25 February 2006

Bill Moyers | Restoring the Public Trust

Here is an article I found on Truthout.org. It is a very interesting read with many insights about the state of American Politik currently.

I will leave to Jon Stewart the rich threads of humor to pluck from the hunting incident in Texas. All of us are relieved that the Vice President's friend has survived. I can accept Dick Cheney's word that the accident was one of the worst moments of his life. What intrigues me as a journalist now is the rare glimpse we have serendipitously been offered into the tightly knit world of the elites who govern today.
~ Bill Moyers


Bill Moyers | Restoring the Public Trust (Full Text)
PBS | NOW

20 February 2006

Looking for a worthy cause

Ok, so I've got this idea. I want to build a car for the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) trade show to raise money for a good cause. Something that will give back to the community and earth that we as gearheads sometimes take for granted. I know what car I want to use and who I want to design it. A new Ford Fusion would make a great base and I happen to have a friend who works in their design studio. Also I think it would be great to focus on the strengths of the vehicle, its driving dynamics. It will never be a Lotus but for a family sedan it is the best America has put forward in a while. According to Motor Trend it has the best tactile feel of any of the big family sedan contenders, i.e. Camry. So here is the conundrum, how to build a car worthy of SEMA and one that promotes not only the brands used but raises money and awareness of some worthy charity. So now I am in the process of trying to come up with an organization that this might benefit. I am looking for ideas. Please if you happen to stumble across this post, drop a note and add your thoughts. At the end of this whole process I would like to auction the car and use the money for charity, or donate it to someone who really needs it. As of right now this is just a brainstorm.

So far:
Children's Cancer Research
Handicap High School Students
Environmental Charity
Police + Fireman
AIDS research

As you all see I could use some help.

06 February 2006

NASA Science Under Attack

Slashdot: News for nerds, stuff that matters: "'The New York Times is reporting that NASA science is being harassed and even sometimes suppressed by presidential political appointees. The article details how NASA scientists dealing with such topics as global warming and the Big Bang are under attack for ideological and religious reasons.' The submitter also has a running commentary summarizing a bit of the background of the story on his blog."

Slashdot | HOWTO, Cook an Egg With Your Cell Phone

Slashdot | HOWTO, Cook an Egg With Your Cell Phone: "'Suzzanna Decantworthy published an article in her Wymsey Weekend column that described how to cook an egg with two cell phones. From the article: 'Many students, and other young people, have little in the way of cooking skills but can usually get their hands on a couple of mobile phones. So, this week, we show you how to use two mobile phones to cook an egg which will make a change from phoning out for a pizza.''"

02 February 2006

NPR reviews under-the-radar fuel source that may be ideal for US

Switch grass can produce 1000 gallons of fuel per acre. At even $1.50/gallon, that's a gross of $1500/acre. No other crop we grow has that potential.


If you have a spare second at work take a listen to these reports and those related to them on NPR. The Fact Checking of the State of the Union is a good listen as are the others. I still wonder why nothing was said about BioDiesel. It is an option that is available today and works in current cars and trucks with little or no modification. Plus you can use recycled cooking oil! Your car now runs on McDonalds. I think it is an idea that is much more current and accessible than any ethanol option. It is also a completely renewable resource. Talk about dependences on foreign oil, we could literally grow our way out of this problem, and possibly even export.


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30 Boxes, Best... Calender... EVER

Well earlier last week Om Malik said that 30 Boxes would be to calendaring what gmail was to email and I can't agree more. It's this and so much more. I had a chance to demo the software and have written a review. The public beta launches on Sunday and you will definitely want to check this one out.

Ok everyone, if this turns out as good as the billing is, we should all sign up for it. Great way to plan parties and such.

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