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03 Aug 2011 21:36

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U.S., World: Tropical Storm Emily edges closer to land — including Haiti

  • Tropical Storm Emily update: Meteorologists predict that Haiti will receive anywhere between 6 to 12 inches of rain, while some mountain regions could receive up to 20 inches. The current path puts the storm closer to the eastern coast of Florida, but after hitting Haiti/Cuba, the track may change. Worth keeping an eye on, guys. source
Posted by samimain • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Aug 2011 16:44

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U.S.: DB Cooper’s niece? Woman comes forward with new info

  • Does she hold the key to one of the greatest mysteries in aviation history? We mentioned this bizarre case the other day, but now there’s more information on just who is coming forward, and with what. Someone who is calling herself Cooper’s niece is coming forward, saying she remembers her uncle talking about his financial troubles being over, and several family members talking about him hijacking a plane. Her name? Marla Cooper — so at least the last names match. However, the FBI has said this isn’t a huge priority for them — so don’t expect them to drop everything for this 40-year-old cold case. source
Posted by Justin Jones • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Aug 2011 11:45

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U.S.: With Congress in recess, political fight in Senate leaves FAA crippled

  • 4,000 FAA employees off the job due to stalemate source
  • » People are working for free to inspect airports: After financing for the Federal Aviation Administration ran out on July 23, thousands of people were put out of work, and all over a fairly minor issue that has gummed up the Senate — how (or if) to pay for a subsidy program for rural airports. But that issue isn’t going to go anywhere for at least a month, after both chambers took their August recess. We know that the debt ceiling fight was tough and took a lot out of the politicians who solved that issue, but this seems like something that should’ve been dealt with before they hit the gavel and took vacations. This is not a judicial nomination. This is airport safety we’re talking about. Some talk about running the government like a business — well, here’s a secret, guys. Businesses don’t furlough workers over a disagreement that those workers have no control over, then ask them to work for free. Businesses pay workers.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Aug 2011 00:49

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U.S., World: Jon Stewart’s words of inspiration from a soldier in Khandahar

  • We cooperate and we fight as hard as we can, because there will perhaps be disappointment but there will be no shame.
  • A specialist in the 655th TC, writing to Jon Stewart • In a letter Stewart mentioned on Monday’s episode of “The Daily Show.” Stewart used the episode to pay tribute to the soldiers fighting overseas after he paid a visit to Khandahar this past weekend. After displaying several t-shirts that he had promised to wear, he read some of his observations and thank yous. Stewart then read this quote from a letter from a young specialist, from one of the nicest letters he’s ever received. source
Posted by samimain • 0 Comments • Permalink

31 Jul 2011 00:27

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U.S.: Breakdown: The new new NEW new nü NEW debt ceiling framework

  • So, those Republicans finally got a framework! If anyone feels like you might be on the most boring roller coaster ever, you are, as there have been so many high and low points with this debt ceiling dramarama today that you probably feel so dizzy that people might mistake you for being drunk. Anyway, in the latest developments, Republicans have apparently reached a framework with the White House to make this debt ceiling deal happen. Based on this, which side do you think won the day? Here’s a roundup:
  • ceiling The debt ceiling would rise to $2.8 trillion (though this number is conflicting; AP reports $2.4 trillion). This would be enough to get us past the 2012 elections.
  • cuts Republicans would reportedly agree to roughly $1 trillion in cuts now, and then another $1.8 trillion later. Ignore our earlier version of the post; this is significant.
  • condition Republicans will get one thing out of the mess which in the end won’t mean anything — a vote on a balanced budget amendement. This will not pass. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Jul 2011 20:15

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U.S.: Bush, Obama will be amongst first to check out 9/11 Memorial Plaza

  • Family members only will be allowed to walk onto the plaza, look at their loved ones’ names, look down into the voids. The first day it’s reserved for those family members who lost somebody on 9/11.
  • NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg • Describing the city’s plans for launching a 10th anniversary 9/11 memorial plaza at the Ground Zero site, which they’ve been working to get ready for such an event. Presidents Bush and Obama will take part, along with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, but amongst the general public, the first day will be limited to families of the victims involved in the attacks. After that, you’ll need to reserve a ticket ahead of time if you’d like to check out the memorial. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

29 Jul 2011 13:29

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U.S.: With one bad incident, Airbnb’s reputation quickly going up in smoke?

  • Whoever these people were, they were living large and having one hell of a time for an entire week inside my home, unwatched, unchecked, free to do whatever destruction they wished. And damn, did they do a lot of it.
  • Airbnb user “EJ” • In a blog post she wrote last month regarding a nightmarish experience she had with the fast-growing vacation rental service, where the tenants using her home (which she knew nothing about until the very last second) appeared to have ransacked every piece of her life — stealing crap, copying vital information like birth certificates and Social Security cards, punching holes in walls, setting things on fire … you get the idea. In recent days, the controversy has gotten out of hand, due in huge part to the fact that Airbnb did not offer to pay for the woman’s financial losses as a result of the incident. Only after TechCrunch wrote an article about the incident did Airbnb appear to relent. But the victim says that, despite words to the contrary, Airbnb hasn’t really been supportive — with a co-founder going so far as to push her to take down her original blog post. All in all, this looks really bad for Airbnb, which previously had a rep as a potential multibillion-dollar startup. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

27 Jul 2011 14:43

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U.S.: Pew study: There’s a massive wealth gap along racial lines

  • $113,149 average net worth of a white household in 2009
  • $5,677 average net worth of a black household in 2009 source
  • » That is a stark difference. In their latest study, Pew compared the net wealth of families in various racial groups and found that blacks and Latinos in particular did very poorly compared to whites. (Asians, on the other hand, were somewhat within shouting distance. EDIT: Please see explanation.) This is a historic trend which has lasted decades, but has become all the more apparent with the Great Recession. “The bursting of the housing market bubble in 2006 and the recession that followed from late 2007 to mid-2009 took a far greater toll on the wealth of minorities than whites,” Pew writes in its study. While net wealth among whites fell roughly 16 percent, blacks families lost about 53 percent, and Latino families lost the most — losing 66 percent of their wealth on average.
Posted by Justin Jones • 0 Comments • Permalink

26 Jul 2011 13:29

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U.S.: Rep. David Wu explains why he’s resigning from Congress

  • The wellbeing of my children must come before anything else. With great sadness, I therefore intend to resign effective upon the resolution of the debt-ceiling crisis.
  • Rep. David Wu • Discussing his decision to resign from Congress amid allegations that he had unwanted sexual contact with an 18-year-old woman. Earlier he said he wouldn’t seek reelection after this controversy, but now he’s resigning after increasing pressure from other representatives. He’s had his fair share of troubles — namely his wife father passing away, and a midlife crisis that’s manifested itself in embarrassing ways. At least he’s making it clear that he’s doing this to help his kids out, and let’s hope this doesn’t turn into Weinergate 2.0. source
Posted by Justin Jones • 0 Comments • Permalink

26 Jul 2011 11:01

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U.S.: Smart move: California allows illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition

  • While many states have chosen to legislate hate and division by approving anti-immigrant laws, California’s governor sends a strong message that investing in today’s student population, regardless of their immigration status, is smart, practical and the right thing to do.
  • Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles leader Angelica Salas • Speaking favorably of Gov. Jerry Brown and the California State Legislature’s actions in passing a bill that allows illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition for their schooling. Eleven other states have laws comparable to California’s, while a dozen others block the practice outright. But considering California is on the literal front lines of the immigration debate, it’s of note. Two other border states — Texas and New Mexico — have similar laws. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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