Not content to just make terrible films and older women, Ashton Kutcher is getting into the gossip market with a new blog called Blahgirls. The site offers a relatively light-hearted take on traditional celebrity gossip, lacking the nastiness of bloggers like Perez Hilton and the infuriating stalking of print outlets like US Weekly.

The blog is "written" by three animated teenage girls (that look like scraps from the South Park cutting room floor), who also star in short video posts in which they discuss celebrity news and gossip in a ridiculous caricature of what 13-year-old girls sound like.

What makes the site interesting, however, is that comments and e-mails from readers are replied to by the characters: Britney, Krystle, and Tiffany. Many of the responses come not from ghost writers or blog staff, but from an automated chat bot that generates replies and posts them without any input from a person. Believable artificial intelligence of this type is notoriously hard to implement, but as more and more custom responses are generated by the development team, the bot will become more... human, or at least that's what Kutcher hopes, according to an interview he conducted with the New York Times earlier this week.

People want their celebrity gossip, we guess. We're just glad you'll never see these newest members of the paparazzi chasing Britney Spears to her car. [From: NY Times and Blahgirls]

We know you miss it. We do too.

We are, of course, talking about Dan Lyons' satirical blog that hilariously attempted to channel Apple CEO Steve Jobs. The fake blog by the real Dan Lyons was terminated by Lyons himself after seeing a frail and sickly Jobs at Apple's developer conference in June. It seems even a satirist has emotional boundaries. Pooooop.

Fret not, though -- a combination of factors may bring the deceased blog back to life. Lyons has recently begun working for Newsweek, and it seems that part of the agreement was for him to resurrect the fake Jobs' blog.

Sweet. That's all we have to say. [From: ValleyWag]

Okay, so this isn't really breaking news, but did you know that Roseanne Barr has one of the Web's nuttiest blogs? It's true (we even wrote about it a few months ago).

Dan O'Brien at Cracked.com decided to read Roseanne's blog, every day, for two weeks, to try and find out if she is the craziest blogger the Internet has to offer. After reading Dan's entry (in which he also postulates that Roseanne is actually a very well trained pig), we're not sure if she is the craziest, but she is certainly up there.

Roseanne attacks a reader who defended Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, "you are responsible for every bad thing that happens on this earth," spouts misinformation, "Denver has built concentration camps to hold protesters during the [Democratic National] convention," and just plain nonsense, "all is in the all and the all is in all."

We don't actually recommend reading Roseanne's blog unless you have a high tolerance for pain, but we do suggest you check out Cracked for some more crazy highlights from this washed-up sitcom star. [From: Cracked]

Related Links:

Top 11 Celebrity Blogs
Worst Celebrity Blogs

Lindsay Lohan did a little venting on her MySpace blog, taking on her father and his spotlight-seeking ways. Lohan's incensed blog post came after her father, Michael, gave an interview to E! in which he claimed that Lindsay's gal-pal Samantha Ronson (pictured, above left) was using Lohan.

In the post Lohan called her father a "bully," a "public embarrassment," and a "coward." The star goes on to say, "He has no idea what is going on in my life because I have chosen not to involve him in it -- His recent attack on my life and my loved ones is simply for an ADDICTION THAT HE HAS -- FAME."

This is far from the first public clash between Lohan and her father, a former Wall Street broker and ex-con. Lohan also claims in the blog to have tried to salvage her relationship with her father, against the advice of her family, but that she can no longer stand by his side or defend him.

We know that venting via-MySpace blogs is all the rage these days with 13 year old girls, but couldn't the 22 year old actress and her mess of a father could find someplace else to act out their psycho-drama? [From: Yahoo! News]

Related Links:

• Top 11 Celebrity Blogs
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Just as a drug dealer shouldn't sample his own wares, maybe coffee shop owners should lay off the Java, otherwise the caffeine could start to take its toll as they start... blogging!

Yes, a Washington, D.C., coffee shop owner has taken his rant about a customer complaint to the blogosphere. In fairness, it was the customer who posted his complaint to the Internet first, but it is the response from Murky Coffee owner Nicholas Cho that has captured the attention of bloggers and the sites BoingBoing and MetaFilter.

Customer Jeff Simmermon wanted an iced espresso. Murky Coffee doesn't serve those because, according to Cho, ice causes a reaction in the espresso that produces an acidic taste. In fact, Cho feels so strongly about acidic espresso that it is his store's policy NOT to make the iced drinks. Simmermon bucked the rules by asking for a regular espresso and a cup of ice. The barista told him, "Hey man. What you're about to do ... that's really, really Not Okay."

You can guess what Simmermon did next.

What was perhaps unexpected was Simmermon's decision to blog about his consumer experience and even note that the next time he visited Murky Coffee he might take along some flammable materials and accelerant.

So we don't blame Cho for being a bit annoyed. In his online response to Simmermon, Cho warns the disgruntled patron not to return, and that he'd be risking a punch to his nether regions. Cho also details the policy: "No modifications to the Classic Cappuccino. No questions will be answered about the $5 Hot Chocolate (during the months we offer it). No espresso in a to-go cup. No espresso over ice. These are our policies."

Even the "about us" section of Murky Coffee is a bit challenging. Cho notes that if someone even wonders why they would want a cup of joe from a place called "Murky," well, they should just keep on walking.

May we suggest some calming herbal tea next time – for both of them? [Source: Reuters.]

Olive Riley, the world's oldest blogger, died this Saturday in a nursing home in Woy Woy, Australia. The bubbly and mentally sharp Riley began blogging in February of last year with the help of a friend who helped put Riley's posts on the Web.

Riley won herself a sizable international audience with her ruminations on historical events of the last century -- she was born in 1899 -- and her upbeat entries on life. She even posted occasional videos, including clips of her singing a "happy song." Riley was not a passive poster either, she had frequent communication with readers from around the world, helping to keep her mind fresh and her spirits up.

Riley's posts can still be read and watched at The Life of Riley and World's Oldest Blogger. [Source: Reuters]

With more and more celebrities treading the fine line between waifish and sickly, there's a disturbing but growing trend among many women who support anorexia and encourage others to try it. This so-called Pro-Ana movement encourages women to eat less, vomit what they do eat, and lie to their doctors to keep from getting caught. Various sites are popping up giving advice and support for would-be "friends of Ana," enough to lead to the French government to officially ban the sites.

The problem is particularly large in France, with its huge fashion industry, an industry that has always been associated with the disorder. Now, those found to be hosting such Pro-Ana sites will be subject to two years in prison or a €30,000 (about $48,000) fine. Too harsh, you think? This quote from one pro-ana blog might just change your mind:

I am the only person who can tell you the truth. Everyone else lies to you because they love you but I'm going to tell you a secret: in the depths of their heart, they are disappointed with what has happened to you. Their talented girl has become fat and lazy. But I am going to change all that!

From The Independent

Chances are, if you're in the U.S. Air Force, you're not going to be reading this today. That's because Switched is a blog (short for Web log) and the Air Force has decided that most blogs are bad -- or at least not legitimate sources of news.

You may think that's an oversimplification of the matter, but tell that to the Air Force, which, according to Wired, has just started automatically blocking access to almost all sites with the word blog in the Web address or on the Web site itself. Access is blocked for all active personnel who get online at work or on duty.

The new rule does allow for access to "an established, reputable media outlet," like the New York Times, and, presumably, even the blogs on the New York Times site.

The Air Force Network Operations Center, under the service's new "Cyber Command," typically will block all sites first, and then review which ones should be permitted to make their way through to Air Force personnel.

The concern is that leaked information will wend its way through blogs and into the wrong hands (although major news outlets are cited as being the primary source of sensitive information being leaked). YouTube and MySpace are banned because -- according to the Air Force -- they take up too much bandwidth.

As for the harm a blog can actually cause, one retired Air Force officer remarks that it's not necessarily what the blog itself may state but instead it's the good intentions of an airman who posts a comment or correction. In doing so, he or she may reveal more than intended -- and put good information into the hands of bad people.

Oddly enough, some Web sites that are considered recommended reading for airmen by the Air Force itself have been blocked because they are characterized as blogs.

But perhaps the Air Force only has itself to blame for blogs. After all, didn't the military invent the Internet?

From Wired.

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Can a security operation do its job and be transparent about its policies at the same time?

That's the challenge for the Transportation Security Administration as it launches its new blog called 'The Evolution of Security,' where in just a couple of days, more than 700 members of the public have already posted comments on issues ranging from the varying sensitivity of metal detectors to the sometimes mysterious application of rules and regulations to people just trying to get to their flights on time.

The blog's goal is to "facilitate an ongoing dialogue on innovations in security, technology and the checkpoint screening process." In the early going, hot topics range from "shoes and liquids" to "inconsistencies" -- basically the common concerns of airline travellers today.

The site's motto? "Terrorists Evolve. Threats Evolve. Security Must Stay Ahead. You Play A Part."

TSA Administrator Kip Hawley writes that the blog was created to field questions from the public and provide answers, with the overall goal of getting passengers and the TSA "back on the same side, working together."

TSA personnel can't take the time to answer questions while doing their jobs at airport security checkpoints, so the blog was created as a way to explain policies to the public and take suggestions.

The comment policy is pretty straightforward. The TSA states the blog is for facilitating "an ongoing dialogue on innovations in security, technology and the checkpoint screening process." It will not post comments that are vulgar, abusive or off topic, which is common practice for moderated blogs.

Hawley asks for patience and good humor while the blog is in its early stages. Maybe that's good advice if you're standing in a long security line at the airport, too?

From Computerworld.

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• Customs Officers Can Search Your Laptop, Too
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The term "celebrity blogger" may sound like an oxymoron, but we swear it means nothing about Perez Hilton's popularity. Hilton was awarded almost $85,000 to pay for his legal fees stemming from a defamation suit brought against him by Lindsay Lohan hanger-on Samantha Ronson.

Hilton, who claims to have the most hated blog in Hollywood, had re-posted a report on another Web site that claimed Ronson had planted cocaine found in Lohan's car following the train-wreck starlet's run in with a tree in May.

Hilton's lawyer, Bryan J. Freedman, defended him successfully on First Amendment, freedom-of-speech, grounds, then proceeded to take Ronson to bank for Perez's exorbitant legal fees.

We're wondering what happened with the blog that originally posted the accusation of planting cocaine, but also sure (and thankful) that Ronson learned a thing or two about free speech in the process.

From AOL News/AP

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You've probably never heard of Fouad Ahmed al-Farhan, but there is the chance that no one will ever hear from him again. Fouad is the latest blogger to become a victim of censorship by a totalitarian regime. The Saudi Arabian government arrested Fouad for criticizing religious extremism and several figures close to the Saudi royal family on his blog, alfarhan.org.

Fouad isn't unique in Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia isn't unique in the world. All over the globe regimes such as China, Iran, Russia and Cuba have made it a matter of national security to squash the practitioners of free speech, and those who might disagree with the politics of the ruling party.

Alfarhan.org has not been shut down completely just yet, though. The normally Arabic language site now has an English banner across the top declaring "Free Fouad" and the letter he wrote to his friends just before his arrest has also been posted. It states that he knew the authorities would be coming for him soon.

Sadly, there isn't much the average person can do except repost the "Free Fouad" banner and make sure the enemies of freedom of expression know they can't hide from the critical eye of the global masses.

From PC World

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• Texas School District Sues Blogger Mom
• China Blocking All RSS Feeds
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Happy belated birthday, blogosphere! In case you didn't know, December 17 was the 10th anniversary of the term 'Weblog,' which was shortened to 'blog' at some point. The term started with a man, Jorn Barger, who used the phrase to describe his Web page where he posted links of interesting things he found around the Internet.

Back in 1997, blogging was hardly the phenomenon it is today. Some of the most conservative estimates put the number of true 'weblogs' at that time in the lower double digits. These days no one can really say how many blogs are out there. Technorati, a blog tracking service, estimates that 120,000 new blogs pop up every day. In April the site was tracking just over 72 million blogs.

The blog has morphed from its early days as a way of sharing cool finds (like Digg minus the voting), to the primary form of information dispersal on the Web. Blogging has become the format of choice in the fast-paced world of tech (like Switched.com) and politics, and has empowered a generation of new journalists. Now the New York Times has blogs, the Daily Kos is one of the most important forces in the Democratic party, and even CNN has the YouTube-esque iReport citizen journalism program. Like it or not, in less than 10 years time, blogs have completely altered the face of media.

From the BBC

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As you may have noticed, one way to ruffle our feathers is to try and get down with that whole stifling free speech business. We're not big fans of censorship... in fact we can't think of too many people (outside of some fringe religious elements still fighting the culture wars) who are.

Unfortunately, attempting to quiet those whose speech offends you only often helps bring publicity and credibility to their cause, which is exactly what is happening with a certain case in Galveston, Texas.

The Galveston Independent School District (GISD) is attempting to sue Sandra Tetley, the mother of a student in the district, for defamation. Tetley runs the blog GISDWatch.com, which tracks and comments on the activities of the local school board.

The GISD is demanding that Tetley remove 16 postings from the blog, which the District's lawyers have identified as libelous. The postings in question throw around some hefty accusations, charging that Superintendent Lynne Cleveland, the board of trustees, and school administrators lied to the people of the Galveston. They are also being accused of falsifying budget numbers, using their positions for personal gain, and spying on employees, among other things.

Tetley has so far refused to take down any of the postings, citing her right to post her opinion.

In 2002, an appeals court ruled that school districts could not sue for defamation, so the GISD has had to change its strategy a bit. Instead of filing suit on behalf of the district, lawyers are suing on behalf of the individual members of the administration and board. The legal fees will still come out of the district's budget however, meaning the citizens of Galveston are now paying for several personal defamation suits.

We have a feeling this whole thing is going to come crashing down on their heads

From Slashdot and The Galveston County Daily News

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According to Wired News, the U.S. Army has ordered soldiers to stop posting to blogs or sending personal e-mail without first clearing the content by a superior officer. The new rules (.pdf) state that failure to comply could result in a court-martial or "administrative, disciplinary, contractual, or criminal action." While the order seems unlikely to stop e-mails entirely, it has many pundits predicting the end of the wartime soldier blog.

Online communication has been an ongoing issue for the U.S. Armed Forces for several years: The need for classified information to remain classified versus the ability for the public to connect with the troops. With regulation becoming progressively tighter, many in the military are pulling the plug on their own blogs. Jeff Nudig, who was awarded the bronze star for his service in Iraq, tells Wired:

"If I'm a commander, and think that any slip-up gets me screwed, I'm making it easy: No blogs. I think this means the end of my blogging."