mr100percent's New Writeups

iPhone (thing)

2009-01-19T19:14:49Z

I'd note that the above writeups covered some legitimate complaints about the iPhone, although the 2.0 and 3.0 software upgrades eliminated many if not most of their gripes, and the iPhone 3G and 3G S added even more features.

The iPhone is a smartphone released by Apple Inc in 2007 following the runaway success of the iPod line. Steve Jobs remarked in the 2007 Macworld keynote that their surveys showed the vast majority (>80%) of iPod owners also owned a cell phone, and decided to see if they could compete in that market.

Running a modified stripped-down version of OS X, the iPhone is known for several features not before seen in a device, such as a Multitouch interface, allowing the screen to detect multiple points of tapping at once. The advantage of this is already apparent in some of its original apps, such as pinching to zoom in and out of photos and Google Maps. It also came with "30 new patented features" such as an accelerometer to detect whether the iPhone was…

US-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement (thing)

2008-12-27T19:36:38Z

As of 2008, the US (and UK) is stuck. The UN Security Council, as part of Resolution 1770, had approved of Coalition forces in Iraq only until the end of 2008, and after which time the authorization ends. It was expected that the US and Iraqi governments would create some sort of treaty that gave the framework for foreign troops to be present. The US has numerous treaties in place with foreign governments to keep military personnel in their country, from Germany to Japan to South Korea, as well as Afghanistan more recently.

Such a treaty is known as a Status of Forces Agreement, and it provides legal authority for US forces to operate within a country and its limitations. Such an agreement would include the rights of the governments and the rights of the forces, such as whether they have the authority to operate bases, can be tried in domestic courts or whether they have the authority to kick down doors, search citizens or conduct arrests. For US troops to operate without an…

Pervez Musharraf (person)

2008-10-07T06:41:54Z

Much can be said about him, and I could go on for pages. Here is a Pervez Musharraf time-line, published in Pakistani paper Jang:

August 1943: Born in Delhi, India

1964: Joins Pakistani army.

1998: Becomes army chief of staff.

October 1999: Seizes power in a bloodless military coup, overthrowing the prime minister, Nawaz Sharif. In response, the Commonwealth suspends Pakistan's membership.

June 20 2001: Makes himself president, replacing Rafiq Tarar, while remaining head of the army. Tarar is forced out of office when the parliament that elected him is dissolved.

July 2001: Holds first meeting with the Indian prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at Agra in India. No progress is made because of differences over the disputed territory of Kashmir.

September 2001: George W Bush

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Paradise lies under the shade of swords (idea)

2008-02-10T07:43:04Z

I believe there is more to clarify this statement, as many people jump to conclusions. Under the Islamic principle of a "just war," (which would be things like liberating the oppressed) those who give their lives while fighting and/or defending are considered martyrs. One who dies the death of a martyr, or shaheed, is promised Paradise, and basically goes straight in to its highest level without the turmoil and waiting of Judgement Day. It's worth pointing out that those who lead unjust wars or are unrighteous aggressors aren't considered for this privilege.

As to the title, it is a line from a generally accepted hadith. When a sahaba asked the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) why those people would skip the hearafter's turmoil, he replied because the testing/tribulation of seeing the flashing of swords over ones head was turmoil enough.

That's not to say that under the shade of swords is the only way into Paradise. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) also is known…

hearing aid diplomacy (idea)

2007-06-04T05:21:42Z

When the Lausanne Conference convened in late 1922, with British imperialists meeting with Turkish nationalists to re-negotiate the terms of the Treaty of Sévres, both sides were at an impasse. The British wanted to maintain imperial control of former Ottoman lands and ensure the empire did not rise again, and the Turkish nationalists based in Ankara were fighting against catastrophic loss of their lands through partitioning from the outside countries.

At the conference, the Turkish nationalists were represented by Ismet Inönü. When the chairman of the conference, British foreign secretary Lord Curzon, launched into lengthy speeches against the Turkish demands, Mr Inönü simply turned off his hearing aid (and since he was partially deaf already, basically muted the foreign secretary completely). Once Curzon finished his objections to the demands, Inönü restated his original insistences on recognition of the Turkish National Pact as though the British leader had not said a word at all.

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Dr. Cox (person)

2007-05-28T18:50:53Z

Dr. Percival "Perry" Cox is a character on the TV comedy Scrubs. He's one of the staff doctors at Sacred Heart hospital on the show. He's rude, sarcastic in the extreme, and loves to rant in a hilarious yet withering way. He's played by actor John C. McGinley who's been in a variety of films.

I realize not all of this will make a lot of sense unless you've seen a good extensive part of the show, since it's been over 6 years and we learn a bit more about each character, drop by drop. Spoilers:

Dr. Cox apparently was very much like J.D. when he was younger, according to his ex-wife Jordan; optimistic and friendly and caring. Somehow, fast-forward many years later and he's bitter and cynical and turned into a workaholic who both loves and hates his work but can't bring himself to give it up.

Everyone who's seen the show knows that Dr. Cox always says at least one zinger in every episode, often two or three. He's the best source of the hilarious put-downs, as well as the mentor…