Open Impressionist Paynters

Frankly, once again the impressionist Paynter has kicked my ass... so turn about is play fair... she sang the Christmas carols in our house... how lucky is that?

Open Turpitude

FCC: "We've Got Those Bare Buttocks Under Control!"

The FCC just fined ABC $1.43 million over buttocks and "small area of the side of one breast" shots in a more than five-year-old episode of the NYPD Blue television series. The time lag between the airing and this fine may help to explain the Commission's lack of attention to critical Internet issues -- staff has probably been hard at work on the Blue case, giving the matter frame-by-frame attention so that they couldn't be accused of falling down on the job.

I want to know who gets the $1.43 Million??? The FCC?!?!? For a five year old flash of buttocks and "small area of the side of one breast"?!?!?

The very thought of a travesty such as this is ... pornographic! FCC fine yourself!

Open Lexicon: add a new word!

The fellow over at Miscellanea 2.0 queried...

Why would Google hire MRC and Seth McFarlane to do fifty webisodes? And why is this obscure company, backed by major investors, so interested in web content? Could it be that Google is starting its own online TV station with its own original and high-quality content?

Emphasis mine!

Here is a word/concept that we will be hearing a great deal about in the very near future. Original content being made available on the web - as a primary outlet. This effectively resolves the "we-are-losing-money-from-unauthorized-sharing-on-the-Internet" arguments. When the content is 'designed' to be presented on the web _and_ the monetization of such work is not dependent on DRM then everybody is going to come out a winner.

Open [Political] Power

Hillary Clinton: Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, when he was able to get through Congress something that President Kennedy was hopeful to do, the president before had not even tried, but it took a president to get it done

Bill Moyers: There was nothing in that quote about race. It was an historical fact, an affirmation of the obvious....

Moyers was and is absolutely correct. There is nothing in that quote about race. It is all about power. Ms Clinton was speaking of the power of the office of President, to which she aspires, not the power, the real power, of a pacifist black pastor.

When Dr. King's achievements are debased by such a callus and uncaring perspective then the character of the speaker is drawn into serious question. This is just another attempt by the Democrat political machine to sway fickle American opinion.

Perhaps Ms Clinton should speak to the viability of a white female's ability to affect change in these United States of America's good-old-boy-person political environment. Obviously this is not a question of gender. This is a question of power.

Open [Free] Phones

TANSTAFL - There ain't no such thing as free lunch. There better be 'Free Phones' ...

When you add GPS to a cellular telephone then the phone "knows" exactly where the owner is. Very quickly the cellular provider will begin to correlate the amount of time that a phone stays in a specific location. Further analysis will show patterns of 'phone behavior' - Jane Average's phone visits Starbucks locations Monday thru Friday at roughly the same time, just before work.

By monitoring (NOT Recording) the visible light and the infrared light via the 'camera' that is built-in the phone will know to alter brightness appropriate to where the owner is. More over this information gives the phone a bit more knowledge about the owners behaviors.

• dark and cool = purse or backpack
• dark and warm = pocket

By monitoring ambient noise (NOT recording, just monitoring environmental noise) the phone can alter the volume of the ring tone to better suit the owners current environment. This same Ambient Noise Level (ANL) can be correlated to the owner's environment. Certainly cars, buses, trains offer baseline ANLs that can be determined. The ANL of a single speakers voice some distance from the phone might tell the phone to vibrate in church instead of RINGING.

If the phone knows where the owner is and what the owner is likely doing then the cellular provider can 'target' advertisements for the phone's location. While Jane Average is most likely headed towards her morning coffee fix her phone might try to convince her to try Dunkin' Donuts ... which is just around the next corner, on the right...and here is an instant coupon for a complimentary pastry to go with your coffee.

All this is fair-use information. By fair-use I mean that it could have been gained by alternative legal means. But, the only way that I would cooperate with such a scheme is if the communication service (getting to talk on the phone) was provided free of charge. If I don't like the 'Free Phone' with all its little niggling ads then I am always free to purchase 'private' communication services and devices at the current market value.

Open Misunderstanding

When I first heard this common misunderstanding I assumed that it was a local issue ... a perspective that I attributed to my geographical location... on "good authority" I heard that

Obama [is] a Muslim fundamentalist

I was just flabbergasted! When Barack Obama became a candidate I read his bio at http://barackobama.com

Barack Obama continues to speak out on the issues that will define America in the 21st century. But above all his accomplishments and experiences, he is most proud and grateful for his family. His wife, Michelle, and 2 daughters, Malia, 9, and Sasha, 6, live on Chicago's South Side where they attend Trinity United Church of Christ.

So when I heard Muslim I was _very_ surprised. Surprised until I thought about the possible origins of such misinformation.

Please, put dirty politics in their place... Not in the White House!

(Paid for by the committee to not re-elect the Presidents Clinton.)

Open Rationale

Humor me ... say the following out loud:

"The Presidents Clinton"

I believe from a governmental perspective that is the most frightening thing I have ever heard.

"The Presidents Clinton"

... nuff said!

Open Letter

Saudi Jeans

A Letter to Fouad: What I Know

Wednesday, January 9, 2008 · 17 Comments

Dear Fouad,

It has been a month since you were detained, and I miss you. It has been a rough month for the rest of us here, but it is certainly nothing compared to what you have had to go through and still do. They told us you were detained because you violated non-security regulations. Gibberish, to say the least, but that’s what we were told. I really don’t know what kind of law you violated by merely exercising your God given right of free speech, and I don’t know when calling for freedom, justice, peace and moderation has become a crime.

But here is what I know. I know that all these values you called for are worth fighting for. I know that we believe in a just cause, and that tomorrow belongs to us, not them. I know that no matter how long the darkness lasts, the sun will rise again. I want you to know one thing: I am here for you. I will keep supporting you and I will do my best until you are free again and back to your family and friends. You will not be forgotten.

Yours,
Ahmed

Open Doors

Sometimes you get so far away that you cannot make out the road signs ... so it just doesn't matter which way you go... you just go...

Jen & Eric's Home
吃．喝．玩．樂．生．活．點．滴．喜．怒．哀．樂

京都的葱都給拿來做生招牌，洋葱、九條葱、大葱......

這個牛肉煱係咪好壯觀？別以為放那麼多葱會喧賓奪主，只要......

看，肥相公專注的眼神、溫柔的食法，然後一言不發、一臉滿足、一生何求......睇嚟已經忘記咗眼前還有一個跟他渡緊蜜月的老婆﹗﹗﹗

我們畢竟是踏實的人，高潮過後，我們需要吃一些平實一點的東西，好讓我們亢奮的心情平復下來。這碟野菜天婦羅，當然不是平常吃到的茄子、蕃薯、蘿蔔等配搭，而是葱、葱、葱和葱，啊，幸好還有青椒和南瓜作配。飽嚐牛肉後吃蔬菜，好像中和一下，不那麼肥膩呢﹗

雖 然葱屋平吉以葱為主角，但他們的肉也做得很好，好像這些燒肉串，跟燒肉店相比，有過之而無不及。我有沒有誇張？讓我形容這燒肉串的下場吧﹗它們本來在我眼 尾範圍，明明白白地放在那裏，我又沒踫它們，但當我正眼一看，咦，少了一串嘅？轉頭再看，又少了一串？再看肥相公一眼，他又明明在吃牛肉和天婦羅喎，你地 話這些肉串係咪好食到比人食晒都唔知呢﹗

末了，我們還吃了一碗葱炒飯。這碗炒飯看來平平無奇，但在這個炒飯跟油浸飯無分別的世代，它企身、乾濕適中、毫不油膩，已經很了不起。（情況跟我們看見一個人安份守己、沒有「渣流灘」然後人人把他當作英雄差不多，這是否有點悲哀呢？）

Open Attire

In a previous post I displayed and linked to a parody cartoon depicting Hijabi Fashion on the Syrian Streets. In fairness I thought I would share this link...

Muslim woman: Energetic, happy and faithful

But Islam as the latest divine religion and vanguard of all the philosophical and theological schools in the world looks at the issue of women dressing and Hijab with an open mind and liberal viewpoint.

The slight limitations and restrictions are also booked in order to protect women’s personality, ethics and respect.
In Islamic countries such as Iran, women are not forbidden to take part in social and communal activities, sports, cinema, TV, arts and even politics and freely do anything they desire regarding to their beloved religion sent by the majesty God and translated to us by Muhammad (PBUH), the prophet of peace and love.
Today in my country, Persia the land of honor, female athletes are increasingly participating in national and international sport tournaments and winning several medals and prizes from Olympics, World Cups and competitions.

The Muslim woman is progressive, energetic, free, harbinger and happy. She covers her body to keep the tainted eyes and looks away from herself and not become an advertising tool by physical attractions for capricious men.

You can watch the pictures and simply discover the conditions of women in Iran. Free to participate in sports, with modest happy and colorful dressings, covered bodies and respecting to their religion teachings.

Openings

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

opening

noun
12. a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess; "he memorized all the important chess openings"

Maybe there will be an opportunity now to remember him for what he achieved, less so than for what he became.

- East Ethnia

Mujo, Mile and Štefica in the Jaws of Transition.

Open dubbing

Worthy of Engrish

Open McLuhan

At least once a political season some one makes the observation that our political system is being driven by the media. In this instance it is Erica Jong...

Erica Jong

...our media turning every presidential election into a high school popularity contest. And we let them get away with it. And we don't stop Rupert Murdoch, Clear Channel, Disney, GE, Sumner Redstone and a few others from owning all the media all the time.

Our magazines and newspapers are so dumbed down that they never discuss issues, only stereotype or attack or puff up candidates -- and all for the most idiotic things -- like their marriages, which in truth we know nothing about -- or their weight or their clothes or their hair. They don't discuss brains, intelligence, psychological maturity, but only who's up or down in the polls, cuter in photos, who misted up, cried or didn't cry, said "my friends" like Reagan or mimicked Bill Clinton's style or JFK's or whomever's. Our press is a disgrace.

And she is absolutely right, "Our press is a disgrace."

I titled this entry for the noted communication authority, Marshal McLuhan. His oft quoted '...the medium is the message...' observation is most apt in this circumstance. It is not the Press that is driving our political system. In the realm of American politics the Press is echoing the tastes and choices of the general public. What Ms Jong should be railing against are the values of that 'general public'. Sadly I suspect those are values that Ms Jong knows little about.

Lets look at one 'ferinstance' ... Hillary Clinton was an effete political ice queen who couldn't possibly know the trials and tribulations of Joe&Jane Average. That is until she showed her more fragile feeling side. Then all of a sudden Hilly is one of the good ol' boys girls, just a down-home friend of the working ... er, person.

Ok, now Joe&Jane, this is a test. Has Hillary Clinton changed? Not one iota! Does Hilly know anything more about Joe&Jane Average and their real world concerns? Not likely. Has any part of this changed Ms Clinton's political agenda? Ha!

The Press, in presenting Ms Clinton's "moment", didn't change any part of the political environment. They were just pandering to the taste, the true taste of middle america. The Press as a medium is the message and the message is us.

Walt Kelly's Pogo put it so succinctly, "We have met the enemy and he is us."

Open Spare.change.mister?

Open Constitution

We, some of the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union...

...of some of the people, by some of the people and for some of the people...

"I have opponents in this race who do not want to change the Constitution," Huckabee told a Michigan audience on Monday. "But I believe it's a lot easier to change the Constitution than it would be to change the word of the living god. And that's what we need to do -- to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards so it lines up with some contemporary view."

A tip of the hat to EG who got it from LGM who got it from TRS

Open Actions

Thanks to Virtual China

• 

Open Programming Flexibility

I wish I had said this...

O’Flaherty ^blog

The moral of this story is that “flexibility” is rarely desired in programming! The less a program will accept/the less a program will do/the less options and preferences it has, the more usable it is/the more understandable it is/the more stable it is.

From: DreamHost - Bill you, laugh about it, blame someone else.

Open Confusion

Israel: Ms. Magazine Shuns Ad Promoting Leadership of Israeli Women

Wednesday, January 16th, 2008 @ 00:13 UTC

by Maya Norton

In a surprising move last week, Ms. Magazine refused to accept an advertisement that highlighted the leadership of Israeli women in public service. The full page advertisement sponsored by the American Jewish Congress featured three high profile Israeli women with the statement, “This is Israel,” in large, bold letters. The female political figures featured were Tzipi Livni, vice prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, Dorit Beinisch, president of the Supreme Court of Israel, and Dalia Itzik, speaker of the Knesset.

Photo	Leader	Role
	Tzipi Livni	Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
(No photo available)	Dorit Beinisch	President of the Supreme Court
	Dalia Itzik	Speaker of the Knesset

Magazine representative Susie Gilligan reportedly told the American Jewish Congress, “[We] would love to have an ad from you on women's empowerment, or reproductive freedom, but not on this.”

Open sapiosexuality

Nicole Simon stumbled upon it... so eloquently...

One who finds intelligence the most sexually attractive feature.

"I want an incisive, inquisitive, insightful, irreverent mind. I want someone for whom philosophical discussion is foreplay. I want someone who sometimes makes me go ouch due to their wit and evil sense of humor. I want someone that I can reach out and touch randomly. I want someone I can cuddle with.

I decided all that means that I am sapiosexual."

by Mr M. Ister May 26, 2004

Open Medicine

Laughter is the best...

Monday, January 14, 2008

Hijabi Fashion on the Syrian Streets

By Maytha

Having spent a summer in Damascus this past year, I would have to say blogger/cartoonist Puppeteer at the brilliantly titled Journal...of an Axis of Evil Citizen has hit the nail on the head with her rendition of Syrian (more like Damascene) Hijabi street wear

[click on image to enlarge]

The only recommendation I would have is to expand the trendy/sexy hijab categories, as there are so many different varieties of these species-like Designer Hijab, Hip Hop Headwrap Hijab, or my favorite: “accidental” front-hair-showing hijab.