Henan, the blighted landHan/

From The Asia Times Online: I started a Google News Alert on Henan Province because I wanted to follow the Han/Hui tensions but there's a lot more, (understatement), going on there. This article gives a good overview.
Asia Times Online - News from greater China; Hong Kong and Taiwan

Had To Look Again

I got an e-mail ad from Gateway, 'Spreading joy, One Box at a Time'. At first I thought it was pornspam.

'Evangelical Christianity Has Been Hijacked'

From BeliefNet.com via barefootbelladonna:  An Evangelical minister speaks out.

Well, there's a difference between evangelical and being a part of the Religious Right. A significant proportion of the evangelical community is part of the Religious Right. My purpose in writing the book was to communicate loud and clear that I felt that evangelical Christianity had been hijacked.

When did it become anti-feminist? When did evangelical Christianity become anti-gay? When did it become supportive of capital punishment? Pro-war? When did it become so negative towards other religious groups?

barefootbelladonna | blog

Disability Around The World

From Botswana:  a group of epileptics was joined on the dance floor by two wheelchair-bound boys to jive to the kwasa kwasa number.
Latest News - Republic of Botswana: "
[09 February 2004]"

Wiener Wuns Wild

Wheelchair-bound dog gets disability pass


"It's not as though a crippled, middle-aged, little wiener dog poses a menace to the public," his owner told reporters.

Denied Disability Claims

The settlement resolves issues relating to investigations into UnumProvident's claims handling practices. The investigations focused on assertions that UnumProvident had inappropriately denied claims for benefits under individual and group long-term disability insurance policies.

The settlement announced today requires UnumProvident and its subsidiaries: (1) to reassess approximately 200,000 claims that previously had been denied; (2) to completely restructure their claim handling procedures to ensure objectivity and fairness; and (3) to pay a $15 million fine.
Unum Provident Agrees to Review Denied Disability Claims

Back With This Exciting News

After a week offline and sans computer, thanks to a dead motherboard, I'm back with this from Search Engine Watch Blog. Excited? Try to contain yourself.

A good idea? Yes! Shortcuts can save a searcher time, clicks, and aggravation. They can also help by leading the searcher to high quality info and also allow companies (Time Warner and Yahoo are examples) to leverage content and promo other services they provide.

Search shortcuts might also also offer an early glimpse at how web engines will become answer engines (for certain types of queries) in the future.



The piece is called, 'AOL Joins Search Shortcuts Game'

It's too early for this much snow

Last Snow Picture 

It looks more like January out there.

This is going to go on your PERMANENT RECORD

In the old days that was just a canard. There was no actual permanent record. Now...the names of these kids and related parties are going to be enshrined in some database for a very long time to come.
ABC News: School Talent Show Draws Secret Service

Bush catches right off guard with Gonzales pick

Gonzales is making the far right unhappy or at least apprehensive, so that's good. But he's still a Bush insider and that's not so good.
By Peter Roff
UPI Senior Political Analyst

The Snow Makes Gains 

Blame The Lawyers For What The Doctors Did

A guy goes to a doctor for a problem. The doctor makes the wrong diagnosis or screws up the treatment and the man suffers permanent injury. So the man hires a lawyer to sue the doctor. Tell me again why the lawyer is the problem here.

First Snow 

First Snow Of The Season

It's sticking on the bare ground but that's it.

Your Worth As A Human Being Is Determined By How Much It Costs To Keep You Around

It says so in the Constitution. Well, if it doesn't now it will soon. All that compassion talk was just to get elected. Too bad Lauren but you're a budget buster.
Rising Hegemon: She is not White & Pregnant so naturally Bushopia Doesn't Give a Shit

Microsoft's Google-killer arrives with a 'whuh?' | The Register

It starts as a review of MSN Beta Search, (he pans it), but ends up as a thought provoking piece on the non technical aspects of what would really make search engines more useful.

From Andrew Orlowski of The Register: If the cult of "information" is as important as technophiliacs tell us it is, we need to develop social mechanisms, not fancier search engines, to get us to the Holy Land. Don't look to the privatized information scavengers of the web for answers.
Microsoft's Google-killer arrives with a 'whuh?' | The Register

Willoughby

Well I was half right.

Post Paradise

I read this story and I started thinking about the old Twilight Zone episode where a man is traveling to a town called Willoughby. If I remember it right Willoughby is his idea of heaven. Nalcrest might be a modern version.
Times Argus

Now I really really need the name of that bad writing contest

This is old but I just found it.

"The late-afternoon skies over lower downtown Denver were Stygian dark
and Tartarean dreary, as had been the Rockies in the series with the
omnipotent Yankees, when Todd Zeile approached the plate in the
culmination of the 10th inning, and there was a fulmination and
fulguration of thunder and lightning."
Woody Paige; A Ruthian Victory For the Locals; The Denver Post;
Jun 21, 2002.

As Cary Grant said in His Girl Friday, "Kick him down the stairs and tell him his poetry stinks."

Frogs and Ravens: A Note to Offended Readers

From Frogs and Ravens subsequent to the re-election of GWB.
Frogs and Ravens: A Note to Offended Readers

Iranian Bloogers Being Silenced

From regimechangeiran.

Foodgoat ... something tasty every day: I know my anger

Another angle on the religious right.
Foodgoat ... something tasty every day: I know my anger

Relevancy of Google Ads from AdSense

There seems to be a 24 hour delay for the ads to suit the topics. I posted about students yesterday and that has been reflected today. Before that, last Friday's posts generated ads for criminal defense attorneys and incarceration at home.

0 Comments

I'm thinking of changing the blog name to 0 Comments. Whaddya think? Maybe it's already taken.

Quote Of The Month

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however
improbable, must be the truth. - Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930

This statement lies at the heart of the Sherlock Holmes methodology and you know what a whiz kid he was.

Disability Bill a disgrace and must be withdrawn

From Politics.ie in Ireland

"Another major problem with this legislation is that it exempts the private sector from accessibility obligations. This is in direct contradiction of the recommendations of the Commission on Disability. And it all but lets the public sector off the hook ?giving it 10 years to fulfil its obligations.

Politics.ie - Disability Bill a disgrace and must be withdrawn

In California they're taking a different tack towards deferring or avoiding altogether accessibility obligations.

Students With Disabilities Invited to Apply

Students With Disabilities Invited to Apply for
Congressional Internship Program

Deadline: December 15, 2004

The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation and the
American Association of People with Disabilities
( http://aapd-dc.org/ ) are offering, for the fourth
consecutive summer, a congressional internship program
for undergraduate students with disabilities.

The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation-AAPD
Congressional Internship Program was created to provide
an opportunity for students with disabilities to work
on Capitol Hill for eight weeks and acquire valuable
work experience that will enrich their academic studies.
As congressional interns, participants gain insight into
congressional office operations, public policy develop-
ment, and constituents' roles in the legislative and
political processes.

Undergraduate students studying at a college or univer-
sity who, at the time of application, are first-semester
sophomores through second-semester juniors are eligible
to complete an official application. Applicants must be
U.S. citizens.

Selected participants will receive a $1,500 stipend to be
disbursed in three installments throughout the internship
period. Transportation expenses to and from Washington,
D.C., will be reimbursed by AAPD. Accessible housing will
also be provided, free-of-charge, to each intern. Academic
credit may be arranged.

Applications can be obtained by visiting the AAPD Web
site.

RFP Link:
http://aapd-dc.org/internships/congress/MEAF05/MEAFinternship05.html

Is it me or is it Blogger?

An Offering of Myself to The World: Is it me or is it Blogger?

It's Blogger!!

Vintage Poster Classics France, Vintage Automobile Posters

All about Lithography, production of vintage advertising posters, and tips for potential buyers. Good stuff! Graphics and text.
Vintage Poster Classics France, Vintage Automobile Posters

Mail Art Postcard Exhibition

More Mail Art.
Mail Art Postcard Exhibition

A.1.Mail Art Archive

Art sent through the mail, postcards, envelopes and the like. There's some great stuff here. It's also at Flickr.com - search for 'mailart' tag.
A.1.Mail Art Archive

From Web Pages That Suck

" This new, evil form of navigation has moved from trendy design sites to the corporate world and it must be stopped because it violates the first rule of navigation: clearly show people where to go."

This is all very well but what if you don't want people to know where they're going?

Web Pages That Suck learn usability and good Web design by looking at bad Web design

Web Pages That Suck learn usability and good Web design by looking at bad Web design

Paintball Makes A Splash In Iran

Financing was another big hurdle. Despite the fact that paintball is now a multi-billion dollar business, he encountered great reluctance among many Iranians to take a chance on the project.

"Many people thought I was crazy. They prefer to make their money from speculating on real estate," he said.

Paintball makes a splash in Iran - Persian Journal Latest Iran news & Iranian Article News paper

Also from the article - "But once I played I realized it has nothing to do with war. It's a high-intensity, strategic, take-it-all team game. And I realized I was a natural player," he said.

Hunting and targetting have nothing to do wit war????????

Evolution, Creation Collide in Federal Court (Again)

Manely said the Cobb school district is one of dozens across the nation that are bowing to pressure to omit or remove evolution from high-school science curricula or, alternatively, include religious-based teachings in academic coursework. "We are," he said, "just the tip of the iceberg."
Evolution, Creation Collide in Federal Court (Again)

Read Books, Get Brain

Oops!
Yahoo! News - Read a Book, Get Oral Sex?

Country Clubbing

Event organizer Sandy Juarez, 39, was accused of providing the prostitutes. In a deal with prosecutors, she pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy to corrupt public morals and testified against Hidden Valley Golf Club general manager Jason Wood, 38, and his former assistant, Darren James Bollinger, 30. The pair pleaded guilty in July to the same charge.

All three were sentenced to 125 days of house arrest.

Two golfers have been convicted of engaging in prostitution, and the mother of the 16-year-old prostitute is charged with child endangerment and prostitution.
Yahoo! News - 3 Sentenced for Golf Prostitution Events

The Onion | U.S. Inspires World With Attempt At Democratic Election

"Despite the specter of corruption in 2000, and even though the procedural problems which surfaced during the previous election were never remedied, the American people chose to put their faith in the system once again this year," said Joseph Mtume, a Kenyan diplomat who traveled to Ohio to view America's democratic proceedings.
The Onion | U.S. Inspires World With Attempt At Democratic Election

Fear of ethnic uprising haunts Beijing

A police loudspeaker van cruises slowly through the village. "If you broke the law, go to the police station and give yourself up voluntarily," the amplified voice says. "The penalties will be less."
Fear of ethnic uprising haunts Beijing - World - www.smh.com.au

I Got Your Free Lap Top Right Here

Some of these Google ads leave a lot to be desired.

WOW! Wired on Wheels - More Dead Than Alive

Interesting site designed to help people with disabilities find accessible restaurants. This is done through a system of posted reviews. But good luck finding out if you can get your wheel chair in or if there's a braille menu because while there are lots of places listed very few of them have reviews and the whole thing is virtually useless. Good news for those in Boston though, if you like Chinese, Grand Chau Chow is reasonably accessible and the food is terrific. Try the clams in black bean sauce.
WOW! Wired on Wheels

Jacques Derrida

derrida1
Originally uploaded by Candlemaker.

Please pardon our appearance while we undergo deconstruction.

Guardian Unlimited Books | Obituaries | Obituary: Jacques Derrida

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Three Black Watch soldiers dead

They were there for about a week.
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Three Black Watch soldiers dead

Umair Haque's Bubblegeneration - The Strategy and Economics of Innovation

The First World is the New Third World (Rapture Ready Edition)

"...Which raises the question: Can a people that believes more fervently in the Virgin Birth than in evolution still be called an Enlightened nation?

America, the first real democracy in history, was a product of Enlightenment values - critical intelligence, tolerance, respect for evidence, a regard for the secular sciences. Though the founders differed on many things, they shared these values of what was then modernity. They addressed "a candid world," as they wrote in the Declaration of Independence, out of "a decent respect for the opinions of mankind." Respect for evidence seems not to pertain any more, when a poll taken just before the elections showed that 75 percent of Mr. Bush's supporters believe Iraq either worked closely with Al Qaeda or was directly involved in the attacks of 9/11.....


-- umair // 5:43 PM //

Umair Haque's Bubblegeneration - The Strategy and Economics of Innovation

Annan sees war crimes indications in Darfur

Boston.com / News / World / Africa / Annan sees war crimes indications in Darfur

Follow up on tensions between Hui and Han - Henan Province

Taipei Times - archives

Tech Policy Outlook

From The Washington Post Tech Policy And Security e-mail newsletter.

The Less Things Change, the More They Stay the Same


When it comes to Congress and technology policy, welcome to at least two more years of the same old thing. The House of Representatives certainly didn't disappoint pundits' predictions that there would be little movement in most districts. That means the House will continue to pursue a pro-business agenda on technology issues that seeks tax credits a go-go, free trade, intellectual property laws that favor the entertainment industry and laws that try to rein in spyware and other attempts to perpetrate electronic fraud -- as long as they don't put too much of a dent in the tech industry's revenue.

As for the Senate, the pending departure of Minority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (S.D.) after losing his race to Republican John Thune could signal a new approach to handling tech policy issues in the "upper house" of Congress. It's hard to say at this early date what that will mean for tech bills overall.

One item of interest: Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) probably won't have to put so much faith in persuading his moderate GOP colleagues to support him on controversial bills if the Republican majority widens. With a Republican House and the continued likelihood of a second Bush term, it would be interesting to see whether this would spur any action on the Internet tax debate.

– Robert MacMillan, washingtonpost.com Tech Policy Editor

Welsh beaches cleaner than ever

BBC NEWS | Wales | Welsh beaches cleaner than ever

Chamber music in the living room

What a great idea!
BBC NEWS | Wales | South West Wales | Chamber music in the living room

Early Voter Turnout Is Strong

Newsday.com - AP Washington

Learn to use TTY

Greater Boston Chapter of Self Help for Hard of Hearing invites you
to a MassRelay presentation by Joan Marcoux of Sprint (Relay NH).
She will discuss the telecommunication relay services and the
various ways one may utilize the relay operators.


Monday November 8
7:00PM to 9:00PM
Behrakis Health Sciences Building
Northeastern University
Room 325
30 Leon Street, Boston MA

The Onion | Republicans Urge Minorities To Get Out And Vote On Nov. 3

'Don't Forget Big Wednesday!'
The Onion | Republicans Urge Minorities To Get Out And Vote On Nov. 3

Bin Laden In Pakistan?

Sounds like he could be. Not that this is news. It's been a pretty good bet all along.Daily Times - Site Edition

Civil Liberterian Andrew Somers Endorses Kerry

"Aside from being an inept and incompetent leader, Bush and his Naziesque Attorney General John Ashcroft, are this nation's worst enemy. They have destroyed civil liberty and freedom, worked to expand governmental powers, invade privacy, and dispense with due process. There is no matter more pressing for any self respecting civil liberties advocate than seeing them out of office. Now."
Civil Liberty Endorsement for President

Bush Alienates Almost Everyone

eTaiwanNews.com/China blasts Bush as 'arrogant' ahead of presidential poll

Brilliant Bush Campaign Strategy

Announce a large scale decisive attack to dampen your opponents criticisms and allow yourself to point to your actions but schedule it so close to the election that the results of any action, or lack thereof, will not be known till after the election. Promises, promises, this is a lot like Bush standing under the Mission Accomplished banner which he later disavowed. Let's get this guy out of office.
Times Online - World

Election Tampering Around The World

.....claims that aside from obstructions and dirty tricks, the government mounted massive fraud at many of the 33,000 polling stations. It says ballot boxes were stuffed and genuine official tallies for voting were switched after intimidation or bribery of local officials.
News

Bin Laden Speaks

He also said al Qaeda has found it "easy for us to provoke and bait this administration." One more reason to vote Kerry and get Bush out of office.
CNN.com - Bin Laden: Goal is to bankrupt U.S. - Nov 1, 2004

Moog - A film by Hans Fjellestad

In theaters now, coming to Boston and other places and available soon/now? on DVD.
See the trailer

Portal for Work Abroad, Overseas Travel, Study Abroad and International Living.

Live and work around the world.
Portal for Work Abroad, Overseas Travel, Study Abroad and International Living.

China Provinces, Autonomous Regions and Municipalities

Almanac type of information with links to maps and more.
China Provinces, Autonomous Regions and Municipalities

Henan Province

Henan Province is the most populous province in China thanks to separating Chongqing from Sichuan. Henan is the breadbasket of China. It ranks first in the production of wheat, beef, and fiber crops. It ranks second in the production of coal, cigarettes, fertilizer, tractors, peanuts, sesame, gold, and cotton. It ranks third in the production of beans, tobacco, apples, pork, mutton, and honey. Zhengzhou, the capital, is the most important rail center in China. Henan has China's largest reserves of molybdenum, asbestos, natural gas, bauxite, coal, perlite and refractory clay. We lived in Xinzheng just south of Zhengzhou for a year.
Google Image Result for http://www.paulnoll.com/China/Provinces/Province-Henan-map.jpg

ABC News: Chinese Police Patrol After Deadly Riots

Han majority clashes with Hui Muslim minority, (approx. 90% Han - 10% Hui)
ABC News: Chinese Police Patrol After Deadly Riots

Silver Wagon: Put on your Red Sox

Problem or solution???????
From Silver Wagon    >>So here we are in 2004, another year in which the U.S. is plagued with problems. ....and the news that "A quadriplegic man succeeded in checking email and playing computer games via a microchip embedded in his brain (source)" are just two of the smaller ones.<<

Silver Wagon: Put on your Red Sox

TaylorTree

Stock market and more on this blog.
TaylorTree

Got the Flu? Blame the Free Market (washingtonpost.com)

What happens after that is left up to the market. And these days the market does not provide much incentive for anybody to make flu vaccine and try to sell it.

Merck & Co. abandoned the business almost 20 years ago. Wyeth pulled out last year after throwing away about one-third of the flu vaccine it made for the 2002-03 season because it didn't sell.

That leaves just three companies in the business -- Aventis Pasteur Inc., Chiron Corp. (the company whose entire output for the United States had to be destroyed because of contamination) and MedImmune Inc. of Gaithersburg, the region's biggest biotech company. Got the Flu? Blame the Free Market (washingtonpost.com)