:: Event Horizon ::

:: Friday, August 30, 2002 ::

Ford Pulling Plug on Think Electric Car
Well, this is a shame. It seems there was a lack of consumer demand. I guess all those think green environmentalists don’t put their money where their mouth is. SUV anyone?

:: Joel 3:50 PM [+] ::
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Airlines Stop Baggage Questions
Is this wise? I mean, this question is not something that bothers people, not as much as the new baggage searches or airport evacuations. I've found that most people are very tolerant of the new airport security measures, and being asked a question can hardly be called intrusive. I'm not sure that the eve of the 9-11 anniversary is an appropriate time to be scaling back on security measures. According to the AP, "The questions are being phased out because they create a hassle and have never prevented a bombing or hijacking, said James Loy, head of the Transportation Security Administration." A hassle? How do they know it has not prevented a bombing? Someone please tell the TSA that it is NOT a hassle and the fact that a bombing or hijacking has not occurred can be considered proof of the question's deterrent value.

:: Joel 12:17 PM [+] ::
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Subvert Press: The “Thank You” Sticker
This is interesting, an adhesive sticker meant to be a subtle statement about American support for Saudi Arabia, and Saudi support for terrorism, whose suggested use implies vandalism. Unless, of course, gas station owners are going to tag their own pumps, but somehow I doubt it. I think it would be far more effective to simply let consumers know which oil companies are primarily American and ask them to patronize those companies. Being patronizing can be fun. Perhaps a content sticker (95% pure Alaskan, 5% Saudi) may help consumers decide where to buy their gasoline.

:: Joel 3:41 PM [+] ::
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War of the worlds
This is a bit odd, a possible connection between al-Qaida and one of my favorite science fiction series, Isaac Asimov's Foundation. Except, of course, in Asimov's series, the Foundation sought to preserve civilization, not destroy it.

:: Joel 4:56 PM [+] ::
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Lawyers Say Iraq Decision is Bush's
Well, I'm not really sure what specific advice was given or how it was worded, but I think the lawyers are wrong. As Commander-in-Chief, Bush an order the U.S. armed forces into battle if he wishes, but he can't declare war on his own. That power and responsibility rests solely with the Congress. If an invasion of Iraq is not staged under the authority of UN Security Council, I don't see any legal recourse for the President except to seek a Congressional declaration of war prior to engaging Iraq. The Gulf War was fought to defend the state system, to defend the notion that one country can't just invade another country with impunity (and maybe oil had a little something to do with it). The U.S. should assert that the Gulf War is not over and rally international support for a final and decisive conclusion to that war under the authority of existing Security Council resolutions. These are the options, either go in as leader of the UN forces, or under the authority of the United States Congress...or don't invade. This is far too serious to attempt on a whim without proper legal authority. If he is to ask men and women to sacrifice their lives in war, it is the responsibility of the President to guarantee that the cause is just and legally executed.

:: Joel 12:25 PM [+] ::
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