Moshzilla

I ran across this on the internet the other day:

Moshzilla

"Moshzilla" is a girl named so after a rather funny picture I took of a girl dancing at a show in San Diego, CA. After releasing that picture on this site, it became an "internet phenomenon", and advertly, many "photochops " of the picture were made. Some messageboard threads dedicated to photochopping Moshzilla recieved over 1/4 million views. This is a compilation of some of those photochops.

My apologies and Hat Tip to Alex.

Oh BTW his gallery is here.

Federal Emergency Methamphetamine Lab Cleanup Act of 2005 (S.259)

Methamphetamine Takes Toll on Rural Areas

High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Initiative By By Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD)

In this Press Release from Senator Johnson it is reported:

"Washington, DC – In newspapers across South Dakota, reports show that methamphetamine production and trafficking is increasing at a rapid pace, especially in rural areas. As a former prosecutor, I have witnessed the horrible effect that illegal drugs have on individuals, entire families, and communities as well.

In addition to the human costs, I am very concerned about the harsh impact that illicit methamphetamine manufacturing has on the environment. According to most estimates, the clean up costs of a meth lab site can range from $3,000 to over $100,000. The cost can become very significant for local law enforcement entities to absorb. Furthermore, as we become more vigilant in our efforts to locate meth manufacturing lab sites, these costs will only increase.

Recently, I introduced the Federal Emergency Meth Lab Cleanup Act of 2005 (S.259). This act will mandate that a portion of the Forfeiture Fund, administered by the Department of Treasury, be made available specifically for methamphetamine lab site cleanup. Currently, the Forfeiture Fund is used for expenses of drug seizures and forfeiture, contract services, compensation to informers, and other amounts authorized pertaining to remission and mitigation. The Federal Emergency Meth Lab Cleanup Act of 2004 addresses the following:

--Provides payment to the designated state, local, or tribal law enforcement entity, environment, or health entity for experts and consultants needed for cleaning up areas formerly used as an illicit meth lab; and

--In the event the lab is located on private property, payment from this fund will not exceed 90% of costs and can only be used by property owners who had no knowledge of the existence or operation of the lab prior to a law enforcement action or if upon learning of the lab, law enforcement agency is notified within 24 hours.

As a member of the United States Senate, and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have continuously sought increased federal funding of law enforcement and drug treatment and prevention programs. As well, I have worked to significantly increase funding to assist local law enforcement in the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) initiative. This important initiative has been successful in curbing the expanding drug trade, especially the alarming methamphetamine trade, in South Dakota. Additionally, I have been able to secure funds for methamphetamine awareness and prevention for the South Dakota Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

A legislative approach is only one way to address the problems associated with meth use and its effects on rural areas such as South Dakota. However, it is my sincere hope that we can move this bipartisan legislation and begin the process of eliminating this drug from our communities. "

Kudos to Senator Johnson on this one!

Martha Stewart Leaves Prison Next Weekend

AP reports that Martha Stewart after five months in prison in West Virginia will be released next weekend to her 153-acre estate in the rolling horse country 40 miles north of midtown Manhattan. There, for another five months, she will serve the home detention portion of her sentence for a stock scandal.

She will be able to return to work and start drawing her $900,000 salary again, and she will be free to throw lavish house parties - as long as she doesn't invite any criminals.

Martha Stewart will also be wearing the must-have accessory for the convicted felon on the go: an electronic anklet that will allow authorities to monitor her movements.

Read the rest here.

She shouldn't have been sent to prison in the first place. What a waste of government resources!

Welcome Back, Martha!

Bloggers Access the Wire: AP Puts Up RSS Feeds

Patterico has fantastic post: Bloggers can now Access the Associated Press Wire through a direct RSS Feed.

Check out the AP RSS Feed here.

Artificial Eyes By 2010?

The European Commission reports that an artificial eye may be commercially available by 2010:

Belgian Professor Claude Veraart says that a prototype device has been implanted in two patients so far, according to a Reuters report. He said that 15 teams of researchers are working on the problem, but that the Belgian trials had produced the best results so far. The Belgian team co-ordinates a pan-European research effort, involving scientists in France and Germany.

As with similar work in the United States, the prosthetic retina works by passing artificially stimulating the optic nerve, in line with signals from a tiny digital camera mounted on a pair of glasses.

The technology could be used to treat conditions like macular degeneration, or retinitis pigmentosa, a condition where the eye's photoreceptors are inactive, but the connection from the eye to the brain is intact.

Veraat said the device would likely cost around €20,000. The European Commission said it would be available commercially by 2010, possibly as early as 2008. The Commission has also made grants totaling €2.79m available for research into treating blindness and partial visual impairment.

A Related Story: US science alliance eyes artificial retina.

Great News!

Paris Hilton Worming her way into your Cellphone

Oh No! Paris Hilton is everywhere:

Just when you thought you’d seen the last of Paris Hilton, she starts showing up in your cellphone. The Sober.K worm is spreading so quickly, according to AV outfit Sophos, that it comprises 10 percent of all viruses detected in the last 24 hours. The virus is piggybacking off the latest Hilton Sidekick hack, promising “Paris Hilton SexVideos,” but fails to deliver. You’ll have to hack her Sidekick yourself to get those - which apparently isn’t all that hard.

H/T Engadget