Fashion and drugs

Great article discussing drug use in fashion. Naturally, Kate Moss is featured front and center both as a long-term representative for the fashion world, as well as a recent representative for drug use in fashion. To yell hypocrisy is superfluous in a world mired with it.

Anyways... back to the article. It's got everything from handy fashion tips
""Do I smell Chanel?" is backstage code for "Got coke?""

and entirely new job desriptions
"There are designers who keep "muses" with good drug connections on salary."

to fascinating observations
"models are not meant to be much more than beautiful but neutral screens on which to project the allure of a new eyeliner or a bar of soap"

"He Harms/She Harms: A Distinction With Real Difference"

A fascinating study on how humans perceive pain.

"What he discovered was that both men and women were willing to take more pain from a woman than from a man"

"'Light' Smoking Takes Heavy Toll on Health"

OK, thanks for telling me. *reaches for cigarette* Now, run along and make sure everyone else knows as well.

Conspiracy theorists - have a ball!

Reportedly there is a Pentagon employee who was ordered in 1999 to destroy a large volume of documents identifying Mohamed Atta as a terrorist. He is now coming forth to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee and identify the person who ordered them destroyed. Interestingly enough the 9/11 Commission dismissed these assertions and an ex-commissioner stated: "Bluntly, it just didn't happen and that's the conclusion of all 10 of us." Perhaps even more interestingly two military officers (one Army and one Navy) have stepped up to support the claim about destroyed documents. If he lives to testify (I'm not big into conspiracy theories, but also realize that there are things we just don't know about and people will go far to protect their perception of National Security) this could be a fascinating one!

Edit: Turns out this has been brewing since August. Here are some additional articles.

CNN - August 17th, 2005
Officer: 9/11 panel didn't receive key information
Fox News - August 17th, 2005
Third Source Backs 'Able Danger' Claims About Atta
Wikipedia
Able Danger

Yup, pretty much sums it up...

Flood impact on US perception around the world

"Any country must balance what it allocates for guns and what for butter; the United States is no exception. Although we are wealthy enough to fund both, we are not wealthy enough to fund both to the extent we are now doing and to keep taxes as low as they are. Something will have to give."

Yup. I say the taxes. Within a few years.

Norway - a paradise on Earth?

Well, he forgot about the freezing cold weather and next to no sun throughout the year, but other than that the place does sound pretty awesome. Imagine a country where it didn't matter what you did as you could always make a good living. And with the wealth race out of the way camaraderie and leisure could be explored. Doesn't sound too bad. Not at all.

Are we really arguing about a name?

In the face of the terrible devastation brought on by Katrina is it possible that people have nothing better to do than squabble over what to call all those people who got stranded as a result?!

""It is racist to call American citizens refugees," the Rev. Jesse Jackson said, visiting the Houston Astrodome on Monday. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus have expressed similar sentiments."

Seriously now! So, is it racist just because they are American citizens? That is a preposterous and shameful! Maybe we should just say that slavery was OK because they weren't American citizens! Ah, THE NERVE!!


"Others have countered that the terms "evacuees" or even "displaced" are too clinical and not sufficiently dramatic to convey the dire situation that confronts many of Katrina's survivors."

Now we're going to talk about euphemisms?! Where is Carlin when you need him?


"President Bush, who has spent days trying to deflect criticism that he responded sluggishly to the disaster, weighed in on Tuesday. "The people we're talking about are not refugees," he said. "They are Americans and they need the help and love and compassion of our fellow citizens.""

And refugees don't?!


The article goes on to talk about the actual definition of the word refugee according to which the name would be inappropriate. I just wish someone (for once) used the actual fucking dictionary and not just spew shit out their mouth.

Aid offers from around the world pour to US

It is news like this that fills my heart with joy and hope for humankind. Just scroll down the article to find a full list of countries offering aid, as well as a lot of details on who offered what. Here are a few commendable ones:

"CUBA: Cuban President Fidel Castro offered to fly 1,100 doctors to Houston with 26 tonnes of medicine to treat disaster victims.

VENEZUELA: President Hugo Chavez, a vocal critic of the United States, offered to send cheap fuel, humanitarian aid and relief workers to the disaster area."

A number of other countries from around the world offered significant specialist, logistical and monetary aid.

New Orleans evacuation under way

Well, it took them a while, but it looks like the machine is running now. I was touched by this quote.

"After a teenager was taken away by police for fighting, Capt. John Pallerre of the Texas Air Force National Guard told the crowd on public address: "We can't have people fighting. I have kids here who are crying and frightened and can't find their parents. Be adults. We're going to get you out of here. It takes a while. I'm not god. If I was, you'd all be home with your family.""

Now, that's leadership. Compare that with Bush's comment on the relief effort "the results are not acceptable." No shit, Oh Great One! You are our illustrious leader!

What Happens to Flooded Houses?

Or in other words New Orleans is screwed. With 80% of the city under water it might make more sense to relocate and abandon this perilous site. Though fat chance that'll happen. We'll rebuild and wait for the next one. They should at least move some dirt in to elevate the city. I mean seriously...