That thing was toast the second they named it the super committee. I'm glad it's finally over I was really tired of hearing it and my stomach turning. This should be an interesting election indeed. I really like that you can now "multi bot" your campaign contributions.
Even if the ruling stands, there is an argument to be made that it will make little practical difference. As a result of Citizens United, corporations can spend unlimited sums in opposition or in support of candidates. Direct contributions limits are currently set at about $2,500 per candidate per election. Twenty-five hundred dollars will likely not be transformative under our current campaign finance system. However, it is important to remember that individuals can form an indefinite number of corporations. Whether people would chose to do that, as opposed to simply making independent expenditures, remains to be seen.
Interesting thought... though i suspect the hassle might be worth more than the resulting donations. Such a system definitely needs strong transparency controls so voters can see how's getting what from where...
The deficit battle has been joined, and on this terrain will the presidential election be fought.
Wow, i thought the elections this weekend for NZ were going to suck, seems your guys one next year is going to be horrendous regardless of who the candidates are... I do like the fact that the president is going to uphold the resulted activated effects from the bills failure even though nobody likes them, it's a good punishment for the lack of effectiveness.
Flippantly, my first thought here was that we'd probably see results quickly if we shot everyone on the first committee for failure and appointed a new one. Really though, they have 0 reason to work together as long as they can keep pointing their fingers at someone else.
Also, ditto transparency controls, and needed pretty much everywhere, not just in campaign contributions.
@ 1st story: Poor pup, I wonder what you have to do to evoke that kind of loyalty from an animal though.
I bet they'd make a bundle if they installed the banner creator in sports stadiums.
IDing people seems like a good idea to me...
Gold tree looks like a nice smash and grab target to me, but you're right about the lego tree being better. I wonder what that one would value in at if you had to add up labor costs? Looks great though, I'm kinda surprised that the legos can hold that structure since the branches are quite thin and long.
I bet I can guess why... Marsden Fund Council Chairman Professor Peter Hunter said no attempt was made to disguise the study, but admitted the project's working title was changed. Nope, nothing to hide here...
Our coins have gotten changed up so much recently, I guess I don't see any issue. Over here at least, I tend to think of it as them trying to increase value a bit by creating collectibles. Is it really that unpatriotic to change a couple pictures around? This is what actually amused me though: Minister for Patriotism, with orders to promote "Britishness" across the country.
While i can understand the outrage, it's not like they could change anything on the other side of the coin... I bet that would have provoked a stronger reaction.
This is not an accusation of harassment in the workplace – this is not an accusation of an assault – which are subject matters of legitimate inquiry to a political candidate. Rather, this appears to be an accusation of private, alleged consensual conduct between adults – a subject matter which is not a proper subject of inquiry by the media or the public.
^I REALLY hate when people try to make this argument about people running for office. I'm not generally interested in people's affairs, but I do believe it says a lot about the morality and trustworthiness of a person who does have affairs. All of these people try to act perfect in front of the cameras, it's impossible to get a real feel for their personalities just from public statements. It's how they acted when no one was watching them that is really telling. Not that all politicians aren't generally dirt bags anyway, but if you're willing to lie to and cheat on the people you should care the most about, then how much more would you be willing to do in front of people you don't care about at all?
I agree Ixta we need to know about the person not the crap coming out of their mouth. This guy has no problem lying to the people he loves most. Since he's raised so much cash he should have tons to take with him as he exits stage left. He knew this would happen and I really do believe he doesn't care. The guy chose to drag them through the mud.
Turn 999 upside down what do you get 666. Guy is just clownin. He said today when asked if he was reevaluating his presidential bid, "I'm not quitting the race. I'm starting with the assessment of my family." I guess the guy is contemplating quitting them, and doing a damn fine job of it I might add.
I would def. pick Romney over Newt. Newt is owned by big business and gets paid off all the time. Ron Paul I like because I think he will make decisions that he feels is good for the country and not for his wallet. But he scares the crap out of me because I think he might be a complete nutjob and might be loosing his grip with his age. I don't know at this point who looks good. Romney sure isn't all that conservative either but I don't think he is a shady as Newt. I kinda liked Cain until all this sexual harassment and affair stuff. It definitely reflects his character.
"It's interesting to know about these genes, but in a way our genes are an irrelevance unless you were actually to obey them - but none of us do that."
So... the whole study is actually moot? Would have made a great excuse to get out of work otherwise...
this is an interesting education article. I agree with several points it makes, esp the ones on standardized tests and teacher evaluations. I've seen some really disturbing trends coming from the fixation on standardized tests.
I don't think i've ever taken a high stakes standardized test while at school so i can't really comment on that one (though apparently something similar is supposed to be implemented in NZ schools soon...)
And while that second one is cute, i wonder how it affects it's swimming given that it looks rather rigid...
Saw a link on FB to new planet discovery. 600-million light years away, orbits its star in 290 days. Temperature is rougly 22° C. I dont recalll the link but if you google Kepler earth clone it should come up. Somewhat interestin
and damn you all to hell if this is another repost
I'm not sure if it really counts as a clone if it's 2.4x the size of Earth (IIRC)... It's a bit like the movie 80's movie 'Twins' imo. Other than that, while the temp is neat the distance is a bit prohibitive. Still, it's better than one of the planets that was announced as potentially housing life some time back, even though the surface temp facing it's star was scorching and the side facing away was well below freezing.
"We are certain that it is in the habitable zone and if it has a surface, it ought to have a nice temperature," he told reporters. "If it has a surface" ^I know this is a valid concern, but it still amuses me.
Comments
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jessica-levinson/corporations-can-now-dona_b_868440.html
Even if the ruling stands, there is an argument to be made that it will make little practical difference. As a result of Citizens United, corporations can spend unlimited sums in opposition or in support of candidates. Direct contributions limits are currently set at about $2,500 per candidate per election. Twenty-five hundred dollars will likely not be transformative under our current campaign finance system. However, it is important to remember that individuals can form an indefinite number of corporations. Whether people would chose to do that, as opposed to simply making independent expenditures, remains to be seen.
Also, ditto transparency controls, and needed pretty much everywhere, not just in campaign contributions.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/6027693/A-friend-to-the-end-and-beyond
http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/odd/12004906/vending-machine-offers-diy-banners-at-dutch-airport/
I can see this really taking off in some of the larger international airports, especially after big sports events.
http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/odd/12001268/las-vegas-charities-ask-needy-for-ids-before-giveaways/
The sad state of the world we live in...
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/24/uk-japan-tree-gold-idUSLNE7AN01T20111124
For a Christmas tree it doesn't seem very bushy...
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/882773-lego-christmas-tree-unveiled-at-londons-st-pancras-station
Now this is a good fake Christmas tree, even if it is worth significantly less...
http://bit.ly/uPKDAc
I wonder why it needs so much money... :-" (link shortened to hide headline
I bet they'd make a bundle if they installed the banner creator in sports stadiums.
IDing people seems like a good idea to me...
Gold tree looks like a nice smash and grab target to me, but you're right about the lego tree being better. I wonder what that one would value in at if you had to add up labor costs? Looks great though, I'm kinda surprised that the legos can hold that structure since the branches are quite thin and long.
I bet I can guess why...
Marsden Fund Council Chairman Professor Peter Hunter said no attempt was made to disguise the study, but admitted the project's working title was changed.
Nope, nothing to hide here...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-510614/Sign-petition-stop-Browns-plan-remove-Britannia-50p-coin.html
Our coins have gotten changed up so much recently, I guess I don't see any issue. Over here at least, I tend to think of it as them trying to increase value a bit by creating collectibles. Is it really that unpatriotic to change a couple pictures around?
This is what actually amused me though:
Minister for Patriotism, with orders to promote "Britishness" across the country.
(second pic was funny too.)
http://www.larrysinclair.org/2011/11/29/sources-say-herman-cain-to-drop-out-of-gop-race-tomorrow/
Rather, this appears to be an accusation of private, alleged consensual conduct between adults – a subject matter which is not a proper subject of inquiry by the media or the public.
^I REALLY hate when people try to make this argument about people running for office. I'm not generally interested in people's affairs, but I do believe it says a lot about the morality and trustworthiness of a person who does have affairs. All of these people try to act perfect in front of the cameras, it's impossible to get a real feel for their personalities just from public statements. It's how they acted when no one was watching them that is really telling. Not that all politicians aren't generally dirt bags anyway, but if you're willing to lie to and cheat on the people you should care the most about, then how much more would you be willing to do in front of people you don't care about at all?
Turn 999 upside down what do you get 666. Guy is just clownin. He said today when asked if he was reevaluating his presidential bid, "I'm not quitting the race. I'm starting with the assessment of my family." I guess the guy is contemplating quitting them, and doing a damn fine job of it I might add.
Romney only other candidate I will support.
[insert Easter bunny joke here]. Other than that, cute.
Dank for president!!!
This made me laugh a lot, so true though.
http://www.damninteresting.com/technology-and-the-pursuit-of-happiness/
Somewhat creepy, but thought provoking.
Endeavor to persevere.
Okay so maybe they didn't say it to me...
http://www.unique-design.net/library/nature/consequence/persevere.html
damn you ixta
http://tinyurl.com/729nc3o
"It's interesting to know about these genes, but in a way our genes are an irrelevance unless you were actually to obey them - but none of us do that."
So... the whole study is actually moot? Would have made a great excuse to get out of work otherwise...
My ABCC9 must be rigged for an extra hour at least. :P
this is an interesting education article. I agree with several points it makes, esp the ones on standardized tests and teacher evaluations. I've seen some really disturbing trends coming from the fixation on standardized tests.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2069015/Back-happy-feet-Penguin-born-limp-gets-special-shoe-help-walk.html
This is cute ^_^
And while that second one is cute, i wonder how it affects it's swimming given that it looks rather rigid...
and damn you all to hell if this is another repost
Link to reduce search time: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10771252
I'm not sure if it really counts as a clone if it's 2.4x the size of Earth (IIRC)... It's a bit like the movie 80's movie 'Twins' imo. Other than that, while the temp is neat the distance is a bit prohibitive. Still, it's better than one of the planets that was announced as potentially housing life some time back, even though the surface temp facing it's star was scorching and the side facing away was well below freezing.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10771545
Uhhh....
"If it has a surface"
^I know this is a valid concern, but it still amuses me.
Lol @ the ram/deer thing too.