First Looks category archive

John Cole.

These people are nuts.

Via The TechScoop.

I love this phrasing (emphasis added):

For weeks, investors have been expecting regulators to change accounting rules that would allow banks to recoup some losses already taken on illiquid mortgage assets, making Thursday’s official decision by the Financial Accounting Standards Board almost a nonevent, analysts said.

There ain’t no “recouping” about it. There is nothing to recoup.

The banks don’t want to admit that they screwed the pooch a long time ago.

What they want to do is say,

“Hey, you see that rusted out 1973 Chevy Impala over there–you know, the one with the blown engine and the broke rear axle what I wouldn’t of bought in the first place if I hadn’t a been drunk on pay for non-performance?

“Well, from now on, it’s a slightly used 2003 Bentley, and that’s how I’ve going to price it. That way, I must not be as stupid as I look. Take that, suckers.”

Here.

Playing doctor behind the barn is not the same thing as being a pornographer.

Without the ACLU, these kids might have felony records already.

A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked a prosecutor from filing child pornography charges against three northeastern Pennsylvania teenagers who appeared in racy photos that turned up on classmates’ cell phones.

U.S. District Judge James Munley ruled against Wyoming County District Attorney George Skumanick Jr., who has threatened to pursue felony charges against the girls unless they agree to participate in a five-week after-school program.

Support the ACLU here.

Tuesday, Triumph Brewing Company, Chestnut east of 2nd, Philadelphia, Pa., 6 p.

Travel day for me, so hoist one for me.

Light bloggery.

Created by Sassafras.

Richard Blair at ASZ.

Via Andrew Sullivan.

We had a hawks and owls and ospreys, but no eagles. There’s a nice picture at the link:

The third and final egg in the bald eagle’s nest at Norfolk Botanical Garden hatched about 7:12 a.m. Wednesday.

The first two eggs hatched Saturday and Sunday.

It doesn’t happen from voters at the ballot box.

It happens before or after, with the ballot box:

In a presentation that could provide disturbing lessons for the United States, where electronic voting is becoming universal, (CIA cybersecurity expert–ed.) Steve Stigall summarized what he described as attempts to use computers to undermine democratic elections in developing nations. His remarks have received no news media attention until now.

Stigall told the Election Assistance Commission, a tiny agency that Congress created in 2002 to modernize U.S. voting, that computerized electoral systems can be manipulated at five stages, from altering voter registration lists to posting results.

Unusal British names on the decline.

From the Virginian-Pilot. Follow the link for more detail:

The automated telephone message said the car’s warranty was expiring and this was the last notice.

It said to press 1 to talk with a representative. The guy on the other end gave only a first name, but Caller I D showed his number as (416) 523-1121. He asked a lot of questions, wanting the make, model, year of the car and other details.

He’ll call again, tomorrow or the day after, even if told to stop.

The Federal Trade Commission and other groups are trying to find and stop these folks, but the agency doesn’t appear to be succeeding in Hampton Roads and elsewhere.

Well, duh! The judge rules that the federal government (under the previous administration, mind you) really shouldn’t sell out our heritage.

[RANT MODE ON]

Of course, that bunch sold out more than our heritage. It sold out our traditions, our Constitution, our liberties, our laws, the treasure of our labor, and the blood of our young. Pah!

[RANT MODE OFF]

On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Gregory M. Sleet ruled that refuge officials and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service broke federal laws when they allowed farming (at the 10,000-acre Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge–ed.), and later planting of genetically modified crops, without appropriate environmental reviews to determine the impact on wildlife and wildlife habitat.

The ruling comes as a victory for Delaware Audubon, the Center for Food Safety and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, the three groups that challenged the agricultural practices at Prime Hook.

Read more »

Off to drink liberally.

Here.

Via Phillygrrl.

“This here next one’s rock and roll”:

Courtesy of BuzzWhack (http://www.buzzwhack.com/):

menoporsche: Male menopause. Symptoms include a sudden lack of energy, crankiness, and the overpowering urge to buy a Porsche.

Me, I want a Lamborghini.

I’ve wanted one for 45 years, since I first read a review in Motor Trend. In 45 more years, maybe . . . .