$100 billion on contractors in Iraq since 2003

The United States this year will have spent $100 billion on contractors in Iraq since the invasion in 2003, a milestone that reflects the Bush administration’s unprecedented level of dependence on private firms for help in the war, according to a government report to be released Tuesday.

Read more on the 100 billion Via NYTimes

That's a lot of taxpayer dollars being spent -- with virtually no supervision or controls on private firms to run the war. In fact one dollar in five is going to private contractors, a great many of whom are contributors to Bush's career and to Republican Party politicians. There are now more contractors in Iraq than there are U.S. troops.

Howie Klein via The Huffington Post

Fellow POW writes: Why I Will Not Vote for John McCain

Doctor Phillip Butler is a 1961 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a former light-attack carrier pilot. In 1965 he was shot down over North Vietnam where he spent eight years as a prisoner of war. He is a highly decorated combat veteran who was awarded two Silver Stars, two Legion of Merits, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Heart medals.

As some of you might know, John McCain is a long-time acquaintance of mine that goes way back to our time together at the U.S. Naval Academy and as Prisoners of War in Vietnam. He is a man I respect and admire in some ways. But there are a number of reasons why I will not vote for him for President of the United States.

People often ask if I was a Prisoner of War with John McCain. My answer is always "No - John McCain was a POW with me." The reason is I was there for 8 years and John got there 2 ½ years later, so he was a POW for 5 ½ years. And we have our own seniority system, based on time as a POW.

I furthermore believe that having been a POW is no special qualification for being President of the United States. The two jobs are not the same, and POW experience is not, in my opinion, something I would look for in a presidential candidate.

I can verify that John has an infamous reputation for being a hot head. He has a quick and explosive temper that many have experienced first hand. Folks, quite honestly that is not the finger I want next to that red button.

Read the entire essay Why I Will Not Vote for John McCain on Millitary.Com

List of things John McCain was for, before he was against them

List of so called "maverick" John McCain's ever changing positions on everything he believes in. To bring himself more in line with Bush, McCain has flip flopped 74 times. The list includes fundamental changes in his positions on National Security Policy, Foreign Policy, Military Policy, Domestic Policy, Economic Policy, Energy Policy, Immigration Policy, Judicial Policy and the Rule of Law, Campaign, Ethics, and Lobbying Reform, Politics and Associations,

John McCain flip flops Via the Carpet Bagger

Who said it? Bush or Batman

30 Quotes, who said it? Bush or Batman


By Philadelphia improv sketch group secret pants

The Dark Knight - Kids Edition!

Worth it, after the crappy intro.

by wizarduniverse.com

Why is everything looking at me?

Visit the collection of everyday objects with faces.
Faces of earth

Exactitudes: You're unique, just like everybody else.

Rotterdam-based photographer Ari Versluis and stylist Ellie Uyttenbroek have worked together since October 1994. Inspired by a shared interest in the striking dress codes of various social groups, they have systematically documented numerous identities over the last 13 years.

They call their series Exactitudes: a contraction of exact and attitude. By registering their subjects in an identical framework, with similar poses and a strictly observed dress code, Versluis and Uyttenbroek provide an almost scientific, anthropological record of people's attempts to distinguish themselves from others by assuming a group identity.

There are 1000's more in this series. Take a look at exactitudes

Anti- Jefferson Ad 1800

A parody of a TV political attack ad, circa 1800, as the John Adams campaign smears Thomas Jefferson for being too French. From the PBS series "VOTE FOR ME: Politics in America"

Paris Hilton Responds to McCain Ad

Beijing provides 100,000 condoms for athletes

BEIJING (Reuters) - The Sydney Olympics ran out. Athens doubled the number. So organisers of the Beijing Games are hoping 100,000 condoms will satisfy the needs of Olympic athletes.
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While sex is not an Olympic sport it is expected to be an activity in the Beijing village housing 10,500 athletes, all of whom are in great shape and with plenty of free time on their hands once knocked out of the Games.

Athletes have received free condoms at every Olympics since Barcelona in 1992 to help raise awareness of AIDS, and Beijing is no exception.

"There are many young, strong, single people in the athletes' village and, like everywhere, some will fall in love or other things so we need to make condoms available," Ole Hansen, spokesman for UNAIDS China, told Reuters.

"A lot of these young people are not married or in relationships so we want to make sure they have the information and tools to protect themselves if they have sexual encounters."

Read more about Olympic condoms Via Yahoo News

i am neurotic.

People confess their neurosis anonymously, and then people comment on them, often confessing they sare the same problem.
Here's a few recent examples:
spitty lunch meat
If the clerk behind the deli counter at the grocery store speaks to me at all while my lunchmeat is on the scale, I have to go home and throw away the first two slices of meat from both sides of the package. The fear of spit from them talking to me landing on my lunchmeat is overwhelming, and the only way it is safe to eat is by removing the contaminated pieces. I have to remove from both ends because i am never sure which way they placed the meat into the little ziploc bag.

drink contamination
I cannot drink from an open mouth cup. There must always be a lid, cap, napkin, something over it when I am not drinking. The thought of dust or other disgusting microscopic particles falling into my drink makes me nauseous.

Go confess

Swan Lake - Great Chinese State Circus

Like you've never seen it before