Blogging in Berkeley. Notes on news, politics, law, and technology in the US and China. [This blog is inactive. I am now staying busy and having a great time at UVA Law.]
Sunday, April 30, 2006
  United Press International?-?The Washington Times, America's Newspaper

United Press International?-?The Washington Times, America's Newspaper: "A four-legged illegal alien captured by the U.S. Border Patrol in Arizona has been granted what amounts to unconditional amnesty.
'Minute Mutt,' a 3-month-old puppy picked up last week with a group of illegal aliens, faced immediate deportation after no one claimed ownership, The Washington Times reported Sunday.
Fortunately, however, a Minuteman volunteer from Phoenix decided to take the puppy home to his three young children.
Volunteers believe the puppy, who appears to be half-coyote, survived the journey from Mexico to the United States by eating field mice and drinking water found in the sparse desert terrain. "
 
Saturday, April 29, 2006
  Deputies' feelings trumped her rights

This is totally unacceptable...

Deputies' feelings trumped her rights: "I'm pretty sure we all have a right to close our blinds and lock our doors to keep police from peeking or barging in without a warrant, at least when there is no emergency going on.

A garage door was still open. Lutz stood where he could block the safety beam to prevent it from closing. He heard the closer activate but the door stayed open.

By then, another deputy had arrived. When Cynthia Coffin came out to her garage to complain, the deputies threatened her with arrest if there was 'further resistance,' [TO LETTING THEM INTO HER HOME WITHOUT A WARRANT!!!] the report says.

When she turned to walk away, 'the deputies feared she was going to enter the residence and lock the door,' according to the report, and so, 'to avoid further obstruction' they 'grabbed her arms to place her under arrest.'

How the heck is that legal?

The deputies had no legal basis for entering a home without permission, and no power to demand help from Cynthia Coffin even if she could have made her husband come out.

She, on the other hand, had every right to lock her doors to make it clear the deputies were not invited in. Good idea, actually, since the deputies apparently had no concept of her rights in her own home, which police in America are supposed to respect.

The report says she pulled away when the deputies grabbed her, so they forced her to the ground to handcuff her.

The legality of that notwithstanding, it was an effective ploy. Those deputies now had the man's wife on the ground as bait.

Sure enough, he came right out."
 
Thursday, April 27, 2006
  Brigade de l'Argent des Fran?ais: La BAF crash la manif des Islamistes contre les caricatures

Brigade de l'Argent des Fran?ais: La BAF crash la manif des Islamistes contre les caricatures

Video of Muslims in France bullying two lone counter-protesters. They will take advantage of Western free speech when in Western nations (rights they don't have in their own countries), and here they attack other people for exercising their own rights to free speech. Helllloooooo irony.
 
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
  Malaysia weighs concerns of Muslim space travelers?|?Reuters.com

Malaysia weighs concerns of Muslim space travelers??Reuters.com: "BANGI, Malaysia (Reuters) - As Malaysia prepares to pick its first astronaut, the country's space agency is hunting for solutions to the problems it expects devout Muslims to face while in orbit, such as in which direction to pray."
 
  IR // News // Judge Hints at Code in 'Da Vinci' Ruling

IR // News // Judge Hints at Code in 'Da Vinci' Ruling: "LONDON - The judge who presided at the 'Da Vinci Code' copyright infringement trial has put a code of his own into his ruling, and he said Wednesday he would 'probably' confirm it to the person who breaks it.

Since Judge Peter Smith delivered his ruling April 7, lawyers in London and New York began noticing odd italicizations in the 71-page document.

In the weeks afterward, would-be code-breakers got to work on deciphering Smith's code.

'I can't discuss the judgment,' Smith said in a brief conversation with The Associated Press, 'but I don't see why a judgment should not be a matter of fun.'"
 
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
  The Volokh Conspiracy - An Unintentionally Funny Article by Former Duke Law Professor Michael Byers

The Volokh Conspiracy - An Unintentionally Funny Article by Former Duke Law Professor Michael Byers: "An Unintentionally Funny Article by Former Duke Law Professor Michael Byers explaining why he gave up his U.S. green card and returned to Canada, in the Globe and Mail (hat tip: Leiter). For example, he claims:

'[After 9/11], fear replaced curiosity as the standard response to things unknown. Before 9/11, my wife's English accent often generated a friendly response, including the comment 'You sound just like Princess Diana.' After the attacks, the warm chatter gave way to a strained silence.'

Right. I remember that wave of anti-British fear and loathing that swept over the U.S. after 9/11. Is it possible that Professor Byers is both playing to (and encouraging) the stereotypical view of the Canadian left of Americans as a bunch of ignorant, parochial, anti-foreigner goobers?"
 
  BREITBART.COM - Iran Ready to Transfer Nuclear Know-How

Unreal...

BREITBART.COM - Iran Ready to Transfer Nuclear Know-How: "Iran's supreme leader said Tuesday that the country is ready to transfer its nuclear technology to other countries. Meanwhile, Tehran threatened to halt all cooperation with the U.N. atomic energy agency if the U.N. Security Council imposes sanctions, warning that it might hide its nuclear program if the West takes any other 'harsh measures.' "
 
Monday, April 24, 2006
  Chron.com | Judge: Web-Surfing Worker Can't Be Fired

Chron.com Judge: Web-Surfing Worker Can't Be Fired: "NEW YORK ? Saying surfing the web is equivalent to reading a newspaper or talking on the phone, an administrative law judge has suggested that only a reprimand is appropriate as punishment for a city worker accused of failing to heed warnings to stay off the Internet.

Administrative Law Judge John Spooner reached his decision in the case of Toquir Choudhri, a 14-year veteran of the Department of Education who had been accused of ignoring supervisors who told him to stop browsing the Internet at work."
 
  Overreacting to Protest

Overreacting to Protest: "WENYI WANG acted rudely when she yelled and waved a banner at visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao during his White House appearance Thursday. The Secret Service was right to hustle her off the grounds. President Bush was right to apologize. But does Ms. Wang deserve to go to prison for six months? That might be the response to embarrassing and rude speech in Beijing. It shouldn't be in Washington. But yesterday the U.S. government charged Ms. Wang under a law that could bring her that sentence.

Ms. Wang, a member of the Falun Gong sect, which China suppresses, got into the media section at the White House lawn ceremony with credentials from a newspaper run by the spiritual group. According to court documents, she waved a yellow banner and shouted in Chinese: 'Stop oppressing the Falun Gong,' 'Your time is running out,' and 'Anything you have done will come back to you in this lifetime.' She also yelled to Mr. Bush, 'Stop him from persecuting Falun Gong!'"

No kidding...are we really going to put someone in jail for shouting words in protest? It is polite to respect the culture and customs of visiting foreign dignitaries, but we are under no obligation to respect their dictatorial standards for suppressing free speech.
 
Sunday, April 23, 2006
  Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Chinese flee backlash from Pacific cold war

Guardian Unlimited Special reports Chinese flee backlash from Pacific cold war: "Australia and New Zealand sent more troops to the troubled Solomon Islands yesterday as Chinese residents continued to flee violence sparked by claims of electoral corruption.

The former British protectorate, with a population of little more than 500,000, was the scene of riots and looting last week that destroyed many Chinese-owned businesses in the capital, Honiara.

Trouble flared last week when the islands' parliament chose Snyder Rini to be prime minister, amid allegations that his new government was corrupt and heavily influenced by local Chinese businessmen and Taiwan."
 
Friday, April 21, 2006
  'South Park' creators banned from showing image of Islamic prophet -- Beliefnet.com

'South Park' creators banned from showing image of Islamic prophet -- Beliefnet.com: "Parker and Stone were angered when told by Comedy Central several weeks ago that they could not run an image of Muhammad, according to a person close to the show who did not want to be identified because of the issue's sensitivity.

The network's decision was made over concerns for public safety, the person said.

Comedy Central said in a statement issued Thursday: 'In light of recent world events, we feel we made the right decision.' Its executives would not comment further.

As is often the case with Parker and Stone, they built 'South Park' around the incident. In Wednesday's episode, the character Kyle is shown trying to persuade a Fox network executive to air an uncensored 'Family Guy' even though it had an image of Muhammad.

'Either it's all OK, or none of it is,' Kyle said. 'Do the right thing.'

The executive decides to strike a blow for free speech and agrees to show it. But at the point where Muhammad is to be seen, the screen is filled with the message: 'Comedy Central has refused to broadcast an image of Muhammad on their network.' "
 
Thursday, April 20, 2006
  Report Alleges Semel's Yahoo Helped China Again - Forbes.com

Report Alleges Semel's Yahoo Helped China Again - Forbes.com: "Lijun, 39, is serving a four-year prison term after being convicted in November 2003. The verdict published on the Reporters Without Borders Web site and translated by the Dui Hua Foundation said that Jiang Lijun had 'used the Internet? to promote so-called Western-style democracy,' and 'advocate that our country implement a multiparty system.?

It then goes on to list evidence used by the prosecution including 'email account information provided by Yahoo! Holdings (Hong Kong) Ltd.' "
 
  Slashdot | Yahoo! Allegedly Helps Beijing Arrest a Third Reporter

Slashdot Yahoo! Allegedly Helps Beijing Arrest a Third Reporter: "'According to a damning press release from Reporters without Borders, Yahoo has helped Beijing to locate, arrest, and imprison a 3rd reporter. This latest incident occurs about 2 months after Yahoo testified, under oath in front of Congress, that the company regrets being 'forced' to help Beijing.' "
 
  Hu's Visit Bigger For China Than U.S. - CBS News

Hu's Visit Bigger For China Than U.S. - CBS News: "The 21-gun salute China?s President Hu Jintao receives on the South Lawn of the White House this week is likely to appear a lot more impressive in Beijing than it will in Washington. The fact that there will be no state dinner honoring Hu will be downplayed, while what the White House calls a 'social' lunch with President Bush and the all-important symbolism of the 21-gun salute and reception with full military honors will be front and center as reports of the trip are relayed back to China.

The visit is not quite as important for President Bush, says former National Security Council official and University of Michigan China scholar Ken Lieberthal. 'The visit of a Chinese leader is rarely a triumph' for American presidents, Lieberthal said in a telephone interview. For one thing, Mr. Bush is at odds with fellow Republicans on Capitol Hill about how hard to push the Chinese leader on trade issues. Among many topics on the agenda between the two leaders, the lack of human rights and religious freedom in China ? which Mr. Bush will raise during their talks ? almost always take a back seat to the trade and security-related aspects of the relationship. "
 
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
  ABC News: Hawaii May Honor Humuhumunukunukuapuaa

ABC News: Hawaii May Honor Humuhumunukunukuapuaa: "HONOLULU Apr 18, 2006 (AP)? The humuhumunukunukuapuaa officially lost its title as the state fish more than a decade ago but is set to reclaim the honor.
A bill reinstating the critter known as humuhumu for short passed the Legislature on Monday and heads next to the office of Gov. Linda Lingle for a signature.

The little fish with the long name was deposed in 1990 by a clause in the law that gave it its crown, which made the measure expire after five years.

But few in the state were aware of the change and the fish, also known as the rectangular triggerfish, and it has continued to be touted as Hawaii's state fish. "
 
  ABC News: Hawaii May Honor Humuhumunukunukuapuaa

ABC News: Hawaii May Honor Humuhumunukunukuapuaa: "HONOLULU Apr 18, 2006 (AP)? The humuhumunukunukuapuaa officially lost its title as the state fish more than a decade ago but is set to reclaim the honor.
A bill reinstating the critter known as humuhumu for short passed the Legislature on Monday and heads next to the office of Gov. Linda Lingle for a signature.

The little fish with the long name was deposed in 1990 by a clause in the law that gave it its crown, which made the measure expire after five years.

But few in the state were aware of the change and the fish, also known as the rectangular triggerfish, and it has continued to be touted as Hawaii's state fish. "
 
Monday, April 17, 2006
  TKS on National Review Online

TKS on National Review Online: "We've learned that when the issue is the First Amendment right to publish something offensive to Muslims, the first to fold and capitulate are newspapers, television networks, and bookstores! The ones who are supposed to be the most staunch defenders of our First Amendment freedoms! And who rallied to insist that no, the Islamic rules for blasphemy do not apply to non-Muslims?
A couple of newspapers, bloggers, and the South Park guys!"
 
Sunday, April 16, 2006
  "Iran president filth" got 4 fired - Persian Journal Iran news, Latest iran news Iranian newspaper women zan

"Iran president filth" got 4 fired - Persian Journal Iran news, Latest iran news Iranian newspaper women zan: "Iran prez arrests 4 over text message
Fires head of phone company, sues over claim he doesn't wash

When Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad got an anonymous text message suggesting he didn't wash enough, he did not take it lying down.



He fired the president of the phone company, had four people arrested, took other legal action and accused those involve of conspiring with the Israeli foreign intelligence service Mossad"
 
Monday, April 10, 2006
  For Visitors, Graveyard Holds Memories of a Bloody Era - New York Times

For Visitors, Graveyard Holds Memories of a Bloody Era - New York Times: "CHONGQING, China, April 7 ? One of the many unexpected things about the small graveyard here where Xi Qingsheng buried his mother during the mayhem of the Cultural Revolution is that it still exists.

The rusted front gate, locked for many years, opens into a walled cemetery that amounts to a time capsule from an era the Communist Party wants to forget. Revolutionary slogans, long since discredited, are etched onto huge, ornate tombstones, including the large concrete marker that Mr. Xi built for his mother when he was a teenager.

'It is my obligation to speak about this history,' said Mr. Xi, now 54. 'It is the Communist Party's crime. Of course, they don't want to talk about it. No one wants to talk about shameful things.'

This year is the 40th anniversary of the Cultural Revolution, a milestone that has met with official silence and only glancing attention in the state news media. Here in Chongqing, the industrial hub of central China, the obscure graveyard is one of the few reminders of the bloody fighting that erupted across the city between rival factions of Red Guards.

Last Wednesday, a steady flow of people passed through the graveyard for the traditional day of mourning known as Qingming, when families across China visit grave sites to honor the dead. For many families who lost relatives in the Cultural Revolution, the annual Qingming visit offers a rare public opportunity to confront the damage that was wrought.

'The Cultural Revolution brought tragedy to my family,' said Liu Li, 41, who visited his father's grave with several other family members. 'My son is now 17. When I've brought him here, I tell him of the tragedy.'
 
Thursday, April 06, 2006
  MGGPillai.com :: [Independent] Rise of Chinese whizzkid ends in lethal injection

Fascinating...but could the transfer (bribe) to save her husband have really been 3.5 BILLION brittish pounds? They must mean millions...

MGGPillai.com :: [Independent] Rise of Chinese whizzkid ends in lethal injection: "Yuan Baojing's remarkable rise from rural poverty to the head of a multi-billion-pound investment group ended with a lethal injection. The stock market whizzkid has been executed for hiring his brother and cousins to murder a policeman turned hitman turned blackmailer.
It's New China's Scarface and Goodfellas, with a dash of Wall Street thrown in, and the 40-year-old tycoon's case has gripped the country's attention.

Yuan Baojing, his brother, Yuan Baoqi, and his cousin, Yuan Baosen, were executed on Friday after a trial in Liaoyang city, Liaoning province. Another cousin, Yuan Baofu, was also sentenced to death, but the sentence was suspended for two years, which means that, with good behaviour, he may yet escape death.

Even Yuan Baojing's sentence was in some doubt. Right up to the last minute, many feared that he would escape with his life. His wife, Zhuo Ma, a famous Tibetan dancer and professor at Beijing's Central University for Nationalities, insisted he had been wrongfully convicted, claiming inconsistencies in the way evidence was handled.
A day before he was to be executed in October, she transferred ownership of shares in an Indonesian oilfield, worth (Brittish Pounds) 3.5bn, to the government. That won a stay of execution - amid many public grumbles - until last week."
 
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
  Chinese man bids to sell his soul on auction site - Yahoo! News

Chinese man bids to sell his soul on auction site - Yahoo! News: "SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Some might call it an auction to die for, as the Chinese observe their traditional Qing Ming festival honouring the dead.

A man in his late 20s in Jiaxing, a city near Shanghai, has attempted to sell his soul on Taobao, China's top online auction site, attracting bids from some 58 soul-searching buyers before the posting was pulled.

'We reviewed Taobao's policies and realised we had no specific policy on the selling of souls,' said Porter Erisman, spokesman for Taobao's parent, Yahoo-backed Alibaba.com. 'After reviewing our policies, the posting was taken down last Friday.'

Erisman said Taobao wasn't opposed to the idea of soul selling online, but wanted more proof that the seller could provide the goods.

'After some discussion, we decided that we will allow the member to sell his soul on Taobao, but only if he can provide written permission from a 'higher authority',' he said."
 
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
  Spitzer Sues 'Spyware' Co. Over Pop-Up Ads - Yahoo! News

Spitzer Sues 'Spyware' Co. Over Pop-Up Ads - Yahoo! News: "ALBANY, N.Y. - New York's attorney general sued another Internet pop-up advertising company Tuesday, accusing it of secretly installing malicious programs on personal computers and sending ads through 'spyware' that is already installed.

Eliot Spitzer said Direct Revenue LLC has installed millions of pop-up ad programs that also monitor the Internet activity of users. He asked a state court to stop the practice.
'These applications are deceptive and unfair to consumers, bad for businesses that rely on efficient networks to do their jobs, and bad for online retailers that need consumers to trust and enjoy their online experience,' Spitzer said. 'We will continue to side with consumers in their fight for control of their desktops.'"
 

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