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24 Mar 2009 22:00

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Tech, World: Yo China, why are you blocking YouTube?

  • China’s Internet is open enough, but also needs to be regulated by law in order to prevent the spread of harmful information and for national security.
  • Qin Gang • A Chinese Foreign Ministry official, on the Internet, which he says they’re not scared of. Despite this, China blocked video-sharing site YouTube Monday night. Because Chinese people need to be protected from a capella singing of Animal Collective songs. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink

24 Mar 2009 21:52

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World: They’re accused of espionage in North Korea. They’re journalists.

  • And they’re being “treated well.” In case you watch news channel Current TV, you may be familiar with reporter Laura Ling. Ling, along with news editor Euna Lee, is currently being held by North Korea on charges of espionage after accidentally crossing into the country from China on March 17. The U.S. is trying to help them, but in a low-key fashion, because, well, it’s North Korea. And North Korea is trying to do things like launch a satellite into orbit. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Mar 2009 21:20

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Politics, U.S.: Maryland senator wants to save the newspaper, legislatively

  • About the bill Sen. Benjamin Cardin of Maryland introduced a bill today that would allow newspapers to be treated as nonprofit organizations and get tax breaks. They would not be able to make political endorsements (i.e. opinion sections), but they could report objectively on the news, including political campaigns. Cardin says the loss of journalism “is a real tragedy for communities across the nation and for our democracy.” source
  • About the bill Sen. Benjamin Cardin of Maryland introduced a bill today that would allow newspapers to be treated as nonprofit organizations and get tax breaks. They would not be able to make political endorsements (i.e. opinion sections), but they could report objectively on the news, including political campaigns. Cardin says the loss of journalism “is a real tragedy for communities across the nation and for our democracy.”
  • Why it’s needed In case you haven’t read the tone of this blog when we’re not making fart jokes, this is about journalism and its long-term future. Newspapers are getting closed left and right. Recently, the Ann Arbor News announced that it would fold its print edition, which is a big deal because Ann Arbor, Mich. is a one-paper town. This trend is not good for the economy, it’s not good for local news and it’s not good for the public. source
  • About the bill Sen. Benjamin Cardin of Maryland introduced a bill today that would allow newspapers to be treated as nonprofit organizations and get tax breaks. They would not be able to make political endorsements (i.e. opinion sections), but they could report objectively on the news, including political campaigns. Cardin says the loss of journalism “is a real tragedy for communities across the nation and for our democracy.”
  • Why it’s needed In case you haven’t read the tone of this blog when we’re not making fart jokes, this is about journalism and its long-term future. Newspapers are getting closed left and right. Recently, the Ann Arbor News announced that it would fold its print edition, which is a big deal because Ann Arbor, Mich. is a one-paper town. This trend is not good for the economy, it’s not good for local news and it’s not good for the public.
  • Reactions You can imagine some people like this a lot, while whiny cranks don’t. A sample: “Seriously, after all that the Media has done to this Country, to think that I would want them to survive is asinine. Stop the presses, shutter the doors, fire the editors and let’s all do this online or by word of mouth.” Here’s an editorial statement: People who say things like this are freaking idiots. Even when you say you don’t love them, you know you really do. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Mar 2009 10:52

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Culture: It runs in the family, sadly: Sylvia Plath’s son commits suicide

  • He was a loving brother, a loyal friend to those who knew him and, despite the vagaries that life threw at him, he maintained an almost childlike innocence and enthusiasm for the next project or plan.
  • Frieda Hughes • Sister of Nicholas Hughes and daughter of Sylvia Plath, on Nicholas’ death by suicide in Alaska. Hughes followed in his mother’s infamous footsteps; she gassed herself to death 46 years ago, creating a literary legend in the process. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Mar 2009 10:45

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Culture: South Park probably has something clever to say about the economy

The show, famous for its quick turnaround time on cultural events, tackles the economic crisis tomorrow night. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 4 Comments • Permalink

24 Mar 2009 10:34

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Biz, U.S.: Bankers falling off the wagon in high numbers, rehab clinics say

  • We absolutely do see more people coming in naming either a job loss or huge financial reversals or big investments with Bernie Madoff.
  • Sigurd Ackerman • The medical director at New Canaan, Connecticut’s Silver Hill Hospital rehabilitation facility, on the high number of former bankers coming in with alcoholism problems. Many (well, former) bankers live in New Canaan. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Mar 2009 10:27

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Culture, U.S.: The International Space Station’s new room has a great name

  • 230,539 voted for “Colbert.” LOL. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

24 Mar 2009 10:18

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U.S., World: South Africa has some pretty lame people in charge of visas

  • A group in South Africa wants to hold a peace conference, and they invited Tibetian spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to come. source
  • South Africa denies him a visa out of fear that his visit might overshadow the 2010 World Cup, which they’re hosting. WTF? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Mar 2009 10:09

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Sports: Stan Van Gundy tries starting Patrick Ewing drama with the Knicks

  • They honor him, but while they’ve got a lot of ex-players in their organization, they’ve never made any move to try to hire him. That to me is amazing.
  • Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy • On his assistant Patrick Ewing, a major star for the New York Knicks in the 80s and 90s. Despite this (and a pretty pathetic recent history), the Knicks have made no attempt to make Ewing a part of the team’s staff or management. Well, at least he’s big-upping a big man instead of tearing one down. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Mar 2009 10:02

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Culture: Octet mom Nadya Suleman: My angels-in-waiting? Not really angels.

  • They were apparently spying on her. Suleman, who has 14 kids, in case you haven’t heard, claims the nonprofit Angels in Waiting has not exactly been very cool to her throughout their agreement. The group was providing training services to nannies paid on Suleman’s dime. (They initially offered around-the-clock service, but scaled back.) The group apparently was making complaints to child services. “It started out adversarial and never really resolved itself,” said Suleman attorney Jeff Czech. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink
 
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