I can't believe it's not a democracy!

I know things take time, but can we speed this up please?

News Corporation directors could face charges for neglect of duties. And change could to will, thank you. I just want to see some justice somewhere.

This is potentially explosive:

Phone hacking: Metripolitan police wins access to Glenn Mulcaire statement. Who is Glenn Mulcaire? Just the private investigator who was hired to hack phones on behalf of News of the World. And the high court has just ordered that the police are to have access to a statement in which he "names those who he says ordered him to hack phones at the News of the World." I know it would be too much to have James Murdoch or even--gasp--Rupert named, but a girl can dream. Still, if it's Rebekah Brooks, then she's toast and maybe she will offer to show where the real bodies are buried. And remember, only recently have we heard about the computer hacking that also apparently was going on....

Instead of being all antagonistic and everything, maybe we should try to learn something from Iranians:

Iran sentences four to death over bank fraud. The other 35 criminals got away with lighter sentences. In any event, all I'm suggesting it that instead of sending some poor schmoe to Gitmo for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, maybe we can just round up the bankers and let the Iranians sort them out. Just a thought.

Looks like the land of some of my people is moving forward:

Gay marriage to be introduced in Scotland. Naturally, this march towards enlightenment is being "strongly opposed" by the Church of Scotland and, get this, the catholic church. Said some asshole catholic spokeswhore:

The Scottish government is embarking on a dangerous social experiment on a massive scale.

We strongly suspect that time will show the Church to have been completely correct in explaining that same-sex sexual relationships are detrimental to any love expressed within profound friendships.

You mean in the same way that the church was completely correct to hide pedophiles, motherfucker? Honestly, whenever the catholic church makes an objection about anything on moral grounds, the statement should be accompanied by a laugh track.

No, really?

NYPD 'consistently violated basic rights' during Occupy protests – study. The subhead reads: Report by NYU and Fordham law schools found 'shocking level of impunity' and department that acted beyond its powers. What would be really shocking is if the proper punishment were meted out to those evil filthy bastards who abused the Occupy patriots. Not holding my breath. Instead, I am waiting for Police Chief Kelly to extend his wrist for a soft rap.

Tick, tock:

Andy Coulson and Rebekah Brooks to be charged over phone hacking. Another day, another 8 people charged with 19 counts of conspiracy to hack the phones of over 600 people, including murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler. My, it's starting to look like those two evil fucks might actually see some real jail time. Brooks will be fine--hell, she'll probably be running the place a few weeks after she gets there. But have you seen a photo of Coulson? He won't do well at all. Oh well, reap what you sow, motherfuckers.

R.I.P Sally Ride:

Sally Ride, Trailblazing Astronaut, Dies at 61. Ride made change in a time when anything seemed possible in the U.S.--this country made some very real advances and achieved some amazing things back when we still gave a damn. Rest in peace, Dr. Ride.

By the way, the article notes that Ride married a fellow astronaut, whom she divorced, and was survived by her partner of 27 years. A woman partner. Some quick checking reveals that Ride and her partner were open about their relationship. It's a shame that the New York Times wasn't a bit more direct about this. That said, I suppose openly acknowledging that Ride was a lesbian would send out the xtain nasties to explain why science is bad for kids. God, this country is fucked up.

The girls are fine.

Yes, it's that time of the year.  As if having a colonoscopy wasn't enough fun for July, I got to have my annual mammogram today!  Long and short, everything's fine.  I hope to never hear otherwise, but I know that the earlier cancer is detected, the better one's chances of survival.  No one likes going for a mammogram, but I'd rather deal with an annual visit than deal with the consequences of not going in time.  So, if you are supposed to get an annual or biannual mammogram and haven't gotten around to schedule it yet, call your doctor tomorrow and set up an appointment.  Just do it.  Thank you. 

Investigate, arrest, prosecute and convict:

Tax havens: Super-rich 'hiding' at least $21 trillion. Then take every fucking penny they have, hand them a rag, and let them start over.

By the way, that's trillion with a "t." In the U.S., hiding income is fraud and the statute of limitations never ends until the income is finally reported. Huge penalties attach--or should. That's why I hate tax amnesty. Fuck that. The filthy rich who responded got their dicks slapped, but they didn't go to jail or otherwise have to deal with any criminal taint. We know the government is still datamining all ocmmunications in and out of the country. Use that abuse of power for good, for once, and identify who has what where and start arresting them en masse. And take every fucking penny. Problem solved.

Update: At Aljazeera the number got bigger: Super rich hiding up to $32 trillion offshore. Here's the thing, when the rest fo us hear this enough, more of the masses will look for ways to cut corners--I expect more bartering and black market activity. Now the IRS and other tax authorities around the world can go afte some little guy, but it will inflame people who see the rich thumbing their noses at the rest of us, and it will yield very little. But nabbing a few high profile assholes and putting them through the wringer? Eventually even the political whores recognize that you need revenue to run a government, even a corrupt one.

Not a surprise:

Rupert Murdoch quits as News International director. The subhead reads: Move fuels rumours of sell-off of UK newspapers despite media mogul's reassurance that he is 'fully committed' as chairman.

That said, to whom will Rupert sell his vile UK papers? I mean, there's a world of liability attached them--its obvious that the "restructuring" of News Corp (with the entertainment assets being separated from the news and publishing side) is Rupert's attempt to protect the valuable entertainment assets from the ongoing and growing civil and criminal liability arising out of the phone hacking--and rumored computer hacking--at News of the World and some of his other newspapers. Still, Rupert thinks newspapers are yesterday's news and the money is in broadcast, and, as noted, the entertainment assets--which is where the real money is--will soon be separated from the news side. Long and short, today's news is not a surprise. What would be a surprise is if real justice were to be visited on the Murdoch family and soon. How about an arrest and charge for James? Or Rupert forced out of all control of the corporation? I wonder what Rebekah Brooks is thinking now that she has been officialy charged.