Translation: "We've decided that we wish to spend the least amount of time possible working on hardware compatibility, and feel that a lack of consumer choice will benefit us greatly. Also, that we have enough dominance in any market that we can shove this up consumer's asses and tell them to like it and they can't say otherwise. After all, it only took one exclusive business contract to put a stop to that nasty Linux thing shipping on netbooks."

Microsoft Said to Limit Device Makers’ Chip-Partner Choices

...and finally the other shoe drops.

Now it's clear that what Microsoft had in mind wasn't to kill Skype, but to severely hamper Asterisk's growth in favor of being able to promote Microsoft's own Lync project.

Asterisk, not Linux, the target of Microsoft's Skype Acquisition

Amazon says:

As further proof of how digital media dominate today's entertainment, Amazon announced Thursday that its customers now buy more e-books for its Kindle device than all print books -- hardcover and paperback -- combined.

IT'S F**KING AMAZING WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FINALLY DROP THE PRICE TO LOWER THAN THAT OF THE PRINTED VERSIONS that we all knew were by far more expensive to distribute and get into stores/homes.

Note: It's not that the record companies have yet to figure out that no one wants in on a "deal" where they know they're being screwed (i.e., paying no less for mp3s than they would a plastic CD)... it's that they don't care. The last thing the record labels want is to actually sell you music.

Obligatory Elitist Chidings

That's right. Moot had to stand before a judge and explain 4chan.

The irony of how this transpired is epic.

Moot is finally asked to explain 4chan in court

That's right. Moot had to stand before a judge and explain 4chan.

The irony of how this transpired is epic.

Moot is finally asked to explain 4chan in court

C.S.'s original goal was to gain access to some of the areas being guarded by BP contractors and deemed "off limits" to reporters, but yesterday he, along with Save Our Shores's Judson Parker, made an unexpected discovery.

They believe that BP has been dumping sand on the beaches in order to cover up oil. You can view some video Judson shot of the beach over here.

I'm just speechless.

Yeah I'm going to get right back on that BP/goatse bumper sticker when I get home tonight. F**k these people.

BP *still* trying to cut corners

The same people who brought you these horrible changes — rising wealth discrepancy, massive unemployment and a crumbling infrastructure – have now further institutionalized the policies that will keep the causes of these problems firmly in place.

Its quite another thing entirely to have this sort of stuff said to you by a professional wall street economist.

Wall Street Reform: Politicians Lie, Media Applauds, America Suffers | The Big Picture

I'll make this simple.

It doesn't matter where you came from now that you are here. If you're here legitimately, you're an American.

You're either an American or you're not. "Mexican-American" is bullshit. If you don't have dual-citizenship (which very few people do) you are not a "Mexican-American", you're an American.

You absolutely don't get to complain about students wearing shirts with an American flag on them, Cinco de Mayo or not. You particularly don't try to force them to be sent home from school because you want to feign being offended. If you want to celebrate a "Mexican" holiday without anything of this country being involved, do it in Mexico. ...otherwise you're just another selfish asshole trying to force other people do to things your way.

Doing such a thing completely disrespects why this country was created in the first place.

Acclimate or GTFO. It's that simple.

Students sent home for wearing American flag shirts

O. M. G.

While browsing for the latest Zero Punctuation gaming review I noticed something down low on the screen that at first I was horrified that I hadn't already heard of. I'll cite the teaser for it, because it pretty much explains everything.

It's D&D. With Strippers and Porn Stars. On Video. Every Wednesday. Featuring adult film performers Kimberly Kane, Zak Sabbath, Mandy Morbid, and Satine Phoenix, with a stripper named Connie, and a hairdresser named Frankie. Guest-starring Sasha Grey. Only at The Escapist.

Again... O. M. G.

Hot chicks, playing D&D. Now that is some serious nerd pr0n.
(Aside from some language, I think it's technically SFW.)

I Hit It With My Axe

Boston civil-liberties lawyer Harvey Silverglate calls his new book "Three Felonies a Day," referring to the number of crimes he estimates the average American now unwittingly commits because of vague laws. New technology adds its own complexity, making innocent activity potentially criminal.null

L. Gordon Crovitz: You Commit Three Felonies a Day - WSJ.com