Archive for November, 2007

America

Texas Oilman Jailed Over United Nations Oil Scandal

I haven’t seen this in American papers yet, but I remember when the scandal came out. According to this BBC article, and 83-year old Oilman from Texas is going to serve prison time for his role in the United Nations Oil for Food Program scandal.

I wonder who else is involved?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7116113.stm

America

The More I Listen, The Better I Like It . . . .

Congressman Ron Paul really has a great message . . . and, I am a Democrat.

America

Hey, College Students: Do Something

This video has been viewed more than 2.4 million times. It is a call to action, with quotes from Robert Kennedy and Kurt Vonnegut (in the same paragraph, actually).

It is worth a look:

Environment

Bay Oil Spill: The Scene of the Crime

I have been reeling since the oil spill last week. Both my boats are on the bay (one in the Berkeley Marina), I belong to the Cal Sailing Club (out of Berkeley Marina), and race every chance I get. Much of my life revolves around the San Francisco Bay, and as a result, I have been both angry and frustrated with the oil spill.

By last reports, the Coast Guard reported that 12,000+ gallons have been recovered–leaving slightly more than 40,000 barrels to go, and the effects have been seen all the way down to Big Sur. And, while that is a good step in the right direction, I still want to know what happened–and, who is responsible. Fortunately, some people are helping with the answers.

All commercial vessels in the San Francisco Bay (can’t speak for the world) are required to have transponders that detail their exact position. Some really smart people put together a website where you can watch the commercial traffic in the bay almost in real-time. It is very cool.

This technology can also be used for some reconstructive purposes. They have created a “tape” of the timeline when the accident and oil spill happened. Check it out and see the path of the Busan as it hit the bridge base.

Here is the link:
http://www.boatingsf.com/busan.php

America

Shoulder-Rub Diplomacy: Isn’t THAT Charming?

This clip was not from a harassment in the workplace video. It was our president at the G8 Summit.

America

Don’t Talk With Your Mouth Full; Don’t Use Swear Words

Unless, of course, you are the President of the United States of America. Then, you can do anything you want.

America

We Don’t Actually See George Bush Take a Drink

Okay–maybe a little one . . . .

America

These are My Peeps . . . .

“If the president wants to talk about priorities, let’s talk about what is really important to the American people,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California. “I’d rather have a war on cancer than fritter away many more dollars in Iraq.”

“The president is appealing to a very small conservative base of people, his last few friends in the country, to say, ‘I am conservative,'” said Senator Patty Murray of Washington, a Democrat involved in mapping the party’s spending strategy. “But the problem is, he is playing with American lives while he sends his message to his friends.”

-New York Times

America

Colbert for President: South Carolina is Taking Him Seriously

America

Steven Colbert Announces Candidacy

Steven Colbert runs for President. I LOVE it! Here is the story:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1107/6672.html

And, here is his campaign website:

http://www.colbert08.org/