Blog @ MoreWhat.com

The first video may not be so impressive unless you are familiar with the history or background of the Messerschmidt Me 262 jet aircraft. That’s why the second video is presented. Although this story is not new bringing back something which barely missed extinction in the face of historic events is a good thing in this case.

The next video is by description a clip and ends rather abruptly but you’ll get the idea if you need some background information. The introduction of jet engine technology and jet powered flight was being developed around the time of WWII. This bird is certainly part of that chronology and history. An impressive early entry into this technology.

Just a little Sunday distraction the selection of which was influenced by the blog author’s personal bias and serious interest and participation in aviation. (and partly by chance)
Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

crossposted to:
Maggie’s Notebook
Conservative Thoughts

A resolution dated April 22, 2009 sponsored by Rep Nita Lowey (D-NY) and at the time of this writing co-sponsored by no one was presented at The Hill dot com’s Congress Blog by its author. Dismissing those who do not share her view on global warming as ‘deniers’ Lowey injects plenty of insulting rhetoric but appears to expect anyone reading her post (which is crossposted at HuffPo) to take her claim on faith. Lowey claims the evidence for global warming caused by humans is ‘conclusive’. But of course no details or links are provided to make her case.

The First Step is Admitting You Have a Problem (Rep. Nita Lowey)
April 22nd, 2009

In the past month, the House Minority Leader called the idea that carbon dioxide - a greenhouse gas and known carcinogen - is dangerous “almost comical,” and members of his party suggested that the planet is actually cooling and “carbon-starved” and invited a global warming denier as a public witness to a Congressional hearing on the topic.

As anyone with experience with recovery knows, the first step in addressing a crisis is to admit that you have a problem. Unfortunately, these displays and others make it increasingly clear that, despite conclusive scientific evidence on the existence of global warming and the human role, some elected officials refuse to take Step 1.
As Congress begins the process of legislating to protect humans and ecosystems from the effects of global warming, I believe we need a “temperature check.”

It is interesting that Rep Nita Lowey makes the statements above with such conviction. Yet the resolution she authored and introduced in Congress April 22nd in stark contrast has no such confidence. She offers seven ‘whereas’ statements which list her arguments supporting that human activity causes global warming. But twice she is only mildly hinting that such is the case with two statements. ‘Recognizing that the climate system of the Earth is warming and that most of the increase in global average temperatures is very likely due to the observed increase in human greenhouse gas emissions.’ And ‘Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives– (1) recognizes that the climate system of the Earth is warming and that most of the increase in global average temperatures is very likely due to the observed increase in human greenhouse gas emissions; and (2) recognizes legislation is needed to mitigate risks humans and ecosystems face from a warming climate system.’

Seven details in an effort to support her claim that we are causing global warming followed by two statements in her conclusion that this is ‘very likely’ rather than something reflecting she is convinced by her own argument. Maybe she missed arguments to the contrary or in her zeal to support her political party dismissed everyone that disagrees as a ‘denier’. There was an article in the Politico which offered the following last November.

Scientists urge caution on global warming
By: Erika Lovley
November 25, 2008 04:48 AM EST

Climate change skeptics on Capitol Hill are quietly watching a growing accumulation of global cooling science and other findings that could signal that the science behind global warming may still be too shaky to warrant cap-and-trade legislation.

There are scientists on both sides of this issue. Another excerpt from the same article points out one example.

Armed with statistics from the Goddard Institute for Space Studies and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climate Data Center, D’Aleo reported in the 2009 Old Farmer’s Almanac that the U.S. annual mean temperature has fluctuated for decades and has only risen 0.21 degrees since 1930 — which he says is caused by fluctuating solar activity levels and ocean temperatures, not carbon emissions.

The article also stated ‘most’ scientific bodies support the notion of global warming and our involvement in it. Organizations may not reflect the opinion of everyone connected to their organizations. But over 30,000 scientists who signed the Petition Project since 1998 make an even stronger case than global warming or cooling. They have objected to the idea that the debate is over and the science is done. That presents an intelligent and reasonable conclusion. Science has always been about continuing the pursuit and regularly challenging theories and discoveries. Galileo risked his life for that pursuit as did others. Some people take science seriously. Here’s a snapshot of what the project and the signers are ‘about’.

The purpose of the Petition Project is to demonstrate that the claim of “settled science” and an overwhelming “consensus” in favor of the hypothesis of human-caused global warming and consequent climatological damage is wrong. No such consensus or settled science exists. As indicated by the petition text and signatory list, a very large number of American scientists reject this hypothesis.

In contrast to that and published in 1992 the Union of Concerned Scientists which boasts 250,000 members including scientists and ordinary citizens offered their National Call to Action on Global Warming which proposes essentially taking all sorts of steps to eliminate human causes of global warming. For an organization that gives at least some impression of being science related they have a troubling list of organizations supporting their position. That list may have a political agenda or at least be characterized as special interest. Or another way of putting it is lobbyists. Decide for yourself, here’s the list.

Organizations Endorsing the National Call to Action on Global Warming:

1Sky * ACORN * Alliance for Climate Protection * Audubon * Catholic Healthcare West * Center for International Environmental Law * Ceres * Clean Water Action * Climate Law and Policy Project * Climate Protection Campaign * Climate Solutions * Defenders of Wildlife * Democracia USA * Earthjustice * Eco-Equity * Ecology Center * Energize America * Energy Action Coalition * Environment America * Environment and Energy Study Institute * Environment Northeast * Environmental Law and Policy Center * Green for All * Greenpeace * Health Professionals for Clean Air * Hip Hop Caucus * ICLEI USA * Insitute for Agriculture and Trade Policy * Interfaith Power and Light * International Forum on Globalization * Kyoto USA * League of Conservation Voters * League of Women Voters * League of Young Voters * Massachusetts Climate Action Network * National Hispanic Environmental Council * National Teach-In on Global Warming Solutions * National Wildlife Federation * Oceana * Oxfam * Physicians for Social Responsibility * Progressive Future * Public Citizen * Religious Witness for the Earth * Rock the Vote * SEED Coalition * Sierra Club * Southern Alliance for Clean Energy * Teleosis Institute * The Humane Society of the United States * The Student Public Interest Research Groups * The Wilderness Society * Union of Concerned Scientists

This post does not suggest global warming does or does not exist. It does not even suggest whether humans are or are not responsible in whole or in part. But this is what it does suggest. Those who dismiss opposing viewpoints are ignoring scientific method. Just because you may want the argument resolved or that it would be expedient does not gurantee the science will support it or be available now.

As stated earlier in this post, Lowey is not even convinced it is real. That is why pursuing legislation based on the SWAG method is ridiculous. Check your politics and special interest agendas at the door. Causing panic to rush to legislation is a very good sign the proposal is flawed. That is what the science should help you avoid. Listen to the more than 30,000 scientists telling you the answer is not here yet.

Stanford Matthews
Morewhat.com

If you are worried about the government running healthcare and making many of your health related decisions for you as well as putting your health information in a government database for all to hack there may now be more reason to feel that way. Aneesh Chopra is Obama’s pick for something called the Chief Technology Officer and Jeffrey Zients as something called the Chief Performance Officer. That Silicon Valley is applauding the choice should be of concern to the average citizen for they do not have your best interests at heart but ’special’ interest….their’s. Chopra is or was hot on the path of porkulus money to expand broadband access in Virginia. That’s right. Get the taxpayer to pay for private sector infrastructure. No wonder Silicon Valley is applauding.. And the same goes for Jeffrey Zients. Connected to Wall Street and the healthcare industry. Ya, these are the guys you want meddling in technology and healthcare on behalf of the American public.

Chopra made it an official goal to provide every business in the commonwealth with broadband technology. In a rare partnership with telecom companies, the commonwealth has already developed a broadband map detailing its Internet infrastructure—and the gaps where pipes need to be built. To help fulfill Virginia’s broadband goal, Chopra says the commonwealth would be applying for more than $100 million in broadband stimulus funds.

Zients is the founder and managing partner of Portfolio Logic, an investment firm focused primarily on business and health-care service companies.

Here’s another voice of support for Obama’s latest picks that should make you nervous.

Consumer Electronics Association Statement on White House CTO Appointment
ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–President Barack Obama today announced his intention to nominate Aneesh Chopra as Chief Technology Officer. The following statement can be attributed to Gary Shapiro, President and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA):
“CEA commends President Obama for the selection of Aneesh Chopra as the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer. Chopra is an excellent selection as he served proficiently in Virginia as Secretary of Technology and also has a strong background in the private sector advising the health care industry on technology management issues. He will bring to the position real world technology and public policy experience.

“The creation of the CTO position – and the excellent appointment of Aneesh Chopra – demonstrate the high priority the Obama administration places on the technology industry. CEA views this position as critical as it allows one individual responsibility across government agencies on key technology issues. It also ensures our industry a strong voice at the Cabinet level as issues of intellectual property, immigration, trade and taxes are discussed.”

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Many reports have warned the public about the threat of tiered pricing for internet service. It may be falling on deaf ears except those who were exposed to the idea for real by Time Warner.  If you remember the days when AOL was one of the few ISP’s when all was dialup that did not require long distance charges this should get your attention.

AOL is owned by Time Warner.  Many who remember the less than inspiring service from AOL in the dialup days should not be surprised by their parent corp making this move.

Time Warner Cable says it’s trying to charge a small minority of customers for using a large majority of bandwidth on its network, while critics claim the company is restraining broadband Internet usage and trying to boost profits.

“Cable operators know it’s only a matter of time before broadband access reaches the TV set, and that could be a disaster for the industry under its current pricing model,” said Michael Greeson, president of The Diffusion Group, a market research and consulting firm. “Internet usage is skyrocketing, and consumers have grown accustomed to an all-you-can-eat broadband subscription, so the cable companies are looking for a way to put this genie back in the bottle.”

You can argue all day but the simple fact is telecom services whether voice, data or anything else mysteriously have similar pricing and it is all too much.  The single largest problem causing that is the reluctance of consumers to object to excessive pricing.  In this latest story on the topic the public has not been impressed.  That is largely an exception to typical consumer behavior which acquiesces to vendor pricing.

What adds to this insanity is government spending to increase broadband access to rural and other underserved areas.  To subsidize areas of lower population density and in this case lower broadband profit potential with public funding for private enterprise costs is another boon for special interest….top ISPs and telecom companies.

In the past cable companies were reluctant to serve sparsely populated areas for lack of potential subscribers per mile of cable installed.  Voice telecom is moving away from physical plant being wire and pole bound to wireless and cell towers.  The service has become less satisfactory and more expensive.  The same is on the horizon for other telecom services.

Rather than let the buyer beware or let competition set the price the sheep will be led to slaughter (figuratively speaking) as they have lost their way and no not how to influence the market or specially connected interests who control the outcome.

Time Warner’s claim that a few users consume more than their fair share of bandwidth as the excuse for tiered pricing is lame.  If it were true the excessive price charged to the remainder of subscribers would cover costs associated with the few they describe. And cable operators’ form of internet access is markedly different from non-cable ISPs.  Like other items described in the reference above maybe that is Time Warners real problem.

While conservative principles and a free market philosophy are noble ideas even Sean Hannity said on his radio program this week that not all business operators are honest but most are. No argument here but it does fit well in the ending note of this post.

This is one case where there are bandits in the marketplace. Without adequate public complaints all it takes is one vendor to introduce a bad deal and that becomes the standard almost overnight.  Then the option to take your business elsewhere becomes moot. All the prices are then essentially the same and there is no competition.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

related stories:

They’re gone! After outcry, Time Warner uncaps the tubes

Time Warner Scraps Bandwidth Cap Testing

What Price Bandwidth? Time Warner Cable Should Not Back Off

It’s not fair but this blog really enjoys stories about MS getting their’s. There are no MS fans here. No one here likes Microsoft. Bill Gates is not a role model here. It is mostly due to the Darth Vader of IT that this sinister joy is embraced. It is like the empire striking back but not really. It’s just plain fun for all the annoyance Mr Gates has caused throughout the years.

DOJ has more than two years to produce a better antacid moment for IT’s Prince of Darkness.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday that Microsoft has agreed to remain under its watch for up to another 18 months, designed to allow antitrust regulators to continue monitoring the company’s efforts to share interoperability information with its rivals, who develop products that use the software giant’s Windows operating system.

The Justice Department is exercising its right to extend its monitoring ability through May 12, 2011, rather than letting it expire on November 12 of this year.

There’s something to be said for this. So go ahead, say it.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

from AP via Forbes….
BMW, whose brands include Mini, Rolls-Royce ( RYCEY.PK - news - people ) and BMW, said sales in the first three months of the year totaled 277,264 compared with 351,787 a year earlier.

from Car and Driver…..

The automotive world has been waiting for BMW’s response to the Mercedes-Benz R-class since the debut of that crossover/minivan curiosity for 2006. For a while, a pseudo minivan in the same vein as the R-class was expected from Mercedes’ German rival, but the R’s dismal sales may have caused BMW to chart a different course of action.

This blog recently published reports about US automakers and a couple of their concept cars targeting new ideas prompted by bailouts and political insanity (sorry, redundant) to force consumers to adopt the liberal global warming and other eco-frenzies. While one example featured on an article on the main site presented a partnership between GM and US national labs the other example was Chrysler’s GEM or global electric motor car. At least the post on Tesla Motors presented what appears to be a reasonable example of a practical electric car.

Add to this a column by George Will linked to on this blog regarding consumer reluctance to accept ‘choice’ mandates from elected representatives and the fact that two trucks are still this year’s best selling ‘cars’, the BMW story certainly adds to the mix in as yet undetermined ways.

But the video was entertaining.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

This news item may not get the attention it should. Whenever promising advancements are indicated as they were with initial success in demonstrating superconductivity, there always seems to be another problem to solve. In the former case, requiring temperatures nudging up against absolute zero is a significant example.

If controlling electron spin was previosly possible only within a frigid, impractical landscape, NC State researchers may really have something here. That is to say anything you can now do without the need for severely cold temperatures is a definite plus. First a memory device, after that, what’s next?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Electron spin control: A physics triumph

North Carolina State University scientists said they have developed a magnetic semiconductor memory device, using certain thin films that utilize both the charge and spin of electrons at room temperature.

The scientists said their achievement is a triumph in physics research, since previous devices that used magnetic semiconductors and controlled electron spin were only functional at minus 281 degrees Fahrenheit.

Illegal file sharing sites is a topic that seems to never go away. The same could be said of malicious hackers and spam. And let’s not forget about those who want to rule the internet or tax it or overcharge for connection to it and use of it. But in terms of the specific story in this post, a writer being fired for illegally accessing a copy of a not yet released movie. What was he thinking?

Writer loses job over Wolverine
(from the BBC)

A US columnist is out of a job after posting an online review of an illegally downloaded copy of X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Roger Friedman, who wrote the piece on his regular column, had worked at the Fox news website for 10 years.

Fox News said that the company’s representatives and Friedman “mutually agreed to part ways immediately”.

Here’s an interesting twist to the story.

Effects company denies leaking ‘Wolverine’
Friday, April 3 2009
By Lara Martin, Entertainment Reporter

An Australian visual effects company has denied leaking an unfinished workprint of X-Men Origins: Wolverine one month before its release.

What always accompanies stories in the main stream media and elsewhere are conflicting reports or widely differing estimates.

‘X-Men’ leak isn’t the real ‘Wolverine’
Tuesday, April 7th 2009
NY Daily News

Since word broke last week that a rough copy of “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” was leaked onto the Web, an estimated 75,000 people hoping to see a potential blockbuster early and for free have downloaded Hugh Jackman’s comic-book actioner, set for release May 1.

Aside from the comment that this is ‘not the real movie’ notice the ‘estimated 75,000′ part. It would be fair to assume they mean ‘not the real movie’ to indicate the leaked version is a working copy that will be edited before release.

‘Wolverine’ premiere may be in your town, or on your computer
07:45 AM PT, Apr 5 2009
LA Times

Wow, what is going to happen when “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” hits theaters on May 1?

More than 100,000 downloads of a nearly finished version of the film were snatched off of file-sharing websites this week after a copy of such a version of the 20th Century Fox film was leaked. The FBI is investigating and, believe me, the studio was badly rattled by the theft — this film, on paper, looked like it could be one of the biggest releases of 2009 but it has been encountering considerable turbulence for a movie still sitting on the runway.

You gotta love it. The 100,000 download estimate is from an item dated the fifth while the 75,000 estimate is from the seventh.

Wolverine Movie Bootleg: More than 1 Million Downloads
Monday April 6, 2009
AppScout

That leaked version of X-Men Origins: Wolverine has been online for about a week. And despite 20th Century Fox’s best efforts to curb its spread, the movie has been downloaded by more than one million users via BitTorrent.

But even better is the one million estimate offered on the date in between the other two. It may seem like a small thing and in this case it has the diminished value of who cares? Not so much who cares about the varying, correct or incorrect estimates but who cares about the movie? If you have an appreciation for storytelling or the cinematic experience, whatever that is these days, it is understandable you may be interested in this movie if the genre is your ‘thing’. But no matter what your interests or what you watch or how you fulfill the need to satisfy your personal demand for such leisure pursuits it is tough to argue that Hollywood and other sources for movies rarely fail to disappoint. The hype is also rarely justified after viewing the promoted offering.

To counter that conclusion readers are encouraged to submit their candidates for a list of spectacular examples of fine productions from the movie industry.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Tesla unveils world’s first mass-produced, highway-capable EV
Model S sedan has anticipated base price of $49,900, up to 300-mile range and 45-minute QuickCharge capability

March 26, 2009

HAWTHORNE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE) —Tesla Motors is now taking orders for the Model S, an all electric family sedan that carries seven people and travels 300 miles per charge.

The Model S, which carries its charger onboard, can be recharged from any 120V, 240V or 480V outlet, with the latter taking only 45 minutes. By recharging their car while they stop for a meal, drivers can go from LA to New York in approximately the same time as a gasoline car. Moreover, the floor-mounted battery pack is designed to be changed out in less time than it takes to fill a gas tank, allowing for the possibility of battery-pack swap stations.

The floor-mounted powertrain also results in unparalleled cargo room and versatility, as the volume under the front hood becomes a second trunk. Combining that with a four-bar linkage hatchback rear trunk and flat folding rear seats, the Model S can accommodate a 50-inch television, mountain bike *and* surfboard simultaneously. This packaging efficiency gives the Model S more trunk space than any other sedan on the market and more than most SUVs.

“Model S doesn’t compromise on performance, efficiency or utility — it’s truly the only car you need,” said Tesla CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. “Tesla is relentlessly driving down the cost of electric vehicle technology, and this is just the first of many mainstream cars we’re developing.”

Tesla expects to start Model S production in late 2011. The company believes it is close to receiving $350 million in federal loans to build the Model S assembly plant in California from the Dept of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program.

Building on Proven Technology

Tesla is the only production automaker already selling highway-capable EVs in North America or Europe. With 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds, the Roadster outperforms almost all sports cars in its class yet is six times as energy efficient as gas guzzlers and delivers 244 miles per charge. Tesla has delivered nearly 300 Roadsters, and nearly 1,000 more customers are on the wait list.

Teslas do not require routine oil changes, and they have far fewer moving (and breakable) parts than internal combustion engine vehicles. They qualify for federal and state tax credits, rebates, sales tax exemptions, free parking, commuter-lane passes and other perks. Model S costs roughly $5 to drive 230 miles – a bargain even if gasoline were $1 per gallon.

The anticipated base price of the Model S is $49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500. The company has not released options pricing. Three battery pack choices will offer a range of 160, 230 or 300 miles per charge.

“Model S costs half as much as a Roadster, and it’s a better value than much cheaper cars,” Musk said. “The ownership cost of Model S, if you were to lease and then account for the much lower cost of electricity vs. gasoline at a likely future cost of $4 per gallon, is similar to a gasoline car with a sticker price of about $35,000. I’m positive this car will be the preferred choice of savvy consumers.”

The standard Model S does 0-60 mph in under six seconds and will have an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph, with sport versions expected to achieve 0-60 mph acceleration well below five seconds. A single-speed gearbox delivers effortless acceleration and responsive handling. A 17-inch touchscreen with in-car 3G connectivity allows passengers to listen to Pandora Radio or consult Google Maps, or check their state of charge remotely from their iPhone or laptop.

Tesla is taking reservations online and at showrooms in California. Tesla will open a store in Chicago this spring and plans to open stores in London, New York, Miami, Seattle, Washington DC and Munich later this year.

About Tesla Motors

San Carlos, Calif.-based Tesla Motors Inc. designs and manufactures electric vehicles with exceptional design, performance and efficiency, while conforming to all North American and European safety, environmental and durability standards. The Roadster, which has a 0-to-60 mph acceleration of 3.9 seconds and a base price of $101,500 after a federal tax credit, is the only highway-capable production EV for sale in North America and Europe. Tesla expects to begin producing the Model S sedan in late 2011. Details and photos are available at www.teslamotors.com.

CONTACT:

Rachel Konrad
Tesla Motors, Inc.
+1 (650) 701-2664
rachel@teslamotors.com

How’s this for adding insult to injury: Microsoft has asked some of its 1,400 recently laid-off workers to pay back some of their severance pay because the company accidentally overpaid them

Talk about adding insult to injury. Apparently Microsoft has inadvertently overpaid severance to some of its recently laid off employees, and is now asking for some of the money back.

Update: CNET reports that Microsoft has decided to allow any workers who were overcompensated to keep the money. The story also notes that around 25 workers were overpaid, and around 20 underpaid.

45 errors out of an earlier reported 1400 employees laid off. Do the math, that’s between 3 and 4 percent. Okay, this sort of story can fire up the public easy enough. God knows this blog loves bashing MS. The fact that MS makes a mistake and the press picks up on it is understood as it sells. Microsoft, the company everyone loves to hate. Then why do so many still use their products? It is the main reason this blog bashes MS.

That MS let this go far enough to become a story is typical Microsoft. Just like the near infinite list of problems with anything MS since their beginning the problem reaches epic proportions due to lax damage control or not thinking things through before acting. But the MS customer base shares in the problem by not holding their vendor accountable. If they keep screwin’ up and you keep buying there is no incentive to do things right the first time, every time.

For this particular Microsoft oops at least one question remains unanswered. Did MS implement the severance arrangements using their own software, doing it manually or by some other means? Maybe using their own software is why no further comment can be found from the company on this part of the topic.

Microsoft, making major problems out of minor ones. One of the few constants in their history.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

The opinion piece below from Bloomberg exposes some reasonable concerns over the Big Brother initiative related to healthcare in the US. However, it does not raise the very real issue of everyone’s medical information being stored electronically and vulnerable to theft and misuse as has been the case with many sensitive databases to the current day.

The claims of socialism and worse appearing on the American horizon are supported by measures such as this. What happened to privacy? What happened to health issues being confidential and between a doctor and patient? No one should be naive enough to believe this is the first time the issue has been raised or that it is the only threat or case of medical information being compromised based on its personal nature. No one should have access to your medical information without your consent.

So what are you going to do about it? Relinquish all to your Messiah or stand on principle?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Ruin Your Health With the Obama Stimulus Plan: Betsy McCaughey

Commentary by Betsy McCaughey

Feb. 9 (Bloomberg) — Republican Senators are questioning whether President Barack Obama’s stimulus bill contains the right mix of tax breaks and cash infusions to jump-start the economy.

Tragically, no one from either party is objecting to the health provisions slipped in without discussion. These provisions reflect the handiwork of Tom Daschle, until recently the nominee to head the Health and Human Services Department.

Senators should read these provisions and vote against them because they are dangerous to your health. (Page numbers refer to H.R. 1 EH, pdf version).

The bill’s health rules will affect “every individual in the United States” (445, 454, 479). Your medical treatments will be tracked electronically by a federal system.

(Betsy McCaughey is former lieutenant governor of New York and is an adjunct senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. The opinions expressed are her own.)

Oh joy, it’s Superbowl weekend. Could you hear cynicism in my typing? There are but a few reasons that can pass for legitimate cause to be excited about it. You are coach, player or in some way directly involved or a fan of one of the teams. Not just a fan for this game but a real fan. There are many excited for other reasons such as non-athletic remuneration or similar financial gains that do not count. Why? Because the event is or at least was promoted on the grounds that it was a venue to demonstrate who is the best team in pro-football. Blah, blah, blah he says. Maybe once upon a time but not now. Which leads to the next part of this post.

Television like so many other technologies promised a plethora of positive advantages for one and all at its infancy. While wandering around some quotes were found that should date to the early days of TV to demonstrate the disappointment here is not new or the result of any new disease or impediment on the part of the author.

“Television: A medium. So called because it is neither rare nor well done.” — Ernie Kovacs

“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” — Groucho Marx

“I wish there was a knob on the TV to turn up the intelligence. There’s one called brightness, but it doesn’t work.” — Eugene P. Gallagher?

Thanks to the person responsible for the link found to provide these adorable tidbits. So how many of you know who those people are? Look it up.

Getting back to the point some other links expressed views similar to the ones which reside here. That was reassuring but solves nothing. If you check the offerings available on whatever arrangement you have for television viewing how much is really of interest to you? That old song that laments the idea of 57 channels and nothing on not only dates the song but makes the point. Over the years the number of venues for programming has only made the problem worse. More and more places to host less and less valuable programming and content. So what do we do now to make it all better? Go digital. Why? Because we can? What’s the point?

Do nothing noticeable or widespread to improve overall programming but let’s make the picture look better, maybe. Ya, that’ll solve the problem. That will make programming better. NOT. They have taken a page from other telecom industries most notably wireless communication and information technology. In each case a similar phenomenon occurred. With wireless voice services otherwise known as cell phones do not be concerned about whether or not competition resulted in a better value or bang for the buck for the customer. Oh no, add on bells and whistles like internet browsing, mp3 playing and on board cameras to justify the ridiculous price for service. Yes, for service that has ignored the primary purpose of personal communication devices. That is to speak to another human being. And text messaging is one of the biggest jokes. You can speak faster than you can text. It is more personal and presents a human to human connection. Offering it was for benefit of the vendor not the customer. You now can communicate without personal connection, take longer to do it and word for word pay more for it. Thank God you saving the vendor a boatload of money on the cost of doing business for their overpriced and substandard service.

With IT it is the same thing. Essentially the PC, Mac, whatever has not changed in its entire brief history. Sure, you get more bytes, faster connections, more space, more gadgets, etc. They have been portable for some time and also wireless. But do they really have more power? The power to deliver the promise often touted by people like the Darth Vader of IT, none other than Bill Gates. No, just more bells and whistles and improvement to what has been around for decades. There has been no technological leap to the next generation of architecture or performance in terms of what can be accomplished. And don’t answer that there are supercomputers, etc. That is simply the same technology on a much larger scale. That is, more scale, nothing new.

So back to the Superbowl. Like most sports it was once a game. Now it is mostly a matter of how much money can we make with it and an endless list of excuses for gangsta athletes, sidestepping education for a big contract, taxpayers buying sports venues for teams and no longer any relationship to the positive attributes of sports that once built character and other qualities with real benefit to society.

You can expand this discussion to many other details in ‘modern’ life. In politics it is all about the money. Who gets the pork? Who gets the appointment? Who gets what from whom and for how much? You vote for mine and I’ll vote for yours. In science and related business it is much the same. This is what I have to do to get the grant to support my career. Who will pay me and how much of a whore do I have to be to get there? In education the story differs little. And on and on it goes.

So you tell me how we’re going to fix it? Or at least where do we start?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

So much changes and so much stays the same. While visions of Chinagate danced in her head. Hillary Rodham Clinton figured the scandal was dead. Opponents claim with evidence to support. Obama is a third Clinton term with more espionage to thwart. Right outta the Gates warning of preparedness with who flung poo, Clinton seeks more with China as if selling secrets is not taboo.

A Clinton Administration via President Obama is not a suggestion off the mark based on staffing since The One assumed office. A little background refresher of only one chapter from the Clinton book of scandals raises serious questions about a new Secretary of State focusing on China after Chinagate.

Try to make the argument that this is not something about which we should be concerned. For those of you who voted for Clinton and/or Obama in the 2008 campaign and/or election, did you consider this before entering the voting booth, mailing your ballot, doing the driveby or letting ACORN vote for you?

There are reports available suggesting President Clinton supported transferring sensitive technology as a method to insure no single nation had military dominance over the others. Liberals are a nightmare even terrorists could appreciate…… and do.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Exhibit 1
From approximately 1994 to 1998, Bernard Schwartz, who was the chairman of Loral Space & Communication Ltd., became the single largest donor to the Democratic Party by making contributions totaling approximately $1.5 million to various Democratic Party entities, including President Clinton’s 1996 reelection campaign.

Exhibit 1a
Congressional and other related investigations subsequently found that, when a Chinese rocket attempting to launch a Loral-manufactured satellite failed, Loral helped China to identify the cause of the failure, thereby advancing China’s missile program and threatening U.S. national security. Loral subsequently paid a $14 million fine relating to this transfer of sensitive U.S. technology.

Exhibit 1b
“The Amended Complaint alleges that Hillary Rodham Clinton devised, agreed to participate in and implemented this unlawful scheme, and that President Clinton and Vice-President Al Gore authorized, agreed to participate in, and also implemented the scheme.”

For the lazy among you…..

The Idiot’s Guide to Chinagate (from Newsmax)

Exhibit 2
This is the same Justice Department that has botched up the investigation of the theft of information on the W-88 warhead, that has refused to appoint an independent counsel to investigate campaign fundraising illegalities, and that continues to cover up vital information in defiantly refusing to release the LaBella and Freeh memos suggesting that crimes may have been committed in the Chinagate scandal.

Exhibit 2a
Is this the first time the Clinton administration has been involved in lawbreaking and corruption? Hardly. It has almost become a way of life: Travelgate, Filegate, Buddhist Temple fundraisers, illegal foreign campaign contributions, the compromise of high-technology nuclear secrets to China, not to mention perjury and obstruction of justice–the list goes on and on.

Exhibit 2b
On the one hand, there is the mind-boggling story of how the Clinton administration deliberately changed almost 50 years of bipartisan security policies–relaxing export restrictions, signing waivers to allow technology transfers, ignoring China’s violation of arms control agreements, and its theft of our nuclear secrets, opening up even more nuclear and high technology floodgates to China and others–thus harming U.S. national security.

On the other hand, there is the continuing coverup–the effort to hide from Congress and the American people the true damage that has been done to national security and the Clinton administration’s central role in allowing so much of it to happen on their watch.

A face only an anarchist could love.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for a “comprehensive dialogue” with China, extending beyond economic issues.

Secretary Clinton Tuesday said U.S. economic problems mean that people are losing jobs not only in America but also in China. So Clinton said that while the economy will always be a centerpiece of the U.S. relationship with China, the new U.S. administration wants it to be part of a broader agenda.

She said the Bush administration turned the strategic dialogue with China into an economic one.

Clinton did not mention what other issues she would bring up with the government in Beijing.

Human rights activists have called for renewed U.S. pressure on China to improve its human rights record and freedom of expression.

The French news agency said groups such as Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders, and veteran Chinese dissident Harry Wu expressed hope at a U.S. congressional hearing Tuesday that President Barack Obama will give China’s human rights problem a high priority.

The Associated Press quoted Defense Secretary Robert Gates as telling a Senate hearing Tuesday that the United States is ready to handle any foreseeable military threat from China.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
Trackposted to Rosemary’s Thoughts, Allie is Wired, third world county, Political Byline, The World According to Carl, DragonLady’s World, Wingless - Cuba: Beautiful Country, People…Not so Beautiful System…, Rosemary’s News and Ideas, Conservative Cat, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Less than one month before the announced and ‘planned’ switch from analog to digitial for television signal transmission in the US the Congress is deciding in their divine wisdom that the February 17, 2009 deadline must be delayed. As Senate Democrats have worked hard to pass the legislation requested by President Obama to postpone the DTV transition until June, Republicans have been working on legislation of their own. Good luck finding evidence of a roll call vote on the topic at either house.gov or senate.gov. (at least at the time this post was being prepared) The delay would push the Feb 17 deadline to June 12. Some in Congress are worried that running out of coupons, millions on a waiting list and more money for the gov’t subsidy being tied up until the initial ones are used indicate many are not ready for prime time with digital converters.

Companies like AT&T and Verizon who paid $16 billion to license the soon to be vacated public airwaves used for analog broadcasts will have to have licenses extended and public broadcasting states the delay could cost them $22 million. The coupon program probably cost about $2 billion already and Congress is looking to spend another $250 million with this delay. Some reports suggest the switch was intended to open up the airwaves to accommodate public safety uses. So why did private companies spend billions to license the vacated space?

As commentary on this blog stated before this whole project is a mess and was handled poorly from the beginning. With the recent developments it appears those comments were not entirely off base. And these are the same people trying to convince you they have the answer for saving the economy with bailouts and stimulus packages. So how confident are you now of the chances that will be successful?

Here’s what else was found on this topic:

S.328
Title: A bill to postpone the DTV transition date.
Sponsor: Sen Rockefeller, John D., IV [WV] (introduced 1/26/2009) Cosponsors (3)
Latest Major Action: 1/26/2009 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.MAJOR ACTIONS:

1/26/2009 Introduced in Senate
1/26/2009 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

3 . National Digital Television Consumer Education Act (Introduced in House)[H.R.299.IH]
4 . DTV Converter Box Rebate Act of 2009 (Introduced in House)[H.R.508.IH]
5 . Digital TV Transition Fairness Act (Introduced in Senate)[S.25.IS]
6 . Digital Television Coupon Improvement Act (Introduced in House)[H.R.339.IH]
7 . DTV Delay Act (Engrossed as Agreed to or Passed by Senate)[S.328.ES]
8 . To provide additional coupons for the digital-to-analog converter box program and to expedite delivery of coupons under such program. (Introduced in House)[H.R.661.IH]
9 . TV Converter Box Coupon Program Relief Act (Introduced in Senate)[S.300.IS]

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

January 23, 2009

ROCKEFELLER ANNOUNCES COMPROMISE ON DTV DELAY BILL

~Compromise Incorporates Adjustments to Aid Broadcasters and Public Safety Officials~

Washington, DC – This evening, Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, announced a bipartisan compromise to the DTV Delay Act introduced last week.

The amended DTV Delay Act will retain the extension of the digital transition date to June 12, 2009. Additionally, the agreement extends the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) auction authority to pay for the costs of the delay, reaffirms a broadcasters’ right to make the transition before June 12, permits the FCC to award vacant spectrum space to public safety officials, and fixes the converter box coupon program.

Senate consideration of the DTV Delay bill is expected next week. Senator Rockefeller inserted the following statement into the Congressional Record in support of the DTV Delay Act:

On February 17, 2009—less than one month from today—our Nation is scheduled to make the transition to digital television, or DTV. On this day, full-power television stations across the country will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to digital signals.

The way I see it, right now we have a choice. We can do the DTV transition right or we can do it wrong. Doing it right would mean that as many as 21 million households across this country do not lose access to news, information and emergency alerts. Doing it right would mean that every consumer who relies on over the-air television is aware of the steps they need to take to ensure continued reception and receive the assistance they need to prepare for the transition in their home. And doing it right means that no one across this land wakes up on February 18 to find that their television set has gone dark.

But the shameful truth is that we are not poised to do this transition right. We are only weeks away from doing it dreadfully wrong—and leaving consumers with the consequences. It is no secret that the outgoing Administration grossly mismanaged the digital television transition. The coupon program that was designed to help consumers defray the cost of converter boxes to ensure the continued functioning of their analog television sets has a waiting list of over two million. This number will multiply to millions more in the weeks ahead. Making a difficult situation even worse, we also face the frightful specter of converter box shortages.

On top of this, consumers are aware of the transition, but confused about its consequences. One study suggests that while recognition of the transition is widespread, an alarming 63 percent have major misconceptions about just what steps they need to take to prepare. Calling centers at the Department of Commerce and Federal Communications Commission are ill-equipped to deal with the avalanche of calls that are expected on February 17 and in the days and weeks after. Consumers will be on their own, forced to navigate through the messy rubble of a botched transition.

I believe we can and should do better. Doing better means more than cobbling together the failed efforts of the last Administration. Doing better requires more attention and more resources. But above all, it will require more time—to get the DTV transition right.

This is why last week I introduced the DTV Delay Act. I asked the Senate to delay the date of the transition from February 17 to June 12, 2009. This will give us the time we need to develop an approach that puts consumers first and provides them with the assistance they need.

In the interim, I have been working with the distinguished Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Senator Hutchison, to modify and improve the language of my earlier bill in an effort to broaden support and speed its passage.

I rise again today to introduce, now with my good friend Senator Hutchison, an amended version of the DTV Delay Act. This version incorporates adjustments to help manage the transition in affected communities, including a provision that makes clear that despite this date change the transition needs of broadcasters and public safety officials will be respected.

Let me be clear. This legislation is not perfect. But it represents a turning point—a start. The record will reflect that I have spent years advocating a different course. I voted against the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which set this hard date for the transition deep in the winter. I voted against this bill in both the Commerce Committee and during its consideration by the full Senate because it fell short of a real plan for minimizing consumer disruption. I voted against this bill because it failed to spend any resources building a national interoperable public safety communications network in the spectrum vacated by analog broadcasting. Voting “no” was by no means a popular thing to do. In fact, I was one of only three “no” votes in the Commerce Committee.

Last year, I introduced and the Congress passed the SAFER Act. This legislation provided the Federal Communications Commission with authority to extend analog television broadcasting so that essential public safety announcements and DTV transition could be viewed in the days following the February 17 transition. I now believe that this is not enough. It is a meaningful bandage, but the situation we face requires more intensive care.

Mr. President, the DTV Delay Act will not fix all of the problems associated with the transition. More work needs to be done to ensure that consumers are aware of the transition and get the help they need. But it gives us all the time to do the transition right. Time to develop a new plan, time to implement a new set of ideas to manage the transition, and time to make sure that in the switch to digital signals no American is left behind. Senator Hutchison and I are committed to making sure every American is able to manage the DTV transition without undue hardship. We are working on initiatives to be included in the economic recovery package. If we are able to make substantial progress on the administration of the transition this should be the last delay we have to seek. Barring unforeseen emergencies, we should not have another delay. I know the Obama Administration shares our commitment to getting this right so that we can avoid any further delays.

So we have a choice, we can proceed with the DTV Delay Act or weeks from today we can survey the wreckage of a failed effort to transition to digital broadcasting, complete with angry consumers, converter box troubles, and calling centers overwhelmed with consumer complaints. Worse, should a tragedy strike, we face the prospect of millions of consumers without access to television, without a lifeline for news and information that may be necessary to protect them from harm.

Again, we have a choice. And I know what I choose. I choose that we delay this transition because I believe we owe the American people a successful migration to digital television. Today will be the second time that the Majority Leader has sought consent on the DTV Delay Act. We simply can’t keep coming back again and again to delay as time is running out. We must act now because we will not have the ability to address consumer needs if we wait much longer.

I ask my colleagues to do the same. I warn those who would stand in the way, who dismiss my sense of urgency, that should they force us to keep to our current course, it is the American public who will bear the brunt of their opposition. We owe our citizens so much more than this. So I ask my colleagues to join me and support the DTV Delay Act.

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