The Ministry of Shadows

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Gone, But Not Forgotten?
Friday, Jan. 20, 2012

What The Internet Will Look Like Under SOPA
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012

Fearsgiving Week
Monday, Nov. 21, 2011

Jesus Approves of Waterboarding
Monday, Nov. 14, 2011

Beware of Asteroids
Wednesday, Nov. 09, 2011

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You Are Dumb


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Shine On?

Thursday, Sept. 09, 2010 3:49 AM

From the 'Not So Bright' department is a story in the Associated Press about high-powered 'laser pointers' and the risk they pose to one's vision.

Consequently, much alarm from the medical community, and parents insisting Something Needs To Be Done About These Dangerous Things.

All this because a 15 year-old who bought such a device over the internet, with the stated intent of burning holes in things, including his sister's sneakers, wound up reflecting the beam into his own eyes, causing damage to his eyesight and actual physical trauma to the interior of his eye.

Well, DUH, Mr. Rocket Ranger.

Even the smallest laser pointer warns the user not to shine it directly in anyone's eyes.


Via Bindyree, the tale of an unusual proselytization ... by text message over her cell phone.

IMHO, when your faith is reduced to the level of #TweetingForJesus, you're just on your way to becoming a joke. Thou Shalt Not Exceed 140 Characters, and all that.

And perhaps the sender should consider how they would feel if a friend, not necessarily Bindyree, sent them a text message expressing a fervent political or religious view. Would they be offended? Inspired to adopt that same view? How about if it arrives at an inconvenient time?

(Yes, I understand an SMS is not the same as a Tweet. You're still lining up to be ridiculed.)



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