The Genographic Project

National Geographic’s “Genographic Project“:

National Geographic and IBM are embarking on a landmark five-year study that will assemble the world’s largest collection of DNA samples to map how humankind populated the planet.

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The Genographic Project will result in the creation of a global database of human genetic variation and associated anthropological data (language, social customs, etc.). This database will serve as an invaluable scientific resource for the research community. Many indigenous populations around the world are facing strong challenges to their cultural identities. The Genographic Project will provide a ’snapshot’ of human genetic variation before we lose the cultural context necessary to make sense of the genetic data.

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By participating in the Genographic Project, you will be part of a real-time research effort. In addition, you will have an opportunity to learn something about your deep ancestry and the migratory journey that your ancestors followed. Also, you will be contributing financially to the project. The net proceeds from the sales of the Genographic Project Public Participation Kits will help support the field research, as well as education programs and indigenous cultural preservation efforts.

Flying Spaghetti Monster Created All

Only the true believers can be Pastafarians.

I for one demand that my chosen version of creation theory be taught in schools.

Here is a Wikipedia article for those unwashed heathen masses who are not believers. (Yeah, this is probably old for some people but I didn’t realize what was going on until now.)

What is “Pythonic”?

What exactly does “Pythonic” mean? This post that I’ve had tagged in Bloglines for a while has a decent explanation.

Be A Man You Pussy

The latest Army ad campain apparently targets parents…

To me, the older guy looks like Mr. Middle America, with his denim jacket and his steely glint. He doesn’t seem too worried about the risk of bodily harm to his kid (never mind the moral underpinnings of the war). He’s far more interested in his son’s improved handshake etiquette. The Army will mold your boy into a stand-up guy with a manly bearing, the ad seems to say, and what could be more important than that?

It all comes together in the fascinating tag line: “Help them find their strength.” The Army has at last been repositioned as a finishing school. You’ve done the best you can, Mom and Dad, but it’s time let the service raise him right.

You did a fine job of raising your kid to be a useless pussy. Let the army turn him into a man complete with his own set of bad memories, scars and Posttramatic Stress Disorder. He needs to become a man and fight the good fight for a cause that people honestly can’t remember the point of anymore without referencing talking points that they have heard repeated on TV over and over again.

But The Fun Is Just Starting!

From The Great State Of RadicalRightistan… errr… Utah:

The state of Utah’s response to a rave.

The helicopter dipped lower and lower and started shining its lights on the crowd. I was kind of in awe and just sat and watched this thing circle us for a minute. As I looked back towards the crowd I saw a guy dressed in camoflauge walking by, toting an assault rifle. At this point, everyone was fully aware of what was going on . A few “troops” rushed the stage and cut the sound off and started yelling that everyone “get the fuck out of here or go to jail”. This is where it got really sticky.

No one resisted. That’s for sure. They had police dogs raiding the crowd of people and I saw a dog signal out a guy who obviously had some drugs on him. The soldiers attacked the guy (4 of them on 1), and kicked him a few times in the ribs and had their knees in his back and sides. As they were cuffing him, there was about 1000 kids trying to leave in the backdrop, peacefully. Next thing I know, A can of fucking TEAR GAS is launched into the crowd. People are running and screaming at this point. Girls are crying, guys are cussing… bad scene.

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This event was 100% legal. They had every permit the city told them they needed. They had a 2 MILLION DOLLAR insurance policy for the event. They had liscenced security guards at the gates confiscating any alcohol or drugs found upon entry (yes, they searched every car on the way in). Oh, I suppose I should mention that they arrested all the security guards for possession.

Make sure to check out the video of the men in full combat gear with semiautomatic guns with dogs… You know… typical police reaction without warrants to a peaceful public event with insurance and city permits being held on private property. Don’t worry… the lawyers are getting involved now and the lawsuits should be flying soon.

Hmm… Makes you wonder…

Comments Are Back On

At the request of a large percentage of the largest demographic that reads this site on a daily basis I have turned comments back on. (Time for a press release!) The only problem is that now you will have to register for an account before you can post a comment. Hopefully this will prevent all bombing attempts by automated blog spammer tools.

Cisco Fun

I have to note how not fun it is to do manual IOS firmware upgrades on a large number of switches in a row. If only CiscoWorks didn’t look like a train wreck and there was some tool to do mass IOS upgrades that didn’t scare me. Sigh.

But at least I know the work was well worth it as I was reminded of how wonderful DHCP snooping is. Thanks to the wonders of Cisco equipment our Cisco equipped ResNet dorms won’t have to put up with retarded Apple Airport users. Apple Airport owners have to be the number one threat to a campus network due to their inability to figure out which cord goes into which hole. It is the network equivalent of handing certified retards a flamethrower. Well at least now we have a way to stop the retards from hurting anyone but themselves. (And yes that rant felt good.)

Browse In Style

The latest in Firefox technology (click the image for full screenshot):

I have to admit that the tiger skin in the tab area looks damn cool. And as the website says… “Get it now, cuz it’s the shit!.”