Do Democrats Understand Economics?

The latest from His Holiness The Bringer of Healthcare: President Obama unveiled plans Thursday to double U.S. exports over the next five years in hopes of spurring job growth, an ambitious goal that may rekindle the battle over free-trade policy. The president acknowledged the formidable barriers to his goal: doubts in Congress over new free-trade agreements, misaligned [...]

View original story : download+wii Feed : Colorado Right

'American Idol' week two: Top 10 guys

So the “Idol” guys did a little better this week, but that’s damning with faint praise, like saying Jay Leno isn’t quite as bad on “The Tonight Show” as he was on “The Jay Leno Show.” There were no horror shows like last week, and most of the guys hovered around the average mark. Maybe having one less day to muck around with arrangements and go scarf-shopping was a good thing (the girls were scheduled to perform tonight, but a medical emergency involving Crystal Bowersox led to a switcheroo). Here’s the rundown: Michael Lynche “This Is a Man’s World” There are two things you can count on in any “Idol” show (well, three, if you count inane, stupid banter between the judges) … whoever goes first and last will turn in pretty decent performances. We don’t get to see all the rehearsal, but the producers sure do and they want to make sure they don’t put, say, Tim Urban first so that you switch over to CBS. That said, Lynche turned in another strong performance this week with a slower, soulful rendition of this James Brown number. What the judges said: “That was the one to beat,” Ellen “Dawg, I gotta give it to you,” Randy “I did not get it … until tonight. You owned it tonight,” Kara “From a pussycat to a lion in one week,” Simon My grade: B+ John Park “Gravity” Here’s my theory: sometime during Hollywood week, Park (the lead singer of a choral group called Purple Haze, we learn) got replaced with a wax dummy that Kara operates from the judge’s table with an intricate series of wires. If he hopped on the huge Michael Lynch’s lap (seriously — the man makes a guitar look like a ukulele), they could probably do a pretty decent ventriloquist act on Simon Cowell’s new “X Factor” show. Decent vocals, no spark. That’s good, ‘cuz it’d probably melt the wax. What the judges said: “I think Purple Haze may get their lead singer back,” Simon “Way better than last week,” Kara “It wasn’t as good as the original,” Randy “There could have been a little more soul in it,” Ellen My grade: C+ Casey James “I Don’t Wanna Be” Hey, Casey’s got another guitar in his collection, a nice electric axe that he’s wringing some good licks out of. Speaking of licks, I wonder if Kara’s licking her lips this week, watching Casey in full-on rock star mode. We’re almost spared all of the awful, useless banter about how sexy Casey is and how much Kara lusts after him. Almost. But then Kara refers to herself as a cougar. Sigh. Let it go, Kara, you’re embarrassing yourself and embarrassing ones’ self is Seacrest’s job. What the judges said: “Tonight, I gotta say, you took two steps backward,” Kara “I want you to just play on stage and move more,” Ellen “I didn’t know you played the guitar like that. Dude, that was hot,” Randy “You turned into … somebody trying to be a rock star,” Simon My grade: B+ Alex Lambert “Everybody Knows” Did you notice how nice the “Idol” set looked this week? They touched up the paint a little. That machine that shakes up the paint was broken, though, so they just handed the cans to Alex after he walked offstage last week. The shakiest (shot)gun (microphone) in the west was a little more relaxed this week, but that’s like saying that Jay Leno is … oh, never mind. Started confident, really started to lose it halfway through. All in all, a marked improvement. What the judges said: “That was a million times better than last week,” Simon “What you have is an incredible, recordable voice,” Kara “I really enjoyed that, actually, man,” Randy “It’s like somebody took the unripe banana and put it in a paper bag,” Ellen My grade: C+ Todrick Hall “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” Okay, Todrick went from Weirdsville to Dullsville, with a loungey rendition of this Tina Turner tune. Vocally better than last week, but it lacked the train wreck factor we look to Todrick for. What the judges said: “I don’t think it was the right song at all,” Ellen “A great song doesn’t need a different, wild arrangement,” Randy “When you started moving, it actually got better,” Kara “This is not working out at all for you,” Simon My grade: D+ Jermaine Sellers “What’s Goin’ On” Oh, Jermaine. Not even your buddy Jesus is going to be able to help you when you force a comparison between your over-the-top yet perplexingly weak voice against that of the great Marvin Gaye. We hear what’s goin’ on, and it’s just kind of okay. What the judges said: “It just didn’t work for me,” Ellen “It was just so close, but so far at the same time,” Randy “The problem is, you’re always doing too much,” Kara “We’re frustrated and disappointed. You water down the songs,” Simon My grade: C Andrew Garcia “You Give Me Something” Hey Andrew … did you hear that your doppelganger, Danny Gokey, is going to be performing on Thursday’s results show? Maybe y’all can do that acting class thing where you face each other and mimic one another’s movements, pretending that you are mirror images of each other. On the other hand, some cataclysmic alternate-universe event might take place if the two of you occupy the same stage at the same time. Better play it safe, like you did with this bland and surprisingly off-key performance. I think you just knocked yourself out of the frontrunner slot. What the judges said: “It’s just okay, and you’re better than okay,” Simon “Today, you played it too safe,” Kara “Dawg, honestly, that wasn’t a vibe for you tonight,” Randy “I like that you take chances,” Ellen My grade: C+ Aaron Kelly “My Girl” Wow, this performance could not have been cheesier. It was like a grilled cheese sandwich without the bread, with extra cheese sprinkled on top in a Wisconsin cheese shop with a side of Cheez-Its. Did I mention it was cheesy? I may start calling Aaron Chester Cheetah. The vocal was average, but I kept scanning the audience, looking for that pig-tailed, little blond girl with the pink shirt who wept uncontrollably whenever David Archuleta opened his mouth. I wonder whatever happened to that girl? These are the things that drift into my mind when Aaron sings, which can’t be a good sign. What the judges said: “It was all over the place. I think you actually went kind of backwards,” Simon “I liked it. I mean I really liked it,” Kara “Dude, you can really sing,” Randy “I think the song was a little forgettable,” Ellen My grade: C Tim Urban “Come On Get Higher” Sure, Tim did better than he did last week, blah blah blah. As the weeks go by, Tim reminds me more and more of that “Brady Bunch” episode where Greg was going to become a rock star and that jive producer took him into the studio and pulled all kinds of weird, electronic shenanigans on his voice. At the end, you couldn’t even recognize it. Turns out the producer wanted Greg because he was good-looking and “fit the suit.” That’s Tim in a nutshell. He fits the suit. Now, if only we could apply some electronic shenanigans on his below-average voice. What the judges said: “Congratulations, I thought you did great,” Simon “You didn’t make it your own,” Kara “It was kind of very karaoke for me,” Randy “There’s no charisma; there’s no stage presence,” Ellen My grade: C- Lee Dewyze “Lips of an Angel” Lee did pretty good, even though he really missed his guitar (he should borrow one of Casey James’ … that guys got a whole collection!). I like Lee, but I wish his voice was as good as it gives the illusion of being — he misses a lot of notes but he’s got a really appealing vocal quality. I didn’t think he looked as nervous as the judges did, but the way he was clutching that microphone stand he reminded me of that janitor from “Scrubs.” You know, the guy who plays the dad on “The Middle” now. I think this performance lifted Lee right out of the middle. Dewyze song choice, too. What the judges said: “There was so much passion and intensity,” Ellen “I liked it,” Randy “I can hear you on the radio right now. Good job,” Kara “Vocally, you are head and shoulders above everybody else in your side of the competition right now,” Simon My grade: B- Should go: Todrick Hall, John Park Will go: John Park, Jermaine Sellers Agree? Disagree? Sound off!

View original story : download+wii Feed : TV Blog

Soft Futures Market Commentary

Thursday, March 11, 2010 May sugar closed down 63 points at 19.69 cents yesterday. Prices closed near mid-range yesterday and hit another fresh 7.5-month low. Serious chart damage has occurred in sugar recently, including more yesterday. Prices are in a steep six-week-old downtrend on the daily bar chart. There are no early technical clues to suggest [...]

View original story : download+wii Feed : Commodity Futures,Forex, and Options Trading News, Articles and Trading Strategies

Pacquiao vs. Clottey “The Event” Undercards

Grapevine, Texas–Casual boxing fans may not know their names now, but after March 13, they will. That was the central message of the lively press conference for “The Event” undercard bouts held Thursday, March 11, here at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center. The confab featured some good-natured smack-talking, a $30,000 challenge, and an a [...] Pacquiao vs. Clottey “The Event” Undercards is a post from: Sikat ang Pinoy!

View original story : download+wii Feed : Laganap: Press Releases and Articles

"Star Wars" Made in France

The 30th anniversary of the George Lucas classic The Empire Strikes Back is coming up (May 21st!), so I think between now and then it's a time for us to remember the glory of the original three Star Wars films before they got tarnished by those prequels. And before you saw this mega bizarre video, "Star Wars" Made in France. According to the French, there are multuple C3PO's and Darth Vaders and the disparate groups of costumed heroes and villains square off against each other in a disco dancing "lean off." Sounds weird? The 1970s era 4 minute long clip is weirder than words can even do it justice. Oof. photo courtesy of YouTube "Star Wars" Made in France originally appeared on About.com Web Humor on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 11:05:05. Permalink | Comment | Email this

View original story : download+wii Feed : About Web Humor

Treasury Traders Await Auction

Friday's sharp sell-off seemed to knock the bulls off of their high horse but the pullback might work in their favor as higher yields could attract buyers to the upcoming Treasury auctions. On the slate for tomorrow is $40 billion in 3-year notes and $26 billion in 1-year securities. Volume, and trade, was anemic but this can all change in the blink of an eye. There seems to be a considerable amount of call buying activity in the VIX as well as put buying in the equity indices. Also, commentators on business news stations "felt" a bit too bullish this morning...and this could signal an intermediate-term top in the equity indices. If this is the case, bonds and notes will be a direct beneficiary. There is very little economic data until Thursday and Friday and this could keep trading interest at a minimum. On Friday, we stated that we were waiting to see what Monday brings but today's trade brought little clarity. Let's see what Tuesday brings... Sorry to be so brief and indecisive, but we don't have much to go on and I would rather be lacking an opinion that force a foolish one. * Due to time constraints and our fiduciary duty to put clients first, the charts provided in this newsletter may not reflect the current session data. However, market analysis and commentary does. Charts provided by Track 'n Trade, Gecko software. **Seasonality is already be factored into current prices, any references to such does not indicate future market action. Treasury Bond and Note Option Trading Recommendations **There is unlimited risk in naked option selling. Flat Treasury Bond and Note Futures Trading Recommendations **There is unlimited risk in trading futures. Flat Carley Garner Senior Analyst / Commodity Broker DeCarley Trading cgarner@DeCarleyTrading.com 1-866-790-TRADE Local : 702-947-0701 www.DeCarleyTrading.com www.ATradersFirstBookonCommodities.com There is substantial risk of loss in trading futures and options. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The information and data in this report were obtained from sources considered reliable. Their accuracy or completeness is not guaranteed and the giving of the same is not to be deemed as an offer or solicitation on our part with respect to the sale or purchase of any securities or commodities. Any decision to purchase or sell as a result of the opinions expressed in this report will be the full responsibility of the person authorizing such transaction.

View original story : download+wii Feed : Commodity Trader

David Eagleman Ticket Info

The Long Now Foundation’s monthly Seminars About Long-term Thinking presents David Eagleman on “Six Easy Steps to Avert the Collapse of Civilization” Thursday April 1, 02010 at 7:30 pm at the Herbst Theater in San Francisco Long Now Members can reserve 2 seats, join today! or you can purchase tickets for $10 each. About this Seminar: David Eagleman may be the [...]

View original story : download+wii Feed : The Long Now Blog

Late Update.. [personal]

February 24th I went in for my Remicade infusion, as scheduled. It may or may not be my last, I won’t know until I speak with my GI doctor this Thursday, March 11th. My appointment with him was supposed to be March 5th but he was called out for something and I had to be [...]

View original story : download+wii Feed : Samtagious!

Monday January 4, 2010

January 4, 2010 Replacement for UW-ACE is on the way UW architects represent Canada in Venice 'Snow at sunrise' captured just before the holiday break by the digital camera of drama and speech communication student Reemah Khalid. Back to top Replacement for UW-ACE is on the way by Andrea Chappell of information systems and technology Sometime over the next couple of years UW will be required to replace Angel, the software that forms the basis of UW-ACE. Angel Learning Inc. was sold to Blackboard Inc., the purveyor of the Blackboard learning management system, in early summer 2009, and we have learned that Angel will disappear as a product, with some of its features being merged into Blackboard’s LMS. This LMS is sufficiently different from Angel that a move will be a significant change for UW-ACE users. A project to select a new LMS is underway. We are well positioned for the move, and attractive options exist. A group of people representing Information Systems and Technologies, the Centre for Extended Learning (distance education), the Centre for Teaching Excellence, the library, and the faculty had already been reviewing UW-ACE. In April, before Blackboard’s acquisition of Angel, this team concluded that UW should continue to use Angel. It was also recommended that UW augment UW-ACE with other tools for live interaction, and with better math tools. In particular, the project recommended that UW investigate a web conferencing and collaboration application, server storage, delivery of audio and video, integration of the library’s e-reserves called Atlas Ares into Angel, and integration with Maplesoft’s Maple TA. The integration of Atlas Ares is complete; the other add-ons are in various stages of review. The LMS Selection Project team has identified important scenarios for the next LMS to support. The team also has a known list of candidates that includes two commercial products, Blackboard and Desire2Learn (a Kitchener-based company), and two open source products, Moodle and Sakai. A Request for Proposals may reveal other candidates. In the 2010 winter term the project team will provide updates on the LMS Selection Project. The first phase of the project will conclude with a recommendation to the University Committee on Information Systems & Technology to pilot a very short list of learning management systems in order to finalize a selection. While Blackboard has promised support of Angel until 2014, we are aware that as other institutions move away from Angel, its support may degrade. A critical element in any selection is the migration to the next LMS — how efficiently UW will be able to move courses from UW-ACE to the next LMS. While the replacement process is underway, we continue to support and evolve our courses on UW-ACE. Use of Angel has grown from 200 courses in fall 2004 to about 1,250 this past fall. Taking into consideration combined sections and “held with” courses, upwards of 70% of courses are in UW-ACE. Instructors use UW-ACE in a variety of ways: to augment in-class sessions, to blend on-campus teaching with online components, or to teach fully online. UW-ACE has an operations team comprised of staff from IST, Extended Learning, CTE, and the Library. UW-ACE Ops meets once a month to discuss directions, determine significant system settings, work on policies, and decide what communications should go to the user community. Other current developments: • An Angel upgrade (from V7.3 to V7.4) is planned for April 2010. This upgrade keeps us in an appropriate support window. There are few big changes, the most important of which is a requirement to move from what are called Quizzes to Assessments. All of the fully online courses have made this switch. We will provide support for other courses in the change by setting up training sessions next term. • Angel officially supports two browsers, Internet Explorer 7 or 8, and Firefox 2 or 3. Others work for many functions; however a few activities, such as file uploads, do not work in non-supported browsers. We now have in place an upload blocker for non-supported browsers to prevent confusion and problems for drop-box uploads. • A system check, performed as a person goes to the UW-ACE login page, makes sure that settings on the client system are appropriate for functions on UW-ACE. A message indicates what areas pass or fail, and points to a page to get any needed help. • New this fall, the Library’s Atlas Ares e-reserves integration allows the instructor to embed a link to course e-reserves into the course, and allows the student to access them without another login required. • Turnitin (plagiarism detection) and Wimba (voice recordings) can be used in UW-ACE without additional login. Marks are automatically loaded from Turnitin. The iClicker results can also be integrated into UW-ACE for marks purposes. Here’s what happens with ACE as a new term starts: • Class rosters are activated on the first day of classes, and student access to previous term classes is disabled. • To use course materials in a new term offering, materials are copied into a new course instance created for that term. (Course materials refer to the course content that the instructor puts on the course site, but not the student results.) • All course data, including student uploads and results, are retained in UW-ACE for 3 terms after the end of the course (the year in which a student can register a course appeal; also, the year in which most courses are re-offered). • All course materials, including student data, are removed from UW-ACE three terms (one year) after the course has ended. Course materials (that is, the course content that the instructor puts on the course site, but not the student results) are archived outside of UW-ACE at the end of the course term of offer, and kept for three additional years. (While we retain the course material archive, because the software changes over that time, pulling this material back into UW-ACE cannot be guaranteed for the full three years.) Back to top UW architects represent Canada in Venice The Canada Council for the Arts made it official just before the holidays with an announcement that that “Hylozoic Ground,” a project developed “in collaboration with” the UW School of Architecture, has been selected to represent Canada at the 2010 Venice Biennale in Architecture. The Biennale, which is the world’s most prestigious architectural exhibition, will take place in Venice from September through November 2010. Three UW people are behind the project: architecture professor Philip Beesley; Andrew Hunter; curator of Render, the UW gallery; and Rob Gorbet, faculty member in electrical and computer engineering. The lead agency is PBAI, Beesley’s private architectural practice. Says Gorbet: “Hylozoic Ground is an experimental responsive architectural environment which explores the changing relationship between buildings and their occupants, with a view towards creating a more empathic experience. Relying on a network of dozens of distributed embedded controllers, sensors, and hundreds of specialized, silent shape-memory alloy based actuators distributed among a crystalline meshwork manufactured from laser-cut acrylic, it creates an experience for occupants of the space which is variously described as everything from ‘gentle and soothing’ to ‘aggressive, creepy and anxiety-making’. “In fact, one of the current directions of this work is to research coding languages for the investigation of emotion-correlated motion so that we can consider the design of the environment and its responses to the occupant, in order to intentionally modulate or induce specific emotional responses.” He notes that a previous work in the series, Hylozoic Soil, was first exhibited at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in 2007 and later at Siggraph 2009, and won first prize at the international VIDA 11.0 competition in Madrid earlier this year. The related work Hylozoic Grove is permanently installed in the Ars Electronica Museum of the Future in Linz, Austria, and variations leading up to the Venice project are planned for Québec City and Mexico City. “A related project by Philip, Sargasso Field, is currently on display at the Copenhagen Climate Summit,” Gorbet said. As described by the Canada Council in a news release, “Hylozoic Ground” is “a uniquely Canadian experimental architecture that explores qualities of contemporary wilderness. The project will transform the Canadian Pavilion in Venice with an immersive environment composed of a network of interactive mechanical fronds, filters and whiskers that senses and responds to its human occupants. Arrays of touch sensors and actuators create a breathing motion, intended to draw visitors into the shimmering depths of a forest of light. The project builds upon the interdisciplinary work of PBAI and collaborators, combining innovative research within architecture, engineering and sculpture. The exhibition is intended to tour a number of Canadian galleries following the installation in Venice.” “Hylozoic Ground” was selected in consultation with an independent assessment committee which commented that “the project proposes to be a unique response to the Biennale, treating it as a speculative laboratory for architectural experimentation.” The Canada Council for the Arts and Royal Architecture Institute of Canada are working together to provide financial support and assist with project oversight for Canada’s architectural representation in Venice. CAR Back to top As the winter term begins It's back to the office and back to the classroom today . . . Residence move-in Class schedule Important academic dates Pick up OSAP funding Library hours Recreation facilities Bookstore hours Parking permits Food services hours Influenza update Link of the day World Hypnotism Day When and where Feds Used Books, Student Life Centre, open Monday-Friday 8:30 to 5:30 this week, Saturday 9 to 5. Music auditions today: Chapel choir 3:00 to 6:00, Conrad Grebel UC chapel. Stage band 6:00 to 9:00, Grebel great hall. Instrumental chamber ensembles 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., Grebel room 1302. Details. UW senate executive committee 3:30, Needles Hall room 3004. Engineering exchange students, welcome for new arrivals, Tuesday 11:30, Carl Pollock Hall room 3602. University Choir first rehearsal Tuesday 7:00, Conrad Grebel UC great hall. No formal audition required. Details. International student orientation Wednesday 12:00 to 3:00, Needles Hall room 1116. Details. Weight Watchers at Work winter series begins Wednesday 12 noon, Humanities room 373; call ext. 32218 to register. New student orientation Wednesday 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Student Life Centre lower atrium. Return-to-campus interviews for co-op students January 6-8, Tatham Centre. Auditions for FASS 2010 January 6, 7, 8, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Hagey Hall room 119. Details. Baden-Württemberg and Rhône-Alpes exchange programs information session Thursday 3:00, Needles Hall room 1116. School of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony welcoming new students, Thursday 5:00, Humanities Theatre. Math business and accounting programs information session about the CFA, PRM and CFP designations, Thursday 5:30 p.m., Math and Computer room 4020. Comedian Jon LaJoie at Humanities Theatre, Friday 7:30 p.m. One click away • International students mark Christmas far from home • Pioneering approach to knowledge transfer (UW prof interviewed) • Commentary in Hill Times • 'What debaters do best: argue' (Imprint) • Knifepoint robbery December 29 near University Avenue plazas • Physics prof's latest finding on causes of climate change • ERS professor writes in Globe about women on the career ladder • Changes to GO bus schedule, extra trips to UW • Actuarial science program has partner in Malaysia • Waterloo Region's Barnraiser award for 2009 • Prof hopes UW will save railroad shops in Stratford • More publicity for St. Jerome's prof explaining Irish coffee-houses • Chakma lays out his 22-point program for Western • WLU executive goes to Windsor as VP (academic) • Open access: 'the ramifications for journals' • Profs describe Lakehead U shutdown as 'lockout' • New financing for two more Accelerator Centre firms • New owner for TLC laser clinic in Optometry building • 'Truth as a Value and a Practice: A Perpetual Issue in Post-Secondary Education' • Socrates in the Boardroom: Why Research Universities Should Be Led by Top Scholars December 23 Daily Bulletin Communications and Public Affairs University of Waterloo 200 University Avenue West Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1 +1 519 888 4567 Contact us | http://www.bulletin.uwaterloo.ca | © 2010 University of Waterloo

View original story : download+wii Feed : University of Waterloo - The Daily Bulletin

Top Obama Priorities Collide as Student Loan Legislation May Be Attached to Health Care

WASHINGTON — Democratic Congressional leaders struck a tentative agreement on Thursday that breathes new life into President Obama’s proposed overhaul of federal student loan programs. The latest on President Obama, his administration and other news from Washington and around the... Washington Post - New funding projection could squeeze Obama's education agenda WSJ Health Blog - What Student Loans Have to Do With the Health-Care Bill Mother Jones - Healthcare Countdown Begins Wonk Room - Republicans And Banks Complain That Student Loan Reform Is ‘Rampaging Through The Senate’

View original story : download+wii Feed : Health Care RSS Feed