Talk about vip. Obama announced the 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom today. Among those to get America’s highest civilian honor: Stephen Hawking, Ted Kennedy, Harvey Milk and Sidney Poitier. I know, right? Pretty exclusive. We have to keep working on that cure for cancer, then maybe we’ll have a chance. source
These messages are outrageous for two reasons. First, they waste your time. Good heavens: it’s 2009. WE KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THE BEEP.
David Pogue • In his blog that’s leading the way in the “Take Back the Beep Campaign.” Pogue argues that those messages that tell you how to leave a voicemail are a “blatant money-grab” and just plain stupid. As you can imagine, not many people disagree with him. • source
25the age of New York Times reporter Michael S. Schmidt. He just broke the story that Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz tested positive for juicin’ up in 2003
100the reported number of players that test positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003. That list is still secret, but Schmidt is breaking away at it source
There are a lot of lame movies out there. Yes, even some 3D ones. But it looks like Universal got something right – they’re making an adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax. It’s set to hit screens on the Doc’s birthday, March 2, 2012. How cool (and wholesome) is THAT!? source
I just hope the American people won’t be dumb enough to continue falling for the line that socialized health care means a loss of personal freedom. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Canadian Lori Covington • On her country’s public healthcare system. The Huffington Post did a very unscientific email survey and found that it rocks. A lot. And that some Canadians think Americans are being pretty stupid about it. • source
2002the year Mohammed Jawad allegedly threw a grenade that injured two American soldiers in Kabul. He has been held illegally in Guantanamo ever since
12-17his age at the time of the attack varies depending on who you talk to, but everyone agrees his is one of the youngest detainees at the prison. A judge just ordered his release source
Sorry, I don’t use the word media. I don’t use the word news. I don’t think that those words mean anything anymore. They defined publishing in the 20th century. Today, they are a barrier. They are standing in our way, like ‘horseless carriage.’
Chris Anderson • Talking to a German Magazine, Spiegel, about his new book, “Free,” which makes this broad argument that information isn’t of value anymore and that everything should be free. Anderson claims not to read traditional media sources anymore and starts out the interview with this gem of a quote: “This is going to be a very annoying interview. I don’t use the word journalism.” Then he goes further, suggesting journalism – and media in general – will be a hobby. Dude, just because you’re a genius and came up with that Long Tail theory doesn’t mean you should act like a child. • source
