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Things have changed. Times have changed. News Watch arrives earlier than usual this week and will probably settle in around this time, I hope, for the duration of 2005.
This week, The Hot 5 from the Debris Field features a Balkan ban on karaoke, a poorly written article on aliens, domestic violence in India, a Canadian politician discussing UFOs, and a large Tai penis. Future News Now looks at violence at gas stations. Khyron reviews the Jamie Foxx summer film, "Stealth", in That's Entertainment with Khyron. My Fandom : Year 2 updates you on the Red Sox and their attempts to hold on to the top spot in the AL East. An editorial on Cindy Sheehan weeks in the making. And, of course, Noory Story Scores as well.
Hot 5 Stories from The Debris Field
The links are straight from Lesley's blog The Debris Field. The commentary is pure binnall.
1>Turkmen President Bans Lip Synching (earthlink.net)
http://start.earthlink.net/article/str?guid=20050823/430a9f40_3ca6_15526200508231251128822
Meet my new favorite world leader. The tyrannical president of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov. This man knows how to wield unlimited and unchecked power with style. First he bans ballet dancing, then comes out against long haired men. He is the Hank Hill of the Baltic States.
And while some may decry his odd tyranny, are we really disagreeing with his efforts to cleanse his country of the disease that is karaoke ? I, for one, applaud his efforts and plan on contacting my Congressman here in the States to draft some legislation to bring the law to America. I suggest you do the same, before having to suffer through another badly warbled version of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing".
Under Niyazov's order, lip synching is now prohibited at all cultural events, concerts, on television - and at private celebrations such as weddings.
Niyazov has led the former Soviet republic for 20 years, creating a personality cult around himself and issuing decrees regulating behavior in all aspects of life. 2>Mailloux: Aliens, part 1: yes, no, or maybe (Danvers Herald)
http://www2.townonline.com/danvers/opinion/view.bg?articleid=312329
At her blog, I applauded Lesley for finding a story that was actually a stone's throw from BoA HQ. Yes, I could drive to Danvers right now, if I wanted to. After reading this article, it would only be to take a steaming Noory on the desk of this article's author. So pompous and righteous that I suspect that is was really written by Phil Plait in drag.
Apparently, it's part 1 of 3, thank God. I'll try and keep up with it as this story progresses. Suffice it to say, it is a disjointed ditty that first mocks Ufology through it's arrogance and ignorance and then goes on totally unnecessary dissertation on constellations.
Scientists and many other people are "dying" to find life beyond Earth. With all the stars and planets in this galaxy and the many galaxies in the universe, there just has to be life, even intelligent life besides Earthlings. Unfortunately, there is no proof that any other life forms exist as of Tuesday, Aug. 16, beyond Earth. There is evidence of water on Mars, but no proof that life is or was there. Of course, thanks to the scientific method, the question is still open.
3>Husband kills for tease taunt (The Telegraph, Calcutta, India)
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050826/asp/jamshedpur/story_5157956.asp
It must be the translation, but for some reason, the title of this article just cracks me up. Having been the victim of my fair share of "tease taunts" from the ladies, I can sympathize with this evil man. However, then I read on and the lovely Indian paper gives a graphic description of how he killed the woman and I am left with no concordance with the murderer. Marriage is tough, sir, you have to be thick skinned to survive.
A resident of a village near the capital brutally murdered his wife a few days ago, angry and frustrated over constantly being teased by her wife about his libido.
Sukra Sanga, 40, a resident of Hardag Karamtoli village in Tupudana, 15 km from here, was arrested today for killing his wife in a fit of rage on August 21. Sukra has confessed his crime and said excessive anger made him do it.
4>Paul Hellyer Former Minister of National Defense to Address UFO Symposium on Disclosure and Planetary Directions (yahoo)
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/prweb/20050825/bs_prweb/prweb276470_1
Another in a long line of former government officials coming out to speak on the UFO phenomenon. Not too suprisingly, he's from Canada. Despite what many may believe, Canada is a burgeoning place for potential Disclosure of the ET phenomenon. Albeit, any dip into their records may show that they just defer to the US on that one and that they are as clueless as the rest of us average Americans.
This looks like a nice little symposium in Toronto. I'm sorry I won't have the chance to make it. For those of you in the area, I'd give it a good recommendation as a "starter" UFO conference, as it is only one day. Have slogged through a 5 day adventure covering a UFO conference, a one day seminar is an interesting change of pace.
Mr. Hellyer will address the Symposium's theme: Why information concerning Extraterrestrial-related phenomena and government involvement with these issues is still being withheld from the public by specific western nations.
Some call this the UFO Cover-up. Others call it a truth embargo. In either case Mr. Hellyer's well documented and comprehensive perspectives on such topics as Free Trade, Globalization, the inequitable distribution of wealth, the failure of banking systems and the weaponization of space will affix a compelling urgency to the far-reaching global implications of UFO/ET disclosure. 5>Someone in the government of Thailand had a penis enlargement operation (funreports.com)
http://funreports.com/fun/25-08-2005/1262-0
There's a good old fashioned mystery brewing in Thailand. Apparently, some member of the government got a penis enlargement on the government's dime. Something tells me the underhanded lengths that some US government workers go to waste money would shock the poor Thais and make them forget about the tax payer inflated schlong. Ah, the sordid things that must be funded by our government. Thailand, be happy it's just a big penis.
A large albeit quite an erotic scandal is stirring up in Thailand. One of the members of the Thai government has supposedly had penis enlargement surgery on the sly.
The news transpired in the Thai press and caused an outrageous scandal in the government of Thailand. The Prime Minister of the country, Thaksin Shinawatra, asked this question to the ministers point-blank during the session of the government on Tuesday: "Tell me, who did that?" The question took the high-ranking officials by surprise: the ministers were looking down on the floor, nervously fidgeting on their chairs. None of the ministers, however, confessed to the delicate surgery, AFP says. Gas Station Workers Face Angry Customers (AP via infowars.com)
http://www.infowars.com/articles/us/gas_station_workers_face_angry_customers.htm
As Katrina bears down on the Southeast, I fully expect the gas price to skyrocket once again. And, with that, insane people at gas stations will also see their population soar. I happen to be good friends with some gas station clerks and via their insider knowledge, I know that the number of "drive offs" have increased tremendously over the last year.
The once jolly gas station has now turned into a depression stop along the way, second only to the DMV. Expect violence to escalate, as our world continues to crumble. That problem will cause an outcry for more security. You do the math. This increasing gas nightmare leads me to think that we are nearing the end of a "quiet period" that has lasted over the last year or so and I expect crazy stuff to happen within months.
It's a scene gas station workers say is becoming increasingly common and frightening: Customers angry over gas prices nearing $3 a gallon storm in and decide to take it out on the employees.
"They just yell and scream," said Selam Berhe, assistant manager at a Dallas Tetco station. "They think it's only us that are high-priced."
Incidents of consumer anger and gas-station crime have made headlines across the country, including the killing of a gas station owner in Alabama last week by a driver attempting to steal $52 worth of gas.
That's Entertainment with Khyron
Posted @ Summer is here, opening the flood gates to popcorn-guzzling, mindless action films. Right on cue, director Rob Cohen, the man behind the recent "xXx2: State of the Union," brings us yet another high-octane and special effects heavy action movie--"Stealth."
Set in the near future, three Navy test pilots have proven to be the best of the best. Tasked with a new anti-terrorism initiative, they navigate the globe in high-tech jets and destroy targets of opportunity. However, their group dynamic is sent through a barrel roll when a fourth wingman appears--a robotically controlled, stealth fighter. EDI, a fully autonomous AI, is part of a new plan that will replace human pilots and prevent casualties. But what happens when the AI refuses to obey commands?
As far as mindless action movies go, "Stealth" couldn't afford to lose much more grey matter. The plot is very basic and linear, tailoring to audiences uninterested in the intricacies of man vs. machine and existential debate. This wouldn't have been necessarily bad (this is an action movie, after all), but "Stealth" takes every opportunity to insult your intelligence. In one such scene, you are shown a zoomed-out, satellite image of a trail from North Korea, to Russia, finally to Alaska. As if the noticeable geographic shape of Alaska wasn't a dead enough give away, country borders and labels are superimposed to make sure viewers don't get lost in the very short globe-trot.
The actors seem very disinterested, giving hollow, phoned-in performances. Jamie Foxx, a recent Oscar winner for his portrayal of Ray Charles, gives a particularly poor performance. Though, to be fair, the few lines he was given were poor to begin with (including the one-liner, "That's hot."--No, Jamie, it's not). This is a prime example of what a bad script can do to a good actor.
During the trailers, I was confused as to why such a top-billed actor like Foxx wasn't being promoted as a main character. Upon seeing the movie, however, I fully understand why. I relate his character to the cop-out appearance of Steven Seagal in "Executive Decision." For those familiar with that film, you know far too well the outrage you can expect in "Stealth."
At its core, "Stealth" is a very visually intensive movie. CGI aplenty, many of the dog-fighting sequences are so blatantly unrealistic that the illusion of reality zooms away faster than your enjoyment of them. This is "Top Gun" for the "Fast and the Furious" generation (Josh Lucas does look uncannily similar to a young Tom Cruise...)--filled with scene-stopping, unnecessary 'bullet-time' effects and music video-like editing. There are a select few moments of eye candy--a rather large, well-shot explosion being one of them--but the overabundance of computer generated images reduces the quality, drastically.
"Stealth" is a summer action film, no better, and no worse. While enjoyable at times, I don't recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful, or fulfilling experience. If, however, you're looking for a place to sit in air conditioning and eat popcorn for an hour and fifty minutes, then, by all means, "Stealth" is for you. For the rest of us, let it slip under the radar until it's released on DVD--most likely sometime in the near future.
Rating: 2/5
Contact Khyron here : My Fandom : Year 2
Ugh, what a fugly week. Last week the Red Sox were heading into a series with the feeble Kansas City Royals and then the almost as feeble Detroit Tigers. It looked like a fairly easy ride. Of the six games since last week's installment, they went 3 for 6. Meanwhile, the hated Yankees have been on a tear winning an assload of games. (I can't be bothered to look it up).
The end result is that the lead the Sox possessed last week (4) has been shrunk to a measly 1.5. A serious dogfight is shaping up between the Sox and Yankees over the next month. There are six head-to-head games as well. It is going to be a wild ride.
The Red Sox pitching continued to be the albatross of the team, failing left and right over the course of the week. The big news was Boston hero and media whore Curt Schilling returning to a starting role after being a closer the last 6 weeks or so. Schill Schill, as I've been known to call him, didn't do too well against the melancholy Royals. He let up something like 6 runs and also received barely any run support, which must be additionally stressful. Much like Schill Schill the closer, the jury is still out on how well this move will go down.
What the jury is certain about is that the Red Sox bullpen is awful. They took a step in the right direction by released maligned reliever Mike Remlinger, a mere week after he was lambasted in this very column. No, I had nothing to do with it, but I am quite happy to see it happen. Remlinger's final ERA with the Sox was something like 14, which is ridiculously bad. Good luck in the future, Remlinger, hope you enjoyed your cup of coffee in Boston.
This week, the Sox play Tampa Bay, an odd rival. For some strange reason, these two teams have an evil bean ball war going on and it always seems to erupt when they play each other. Back in April, they had a series where probably 6 guys got beaned. And, of course, when they play each other the replays of the beanings get shown ad nauseum, much to my delight.
Following that, the Baltimore Orioles come to town to play the Sox over the weekend. This should be a good series, as the Orioles have imploded and I'm dying to see the reception for Raffy the cheater. The Boston fans and media will roast him all over again and it should be entertaining as hell. Meanwhile, the hated Yankees play Seattle, who are crappy at best and then Oakland, who are quite good and leading in a dogfight with Anaheim over in the AL West. So hopefully the Yankees will drop a few at least to Oakland if not to Seattle.
By this time next week, the Sox could continue their slide and be out of first place or increase their lead over the hated Yankees. I've a feeling they may lose the top spot, albeit only for a handful of days and regain it over the weekend or mid-week next week at worst.
The Noory Story Showdown
This Week's Point Getters : There will be a divisional championship. Our championship committee is at work right now determining the details.
Streamlinkers : mirage scored 3 points with"Britain's elite get pills to survive bird flu", "US heading for house price crash, Greenspan tells buyers", "Feds Vow To Get Tough On Illegals". 1234 scored 1 point with "U.S. border patrol helicopter downed by illegals". Also, Nettie debuts with 1 point with ""Robertson Apologizes for Chavez Comments"
theUSofE.com : Oscar followed up last week with another dominant perfomance, racking up an additional 7 points for "Robertson Apologizes for Chavez Comments".
baemark scored 2 points with "Last Years Tsunami reached around the globe" and "Earth's core rotates faster than surface, study confirms"
jerikai scored 1 point with "Plane Crash- Peru Kills 41- Split in two -emergency landing", and darkmatter returned to score 1 point with "Pat Robertson calls for assassination"
Current Standings as of 8.29.5 : Oscar (34), Baemark (32), mirage (, Tony1 (6), somnus (5), dark matter (5), Majestic Peak (3), jerikai (3), Green Moon (2), Shredder (2), Japanese American (2), SomeAverageJoe (2), 1234 (2), anotherlight (1), cns (1), WTL (1), FAZER (1), and Nettie (1).
Score 1 point for posting a news story that gets read by George Noory, Art Bell, or a guest host on the show. Stories posted after they are read by the hosts do NOT count. If you are not credited by me in News Watch, YOU are responsible for letting me know that I missed it. You can ONLY post your news stories in either the Streamlink message board "Current Events" folder or the U.S. of E. message board "Current Events" folder. (News Stories posted in individual episode folders or "Anything Goes" do not count)
The WINNER is the person with the most Noory Story points (cumulative) in the January 2nd, 2006 Edition of News Watch.
The 1st PRIZE is a $40 dollar shopping spree @ the official binnallofamerica.com store.
The 2nd & 3rd place PRIZES are binnallofamerica.com T-Shirts and a mystery surprise item.
Any questions / comments can be sent to tbinnall@hotmail.com This contest is REAL. No wagering, please. Editorial
On the advice of Ladies Home Journal, I am postponing the "Back to School" editorial until Labor Day Weekend, in keeping with 1950's sensibilities.
You Say Sheehan, I Say Schiavo
Sh. In case you haven't noticed, there's another one of those delightful media circuses in town. This time, the freak show has hitched its wagon to a woman named Cindy Sheehan. Despite the spinning on both sides of the aisle, I still am convinced she is nothing more than a Schiavo and by that I mean a distraction of epic proportions.
I'm sure she doesn't mean it that way. I'm sure she thought it would be cheeky to go down and hang out in front of W's ranch with some signs and some hippies, shake a tambourine, smoke some marijuana cigarettes, and have a good old time. Unfortunately, the media had to get involved. Like the squares that killed the 60's, the media turned this Woodstock into an Altamont and we've all been forced to watch.
First they decided to profile Sheehan as perhaps a human interest piece. That, in turn, inspired the anti-Sheehan forces into action. You know these folks, the kind of people who just don't get The Beatles. Anyway, they crapped all over Cindy and one nutty bastard even drove over a bunch of crosses. How anyone can think they're in the right doing that is beyond me.
The story took on epic proportions as unemployed freaks from around America stuck out a thumb and made their way to Crawford. Some were pro-Sheehan, some were anti-Sheehan, some just had nothing better to do. Cindy Sheehan's husband filed for divorce and her family came out against her. Her poor mother had a stroke and Cindy slipped out of the spotlight.
Now we're left with two groups of insane people fighting in the fields of Texas. As they say, the more things change ...
Despite my tongue-in-cheek recap of this little saga, I suppose I should throw my lot behind one side or the other, but, sadly, I choose neither. They're both crazy, if you ask me. As I've said time and time again, partisan politics is for morons. I watch professional wrestling, I don't need to see anymore staged foolishness for one week, thank you.
At the end of the day, I suppose it is best to introduce Cindy Sheehan to someone else who was once a lot like her. His name is Gary Condit. Throughout the entire month of August 2001, and perhaps even the whole Summer of that year, Gary Condit was the media circus du jour. Then 911 and no one cared one spit about Gary Condit nor the still missing Chandra Levy.
So, Ms. Sheehan, when W returns to DC or some more interesting event happens elsewhere in America, like that missing girl in Aruba, you will be quickly moved out of the rotation of media hype, left to spend your days wondering what that 15 minutes of fame were all about. I just hope you weren't a distraction prior to "the big one", for then I will have a reason to hate you.
Bullah bullah. My body clock is worn out like an old leather shoe. A nap is in order somewhere down the line. Big things ahead for BoA, you've been warned.
Plugs : Tuesday, Lesley brings her perspective to the Tom Biscardi with this week's "Grey Matters". Wednesday, I'll chime in with, hopefully, the final word on Biscardi and his infamous implosion last week, with "Biscardigate". Unless, of course, he gets a Bigfoot, then we'll be forced to continue covering him. Thursday, in Hot Newz, it's the pictures you didn't see of the MTV Video Music Awards, with our C2C MTV VMA Scrapbook. How did Richard Hoagland's folk trio fare ? Did Linda Moulton Howe finally snare one of those MTV moonmen ? And, what sexy young lass was George Noory's date. Find out in this week's Hot Newz on Thursday. Friday, the binnall report features an announcement of future BoA Audio: Season One guests and a tenative schedule for the first 6 weeks of this monumental work. Saturday Night Punnett
will feature the debut of an additional feature, "The Many Looks of Ian Punnett", following up on Ian's challenge of finding him a workable beard. SNP will take up the cause from here on out. Sunday sees the return of smoker dave with his usual take on the world at large.
Meanwhile, we expect to have the streaming audio up and running this week @ some point. Scout's honor. Until we do, however, be safe, be prepared, and be real.