Click here to view this media It looks like Jack Cafferty decided to carry a little water for the AstroTurf “tea party” with a bit of fearmongering over our debt and deficit with this dishonest bit of editorializing on CNN’s The Situation Room. First of all, repeat after me Jack — there is no tea party. The so-called “tea party” is nothing more than the far right-wing of the Republican Party that’s been with us for ages now, with big monied corporate interests along with your sorry excuse for a “news” channel along with Fox promoting them. And all of your attempted re-branding here is not going to change that. And if Cafferty wants to blame the problems with our debt and deficit on the current administration, I’ve got a couple of charts and an article at the New York Times he needs to read — How the Deficit Got This Big . Here are the charts from the article. enlarge Credit: The New York Times enlarge Credit: The New York Times And here’s more from Jon Perr from last year on the drivers of our deficit — Boehner Lies About Bush Tax Cuts and Deficits . And from Jon’s post, here’s another chart for Jack Cafferty. enlarge Credit: CBPP If Jack Cafferty is really concerned about getting our fiscal house in order, he’d be going after these “tea partiers” for being obstructionists on job creation and for protecting their rich campaign donors from having to pay any more in taxes. Transcript of Cafferty’s remarks via his blog — Tea Party effect on 2012 elections? : The national debt is increasing by an astounding $3 million a minute; $3 million. Meanwhile, President Obama and Congress are on vacation. When the president took office in January 2009, the national debt was $10.6 trillion. Less than three years later, it’s $14.6 trillion. Obama has presided over the fastest, largest increase in the national debt in our country’s history, something to be truly proud of. Under President George W. Bush, the national debt increased by $4.9 trillion, but it took eight years to increase that much. Obama has the distinction of putting us an additional $4 trillion in the hole in less than three years. And he’s still talking about wanting to spend more. It’s insane. These rates of borrowing are unsustainable. It is far and away the biggest problem we may have ever been faced with. Eventually, our country’s survival will be at stake. And whether anyone likes it or not, the tea party seems to be the only group that gets it. The group became a force during the midterm elections because of the growing national debt and the refusal of Washington to do anything about it. In fact, the recent debt ceiling standoff was driven by a group of only 60 tea party members in the House of Representatives. You can bet that the tea party will continue to ring the alarm bells as we head into the 2012 elections – and it should. Because just remember this: In the time it would take you to listen to this Cafferty File segment – a minute and a half or so – our national debt increased by more than $5 million. Here’s my question to you: What effect will the tea party have on the 2012 elections?
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Computer hackers are frequently denigrated as mere digital pranksters. But some are now finding they have the power to change the world for good Hackerspaces are the digital-age equivalent of English Enlightenment coffee houses. They are
Continue reading …Computer hackers are frequently denigrated as mere digital pranksters. But some are now finding they have the power to change the world for good Hackerspaces are the digital-age equivalent of English Enlightenment coffee houses. They are
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Analysis of tweets during recent unrest appears to undermine the case for banning people from social networks Interactive: Twitter traffic during the riots Analysis of more than 2.5m Twitter messages relating to the riots in England has cast doubt on the rationale behind government proposals to ban people from social networks or shut down their websites in times of civil unrest. A preliminary study of a database of riot-related tweets, compiled by the Guardian, appears to show Twitter was mainly used to react to riots and looting. Timing trends drawn from the data question the assumption that Twitter played a widespread role in inciting the violence in advance, an accusation also levelled at the rival social networks Facebook and BlackBerry Messenger. The unique database contains tweets about the riots sent throughout the disorder, which began in Tottenham, north London, on 6 August. It also reveals how extensively Twitter was used to co-ordinate a movement by citizens to clean the streets after the disorder. More than 206,000 tweets – 8% of the total – related to attempts to clean up the debris left by four nights of rioting and looting. The home secretary, Theresa May, will meet representatives from Facebook, Twitter and Research in Motion, the Canada-based BlackBerry maker, on Thursday. The companies said they would warn ministers against introducing emergency measures that could usher in a new form of online censorship. Amid a growing censorship row, government sources said the home secretary did not expect to discuss closing social networks, but wanted to explore what measures the companies could take to help contain future disorder, including how law enforcement agencies can use the sites more effectively. David Cameron had previously indicated he would contemplate more restrictive measures. The day after the riots subsided, the prime minister told parliament the government was looking at banning people from using sites such as Twitter and Facebook if they were thought to be plotting criminal activity. Cameron said the government would do “whatever it takes” to restore order, adding that a review was under way to establish whether it would be right to attempt to prevent rioters from using social networks. He said he had also asked police if they needed new powers. The Metropolitan police later revealed it had considered switching off social networks during the disorder in London, but had decided not to on legal advice. The Guardian database, which contains riot-related tweets sent between midnight on 6 August – the day riots began in Tottenham – and 8pm on 17 August, will be subject to more advanced analysis in the coming weeks as part of an ongoing investigation into the riots. Twitter Social networking UK riots Internet Theresa May Paul Lewis James Ball Josh Halliday guardian.co.uk
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Cancer survivor Jobs becomes chairman of technology company, nominating Tim Cook as his successor Steve Jobs has resigned as chief executive of Apple, to be replaced by its chief operating officer, Tim Cook, in a surprise move that may signal that the 56-year-old co-founder of the company is losing his battle with cancer. The announcement was made at about 4pm Pacific time in a statement from Apple following a letter from Jobs, who said: “I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.” He added: “I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as chairman of the board, director and Apple employee. As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple. “I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role. I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.” In a statement on Wednesday night, Apple said that it had appointed Cook, who was recruited to the company by Jobs in 1997, and had elected Jobs chairman of the board. Apple’s shares fell by 7% in after-hours trading, as market digested the impact of Apple losing its charismatic leader, who had led it back from near-bankruptcy after rejoining in 1996 to become the world’s most valuable company by market value earlier in August. “Steve Jobs is not your typical CEO. He is both a visionary from a technology industry perspective as well as a micro-manager,” said Ashok Kumar, an analyst at Rodman and Renshaw. “To say that he is instrumental or key in the turnaround of Apple’s fortunes would be a gross understatement.” Fred Wilson, a venture capitalist, said: “I’m sad. He’s the greatest entrepreneur ever.” No reason was given for the resignation, but Jobs has been battling medical problems for the past seven years. He was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer of the pancreas in 2003 and operated on in July 2004. Although he returned to work within a few months, in April 2009 he received a liver transplant. Medical observers suggested that the long-term effects of the required autoimmune drugs could mean that the cancer would return. Jobs made a small number of public appearances in 2011, launching a new version of Apple’s iPad tablet, attending a dinner with US president Barack Obama and other technology chiefs, fronting the launch of new software from Apple in June and presenting plans to the Cupertino council the next day. But he looked increasingly frail and thin, which looked increasingly like the effects of a spread of the initial cancer. “Steve’s extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world’s most innovative and valuable technology company,” said Art Levinson, chairman of Genentech and a member of Apple’s board. “Steve has made countless contributions to Apple’s success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple’s immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration.” Analysts – who had previously pressed Apple to publicise its CEO succession plan, without success – said that Cook was a safe pair of hands, but wondered whether the company would have the same drive. “[Tim Cook] is very highly regarded internally at Apple. From a succession perspective they could not possibly identify a better candidate. He has a track record to back it up,” said Kumar. “What Steve Jobs leaves behind is a very deep and a broad bench and so they will continue in his footsteps.” Shannon Cross of Cross Research said: “It won’t affect next the iPad or next iPhone. Apple’s product line-up is well set. Steve, keep in mind, has been training people at Apple and there is a culture at Apple that is very strong.” Steve Jobs Apple Computing Charles Arthur guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …This is very sad news for a great women’s college basketball icon. Tennessee’s Pat Summitt plans to coach “as long as the good Lord is willing” despite recently being diagnosed with early onset dementia. In a statement from Summitt released by the university on Tuesday, the Hall of Fame coach said she visited with doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., after the end of the 2010-11 basketball season ended and was diagnosed with early onset dementia – Alzheimer’s type – over the summer. “I plan to continue to be your coach,” Summitt said. “Obviously, I realize I may have some limitations with this condition since there will be some good days and some bad days.” The Knoxville News Sentinel and Washington Post first reported Summitt’s condition. The coach did not immediately return messages from The Associated Press seeking comment. Tennessee athletics director Joan Cronan told the AP that Summitt first thought her symptoms were side effects from medicine she was taking to treat rheumatoid arthritis. She said Summitt appears to be feeling better after beginning to get treatment for the dementia condition and speaking publicly about it. “She’s ready to fight this and move on,” Cronan said. “She had to come to grips with how she wanted to face it.” Summitt, 59, told the Knoxville paper she plans to rely on medication and mental exercises to manage the progressive condition that destroys cognitive abilities over time. I know many of us have faced family members who have suffered from this disease and many others that are just as horrific. My heart goes out to you all as well. My mother suffered with Type 1 Diabetes since I was three years old and after it took her sight in 1991, when she was declared legally blind which is what terrified her the most, it led the way to her ultimate demise in 2004. She was tough though and lived much longer than I or her doctors ever thought possible to which I am very grateful. It looks like Summitt is a fighter too.
Continue reading …CNN’s Cafferty: Perry, Bachmann, Palin Supporters Seem ‘Allergic to Brains’
August 24, 2011 No Comment
CNN's Jack Cafferty slammed the “intellectual lightweights” leading the Republican presidential field on Wednesday, wondering why their supporters “seem to be allergic to brains.” The CNN contributor labeled the candidates “Curly, Moe, and Larry” and sarcastically dubbed Palin a “MENSA candidate,” a term reserved for smart people. Recently he also bemoaned a possible Palin run and gave credence to the conspiratorial theory that Bachmann and Perry are serious members of a theocratic fringe sect of Christianity. [Video below the break.] However, he reserved Wednesday for attacking the intelligence level of the three, providing no more evidence than some loopy soundbites. He hit Bachmann for promising $2-a-gallon gasoline and Perry for hinting it would be “treasonous” for Fed chairman Ben Bernanke to print more money. He added that “we already watched Sarah Palin ruin whatever chance John McCain had four years ago, and she's – I mean she's just beyond the pail.” He also lumped them into the same ballpark with fringe Democrat Rep. Dennis Kucinich (Ohio). “I think there's a few more whackjobs out there this time,” he said of the present field, before adding “Although last time around we had Kucinich, and there – I mean, there's always a few fireflies buzzing around.” And just who are Cafferty's intellectual heavyweights in the GOP? Ron Paul, Jon Huntsman, and Newt Gingrich. “I venture to say none of the three has a prayer against Curly, Moe and Larry,” Cafferty quipped, “[a]nd that's a sad commentary on the state of our politics, isn't it? A transcript of the segment, which aired on August 24 at 5:18 p.m. EDT, is as follows: JACK CAFFERTY: In an election where the Republican candidate actually stands a chance against a weakened incumbent president, so far it is a couple of intellectual lightweights who are stealing the show. Since Michele Bachmann won the Iowa straw poll and Rick Perry entered the race, these two have been sucking up most of the media's attention, mostly for saying stupid stuff. Like Bachmann's claim that as president she'll bring gasoline down to $2 a gallon. Or Perry's highly inappropriate shot at Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke saying that his actions could be “treasonous.” Meanwhile, some Republicans, including Karl Rove, are suggesting that the former half-term dropout governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, is going to join the race as well. Swell. Palin's people are pushing back against the speculation, saying that anyone who claims to know about her plans is misleading the American people. But Palin has certainly been acting like a candidate, now hasn't she? Showing up in Iowa during the straw poll voting, and (Unintelligible) Iowa-themed political video released ahead of her Labor Day speech which is also scheduled to take place in Iowa. If Palin runs, we'll have yet another MENSA candidate to join Bachmann and Perry. There is no doubt this three-some would consume the lion's share of the media coverage. At the other end of the intellectual spectrum, there's Ron Paul, who placed a very close second in the Iowa straw poll. He continues to talk sense – whether or not enough people are listening. There's Newt Gingrich – love him or hate him, he's a very bright man. There's also Jon Huntsman, who says candidates like Bachmann and Perry are too far to the right and have “zero substance.” Testimony to his intellect right there. He may be right, but I venture to say none of the three has a prayer against Curly, Moe and Larry. And that's a sad commentary on the state of our politics, isn't it? Here’s the question: When it comes to presidential politics, why does America seem to be allergic to brains? (…) JOE JOHNS: You've got the whole studio laughing here, Jack. But do you really think the crazy talk is worse this year than previous election years? CAFFERTY: Uh, yeah. I mean we've already – we already watched Sarah Palin ruin whatever chance John McCain had four years ago, and she's – I mean she's just beyond the pail. Michele Bachmann – I'm going to have $2 gas, this guy Perry saying – you know, I think there's a few more whackjobs out there this time. Although last time around we had Kucinich, and there – I mean, there's always a few fireflies buzzing around. But these guys are getting all the attention. Perry's out in some poll today getting 29 percent of the support in some poll – double-digit lead over Bachmann, he's burying Mitt Romney, and he's way in front. I mean, it's a little scary. It's early, but it's scary.
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For teenagers entering college for the first time this fall, there has never been an official Communist Party in Russia, Amazon is more than just a South American river, and “LBJ” is more likely to mean LeBron James than the man who succeeded Kennedy. These factoids and more are included in Beloit College’s “Mindset List,”
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55-year-old Apple co-founder, who has been on medical leave since January, becomes chairman as Tim Cook takes helm Steve Jobs, the chief executive officer of Apple, has resigned from his position at the technology giant he co-founded in a garage. The 55-year-old Apple co-founder and pancreatic cancer survivor has been on medical leave for an undisclosed condition since 17 January. In a statement, Apple said that Jobs had been elected chairman and that Tim Cook had been elected CEO. In his resignation letter, Jobs said: “I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come. “I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the board sees fit, as chairman of the board, director and Apple employee. “As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple. “I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role. “I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you – Steve.” Jeffrey Fidacaro of the Susquehanna financial group said: “It’s a prudent move to name a successor that is Tim Cook. “I don’t think Wall Street will find that unexpected. It’s nice to get a succession plan in place with Steve Jobs still at the helm of the board and guiding Tim Cook.” Trading of Apple shares on Wall Street was halted after hours following the announcement. In regular trading, Apple had gained 0.7% to close at $376.18. Steve Jobs Computing Apple United States guardian.co.uk
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E-petition with more than 125,000 signatures forces government to clarify position over whether documents will be made public The government has promised to release all cabinet papers relating to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster to the public once they have been shared with families of the deceased, after being forced to clarify its position by an e-petition that has reached more than 125,000 signatures . The clarification of the government’s position, after it opted to appeal against a ruling by the information commissioner that the papers should be released to the BBC under Freedom of Information legislation, was welcomed by the Hillsborough Independent Panel (HIP), set up to examine the full circumstances surrounding the disaster in which 96 Liverpool supporters died at an FA Cup semi final. It is due to report next spring. The cabinet papers are seen as potentially significant in revealing the approach taken by the Thatcher administration to the disaster. A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “The government has confirmed its commitment to full transparency about the Hillsborough disaster through full public disclosure. All papers had previously been shared with the Hillsborough Independent Panel. “The government is happy for all the papers to be released as soon as the panel so decides, in consultation with the families. We expect them to be shared with the Hillsborough families first and then to the wider public.” A spokesman for the panel, chaired by the bishop of Liverpool, James Jones, and set up by the Labour government in response to longstanding calls to uncover the full causes and consequences of the disaster, said: “The HIP welcomes the government’s commitment to publish all relevant documents to the panel. “The response to the petition shows the strength of public feeling about the Hillsborough disaster. The panel is accessing and researching hundreds of thousands of documents and other materials relating to the context, circumstances and aftermath of the disaster. It is the intention of the panel to publish all documents simultaneously.” Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said: “We want full disclosure of all documents, with no redactions, for the families, for survivors, who we must not forget suffered greatly at Hillsborough, and for supporters. We are humbled that so many people are supporting us, and have signed the e-petition. “But although we are cautious given our experience over 22 years, we do trust the panel and maintain that the papers be released to the panel first, so they can be put into context, and then shown to the families, before then being released to the wider public.” Once the e-petition reached more than 100,000 signatures, encouraged by a Twitter campaign by footballers and celebrities, the government was obliged to respond and forward it to the backbench business committee for consideration for parliamentary debate. Hillsborough disaster Liberal-Conservative coalition Freedom of information Liverpool Owen Gibson guardian.co.uk
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