Saturday, November 27, 2010
Yglesias » The Karzai Factor
Yglesias » The Karzai Factor: "Well . . . that’d be nice, but when last we saw General Petraeus was moving US military tactics away from that kind of counterinsurgency model in favor of more use of firepower. And on some level I think the way this works is that “counterinsurgency” means whatever Petraeus and his proteges say it means. What’s more, if the US government decides Karzai’s attitude makes continuing the war impossible they might just as easily decide to get rid of Karzai as decide to end the war. I certainly hope it doesn’t come to that, but all the signs from the administration are that they’re absolutely determined to give this thing a few more years worth of time and all their other decisions seem to flow from that."
'The Washington Hillbillies': Taiwan video satire wonders what our next Palin reality show will be | Crooks and Liars
'The Washington Hillbillies': Taiwan video satire wonders what our next Palin reality show will be | Crooks and Liars: "This video, produced by Taiwan's NMA (Next Media TV, is good for more than a laugh. It also makes you realize what an international laughingstock Palin's continuing high profile makes of the American political scene generally."
Cafe Hayek - Comment of the day
Production vs. Predation: "I disagree on everything said, but particularly on the matter of police bureaus. For one, you seem to conflate the actualized with idealized police function. Police are not primarily employed in the protection of individuals; when seconds matter, police are minutes away. This illusion of protection, in some circumstances could mean the under consumption of personal protection goods, which could prove fatal. Likewise, a hand gun or mace is probably cheaper to purchase than an officer’s salary, even if costs are diffused. Moreover, the need for protection is probably overstated anyway. I don’t refrain from theft or mugging because police exist; I suspect that applies pretty broadly."
Graphene supercapacitor breaks storage record - physicsworld.com
Graphene supercapacitor breaks storage record - physicsworld.com: "Researchers in the US have made a graphene-based supercapacitor that can store as much energy per unit mass as nickel metal hydride batteries – but unlike batteries, it can be charged or discharged in just minutes or even seconds. The new device has a specific energy density of 85.6 Wh/kg at room temperature and 136 Wh/kg at 80 °C. These are the highest ever values for 'electric double layer' supercapacitors based on carbon nanomaterials."
Tandberg illustrates stupidity of software patent policy | ZDNet
Tandberg illustrates stupidity of software patent policy | ZDNet: "Software is not a mousetrap. It’s a way for building mousetraps. It should not be patentable."
CBC News - Nova Scotia - N.S. introduces $100K club legislation
CBC News - Nova Scotia - N.S. introduces $100K club legislation: "Nova Scotia will soon have legislation that will require the public disclosure of salaries for anyone who makes more than $100,000 from public sector bodies.
The Public Sector Compensation Disclosure Act was tabled Friday in the legislature by Finance Minister Graham Steele.
'This will make it much easier for taxpayers to see where their money is going, and to judge for themselves whether the compensation is reasonable,"
The Public Sector Compensation Disclosure Act was tabled Friday in the legislature by Finance Minister Graham Steele.
'This will make it much easier for taxpayers to see where their money is going, and to judge for themselves whether the compensation is reasonable,"
Mohamed Osman Mohamud: Somali Teen Arrested In Portland For Attempted Bombing « Oliver Willis
Mohamed Osman Mohamud: Somali Teen Arrested In Portland For Attempted Bombing « Oliver Willis: "A Somali-born teenager plotted to carry out a car bomb attack at a crowded Christmas tree lighting ceremony in downtown Portland on Friday, but the bomb turned out to be a dud supplied by undercover agents as part of a sting, federal prosecutors said."
Friday, November 26, 2010
FoxNation.com Reposts Anti-Obama Article From The Onion, Doesn't Mention It's A Joke | TPM LiveWire
FoxNation.com Reposts Anti-Obama Article From The Onion, Doesn't Mention It's A Joke | TPM LiveWire: "Yes, the Fox Nation editors were apparently so enamored with an Onion piece from today entitled 'Frustrated Obama Sends Nation Rambling 75,000-Word E-Mail' that they reposted the first two paragraphs in their culture section with nary a sign as to its fictional nature. The only clue that this wasn't real (besides a quick peek at your inbox to confirm that Barack Obama hasn't been emailing you) was a link at the bottom instructing readers to go to TheOnion.com for the real story. This tiny link was, unfortunately, not enough for the vast majority of FN readers. At least, that's the way it seems from the comments section."
Elbowist Revealed | Talking Points Memo
Elbowist Revealed | Talking Points Memo: "The White House has released the name of the guy who elbowed President Obama in the lip today. It's Rey Decerega, who is the Director of Programs for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute."
JP Morgan - Fraudsters?
Teri Buhl: "Talk about accusing them with the kitchen sink of bank fraud. Now here is what I find a weak excuse for why the investors in a publicly traded company (or anyone else who’s interested) shouldn’t be allowed to see this complaint. JP Morgan’s argument is because Abmac was able to get sworn testimony from people working inside the mortgage security packaging shop about how they broke the law, that this information should be considered a trade secret. On top of that they argue that because ex-employees of these alleged financial criminals are testifying exactly who at the bank told them to skirt the law, this information really needs to be suppressed because if might damage top JPM executive reputations."
Intro to Ontologies - TechWiki
Intro to Ontologies - TechWiki: "Much like taxonomies or relational database schema, ontologies work to organize information. No matter what the domain or scope, an ontology is a description of a world view. That view might be limited and miniscule, or it might be global and expansive. However, unlike those alternative hierarchical views of concepts such as taxonomies, ontologies often have a linked or networked 'graph' structure. Multiple things can be related to other things, all in a potentially multi-way series of relationships."
Avoid Process Data Headaches: Align Business Process And Data Governance Initiatives - Forrester Research
Avoid Process Data Headaches: Align Business Process And Data Governance Initiatives - Forrester Research: "Today, enterprises swim in an endless ocean of business data used to power mission-critical business processes, executive decisions, corporate policies, and business rules. Many organizations kick off master data management (MDM) initiatives to cleanse and reconcile large volumes of incoming data and put large volumes of information into the proper context for business users. And many of these same organizations launch extensive business process management (BPM) initiatives to improve their mission-critical business processes. Yet most MDM and BPM efforts remain siloed, with limited — if any — collaboration or coordination across the two teams, opening both initiatives up to risk of potential failure. To minimize this risk, visionary BPM and MDM teams turn to process data management, which acknowledges the inherent connection between business process improvement and data quality. Instead of leaning on technology as the silver bullet, business process pros should first align organizational competencies, governance models, and shared accountability to improve coordination and collaboration across BPM and MDM projects and teams."
Sarah And The Kids - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan
Sarah And The Kids - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan: "What Palin has done with her young children is unprecedented. Think of how Obama strictly protects his daughters, and how George W. Bush did the same. Yes, Romney and McCain involve their offspring in politics - but Meghan McCain is a critic of the GOP, and Romney's kids stuck to Mormon gee-whiz isn't Daddy great stuff.None of them actively enlisted their kids in reality show television.
What Palin has done is use her children, having failed to actually rear them. She is still doing it on her reality show. That she has gone so far as to use and thereby abuse a child with Down Syndrome whose interests are clearly in seclusion, careful nurturing and care, and constant parental attention, tells you a huge amount."
What Palin has done is use her children, having failed to actually rear them. She is still doing it on her reality show. That she has gone so far as to use and thereby abuse a child with Down Syndrome whose interests are clearly in seclusion, careful nurturing and care, and constant parental attention, tells you a huge amount."
Oracle ruling slams SAP's reputation | Reuters
Oracle ruling slams SAP's reputation | Reuters: "(Reuters) - SAP AG, slapped with a record $1.3 billion fine for stealing Oracle's software, faces the task of salvaging its tarnished reputation and convincing U.S. clients not to flee to Oracle or International Business Machines Corp."
Sarah Palin - Hypocritical Tweet of the Day
Twitter / @Sarah Palin: America by Heart book sign ...: "But of course her kids are off limits. Could this woman be a worse hypocrite if she worked at it?
America by Heart book signing in Tulsa tonight!Thankful 4 Thanksgiving break so my girls can meet & greet great Americans w/me on book tour"
Sully on Palin
Why America Won't Buy Palinism - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan: "This may be a smart-ass retort; it may be useful innoculation against a potentially damaging gaffe; it may even be a well-researched blog-post, but what it isn't is anything approaching the kind of character we expect in a president. A simple respect for the office she seeks would not reflect itself in these increasingly callow, sarcastic, cheap jibes at a sitting president. But sadly, like so many now purporting to represent conservatism, there is, behind the faux awe before the constitution, a contempt for the restraint and dignity a polity's institutions require from its leaders."
Network cancels Medium tv series | Reuters
Network cancels Medium tv series | Reuters: "LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - U.S. network CBS has canceled the long-running drama series 'Medium.'"
Black Friday as pseudo-holiday
I find it bizarre that the US has a pseudo-holiday dedicated to shopping for another holiday
Conan needs to cut back on the caffeine | Reuters
Conan needs to cut back on the caffeine | Reuters: "Although it's still too early to review 'Conan' fairly, a few things from the first two weeks need to be addressed. Some of the celebrity interviews seemed too short or were cut into at odd times by commercial breaks. When a guest is too aloof or possibly uncomfortable (Seth Rogen, Jack McBrayer, Jack White), O'Brien flounders a bit. Unlike David Letterman or Johnny Carson (or even Craig Ferguson), O'Brien isn't yet adept at working recalcitrant guests into good material. Nothing showed this more clearly than O'Brien trying to fumble his way through an interview with Harrison Ford, who looked stoned or medicated or perhaps concussed. It was painful for both host and audience, and you have to wonder what that bit going viral on the Internet would have done for ratings. It wasn't quite Joaquin Phoenix or Farrah Fawcett territory, but it was odd indeed."
Skimpy trunks' design causes Singapore blushes | Reuters
Skimpy trunks' design causes Singapore blushes | Reuters: "The skimpy trunks sported by Singapore's men's water polo team at the Asian Games are causing red faces back home in the conservative city-state, with many embarrassed by their design.
The trunks display the Singaporean flag's white crescent moon on the front of the red briefs in what has been described as an inappropriate fashion.
The design -- lambasted by readers of Singapore's Straits Times newspaper as 'disgusting,' 'nauseating' and 'disgraceful' among other terms -- had not been approved by the country's Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts (Mica), which governs the use of the flag."
The trunks display the Singaporean flag's white crescent moon on the front of the red briefs in what has been described as an inappropriate fashion.
The design -- lambasted by readers of Singapore's Straits Times newspaper as 'disgusting,' 'nauseating' and 'disgraceful' among other terms -- had not been approved by the country's Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts (Mica), which governs the use of the flag."
The gift | Firedoglake
The gift | Firedoglake: "Chris Henry a talented, but troubled receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals died tragically last December. But from his death his mother, Carolyn Glasby, made a decision that saved four lives. If you haven’t seen it, take a few minutes to watch it. And if you are not presently an organ donor, become one."
Profits Over Airport Security? | Video Cafe
Profits Over Airport Security? | Video Cafe: "And the end result, we have the TSA using useless scanners that violate our privacy and don't detect explosives or putting up with overly intrusive pat-downs."
Documents: Elizabeth Warren Persuaded Obama To Reject Foreclosure-Friendly Bill | Crooks and Liars
Documents: Elizabeth Warren Persuaded Obama To Reject Foreclosure-Friendly Bill | Crooks and Liars: "Elizabeth Warren was the first senior Obama administration official to recognize the potentially incendiary impact of a bill that would have made it significantly easier for mortgage companies to foreclose on homes, and her subsequent warnings played a crucial role in persuading the President to veto the measure, according to freshly released documents and people familiar with the deliberations."
On Crime, Criminals and Love
Two of my relatives have been arrested for a terrible crime. This post is not really about that. It is about what I have been reading about it at the online news sites and the level of stupidity and malice that gets pointed at them in the comments. These are people that do not know my relatives and have no knowledge of the crime that was committed other than what is in the papers and online yet they feel that they have enough information to ascribe motive, speculate on the means of paying their lawyer and generally spouting off as if they have much more information than they do.
I deeply hope that my relatives will turn out not to have committed this crime. I have a hard time believing that the two people that I remember as children in teenage mutant ninja turtle pajamas could do what they have been accused of. If, however, it turns out that they are guilty I will still love them because I remember those children and those children deserve to be loved.
I deeply hope that my relatives will turn out not to have committed this crime. I have a hard time believing that the two people that I remember as children in teenage mutant ninja turtle pajamas could do what they have been accused of. If, however, it turns out that they are guilty I will still love them because I remember those children and those children deserve to be loved.
Reputation Management and the Art of Argument
Reputation Management and the Art of Argument: "That’s where we are now. It’s a zero-sum game for all tribes. The only remaining question is who will emerge triumphant. Whatever the outcome, there will be blood and I fear for not only 2012, but our future in general, because we’re heading toward a road where fractures run so deep, so wide, and reputations have been so damaged that there will be no road to rehabilitation."
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Repeat after me: cell phones don’t cause brain cancer | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine
Repeat after me: cell phones don’t cause brain cancer | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine: "Humans have a seemingly infinite capacity to worry. The problem is, with a near-infinite supply of things to worry about, we wind up fretting over problems that don’t exist.
One of these non-issues that keeps popping up is the idea that cell phones cause brain cancer. Despite there being study after study of cell-phone radiation showing no link at all to brain damage, and despite there being no physical way a cell phone can cause brain damage, people still worry about it."
One of these non-issues that keeps popping up is the idea that cell phones cause brain cancer. Despite there being study after study of cell-phone radiation showing no link at all to brain damage, and despite there being no physical way a cell phone can cause brain damage, people still worry about it."
on Subtlety
Winston Churchill Quotes: "If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack.
Winston Churchill"
Winston Churchill"
Recipe - Lentil Loaf - And a nice story
Lentil Loaf | The Awl:
Over to the source for the directions on how to assemble it.
1 cup dry red lentils, rinsed
2 cups water
1 cup rolled oats
1 egg or equivalent vegan egg replacer
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 packed cup grated carrot
2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
1 tablespoon ketchup (use Worcestershire if you don't care about anchovies)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. dry sage + 1 tsp. dry thyme, or 2 tsp. poultry seasoning (ha!)
Lots of black pepper
Over to the source for the directions on how to assemble it.
German man demands money back for breast implants | Reuters
German man demands money back for breast implants | Reuters: "(Reuters Life!) - A German woman who splashed out on breast implants with a loan from her then boyfriend now fears her assets could be re-possessed after she failed to fully reimburse him, the 20-year-old woman told Bild newspaper."
Thermoelectric Power Generator - 2010-11-19 14:50:00 | Design News
Thermoelectric Power Generator - 2010-11-19 14:50:00 | Design News: "Nextreme Thermal Solutions' eTEG HV37 thermoelectric power generator converts waste heat into electrical energy for a variety of self-powered applications in the wireless sensor, automotive, aerospace, industrial and medical device markets."
On Thanksgiving
Stephen Budiansky's Liberal Curmudgeon Blog: Commies and cranberries: "A bunch of overprivileged toffs, backed by off-shore capitalist speculators, expected to live idly off the work of others (when they weren't simply plundering treasure off the natives), and nearly starved to death from their own greed and idleness. (In Jamestown, they did starve to death.) Only when they faced up to the fact that they were going to have to work for a living, and threw off their foreign corporate masters, did they begin to prosper. And that is why we celebrate Thanksgiving today. The end."
Building a bandwidth meter - Hack a Day
Building a bandwidth meter - Hack a Day: "The dial itself is a volt meter driven by an Arduino in much the same way as the multimeter clock. Bandwidth data is pulled from a Linux router, filtered down to the target data using ‘grep’, and sent over the serial connection by a Perl script. Since the meter itself is just waiting for serial data, alterations to the router’s scripting make it easy to represent a count of unread emails, tweets, or whatever data your code can scrape."
Best Health Care In the World
Jacksonville woman dies after insurer repeatedly denies her a liver transplant | jacksonville.com: "Relatives say a Jacksonville mother would be alive today if her insurance provider hadn’t repeatedly denied her request for a liver transplant.
Alisa Wilson, 37, died Friday at 8:50 p.m. after a lengthy battle with an undisclosed liver disease, said her father, Eric Wilson.
“Her liver was gone,” Wilson said. “There was no more left. She needed that transplant two weeks ago.” "
Alisa Wilson, 37, died Friday at 8:50 p.m. after a lengthy battle with an undisclosed liver disease, said her father, Eric Wilson.
“Her liver was gone,” Wilson said. “There was no more left. She needed that transplant two weeks ago.” "
Nevada court hits copyright troll with Fair Use surprise
Nevada court hits copyright troll with Fair Use surprise: "A Nevada judge has given copyright troll Righthaven until mid-December to explain why one of the law firm's targets wasn't exercising its right to Fair Use when it republished a newspaper article on its website.
'The court hereby orders the plaintiff to show cause why this case should not be dismissed under the 17 U.S.C. § 107 Fair Use exception,' US District Judge James C. Mahan of Nevada told Righthaven on November 15. Mahan also issued a 'show cause' hearing on the suit for December 15.
'Failure of plaintiff to appear shall result in the imposition of sanction for that party,' the judge's Order warns."
'The court hereby orders the plaintiff to show cause why this case should not be dismissed under the 17 U.S.C. § 107 Fair Use exception,' US District Judge James C. Mahan of Nevada told Righthaven on November 15. Mahan also issued a 'show cause' hearing on the suit for December 15.
'Failure of plaintiff to appear shall result in the imposition of sanction for that party,' the judge's Order warns."
Blowing in the Wind — The Good Men Project Magazine
Blowing in the Wind — The Good Men Project Magazine: "In his 40-year career, Levitt has seen only two patients (both men) who farted upward of 140 times a day, but these extraordinary cases were lactose-intolerant individuals and, once dairy products were cut out of their diets, they returned to the normal range of acceptability. “These two were the biggest farters of my career. One of them complained that his sex life had been ruined by his chronic farting,” Levitt says."
Jury gives Oracle $1.3 billion in copyright damages from SAP
Jury gives Oracle $1.3 billion in copyright damages from SAP: "German software maker SAP has been ordered to pay $1.3 billion in damages to Oracle for copyright infringement. The companies had already determined that SAP was guilty of the act, but moved forward with the jury trial in order to determine damages. Now, SAP finds itself facing a record-setting judgment that it wasn't quite prepared for, but plans to appeal."
Jaguar's C-X75 future-car is at home on the highway or racetrack | DVICE
Jaguar's C-X75 future-car is at home on the highway or racetrack | DVICE: "For their 75th anniversary, Jaguar wanted to create something incredible looking, but also something that gave a glimpse into the future of automotive technology. The C-X75 rides between present and what's to come by being a hybrid supercar that can run on pure electricity and uses micro jet turbines to extend its range with conventional fuels."
Sand Glass takes the stoplight and makes it much better | DVICE
Sand Glass takes the stoplight and makes it much better | DVICE: "Here's a clever redesign of the traditional stoplight. It's called the Sand Glass, and it's a stoplight shaped like an hourglass."
CBC News - Canada - Possible Ottawa role in stock sell-off probed
CBC News - Canada - Possible Ottawa role in stock sell-off probed: "Canadian securities investigators are probing a recent run on a B.C. gold mining stock and a possibility the sell-off was triggered by a leak of confidential information from inside the federal government, CBC News has learned.
Shares in Taseko Mines Ltd. mysteriously dropped almost 40 per cent in frantic trading on Oct. 14, more than two weeks before Ottawa announced it was blocking the firm's planned development of a controversial B.C. mine."
Shares in Taseko Mines Ltd. mysteriously dropped almost 40 per cent in frantic trading on Oct. 14, more than two weeks before Ottawa announced it was blocking the firm's planned development of a controversial B.C. mine."
Star Trek home automation system is straight outta the Enterprise | DVICE
Star Trek home automation system is straight outta the Enterprise | DVICE: "Attention, Star Trek nerds: you now want this home automation center. Created by a seriously diehard Trekkie, this setup is custom-built to be pretty much exactly like Star Trek's LCARS user interface."
Tasha Kheiriddin: Sarah Palin, please shut up | Full Comment | National Post
Tasha Kheiriddin: Sarah Palin, please shut up | Full Comment | National Post: "The show gives us a window into Ms. Palin’s stream-of-consciousness, which bears a striking resemblance to that of my one-and-a-half year old daughter. Zara also randomly exclaims over every object she sees. Car! Ball! Dog! It’s safe to say that she also has no idea which Korea is allied with America. But she’s not contemplating running for Leader of the Free World, so I’ll cut her some slack."
The 25 Most Dangerous Cities in the U.S. Are Mostly Nice Places
The 25 Most Dangerous Cities in the U.S. Are Mostly Nice Places: "And honestly? A lot of the top 25 are pretty okay places! (Except for Washington, D.C., which is a horrible, horrible city.) Even Camden has a pretty nice aquarium. I mean: Ranking cities based on their crime rates is a pretty depressing and frankly sort of irresponsible way to think about cities, and crime, and urban living, and so forth! But let's not let that stop us from making lists, which, as we all know, is the best thing about being human."
Sarah Palin and the First Amendment
Sarah Palin says Katie Couric won't get an interview: "Palin also pledged: 'I want to help clean up the state that is so sorry today of journalism. And I have a communications degree. I studied journalism, who, what, where, when and why of reporting.'"
The Motorized, Electric Snowboard/Mountain Board | Hack N Mod
The Motorized, Electric Snowboard/Mountain Board | Hack N Mod: "This “MXB Shocker” zips inches above rough off-road terrain with the ease of a dirt bike. It’s essentially a two-wheeled, motorized snowboard. You have to balance it like a snowboard but ride it like a dirtbike. A 1,500-watt, 48-volt brushless motor gives you a top speed of 35 mph. They have another version, however, which goes over 60mph."
Balloon Juice » Blog Archive » Resentment Politics 101
Balloon Juice » Blog Archive » Resentment Politics 101: "Palin will be able to pursue this strategy in large part because she won’t be subject to the same media rules as her primary or general opponents. The mainstream media dutifully reports her every tweet but is unable to question her directly on the horseshit that she spews. My guess is that she won’t travel with any press but Fox and associated friendly outlets. She’s shown a basic capability of participating in a debate and not making a complete ass of herself, if she’s prepped correctly, so she’ll probably outperform the low expectations that will accompany that little ritual."
Man rescued from rock in Ga.'s Chattahoochee River - Topix
Man rescued from rock in Ga.'s Chattahoochee River - Topix: "Authorities say a man has been rescued from a rock in the middle of the Chattahoochee River in Cobb County."
post Racial America - Tom Delay Edition
Hammer Comes Down… Jury Convicts Tom DeLay in Money Laundering Trial | The Gateway Pundit: "h, if he’s guilty, good for them.. it’s just that i cannot help
thinking what the verdict might have been were he black.."
thinking what the verdict might have been were he black.."
Zandar Versus The Stupid: Twenty-Nine Villagers Worse Than David Brooks
Zandar Versus The Stupid: Twenty-Nine Villagers Worse Than David Brooks: "Your top 5? Marty Perez, Dean Broder ('Blogggggggerrrrrrr HOOOOOOOOUSE!'), Thomas Friedman's Mustache That Can Type, Mark 'D.R.E.A.M.: Drudge Rules Everything Around Me' Halperin, and your Village Idiot Of The Year?
Richard Cohen. Who has been a WaPo columnist nearly as long as I have been alive. Alex Pareene:"
Richard Cohen. Who has been a WaPo columnist nearly as long as I have been alive. Alex Pareene:"
Lounge of the Lab Lemming: Pie crust phase equilibria: update
Lounge of the Lab Lemming: Pie crust phase equilibria: update: "With American Thanksgiving and Christmas rapidly approaching, the pie baking season is rapidly approaching. One of the most important, but least quantified, aspects of pie creation is the crustal composition. A simple ternary phase diagram for three-phase pie crust is presented below."
Anatomy of a journalistic smear job - Salon.com Mobile
Anatomy of a journalistic smear job - Salon.com Mobile: "One long-standing -- and justifiable -- progressive grievance is that whenever ordinary Americans allow their personal plight to enter the public sphere in a way that advances a liberal political goal, they are gratuitously probed and personally smeared by the Right. The most illustrative example is the Frost family, who allowed their 12-year-old son Graeme to deliver a moving radio address explaining the benefits he received from the CHIP program when he was in a serious car accident, only to be promptly stalked and smeared by Michelle Malkin, among others. Today, The Nation -- a magazine which generally offers very good journalism -- subjects John Tyner to similar treatment, with such a shoddy, fact-free, and reckless hit piece (by Mark Ames and Yasha Levine) that I'm genuinely surprised its editors published it. Beyond the inherent benefit of correcting the record, this particular article is suffused with all sorts of toxic though common premises that make it worth examining in detail."
The Apple-Oracle plot against open source | ZDNet
The Apple-Oracle plot against open source | ZDNet: "If it can cause the top end of the market to surrender and admit that scaled development requires a proprietary partner, Oracle comes out ahead. And as those enterprises see open source threatening their market leadership, they will fall in line with its political goals."
Indicted Casino Owner: But Campaign Contributions Can't Be Bribes! | TPMMuckraker
Indicted Casino Owner: But Campaign Contributions Can't Be Bribes! | TPMMuckraker: "A casino owner indicted on charges of bribery and honest services fraud is trying to get 11 of his 33 counts thrown out, arguing that campaign contributions don't count as bribery."
Tom DeLay Found Guilty Of Money Laundering | TPMMuckraker
Tom DeLay Found Guilty Of Money Laundering | TPMMuckraker: "The charges stem from the 2002 Texas state house elections, when DeLay's Texas PAC, known as TRMPAC, collected $190,000 in corporate donations and sent the money to the Republican National Committee. The RNC then sent a total of $190,000 to seven Republican state house candidates hand-picked by DeLay's PAC."
Attachmate-Microsoft-Novell deal raises big questions for Linux | ZDNet
Attachmate-Microsoft-Novell deal raises big questions for Linux | ZDNet: "I was a bit stunned to learn that Attachmate would buy Novell for $2.2 billion, but more stunned to learn that Microsoft would be getting a chunk of the Linux company as well."
CFR President Richard Haass Plays Six Degrees of Iran with North Korea | MyFDL
CFR President Richard Haass Plays Six Degrees of Iran with North Korea | MyFDL: "Basically, any foreign conflict or incident especially ones that the U.S. could have played a clear role in exacerbating must somehow be connected to Iran. Usually, policy makers are able to do this in one degree like Haass did on MSNBC. Sometimes you have to involve other countries so you include China or you mention Somalia or Chad and how terrorists there might be able to transfer nuclear weapons to Iran."
Alaska GOP chair blasts Joe Miller - Shira Toeplitz - POLITICO.com
Alaska GOP chair blasts Joe Miller - Shira Toeplitz - POLITICO.com: "In a 1,100-word statement posted on the party’s website, Ruedrich shoots down the claims put forth by Miller’s campaign both in the lawsuit and in the press. He blasts one of Miller’s supporters, former Lt. Gov. Loren Lehman, for saying earlier this month that voter intent was not the standard in effect when he oversaw the Division of Elections."
A Bro-Only Bible? — The Good Men Project Magazine
A Bro-Only Bible? — The Good Men Project Magazine: "I realize that this might be an unpopular opinion. But is it so wrong to be bothered that there’s a constituency out there that really thinks women have no right to be in the Bible? Not for the historical integrity of an artifact, but on principal?"
50 State Attorney General Mortgage Probe Rejects Idea of Global Settlement « naked capitalism
50 State Attorney General Mortgage Probe Rejects Idea of Global Settlement « naked capitalism: "This is really not hard to understand or get right. Foreclosures now are producing losses that exceed 70% of the mortgage balance on average. A deep principal mod for viable borrowers would be a win-win for everyone besides the servicer and subordinated bond investors. Because servicers keep advancing principal and interest to investors, subordinated bonds, which by any standard should be worth zero are instead getting interest advances. In the House Financial Services committee hearing on mortgage documentation issues, Maxine Waters asked a panel of banking industry representatives to provide names of investors who were opposed to mortgage mods and a Bank of America representative ‘fessed up that it was very few."
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
How We Will Know Sarah Palin Is Running For President | The New Republic
How We Will Know Sarah Palin Is Running For President | The New Republic: "OK, that's what we do know. What we--that is, what political scientists--don't really know is which party leaders are the most influential in any one party at any one time. We're much better at figuring that sort of thing out after the fact. So there's plenty of scope for good reporting, especially over the next year or so when things are beginning to matter. Things such as the National Journal's insiders poll are helpful; campaign finance reports will start being helpful; endorsements are helpful. But it's also helpful to poke around aggressively to find out which interest group leaders are thought of as serious players and which are resting on their reputations; which state and local party people carry resources with their endorsements; which Washingtonians are really plugged in to conservative networks, and which are just repeating stale conventional wisdom. Good reporters can get to that kind of stuff as it's happening. So my advice is to pay attention to reporters and pundits who seem to know what they're talking about when it comes to the Republican party network, and less attention to those who think they know what's in Sarah Palin's head."
New evidence that conservative activists are manipulating "DWTS."
New evidence that conservative activists are manipulating "DWTS.": "To be clear, this means that conservatives are organizing to punk a TV show to stick it to liberals who don't care that much about mindless entertainment like DWTS, and they're doing it to get revenge on liberals for 'voter fraud' that actually never happened. I suppose if you're going to do something meaningless, it might as well be in service of a paranoid fantasy instead of for reality. Perhaps this is just a warm-up to the scheduled Fox News outrage over the War on Christmas, another conservative freak out over irrelevancies fueled by a belief that imaginary liberals are out to get them. If the right-wing outrage machine keeps at this, within a couple of years the totality of their activism will be putting together snipe hunts after a rumor breaks out that the Obama administration wants to put snipes on the endangered species protection list."
Women like Sarah Palin are calling themselves "housewives." What does the term mean? - By Jessica Grose - Slate Magazine
Women like Sarah Palin are calling themselves "housewives." What does the term mean? - By Jessica Grose - Slate Magazine: "There are many words one could use to accurately describe Palin's current status—reality television star, unofficial leader of the Tea Party, national demagogue—but housewife, a woman whose main occupation is taking care of her home and children, is not one of them."
CBC News - Canada - Ont. farm accused of not paying migrant workers
CBC News - Canada - Ont. farm accused of not paying migrant workers: "Migrant workers at a farm near Simcoe, Ont., say they are owed tens of thousands of dollars after their employer ran into financial trouble and left the country without paying them.
The 136 workers came to Ghesquiere Plant Farm from Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados. They are among the 20,000 migrant workers who come to Ontario every year to plant and harvest fruit, vegetables and other crops — work that, at $10.25 an hour, most Canadians don't want."
The 136 workers came to Ghesquiere Plant Farm from Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados. They are among the 20,000 migrant workers who come to Ontario every year to plant and harvest fruit, vegetables and other crops — work that, at $10.25 an hour, most Canadians don't want."
on Twitter (in the past)
Audioblogger Joins DeadPool: "In our opinion Twttr, which competes with Google owned Dodgeball for attention, should be the next to go as the company focuses on the basics."
On Airline Fees
Slate's guide to sneaky airline fees. - By Timothy Noah - Slate Magazine: "The airlines lay on fees for three reasons. First, it allows them to make your airline ticket look cheaper than it really is, since all the customer typically knows when purchasing a ticket is the basic fare. People don't have a lot of money to waste in this economy, and airlines want them to think they're getting a bargain. Second, the laying-on of fees reduces the impact of price competition among airlines, since airlines compete only on basic fare, not on fees. Third (and least widely known), fees represent a tax dodge for the airlines. The Federal Aviation Administration charges a 7.5 percent tax on every ticket sold for domestic air travel. This tax is (with a few exceptions) levied only on the basic fare; divert some cost from the fare into a separate fee, and the airline reduces its tax burden. All the Internal Revenue Service requires is that the separate airline fee be unrelated to the transport of a person. (If it is related, like the unaccompanied-minor fee, then it gets taxed, too.) According to the Government Accountability Office, the two biggest fees—the baggage-handling fee and the reservation change or cancellation fee—brought the airlines $7.9 billion in untaxed revenue in 2008 and 2009. (Even so, U.S. airlines collectively accumulated $4.4 billion in operating losses during those two years.)"
Opinion: Even in hard times, U.S. is blessed - Joe Scarborough - POLITICO.com
Opinion: Even in hard times, U.S. is blessed - Joe Scarborough - POLITICO.com: "Without apologies, I believe that American exceptionalism is a fact of history. The same promise of a better tomorrow that drew pilgrims to the New World in 1620 calls out to millions even today. And almost four centuries after the pilgrims celebrated our first Thanksgiving, we Americans have more to be thankful for than ever."
CBC News - Canada - Brig.-Gen. Ménard to face court martial
CBC News - Canada - Brig.-Gen. Ménard to face court martial: "Brig.-Gen. Daniel Ménard, who was relieved of command of Canadian troops in Afghanistan in May, will face a court martial, the Department of National Defence said Tuesday.
Ménard was relieved of duty following allegations he was involved in an inappropriate personal relationship while in a theatre of operations.
He faces two charges of conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline, as well as four counts of obstructing justice"
Ménard was relieved of duty following allegations he was involved in an inappropriate personal relationship while in a theatre of operations.
He faces two charges of conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline, as well as four counts of obstructing justice"
CBC News - Nova Scotia - Glooscap chief defends band salaries
CBC News - Nova Scotia - Glooscap chief defends band salaries: "The federation released data Monday showing that in 2008, 222 aboriginal chiefs across Canada earned more than their provincial premiers and 82 made more than the prime minister.
The report singled out First Nations chiefs and councillors in Atlantic Canada, including one councillor who earned $978,000, tax-free. The chief on that reserve earned about $250,000 and two other councillors took home more than $200,000."
The report singled out First Nations chiefs and councillors in Atlantic Canada, including one councillor who earned $978,000, tax-free. The chief on that reserve earned about $250,000 and two other councillors took home more than $200,000."
Politics as Dungeons and Dragons
Obsidian Wings: +4 Charisma: "I say: what none of these horse-race analyses take into consideration is Sarah Palin's superpower. She has charisma, the genuine article (not available in stores, much less online). In our household, we call it 'charisma buckets' -- where the person is so charismatic that it overflows, so they have to carry figurative buckets everywhere to hold the excess. If US electoral politics were a role-playing game (and are you going to argue that it's not?), her Charisma would be +4: a perfect 18 out of 18."
on Wall Street
Balloon Juice » Blog Archive » That Is The Only Lesson You Could Learn: "At some point, we are going to have to realize we are dealing with sociopaths."
On Blind Squirrels and Ethanol
Coburn, DeMint Turn to Killing Corn Ethanol Subsidies | FDL News Desk: "I don’t agree with the DeMint/Coburn free market approach to absolutely everything, but the science is pretty clear on ethanol, and even environmental leaders like Gore aren’t bothering to defend it anymore. There are absolutely alternative sources of energy that provide a societal good and deserve to be promoted at the federal level, but first-generation ethanol isn’t one of them. If the subsidies survive they should go to cellulosic ethanol technologies, like wood or switchgrass or even waste."
On Korea
Korea Crisis Quotes of the Day : Lawyers, Guns & Money: "Dialogue through artillery fire is rarely an effective means to settle a dispute."
on the Unemployed vs Corporate Profit
Balloon Juice » Blog Archive » Austerity Now: "No it didn’t. Lower unemployment would have cut into corporate profits. This wasn’t just dumb luck."
On Turkey
What food pros are looking forward to this Thanksgiving | Grist: "I always buy a heritage-breed turkey. In part because one of the things I am most thankful for is the amazing diversity of our ecosystem, and in part because I cannot abide dry breast meat. Heritage birds are generally smaller-breasted and fattier, so they roast more like a chicken. My friend Christian Caiazzo, the chef at Osteria Stellina in Point Reyes, Calif., suggests combating the disappointing dryness by boning out the entire bird and fileting it, stuffing it, and making it into a roll. If you tie it like a roast, you will have gorgeous pinwheels of turkey while keeping the traditional role of stuffing in the meal (plus no performance anxiety when it's time to carve!)."
Alternative to TSA pat-downs: More background checks - Josh Gerstein - POLITICO.com
Alternative to TSA pat-downs: More background checks - Josh Gerstein - POLITICO.com: "“We’re going to gather information about people we’re going to encounter hours before they arrive. We’ll compare names and travel partners to lists of people, not just no-fly lists, but anyone who’s suspect one way or another,” Baker said. “One hundred and ninety-nine people spend 30 seconds in primary [screening] getting an ID check and moved on, but one person in 200 gets an hour of screening, reviewing their personal effects, and an interrogation that’s very free ranging.”"
The Tea Party’s ‘livability’ paranoia | Grist
The Tea Party’s ‘livability’ paranoia | Grist: "There's nothing inherently political about walkable neighborhoods and safer streets, just as there's nothing inherently political about climate science. But lately the fact that progressives and Democrats, including the Obama administration, support livability and sustainability seems to be enough to raise the suspicion and the ire of the right."
Rush Limbaugh vs Motor Trend
No More Mister Nice Blog: "It's awfully nice to see people stand up to Rush. Lassa goes on to explain in detail how Rush's crusade against the Volt is based in fantasy, and was all created under, get this, Bush-era programs (and the takes George Will to task for the same distortions). I'm curious as to how Limbaugh will exact his revenge. I'm sure El Rushbo is having the House GOP work on it right now, because this time it's personal, baby. So nice when a media figure has an entire political party to perform character assassinations with. I wonder how long Todd keeps his job. My guess is he'll be pressured into a public apology and/or canned for this before Christmas, mainly because the article ends in this classic:"
'It's not Camelot,' and some blame Michelle Obama - Amie Parnes and Kendra Marr - POLITICO.com
'It's not Camelot,' and some blame Michelle Obama - Amie Parnes and Kendra Marr - POLITICO.com: "'But the realities of Washington make that difficult. We're in an era where it's hard to recreate Camelot. People are increasingly cynical about politics and it's really a partisan world. I don't think either party would allow the president of the opposite party and the first lady to enjoy that kind of existence.'"
Daily Caller: Draft lesbians, then turn them straight - Amanda Hess | TBD.com
Daily Caller: Draft lesbians, then turn them straight - Amanda Hess | TBD.com: "UPDATE: After briefly removing the story, the Daily Caller has, without explanation, republished Rehyansky's piece without his final thought. The original read: 'my solution would get the distaff part of our homosexual population off our collective 'Broke Back,' thus giving straight male GIs a fair shot at converting lesbians and bringing them into the mainstream.' He actually said this."
Young Frau a Frump? German Minister's Sex Views Rankle Older Feminists
Young Frau a Frump? German Minister's Sex Views Rankle Older Feminists: "And, of course, as the Spiegel interviewers surely knew, it is unlikely that the minister could be in her position, at the tender age of 33, if she had taken a break to have kids, as German women are incentivized to stay home, both with state subsidies and by social pressure, which is both a tremendous benefit (one American women can look on with great envy) and yet also, occasionally, a source of anxiety for women who want to return before a year. Chancellor Merkel has no kids, just as an example of one woman who has climbed the ranks of power. And yet, the pressure to birth is there, nonetheless."
Joe Miller Files State Lawsuit Over Alaska Senate Vote Count
Joe Miller Files State Lawsuit Over Alaska Senate Vote Count: "Officials had hoped to certify the election by Nov. 29. The deadline to request a recount is Dec. 4.
The state Republican Party has called on Miller to concede."
The state Republican Party has called on Miller to concede."
CBC News - World - New Zealand miners believed dead
CBC News - World - New Zealand miners believed dead: "The 29 workers missing in a New Zealand coal mine are believed dead following a second explosion, police said."
Right vs. Left: It Ain't a Fair Fight
Right vs. Left: It Ain't a Fair Fight: "Now imagine this scenario: David Axelrod, President Obama's top political adviser, leaking to two reporters the name of an undercover CIA officer because doing so helps the White House beat back criticism of a major national security decision. And add to that the White House covering up Axelrod's deed and Vice President Joe Biden's chief of staff being indicted (and eventually convicted) for lying to FBI agents about his own role in this affair. Conservatives would be going ape, accusing the Obama gang of helping the terrorists and endangering the safety of the nation. Republicans on the Hill would be talking of treason and calling for multiple investigations, some, no doubt, raising the prospect of impeachment. Fox News would be covering the story 24/7, as if it were the apocalypse. Rush Limbaugh would be in hog heaven. And Sarah Palin would be tweeting. (I'm sorry, my imagination is not sufficient to conjure up how Glenn Beck would respond.)"
On Sarah Palin's Education
Remember that her degree is in Journalism.
Then weep for the state of the profession.
Daily Kos: Open thread for night owls: Decline and fall
Daily Kos: Open thread for night owls: Decline and fall: "At Harper's, Scott Horton interviews Bruce Ackerman, a Yale law professor who believes the American presidency has been transformed into a potentially dangerous vehicle for political extremism and lawlessness. In Ackerman's book, The Decline and Fall of the American Republic, Horton says, 'he suggests some innovative constitutional remedies to address the situation. Here are two of Horton's six questions and Ackerman's answers:"
Glenn Reynolds is a fuckwit
Instapundit » Blog Archive » JUST WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW: North Korea fires artillery barrage on South. If they start anythin…: "JUST WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW: North Korea fires artillery barrage on South. If they start anything, I say nuke ‘em. And not with just a few bombs. They’ve caused enough trouble — and it would be a useful lesson for Iran, too. We can’t afford another Korean war, but hey, we’re already dismantling warheads. . . ."
on Birthright Citizenship
Zandar Versus The Stupid: "It's a complete waste of the American people's time. But like BooMan says, let him do that. Let him prove that the Republican 'solution' to our problems as a country of 310 million Americans is to persecute Latinos for short-term political gain, Latinos who are our friends, neighbors, co-workers and loved ones. Let them show all they have is more scapegoating and hatred. Let them show their true nature. Let him become a national embarrassment to Iowa."
d r i f t g l a s s: The Beast that Shouted Love at the Heart of the Congress with His Head Up His Ass While Sucking His Own Balls
d r i f t g l a s s: The Beast that Shouted Love at the Heart of the Congress with His Head Up His Ass While Sucking His Own Balls: "Brooks: Of course! Any idiot can look at mere evidence and blame the crazy Republican with the bat, but a real detective knows he has to keep looking and looking and looking and looking until he figures out the secret Liberal-counter-recto-converse thingie which makes the crazy Republican with a bat and Nancy Pelosi equally to blame."
Daily Kos: State of the Nation
Daily Kos: State of the Nation: "Today, Senate Republicans voted unanimously against legislation to close the pay gap between women and men. The Senate voted 58-41 against allowing debate on the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would help end discriminatory pay practices against women. It had already passed the House."
On Earned Income
Obsidian Wings: the producers: "Who else makes big bucks? C-level executives, especially in very large / very profitable corporations.
The CEOs of the Forbes 500 took home a collective $5.7 billion in 2008, the crappiest economic year in living memory. That's $11.4 million each. It's also 1% of total revenue and 3% of total profit of their companies.
I'd like to dwell for a second on that last stat. One person took home 3% of total revenue, and 1% of total profit, on average, for each of the 500 most profitable corporations in the US, in 2008.
One person.
Note that these are all or almost all publicly traded companies. That means IT'S NOT THEIR F***ING MONEY."
The CEOs of the Forbes 500 took home a collective $5.7 billion in 2008, the crappiest economic year in living memory. That's $11.4 million each. It's also 1% of total revenue and 3% of total profit of their companies.
I'd like to dwell for a second on that last stat. One person took home 3% of total revenue, and 1% of total profit, on average, for each of the 500 most profitable corporations in the US, in 2008.
One person.
Note that these are all or almost all publicly traded companies. That means IT'S NOT THEIR F***ING MONEY."
on Jennifer Rubin
alicublog: "In short, the woman's so full of shit I'm surprised she doesn't explode. Her fans across wingnuttia will enjoy reading her as they scream about how they can't trust the WaPo."
In this numbers game, Jeter's don’t add up - NYPOST.com
In this numbers game, Jeter's don’t add up - NYPOST.com: "Three years at $45 million is no insult, it is a gift for a fading icon. It is hard to find a reason to go higher except this: I am Derek Jeter, pay me."
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Zandar Versus The Stupid: Profiting More Than Marginally
Zandar Versus The Stupid: Profiting More Than Marginally: "So when businesses complain about the 'uncertain regulatory environment' and how 'corporate taxes are crushing them' and how they don't have money for investment because 'the government is stifling innovation' and 'drowning them in regulations' keep the fact that US corporations as a whole just had their best quarter in history in the back of your mind, as profits have risen dramatically since 2009, for seven straight quarters."
Reality show filming under way at McDowell mine - News - The Charleston Gazette - West Virginia News and Sports -
Reality show filming under way at McDowell mine - News - The Charleston Gazette - West Virginia News and Sports -: "Ten videographers who have been certified as apprentice coal miners are working with the managers and miners at Cobalt Coal's Westchester mine in McDowell County."
Taliban Leader in Peace Talks Was an Impostor - NYTimes.com
Taliban Leader in Peace Talks Was an Impostor - NYTimes.com: "KABUL, Afghanistan — For months, the secret talks unfolding between Taliban and Afghan leaders to end the war appeared to be showing promise, if only because of the appearance of a certain insurgent leader at one end of the table: Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour, one of the most senior commanders in the Taliban movement.
But now, it turns out, Mr. Mansour was apparently not Mr. Mansour at all. In an episode that could have been lifted from a spy novel, United States and Afghan officials now say the Afghan man was an impostor, and high-level discussions conducted with the assistance of NATO appear to have achieved little."
But now, it turns out, Mr. Mansour was apparently not Mr. Mansour at all. In an episode that could have been lifted from a spy novel, United States and Afghan officials now say the Afghan man was an impostor, and high-level discussions conducted with the assistance of NATO appear to have achieved little."
BBC News - North Korean artillery hits South Korean island
BBC News - North Korean artillery hits South Korean island: "South Korea says it has returned fire after North Korea fired dozens of artillery shells at one of its border islands, killing two marines.
The South's military was placed on its highest non-wartime alert after the shells landed on Yeonpyeong island.
There is confusion about what triggered the shelling, with the North's military insisting it did not open fire first."
The South's military was placed on its highest non-wartime alert after the shells landed on Yeonpyeong island.
There is confusion about what triggered the shelling, with the North's military insisting it did not open fire first."
Monday, November 22, 2010
CBC News - British Columbia - Polygamy law faces test in B.C. Supreme Court
CBC News - British Columbia - Polygamy law faces test in B.C. Supreme Court: "The constitutional validity of Canada's polygamy law will be tested by the B.C. Supreme Court on Monday, following the province's failed prosecution of two leaders from the religious community of Bountiful last year."
Sunday Late Night: Is that you, Mrs Goldberg? | Firedoglake
Sunday Late Night: Is that you, Mrs Goldberg? | Firedoglake: "A woman so stupid she married Jonah Goldberg is the person Sarah Palin chose to ghost”write” her editorial collage of American exceptionalism."
CBC News - Nova Scotia - Halifax urban farm proposal discussed
CBC News - Nova Scotia - Halifax urban farm proposal discussed: "Nearly 100 people turned out to the first public forum about a proposed urban farm for the site of Halifax's former Queen Elizabeth High School."
Yglesias » Suck on This
Yglesias » Suck on This: "There is a huge debate roiling in Europe today over which economic model to follow: the Franco-German shorter-workweek-six-weeks’-vacation-never-fire-anyone-but-high-unemployment social model or the less protected but more innovative, high-employment Anglo-Saxon model preferred by Britain, Ireland and Eastern Europe. It is obvious to me that the Irish-British model is the way of the future, and the only question is when Germany and France will face reality: either they become Ireland or they become museums. That is their real choice over the next few years – it’s either the leprechaun way or the Louvre"
CBC News - Canada - Credit Suisse seeks to block tax evasion probe
CBC News - Canada - Credit Suisse seeks to block tax evasion probe: "“Credit Suisse adheres to the highest ethical standards and has strict compliance guidelines. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has made an extremely broad request for decades-old banking records of a business that was sold in 1998. The CRA request is based solely on the purported activities of one individual in 1993, acting at the direction of a third party. Canadian law requires certain conditions to be met before CRA can issue such a request and we do not believe that those legal conditions have been satisfied. Furthermore, we are very concerned about the personal and financial privacy interests of our clients.”"
Argentina’s Napa Valley - NYTimes.com
Argentina’s Napa Valley - NYTimes.com: "Such is winery-hopping in Mendoza — Latin America’s largest winemaking region. Situated some 600 miles west of Buenos Aires, the province is home to more than 800 wineries, about 100 of which actively receive tourists. And as Argentine wine exports continue to grow by 25 percent a year, this 57,000-square-mile area is drawing not only more tourists, but also vintners, who see in Mendoza the same charm and potential that propelled more established wine regions decades ago."
Rising Hegemon: Always great to see
Rising Hegemon: Always great to see: "The pangs of conscience Republicans get when they retire, as opposed to when they have the capacity to actually act."
The problem with T-Mobile 4G? It's not 4G | DVICE
The problem with T-Mobile 4G? It's not 4G | DVICE: "Ooh, isn't T-Mobile clever? The company's new MyTouch 4G 'piggyback' commercial mocks and borrows the stark white gestalt of Apple's now defunct Justin Long/John Hodgeman 'I'm a Mac' commercials. It uses a pretty young thing representing the MyTouch 4G to sympathize with a guy carrying a bigger guy on his back — that's the iPhone saddled with AT&T's over-burdened 3G network. Poor iPhone. T-Mobile's answer, of course, is her, the MyTouch 4G, and its 4G network, which the company hawks as 'America's largest 4G network.'
There's just one problem. T-Mobile's network isn't 4G."
There's just one problem. T-Mobile's network isn't 4G."
Shorter Alan Simpson: Now I Am Become Death, the Destroyer of Worlds | FDL News Desk
Shorter Alan Simpson: Now I Am Become Death, the Destroyer of Worlds | FDL News Desk: "What Simpson is embracing, quite vocally, is the Shock Doctrine, the idea that, in a time of crisis, malicious forces can step in and get what they want for the ruling class at the expense of the masses. That’s quite literally what Simpson wants. He openly – and eagerly – hopes to force a global financial panic, so his regressive, spending cut-heavy austerity plan can go into effect. He would rather blow up the global economy because he thinks that, drenched in blood, he can get what he wants."
The Paranoia is Strong at FDL
Shorter Alan Simpson: Now I Am Become Death, the Destroyer of Worlds | FDL News Desk: "I tried out the tinfoil hat idea with some leftie friends with whom I attended the Plame movie this evening, that O’s actual goal was to destroy the D party once & for all. Two in their 30s, one, like me, roughly twice that. All politically aware but don’t spend the time I do on these subjects. The younguns didn’t blanch. The woman my generation still suffers from some residual belief in U.S. democracy seemed somewhat shocked by that idea, but didn’t seem to want to argue in defense of O. One other pizza parlor patron (I speak a bit too loudly on such issues at restaurants) was looking askance at us in this very artsy fartsy community, but didn’t feel strongly enough to offer his defense of O."
Sarah Palin drops 2012 presidency hint with staff visit to Iowa | World news | The Guardian
Sarah Palin drops 2012 presidency hint with staff visit to Iowa | World news | The Guardian: "Palin scouts for office space in early voting state, suggesting next week's visit will be 'more than just a book signing'"
Zandar Versus The Stupid: Let's Just Bring Back Jim Moose Laws While We're At It
Zandar Versus The Stupid: Let's Just Bring Back Jim Moose Laws While We're At It: "But why stop at airports? Why not institute 'profile away' at all public buildings, stadiums, schools, courthouses, office buildings, restaurants, stores, malls, anywhere where people can gather and terrorists can attack it as a soft target? Just bring back Jim Crow laws as a national effort to fight terror. Single out any Muslim, single out anyone darker than Sarah Palin, slap a 'might be a terrorist' warning label on them, subject them to humiliation. Only way to be sure. Millions of suspects out there. We don't know for sure unless we constantly check 'them'."
PressTV - Canada, US navy ships collide
PressTV - Canada, US navy ships collide: "The 134-meter (439-feet) HMCS Fredericton briefly came into contact with the slightly larger US replenishment oil tanker USNS Kanawha at about 6:30 p.m. local time (2230 GMT) on Thursday, AFP quoted Canadian Navy Major Paul Doucette as saying on Friday."
Hyperbole and a Half: Dogs Don't Understand Basic Concepts Like Moving
Hyperbole and a Half: Dogs Don't Understand Basic Concepts Like Moving: "Our first dog is - to put it delicately - simple-minded. Our other dog is a neurotic German shepherd mix with agonizingly low self-esteem who has taken on the role of 'helper dog' for our simple dog. Neither dog is well-equipped with coping mechanisms of any kind. "
Special Underwear Makes Your Privates Invisible to TSA Scanners
Special Underwear Makes Your Privates Invisible to TSA Scanners: "Citizens, take heart: Even as our country falls under the total domination of our new TSA overlords, capitalism continues unabated. A Colorado man has developed undergarments with special body scanner-blocking fig leafs to hide your privates."
Pope's remarks on condoms welcomed - Europe - Al Jazeera English
Pope's remarks on condoms welcomed - Europe - Al Jazeera English: "Aids workers and some Catholics have hailed remarks by Pope Benedict XVI that the use of condoms can be 'justified in some cases'.
In a book to be released on Tuesday, the pope said that it was acceptable for male prostitutes seeking to prevent the spread of HIV to use condoms."
In a book to be released on Tuesday, the pope said that it was acceptable for male prostitutes seeking to prevent the spread of HIV to use condoms."
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Warrant out for WikiLeaks founder - Europe - Al Jazeera English
Warrant out for WikiLeaks founder - Europe - Al Jazeera English: "Sweden's criminal police have issued an international arrest warrant for Julian Assange, the founder of whistleblowing website WikiLeaks, who is wanted on suspicion of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion.
Swedish police said on Saturday that the order went out late on Friday through Interpol and the Schengen Information System, a massive security database for Europe's border-free zone.
'The prosecutor had already decided to issue an international arrest warrant,' Tommy Kangasvieri of the Swedish National Criminal Police told AFP. 'We made sure that all the police forces in the world would see it.'"
Swedish police said on Saturday that the order went out late on Friday through Interpol and the Schengen Information System, a massive security database for Europe's border-free zone.
'The prosecutor had already decided to issue an international arrest warrant,' Tommy Kangasvieri of the Swedish National Criminal Police told AFP. 'We made sure that all the police forces in the world would see it.'"
CBC News - Arts - Thousands rally against Dutch arts cuts
CBC News - Arts - Thousands rally against Dutch arts cuts: "They're upset over plans by the new right-of-centre government to slash the arts by 200 million euros ($278.5 million Cdn) over the next five years. The reductions are mostly to the performing arts, with minimum damage to museums and libraries."
CBC News - Technology & Science - Shaw denies rudeness sank CEO early
CBC News - Technology & Science - Shaw denies rudeness sank CEO early: "The president of Calgary-based Shaw Communications denied Friday that CEO Jim Shaw's early resignation this week came about because of belligerent behaviour he is reported to have displayed before investors at a lunch meeting a week earlier."
Balloon Juice » Blog Archive » She ain’t no human being, there is no future
Balloon Juice » Blog Archive » She ain’t no human being, there is no future: "So let me pose this question: is Sarah Palin’s political future an interesting topic of conversation or is it all just mental masturbation? Should everyone STFU about her or should we all start hoarding gold, ammo, and Four Loko for the possible coming apocalypse?"
Daily Kos: State of the Nation
Daily Kos: State of the Nation: "You know how John Boehner and the Republicans were too busy to meet with President Obama and Democrats to talk about tax cuts?
Well, here's what caused their 'scheduling conflict' -- a press conference...at which Boehner demanded, among other things, that Democrats agree to extend all Bush tax cuts on income over $250,000."
Well, here's what caused their 'scheduling conflict' -- a press conference...at which Boehner demanded, among other things, that Democrats agree to extend all Bush tax cuts on income over $250,000."
A Neighborhood of Infinity: Beating the odds with entangled qubits
A Neighborhood of Infinity: Beating the odds with entangled qubits: "Quantum mechanics allows the possibility of 'spooky action at a distance', correlations between widely separated but simultaneous random events that can't be explained by probability theory. These events look like they secretly communicate with each other, but we also know that quantum mechanics prevents us sending messages faster than the speed of light. Nonetheless, even though we can't exploit non-locality to send messages faster than the speed of light, two cooperating parties can exploit non-locality to perform tasks better than would be possible without non-locality. The CHSH game is one such example."
Rising Hegemon: Just gets dumber and dumber
Rising Hegemon: Just gets dumber and dumber: "As he left Washington on Friday, Mr. Boehner headed across the Potomac River to Ronald Reagan National Airport, which was bustling with afternoon travelers. There was no waiting for Mr. Boehner, who was escorted around the identification-checking agents, the metal detectors and the body scanners, and whisked directly to the gate."
squirtbot
SQUIRT |: "Even though I’ve made dozens of chassis for combat robots, I decided to go with a commercial one so multiple Squirts could easily be constructed. The MMP-8 Mobile Platform made by my friend Zak at Machine Labs was perfect for Squirt. http://www.themachinelab.com/MMP-8.html The chassis comes with 6 gear motors, wheels and a speed controller. It’s light, very tough and thoroughly tested: it’s used worldwide by police and military units."
Al Harris sends a 'Thank You' note - JSOnline
Al Harris sends a 'Thank You' note - JSOnline: "In a classy and touching move, former Green Bay Packer cornerback Al Harris thanked Packer fans for supporting him during his years with the Green and Gold in an advertisement in Sunday's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
In the ad, which appears on the back page of Sunday's Sports section, Harris thanks the 'Packer Nation' for making his experience in Green Bay 'simply amazing.'
'Thank you for making one of the coldest places the warmest place,' Harris' note says in part."
In the ad, which appears on the back page of Sunday's Sports section, Harris thanks the 'Packer Nation' for making his experience in Green Bay 'simply amazing.'
'Thank you for making one of the coldest places the warmest place,' Harris' note says in part."
Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 196102 (2010): Migration and Localization of Metal Atoms on Strained Graphene
Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 196102 (2010): Migration and Localization of Metal Atoms on Strained Graphene: "Reconstructed point defects in graphene are created by electron irradiation and annealing. By applying electron microscopy and density functional theory, it is shown that the strain field around these defects reaches far into the unperturbed hexagonal network and that metal atoms have a high affinity to the nonperfect and strained regions of graphene. Metal atoms are attracted by reconstructed defects and bonded with energies of about 2 eV. The increased reactivity of the distorted π-electron system in strained graphene allows us to attach metal atoms and to tailor the properties of graphene."
On Ireland
Eschaton: "It cannot be said enough that bailing out 'Ireland' is really about bailing out its creditors. It's dumb."
Penrose claims to have glimpsed universe before Big Bang - physicsworld.com
Penrose claims to have glimpsed universe before Big Bang - physicsworld.com: "Circular patterns within the cosmic microwave background suggest that space and time did not come into being at the Big Bang but that our universe in fact continually cycles through a series of 'aeons'. That is the sensational claim being made by University of Oxford theoretical physicist Roger Penrose, who says that data collected by NASA's WMAP satellite support his idea of 'conformal cyclic cosmology'. This claim is bound to prove controversial, however, because it opposes the widely accepted inflationary model of cosmology."
Great Gifts for Bad Drivers
Great Gifts for Bad Drivers: "Loved ones are loved ones—who cares if they think Stop signs are short for 'Stoptional?' They still deserve the very best! Enhance their driving this holiday with a few gifts for the bad driver."
Zandar Versus The Stupid: Zandar's Thought Of The Day
Zandar Versus The Stupid: Zandar's Thought Of The Day: "No, they're not. Humiliating people to the point where they don't want to fly is in no way 'necessary'. The next time you'll see a terrorist attempt (and all they have to do is attempt) to board a plane with some ridiculous getup, prosthetic, hidden container, or swallow a condom full of explosive and we'll be on to mandatory body cavity strip searches in six months, because the terrorists can count on us overreacting every time.
Sacrifice a few pawns in order to cause complete chaos and cause millions of Americans not to fly because they despise their government that much.
That's what I call a win for the bad guys. The President is on the wrong side of this one, morally and practically, and it's going to cost him.
Yo"
Sacrifice a few pawns in order to cause complete chaos and cause millions of Americans not to fly because they despise their government that much.
That's what I call a win for the bad guys. The President is on the wrong side of this one, morally and practically, and it's going to cost him.
Yo"
A Hedge Fund Republic? - NYTimes.com
A Hedge Fund Republic? - NYTimes.com: "You see, some Latin Americans were indignant at what they saw as an invidious and hurtful comparison. The truth is that Latin America has matured and become more equal in recent decades, even as the distribution in the United States has become steadily more unequal.
The best data series I could find is for Argentina. In the 1940s, the top 1 percent there controlled more than 20 percent of incomes. That was roughly double the share at that time in the United States.
Since then, we’ve reversed places. The share controlled by the top 1 percent in Argentina has fallen to a bit more than 15 percent. Meanwhile, inequality in the United States has soared to levels comparable to those in Argentina six decades ago — with 1 percent controlling 24 percent of American income in 2007."
The best data series I could find is for Argentina. In the 1940s, the top 1 percent there controlled more than 20 percent of incomes. That was roughly double the share at that time in the United States.
Since then, we’ve reversed places. The share controlled by the top 1 percent in Argentina has fallen to a bit more than 15 percent. Meanwhile, inequality in the United States has soared to levels comparable to those in Argentina six decades ago — with 1 percent controlling 24 percent of American income in 2007."
Yglesias » Hippie in the House
Yglesias » Hippie in the House: "I don’t actually find this very puzzling. If you look at the record, when Pelosi first became Minority Leader people suggested that Democrats were doomed. When the Democrats won the House in 2006, there was an immediate cry to . . . replace Nancy Pelosi with Rahm Emannuel. Then after 2010 again come the calls to dump Pelosi. Basically no matter what the question the answer is “dump Nancy Pelosi.” And that’s because, basically, she’s a DFH. Of really powerful politicians in America, she’s the most left-wing. And of real liberals in American politics, she’s the most powerful. Reid’s not like a stealth conservative or the second coming of Ben Nelson or anything, but when the body politic swings to the right he swings with it. He voted to authorize the use of force in Iraq and voted no on the Levin and Durbin amendments to temper it. Pelosi led the opposition in the House, breaking with the caucus’s then-leader Richard Gephardt."
p m carpenter's commentary: No more Mr. Nice Guy
p m carpenter's commentary: No more Mr. Nice Guy: "The poor dears. Turns out, as Politico reframed it yesterday with as little eye-rolling as possible, that Congressional Republicans can't make Dinner with Barack tonight because their feelings are still bruised -- from January, when the president 'dominated a GOP meeting in Baltimore and delivered a humiliating rebuke to House Republicans.'"
CBC News - Prince Edward Island - Convicted abuser gets 8 months in jail
CBC News - Prince Edward Island - Convicted abuser gets 8 months in jail: "On Friday, Supreme Court Justice Gordon Campbell sentenced Martin to an additional eight months in jail for the latest case and said Martin should be ashamed of himself.
In handing down the sentence, Campbell said he had to treat Martin has a first-time offender because the abuse in the current case predated the crimes he's currently serving time for.
Campbell said although the eight-month sentence was within the range deemed appropriate for a first-time offender for this type of offence, he found the sentence 'lenient' and 'completely insufficient.'"
In handing down the sentence, Campbell said he had to treat Martin has a first-time offender because the abuse in the current case predated the crimes he's currently serving time for.
Campbell said although the eight-month sentence was within the range deemed appropriate for a first-time offender for this type of offence, he found the sentence 'lenient' and 'completely insufficient.'"
Balloon Juice » Blog Archive » TSA – All Obama’s Fault and the Free Market Will Fix It
Balloon Juice » Blog Archive » TSA – All Obama’s Fault and the Free Market Will Fix It: "What if we were being honest about this, and proposed this option: “The TSA will end pat-downs and let you keep your shoes on and your bottles of water intact, but it will single out every Muslim who attempts to get on a plane for special screening.”"
Balloon Juice » Blog Archive » Some Fox Thoughts
Balloon Juice » Blog Archive » Some Fox Thoughts: "On Fox, the news exists in order to generate controversy. Controversy exists in order to generate resentment. And the resentment is what generates ratings. [...] Resentment of whom? A cultural elite that is corrupt and maneuvering and manipulating behind the scenes to exercise power. It’s resentment against this elite that provides the motion, the passion, the commitment, the fireworks at Fox."
Peggy Noonan: Americans Vote for Maturity - WSJ.com
Peggy Noonan: Americans Vote for Maturity - WSJ.com: "Excuse me, but this was ignorant even for Mrs. Palin. Reagan people quietly flipped their lids, but I'll voice their consternation to make a larger point. Ronald Reagan was an artist who willed himself into leadership as president of a major American labor union (Screen Actors Guild, seven terms, 1947-59.) He led that union successfully through major upheavals (the Hollywood communist wars, labor-management struggles); discovered and honed his ability to speak persuasively by talking to workers on the line at General Electric for eight years; was elected to and completed two full terms as governor of California; challenged and almost unseated an incumbent president of his own party; and went on to popularize modern conservative political philosophy without the help of a conservative infrastructure. Then he was elected president."
Our uninformed electorate
Brilliant at Breakfast: "While 75% identify the Republicans as the party regarded as doing best in the midterms, fewer than half (46%) know that Republicans will have a majority only in the House when the new Congress convenes in January. About one-in-seven (14%) say the GOP won both the House and Senate; 8% say they won just the Senate; 5% do not think they will have a majority in either chamber; and 27% do not know."
Forget The Beatles--Garth Brooks still AWOL on iTunes | Circuit Breaker - CNET News
Forget The Beatles--Garth Brooks still AWOL on iTunes | Circuit Breaker - CNET News: "Apple pitched today's announcement that The Beatles' music can now be downloaded from iTunes as a 'day you'll never forget.' But in the wake of the news, many are responding that Apple overhyped the announcement and are reminding the company that many popular musical acts are still missing from iTunes."
Microsoft reverses course, says Kinect left open by 'design' | Geek Gestalt - CNET News
Microsoft reverses course, says Kinect left open by 'design' | Geek Gestalt - CNET News: "Now, Adafruit is clearly feeling vindicated by the apparent turn of events. 'Congrats to everyone in the open source community,' Adafruit wrote on its blog. 'In about one week we turned [Microsoft's contention that it would stop hacking of the Kinect by working] 'closely with law enforcement' to 'inspired' by community finding new uses for Kinect.'"
Are Steve Jobs and Rupert Murdoch Collaborating On an iPad-Only Newspaper?
Are Steve Jobs and Rupert Murdoch Collaborating On an iPad-Only Newspaper?: "Rupert Murdoch thinks that the iPad is the beginning of the future of media. Steve Jobs agrees. That's why—according to WWD's sources—News Corp. is releasing an iPad-only newspaper called The Daily. Created with Apple's help, says the Guardian:"
Isabella Rossellini Does Not Want You to Have Sex with Animals | Little Gold Men | Vanity Fair
Isabella Rossellini Does Not Want You to Have Sex with Animals | Little Gold Men | Vanity Fair: "Twenty-four years later, the now 58-year-old actress is the star, writer, and co-director (with Jody Shapiro) of Seduce Me, a series of online shorts created for the Sundance Channel about the sexual proclivities of animals. Last August, her strangely erotic take on bedbug fucking went viral, thanks to a perfectly timed bedbug epidemic in New York City. There was something revelatory about watching Rossellini get stabbed in the gut with a penis knife while muttering with orgasmic enthusiasm, “He ejaculates into my wound!” It was a moment when many of us realized that Blue Velvet might not have been entirely a product of David Lynch’s twisted imagination."
Lawyer wants "Goliath verdict" against RIAA in abuse trial
Lawyer wants "Goliath verdict" against RIAA in abuse trial: "While the RIAA has stopped its mass litigation campaign against file-swappers, cases in progress persist. Tanya Andersen's is one of the oddest and most intriguing, and it's set to proceed to trial against the RIAA next year on charges of 'abuse of the judicial process.'
When the record labels sued single mom Tanya Andersen of Oregon back in 2005, they got more than they bargained for. Not only did Andersen file counterclaims against the RIAA and its investigators, but she successfully got the case dismissed and even won $107,834 in attorneys' fees. Then, in 2007, she filed a separate suit against the record industry, charging it with a huge list of accusations: "
When the record labels sued single mom Tanya Andersen of Oregon back in 2005, they got more than they bargained for. Not only did Andersen file counterclaims against the RIAA and its investigators, but she successfully got the case dismissed and even won $107,834 in attorneys' fees. Then, in 2007, she filed a separate suit against the record industry, charging it with a huge list of accusations: "
Senator: Web censorship bill a "bunker-busting cluster bomb"
Senator: Web censorship bill a "bunker-busting cluster bomb": "That's due to resistance from people like Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), who announced at a separate trade hearing of his own yesterday that he was going to 'take the necessary steps to stop [COICA] from passing the United States Senate.'
'It seems to me that online copyright infringement is a legitimate problem,' he said in the midst of his questioning, 'but it seems to me that COICA as written is the wrong medicine. Deploying this statute to combat online copyright infringement seems almost like using a bunker-busting cluster bomb when what you really need is a precision-guided missile.'
'The collateral damage of this statute could be American innovation, American jobs, and a secure Internet.'
Ed Black, CEO of computing industry trade group CCIA, was testifying at the hearing, and he agreed that COICA was a 'good example of what not to do in an important, complicated digital ecosystem.'"
'It seems to me that online copyright infringement is a legitimate problem,' he said in the midst of his questioning, 'but it seems to me that COICA as written is the wrong medicine. Deploying this statute to combat online copyright infringement seems almost like using a bunker-busting cluster bomb when what you really need is a precision-guided missile.'
'The collateral damage of this statute could be American innovation, American jobs, and a secure Internet.'
Ed Black, CEO of computing industry trade group CCIA, was testifying at the hearing, and he agreed that COICA was a 'good example of what not to do in an important, complicated digital ecosystem.'"
I Hate Black People - Topix
I Hate Black People - Topix
I am really hate black people. Everybody gets tired of them blaming others for their problems when they're constantly murdering , robbing , abusing drugs , dealing drugs, lazy , don't want to work and turning America in a gigantic ghetto. I also feel that all black people are nothing but subhuman and every other race is above them. Atlanta , Detroit, D.C. ,New Orleans, Memphis , Gary Indiana, and Baltimore are all cespools and i also rather being in the Philipines than to deal with n000ers.To which I can only say ... What.The.Fuck
Beginner Concepts: Powering your projects - Hack a Day
Beginner Concepts: Powering your projects - Hack a Day: "Powering your gadgets generally seems like a necessary evil. To help with this [Felipe La Rotta] made a really nice bench power supply using a PC power supply and a LM317 adjustable voltage regulator. PC power supplies are an example of a switched power supply(more on that later). The LM317 is a type of linear voltage regulator that allows for adjusting the output voltage by varying some resistors. Whats the best way to power your circuits? well that depends…"
Sexy fireplace and TV combo sets movie night on fire | DVICE
Sexy fireplace and TV combo sets movie night on fire | DVICE: "Choosing whether to use a fireplace or the TV as the focal point of a living room, can be a real tug of war for couples with different priorities. Now there's a way to turn it into a win-win situation, with this sleek fireplace that has its own built-in flat screen TV."
Here's A List of US Airports Currently Using Full Body Scanners
Here's A List of US Airports Currently Using Full Body Scanners: "According to the TSA, there are currently 385 full body scanners in 68 different US airports. Check to see if your local airport is using these scanners to sneak a peak at your goodies."
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