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26 Feb 2010 23:15

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Politics: Dear Coffee Party: Pushing for civil discourse a great idea

Coffee

  • The Coffee Party is an interesting idea. An alternative approach to the Tea Party that switches drinks along with tones (a pro-bipartisanship political movement!) is really welcome in the political climate. While we’re not saying this will change the world, it’s good to have an alternative voice that can’t be dismissed as “liberal” or “socialist” so quickly. As regular watchers of the political sphere, we have a couple thoughts for you guys:
  • Calm but firm The reason this idea is gaining any sort of traction whatsoever is because the political discourse is too angry for some. But being calm and respectful doesn’t mean not having a backbone, though. Tell politicians what you want to see. Bring new ideas and red meat. Skip both the granola and the nuts.
  • Don’t align with anyoneWe really hope that the Coffee Party doesn’t side specifically with Democratic interests just because they’re in conflict with Tea Party interests. What we see with Tea Partiers is that they actively push against moderates on both sides, not just liberals. A big open tent is a much better idea.
  • Get a rally together! The Tea Party movement went from zero to 60 because they were well-organized and got themselves on TV frequently. You need to do the same. Get a rally together in D.C. – invite everyone you can, get a bunch of local coffee companies involved and bring low key to a big scale. Good luck. source

26 Feb 2010 21:48

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Politics: A little more context into Sen. Jim Bunning’s petty moves

  • Savings are depleted, jobs are tough to come by, and families still have expenses to manage. Unemployment benefits are the only thing keeping food on the table for a lot of Minnesotans. One Senator, acting alone, should not be responsible for holding their livelihoods hostage.
  • Sen. Al Franken • In a statement criticizing the move by Sen. Jim Bunning to block unemployment benefits. It’s not the only one he’s made, either. He also just blocked some key highway funds from getting distributed, for all effective purposes shutting down much of the highway system and putting thousands more out of work. Crooks and Liars has a nice explainer explaining why that move is really, really bad for millions of Americans. Despite the importance of agreeing on these moves – we know a lot of out-of-work journalists, for example, depending on that unemployment – some people are still supporting him on Twitter (though most aren’t, fortunately). Unbelievable. source

26 Feb 2010 21:34

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Politics: Jim Bunning has no problem blocking unemployment benefits

  • The senator reportedly said “tough #*@(” to another senator criticizing him. Last night, the lame duck Senator (and former baseball star) complained about missing a basketball game because he wanted to block extending unemployment benefits that much. He’s the only Senator holding up the bill. Why? He says that there’s no way to pay for it. Come on. This is NOT the bill to be playing politics on, man. source

26 Feb 2010 15:52

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Offbeat: Atlanta I-20 bison photo: Holy crap that’s strange

Wow, this is like a weird combination of two parts of American history: The interstate highway system and the buffalo. We blame Ted Turner for this. source

26 Feb 2010 15:44

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Music: We’re so vain: We thought “You’re So Vain” about us, not David Geffen

  • And she wasn’t mad about a failed romantic relationship, as Geffen is openly gay. Instead, the paper speculates she was resentful of Geffen’s promotion of rival Joni Mitchell.
  • An article in the Chicago Sun-Times • Regarding the fate of Carly Simon’s classic pop hit “You’re So Vain,” the greatest mystery song in the history of early 70’s folk rock. Simon, 64, been dropping hints for 37 years (and wow, the song is 38 years old!), and Warren Beatty was often the most-suggested name before now. In retrospect, it completely makes sense that it’s about a gay socialite, doesn’t it? Either way, we’re kinda upset it wasn’t us. It’s as if we have grounds in our coffee, grounds in our coffee … source

26 Feb 2010 15:25

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Offbeat: I-20 in Atlanta shut down due to a bison (?!?) on the road


  • Twitter, above, is all over this odd story like bison gravy. source

26 Feb 2010 14:45

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Biz: Google’s rich employees are paying their money forward

  • 200 Google-worker-rooted startups since 2005 source
 

26 Feb 2010 14:30

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Culture: Sea World president gives serial killer whale a spirited defense

  • The events are quite varied. Those incidents and nature of them had nothing to do with the nature of this event…and are not relevant to his particular altercation.
  • Sea World Parks & Entertainment President Jim Atchison • Regarding the decision to let Tilikum, the serial killer whale, continue to work at Sea World. Tilikum has killed three people in the time he’s been in captivity. Despite his deadly streak, he plays many important roles at the theme park – he makes big splashes, he impregnates female whales and he’s huge. Simply put, he’s a valued member of the community. source

26 Feb 2010 14:20

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Culture: Serial killer whale Tilikum staying at Sea World despite death

  • yes The Shamu show will resume at Sea World starting tomorrow, four days after the death of a trainer in a whale attack.
  • no Trainers will not be able to get in the pool with the whales as a safety measure after Dawn Brancheau’s death.
  • yes Tilikum, the killer, “will remain an active and contributing member of the team despite what happened.” source

26 Feb 2010 13:44

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Tech: Is the Palm Pre the Velvet Underground of phones?

  • Critical acclaim is not enough to sell this phone. Despite putting all of their efforts into a phone series that’s reportedly pretty awesome, the Palm Pre (and Pixi) have not become the runaway hits their pedigree suggests. Their sales are going to be much lower than anticipated when it first launched in June. Why? PC World suggests it might be an advertising problem. And MacWorld suggests the lack of third-party apps is really what’s doing it in. source