Monthly Archives: February 2007
Oh yeah, Real Safe
The Peril of Doing Nothing
by Mary Pitt
After November’s election, the people were feeling optimistic, having elected a Democratic majority in the House and more than an even balance in the Senate. Speaker Pelosi announced her “first 100 hours” strategy and we were ready to watch the reform take place. However, the euphoria was short-lived as the House passed first one “non-binding resolution” only to have it squelched by the Republican bloc in the Senate. The Democrats, unlike the Dixie Chicks, are still convinced that they need to make nice. Perhaps they were in the minority for too long and it was simply easier to fall back into the same old habits of huddling helplessness. In addition, the next election campaign is on everybody’s minds and key figures are playing to the power structure rather than to the electorate.
Sin Enneagram
Why I Can’t Vote for Hillary
WHY I CAN’T VOTE FOR HILLARY
by Mary Pitt
As a life-long feminist, it would be the fulfillment of all my dreams to have a woman as President of the United States in my lifetime. However, I find that the position is too important to waste my precious vote in such an endeavor if it were not the right person for the job. I am not convinced that Hillary Rodham Clinton is that person and, for the good of my beloved country, I cannot vote for her, and I will be happy to tell you why.
Blender Madness
http://www.willitblend.com/videos.aspx?type=unsafe&video=glowsticks
But INSPIRED madness!
BVSDWatch.org Kicks it Up a Notch
If you haven’t heard of the Boulder Valley School District Watch website (BVSDwatch.org) and you have kids in the Boulder Valley Schools, you owe it to yourself to stop by.
UK != US Words
List of UK-only words – words not used in the US. Very interesting!
And a couple of very fun translators:
Go Ahead, Buy a PC
From the Consumerist ( http://tinyurl.com/23ljrx )
Dan writes is to let us know that a Dell Laptop was the most probable cause of a fire that destroyed his home. We must say he seems in good spirits about it, all things considered:
Freeing Education
My pal Brad Jolly just fired up his first blog! Says I inspired him. Gawrsh. ::BLUSH::
His blog is called ‘Freeing Education‘ and, knowing Brad, will be chock-full of things pertinent and useful to educators and students!
Union-Busters
Nearly twenty five organizations with hired lobbyists came out opposing the recently vetoed HB 1072, which sought to make it easier for unions to negotiate job shops.
PC – Mac – Linux
Classy, real classy
I’ve been invited to give a talk about CSS at Boulder Digital Arts!
http://www.boulderdigitalarts.com/events/details.asp?offering=161
I’ll be doing some CSS-evangelism to the table-weary masses.
Put on your geeky best and come’on out!
English is Crazy
Can you read these right the first time?
Nuclear Accidents
http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/List_of_military_nuclear_accidents
List of military nuclear accidents
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia – Cite This Source
This article lists notable military accidents involving nuclear material. Civilian accidents are listed at List of civilian nuclear accidents. For a general discussion of both civilian and military accidents, see nuclear and radiation accidents.
Scope of this article
In listing military nuclear accidents, the following criteria have been followed:
- There must be well-attested and substantial health damage, property damage or contamination.
- The damage must be related directly to radioactive material, not merely (for example) at a nuclear power plant.
- To qualify as “military”, the nuclear operation/material must be principally for military purposes.
Comes v MS Case
Case background:
Comes v. Microsoft is an Iowa state court class action brought by consumers, small businesses, and other indirect purchasers of Microsoft software products. Plaintiffs allege that from May 18, 1994 through June 30, 2006, Microsoft engaged in illegal monopolization and other anticompetitive conduct in the markets for operating systems, word processing, spreadsheets, and office suite software.
Chip Wars Continue to Rage
Class action lawsuit filed against Dell.
The suit claims Intel was bribing Dell to shut out AMD. Dell spokemen say the suit is a rehash of their dustup with AMD and that other claims in the lawsuit are made up.
This whole mess could spell less money donated to GOP fundraisers as well as operational woes for Intel; which could impact Apple eventually.
I think what we’re seeing is the first wave of change eroding the PC market’s sand castle. Dell has been producing an inferior product for years – their penchant for shipping DOA machines is legendary.
First Gateway started tanking in 2000 and hasn’t gotten better, now Dell is showing signs of slipping. HP looks to be doing good, but I think it’s just the effect of laying off all the Mercury employees – that bubble will burst shortly I suspect. Not to mention, when judgement against now-ex-chairman Dunn come down I predict that stock will take a savage hit.
Golly, could it be…? Is the ballyhooed Age of the PC drawing to an end? The skeletons are starting to rattle and fall out of the closets. Meanwhile Apple is doing great.
My PowerPoint
From: http://www.nbc-links.com/powerpoint.html
This is dedicated to John “Slidemeister” Wilwerding. Remember the Marines’ rifleman creed (This is my rifle…)? This was created by a Marine at WESTPAC. (I don’t know who this guy is but it was on the e-mail that was received….)