Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Healey Hillman Still Running?
Re: the last post. Right next to the post about gay marriage was a Google AdSense ad sponsored by the Republican Healey - Hillman campaign here in Massachusetts. The campaign ended in defeat almost two months ago so why are the ads still running? It doesn't seem to be a one time thing either because I saw the same thing two weeks ago on this blog and again just now when I posted the TPMCafe item. And, all three times the ad appeared in connection with gay marriage postings.
Romney Suit Rejected
"In Big Defeat, Romney Loses Final Attempt To Kill Gay Marriage" TPMCafe comments on today's Supreme Judicial Court ruling. In Big Defeat, Romney Loses Final Attempt To Kill Gay Marriage | TPMCafe
Friday, December 08, 2006
Canon PowerShot A540 Reviews. Digital cameras Reviews by CNET.
Gets good marks from CNET. No mention of color quality. No rechargeable batteries. Uses AAA batteries. No tripod shoe???????
Canon PowerShot A540 Reviews. Digital cameras Reviews by CNET.: "Canon PowerShot A540"
Canon PowerShot A540 Reviews. Digital cameras Reviews by CNET.: "Canon PowerShot A540"
Thursday, December 07, 2006
fd's Flickr Toys
fd's Flickr Toys
Tools to do a variety of photgraphic projects. Make mosaics, trading cards, calendars and movie posters. Warholize, Hockneyize, stream, caption, frame and more.
Tools to do a variety of photgraphic projects. Make mosaics, trading cards, calendars and movie posters. Warholize, Hockneyize, stream, caption, frame and more.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
Monkeys For Helping
Cool pix and videos of things like Japanese Spider Man fighting 'scary' monsters. LOL Check it out!
Monkeys For Helping
Monkeys For Helping
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Drug Industry Is on Defensive as Power Shifts - New York Times
>>Hoping to prevent Congress from letting the government negotiate lower drug prices for millions of older Americans on Medicare, the pharmaceutical companies have been recruiting Democratic lobbyists, lining up allies in the Bush administration and Congress, and renewing ties with organizations of patients who depend on brand-name drugs.<<
Drug Industry Is on Defensive as Power Shifts - New York Times
Drug Industry Is on Defensive as Power Shifts - New York Times
Saturday, November 18, 2006
FrankenFloral
Christmas is approaching so I’m going through the flood of catalogs that have arrived. Didn’t have to spend much time on Chico’s. The stuff was way over the top right from the first page but I knew I’d seen enough when I got to this leather? jacket. I’m calling it, “FrankenFloral”.
Friday, November 17, 2006
RealMoney.com - Tools and Quotes
RealMoney.com - Tools and Quotes
NGS (AMEX) Arms ID's this as a technical buy as of today. Company also has good recent news. Volume is very light
NGS (AMEX) Arms ID's this as a technical buy as of today. Company also has good recent news. Volume is very light
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Romney Draws Winske's Fire
In this letter to the editor, Disability Policy Consortium Chair John Winske criticizes lame duck Governor Mitt Romney for his self serving and unnecessary budget cuts.
"Dear Editor:
Recently, Gov. Mitt Romney chose to end his tenure in the same mean-spirited manner in which he began it. Less than one week after America ’s voters rejected the politics of divisiveness and partisanship, Romney has slashed $425 million from the state budget by using his emergency (9c) powers, which is disturbing but not surprising.
The “financial crisis” or “spending crisis” as the Romney administration is calling it is a figment of the governor’s politically driven agenda. This manufactured scheme is designed to burnish his image with fiscal conservatives nationwide. This is reinforced by the fact that state revenues for the first two months of the fiscal year are within the expected range.
According to Michael J. Widmer, President of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, “The governor was acting prematurely, because the state’s fiscal year is only four months old and the economy is generating strong revenues that will cover potential deficits.”
The pain caused by the $425 million budget cuts is severe. Since we are three and a half months into the fiscal year, the magnitude of the cuts would be equivalent to more than $700 million annually. Throughout Romney’s tenure his administration has pitted the “haves” against the poor and vulnerable citizens in the Commonwealth.
This is a telling statement on the type of presidential campaign he will wage as he gears up to raise $50 million for his run to the White House. Hopefully, citizens across America will continue to take a dim view of the politicians seeking higher office who practice the distressing art of divisive politics.
It is now critical for the Massachusetts General Court to reconvene and override Gov. Romney’s callous and unnecessary cuts to the programs and services used by the neediest of our citizens.
John Winske, Chair
Disability Policy Consortium
Boston
"Dear Editor:
Recently, Gov. Mitt Romney chose to end his tenure in the same mean-spirited manner in which he began it. Less than one week after America ’s voters rejected the politics of divisiveness and partisanship, Romney has slashed $425 million from the state budget by using his emergency (9c) powers, which is disturbing but not surprising.
The “financial crisis” or “spending crisis” as the Romney administration is calling it is a figment of the governor’s politically driven agenda. This manufactured scheme is designed to burnish his image with fiscal conservatives nationwide. This is reinforced by the fact that state revenues for the first two months of the fiscal year are within the expected range.
According to Michael J. Widmer, President of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, “The governor was acting prematurely, because the state’s fiscal year is only four months old and the economy is generating strong revenues that will cover potential deficits.”
The pain caused by the $425 million budget cuts is severe. Since we are three and a half months into the fiscal year, the magnitude of the cuts would be equivalent to more than $700 million annually. Throughout Romney’s tenure his administration has pitted the “haves” against the poor and vulnerable citizens in the Commonwealth.
This is a telling statement on the type of presidential campaign he will wage as he gears up to raise $50 million for his run to the White House. Hopefully, citizens across America will continue to take a dim view of the politicians seeking higher office who practice the distressing art of divisive politics.
It is now critical for the Massachusetts General Court to reconvene and override Gov. Romney’s callous and unnecessary cuts to the programs and services used by the neediest of our citizens.
John Winske, Chair
Disability Policy Consortium
Boston
Monday, November 13, 2006
On his way out the door Romney flips the bird to crips
"It's budget cuts all around for all you stuttering numb nuts said the graciously graying Gov as he flew off to Iowa.
Blind or visually impaired? I see a way to save $331,829.
Deaf or hard of hearing? Read my lips, I'm taking 64 grand and change.
Coping with mental retardation? See if you can wrap your mind around $9,750,229. LESS to spend on whatever it is you guys do.
Mental health problems? It's all in your head. Cut, cut, cut - $7,025,258.
Rehab services: It's for the guys at the Big Dig. They said they really really needed exactly $1,030,562.
Elder Affairs? Aren't you getting too old for that? Here's a $3,747,814. cold shower."
Figures from:
Disability Policy Consortium
Box 77
Boston MA 02133
617 499-6957
www.dpcma.org
Blind or visually impaired? I see a way to save $331,829.
Deaf or hard of hearing? Read my lips, I'm taking 64 grand and change.
Coping with mental retardation? See if you can wrap your mind around $9,750,229. LESS to spend on whatever it is you guys do.
Mental health problems? It's all in your head. Cut, cut, cut - $7,025,258.
Rehab services: It's for the guys at the Big Dig. They said they really really needed exactly $1,030,562.
Elder Affairs? Aren't you getting too old for that? Here's a $3,747,814. cold shower."
Figures from:
Disability Policy Consortium
Box 77
Boston MA 02133
617 499-6957
www.dpcma.org
Congressional Internships for Students with Disabilities
Deadline for Summer Internship Program - December 1, 2006
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Internship Opportunities
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is
committed to the development of leadership, employment, and self-
sufficiency skills of students with disabilities. In fact,
through the sponsorship of Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation
and the Microsoft Corporation, students have opportunities to
develop those skills.
2007 Summer Congressional Internship for College Students with
Disabilities
Administered by AAPD and sponsored by the Mitsubishi Electric
America Foundation, second-semester sophomores through first-
semester seniors interested in working on Capitol Hill are
encouraged to apply. Accepted candidates will work in
congressional offices in Washington, DC. Roundtrip travel and
housing will be provided to interns, and each student will
receive a stipend.
Applications are available at:
www.aapd.com/internships/internship07/MEAFinternInfo07.htm
Apply by: December 1, 2006 (5:00pm, EST).
Questions and submissions
Disability Policy Consortium
Box 77
Boston MA 02133
617 499-6957
www.dpcma.org
Sounds like a great opportunity!!!!
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Internship Opportunities
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is
committed to the development of leadership, employment, and self-
sufficiency skills of students with disabilities. In fact,
through the sponsorship of Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation
and the Microsoft Corporation, students have opportunities to
develop those skills.
2007 Summer Congressional Internship for College Students with
Disabilities
Administered by AAPD and sponsored by the Mitsubishi Electric
America Foundation, second-semester sophomores through first-
semester seniors interested in working on Capitol Hill are
encouraged to apply. Accepted candidates will work in
congressional offices in Washington, DC. Roundtrip travel and
housing will be provided to interns, and each student will
receive a stipend.
Applications are available at:
www.aapd.com/internships/internship07/MEAFinternInfo07.htm
Apply by: December 1, 2006 (5:00pm, EST).
Questions and submissions
Disability Policy Consortium
Box 77
Boston MA 02133
617 499-6957
www.dpcma.org
Sounds like a great opportunity!!!!
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Bingham Gallery: Keith Ward
Bingham Gallery: Keith Ward
Keith Ward
(American, 1906-2000)
"If you learned to read with Dick & Jane, thrilled by the magnificent horse illustrations in the Black Stallion, remember Elsie the Cow, fell in love with the playful Texaco Dalmatian Pups, or know Elmer, the trademark on Elmer's Glue, then you know of Keith Ward's work. Ward a renowned impressionist, was the gifted illustrator who painted those enduring images on the American consciousness. Like Norman Rockwell, Keith Ward is part of our "Americana"; illustrating for so many magazines and advertisements, such as Boy's Life, Outdoor Life, Phillips 66, Bordon Dairy Co., U.S. Steel (and many others). For more than 50 years Keith Ward has been part of our lives."
Ward is the illustrator for The Night Before Christmas published by Whitman Publishing MCMXXXV. ebay
Keith Ward
(American, 1906-2000)
"If you learned to read with Dick & Jane, thrilled by the magnificent horse illustrations in the Black Stallion, remember Elsie the Cow, fell in love with the playful Texaco Dalmatian Pups, or know Elmer, the trademark on Elmer's Glue, then you know of Keith Ward's work. Ward a renowned impressionist, was the gifted illustrator who painted those enduring images on the American consciousness. Like Norman Rockwell, Keith Ward is part of our "Americana"; illustrating for so many magazines and advertisements, such as Boy's Life, Outdoor Life, Phillips 66, Bordon Dairy Co., U.S. Steel (and many others). For more than 50 years Keith Ward has been part of our lives."
Ward is the illustrator for The Night Before Christmas published by Whitman Publishing MCMXXXV. ebay
Monday, November 06, 2006
Malaysia : Grameen bank extends into other ventures - Textile Fashion News Fibre2Fashion
From the World of Garment - Textile - Fashion: Grameen Bank is branching out. One product is a hand made textile called Grameen Check. There's no info in this piece on oulets but it shouldn't be too hard to find.
Also: From The Penninsula Qatar.com: Zidane is coming to help with the opening of another Grameen Bank enterprise.
"The factory is a joint project between the French food giant Danone and Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen Bank which pioneered a unique system of microcredit that has lifted millions out of poverty.
Danone and Grameen Bank have a 50 percent stake each in the one-million-dollar plant which is aimed at producing nutritious food products targeted at people on low-incomes."
Malaysia : Grameen bank extends into other ventures - Textile Fashion News Fibre2Fashion
Also: From The Penninsula Qatar.com: Zidane is coming to help with the opening of another Grameen Bank enterprise.
"The factory is a joint project between the French food giant Danone and Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen Bank which pioneered a unique system of microcredit that has lifted millions out of poverty.
Danone and Grameen Bank have a 50 percent stake each in the one-million-dollar plant which is aimed at producing nutritious food products targeted at people on low-incomes."
Malaysia : Grameen bank extends into other ventures - Textile Fashion News Fibre2Fashion
Friday, November 03, 2006
Another Crook Gets Prison Time
Sanjay Kumar is his name. He ran a compnay called Computer Associates. He could have gotten a life term but the judge thought twelve years was enoungh. This New York Times article has the rundown.
Ex-Leader of Computer Associates Gets 12-Year Sentence and Fine - New York Times
Ex-Leader of Computer Associates Gets 12-Year Sentence and Fine - New York Times
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Major League Baseball Continues To Experiment With Second Life
From The Street.com the details on MLB's latest efforts in the virtual world of Second Life.
Take Me Out to the Virtual Ballgame:
"'As a platform, we're fascinated by the technology,' said Justin Shaffer, senior vice president of New Media with MLB.com. 'It's an entire new way to interact online with a portion of our fans that are more technologically savvy.'
True to the real-life struggle of getting a seat to witness the rivalry first hand in real time, only 45 game tickets were made available for each of the September games at the price of $500 in the SL currency, called Linden. Currently, one U.S. dollar is worth roughly 273 Linden."
Take Me Out to the Virtual Ballgame:
"'As a platform, we're fascinated by the technology,' said Justin Shaffer, senior vice president of New Media with MLB.com. 'It's an entire new way to interact online with a portion of our fans that are more technologically savvy.'
True to the real-life struggle of getting a seat to witness the rivalry first hand in real time, only 45 game tickets were made available for each of the September games at the price of $500 in the SL currency, called Linden. Currently, one U.S. dollar is worth roughly 273 Linden."
Monday, October 30, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Last of the Floppies
I haven't touched them in a couple of years but I'm just now getting around to throwing them away.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Publicly Traded Death Service Industry Stocks
stockbee: James Altucher , water and theme investing
AWGI,Alderwoods Group Inc
CSV,Carriage Services Inc
SCI,Service Corp Internat
SNFCA,Security National Financial Corp Class A
STEI,Stewart Enterprises Cl A
STON,Stonemor Partners L.p.
AWGI,Alderwoods Group Inc
CSV,Carriage Services Inc
SCI,Service Corp Internat
SNFCA,Security National Financial Corp Class A
STEI,Stewart Enterprises Cl A
STON,Stonemor Partners L.p.
The Most Important Quote From Google's Conference Call - SeekingAlpha
The Most Important Quote From Google's Conference Call - SeekingAlpha: "Over half of local businesses don't have websites yet, based on the estimates we see, and our local business center helps those businesses easily create a web presence so they can advertise online."
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Microfinancing - Citigroup To Help The Poor
Won't their stockholders be surprised.
"People have a longer term view, and a responsibility for doing what they can deeper in the markets where they operate, and we are in a 100 countries or so," he said, adding that the challenge is to lower the costs of running microfinance institutions and charges to the poor.
"This is an investment that is beginning to serve a much wider population than we and banks in general have done before," he said. "Banks should enter this with complete humility."
...Robert Annibale, who heads banking heavyweight Citigroup's own special microfinance group...
In as much as Grameen Bank is concerned with fighting poverty and Citigroup is concerned with their responsibility to stockholders I wonder how that will affect their new customers.
World Crises | Reuters.co.uk
"People have a longer term view, and a responsibility for doing what they can deeper in the markets where they operate, and we are in a 100 countries or so," he said, adding that the challenge is to lower the costs of running microfinance institutions and charges to the poor.
"This is an investment that is beginning to serve a much wider population than we and banks in general have done before," he said. "Banks should enter this with complete humility."
...Robert Annibale, who heads banking heavyweight Citigroup's own special microfinance group...
In as much as Grameen Bank is concerned with fighting poverty and Citigroup is concerned with their responsibility to stockholders I wonder how that will affect their new customers.
World Crises | Reuters.co.uk
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
China Stance On N. Korea Bomb Test
>>The following is Chinese administration’s reactions before and after the nuclear test delivered by the newsmagazine.
They were in a great shock when North Korea had the nuclear test-
Russian Ambassador to North Korea Andrei Karlov was informed of the plan and its background two hours before the nuclear test. However, China was informed just 20 minutes earlier.
The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee led by President Hu Jintao urgently called the extra meeting in the period of sixth general meeting of 16th central committee of Chinese Communist Party.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs published their statement two hours after the nuclear test, “We firmly object to them and strongly insist,” with an expression of “outrageous action” in a very strong nuance. Those expressions were barely used in the relationship between the two countries in 50 years’ history.
This reveals that China resented North Korea’s nuclear test and exposed their feeling that they were betrayed by North Korea. Such foreign ministry statements are subject to approval of President Hu. <<
I think China may be the best hope of containing this problem. Size and proximity give them a very strong presence in the region and a large scale conflict in N. Korea would certainly affect Chinese interests.
donga.com [english donga]
They were in a great shock when North Korea had the nuclear test-
Russian Ambassador to North Korea Andrei Karlov was informed of the plan and its background two hours before the nuclear test. However, China was informed just 20 minutes earlier.
The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee led by President Hu Jintao urgently called the extra meeting in the period of sixth general meeting of 16th central committee of Chinese Communist Party.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs published their statement two hours after the nuclear test, “We firmly object to them and strongly insist,” with an expression of “outrageous action” in a very strong nuance. Those expressions were barely used in the relationship between the two countries in 50 years’ history.
This reveals that China resented North Korea’s nuclear test and exposed their feeling that they were betrayed by North Korea. Such foreign ministry statements are subject to approval of President Hu. <<
I think China may be the best hope of containing this problem. Size and proximity give them a very strong presence in the region and a large scale conflict in N. Korea would certainly affect Chinese interests.
donga.com [english donga]
Friday, October 13, 2006
New Orleans Jazz Fest and A Note From A Friend
Hey Anne and John, great to get the Ninagret fest
site...just checked out the pics gallery... The Jazz Fest was pretty special this year...very emotional for
a lot of folks..George Wein included. Springsteen was
GREAT doing the Pete Seeger tribute set. VERY
emotional scene..nere a dry eye in de place...crowd
left, sated and drained..extremely quiet recessional
that night...everyone kinda picked up their stuff and
shuffled out, reflectively..I and some of my guys got
stopped on the track en route to lighting up worklight
stations (for night time work) by some people...we
often get harangued with requests for rides, etc.; but
these people were in tears, thanking us for getting
the "Resurrection" fest up and looking "Normal"...
It was strange and wonderful...I mean, for
Chrissakes, I'm ususally the Irish kid, Y'know, the
one who cries at card-tricks...but I was feeling good
-sans maudlin ...and all these people were VERY
emotional...lot of that goin' round. A LOT more
locals than in the past...comments in the paper about
how the Fest was the ONLY thing back to normal in the
city etc........
Springsteen and his Krewe may have played a part
in getting us a bonus this year (unheard of in the
past)..The other night, the site producer (old friend
Tague) and the construction Foreman (old friend
Garnet) called me up and said they had something for
me...and some King Crab sent in from Alaska...so I
went over and they were all puffed up and lit...I
mean, puffed-up proud...as well as otherwise haha...
They handed me an envelope(nice bonus) and a
personalized letter from Quint Davis (another old
friend, sense a theme here?)
and George Wein ....this is a VERY heart-felt letter,
with US(Fess Gator Krewe)...I suppressed the urge to
say "It's about freakin' TIME!"...and read it...They
had all read it before, and were awaiting my
response...I read it, and folded the envelope up in my
pocket..They all said, "Dude, look in the envelope,
Man!"
I said, " It doesn't matter what's in there, this
is enough"...Garnet's wife Linda started to
cry...Lots of hugging and brotherhood ensued...
Anyway, they told me that Springsteen's tour
manager had sent an e-mail to Quint from the plane,
saying that their crew was all talking about how cool
their experience had been. They were impressed with
what a bunch of characters our Krewe was, and how they
too had been together for YEARS, and how amazing it
was that we had gotten the largest festival in the
world built-tight, right, and outta-sight; all in an
environment of a city that is still 3/4 unoccupied,
where 75% of all businesses are still closed..traffic
lights are still out etc...........I think we all had
lost sight of the enormity of the task...because most
of us are in the process of re-building under these
conditions on a daily basis...going 40 miles for
shingles is all in a day's work, for instance...
I was "Mentioned In Dispatches", so to
speak.....The day Springsteen played...weird morning,
that was...Big rain and wind had torn up the site(as
it ususally does) so we were out early , putting it
back together...A large(40' x60') booth-shed had
overturned right out in the crowd area of one of the
big stages...our Pole-driving crew had disintegrated,
disappeared (bad hiring mistake, a guy from
Connecticut who CLAIMED to know pruduction, and a
section-8 reject from the army, and his helpers) so
that week I had taken over that detail(along with my
other shit).....
Anyway, we were in the process of dis-mantling
twisted steel and splintered wood, shredded tarps etc.
(Another day In Paradise as i told some FNG's -new
guys) and re-building this structure and others,
re-setting poles to fly sound cables balah, blah blah
and here comes a crew bus along the road...so I
"expedited " the process with a chain-saw and sledge
hammer...due to frustration with some of the younger
cats on our Krewe who were hung-over , lame etc. to
get the bus by...just normal abnormal stuff...kinda
like we have been doing down here for years(and in the
streets lthis year)
So we got the road cleared, and I got the "Kids"
motivated and moving, set about their tasks, and the
booth was getting re-done and re-decorated...with me
on the radio and up in the steel, being the Type-A
Yankee Irish S.O.B. that these people have come to
rely on....and I didn't notice the car sitting there,
watching all this crap that for us has become "What We
Do"....
We moved on to a different area of destruction,
and I didn't give it a thought...and I noticed that up
on the stage, they were playing Bruce's new
CD...EXCEPT it wasn't the CD....it was his
SOUND-CHECK...that's how into the job at hand I
was...I was unaware of it until I heard frome the
stage, this voice that sounded familiar....saying some
really complimentary things about us...so I drove my
truck right up to the front of the stage, and realized
that Bruce was up there, doing what amounted to a
private show for the Krewe....pretty fuckin' cool it
was!
Later on, as i was running through the
punch-list of things we had to do to open that day, I
heard of a riser that needed to go to the big stage,
so, as I usually do, I turned my truck around dropped
some kids off to do some stuff, called a forklift to
meet me , and went off after the riser....No
biggie,...I delivered the riser , and the stage
manager asked, "How the hell did you know I needed
this?" (My buddy Flip had overheard them talking
about it and had made the call on the radio). I said,
in my typical Phillyese, "It's all FM"
"All FM??, what ?" he asked.
"Fuckin' MAGIC", I dryly responded
So, I walked up on stage, grabbed two
stage-hands, and got them to carry the riser up to the
stage. As I'm coming down the ramp. some geeks asked
mr if I had any sandpaper. For some reason, I
responded with this dissertation on the relative
primativeness of our infra-structure, and the lack of
necessity for any such finish on our materials, but I
was very certain that I, or one of my brothers or
sisters on the Krewe would have something that would
be able to accomplish the task...Oh, and what, by the
way, IS that task?
"Our guitar-tech needs to shave down Bruce's
guitar-picks"
"Of course he does" , I responded
So, off to my toolbox I went, and returned with
a collection of devices sanding blocks, papers, foams,
and a power set-up(with a special clamp that I
rigged). Once again I heard "How did you know about
this?"....it gets old, after a while lol
So, I helped the tech get his little pick-sanding
world set up...showed him a better way of doing this
weird task...He told me that this was his first
pick-sanding...I had remembered hearing about
flat-pickers doing this in some magazine...so we did
the deed. I split, down the ramp and was stopped by
the PA geeks and a manager-of-sorts type and lavishly
praised and thanked for my attention to their
needs...It had been an ass-kicking morning, and I
still don't know why, but I gave them a gracious
speech about us being there to assure that their needs
were taken care of etc. and thanking them when they
mentioned seeing our little show on the road that
morning,,,I wasn't being obsequious, but I was laying
it on pretty thick(mostly due to exhaustion, I'm
sure)..so I finish my little BS show, turned around,
and there is Reggie Toussaint(music director), Quint,
George Wein, and a short, curly-haired dude from
Asbury Park , N.J....all smiling broadly, Quint came
up, and I noticed there were tears in his eyes
(probably from stressing-out over what I was gonna
tell these folks, HAHA) and hugs me(nothing new),
says"Marco,(he has always called me that), I love ya'
man", and plants a KISS on me(definitely new)..Reggis
gives me a hug and thanks for everything that morning.
George Wein shakes my handand says"I am PROUD to be
on the same team with you ". I, of course,
immediately deflect the praise onto the whole Krewe,
and tell him that I have some of his Blue Note
records...and turn to take the extended hand of the
Jersey dude, who goes on about how COOL it was this
morning, watching us work like madmen etc. I
commented that while I was familiar with Geoge's work,
I didn't know who HE was...and then waited a second..a
LONG second, before saying I saw him at the Main Point
in 74 or 5 (a club that seated 120) , and that Yeah I
knew who he is etc. We talked about me being from
Philly, and Quint told some Marco stories that that
were from the heart and embarassed me....and about how
you-wouldn't-believe-it-this-guy -has-had 2-freakin'
-TRANSPLANTS-and shit- and-man-what- a-guy- and I had
to stop him and say that our entire KREWE were amazing
and that we were almost ALL homeless at the beginning
of production and all that shit blah, blah,
blah...........Like I told the kids that morning when
they were whining....Another Day In Paradise,
indeed...
So the Springsteen people were all jacked-up
about the entire event and the family that puts it up,
on, and away...They said you could really feel the
FAMILY vibe...yes, we ARE a family...but so were the
Addams' and Mansons.................and we got a nice
bonus.......long story LONG
site...just checked out the pics gallery... The Jazz Fest was pretty special this year...very emotional for
a lot of folks..George Wein included. Springsteen was
GREAT doing the Pete Seeger tribute set. VERY
emotional scene..nere a dry eye in de place...crowd
left, sated and drained..extremely quiet recessional
that night...everyone kinda picked up their stuff and
shuffled out, reflectively..I and some of my guys got
stopped on the track en route to lighting up worklight
stations (for night time work) by some people...we
often get harangued with requests for rides, etc.; but
these people were in tears, thanking us for getting
the "Resurrection" fest up and looking "Normal"...
It was strange and wonderful...I mean, for
Chrissakes, I'm ususally the Irish kid, Y'know, the
one who cries at card-tricks...but I was feeling good
-sans maudlin ...and all these people were VERY
emotional...lot of that goin' round. A LOT more
locals than in the past...comments in the paper about
how the Fest was the ONLY thing back to normal in the
city etc........
Springsteen and his Krewe may have played a part
in getting us a bonus this year (unheard of in the
past)..The other night, the site producer (old friend
Tague) and the construction Foreman (old friend
Garnet) called me up and said they had something for
me...and some King Crab sent in from Alaska...so I
went over and they were all puffed up and lit...I
mean, puffed-up proud...as well as otherwise haha...
They handed me an envelope(nice bonus) and a
personalized letter from Quint Davis (another old
friend, sense a theme here?)
and George Wein ....this is a VERY heart-felt letter,
with US(Fess Gator Krewe)...I suppressed the urge to
say "It's about freakin' TIME!"...and read it...They
had all read it before, and were awaiting my
response...I read it, and folded the envelope up in my
pocket..They all said, "Dude, look in the envelope,
Man!"
I said, " It doesn't matter what's in there, this
is enough"...Garnet's wife Linda started to
cry...Lots of hugging and brotherhood ensued...
Anyway, they told me that Springsteen's tour
manager had sent an e-mail to Quint from the plane,
saying that their crew was all talking about how cool
their experience had been. They were impressed with
what a bunch of characters our Krewe was, and how they
too had been together for YEARS, and how amazing it
was that we had gotten the largest festival in the
world built-tight, right, and outta-sight; all in an
environment of a city that is still 3/4 unoccupied,
where 75% of all businesses are still closed..traffic
lights are still out etc...........I think we all had
lost sight of the enormity of the task...because most
of us are in the process of re-building under these
conditions on a daily basis...going 40 miles for
shingles is all in a day's work, for instance...
I was "Mentioned In Dispatches", so to
speak.....The day Springsteen played...weird morning,
that was...Big rain and wind had torn up the site(as
it ususally does) so we were out early , putting it
back together...A large(40' x60') booth-shed had
overturned right out in the crowd area of one of the
big stages...our Pole-driving crew had disintegrated,
disappeared (bad hiring mistake, a guy from
Connecticut who CLAIMED to know pruduction, and a
section-8 reject from the army, and his helpers) so
that week I had taken over that detail(along with my
other shit).....
Anyway, we were in the process of dis-mantling
twisted steel and splintered wood, shredded tarps etc.
(Another day In Paradise as i told some FNG's -new
guys) and re-building this structure and others,
re-setting poles to fly sound cables balah, blah blah
and here comes a crew bus along the road...so I
"expedited " the process with a chain-saw and sledge
hammer...due to frustration with some of the younger
cats on our Krewe who were hung-over , lame etc. to
get the bus by...just normal abnormal stuff...kinda
like we have been doing down here for years(and in the
streets lthis year)
So we got the road cleared, and I got the "Kids"
motivated and moving, set about their tasks, and the
booth was getting re-done and re-decorated...with me
on the radio and up in the steel, being the Type-A
Yankee Irish S.O.B. that these people have come to
rely on....and I didn't notice the car sitting there,
watching all this crap that for us has become "What We
Do"....
We moved on to a different area of destruction,
and I didn't give it a thought...and I noticed that up
on the stage, they were playing Bruce's new
CD...EXCEPT it wasn't the CD....it was his
SOUND-CHECK...that's how into the job at hand I
was...I was unaware of it until I heard frome the
stage, this voice that sounded familiar....saying some
really complimentary things about us...so I drove my
truck right up to the front of the stage, and realized
that Bruce was up there, doing what amounted to a
private show for the Krewe....pretty fuckin' cool it
was!
Later on, as i was running through the
punch-list of things we had to do to open that day, I
heard of a riser that needed to go to the big stage,
so, as I usually do, I turned my truck around dropped
some kids off to do some stuff, called a forklift to
meet me , and went off after the riser....No
biggie,...I delivered the riser , and the stage
manager asked, "How the hell did you know I needed
this?" (My buddy Flip had overheard them talking
about it and had made the call on the radio). I said,
in my typical Phillyese, "It's all FM"
"All FM??, what ?" he asked.
"Fuckin' MAGIC", I dryly responded
So, I walked up on stage, grabbed two
stage-hands, and got them to carry the riser up to the
stage. As I'm coming down the ramp. some geeks asked
mr if I had any sandpaper. For some reason, I
responded with this dissertation on the relative
primativeness of our infra-structure, and the lack of
necessity for any such finish on our materials, but I
was very certain that I, or one of my brothers or
sisters on the Krewe would have something that would
be able to accomplish the task...Oh, and what, by the
way, IS that task?
"Our guitar-tech needs to shave down Bruce's
guitar-picks"
"Of course he does" , I responded
So, off to my toolbox I went, and returned with
a collection of devices sanding blocks, papers, foams,
and a power set-up(with a special clamp that I
rigged). Once again I heard "How did you know about
this?"....it gets old, after a while lol
So, I helped the tech get his little pick-sanding
world set up...showed him a better way of doing this
weird task...He told me that this was his first
pick-sanding...I had remembered hearing about
flat-pickers doing this in some magazine...so we did
the deed. I split, down the ramp and was stopped by
the PA geeks and a manager-of-sorts type and lavishly
praised and thanked for my attention to their
needs...It had been an ass-kicking morning, and I
still don't know why, but I gave them a gracious
speech about us being there to assure that their needs
were taken care of etc. and thanking them when they
mentioned seeing our little show on the road that
morning,,,I wasn't being obsequious, but I was laying
it on pretty thick(mostly due to exhaustion, I'm
sure)..so I finish my little BS show, turned around,
and there is Reggie Toussaint(music director), Quint,
George Wein, and a short, curly-haired dude from
Asbury Park , N.J....all smiling broadly, Quint came
up, and I noticed there were tears in his eyes
(probably from stressing-out over what I was gonna
tell these folks, HAHA) and hugs me(nothing new),
says"Marco,(he has always called me that), I love ya'
man", and plants a KISS on me(definitely new)..Reggis
gives me a hug and thanks for everything that morning.
George Wein shakes my handand says"I am PROUD to be
on the same team with you ". I, of course,
immediately deflect the praise onto the whole Krewe,
and tell him that I have some of his Blue Note
records...and turn to take the extended hand of the
Jersey dude, who goes on about how COOL it was this
morning, watching us work like madmen etc. I
commented that while I was familiar with Geoge's work,
I didn't know who HE was...and then waited a second..a
LONG second, before saying I saw him at the Main Point
in 74 or 5 (a club that seated 120) , and that Yeah I
knew who he is etc. We talked about me being from
Philly, and Quint told some Marco stories that that
were from the heart and embarassed me....and about how
you-wouldn't-believe-it-this-guy -has-had 2-freakin'
-TRANSPLANTS-and shit- and-man-what- a-guy- and I had
to stop him and say that our entire KREWE were amazing
and that we were almost ALL homeless at the beginning
of production and all that shit blah, blah,
blah...........Like I told the kids that morning when
they were whining....Another Day In Paradise,
indeed...
So the Springsteen people were all jacked-up
about the entire event and the family that puts it up,
on, and away...They said you could really feel the
FAMILY vibe...yes, we ARE a family...but so were the
Addams' and Mansons.................and we got a nice
bonus.......long story LONG
US House Representative Admits To Corruption - Prison Likely
Republican Bob Ney could get as much as ten years in prison after admitting he had taken luxury bribes in the areas of food, travel, music, gambling and sports related activities.
Practically everything he could get his hands on from the sound of it.
How much time will he actually get? I'm guessing ten is unlikely but I think it would be great. Anything less than four would be a shame.
E Canada Now � Republican lawmaker admits corruption
Practically everything he could get his hands on from the sound of it.
How much time will he actually get? I'm guessing ten is unlikely but I think it would be great. Anything less than four would be a shame.
E Canada Now � Republican lawmaker admits corruption
Friday, October 06, 2006
MySpace Populated by Elderly and Infirm: comScore
ClickZ Internet Marketing Solutions for Marketers: "ComScore reports this afternoon that MySpace users are suddenly a bunch of codgers. The audience researcher says more than 40 percent of the site's unique visitors are between 35 and 54, and eleven percent are 55-plus. "
Good! All those little fucks were getting on my nerves anyway. All that excess energy. I think I'll go take a nap.
Good! All those little fucks were getting on my nerves anyway. All that excess energy. I think I'll go take a nap.
Sex, Sexy Screensavers and Discount Travel
And a guy who said he wanted to go to medical school in America. I’ve been allowing strangers to ‘Skype Me’ recently. So far it’s been a bunch of promotions and a couple of people who have called and then not had much to say.
Kids Can Get Guns Directly From The Teacher
Channel3000.com - Education - Lawmaker Appears On National TV, Touts Arming Teachers: "MADISON, Wis. -- Republican state Rep. Frank Lasee went on national television Thursday morning to weigh in on school security.
The lawmaker from Green Bay is calling for teachers to carry guns at school as a precaution."
"If a gunman comes to their school, there are people at the school that would be able to fight back and disarm them," Lasee said.
This guy needs to be voted out of office, immediately.
The lawmaker from Green Bay is calling for teachers to carry guns at school as a precaution."
"If a gunman comes to their school, there are people at the school that would be able to fight back and disarm them," Lasee said.
This guy needs to be voted out of office, immediately.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Joe Lieberman Doesn't Care About Handicapped People
From LamontBlog via Wonkette, Joe Lieberman doesn't care if you are a crip. Hell, a little extra walking will probably do you some good.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Bernie Ebbers Does Hard? Ti me
Well he certainly got a long sentence but I don't think that really counts as 'hard'. Jeff Kreisler of The Street.com has the rundown.
Funny Money: A Little Caviar and Sympathy:
"'Hey! Who does a VP have to downsize around here to get a sundried tomato and pesto omelet?'"
Funny Money: A Little Caviar and Sympathy:
"'Hey! Who does a VP have to downsize around here to get a sundried tomato and pesto omelet?'"
Execution of a Corrupt Chinese Official
Former lawmaker executed in NE China for corruption
www.chinaview.cn 2006-09-29 23:49:18
CHANGCHUN, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A former Chinese lawmaker was executed Friday in the northeastern Jilin Province after being convicted of bribery, misappropriation of funds, rape, illegal possession of weapons, organized crime and organizing prostitution.
Sang Yuechun, former member of the Ninth National People's Congress, was convicted of taking bribes and misappropriating 120 million yuan (15 million US dollars), but court officials did not provide details of his other crimes.
He was executed following approval by the Supreme People's Court.
Xinhua - English
www.chinaview.cn 2006-09-29 23:49:18
CHANGCHUN, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A former Chinese lawmaker was executed Friday in the northeastern Jilin Province after being convicted of bribery, misappropriation of funds, rape, illegal possession of weapons, organized crime and organizing prostitution.
Sang Yuechun, former member of the Ninth National People's Congress, was convicted of taking bribes and misappropriating 120 million yuan (15 million US dollars), but court officials did not provide details of his other crimes.
He was executed following approval by the Supreme People's Court.
Xinhua - English
Monday, September 25, 2006
What are the two biggest factors in the improvement of my Scrabble game?
Rack management and not creating or leaving open triple word opportunities. My vocabulary has improved too, particularly in three and four letter words* but that ranks somewhat behind the other two.
*I learned all the two letter words some time ago. There are only about eighty of them and most of them are fairly common.
*I learned all the two letter words some time ago. There are only about eighty of them and most of them are fairly common.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Patriots Getting Smothered
And meanwhile the Patriots are laying an enormous egg on their own home field. The score is 17-0 in the fourth quarter and their offense hasn't fired all night.
E9
Red Sox get blown out 13 – 4 by the Blue Jays today. Wily Mo Pena bungles all afternoon long in right field.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Tweaked Firefox Lets You Surf Internet Without a Trace - Yahoo! News
Public spirited citizens at Hactivismo come to the aid of a much spied upon public. Said one member of said public, "Internet wise, you can't walk down the friggin street without ten or fifteen assholes trying to figure out where you keep your wallet. It's none of your business. Stop fucking following me."
Tweaked Firefox Lets You Surf Internet Without a Trace - Yahoo! News: "A tweaked version of Firefox that makes Web browsing anonymous has been released by a group of privacy-minded coders.
ADVERTISEMENT
Every few minutes, the Torpark browser causes a computer's IP address to appear to change. IP addresses are numeric identifier given to computers on the Internet. The number can be used along with other data to potentially track down a user, as many Web sites keep track of IP addresses.
Hackers Promote Privacy
Torpark's creators, a group of computer security gurus and privacy experts named Hactivismo, said they want to expand privacy rights on the Internet as new technologies increasingly collect online data."
Tweaked Firefox Lets You Surf Internet Without a Trace - Yahoo! News: "A tweaked version of Firefox that makes Web browsing anonymous has been released by a group of privacy-minded coders.
ADVERTISEMENT
Every few minutes, the Torpark browser causes a computer's IP address to appear to change. IP addresses are numeric identifier given to computers on the Internet. The number can be used along with other data to potentially track down a user, as many Web sites keep track of IP addresses.
Hackers Promote Privacy
Torpark's creators, a group of computer security gurus and privacy experts named Hactivismo, said they want to expand privacy rights on the Internet as new technologies increasingly collect online data."
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Caffeine and the South Beach Diet
It is true that one of the major effects of caffeine is that it causes a rush of insulin but a recent study shows that people who drink more coffee are less susceptible to diabetes. However, caffeinated drinks like tea and coffee or caffeinated sugarfree sodas are fine on the South Beach Diet - as long as you do not surpass the limit of one cup a day.
Use caffeine in moderation because:
* Caffeine has addictive effects on the brain, as well as the kidneys.
* It has diuretic properties, and is a dehydrating agent.
* Caffeine stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin, which can lead to unhealthy cravings. That is why during South Beach Diet Phase 1 it is forbidden. Still, the effect is small, so, for the rest of the diet, you can enjoy 1 morning cup and then switch to decaf.
* Caffeine-containing sodas can cause a gain in weight due to the fact that the sensation of thirst induced by caffeine is often confused with hunger.
Although an appetite stimulant, South Beach Diet allows you to eat as much as you want, so you can enjoy your cup of coffee. Moreover, coffee can raise your metabolism, which is a plus for the diet. Of course, no sugar added, use artificial sweetener instead.
Use caffeine in moderation because:
* Caffeine has addictive effects on the brain, as well as the kidneys.
* It has diuretic properties, and is a dehydrating agent.
* Caffeine stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin, which can lead to unhealthy cravings. That is why during South Beach Diet Phase 1 it is forbidden. Still, the effect is small, so, for the rest of the diet, you can enjoy 1 morning cup and then switch to decaf.
* Caffeine-containing sodas can cause a gain in weight due to the fact that the sensation of thirst induced by caffeine is often confused with hunger.
Although an appetite stimulant, South Beach Diet allows you to eat as much as you want, so you can enjoy your cup of coffee. Moreover, coffee can raise your metabolism, which is a plus for the diet. Of course, no sugar added, use artificial sweetener instead.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Friday, September 08, 2006
Let PCA's Make A Living
A note from a friend makes a great argument for paying Personal Care Attendants what they're worth.
Consider:
A). Start paying PCA's at least $13.00 per hour. That's the going rate nursing homes and HHA's are paying PCA's. Consumers must compete, too.
B). Finding people to work as a PCA is NOT the overriding issue. Folks will be knocking at the door to work as a PCA if they are paid they're WORTH! Let's bring PCA pay into the 21st century, not the 20th century. Starting at $13.00 in today's economy will not break the bank. And a worthy, substantial wage increase is long overdue.
C). The Commonwealth's PCA Program is one of the very the best public policy programs historically. The PCA Program reaches over 12,000 consumers. It employs thousands of individuals. The return on revenues are significant to every community in the Commonwealth. And the PCA Program has a 35-year well-documented track record of success for the consumers it serves; PCA's who supplement and/or rely upon that job exclusively; and cost efficiency to the Commonwealth. Enhancing the PCA Program must occur as the administrators and policymakers at EOHHS continue to create, plan, and implement still more community-based supports and services. The PCA Program is a life-affirming service.
Consider:
A). Start paying PCA's at least $13.00 per hour. That's the going rate nursing homes and HHA's are paying PCA's. Consumers must compete, too.
B). Finding people to work as a PCA is NOT the overriding issue. Folks will be knocking at the door to work as a PCA if they are paid they're WORTH! Let's bring PCA pay into the 21st century, not the 20th century. Starting at $13.00 in today's economy will not break the bank. And a worthy, substantial wage increase is long overdue.
C). The Commonwealth's PCA Program is one of the very the best public policy programs historically. The PCA Program reaches over 12,000 consumers. It employs thousands of individuals. The return on revenues are significant to every community in the Commonwealth. And the PCA Program has a 35-year well-documented track record of success for the consumers it serves; PCA's who supplement and/or rely upon that job exclusively; and cost efficiency to the Commonwealth. Enhancing the PCA Program must occur as the administrators and policymakers at EOHHS continue to create, plan, and implement still more community-based supports and services. The PCA Program is a life-affirming service.
Crash victim's mental tennis - 09 Sep 2006 - World News
Frightening implications: " A 23-year-old woman left in a vegetative state after suffering traumatic brain damage in a road accident more than a year ago is capable of understanding and responding to certain commands, scientists claimed yesterday.
Despite being unable to move or speak, the woman, who has not been named, responded to sentences spoken to her and played an imaginary game of tennis in her head, recorded by a brain scanner, in response to a request from the researchers."
Crash victim's mental tennis - 09 Sep 2006 - World News
Despite being unable to move or speak, the woman, who has not been named, responded to sentences spoken to her and played an imaginary game of tennis in her head, recorded by a brain scanner, in response to a request from the researchers."
Crash victim's mental tennis - 09 Sep 2006 - World News
The New Orleans Kid Camera Project
See a slice of post Katrina life in New Orleans through the eyes of some of its youngest citizens. See if you can read that kids t-shirt too. :)
Wal-Mart, CVS Alarm Doctors as Retailers Push Clinics (Update2)
From bloomberg.com:
Bloomberg.com: Exclusive:
"To capture walk-in patients who will buy drugs and other merchandise, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Duane Reade Holdings Inc., CVS Corp. and Walgreen Co. are opening clinics mostly run by nurse practitioners and physician assistants who treat everyday ailments and write prescriptions. Executives say at least 5,000 U.S. outlets will open in the next few years, even as doctor groups express concern over the quality of patient care."
Bloomberg.com: Exclusive:
"To capture walk-in patients who will buy drugs and other merchandise, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Duane Reade Holdings Inc., CVS Corp. and Walgreen Co. are opening clinics mostly run by nurse practitioners and physician assistants who treat everyday ailments and write prescriptions. Executives say at least 5,000 U.S. outlets will open in the next few years, even as doctor groups express concern over the quality of patient care."
Intelligence Didn't Back Bush Iraq Stand, Reports Say
Bloomberg.com: Worldwide
Intelligence Didn't Back Bush Iraq Stand, Reports Say (Update1)
By William Roberts and James Rowley
Sept. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Bush administration claims justifying the war against Iraq were based on fragmented, conflicting, and at times unreliable intelligence, according to two reports released today by the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Administration statements that Saddam Hussein was allied with Osama bin Laden and was helping al-Qaeda obtain chemical and biological weapons proved wrong and misleading and weren't based on solid intelligence in its possession, the declassified Senate reports said.
Contrary to assertions by Vice President Dick Cheney and other senior Bush administration officials, Hussein didn't have links to al-Qaeda and the Sept. 11 terrorist plot, the reports said.
``Saddam Hussein was distrustful of al-Qaeda and viewed Islamic extremists as a threat to his regime,'' one of the reports said. Hussein refused all requests from al-Qaeda to provide material or operational support, said the reports.
While Iraq Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Chalabi and his Iraqi National Congress told U.S. officials that Iraq possessed nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, that information later proved inaccurate, according to the committee reports.
U.S. intelligence agencies overestimated Saddam Hussein's ability and desire to obtain weapons material while United Nations sanctions were in place, the reports said. Further, the Senate committee determined that Hussein sought weapons of mass destruction as deterrents against Israel and Iran, not for use against the U.S.
Hussein and al-Qaeda
Allegations that Hussein provided chemical and biological weapons training to al-Qaeda operatives also turned out to be false, the reports said. The Defense Intelligence Agency said in 2002 that it was unlikely Iraq gave Bin Laden any useful weapons assistance.
The Senate reports cite inconsistencies and contradictions overlooked by intelligence agencies as they produced intelligence briefings for senior policy makers.
U.S. analysts had ``little specific intelligence reporting'' about Hussein's willingness to ally himself with al-Qaeda, the reports said. The committee quoted a 2002 Central Intelligence Agency report that said ``our assessment of al-Qaeda's ties to Iraq rests on a body of fragmented, conflicting reporting from sources of varying reliability.''
On two occasions, Hussein rebuffed al-Qaeda emissaries seeking to establish a relationship with his regime, information not reported to U.S. intelligence agencies before the war, the reports said.
While Bin Laden's al-Qaeda lieutenant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was in Iraq in 2002, he was traveling under cover and eluded efforts by Hussein to capture him, the reports said.
Threat to Hussein
Al-Qaeda operative Abu Hafs al-Mauritani went to Iraq twice -- in 1998 and 2002 -- to meet with Hussein but was rebuffed, according to the reports. Hussein said al-Mauritani should leave the country because he may ``cause a problem'' for the regime.
Further, Iraqi intelligence agents infiltrated Ansar al- Islam, a radical Kurdish group hosting al-Qaeda fighters, because Hussein saw them as a threat and thought the U.S. would use their presence to suggest a link between the Iraqis and the terrorists, the reports said.
Democrats said the reports show that statements by Bush administration officials before the Iraq war began in 2003 weren't supported by intelligence known at the time they spoke.
Republicans Counter
Republicans countered that Democrats were swayed by the same bad intelligence as President George W. Bush and supported the president's decision to go to war with Iraq. Still, seven of eight Republicans on the panel, including Chairman Pat Roberts, voted to approve the conclusions about pre-war intelligence.
Bush has consistently linked Iraq, where more than 2,600 U.S. military personnel have died and the U.S. is mired in a violent conflict between Shiites and Sunnis, to the larger war on terror and fundamentalist Islamic militants such as al-Qaeda.
Bush displayed ``gross negligence'' by citing faulty intelligence in speeches and statements to connect Saddam Hussein to al-Qaeda, said Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, the senior Democrat on the intelligence panel.
When George Tenet, then-director of the CIA, told Bush that the intelligence case showing Iraq had weapons of mass destruction was a ``slam dunk,'' it was ``a corruption of the intelligence process,'' said Senator Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat.
Snow Comments
Tenet later complied with administration demands that the CIA gloss over inconsistencies between intelligence data and Bush's assertions and should be held accountable, Levin said. The report quoted committee testimony this year by Tenet, who acknowledged ``it was the wrong thing to do.''
White House spokesman Tony Snow said the White House hadn't seen the two Senate reports and wasn't briefed on it.
``Based on the characterizations we've seen, it's nothing new,'' he told reporters at the daily White House briefing. ``So, it's, again, kind of re-litigating things that happened three years ago.''
``It's worth noting,'' Snow added, ``that in 2002 and 2003 members of both parties got a good look at the intelligence we had, and they came to the very same conclusions.''
Committee chairman Roberts said Democrats were misusing the reports ``by careful cherry-picking through the intelligence and the facts in a political attempt to rewrite history.'' The information available before the war was used by the administration and Congress, Democrats included, to justify going into Iraq, he said.
Partisan Battles
The Senate reports, which were subject to partisan battles behind closed doors, are the result of two and half years of investigative review by the intelligence panel's staff. Democrats last year forced a closed session of the Senate to protest the committee's delays in releasing the reports.
Republican Senators Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Olympia Snowe of Maine joined with intelligence committee Democrats in concluding that Chalabi actively sought to mislead the Bush administration to overthrow Saddam. Roberts said Chalabi's information played a minimal role.
To contact the reporters on this story: William Roberts in Washington wroberts@bloomberg.net
Intelligence Didn't Back Bush Iraq Stand, Reports Say (Update1)
By William Roberts and James Rowley
Sept. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Bush administration claims justifying the war against Iraq were based on fragmented, conflicting, and at times unreliable intelligence, according to two reports released today by the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Administration statements that Saddam Hussein was allied with Osama bin Laden and was helping al-Qaeda obtain chemical and biological weapons proved wrong and misleading and weren't based on solid intelligence in its possession, the declassified Senate reports said.
Contrary to assertions by Vice President Dick Cheney and other senior Bush administration officials, Hussein didn't have links to al-Qaeda and the Sept. 11 terrorist plot, the reports said.
``Saddam Hussein was distrustful of al-Qaeda and viewed Islamic extremists as a threat to his regime,'' one of the reports said. Hussein refused all requests from al-Qaeda to provide material or operational support, said the reports.
While Iraq Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Chalabi and his Iraqi National Congress told U.S. officials that Iraq possessed nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, that information later proved inaccurate, according to the committee reports.
U.S. intelligence agencies overestimated Saddam Hussein's ability and desire to obtain weapons material while United Nations sanctions were in place, the reports said. Further, the Senate committee determined that Hussein sought weapons of mass destruction as deterrents against Israel and Iran, not for use against the U.S.
Hussein and al-Qaeda
Allegations that Hussein provided chemical and biological weapons training to al-Qaeda operatives also turned out to be false, the reports said. The Defense Intelligence Agency said in 2002 that it was unlikely Iraq gave Bin Laden any useful weapons assistance.
The Senate reports cite inconsistencies and contradictions overlooked by intelligence agencies as they produced intelligence briefings for senior policy makers.
U.S. analysts had ``little specific intelligence reporting'' about Hussein's willingness to ally himself with al-Qaeda, the reports said. The committee quoted a 2002 Central Intelligence Agency report that said ``our assessment of al-Qaeda's ties to Iraq rests on a body of fragmented, conflicting reporting from sources of varying reliability.''
On two occasions, Hussein rebuffed al-Qaeda emissaries seeking to establish a relationship with his regime, information not reported to U.S. intelligence agencies before the war, the reports said.
While Bin Laden's al-Qaeda lieutenant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was in Iraq in 2002, he was traveling under cover and eluded efforts by Hussein to capture him, the reports said.
Threat to Hussein
Al-Qaeda operative Abu Hafs al-Mauritani went to Iraq twice -- in 1998 and 2002 -- to meet with Hussein but was rebuffed, according to the reports. Hussein said al-Mauritani should leave the country because he may ``cause a problem'' for the regime.
Further, Iraqi intelligence agents infiltrated Ansar al- Islam, a radical Kurdish group hosting al-Qaeda fighters, because Hussein saw them as a threat and thought the U.S. would use their presence to suggest a link between the Iraqis and the terrorists, the reports said.
Democrats said the reports show that statements by Bush administration officials before the Iraq war began in 2003 weren't supported by intelligence known at the time they spoke.
Republicans Counter
Republicans countered that Democrats were swayed by the same bad intelligence as President George W. Bush and supported the president's decision to go to war with Iraq. Still, seven of eight Republicans on the panel, including Chairman Pat Roberts, voted to approve the conclusions about pre-war intelligence.
Bush has consistently linked Iraq, where more than 2,600 U.S. military personnel have died and the U.S. is mired in a violent conflict between Shiites and Sunnis, to the larger war on terror and fundamentalist Islamic militants such as al-Qaeda.
Bush displayed ``gross negligence'' by citing faulty intelligence in speeches and statements to connect Saddam Hussein to al-Qaeda, said Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, the senior Democrat on the intelligence panel.
When George Tenet, then-director of the CIA, told Bush that the intelligence case showing Iraq had weapons of mass destruction was a ``slam dunk,'' it was ``a corruption of the intelligence process,'' said Senator Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat.
Snow Comments
Tenet later complied with administration demands that the CIA gloss over inconsistencies between intelligence data and Bush's assertions and should be held accountable, Levin said. The report quoted committee testimony this year by Tenet, who acknowledged ``it was the wrong thing to do.''
White House spokesman Tony Snow said the White House hadn't seen the two Senate reports and wasn't briefed on it.
``Based on the characterizations we've seen, it's nothing new,'' he told reporters at the daily White House briefing. ``So, it's, again, kind of re-litigating things that happened three years ago.''
``It's worth noting,'' Snow added, ``that in 2002 and 2003 members of both parties got a good look at the intelligence we had, and they came to the very same conclusions.''
Committee chairman Roberts said Democrats were misusing the reports ``by careful cherry-picking through the intelligence and the facts in a political attempt to rewrite history.'' The information available before the war was used by the administration and Congress, Democrats included, to justify going into Iraq, he said.
Partisan Battles
The Senate reports, which were subject to partisan battles behind closed doors, are the result of two and half years of investigative review by the intelligence panel's staff. Democrats last year forced a closed session of the Senate to protest the committee's delays in releasing the reports.
Republican Senators Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Olympia Snowe of Maine joined with intelligence committee Democrats in concluding that Chalabi actively sought to mislead the Bush administration to overthrow Saddam. Roberts said Chalabi's information played a minimal role.
To contact the reporters on this story: William Roberts in Washington wroberts@bloomberg.net
Schwarzenegger Gaff Akin To Reggie White Speech
"...Schwarzenegger apologized Friday for saying during a closed-door meeting that Cubans and Puerto Ricans are naturally feisty and temperamental because of their combination of "black blood" and "Latino blood.""
This reminds me of football player Reggie White and his remarks about race and religion. What a bunch of garbage that was.
And both of those remind me of a guy I used to know who told me more than once that Irish women, (American Irish), always married Italian guys because they were sexually more exciting and dynamic than their drunken and inhibited Irish male counterparts. Yeah right, G.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Full Coverage on Yahoo! News
This reminds me of football player Reggie White and his remarks about race and religion. What a bunch of garbage that was.
And both of those remind me of a guy I used to know who told me more than once that Irish women, (American Irish), always married Italian guys because they were sexually more exciting and dynamic than their drunken and inhibited Irish male counterparts. Yeah right, G.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Full Coverage on Yahoo! News
Thursday, September 07, 2006
BUBBA GOES BALLISTIC ON ABC ABOUT ITS DAMNING 9/11 MOVIE By IAN BISHOP Post Correspondent - New York Post Online Edition: News
BUBBA GOES BALLISTIC ON ABC ABOUT ITS DAMNING 9/11 MOVIE By IAN BISHOP Post Correspondent - New York Post Online Edition: News: "Based on the 9/11 commission's report, the miniseries is also being provided to high schools as a teaching aid - although ABC admits key scenes are dramatizations."
Seems like it would be better if high school officials had a chance to view and discuss this TV Movie before accepting it for use as a teaching aid.
Seems like it would be better if high school officials had a chance to view and discuss this TV Movie before accepting it for use as a teaching aid.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Verizon Did The Right Thing
Although the news came out last week, I think, the confirming e-mail came today. Verizon will not have their much discussed and highly questionable surcharge.
Their message:
Dear Valued Verizon Online Customer,
Effective immediately, Verizon Online is dropping its previously announced plans to impose a DSL Supplier Surcharge. We are eliminating this surcharge in response to customer concerns. The supplier surcharge has not been included in your bill.
Thank you for choosing high speed Verizon Online DSL. We appreciate and value your business. And we're sorry we tried to pull a fast one on you.
Sincerely,
Verizon Online
Broadband Customer Care Team
Their message:
Dear Valued Verizon Online Customer,
Effective immediately, Verizon Online is dropping its previously announced plans to impose a DSL Supplier Surcharge. We are eliminating this surcharge in response to customer concerns. The supplier surcharge has not been included in your bill.
Thank you for choosing high speed Verizon Online DSL. We appreciate and value your business. And we're sorry we tried to pull a fast one on you.
Sincerely,
Verizon Online
Broadband Customer Care Team
Monday, September 04, 2006
Wanna know exactly why AOL sucks?
According to a report put out by the Stop Badware Coalition, "it installs additional software without telling the user, it forces the user to take certain actions, it adds various components to Internet Explorer and the taskbar without disclosure, it may automatically update without the user's consent, and it fails to uninstall completely.'"
Stop Badware Coalition
Stop Badware Coalition
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Keyspan home heating service contract goes up every year
Oct. 2004 $179.00
Sept. 2005 $189.00
Sept. 2006 $209.00
Sept. 2005 $189.00
Sept. 2006 $209.00
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Help Wanted
Verizon Center for Customers with Disabilities Intern
The Verizon Center for Customers with Disabilities is a communications resource for people who have low vision or blindness, hearing loss or deafness, or cognitive, speech or mobility impairments. We provide quality customer service through specially trained representatives, an equipment distribution program and our quarterly Forward Access newsletter.
We are currently seeking two college students for two 15 hour per week paid internship positions to assist with:
*Data input and report creation
*Outreach presentations and exhibits
*Sales tracking spreadsheets
*Various offices duties including filing and collating training materials
*Compiling survey results
*Organizing mass mailings
*Sales Contests
*Other duties as assigned by Call Center Manager
Requirements:
*Must be full-time college student
*Must have own transportation to Marlboro office location
*Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Products
*Experience with disability community a plus
Please send resumes to by September 15, 2006 :
Jan deBruyn
Verizon College Relations and Recruitment
Account Manager
40 Sylvan Road
Waltham, MA 02451
781.466.2125 (ph)
781.466.2164 (fax)
eMail Janice M. DeBruyn
The Verizon Center for Customers with Disabilities is a communications resource for people who have low vision or blindness, hearing loss or deafness, or cognitive, speech or mobility impairments. We provide quality customer service through specially trained representatives, an equipment distribution program and our quarterly Forward Access newsletter.
We are currently seeking two college students for two 15 hour per week paid internship positions to assist with:
*Data input and report creation
*Outreach presentations and exhibits
*Sales tracking spreadsheets
*Various offices duties including filing and collating training materials
*Compiling survey results
*Organizing mass mailings
*Sales Contests
*Other duties as assigned by Call Center Manager
Requirements:
*Must be full-time college student
*Must have own transportation to Marlboro office location
*Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Products
*Experience with disability community a plus
Please send resumes to by September 15, 2006 :
Jan deBruyn
Verizon College Relations and Recruitment
Account Manager
40 Sylvan Road
Waltham, MA 02451
781.466.2125 (ph)
781.466.2164 (fax)
eMail Janice M. DeBruyn
Friday, September 01, 2006
Altman on the Linden & Second Life economy
"In my view, Linden Lab’s current in-world economic policies are CRYING OUT, to be circumvented ENTIRELY, by a new monetary system that is created and managed by residents, and COMPLETELY out of reach to Linden Lab.
We love Second Life, and we are more than happy to pay you tier for our land. However, WE build the in-world economy, and the value of that economy. You have NO RIGHT to steal the value of our in-world economic output to line your own pockets with that value.
Linden Lab is crossing lines by creating and selling new money on the currency market. It would be wise to think very carefully about where that road will have to end."
Official Linden Blog � Blog Archive � Linden Dollar Economy Update #1
We love Second Life, and we are more than happy to pay you tier for our land. However, WE build the in-world economy, and the value of that economy. You have NO RIGHT to steal the value of our in-world economic output to line your own pockets with that value.
Linden Lab is crossing lines by creating and selling new money on the currency market. It would be wise to think very carefully about where that road will have to end."
Official Linden Blog � Blog Archive � Linden Dollar Economy Update #1
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Google brings public domain books to the internet
"Public domain books, long out of copyright and seen only by the fortunate few in the great research libraries of the world, are about to come out of the closet in their millions and into the homes of internet users all over the world."
Guardian Unlimited Business | | Google offers digitised Dante and online Hugo
Guardian Unlimited Business | | Google offers digitised Dante and online Hugo
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Coveney Stands Up For Trafficking Victims
Irish Examiner> Breaking News> Sport: "Temporary residency permits should be offered to people trafficked into Ireland for cheap labour or sexual exploitation, it was claimed today.
Fine Gael MEP Simon Coveney called on the Government to consider including the measure to aid trafficked women in planned immigration and anti-trafficking legislation.
“Human trafficking is rooted in poverty; the victims are usually women and they are forced into dangerous, illegal or abusive work,” he said."
Fine Gael MEP Simon Coveney called on the Government to consider including the measure to aid trafficked women in planned immigration and anti-trafficking legislation.
“Human trafficking is rooted in poverty; the victims are usually women and they are forced into dangerous, illegal or abusive work,” he said."
Monday, August 28, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Nasrallah regrets abduction
"Had we known that the kidnapping of the soldiers would have led to this, we would definitely not have done it,"
An astonishing statement from Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah - what did he think would happen?
Nasrallah regrets abduction
An astonishing statement from Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah - what did he think would happen?
Nasrallah regrets abduction
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Angels top Yankees in volatile game - Baseball - MSNBC.com
"The Angels, trying to stay close in the AL West, improved to 55-51 against New York since Joe Torre became its manager in 1996. They are the only team to hold an edge over the Yankees in that span, and also have beaten them in two playoff series."
Angels top Yankees in volatile game - Baseball - MSNBC.com
Angels top Yankees in volatile game - Baseball - MSNBC.com
TIME.com: Why the Plan B Debate Won't Go Away -- Page 1
Why the Plan B Debate Won't Go Away
TIME - all 1,129 news articles »
I read Google News every day and this is the first time I can remember ever seeing anything from Time.
TIME.com: Why the Plan B Debate Won't Go Away -- Page 1
TIME - all 1,129 news articles »
I read Google News every day and this is the first time I can remember ever seeing anything from Time.
TIME.com: Why the Plan B Debate Won't Go Away -- Page 1
Friday, August 25, 2006
Scorpions On A Plane
Almost! China Daily reports a passenger with a bag full of live scorpions tried to board a flight bound for his home. Innovative terrorist? Amateur film maker? Not quite, turns out he had some really delicious scorpion soup during his trip and he wanted to make it at home. Mmmm, I hear the stinger is the best part.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Friday, August 18, 2006
Karr - One Person Has The Right Idea
But, while the recent arrest of a suspect in one of the most captivating murder cases in Colorado history might capture the attention of the Boulder public, some were out of the loop.
“What are you talking about?” asked 23-year-old Destiny Bowman, being made aware of the recent of the arrest. “I don’t have a TV; it’s all nonsense.”
Ca�on City Daily Record - Officials: Ramsey suspect innocent until proven guilty
“What are you talking about?” asked 23-year-old Destiny Bowman, being made aware of the recent of the arrest. “I don’t have a TV; it’s all nonsense.”
Ca�on City Daily Record - Officials: Ramsey suspect innocent until proven guilty
IOL: Aids theories belong to 'lunatic fringe'
""South Africa's HIV and Aids policies have featured prominently at the HIV and Aids conference, with activists strongly condemning the health minister's advocating nutrition as a prevention method.
Co-chair of the Aids conference Mark Wainberg called the theories "scientific nonsense" and said it was unconscionable to use "lemon juice as an HIV-prevention method".""
IOL: Aids theories belong to 'lunatic fringe'
Co-chair of the Aids conference Mark Wainberg called the theories "scientific nonsense" and said it was unconscionable to use "lemon juice as an HIV-prevention method".""
IOL: Aids theories belong to 'lunatic fringe'
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Merkley Interview
"There are no revolutionary secrets here - no special filters, etc. Really it comes down to just a whole lot of tweaking. I use [Photoshop] CS2 but everything I do could be done with PS7. Time and attention to detail are the important elements. Coming from a background where one painting takes me 75 hours, spending a few hours on a photo seems like I am getting away like a criminal. I sometimes feel guilty - like it's not painful enough. Painting is painful."
flickrz.info: merkley - Your flickr superstars, interviewed.
flickrz.info: merkley - Your flickr superstars, interviewed.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Press-Telegram - All you need to know about "Snakes"
A little song
A little dance
A deadly viper
Crawling up your pants
Press-Telegram - All you need to know about "Snakes"
Don't expect Snakespeare just go have some fun.
>>"There are some movies that deserve criticism. They want people to know that it's a great dramatic accomplishment and has some great performances in it. But, c'mon. Yes, you will have some fun if you go see 'Snakes on a Plane.' Snakes are biting people — and they're biting them right on screen. There's nothing to review. It's not 'Snakes on the Waterfront.' You don't have snakes going, 'I coulda been a constrictor.' No. Hell no. It's 'Snakes on a Plane.' "
— Jackson<<
A little dance
A deadly viper
Crawling up your pants
Press-Telegram - All you need to know about "Snakes"
Don't expect Snakespeare just go have some fun.
>>"There are some movies that deserve criticism. They want people to know that it's a great dramatic accomplishment and has some great performances in it. But, c'mon. Yes, you will have some fun if you go see 'Snakes on a Plane.' Snakes are biting people — and they're biting them right on screen. There's nothing to review. It's not 'Snakes on the Waterfront.' You don't have snakes going, 'I coulda been a constrictor.' No. Hell no. It's 'Snakes on a Plane.' "
— Jackson<<
Saturday, August 12, 2006
For Disabled Travelers - Airport Screening Procedures
"TSA's Checkpoint Security Screening Procedures for persons with
disabilities, medical conditions, and the mature have not changed as a result
of the current threat situation."
From NVRC News, Cheryl Heppner, Editor, August 11, 2006
The following information is from Sandra Cammaroto of the
Transportation Security Administration, who is Director of the Office of Screening
of Persons with Disabilities
Travelers with Disabilities, Medical Conditions, and the Mature
Over the last 24 hours; British authorities have arrested a significant
number of extremists engaged in a substantial plot to destroy multiple
passenger aircraft flying from the United Kingdom to the United States.
DHS is taking immediate steps to increase security measures in the
aviation sector in coordination with heightened security precautions in the
United Kingdom. The nation's threat level has been raised to Severe, or
Red, for commercial flights originating in the United Kingdom bound for
the United States. To defend further against any remaining threat from
this plot, the threat level has been raised to High, or Orange, for all
commercial aviation operating in or destined for the United States.
The intent of this message is to alert potential air travelers with
disabilities, medical conditions, and the mature of the elevated threat
level, encourage them to take proactive and necessary steps to alleviate
potential adverse impacts, and provide connections to further
information and assistance.
The following quotes are extracted from DHS Secretary Michael
Chertoff's press conference earlier yesterday:
"In light of the nature of the liquid explosive devices which were
designed by the plotters, we are temporarily banning all liquids in
carry-ons in aircraft cabins. That means no liquids or gels will be allowed
in carry-on baggage.
Any liquids or gels have to be checked have to be checked as part of
baggage to go into the hold. There will be exceptions for baby formula
and medicines, but travelers must be prepared to present these items
for inspection at the checkpoint, and that will allow us to take a look
at them and make sure that they're safe to fly."
"Today, air traffic is safe. And air traffic will remain safe
precisely because of the measures we are adopting today. People should be
patient, but they need not cancel their travel plans. They simply need to
be aware there may be some delays and they may want to check with
their carriers to see whether they ought to adjust their arrival times at
airports."
Overall guidance to travelers with disabilities is located on the web
site of the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security
Administration at: http://www.tsa.gov. This guidance includes
disability/medical conditions specific tips.
TSA's Checkpoint Security Screening Procedures for persons with
disabilities, medical conditions, and the mature have not changed as a result
of the current threat situation.
All disability-related equipment, aids, and devices continued to be
allowed through security checkpoints once cleared through screening.
Items permitted beyond the checkpoint include: wheelchairs; scooters;
crutches; canes; walkers; prosthetic devices; casts; support braces;
support appliances; service animals; any and all diabetes related
medication, equipment, and supplies; orthopedic shoes; exterior medical
devices; assistive/adaptive equipment; augmentation devices; ostomy
supplies; medications and associated supplies; hearing aids; cochlear implants;
tools for wheelchair disassembly/reassembly; personal supplemental
oxygen; CPAP machines; respirators; CO2 personal oxygen concentrators; baby
apnea monitors; Braille note takers; slate and stylus; tools for
prosthetic devices; and any other disability-related equipment.
Current restrictions prohibit liquids, gels, or lotions (except baby
formula/milk and medications) through the security screening checkpoints
and onboard the aircraft. This includes common items, such as, but not
limited to: beverages, perfume/cologne, shampoo, shaving cream, suntan
lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gels, saline solution. Such items are
recommended for transport in checked baggage.
It is also recommended that those with medications only take the amount
of medication essential to sustain them until arrival at their final
destination. Additional medication can be placed in checked baggage or
mailed to their final destination. This will help speed up the
screening process and avoid additional delays.
Travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, and the mature may
want to consider the following:
Arriving at the airport well in advance, 2-3 hours prior to flight
Following all published rules on carry-on items and medications Viewing TSA
website tips for persons with disabilities and medical conditions and
other TSA screening advisements located on TSAs website under "Our
Travelers"
Bringing documentation on medications, devices, medical condition where
possible. This is not a requirement and will not exempt a passenger
from the screening process.
Packing medications in a clear bag separate from other carry-on
items/bags
Exercising patience with the lines, delays, and stringent screening
procedures
For additional information on transportation security:
TSA Website
http://www.tsa.gov
TSA Contact Center 1-866-289-9673
E-mail: tsa-contactcenter@dhs.gov
For concerns about potential rights violations:
TSA Office of Civil Rights 1-877-336-4872, TTY 800-877-8339
E-mail: tsa-contactcenter@dhs.gov
For information about overall air travel accessibility:
DOT Air Carrier Access Hotline 1-800-778-4838
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov
airconsumer@ost.dot.gov
disabilities, medical conditions, and the mature have not changed as a result
of the current threat situation."
From NVRC News, Cheryl Heppner, Editor, August 11, 2006
The following information is from Sandra Cammaroto of the
Transportation Security Administration, who is Director of the Office of Screening
of Persons with Disabilities
Travelers with Disabilities, Medical Conditions, and the Mature
Over the last 24 hours; British authorities have arrested a significant
number of extremists engaged in a substantial plot to destroy multiple
passenger aircraft flying from the United Kingdom to the United States.
DHS is taking immediate steps to increase security measures in the
aviation sector in coordination with heightened security precautions in the
United Kingdom. The nation's threat level has been raised to Severe, or
Red, for commercial flights originating in the United Kingdom bound for
the United States. To defend further against any remaining threat from
this plot, the threat level has been raised to High, or Orange, for all
commercial aviation operating in or destined for the United States.
The intent of this message is to alert potential air travelers with
disabilities, medical conditions, and the mature of the elevated threat
level, encourage them to take proactive and necessary steps to alleviate
potential adverse impacts, and provide connections to further
information and assistance.
The following quotes are extracted from DHS Secretary Michael
Chertoff's press conference earlier yesterday:
"In light of the nature of the liquid explosive devices which were
designed by the plotters, we are temporarily banning all liquids in
carry-ons in aircraft cabins. That means no liquids or gels will be allowed
in carry-on baggage.
Any liquids or gels have to be checked have to be checked as part of
baggage to go into the hold. There will be exceptions for baby formula
and medicines, but travelers must be prepared to present these items
for inspection at the checkpoint, and that will allow us to take a look
at them and make sure that they're safe to fly."
"Today, air traffic is safe. And air traffic will remain safe
precisely because of the measures we are adopting today. People should be
patient, but they need not cancel their travel plans. They simply need to
be aware there may be some delays and they may want to check with
their carriers to see whether they ought to adjust their arrival times at
airports."
Overall guidance to travelers with disabilities is located on the web
site of the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security
Administration at: http://www.tsa.gov. This guidance includes
disability/medical conditions specific tips.
TSA's Checkpoint Security Screening Procedures for persons with
disabilities, medical conditions, and the mature have not changed as a result
of the current threat situation.
All disability-related equipment, aids, and devices continued to be
allowed through security checkpoints once cleared through screening.
Items permitted beyond the checkpoint include: wheelchairs; scooters;
crutches; canes; walkers; prosthetic devices; casts; support braces;
support appliances; service animals; any and all diabetes related
medication, equipment, and supplies; orthopedic shoes; exterior medical
devices; assistive/adaptive equipment; augmentation devices; ostomy
supplies; medications and associated supplies; hearing aids; cochlear implants;
tools for wheelchair disassembly/reassembly; personal supplemental
oxygen; CPAP machines; respirators; CO2 personal oxygen concentrators; baby
apnea monitors; Braille note takers; slate and stylus; tools for
prosthetic devices; and any other disability-related equipment.
Current restrictions prohibit liquids, gels, or lotions (except baby
formula/milk and medications) through the security screening checkpoints
and onboard the aircraft. This includes common items, such as, but not
limited to: beverages, perfume/cologne, shampoo, shaving cream, suntan
lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gels, saline solution. Such items are
recommended for transport in checked baggage.
It is also recommended that those with medications only take the amount
of medication essential to sustain them until arrival at their final
destination. Additional medication can be placed in checked baggage or
mailed to their final destination. This will help speed up the
screening process and avoid additional delays.
Travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, and the mature may
want to consider the following:
Arriving at the airport well in advance, 2-3 hours prior to flight
Following all published rules on carry-on items and medications Viewing TSA
website tips for persons with disabilities and medical conditions and
other TSA screening advisements located on TSAs website under "Our
Travelers"
Bringing documentation on medications, devices, medical condition where
possible. This is not a requirement and will not exempt a passenger
from the screening process.
Packing medications in a clear bag separate from other carry-on
items/bags
Exercising patience with the lines, delays, and stringent screening
procedures
For additional information on transportation security:
TSA Website
http://www.tsa.gov
TSA Contact Center 1-866-289-9673
E-mail: tsa-contactcenter@dhs.gov
For concerns about potential rights violations:
TSA Office of Civil Rights 1-877-336-4872, TTY 800-877-8339
E-mail: tsa-contactcenter@dhs.gov
For information about overall air travel accessibility:
DOT Air Carrier Access Hotline 1-800-778-4838
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov
airconsumer@ost.dot.gov
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Analysis: Cycling is no longer a viable sport | Sport | The Australian
Professional cycling, of the stage-racing kind, has lost all credibility. This year's Tour began shortly after the Spanish drugs bust and the removal of the favourite, Jan Ullrich, by his team sponsor, T-Mobile.
The entire three-week madness of the tour took place in the shadow of the scandal and overwhelming question of who's next?
Analysis: Cycling is no longer a viable sport | Sport | The Australian
The entire three-week madness of the tour took place in the shadow of the scandal and overwhelming question of who's next?
Analysis: Cycling is no longer a viable sport | Sport | The Australian
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Workers save man, beat him
It's odd enough that they beat him after they helped save him but what's really wierd is that he was trying to commit suicide because his wife had hired a hit man to kill him. Why? Maybe he was just trying to be helpful. I don't know. Workers save man, beat him
Saturday, July 22, 2006
iPod easy to use::Zune dumb to say
Zune - it's either an improvement on the iPod, which seems highly unlikely, or what's the point?
Zune could kill Microsoft partners, not iPod | News.blog | CNET News.com
Zune could kill Microsoft partners, not iPod | News.blog | CNET News.com
Saturday, July 15, 2006
The Tick
Watching the Red Sox game and looking at Paul Devlin the new guy on NESN I couldn't help thinking, put him in a blue super hero costume and you’ve pretty much got The Tick.
Friday, July 14, 2006
AOL - First It Sucked And Then It Died
From The Financial Express, "AOL attempts change of its DNA" looks at the end of an era for the one time king.
Meanwhile on Yahoo Finance popeyedloony just posted, "They're just bringing the price down before they take it to $300. Last chance to buy!!!!"
>>In two weeks, the board of Time Warner Inc, which owns AOL, will hear a proposal from Jonathan Miller, AOL’s CEO, calling for a near halt in marketing for AOL’s 17-year-old internet access service, price cuts for existing customers and thousands of layoffs. His goal is to devote all of AOL’s energy into building its free, web-based services. Miller will defend his plan by arguing that trying to wring every last dime from its dial-up subscribers is preventing AOL from being as aggressive as it can in competing with Yahoo, Microsoft and Google, according to AOL executives involved in developing the proposal.<<
AOL attempts change of its DNA
Meanwhile on Yahoo Finance popeyedloony just posted, "They're just bringing the price down before they take it to $300. Last chance to buy!!!!"
>>In two weeks, the board of Time Warner Inc, which owns AOL, will hear a proposal from Jonathan Miller, AOL’s CEO, calling for a near halt in marketing for AOL’s 17-year-old internet access service, price cuts for existing customers and thousands of layoffs. His goal is to devote all of AOL’s energy into building its free, web-based services. Miller will defend his plan by arguing that trying to wring every last dime from its dial-up subscribers is preventing AOL from being as aggressive as it can in competing with Yahoo, Microsoft and Google, according to AOL executives involved in developing the proposal.<<
AOL attempts change of its DNA
Thursday, July 13, 2006
When Big Dig tunnel ceiling fell, mere accident or crime? | csmonitor.com
From The Christian Science Monitor
>>Transportation officials have linked those bolt fixtures to the collapse of concrete ceiling panels, which killed a Boston woman. Now, Mr. Reilly is charging that contractors knew as early as 1999 that there was a problem with those bolts because five of them failed during testing.
"It was not only identified, but there was a plan to address that problem," he [Reilly] said. "What we're trying to determine right now is: Was that plan implemented?"<<
I'm with him as far as that goes. But I do have a question. How long has Reilly himself, or his office, known about the defects with the bolts and the plan to fix them? He's been investigating other Big Dig matters, he should be familiar with the entire project. How is it he missed this, or did he?When Big Dig tunnel ceiling fell, mere accident or crime? | csmonitor.com
>>Transportation officials have linked those bolt fixtures to the collapse of concrete ceiling panels, which killed a Boston woman. Now, Mr. Reilly is charging that contractors knew as early as 1999 that there was a problem with those bolts because five of them failed during testing.
"It was not only identified, but there was a plan to address that problem," he [Reilly] said. "What we're trying to determine right now is: Was that plan implemented?"<<
I'm with him as far as that goes. But I do have a question. How long has Reilly himself, or his office, known about the defects with the bolts and the plan to fix them? He's been investigating other Big Dig matters, he should be familiar with the entire project. How is it he missed this, or did he?When Big Dig tunnel ceiling fell, mere accident or crime? | csmonitor.com
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Quote of the Month
Even the Mahatma had a funny side.
"I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers."
Mahatma Gandhi
Indian ascetic & nationalist leader (1869 - 1948)
"I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers."
Mahatma Gandhi
Indian ascetic & nationalist leader (1869 - 1948)
Delusion of the Year
It's only July but I think it's safe to declare a winner now. From the memorial service for convicted Enron fraud Ken Lay, Reuters reports today that, "The Reverend Dr. Bill Lawson compared Lay with civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesus Christ, and said his name would eventually be cleared." Wow! I'm thinking he left out Mother Theresa, Mahatma Gandhi and Buddah because he thought it might sound a bit excessive.
Enron's Lay memorialized as devout, family man�|�Reuters.com
Enron's Lay memorialized as devout, family man�|�Reuters.com
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Bush Adminstration Changes Geneva Tune
Good news for believers in liberty, justice and civilized behavior. From the Lone Star Times: "The Bush administration, called to account by Congress after the Supreme Court blocked military tribunals, said Tuesday all detainees at Guantanamo Bay and in U.S. military custody everywhere are entitled to protections under the Geneva Conventions."
Lone Star Times � It’s official–
Lone Star Times � It’s official–
Scare Mail From Bank of America
If you get something like this from Bank of America don't worry, it's probably nothing.
One of the things I like least about junk mail is the persistent attempts to make sales pitches look like official business. Bank of America just sent me something that looked like I should take care of it right away. But a closer reading revealed that it was just a pitch to get me to enroll in a plan that would earn them a monthly fee. I didn’t sign up because I wasn't interested but that’s beside the point. It was the deception that bothered me. The attempt to fool me and scare me into thinking I needed to do something. It’s bad enough when magazines and contest promoters do things like that but I generally don’t have any business with them. I do have business with BOA, important business for me, a line of credit. I take it seriously, I make my payments on time and I never try to deceive them in any way. They on the other hand seem to want to do just the opposite.
One of the things I like least about junk mail is the persistent attempts to make sales pitches look like official business. Bank of America just sent me something that looked like I should take care of it right away. But a closer reading revealed that it was just a pitch to get me to enroll in a plan that would earn them a monthly fee. I didn’t sign up because I wasn't interested but that’s beside the point. It was the deception that bothered me. The attempt to fool me and scare me into thinking I needed to do something. It’s bad enough when magazines and contest promoters do things like that but I generally don’t have any business with them. I do have business with BOA, important business for me, a line of credit. I take it seriously, I make my payments on time and I never try to deceive them in any way. They on the other hand seem to want to do just the opposite.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Massachusetts Celebrates ADA Anniversary
It's number 16 and folks are gathering in Gardner, Massachusetts. Come and join us.
Celebrate the 16th anniversary of the ADA on July 26 from 11:00am - 3:00pm at Dunn Pond State Park. There will be plenty of food and great entertainment! You must RSVP by July 14.
For more information or to RSVP contact Steve Higgins at 508-620-7452 or e-mail Steve Higgins.
Celebrate the 16th anniversary of the ADA on July 26 from 11:00am - 3:00pm at Dunn Pond State Park. There will be plenty of food and great entertainment! You must RSVP by July 14.
For more information or to RSVP contact Steve Higgins at 508-620-7452 or e-mail Steve Higgins.
HP Accessible State Park in Gardner, Mass.
Dunn State Park
*Rte. 101, Gardner
978 632-7897*
This 119 acre park features a 20 acre pond, walking trails, swimming,
fishing, picnicking, public programs, and play equipment. Private
canoes
and non-motorized boats are allowed on the pond, and paddle boats can
be
rented during the summer. In the winter the trails are open for cross
country skiing, ice skating is allowed on the pond and often there is a
fire blazing in the visitors centers fireplace. All activities offered
by the park are accessible to people with disabilities.
*Rte. 101, Gardner
978 632-7897*
This 119 acre park features a 20 acre pond, walking trails, swimming,
fishing, picnicking, public programs, and play equipment. Private
canoes
and non-motorized boats are allowed on the pond, and paddle boats can
be
rented during the summer. In the winter the trails are open for cross
country skiing, ice skating is allowed on the pond and often there is a
fire blazing in the visitors centers fireplace. All activities offered
by the park are accessible to people with disabilities.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Tylenol found to cause liver damage even in small doses
From newstarget.com a study shows that Tylenol may cause liver damage.
Researchers instructed 106 study participants to take 4 grams of Tylenol (eight extra-strength tablets) a day for two weeks, with some taking only Tylenol, and some taking Tylenol combined with an opioid painkiller. The rest of the participants were given a placebo.
Nearly 40 percent of the participants taking Tylenol or the Tylenol/opioid combination displayed abnormal liver test results that indicated liver damage, while those taking the placebo showed no damage.
Tylenol found to cause liver damage even in small doses
Researchers instructed 106 study participants to take 4 grams of Tylenol (eight extra-strength tablets) a day for two weeks, with some taking only Tylenol, and some taking Tylenol combined with an opioid painkiller. The rest of the participants were given a placebo.
Nearly 40 percent of the participants taking Tylenol or the Tylenol/opioid combination displayed abnormal liver test results that indicated liver damage, while those taking the placebo showed no damage.
Tylenol found to cause liver damage even in small doses
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Flickr: The Blink of an Eye
After much discussion Trapac has at last defined the perfect picture. All that remains now is to shoot it.
Trapac Pro User says:
...and in summary......two nuns jumping on a trampoline in a field of daisies and gambolling kittens, with a barn, an old car, some mountains, a lake, a white pony and a partridge in a pear tree in the background. The clotheless nun or nud (hereafter euphenism for nekked nun) is about to give birth to cute baby, whilst the other (fully clothed and looking so much like a dog that she has to wear shades in which the photographer is reflected taking several pictures with a tripod at different exposure settings) gazes wistfully at the departure of the setting sun, which is so huge it forms a perfect squared circle to frame the scene.
Flickr: The Blink of an Eye
Trapac Pro User says:
...and in summary......two nuns jumping on a trampoline in a field of daisies and gambolling kittens, with a barn, an old car, some mountains, a lake, a white pony and a partridge in a pear tree in the background. The clotheless nun or nud (hereafter euphenism for nekked nun) is about to give birth to cute baby, whilst the other (fully clothed and looking so much like a dog that she has to wear shades in which the photographer is reflected taking several pictures with a tripod at different exposure settings) gazes wistfully at the departure of the setting sun, which is so huge it forms a perfect squared circle to frame the scene.
Flickr: The Blink of an Eye
Flickr: The Blink of an Eye
A cool viewing tool from kastner on Flickr. It's set up to do pictures from The Blink Of An Eye group on Flickr but it can be used with other picture groups. Posts from this page will explain it better than I can.
kastner Pro User says:
I made a javascript viewer for flickr streams, it looks especially nice with this group:
metaatem.net/drops/?group=theblinkofaneye
Don't refresh too often - it only grabs the 10 latest photos.
view photos
ebilflindas Pro User says:
That's awesome! Is there a screen saver that'll do that with my own files?
Posted 3 days ago. ( permalink )
view photos
kastner Pro User says:
metaatem.net/drops/?id=53492676@N00
is yours.
you can do just drops for latest pictures, id= for a specific user, group= for a group or tags= for tags!
Enjoy.
Posted 3 days ago. ( permalink )
view photos
ebilflindas Pro User says:
NICE! Thanks kastner!
Posted 3 days ago. ( permalink )
view photos
yoja says:
Cool man and tested in FF works like beauty
Flickr: The Blink of an Eye
kastner Pro User says:
I made a javascript viewer for flickr streams, it looks especially nice with this group:
metaatem.net/drops/?group=theblinkofaneye
Don't refresh too often - it only grabs the 10 latest photos.
view photos
ebilflindas Pro User says:
That's awesome! Is there a screen saver that'll do that with my own files?
Posted 3 days ago. ( permalink )
view photos
kastner Pro User says:
metaatem.net/drops/?id=53492676@N00
is yours.
you can do just drops for latest pictures, id= for a specific user, group= for a group or tags= for tags!
Enjoy.
Posted 3 days ago. ( permalink )
view photos
ebilflindas Pro User says:
NICE! Thanks kastner!
Posted 3 days ago. ( permalink )
view photos
yoja says:
Cool man and tested in FF works like beauty
Flickr: The Blink of an Eye
Friday, June 30, 2006
Link Baiting, New York Times Style | Copyblogger
Thoughtful piece on headline writing strategies for human beings and search engines. Link Baiting, New York Times Style | Copyblogger
Thursday, June 29, 2006
The Religious Policeman - One More Thing
I should have mentioned the dedication for the blog because it chills me every time I read it.
In Memory of the lives of 15 Makkah Schoolgirls, lost when their school burnt down on Monday, 11th March, 2002. The Religious Police would not allow them to leave the building, nor allow the Firemen to enter.
The Religious Policeman
In Memory of the lives of 15 Makkah Schoolgirls, lost when their school burnt down on Monday, 11th March, 2002. The Religious Police would not allow them to leave the building, nor allow the Firemen to enter.
The Religious Policeman
The Religious Policeman Calls It Quits
Smart funny and well informed the Religious Policeman was one of the first blogs I ever discovered and it became an instant favorite. Now the author is off to write a book and he doesn't have time to do the blog as well. Too bad, I checked in tonight and found the bad news. Guess I'll have to settle for rereading the archives. They're going to be left on line indefinitely so if you haven't seen the blog go check it out.
The Religious Policeman
The Religious Policeman
Analysis: Cancer vaccine advised for girls
The religious right is opposed to this.
Analysis: Cancer vaccine advised for girls
Analysis: Cancer vaccine advised for girls
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
All wrapped up in the flag
Senate defeats proposed Constitutional Amendment. Rightly so in my opinion. The dream of liberty and protected rights, including free speech, came long before any flag was designed to fly over those ideas and that is what the revolutionaries fought for. They fought to achieve that dream and secure their liberties. However great a symbol the United States flag may be it remains only a symbol. It is the ideals it stands for that are truly important and deserving of protection. The flag itself is secondary.
All wrapped up in the flag
All wrapped up in the flag
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Blogger found guilty of defamation in test case
Sounds like an odd decision based on reading this article. More research is needed. Wonder how this would play out in an American court. This sort of thing will require further testing both here in the US and abroad. Independent Online Edition > Americas
So Long Angels
Aaron Spelling dies at 83. Here's a good notice from Independent Online Edition Independent Online Edition > Americas
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Double Entendre of the Week
Canon Martyn Minns, a conservative leader and rector of Truro Church in Fairfax, Va., said the deputies' vote showed the impossibility of reconciling Anglicans with different views about the Bible and homosexuality.
"It's too hard. It's a gap too wide," he said. "Unhappily, this decision seems to show that the Episcopal Church has chosen to walk apart from the rest of the Anglican Communion."
Sounds like Minns has fingered the problem.
Chron.com | Episcopalians Reject Ban on Gay Bishops
"It's too hard. It's a gap too wide," he said. "Unhappily, this decision seems to show that the Episcopal Church has chosen to walk apart from the rest of the Anglican Communion."
Sounds like Minns has fingered the problem.
Chron.com | Episcopalians Reject Ban on Gay Bishops
Friday, June 16, 2006
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
New Tool Scandoo Scans for Scumware in Search Results
New Tool Scandoo Scans for Scumware in Search Results
From Search Engine Watch..........
From Search Engine Watch..........
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Calling the Better Business Bureau in New Hampshire
Phone rings once or twice and that is followed by thirty seconds of dead silence. Another ring or two and a recorded voice says "Thank you for calling the Better Business Bureau of New Hampshire." More silence and then the sound you get when your call doesn't go through. Disconnected, hang up, try again....same thing. Super service, we're paying these guys for a membership and we can't even get them on the phone. At least they didn't have the gall to say my call was important to them. BTW, the number is 603-224-1991.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
A Yellow Light For The Internet - Forbes.com
A Yellow Light For The Internet - Forbes.com
"The telcos and the cable companies claim that they cannot justify investing in the next generation of broadband services unless they get a larger cut of the revenues generated from the content flowing on their networks. The net neutrality crowd calls this nonsense and argues that setting up a fast lane on the Internet will only wreck its open and democratic character."
"The telcos and the cable companies claim that they cannot justify investing in the next generation of broadband services unless they get a larger cut of the revenues generated from the content flowing on their networks. The net neutrality crowd calls this nonsense and argues that setting up a fast lane on the Internet will only wreck its open and democratic character."
Friday, June 09, 2006
Can you rip a new one for someone who’s already a complete asshole?
I suppose. Keith Olberman of MSNBC certainly tried in his piece about Anne Coulter and her comments on the widows of 911 victims. Hatchet Annie seems to think the widows are enjoying their situation and they should just shut up and go away. It’s amazing how low this woman will go. Go get her Keith!
Quote Of The Month is actually a proverb this time around
If you want to be happy for an hour, get drunk; If you want to be happy for
three days, get married; If you want to be happy forever, make a garden. - Chinese Proverb
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Spam Watch
99 spam messages received since I emptied the Bulk folder on my Yahoo account yesterday. All were properly filtered, (they were all spam), and none got through to my Inbox. Yahoo and Google continue to do a great job of filtering the drek. Meanwhile Hotmail lets most of it through.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Cool Cube
Roslindale Art Center
For sale through the Roslindale Arts Center and All About Arts.
Lisa Jeanne Graf
The Thaw
size: 9" x 9"
Media: Mixed Media
$350.00 including shipping and handling
My Life As A Contact Sheet � 2003-2006: CD/Game Exchange, 18th St.
My Life As A Contact Sheet � 2003-2006: CD/Game Exchange, 18th St.
A shop window from Furcafe in Washington, DC. Anything with Johnny Cash is good with me.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Stop The Duck!
Stop The Duck!
Duck tours in Philly get ugly. Duck whistles for the kids and disco? It all sounds too horrible for words.
We did the Boston version a few years ago and there was none of that.
Duck tours in Philly get ugly. Duck whistles for the kids and disco? It all sounds too horrible for words.
We did the Boston version a few years ago and there was none of that.
Word of the Day: Poorism - Gridskipper
Word of the Day: Poorism - Gridskipper
Children's hospitals may be the logical extension of this trend. Nothing like a cute little half dead kid to raise awareness and funds.
Children's hospitals may be the logical extension of this trend. Nothing like a cute little half dead kid to raise awareness and funds.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Chris Dickman: Are Inkjet Cartridge Chips Evil? at Graphic Design Forum Blogs
Chris Dickman: Are Inkjet Cartridge Chips Evil? at Graphic Design Forum Blogs
It was with some surprise, then, that I recently heard about the existence of the EpsonSettlement.com site. According to this, if you live in the US and have purchased one of the many qualifying Epson inkjet printers over the last few years, you've got some cash or a credit at the Epson online store coming your way, thanks to the modern miracle of class action lawsuits. In a nutshell, the plaintiffs "allege that Epson inkjet printers and inkjet cartridges indicate that cartridges are 'empty' and suspend printer function, even though substantial ink remains." Of course, everything hinges around the subjective word "substantial," one dear to the hearts of lawyers everywhere. Epson, as you might expect, "has denied and continues to deny the claims and any wrongdoing" but is nevertheless settling, no doubt to avoid a public relations melt-down.
It was with some surprise, then, that I recently heard about the existence of the EpsonSettlement.com site. According to this, if you live in the US and have purchased one of the many qualifying Epson inkjet printers over the last few years, you've got some cash or a credit at the Epson online store coming your way, thanks to the modern miracle of class action lawsuits. In a nutshell, the plaintiffs "allege that Epson inkjet printers and inkjet cartridges indicate that cartridges are 'empty' and suspend printer function, even though substantial ink remains." Of course, everything hinges around the subjective word "substantial," one dear to the hearts of lawyers everywhere. Epson, as you might expect, "has denied and continues to deny the claims and any wrongdoing" but is nevertheless settling, no doubt to avoid a public relations melt-down.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
It’s Our Net
It’s Our Net
If you're concerned about 'Net Neutrality' check these guys out. Don't let AT&T and other big corporations screw up the World Wide Web.
If you're concerned about 'Net Neutrality' check these guys out. Don't let AT&T and other big corporations screw up the World Wide Web.
Why the Democratic Ethic of the World Wide Web May Be About to End - New York Times
Why the Democratic Ethic of the World Wide Web May Be About to End - New York Times
"This democratic Web did not just happen. Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the British computer scientist who invented the Web in 1989, envisioned a platform on which everyone in the world could communicate on an equal basis. But his vision is being threatened by telecommunications and cable companies, and other Internet service providers, that want to impose a new system of fees that could create a hierarchy of Web sites. Major corporate sites would be able to pay the new fees, while little-guy sites could be shut out."
"This democratic Web did not just happen. Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the British computer scientist who invented the Web in 1989, envisioned a platform on which everyone in the world could communicate on an equal basis. But his vision is being threatened by telecommunications and cable companies, and other Internet service providers, that want to impose a new system of fees that could create a hierarchy of Web sites. Major corporate sites would be able to pay the new fees, while little-guy sites could be shut out."
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Bloggers can shield sources, court rules / In setback for Apple, Internet journalists are protected by law
Bloggers can shield sources, court rules / In setback for Apple, Internet journalists are protected by law
From The San Francisco Chronicle www.sfgate.com -
From The San Francisco Chronicle www.sfgate.com -
The decision by the state Court of Appeal in San Jose, which reverses a ruling by the Santa Clara County Superior Court, speaks to changes in the way news is gathered and published. Anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can now be a reporter. It also means that information, not limited by region or resources, can reach far and wide via the Web.
In their ruling, the judges said the online news sites should be treated as newspapers, television and radio broadcasts are. O'Grady and the other bloggers, they contended, were acting as traditional reporters and editors do: developing sources, collecting information and publishing it, albeit on the Web.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Man offers 'life for rent'
Never mind the 'life for rent', check out the list of stuff in this ad from Alibaba.
"Alibaba is the largest B2B marketplace in the world. Source model ship, wooden puzzle, one-piece toilet, RC hovercraft, photo album, prom dress, pocket bike, Vaginal Speculum, Samurai Sword, String Panty and PVC Pipe."
To quote Slim Pickens in Dr. Strangelove, "Shoot, a fella' could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff."
"Alibaba is the largest B2B marketplace in the world. Source model ship, wooden puzzle, one-piece toilet, RC hovercraft, photo album, prom dress, pocket bike, Vaginal Speculum, Samurai Sword, String Panty and PVC Pipe."
To quote Slim Pickens in Dr. Strangelove, "Shoot, a fella' could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff."
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Henan man buys virginities from 17 girls
Henan man buys virginities from 17 girls
A MIDDLE-AGED man in Nanyang City, central China's Henan Province, took advantage of 17 middle school girls by buying their virginity, arousing concerns regarding the education of rural area youths, a Guangdong Province newspaper reported today.
His motive has not been confirmed. There are rumors saying that he bought the virginities to gain "luck."
Deng was an officer at a taxation bureau in Wolong District. Despite being regarded as a talented man, he didn't receive any promotion opportunities. In 2005, he left the taxation bureau, and obtained a job in a real estate company.
Later he found a tip on the Internet, saying that having sexual relations with a virgin would give him the luck he needed to get a promotion. He then began to buy virginities from girls.
A MIDDLE-AGED man in Nanyang City, central China's Henan Province, took advantage of 17 middle school girls by buying their virginity, arousing concerns regarding the education of rural area youths, a Guangdong Province newspaper reported today.
His motive has not been confirmed. There are rumors saying that he bought the virginities to gain "luck."
Deng was an officer at a taxation bureau in Wolong District. Despite being regarded as a talented man, he didn't receive any promotion opportunities. In 2005, he left the taxation bureau, and obtained a job in a real estate company.
Later he found a tip on the Internet, saying that having sexual relations with a virgin would give him the luck he needed to get a promotion. He then began to buy virginities from girls.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Perplexing Remark On Dining Without the Disabled
<Meg saw every kind of disability imaginable, including combinations of disabilities; people in wheelchairs using respirators and portable iron lungs, short deaf people and blind wheelchair users.
Background: What it Means to be Disabled
After the conference, Meg went out to dinner with a friend. She couldn't believe how boring it was to be in a place where everyone was walking, talking and eating the same. She said that none of their hands talked and no one had a dog or a cane or a wheelchair or a respirator. "There was no wealth, no richness. I felt a loss.">>
Background: What it Means to be Disabled
Friday, May 12, 2006
USB compatible turntable
"ION has created the world’s first USB turntable allowing you to convert your old vinyl collection directly to CD or MP3 with the included recording software. (NO SPECIAL DRIVERS NEEDED)."
iTTUSB
iTTUSB
Monday, May 08, 2006
A Note From A Friend in Cambridge
"My building management is formulating a policy for their off street parking.
Have been trying to get a reasonable accomodation from my building manager so that my homemaker can park in their off street parking lot where I live. It's a privately owned permanently affordable Section 8 apartment with about 63 units and 15 parking spaces off street (2 are handicap spaces) and 1 on street handicap space. The building manager contends that spaces will be limited to residents (who park their cars there) no provisions for guests or homemakers or reasonable accomodations for disabled persons who need homemakers to stay in their homes.
She contends that she's parked on street with no problem. She hasn't worked here recently as far as I know. Their renovations started 4 years ago + 50 residents with cars moved in since then,. However I've lived here since 2/28 and have gone out at 3 x /week and empty spaces are extremely scarce. My home maker has been emphatic that she won't come if she has to park on the street; she gets no reimbursemnet from her boss for gas; she is the first good homemaker I've had thru MassRehab and the Somerville Cambridge Elder services (in 7 years) I hate to lose her and fear that without a good homemaker -almost all are functionally illiterate- few can even read the settings on a clothes washer or dryer- this is one of the basic tasks they're supposed to help us with; others are unable to locate a street # on a main st. though every other building has a # on it.
I'm afraid I'd lose my apt at the annual inspection time without a good homemaker."
What's with Ken Lay?
Jeff Kreisler of RealMoney.com has a theory.
"Speaking of not even having the decency to pretend to be sorry, Ken Lay is scum. Even as Enron was losing jillions, he kept spending lavishly. Said Lay, "It's the type of lifestyle that's difficult to turn on and off like a spigot," after which a pack of former Enron employees devoured his rancid flesh. You know what he should've splurged on? Soul implant surgery."
RealMoney.com: Funny Money: Alert! Level 3 Alert!
"Speaking of not even having the decency to pretend to be sorry, Ken Lay is scum. Even as Enron was losing jillions, he kept spending lavishly. Said Lay, "It's the type of lifestyle that's difficult to turn on and off like a spigot," after which a pack of former Enron employees devoured his rancid flesh. You know what he should've splurged on? Soul implant surgery."
RealMoney.com: Funny Money: Alert! Level 3 Alert!
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Rolling Stone falls from tree - BN Entertainment - Breaking News 24/7 - NEWS.com.au
Sad to hear that Keith Richards has taken a fall and suffered what may be a serious injury but I had to laugh at the headline from BN Entertainment.
Rolling Stone falls from tree - BN Entertainment - Breaking News 24/7 - NEWS.com.au
Rolling Stone falls from tree - BN Entertainment - Breaking News 24/7 - NEWS.com.au
Thursday, April 20, 2006
FRUIT ON STRING picture - Webshots
FRUIT ON STRING picture - Webshots
Amazing color and texture in this closeup of an orange.
Amazing color and texture in this closeup of an orange.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Haven't seen an explosion all day?
That's no way to live. See what you can do with a flower pot and some thermite.
Thermite experiments - Google Video
Thermite experiments - Google Video
Monday, April 10, 2006
When It's Peony Time In Luoyang
From Xinhua - English
"Peony festival in Henan attracts bees, cash" - This brief article looks at the peony festival in Louyang, Henan Province, China. They say they grow the best tree peonies in the world.
"Peony festival in Henan attracts bees, cash" - This brief article looks at the peony festival in Louyang, Henan Province, China. They say they grow the best tree peonies in the world.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Google & Earthlink To Win San Francisco Wireless Contract
From SearchEngineWatch
Google & Earthlink To Win San Francisco Wireless Contract
outlines the wireless deal for San Francisco.
"The service would be free, supported by ads. An optional $20 month service would give ad free access and at speeds four to five times faster than the free service."
This could be a model for Boston.
Google & Earthlink To Win San Francisco Wireless Contract
outlines the wireless deal for San Francisco.
"The service would be free, supported by ads. An optional $20 month service would give ad free access and at speeds four to five times faster than the free service."
This could be a model for Boston.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Quote of the Month
The tax which will be paid for the purpose of education is not more than
the thousandth part of what will be paid to kings, priests and nobles who
will rise up among us if we leave the people in ignorance. -Thomas
Jefferson, third
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
The Annotated New York Times
The Annotated New York Times
tracks blog postings that cite articles published by The New York Times.
tracks blog postings that cite articles published by The New York Times.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Breyer Pokes Holes In U.S. Government Guantanamo Argument
TheStar.com - Top U.S. court hears Guantanamo appeal
Justice Stephen Breyer summed up the government's argument against Hamdan, who faces a single conspiracy count: "You want to try a war crime. You want to say this is a war crimes tribunal," Breyer said. "One, this is not a war, at least not an ordinary war. Two, it's not a war crime because that doesn't fall under international law. And three it's not a war crime tribunal or commission because (there is) no emergency." "If the president can do this, well then he can set up commissions to go to Toledo, and in Toledo pick up an alien and not have any trial at all except before that special commission," Breyer said.
Justice Stephen Breyer summed up the government's argument against Hamdan, who faces a single conspiracy count: "You want to try a war crime. You want to say this is a war crimes tribunal," Breyer said. "One, this is not a war, at least not an ordinary war. Two, it's not a war crime because that doesn't fall under international law. And three it's not a war crime tribunal or commission because (there is) no emergency." "If the president can do this, well then he can set up commissions to go to Toledo, and in Toledo pick up an alien and not have any trial at all except before that special commission," Breyer said.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
The Life of Pi
I'm reading The Life Of Pi right now so I thought I'd post a picture of a Bengal Tiger.
I've finished it now and it's really terrific.
I've finished it now and it's really terrific.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Open Letter - Intelligent Design
I'm still pushing the Piss Poor design theory but the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
is causing me some doubt.
Open Letter - Intelligent Design
is causing me some doubt.
Open Letter - Intelligent Design
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Medicare scammers want to steal your money
They're using a scheme called the $299 Ring. Make sure you don't get taken. Follow this link MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES URGED TO BE ON THE LOOK-OUT FOR PHONE SCAMS
and read this short piece from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. And if someone tries this, or any other kind of scam, you can report it at 1-877-7saferx which is also 1-877-772-3379
and read this short piece from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. And if someone tries this, or any other kind of scam, you can report it at 1-877-7saferx which is also 1-877-772-3379
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
NASA Budget Cuts In Action
Angry Scientists Confront NASA Officials at Conference - Yahoo! News
"We all know they've got budget problems," said Glenn MacPherson, curator at the Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. "But there has been no consultation with the science community. The science cuts hurt everyone in this room."
"We all know they've got budget problems," said Glenn MacPherson, curator at the Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. "But there has been no consultation with the science community. The science cuts hurt everyone in this room."
Monday, March 13, 2006
A typical day for my Hotmail account
Monday, March 06, 2006
Google Desktop Does Not Follow Moved Files
From Search Engine WatchGoogle Desktop Does Not Follow Moved Files
So if you search on a file that was moved, after installing Google Desktop, the file will not be correctly presented to you. The problem is, Google Desktop indexes all your files when it is first installed, then it indexes any new files added, but it does not update the index for files that are moved from location to location. The only solution I am aware of is to delete Google Desktop and then reinstall it from scratch - this way Google Desktop indexes your files all over again.
So if you search on a file that was moved, after installing Google Desktop, the file will not be correctly presented to you. The problem is, Google Desktop indexes all your files when it is first installed, then it indexes any new files added, but it does not update the index for files that are moved from location to location. The only solution I am aware of is to delete Google Desktop and then reinstall it from scratch - this way Google Desktop indexes your files all over again.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Saving Bond Info
Savings Bond info
write to Treasury’s Bureau of Public Debt at
Bureau of Public Debt
PO Box 7012
Parkersburg, WV 26106
Include the approx. date of issuance, holders name, birth date and address at time of issuance. The more detail the better. Name and SS number etc. of purchaser.
Also see Savings Bond Wizard at publicdebt.treas.gov/sav/savwizar.htm
write to Treasury’s Bureau of Public Debt at
Bureau of Public Debt
PO Box 7012
Parkersburg, WV 26106
Include the approx. date of issuance, holders name, birth date and address at time of issuance. The more detail the better. Name and SS number etc. of purchaser.
Also see Savings Bond Wizard at publicdebt.treas.gov/sav/savwizar.htm
Thursday, February 23, 2006
China's Pompeii in Henan: village preserved by mud
China's Pompeii in Henan: village preserved by mud
The Sanyangzhuang ruins were excavated in the old course of the Yellow River, the second longest waterway in China, archeologists announced.
These are the only intact ruins of an ancient village so far discovered in China, said Xu Pingfang, a famous archeologist of the Han (206 BC-220 AD) and Tang dynasties (618-907).
The ruins vividly show the distribution of courtyards and the nearby environment: All the courtyards face the south and are surrounded by cropland.
The Sanyangzhuang ruins were excavated in the old course of the Yellow River, the second longest waterway in China, archeologists announced.
These are the only intact ruins of an ancient village so far discovered in China, said Xu Pingfang, a famous archeologist of the Han (206 BC-220 AD) and Tang dynasties (618-907).
The ruins vividly show the distribution of courtyards and the nearby environment: All the courtyards face the south and are surrounded by cropland.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Now Playing
Preacher Man by Oh Yeah on DSC-338 and the Podsafe Music Network. Great sound, check it out.
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