Song/Video/Album Review: Kanye West

This is a bit old, but since the album isn't released until Tuesday, Sept. 11, it's still somewhat fresh. Our good friends at Idolator have given a rave review to Kanye West's new album, aptly titled (in reference to his previous records), Graduation.

However, I'm rather skeptical based on the following song and video, so have a quick look and listen:

I don't know: my (hopeful) analysis is that this is Kanye's cheeky take on Southern trap music (i.e. Jeezy or T.I. or something), but I just can't tell. He's never been the best rapper, but his clever lyrics and notorious wit seem conspicuously absent from this song; it just seems kind of lazy. That, and I consistently reflect my own opinions on the artist's intent (like we all do), hoping that my perception of him remains the same, even though he is a human being and is susceptible to change. Maybe I just don't like the song, but regardless, I hope that the album is much more appealing.

Anyhow, let us know what you think about the video, the album, Kanye in general, anything.

Just What We Need, Another Presidential Candidate

Fred Thompson plans to finally announce his candidacy to run for President; he will do so at 12:01 am Thursday on his website. I'm not totally sure what Thompson adds to the whole campaign aside from being an actor (like Reagan!), and, um, being pretty good with the ladies. Oh well, the more the merrier, right?

New Ipods Coming Soon

Hopefully you took our advice to hold off on purchasing that new Ipod, because Engadget has the scoop on the new Ipod that will be shipping soon. The highlights: Touchscreen (just like the iphone) and Wifi capability.

A Glimpse Into The Future?

Yesterday, the British Conservative party proposed a plan to stabilize the struggling National Health system. Their plan? Bribe healthy people into continuing their healthy ways, and refuse services to those who take part in unhealthy activities.

The Evening Standard has the story:

"Like a supermarket loyalty card, the points could be redeemed as discounts on gym membership and fresh fruit and vegetables, or even give priority for other public services - such as jumping the queue for council housing. But heavy smokers, the obese and binge drinkers who were a drain on the NHS could be denied some routine treatments such as hip replacements until they cleaned up their act."

As you might guess, I find this level of government intrusion troubling, but once you have nationalized health care this is how it has to be. The government can't just drop people from the plan if costs get out of control, so they must force people to live healthier (aka cheaper) lifestyles instead. Can someone explain to me why it isn't better to just allow people to pay for the services that they need, regardless of why they need these services?

Lets not forget that democratic candidate for president, John Edwards, has proposed that under a nationalized health system in the US check-ups would be mandatory.

Big Girls Don't Cry

The Tears of A Clown

2 Goats, To Go Please

In these trying times, it good to see some people are still sticking to their traditional values.

More Presidential Candidates Looking Like Douchebags

That's Sen. Sam Brownback speaking to a nearly empty room in New Hampshire. I think its clear that we can expect big things out of the Senator in the coming months.

App. State, more than just hippies

Since no mention has yet been made of one of the greatest sights ever seen in college football, we must say that Appalachian State's phenomenal victory in front of 109,000 depressed Michigan fans was pretty ridiculous.

Though every small school has hopes and dreams of coming into a top program's stadium and winning, it turns out that these App. State bloggers were actually right.

Need a new job?

Will Leitch, editor of Deadspin, offers a suggestion. I always wanted to join one of those focus groups, but figured they were bullshit. Apparently not.

More from the Battle of the Sexes

Yes, we love Slate magazine. Tim Harford, resident economist, has put together some interesting evidence regarding the fact that boys benefit from being in school with girls, while the opposite is not true.

Some things are just too good. . .

. . . not to post. Via Deadspin, this picture is just excellent. Just to give some context, this stunt was performed at the Colorado-Colorado State football game to promote water conservation.

God, not guns

Sure, it's an admirable request. But just as a point of argument, some might prefer God and Guns, or Guns and not God, but regardless, I'm not sure why the two have to be dichotomized as they are in this sense; there are plenty of options out there. For one, this editor doesn't really like gun violence and is relatively ambivalent toward God. So there you go.

But, as long as robots don't have guns, I think we're all better off.

Shocking New Study Reveals Ugly Truth...

men prefer attractive women! I'm glad they finally cleared that up. (Thanks Mike).

As an addendum, I'd like to point out that the reverse is not necessarily true.

Russian Propaganda Machine Rolls On

If you are anything like me, you didn't do much reading this weekend. In that case, you missed a 10-page special advertising section in the Washington Post extolling the virtues of the new Russia. Two of my favorite sections:

- When a little paranoia is good for you - About protecting the Russian language in former Soviet satellite states.
- Why the Russians explore the Arctic - Briefly establishes Russia's claims to the disputed territory in the Arctic.

Also, check here for Slate's take on the segment.

The War On Drugs, Still Not Working

The Tierneylab Blog at The New York Times has a report on current issues in the war on drugs. There is an especially interesting section that discusses how US policies on drugs have spread world-wide; here is a relevant quote:

"Looking to the United States as a role model for drug control is like looking to apartheid-era South Africa for how to deal with race"

Read the whole piece here.

SNL Bites The Hand That Feeds It

Another excellent clip from the people that brought us that whole 'dick in a box' phenomenon.

PLA Accused Of Hacking Pentagon Computers

The Financial Times reports:

"The Chinese military hacked into a Pentagon computer network in June in the most successful cyber attack on the US defence department, say American officials. The Pentagon acknowledged shutting down part of a computer system serving the office of Robert Gates, defence secretary, but declined to say who it believed was behind the attack. Current and former officials have told the Financial Times an internal investigation has revealed that the incursion came from the People’s Liberation Army."

Read the full story here.

Shibam, Yemen

Here are some pretty amazing pictures of a 500 year old city in the Yemeni desert featuring towering buidings made of mud. Although it is affectionately known as the 'Manhattan of the Desert,' it is now home to only about 7000 people.

Just about 4,000 years too late

If only Pharoah had had a bridge over the Red Sea, then maybe Moses wouldn't have gotten away.

In all seriousness, though, this new construction project is aimed to promote commerce between East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula — an interesting development all its own.

Hillary, meet Jesus

This editor of the Pasty Quail is personally reserving judgment on Hillary Clinton's religious beliefs.

You (nor the other editors here) are by no means held to this same reservation. Please comment — the Left's embrace of religio-political rhetoric is paramount to the coming election. . .