Amazon Prime. It's the Best.

Just got a new shipment of books! Now if I only had time to read them...

Victor Shih, Factions and Finance in China

Richard McGregor, The Party

Update on Osama and Mid-day Dream

http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/05/public_opinion_osama_bin_laden?fsrc=scn/tw/te/dc/supportingterror

Although it doesn't completely answer my question I thought it was an interesting poll, and kind of confirms my suspicions that bin Laden is not as influential as he used to be. Of course there are many other countries that aren't included here, probably due to lack of usable data.

On another note I just woke up from an hour long nap (I've been having really strange and unwanted sleeping patterns lately) and an even weirder dream. I was sitting on the toilet in the privacy of my own home and the door and walls were transparent. Not only that but people kept walking in and out freely. I got super annoyed. Who can do their business with someone standing there? I yelled at all of them to leave and they all shuffled out reluctantly.
Then things got even weirder because my friend appeared in my dream naked. Talk about embarrassing. I'm pretty sure I was blushing when I woke up.

Irrational Exuberance?

Many Americans are rejoicing in Osama bin Laden's death and seeing it as a significant blow to Al Qaeda's operations. The media is spinning it as pivotal in the war against terror. Political analysts foresee it as being a big chip for Obama's reelection efforts. Basically, the optimism--though guarded somewhat with announcements that the national security team continues to be vigilant against possible retribution by Al Qaeda--is overwhelming. While I think it's definitely a milestone in helping the US in its fight against terrorism, I find myself wondering how important bin Laden has become to the Al Qaeda movement, especially after reading this article by The Economist.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/clausewitz/2011/05/osama_bin_laden&fsrc=nwl

bin Laden was definitely everywhere post-9/11--on the front of newspapers, magazines, TV channels, etc. Everyone was probing into his background, his origins, how he came to be the number one leader of the largest contemporary ideological movement against the West. But as the years passed, as he became more elusive to military agencies, and the search for him became sidetracked by the war in Iraq, his name faded into relative obscurity, with occasional pop-ups of videos he released of himself denouncing the US and the West. I honestly don't think he made a front page news headline in mainstream media recently, until two nights ago when he was dealt his ultimate fate.

Is bin Laden's death really a monumental blow to Al Qaeda? Or are Americans being prematurely celebratory and equating his death to something more than it should be? I'm not an expert on the matter, so what I say shouldn't be taken seriously. But as someone observing the happenings of terrorists that have made headlines in recent years, it seems like radical Islam has become something bigger than Al Qaeda proper. The Underwear Bomber, the tragic train explosion in London a few years ago, the attempted blowing up of Times Square in New York, are all events in recent years that didn't directly have bin Laden's name attached to them. Terrorist acts led by fundamentalists dot the globe--the mainstream media in the US just don't report them. The Philippines, Indonesia, Central Asia, Western Africa--these are all places where I've at least scanned a news article about terrorism being a security issue. It seems like the terrorist network has organically and legitimately taken on a life of its own. It's surpassed Al Qaeda, and if that's the case then it's definitely carried on, with or without bin Laden.

I think it would be really interesting to see what people who belong to the anti-West pro-fundamentalist Islamic movement are thinking about bin Laden's death. I read an article reporting on comments made in internet forums and there's been a whole range of responses. Some were angry and grieving while others thought that bin Laden was replaceable--'it should be easy,' I remember reading.

I can foresee complacency toward the strength and willpower of the terrorist network now that bin Laden--a symbolic figurehead of the West's worst enemy--has been killed. If it's true, I think that might be more dangerous than when he was alive.

This is What I've Learned After Reading 50 Papers About Exigencies and Miranda Rights

If the police are outside knocking on your door to ask if they can come in and do a search, always say no and tell them they need a warrant.

Don't say anything starting from when you hear the words "You have the right to remain silent..." uttered from a police officer. Don't. say. anything.

Wow, Obama was Born in the US? What a Surprise!

http://www.slate.com/id/2292303
Wow, Donald, congratulations. If you do decide to run for the presidency at least you can use this as proof that you CAN get things done, in comparison to the equally efficient way you manage your hotels and properties. Oh wait...

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/birth-certificate.pdf

I think it's weird to have such a private document floating around the internet, accessible by anyone, but I guess when you're the President of the US nothing escapes the public eye.

Now that the "birthers" can't harp on this issue, what's going to be the next target of attack? The citizenship status of Obama's dad? His qualifications to attend Ivy League institutions? Idiots.

Beyond Food, Water, and Oxygen

What We Really Need « Thought Catalog

I heard today that all animals need social inclusion, or else they will die. We are no exception.

Fiery Slumber

"Depending on the context of your dream, to see fire in your dream can symbolize destruction, passion, desire, illumination, purification, transformation, enlightenment, or anger. It may suggest that something old is passing and something new is entering into your life. Your thoughts and views are changing. In particular, if the fire is under control or contained in one area, then it is a metaphor of your own internal fire and inner transformation. The dream may be a metaphor for someone who is "fiery". It represents your drive, motivation, and creative energy. Alternatively, the dream may be warning you of your dangerous or risky activities. You are literally "playing with fire".

To dream that you are being burned by fire, indicates that your temper is getting out of control. Some issue or situation is burning you up inside.

To dream that a house is on fire, indicates that you need to undergo some transformation. If you have recurring dreams of your family house on fire, then it suggests that you are still not ready for the change or that you are fighting against the change. Alternatively, it highlights passion and the love of those around you.

To dream that you put out a fire, signifies that you will overcome your obstacles in your life through much work and effort. If you are setting a fire to something or even to yourself, then it indicates that you are undergoing some great distress. You are at the brink of desperation and want to destroy something or some aspect of yourself."

-www.dreammoods.com

I took a super long nap today and had a dream that I was watching two people's hair being set on fire. They were doing it to each other. I wanted to stop them but I was on one side of the wall looking out, they were on the other side. Later I went to wash my hands at the sink and fire started coming out of the drain. I almost got burned. It was so vivid.

I love doing these non-scientific analyses on my dreams. After reading the meaning, it seems almost intuitive that it would be what it is.