Right idea but a little shy of the mark

The president’s gift to the queen is getting a lot of flack. An Ipod does seem tacky but they were actually on the right track but they were a bit short.

What they could have done to turn their ipod from kitch into class would have been to have the video not just of her last visit, but of ALL her US visits over the last 50 years. And maybe tack on one or two of her father’s (World War II) wartime speeches.

That way it would have been a technological album of the relationship between the US and England during her reign. That would have been a really cool mix between modern technology and traditional gifts. It would have been classy.

Oh well we have 3 1/2 years or so to do it right.

A Blast from the past

Back in my HiWired days I ran the blog there and did most of the posting. I was doing some cleaning up of my system and found this old post from October of last year that is worth re-posting:

I like computer games, I’ve been playing Civ IV Colonization quite a bit lately but some people who use their games to escape real life take it way to far:

“I was suddenly divorced, without a word of warning. That made me so angry,” the official quoted her as telling investigators and admitting the allegations.

The woman had not plotted any revenge in the real world, the official said.

She has not yet been formally charged, but if convicted could face a prison term of up to five years or a fine up to $5,000.

Players in “Maple Story” raise and manipulate digital images called “avatars” that represent themselves, while engaging in relationships, social activities and fighting against monsters and other obstacles.

The woman used login information she got from the 33-year-old office worker when their characters were happily married, and killed the character. The man complained to police when he discovered that his beloved online avatar was dead.

Well there is only one thing that can be done in justice. I think her virtual character should be taken to a virtual court, tried by a jury of her virtual peers and if convicted jailed in a virtual prison to make sure that the virtual society is protected from this virtual threat!

The words “Get a life” doesn’t to this story justice.

Via Ann Althouse who as a lawyer has a little fun with it.

Considering how things are going these days I suspect that a lot more people are retreating to these virtual worlds. Expect a lot more of htis stuff.

Let her stay

Maybe it’s the Sicilian (we are big into family) in me but I think it’s tacky that there are still deportation hearings on the president’s aunt.

Cripes if a local cop and fix a ticket for a friend the president should be able to let his aunt stay, there have to be some privileges for the office.

If it was before he was elected that would be one thing but I think it’s tacky for the president’s aunt to be kicked out.

All of that being said the president should pardon the aunt and be done with it, but if the lawyer for the president’s aunt filed a motion to delay proceedings until after he leaves office I wouldn’t have an issue with it…

…after all why should she escape the miserable condition that her nephew will leave the country in?

My mother did that once…

…running into a burning building to try to save a neighbor. She ended up missing him but only a foot or two and ended up with lung damage, however it is a proud story and it is no less proud now that she is 84.

I suspect if she acted in the way the police did here she would have 40 years of guilt instead.

There is nothing sadder than watching one of the father’s of all cultures commit suicide.