Read a little. Learn a lot. • Tightly-written news, views and stuff • Follow us on Twitter • Be a Facebook Fan • Tumble us!

04 Mar 2011 12:26

tags

Biz: “The Other White Meat” no more: Pork wants you to “Be Inspired”

  • In terms of slogans we can get behind, we probably shouldn’t list slogans that make us think of Chicago songs, and the National Pork Board’s new slogan does. It’s as needed. Peter Cetera didn’t die for sins quite that egregious (in fact he’s still alive). As for the reasoning – the pork folks are done with pretending people will go with pork over chicken. So they’re trying to reach the 82 million Americans who already eat pork rinds. Yum. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

04 Mar 2011 10:46

tags

Biz: Job numbers: Why Feburary’s numbers are particularly promising

  • 8.9% the unemployment rate in February, the lowest it’s been in over two years
  • 192k the increase in nonfarm payrolls – the biggest monthly leap since May
  • 58k the jump in January’s payroll numbers in revised estimates source
  • » Why this jump is a pretty big deal: Simply put, this is all private-sector growth, meaning that business are hiring again. It’s not nearly as quick as economists want it, but the growth is promising, so they’ll take it. Also worth noting – the jump in jobs last May was due to the Census, which means that those were here-today-gone-tomorrow-type jobs. This is actual, real growth. Hopefully it keeps up.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

04 Mar 2011 10:28

tags

World: Roundup: Who wants Chavez to mediate in Libya (hint: just Gaddafi)

  • no The outside world has no interest in having Chavez involved in talks with Libya.
  • no The rebels have rejected talking to Chavez – Gaddafi’s ally – in any sort of negotiations.
  • no Gaddafi’s own son Saif doesn’t think bringing Chavez in to mediate is a good idea.
  • yes… However, Gaddafi thinks that Chavez would be a great fit for the negotiations. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

04 Mar 2011 01:46

tags

Offbeat: “Heart Attack Grill” ironically loses spokesperson to “mild death”

  • Protip to all greasy burger joints: If you want to promote your product, you probably shouldn’t use an incredibly fat guy to satirically promote a “diet” designed around gluttonous pursuits, and then suggest that said diet might lead to “mild death.” Which is why we’re writing about our boy Blair River right now. Yes, he died. It was sad. He was only 29. While it’s rumored it was because of flu/pneumonia symptoms, everyone is going to think his weight – 575 pounds on a 6-foot-8 frame – had something to do with it, even if it didn’t. Which, as an end effect, may lead the Heart Attack Grill to lose a few customers. To put it lightly. (thanks nhaler) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Mar 2011 22:29

tags

U.S.: Harvard finally recognizes the ROTC again – four decades later

  • then The ROTC was blocked from Harvard’s campus at the height of the Vietnam War. Later, the group was blocked largely because of the military’s record on gay rights.
  • nowLargely because of the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” Harvard will now formally recognize the Naval ROTC. It only took 41 years for the change to happen. source
  • » Harvard’s take: “Our renewed relationship affirms the vital role that the members of our Armed Forces play in serving the nation and securing our freedoms, while also affirming inclusion and opportunity as powerful American ideals,” said university president Dr. Drew Gilpin Faust. She sounds very positive about the change, doesn’t she?
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Mar 2011 21:52

tags

U.S., World: Obama: “Full range” of military options on the table in Libya

  • YES Obama could bring U.S. military action to Libya source
  • » It’s not off the table: “We are looking at every option that’s out there,” he said, “in addition to the non-military actions that we’ve taken. I want to make sure that those full range of options are available to me.” He’s stressing great care, however, and it doesn’t sound like the first option on the table. (Nor does it sound like it would necessitate a large military campaign.) Do you guys think that Obama should lead us in this direction? Should this be our role in this particular crisis?
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Mar 2011 21:30

tags

Politics: Health Care-blocking Judge Roger Vinson: Supreme Court or bust

  • Almost everyone agrees that the constitutionality of the act is an issue that will ultimately have to be decided by the Supreme Court of the United States. It is very important to everyone in this country that this case move forward as soon as practically possible.
  • Senior US District Judge Roger Vinson • In offering a deal to the Obama administration –  he’ll put a stay on his health-care decision – but only if he appeals it, possibly directly to the Supreme Court. Vinson’s decision is notable in that he said the entire law was unconstitutional in his decision, which was the result of a 26-state class-action lawsuit. So, how do you guys think that the Supreme Court will decide? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

03 Mar 2011 16:08

tags

World: In wake of broad criticism, President Obama speaks out on Gaddafi

  • then President Obama had absorbed criticism over his lack of forceful public remarks towards Muammar Gaddafi, and the need for the dictator to give up power.
  • now The President spoke out on Gaddafi, calling on him to leave while affirming that he’s sent refugee aid and airlift support to Libya’s crowded border. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Mar 2011 15:49

tags

Tech: Recall of Mazda6 on account of arachnid saboteurs

  • … a certain type of spider may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent line and this may cause a restriction in the line.
  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration • Explaining the recall of nearly 65,000 Mazda6 cars. In most cases, arachnophobia is strictly irrational (with all due sympathy), but now they’re trying to sabotage our wheels. The culprit is the Yellow Sac spider, a daring little saboteur if there ever was one. The web blockages in the vent lines can cause pressure irregularities, leading to fluid spillage. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Mar 2011 14:55

tags

U.S.: Memo to America: Simple as it sounds, sleep is important

  • 1 in 3 number of Americans surveyed by the Centers for Disease Control who reported inadvertently falling asleep at least once in a day
  • 1 in 20 number of Americans surveyed who admitted to falling asleep while behind the wheel of their car at least once in a month source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
<< newer 
top tags
older >>