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Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy punched by teen

Posted by takyon on Thursday December 17 2015, @08:18PM (#1663)
0 Comments

http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/17/europe/spanish-prime-minister-mariano-rajoy-punched/

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was dealt an eye-watering sucker punch by a teenager during a campaign event Wednesday.
The young man got up close to the Prime Minister, reportedly asking to take a photograph, before unleashing his left fist into the side of Rajoy's head.
The punch knocked Rajoy's glasses off of his face, leaving the leader of the People's Party bruised but otherwise "feeling good," he later said in a tweet.
The 17-year-old attacker was later shown being taken away in handcuffs by security guards.

Republican Debate 5: We Don't Like Encryption

Posted by takyon on Wednesday December 16 2015, @02:39AM (#1658)
4 Comments

The 5th Republican debate is underway, and most of the candidates that can remember what encryption is appear to be "against" it. Rewatch the first hour for some truly chilling comments. Only Ted Cruz or Rand Paul appear to deviate from the party line on security, and not that much in the case of Cruz.

Undermining these peoples' fantasies and law enforcement in general should be a top priority for our community.

Shia LaBeouf call center

Posted by takyon on Thursday December 10 2015, @01:02PM (#1646)
6 Comments

In former (?) actor Shia LaBeouf's latest performance art stunt, he will be taking calls at a mini call center:

The Hollywood star has set up his own call centre in the city's Fact gallery, where he and his two artistic collaborators will field calls.
They will be at their desks between 11:00 and 18:00 GMT from Thursday to Sunday.
Those wishing to touch LaBeouf's soul can call the trio on 0151 808 0771.
Others can visit the gallery to see the event unfold in person, or can watch a live stream and see notes the trio are making on Touchmysoul.net.

Get in touch.

Stargazing in Snowdonia (cool pics)

Posted by takyon on Tuesday December 08 2015, @09:59PM (#1643)
1 Comment

http://www.bbc.com/cymrufyw/34985536
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126915334@N03/ (higher resolution, watermarked)

Obama to Continue War on Encryption?

Posted by takyon on Monday December 07 2015, @02:23AM (#1638)
1 Comment

From Obama's prime time speech:

This is our strategy to destroy ISIL. It is designed and supported by our military commanders and counterterrorism experts, together with 65 countries that have joined an American-led coalition. And we constantly examine our strategy to determine when additional steps are needed to get the job done.
That's why I've ordered the Departments of State and Homeland Security to review the visa waiver program under which the female terrorist in San Bernardino originally came to this country. And that's why I will urge high-tech and law enforcement leaders to make it harder for terrorists to use technology to escape from justice.

It sounds like Obama may be taking a U-turn. The Second Crypto War isn't over yet.

British Columbia + Ontario liquor stores want to sell weed

Posted by takyon on Friday December 04 2015, @07:36AM (#1629)
1 Comment

Canadian Liquor Stores Want You to Be Able to Buy Weed with Your Six Pack

Liquor stores in British Columbia and Ontario want to start selling weed once it becomes legal in Canada.
The two unions representing BC's public and private liquor stores announced a partnership this week—the Responsible Marijuana Retail Alliance of BC—through which they're advocating to sell recreational pot at retail locations by next Christmas.
Their logic seems to be that liquor stores already sell a controlled substance that gets people fucked up, so adding weed to their mix just makes sense.
"Just as with alcohol, there are legitimate concerns about access to marijuana by youths. Our stores are an over-19, age-controlled environment and our industry has demonstrated the strongest compliance with identification checks," said Stephanie Smith, president of the BC Government and Service Employees' Union, which represents the province's 200 public liquor stores.
It would also be cost effective. Because liquor stores already have a warehousing and retail system in place "there is no need to reinvent the wheel," she said.
Last month, Warren "Smokey" Thomas, head of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, which represents LCBO employees, said LCBO outlets would be ideal weed retailers because they already have "social responsibility" covered.
"They do age checks, they do refusals if somebody's intoxicated."
[...]

Duke Nukem 3D

Posted by isostatic on Thursday December 03 2015, @10:55AM (#1624)
2 Comments

Nearly 20 years ago many a weekend was spent playing Duke Nukem 3D, a friend and I had a couple of computers and a null modem cable, it was great.

Spotting it on steam I couldn't resist, haven't played it since 2000.

Was it always as scary as it is? turn round a corner and there's some thing shooting you, or crawling across the floor, hatching from some egg, arghh!!!

Lobbyists Using Refugee Policy Battle to Defeat Regulations

Posted by takyon on Saturday November 28 2015, @03:52AM (#1609)
2 Comments

Lobbyists, in Strategy Session, Conclude That Refugee Crisis “Helps Us” Defeat Regulations

In an audio recording of a strategy session obtained by The Intercept, major trade association lobbyists discussed how the refugee crisis has changed the political dynamics in Washington to their advantage.
In the conference call held last week, lobbyists representing a number of high-polluting industries agreed that the battle between Congress and President Obama on refugee policy will give them the cover they need to attach a legislative rider to the omnibus budget bill that rolls back newly expanded clean water regulation.
“I think that probably helps us,” one participant said, referring to the coming confrontation over refugee policy.
[...] “We’re suddenly not the big issue,” said one call participant. “I mean, this is all going to turn on refugees.”
“I think that helps us,” said another call participant. “I think it helps us with the White House being on defense,” another legislative strategist on the call said.
The remarks were made during a political strategy call hosted last week by energy utility industry lobbyists. A recording was sent to The Intercept by someone on the call.

Coal CEO Thanks Lamar Smith, Asks Him to Expand Probe of Climate Scientists

Koch "Alliance" on Criminal Justice Reform Exposed as Trojan Horse

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