AMF: The Musky Scent of Teve Torbes
It's Friday. Time for a few stories, and then it's off I go.
A couple of days ago, I cited a BBC article that indicated that the financial turmoil won't stop the EU from enacting expensive goals for addressing climate change. Apparently, the BBC spoke too soon, and this EU priority is a bit more divisive than was originally reported. Also in the EU, and following up on my 2007 article about them, the Mujahedin-E-Khalq (MEK/PMOI) have won an EU court case, thus unlocking MEK financing in Europe. The MEK is in no way perfect, but their progress with respect to renouncing violence and embracing political and diplomatic pressure against the Iranian regime should be highlighted, emulated, and exemplified by the West. Meanwhile, on the subject of terrorist groups, al Qaeda's websites have been down for weeks, pointing to a growing failure of al Qaeda's propaganda wing. What does this mean with respect to the ongoing campaign against al Qaeda, its branches, and it's affiliates? Tough to say, but worth paying attention to.
Iran still wants to cut oil production - sorry, mullahs, but the oil bubble appears to have burst for the time being. Following up on recent posts (link, link), Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani won't be running for president. Does that mean a match-up between Ahmedinejad and Khatami? Could be. Meanwhile, Iran and Afghanistan are in negotiations to set up a joint transportation company, allowing Afghanistan and Iran to share the use of an Iranian port. I distrust any motive the Iranian government has, but I also think that this could turn out to be an advantage for the United States. Imagine that: Iraq and Afghanistan, both of them now American allies, having influence on the Islamic Republic of Iran. Take that, Jimmy Carter!
And speaking of Afghanistan, despite recent reports that al Qaeda is routing insurgents from Iraq to Afghanistan, statistics show that the ability of insurgents to cross from Pakistan into Afghanistan decreased since August due to Pakistani military operations. These operations have apparently increased in both tempo and effectiveness, and the situation has improved accordingly. Let's hope that the Pakistanis keep it up.
This weekend is going to be a complete and total goat rope. It's looking probable that I'll be in the Richmond area on Saturday to meet a couple of high profile political figures. I also have an article due and, oh yeah, all sorts of other crap to accomplish. I realize that the last couple of weekends have been somewhat slow, but I seriously need to get some of this crap squared away once and for all so that I can finally start accomplishing my life, instead of bizarre stuff that pops up.
Today's video, following up on yesterday's guitar solo from Dr. Wily's castle, is the excellent music of one of my favorite NES games: Maniac Mansion. The music by legendary Lucasfilm Games/LucasArts producer Ron Gilbert is legendary - yes, you read that correctly - and I present a sample of it for you today.
For a game that was originally released in 1987, they sure did pretty good work with what was essentially beefed up midi music.
Just in case you missed it, there's a brilliant exchange between myself and Gus in the comments section to the Election Thursday post. If it could entertain both Father Time and Lofty Venus, you know it's good! Alright, folks, have a great weekend, and maybe you'll see something from me over the next few days if I don't get too brutally swamped. If not... Well, blame Lofty Venus for giving me two good reasons to come to Richmond. (And, lest I be accused of any Clintonesque impropriety: they're a former New York City mayor and a major magazine publisher who may have written a book after running for president in 1996!)
UPDATE: Speaking of Steve Forbes, he made Time's list of Ten Worst SNL Hosts. I actually thought he was one of the most entertaining, particularly in that sketch I just linked to. The other great one was Steve Forbes, Colin Quinn, and David Koechner as three roofers - hysterical!
A couple of days ago, I cited a BBC article that indicated that the financial turmoil won't stop the EU from enacting expensive goals for addressing climate change. Apparently, the BBC spoke too soon, and this EU priority is a bit more divisive than was originally reported. Also in the EU, and following up on my 2007 article about them, the Mujahedin-E-Khalq (MEK/PMOI) have won an EU court case, thus unlocking MEK financing in Europe. The MEK is in no way perfect, but their progress with respect to renouncing violence and embracing political and diplomatic pressure against the Iranian regime should be highlighted, emulated, and exemplified by the West. Meanwhile, on the subject of terrorist groups, al Qaeda's websites have been down for weeks, pointing to a growing failure of al Qaeda's propaganda wing. What does this mean with respect to the ongoing campaign against al Qaeda, its branches, and it's affiliates? Tough to say, but worth paying attention to.
Iran still wants to cut oil production - sorry, mullahs, but the oil bubble appears to have burst for the time being. Following up on recent posts (link, link), Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani won't be running for president. Does that mean a match-up between Ahmedinejad and Khatami? Could be. Meanwhile, Iran and Afghanistan are in negotiations to set up a joint transportation company, allowing Afghanistan and Iran to share the use of an Iranian port. I distrust any motive the Iranian government has, but I also think that this could turn out to be an advantage for the United States. Imagine that: Iraq and Afghanistan, both of them now American allies, having influence on the Islamic Republic of Iran. Take that, Jimmy Carter!
And speaking of Afghanistan, despite recent reports that al Qaeda is routing insurgents from Iraq to Afghanistan, statistics show that the ability of insurgents to cross from Pakistan into Afghanistan decreased since August due to Pakistani military operations. These operations have apparently increased in both tempo and effectiveness, and the situation has improved accordingly. Let's hope that the Pakistanis keep it up.
This weekend is going to be a complete and total goat rope. It's looking probable that I'll be in the Richmond area on Saturday to meet a couple of high profile political figures. I also have an article due and, oh yeah, all sorts of other crap to accomplish. I realize that the last couple of weekends have been somewhat slow, but I seriously need to get some of this crap squared away once and for all so that I can finally start accomplishing my life, instead of bizarre stuff that pops up.
Today's video, following up on yesterday's guitar solo from Dr. Wily's castle, is the excellent music of one of my favorite NES games: Maniac Mansion. The music by legendary Lucasfilm Games/LucasArts producer Ron Gilbert is legendary - yes, you read that correctly - and I present a sample of it for you today.
For a game that was originally released in 1987, they sure did pretty good work with what was essentially beefed up midi music.
Just in case you missed it, there's a brilliant exchange between myself and Gus in the comments section to the Election Thursday post. If it could entertain both Father Time and Lofty Venus, you know it's good! Alright, folks, have a great weekend, and maybe you'll see something from me over the next few days if I don't get too brutally swamped. If not... Well, blame Lofty Venus for giving me two good reasons to come to Richmond. (And, lest I be accused of any Clintonesque impropriety: they're a former New York City mayor and a major magazine publisher who may have written a book after running for president in 1996!)
UPDATE: Speaking of Steve Forbes, he made Time's list of Ten Worst SNL Hosts. I actually thought he was one of the most entertaining, particularly in that sketch I just linked to. The other great one was Steve Forbes, Colin Quinn, and David Koechner as three roofers - hysterical!
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