FORWARD: A New York Times review of Bill Bryson’s 2000 book, Down Under, says about Australia (and about Bryson) [i]: It is the driest, flattest, hottest, most infertile and climatically aggressive of all the inhabited continents and still Australia teems with life -- a large portion of it quite deadly. In fact, Australia has more things that can kill you in a very … [Read more...] about Tidbits from Down Under – Part 2
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford refuses to resign after admitting smoked crack cocaine (Video)
If someone once said about Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, "What is he? On crack?" they answer would be yes -- there was a time he was. And up until today he repeatedly denied it. Today, he admitted it, but won't resign: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford said Tuesday he won't resign, hours after admitting he smoked crack cocaine, probably "in one of my drunken stupors." "I was elected to … [Read more...] about Toronto Mayor Rob Ford refuses to resign after admitting smoked crack cocaine (Video)
Facebook Flirting: “Oh, To Be 80 Again”
Is Facebook trying to tell me something? In my “Find Friends” section, more and more names of sixtyish-and-older actresses keep appearing and I am reminded of the legendary Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes’ remark at 90 as a beautiful woman passed by, “Oh, to be 80 again!” Following the lead of my teen-aged grandson who counts his age in half-years, I am only 89.5 … [Read more...] about Facebook Flirting: “Oh, To Be 80 Again”
Romney apologizes to Christie over “Double Down” leak
When candidates being considered for vetting as a Vice Presidential nominee on a ticket give their info to an interested Presidential nominee, it's supposed to be confidential. Supposed to be: someone in the camp of unsuccessful 2012 Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney gifted a batch of opposition research on New Jersey Gov. Christ Christie to the to the authors of … [Read more...] about Romney apologizes to Christie over “Double Down” leak
John Kerry May Bring Happy NSA Surprise for Poles (Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland)
Will anything worthwhile emerge from Secretary of State Kerry's brief visit to Poland today? Even if little of value can be gleaned from the Polish Foreign Ministry's official press release, Gazeta Wyborcza columnist Mariusz Zawadzki jests that Poles hankering for visa-free travel to America may receive an unexpected bonus for having all of their phone calls spied upon by the … [Read more...] about John Kerry May Bring Happy NSA Surprise for Poles (Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland)
Too Much Information
Some things are just too “precious”, as in funny/ironic/stupefying, to let pass. Take, for example, the comment of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford on admitting to smoking crack cocaine. Said Ford: "Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine... probably in one of my drunken stupors." … [Read more...] about Too Much Information
The House That Time Forgot
Courtesy of Mental Floss this is a pretty cool article about a house lost in time. … [Read more...] about The House That Time Forgot
New York votes for new mayor after Bloomberg
New York votes for new mayor after Bloomberg (via AFP) New Yorkers went to the polls Tuesday to elect a new mayor, with progressive Democrat Bill de Blasio tipped for a landslide victory to replace billionaire Michael Bloomberg. The 52-year-old public advocate and his black formerly lesbian wife promise… … [Read more...] about New York votes for new mayor after Bloomberg
Ten Essential Witnesses for Investigating NSA Surveillance in Germany (Der Spiegel, Germany)
Given the history of German-American relations since the end of World War II, it is more than surreal to read this article by Der Spiegel columnist Veit Medick, which treats NSA surveillance - perhaps rightly - as a crime that must be investigated and rooted out. It would appear that Germany is preparing to investigate NSA spying and German complicity with it with customary … [Read more...] about Ten Essential Witnesses for Investigating NSA Surveillance in Germany (Der Spiegel, Germany)
Is It Time For Two Chinas ?
One of the more interesting oddities of world politics has been the long going debate over the dueling governments of the Peoples Republic of China (aka Mainland China) and the Republic of China (aka Taiwan). For those not entirely familiar with the history I’ll offer a brief review. For much of the first half of the 20th century the nation of China was embroiled in a civil … [Read more...] about Is It Time For Two Chinas ?
Health Insurers Horror Stories and Hope
Whatever happened to rational argument? Foolish question no doubt in the Age of Media Mayhem, but the debate over Obamacare is hitting new lows in inhuman discourse. Today’s special is a Wall Street Journal OpEd by a California woman: “You Also Can't Keep Your Doctor: I had great cancer doctors and health insurance. My plan was cancelled. Now I worry how long I'll … [Read more...] about Health Insurers Horror Stories and Hope
End of the road (Guest Voice)
End of the road (via The Economist) FOR a country as wealthy as America, the dilapidated state of its infrastructure sure is a sorry sight. Three weeks of motoring around Spain—an economic basket-case by comparison, with over twice the unemployment and less than two-thirds the per-capita… … [Read more...] about End of the road (Guest Voice)
New poll finds grim political environment with worries for both parties
New poll finds grim political environment with worries for both parties (via The Christian Science Monitor) Celinda Lake (l.) and Ed Goeas speak at a Monitor-sponsored breakfast for reporters on Nov. 4 in Washington, DC. (Michael Bonfigli/The Christian Science Monitor) The political environment is grim as the US heads into the 2013 elections on Tuesday, with… … [Read more...] about New poll finds grim political environment with worries for both parties
Hypocrisy: Brazil’s Intelligence Agency Spied on US, Russian, Iranian Diplomats Stationed in Brasilia
HYPOCRISY WATCH: So much for Brazilians being upset over Edward Snowden's leaked documents about the National Security Agency spying on President Dilma Rousseff. It turns out Brazil admitted to spying on diplomatic targets. The NY Times reports, Brazil's top intelligence agency, Institutional Security Cabinet, also known as Abin, had spied on diplomatic targets from countries … [Read more...] about Hypocrisy: Brazil’s Intelligence Agency Spied on US, Russian, Iranian Diplomats Stationed in Brasilia
NSA’s Alexander: Media Reports Mischaracterize What NSA Does
While I have frequently expressed my personal opinions on NSA surveillance and on the “Snowden affair,” my opinions pale -- in significance and authority -- in comparison to the opinions of those in charge of such operations. Therefore, unabridged and “un-commented,” here is a report by Cheryl Person on an October 31 speech by NSA Director Keith B. Alexander on those … [Read more...] about NSA’s Alexander: Media Reports Mischaracterize What NSA Does
T-45 Crashes Aboard NAS Pensacola – Crew Survives
The Navy reports that, at approximately 10:30 this morning, a U.S. Navy T-45C Goshawk aircraft crashed at the approach end of a runway at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. While initially reporting that the condition of the two pilots was unknown, and that rescue operations were underway, the Navy now reports that the crew survived the crash and are being treated at a … [Read more...] about T-45 Crashes Aboard NAS Pensacola – Crew Survives
LAX tragedy and breaking news: media still lacking
How well did media perform during the breaking news situation around the Los Angeles International Airport shooting on Friday? Not very, according to this analysis by @SteveJFox. I lamented the rampant errors around the Boston bombings back in April. And the errors around Sandy Hook, four months before that. What is it going to take for media to understand that Twitter … [Read more...] about LAX tragedy and breaking news: media still lacking
Chris Christie’s Political Agony and Ecstasy
Just as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's political star seems poised to shoot high in the sky incoming missiles come in and score a partial hit. The best summary of how a GOP Governor poised for a landslide re-election in a blue state has hit some bumps in the longer road comes via NBC's First Read: *** It was the best of times for Chris Christie; it also was the worst of … [Read more...] about Chris Christie’s Political Agony and Ecstasy
I am embarrassed for my state
Internet Explorer has not been the leading Web Browser for over a decade. Nearly 53% of people now use the Google Chrome browser. So what is the first thing you see when you go to the CoverOregon website? This: The Oregon healthcare exchange website, CoverOregon.org, was “built and tested for use with Internet Explorer,” and may “not work properly” if used on other browsers, … [Read more...] about I am embarrassed for my state
Looking Back on the Shutdown
Looking back on the government shutdown forced by right-wing Republican conservatives in the House last month, the questions should be asked by all Americans, what did it accomplish and what were its costs? The shutdown lasted sixteen days closing non-essential government agencies and furloughing non-essential employees. Tabulating what the shutdown achieved is easier than … [Read more...] about Looking Back on the Shutdown