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Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in
Sometimes, the Internet is srs bsness' LiveJournal:
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| Saturday, November 7th, 2009 | 9:59 pm [faultypremise]
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As everyone is probably very aware, there is a game out there called Evony (formerly known as Civony). If you don't know about it, you were born yesterday or never browse the internet. (Edit: Or you have Ad-Blocker.) Mostly because the Adverts for the game were everywhere and so blatantly sexual many people complained. These ads were so pervasive, they were even mocked by Popcap games when they released Zombies Vs. Plants. Apparently Evony even saw fit to host a Queen of Evony contest. Despite the fact that in the game itself there are no queens, and also no boobs. Well, some people have dug a little deeper into the game that is Evony. Some even daring to question if Evony is *gasp* a scam.In fact, several blogs and sites are saying that the makers of Evony are not just a gaming company but also a gold farming outfit from China. There are even suggestions that the game is putting malware on people's computers.Well, apparently Evony has decided to start fighting back against all this negative hype. By... using an Australian court and lawyer to sue the guy who apparently they think is most responsible! And he is putting out the call to the internet to fight these shenanigans.Posted in Unfunny because yes, it's hilarious in many ways, but the comment racism on many of these blogs isn't very funny at all and may be rage inducing. Also the very blatant sexism from the ads is also not funny. Ok, it is funny yet not funny at the same time if that makes any sense at all. | | Sunday, November 8th, 2009 | 2:03 am [kumquat_of_doom]
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| | Thursday, November 5th, 2009 | 10:30 am [tez]
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Some election-related unfunny, of both varieties. So this last Tuesday two states went to the polls to discuss gay rights: Maine voters were asked to uphold or reject the recently-signed law that would have made it the sixth state to recognize same-sex marriage (and the first to do so via legislation rather than judicial action), and Washington voters were asked to uphold or reject a recently-signed law that essentially gives same-gender domestic partnerships all the same rights as married couples without the 'marriage' word being attached to it. Maine? They voted no. (The usual comment-fail rule applies, read at your own risk.) Washington? The margin is fairly slim, but it looks like they voted YES.* Maine might be a step back, but at least WA is proving to be a step forward. *busts out a bottle of beer in toast to the good folks of the PNW* Both the articles are long so in the interests of keeping this post away from EPIC tl;dr territory I didn't c&p them -- if anyone would like me to, I will. * Of course the religious right in WA is not accepting the fact that they just might have lost and is already planning another attempt to repeal the granted rights, but are we surprised? I'm not.
ETA: I did not realize when I wrote this how utterly insensitive it came out with regards to the bullshit that went down in Maine. As I can now access my internet again, I am apologizing because I sort of suck for making it sound like I was trivializing it. If anyone needs me, I'll be under my rock. | 1:03 pm [wanktastic]
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| 10:36 am [faultypremise]
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| | Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 | 6:05 pm [staroverthebay]
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more marriage-tradition fail (was pointed to this by a member of my f-list on my LJ.) So, a "study" says that 70% of Americans think a woman should take her husband's name after marriage, and of those 70%, half of them think it should be required by law. If that's not bad enough, their reasons are even more *headdesk*-inducing. http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2009/08/12/2009-08-12_70_percent_of_americans_.html( Full text for the link-phobic )(nb: since when did 815 people come to represent the entire country? How is a survey with 815 people surveyed reflective of "all Americans"?) | 10:36 am [esorlehcar]
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Some potentially good news: Emma Thompson was confronted by a Shakesville reader about her signature on the appalling "free Polanski" petition, and she said she will remove her signature. As Shakeville's Melissa McEwan comments, I'm reserving a large reaction until her name actually comes down, but just her reaction to the conversation is very heartening. Now if someone could only do the same with the many, many other artists I love who have signed... | 10:26 am [faultypremise]
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From the wtf? files. Guy buys lotto ticket that is a $1 million dollar winner. Not realizing this, goes to the store he bought it from and asks the clerk to scan it. Clever clerk does so, realizes this is the $1 million winner and tells the guy it's only worth a few bucks. The clerk then goes to the lotto office and claims the prize, which came to about $750k after taxes. Then flees to Nepal. The Texas lotto, despite the fact that the guy who stole it has been indicted and is being sought on charges, has declared that the thief is the rightful winner. What a mess. ( For the link phobic. ) | | Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 | 10:12 pm [adevyish]
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More Fail Game Promotion Modern Warfare 2 Ad Features, Condones Homophobic Slurs( For those linkphobic )After people started speaking out about the ad, Infinity Ward removed the ad. Robert Bowling, their community manager/PR, wrote on his Twitter, "I think the core gag is great, the end is a bit too far from the intent of the joke & can appreciate the concerns. Pulled." As usual, Kotaku and Joystiq comments include a lot of people Not Getting It. | 6:12 pm [iamnotyourmuse]
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Update on failtastic Louisiana justice of the peace Original post here. Remember the dick who refused to marry interracial couples "for the sake of the children omg!"? Well, he's resigned.I admit to being a little meh about this update. I'm glad he won't be refusing to perform marriages for interracial couples anymore or trying to claim to those he refuses that it's for the good of their potential children. But I wish he'd been kicked out, instead of allowed to resign. Then too, I wish he wasn't still trying to claim what he's done is right and good and just and for the best. ETA from comments: Title fail from the AP. Lest we, y'know, make the mistake of thinking this matters or anything. | 2:23 pm [kayla]
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| | Monday, November 2nd, 2009 | 10:54 pm [sandglass]
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| 4:04 pm [staroverthebay]
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EBay removes anti-abortion memorabilia from site (posted here because there is definite unfunny involved, but at the same time, it restores some tiny bit of faith in humanity... or it did for me at least.) So... you of course all have heard about the murder of Dr. George Tiller, an abortion surgeon who was killed by anti-abortion activists. And more recently, the man on trial for the murder is being supported by people who want to raise money for his defense by selling things on eBay. Well, eBay just flashed their authority with their own site and yanked all the items that were put up for that purpose.Cue butthurt of the activists who want to raise money. The chief cry seems to be "censorship" (nevermind that eBay has its terms of use and policies spelled out in painstaking detail for anyone who cares to read.) I must admit that eBay has risen in my esteem from this. They could have turned a blind eye, but they didn't, and they followed through with their threats. ( Full text of article for the link-phobic )(Is it just me, or are these people trying to out-crazy PETA?) | 2:04 pm [cygnia]
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Definitely not cricket Tower of London Beefeaters Suspended for bullying 1st female BeefeaterLONDON – Something is rotten — again — at the Tower of London, long known for its treachery, bloodshed, and executions.
If the new charges are true, it's time to add bullying to the litany of foul deeds committed at the notorious royal fortress where many were tortured and three English queens were executed centuries ago.
At issue is the alleged bullying of a contemporary trailblazer: Moira Cameron, the first woman to serve as yeoman warder at the Tower, which dates back to the 11th century.
Hers was supposed to be a happy story about how one of the traditional bastions of male supremacy became a place where women, too, could serve queen and country. But it now appears Cameron, 44, was isolated and harassed by resentful male colleagues, despite her long experience in the military.
Embarrassed Tower officials said Monday that two male warders have been suspended and a third is under investigation for suspected harassment of Cameron, who joined the prestigious warders two years ago, integrating what had been an all-male preserve for centuries.
A statement released by the Tower of London said harassment among its staff was "totally unacceptable" and that an internal investigation started last week as soon as the allegations were received.
"We can confirm that three yeoman warders are under investigation in response to allegations of harassment," the Tower statement said. "Two have been suspended. We take such allegations very seriously and our formal harassment policy makes it clear that this is totally unacceptable."
The bullying allegations are an unpleasant wrinkle in what had been a generally popular move to bring women into traditionally male military roles.
The warders, who patrol the fortress on the banks of the River Thames, are popularly known as "Beefeaters," mostly because of the extra rations of meat they were given during medieval times.
Their brightly colored Tudor-style uniforms are part of the picture-postcard London that often enchants visitors from around the world. Cameron's ceremonial, red-and-gold outfit was specially modified to fit her female frame.
Her introduction to the exclusive service went relatively smoothly, as far as the public could discern, but some tensions were present right from the start.
Cameron, with military experience both in Cyprus and Northern Ireland, said when her appointment was announced that some of her colleagues resented her presence.
"I've had some comments," she said at the time. "I had one chap at the gate one day who said he was completely and utterly against me doing the job."
Her reply was quick and piercing: "I said to him, 'I would like to thank you for dismissing my 22 years' service in her majesty's armed forces'."
But she seemed thrilled with her job, telling The Associated Press of the joys of giving historical tours and describing the Tower as a wonderful place to work.
Simmering tensions were kept behind the fortress walls until Monday, when the Sun newspaper reported that Cameron's uniform had been defaced and that "nasty" notes had been left in her locker.
In addition, the newspaper said that Cameron's entry in the online encyclopedia known as Wikipedia had been defaced as part of the campaign against her.
Scotland Yard confirmed Monday that a 56-year-old man had been reprimanded about improper use of the Internet. Details were not disclosed, but it was believed this man is the third warder being investigated for alleged harassment.
Tower spokeswoman Ruth Howlett said she could not confirm the details cited in the newspaper report or elaborate on the reported harassment.
The Tower statement said an internal investigation should be finished within two to three weeks in accordance with the Tower's harassment policy.
The revelations did not appear to bother visitors to the Tower.
"There's always teasing in the army," said Miles Gurrin, a frequent visitor. "The army is known for this sort of thing. It's not as if she is an outsider. She served in the army for 22 years, so she is one of them."
He said the public would probably withhold judgment until the investigation is completed.
The 35 warders — all ex-military personnel — guide visitors around the popular tourist attraction, which houses the priceless crown jewels as well as rare coats of armor and other items of incalculable historic value.
Warders were first used in the 11th century, and early on were used to monitor and occasionally torture high profile prisoners kept in the Tower, which was founded by King William I in 1066. There is a long history of bloodshed and treachery at the Tower, including the executions of three queens: Catherine Howard and Anne Boleyn, both wives of Henry VIII, and Lady Jane Grey, known as "the nine days queen."
The warders and their families live on the Tower grounds so they can be on call both day and night.The fact that the public doesn't care really makes me shake my head. :( | 10:52 am [tetradecimal]
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Muslim Woman Attacks Husband After Being Forced to Eat Pork and Wear Short Skirts Article here, also pasted below: New York. A devout Muslim woman told police she slashed her husband's neck with a kitchen knife as he slept because he forced her to eat pork, wear short skirts and drink alcohol in violation of her religious beliefs.
Rabia Sarwar, 37, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and was freed on $25,000 bail. She told police in a written statement that she was emotionally abused by her husband, Seikh Naseem.
"He made me do so many things that are against Islam," she wrote in a statement to police.( Read more... ) | | Friday, October 30th, 2009 | 10:00 pm [ghoulsis]
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It's never too late to say you're sorry. This is unfunny, but it does make me think that there just might be hope for humanity after all: Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga) and Elwin Wilson today accepted an award at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC, for their reconciliation over Wilson's participation in a vicious, racially-motivated beating in 1961.
Lewis at the time was working for integration, and Wilson was a segregationist. Earlier this year, Wilson traveled to Lewis' congressional office to apologize for his role in the attack.
When they met Tuesday, Lewis offered forgiveness without hesitation.
“I was very moved,” said Lewis. “He was very, very sincere, and I think it takes a lot of raw courage to be willing to come forward the way he did. … I think it will lead to a great deal of healing.”
I think forgiveness takes a great deal of courage, too. Bravo to both of them. | 3:21 pm [rosehiptea]
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| 2:40 pm [the__ivorytower]
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Update! (Copied more or less directly from my friend's list) Previously, on UFB:
Summary: After one plucky girl and her family yell "BULLSHIT!", two judges from Luzerne County, PA, plead guilty to accepting a completely staggering amount of money in bribes while funneling juvenile offenders into a for-profit juvenile detention center. Today justice was finally done: Quote: In an unprecedented move, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court yesterday tossed out thousands of juvenile court cases that were "tainted" by an alleged kickback scheme involving a former Luzerne County judge.
The order affects an estimated 6,500 cases handled by then-Judge Mark A. Ciavarella from 2003 through mid-2008. Only about 100 remain eligible to be retried, and those final cases also could end up being thrown out if the Luzerne County district attorney decides not to proceed. Better late than never. | 12:04 pm [telegramsam]
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Head, meet desk. Wash, rinse, repeat. Oh here we go again: Man goes apeshit, murders his wife( article underneath cut, beware graphic descriptions of violence )I personally am getting really fucking sick of seeing stuff like this in the news. It's not even that uncommon anymore, I see at least one of these stupidass man-murders-wife/girlfriend news stories every month (often along with any children or step-children who happen to be in the way), at minimum. DEAR LOSERS: IF YOU CAN'T DEAL WITH SOME ISSUE WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER, JUST GET A DIVORCE/BREAK UP AND GO AWAY. >:C | | Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 | 4:07 pm [duende]
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