Yes boys and girls, the FBI is getting serious. No more of this wimpy hunting terrorists and crap, the Bureau is now turning its attention to more important things: Porn.

Yes, the FBI has started a task force dedicated to eliminating pornography and offensive materials (Source). Apparently, this Quixotic cause is "one of the top priorities" of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales and FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III. The task force will consist of eight agents, a supervisor, and support personnel. Their job will be to gather evidence for the prosecution of "marketers and purveyors" of offensive material.

And the kicker here is that it isn't child porn or anything illegal; it's all legal, consentual sexual acts.

I mean really, this is what we're wasting our time on? The federal government has made a total arse of itself in the face of hurricane Katrina, and we're putting resources into cracking down on porn? And it's not like the FBI personnel are in support of this either; they think it's one gigantic joke. An anonymous agent went so far as to say, "I guess this means we've won the war on terror... We must not need any more resources for espionage." I couldn't have said it better myself.

Sometimes I wonder if members of the current Administration just sit down at the end of the day, slap themselves on the forehead and yell "Stupid stupid stupid!" If not, I sometimes would like to do it for them.

Yeah, so that was a wasted trip. I traveled up to Bloomington, IN for the Kentucky football game against Indiana. Keep in mind, here, that we're both the basement programs in our respective, respected conferences. UK has dominated the series of late but the games are always interesting; it's usually two teams that suck so bad they cancel each other out and produce a decent football game.

Well this one sucked.

The Memorial Stadium scoreboard up there has a section that shows the total yardage gained by each team. By halftime, they had almost 300 and we didn't even have 75. It was embarrasing. I mean, I thought this team could at least make a good showing but no, it was just rancid. The playcalling never once gave our guys a chance and besides, they had all the life and energy of a sleep-deprived Al Gore. This is utterly insane. It's one thing to suck but it's another to not even try.

Oh well, as we say in the Bluegrass, basketball season isn't far away.

P.S. Today is National Talk Like a Pirate Day so "Arr! Avast, ye scurvy dogs!" and so forth.

A California lawyer has persuaded a judge to decide to eliminate the Pledge of Allegiance from public schools because of the phrase "Under God..."(source)

Funny thing is, the Grump agrees with this... in principle.

If I didn't believe in God, the phrase would make me very uncomfortable and I wouldn't want to say it. I'd feel like beliefs were being forced on me and I wouldn't like it one bit. But the part that kills me is that the solution is to eliminate the pledge entirely. I personally think it's important to teach children the value of patriotism and, in this day and age, to uphold their loyalty to this country, its principles, and most importantly its people. Eliminating the pledge is a bit like curing a disease by killing the patient.

I pledge allegiance to the flag
And to the United States of America
One nation, indivisible,
With liberty and justice for all.

The rhythm works; there's no rhyme scheme. I don't see why this couldn't work. Or if you want, say "Under all." America is, after all, but the sum of its peoples' hearts.

Besides, the Pledge is one of my earlier memories from my schoolboy days, and I just feels sad to see it begin to die.

Video games just can't get themselves out of the spotlight. From the Mortal Kombat versus Joe Liebermann to GTA versus Hilary Clinton and Jack Thompson, video games just can't catch a break. Now the state of California wants to put a video game bill into effect. The bill, which has passed through the state legislature, would require any video game with "violent" or "objectionable" content to bear a 2" by 2" sticker notifying the consumer that the game is for adults only.

Some believe Gov. Schwarzenegger will veto the bill, due to his ties with the entertainment industry and his previous appearances in certain video games. Others, however, say that he will try to please his constituency by taking a stand against such garbage. I say this whole issue is garbage.

I mean, I've ranted on this before, but video games are no more violent, sexual, gory, or objectionable than most of the stuff kids see in movie theaters or on cable televison... or for that matter, network television. And besides, if a twelve year old wants to get their hands on GTA, they will. I think the government is trying to please their consituency by using the video game industry as a scapegoat. If you don't want your child to be playing a video game you find objectionable, then get off your butt, do some parenting, and make sure he or she doesn't! I don't see why the law has to step in and regulate something to this extent. Frankly, it's a waste of the government's time and money.

Katrina has been one of the most destructive natural disasters in national history. It has left billions of dollars in damage and millions of people displaced and without their lives.

Unfortunately, part of the trouble was the inadequate assistance provided by the government. To this end, FEMA director Michael Brown has been relieved of his field command. He is being replaced by Coast Guard Vice Admiral Thad Allen.

When I heard this, I had two words: 'Bout time! The government, on all levels, has dropped the ball on this one. The federal government failed to provide the necessary aid, and the state and local governments failed to localize the necessary forces to get people out of harm's way. Taking one head man out of the picture isn't necessarily going to improve the situation, but at least the powers that be are taking a stand and saying that this incompetence won't fly.

And of course, the people of New Orleans have been the ones to suffer for these mistakes. It's sad that the government would be so lax with efforts to save and rebuild peoples' lives, but at least they're admitting that things need to be improved and taking steps in that direction.

It's sad. It is really sad. For some people, a tragedy like Hurricane Katrina brings out the best in them. But unfortunately, for others, it brings out the worst.

People are looting and shooting throughout the city. One shooter even took shots at ill refugees being evacuated from a hospital (Source). I realize that desparate times call for desparate measures and I also understand that people need to do extreme things to survive, but much of this isn't even about survival.

People aren't just looting food and water, they're taking electronics in a city with no power. I can't imagine who they expect to sell it to, in that horribly decimated area. And the shootings really baffle me. Not that it would be right, but I could understand if someone were shooting another person over food. Yet something stupid like taking shots at HOSPITAL PATIENTS is beyond me. It's like my coworker Jason Miller was saying: People in the city are like, "two cats in a bag." There's no logic to their actions, they're just irritated for being cooped up in a bad situation and lashing out with no rhyme or reason.

I feel worst for the people who are trying to help each other and make it through alive and well. I simply pray for everyone in this poor, torn up city.

If you can, please consider donating.

Gotta love it when Kentucky news makes it to the national scene. Wait, no I don't, it's always something bad.

His Most Honorable Governor Ernie Fletcher is under fire lately for granting pardons to members of his staff that are under investigation. These staff members were being investigated for unethical hiring practices: hiring based on political affiliation rather than merit. Now the Gov. has issued a blanket pardon for all staff members involved (Source).

Gee, what a surprise. I understand that the leader of a major political party in Kentucky needs to support his own, but this is ridiculous. Does it strike anyone else as a blatant conflict of interest? Staff members are accused of political favoritism, and he makes a politically favoritist, completely meritless pardon? And Fletcher has no comment for the grand jury investigators other than some meaningless political rhetoric. "I cannot allow state government to continue to be consumed by this game of political 'gotcha,' paralyzing our ability to serve you, the people of Kentucky," Fletcher said. Sounds like, similar to most politicians, his ability to serve is directed much more toward his own and his party's interests.

I just thought I'd take a moment to express my sympathy for the people in New Orleans and southern Mississippi and their families. Katrina sounds like the big one and it's entirely possible that the Big Easy may not be as it was before once this is over. I'm glad I was able to visit the French Quarter when I did. I just hope that everyone stays safe.