Microsoft Announces Zune HD for Fall 2009

Posted: under Technology.
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Microsoft, still not giving up on its Zune platform, just verified rumors that had been swirling around for months: there will be a new version of the Zune player, this time with touch screen capability, HD Radio tuning, and HD Video output.  The specs point out a 3.3-inch, 480 x 272 OLED capacitive touchscreen display, built-in WiFi, and web browsing.  Full Press Release after  the jump.

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Written by Jean Valjean

Comments (1) May 27 2009


The Great Ethanol Scam

Posted: under Politics.
Tags: , , ,

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It now appears that in just a few years since the government forced ethanol use on the country, engine and fuel system failures caused by ethanol are causing major damage to more and more new and used vehicles. This means the hapless owners are not only paying for snake oil in lower fuel efficiency and more smog, but pay again when it damages their vehicles and lawn mowers.

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There are active lawsuits from boat owners; ethanol broke down the resins in their fiberglass gas tanks, destroying their marine engines. Additionally, those who deal in small gas engines for lawnmowers, edgers, and weedeaters have quickly learned that, as Briggs & Stratton’s (BGG

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) Web site warns, “Ethanol-blended gasoline can attract moisture, which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gasoline can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage. B&S strongly recommends removing ethanol-blended fuels from engine during storage.”

Pushed into it by the corn growers’ and ethanol refiners’ lobbying organizations, today the EPA is starting to go through the public comment phase on increasing the level of ethanol in our gasoline from 10% to 15%. Time and time again we have heard from these groups, who now claim that there is zero scientific evidence that a 15% blend of ethanol would do any damage whatsoever if the mandate for ethanol were raised. As with all statements made by vested interests, few outsiders have actually taken the time to look and find out whether this statement was true.

In fact, it’s false.

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Written by Jean Valjean

Comments (1) May 26 2009


Bankrupt companies making 39 mpg autos. Are we nuts?

Posted: under Technology.

At the end of his Rose Garden explanation yesterday of the new U.S. fuel-efficiency standards, President Obama remarked on the good that can be accomplished when we are “working together.” The President may be getting ahead of himself. Watching the unlikely coalition arrayed behind him as Mr. Obama committed the U.S. to an astonishing passenger-car mileage average of 39 miles per gallon by 2016, it looks truer to say we are merely standing together in this adventure, for better or worse.

Mr. Obama’s fleet-mileage partners yesterday included the two auto companies that have fallen into his arms, Chrysler and GM, still-independent Ford, the major foreign manufacturers, United Auto Workers chief Ron Gettelfinger, and beaming representatives from the Sierra Club, Environmental Defense Fund and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

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We wish these folks luck “working together” with the Obama auto-design team. One thing seems certain by 2016: Taxpayers will be paying Detroit to make the cars Americans don’t want, and then they will pay again either through (trust us) a gas tax or with a purchase subsidy. Even the French must think we’re nuts.

Read the full story at the Wall Street Journal.

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Written by Jean Valjean

Comments (2) May 22 2009


Why California won’t go bankrupt

Posted: under Society.

Last Tuesday, Californians went to the poll Daffy – The Commando psp , and rejected five propositions that were meant to “balance the budget”. In actuality, they would have robbed Peter to pay Paul.  Politicians threatened before the election that if the five measures did not pass, the state would face a $21Billion dollar hole (up from $14 Billion currently), but voters saw right through the scare tactics.  The only proposition that passed was one that prevent state and local lawmakers from awarding themselves pay raises while the budget showed a deficit:

1A

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Extends the sales tax increase from 2 to 4 years. FAIL

1B Something about actually funding the schools with money allocated currently to schools starting in a few years maybe. FAIL Double Dragon movie download Bandslam movie Dedication film How to Make an American Quilt

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1C Sells the State Lottery and leases it back to “save” money. FAIL

1D

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Shuffles money around in children’s programs. FAIL

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1E Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II trailer Takes money from mental health programs and promises to probably pay it back someday. FAIL

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1F Suspends pay raises when the budget isn’t balanced. PASS

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So, what is California to do? They could always declare bankrupty. They could lower benefits for state unions, especially after retirement.  Or stop spending money they never really had in the first place.

Yeah, like that’s going to happen.

The answer, I believe, was uttered very clearly by commenter
“Peripheral Visionary” at exurbannation.blogspot.com: (emphasis mine)

I think the denial may be on the side of those celebrating the “victory”, unfortunately. [Exurbannation host] Rob has already seen which way the wind is blowing, and the Federal government will be involved at some point. They have to; no way will they let California fail and (more importantly!) risk it going Republican Meet the Fockers , which would turn the country upside down. Look for bailouts for California and for any other big blue states looking at a major deficit (Massachusetts? New York?) Yes, the “flyover” states will be enraged, but in the cynical electorate calculus, they just don’t add up to much.

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Written by Jean Valjean

Comments (0) May 21 2009


Why Government Can't Run a Business

Posted: under Society.

The Obama administration is bent on becoming a major player in — if not taking over entirely — America’s health care, automobile and banking industries. Before that happens, it might be a good idea to look at the government’s track record in running economic enterprises. It is terrible. Here’s why:

  1. Governments are run by politicians, not businessmen.
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  2. Politicians need headlines.
  3. Governments use other people’s money.
  4. Government does not tolerate competition.
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  5. Government enterprises are almost always monopolies and thus do not face competition at all. download Maniac Cop 2
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  6. Successful corporations are run by benevolent despots.
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Read the full article, and explanation of each reason listed above, at the original article at the Wall Street Journal.

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Written by Jean Valjean

Comments (0) May 21 2009


Confessions of a movie reviewer

Posted: under It's funny. Laugh.

Since “Angels & Demons” takes place mainly in the Vatican, and is festooned with the rites and ornaments of Roman Catholicism, I might as well begin with a confession. I have not read the novel by Dan Brown on which this film (directed, like its predecessor, “The Da Vinci Code,” by Ron Howard) is based. I have come to believe that to do so would be a sin against my faith, not in the Church of Rome but in the English language, a noble and beleaguered institution against which Mr. Brown practices vile and unspeakable blasphemy.

A. O. SCOTT
Movie Review
Angels & Demons (2009)

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Written by Jean Valjean

Comments (1) May 14 2009


Chrysler Notifies 789 Dealers of Closure, including 12 in North Texas

Posted: under Texas.
Tags: , , ,

Chrysler LLC is seeking to immediately drop 789 dealers from its retail network, according to documents filed on Thursday with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan

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Chrysler studied the sales, location, market share, finances and facilities of each of its dealers to identify the strongest of its 3,200 dealers. In 2008, Chrysler sold 303 vehicles per store. Toyota sold 1,292 and Honda 1,030.

Chrysler’s dealers began receiving letters Thursday notifying them about the fate of their dealerships. According to one dealer who received a letter, the auto maker intends to have those dealerships closed within 30 to 60 days.  List of those dealers affected in North Texas:

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  • CANTON MOTORS INC
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Written by Jean Valjean

Comments (0) May 14 2009


Eco-sailors rescued by oil tanker

Posted: under Technology.

An expedition team which set sail from Plymouth on a 5,000-mile carbon emission-free trip to Greenland have been rescued by an oil tanker. Space Chimps dvd download Mighty Aphrodite movie

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The expedition was followed by up to 40 schools across the UK to promote climate change awareness.

But atrocious weather dogged their journey after 27 April, culminating with the rescue on 1 May after the boat was temporarily capsized three times by the wind.Hood of Horror full movie

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Written by Jean Valjean

Comments (1) May 08 2009


"In accordance with the Prophecy…"

Posted: under Society.
Tags: ,

Back in October of 2008, I sent an email to a few people I know, outlining things I thought would happen in 2009. Not prophecies, mind you. Just predictions, based on reading financial news and blogs, and just good old fashioned guessing. I have never claimed any special powers or clairvoyance.  I just wanted to put my thoughts in writing. For fun.

Well, a tad over six months later, I would like to take a look back at what I predicted.  Here are the list of 10 things I wrote down that would happen within 12 months. Over the next few days, I’ll go over them and see how close (or far) I’ve come.

1. Chrysler or GM file for bankruptcy, get a bailout from the government, or merge. One of the 3.
2. A LOT of car dealers go out of business. This will especially be true of the smaller dealers.
3. Many countries go broke. It’s already happened with Hungary, Ukraine, and Iceland. Also on my list: Pakistan, Dubai, Argentina, Iran.
4. Circuit City goes kaput.
5. The price of used cars drops by quite a bit.
6. Wells Fargo will need a Fed bailout.
7. The Federal Interest rate drops to 1%
8. Housing downturn turnaround doesn’t happen until late 2009.
9. Gas prices settle between $1.85 and $2.25/gal.
10. Europe goes into a DEEP recession.  Led by Latvia, Estonia, Austria, maybe even Spain.

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Written by Jean Valjean

Comments (1) May 04 2009