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03 Aug 2010 21:25

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World: Wyclef Jean for Haitian president: Crazier things have happened

  • We’re not sure what, but it’s pretty weird. Jean, pretty much the most famous Haitian in the world, plans to take his deep knowledge of economi … oh, who are we kidding? He’s like Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003. He’s famous and riding a strong wave of good will, and that high profile and good will may actually be helpful in rebuilding earthquake-torn Haiti, because (while he may only come with a level of political experience equivalent to Alvin Greene) he has charisma and can keep the tragedy on people’s minds. Someone has to. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

03 Aug 2010 10:27

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Politics: Monkeys on cocaine? The GOP narrows down bad stimulus projects

  • What a beautiful scene, right? Too bad it’s no longer open to the public. The Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center at Mount St. Helens was closed back in 2007 due to staffing issues – but, as the GOP is quick to remind you, it’s getting new glass windows anyway thanks to the stimulus. It’s just one of the recipients Senators Tom Coburn and John McCain pointed out in their list of the 100 worst stimulus projects. Our personal favorite? Monkeys on cocaine. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Aug 2010 10:09

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U.S.: In Louisiana, half a dozen teens drown in underwater sinkhole

  • Unfortunately, I’m afraid, and it’s with a heavy heart, to report that we have pulled so far (six) bodies from the river. … I can honestly say that in my 26 years of service I’ve never seen anything of this magnitude. And I hope I never see it again.
  • Shreveport, La. Fire Chief Brian Crawford • Describing the sinkhole that killed six people last night. (A seventh was rescued.) The 18-foot hole sucked in the teenagers, who largely didn’t know how to swim and had otherwise been in the shallow water. A friend of the families, Marilyn Robinson witnessed the deaths: “None of us could swim. They were yelling ‘help me, help me. Somebody please help me.’ It was nothing I could do but watch them drown one by one.” Harrowing. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Aug 2010 09:50

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U.S.: The FBI thinks Wikipedia has no right to use its logo

  • The reasoningWikipedia puts logos on its various pages, often recreating them in a vector format in cases where the original is a low-resolution sample. Also, most things acquired by the U.S. government, from logos to photos to numerous other assets are designated public domain. Certain insignias, such as the FBI’s, however, are restricted for non-copyright reasons.

    The conflict This particular logo of the FBI led to Wikipedia’s offices getting a letter claiming that “Whoever possesses any insignia …or any colourable imitation thereof..shall be fined … or imprisoned … or both.” Considering that the seal is commonly used in other places, this seems like an odd source to attack. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 6 Comments • Permalink

03 Aug 2010 09:29

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World: Pakistan: A politician’s assassination in Karachi leads to violence

  • 45+ killed in the wake of Raza Haider’s assassination source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Aug 2010 09:20

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World: Border battle: Tensions between Israel and Lebanon bubble over

  • cause Israeli officials reportedly attempted to uproot a tree on the Lebanese side of the border.
  • effect Gunfire broke out between the sides, and three Lebanese soldiers and a journalist died. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Aug 2010 00:00

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Biz: Newsweek’s sale was for a bargain-basement price (and lots of debt)

  • $1 the amount Sidney Harman will pay the Post for Newsweek
  • $70M the amount of debt Harman will take on in exchange for the price
  • 250 the number of the mag’s 325 employees Harman will keep source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

02 Aug 2010 23:59

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Biz: More on Newsweek buyer: His wife is a congresswoman

Sidney Harman is 91? He doesn’t look a day over 80. His wife, Jane, by the way, represents the 36th district of California. She’s the second-richest House member. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

02 Aug 2010 23:47

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Biz: Newsweek bought by a guy who knows something about white noise

  • A stereo tycoon will now own Newsweek. The Washington Post Company, in an effort to get rid of deadwood, tried selling their long-standing Time adversary, Newsweek, and tonight, word’s leaked out that they succeeded. And what better choice for a new boss than 91-year-old Sidney Harman, a stereo company owner who we’re ensured doesn’t have a tin ear. His plans for the product include amplification of online content, noise-cancellation of the editorial pages, and finding the right pitch for a publication that has struggled of late to find its way. Newsweek will be singing a new tune after tonight! source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

02 Aug 2010 20:53

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Politics: Mindbender: Guy makes racist comix, claims they’re not racist

  • I do not understand the connection with ‘big ears’ and ‘racism’, and I do not understand how a ‘dark face’ implies racism … The accusation of ‘hate’ is true, but it is the hate of an IDEOLGY, not a of race of people …
  • The anonymous author of Tea Party Comix • In an e-mail to underground comix collector Ethan Persoff, regarding his works, which parody Barack Obama in a very offensive way. We’ll let you see them if you really want to (note: racist comix at the link), but beyond the clearly incendiary design of them, they’re subversive in an R. Crumb/early Art Spiegelman way. Which is not to defend them but to note their obvious inspiration. These comix have drawn a lot of attention in the last few days, with the Modern Tea Party claiming they were planted by the Democrats, and everyone else in simple disbelief. Including us. What a terrible idea. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink
 
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