Employee alleges waterboarding, drawing on employees’ faces, and other fun stuff were de rigueur at Prosper, Inc.

Researchers teaching a creepy baby robot to talk - while others warn that automated killer robots pose “a threat to humanity.”

At first, this seemed like it could have been a Rudy Giuliani ad.  But no, it’s the work of a desperate Senator Hillary Clinton. 

I wonder what President Clinton would say about this?  Here’s something apropos: 

He’s right.  

David Boaz at Cato talks about Obama’s libertarian appeal.

No, it’s not from Apple - but I found this a rather sexy concept.  [h/t Engadget]

A few years ago I used to opine that those faux-daredevil shows like “Fear Factor” were only interesting to see the gross (but undangerous) things people would do for small amounts of cash - and I joked that they’d only really be good when the people were actually in danger. Sure, it’s sickly fun to watch a cute 19 year old girl in a cutoff t-shirt struggle to eat a dozen plump, fresh bull testicles - but hardly is there any real risk involved. Those shows need real stakes, I thought.

However, having been exposed to FOX’s “Moment of Truth” show tonight, I see that we’re there, and in a much more tragic way than I had imagined. Read the rest of this entry »

Good piece by Andrew Sullivan on how and why the Clintons blew it.

Seven Steps to Revolution.

A few days ago she told us to “get real.”  Today she scolded Obama with “enough with the speeches and big rallies.”

How Hillary Clinton blew a sure thing.

Where housing is headed, according to Fortune. And, “Millions who believed the happy talk are now paying the price.”

Of the messy bed we’ve made for ourselves, legendary investor Jim Rogers says, “Conceivably we could have just had a recession, but it’s going to be much worse… it’s not a good scene.”

Mortgage crisis spreads beyond subprime.

Vallejo on the brink of bankruptcy.

Might some Wall Street heads roll?

Stern’s Professor Nouriel Roubini says America’s economy risks “mother of all meltdowns.”

Enjoy.

The Senate, by its vote tonight, is conspiring to cover up crimes committed by the Bush Administration. This vote kills pending suits that would enable the judicial system to review criminal acts and orders given by the Bush Administration. Senator Clinton was in the neighborhood, but couldn’t be bothered to show up for this critical vote. Obama voted against immunity - which would have allowed these suits to go forward, rather than short-circuit the judicial process.

There is a remaining sliver of hope; that is, the House bill does not contain immunity provisions. Bush said today that there is “no reason” why the House can’t go along and that “right now, terrorists are plotting [attacks] that will make September 11th pale in comparison.” I say there is a reason, sir - it’s the fucking Constitution. Another great reason is to call your bluff on the fearmongering - which is really just a facade being used to protect your cabal from accountability.

People, there’s something you can do. Continue Chris Dodd’s fight for accountability - while his Amendment failed, we can still tell the House to stand by the RESTORE Act. There is a tool on the Dodd site there where you can contact your Rep and also petition - do this ASAP (tonight, if you can.)

The guys behind Spamalot just changed a show song reference from Britney Spears to Posh Spice.  On why, Eric Idle said:

“We don’t laugh at sad people.  Britney Spears is being tortured to death and we don’t want to be on that side.”

[Source: Olbermann]

My home state comes through (as it very often does on such things).

Good stuff.

Stay tuned for more about Zeno Media.

Hope all my Maine Democrat friends are caucusing today (as painful as it is, please do.  It’s really important.)

Shop pulls “Lolita” bed for young girls; the morons had never heard of Lolita.  Reminds me a little of that “My First Stripper Pole” Tesco was hawking a while back, encouraging pre-teens to “unleash the sex kitten inside.”

There’s probably an update to this story by now, but I’ve been meaning to mention it.   Interesting state/federal issues therein, even setting aside the sensationalism of a city formally declaring Bush and Cheney wanted criminals.  This’ll get more interesting, especially after election day… I’m intending on writing more about that soon.

Great commercial from Sweden…

[h/t David]

I’ve avoided this mostly.  But if you want to laugh then cry, go here then here (in either order.)

Interesting blurb over at Housing Panic; Fortune asks about an “arson boom”; the 100 worst zip codes for foreclosures; this monoline shit is the tip of the iceberg; and finally, economists are finally catching on to it all.