MSNBC to Launch Fucking Joe
Just minutes after "Morning Joe" host Joe Scarborough dropped an F-bomb live on the air, MSNBC announced that it was re-launching the show to capitalize on its star's salty vocabulary.
"Starting on Tuesday, MSNBC's morning show will be known as Fucking Joe," said MSNBC spokesperson Carol Foyler. "We want to send the message that if you tune in to this show, you'll get a unique mix of breaking news and XXX-rated chat."
MSNBC's decision to reformat the show to accommodate Mr. Scarborough's weakness for expletives surprised many in the cable industry, especially since the show owes its origins to the cancellation of shock-jock Don Imus' ill-fated morning program.
But for Mr. Scarborough's part, the move to "porn up" his morning show came as no surprise.
"This move is a fucking home run and anyone who doesn't think so is a fucking cocksucker," Mr. Scarborough said, adding, "Fuck."
Around the cable industry, insiders expressed surprise that Mr. Scarborough had slipped into profanity while on the air.
"I never thought Joe Scarborough would be the first one to drop an F-bomb on that show," one observer said. "I thought it would be Andrea Mitchell."
martes, 11 de noviembre de 2008
Right-Wing Media Already Feeding Its Post-Election Anger
Right-Wing Media Already Feeding Its Post-Election Anger
An article in Sunday's Los Angeles Times takes a look at how the right-wing media is responding to Obama's victory last week. Already, it seems, the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity have started to rile up their listeners/viewers by going after Obama. The relationship of Fox News and the Obama administration will be particularly interesting to watch, given that Fox News was cut out of the questioning at the first Obama press conference. As for Obama's harshest critics among fellow politicians, the New York TImes reported yesterday on how many of them have, for various reasons, rushed to praise him.
From the LA Times:
Opening his first post-election rant against the president-elect, Limbaugh launched in with a certain relish. "The game," he told his radio listeners, "has begun."
Sean Hannity, on the other hand, insisted on feigning a post-election detente, telling his Fox News television audience last week, "I want Barack Obama to succeed."
Didn't he think anyone would notice that, just a moment later, he was back parroting the failed campaign argument that Obama is a "mystery"?
"I fear [this] is the guy that has these radical associations 20 years ago," Hannity added, an odd way of demonstrating support for the new commander in chief.
An article in Sunday's Los Angeles Times takes a look at how the right-wing media is responding to Obama's victory last week. Already, it seems, the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity have started to rile up their listeners/viewers by going after Obama. The relationship of Fox News and the Obama administration will be particularly interesting to watch, given that Fox News was cut out of the questioning at the first Obama press conference. As for Obama's harshest critics among fellow politicians, the New York TImes reported yesterday on how many of them have, for various reasons, rushed to praise him.
From the LA Times:
Opening his first post-election rant against the president-elect, Limbaugh launched in with a certain relish. "The game," he told his radio listeners, "has begun."
Sean Hannity, on the other hand, insisted on feigning a post-election detente, telling his Fox News television audience last week, "I want Barack Obama to succeed."
Didn't he think anyone would notice that, just a moment later, he was back parroting the failed campaign argument that Obama is a "mystery"?
"I fear [this] is the guy that has these radical associations 20 years ago," Hannity added, an odd way of demonstrating support for the new commander in chief.
Obama Dispatching Aides To Georgia Senate Race
Obama Dispatching Aides To Georgia Senate Race
Democratic officials confirm that Barack Obama is sending aides to help with the runoff senatorial campaign in Georgia, putting his post-election coattails to an immediate test.
Organizers who worked on behalf of the Illinois Democrat are heading to the Peach State to offer similar assistance to Jim Martin, the Democratic challenger who is facing a second-round contest against incumbent Saxby Chambliss after neither candidate received 50 percent of the initial vote.
The investment by Obama, confirmed by an official working on behalf of the Senate campaign, apparently includes "ground team" members as well as "online specialists and bloggers," and represents one of the earliest tests of the influence he can wield on the political landscape. A Daily Kos diarist first heard about the move from the Martin team.
It remains unclear whether Obama himself will appear in the state. His campaign put limited paid resources into Georgia during the general election, mainly during the waning weeks of the campaign, though Obama's registration efforts there were lauded for making the presidential contest in that state much closer than the historical norm.
Martin's race to replace Chambliss was even closer. The longtime Georgian Democrat finished with just under 47 percent of the vote to Chambliss' 49.8 percent. Because neither candidate was able to win a majority of the vote, the two will square off again on December 2.
While Martin will be assisted in the effort by the Obama campaign, Chambliss will be banking on GOP star-power to help propel him into office for a second term. Already it has been reported that Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin and John McCain will be either making campaign stops on the Georgian's behalf or providing volunteers and aide.
Democratic officials confirm that Barack Obama is sending aides to help with the runoff senatorial campaign in Georgia, putting his post-election coattails to an immediate test.
Organizers who worked on behalf of the Illinois Democrat are heading to the Peach State to offer similar assistance to Jim Martin, the Democratic challenger who is facing a second-round contest against incumbent Saxby Chambliss after neither candidate received 50 percent of the initial vote.
The investment by Obama, confirmed by an official working on behalf of the Senate campaign, apparently includes "ground team" members as well as "online specialists and bloggers," and represents one of the earliest tests of the influence he can wield on the political landscape. A Daily Kos diarist first heard about the move from the Martin team.
It remains unclear whether Obama himself will appear in the state. His campaign put limited paid resources into Georgia during the general election, mainly during the waning weeks of the campaign, though Obama's registration efforts there were lauded for making the presidential contest in that state much closer than the historical norm.
Martin's race to replace Chambliss was even closer. The longtime Georgian Democrat finished with just under 47 percent of the vote to Chambliss' 49.8 percent. Because neither candidate was able to win a majority of the vote, the two will square off again on December 2.
While Martin will be assisted in the effort by the Obama campaign, Chambliss will be banking on GOP star-power to help propel him into office for a second term. Already it has been reported that Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin and John McCain will be either making campaign stops on the Georgian's behalf or providing volunteers and aide.
lunes, 10 de noviembre de 2008
Names floated for top Obama jobs
Names floated for top Obama jobs
outsiders, including some Republicans, for top administration posts, according to Democratic officials.
Obama has signaled that he will make no Cabinet-level appointments immediately, and his deliberations are tightly held by his closest aides. But that hasn't stopped Democrats and interest groups from circulating lists and offering recommendations to the Obama transition team.
Some are surprising, such as former Bush Secretary of State Colin Powell as possible education secretary. Others are high-profile governors or members of Congress. Yet many are also little known to the general public — and may remain so.
Obama takes office Jan. 20. Some names often mentioned as possible appointees to top posts:
outsiders, including some Republicans, for top administration posts, according to Democratic officials.
Obama has signaled that he will make no Cabinet-level appointments immediately, and his deliberations are tightly held by his closest aides. But that hasn't stopped Democrats and interest groups from circulating lists and offering recommendations to the Obama transition team.
Some are surprising, such as former Bush Secretary of State Colin Powell as possible education secretary. Others are high-profile governors or members of Congress. Yet many are also little known to the general public — and may remain so.
Obama takes office Jan. 20. Some names often mentioned as possible appointees to top posts:
GM needs federal aid in coming weeks: chief
GM needs federal aid in coming weeks: chief
General Motors is in such dire financial straights that it needs to line up a federal aid packaged before president-elect Barack Obama takes office in January, the automaker's chief executive said Monday.
"This is an issue that needs to be addressed urgently," Wagoner told Automotive News, adding that now is the time to "overshoot, not undershoot" the level of assistance.
GM is willing to offer the government preferred stock, speed the introduction of fuel-efficient vehicles and set limits on executive compensation in exchange for financial aid, Wagoner said.
But Wagoner did not think it would be "a very smart move" for him to resign.
"It's not clear to me what purpose would be served" Wagoner said. "I think our job is to make sure we have the best management team to run GM."
On Friday the biggest US automaker warned it would run out of cash in the first half of next year and appealed to the US government for help to save it from collapse.
The company announced a third-quarter loss of 2.5 billion dollars and said it had burned through another 6.9 billion of cash during the three-month period, leaving it with cash reserves of 16.2 billion.
GM has said it needs cash reserves of between 11 and 14 billion dollars to cover the cost of its operations.
Wagoner said that while the company's cash burn in the fourth quarter should ease to one billion dollars a month, it will likely not be able to survive without government help.
GM has developed a turnaround plan which assumes that sales fall to 11.7 million vehicles next year from recent averages of around 15 million a year.
"I'd question whether the US industry as a whole could survive that without support," Wagoner said, adding that even with government help the automaker will have to do "significantly more restructuring" if industry sales stay that low.
Wagoner and executives from Ford, Chrysler and the United Auto Workers Union asked for the federal government to speed up delivery of 25 billion dollars in loan guarantees for the development of fuel-efficient vehicles.
They also requested another 25 billion in loan guarantees to support operations amid a sharp economic downturn which has pushed vehicle sales to a 25 year-low.
Democratic leaders in the US Congress called Saturday for funds contained in a 700-billion-dollar federal rescue plan for the financial sector to be diverted to the struggling auto industry.
Obama's chief of staff urged swift action Sunday to rescue the US auto industry, but declined to say whether Obama supported the appeal by Democratic House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority leader Harry Reid.
"As president-elect Obama has said throughout the campaign and as I think as recently as Friday ... the auto industry is an essential part of our economy and an essential part of our industrial base," Congressman Rahm Emanuel told ABC.
General Motors is in such dire financial straights that it needs to line up a federal aid packaged before president-elect Barack Obama takes office in January, the automaker's chief executive said Monday.
"This is an issue that needs to be addressed urgently," Wagoner told Automotive News, adding that now is the time to "overshoot, not undershoot" the level of assistance.
GM is willing to offer the government preferred stock, speed the introduction of fuel-efficient vehicles and set limits on executive compensation in exchange for financial aid, Wagoner said.
But Wagoner did not think it would be "a very smart move" for him to resign.
"It's not clear to me what purpose would be served" Wagoner said. "I think our job is to make sure we have the best management team to run GM."
On Friday the biggest US automaker warned it would run out of cash in the first half of next year and appealed to the US government for help to save it from collapse.
The company announced a third-quarter loss of 2.5 billion dollars and said it had burned through another 6.9 billion of cash during the three-month period, leaving it with cash reserves of 16.2 billion.
GM has said it needs cash reserves of between 11 and 14 billion dollars to cover the cost of its operations.
Wagoner said that while the company's cash burn in the fourth quarter should ease to one billion dollars a month, it will likely not be able to survive without government help.
GM has developed a turnaround plan which assumes that sales fall to 11.7 million vehicles next year from recent averages of around 15 million a year.
"I'd question whether the US industry as a whole could survive that without support," Wagoner said, adding that even with government help the automaker will have to do "significantly more restructuring" if industry sales stay that low.
Wagoner and executives from Ford, Chrysler and the United Auto Workers Union asked for the federal government to speed up delivery of 25 billion dollars in loan guarantees for the development of fuel-efficient vehicles.
They also requested another 25 billion in loan guarantees to support operations amid a sharp economic downturn which has pushed vehicle sales to a 25 year-low.
Democratic leaders in the US Congress called Saturday for funds contained in a 700-billion-dollar federal rescue plan for the financial sector to be diverted to the struggling auto industry.
Obama's chief of staff urged swift action Sunday to rescue the US auto industry, but declined to say whether Obama supported the appeal by Democratic House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority leader Harry Reid.
"As president-elect Obama has said throughout the campaign and as I think as recently as Friday ... the auto industry is an essential part of our economy and an essential part of our industrial base," Congressman Rahm Emanuel told ABC.
Obama, Candidate of Change, Looks to Old Hands From Clinton Era
Obama, Candidate of Change, Looks to Old Hands From Clinton Era
Barack Obama, elected president as an agent of change, is building his new team with old hands from the Clinton administration.
His first appointment, chief of staff, went to Rahm Emanuel, an Illinois representative and veteran of the last Democratic White House. Leading Obama's transition team is John Podesta, who was President Bill Clinton's chief of staff.
Obama's most dramatic step would be to name New York Senator Hillary Clinton, his defeated rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, as secretary of state. Two Obama advisers confirm the idea has been discussed, though they say they don't know how seriously the president-elect is considering it or whether Clinton would accept it.
Faced from day one with an economic crisis and two wars, Obama's campaign theme of changing the way Washington works is about to be overtaken by getting to work in Washington. For that, experience helps.
``Once you become president-elect, the rubber hits the road, and you're going to want to put people in positions of power who have a proven track record,'' says Chris Lehane, who was a special assistant counsel to Clinton.
The presence of Clinton-era advisers has drawn fire on blogs: from liberals who viewed the Clinton administration as too centrist and conservatives for whom the former president remains a favorite target.
The other risk for Obama is that his administration ``can quickly look like the Clinton administration, now defined, by his campaign, as the status quo,'' says Julian Zelizer, a history and public-affairs professor at Princeton University in New Jersey.
New and Old
From his transition team to his economic advisers, Obama, 47, has surrounded himself with both loyalists new to government and a group of familiar Democratic Party figures who formed something of an administration in exile during Republican President George W. Bush's administration. Some of those who have advised Obama reach back to Jimmy Carter's administration, such as Paul Volcker, 81, the former Federal Reserve chairman.
The pattern is familiar, even for presidents who ran for office as outsiders.
Bush, who came to office with little Washington experience, relied on many advisers from past Republican administrations, including former Secretary of State Colin Powell and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. His first chief of staff, Andrew Card, was transportation secretary in the administration of his father, former President George H.W. Bush.
Campaign slogans aside, when it comes to the reality of governing and finding the best people to carry out a vision, Obama needs people with Washington experience if he wants to succeed, say political analysts and historians.
Experienced Hands
``Change from President Bush was an important theme in the election,'' says Karlyn Bowman, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington. ``Americans will want to see some new faces in the Cabinet, but they also know that you need experienced hands to run the ship in Washington.''
Republicans, looking ahead to potential battles after Obama takes office on Jan. 20, were quick to highlight his appointment of Emanuel, who is known for his sharp partisanship in the Clinton administration and as the No. 4 ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives.
House Republican leader John Boehner called Emanuel, 48, ``an ironic choice for a president-elect who has promised to change Washington.''
But Fred Greenstein, a presidential historian at Princeton, says voters largely aren't interested in such inside-the-Beltway maneuvering.
``Obama may get insider criticism for using retreads,'' but he ``is drawing on people who served well in the Clinton presidency.''
Reaching Out
Obama spent time during the campaign reaching out to Clinton's economic advisers, including former Treasury Secretaries Robert Rubin and Lawrence Summers. Summers, 53, is often mentioned as a possibility to resume his post at the Treasury Department under Obama. Rubin, 70, has told Obama he isn't interested in returning to government service but would consider taking on special projects.
``The real issues on this score will crop up after Jan. 20,'' says Rogan Kersh, a public-service professor at New York University. ``Will there be a Clinton-loyalists versus Obama- faithful dynamic in the White House? That could be a hindrance to the swift, smooth start the new administration dearly needs.''
Advisory Board
An advisory board that will help with transition planning includes former Clinton administration officials Carol Browner, who was the former president's Environmental Protection Agency administrator; William Daley, who served as his commerce secretary; and Federico Pena, former transportation secretary.
Other Clinton officials who have been reported to be candidates for possible posts in an Obama White House include Richard Holbrooke, former United Nations ambassador, as secretary of state and Eric Holder, who was part of Obama's vice-presidential selection committee and deputy attorney general for Clinton, as attorney general.
``What you're going to see with Obama is a mixture of wise men and young Turks,'' says Democratic consultant Peter Fenn.
While Obama may endure criticism for calling on some ``usual suspects,'' he'd be in more trouble if his picks proved unqualified, Fenn says.
``You don't want the head of the Arabian Horse Association as your FEMA director,'' says Fenn, referring to Michael Brown, Bush's choice to run the Federal Emergency Management Agency, who was ousted after the botched government response to Hurricane Katrina.
Still Beloved
Clinton, 62, is still beloved by many in the Democratic Party, and his support and approval of Obama's policies might well boost the new president's efforts. When Clinton made his first campaign appearance for Obama in Orlando, Florida, on Oct. 1, he veered from prepared remarks to offer special praise for the way Obama was handling the financial crisis.
``He got his advisers on the phone, then he called all of mine, then he called some more,'' Clinton said. ``And you know what he said? Tell me what the problem is and how to fix it and don't bother me with the politics. Let's do the right thing, and we'll sell it to America.''
Presidential historian Robert Dallek, a biographer of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, says Clinton veterans can be agents of change.
``They will be under Obama's command,'' he says. ``It's not as if they are going to say we've got to go back to what Bill Clinton was thinking 10 years ago.''
Barack Obama, elected president as an agent of change, is building his new team with old hands from the Clinton administration.
His first appointment, chief of staff, went to Rahm Emanuel, an Illinois representative and veteran of the last Democratic White House. Leading Obama's transition team is John Podesta, who was President Bill Clinton's chief of staff.
Obama's most dramatic step would be to name New York Senator Hillary Clinton, his defeated rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, as secretary of state. Two Obama advisers confirm the idea has been discussed, though they say they don't know how seriously the president-elect is considering it or whether Clinton would accept it.
Faced from day one with an economic crisis and two wars, Obama's campaign theme of changing the way Washington works is about to be overtaken by getting to work in Washington. For that, experience helps.
``Once you become president-elect, the rubber hits the road, and you're going to want to put people in positions of power who have a proven track record,'' says Chris Lehane, who was a special assistant counsel to Clinton.
The presence of Clinton-era advisers has drawn fire on blogs: from liberals who viewed the Clinton administration as too centrist and conservatives for whom the former president remains a favorite target.
The other risk for Obama is that his administration ``can quickly look like the Clinton administration, now defined, by his campaign, as the status quo,'' says Julian Zelizer, a history and public-affairs professor at Princeton University in New Jersey.
New and Old
From his transition team to his economic advisers, Obama, 47, has surrounded himself with both loyalists new to government and a group of familiar Democratic Party figures who formed something of an administration in exile during Republican President George W. Bush's administration. Some of those who have advised Obama reach back to Jimmy Carter's administration, such as Paul Volcker, 81, the former Federal Reserve chairman.
The pattern is familiar, even for presidents who ran for office as outsiders.
Bush, who came to office with little Washington experience, relied on many advisers from past Republican administrations, including former Secretary of State Colin Powell and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. His first chief of staff, Andrew Card, was transportation secretary in the administration of his father, former President George H.W. Bush.
Campaign slogans aside, when it comes to the reality of governing and finding the best people to carry out a vision, Obama needs people with Washington experience if he wants to succeed, say political analysts and historians.
Experienced Hands
``Change from President Bush was an important theme in the election,'' says Karlyn Bowman, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington. ``Americans will want to see some new faces in the Cabinet, but they also know that you need experienced hands to run the ship in Washington.''
Republicans, looking ahead to potential battles after Obama takes office on Jan. 20, were quick to highlight his appointment of Emanuel, who is known for his sharp partisanship in the Clinton administration and as the No. 4 ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives.
House Republican leader John Boehner called Emanuel, 48, ``an ironic choice for a president-elect who has promised to change Washington.''
But Fred Greenstein, a presidential historian at Princeton, says voters largely aren't interested in such inside-the-Beltway maneuvering.
``Obama may get insider criticism for using retreads,'' but he ``is drawing on people who served well in the Clinton presidency.''
Reaching Out
Obama spent time during the campaign reaching out to Clinton's economic advisers, including former Treasury Secretaries Robert Rubin and Lawrence Summers. Summers, 53, is often mentioned as a possibility to resume his post at the Treasury Department under Obama. Rubin, 70, has told Obama he isn't interested in returning to government service but would consider taking on special projects.
``The real issues on this score will crop up after Jan. 20,'' says Rogan Kersh, a public-service professor at New York University. ``Will there be a Clinton-loyalists versus Obama- faithful dynamic in the White House? That could be a hindrance to the swift, smooth start the new administration dearly needs.''
Advisory Board
An advisory board that will help with transition planning includes former Clinton administration officials Carol Browner, who was the former president's Environmental Protection Agency administrator; William Daley, who served as his commerce secretary; and Federico Pena, former transportation secretary.
Other Clinton officials who have been reported to be candidates for possible posts in an Obama White House include Richard Holbrooke, former United Nations ambassador, as secretary of state and Eric Holder, who was part of Obama's vice-presidential selection committee and deputy attorney general for Clinton, as attorney general.
``What you're going to see with Obama is a mixture of wise men and young Turks,'' says Democratic consultant Peter Fenn.
While Obama may endure criticism for calling on some ``usual suspects,'' he'd be in more trouble if his picks proved unqualified, Fenn says.
``You don't want the head of the Arabian Horse Association as your FEMA director,'' says Fenn, referring to Michael Brown, Bush's choice to run the Federal Emergency Management Agency, who was ousted after the botched government response to Hurricane Katrina.
Still Beloved
Clinton, 62, is still beloved by many in the Democratic Party, and his support and approval of Obama's policies might well boost the new president's efforts. When Clinton made his first campaign appearance for Obama in Orlando, Florida, on Oct. 1, he veered from prepared remarks to offer special praise for the way Obama was handling the financial crisis.
``He got his advisers on the phone, then he called all of mine, then he called some more,'' Clinton said. ``And you know what he said? Tell me what the problem is and how to fix it and don't bother me with the politics. Let's do the right thing, and we'll sell it to America.''
Presidential historian Robert Dallek, a biographer of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, says Clinton veterans can be agents of change.
``They will be under Obama's command,'' he says. ``It's not as if they are going to say we've got to go back to what Bill Clinton was thinking 10 years ago.''
Obama plans U.S. trials for Gitmo detainees
Obama plans U.S. trials for Gitmo detainees
Obama's advisers are quietly crafting a proposal to ship dozens, if not hundreds, of imprisoned terrorism suspects to the United States to face criminal trials, a plan that would make good on his promise to close the Guantanamo Bay prison but could require creation of a controversial new system of justice.
During his campaign, Obama described Guantanamo as a "sad chapter in American history" and has said generally that the U.S. legal system is equipped to handle the detainees. But he has offered few details on what he planned to do once the facility is closed.
Under plans being put together in Obama's camp, some detainees would be released and many others would be prosecuted in U.S. criminal courts.
A third group of detainees — the ones whose cases are most entangled in highly classified information — might have to go before a new court designed especially to handle sensitive national security cases, according to advisers and Democrats involved in the talks. Advisers participating directly in the planning spoke on condition of anonymity because the plans aren't final.
The move would be a sharp deviation from the Bush administration, which established military tribunals to prosecute detainees at the Navy base in Cuba and strongly opposes bringing prisoners to the United States. Obama's Republican challenger, John McCain, had also pledged to close Guantanamo. But McCain opposed criminal trials, saying the Bush administration's tribunals should continue on U.S. soil.
Obama's advisers are quietly crafting a proposal to ship dozens, if not hundreds, of imprisoned terrorism suspects to the United States to face criminal trials, a plan that would make good on his promise to close the Guantanamo Bay prison but could require creation of a controversial new system of justice.
During his campaign, Obama described Guantanamo as a "sad chapter in American history" and has said generally that the U.S. legal system is equipped to handle the detainees. But he has offered few details on what he planned to do once the facility is closed.
Under plans being put together in Obama's camp, some detainees would be released and many others would be prosecuted in U.S. criminal courts.
A third group of detainees — the ones whose cases are most entangled in highly classified information — might have to go before a new court designed especially to handle sensitive national security cases, according to advisers and Democrats involved in the talks. Advisers participating directly in the planning spoke on condition of anonymity because the plans aren't final.
The move would be a sharp deviation from the Bush administration, which established military tribunals to prosecute detainees at the Navy base in Cuba and strongly opposes bringing prisoners to the United States. Obama's Republican challenger, John McCain, had also pledged to close Guantanamo. But McCain opposed criminal trials, saying the Bush administration's tribunals should continue on U.S. soil.
sábado, 8 de noviembre de 2008
Office-Equipped Busses Mean No More Traffic Jam Excuses For Microsoft China Employees In what seems
Office-Equipped Busses Mean No More Traffic Jam Excuses For Microsoft China Employees In what seems to be an attempt at greater productivity, Microsoft China executives are now being driven to work in busses that are equipped with computers that clock you in the moment you log in. However, I have to wonder—besides snooping eyes—what would make you actually do work, instead of goofing off and playing Minesweeper, or even browsing your most favorite blog ever
Diebold Sued for GPL Violations, Allegations of Puppy Kicking to Come
Diebold Sued for GPL Violations, Allegations of Puppy Kicking to Come
Artifex, makers of the Linux Ghostscript Postscript interpreter, is suing Diebold for breaking the fair use terms of its software. Diebold used the freely-available software, which is fine, but when they authored some changes to Ghostscript Postscript, they neglected to follow the very reasonable rules such use requires. Biggies like HP, Xerox, and IBM all use Ghostscript legally and honestly, so why can't Diebold?
They neither publicly released the changes they'd made nor paid Artifex for the privilege to keep the changes to themselves, and in the hippie-dippie share everything world of Linux, that doesn't fly. Luckily our new President of the Universe Barack Obama won by a large enough margin that we can't question the results, but good god, it's beyond time to ditch this aggressively stupid company and get an electronic balloting system that, you know, works.
Question of the Day: Which One of You Has the Fastest Internet Connection
Question of the Day: Which One of You Has the Fastest Internet Connection Much like the typing speed question I asked over the summer, this question is designed to pit you head-to-head against one another to see who has the biggest e-wang (so to speak). All you need to do is follow this link to test your internet connection speed. The poll after the break is broken down to get a basic range, but make sure to include your exact figures in the comments.
German Train Crash Spills New Porsches Onto Tracks
German Train Crash Spills New Porsches Onto Tracks
Here's an expensive fender bender. It seems a train carrying oil rear-ended a train carrying 106 Porsches in the sleepy town of Dillenburg, Germany. The result — 18 cars totaled with damages estimated around at least €1 million, or about $1.28 million in US Federal Reserve issued fiat money. If your name was on one of these Porsches, we're sorry, but insurance will cover it and the image of a Porsche chilling on the tracks like the Delorean in Back to the Future II cracks us up.German Train Crash Spills New Porsches Onto Tracks
Mobile Millennium Project is a Poor Man's Traffic-Relaying GPS
Mobile Millennium Project is a Poor Man's Traffic-Relaying GPS
On Monday Nokia, NAVTEQ and UC Berkeley will launch the Mobile Millennium project which will use GPS data from thousands of cell phones to gather traffic information in the San Francisco Bay Area. By having users relay and access the information, it will enable them to find and avoid traffic congestion, similar to the Dash Express GPS system. I'd participate, but I wonder how much researchers would benefit from my daily commute from bed to kitchen table.
In order to get the needed information, the project uses a Java program that participants can download onto their phone.Traffic is then calculated using an algorithm researchers have developed. The software is eventually expected to work on most GPS-enabled phones on GSM networks. The project will not require many users, but does require them to be spread out for better results. Mobile Millennium plans to post the data it receives on the Web, but users who have the Java software will be most up-to-date. Luckily, for all the privacy-seekers, the information culled will be kept anonymous. Because the software uses a lot of data, only users with unlimited data plans are advised to sign up because you certainly don't want to end up with a $218 trillion phone bill. [Mobile Millennium via IT World]
Financial Advisers Must do More to Protect Clients in Tough Times
Financial Advisers Must do More to Protect Clients in Tough Times
For while sales of some protection policies have picked up in recent weeks, the volume is not nearly enough to protect the numbers of people that are expected to be swept away in an unemployment surge.
The European Commission predicts that unemployment in Britain will hit 7.1 per cent - the worst performing country in the 15-nation eurozone area.
"Make no mistake, we are in for very turbulent times and many people will suffer the hardship of being out of work," she said.
"This will lead to severe consequences for some families and in the worst case scenario this could involve them losing the very roof over their heads - but it doesn't have to be this way.
"People need to wake up to the new economic reality. The excesses and easy credit of the last decade or more have gone for the foreseeable future and people need to take the steps to protect themselves for the hard times ahead.
"But because many people have had it so good for so long they have never had to think about what action to take if things suddenly sour. That's when it is vital that financial service intermediaries make their clients aware of what insurance products exist to provide the peace of mind that there will be an income should they be unfortunate to lose their job as we embark upon difficult economic times," she said.
And she slammed the lending community for exacerbating what is already a very serious problem.
"Lenders are doing little to stem the flow of the unemployed. Rather they are contributing to the crisis by refusing to restructure finance in the favour of small and medium-sized businesses that constitute the backbone of the economy," said Burgess.
"The unique aspects of this credit crunch mean that firms are unable to borrow their way through the downturn as has been the case in other recent economic downturns. This will result in major job losses as firms look to lay off staff or cease trading altogether.
"At a time when it is predicted that three million homeowners or more than one fifth of households could end up in negative equity as the value of properties continues to slump this adds up to a national dereliction of duty.
"The fact that it took taxpayers' money to bail out the banks and they have responded by snubbing their noses at the government when it has urged a return to higher lending levels makes it all the more galling," she said.
For while sales of some protection policies have picked up in recent weeks, the volume is not nearly enough to protect the numbers of people that are expected to be swept away in an unemployment surge.
The European Commission predicts that unemployment in Britain will hit 7.1 per cent - the worst performing country in the 15-nation eurozone area.
"Make no mistake, we are in for very turbulent times and many people will suffer the hardship of being out of work," she said.
"This will lead to severe consequences for some families and in the worst case scenario this could involve them losing the very roof over their heads - but it doesn't have to be this way.
"People need to wake up to the new economic reality. The excesses and easy credit of the last decade or more have gone for the foreseeable future and people need to take the steps to protect themselves for the hard times ahead.
"But because many people have had it so good for so long they have never had to think about what action to take if things suddenly sour. That's when it is vital that financial service intermediaries make their clients aware of what insurance products exist to provide the peace of mind that there will be an income should they be unfortunate to lose their job as we embark upon difficult economic times," she said.
And she slammed the lending community for exacerbating what is already a very serious problem.
"Lenders are doing little to stem the flow of the unemployed. Rather they are contributing to the crisis by refusing to restructure finance in the favour of small and medium-sized businesses that constitute the backbone of the economy," said Burgess.
"The unique aspects of this credit crunch mean that firms are unable to borrow their way through the downturn as has been the case in other recent economic downturns. This will result in major job losses as firms look to lay off staff or cease trading altogether.
"At a time when it is predicted that three million homeowners or more than one fifth of households could end up in negative equity as the value of properties continues to slump this adds up to a national dereliction of duty.
"The fact that it took taxpayers' money to bail out the banks and they have responded by snubbing their noses at the government when it has urged a return to higher lending levels makes it all the more galling," she said.
Robust Financial Position, New Business up 5 Percent Say Legal and General
Robust Financial Position, New Business up 5 Percent Say Legal and General
* Worldwide new business £1,137m (9M 07 £1,085m) up 5%
* UK new business £1,047m (9M 07 £993m) up 5%
* UK Risk: new business £381m (9M 07 £295m) up 29%
* Pension buyout sales more than trebled up 226%
* Group protection sales continue to grow up 13%
* UK Savings: new business £666m (9M 07 £698m) down 5%
* Unit trust and ISA(2) sales remain strong up 35%
* Non profit pensions boosted by SIPP success up 27%
* Unit linked bonds remain at lower levels as anticipated down 49%
* Investment management gross new funds £28.3bn (9M 07 £33.4bn)
* IGD surplus £2.9bn at end of September(3)
* Worldwide new business £1,137m (9M 07 £1,085m) up 5%
* UK new business £1,047m (9M 07 £993m) up 5%
* UK Risk: new business £381m (9M 07 £295m) up 29%
* Pension buyout sales more than trebled up 226%
* Group protection sales continue to grow up 13%
* UK Savings: new business £666m (9M 07 £698m) down 5%
* Unit trust and ISA(2) sales remain strong up 35%
* Non profit pensions boosted by SIPP success up 27%
* Unit linked bonds remain at lower levels as anticipated down 49%
* Investment management gross new funds £28.3bn (9M 07 £33.4bn)
* IGD surplus £2.9bn at end of September(3)
Ingram's Water & Air Equipment Announces New Reasons to Use Geothermal Systems
Ingram's Water & Air Equipment Announces New Reasons to Use Geothermal Systems
With rising energy prices, gas and electric heating systems are costing home owners more and more every month. Ingram's Water & Air Equipment can provide a geothermal system to heat and cool your home so that you'll have more money in your pocket. Visit http://www.ingramswaterandair.com to see just how much a geothermal system really costs.
geothermal heat pumps can reduce energy consumption--and corresponding emissions--up to 44% compared to air-source heat pumps and up to 72% compared to electric resistance heating with standard air-conditioning equipment.
There are approximately 50,000 geothermal heat pumps installed in the United States each year.
Paducah, KY (PRWEB) November 8, 2008 -- For many years homeowners have installed traditional heating and cooling systems believing this was the only option. Many believe that more efficient systems like geothermal heat pumps are either too expensive to install or too large for their homes. The staff at Ingram's Water & Air Equipment believes this simply isn't true. These systems are more plausible today than ever, and installing a system from Ingram's Water & Air Equipment is easier than you might think.
Federal Tax Credit Available! Check locally for other credits and rebates!
The installation of a geothermal system can save 30 to 70% on heating and cooling bills annually compared to a traditional system. These systems produce three to four units of heat for every one unit of energy it uses to power the system; traditional systems give you less than a one to one ratio. In fact, geothermal systems are recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as the most environmentally-safe, cost effective heating and cooling system on the market. Most geothermal systems pay for themselves in five years or less.
According to the EPA, "geothermal heat pumps can reduce energy consumption--and corresponding emissions--up to 44% compared to air-source heat pumps and up to 72% compared to electric resistance heating with standard air-conditioning equipment." In one article the Department of Energy states "There are approximately 50,000 geothermal heat pumps installed in the United States each year."
If you're still not sure if geothermal is right for you, think again! Startup costs for geothermal equipment can range from as low as $4000 depending on system setup. With multiple ways to setup geothermal systems, lowering your heating and cooling bills can be as easy as connecting a unit to an existing well. Ingram's Water & Air Equipment can provide you with Do-It-Yourself systems that can be up and running in no time. Additionally, geothermal systems not only heat and cool your home; some equipment can provide you with free hot water. This gives you one more way to cut down on energy bills.
Due to the recent passage of the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424) there are new benefits to installing a geothermal heating and cooling system. This bill offers a one-time tax credit of 30% of the total investment for all residential ground loop or ground water geothermal heat pump installations. The maximum is $2,000 for a single residence.
Energy Star requirements must be met or exceeded and the unit must be installed after December 31, 2007, to qualify for this tax credit. To file for the credit, owners should complete the Renewable Energy Credits subsection on their tax return forms or speak to a professional tax associate. No proof of purchase is required; however, owners are encouraged to keep records of the purchase and installation. The tax credit is retroactive to January 1st, 2008, and is available through December 31, 2016.
All of these reasons make installing a geothermal system in your home or business more enticing than ever. Installing a geothermal system will allow you to cut down on energy costs and provide you capital to spend elsewhere. The next time you look at your electric or gas bill, don't get angry, get even. Let Ingram's Water & Air Equipment help you install a geothermal system today. Please visit us Online or call our office at 860-360-1569.
With rising energy prices, gas and electric heating systems are costing home owners more and more every month. Ingram's Water & Air Equipment can provide a geothermal system to heat and cool your home so that you'll have more money in your pocket. Visit http://www.ingramswaterandair.com to see just how much a geothermal system really costs.
geothermal heat pumps can reduce energy consumption--and corresponding emissions--up to 44% compared to air-source heat pumps and up to 72% compared to electric resistance heating with standard air-conditioning equipment.
There are approximately 50,000 geothermal heat pumps installed in the United States each year.
Paducah, KY (PRWEB) November 8, 2008 -- For many years homeowners have installed traditional heating and cooling systems believing this was the only option. Many believe that more efficient systems like geothermal heat pumps are either too expensive to install or too large for their homes. The staff at Ingram's Water & Air Equipment believes this simply isn't true. These systems are more plausible today than ever, and installing a system from Ingram's Water & Air Equipment is easier than you might think.
Federal Tax Credit Available! Check locally for other credits and rebates!
The installation of a geothermal system can save 30 to 70% on heating and cooling bills annually compared to a traditional system. These systems produce three to four units of heat for every one unit of energy it uses to power the system; traditional systems give you less than a one to one ratio. In fact, geothermal systems are recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as the most environmentally-safe, cost effective heating and cooling system on the market. Most geothermal systems pay for themselves in five years or less.
According to the EPA, "geothermal heat pumps can reduce energy consumption--and corresponding emissions--up to 44% compared to air-source heat pumps and up to 72% compared to electric resistance heating with standard air-conditioning equipment." In one article the Department of Energy states "There are approximately 50,000 geothermal heat pumps installed in the United States each year."
If you're still not sure if geothermal is right for you, think again! Startup costs for geothermal equipment can range from as low as $4000 depending on system setup. With multiple ways to setup geothermal systems, lowering your heating and cooling bills can be as easy as connecting a unit to an existing well. Ingram's Water & Air Equipment can provide you with Do-It-Yourself systems that can be up and running in no time. Additionally, geothermal systems not only heat and cool your home; some equipment can provide you with free hot water. This gives you one more way to cut down on energy bills.
Due to the recent passage of the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424) there are new benefits to installing a geothermal heating and cooling system. This bill offers a one-time tax credit of 30% of the total investment for all residential ground loop or ground water geothermal heat pump installations. The maximum is $2,000 for a single residence.
Energy Star requirements must be met or exceeded and the unit must be installed after December 31, 2007, to qualify for this tax credit. To file for the credit, owners should complete the Renewable Energy Credits subsection on their tax return forms or speak to a professional tax associate. No proof of purchase is required; however, owners are encouraged to keep records of the purchase and installation. The tax credit is retroactive to January 1st, 2008, and is available through December 31, 2016.
All of these reasons make installing a geothermal system in your home or business more enticing than ever. Installing a geothermal system will allow you to cut down on energy costs and provide you capital to spend elsewhere. The next time you look at your electric or gas bill, don't get angry, get even. Let Ingram's Water & Air Equipment help you install a geothermal system today. Please visit us Online or call our office at 860-360-1569.
Gays see rights growing despite election losses
Gays see rights growing despite election losses
California revoked same-sex marriage this week and more states joined the strong majority that define marriage as between a man and a woman -- yet gay rights activists see a bright future for their cause.
While a conservative-backed ballot measure banning same-sex marriage passed in America's most populous state on Tuesday, it is a measure of the gay movement's success that it is now fighting for civil rights instead of mere acceptance of a sexual orientation that was seen as deviant and criminalized just a few decades ago.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said he was "tremendously optimistic" about the future of same-sex marriage in California despite the election loss. Gay couples wed for nearly half a year in California after winning a state Supreme Court battle in May.
A San Francisco candlelight vigil on Wednesday night that turned into a cheering session on the steps of City Hall, and Los Angeles area clashes with police in riot gear were two post-election signs that the gay community does not expect to fade quietly away.
"How can you just decide 'OK we can't have rights, I guess we'll just have to be cool with that'? It's my country, too, goddamnit," said Becki Holub at the San Francisco rally.
Signs of newfound respect from gay marriage opponents were clear in the California campaign, in which the two sides raised at least $70 million, because it did not hinge on the morality of homosexuality.
"I think we won because we stuck to our guns of being pro-marriage and not anti-gay," said Jeff Flint, one of the managers for the campaign that passed the California ban.
Gay marriage ban supporters avoided criticizing homosexuals explicitly, even when they said they did not want schools to "teach" gay marriage.
"The broad consensus in California and the nation is -- protect marriage but create sort of civil union or domestic partnership laws to recognize those relationships," Flint said.
Many U.S. states have made clear they don't want same-sex marriage -- more than half have laws defining marriage as between a man and a woman, including additions by California, Arizona and Florida on Tuesday, when Arkansas also stopped gay couples from adopting children.
But younger people were much more supportive of gay marriage than older ones, polls showed.
And in a sign of growing support for gay marriage, the thin margin of victory for the California measure -- a few percentage points -- was many times less than when California voted against gay marriage eight years earlier.
OBAMA LIKELY TO HELP
In 2004 similar initiatives in key states were credited with helping President George W. Bush win re-election, drawing evangelical voters, a key Republican base, to the polls.
This year, Democratic President-elect Barack Obama still won California and Florida, where gay marriage was banned
Obama looks presidential but not president yet
Obama looks presidential but not president yet
But at his first news conference since being elected on Tuesday, the next American leader appeared in a stately setting flanked by a who's who of economic heavyweights as he sought to convey confidence and authority to markets rattled by negative economic data and poor corporate earnings.
The man who ran a cool, calculated campaign for two years did not appear to break a sweat or veer off message during the 20-minute news conference -- although he did spark chuckles when he referred to himself as a "mutt."
Standing in front of eight American flags and at a podium with a sign reading "The Office of the President Elect," Obama repeated words he said often during the campaign but with a new, sober tone.
GONE WERE THE ATTACKS ON THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION AND CLAIMS that it had caused the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression.
Instead Obama repeatedly pointed out that the country had only one president at a time and he was not going to do anything to undermine President George W. Bush before he is sworn in to office on January 20.
"Immediately after I become president, I'm going to confront this economic crisis head on by taking all necessary steps to ease the credit crisis, help hard-working families, and restore growth and prosperity," he said.
But the man who campaigned on a promise of change was also quick to warn it would not come easy or quickly -- especially with regard to the economy. He also indicated he would not be rushed on announcing his choice for the new Treasury secretary and other cabinet appointments, despite jittery markets.
Most of his news conference was serious as he dealt with questions about the ailing economy, how much he could actually do to change it in the first 100 days and questions about Iran and national security.
But Obama took time to throw out a few personal lines, asking about a reporter's injured arm and giving a long, detailed response to her question about what kind of dog the Obamas would get for their daughters.
He called the question of the dog "a major issue," saying it had generated more interest on his Web site than "just about anything."
Then Obama went on in his trademark style, ticking off the different elements of the problem: the family had to reconcile the need to find a hypoallergenic pet with their desire to help out dog from an animal shelter.
"Obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me," Obama, the son of a white mother from Kansas and a black father from Kenya, said to laughter.
"So whether we're going to be able to balance those two things I think is a pressing issue on the Obama household."
But at his first news conference since being elected on Tuesday, the next American leader appeared in a stately setting flanked by a who's who of economic heavyweights as he sought to convey confidence and authority to markets rattled by negative economic data and poor corporate earnings.
The man who ran a cool, calculated campaign for two years did not appear to break a sweat or veer off message during the 20-minute news conference -- although he did spark chuckles when he referred to himself as a "mutt."
Standing in front of eight American flags and at a podium with a sign reading "The Office of the President Elect," Obama repeated words he said often during the campaign but with a new, sober tone.
GONE WERE THE ATTACKS ON THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION AND CLAIMS that it had caused the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression.
Instead Obama repeatedly pointed out that the country had only one president at a time and he was not going to do anything to undermine President George W. Bush before he is sworn in to office on January 20.
"Immediately after I become president, I'm going to confront this economic crisis head on by taking all necessary steps to ease the credit crisis, help hard-working families, and restore growth and prosperity," he said.
But the man who campaigned on a promise of change was also quick to warn it would not come easy or quickly -- especially with regard to the economy. He also indicated he would not be rushed on announcing his choice for the new Treasury secretary and other cabinet appointments, despite jittery markets.
Most of his news conference was serious as he dealt with questions about the ailing economy, how much he could actually do to change it in the first 100 days and questions about Iran and national security.
But Obama took time to throw out a few personal lines, asking about a reporter's injured arm and giving a long, detailed response to her question about what kind of dog the Obamas would get for their daughters.
He called the question of the dog "a major issue," saying it had generated more interest on his Web site than "just about anything."
Then Obama went on in his trademark style, ticking off the different elements of the problem: the family had to reconcile the need to find a hypoallergenic pet with their desire to help out dog from an animal shelter.
"Obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me," Obama, the son of a white mother from Kansas and a black father from Kenya, said to laughter.
"So whether we're going to be able to balance those two things I think is a pressing issue on the Obama household."
Berkshire Hathaway profit tumbles 77 percent
Berkshire Hathaway profit tumbles 77 percent
Friday third-quarter profit fell 77 percent, the fourth straight quarterly decline, hurt by weaker results from insurance underwriting and a big loss on derivatives contracts.
Net income for the Omaha, Nebraska-based insurance and investment company declined to $1.06 billion, or $682 per Class A share, from $4.55 billion, or $2,942, a year earlier.
Operating profit fell 18 percent to $2.07 billion, or $1,335 per share, from $2.56 billion, or $1,655. It fell short of analysts' average expectation for $1,429 per share, according to Reuters Estimates. Revenue fell 7 percent to $27.93 billion. Berkshire's net worth nevertheless rose to $120.2 billion from $118 billion at the end of June.
"You can look at the results as a glass half-full or half- empty," said Frank Betz, a principal at Carret/Zane Capital Management LLP in Warren, New Jersey, which owns Berkshire stock. "Earnings were down, but book value went up. Berkshire hasn't been battered by extraordinary insurance claims and there's nothing alarming in the results that's tied to Berkshire's exposure to the economy."
Berkshire is a roughly $175 billion conglomerate that owns several dozen businesses in such areas as insurance, energy, housing, kitchen supplies, clothing and food.
It also tries to invest in out-of-favor companies with strong earnings and management. Insurance typically generates half of results. Buffett is the second-richest American according to Forbes magazine and an economic adviser to President-elect Barack Obama.
Friday third-quarter profit fell 77 percent, the fourth straight quarterly decline, hurt by weaker results from insurance underwriting and a big loss on derivatives contracts.
Net income for the Omaha, Nebraska-based insurance and investment company declined to $1.06 billion, or $682 per Class A share, from $4.55 billion, or $2,942, a year earlier.
Operating profit fell 18 percent to $2.07 billion, or $1,335 per share, from $2.56 billion, or $1,655. It fell short of analysts' average expectation for $1,429 per share, according to Reuters Estimates. Revenue fell 7 percent to $27.93 billion. Berkshire's net worth nevertheless rose to $120.2 billion from $118 billion at the end of June.
"You can look at the results as a glass half-full or half- empty," said Frank Betz, a principal at Carret/Zane Capital Management LLP in Warren, New Jersey, which owns Berkshire stock. "Earnings were down, but book value went up. Berkshire hasn't been battered by extraordinary insurance claims and there's nothing alarming in the results that's tied to Berkshire's exposure to the economy."
Berkshire is a roughly $175 billion conglomerate that owns several dozen businesses in such areas as insurance, energy, housing, kitchen supplies, clothing and food.
It also tries to invest in out-of-favor companies with strong earnings and management. Insurance typically generates half of results. Buffett is the second-richest American according to Forbes magazine and an economic adviser to President-elect Barack Obama.
Victim drives sleeping rapist to police station
Victim drives sleeping rapist to police station
A New Zealand rape victim drove her rapist to a police station when he fell asleep in his car after assaulting the woman, local media reported on Wednesday.
Vipul Sharma, 22, was found guilty of abduction and two charges of rape by the Auckland District Court Tuesday, court officials told Reuters Wednesday.
The New Zealand newspaper said Sharma met the woman at an Auckland bar in 2006 and later drove her first to a park where he raped her in the back seat of his car.
After the attack Sharma allowed the woman to drive and fell asleep in the passenger seat, so the woman drove him to Auckland Central police station where he was arrested, said the newspaper.
"She showed a lot of bravery and common sense. I have nothing but respect for what she has endured," police detective Simon Welsh told the newspaper.
A New Zealand rape victim drove her rapist to a police station when he fell asleep in his car after assaulting the woman, local media reported on Wednesday.
Vipul Sharma, 22, was found guilty of abduction and two charges of rape by the Auckland District Court Tuesday, court officials told Reuters Wednesday.
The New Zealand newspaper said Sharma met the woman at an Auckland bar in 2006 and later drove her first to a park where he raped her in the back seat of his car.
After the attack Sharma allowed the woman to drive and fell asleep in the passenger seat, so the woman drove him to Auckland Central police station where he was arrested, said the newspaper.
"She showed a lot of bravery and common sense. I have nothing but respect for what she has endured," police detective Simon Welsh told the newspaper.
Little House on the Prairie adults version
Little House on the Prairie," adults-only version!
Finland has rated the DVD release of the much-loved children's television series "Little House on the Prairie" suitable for adult viewing only.
To save money, Universal Pictures decided not to submit the series to state inspection, the company's Finland marketing manager Meri Suomela told Reuters on Wednesday.
Finnish authorities charge 2 euros ($2.57) per minute for assessing the correct age limit on films and television series. Distributors who forego this can only sell their shows with a sticker saying "Banned for under-18s."
"Long series can get quite expensive to check, and some use this exemption in the law to their advantage," said Matti Paloheimo, Director at the Finnish Board of Film Classification.
"Such unchecked material should not be shown to children publicly," he added.
Little House on the Prairie, which ran from 1974 to 1983, portrayed life in the U.S. West in the late 1800s and was based on the Laura Ingalls Wilder's children's book of the same name.
It remains popular in Finland, and is still shown weekly on Sunday mornings on state-owned broadcaster YLE.
Finland has rated the DVD release of the much-loved children's television series "Little House on the Prairie" suitable for adult viewing only.
To save money, Universal Pictures decided not to submit the series to state inspection, the company's Finland marketing manager Meri Suomela told Reuters on Wednesday.
Finnish authorities charge 2 euros ($2.57) per minute for assessing the correct age limit on films and television series. Distributors who forego this can only sell their shows with a sticker saying "Banned for under-18s."
"Long series can get quite expensive to check, and some use this exemption in the law to their advantage," said Matti Paloheimo, Director at the Finnish Board of Film Classification.
"Such unchecked material should not be shown to children publicly," he added.
Little House on the Prairie, which ran from 1974 to 1983, portrayed life in the U.S. West in the late 1800s and was based on the Laura Ingalls Wilder's children's book of the same name.
It remains popular in Finland, and is still shown weekly on Sunday mornings on state-owned broadcaster YLE.
Michelle Obama's election outfit gets dressing down
Michelle Obama's election outfit gets dressing down
Despite comparisons during the campaign to stylish 1960s first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Michelle Obama was derided in opinion polls for her choice of a black and neon-red dress from Narciso Rodriguez's spring 2009 ready-to-wear collection.
In an online poll by USA Today, 65 percent of more than 10,000 readers believed the Harvard-educated corporate lawyer and future first lady "had an off day" and 35 percent said "She looks fantastic as always."
An online poll by People magazine mirrored those results, while a Los Angeles Times online poll found 45 percent hated the dress and 34 percent loved it.
"The normally impeccable Michelle O made a questionable choice for her husband's historic election night victory," wrote Lesley Scott, editor of fashion and lifestyle blog www.fashiontribes.com . "It's less than flattering."
"However, every fashionista worth her salt takes risks," Scott said, "which means the occasional misstep."
Not everyone disliked Obama's choice, which was shown on the catwalk only two months ago and is not yet available in stores. New York magazine hailed Obama for being able to hold her own against France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, a former supermodel.
"We have a feeling she'll continue to mix affordable pieces with designer pieces as First Lady, but this wardrobe choice proves this woman knows fashion and we have an exciting four years of political fashion ahead of us," the magazine said.
"What will she choose for the inaugural ball? The suspense is so exciting! And you know what else is great about this? We don't have to envy France for Carla Bruni anymore!"
Interest in Obama's fashion has soared since she won particular praise for the purple sheath dress and black belt she wore in June when her husband clinched the nomination as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate.
While Republican candidate John McCain's wife Cindy and his vice presidential running mate Sarah Palin drew criticism for their high-end wardrobes, Obama won fans for affordable style.
Obama wore a $150 dress on "The View" talk show, which became an instant hit. For "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" last week, she donned an outfit from chain store J.Crew.
She has even inspired a website -- www.mrs-o.org -- dedicated to taking "a regular look at what and who she's wearing" and encouraging enthusiasm for "the budding style icon, Mrs O."
Obama already has a fashion track record, appearing in Vogue and being named twice on Vanity Fair's international best-dressed list.
Obama calls for unity
said on Saturday that now with the long presidential election season behind the nation, it is time for Americans to put aside political differences and work together to solve the economic crisis.
Obama, who won a decisive victory against Republican John McCain in Tuesday's presidential election and will become the first black American president on January 20, vowed to seek unity.
He noted that Republican President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush had invited Obama and his wife Michelle to the White House on Monday and that the Bushes offered to do all they could to help with Obama's transition to the White House.
"This speaks to a fundamental recognition that here in America we can compete vigorously in elections and challenge each other's ideas, yet come together in service of a common purpose once the voting is done," Obama said in the Democratic Party's weekly radio address.
"And that is particularly important at a moment when we face the most serious challenges of our lifetime," he said.
Obama noted that jobless figures released on Friday showed a 10th straight month of decline, bringing the total number of unemployed Americans to about 10 million.
"Tens of millions of families are struggling to figure out how to pay the bills and stay in their homes," Obama said. "Their stories are an urgent reminder that we are facing the greatest economic challenge of our lifetime, and we must act swiftly to resolve them."
Obama said he and his transition economic advisory board -- a well-regarded group of America business leaders, former top Washington officials and economic experts -- discussed the economic challenges at a meeting on Friday and started developing a series of policies to address the crisis.
"While we must recognize that we only have one president at a time and that President Bush is the leader of our government, I want to ensure that we hit the ground running on January 20th because we don't have a moment to lose," said Obama.
The first-term senator from Illinois, who excited crowds across the country with his promise for change and attacks on the Bush administration for causing the economic crisis, which is now global, vowed to help working class families and to stem the problems before they get worse.
He said the country "can't afford to wait" on moving forward with his priorities like clean energy, reforming health care, improving education and tax relief for middle class families.
"I do not underestimate the enormity of the task that lies ahead," said Obama. "We've taken some major actions to date, and we will need further actions during this transition and subsequent months."
"Some of those choices will be difficult, but America is a strong and resilient country. I know that we will succeed if we put aside partisanship and work together as one nation. And that is what I intend to do."
UPDATE 1-U.S. judge orders Apple executive to stop work
UPDATE 1-U.S. judge orders Apple executive to stop workUPDATE 1-U.S. judge orders Apple executive to stop work
Federal District Judge Kenneth Karas in White Plains ordered that Mark Papermaster "immediately cease his employment with Apple Inc until further order of this court."
Apple announced on Tuesday that Papermaster would lead the engineering teams making Apple's highly successful iPods and iPhones and that he would report directly to Chief Executive Steve Jobs. On Friday it said he would cease work for now.
"We will comply with the court's order but are confident that Mark Papermaster will be able to ultimately join Apple when the dust settles," a spokesman said.
Karas said Papermaster could submit any objections to his order by Tuesday and he set another hearing for Nov. 18.
Papermaster had worked for IBM for 25 years. IBM said in a court filing that, before Papermaster left, he agreed to avoid working for any competitor for a year.
Papermaster's lawyers argued that forcing him "to 'sit out' of the electronics industry for a year would be incredibly damaging to his career."
They said that Apple was a "once-in-a-lifetime 'dream job'" and that Papermaster would be unable to return to IBM, given the litigation.
Papermaster also argued that there were signficant differences between between the two companies because IBM makes big machines for big business and Apple makes little devices for consumers.
IBM disagreed.
FBI finds most terrorism threat reports baseless
FBI finds most terrorism threat reports baseless
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The FBI tracked about 108,000 potential terrorism threats or suspicious incidents from mid-2004 to November 2007, but most were found groundless, a Justice Department review found on Friday.
The department's office of inspector general gave the figure in an audit of the FBI's terrorism case-tracking system, called Guardian, launched in 2002 after the September 11 attacks.
"The FBI determined that the overwhelming majority of the threat information documented in Guardian had no nexus to terrorism. However, as a result of information reported in Guardian the FBI initiated over 600 criminal and terrorism-related investigations from October 2006 to December 2007," the inspector general's report said.
The report did not discuss the result of the investigations.
FBI policy requires that each threat or suspicious incident reported by the public or other government agencies and law enforcement officers be reviewed to determine whether there is a link to terrorism.
The report expressed concern over delays in the development of a related system, called E-Guardian, for sharing terrorism-related information with local law enforcement. It said the automated Guardian system had improved since it was first implemented, and the number of incidents tracked had grown dramatically.
FBI spokesman John Miller said the agency had implemented steps to resolve concerns and it accepted recommendations made by the inspector general.
U.S. Carmakers Said to Seek $50 Billion in U.S. Loans
U.S. Carmakers Said to Seek $50 Billion in U.S. Loans
General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC, strapped for cash as sales plunge, are seeking $50 billion in federal loans to help them weather the worst auto market in 25 years, a person familiar with the matter said.
The package would be $25 billion for health-care spending and $25 billion for general liquidity that could be delivered in different ways, including short-term borrowing from the Federal Reserve, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the plan isn't public. In return, the companies would be willing to take steps such as granting stock warrants, the person said.
The automakers should receive ``additional help'' from President George W. Bush's administration, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said after meeting with their chief executive officers in Washington yesterday. The auto executives also met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat.
``One of the things we've been talking to them about is if things really degraded dramatically in the economy, more than they are today, would it be appropriate for us to have like a bridge loan that allows us to get through this,'' Ford CEO Alan Mulally said in an interview today.
The three companies, their unions and legislative allies are hunting for aid after a combined $28.6 billion in combined first- half losses. New vehicles sold at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 10.6 million in October, the lowest since 1983.
European Request
Ford is also among automakers approaching European governments for 40 billion euros ($51 billion) in loans, Chief Financial Officer Lewis Booth told reporters today after the company posted a $2.98 billion third-quarter operating loss and said it used up $7.7 billion in cash.
GM said today it may not have enough cash to keep operating this year. The automaker reported a $4.2 billion third-quarter operating loss and said it used up $6.9 billion in cash.
Rick Wagoner, GM's chief executive officer, said in an interview he's confident that when government officials see ``the clarity of the challenges being faced that we'll get the support that's necessary.''
GM fell 44 cents, or 9.2 percent, to $4.36 at 4:15 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. Ford rose 4 cents, or 2 percent, to $2.02.
U.S. Efforts
``Four or five'' options are being considered for automakers, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters in Washington today. Those include allowing some of the $700 billion for the financial-system rescue plan to be used to aid the automakers' financing arms, said Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat.
Automakers' needs weigh into the consideration of whether Congress will hold a post-election session the week of Nov. 17 to consider stimulus legislation, Hoyer said. The prospect of a session isn't yet clear because Bush hasn't said whether he would sign a stimulus bill, Hoyer said.
The Bush administration should use its existing authority to provide help to the automakers, Reid said yesterday in a statement, without being specific as to the amount. Congress will also continue exploring ways to aid the companies, the Nevada Democrat said.
``We have great concern for the health of the auto industry,'' White House spokesman Tony Fratto said at a press briefing today.
The Bush administration already has authority to supply direct loans to automakers, Representative Sander Levin, a Michigan Democrat, said in an interview today.
``They don't yet seem to have the same sense of the crisis that's facing all of America,'' Levin said.
`High Priority'
President-elect Barack Obama said today that policy options to help the auto industry ``weather the financial crisis'' will be a ``high priority'' for his transition team.
``I've asked my team to explore what we can do under current law and whether additional legislation will be needed,'' Obama said at a news conference in Chicago.
Spokesmen for the automakers and the CEOs haven't said how much assistance they're seeking. The UAW said Nov. 5 it backed $25 billion in loans for automakers' health-care costs and other aid for ``immediate liquidity.''
Wagoner, Mulally, Chrysler's Robert Nardelli and United Auto Workers President Ronald Gettelfinger didn't take questions from reporters while in Washington yesterday for their meetings.
Nardelli said in a statement after the meetings that Chrysler was ``encouraged'' by the lawmakers' understanding of the importance of the auto industry.
The government wants to ``ensure the viability of this industry,'' Pelosi told reporters yesterday. U.S. officials also will be ``looking out for taxpayers,'' she said.
Automakers, the UAW and state political leaders have sought support from the Energy Department, the Fed, the Treasury Department and from Congress.
The Energy Department said Nov. 5 it has moved ahead with one piece of automaker aid as it set the interim rules for the $25 billion low-interest loan program, which was crafted to help the companies retool plants to build more-efficient vehicles.
General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC, strapped for cash as sales plunge, are seeking $50 billion in federal loans to help them weather the worst auto market in 25 years, a person familiar with the matter said.
The package would be $25 billion for health-care spending and $25 billion for general liquidity that could be delivered in different ways, including short-term borrowing from the Federal Reserve, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the plan isn't public. In return, the companies would be willing to take steps such as granting stock warrants, the person said.
The automakers should receive ``additional help'' from President George W. Bush's administration, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said after meeting with their chief executive officers in Washington yesterday. The auto executives also met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat.
``One of the things we've been talking to them about is if things really degraded dramatically in the economy, more than they are today, would it be appropriate for us to have like a bridge loan that allows us to get through this,'' Ford CEO Alan Mulally said in an interview today.
The three companies, their unions and legislative allies are hunting for aid after a combined $28.6 billion in combined first- half losses. New vehicles sold at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 10.6 million in October, the lowest since 1983.
European Request
Ford is also among automakers approaching European governments for 40 billion euros ($51 billion) in loans, Chief Financial Officer Lewis Booth told reporters today after the company posted a $2.98 billion third-quarter operating loss and said it used up $7.7 billion in cash.
GM said today it may not have enough cash to keep operating this year. The automaker reported a $4.2 billion third-quarter operating loss and said it used up $6.9 billion in cash.
Rick Wagoner, GM's chief executive officer, said in an interview he's confident that when government officials see ``the clarity of the challenges being faced that we'll get the support that's necessary.''
GM fell 44 cents, or 9.2 percent, to $4.36 at 4:15 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. Ford rose 4 cents, or 2 percent, to $2.02.
U.S. Efforts
``Four or five'' options are being considered for automakers, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters in Washington today. Those include allowing some of the $700 billion for the financial-system rescue plan to be used to aid the automakers' financing arms, said Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat.
Automakers' needs weigh into the consideration of whether Congress will hold a post-election session the week of Nov. 17 to consider stimulus legislation, Hoyer said. The prospect of a session isn't yet clear because Bush hasn't said whether he would sign a stimulus bill, Hoyer said.
The Bush administration should use its existing authority to provide help to the automakers, Reid said yesterday in a statement, without being specific as to the amount. Congress will also continue exploring ways to aid the companies, the Nevada Democrat said.
``We have great concern for the health of the auto industry,'' White House spokesman Tony Fratto said at a press briefing today.
The Bush administration already has authority to supply direct loans to automakers, Representative Sander Levin, a Michigan Democrat, said in an interview today.
``They don't yet seem to have the same sense of the crisis that's facing all of America,'' Levin said.
`High Priority'
President-elect Barack Obama said today that policy options to help the auto industry ``weather the financial crisis'' will be a ``high priority'' for his transition team.
``I've asked my team to explore what we can do under current law and whether additional legislation will be needed,'' Obama said at a news conference in Chicago.
Spokesmen for the automakers and the CEOs haven't said how much assistance they're seeking. The UAW said Nov. 5 it backed $25 billion in loans for automakers' health-care costs and other aid for ``immediate liquidity.''
Wagoner, Mulally, Chrysler's Robert Nardelli and United Auto Workers President Ronald Gettelfinger didn't take questions from reporters while in Washington yesterday for their meetings.
Nardelli said in a statement after the meetings that Chrysler was ``encouraged'' by the lawmakers' understanding of the importance of the auto industry.
The government wants to ``ensure the viability of this industry,'' Pelosi told reporters yesterday. U.S. officials also will be ``looking out for taxpayers,'' she said.
Automakers, the UAW and state political leaders have sought support from the Energy Department, the Fed, the Treasury Department and from Congress.
The Energy Department said Nov. 5 it has moved ahead with one piece of automaker aid as it set the interim rules for the $25 billion low-interest loan program, which was crafted to help the companies retool plants to build more-efficient vehicles.
sistema financiero global Los europeos estarán representados en Washington por Francia
Europa irá a Washington con la firme voluntad de defender la línea de la transparencia y la refundación del sistema financiero global", con la esperanza de evitar nuevas crisis, declaró anoche el presidente francés, Nicolas Sarkozy en Bruselas, al término de una cumbre informal de la UE, la primera desde el triunfo electoral de Barack Obama en los Estados Unidos.
Los europeos propondrán a las potencias industrializadas y emergentes comenzar rápidamente una serie de importantes reformas.
La UE pretende, sobre todo, proceder a la regulación "o por lo menos al control" de todas las instituciones financieras: los grandes grupos financieros internacionales, los fondos especulativos, las agencias calificadoras de riesgos y los paraísos fiscales, algunos de los cuales se encuentran en territorio europeo.
Europa también desea reforzar el papel del Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI) para transformarlo en el "pivote de un sistema internacional renovado", dijo Sarkozy, presidente temporal de la UE. La institución estaría encargada de prevenir las crisis financieras. El bloque reclama asimismo "un sistema de alerta precoz" para identificar los riesgos de crisis o de "burbujas".
Los 27 defienden por fin una "convergencia de las normas contables" y un "código de buena conducta", para evitar que las instituciones financieras tomen riesgos excesivos, incluyendo la cuestión de las remuneraciones.
Previendo la negativa de Estados Unidos a la adopción de medidas demasiado intervencionistas, Sarkozy advirtió que Europa "no pretende pasar de la ausencia de reglamentación a demasiada reglamentación". "Queremos cambiar las reglas del juego financiero", explicó.
Con ese objetivo de "obtener progresos regulares y rápidos", la UE quiere una segunda cumbre del G-20, que debería decidir las medidas de aplicación de las reformas "100 días" después de la reunión del 15 de noviembre, es decir a partir de fines de febrero, una vez que Obama haya asumido sus funciones en EE.UU.
Los europeos estarán representados en Washington por Francia, Gran Bretaña, Alemania e Italia. Sarkozy también se declaró favorable a la presencia de España, que podría utilizar uno de los dos sitios que corresponden a Francia (como presidente pro tempore de la UE y como miembro del G-7) y de Holanda.
Brasil, la India, Rusia, China, Corea del Sur, la Argentina, Australia, México, Arabia Saudita, Turquía y Sudáfrica también estarán presentes en la cumbre del G-20 como integrantes del grupo de países emergentes.
Los europeos tendrán, en todo caso, la ardua tarea de convencer a Estados Unidos y China de lo oportuno de sus propuestas.
Toda la intimidad de la noche ganadora de Obama
Toda la intimidad de la noche ganadora de Obama
mientras la expectativa en los Estados Unidos y en el mundo crecía por conocer el nombre del próximo presidente norteamericano, Barack Obama permanecía en el búnker demócrata, atento a las cifras que se conocían minuto a minuto del boca de urna de las mesas cerradas al sufragio.
Con la mirada concentrada en el enorme televisor de la habitación especialmente acondicionada en un hotel de Chicago, Obama seguía expectante el desarrollo de la votación junto a su esposa Michelle, sus hijas, su suegra, Marian Robinson, su compañero de fórmula Joe Biden y su esposa, y un grupo cercano de colaboradores.
A tres días de ese crucial momento, el sitio oficial en Internet del presidente electo y Flickr publicaron una colección de fotos que muestran cómo siguió la noche electoral su gran triunfo.
Obama: reactivar la economía llevará años
Obama: reactivar la economía llevará años
Como es costumbre desde que fue elegido el primer presidente negro de Estados Unidos, Barack Obama volvió a tener un amanecer amargo.
La economía lo despertó con la noticia de que unos 240.000 norteamericanos habían perdido sus trabajos en octubre y que el desempleo había llegado al 6,5%, el punto más alto en los últimos 14 años.
Una advertencia, una promesa y una demanda lanzó, entonces, el senador demócrata, en su primera conferencia de prensa desde que, el martes último, logró una victoria apabullante sobre su rival republicano, John McCain.
La advertencia fue para todo Estados Unidos. En tono sereno pero sombrío, el presidente electo alertó a los norteamericanos sobre que reanimar su economía llevará años.
"No será ni fácil ni rápido salir del agujero en el que nos hemos metido", dijo Obama.
La demanda fue para el gobierno de George W. Bush y para el Congreso. Obama instó a ambos a poner en marcha, "más temprano que tarde", un millonario "paquete de estímulo económico". Si no lo aprueban, lo hará él apenas asuma, el 20 de enero próximo.
La promesa fue para la clase media. Dijo que la "rescatará" del mundo de incertidumbre y golpes en el que la sumió la crisis financiera. Y, sin perder el tono optimista, agregó que "un nuevo presidente puede tener un impacto enorme" en una eventual recuperación.
El senador demócrata estuvo rodeado por su compañero de fórmula, Joe Biden; su flamante jefe de gabinete, Rahm Emanuel, y por su consejo de asesores económicos en la abarrotada sala de un lujoso hotel de Chicago.
En pocos minutos, Obama pasó de hablar del plan nuclear de Irán a hacer comentarios sobre el perro que comprará para sus hijas cuando la familia llegue a la Casa Blanca. Pero dijo que su desvelo, su prioridad, es y será la economía. "No hay que subestimar la enormidad de la tarea que nos espera. La crisis es el mayor desafío de nuestra vida", dijo
Sin descanso desde que es mandatario electo, Obama vivió los últimos tres días con el ritmo propio de un presidente en funciones. Hizo designaciones para su gabinete; recibió el resumen presidencial de inteligencia; conversó con decenas de líderes mundiales y delineó los ejes de sus primeras acciones de gobierno. Sin embargo, Obama advirtió ayer que el presidente todavía es Bush. "Estados Unidos sólo tiene un gobierno a la vez", dijo.
La advertencia dio paso al reclamo. Y el futuro presidente instó a su predecesor inmediato y al Congreso a que aprobaran el paquete de estímulo que hace recordar al New Deal de Franklin D. Roosevelt y que uno y otro discuten en este momento. El plan de 100.000 millones de dólares acompañaría al salvataje financiero para los bancos. E incluye créditos para el consumo, mayores beneficios para los desempleados, préstamos a los estados para cubrir los crecientes gastos de ayuda médica para los más pobres, un recorte de impuestos y más obra pública. Este punto es el que divide a un Capitolio de mayoría demócrata y al saliente gobierno republicano.
La aprobación del plan antes de su asunción daría a Obama más armas para combatir la inminente recesión. Si el paquete no es aceptado antes, el futuro presidente deberá dedicar sus primeras semanas a presionar por el plan de estímulo. Ayer, prometió -como lo hizo en la campaña- que trabajará con demócratas y republicanos para aprobarlo y "salvar a la clase media".
Obama promete afrontar la crisis
Obama promete afrontar la crisis
El presidente electo de los Estados Unidos ha asegurado que "tomará todas las medidas necesarias" contra la crisis y ha pedido al Congreso aprobar un plan de estímulo económico que incluya la extensión de los subsidios por desempleo y un plan de rescate que ayude a la clase media.
El presidente electo de los Estados Unidos ha asegurado que "tomará todas las medidas necesarias" contra la crisis y ha pedido al Congreso aprobar un plan de estímulo económico que incluya la extensión de los subsidios por desempleo y un plan de rescate que ayude a la clase media.
por voto popular directo epresentación no proporcional de delegados
SE UTILIZA ESTE SISTEMA QUE PODRÍA SER CALIFICADO DE INJUSTO
Cuando la Constitución de Estados Unidos fue escrita en 1787, los 13 estados originales cuidaban celosamente sus derechos y los más pequeños temían ser relegados por las regiones más grandes.
Los arquitectos de la constitución rechazaron tanto la elección del presidente por parte del Congreso, para mantener la separación de poderes, como la elección por voto popular directo, argumentando que los individuos votarían por sus candidatos locales y entonces los grandes estados serían dominantes.
Además, los estados sureños favorecían el sistema del Colegio Electoral. Los esclavos, por ejemplo, no tenían voto pero contaban como tres quintos de una persona a la hora de contabilizar el tamaño de la población de un estado.
La idea original era que sólo las grandes figuras de cada estado se convirtieran en delegados ante el Colegio Electoral.
Con los años, el funcionamiento del Colegio Electoral ha ido cambiando para reflejar mejor el voto popular.
El sistema goza de respeto por sus raíces históricas y porque normalmente sí refleja el voto popular.
Además, favorece a los estados más pequeños (ya que todos tienen el mismo número de senadores, independientemente del tamaño de su población), y ése es uno de los mecanismos de balance de poder que la constitución estadounidense pretende fortalecer.
Este sistema también hace que el candidato ganador deba obtener un apoyo electoral repartido por todo el país.
Sin embargo, el modelo no está exento de críticas.
Además de la representación no proporcional de delegados, se le cuestiona que, como en muchos estados los resultados están cantados, hay muy poco incentivo para que el individuo vote y para que los candidatos hagan campaña allí.
Cuando la Constitución de Estados Unidos fue escrita en 1787, los 13 estados originales cuidaban celosamente sus derechos y los más pequeños temían ser relegados por las regiones más grandes.
Los arquitectos de la constitución rechazaron tanto la elección del presidente por parte del Congreso, para mantener la separación de poderes, como la elección por voto popular directo, argumentando que los individuos votarían por sus candidatos locales y entonces los grandes estados serían dominantes.
Además, los estados sureños favorecían el sistema del Colegio Electoral. Los esclavos, por ejemplo, no tenían voto pero contaban como tres quintos de una persona a la hora de contabilizar el tamaño de la población de un estado.
La idea original era que sólo las grandes figuras de cada estado se convirtieran en delegados ante el Colegio Electoral.
Con los años, el funcionamiento del Colegio Electoral ha ido cambiando para reflejar mejor el voto popular.
El sistema goza de respeto por sus raíces históricas y porque normalmente sí refleja el voto popular.
Además, favorece a los estados más pequeños (ya que todos tienen el mismo número de senadores, independientemente del tamaño de su población), y ése es uno de los mecanismos de balance de poder que la constitución estadounidense pretende fortalecer.
Este sistema también hace que el candidato ganador deba obtener un apoyo electoral repartido por todo el país.
Sin embargo, el modelo no está exento de críticas.
Además de la representación no proporcional de delegados, se le cuestiona que, como en muchos estados los resultados están cantados, hay muy poco incentivo para que el individuo vote y para que los candidatos hagan campaña allí.
LA FUNCIÓN DEL COLEGIO ELECTORAL
¿CUÁL ES LA FUNCIÓN DEL COLEGIO ELECTORAL?
El presidente de Estados Unidos no es elegido directamente por el pueblo, sino por el Colegio Electoral, que es el que toma la decisión final.
En unas elecciones muy reñidas, la importancia del Colegio Electoral cobra particular importancia.
| Las elecciones de 2000 fueron muy reñidas y el resultado se definió en el ámbito legal. |
Para la elección presidencial, cada uno de los 50 estados (además de Washington D.C.) tiene un número distinto de delegados ante el Colegio Electoral.
Ese número es el resultado de la suma de dos cifras: por un lado, el número de senadores (que son siempre dos por estado), y por otro, el número de representantes (que varía de acuerdo al tamaño de la población de cada estado).
Por ejemplo, California, el estado más poblado, designa 55 delegados, mientras que los estados más pequeños tienen sólo tres.
Técnicamente, al votar los estadounidenses no están eligiendo a su candidato, sino al delegado que más tarde votará en su lugar ante el Colegio Electoral.
En total el Colegio Electoral cuenta con 538 delegados. Para convertirse en presidente, el candidato necesita conseguir los votos de 270.
 | POR EJEMPLO... En el estado X, que tiene 10 delegados ante el Colegio Electoral, el partido A obtuvo un 60% de lo votos y el partido B obtuvo el 40%. Los delegados ante el Colegio Electoral no se reparten proporcionalmente entre uno y otro partido (es decir, 6 para A y 4 para B) de acuerdo al voto popular... ...sino que el ganador (A) se lleva los 10 delegados. |
En caso de producirse un empate de votos en el Colegio Electoral, la decisión sobre quién será presidente es tomada por la Cámara de Representantes.
En Maine y Nebraska el sistema de representación de delegados es proporcional al del voto popular, pero el resto de los estados funcionan bajo la premisa de que el partido que obtiene la mayoría de los votos se adjudica todos los delegados que representan a ese estado ante el Colegio Electoral.
Esta peculiaridad del sistema permite que un candidato pueda llegar a obtener la victoria en el Colegio Electoral sin que necesariamente haya ganado el voto popular nacional.
Eso precisamente fue lo que ocurrió en los comicios presidenciales de 2000, cuando el entonces candidato demócrata, Al Gore, ganó el 48% de los votos comparado con el 47,87% que obtuvo George W. Bush. Pero Bush ganó porque obtuvo 271 votos en el Colegio Electoral, frente a los 266 de su contrincante.
Lo que decantó la victoria republicana fueron los 25 delegados del estado de Florida ante el Colegio Electoral, que fueron todos para Bush a pesar de que la diferencia del voto popular de ese estado fue sólo de 537 papeletas.
El sistema electoral de Estados Unidos es complejo
El sistema electoral de Estados Unidos es complejo, tanto, que a veces el ganador pierde en el voto popular nacional pero obtiene la victoria, gracias a que consigue más votos de delegados al Colegio Electoral.El sistema electoral de Estados Unidos es complejo
Lo mejor del discurso de Obama
Lo mejor del discurso de Obama
¿QUÉ SE PUEDE ESPERAR DE OBAMA?
Obama tiene ante si un reto inmenso (...) "Cambio" es su lema y honrar esa promesa conlleva muchas cosas. Como cubano espero que sea valiente y termine con 50 años de bloqueo y desencuentro entre nuestros paises
obama, quien tiene 47 años de edad, se posesionará el próximo 20 de enero.
Justin Webb, editor para Estados Unidos de la BBC, cree que el resultado de las elecciones tendrá un profundo impacto en el país. Lo mejor del discurso de Obama
Según Webb, los estadounidenses mostraron estar profundamente descontentos con el estado actual de las cosas y, además, tratan de cerrar la puerta al pasado racista de su país.
De los 50 estados americanos, Obama ganó 27, y entre ellos los que figuraban como "indecisos" en las encuestas previas a las elecciones. Éste fue el caso de Indiana, Florida y Ohio, que finalmente se inclinaron por Obama.
¿QUÉ SE PUEDE ESPERAR DE OBAMA?
Obama tiene ante si un reto inmenso (...) "Cambio" es su lema y honrar esa promesa conlleva muchas cosas. Como cubano espero que sea valiente y termine con 50 años de bloqueo y desencuentro entre nuestros paises
obama, quien tiene 47 años de edad, se posesionará el próximo 20 de enero.
Justin Webb, editor para Estados Unidos de la BBC, cree que el resultado de las elecciones tendrá un profundo impacto en el país. Lo mejor del discurso de Obama
Según Webb, los estadounidenses mostraron estar profundamente descontentos con el estado actual de las cosas y, además, tratan de cerrar la puerta al pasado racista de su país.
De los 50 estados americanos, Obama ganó 27, y entre ellos los que figuraban como "indecisos" en las encuestas previas a las elecciones. Éste fue el caso de Indiana, Florida y Ohio, que finalmente se inclinaron por Obama.
martes, 4 de noviembre de 2008
Obama winer upp
Obama winer upp
realemente felicitamos al nuevo presidente de usa . esperemos logre hacer una politica interncional como corresponde y otorge oportunidades y creditos ...a latinoamerica y no siga con ningun conflicto armado esperamos la paz .....
realemente felicitamos al nuevo presidente de usa . esperemos logre hacer una politica interncional como corresponde y otorge oportunidades y creditos ...a latinoamerica y no siga con ningun conflicto armado esperamos la paz .....
sábado, 1 de noviembre de 2008
AP poll shows Obama backers gleeful, McCain's glum
AP poll shows Obama backers gleeful, McCain's glum
By ALAN FRAM and TREVOR TOMPSON, Associated Press Writers
WASHINGTON (AP) — That smiling guy walking down the street? Odds are he's a Barack Obama backer. The grouchy looking one? Don't ask, and don't necessarily count on him to vote on Tuesday, either.
More John McCain supporters feel glum about the presidential campaign while more of Obama's are charged up over it, according to an Associated Press-Yahoo! News poll released Saturday.
The survey shows McCain backers have become increasingly upset in recent weeks, a period that has seen Obama take a firm lead in many polls. One expert says the contrasting moods could affect how likely the two candidates' supporters are to vote on Election Day, possibly dampening McCain's turnout while boosting Obama's.
While 43 percent of the Democrat Obama's backers said they are excited over the campaign, just 13 percent of McCain's said so, according to the survey of adults, conducted by Knowledge Networks. Six in 10 Obama supporters said the race interests them, compared to four in 10 backing McCain, the Republican senator from Arizona.
On the flip side, 52 percent of McCain supporters said the campaign has left them frustrated, compared to 30 percent of Obama's. A quarter of McCain backers say they feel helpless, double the rate of those preferring Obama, the Illinois senator.
More McCain supporters also feel angry and bored, while Obama's are likelier to say they are proud and hopeful.
All of this is a bad sign for McCain, according to George E. Marcus, a political scientist from Williams College who has studied the role emotion plays in politics. Negative feelings about a campaign can discourage voters by making them less likely to go through what can be a painful process: Voting for someone who will lose.
"If I'm getting my head handed to me by a tennis player, my brain is saying, 'Do I want a second match? No,'" Marcus said. "Why do something that's going to lead to failure?"
Marcus said such emotions can be overcome by outside events, such as a campaign or neighbor urging a person to vote. There's also the danger exuberant Obama backers might decide not to vote because of overconfidence. The Obama and McCain organizations have combined to spend hundreds of millions of dollars for those very reasons.
Obama leads McCain among likely voters in the AP-Yahoo News poll, 51 percent to 43 percent.
Supporters of McCain cite a dislike for Obama, dissatisfaction with the campaign's tone and frustration with how news organizations have treated their candidate.
"Flat disgusted, how's that," said Billie Hart, 80, a Houston Republican backing McCain. "Because that's the way I feel about it. I don't like the individual."
Many Democrats say they're energized by a candidate they perceive as different from most politicians and who can make a real difference.
"Elections have always been so ho-hum,"said Kathleen Rockwell, 61, an Obama supporter from Redmond, Wash. This time, "I feel connected. And that feels good."
The AP-Yahoo! News poll, which has followed the same group of 2,000 people since last November, underscores how individuals have reacted to the campaign's currents. For many McCain supporters, it's not been a happy period.
Three in 10 McCain backers who report being frustrated now said in September they weren't. That is quadruple the number who became less frustrated.
At the same time, one in five McCain supporters are not interested in the campaign now who said they were in September. Half that number gained interest. By similar margins, McCain backers report becoming more angry, bored, overwhelmed and helpless and have become less excited, proud and hopeful.
"I'm real interested in having it over," said Michele Roos, 64, a McCain supporter from Newport News, Va.
Enthusiasm by Obama backers has largely stayed steady since September, though slightly more of them — 31 percent — now say the campaign makes them feel proud.
"I didn't like the candidates before," said Angelique Sims, 38, an Obama supporter from Shawnee, Okla. "I like his character. I like the things he represents. He represents my views."
A closer look at the numbers show how that emotions are playing out to Obama's advantage in several pivotal groups of voters.
Forty-eight percent of those under age 30 who support Obama say they are excited over the race, compared to just 21 percent of those young voters who back McCain. That age group has been a reservoir of strong support for the Democrat.
Just 44 percent of whites supporting the Republican say the campaign interests them, compared to 58 percent of whites and 72 percent of blacks supporting Obama.
At the same time, half of McCain supporters age 65 and up say they're frustrated, compared to three in 10 of Obama's older voters. Also saying they're frustrated are 53 percent of whites backing McCain — compared to 40 percent of whites and 12 percent of blacks behind Obama.
The AP-Yahoo! News poll of 1,753 adults was conducted Oct. 17-27 and had an overall margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.3 percentage points. Included were interviews with 803 Obama supporters and 703 McCain supporters, with error margins of plus or minus 3.5 and 3.7 points respectively.
The poll was conducted over the Internet by Knowledge Networks, which initially contacted people using traditional telephone polling methods and followed with online interviews. People chosen for the study who had no Internet access were given it for free.
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AP News Survey Specialist Dennis Junius and AP writer Christine Simmons contributed to this report.
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On the Net:
which would amount to an electoral vote landslide. But, a natural tightening does not equal momentum. At least not yet
A cover-up in Plumbergate?
A cover-up in Plumbergate?
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Looks like Ohio has a first-class political scandal brewing over Joe the Plumber. After Helen Jones-Kelley tried to bluff her way out of her actions to check Joe Wurzelbacher’s records when he became a national story, the employee who conducted the search says that she’s never heard of a “famous person” investigation. Vanessa Niekamp also says her supervisors lied to her about the investigation, and then asked her to lie about it afterwards:
Vanessa Niekamp said that when she was asked to run a child-support check on Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher on Oct. 16, she thought it routine. A supervisor told her the man had contacted the state agency about his case.
Niekamp didn’t know she just had checked on “Joe the Plumber,” who was elevated the night before to presidential politics prominence as Republican John McCain’s example in a debate of an average American. …
Director Helen Jones-Kelley said her agency checks people who are “thrust into the public spotlight,” amid suggestions they may have come into money, to see if they owe support or are receiving undeserved public assistance.
Niekamp told The Dispatch she is unfamiliar with the practice of checking on the newly famous. “I’ve never done that before, I don’t know of anybody in my office who does that and I don’t remember anyone ever doing that,” she said today.
The case gets even murkier. The Dispatch, which has done yeoman work on this story, got the public records surrounding the Wurzelbacher inquiry — but Niekamp’s e-mail wasn’t included. Nor did the records indicate any redaction or gap, as required by law. Afterwards, a spokesperson for Governor Ted Strickland acknowledged the omission, saying that Niekamp’s status as a child-welfare agent exempted them from providing her e-mail.
What’s becoming apparent is that Ohio officials have something to hide. The records-check request came from an assistant deputy director for child support. When the story went public, the deputy director “literally demanded” Niekamp write the e-mail that would get them off the hook. The agency’s leadership engaged in a cover-up — and that strongly implies that a crime got committed.
Niekamp told the Dispatch that she’s seen people get fired for unauthorized records checks, and that she herself fired one employee for the violation of public trust. This has gone beyond just a mere firing. It now looks as though Helen Jones-Kelley’s staff engaged in an attempt to obstruct justice, and Jones-Kelley’s lie about the Famous People Records Check appears to be part of it.
argument that things are moving in McCain’s direction
AP poll shows Obama backers gleeful, McCain's glum
AP poll shows Obama backers gleeful, McCain's glum
WASHINGTON (AP) — That smiling guy walking down the street? Odds are he's a Barack Obama backer. The grouchy looking one? Don't ask, and don't necessarily count on him to vote on Tuesday, either.
More John McCain supporters feel glum about the presidential campaign while more of Obama's are charged up over it, according to an Associated Press-Yahoo! News poll released Saturday.
The survey shows McCain backers have become increasingly upset in recent weeks, a period that has seen Obama take a firm lead in many polls. One expert says the contrasting moods could affect how likely the two candidates' supporters are to vote on Election Day, possibly dampening McCain's turnout while boosting Obama's.
While 43 percent of the Democrat Obama's backers said they are excited over the campaign, just 13 percent of McCain's said so, according to the survey of adults, conducted by Knowledge Networks. Six in 10 Obama supporters said the race interests them, compared to four in 10 backing McCain, the Republican senator from Arizona.
On the flip side, 52 percent of McCain supporters said the campaign has left them frustrated, compared to 30 percent of Obama's. A quarter of McCain backers say they feel helpless, double the rate of those preferring Obama, the Illinois senator.
More McCain supporters also feel angry and bored, while Obama's are likelier to say they are proud and hopeful.
All of this is a bad sign for McCain, according to George E. Marcus, a political scientist from Williams College who has studied the role emotion plays in politics. Negative feelings about a campaign can discourage voters by making them less likely to go through what can be a painful process: Voting for someone who will lose.
"If I'm getting my head handed to me by a tennis player, my brain is saying, 'Do I want a second match? No,'" Marcus said. "Why do something that's going to lead to failure?"
Marcus said such emotions can be overcome by outside events, such as a campaign or neighbor urging a person to vote. There's also the danger exuberant Obama backers might decide not to vote because of overconfidence. The Obama and McCain organizations have combined to spend hundreds of millions of dollars for those very reasons.
Obama leads McCain among likely voters in the AP-Yahoo News poll, 51 percent to 43 percent.
Supporters of McCain cite a dislike for Obama, dissatisfaction with the campaign's tone and frustration with how news organizations have treated their candidate.
"Flat disgusted, how's that," said Billie Hart, 80, a Houston Republican backing McCain. "Because that's the way I feel about it. I don't like the individual."
Many Democrats say they're energized by a candidate they perceive as different from most politicians and who can make a real difference.
"Elections have always been so ho-hum,"said Kathleen Rockwell, 61, an Obama supporter from Redmond, Wash. This time, "I feel connected. And that feels good."
The AP-Yahoo! News poll, which has followed the same group of 2,000 people since last November, underscores how individuals have reacted to the campaign's currents. For many McCain supporters, it's not been a happy period.
Three in 10 McCain backers who report being frustrated now said in September they weren't. That is quadruple the number who became less frustrated.
At the same time, one in five McCain supporters are not interested in the campaign now who said they were in September. Half that number gained interest. By similar margins, McCain backers report becoming more angry, bored, overwhelmed and helpless and have become less excited, proud and hopeful.
"I'm real interested in having it over," said Michele Roos, 64, a McCain supporter from Newport News, Va.
Enthusiasm by Obama backers has largely stayed steady since September, though slightly more of them — 31 percent — now say the campaign makes them feel proud.
"I didn't like the candidates before," said Angelique Sims, 38, an Obama supporter from Shawnee, Okla. "I like his character. I like the things he represents. He represents my views."
A closer look at the numbers show how that emotions are playing out to Obama's advantage in several pivotal groups of voters.
Forty-eight percent of those under age 30 who support Obama say they are excited over the race, compared to just 21 percent of those young voters who back McCain. That age group has been a reservoir of strong support for the Democrat.
Just 44 percent of whites supporting the Republican say the campaign interests them, compared to 58 percent of whites and 72 percent of blacks supporting Obama.
At the same time, half of McCain supporters age 65 and up say they're frustrated, compared to three in 10 of Obama's older voters. Also saying they're frustrated are 53 percent of whites backing McCain — compared to 40 percent of whites and 12 percent of blacks behind Obama.
The AP-Yahoo! News poll of 1,753 adults was conducted Oct. 17-27 and had an overall margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.3 percentage points. Included were interviews with 803 Obama supporters and 703 McCain supporters, with error margins of plus or minus 3.5 and 3.7 points respectively.
The poll was conducted over the Internet by Knowledge Networks, which initially contacted people using traditional telephone polling methods and followed with online interviews. People chosen for the study who had no Internet access were given it for free.
The McCain Surge That Wasn’t
What's the difference between a flat tax and a fair tax?
What's the difference between a flat tax and a fair tax?
Most agree that America's current tax code isn't perfect. Many point to tax policy in other nations, saying they have been more effective and the United States is lagging behind. Two alternatives that claim to improve the system have come to the forefront in American politics: the flat tax and the FairTax.You've probably heard talk of these plans in the media. In the 2000 presidential campaign, Green Party candidate Ralph Nadar supported the flat tax, and in the 2008 campaign, Republican Mike Huckabee threw his favor behind the FairTax. But as you hear names thrown around and see bumper stickers promoting one or the other, you may have been confused about what exactly the differences are between the two.To better understand how each plan would change things, we first have to know the basics of the current system and the major criticisms of it. As it stands, Americans pay a progressive income tax -- meaning that higher incomes get taxed at higher percentages than lower incomes. Specifically, the current system uses margins -- also known as tax brackets, or ranges of income -- to determine what percentage a person pays. Taxable income can also depend on how much you've earned in capital gains or on specific deductions and exemptions that apply. The federal government taxes a corporation's profits in a similar way.
Many critics consider the tax code confusing and impossible for the average taxpayer to decipher -- often requiring a hired professional. Even the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner has admitted that complexity of the tax code contributes to both honest mistakes and tax evasion [source: IRS]. Others go further, saying that the progressive tax system is inherently unfair, as it puts an excessive burden on the wealthy. In relation to this criticism, opponents claim that this burden discourages behavior that would promote economic growth. Were the government to revamp the system to change this, the argument goes, all would benefit from a more prosperous economy in the long run.
Although they both have similar goals and would entail significant overhaul of the current system, the plans differ is some fundamental ways. Whereas the flat tax would tax all income at the same percentage, the FairTax wouldn't tax income at all -- it would instead institute a national sales tax. Next, we'll explain the differences in more detail.
Political Perceptions
Cheney aide picked for case deposition
Washington in 5 Minutes
VICE PRESIDENT
Cheney aide picked for case deposition
A group suing Vice President Dick Cheney to preserve a wide range of records from his time in office can depose one of his top aides, federal courts ruled Friday.
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ordered Claire O'Donnell, the vice president's deputy chief of staff, to make herself available to lawyers from a private group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, known as CREW. CREW is suing Mr. Cheney and the Executive Office of the President in an effort to ensure that no presidential records are destroyed or handled in a way that makes them unavailable to the public.
The group had wanted to depose Mr. Cheney's chief of staff, David Addington, but a three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said deposing Mr. Addington "would constitute an 'unwarranted impairment' of the functioning of" the vice president's office.
Appellate Judges Douglas H. Ginsburg, David S. Tatel and Thomas B. Griffith ordered that another aide be substituted, but they refused to throw out Judge Kollar-Kotelly's order requiring the deposition. Mr. Cheney's lawyers contended the depositions were an unprecedented intrusion into the vice president's prerogatives, but the appellate judges said the deposition would "cause little to no inconvenience."
SENATE
Stevens juror told to explain absence
A federal judge Friday ordered a juror who vanished during Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens' corruption trial back to court to explain her disappearance.
The woman identified as Juror No. 4 left the jury deliberating the charges against Stevens a week ago to fly to California after her father's death. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan halted the deliberations to wait for her, but court officials say she never responded when they tried to contact her to determine when she was returning to Washington.
prevents Obama from winning 55 percent of the vote or more
Facts don't get in the way of Web political rumors
Facts don't get in the way of Web political rumors
SAN FRANCISCO – With just days to go before the election, gossip, hearsay, innuendo and smears are flying through the Internet as gadflies and rumormongers hope to sway voters before they head to the polls.
"It's a lot of mud being slung, it's understandable, but I think it's still kind of sad," said Nick DiFonzo, a psychologist and rumor expert at Rochester Institute of Technology in upstate New York.
Candidates and their campaigns are circulating negative bits of information in mainstream venues, raising questions about their opponents in speeches and dropping sour hints in their advertisements. But only on the Internet can entirely false rumors persist, stories told without back up, persistently bouncing from one blog to another.
Some have been out there for years, despite repeated rebuttals from the campaigns. Others surfaced only this past week. And they range from the truly silly (Weekly World News Web site: "OCTOBER SURPRISE: ALIEN ENDORSES MCCAIN!") to the multitude of bloggers who report results even though votes have yet to be counted: ("Has John McCain Won Florida?" asked the Red State Web site Thursday.)
Most voters say they have already made their decisions about who they want to have as their next president. So the Internet rumors are targeted at the shrinking pool of undecided voters who are still waiting, wondering and potentially still gathering information.
"The online rumors can affect their last-minute decisions," said UC Santa Cruz psychology professor Anthony Pratkanis, who researches propaganda and social influence.
Here's a chance to vet the Net:
___
The Rumor: The Huffington Post Web site, among others, has reported that John McCain used an obscene word to describe his wife Cindy during his 1992 Senate campaign.
The Facts: This is unsubstantiated. Author and blogger Cliff Schecter initiated this rumor this spring online and then in a book called "The Real McCain." He wrote that three reporters told him that in response to some teasing, McCain told his wife: "At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop," with an expletive. Schecter has not provided any evidence this happened, and he hasn't identified the three reporters who he says spoke to him on condition of anonymity.
___
The Rumor: Barack Obama isn't a citizen, suggested bloggers at the Free Republic Web site. Or if he is, he's hiding his birth certificate for some mysterious reason. Or if he's shared his birth certificate, it's a fake because he's lying about who his real father is. New iterations on this theme pop up almost everyday at various Web sites.
The Facts: Obama plainly is a citizen because he was born in the U.S. In response to the allegations, Obama's campaign in June posted the Illinois senator's birth certificate on his campaign Web site, http://fightthesmears.com/articles/5/birthcertificate. The nonpartisan Web site Factcheck.org examined the original document and said it does have a raised seal and the usual evidence of a genuine document. On Friday, officials in Hawaii said they had personally verified that the health department holds Obama's original birth certificate. Judges in Washington state, Ohio and Pennsylvania have dismissed lawsuits challenging his citizenship.
___
The Rumor: Daily Kos Web site, among others, has said Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's son Trig, born in April, was actually born to her 17-year-old daughter Bristol.
The Facts: Unsubstantiated. After McCain tapped Palin as his running mate, bloggers accused Palin of faking a pregnancy to cover up for her daughter's accidental pregnancy. As proof, bloggers said Palin hadn't appeared pregnant before Trig was born, and that she said she traveled from Texas to Alaska while she was in labor. In an effort to rebut the rumors, the campaign announced that Bristol was, in fact, pregnant. After all, how could Trig be Bristol's baby if she was pregnant only months later? The announcement slowed the rumors, but didn't stop the ongoing questions about Trig's parentage. Even this past week, bloggers were demanding Sarah Palin's medical records to prove she gave birth to Trig.
____
The Rumor: 1960s radical William Ayers wrote Obama's autobiography "Dreams From My Father."
The Facts: Unsubstantiated. Obama says he didn't meet Ayers until 1995. The book was published in 1995, which means most of it would have been written in 1994. Blogger Jack Cashill has been floating this rumor at the World Net Daily Web site — and it has moved on to many more — hinting that the book's "fierce, succinct and tightly coiled social analysis" was closer to Ayers' style than Obama's. "Utter hogwash," said Obama organizers.
— privately — that the ideological makeup of the country probably
Facts don't get in the way of Web political rumors
Facts don't get in the way of Web political rumors
SAN FRANCISCO – With just days to go before the election, gossip, hearsay, innuendo and smears are flying through the Internet as gadflies and rumormongers hope to sway voters before they head to the polls.
"It's a lot of mud being slung, it's understandable, but I think it's still kind of sad," said Nick DiFonzo, a psychologist and rumor expert at Rochester Institute of Technology in upstate New York.
Candidates and their campaigns are circulating negative bits of information in mainstream venues, raising questions about their opponents in speeches and dropping sour hints in their advertisements. But only on the Internet can entirely false rumors persist, stories told without back up, persistently bouncing from one blog to another.
Some have been out there for years, despite repeated rebuttals from the campaigns. Others surfaced only this past week. And they range from the truly silly (Weekly World News Web site: "OCTOBER SURPRISE: ALIEN ENDORSES MCCAIN!") to the multitude of bloggers who report results even though votes have yet to be counted: ("Has John McCain Won Florida?" asked the Red State Web site Thursday.)
Most voters say they have already made their decisions about who they want to have as their next president. So the Internet rumors are targeted at the shrinking pool of undecided voters who are still waiting, wondering and potentially still gathering information.
"The online rumors can affect their last-minute decisions," said UC Santa Cruz psychology professor Anthony Pratkanis, who researches propaganda and social influence.
Here's a chance to vet the Net:
___
The Rumor: The Huffington Post Web site, among others, has reported that John McCain used an obscene word to describe his wife Cindy during his 1992 Senate campaign.
The Facts: This is unsubstantiated. Author and blogger Cliff Schecter initiated this rumor this spring online and then in a book called "The Real McCain." He wrote that three reporters told him that in response to some teasing, McCain told his wife: "At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop," with an expletive. Schecter has not provided any evidence this happened, and he hasn't identified the three reporters who he says spoke to him on condition of anonymity.
___
The Rumor: Barack Obama isn't a citizen, suggested bloggers at the Free Republic Web site. Or if he is, he's hiding his birth certificate for some mysterious reason. Or if he's shared his birth certificate, it's a fake because he's lying about who his real father is. New iterations on this theme pop up almost everyday at various Web sites.
The Facts: Obama plainly is a citizen because he was born in the U.S. In response to the allegations, Obama's campaign in June posted the Illinois senator's birth certificate on his campaign Web site, http://fightthesmears.com/articles/5/birthcertificate. The nonpartisan Web site Factcheck.org examined the original document and said it does have a raised seal and the usual evidence of a genuine document. On Friday, officials in Hawaii said they had personally verified that the health department holds Obama's original birth certificate. Judges in Washington state, Ohio and Pennsylvania have dismissed lawsuits challenging his citizenship.
___
The Rumor: Daily Kos Web site, among others, has said Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's son Trig, born in April, was actually born to her 17-year-old daughter Bristol.
The Facts: Unsubstantiated. After McCain tapped Palin as his running mate, bloggers accused Palin of faking a pregnancy to cover up for her daughter's accidental pregnancy. As proof, bloggers said Palin hadn't appeared pregnant before Trig was born, and that she said she traveled from Texas to Alaska while she was in labor. In an effort to rebut the rumors, the campaign announced that Bristol was, in fact, pregnant. After all, how could Trig be Bristol's baby if she was pregnant only months later? The announcement slowed the rumors, but didn't stop the ongoing questions about Trig's parentage. Even this past week, bloggers were demanding Sarah Palin's medical records to prove she gave birth to Trig.
____
The Rumor: 1960s radical William Ayers wrote Obama's autobiography "Dreams From My Father."
The Facts: Unsubstantiated. Obama says he didn't meet Ayers until 1995. The book was published in 1995, which means most of it would have been written in 1994. Blogger Jack Cashill has been floating this rumor at the World Net Daily Web site — and it has moved on to many more — hinting that the book's "fierce, succinct and tightly coiled social analysis" was closer to Ayers' style than Obama's. "Utter hogwash," said Obama organizers.
argument that things are moving in McCain’s direction
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