SEATTLE - The U.S. military, with help from Seattle startup Delve Networks, has launched a video-sharing Web site for troops, their families and supporters, a year and a half after restricting access to YouTube and other video sites.
TroopTube, as the new site is called, lets people register as members of one of the branches of the armed forces, family, civilian Defense Department employees or supporters. Members can upload personal videos from anywhere with an Internet connection, but a Pentagon employee screens each for taste, copyright violations and national security issues.
Part of Delve's work was to build speedy tools for approving and sorting incoming videos. Its technology also crunches video files into several sizes and automatically plays the one that best suits viewers' Internet connection speeds...
----------------
if i was a troop i'de be bullshit. politicians always inform us that they're fighting to protect our freedoms...
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Fat kids found to have arteries of 45-year-olds
ap:
NEW ORLEANS – Obese children as young as 10 had the arteries of 45-year-olds and other heart abnormalities that greatly raise their risk of heart disease, say doctors who used ultrasound tests to take a peek inside.
"As the old saying goes, you're as old as your arteries are," said Dr. Geetha Raghuveer of Children's Hospital in Kansas City, who led one of the studies. "This is a wake-up call."
The studies were reported Tuesday at an American Heart Association conference.
About a third of American children are overweight and one-fifth are obese. Many parents think that "baby fat" will melt away as kids get older. But research increasingly shows that fat kids become fat adults, with higher risks for many health problems.
"Obesity is not benign in children and adolescents," said Dr. Robert Eckel, a former heart association president and cardiologist at the University of Colorado-Denver. It is why the American Academy of Pediatrics recently recommended cholesterol-lowering drugs for some kids, he noted.
Raghuveer wanted to see if early signs of damage could be documented. She and colleagues used painless ultrasound tests to measure the thickness of the wall of a major neck artery in 70 children, ages 10 to 16. Almost all had abnormal cholesterol and many were obese.
No one knows how thick a 10-year-old's artery should be, since they're not regularly checked for signs of heart disease, so researchers used tables for 45-year-olds, who often do get such exams.
The kids' "vascular age" was about 30 years older than their actual age, she found.
NEW ORLEANS – Obese children as young as 10 had the arteries of 45-year-olds and other heart abnormalities that greatly raise their risk of heart disease, say doctors who used ultrasound tests to take a peek inside.
"As the old saying goes, you're as old as your arteries are," said Dr. Geetha Raghuveer of Children's Hospital in Kansas City, who led one of the studies. "This is a wake-up call."
The studies were reported Tuesday at an American Heart Association conference.
About a third of American children are overweight and one-fifth are obese. Many parents think that "baby fat" will melt away as kids get older. But research increasingly shows that fat kids become fat adults, with higher risks for many health problems.
"Obesity is not benign in children and adolescents," said Dr. Robert Eckel, a former heart association president and cardiologist at the University of Colorado-Denver. It is why the American Academy of Pediatrics recently recommended cholesterol-lowering drugs for some kids, he noted.
Raghuveer wanted to see if early signs of damage could be documented. She and colleagues used painless ultrasound tests to measure the thickness of the wall of a major neck artery in 70 children, ages 10 to 16. Almost all had abnormal cholesterol and many were obese.
No one knows how thick a 10-year-old's artery should be, since they're not regularly checked for signs of heart disease, so researchers used tables for 45-year-olds, who often do get such exams.
The kids' "vascular age" was about 30 years older than their actual age, she found.
Barack means Lightning, Rahm means Thunder
Aaron Keyak:
"Remember when it was reported that President-elect Barack Obama had a problem with the Jewish vote?
That is no more.
In one of President-elect Barack Obama’s first Presidential decisions since Election Day he selected Representative Rahm Emanuel to be his Chief of Staff. We all know that Emanuel has “has a proven commitment to Israel’s security and served as civilian volunteer on an Israeli military base during the Persian Gulf War of 1991.” We also know that Emanuel’s “aggressive, pragmatic style of politics” makes him the perfect selection to be Obama’s Chief of Staff.
But could have Emanuel’s selection had something to do with his first name - Rahm?
In Hebrew, Rahm (רעם)* means “thunder” and Barack (ברק) means “lightning.”
“If you are near...lightning you’ll hear thunder as one sharp crack”
Thunder & Lightning = Change that can get it done"
-------------------------------------
this business with rahm serving in israel during the first gulf war shall provide plenty of ammo to conservative conspiracy theorists...still, i'm interested to know his explanation of what he was doing there..
"Remember when it was reported that President-elect Barack Obama had a problem with the Jewish vote?
That is no more.
In one of President-elect Barack Obama’s first Presidential decisions since Election Day he selected Representative Rahm Emanuel to be his Chief of Staff. We all know that Emanuel has “has a proven commitment to Israel’s security and served as civilian volunteer on an Israeli military base during the Persian Gulf War of 1991.” We also know that Emanuel’s “aggressive, pragmatic style of politics” makes him the perfect selection to be Obama’s Chief of Staff.
But could have Emanuel’s selection had something to do with his first name - Rahm?
In Hebrew, Rahm (רעם)* means “thunder” and Barack (ברק) means “lightning.”
“If you are near...lightning you’ll hear thunder as one sharp crack”
Thunder & Lightning = Change that can get it done"
-------------------------------------
this business with rahm serving in israel during the first gulf war shall provide plenty of ammo to conservative conspiracy theorists...still, i'm interested to know his explanation of what he was doing there..
A Funny Thing...
The last thing I read before hacksaw's latest post was chapter five of Chuck Klosterman's Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs. It was called Appetite for Replication and centered around a Guns' and Roses tribute band. At one point Chuck actually wonders about the effect of the upcoming Chinese Democracy album on the fake group. When I finished it I opened my blog reader and BANG! - Nick/hacksaw has thought about the same object at the same time, a few thousand kilometers away. This is faith's funny way to remind me about the recent invite to blog at Party Intellectuals.
And I do not even believe in faith.
But I will be posting here every now and then. In a way, tonight's weird coincidence did not just connect me with Nick but with all of you.
So,
Hi, pleased to meet you.
And I do not even believe in faith.
But I will be posting here every now and then. In a way, tonight's weird coincidence did not just connect me with Nick but with all of you.
So,
Hi, pleased to meet you.
chinese democracy
well, rolling stone has released a review of guns n roses long awaited "chinese democracy." read it here!
g n r's new single:
g n r's new single:
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Watch "Boxcar Bertha"
No worthwhile clips of it on youtube, but it is a fucking great Scorsese film from '72, filmed on a budget of $600,000. Maybe I just missed the boat, and everyone else has seen this, but I hadn't even heard of it before tonights spontaneous online rental. Anyways, worth watching. Makes me look even further down on Scorsese for that last shot he put in 'The Departed.'
Saturday, November 8, 2008
This Must Be The Place
Byrne may be a tad past his prime (ref. Stop Making Sense), but this is a neat arrangement.
General Motors: "WE'RE FUCKED"
The American auto industry is running on fumes. General Motors, the nation's largest automaker, warned Friday that it may run out of money by the end of the year after piling up billions in third-quarter losses and burning through cash at an alarming rate. Ford sustained heavy losses, too.
The situation is so severe, GM has suspended talks to acquire Chrysler and is appealing to the government for help as the slumping economy drags cars sales to their lowest level in a quarter century.
GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said the company will "take every action" possible to avoid bankruptcy.
"We're convinced that the consequences of bankruptcy would be dire," he said, adding that the company would use every source of potential funding. "We need to find a way to get through this, and that's really our focus," he said.
GM also planned more job cuts, including another 5,500 salaried and factory workers. But company officials cautioned that those measures alone would not be enough and that federal aid is essential.
Ford saw its cash supply decline rapidly and announced its own job cuts Friday. But it's in better shape because the company borrowed billions of dollars in 2007 by mortgaging its factories. The Dearborn-based manufacturer said it had enough cash to make it through 2009.
Friday's events called into question the future of Detroit's three automakers and heightened pressure on the government to take action.
President-elect Barack Obama on Friday indicated that help may be on the way. At a Chicago news conference, he said Congress must pass an economic stimulus measure either before or just after he takes office in January, and he mentioned aid for the auto industry.
Top executives of General Motors, Ford, Chrysler LLC and the president of the UAW met with Congressional leaders Thursday to discuss some $50 billion more in loans, participants said. The loans would include $25 billion to help the companies withstand the weak economy and another $25 billion for future. The money would be in addition to the $25 billion in loans that Congress passed in September to help retool auto plants to build more fuel-efficient vehicles.
IHS Global Insight analyst George Magliano said the cash problems reported by GM and Ford were worse than experts had thought. And that raised the risk of bankruptcy.
"It's close," he said about the possibility of one of the U.S. automakers filing for Chapter 11 protection. "Up until now, we knew the cash numbers were tough, but we didn't know how bad."
Companies that run out of cash generally can sell assets, cut costs or file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to keep creditors at bay while they reorganize.
GM had said previously it could fall short of cash needed to operate in the first few months of next year, and Ford has said it has about seven months of money, Magliano noted.
If GM files for bankruptcy, Fitch Ratings analyst Mark Oline said there is "a very high risk" that it would pull in Ford and Chrysler, too, because GM probably would be forced to discount vehicles deeply to generate cash for creditors, and other automakers would be forced to follow.
GM said it lost $2.5 billion in the third quarter, but more important, it spent $6.9 billion more than it took in — nearly double the spending rate of the second quarter.
The news came just hours after Ford announced it had lost $129 million for the quarter. The company burned through $7.7 billion in cash, but said it could keep going through 2009. Ford also said it would cut another 2,260 white-collar workers in North America.
GM called off talks with Chrysler to concentrate on its own business.
Privately held Chrysler wouldn't comment on GM's remarks, but said it remains focused on returning to profitability. It also said it will continue to "explore multiple strategic alliances or partnerships."
GM's cuts included the indefinite layoff of about 3,600 workers beginning early next year as it slows production at 10 assembly plants to match anticipated weaker sales.
"We are cutting to the bone," said Fritz Henderson, GM's president and chief operating officer. "What we want to try to do is size the business for this kind of volume level ... and frankly, put us in much better shape when the industry improves."
GM reported a net loss of $4.45 per share during the quarter, compared with a record-setting loss of $39 billion, or $68.85 per share, a year earlier. Its automotive operations saw an adjusted loss of $2.8 billion.
Revenue fell to $37.9 billion from $43.7 billion.
The results exceeded Wall Street estimates. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters predicted a loss of $3.70 per share on sales of $39.4 billion.
The company announced it would bolster its cash reserves by $5 billion by the end of next year through reduction of sales promotions and further production cuts in the first quarter.
GM will cut capital spending to $4.8 billion from $7.2 billion and delay several vehicle models. But GM said it will continue funding for the Chevrolet Volt electric car and the Chevrolet Cruze, a small fuel-efficient model. Both are due out in 2010.
GM also suspended its matching contribution for employee 401k plans, and suspended tuition reimbursement. In addition, salaried employees will not receive incentive pay next year for their work in 2008, GM said.
GM, which has about 123,000 employees in North America, will also cut another 1,900 salaried jobs on top of the 5,100 announced last summer.
But the cuts and delays may not be enough to keep the company's cash supply from falling dangerously low.
"GM's estimated liquidity during the remainder of 2008 will approach the minimum amount necessary to operate its business," the company said in a news release.
And the company's cash shortage in the first two quarters of 2009 could fall significantly short of the minimum amount unless industry conditions improve or GM gets government funding, GM said.
GM shares fell 44 cents, or 9.2 percent, to $4.36 in Friday trading. Ford shares rose 4 cents, or 2 percent, to $2.02.
___
AP Business writers James Prichard and Jeff Karoub in Detroit and Vinnee Tong and Bree Fowler in New York contributed to this report.
LINKIFICATION
The situation is so severe, GM has suspended talks to acquire Chrysler and is appealing to the government for help as the slumping economy drags cars sales to their lowest level in a quarter century.
GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said the company will "take every action" possible to avoid bankruptcy.
"We're convinced that the consequences of bankruptcy would be dire," he said, adding that the company would use every source of potential funding. "We need to find a way to get through this, and that's really our focus," he said.
GM also planned more job cuts, including another 5,500 salaried and factory workers. But company officials cautioned that those measures alone would not be enough and that federal aid is essential.
Ford saw its cash supply decline rapidly and announced its own job cuts Friday. But it's in better shape because the company borrowed billions of dollars in 2007 by mortgaging its factories. The Dearborn-based manufacturer said it had enough cash to make it through 2009.
Friday's events called into question the future of Detroit's three automakers and heightened pressure on the government to take action.
President-elect Barack Obama on Friday indicated that help may be on the way. At a Chicago news conference, he said Congress must pass an economic stimulus measure either before or just after he takes office in January, and he mentioned aid for the auto industry.
Top executives of General Motors, Ford, Chrysler LLC and the president of the UAW met with Congressional leaders Thursday to discuss some $50 billion more in loans, participants said. The loans would include $25 billion to help the companies withstand the weak economy and another $25 billion for future. The money would be in addition to the $25 billion in loans that Congress passed in September to help retool auto plants to build more fuel-efficient vehicles.
IHS Global Insight analyst George Magliano said the cash problems reported by GM and Ford were worse than experts had thought. And that raised the risk of bankruptcy.
"It's close," he said about the possibility of one of the U.S. automakers filing for Chapter 11 protection. "Up until now, we knew the cash numbers were tough, but we didn't know how bad."
Companies that run out of cash generally can sell assets, cut costs or file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to keep creditors at bay while they reorganize.
GM had said previously it could fall short of cash needed to operate in the first few months of next year, and Ford has said it has about seven months of money, Magliano noted.
If GM files for bankruptcy, Fitch Ratings analyst Mark Oline said there is "a very high risk" that it would pull in Ford and Chrysler, too, because GM probably would be forced to discount vehicles deeply to generate cash for creditors, and other automakers would be forced to follow.
GM said it lost $2.5 billion in the third quarter, but more important, it spent $6.9 billion more than it took in — nearly double the spending rate of the second quarter.
The news came just hours after Ford announced it had lost $129 million for the quarter. The company burned through $7.7 billion in cash, but said it could keep going through 2009. Ford also said it would cut another 2,260 white-collar workers in North America.
GM called off talks with Chrysler to concentrate on its own business.
Privately held Chrysler wouldn't comment on GM's remarks, but said it remains focused on returning to profitability. It also said it will continue to "explore multiple strategic alliances or partnerships."
GM's cuts included the indefinite layoff of about 3,600 workers beginning early next year as it slows production at 10 assembly plants to match anticipated weaker sales.
"We are cutting to the bone," said Fritz Henderson, GM's president and chief operating officer. "What we want to try to do is size the business for this kind of volume level ... and frankly, put us in much better shape when the industry improves."
GM reported a net loss of $4.45 per share during the quarter, compared with a record-setting loss of $39 billion, or $68.85 per share, a year earlier. Its automotive operations saw an adjusted loss of $2.8 billion.
Revenue fell to $37.9 billion from $43.7 billion.
The results exceeded Wall Street estimates. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters predicted a loss of $3.70 per share on sales of $39.4 billion.
The company announced it would bolster its cash reserves by $5 billion by the end of next year through reduction of sales promotions and further production cuts in the first quarter.
GM will cut capital spending to $4.8 billion from $7.2 billion and delay several vehicle models. But GM said it will continue funding for the Chevrolet Volt electric car and the Chevrolet Cruze, a small fuel-efficient model. Both are due out in 2010.
GM also suspended its matching contribution for employee 401k plans, and suspended tuition reimbursement. In addition, salaried employees will not receive incentive pay next year for their work in 2008, GM said.
GM, which has about 123,000 employees in North America, will also cut another 1,900 salaried jobs on top of the 5,100 announced last summer.
But the cuts and delays may not be enough to keep the company's cash supply from falling dangerously low.
"GM's estimated liquidity during the remainder of 2008 will approach the minimum amount necessary to operate its business," the company said in a news release.
And the company's cash shortage in the first two quarters of 2009 could fall significantly short of the minimum amount unless industry conditions improve or GM gets government funding, GM said.
GM shares fell 44 cents, or 9.2 percent, to $4.36 in Friday trading. Ford shares rose 4 cents, or 2 percent, to $2.02.
___
AP Business writers James Prichard and Jeff Karoub in Detroit and Vinnee Tong and Bree Fowler in New York contributed to this report.
LINKIFICATION
Friday, November 7, 2008
Obama Wins Omaha District: 1 More Electoral Vote
I know this doesn't have any real importance, but I think it speaks to Obama's strength and intelligence as a politician, as this is the first time Nebraska has ever split its vote. No one really thought there was any chance of this happening, but Obama put a lot of people on the ground to get out the vote in Omaha, while it was ignored by McCain and the media. While one electoral vote may seem irrelevant even in a close election, there were some potential scenarios in which the electoral college vote could have been tied. Take a look at the map from September 20th, just flip New Hampshire (where Obama was only leading by one point at the time) to McCain and the votes are tied 269-269.
LINK
LINK
Obama's New Press Secretary Owning Hannity
I like the apparent pick of Robert Gibbs for press secretary, check out this video of him taking down Hannity after a debate.
just because i fucking hate joe the plumber
it was funny. the other day these two old people came into my work and started chatting about the obama victory. the first thing they both said was that obama was going to raise spending by the likes of which we've never seen.
the woman said, "don't you know, all that money he promised you from iraq is going right into afghanistan?? your generation will be bankrupt!"
and i said, "right, but bush, a republican, preeminently invaded both countries..."
and her husband spoke up, "it was clinton's fault! you gotta' read more son. clinton had a chance to catch these terrorists and he let 'em go.."
i think we're going to see a lot more problems magically blamed on obama and nancy pelosi...
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Craigslist cracks down on prostitution, illegal activities
In a pact with more than 40 states and territories, Craigslist is taking steps to prevent people from posting classified ads that can facilitate prostitution, human trafficking, child exploitation and other illegal activities.
Read LA Times article here.
This cop out from craigslist will rob me multiple giggles while perusing the 'casual encounters' page. (And by the way, the actual definition of peruse is to read through with thoroughness and care.) I'll also have to find a new online outlet for my global prostitution ring. Fuck.
But on a serious note, it's pretty upsetting to see craigslist working and communicating so closely with law enforcement. Takes away from the mission and charm of the website. My 2 cents.
Read LA Times article here.
This cop out from craigslist will rob me multiple giggles while perusing the 'casual encounters' page. (And by the way, the actual definition of peruse is to read through with thoroughness and care.) I'll also have to find a new online outlet for my global prostitution ring. Fuck.
But on a serious note, it's pretty upsetting to see craigslist working and communicating so closely with law enforcement. Takes away from the mission and charm of the website. My 2 cents.
Bush and Obama Dinner Party
From CNN.com
"President-elect Barack Obama and President Bush are set to meet in the White House on Monday, a get-together both men say they are looking forward to.
"President-elect Barack Obama and President Bush are set to meet in the White House on Monday, a get-together both men say they are looking forward to.
“Michelle and I look forward to meeting with President Bush and the First Lady on Monday to begin the process of a smooth, effective transition," Obama said in a statement. "I thank him for reaching out in the spirit of bipartisanship that will be required to meet the many challenges we face as a nation."
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said the two men will sit down in the Oval Office."
--------------------------
Completely normal, I know. But, this mandatory dinner and my natural skepticism of politics (despite all the faith we have in Obama) just reminds me of this Bill Hicks bit.
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