Now here's a thought.

This couldn't just be applied to the Cam, of course, but it seems to come to mind every time I go on IRC for any extended length of time.

We need an ISO standard asshole measurement. No, not the size of the asshole (sick bastards), but rather, something we can measure people against for how much of an asshole they are being. Now, I know what you're thinking, but naming it after certain major assholes would not work. I mean, let's face it, you have to make the standard something that can easily be used in smaller or larger units and still have meaning. I mean, no one measures the size of sheets of paper in kilometers, so naming the standard unit of assholery after Robert Novak wouldn't work. (Incidentally, the wikipedia entry for Novak contains a cross-link to the wikipedia entry for "Douchebag of Liberty", which I find extremely amusing.)

Actually, maybe it would. Saying that someone registers at 300 milli-Novaks almost sounds scientific....

Now, this strikes me as slightly silly.

They're imposing a curfew in the riot-hit cities and towns in France.

Does this strike anyone else as silly? I mean, you have people that are setting cars on fire, breaking windows, etc. They're already breaking the law here. Saying that they have to be in bed by a certain time or they'll be breaking the law is sort of a moot point, isn't it?

I'm reminded of that scene in Heavy Metal where the charges against Captain Stern are being read off and the last one is "...and one moving violation." And that's what the crowd mutters and grumbles at. I can likewise picture a French judge/magistrate/whatever they use likewise saying "You are charged with five counts of destruction of private property, resisting arrest, and being out after 10 o'clock at night."

Still, that isn't even the silliest part... and maybe this is just the way it's being reported, and is not indicitive of what's really going on, but Under the emergency decree, local government officials will be able to put people under house arrest and demand that weapons be handed over. Okay, so wait, they couldn't demand they hand weapons over before?

"Hey, you, stop setting cars on fire."
"Okay officer."
"And hand me that knife."
"No! hahahahahahahaha"