Free Kareem
ALERT!! A serious injustice was committed. Please take action now! Kareem Amer, an Egyptian blogger who was imprisoned for exercising his right to freedom of speech, is still in prison and needs YOUR help!
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Latest News from freekareem.org- Hundreds of letters for Kareem
- Urgent request: Flood the Jail with Mail
- Security officers broke into Kareem’s prison cell, confiscated his letters and destroyed his writings
- Amnesty UK runs awareness campaign for Kareem
- Kareem in the news
Kareem has been in prison for: 1362 days.
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Hokie Movie Trailer – Virginia Tech Football Fans, Up Close And Personal
New ‘Hokie Nation‘ Hokie Movie Documentary Chronicles the Optimism and Creativity of ‘the Best Fans in College Football‘
“Hokie Nation: A Team, A Town and the Best Darned Fans in College Football,” a documentary film that depicts the energy and enthusiasm of Virginia Tech football fans year ’round, will premiere at the historic Lyric Theatre in Blacksburg at 7 p.m. Friday, August 31 — the night before the opening game of the season.
An official university licensed project, the film was made by local independent filmmakers and Virginia Tech alumni Chris Valluzzo and
Sean Kotz, who began planning the production in 2005 as a way of honoring the school’s vibrant and energetic fans. The long anticipated premiere will be held on the evening before the Hokies open their 2007-2008 season against East Carolina in a nationally televised game on ESPN, which will broadcast its “College GameDay” show from Blacksburg
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Trailer
“What we found is a fan base with an exceptional and unique culture,” says Kotz, the co-director/producer. “The Hokie Nation has created itself by blending traditional Appalachian values of family, hospitality, community and devotion with a blue collar work ethic, an eye toward the future and what we call the ‘Hokie Spirit.’ This film was born out of a genuine love of the team, the town and, especially, the Hokie fans.”That same approach to life helped Virginia Tech students rise above the tragedy that struck the campus in April of this year. “Hokie Spirit is an inherent belief that anything can be accomplished, any obstacle can be overcome with unity, faith and willpower,” says Kotz.”Hokie Nation” features interviews with fans and some of the sports legends who have called Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium home, including NFL greats
Bruce Smith,
Antonio Freeman and
Frank Beamer, a longtime fan favorite, helps illuminate the Hokie phenomenon, as do students, faculty, media personalities, law enforcement officials and two Virginia governors. The entire game day experience is documented through world-renowned tailgates in the stadium’s parking lots, deep coverage from the stands and birds-eye views from the luxury boxes. “So many moments have been special in this project,” says co-director/producer Valluzzo . “Interviewing Frank Beamer, Bud Foster,
and Bryan Stinespring, who all gladly spoke with us for this documentary. Meeting and interviewing Bruce Smith, arguably the greatest player to ever call himself a Hokie. Talking with
Carroll Dale, a Tech great who played in the first Super Bowl for the Green Bay Packers under
Vince Lombardi. And talking with former Governor
Mark Warner and current Governor Tim Kaine made me think that everyone is a Hokie fan. “But probably the greatest moment for me,” he continues, “was walking through the parking lot and the stadium and hearing people shout out ‘Hey, Hokie movie guy’ and giving me the thumbs up. They were happy their story was being told and I am extremely proud to represent these wonderful people.”After its August 31 premiere, “Hokie Nation” will have encore showings at the Lyric at 9:30 that night and at Sunday and Monday matinees. The following week it will be shown at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse on September 6-7, Norfolk’s Naro Theater on September 6, and Richmond’s Byrd Theater on September 7. Check those theaters for showtimes. A DVD of the two-hour documentary will be available for general release around mid-September.SOURCE: Horse Archer Productions
By PR Newswire
Michael Vick guilty plea
Michael Vick RICHMOND, Va. — Michael Vick’s lawyer said Monday the Atlanta Falcons quarterback will plead guilty after being indicted on dogfighting charges along with three co-defendants. “After consulting with his family over the weekend, Michael Vick asked that I announce today that he has reached an agreement with federal prosecutors regarding the charges pending against him,” lead defense attorney Billy Martin said in a statement. “Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made. Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter.”
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Vick’s plea hearing will be Aug. 27, Martin said. Martin’s announcement came as a grand jury that could add new charges met in private. Prosecutors had said that a superseding indictment was in the works, but Vick’s plea most likely means he will not face additional charges.Quanis Phillips, of Atlanta, and Purnell Peace, of Virginia Beach, entered plea agreements and agreed to testify against Vick. Tony Taylor, of Hampton, struck a similar deal last month. Vick’s attorneys were negotiating with federal prosecutors last week, hoping to strike a deal on a plea agreement. Prosecutors have declined to comment outside court on negotiations with Vick’s attorneys. Vick originally plead not guilty to charges last month and was slated for trial Nov. 26. Two of Vick’s co-defendants pleaded guilty Friday and said he bankrolled gambling on dogfights at Vick’s property in rural Surry County, not far from his hometown of Newport News. One defendant said Vick helped drown or hang dogs that didn’t perform well in fights.The gambling allegations alone could trigger a lifetime ban under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Googles Most Searched Words
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Chris Benoit
AP
Chris Benoit
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — Details of the deaths of pro wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife and their 7-year-old son may seem “a little bizarre” when released to the public, a prosecutor said.
Authorities were investigating the deaths at a secluded Fayette County home as a murder-suicide and were not seeking any suspects outside the home.
Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “The details, when they come out, are going to prove a little bizarre.”
Those details may emerge after the completion of autopsies scheduled for Tuesday.
• Click here to view video report from MyFoxAtlanta.com.
Investigators believe Benoit, killed his wife and son over the weekend and then himself sometime Monday. The bodies were found Monday afternoon in three different rooms of the house on Green Meadow Lane, in a subdivision off a gravel road about two miles from Whitewater Country Club.
The autopsies were scheduled to be done at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab in DeKalb County.
Ballard told The Associated Press a gun was not used in any of the deaths. But he declined to say how the three died.
“We’re pretty sure we know, but we want to confirm it with the crime lab,” Ballard said early Tuesday.
Fayette County Coroner C.J. Mowell did not immediately return phone calls. The answering service for his funeral home said he was out of town.
World Wrestling Entertainment said on its Web site that it asked authorities to check on Benoit and his family after being alerted by friends who received “several curious text messages sent by Benoit early Sunday morning.”
• Click here for full coverage on the WWE Web site.
Pope said the three were found about 2:30 p.m., but he would release no other details about the deaths.
Stamford, Conn.-based WWE also said on its Web site it had further information on the deaths of Benoit, 40; his wife, Nancy, 43; and son, Daniel, but had been asked by authorities not to release it.
Benoit, a native of Canada, was born in Montreal. He was a former world heavyweight champion, Intercontinental champion and held several tag-team titles over his career. He was known by several names including “The Canadian Crippler.”
“WWE extends its sincerest thoughts and prayers to the Benoit family’s relatives and loved ones in this time of tragedy,” the federation said in a statement on its Web site.
Benoit was scheduled to perform at the “Vengeance” pay-per-view event Sunday night in Houston, but was replaced at the last minute because of what announcer Jim Ross called “personal reasons.”
Benoit maintained a home in metro Atlanta from the time he wrestled for the defunct World Championship Wrestling.
The WWE canceled its live “Monday Night RAW” card in Corpus Christi, Texas, and USA Network aired a three-hour tribute to Benoit in place of the scheduled wrestling telecast.
Benoit’s wife managed several wrestlers and went by the stage name, “Woman,” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
They met when her then-husband drew up a script that had them involved in a relationship as part of an ongoing story line on World Championship Wrestling, the newspaper said.
Benoit has two other children from a prior relationship.
thoughts on Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit, the pro wrestler found murdered in his Fayetteville, Georgia home last night, was one of the reasons why professional wrestling, despite its ridiculous pretenses and bewilderingly predictable storylines, remains popular, profitable and culturally relevant. 
I grew up a fan of wrestling and still admit to checking a pro-wrestling website from time to time. Not really sure why I enjoy watching it; I can come up with a string of theories as to why the WWE and its various competitors attract millions of fans: escapism, primal-rage satisfaction, morality-play substitution, soap operas for guys, homoerotic frustrations, cultural traditions, the will to violence. Maybe it’s the athleticism — a unique combination of genuine athletic skill, agility, grace, and acting. Consider: Ultimate Fighting Champsionship — which is really real — is a bit more bloody and not nearly as fun to watch. The wrestlers mostly spend their time locking one another in painful holds, rolling around on the mat, and trying to put those painful holds on the other guy.
Maybe it’s the possibility, however faint, that we’ll see something “real” — someone get hurt, someone start to close his punches — the NASCAR crash phenomenon.
A really good wrestler like Benoit can make even the most jaded fan suspend disbelief for just a few seconds. Benoit was characterized as a “scientific wrestler,” which really meant that his performance skills blended a mix of Olympic (ironically, “amateur”-style) grappling with an unmatched ability to sell his interaction with other wrestlers. He was built like a pit-bull, and even he looked a little like one: he had a small, pug face that looked as if it were smushed into his neck. Speaking of necks, he was fond of breaking them — he was probably the only active wrestler whose career survived these accidental injuries he inflicted upon others.
A horrible irony: the script for Monday night’s World Wrestling Entertainment broadcast was supposed to feature a three-hour “commemoration” of the WWE’s chairman, Vince McMahon, who was “killed” by a car bomb two weeks ago. McMahon, of course, was very much alive. At the beginning of tonight’s Raw, a red-eyed, haggard-looking McMahon informed fans that Benoit had died, and that the night’s broadcast would feature a real, tribute to Benoit.
Is the game up at Decipher? Lawsuits are mounting and fans restless Warren L. Holland Rick Eddleman
Will the empire strike back and undo the brilliance behind a privately held company that has a shrinking presence on Granby Street? Sounds like the perfect plot for a new card game.
Unfortunately, the future is murky for Decipher Inc., a Norfolk-based game card company. It found huge success with its Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, Star Wars and How to Host a Murder games, but it has been plagued by personal and professional lawsuits during its tenure.
Even a group of disgruntled tournament winners, formerly loyal fans, is threatening to bring the house down.
Decipher, owned by Warren L. Holland Jr., has had three rounds of layoffs this year totaling at least 50 people, according to several former employees. They said the company’s health insurance has been canceled, too.
Holland sold his 10,000-square-foot building at 253 Granby St. about two weeks ago and is leasing office space next door. Dr. Sture Sigfred, a radiologist who owns about a half-dozen other buildings downtown, said he purchased the building.
There are pending cases brought by Decipher against its former chief financial officer, Rick Eddleman, that begin proceedings in January 2006, and a Kathy Eddleman, with a scheduled hearing for Aug. 26. Several other cases are listed in court records as well, including one in April that required Holland to pay Sentara Hospitals almost $2,700.
Despite repeated attempts, INSIDE BUSINESS was not able to reach Holland or any representatives of his company. The phone was not answered. One employee who was contacted changed her voice mail message one week later to say she no longer works for Decipher. Calls were referred to another employee, Becky Higgerson, who also did not return a phone call.
Randy Muir owns Wild Things, a Salem, Ore., store that sells Decipher’s card games. He said he has done some of the same conventions with Decipher for a decade.
“I have no real problems with them,†said Muir, even though Decipher owes him a reimbursement for products that he ordered and never received. “The product will not arrive. I will be reimbursed with a future product.â€
Overall, he said the company isn’t as prompt or professional as it used to be.
“It’s not unexpected, given the layoffs,†Muir said. “A lot of this stuff is like writing on the wall. Other businesses like this have already gone down.â€
Meanwhile, the fans are getting restless. John Hawkins, also from Salem, won $2,500 at a Las Vegas tournament in March, the Decipher Vegas Open, and has yet to be paid. The winnings of three other friends bring the amount to over $4,000.
“They are very evasive and don’t answer our phone calls,†Hawkins said. “They’ve treated us well in the past and poorly in the past. They seem to put profits ahead of customer concerns.â€
Hawkins has assembled an even larger group, 16 players who are owed tournament money, to take legal action against Decipher. He said he has heard from friends and retailers who order Decipher’s products that the company has closed down two of its three Norfolk warehouses.
“They are shrinking their business to try to get down to a size that is manageable,†Hawkins said.
Chris DeNoma, also of Salem, said he and Hawkins have been playing Decipher games since they were teens.
“We’ve been playing card games since 1994,†DeNoma said. “It’s like a more complex game of chess.â€
“We spent money flying down there and on hotel rooms,†he said, referring to the Las Vegas tournament. “It’s just odd that it’s being handled the way it is.â€
Some of Decipher’s message boards are rife with fan complaints about unfulfilled orders and speculations on the company’s future. Players want to know if others are experiencing problems with fan dollars, which are credits awarded for purchases.
According to the Decipher Web site, it costs 99 cents a month to belong to the fan club. Others log on to the message boards with no complaints and simply to trade cards.
Decipher has also delayed the sell dates for some highly anticipated products, including Star Trek and Lord of the Rings games. A message posted on its Web site July 29 by “Dan Bojanowski, brand manager,†attributes the problems to production delays.
By Janet Dunphy
Inside Business – Hampton Roads
14 year old Kissing Girls Kicked Off Bus
A transit agency chief apologized Wednesday to two teenage girls who were kicked off a city bus for kissing each other.
The girls, both 14, said the driver called them “sickos” after a female passenger complained about their kiss. The driver then stopped the bus along the street and forced them off.
“Removing the girls from the bus was not consistent with our policy,” said TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen. “I want to reiterate that we welcome all riders on our system.”
The 64-year-old driver also violated company policy that requires operators to call for assistance before removing any minors, TriMet said in a statement.
The driver, an 11-veteran who was not identified, will be disciplined, TriMet officials said, though no details were released.
“TriMet sincerely apologizes to the girls and their families for this incident,” Hansen said in the statement.
The mother of one of the girls, Ronnda Zezula, welcomed the apology.
“The only thing I had a problem with is they didn’t really address why the driver broke those policies,” Zezula said. “He knew it was wrong. He’s been a driver for 11 years.”
She also said she wished the agency had made the extent of the disciplinary action public to show it will not “be just a slap on the wrist.”
Zezula said the family has been encouraged to consider a lawsuit, but they will “have to mull it over.”
S.C. Cops: Naked Couple Falls 50 Feet From Rooftop to Their Deaths
Police on Wednesday were investigating how a naked couple fell 50 feet from the roof of a downtown office building to their deaths.
The bodies were found on the road by a passing cabdriver around 5 a.m. Wednesday.
Clothing was discovered on the roof, leading authorities to suspect the man and woman, in their early 20s, may have been having sex. Their identities were not released.
“It’s too early to rule out anything,” Columbia police Sgt. Florence McCants said, but McCants said a preliminary investigation didn’t show any sign of foul play.
Israeli Bikini Beauty Gal Gadot: Campaign Not ‘Pornographic’
Gal Gadot was Miss Israel 2004
The Israeli bikini babe whose racy picture has set tongues wagging from Tel Aviv to New York’s Turtle Bay insisted Tuesday that she was just using her assets to improve Israel’s war-torn image and didn’t intend to offend anyone.
The stunning former Miss Israel and model, Gal Gadot, said she is proud of her sexy photograph — part of a new tourism campaign touted by the Israeli Consulate that showcases a host of scantily clad Hebrew hotties.
“Obviously, I don’t think it’s pornographic, or I wouldn’t have done it,” said Gadot, 22, who’s starting law school in the fall.
She added, “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Israel is a democracy and that’s what it’s all about.”
Her picture appeared on an official invitation sent out by the consulate in New York. It touched off an uproar in Israel, where several female politicians denounced it as the wrong way to promote the Jewish state.
Harry Potter “Hack†Claims to Give Spoiler Details of the Ending
Harry Potter “Hack†Claims to Give Spoiler Details of the Ending
You’ve probably never heard of Fyodor, or insecure.org. I expect you will over the next few days as the mainstream media begins to pick up on a Harry Potter story. Fyodor is a very gifted programmer who created an extremely valuable security analysis program called nmap over 10 years ago, and has been maintaining and improving it ever since. nmap is one of the most widely-used vulnerability scanners, and was even featured in the second Matrix movie (pictures are at the bottom of the insecure.org home page. Geek trivia: the versions of nmap, the target computer system, and the actual vulnerability are historically accurate.)
What does this have to do with Harry Potter? Well, Fyodor also hosts a number of extremely useful computer security discussion lists on his site. And on one of those, a day ago, someone posting as “Gabriel†posted a message entitled “Harry Potter 0dayâ€. (â€0day†is jargon for “zero dayâ€, and is used to denote a file — originally software, but more commonly now films or music — that is released onto the underground scene on the day of its public release. This kind of piracy gives bragging rights to the crackers.) In the post, Gabriel claims to give spoilers as to the ending of the upcoming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Interestingly, the post claims a religious motive (which fits with the poster’s choice of name):
We did it by following the precious words of the great Pope Benedict XVI when he still was Cardinal Josepth Ratzinger.
He explained why Harry Potter bring the youngs of our earth to Neo Paganism faith.
So we make this spoiler to make reading of the upcoming book useless and boring.
More worryingly, the poster claims to have gotten the information through a malicious email sent to an employee of Bloomsbury Press:
The attack strategy was the easiest one.
The usual milw0rm downloaded exploit delivered by email/click-on-the-link/open-browser/click-on-this-animated-icon/back-connect to some employee of Bloomsbury Publishing, the company that’s behind the Harry crap.
It’s amazing to see how much people inside the company have copies and drafts of this book.
Curiosity killed the cat.
Even if this particular incident is not true, this illustrates the dangers that poor computer security can pose to a business, as well as an individual, because this kind of thing can indeed happen. When software is in a state where a single click on an email can allow a cracker access to the files stored locally on the computer (or on accessible network shares) you have a clear chance of this kind of thing happening. It only takes one foolish click, or error (or — the most dangerous — an exploit that triggers without this kind of action). Software security is boring, but the consequences of poor security can be devastating. Its marketing hyperbole aside, Apple does have a valid claim to significant superiority here, owing to Mac OS X’s Unix underpinnings.
If this incident is true, I don’t see it particularly hurting sales. Kids (and adults) will still want to buy the book, and this kind of information will be all over the web 1 minute after the books go on sale. It would however suggest the importance of quarantining critical information on a “need-to-know†basis, and storing it on a system not accessible to the public.
In any event, I don’t recommend reading Gabriel’s post. If true, it will ruin enjoyment of the book. If false, it will still do so, and you won’t fully realise until you get to the end. Either way, you are giving the poster publicity and credibility. If you really, really must, I will say that the post appears on the “Full Disclosure†discussion list, but that’s it.
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