對於此文章感到非常的抱歉，這是由程式自動發文的文章。請勿對種族與政治的議題做過度偏激的討論，誠摯希望世界是非常和平的。

I am very sorry for this article, and that this is the program automatically issued a document from the article. Do not the subject of race and politics make the discussion too radical and sincere hope that the world is very peaceful.

via Hot Girls: michelle obama.

I’d love to know what back-room deal got this issue resolved.

You can see the ad below:

Image via CrunchBase

Update: The offensive image has been removed.

Wondering why Google hasn’t removed the offensive blog that depicts First Lady Michelle Obama as a monkey?

Simple. They don’t want to. My guess is that they think such an action will sully their reputation in the tech community.

Under the Terms of Service for Blogger (which Google owns and where the offensive image is currently hosted), Google could immediately revoke the blogging account which hosts the offensive image of Mrs. Obama:

10. Termination; Suspension. Google may, in its sole discretion, at any time and for any reason, terminate the Service, terminate this Agreement, or suspend or terminate your account. In the event of termination, your account will be disabled and you may not be granted access to your account or any files or other content contained in your account although residual copies of information may remain in our system for some time for back-up purposes. Sections 2, 3, 5 – 8, and 10 – 15 of the Agreement, along with applicable provisions of the general Terms of Service (including the section regarding limitation of liability), shall survive expiration or termination.

via Blogger: Terms of Service.

That’s the beauty of Google (and their insightful legal counsel): they don’t even need a reason to revoke your blog account. The real challenge is that the company doesn’t want to be seen as “corporate.” Google doesn’t want to ruin its “tech cred” and take the heat that will come from the tech community if they start taking down blogs because of external pressure.

Even worse, their so-called explanation (which appears in a link above the offensive image in Google image search) focuses on their refusal to remove the image from search results—as if that’s the only issue:

The beliefs and preferences of those who work at Google, as well as the opinions of the general public, do not determine or impact our search results. Individual citizens and public interest groups do periodically urge us to remove particular links or otherwise adjust search results. Although Google reserves the right to address such requests individually, Google views the integrity of our search results as an extremely important priority.

via Google: An explanation of our search results.

Actually, maybe Google needs to hire new lawyers, because the search results don’t have to be the issue at all. Here’s an idea: remove the blog which, when viewed, has only one ostensible purpose: to depict Mrs. Obama as a monkey. Then, eventually, it “disappears” from search. Ta da! Problem solved—at least for the time being. And they’re still abiding perfectly by the Blogger Terms of Service.

And really, why does Google not just drop the pretense of being against censorship, because it’s kind of obvious that they engage in it when it meets their two-part test. Because if they’re going to use censorship, it has to be: i) in their best interest as well as ii) in their best interest. Whether that means getting into a new market, appeasing angry locals, or mollifying a special interest group.

Consider:

1. Google already censors sites. Look what they’re doing in China. They changed their beloved search results!

2. YouTube (now a subsidiary of Google) reportedly banned a user who uploaded dogfighting videos—for life.

3. Google has erased images from Google Streetview. Multiple times.

4. Google has removed advertising that was critical of  former President George W. Bush. And others.

I think they’re banking on the fact that the Obama Administration probably doesn’t want to be seen asking them to remove the image. So they’re holding out for as long as they can and trying to reclaim part of their renegade image at the same time.

This is a move that just doesn’t make sense: why couldn’t all four couples be in both posters?

BEFORE & AFTER

The cheerleader in question, according to the Facebook screenshots, appears to be 21-year-old Whitney Isleib, who I assume is dressing up for Halloween as Lil Wayne…An anonymous tipster made us aware of these photos on her Facebook page.

via The Situation Where A Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Appeared In Blackface For Halloween Will Probably Not End Well – blackface – Deadspin.

Of course, the easiest way to avoid this kind of situation is not to dress up in blackface at all. But she probably has little to worry about: she’s from Texas and the Cowboys have won their last three games.

Think about it: she makes a living cheering for a team of predominantly Black athletes and when she has time off, she thinks blackface is funny.

Armando Alvarez recalled his experience Monday, October 26. He said he used his miles to upgrade to first class on a flight from Dulles to Connecticut. Alvarez said the gate agent called his name and when he walked up to the counter for his upgrade, the agent said he was dressed too casually for first class.

“I was humiliated and embarrassed,” Alvarez said.

via Man Says United Denied Him First Class Seat Due to Track Suit.

I caught up with Robin Urbanski of United Airlines, who informed me that the airline has no such policy for customers. It does, however, have a policy that employees flying first-class must wear business attire. It appears that the gate agent thought Alvarez was an employee (or was confused about the regulations), which is why he was denied the first-class seat.

Urbanski expressed an apology on behalf of the airline and said that the gate agent worked for a United Airlines subcontractor (not for the airline itself), which United has asked to investigate the situation.

After reading some of the discussions around the web about this incident, I think it’s important to note that I think Alvarez was rightly offended in this case. Many people in airline-related professions seem to be under the impression that first-class is to be protected from “ordinary” people, which is kind of ridiculous when you think about it. We’re talking about commercial air travel here. Ultimately, we don’t know what happened at the gate, but until the passenger was identified as an airline employee (with identification, not guesswork), he should have been given the benefit of the doubt.

Updated: 11/5/09 at 10:09 a.m. EDT

Los Angeles Clippers owner and real estate mogul Donald Sterling has agreed to pay a record $2.73 million to settle allegations by the government that he refused to rent apartments to Hispanics, blacks and to families with children, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.

via LA Clippers owner agrees to pay $2.73 million – NBA – Yahoo! Sports.

This isn’t even the first time this has been alleged; Sterling settled a similar lawsuit back in 2005. There is, of course, this irony: earlier this year the local NAACP affiliate weighed in on Sterling—they honored him with a lifetime achievement award. Go figure.

Keith Bardwell, who is white, quit the post with a one-sentence statement to Louisiana Secretary of State Jay Dardenne and no explanation of his decision: “I do hereby resign the office of Justice of the Peace for the Eighth Ward of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, effective November 3, 2009.”

via The Associated Press: AP: La. justice quits after interracial wed flap.

No big surprise here, although at first it wasn’t entirely clear whether anyone actually had power to remove him from office; a moot point now.

This Sunday, the tradition continues as Serena and Venus face each other at the Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha, Qatar. In honor of their accomplishments, here are some of the best highlights from their battles:

1. 2008 Wimbledon Finals

2. 2008 U.S. Open Quarterfinals

3. 2002 French Open Finals

4. 2001 U.S. Open Finals

5. 2009 Wimbledon Finals

6. 2003 Australian Open Finals

For the statistically inclined, below is a listing of every Grand Slam final where either Venus or Serena won the tournament. The finals highlighted in bold are finals where they played against each other. Really, it’s just incredible.

1999 U.S. Open
2000 Wimbledon
2000 U.S. Open
2001 Wimbledon
2001 U.S. Open
2002 French Open
2002 Wimbledon
2002 U.S. Open
2003 Australian Open
2003 Wimbledon
2005 Australian Open
2005 Wimbledon
2007 Australian Open
2007 Wimbledon
2008 Wimbledon
2008 U.S. Open
2009 Australian Open
2009 Wimbledon

1. Network Sports Preview

Check out this CBS Sports Preview for a breakdown of issues both teams are facing:

2. Inevitable Favre vs. Rodgers Comparisons

Here’s one of the better Favre vs. Rodgers mashups (note: loud music):

3. Packer Fans Poke Fun at Favre

City officials get in on the fun:

In another gesture to welcome Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre, Green Bay city officials sported flip-flop sandals at work Friday. The new fashion statements are aimed at poking fun at Brett’s decision-making about his retirement retirements career…

Saturday afternoon the mayor will attenda a rally at Titletown Brewing Company where the brewer will serve special root beer, beer, and waffle fries.

via Green Bay City Workers Wear Flip-flops – WBAY-TV Green Bay-Fox Cities-Northeast Wisconsin News: .

4. Mild to Violently Angry Packer Fans

Packer fans just can’t take it anymore and stage a mock funeral (but donate the proceeds to Mrs. Favre’s breast cancer charity):

5. Minnesota Avenue Renamed:

The mayor of Green Bay will not allow one of his streets to called “Minnesota Avenue” during this important week.

Mayor Jim Schmitt announced Thursday that the street was renamed Aaron Rodgers Drive — until Monday.  Rodgers will autograph the sign after the week, then auction it off for charity.

via Aaron Rodgers gets his own street | ProFootballTalk.com.

Of course, Rodgers’ sign was stolen, and is now recovered. Metaphor?

6. Injury Reports, etc.

For the Packers and Vikings.

Whichever team you’re rooting for, enjoy the game. And Go Pack!