Liberty Newspost Mar-09-10

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08/03/10 - 09/03/10

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White House responds to naked House Democrat’s satanic tale David Morgan (Front Row Washington)

joy, because it coincides with President Barack Obama’s final push for Congress to enact his Submitted at 3/9/2010 7:36:13 AM proposed overhaul of the $2.5 Eric Massa was a little-known trillion U.S. healthcare system. freshmen House Democrat only Massa has had a number of a m o n t h a g o . N o w h e ’ s a explanations about why he’s political media sensation and a leaving Congress. He said last d a r l i n g o f T a l k R a d i o / T V week that he would not seek recommentators capable of election because of his provoking the White House on health. Later, he said he would healthcare reform. leave office this week to avoid W h y t h e an ethics probe into a sexual metamorphosis? Massa abruptly harassment allegation by a male r e s i g n e d f r o m C o n g r e s s , staffer. revealed he had an angry run-in But it’s the allegation of naked with White House Chief of Staff White House bullying that has Rahm Emanuel while the two h e l p e d d r a w m e d i a were naked in a congressional attention. His tale has been gym shower, and now claims he picked up by conservative talk was pushed out of office by the show host Rush Limbaugh, Fox White House to keep him from News Channel personality v o t i n g a g a i n s t h e a l t h c a r e Glenn Beck, RealClearPolitics, reform. the online Drudge Report and a Oh, and he’s come to the host of other media outlets conclusion that Emanuel is including Reuters. Tonight, a“son of the devil’s spawn.” he’s due on CNN’s “Larry King The bit about healthcare reform Live.” has Republicans hopping with “I was set up for this from the

unlikely that Massa’s lone ‘no’ vote would be a deal-breaker.

By this morning, the avalanche of publicity was strong enough to bring White House spokesman Robert Gibbs out onto the sun-dappled lawn of the presidential mansion to refute Massa’s “crazy allegations.”

“Look, I think this whole story is ridiculous. I think the latest very, very beginning. If you excuse is silly and ridiculous,” think that, somehow, they didn’t Gibbs told GMA. “Clearly, his come after me to get rid of me actions appear to be in the because my vote is the deciding appropriate venue in the ethics vote on the healthcare bill, then committee. But we’re focused, ladies and gentleman, you live not on crazy allegations, but today in a world that is so instead on making this system innocent as to not understand w o r k f o r t h e A m e r i c a n what is going on in Washington, people rather than work for D.C.,” he said in a recorded insurance companies.” radio broadcast played on Click here for more political A B C ’ s “ G o o d M o r n i n g coverage from Reuters America.”

Photo Credits: Reuters/Jim Democratic leaders are in the Young (Gibbs); Reuters/Official midst of trying to muster a Handout (Rush Limbaugh); H o u s e m a j o r i t y o n Reuters/Lucy Nicholson healthcare. However, it seems ( C a l i f o r n i a h e a l t h c l i n i c )

Presented By: (National Geographic News) Submitted at 3/8/2010 11:31:54 AM

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A guide to smartphone etiquette (Holy Kaw!) Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:12:00 PM

While smartphones have opened up a bounty of conveniences, they’ve apparently also invited a whole new strain of barbarianism.

Playing FarmVille during a date? Glued to Sudoku at Sunday dinner? MediaShift’s 5Across delves into the world of smartphone etiquette.

Read the full story at MediaShift.

The latest on the iPhone.

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Democrat gets naked with Rahm Emanuel, labels him “son of devil’s spawn”

Bill Clinton to headline Gridiron Club dinner, Obama away

David Morgan (Front Row Washington)

Tabassum Zakaria (Front Row Washington)

Massa announced his resignation on Friday to avoid an ethics probe over alleged Submitted at 3/8/2010 11:49:38 AM misconduct. The resignation Eric Massa knows all about was due to take effect on awkward. The House Democrat, Monday at 5 p.m. EST. who leaves Congress today over He was the second House a sexual harassment complaint Democrat in a week to be hit by by a male staffer, says he’s been ethics problems — the first up-close, personal and naked being former Ways and Means with White House Chief of Staff Chairman Charles Rangel.

Rahm Emanuel — all at the Massa and Rangel pose an same time. embarrassment for House Emanuel, Massa has decided, is Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had a blood relative of Satan. vowed to “drain the swamp” of “Rahm Emanuel is son of the House corruption after eight d e v i l ’ s s p a w n . H e i s a n wasn’t going to vote for the years of Republican rule. individual who would sell his president’s budget,” says the 50- But Massa implied before his mother to get a vote. He would year-old, soon-to-be-former- radio listeners that he was strap his children to the front lawmaker from Upstate New pushed out of office by Emanuel end of a steam locomotive,” York.

— just in time to stop him from Massa says in a recording from “Do you know how awkward it voting against the Obama’s his radio show posted to the is to have a political argument healthcare reform plan. with a naked man?”

RealClearPolitics Web site.

“He’s hated me since day one.

Massa’s close encounter with It’s hard to say how many And now he wins. So he’ll get E m a n u e l o c c u r r e d i n t h e people would say ‘yes’ to that rid of me and this bill will pass showers of a congressional gym one, but members of Congress and I don’t know what we’re about eight weeks after he may be foremost among them. going to do in this country.” entered Congress in January According to Massa, lawmakers Photo Credits: Reuters/Jim are routinely naked together at 2009.

Young (Emanuel); “I’m sitting there showering, the gym showers.

Reuters/Reuters Photographer naked as a jay bird, and here “The last thing I want to look (Carnival ‘Red Devil’) comes Rahm Emanuel, not even (at) is my fellow colleagues Click here for more political with a towel wrapped around his naked, but they don’t have any coverage from Reuters tush, poking his finger in my shower curtains down in the chest, yelling at me because I gym,” he said.

Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:26:44 PM

Former President Bill Clinton will be the main speaker at the March 20 Gridiron Club dinner where journalists wear costumes and perform musical skits in a roast of the movers and shakers in Washington, and political leaders respond with speeches that poke fun right back.

President Barack Obama will not attend for a second straight year. He will be on an overseas trip, and last year he went to Camp David.

While he spoke at the white-tie dinner of the oldest journalistic organization in Washington, D.C. when he was a senator, Obama last year became the first U.S. president not to attend in his first year of office since Grover Cleveland.

Vice President Joe Biden substituted last year and had some memorable one-liners at his boss’ expense, saying Obama couldn’t attend because he was preparing for Easter — (Newsmax - Politics) Submitted at 3/9/2010 1:40:10 AM

[ fivefilters.org: unable to retrieve full-text content]

“He thinks it’s about him.” But the veep was unable to sub again this year.

Something new this year, the Gridiron Club will match member contributions up to $10,000 to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund which is raising money to help the earthquake victims.

Photo credit: Reuters/Brian Snyder (Clinton laughs during student speeches at Harvard University in 2007)

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"Cove" Movie Assails Dolphin Hunt, Gets Oscar Boost (National Geographic News) Submitted at 3/8/2010 11:31:54 AM

With The Cove movie winning the 2010 Oscar for best documentary Sunday night, residents of the fishing village made famous in the movie are voicing their disappointment, calling the film inaccurate and intolerant of other cultures.

The Cove' s makers and distributors counter that the movie won the Oscar because it was well made and worth seeing, and that the Oscar nod highlights people's concerns about the controversial practice at the heart of the movie—dolphin hunting.

Every year on the first of September, at a cove in a small town called Taiji on the southeast coast of Japan's Honshu Island, a new fishing season begins: the dolphin season.

Twenty-six fishermen in 13 boats corral a few dozen dolphins into the small cove, where they kill the animals by stabbing them repeatedly with long harpoons and knives. The 50-square-foot (4.6-squaremeter) inlet turns crimson, as if filled only with blood.

In the course of a six-month season, fishermen kill roughly 2,000 dolphins and sell the meat to local supermarkets for about U.S. $500 a dolphin. The fishermen supplement their income by taking about a

hundred dolphins alive and selling them for tens of thousands of dollars each to aquariums in Japan, China, South Korea, Iran, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

(Related:"Captured Dolphin With Four Fins Spotlights Controversial Hunt.")

Cove Movie Reopened Wounds International media have not been kind to Taiji in the past, and the Oscar-winning movie The Cove, which was released nationwide in the United States in August, has reopened old wounds. The movie follows an international team of photographers, divers, and activists on their mission to document the dolphin hunt, facing opposition from Taiji town officials, police, and fishermen.

(Read an interview with The Cove' s director from Adventure magazine.)

The activists are led by Ric O'Barry, who trained the bottlenose dolphins featured in the popular 1960s TV series Flipper. After the show ended in 1967, O'Barry became one of the world's most radical activists against keeping dolphins in captivity. For the past several years he's been trying to stop the hunt in Taiji, one of Japan's iconic whaling towns.

Others have also been outspoken: Blue Voice, a collaboration between filmmaker Hardy Jones and

actor Ted Danson, has opposed the Taiji hunt for years. So has a Japanese environmental organization, Elsa Nature Conservancy. Heroes star Hayden Panettiere protested in the Taiji cove in 2007.

Many scientists are also opposed to the hunt. Since 2005, Hunter College animal behaviorist Diana Reiss—famous for discovering that dolphins can recognize themselves in mirrors—has been collecting signatures from hundreds of scientists around the world for a petition she plans to present to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

(Read a National Geographic magazine article on animal intelligence.)

"This [hunt] is an extreme case of animal cruelty," said Reiss, who receives funding from National Geographic's Committee for Research and Exploration. (The National Geographic Society owns National Geographic News.)

Reiss, The Cove' s filmmakers, and other activists working in Taiji all have a clear mission: Stop this dolphin hunt. But dolphin hunting is a complex issue, and focusing solely on ending it leaves some important questions unanswered: How widespread is dolphin hunting?

When and why did it start, and why does it persist? And what effect, if any, is the hunt having

on the health of dolphins globally?

The Cove Movie Captures an Age-Old Local Tradition People in Japan have hunted dolphins and their larger cetacean relatives, whales, for hundreds if not thousands of years. Glacial melting made Japan an island chain 10,000 years ago, and as its population grew, the country became highly dependent on the sea.

"Pretty much any edible sea creature has been exploited for food," said Harvard University anthropologist and Japanese fishing-culture expert Theodore Bestor. Whales and dolphins became ingrained in Japanese food, culture, and religion. The animals were the subjects of celebrations, rituals, and art.

Ancient tombs and memorials for whales and dolphins can be found across the country.

Unlike whaling—which became a large-scale commercial industry in the 20th century, before a 1986 i n t e r n a t i o n a l moratorium—dolphin hunting has always been primarily a local activity, said University of Oslo anthropologist Arne Kalland. Traditionally dolphin hunts have been isolated to a handful of small fishing towns, where dolphin meat is well liked.

Ironically, a Japanese town where dolphin wasn't popular became the first to draw

international attention to drive hunting, the practice of corralling the dolphins into a cove. In the late 1970s fishermen in Iki, a small town on an island west of Taiji, had come to believe that dolphins were depleting stocks of a popular fish called yellowtail, though there's no data to suggest dolphins have ever significantly reduced yellowtail stocks. In April 1979 National Geographic magazine published a picture of Iki's bloody cove, showing bottlenose dolphins strewn on the beach.

The following year Hardy Jones visited Iki and filmed the slaughter. He sent his tape to CBS, and after the network ran the footage, more than 200 reporters from all over the world showed up to cover the story. Iki hasn't had a dolphin hunt since.

By the mid-1980s, Jones said, most other towns with drive hunts also gave up the practice.

Some stopped because they ran out of dolphins, which were overfished, scared off, or both—but most were driven to quit by all the negative attention. The drive hunts weren't worth the trouble.

Still, Taiji refused to stop: In 1980, fishermen killed 11,017 dolphins in drive hunts.

Dolphin Hunts Like Those in The Cove Persist Outside Japan Over the past 25 years, Taiji "COVE" page 5

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Photo: "Cove" Movie Seeks to End Japan's Dolphin Hunt (National Geographic News) Submitted at 3/8/2010 10:19:49 AM

Every year on the first of September, in a small town called Taiji on the southeast coast of Japan's Honshu Island, a new fishing season begins: the dolphin season.

Twenty-six fishermen in 13 boats corral a few dozen dolphins into a small cove, where they kill the animals by stabbing them repeatedly with long harpoons and knives. The 50-square-foot (4.6-squaremeter) inlet turns crimson, as if filled only with blood.

In the course of a six-month season, fishermen kill roughly 2,000 dolphins and sell the meat to local supermarkets for about U.S. $500 a dolphin. The fishermen supplement their income by taking about a hundred dolphins alive and selling them for tens of thousands of dollars each to aquariums in Japan, China, South Korea, Iran, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

(Related:"Captured Dolphin With Four Fins Spotlights Controversial Hunt.")

International media have not been kind to Taiji in the past, and the documentary The Cove, a Sundance Film Festival award winner released nationwide in the United States on August 7, is reopening old wounds. The film follows an international team of photographers, divers, and

activists on their mission to document the dolphin hunt, facing opposition from Taiji town officials, police, and fishermen.

(Read an interview with The Cove' s director from Adventure magazine.)

The activists are led by Ric O'Barry, who trained the bottlenose dolphins featured in the popular 1960s TV series Flipper. After the show ended in 1967, O'Barry became one of the world's most radical activists against keeping dolphins in captivity. For the past several years he's been trying to stop the hunt in Taiji, one of Japan's iconic whaling towns.

Others have also been outspoken: Blue Voice, a collaboration between filmmaker Hardy Jones and actor Ted Danson, has opposed the Taiji hunt for years. So has a Japanese environmental organization, Elsa Nature Conservancy. Heroes star Hayden Panettiere protested in the Taiji cove in 2007.

Many scientists are also opposed to the hunt. Since 2005, Hunter College animal behaviorist Diana Reiss—famous for discovering that dolphins can recognize themselves in mirrors—has been collecting signatures from hundreds of scientists around the world for a petition she plans to present to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary

Clinton next month.

(Read a National Geographic magazine article on animal intelligence.)

"This [hunt] is an extreme case of animal cruelty," said Reiss, who receives funding from National Geographic's Committee for Research and Exploration. (The National Geographic Society owns National Geographic News.)

Reiss, The Cove' s filmmakers, and other activists working in Taiji all have a clear mission: Stop this dolphin hunt. But dolphin hunting is a complex issue, and focusing solely on ending it leaves some important questions unanswered: How widespread is dolphin hunting?

When and why did it start, and why does it persist? And what effect, if any, is the hunt having on the health of dolphins globally?

An Age-Old Local Tradition People in Japan have hunted dolphins and their larger cetacean relatives, whales, for hundreds if not thousands of years. Glacial melting made Japan an island chain 10,000 years ago, and as its population grew, the country became highly dependent on the sea.

"Pretty much any edible sea creature has been exploited for food," said Harvard University anthropologist and Japanese fishing-culture expert Theodore Bestor. Whales and dolphins became ingrained in Japanese

food, culture, and religion. The animals were the subjects of celebrations, rituals, and art.

Ancient tombs and memorials for whales and dolphins can be found across the country.

Unlike whaling—which became a large-scale commercial industry in the 20th century, before a 1986 international moratorium —dolphin hunting has always been primarily a local activity, said University of Oslo anthropologist Arne Kalland.

Traditionally dolphin hunts have been isolated to a handful of small fishing towns, where dolphin meat is well liked.

Ironically, a Japanese town where dolphin wasn't popular became the first to draw international attention to drive hunting, the practice of corralling the dolphins into a cove. In the late 1970s fishermen in Iki, a small town on an island west of Taiji, had come to believe that dolphins were depleting stocks of a popular fish called yellowtail, though there's no data to suggest dolphins have ever significantly reduced yellowtail stocks. In April 1979 National Geographic magazine published a picture of Iki's bloody cove, showing bottlenose dolphins strewn on the beach.

The following year Hardy Jones visited Iki and filmed the slaughter. He sent his tape to CBS, and after the network ran

the footage, more than 200 reporters from all over the world showed up to cover the story. Iki hasn't had a dolphin hunt since.

By the mid-1980s, Jones said, most other towns with drive hunts also gave up the practice.

Some stopped because they ran out of dolphins, which were overfished, scared off, or both—but most were driven to quit by all the negative attention. The drive hunts weren't worth the trouble.

Still, Taiji refused to stop: In 1980, fishermen killed 11,017 dolphins in drive hunts.

Dolphin Hunts Persist Outside Japan Over the past 25 years, Taiji (population 3,600) has become a flashpoint for animal-rights activists. But it's not the only place where fishermen kill dolphins. It's not even the only place with a blood-drenched cove.

Every year, fishermen in the Faroe Islands, an autonomous province of Denmark, also corral and kill hundreds of dolphins in small coves. Just as in Taiji, the water runs red.

So why hasn't the Faroese hunt attracted the same kind of negative international attention?

For starters, it's only half the size of Taiji's and sometimes smaller. In addition, the fishermen kill pilot whales, which are technically dolphins PHOTO: page 7

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"COVE" continued from page 3

(population 3,600) has become a flashpoint for animal-rights activists. But it's not the only place where fishermen kill dolphins. It's not even the only place with a blood-drenched cove.

Every year, fishermen in the Faroe Islands, an autonomous province of Denmark, also corral and kill hundreds of dolphins in small coves. Just as in Taiji, the water runs red.

So why hasn't the Faroese hunt attracted the same kind of negative international attention?

For starters, it's only half the size of Taiji's and sometimes smaller. In addition, the fishermen kill pilot whales, which are technically dolphins but aren't as recognizable as their bottlenose cousins. The hunt is also less commercial.

The meat is divided evenly among local families instead of being sold to supermarkets, and no animals are sold to aquariums.

What's more, the Faroe Islands respect a worldwide commercial whaling ban, though Denmark wants it lifted. So does Japan, and Tokyo's outspoken opposition to the ban has made Japan a lightning rod for antiwhaling activists—and, by extension, dolphin activists.

Even within Japan, the Taiji hunt is small compared to one that happens in the north, where harpooners kill more than 10,000 Dall's porpoises every

year for food—five times the recent annual take in Taiji. But because the hunt happens out at sea, it's hard to photograph and has received far less attention than Taiji's bloody cove.

Dolphin hunts also take place at a small subsistence level in the Caribbean and the Arctic.

Fishermen kill dolphins frequently in Peru—where it's illegal—but data on how many are killed is hard to come by.

Solomon Islands Hunt "Completely Unsustainable" In the Solomon Islands, dolphins are regularly killed for their meat and their teeth, which are used decoratively. As in Taiji, fishermen sell a small number of dolphins to aquariums.

The Solomon Islands hunt is one of the smallest in the world—less than a hundred are killed every year, and about a dozen are sold into captivity—but it presents an urgent problem for conservationists since the local dolphin population may number only in the hundreds.

"It's completely unsustainable," said Natural Resources Defense Council staff attorney Taryn Kiekow. Former Flipper trainer Ric O'Barry and the Earth Island Institute have lobbied officials in the Solomon Islands to end the hunt.

Globally, most dolphin populations are safe. According to the International Union for

Conservation of Nature, there are likely more than six million dolphins worldwide. A few species are at risk of extinction, but most number in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions.

"Anybody who tells you these animals are going to go extinct because of these hunts, there's no data to support that," said NRDC marine mammal scientist Liz Alter. Still, she cautions that it's possible that the Dall's porpoise hunt in Japan may harm subpopulations of that animal, which numbers more than a million worldwide.

One Critic: "We Never Say 'Don't Eat a Cheeseburger'" Shigeki Takaya, assistant director of the Far Seas Fisheries Division of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in Tokyo, which oversees dolphin hunting, said he hasn't seen The Cove movie yet—just the trailer.

But Takaya knows what the filmmakers want, and he says they should give up.

"What difference is there between a cow, a pig, and a dolphin?" he said. "There's no difference. There is a market for dolphin in Japan. It's not a major market, but it's a market.

Dolphin is a resource, and people have to respect each other's cultures. In other countries they eat cow. But we never say to Americans, 'Don't eat a cheeseburger.' We never,

ever say that."

Hunter College's Reiss counters that the Taiji hunt must stop simply because it's inhumane.

Dolphins are extremely intelligent creatures that experience pain and suffering, she emphasizes. She has listened to underwater recordings from the Taiji drive hunt and says the dolphins issue sophisticated distress calls.

"Science has got to transcend cultural borders," she said.

The Switzerland-based World Association of Zoos and Aquariums(WAZA) has forbidden its members from taking dolphins from the Taiji hunt. The Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a WAZA member, but most Japanese aquariums don't belong to the national association.

WAZA director Gerald Dick has visited several Japanese aquarium directors and said it's hard to convince them to stop buying dolphins from Taiji when doing so costs so much less than breeding them in captivity.

"They don't regard [the hunt] as particularly cruel," he said.

"They've been doing it for years."

The makers of The Cove movie argue that if Japanese aquariumgoers knew where the aquariums were getting their dolphins, people might stop visiting. The Taiji drive hunt is

not widely publicized in Japan, the filmmakers say, but they are seeking a Japanese distributor for the documentary.

Could Mercury Fears End The Cove Hunts?

Like most forms of fishing, dolphin hunting isn't regulated by any international organization.

The International Whaling Commission has for years debated whether it should limit the hunting of small cetaceans like dolphins, but it's been deadlocked. The commission was created in 1946 to control the market for whale oil and later took on the duty of protecting whales from being hunted to extinction. But global dolphin populations are healthy.

In the end, it might be Japanese consumers who stop the Taiji hunt. Activists, scientists, and the Japanese press have documented high levels of mercury contamination in Japan's dolphins. The Cove features Oregon State University marine biologist Scott Baker, a past National Geographic Society grantee who tested Japanese striped dolphin meat and reported in 2005 it had nearly a hundred times the amount of mercury permitted by Japanese regulations.

But mercury poisoning doesn't show its effects immediately, and although the Japanese "COVE" page 10

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The Hurt Locker is empty [contains spoilers] | Richard Adams Richard Adams (World news: United States | guardian.co.uk)

Translation; Lina Wertmuller for the obscure and unsettling Pasqualino Settebellezze– it's hard to say what such female Submitted at 3/9/2010 3:30:01 AM Kathryn Bigelow deserves her movies might be.

Oscar for best director but The The deeper flaw in Hurt Locker Hurt Locker tells us nothing is that it has nothing to say about Iraq [contains spoilers] about its setting. This is, after Caution: this article contains all, a contemporary film, set in spoilers and reveals plot details Iraq. Yet it feels curiously about The Hurt Locker. detatched. It could just as easily It's a sad commentary on have been set in any modern H o l l y w o o d t h a t K a t h r y n theatre of battle, from the Bigelow is not merely the first second world war Germany to female to win an Oscar for best K o r e a t o V i e t n a m t o director but just the fourth Afghanistan. The fact that it's in woman to even be nominated. Iraq is rendered irrelevant – and So not only does she deserve the this political neutrality might award but it's overdue. It's just a account for its success at the shame that The Hurt Locker – a Oscars, where "political" films taut thriller, beautifully filmed tend to do badly among the and edited – has such deep flaws Academy's voters. that it won't be remembered as Very few Iraqi characters get a one of the great Oscar winners. chance to be heard in The Hurt Of course, you can't please Locker. Only two get to speak in everyone and 2009 wasn't a intelligble sentences, and no vintage year for American subtitles are provided for the cinema. But there's an small others. Instead, the mass of irony that Bigelow is lauded for Iraqis are portrayed as largely being the first woman to win m u t e , a n o n y m o u s a n d "best director" for a movie that threatening figures, seen away has scarcely any speaking roles in the distance. Mainly Iraqis for women. The Hurt Locker is are just a danger to be feared, a very "male" movie in that sometimes firing weapons and sense. Maybe it's progress when planting bombs but more often a female director makes films on being shouted at or stopped, subjects that aren't traditionally pushed or pointed at with "feminine" – although since weapons. One small, quickthere have been so few women witted boy gets the bulk of the nominated for the accolade – Iraqi dialogue, when he strikes Jane Campion for costume up a friendship with James. He drama The Piano; Sofia Coppola doesn't get a name, just a selffor her bildungsroman Lost In bestowed nickname: Beckham.

And Beckham literally becomes dangerous when James comes to believe that the boy's dead body has been made into a "body bomb," a corpse wired as a booby-trap. It's commentary of some sort that after James carries "Beckham" outside there is an explosion from an IED that kills Cambridge, the only US military figure who engages sympathetically with Iraqi civilians. Later we discover that Beckham is alive and that James misidentified the boy's body – and James, in shock at the discovery, ignores him, leaving Beckham as confused as the viewer.

Of the other Iraqi characters, only one even merits a name: Professor Nabil, who may or may not be Beckham's father, who cryptically welcomes James as a member of the CIA, but with whom further dialogue is cut off by the appearance of "Nabil's wife", who attacks James and sends him fleeing out into the dark and dangerous streets of Baghdad – although James arrives back unharmed and receives rougher treatment from his wary comrades guarding the base. The other characters that James speaks with are, respectively, "DVD seller" and "Black suit man".

Neither of them get much to say, although "Black suit man" is the subject of a heart-rending scene where James struggles to dismantle a bomb vest which

has been locked on to the man.

All othes are engaged with at the point of a gun.

The immediate contrast is with the excellent and markedly political Three Kings, also set in Iraq but after the first Gulf War, and more pointedly with The Battle of Algiers, the brilliant realist drama which manages to engage the viewer's sympathy despite the bleak cycle of violence into which it resolves.

In doing so it personifies the character of Colonel Mathieu as one of the great paradoxes of post-war cinema: "Should we remain in Algeria?" is the question Mathieu poses. "If you answer yes, then you must accept all the necessary consequences." The Hurt Locker has no time for consequences.

There is much about The Hurt Locker that is confusing. That may be the point, of course, that war in such circumstances is both confusing and dangerous – as with the HBO mini-series Generation Kill, which The Hurt Locker resembles. Generation Kill had multiple, overlapping political narratives, and as a result was sprawling and very difficult to follow. The Hurt Locker is much more tightly focussed and successful, but any insights into America's involvement in Iraq won't be found there. In that sense The Hurt Locker is empty. Its general themes – that war is hell, that the soldiers on the

ground were perplexed and isolated, sometimes frightened and sometimes exhilarated by combat – are familiar ones. We discover by the end that Sanborn can't take it any more but that James is addicted to the adrenaline.

Does The Hurt Locker need a political narrative? No, it doesn't: it's just a movie, about the psychosis of one character, James. But it seems empty in sitting outside its immediate context. Can we make a movie set in Iraq that is not about Iraq?

Of course. But it seems strange.

Still, Jane Austen managed to populate her novels with admirals, captains and soldiers and never once mention the war against Napoleon that she lived through and they were fighting in. Is it a coincidence that The Hurt Locker's main character is named William James? An earlier William James, brother of the novelist Henry James, was a founder of modern psychiatry and the author of an essay, The Moral Equivalent of War, which captured perfectly the continued existence of The Hurt Locker's leading man: Modern war is so expensive that we feel trade to be a better avenue to plunder; but modern man inherits all the innate pugnacity and all the love of glory of his ancestors. Showing war's irrationality and horror is HURT page 9

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PHOTO: continued from page 4

but aren't as recognizable as their bottlenose cousins. The hunt is also less commercial.

The meat is divided evenly among local families instead of being sold to supermarkets, and no animals are sold to aquariums.

What's more, the Faroe Islands respect a worldwide commercial whaling ban, though Denmark wants it lifted. So does Japan, and Tokyo's outspoken opposition to the ban has made Japan a lightning rod for antiwhaling activists —and, by extension, dolphin activists.

Even within Japan, the Taiji hunt is small compared to one that happens in the north, where harpooners kill more than 10,000 Dall's porpoises every year for food—five times the recent annual take in Taiji. But because the hunt happens out at sea, it's hard to photograph and has received far less attention than Taiji's bloody cove.

Dolphin hunts also take place at a small subsistence level in the Caribbean and the Arctic.

Fishermen kill dolphins frequently in Peru—where it's illegal—but data on how many are killed is hard to come by.

Solomon Islands Hunt "Completely Unsustainable" In the Solomon Islands, dolphins are regularly killed for their meat and their teeth, which are used decoratively. As in Taiji, fishermen sell a small number of dolphins to

aquariums.

The Solomon Islands hunt is one of the smallest in the world —less than a hundred are killed every year, and about a dozen are sold into captivity —but it presents an urgent problem for conservationists since the local dolphin population may number only in the hundreds.

"It's completely unsustainable," said Natural Resources Defense Council staff attorney Taryn Kiekow. Former Flipper trainer Ric O'Barry and the Earth Island Institute have lobbied officials in the Solomon Islands to end the hunt.

Globally, most dolphin populations are safe. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are likely more than six million dolphins worldwide. A few species are at risk of extinction, but most number in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions.

"Anybody who tells you these animals are going to go extinct because of these hunts, there's no data to support that," said NRDC marine mammal scientist Liz Alter. Still, she cautions that it's possible that the Dall's porpoise hunt in Japan may harm subpopulations of that animal, which numbers more than a million worldwide.

"We Never Say 'Don't Eat a Cheeseburger'" Shigeki Takaya, assistant director of the Far Seas

Fisheries Division of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in Tokyo, which oversees dolphin hunting, said he hasn't seen The Cove yet —just the trailer. But Takaya knows what the filmmakers want, and he says they should give up.

"What difference is there between a cow, a pig, and a dolphin?" he said. "There's no difference. There is a market for dolphin in Japan. It's not a major market, but it's a market.

Dolphin is a resource, and people have to respect each other's cultures. In other countries they eat cow. But we never say to Americans, 'Don't eat a cheeseburger.' We never, ever say that."

Hunter College's Reiss counters that the Taiji hunt must stop simply because it's inhumane.

Dolphins are extremely intelligent creatures that experience pain and suffering, she emphasizes. She has listened to underwater recordings from the Taiji drive hunt and says the dolphins issue sophisticated distress calls.

"Science has got to transcend cultural borders," she said.

The Switzerland-based World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has forbidden its members from taking dolphins from the Taiji hunt. The Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a WAZA member, but most

Japanese aquariums don't belong to the national association.

WAZA director Gerald Dick has visited several Japanese aquarium directors and said it's hard to convince them to stop buying dolphins from Taiji when doing so costs so much less than breeding them in captivity.

"They don't regard [the hunt] as particularly cruel," he said.

"They've been doing it for years."

The makers of The Cove argue that if Japanese aquarium-goers knew where the aquariums were getting their dolphins, people might stop visiting. The Taiji drive hunt is not widely publicized in Japan, the filmmakers say, but they are seeking a Japanese distributor for the documentary.

Could Mercury Fears End the Hunt?

Like most forms of fishing, dolphin hunting isn't regulated by any international organization.

The International Whaling Commission has for years debated whether it should limit the hunting of small cetaceans like dolphins, but it's been deadlocked. The commission was created in 1946 to control the market for whale oil and later took on the duty of protecting whales from being hunted to extinction. But global dolphin populations are healthy.

In the end, it might be Japanese consumers who stop the Taiji hunt. Activists, scientists, and the Japanese press have documented high levels of mercury contamination in Japan's dolphins. The Cove features Oregon State University marine biologist Scott Baker, a past National Geographic Society grantee who tested Japanese striped dolphin meat and reported in 2005 it had nearly a hundred times the amount of mercury permitted by Japanese regulations.

But mercury poisoning doesn't show its effects immediately, and although the Japanese government has warned pregnant women to limit their consumption of dolphin meat, it would probably take awhile for people to give up completely a food tied so closely to their history and culture.

So far, Japan—home to the world's largest dolphin hunt—has done nothing to suggest it will stop this age-old practice.

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We will not be bullied, says UUP leader Sir Reg Empey Nicholas Watt, Henry McDonald (World news: United States | guardian.co.uk)

be the only member of the fourparty power sharing executive that will vote no today.

The Democratic Unionists and Sinn Féin, which brokered the Submitted at 3/9/2010 4:22:20 AM Ulster Unionist party refuses to agreement on policing last back deal on devolution of month, will join the SDLP in policing and criminal justice voting for the deal. powers despite intervention of The widow of the first Police George Bush, Hillary Clinton Service of Northern Ireland and David Cameron officer murdered by dissident The Ulster Unionists said today republicans today appealed for they would not be "bullied" into an end to political bickering at backing a deal to complete the Stormont.

Northern Ireland peace process, Kate Carroll, whose husband amid intense pressure on the Stephen was shot dead by the party from Washington and Continuity IRA last March, said London to support a vote to it was time the politicians put devolve police and justice aside their divisions in the powers to Stormont. interest of peace.

George Bush made a direct plea In a call to a local radio station, to David Cameron to exert Carroll said: "This morning has pressure on the UUP, with been very, very hard for me, and which the Conservatives have I would just ask everyone in agreed an electoral pact.

Stormont to please get on with But, ahead of a vote on the their job." policing deal today, the UUP In a direct message to the Ulster leader, Sir Reg Empey, rejected Unionist party, she added: "I am the overtures. "We are prepared pleading on this day that is so to go forward and look to the important to me that it's not future but not under the cosh of worth it. Life is too short. It is all this blackmail and bullying," heartbreaking that I have to get he said. on this morning to please ask The UUP party executive the politicians to get on with confirmed last night that it their job." w o u l d v o t e a g a i n s t t h e The decision by the UUP to devolution of policing and oppose what London describes criminal justice powers to as the final piece in the jigsaw Belfast. The unanimous decision o f t h e 1 9 9 8 G o o d F r i d a y means that the once-mighty agreement will come as a blow UUP, which governed Northern to Cameron. The Tory leader Ireland from 1921 until direct supports the devolution of rule was imposed in 1972, will policing powers to Belfast but

appears to have failed to persuade his political allies in Northern Ireland to follow his lead.

But Empey, who is minister for employment and learning in the executive, believes it is foolish to devolve the final set of powers while the coalition is struggling to function. A meeting between the UUP and the Sinn Féin deputy first minster, Martin McGuinness, broke up after just three minutes last night.

The prospect of a UUP no vote has also caused alarm in the US. Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, yesterday pleaded with Empey in a phone call to support the deal. The Guardian understands that the White House was so concerned that the US economic envoy to Northern Ireland, Declan Kelly, also persuaded Bush to intervene.

The former president telephoned Cameron last Friday to ask him to plead with Empey to endorse the deal. While the UUP does not have enough votes to scupper the deal, political leaders in the US fear a no vote from the UUP could undermine support for the settlement within the DUP and among the wider unionist community.

"There was a feeling that a conservative-to-conservative conversation was the right way to go about this," said one

source familiar with the transatlantic negotiations. "This conversation was borne out of the concern that Empey is holding out."

Another source familiar with the contact said: "This is the most active thing George W Bush has done in his postpresidency period. He has been incredibly restrained and diplomatic since leaving the White House. He has maintained radio silence."

One source familiar with thinking on Northern Ireland on both sides of the Atlantic added: "The fact that George W Bush has decided to intervene is really significant. He was interested in the peace process as president and appointed an envoy. It is a general sign of how concerned people are in the US about what David Cameron is up to."

Owen Paterson, the shadow Northern Ireland secretary, confirmed on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning that Bush had phoned Cameron.

He would not give any details of the call but said the former president had had "a very constructive and friendly conversation" with the Tory leader.

A Tory source said: "It was a positive conversation. David underlined his commitment to the agreement and said we are doing all we can to support it.

But he said that we cannot force Sir Reg to vote for it. George

Bush thanked David and said: 'I can see you are engaged.'"

A group of US Congressmen wrote to Cameron last month to issue a stark warning that dissident terrorists will be "emboldened" to intensify their attacks if he fails to persuade the Tories' partners to endorse the final stage of the peace process.

Cameron has faced pressure in recent weeks over his decision to form an electoral pact with the UUP, which could provide him with crucial support in Westminster if the general election leads to a hung parliament. The pact has prompted fears in Washington that the Tory leader might abandon the even-handed approach to Northern Ireland that was adopted by John Major.

• Northern Irish politics • Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) • George Bush • United States • Northern Ireland • Conservatives • David Cameron Nicholas Watt Henry McDonald guardian.co.uk© Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions| More Feeds

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Greek PM to urge Barack Obama to crack down on speculators Graeme Wearden (World news: United States | guardian.co.uk) Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:14:16 AM

George Papandreou to meet US president in latest stage of his whirlwind campaign to drum up support for his debt-laden country The prime minister of Greece will tonight urge Barack Obama to crack down on financial speculators when he visits the White House.

George Papandreou will meet the US president at 2pm EST (7pm GMT) in the latest stage of his whirlwind campaign to drum up support for his debtladen country. Greek officials have indicated that Papandreou will ask Obama to impose stricter regulations on hedge funds and currency traders, who they blame for aggravating their problems and making it harder for Greece to borrow money.

He is also likely to warn that America will suffer unless the Greek debt crisis is resolved soon.

The concerted European campaign against financiers continued as German chancellor Angela Merkel said that a

Brussels-led monetary fund to bail out eurozone nations in need would send a clear signal to markets speculating on the possible break-up of the single currency.

After meeting Jean-Claude Juncker, the head of the eurozone's finance ministers, in Luxembourg this morning she said her proposal for a fund would not replace current loose rules that require EU economies to stick to debt and deficit limits.

She said more stringent conditions for a possible eurozone default would set a clearer "signal to markets that speculation cannot work".

The euro has slid against the US dollar in recent months on worries over Greece's soaring debt and its ability to make tough budget cuts.

Last night, Papandreou warned an audience in Washington that the value of the euro could fall sharply if Greece's debt crisis escalates. He argued that a weak euro would make it harder for US manufacturers to sell goods in the eurozone, at a time when America is looking to exports to help drive its recovery from

recession.

"An ongoing euro crisis could cause a domino effect, driving up borrowing costs for other countries with large deficits and causing volatility in bond and currency rates across the world," he said, in a speech at Washington's Brookings Institute.

Papandreou is attempting to persuade world leaders on both sides of the Atlantic to support Greece as it wrestles with debts of €300bn (£272bn), and a budget deficit that has swelled to 12.7% of GDP. Last weekend he won a crucial show of support from French president Nicolas Sarkozy.

The cost of insuring Greek debt has risen steadily since last September, when the country revealed the size of its budget deficit, and it has also had to pay significantly more to borrow on the financial markets.

Papandreou, whose austerity measures have prompted a wave of strikes across his country, claims Greece is being unfairly victimised.

"Unprincipled speculators are making billions every day by betting on a Greek default,"

budgets of all nations show us.

• Oscars • Kathryn Bigelow • Iraq • United States

Richard Adams guardian.co.uk© Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to

Papandreou told the Brookings Institute.

"That is why Europe and America must say 'enough is enough' to those speculators who only place value on immediate returns, with utter disregard for the consequences on the larger economic system – not to mention the human consequences of lost jobs, foreclosed homes, and decimated pensions," he added.

Some analysts, though, argue that Greece is simply paying a fair price for its economic woes, with traders speculating on whether or not the country will default on its debts.

Papandreou also met with secretary of state Hillary Clinton last night.

Yesterday the head of the International Monetary Fund predicted that Greece will not require a bailout from the IMF. Papandreou began his tour last week with a visit to Berlin.

Today, Merkel indicated that she also believed Greece will not need a direct rescue.

"Greece has won some trust back through the steps taken by its government," Merkel said.

She added that the European

HURT continued from page 6

of no effect on him. The horrors make the fascination. War is the strong life; it is life in extremis; war taxes are the only ones men never hesitate to pay, as the

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commission may have to consider regulating the market for credit default swaps – the derivatives used by traders to speculate on whether European countries will repay their debts.

Papandreou said the CDS market needed reining in, claiming that some hedge funds had tried to destabilise the Greek economy after betting that the country would default.

"It is common sense, enforced by insurance regulators, that a person is not allowed to buy fire insurance on his neighbour's house, and then burn it down to collect on that insurance," he said.

• Europe • Greece • Barack Obama • United States • Euro Graeme Wearden guardian.co.uk© Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions| More Feeds

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"COVE"

Joe Biden offers Israel full US support Rory McCarthy (World news: United States | guardian.co.uk) Submitted at 3/9/2010 4:01:21 AM

In talks with Binyamin Netanyahu, US vice-president stresses need to prevent Iran obtaining nuclear weapons The US vice-president, Joe Biden, promised the Israeli government today that it had the strong support of Washington and said the US was committed to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

"There is no space between the US and Israel when it comes to Israel's security," Biden said, after meeting the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, in Jerusalem. Their talks appeared to focus on Iran and its nuclear ambitions, rather than on the new round of low-key, indirect peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians that was agreed yesterday.

Biden, who is the most senior US official to visit Israel since Barack Obama was elected last year, said addressing Iran's nuclear programme was a

priority. "We are determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons," he said.

In private he is also believed to have cautioned the Israeli government against any unilateral military strike on Iran, and to have tried to win Israeli support for the US administration's policy, which is moving towards sanctions against Iran.

Earlier, before a meeting with the Israeli president, Shimon Peres, Biden said Iran had become more isolated since the Obama administration came to power.

Netanyahu made clear today the Israeli government hoped for a tougher sanctions regime against Iran. "The stronger those sanctions are, the more likely it will be that the Iranian regime will have to chose between advancing its nuclear programme and advancing the future of its own permanence," he said.

Netanyahu frequently cites the need to address Iran's nuclear ambitions as his priority in

government and Israeli leaders have pointedly not ruled out a military option.

Biden, who was later due to meet the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, repeated the US goal for a two-state peace agreement that would see the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

Yesterday, the US special envoy, George Mitchell, announced that Israel and the Palestinians had agreed to new, indirect talks, although discussion on the "structure and the scope" was only beginning.

The peace process has been under way for nearly two decades, but there have been no direct negotiations between the two since Israel's war in Gaza a year ago. Few on either side hold out much hope for the new "proximity talks".

Just before the announcement, the Israeli defence ministry said it had authorised the construction of 112 apartments in the Jewish settlement of Beitar Illit, on the occupied

continued from page 5

West Bank. That came despite a temporary, partial curb on settlement building announced

by Netanyahu last November.

The Palestinians have insisted there would be no return to direct talks unless there was a full halt to Israeli settlement construction, in line with the obligations of the US road map.

All settlements on occupied territory are illegal under international law.

• Binyamin Netanyahu • Joe Biden • Israel • Palestinian territories • Middle East • United States • US foreign policy • Obama administration Rory McCarthy guardian.co.uk© Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions| More Feeds

government has warned pregnant women to limit their consumption of dolphin meat, it would probably take awhile for people to give up completely a food tied so closely to their history and culture.

So far, Japan—home to the world's largest dolphin hunt—has done nothing to suggest it will stop this age-old practice.

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"Damn!" indeed!

(Holy Kaw!) Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:54:12 PM

As the lady said, "Damn!"

More news about antiques.

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Most popular Pink Floyd tracks on iTunes (Latest news, breaking news, current news, UK news, world news, celebrity news, politics news) Submitted at 3/9/2010 7:14:12 AM

Published: 3:14PM GMT 09 Mar 2010

1) Comfortably Numb – The Wall 2) Wish You Were Here – Wish You Were Here 3) Money – The Dark Side of the Moon 4) Another Brick In The Wall,

Pt 2 – The Wall 5) Breathe – The Dark Side of the Moon 6) Time – The Dark Side of the Moon 7) The Great Gig in the Sky – The Dark Side of the Moon

8) Brain Damage – The Dark Side of the Moon 9) Any Colour You Like – The Dark Side of the Moon 10) Eclipse – The Dark Side of the Moon Source: iTunes

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Bali bomber mastermind Dulmatin 'killed in shoot -out' (Top stories from Times Online) Submitted at 3/9/2010 12:11:04 AM

The alleged mastermind behind the 2002 Bali bombings is believed to have been killed in a shoot-out with Indonesian police on the outskirts of Jakarta today.

Dulmatin, nicknamed "the Genius", was an explosives expert who was believed to have set off one of the Bali bombs with a mobile phone, as well as helping to assemble the massive car bomb used in the attacks, which killed 202 people.

The shoot-out happened during a morning raid on a house in Pamulang city, west of the Indonesian capital. Police said the raid, which comes two weeks before a visit by President Obama, targeted Dulmatin and two other senior members of the militant Islamist organisation Jemaah Islamiyah.

Indonesia's counter-terrorism

unit, Detachment 88, has launched a series of raids across the archipelago following the discovery of a militant Islamic training camp in Aceh, on the island of Sumatra, last month.

Police have detained 21 suspected members of the group in Aceh and Java, while two have been killed.

Tito Karnavian, the antiterrorism police chief, confirmed that the man killed was linked to a militant group in Aceh.

"Yes, he is the culprit, the one that sent people to Aceh. He's a big name," Mr Karnavian told reporters.

A police source said that the man was believed to be Dulmatin, one of the most wanted senior leaders of Jemaah Islamiyah. There was no official confirmation on the man's identity but police are due to hold a press conference later today.

Gunfire was heard as police raided a two-storey building at

about 11am (0400 GMT) in Pamulang, witnesses told local television.

A television news station quoted witnesses as saying that a man and woman arrived by motorbike at a complex made up of shops and houses. The man, aged between 30 and 40, went into an internet café while the woman went into a salon next door. About ten minutes later members of Detachment 88 raided the internet café, shots were heard and a body bag was taken out. The woman was taken into custody along with a manager of the complex.

"The body of a man has just been taken by an ambulance to a police hospital," a television report quoted a witness as saying.

Dulmatin was the last of the Bali bombers to evade capture.

He is believed to have been living in hiding in the Philippines and had been linked to the separatist organisation Abu Sayyaf in the south of the

country.

The one-time car mechanic is widely believed to have been the protégé of Azahari Husin, another suspected mastermind of the 2002 Bali attacks and other bombings, who was killed by police in 2005.

Under Husin's guidance Dulmatin became one of the few Jemaah Islamiyah militants who was able to assemble and explode large chlorate and nitrate bombs, according to the Asia Pacific Foundation.

He is also known to have attended a militant training camp in Afghanistan, returning to Indonesia in the mid-1990s, where he is thought to have been a regular visitor at an Islamic school in Solo founded

by Abu Bakar Ba'shir, Jemaah Islamiyah's spiritual leader.

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Oh, the suspense: Breakfasts from around the world (Holy Kaw!) Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:40:00 PM

It might all go to the same place, but these breakfasts start someplace unusual: In the air. In

his project entitled “Breakfast,” artist Oliver Schwarzwald takes six breakfasts from around the world and depicts them in gravity-defying still life. The represents the first meal in the picture above, for instance,

UK. See more of the project at Divine Caroline.

More on food.

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11

Turkey Earthquake Pictures: The Day After (National Geographic News) Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:53:32 AM

Village Destroyed by Turkey Earthquake Photograph from AFP/Getty Images The village of Okcular lies in shambles on March 8, 2010, hours after an earthquake in Turkey shook a remotely populated area of the country, killing at least 51.

The magnitude 5.9 temblor hit Elazig Province (see map) in the predawn hours, destroying stone and mud-brick houses and minarets in at least six villages, according to the Associated Press.

Though the Turkey earthquake closely follows deadly temblors in Haiti (see Haiti earthquake pictures) and Chile (see Chile earthquake pictures), the three seismic events are too distant geographically to be related, seismologist Bernard Doft, of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute in Utrecht, told AP. Published March 8, 2010 Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

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Pound takes new beating on growing trade gap (Top stories from Times Online) Submitted at 3/9/2010 1:49:56 AM

Fresh concerns were raised over the strength of Britain’s economic recovery this morning after it was revealed that the country's trade deficit with the rest of the world unexpectedly widened during January.

Britain’s deficit in global goods grew to £7.987 billion during January — the biggest total since August 2008. a This was up from £7.01 billion in December and compared with the £7 billion that had been expected by City economists.

Sterling, which had traded at $1.5067 earlier in the session, sank to $1.4948 immediately after publication of the figures.

By midday it had barely recovered, reaching $1.4960.

Traders said that sterling was also under pressure after Fitch,

the ratings agency, said that Britain’s sovereign credit profile had “deteriorated”.

The figures will be regarded as particularly disappointing by the Government, which, after the sharp decline that sterling has experienced during the past 18 months, has been banking on a recovery in exports to help to lift Britain farther out of recession.

Economists said that the trade figures had slumped largely because of a sharp fall in exports and because of poor weather in January.

The UK’s goods exports to the rest of the world fell by 6.9 per cent during the month, the biggest month-on-month decline since July 2006.

Total exports fell by £1.4 billion to £19.5 billion and imports fell by imports fell by £0.5 billion — or 1.6 per cent — to £27.4 billion.

Alan Clarke, an economist with

the investment bank BNP Paribas, said: “It’s a pretty disappointing number. Trade is one area where people had been expecting an improvement but it doesn’t seem to be happening.

"In the big picture, this is bad news for UK GDP during the first quarter of 2010.”

Howard Archer, the chief UK and European economist for the consultancy IHS Global Insight, said: “There is no getting away from the fact that the January trade deficit is disappointing and also worrying for hopes that the economy can rebalance over the coming months.

"The total trade deficit widened to a 17-month high in January as exports worryingly fell appreciably and imports declined modestly.

“This suggests that net trade is set to be a drag on the economy in the first quarter of 2010 as it was in both the fourth and third quarters of 2009.”

Mr Archer said it was worrying that exports declined significantly more than imports.

He added: “It heightens concerns as to whether or not net trade can make a decent positive contribution to growth going forward and help the economy to rebalance.”

Vicky Redwood, UK economist for the research consultancy Capital Economics, said: “These figures suggest that the much needed pick-up in the external sector is still not in evidence. If anything, things are getting worse.

“There is clearly a big question mark over whether any improvement in net trade will come through quickly or strongly enough to offset the weakness in domestic demand.”

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Gowalla debuts Travel Channel deal, Android app Caroline McCarthy (Webware.com) Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:30:00 AM

The location-based mobile networking app has launched its first non-iPhone app, and is making it clear that it's gunning for the same media partnerships that rival Foursquare is going for.

Originally posted at The Social

Comerica Selling Stock to Repay TARP Debt Elizabeth Harrow (BloggingStocks) Submitted at 3/9/2010 10:30:00 AM

Filed under: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades, Comerica Inc (CMA), Options, Technical Analysis, Financial Crisis Regional banking issue Comerica ( CMA) is in focus today, after announcing last

night that it will sell $800 million in common stock in order to repay its debt to the U.S. government. Under the terms of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

Comerica owes Uncle Sam about $2.25 billion. At this point, the Dallas-based bank is repay its TARP debt. among the few remaining This morning, Comerica priced financial institutions yet to its common stock offering at

$35 per share, representing a discount to Monday's close at $36.29. The shares have quickly backpedaled as a result, slipping below recent support at their 10day and 20-day moving averages.

Continue reading Comerica Selling Stock to Repay TARP Debt Comerica Selling Stock to

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Facebook accused over paedophile 'panic button' (Top stories from Times Online)

same way that burglar alarms frighten off burglars.

But Facebook says it has yet to Submitted at 3/9/2010 5:16:16 AM see any evidence that the Ceop Facebook was accused today of reporting mechanism helps failing to protect its young t a c k l e t h e p r o b l e m . A British users from the threat spokeswoman insisted today posed by predatory paedophiles. that Facebook was "one of the The American-owned site has safest" places on the web.

23 million active users in the The controversy was ignited by UK, making it the country's the jailing yesterday of a dominant social networking site, convicted sex offender, Peter but it refuses to display an Chapman, for the rape and official "panic button" allowing murder of Ashleigh Hall, a its users to report potential vulnerable 17-year-old he abuse directly to Ceop — the befriended after posing on UK's Child Exploitation and Facebook as Pete Cartwright, a Online Protection Centre. "bare-chested, good-looking" The button, which is displayed young labourer. by dozens of other sites, is Chapman, 33, carefully designed as a tool to alert Ceop g r o o m e d t h e g i r l t h r o u g h to suspected problems and to various chat and networking give users advice on how to platforms before they exchanged protect themselves against mobile phone numbers and paedophiles or other forms of started texting each other. On sexual abuse. Ceop officials the night she died last October, also say that the button acts as a Ashleigh was picked up by the deterrent to paedophiles in the man she thought was Pete's

father because Chapman posed as both father and son.

After Chapman was jailed for life at Teesside Crown Court yesterday, Ashleigh's mother made a tearful appeal for young internet users to take care and not meet up alone with friends they made online.

“The message is for people just to be careful," she said. "Make sure you please do tell somebody if you are going to meet a person. That is the message, don’t go on your own.”

The Home Secretary Alan Johnson said today that Merseyside Police had questions to answer about its monitoring of Chapman, who had been jailed in 1996 for the rape of two prostitutes. Even though he was on the sex offenders' register, Chapman had not been seen by police for 13 months at the time of the murder.

Today, the focus shifted onto Facebook after Jim Gamble, the former senior police officer in charge of Ceop, complained about its refusal to put the reporting button on the pages of its UK users.

Mr Gamble told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that his organisation had received 267 reports last year about activity on Facebook, 43 per cent of which involved grooming — but only "one or two" had come from Facebook itself.

"The vast majority are coming from people who are, ironically, having to go to other sites that have our button and send the report to us. That is just not good enough,” he said.

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How to save and share ridiculously large files Josh Lowensohn (Webware.com) Submitted at 3/9/2010 4:00:00 AM

Want to transfer a really big file in your browser, but keep running into size limits? We break down a list of free and paid services that can lend a hand.

Originally posted at Web Crawler

Yahoo!: A Buy After Upgrade?

Steven Mallas (BloggingStocks)

Securities Monday. The thesis is that online advertising is improving, so now may be the Submitted at 3/9/2010 9:30:00 AM time to get in on the possible Filed under: Analyst Upgrades capital appreciation of the and Downgrades, Internet, business. The stock closed Google (GOOG), Microsoft yesterday at $16.52 per share -(MSFT), Yahoo! (YHOO) a gain of 2.8%. Volume was Yahoo! ( YHOO) received an active. analyst upgrade from JMP The upgrade also comes with a

price target of $21. Yahoo!, like many stocks, has bounced off its

52-week low quite strongly.

Over the 12-month period, the company has risen by better than 20%. From one angle, I like the idea of this trade.

Technically, the shares might be ready to move.

Continue reading Yahoo!: A Buy After Upgrade?

Yahoo!: A Buy After Upgrade?

originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Annie Leibovitz keeps photo rights in debt deal Graeme Wearden (World news: United States | guardian.co.uk)

last year, and by February 2009 she had borrowed $15.5m (£10.3m) from Art Capital Group, a company that lends Submitted at 3/9/2010 5:28:40 AM Agreement with private equity money to art owners. To secure owners of Michael Jackson's the loans she put up the rights to Neverland ranch will pay off all her photographs as collateral, c e l e b r i t y p h o t o g r a p h e r ' s along with several houses she previous $15m loan owned. But the deal quickly T o p p h o t o g r a p h e r A n n i e turned sour. In July, lawyers for Leibovitz has struck a deal with Art Capital Group claimed that a private equity firm that will Leibovitz had reneged on a solve the financial crisis that p r o m i s e t o s e l l h e r b a c k threatened her with bankruptcy catalogue to repay her debts, last year. and sued her for $24m.

Under the agreement, Los Media reports claimed Angeles-based Colony Capital L e i b o v i t z w a s f a c i n g will become Leibovitz's sole bankruptcy, but the two sides creditor. Colony will provide eventually reached an agreement Leibovitz with a loan to pay off to extend the lifetime of the her previous borrowings, and loans. It appears that the deal w o r k w i t h h e r o n f u t u r e with Colony will allow the projects. celebrity snapper to pay off Art Crucially, the deal means that Capital Group without losing Leibovitz will retain the rights control of her life's work. to more than 100,000 photos "Colony is a dedicated and taken during a career which creative team," said Leibovitz, includes famous images of according to the Financial D e m i M o o r e , B r u c e Times. "We will be working on Springsteen, and John Lennon – new projects and I will have the taken on the day he died. support and freedom necessary Leibovitz's finances hit trouble for nurturing my work and

preserving my archive."

Colony is more usually involved with property deals. In 2008 it bought a loan on Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch, which left it with the rights to the 2,700-acre California estate.

Tom Barrack, who founded Colony, said his company would be "partners in managing her assets and her business so that Annie can spend her time and focus in pursuing her passion as only she can do".

• Private equity • Annie Leibovitz • Bruce Springsteen • John Lennon • United States • Michael Jackson Graeme Wearden guardian.co.uk© Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions| More Feeds

8-Bit NYC is the coolest map--ever Don Reisinger (Webware.com) Submitted at 3/8/2010 3:08:44 PM

Map of New York City depicted in 8-bit gaming glory is a viable mapping tool too.

Originally posted at The Digital

Home

Santa Monica to Savannah: Students Cycle for Clean Water Susanna Donald (LWI News Center)

course and head to Savannah, Georgia via their hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. To Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:00:55 AM complete the journey in their Most seventeen- and eighteen- one-month time frame, Gatliff year-olds spend their final and Kauffman will need to semester coasting through high travel approximately 700 miles school until graduation. Cort each week. That means clocking Gatliff and Christian Kauffman, roughly seven hours on the bike two high school seniors from e a c h d a y , f o l l o w e d b y M e m p h i s , T e n n e s s e e , a r e schoolwork at the hotel each spending a month coasting night. Their parents are taking across America on their bikes turns following the boys in the instead. support vehicle.

This isn’t your typical senior The two friends learned about t r i p , t h o u g h . G a t l i f f a n d the global water crisis through a Kauffman are taking on this ten- class at Memphis University state tour (more than 2,500 School called “Facing History miles) as part of The Water and Ourselves.” Kauffman C y c l e , a c r o s s - c o u n t r y remarks, “The statistics are fundraiser designed to spread staggering. One child dies every awareness and raise money for 15 seconds because they don’t Living Water International’s have access to clean water.” ongoing efforts bringing clean And while the pair states on water to Haiti. They are already their website, “We know no on their way to reaching their individual can change the goal of $50,000, which would world,” it seems as though with rehabilitate 10 clean water wells each push of the pedal they’re for the survivors of January’s proving otherwise. devastating earthquake. You can To learn more about Gatliff and contribute toward their goal on Kauffman’s mission, visit The Water Cycle’s First Giving thewatercycle.org, or follow page. their progress across the country On March 4th, the pair began via Twitter and their blog. their ride in Santa Monica, Five Filters featured article: California. They’ll follow Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: historic Route 66 to Oklahoma PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, City, where they will change Term Extraction.

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BBC 6 Music sacrificed as a 'public flogging' claims Steve Lamacq (Latest news, breaking news, current news, UK news, world news, celebrity news, politics news)

plays mainly archive and nonmainstream tracks - this would see £9 million saved to fund other digital output.

But Lamacq claimed the Submitted at 3/9/2010 7:24:35 AM Published: 3:14PM GMT 09 arguments for closure ''don't all Mar 2010 stack up''.

The presenter, one of the digital ''One argument is that the BBC service's best-known names, should be allowing space in the broke his silence to say he is 'market' for commercial still none the wiser over the stations to operate. But what reason 6 Music is facing the commercial outfit is ever going chop. to replicate 6 Music?''

In a blog the host, renowned for He pointed out that BBC audio championing up and coming and music director Tim Davie bands, said the axing would be had said nine stand-alone ''disastrous for the British music stations was too many, but scene''.

Lamacq said he was convinced There has been a chorus of this was ''sleight of hand''. disapproval over the BBC's ''I think what he means is there's proposal to cut the service, 'too many brands' and losing a along with another digital couple will make it easier to service, Asian Network. market what they have left The stations face the scrap as while also putting on a show part of a strategic review which for people who are demanding would see the m o n e y the BBC's blood. We are a radio refocused elsewhere. station up for a public In the case of 6 Music - which flogging.''

Google launches tool for searching public data Tom Krazit (Webware.com) Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:40:00 AM

Curious about unemployment trends in your state crossreferenced against salaries?

Google Public Data Explorer could make it easier to create a visual representation.

Originally posted at Relevant Results

His claims come as former operations director of GCap Media - now part of Global Radio - Steve Orchard said the commercial radio world would ''gain nothing'' from 6 Music's closure. ''Commercial radio can never replicate 6 Music's cultural value - it's not viable for us to do so,'' said Orchard, who now heads radio group Quidem. ''We will gain nothing from this closure yet the music industry will lose much.''

Radiohead, Keane and Jarvis Cocker are among the music acts who have voiced their concerns about the proposed closure.

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Computer games disguised as Excel and Word prove a hit with office workers (Latest news, breaking news, current news, UK news, world news, celebrity news, politics news)

Netherlands.

A tongue-in-cheek counter on the website estimates that the addictive games have already cost the world economy more Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:50:23 AM

By Matthew Moore than €4.5m in lost man hours.

Published: 2:50PM GMT 09 A blurb on the website reads: Mar 2010 "Let’s face it; we all want to The suite of "hidden" games relax every now and then, but draw strong inspiration from still want to appear professional early arcade and PC titles but or busy. are played against the backdrop "That’s why all the games at of what appear to be genuine CantYouSeeImBusy.com are office applications. designed in a way that nobody In one game, called Leadership, can see that you’re gaming. In the player must direct a space fact, your boss and colleagues ship between two lines of a will think that you’re working graph. harder than ever before."

Another involves destroying But not everyone is convinced. blocks of the same colour before Alexandra Kitty, a commenter a wall of bar charts fills the on the popular community screen, like the cult puzzle game blog MetaFilter where the Tetris. games were discussed, wrote: A third game Breakdown is "This would never work derived from the Atari classic because people would actually Breakout – but with the bricks look intense and interested in replaced by dry corporate text. what they saw on the computer Words in bold and italics must screen which would obviously be hit twice to disappear. give them away."

The Flash games, which launch Five Filters featured article: in plausibly bland pop-up Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: windows, are available to play PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, a t t h e w e b s i t e Term Extraction.

CantYouSeeImBusy.com which was developed by four programmers in the

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Seven Muslims arrested over 'plot to Government limos take kill cartoonist' ministers 2.6 million miles (Top stories from Times Online)

conspiracy to murder Mr Vilks in another jurisdiction as part of an intelligence-led operation.

Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:26:23 AM The men and women arrested Seven Muslims were arrested in range in age from mid-20s to the Irish Republic today over an late 40s and are detained under alleged plot to assassinate a Section 50 of Criminal Justice Swedish cartoonist who Act 2007 at Waterford, d e p i c t e d t h e P r o p h e t Tramore, Dungarvan and Mohammed with the body of a Thomastown Garda Stations. dog, police said.

They can be held for seven Al Qaeda put a $100,000 days. bounty on the head of cartoonist Mr Vilks, who lives in an Lars Vilks after a newspaper isolated area of Sweden, was put published his cartoon. under police protection after The four men and three women threats were made against his w e r e d e t a i n e d a f t e r a n life. i n v e s t i g a t i o n i n v o l v i n g When al Qaeda put its reward European security agencies and out for the cartoonist in 2007 it the United States’ CIA and FBI. offered a 50% bonus if Mr It is understood that some of Vilks was “slaughtered like a t h o s e a r r e s t e d h o l d I r i s h lamb” by having his throat cut, citizenship and a number are while another $50,000 was put originally from the Middle East. on the life of Ulf Johansson, They were detained by gardai editor-in-chief of Nerikes in Waterford and Cork in the Allehanda, the local newspaper south of the country for which printed the cartoon.

Citysearch's new service to better target local ads Don Reisinger (Webware.com) Submitted at 3/8/2010 8:43:42 AM

The local-business directory is combining its extensive ad

network with SEO services from OrangeSoda.

Originally posted at The Digital Home

However those arrested are not believed to be members of the terrorist group.

It understood some have converted to the Muslim faith.

The arrests were made at around 10am as officers conducted a number of raids.

Gardai said the operation was supported by members from National Support Services and the Republic’s anti-terrorist Special Detective Unit.

A Garda spokesman added: “Throughout the investigation An Garda Siochana has been working closely with law enforcement agencies in the United States and in a number of European countries.”

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(Latest news, breaking news, current news, UK news, world news, celebrity news, politics news)

cutting the car poll by a third, if they win the election.

David Cameron, the Conservative leader, has taken his inspiration for the cull Submitted at 3/9/2010 7:14:52 AM

By Andrew Porter, Political from Chris Mullin, the former Editor Labour minister who served Published: 3:14PM GMT 09 under Tony Blair. Mr Mullen Mar 2010 decided he wanted to eschew his T h e c o s t o f r u n n i n g t h e ministerial car unless it was Government Car Service has totally necessary, but came up gone up by almost two fifths against a bureaucracy that made over the last five years – despite it almost impossible. edicts to members of the public In Mr Mullin’s diaries he to f i n d o t h e r w a y s o f recounts how when he was travelling than by car. appointed environment All ministers are entitled to a minister he spent a lot of time car to ferry them on official arguing that he did not need to business and home at night. use an official car. However, The car service cost £14.8 he encountered resistance from million last year, up from £14 Whitehall because the system million in 2007-08.

Miles meant drivers were heavily travelled rose from 2.4 million dependent on overtime and also to 2.6 million – the equivalent of that his own department lost 11 trips to the moon. money if he turned down the Grant Shapps, the Conservative car.

MP who uncovered the figures Five Filters featured article: said: “At a time when most Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: people were tightening their PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, belts it’s as if ministers have Term Extraction. been living on another planet."

He added that the Conservatives are committing to

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17

Starting Up While an Employee Jason Del Rey (Inc.com)

that got 347 no's before it landed it's second round of funding is being wooed by a slew of The "real" story on Facebook's investors, writes The New York founding. On Friday, Silicon Times. The company's success Alley Insider published the just solid enough to quit your total darkness. 3. Don't drink content disappear for visitors in the mobile sphere has piqued r e s u l t s o f i t s t w o - y e a r day job," he writes. You also tea, coffee, or soda late in the using a specific ad blocking VC interest and though it says it i n v e s t i g a t i o n i n t o t h e have to make sure you don't get day. 4. Avoid sugary foods later program, which was met with is focusing on growth rather c o n t r o v e r s i a l f o u n d i n g o f sued by your employer. To in the evening, and opt for mixed results. While it was a than going public, it hired a new Facebook. Among the new avoid this, Cohen suggests being snacks with tryptophan in them technical success, Fisher says he CFO Steve Cakebread who held d e t a i l s t o e m e r g e i s t h i s upfront about what you're doing instead, like bananas, sunflower found out that most ad blockers t h e s a m e p o s i t i o n a t p u r p o r t e d I M f r o m M a r k and getting a signed letter from seeds, or low-fat yogurt. Lastly, were not doing so with ill intent, Salesforce.com when it went Zuckerberg to a friend right a company representative that experiment with a little white which raises an important public. before Facebook's launch, in gives you the go-ahead to work noise. question for business owners Wi-Fi phones for China. China which Zuckerberg suggests that on your business on your own A plea to abandon ad blocking. and developers alike: Is it Unicom, one of three Chinese he is intentionally delaying the t i m e . " W h e n i t c o m e s t o As more businesses grow ethical to block content for users state-owned telecommunications l a u n c h o f a s i m i l a r s i t e , c o m p a n y p r o p e r t y , b e increasingly dependent on a who block your ads? carriers, is working with Apple HarvardConnections, which he paranoid," he writes. "Assume solid Web presence for survival, Apple nixes "cookie cutter" to introduce iPhones with Wi-Fi had previously agreed to work everything you do on the tech-related news site Ars apps. In its latest crackdown on capability to China, the Wall on. "I feel like the right thing to Internet is recorded, cataloged, Technica writes that there's one the appsphere, Apple is reaching Street Journal reports. Up to do is finish the facebook and t a g g e d , a n d m o n i t o r e d menace threatening to snatch out to companies that build apps now, government regulations wait until the last day before I'm c o n t i n u o u s l y by a away the crutch: ad blocking. from a single template, writes have forced the companies to supposed to have their thing methamphetamine-powered After observing over a period of T e c h C r u n c h . A p p l e i s n ' t disable Wi-Fi capability in the ready and then be like 'look s l a v e - a r m y . " ( V i a H a c k e r time that a substantial amount of opposed to these app generators iPhone, which makes the phone yours isn't as good as this so if N e w s . ) users were using software to categorically, but just wants to l e s s a t t r a c t i v e t h a n f u l l y you want to join mine you How to get a better night's block the site's advertisements, weed out apps that are little functional iPhones that are can…otherwise I can help you sleep. Having trouble keeping founder Ken Fisher decided to more than RSS feeds. Still resold in China from other with yours later.'" your eyes open? Couldn't wind explain to readers exactly how reaching out to companies markets.

How to start a company when down after all that Oscar and why ad blocking can hurt individually and suggesting that More from Inc. Magazine: you still have a job. Over at a excitement last night? You're your favorite websites. "If you they add more features seems Get this delivered to your Smart Bear, Jason Cohen tackles not alone. Seventy-five percent have an ad blocker running, and l i k e u n p r o d u c t i v e inbox. the subject of bootstrapping a of Americans report having you load 10 pages on the site, micromanagement to us. See Follow us on Twitter. start-up using your salary. He problems sleeping a few nights a you consume resources from us these 15 CEOs on their ways to Follow us on Tumblr. recommends picking a slow week, which can lead to missed -- bandwidth being only one of be more productive and check Friend us on Facebook. growth business--you can afford workdays, errors on the job, and them -- but provide us with no out the best iPhone apps for Apply now for the 2010 Inc. this because you already have a e v e n d i m i n i s h e d j o b revenue," the post says. Fisher, business.

500|5000. salary--that doesn't require you satisfaction. Web Worker Daily who goes on to compare ad Pandora's potential IPO. In the to answer emails or phone calls has some tips for better sleep in b l o c k i n g t o " r u n n i n g a p a s t w e ' v e w r i t t e n a b o u t during normal business hours. h o n o r o f N a t i o n a l S l e e p restaurant where 40 percent of P a n d o r a ' s n e a r - d e a t h "Remember, your immediate Awareness Week and we . 1. Go the people who came and ate experience, and how it was goal isn't to make millions of to sleep at the same time every didn't pay," also detailed a 12- saved by it's loyal user base. dollars, it's to build a business night. 2. Keep your room in h o u r e x p e r i m e n t t o m a k e Now the Internet radio start-up Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:24:00 AM

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Consumers Only Want Green Cars if They Are Superior in Every Possible Way Ariel Schwartz (Fast Company) Submitted at 3/9/2010 8:58:01 AM

Think consumers are so hungry for all things green that they will buy a hybrid car just because it's a hybrid? Think again. A study from Accenture shows that 6 out of 10 people are more likely to buy a hybrid or electric car only if it is better than a gasolinepowered counterpart in every way--that means a hybrid needs to dominate in cost, entertainment features, safety, maintenance, communication, and navigation add-ons.

Accenture broke up its survey results, taken from 1,850 consumers in five countries (Germany, France, Italy, the United States and Canada), into a handy chart. Survey Question Germany % of Respondents France % of Respondents Italy % of Respondents U.S./Canada % of Respondents More likely to buy a hybrid or electric vehicle that is better than a fuel-only car in e v e r y w a y 7 4 % 5 5 % 4 6 % 6 5 % Rate the fuel efficiency of a hybrid or electric car very good

to excellent, but rate ride, performance, style and maintenance as good 5 9 % 6 4 % 4 5 % 7 4 % More likely to buy a hybrid or electric vehicle in the next two y e a r s 2 9 % 5 1 % 6 2 % 3 1 % More likely to purchase a hybrid

in the next two years 6 7 % 6 3 % 7 1 % 7 0 % More likely to buy an electric car in the next two years 1 7 % 2 2 % 1 9 % 5 % Everyone should own a hybrid o r e l e c t r i c c a r 2 1 % 3 9 %

5 7 % 2 6 % Would pay nothing more for a hybrid or electric car compared to a fuel-only vehicle 4 5 % 5 2 % 4 6 % 5 6 % Desire a payback time for a hybrid or electric car purchase to be five years or less 6 4 % 8 3 % 7 3 %

8 2 % Assuming a hybrid or electric vehicle could run on an electric charge for 200 miles, want the driving distance between recharging points to be every 11 to 50 miles 5 5 % 4 4 % 5 2 % 2 0 % Want re-charging to take less than 20 minutes 7 2 % 7 3 % 6 9 % 5 0 % As you can see, there's also some good news for hybrid and electric automakers: over half of all consumers polled plan to buy a hybrid in the next two years.

That's because automakers have taken big strides forward in increasing the quality and options available in their hybrids. Electric cars, however, aren't quite ready for prime time, which is why most people polled don't plan on buying one the coming years. But if gas prices rise dramatically in the next decade, we're guessing most potential car buyers won't care too much if their hybrids have pimped-out in-car entertainment systems.

[Via Business Wire]

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19

Amazon's First Response to iPad Hype: A Better Browser for Kindle Kit Eaton (Fast Company) Submitted at 3/9/2010 8:58:35 AM

Amazon is slowly stirring itself into action by improving its Kindle e-reader, just as I suggested it ought to if it's going to compete with the iPad and other tablet PCs. The first move: Improving the shoddy Webbrowsing experience on the device.

We know Amazon is working on this thanks to a job opening in the company's Kindle division Lab126 seeking an engineer to develop an "innovative embedded web browser." The engineer in question must have expertise in Java software development, experience working with Linuxbased embedded devices, experience working with Browser Engines, and (score one for cross-platform compatibility) "familiarity with current web standards." The job will be to develop and implement new features on the browser, support and improve existing browser versions and all the back-office documentation issues that go behind software projects like this.

Three things can be inferred from this job posting. First, Amazon is aware its current "experimental" Kindle browser is an embarrassing piece of naffness that barely functions even for static Web pages (and fails at displaying fast-updating content thanks to e-ink's slow refresh rate). Second, that old browser on older Kindles will remain, indicating Amazon may not be updating it and instead crafting a new browser for a newer Kindle--perhaps with features like speedier-updating that can't be supported on older

hardware. Finally, and this is speculative but exciting, Amazon may be pushing to get this new gear on the shelves sooner rather than later. This comes from the text asking the job applicant to deliver "high quality work on tight schedules," which is seen pretty commonly...but with such seemingly long development cycles for the previous Kindle editions, you have to wonder if a "tight schedule" means Kindle 3 is on its way pretty soon.

So, congratulations to Amazon for making the first move to

turning Kindle into a seriously useful cross-purpose device: This is absolutely vital for the future success of the Kindle as a hardware platform. And before naysayers chime in with a "dedicated devices will always have a place. I love my Kindle!"

I know... I know. But Joe Public is going to look at the Kindle, with its relatively high price and mono-purpose skills, and compare it to the iPad and the host of tablet PCs en route and think twice, particularly when you'll likely get a Kindle app for iPad. Amazon could, of course,

The Tax That Spells Trouble for the Economy (AEI.Org: Articles)

Sorry, readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Five Filters featured article: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: Term Extraction.

call it a day on the hardware (since e-readers may have but a brief time in the limelight) and pursue a software-only model for Kindle. But it would seem keen to play in the hardware game for at least one generation more of Kindle. [ Amazon via WebMonkey] To hear more news like this, follow me, Kit Eaton, on Twitter. It may even work on your Kindle.

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Cleveland's Galleria Mall Turns Lost Retail Space Into Greenhouse Farm Stand Ariel Schwartz (Fast Company) Submitted at 3/9/2010 9:55:14 AM

Shopping malls, those bastions of American consumerism, have not been immune to the recent economic downturn. In a recent piece by our own Greg Lindsay, we looked at the impending decline of the mall, which is part of the "single-use environment" category of real estate development that will slowly disappear over the next thirty years, according to one developer. But what will replace these environments, and more importantly, what will happen to the massive malls of today?

One possible solution can be seen in Cleveland's Galleria mall. The mall lost many of its retail shops over the past few years, leaving gaping holes in the greenhouse-like space. So employees of the Galleria came up with the idea for the Gardens Under Glass project, a so-called urban ecovillage inside the mall that features carts of fruits and vegetables grown on-site. The project was recently given a

How to give good comment (Holy Kaw!) Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:26:00 PM

$30,000 start-up grant from Cleveland's Civic Innovation Lab. The Cleveland Plain Dealer explains: Poole and Hamilton put in the first green stuff this week -- a 12-foot cart of lettuce and other greens near the Galleria's first-floor escalators.

Their aim is to start an education center and store in a former candy shop, invite sustainable-product makers to display and sell their items, and sell produce to restaurants and

individuals. They dream of hosting school groups and teams of volunteer urban gardeners eager to work beds of herbs and greens and vine systems raised hydroponically, aquaponically and in organic soils.

We can see it now: the malls of today turned into the suburban (and urban) farming powerhouses of tomorrow. And while we're at it, why not turn entire economically depressed cities into agricultural centers as well? It's already happening in

Detroit, where entrepreneurs are turning vacant lots into factoryside farms. And if Cleveland's mall farm works out, maybe New Jersey can become the next big agricultural innovator--the state has the most malls per square mile in the country.

[Via Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Tom Davenport of Babson College compiled a list of the six ingredients of a good online comments. Three are: • A dash of brevity • A heaping teaspoon of clear and grammatical expression • A scant cup of nicety Read his full list at Harvard Business Review so that you can be a better commenter.

See our aggregation of Harvard Business Review.

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TV Meets the Web - from Consumer Reports Press Room (Consumer Reports) Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:00:59 PM

TV Meets the Web - from Consumer Reports Getting online content onto your TV without using a computer is

finally ready for prime time.

S u b s c r i b e t o From Consumer Reports' March ConsumerReports.org for expert 2010 issue. Podcast - TV Meets Ratings, buying advice and the Web Subscribe now! reliability on hundreds of

products. Update your feed preferences

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21

Design Award Upset: Small Chilean Studio Beats the Starchitects with Affordable Housing Project William Bostwick (Fast Company) Submitted at 3/9/2010 8:47:12 AM

2010's Brit Insurance Design Award for Architecture went to Elemental's affordable, and adaptable, housing project in Mexico, skipping over big shots like Zaha Hadid and James Corner.

Architecture had its own Oscars on Monday, and just as cinephiles everywhere sighed with relief when The Hurt Locker beat out FernGully: Part 2, those following the Brit

Insurance Design Awards cheered the triumph of the little guy. In a major upset, littleknown Chilean studio Elemental beat big-budget showpieces like Zaha Hadid's MAXXI museum, Herzog and de Meuron's Tenerife Arts Space, and even the New York High Line, winning the architecture category with their Monterrey Housing Complex.

Built in Santa Catarina, Mexico, it was the studio's first project outside of Chile. The 70 connected homes were based on a similar housing complex they

to be constructed by the resident. It's cheap, clever, and instills an ownership in residents that fully-built -- but poorlybuilt -- housing projects lack.

Plus, it's another sign that architecture is moving away from show and towards substance. It's a welcome, if overdue change.

See the rest of the winners in fashion, product design, built in Iquique, Chile in 2004. t o o k a s i m i l a r a p p r o a c h , furniture, graphics, transport, This time, they had almost building out half of each house, and interactive design here. double the budget, but it was including the difficult parts like [via Architecture Lab] still next to nothing: about the bathroom and kitchen, and $20,000 per unit. So Elemental leaving the second half empty,

4 New Speakers for Your Computer (Inc.com)

made from the same material as bulletproof glass, makes a bold statement. COST: $1,000 Thanks to iTunes, Web radio, Our second choice, these and sites like Pandora, more speakers had less-distinct bass computers are doing double than the Harman Kardons, even duty as stereos. Can these with a separate subwoofer, but speakers do your music justice? they reached a higher volume, Bell chimes and cymbal crashes thanks to 88 extra watts of on a U2 song were loud and power. On the downside, the clear on these speakers, which dial on the volume controller have 112 watts of combined was hard to turn. COST: $199 power for lots of volume. Touch These speakers sync with your c o n n e c t w i t h w i r e s t o a -sensitive volume buttons were computer wirelessly using a subwoofer that plugs into an easy to adjust, and the casing, U S B d o n g l e , t h o u g h t h e y outlet. The speakers have a peak Submitted at 3/8/2010 12:39:18 PM

Motorola's Backflip Will Make You Come Unhinged Terrence Russell (Wired Top Stories)

Despite some of forwardthinking hardware, Moto's Backflip is crippled by a horrid

Android skin. And there's only so much one can do with 3.1 inches.

power of 200 watts, but the sound was a bit fuzzy, perhaps because of wireless interference.

COST: $199 These small speakers, which are just 2 inches tall, produce surprisingly distinct sound and feature handy touch-sensitive volume controls. But with a combined peak power of just 10 watts, they have the least oomph of the test group, and they look a bit flimsy. COST: $130

March 9, 1454: This Man Is a Continent ... or Two Randy Alfred (Wired Top Stories) Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:00:00 PM

Amerigo Vespucci is remembered in the names of two continents, not because he was first to visit them, but because he was first to realize that they were something new to Europeans.

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Before the Bell: Futures Lower on the Anniversary of Markets Low

Justice Department Decides To Break Up E-Voting Company

Melly Alazraki (BloggingStocks)

As was rumored at the end of last year, the US Justice Department has decided to break up Election Systems & Software (ES&S), the dominant e-voting provider in the country.

You may recall that just a few months earlier, ES&S (who has a long and troubled history of inaccurate, buggy and insecure e -voting machines) had purchased the remains of Diebold's e-voting business for just $5 million. Of course, Diebold also had a long and troubled history of inaccurate, buggy and insecure e-voting machines, so the two made a perfect match. In both cases, the companies relied on security by stonewalling -- insisting that nothing was wrong, despite lots of proof to the contrary, and refusing to let third party security experts ever look at their machines. Rather than breaking up the companies, why don't the feds just require that any e-voting machine use open source software that can be tested by anyone?

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Submitted at 3/9/2010 8:30:00 AM

Filed under: Before the Bell, International Markets, Cisco Systems (CSCO), Market Matters, Kroger Co (KR), Texas Instruments (TXN) U.S. stock futures were slightly lower Tuesday morning as Wall Street marked the one-year anniversary Josh Spiro (Fast Company) a chef servin' kilobytes." When of the markets' bottom. With the chorus rolls around, the little in way of economic news, Submitted at 3/9/2010 9:12:10 AM tubed-topped, code wonk's investors took a step back from Where's Weird Al when you version of a video vixen sings the recent weeks' rally and examined a myriad of earnings need him? The curly locked and plays the Keys. spoofmeister could have hit JayPhotos of Steve Wozniak, results -- not all of which were Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire Kevin Rose, and Reid Hoffman positive.

State of Mind" out of the park, scurry through the background It was one year ago that the but instead, we're being treated w h i l e o u r s q u a r e e m c e e Dow industrials and broader t o " T h e N e w D o r k : n a m e d r o p s V a l l e y w a g , S&P 500 finished the day at Entrepreneur State of Mind." G e e k o l o g i e , T e c h C r u n c h , their lowest level in 12 years.

It's a blatant bid at a viral video Mashable, and Gizmodo. At the The Dow has rallied about 62% from Pantless Knights, the 2:05 minute mark he sings s i n c e t h e n . W h i l e s t o c k s makers of the popular"Mac or "startin' big trends with the PC" rap. A dreadlock bedecked tweets that I pass on / you singer in skinny jeans smooshes should follow me cause I'm together a maelstrom of tech and friends with Ashton," as he entrepreneurship buzzwords wags around his copy of Fast Cameron Bird (Wired Top Stories) with notable names and spits hot Company's Dec/Jan issue. gems like this one: "I'm the new Mission accomplished, son.

Submitted at 3/8/2010 5:00:00 PM Zuckerberg, and since my Web There's no sharp point or edge, site I've been cookin' dough like

Adventures in Virality: Jay-Z Spoof "Entrepreneur State of Mind" Namechecks Notable Blogs, Us

finished mixed on Monday with very low volumes, the Nasdaq has closed at an 18-months high.

Continue reading Before the Bell: Futures Lower on the Anniversary of Markets Low Before the Bell: Futures Lower on the Anniversary of Markets Low originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Most Dangerous Object in the Office: Shocknife SK-2 but the electrodes in the polycarbonate Shocknife deliver a stabbing 7,500 volts. Ouch.

Kilo-ouch.

10 Perfect 'Snowicane' Cars, Picked by You Tony Borroz (Wired Top Stories)

A few of them are completely impractical, and two of them

don't actually exist, but damned if you didn't come up with a

good list.

Mike Masnick (Techdirt) Submitted at 3/9/2010 12:50:41 AM

Business/ Popular News/ Tech News/ Entertainment/

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Cisco Will Unveil New A Runaway Prius and Tools for High-Speed More Acceleration Networks Problems at Toyota Connie Madon (BloggingStocks)

Mark Fightmaster (BloggingStocks)

Submitted at 3/9/2010 9:00:00 AM

Submitted at 3/9/2010 10:00:00 AM

Filed under: Press Releases, Launches, Technology It's the Internet and it's all about speed. On Tuesday Cisco Systems ( CSCO) will unveil new tools that will enable its internet service providers to build their own high-speed networks.

Cisco says its plan will "forever change the Internet and its impact on consumers, businesses and government."

While details of the new tools are yet to be presented, the idea would open up the whole area of high-speed networks to anyone

Filed under: Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) The good news for Toyota ( TM) is that no one was hurt, but it appears that the acceleration problem with some of its cars may not be over.

According to the California Highway Patrol, a gentleman driving a Prius called 911 because he could not control his car as it accelerated uncontrollably to 94 mph. Yes, a Prius made it to 94 mph and the driver was helped to a stop safely. Toyota stated that it has dispatched a field technical specialist to California in order

willing to set them up.

Continue reading Cisco Will Unveil New Tools for HighSpeed Networks Cisco Will Unveil New Tools for High-Speed Networks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read| Read| Permalink| Email this| Comments

23

Turn an FM Transmitter Into a Micro Pirate Radio Mathew Honan (Wired Top Stories) Submitted at 3/8/2010 5:00:00 PM

Seize the airwaves to fight corporate radio's preprogrammed junk. It all starts with a soldering iron and a cheapo FM transmitter. to investigate the incident.

Continue reading A Runaway Prius and More Acceleration Problems at Toyota A Runaway Prius and More Acceleration Problems at Toyota originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tops & Flops: The Best & Worst of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards!

(ETonline - Breaking News) Submitted at 3/9/2010 3:00:00 AM

The 82nd Annual Academy Awards red carpet kicked off Hollywood's most glamorous night of the year! Which ensembles were super great and which just didn't rate?

Oscars 'most watched since 2005' (BBC News | Americas | World Edition)

It is up 14% on the 36.3 million viewers who watched Slumdog Millionaire dominate last year's Submitted at 3/9/2010 3:10:05 AM ceremony.

This year's Oscars ceremony Nielsen used digital video was the most watched in the US recording data for the first time for five years, early figures this year, meaning anyone who suggest. recorded the Oscars to watch Analysts Nielsen Company said later was counted.

41.3 million viewers watched Ratings boost T h e H u r t L o c k e r w i n s i x The ratio of commercial hits to awards, including best film. arthouse films in the Oscars race

has long influenced the show's ratings success.

An increase in the number of nominations for best picture this year - which included more mainstream films like Up and Avatar - is likely to have given the ceremony a boost.

The 80th Academy Awards in 2008, which was dominated by European stars and films that played poorly at box offices,

entered record books as the least -watched Oscars show of all time.

Just 32 million US viewers watched the ceremony at which grim crime thriller No Country for Old Men was the big winner.

The most-watched ceremony broadcast was in 1998, when 55 million Americans saw Titanic win a record-tying 11 awards.

Last month, 106.5 million

viewers tuned in to see the Superbowl, surpassing the 1983 record set by the finale of the comedy M*A*S*H to rank as the most-watched US broadcast of all time.

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Police: Man Eyed in 2nd Calif. Teen Murder (FOXNews.com)

penalty case.

Police have not revealed how they learned the location of ESCONDIDO, Calif. A Amber's remains, saying it was registered sex offender charged p a r t o f t h e o n g o i n g with murdering a teen girl last investigation. Amber's mother, m o n t h i s a f o c u s o f t h e Carrie McGonigle, also declined investigation into the death of a to say what led authorities to the 14-year-old girl whose remains remains. were found more than a year However, she said she was after she disappeared near her grateful for the sense of closure school, police said Monday. after the long hunt for her Police said they are eyeing John daughter.

Albert Gardner III in the death "I'm managing," McGonigle of Amber Dubois, whose bones said in a brief interview. "It was were found Saturday in a remote a roller coaster the last year and a r e a o f t h e P a l a I n d i a n now we have closure, which is Reservation. more than a lot of parents have."

A police statement did not Amber disappeared Feb. 13, elaborate on the investigation 2009, near Escondido High and only said the scene was still School, about 10 miles north of being processed. Police Lt. the site where King vanished C r a i g C a r t e r d i d n o t Feb. 25. A body presumed to be immediately respond to a phone Chelsea was found March 2 in a message seeking further details. shallow, lakeside grave, but FBI teams worked under rainy authorities have said they would skies during their search of the n o t m a k e a n o f f i c i a l mountainous area of dense identification until Gardner's shrubs and rocks. preliminary hearing.

Gardner, 30, pleaded not guilty At a candlelight vigil Monday last week to murdering and night in memory of Amber, raping or attempting to rape 17- McGonigle and Dubois called year-old Chelsea King of Poway for better laws to protect and attempting to rape another children from predators. woman in December in the same " W e a s p a r e n t s i n t h e park where King disappeared. community need to make a His public defender, Michael change for the protection of our Popkins, did not respond to a children, Dubois told the more phone message. than 1,000 mourners who Gardner was expected to make gathered near the site where his second court appearance Amber vanished.

Tuesday in the potential death "I still see a lot of kids walking Submitted at 3/8/2010 10:06:14 PM

by themselves and it scares me," McGonigle said.

Escondido High School Principal Rich Watkins called for families to re-evaluate their daily routines and take other measures to protect children.

"Let's work together to make sure we don't have to meet like this again," Watkins said Brent and Kelly King shared their grief with Amber's family.

"We have spoken with the Dubois family and our hearts go out to them in this time of deep sadness," the Kings said in a statement. "We share their indescribable grief for the loss of Amber's precious young life."

Friends and classmates put candles, cards, flowers and balloons outside Escondido High School, near the spot where Amber was last seen at 7:10 a.m. that February morning. The school held a moment of silence in her memory. Crisis counselors were on hand to help students deal with their grief.

"They'll be here as long as it takes to make sure we get through this time," Principal Rich Watkins said.

Jeff Fidel skipped work as an investment adviser to stay home with his daughter Jade, who was Amber's best friend. Jade Fidel was watching television Sunday when Escondido Police Chief Jim Maher announced Amber's remains were positively

identified through dental records.

"All I heard was a bloodcurdling scream," Jeff Fidel recalled. "My wife and I came running in ... It's been rough."

Maher spoke at the Monday night vigil, vowing to work toward a successful prosecution of Amber's killer. "If not closure, we can certainly get justice," Maher said.

Amber, a member of Future Farmers of America, had left home with a $200 check to buy a lamb. It was never cashed, fueling suspicion of foul play.

Paul Levikow, a spokesman for the district attorney's office, said the brief hearing Tuesday would address procedural issues and could involve delaying the preliminary hearing now set for March 19. He declined to comment on the investigation into Amber's death.

Gardner was registered as a sex offender in Escondido, a north San Diego suburb, from January 2008 to January 2010, with some gaps, police said.

He served five years of a sixyear prison term for molesting a 13-year-old neighbor in San Diego in 2000. He completed parole in September 2008.

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GDC 2010: Scaling the summits of game play (CNET News.com) Submitted at 3/9/2010 5:00:00 AM

Report offensive content: If you believe this comment is offensive or violates the CNET's Site Terms of Use, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the comment). Once reported, our staff will be notified and the comment will be reviewed.

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EU 'concern' over tanker contract (BBC News | Americas | World Edition) Submitted at 3/9/2010 5:20:08 AM

Brussels has said it would be "extremely concerned" if the defence group EADS was prevented from fairly bidding for a major US defence deal.

Its comments came after panEuropean EADS and US partner Northrop Grumman abandoned a bid for a $35bn (ÂŁ23bn) midair refuelling aircraft contract.

Northrop Grumman and EADS said the terms of the Pentagon tender "clearly favour" US aerospace giant Boeing.

Boeing is now widely expected to win the contract for the aircraft.

'Disappointed' The United States Air Force is seeking to replace its ageing fleet of 1950s-built KC-135 air tankers, which refuel other military planes in mid-air.

There is nothing graceful about EADS and Northrop Grumman's withdrawal from the competition to deliver planes that refuel US fighter jets midair.

Winning the contract would have bolstered the two stalking horses' coffers with much needed cash.

Instead, this saga may well

have soured cross-Atlantic relations for years to come.

The two clearly feel that favouritism by the Pentagon has dashed their hope of wrestling the US Air Force contract from Boeing and, in the process, unseating the giant from its top spot in US aerospace.

Many European policy makers agree.

Northrop and EADS planned to supply a tanker plane based on the large capacity A330 plane made by EADS subsidiary Airbus, while Boeing is proposing to base its tanker on its smaller 767F freighter.

Northrop said the US defence department's latest proposed air tanker requirements were unfairly geared towards a smaller aircraft such as the 767.

The European Commission said in a statement that "it would be extremely concerned if it were to emerge that the terms of tender were such as to inhibit open competition for the contract".

It added that it "will be following further developments in this case very closely".

UK Business Secretary Lord Mandelson echoed the Commission's concerns.

"I am extremely disappointed at this announcement," he said.

"Given the open market to US producers we have in Europe, it is very disappointing that a USled European consortium feels that the revised tanker procurement process is now so biased against them that it is not even worth making a bid.

"It is doubly disappointing when you consider that two years ago EADS, with their American partner, were awarded the contract fair and square."

Meanwhile, German Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, Rainer Bruederle, said he was "disappointed by the way the US defence ministry acted".

He added that the rules had "clearly favoured" Boeing, when "open competition should not be decided unilaterally".

The Pentagon said it regretted the EADS/Northrop Grumman decision, but US authorities have yet to respond to the European Commission's comments.

Northrop and EADS had planned to assemble the tanker planes in Alabama, where 300 new jobs would have been created.

Alabama Senator Richard Shelby said the competition had been wrongly "structured to produce the best outcome [for

Boeing]".

"The air force had a chance to deliver the most capable tanker possible to our war fighters and blew it," he added.

Long-running saga The US Air Force's efforts to replace its air refuelling tankers has had a protracted history.

Boeing was initially awarded the contract in 2003, only for it to be subsequently cancelled after an ethics scandal that saw a US Air Force official convicted of criminal conspiracy.

The official in question was said to have unfairly promoted the Boeing deal.

Northrop Grumman and EADS then won a contract in February 2008, but this was subsequently cancelled following a Boeing appeal.

At the time, there was substantial political opposition in Washington to the involvement of EADS, which owns Airbus, the European rival of US-based Boeing.

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US Eases Sanctions On Communications Software For Cuba, Iran And Sudan Mike Masnick (Techdirt) Submitted at 3/9/2010 3:14:28 AM

Realizing that better communications tools would probably help spread important ideas and efforts against totalitarian regimes, the US has finally eased sanctions against providing communications software in Cuba, Iran and Sudan. In the past, economic sanctions against those countries were supposed to create pressure for the regimes to change -- but in practice that's been a pretty big failure. Now, it appears, folks in the administration are finally realizing that more open communication allows for much greater efforts and organization, as well as more information from elsewhere. This is a good move -- just many years too late.

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9th US missionary freed in Haiti, returns home (AP) (Yahoo! News: U.S. News) Submitted at 3/9/2010 3:48:53 AM

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – A U.S. missionary held for more than a month in Haiti on kidnapping charges flew back to the United States after being released from prison, while the leader of her Baptist group remained in custody.

Charisa Coulter and Laura Silsby were the last two missionaries still in custody of 10 that were arrested for trying to take 33 children out of Haiti after the earthquake. The other eight were released Feb. 17.

Coulter, 24, was freed Monday and whisked from her jail cell to the airport by U.S. Embassy staff.

Wearing a red tank top and sunglasses, she declined comment as she quickly got into an SUV that took her to the Haitian airport, where she caught a flight back to the United States.

Coulter's father said his daughter arrived in Miami late Monday and went straight to a hotel.

Mel Coulter said her release brought a mix of joy and sorrow, because the leader of

the Idaho-based missionary group, Silsby, was left spending the night alone in a Haitian jail.

"It is good news, but it's tempered," Coulter said. "We're really happy to have our daughter back on American soil.

But Laura is still there. So this is really only completing part of the journey for the two of them.

My daughter has left her best friend behind."

He did not say when his daughter would head to her home in Boise, Idaho.

Silsby, 40, said she was glad about Coulter's release.

"I'm very happy that she left today, and for her freedom, and expect mine to come soon," Silsby told The Associated Press as she left the courthouse where a judge held a closed hearing Monday. She was returned to her cell in a police station near Port-au-Prince airport.

Defense lawyer Louis Ricardo Chachoute said Coulter was released because there was no evidence to support the charges of kidnapping and criminal association. He predicted Silsby would be released soon as well.

"There are no prosecution witnesses to substantiate anything," Chachoute said.

Coulter is a diabetic and had medical difficulties during her confinement. She was treated at least once, on Feb. 1, by American doctors after collapsing from what she said was either severe dehydration or the flu.

After the hearing Monday for Silsby, Judge Bernard Saint-Vil said he heard evidence from a police officer who said he stopped Silsby from loading a bus with children near the Dominican Republic consulate in Port-au-Prince on Jan. 26.

That was three days before her group was arrested while trying to cross into the Dominican Republic with 33 children.

"I found inconsistencies in some of Laura's statements," Saint-Vil told reporters, saying he planned to visit the Dominican consulate to resolve them.

The Americans' arrest came as Haitian authorities were trying to crack down on unauthorized adoptions to prevent child trafficking in the chaos following the catastrophic Jan. 12 earthquake.

Silsby initially said the children were orphaned in the quake that the government estimates has killed more than 230,000

people. But the AP found the children had been given away by still-living parents.

Chachoute said the Americans only came to Haiti to help the country. "Firstly, there was no criminal conspiracy; secondly, there was no child snatching," he said.

The Baptist group planned to take the children to the neighboring Dominican Republic to an orphanage that Silsby was creating in a former hotel.

The judge released the first eight Americans after concluding parents voluntarily gave up their children in the belief that the Baptist group would give them a better life.

But he decided he still had additional questions for Silsby and Coulter. ___ Associated Press Writer Todd Dvorak in Boise, Idaho, contributed to this report.

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Monday Night Music: Punch Brothers, 'Punchbowl' (Little Green Footballs) Submitted at 3/8/2010 6:48:31 PM

Mandolin maestro Chris Thile’s latest band is called Punch Brothers, and here’s a beautifully twisted song from their album Punch. [ iTunes][Video] A comment posted at YouTube: the album “Punch” outlines the story of Chris Thile’s divorce… it opens with this song, Punch Bowl… IF you listen to the words, you find out that this song is about the night his (then) wife went to a party and got drunk on punch… she then slept with some fellow… the dissonant chords are when the song is about her…. when they go to the pretty “Major” chords… that’s him speaking from his point of view…. it truly is genius…. go buy the album…. then you’ll understand….

I don’t know if the rest is accurate, but I completely agree on the last point. This is a recording you need to hear if you like music; its roots are in bluegrass, but Thile and his gifted acoustic band are doing something entirely new.

It might take several listens to get (it did for me), but the best music is often like that.

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27

Co. owner indicted in deadly NYC crane collapse (AP)

Shocka! Glenn Beck Says Geert Wilders is 'Far Right', and the Far Right is 'Fascist'

(Yahoo! News: U.S. News)

(Little Green Footballs)

devastating because it could have been prevented," District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. NEW YORK – A construction said in announcing the charges crane owner got a bargain- against Lomma, Varganyi and basement repair job on a giant Lomma's companies, New York rig, which fell apart and killed Crane & Equipment Corp. and two workers when the fix failed, J.F. Lomma Inc. prosecutors said Monday in All pleaded not guilty. Lomma a n n o u n c i n g m a n s l a u g h t e r was given a week to pay charges against the owner and a $100,000 cash bail; he was former mechanic. released in the meantime.

The owner, James Lomma, and Varganyi was released without mechanic Tibor Varganyi hired bail. a little-known Chinese company "What occurred here was an over the Internet to weld a accident — a tragedy and not a critical component, the crime," Paul Shechtman, Manhattan District Attorney's attorney for the companies, said o f f i c e s a i d . L o m m a a n d outside court. Lomma, Varganyi Varganyi didn't follow rules and their lawyers declined to intended to ensure the repair comment. was solid — even after the The accident, on Manhattan's company they hired warned that Upper East Side, came a little it wasn't confident about the more than two months after weld, prosecutors said. another crane — also owned by The weld failed after a month a Lomma company — collapsed of use, sending pieces of the 200 elsewhere in Manhattan and -foot-tall crane crashing onto an killed seven people. apartment building in May Together, the collapses stoked 2008. Crane operator Donald C. anxieties about construction Leo, 30, and fellow worker safety in a city of skyscrapers.

Ramadan Kurtaj, 27, were Buildings Commissioner killed; a third construction Robert LiMandri called the worker, Simeon Alexis, was charges "an important reminder" seriously hurt. of construction companies' "This tragedy is particularly responsibilities. His agency Submitted at 3/8/2010 3:32:46 PM

stressed that it has increased training requirements for crane operators and inspectors and taken other safety steps since the collapses.

The slain workers' families, who are suing Lomma and others over the collapse, welcomed the criminal case.

"This indictment is the first step toward learning the truth of how this 25-year-old crane with a questionable history of repairs was allowed to be used," Kurtaj's relatives said through their lawyer, Susan Karten.

The case centers on the crane's turntable, which lets the upper parts of the rig swivel.

After workers spotted a crack in the turntable in May 2007, Lomma told Varganyi to arrange a replacement, prosecutors said. Two companies said the work would take at least seven months and $34,000, so the companies instead hired Chinese firm RTR Bearing, which said it could provide the part for about $20,000 in three months, according to prosecutors.

Vance said the company wanted a speedy fix to keep from losing about $50,000 a month in fees from renting out

the rig.

An RTR representative warned Varganyi in an e-mail message that "we don't have confidence on this welding." But New York Crane kept RTR on the project and didn't hire an engineer to oversee the repair or take other steps to ensure the quality of the work, prosecutors said.

Dalian, China-based RTR Bearing didn't immediately respond to an e-mail Monday.

City building officials approved putting the crane back in service with the repaired turntable.

Authorities say the owners misled inspectors about testing on the part.

Shechtman said Lomma's companies had the part thoroughly inspected before using it and engaged in "no deceit whatsoever towards anyone."

Lomma, 64, and Varganyi, 63, face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

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Submitted at 3/8/2010 5:13:34 PM

The wingnut blogosphere is in full shrieking harpy mode over Glenn Beck’s statement about anti-Muslim Dutch MP Geert Wilders (who wants to ban the Koran and make Islam itself illegal).

This is one of those Bizarro days, because I actually find myself agreeing with Glenn Beck. Geert Wilders is a far right ideologue, and the European far right does often equal fascism. How the heck did Beck ever get this one right?

Of course, he also confuses Dominique de Villepin (a leftistcentist by US standards) with Jean-Marie Le Pen (a far right Holocaust denier by anyone’s standards), so it could have been a shot in the dark.[Video]

28

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Parents of dead SoCal teen urge new predator laws (AP) (Yahoo! News: U.S. News) Submitted at 3/9/2010 12:49:58 AM

ESCONDIDO, Calif. – The father of a 14-year-old girl whose bones were found more than a year after she vanished walking to school urged supporters to behave like his late daughter's favorite animal, the wolf, to hunt down child predators.

"Wolves hunt to survive, wolves hunt to together to catch their prey," Maurice Dubois told more than 1,000 mourners at a candlelight vigil Monday night for Amber Dubois. "We as parents and the community need to make a change for the protection of our children."

Mourners held a moment of silence for Amber, whose remains were found early Saturday in a rugged area north of San Diego, and 17-year-old Chelsea King, who disappeared Feb. 25 in a north San Diego park. A body presumed to be Chelsea's was found March 2 in a shallow, lakeside grave.

John Albert Gardner III pleaded

not guilty last week to murdering and raping or attempting to rape 17-year-old Chelsea King of Poway and attempting to rape another woman in December in the same park where King disappeared.

His public defender, Michael Popkins, did not respond to a phone message.

The registered sex offender was expected in court Tuesday for a brief hearing to address procedural issues.

Escondido police say Gardner, 30, is also a focus of their investigation into Amber's death.

Carrie McGonigle, Amber's mother, said laws need to be changed.

"I still see a lot of children walking by themselves and it scares me," she said on a chilly night in the courtyard of Escondido High School, near the spot where Amber disappeared Feb. 13, 2009, in the north San Diego suburb.

Police said Sunday that Amber's remains were identified through dental records. They

have not said what led them to the remote area near Pala because the discovery is part of a murder investigation.

"Yesterday was my personal time for tears," Dubois told the audience. "Now, for Amber, it is our time to take action."

Amber, a member of Future Farmers of America, left home with a $200 check to buy a lamb on the day she vanished. It was never cashed, fueling suspicion of foul play.

But, as Dubois noted in his remarks, rumors that she was a runaway hampered the family's efforts to bring national media attention to their search.

Gardner's arrest three days after Chelsea King disappeared renewed interest in Amber.

Amber was an avid reader and animal lover who had a horse at her grandmother's stable in the Los Angeles area.

Kelly Elsbernd, a cousin, said she and Amber grew up drawing animals together and pretending to be seals and otters when they went swimming.

"They never really played with

dolls," said Nicole Elsbernd, Kelly's mother. "They played with bugs."

Jade Fidel, Amber's best friend, said Amber had two dogs, a cat and a bird but wolves were her favorite.

"She liked them," Fidel said.

"They were free, independent."

Gardner was registered as a sex offender in Escondido from January 2008 to January 2010, with some gaps, according to police. He served five years of a six-year prison term for molesting a 13-year-old neighbor in San Diego in 2000 and completed parole in September 2008 Escondido Police Chief Jim Maher told the crowd he would do everything possible to find Amber's killer.

"If not closure, we can certainly get justice," he said.

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Right Wing Lunatics to Rule on Church [Law] Hamilton Nolan (Gawker) Submitted at 3/9/2010 10:29:16 AM

The Supreme Court has agreed

to rule on whether the father of a dead Marine can sue Westboro "God Hates Fags" Baptist Church of Stone Cold Psychos

Alternately, he could just punch them. [ NYT] for protesting his son's funeral.

Manually Refresh POP Mail Fetching in Gmail [Gmail Labs] Kevin Purdy (Lifehacker) Submitted at 3/9/2010 4:30:00 AM

Gmail uses a common timing algorithm to fetch messages from POP accounts, one you can somewhat game, but sometimes you want to get at a message you know has arrived. A new Labs feature adds a manual refresh button for POP grabbing.

Head to your Labs settings and enable the "Refresh POP accounts" lab, then hit "Save changes" at the bottom or top of the page. From then on, you'll see a "Refresh" link to the right of your inbox buttons. Hit it and Gmail will poll any email accounts you've set it up to fetch from. Want to get started importing your other mail accounts into Gmail? Check out Gina's guide. New in Labs: Refresh POP accounts[Official Gmail Blog]

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Brazil slaps trade sanctions on US (BBC News | Americas | World Edition) Submitted at 3/9/2010 12:31:50 AM

The Brazilian government has announced trade sanctions against a variety of American goods in retaliation for illegal US subsidies to cotton farmers.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) approved the sanctions in a rare move.

Brazil published a list of 100 US goods that would be subject to import tariffs in 30 days, unless the two governments reached a last-minute accord.

It said it regretted the sanctions, but that eight years of litigation had failed to produce a result.

It said it would raise tariffs on $591m (£393m) worth of US products - from cars, where the tariff will increase from 35% to 50%, to milk powder, which would see a 20% increase in the levy.

Cotton and cotton products

would be charged 100% import tariff, the highest on the list.

The Office of the US Trade Representative said it was "disappointed" by Brazil's decision and called for a negotiated settlement.

Critics say the US has given its cotton growers an unfair advantage by paying them billions of dollars each year.

In 2008, the WTO ruled that subsidies to US cotton producers were discriminatory.

Tall order Carlos Marcio Cozendey, head of economic affairs at Brazil's foreign ministry, told a news conference: "The idea was to distribute the retaliation broadly in order to maximise pressure.

"US farm subsidies are condemned worldwide. This archaic practice must stop."

However some analysts say major changes to these subsidies would involve modifying agricultural legislation - a tall

order for the US Congress against a difficult economic and political backdrop, says the BBC's Gary Duffy in Sao Paulo.

Our correspondent says the dispute, which began in 2002, is one of the few in which the WTO has allowed crossretaliation, meaning the wronged party can retaliate against a sector not involved in the case.

He adds that it appears the Brazilian government has deliberately chosen a wide range of products in order to have maximum impact.

Safety net Cotton producers in the US argue that the system of subsidies has changed since the WTO made its original ruling in 2005.

"The US has made changes in the cotton programme as well as the export guarantee programme," Gary Adams, chief economist at the National

Cotton Council told the BBC, adding that US cotton production was now 40% to 45% lower.

Mr Adams said he believed that subsidies were still justified.

"We feel this is a very important financial safety net for producers," he said.

Steven Bipes of the Brazil-US Business Council urged the US to take steps to avoid what he called "damaging" retaliation by Brazil.

"The business community finds it extraordinarily important that countries, including the US, comply with its WTO obligations and otherwise negotiate to find common ground when there are disputes," he told the BBC. Print Sponsor Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

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Building a Gigabit Fiber Network Is Real Hard, Even for Google [Google] matt buchanan (Gizmodo) Submitted at 3/9/2010 9:20:27 AM

The WSJ delves into the trials and tribulations of trying to build a gigabit fiber network out to even the 50,000 homes at the low ends of Google's goals for their trial network. It could cost up to $1 billion, and Google's already mentioning to people it's asking for help, like Case Western Reserve University's Lev Gonick, whose building gigabit fiber to 104 homes, that "we have a lot to learn." Oh boy, sign me up. (Actually, do sign me up.) [ WSJ]

Sun pummeled early Earth’s wimpy magnetic field (Holy Kaw!) Submitted at 3/9/2010 7:32:00 AM

The Earth's magnetic field 3.5 billion years ago was only half as strong as it is today, new research shows. The weakness—coupled with a strong solar wind—likely

allowed particles from the young Sun to strip water from early Earth's atmosphere.

The finding suggests that the magnetopause—the boundary where the Earth’s magnetic field successfully deflects the Sun’s incoming solar wind—was only half the distance from Earth it is

today.

“With a weak magnetosphere

and a rapid-rotating young Sun, Full story at Futurity. the Earth was likely receiving as Get smarter: more science many solar protons on an news. average day as we get today Photo credit: University of during a severe solar storm,” Rochester s a y s J o h n T a r d u n o , a Permalink| Leave a comment » geophysicist at the University of Rochester and lead author of the study.

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Popular News/ Tech/

E-reader News Edition

Anthony's Defense Team Tries to Toss Some Evidence (FOXNews.com)

Caylee was missing. According to the photographer, pictures of Casey partying in that blue dress Casey Anthony's defense team were taken June 20-21 at Fusion is trying to get some potential night club. That was less than a evidence thrown out in in State's week after Caylee was last seen capital murder case against their alive. client, MyFoxOrlando.com "These pictures do not bear a reported. single issue in this case," Remember the frantic 911 call according to Casey's defense made by Casey's mom Cindy team. "Their only value is to back in July 2008? "There's p a i n t a p i c t u r e o f a n something wrong. I found my i r r e s p o n s i b l e , d r u n k e n , daughter's car today and it p r o m i s c u o u s a n d w i l d smells like there's been a dead defendant." The defense states body in the damn car," Cindy that those pictures contain Anthony told a 911 dispatch "inflammatory imagery that operator. Casey's lawyers are would unfairly prejudice Miss asking the judge to throw it out Anthony before a jury." so, so a jury could never hear it. The defense also asks the judge The defense's argument, that to throw out all "hearsay" there was not an emergency at statements between Casey's the time the call was made. The friends and family. The defense defense argues that 2-year-old categories those into hearsay C a y l e e h a d a l r e a d y b e e n that would categorize Casey missing for 31 days. Therefore, Anthony as a thief, a liar or a they argue the call is neither bad mother. spontaneous or reliable.

The defense has asked that the That's not all the defense state respond to these motions doesn't want a jury to see. within one month.

Remember the photos of Casey More documents are expected partying? The defense says only this week in the case against the pictures captured of Casey Casey Anthony. As the case wearing a blue dress were progresses her attorney fees are snapped during the time that starting to add up. Her lawyers Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:54:38 AM

want taxpayers to help foot the bill.

Anthony’s defense team filed a motion to get the state to help pay the cost of her trial. They say money is needed for travel, serving subpoenas, hiring experts and more.

A judge will have the final say if taxpayer money will be used to cover part of her bill.

Casey Anthony remains jailed on a charge of first-degree murder in the death of her daughter Caylee who was last seen in June of 2008, but she was not reported missing until a month later. Her remains were found in woods near the family's home on December 11, 2008.

Investigators say the toddler's body was found with duct tape over her mouth.

Casey has pleaded not guilty and claims a babysitter kidnapped Caylee.

Click here for more from MyFoxOrlando.com.

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Newegg probes shipments of fake Intel chips (CNET News.com)

Intel said Monday it has been made aware of "the potential for counterfeit i7 920 packages in As the case of reseller Newegg the marketplace" and is working demonstrates, typos are usually to determine "how many and/or the most visible sign that a chip- where they are being sold."

-or any product purported to be The packaging and wording on supplied by a reputable the boxes containing the company--is fake. counterfeit chips sold by Newegg said Monday that it is N e w e g g w a s t h e m o s t conducting an investigation of immediately apparent indication r e c e n t s h i p m e n t s o f that something was askew, "questionable" Intel Core i7-920 according to a post dated processors from Newegg. The Thursday in a Overclockers.com n e w s w a s f i r s t r e p o r t e d forum. Photos show typo-laden by[H]ard|OCP. wording on the box. For "Initial information we received example: "This box contains an from our supplier, IPEX, stated Intel processor ans [sic] a t h a t t h e y h a d m i s t a k e n l y thermal solution designed for shipped us 'demo units.' We use ina [sic] Desktop PC." have since come to discover the Opening the box revealed fake CPUs were counterfeit and are components and documentation terminating our relationship with blank pages, according to with this supplier," Newegg said photos on the Overclockers' in a statement. forum.

"We have already sent out a The forum posting noted the number of replacement units "shoddy text" as a tip-off that and are doing everything in our the product was bogus. power to resolve the matter Five Filters featured article: promptly and with the least Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: amount of inconvenience to our PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, customers," the reseller said. Term Extraction.

The number of counterfeit chips is estimated at several hundred.

Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:47:45 PM

Popular News/ Tech/ Sports/

E-reader News Edition

US school soda deal 'cuts sugar' (BBC News | Americas | World Edition)

sodas, juices, flavoured waters and teas were promoted in their place.

Submitted at 3/9/2010 3:36:40 AM "There's been a dramatic shift The US soft drinks industry toward lower calorie and more says it has dramatically cut the nutritious beverages in schools, number of high-calorie soft it could lay the foundation for drinks sold in US schools as part broader changes in our society," of a drive to tackle obesity. former US President Bill T h e A m e r i c a n B e v e r a g e Clinton told a news conference Association said shipments of on Monday. full-calorie drinks to schools Soda tax were down 95%.

Independent consulting firm Nearly one in three children Keybridge Research looked at and teenagers in the US are what changes the guidelines had overweight or obese and health brought about and found that: experts say sugary drinks are • the total beverage calories part of the problem. shipped to schools between the Several US states and cities are first half of the 2004-05 school considering taxing soft drinks. year and the first half of the The reduction in sugary soft 2 0 0 9 - 1 0 s c h o o l y e a r h a s drinks in schools formed part of d e c r e a s e d b y 8 8 % a deal between the major • there had been a dramatic companies and the Alliance for shift toward lower-calorie and a Healthier Generation, a joint higher nutrient beverages in initiative of the American Heart schools, including waters, 100% Association and the Clinton juices, and portion-controlled Foundation. sports drinks Under the voluntary guidelines, • shipment volumes of fullin place since 2006, full-calorie calorie drinks were 95% lower soft drinks were removed from in the first half of the 2009-10 school canteens and vending school year compared with the m a c h i n e s . L i g h t e r d r i n k s , first half of the 2004-05 school including low-fat milk, diet year.

The soft drinks industry has been a main target of critics who say the sugary beverages they sell are a key factor in the levels of childhood obesity in the US. The state of California and the city of Philadelphia have introduced legislation to tax soft drinks, while both the New York Governor David Paterson and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg are also pushing for such a tax.

"In these tough economic times, easy fixes to our problems are hard to come by," said Mr Bloomberg at the weekend. "But the soda tax is a fix that just makes sense, it would cut rising health costs."

Susan Neely of the American Beverage Association, which includes major firms like Coca Cola, PepsiCo and Dr Pepper Snapple Group, said such a tax would not solve "a complex problem like obesity".

Print Sponsor Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Associated Press (ESPN.com) Submitted at 3/8/2010 11:16:59 PM

Top Performers

Amazon is Working on a Better Web Browser for Kindle Stan Schroeder (Mashable!)

Submitted at 3/9/2010 7:00:02 AM

Ask any Kindle owner about browsing the web on the device, and you’ll get the same answer: Well, you can do it, but… And then you’ll hear how abysmal the browsing experience really is. Having tried it myself, it made me want to whip out my iPhone and its Safari at each turn.

Now, the folks at Webmonkey have noticed that Amazon has posted a job listing(the listing has been online for quite a while, but has only now been noticed), looking for a software development engineer to “design and implement new features” on an “innovative Embedded Web Browser.”

While it’s the current Kindle’s monochrome, slowish screen will never provide a beautiful browsing experience, improvements could definitely be made to the current browser.

With the iPad coming to the U.S. market in less than a San Antonio: M. Ginobili 38 Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: month, Amazon needs to do Pts, 7 Reb, 5 Ast, 2 Stl PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, damage control in all areas in which Apple’s device is Cleveland: M. Williams 17 Pts, Term Extraction. superior to the Kindle, and 8 Reb, 8 Ast building a better web browser is Five Filters featured article: probably a priority.

Williams, West lift Cavs as LeBron sits out again

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The real question, however, is this: Will users prefer the readability of the e-ink screen or the more beautiful (but perhaps less enjoyable when you’re reading a book), backlit color LCD? Or will a new technology emerge, connecting the best of both worlds? For example, Kindle doesn’t have a touchscreen, but Sony’s ereaders have shown that it is possible to have one on an e-ink display, at the expense of some glare. We’ll have some (but not all) answers when the iPad finally hits the market.

In the meantime, tell us what you think. Will Kindle (with its current e-ink screen) ever provide a good or even great browsing experience? Please write your opinion in the comments.

Tags: amazon, browser, Kindle

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2 of oldest people in US die: in NH 114, Mich. 113 (AP) (Yahoo! News: U.S. News)

Bailey, who was born March 30, 1896, died in Detroit, he said. She had suffered from WESTMORELAND, N.H. – dementia, said her family, which Two of the oldest people in the claimed she was born in 1895. world have died on the same Ray, even with her recent day. decline, managed an interview Mary Josephine Ray, who was with a reporter last week, her certified as the oldest person granddaughter said. living in the United States, died Ray was the oldest person in Sunday at age 114 years, 294 the United States and the second days. She died at a nursing - o l d e s t i n t h e w o r l d , t h e home in Westmoreland but was Gerontology Research Group active until about two weeks said. She also was recorded as b e f o r e h e r d e a t h , h e r the oldest person ever to live in granddaughter Katherine Ray New Hampshire. said.

The oldest living American is "She just enjoyed life. She never now Neva Morris, of Ames, t h o u g h t o f d y i n g a t a l l , " Iowa, at age 114 years, 216 Katherine Ray said. "She was days. The oldest person in the planning for her birthday party." world is Japan's Kama Chinen at Ray died just hours before age 114 years, 301 days.

Daisey Bailey, who was 113 Ray was born May 17, 1895, in years, 342 days, said L. Stephen Bloomfield, Prince Edward C o l e s , a d i r e c t o r o f t h e Island, Canada. She moved to Gerontology Research Group, the United States at age 3. which tracks and studies old She lived for 60 years in people and certifies those 110 or Anson, Maine. She lived in older, called supercentenarians. Florida, Massachusetts and "It's very rare that two of our elsewhere in New Hampshire supercentenarians die on the b e f o r e s h e m o v e d t o same day," Coles said.

Westmoreland in 2002 to be Submitted at 3/8/2010 6:34:29 PM

Bull Market Turns One Barry Ritholtz (The Big Picture) Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:44:32 AM

As the bull market notches its first year anniversary, the News

Hub panel weighs in on whether investors can still make money and how the market will react when the interest rates inevitably adjust.

Five Filters featured article:

near her children.

Ray's husband, Walter Ray, died in 1967. Survivors include two sons, eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Morris, the Iowa woman now believed to be the oldest U.S. resident, lives at a care center.

Only one of her four children, a son in Sioux City, is still alive.

"She has some hearing deficiencies and a visual deficiency, but mentally she is quite alert and will respond when she feels like it and isn't too tired," said her 90-year-old son-in-law, Tom Wickersham, who lives in the same care center.

Wickersham said he visits his mother-in-law — who plays bingo and enjoys singing " You Are My Sunshine" — nearly every day.

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HootSuite to Integrate with Foursquare and MySpace This Week Ben Parr (Mashable!)

Submitted at 3/8/2010 5:28:22 PM

Today at the #140tc Twitter Conference in Seattle, Washington (which I keynoted this morning), HootSuite CEO Ryan Holmes announced that its popular Twitter application will be integrating with both MySpace and Foursquare, starting this week at the South

by Southwest Interactive conference.

HootSuite is one of the more popular Twitter applications, one specifically geared towards power users and businesses. It has been on a roll recently, launching integration with Wordpress and rolling out new updates to its iPhone and Android Apps.

While Mr. Holmes didn’t divulge many details about the MySpace and Foursquare integrations, we can make some educated guesses as to how they will work. MySpace integration will most likely look the same as it does in Tweedeck: You’ll gain access to your MySpace Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: feed and gain the ability to PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, update your MySpace status.

Term Extraction.

The Foursquare integration is far more interesting. It could

possibly be part of the iPhone and Android apps, as Foursquare is a mobile application and not really meant for the desktop (though we won’t discount the possibility of some web integration).

We don’t know the full details yet, but being able to check in and shout via Hootsuite could be a killer use for the Hootsuite app, making it potentially even more useful than Tweetie, TweetDeck or Seesmic for mobile.

We’ll be sure to ask Mr. Holmes more about these integrations soon and get you more details.

Thanks to Shauna Causey for her help on this post. Reviews: Android, Foursquare, HootSuite, MySpace, Seesmic, TweetDeck, Twitter, iPhone, tweetie Tags: foursquare, hootsuite, myspace, twitter

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Search Teams in New Orleans to Look for Missing Exec (FOXNews.com) Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:27:16 AM

A search team from the Houston area will begin searching Tuesday for the top executive of a Houston energy company who was last seen early Friday morning leaving a bar on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Police there suspect foul play, MyFoxHouston.com reported.

Texas EquuSearch arrived in New Orleans on Monday night to assist in the search for Douglas Schantz, 54, president of Sequent Energy Management, L.P. About 30 detectives also were looking for Schantz.

Tim Miller, founder of Texas EquuSearch, told MyFoxHouston.com that his team has arranged to use sophisticated sonar technology to look for Schantz in the Mississippi River. Miller says

his volunteers used the technology when Texas EquuSearch took part in the search for Natalee Holloway in Aruba.

The Coast Guard has already searched the river.

"There's no evidence he's there, but if he is we know what currents are like in the river and how dangerous it is, so it's one of the first spots we want to eliminate," said Miller.

Schantz was last seen on surveillance video leaving a bar on Bourbon Street around 2 a.m.

Friday. He was seen walking in the direction of the Mississippi River.

Also on Monday, Douglas Schantz's son, Michael Schantz, and John W. Somerhalder II, chairman, president and chief executive officer of AGL Resources Inc., spoke about Schantz in downtown Houston.

AGL Resources Inc. is the parent company of Sequent

Energy Management, L.P. Michael Schantz returned from the search effort in New Orleans on Sunday night and Somerhalder was with Douglas Schantz in New Orleans during the same time period that the executive was staying there.

"He's such a good dad. My mom dearly misses him," said Michael Schantz.

Douglas Schantz's credit cards and cell phone have not been used. He was visiting New Orleans with several employees to make a donation to his daughter’s university, Tulane, but never arrived at the airport for the flight home. The reward for information about Schantz's disappearance has been increased to $25,000.

Click here for more on this story from MyFoxHouston.com.

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Do iPhone Apps Really Look Good on iPad’s Screen?

Stan Schroeder (Mashable!)

Submitted at 3/9/2010 1:17:40 AM

John Gruber of Daring Fireball has an interesting story about the absence of certain iPhone apps— Stocks, Calculator, Clock, Weather, Voice Memos — on the iPad. It seems that these apps, when scaled up to iPad’s bigger screen, simply didn’t look good enough to Steve Jobs, so he decided to scrap them. Gruber writes: “Ends up that just blowing up iPhone apps to fill the iPad screen looks and feels weird, even if you use higherresolution graphics so that nothing looks pixelated. So they were scrapped by you-knowwho. Perhaps they’ll appear on the iPad in some re-imagined form this summer with OS 4.0, but when the iPad ships next

month, there won’t be versions of these apps.”

If true, it would be a pity, because these are quite basic, no -brainer apps that everyone uses, especially Clock, Calculator and the Weather. On the other hand, if these simple apps don’t look good enough scaled up, how will all those thousands of thirdparty apps look? As far as apps go, the iPad experience (at least in the beginning) might turn out to be something that Apple otherwise struggles to avoid: good enough, but far from perfect.

Tags: apple, ipad, iphone

Foursquare Is Back in the App Store Stan Schroeder (Mashable!)

worry no more, as the application is back in the store.

Here’s the official explanation A c o u p l e o f d a y s a g o of what happened: Foursquare’s iPhone application “ L a s t w e e k , F o u r s q u a r e disappeared from the iPhone accidentally released to the App App Store due to a “hiccup.” If Store a new version of its app w a s p u l l e d s h o r t l y a f t e r , you doubted that was true, before it was totally ready. It unfortunately, many users had Submitted at 3/9/2010 2:43:22 AM

already went through the update, Foursquare and were left stuck with a nonTags: app store, apple, functioning app.” foursquare, iphone, Mobile 2.0, The version currently available mobile app is 1.6.1, but the folks at Foursquare say that the redesigned 1.7 update should appear in a few days. Reviews:

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Popular News/ Tech/ Tech News/

E-reader News Edition

Shooting on Ohio Campus Kills 1 Employee, Wounds 2 (FOXNews.com)

Heavily armed campus officers searched buildings in the area, including a university power COLUMBUS, Ohio An Ohio plant, and the person who police State University employee believe was responsible for the opened fire Tuesday at a campus shooting was taken into custody, maintenance building, killing a Denton said. co-worker and wounding The university said in a another, the university said. A statement that the shooting suspect also was wounded and involved its facilities department was taken into custody, officials and said the suspect was one of said. the two people who had been No students at the university, wounded, but it did not say the nation's largest, were w h i c h o n e . A u n i v e r s i t y injured, and classes were held as spokesman, Jim Lynch, declined scheduled. further comment.

The shooting was first reported Police did not release any at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, university names. Investigators were trying Police Chief Paul Denton said at to determine the suspect's a news conference. The two motive, Denton said. wounded workers were taken to "This is a tragic event, and our Ohio State University Medical hearts go out to all of the Center, where one was in families," said Vernon Baisden, critical condition and the other a university assistant vice was in stable condition, he said. president of public safety.

The third employee was Graduate student Kiernan pronounced dead at the scene. Gordon, 31, said he found out Submitted at 3/9/2010 5:41:42 AM

about the shooting from his wife, who called him on his cell phone while he was driving to campus. He said he didn't have any concerns about his own safety.

"Ohio State is really a city unto itself, and like any city it has problems unto itself," Gordon said.

More than 55,000 students are enrolled at the university's main campus in Columbus.

The maintenance building where the shooting occurred is adjacent to a classroom building and a parking garage and is near Ohio Stadium, where the school's football team plays.

Click here for more on this story from Fox 28 in Columbus.

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Indiana County Decides Not To Charge Redbox After Public Outcry Mike Masnick (Techdirt) Submitted at 3/8/2010 10:51:00 PM

Last week we wrote about how prosecutors in Indiana were threatening to file criminal charges against Redbox execs unless the company agreed to remove R-rated movies from its kiosks. The whole thing was instigated by brick-and-mortar video stores who didn't like competing with Redbox's $1 video rentals. However, as news spread about this threat, it seems that the residents of that county raised their voices and let the prosecutor know they wanted to keep their Redbox and its R-rated movies. The prosecutor noted that the standard for whether this was a

problem was "community standards," and the community made it loud and clear to him that they wanted the Redbox kiosks to stay:"It's not an exact barometer -- I didn't take a poll - but it just seemed pretty clear to me that the community would not be behind the prosecution of this," Stan Levco said during Friday's news conference. While it's good that he's backed down, I'm still not sure which is more troubling, that he initiated the threats at the behest of competitors, or that public outcry alone was enough to get him to back down.

Permalink| Comments| Email This Story

Firefox's Next JavaScript Engine Will Borrow from WebKit [Firefox] Kevin Purdy (Lifehacker) Submitted at 3/9/2010 7:00:00 AM

Mozilla's home-brewed JavaScript engine for its Firefox browsers, TraceMonkey, has

impressed us before, but in the raw benchmark game, it's starting to fall behind its competitors. To up its game, Firefox's developers are building a new engine, dubbed JägerMonkey. Ars Technica

writes that the new compiler uses some open-source WebKit code to get the job done, including parts of Apple's just-in -time compiler. Promising news—though it's worth noting

that, at the moment, Opera seems to hold the crown on JavaScript execution. [ David Mandelin, Ars Technica]

Tech/

E-reader News Edition

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How to save and share ridiculously large files (CNET News.com) Submitted at 3/9/2010 4:00:00 AM

A few years ago it was a big deal to find a place that would let you share 1 gigabyte of files.

Things change, though.

Bandwidth keeps growing, and the cost of Web storage keeps shrinking. That's good news for people looking to share increasingly large files, be it an HD video recording or an archive of several files that tops out at over a gig.

There are now a handful of free and paid services that make it easy to host these gigantic files and send them to a friend, family member, or business associate.

The key thing to point out here is the individual file size limit.

Many storage services will throw gigabytes at you without any real strings attached except for the fact that you cannot upload files larger than a gig.

This really isn't a big deal, that is until that first time you need to do it. Below are a handful of sites, both free and paid, that are up to the task.

The free ones There's no such thing as a free lunch, but the same cannot be said about storage. You can, with little effort, dump large files in a number of places. The usual caveat there is that there tends to be a lot of on-site advertising and your files may not be saved for very long in

case you want to come back to re-download or share them later on.

ADrive(2GB): ADrive is more of a personal file storage service, but files can be shared via a direct link, or via e-mail.

The service gives users 50GB of total storage and uploads at up to 2GB a pop. It has both a Web -based uploader and a desktop software version.

Something to be wary of is that files that have been uploaded to ADrive's free service tier eventually expire, something that doesn't happen for users who shell out for the signature and premium plans.

File Xpressit(2GB): File Xpressit actually tops out at 300MB a file but will go up to 2GB if you register with the service. It is free, it just requires clicking an activation link in an e-mail. The uploader does not require Flash or Java, which is nice if you're trying to use it on a computer without it installed.

The service can also give you an e-mail notification when the file has been downloaded by your recipient.

Worth noting is that to use FileXpressit, you'll need to have an e-mail address for the person you wish to send the file to. This won't actually send the gigantic file to their in-box, but it means you can't start the upload without typing it in first.

Humyo(10GB): Humyo has a free and a paid plan, but the free

plan is very generous at 10GB of free storage. There are basically no set-in-stone file size limits, just a cautionary message that encourages files that are over 10GB to be split into smaller segments. We didn't actually test this with a 10GB file (and we doubt you will either), but it's nice to know you could if you wanted to.

Dropbox(2GB): Dropbox is a file storage and synchronization service. Free users get 2GB, which can be upgraded to 50GB and 100GB for $10 or $20 a month respectively. Still, if you have a file that's at exactly 2GB, or just a little bit less, you can store it on Dropbox free of charge. The only caveat here is that you need to use the software file transfer tool, as the Web-based uploader tops out at 300MB. You, and whomever you're sending the file to can

also score an extra 250MB of storage if you refer them to use the service.

File Dropper is one of the heartiest services on this list, handling 5GB files right in the browser, and all for free. (Click to enlarge)(Credit: Screenshot

by Josh Lowensohn) File Dropper(5GB): File Dropper allows file shares of up to 5GB. That's not as much as Humyo's service, but it's still more space than you're able to fit on a single-layer DVD (not that you're sharing those, right?). Files are kept "forever," and best of all, there's no registration required. Instead, when your file is done you get a URL that links directly to the file, as well as embed code to stick a download link on a blog or personal Web site.

Along with the free service, File Dropper also has three paid

plans which run anywhere from $1 to $10 a month. These can up the file size up to 50GB and 250GB in the two upper tiers.

Sizable Send(2GB): Sizable Send is another one of those services aimed at people who are trying to get around the attachment size limits put in place by most e-mail providers.

Using the service, you cannot share a file with someone else without first filling out your email address and that of the person you intend to share the file with.

On the plus side, the tool lets you add password protection to the file, as well as set it to be automatically deleted as soon as the person you're sending it to has downloaded it. There are also quick links to share your file on social networks like Twitter and Facebook, along with blogging tools like Blogger and WordPress.

WeTransfer(2GB): WeTransfer is one of the standouts on this list. It's a very slick and stylish site that keeps the number of things you have to fill out to an absolute minimum. You just pick the file (or files) you want to send and drop in an e-mail address for both you and the person you're sending it to. It then starts the transfer and gives you a simple status meter with an estimate of how long it has left to go. All the while you get HOW page 36

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HOW continued from page 35

pretty background photos to look at, which change every minute or so, along with a link to the artist who made them.

This is also where the service slips in its ads.

Glide's gDrive("no limit"): Glide is unlike many of the other services on this list in that it's not just a storage provider, it's an operating system of its own that can be accessed from any browser. Glide's "gDrive" gives users 50GB of free storage space, and users can upload files of any size when using the company's Glide One Sync software. Web uploads, however, are capped at 200MB. Send This File("no limit"): Send This File does not have any hard restrictions in place on how big your files can be, though it notes that some browsers cap things at 2GB. That works for us, though.

Send This File has both free and paid plans, and worth noting about the free version is that the file will only be hosted on the service for three days before being deleted. It can also be downloaded a mere three times.

Other downsides include the service throttling download speeds, meaning that it could take whomever you're sending it to the greater part of a day to actually get the file unless you pony up for the paid plans. Still, if your recipient is patient, it's simple and software-free.

The paid ones

Why would you pay for storage when you can use all the above services for free, you ask? More often than not it's the extra features. Most of the sites listed below can hang onto your files for months and in some cases years. They can also throw in things like file encryption, FTP access, uploads in excess of 2GB, and a way to use the service for business.

DivShare(2GB): Divshare is more of a traditional file-hosting service than some of the others on this list have been. Like ADrive, it's set up to let you keep your files in a virtual storage disk. It then splits them up into images, videos, audio, and documents.

DivShare lets its free users upload files up to 200MB in size. Paid users get bumped to the magic 2GB mark. The only downside there is that DivShare keeps tabs on how much bandwidth has been used by people who are downloading your files. For the free plan, that's 10GB. It goes up to 75GB, 200GB, 500GB, and 2,000GB on the paid plans.

Box.net(2GB): Box offers 2GB file size limits on its business and enterprise plans. For the business plan that comes out to $15 per user per month. Its free plan, which includes 1GB, otherwise caps files at a mere 25MB. Streamfile can do files up to 30GB in its paid plan, although

it requires using an FTP program. Its Web uploader tops out at 2GB.(Credit: Streamfile) Streamfile(2GB web, 30GB via FTP): Streamfile can be used for free, but unregistered and registered users can only put up 150MB and 300MB files respectively. The paid account, which costs $5 a month can do 2GB uploads via its Web interface, and files up to 30GB a pop for users transferring files through an FTP application. The pro version also nixes advertisements, adds 256-bit file encryption, and keeps your download link alive for two weeks.

Dropio(2GB): Dropio, which offers users 100MB for free, has an a la carte upgrade program that can top out individual storage folders at up to 25GB. If you're uploading through the standard Web interface, though, it's capped out at 2GB. Larger files need to be split up.

The price for the 2GB "drop" as the service calls the folder, is $20, and the file will be saved for a year. Users can tack on extra time by opting for twoyear storage for $40 or threeyear storage for $60.

Gigasize("no limit"): Gigasize has a free uploader service that lets you upload files up to 300MB in size. Its premium service, which costs anywhere from $10 a month down to $4 a month (depending on how long you sign up for), takes all file

size limits off. It also adds a few handy features like file encryption and a terabyte of online storage.

Mailbigfile(2GB): Like Streamfile, Mailbigfile has a free version, but this tops out at 200MB uploads. Going pro, which costs $15 a year, knocks that up to 2GB, as well as adding things like an address book to keep a short list of people you're sending files to, as well as keeping files up for 28 days after they've been uploaded.

Beyond pro accounts, the service also offers a "business" account for $50 a month, or $300 a year, that can be branded, and given a custom subdomain, though it still has a cap of 2GB on individual file sizes.

YouSendIt(2GB): YouSendIt's free service is limited to 100MB uploads, whereas the pro and business plus plans, which start at $10 per month per user, bring that limit up to 2GB. Though a big downside here is how much total storage users get, which on the pro plans is topped out at 2GB. This means if you intend on sending more than one large file at a time, you have to bump up to the business plus plan, which comes with 6GB of storage.

Sendspace(1.5GB): Sendspace's pro service is the only one of its three plans that lets users upload more than 300MB. $7 gets users

20GB of storage space, and uploads up to 1.5GB apiece.

Which one to use?

So with all these choices, which one is going to give you the best bang for your buck? Or offer the most features at no cost?

If you're going for pure storage space, options like Streamfile, Glide's gDrive, Humyo, and File Dropper all offer the most, with all but Streamfile doing it for free. Again, the caveat here--at least for Streamfile and Glide-is that you can't move these big files without first installing a little bit of software on your machine. That said, it's not always a burden to do this, since these programs can often keep the uploads from slowing other browser tasks, and can resume a large upload if there's a problem with the connection.

There's also a question of whether or not you intend to access that file later on down the line. And if that's the case, it's definitely worth investing in a service that will keep it around.

Many of the paid services mentioned above can also be helpful for business needs, since you can brand them with your company's logo, give your download pages custom domains, and control how many times any particular file can be downloaded.

Will there be a time when 20GB is the new 2GB? I think HOW page 38

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37

Postbox adds Things and OmniFocus support Brett Terpstra (The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW))

iPhoto, making it easy to save all of those travel pictures your mom decided to send ... one Submitted at 3/9/2010 10:00:00 AM attachment at a time. Most F i l e d u n d e r : S o f t w a r e , important (to me), the most Productivity recent release (1.1.2) has added The first time I heard about integration features for task Postbox, it was a relatively new m a n a g e r s T h i n g s a n d email client for the Mac. Based O m n i F o c u s . on the details in the first If you've ever explored announcement and my trial run, productivity apps on the Mac, I was very intrigued. I recall you've probably at least tried telling the rest of TUAW that -- one of these to-do list apps if its stated goals were achieved before. We've covered both -- it had the potential to take Things and OmniFocus quite a over my Mail.app setup. bit in the past. The consensus See, I love my setup, but that came out of the early battle everything that I really like between these two prominent about Mail has been added by apps was -- to put it (too) simply plugins, and those plugins -- that Things (a 2009 Macworld require a certain performance Best in Show winner) was the and stability sacrifice. It would simpler, more elegant one, and be bittersweet to part with OmniFocus (a 2008 Best in everything I've built there, but it Show winner) was the complex, would be a welcome change if it more powerful one. Whichever were a step up. With better task you prefer, if your task manager management, great search is one of these, you can now features, tabbed views, a plugin turn emails in Postbox directly architecture and more, Postbox into tasks (with a link back to has always struck me as a the original message in the serious challenger. notes). It's not a new concept to S i n c e t h e l a s t t i m e w e Mail.app users, but it's been mentioned it, Postbox (which is something that many people Mozilla-powered) has continued who've switched to Postbox (or to become more Mac-like, with are thinking about it) have system-wide Address Book sorely missed. I'm hoping this is sync, notification integration a step towards an architecture with iCal, Spotlight indexing, t h a t w i l l a l l o w a n y t a s k a n d m o r e d r a g a n d d r o p management app (or other notefeatures. There's even a way to taking/productivity apps) to do instantly transfer photos to the same, in the way Mail's

AppleScript dictionary makes possible. It is possible, right now, to drag a message to create a link to it in another app. I just want to be able to script that!

I won't delve into all of the previously-existing features (we've been there before), but I'll highlight a couple that have really been tempting me. First, there's a great GMail vibe to the message handling, including "conversation" views (like threaded views where you can read an entire conversation at once), and Topics (essentially tags, or labels if you're familiar with GMail). A message can have multiple topics, allowing it to exist in multiple places in your organization scheme, similar to MailTags for Mail.

Instead of flagging messages (or starring, in GMail parlance),

you add a To-Do item to it, and those can be easily searched, pinned and integrated with your workflow. They show up as flags or stars, too, if you view the same message elsewhere. To -Do's can exist on their own, too, without being attached to an email. The search features of Postbox are pretty stunning, too, with speed, accuracy and flexibility. If you want to see all of the images, links, or attachments in a message, conversation or entire mailbox, you can pop up a new tab and do just that. It's a powerful package.

I've only tested Postbox with IMAP, so I can't attest to its performance with POP accounts. My Google Apps account works great with it, and it causes no problems with Mail

on my iPhone. I've tested it with both Things and OmniFocus, and the new integration features are working perfectly.

You can read up on the latest developments at the Postbox blog. The Things/OmniFocus integration works right out of the gate, but you'll probably want to grab the latest version of your chosen task manager just to be sure. The prior inability to link back to my emails was the biggest issue holding me back, so I'm giving Postbox an extended test run right now.

We'll see if it ultimately fits in to my up-'til-now Cocoa-only organization app lineup ... I'll let you know how it goes. If you're tired of Mail.app's lack of advanced features (or the shenanigans involved with adding them), you can try Postbox for free, and pick up a license for $39.95US. If you haven't already picked a task manager, Things and OmniFocus, both have free trials as well.

TUAW Postbox adds Things and OmniFocus support originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Print Mindset vs. Internet Mindset: Do You Link?

Do You Credit Sources?

Mike Masnick (Techdirt) Submitted at 3/9/2010 5:16:00 AM

We recently wrote about how the NY Post was caught taking a blogger's story and rewriting it for itself -- noting the hypocrisy of a News Corp. newspaper copying from someone else, after Rupert Murdoch and his top execs have been going around decrying various news aggregators (and Google especially) for "stealing" from News Corp. newspapers. It's even more ridiculous when you think about it -- because the "stealing" that Rupert is upset about is Google linking to the original story -- a step that his NY Post writer couldn't even be bothered to do.

Of course, as a few people pointed out in the comments, this sort of "re-reporting" is quite common in the traditional news business. You see it all the time in newspapers, magazines and broadcast TV. They take a story that was found somewhere else and just "rereport" it, so that they have their own version of it. That this is incredibly inefficient and a total waste of reporters' resources

never seems to be considered.

But it's a very traditional reporting mindset.

But sometimes that leads to trouble. Felix Salmon has an excellent discussion going about how the recent NY Times plagiarism "scandal" really came about because of this mindset. First, he notes that the "reason" that reporter Zachary Kouwe gave for plagiarizing a variety of stories on his NY Times blog, was that he saw the stories elsewhere and wanted to re-report them and "in the essence of speed" clearly cut some corners in his re-reporting.

But, as Salmon notes, this is a traditional reporting mindset.

An internet blogging mindset would just see this story, and in the "essence of speed" link to it: If there's a minor news story on a trustworthy wire service, and you think you need it on the blog, then link to it. You add no value by rushing -- with "essence of speed", no less -- to get the exact same story

yourself. You're a well-paid full -time journalist at the New York Times; there are surely higher and better uses of your valuable time than going back to rewrite a story which already exists elsewhere.

The sin that resulted in Kouwe's departure from the NYT was that he rewrote badly, and left large chunks of other people's work unchanged in his own copy. But the true underlying sin was that he spent so much time rewriting in the first place: the beauty of blogs, which exist to link elsewhere, is that he should never have needed to do that at all. Salmon goes on to point out that the big newspapers, like the NY Times and the Wall Street Journal, keep putting traditional reporters in charge of their blogs (not always, but quite frequently), and they blog like reporters, rather than digital natives. That is, they re-report stuff, rather than linking. And that's often because traditional reporters

Californian highway patrol officers had to help stop a runaway Toyota Prius after its

continued from page 36

so. And if File Dropper's freebie 5GB and Humyo's massive 10GB are any indication, we're already well on the way to getting there.

Any we missed? Leave them in the comments, or shoot me an email. lived by the "scoop" and the Five Filters featured article: idea that they had to be first. Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: Acknowledging that someone PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, else got the story first is seen as Term Extraction. an admission of failure. But in the blogging world, it's seen as a sign of respect and of gratitude.

But it's difficult for those Ana-Ana-Ana-Anaglyph who've lived in that first world to get their heads wrapped Face: Lady Gaga 3D Tour Will Have around this.

We recently wrote about the Accompanying 3D DVD important role of curation in [3D Tv] journalism -- which includes the ability to link to other stories, Kat Hannaford (Gizmodo) and add value to those stories Submitted at 3/9/2010 9:26:53 AM (whether by fact checking or commentary or discussion). But Thank christ Interscope said " too many traditional newspapers 3D DVD" and not "Full HD still have no interest in that kind 3D"—I don't think I could cope of journalism, even as greater with protruding man ladybits in and greater numbers of their full HD. Not that I'm planning readers are actively seeking it o n b u y i n g t h e D V D obviously—though there is a out.

Permalink| Comments| Email danger that the Interscope rep who told MTV News of Gaga's This Story 3D desires just doesn't know the difference between Blu-rays and DVDs. [ MTV News via NME]

California man says Prius accelerated out of control Barry Ritholtz (The Big Picture)

HOW

accelerator pedal got stuck. Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: CNBC’s Kaori Enjoji has more. PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Five Filters featured article: Term Extraction.

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39

A Look At Twelve Years Of Dangerous Unintended Consequences From The DMCA Mike Masnick (Techdirt) Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:45:00 AM

The DMCA has been in place for a dozen years now, and the harm done by its provisions has become quite clear. The framers of the DMCA did not take into account the unintended consequences of the law -- and even one of the main authors of the law, Bruce Lehman, now admits it was a mistake(though, as far as we know, he still hasn't apologized to James Boyle, who accurately predicted many of unintended consequences of the DMCA, only to have Lehman threaten to "rip his throat out" and to get Boyle denied tenure).

So, twelve years in, the EFF has put out a document highlighting all of the dangerous unintended consequences of the DMCA: • The DMCA Chills Free Expression and Scientific Research. Experience with section 1201 demonstrates that it is being used to stifle free speech and scientific research.

The lawsuit against 2600 magazine, threats against

Princeton Professor Edward Felten's team of researchers, and prosecution of Russian programmer Dmitry Sklyarov have chilled the legitimate activities of journalists, publishers, scientists, students, programmers, and members of the public.

• The DMCA Jeopardizes Fair Use. By banning all acts of circumvention, and all technologies and tools that can be used for circumvention, the DMCA grants to copyright owners the power to unilaterally eliminate the public's fair use rights. Already, the movie industry's use of encryption on DVDs has curtailed consumers' ability to make legitimate, personal-use copies of movies they have purchased.

• The DMCA Impedes Competition and Innovation.

Rather than focusing on pirates,

some have wielded the DMCA to hinder legitimate competitors.

For example, the DMCA has been used to block aftermarket competition in laser printer toner cartridges, garage door openers, and computer maintenance services. Similarly, Apple has used the DMCA to tie its iPhone and iPod devices to Apple's own software and services.

• The DMCA Interferes with Computer Intrusion Laws.

Further, the DMCA has been misused as a general-purpose prohibition on computer network access, a task for which it was not designed and to which it is ill-suited. For example, a disgruntled employer used the DMCA against a former contractor for simply connecting to the company's computer system through a virtual private network ("VPN").

Clearly, it's long been time to rethink the entire premise of the DMCA, but it seems like there's little appetite for Congress to actually do this. Hell, the EFF put out a similar document two years ago, highlighting the unintended consequences and calling for a rethink.

And what's happening instead?

Via ACTA, the US isn't just doubling down on the worst of the DMCA, it's trying to spread it around the world and to make sure that the US cannot fix the problems of the DMCA by creating an agreement that will allow DMCA defenders to say that we can't fix the DMCA or we'll violate our "international obligations."

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Street Chic: Paris Fashion Week ELLE.com (ELLE News Blog) Submitted at 3/8/2010 1:32:15 PM

Erin Wasson is cozy-chic in a shearling coat and pinstriped

trousers.

Photo: Anne Ziegler Click here for our complete fall 2010 Fashion Week coverage Think you are Street Chic? E-

mail us your photo and you

could appear in ELLE.com's Street Chic Daily.

Follow ELLE on Twitter.

Become our Facebook fan!

A Na'vi Apartment Block on Earth [Architecture] Jesus Diaz (Gizmodo) Submitted at 3/9/2010 9:18:00 AM

I can imagine a future dry Earth in which nature only exists inside huge buildings like this Freshwater Factory Skyscraper, designed by Design Crew for Architecture to produce freshwater from sea water on the south coast of the Spain.

Here's how it works: The brackish water—a sightly desalinized water—is pumped into the self-sufficient structure using tide-powered pumps.

Then, inside the spheres, mangrove trees feed on that water, transforming it and exuding freshwater that evaporates. This water vapor is collected for human consumption by an internal pipe system.

The result: This building can produce 30,000 liters of freshwater per day. The design won an honorable mention at the [ Evolo via Inhabitat]

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Tech/ Politics/

E-reader News Edition

South Korean bus prototypes use road to recharge

Top Homeschooling Texts Reject Science

(CNET News.com)

(Little Green Footballs)

Submitted at 3/9/2010 7:02:15 AM

South Korea is trying a new way to turn public transport green by using a technology popular in electric toothbrushes and razors to power buses and cars.

The country's top technology university on Tuesday unveiled a new electric transport powered by recharging strips embedded in roads that transfer energy through magnetic connections.

There are no direct connections with wires.

Vehicles with sensor-driven magnetic devices on their underside suck up energy as they travel over the strips embedded a few centimeters under the road.

"The technological concept behind the idea has been around for about 100 years. We have found a better way to transfer the electricity to make it practical," said B.K. Park, a project member at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

Knowingly or not, the engineers at KAIST have created an electric-powered prototype that would be at home

in an episode of 'Thomas the Tank Engine.'(Credit: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) The university about 140 kilometers south of Seoul has four prototype buses using the technology on its campus and is in talks with Seoul and other cities to have buses running in the next three years using the system called "online electrical vehicle."

The strips, which are attached to small electrical stations, are laid in bus lanes and roads running up to intersections so that vehicles can power up where traffic slows down.

The strips are in segments of several tens of meters in length and vehicles receive what is termed "microcharges" each time they pass over one.

"These vehicles are not like mobile phones that need to be charged for hours. Microcharges are quite efficient," Park said.

Unlike electric lines used for trams, vehicles do not need to be in constant contact with the strips and a person can touch the lines without receiving a shock.

The system allows electric cars and buses to cut down on battery size and extend ranges.

The noncontact transfer of electricity, also called inductive charging, works by magnets and cables on the underside of the vehicle making a connection with the current in the recharging strip to receive power as they travel over it.

It is employed in some brands of electric toothbrushes that are sealed and water resistant, which do not need to be plugged into anything but use a magnetic connection to receive energy while resting in a cradle.

The online electrical vehicle system so far has proven safe to humans and machinery.

The cost of installing the system is an estimated 400 million won ($353,500) per kilometer of road. Electricity is extra.

Story Copyright (c) 2010 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Educational Ministries, which disputed Charles Darwin’s theory.

Does this qualify as a mild form “I thought she was going to of child abuse: teaching children have a coronary,” Mule said of to distrust science and believe her daughter, who is now 16 and lies? taking college courses in I think it does. I don’t believe Houston. “She’s like, ‘This is it’s appropriate to try to stop not true!’” these parents (through Christian-based materials legislation) from destroying dominate a growing hometheir children’s ability to think school education market that critically, but it’s not hard to encompasses more than 1.5 make a case that this kind of million students in the U.S. And Dark Ages indoctrination is very for most home-school parents, a bad for the United States. Bible-based version of the Evangelical homeschoolers are Earth’s creation is exactly what raising a generation of kids who they want. Federal statistics are “culture warriors,” spreading from 2007 show 83 percent of a message of ignorance and home-schooling parents want to superstition, in an age when give their children “religious or science and technology are moral instruction.” vitally important.

“The majority of homeLOUISVILLE, Ky. — Home- s c h o o l e r s s e l f - i d e n t i f y a s school mom Susan Mule wishes evangelical Christians,” said Ian she hadn’t taken a friend’s Slatter, a spokesman for the advice and tried a textbook from Home School Legal Defense a popular Christian publisher for Association. “Most homeh e r 1 0 - y e a r - o l d ’ s b i o l o g y schoolers will definitely have a lessons. sort of creationist component to Mule’s precocious daughter their home-school program.”

Elizabeth excels at science and And if you want to see how has been studying tarantulas widespread and irrational this since she was 5. But she anti-science craziness is on the watched Elizabeth’s excitement religious right, check out this turn to confusion when they thread of comments at the reached the evolution section of d e p e n d a b l y i n s a n e F r e e the book from Apologia Republic.

Submitted at 3/8/2010 1:52:32 PM

Tech/ Politics/

E-reader News Edition

Remote webcam activation now disabled in software that led to controversy at Pennsylvania school

Sarah Palin's Family Went to Canada for Health Care

Mel Martin (The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW))

(Little Green Footballs)

activating the iSight cameras built into MacBook computers while students were using the Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:00:00 PM computers at home.

Filed under: Education, Odds The school has said the cameras and ends, MacBook The were only turned on to locate suburban Philadelphia school stolen laptops, but several being investigated for spying on students said they saw the green students using MacBook laptops "Based on recent events, we camera light come on several will lose the ability to turn on have received many inquiries times on computers that had not the built-in cameras remotely a b o u t T h e f t T r a c k f r o m been reported stolen. when they update their security customers who are concerned Federal Agents are also and who want to ensure their investigating, and have asked software.

Absolute Software, new owners organizations are not involved the school for all records o f t h e L A N r e v r e m o t e in a similar incident." relating to the incident. administration suite (formerly As a result, the webcam feature The school says it has stopped owned and developed by Pole is being removed in all updated using the software for accessing Position GmbH), say they are versions of the software as of the webcams remotely. Over the going to remove the webcam tomorrow. Current customers last two years, the district has remote activation feature from still have the feature, but they provided MacBooks to all 2,300 a r e b e i n g a d v i s e d b y t h e high school students. the software this week.

In a note to customers today, company to get the latest TUAW Remote webcam update. the company said: activation now disabled in "We know that webcam pictures Meanwhile, the Philadelphia software that led to controversy are an ineffective tool in Inquirer is reporting that two a t P e n n s y l v a n i a s c h o o l tracking down the location of a I.T. employees of the Lower originally appeared on The s t o l e n c o m p u t e r . T a k i n g Merion School District have U n o f f i c i a l A p p l e W e b l o g pictures of lawful computer been placed on leave while an (TUAW) on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 users without their permission, investigation continues.

21:00:00 EST. Please see our and without law enforcement The incident received national terms for use of feeds. involvement, is contrary to attention when the parents of a Read| Permalink| Email this| Absolute's policies and is H a r r i t o n H i g h S c h o o l Comments inconsistent with our existing, sophomore filed a federal m o r e e f f e c t i v e p r o d u c t lawsuit on February 16, alleging that school officials were offering."

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and Diagnostic Services Act to fund 50% of the cost of such programs for any provincial Blatant hypocrisy — it’s government that adopted them. spelled P-A-L-I-N: Sarah Palin The HIDS Act outlined five sees eye-to-eye with Albertans c o n d i t i o n s : public in Calgary speech. a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , The vocal opponent of health- c o m p r e h e n s i v e n e s s , care reform in the U.S. steered universality, portability, and largely clear of the topic except accessibility. These remain the to reveal a tidbit about her life pillars of the Canada Health g r o w i n g u p n o t f a r f r o m Act. Whitehorse.

By 1961, all ten provinces had “We used to hustle over the agreed to start HIDS Act border for health care we programs. In Saskatchewan, the received in Canada,” she said. act meant that half of their “And I think now, isn’t that current program would now be ironic?” paid for by the federal Good thing the “death panels” g o v e r n m e n t . didn’t get her; we would have UPDATE at 3/8/10 3:41:40 pm: been deprived of Palin’s great LGF reader Jadespring adds: wisdom.

She was born in Idaho in 1964 LGF reader Killgore Trout and move to Alaska when she points out that the wingnut blogs was an infant. Single payer are trying to spin this by saying came in 1966. So in order for Canada didn’t switch to single the defenders ‘defense’ to work payer health care until 1966 — she’d have to be talking about a but that’s highly misleading(as very, very small window of usual): time.

In 1957, the federal government passed the Hospital Insurance Submitted at 3/8/2010 3:34:23 PM

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Tech/ Gadgets/ Entertainment/

E-reader News Edition

A look at the framework of Apple's iPad ad Sang Tang (The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)) Submitted at 3/9/2010 9:00:00 AM

Filed under: iPad The iPad, like the iPhone, used the Oscars to make its ad debut.

As is typical with an Apple ad, the iPad's ad featured a montage of different uses for the device, all while set to the backdrop of a catchy tune.

In making his case for the iPad, Apple CEO Steve Jobs noted that it would offer a better experience than a smartphone and a notebook computer in the following areas: • Browsing • Email • Photos • Videos • Music differentiation.

• Games About 80 percent of all 720 • eBooks frames (30 seconds of total ad's The iPad's first ad reflects this total time multiplied by 24 ideal. The ad, when analyzed frames per second) of the iPad's b a s e d o n t h e o n - a i r t i m e ad showed an app being used. d e d i c a t e d t o a p a r t i c u l a r And within this time, the photo function, reveals a device that a p p w a s s h o w n t h e m o s t , will be marketed for jack-of-all- accounting for 26 percent of trades functionality, with a total frames where an app is particular focus on its media being used. The mail app came c o n s u m p t i o n a p p e a l a n d in second, with 22 percent.

With 20 percent of airtime, the iBook app highlights Apple positioning the iPad to compete against eBook readers.

While a New York Times app wasn't shown, the ad, which shows the paper being displayed in a Safari browser window instead, also points to Apple positioning the iPad to appeal those who consume traditional print media publications -- such

as newspapers and magazines.

Although a Safari browser was briefly shown toward the end of the ad browsing Facebook, almost all Safari activity displayed the New York Times.

In a September 2009 interview with the New York Times' David Pogue, Steve Jobs provided somewhat of a glimpse into how Apple would market and differentiate the iPad. Jobs argued that while dedicated devices such as Amazon's Kindle will always exist and that they may have offer some advantages in doing just one thing, "general-purpose devices will win the day" because "people just probably aren't willing to pay for a dedicated device." The iPad's first ad clearly follows this ideal.

TUAW A look at the framework of Apple's iPad ad originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CrunchDeals: Star Trek Online for $28, Collector’s Edition for $48 Doug Aamoth (CrunchGear) Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:20:46 AM

Summer will be here before you know it, so that means it’s time to stock up on anything that’ll keep you out of the sun.

In that spirit, Amazon has discounted both the standard and Collector’s Edition of the new-ish Star Trek Online franchise.

The standard edition will set you back $28 (selling for $45+ elsewhere) and the Collector’s Edition, which features “additional bonus items including unique packaging, descriptive material, and ingame items,” is on sale for $48 (selling for $80+ elsewhere).

Both games are for the PC and the sale is good today only.

Star Trek Online – Standard and Collector’s Editions for PC[Amazon.com]

"Is That Some Kind of French Pastry? I'd Love One!" [Open Caption] Richard Lawson (Gawker)

[ Taylor Momsen on the Gossip Girl set yesterday; image via

Bauer-Griffin]

Tech/ Politics/ Gadgets/

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43

Gowalla Launches on webOS and Vies for Your Checkins with Free Stuff

Catholic School Rejects Child Because Parents Are Gay

Adam Ostrow (Mashable!)

(Little Green Footballs)

Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:53:05 PM

Foursquare is battling for your SXSW checkins with a musical scavenger hunt. Rival Gowalla is going to go after them with free gadgets — specifically free Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus devices as part of a promotion the location-based social networking service is unveiling in conjunction with their just-launched app for webOS. The app should hit the Palm App Catalog on Tuesday, and like the company’s applications for other platforms (including its recently launched Android app) it detects your location to show you nearby venues, lets you know where your friends are located, and has a gaming element called “stamps” that can be accrued as you check in to various places.

it’s not a bad one. No one wants to leave an event like SXSW empty-handed, and by teaming up with brands to offer free gadgets to users at an event that will be loaded with tech enthusiasts could encourage some splitting (or at least doubling up) of the checkins The SXSW connection is part across services. of a push by Gowalla into Now that Gowalla’s starting to virtual goods. Users will be catch up in terms of platform able to discover virtual Palm Pre support, much of the battle and Pixi devices as they use the might come down to marketing application (essentially, the — where Foursquare has also more you use it, the better your recently invested heavily by chances –- it’s random), and forming partnerships with a host then be able to redeem those at of media companies. specific parties at the festival to In any event, here’s a look at get the actual device. Another some of the features of the partner –- Lomography–- has webOS app: inserted virtual cameras into Which service will you be Gowalla, that once found can using to check in at SXSW? Let also be redeemed for free gear. us know in the comments!

This is one way Gowalla hopes Reviews: Foursquare, Gowalla to differentiate itself from the Tags: gowalla, palm, webOS competition, and, truth be told,

two dozen demonstrators who turned out at Sunday’s church service.

A C a t h o l i c p r e s c h o o l i n Most of the protesters stood Boulder Colorado has refused to silently, across the street, admit a child with gay parents. holding signs. One read “God What can you even say about loves all people.” Some of them an appalling story like this? went inside during mass. The Punishing the innocent doesn’t priest addressed the situation in seem like something Jesus his sermon. would have approved of.

“He feels like it’s a calling to be BOULDER, Colo. — A strict with upholding the preschooler is caught in the Catholic principles,” said Dave middle of a fight between Ensign, president of the Board religion and sexuality. Sacred of Directors of Boulder Pride, a Heart of Jesus Catholic School, gay, lesbian, bisexual and in Boulder, has refused to transgender organization. readmit a preschooler because “People who understand the the child has two moms. Her C a t h o l i c t e a c h i n g w i l l parents are lesbians. understand why the decision “God and Jesus would not allow was made,” said Fabien Ardila, discrimination in that way,” said a member of the parish.

Joellen Raderstorf, one of about Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:41:11 PM

Alienware M11x autopsy photos Matt Burns (CrunchGear)

“out-of-this-world technology” to pack so much power into a little kit? Get it? Because it’s an T h e A l i e n w a r e M 1 1 x i s Alien ware. You got? Yes, I a fascinating modern notebook. know I’m dumb. John tells me May I say that it probably took that everyday. Just click through Submitted at 3/9/2010 7:00:40 AM

for the photos, pal. Let’s get on

with this.

Anyway, some random Chinese site posted these photos showing that the M11x is very much a human creation. It’s nothing more than a well-engineered

notebook, which it should be seeing as the 11-inch notebook has a starting price of $799. [ 163 via GadgetMix]

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CBS Sports March Madness app will stream your games live Mike Schramm (The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW))

games. Video even comes over 3G and EDGE, so no matter where you are, you'll be able to Submitted at 3/9/2010 8:00:00 AM keep up to date on what's Filed under: Multimedia, h a p p e n i n g i n t h e b i g Software, Developer, iPhone, tournament. The app also offers App Store, iPod touch I'm much scores and bracket updates (so more of a baseball fan(go you can see how your picks are Cubs!), but of course it is now p l a y i n g o u t ) , a s w e l l a s March, and that means college connections to Facebook and basketball is about to heat up. Twitter, so you can do a little CBS Sports has now released an trash-talking, too. official March Madness On There is a lite version that Demand app, and just like the offers up just scores and news, great MLB iPhone app, this one but the US$9.99 premium also offers streaming video on version gives you live video of demand of 63 March Madness all the games, and/or audio

broadcasts as they happen from Westwood One (and the press release says CBS worked in conjunction with MLB Advanced Media, so I'd guess

the quality is pretty good). If you're planning on watching the tournament at all, and think you might spend at least a game or two away from the television,

the app will probably be worth it. It's up for download right now on the App Store-- play ball! No wait. What do they say for basketball? Tip off?

TUAW CBS Sports March Madness app will stream your games live originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Steph Tirion, creator of Eliss, annouces Faraway Mike Schramm (The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)) Submitted at 3/8/2010 10:00:00 PM

Filed under: Gaming, Software, Developer, iPhone, App Store, SDK Steph Tirion is an excellent game designer who I've had the good fortune to meet a few times. He first released a great game called Eliss on the App Store and he's now announced the second game he's been working on, called Faraway. Eliss was a terrific little arcade game that made great use of the iPhone's touchscreen, and Tirion says that while his first game dealt

with "planets and space management in sectors, Faraway will be about constellations and infinite space travel." Sounds exciting. The game will be playable at GDC this week, so I'll definitely make time to run

by and check it out.

Tirion has also announced a new company to represent and sell his iPhone games, and he's calling it LITTLE--EYES. It's really great to see a very smart, independent developer come

into his own like on a platform like the iPhone -- there's really no other mainstream gaming platform out there that lets developers really jump in headfirst and release experimental games like these to

a a mainstream market. We'll keep an eye out at GDC this week for all kinds of indie developers making it big. While it's cool that Valve and other larger companies are finally coming around, we have to be sure not to forget developers like this either.

TUAW Steph Tirion, creator of Eliss, annouces Faraway originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acting Out Christopher Orr (The New Republic - All Feed) Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:47:45 AM

Leave it to the Oscars to frustrate me even when they’re properly awarded. On Friday, I loudly declared my belief in inavataribility, arguing that, given the Academy's lifelong emphasis on movies' commercial success, there was no way it would give Best Picture to a $12.6 milliongrossing indie ( The Hurt Locker) over a well-reviewed juggernaut that made 50 times as much(Avatar). On Sunday, it gave Best Picture to a $12.6 million-grossing, etc., etc.

How did this act of cinematic sanity come about? I'd like to say the Academy stiffed Avatar because, apart from its next-step visuals, it stunk. But when you have an outcome that is so at variance with historic precedent, you generally have to look for circumstances that are themselves at variance with historic precedent. And here, I think, it’s safe to say that the Academy’s newfangled tennominee, weighted-voting rules for Best Picture cut heavily, perhaps decisively, in favor of The Hurt Locker. I’d mentioned this factor as a persuasive rationale for a Hurt Locker victory, but unlike folks such as Rick Hertzberg and Ross Douthat, I was not myself persuaded. (We live. We learn.)

And though I am still not a fan of overstuffing the category with nearly a dozen nominees—a decision the Academy made, more or less explicitly, to protect itself from its own dubious judgment—I can’t be unhappy about a process that (this time at least) rewarded quality over profitability.

As for the other winners: Kathryn Bigelow’s Best Director win was no surprise on the merits, and Hollywood of course loves a first (as in, woman to win the award) no matter how belated it may be.

Mo’Nique was the next-closestthing to a lock for Best Supporting Actress for Precious; and Christolphe Waltz’s Supporting Actor win for Inglourious Basterds was an actual lock: There isn’t a pawn shop in the greater Los Angeles area that wouldn’t have advanced him cash last week based on the promise that he’d bring his statuette in Monday morning.

The screenplay winners were more surprising and, I think, rather less deserving. Geoffrey Fletcher’s adapted script for Precious somehow stole the prize from favorite Up in the Air, completing the longgathering snub of Jason Reitman’s film, which was an early favorite for several Oscars (including Best Picture) but has been fading since the beginning

of the year. It’s a shame, because though it had its flaws-like pretty much all the hopefuls this year-- Up in the Air was a fine, sophisticated entertainment. Indeed, the comparison with Hurt Locker is instructive: In one case the early, largely unanticipated wins led to more wins and more wins and, finally, the biggest win of all; in the other, awards underperformance sucked away the initial enthusiasm until a fine film found itself wrapped in the aura of a loser.

Given the Big Mo of Hurt Locker, its win for original screenplay (by Mark Boal) was less of a shock, but still required toppling Quentin Tarantino’s script for Inglourious Basterds.

There’s no grand cosmic injustice here, but I do think it’s an all-too-typical case of category confusion: Boal’s screenplay was quite good, but it had its flaws (chief among them, a choppy, episodic quality) and it was not, in any case, a primary reason for the overall strength of Bigelow’s Oscar-sweeper. (Those would be Bigelow, more Bigelow, and Jeremy Renner.) Tarantino’s script had its flaws as well-moral obtuseness, occasional flirtations with juvenilia--but it was a work of fierce imagination and originality.

(You can be sure no soldier is going to sue him, charging that he merely stole the guy’s life

story.) Like Up in the Air, Inglourious Basterds deserved better.

Which brings me to the lead performances categories. If the Academy (with the help of a weighted voting system few of its members probably understood) finally, decisively abandoned its commercial criteria for Best Picture, it scrupulously adhered to another tradition at least as pernicious: its eagerness to expand the universe of performers who can place the honorific “Oscarwinner” in front of their names by stiffing worthier candidates already so endowed.

On the surface, Jeff Bridges’s win for the understated indie Crazy Heart and Sandra Bullock’s for the $250-million ( -and-counting!) The Blind Side could hardly be less similar. The former was seen by almost as few people as Hurt Locker—heck, I watched it twice, and still have to catch myself from misnaming it Crazy Horse—while the latter rode a wave of lucre so steep that it carried an actress who won a Razzie for her work this summer (in All About Steve) all the way to the opposite extreme of cinematic accomplishment. But the two Oscar wins have far more in common than not.

Begin with Bridges: I like the man, you like the man, and, from all appearances, everyone in Hollywood likes the man. He

has been working in film for four decades, belongs to an amiable Hollywood dynasty, and, prior to this year, had been nominated for four Academy awards. Moreover, he delivered a good performance in Crazy Heart, one perhaps worthy of Oscar nomination. But it was a fairly narrow, unchallenging role, and one we’ve seen performed better before, both in its general contours (Mickey Rourke’s revelatory turn in The Wrestler just a year before) and even in its particulars (Robert Duvall’s Oscar-winning turn in the far superior Tender Mercies—if this film were fresher in memory, there’s no way Bridges would have won; indeed, with all its parallels, Crazy Heart might have been forced to brand itself as a remake. Watch out, Kate Winslet: Down-and-out country singer is the new Holocaust movie!).

As for Bullock, give credit where it is due: It used to be fairly commonplace for bigscreen melodramas to be among the year’s top earners (think, Kramer vs. Kramer, Rain Man…). But these days, the high-grossers are limited almost exclusively to sci-fi, fantasy, or superhero franchises on the one hand, and animated pictures on the other. For the story of an adoptive football mom—who is ACTING page 51

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It's the Dinero, Caudillo Francisco Toro (The New Republic - All Feed) Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:00:00 PM

What were two members of a violent Basque separatist group doing with 11 members of Colombia's narco-Marxist insurgency in a remote corner of southwestern Venezuela in August 2007? According to a blockbuster indictment handed down by a Spanish judge last week, they were participating in a kind of intercontinental terrorist training camp held under the aegis of the Venezuelan military.

More specifically, the two members of ETA, or "Basque Homeland and Freedom," were teaching the rebels from FARC, or "Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia," how to use plastic explosives and urban guerrilla tactics, such as rigging cell phones to work as bomb fuses. This unlikely alliance between FARC, a peasant-based Marxist movement financed by a massive drug-trafficking operation, and ETA, a nationalist group that specializes in shooting Spanish policemen, civil servants, and local politicians in the back of the head, dates back as far as 1993.

According to the indictment, beginning in 2000, ETA plotted with FARC to murder a range of leading Colombian political figures when they traveled to Spain, including sitting

president Alvaro Uribe.

But it's Venezuela's alleged involvement with two of the Spanish-speaking world's most notorious terror groups that has set off a political firestorm in Spain, where the center-left government enjoys a close relationship with the Venezuelan caudillo, Hugo Chávez. The indictment, which is the culmination of several years of investigation by Spanish and Colombian police, claims that Chavez's soldiers and a military intelligence officer escorted the FARC members to their August 2007 training site. What's more, among the seven FARC and six ETA members charged with conspiracy to murder and holding explosives in collaboration with a terrorist group is Arturo Cubillas Fontán, a longtime ETA leader who emigrated to Venezuela in 1989.

According to El Pais, he works as head of security for Venezuela's ministry of Agriculture. (Venezuelan government sources have refused to clarify his position.)

And his wife has worked in a variety of public roles throughout the Chavez administration including, currently, as head of public relations for the Agriculture ministry.

By exposing a possible link between the Chávez government and an international terror

conspiracy, the indictment is a particularly hot potato in the lap of Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, whose warm relations with Venezuela's strong man have yielded invaluable commercial advantages for Spanish multinationals. As U.S.Venezuelan ties have worsened over the past ten years, Spanish firms have swarmed to do business in Venezuela. Today, 55 percent of Venezuela's thirdlargest bank is owned by Spain's sprawling BBVA bank; the country's leading mobile phone network is owned by Telefónica, Spain's privatized telecoms giant; the largest of its new electric power plants are being built by Spanish energy companies Iberdrola and Elecnor; and some of its biggest new oil contracts are going to Spanish oil giant Repsol.

Additionally, in a quirk of timing, the Venezuelan Navy received the first of four military patrol ships from Spanish shipbuilder Navantia just one day after the ETA-FARC indictment was handed down. In effect, Spain is now selling military hardware to a country whose government allegedly sponsors a terrorist group plotting aggression against the Spanish state.

No issue is as politically sensitive in Spain as Basque terrorism, so it's hardly surprising that opposition

conservatives have wasted no time slamming the Zapatero government. Jorge Moragas, foreign affairs spokesman for the conservative People’s Party, decried the “excessive closeness between” Venezuela and Spain, and the party’s secretary general has called on Zapatero to consider breaking diplomatic relations with Venezuela.

But such a move would likely spur Venezuela to expropriate Spanish investments, which would freeze the profits of Madrid's multinationals (we're talking billions of euros) in Caracas. It wouldn’t be the first time Chávez has muscled his international business partners: Two years ago, his government shut down most commerce with Colombia over Uribe’s allegation that Venezuela was funding Marxist guerillas, and launched a wave of expropriations against its neighbor that continues to this day. In other words, Chávez has leverage with Spain, he knows it, and he's not afraid to use it.

This might explain why Madrid has treaded so carefully on the indictment crisis. Zapatero has mildly said he would seek “explanations” from the Venezuelan government and proceed accordingly. But even that formulation drew an angry response from the bombastic Chávez. He blustered in a recent speech, "I don’t have to explain anything, not to Zapatero or

anyone!”

In response, Spain’s foreign minister, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, hurried to note that Spanish authorities were merely seeking “information” in the case, not “explanations.” But this deference left Zapatero's government exposed to fire on the domestic front. Conservative leader Mariano Rajoy called his country's virtual apology to Chávez “absolutely grotesque.”

This paints a vivid picture of the political corner Zapatero’s government has backed itself into: Protect Spanish investment in Venezuela, and you’re soft on ETA, but make a principled stand, and you put hundreds of Spanish jobs at risk. Signs so far indicate the government will swallow hard and continue to placate Venezuela. But what happens if, next week (or next month, or next year), a highprofile Colombian public figure takes a trip to Spain and gets shot in the back of the head?

Francisco Toro blogs about Venezuela in the Chávez era at Caracas Chronicles.

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Our Man in Kabul?

Michael Crowley (The New Republic - All Feed)

anti-American zealot known for splashing acid in the faces of unveiled women. He decided it Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:00:00 PM was time to confront a man he “Let’s talk about why you plan considered “the darkest” of the to kill me.” It was March 1987, A f g h a n w a r l o r d s . A n d and Milt Bearden was sitting in Hekmatyar was convinced he’d a spare interview room at the come to snuff him.

Islamabad headquarters of Hekmatyar, then about 40, P a k i s t a n ’ s I n t e r - S e r v i c e s fingered a strand of agate prayer I n t e l l i g e n c e ( I S I ) a g e n c y . beads. He had been summoned Bearden was then the CIA’s by the ISI, which served as the station chief in Islamabad, conduit for U.S. aid to the serving as the link between Afghan rebels. He has a long Washington and the U.S.-funded thin face, dark eyes, and a long Afghan rebels bleeding the beard, and is typically clad in a Soviets in Afghanistan. He had black turban and robes. His come to see the mujahedin’s appearance has been described most lethal warlord, a radical as feline, but the façade is Islamist named Gulbuddin misleading. As Bearden would Hekmatyar. No other Afghan later recall in his memoir, The leader had received more money M a i n E n e m y , H e k m a t y a r from the United States than “thought nothing of ordering an Hekmatyar, yet he showed his execution for a slight breach of Western patrons precious little party discipline.” On this day, gratitude. He claimed to despise he was sullen, and the two men the United States as much as the squabbled about Hekmatyar’s S o v i e t U n i o n , a n d , w h i l e reputation for brutality, which visiting the United Nations two the warlord alternately denied years earlier, he had refused an and dismissed as unimportant. invitation to meet Ronald Then Hekmatyar cut to the Reagan in the Oval Office. Now chase: “I know what you’re Bearden was hearing grumbling p l a n n i n g t o d o , ” h e s a i d . from Washington about why the “You’re armed. I can see that.”

United States was financing an Bearden opened his jacket to

show that he wasn’t carrying a gun. (Although he was--in the small of his back.) He asked Hekmatyar why the CIA would want to eliminate its most valuable anti-Soviet fighter.

Because, Hekmatyar replied, the United States understood that the Soviets were already done for. Hekmatyar had now defeated one superpower, and the Americans feared what he might do to them. Addressing Hekmatyar by the title he had acquired from Kabul University, Bearden said: “I think the engineer flatters himself.”

Only prematurely. Fifteen years later, in May 2002, a CIAoperated aerial drone circling near Kabul shot a Hellfire antitank missile at a convoy on the ground. The explosion killed several men, but failed to claim its target: Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. By then, the Afghan warlord was on Washington’s most-wanted list as a leader of the post-2001 Afghan insurgency. But, eight years later, circumstances have changed once again. The United States is now considering whether it’s time to stop trying to kill Hekmatyar and start

negotiating with him--a choice that could have crucial implications for Barack Obama’s war in Afghanistan.

The United States is not fighting one enemy in Afghanistan. While the media often equate “insurgency” with “Taliban,” there are, in fact, three major insurgent groups.

The biggest is the Quetta Shura Taliban. Led by the famous oneeyed cleric Mullah Omar, this group is based in the Pakistani city of Quetta and fights mainly in the southern Helmand and Kandahar provinces. Another is the Haqqani network, run by the father-and-son team of Jalaluddin and Sirajuddin Haqqani from Pakistan’s northwestern tribal areas. The Haqqanis and their Al Qaeda allies sow chaos in Afghanistan’s east and were likely behind the double-agent suicide bomb at a CIA base near Khost this winter.

Then there is Hekmatyar. His beard now half gray, he is again tormenting foreign infidels. His Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin-which translates roughly as “Gulbuddin’s Islamic Party,” shorthanded as HIG by the U.S.

military--may be the smallest of the three insurgent wings, but it is “no less lethal” than the others, as the American commander in Afghanistan, Stanley McChrystal, recently put it. That was clear last October 3, when over 150 insurgents overwhelmed a remote outpost in Nuristan Province, killing eight American soldiers and wounding 24.

Hekmatyar is believed to have aided and perhaps organized the attack--just the latest ominous sign of what one senior U.S. military official in Kabul calls his increasing activity in the provinces north and east of Kabul. But, while Hekmatyar shares his fellow insurgents’ rhetoric about defeating the Americans, he is not as doctrinaire. A lifelong dealmaker, he cares most about one thing: power. “He wants to ensure he has a role in the government,” says the military official.

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Street Chic: Paris Fashion Week ELLE.com (ELLE News Blog) Submitted at 3/8/2010 2:00:00 PM

Tattered denim and silver

booties offer a double dose of edgy style.

Photo: Anne Ziegler Click here for our complete fall

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Paterson Seeks to Show He's Still in Charge (Newsmax - Politics) Submitted at 3/8/2010 10:29:44 AM

Gov. David Paterson was adamantly in the business of governing Monday, taking questions from the public at a town hall meeting and trying to make clear his authority to negotiate a state budget amid two scandals that threaten his job.

"Recently, I've been the target of rumors and innuendo, but it hasn't stopped me," he said in his opening remarks, one of the few references to the situation swirling around him.

In their questions, audience members at the session in Brooklyn were clearly more focused on their own concerns rather than the governor's, who is being probed over whether he illegally had contact with a woman who had accused a Paterson aide of abuse. He is also facing an ethics charge for obtaining free World Series tickets.

Few questioners mentioned the scandals, with one offering support for Paterson finishing his term before going on to ask a question on another topic.

The reaction reflected findings in a poll from Siena College released Monday, which found that 71 percent of those questioned thought he should be allowed to finish his term instead of being impeached if he

doesn't resign. Twenty-one percent said the Legislature should impeach him if he doesn't step down, although Paterson hasn't been charged with a crime. The rest didn't know or had no opinion.

That comes even as Paterson has slipped to his lowest approval rating yet, at 21 percent, with 67 percent of those polled having an unfavorable opinion of him and 12 percent saying they didn't know or had no opinion.

Paterson has already given up his bid for a full term but refused to give in to critics who want him to resign altogether.

He became governor in 2008 after his predecessor, Eliot Spitzer, resigned in a prostitution scandal.

Those attending the Brooklyn meeting struck a respectful tone.

They asked and debated questions about spending priorities in the state budget due April 1 as if speaking to a key player, not a lame duck. There was little mention of the scandals as Paterson showed sympathy to personal stories backing up arguments for more aid.

The only other reference to Paterson's political reality came when the governor responded to a question challenging the idea of taxing soda for revenue. He spoke about the public health benefits of such a tax, and he

recounted some of the state's obesity statistics and the concerns for children's health.

"I'm speaking for a class of people that don't have a vote," he said. "I'm not running for reelection, so I can speak for them; it's the children of this state."

At one point, Paterson flashed the humor that was an effective tool for him for 20 years as a state senator. One speaker who said he has thoughts of running for mayor said, "I have just one question, and it's a statement."

"Before your town hall meeting starts, can I finish mine?"

Paterson shot back, to laughs in the packed Borough hall.

Following the town hall meeting, Paterson told reporters he met with his personal attorney on Saturday as a result of the scandals.

Paterson also defended Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, whom many Democrats prefer over Paterson as the candidate for governor and who is investigating the scandals.

Paterson said appointing a special prosecutor would give up control over the cost and time spent on the case and he has confidence Cuomo will do a timely and fair job. Cuomo, a Democrat, is widely expected to run for governor. Paterson dropped his own bid for the Democratic nomination shortly after Cuomo started his

investigation.

The Siena poll found two-thirds of voters prefer an independent prosecutor for the case, but a majority of voters questioned also have faith in Cuomo's ability to be fair. Some in the legal community share that concern.

"We live in times of extraordinary cynicism," said James Tierney, director of the National State Attorney's General Program at Columbia University. It's natural for citizens to view the political system with cynicism, he said, "but I see nothing at all in this case which indicates anything but the attorney general is proceeding in an absolutely appropriate manner."

The Siena poll questioned 712 registered voters by phone on Sunday. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.

—— Associated Press writer Michael Gormley in Albany contributed to this report. © Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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4N Watch Pulls the Time From a Scattered Pile of Numbers [Watches] Mark Wilson (Gizmodo) Submitted at 3/9/2010 9:59:00 AM

The 4N Watch was designed with a relatively simple goal—display digital time through mechanical, analog function.

Despite the exposed gears and jumble of numbers, the watch operates upon logic that anyone can grasp. Really, three numbered discs rotate to display the proper 3 to 4 digits of time (we're assuming the hour disc displays the 11 and 12 hours on its own). That's much more reasonable than a tiny arm sorting through a large pile of numbers with every new minute, which is pretty much what we imagined upon first glance.

Unfortunately, only 16 watches will be produced. So enjoy the picture. [ 4N via SlashGear]

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49

Win Dixie Ed Kilgore (The New Republic - All Feed) Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:00:00 PM

As we all understand, Republicans are about to have a pretty good election in November. Much of the GOP excitement revolves around congressional races that could unseat “red-state” Democrats who won during the 2006 or 2008 cycles, along with a number of incumbents (some of whom have decided to retire) who have been around much longer. Ground zero for the Republican tsunami is, of course, the Deep South, where in some areas John McCain did better in 2008 than George W. Bush did in 2004, and where every available indicator shows the president to be very unpopular among white voters.

But beneath this storyline, some odd and counterintuitive things are going on. In three Deep South states, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina, Democrats have a decent chance of retaking long-lost governorships, in part because of infighting among Republican candidates, and in part because Republican rule in those states has not been terribly successful or popular. It’s far

too early to make predictions, but it’s possible that we're in for a repeat of the astounding gubernatorial Trifecta that Democrats pulled off in those same three states in 1998. That event confounded widespread assessments that the South had become a one-party GOP region, and it could happen again, in even more unlikely circumstances.

Our own appraisal begins in Georgia, with one of the surprise winners of 1998, former Governor Roy Barnes. Barnes lost his reelection bid in 2002 to Sonny Perdue, a party-switching state senator, despite the power of incumbency and a huge financial advantage. Since then, Barnes has regularly admitted his mistakes. And, amazingly enough, in the latest Georgia gubernatorial poll, he’s running ahead of every single Republican candidate.

Meanwhile, Georgia Republicans, who have dominated state politics since 2002, are having some serious problems with their own gubernatorial bench. The consistent frontrunner in the polls, longtime insurance commissioner John Oxendine, is awash in ethics allegations

about contributions from the insurance companies that he is responsible for regulating. His record is so blatantly bad that none other than Erick Erickson, the Georgia-based proprietor of the nationally influential, hardcore conservative web site Red State, has said he’d vote for Barnes if Oxendine is the GOP nominee.

Rather pathetically, the alternative to Oxendine and the favorite of some party insiders is Representative Nathan Deal of Georgia's Ninth District (like Perdue, a party-switcher), who recently said he would resign his congressional seat after a health care vote to concentrate on his gubernatorial campaign. As it happens, Deal’s resignation managed to short-circuit a House Ethics Committee investigation into a no-bid state auto-salvage contract that was awarded to a company which Deal controls. The insider buzz in Atlanta is that Deal was motivated to resign, in part, because of panic among Georgia Republican pooh-bahs who worried that Oxendine would walk away with the gubernatorial nomination on name id alone.

The rest of the Republican

gubernatorial hopefuls are struggling as well. The entire party, and several of the gubernatorial candidates, were tainted by association with disgraced former House Speaker Glenn Richardson, who was forced to resign after a lurid sexand-lobbying scandal. The one candidate who seems ethically starchy, Secretary of State Karen Handel, has struggled to raise the money necessary to win, and also suffers from the perception that she’s the unpopular Sonny Perdue’s chosen successor.

All these Republican problems could eventually fade, and Roy Barnes must also navigate a Democratic primary against Attorney General Thurbert Baker, a law-'n-order conservative who is one of the nation’s longest-serving African American statewide elected officials (as well as two other lesser but credible opponents).

Nevertheless at present, Barnes—or Baker, if he could somehow upset Barnes—looks entirely viable for November.

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Modern Warfare 2’s No Russian level, now in machinima form Nicholas Deleon (CrunchGear) Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:40:48 AM

Is it too early in the morning for senseless violence? If you’re American, it’s never too early for violence, senseless or otherwise! Anyhow, some dude, presumably named Michael Barnes, put together a legitimately good machinima of No Russian, that stupid level from Modern Warfare 2 I can’t embed it, so you’ll have to actually go to YouTube to see it.

Ah, this brings back memories of last fall, when everyone was freaking out over the level. I eventually concluded that it was barbaric and plain ol’ not fun, but feel free to disagree. Fair warning: the video is quite violent, as you might expect.

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Senate to Take up Unemployment Insurance Extension (Newsmax - Politics)

elements of last year's $862 billion economic stimulus bill, which is earning mixed reviews L e g i s l a t i o n e x t e n d i n g from voters. Simply extending unemployment insurance for the those provisions has produced a long-term jobless faces a key far more expensive measure test vote in the Senate, its than a separate so-called jobs momentum helped by about 60 bill that Democrats hope to soon p o p u l a r t a x b r e a k s f o r send to President Barack individuals and businesses that Obama. That measure would expired at the end of last year. boost highway spending and The measure also prevents give tax breaks to companies d o c t o r s f r o m a b s o r b i n g a that hire the unemployed and crippling cut in Medicare could clear the Senate for p a y m e n t s , e x t e n d s h e a l t h Obama's desk this week. insurance subsidies for the At a gross cost of about $148 unemployed and gives cash- billion, Tuesday's measure s t a r v e d s t a t e s h e l p w i t h illustrates the extraordinary cost Medicaid, the federal-state of the unemployment safety net program providing health care as the economy inches out of the to the poor and disabled. recession. Democrats say the The unemployment insurance unemployment benefits inject alone — to provide weekly demand into the economy and u n e m p l o y m e n t c h e c k s say renewing the tax cuts helps averaging above $300 to people preserve existing jobs. whose core 26-week benefit The measure closes $29 billion package has run out — will cost of tax loopholes to help defray $66 billion through December. its cost, including one enjoyed In some states people are by paper companies that get a eligible to receive benefits for credit from burning "black up to 99 weeks. liquor," a pulp-making The bill, and the test vote byproduct, as if it were an T u e s d a y , d e m o n s t r a t e t h e alternative fuel. difficulty Democrats face as All told, the measure would add they focus on jobs. It doesn't $107 billion to the deficit over include new ideas for boosting the coming decade. Democrats j o b s , b u t i n s t e a d r e p r i s e s have labeled most of the bill an Submitted at 3/8/2010 11:19:42 PM

emergency measure, exempting it from stricter budget rules enacted just last month.

Democrats need to muster at least one Republican vote Tuesday to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to limit debate and guarantee an up-or-down vote. But Sen. Susan Collins, RMaine, provided crucial help last week to keep the measure out of another procedural tangle, and Democrats sound confident they will prevail.

The bill includes about 60 popular tax breaks for individuals and businesses that expired at the end of 2009. The bill would extend the tax breaks through 2010, at a cost of about $26 billion.

Congress routinely extends the tax breaks each year with large bipartisan majorities. Businesses and tax planners would prefer a more permanent solution, but lawmakers can't agree on how to pay for a longer extension.

The tax breaks include a property tax deduction for people who don't itemize, lucrative credits that help businesses finance research and development and a sales tax deduction that mainly helps people in the nine states without income taxes: Alaska, Florida,

Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Texas, Tennessee, Washington and Wyoming.

There is a deduction for college tuition for couples making less than $160,000 a year, and one for teachers who use their own money to buy school supplies.

There is a tax credit for community development agencies that invest in lowincome neighborhoods, as well as a tax break for restaurant owners and retailers who remodel their stores.

The expiration of one tax break, a $1 per gallon credit for the production of biodiesel, has already caused "a pretty substantial blow to the industry," said Michael Frohlich, a spokesman for the National Biodiesel Board. The credit would cost $1 billion to extend for the rest of the year. © Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Google Gets Into Bed With TV Danny Gallagher (TV Squad) Submitted at 3/9/2010 9:00:00 AM

Google is quite the active gal.

She's hooked up with email, telephones, document processing, web browsers and even computer operating systems. Now she's about to hook up with your TV. The company is testing a new TV searching service with Dish Network that allows TV viewers to not only search for their favorite shows, but also for info on the web and videos on YouTube.

Between this, TiVo, Netflix and Playstation, is there any reason anyone should ever have to leave the comfort of their couch? Not until Google develops a service with AdultFriendFinder, and trust me, they are working on it.

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ACTING continued from page 45

at no time bitten by a radioactive insect or abducted by aliens—to clear a quarterbillion dollars is a genuine accomplishment, and one that clearly depended on Bullock’s big-screen charisma. That alone may merit a Best Actress nomination. But, as with Bridges, a win? Really?

Yes, really (and unfortunately).

And here, I think, is why. If you look at the two sets of lead performance nominees, a number of similarities appear. In both cases, two of the nominees were former Oscar winners (Streep and Mirren, Clooney and Freeman), and therefore subject to the Academy’s iron law of They’ve Already Got Theirs—which does not make it impossible to win, but establishes a substantial handicap. (King of Hollywood Clooney would have been a heavy favorite if he didn’t already have a statue for

Syriana; Streep would have been a Waltz-level lock—and rightly so!—had she not won two of her own. Who cares that the most recent was 27 years and over a dozen nominations ago?)

Moving through the actress nominees, we have two intriguing young performers (Gabourey Sidibe, Carey Mulligan), both nominated for the first time and both, one hopes, with their best work yet to come. Similarly, among the actors we have two relatively unknown (at least to a mass audience) first-time nominees (Colin Firth, Jeremy Renner), not quite so young but still on the lucky side of 50, and both more than capable—in particular Firth, who should have won this year—of garnering future nominations.

That’s four down in each camp: two already-rewarded vets, two relative newcomers.

Who’s left? Well-known, wellliked Jeff Bridges, who, at 60, probably isn’t going to get another bite at the apple; and well-known, well-liked Sandra Bullock who, at 45 (yes, it stinks to be a woman in Hollywood), is an even longer shot to return, barring a profound reinvention as a character actress. In the business world, they might be given gold watches. In Hollywood, they receive golden men.

Christopher Orr is a senior editor of The New Republic.

For more TNR, become a fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Pa. Dems Pick Critz As Nominee to Fill Murtha Seat (Newsmax - Politics)

aide of Murtha's and had been endorsed by the late congressman's widow.

Pennsylvania Democrats have Former state treasurer and chosen former congressional auditor general Barbara Hafer aide Mark Critz as the nominee received 22 votes. Cambria for a special election to fill the County controller Ed Cernic U.S. House seat once held by took 14. late Rep. John Murtha.

Murtha died last month at age Party officials cite Critz's 77. w e e k e n d v i c t o r y i n a The special election is May 18. nonbinding straw poll by local © C o p y r i g h t 2 0 1 0 T h e party members. Chairman T.J. Associated Press. All rights R o o n e y c a l l s C r i t z " a reserved. This material may not phenomenal candidate" and says b e p u b l i s h e d , b r o a d c a s t , the party looks forward to a rewritten or redistributed. "spirited and exciting" race.

Five Filters featured article: Critz is from Johnstown, Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: Murtha's hometown. He won 46 PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, of the 83 votes cast at a meeting Term Extraction.

Saturday in Delmont, near Pittsburgh. He was a longtime Submitted at 3/8/2010 11:42:29 PM

Average gas prices--March 8, 2010 Consumer Reports Shopping Blog (Consumer Reports)

Diesel fuel is $.86 above this time last year. National regular gasoline prices Price Change Submitted at 3/8/2010 1:29:17 PM from last week Regular Average gas prices--March 8, gasoline/gallon$2.75.05 Diesel 2010 fuel/gallon$2.90.04 Regional Gasoline prices continue to regular gasoline prices East climb higher compared to the C o a s t $ 2 . 7 4 . 0 4 — N e w week before. The national E n g l a n d $ 2 . 7 5 . 0 4 — C e n t r a l gasoline average is $.81 above A t l a n t i c $ 2 . 7 5 . 0 4 — L o w e r the price this time last year. A t l a n t i c $ 2 . 7 3 . 0 4

Midwest$2.70.06 Gulf Coast$2.65.05 Rocky Mountain$2.69.05 West Coast$2.98.05—California$3.05 .05 Source: Energy Information Administration, 3/8/10. Figures rounded to the nearest cent.

For more information on saving fuel see our reports on how to get the best gas mileage and

51

where to find the cheapest gas.

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Consumers can't wait any longer for health reform rss@consumerreports.org (Consumer Reports)

illness, or stop paying your claims and leave you with devastating medical bills.

• All your recommended preventive care would be completely covered without any deductibles – colonoscopies, mammograms, etc.

• If you buy on your own, you would get the same choice of coverage that members of Congress get.

• If you have decent coverage now through your job, you keep it. But if your employer drops your health insurance, or makes you pay more than 8 percent of your income on your premium, you could get help to buy your own policy in an insurance “shopping mall,” or “exchange.”

• If you hit a rough financial patch–a layoff or dramatic drop in your income–you could get help to buy your own policy through tax credits. The less money you have coming in, the cheaper the policy.

• Kids could stay on their parents' policies until they turned 26.

• Small businesses would get tax credits for up to 50 percent of their cost of providing coverage to their workers.

Submitted at 3/8/2010 3:07:41 PM

Consumers can't wait any longer for health reform More than 70 years ago, Consumers Union, the independent nonprofit organization that publishes Consumer Reports, called for affordable, reliable health care for all Americans.

Today–after decades of failed proposals, broken promises, and political rancor–our nation is the closest it has ever been to answering that call.

Reform proposals have passed both chambers of Congress by a majority vote; now they effectively await final passage.

Reform will make sure you can get reliable, affordable health coverage if you’re sick, lose your job, or hit a rough financial patch. It will provide muchneeded oversight of the insurance industry, spur competition, and change the way insurance companies do business. It won’t add to our deficit and will help cut wasteful spending in the health-care industry.

A lot of people, especially those who already have good insurance, are unsure how the agreed-upon proposals in Congress would benefit them.

The package of reform proposals isn't perfect and it won't solve all the problems in

our nation's broken health-care system. But the reforms under consideration would go a long way toward achieving the goal of affordable, reliable health care for all Americans. So let

me identify the key benefits consumers would get from health-reform legislation passed to date: • No company could deny you

health insurance for a preexisting condition, or drop your coverage if you get sick.

• Insurance companies wouldn’t be able to cap the amount of care you may need for a serious

Seniors in Medicare will get all their preventive care covered at 100 percent; proposals would cover more prescription drug costs by shrinking the infamous CONSUMERS page 53

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Daily Dispatch: Google animates public data; Survey calls Web access a fundamental right Paul Reynolds (Consumer Reports) Submitted at 3/8/2010 1:40:42 PM

Daily Dispatch: Google animates public data; Survey calls Web access a fundamental right Combing through hundreds of blog posts and news articles daily, Dirk Klingner, our technology-trend watcher, sifts through the noise to bring you the tech news most important to consumers. If you have a tip on a story you want to share, leave a comment below.

Four in five believe Web access a fundamental right( Reuters) Respondents in the United States were above the average in believing the Internet was a source for greater freedom and they were also more confident than most in expressing their opinions online...Of the 27,000 surveyed, more than half agreed that the "Internet should never be regulated by any level of

government anywhere."

Best Buy turning hundreds of stores into 3D TV meccas this month( ZDnet) Two hundred and fifty Best Buys will get things started with demos of the Panasonic TCP50VT20 plasma 3D HDTV and DMP-BD350 3D Blu-ray player, which will show a disc of 3D content Panasonic has pulled together. By March 21 there will be over 900 locations that will display Samsung 3D sets and Blu-ray players.

Google Stats Get Animated with Public Data Explorer( PCMag) Google on Monday launched a new Labs feature that will let average users turn complex data sets into intuitive, animated charts...Google Public Data Explorer is an experimental feature that will allow people to explore various data sets – from unemployment in the U.S. to education statistics in California.

Submitted at 3/8/2010 11:50:47 AM

• About Flickr Flickr is a revolution in photo storage, sharing and

CONSUMERS continued from page 52

‘‘doughnut hole’’ and shore up the financial stability of the program.

It’s also vital that we get control of spiraling health costs.

Over the past 10 years, most families’ health insurance bills have more than doubled –and if nothing is done to rein in costs, your premiums will double again in another 10 years. To address this there are a host of new efforts designed to improve health-care quality, improve care coordination, and provide incentives for hospitals to reduce health-care-associated infections. There are new incentives for hospitals and doctors to come together to form organizations that can offer "soup to nuts" integrated care.

In time, these efforts to improve health-care quality should also lower the underlying cost of health care.

We have to make sure that we can control what we pay, how we pay it, and what we get for it. Reform would hold insurance companies accountable when it comes to what they charge consumers for coverage, and how they do business:

• Insurers would have to spend 85 percent of your premium organization, making photo Five Filters featured article: dollar on your health care (80 management an easy, natural Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: percent if you buy your policy and collaborative process. Get PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, on your own or are in a small group) or they would have to comments, notes, and tags on Term Extraction. refund you the difference. That your photos, post to any blog, means more of what you pay share and more!

Women of the Commons Heather Champ (Flickr Blog)

MIT Researchers Discover New Electricity Production Method( Daily Tech) >Now, a team of researchers at MIT have announced that they have made a new breakthrough for producing electricity with carbon nanotubes. The discovery may one day lead to a myriad of new devices such as sensors the size of dust that can be dispersed in air to monitor the environment or the tech might lead to implantable devices that produce their own power. The researchers discovered a phenomenon that was previously unknown that produces powerful waved of energy that shoots though carbon nanotubes, producing electricity. Subscribe now!

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would actually go for medical care, not to CEO salaries and overhead.

• Insurance companies would have to describe their policies in plain language, clearly listing what they charge, and what they’ll cover, so you can easily comparison shop on the Internet.

• And they would have to be upfront about how they’ll treat you if there’s a dispute, including clearly explaining your rights.

These and other numerous benefits are needed if Americans are to finally have some peace of mind about their health care. After a year of open and public debate, and numerous hearings, bills, and votes, the time to give Americans better, fairer, and more affordable health care is now.

Consumers simply can’t wait another 70 years.

--Jim Guest, president, Consumers Union Subscribe now!

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Consumer Reports on Fox News discussing Toyota black boxes Consumer Reports Shopping Blog (Consumer Reports) Submitted at 3/8/2010 12:53:48 PM

Consumer Reports on Fox News discussing Toyota black boxes Event data recorders, also known as black boxes, are installed in most new passenger vehicles to record crash data before, during, and immediately after an accident. They record information such as vehicle speed, throttle position, air bag deployment, whether brakes were applied, and if the driver was wearing a safety belt. This data can help police and accident investigators reconstruct what happened in a crash.

Toyota has black boxes in its

companies use formats that can be more easily read by a tool manufactured by a third-party supplier.

To help explain black boxes and the role in the ongoing Toyota safety investigations, Consumer Reports Managing Editor, Autos, Jon Linkov modern vehicles, though the recently spoke on Fox News. ( carmaker has historically made View the Fox News video.) access to crash data captured by Learn more about Consumer the devices difficult to obtain. In Union's position on event data fact, during testimony at the recorders. Subscribe now! recent Congressional hearings, S u b s c r i b e t o the company admitted it had ConsumerReports.org for expert only one laptop in America Ratings, buying advice and capable of reading the data. reliability on hundreds of Toyota officials then said they products. Update your feed would facilitate wider access to preferences allow authorities to wade through data. Other car

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Get Oscar Red CarpetInspired Fashions For Less (ETonline - Breaking News) Submitted at 3/9/2010 3:04:00 AM

The 82nd Academy Awards wrapped up the awards season Sunday night and fashion-wise the one word that best describes the night's looks is: "Wow!" From Sandra Bullock to Jennifer Lopez and Penelope Cruz, the Oscar ladies definitely were the most glamorous in years.

"The long gowns were fantastic -- the metallic and the shine," Allen B. Schwartz, the design director for ABS, tells ET. "It

was incredibly great gowns, elegance and a real throwback to '40s glamour. I think we always hope for '40s Hollywood glamour, but last night you got it."

Allen's best picks of the night include Sandra, Jennifer, Penelope, Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz. And the trends he saw included the oneshoulder asymmetrical look, the color red, and metallics and shine with a little bit of bling in a glamorous way.

FourWhere Mashes Up Foursquare and Google Maps Frederic Lardinois (ReadWriteWeb)

venues around your current location or a location you plan to visit. The site was developed Submitted at 3/9/2010 3:30:00 AM by social media analytics Sooner or later, every popular service Sysomos. web service with an API spawns Sponsor a G o o g l e M a p s m a s h u p . The FourWhere service itself is FourWhere, which launches pretty basic. You simply browse today, combines data from the the Google Maps interface and a increasingly popular location- right-click anywhere on the map based social network Foursquare will bring up a menu that allows with a Google Maps-based you to either see nearby venues interface. Thanks to this, you on the map or user comments can now easily find Foursquare about these nearby venues. In

the future, Sysomos also plans to add additional services based on the company's extensive database of social media sources. First Step Towards Integrating LBS Analytics Into Sysomos' Main Services As Sysomos co-founder Nilesh Bansal told us, the company plans to bring location-based

sources - including Foursquare to Heartbeat and MAP, Sysomos' professional social media and analytics and media monitoring applications. For Sysomos, launching a free service is just a first stop towards learning more about this space.

As services like Foursquare, Gowalla and others continue to gain momentum and slowly inch towards the mainstream, social media monitoring services like

Sysomos or Radian6 need to give their customers to monitor these communities. If these services go mainstream, a bad comment on Foursquare about a restaurant could easily have the same effect as a negative Twitter message or Yelp review.

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Digital Activism: An Interview with Mary Joyce Richard MacManus (ReadWriteWeb)

Today's digital activist is in an untenable position: caught between the 100-ton rock of preSubmitted at 3/8/2010 7:30:00 PM digital strategy and the thousand Digital activism is defined by slippery pebbles of highlythe newly launched Meta- contextual tactical knowledge Activism Project as "the practice that focuses on a seemingly of using digital technology for endless stream of new social political and social change." media applications. We want to One of the leaders in the field of build a new body of activism digital activism is Mary Joyce, strategy that recognizes the the founder and executive r a d i c a l l y different director of the Meta-Activism communications infrastructure Project. Joyce is among the of the digitally networked m o s t k n o w l e d g e a b l e a n d world. experienced digital activists in I am really excited to announce the world. She also founded the official launch of the MetaDigiActive.org in 2007, a A c t i v i s m P r o j e c t o n volunteer organization for ReadWriteWeb! The site grassroots activists. In 2008, she http://meta-activism.org- went was New Media Operations live at the end of last week and, Manager for Barack Obama's though it is pretty bare now, presidential campaign. we'd like it to be a central As a lead-up to the upcoming location for people interested in event in New York City with building a body of knowledge Chinese digital activist Ai a b o u t t h e f u n d a m e n t a l Weiwei, Twitter co-founder mechanics of digital activism.

Jack Dorsey and yours truly, I RWW: We've heard a lot about interviewed Mary Joyce about Twitter being used in Iran last the strategies and success stories y e a r , a n d t h e s u b s e q u e n t of digital activism. blocking of social media Sponsor services like Twitter and RWW: You recently moved on Facebook in China. What other from DigiActive in order to countries have social media create a new organization for tools had a big impact in, for digital activism. Can you tell us digital activism? more about what that will be?

MJ: Judging impact is quite MJ: The new organization is tricky in the field of digital c a l l e d t h e M e t a - A c t i v i s m activism, as few cases of digital Project (MAP) and its goal is to activism are actual successes. build the field of digital activism Usually we judge the success of by catalyzing a body of strategic a n a c t i v i s m c a m p a i g n b y knowledge unique to the field. whether the activists achieved

activism success and not be satisfied with half-measures.

RWW: Facebook and Twitter are the two most high profile social media tools being used for digital activism. Are there any other Internet tools that have had success, that perhaps people aren't as aware of?

MJ: I could tell you, but that tool would probably become outdated in a few months, or their campaign goal. However, would prove useless out of its in almost all of the famous cases original context. That's the of digital activism "success" - p r o b l e m w i t h t a c t i c a l the post-election mobilizations k n o w l e d g e : t o o l s c h a n g e , in Iran and Moldova in 2009 or contexts change, and activists the 2008 general strike in Egypt are forever playing catch-up.

- while activists did successfully Probably the greatest factor mobilize using social media, which determines the utility of they did not achieve their an application to activists is campaign goal, be it to overturn scale and "use neutrality." Scale an allegedly fraudulent election means that the tool needs to result or the wide range of social reach a certain critical mass of and political reforms demanded users before you will have the by the strike organizers. network effects that will either Mary doing digital activism make it likely that activists will training at Video Camp Goa become aware of it (in the case The measuring of impact thus of something like Tor or proxy becomes extremely subjective. servers) or, in the case of social Digital activism proponents platforms, that enough people want to count mobilization as will be on the platform to success even when the goal is c o n s t i t u t e a m e a n i n g f u l not achieved, while skeptics and a u d i e n c e f o r a n a c t i v i s t pessimists point out that, by message. "Use neutrality" traditional measures, most means that it can be easily co digital activism campaigns are opted, that its architecture can failures. Though I am certainly facilitate a wide variety of a proponent of digital activism, I interactions and does not dictate would actually side with the the content of hosted files. skeptics here. In order to really YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, push the field forward, we need and Blogger are use neutral, to set high standards for digital LastFM and Bloglines are not.

Mary at the Women's Leadership and Technology Conference, Sharjah, UAE RWW: Over the past year or so, can you describe a couple of success stories for digital activism using web tools.

MJ: Ha! More about measuring success. With the lack of true success, it is no wonder that people are so eager for these stories. I think the traditionallydefined successes in this field (i.e. when the campaign goal is achieved) are much smaller and less dramatic - NGO meets fundraising goal through online donations (multiple cases), bloggers get a corporation to withdraw an offensive advertisement (e.g. Motrin), a social network lifts a questionable national block (e.g.

LinkedIn in Syria).

In the high-stakes activism campaigns that intend to make dramatic changes at the national and international level, I would say that we have cases of successful mobilization - Iran, Moldova, Egypt - without successful campaigns.

RWW: In terms of China, a lot has been written about the censorship there - both the Great Firewall that blocks certain sites and domains, and the selfcensorship that many companies have to do in order to survive.

Currently Google is trying to challenge censorship, but we're DIGITAL page 57

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CheapTweet Wades Through the Sea Chris Pirillo Debuts Eof Tweet Deals Book: 140 Twitter Tips Mike Melanson (ReadWriteWeb)

We've not only heard a number of rumors and anonymous tips on what the Twitter ad platform Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:20:00 AM will look like, but other Whether a website sells off companies like 140 Proof have your email address or forces you includes upgrades to its search begun to enter the market, to install some pop-up plagued engine, the voting mechanism, a bringing tweet-like ads to third toolbar just to get 10% off your redesign and and new feature, party clients. This doesn't even next online purchase, searching the "DealStream". account for the vast number of for online coupons can involve CheapTweet allows its users to s m a l l b u s i n e s s e s t a k i n g treading in dangerous waters. search for deals by category and advantage of the service to pass Enter CheapTweet, which uses keyword and will customize the o u t W e b - o n l y d e a l s a n d b o t h a l g o r i t h m s a n d stream of tweets according to c o u p o n s . crowdsourcing to verify its t h e i r v o t e s a n d T w i t t e r With all of these ads, content, and suddenly looking conversations. They can also up CheapTweet will help weed out for the best deals online isn't and down vote tweets, like the bad apples. Its users down they've become accustomed to vote nefarious tweets, the quite so scary.

The self-described "Twitter- on sites like Reddit, Digg or algorithm cuts out spam using a based social deals search engine G o o g l e M o d e r a t o r . T h e f o r m o f n a t u r a l l a n g u a g e site" does precisely that - it finds "DealStream", which contains a processing and the multiple tweets about deals and coupons user's customized results, can tweets about the same deal are t h r o u g h a c u s t o m s e a r c h also be read as an RSS feed. combined to cut down on the algorithm and then allows its As CEO Hayes Davis points noise. users to upvote or downvote the o u t i n a p r e s s r e l e a s e , We think that a service like CheapTweet is poised to help CheapTweet has found a perfect deals on its site. distinguish the good from the niche and its the ideal service to Sponsor Tweeting deals, if your b a d a s m o r e a n d m o r e recommend to your less wondering, can be big business. companies prepare to monetize technically-savvy relatives, as In 2009, Dell made more than through Twitter. well as those just looking for a $6.5 million through Twitter "Online channels will only deal. Like we said, searching for deals and CheapTweet probably become more cluttered, as social online deals can put you in some sent a few of those customers networks start to monetize with dangerous waters and this t h e i r d i r e c t i o n . T h e a d ads," said Davis. "CheapTweet's service helps clear out some of a g g r e g a t o r i s a c t u a l l y service makes it easier for the flotsam and jetsam. Discuss celebrating its 5 millionth shoppers to sort through the indexed deal with a roll-out of a clutter online and shop more refurbished website, which effectively."

Jolie O'Dell (ReadWriteWeb) Submitted at 3/8/2010 6:09:10 PM

One of our favorite geeks has just released an e-book on best practices for Twitter use.

Chris Pirillo's 140 Twitter Tips, a 14-page PDF, is a concise compendium of useful guidelines and helpful hints for every kind of Twitter user, from doing-it-wrong noobs to social media addicts. From the best time of day to get retweets to how to process public criticism, the e-book also covers a broad range of common issues users experience.

Sponsor Some of the tips might seem like common sense - until you realize you might not be adhering very well to them, yourself. Most of us are occasionally guilty of using too

much jargon and oversharing (or undersharing, in the case of some more professionally oriented accounts).

The e-book costs only $1.40, or you can hold out for the $14 deluxe version, which will contain more than 140 adorable illustrations from Kristin Marshall.

Click here to purchase 140 Twitter Tips from GnomeTomes, the new publishing arm of Pirillo's social media empire/blog network Lockergnome. Other GnomeTomes include guides for YouTube and Windows 7.

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SuperbarMonitor Puts System Monitoring Right on Your Windows Superbar [Downloads] Jason Fitzpatrick (Lifehacker)

Evan Lysacek Goes for the Gold in 'Dancing with the Stars' (ETonline - Breaking News) Submitted at 3/9/2010 3:03:00 AM

Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:30:00 AM

Windows 7: If you like visual indicators for things like disk capacity, battery life, memory usage, and speaker volume, and you like them prominent and easy to find, SuperbarMonitor puts easy to read indicators right on your Superbar.

If you've played around with system monitoring apps before and found them too technical or too overwhelmingly packed with widgets and data, you'll find a lot to like about Superbar Monitor. The indicators sit on your Superbar like program icons and give a broad overview like whether or not your CPU is pegging or you're chewing up a lot of RAM. Each Superbar Monitor segment is an individual program so you only need to grab the modules you want.

Don't want the battery meter because you're on a desktop?

Don't even bother downloading it. The available monitoring

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modules are: battery, volume, disk space—you can run multiple monitors for multiple disks, just copy the disk monitor executable—CPU, and memory.

You can tweak the settings on each module to display an overlay icon—seen in the screenshot above with icons for disk, CPU, and memory usage as well as volume—a percentage, or no overlay icon at all. Each module has function

specific tweaks too like what percentage is "critical" on the meters measuring system resources.

Note: If you want to take advantage of the more detailed mouse-over view—as seen above—don't minimize the Superbar applications, although you can leave them open behind the applications you're currently using. Windows 7 doesn't show the preview for minimized

Chinese Internet?

MJ: I am not an expert on China, but it seems like the best strategy for defeating the Great Firewall is to make it obsolete: create so many ways of getting

around it that it no longer successfully censors Chinese Internet users. This means both creating new circumvention tools - more Psiphons, proxies, Tors, FreeGates - and finding

World Figure Skating Champion and Olympic gold medal winner Evan Lysacek is hard at work rehearsing with pro -partner Anna Trebunskaya for his "Dancing with the Stars" debut, and he tells ET, "I'm a big fan of the show, so it felt like the perfect step for me to take coming off of such an intense year."

"I'm a very goal oriented person, and the Olympics has been my focus for the last four to eight years," explains Evan. "When it's over, there's obviously a applications.

The link below is a Google void, and I think I needed a Translate version of the German c h a l l e n g e a n d I n e e d e d site, you can read it in the something that was going to original German here. Superbar continue to give me that daily Monitor is freeware, Windows structure of training in my life." only. Have a handy system Evan and Anna's first dance is monitoring application you'd the Viennese Waltz, which he like to share? Let's hear about it says is very romantic and in the c o m m e n t s . smooth, "so I'm trying to SuperbarMonitor[via Download capture the essence of it."

Squad]

DIGITAL continued from page 55

not sure how successful even a hugely influential company like Google will be. So what, if anything, can ordinary people do in terms of digital activism to support the freeing up of the

new and innovative ways to get those tools to Chinese users.

RWW: Thanks Mary for this illuminating interview. We at ReadWriteWeb wish you the best with the newly launched

Meta-Activism Project! Discuss

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Weekly Poll: Is There A Place For Open-Source in the Data Center?

Alex Williams (ReadWriteWeb) Submitted at 3/8/2010 10:57:47 PM

This week's poll is inspired our friends at CloudAve. Krishnan Subramanian wrote a post today about open-sourcing data center design.

It's about time, isn't it?

Subramanian best point comes down to what is happening right now in the cloud computing world. The enthusiasm for cloud computing is such that there is no time to waste.

Sponsor Subramanian writes:"Compared to other fields of IT, the innovation on the data center front is relatively slow because the industry as a whole is slow to change. With cloud computing capturing the imagination of enterprises and public, It is important to

innovate rapidly on the data center side."

We know the role open-source is playing in cloud computing.

Just look at the role that Hadoop and Eucalyptus are playing in cloud computing.

But opening up the data center is a different story. It may be the

last frontier and the key for opening up the enterprise to open-source initiatives.

The Open Source Data Center Initiative seems like it sees that potential. The group is challenging the powers of the engineering world by collaborating and pooling

information that goes into designing and ultimately constructing data centers.

That's pretty interesting.

So, here's our question this week: Is There A Place For OpenSource in the Data Center? trends Last Week's Poll: What is the top threat to cloud computing?

Last week's poll had 244 people respond.

Top response: API's and a poor interface. API's are causing headaches for at least one of the leading cloud service providers.

We'll have more later about troublesome API's. In the meantime, what do you think? Is there a place for open-source in the data center? Discuss

Simon Cowell Answers Engagement Questions (ETonline - Breaking News) Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:48:00 AM

Simon Cowell addressed the rumors that he is engaged to girlfriend and makeup artist Mezhgan Hussainy after tabloids began to notice his lady friend wearing a giant rock on her ring finger.

When asked on "The Tonight Show" if the engagement rumors were true, the "American Idol" judge responded, "Are they true?

Well, I do have somebody in my life now, Jay, yes. And I kinda made a decision this year to make somebody happy."

Host Jay Leno began to razz a blushing Cowell about the huge ring his girlfriend was wearing, saying she'd have to carry her arm in a sling. Cowell reacted, "It's quite a big one, yes."

The antiPad: HP Slate tablet makes its video debut Tablet (BestTabletReview.com)

that can compete with Apple.

From the looks of these two videos, that’s exactly what HP Submitted at 3/9/2010 7:20:53 AM has in mind. That and touting HP will be the first real the Flash capabilities of the computer company to offer Slate tablet. competition to Apple’s iPad. HP is firmly planting itself on The HP Slate isn’t anything the pro-Flash side of the fight — particularly groundbreaking, but which is smart. One of the it does offer a marketing budget handful of blunders found in the

iPad is Apple’s lack of compromise when it comes to the internet’s most popular media programming language.

The HP Slate will represent the antiPad to most — a full OS, Flash support, the ability to load programs (not just apps) and no crippled storage or streaming constraints. And if HP can tap

into the iPad backlash properly, they could see the Slate launch itself as a viable contender for tablet computers.

We still think there are much better tablet offerings than the HP Slate — all the new Tegra 2 powered tablets and the Notion Ink Adam immediately come to mind — but there’s no doubt HP

could tap into the mainstream market easier than smaller companies with less marketing budgets.

Source: Engadget Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

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FourWhere Maps Out Foursquare Tips for Everybody [Mashups] Kevin Purdy (Lifehacker)

Cook En Papillote for Efficient, Healthy Meals [Cooking] Kevin Purdy (Lifehacker) Submitted at 3/9/2010 5:30:00 AM

Yesterday Lisa showed us a easy, full meal cooked on one baking sheet. Want another meal you can pull off with little fuss and hardly any cleanup?

Cooking "en papillote," or in wrapped packets, is healthy and fairly foolproof.

The method behind cooking en papillote is to put some or all of the components of a meal into a wrapped packet of some sort—pastry dough, banana or

bamboo leaves, aluminum foil, wax paper, or whatever you've got that's oven-safe. Moisturerich food will steam itself in healthy fashion, but end up infused with other ingredients you toss in.

Serious Eats has a slideshow that provides some good ideas for packet cooking with meats, vegetables, and making flavored garlic through the process.

Personally, I've turned to Mark Bittman (not a real surprise, long-time readers will know) and his Red Snapper and Other

Fillets in Packages recipe whenever I need to Iron Chef a dinner on the cheap, or use up leftover ingredients. I don't use overfished red snapper, though—I buy some real cheap catfish, and end up with a meal that includes potatoes, basil/tomato/garlic-infused fish, and impressed eaters.

We do, as always, welcome your own simple-but-delicious meal ideas in the comments.

How to Cook En Papillote[Serious Eats]

choose to see all nearby venues that Foursquare users have checked into, only places with Foursquare users have put a lot reviews/comments, or clear your of energy into leaving tips and map and start over in another raves about locations on the geo area. Mouse over a blip on the -aware social app, but that map, and the user and comment doesn't help if you're not a that created it are instantly member. FourWhere publicizes highlighted in the right-hand and organizes Foursquare's column. venues, "yelps" and tips/reviews If Foursquare users are going to for everybody's benefit. spend all that time on their FourWhere is really handy and s m a r t p h o n e s , g e t t i n g a l l a b r e e z e t o g e t s t a r t e d righteous about the absolute best with—with one small catch. cannoli in town, everybody Search for the city you're should benefit, right? Fourwhere exploring in the upper-right bar is free to use, no Foursquare and confirm the location. Then m e m b e r s h i p r e q u i r e d . you'll see, well, nothing. Right- FourWhere[via TechCrunch] click somewhere in the map that pop up, though, and you can Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:00:00 AM

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Dell Vostro 3000-series: You know, for small businesses and entrepreneurs John Biggs (CrunchGear)

Proud, Alex? Not pride.

Satisfaction. Satisfaction in knowing that 80% of DockersSo you’re hopping on a flight wearing businessman progeny and you sit next to a sexy will be spawned, it seems, from member of the opposite sex. the loins of Mother Dell herself.

You’ve got to get some work It’s Vostro’s world. We just live done so you whip out your nasty in it. laptop, a fat and ugly IT Dell Celebrates Entrepreneurial d e p a r t m e n t - s u p p l i e d Spirit with New Vostro Laptops monstrosity (probably from Dell Vostro 3000 Series Offers or HP). Your seatmate looks World-Class Security, Services over, idly contemplating your and Reliability to Help Small potential as a lifemate, and sees Businesses Succeed your junk laptop and starts Date : 3/9/2010 reading the Skymall catalog. Round Rock, Texas After all, laptop makers for Following the successful launch years have been saying that a of the ultrathin and light persons value as a genetic donor Vostro™ V13, Dell is offering is wrapped up in the look and business customers even more feel of their hardware. choice with the stylish Vostro That’s right: if you don’t buy 3000 series – a range of new something from the Dell Vostro thin, lightweight and durable 3000-series, you will die alone. laptop computers. Featuring These laptops come in two powerful processors, high-end sizes, 13- and 14-inch, and run graphics and built-in security, up to a Core i7 processor (in the the Vostro 3000 series is 3700). They start at $649 and designed for small businesses are available now on Dell’s that require robust mobile website. How great will your computing solutions. life be when you buy these Today’s SMBs and laptops? Dell SVP Alex Gruzen entrepreneurs want notebooks has the answer: that are powerful and attractive, “These entrepreneurs want and the new Vostro 3000 series technology that makes them was designed to meet and more productive and helps them exceed both those needs. For the compete, and the Vostro 3000 most demanding tasks, the delivers in a package they will Vostro 3000 series sports the be proud to show off in the latest powerful Intel® Core™ airport or the boardroom.” processor technology, including, Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:12:39 AM

the optional, Core i7 Quad Core processor available on the Vostro 3700. For those that demand portability and productivity, the Vostro 3300 is one of the industry’s thinnest commercial 13” laptop with an integrated optical drive. For those that can’t afford to be chained to their desks, the 14” Vostro 3400 offers a full day of mobile productivity with up to 8 hours of battery life with an optional 9-cell battery.

“To succeed, small businesses

said Ray Boggs, VP of SMB Research at IDC. “Small and mid-sized firms are returning to the PC market after a year in the recessionary wilderness, and they are ready for the kinds of capabilities, including Microsoft Windows 7, that will get them to the next level of productivity.”

“As the first PC brand designed exclusively for small businesses, over the last year, Dell has introduced several new Vostro laptops and desktops to serve their distinctive needs. Ranging from our recently announced, super dependable Vostro 230 or future-proof and powerful Vostro 430 desktops, or the ultra -thin Vostro V13 laptop, Vostro products are designed for small businesses helping them stretch their budget and protect their data, and come with dedicated small business services and need simple, reliable and s u p p o r t t o k e e p a s m a l l a f f o r d a b l e t e c h n o l o g y businesses moving,” added solutions,” said Alex Gruzen, Gruzen.

SVP, Consumer, Small and Worry-Free Business IT Medium Business, Dell, Inc. All of the Vostro 3000 laptops “These entrepreneurs want have embedded webcam and technology that makes them microphone for collaboration more productive and helps them through videoconferencing, compete, and the Vostro 3000 while the Vostro 3500 and 3700 delivers in a package they will o f f e r t h e o p t i o n o f h i g h be proud to show off in the definition WLED screens and airport or the boardroom.” the 3700 offers the option of up “Dell continues to sharpen its to 1GB of NVIDIA® GeForce® focus on SMB customers with the new Vostro 3000 series,” DELL page 63

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MIT Media Lab Extension: The New Home of Face-Melting Research [MIT Media Lab] Jack Loftus (Gizmodo) Submitted at 3/9/2010 10:00:00 AM

The world-renown MIT Media Lab is a place where every project is an amazing, unbelievable glimpse into humanity's technological future.

Now, thanks to a massive $90 million extension, the architecture can match the wondrous excitement created within.

In case you haven't had the opportunity to swing by this particular block in Cambridge, Massachusetts, here's what the old Media Lab looks like. It's still there. In fact, you can see the extension under construction, and marvel at the stark contrast in design.

Mensa Tetris The six-level, interconnected extension, the work of the famed, award-winning architectural firm Fumihiko Maki and Associates, is like an immense Tetris puzzle. Every piece represents a functional element that is tightly connected to others, giving anyone inside the feeling of being inside a finished puzzle. Maki, himself the winner of a Pritzker Prize, was on hand over the weekend to officially open the MIT Media Lab. (It's technically been in operation since December.)

Well, if the past is any indication, plenty. The place that saw the beginnings of Guitar Hero, e-ink displays, OLPC and Lego Mindstorms is still driving much of the stuff that gets the Gizmodo editors, at least, sweating profusely in their blogging sweatpants.

The Media Lab will help "plumb the depths of how technology can have a greater impact on industry, society and business," said Media Lab director Frank Moss.

To net denizens and geeks like you and me, that boils down to robotics, prosthetic limbs, AI and the obligatory Minority Report UI reference that any article mentioning 3D interfaces must include. Fluid Media As part of the opening, I was lucky enough to get a tour or some, but not all of the As he described it, each piece s o M a k i c a m e u p w i t h a see lab work happening within. departments at the Media Lab. like o f t h i s s i x - l e v e l b u i l d i n g loophole: bamboo. Inspired by Maki called this "filtered D e p a r t m e n t s connects to the next. Balcony translucent Japanese bamboo views," inspired by the work of Biomechatronics, Cognitive offices overlook open air labs screens, Maki covered the the pointillist artist George Machines, Fluid Interfaces, and work spaces. Colorful remaining exterior with a mix of Seurat(lots of dots!). MIT Molecular Machines, Personal stairways bisect the central glass and aluminum tubes. played a part too, having Robots, Smart Cities, Synthetic atrium, their red, blue and The result is at the same time provided Maki with an image of Neurobiology. It reads like yellow coloring inspired by Piet beautiful and energy efficient, the Visible Man to further drive Stephen Hawkings' shopping Mondrian's Composition with but also functional. We're home the point that this lab list.

In any event, Fluid Media was Yellow, Blue and Red. constantly reminded that this is space be open.

Color aside, the trait hitting o n e i n c r e d i b l y o p e n , But enough architecture? What one of the labs I got to tour first. visitors in the face before they c o l l a b o r a t i v e w o r k i n g kind of world-changing stuff If you know Arduino, you'd be even walk through the door is e n v i r o n m e n t . can we expect this multimillion at home here, alongside the glass. Cambridge building codes From the street, especially at dollar, 163,000-sq. ft. incubator MIT page 63 prevented a 100% glass exterior, night, passers-by can literally to pump out in the future?

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Sony reminds us of the high-cost of first generation 3D TV Matt Burns (CrunchGear)

necessary 3D accessories, which will compete against Panasonic and Samsung sets when they all 3D TVs are coming whether we eventually hit the market in the want them to or not. TV makers coming months. Nevermind that and content providers aren’t the US models might be slightly testing the water – they’re different. Let’s talk about the jumping head-first and pulling multiple steps needed to watch consumers in, too. But like high 3D content on your brand new definition a few years back, 3D TV. early adaptors will be forced to First you have to get a 3D TV. pay a high premium and suffer That much is obvious and you’ll through a format war of sort have a few options to choose before it really catches on. from. Sears is already taking pre Take a look at Sony’s just- -orders for Samsung models and announced 3D lineup: The Best Buy is kicking off 3D TV company announced eight 3D with Panasonic this morning. At BRAVIA TVs for the Japanese this point we really don’t know market along with a set of which brand or model is better, Submitted at 3/9/2010 7:30:27 AM

so let’s assume they are all nearly the same and go with the new Sony’s for the sake of moving forward.

So you have your new Sony 3D TV. Good for you. But you might have noticed that your brand new TV didn’t come with 3D glasses. Those cost extra— $140 in Japan. At least they will be available in gray, blue, and pink. But you’re still not done.

You’ll need to buy the $60 3D “synchro transmitter” that ensures the glasses stay synced with the TV. But you still can’t watch 3D content because there isn’t any right now. A few 3D Blu-ray

movies are scheduled to come out this summer, but you’ll need a special Blu-ray player to watch them. Sony just started sell a few, but they can’t output the 3D content until they receive firmware that’s supposed to be out in a couple of months.

It’s true that ESPN and Discovery announced that they both plan on launching a 3D TV station. ESPN will start broadcasting only special events like the World Cup this summer.

Discovery 3D should be on the air sometime in 2011. But it’s up to your cable or satellite provider to get you the station.

This is a hot mess, right? It gets

worse, pal.

Let’s say you jump in and spend the cash on a nice Sony 3D setup, complete with the Blu -ray player and pink glasses.

Those same 3D glasses will not work on your buddies Samsung 3D TV or with your NVIDIA 3D Vision computer setup.

You’re stuck watching the World Cup alone because each brand of 3D TV requires its own 3D glasses.

There is no denying that 3D is here to stay. It’s the only viable option manufacturers have to get consumers to upgrade from SONY page 63

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MIT

continued from page 60

discrete graphics to help ensure one of the best visual experiences. With the built-in HDMI port, users can even make high definition presentations to clients when required.

These new Vostro notebooks are also backed by a dedicated and specially trained smallbusiness sales and support team of experts, which is a key pain point for small businesses that typically have little or no IT support. Inclusion in Dell’s FastTrack program enables select configurations of the Vostro 3000 series to ship within 48 hours of ordering , further removing worry from buying a new laptop.

Durability is another feature more customers are demanding from their laptops. The Vostro 3000 series laptops sport durable hinges and are encased in aluminum for extra protection while away from the office.

Shipped with a 30-day return policy , the Vostro 3000 notebooks also feature a suite of customizable service and

continued from page 61

support solutions to keep business data protected and business moving at an affordable price.

Vostro 3000 Series: At a Glance Stay in Touch: With the integrated webcam and microphone , users can make Internet calls, conduct video conferences and remotely exchange files to help increase productivity.

Always Be Connected: Users can go wireless with a full range of connectivity options: 802.11g/n wireless LAN, Bluetooth, and WWAN mobile broadband.

Memory to Spare: Run Windows® 7 effortlessly while performing everyday tasks quickly with support for up to 6GB of DDR3 SDRAM memory.

Protect Your Work: Keep your critical data under lock and key with optional finger print reader and full-data-encrypted hard drives.

“Set & Forget” Online Data Protection: Easy, secure and

SONY continued from page 62

their just-purchased HDTV. But just as boring in 3D as it is is in it might be wise to sit on the 2D. sidelines for the first couple of rounds until the TV makers get some standards hammered out.

You just saw Avatar in 3D anyway and soccer is probably

automated Dell DataSafe online backup protects and helps recover business-critical data.

Coverage Now and Later: Users can extend their basic Limited Hardware Warranty from 1-3 years to stay covered into the future.

Remote On-Call Support: Small businesses can get help when they need it with DellConnect, which allows tech-support agents to troubleshoot and help resolve system issues remotely.

ProSupport to Simplify IT: Businesses can choose their own level of 24×7 IT support with optional Dell ProSupport™ services.

Available in the US and parts of Asia starting from today and available in Europe and Latin America and other geographies from March 16. Visit www.dell.com/vostro for additional information.

luminescent wallpaper, smart fabrics, "sewable computing" and inexpensive 3D fabricators that had me waxing nostalgic about Cory Doctorow's Makers.

Above: No, not coasters or doilies. Sewable computers. If you aren't wearing your mp3 player now, you will be soon.

Kindergarten Kids, Forever The sense of play felt throughout the Media Lab's open spaces owes itself to the students, of course, but it's certainly assisted by the design.

Moss called the atmosphere "serious fun," in a building where bright minds "design by serendipity." It's pretty spot on.

One lab leads into the other, encouraging social and professional interaction. Artists huddle with biomechanical engineers. Sometimes the union is short-lived, and sometimes it's Guitar Hero.

But it's serious fun: There's a mission here, one that's produced limbs for soldiers

maimed in war; helped children learn robotics with crazy new Lego software; and created a paint brush, simply called I/O, that captures the essence of whatever you point it at—visual, musical or otherwise.

Even so, the fun, relaxed environment is apparent in this lab that director Moss says will change our futures. He and others, like Lifelong Kindergarten Department grad student Karen Brennan, were genuinely having fun while working with these high concepts and brain-bending experiments. The future, wild as it will be, looks pretty fun.

Seriously.

Image credits: The Visible Man is a well-known see-through anatomy model from Craft House Corp. Composition in Yellow, Blue and Red from Wikipedia.

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There aren’t as many tablet PCs coming out as you might think Tablet (BestTabletReview.com) Submitted at 3/8/2010 11:57:07 AM

To say the tablet market has been flooded with new entries in the last months would make even Noah blush. It seems that the CES, MWC and CeBIT shows were primarily composed of tablet booths — each from a new manufacturer and all having different, if forgettable, names. That’s not necessarily the case though. Many times these “new” tablets represent older OEMs — or “original equipment manufacturers” — that have been rebranded and had slightly different software upgrades.

Today the new tablet story was about the Ezy Tablet PC. This tablet features a 10.2-inch 1024 x 600 resolution multitouch screen, an Intel Atom N270 processor and Windows 7 operating system. You may have heard of similar tablets with those configurations in the past.

Check that, you may have already heard of this tablet in the past.

You see, the Ezy Tablet is the same piece of tablet hardware as the Digitalrise X9, eviGroup Paddle, iiView Vpad, Cool Rui X9 and probably a few more that we may have missed. Now,

Shuttle's ION 2-equipped XS35 shows off its slimline nettop credentials in hands-on video there’s no conspiracy here or any type of underhanded dealings afoot — this is just how the industry works. One company makes an OEM and then sells the product as a wholesale unit. Many other companies buy the OEM and market it themselves by rebranding it, renaming it and offering different hardware and software configurations.

This can result in a lot of confusion for people and blogs that follow tablet PCs. Sometimes we don’t catch the similarities in product due to the sheer quantity of reporting. And that means we end up reporting about the same tablet multiple times just because of brand and name changes. As it stands, the

Ezy Tablet is nearly the same product as the Cool Rui X9 which was introduced in November of last year.

So if you are interested in the Ezy/Digitalrise/eviGroup/iiView /Cool Rui tablet, make sure you do some serious price and option comparisons before committing to the buy button.

And be on the lookout for other multi-branded OEMs. There’s plenty out there and the price differences between them are sometimes fairly significant.

Source (on Ezy Tablet): Chip Chick via Crunchgear Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Vladislav Savov (Engadget)

back, and have the perfect little movie box. It's passively cooled Submitted at 3/9/2010 8:53:00 AM so there'll be no fan noise, and In the market for a new HTPC? its price should be pretty Then you'll probably be wanting endearing considering the the slimmest possible enclosure aggressively priced competition that can still fit an optical drive from Zotac and Acer. See the and the grunt to power through XS35 in its metallic flesh after HD video. Set aside some of the break. your attention for Shuttle's [Thanks, JC] XS35, in that case, as this 3.3cm Continue reading Shuttle's ION -thick slab of engineering 2-equipped XS35 shows off its contains an Atom D510 (yawn) slimline nettop credentials in paired with NVIDIA Ion 2 hands-on video graphics (yay!), which should in Shuttle's ION 2-equipped XS35 concert deliver buttery smooth shows off its slimline nettop 1 0 8 0 p p l a y b a c k , w h e t h e r credentials in hands-on video through Flash or Blu-ray discs. originally appeared on Engadget The integrated optical drive on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:53:00 can't run those fancy discs from EST. Please see our terms for what we know, but you could use of feeds. Permalink Gadget easily swap it out with a Reviews| NewGadgets.de| Email slimline BR burner, jack your this| Comments favorite HDMI cable into the

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'Two and a Half Men' - 'I Found Your Moustache' Recap

Ubuntu hits HTC's Touch Pro2, is any Windows Mobile handset safe? (video) Tim Stevens (Engadget)

it to your phone, then run an exe within. A few moments later you'll be in open source heaven, If there's one thing we're pretty and, from what we can tell sure Windows Phone 7 Series looking at the video below, it will be worse at than its works remarkably well. Now, if Windows Mobile precursor it's you'll excuse us, we have to hit in the running of various and up eBay to find a used handset sundry other operating systems. and get hacking.

We've seen Android running on Continue reading Ubuntu hits s e e m i n g l y e v e r y W i n M o HTC's Touch Pro2, is any handset ever created and more Windows Mobile handset safe? recently Ubuntu has been (video) receiving the mobile treatment. Ubuntu hits HTC's Touch Pro2, Last month it was on an Xperia is any Windows Mobile handset X1, now an HTC Touch Pro2 is s a f e ? ( v i d e o ) o r i g i n a l l y getting a taste. A modder who appeared on Engadget on Tue, goes by the handle sebbo90 is 09 Mar 2010 09:43:00 EST. the one responsible for this, Please see our terms for use of running basically the same f e e d s .

Permalink technique as used earlier on the pocketnow.com| xda-developers| X1. It looks quite easy: just Email this| Comments download a 200MB zip, extract Submitted at 3/9/2010 9:43:00 AM

Allison Waldman (TV Squad) Submitted at 3/9/2010 10:15:00 AM

(S07E17) Oh my my... have we seen the future of'Two and a Half Men' and it's Alan and Charlie sitting on a couch vegetating, bickering and grateful to have each other to Tim Stevens (Engadget) in this whole situation. Are they clean up their dribble? Maybe. the ones who went too far, or And if you think Charlie's Submitted at 3/9/2010 9:17:00 AM was it their managers who gotten over Chelsea, think We're still waiting for all the ordered them to do it and are again. Evelyn might want to l e g a l f a l l o u t f r o m t h e now throwing their dutiful hang on to the banquet hall at Pennsylvania's Lower Merion peons to the fire? We may never the Beverly Hills Hotel. More School District webcam spying know the truth, but at least we on that and the dancing Japanese case, but more news is slowly can now frolic naked in front of Kabuki transsexuals after the trickling out about the whole our MacBooks without fearing jump. thing, including the technology that dreaded green light.

Continue reading'Two and a that the school used: a remote Spying school district update: Half Men' - 'I Found Your administration suite called remote webcam functionality Moustache' Recap LANrev. An update to the disabled, two IT monkeys Filed under: Other Comedy software, releasing this week, suspended originally appeared Shows, OpEd, Celebrities, will disable the option for on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar Episode Reviews, Reality-Free admins (or pervy IT workers) to 2010 09:17:00 EST. Please see Permalink| Email this| | remotely switch on a computer's our terms for use of feeds. C o m m e n t s webcam, hopefully preventing a Permalink| The Unofficial replay of this situation. Beyond A p p l e W e b l o g , T h e that, two unnamed (and possibly Philadelphia Inquirer| Email pervy) IT workers have been this| Comments suspended for their involvement

Spying school district update: remote webcam functionality disabled, two IT monkeys suspended

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Jason Mesnick is No Longer a 'Bachelor' After Marrying Molly Malaney (ETonline - Breaking News) Submitted at 3/9/2010 3:05:00 AM

"The Bachelor" has been busy playing matchmaker. On last week's season finale, Jake Pavelka and Vienna Girardi got engaged. On a special episode this week, Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney exchanged vows after falling in love on last year's controversial edition. The guest list included many familiar faces, including happy couples from "Bachelor" and "Bachelorette" history.

Jason and Molly cordially invited viewers to their wedding at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA on February 27. Molly said the "wedding is a really big thank you to the people who have stood by us the last year; a celebration of the fact that Jason and I love each other and we’re going strong."

Once the cameras stopped documenting their daily life, h o m e a n d a w a y r a d i o draft!

Molly and Jason continued broadcasts, fantasy info, and the NFL Mobile comes to Verizon dating long distance for 10 usual nasty ringtones and with livestreaming RedZone months. Jason was in Seattle to graphics. That's a ton of content, channel originally appeared on be with his son Ty, while Molly and it certainly makes Sprint's Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 stayed in Wisconsin. The NFL package seem a little light 10:09:00 EST. Please see our geographical distance was hard in comparison -- we'll have to t e r m s f o r u s e o f f e e d s . to cope with, so Molly packed see what pricing is like and what Permalink| PRNewswire| Email up her things and moved west. devices this'll run on closer to this| Comments She said that "the transition was launch, however. Bring on the smooth" for welcoming Ty into her life and her into his.

NFL Mobile comes to Verizon with livestreaming RedZone channel Nilay Patel (Engadget)

complete with live streaming video of the event, on-demand video analysis from NFL We'd heard that the NFL would Network, a pick-by-pick draft b e b r i n g i n g t h e R e d Z o n e tracker, and other content. Once channel to phones this season, the season starts, customers will and it looks like Verizon's get RedZone, live streams of scored the first big partnership: Sunday night and Thursday NFL Mobile will launch on Big night games, on-demand video Red next month with the draft, highlights and analysis, live Submitted at 3/9/2010 10:09:00 AM

Gadgets/ TV/ Entertainment/ Apple/

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Giveaway Tuesday: 'Boston Legal' Joins TV Land and Someone's Winning an HDTV Allison Waldman (TV Squad) Submitted at 3/9/2010 10:39:00 AM

Samsung e-readers coming to Barnes and Noble this spring Nilay Patel (Engadget)

10-inch E10 certainly fills a gap in the B&N lineup. We've still no word on whether or not the Samsung still hasn't committed QWERTY-equipped E61 will to a formal launch date for the e- hit the States, but we're looking reader line it launched at CES, out for more info -- we'll let you but the company narrowed know. In the meantime, you can down the launch date from watch a video of all three "early 2010" to "this spring" this devices right here. morning -- which makes sense, Gallery: Samsung announces seeing as spring has nearly, uh, E6 and E10 e-book readers at sprung. The big news is that CES Sammy's partnered up with Samsung e-readers coming to Barnes and Noble, so there's a Barnes and Noble this spring built-in content ecosystem for originally appeared on Engadget these guys at launch; whether on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:37:00 anyone will choose the $399 six EST. Please see our terms for -inch E6 over the popular Nook use of feeds. Permalink| | remains to be seen, but the $699 Email this| Comments Submitted at 3/9/2010 10:37:00 AM

Are you ready for some fun stuff, like maybe winning a free HDTV? Well, get ready.'Boston Legal' is going into syndication on TV Land, which means if you have yet to enjoy the antics of Alan Shore, Denny Crane and company, this is the chance of a lifetime to enjoy one of the best legal dramas in recent TV history. Oh heck, ever!

'Boston Legal,' starring William Shatner and James Spader, runs weeknights at 11 PM ET on TV Land. And to celebrate, you may be able to tune into 'Boston Legal' five nights a week with a brand, spanking new TV! Yes, sir. There will be one (1) Grand Prize winner receiving a 26"

My iPad Wishlist: 10 App Requests

LCD HDTV (MSRP $349.99).

The contest begins today, March 9, 2009.

Continue reading Giveaway Tuesday: 'Boston Legal' Joins T V L a n d a n d S o m e o n e ' s Chris Ryan (TheAppleBlog) Winning an HDTV Submitted at 3/9/2010 7:00:47 AM Filed under: OpEd, Contests and Giveaways, Celebrities, Watching the iPad’s first Awards, Emmys, Reality-Free television spot on the Oscars last P e r m a l i n k | E m a i l t h i s | | night, I got giddy all over again Comments IPAD page 68

Lady Conflicted over Public Enjoyment of Her Breast Milk [Gourmet] Hamilton Nolan (Gawker) Submitted at 3/9/2010 9:59:51 AM

Lori Mason, whose chef husband is currently serving cheese made of her breast milk, has declined requests from saying "I'm not here to walk strangers to sample her milk, p e o p l e t h r o u g h t h e i r

psychological problems." Guess what the NEXT SENTENCE is?

"That said, Mason is now prodding her husband to make gelato." The New York Post can do great work, when it wants to.

[Pic via]

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IPAD continued from page 67

to get my hands on this hot new product. Though it’s still a few weeks away, I’m even more excited for the applications that will be coming to the platform.

Here’s my top 10 list of apps that I want to see developed for the iPad. Coda As a graphic designer and web developer, Coda is a staple in my workflow. It features a built in FTP system which could be problematic to port to a mobile device, considering there isn’t a traditional file structure to store data. However, perhaps the iPad’s new file storage system will provide an adequate solution. Regardless, as someone who codes, it would be awesome to sit next to a client and modify code and push changes to a site all from my iPad while they load and test the revisions on their own desktop.

Photoshop Before you laugh, remember that Adobe has already released Photoshop Mobile for the iPhone; and, all things considered, it’s not such a bad application. A larger iPad version could allow support for opening and manipulating native Photoshop files as well as working between multiple files.

CS4 introduced a new tabbed approach to viewing multiple documents at once. A similar

setup could easily be implemented on the iPad. Katamari Damacy What’s a fun touchscreen device without a fun game?

Katamari already exists as an iPhone app so it’ll scale up decently on the iPad. But given the advanced graphics of the iPad and the larger screen, a native iPad version is a must. If you’ve never played Katamari, check out this clip below. iMovie Call me crazy (it doesn’t hurt to be wishful) but the feasibility of an iMovie like app is certainly within the realm of possibility. I would have never expected Apple to introduce video editing on the iPhone. Nevertheless, along with a video camera, the iPhone 3GS allows for simple video edits. Why couldn’t we have a larger implementation of this on the iPad, provided it gains a video camera at some point? With the larger screen, there’s plenty of room to view a larger timeline, add transitions or effects and with one tap, upload your masterpiece to YouTube. iChat I’m actually quite surprised this app still hasn’t made it to the iPhone yet, but as a platform that’s designed to be “the best way to experience the web, email, photos and video,” the

iPad seems like the perfect device for iChat, especially if a future model gains a video camera. Screen Sharing or Remote Desktop There have been a number of third-party developers that have created similar apps for the iPhone, but I’m honestly shocked to see that Apple hasn’t implemented its own solution yet. With a larger screen and almost full-size keyboard, remotely accessing and interacting with other Macs on my network would be a breeze on the iPad. Preview While the iBooks application will open books that are in EPUB format, I’d love to see a more robust implementation of Preview available on the iPad (and iPhone). Specifically, an app that is capable of annotating PDF files and provides support for links within PDFs. Since I’m also an academic, some of the journals I read (as PDFs) contain bookmarks to other articles or chapters and currently, none of the built-in applications on the iPhone support interacting with them.

Hulu I don’t care how it has to happen or if it involves Flash or not. Who doesn’t want Hulu on the iPad? Even if it required a small subscription, I would love

to be able to access my Hulu queue on the go. Better yet, since the iPad is a closed system, the app could download and cache content so it wouldn’t necessarily have to be streamed in real time. This could be a great solution to save AT&T’s crowded bandwidth for 3G models and allow Wi-Fi only models to still play even if a network isn’t around. I’d pay for that; would you?

Bento/Filemaker Now that we have iWork, how about a real implementation of Bento(or FileMaker if that’s not too much to ask). The current iPhone version is pretty pathetic and really hard to manipulate larger databases. While FileMaker may be a stretch, I’d put serious money on seeing an iPad version of Bento before the year is out. An Improved iTunes App It looks as though the new iTunes app represents a step ahead of the current iPhone version, but there are still some missing features that would make this app a definite rock star on the iPad. Adding support for Internet radio, browsing my other libraries by Home Sharing or support for iTunes Extras and LPs would be amazing.

Honestly, why hasn’t Apple announced support of iTunes

Extras and LPs? The specs call for a viewing area of 1280×720 (the 720p high definition standard). They also call for building your iTunes Extras with what’s called a bleed graphic, or a graphic that can “fill in the extra space” if you’re viewing it at a size greater than 1280×720. Now given that as a way to compensate for a difference in aspect ratios, if you were to scale down an iTunes Extra for the 1024×768 display, wouldn’t it just make sense? Come on, if the Apple TV can do it (and we all know how excited Apple gets about that product), shouldn’t the iPad as well?

What are your thoughts on apps you’d like to see? Share your thoughts in the comments below. The great thing about Apple’s developer community is that they keep up with what’s discussed in the blogosphere.

You never know; a developer might see your suggestions. So, share what you’d like to see on the iPad!

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Apple at the Oscars Liam Cassidy (TheAppleBlog) Submitted at 3/8/2010 2:25:37 PM

Swapping turtleneck for tuxedo, Steve Jobs made a rare public appearance when he took to the red carpet at the Academy Awards last night, spotted first by eagle-eyed social media maven Wayne Sutton who posted to his blog; OMG it’s Steve Jobs! I’m the only one yelling at him! #oscars #kodakredcarpet Sutton doesn’t mention whether his yells went unnoticed by His Steveness, but he posted a fantastic snapshot of the event to his blog — take a look and see if you can spot El Jobso for yourself (it’s not immediately easy to find him in the crowd, but once you see him, he’s hard to miss!)

Image courtesy of Wayne Sutton The Theme Begins (Prequel to The Oscar Theme) Now why would the normally shy and retiring Steve Jobs be at the Academy Awards Oscar ceremony? Well, he is the largest individual shareholder in the Walt Disney Company, to whom he sold Pixar Animation Studios in 2006. Pixar is the legendary computer animation studio responsible for the box office hits Toy Story and Finding Nemo(to name only two of many others) and its latest CG offering, Up, was nominated for an impressive five Academy Awards (and was the first Pixar

film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture).

On the night, Up received two of those Oscars; Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score.

Steve didn’t take to the stage to receive the awards, but I’m sure he was grinning from ear to ear like a proud father at his child’s first music recital. The Oscar

Theme If you’re interested in the mechanics of modern movie making, you’ll find this fascinating; Macworld UK reports that a staggering nine out of ten of the Oscar-nominated Documentaries (across both the Short and Feature Documentary categories) were edited on Macs using Final Cut Pro.

Premiere Pro. (There are others, of course, but they’re far less commonly used in the film and TV industry.)

Avid has traditionally been the editing platform of choice and still reigns supreme, though mostly because it has been around since the Stone Age and many long-established editing facilities using Avid suites have long-term service contracts tying them to that platform. But Final Cut Pro (and the Final Cut Studio suite of film making tools) has been gaining ground in recent years, due in part to its relative affordability and Apple’s amazingly progressive efforts to develop and promote new HD codecs and standards, such as the ProRes family. (For more on this, you can watch a video on Apple’s Final Cut product pages.)

That almost all the Awardnominated Short and Feature Documentaries were edited using Final Cut (and, therefore, made on Macs) speaks volumes about filmmakers’ faith in, and trust for, Apple’s technologies.

If you’re not a movie maker, The Oscar Theme Part 2: The you might not know that Final Theme Continues Cut Pro is Apple’s pro-level The impressive numbers film editing software. Speaking continue. I almost missed this from personal experience of one, but last week The Awl’s many hours spent in many Abe Sauer penned Why Apple darkened editing suites all Deserves and Oscar Too, which around the world, there are started with this remarkable ( b r o a d l y s p e a k i n g ) t h r e e tidbit; dominant software editing tools; APPLE page 73 Avid, Final Cut Pro and

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Mac Developer Program Invites iPhone SDK Halo Effect Weldon Dodd (TheAppleBlog)

Benefits Developers that enroll in the new Mac Developer Program This past Thursday Apple have access to pre-release builds announced sweeping changes to of Mac OS X, OS X Server, the Developer Program. The old tools, and SDKs. Xcode was Select and Premiere programs always available for free, but h a v e b e e n r e p l a c e d b y a access to Snow Leopard for $ 9 9 / y e a r M a c D e v e l o p e r development will encourage Program that is similar to the d e v e l o p e r s t o b e g i n iPhone Developer Program. The i n c o r p o r a t i n g t h e u n i q u e o l d A D C p r o g r a m s w e r e technology available in 10.6 substantially more expensive ( G r a n d C e n t r a l D i s p a t c h , ($499 and $3,499) and the O p e n C L , e t c . ) i n t o t h e i r program benefits have been applications. OS X Server, even simplified to match the new for development testing, is a lower cost. nice plus.

Apple had this to say…

The annual subscription Modeled after the highly includes two technical support successful iPhone Developer incidents where Apple will Program, we’ve relaunched the assign an engineer from the Mac Developer Program to offer developer support team to help members technical resources, track down a problem and support, access to pre-release r e c o m m e n d a s o l u t i o n . software, developer forums and Additional support incidents are more, all for just $99 per year. still available for purchase as As our developer base continues t h e y w e r e u n d e r t h e o l d to grow in leaps and bounds, program. Incidents are $99 for a we’re working hard to ensure two-pack or $499 for a fivewe provide our developers with pack. everything they need to create Members also have access to innovative applications for both developer forums and video the iPhone OS and Mac OS X training. The forums are a great Submitted at 3/8/2010 8:00:31 AM

resource because they are filled with posts from registered developers, including many recognizable names from wellknown Mac shops. The videos do not include the WWDC session videos, which are still available for purchase separately ($299 for a Mac session, or $499 for the complete collection).

It appears that access to the compatibility labs and the ADC Hardware Purchase discounts are not available in the new Mac Developer program. Existing members can continue to access their ADC benefits until their subscription expires.

Apple has not made any changes to its current programs

for Support and Pro Apps certifications to expand into developer certifications. The iPhone SDK Halo Effect The new pricing and web site modeled after the iPhone program should serve to bring more developers over to the Mac side. With all the interest in iPhone apps, there are a number of developers that are now familiar with Objective-C and the Cocoa frameworks. There may be a sort of programming halo effect similar to the phenomenon seen on the consumer side where customers happy with the iPod or iPhone are convinced to try the Mac for their next computer. Gedeon Maheux co-founder of the successful design and development outfit Iconfactory had this to say: The lower entry price and the ability to use knowledge learned for their mobile platforms both seem like a logical evolution of what they’ve done in the last few years.

The Mac has been out of the lime light for quite some time and I think Apple is rightfully

Street Chic: Paris Fashion Week ELLE.com (ELLE News Blog) Submitted at 3/9/2010 4:00:00 AM

Fur and florals are in full bloom this season.

Photo: Anne Ziegler Click here for our complete fall 2010 Fashion Week coverage Think you are Street Chic? Email us your photo and you

Street Chic Daily.

Follow ELLE on Twitter.

Become our Facebook fan! could appear in ELLE.com's

attempting to put the focus back on the platform. It sure is exciting!

With the new file-sharing support in the iPad, desktop companion apps will be a great benefit to iPhone/iPad apps. Of course, designing apps for the iPad with its large screen is getting awfully close to designing an app for the Mac. I am hopeful that the new program will encourage even more development on the Mac OS platform. For example, casual games have made a huge splash in the App Store and bringing over some of these titles to the Mac might be great fun for those without iPhones, and an alternate revenue stream for publishers. The $99 price might be just enough to convince some iPhone developers to give it a go on the Mac as well.

Related GigaOM Pro Research: The App Developer’s Guide to Choosing a Mobile Platform

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Snow Leopard’s Been Out for Six Months, Why Are So Many of Us Still Using Leopard?

Charles Moore (TheAppleBlog)

utilities (more about that in a moment), and I’ve been short of spare time the last several Submitted at 3/8/2010 9:30:02 AM months. I also tend to be of the So here we are, just past the six “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” month mark since Mac OS 10.6 persuasion, and haven’t been Snow Leopard was sprung last convinced there’s anything August 28, and I’m still using Snow Leopard has to offer that’s OS 10.5 Leopard. a genuine must-have for me.

I have lots of company. The Some of the improvements — N e t A p p l i c a t i o n s H i t s L i n k things like a more responsive Market Share data for February Finder rewritten from scratch in 2010 shows that Leopard is still Cocoa, faster Time Machine the most widely-used OS X backups, a more powerful version, with a 2.21 percent v e r s i o n o f t h e P r e v i e w global market share compared to a p p l i c a t i o n — s o u n d l i k e 1.8 percent for Snow Leopard, welcome tweaks, but nothing I and good old OS 10.4 Tiger still find compelling. Stuff like hanging in at 0.72 percent. Why enhanced Microsoft Exchange the Procrastination?

Server support for Mail, iCal, So, why the procrastination and Address Book have zero about upgrading? It’s certainly appeal for me since I don’t use not the cost holding me back. that service or any of those Snow Leopard is the cheapest features, preferring third-party Mac OS version upgrade in alternatives. Nor do Snow history, other than complete Leopard’s Safari upgrades fizz freebies. me much since I favor other Well, for one thing, Leopard browsers with Safari being my works so darned well, and fourth or fifth choice, if that. making a major OS upgrade Bitten Once… always involves time investment There is also the bitten once; and the hassle of upgrading at twice shy factor. I ordered OS least some of your software and 10.5 Leopard from Amazon.com

still have in daily service running OS 10.4.

However, there was pain associated with my early move to Leopard, notwithstanding all the good stuff. I’m a windowshading junkie, and I simply can’t abide not having that feature, for which no function built into any version of OS X comes remotely close to being a satisfactory substitute. a day or two after it was W i n d o w s h a d i n g ’ s b e e n released on October 26, 2007, integrated into my work habits and immediately installed it on f o r m o r e t h a n a d e c a d e . m y t h e n m a i n p r o d u c t i o n Typically I may have two dozen m a c h i n e , a 1 . 3 3 G H z or so windows open, scattered PowerBook G4. I’m not by amongst nine Spaces views, nature or temperament an m o s t l y w i n d o w s h a d e d , enthusiastic early adopter, but conveniently identifiable by Leopard, hyped by Apple as their full title bars being visible. being “the largest update of Mac Unfortunately, OS 10.5 upgrade OS X” yet, incorporating more broke third-party WindowShade than 300 new features, had so X, and I was obliged to struggle much cool stuff I really wanted a l o n g f o r s e v e r a l m o n t h s to check out. Especially the without windowshading until Spaces and QuickLook features, i t s d e v e l o p e r , U n s a n i t y which were every bit as good or S o f t w a r e , g o t a L e o p a r d e v e n b e t t e r t h a n I h a d compatible version of its anticipated, and what I miss proprietary and required system m o s t o n t h e t w o o l d G 4 add-on Application Enhancer upgraded Pismo PowerBooks I (APE) out the door in February 2008, mercifully restoring

WindowShade X support to Leopard. Withdrawal too Painful to Repeat Snow Leopard broke Windowshade X and Application Enhancer redux, and I’m not willing to go through that form of addiction withdrawal again.

Unsanity say they’re busily rewriting their more popular “haxie” add-ons to support Snow Leopard, the latest word being that WindowShade X is largely redone, its MIP system rewritten from scratch, and currently at internal beta status, a new build seeded to testers on February 13. A public beta should be released any day now.

Until it is, I’m sticking with Leopard.

How about you? If you’re among the plurality of Mac users still running Leopard, and not because you’re on a PowerPC Mac, is something else in particular holding you back?

Street Chic: Paris Fashion Week ELLE.com (ELLE News Blog) Submitted at 3/8/2010 4:00:00 PM

She makes black and brown

look anything but basic.

Photo: Anne Ziegler Click here for our complete fall 2010 Fashion Week coverage

Think you are Street Chic? E-

mail us your photo and you could appear in ELLE.com's Street Chic Daily.

Follow ELLE on Twitter.

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Microsoft Courier Shaping Up as a Truly Novel iPad Competitor Darrell Etherington (TheAppleBlog)

it unveiled ahead of the iPad to grab some of the attention away from that spotlight hog. But the Submitted at 3/8/2010 3:00:22 PM Courier doesn’t have the same It may be a little early to say shortcomings. For one, it’s not this, but to me it seems like based on Windows 7, but on a M i c r o s o f t t o o k a l l t h e version of Windows CE 6, d i s a p p o i n t m e n t a n d f e a r which also provides the basis for r e s u l t i n g f r o m A p p l e ’ s the Zune HD’s interface and the d o m i n a n c e o f t h e m o b i l e upcoming Windows Mobile 7 devices category over its own OS. It also runs on the Tegra 2, products through the years and an impressive mobile processor. used that energy to create the It also has some considerable Courier. It’s the first time I’ve advantages over its Apple rival, ever seen another company’s especially if the hype is actually product and thought “That r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f w h a t a seems like something Apple production version will look would’ve made.” like. First, there’s the size. The Engadget posted more details clamshell design allows it to be about the device late last week, smaller than the iPad, while including two lengthy HD providing more screen real interface videos. Microsoft isn’t estate. Closed, it’s said to yet officially saying anything measure five by seven inches, about whether or not this will and still remain less than an inch become a production device, but thick. It should also weigh less Engadget seems very confident than a pound. It should take up in its sources, and I’d be just a little less space than the inclined to believe them since it Amazon Kindle, for reference, s e e m s m o r e t h a n l i k e l y which goes a long way toward Redmond is taking a page out of making it truly, conveniently Apple’s marketing playbook by portable. keeping things somewhat hush- The Courier’s big advantage hush but using “leaks” to steal over the iPad, for me, isn’t the focus. dual-screen design (although Microsoft gets a lot of flak for that helps), but the combination doing a tablet the wrong way, as of pen and touch input. If I had demonstrated by the HP model to choose one, I’d go with

software promises to. Even Apple’s own built-in apps don’t have anywhere near as much potential for communication between and across each other.

In my opinion, where Apple got lazy with the iPad, Microsoft is throwing its entire mobile future behind the Courier. Not only that, but these previews are emphasizing the Courier’s strengths over the iPad without addressing things like media playback. The impression I get isn’t that the Courier is bad at those things, just that they’re taken as given. Instead, Redmond’s project is all about what a tablet can do that a media touch, as Apple’s done with the from the start to work perfectly player can’t, something I’ve yet iPad, but the opportunity to have not only with the specific to really see illustrated by Apple both is a major selling point. features of the device, but also regarding the iPad. V i e w i n g t h e U I v i d e o s with every other software Related Research from emphasizes why, and if you’ve component of the OS, and all G i g a O M P r o : ever used a tablet with a through a brilliantly intuitive UI. • Web Tablet Survey: Apple’s computer, especially those with Nor is it a closed system despite iPad Hits the Right Notes a built-in display, you’ll know this sharp focus, since the • How AT&T Will Deal with why a pen is a much better sharing features appear to be iPad Data Traffic option than trying to learn to rich and varied.

• 5 Tips for Developers write or draw with your clumsy Apple, for its part, emphasizes Targeting the iPad finger. the apps. Apps are great, and • With the iPad, Apple Take Microsoft’s notebook tablet is they provide some pretty useful Google to the Mat also refreshing because of its f u n c t i o n s a n d t e r r i f i c e m p h a s i s o n i n t e r a c t i v i t y distractions, but they don’t b e t w e e n c o m p o n e n t s a n d really seem to work as well or hardware features of the device. w i t h t h e s a m e d e g r e e o f The software seems designed interconnection as the Courier’s

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APPLE continued from page 69

In the 44 films in 2009 that topped the box office for at least one weekend, an Apple logo or device could be seen in at least 18 of them. (That’s almost 41%.) In some, Apple products even eclipsed their human scene partners. This high appearance rate does not include the heap of mass-market films from 2009 that did not own a weekend but also featured Apple product placement.

Sauer has done his homework.

He goes on to list a fair number of those movies (you can read the list for yourself here) and, if you’ve got the time to spare, (7 minutes and 25 seconds, to be precise) there’s even a Ken Burns-tastic video slideshow of screenshots from movies and TV shows through the years

featuring Apple products. Sauer adds; …Brandcameo shows that Apple has appeared in 102 of the 302 weekly number one U.S. box office films from 2001 to 2009—more than 33% of them.

Apple’s number is actually higher when period and fantasy/scifi films, in which Apple could not appear, are removed (the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Star Wars prequels 3:10 to Yuma, etc.).

Right then, don’t let it be said that Apple’s brand managers aren’t doing good work. The Oscar Theme Part 3: Oscar’s Revenge During the ad break (presumably while Oscar winners were busy phoning their Moms with the good news) the

first ever iPad television commercial was broadcast. The ad itself is a bit “meh,” to be honest; it didn’t light the world on fire and teach us anything we didn’t already know. But that’s OK, because what really matters, I suppose, is that a very large audience not normally exposed to tech/gadget news saw the iPad for the first time.

You can watch the ad on Apple’s website here.

I’m still wondering what Apple was up to in that diner back in August last year. At this rate, I think we’ll have to wait for next year’s Oscars to find out.

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Paris Fashion Week Fall 2010: Stella McCartney’s Uncomplicated, Life-Altering Collection ELLE.com (ELLE News Blog) Submitted at 3/8/2010 3:47:12 PM

Stella McCartney makes clothes that girls want to wear immediately. For fall, it’s easy to imagine wearing any of the 43 looks straight off the runway and onto the street. Each piece feels wonderfully uncomplicated yet altogether happier. And, a whole lot chicer. life-altering. I imagine that those —Violet Moon Gayn or cashmere boyfriend sweaters, Photo: Imaxtree perfectly cut jackets, and sheer Follow ELLE on Twitter. organza dresses and would Become our Facebook fan! make my life just a little

'The Big Bang Theory' - 'The Precious Fragmentation' Recap Kona Gallagher (TV Squad)

furthered their weird relationship by snuggling during a nap (which was actually only (S03E17) This was one of the in Sheldon's dream, which raises best episodes of 'The Big Bang even more questions), they Theory' in a while, not because weren't shoved off to the side in of all of the 'Lord of the Rings' a b-plot. references (I never got into We got back to the season one those movies), but because the dynamic of the four guys having writers finally figured out a way a story, while Penny interacts to get all of the characters with them on the periphery. together in one plot. Even Since Penny has become such a though Wolowitz and Raj big part of the show, this won't Submitted at 3/9/2010 9:15:00 AM

work for every episode, but it's nice to see what made us love the show in the first place.

Especially since we needed all

the happy thoughts in the world to replace the image of Sheldon as Smeagol. Congrats to the makeup crew, but dear God, I

never want to see that again.

Continue reading'The Big Bang Theory' - 'The Precious Fragmentation' Recap Filed under: Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, The Big Bang Theory Permalink| Email this| | Comments

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'Castle' - 'The Mistress Always Spanks Twice' Recap Kona Gallagher (TV Squad) Submitted at 3/9/2010 9:45:00 AM

(S02E16) Nathan Fillion really dug deep into his repertoire of cheesy faces for this episode, didn't he? His reactions to some of the naughtier things were so over-the-top that they went from funny, to lame, and then circled back around to hilarious.

There was a lot to like about this episode, whether or not you enjoyed the many faces of Fillion. There was a large suspect pool, plenty of twists,

and best of all, two stars from beloved teen dramas. Hudson University has the best PhD program ever (if you overlook the fact that you're likely to be murdered there). Where else

could you go for your degree with both Brian Krakow from 'My So-Called Life' and Lane Kim from 'Gilmore Girls?'

Granted, this didn't work out so well for Jessica, as Brian

Krakow's (or "Matt's," as it were) jealousy led to the exposure of her double-life and eventual murder, but still. How fun!

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Typical: Online Voters Pick Nerdiest NYC Condom Possible [Wrap It Up] Richard Lawson (Gawker)

The NYC Department TYPICAL: page of 75Health

Submitted at 3/9/2010 10:29:25 AM

Which Married Actress Spent the Oscar After-Party Making Out with a Younger Man? [Blind Items] Brian Moylan (Gawker) Submitted at 3/9/2010 10:21:45 AM

Maybe her husband didn't mind, since he was home asleep.

One Hollywood ex-husband is borrowing cash from his wife, while an ex-wife is blackmailing her famous former spouse.

Another actor just pays for sex.

That is clearly the easiest solution.

1."There were a lot of postOscar balls to attend, and most stars were on their very best

behavior. However, there were some after after-parties where some of the nominees really loosened up. One actress in particular made the rounds of the formal parties with her husband, then attended an after after-hours party without him.

At 3 am, while her husband was at home fast asleep, our actress – and her tongue – were apparently wide awake. She was spotted making out like crazy party for more than ten minutes" with a certain up-and-coming [ Blind Gossip] actor in a cozy corner of the

2."This C list actor ex-husband has had to borrow several hundred thousand dollars from his much higher list ex-wife to pay off his bookie and his drug dealer. He told the ex it was for home repairs." [ CDaN] 3."This C list actress ex-wife has told her much higher list exhusband that she will need $1M to keep quiet about everything she knows." [ CDaN] 4."This actor was in a hit network show, that is now off the air. The man has been doing

a little work here and there, but has mostly stayed off of everyone's radar. That is mostly because we hear he's developed a new way to spend all of his money and his time. He's developed an obsession with soliciting sex any way he can.

He pays for it, in one form or another almost every day and goes looking for it in places that range from the internet to the alleyway. Not Topher Grace." [ BuzzFoto]

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TYPICAL: continued from page 74

recently held a contest looking for a new package design for their free NYC-brand condoms.

Online voters, the worst kind of voters, cast their ballots and chose the second worse one.

What does a computer power button have to do with the important act of safely boffing in New York? Sure every annoying latte-slurper among us is toting a laptop around the damn place these days, but that has nothing to do with sex. And yes, there's the suggestive shapes, but... feh. We wanted the manhole cover design to

win. Because, y'know, that makes sense! Sort of? Or the top hat. That was fun and jaunty.

Like old-timey New Amsterdam sex. But no, we trusted online voters and thus got what the nerd rubber we deserved.

Ah well. At least the subway going into the tunnel one didn't get picked. Thank god more sixth graders didn't vote online. [ NYDN]

Big Ben Could Go Down as Big Bum Jay Mariotti (FanHouse Main)

Murdoch urges Mideast to open up media (Financial Times - US homepage)

Submitted at 3/8/2010 3:11:00 PM

Filed under: NFL Why was he there? What was he thinking?

Why wasn't he watching a game on TV, dining at a cool restaurant, squiring a date or catching up on sleep before a morning tee time? Odd, but the same questions I have about Ben Roethlisberger and a college bar in rural Georgia are the same questions I asked last year, when he was spotted partying hard late one night in a pulsating Chicago club. Why would a well-known public figure who claims he was wrongly accused of rape inside a Lake Tahoe hotel in 2008 continue to visit establishments where, conceivably, he could be framed again?

That is to assume Roethlisberger is innocent in what now are two sets of sexual assault allegations, which is not at all what I'm stating. If the

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Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:41:22 AM

temptation was to grant him some benefit of doubt the first time, based on the accuser's seeming lack of credibility, a new allegation in a different part of the country only gives pause and raises eyebrows. It is now clear that the two-time Super Bowl-champion quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of America's most prominent athletes, has no understanding of discretion and the responsibility that comes with his fame and professional standing.

Rupert Murdoch has warned Middle Eastern authorities to liberalise their media markets if they want to attract further investment from international media groups and ride a “powerful wind” of creativity blowing through the Arab world.

In the opening address at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Media Summit, the News Corp chairman warned against “creative protectionism”, telling authorities in the region: “With the right economic incentives you will find creative Arab enterprises rising higher and faster than your most modern buildings.”

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Main Street’s view remains very different than Wall Street’s Peter Boockvar (The Big Picture) Submitted at 3/9/2010 7:33:41 AM

As we celebrate the one year birthday of the current bull market, a key characteristic that still looms one year in is the

lack of conviction and confidence in the economic outlook for those on Main Street versus the more optimistic view of those who work on Wall Street. I mentioned earlier today that in the Feb NFIB small business optimism index, those

small businesses that “expect a better economy” fell to the lowest since March ‘09. Those that think its a “good time to expand” fell to the lowest since June ‘09. Those that “plan to increase inventory” fell to within 1 pt of the lowest since

March ‘09. Also today, the March Investors Business Daily Economic Optimism index (which claims a “good track record of foreshadowing the UoM and Conference Board confidence #’s) fell to its lowest level since March ‘09, falling

1.4 pts from Feb. The Personal Financial Outlook component fell to the lowest since Feb ‘09.

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Louisville’s Freedom Hall Farewell Jump-Starts March (WSJ.com: The Daily Fix)

while wearing a Phi Beta Kappa ring. The tough part is keeping up with the up-and-down Bubbles and brackets and RPI fortunes of the teams in the and automatic-bid conferences March Madness mix. At USA and so on: this is lingo every Today, Tim Gardner runs down hoops fan knows, but it’s the most important 18 games of seasonal stuff. It seems strange the weekend. That’s 18 games. and difficult to believe, but that Among the weekend’s biggies, season the season of NCAA Louisville’s 78-68 upset of toptournament-related jargon, and ranked Syracuse Saturday stands all the sensory-overload joys out as particularly significant. It that it describes is just about was the Cardinals’ second win upon us. A wild Saturday in over the Orange this season, and college hoops further inflated a the sort of signature win that can very slippery bubble, with more guarantee a spot in the NCAA teams making their cases for tournament’s field of 64. In the March Madness invites and the team’s previous win against the t u m u l t o f c o n f e r e n c e Orange, sophomore reserve championship play looming. As Kyle Kuric played just three in “the big ones start this week.” minutes and missed his only Reuters If we’re running shots s h o t . O n S a t u r d a y , K u r i c of tank-topped young men with delivered a stunner of a 22-point peach-fuzz goatees surrounding performance highlighted by a giant smiles, it must be March. second half that featured four “ [ S a t u r d a y ' s ] g a m e s w e r e dunks and four three-pointers. entertaining, but they left us At MSNBC, Mike DeCourcy feeling deathly unprepared,” the hails the game’s unlikely hero.

Journal’s Jason Gay writes. “It’s B u t K u r i c ’ s u n e x p e c t e d sophomore-year literature all breakout wasn’t what made over againwe’re barely 20 pages Saturday’s game significant, i n t o F a u l k n e r ’ s ‘ L i g h t i n either.

August,’ and the quiz is The victory marked tomorrow. There’s only so much Louisville’s final game at Red Bull we can drink. Can’t Freedom Hall, the Cardinals’ CBS just tape the men’s NCAA home for the past 54 years. In tournament and show it in May? the Louisville Courier-Journal, C’monNBC would.”

C.L. Brown discusses Freedom Fair enough points, but if Hall’s home-court advantage reading Faulkner were as easy with the players who made the as watching the Horizon League final game on the court such a or MAC conference semifinals, smashing success. For all the your Fixer would be writing this history made in that building, Submitted at 3/8/2010 8:18:58 AM

as Winthrop, Murray State and Cornell joined mid-major supersleepers Northern Iowa as conference champions over the weekend, earning automatic bids to the big dance.

Congratulations are due to all of them, of course especially though, SB Nation’s Jon Bois Cornell, which is totally a can’t muster much in the way of powerhouse in its own way! nostalgia for the old place.

(Guess where my editor went to “Remember fifth period in high school?) but Northern Iowa school, when you wanted to looks especially scary heading grab a seat next to the wall so into the tournament. In the St. you could lean against it and try Louis Post-Dispatch, Bernie to fall asleep? Freedom Hall is Miklasz examines the deep, made entirely of that wall,” Bois t a l e n t e d M i s s o u r i V a l l e y writes. “I do not know who C o n f e r e n c e c h a m p s a n d designed it but I will bet you ten proclaims, “This much we know dollars that his favorite dish was for sure: The University of Kurt o a t m e a l I f y o u ’ r e t h e Warner can hoop.” sentimental sort, though, none Last year, Binghamton of this really has to matter. University was among the Some of the truest moments of NCAA’s automatic bids; this nostalgia take place in some of year, after a tsunami of scandal the blandest environments.” discussed in this Daily Fix, the I n t h e C o u r i e r - J o u r n a l , school ranks among the most Antoinette Konz catches up with disgraced programs in NCAA Vince and Terry Tyra, a pair of Division I. In Sports Illustrated, long-time Cardinals fans who Jeff Pearlman examines the have significantly fonder perils that major-league memories of the place than does ambitions can pose to midBois. major college hoops programs.* Louisville’s tournament fates * * were certainly helped by their If you were looking anywhere v i c t o r y , b u t t h e y ’ r e n o t but Boston for a stat-head guaranteed a bid unless they win sportswriter or analyst during the Big East Tournament, which the weekend, you were likely to begins Tuesday. A few lucky be out of luck. The 2010 MIT programs enter the work week S l o a n S p o r t s A n a l y t i c s with a more secure sense of Conference attracted a record what they’ll be doing later this 1,000 participants over the March. Such non-powerhouses weekend, with another 400 on

the waiting list. That’s more than twice as many as attended in 2009, and another sign that metrics-based analysis is ascendant in baseball, basketball and other sports.

So, what were all these guys and it was mostly guys, unsurprisingly talking about?

The ways in which numbers help people more clearly understand sports, broadly. At Baseball Musings, David Pinto rounds up the wide-ranging discussion topics; ESPN’s Henry Abbott does the same from a basketball-centric perspective.

At the blog Hardwood Paroxysm, Zach Harper sees the Sloan conference as another example of the meritocratic democratization of the sports world, both in front offices and press boxes. Or, if you prefer it in plainer English, the Rise of the Dorks. “The guys who were once called ‘nerds’ and shunned away from the world of sports are still being called ‘nerds’ but at least theyre contributing to the knowledge and success of NBA franchises,” Harper writes.

“And isnt that sort of where blogging has come from and where its going?”* * * As Saturday’s much-anticipated welterweight bout between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey approaches, a good percentage of what you’ll read LOUISVILLE’S page 81

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Report: Allen Iverson facing alcohol, gambling problems ESPN.com news services (ESPN.com) Submitted at 3/9/2010 5:32:26 AM

• Email • Print • Comments '); document.write(''); } else if ( show_gigya ) { document.write('• '); document.write(' '); function showShareUI(){ var H = {APIKey:"2_B48MVBl19K9C Qj72UVrAqLh7VSAyZDfMkcl kt8foSSRaAbdWu36H_N3Ky_ ERWhDG", enabledProviders: "facebook,twitter", cid:"ESPN.Story"}; var I = n e w gigya.services.socialize.UserAct ion(); var A = {}; I.setUserMessage(""); if (jQuery(":header:first").length > 0 ) { I.setTitle(jQuery(".article").find( ":header:first").text()); } else { I.setTitle(decodeURIComponent ("Report:%20Iverson%20has%2 0gambling,%20alcohol%20prob lems")); } I.setLinkBack("http://sports.esp n.go.com/nba/news/story?id=49

75922"); if (jQuery("#videoInfo").length > 0 ) { I.setDescription(jQuery(".article p:not(div.beta-opt p):first").text()); } else { I.setDescription(jQuery("p:first" ).text()); } if (jQuery(".article .image, .headshot").length > 0) { var theimage = (jQuery(".article . i m a g e , .headshot").find("img").attr("src ")); I.addMediaItem( { type: 'image', src: theimage, href: 'http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/n ews/story?id=4975922' }); } A.userAction = I; gigya.services.socialize.showSh areUI(H,A); return false; } } ESPN.com news services Multiple NBA sources say Allen Iverson is facing alcohol and gambling issues that have derailed his career and threaten his post-basketball well-being, Stephen A. Smith of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported in a column published Monday.

According to multiple NBA sources, there is widespread concern that the four-time NBA scoring champion, who left the Philadelphia 76ers in late February to deal with his daughter's illness and will not

return this season, "will either drink himself into oblivion or gamble his life away," Smith reported.

Iverson's gambling problem is serious enough that he has been banished from casinos in Detroit and Atlantic City, N.J., according to Smith.

The report comes as Iverson is dealing with significant personal problems. He posted four messages Monday night on his Twitter account, acknowledging he was going through "some very tough times."

"To my fans: You all know that my life isn't perfect. I am going through some very tough times right now, like I am sure that we all do from time to time," Iverson wrote. "However, I will stand tall like always with 'rhino' thick skin."

Iverson's wife, Tawana, filed for divorce March 4, the same day the 76ers announced the All -Star guard would not return for the rest of the season. In the divorce filing, made in Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta, Tawana Iverson said the couple's 8½-year marriage is "irretrievably broken" and sought full custody of the family's five children, child

support and alimony.

Iverson, who played 25 games for the Sixers this season, returned to Atlanta in February to be with his family and deal with an undisclosed illness affecting his 4-year-old daughter, Messiah.

Smith, who has covered Iverson closely for years, wrote in Monday's column that Iverson needs someone with "the ideal combination of compassion and toughness" in his life.

And former Temple coach John Chaney said that person is John Thompson, Iverson's former college coach at Georgetown. "[Thompson] is the one guy who'll have a chance of slowing this train wreck down, who could wrap his arms around Iverson and have an impact, because clearly it has not been done," Chaney said, according to Smith. "But there's still this one question: Will [Iverson] listen?"

Allen Iverson said on Twitter it hurt to hear stories about his personal life that he says aren't true.

"Even though I have become used to hearing people say things about me that aren't true, it still hurts," Iverson wrote. "I

encourage you to continue your ongoing support and I want you to trust that this is another obstacle in my life that, with God's help I will overcome."

Iverson started the season with the Memphis Grizzlies but only played three games, amid disagreements over playing time, before announcing a shortlived retirement.

He signed with the 76ers as a free agent in December, making a tearful return to the city where he spent his first 10½ seasons, won four scoring titles, earned the 2000-01 MVP award and led the Sixers to the 2001 NBA Finals.

Iverson was traded to the Denver Nuggets in 2006 and played for the Nuggets through 2008, when he was dealt to the Detroit Pistons.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger didn't commit crime, his lawyer says Associated Press (ESPN.com) Submitted at 3/8/2010 5:41:17 PM

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commit%20crime,%20lawyer% 20says")); } I.setLinkBack("http://sports.esp n.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=497 6276"); if (jQuery("#videoInfo").length > 0 ) { I.setDescription(jQuery(".article p:not(div.beta-opt p):first").text()); } else { I.setDescription(jQuery("p:first" ).text()); } if (jQuery(".article .image, .headshot").length > 0) { var theimage = (jQuery(".article . i m a g e , .headshot").find("img").attr("src ")); I.addMediaItem( { type: 'image', src: theimage, href: 'http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/ne ws/story?id=4976276' }); } A.userAction = I; gigya.services.socialize.showSh areUI(H,A); return false; } } Associated Press MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. -- A high-profile defense attorney hired by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on Monday disputed a college student's claim that the two-time Super Bowl winner sexually

assaulted her at a Georgia nightclub.

The 20-year-old told police Roethlisberger, who had been out barhopping with friends, assaulted her early Friday.

Roethlisberger has not been charged.

Hill: Judgment call Whatever the outcome of the criminal investigation, that party scene in Georgia last week should have been on Ben Roethlisberger's "don't-do" list.

Story "The facts show that there was no criminal activity. No sexual assault occurred," attorney Ed Garland said in a statement Monday. "Ben is completely innocent of any crime."

Milledgeville police said at a news conference that they expect to interview Roethlisberger in the next several days. They said they have not taken a DNA sample from him but probably will.

Authorities also said the woman has hired an attorney, though they would not identify him or her. The woman's name has not

been released.

They expect to interview about eight people and said they are reviewing video footage obtained from several businesses. They declined to elaborate.

"The investigation is ongoing. It would be premature to make any announcement at this time," said Fred Bright, district attorney for the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit.

"When the facts are in and a decision is made, we will let you know."

The Doug Gottlieb Show Lester Munson talks about the police investigation in the Ben Roethlisberger sexual assault case and Big Ben's hiring of attorney Ed Garland, one of the best in the country.

More Podcasts » Roethlisberger, who owns a home about 30 miles north of Milledgeville on Lake Oconee, is also being sued by a woman who claims he raped her in 2008 at a hotel-casino in Lake Tahoe hotel and casino, an allegation he strongly denies.

Steelers president Art Rooney

II said in a statement Monday that the team is closely monitoring the Milledgeville situation.

"All of us in the Steelers family are concerned about the recent incident involving Ben Roethlisberger in Georgia," the statement said. "We cannot comment on any of the specifics until law enforcement's investigation is concluded."

Garland, Roethlisberger's new attorney, previously represented rapper T.I. on a federal weapons charge and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis in a murder case. More serious charges against Lewis were dropped and he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor obstruction of justice charge.

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Joe Nathan of Minnesota Twins has torn elbow ligament

Beijing says it will keep buying US debt

ESPN.com news services (ESPN.com) Submitted at 3/9/2010 7:02:27 AM

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n.go.com/mlb/spring2010/news/ story?id=4978634"); if (jQuery("#videoInfo").length > 0 ) { I.setDescription(jQuery(".article p:not(div.beta-opt p):first").text()); } else { I.setDescription(jQuery("p:first" ).text()); } if (jQuery(".article .image, .headshot").length > 0) { var theimage = (jQuery(".article . i m a g e , .headshot").find("img").attr("src ")); I.addMediaItem( { type: 'image', src: theimage, href: 'http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/s pring2010/news/story?id=49786 34' }); } A.userAction = I; gigya.services.socialize.showSh areUI(H,A); return false; } } ESPN.com news services Minnesota Twins reliever Joe Nathan has been diagnosed with a torn ligament in his right elbow, leaving the team without a proven closer less than a month from Opening Day. Nathan Nathan has a torn ulnar collateral ligament and will decide whether to have surgery within two weeks, the team said.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune

first reported the injury.

The team announced Nathan has a "significant tear," but will not immediately opt for surgery.

He will rest and rehab the elbow over the next one to two weeks, then determine whether he can pitch with the injury.

Nathan may get a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews, the surgeon who operated on his elbow last October to remove bone chips.

Surgery would likely cost Nathan all of the 2010 season -a potentially devastating turn of events for a team expected to contend in the AL Central Division. Injuries to the ulnar collateral ligament have led to season-ending Tommy John surgery for other pitchers.

Nathan faced three Boston Red Sox batters on Saturday before he was removed from the game with soreness and stiffness in his elbow.

The right-hander, who had a career-high 47 saves last season with a 2.10 ERA, met Tuesday morning with manager Ron Gardenhire and Twins general manager Bill Smith, according to the Star Tribune.

If Nathan is lost for the season,

it would cost the Twins one of the game's best closers. He has six consecutive seasons of at least 36 saves and a 2.75 career ERA. There are not many experienced free agent closers available, meaning the Twins might have to turn to their farm system or make a trade if they chose not to promote another reliever from within the bullpen.

Jon Rauch, a 6-foot-11 righthander, has the most experience closing games of anyone in the Twins' bullpen, with 26 career saves over five major league seasons. He split 2009 between the Twins and Arizona Diamondbacks, finishing with a 7-3 record, a 3.60 ERA and 17 holds in 75 appearances.

Matt Guerrier, another righthanded reliever, went 5-1 last season with 33 holds and a 2.36 ERA in 79 appearances.

ESPN The Magazine senior writer Buster Olney and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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(Financial Times - US homepage) Submitted at 3/9/2010 7:20:41 AM

China does not want to politicise its purchases of US Treasury bonds and continues to buy Treasuries “every day”, according to the official in charge of managing China’s $2,400bn foreign exchange reserves.

Chinese investments in US Treasuries are “market investment behaviour and we don’t wish to politicise them,” Yi Gang, director of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (Safe), said on Tuesday in Beijing. “We are a responsible investor and in the process of these investments we can definitely achieve a mutually beneficial result.”

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Old Dominion Poised to Be Major NCAA Tournament Headache David Steele (FanHouse Main)

(Financial Times - US homepage)

Submitted at 3/8/2010 4:01:00 PM

Filed under: March Madness, NCAA Tournament RICHMOND, Va. -- Nobody connected to Old Dominion or the Colonial Athletic Association was sure, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the Monarchs were in the NCAA tournament, whether they won the conference tournament championship Monday night or not. It was just a harsh reality of life as a mid-major program, even one with credentials like Old Dominion's.

Now, at least, that's a moot point. Old Dominion is in with an automatic bid, thanks to the 60-53 victory over William & Mary. Now, the win at Georgetown in December, the regular-season championship and the RPI of 33 going into Monday's game are simply fodder for the selection committee to ponder when it has to place the 26-8 champs into the field of 65. And they're food for thought for whichever team they face.

Equities rally fades as caution sets in Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:06:15 AM

"I think these guys have a chance,'' coach Blaine Taylor said, some 15 minutes after having cut down the nets in Richmond Coliseum and joyously whipped them around his index finger as the crowd beneath him roared. "We're always at the mercy of the seedings and matchups, and sometimes dumb luck.

"You look at how George Mason made the Final Four (in 2006) and VCU beat Duke(in 2007) and Hofstra had all those

20-win seasons,'' Taylor continued, graciously leaving out his own team's at-large berth in '07 after VCU won the tournament. "I've always said that if you rise to the top of this league, you can compete nationally.''

In winning its fifth Colonial tournament title and second in Taylor's nine years as coach, Old Dominion sits atop the league that produced those Cinderellas of the recent past.

Along the way, it swept one of

the bigger Cinderellas of this regular season, William & Mary, picked 10th in the Colonial's preseason poll. The Tribe -- undersized three-point specialists who control tempo -began the season by giving Connecticut a workout before losing by nine on the road, then beat Richmond, an at-large candidate from the Atlantic-10, six days later.

14:05 GMT: It is a year ago that stocks began to bounce from their cyclical nadir– a closing low of 673 for the S&P 500 – and it looks like the anniversary has left Mr Rally feeling his age.

The FTSE All-World equity index fell 0.4 per cent on Tuesday from its six-week high, while the FTSE Asia-Pacific index eked out a 0.1 per cent advance. A feature in the forex markets was renewed weakness in sterling, but major pairings were set well within recent ranges.

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NCAA Tourney Projections: Final March

Weber dubs EMF idea a ‘sideshow’

Brett McMurphy (FanHouse Main) Submitted at 3/8/2010 11:46:00 AM

Filed under: March Madness, NCAA Tournament NEW YORK -- Monday was a great day for all those NCAA Tournament bubble teams Memphis, Arizona State, San Diego State, Georgia Tech, Seton Hall, Washington, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, Rhode Island and the other half dozen teams I failed to mention.

Siena won the Metro Atlantic Conference championship 72-65 against Fairfield in overtime Monday night and Old Dominion downed William & Mary 60-53 in the Colonial final. Had the Saints (27-6) or Monarchs (26-8) lost in their respective final, they may have taken one or two of the at-large

(Financial Times - US homepage) Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:23:45 AM

spots.

St. Mary's did upset Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference final Monday night, but the Gaels were already projected as an NCAA Tournament team by reaching the West Coast final, so that result didn't have much of an effect on the bubble teams.

The major dominoes with the bubble teams could start

developing today. The biggest game involving a bubble team is Seton Hall (18-11, 54 RPI) against Providence Tuesday in Madison Square Garden.

The Pirates could squeeze their way into the NCAA Tournament, but need to still be playing by at least Thursday's quarterfinals. If they lose before then, they're off to the NIT.

Here's a look at the projected NCAA tournament field of 65 if the season ended Monday. This does not attempt to predict future results. All records and RPI ratings, according to CollegeRPI.com, through Sunday's games Follow Us on Twitter Friend Us on Facebook

Wooden of boxing in the past five years,” Yahoo’s Kevin Iole writes. “Hes sought out by every manager who has a pug with a dream. He turns ordinary fighters into good ones, and good ones become great after working with him.”* * * While the Paralympic Winter Games will begin in Vancouver this week, the Winter Olympics party is officially over at this point. With the Games

themselves a pleasant memory for fans and a large, looming tab for Vancouver itself, now seems like a reasonable enough time to look ahead to the next games. In the New York Times, Christopher Clarey assesses the lessons of Vancouver and formulates some guidelines for the International Olympics Committee in choosing an Olympics host site.

— Tip of the Fix cap to reader

Fred Sternburg.

Found a good column from the world of sports? Don’t keep it to yourself — write to us at dailyfix@wsj.com and we’ll consider your find for inclusion in the Daily Fix. You can email David at droth11@gmail.com.

LOUISVILLE’S continued from page 76

will concern itself with the fighters. It’s a reasonable enough approach, given that both fighters are interesting men with fascinating life stories. But Freddy Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, is one of the most intriguing men in the sport, in large part because he has emerged as one of the sport’s great strategists and teachers in recent years.

“Roach has become the John

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Germany’s proposal for a European Monetary Fund to bail out crisis-hit countries has hit stiff opposition from the country’s central bank, which warned the initiative could prove a damaging distraction.

Axel Weber, the Bundesbank’s president, described as “unhelpful” discussions about the “institutionalisation of emergency help” and said the focus should remain on countries such as Greece bringing their public finances back into line with European Union rules.

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Remarkable UConn Women Break Record With 71st Straight Win Anthony Olivieri (FanHouse Main) Submitted at 3/8/2010 1:55:00 PM

NASCAR an Unlikely Accomplice to Edwards' Crime David Whitley (FanHouse Main)

was killed at the Kobalt Tools 500, but Edwards would have been arrested if he'd pulled that Submitted at 3/8/2010 11:11:00 AM stunt on I-85.

Filed under: Carl Edwards, It would be dicey legal NASCAR Crashes territory, but I'd like a Carl Edwards rammed his car prosecutor to at least try to bust into another vehicle Sunday. In a driver who's as patently guilty the real world, that's called road of reckless driving as Edwards. rage.

And what if Keselowski had In the NASCAR world, that's been killed or his car had flown called "a good time." into the stands? Would the That's why it would be an courts just look the other way? injustice if Edwards (left) is sent I couldn't get a response from to the pits for the next race. He the Henry County District should be sent to jail for what he Attorney's office Monday. There did to Brad Keselowski. And is no simple answer to the NASCAR should be charged question of when violence in with aiding and abetting. sports becomes criminal. If I'm a It's always a good time until prosecutor, however, I'd like my somebody loses an eye or a leg chances against Edwards. or a family member. Nobody

Greentech Media Nominated in Two Categories for TreeHugger’s “Best of Green” Awards info@greentechmedia.com (Greentech Media: Headlines) Submitted at 3/8/2010 4:38:56 PM

In its second year of existence, the Best of Green Awards from Filed under: Connecticut, Notre TreeHugger seek to recognize Dame, Women's Basketball the " people, places, products, HARTFORD, Conn. -- The companies, and ideas that are answer, coach Geno Auriemma pushing the green movement of record-breaking Connecticut, forward." This year, nominated is a resounding yes. Auriemma by readers and editors, posed the question to whomever Greentech Media has earned would listen as his team held an that title in two categories: Best uncharacteristically slim threeBusiness Website and Best Scipoint halftime lead Monday.

Tech Blog. While we at GTM "I said, 'C'mon, it's impossible have no doubt that we produce for us to lose, right?' " Auriemma asked sarcastically own Division I women's record the high-quality information that before his team gave him that for consecutive victories, a mark puts us at the top of the pack in that its predecessors from Storrs both categories, we need the historic answer.

Tina Charles had 16 points and set when it won 70 in a row support of our readers to make it 17 rebounds as the Huskies won from 2001-03. That streak was official. their record-breaking 71st broken in the semifinals of the You can vote in each category straight game, a hard-fought 59- Big East tournament against once a day, so vote often: Best Business Website 44 triumph over pesky Notre Villanova.

Dame in Monday's semifinals of UConn will play West Virginia Best Sci-Tech Blog i n T u e s d a y ' s B i g E a s t And as always, thank you to the Big East tournament.

Connecticut (32-0) broke its tournament championship game. our readers whether or not you vote!

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Dragon Age 'TidBits' drop stats like a Fluffy punch Alexander Sliwinski (Joystiq)

Modern Warfare 2 ModDB presents enlists 25 million unique Desura: an indie take on players, Bowling says digital distribution

Submitted at 3/9/2010 10:32:00 AM

Game Informer's latest "TidBits" column features a a glorious list of "inside baseball" stats from Dragon Age: Origins.

Some of the numbers are simply cute, while others are positively frightening: "QA analyst Bruce David Hinkle (Joystiq) though it's still enlisted Venne played 1,957.55 hours of " m i l l i o n s , " a c c o r d i n g t o Justin McElroy (Joystiq) acceptance or rejection much D r a g o n A g e P C i n 5 , 3 5 2 Submitted at 3/9/2010 10:06:00 AM Bowling. But, what about that Submitted at 3/9/2010 9:17:00 AM more transparent than Valve's games." Consequently, "The It's not so surprising, really, that boycott? Oh, right. process. Desura is described as a Bruce" was awarded to staff that Modern Warfare 2, arguably the Now, it should be noted that As Steam shows no signs of c o m m u n i t y - b a s e d s e r v i c e , played more than Venne in any world's most popular video Modern Warfare 2's reported 25 slowing its dominance of digital intended to foster better, more given month -- the honor was game, would recruit such a m i l l i o n p l a y e r s a r e n ' t distribution for PC ( and Mac!), symbiotic relationships between bestowed only once. staggering amount of bodies for necessarily all on active duty. it's only natural that more niche developer and fan.

While the list is mostly packed its perpetual online war. But, S u r e l y , m o r e t h a n a f e w services would arise; not really Desura isn't slated to go live with numbers, there are some there it is: 25 million unique steadfast soldiers have taken up to oppose, but to compliment until April, but you can get an notable non-numerical did-youplayers, as revealed in a tweet positions in DICE's Battlefield: Valve's service. Enter Desura, a early look over at Rock Paper knows, like the staff's from Infinity Ward's community Bad Company 2. No rest for the distribution platform similar to Shotgun. affectionate nickname for the g u y - a t - l a r g e , R o b e r t weary, eh?

Steam, save for one important [Thanks, Ramy] Ogre, "Fluffy," and, "fourzerotwo" Bowling. We've Modern Warfare 2 enlists 25 a s p e c t : I t ' s f o c u s e d o n ModDB presents Desura: an unsurprisingly, the revelation contacted Infinity Ward for million unique players, Bowling independent game developers. indie take on digital distribution that one of the BioWare crew specific platform numbers, but says originally appeared on Primarily, Desura will try to originally appeared on Joystiq makes chain mail "from in the meantime, Bowling offers Joystiq on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 give a home to those games on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:17:00 scratch." a bit more to chew on: 10:06:00 EST. Please see our turned away by Steam. Though EST. Please see our terms for Check out the full list of He confirms the majority of terms for use of feeds. the service won't just open the use of feeds.

Dragon Age tidbits on Game players are taking the fight to Read| Permalink| Email this| floodgates to everything, its Read| Permalink| Email this| Informer.

Xbox Live, but he says the PS3 Comments creator (and indie mod site) Comments comes in at "a close" second.

ModDB says it hopes to make DRAGON page 84 That puts the PC space in third,

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Dragon Age 'TidBits' drop stats like a Fluffy punch originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boldly pay less for Star Currently (un)folding: Trek Online GDC 2010 JC Fletcher (Joystiq)

Submitted at 3/9/2010 9:41:00 AM

If you've ever wanted to transport into the massivelymultiplayer Starfleet of Star Trek Online, now is your chance to make it so.

Amazon's Deal of the Day features the game for $28 -- a better price than even a Ferengi could negotiate. (Mostly because Ferengi don't really exist.) Plus, the 44-percent discount off the list price should help take the sting out of the monthly fee.

Amazon has also temporarily discounted the Collector's Edition, from $80 to $48. Don't you want the little communicator badge? Of course you do. As with all Amazon Deals of the Day, this one's over at midnight PT or when the shop runs out of stock.

Gallery: Star Trek Online Boldly pay less for Star Trek Online originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read| Permalink| Email this| Comments

Kevin Kelly (Joystiq)

games, talking to people, sitting in panels, and bringing you all Submitted at 3/9/2010 8:30:00 AM the news.

Nothing says, "We're at a What sort of news, you ask? serious gaming event where E x p e c t s o m e L u c a s A r t s developers tell us about their announcements, a new look at innovations and upcoming the Sony Motion Controller, and creations," like a papercraft even more Fable 3 news. Stay Wario from WarioWare D.I.Y. tuned!

And nothing says, "Hey, we're Gallery: GDC 2010 Papercraft about to write a bunch of news Currently (un)folding: GDC stories about all that stuff," like 2010 originally appeared on posting a photograph of a Joystiq on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 papercraft Wario from the Game 08:30:00 EST. Please see our Developer's Conference in San terms for use of feeds.

Francisco. We'll be here all Permalink| Email this| week putting our hands on C o m m e n t s

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NY Fed: Preparing for a Smooth (Eventual) Exit Barry Ritholtz (The Big Picture)

dimensions, in that the FOMC will have to decide on the path of its asset holdings in addition Submitted at 3/9/2010 6:47:47 AM to the path of the short-term Brian P. Sack, interest rate. Second, we will be Executive Vice President using tools to drain reserves that Remarks at the National are new and that will have to be A s s o c i a t i o n f o r B u s i n e s s implemented on a scale that the Economics Policy Conference, Fed has never before tried. And Arlington, Virginia third, we will be operating in a Thank you for inviting me to f r a m e w o r k o f i n t e r e s t o n speak today. In my remarks, I reserves that has not been fully will provide an update on the tested in U.S. markets. p r o g r e s s t h a t t h e F e d e r a l All of that may sound risky.

Reserve is making toward However, I believe the Federal preparing for a smooth exit from R e s e r v e i s p o s i t i o n e d t o the extraordinary policy actions minimize any risks involved. that were taken in response to M o s t i m p o r t a n t , w e h a v e the financial crisis. 1 worked hard to ensure that we I should note up front that I will have all of the tools needed to n o t b e p r o v i d i n g a n y exit, and FOMC members have information about the likely begun to describe a strategy for timing of policy tightening; using them that is cautious along those decisions will be made several dimensions. In addition, and communicated by the if we communicate effectively, F e d e r a l O p e n M a r k e t the markets should be clearly Committee (FOMC). Instead, I informed and well prepared will focus my comments on the ahead of the exit. These are the policy tools and strategy that are points that I will emphasize in likely to be used whenever that more detail. exit becomes appropriate. I will Liquidity Facilities: A Success also discuss the preparedness of Story financial markets for the Fed’s When discussing the Federal exit, in order to assess how Reserve’s exit strategy, it is financial conditions may evolve important to separate liquidity as the exit approaches and gets facilities from the stance of under way. monetary policy. While the exit When the time comes to tighten f r o m t h e a c c o m m o d a t i v e monetary policy, the Federal monetary policy stance has yet Reserve will be embarking on a to begin, the exit from liquidity tightening cycle like no other in facilities is nearly complete. Let its history. First, this tightening me begin with some comments cycle will have two policy o n r e c e n t d e v e l o p m e n t s

regarding the liquidity facilities, and then I will move on to monetary policy.

As is well known, the Federal Reserve launched a number of liquidity facilities to provide short-term funding to the financial markets during the crisis, in order to meet the extraordinary demand for liquidity at that time. Here I am referring to those facilities that provided funding at maturities of up to three months to particular sets of firms, such as the primary dealers, money market mutual funds, commercial paper issuers, and depository institutions. 2 Just today, we conducted the last operation associated with those facilities, meaning that all of the short-term liquidity facilities that were introduced during the crisis have now effectively been retired. The only special liquidity program that remains active is the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility, which I consider to differ from the shortterm liquidity programs because it provides funding for up to five years.

With the wind-down of these short-term liquidity facilities, it is a good time to look back and assess their performance. The bottom line here is simple: These programs were an unquestionable success. We have witnessed a remarkable improvement in the functioning of short-term credit markets and

an impressive recovery in the stability of large financial firms.

While a whole range of government actions contributed to this recovery, giving financial institutions greater confidence about their access to funding, and that of their counterparties, was most likely a crucial step toward achieving stability.

Moreover, the exit from these facilities has been quite smooth.

At their peak, these facilities provided more than $1.5 trillion of credit to the economy. Today, the remaining balance across them is around $20 billion. It is impressive that the Fed was able to remove itself from such a large amount of credit extension without creating any significant problems for financial markets or institutions. That success largely reflects the effective design of those programs, as most were structured to provide credit under terms that would be less and less appealing as markets renormalized. This design worked incredibly well, as activity in most of the facilities gradually declined to near zero, allowing the Fed to simply turn them off with no market disruption.

The success of these facilities should be judged by the outcomes they produced for financial market functioning, and not by the financial returns they generated on the Federal Reserve’s books. However, there are several reasons why

the Fed might be expected to profit from this type of lending under most circumstances. First, the Fed is providing funds in response to an extreme move in the price of liquidity—that is, it is in effect buying a cheap asset.

Second, the programs themselves, if successful at returning market functioning, would help the performance of the Fed’s loans to be sound. And third, the lending under these facilities has to be adequately secured.

Asset Holdings: A Policy Lever While the exit from the liquidity facilities has been successful, the exit from the accommodative stance of monetary policy involves a different set of challenges.

Many of these challenges arise from the Federal Reserve’s outright holdings of Treasury debt, agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS), which together represent the overwhelming share of the Fed’s balance sheet today. Indeed, as a result of our large-scale asset purchase programs, these asset holdings now account for $2.0 trillion of the Fed’s $2.3 trillion balance sheet.

The Federal Reserve is approaching the scheduled end of its large-scale asset purchases. We have bought $169 billion of agency debt to FED: page 86

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date, nearly fulfilling our plan to purchase “about $175 billion.”

For MBS, we have only about $30 billion of purchases remaining to reach our $1.25 trillion target. In addition, we completed $300 billion of purchases of Treasury securities late last year. Looking across these programs, we have now purchased $1.69 trillion of assets, bringing us 98 percent of the way through our scheduled purchases. To get to this point, the Trading Desk at the New York Fed has so far conducted 126 discrete operations to purchase Treasury and agency debt, and has managed 292 trading days on which either it or its investment managers have acquired MBS. My view is that the purchase programs have helped to hold down longer-term interest rates, thereby supporting economic activity. With the conclusion of the programs approaching, the Desk has been tapering the pace of its purchases of agency debt and MBS. However, even as the pace of our purchases has slowed, longer-term interest rates have remained low, and MBS spreads over Treasury yields have remained tight. This pattern suggests that the effects of the purchases have been primarily associated with the stock of the Fed’s holdings rather than with the flow of its purchases. In that case, the market effects of the purchase

program will only slowly unwind as the balance sheet shrinks gradually over time. 3 In my previous speech back in December, I discussed in detail the channels through which these market effects may arise.

By removing large amounts of duration and prepayment risk from the market, the Fed’s asset purchases reduced the volume of risk that the market had to hold, which lowered the risk premia on those assets. Put differently, the purchases bid up the prices of those assets and hence lowered their yields. The lower levels of yields would be expected to boost other asset prices as investors substitute into alternative asset classes.

These patterns describe what researchers often refer to as portfolio balance effects.

Such effects are important to consider, because they have implications for monetary policy. If the Fed’s holdings of assets have produced lower long -term interest rates, the FOMC has to carefully take into consideration how it will manage the size of its balance sheet going forward. In particular, a rapid and substantial reduction in our holdings of assets would likely push up long-term interest rates that is, it would put upward pressure on those rates by unwinding the portfolio balance effect. That increase in long rates would, in turn, weigh on

other asset prices, reversing the positive effects that had been associated with the expansion of the Fed’s balance sheet.

Under this view, the size of the Fed’s asset holdings becomes a relevant policy lever.

Accordingly, this will be the first tightening cycle for which there are two broad policy decisions in play, as the FOMC will have to set out not only the path of the short-term interest rate, but also the path of its asset holdings. The decisions on these two variables will have to be made in conjunction with one another to produce the desired outcome for economic activity and inflation.

These considerations leave open a range of outcomes for how the two instruments will be used. In his February 10 testimony, Chairman Bernanke described a possible approach for managing the size of the balance sheet. In particular, he indicated that he does not currently anticipate that the Fed will sell any of its asset holdings until the economic recovery is more firmly established and policy tightening has gotten underway. Until that time, the portfolio would shrink only through asset redemptions.

Chairman Bernanke noted that the Fed’s holdings of agency debt and MBS are being allowed to roll off the balance sheet, without reinvestment, as those securities mature or are prepaid,

and that the FOMC may choose to redeem some of its holdings of Treasury securities in the future, as well.

With this approach, the FOMC would be shrinking its balance sheet in a gradual and passive manner. That, in my view, is a crucial message for the markets.

It should limit any reversal of the portfolio balance effects described earlier, effectively putting reductions in asset holdings in the background for now as a policy instrument. As long as this approach is maintained, it would leave the adjustment of short-term interest rates as the more active policy instrument—the one that would carry the bulk of the work in tightening financial conditions when appropriate.

This approach is cautious in several dimensions. First, a decision to shrink the balance sheet more aggressively could be disruptive to market functioning. Second, a more aggressive approach would risk an immediate and substantial rise in longer-term yields that, at this time, would be counterproductive for achieving the FOMC’s objectives. Third, the effects of swings in the balance sheet on the economy are difficult to calibrate and subject to considerable uncertainty, given our limited history with this policy tool.

And fourth, policymakers do not need to use this tool to tighten

financial conditions. They can tighten financial conditions as much as needed by raising short -term interest rates, offsetting any lingering portfolio balance effects arising from the stillelevated portfolio.

Even under this cautious strategy of relying only on redemptions, the Federal Reserve could achieve a considerable decline in the size of its balance sheet over time.

From now to the end of 2011, we project that more than $200 billion of the agency debt and MBS held by the Federal Reserve will mature or be prepaid, though the actual total will depend on the path of longterm interest rates and the prepayment behavior of mortgage holders. Thus, the Fed’s asset holdings would shrink meaningfully if the FOMC maintains its current strategy of not reinvesting those proceeds. In addition, about $140 billion of Treasury securities mature between now and the end of 2011, giving the FOMC scope to reduce its asset holdings even further if it chooses to not replace some of those maturing securities.

While the passive strategy of relying on redemptions may be appropriate for now, it might not be sufficient over the longerterm. One problem is that relying only on redemptions FED: page 87

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would still leave some MBS holdings on our balance sheet for several decades. As indicated in the minutes from the January meeting, the FOMC intends to return to a Treasuriesonly portfolio over time. This consideration could motivate the FOMC to sell its agency debt and mortgage-backed securities at some point, once the economic recovery has progressed sufficiently.

Draining Tools: Control of Short-Term Rates Under the strategies just described, the Fed’s asset holdings are likely to still be elevated at the time that the FOMC wants to raise short-term interest rates. That creates a challenge for controlling those rates, because of the large amounts of reserves that were created from the Fed’s purchases of those assets. It is therefore important for the Fed to determine the way in which it will raise short-term interest rates in an environment with so much liquidity—a topic that I will now cover.

The primary vehicle for making adjustments to short-term interest rates in that environment is the ability to pay interest on reserves. We would expect changes in the interest rate on reserves to have a significant influence on other short-term interest rates.

However, in order to ensure our

ability to influence those other short-term interest rates, we have been developing two tools that can be used to reduce the large amount of excess reserves in the banking system—term deposits with banks and reverse repurchase agreements (reverse repos) with a broader universe of financial institutions. Let me first provide an update on the progress we have made in developing these tools.

On term deposits, the Federal Reserve has received public comments on the proposed structure of the facility that was published in December, and we are working toward its final form. As described in the recent Monetary Policy Report, the Federal Reserve expects to be able to conduct test transactions in the spring and to have the facility fully ready, shortly thereafter, to conduct transactions when needed.

On reverse repos, we have already successfully run smallscale operations using Treasury and agency debt as collateral with primary dealers. However, that leaves two significant steps still to take in preparing the tool.

One is developing the capacity to use our MBS holdings as collateral. Work in that area is nearly complete, and we will likely conduct some small-scale operations with MBS collateral in a month or so to exercise that capability. The other step is expanding the set of

counterparties that we use for such operations. Earlier today, we published criteria for money market mutual funds to become eligible to participate in reverse repo operations, which was a first and important step in that direction. We are currently working with other types of firms to assess their potential participation in the program, as well. Our expectation is to have arrangements in place and to be ready to transact with some nondealer firms by the end of the second quarter. This expansion of counterparties is important for boosting the capacity of the program.

The bottom line is that the preparation of both facilities is advancing very effectively.

Looking across the two programs, we will have established the capacity to drain a significant portion of excess reserves by the second half of the year. Of course, achieving this capacity does not say anything about how and when the FOMC will decide to actually drain reserves.

The actual timing and size of draining operations, and their relation to changes in the interest rate paid on reserves, will depend on how market and economic conditions evolve.

Chairman Bernanke discussed one possible sequence in his February 10 testimony. He suggested that operations to drain reserves could be run on a

limited basis well ahead of policy tightening, in order to give market participants time to become familiar with them, and then could be scaled up to more significant volume as we approach the time for policy tightening.

Removing a portion of the excess reserves from the system ahead of increasing the rate paid on reserves is a cautious approach, as it should improve the Fed’s control of short-term interest rates when it comes time to tighten monetary policy. 4 To be sure, even at today’s reserve levels, we would expect the interest rate paid on excess reserves to exert considerable pull on other short-term interest rates such as the federal funds rate or repo rates. However, we are unsure of the exact relationship between these rates and believe that it is likely to be tighter when the banking system is not as saturated with liquidity as it is today. Thus, it may be prudent to remove some portion of excess reserves before raising the interest rate on reserves.

Note that the policy tightening in this scenario will still likely be taking place in an environment of large excess reserve balances, and the main workhorse of the tightening cycle will still be the interest paid on reserves. However, the draining tools can be used to best ensure the success of that framework.

Market Conditions: At Risk on Exit?

Finally, let me turn to conditions in financial markets and discuss whether there may be vulnerabilities related to the Fed’s exit from the current monetary policy stance. I think there are two potential areas of concern.

The first potential concern is that the exit strategy could simply cause confusion among market participants, prompting volatility in asset prices. As noted earlier, this tightening cycle, when it arrives, will be more complicated than past cycles, as there will be more decision points facing policymakers. With more decision points come more opportunities for the markets to be confused by our actions. The recent changes to the discount rate and the Treasury’s Supplementary Financing Program balances highlight this concern, as the amount of attention that those actions received was outsized relative to their significance for the economy or for the path of short -term interest rates.

The burden is on the Fed to mitigate this risk by communicating clearly about its policy intentions and the purpose of any operational moves it might take. In this regard, the forward-looking FED: page 88

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policy language that the FOMC is currently using in its statement is important. I would argue that this language contains much more direct and valuable information about the likely path of the short-term interest rate target than does any decision about draining reserves. Indeed, it will be difficult for market participants to make precise inferences about the timing of increases in the target interest rate from the patterns of reserve draining alone, in part because the FOMC has not specified the path of reserves it intends to achieve before raising interest rates.

The second potential concern that some may have is whether the markets have adequately priced in the exit strategy.

However, a few considerations should limit this concern. Most important, the current configuration of yields and asset prices incorporates expectations that short-term interest rates will begin to rise around the end of this year. Thus, the markets seem prepared for the risks toward tighter policy. Moreover, looking out to longer maturities, the shape of the Treasury yield curve appears to incorporate not only expectations of policy tightening, but a decent-sized term premium on longer-term securities. Indeed, the term premium is well above the levels observed over most of the

past several years, even though inflation is likely to be low and upside inflation risks are limited. This should help to diminish the chances of a sizable upward shift in yields.

A related issue is whether the current levels of risky asset prices will prove robust in a rising rate environment. This may be a particular concern among those who argue that the current low policy rate environment has fueled an unsustainable rise in asset prices beyond their fundamental values. However, this is not clearly the case on a broad basis.

Obviously, risky asset prices have undergone a historic rise from their trough in early 2009.

But this rise began from an extreme starting point, one in which asset prices were being depressed by the baseline forecast of a deep recession, by the prospect of further downside risks to the economy, and by very elevated risk premiums.

As the economy stabilized, asset prices benefitted from both the improving economic outlook and a significant renormalization of risk premiums—a pattern that was a desired outcome from the stance of monetary policy. Moreover, we do not see definitive signs that risk premiums have broadly become too low at this point. To be sure, a number of significant risks remain in the economic outlook, and those translate into

financial market risks.

Eventually, though, we expect to reach a period of sustained, above-trend growth to absorb the substantial slack in place, which is an environment that should be quite supportive of risky asset prices. Policy tightening will presumably occur as that happens, limiting the downside risk to markets associated with policy actions.

Conclusion In conclusion, the exit from the various liquidity facilities that the Federal Reserve implemented has been very successful, as the up-front design of those facilities reduced the need to actively manage the end of those programs. However, the exit from the current stance of monetary policy is quite different, in that it will have to be actively managed to ensure a smooth exit.

I began the speech by noting that we face an extraordinary challenge with this exit, given the historic steps that have been taken with the Fed’s balance sheet. This challenge, which involves operating in uncharted territory along several dimensions, will inherently involve some uncertainties and risks. However, as I hope is clear from my remarks, the Federal Reserve’s efforts to date should minimize those risks.

Indeed, I believe the Fed’s efforts have been prudent along

a number of dimensions.

As a first step, we have been careful to make sure we have an adequate set of tools. To that end, we have developed multiple tools that can be used for draining reserves, in order to ensure our capability to do so.

Moreover, we have been testing those tools and will continue to take steps to ensure that we and the markets are prepared to use them in more significant volumes when needed.

Developing the tools is not enough, though. As a second step, policymakers will need to formulate a strategy for using them in an appropriate manner to avoid any undesired outcomes for financial markets and the economy.

The FOMC is actively engaged in determining that strategy, as indicated in the FOMC minutes from the January meeting. The strategy to be employed has not been fully decided, but recent speeches by FOMC members and the recent FOMC minutes have begun to convey some of the possibilities. Many of the potential steps described seem to guard against the risks involved. For example, reducing the size of the Fed’s balance sheet through redemptions for now will produce a gradual adjustment that will be easier for the markets to digest. In addition, steps taken to drain reserves ahead of policy tightening may best ensure the

success of interest on reserves at influencing other short-term interest rates.

Overall, an approach along these lines should help to ensure a smooth exit from the current accommodative stance of monetary policy. Moreover, if the Fed’s intentions are well communicated to the financial market participants, they too should be fully prepared and in the best possible shape for navigating this exit. __________________________ __________________________ __ 1 The views expressed here are not necessarily shared by the Federal Open Market Committee or by other members of the staff of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

2 In discussing these facilities, I am not including any provision of credit intended to support specific institutions, including those associated with the Maiden Lane LLCs. I include the Term Securities Lending Facility in with short-term lending facilities, even though it provided the market with Treasury securities rather than reserves, because it was often used to find funding for positions in less liquid securities.

3 An alternative explanation is that the large-scale asset purchases have had no effect FED: page 89

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Brazil, America and trade: Picking a fight (The Economist: News analysis)

about America's countercyclical subsidies to its cotton growers, which are designed to Submitted at 3/9/2010 1:37:54 AM cushion them against Brazil, America and trade fluctuations in the cotton price, Brazil fires another salvo in its and a programme guaranteeing dispute with America over loans for international buyers of cotton subsidies American cotton.

Mar 9th 2010 | From The Just over six months ago an Economist online arbitration panel at the WTO HOW serious is the decision by authorised Brazil to retaliate by Brazil’s government, announced imposing additional duties on on Tuesday March 8th, to raise American goods, for America’s duties on a number of American failure to comply with earlier -made imports? The increases rulings on the matter. The panel are sizeable for goods such as specified that Brazil was entitled cosmetics (tariffs will double, to to retaliation worth $294.7m, 36%) and many household but that this amount would be wares (tariffs will also double, adjusted in subsequent years to to 40%). And the timing is account for changes in payments significant: the news came as to American cotton farmers.

America's commerce secretary, Brazil estimates that it is entitled Gary Locke, was due to arrive in to impose retaliatory measures Brasilia to promote an export- worth $829m. The measures p r o m o t i o n i n i t i a t i v e i n announced so far are worth America's 10th-largest export $591m. market.

The dispute is related to cotton, Yet the decision is not entirely so it is unsurprising that Brazil surprising, as it relates to a long- has reserved the stiffest tariff running trade dispute. Asked rises for cotton products, lifting about the dispute at a press them to 100% from current rates conference last week Hillary of 6%-35%. But a decision to Clinton, the secretary of state, lift duties on cars—a sensitive said “I feel like I have walked product in America—from 35% into a movie that has been going to 50% suggests that Brazil is on for years”. Brazil complained doing what most countries to the World Trade Organisation authorised to retaliate against (WTO) nearly eight years ago trade partners do, which is to

seek to inflict most pain on industries with a strong political voice.

Brazil has another card to play, which software, pharmaceutical and other big American industries may worry about. The Latin American country may, under the terms of the WTO ruling, “suspend certain obligations” to honour intellectual property rights (such as patents) if the amount of retaliation that it is entitled to is so high that it could not reasonably hope to exhaust it by targeting goods alone. Brazil’s government says that it intends to do this with measures later this month, to the value of $238m—the “remaining annual amount of retaliation to which Brazil is entitled”—which will be applied to intellectual property and services. The WTO has previously allowed such retaliation, although nobody has ever followed through with such steps. Brazil, if it threats are to be believed, would be the first to do so.

The American response has been by the book. A spokeswoman for the office of the US Trade Representative said it was “disappointed”, adding that it hopes to solve the trade spat through negotiation.

The Brazilians say they ready for talks, too. The statement by the Brazilian government emphasised that “trade retaliation does not constitute the most appropriate means” to a fairer basis for international trade.

That sounds conciliatory, but the Brazilians are still emphasising that negotiations would have to focus on cotton subsidies. The strength of the farm lobby in Congress makes this an area difficult to reform.

But changing Congress's mind may be exactly what the Brazilians intend: Gary Hufbauer, a trade economist at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington, DC, says that “Brazil has decided that the only way to shift congressional opinion is through retaliation”.

The two countries now have a month to negotiate a settlement before the proposed tariff increases go into effect.

Readers' comments The Economist welcomes your views.

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and that the low levels of rates and spreads simply reflect other factors. However, I believe the evidence indicates that the asset purchases have contributed to the low level of longer-term rates.

4 Some have discussed whether the draining of excess reserves has effects on the economy beyond the implications for short-term interest rates. In my view, it would be surprising if there were significant effects on the real economy or inflation associated with substituting one short-term, liquid, risk-free asset (reverse repos or term deposits with the Fed) for another (reserves), except for the degree to which that substitution affects the Fed’s control of overnight interest rates.

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Sectarian violence in Nigeria: Deadly reprisals (The Economist: News analysis) Submitted at 3/8/2010 7:55:16 AM

Sectarian violence in Nigeria Sectarian violence kills hundreds in Nigeria Mar 8th 2010 | LAGOS | From The Economist online THE number plates in Nigeria’s Plateau State declare it to be the “Home of Peace and Tourism”.

This has seemed ever more optimistic in recent years, as the state capital, Jos, has been battered by brutal violence, with fresh attacks over the weekend reportedly leaving hundreds dead.

In the early hours of the morning of Sunday March 7th gangs attacked villages near Jos, according to the Red Cross.

Houses were razed and many women and children killed.

Locals say the gang members belonged to a mainly Muslim tribe called the Fulani, while the villages were populated by the mostly Christian Berom group.

The death toll is hard to verify, with estimates ranging from 200 to 500.

The latest killings may be an act of revenge for four days of clashes in Jos in January, when hundreds also died and Muslims were disproportionately

affected, though there were deaths on both sides. “This appears to be some kind of reprisal attack,” said Robin Waudo, a spokesman for the Red Cross in Abuja, the national capital.

Jos, in Nigeria’s so-called “middle belt”, is a tinderbox that sits between the country’s predominantly Muslim north and largely Christian south. The city and its surroundings saw similar clashes in 2001, which by some accounts left some 1,000 killed, as well as in 2004 and 2008. However, religious differences are just one factor behind the violence.

Africa’s most populous country struggles to contain 150m people and well over 200 ethnic groups. In Jos ethnic sentiment runs deeper than faith, even if religious fervour is used to fan the flames. Some blame economic woes, saying that the Christian Berom, the majority ethnic group in this area, resent the economic success of usually Muslim settlers. “People try to narrow it down to religion but every aspect matters,” said Patience Dassah at the League for Human Rights in Jos, a local charity.

The latest attacks present a test for Goodluck Jonathan,

Nigeria’s acting president. Mr Jonathan had power thrust upon him last month as a result of the mysterious and prolonged absence of Umaru Yar’Adua, the ailing president. Mr Yar’Adua has since returned to Nigeria, after three months in a Saudi Arabian clinic, but is yet to be seen in public.

Mr Jonathan on Sunday put security forces on high alert and sent soldiers to the villages in question. The army was already present in Jos following the January attacks and night curfews have long been in place.

Over 90 arrests have already been made, say the police. But there is scepticism that such moves will bring a lasting solution. Those arrested after previous incidents have rarely been convicted. A probe into the 2008 killings set up by Mr Yar’Adua has failed to have any serious effects.

Jos residents said the atmosphere was relatively calm on Monday and people went to work as usual, though the fear of further violence persists. Mr Waudo at the Red Cross expressed worries about already strained facilities in the makeshift displacement camps, both in Jos and the nearby city of Bauchi. The camps were

estimated to house 8,000 people last week, before the latest violence which has displaced yet more.

It is a far cry from the heyday of Jos during the first half of the 20th-century when the world wars pushed up demand for the region’s tin resources. However the city went into a steady economic decline from the 1970s, following Nigeria’s civil war and the state’s increasing reliance on oil revenues.

The sporadic violence is not only a symptom of this economic malaise, but a contributing factor to it. “The fighting only lasts two or three days each time but…property worth millions of naira is destroyed. It is destabilising,” said Ismaila Zango, a sociology lecturer at Bayero University in Kano, in northern Nigeria.

“Businesses have left Jos for these reasons.” Readers' comments The Economist welcomes your views.

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What locals say as technology changes the way we read (The Bakersfield Californian) (Yahoo! News Search Results for e-readers) Submitted at 3/8/2010 1:29:37 PM

What locals say as technology changes the way we read BY JASON KOTOWSKI, Californian staff writer jkotowski@bakersfield.com| Sunday, Mar 07 2010 12:00 PM Last Updated Sunday, Mar 07 2010 12:00 PM Books have entered the electronic age.

While e-books have been available for years, the latest devices with which they're read, called e-readers, are bringing more attention to them. Sony, Amazon and Barnes & Noble have e-readers on the market and Apple's iPad is scheduled for release in early April.

Many people get their news, do their shopping and pay their bills online. But will they want to read a book on a computer screen?

Jason Frost, manager of Russo's Books, said the technology has both positives and negatives.

On the plus side, you can store dozens of books on an e-reader, Frost said. Instead of lugging a bunch of books around, you have months' worth of reading in a device that can be held with one hand.

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But the downside is there's no uniform format for e-books, Frost said. For example, if you own Amazon's Kindle, you can only get your e-books from Amazon or other Kindle content providers. Sony has its own format, as does Barnes & Noble's e-reader, called "nook."

"If I buy a book I don't want to be a slave to the device," Frost said.

Another negative, in Frost's opinion, is that reading a book on an electronic screen puts more strain on the eyes than reading a printed page. He expects technology to eventually improve to the point where the screen will look like an actual page.

Russo's started selling e-books about nine months ago, but Frost said so far the response hasn't been overwhelming. He hasn't bought an e-reader yet, but he's excited to see what the iPad can do.

"To call an iPad an e-reader is like calling a Porsche a car," Frost said. "There's so much more you can do with it."

Bakersfield resident Jose Gutierrez, 27, isn't sold on ereaders yet. He's going to wait for the price, which can run more than $300, to come down.

His brother, however, owns an e -reader and he was surprised at the high quality.

Chris Krigbaum, 46, said he's interested in eventually purchasing an e-reader because of how much content they can hold and other features they'll have.

Karyn Rutherford, an employee at the Barnes & Noble Booksellers on California Avenue, said they now stock the nook e-reader in store. She declined comment on nook sales.

Barnes & Noble reported total sales of $2.2 billion for its fiscal third quarter ending Jan. 30, 2010, a 33 percent increase from the year before, according to a Barnes & Noble news release.

Store sales fell 4.7 percent to $1.4 billion, but online sales increased 32 percent to $210 million for the quarter, as compared to the prior year, the news release said.

Steve Riggio, chief executive officer of Barnes & Noble, Inc., said in the news release that "in addition to the accelerating online sales trends, nook sales have been strong at our bookstores since the product became available."

Erin Thompson, training

supervisor at the Borders Bookstore on Stockdale Highway, said e-books and ereaders have proven very popular. Borders sells Sony ereaders. She declined to provide sales numbers.

Thompson said she hadn't heard any complaints about the devices, but she said some people probably won't embrace the new technology and will stick to regular books. She said those people will probably skew toward those 65 and older and include people who also haven't bought computers or cell phones.

Frost said e-readers have hurt sales, but he doesn't think book stores are going to disappear as e-readers become more sophisticated and more people buy them. The industry will have to adapt to the changes in technology, he said.

"I hope there's a way to encourage people to keep buying books," Frost said.'); } else { $('dsq-authenticate').update(' Please sign in or register to comment.'); } } else if ($$('.dsq -badge-bakersfield').length != 0) { $$('a.dsqr e q u e s t - u s e r -

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Chinese Companies Plan Tablet PCs Amid Apple IPad Hype (PC World via Yahoo! News) (Yahoo! News Search Results for e-readers) Submitted at 3/9/2010 4:20:00 AM

Several Chinese companies have jumped on the tablet PC bandwagon as buyers await the sale of Apple's iPad, possibly presaging wide imitation of the Apple device in China.

Apple hasn't said if it will sell the iPad in China, but some local companies there have already started selling or planning rival tablet computers with Windows 7, the first version of the Microsoft OS to offer a core multitouch control option suited for such devices.

Other Chinese vendors are taking orders for the iPad, planning to buy the device outside of China and informally take it back into the country before reselling it. The iPhone was similarly sold on the gray market in China long before its official release there late last year, and at least 1 million iPhones being used in China were not bought from official distributor China Unicom, according to analyst estimates.

One local company working on its own tablet is Teso, a device maker based in Shenzhen, the southern city known as the home of Chinese knock-off and CHINESE page 92

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imitation electronics, locally called "bandit" devices. The company plans to start shipping a 10.1-inch tablet with a multitouch touchscreen and an Intel Atom processor this month, a company employee surnamed Wu said via instant message, where his status message billed the product as an "imitation iPad tablet."

The Teso device will cost around US$280 outside of China and about $330 inside the country, Wu said by phone. The tablet will weigh less than 0.9 kilograms (2 pounds) and allow users to surf the Internet with a 3G mobile connection.

Hanvon Technology, a Chinese maker of e-readers and other devices, plans to start shipping two tablet computers next month. Both will have 10-inch screens, Windows 7 and a price between 4,999 yuan and 5,999 yuan (US$730 to $877), a company marketing employee

said. Their CPUs will come from Intel's Atom and Celeron lines.

Another Chinese company, Shenzhen Great Loong Brother Industrial, already sells a tablet computer that looks similar to the iPad. The company has said it wouldn't rule out suing Apple over the similar design, even though, as the blog iPadInsider has noted, the company once described its product as an imitation Apple device on a part of its Web site that has since become inaccessible.

Lenovo is China's top PC maker and a global brand, but it also stepped into the tablet arena early this year by announcing its IdeaPad U1, a laptop with a touchscreen that can be detached and used as a tablet computer.

Many Chinese device makers appear to be waiting to see how the iPad actually sells, but if it performs well then a wave of

imitation is certain, said Kevin Wang, an analyst at iSuppli.

"Bandit" mobile phones and netbooks, widely sold at electronics bazaars in China, have appeared both as blatant counterfeits of well-known products like the iPhone and merely as generic-looking devices from unknown brands.

But their defining trait has been a low price, often at the cost of quality. The likely problem for imitation tablet PCs in China will be a lack of wide-ranging applications like the pool available for Apple's iPad, Wang said.

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Green Concrete Specialist Hycrete Gets New CEO info@greentechmedia.com (Greentech Media: Headlines)

been mixed into concrete foundations for, among other buildings, the new labs at the Submitted at 3/8/2010 8:17:21 PM University of Washington Hycrete, which produces a Medical School. Hycrete is chemical to make concrete green in that contractors don't waterproof, has appointed need to wrap their foundations Richard Guinn as CEO. in plastic anymore. The Former CEO (and grandson of chemical admixture also makes the inventor) David Rosenberg it easier to recycle concrete (a w i l l b e c o m e e x e c u t i v e construction technique being chairman. We heard a change used in Abu Dhabi's Masdar was afoot as part of a plan to City). The chemical additionally scale up the company and costs less than the plastic.

Hycrete confirmed it.

Guinn comes from the company T h e N e w J e r s e y - b a s e d from Centria, which makes company produces an chemical architectural panels. He is also that, when mixed into concrete, on the advisory board of Cradle makes it waterproof. In the past to Cradle, which certifies several years, start-ups selling sustainable building materials. green building materials have Five Filters featured article: sprouted like crazy. What makes Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: Hycrete different? It actually PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, has customers. The company's Term Extraction. waterproofing chemicals have

E-reader News Edition

Gallup Poll/

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Dems Hold Slight Advantage in 2010 Election Preferences (All Gallup Headlines)

enthusiasm question. The February results showed that 55% of Republicans and PRINCETON, NJ -- Democrats Republican leaners were more lead Republicans by a slight enthusiastic than usual about 47% to 44% margin when voting, contrasted with 41% of registered voters are asked Democrats and Democratic which party's congressional leaners. candidate they would support in One potential problem for their district "if the elections for Democrats is the lower Congress were being held enthusiasm about voting among today."At the same time, young Americans. Twenty Gallup's inaugural weekly percent of registered voters aged tracking update on the 2010 18 to 29 say they are very elections shows Republicans enthusiastic about voting this with a distinct advantage over November. That compares with Democrats in terms of 31% to 39% of older age groups enthusiasm about voting this who are very enthusiastic. year.

Younger Americans are The relative closeness of the decidedly more Democratic than two parties on the "generic the national average. Thus, their ballot" measure mirrors results apparent lack of motivation to found in separate stand-alone Gallup interviews with 1,585 95% of Republicans saying they follow-up among those who are vote -- if it continues until polls Gallup has conducted registered voters conducted will vote for the Republican enthusiastic that asks whether Election Day -- could deprive since October of last year. during the week of March 1-7, candidate. Independents tilt they are "very" enthusiastic or Democrats of the full benefit These results are based on are the first installment of t o w a r d t h e R e p u b l i c a n "somewhat" enthusiastic. they could in theory derive if all registered voters. Closer to the midterm election tracking candidate, although one out of Approximately one-third of 18- to 29-year-olds were to vote.

2010 fall elections, Gallup will updates, which Gallup will s i x i n d e p e n d e n t s h a v e n o registered voters claim to be Gallup will update the base its generic ballot results on provide on a weekly basis preference at this point. The tilt "very" enthusiastic about voting e n t h u s i a s m a b o u t v o t i n g voters deemed most likely to between now and Election Day t o w a r d t h e D e m o c r a t i c at this point, while almost 4 out measure each week, providing a vote. Republicans generally are next November. Weekly results candidate in the overall results is of 10 are not enthusiastic. continuing measure of any shifts T h e r e a r e s i g n i f i c a n t in the relative enthusiasm more likely to vote in midterm on the basic ballot and voting o w i n g t o D e m o c r a t s ' elections than are Democrats, enthusiasm measures -- plus outnumbering Republicans differences in enthusiasm by advantage the Republicans now usually giving the former an partisan differences on both of nationwide among registered party, with an 18-point "very enjoy as the election nears and enthusiastic" gap between campaigning intensifies. a d v a n t a g e a m o n g l i k e l y these -- will be released on voters.

Enthusiasm About Voting Republicans and Republican- Bottom Line voters."Twenty percent of Gallup.com each Tuesday.

Gallup this week introduces a leaning independents on the one registered voters aged 18 to 29 Strong Partisan Differences Gallup's inaugural weekly B o t h R e p u b l i c a n s a n d new measure of enthusiasm h a n d , a n d D e m o c r a t s a n d tracking update on Americans' say they are very enthusiastic about voting this November. Democrats show strong loyalty about voting, based on voters' D e m o c r a t i c - l e a n i n g voting intentions for this fall's That compares with 31% to 39% to their parties' candidates, with responses when asked if they are independents on the other. i m p o r t a n t midterm of older age groups who are 92% of Democrats saying they enthusiastic or not enthusiastic A similar enthusiasm gap was congressional elections shows a will vote for the Democratic "about voting in this year's evident in a February Gallup very enthusiastic."

DEMS page 94 The current results, based on candidate in their district, and congressional elections," with a update of a slightly different Submitted at 3/8/2010 7:00:00 PM

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narrow race, with Democrats holding a slight advantage among registered voters.

Because Republicans generally enjoy higher turnout than Democrats, the closeness of the race among registered voters could mean that Republicans would be at parity or holding a slight advantage if actual voting were to take place now.

Since 1950, when Gallup began using a "likely voter" model in congressional election estimates, the average Republican gain in moving from registered voters to likely voters in the final preelection poll has been four points (because Democrats, on average, do not lose with the switch from registered voters to likely voters, the overall change in the Republican-Democratic

gap has also averaged four points). Republican gains have ranged from no change to 11 points on the Republican share of the vote, and as much as an 11-point gain in the gap. In only one election have Democrats gained after applying the likely voter model.

The potential impact of turnout and motivation come November is underscored by the finding that Republicans hold a significant enthusiasm advantage over Democrats at this juncture.

Survey Methods Results are based on telephone interviews with a random sample of 1,585 national adults, aged 18 and older, conducted March 1-7, 2010, as part of Gallup Daily tracking. For

results based on the total sample of national adults, one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum margin of sampling error is Âą3 percentage points.

Interviews are conducted with respondents on landline telephones and cellular phones.

In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.

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Will Agribusiness Be A Growth Market for Solar? info@greentechmedia.com (Greentech Media: Headlines)

about the size or site or a project. Many large Ag states like California have also passed Submitted at 3/9/2010 4:15:52 AM renewable energy incentives.

Produce and solar, it turns out, With organic remaining the have a lot in common. fastest growing segment in food, Agribusiness has a number of m a n y g r o w e r s w a n t t o characteristics that could make emphasize their sustainable it a prime sub-market in the credentials. solar business, according to The Minturn Huller Mike Miskovsky, General C o o p e r a t i v e , a s h e l l i n g Manager of Canadian Solar's operation for almond growers, U.S. operations. this week unveiled a 540Typically, farmers grow their kilowatt system from Canadian crops in relatively sunny areas Solar and project developer with lots of open space and a WILL page 95 lack of neighbors to complain

The Network in the Ceiling info@greentechmedia.com (Greentech Media: Headlines)

work, better fire safety and improved security.

Redwood essentially wants to Submitted at 3/9/2010 4:32:28 AM replace electric wiring for lights Forget wireless. The future in buildings with Ethernet cable. belongs to Ethernet cables, says Ethernet can't power regular Redwood Systems. bulbs, but it can be used to The semi-secretive lighting power light emitting diodes, or company has come up with a LEDs, in part because LEDs way that-potentially-eliminates only consume 7 to 12 watts of a number of the headaches power. around the challenge of But unlike standard wires, reducing power consumption in Ethernet cables can carry signals buildings. And along the way, easily and that's where a lot of the company paves the way for the benefits come in. Instead of ameliorating other problems like putting the electronics for high labor rates for construction g e n e r a t i n g l i g h t a t e a c h

individual LED, the electronics can be centralized in a server and delivered via the cable to each light. This cuts down component cost while increasing reliability. Jeremy Stieglitz, vice president of marketing, explains more in the video.

The cable additionally by its very nature creates network with regularly spaced nodes spanning an office or an entire floor. By attaching light sensors to it, the lights can automatically dim themselves when sunlight is available to save power. Carbon dioxide sensors, motion

detectors and security devices can be added too. Right now, these have to be wired separately.

Dim the lights or curb the air conditioner during a peak power crisis? You can select which lights and which rooms by the data coming in from local occupancy sensors.

"I can now afford to smash together eight sensors and put them next to every light while my competitor can afford to do one," said Steiglitz. "Wiring in buildings now looks like it did in 1885. It is dumb, unmanaged

and unintelligent."

Networking has become one of the more active segments in green building in the last year.

Buildings consume 39 percent of all of the energy in America (and 76 percent of the total electricity) and buildings aren't exactly efficient. Employees chronically leave lights on and in many buildings the air conditioner and heater can be running at the same time on the same day.

Lighting and lighting NETWORK page 95

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management is particularly inefficient. Although the air conditioners and heaters in most large buildings are controlled through management systems from companies like Johnson Controls or Honeywell, lights largely remain free agents.

PG&E late last year estimated that only around one percent of California office buildings sport dynamic, networked lighting controls. Lighting consumes 25 percent of the energy in U.S. office buildings, according to the Department of Energy Buildings Data Book.

Computers only account for 4 percent: you could put six desktops on every desk and still not equal the power going to lights.

Adura Technologies and Lumenergi have tried to tackle the problem with hardware and software that lets you remotely dim fluorescent bulbs, still the overwhelming standard in commercial office buildings.

(Like Redwood, both companies also want to expand from lights into controlling lights to other devices).

Right now, Adura and Lumenergi both have much

continued from page 94

larger potential markets.

Fluorescents can be found in 85 percent of U.S. office buildings.

The technology from both companies can also be inserted into existing buildings. Because it depends on LEDs and because Redwood hopes to eliminate existing infrastructure, it will necessarily have to concentrate on new construction, which remains mired in a lull.

Nonetheless, many believe that LEDs will become the basis of the lighting industry in the future.

Competitors will also likely flock to the market. Tiny Juice Technology, for instance, recently showcased its own Ethernet-LED technology at the Cleantech Forum in San Francisco. I wouldn't be surprised if Philips, the reigning king of lighting, has something like this in its labs.

And where does the fire safety and labor rates part come into things? Ethernet cables are low voltage connections compared to wires.

"Firemen hate cutting through wires," he said. "He can cut through this and not worry. It is simply a safer system."

That low voltage nature of cable also greatly reduces the complexity of installation.

Although Redwood will sell its products through electrical contractors, IT guys could technically do it. Over time, as building inspectors and contractors become accustomed to the idea, it could lead to lower construction costs.

Redwood estimates cables could reduce the time required for installing a lighting system by 25 percent.

"You plug in Ethernet and it works," he said. "We want that in lighting."

As a final bonus, Redwood decorates its offices with historic light bulbs. Here are some of the more interesting ones. They are actually quite aesthetic.

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Cenergy. The system, overall, should reduce Minturn's annual electric bill by around 20 percent. A neighboring almond packing facility also has a 400kilowatt system in place.

(Canadian will also speak at our 2010 Solar Summit taking place at the end of the month in Phoenix.)

Several wineries have also installed solar facilities.

Despite the geographic advantages for solar in agriculture, it is a customer base with a few tricky nuances. First, says Cenergy's Bill Pham, the consumption of power at many facilities remains lopsided. The Minturn Cooperative has intense energy demands from August through November. The nuts come in at the end of summer and the shelling machines have to crank 24 hours a day.

The rest of the year, however, it only needs a little bit of power for maintaining equipment and a few other operations. Thus, for eight months a year, the panels are largely producing power for the grid and banking up credits.

(Some of the benefits and credits under the California Solar Initiative also tap out if the installation exceeds 1 megawatt, so the system has to be sized accordingly.)

Land rights can also be an issue. Although a single farmer may own several adjacent tracts of land, easements for transmission have to be established to prevent any potential problems with future real estate transactions.

Interconnections in many locations need to be upgraded.

Finally, farmers, at least in the San Joaquin Valley, tend to be somewhat conservative. They want to own the panels.

Technically, the Minturn deal is a PPA arrangement: Cenergy owns the solar panel installation and sells power to the farmers.

In reality, it operates more like a lease-to-own contract. After seven years, the farmers will get the option to buy the panels from Cenergy. (PPAs in typical cases might last twenty years.)

The PPA structure of the deal is mostly a way to obtain financing.

"It is more of an ownership culture rather than a leasing culture," he said.

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