Why filing tax returns early can hurt you
Waiting may make financial sense, and some experts say it could lower your audit risk.
Monday, February 8, 2010
World's tallest lookout suddenly shut down
World's tallest lookout suddenly shut down
Just a month after its grand opening, the Burj Khalifa unexpectedly shutters its observation deck.
The Height of Hypocrisy
Sarah Palin Defends Lush Dimbulb’s Use Of the word ‘Retard’
OK, who’s surprised that Sarah Palin is holding a Democrat to a different standard than a repugican?
Full Story
Hypocrisy all right, but typical repugican.
OK, who’s surprised that Sarah Palin is holding a Democrat to a different standard than a repugican?
Full Story
Hypocrisy all right, but typical repugican.
Good Thoughts
From Clifford Allen Potts
If you listen to the Republicans, the GOP has done nothing wrong. Never. Not Once. There is no connection between the current economic decline in the nation and Bush's decision to cut the taxes of the top 1% of the U.S. population and go to war in Iraq and Afghanistan. No, no connection whatsoever. It was Clinton's fault. It is Obama's fault. It is FDR's fault. No, our current situation has nothing to do with Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush, or King George the Usurper. Yet, the republicans have been in charge of this nation for 28 our of the last 41 years; the Democrats held control for only 12 of those 41 years. Still, nothing is the responsibility of the Republicans. They want you and I to buy their lie. They want you and I to consider them a viable alternative. They want us to embrace them. It lacks any credibility what so ever! It is insane! It is sin!
I tell you, look at the works of the GOP. They favor the wealthiest, and put the burden of their colonial wars upon the poorest of the poor of our nation. They let people die of treatable disease because it is too expensive for them. They let the widow and homeless suffer in the cold. They turn their back on the afflicted and injured. They deprive men of wages earned. They make those who can least afford it support the burden of the prosperity that they enjoy! So, where then is their faith? Is it in Jesus? Is it in God? Or is it in the level of wealth that they have achieved at the expense of others?
Well put, well put indeed.
Survey Says Americans Support Carbon Tax More Than Cap-and-Trade - But Nobody Really Knows Much About Either
From Treehugger:
There have been a slew of surveys coming out lately showing what Americans supposedly want or don't want in terms of energy policy, climate policy and about climate change more broadly. I say supposedly, because the results of these different surveys don't always jive with one another. This latest one, by the US Climate Task Force, and highlighted by The Energy Collective, says that US voters think a straight carbon tax is a better idea than the current only option on the table, cap-and-trade:
A ship is an island
This camouflaged Dutch ship successfully disguised itself as a small tropical island and avoided the Japanese Navy after the Battle of the Java Sea.
HNLMS Abraham Crijnssen was stationed in the Dutch East Indies when WW II began. After the destruction of the Allied Fleet by the Japanese during the Battle of the Java Sea in February 1942, Crijnssen's captain was ordered to escape with his ship to Australia. Covered with tree branches, the minesweeper crossed the Japanese naval lines camouflaged as a tropical island.
The economy ...
... now in easy-to-understand charts for arguing with dumb people
(in other words repugicans)
(in other words repugicans)
From Bob Cesca, comes a couple of charts that easily show the progress President Obama has made with the economy thus far:
Dow Jones under the shrub & president Obama
Job losses under the shrub & President Obama
Dow Jones under the shrub & president Obama
Job losses under the shrub & President Obama
Goodbye cables, hello energy beams
Your gadgets are finally about to become truly wireless - as long as you don't mind lasers criss-crossing your living room.Unplugged
Helium clue found in echo of the big bang
Light left over from the birth of the universe has revealed another secret: a subtle hint of ancient helium.Helium clue found in echo of the big bang
China finds 170 more tons of tainted milk powder
China has found another 170 tons of tainted milk powder in an emergency crackdown that has made it increasingly clear many products discovered in the country's 2008 milk scandal were repackaged for sale instead of destroyed.
170 more tons of tainted milk powder
170 more tons of tainted milk powder
Body Found In Landing Gear Of US Flight
A man's body has been found in the landing gear of an airliner that had flown from New York to Tokyo.
Body Found In Landing Gear Of US Flight
Body Found In Landing Gear Of US Flight
Today is ...
Today is Monday, February 8, the 39th day of 2010.
There are 326 days left in the year.
Today In History February 8, 2010
Today's unusual holiday and celebration is:
Laugh and Get Rich Day
There are 326 days left in the year.
Today In History February 8, 2010
Today's unusual holiday and celebration is:
Laugh and Get Rich Day
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
Nijmegen, Gelderlend, Netherlands
Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia
Prague, Hlavni Mesto Prahah, Czech Republic
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
Hirsohima, Hiroshima, Japan
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom
Helsingor, Frederiksborg, Denmark
Jena, Thuringen, Germany
Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom
London, England, United Kingdom
Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy
Munich, Bayern, Germany
as well as France, Scotland, Wales, and the United States
Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
Nijmegen, Gelderlend, Netherlands
Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia
Prague, Hlavni Mesto Prahah, Czech Republic
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
Hirsohima, Hiroshima, Japan
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom
Helsingor, Frederiksborg, Denmark
Jena, Thuringen, Germany
Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom
London, England, United Kingdom
Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy
Munich, Bayern, Germany
as well as France, Scotland, Wales, and the United States
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
Even when you're not consciously working at it, there's something about you that's tough to resist.
It happens without any effort at all.
So when you're consciously and passionately involved in the outcome of a situation, as you are now, you're positively lethal -- which means your willing hostage will say or do just about anything to stay in your presence.
Seeing exactly what that might be would certainly be fun and definitely tempting -- but would it be fair?
It happens without any effort at all.
So when you're consciously and passionately involved in the outcome of a situation, as you are now, you're positively lethal -- which means your willing hostage will say or do just about anything to stay in your presence.
Seeing exactly what that might be would certainly be fun and definitely tempting -- but would it be fair?
Simply irresistible.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Your coffee reveals your personality
Coffee snobs can find more than froth and sugar at the bottom of their cups - personality lives there as well.
Your coffee reveals your personality
Your coffee reveals your personality
El Niño impact may bring chilly spring to the South
This winter may go in the record books as one of the coldest the state has ever experienced.
Now, meteorologists are predicting a colder than normal spring.
"We're talking April, May, June [with] above average precipitation and below average temperatures," News 14 Carolina meteorologist Tara Lane said.
It's all due to El Niño. Locally, it's responsible for the erratic weather that includes spurts of snow, ice and rain.
On Sunday, many enjoyed milder temperatures.
Lane is predicting even more winter weather on Tuesday.
"We could be looking at rain changing into a snow-sleet mix later into the night and a possibility again of icy slick areas Wednesday morning," she said.
The effects of El Niño are being felt through the South, Gulf states and up through the Carolinas.
Well it's over
The Aints beat the Ponies 31 to 17.
Hopefully we'll have a couple of real teams in the Super Bowl next year.
Hopefully we'll have a couple of real teams in the Super Bowl next year.
Mom charged in son's death made cult abuse claims
There's one in every crowd ...
A Belgian-born woman charged in her 8-year-old son's death in a New York City luxury hotel was once detained by police in Wyoming after claiming the boy was being molested by devil worshipers.
Mom charged in son's death made cult abuse claims
A Belgian-born woman charged in her 8-year-old son's death in a New York City luxury hotel was once detained by police in Wyoming after claiming the boy was being molested by devil worshipers.
Mom charged in son's death made cult abuse claims
Woman to hula hoop up Kilimanjaro
Julianne McGregor, 27, is planning to hula hoop on her way to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to rise money for her best friend with cancer.
Unruly passenger blames medical pot cookies
A San Francisco man claims he was high on a double dose of medical marijuana cookies when he screamed, dropped his pants and attacked crew members on a cross-country flight, forcing its diversion to Pittsburgh, the FBI said Wednesday.
Full Story
Full Story
Thousands still in dark in western NC after storm
Thousands of utility customers in western North Carolina have awakened again to power outages caused by winter weather, and signs point to another storm on the way.
Duke Energy has approximately 8,500 customers still out in Henderson, Polk, Transylvania and Jackson counties. In all, the utility reported 17,294 outages as of 1:30 p.m., many of them in the western part of North Carolina.
In Henderson County, 700 workers from Georgia and South Carolina were called in to help Duke Energy restore power to more than 13,000 customers. By Sunday afternoon, the number had been reduced to 5,502 customers.
Progress Energy reported fewer than 100 outages across North Carolina.
Forecasters at the National Weather Service say a storm could leave a wintry mix in western North Carolina on Tuesday morning.
*****
Just what we need more 'wintry mix'.
Three arrested after body found in trash container
From left: Yadira Fernandez and Isidro Bueno.
Three people have been arrested and charged with hiding a dead man’s body in a dumpster in southwest Charlotte Friday, but no one is yet charged with the man’s killing.
Yadira Fernandez, 36, Isidro Bueno, 47, and Juan Rivera-Amaya, 23, were arrested Saturday afternoon and charged with “ concealment of death,” a felony.
Bueno was also charged with aiding and abetting prostitution and maintaining a place for prostitution.
The three were being held in Mecklenburg County Jail on Sunday, Rivera-Amaya and Fernandez or $15,000 bond and Bueno on $20,000.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police were called to the Windgate Apartments, on Kingsford Drive near East Arrowood Road, on Friday, when a maintenance man checking a broken pipe found blood in a unit. Investigators searched the area and found a man’s body in the trash dumpster a few hundred feet away.
They say the victim was subletting the apartment and his slaying wasn’t a random act.
But police wouldn’t say what led them to arrest the three people on Sunday. They also refused to comment on whether the three are being investigated for killing the man, and haven’t released the man’s name.
Court records show Bueno was arrested for assault on a female and false imprisonment in 2003, but was found not guilty of both charges.
Fernandez and Rivera-Amaya don’t appear to have criminal histories in North Carolina.
Anyone with information about Friday’s incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a homicide detective. Detective T. Brandon is the lead detective assigned to the case.
Tips also can be telephoned to Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
Nurse to Stand Trial for Reporting Doctor
Only in Texas would this farce take place ...
It occurred to Anne Mitchell as she was writing the letter that she might lose her job, which is why she chose not to sign it. But it was beyond her conception that she would be indicted and threatened with 10 years in prison for doing what she knew a nurse must: inform state regulators that a doctor at her rural hospital was practicing bad medicine.
Full Story
There are some real nutcases in Texas.
And only in Texas can a quack pose as a doctor and those that point out that fact be prosecuted while the 'doctor' continues his quackery.
Them's good'ol'boys for ya.
There are some real nutcases in Texas.
And only in Texas can a quack pose as a doctor and those that point out that fact be prosecuted while the 'doctor' continues his quackery.
Them's good'ol'boys for ya.
Death by karaoke
"The odds of getting killed during karaoke may be higher in the Philippines."
And more so if you sing a particular song, according to the NYT.
Known a few that should be and I bet you have too.
And more so if you sing a particular song, according to the NYT.
Known a few that should be and I bet you have too.
Rural North Carolinians Adapting To Landfill Plastic Bottle Ban
From Treehugger:
Image credit:Concord, North Carolina
North Carolina now bans the landfilling of plastic bottles of all types - more information here - and this has become a practical issue in rural towns where curbside recycling is not offered. Winston-Salem Journal reports on how the problem was solved in one County. The president of Rural Garbage Services Inc. offered to pick them up for free: "In order to recycle their plastics, people in those areas would have to take them to one of the county's three recycling centers...Parrish came up with a solution for his customers: His company would pick up the bottles from its customers for free." Nice guy.
Although people could just hide the bottles in their trash, the law does seem to be having a positive effect.
Article continues: Rural North Carolinians Adapting To Landfill Plastic Bottle Ban
From Treehugger:
courtesy via www.americanpika.org
A woman I work with has the sound of an American Pika as her ringtone. It's a high-pitch squeal recognizable to anyone who has heard it before, and she has it on her phone to draw attention to the plight of the Pika, a small furry creature under threat from climate change. The Pika needs help, but it won't be getting it from the Fish and Wildlife Service, which Friday rejected a bid to extend endangered species protection to it.
Article continues: American Pika Denied Endangered Species Protection
Berlin Film Festival Raises Recycled Curtain on Metropolis
From Treehugger:
Image: Metropolis, Original Film Poster, UFA
Do you know which film inspired C-3PO in Star Wars? Or gave Superman's home its name? It is Fritz Lang's Metropolis. Lang produced his epic silent film in the brief period of stability and astounding intellectual productivity between the two world wars known as the Weimar Culture. With a budget equivalent to over $200 million in modern currency, Metropolis was the mega-blockbuster of 1927. But the film was too long for audiences and underwent a series of cuts and edits shortly after its original Berlin opening.
Film historians gave up on ever restoring the film to its original condition, as missing bits simply could not be found. Nonetheless, the film was the first ever to be recognized in UNESCO's "Memory of the World" register. Now it will open the Berlinale Film Festival next week--in its full, original version. To properly frame the significance of the event, Berlinale directors turned to American designer Christina Kim, renowned for selling eco- and human-friendly couture under the brand name dosa. The story of the recovery of Lang's film, and the details of the recycled art project grand enough to pull back the curtain on it, are as provocative and fascinating as the city which will once again premier the original cut of Metropolis.
Man survives 17 hours buried in snow
Man survives 17 hours buried in snow
A Swiss skier was miraculously pulled from beneath an avalanche with just mild hypothermia.
Six ways to live a lot longer
Six ways to live a lot longer
Being socially active and walking instead of driving improve your chances of hitting 100.
Easy five-minute party dips
Easy five-minute party dips
These creamy and cheesy dips will satisfy the hungry crowd at your Super Bowl party.
Surprising meaning of Super Bowl coin toss
Surprising meaning of Super Bowl coin toss
The Saints' Drew Brees will call heads or tails to decide who gets the football first.
Massive explosion rocks power plant
Massive explosion rocks power plant
Officials fear multiple deaths and injuries after a powerful blast at a Connecticut plant.
[More]
Scientists identify first genetic variant linked to biological aging in humans
Scientists announced today they have identified for the first time definitive variants associated with biological aging in humans.
Scientists identify first genetic variant linked to biological aging in humans
Scientists identify first genetic variant linked to biological aging in humans
Foul language can add to society in the long run
He was, in this writer's humble opinion, the author of the greatest novel ever written.
CITTA
Maybe, maybe not.
CITTA
Maybe, maybe not.
Dibgy on repugican whininess
Digby is onto something.
But there's also another reason repugicans whine.
It's called projection.
Far too often, if you listen very closely to a repugican complaining about a Democrat, you'll note that the Democrat didn't do the thing they're being accused of, and the repugican already has.
It's like a self-confessional, only a lot more bitter.
After all, it's really hard being out of power for only 13 months of the past nine years.
*****
It does not take a degree in psychology to figure that out either.
Although using the proper term "Projection" does indicate at least a passing familiarity with Psych-101.
But there's also another reason repugicans whine.
It's called projection.
Far too often, if you listen very closely to a repugican complaining about a Democrat, you'll note that the Democrat didn't do the thing they're being accused of, and the repugican already has.
It's like a self-confessional, only a lot more bitter.
After all, it's really hard being out of power for only 13 months of the past nine years.
*****
It does not take a degree in psychology to figure that out either.
Although using the proper term "Projection" does indicate at least a passing familiarity with Psych-101.
Landrieu is New Orleans mayor
Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu was elected mayor of New Orleans on Saturday, replacing term-limited Ray Nagin and becoming the majority-black city's first white mayor since 1979.
Black box of Ethiopian jet retrieved
Lebanon's marine commandos on Sunday recovered the black box of the Ethiopian Airlines jet that crashed into the Mediterranean last month, the Lebanese army said in a statement.
Full StoryPublic jobs that pay surprisingly well
Public jobs that pay surprisingly well
The government is hiring for a slew of lucrative jobs, from FBI agents to bear habitat managers.
Beware of geoengineering using volcanoes' tricks
Volcanoes killed 27 per cent of marine genera 94 million years ago – fixing our climate with sulphate aerosols could inflict a similar fate on lakes.Beware of geoengineering using volcanoes' tricks
North Carolina Mountain Mudslides
Asheville Citizen-Times
Authorities immediately began evacuating about 40 other people from the landslide area near Maggie Valley Friday night.
Landslide Takes Out Four Homes In NC Mountains
And the rest as they say is history ...
Thousands of screaming fans greeted The Beatles as they arrived at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on February 7th in 1964.
Today is ...
Today is Sunday, February 7, the 38th day of 2010.
There are 327 days left in the year.
Today In History February 7
Today's unusual holidays and celebrations are:
Ballet Day,
Man Day,
and
Wave Your Fingers At Your Neighbor's Day
There are 327 days left in the year.
Today In History February 7
Today's unusual holidays and celebrations are:
Ballet Day,
Man Day,
and
Wave Your Fingers At Your Neighbor's Day
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Bremen, Bremen, Germany
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Poznan, Wielkopolskie, Poland
London, England, United Kingdom
Stratford, Ontario, Canada
Paris, Ile-De-France, France
Wroclaw, Dolnoslaskie, Poland
Bremen, Bremen, Germany
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Poznan, Wielkopolskie, Poland
London, England, United Kingdom
Stratford, Ontario, Canada
Paris, Ile-De-France, France
Wroclaw, Dolnoslaskie, Poland
Daily Horoscope
Today's Horoscope says:
Lately you have been pleasing people without even trying.
And the awe will continue -- your quick thinking in a tricky situation will leave others quite impressed today, although you might not completely understand why.
In your mind, you did what anyone else would have done in that position.
You won't quite grasp the profundity of your actions for a few more days, but when you do, you'll want to pat yourself on the back.
Kewl.
Lately you have been pleasing people without even trying.
And the awe will continue -- your quick thinking in a tricky situation will leave others quite impressed today, although you might not completely understand why.
In your mind, you did what anyone else would have done in that position.
You won't quite grasp the profundity of your actions for a few more days, but when you do, you'll want to pat yourself on the back.
Kewl.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Extinction Threatens World's Butt-Ugliest Fish
From Treehugger:
Photo: Sad and blobby blobfish (Greenpeace)
Without the redeeming good looks of other endangered species, the rather unfortunate-looking but aptly-named blobfish (Psychrolutes marcidus) may not figure in anyone's glitzy conservation campaign. Nevertheless, the fact is that this jiggly, jelly-like creature is threatened with extinction, thanks to the overfishing antics of deep sea trawlers scraping the bottom of Australian and New Zealand waters.
Article continues: Extinction Threatens World's Butt-Ugliest Fish
China dinosaur footprints found in Zhucheng
From BBC-Science:
 Scientists say the footprints belong to at least six different dinosaur types |
Scientists in China say they have discovered more than 3,000 dinosaur footprints, all facing the same way.
The footprints - thought to belong to at least six dinosaur types - were found in eastern Shandong province, state news agency Xinhua reports.
Experts believe the prints are more than 100 million years old and say they could represent a migration or a panicked attempt to escape predators.
Dinosaur fossils have been found at about 30 sites in the Zhucheng area.
As a result, Zhucheng City has become known locally as "dinosaur city".
The footprints were uncovered on a 2,600 sq m (0.64 acre) rock slope in a gully following three months of excavation work, Xinhua reported.
The find is unusual because of the quantity and size of footprints uncovered, scientists said.
The footprints, which range from 10cm (3.9in) to 80cm in length, belong to dinosaur types including tyrannosaurs, coelurosaurs and hadrosaurs, Xinhua said.
'I'm Not Saying Your Mother's a Whore': How Faux News Censored Jon Stewart vs. Swill O'Really
From Gawker:
Faux News has generously placed the full, unedited conversation between Bill O'Reilly and Jon Stewart online, so we can see precisely how unfairly and deviously Faux edited the interview in order to weaken Stewart's case: A lot!
Faux News has generously placed the full, unedited conversation between Bill O'Reilly and Jon Stewart online, so we can see precisely how unfairly and deviously Faux edited the interview in order to weaken Stewart's case: A lot!
One invades, the other flies away
One invades, the other flies away
Hundreds of giant squids near Calif. and a panda's unique air journey stir the Web.
Man buys 'secret' ghost town
Man buys 'secret' ghost town
The auctioned-off town in Latvia once wasn't even on maps because of Soviet military secrets.
New capitals of the housing crisis
New capitals of the housing crisis
Real estate markets like San Francisco and Dallas are no longer immune to the slump.
Ships collide in latest whaling clash
Ships collide in latest whaling clash
A Japanese harpoon boat and the anti-whaling vessel Bob Barker blame each other for the skirmish.
At about noon today, Australia time, at a location about 180 miles off Cape Darnley in Australian Antarctic Territory the Sea Shepherd vessel Bob Barker collided with the Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru 3. No injuries have been reported.
As it to be expected, both sides had rather different accounts of who was at fault in the situation:
Olympic team pressured to remove flag
Olympic team pressured to remove flag
A flag displayed at all recent Olympics as a mascot has come under fire in Vancouver.
Seoul's massive 'floating island' begins journey
Massive 'floating island' begins journey
A steel float the size of a football field is being moved toward a river in Seoul on giant airbags.
Best fast-food chicken wings
Best fast-food chicken wings
Find out which restaurants offer the spiciest, meatiest, and best all-around picks.
Danica Patrick survives scare in debut
Danica Patrick survives scare in debut
The star driver spins into the grass in her first NASCAR race, and narrowly avoids crashing into the wall.
'Snowmageddon'
Mid-Atlantic blanketed by 'Snowmageddon'
Crews can't keep up with the snow, and officials beg residents to stay home.
Bridge Made of Trash Collapses
In an absurd twist of fate and a rather distinct and unusual statement on the need to recycle, residents of Shanghai got the surprise of their life when earlier this month a major new bridge collapsed, revealing its components to be mostly rubbish and not concrete!
Spanning the Wusong River in central Shanghai ...
Spanning the Wusong River in central Shanghai ...
Wyoming suspect flees into police station
From the "You can't script this stuff" Department:
Police say a man suspected of stealing a bottle of Schnapps from a Wyoming grocery store didn't have the best escape route planned.
Full StoryIs brain damage a prerequisite for joining the repugican party?
Short answer - Yes
PZ Myers is a biologist and associate professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris.
Is brain damage a prerequisite for joining the repugican party?
PZ Myers is a biologist and associate professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris.
Is brain damage a prerequisite for joining the repugican party?
Chinese recklessness with antibiotics causing worldwide headaches
"Studies in China show a 'frightening' increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus bacteria, also know as MRSA .
There are warnings that new strains of antibiotic-resistant bugs will spread quickly through international air travel and international food sourcing."
Beware the coming onslaught of Chinese superbugs
There are warnings that new strains of antibiotic-resistant bugs will spread quickly through international air travel and international food sourcing."
Beware the coming onslaught of Chinese superbugs
Zero rupee note that Indians can slip to corrupt officials who demand bribes
Now here's an idea!
An Indian U of Maryland physics prof came up with these zero rupee notes that Indians can slip to officials who demand bribes. They've been wildly successful, with a total run over over 1,000,000 notes, and the reports from the field suggest that they shock grafters into honesty. Fifth Pillar is the NGO that produces the notes, and they're available for download in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.
One such story was our earlier case about the old lady and her troubles with the Revenue Department official over a land title. Fed up with requests for bribes and equipped with a zero rupee note, the old lady handed the note to the official. He was stunned. Remarkably, the official stood up from his seat, offered her a chair, offered her tea and gave her the title she had been seeking for the last year and a half to obtain without success. Had the zero rupee note reached the old lady sooner, her granddaughter could have started college on schedule and avoided the consequence of delaying her education for two years. In another experience, a corrupt official in a district in Tamil Nadu was so frightened on seeing the zero rupee note that he returned all the bribe money he had collected for establishing a new electricity connection back to the no longer compliant citizen.Anand explained that a number of factors contribute to the success of the zero rupee notes in fighting corruption in India. First, bribery is a crime in India punishable with jail time. Corrupt officials seldom encounter resistance by ordinary people that they become scared when people have the courage to show their zero rupee notes, effectively making a strong statement condemning bribery. In addition, officials want to keep their jobs and are fearful about setting off disciplinary proceedings, not to mention risking going to jail. More importantly, Anand believes that the success of the notes lies in the willingness of the people to use them. People are willing to stand up against the practice that has become so commonplace because they are no longer afraid: first, they have nothing to lose, and secondly, they know that this initiative is being backed up by an organization--that is, they are not alone in this fight.
*****
We should be printing a US version and handing them to our politicians - maybe the work they were elected to do will get done ...
I know, what a radical concept - their actually doing what they were elected to do ... but hey, it would be a novel thing, now wouldn't it?!
I know, what a radical concept - their actually doing what they were elected to do ... but hey, it would be a novel thing, now wouldn't it?!
The Pentagon Looks to Breed Immortal ‘Synthetic Organisms’
The Pentagon’s mad science arm may have come up with its most radical project yet. Darpa is looking to re-write the laws of evolution to the military’s advantage, creating “synthetic organisms” that can live forever — or can be killed with the flick of a molecular switch.
As part of its budget for the next year, Darpa is investing $6 million into a project called BioDesign, with the goal of eliminating “the randomness of natural evolutionary advancement.” The plan would assemble the latest bio-tech knowledge to come up with living, breathing creatures that are genetically engineered to “produce the intended biological effect.” Darpa wants the organisms to be fortified with molecules that bolster cell resistance to death, so that the lab-monsters can “ultimately be programmed to live indefinitely.”
Of course, Darpa’s got to prevent the super-species from being swayed to do enemy work — so they’ll encode loyalty right into DNA, by developing genetically programmed locks to create “tamper proof” cells. Plus, the synthetic organism will be traceable, using some kind of DNA manipulation, “similar to a serial number on a handgun.” And if that doesn’t work, don’t worry. In case Darpa’s plan somehow goes horribly awry, they’re also tossing in a last-resort, genetically-coded kill switch.
Pentagon Looks to Breed Immortal ‘Synthetic Organisms,’ Molecular Kill-Switch Included
Your tax dollars at work folks!
Filtering, Surveillance, Information Warfare
“The OpenNet Initiative estimates that at the end of 2009, 32% of all Internet users were accessing a filtered version of the Internet.”
ONI Releases 2009 Year in Review: Filtering, Surveillance, Information Warfare
Beatles 1,000 Years Later
It's the year 3,000 and archeologists have just discovered a group called The Beatles.
It's kind of interesting in that it makes one wonder if this is how badly we really understand events that occurred 1,000 or 2,000 years ago.
President Obama's Weekly Address
Remarks of President Barack Obama
As Prepared for Delivery
Weekly Address
February 6, 2010
Even though our economy is growing again, these are still tough times for America. Too many businesses are still shuttered. Too many families can’t make ends meet. And while yesterday, we learned that the unemployment rate has dropped below ten percent for the first time since summer, it is still unacceptably high – and too many Americans still can’t find work.
But what we must remember at a time like this is that we are not helpless in the face of our difficulties. As Americans, we make our own destiny. We forge our own path. And I am confident that if we come together and put aside the politics that keeps holding us back, we can do that again. We can rebuild this economy on a new, stronger foundation that leads to more jobs and greater prosperity.
I believe a key part of that foundation is America’s small businesses – the places where most new jobs begin.
These companies represent the essence of the American spirit – the promise that anyone can succeed in this country if you have a good idea and the determination to see it through. And every once in awhile, these ideas don’t just lead to a new business and new jobs, but a new American product that forever changes the world. After all, Hewlett Packard began in a garage. Google began as a simple research project.
Government can’t create these businesses, but it can give entrepreneurs the support they need to open their doors, expand, or hire more workers. And that’s what we’ve always done in this country. The folks at Southwest Windpower in Flagstaff, Arizona started their company in a small home. Since getting a loan from the Small Business Administration, they’ve sold 160,000 wind turbines to about 90 different countries, and are hiring even more workers today. When Sam Ko walked into one of the SBA’s small business development centers in Illinois, he didn’t have any business experience at all – just a patent for a new metal manufacturing technology. He was given a loan and a business plan, and today his company is still growing, with offices all over the Midwest.
Last year, the steps we took supported over 47,000 loans to small businesses and delivered billions in tax relief to small business owners, which helped companies keep their doors open, make payroll, and hire workers. But we can and must do more. That’s why I’ve proposed a series of steps this week to support small business owners and the jobs they create – to provide more access to credit, more incentives to hire, and more opportunities to grow and sell products all over the world.
Because financing remains difficult for good, credit-worthy small businesses across the country, I’ve proposed that we take $30 billion from the TARP fund originally used for Wall Street and create a new Small Business Lending Fund that will provide capital for community banks on Main Street. These are the small, local banks that will be able to give our small business owners more of the credit they need to stay afloat. We should also continue to waive fees, increase guarantees, and expand the size of SBA-backed loans for small businesses. And yesterday, I proposed making it easier for small business owners to refinance their mortgages during these tough times.
To give these companies greater incentives to grow and create jobs, I’ve proposed a new tax credit for more than one million small businesses that hire new workers or raise wages, as well as the elimination of all capital gains taxes on small business investment.
Finally, we should provide targeted support to the most innovative small businesses – the ones with the greatest potential to export new goods and products all over the world. A lot of these companies – like the wind turbine manufacturer I mentioned – are the foundation on which we can rebuild our economy to compete in the 21st century. They just need a little help securing the financing they need to get off the ground. We have every incentive to help them do that.
Next week, Congress will start debating many of these proposals. And if anyone has additional ideas to support small businesses and create jobs, I’m happy to consider them. My door is always open. But I urge members of both parties: do not oppose good ideas just because it’s good politics to do so. The proposals I’ve outlined are not Democratic or Republican; liberal or conservative. They are pro-business, they are pro-growth, and they are pro-job. Leaders in both parties have supported similar ideas in the past. So let’s come together and pass these measures without delay. Let’s put more Americans back to work, and let’s give our small business owners the support to do what they’ve always done: the freedom to pursue their dreams and build our country’s future. Thanks for listening.
Today is ...
Today is Saturday, February 6, the 37th day of 2010.
There are 328 days left in the year.
Today In History February 6
Today's unusual holidays and celebrations are:
Dump Your Significant Jerk Day
and
MOBIUS Awards Day
There are 328 days left in the year.
Today In History February 6
Today's unusual holidays and celebrations are:
Dump Your Significant Jerk Day
and
MOBIUS Awards Day
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
London, England, United Kingdom
Moscow, Moskva, Russia
Leeds, England, United Kingdom
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Poznan, Wielkopolskie, Poland
Paris, Ile-De-France, France
Colima, Colima, Mexico
as well as China, and the United States
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
London, England, United Kingdom
Moscow, Moskva, Russia
Leeds, England, United Kingdom
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Poznan, Wielkopolskie, Poland
Paris, Ile-De-France, France
Colima, Colima, Mexico
as well as China, and the United States
Daily Horosocpe
Today's horoscope says:
Trying to think of a special, pre-Valentine's Day treat?
Well, why not arrange a group meeting of all your friends and their sweethearts?
You can probably take over an entire restaurant, lounge or theater -- which means you'd all be free to do exactly what you want to do.
The only thing is, consider making it an early night -- you'll want some quality, solo time later on for whatever the evening brings.
"Probably" nothing - but it would take a stadium for all the friends to get together.
Trying to think of a special, pre-Valentine's Day treat?
Well, why not arrange a group meeting of all your friends and their sweethearts?
You can probably take over an entire restaurant, lounge or theater -- which means you'd all be free to do exactly what you want to do.
The only thing is, consider making it an early night -- you'll want some quality, solo time later on for whatever the evening brings.
"Probably" nothing - but it would take a stadium for all the friends to get together.
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