Pepe’s blog

I know, The Huffington Post isn’t what anyone would call objective journalism but all sources seem to agree: The democratic race for the presidential nomination is very likely to end tonight.

Today’s primaries – Oregon and South Dakota – will put an end to the primary season.

In case anyone still cares, today also take place two republican primaries – New Mexico and South Dakota. And the final one will be Nebraska on June 12.

Hillary might take the battle for the delegates of Michigan and Florida to the convention, like she said she would, but the party would hate her of it. And if her stubbornness lead to more resentment, she just might cost Obama the election and that would most likely kill her career (Senate). Plus, she’s getting pressure from just about everyone to quit.

Ever since the late 90’s I heard about her one day becoming president, and how she was the smartest woman in the world. Bill Clinton’s brain, some even said. But no, she’s just as flawed as any other politician and being president one day has been her only goal. Will her reason triumph her immediate thirst for power? We’ll have to wait and see…

Tags: 2008 presidential election, Current events by Pepe
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A teenager is facing prosecution for using the word “cult” to describe the Church of Scientology.

The unnamed 15-year-old was served the summons by City of London police when he took part in a peaceful demonstration opposite the London headquarters of the controversial religion.

Officers confiscated a placard with the word “cult” on it from the youth, who is under 18, and a case file has been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.

A date has not yet been set for him to appear in court.

The decision to issue the summons has angered human rights activists and support groups for the victims of cults.

The incident happened during a protest against the Church of Scientology on May 10. Demonstrators from the anti-Scientology group, Anonymous, who were outside the church’s £23m headquarters near St Paul’s cathedral, were banned by police from describing Scientology as a cult by police because it was “abusive and insulting”.

Writing on an anti-Scientology website, the teenager facing court said: “I brought a sign to the May 10th protest that said: ‘Scientology is not a religion, it is a dangerous cult.’

“‘Within five minutes of arriving I was told by a member of the police that I was not allowed to use that word, and that the final decision would be made by the inspector.”

A policewoman later read him section five of the Public Order Act and “strongly advised” him to remove the sign. The section prohibits signs which have representations or words which are threatening, abusive or insulting.

The teenager refused to back down, quoting a 1984 high court ruling from Mr Justice Latey, in which he described the Church of Scientology as a “cult” which was “corrupt, sinister and dangerous”.

After the exchange, a policewoman handed him a court summons and removed his sign.

On the website he asks for advice on how to fight the charge: “What’s the likelihood I’ll need a lawyer? If I do have to get one, it’ll have to come out of my pocket money.”

Writing on the same website, another anonymous demonstrator said: “We also protested outside another Scientology building in Tottenham Court Road which is policed by a separate force, the Metropolitan police, who have never tried to stop us using the word cult.

“We’re completely peaceful protesters expressing a perfectly valid opinion. This whole thing stinks.”

Liberty director, Shami Chakrabarti, said: “This barmy prosecution makes a mockery of Britain’s free speech traditions.

“After criminalising the use of the word ‘cult’, perhaps the next step is to ban the words ‘war’ and ‘tax’ from peaceful demonstrations?”

Ian Haworth, from the Cult Information Centre which provides advice for victims of cults and their families, said: “This is an extraordinary situation. If it wasn’t so serious it would be farcical. The police’s job is to protect and serve. Who is being served and who is being protected in this situation? I find it very worrying.

“Scientology is well known to my organisation, and has been of great concern to me for 22 years. I get many calls from families with loved ones involved and ex-members who are in need of one form of help.”

The City of London police came under fire two years ago when it emerged that more than 20 officers, ranging from constable to chief superintendent, had accepted gifts worth thousands of pounds from the Church of Scientology.

The City of London Chief Superintendent, Kevin Hurley, praised Scientology for “raising the spiritual wealth of society” during the opening of its headquarters in 2006.

Last year a video praising Scientology emerged featuring Ken Stewart, another of the City of London’s chief superintendents, although he is not a member of the group.

The group was founded by the science-fiction writer L Ron Hubbard in 1952 and espouses the idea that humans are descended from an exiled race of aliens called Thetans.

The church continues to attract controversy over claims that it separates members from their families and indoctrinates followers.

A spokeswoman for the force said today: “City of London police had received complaints about demonstrators using the words ‘cult’ and ‘Scientology kills’ during protests against the Church of Scientology.

“Following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service some demonstrators were warned verbally and in writing that their signs breached section five of the Public Order Act.

“One demonstrator continued to display a placard despite police warnings and was reported for an offence under section five. A file on the case will go to the CPS.”

A CPS spokesman said no specific advice was given to police regarding the boy’s placard.

“In April, prior to this demonstration, as part of our normal working relationship we gave the City of London police general advice on the law around demonstrations and religiously aggravated crime in particular.

“We did not advise on this specific case prior to the summons being issued – which the police can do without reference to us – but if we receive a file we will review it in the normal way according to the code for crown prosecutors.”

Article.

The only difference between a cult and a religion is that a religion is socially acceptable. Then again, this isn’t a very objective distinction and it doesn’t value the truth or lack thereof of its doctrines.

So, depending on who you ask, all religions can be considered cults.

Obviously some people are touchy and might be offended, but are the feelings of a few worth taking away the rights of everyone?

Tags: Current events, Internet, Personal reflections by Pepe
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Obama finally decided to quit his crazy church. I know this is just speculation but I think Obama is deep down an atheist (like his mother) who just claims to be a christian because most Americans still see us atheists as baby-eating monsters.

His followers will see this move, and basically every move he makes, as the right thing to do. His detractors are already going “Too little, too late”.

I kind of hope he can put off joining a new church and end up never doing so.

Also yesterday the DNC ruled that Michigan and Florida delegates will be seated at the convention, but they’ll only get half votes. This was clearly done to appease Clinton supporters and this decision clearly has no merit. If the elections were valid, seat every delegate. If they weren’t, seat none.

Apparently the Clinton followers were not amused. And we thought many of Obama’s followers were loud zealots…

Today is the Puerto Rico primary and in two days Oregon and South Dakota, the final primaries. Clinton is going to win Puerto Rico, but it won’t matter.

But she’ll take this to the convention. She won’t give up. She wants to divide the party even more and ruin Obama’s chances. And she just might succeed.

Tags: 2008 presidential election, Current events by Pepe
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Why are religious institutions like the Catholic Church above the law? They are extent from taxation and completely free to commit whatever discrimination they feel like, specially gender discrimination.

Businesses wouldn’t be allowed to get away with this crap, so why are they?

Enough of that bullshit, tax the churches and force them to follow the law. Things like the Establishment Clause are used as a safe heaven for hatred and bigotry and it’s time for them to go the way of the dodo.

Vatican says will excommunicate women priests.

On a more passionate note: Fuck the Catholic Church and fuck the society that said it was acceptable for them to try to brainwash me during my entire childhood.

So what can I do? Fight fire with fire. I’m going to plant the seed of doubt in as many young catholics as I can. Most are probably too brainwashed or afraid of social repercussion but some will ask themselves “How do I know this isn’t all made-up bullshit?”.

Tags: Current events, Personal reflections by Pepe
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And we all know Hillary is going to win. The thing is, we knew the same thing back in April, in Pennsylvania. We knew if she didn’t win by a large margin it would be a meaningless victory. Yet the media was all over that, talking about her “making a comeback” and creating “serious doubts” about Obama.

Same thing will most likely happen today. We know she will win West Virginia but it doesn’t matter. Ever since last week (where she won Indiana by a meaningless margin and lost NC miserably) Obama has surpassed her only lead left, the superdelegates.

In other words, Obama’s lead has grown so strong it’s impossible for her to win.

I think the reason a lot of people don’t like Hillary, which is strange because both of them stand for the same things with very few differences, is because she comes off as a bossy mom and many men don’t like that at all. I know I don’t.

So, apparently, America was ready for a black President before being ready for a woman President. Try again in 50 years.

Tags: 2008 presidential election, Current events by Pepe
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Apparently it is not only legal for airport security in the US to check your computer and mobile phone but now it is also acceptable for them to save files from them. The only solution I see for this is wiping your hard drive clean (several passes) and leaving nothing but a clean installation of the OS and if you need to access certain files upload them somewhere (and delete browser cache with Eraser after accessing them obviously). Don’t leave anything on your hard drive or physical media that says anything about you (bookmarks, images, documents, videos, songs, any type of history/cache, etc). Even the Windows Registry keeps a lot of information about your activities which is why I recommend a clean system installation before traveling. Of course that’s for those of us who hate having people going through our stuff, but I’m sure most don’t mind or else there’d be a lot more noise about this.

I think the consumers need to say enough and do something politically so the airlines will once again treat them like clients and make reasonable, non-invasive searches.

I mean what do they expect to find? deathtoamerica.com on my bookmarks? I somehow doubt terrorists will be that stupid.

All they’re accomplishing with these is piss people off and catching a few stupid pedophiles.

Discuss this on /n/ – News.

Original article at mirror.co.uk:

Exclusive: tougher security checks to enter US as laptops and mobile phones searched

Tourists visiting the US face even tougher security checks now airport officials can search through mobile phones and laptops.

Guards can download any details contained in the items and keep them indefinitely, following a new court ruling.

The latest legislation could mean lengthier queues as security copy photos, emails and phone records. Visitors already face hour-long waits while armed officers take fingerprints and photos.

Travel agents’ group Abta stormed: “It’s another ratcheting up of Fortress America. It’s certainly not a good thing for passengers – it is rather Big Brother.”
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There are also fears immigration staff may mistakenly corrupt or erase vital computer details. Abta added: “We’d like to know if they’re going to be properly trained to check computers and conduct many spot checks they plan to carry out.”

Dr Guy Bunker, of UK-based IT security experts Symantec, said: “Hopefully, they won’t search everybody’s data – or we may wait in line for weeks. There’s also the chance of data being compromised.”

He added that some business travellers particularly were now so alarmed they may fly to America with blank laptops.

It comes after a US Appeal Court ruled Los Angeles airport officials acted lawfully when a random search found child porn on a passenger’s computer.

Judge Diarmuid O’Scannlain said: “Reasonable suspicion is not needed for customs officials to search a laptop or other personal electronic storage devices.”

But Shami Chakrabarti, of civil rights group Liberty, insisted: “It’s one thing to look for drugs and explosives, another to conduct data trawls without suspicion.”

Section 38 of the US visa form asks: Do you seek to enter the United States to engage in export control violations, subversive or terrorist activities, or any other unlawful purpose? Are you a member or representative of a terrorist organization as currently designated by the U.S. Secretary of State? Have you ever participated in persecutions directed by the Nazi government of Germany; or have you ever participated in genocide?

(Tick YES or NO)

Tags: Current events, Internet by Pepe
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The CCP is just giving us more and more reasons to hate and, yes, fear it. The saddest part is that the vast majority of young Chinese, even the ones studying abroad, are brainwashed and more than ready to justify whatever the CCP does. They are mindless zealots. If you don’t believe me, go to Asiafinest or the Anti-CNN Forums but beware: Broken English lies ahead.

So basically China has blocked access to all of Blogger’s blogs and since this isn’t on Blogger here’s a guide on how to bypass said block:

Several bloggers in India wrote that geocities web pages and blogspot blogs hosted on Blogger.com were blocked by some ISPs in India following Government orders.

* Looking at the server referral logs, I can see recent traffic from BSNL, Satyam Sify, Airtel Broadband, TouchTel India, VSNL Sancharnet, AsiaNet and Bharti Cellular. However, there are no current referrals from Reliance Infocom, MTNL, Star Hathway and Tata Internet Services which may signal that they are indeed blocking access to blogspot sites.

And here’s a guide for sites in general:

How to access blocked websites like Facebook, MySpace, Bebo at school or office?

Which means that only the address of the proxy server is visible to the world and not of those computers that are using it to browse the Internet. Just visit any proxy server with your Web browser and enter a URL or the address of the blocked website.

Now I realize the Chinese people probably enjoy being having the CCP treating you like retarded children and think stuff like freedom of speech and human rights are a luxury that can wait but you opened yourselves to the world, so take the heat.

Tags: China, Current events, Internet by Pepe
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