Religious Freedom: Important (Unless, well...)

Religious freedom. It's important. Our president says so.

"Freedom is on the march in this world. I believe everybody in the Middle East desires to live in freedom. I believe women in the Middle East want to live in a free society. I believe mothers and fathers want to raise their children in a free and peaceful world. I believe all these things, because freedom is not America's gift to the world, freedom is the almighty God's gift to each man and woman in this world."
--Speech in Pennsylvania, October 22, 2004

He has a lot to say about religion and how valuable it is to everyone around the world. He meets with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. He has used the authority vested in him by the Constitution and laws of the United States to proclaim Religious Freedom Day each January he has been president:

• Religious Freedom Day, 2005
• Religious Freedom Day, 2004
• Religious Freedom Day, 2003
• President Proclaims Religious Freedom Day, 2002

So, why is it that the United States (the government of which is presided over by one George W. Bush) has waived the sanctions on Saudi Arabia for restricting religious freedom? Oh. Right.

Oil. Money.

Money. Oil.

Same thing.

Why should we expect religious freedom (well, I guess we don't now) in Saudi Arabia when women are prohibited from voting, citizens aren't afforded freedom of speech, and people are regularly tried in secret court proceedings. But, just ask Mr. Bush (either/both of them) what great friends and allies of America the Saudis are. He can tell you.

Mr. Freeze

I was channel surfing earlier today and ran across Batman and Robin on some cable movie station. As you may recall, Arnold Schwarzenegnegnazerager played Mr. Freeze.

This week Arnold Schwa... whatever played the same role again. Sadly, it was in real life as governor of California as he chose to freeze civil, government-recognized marriage as a special right available only to heterosexuals. He is on the wrong side of history, and one day future citizens of California will look upon him in shame the same as we do today at the segregationist governors from only a few short decades ago. Arnold should stick to movies where he can't do any real damage.

Assemblymember Mark Leno spoke at a rally at Castro and Market this afternoon.

Mr. Freeze has struck Batman and Robin once again. Now they can't get married in California either.

Please Drive Safely

We made it back safely from our trip to Las Vegas. Sadly, other vacationers were not so fortunate.

Car Hits Pedestrians, Kills 1 in Las Vegas

from ABC News / AP

We almost missed our return flight due to the traffic jam. The Strip was closed in both directions.

A Penny Gambled...

David likes to play the penny machines!

Hot Times in Las Vegas

Took this out our hotel window on day one of our quick getaway.

Can things get any hotter this!?

TiVo: On the Way Out

Looks like TiVo is updating their software to enable yet more restrictions on recorded programs.

Over the years TiVo has slowly screwed itself by screwing its [very loyal] customer base. I used to be a bit saddened at the idea that TiVo may go under. Not now. They deserve it. If^H^H When they go under it will be their own fault. The management has compromised TiVo's own ideals in efforts to appease the entertainment industry.

Remember when TiVo used to be about tv "your way"? Soon it will be tv your way except when someone else decides otherwise. Hollywood executives could reach into your TiVo and delete things for you or otherwise disable features. Hell, they could effectively disable TiVo completely!

And TiVo obviously doesn't want to be bothered with any questions about all this.

Have you tried to get in touch with their customer support anyway? Used to we could e-mail them and save everyone a lot of time. But, not now! They took that away even more quickly than they are the usefulness of your TiVo box. If you need them now be prepared to wait on hold for a long time 'cause you have to call them.

How could this happen? Simple. TiVo management is allowing it to. They're too afraid of Hollywood executives and their lawyers.

So what do the little red flags mean? They mean TiVo is on the way out.

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