Cynan: February 2004 Archives

February 24, 2004

I must have an obession with Mel Gibson

...That or there are stupid people that make me cry. From an MSNBC article:

Mel Gibson’s controversial film “The Passion of the Christ” depicts the suffering of Christ. And that is prompting attacks from some who say that Gibson has been causing the suffering of critters.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is planning to protest Gibson today, descending on his cattle ranch in Columbus, Montana while bearing signs that read: “Thou Shalt Not Kill” and “Honor all of God’s Creations.”

“Anyone who sends cows to slaughter mocks God,” says PETA’s vegan campaign director Bruce Friedrich, who also is a devout Roman Catholic. “Slaughterhouses are the embodiment of violence, bloodshed, and cruelty. If Gibson wants his audience to contemplate the awfulness of inflicting suffering on the innocent, he should show his own animals some mercy.”

Gibson’s rep wasn’t available for comment.

2 things, first PETA pisses me off. I'm going to go club some baby seals for fun, right after I poison the mice that might live in my house, and shoot groundhogs.

Oh, I'm going to Arby's for Lunch today. Maybe I'll order an extra sandwich, just to kill that many more cows. I'm Evil!

The second thing is when people try to use religion to justify stupid positions. "Anyone who sends cows to slaughter mocks God." ....what? Did I just miss that part in all my bible studies where it says don't kill cows? Someone please show me! What about the loaves and the fishes? I suppose that was *extra* cruel and unusual, since not only did you kill lots of fish, they were magically cloned fish, so essentially one fish was eaten over and over!

Excuse me while I go step on some bugs, try to hit rabbits with my car, and put on this fur cap.

Posted by Cynan at 10:59 AM | Comments (5)

February 20, 2004

The Passion Of Christ

I mentioned this upcoming movie in a post a few months ago. The Jewish community was/is very afraid that it might try to pin the death of Christ on them and spur anti-semitic feelings.

This article should do a great job of reminding everyone who is responsible for Jesus' death.

Posted by Cynan at 05:53 PM | Comments (0)

Update

My brother submitted this in the comments section of the last post, but I'll add it here. There is talk of criminal charges being filed against Tyler. I very much hope the Prosecuter's office does not attempt to press charges other than reckless driving. I don't know what I would do if I was forced into a similar situation, and I pray I never have to find out. Even I'm not ready to be as "grown-up" as Tyler is being forced to be now. I do know that I would never commit another "minor" traffic violation.

an update on the Accident as reported in the Lima News this morning: "Sheriff’s report: Teen didn’t stop at stop sign before fatal crash
By TIM RAUSCH
419-993-2097
trausch@limanews.com
02.20.2004

BLUFFTON — A 16-year-old Bluffton boy didn’t stop at the stop sign on Hillville Road Sat-urday, just moments before the two-vehicle crash that claimed the life of one of his passengers, a sheriff’s official said.
The Allen County Sheriff’s Office released information Thursday on the crash that killed 15-year-old Ricky Matter and injured three other people.
Capt. Steve Hoverman said the office did not want to release information until investigators had a chance to interview everyone involved in the fatal crash at Hillville and Phillips roads.
Hoverman said the driver of a Honda Accord, Tyler Kindred, was eastbound on Hillville Road at 2:50 p.m. with Matter and 16-year-old Kyle Roby in the car.
“When they ran that stop sign, Richard McCoy was northbound on Phillips Road and T-boned the Kindred vehicle in the passenger side,” Hoverman said. There is no stop sign at that intersection for motorists on Phillips Road.
Matter was sitting in the front passenger side of the Honda, Hoverman said. Roby was in the rear passenger side.
The facts of the crash will be presented to the Allen County juvenile prosecutor next week, Hoverman said.
“They will recommend whatever enforcement action to take,” Hoverman said. “It is a trag-edy. We don’t want to add more tragedy to it. We’ll let the prosecutor’s office decide what enforcement action they deem necessary.”
Exact speeds have not been determined, Hoverman said, but he estimated Kindred was trav-eling nearly 40 mph at the time of the collision. McCoy was probably going 50 mph, the captain said.
“That’s consistent with the rotation from the crash. Where they ended up is consistent with those speeds,” Hoverman said.
The physics calculations that will determine exact speeds will be done at a later time, Hoverman said.
“It happened so quickly there was no chance to even brake,” Hoverman said of McCoy’s ac-tions. There were no skid marks from either vehicle on the pavement.
McCoy, 54, of Bluffton, along with Roby and Kindred, were injured in the crash, but have since been released from hospitals. McCoy was driving a Mercury Mountaineer.
Hoverman said everyone involved in the crash was wearing a seat belt.
The teens were returning from a wrestling match at Allen East to prepare for a basketball game scheduled for that evening."

Obviously, this doesn't make the situation any better but it does provide some more information to curious readers. As Tim said, Tyler is feeling really bad, and the Sheriff had to talk to both Kyle and him today which couldn't have made things better. As the article says, a charge is still pending, but I would think that Tyler's grief would be punishment enough. Think what you would feel like having to live your entire life knowing that you ran the stop sign and ended up killing your 15 year old friend. I really didn't know Ricky, but it is still really hard to loose someone like that. After all, it could have been one of my friends. It really is emotionally draining. As one of my teachers said, It really makes you grow up faster that you should. You shouldn't have to go to a funeral of someone your own age till you're at least 75 or 80. School was really tough on Monday and we didn't really have class. More than 30 counselers, and clergy were at the school, and by 3rd. period, no one was in a classroom. That day was the longest school day in my entire life, and we even got out an hour and a half early. Now, school is back to "normal" or as normal as it can be. Although there is a time to mourn, things also need to go back to as normal as possible.
Alex
Posted by Alex at February 20, 2004 05:35 PM

Posted by Cynan at 05:45 PM | Comments (7)

February 17, 2004

Things that Make me Depressed

This weekend, I received bad news. All the Blufftonites who read it know what I'm talking about, but I feel like sharing some of my feelings for once. For all of you with out friends in the Northwestern Ohio region, here is what happened. On Saturday, 3 students from the high school were traveling back from a wrestling match. They were going along a road I've driven on many times. The students ran a stop sign and were T-boned by a car with the right of way. The result was Ricky Matter, a 15-year old freshman, was killed. There are several articles that do a much better job describing him than I ever could here and here

My mom called tonight to tell me about the wake and funeral which were held. More than 2000 people went through the viewing line, which was held at the High School, since there would have been no where else in town that could handle even half that number. The line was snaked through all the floors of the building, up and down stairways, just to fit people inside. The funeral was in the gymnasium, and she thought about 1500 people attended that as well.

I can't even begin to comprehend what the others in the accident must be going through. The other teen who was driving the car must be beside himself with grief, I know I would. The driver of the car which collided with the students probably is not doing any better himself.

This is the second tragedy to hit Bluffton in less than two months. On New Years Eve/Day, Kyle Luginbuhl, who was attending Ohio University, fell off a balcony and was killed. He was another amazing young man, and it was very upsetting for many when he died as well.

*edit*
Based on the official accident report, it was the 16 year old driver of the car carrying Ricky that ran the stop sign, not the other driver. Corrected mis information.

Someday I'll find out why tragedies like this happen, and if mosquito's are just a practical joke.

Posted by Cynan at 11:13 PM | Comments (3)

February 13, 2004

Things that are wrong

Peanut M&Ms that don't "crunch" right. Esp. wrong when they are extra crunchy. Make sure to chew fast and don't think about it!

Posted by Cynan at 08:34 AM | Comments (0)

February 09, 2004

Optimism in Medicine

A study is reported to show that "Optimism made no difference in the fate of most of the 179 cancer patients" in a study by Australian researchers.

Reading the article about the study, it struck me on how poor a study it actually is. First, they are trying to measure a feeling, which is basically impossible. Second, they did the study on a type of cancer which has a *very* low survival rate, 12% according to the article. They were surprised that only 8 people in the study were alive after 5 years. It would have been much better to do the study with a type of cancer with a higher survival rate. Most people will say they are optimistic, but with a low chance of survival are they really?

A quote from the American Cancer Society in the article.
"A positive attitude can help lead to healthier eating habits, stopping smoking, drinking less, exercising more and learning more information about one's disease and treatment options. Cancer patients have learned to live with therapy, avoid fatigue and even have returned to work, said Dr. LaMar McGinnis, senior medical consultant for the Atlanta-based society."

I'd be interested in seeing a similar study done for patients with cancer that has a 50% or greater survival rate. I would think that changing your lifestyle, so you live healthier would defineatly help patients survive the cancer and the treatment.

Maybe I should start applying for government grants to study things that should be common sense.

Posted by Cynan at 03:09 PM | Comments (0)

FDA = FOOD and DRUG

I've always thought the FDA was for regulating food and drugs. It existed to make sure that I don't eat too many bug parts with my cereal, and to make sure that drug X does what its suppose to. However, according to an article on the Segway not being allowed in Disney resorts, it is now in charge of regulating transportation devices.

"Disney World doesn't allow the Segways into the parks because they haven't been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as medical devices, said park spokeswoman Jacquee Polak."

Why is the FDA regulating medical devices? Okay, maybe I can buy equipment used in hospitals, but why Scooters? Do we really need to pay people to say, yes, the Segway helps people who can stand, but can't walk distances get around in public?

Posted by Cynan at 07:55 AM | Comments (0)

February 05, 2004

Misconceptions on RFID

Read this Article. If you're lazy skip it, and read what I have to say. :)

If you've been paying any attention to changes coming in the tech industry, I'm sure you've heard of RFID tags. If not, what they are are small circuits which are powered by radio waves (no battery needed). They can store small amounts of data, currently a few bytes worth, less than the amount of space needed to store this sentence. Think of them as bar codes, only you don't need to point a laser at them to read them. Just get close enough to them with your RFID reader, and you can grab the data. Recently, several companies have tried testing out these devices for several purposes. Wal-Mart is requiring all cartons and pallets to be shipped with an RFID tag to identify what is in the container. This makes inventory tracking amazingly simple. Instead of employees having to scan in boxes, it can all be automated, eliminating human errors. Several books I've recently purchased had an RFID sticker in them, to prevent shoplifting at the store.

Several other companies have tried using the tags to replace UPCs, these have been so throughly protested by people who don't know jack that the companies have been canceling their trial before it finishes. People are afraid that companies will use them inappropriately, tracking everything they buy and use. I've got news for those people--THEY ALREADY DO THAT! Credit Card companies can tell you exactly where you spent your money. Ever been to Best Buy? Use a Credit Card there? You can take something back to a completely different store, and they can tell you where you bought it, when and for how much. They know every item you buy. That Kroger card? They track every purchase made with it, so they know what products are selling in what geographical areas. They probably can tell me exactly how much soda I've purchased over the last 4 years.

RFID tags aren't evil, people afraid of new technologies, and not realizing how they can be limited are evil.

Also, companies must use them responsibly.
Quote from article:
"But companies that are pushing RFID tags into our lives should adopt rules of conduct: There should be an absolute ban on hidden tags and covert readers. Tags should be "killed" when products are sold to consumers. And this technology should never be used to secretly unmask the identity of people who wish to remain anonymous."

Posted by Cynan at 11:35 AM | Comments (0)

February 04, 2004

Dave Barry

I have a Page-A-Day Dave Barry Calander. Today's one was good, so I'll share it.

Dave Barry for President in 2004, or Whenever

Every now and then, America produces a great leader--a person of vision, courage, and integrity. Until that leader shows up, why not elect Dave Barry as our president in November? His inspirational campaign slogan is "Dave Barry--It's time we demanded less."

If only the real candidates where that direct.

Posted by Cynan at 01:01 PM | Comments (0)

Wednesday Thoughts

1. Walmart in Rochester sucks. They didn't have my movie, forcing me to order it off Amazon.com. I <3 Internet.
2. Neo is "The One" because he is to stupid to realize what he shouldn't be able to do. Nagi came up with a good comparison to A. Dent in HHG2tG. (He can fly if he gets distracted and forgets to hit the ground)
3. Microchip is awsome.
4. If you're going to expose yourself to millions of people on TV, at least be hot and young, and not a Jackson.
5. 22.7 Million dollars for 9 months of food? That's about $151 over charge per soldier. That's not counting the actual "cost" of the food. Halliburton seems like it should never get another contract from the government again, they seem to have some basic math problems.
6. Source: USAToday--Terre Haute - Officials plan to upgrade the main runway at Terre Haute International Airport, which hasn't had major repairs for 15 years. The 9,025-foot-long runway needs major repair to eliminate debris, mainly from crumbling pavement, airport officials said. It will cost an estimated $18 million. The federal government will pay 95%. -- I've lived in Terre Haute. It does not need an "International Airport" It has a military base. Indy is like 45 minutes away. $18 million seems like a lot to resurface an airfield.
7. Son 2.0

Posted by Cynan at 08:37 AM | Comments (1)

February 02, 2004

How microchips are made

Ever wondered how microchips are made? Embedded.com has a very well written article that's super easy to understand. Even if you know how they're made, its a good read to see how the author turned a very technical process into something almost any one can relate to now.

On another note, Mondays, which are the first work day of the month, and also happen to be Groundhog's Day aren't fun. Also, I managed to play 32 hours of video games over the weekend, and bake a cake (from scratch). Winamac is fairly boring. I wanted to get out and hike on some of the trails at the state park just a bit north of me on Saturday, but it was a bit too cold for the cold weather gear I've got. I'd be good down to the low teens, but below zero... no way.

Posted by Cynan at 03:48 PM | Comments (1)

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