ShortFormBlogOctober 6, 2011

“I don’t have facts to back this up, but I happen to believe…”: Herman Cain is downright unimpressed with Occupy Wall Street, and he’s not afraid to let us know it. We suspect those of you who are sympathetic to (or participating in) this movement probably weren’t likely Cain voters anyways, but his strident denunciation here probably won’t win him any converts: “It is not a person’s fault if they succeeded, it is a person’s fault if they failed.” source

Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

If Congress does something, then I can’t run against a do-nothing Congress. [If they do nothing] then I think the American people will run them out of town.
President Barack Obama • Answering a reporter’s question whether he was pursuing a similar reelection strategy to that of Harry Truman’s 1948 campaign against a “do-nothing Congress.” Obama has used a tougher, more confrontational rhetorical style against Congress lately, and while this does have much to do with his push on his proposed jobs bill, you needn’t be a cynic to see this as a desirable campaign strategy. source

Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

Three dead, six injured: Shareef Allman, the man chiefly suspected to have committed a deadly shooting at a quarry in Cupertino, California, may have been shot dead by Santa Clara Sheriff’s deputies earlier today. According to one of the men injured in the attack, Allman had clocked in and poured himself a cup of coffee before drawing a gun and opening fire on those around him; what (if any) motive he might have had to commit the crime is unclear. source

Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

The fact that you, and your team, went on stage, knowing that Steve Jobs was close to death, is a testament to your professionalism. I felt that you had called it in a bit, but now I know the truth. You weren’t calling it in at all. You were doing an amazing job while knowing what was coming.
Robert Scoble • In a Google+ post late last night, getting the point across that Apple released a new iPhone the day before Steve Jobs died. Tim Cook went on DESPITE the fact that he knew the guy who invented the device was about to die. But … in a way, it makes the modestness of the event seem all the more obvious. “Today I feel guilty because I gave you a tough time about your first press conference,” Scoble said. “Now that I know what was going on behind the scenes I owe you an apology. I’m sorry, I owe you and your team one.” We think the internet does, honestly, because that keynote was much-derided. Now it all makes sense. Ultimately, what Apple sells — they’re just phones. In a week, the weak keynote will be forgotten. Jobs, however, won’t. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

Switching gears a little bit, tonight’s Occupy Wall Street rallies hit a new peak, in part thanks to fresh support from unions such as AFL-CIO, the United Federation of Teachers, the Communications Workers of America and District Council 37. (According to one estimate, the crowd hit 20,000, but an exact number couldn’t be narrowed down — either way, it was large.) But the new peak in attendance came with a price — police brutality, some of which hit journalists covering the march. “I don’t know what sparked it, but people started tossed about, and I did see people getting beaten with clubs, and I personally was pepper sprayed,” said Flux Rostrum, a journalist and videographer for Mobile Broadcast News. Above is a clip of one of the more violent scenes tonight — the way that they’re throwing around those batons is nothing short of frightening. In all, at least 28 people were arrested. (thanks usualchatter for the kick in the pants; this take on the evening’s events is also worth a read) source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

06 Oct 2011 17:19