Reason Morning Links: Tobacco, Guantanamo, Land Ho!

- The Senate votes to give the FDA regulatory authority over tobacco. For more on the bill, including the advantages it gives Philip Morris and its peculiar censorship provision, see Jacob Sullum's column from earlier this week.

- Iran prepares to vote. If Mahmoud Ahmadinejad loses, some of his harshest western critics will be…disappointed.

- "The Obama administration has virtually abandoned plans to resettle in the United States some detainees from the military prison in Guantanamo Bay."

- Cable companies stop worrying and learn to love net neutrality.

- Coming at midnight: the great Facebook land rush.

Comments

[John Davis]

Is anyone really surprised about Obama bin Lyins' sudden about face? LOL too funny. Only thing he is good at is giving speeches and giving our money away!

RIff
http://www.privacy.alturl.com

[Xeones]

Yo, Facebook died when my grandmother got an account.

[FrBunny]

You said it John Davis! I'm always angered or delighted when that man or woman does or does not do that thing that he or she did or didn't do! LOL what a world!

Moxie
http://www.shill.likeapro.com

[Kyle Jordan]

Bravo FrBunny, bravo.

[Fat Freddy Freekowtski]

? "The Obama administration has virtually abandoned plans to resettle in the United States some detainees from the military prison in Guantanamo Bay."

American prisons are for non-violent drug offenders!!!! Geeze, didn't he get the memo?

[Abdul]

Iran prepares to vote. If Mahmoud Ahmadinejad loses, some of his harshest western critics will be...disappointed.

I heard that, as a sign of our thawing relationship with Iran, Obama sent them some old voting machines from Chicago. Later today they will announce that Richard Daley has been elected mayor of Tehran.

[John]

I wish Ahmadinejad's defenders would get their story straight. When people point to all the crazy shit he says, the answer is always that "who cares what he says, he has not power anyway." Okay. Fair enough. But now that he might get voted out of office, his defenders say that this means Iran is reforming. If he is just a figurehead and a clown, then who cares if he is voted out of office?

[domoarrigato]

Obama sent them some old voting machines from Chicago.

At least they don't have the dreaded DRE 700

[Fat Freddy Freekowtski]

Later today they will announce that Richard Daley has been elected mayor of Tehran.

Too bad he didn't send them ones from Philly. They could really use a Mayor like Frank Rizzo

[phalkor]

If he is just a figurehead and a clown, then who cares if he is voted out of office?

The answer, of course, is other clowns.

[Hugh Akston]

If Facebook is opening its pages to Google searches, it will also create millions of irrelevant results for every conceivable search. Search for a local dry cleaner and you'll get millions of picture captions reading "LOLz heres a picture of me passed out in front of a dry cleaner!!" Search for constitutional challenges to eminent domain seizures and you'll get blog posts reading "oh man I got so drunk tonight while reading about Kelo v. New London

I only hope Google responds by adding an "ignore Facebook results" option.

[Rrrrrrr]

"The Senate votes to give the FDA regulatory authority over tobacco"

Is booze next?

[R C Dean]

I live within a couple of hours of the border with Mexico.

I foresee many provisioning runs to Mexico in my future, to restock my humidor.

[MaterialMonkee]

Obviously for the Iranians its good but
but if Ahmadinejad doesn't win
The fantastic political satire show Headcases
loses one of its best characters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KITlWo_qoBs

Great show

Mugabe trying to grow chicken Kievs on his farm and the Angelina Jolie/Madonna owned sweatshop full of adopted children are more highlights

[Spoonman]

Hugh: use -site:facebook.com in your Google searches.

[P Brooks]

• "The Obama administration has virtually abandoned plans to resettle in the United States some detainees from the military prison in Guantanamo Bay."

Dear Stupid Mister President:

For the low, low price of ten million dollars, I will agree to take a prisoner off your hands.

Please send me half up front as a token of your sincerity.

Thanx

[Hugh Akston]

Much obliged Spoonman. Do you happen to know a command that keeps insipid Facebook drama from spilling out into conversation?

[ShutterGeek]

John,

While it's true that the president of Iran has little real power, who is elected does, in some sense, reflect the mood of the people. To that extent, the election of a relative moderate would reflect that people in Iran are getting relatively more moderate (or, I suspect more accurately, getting more vocal about expressing it).

It's also nice to have a relative moderate voice in the room when decisions are made even if that voice has no direct power.

I'll also point out that it's a bit disingenuous to call people who point out how little power he has "Ahmadinejad's defenders".

[Not a Libertarian but You Migh]

Oh, I do not think that Facebook is opening its pages to be trawled by google.

Those drunk pics at the Waffle House are all safe.

What would be searchable by google would be a page like this:

http://www.facebook.com/mike

Which I might ad, I believe already exists for facebook users anyway- this "land rush" will simply allow you to have a "vanity" url.

thus facebook.com/mike

or facebook.com/jessewalker

or facebook.com/shutthefuckuplonewacko

[R C Dean]

Hugh: use -site:facebook.com in your Google searches.

If I have to type that in every time I search, I will stop using Google.

For the low, low price of ten million dollars, I will agree to take a prisoner off your hands.

I see a new wave of Nigerian spam.

I am the President of the United States, and unexpectedly find myself with a bank accounts at the United States Federal Reserve Bank of America that I need to access. A portion of this funding can be yours if you will assist me with a tropical resort in Cuba. . . .

[Spoonman]

Another fun link: Fraud may get 10% of stimulus

[ed]

Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

Yep, it's for The Family?.
Damn you, Bil Keane!

[R C Dean]

To that extent, the election of a relative moderate would reflect that people in Iran are getting relatively more moderate (or, I suspect more accurately, getting more vocal about expressing it).

And the likely impact on Iran's actual policies and activities would be . . . ?

[John]

"It's also nice to have a relative moderate voice in the room when decisions are made even if that voice has no direct power."

I am not sure how much effect that will have in a room full of nutcases widening streets for the arrival of the 12th Imam.

"While it's true that the president of Iran has little real power, who is elected does, in some sense, reflect the mood of the people. To that extent, the election of a relative moderate would reflect that people in Iran are getting relatively more moderate (or, I suspect more accurately, getting more vocal about expressing it)."

Everyone knows the Iranian people are not suicidal lunatics as a rule. But that really doesn't matter if the people in charge are lunatics. Unless and until the people of Iran are willing to start a revolution, their professed moderation really doesn't mean much.

"I'll also point out that it's a bit disingenuous to call people who point out how little power he has "Ahmadinejad's defenders".

They invited him to speak at Columbia didn't that? I would say that he has his share of defenders in this country.

[John]

From Spoonman's link,

"Swindlers, con men, and thieves could siphon off as much as $1 out of every $10 spent as billions of dollars in stimulus money begin flowing into all corners of the economy in coming months."

I am a partisian Republican. But even I think that is a pretty harsh way to refer to Obama and his supporters.

[SugarFree]

or facebook.com/shutthefuckuplonewacko

I would fight for it, but it does rightful belong to Xeones.

[Abdul]

Too bad he didn't send them ones from Philly. They could really use a Mayor like Frank Rizzo

My favorite Rizzo story was when he was asked by a local TV news reporter to comment on one of his poltiical opponents who accidentally fired a gun. Quoth the former police commissioner:

"If he wants to play with it, he should go into a room alone a play with it."

The reporter's stunned face at the double entendre going out live to the virginal ears of Philly's local news viewing audience was priceless.

[ShutterGeek]

R C Dean,

The impact would likely be small. But history has shown that dictators can't completely ignore the will of their people. They must, to at least some extent, feed the beast. And, if nothing else, it would probably mean a reduction in the inflammatory rhetoric that makes it so hard to have a rational discussion on the subject of Iran.

Are you suggesting that there are (even halfway credible) people suggesting that Iran is about to become a land of rainbows and puppydogs? The positive reporting I've seen has, by and large, suggested they might be moving slightly in the right direction.

John,

I don't claim to have any first hand knowledge of the mindset of those at Columbia. I will note, though, that there are those who think that refusing to talk to anyone but those we already agree with can create an echo chamber. So I don't think inviting someone to speak can be fairly taken as an endorsement of him or his worldview.

Again, can you cite someone actually defending Ahmadinejad rather than dismissing his importance or just listening to him talk? I suppose there are some people somewhere, but hardly a significant number.

[Warty]

or facebook.com/shutthefuckuplonewacko

I would fight for it, but it does rightful belong to Xeones.

BULLSHIT IT DOES!!!!! THAT'S MY CATCHPHRASE YOU DICK-GARGLING FUCKSMELL!

[John]

"Again, can you cite someone actually defending Ahmadinejad rather than dismissing his importance or just listening to him talk? I suppose there are some people somewhere, but hardly a significant number."

Certainly those on the whacko left, like no doubt most of the Columbia faculty, think of him as a peaceful third world leader being picked on the by the US. But, yes I was being flippant in calling those who discount him his defenders.

[Seward]

"Net neutrality" will basically kill the internet.

[Zeb]

"John | June 12, 2009, 10:45am | #
"Again, can you cite someone actually defending Ahmadinejad rather than dismissing his importance or just listening to him talk? I suppose there are some people somewhere, but hardly a significant number."

Certainly those on the whacko left, like no doubt most of the Columbia faculty, think of him as a peaceful third world leader being picked on the by the US. But, yes I was being flippant in calling those who discount him his defenders."

So your answer is "no" then.

[TrickyVic]

"""I am not sure how much effect that will have in a room full of nutcases widening streets for the arrival of the 12th Imam."""

Preparing for the return of Jesus Christ, or the coming of Moshiach, every religion has it's waiting for the messiah story who will change the world for the better of their religion. Do you only think the Muslims are nutcases?

"Again, can you cite someone actually defending Ahmadinejad rather than dismissing his importance or just listening to him talk?"

Juan Cole.

"Do you only think the Muslims are nutcases?"

They are if they incorporate that in their national policy you useless fuck.

[Xeones]

BULLSHIT IT DOES!!!!! THAT'S MY CATCHPHRASE YOU DICK-GARGLING FUCKSMELL!

I was going to remind SugarFree of this, Warty, but your reaction tells me that i must fight for it. Sorry!

Say, are they gonna allow "fuck" in the url?

Juan Cole:

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2007/09/24/ahmadinejad/

[TrickyVic]

"""They are if they incorporate that in their national policy you useless fuck."""

And you french kiss your mother with that mouth?

"And you french kiss your mother with that mouth?"

Does up her butt count?

[Warty]

You're welcome to it, Xeones. I abandoned Facebook a while ago because of its creepiness and because I got tired of people tagging my drunk

Still: fuck you, SugarFree.

[Warty]

...drunk pictures.

Shut the fuck up, preview button.

[TrickyVic]

That would explain the shit talking, so yes.

[John Thacker]

"Net neutrality" is definitely one of those phrases that seems to mean a lot of different things. Sometimes it seems to mean "no one should have a different Internet experience from anyone else, and especially not be able to pay more money for more service."

[shecky]

If Mahmoud Ahmadinejad loses, some of his harshest western critics will be...disappointed.

First Daniel Pipes, now Michael Rubin:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/12/right-wing-neocons-rootin_n_214698.html

John:

"Whoever ends up becoming president will have little real power -- and even less influence over Iran's geostrategic direction."

"That would explain the shit talking, so yes."

The only shit talking I see on this thread is your belief in cultural relativism. Definitely shit-talk.

[Seward]

John Thacker,

What net neutrality reminds me of is the moral panic of the 1990s which ensued after Microsoft began to dominate the browser market.

[John]

"Preparing for the return of Jesus Christ, or the coming of Moshiach, every religion has it's waiting for the messiah story who will change the world for the better of their religion. Do you only think the Muslims are nutcases?"

Did I miss when George Bush tried to widen the roads in to Washington to make way for the coming of Christ. There are levels of belief. Just because two people both happen to believe in a messiah figure doesn't mean one isn't batshit crazy. That is the kind of bullshit comment that passes for thinking among atheists.

[TrickyVic]

"""The only shit talking I see on this thread is your belief in cultural relativism. Definitely shit-talk."""

Wow, you've assessed if I have a belief in cultural relativism based on one post that merely pointed out other religions have a similar belief? Quit making shit up.

[John]

"Whoever ends up becoming president will have little real power -- and even less influence over Iran's geostrategic direction."

Maybe so. In which case the election is no big deal.

"That is the kind of bullshit comment that passes for thinking among atheists."

I prefer the term shit-talk. Anal leakage comes in as a close second.

[John]

"Wow, you've assessed if I have a belief in cultural relativism based on one post that merely pointed out other religions have a similar belief? Quit making shit up."

there is a different in having a belief and thinking that you can act on it and bring about the end of the world. Yes, there are crazy Christians who think that they can usher in the return of Christ by getting the Jews to rebuild the temple. If they start running the country and basing our foreign policy on this quest, I will start to worry. Until then Iran will worry me more.

"Wow, you've assessed if I have a belief in cultural relativism based on one post that merely pointed out other religions have a similar belief?"

My bad. I forgot that your posts have no real value.

[TrickyVic]

"""Did I miss when George Bush tried to widen the roads in to Washington to make way for the coming of Christ.""""

That's not a requirement for the second coming of Christ so why would he?

True there are levels of belief, Bush said he talked to his heavenly father before going into Iraq. He did believe he was doing God's work in general. Our current president is considered missiahish by some.

Did Iran actually widen roads or just some faction propose it? Sure it is a crazy idea. We have plenty, fortunately we are not a form of theocracy.

[John]

"Did Iran actually widen roads or just some faction propose it? Sure it is a crazy idea. We have plenty, fortunately we are not a form of theocracy."

No shit we are not. Further, not every theocracy is created equal. Some are definitely more crazy and dangerous than others. Bhutan is a Bhudist theocracy and they don't seem to be much of a problem. Malaysia is pretty close to being an Islamic theocracy. You would certainly call the US one if it followed Christianity the way Malasia does. Iran would be towards the crazy and dangerous. Why that is so hard for you to admit is beyond me. It is like it is written in your character that all believers must be the same level of crazy and evil. Again, that is the kind of asshat thinking that passes for thought among atheists.

[TrickyVic]

"""Maybe so. In which case the election is no big deal."""

I tend to agree, but our Israeli friends seem to hold on to his every word.

[TrickyVic]

""" Iran would be towards the crazy and dangerous. Why that is so hard for you to admit is beyond me."""

John, you have wrongfully assumed I don't believe Iran can be crazy and dangerous. I've haven't disagreed that wideing a road for the coming of the 12th wasn't crazy. My point of my intial post was that it isn't just the Muslims being batshit crazy with religious ideas.

[Gimlet]

"That's not a requirement for the second coming of Christ so why would he?"

What ARE some of the requirements? Just so we know what to look for.

[TrickyVic]

But you didn't answer the question. Did Iran actually widen the roads for the 12th? Because there is a big differnce between crazy ideas and crazy actions.

[Gimlet]

"My point of my intial post was that it isn't just the Muslims being batshit crazy with religious ideas."

Deep Points
by TrickyVic

[TrickyVic]

The rapture, and the battle of Armageddon to name a couple.

[John]

"My point of my intial post was that it isn't just the Muslims being batshit crazy with religious ideas."

Which is complete bullshit. No Christian country is as crazy or dangerous as Iran. Again, if we start basing our foreign policy on bringing about the second coming, I will start to worry.

[TrickyVic]

""Deep Points
by TrickyVic""

If you think so, but I don't. The comment got more discussion than it was worth.

[Warty]

I like you and all, John, but your god doesn't exist and your religion is false. Just sayin'.

[Xeones]

Actually, Warty, i got out of Facebook over a year go myself. I probably wouldn't rejoin even to spite you.

Apparently, it is possible to sugarfree references to memes as well as links.

[TrickyVic]

""" Again, if we start basing our foreign policy on bringing about the second coming, I will start to worry."""

Which Iranian foreign policy is based on the second coming of the iman? So far you've failed to answer the question regarding if they have applied that belief to their roads. Which doesn't arise to foreign policy.

Did they actually widen the roads or not?

[Warty]

Xeones, do you suppose "Shut the fuck up, X" counts as a meme? I think memery might be like trademarks, where you can't trademark something that's in common usage. Whereas "Yo, fuck X" might be uncommon enough to qualify for meme status, I doubt my catchphrase is.

Clearly the Patent Office needs to take up this question.

[brotherben]

John, I would hazzard a guess that Iran thinks that no muslim country is as crazy or dangerous as the U.S.

[SugarFree]

Warty, maybe they'll save facebook.com/whinylittlebitch for you.

[Tulpa]

At the end of the credits for "Drag Me To Hell", they had a statement from HSOTUS or whoever that "No animals were harmed? during the production of this movie". And I was like, how in the world did they trademark such a commonly used phrase?

[Warty]

SugarFree, I hope you remember to reserve /scoundrel.

[nemesis]

facebook.com/ihopeyouforgetyourcandybarduringyournextinsulinshockepisode

[SugarFree]

Wow, nemesis. You said a mouthful. You're hired.

[jsh]

"Net neutrality" will basically kill the internet.

And leave people back having to count on the MSM for info (and ads for revenue).

[Brandybuck]

Cable companies stop worrying and learn to love net neutrality.

Of course they love it! It's a regulation that will keep out the competition! When it takes an army of lawyers to comply with the regulations, only firms with armies of lawyers will remain.

[phalkor]

BULLSHIT IT DOES!!!!! THAT'S MY CATCHPHRASE YOU DICK-GARGLING FUCKSMELL!

I was going to remind SugarFree of this, Warty, but your reaction tells me that i must fight for it. Sorry!

Say, are they gonna allow "fuck" in the url?

They sure will. I'm playing the spoiler; it's a race, fuckers.

[Hugh Akston]

Warty, "STFU-X" doesn't count as a meme because it is so widespread and, as an unclaimed meme, it becomes the property of Al Gore (read the Constitution).

However, for its above-board elegance and completeness in a wide field of responses to him, "Shut the Fuck Up LoneWhacko" does qualify for meme status. In fact, it's the odds-on favorite to beat out Cavanaugh's on-point refutations and Episarch's "LoneWhacko, the Novel" at this year's Meme's awards.