Have Fewer Kids to Save the World? and More for Monday, August 3, 2009

Save the Planet: Have Fewer Kids

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20090803/sc_livescience/savetheplanethavefewerkids;_ylt=AmDL9J5FjdxjmtPz4EcznccPLBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTM4OWI5NjNrBGFzc2V0A2xpdmVzY2llbmNlLzIwMDkwODAzL3NhdmV0aGVwbGFuZXRoYXZlZmV3ZXJraWRzBGNwb3MDNARwb3MDMQRzZWMDeW5faGVhZGxpbmVfbG

Obama officials eye more jobless aid, weigh taxes

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/n02480590-us-usa-economy/

U.S. auto workers seek to retrain for scarce new jobs

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre5720hy-us-usa-unemployment-retraining/

The Bonus Battle: Executive Compensation Under the Spotlight, Again

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Business/story?id=8237258&page=1

Iran poll critics shun ceremony

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8180811.stm

Iran: Seized U.S. hikers are CIA agents

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32248073/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/

Nasa defends its spaceflight plan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8175749.stm

NASA’s Mission Calendar

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/calendar/index.html

Security experts offer caution on smart grids

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32238717/ns/technology_and_science-security/

Smart Grid

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_grid

FCC seeks data on iPhone Google app rejection

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32245137/ns/tech_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/

EBay working on alternative software for Skype

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32243030/ns/tech_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/

Skype

http://www.skype.com/


Blogs, tweets help scientists measure happiness

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32239216/ns/technology_and_science-science/

Twitterfaction or Tweetifaction

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/08/twitterfaction-or-tweetifaction.html

Xinjiang arrests 'now over 1,500'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8181563.stm

Hundreds sickened by China chemical plant: state media

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090803/sc_afp/chinaenvironmentunrestpollution;_ylt=Ang8v1E9mDNVAg46JymQPyIPLBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTM1NGJpbDliBGFzc2V0A2FmcC8yMDA5MDgwMy9jaGluYWVudmlyb25tZW50dW5yZXN0cG9sbHV0aW9uBGNwb3MDNQRwb3MDMgRzZWMDeW5faGVhZGxpbmVfbGlzdARzbGsDaHVuZ

Cadmium

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadmium

Second plague death in west China

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8180816.stm

Pneumonic plague

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumonic_plague

'First' swine-flu death in Africa

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8182051.stm

Scientists find new strain of HIV

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8175379.stm

Israel Evicts 50 Palestinians from Homes

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/03/world/main5205810.shtml

Ethiopia sentences Canadian to life

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/08/03/makhtal-ethiopia003.html

Bashir Ahmed Makhtal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashir_Ahmed_Makhtal

Little Lifesavers: Kids Capable Of CPR

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090730200630.htm

Large Trees Declining In Yosemite National Park, U.S.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729132117.htm

Yosemite National Park

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yosemite_National_Park

UK's national ID card unveiled

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8175139.stm

'Fake UK sites' trick consumers

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8178959.stm

'Dire shortage' at UN food agency

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/8179250.stm

Barclays profit up to almost £3bn

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8180775.stm

Japan relaunches trials by jury

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8181225.stm

Why We Learn More From Our Successes

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729121557.htm

California Must Prep for Climate Change

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/03/tech/main5205691.shtml

King salmon vanishing in Alaska, smokehouses empty

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090802/ap_on_bi_ge/us_vanishing_king_salmon;_ylt=AqWE45gDMVEObi4nE9ADtaEPLBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTNhajQ4aTZkBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkwODAyL3VzX3ZhbmlzaGluZ19raW5nX3NhbG1vbgRjcG9zAzEEcG9zAzEEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnNfY29rZQRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3J5BHNsawNr

Hawaii protecting coral reefs with big fines

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090802/ap_on_bi_ge/us_coral_damage;_ylt=AvrE2wi8a66pR.OX4KX61NsPLBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTMxamtpb2EzBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkwODAyL3VzX2NvcmFsX2RhbWFnZQRjcG9zAzIEcG9zAzQEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnNfY29rZQRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3J5BHNsawNoYXdhaWlwcm90ZWM-

Cambodia Bans "Miss Landmine" Pageant

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/03/world/main5207801.shtml

More on 'Gating Dr. Gates' & More for Thursday, July 23, 2009

We know we shouldn't be flip, but having viewed TDS too many times, we can't resist. To have kept things interesting (and flip)during Mr. Obama's press conference on health care he just needed to say two words: 'Medical Marijuana'. And the resultant sales tax on the sales of the same would in itself pay for most of healthcare. Of course, most Americans are opposed to legalizing the medicinal use in all 50 states. Which is true, we just can't have half of the population high on medical marijuana half the time - it is just too dangerous. Also, it is too comical. Can you imagine characters like Jay and Silent Bob (from the Kevin Smith movies) on almost every street corner - or storefront - in America. Or worse, Harold and Kumar stereotypes. Or - much worse - Cheech & Chong stereotypes in every college town in America. Gosh, its kind of sad, isn't it? Reducing the nation's health care reform to this kind of ridiculous portrayal. Will the health care reform have to go the way of the medical marijuana sales tax to pay for itself? Probably not. However, the sales tax on beer, wine, liquor, spirits, tobacco, pornography, sugar, fast foods and other pleasures will probably be raised to help pay for the reform. Oh, or raise taxes on the rich to help pay for the reform? Huh? What did you say? You changed your mind to legalizing medical marijuana to pay for the reform? We thought you would give in.

Anyway, regarding the political firestorm growing out of the Gates' arrest (and Obama's outrage), see the links below. Also, see our posting of yesterday (which was published before the press conference...don't worry, our prescience does not make this a 'Blog of Note'...): 'Gating Dr. Gates'.

Oh, and don't panic, but check out the links to the latest on the H1N1 Pandemic. Medical marijuana probably won't be helpful here - except to reduce any levels of panic.

Oh, and check out Arnold wielding a 2-foot knife on the internet.

And the unemployed may have no reason to fear drug testing for medical marijuana, because

Many unemployed giving up

http://www.yahoo.com/s/1104441

Black scholar arrest angers Obama

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8164862.stm

'THE POLICE ACTED STUPIDLY': Obama Jumps Into the Race Debate

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=8153681&page=1

Obama: Police 'acted stupidly' in prof's arrest

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/07/22/harvard.gates.interview/index.html

Obama says police acted 'stupidly' in arrest

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090723/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_harvard_scholar;_ylt=Ana29zX4t6zXW1jpUWlllAkEtbAF

Gates’ Daughter Speaks Out (CBS)

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5181954n

Cop: Obama remark disappoints

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32092715/ns/us_news-race_and_ethnicity/

Gating Dr. Gates

http://americanpoliticalhandbook.blogspot.com/2009/07/gating-dr-gates-and-more-for-wednesday.html

Obama defends healthcare reforms

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8164177.stm

Obama turns health push into a snoozer

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/07/23/2005548.aspx

Feds bust mayors, others in huge N.J. graft sweep

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32103250/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

The Ann Arbor News hits the streets for last time

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090723/ap_on_re_us/us_ann_arbor_news_goodbye;_ylt=AiYoefTXw.4rJxuFAsBbVhis0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTFlNDVqY21sBHBvcwM3MARzZWMDYWNjb3JkaW9uX3Vfc19uZXdzBHNsawN0aGVhbm5hcmJvcm4-

US pessimistic on Iran overtures

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8165265.stm

Iran opposition leader's brother-in-law arrested

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090723/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran_election;_ylt=AkFx_E1qo4XB1hkG0uP8J6ys0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTFicmtxcWtmBHBvcwM1NgRzZWMDYWNjb3JkaW9uX3dvcmxkBHNsawNpcmFub3Bwb3NpdGk-

Bin Laden son 'believed killed'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8164763.stm

Saad Bin Laden

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saad_Bin_Laden

Mumbai suspect trial to proceed

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8164279.stm

Ajmal Qasab

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajmal_Qasab

Wall Street jacks up pay after bailouts

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32099693/ns/business-washington_post/

Schwarzenegger wields knife, touts cuts

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32099641/ns/us_news-life/

Karadzic asks for DNA from graves

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/07/23/karadzic-war-crimes.html

Radovan Karadzic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radovan_Karad%C5%BEi%C4%87

Atleo wins AFN election

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/07/23/afn-national-chief-vote-ballot752.html

Shawn Atleo

http://www.shawnatleo.com/

This Article Will Self-destruct: Tool To Make Online Personal Data Vanish

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090721113309.htm

Vanish Paper & Prototype

http://vanish.cs.washington.edu/

New Statistical Tool Identifies Predictable Economic Variables

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090721091824.htm

How To Maintain The Integrity And Accessibility Of Research Data

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090722120830.htm

Ensuring the Integrity, Accessibility, and Stewardship of Research Data in the Digital Age

http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12615

Artificial Noise Saves Energy For Computer Network Providers

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624093734.htm

RIM warns Mideast customers of spyware

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/07/23/rim-uae-spyware-blackberry.html

B.C. Taser inquiry to issue report

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/07/23/bc-braidwood023.html

UK space sector 'to double value'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8164776.stm

Tamiflu-resistant swine flu case found in Canada

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090722/ap_on_he_me/cn_canada_swine_flu;_ylt=ApO6b87pQdQjX5BOprQ5Ki.s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTFkMHNuaTdzBHBvcwMxNTUEc2VjA2FjY29yZGlvbl9oZWFsdGgEc2xrA3RhbWlmbHUtcmVzaQ--

Flu infects 100,000 in past week (BBC UK)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8163930.stm

Swine flu fears prompt Hajj curbs

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8164535.stm

Hajj

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hajj

Biodiesel On The Wing: A 'Green' Process For Biodiesel From Feather Meal

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090722110903.htm

Gating Dr. Gates and More for Wednesday, July 22, 2009

We define it as "Gating" - in honor of Dr. Gates and with some reference to Gated Community. We're not even sure if Dr. Gates lives in a gated community. We hope he is thinking of moving to a location with more friendly neighbors. No, we don't think it a humorous term, not even slightly. We think it was/is a travesty and should be publicly and legally addressed. If anything, we do expect Dr. Gates to sue the Cambridge police department. Not so much for the money, but for justice. Justice for himself, justice for diversity and justice for everybody. Not so much to punish the officers involved, but to curtail the practice of 'racial profiling' and the like.

We think it is a case he would - and should - win. If he doesn't want the money, he should consider donating it to his favorite charity, group, fund or otherwise. Perhaps, he doesn't think it is worth the time. We think it is. We would be more than happy to stand in for him in any potential lawsuit such as this one. Not that we could give him any legal representation, understand.

Because? Because it is not a funny topic. One of our editors has had encountered similar brushes with the law. And it has cost him dearly. It has cost him his job. It has cost him his livelihood and income. And most all, it has cost him his position in society and his home. Yes, he has become homeless and poverty-stricken because of a similar situation with 'law enforcement'. We expect to see more such cases - and we have, in our locale. Why? In these hard economic times, isn't our community reducing its enforcement staff? Not yet, but we expect soon so. What our community does need is funding. Funding to continue to run a local government that is suspected of becoming corrupt and a worse, a police state.

How, you may ask, do your fevered brains connect all of these events - or imaginings - into one theory or cohesive set of principles? As we've said before, it is our purpose to bring together all of these concepts and reports into one single, cohesive unit that can be discussed and, perhaps, be recognized as a new, hidden form of truth that you need to be aware of.

You see, we believe a police state will bring stricter law enforcement - even if it is questionable as in the case of Dr. Gates. More law enforcement (not to mention the occasional judge or magistrate more than a little eager to adjudicate a case for more than legal principles) means more fines and more dollars for the community and their little courthouse and their staff - some of it through questionable means, some of it through any means necessary.

This is why Dr. Gates and his case are so important - to all of us, not just those of diverse race and backgrounds. If social injustice is allowed to continue for the sake of money - for the sake of dollars for economically-troubled communities and their governments - then there is no 'government'. Only a wolf pack hungry for more funds during times on which to prey on the 'ethnically challenged'. The ethically-challenged is pitted against the ethnically-challenged. This is why we sincerely hope that he and his attorneys file a case. It is important to you and us. And it needs to be addressed out in the open, in public and in court and in congress.

We should note that we have contacted our own Senators regarding our editor's similar situation. And they have failed to address us... Which is shocking, for the one has a reputation for always responding.

We know, we know, some think our position is raving.

Anyway, here are the links.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Louis_Gates

Black Professor Wants Apology over Arrest

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/22/national/main5179369.shtml

Chris Matthews, Clarence Page and Michael Eric Dyson on the Gates Arrest on Hardball on MSNBC

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/#32056612

Chris Matthews

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Matthews

Clarence Page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_Page

Michael Eric Dyson

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Eric_Dyson

EWB or RWB

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/07/ewb-or-rwb.html


Not to be confused with Engineers Without Borders nor Reporters Without Borders

Gating

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/07/gating.html

Gated Community

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gated_community

DWB

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driving_While_Black

Egocrime

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/07/egocrime.html

Racial profiling

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_profiling

EAST or PEAST

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/07/east-or-peast.html

American Apartheid

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/07/american-apartheid.html

The American equivalent of Apartheid

Police State

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_state

Man killed by cop after day of swimming

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32081943/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

AP: Investigator rules against Palin in ethics probe

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32050290/ns/politics-more_politics/

'Factually in Error'? Palin Rebuffs Latest Ethics Complaint

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=8143609&page=1


$pale

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/07/pale.html

$palin

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/07/palin.html

US 'ready to boost Gulf defence'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8162402.stm

U.S. fears North Korea nuclear ties to Myanmar

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre56l0pz-us-korea-north/

Conference Board predicts tepid U.S. economic recovery

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/07/22/us-economy-tepid-recovery.html

Status quo won't get NASA to Mars, new chief says

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre56k5zt-us-space-nasa-mars/

Mars colony

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonization_of_Mars

First Nations to vote for national chief

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/07/22/afn-chief-vote863.html

Assembly of First Nations

http://www.afn.ca/

Amnesty slams Saudi Arabia on rights

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/07/22/amnesty-saudi022.html

Mumbai gunman: I’m ready for the gallows

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32079964/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia/

Ajmal Qasab

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajmal_Qasab

Newsweek: Chinese companies face brand problem

http://www.newsweek.com/id/207381

Huawei

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huawei

Calif. governor: We must make severe cuts

javascript:vPlayer('32080538','9da2d7e8-8078-46c8-a749-262764d80194')

Arnold Schwarzenegger

http://gov.ca.gov/

Michael Steele Unsure of own Health Coverage (Mr. Steele: We love you…)

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25217.html

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/05/backackwards.html

Report: Shortage of cyber experts may hinder govt

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090722/ap_on_go_ot/us_internet_security;_ylt=Aht5uueSWazg0tmJ6DMyuWayFz4D;_ylu=X3oDMTJwOWpsdmJhBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkwNzIyL3VzX2ludGVybmV0X3NlY3VyaXR5BHBvcwM3BHNlYwN5bl9hcnRpY2xlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDcmVwb3J0c2hvcnRh

Obama’s Disappointing Secrecy

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/yfriedman;_ylt=As2lB7u_.FsYcdz.yZjGB.EDW7oF



Study: Mexican immigration to U.S. drops

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32079947/ns/us_news-life/

School closings eyed as swine flu toll tops 700

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32026098/ns/health-swine_flu/

Lung cancer risk from radon in homes found

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32028728/ns/health-cancer/

Radon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radon

You're Busted! Watching Erin Andrew's Naked Video is a Crime

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/07/21/crimesider/entry5177132.shtml

Erin Andrews

http://www.espnmediazone.com/bios/Talent/Andrews_Erin.htm




Chain grocery stores ditch Detroit

http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/22/smallbusiness/detroit_grocery_stores.smb/index.htm?cnn=yes

Voters Pass Pot Tax for Cash-Strapped City

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/22/politics/main5179530.shtml

WHO Loses H1N1 Count & More for Friday, July 17, 2009

Wow! We did not really think that those in the Bush administration would have really planned a covert operation to eliminate members of Al Qaeda. Had they succeeded, would they really have used 'right wing death squads' (similar to those in South America some years ago...and/or was it Central America?) to liquidate the likes of Osama? The use of the 'death squad' term would seem accurate, as any such liquidations would have been - by definition - extrajudicial. Would they have used snipers/sharpshooters to take out individual members and other terrorists? And when exactly did this plan (plot?) start to hatch? What if they had succeeded? Would a full-out jihad be in full-swing against the US at this time? Apart from the 'what if' speculations, we find this case to be intriguing. One more thing (or two), is 'the operation' truly deactivated (as says Mr. Panetta), or do we have the possibility of some rogue active elements still 'out there' pursuing Mr. bin Laden and his compatriates? And, were Chinese nationals really given access to interrogate Gitmo detainees?

WHO to stop counting swine flu cases

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/07/17/who-swine-flu-counting.html

Swine flu so widespread, WHO stops counting

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31962005/ns/health-swine_flu/

Fight for swine flu vaccine could get ugly

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31944668/ns/health-swine_flu/

H1N1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H1N1


Mathematical Model Shows Why Defeating Insurgent Groups Like Taliban Is So Difficult

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716123316.htm

Taliban

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taliban

Police tear-gas Iran protesters during prayer

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31960928/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/

Iranians Stage Largest Protest in Weeks

http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=8109898&page=1

Iran’s Rafsanjani Calls for Protestors’s Release

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8155795.stm

Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafsanjani

Iran appoints MIT grad as nuclear chief

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31959578/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/

Ali Akbar Salehi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Akbar_Salehi

Did Advisor Put Bush Above the Law? (MSNBC – Countdown)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#31952656

Brassassin

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/07/brassassin.html

Michigan unemployment tops 15%

http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/17/news/economy/state_unemployment_report/index.htm?cnn=yes

Unemployment Tops 10% in 15 States, D.C.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/17/national/main5168409.shtml

Mexico beefs up 'drug war' forces

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8155402.stm

Did U.S. allow Chinese agents at Gitmo?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31962209/ns/politics-cq_politics/

Rio Tinto 'concerned' about staff

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8155147.stm

Recession's grip eases in 23 cities

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31910726/ns/us_news-the_elkhart_project/

HIV travel ban may be lifted

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31910664/ns/health-aids/

Shuttle foam sparks new NASA worries

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31941668/ns/technology_and_science-space/

Space Shuttle Endeavor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Endeavor

Apple blocks rival smart phones

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8155795.stm

Wikipedia painting row escalates


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8156268.stm

Solar Power: New SunCatcher Power System Ready For Commercial Production In 2010

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709205950.htm


How do you build a wind farm out at sea?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8151222.stm

Low carbon way 'to reshape lives'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8150919.stm

Retailers miss plastic bag target

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8155057.stm

Coroner: Jackson autopsy results in two weeks

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31952585/ns/entertainment-music/

A Memorial Day Posting and More For Friday, May 22, 2009

"a remembrance poppy outside the Suur Rannavärav (Great Coastal Gate)" licensed under Creative Commons by Anosmia


We find this Memorial Day weekend confusing, surreal, consequential, ambiguous and somewhat, well, cold... Our fingers and hands are cold and our minds are slightly numb as we write this posting just a couple of days before Memorial Day.

Ironically, some of our editors, just like many other good folks, will be reporting for unemployment, food aid, food stamps, medical assistance and possibly other kinds of assistance. Just like so many of you. How much more should we lament our war dead knowing that they fought - and died - for our freedom - and our right to fend off starvation and so on by lining up at the public dole? They deserve so much more honor than this. We think they are deserving of a more-than-glorious fate for their country and the other free countries of the world. We do not think that this is exactly what they fought and died for. It is - it seems - just a substitute. They may have and fought and died - indeed, some are right now - for a substitute set of freedoms.

Some things have changed since some of them have died. Like the right of Habeas Corpus. They died for substitutes for habeas corpus. They have died for Habeas Corpus longinquus detineo, Suspensus Habeas Corpus and Extensus Habeas Corpus. They might have died so that our enemies (and theirs) and some innocents might experience ‘Prolonged detention’ and even 'Borderline Torture'. It seems they might have died for a corruption of their original values. A corruption brought about by some of their descendants. Somehow, we think, that has put less value on the lives we lost and never really knew. It makes the loss and losses doubly tragic. There is no joy in writing this - not even for us. It makes us sick to our craw, in some cases. But, there is still some honor left. So, we continue to write. You too, can continue to fight for what they died for. We think these words - which could be our last words - might touch and penetrate even the hardest of hearts. Well, some, not all.

The honored and glorious dead fought and died so that some of us could go on to live in freedom - glorious freedom. Instead, we are visiting the local food bank - or the next nearest one. Or in some cases, our community is closing the local food bank. Some of them are selling their vehicles - and leaving on their feet. Some are losing their homes - and moving into tents or shelters. Many have lost their jobs and paychecks and pensions and funds and so much else. We have misspent so much of our money - their money. We have misspent our lives - and possibly theirs. The next double-tragedy concerns those who have lost awareness of this weekend and its meaning. For many, this weekend means a struggle to remain clothed, fed and sheltered. We are still struggling to be free - and we have no choice.

Things should be looking up - getting better - better for all of us. We are so sorry to report that we don't think it is. We are so sorry to report that the battle may be lost - but we will still have the enemy suffer a renewed policy of prolonged detention. We have given up just a few of our rights this weekend with them - and possibly some innocent victims. Yet we have demagogues, pundits, others and even our leaders (!) roving around making speeches about why this was done and what it accomplished. Good sirs and ladies, we say to you, your accomplishments mean nothing in the eyes of the Lord. Your accomplishments are so far of no meaning to us. They are just piles of dirty rags in the eyes of the Lord and in our eyes. If anything, you have given us a shared vision. A downcast, dejected, shoddy vision of what is now a pile of junk and scrap that is too far gone to be reused and recycled again and again.

Our apologies. We have gone off and off-topic. We were going to do some compare and contrast stuff between the President's national security speech (of yesterday) as analyzed on various channels. Then we remembered - oh, its Memorial Day weekend! And then we remembered what is truly important. And we remembered.

Memorial Day

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day

US CO2 goals 'to be compromised'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8061929.stm

Steven Chu

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Chu

Pirate Attack On U.S. Cargo Ship Thwarted

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/22/national/main5033068.shtml



Gregory analyzes Cheney, Obama speeches

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/vp/30884765#30884765

David Gregory

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3688588/

On Gitmo, Gates Stands By Obama

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/22/politics/main5033366.shtml

‘Prolonged detention’ (from Rachel)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/30877514#30877514

Rachel

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/

Habeas Corpus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_corpus

Habeas Corpus longinquus detineo

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/05/habeas-corpus-longinquus-detineo.html

Cold Fuzzy

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/05/non-warm-fuzzies.html

Suspensus Habeas Corpus

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/05/suspensus-habeas-corpus.html

Extensus Habeas Corpus

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/05/extensus-habeas-corpus.html

O-POD

http://antizendictionary.blogspot.com/2009/05/o-pod-or-i-pod-or-f-pod.html

National security showdown [Countdown’s sanitized (?)version of ‘Prolonged detention’?]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/vp/30876960#30876960

Countdown

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/

‘Borderline’ torture OK’d? (from Rachel)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/30877760#30877760

House, Senate refuse to close Gitmo (from Andrea Mitchell)

javascript:vPlayer('30848916','98e27608-2370-45a3-b8d9-a310e6cb4d64')

Andrea Mitchell

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29974370/

Cigarette companies lose appeal in landmark ruling

http://www.yahoo.com/s/1075254

Swine flu will keep spreading globally: WHO chief

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/05/22/swine-flu-who.html


Swine flu genes circulated undetected for years

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30886851/

CDC to swimmers: Don't pee in the pool!

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/22/pools.urinate.hygiene/index.html

CDC

http://www.cdc.gov/

Face Protection Effective In Preventing The Spread Of Influenza, Study Suggests

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090520161332.htm


New Vaccine Strategy Might Offer Protection Against Pandemic Influenza Strains

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090518120954.htm


Children Who Get Flu Vaccine Have Three Times Risk Of Hospitalization For Flu, Study Suggests

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519172045.htm

Safe For Passengers With Lung Disease To Travel By Air, Study Suggests

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519075418.htm

New credit card limitations in US

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8063108.stm

Newsweek: Why can't we all get bailouts?

http://www.newsweek.com/id/198771

When Beggars Make House Calls

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7648488

Obama plans more open government

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8063040.stm

Computer virus hits U.S. Marshals, FBI

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30882735/

Hijacking Clicks On The Internet

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/22/tech/cnettechnews/main5033555.shtml

Clickjacking

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clickjacking


U.S. state seeks laid-off traders to teach math

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre54l2w1-us-financial-traders-teachers/

Arrests in Chinese slavery case

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8063038.stm

Pope on Facebook in attempt to woo young believers

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre54l3as-us-pope-facebook/

Toddler buys earthmover in online auction

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30885324/

References: ‘Prolonged detention’ , Rachel, Habeas Corpus, National security showdown, Countdown, House, Senate refuse to close Gitmo, Andrea Mitchell, Suspensus Habeas Corpus and Extensus Habeas Corpus.