For the first time in U.S. history, more than one of every 100 adults is in jail or prison, according to a new report documenting America's rank as the world's No. 1 incarcerator. It urges states to curtail corrections spending by placing fewer low-risk offenders behind bars. - AP
You know, with statistics like these, it's getting harder and harder to argue the U.S. isn't a police state.
Ralph Nader is launching a third-party campaign for president.
The consumer advocate made the announcement Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." He says most Americans are disenchanted with the Democratic and Republican parties, and that none of the presidential contenders are addressing ways to stem corporate crime and Pentagon waste and promote labor rights. - RGJ
In the year that's past since I filled out the Oscar meme, I've managed to add 18 of the nominated films to my "have seen" list, while managing to miss every film nominated this year entirely. I need to make a few trips down to the theater before I have to wait until fall or later to catch them on cable. Anyway, here's the slots I did manage to fill. Eventually I'll have completed the whole list. :P
1944 Double Indemnity (02/24/08) 1949 All the King's Men (02/08/08) 1950 Sunset Blvd.(02/08/07) 1953 From Here to Eternity (02/28/07) 1974 Chinatown (03/02/07) The Conversation (03/01/07) 1976 Network(02/09/07) 1978 Midnight Express (02/16/08) 1987 Broadcast News(02/06/07) 1993 The Piano(10/02/07) 1994 Four Weddings and a Funeral (03/03/07) 1998 Shakespeare in Love(03/10/07) 2000 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon(11/04/07) 2004 The Aviator (03/09/07) 2005 Capote (09/13/07) 2006 The Departed (08/30/07) Little Miss Sunshine(07/21/07) The Queen(09/03/07)
I've decided to keep running totals on all the things that bug me. What can I say? I'm hyper-organized.
1) People who use the handicapped button in office buildings because they are too lazy to open a door themselves. No wonder this nation has an obesity epidemic. Hey fatass, it's a freaking door, not a 10k marathon. 2) People who don't use their turn signals. In a land of downright idiotic - bordering on criminally retarded - drivers, turn signals are of the utmost importance. Yes, it may be fun to zig-zag across the highway in your ever-so-relevant '87 Z28, but those of us who would like to reach our destination in one piece would appreciate at least some form of warning before your piece of shit ride comes flying into my lane. 3) Litterbugs. I'm starting to get militant about this. Living in Portland, people actually took pride in their environment. Like the old saying goes, "Don't shit where you eat." In Northern Nevada, the motto seems to be, "when in doubt, throw it out." Everywhere I go I see trash. It's really disheartening living in what is arguably one of the most beautiful places on earth - Lake Tahoe - and seeing soda and beer bottles defacing the scenery. I say we institute a three strikes and you're out policy. Three times the litterbug, you must spend three years living at the dump.
