Repeat a lie long enough, and people start to believe it.

Poll: 70% think Hussein, 9/11 linked

The Bush recovery continues

U.S. companies slash payrolls by 93,000 in August

Fun weekend

Andrea and I spent Labor Day weekend at the beach, on Catalina Island and in Westwood.

Direct boat service from Los Angeles (Marina Del Ray, actually) to the island only recently began, and it's already popular. It's strange that Los Angeles, the biggest city in the West, let alone Southern California, didn't have direct service until recently. Long Beach, Orange County and San Diego had it. But not L.A.

Catalina is a weird little tourist area. It's part of Los Angeles county, but for obvious geographical reasons, its own little world. I just wonder what living there would be like. And I wonder whether they have DSL there.

And in totally random news, a fly just landed in my halogen lamp, and I can smell it burning.

Bush: Industry To Get Boost

Bush: Industry To Get Boost

"President Bush announced steps to help bring jobs to the nation's hard-pressed manufacturing industry today, beginning with what administration officials said would be increased pressure on China to change currency policies that help Chinese firms undercut U.S. competitors."

That's funny; when Howard Dean said the exact same thing two weeks ago, the GOP wingnuts called it a sign that his extremist views would never get him elected.

New poll says Americans disapprove of federal Commandments order

I'd be curious to know whether all four out of five would be in favor of legally enforcing those same commandments, which include:

- Not taking God's name in vain (death sentence)
- Not committing adultery (death sentence)
- No working on the Sabbath (death sentence)
- Honoring one's parents (cursing them brings death sentence)
- Not coveting neighbor's possessions

Heck, the only ones that actually contribute to our legal system now are the prohibitions against murder, theft and perjury. And enforcing the last one could put a serious damper on the unrestrained capitalism conservatives are so fond of.

White House may speed request for more funding

What? You mean wars cost money? There goes that priceless little theory by Rush Limbaugh and company that Iraq's oil would make this a self-funded war. Oops.

Fair and Balanced

In case you're wondering why I changed the site's tag line, it's a temporary, anti-Fox News move in response to their silly little lawsuit.

And stamps -- he wants lots of stamps.

Unabomber asks government to return bomb, books

Oh, and how could I forget...

Schwarzenegger to Davis: Hasta la vista, baby!

Yahoo! News - Schwarzenegger in Surprise Calif. Recall Race Bid

Yahoo! News - Schwarzenegger in Surprise Calif. Recall Race Bid: "Action film star Arnold Schwarzenegger defied predictions, stunned California and frightened Democrats on Wednesday when he announced he would run for governor in a bid to terminate Governor Gray Davis's political career. "

Ahem.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Auditions For New Role -- 'Governator'

Ah yes

Arnold's gift to headline writers

Schwarzenegger Announces Calif. Gov. Bid

Let's see:

"Davis' total recall"
"Arnold to play the Governator"
"Davis Terminated?"
"Arnold confirms he's The Running Man"
"Davis' Judgement Day"

and that's just off the top of my head.

At any rate, I think Davis might be in trouble.

While we were attacking Iraq...

Iran Closes In on Ability to Build a Nuclear Bomb

Purported al-Qaida message warns U.S. on detainees

Here's why it's hard to take threats like this too seriously: they're already "at war" with us and, presumably, trying their best to attack us again. There's no such thing as going after us "110%."

Never mind

Flip-flop on air marshal schedules

Pennywise and pound foolish

Air marshals pulled from key flights

"The decision to drop coverage on flights that many experts consider to be at the highest risk of attack apparently stems from a policy decision to rework schedules so that air marshals don’t have to incur the expense of staying overnight in hotels."

Discovering Gold

I spent the day going to and strolling Pasadena, courtesy of the new Gold Line extention of the light rail system. They were giving everyone free rides and having mini-celebrations at each stop. Much to my amazment, the trains were standing-room only, each stop was packed and the guy said the wait to get on was three hours earlier in the day. I thought only I was geeky enough to be curious about a mass transit system.

I also used a Border's gift certificate I got for my birthday to buy three Brazilian music CDs, two of which turned out to be pretty cool compilations.

TV images of sons shock many Arabs

Are they kidding? Dead bodies are to Arab TV what freeway car chases are to Los Angeles TV.

Yes, I'll definitely wait until Fall to visit

Phoenix: where candles melt indoors

The crappiest place on Earth?

According to this Disnleyland news site, they're basically shutting down Tomorrowland.