Dan Dickinson: The Primary Vivid Weblog

Ashcroft urges federal lawbreaking – John Ashcroft, sworn to uphold all of the laws of the land, is urging government employees to violate the Freedom of Information Act.
Last October, the Justice Department cited the Sept. 11 attacks in a memo to federal FOIA officers that stated, “When you carefully consider FOIA requests and decide to withhold records, in whole or in part, you can be assured that the Department of Justice will defend your decisions.”
How sad is it that we can read headlines like this and NOT be surprised these days? And when is this sort of thing going to end?
*sigh*

Just a quick dash around the newshub, and I’ve dug up some fun things for if you’re bored post-Turkey today.
Fuck Hip Hop – an extremely well written essay by Pierre Bennu on what’s wrong with Hip Hop. Don’t think this is me trying to be some hip hop poser – you can see from my play list that constantly flows by on the site when I’m at home that rap and hip hop make up less than 5% of my playlist, but the article covers a lot of what I see wrong in that section of the music industry.
Most everyone heard about the tragic cop killing in Red Bluff, California. A chunk of people heard about the confession online. A smaller subset of people read it. What makes this case special and bizarre? The man who did it, named Andy and recently arrested in New Hampshire, claims immunity because he was incorporated – and as acting in the interests of the corporation. I quote:
As a statement against this practice, prior to my action in Red Bluff, I formed a corporation under the name “Proud and Insolent Youth Incorporated,” so that I could use the destructive immunity of corporations and turn it on something that actually should be destroyed.
The Register has a well written anaylsis of the situation. The entire situation puts me in a difficult position – I certainly don’t agree with the cop killing, but this is probably the most public and extreme stand against corporate crime in history, and am in awe of his gall. Then again, he may just be saying this after the fact to make him seem more political…whatever. It’s a bizarro case. BIZARRO!
Gotta cut this short – time for turkey.

Driving 300 miles when it’s pitch black and there’s an impending threat of snow is not something anyone should do.
But yes, we’re currently in Maryland for Thanksgiving with Katie’s parents. We left yesterday at 4:30 and got in just before 11 due to three stops and some terrible snow in the Ithaca area. We get to leave tomorrow at 7 AM to get Katie back for a 1 PM shift. So, 600 miles in less than 48 hours. :X
Happy turkey day to all of you out there.