'd've been even better at the 2004 RNC.

"Terminal Air" by Trevor Paglen and IAA

Just checked to see if one of my favorite projects is still online; if you haven't seen it, go here and click on the Flight Viewer; and if you have time, check out the other options, such as their "travel agency." Rather long loading times for some items, but worth the wait.

As you know, since the mid-90’s, the CIA has operated an "extraordinary rendition" program in which terrorist suspects captured in Western nations are transported to secret locations for torture and interrogation. The program is carried out largely using leased equipment and private contractors. These private charter planes often use civilian airports for refueling, making their movements visible to anyone who knows which tail numbers to look for. Activists have tracked many of these flights; but since the program has thus far remained beyond the reach of U.S. and international law, we're left to speculate whether any particular plane is currently carrying human cargo en route to being tortured in a CIA “dark prison."

Terminal Air was developed through a partnership between Trevor Paglen and the Institute for Applied Autonomy, source of Graffitiwriter and other great projects.

Where We'd Be Without War

That's a lot of cute shoes, not to mention starving children.

Exposure to Apple Logo May Induce Greater Creativity

A recent study shows, “subliminal brand exposures can cause people to act in very specific ways,” said Gráinne Fitzsimons. . . . [Even] imperceptible exposure is enough to spark changes in behavior."

For better or worse.

"People who were exposed to the Apple logo generated significantly more unusual uses for the [test object] compared with those who were primed with the IBM logo, the researchers said. In addition, the unusual uses the Apple-primed participants generated were rated as more creative by independent judges."

One of the more surreal things I've seen lately.

I actually found it somewhat painful; but that Lone Star flag . . . .