So the very first message ever on the Internet was the very simple, very prophetic ‘lo,’ as in lo and behold.
University of California-Los Angeles computer science professor Leonard Kleinrock • Describing the first phrase that went over the internet 40 years ago today. The message was supposed to be “log,” but the computer crashed before the “g” could go through. He also sent it on a crazy machine with knobs and buttons and stuff. Imagine sending a tweet on that thing. • source
Sad story, really. The generation-old ultra-caffeinated cola, which was a trailblazer for energy drinks across the board, is in danger of going away for good. The founder of the company, Carl J. Rapp, blames investors who damaged the company’s assets, pushed it into debt and are attempting to force it into liquidation. “The name will show up someplace else, but just that,” said William I. Kohn of the Cleveland firm of Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff. “I don’t see anybody buying the entire package.”source
Most of you all thought the public option was dead. Rumors of its death were greatly exaggerated.
House Education and Labor Committee chairman Rep. George Miller (D-California) • Talking about the health care bill House Speaker Nancy Pelosi introduced today. The bill includes a key compromise to make the public option work – instead of dictating rates, the U.S. will work with providers to negotiate rates, just like insurers do. All this sounds good, but it doesn’t stop the fact that the Senate is short of the 60 votes it needs to go through. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will have a tough time getting a bill through before Thanksgiving. • source
This could either be inspired or a bag of fail. The U.S. has a unique way of trying to pare down the Taliban’s power in Afghanistan: They’re talking about offering money to members if they quit. It’s one with pitfalls – it’ll probably only work temporarily to buy time and loyalty. But it replicates a program that was used in Iraq to strong effect. We’re not sure how we feel about essentially bribing people to switch sides. source