Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
MILITARY Manning Mental Health led to security breach
Manning deployed following mental health recommendation against doing so, displaying serious problems afterward.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
ECONOMY Texas kids seriously affected by state economic policy
According to officials at Austin-based Texans Care for Children, a multi-issue, nonpartisan policy organization, Texas children are falling behind the rest of the country in nearly every aspect of child well-being.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
NEUROSCIENCE - Brain Rehabilitation
Giffords faces long road to help her brain rebuild itself after Tucson shooting
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
IGNORANCE A Dialog With Conspiracy Nuts
Alice, Meet the Stupids Family
Shortly after the anniversary of he 9/11 attack, a writer had submitted an article calling for the nation to come together in the same spirit as had motivated us immediately following the actual attack, in 2001.
Apparently totally unable to focus on that content, a number of individuals reverted once again to try to prove that attack was a U,S. Government conspiracy. This is the dialog between myself and a number of the advocates of this theory, taken directly from the comments appearing at that time. The term “Author,” is, at all times, referring to my comments or responses.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
CRIME - Shooting: Rep Gifford Critical 6 Dead, 12 Wounded
Gabrielle Giffords shooting in Tucson: Did it stem from state of political discourse?
Pardon me for a totally different take on this whole situation, Tragic? Of course. But trying to pin the cause on Tea Party, Palin, Beck, et al, is absurd. There will always be crazies. People talking to voices, or seeing Hitler marching down the street.
All of us rightfully worry about the surveillance under which we live, justified by the flimsiest of government justifications. Founders, in their constructing the Constitution, did not in their wildest dreams, have any idea of how the Fourth Amendment could possibly fail to protect the privacy of citizens. Stifling the hate purveyors who dominate much of the media is no guarantee of protection against the crazies. As a nation, we must somehow find the balance between the technological protections available to us, versus are right to be free from the prying eyes of government.
This will always be a constantly shifting and ever changing fine edge balanced between remaining unseen and unknown, against the protection which professionally managed technology can provide. if for example, YouTube had a built-in capability to identify word or audio combinations suggested in that the submittal was by someone who was potentially dangerous, we might have been warned in advance that this assailant was someone who should be carefully monitored. Yet, all of us are concerned, and rightfully so, that the NSA has the technological capability, and engages in precisely the same activity, deployed against American citizens.
Does any of this answer the question of privacy? No. That said, it is that question which should be asked.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
OPED Revising history through writing
WHEN the new House of Representatives convened on Thursday, the Republican leadership kept its promise to start the session by reading the text of the Constitution aloud. This break from Congressional tradition had a polemical purpose: Representative Robert Goodlatte, the Virginia Republican who came up with the idea, remarked that “lots of my constituents have said that Congress has gone beyond its powers granted in the Constitution.”
OPED Revising history through writing
WHEN the new House of Representatives convened on Thursday, the Republican leadership kept its promise to start the session by reading the text of the Constitution aloud. This break from Congressional tradition had a polemical purpose: Representative Robert Goodlatte, the Virginia Republican who came up with the idea, remarked that “lots of my constituents have said that Congress has gone beyond its powers granted in the Constitution.”
CRIME Nebraska School Shooting
The new year is barely a week old, but the nation has already recorded its first deadly school shooting.
On Wednesday, a 17-year-old student opened fire at Millard South High School in Omaha, sending students rushing to the kitchen to seek safety. The vice principal, Vicki Kaspar, was killed and the principal, Curtis Case, was seriously injured. The gunman, Robert Butler Jr., was later found dead in a car not far from the school, an apparent suicide.
On Wednesday, a 17-year-old student opened fire at Millard South High School in Omaha, sending students rushing to the kitchen to seek safety. The vice principal, Vicki Kaspar, was killed and the principal, Curtis Case, was seriously injured. The gunman, Robert Butler Jr., was later found dead in a car not far from the school, an apparent suicide.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Anonymity and the Dark Side of the Internet
"[Recently written] is a new set of essays on the dark side of the Internet titled 'The Offensive Internet.'The question that drives the volume is 'what can be done about irresponsible information' spread by the Internet, a medium that allows slander to 'be done with a few keystrokes, with complete anonymity, and . . . with no fear that the Internet provider on whose website the slur is found will somehow be held responsible for incorrect . . . or defamatory statements'? In the course of the volume the Internet is characterized as a cesspool, a porn store, a form of pinkeye, a raunchy fraternity, a graffiti–filled bathroom wall, a haven for sociopaths, and the breeder of online mobs who are no better than 'masked Klan members' in their determination to 'interfere with victims’ basic rights.'”
Monday, January 3, 2011
The Upward Mobility Gap
College-educated Americans live in a different country than high school dropouts. The best way to mend the divide is by providing access to a decent education.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
16 of he Dumbest Things Americans Believe
Americans are often misinformed, occasionally downright dumb, and easily misled by juicy-sounding rumors. But while the right wing is taking full advantage of this reality, the Left worries that calling out lies is "rude."
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Conservative or Liberal? Workspace Reveals All
Your office or bedroom holds telltale signs of whether you are a conservative or a liberal, finds a new study. While political conservatives tend to keep a tidy, organized office, political liberals favor colorful, more stylish but cluttered spaces.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
THE TRUTH WEARS OFF
Is there something wrong with the scientific method?
An across the boards decline in the significance of well accepted research is examined and explained
Read more http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/12/13/101213fa_fact_lehrer#ixzz19W1q1YEF
An across the boards decline in the significance of well accepted research is examined and explained
Read more http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/12/13/101213fa_fact_lehrer#ixzz19W1q1YEF
The Jobs Crisis
The recession has been over for more than a year now, but so many people are out of work that it doesn’t feel like much of a recovery. In November, the economy added just thirty-nine thousand jobs. The failure to translate G.D.P. growth into job growth has given us an unemployment rate that remains near ten per cent (twice what it was in 2007), and has swelled the ranks of the long-term unemployed
Read more http://www.newyorker.com/talk/financial/2011/01/03/110103ta_talk_surowiecki#ixzz19VsFbz65
Read more http://www.newyorker.com/talk/financial/2011/01/03/110103ta_talk_surowiecki#ixzz19VsFbz65
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
In Pursuit of a Mind Map, Slice by Slice
brain neurosciene A new and tremendously expensive research project is underway designed to eventually provide neuroscientists with an understanding of how the brain is wired.
The Data and the Reality
Maybe they’ve stumbled onto something in their windowless rooms. Maybe the economy really is gathering steam. But in the rough and tumble of the real world, where families have to feed themselves and pay their bills, there are an awful lot of Americans being left behind.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Smart Pen -- Interesting idea
Here it is, a really interesting extension of the much older digital pen. This one requires no special paper, and records voices. It can also be sent as email to others.
While working at Earthlink, somewhere around 2002, I had an early version of this kind of pen, but it required special paper, which was relatively expensive, and had no audio playback. I recall losing it , which was monetarily expensive loss, but no loss in terms of usefulness.
While working at Earthlink, somewhere around 2002, I had an early version of this kind of pen, but it required special paper, which was relatively expensive, and had no audio playback. I recall losing it , which was monetarily expensive loss, but no loss in terms of usefulness.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Obama's insular White House worries his allies
The president famously relies on a tight circle of advisors. But with Republicans running the House next year, many say Obama will need some new faces to convey a new message.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Obama's Hawaii vacation mixes golf with such topics as arms pact and reelection
"Recharging the presidential batteries"
KAILUA, HAWAII - Almost immediately after he walked off Air Force One early Thursday morning, a relaxed-looking President Obamahad a green lei around his neck and a smile on his face
KAILUA, HAWAII - Almost immediately after he walked off Air Force One early Thursday morning, a relaxed-looking President Obamahad a green lei around his neck and a smile on his face
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Computers That Trade on the News
Wall Street Traders Using Text Analysis Tools
The number-crunchers on Wall Street are starting to crunch something else: the news.
Math-loving traders are using powerful computers to speed-read news reports, editorials, company Web sites, blog posts and evenTwitter messages — and then letting the machines decide what it all means for the markets
The number-crunchers on Wall Street are starting to crunch something else: the news.
Math-loving traders are using powerful computers to speed-read news reports, editorials, company Web sites, blog posts and evenTwitter messages — and then letting the machines decide what it all means for the markets
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Barack Obama's Lost Principles
When President Obama ran for the presidency, his rhetoric was distinctly progressive. He is a very good orator and a superior debater and so we can be forgiven for taking the rhetoric seriously.
Julian getting ready to do it again?
Prospect of WikiLeaks Dump Poses Problems for Regulators
“Tens of thousands of its internal documents will be exposed on Wikileaks.org with no polite requests for executives’ response or other forewarnings.”
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Big government not the cause of economic problems
Robert Reich tells us what we already knew.
he tax deal negotiated between the president and Republicans is the latest version of trickle-down economics. It also confirms the Republican story of what happened to the economy and how to fix it: The bad economy is big government's fault, and the solution is to shrink government.
he tax deal negotiated between the president and Republicans is the latest version of trickle-down economics. It also confirms the Republican story of what happened to the economy and how to fix it: The bad economy is big government's fault, and the solution is to shrink government.
Life and Death Decisions Weigh on Junior Officers
QURGHAN TAPA, Afghanistan — The hill wasn’t much to behold, just a treeless mound of dirt barely 80 feet high. But for Talibanfighters, it was a favorite spot for launching rockets into Imam Sahib city. Ideal, American commanders figured, for the insurgents to disrupt the coming parliamentary elections
Monday, December 20, 2010
Obama has strong first-half finish
President Obama ends his first two years with image-altering successes; the next two may prove more frustrating.
Obama/Big Brother
‘Big Brother is watching you’. Yet another move toward a totalitariangovernment has secretly occurred that bears ominous signals for personal freedom. Barack Obama is demanding access to the Internet records of average citizens, in secret, and without court review.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
America's New Mercenaries
America's New Mercenaries
As American commanders meet this week for the Afghanistan review, Obama is hiring military contractors at a rate that would make Bush blush.
Politics in Iraq Casts Doubt on a U.S. Presence After 2011 - NYTimes.com
Politics in Iraq Casts Doubt on a U.S. Presence After 2011 - NYTimes.com
BAGHDAD — The protracted political turmoil that saw the resurgence of a fiercely anti-American political bloc here is casting new doubt on establishing any enduring American military role in Iraq after the last of nearly 50,000 troops are scheduled to withdraw in the next 12 months, military and administration officials say.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
'Don't ask, don't tell' bill clears Senate procedural vote
'Don't ask, don't tell' bill clears Senate procedural vote
The Senate voted Saturday to proceed to debate on a bill ending the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, putting the campaign to end the ban on gay men and lesbians one vote away from completion.
Senators voted 63 to 33 go proceed to debate on the bill. Fifty-seven members of the Senate Democratic caucus and six Republicans -- Sens.Scott Brown (Mass.), Susan Collins (Maine), Mark Kirk (Ill.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Olympia Snowe (Maine) and George Voinovich(Ohio) -- voted yes. Four senators -- Jim Bunning (R-Ky.), Judd Gregg(R-N.H.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Joe Manchin III (D-W. Va.) -- did not vote.
Carpentry among industries that aren't rebounding after recession
Carpentry among industries that aren't rebounding after recession
IN LAS VEGAS -- Every day in this desert city, the carpenters climb into their pickups and vans, resumes stacked on the passenger seats, driving first to the union hall, then in circles from one chain-linked construction site to another, asking for work.
For a year or more, it has been the same.
Nothing.
If they keep pursuing work as carpenters, in fact, many of them may never find a job.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Amazing Word Frequency Viewer
Compare Frequency Occurrences of any word or phrase from the Middle Ages until today!
"Scholars interested in topics such as philosophy, religion, politics, art and language have employed qualitative approaches such as literary and critical analysis with great success. As more of the world’s literature becomes available online, it’s increasingly possible to apply quantitative methods to complement that research. So today Will Brockman and I are happy to announce a new visualization tool called the Google Books Ngram Viewer, available on Google Labs. We’re also making the datasets backing the Ngram Viewer, produced by Matthew Gray and intern Yuan K. Shen, freely downloadable so that scholars will be able to create replicable experiments in the style of traditional scientific discovery.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
US spy agencies paint grim picture of Afghan war
US spy agencies paint grim picture of Afghan war
Two reports produced by US intelligence agencies sharply contradict the American military's claims of success in the nine-year-old war in Afghanistan.
The National Intelligence Estimates on Afghanistan and Pakistan were recently presented in secret to members of the Senate and House intelligence committees. They represent the consensus view of Washington's 16 separate intelligence agencies, led by the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the State Department and the various arms of military intelligence.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
An OpEd "In Defense of Secrecy"
After using as an example a newspaper revelation of a satellite phone used by Osama bin Laden, the author takes the position that among the limitations on First Amendment rights, should be a requirement that classified information cannot be freely revealed.
Quoted from this article, is the rationale used by the author to support his contention that free speech limitation is justified:
The most common argument is that protecting information, and prosecuting offenders, is a violation of free speech. That is simply not true. The Supreme Court has never upheld First Amendment absolutism. There are legal and reasonable restrictions on what people are allowed to say, print, or broadcast. It is illegal to incite a mob to violence. It is illegal to libel others. It is illegal to make false claims in advertising about a product. It is illegal to utter profanity on broadcast television or radio. And it is, in fact, illegal to reveal information that would cause immediate harm to U.S. national security. This was uncontroversial during World War II, when sailors and their families were routinely trained that "loose lips sink ships."
More Americans Say They're Cybercrime Victims
Americans are nearly as likely to be victimized by an Internet-based crime as they are of other forms of nonviolent theft. At least that's the perceptions expressed by Americans when asked about crimes committed against themselves and their families.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
A Wiki hornets' nest
A Wiki hornets' nest:
Eugene Robinson, from the Washington Post raises some serious conflicts arising from the recent shutdown of services by Amazon, PayPal, Visa, Master Card, and others.
There have been Denial of Service attacks on all these companies. Who should be supported as the cyber-war escalates?
Der Spiegel, among the most thoughtful of the German publications offers this contribution to the discussion.
Next, is a look at the Julian Assagne, the man in the middle of all of this.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Facebook Wrestles With Free Speech and Civility
PALO ALTO, Calif. — Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and chief executive of Facebook, likes to say that his Web site brings people together, helping to make the world a better place. But Facebook isn’t a utopia, and when it comes up short, Dave Willner tries to clean up.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Keeping Secrets WikiSafe
WASHINGTON — Can the government still keep a secret? In an age of WikiLeaks, flash drives and instant Web postings, leaks have begun to seem unstoppable.
That may be just a first impression. Sobered government officials are scrambling to stop the hemorrhage of documents, even as antisecrecy radicals are discovering that some secrets may be worth protecting after all.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
New breed launched cyber counterattack in support of WikiLeaks
Rafix was set to attack. The target was Visa.com. The weapon: a battery of personal computers ready to jam the site with millions of simultaneous log-in requests.
"FIRE at WILL, gentlemen!" Rafix wrote in an online message. "Enjoy the epic battle of glory!"
What Works in the Classroom? Ask the Students
How useful are the views of public school students about their teachers?
Quite useful, according to preliminary results released on Friday from a $45 million research project that is intended to find new ways of distinguishing good teachers from bad.
Friday, December 10, 2010
VA Tech Made Fatal Errors in Shooting
Va Tech critics frustrated by report response.
RICHMOND, Va. -- Critics of how Virginia Tech handled the 2007 campus massacre said Friday they are frustrated but not surprised that the university still refuses to acknowledge mistakes, despite a federal report that concludes officials broke the law by failing to promptly warn students a gunman was on the loose.
Sorkin on Palin's Moose Kill
Aaron Sorkin takes off on the grisly kill of a Moose on Palin's awful Alaska reality show.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The Cost of Inflation
Beck tells audience to ruin Thanksgiving dinner with misinformation about inflation
While advising his Fox News viewers to talk about inflation at their Thanksgiving dinners, Glenn Beck falsely claimed that the government removed food and energy prices from its measure of inflation to hide rising prices, that a survey showed economists are "worried" about inflation, and that Social Security recipients are not receiving a cost-of-living adjustment because the government "changed the calculation."
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
!st Amendment gets a bit strained
Twitter tirades test limits of freedom of speech
Joking threats expressed as tweets between friends has led them to trouble with law enforcement.
Monday, November 22, 2010
One More Barrier to Education
The Technology Monster
With all that doesn't work in the schools, now comes not a Game Changer, but a Brain Changer -- and unfortunately, not for the good
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