It wasn't the babes, it was the bucks: Spitzer brings down yet another prostitution ring

It wasn't the babes, it was the bucks, according to Brian Ross on the ABC News website. And get this: they're thinking of prosecuting him under an obscure law for "structuring," which is more or less money laundering to cover up the source of cash (which is just what he did). Curiously, this is the third prostitution ring the former Attorney General of New York brought down. . .this one by accident.

"The federal investigation of a New York prostitution ring was triggered by Gov. Eliot Spitzer's suspicious money transfers, initially leading agents to believe Spitzer was hiding bribes, according to federal officials. "

They didn't start out investigating the hookers prostitutes call girls escorts. It was Spitzer they were onto after his bank notified the feds of suspicious financial activity. The FBI uncovered his emails and wiretapped his phones. It seems Elliott didn't follow his own advice:

"Never talk when you can nod, and never nod when you can wink, and never write an e-mail because it's death. You're giving prosecutors all the evidence we need," Spitzer told ABC News two years ago.

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Oh! What a beautiful morning!

As you know, I am a fan of folk lore and folk music. Do you remember singing this song in the 3rd grade, or has it slipped from the canon? Sometimes it gets old doing internet research. . .so, I am pretty sure this was a folk song that was later appropriated by Rodgers and Hammerstein for the opening of their musical Oklahoma! Their lyrics are different anyhow, and somehow I prefer this version that I remember singing in Mrs. Raschkow's classroom.


Oh, What A Beautiful Morning



(Traditional—later appropriated by Rodgers and Hammerstein?)

Oh! What a beautiful morning
Oh! What a beautiful day
I've got a beautiful feeling
Everything's going my way

There's a bright, golden haze on the meadow
There's a bright, golden haze on the meadow
The corn is as high as an elephant's eye
And it looks like it's climbing
Clear up to the sky

Oh! What a beautiful morning
Oh! What a beautiful day
I've got a beautiful feeling
Everything's going my way
Everything's going my way
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Dumb-ass of the week: Client No. 9 Governor Spitzer

Silda Spizter stands besides Client No. 9 at a press
conference this morning

With the stunning news this morning that New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has been implicated in a prostitution ring, we can now call him "Client Number 9." Spitzer was one of the johns described in a recently unsealed FBI affidavit detailing the operation of the Emperors Club, a call girl ring. The affidavit describes hooker interactions with ten johns, including one client who paid cash for a February 13 sex session at a Washington, D.C. hotel.

The New York Times identifies the 48-year-old politician as Client-9. Client-9 (clearly a repeat customer) apparently went to great lengths to arrange the illicit Washington encounter, choosing to mail money in advance to the ring, instead of using a credit card. Client-9, whose conversations were recorded by an FBI wiretap, would not do "traditional wire transferring," the FBI affidavit quotes one Emperors Club.

One of the call-girls spoke with a Emperors Club scheduler, who said that she had been told that Client-9 "would ask you to do things that, like, you might not think were safe..." "Kristen" responded saying that she could handle guys like that, like the soon to be Ex-Governor.

Spitzer, was often called Elliott Ness when he was attorney general. He was a corruption fighter--and had several high profile tussles with Wall Street while serving as attorney. He also prosecuted at least one prostitution ring in his tenure. But the corruption he routed out apparently didn't extend to his own conduct.

The Emperors Club VIP web site shows a range of hourly rates, for the women who are ranked on a one diamond to 7 diamond scale. A seven-diamond gal would have set the Governor back $5,500 an hour.

Of course, Spitzer's wife stood by him at the press conference. Most people expect he will resign sometime today or tonight. I wonder what Senator Clinton would say? She can't win either way--she has to really hope this goes away fast!
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Brit Thru-Vision develops T5000 camera that sees through clothing from 80 feet away, allegedly without showing the "naughty bits"

ICU2! According to Reuters, a British company has developed a camera that detects weapons, drugs or explosives hidden under people's clothes from up to 25 meters away in what could be a breakthrough for the security industry. Of course, the company ThruVision claims the camera does not reveal physical body details

The T5000 camera uses a "passive imaging technology" to identify objects by the natural electromagnetic rays -- known as Terahertz or T-rays -- that they emit.

The camera detects hidden objects from up to 80 feet away and is effective even when people are moving. And, of course, "the screening is harmless."

The technology could be used in airports and other large public gathering places, and will be unveiled at a scientific development exhibition sponsored by Britain's Home Office this week.

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The Dusty 45's perform Buddy Holly's "Oh Boy"

Seattle's Duty 45's perform Buddy Holly's classic Oh Boy. I saw the Dusty 45's at The Hideout Thursday night, and had a ball. I regret that I didn't know about them sooner, because I've missed a lot of great shows. For my money, they are one of the most interesting and tuneful bands playing in Seattle today. They are playing this Friday in Seattle, about which, more later.

Alien Lore. No.125 : The Wow Signal

Thanks to Jeff Clinton for pointing this one out. I'd heard of the Wow signal, but never read about it.






The Wow! signal was a narrowband (and surprisingly robust) radio signal detected by Dr. Jerry R. Ehman on August 15, 1977 while working on a SETI project at the Big Ear radio telescope of Ohio State University. The signal bore expected hallmarks of potential non-terrestrial and non-solar system origin. It lasted for 72 seconds.

The Wow signal has often been considered the most promising, or the most likely, signal SETI has studied to date.

Dr. Ehman circled the signal on the computer printout and wrote the comment "Wow!" on its side. . .ergo the name by which it is still known.
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Long video of some good moments from the film Idiocracy

Here are some YouTube video clips from one of my favorite movies of the last couple of years: Idiocracy.



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Let's talk about Barack Obama's accomplishments as a US Senator (YouTube video from Hardball)

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Mufon (Mutual UFO Newtork) video on how to report a UFO

A P.S.A. video from the Mutual UFO Network:

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Obama camp: Hillary Clinton is a monster!

In what can only be a moment of madness during an interview with The Scotsman, Samantha Power, Obama's normally extremely bright key foreign policy aide, let slip the camp's true feelings about the former First Lady.

Her comments came as Sen. Obama, whose ass-whuppin' in Texas and Ohio were being blamed on the negative attacks on him, vowed to turn up the heat on Sen. Clinton over her claims to be the more experienced candidate, e.g., the person you want answering The Red Phone At 3:00 A.M.

Ms Power told The Scotsman Clinton would stop at nothing to seize the lead from Obama.

"We f***** up in Ohio," she admitted. "In Ohio, they are obsessed and Hillary is going to town on it, because she knows Ohio's the only place they can win. "

"She is a monster, too – that is off the record – she is stooping to anything," Ms Power said, hastily trying to withdraw her remark.

The bogtrotter Powers has really stepped in it this time. Click here to read the entire article in The Scotsman.
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TSA Gangstaz

Thanks to Doc., who posted this video on his Random Blts blog.

As someone who has been male-assisted and patted down 86 times by the TSA in the last 14 months, I can relate to this vid.


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Namasté, all this is that readers! I bow to you.

When I wrote a long compendium of gestures and signs last year, many of them were pejorative or downright vulgar. The finger, the wanker, the cuckoo sign, the choke sign, rock horns, the shaka sign, and many more did not include such a beautiful and sweet sign as Namasté. It is pronounced, I think, Nahmus Tay.

Namasté in both word and gesture denotes deep respect and is used in Nepal and India by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. Many emigrants still use the words and gesture, wherever they end up. And why shouldn't they? What a sweet thought, and gesture.

In Indian and Nepali culture, the word is spoken at the beginning of written or verbal communication. However, the same hands folded gesture is made wordlessly upon departure. The word comes from the Sanskrit (namas): to bow, and (te): "to you."

When spoken to another person, it is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest. The gesture alone has the same meaning. I guess if you say it as well, you're giving them a double dose.

You have to admit this sure beats the averted eyes walking down the hall in your Office Space or CubeLand, or the quick nod, a microsecond pupil lock-on and the word "hey." Give someone a Namasté today!

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