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Insta-Park! Our friend Clarence at StreetFilms sent us his latest cinematic masterpiece (I suck at keeping expectations low, don’t I?). It’s about a section of street in Jackson Heights, in Queens, that was closed to cars for the “time-to-play-outside” months and converted into a much-needed park/public space. As you can see in the video, it was a resounding success! It’s a good model to follow for other cities. Via
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It’s been just over a month and a half since Oracle first sued Google for infringing various Java-related patents in Android, and the big G’s just filed its official response to the lawsuit after calling it ” baseless .” For the most part, it’s a pretty standard answer to a patent complaint: Google says Android doesn’t infringe any of Oracle’s patents, and even if it does, those patents are invalid and / or unenforceable for a variety of reasons anyway, so, you know, shove it. That’s basically all Google — or any patent defendant — needs to say in the answer, and if that was it, we’d just note it and move on with our lives. But we were struck by the factual background section, which reads to us like Google’s geared up for war: it basically accuses Sun and Oracle of not playing fair when it comes to Java’s open-source license situation and directly implies that parts of Android are based on code that might require a patent license. It’s a little wonky, but let’s break it down: Continue reading Google responds to Oracle’s Android patent lawsuit, we break it down Google responds to Oracle’s Android patent lawsuit, we break it down originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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In light of the recent suicides reportedly brought about by persistent bullying, CNN has taken upon itself to address not only a national bullying crisis, but any homophobia or anti-gay behavior seen as contributing to such bullying. The network apparently believes that socially conservative groups contribute to the problem of putting kids down who have homosexual tendencies. CNN senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin and author Rosalind Wiseman agreed that conservative groups who oppose protective measures for gay students simply treat them as outcasts. Wiseman, author of “Queen Bees and Wannabees,” called their efforts “anti-child.” “These groups don’t think homosexuality is normal,” Toobin remarked of conservative groups. “They think it’s wrong. They think it is a menace to society. So they are the ones who are making it harder for kids, who feel isolated enough as it is, to come forward.” “I mean, this is not some sort of value-neutral approach by these conservative groups. They are trying to make homosexuality an outcast condition, and that’s part of the problem,” Toobin insisted. Wiseman agreed, adding “And really, what that really comes down to is being anti-child and anti-against the dignity of every single child who walks in through the doors of that school.” The discussion followed a segment detailing a recent suicide case at Rutgers University, where a gay student was videotaped by his roommate having an intimate encounter with another man. The student subsequently committed suicide after the video hit the internet. The incident follows upon multiple cases of teen suicides induced by bullying, sometimes because of real or suspected homosexual orientation. At first, the discussion was focused on bullying. But then Anderson Cooper brought the gay-rights issue into the debate. “I’ve been reading a lot, particularly right now, a case in Minnesota where there are a lot of conservative groups, anti-gay groups who say, you know, this is an attempt to promote some sort of gay agenda in schools,” Cooper remarked of efforts to encourage young students with gay tendencies to be themselves. Wiseman complained that sex-ed programs are difficult to introduce to schools’ curricula, tacitly suggesting social conservatives were also to blame for that situation. “If you work in schools, what you know is that it is hard to get all different kinds of programs into schools that have — and for young kids, especially, it’s what we’re dealing with is good-touch, bad-touch. And that’s hard to get into schools.” A partial transcript of the segment, which aired on October 4 at 10:37 p.m. EDT, is as follows: ANDERSON COOPER: It’s interesting, though, Rosalind. You know, I’ve been reading a lot; particularly, right now, a case in Minnesota, where there are a lot of conservative groups, anti-gay groups who say, you know, this is an attempt to promote some sort of gay agenda in schools, if you talk about, you know, trying to make the school a safe place or a place that’s accepting of students who, at a younger and younger age, are saying that they’re gay. ROSALIND WISEMAN: Well, what I want to see from those organizations is exactly what is they are saying is taking place in the classroom. What exactly is the teacher saying, what exactly are the parents reporting. Because I’m actually – I need to see exactly and I think we all need to see exactly what are behind these accusations. Because so far, it’s just this amorphous kind of commentary on this, you know, pro-homosexual agenda. And if you work in schools, what you know is that it is hard to get all different kinds of programs into schools that have — and for young kids, especially, it’s what we’re dealing with is good-touch, bad-touch. And that’s hard to get into schools. So we really have to know exactly what these people are accusing when they’re talking about these issues, and then we can address it on a factual basis. COOPER: But in order to address it in the schools do you have to make — I mean, you believe you have to be very specific in the language you use and you have to address things like homophobia? WISEMAN: Of course you do. Of course you do. Because otherwise, what happens is — and really, we ought to call it what this is. If we do not address this in terms of racism and homophobia and classism, then what you’re doing is enabling people to get away with degrading behavior, and really, that is an anti-child agenda. That is an anti-educational agenda. And so common sense, you know, parents who have common sense and educators who have common sense know that that’s what this is about. JEFFREY TOOBIN: But let’s be clear, too. These groups don’t think homosexuality is normal. They think it’s wrong. They think it is a menace to society. So they are the ones who are making it harder for kids, who feel isolated enough as it is, to come forward. I mean, this is not some sort of value-neutral approach by these conservative groups. They are trying to make homosexuality an outcast condition, and that’s part of the problem. WISEMAN: Absolutely. And really, what that really comes down to is being anti-child and anti-against the dignity of every single child who walks in through the doors of that school. COOPER: Are teachers accountable, legally, if they see bullying going on and don’t intervene? TOOBIN: In extreme, extreme cases. If teachers are derelict in a very obvious situation where they don’t warn a student or they don’t come to a student’s aid, there is the possibility that you could sue the school district. But you are talking about a tiny fraction of cases. Most bullying takes place, I think, in an environment where the law doesn’t really apply. You are never going to — so it’s much more going to be involving school discipline, parental discipline, not, you know, the courts. COOPER: Rosalind, you work in a lot of schools. Why is it that, you know, if the “N” word is used a teacher would intervene, but if the “F” sword is used against a use student who’s perceived to be gay, or who may be gay – why is that still a word which is allowed to be used liberally in schools wherever you go? WISEMAN: Because it is so normal, meaning so common that people say, “Well, what’s the big deal? It’s just what we say.” And just like — and when I talk about this, that we talked about racism generations ago, and we — and it became unacceptable. It has to happen in the same way. Because otherwise, what happens is, you have to keep saying to people just because it’s common doesn’t make it right. Racism is not right. So is not — so isn’t homophobia and going against people of different ethnicities. Just because you are degrading somebody, and people have done it for a long time, does not make it right.
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photo: Alan Levine / Creative Commons In case you haven’t heard already, those much-touted, supposedly 100% biodegradable bioplastic bags that SunChips rolled out a while ago are no more. Apparently the issue wasn’t many of the genuine questions about the … Read the full story on TreeHugger
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It may not exactly be a huge surprise given the recent market share numbers , but Google CEO Eric Schmidt has recently confirmed that Android is, in fact, profitable for the company. Of course, it doesn’t make all that money from Android directly, but Schmidt says that Android-based phones are already generating enough advertising revenue to cover the cost of development. What’s more, while he doesn’t provide any current specific numbers, Schmidt did say that he expects there to someday be one billion Android phones in the world, and that if each one generated just $10 per user per year it would be a $10 billion business — or, as Newsweek notes, about half of Google’s total revenue for this year. That’s just a tidbit from the full Newsweek piece, though — hit up the source link below to read the whole thing, which also includes a bit of perspective from Google’s Andy Rubin. Google’s Eric Schmidt says Android is profitable, could eventually be a $10 billion business originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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At the “One Nation Working Together” rally in Los Angeles on Saturday, actor Danny Glover took the podium. Judge for yourself the coherence and importance of his message: Over at the Eyeblast Blog we have a bunch of other interviews with prominent liberals who attended and spoke at the One Nation rally.
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At the “One Nation Working Together” rally in Los Angeles on Saturday, actor Danny Glover took the podium. Judge for yourself the coherence and importance of his message: Over at the Eyeblast Blog we have a bunch of other interviews with prominent liberals who attended and spoke at the One Nation rally.
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Touting “faint signs of hope” for Democrats in November, on Monday’s CBS Evening News, political correspondent Jeff Greenfield outlined a strategy the DNC could use to stave off major Republican gains in Congress: “So how could Democrats prevent, or at least minimize, their losses? There are three keys.” Greenfield began by encouraging efforts to re-energize the left: “First, turn out the base ….That’s why President Obama is out trying to persuade his core backers – blacks, Hispanics, the young – not to stay home in November.” He then urged marginalizing the GOP: “Second, convince the voters that this election is a choice. With ads that argue the Republicans are just too extreme.” Finally, Greenfield recommended that vulnerable Democrats run from their liberal records: “Third, declare your independence. Across the country, many incumbent Democrats are stressing how they oppose the President and House Speakier Nancy Pelosi.” Greenfield did acknowledge problems with some of his advice. On the suggestion that Democrats paint the GOP as “too extreme,” he brought in Republican strategist David Winston, who explained: “Ultimately, when you’re talking about your opponent, it’s because you don’t have anything to say about yourself, and the electorate gets that.” Wrapping up the segment, Greenfield admitted: “But it is still uphill for Democrats. Independents were the key to the Republican takeover of Congress in ’94 and the Democratic takeover in ’06. Right now they are leaning heavily Republican….in this climate, less bad seems to be about the best Democrats can hope for.” Tuesday’s CBS Early Show followed a similar theme to that of Greenfield’s report. Congressional correspondent Nancy Cordes declared: “…there are a few recent developments that lead Democrats to hope that their losses this election season may not be as bad as they had feared.” She then proceeded to focus exclusively on the hand full of races in which Republicans are on the defensive: CORDES: Republicans are pouring $2 million into the California Senate race. CAMPAIGN AD: Killing jobs. Crushing hopes. CORDES: After polls showed Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer reclaiming her lead. BARBARA BOXER: The pundits have already decided that the Democrats are losers. We’re going to lose, lose, lose. There’s only one problem with that. The voters haven’t voted yet. CORDES: Democratic Senator Patty Murray has also seen a rebound in her numbers. As have Democratic candidates for governor in Illinois, Ohio, and California. JAMAL SIMMONS: You’re starting to see that around the country, because a lot of Democrats held their advertising money until the last couple of months of the election, when people are paying attention the most. CORDES: Democrats used their fund-raising advantage to dominate the airwaves in September. Mostly with negative, personal ads. CAMPAIGN AD: Things turned bad for Vitter when he appeared on the DC madam’s phone list. CORDES: And at least one Republican, tea party-backed Delaware Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell, has a new ad that directly challenges her negative press. CHRISTINE O’DONNELL: I’m not a witch. I’m nothing you’ve heard. I’m you. None of us are perfect. Cordes touted how: “Even the President is entering the ad wars….Mr. Obama taped his first spot of this election season for a Democratic candidate in New Orleans….one of only about eight districts around the country where Democrats have a realistic shot of winning a seat currently held by the GOP.” Following the report, co-host Harry Smith picked up on Cordes’s optimistic appraisal of Democratic chances as he spoke with political analyst John Dickerson: “Republicans wanted this election to happen today, yesterday, two weeks ago, because there really does seem to be some of the mojo that they had built up over the last month or two, seems to be eroding a little bit.” Dickerson replied: “…that’s right. Democrats are coming home.” Smith and Dickerson did discuss a number of contested Democratic seats that would normally be safe. On the Connecticut senate race, Dickerson observed: “Richard Blumenthal is the attorney general, longtime politician in Connecticut, quite popular. Was supposed to have this race in the bag.” Smith added: “And this was a seat that was supposed to be so safe.” On the Nevada senate race, Dickerson noted: “Harry Reid is the biggest target out there….He’s in trouble.” On the West Virginia senate race, Smith remarked how even the “very popular” Governor Joe Manchin was “in the race of his life.” Here is a full transcript of Greenfield’s October 4 report: 6:39PM ET KATIE COURIC: Turning now to politics and Campaign 2010. There are 29 days until the midterm elections. Control of Congress will be determined by dozens of critical contests that could go either way. In the Senate, Republicans need 10 seats to take control. According to the latest analysis by our CBS News election team they have the edge or are likely to win four seats now held by the Democrats. And the Republicans have at least a chance at eight other Democratic seats that are still in play. But taking back control of the Senate is a long shot at best. The Republicans have a better chance in the House. They need a net gain of 39 seats there. And our CBS News analysis finds 77 seats now held by Democrats could go Republican. And while the odds seem to favor the GOP in the House, the Democrats, from Speaker Nancy Pelosi on down, still believe they can hold on. Here’s senior political correspondent Jeff Greenfield. JEFF GREENFIELD: After months of pessimism about their chances this fall, beleaguered Dems are detecting faint signs of hope. Some polls show that Democrats have drawn even with Republicans among registered voters. Improved prospects for Senate candidates in California and Washington state, in governor races in Illinois, Ohio, and California. UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Have a good day, everybody. GREENFIELD: So how could Democrats prevent, or at least minimize, their losses? There are three keys. First, turn out the base. [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Turn out the Base] Polls still show Republicans much more enthusiastic about voting than Democrats. That’s why President Obama is out trying to persuade his core backers – blacks, Hispanics, the young – not to stay home in November. BARACK OBAMA: We need you to pledge to vote! We need you to knock on doors! We need you to talk to neighbors! JAMAL SIMMONS: If they can get an uptick among those constituencies, you could see some candidates survive who are looking a little bit more in trouble right now. GREENFIELD: Second, convince the voters that this election is a choice. [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: A choice – not a referendum] With ads that argue the Republicans are just too extreme. CAMPAIGN AD: Sharron Angle and she’s just too extreme. GREENFIELD: Says Republican strategist David Winston, ‘that’s what we tried four years ago and it didn’t work.’ DAVID WINSTON: Ultimately, when you’re talking about your opponent, it’s because you don’t have anything to say about yourself, and the electorate gets that. GREENFIELD: Third, declare your independence. [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Declare your independence] Across the country, many incumbent Democrats are stressing how they oppose the President and House Speakier Nancy Pelosi. MIKE MCINTYRE: I don’t work for Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid. GREENFIELD: But it is still uphill for Democrats. Independents were the key to the Republican takeover of Congress in ’94 and the Democratic takeover in ’06. Right now they are leaning heavily Republican. WINSTON: If Republicans are going to get a majority that’s where it’s going to occur. SIMMONS: Nobody’s saying we’re going to pick up seats. People are saying let’s just hold down as many Democrats as we can. GREENFIELD: And in this climate, less bad seems to be about the best Democrats can hope for. Katie. COURIC: Alright, Jeff Greenfield. Jeff, thanks.
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Touting “faint signs of hope” for Democrats in November, on Monday’s CBS Evening News, political correspondent Jeff Greenfield outlined a strategy the DNC could use to stave off major Republican gains in Congress: “So how could Democrats prevent, or at least minimize, their losses? There are three keys.” Greenfield began by encouraging efforts to re-energize the left: “First, turn out the base ….That’s why President Obama is out trying to persuade his core backers – blacks, Hispanics, the young – not to stay home in November.” He then urged marginalizing the GOP: “Second, convince the voters that this election is a choice. With ads that argue the Republicans are just too extreme.” Finally, Greenfield recommended that vulnerable Democrats run from their liberal records: “Third, declare your independence. Across the country, many incumbent Democrats are stressing how they oppose the President and House Speakier Nancy Pelosi.” Greenfield did acknowledge problems with some of his advice. On the suggestion that Democrats paint the GOP as “too extreme,” he brought in Republican strategist David Winston, who explained: “Ultimately, when you’re talking about your opponent, it’s because you don’t have anything to say about yourself, and the electorate gets that.” Wrapping up the segment, Greenfield admitted: “But it is still uphill for Democrats. Independents were the key to the Republican takeover of Congress in ’94 and the Democratic takeover in ’06. Right now they are leaning heavily Republican….in this climate, less bad seems to be about the best Democrats can hope for.” Tuesday’s CBS Early Show followed a similar theme to that of Greenfield’s report. Congressional correspondent Nancy Cordes declared: “…there are a few recent developments that lead Democrats to hope that their losses this election season may not be as bad as they had feared.” She then proceeded to focus exclusively on the hand full of races in which Republicans are on the defensive: CORDES: Republicans are pouring $2 million into the California Senate race. CAMPAIGN AD: Killing jobs. Crushing hopes. CORDES: After polls showed Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer reclaiming her lead. BARBARA BOXER: The pundits have already decided that the Democrats are losers. We’re going to lose, lose, lose. There’s only one problem with that. The voters haven’t voted yet. CORDES: Democratic Senator Patty Murray has also seen a rebound in her numbers. As have Democratic candidates for governor in Illinois, Ohio, and California. JAMAL SIMMONS: You’re starting to see that around the country, because a lot of Democrats held their advertising money until the last couple of months of the election, when people are paying attention the most. CORDES: Democrats used their fund-raising advantage to dominate the airwaves in September. Mostly with negative, personal ads. CAMPAIGN AD: Things turned bad for Vitter when he appeared on the DC madam’s phone list. CORDES: And at least one Republican, tea party-backed Delaware Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell, has a new ad that directly challenges her negative press. CHRISTINE O’DONNELL: I’m not a witch. I’m nothing you’ve heard. I’m you. None of us are perfect. Cordes touted how: “Even the President is entering the ad wars….Mr. Obama taped his first spot of this election season for a Democratic candidate in New Orleans….one of only about eight districts around the country where Democrats have a realistic shot of winning a seat currently held by the GOP.” Following the report, co-host Harry Smith picked up on Cordes’s optimistic appraisal of Democratic chances as he spoke with political analyst John Dickerson: “Republicans wanted this election to happen today, yesterday, two weeks ago, because there really does seem to be some of the mojo that they had built up over the last month or two, seems to be eroding a little bit.” Dickerson replied: “…that’s right. Democrats are coming home.” Smith and Dickerson did discuss a number of contested Democratic seats that would normally be safe. On the Connecticut senate race, Dickerson observed: “Richard Blumenthal is the attorney general, longtime politician in Connecticut, quite popular. Was supposed to have this race in the bag.” Smith added: “And this was a seat that was supposed to be so safe.” On the Nevada senate race, Dickerson noted: “Harry Reid is the biggest target out there….He’s in trouble.” On the West Virginia senate race, Smith remarked how even the “very popular” Governor Joe Manchin was “in the race of his life.” Here is a full transcript of Greenfield’s October 4 report: 6:39PM ET KATIE COURIC: Turning now to politics and Campaign 2010. There are 29 days until the midterm elections. Control of Congress will be determined by dozens of critical contests that could go either way. In the Senate, Republicans need 10 seats to take control. According to the latest analysis by our CBS News election team they have the edge or are likely to win four seats now held by the Democrats. And the Republicans have at least a chance at eight other Democratic seats that are still in play. But taking back control of the Senate is a long shot at best. The Republicans have a better chance in the House. They need a net gain of 39 seats there. And our CBS News analysis finds 77 seats now held by Democrats could go Republican. And while the odds seem to favor the GOP in the House, the Democrats, from Speaker Nancy Pelosi on down, still believe they can hold on. Here’s senior political correspondent Jeff Greenfield. JEFF GREENFIELD: After months of pessimism about their chances this fall, beleaguered Dems are detecting faint signs of hope. Some polls show that Democrats have drawn even with Republicans among registered voters. Improved prospects for Senate candidates in California and Washington state, in governor races in Illinois, Ohio, and California. UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Have a good day, everybody. GREENFIELD: So how could Democrats prevent, or at least minimize, their losses? There are three keys. First, turn out the base. [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Turn out the Base] Polls still show Republicans much more enthusiastic about voting than Democrats. That’s why President Obama is out trying to persuade his core backers – blacks, Hispanics, the young – not to stay home in November. BARACK OBAMA: We need you to pledge to vote! We need you to knock on doors! We need you to talk to neighbors! JAMAL SIMMONS: If they can get an uptick among those constituencies, you could see some candidates survive who are looking a little bit more in trouble right now. GREENFIELD: Second, convince the voters that this election is a choice. [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: A choice – not a referendum] With ads that argue the Republicans are just too extreme. CAMPAIGN AD: Sharron Angle and she’s just too extreme. GREENFIELD: Says Republican strategist David Winston, ‘that’s what we tried four years ago and it didn’t work.’ DAVID WINSTON: Ultimately, when you’re talking about your opponent, it’s because you don’t have anything to say about yourself, and the electorate gets that. GREENFIELD: Third, declare your independence. [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Declare your independence] Across the country, many incumbent Democrats are stressing how they oppose the President and House Speakier Nancy Pelosi. MIKE MCINTYRE: I don’t work for Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid. GREENFIELD: But it is still uphill for Democrats. Independents were the key to the Republican takeover of Congress in ’94 and the Democratic takeover in ’06. Right now they are leaning heavily Republican. WINSTON: If Republicans are going to get a majority that’s where it’s going to occur. SIMMONS: Nobody’s saying we’re going to pick up seats. People are saying let’s just hold down as many Democrats as we can. GREENFIELD: And in this climate, less bad seems to be about the best Democrats can hope for. Katie. COURIC: Alright, Jeff Greenfield. Jeff, thanks.
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Photo: Flickr , CC This Would Mean Doubling in Size Every 2 Years… The solar industry has grown quite fast in the past few years, and it looks like this will continue in 2011, at least according to a market research by iSuppli. “iSuppli forecasts that worldwide solar installations will reach 20.2 Gigawatts (GW) next year, up from 14.2GW at the end of 2010.” This would be a growth of 42.3%. At that rate, the industry would double every two years…. Read the full story on TreeHugger
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