An excerpt from Al Gore's book:

http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1622015,00.html

I agree that our society has truly regressed to a celebrity-addicted morass. To an increasingly alarming degree, all sides (even those outside of our country) judge individual Americans based on what the media choses to broadcast. I have no say in what is forced out over the airwaves... until now. What will we call this new enlightenment?

New York may ban iPods while crossing street

From this Reuters story today:

"Government has an obligation to protect its citizenry," Kruger said in a telephone interview from Albany, the state capital. "This electronic gadgetry is reaching the point where it's becoming not only endemic but it's creating an atmosphere where we have a major public safety crisis at hand."

This problem of idiots stepping into oncoming traffic has been solving itself for decades, and no, Rep Kruger, the government does not have an obligation to protect its citizenry from themselves. I have no problem requiring hands-free headsets for cell phones, and yes I agree with the current law that it is illegal to listen to headphones while driving (or biking on the road).


Links
Example of Virginia Driving Law

Am I missing something?

"Anyone who describes Islam as a religion as intolerant encourages violence," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said.

A quote from this article.
Encourages Violence?

In this instance, the definition of intolerance:

–noun -lack of toleration; unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect contrary opinions or beliefs, persons of different races or backgrounds, etc.

What ever happened to debate? Why must everything resolve to the threat of violence so quickly? Obviously the media is fanning the flames for its own gain, and it LOVES this hypocritical and idiotic quote. Media strives for the zero-sum game, and continues to over simplify things in order to make all seem sensational.

The Pope is arguing that the spread of religion through violence is wrong. Jihad exists, and that can not be denied, but I also know that all of my Muslim friends are not terrorists, and are incredibly kind and endearing. Yes the Crusades did take place, but that was during a time of mass-ignorance. Is there a resurgence in ignorance? If so, it's probably due to mass media. Not only are they bombarding us with vapid video bits, but they are doing so in such a way (read: 20 second to 2 minutes news bites) that is actually negatively impacting our intelligence.

Those who threaten violence as a solution are truly desperate, and those who promote violence for profit are despicable. The media needs to stop focusing on the minority view, even though it is the most "entertaining."