I got this following excerpt from a very reputable monthly magazine which includes wonderful photography and in depth social commentary, Maxim. Every once in a while something useful and intelligent slips through.

Under my proposal, no torture would be permitted without a 'torture warrant' being issued by a judge... A torture warrant would have to be based on the absolute need to obtain immediate information in order to save lives coupled with probable cause that the suspect had such information and is unwilling to reveal it.
  -Alan Dershowitx, Harvard Law Professor

I like this proposal because it seems to allow for a last resort technique in a fashion reflecting its disadvantageous nature. With a full system of checks and balances proved through time with warrants of other types, it seems that this method is less likely to produce unnecessary torture. I don't like the warrant-less nature of current methods. Although the government states they do not "torture", their definition of torture is a little bit conservative in nature, allowing for more methods than it restricts. Security concerns should be moot, as court proceedings for these matters could simply be sealed, and their outcomes classified for many years to come.

I don't know if this is a nation wide or world wide deal here, but why do municipal governments think they have the power to pick when Halloween is? Some localities around here decide that Halloween should be celebrated as many as three days earlier. I can sorta see thing making sense if they move it to a Friday or Saturday, allowing kids an entire night that they don't have to worry about school the next day. But moving it from a Tuesday to a Monday? Where is the sense in that! And to make matters worse, they even send half the town celebrating it on the 31st and stick the other half on the 30th. The reasoning behind that is because a nearby sane town is doing it on the 31st.

These towns should really spend their legislative time working on other important issues, such as the economy and city beautification. I guess the plus side is some kids and their friends can trick or treat together in one town and one night and get twice the candy by heading out the next night in another town.

If you follow this link you can subscribe to Riposte by Email. I know I already have someone using it and I don't remember ever making it public. So if you visit the page to read, sign up to make it a bit easier. Lets get some more interaction with some comments from my readers, too! I know I have two people who religiously comment, so thanks! The more comments I get, the more I feel like posting!

I'll be adding the link over on the right as soon as I can find or more likely make a little icon to chill on the side of it.

I'm approaching my 100th blog, so let me see if I can make it something special or land it on an approaching holiday! I'll aim for Festivus.

Roffles at this clip, the music really does it for this one. These drivers seem to be trying to rapidly and illegally access a bus only area of the city, with not much luck.
this post includes an embedded video availible here

Labels: cars, funny, video

Happy All Hallows' Eve. Unless you're Jehovah's, in that case, Happy Tuesday.

Who can name the movie?

Visit my flickr page: j.reed

Labels: flickr

If you check over at Gizmodo, there is a video of the Lexus LS 460 L parallel parking itself. I rarely have to parallel park, but when I do, if I pay attention, I can get into the spot pretty well. You have to remember that these types of vehicles were the first to have features that are nowadays very common, power windows, air conditioning, and the up and coming GPS units. Its only a matter of time until your Honda Civic features adaptive cruise control and can self park.

I wonder that they do if you show up to take your drivers test in this Lexus and they ask you to park. I guess if you left your hands on the wheel and turned off the audible prompts, they'd have to pass you.

Other amazing features of this car include the world's first 8-speed automotive transmission and adaptive radar controlled cruise control. Not only does it slow down if some jerk pulls out in front of you, but if it detects an impending collision, they car will assist with apply the brakes and tighten up occupants' seatbelts. I could see the sensors used for the parking, the crash sensing technology and a few years time will bring about some anti-crash car that will completely avoid an accident entirely on its own.

Labels: cars

It was only a matter of time until someone crashed their half-million dollar Koenigsegg CCX. I'm surprised that it wasn't some mid life crisis American who retired his Lincoln Continental for something a bit faster. Obviously this Swede is just as bad of a driver as that ex-Lincoln driving American would have been. During a simple overtake the driver lost control and promptly drove a couple of banks worth of cash right into this lovely area of greenery. It looks like the car should have survived with only some front end mechanical damage and I'm sure some very expensive carbon fiber cosmetic repairs.

Labels: cars

I'm not a fan of the iPod, but the little LEGO man is kickin'! I just purchased a LEGO set on eBay today. Set 7249 XXL Mobile Crane -- I got it for $5 off retail, including shipping. I can't wait to build it!

Visit my flickr page: j.reed

Labels: flickr

I love this car! I want an Audi as my next ride. This is a lovely promo video and I really heart the arrival of Mayor Bloomberg.

this post includes an embedded video availible here

Labels: video

Sorry I missed Flickr Friday, I was out with friends for someone's birthday. Here is a shot of Ground Zero in New York at night time. This shot was taken by the same guy that took this shot that I posted back during pre-flickr friday days.

Visit my flickr page: j.reed

Labels: flickr

A small aircraft or helicopter has crashed into a high rise apartment building on East 72nd in Manhattan. The building is now on fire and there is currently no word on survivors from the aircraft or the building area of the impact.

Update:
10-77 Residential Hi-rise Fire
East 72nd St & 1st Ave
Manhattan, NY
10/11/2006 2:49 p.m.

CNN now reports it was a fixed wing aircraft but then cuts to a local ABC reporter that says it was a helicopter. They then cut to CNN who state that the FAA confirms it was a fixed wing aircraft flying under visual flight rules.

Update:
CNN states that the pilot declared a mayday relating to fuel system problems. The aircraft took off from New Jersey and may have been trying to make a landing in one of the international airports in NJ.

They also mention that it may be registered to a NY Yankees' baseball pitcher Cory Lidle.

In Conclusion:
Yankees' Pitcher Cory Lidle was killed in the crash along with his sole passenger, co-pilot/flight instructor Tyler Stanger. No souls on the ground or in the building were killed, although a fair amount of injuries did occur. About half of the injuries where to firefighters. Injuries to firefighters in this amount are not uncommon for these types of incidents.

This tire decided that it no longer wanted to race, gave up mid turn, and continued until it found itself a suitable resting place. Very neat.
this post includes an embedded video availible here

Labels: cars, video

Here is a very interesting exposure of a river just bursting with some fresh rainfall from upstream. I almost can't believe that this is an exposure and not some fancy Photoshopping. We just had a Nor'Easter here which brought a long period of rain but not all that exciting of downpours or rainfall amounts. Fall is really starting to show now. My favorite ski area's trees are noticably changing and should be in full color in the coming weeks like the trees shown in this photo.

Visit my flickr page: j.reed

Labels: flickr

Two for one today since I was late. Here is an amazing shot (pre rendered or not?) from the upcoming XBOX 360 game Rainbow Six: Vegas. It looks seriously awesome. All events during the game take place within the same 24 hour span (maybe the success of a certain aptly named TV show has something to do with this).

In other game news, Splinter Cell: Double Agent comes out in just over a week. I have it set up on my GameFly queue so hopefully I'll get it soon!

Visit my flickr page: j.reed

Labels: flickr

Sign up for GameFly!

Sign up for GameFly using the link above so I can get a free Nintendo DS. (I love the service myself!) Flickr Friday should be here just before or maybe a bit after midnight tonight.

One of the more unique map features, called BlockView, from Amazon.com's A9 search engine has gone the way of the dodo. Their news page states that they've discontinued it. They've offered no explanation or what will happen to all of the occasionally awesome street level shots of major cities. A specially equipped car drove though an entire city and photographed the sides of the streets which were then sorted and linked to their respective street at A9. A9 has also discontinued their discount at Amazon.com to frequent searchers. They've updated the page and made it look more Web 2.0, added Ajax to eliminate scrolling, but I doubt thats enough to make up for the lost services.

Hence lack of posts! Hopefully I'll be back in the zone by the end of this week.