News and Views

From my kids accomplishments, to my heretical perspective of the world

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Entries from September 2008

Science and the Candidates

September 29th, 2008 · 9 Comments

Nature magazine recently published an article that analyzed the position on and approach towards science of the two major party presidential candidates. As one excerpt, it’s interesting to compare Obama’s Science and Technology team of advisers with McCain’s: Obama’s: Dan Kammen, University of California, Berkeley Don Lamb, University of Chicago Gil Omenn, University of Michigan […]

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Tags: Opinion

The New Screenwriter

September 25th, 2008 · 7 Comments

Benjamin Bates is the son of my old and good friend Don Bates (since our days together at Flowing Wells High School), who are both also my colleagues in the creation of the aznb.com websites. Benjamin has a degree in (I think) Theater Arts, and has dabbled in making a couple of short films. He […]

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Tags: Family Updates

Oops…

September 25th, 2008 · 2 Comments

Last night on the Daily Show, Jon Stewart asked why they won’t let Sarah Palin talk with the press? What could a Vice Presidential candidate possibly say that could hurt them? Then he cut to Joe Biden telling about how Franklin Roosevelt got on television after the stock market crash to calm the nation. Ouch! […]

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Tags: Opinion

George Will for Obama???

September 23rd, 2008 · 1 Comment

In an editorial published today, arch-conservative George Will said: “It is arguable that, because of his inexperience, Obama is not ready for the presidency. It is arguable that McCain, because of his boiling moralism and bottomless reservoir of certitudes, is not suited to the presidency. Unreadiness can be corrected, although perhaps at great cost, by […]

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Tags: Opinion

Stop Lying!

September 20th, 2008 · 11 Comments

This is a bi-partisan plea. Both Obama’s and McCain’s campaign’s continue to release ads with lies and half-truths. McCain keeps insisting that Obama plans to raise taxes on the middle class, which is untrue. Obama says that McCain wants to cut Social Security benefits in half, which is not true. McCain runs an ad stating […]

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Tags: Opinion

Chevy Volt

September 18th, 2008 · 3 Comments

Devon’s Toyota Prius is a hybrid car, using both electricity and gas to drive the wheels. As revolutionary as that is, GM is planning to push the technology envelope even further with the Chevy Volt, due out in 2010. Lithium Ion batteries will drive the car for up to about 40 miles. As the batteries […]

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Tags: Computers, Tech & Science

My Next TV?

September 12th, 2008 · 3 Comments

Might be a little expensive…

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Tags: Computers, Tech & Science

Wind Storm

September 11th, 2008 · 7 Comments

We had an extreme wind storm last night, about 9:00. Trees are blown down and branches broken all over the neighborhood. Fortunately the only damage at my house was one roof tile and a few small branches (and lots of twigs). Here are some pictures. That’s my bicycle and garage door. Fortunately the tree missed […]

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Tags: Family Updates

Priceless!

September 4th, 2008 · 12 Comments

A couple of days ago, Bill O’Reilly (Fox) talked about the Palin daughter’s pregnancy, saying: “It is a personal matter… It is true some Americans will judge Sarah Palin’s family… We hope things calm down,” A reasonable position. But back in December, talking about Brittany Spears’ 16-year old sister’s pregnancy, he said, “…the blame falls […]

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Tags: Opinion

Experience

September 3rd, 2008 · 8 Comments

Imagine that, a guy gets a law degree, his total political experience is to serve 8 years on the Illinois State Legislature, then one term in the US Congress, and then he has the audacity to think he’s ready to be president. How ridiculous! Sure, he delivers a good speech, but he really should get […]

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Tags: Opinion