Tomorrow I take the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test). If any of my regular readers see this, please say a prayer for me. (I'm going to need it!) Also, I may not be able to post for a few days, as I am heading to Oklahoma to see family after the LSAT is finished. I'll be back in San Marcos, TX on Wednesday evening.
posted by J.M. Branum at 6:56 PM | link

On a pharmacy sign in Austin, "Generic Prozac Now In: God Bless America."
posted by J.M. Branum at 6:43 PM | link

From the Washington Post:

White House Rejects Sharon's Criticism: Comments About Appeasing Arabs Called 'Unacceptable'

Georgia Bans Electric Chair in Executions
posted by J.M. Branum at 6:37 PM | link

Joe Pennant's Itinerant in NY Blog is back with lots of pictures
posted by J.M. Branum at 9:58 AM | link

From the NY Times:

Cyberlaw Journal: Florida community can't shut down Voyeur Dorm

US Troops en-route to Uzbekistan

"Rumsfeld said on Thursday he saw similarities between the battle against terrorism and the Cold War that ended a decade ago.


``It undoubtedly will prove to be a lot more like a cold war than a hot war,'' Rumsfeld told reporters.

Also if you live in NYC, here is an announcement that you find of interest...

NY: Not In Our Name: Our Grief is not a cry for war

Sunday, October 7
Gather at Union Square, North Plaza, 17th and Broadway
March and Rally: 3:00
Interfaith Service: 2:30-3:00
posted by J.M. Branum at 9:44 AM | link

From MSNBC:

Suit hits hot post-Napster network: MusicCity, Kazaa, Grokster lawsuit raises new swap issues - Haha! Metallica and the RIAA won't be so sucessful this time!

Russian jet explodes; 77 feared dead: Missile accident or terrorism raised as possible causes

posted by J.M. Branum at 11:50 AM | link

MSNBC has run two very inflamatory and offensive editorial by Michael Kelly attacking pacifists for being pro-terrorist. I'm including links to them both so you can see what the other side in the intellectual conflict is saying... editorial #1 editorial #2

MSNBC has also ran a very effective response to Kelly's editorial that focused on the long range goals of pacifism. The response was written by Paul Kvinta.
posted by J.M. Branum at 3:23 PM | link

Read the latest edition of my column, Pacifist Ammo (scroll down to the second column from the top) It appears every other week in the University Star, the SWT campus newspaper.
posted by J.M. Branum at 12:49 AM | link

Just read the funniest thing on Atomic Village

Ronald McDonald


Okay, here we have a national icon. Yet in reality, perhaps he should be locked up. We don't know his name, he is always in disguise, he is always following little children around offering them something to eat. Despite all this, he is free to wander the streets tempting young children with his wares. This was fine in the fifites, but it's the zeros now, Folks. He can't be trusted. If anybody sees him - alone - with small children, please, notify the authorities immediately. We don't know what he's concealing in those baggy clown clothes of his. Approach with caution. He may be carrying semi-cooked french fries, or raw hamburgers. He can be recognized by the smile on his face. Do not approach him unless armed with an antacid tablet. If he's carrying a so-called "Happy-Meal," be advised there maybe sex toys included. Do not alert suspicion, don't be a hero, just advise your local law enforcement agency.

posted by J.M. Branum at 3:27 AM | link

One of my favorite bands, Madison Greene is doing a tour of this part of the country. I'm looking forward to seeing that at one or of their shows.
posted by J.M. Branum at 2:34 AM | link

Support the right to distribute BladeEnc
posted by J.M. Branum at 1:54 AM | link

This evening I'm on an Ani DiFranco kick. I actually wasn't that familiar with her music, but I was looking for some new music to listen to while studying using Morpheus. I remember my friend Aimee played some Ani on the air when she and I did a radio show together, so I thought I would give it a try. Wow, as it turns out I really dig Ani's music.
posted by J.M. Branum at 7:29 PM | link

Info on the San Marcos Stations of the Cross pilgrimage
posted by J.M. Branum at 7:10 PM | link

Austinagainstwar.org lists three points of unity which I think the nation-wide peace movement should adopt...

1. Opposition to war
   
2. Defense against racist attacks
   
3. Protection of civil liberties
   

posted by J.M. Branum at 6:56 PM | link

This week's edition of The Onion is just what our country needs in time like this, the ability to laugh at itself.

Here are few tidbits that are worth quoting from it...

Bush Sr. Apologizes To Son For Funding Bin Laden In '80s
MIDLAND, TX— Former president George Bush issued an apology to his son Monday for advocating the CIA's mid-'80s funding of Osama bin Laden, who at the time was resisting the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. "I'm sorry, son," Bush told President George W. Bush. "We thought it was a good idea at the time because he was part of a group fighting communism in Central Asia. We called them 'freedom fighters' back then. I know it sounds weird. You sort of had to be there." Bush is still deliberating over whether to tell his son about the whole supporting-Saddam Hussein-against-Iran thing.


Dinty Moore Breaks Long Silence On Terrorism With Full-Page Ad
NEW YORK— Nearly two weeks after the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, the makers of Dinty Moore beef stew finally weighed in on the tragedy Monday with a full-page ad in USA Today. "We at Dinty Moore extend our deepest sympathies to all who have been affected by the terrible events of Sept. 11, 2001," read the ad, which pictured a can of Dinty Moore beef stew at the bottom of the page. "The entire Dinty Moore family is outraged by this heinous crime and stands firmly behind our leaders." Dinty Moore joins Knoche Heating & Cooling and Tri-State Jacuzzi in condemning terrorism.


US vows to destroy whoever it is that we are at war with
WASHINGTON, DC—In a televised address to the American people Tuesday, a determined President Bush vowed that the U.S. would defeat "whoever exactly it is we're at war with here."


"America's enemy, be it Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, the Taliban, a multinational coalition of terrorist organizations, any of a rogue's gallery of violent Islamic fringe groups, or an entirely different, non-Islamic aggressor we've never even heard of... be warned," Bush said during an 11-minute speech from the Oval Office. "The United States is preparing to strike, directly and decisively, against you, whoever you are, just as soon as we have a rough idea of your identity and a reasonably decent estimate as to where your base is located." more . . .


Hijackers surprised to find selves in hell: 'We expected paradise for this' say suicide bombers
JAHANNEM, OUTER DARKNESS—The hijackers who carried out the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon expressed confusion and surprise Monday to find themselves in the lowest plane of Na'ar, Islam's Hell.


"I was promised I would spend eternity in Paradise, being fed honeyed cakes by 67 virgins in a tree-lined garden, if only I would fly the airplane into one of the Twin Towers," said Mohammed Atta, one of the hijackers of American Airlines Flight 11, between attempts to vomit up the wasps, hornets, and live coals infesting his stomach. "But instead, I am fed the boiling feces of traitors by malicious, laughing Ifrit. Is this to be my reward for destroying the enemies of my faith?" more . . .


God angrily clarifies 'Don't Kill' rule
NEW YORK—Responding to recent events on Earth, God, the omniscient creator-deity worshipped by billions of followers of various faiths for more than 6,000 years, angrily clarified His longtime stance against humans killing each other Monday.


"Look, I don't know, maybe I haven't made myself completely clear, so for the record, here it is again," said the Lord, His divine face betraying visible emotion during a press conference near the site of the fallen Twin Towers. "Somehow, people keep coming up with the idea that I want them to kill their neighbor. Well, I don't. And to be honest, I'm really getting sick and tired of it. Get it straight. Not only do I not want anybody to kill anyone, but I specifically commanded you not to, in really simple terms that anybody ought to be able to understand." more . . . (personal note - I doubt that God would use the language that this story attributes Him to using, but overall the message of this article is very, very, very powerful.)

posted by J.M. Branum at 6:35 PM | link

Found this quote at www.badnarik.org:

"They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin
posted by J.M. Branum at 5:49 PM | link

From the NY Times:

Scholars find further signs of big flood evoking Noah

Judge vows aid workers' trial will be fair

Shocked Germany to weaken cherished protections - It sounds like the Green Party in Germany are one of the main standing up for civil liberties in Germany.
posted by J.M. Branum at 3:22 PM | link

Check back tomorrow for a first person account of the peace march...
posted by J.M. Branum at 12:13 AM | link

An article from zmag.org on the American military's record in this century with regards to targeting civilian populations.
posted by J.M. Branum at 12:00 AM | link