MetaFilter

The Falkland Islands are ours and we'll get them back, says Argentina. Argentina celebrates the twenty-year anniversary of their invasion of the Falkland Islands. Britain won the Falkland War in 1982, but Argentina now boasts that they'll definitely conquer the islands in the future. Since the majority of islanders are of British descent, does Argentina stand a chance? And shouldn't Argentina be focusing on rebuilding its own economy instead of whining about some insignificant islands in the Atlantic ocean?
comment posted at 7:16 PM on Apr-2-02

Literary lynching, the practice of attacking authors who make statements against the U.S. government or engage in dissent, gets a comprehensive overview with a book in progress. As 72 year old author Dorothy Bryant puts it, "More than ever, we need free exchange of facts and opinions. I hope that looking back on a few cases that have had time to cool off will help us to understand the psychology of literary lynching, and to resist it — not only in others but in ourselves." But in today's world, is there any distinction between a thoughtful response and a downright ugly rejoinder anymore? (via Moby Lives)
comment posted at 12:19 PM on Apr-2-02

Islamic nations dodge defining terrorism. The Organisation of the Islamic Conference is divided over whether Palestinian suicide bombers should be classified as terrorists. On the other hand, there's no question that Israel practises terror. Rather than stick their necks out and commit to something, they'll leave it to the good ole UN to decide who is a terrorist. That'll solve everything. More depth here.
comment posted at 12:31 PM on Apr-2-02

Alex Beam from the Boston Globe takes some of blogging heavy hitters to task over the blogging phenomena. Lileks is mentioned and has a premptive strike. Is the the same ol'-same ol' or does he make any valid points?
comment posted at 9:46 AM on Apr-2-02

Media Torrent: ""I think this is one of many weird phenomena that contributes to a national attention deficit disorder."The crawl -- that stream of info-morsels and promotional hooks that seemed so urgent right after Sept. 11, but now seems so annoying and distracting -- seems to carry Gitlin's point with it as it creeps across the screen." Is this a real problem, or is it just the old guys not hip to the kids' video world? (via i want media)
comment posted at 11:24 PM on Apr-1-02
comment posted at 7:44 PM on Apr-2-02
comment posted at 2:21 PM on Apr-7-02

Suicidal lies (NYT) "The Palestinians are so blinded by their narcissistic rage that they have lost sight of the basic truth civilization is built on: the sacredness of every human life, starting with your own. All they can agree on as a community is what they want to destroy, not what they want to build. Have you ever heard Mr. Arafat talk about what sort of education system or economy he would prefer, what sort of constitution he wants? No, because Mr. Arafat is not interested in the content of a Palestinian state, only the contours." (more inside)
comment posted at 3:14 PM on Apr-1-02

Why Doesn't the US Value Art? In Italy, school children have notebooks with grids. In America, you have notebooks with lines." In other words, we are taught to think in a linear manner, while they are taught to think spatially. First, is it true that the US doesn't value art? Second, does ruled note paper, or any number of other seemingly minor details of life, really materially effect the way somebody generally approaches the world?
comment posted at 3:55 PM on Mar-31-02
comment posted at 8:37 PM on Mar-31-02
comment posted at 8:48 PM on Mar-31-02

Happy Easter! This morning, as Christians pray for peace in the Middle East, it's a great opportunity for everyone to celebrate the spirit of forgiveness and new life. Where on the web do you find inspiration, faith in human nature, and new beginnings?
comment posted at 1:11 PM on Mar-31-02
comment posted at 1:35 PM on Mar-31-02
comment posted at 1:40 PM on Mar-31-02
comment posted at 2:30 PM on Mar-31-02
comment posted at 3:59 PM on Mar-31-02
comment posted at 8:41 PM on Mar-31-02

The pinacle of automobile racing now provides technology for your feet. Pininfarina designed Scuderia Ferrari replica shoe based on their Formula One cars, made by Fila is here. "The 3 Action system provides superior cushioning and the Speed Tech shank offers maximum responsiveness, stability and torsion control. And, so that you may choose your path, the racing tire-inspired outsole provides maximum traction on every surface."
comment posted at 1:31 PM on Mar-31-02

George F. Will, a professed conservative, has criticized President Bush, not once (on steel tarrifs), not twice (on policy towards Israel), but thrice (on campaign finance reform) this month. Am I missing something, or is Bush not adequately protecting his right flank?

Granted, Will is a conservative of the tory variety, but it's still a noticeable change in tenor since fawning over Bush's decision on stem-cell research.
comment posted at 2:21 PM on Mar-31-02
comment posted at 4:04 PM on Mar-31-02

Queen Mum is dead. Gawd bless her. We all knew it was coming this year or next, now it has come.
comment posted at 12:21 PM on Mar-30-02
comment posted at 12:32 PM on Mar-30-02
comment posted at 12:36 PM on Mar-30-02
comment posted at 2:15 PM on Mar-30-02
comment posted at 4:34 PM on Mar-30-02

Yahoo has quietly changed its privacy policy. Accountholders are now subscribed to lots of newsletters plus junk mail and telemarketing. You can change your preferences and send Yahoo some feedback. You can't prevent them from subscribing you to new products without closing your account. Will going to an opt-out system help or hurt their bottom line? Will there be a backlash?
comment posted at 12:48 PM on Mar-30-02

Sarah Brady, champion of gun control, buys a gun for her son. The Secret Service, who you can bet are armed, violate federal and state law to keep legally carried arms away from Dick Cheney in Utah. Kofi Annan gets in trouble for machine-pistol carrying guards shortly after the UN's international Small Arms Destruction Day. Diane Feinstein admits the need to feel armed. Rosie O'Donnell wants people to tote guns to protect her son. One of Ted Kennedy's guards brought a machine pistol into the Capitol. I'm not meaning to make a Memepool type linkfest, but these things are extremely under reported, and I'm interested in what people think of the apparent hypocrisy to be found in the people who want to make you defenseless but feel above their rules themselves. Is this defensible? How?
comment posted at 9:12 PM on Mar-30-02
comment posted at 2:59 PM on Mar-31-02
comment posted at 4:57 PM on Mar-31-02
comment posted at 7:53 PM on Mar-31-02

Beatles wanted to do Lord of the Rings film in 1960s John was to play Gollum; Paul would be Frodo; George would play Gandalf; and Ringo would play Sam.
comment posted at 8:05 PM on Mar-31-02

Pacific Island States To Sue Western Countries Over Rising Sea Levels
    At the meeting of Pacific Conference of Leaders' Standing Committee at the East West Center in Honolulu, members discussed the use of lawsuits to draw attention to the risks which climate change pose their countries, and to pressure the US and Australia to sign Kyoto. (1)
    The conference nearly coincided with a report by the AU National Tidal facility which reported sinking sea levels in Tuvalu. (1, 2, 3) This story is particularly interesting (1) on human impact on Tuvalu.
    Heading into another major El Nino year, there is no doubt that Pacific states are vulnerable, but how should they argue for recognition of climatic inequalities?
comment posted at 5:15 PM on Mar-29-02
comment posted at 5:51 PM on Mar-29-02

I've always had a love hate relationship with The Big Breakfast. But now that it's come to the end of a ten year run I think something will be missing in the morning -- it offered something different to the slow newscasting on the BBC and the slow presenters on GMtv. The show went out with a characteristic flourish, not only with this mad scoop on Britney Spears, but also by dumping a giant garden gnome outside Channel 4 offices, it's hand remodelled to give a 'v' sign to the bosses who wielded the axe. Goodbye, you beauty.
comment posted at 4:35 PM on Mar-29-02

All CNN Video now pay for play. Marketed and sold through RealNetworks' RealOne subscription scheme at $4.95 a month or $39.95 a year. Is there enough demand for CNN Web video to support this?
comment posted at 4:31 PM on Mar-29-02
comment posted at 5:17 PM on Mar-29-02

Arafat is Dead Man Walking Looking grim here in the Old USA. Wonder what the future holds?
comment posted at 2:17 PM on Mar-29-02
comment posted at 2:17 PM on Mar-29-02
comment posted at 4:30 PM on Mar-31-02
comment posted at 8:12 PM on Mar-31-02

About Sydney Poitier Something one of my professor's brought up. He said, "I'm tired of everyone being politically correct in Hollywood. They say African-American because they are afraid to say Black." His point being that Mr. Poitier is from the Bahamas and not Africa. What do you think?
comment posted at 8:22 PM on Mar-29-02

Israel Surrounds Arafat HQ -- Israelis seem very serious this time. So which side are you on?
a) DAMN ISRAELIS or b) DAMN PALESTINIANS
I pick b.
comment posted at 11:47 PM on Mar-28-02

Rukeyser Out at Wall Street Week In Advance of 'Young' Format
    The long-time host ever in search of 'value in today's markets' quit rather than accept a diminished role in a revamp of the show's format. Guest hosts will replace him next season until a permanent host is found.
    PBS is quietly removing references to elves from the W$W website. The new show will be a co-production with Fortune Magazine. (Ick.) Guess its Paul Kangas for me!
comment posted at 4:16 PM on Mar-28-02
comment posted at 5:00 PM on Mar-28-02
comment posted at 5:40 PM on Mar-28-02
comment posted at 11:38 PM on Mar-28-02

Has the web become boring? (NYT link, registration required) With the demise of the Cool Site of the Day and the transition of MetaFilter to NewsFilter, the question is posed: Where have all the interesting sites gone? Is this the end of the Web as we know it? (...And do you feel fine?)
comment posted at 10:38 PM on Mar-27-02
comment posted at 1:37 AM on Mar-28-02

President Bush signed the campaign finance reform bill today. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky immediately filed a lawsuit to stop the bill. Campaign finance reform is one of the most widely popular bills with over 75% of voters supporting it. Why are some legislators so desperate to stop it? Maybe it's because television broadcasters don't want to lose the money paid to air political commercials.
comment posted at 11:36 AM on Mar-27-02
comment posted at 1:54 PM on Mar-27-02