Friday's news and links

Here is an example of why Republicans think the idea of Joe Biden as the Democrat nominee in 2008 would be good news.

Ranking Democrat in the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph Biden, who has allegedly made comments belittling Indian Americans, has come under attack from an organisation representing the community. Senator Biden during his recent trip to New Hampshire told an Indian American activist that "in Delaware, the largest growth in population is Indian Americans, moving from India. You cannot go to a 7/11 (a chain store) or a Dunkin Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. I'm not joking." Slamming Biden for making "ridiculous comments" about the community, the Indian Americans Republican Council (IARC) said "Joe Biden has a history of making insensitive and inappropriate remarks.

The article says Biden allegedly made the comments. Well, to remove any doubt, here is a link to a tape of his comments. To be clear, I don't think those comments were all that offensive, but it does point to Biden's biggest weakness - his mouth. He really likes to talk and doesn't always think before he speaks.

Is this even news: American injured in Pamplona bull run. No, it is news if no one get hurt in that ridiculous tradition.

I frequently criticize judges for misbehavior or for making ruling overly favorable to the criminals to the detriment of society. Well, today I want to compliment a judge who used some creativity in sentencing a loser who pretended to be a Marine Corps veteran to garner favor from his probation officer.

When the officer attempted to verify Horvath’s military service, the Marine Corps stated there was no record of him having served.

Horvath then presented evidence to the probation officer, including photographs and decorations. Representatives of the Marine Corps said Horvath’s uniform was worn improperly, decorations were improperly displayed, and equipment and uniforms in the photos did not fit with the era or were inconsistent with other items in the photos.

A veteran himself, Molloy ordered Horvath to perform 50 hours of community service by marching in front of the U.S. courthouse in Missoula during regular business hours. He must wear a sandwich board with large letters that will read, “I am a liar. I am not a Marine,” on the front. On the back will be: “I have never served my country. I have dishonored veterans of all wars.”

Since he was attempting to steal fame let his punishment be public infamy.

If you visit St. Minnesota watch how you park. City tells parking officers to issue 55 tickets a day. I don't know how much tourism they get but this can't help attract visitors.

This is kind of funny:

After nearly two decades of ridicule, a father has agreed to change his son's name from "Fined Six Thousand and Five Hundred" - the amount he was forced to pay in local currency for ignoring Vietnam's two-child policy. Angry he was being fined for having a fifth child, Mai Xuan Can named his son Mai Phat Sau Nghin Ruoi after the amount he was forced to pay - 6,500 dong (50 cents), said Dai Cuong village chief Nguyen Huy Thuong.

I guess that is one way to protest an immoral law - give your kid a goofy name that makes him miserable.

The Examiner asks a pointed question in the wake of North Korea's sabre rattling - Where are ‘Star Wars’ critics now? Read it all, it's a good review of who opposed developing this technology over the past couple decades.