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27 Apr 2009 22:05

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Politics: Quote of the night, from D.C. journalist Jaclyn Schiff

  • Modern journalists need to help people navigate information overload, sift through the garbage, and identify great information.
  • Jaclyn Schiff • Discussing the swine flu outbreak in general, Twitter’s role in the disseminating information the outbreak, and journalists’ role in informing the public of the outbreak. Ms. Schiff, you’re awesome. We both live in D.C. Wanna go grab a cup of coffee sometime so we can nod our heads in agreement on this particular key fact? I’ll treat. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

27 Apr 2009 21:19

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Tech, World: In China, the iPhone knockoffs are as good as the real thing

It’s brilliant. It’s perfect. It’s counterfeit. And the faux-cell-phone industry is booming. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

27 Apr 2009 21:06

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U.S.: White House: Whoops, our bad on that low-flying jet thing

  • Last week, I approved a mission over New York. I take responsibility for that decision. While federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey, it’s clear that the mission created confusion and disruption.
  • Louis Caldera • Director of the White House Military Office, on allowing a plane to fly close to the ground for a photo op that freaked out tons of people in downtown NYC, which was understandably jumpy, you know, with that whole 9/11 thing. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

27 Apr 2009 20:55

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U.S., World: Ever hear the phrase “manure lagoons”? It’s the root of swine flu.

  • Residents long complained about the smell. The root of the current swine flu outbreak has its roots in Veracruz state, Mexico, where a 4-year-old boy got sick from what was later found to be swine flu. The boy lived near a massive pig farm with a large pool of manure nearby. Sound like a lot of fun? It’s not. The important part to take from this: The farm is partly owned by a U.S.-based company, Smithfield Foods, who will almost assuredly face scrutiny for starting the outbreak. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

27 Apr 2009 20:43

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Biz, U.S.: Newspapers fall deeper and deeper into oblivion

  • -7.1% circulation decline in the last six months o_O source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 8 Comments • Permalink

27 Apr 2009 12:06

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Politics, Tech: Free software fanatic Richard Stallman is insane, by the way

  • Proprietary software is a social problem, and our aim is to put an end to it. Free software is sometimes more powerful and reliable, but what concerns us most is that it is a more ethical way to distribute software.
  • Free Software Foundation founder and president Richard Stallman • On the “problem” of proprietary, copyrighted software. Why is he so hardcore about free? Well, as he says, “If you don’t have that freedom, the program controls you.” He’s like the Internet version of a crazy cat lady. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

27 Apr 2009 11:13

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Offbeat, Tech: He’s 90, but David Perlman still knows his science news

Science writer David Perlman of the San Francisco Chronicle will end a newspaper career that’s lasted 78 years. (!) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

27 Apr 2009 11:02

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Biz, Politics: Peace out, Pontiac: You will be missed, old friend

  • It wasn’t only the muscle cars, the GTO or the ’67 Firebird or the beastly Trans-Am, that made Pontiac something special.
  • “The Swamp” blogger Mark Silva • Reminiscing about the death of the Pontiac brand, which was announced today along with all those job cuts by GM. The Pontiac brand slowly but surely evolved away from those muscle cars that defined it early on, but they still define the brand to many. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink

27 Apr 2009 10:52

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Offbeat, U.S.: Why … yes, Air Force One just flew over the Statue of Liberty

  • No, Obama wasn’t on it. New Yorkers got a bit of a shock when they noticed a presidential plane flying over one of the nation’s most iconic figures this morning. The Air Force confirms that yes, Obama’s Air Force One backup plane flew over the Statue of Liberty this morning, but it was for a photo op. Thanks for ruining our dreams, Air Force. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink

27 Apr 2009 10:33

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Biz, Tech: My, how success changes things: Verizon wants the iPhone

  • “High-level” discussions USA Today reports that Apple and Verizon have been talking for a few months about the possibility of bringing the iPhone to the platform. It’s a severe change for the wireless provider, who famously did not want to bend to Apple’s standards a few years back.
  • AT&T should freak out If Apple brings the iPhone to another platform, AT&T should be plenty scared – 40% of their new mobile customers last quarter bought iPhones, a massive chunk of the pie. And as many don’t like AT&T’s service, it could be a coup for Verizon. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
 
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