Ever since Hurricane Katrina proved to be an embarassment for the Bush administration - and every new hurricane becames an opportunity to remind everyone of this - Metafilter lets you see where the big Atlantic storms are, where they've been, and where they're projected to be.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 12:24 AM on September 5, 2008

is it that hurricane tracking tools are being developed specifically to embarrass the Bush Administration?

No, but the approach of every hurricane seems to be preceeded by a post about it on Metafilter. Gustav generated far more wind here in the blue than in New Orleans.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 4:38 AM on September 5, 2008

Children as young as 11 years have started saving towards higher education as they have been witness to older members reeling under the load of university debts.

They sold all their mortgage debt, all their creditcard debt, they rob half the country every two weeks skimming off the transfer of hard-earned cash into worthless 401ks, they failed to get their hands on all that social security money, and now the "wealth planners" are trolling... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 2:55 AM on September 5, 2008

In the summer of 1951, Russ and his wife took both tots to England, amid a gratifying fanfare of publicity, to swim the English Channel. Bubba was five and Kathy four. The British were horrified, and after debate in Commons, refused to countenance Russ's fondest dream. Russ took the kids to France, but the French turned him down, too. Eventually Russ gave up and brought them home.

Quitter.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 1:49 AM on September 5, 2008

The travel bug must be something Palin picked up later in his life. His "Monty Python diaries" contain nothing even remotely travelogue-ish so it seems that one might say: Palin was not at all an obvious choice for the position.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 2:02 PM on September 4, 2008

And let me guess the next installment.

Scar Wars II: The Epidermis Strikes Back.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 11:57 AM on September 4, 2008

We told Schulz, 'Look, you can't read from the Bible on network television,' " Mendelson says. "When we finished the show and watched it, Melendez and I looked at each other and I said, 'We've ruined Charlie Brown.'"
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 4:40 AM on September 4, 2008

Ville Platte is just up the road, and is known as a regional center of knuckleheadedness, but there is no way in hell anybody there is exchanging shots with the National Guard. It's not Somalia.

I used to know a girl who did her residency at Grady Memorial in Atlanta and moved to NO to do her surgical fellowship. This is in the early 1990s. After six months, she's back in Atlanta on a visit looking a bit shellshocked. "So how's it been?" I... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 12:57 AM on September 4, 2008

The Netherlands, nearly two-thirds of which lies below sea level, must spend up to 1.5 billion euros (2.1 billion dollars) per year over the next century on additional safety measures.

Really? The problem in The Netherlands is not keeping the seas out, it's getting rid of the water that comes in.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 1:37 PM on September 3, 2008

Is there a list of the movies that pass the Test?

Here. I just forced myself to sit through Dark Knight and I don't seem to remember too much not-about-a-man female to female dialogue.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 6:06 AM on September 3, 2008

Detective Ramirez calls Jim Gordon's wife and they have a brief conversation about the Gordon family's safety. Ramirez is however under gun point, so one might say she's only relaying a man's words and it's not actually a conversation between two women.

I thought so. The Dark Knight Fails.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 6:20 AM on September 3, 2008

It makes audiences (and, one might like to think, filmmakers) more aware of the role of women in film.

Or the lack of roles. The fact that the list of movies which pass this test - even when generously applied - is so short is disturbing.

From the link I provided above: You see, the reason the Bechdel criteria are spot-on is that having conversation between women about things other than their romantic relationships... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 6:40 AM on September 3, 2008

For people saying they treat this more as something to think about but not a strict pass-or-fail test, I guess that's closer to something I can get behind. But I'm still very uncomfortable with it.

The test is strict pass or fail. This is the entire point. Not all movies that fail are bad. Not all movies that pass are good. That there are so few movies good or bad that pass is what is interesting.

Even two female characters... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 7:17 AM on September 3, 2008

I dunno, I'm of the opinion that most male writers already have blinders on our heads; the main benefit of this "Test" is that it's helping us notice them.

According to the Charlie Stross link provided above, it's helping some male writers notice it in themselves as well:

PS: From now on I intend to start applying this test to my fiction before I embarrass myself in public.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 7:57 AM on September 3, 2008

According to the Charlie Stross link provided above, it's helping some male writers notice it in themselves as well:

Sorry Greg Nog. That is what you said. I misread your post.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 7:59 AM on September 3, 2008

A Williamsburg artist who sought to export his American right of free expression to China, and was abused by the tyrants of Tiananmen Square for his trouble, is back in Brooklyn.

That particular export is generally shipped along with bombloads of encouragement. What the hell was this guy thinking? What did he think would happen?

I started to realize that I’m really good at being a douche-baggy art star,... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 7:22 AM on September 3, 2008

my initial reaction was that he was simply an inbred fuckmop steakhead for whom I'd gladly ignore. Upon reading the story of his SUV killing of another person, I started to feel sorry for him.

Upon reading the story of his SUV killing of another person, my reaction was that he was simply an inbred fuckmop steakhead.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 1:54 AM on September 3, 2008

Interestingly, Newman says this part of evolutionary history turns the Darwinian theory upside down in the sense that natural selection is not central.

If I understand what he's saying, Newman argues that individual cells, when grouped with other cells, have a built-in tendency to form certain patterns. These patterns (such as the arms and legs of many species having one proximal and two distal bones) appear pre-determined rather than the result of... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 12:41 AM on September 2, 2008

Just because it's prima facie compelling doesn't mean it isn't complete bullshit.

Non-random selection is more or less central to the science of evolutionary. It is the opposite of chance. I'll admit that this is not fact, but it is as much "bullshit" as any other long-held, intensely researched scientific theory is.

Newman's theory doesn't contradict natural selection, he just extends the idea a bit to say that if... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 1:16 AM on September 2, 2008

using it's browser marketshare to marginalize the search engine

Or maybe Microsoft are using their browser marketshare to give more people the option of hiding from the unwelcome, prying eyes of Google and saving me from being profiled for adwords and who knows what else.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 1:54 PM on September 1, 2008

Microsoft is also spying on you and using your user info/search history as a means of making money off you, and have done for more than a decade.

And? What does this have to do with Google?
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 2:55 PM on September 1, 2008

Clockwork Orgy is nowhere near as pornographic as Kubrik's original.

I've never heard "Singing in the Rain" in quite the same way since seeing it.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 8:06 AM on September 1, 2008

I know imitation is said to be the highest form of flattery, but isn't this just another way to have Al Jolson sing Rip van Winkle? I mean doing Holmes and Watson in black face and having them shuck and jive would have been straight up racist... how is putting some bling on them and having them shuck and jive any different?
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 1:48 AM on September 1, 2008

Comically rapping about white culture isn't racist. Al Jolson singing Mammy isn't racist. It's the racist imitation that's racist.

Ali G this is not. This is two white guys saying "Hey wouldn't it be funny to have Holmes (Get it? Holmes?) and Watson act like black rappers, wear bling, bust some moves, and say wassup? Just like they was from the 'hood." And then they put the clip up for everyone to laugh at.

I don't see the flattery in... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 3:00 AM on September 1, 2008

Pretending to be from an improbable sect of society is okay, as it's just a mockery of cultural segregation.

Thanks for inserting a little depth Ambrosia Voyeur. I guess there's a fine line between the mockery of cultural segregation (Ali G) and just making fun. I think this is sort of racist unfunny, but it seems I'm in the minority.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 6:42 AM on September 1, 2008

How Bush Destroyed the Republican Party

LIke Bush could have done this on his own.

The only decision Bush made on his own? Harriet Myers. (And now we see McBush making his own Harriet Myers selection in Frau Palin.)

Getting rid of Bush accomplishes nothing. Getting rid of the Republicans is everything.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 10:29 PM on August 31, 2008

It's exactly that kind of oversimplified, black and white thought that we need to save America! Blue good! Red bad!

It's exactly this kind of putting words in one's mouth - that anyone who criticises Republicans supports Democrats - that we need to save America.

For eight years, everytime I say something negative about Mr. Bush to my dwindling number of Republican friends, I have had to endure the clever comeback of "but... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 12:52 AM on September 1, 2008

The problem the Republicans now face is that their party mostly no longer represents them. Most Republicans are not in favour of what Bush has done. They recognize that this Administration has been a series of disasters for the country.

NO THEY DO NOT five fresh fish. This is the point. The rank and file Republicans are not happy with Herr Bush, but they still blame the Democrats for everything. The disasters are all Clinton's fault. The only problem... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 1:10 AM on September 1, 2008

They aren't quite that dumb. They blame it all on the Bush administration, Bush had the right idea but he inexplicably selected a group of incompetents to implement it.

Yes, they are that dumb. These are the people who voted for Bush. Twice.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 1:59 AM on September 1, 2008

Another way to put that would be that the siloviki in Moscow can get away with a lot more crap in the outlying regions, whether directly or through the local leadership. This kind of thing is an old story, actually

Ingushetia's leader, Murat Zyazikov, is former KGB/FSB so it is the same old story.

But still, Russia's southern borders are a mess. Americans who complain about sharing a border with peaceful, friendly Mexico... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 1:52 PM on August 31, 2008

Police presence is very high -- I've only experienced this level of constant, visible police presence in Los Angeles after the riots and in New York just post 9/11.

But doesn't the RNC pick up the tab for OT? If I'm the local union rep, I'd be making sure my cops were working 24/7 and getting as much of that coin as possible.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 1:20 PM on August 31, 2008

Now I am wondering what the Indians did or did not do that could have mitigated or avoided this. It is unlikely that the blame can entirely be laid at the feet of profit seeking colonialists, though there is little doubt they were scumbags.

Don't mention the war.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 10:25 PM on August 30, 2008

Late August. U.S. Gulf Coast. Hurricanes.

What's the news here?
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 3:10 PM on August 30, 2008

Wouldn't it be more in the spirit of the game to inject the umpires with steriods and improve their eyesight?
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 10:44 PM on August 26, 2008

Sure, but we're not talking balls and strikes, fair or foul, or anything like that. This is about getting home run calls right. It happens only a handful of times per year, but why not get them right?

Billy Martin didn't need no instant replay to protest a bad call.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 2:32 AM on August 27, 2008

While there are reasonable arguments to be made about how far along we are with respect to the current financial crisis, there is every reason to believe that the distress in the real economy is only very partially advanced.

As the distress advances, it will hopefully be harder and harder for working class Republicans to be distracted by abortion, guns, gay marriage, and foreign wars. Obama's support will only broaden as empty stomachs cause people to... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 10:37 PM on August 26, 2008

Obama said in a 2002 speech to the Chicago terrorist mafia that he will raise your taxes using Muslim accounting practices, kill and devour your unborn children, and dance on their graves with Paris Hilton.

And still this would be an improvement over the last 7 1/2 years.

Presumably lowering your tax burden, increasing your wages, giving you more time off, and making more affordable housing available is your personal... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 12:53 AM on August 27, 2008

Every time I see Richard Dawkins in a headline, I miss Steven Jay Gould a little more.

I'll second that motion.

"Objectivity cannot be equated with mental blankness; rather, objectivity resides in recognizing your preferences and then subjecting them to especially harsh scrutiny — and also in a willingness to revise or abandon your theories when the tests fail (as they usually do)." — Stephen Jay... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 12:41 AM on August 27, 2008

Overreach and hard economic times will solve the problem of too many franchises. That's what happened to the Romans, the Ottomans, the Hapsburgs, the Soviets, and Starbucks.

Mother Jones doesn't help their agument by including 1-100 and 101-1000 as a military presence; it is interesting enough just showing where the legions are garrisoned.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 2:00 PM on August 26, 2008

Breast milk. Loved it as an infant, tastes disgustingly sweet as an adult. The bottle it comes in is still nice however.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 11:16 AM on August 26, 2008

Thanks for this.

Is it me, or is it Byrne who is now starting to sound more like Belew?
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 1:33 AM on August 26, 2008

Belew's vocals arle known for their distinct, sometimes manic feel - his singing voice is often compared to that of Talking Heads singer David Byrne.

Yes but the point is that Adian Belew has always been compared to David Byrne who is a better singer. Now that David is getting older and losing some of his range it's not clear who should be compared to whom.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 6:30 AM on August 26, 2008

I don't have a TV, I don't watch TV, so I don't know who this woman is but

Rat Says: She is a monster(Fox host) that loves illegal neocon wars based on lies.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 2:54 AM on August 26, 2008

Although some argue a sovereign default by the United States would not be the end of the world

Not the end of the world, but the end of the banking system. When the fraudsters stop cheating us and start cheating each other the game's over.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 2:45 AM on August 26, 2008

“He’s never hurt any one,” Vidro said. “He’s on target all the time. How can you punish a kid for being too good?”

Before you put your 9 year old in front of a someone who can throw a 40MPH fastball, try to throw one yourself. Most adult males can barely throw a baseball this fast. Would you throw a hardball at your kid as hard as you could? I wouldn't and I've got pretty good control... until I try to throw that slider. I never know where that pitch is going to go.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 10:21 PM on August 25, 2008

I can't imagine a kid being disqualified from football for being too fast or strong or large, or soccer for kicking the ball too far... christ.

Football is a contact sport. When I was a kid, they divided us up into lightweight and heavyweight. Soccer isn't a contact sport. Big kids have no advantage.

Baseball is also not a contact sport, but if you've ever been plunked with that hardball by that big kid with the wild fastball it's kinda hard to see that.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 1:26 AM on August 26, 2008

Actor or alcoholic?

It is a pity that the drinker must continually defend himself against the charges of alcoholism.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 5:29 AM on August 25, 2008

Yeah, for the life of me, I can't understand why they got on Reed's case for his drinking. For instance, on the night he died he only had 12 double rums and a half bottle of whiskey. Seems like a normal drinker to me.

Any drunk worthy of the name would have finished the bottle of whiskey. A drinker knows when he's had enough - even if by mortal standards enough is a lot.
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 8:27 AM on August 25, 2008

Finnish tourists (Men, late teens to mid 30s usually) do exactly the same abroad.

What? Binge drinking on holiday? Who doesn't? Is there another reason to go on holiday?

But slimepuppy, one does not have to spenid too many vacation evenings on the Costa del Sol, or Mallorca, or Crete to see that the British lads and "ladettes" are in a class by themselves. Finns and Scandinavians get pissed ("drunker than ten... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 1:15 PM on August 24, 2008

Essentially, Brits are forced to work pretty hard for long hours, due to being less left-leaning than the likes of the French etc

*Laughs out loud*

Obviously, you have not studied these species in the wild. Wellington's bunch of rabble were not the result of politics. The Islander has a native aggression, raw courage, and physical toughness unknown on the continent. I spend alot of time in bars, seen a lot of fights, been in my... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by three blind mice at 1:35 PM on August 24, 2008