Fun Facts About Guantanamo

From This American Life: Habeas Schmabeas 2007 (Transcript)

• 5% of detainees were caught/arrested by U.S. troops.
• 8% are classified by the Pentagon as Al-Qaeda fighters.
• Officials polled estimate that out of 600 detained men, 1-2 dozen could give info about Al-Qaeda.
• 86% of prisoners were handed over by Pakistan or the Northern Alliance in exchange for a bounty offered by the U.S., often in the range of $5,000-$10,000 USD. More was offered for Al-Qaeda, less for Taliban, more for leaders either way.

Spring 2008 - replace "segfaults" with "school"

Emperor (not King), a sweater & sushi

Best. Lawyer bio. Ever. Under awards, Kevin notes that he was Oakwood Elementary School's "Boy of the Year".

Kevin, a Shareholder practicing in Otten Johnson's real estate group, was raised by penguins following a childhood boating accident. He graduated magna cum laude from Colby College, where he learned that not all issues can be reduced to black or white. He received his law degree from Boston University, which he attended on a full football scholarship through an administrative error. Thereafter, he worked for four years as an associate at a large law firm in New York, where he once rode an elevator to the top of the Empire State Building. He lectures frequently to his children on a variety of subjects. He enjoys swimming and fishing, despite the painful memories.

[Thanks to Jim for this gem.]

Nice chip-in!

I've been into Wii Sports Golf lately. The game is way too short (only 9 holes!?!) and feels like a demo*, but is still soothing. I pulled in a 3-under yesterday, and actually yelled out loud when I chipped in from the rough for a birdie.

Talk about thrilling... I tried out Resident Evil 4 last weekend at a friend's place. Wow. What a game! Scary and thrilling and creepy and challenging all at once. His fiance and the girlfriend were watching, and they starting screaming and shouting out for whoever was playing to "turn around" or "blow up that guy"... lots of fun. I'm thinking I might need to get it soon, but will wait at least until the last Harry Potter book is history.

Speaking of Harry Potter, the motion controls look fun (use the Wiimote as a wand), but aside from the mediocre reviews, there is really only one key reason behind my decision not to buy the game.

And back to games in my future (woohoo - segway #3!). I plan on buying Mario Strikers Charged when it comes out at the end of the month. Online play, here I come! I'm also considering getting Alien Syndrome - looks like revamped old-school, co-op, blow-stuff-up style fun. Other than that, the only games strongly on my Wii-dar are Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Kart (next year, but yes!) and probably either Tiger Woods 2008 or Super Swing Golf 2. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption looks gorgeous, but I'm still in denial about the lack of online play.

[* A friend told me last week that the 9 holes for Wii golf are 3d versions of the the original, 2d, NES Golf, where they were the back 9. Who knew? He did, that's who - an addict for all things golf.]

More than meets the eye

Dear Mr. Prime,

We have received your accident-claim reports for the month of June—they total 27. I regret to inform you that GEICO will not be able to reimburse you for any of those repairs. I feel that I have sent the same letter to you once a month for the last six months, and I am now sending it again.

Since becoming a GEICO customer in January of this year, you have reported 131 accidents, requesting reimbursement for repairs necessitated by each one. You have claimed not to be responsible in any of them, usually listing the cause of the accident as either "Sneak attack by Decepticons" or "Unavoidable damage caused by protecting freedom for all sentient beings."

Full Letter >>