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21 Apr 2009 23:54

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Biz, U.S.: Great! The bailout program could be a huge target for fraud.

  • The sheer size of the program … is so large and the leverage being provided to the private equity participants so beneficial, that the taxpayer risk is many times that of the private parties, thereby potentially skewing the economic incentives.
  • Inspector General Neil Barofksy • In a massive quarterly report on the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Sound like fun? It totally is. We hope, if the banks defraud us taxpayers, they do it in really cool ways, like buying themselves gold houses and rocket cars. • source

21 Apr 2009 23:44

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U.S.: Massive debt leads to a family’s murder-suicide tragedy

  • $460,000 Amount Christopher Wood of Middletown, Md. owed on credit card debt and mortgages
  • five people died in the “horrific” murder-suicide, which shocked the Maryland community source

21 Apr 2009 23:12

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Tech, U.S.: Gavin Newsom is assisting in Twitter jumping the shark even more

  • It’s official – running for Gov of CA. Wanted you to be the first to know. Need your help.
  • San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom • Who announced his candidacy for California governor today. It’s not nearly as lame as John McCain talking to George Stephanopoulos in a Tweeterview, but it’s still a crass political move at this point in the game. • source

21 Apr 2009 23:02

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Politics, Tech: Are Google Profiles a good idea? We argue yes.

  • about Google Profiles creates an easily-searchable public page for you and your life. It’s not a new concept – Yahoo has done this for years – but Google has integrated it with other Web services really well, and it makes you easier to find online.
  • thoughts Privacy advocates will probably complain. Some jerks will probably say that Facebook already does this quite well. We say this is a good idea because it separates the social networking from the personal aspect. Plus, it’s simple. Simple is good. source

21 Apr 2009 22:54

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Tech: Could Firefox be moving away from the tabbed browsing format?

As we somehow manage to have about 50 tabs open at any time, we get the impression that they know what they’re doing. source

21 Apr 2009 22:20

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Culture, U.S.: Sad news, everyone! Blago can’t travel to be on a reality show. :(

  • He’s on trial for a bunch of bad, bad things. Rod Blagojevich, the impeached Illinois governor who’s slowly evolved into a walking punchline, attempted to cash in on his notoriety by preliminarily joining the cast of “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” Unfortunately for Blago, the judge thinks it’s too soon for him to leave the country and go to Costa Rica to embarrass himself. “I don’t think this defendant in all honesty…fully understands the position he finds himself in,” commented U.S. District Judge James Zagel. You weren’t supposed to let him do it for him, James. You were supposed to let him do it for us! source

21 Apr 2009 20:41

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Culture: Miss California defends her anti-gay-marriage comments

  • I knew at that moment after I’d answered the question, I knew that I was not going to win because of my answer. Because I had spoken from my heart, for my beliefs and for my God.
  • Miss California Carrie Prejean • On answering a question from Perez Hilton on gay marriage during the Miss USA contest honestly. She knew, after answering the question the way she did, she wasn’t going to win. But she’s fine with it. And honestly, you’re going to remember who Carrie Prejean is long after the what’s-her-name that won on Sunday night. • source
 

21 Apr 2009 20:31

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Tech, World: Astronomers all tingly about an Earth-like planet on Earth Day

It’s nearly the size of Earth, it’s not in our solar system and it’s close. We can move there after screwing up Earth! source

21 Apr 2009 20:21

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Biz: Yahoo’s employees aren’t saying “Yahooooo!!!” about layoffs

  • 5% of its employees are getting escorted off the premises source

21 Apr 2009 20:15

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Biz: Kellogg’s Mini-Wheats will not, in fact, make you smuharter

  • 20% Kellogg’s claim of the increased attentiveness their wheat/frosting cereal gave you.
  • not 20% the amount that the cereal actually helped you; the FTC told Kellogg’s to quit lying. source