31 Ocak 2007 Çarşamba
Resize photos within Mail.App
This is a cool tip for those of us who use Apple's Mail.App program for our e-mail. I already knew that you could resize photos in iPhoto, but if you have added any photo to Mail.App for e-mailing, you can also resize the photos directly within the e-mail so that your recipient is not overwhelmed with a multi-megabyte attachment.
802.11n for Core2Duo Macs is out
So, you can either fork over $1.99 to purchase it, or wait until Nomad gets his Airport Extreme N which will have a free copy you are welcome to use. I would imagine any new Macs purchased after this date will have the Enabler automatically installed at the factory.
30 Ocak 2007 Salı
Speak And Spell Online!
Here is one emulator I never thought I'd see for a modern computer. But it surely brings back memories!
29 Ocak 2007 Pazartesi
Wondering what a Star Wars game would look like on Wii?
I have got to admit. This would be enough to induce me to get a Wii for more than MSRP.
Verizon passed on the Apple iPhone
It is hard to believe, but apparently Verizon had a chance to be the exclusive vendor of the iPhone and passed it up. I can understand why a company might not want to give in to the many, many demands of Apple after the horrible disaster of Motorola's iTunes Phone. But it is really too bad this was not made to work. If Apple had gone with Verizon, I might be now trying to find a way to switch. As it is, I need a LOT more convincing that it is worth going Cingular after the horrible coverage and customer service I saw before. Verizon, on the other hand, gave me nothing to complain about... other than their extemely high prices.
For those wondering, I am on T-Mobile now because (1) they have the Sidekick and (2) I am saving $40 a month on internet costs on my phone.
For those wondering, I am on T-Mobile now because (1) they have the Sidekick and (2) I am saving $40 a month on internet costs on my phone.
28 Ocak 2007 Pazar
Preacher claims to be Anti-Christ
I preacher in Florida is has claimed to be Jesus and now claims to be the AnitChrist. He started his ministry years ago as a regular Pastor and over the years claimed to be the reincarnation of Paul, to have een integrated with Jesus and now claims to be the AnitChrist. His followers start businesses that pour millions of dollars into his church's bank accounts. This is scary. Let us always be on guard for those whos only ambition in life is power and influence.
TomTom admits shipping GO 901 Devices with Virii
It is a little recognized fact of life in the age of "consumer electronics" that hard-drive-sporting devices like iPods and GPS units can be infected with computer viruses which can easily infect your PC and cause significant problems. TomTom (a European GPS maker) is now admitting that they have accidentally shipped infected units. This demonstrates the need for Antivirus software even if you are NOT a big internet user, or even if you don't have broadband.
Yes, You *ARE* Being Cheated on Ebay
I always thought this would be easy, but I never thought we'd see a crook admitting it. I have not bought nearly anything from eBay in the last year, because of suspicion of these kinds of scams. (Also the scam of charging nothing for an item and then charging more than the retail price of the item for "shipping.")
When the reporter asked whether he arranged for associates to bid on his own items, he replied: “Well, if I put something really expensive (up for sale) and I was concerned that it was going for nothing, I would phone a friend of mine, even a client of mine who buys from me, and say: For Christ’s sake, I sell you 100 quids’ worth of items a week . . . just put two grand on it, will you?” The reporter was posing as a seller of valuable antiquities. He inquired whether Paraskevaides could sell them on eBay and guarantee a minimum price.
He replied: “Leave it to me (laughs). Don’t call it shill bidding. Then I won’t be accused of shill bidding. Yes. I mean — I’ve got people....
He claimed eBay would never follow up a complaint against him for shill bidding because he generated about £15,000 a month in commission for the company. “Are they going to ban somebody who’s making them the best part of 15 grand a month? No,” he said.
Birthday Calculator
This is a cute little online application. It can tell you all kinds of things about the day of your birth!
27 Ocak 2007 Cumartesi
26 Ocak 2007 Cuma
The Spider-Man Trailer that never showed after 9/11
It is nice to see it in the light of day. Though I agree with the decision to pull it. The shot of the twin towers may well tug on a few heart-strings if you are not ready.
The SpiderMan Trailer - video powered by Metacafe
The SpiderMan Trailer - video powered by Metacafe
Missed the "State of the Union" address?
I did. Apple has it up at iTunes as a free podcast. You can also subscribe to automatically download future SOTU addresses. Handy!
Ever wonder what happened to Jar-Jar Binks...
...after Episode 3? CNET has the answer we all wanted to see.
Welcome to Winter
0.9 degrees F outside
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.
I don't know about all of our Mod-Blog readers out there, but this winter has seen more 50 degree days than freezing days, thus far. Well, apparenly winter has finally arrived in New England as we woke up to this thermometer reading.
The 74.7 F is what it allegedly was inside at that moment. I keep that thermometer close to the ceiling (on top of a bookcase) so it was seeing a LOT more heat than I was.
Questions to Consider on the Iraq War
I still do not think the War in Iraq was a mistake. There, it is said. And I know that many readers of this blog will disagree with me vehemently. And with valid points, though I think their arguments do not change the fundamental wisdom of removing Sadaam Hussein - the butcher of Baghdad, the depth of whose atrocities we are only now coming to understand - from power. That being said, I try to always keep an open mind. A new article from Pat Buchanan raises some interesting points, and draws some historical parallels that anyone who supports the war needs to consider.
"Free people are not drawn to violent and malignant ideologies," declared Bush. Oh? Explain, then, why 70 million Germans, under the most democratic government in their history, gave more than half their votes to Nazis and Communists in 1933? In every plebiscite he held, Hitler won a landslide. In the year of Anschluss and Munich, 1938, Hitler was Time's Man of the Year and far more popular than FDR, who lost 71 seats in the House.This of course does raise an interesting question for us. Is Democracy self-perpetuating, or fundamentally self-destructing?
During 2006, free Latin peoples brought to power anti-American Leftists Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, Evo Morales in Bolivia, Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua and Rafael Correa in Ecuador, and came close to electing their comrades Ollanta Humala in Peru and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Mexico.
In the free elections Bush demanded in Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq, the winners were the Muslim Brotherhood, Hezbollah, Hamas and Shia militants with ties to Iran.
If a referendum were held in the Middle East on the proposition of the U.S. military out and Israel gone, how does Bush think it would come out?
25 Ocak 2007 Perşembe
23 Ocak 2007 Salı
Bye, bye Habeus Corpus?
This is scary. The story claims that the Attorney General has said that the Constitution does not promise a right of Habeus Corpus, because it is only expressed in the negative.
I'd love to have a lawyer or law student explain this to me. (Nard?)
I'd love to have a lawyer or law student explain this to me. (Nard?)
Full Text of the State of the Union
From Drudge Report.
Madam Speaker, Vice President Cheney, Members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:
This rite of custom brings us together at a defining hour – when decisions are hard and courage is tested. We enter the year 2007 with large endeavors underway, and others that are ours to begin. In all of this, much is asked of us. We must have the will to face difficult challenges and determined enemies – and the wisdom to face them together.
Some in this Chamber are new to the House and Senate – and I congratulate the Democratic majority. Congress has changed, but our responsibilities have not. Each of us is guided by our own convictions – and to these we must stay faithful. Yet we are all held to the same standards, and called to serve the same good purposes: To extend this Nation’s prosperity ... to spend the people’s money wisely ... to solve problems, not leave them to future generations ... to guard America against all evil, and to keep faith with those we have sent forth to defend us.
We are not the first to come here with government divided and uncertainty in the air. Like many before us, we can work through our differences, and achieve big things for the American people. Our citizens don’t much care which side of the aisle we sit on – as long as we are willing to cross that aisle when there is work to be done. Our job is to make life better for our fellow Americans, and help them to build a future of hope and opportunity – and this is the business before us tonight.
A future of hope and opportunity begins with a growing economy – and that is what we have. We are now in the 41st month of uninterrupted job growth – in a recovery that has created 7.2 million new jobs ... so far. Unemployment is low, inflation is low, and wages are rising. This economy is on the move – and our job is to keep it that way, not with more government but with more enterprise.
Next week, I will deliver a full report on the state of our economy. Tonight, I want to discuss three economic reforms that deserve to be priorities for this Congress.
First, we must balance the federal budget. We can do so without raising taxes. What we need to do is impose spending discipline in Washington, D.C. We set a goal of cutting the deficit in half by 2009 – and met that goal three years ahead of schedule. Now let us take the next step. In the coming weeks, I will submit a budget that eliminates the federal deficit within the next five years. I ask you to make the same commitment. Together, we can restrain the spending appetite of the federal government, and balance the federal budget.
Next, there is the matter of earmarks. These special interest items are often slipped into bills at the last hour – when not even C-SPAN is watching. In 2005 alone, the number of earmarks grew to over 13,000 and totaled nearly $18 billion. Even worse, over 90 percent of earmarks never make it to the floor of the House and Senate – they are dropped into Committee reports that are not even part of the bill that arrives on my desk. You did not vote them into law. I did not sign them into law. Yet they are treated as if they have the force of law. The time has come to end this practice. So let us work together to reform the budget process ... expose every earmark to the light of day and to a vote in Congress … and cut the number and cost of earmarks at least in half by the end of this session.
Finally, to keep this economy strong we must take on the challenge of entitlements. Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid are commitments of conscience – and so it is our duty to keep them permanently sound. Yet we are failing in that duty – and this failure will one day leave our children with three bad options: huge tax increases, huge deficits, or huge and immediate cuts in benefits. Everyone in this Chamber knows this to be true – yet somehow we have not found it in ourselves to act. So let us work together and do it now. With enough good sense and good will, you and I can fix Medicare and Medicaid – and save Social Security.
Spreading opportunity and hope in America also requires public schools that give children the knowledge and character they need in life. Five years ago, we rose above partisan differences to pass the No Child Left Behind Act – preserving local control, raising standards in public schools, and holding those schools accountable for results. And because we acted, students are performing better in reading and math, and minority students are closing the achievement gap.
Now the task is to build on this success, without watering down standards ... without taking control from local communities ... and without backsliding and calling it reform. We can lift student achievement even higher by giving local leaders flexibility to turn around failing schools ... and by giving families with children stuck in failing schools the right to choose something better. We must increase funds for students who struggle – and make sure these children get the special help they need. And we can make sure our children are prepared for the jobs of the future, and our country is more competitive, by strengthening math and science skills. The No Child Left Behind Act has worked for America’s children – and I ask Congress to reauthorize this good law.
A future of hope and opportunity requires that all our citizens have affordable and available healthcare. When it comes to healthcare, government has an obligation to care for the elderly, the disabled, and poor children. We will meet those responsibilities. For all other Americans, private health insurance is the best way to meet their needs. But many Americans cannot afford a health insurance policy.
Tonight, I propose two new initiatives to help more Americans afford their own insurance. First, I propose a standard tax deduction for health insurance that will be like the standard tax deduction for dependents. Families with health insurance will pay no income or payroll taxes on $15,000 of their income. Single Americans with health insurance will pay no income or payroll taxes on $7,500 of their income. With this reform, more than 100 million men, women, and children who are now covered by employer-provided insurance will benefit from lower tax bills.
At the same time, this reform will level the playing field for those who do not get health insurance through their job. For Americans who now purchase health insurance on their own, my proposal would mean a substantial tax savings – $4,500 for a family of four making $60,000 a year. And for the millions of other Americans who have no health insurance at all, this deduction would help put a basic private health insurance plan within their reach. Changing the tax code is a vital and necessary step to making healthcare affordable for more Americans.
My second proposal is to help the states that are coming up with innovative ways to cover the uninsured. States that make basic private health insurance available to all their citizens should receive federal funds to help them provide this coverage to the poor and the sick. I have asked the Secretary of Health and Human Services to work with Congress to take existing federal funds and use them to create “Affordable Choices” grants. These grants would give our Nation’s governors more money and more flexibility to get private health insurance to those most in need.
There are many other ways that Congress can help. We need to expand Health Savings Accounts ... help small businesses through Association Health Plans ... reduce costs and medical errors with better information technology ... encourage price transparency ... and protect good doctors from junk lawsuits by passing medical liability reform. And in all we do, we must remember that the best healthcare decisions are made not by government and insurance companies, but by patients and their doctors.
Extending hope and opportunity in our country requires an immigration system worthy of America – with laws that are fair and borders that are secure. When laws and borders are routinely violated, this harms the interests of our country. To secure our border, we are doubling the size of the Border Patrol – and funding new infrastructure and technology.
Yet even with all these steps, we cannot fully secure the border unless we take pressure off the border – and that requires a temporary worker program. We should establish a legal and orderly path for foreign workers to enter our country to work on a temporary basis. As a result, they won’t have to try to sneak in – and that will leave border agents free to chase down drug smugglers, and criminals, and terrorists. We will enforce our immigration laws at the worksite, and give employers the tools to verify the legal status of their workers – so there is no excuse left for violating the law. We need to uphold the great tradition of the melting pot that welcomes and assimilates new arrivals. And we need to resolve the status of the illegal immigrants who are already in our country – without animosity and without amnesty.
Convictions run deep in this Capitol when it comes to immigration. Let us have a serious, civil, and conclusive debate – so that you can pass, and I can sign, comprehensive immigration reform into law.
Extending hope and opportunity depends on a stable supply of energy that keeps America’s economy running and America’s environment clean. For too long our Nation has been dependent on foreign oil. And this dependence leaves us more vulnerable to hostile regimes, and to terrorists – who could cause huge disruptions of oil shipments ... raise the price of oil ... and do great harm to our economy.
It is in our vital interest to diversify America’s energy supply – and the way forward is through technology. We must continue changing the way America generates electric power – by even greater use of clean coal technology ... solar and wind energy ... and clean, safe nuclear power. We need to press on with battery research for plug-in and hybrid vehicles, and expand the use of clean diesel vehicles and biodiesel fuel. We must continue investing in new methods of producing ethanol – using everything from wood chips, to grasses, to agricultural wastes.
We have made a lot of progress, thanks to good policies in Washington and the strong response of the market. Now even more dramatic advances are within reach. Tonight, I ask Congress to join me in pursuing a great goal. Let us build on the work we have done and reduce gasoline usage in the United States by 20 percent in the next ten years – thereby cutting our total imports by the equivalent of three-quarters of all the oil we now import from the Middle East.
To reach this goal, we must increase the supply of alternative fuels, by setting a mandatory Fuels Standard to require 35 billion gallons of renewable and alternative fuels in 2017 – this is nearly five times the current target. At the same time, we need to reform and modernize fuel economy standards for cars the way we did for light trucks – and conserve up to eight and a half billion more gallons of gasoline by 2017.
Achieving these ambitious goals will dramatically reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but will not eliminate it. So as we continue to diversify our fuel supply, we must also step up domestic oil production in environmentally sensitive ways. And to further protect America against severe disruptions to our oil supply, I ask Congress to double the current capacity of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
America is on the verge of technological breakthroughs that will enable us to live our lives less dependent on oil. These technologies will help us become better stewards of the environment – and they will help us to confront the serious challenge of global climate change.
A future of hope and opportunity requires a fair, impartial system of justice. The lives of citizens across our Nation are affected by the outcome of cases pending in our federal courts. And we have a shared obligation to ensure that the federal courts have enough judges to hear those cases and deliver timely rulings. As President, I have a duty to nominate qualified men and women to vacancies on the federal bench. And the United States Senate has a duty as well – to give those nominees a fair hearing, and a prompt up-or-down vote on the Senate floor.
For all of us in this room, there is no higher responsibility than to protect the people of this country from danger. Five years have come and gone since we saw the scenes and felt the sorrow that terrorists can cause. We have had time to take stock of our situation. We have added many critical protections to guard the homeland. We know with certainty that the horrors of that September morning were just a glimpse of what the terrorists intend for us – unless we stop them.
With the distance of time, we find ourselves debating the causes of conflict and the course we have followed. Such debates are essential when a great democracy faces great questions. Yet one question has surely been settled – that to win the war on terror we must take the fight to the enemy.
From the start, America and our allies have protected our people by staying on the offense. The enemy knows that the days of comfortable sanctuary, easy movement, steady financing, and free flowing communications are long over. For the terrorists, life since Nine-Eleven has never been the same.
Our success in this war is often measured by the things that did not happen. We cannot know the full extent of the attacks that we and our allies have prevented – but here is some of what we do know: We stopped an al Qaeda plot to fly a hijacked airplane into the tallest building on the West Coast. We broke up a Southeast Asian terrorist cell grooming operatives for attacks inside the United States. We uncovered an al Qaeda cell developing anthrax to be used in attacks against America. And just last August, British authorities uncovered a plot to blow up passenger planes bound for America over the Atlantic Ocean. For each life saved, we owe a debt of gratitude to the brave public servants who devote their lives to finding the terrorists and stopping them.
Every success against the terrorists is a reminder of the shoreless ambitions of this enemy. The evil that inspired and rejoiced in Nine-Eleven is still at work in the world. And so long as that is the case, America is still a Nation at war.
In the minds of the terrorists, this war began well before September 11th, and will not end until their radical vision is fulfilled. And these past five years have given us a much clearer view of the nature of this enemy. Al Qaeda and its followers are Sunni extremists, possessed by hatred and commanded by a harsh and narrow ideology. Take almost any principle of civilization, and their goal is the opposite. They preach with threats ... instruct with bullets and bombs ... and promise paradise for the murder of the innocent.
Our enemies are quite explicit about their intentions. They want to overthrow moderate governments, and establish safe havens from which to plan and carry out new attacks on our country. By killing and terrorizing Americans, they want to force our country to retreat from the world and abandon the cause of liberty. They would then be free to impose their will and spread their totalitarian ideology. Listen to this warning from the late terrorist Zarqawi: “We will sacrifice our blood and bodies to put an end to your dreams, and what is coming is even worse.” And Osama bin Laden declared: “Death is better than living on this Earth with the unbelievers among us.”
These men are not given to idle words, and they are just one camp in the Islamist radical movement. In recent times, it has also become clear that we face an escalating danger from Shia extremists who are just as hostile to America, and are also determined to dominate the Middle East. Many are known to take direction from the regime in Iran, which is funding and arming terrorists like Hezbollah – a group second only to al Qaeda in the American lives it has taken.
The Shia and Sunni extremists are different faces of the same totalitarian threat. But whatever slogans they chant, when they slaughter the innocent, they have the same wicked purposes. They want to kill Americans ... kill democracy in the Middle East ... and gain the weapons to kill on an even more horrific scale.
In the sixth year since our Nation was attacked, I wish I could report to you that the dangers have ended. They have not. And so it remains the policy of this government to use every lawful and proper tool of intelligence, diplomacy, law enforcement, and military action to do our duty, to find these enemies, and to protect the American people.
This war is more than a clash of arms – it is a decisive ideological struggle, and the security of our Nation is in the balance. To prevail, we must remove the conditions that inspire blind hatred, and drove 19 men to get onto airplanes and come to kill us. What every terrorist fears most is human freedom – societies where men and women make their own choices, answer to their own conscience, and live by their hopes instead of their resentments. Free people are not drawn to violent and malignant ideologies – and most will choose a better way when they are given a chance. So we advance our own security interests by helping moderates, reformers, and brave voices for democracy. The great question of our day is whether America will help men and women in the Middle East to build free societies and share in the rights of all humanity. And I say, for the sake of our own security . . . we must.
In the last two years, we have seen the desire for liberty in the broader Middle East – and we have been sobered by the enemy’s fierce reaction. In 2005, the world watched as the citizens of Lebanon raised the banner of the Cedar Revolution ... drove out the Syrian occupiers ... and chose new leaders in free elections. In 2005, the people of Afghanistan defied the terrorists and elected a democratic legislature. And in 2005, the Iraqi people held three national elections – choosing a transitional government ... adopting the most progressive, democratic constitution in the Arab world … and then electing a government under that constitution. Despite endless threats from the killers in their midst, nearly 12 million Iraqi citizens came out to vote in a show of hope and solidarity we should never forget.
A thinking enemy watched all of these scenes, adjusted their tactics, and in 2006 they struck back. In Lebanon, assassins took the life of Pierre Gemayel, a prominent participant in the Cedar Revolution. And Hezbollah terrorists, with support from Syria and Iran, sowed conflict in the region and are seeking to undermine Lebanon’s legitimately elected government. In Afghanistan, Taliban and al Qaeda fighters tried to regain power by regrouping and engaging Afghan and NATO forces. In Iraq, al Qaeda and other Sunni extremists blew up one of the most sacred places in Shia Islam – the Golden Mosque of Samarra. This atrocity, directed at a Muslim house of prayer, was designed to provoke retaliation from Iraqi Shia – and it succeeded. Radical Shia elements, some of whom receive support from Iran, formed death squads. The result was a tragic escalation of sectarian rage and reprisal that continues to this day.
This is not the fight we entered in Iraq, but it is the fight we are in. Every one of us wishes that this war were over and won. Yet it would not be like us to leave our promises unkept, our friends abandoned, and our own security at risk. Ladies and gentlemen: On this day, at this hour, it is still within our power to shape the outcome of this battle. So let us find our resolve, and turn events toward victory.
We are carrying out a new strategy in Iraq – a plan that demands more from Iraq’s elected government, and gives our forces in Iraq the reinforcements they need to complete their mission. Our goal is a democratic Iraq that upholds the rule of law, respects the rights of its people, provides them security, and is an ally in the war on terror.
In order to make progress toward this goal, the Iraqi government must stop the sectarian violence in its capital. But the Iraqis are not yet ready to do this on their own. So we are deploying reinforcements of more than 20,000 additional soldiers and Marines to Iraq. The vast majority will go to Baghdad, where they will help Iraqi forces to clear and secure neighborhoods, and serve as advisers embedded in Iraqi Army units. With Iraqis in the lead, our forces will help secure the city by chasing down terrorists, insurgents, and roaming death squads. And in Anbar province – where al Qaeda terrorists have gathered and local forces have begun showing a willingness to fight them – we are sending an additional 4,000 United States Marines, with orders to find the terrorists and clear them out. We did not drive al Qaeda out of their safe haven in Afghanistan only to let them set up a new safe haven in a free Iraq.
The people of Iraq want to live in peace, and now is the time for their government to act. Iraq’s leaders know that our commitment is not open ended. They have promised to deploy more of their own troops to secure Baghdad – and they must do so. They have pledged that they will confront violent radicals of any faction or political party. They need to follow through, and lift needless restrictions on Iraqi and Coalition forces, so these troops can achieve their mission of bringing security to all of the people of Baghdad. Iraq’s leaders have committed themselves to a series of benchmarks to achieve reconciliation – to share oil revenues among all of Iraq’s citizens ... to put the wealth of Iraq into the rebuilding of Iraq ... to allow more Iraqis to re-enter their nation's civic life ... to hold local elections ... and to take responsibility for security in every Iraqi province. But for all of this to happen, Baghdad must be secured. And our plan will help the Iraqi government take back its capital and make good on its commitments.
My fellow citizens, our military commanders and I have carefully weighed the options. We discussed every possible approach. In the end, I chose this course of action because it provides the best chance of success. Many in this chamber understand that America must not fail in Iraq – because you understand that the consequences of failure would be grievous and far reaching.
If American forces step back before Baghdad is secure, the Iraqi government would be overrun by extremists on all sides. We could expect an epic battle between Shia extremists backed by Iran, and Sunni extremists aided by al Qaeda and supporters of the old regime. A contagion of violence could spill out across the country – and in time the entire region could be drawn into the conflict.
For America, this is a nightmare scenario. For the enemy, this is the objective. Chaos is their greatest ally in this struggle. And out of chaos in Iraq, would emerge an emboldened enemy with new safe havens... new recruits ... new resources ... and an even greater determination to harm America. To allow this to happen would be to ignore the lessons of September 11th and invite tragedy. And ladies and gentlemen, nothing is more important at this moment in our history than for America to succeed in the Middle East ... to succeed in Iraq ... and to spare the American people from this danger.
This is where matters stand tonight, in the here and now. I have spoken with many of you in person. I respect you and the arguments you have made. We went into this largely united – in our assumptions, and in our convictions. And whatever you voted for, you did not vote for failure. Our country is pursuing a new strategy in Iraq – and I ask you to give it a chance to work. And I ask you to support our troops in the field – and those on their way.
The war on terror we fight today is a generational struggle that will continue long after you and I have turned our duties over to others. That is why it is important to work together so our Nation can see this great effort through. Both parties and both branches should work in close consultation. And this is why I propose to establish a special advisory council on the war on terror, made up of leaders in Congress from both political parties. We will share ideas for how to position America to meet every challenge that confronts us. And we will show our enemies abroad that we are united in the goal of victory.
One of the first steps we can take together is to add to the ranks of our military – so that the American Armed Forces are ready for all the challenges ahead. Tonight I ask the Congress to authorize an increase in the size of our active Army and Marine Corps by 92,000 in the next five years. A second task we can take on together is to design and establish a volunteer Civilian Reserve Corps. Such a corps would function much like our military reserve. It would ease the burden on the Armed Forces by allowing us to hire civilians with critical skills to serve on missions abroad when America needs them. And it would give people across America who do not wear the uniform a chance to serve in the defining struggle of our time.
Americans can have confidence in the outcome of this struggle – because we are not in this struggle alone. We have a diplomatic strategy that is rallying the world to join in the fight against extremism. In Iraq, multinational forces are operating under a mandate from the United Nations – and we are working with Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the Gulf States to increase support for Iraq’s government. The United Nations has imposed sanctions on Iran, and made it clear that the world will not allow the regime in Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons. With the other members of the Quartet – the UN, the European Union, and Russia – we are pursuing diplomacy to help bring peace to the Holy Land, and pursuing the establishment of a democratic Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel in peace and security. In Afghanistan, NATO has taken the lead in turning back the Taliban and al Qaeda offensive – the first time the Alliance has deployed forces outside the North Atlantic area. Together with our partners in China, Japan, Russia, and South Korea, we are pursuing intensive diplomacy to achieve a Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons. And we will continue to speak out for the cause of freedom in places like Cuba, Belarus, and Burma – and continue to awaken the conscience of the world to save the people of Darfur.
American foreign policy is more than a matter of war and diplomacy. Our work in the world is also based on a timeless truth: To whom much is given, much is required. We hear the call to take on the challenges of hunger, poverty, and disease – and that is precisely what America is doing. We must continue to fight HIV/AIDS, especially on the continent of Africa – and because you funded our Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the number of people receiving life-saving drugs has grown from 50,000 to more than 800,000 in three short years. I ask you to continue funding our efforts to fight HIV/AIDS. I ask you to provide $1.2 billion over five years so we can combat malaria in 15 African countries. I ask that you fund the Millennium Challenge Account, so that American aid reaches the people who need it, in nations where democracy is on the rise and corruption is in retreat. And let us continue to support the expanded trade and debt relief that are the best hope for lifting lives and eliminating poverty.
When America serves others in this way, we show the strength and generosity of our country. These deeds reflect the character of our people. The greatest strength we have is the heroic kindness, courage, and self sacrifice of the American people. You see this spirit often if you know where to look – and tonight we need only look above to the gallery.
Dikembe Mutombo grew up in Africa, amid great poverty and disease. He came to Georgetown University on a scholarship to study medicine – but Coach John Thompson got a look at Dikembe and had a different idea. Dikembe became a star in the NBA, and a citizen of the United States. But he never forgot the land of his birth – or the duty to share his blessings with others. He has built a brand new hospital in his hometown. A friend has said of this good hearted man: “Mutombo believes that God has given him this opportunity to do great things.” And we are proud to call this son of the Congo our fellow American.
After her daughter was born, Julie Aigner-Clark searched for ways to share her love of music and art with her child. So she borrowed some equipment, and began filming children’s videos in her basement. The Baby Einstein Company was born – and in just five years her business grew to more than $20 million in sales. In November 2001, Julie sold Baby Einstein to the Walt Disney Company, and with her help Baby Einstein has grown into a $200 million business. Julie represents the great enterprising spirit of America. And she is using her success to help others – producing child safety videos with John Walsh of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Julie says of her new project: “I believe it's the most important thing that I've ever done. I believe that children have the right to live in a world that is safe.” We are pleased to welcome this talented business entrepreneur and generous social entrepreneur – Julie Aigner-Clark.
Three weeks ago, Wesley Autrey was waiting at a Harlem subway station with his two little girls, when he saw a man fall into the path of a train. With seconds to act, Wesley jumped onto the tracks ... pulled the man into a space between the rails ... and held him as the train passed right above their heads. He insists he’s not a hero. Wesley says: “We got guys and girls overseas dying for us to have our freedoms. We got to show each other some love.” There is something wonderful about a country that produces a brave and humble man like Wesley Autrey.
Tommy Rieman was a teenager pumping gas in Independence, Kentucky, when he enlisted in the United States Army. In December 2003, he was on a reconnaissance mission in Iraq when his team came under heavy enemy fire. From his Humvee, Sergeant Rieman returned fire – and used his body as a shield to protect his gunner. He was shot in the chest and arm, and received shrapnel wounds to his legs – yet he refused medical attention, and stayed in the fight. He helped to repel a second attack, firing grenades at the enemy’s position. For his exceptional courage, Sergeant Rieman was awarded the Silver Star. And like so many other Americans who have volunteered to defend us, he has earned the respect and gratitude of our whole country.
In such courage and compassion, ladies and gentlemen, we see the spirit and character of America – and these qualities are not in short supply. This is a decent and honorable country – and resilient, too. We have been through a lot together. We have met challenges and faced dangers, and we know that more lie ahead. Yet we can go forward with confidence – because the State of our Union is strong ... our cause in the world is right ... and tonight that cause goes on.
Madam Speaker, Vice President Cheney, Members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:
This rite of custom brings us together at a defining hour – when decisions are hard and courage is tested. We enter the year 2007 with large endeavors underway, and others that are ours to begin. In all of this, much is asked of us. We must have the will to face difficult challenges and determined enemies – and the wisdom to face them together.
Some in this Chamber are new to the House and Senate – and I congratulate the Democratic majority. Congress has changed, but our responsibilities have not. Each of us is guided by our own convictions – and to these we must stay faithful. Yet we are all held to the same standards, and called to serve the same good purposes: To extend this Nation’s prosperity ... to spend the people’s money wisely ... to solve problems, not leave them to future generations ... to guard America against all evil, and to keep faith with those we have sent forth to defend us.
We are not the first to come here with government divided and uncertainty in the air. Like many before us, we can work through our differences, and achieve big things for the American people. Our citizens don’t much care which side of the aisle we sit on – as long as we are willing to cross that aisle when there is work to be done. Our job is to make life better for our fellow Americans, and help them to build a future of hope and opportunity – and this is the business before us tonight.
A future of hope and opportunity begins with a growing economy – and that is what we have. We are now in the 41st month of uninterrupted job growth – in a recovery that has created 7.2 million new jobs ... so far. Unemployment is low, inflation is low, and wages are rising. This economy is on the move – and our job is to keep it that way, not with more government but with more enterprise.
Next week, I will deliver a full report on the state of our economy. Tonight, I want to discuss three economic reforms that deserve to be priorities for this Congress.
First, we must balance the federal budget. We can do so without raising taxes. What we need to do is impose spending discipline in Washington, D.C. We set a goal of cutting the deficit in half by 2009 – and met that goal three years ahead of schedule. Now let us take the next step. In the coming weeks, I will submit a budget that eliminates the federal deficit within the next five years. I ask you to make the same commitment. Together, we can restrain the spending appetite of the federal government, and balance the federal budget.
Next, there is the matter of earmarks. These special interest items are often slipped into bills at the last hour – when not even C-SPAN is watching. In 2005 alone, the number of earmarks grew to over 13,000 and totaled nearly $18 billion. Even worse, over 90 percent of earmarks never make it to the floor of the House and Senate – they are dropped into Committee reports that are not even part of the bill that arrives on my desk. You did not vote them into law. I did not sign them into law. Yet they are treated as if they have the force of law. The time has come to end this practice. So let us work together to reform the budget process ... expose every earmark to the light of day and to a vote in Congress … and cut the number and cost of earmarks at least in half by the end of this session.
Finally, to keep this economy strong we must take on the challenge of entitlements. Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid are commitments of conscience – and so it is our duty to keep them permanently sound. Yet we are failing in that duty – and this failure will one day leave our children with three bad options: huge tax increases, huge deficits, or huge and immediate cuts in benefits. Everyone in this Chamber knows this to be true – yet somehow we have not found it in ourselves to act. So let us work together and do it now. With enough good sense and good will, you and I can fix Medicare and Medicaid – and save Social Security.
Spreading opportunity and hope in America also requires public schools that give children the knowledge and character they need in life. Five years ago, we rose above partisan differences to pass the No Child Left Behind Act – preserving local control, raising standards in public schools, and holding those schools accountable for results. And because we acted, students are performing better in reading and math, and minority students are closing the achievement gap.
Now the task is to build on this success, without watering down standards ... without taking control from local communities ... and without backsliding and calling it reform. We can lift student achievement even higher by giving local leaders flexibility to turn around failing schools ... and by giving families with children stuck in failing schools the right to choose something better. We must increase funds for students who struggle – and make sure these children get the special help they need. And we can make sure our children are prepared for the jobs of the future, and our country is more competitive, by strengthening math and science skills. The No Child Left Behind Act has worked for America’s children – and I ask Congress to reauthorize this good law.
A future of hope and opportunity requires that all our citizens have affordable and available healthcare. When it comes to healthcare, government has an obligation to care for the elderly, the disabled, and poor children. We will meet those responsibilities. For all other Americans, private health insurance is the best way to meet their needs. But many Americans cannot afford a health insurance policy.
Tonight, I propose two new initiatives to help more Americans afford their own insurance. First, I propose a standard tax deduction for health insurance that will be like the standard tax deduction for dependents. Families with health insurance will pay no income or payroll taxes on $15,000 of their income. Single Americans with health insurance will pay no income or payroll taxes on $7,500 of their income. With this reform, more than 100 million men, women, and children who are now covered by employer-provided insurance will benefit from lower tax bills.
At the same time, this reform will level the playing field for those who do not get health insurance through their job. For Americans who now purchase health insurance on their own, my proposal would mean a substantial tax savings – $4,500 for a family of four making $60,000 a year. And for the millions of other Americans who have no health insurance at all, this deduction would help put a basic private health insurance plan within their reach. Changing the tax code is a vital and necessary step to making healthcare affordable for more Americans.
My second proposal is to help the states that are coming up with innovative ways to cover the uninsured. States that make basic private health insurance available to all their citizens should receive federal funds to help them provide this coverage to the poor and the sick. I have asked the Secretary of Health and Human Services to work with Congress to take existing federal funds and use them to create “Affordable Choices” grants. These grants would give our Nation’s governors more money and more flexibility to get private health insurance to those most in need.
There are many other ways that Congress can help. We need to expand Health Savings Accounts ... help small businesses through Association Health Plans ... reduce costs and medical errors with better information technology ... encourage price transparency ... and protect good doctors from junk lawsuits by passing medical liability reform. And in all we do, we must remember that the best healthcare decisions are made not by government and insurance companies, but by patients and their doctors.
Extending hope and opportunity in our country requires an immigration system worthy of America – with laws that are fair and borders that are secure. When laws and borders are routinely violated, this harms the interests of our country. To secure our border, we are doubling the size of the Border Patrol – and funding new infrastructure and technology.
Yet even with all these steps, we cannot fully secure the border unless we take pressure off the border – and that requires a temporary worker program. We should establish a legal and orderly path for foreign workers to enter our country to work on a temporary basis. As a result, they won’t have to try to sneak in – and that will leave border agents free to chase down drug smugglers, and criminals, and terrorists. We will enforce our immigration laws at the worksite, and give employers the tools to verify the legal status of their workers – so there is no excuse left for violating the law. We need to uphold the great tradition of the melting pot that welcomes and assimilates new arrivals. And we need to resolve the status of the illegal immigrants who are already in our country – without animosity and without amnesty.
Convictions run deep in this Capitol when it comes to immigration. Let us have a serious, civil, and conclusive debate – so that you can pass, and I can sign, comprehensive immigration reform into law.
Extending hope and opportunity depends on a stable supply of energy that keeps America’s economy running and America’s environment clean. For too long our Nation has been dependent on foreign oil. And this dependence leaves us more vulnerable to hostile regimes, and to terrorists – who could cause huge disruptions of oil shipments ... raise the price of oil ... and do great harm to our economy.
It is in our vital interest to diversify America’s energy supply – and the way forward is through technology. We must continue changing the way America generates electric power – by even greater use of clean coal technology ... solar and wind energy ... and clean, safe nuclear power. We need to press on with battery research for plug-in and hybrid vehicles, and expand the use of clean diesel vehicles and biodiesel fuel. We must continue investing in new methods of producing ethanol – using everything from wood chips, to grasses, to agricultural wastes.
We have made a lot of progress, thanks to good policies in Washington and the strong response of the market. Now even more dramatic advances are within reach. Tonight, I ask Congress to join me in pursuing a great goal. Let us build on the work we have done and reduce gasoline usage in the United States by 20 percent in the next ten years – thereby cutting our total imports by the equivalent of three-quarters of all the oil we now import from the Middle East.
To reach this goal, we must increase the supply of alternative fuels, by setting a mandatory Fuels Standard to require 35 billion gallons of renewable and alternative fuels in 2017 – this is nearly five times the current target. At the same time, we need to reform and modernize fuel economy standards for cars the way we did for light trucks – and conserve up to eight and a half billion more gallons of gasoline by 2017.
Achieving these ambitious goals will dramatically reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but will not eliminate it. So as we continue to diversify our fuel supply, we must also step up domestic oil production in environmentally sensitive ways. And to further protect America against severe disruptions to our oil supply, I ask Congress to double the current capacity of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
America is on the verge of technological breakthroughs that will enable us to live our lives less dependent on oil. These technologies will help us become better stewards of the environment – and they will help us to confront the serious challenge of global climate change.
A future of hope and opportunity requires a fair, impartial system of justice. The lives of citizens across our Nation are affected by the outcome of cases pending in our federal courts. And we have a shared obligation to ensure that the federal courts have enough judges to hear those cases and deliver timely rulings. As President, I have a duty to nominate qualified men and women to vacancies on the federal bench. And the United States Senate has a duty as well – to give those nominees a fair hearing, and a prompt up-or-down vote on the Senate floor.
For all of us in this room, there is no higher responsibility than to protect the people of this country from danger. Five years have come and gone since we saw the scenes and felt the sorrow that terrorists can cause. We have had time to take stock of our situation. We have added many critical protections to guard the homeland. We know with certainty that the horrors of that September morning were just a glimpse of what the terrorists intend for us – unless we stop them.
With the distance of time, we find ourselves debating the causes of conflict and the course we have followed. Such debates are essential when a great democracy faces great questions. Yet one question has surely been settled – that to win the war on terror we must take the fight to the enemy.
From the start, America and our allies have protected our people by staying on the offense. The enemy knows that the days of comfortable sanctuary, easy movement, steady financing, and free flowing communications are long over. For the terrorists, life since Nine-Eleven has never been the same.
Our success in this war is often measured by the things that did not happen. We cannot know the full extent of the attacks that we and our allies have prevented – but here is some of what we do know: We stopped an al Qaeda plot to fly a hijacked airplane into the tallest building on the West Coast. We broke up a Southeast Asian terrorist cell grooming operatives for attacks inside the United States. We uncovered an al Qaeda cell developing anthrax to be used in attacks against America. And just last August, British authorities uncovered a plot to blow up passenger planes bound for America over the Atlantic Ocean. For each life saved, we owe a debt of gratitude to the brave public servants who devote their lives to finding the terrorists and stopping them.
Every success against the terrorists is a reminder of the shoreless ambitions of this enemy. The evil that inspired and rejoiced in Nine-Eleven is still at work in the world. And so long as that is the case, America is still a Nation at war.
In the minds of the terrorists, this war began well before September 11th, and will not end until their radical vision is fulfilled. And these past five years have given us a much clearer view of the nature of this enemy. Al Qaeda and its followers are Sunni extremists, possessed by hatred and commanded by a harsh and narrow ideology. Take almost any principle of civilization, and their goal is the opposite. They preach with threats ... instruct with bullets and bombs ... and promise paradise for the murder of the innocent.
Our enemies are quite explicit about their intentions. They want to overthrow moderate governments, and establish safe havens from which to plan and carry out new attacks on our country. By killing and terrorizing Americans, they want to force our country to retreat from the world and abandon the cause of liberty. They would then be free to impose their will and spread their totalitarian ideology. Listen to this warning from the late terrorist Zarqawi: “We will sacrifice our blood and bodies to put an end to your dreams, and what is coming is even worse.” And Osama bin Laden declared: “Death is better than living on this Earth with the unbelievers among us.”
These men are not given to idle words, and they are just one camp in the Islamist radical movement. In recent times, it has also become clear that we face an escalating danger from Shia extremists who are just as hostile to America, and are also determined to dominate the Middle East. Many are known to take direction from the regime in Iran, which is funding and arming terrorists like Hezbollah – a group second only to al Qaeda in the American lives it has taken.
The Shia and Sunni extremists are different faces of the same totalitarian threat. But whatever slogans they chant, when they slaughter the innocent, they have the same wicked purposes. They want to kill Americans ... kill democracy in the Middle East ... and gain the weapons to kill on an even more horrific scale.
In the sixth year since our Nation was attacked, I wish I could report to you that the dangers have ended. They have not. And so it remains the policy of this government to use every lawful and proper tool of intelligence, diplomacy, law enforcement, and military action to do our duty, to find these enemies, and to protect the American people.
This war is more than a clash of arms – it is a decisive ideological struggle, and the security of our Nation is in the balance. To prevail, we must remove the conditions that inspire blind hatred, and drove 19 men to get onto airplanes and come to kill us. What every terrorist fears most is human freedom – societies where men and women make their own choices, answer to their own conscience, and live by their hopes instead of their resentments. Free people are not drawn to violent and malignant ideologies – and most will choose a better way when they are given a chance. So we advance our own security interests by helping moderates, reformers, and brave voices for democracy. The great question of our day is whether America will help men and women in the Middle East to build free societies and share in the rights of all humanity. And I say, for the sake of our own security . . . we must.
In the last two years, we have seen the desire for liberty in the broader Middle East – and we have been sobered by the enemy’s fierce reaction. In 2005, the world watched as the citizens of Lebanon raised the banner of the Cedar Revolution ... drove out the Syrian occupiers ... and chose new leaders in free elections. In 2005, the people of Afghanistan defied the terrorists and elected a democratic legislature. And in 2005, the Iraqi people held three national elections – choosing a transitional government ... adopting the most progressive, democratic constitution in the Arab world … and then electing a government under that constitution. Despite endless threats from the killers in their midst, nearly 12 million Iraqi citizens came out to vote in a show of hope and solidarity we should never forget.
A thinking enemy watched all of these scenes, adjusted their tactics, and in 2006 they struck back. In Lebanon, assassins took the life of Pierre Gemayel, a prominent participant in the Cedar Revolution. And Hezbollah terrorists, with support from Syria and Iran, sowed conflict in the region and are seeking to undermine Lebanon’s legitimately elected government. In Afghanistan, Taliban and al Qaeda fighters tried to regain power by regrouping and engaging Afghan and NATO forces. In Iraq, al Qaeda and other Sunni extremists blew up one of the most sacred places in Shia Islam – the Golden Mosque of Samarra. This atrocity, directed at a Muslim house of prayer, was designed to provoke retaliation from Iraqi Shia – and it succeeded. Radical Shia elements, some of whom receive support from Iran, formed death squads. The result was a tragic escalation of sectarian rage and reprisal that continues to this day.
This is not the fight we entered in Iraq, but it is the fight we are in. Every one of us wishes that this war were over and won. Yet it would not be like us to leave our promises unkept, our friends abandoned, and our own security at risk. Ladies and gentlemen: On this day, at this hour, it is still within our power to shape the outcome of this battle. So let us find our resolve, and turn events toward victory.
We are carrying out a new strategy in Iraq – a plan that demands more from Iraq’s elected government, and gives our forces in Iraq the reinforcements they need to complete their mission. Our goal is a democratic Iraq that upholds the rule of law, respects the rights of its people, provides them security, and is an ally in the war on terror.
In order to make progress toward this goal, the Iraqi government must stop the sectarian violence in its capital. But the Iraqis are not yet ready to do this on their own. So we are deploying reinforcements of more than 20,000 additional soldiers and Marines to Iraq. The vast majority will go to Baghdad, where they will help Iraqi forces to clear and secure neighborhoods, and serve as advisers embedded in Iraqi Army units. With Iraqis in the lead, our forces will help secure the city by chasing down terrorists, insurgents, and roaming death squads. And in Anbar province – where al Qaeda terrorists have gathered and local forces have begun showing a willingness to fight them – we are sending an additional 4,000 United States Marines, with orders to find the terrorists and clear them out. We did not drive al Qaeda out of their safe haven in Afghanistan only to let them set up a new safe haven in a free Iraq.
The people of Iraq want to live in peace, and now is the time for their government to act. Iraq’s leaders know that our commitment is not open ended. They have promised to deploy more of their own troops to secure Baghdad – and they must do so. They have pledged that they will confront violent radicals of any faction or political party. They need to follow through, and lift needless restrictions on Iraqi and Coalition forces, so these troops can achieve their mission of bringing security to all of the people of Baghdad. Iraq’s leaders have committed themselves to a series of benchmarks to achieve reconciliation – to share oil revenues among all of Iraq’s citizens ... to put the wealth of Iraq into the rebuilding of Iraq ... to allow more Iraqis to re-enter their nation's civic life ... to hold local elections ... and to take responsibility for security in every Iraqi province. But for all of this to happen, Baghdad must be secured. And our plan will help the Iraqi government take back its capital and make good on its commitments.
My fellow citizens, our military commanders and I have carefully weighed the options. We discussed every possible approach. In the end, I chose this course of action because it provides the best chance of success. Many in this chamber understand that America must not fail in Iraq – because you understand that the consequences of failure would be grievous and far reaching.
If American forces step back before Baghdad is secure, the Iraqi government would be overrun by extremists on all sides. We could expect an epic battle between Shia extremists backed by Iran, and Sunni extremists aided by al Qaeda and supporters of the old regime. A contagion of violence could spill out across the country – and in time the entire region could be drawn into the conflict.
For America, this is a nightmare scenario. For the enemy, this is the objective. Chaos is their greatest ally in this struggle. And out of chaos in Iraq, would emerge an emboldened enemy with new safe havens... new recruits ... new resources ... and an even greater determination to harm America. To allow this to happen would be to ignore the lessons of September 11th and invite tragedy. And ladies and gentlemen, nothing is more important at this moment in our history than for America to succeed in the Middle East ... to succeed in Iraq ... and to spare the American people from this danger.
This is where matters stand tonight, in the here and now. I have spoken with many of you in person. I respect you and the arguments you have made. We went into this largely united – in our assumptions, and in our convictions. And whatever you voted for, you did not vote for failure. Our country is pursuing a new strategy in Iraq – and I ask you to give it a chance to work. And I ask you to support our troops in the field – and those on their way.
The war on terror we fight today is a generational struggle that will continue long after you and I have turned our duties over to others. That is why it is important to work together so our Nation can see this great effort through. Both parties and both branches should work in close consultation. And this is why I propose to establish a special advisory council on the war on terror, made up of leaders in Congress from both political parties. We will share ideas for how to position America to meet every challenge that confronts us. And we will show our enemies abroad that we are united in the goal of victory.
One of the first steps we can take together is to add to the ranks of our military – so that the American Armed Forces are ready for all the challenges ahead. Tonight I ask the Congress to authorize an increase in the size of our active Army and Marine Corps by 92,000 in the next five years. A second task we can take on together is to design and establish a volunteer Civilian Reserve Corps. Such a corps would function much like our military reserve. It would ease the burden on the Armed Forces by allowing us to hire civilians with critical skills to serve on missions abroad when America needs them. And it would give people across America who do not wear the uniform a chance to serve in the defining struggle of our time.
Americans can have confidence in the outcome of this struggle – because we are not in this struggle alone. We have a diplomatic strategy that is rallying the world to join in the fight against extremism. In Iraq, multinational forces are operating under a mandate from the United Nations – and we are working with Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the Gulf States to increase support for Iraq’s government. The United Nations has imposed sanctions on Iran, and made it clear that the world will not allow the regime in Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons. With the other members of the Quartet – the UN, the European Union, and Russia – we are pursuing diplomacy to help bring peace to the Holy Land, and pursuing the establishment of a democratic Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel in peace and security. In Afghanistan, NATO has taken the lead in turning back the Taliban and al Qaeda offensive – the first time the Alliance has deployed forces outside the North Atlantic area. Together with our partners in China, Japan, Russia, and South Korea, we are pursuing intensive diplomacy to achieve a Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons. And we will continue to speak out for the cause of freedom in places like Cuba, Belarus, and Burma – and continue to awaken the conscience of the world to save the people of Darfur.
American foreign policy is more than a matter of war and diplomacy. Our work in the world is also based on a timeless truth: To whom much is given, much is required. We hear the call to take on the challenges of hunger, poverty, and disease – and that is precisely what America is doing. We must continue to fight HIV/AIDS, especially on the continent of Africa – and because you funded our Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the number of people receiving life-saving drugs has grown from 50,000 to more than 800,000 in three short years. I ask you to continue funding our efforts to fight HIV/AIDS. I ask you to provide $1.2 billion over five years so we can combat malaria in 15 African countries. I ask that you fund the Millennium Challenge Account, so that American aid reaches the people who need it, in nations where democracy is on the rise and corruption is in retreat. And let us continue to support the expanded trade and debt relief that are the best hope for lifting lives and eliminating poverty.
When America serves others in this way, we show the strength and generosity of our country. These deeds reflect the character of our people. The greatest strength we have is the heroic kindness, courage, and self sacrifice of the American people. You see this spirit often if you know where to look – and tonight we need only look above to the gallery.
Dikembe Mutombo grew up in Africa, amid great poverty and disease. He came to Georgetown University on a scholarship to study medicine – but Coach John Thompson got a look at Dikembe and had a different idea. Dikembe became a star in the NBA, and a citizen of the United States. But he never forgot the land of his birth – or the duty to share his blessings with others. He has built a brand new hospital in his hometown. A friend has said of this good hearted man: “Mutombo believes that God has given him this opportunity to do great things.” And we are proud to call this son of the Congo our fellow American.
After her daughter was born, Julie Aigner-Clark searched for ways to share her love of music and art with her child. So she borrowed some equipment, and began filming children’s videos in her basement. The Baby Einstein Company was born – and in just five years her business grew to more than $20 million in sales. In November 2001, Julie sold Baby Einstein to the Walt Disney Company, and with her help Baby Einstein has grown into a $200 million business. Julie represents the great enterprising spirit of America. And she is using her success to help others – producing child safety videos with John Walsh of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Julie says of her new project: “I believe it's the most important thing that I've ever done. I believe that children have the right to live in a world that is safe.” We are pleased to welcome this talented business entrepreneur and generous social entrepreneur – Julie Aigner-Clark.
Three weeks ago, Wesley Autrey was waiting at a Harlem subway station with his two little girls, when he saw a man fall into the path of a train. With seconds to act, Wesley jumped onto the tracks ... pulled the man into a space between the rails ... and held him as the train passed right above their heads. He insists he’s not a hero. Wesley says: “We got guys and girls overseas dying for us to have our freedoms. We got to show each other some love.” There is something wonderful about a country that produces a brave and humble man like Wesley Autrey.
Tommy Rieman was a teenager pumping gas in Independence, Kentucky, when he enlisted in the United States Army. In December 2003, he was on a reconnaissance mission in Iraq when his team came under heavy enemy fire. From his Humvee, Sergeant Rieman returned fire – and used his body as a shield to protect his gunner. He was shot in the chest and arm, and received shrapnel wounds to his legs – yet he refused medical attention, and stayed in the fight. He helped to repel a second attack, firing grenades at the enemy’s position. For his exceptional courage, Sergeant Rieman was awarded the Silver Star. And like so many other Americans who have volunteered to defend us, he has earned the respect and gratitude of our whole country.
In such courage and compassion, ladies and gentlemen, we see the spirit and character of America – and these qualities are not in short supply. This is a decent and honorable country – and resilient, too. We have been through a lot together. We have met challenges and faced dangers, and we know that more lie ahead. Yet we can go forward with confidence – because the State of our Union is strong ... our cause in the world is right ... and tonight that cause goes on.
Audio From the Water Poisoning Incident
Sacramento, which is about 45 minutes from where I live, is all over the news due to a recent contest called "Hold Your Wee for a Wii". A woman who was trying to win the video game console by drinking more water than the other contestants, died of water poisoning. Fingers are being pointed at the radio station, even though the people signed wavers. This grouping of audio clips seems to show that the station should be held liable, at least from the point that they realized what they were doing is dangerous.
22 Ocak 2007 Pazartesi
"Blue Monday"?
No, it does not mean a holiday to celebrate the retaking of the House and Senate by Democrats. Apparently, researchers have determined that statistically today is the most depressing day of the year. This is the first I have heard of such a thing.
Unpaid Christmas bills, nasty weather, and failed New Year's resolutions combine to make January 22 the gloomiest in the calendar...Dr Cliff Arnall, a Cardiff University psychologist, devised the formula that shows today is the most depressing. His equation takes into account six factors: weather, debt, time since Christmas, time since failing our new year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and the feeling of a need to take action. Taken together they pinpoint today as 'Blue Monday'. Dr Arnall said that by understanding the main factors for depression we can prevent becoming unhappy next year.Not sure if I buy this explanation. But it is an interesting analysis. I guess now we all have an excuse if we want to sob uncontrollably to freak out our boss/friends/significant other.
20 Ocak 2007 Cumartesi
First the iPhone, now the OpenPhone?
This is something some of our more technically-minded readers may want to check out. Essentially, it is the second major announcement of an open SmartPhone based on the Linux operating system. It is designed with the same essentially philosophies as the iPhone: computing back end, friendly front-end, touch-screen driven, etc. But it has one important difference: it will be open to third-party developers without any interference by the manufacturer. Sounds interesting, and at $350 at launch (without service contract) it is already a lot more affordable then the iPhone!
19 Ocak 2007 Cuma
Did you shop at Bobs, Marshalls, or T.J. Maxx in 2006?
I know many of our readers did. You may want to check out this article about a massive security breach in their credit card processing center between May 2006 and December 2006.
The company does not know the extent of the breach, which was first discovered in December 2006. However, hackers may have made off with credit and debit information from transactions in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico in 2003 as well as transactions between May and December 2006, according to a company statement.And they say I am putting myself at risk doing all of my Christmas shopping online!
Banking officials in Massachusetts say the TJX breach is behind a recent warning by Visa to banks in Massachusetts, which have contacted customers in recent days and had to reissue thousands of ATM and debit cards. In the end, the hack may affect a wide range of credit card companies and thousands of consumers in America and in countries like the United Kingdom and Ireland, experts say.
TJX said it is working with IBM and General Dynamics to investigate the breach, which is believed to have occurred on computer systems that process and store information on customer transactions for T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods and A.J. Wright.
Why do geeks make great boyfriends?
I am ashamed to admit I see way too much of myself in this article explaining geeks to girls. It is a great and funny read, but also a bit embarrassing to find yourself square in the bullseye.
Some hints for snagging your geek:Sigh. Maybe there is hope for me yet.
- Try not to look too attractive - you will only scare him.
- He will be shocked that you are interested and if you appear to be trying to pull him he is likely to respond by running away and pretending the whole thing didn't happen. You must persevere!
- He will be oblivious to even the most blatant of signals (those that are painfully obvious to every non-geek man and woman in the room!) Geeks will recognise this behaviour, (they've seen it in movies) but their tiny brains simply cannot compute that it is being directed towards them.
- Geeks can be very opinionated, smile and nod whilst they rant about politics, file sharing, how bad Windows is etc. unless you have strong opinions yourself, in which case go girl! The joy if the geek is that they actually do like intelligent women and should be happy to debate with you.
18 Ocak 2007 Perşembe
Let's get ready to pillow!!!
A fledgling Pillow fighting league has begun in Toronto and will soon come to New York City. The fights are real and unscripted, but the event is part WWE, part UFC. The league is all female, but the ring attire is not all lingerie. Most competitors come in costume ready to take out the frustrations of their day on another combatant.
Mmm...Coke...
Here is an article saying how soda is replacing juice and coffee for many people in the morning. I used to drink soda each morning and could never understand how people who loaded up their coffee with sugar could question how I could have a can of Coke in the AM.
17 Ocak 2007 Çarşamba
16 Ocak 2007 Salı
15 Ocak 2007 Pazartesi
DCB named Band of the Year
My favorite band over the course of the last year or so has been David Crowder Band (DCB). They're experimental, and use lots of different sounds all the while being worshipful and profound. Now they've been recognized as band of the year by the readers of MSN, mind you not Christian band of the year, but band of the year. They beat out the likes of Prince, Kenny Chesney and INXS. Granted MSN isn't a major publication like Rolling Stone, but still its significant that a band that is as openly Christian as they are - especially with a worship album. I for one am happy about this, even though it is only MSN.
Naked DSL is coming
Because of a deal AT has made with the FCC to allow them to buy BellSouth they are about to offer $20/month naked DSL. For those who don't know what naked dsl is, this article at Wikipedia does a good job of explaining it. Basically it's dsl without a phone line. Anyway, this should open up broadband up to a lot more people. Particularly since this service will be less expensive than many dial-up ISPs. Plus with VOIP being so inexpensive I can see many people buying into it. If I weren't tied into my cable broadband I might think about buying in.
Faith Enough
Still not sure what God's short term plan for my life is yet, but the Jars of Clay song "Faith Enough" has been resonating with me recently.
I can't find the lyrics on Jars of Clays' site, but they can be found here.
I've been remembering something a friend once told me. He said that there are two lights in our life. The light at the end (heaven) and the lamp for our feet to see the next step. I joked that you just hope that the next step isn't a cliff. His response was quick and with conviction. He said that it doesn't matter, because you're going to get to that end light. I'm still not sure what my step after my next step is, but it seems my step this week is to trust God more fully.
The ice is thin enough for walkin'
The rope is worn enough to climb
My throat is dry enough for talkin'
The world is crumblin' but I know why
The world is crumblin' but I know why
I can't find the lyrics on Jars of Clays' site, but they can be found here.
I've been remembering something a friend once told me. He said that there are two lights in our life. The light at the end (heaven) and the lamp for our feet to see the next step. I joked that you just hope that the next step isn't a cliff. His response was quick and with conviction. He said that it doesn't matter, because you're going to get to that end light. I'm still not sure what my step after my next step is, but it seems my step this week is to trust God more fully.
14 Ocak 2007 Pazar
Are the Sunnis ready to talk in Iraq?
This report from within Iraq raises an intriguing question: has the sectarian violence within the war-torn nation actually convinced the Sunni population that it is time to negotiate with American troops? The essential point of the article is that after years of allying with Al-Qaeda, the Sunnis have finally realized that foreign fighters are there with a foreign agenda, and have no interest in making for a better Iraq. Instead, Al-Qaeda is eafer to see an Iraq in civil war where Shia fight Sunni, because a civil war will hurt the Americans. But the Sunnis realize in a real civil war, they are bound for a massacre and ultimate defeat.
If true, this may mean we are moving toward a great opportunity in Iraq, even as many want to simply declare defeat and get out.
If true, this may mean we are moving toward a great opportunity in Iraq, even as many want to simply declare defeat and get out.
13 Ocak 2007 Cumartesi
GWB's Speech Makes the Case His Opponents Never Could
Peggy Noonan's newest article does a great job of summing up my reaction to the President's speech on Iraq this week.
Not that I feel myself opposing the president yet, but I do feel he did not make the case fo the troop increase, and in fact did not make the case for any of the new plans. In fact, I feel like they gave a speech designed to convince, but which barely communicated at all.
I had the odd and wholly unexpected experience of feeling supportive of a troop increase until I saw the president's speech arguing for it. What a jarring, furtive-seeming thing it was...There was something unnerving about the speech, from the jumpy beginning to the stumbles to the sound glitches. A jittery affair, and some dusk hung over it. At the end I suspected the president's aides had instructed him again and again not to strut or have an edge. He perhaps understood that as: Got it--don't be me. He couldn't do wounded wisdom, but he could repress cocky cowboy. The result was that he seemed not chastened but effaced, not there. It was odd. One couldn't find the personal geography of the speech.It is a strange experience to walk into a speech planning to support its policies, and to end up opposing them specifically because of the speech.
Not that I feel myself opposing the president yet, but I do feel he did not make the case fo the troop increase, and in fact did not make the case for any of the new plans. In fact, I feel like they gave a speech designed to convince, but which barely communicated at all.
12 Ocak 2007 Cuma
TouchScreen MacBook Details
The most interesting non-Apple product announced at MacWorld this year (and perhaps the only COMPUTER actually released) is the ModBook, a new after-market alteration of the MacBook that turns it into a touchscreen tablet PC.
Unveiled on Tuesday, the $2,279 device is an after-market hardware modification to Apple's MacBook notebook line. The companies claim it's the "first ever Mac OS X tablet computer solution."I won't be buying one, but with the integrated GPS system it is veeeeeeeeery interesting.
Each ModBook starts off as a MacBook Core 2 Duo but undergoes a surgical operation where its original display and keyboard are severed, then replaced with a new 13.3-inch Wacom pen enabled widescreen display set in a chrome-plated magnesium top shell.
The device runs the current version of Mac OS X and utilizes that software's built-in Inkwell handwriting recognition. Meanwhile, the tablet retains all of the hardware features of the current Apple MacBook line, such as a 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, an integrated camera and CD/DVD combo drive.
While the ModBook utilizes the original MacBook iSight camera, it has been slightly tilted downwards to allow video conference applications like iChat to better frame the face of the user.
11 Ocak 2007 Perşembe
Potential legitimacy for MLS
Major League Soccer is the highest level of soccer in the US, but in the world it is quite frankly minor league soccer. Part of that is because the league is new and part is because of the heavy restrictions on how many non-US players can be on each team and part is because its in the US where pro-soccer isn't really thought of. Nonetheless, MLS has made some changes to how teams are structured - including loosening the salary cap - that potentially will lure some of the really good players - perhaps not the great ones - to the US. The first evidence of this is the report that David Beckham (yeah, the one the movie's named after) is going to turn down a contract renewal with Real Madrid (one of the top 4 or 5 teams in the world) to play for the LA Galaxy (not one of the best teams in the world).
This would be a good move for Beckham, because he has the looks and glamor associated with him (for the 5 of you that didn't know, he's married to Victoria Beckham a.k.a. Posh Spice) to make him a major star in the US. Since the salary cap has been loosened, he won't have to give up his gigantic salary and will most likely get even more sponsorship deals.
The real question is whether or not his playing for MLS will garner the league any more respect. I tend to think not. Beckham is genuinely a very good player, but he is seen to be in the twilight of his career - there are many players globally that are seen to be better and more desirable than him to have on your team. In fact the one reason Real Madrid want to keep him is because of his fame and the publicity money they get from having him on their team - he doesn't even dress for a lot of games. Because of this perception that his career is in its twilight this move to MLS will be seen as him moving to the retirement village. The equivalent of the 40 year old man that can play against 12 year olds but not 25 year olds. It's unfortunate, because I would like to see professional soccer become a big deal in the US.
This season the NFL has been advertising itself as America's game (juxtaposed to MLB's view as America's pastime). I think that they're right, more people get amped for the NFL season than for the MLB season. As much as I love baseball, there's something special about football season. For soccer to become one of the big 3 or 4 pro sports in the US is going to take a lot. Maybe Becks moving to the US will be a first step in that direction, but I doubt it.
This would be a good move for Beckham, because he has the looks and glamor associated with him (for the 5 of you that didn't know, he's married to Victoria Beckham a.k.a. Posh Spice) to make him a major star in the US. Since the salary cap has been loosened, he won't have to give up his gigantic salary and will most likely get even more sponsorship deals.
The real question is whether or not his playing for MLS will garner the league any more respect. I tend to think not. Beckham is genuinely a very good player, but he is seen to be in the twilight of his career - there are many players globally that are seen to be better and more desirable than him to have on your team. In fact the one reason Real Madrid want to keep him is because of his fame and the publicity money they get from having him on their team - he doesn't even dress for a lot of games. Because of this perception that his career is in its twilight this move to MLS will be seen as him moving to the retirement village. The equivalent of the 40 year old man that can play against 12 year olds but not 25 year olds. It's unfortunate, because I would like to see professional soccer become a big deal in the US.
This season the NFL has been advertising itself as America's game (juxtaposed to MLB's view as America's pastime). I think that they're right, more people get amped for the NFL season than for the MLB season. As much as I love baseball, there's something special about football season. For soccer to become one of the big 3 or 4 pro sports in the US is going to take a lot. Maybe Becks moving to the US will be a first step in that direction, but I doubt it.
iPhone vs. Treo
I know we have MANY Treo users in our Mod-Blog readership, so they may be interested in this discussion with two Treo addicts of how the iPhone stacks up against the Treo in pretty much every category. The most interesting observation so far to me is that the lack of removable battery is what held back the original Treos from taking off, and may similarly cripple the first generation of iPhones.
10 Ocak 2007 Çarşamba
Run Windows Programs... Without Windows!
The new Intel Macs are great for those of us who need to live with a few Windows programs because you can run Windows using either BootCamp (Apple's free dual-boot program) or Parallels (a paid virtual machine for running Windows under MacOS X). A little-noticed announcement at MacWorld SanFrancisco was the move of CodeWeaver's CrossOver for Mac from Beta to FULL RELEASE.
Crossover is a fully independent implementation of the Windows API without Windows. What that means is, you can run Windows programs without paying Bill Gates one red cent. I have been using the Betas for several weeks now and it runs the basic Microsoft programs - Internet Explorer, Excel, Word, and Access - beautifully. I have not tried any games as of now, but they claim it runs World of Warcraft and other games beautifully.
This solution is not right if you need to run everythig that Windows can run. But if you just need a few programs for work, this is a much cheaper than Paralells or Windows XP alone, and keeps you from needing to ever see a Blue Screen of Death.
Crossover is a fully independent implementation of the Windows API without Windows. What that means is, you can run Windows programs without paying Bill Gates one red cent. I have been using the Betas for several weeks now and it runs the basic Microsoft programs - Internet Explorer, Excel, Word, and Access - beautifully. I have not tried any games as of now, but they claim it runs World of Warcraft and other games beautifully.
This solution is not right if you need to run everythig that Windows can run. But if you just need a few programs for work, this is a much cheaper than Paralells or Windows XP alone, and keeps you from needing to ever see a Blue Screen of Death.
Free Courses on your iTunes/iPod
Many colleges say that want to "foster a culture of life-long learning," but how many actually back that up with more than a smile and a nod? How about this college which is offering the world free courses as Podcasts for many of their courses! I hope many other colleges follow suit!
Hands-On with the Apple iPhone
Judging by conversations last night with Mod-Blog readers, the iPhone is the new product generating the most interest by far. It is also generating lots of questions about the details of what to expect when it actually ships - how fast is it, how clear are the calls, will the screen smudge, etc. Well, one reviewer did get his hands on an actual iPhone (apologies for the New York Times link, there was no other way to get this) and has some interesting things to say.
Also, it was so quiet as to be unnoticed, but Apple did release an 802.11n Airport yesterday. It boasts 5x faster data transfers if you have an 802.11n-enabled computer (everything released in the 4th quarter of 2006 does) and 2x greater range, which is a BIG deal for those of us with long or windy domiciles. 802.11n is backwards compatible with all existing Apple Airport products (a.k.a. 802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11a).
Also, it was so quiet as to be unnoticed, but Apple did release an 802.11n Airport yesterday. It boasts 5x faster data transfers if you have an 802.11n-enabled computer (everything released in the 4th quarter of 2006 does) and 2x greater range, which is a BIG deal for those of us with long or windy domiciles. 802.11n is backwards compatible with all existing Apple Airport products (a.k.a. 802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11a).
9 Ocak 2007 Salı
Simpsons as animé
I don't know how many of you have seen this yet, but it's an example of what The Simpsons would look like if they were anime. I think it's kind of cool looking, while lots of people thinks it's pretty lame.
The Simpsonzu by *spacecoyote on deviantART
The Simpsonzu by *spacecoyote on deviantART
Live MacWorld Keynote Coverage
If you are like me and actually have to work today, then you probably won't be able to get to an Apple Store or San Francisco to see Steve Job's Keynote where he is expected to reveal the final iTV and possibly an Apple cell phone. If not, you can click here for MacRumor's Live text feed from the Keynote. The site is XML-based, so it will automatically reload with news every few seconds.
The kenote begins at 9 AM San Francisco time which is Noon EST.
The kenote begins at 9 AM San Francisco time which is Noon EST.
Sling beats Apple to the iTV Punch?
It costs $100 less than the iTV is predicted to be priced, it works for both Macs and PCs, it streams any video from any source to your television, and it works with wireless networking and Ethernet. Is the SlingCatcher an Apple iTV killer even before iTV hits the stands? At the very least, it proves that Apple's iTV pre-announcement has already changed the market and forced all competitors to rush their offerings to the public before Apple creates another "standard".
8 Ocak 2007 Pazartesi
Telephone Tax Refund
If you've paid a phone bill after February 28, 2003 and before August 1, 2006 and you had to pay federal excise taxes on your phone bill, you're entitled to a refund on your 2006 taxes. Check out more here. Also, make sure your phone company is not still charging you this tax.
Feed the Hungry for Free
I was recently reminded about this site. You can click the button once a day and they will donate to help the hungry.
7 Ocak 2007 Pazar
Possible ethically viable stem cells found
Wake Forest and Harvard researchers claim that they have found that stem cells harvested from the amniotic fluid of pregnant women are as promising as embryonic stem cells. The bonus is that both the mother and fetus were unharmed from the harvesting. There is still the potential issue of women getting pregnant simply for the purpose of getting paid for the stem cells in their amniotic fluid and then aborting the baby, which of course would be no better than what's happening with embryonic stem cells. This might be a good place for a federal law preventing doctors from paying for stem cells, though that could bring about other issues. Nonetheless, it's still a positive step in the continuing saga of stem cell research. I know that there has been some discussion of getting stem cells from the umbilical cord of babies, but this development seems to have researchers much more excited. I guess we'll see.
Flash Gordon coming to SCI FI?
With the relative success of the new Battlestar Galactica, SCI FI is now exploring the possibility of bringing a reimagined Flash Gordon serial to television. The idea is to bring a lighter, funnier science fiction series to the boob tube, something more on the line of the Stargate series or the Hercules made-for-tv movies. It is an intersting idea, but they would need EXACTLY the right writer and actor to make this work. Otherwise, it would be easy to wind up with a 2000s version of the campy Batman television series. (Though I will admit as a kid I really enjoyed that series.)
6 Ocak 2007 Cumartesi
Mod-Blog Review: Children of Men
Movie: Children of Men
MPAA Rating: [R]
Plot Summary: It is 2026 and worldwide humanity has been hit with infertility. In the absence of any hope for the future, the world has gone mad and only Britain remains as a (relatively) stable society. Flooded with an influx of refugees from other parts of the globe, the British government has closed its borders and is forcibly detaining, expelling, and executing illegal aliens. In the middle of this semi-hopeless world, Theo Faron is kidnapped be terrorists and charged with escorting the first pregnant woman in decades to safety with an organization dedicated to returning children to the world.
My Impressions: Shot largely hand-held with a dingy, dark pallete, this is definitely not a mainstream Hollywood movie. It is however a movie you may find yourself spending hours discussing with friends afterward. If we truly are always living for the future, and if children ARE that future, what would the world truly be like without any babies? The world is well realized, the characters are strong, and the plot is well-constructed (if simplistic). Clive Owen does a good job playing his default character - the depressed loner with a heart of gold - and the stylistic camera work gives the film a powerful emotional impact and sense of immediacy.
Overall, this is a good film to see if you can stand to be depressed. There is a brief shot of appropriate nudity and considerable language and violence.
MPAA Rating: [R]
Plot Summary: It is 2026 and worldwide humanity has been hit with infertility. In the absence of any hope for the future, the world has gone mad and only Britain remains as a (relatively) stable society. Flooded with an influx of refugees from other parts of the globe, the British government has closed its borders and is forcibly detaining, expelling, and executing illegal aliens. In the middle of this semi-hopeless world, Theo Faron is kidnapped be terrorists and charged with escorting the first pregnant woman in decades to safety with an organization dedicated to returning children to the world.
My Impressions: Shot largely hand-held with a dingy, dark pallete, this is definitely not a mainstream Hollywood movie. It is however a movie you may find yourself spending hours discussing with friends afterward. If we truly are always living for the future, and if children ARE that future, what would the world truly be like without any babies? The world is well realized, the characters are strong, and the plot is well-constructed (if simplistic). Clive Owen does a good job playing his default character - the depressed loner with a heart of gold - and the stylistic camera work gives the film a powerful emotional impact and sense of immediacy.
Overall, this is a good film to see if you can stand to be depressed. There is a brief shot of appropriate nudity and considerable language and violence.
Bye-Bye AMT?
I had never really thought much about the Alternative Minimum Tax before, but now Congress is considering repealing it before it hits all Americans. This may be one tax change that both sides can agree on.
The AMT imposes a higher bill on taxpayers than the regular tax code. The tax, originally intended for the wealthy, now threatens to catch tens of millions of middle-class taxpayers unless lawmakers increase the AMT adjusted gross income exemption levels, since the original levels were never adjusted for inflation....But if no other changes are made, the exemption levels for tax year 2007 will drop to $35,750 for single filers and $45,000 for married filers, and the personal credits will be disallowed.More proof that our tax code is broken and needs to be fixed. Flat tax anyone?
As a result, the number of taxpayers nabbed by AMT will jump from 3.5 million in 2006 to 23 million for tax year 2007 and to 39 million by 2017, according to the Tax Policy Center. That assumes President Bush's tax cuts implemented since 2001 expire as scheduled. If they don't, then 53 million taxpayers - or about half of all taxpayers - will pay the AMT by 2017.
5 Ocak 2007 Cuma
GameFly Used Game Sale
Last day is today! Just found out about it yesterday. For xbox, there are 81 games under $10 and it's free shipping. They have games for other systems on sale as well.
http://www.gamefly.com/sale/
http://www.gamefly.com/sale/
Consumer Reports fails 75% of infant car seats
This is quite disturbing to me and with at least one set of new parents among the Mod-Blog readership I thought it was worth noting. Consumer Report recently tested 12 infant car seats and failed 9 of them. As my wife and I continue to talk and negotiate about children this terrifies me. When a child seat jumps off the seat then slams down I can only imagine the pain this would cause to an infant. From the article.
"The data showed that adults in vehicles are better protected than infants riding in those same vehicles," says Don Mays with Consumer Reports.Worth considering as many of us look to have little ones.
This one is for CRChair
If you liked Night at the Roxbury AND have Flash enabled, you will enjoy this. If you have no idea what either of those things are, don't bother.
4 Ocak 2007 Perşembe
Bill Clinton Visits Congress
This "news" story is so much of a "non-story" that I strangely feel compelled to post it. In a recent visit to Washington to visit his wife, Bill Clinton stopped by the Senate press gallery for no other reason than it was the closest bathroom and yet the news still picked it up and people clammored with their questions. Part of me wonders if his need for the restroom was more ego based than nature calling.
When Reality Is Stranger Than Fiction
This is bizarre beyond description. But it is likely to be a story that will flummox philosophy and ethics classes for generations to come.
The reason for the controversy is this: three years ago, when Ashley began to display early signs of puberty, her parents instructed doctors to remove her uterus, appendix and still-forming breasts, then treat her with high doses of oestrogen to stunt her growth.My first reaction is to regard this as monstrous. My second reaction is to think of this as sensible. Now I am trying to come up with a more thoughtful third reaction.
In other words, Ashley was sterilised and frozen in time, for ever to remain a child. She was only 6.
Ashley, the daughter of two professionals in the Seattle area, never had much hope of a normal life.
Afflicted with a severe brain impairment known as static encephalopathy, she cannot walk, talk, keep her head up in bed or even swallow food. Her parents argued that “keeping her small” was the best way to improve the quality of her life, not to make life more convenient for them.
Claw Machine Secrets!
There are other tips that CRChair and I use to clean up including this important one: take the time to really figure out what is gettable. Too many people go for the choice toy WEDGED into the corner which can barely be gripped and then is so tightly wedged that it can't be lifted.
3 Ocak 2007 Çarşamba
This is why I'll be shocked if the Dems win in 2008
The war is all the lunatic fringe cares about, to the exclusion of everything else. Say what you will about the "Religious Right", but we learned in order to win what we cared about, we had to compromise on other issues.
House Democrats tried to unveil their lobbying reform package today, but their press conference was drowned out by chants from anti-war activists who want Congress to stop funding the Iraq war before taking on other issues.Tip to the Left: If you can't play ball, you can't win. And by "play ball" I don't mean corruption. I just mean the simple compromise that is the bread and butter of a Democatic Republic.
Led by Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a slain soldier, the protesters chanted "De-escalate, investigate, troops home now" as Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., began outlining the Democrats' plans to ban lobbyist-funded travel and institute other ethics reforms...Emanuel finally gave up trying to be heard over the chants, and retreated to a caucus room where Democrats were meeting.
Adventures in missing the point: Pat Robertson
So, more than once I've ground my ax against Revs. Robertson and Falwell, because while they're honest about their beliefs they seem to be missing the point completely. For instance, why say that God was punishing the US when 9/11 happened - and why do it in front of a national audience. Why say that God was punishing Ariel Sharon when he had a stroke, and again why do it in front of a national audience? I know that they honestly believe this stuff, but what's the point of saying it in front of everybody? Anyway, Robertson has once again come out with a dyer prediction. This time there will be a mass killing in the US in 2007, he's even more specific in saying that it will be after September. Oh, and by the way, God told him so. Now I believe that God tells lots of people lots of stuff, so that's not really the issue. It's more that there's no real point in pointing it out. Biblically we are told that we know a prophet by the reliability of his or her prophecies. Robertson, has been nominally correct - I think that he exaggerates a lot. So, here's the question, what are we going to do about this killing since Robertson seems to be as accurate as a psychic saying that Nomad will meet a beautiful woman this year?
2 Ocak 2007 Salı
Massachusetts May Change Gay Marraige Ruling
While it wouldn't affect existing gay marriages, there is a measure in process that, if passed, would amend their constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. It still has a way to go, but it is headed in the right direction.
Indiana Jones and the Return of Harrison Ford's Career?
It is being reported that Spielberg has officially announced Indiana Jones IV as his next directorial project. George Lucas has spilled the beans a few days back, but there was much skepticism since Indy 4 has been "coming real soon now" since at least a year after the last one while "we're waiting for a good script". It would be nice to see Indy back on the big screen, though there will be a lot of skeptics about Harrison Ford being able to do the action at his current age. Then again, with Lucas's CGI magic, it may not matter if Harrison Ford were to come in weighing 300 lbs with a beer gut the size of Ohio. They could simply fix it all in post.
1 Ocak 2007 Pazartesi
Clothing Labels for Husbands Who Don't Know How to Do Laundry
I found this funny, even though it should serve as a reminder to myself and other married men to get to the laundry before our wives do (and other chores as well)
Update: the "beat our wives" comment has been changed to show what I really meant. Mod-Blog does not support the beating of wives. :)
Update: the "beat our wives" comment has been changed to show what I really meant. Mod-Blog does not support the beating of wives. :)
Happy New Year
Usher in a Wonderful 2007!
Originally uploaded by Ya Ya.
Our prayers and wishes for a happy 2007 to all Mod-Blog readers, staffers, and family.
They say size doesn't matter, but...
Have you ever wondered what would happen if the U.S.S. Enterprise came up against Star Destroyer? Did you sit around with friends at college debating the relative power of Babylon 5 and Deep Space 9? Have you ever been such an extreme sci fi geek that you wondered what a true armageddon with all the ships of all the science fictions shows would look like? Wonder no more!
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