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28 Apr 2009 20:52

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Politics, U.S.: Five reasons that NYC Air Force One blunder was so stupid

  • Federal, state and local authorities knew of the “flying photo op” but didn’t tell the public it was happening. WTF guys? source
  • It was classified – so much so that NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg didn’t know about it. Yeah, that’s genius. source
  • It happened in the middle of the morning, when everyone was at work in skyscrapers. PANIC! Evacuate!! AHHHH! source
  • It’s a plane. Flying low. In New York City. In a part of the city where two planes famously hit two buildings. *forehead slap* source
  • It’s an example of how vanity can get in the way of public safety, and it’s safe to say that officials shouldn’t forget that. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

28 Apr 2009 12:30

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Politics, U.S.: See ya, GOP: Why Arlen Specter is now a Democrat

  • It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our differences irreconcilable.
  • Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Spector • On why he’s switching parties. He claims that he always voted based on the issue, not the party line, but the Republicans aren’t happy with him in his state. His switching brings the Democrats closer to a two-thirds majority in the Senate. Less filibusters = more pushing stuff through. Liberals must be getting excited. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

28 Apr 2009 10:43

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Politics, U.S.: The media’s love affair with Michelle Obama continues

  • This is someone who appeals across the usual divides. She is a celebrity you can imagine being, not a celebrity you have to watch from afar.
  • Susan M. Reverby • Professor of women’s studies at Wellesley College in Mass., discussing exactly why Michelle Obama is so great. Perhaps it’s over the top, but, well, at least she isn’t talking about how amazing her arms are. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

27 Apr 2009 22:05

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Politics: Quote of the night, from D.C. journalist Jaclyn Schiff

  • Modern journalists need to help people navigate information overload, sift through the garbage, and identify great information.
  • Jaclyn Schiff • Discussing the swine flu outbreak in general, Twitter’s role in the disseminating information the outbreak, and journalists’ role in informing the public of the outbreak. Ms. Schiff, you’re awesome. We both live in D.C. Wanna go grab a cup of coffee sometime so we can nod our heads in agreement on this particular key fact? I’ll treat. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

27 Apr 2009 12:06

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Politics, Tech: Free software fanatic Richard Stallman is insane, by the way

  • Proprietary software is a social problem, and our aim is to put an end to it. Free software is sometimes more powerful and reliable, but what concerns us most is that it is a more ethical way to distribute software.
  • Free Software Foundation founder and president Richard Stallman • On the “problem” of proprietary, copyrighted software. Why is he so hardcore about free? Well, as he says, “If you don’t have that freedom, the program controls you.” He’s like the Internet version of a crazy cat lady. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

27 Apr 2009 11:02

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Biz, Politics: Peace out, Pontiac: You will be missed, old friend

  • It wasn’t only the muscle cars, the GTO or the ’67 Firebird or the beastly Trans-Am, that made Pontiac something special.
  • “The Swamp” blogger Mark Silva • Reminiscing about the death of the Pontiac brand, which was announced today along with all those job cuts by GM. The Pontiac brand slowly but surely evolved away from those muscle cars that defined it early on, but they still define the brand to many. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink

27 Apr 2009 01:51

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Politics, Tech: Swine flu + panic + Twitter = PANIC!!!!!! (And why this is bad)

  • … having millions of people wrap up all their fears into 140 characters and blurt them out in the public might have some dangerous consequences, networked panic being one of them.
  • Foreign Policy columnist Evgeny Morozov • Discussing the danger of Twitter apparent in many posts about the swine flu scare – that being the effect of a bunch of people writing on mere emotion, because that’s all they have space for, and they’re all unnecessarily freaking out. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink
 

27 Apr 2009 01:38

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Politics, U.S.: Meet Paul Ryan, one of the GOP’s rising superstars

Ryan, a Wisconsin congressman and policy wonk, could join Bobby Jindal in being a guiding light for the party’s future. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

26 Apr 2009 09:54

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Politics, U.S.: How does Obama compare to all those other presidents?

With nearly 100 days of experience behind him, comparisons start to stick. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

23 Apr 2009 11:07

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Culture, Politics: We were wondering the same thing about Perez Hilton

  • So wait … how is it Perez Hilton, the gossip blogger who built a career by drawing male genitalia and cartoon cocaine on celebrity photos, is now the media’s official spokesperson on one of the most important civil rights issues in America?
  • Helen A.S. Popkin • MSNBC columnist, on Perez Hilton’s sudden ascent to gay marriage activist following that whole Miss USA thing earlier this week. Nothing against Perez, but considering his fairly catty history, he’s kind of the wrong guy for the job. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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