==pla|\|ing lakes==

Saturday, March 19, 2005

I've added some netlabels in the left column; any suggestions would be appreciated

I'll add more as I find them. I'm mostly into experimental/electronic/sound art stuff, so that's my purview.

2:06 AM - [Link] - Comments ()

Stanley Greene's disturbing photos of the effects of empire and resistance in Chechnya

1:41 AM - [Link] - Comments ()

Friday, March 18, 2005

The shame of the US military's global network of detention centers

And perhaps this event above all others - of a nervous phalanx of US marines forcing its way across a prayer ground on one of the holiest, most joyous days in the Islamic calendar, an itching trigger away from a Somalian-style dogfight of their own making - is the one that encapsulates everything that has gone wrong with the global war against terror. The US army came to Afghanistan as liberators and now are feared as governors, judges and jailers. How many US marines know what James Madison, an architect of the US constitution, wrote in 1788? Reflecting on the War of Independence in which Americans were arbitrarily arrested and detained without trial by British forces, Madison concluded that the "accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive and judiciary, in the same hands may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny."

9:30 PM - [Link] - Comments ()

So long Broken Tooth Ju; Viva Macau!

Legendary sleazy brother of Hong Kong Macau cleans up its act

Despite initial scepticism that hardcore Chinese gamblers would appreciate such features, the Las Vegas-style gambling experience has proved popular with low-rolling mainlanders. "I prefer the Sands because the ceilings are higher and it's cleaner than the Lisboa," said Ms. Li, a retired cement factory worker who had arrived on the bus from Guangzhou with plans to bet a substantial part of her small monthly pension on the Asian Princess slot machine. "The showgirls are a bit noisy, but otherwise it is a good way to relax. Life would be boring otherwise."

At first sight, it may seem strange that Macau's casino industry has thrived since the territory was handed over from Portugal to the nominally communist government in Beijing. But the mix of authoritarian politics and liberal capitalist economics has created the ideal environment for a gambling boom. Broken Tooth Ju and several other mobsters have been locked up, the gang wars are no longer on the streets, and Mr Ho's monopoly has been broken by foreign competition.

Despite social problems, Macau's residents are embracing the once-stigmatised casino industry. A few years ago, many local families refused to allow their children to work as dealers. But now, with casino salaries twice as high as the average wage, many young people want such jobs.

9:25 PM - [Link] - Comments ()

For once a DVD combo set worth the money (for fans of comedies of the 30s and 40s): it includes Dinner at Eight, Libeled Lady, Stage Door, Bringing Up Baby, The Philadelphia Story, and To Be or Not to Be

You can get it for $42.89 on amazon, less than $8 a movie. Cheaper on deepdiscountdvd.com, if you can find the page, which I couldn't just now.

9:20 PM - [Link] - Comments ()

Memories of worlds behind you

The Solipsism blogger ponders the phrase "planing lakes", a reference I found using amazon's A9 search engine, which gives more interesting results than Google in this instance anyway

Speaking of "worlds behind you," I watched What the #$*! Do We Know!? last night and I recommend it as a good introduction to post-religion metaphysics. Ther are many references to quantum physics in the film, but I'm no expert on that subject.

9:09 AM - [Link] - Comments ()

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

The Onion review of the new Modern Library edition of 20 of H P Lovecraft's best stories [incoming signals]

7:32 PM - [Link] - Comments ()

Monday, March 14, 2005

Library of vintage radio shows for download [Sensibly Eclectic]

9:22 AM - [Link] - Comments ()

Sunday, March 13, 2005

Major Basquiat retrospective at the Brooklyn Museum through June 5

Interesting guy, though I never connected with his work.

This might change your mind if you've been in the same box.

1:17 AM - [Link] - Comments ()