ShortFormBlog | April, 2009 - Part 3

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29 Apr 2009 10:30

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U.S.: Could part of the Voting Rights Act get flipped over?

At some point you have to say we’ve come far enough. Why do we and the other affected jurisdictions have to have the federal government looking over our shoulder?
Gregory S. Coleman • Attorney for the Northwest Austin, Tx. Municipal Utility District, who argues that Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act is too archaic and outdated. The section requires that the Justice Department approve changes in voting procedure for jurisdictions covered by the law (essentially, those with a history of disenfranchised voters). Coleman and the district will be arguing the case in front of the Supreme Court today, and many will be watching closely. • source

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29 Apr 2009 10:16

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U.S., World: Five quick facts on swine flu that you should know

one The swine flu virus was first isolated in 1930; this is not a new type of virus.
two The virus transferred from pigs to humans because it mutated.
three You can’t get swine flu from eating cooked pork or handling uncooked pork.
four Swine flu symptoms are essentially the same as regular flu strains.
five The last outbreak of swine flu happened in 1976. One died. source

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29 Apr 2009 10:00

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U.S.: More optimistic numbers: The swine flu outbreak in the U.S.

64 confirmed human cases of swine flu in the U.S.
one poor little baby in Texas died of swine flu :( source

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29 Apr 2009 09:51

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Biz, U.S.: The incredible shrinking economy shrinks even more

-6.1% free-fall in the United States’ GDP O_O source

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29 Apr 2009 09:40

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Politics, U.S.: 100 days: Why is 100 days in office such a big deal?

Blame it on FDR. Franklin Roosevelt tried pushing through a boatload of legislation quickly at the height of the Great Depression, and mostly succeeded. If anything, Obama has gotten closest to FDR’s high standard for getting stuff done. A political science professor says it best: “There is no magic to the first 100 days,” said Ross Baker of Rutgers University. “I think people are always looking for a marker or some sort of guidepost.” source

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29 Apr 2009 09:33

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U.S.: 100 days: Love him or hate him, Obama gets stuff done

obamabig0429

1. He pushed through an epic, massive, $787 billion stimulus plan that was successful but managed to divide Democrats and Republicans in congress.

2. He signed 19 executive orders and 12 bills. (That’s a lot for 100 days.)

3. He moved diplomacy in a kinder, friendlier direction, particularly with Cuba, Venezuela and Iran.

4. He moved to stop controversial Bush administration policies, including putting in motion processes for ending the war in Iraq and shutting down Gitmo.

5. He finally got a freaking dog, an instant photo op if there ever was one. And it certainly beats the alternative.

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

29 Apr 2009 08:35

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U.S.: Meet the motherlode of Obama 100 days data

The New York Times’ graphic is so thorough, you’ll spend 45 minutes poring it over. source

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28 Apr 2009 22:12

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Offbeat, Sports: Amputee Kyle Maynard: Mixed martial arts’ newest fighter

This is impressive, but strange: We admire Kyle Maynard’s big spirit and fight, considering the odds we’re sure he’s fought against. He’s proof you can kick butt. source

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28 Apr 2009 21:44

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Music: This is like an indie kid’s dream tour … almost

one Dan Deacon: King of Wham City, Baltimore hipster freak, Casiotone supergenius, holding the Raymond Scott baton for a new generation of hipsters. Awesome.
two Deerhunter: Atlanta’s shoegazing innovators, creators of our favorite album of last year, complete with iconoclast lead singer Bradford Cox. Also pretty awesome.
three No Age: Pretty much the band responsible for bringing noise back to the forefront of indie rock. Leaders of the scene at L.A.’s Smell hipster dwelling. Overrated.
four The format: Round robin. All three bands set up at once. One band plays a song. The audience moves. Another band plays. The audience moves again. And so on. AWESOME! source

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28 Apr 2009 21:22

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Biz, Tech: Microsoft and Apple: Two suitors fighting for Verizon’s attention

MS has a phone of its own it’s trying to get Verizon to sell. As we’re sure you heard, then fawned over, Apple apparently has some cool new products that it’s offering exclusively to Verizon. But they’re not alone. Microsoft wants a piece of that vertical horizon action, because Verizon is everything they want and everything they need. MS has a cool phone, code-named “Pink,” which they want you to fawn over, too. Whoever wins, keep this in mind: If it doesn’t work out, we hear Lauren’s available, and a great catch … source

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