DPopYo

A Glass Of Milk A Day Helps The Dairy Farmers Get Paid

2009-03-11T23:54:00.012-04:00

While cruising across the Bay Bridge heading towards Delaware, WYPR's Dairy Distress caught my attention. Ironically, I later encountered the friendly Maryland cattle featured here. I knew there was an underlying reason why I opted for the gallon vs. the half gallon of milk earlier this week at the local grocery store. Support your local farmers!

St. Patricks Day Arrives Early in Alexandria, VA

2009-03-08T00:17:00.009-05:00

Washington, D.C.--Back To Business

2009-01-25T18:56:00.005-05:00

01.20.2009

2009-01-20T19:52:00.012-05:00

Obama-rama

2009-01-18T23:20:00.004-05:00

The (even more) historic Hay-Adams Hotel

Obama-rama

2009-01-18T23:02:00.010-05:00

My view from the top during fall 2008

Start of security for president-elect Barack Obama, his family, friends and transition team.

Obama-rama

2009-01-14T23:43:00.002-05:00

Obama-rama

2009-01-14T23:15:00.009-05:00

Obama-rama

2009-01-14T21:01:00.005-05:00

The National Mall in Washington, D.C. is undergoing its inaugural transformation and everyone--dogs included--are taking in the planning and preparations for the long awaited, Tuesday, January 20, 2009.

What are your plans for inauguration day?

Looking Back at the 2004 DNC

2008-05-06T11:56:00.005-04:00

The 2008 Democratic National Convention will be held in Denver, Colorado this August and is fast approaching despite the party's lack of a presidential nominee, yet.

The 2004 Democratic National Convention was hosted by the city of Boston, Massachusetts. Police presence and protests were significant during the July 26-29 event where keynote speakers included John Edwards, current Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and then Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry.

In 2004, a free speech zone was established at the Boston site for political activists, but others sought more public areas to exercise their freedom of speech. The photograph below captures protesters demonstrating in Boston's Faneuil Hall.

2008-05-06T11:55:00.005-04:00

Fiesta Fiesta

2008-04-28T19:07:00.004-04:00

The Center for Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst hosted an international civic society conference April 24, 25 & 27. The conference drew presentations from educators and experts of U.S., Latin American and worldwide origin.

Massachusetts-based Peruvian musicians Henry Geddes (UMass), Daniel Zamalloa, family and friends concluded the conference's first session with "jams" that got many out of their seats to dance along with.

The "mobile mural" featured in the background of this video was actually hung outside the Paradise Club in a Brazilian city. The mural was created and hung in hopes of inspiring citizens interests and activism in order to build a more inclusive city. Which also sought to incorporate more participatory art throughout the politically torn region.

Welcome!

2008-04-23T19:37:00.009-04:00

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomed Derek Kellogg as the new head coach of the men's basketball team this week. Kellogg, a former Minuteman led the men's basketball team to great success in the early '90s and is proud to be back at his Alma mater, after several years as the assistant coach at Memphis University.

UMass also welcomed its newest undergraduate students, the Class of 2012.* Hundreds of prospective and accepted undergraduate students, most accompanied by family or friends, flooded the UMass Campus Center during this week's spring reception.

One young woman, UMass '12, traveled to Western Massachusetts from Puerto Rico. Along with her parents, she was here to celebrate her acceptance and get acclimated with the university's offerings.

*Thank you anonymous for the correction.

Amherst's Permanent Residents vs. Temporary Residents

2008-04-22T21:28:00.006-04:00

A single response to a discussion regarding unkempt conditions on Amherst, Massachusett's Shutesbury Road led participants of the Amherst forum on MassLive.com to take off.

When one contributor said, "its to bad they cant require students to register and pay excise here. Think of all that cash going to other towns while they are using our streets the majority of the year." This inquiry prompted permanent, temporary and non-residents to offer suggestions on how everyone can support the town.

A frequent forum participant, Ryan, proposed a tax of $100.00 per student attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Ryan argued that students use the same services as permanent town residents and not requiring them to pay is granting them"representation without taxation." Ryan's monetary estimates concluded that a $100 tax on students at UMass and Amherst's Hampshire College would bring forth approximately $2,795,000 for the town of Amherst.

"Yes the students do bring economic stimulus to the town they also cost the town and the state a great deal of money. They are residents for 9 months of the year...," Ryan said.

One reader responded to Ryan's proposal, but suggested that the state of Massachusetts, not the students be taxed $100 per student. "Let the state pay that on top of the regular state aid to cities and towns," the reader said.

WWE: A Major Campaign Supporter

2008-04-22T18:51:00.004-04:00

The latest debate between democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton appeared on the highly viewed WWE Smackdown television program in animated format. The match hoped to sway voters in Pennsylvania who remained undecided prior to hitting the polls for today's much anticipated Democratic primary.

WashingtonPost.com blogger, Mary Anne Aikers documents the campaigns' latest voter push and features video of the candidates in The Sleuth's "Wrestling In the Raw." The Portland Mercury also covered the outrageous events and posted video coverage of the evening's political impersonators.

Photo

Happy Earth Day!

2008-04-22T18:14:00.008-04:00

The Washington Post reported today, "Since the first Earth Day, in 1970, environmental laws have helped clean up rivers across the country, including the once-abysmal Potomac. The banning of the pesticide DDT in the 1970s helped bring back the bald eagle, which has now re-colonized Washington's urban core."

And, if ever visiting sunny Naples, Florida, the fifth hole at Foxfire Country Club is also home to a family of thriving adult bald eagles, recently welcoming two eaglets into their family nest. One winter tenant at the club resides on the third hole and remarked seeing the adult eagles fish in the nearby pond to provide food to their kin.

According to the club's general manager, "An annual tenant, has taken a series of home videos of the adventures of the two eaglets at Foxfire preparing for flight. He captured their misadventures with their parents who were doing the best they could raising a family at Foxfire."

Check out the eagles in flight and at rest in a public nine-part video series, here.

Readers' Two Cents

2008-04-16T18:57:00.011-04:00

Today's most commented article on WashingtonPost.com is 'Bitter Is a Hard Pill For Obama to Swallow.' This story was first published on Sunday, April 13 and appeared on page A06.

With the much anticipated Pennsylvania primary set to take place in less than one week-Tuesday, April 22, the 1,231 comments following this story are understandable. What makes these comments unlike any others I have seen in similar articles is the great length readers took.

Thinker whose MyPost Page is self-described as, "Hillary vs Obama = WORKHORSE vs SHOW HORSE, HELP vs HOPE, PROVEN DOER vs DO NOTHING" and had this to say about the popular article.

uh, uh, uh

Obama says he has often used clumsy words
They are more than clumsy.

He means - Uh, oh, I made a big mistake. I said what I thought. I have to make a big speech. I have to minimize it. Do damage control. Say I didn't say it - even though I did.

oh goodie

he talks about
his brother
his sisters
are they white folk?

Question by Campbell Brown: How did Rev. Wright bring you closer to god?

his answer:

worked as an organizer
raised in non religious home
mother distrustful of religion
pastors said you should go to church
trinity
visited it
found ministries on aids, prisons were wonderful ministries
rev. wrights sermons spoke to the social gospel (oh yeah)
he found that very attractive
wasn't his spiritual advisor (hello? I think he said HISELF - no one put those words in his mouth) he denies this man now because it's an "inconvenient" truth about him!!!

he sits there and says Wright has only been his "pastor" nothing more -- minimizes, distances -- gee, I recall a speech where the whole country and world were watching and he went on for a half hour saying the guy was "family" and he could never disown him. He threw his "typical white person" grandmother under the bus for Uncle Jeremiah.

He also said areas he and Wright disagreed on are a distortion

This guy can't stop lying when he gets on a roll. Wow. Right in front of an audience.

He's pathological. Find it out now America. Really SOOON.

HELLO? This is just like Obama - neither he nor his spiritual mentor are responsible for the things they say. Terrible things they say - about God Damn America, United States of the KKK? Mr. Obama says white Americans are "typical" and "bitter" . If people are offended or outraged by the things he or Wright says - MR OBAMA DISMISSES THEM and takes no responsibility.

He is a real piece of work.

Mr. Obama thinks he can talk his way out of ANYTHING. He is a freaking crazy liar. His mother must have had a great time with him telling tales to get out of trouble. You can see this childish bad habit that's grown up with him. My God. He's like a kid.

What an Egomaniac. What a pathological liar. Why not - the crazy crowd clap when he does it. He's amazed. So are the other 50% of Democrats - the one's who are shaking their heads and NOT CLAPPING for his lies and his excuses.

NEVER ANSWERED THE QUESTION ASKED. JUST USED IT TO MAKE HIS EXCUSES FOR MR. WRIGHT

NEVER MENTIONED JESUS. NOPE - BECAUSE HE'S A BELIEVER IN MOHAMAD.

He sits there so cocky - like everyone wants to hear his story. Chuckles, smirks - telling us all what's what.

Four and a half years in Indonesia - when he was about 6 years old. Oh. Wow. He was assessing faith in Indonesia when he was six.

What a freaking joke this man is. His four and a half years in Indonesia when he was four to eight years old taught him foreign policy. That policy: Islam can be compatible with the modern world. Yes. Osama is a Muslim. All he could talk about was Islam. Never mentioned Jesus. Never does mention Jesus.

Mr. Obama is putting one over on Americans.

He went on to say he is careful and suspicious of those who paint Islam with a broad brush. Suspicious? Careful? Why?

In the entire twenty minutes to answer how Rev Wright brought him to Jesus - something he claimed in his book - Obama never once answered the question, he never once NEVER ONCE MENTIONED THE WORD OR THE NAME JESUS.

Just Islam. Promoting Islam.

Islam. Islam. Islam. Islam. It's all he could talk about. It's all he knows.

He went into kind of a Ronald Reagan highway clouded babble.

Islam. Islam. Islam. Never an answer about Jesus. Just an op to put down his "family member" - he minimized the guy he gave the big speech about a few weeks ago - defending him two weeks ago. Minimizing him on CNN - "never was my spiritual mentor". BS BO. You are really something. A real, wild, fantastical liar.

Watch out America. There is only one thing worse than a stupid president - and that's a lying president.
Mr. Obama hides things in his pockets. Mr. Obama is one to watch out for. He is crafty.

He was listing in that church.
God Bless America.

If you made it this far, it appears that Thinker is an active WashingtonPost.com commenter. Check out what else Thinker has to say here.

Photo

"How To Lose Readers"

2008-04-14T23:10:00.005-04:00

Although we can't see it for ourselves on the World Wide Web, Washington Post readers recently wrote in to the newspaper regarding format changes they were not pleased to see.

From reading Shankar Vedantam's fascinating Department of Human Behavior piece ["Hillary Clinton and the Action Bias," March 31], I can only conclude that your recent format changes -- which I find cluttered, simplistic, distracting and generally ill-conceived -- must have been motivated by "the desire to do something rather than nothing" in the face of declining readership. Post management has made a serious blunder here: If readers desire a dumbed-down, sexed-up USA Today-type format, they will simply subscribe to USA Today.

In the interest of good journalism, please run, do not walk, from this unseemly and unnecessary experiment. We loyal, dedicated readers deserve better.

-- Jim Hergen
Undoubtedly you expected crotchety, longtime readers to have adverse reactions to the recent changes you made to the paper's format. At 22, I don't know if I am old enough to be considered crotchety or a longtime reader, but I have been reading the paper long enough to be aggravated by the changes.

I'm sure it's just a matter of time until I get over the different fonts. However, the extra information blurbs at the top of certain pages are simply distracting and remind me of all the cluttered graphics and tickers of a cable-news channel, from which I always sought sanctuary in The Post.

-- Nicholas Prather

Photo

This Just In-ternet

2008-04-10T23:01:00.005-04:00

This week's headline that Virginia will be the first state to require Internet safety lessons for 11-16 year old children is a step in the right direction.

The announcement made by the Virgina Department of Education's office of educational technology ironically enough arrived after a YouTube video was posted and discovered by authorities which led to charges against eight Florida teenagers, between the ages of 14-18, in the "animalistic attack" against 16 year old Victoria Lindsay stemming from an alleged dispute on MySpace.com.

Photo

Tibet vs. China

2008-04-09T15:40:00.009-04:00

Today's rolling rally at the University of Massachusetts Amherst brought heated tensions amongst Tibetan and Chinese supporters close to home. The public debate between the two groups eventually led China's supporters to turn and walk in the other direction. But Tibet's supporters followed close behind and the walking demonstration continued to proceed throughout the UMass campus.

Chinese supporters handed out "The Tibet Facts" to those passing by which claims 10 reasons why the Free Tibet Movement is not a passion for freedom, but a distaste for peace and hope.

Powerful words were also exchanged between the two groups. "One China" could be heard amongst China's supporters who outnumbered Tibet's in their cry for, "No freedom. No Olympics" and "No staged violence."

Related WashingtonPost.com Articles of Interest:

Congratulations

2008-04-08T16:38:00.004-04:00

Columbia University announced the winners of the 2008 Pulitzer Prizes in Journalism, Letters, Drama and Music today. Six awards were given to The Washington Post, marking the greatest number of Pulitzers awarded to the paper yet.

Articles written by journalists Dana Priest and Anne Hull chronicling the Walter Reed Army Medical Center throughout 2007 were praised for their work under the category of Public Service.

In a March 8, 2007 post, I looked at the history of the Medical Center after following the Post's online interactive coverage, now a Pulitzer Prize winner. Priest and Hull's"Walter Reed and Beyond" is still readily available at WashingtonPost.com.

Honor those who have served our country by doing them a service. Read the articles and view the interactive material included in the Post's 2007 series and learn about the realities our own people have endured following war.

Photo

Paging All Pages

2008-04-07T21:43:00.005-04:00

In an effort to "improve the overall effectiveness of the Program," the U.S. House of Representatives Page Board recently revamped their guidelines for employees when interacting with the House pages. The cause for alterations stem from a 2006 scanda l involving former Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) and more recently, a series of page expulsions from the program due to inappropriate conduct.

WashingtonPost.com blogger Mary Ann Akers posted, "Note to Lawmakers: Don't Feed the Pages!" on April 4 saying, "The new rules, a list of twelve commandments, spells out common-sense approaches on where and how to draw boundaries with the youngsters, and includes blunt language on rules against touching and entertaining pages."

The first three rules:

1. "To treat all House Pages with respect, integrity, dignity and consideration;"
2. "To offer appropriate mentoring to House Pages, being mindful of the need to maintain a professional relationship and appropriate physical and emotional boundaries;"
3. "To suggest, host, or take part in Page Program functions;"

Click here to view all 12 of the new guidelines.

Photo

A New Newseum

2008-04-06T21:30:00.011-04:00

Washington, D.C. will unveil the Newseum building on April 11 chronicling the media, then and now.

The WashingtonPost.com's objective pre-opening coverage identified the museum as one of the downtown's grandest architectural projects in the last decade. A multimedia piece accompanied their story and included a photo slide show, which is like taking a tour of the museum from the confines of your very own office.

Here is what some of the readers had to say about "Washington's New Landmark" in response to the Post's Howard Kurtz.

llrllr wrote:
As a 40-year journalist, I'd love to see the new Newseum. But at $20 a head, I think I'll take my wife to lunch instead. Ashame. I thought a Foundation ran this thing.
4/6/2008 6:21:45 PM
vuac wrote:
The old Newseum in Arlington had free admission. It also had some most unusual artifacts that are missing from this one, which seems dominated by television monitors and cyberspace fads. A shame!
4/4/2008 11:58:03 PM
RaiderDan wrote:
``An overpriced monument to journalistic self-glorification.''

No truer words were spoken. Firefighters cops and doctors don't give themselves similar ``look at us!'' venues.
slowdream wrote:
I wouldn't be caught dead in this disgusting monument to liars and traitors.
4/6/2008 8:54:53 PM

Photo

Backfeed

2008-04-06T19:28:00.005-04:00

Western Massachusetts citizens are encouraged and willing to participate in conversations with local politicians and The Republican's MassLive.com enables discussions such as these through their community podcasts.

"Ask Mayor Sarno" is a podcast on MassLive.com featuring questions from citizens and readers, both named and anonymous, addressed to Springfield's recently appointed Mayor, Domenic Sarno.The Mayor's April 3 podcast addresses ongoing steps to improve the aesthetics of Springfield's downtown. Through the planting of new flowers and a general clean up, Mayor Sarno was confident in his city's face lift. Despite facing flu-like symptoms, Mayor Sarno sounded very appreciative of the opportunity to participate in the podcast and to address the listeners questions.

Photo

April 1, 2008

2008-04-01T21:48:00.004-04:00

Google has really taken April Fool's Day to a rocking new level.

First, I signed on to Blogger only to be introduced to the alleged up and coming Google Weblogs. Of course I wanted to learn more and followed a suggested video link, but to my complete surprise was greeted by Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" music video. I returned to the original page introducing the Weblogs and tried the video link and once again was directed to Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up."

I dismissed this oddity and went about my day until now when searching YouTube for viral campaigning videos and visiting the site's Featured Videos. Bunny eating banana caught my attention and I clicked the link and was perplexed once more when directed to Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up."

Looks like the jokes on us Google.

Check out the University of Massachusetts Amherst's t0mfoolery featured annually in the The Daily Collegian on April Fool's.

Photo

The Best Of Practical Jokes

2008-03-31T22:29:00.001-04:00

The Museum of Hoaxes features The Top 100 April Fool's Day Hoaxes of All Time and here are some notable practical jokes on the eve of April Fool's Day.

#4: The Taco Liberty Bell

In 1996 the Taco Bell Corporation announced that it had bought the Liberty Bell and was renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell. Hundreds of outraged citizens called the National Historic Park in Philadelphia where the bell was housed to express their anger. Their nerves were only calmed when Taco Bell revealed, a few hours later, that it was all a practical joke. The best line of the day came when White House press secretary Mike McCurry was asked about the sale. Thinking on his feet, he responded that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold. It would now be known as the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial.

Read the full article about the Taco Liberty Bell.
Comments (48)

#14: The Eruption of Mount Edgecumbe

In 1974 residents of Sitka, Alaska were alarmed when the long-dormant volcano neighboring them, Mount Edgecumbe, suddenly began to belch out billows of black smoke. People spilled out of their homes onto the streets to gaze up at the volcano, terrified that it was active again and might soon erupt. Luckily it turned out that man, not nature, was responsible for the smoke. A local practical joker named Porky Bickar had flown hundreds of old tires into the volcano's crater and then lit them on fire, all in a (successful) attempt to fool the city dwellers into believing that the volcano was stirring to life. According to local legend, when Mount St. Helens erupted six years later, a Sitka resident wrote to Bickar to tell him, "This time you've gone too far!" (photo via sitka.com)

Comments (34)

#17: The Sydney Iceberg

On April 1, 1978 a barge appeared in Sydney Harbor towing a giant iceberg. Sydneysiders were expecting it. Dick Smith, a local adventurer and millionaire businessman (owner of Dick Smith's Foods), had been loudly promoting his scheme to tow an iceberg from Antarctica for quite some time. Now he had apparently succeeded. He said that he was going to carve the berg into small ice cubes, which he would sell to the public for ten cents each. These well-traveled cubes, fresh from the pure waters of Antarctica, were promised to improve the flavor of any drink they cooled. Slowly the iceberg made its way into the harbor. Local radio stations provided excited blow-by-blow coverage of the scene. Only when the berg was well into the harbor was its secret revealed. It started to rain, and the firefighting foam and shaving cream that the berg was really made of washed away, uncovering the white plastic sheets beneath.

Comments (19)

#19: The 26-Day Marathon

In 1981 the Daily Mail ran a story about an unfortunate Japanese long-distance runner, Kimo Nakajimi, who had entered the London Marathon but, on account of a translation error, thought that he had to run for 26 days, not 26 miles. The Daily Mail reported that Nakajimi was now somewhere out on the roads of England, still running, determined to finish the race. Supposedly various people had spotted him, though they were unable to flag him down. The translation error was attributed to Timothy Bryant, an import director, who said, "I translated the rules and sent them off to him. But I have only been learning Japanese for two years, and I must have made a mistake. He seems to be taking this marathon to be something like the very long races they have over there."

Comments (34)

#20: Whistling Carrots

In 2002 the British supermarket chain Tesco published an advertisement in The Sun announcing the successful development of a genetically modified 'whistling carrot.' The ad explained that the carrots had been specially engineered to grow with tapered airholes in their side. When fully cooked, these airholes caused the vegetable to whistle.
Comments (10)

Five Years Of Fatalities

2008-03-31T19:20:00.011-04:00

Having recently marked the five year anniversary of the Bush Administration's launch of the War in Iraq, the link that follows provides disturbing evidence of the number of men and women we have lost worldwide since March 19, 2003.

Just click the red button.

Undecided

2008-03-31T19:20:00.009-04:00

In a January 31 post, I encouraged readers to take advantage of WashingtonPost.com's interactive campaign quiz identifying "your" presidential candidate based on a series of questions. But for those of you still unsure who to vote for on election day and the issues candidates are addressing, check out the Electoral Compass USA. Instead of placing you directly with one presidential candidate or another, Electoral Compass determines your position in the political landscape based on a series of 36 questions regarding gun control, global warming, Iraq, health care, same sex marriages and government spending.

Photo

Obama-sistible

2008-03-31T19:17:00.001-04:00

Viral campaigning has been all the rage during the 2008 presidential race. And when you thought that the campaigns and their supporters could not think of anything else new, original or catchy to get your attention...think again. I stumbled upon this comical YouTube video today, made in what appears to be, support of Sen. Barack Obama.

The YouTube video entitled, "Making Of Barack Obama-sistible" was posted on March 15 and has received 12,051 views since its release. Some of the comments and responses following the video's post include,

Muddas05 (2 days ago)

just saw this on msnbc love it
califab (3 days ago)
You guys rock!
sethdkramer (1 week ago) Show Hide

Next week on VH1's Behind the -sistable.

Have you seen any campaign released or non-campaign released online videos during this election season? If yes, please share the links to your favorites in the comments section below.

"We'd Rather Be Right Than First"

2008-03-26T22:19:00.007-04:00

Veteran journalists Mark Stencel, Mary Carey and Jill Lawrence enlightened students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst this evening in a panel style lecture, "Campaign 2008: The Endless Cycle?" Hosted by the UMass Journalism Department.

Carey's local campaign angle is seen in her coverage of the Amherst School Committee and on her personal blog, About Amherst. Carey's latest posts details her recent trip to our nation's capital which includes multimedia journalism. Lawrence who is new to the blogosphere admitted that journalism isn't as glamorous as it may appear and detailed a recent evening she spent on deadline inside a men's locker room. "The blog is an interesting way to experience a campaign. It's so immediate...you lose sight of what's important. Step back once in a while," said Lawrence. "Read a publication in another country."

Stencel recommended the Christian Science Monitor's new online site helping voters to see how the 2008 presidential campaign is playing out in their communities, the way campaigns do instead of general coverage predicting outcomes amongst red states vs. blue states. And for those pursuing a career in the field of journalism, Stencel recommends applicants possess the ability to converge their knowledge and skills.

Spring Has Sprung

2008-03-26T21:46:00.004-04:00

If you look outside and spring does not appear to have really begun yet (the official start was March 20 this year), don't be dismayed. The infamous cherry blossoms are in bloom in Washington D.C. and that is hope for towns and cities like Worcester, Massachusetts whose forecast includes snow showers by this week's end.

The Yoshino roots run deep in the Shupe family.

Gilbert Shupe, 43, like his father before him, is the chief keeper of the city's treasured cherry trees.

Shupe knows the branches, bumps, buds and trunks of most of the 3,750 Yoshino cherry trees that encircle the Tidal Basin, as well as the oaks, elms, spruces and other varieties of cherry trees across the rest of the Mall.

He remembers following his father on his rounds around the Tidal Basin as a little boy.

"Yep. There's been a Shupe tree man on these grounds since 1965," he said one day during the height of pruning season. His eyes wandered to a branch 20 feet away. He stopped speaking to snap a small, dead finger from the branch.

The tree maintenance supervisor for the National Capital Region office of the National Park Service, or as he prefers, simply "the tree man," Shupe manages the team that trims, feeds and waters the trees.
The past few weeks have been Shupe's busiest. His team has a short time to prune the cherry trees before they burst open with their pink frills and are surrounded by admirers

To continue reading The Washington Post's The Man Behind the Blossoms, click here.

Photo

You Do The Math

2008-03-05T21:49:00.015-05:00

An email sent out this evening to Barack Obama supporters from the Campaign's manager David Plouffe in the aftermath of last night's solo win in Vermont was all about "The math."

Our projections show the most likely outcome of yesterday's elections will be that Hillary Clinton gained 187 delegates, and we gained 183.

That's a net gain of 4 delegates out of more than 370 delegates available from all the states that voted.

For comparison, that's less than half our net gain of 9 delegates from the District of Columbia alone. It's also less than our net gain of 8 from Nebraska, or 12 from Washington State. And it's considerably less than our net gain of 33 delegates from Georgia.

The task for the Clinton campaign yesterday was clear. In order to have a plausible path to the nomination, they needed to score huge delegate victories and cut into our lead.

They failed.

It's clear, though, that Senator Clinton wants to continue an increasingly desperate, increasingly negative -- and increasingly expensive -- campaign to tear us down.

That's her decision. But it's not stopping John McCain, who clinched the Republican nomination last night, from going on the offensive. He's already made news attacking Barack, and that will only become more frequent in the coming days.

Right now, it's essential for every single supporter of Barack Obama to step up and help fight this two-front battle. In the face of attacks from Hillary Clinton and John McCain, we need to be ready to take them on.

Will you make an online donation of $25 right now?

https://donate.barackobama.com/math

The chatter among pundits may have gotten better for the Clinton campaign after last night, but by failing to cut into our lead, the math -- and their chances of winning -- got considerably worse.

Today, we still have a lead of more than 150 delegates, and there are only 611 pledged delegates left to win in the upcoming contests.

By a week from today, we will have competed in Wyoming and Mississippi. Two more states and 45 more delegates will be off the table.

But if Senator Clinton wants to continue this, let's show that we're ready.

Make an online donation of $25 now to show you're willing to fight for this:

https://donate.barackobama.com/math

This nomination process is an opportunity to decide what our party needs to stand for in this election.

We can either take on John McCain with a candidate who's already united Republicans and Independents against us, or we can do it with a campaign that's united Americans from all parties around a common purpose.

We can debate John McCain about who can clean up Washington by nominating a candidate who's taken more money from lobbyists than he has, or we can do it with a campaign that hasn't taken a dime of their money because we've been funded by you.

We can present the American people with a candidate who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with McCain on the worst foreign policy disaster of our generation, and agrees with him that George Bush deserves the benefit of the doubt on Iran, or we can nominate someone who opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning and will not support a march to war with Iran.

John McCain may have a long history of straight talk and independent thinking, but he has made the decision in this campaign to offer four more years of the very same policies that have failed us for the last eight.

We need a Democratic candidate who will present the starkest contrast to those failed policies of the past.

And that candidate is Barack Obama.

Please make a donation of $25 now:

https://donate.barackobama.com/math

Thank you,

David

If I did my math correctly, I counted three direct pleas from Plouffe to donate to the Obama campaign. Each individual plea was worth $25 in donations. $25 X 3 (number of suggested donations) = $75.

Opting out of Plouffe's payment plan for change, or any campaign's for that matter, would you instead consider saving or spending that $75 on items like Red Sox memorabilia, an iPod shuffle or a designer accessory?

If anything at all, what is change worth to you?

The Race Is On, Again

2008-03-05T12:01:00.009-05:00

If you missed last night's primary and caucus results in Vermont, Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island check out the WashingtonPost.com's video coverage featuring reactions from candidates Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain who successfully clinched the Republican nomination last night and said, "Stand up with me my friends and fight for America, the contest begins tonight."

Clinton and Obama have pledged to "keep on, keepin' on," with primaries in Wyoming and Mississippi scheduled for mid-March and the now much anticipated Pennsylvania primary on April 22.

Respect

2008-02-28T16:52:00.005-05:00

Narragansett story teller and author Paula Dove Jennings spoke to a group of students this afternoon at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Paula who is also a member of the Economic Development Committee for the Narragansett is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to her tribe's great history. She openly shared through an uplifting style of story telling her family's history as well as the tight bond she shares amongst members and the traditions of her federally recognized tribe. (FYI: Federal Recognition is a big deal amongst Northeast Native Americans like the Nipmuc Tribe. Today, according to Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs and tribe member Troy Phillips, the Nipmuc are looking elsewhere in order to become a recognized tribe after attempting the tumultuous Federal Acknowledgement process twice, spending $4 million of their tribe's funds and still being denied by the United States Government.)

Today, Paula advised students and staff to speak out, "If you don't they'll come for you," she said. "And then there's no one left to speak out. It can and will happen." Paula directed similar commentary relating to the recent occurrences of racism on the UMass campus. Check out the following video footage below and learn more.

"Things Aren't Going Well, Blame The Media"

2008-02-25T09:31:00.006-05:00

"The Race Is On": One of this afternoon's hot political topics on CNN was the news media's speculative treatment of Senator Hillary Clinton's Presidential campaign.

Following last night's final Democratic debate before the March 4 primaries, questions arose amongst pundits regarding television's possible bias towards Senator Barack Obama and against Clinton. Maybe Clinton's very own commentary during the debate regarding a recent skit on last week's Saturday Night Live could have potentially created more conversation on the topic, but what do you think? Is the main stream media publicly choosing sides?

The Sleuth Blog of WashingtonPost.com posted recently "just because it's funny...." Unlike the parties above, here are some kiddos who have publicly denounced Clinton.

Photo

A Recent Letter To The Editor

2008-02-20T23:25:00.004-05:00

The Salem News
February 13, 2008

Spring Break Or Bust!

2008-02-18T14:35:00.013-05:00

Spring Break is right around the corner for most colleges and universities in the United States. The question then is, where are you going?

Some students may choose sunny tropical destinations with all inclusive benefits (a.k.a. all you can eat and drink) for one flat rate-not including airfare, with out ever having to leave the touristy confines of their palapa. Others take a more financially saavy route and head north to a family friend's camp to ski and sleep the days away. Even simply staying at school or traveling with a school sponsored organization can be fun as well as taking a road trip (follow this link to read post-Spring Break 2007 entry about two UMass students' road trip turned hitchhiking experience and its Eco-friendly benefits). No matter the destination, sunny or snowy, expensive or cost-cutting, college kids are going to have fun.

College students and even those that do not identify themselves as such, tell us about your plans for Spring Break 2008! Please comment below and share with those still planning their itineraries what's hot and what's not this travel season.

Visit often and check out new and updated ideas for Spring Break travel.

Get in touch with the University of Massachusetts Career Services Director Jeff Silver: jis@acad.umass.edu today to learn more about the NYC day trip and other internship opportunities.

Hate Crimes Target Politics And Schools

2008-02-18T12:08:00.005-05:00

WashingtonPost.com's blog The Sleuth reported last week on antisemitism and racism erupting in Tennessee's Democratic Representative Steve Cohen's campaign for reelection.

"If you thought race was an uncomfortable issue in the Democratic presidential primary, wait 'til you get a load of what's going on in the Democratic primary in the Memphis area's 9th District of Tennessee, where a shockingly worded flier paints Jewish Rep. Steven Cohen (D-Tenn.) as a Jesus hater.

"Memphis Congressman Steve Cohen and the JEWS HATE Jesus," blares the flier, which Cohen himself received in the mail --inducing gasps -- last week."

Reports filed by Massachusetts' newspapers and television conglomerates have also recently covered cases of antisemitism occurring in suburban communities north of Boston. One particular hate crime reported February 12, 2008 by The Swampscott Reporter details the findings of antisemitic slogans in a Middle School/Junior High School bathroom.

Swampscott Middle School administrators are investigating an incident of
anti-Semitic graffiti, specifically drawings of swastikas, found last Friday in
a school bathroom.

A letter was sent home to the entire school community on Monday, notifying
people of the incident and the steps the school is taking to
investigate.

“We are pleased with the initial response by the school as it sends a
message that behavior like this will not be tolerated,” said Robert O. Trestan,
Eastern state civil rights counsel for the ADL.

Trestan also said he has been in contact with both school and police
officials to discuss the incident in greater detail and “a possible role for
ADL’s anti-bias education program in the Swampscott public schools.”

Like the hate fliers that were spread throughout Representative Cohen's District, this hate crime was done annonymously, and as of press time suspects had not been named.

Photo

Letter to the Editor

2008-02-16T14:17:00.005-05:00

With the latest school shootings and suicide at Northern Illinois University this week, the following Letter to the Editor struck me unlike any others that I have recently been following in large and small newspaper publications up and down the East Coast.

Although the Letter in no way directily mentions the school shootings it does discuss suicide, which alone doubled in number among combat-experienced United States Marines from 9 in 2006 to eighteen in 2007, according to figures compiled by the service.

The Letter was published in today's Salem Evening News, located in Beverly, Massachusetts which services readers up and down the North Shore--from Cape Ann to the Lynn Way.

Letter: Think of what you'll be missing

To the editor:

My twin brother picked a lousy time to kill himself.
He died three months before the Red Sox won the World Series. He didn't see the Patriots go 18-0 and almost win another Super Bowl.

This year's Celtics are having their best start in team history. Even the Bruins are playing solid hockey at both ends of the ice. And last week, he missed seeing Boston College, his alma mater, beat my alma mater, Boston University, in overtime at the Beanpot. He would've loved that.

In his obituary notice, mourners were encouraged "in lieu of flowers" to make a donation to Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Unfortunately, because my brother jumped off a cliff five months before the Iowa caucuses began, he didn't see his candidate collect almost 1,000 Democratic delegates by Super Tuesday.

I don't pretend to understand the desperation my brother must have felt as he stood on that ledge and decided to end his life. I'm not a psychologist or a social worker; although ironically, he was. But I can't help but wonder, in those final terrible moments of torment, did my brother consider what he might miss by checking out so soon? A major sporting event, perhaps; a wedding; one of his sons pitching a shutout or getting a promotion; the birth of a grandchild; the next season of "Entourage" or "American Idol."

My brother's funeral was so crowded they actually ran out of Communion wafers. He would've found that both funny and humbling.

His sons and daughter-in-law delivered eulogies that caused huge tears and giant smiles throughout the church. A thousand heads bobbed in unison at the memory of a wonderful father, colleague, hockey coach, mentor and caregiver.

Because we were identical twins, several mourners I'd never met before felt compelled to come up to me and touch my face and hair, even smell me, just so they could have one final remembrance of their friend and therapist.

Later, a couple of people said they believed the "demons" infesting my brother's patients had somehow transferred to his body like something out of a Stephen King novel. There could be no other explanation why such a great man would be driven to suicide. But, I don't believe that for a minute.

I do believe, now more than ever, in the telepathic connection that twins are reported to have. Months before his death, I sensed that something was troubling my brother. I asked him about it once, but he quickly shot me down. I let it go because, after all, he was the trained professional who would surely be able to self-diagnose his own emotional problems.

I curse myself for not pushing harder. For not being there for him. For not letting him know how much I cared for him.

So, my advice here is neither very original nor earth-shattering. First, if someone is special to you, tell them how you feel. The online testimonials to my brother on legacy.com and mem.com are amazingly beautiful in their praise of his life and deeds. It's a shame he'll never get to read them and know what an impact he had on so many people.

Second, if you think a friend or loved one is troubled, encourage them to talk about it. No, make them talk about it. Don't be afraid of appearing too nosy or pushy. You just might find this person really wants someone to share their feelings with, to listen to their subtle cries for help.

Finally — and this is what I wish I had been able to say to my brother — if suicide seems to be the only answer, think about what you might miss when you're gone. What could happen tomorrow, next week or next year that you'd really like to see for yourself? A prom; an anniversary; a great new movie; the first black or woman president; or the Boston Bruins kissing the Stanley Cup.

Paul would have loved that.

PETE G. MARSH
Topsfield

(Editor's note: Pete Marsh's brother, Paul, died in August 2007. He was a licensed social worker with a private practice in Portland, Maine)

Campaign Surfing

2008-02-15T15:33:00.003-05:00

An anonymous group of four registered voters age 24-50 years old all chimed in when asked if they ever thought to surf the pages of a Presidential candidate’s site. All responded simply by saying they would not. One out of the four admitted that it did not even occur to them that such a site Online would exist. Others said that if questions regarding specific issues arose and they were unsure how one candidate versus another felt then would they may be inclined to log online and take a closer look at the issues. Instead, the group in question said they rely on sources such as The Boston Globe, National Public Radio, DemocracyNow.org, evening newscasts and debates to examine and then reexamine candidates’ plans for our future.

But what about the 8,000 plus members that make up the Facebook.com group “Americans For (Hillary) Clinton In ‘08”or Barack Obama’s 283,917 friends on MySpace.com. These groups of people chose to openly reveal themselves and recognize whom they support for a candidate. Their “dedicated” interest in requesting to be a part of these movements only suggests that they must be avid visitors to their Presidential hopeful’s Online Homepage. They are “friends” after all.

Upon entering Obama’s Website, following the darling family photograph of his wife and children, voters, friends and curious visitors alike emerge themselves in 21st century Internet technology. Seeking a “Change for the Good” as Obama’s campaign slogan reads is surprisingly not plastered throughout his site and is only mentioned once upon entry, that I could see. Other slogans he has prided himself on do exist throughout the site by following links to the Issues, reading his daily blog or watching “BarackTV.” This fast paced site in various shades of blue with hints of red and white has a number of opportunities for those interested in the young Illinois Senator’s Presidential bid. And of course you can always donate money.

Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul's "Hope For American" campaign takes a similar approach online at his site, RonPaul2008.com . “There were 11, now there are three” regards the number of Republican candidates currently left "standing" for the Presidential nomination and is one of my favorite features of the Website, which also includes a “2008 Countdown to Win” timer calculating the days, hours, minutes and seconds until the race’s finale. Like his counterparts, even those across the table, Paul initially invites visitors to the site to offer up any donations possible as well as the ability to volunteer to assist the campaign. Like Obama, Paul also uses multimedia technology to help persuade voters, but does not maintain his own television network. Instead he utilizes YouTube.com and the unusual justin.TV as his video networking sites. These networks offer viewers campaign updates and with justin.TV continuous live video and audio of the “Ron Paul Revolution” across the country.

Each candidate, Democrat or Republican, along with their campaign team eagerly develop catchy jingles or mottos that coincide with the big Issues, so that come Decision Day 2008 voters across the country will be able to sing the tune of their favorite candidate, such as,

Ron Paul (R) on...Economy: "Prescription For Prosperity," Immigration: "The talk must stop...," Privacy: "The biggest threat to your privacy is the government."

Barack Obama (D) on...National Security: "Protecting Our Homeland," Energy: "Plan For A Clean Energy Future," Education: "A World Class Education."

John McCain (R) on...Economy: "Pro-Growth Tax Agenda," Iraq: "Bolster Troops On The Ground," Enery: "Stewards Of Our Nation's Rich Natural Heritage."

Hillary Clinton (D) on...Economy: "An Innovation Agenda," Iraq: "Ending The War In Iraq," Veterans: "Fulfilling Our Promises To Veterans."

Thinking Ahead

2008-02-14T11:48:00.007-05:00

"Wag The Dog" (watch the film in its entirety by following the link) hit movie theaters in 1997 and coincidence or not Presidential scandal that was behind the plot of this satirical film occurred in real life just months later. "Wag The Dog" is based on Larry Beinhart's novel American Hero (available new and used at Amazon.com for as low as one cent by following the link.) The novel chronicles George Herbert Walker Bush--the forty-first President of the United States of America, but the movie itself does not follow the complete story line of the novel, whereas Bush is never mentioned nor seen.

The novel was published in 1994 and in the late '90s Producer and Director Barry Levinson cast big names including Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Anne Heche, musician Willie Nelson and up and coming Kirsten Dunst for the novel's adaptation in to film titled "Wag The Dog" in reference to the joke, "Why does a dog wag its tail? Because a dog is smarter than its tail. If the tail was smarter, the tail would wag the dog."

My Memorable Movie Quotes:

Repeated commercial Campaign slogan: "Don't change horses in midstream."
"Change the story, change the lead."
"Let the American people decide."
"War is show business, that's why we're here."
The Presidential campaign: "It's a pageant."
On voting: "Futile." "I vote for the Academy Awards." "I don't like the rooms, they're too stuffy."
Movie director to President: "It's all a change of wardrobe."
"Thinking ahead...like being a plumber, think ahead and nobody gets (explicative) on."
Big corporations to help carry campaign as election day nears: "The Schumann cheeseburger...call Burger King and Johnny Rockets."
Whenever something in 'campaigning' went wrong: "This is nothing, this is nothing..."
"What did television ever do to you? It destroyed the electoral process."
"The President is a product...commercials, commercials, commercials."

National Public Radio's (NPR) program Day to Day reported in a January 23, 2007 radio news article on "Hollywood's Impact on American Politics." The piece mentions "Wag The Dog" along with other notable political films. Listen to Karen Grigsby Bates' report here.

A Different View Of The Candidates

2008-02-11T21:10:00.000-05:00

If you are in the need of a short hiatus from "serious" campaign coverage, check out artist John Kascht's portrayal of past and present 2008 Presidential candidates.

Kascht is best described in his personal online bio:

John Kascht is one of the most widely published caricature artists working today. His satirical drawings have appeared on the pages or covers of: TV Guide, Time, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Esquire, GQ, The New Yorker, LIFE, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Village Voice, Entertainment Weekly, Forbes, Premiere, Oprah, US News and World Report, Reader’s Digest, W, Glamour, and MAD magazine.
John is among a handful of caricaturists whose work is collected by The Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery. To date, the museum has purchased two-dozen pieces, three of which are currently hanging.
Sometimes, John's caricature subjects become fans. Among the notable owners of their caricatured likenesses: Milton Berle, Katharine Hepburn, Stephen King, Sean Connery, Joan Collins, Ted Turner, Rosie O’Donnell, John Travolta, Conan O’Brien, and Ray Romano—who commissioned drawings of the cast of ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ as his gift to the actors at the taping of the show’s final episode.
John’s work is included in the books "The History of Caricature" (by Laurent Baridon, 2006, Citadelles and Mazenod, Paris),"The Savage Mirror’" (by Steven Heller and Gail Anderson), and "Rolling Stone: The Illustrated Portraits." He has received awards from The Society of illustrators, American Illustration, Communication Arts, Print, The Society of Publication Designers, The New York Art Director’s Club, and the Society of Newspaper Design.
John lives on a tiny farm in Pennsylvania with his wife--a beekeeper--and 500,000 honeybees.

Kascht's Presidential hopeful caricatures are available for viewing at WashingtonPost.com and are portrayed through video where Kascht describes the inspiration and demonstrates the way in which he goes about his creative work.

Photo

Yes, Virginia there is STILL a Santa Claus

2008-02-10T17:51:00.000-05:00

An unsigned editorial printed September 21, 1897 responded to the now infamous Letter to the Editor from youngster Virginia O'Hanlon.

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

"VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
"115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."

"Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus" was the response the eight year old received from The New York Sun's Editor Edward Page Mitchell over 100 years ago. On January 23, 2008 living relatives of the Sun's then Editor wrote their very own Letter to the Editor. Addressed to StrausNews.com, Edward's family reflected upon this memorable duo still making print news, particularly during the holiday season.

To the Editor:
On Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007, The Advertiser-News South on Page 9 reprinted the story of 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon and her letter to the editor of The New York Sun in 1897 asking if there was a Santa Claus. I was so pleased you printed the letter along with pictures of the reply’s author, Francis Church, and Virginia herself and a short biography of each.

My personal interest lies in the fact that my great-grandfather, Edward Page Mitchell, was the Editor of The New York Sun to whom Virginia addressed her letter. He was with The Sun from 1875 to 1927 and Editor-In-Chief for many years.

Upon receiving Virginia’s letter and realizing the significance, he gave it to one of his top editorial writers, Francis Church, with instructions to reply to Virginia and his reply would be run as an editorial. Church’s reply, as you clearly recount, became world famous and is reprinted each year all over the world. It is a beautiful, stirring piece of English literature to which I and my family are fortunate to be remotely connected.

Thank you for reprinting the letter and for including information about Mr. Church and Virginia which many newspapers omit.

Alan Mitchell Potter

Hamburg
Photo

Clinton Campaign Rearranging

2008-02-10T17:05:00.000-05:00

"Clinton Campaign Rearranging" is how one WashingtonPost.com reader preferred Hillary Clinton's moves this week be described. This was after Political blogger Chris Cillizza titled his most recent post Clinton Campaign Manager Steps Aside. Now readers can only imagine what is next at the conclusion of this up and down week after:

1. Hillary lent $5 million of her personal funds to her campaign Wednesday.

2. Friday, Hillary's Internet Campaign manager announced that over 90,000 supporters have donated more than $9 million online.

3. Obama swept Saturday's primary and caucuses in Louisiana, Nebraska and Washington.

4. Sunday brings the announcement of a major shift in leadership in the Clinton Campaign and according to WashingtonPost.com Obama led Maine's Democratic Caucus as late as 5:26pm.

5. ?

Photo

Stop Your Engines

2008-02-09T18:43:00.001-05:00

Comments flooded The Sleuth on Super Tuesday in response to NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) big winner Jimmie Johnson's visit to the Oval Office followed by a stop at Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's suite.

Despite much speculation surrounding the gathering of this unlikely duo, could it be that an outspoken leader of alternative fuels and energy independence like Pelosi, was simply attempting to influence Johnson, also a California native, in NASCAR's troublesome race towards going green?

A representative from NASCAR.com apologized after being unable to offer information on the Turner Sports owned organization and its steps towards becoming eco-friendly, but passed along the telephone number for the main office. Unfortunately, as of press time the office was closed.

The Earth Island Institute reported on NASCAR Going Green? in their Autumn 2005 Journal where similar inconclusive results were discovered.

Still, NASCAR has not found an alternative to leaded fuel, which they say helps their engines run more smoothly. According to NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Posten, quoted in Sporting News, NASCAR has looked into and will continue to look into making the switch to unleaded, but has not been able to find an alternative to lead, which lubricates engine valves. Posten reiterated his concerns during a segment by NPR s Living on Earth that aired May 6, 2005. It s not as simple a process as you might think, but it is one that we re working on and it is absolutely a high priority and that is why we are continuing to work with EPA to find the solution.

Photo

Super Tuesday

2008-02-06T22:12:00.001-05:00

The Los Angeles Times covered their state's most talked about primary race and the other 23 participating states well this Super Tuesday. From the Pacific to the Atlantic, LATimes.com tracked polling numbers and insider updates from staff bloggers Don Fredrick, Andrew Malcolm and Scott Martelle. Follow my chronicle of The Los Angeles Times, their bloggers, contributions from FOXNews.com and FOX News Television as Tuesday's race unfolded.

SUPER TUESDAY February 5, 2008

Delegates needed to win: 2,025 (Dem) and 1,191 (GOP)

LA Times: Top of the Ticket Politics, Coast to Coast, With the L.A. Times
12:22 pm PT
Huckabee: West Virginia

LA Times
5:19 pm
Republicans:
1. McCain (102)
2. Romney (93)
3. Huckabee (61)
4. Uncommitted (23)
Democrats:
1. Clinton 263
2. Obama 203
3. Uncommitted 75
4. Edwards 26

FOXNews.com
5 pm
McCain: Ill., Conn., N.J.
Romney: Massachusetts
Huckabee: Alabama
Obama: Illinois, Georgia
Clinton: Tennessee, Oklahoma

FOX News (Karl Rove is introduced during the campaign coverage as the new political contributor.)
5:30 pm
Clinton: Alabama
Huckabee: Alabama, ahead in Georgia at the moment
McCain (declared front runner): Delaware

LA Times Bloggers
5:50 pm
Hillary Clinton loses Georgia: What Next?---talking points memo leaked: “Surrogate Report” Super Tuesday Talking Points

FOX News
5:53 pm
Clinton: Massachusetts (Big “Symbolic” win)

LA Times Bloggers
6:10 pm
“Obama, Clinton, Huckabee and Romney win home states”

Projections:
Obama takes Ill., Ga.
Clinton wins Okla., Tenn.
McCain wins N.J., Ill., Conn., Del.
Mass. goes to Romney.

FOX News
6:17 pm
Romney: Massachusetts (approximately 74,000)

LA Times Bloggers
6:25 pm
“An intriguing McCain omission in California”--- McCain's campaign scheduled six "election watch" parties throughout California, excluding OC, rumored to be because of its “Very Conservative” Republicans. The McCain camp has yet to respond to the rumor.

FOX News
6:28 pm
Obama: Alabama

LA Times Bloggers
6:48 pm
Clinton: Wins New Jersey (AP)

6:55 pm
Clinton leads Democrats at 291, Obama 243, Uncommitted 75
McCain leads GOP (Grand Old Party) at 199, Romney 93, Huckabee 61

7:15 pm
Clinton leads Democrats at 291, Obama 243, Uncommitted 75
McCain leads GOP at 300, Romney 93, Huckabee 67

7:22 pm
“Was Clinton’s Massachusetts win a surprise?" --- Post-win talking point memo: “Upset of the night” featured: "Despite the fact that Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry were actively supporting and campaigning for Obama, Hillary Clinton won the state" and "Despite the fact that the Governor of Massachusetts endorsed Obama, Hillary Clinton won the state."

“Glitches Greet California Voters” --- “Some find locked doors and delays as they turn out for pivotal primary.”

8:01 pm
Clinton leads Democrats at 341, Obama 267, Uncommitted 75
McCain leads GOP 329, Romney 93, Huckabee 67

8:02 pm
Obama wins Kansas and Connecticut

8:13 pm
Clinton leads Democrats at 410, Obama 331, Uncommitted 75
McCain leads GOP 339, Romney 93, Huckabee 78

8:32 pm
“Schwarzenegger's daughter rejects his election advice” --- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed tonight that his 18-year-old daughter Katherine rejected his choice for president (McCain) and opted for her mother Maria Shriver’s favorite Obama.

Who’s ahead in the California Primary?
Clinton 55%, Obama 32.7%, Edwards 9.9%
McCain 44.5%, Romney 24.4%, Huckabee 11.2%

8:39 pm
Clinton leads Democrats at 410, Obama 331, Uncommitted 75
McCain (declares himself the GOP front runner) leads at 349, Huckabee (moves to the second slot) 123, Romney 95

8:43 pm
McCain leads at 371, Romney (back at the number two slot) 160, Huckabee 128

8:55 pm (Approaching midnight on the East Coast)
“The View from Camp Obama” --- “A few minutes ago, though, we got an e-mail from Ben LaBolt, a top Obama aide, that focused on the degree to which his candidate closed the gap on Clinton in various states, regardless of the ultimate victor.”

Clinton leads Democrats 429, Obama 349, Uncommitted 75
McCain leads the GOP at 371, Romney 160, Huckabee 128

9:01 pm
Who’s ahead in the California Primary?
Clinton 55.1%, Obama 32.2%, Edwards (No longer Uncommitted) 10.3%
McCain 43.8%, Romney 25.3%, Huckabee 11.5%

LA Times Bloggers (Headlines throughout the night and early morning)
“Hundreds of Americans show up to vote, but oops!” --- Americans from Virginia to Texas showed up or called local elections officials today to find out why their regular polling places were not open. Officials in Maryland and Virginia reported hundreds showing up ready to vote, although their primaries are a week away.

“The Show Me State puts on the night's best show ” ---Missouri

“Exit polls reveal some hidden secrets of California's voters ” --- About seven in 10 Latino voters chose Clinton, while only three of 10 voted for Obama.

“Ron Paul makes his move” ---the oldest person remaining in the presidential race and the only one who's also simultaneously running for Congress (you know, on the off chance he doesn't reach the White House), came in second in the Montana Republican caucuses, right behind former Gov. Mitt Romney.

“Mitt Romney makes it clear, very clear” --- Romney: “This campaign is going on.”

8:37 am PT (12 hours later)

“With no losers, the fight goes on” --- LAtimes.com homepage

1711 of 4049 Democrats Delegates declared & 1109 of 2380 Republican Delegates declared.

Clinton leads Democrats at 845, Obama 765, Uncommitted 75
McCain leads GOP at 613, Romney 269, Huckabee 190

9:09 am
California results (96% of precints): 22,217 of 23,110 Democratic precincts reporting & 22,217 of 23,110 Republican precincts reporting

Clinton leads Democrats at 51.8%, Obama 42.4%, Edwards 4.2%
McCain leads GOP at 42.1%, Romney 33.8%, Huckabee 11/5%

Photo

Choose Your Candidate

2008-01-31T21:43:00.000-05:00

With all the media attention surrounding the 2008 Presidential Election some often forget to do their homework on the candidates and are instead distracted by Hillary's Inner Tracy Flick or Vote Different.

But as Super Tuesday is fast upon us, registered voters still flip flopping from one candidate to the next are encouraged to make an educated decision on the issues at hand, before hitting the polls. And WashingtonPost.com steps in to assist those still struggling with Tuesday's big decision.

"Chose Your Candidate" was developed following WashingtonPost.com's submission of a series of issue questions to Democratic and Republican candidates. Although a few front runners chose to respond, participants including Democratic hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama openly answered questions ranging from gun control, gay marriage and their top three priorities as president.

The way "Chose Your Candidate" works is fairly simple. As a reader, you are asked twenty-five questions with an option of two possible responses for the Democratic edition and four for the Republican edition. Each response represents a candidate's personal opinion. At the conclusion of the Q&A's, numbers are tallied and you are placed in a percentage category with the candidate whose responses you sided with most.

Keep in mind election day is only nine months away (November 4, 2008) and whether you use "Chose Your Candidate" to make your official decision or not, it is a great way to participate and learn more about our country's biggest conversation of the year.

Photo

Cell Phone Couture

2007-12-11T23:54:00.000-05:00

Cell phone use has taken a new spin as Bluetooth recently introduced the vibrating Bluetooth Bracelet. Forget the headset worn around the ear, that is so 2007 and is sure to confuse the not so technologically advanced passerby.

According to Techie Diva, "If you hate wearing a Bluetooth headset wherever you go, but can't live without one since a wired headset is way too inconvenient, then perhaps the Vibrating Bluetooth Bracelet is the right cellphone accessory to own. It will give you a vibrating alert whenever there is an incoming call or text message, and works within 5 meters of your handset. Since it is compatible with Bluetooth versions 1.1, 1.2 and 2.0, you can rest easy knowing that just about any cellphone with Bluetooth connectivity will be able to work with it perfectly. A charge time of 3 hours will yield a standby time of 100 hours. Great for those who don't want the inconvenience of having a Bluetooth headset hanging off their ears in public, but you will still have to stick to that modus operandi if you want to take the hands-free route while driving. The Vibrating Bluetooth Bracelet retails for $48."

Photo

$15 Billion Things To Know

2007-12-02T21:57:00.000-05:00

Online group discussions are questionable in this day and age and hey, so is this blog. So why do we continue to put our two cents in on everything from reality television to Cricket? The answer may only be reflected on a person to person basis, but as we continue to do so we must not forget or for some understand the unwritten rules of the World Wide Web.

Cornell University Office of Information Technology's Thoughts on Facebook has reasonable expectations for its students expressed in a sensible manner. Thoughts include "Five Things to think about when using Facebook." The concluding "thing to know" features "The Law."

V. The
Law

Most of the time when we talk about Facebook it is a very individual matter. There
is yet another angle to consider: the privacy of others. "Privacy" is a
complicated matter in American law. It evokes everything from the right to
family planning through Fourth Amendment search and seizure to torts, or civil
rights, "to be let alone" in our person.

Watch what you say! If you post an
alleged fact about someone that proves incorrect, you may be liable for damages
under either defamation or libel. Moreover, if you post photographs or
information about someone that can be construed to be an "invasion of their
privacy" (say while they were sleeping in their own bed), or "false light" (say
suggesting that they are of one sexual persuasion when they are of another), or
"misappropriation of likeness" (a claim usually reserved for celebrities, but
then again we have them here at Cornell too!) then you may be liable for a tort
under the broad rubric of "privacy."

If you are interested in joining Facebook or have been "logging-in" since your first day of college, either way do yourself a favor and check out what being a "Facebooker" is really all about and what this $15 billion dollar social utility (Read BBC News Online's 15 reasons Facebook may be worth $15bn) has in store next.

Photo

On The Verge

2007-11-28T11:37:00.000-05:00

Journalism students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst will benefit from the departments newest course offerings in the upcoming spring semester. The latest additions include Multimedia Convergence Journalism, Feedback Journalism and Politics, Journalism & the Web.

Stephen Fox is also new to the department. A full time lecturer, Fox instructs the Multimedia Convergence Journalism and Journalism Sports Writing courses. Fox is a former employee of The Washington Post where he served in various editing and sports reporting roles both print and online for ten years. During his years at The Post he also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland’s journalism school. Fox’s latest venture as project manager alongside New York University’s Jay Rosen and others introduced NewAssignment.Net - where "open-source reporting gets tested - to the Web before packing his bags and moving to the Pioneer Valley.

Just shy of one semester under his belt at the largest public university in Massachusetts, Fox has already been designated as the department’s “media guru” guiding faculty and students in to the world of convergence where old media meets new media.

It was right around this time last year that University of Massachusetts Amherst adjunct lecturer and Daily Hampshire Gazette reporter Mary Carey entered the "blogosphere."

With the support of the Gazette, Carey created her blog, AboutAmherst, which she considers to be both personal and work-related. Carey chronicles her life, family and friends connected to the Pioneer Valley in her daily posts. Since 2007, Carey has also introduced her journalism students to blogging, requiring individuals to create and actively maintain a blog.

AboutAmherst has made it a long way since Carey's first post in December 2006 and now features stories and snip-its accompanied by original photo and video content.

University of Massachusetts Amherst students are applying what they learn in class to the student-run newspaper The Daily Collegian. As convergence becomes a "newsroom" name, Collegian editor Nick Belanger recently hired Web staff members to create one solid product.

Former editors, journalism and communication majors with a background in multimedia make up the newly hired Web staffers who are responsible for bringing the Collegian's print readers online to explore the Collegian's videos, podcasts and photo slide shows.

With new staff and equipment, the Collegian's online transformation is underway but revenue remains low. Belanger and his staff don't let minimal profits get them down and instead focus on improving the site's content, increasing advertising and an eventual break from their content management support company College Publisher.

Oh My My MySpace

2007-11-26T19:33:00.000-05:00

Since my last post I have overheard or participated in numerous conversations about the unfortunate circumstances regarding the death of young Megan Meier. Meier who committed suicide in her suburban Missouri bedroom has her parents still looking for answers one year later.

As we approach the year 2008 it may not come as a surprise to many that what Meier's mother and father have discovered is that the social networking website MySpace may be partially to blame.

As this story continues to make headlines worldwide, US News reports that Meier's hometown of Dardenne Prairie is taking big local steps to put a stop to cyberbullying and online harassment.

A Missouri town has passed a law to prevent cyberbulling in response to last year's suicide of 13-year-old school girl Megan Meier after receiving intentionally hurtful messages on MySpace.

The new law passed for Megan is prompting more state and federal laws to stop cyberbullying and online harassment.

Photo

Oh My MySpace

2007-11-18T13:51:00.000-05:00

From behind the computer screen, yet another gruesome story makes headlines on CNN.com's most emailed story list today. A young girl from Dardenne Prairie, Missouri is found dead in her bedroom after her hanging herself.

The suspected cause? MySpace.

Megan, a 13-year-old who suffered from depression and attention deficit disorder, corresponded with Josh for more than a month before he abruptly ended their friendship, telling her he had heard she was cruel.

The next day Megan committed suicide. Her family learned later that Josh never actually existed; he was created by members of a neighborhood family that included a former friend of Megan's.
Now Megan's parents hope the people who made the fraudulent profile on the social networking web site will be prosecuted, and they are seeking legal changes to safeguard children on the Internet.
The girl's mother, Tina Meier, said she doesn't think anyone involved intended for her daughter to kill herself.
"But when adults are involved and continue to screw with a 13-year-old, with or without mental problems, it is absolutely vile," she told the Suburban Journals of Greater St. Louis, which first reported on the case.

Click: Parents say fake online 'friend' led to girl's suicide to continuing reading.

Price Chopper

2007-11-07T21:02:00.000-05:00

BBC News online provides readers with an exquisite interactive guide to the latest worldwide technology developments involving laptop computers. Not only are these laptops innovative they are inexpensive. At $100 each the demand is on the rise for these cute and consumer friendly systems.

Computer manufacturer Quanta has started building the low-cost laptops at a factory in Changshu, China.
One Laptop per Child (OLPC), the group behind the project, said that children in developing countries would begin receiving machines this month
Last month, OLPC received its first official order for 100,000 machines from the government of Uruguay.
"Today represents an important milestone in the evolution of the One Laptop per Child project," said Nicholas Negroponte, founder of OLPC.
To continue reading, click here.
Photo

Posers

2007-10-30T00:37:00.000-04:00

To regualar Facebook users it's a typical week when your roomate's identity or Profile Picture alternates between Borat and Jonathan Papelbon, but word on the street is some users are taking this too far, creating accounts and posing as these famous faces online. An October 26, 2007 article published by CBC News reports on the latest Facebook outrage, Ottawa Senator faces off against Facebook phonies.

Some NHL players are worried about the number of people posing as them on the popular social networking site Facebook. Ottawa Senators forward Mike Fisher says he discovered through friends that someone on Facebook — a website where people set up profiles and exchange messages and photos — was posing as him. "You know, they were e-mailing people, saying they were me and it wasn't," Fisher said. A number of other NHL players have also complained that people are subbing for them on Facebook.
What other pro-athletes feel they are getting "played?" Click here
to find out.
Photo

Colin RULES

2007-10-24T22:12:00.000-04:00

Beside that he is a Red Sox superfan, Colin Rule, Director of Online Dispute Resolution for eBay/PayPal can answer almost any question you may have when it comes to these two online powerhouses. Here are some highlights from today's online lecture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst with Colin:

PayPal has a lot more ability to enforce because of less disputes, access to money and can do things that eBay cannot

On PayPal, there are no unpaid items disputes, but you have 45 days after you make a payment to file a dispute

PayPal and eBay have full-time staff comprised of former law enforcement that work very closely with cities and towns experiencing conflicts

eBay has become so global, the need to start designing tools for the "big guys" is evident

On eBay, counterfit items are becoming harder and harder to distinguish and take an expert to determine whether they are indeed real or fake

eBay's advisement to buyers: "If you see a deal that's too good to be true, it probably is!"

Check out Colin Rule's blog to learn more

Photo

Eco-Craft

2007-10-16T22:36:00.000-04:00

If we put our minds to it everything in this country can be turned from not so environmentally kind to the latest and greatest eco-friendly. The following article from Conita.com explains what is next in this exciting movement.

Nobody tells you this, but using and disposing of a computer has negative effects on the environment. Computers are not very energy efficient and are even less so when they have a large monitor screen. In addition, the substances including cadmium, mercury and arsenic that are found in most computers are toxic which makes the discarded computer into toxic waste.

Throw Away Computers are Toxic Waste
Discarded computers are also making a huge pile in your local dump too as people abandon their old computers for the latest models. During the manufacture of computers, more water is wasted, more energy consumed and more toxic waste is created than that created by the manufacture of automobiles.

Wooden Computer will Use Less Energy
There is good news for anyone who uses a computer and who is interested in reducing his or her ecological footprint. PC World, UK manufacturers, is set to release their wooden computer to the market in October 2007. Their wooden computer, which is not named yet, uses up to 87% less energy than the conventional plastic computers use yet offers the same power and price of conventional computers. This wooden computer will be less expensive to run than a conventional computer because it will run on only 40 watts instead of other computers that use 300 watts. Another feature that cuts down on energy use is from the replacement of the LED power lit buttons with plain buttons. By using the wooden computer, it will be possible to save money on your energy bills.

Recycled Casing
The eco friendly computer will not use a fan, which will make the computer quieter than its all-plastic counterparts, and this cuts down on energy consumption. The reason it does not need a fan is that the power pack will be on the outside of the computer tower and thus will not need cooling. Also, related to the unnecessary fan issue is the fact that its recycled case will transfer heat away from the computer chip. The case will be made from recycled aluminium such as from soda pop cans and recycled plastic. Sustainable ash, beech or sapele will be used to make the casings for the screen, keyboard and mouse. These wood types were chosen for this purpose because they are sustainable woods.

Eco Friendly Computer for Eco Friendly Computer Nerds
Every aspect of the wooden computer is meant to save the planet. The computer is only about one quarter of the size of an average computer. The computer will come in packaging that has been recycled. Instead of coming with printed instructions, the computer will come with its information as provided on a CD. To compensate for the pollution released in the manufacture and delivery of the computers, the manufacturers will give buyers an energy efficient light bulb.

If the wooden computer is a hit, this will set a standard for other computer manufacturers. Manufacturers of the conventional computer types will have to consider the importance that saving our environment holds for many computer geeks. This is a good thing.

Photo

Could've? Should've? Would've?

2007-10-13T21:07:00.000-04:00

I recently blogged about a U.S. jury's decision regarding Minnesota Mom, Jammie Thomas who was penalized for illegally downloading music.

The latest news is brought to us straight from some of the case's jurors-via the Associated Press and what they could have, possibly should have or maybe would have done.

Some of the jurors who levied a $222,000 penalty last week against a Minnesota woman for illegally sharing music online would have liked her to pay the maximum $3.6 million penalty, one juror said.

Jammie Thomas, 30, is one of about 26,000 people the music industry has sued for copyright infringement and the first to take a case to trial.

The six record companies that sued her accused her of illegally dowloading songs and offering 1,702 for other people to download from her Kazaa file-sharing account. She denied ever using file-sharing software.

The jurors quickly agreed unanimously that Thomas, a mother of two from Brainerd, had infringed the copyrights of all 24 songs examined in the trial, juror Lisa Reinke told The Associated Press Wednesday.

The deliberations then turned to how much Thomas should pay the six record that sued her, with the jurors settling on an award of $9,250 per song. They could have awarded the companies as much as $150,000 per song.
To continue reading, click here.
Photo

Apple Forgets To Lock Their "Doors"

2007-10-10T22:56:00.000-04:00

I first heard about the iPhone's unlocking capabilities in August when news spread of of 17 year old George Hotz's and "the hack." Although not an iPhone owner myself, I found this topic an interesting one and just two short months after its unlocking capabilitie were released to the public, today the method appears to have become even simpler.

Slate.com's Tim Wu chronicles the "legal, ethical and fun" aspects in The iPhone Freedom Fighters:

Apple is not happy with its customers. Disobedient iPhone owners are unlocking their iPhones (modifying them to work with carriers other than AT&T) and installing "unauthorized" third-party apps. Last week the company struck back with a software update that acts much like a virus. It wrecks the operation of third-party applications and can turn unlocked iPhones into "bricks." Is Apple on the right side of this fight? Is it really wrong or illegal to unlock your iPhone? Well, I figured, there's only one way to find out.
Unlocking works, is doable, and improves the iPhone. But while unlocking can be fun, it's still a vaguely scary process, a little like installing your own car brakes. My project began at the giant Apple Store on New York's Fifth Avenue. I needed to buy the iPhone and figure out how to unlock it, and I had imagined that Apple's sales staff might be ambivalent or even helpful—"You really shouldn't, but …." I know that there's even discontent inside Apple headquarters, that some of the company's own employees have unlocked their phones and are complaining about Apple's Empire Strikes Back mentality.
My hopes were high as I approached a typically chipper Apple salesman, clad in
black with spiked hair. "I'm purchasing an iPhone," I began, "but I'm a T-Mobile
customer, and so I was just wondering, I read that you can unlock the phone—"
To continuing reading, click here.
Photo

First And Hopefully The Last

2007-10-09T11:21:00.001-04:00

Jammie Thomas, a 32 year old Minnesota woman was the first, and hopefully the last, to fight illegal file-sharing charges in court.

At a rate of $9,250 per song, according to BBC News Thomas was ordered by the jury to pay for offering to share 24 specific songs online at a grand total of...$222,000.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst's Office of Information Technologies Copyright Infringment as the unlawful use of any material protected under copyright law, violating one or more of the copyright owner’s exclusive rights. OIT also warns, downloading and sharing files which contain copyrighted material is against the law. A single unauthorized download or upload of copyrighted material can put you at serious risk for criminal consequences such as fines and imprisonment. The responsibility to restrict sharing and monitor the legality of your downloads lies solely with you.

In order to avoid Thomas' current situation-copyright violation, OIT recommends the following:

Download all music, movie and other types of files from authorized sites.
Turn off file sharing in your peer-to-peer application.
Keep your computer password protected and never share your OIT account information with anyone.
Do not connect personal wireless routers to the campus network.

To read the full BBC News story, click here.

Photo

Dot-Asia

2007-10-09T10:51:00.000-04:00

A project that is eight years in the making is proposed to wrap up by March 2008 and introduce a new twist for online users and big firms seeking domain names. According to a report in today's online BBC News:

Governments and companies can now register interest in specific domain names, such as http://www.yournamehere.asia. Companies will be able to register domains for which they own a trademark and governments will get a chance to earmark those on a reserved list. The general public will get a chance to snap up their own .asia domain when the landrush starts in February 2008.

--To read the full story, click here.

Photo

Converge!

2007-10-02T14:40:00.000-04:00

Patrick Stiegman, Executive Editor of ESPN.com spoke at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Journalism lecture series Monday evening addressing the topic of convergence in the media.

As we all begin to converge, popular and highly trafficked sites like Stiegman's ESPN.com is already ten steps ahead of their competition. Their latest venture reaches out to bloggers anywhere interested in putting their "sports cents" in from athletic legal struggles to the teams of cricket. But with all things there are rules. The following is not specific to ESPN.com's new blogging forum, but touches upon the overall terms of use according to the Walt Disney Internet Group.

You are and shall remain solely responsible for the User-Generated Content submitted and/or posted under your user name or otherwise by you in any Public Forum and for the consequences of submitting and posting same. You acknowledge that the use of User-Generated Content posted in any Public Forum is at your own risk. For example, we are not responsible for, and we do not endorse, the opinions, advice or recommendations posted or sent by users in any Public Forum and we specifically disclaim any and all liability in connection therewith.

Photo

The North Shore Spirit Is Laid To Rest

2007-09-25T13:17:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Facebook.com I recently caught wind of a petition, in both paper and online form established to save Fraser Field. Located in Lynn, Massachusetts, Fraser Field is currently home to the minor-league baseball team the North Shore Spirit of the independent Can-Am League for the 2007 season.

"Please find a way to bring the North Shore Spirit back to Lynn next year. We're all big Spirit fans. A lot of us kids have spent almost every summer for the last five years at Spirit games. We'll miss going to the games with all our friends and seeing the new friends we made at the Fraser Field. The Spirit is the best part of living in Lynn and the city is taking it away from us. It'll be so sad for the kids that won't have anything to do. We love the Spirit! The city and Mayor Chip Clancy HAVE to find a way to bring the North Shore Spirit back to Fraser Field next season."

I would not have thought twice about submitting my name on the online petition forum powered by iPetitions.com and supporting this local cause headed by young Lynn resident, Victoria, had it not been for University of Massachusetts Professor Ethan Katsh's words of wisdom: "Do you really know what you are signing up for?" It made me curious enough to take the time before clicking the "I agree" box and find out what signing my name actually entailed.

Unfortunately on September 20, 2007, Victoria's 400 plus signatures were not enough to "Save Our Spirit." Team owner, Nick Lopardo posted a letter to fans on their official website announcing that the team would no longer be playing baseball in 2008.

"We have enjoyed many successes both on and off the playing field, none of which would have been possible without your support, for which we are forever grateful. The success of a ball club is not measured in just wins and losses or in strictly business terms, but rather on the faces of our fans, young and old alike. We look out on our field and see children running the bases with our mascot ‘Slugger’ and fathers and sons enjoying a game of catch on our outfield. You can’t put a price on that kind of joy. These are opportunities to teach good lessons of life, family, and community. The North Shore Spirit fan friendly experience has left us knowing all the good that can be accomplished in minor league baseball. We will take that with us. Once again we thank you for your support of North Shore Spirit Professional Baseball and for “Catching the Spirit” here at historic Fraser Field."

Victoria who grew up on Spirit games plans to continue her campaign in order to get the team back on the mound for next season. This morning, Victoria reported 508 signatures both off and online and is eager for more. Check out Victoria's online blog and do your part-after reading what you are signing up for of course and support this good cause.

Photo

YouTube In The Classroom?!

2007-09-17T18:11:00.000-04:00

Here's a dream come true for Web addicts: college credit for watching YouTube.

Pitzer College, part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, this fall began offering what may be the first course about the video-sharing site. About 35 students meet in a classroom but work mostly online, where they view content from the San Bruno-based site and post their comments.

Class lessons also are posted and students are encouraged to post videos. One class member, for instance, posted a 1-minute, 36-second video of himself juggling.

Alexandra Juhasz, a media studies professor at the liberal arts college, said she was "underwhelmed" by the content on YouTube but set up the course, "Learning from YouTube," to explore the role of the popular site.

Students control most of the class content and YouTube watchers from around the world are encouraged to comment, Juhasz said.

She hopes the course will raise serious issues about YouTube, such as the role of "corporate-sponsored democratic media expression."

YouTube is "a phenomenon that should be studied," student Darren Grose said. "You can learn a lot about American culture and just Internet culture in general."

YouTube class: www.youtube .com/group/learningfromyoutube

Source: AP
Photo

MySpace.com: 200 Million And Counting

2007-09-06T12:20:00.000-04:00

MySpace.com's online community rose to 106 million users during the Fall of 2006 and has been on the incline ever since, but not without a few bumps along the way.

With more and more "tweens" and aspiring muscisians worldwide accessing MySpace daily-an estimated 200 million in recent weeks, the amount of legal work for its creator and everyone's friend, Tom is on the rise as well.

PCWorld.com reported that in 2005, a North Carolina's State Bureau of Investigation arrested a police officer for the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl he lured using MySpace.

In 2006, MySpace took measures to avoid future scrutiny for incidents of this kind by hiring a technical company.

Through this innovative technology, we're pleased that we've successfully identified and deleted these registered sex offenders and hope that other social networking sites follow our lead.

Upon reaching this stage in online life when extreme legal action must be taken in order to protect ourselves and importantly our children, alarms should ring loud and clear in households worldwide.

Southwest News Herald's online columnist Ray Hanania pins the tail on the donkey in his August 27, 2007 column, Big Problem on MySpace.com is not pedophiles

The real problem is not the pedophiles and con artists trying to steal your money. The real problem is us, the regular people, who let this happen by running away from the problem – and then sitting back at home and allowing ourselves to be entertained by shows like "To Catch a Predator." We need to take back the system. We, as a society, need to impose the correct morality and the right principles and restore common sense to our lives, instead of always only reacting after-the-fact. Because responding after-the-fact results in an over-reaction. Take back the Internet. But more importantly, take control of your children. Your child, whether an adolescent or a high school or college student should be on the Internet using MySpace and FaceBook., but they should be doing it the right way. And, the right way is with parental supervision. Know what your child is doing. Get involved. Understand the Internet. And the best way to understand the Internet is to get involved and use it. If you have a child and you have not checked these web sites to see if your child is already there posting obscene photographs, then yes, we can blame the pedophiles and the con artists. But really, the bulk of the blame belongs on you.

A simple click and "Signing Up!" for MySpace will take users inside a big bad world of people, people they do not even know or will probably never know and access to their personal information and inappropriate activites. Despite cautionary warnings, users continue to keep their front doors wide open. Exposing themselves to hundreds of millions of strangers and countless risks each day.

Photo

Criss-Cross Applesauce

2007-06-26T11:44:00.000-04:00

My summer internship with the University of Massachusetts Extension
Nutrition Education Program has enlightened me on a variety of topics
since its June 1 start.

After
teaching in several kindergarten classrooms in Lynn, Massachusetts, I
picked up on something I was never taught nor heard of growing up. "Criss-cross applesauce."

This
21st century, politically correct version of sitting "Indian style" is
a popular tool used by teachers at the elementary school level to get
their students to sit and be quiet.

Thinklings blogger, Philip posted similar sentiments regarding "Criss-cross applesauce" in an August 2006 post. Check out the article, Criss-Cross Applesauce and the comments that follow.

What do you think about "Criss-cross applesauce give a little clap. Criss-cross applesauce hands in your lap. Criss-cross applesauce quiet as can be. Criss-cross applesauce eyes on me?"

Photo

Bada Bing, Bada BOOM!

2007-06-06T14:01:00.000-04:00

The Sopranos' slices its last piece of prosciutto this Sunday on television's HBO and viewers still remain in the dark regarding Tony Sopranos' fate and the rest of his gangs.

Although, Office Pools are commonly used during college basketball's March Madness, GraphPaper.com created a pool of their own. Instead of predicting which team will make it to the final four, GraphPaper.com allows you to predict the fate of your favorite Sopranos' characters. You decide if A.J. Soprano dies, gets arrested, kills someone else or if Paulie Walnuts prospers, leaves or quits.

The long awaited Sopranos series finale is now in your hands. Choose wisely or be wary of the "lead belly."

Female Genital Mutilation Awareness

2007-05-09T16:51:00.000-04:00

A local movement in the Pioneer Valley has begun against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) by New Salem, Massachusetts resident MaryAnne Mohamoud. MaryAnne is originally from Somalia in East Africa where 98% of girls and women undergo genital mutilation. This overwhelming number has driven MaryAnne to encourage others to assist in putting an end to this traditional cruelty across Africa and around the world as well as raise awareness in the United States about the lifetime effects of FGM.

For more information, please click the following link to learn more about the cause and effects of Female Genital Mutilation and what you can do to help prevent and spread awareness in your area.

Boing Boing Boing Boing

2007-05-07T10:43:00.000-04:00

Boingboing.net truly lives up to its mantra as a directory of wonderful things. With numerous daily updates of endless conversation-starting topics, I always leave the site learning at least something useful and sometimes even useless, but entertaining of course.

I have rounded up a list of my all time favorite topics from Boingboing's April posts. If they don't shock you, make you really think, debate, research, invest in, converse with others about, above all I hope they make you laugh.

Boingboing's Most Valuable Posts, April 2007

Coke skin cream? Link
Fossilized rain forest found in Illinois Link
Funny coffee mugs to animalize your face Link
Nike transformer - sneaker robot Link
Man and horse nap in bank Link
Fascist America, in 10 easy steps Link
Timelapse - video of cheese aging Link
Pack your bagel in a CD spindle Link

Photo

UMass Reacts To Shorter Academic Yearhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

2007-05-03T11:08:00.000-04:00

UMass students are starting to get itchy. And no it's not because mosquitoes are biting. It's because, as usual, UMass students want summer NOW.

According to an April 2 article in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Michael Gargano, UMass chancellor of student affairs and campus life, suggested a change in the academic calendar last academic year. He has proposed starting the spring semester around Jan. 15 instead of Jan. 29, which is about the time the semester has begun for at least the last three decades.

The change would allow UMass students to finish final exams at the same time as other area college students, thus putting them on a level playing field when it comes to applying for summer jobs and internships, officials say.

At the very latest, UMass students now complete their final exams six to 13 days after students at the other four area colleges.

"I've already started packing my stuff up for the summer," said UMass sophomore Jake Dann. "But it's frustrating having weeks of school followed by exams to finish knowing your friends that go to nearby schools like Westfield are already home making money and having fun."

A UMass staff member, who would like to remain anonymous, agrees with Gargano's suggestion. "I think it's a great idea, but the only thing is, you need to look back to the 1970's and the reason why this decision of a longer year was made. Heat was the reason," he said. "During UMass' winter session, we turn the heat off. The expense is so high and it's only going to get worse. If UMass was planning to minimize the year, heat costs in the buildings might be the major reason it doesn't fly."

------Follow this link to see UMass students react to the proposal of a shorter acadmic school year.

UMass officials are highly interested in faculty and student reactions or proposals to the suggestion at hand and report that changes to the academic calendar will not go into effect until the 2009-2010 academic school year.

If you are interested in learning more about UMass' proposal to shorten the academic year or the chance to offer your own suggestions, contact the man who will make the final decision himself, Chancellor John Lombardi and let him know what you think. Chancellor Lombardi can be contacted via email: Lombardi@UMass.Edu.

UMass Practicioners Take Leaps And Bounds

2007-05-02T13:10:00.000-04:00

I had no idea what Parkour was until a friend suggested checking out some online footage. Who has time for this was my initial reaction, but I kept an open mind in order to learn more about the latest adventure trend to hit the Pioneer Valley.

UMass sophomore Jackie Hai founded the program this past year and a quick conversation with her and her excitement about Parkour becomes electric. I couldn't help but wonder after speaking with her,what I could jump over or crawl through on my way back home that afternoon.

The following is what Parkour means to Jackie Hai. A short video clip about how she came to love Parkour, her motivation to start the UMass program and her future plans for Parkour and its members can be viewed by clicking this link.

Hopefully her enthusiasm will rub off on to you too!

Parkour is the art of moving efficiently from point A to point B by treating objects in the environment as an obstacle course. Parkour is as much a mental discipline as it is a physical one. Where some people might see a
railing or a wall and be forced to go in to the direction that they’re “supposed to go," with Parkour you instead make your way by going over, under, through or in any creative way you can in order to surpass the obstacle at hand.

Parkour is a physical conditioner and in earlier years before civilization and technology developed, running, jumping were people's means of survival and unfortunately they have become lost today.

Parkour is like going back to your roots.

This Saturday the UMass Parkour Program will host a meeting for students and residents of Western Massachusetts interested in learning more about becoming practitioners of Parkour also known as Traceurs. The meeting will begin at 1pm at the Haigis Mall on the UMass Amherst campus.

University Newspaper Covers VA Tech Shootings

2007-04-19T17:31:00.000-04:00

The Daily Collegian a student run newspaper at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is located approximately 750 miles north of Blacksburg, Virginia.

Blacksburg, home of Virginia Tech's university campus with 26,000 students is now recovering following Monday's fatal shootings where 33 people were killed.

UMass' newspaper coverage of the fatal events began Tuesday with Tragedy strikes Virginia Tech: UMass students react to campus massacre focused on engaging UMass student's reactions.

Today's headline, Preventative measures: In wake of shootings, UMass police, administration discuss emergency preparedness continues the Collegian's local coverage with a story on health counseling available at the UMass campus to follow.

More information on this topic from the perspective of UMass students can be viewed here.

The Annenberg Surveys

2007-04-13T15:43:00.000-04:00

Some uncomfortable statistics I thought I would share from the public's view vs. the journalist's in a 2005 survey for the Annenberg Foundation Trust prepared by Princeton Research Associates International.

--In general, do you think news organizations get the facts straight or do you think their stories and reports are often inaccurate?

Of 1500 polled, 45% of the public believe that news organizations get the facts straight, while an alarming 48% believe that they are often inacurate. Of 673 polled, 86% of journalists believe that news organizations get the facts straight while only 11% feel their findings are often inacurate.

--When there is a serious mistake made in a news story, do you think most news organizations quickly report they have made a mistake, do they try to ignore the mistake, or do they generally try to cover up
the mistake?

Of 1500 polled, a vast 41% of the public, almost half surveyed yet again, believe that news organizations try to cover up the mistakes made. Predictably, 673 journalists surveyed believe that in a situation such as this news organizations are quick to report 74% of the time.

Photo

The Colorful Bowels Of DuBois

2007-04-12T16:57:00.000-04:00

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is home to an astounding 23,000 students. During a typical school week it is estimated that 20,000 of those students visit UMass' W.E.B. DuBois library.

The DuBois library stands at 297 feet, making it the tallest library in the United States and some even claim the world. Throughout the stairwells of the W.E.B. student artwork cascades up and down all 26 floors. Offering walkers the opportunity to see many different styles of beautiful murals when struggling up the intimidating stairwell.

According to a November 22, 2006 story from UMass Advancement Communications, during the late seventies on, students have created art for the W.E.B. DuBois Library. Much of the artwork in the stairwells bears signatures of the student artists, and date from as recently as 2005.

Links to related material from UMass Journalism majors:

Interested in learning more about the history of the W.E.B. DuBois library and the murals seen here? Contact UMass' Arts and Exhibits Director Barbara Stewart via email: Stew@Library.UMass.Edu

Circling The Square

2007-04-12T13:29:00.000-04:00

I have finally discovered an online blogging site about my hometown of Danvers, Massachusetts hosted by Topix. According the their website, Topix is the leading news community on the Web, connecting people to the information and discussions that matter to them in every U.S. town and city.

Beginning this month, Topix opened up their site, allowing anyone with the power to discuss, edit and share news that is important to them. With links to news from 50,000 sources to 360,000 lively user-generated forums, Topix may feature an area of interest for you as well.

The Heat Is On: Warming Affects Summer Plans

2007-04-11T04:37:00.000-04:00

Summer is fast approaching and the time is right to hit the road and travel. Unfortunately, motor vehicle travel is the largest single contributor to air pollution. In a United States Environmental Protection Agency 2005 series it was found that one gallon of gasoline is assumed to produce 19.4 pounds of CO2. At almost 20 pounds, the amount of CO2 produced is equivalent to 64 feet of rope, the average weight gain of a pregnant women or a package of laser printer paper. With an increase in the number of vehicles purchased and the number of miles traveled, the U.S. has the green light toward global warming.

According to the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA), transportation alone uses 67 percent of the country's oil and produces one-third of the air pollution and greenhouse gases, which develop into key chemicals that cause smog and over time, lead to health-related problems including birth defects and cancer.

Traveling via airplane is also responsible for two to three percent of carbon dioxide emissions.

A Feb. 12, 2007 Time magazine article, "Greenhouse Airlines," read that on an individual level, a single long-haul flight can emit more carbon dioxide per passenger than months of SUV driving.

There are different approaches to take to summer travel that may limit your environmental impact. If public transportation and bicycling don't fit into your itinerary, check out some alternative ways University of Massachusetts students are arriving at their destinations.

Drive in style - hybrid style. Petroleum Electric Hybrid Vehicles (PEHV) use a combination of fuels and electric batteries to power electric motors, providing better fuel economy and efficiency. In March 2007, the Green Car Congress reported February's hybrid sales rose to 54 percent. This economically and environmentally friendly mode of transportation is popular on the West Coast. In 2004, the state of California registered 25,021 hybrid vehicles and in the same year the city of Los Angeles accounted for 10,399 of those vehicles.

UMass sophomore Becky Moschini traveled to Los Angeles during spring break and drove her brother's Toyota Prius hybrid while sight seeing throughout the city.

"There are so many hybrids out there," said Moschini. "When you buy a Prius, you receive a tax break and free parking anywhere in L.A., if you apply for a 'Clean Air' vehicle sticker. My brother and I would play a game to see how far we could drive without using any gas. He won," she added.

A UMass sophomore duo, which would like to remain unidentified, opted out of concrete travel plans altogether for their spring break trip to Miami this year. Instead, they chose to hitchhike.

"Hitching wasn't that hard and, if more people did it, we would save the environment," said one unidentified sophomore. "We cut costs in transportation and met some cool people along the way."

Hitchhiking, a travel trend that is gradually making its way back to being socially accepted in our society has online Web sites such as digiHitch.com and StiffarmingSociety.com supporting it. The local movement Communi-GO in the Pioneer Valley, led by well-known activist Frances Crowe, also has people trusting each other for short- and long-term transportation once again.

UMass domestic exchange student Alicia Stockman is one of approximately 100 students each year participating in the exchange program. Stockman traveled by car - a 1990 Honda Civic - from Utah and landed in Amherst last September. With a month of classes left, Stockman has already begun planning her return trip home with global warming in mind.

"My car gets really good gas mileage - 40 miles to the gallon - if I avoid the mountains," said Stockman. "Through Kansas and the Midwestern states, they had gas stations that used alternative fuels [renewable energy]. It was much cheaper at $1.85 per gallon. On my drive home I plan to stay with friends in states along the way," said Stockman. "Even though I'm taking my car, I'm looking for ways to be even more environmentally focused this time around."

Photo: Becky Moschini

Climate Control You Can Rent

2007-04-11T04:10:00.000-04:00

Global Warming Films

An Inconvenient Truth: Former Vice President Al Gore's campaign to make the issue of global warming a recognized problem worldwide.

Too Hot Not To Handle: An HBO documentary on the effects of global warming in the United States.

11th Hour: A look at the state of the global environment including visionary and practical solutions for restoring the planet's ecosystems.

Global Warming: The Signs & The Science: A PBS series that profiles people whose lives have been affected by global warming and explores efforts of scientists, individuals, and communities to make the planet safe for future generations.

Compiled by: UMass journalism major Sophia Bruneau

Photo

Global Warming By The Numbers

2007-04-11T03:56:00.000-04:00

UMass journalism major Sophia Bruneau captures global warming from a professional perspective as UMass professor stresses urgency of immediate action in the series The Heat Is On.

"The future is going to look quite grim. Glaciers will melt, sea ice in the Artic will continue to recede, snow cover will decrease, dry periods will increase," said Frank Keimig, geosciences professor and manager of the Climate System Research Center at the University of Massachusetts. He notes that the mean temperature of the globe has been rising dramatically and has been changing over the past 20 years.

In a recent interview, Keimig discussed the world impact of global warming. He talked of some alarming developments affecting everything from the Arctic ice cap to migrating birds in New England. And he called for the public to get educated and take action for change.

"In the United States and other Western nations, when it gets hot, we just put more air conditioning," Keimig said. "However, in underdeveloped regions, they tend to be less adapted for climate change and many of the time they have no infrastructure to help become adapted.

"The United States is the top emitter of carbon dioxide, per capita from a study in 2002, followed by Saudi Arabia, Australia and Canada," Keimig said.

Photo

The Milk Man

2007-04-11T03:50:00.000-04:00

While researching Mexican milk that does not require refrigeration prior to opening (hopefully more to come), I stumbled upon a March 17, 2007 article by Stan Freeman of The Republican about local dairy farmer Ted F. White from Hawley, Massachusetts.

Ted F. White doesn't have cable, the Internet or a car. The reason, he says, is that he's a Massachusetts dairy farmer.

The seventh generation of his family to milk cows, the Hawley dairyman said the price he is paid for his milk is so low and his operating costs, including for fuel, feed and fertilizer, are so high, that he and other dairy farmers in the state can no longer make a living.

"The existence of the remaining dairy farms in Massachusetts is in question," he told a panel of state agriculture officials yesterday during an emergency hearing held by the state Department of Agricultural Resources at the University of Massachusetts Campus Center.

"We live just as frugally as we possibly can. But even with doing all that, I can't pay my bills," said White, who borrowed a car to get to the hearing.

Faced with what they say are unprecedented financial losses, the state's dairy farmers petitioned the Department of Agricultural Resources to determine if emergency action should be taken to aid their industry. Acting Agriculture Commissioner Scott J. Soares said that he will take comments on the issue until March 29 and then make a decision, which can include raising the minimum price paid Massachusetts farmers for their milk, a price that is set by the federal government monthly.

To continue reading, click this link

Follow up: A March 25, 2007 editorial in The Republican, State's dairy farmers the cream of the crop provided recent activity by White and other local dairy farmers and also cited that in 1982 there were 812 dairy farms in Massachusetts. Today there are only 187.

Photo

April Showers (Snow?) Bring May Flowers

2007-04-11T02:55:00.000-04:00

With snow in this week's forecast, it's possible that we may have jumped the gun sporting new sparkling flip-flops and crisp cargo shorts.

Could this be just another unpredictable New England winter weather season or could it be...global warming?

If you are interested in learning more about global warming, its short and long-term effects and what you can do to help, take the time and read The Heat Is On-a series of articles, featured in The Daily Collegian, written by University of Massachusetts Amherst journalism majors just in time for Earth Week.

U.S. is number one contributor to global warming

By: Lauren Modisette

Global warming seems to be the last issue on the minds of the American college student. But a recent report by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found two things: one is that global warming is real, and two is that our generation is likely to see big changes in the world in the next century.

They estimate a 90 percent probability that humans are the cause of the climate change, and it is doubtful it is occurring due to known natural causes.

University of Massachusetts Resource Economics Professor Barry Field said that college students have a good reason to learn all they can about global warming.

Already the global temperature has increased a degree or two. But the IPCC predicts that if it increases by 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, up to 30 percent of the planet's species are at risk of dying out and will be forced to relocate in search of more suitable environments. Out of the top 12 warmest years that have been recorded with scientific instruments, about 92 percent of them have occurred in these past 12 years.

Al Gore's film, "An Inconvenient Truth," also mentions potential hazards that global warming and climate change can instigate. It is mentioned that the current running from the African coast and up by Northern Europe will begin to slow and eventually stop. Rising sea levels will cause the currents from the equator to stop and, in turn, will discontinue the warming of the northern oceans. The decrease in temperature in the northern hemisphere could cause a new Ice Age.

Drink Up!

2007-04-05T17:30:00.000-04:00

A March 15, 2007 report by Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, found that about half of full-time college students abuse drugs and alcohol.

This type of abuse, specifically in alcohol, is considered to be the consumption of five or more drinks consecutively by a 2005 survey by Cornell University.

So one must wonder, what are college students sipping on when it comes to beer and mixed drinks?

The following is a beverage menu compiled of favorite libations from undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Massachusetts Amherst-ranked number seven party school in the United States by the Princeton Review in 2006.

Sea Dog's Whole Wheat Apricot

Budweiser & Bud Light

Blue Moon

Steel Reserve

Captain Morgan & Coke

Stoli Raspeberry, Seltzer Water and Cranberry Juice

Jack & Coke

Dirty Martini

Rum Punch

Bloody Mary

Cape Verdean Rum

Margarita

Gin & Tonic

Mount Gay XO

Sex On The Beach: Peach Schnapps, Pineapple Juice and Cranberry Juice

Pearl Harbor: Pineapple Juice, Midori and Vodka

White Russian

Red Headed Slut

Car Bombs: Guiness and Bailey's

For a more local feel on this story, click this link

Photo

Wicked Good and Wicked Bad Podcasts

2007-04-04T16:29:00.000-04:00

Check out BostonBehindTheScenes.com for an in-depth look at some of Boston's hot spots and local celebrities through podcasting. Although this site fails to produce podcasts on a daily basis, episodes that do appear on the site every month or so are done well.

In September 2006, Boston Behind The Scene's Adam Weiss, a podcast consultant, took listeners on a 30 minute tour of the Samuel Adams Brewery in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. Even though I was simply listening, I could still smell the barley, taste the beer and hear the machines brewing.

In a more recent March 2007 episode, Weiss covered the popular Boston Accent in a fifteen minute podcast. I learned about accommodation-something I accuse my mother of every time we get a manicure.

According to Boston College professor of linguistics, M.J. Connolly, accommodation occurs for example when you go overseas to Germany. You'll come back speaking with a German accent. In other words, depending on who you are talking with you will take on their accent unconsciously.

Weiss' interest in the topic and material is evident in his thorough coverage and reporting. BostonBehindTheScenes.com also offers free subscription to their episodes as well as automatic updates to your personal iPod.

A Boston related podcast that I DO NOT recommend is The Wicked Good Podcast. Hosts, Steve and Maureen's "witty observations and wacky misadventures from the heart of New England" are wicked bad. The topics are scattered and uninformative as I caught myself surfing through other podcast options while forcing myself to keep my headphones in my ears.

My Sentiments Exactly

2007-04-04T01:30:00.000-04:00

ABC's latest Bachelor, Lt. Andy Baldwin, M.D., 30, has handed out the first of many roses and ESPN.com's The Sports Gal and I share similar sentiments about Monday's premiere episode.

ABC wants the new "Bachelor" to remind people of Richard Gere in "An Officer and a Gentleman." We know this because they're calling this season, "The Bachelor: An Officer and a Gentleman." At least they came right out and said it. Lt. Andy Baldwin isn't as sexy as Richard Gere in that movie, but I liked him immediately and thought he was the cutest bachelor yet. He works as a doctor in the Navy's dive unit with Ashton Kutcher and Kevin Costner, does charity work and Ironman triathalons and even has a hot body. Of course, Bill (my husband) was suspicious as soon as we learned Andy's alma mater was Duke -- he kept saying, "You watch, you watch, he's going to end up being a [bad word]."

Not even 30 seconds later, we watched Andy get into his fancy sports car, which looked like a DeLorean (do they still make those?) and had those dorky doors that open straight up. I hate when Bill's right. You should know that my friend Terera and I have a list of things that instantly bother us about guys -- like guys who wear man sandals (those leather ones that look like the ones girls would wear, only they're for guys, I call them "mandals"); guys who wear black jeans or black tennis shoes; guys who wear Speedos at the beach; guys who drink daiquiris or frozen mudslides; guys who tuck their sweaters into their pants; and especially, guys who drive weird sports cars (like Miatas or Corvettes). I don't know the name of Andy's car, but it should be called "The Overcompensator."

To continue reading, click this link

Photo

iPod Dock

2007-04-02T19:33:00.000-04:00

Call me crazy, but I recently learned what it meant to "dock" my iPod and that there are so many different ways to dock.

I still have yet to dock my own but that will come with time as I learn more about the advantages to podcasting, uploading music, news stories, books, photos, movies, sound bites, answers to last night's homework assignment, you name it and you can probably dock, upload and have the latest and greatest additions to your very own iPod in minutes.

Photo

Massachusetts Congressman/Professor Is On-The-Go

2007-04-02T19:11:00.000-04:00

Today, Massachusetts Congressman and University of Massachusetts Amherst Professor Richard Neal skipped out on class, The Politician and the Journalist, with a valid excuse.

Congressman Neal departed for Ireland as a part of the congressional delegation traveling to Dublin, Belfast, and London.

As the Boston Globe also reported today, the trip comes at a critical juncture in Northern Ireland's peace process. Protestant and Catholic leaders recently announced a power-sharing deal in hopes of ending decades of hostility.

Another "on-the-go" Massachusetts Congressman mentioned in today's Globe was North Shore native John Tierney. Tierney will be traveling to the Mid-East where he will speak with government officials on terrorism , specifically in the countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Even Baseball Players Blog

2007-03-29T16:06:00.000-04:00

Red Sox 2007 opening day in Missouri is only four days away. For a sneak-peak into the Sox Clubhouse, check out Curt Schilling's Official Blog: 38 Pitches.

In a March 18th post following a AAA game verses Louisville, Schilling said, "Typing this on the plane as we head back to Boston. Going to spend the off day with Shonda and the kids and get some things done at 38 Studios as well. The game today went well. 6 innings, 98 pitches, 74 strikes and I felt stronger in the 6th than I did in the 1st." This particular post was popular with viewers, receiving 120 comments.

Schilling, the right-handed starting pitcher for the BoSox is known for his good work-ethic on and off the field. This blog is just another example.

Photo

Supreme Court: Your Labor Is Your Private Property

2007-03-28T16:01:00.000-04:00

I just finished watching Aaron Russo's documentary, America: Freedom to Fascism. I can give no better recommendation than, watch it for yourself.

The film's site, FreedomToFascism.com offers an overview of the film:

Determined to find the law that requires American citizens to pay income tax, producer Aaron Russo ("The Rose," "Trading Places") set out on a journey to find the evidence. This film which is neither left, nor right-wing is a startling examination of government. It exposes the systematic erosion of civil liberties in America since 1913 when the Federal Reserve system was fraudulently created. Through interviews with U.S. Congressmen, a former IRS Commissioner, former IRS and FBI agents and tax attorneys and authors, Russo connects the dots between money creation, federal income tax, and the national identity card which becomes law in May 2008. This ID card will use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips which are essentially homing devices used to track people. This film shows in great detail and undeniable facts that America is moving headlong into a fascist police state. Wake up!

Copies can be purchased online at their site, but even better is to view the approximate one hour and fifty-minute film on Google Video for FREE. A couple other sites of interest related to this topic include, Nontaxpayer.org, GiveMeLiberty.org and the IRS homepage at IRS.gov.

Paper Or Plastic?

2007-03-28T14:54:00.000-04:00

New York Times Reporter, Jesse McKinley offers insight in to the removal of plastic bags in the United States second most densely populated city in her article, San Francisco Board Votes to Ban Some Plastic Bags.

Paper or paper?

That may soon be the only question heard at grocery counters across San Francisco, as the city’s Board of Supervisors cast a decisive blow in the paper versus plastic debate on Tuesday, banning non-biodegradable plastic bags in its large grocery stores and pharmacies.

The ordinance, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation, will remove standard plastic bags from supermarkets and pharmacies with sales of more than $2 million a year, said its author, Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who said his city was simply following a worldwide trend toward greener grocers.

“Scores of nations have already gone through this,” said Mr. Mirkarimi, citing similar laws in places including South Africa and Taiwan. “It’s really astounding the United States would be so late in the game to come online to do something that should be common sense.”

Indeed, in a famously liberal city where finding the moral high ground can take a lot of climbing, the plastic bag has been something of the perfect villain for San Francisco politicians, a combination of common litter and nascent environmental scourge, linked to issues like global warming and big oil hegemony.

To continue reading, click this link

Photo

Spring Break Or Bust

2007-03-27T16:08:00.000-04:00

The following excerpts from AP reporter Julie Watson's story, Cancún's New Beaches Now Eroding, may have you looking closer at those photos you snapped during your recent spring break trip across the border and possibly have you reevaluating next year's warm weather destination.

Cancún and Mother Nature are at it again.

Mexico spent $19 million to replace beaches washed away by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, but erosion has shrunk Cancún's sandy playground to the point where waves at high tide lap against some hotel patios.

To bring tourists pouring back after Hurricane Wilma, the ocean floor was dredged to rebuild 8 miles of beach, nearly double their prehurricane size, and hotels were refurbished.

Just a year after the grand refurbishment was completed, the beaches have shrunk again, from 100 feet to less than 70 feet at midtide in the tourist zone, and swimmers are forced to clamber down 3-foot drops in the sand level to reach the water.

Most sections of beach remain about as wide as before the hurricane hit, although some are less -- barely 30 feet wide -- and the sea is relentlessly munching at what's left, said biologist Alfredo Arellano, Yucatán director for the government's Commission for Natural Protected Areas.

Officials, developers, and investors foresaw erosion and are preparing for a long-term response. They plan a public-private fund for future beach restorations, and an artificial reef to help contain the sand. Meanwhile, sandbags line some beaches and large, clothlike tubes have been installed offshore.

But environmentalists see no point as long as hotels continue building at the water's edge and ripping out vegetation whose roots once helped to hold the sand in place. They are lobbying for a belt of native plants and walking paths to separate hotels from beaches, even in places already developed.

"The type of construction that is going on is causing the beaches to erode at a much faster pace," said Patricio Martin, director of the Quintana Roo chapter of the Mexican Center for Environmental Rights.

To continue reading, click this link

Gobble Gobble

2007-03-27T13:28:00.000-04:00

Recently spotted: a turkey safely making its way across Route 116 in Amherst, Massachusetts.

This turkey was one of about a dozen forest turkeys, as they have been identified in the eastern half of the United States since 1817, that flew away after passersby began to get a little to close for comfort.

Step It Up 2007

2007-03-26T13:53:00.000-04:00

April 14, 2007 has been declared, National Day of Climate Action, where rallies will take place across the country for climate change.

Check out what others are doing to Step It Up and see how you can make a difference too!

Photo

Portfolio Made Easy With Google's Page Creator

2007-03-26T13:26:00.000-04:00

Google seems to make everything easier these days.

Their Page Creator, which is still in an "early testing phase", assists any gmail account holder in establishing an online site to call their own. Page Creator can be used as an advertising tool for your company or even for yourself, where you can post your personal resume and and clips or even your favorite links.

Like Google, I am also in the "early testing phase" with regards to My Google Page, which is currently under construction.

Other services offered by Google Labs include the latest Google Code Search, Google Reader and an oldie but goodie, Google Video and the list goes on.

What will Google think of next?!

Photo

Walter Reed Army Medical Center Spreads "Plague"

2007-03-18T13:57:00.000-04:00

Follow up to Walter Reed Army Medical Center's Diagnosis, March 8, 2007 post, courtesy of Democracy Now!

Veteran Dies After VA Refuses Treatment For Days: As the Walter Reed scandal rocks Washington, what are the conditions at VA hospitals outside the Beltway? We look at the story of a 58-year-old Vietnam veteran named Willie Dougherty. He died in October after suffering two pelvic fractures. His family says he died because he was refused treatment by the VA. We speak with his widow, Jean Stentz, American Legion commander Harold Davis and Shay Everitt, the journalism student who first started investigating the story.

It's Getting Hot In Here...

2007-03-15T15:52:00.000-04:00

Today, Wired.com featured AP Science Writer, Seth Borenstein's article, Could Crazy Technology Save the Planet?

This story is one to take to the water coolers (if people even use water coolers anymore) with its creatively advanced answers to the world's newest plague, Global Warming.

Just in time for Earth Day, The Massachusetts Daily Collegian will publish a series with regards to Global Warming, its affects worldwide and what YOU can do to help. Be on the look out for these engaging stories come mid-April.

Photo: www.churchofeuthanasia.org

Appetizer Crawl

2007-03-13T20:45:00.000-04:00

Dining on appetizers at a series of locations is a great way to spend an evening out with friends. Where do you recommend to begin and end a tasty appetizer crawl in Beantown?

Here's what some good eaters recommended at CHOW.com ...
Orinoco, South End: domino arepa (tortilla with beans and white cheese), Costello's, Jamaica Plain: chili cheese fries, Cambridge Common, Cambridge: boneless buffalo wings, Cafe Polonia, South Boston: wild mushroom soup with sour cream, Cronin's, Quincy: cajun chicken soup
Silvertones: Goat Cheese Crostini, Neptune Oyster: Raw Bar (see photo), Eclano's: Rabbit Sausage, Antico Forno: Pizza with shrimp and smoked mozzarella, Cafe Paradiso: Expresso Martinis
Scallion pancakes and dumplings at King Fung Garden, antipasto at Teatro, lobster pizza at the bar at Excelsior, tacos at Bonfire, white chocolate bread pudding at Parrish Cafe

Check out the forum: Appetizer Crawl! Who has the best starters? listed at CHOW.com for more tasty ideas!

Photo: www.boston.com

Smart Mobs Highlights

2007-03-12T12:21:00.000-04:00

I just realized how behind the United States was and currently is with regards to the cell phone and the additional services that mobile to mobile provides.

Smart Mobs: The Next Social Revolution, written by Howard Rheingold, who travels world wide to discover who has the latest and greatest technologically advanced communication equipment.

Did you know that...

"The proliferation of tiny pockets in shirts and pants" is highly noticeable in Japan in order for keitai (mobile telephone) users to store their device.

"In Japan, it is no longer taboo to show up late: "Today's taboo...is to forget you keitai (mobile telephone) or let your battery die.""

"In Japan, young people are beginning to turn away from sites and applications that are officially endorsed by mobile operators and going underground... independent site Zavn.net has gained a sizeable audience and offline momentum with no promotion. The stories of Zavn.net are written in punchy, card-size chapters that are intended to be read on a cell phone."

"Upon examining the reason for its success, it was discovered that only this particular model offered the symbol of a heart. Just the addition of a heart made a tremendous difference in sales."-DoCoMo, Japanese mobile telephone giant, introduces symbolic characters in text messages.

"Finland leads the world in both Internet connections and mobile phones per capita."

"...May 2001, the term "swarming" was frequently used by the people I met in Helsinki to describe the cybernegotiated public flocking behavior of texting adolescents."

"The first text message was sent in December 1992 in the United Kingdom. By mid-2001, tens of billions of messages were being exchanged worldwide each month. By 2002, 100 billion text messages were being sent on the world's GSM networks each month."

"Like data on the Internet, text messages are sent in electronic bursts of data, "packets," that find their own way through the network via "routers" that read the addresses on the packets and forward them."

"Finland might be the world's foremost laboratory for mobile society, but it far from the only one in the Nordic countries. Stockholm, with more mobile phones per person than any city in the world..."

"Before 2001, texting had become widespread in the Philippines, with up to 50 million messages exchanged each day. A 2001 San Francisco Chronicle story quoted a Philippines telecommunications company source: "Some Filipino teenagers can do it blindfolded. I can't do that-but I can text while driving.""

"I took note when "373 million text messages were sent over the Orange Network (U.K. and France) in January 2001." I was not surprised to discover that one-fifth of the Italian population owned mobile phones, although I was slightly startled to learn that more than one person in right has a mobile phone in Botswana.""

"Afghans in Pakistan were horrified by the ease with which young Moslem boys and girls, who would never have been allowed to be alone together, can now participate in virtual social relationships via mobile phone."

"...adolescents, those ages fourteen to twenty, are often the early adopters of mobile communications and are among the first whose identities, families, and communications begin to change."

Photo: katapu.net

More Than A Feeling

2007-03-10T04:25:00.000-05:00

Rest In Peace

BRAD DELP

June 12, 1951-March 9, 2007

Walter Reed Army Medical Center's Diagnosis

2007-03-08T17:23:00.000-05:00

Doctor Walter Reed, U.S. Army Specialist, discovered the cause of yellow fever in 1900. On May 1, 1909, The Walter Reed General Hospital was established in his honor in Washington, D.C.

Nearly a century later, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the 1977 successor to WRGH, assists in the recovery process for military personnel injured both physically or mentally in the line of duty.

Unfortunately, this hospital has taken a turn for the worse. A series, The Other Walter Reed, published by the Washington Post, which began February 2007, reveals the major problems and conflicts going on inside the brick walls of the Walter Reed center.

Soldiers Face Neglect, Frustration At Army's Top Medical Facility-Part One, February 18, 2007- Power Points:

"If they can have Spanish-speaking recruits to convince my son to go into the Army, why can't they have Spanish-speaking translators when he's injured?" Morales asked. "It's so confusing, so disorienting."

"Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, commander at Walter Reed, said in an interview last week that a major reason outpatients stay so long, a change from the days when injured soldiers were discharged as quickly as possible, is that the Army wants to be able to hang on to as many soldiers as it can, "because this is the first time this country has fought a war for so long with an all-volunteer force since the Revolution."

"The best known of the Army's medical centers, Walter Reed opened in 1909 with 10 patients. It has treated the wounded from every war since, and nearly one of every four service members injured in Iraq and Afghanistan."

"The Pentagon has announced plans to close Walter Reed by 2011, but that hasn't stopped the flow of casualties. Three times a week, school buses painted white and fitted with stretchers and blackened windows stream down Georgia Avenue. Sirens blaring, they deliver soldiers groggy from a pain-relief cocktail at the end of their long trip from Iraq via Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and Andrews Air Force Base."

"Shannon, who wears an eye patch and a visible skull implant, said he had to prove he had served in Iraq when he tried to get a free uniform to replace the bloody one left behind on a medic's stretcher. When he finally tracked down the supply clerk, he discovered the problem: His name was mistakenly left off the "GWOT list" -- the list of "Global War on Terrorism" patients with priority funding from the Defense Department. He brought his Purple Heart to the clerk to prove he was in Iraq."

Photo: www.narmc.amedd.army.mil

Michael Franti: Yell Fire!

2007-03-08T16:26:00.000-05:00

Michael Franti's soulful beats and jump up and down-as you shake your dreads-performance rocked Northampton, Massachusetts' Calvin Theater in the fall and he continues to impress fans and gain new listeners daily throughout the world.

One Step Closer to You, Sweet Little Lies and Light Up Ya Lighter are some of my personal Franti favorites and fall at the top spot on my IPod playlist.

With the release of his album, Yell Fire! in 2006, in conjunction with the release of his DVD, I Know I'm Not Alone, featuring his 2004 trip to Baghdad, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, his popularity has sky rocketed and most importantly his message of peace during wartime has spread like wildfire.

Amazon.com's Spotlight Reviews:

I recently got the chance to check out Michael Franti and Spearhead's release "Yell Fire!" (2006). While I have heard some Spearhead's music in the past and enjoyed a few of their videos, I really had no clue about who they were. The group officially includes lead singer and songwriter Michael Franti, Carl Young (Bass), Dave Shul (Guitar) and Manas Itene (Drums). I came across them being a Hip Hop fan, their music spreads into many different genres though Funk, Reggae, Folk, R & B, Rap and Rock. Michael Franti's introspective singing and lyrics make him a notable artist. My favourite track's on this release are "I Know Im Not Alone", "See You In The Light" and the outstanding "Tolerance". The last of these three is the most powerful to me musically, an exceptionally deep track about love and life and choosing tolerance over violence. I read that Michael Franti was inspired by a trip to Baghdad, the West Bank and Gaza and can tell he really put that experience into his music. I will be truthful in saying I don't feel all of Spearhead's music, but the tracks where they shine for me are the hard hitting introspective and positive one's - music with a message. "Yell Fire!" is a release worth checking out.

Photo: SurfCore.co.uk

Walking On Thin Ice

2007-03-08T16:07:00.000-05:00

These chilly New England days call for fun outdoor activities. Take caution when playing in snow and ice in low temperatures.

Ice Safety tips from LifeSaving.org
1. Use designated ice surfaces. Many communities have designated ponds for activities such as skating that are maintained by knowledgeable personnel. Designated ice should be regularly tested to ensure that it is thick enough and strong enough for recreational use.
2. Measure ice thickness in several locations. Local conditions such as currents and water depths can affect ice thickness. Consult knowledgeable local individuals. White ice has air or snow within it and should be considered suspect for recreational use.
3. Avoid traveling on ice at night. At night it is very difficult to see open holes in the ice. This is a frequent cause of snowmobile drownings.
4. Never go onto ice alone. A buddy may be able to rescue you or go for help if you get into difficulty. Before you leave shore, tell someone where you are going and expected time of return.
5. Stay off river ice. River currents can quickly change ice thickness over night or between different parts of the river.
6. Wear a snowmobile flotation suit or a lifejacket. Wear a lifejacket or PFD over your snowmobile suit or layered winter clothes to increase your survival chances if you do go through the ice.
7. Take safety equipment with you. Include ice picks, ice staff, rope, and a small personal safety kit in your pocket, which includes a pocketknife, compass, whistle, fire starter kit and a cell phone.
8. Avoid alcohol. Alcohol impairs your judgment and speeds up the development of hypothermia.
9. If you drive on ice, have an escape plan. Open your windows, unlock your doors, and turn on your lights to allow you to quickly escape from your vehicle.
10. Always supervise children playing on or near ice. Insist that they wear a lifejacket/PFD or thermal protection buoyant suit.

From the East To The West

2007-03-07T23:49:00.000-05:00

If you're interested in traveling to La-La-Land, also known as Los Angeles, check out California writer Bill Karz's latest blog post at LA Nomad where he names L.A., "The Reality Capital of the World." This blog may encourage your possible trip or force you to cancel your flight.

Reality TV burst onto the U.S. scene in 2000 with CBS’s “Survivor” in Borneo. Since then, several reality shows have traversed the world on location. From “The Amazing Race” to “The Bachelor,” exotic locales have been showcased consistently. However, no destination has been featured more than the City of Los Angeles. NBC’s “The Apprentice,” starring billionaire Donald Trump, recently deserted New York in favor of sumptuous digs in Bel-Air and a haute hotel on the Pacific shoreline. Millions of viewers are currently watching “Apprentice” contestants strut their stuff on the chic streets of LA. Other reality TV shows capitalizing on LA’s industry leadership and expertise include Bravo’s “Top Chef,” filmed in the Downtown Arts District; MTV’s “Parental Control,” filmed in the Valley; Style Network’s “Clean House,” shot in the Valley; and VH1’s “The Surreal Life,” filmed in the Hollywood Hills. The reality is – reality TV is good for business. Reality TV episodes shot in LA soared 53 percent in 2006, accounting for nearly 40 percent of all on-location TV production. The LA entertainment industry supports some 240,000 local jobs and contributes an estimated $30 billion to the local economy. While reality shows don’t pack the economic punch of scripted shows (a typical 22-episode, one-hour drama costs close to $50 million, compared to about $7 million spent on a 10-episode reality show), the dramatic increase in LA reality production is definitely a positive trend.