PhotoDude.com

While the biggest story this weekend locally was new kittens, I understand that there were some attempts at terrorism as well.

Obviously, I’ve been a bit distracted from all the details. But from what I gather, there were two attempted car bombs in London, one of which fizzled in a manner more dudly than deadly, and the other got towed for being parked illegally. Which, unless they were planning on attacking the police impound lot, makes for another dudly attempt.

... » Full Article, 555 words »

It seems like over the past year that when anyone says “boo,” people rush to ask, “Terrorism”? As I wrote not long ago, “We’re sorry this country has reached the point where every odd smell in downtown Manhattan, every prank by some obvious web goober, every unruly woman on an airplane, or every jokester college student playing with dry ice ... is immediately construed as a terroristic act.”

... » Full Article, 250 words »

I thought I’d post an update about our two “incidents” in Atlanta over the past couple of days. And the lesson here is when you hear the first report, ignore at least half of it. Which half, I don’t know, but the point is … don’t go off half-cocked in your blog because one cop uses some derivation of the word “terrorism.” Because it may not be an Islamic jihadist. It may be ... another blogger.

... » Full Article, 1236 words »

While I suggested people Shut Up And Give as part of the web-wide effort to raise funds on Thursday, I think it’s now more appropriate to call it the “Katrina’s Cuss Jar.” After all, a Cuss Jar is used after the cuss, not so much to stop it, but to generate something good out of it. And though I believe in focusing on Priority One, helping those still at risk, there’s at least one larger lesson we can draw from this, as individuals. And families.

... » Full Article, 1331 words »

Back in April, I wrote “from the day it happened, this has been like a dark place in my heart.” On the day Eric Rudolph was brought to Atlanta to plead guilty, I made a trip to Centennial Park to try and find some personal closure. And today, I’m closing the door on the man himself.

... » Full Article, 1714 words »

In “Hacks, Dupes, and Duds,” I wondered about whether the first London attacks were really meant to be suicide attacks. As word of evidence trickles out, questions continue to be raised.

... » Full Article, 1103 words »

There’s so much that we don’t know yet, but it would appear that there’s been an attempt to repeat the attacks in London of two weeks ago, either by the same “group” (minus the four bombers themselves), or perhaps a like-minded copycat group. It brings a lot of thoughts to mind that may be made moot in less than one news cycle as we learn more, but this is clearly a major development. And in my opinion, it’s a very positive one.

... » Full Article, 704 words »

Last year, I wrote an article entitled “PhotoTerrorists” about the suspicions photographers have often faced since 9/11. Over the course of this year, I’ve saved a few articles and news items about restrictions placed on photography in public areas. The reasons vary, from alleged protection of “copyrighted material,” to broadly defined “security concerns.” Though the recent attacks in London are what brought this issue to the front of my mind, rather than start with “the arguable,” we’ll start with “the ridiculous.”

... » Full Article, 1566 words »

It was entirely predictable, but after the attacks in London, the debate has often turned striaght to Iraq. Rather than get into it myself, I just have some lengthy quotes from others.

... » Full Article, 662 words »

Our world suffers under a series of tragic dates. 9/11. 3/11. And now, 7/7.

... » Full Article, 980 words »

Each year, the “anniversary” rolls around (though there is hardly cause for celebration). Each year, the futile rage I felt a decade ago becomes a bit more than just a scarred memory. Each year, I remember in detail why the UN is dead to me. And each year, something happens or something is said that reinforces and validates all those old feelings.

On the possibility of genocide, people once said “Never Again.” Each year, I’m reminded the reality is “Ever Again.”

... » Full Article, 1414 words »

As I’ve mentioned recently, our government’s efforts at controlling the movement of people at our airports and borders has become a sad farce from which we can best draw a morbid chuckle (when we can suppress the howls of disgust), but little in the way of actual security.

... » Full Article, 1674 words »

My wife will tell you that I’m a person who likes the rules (mainly as a result of her treatment by my alter ego, Nurse Bruno, during her recovery). But the truth is, I like rules … that make sense. And as I wrote recently, “rules that make sense” are in short supply at the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration.

But I had no idea.

... » Full Article, 421 words »

In December of 2001, the unfortunately surnamed Richard Reid attempted to blow up an airplane with his shoe bomb. Fortunately, he was about as competent as Maxwell Smart and his shoe phone.

... » Full Article, 220 words »

Wednesday was a rather odd day for me. Eric Rudolph returned to Atlanta to plead guilty to three bombings in this city in 1996 and 1997. When I first heard he was coming, a part of me thought of going down to the Richard B. Russell Federal Building, where the plea would be made. But I quickly realized that wasn’t what I needed to do today.

... » Full Article, 798 words »

I’m not sure how I feel about this. There’s an angry part of me that wants the whole thing laid out on the record, in detail, with Rudolph’s repugnant views and acts front and center. But given the demi-bungling history, I also fear that the government’s case could somehow be mishandled and blow any form of conviction. And I couldn’t live with that.

... » Full Article, 1200 words »