Clarion Content

Or the Northern and Southern lights, respectively.



Scientists have long puzzled about the phenomena of the auroras over the Earth's poles. The tremendous displays of light have been a source of mystery, wonder, speculation and myth since they were first observed.

Scientists using five satellites from NASA's THEMIS program (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms) were recently able to say more about the source of these brilliant lights than was ever known previously. It has been known for some time that the auroras were caused by storms of charged particles. However, science had debated the source of these storms, local electrical disruptions in Earth's magnetic field or distant disturbances in the "magnetotail," the region of the Earth's magnetic field that points away from the sun.

A new study to be published next month in Science says: the storms of charged particles form when Earth's magnetic field lines collapse on each other, showering the upper atmosphere with captured radiation from the sun where it sparks the auroras.

Beautiful.

These storms get their energy from the outflow of gases from the sun known as the solar wind. As it reaches Earth, the planet's magnetic field deflects the gases, although some is trapped and shunted toward the poles. When the charged molecules hit the oxygen and nitrogen in Earth's upper atmosphere, energy is released as captivating blue, green and red wavy displays of brilliance.

Labels: science

A quick reminder, for our dear local readers, there is a sales tax holiday this weekend in North Carolina. That's right! You can spend your hard earned dollars without the governor taking the state's usual cut. Items on the tax exempt list include clothing, footwear, and school supplies of $100 or less (per,) sports equipment of $50 or less (per,) computers of $3,500 or less, and computer supplies of $250 or less (per item.)

The relative price of computers (of the non Mac variety) is very low right now. Top of the line PC desktops and laptops can be had for under $650. Take advantage? It is certainly worth thinking about, especially if you know you are going to be in the market for a computer any time soon. The tax holiday runs from midnight Friday until midnight Sunday.

Labels: economics, Practical Advice

Lamar County and Lauderdale County, Mississippi banned text messaging and online social network communication (MySpace, Facebook, etc.) between teachers and students.

An appropriate precaution? Or an over the top violation of free speech?

What say you, dear readers?

Read more here and here.

Labels: Pop Culture

Or the Northern and Southern lights, respectively.



Scientists have long puzzled about the phenomena of the auroras over the Earth's poles. The tremendous displays of light have been a source of mystery, wonder, speculation and myth since they were first observed.

Scientists using five satellites from NASA's THEMIS program (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms) were recently able to say more about the source of these brilliant lights than was ever known previously. It has been known for some time that the auroras were caused by storms of charged particles. However, science had debated the source of these storms, local electrical disruptions in Earth's magnetic field or distant disturbances in the "magnetotail," the region of the Earth's magnetic field that points away from the sun.

A new study to be published next month in Science says: the storms of charged particles form when Earth's magnetic field lines collapse on each other, showering the upper atmosphere with captured radiation from the sun where it sparks the auroras.

Beautiful.

These storms get their energy from the outflow of gases from the sun known as the solar wind. As it reaches Earth, the planet's magnetic field deflects the gases, although some is trapped and shunted toward the poles. When the charged molecules hit the oxygen and nitrogen in Earth's upper atmosphere, energy is released as captivating blue, green and red wavy displays of brilliance.

Labels: Pop Culture, science

The Associated Press today foolishly declared major combat operations over in Iraq. Ludicrous. In months, or maybe even weeks, they will look as wrong as George Bush II's famous announcement on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Wearing rose colored glasses the AP claims that, "Iraq has reached the point where the insurgents, who once controlled whole cities, no longer have the clout to threaten the viability of the central government." They offer no evidence to substantiate this claim other than the lull in violence in recent months. They ignore that the Sunni militias who control large swaths of the country have not been disarmed. Nor have then been brought into the central government's power structure. They are running independent fiefdoms that are not popular with the majority Shi'ites. These state-lets are not viable in even the medium term, even the AP concedes most of their loyalty has been bought with US dollars.

As the Clarion has repeatedly warned the Sunni militias are not the only fault line running through Iraq. The Mahdi Army of Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has not been disbanded nor disarmed. Their leadership has passed the order to stand down and cooperate, but only because they envisioned elections taking place in October and their man gaining a share of power from the current American assembled government. Now those elections appear unlikely. It is merely a matter of time with legitimate routes to power frustrated before the Mahdi Army returns to street fighting.

Beyond this there are a panoply Kurd v. central government of Iraq disputes that have yet to be resolved. Kurdish concerns run the gamut from power sharing to oil revenue distribution and even the disposition of major cities and territorial disputes. Unless the central government is willing to grant complete Kurdish autonomy, a civil war is brewing in northern Iraq, too. Like the Sunni militias and Mahdi Army the Kurds have not disarmed.

The AP and the New York Times today, are as wrong as Bush II was on the deck of that aircraft carrier years ago. How much more blood and treasure must America spill? Iraq is not a viable state. Is splitting it into thirds an option? The Clarion is unsure, but the Iraq of today's calm is the eye of the hurricane not the end of the storm.

The appropriate analogy would be Lebanon 1977. A hot civil war temporarily calms without any of the underlying disputes being resolved only to reignite months later into a conflict that is still unresolved today. The calm in Iraq is less then six months old, the fighting (LIC) has been on-going for centuries. The urge of the America news media to jump to overreaching conclusions has more to do with the proclivities born of the 24 hour news cycle than the facts on the ground.

Labels: Middle East, Politics, war

Labels: facing race, Politics, thought

The Associated Press today foolishly declared major combat operations over in Iraq. Ludicrous. In months, or maybe even weeks, they will look as wrong as George Bush II's famous announcement on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Wearing rose colored glasses the AP claims that, "Iraq has reached the point where the insurgents, who once controlled whole cities, no longer have the clout to threaten the viability of the central government." They offer no evidence to substantiate this claim other than the lull in violence in recent months. They ignore that the Sunni militias who control large swaths of the country have not been disarmed. Nor have then been brought into the central government's power structure. They are running independent fiefdoms that are not popular with the majority Shi'ites. These state-lets are not viable in even the medium term, even the AP concedes most of their loyalty has been bought with US dollars.

As the Clarion has repeatedly warned the Sunni militias are not the only fault line running through Iraq. The Mahdi Army of Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has not been disbanded nor disarmed. Their leadership has passed the order to stand down and cooperate, but only because they envisioned elections taking place in October and their man gaining a share of power from the current American assembled government. Now those elections appear unlikely. It is merely a matter of time with legitimate routes to power frustrated before the Mahdi Army returns to street fighting.

Beyond this there are a panoply Kurd v. central government of Iraq disputes that have yet to be resolved. Kurdish concerns run the gamut from power sharing to oil revenue distribution and even the disposition of major cities and territorial disputes. Unless the central government is willing to grant complete Kurdish autonomy, a civil war is brewing in northern Iraq, too. Like the Sunni militias and Mahdi Army the Kurds have not disarmed.

The AP and the New York Times today, are as wrong as Bush II was on the deck of that aircraft carrier years ago. How much more blood and treasure must America spill? Iraq is not a viable state. Is splitting it into thirds an option? The Clarion is unsure, but the Iraq of today's calm is the eye of the hurricane not the end of the storm.

The appropriate analogy would be Lebanon 1977. A hot civil war temporarily calms without any of the underlying disputes being resolved only to reignite months later into a conflict that is still unresolved today. The calm in Iraq is less then six months old, the fighting (LIC) has been on-going for centuries. The urge of the America news media to jump to overreaching conclusions has more to do with the proclivities born of the 24 hour news cycle than the facts on the ground.

Labels: Middle East, Politics

from Peru

President Alan García's approval rating is estimated as low as 26%. Protests and strikes are becoming rampant especially in the countryside. Peru has seen impromptu roadblocks, burning of government offices and even one incident where police were taken hostage by protesting miners.

According to the Christian Science Monitor Peru's economy has grown for 84 consecutive weeks and is expected to grow by 9% this year in the face of a global slowdown. The percentage of persons living below the official poverty line is down by 5%.

Where is the disconnect?

The Monitor gets to the crux of the problem when it says that so far, "the windfall has fueled wealth much faster than it has reduced poverty."

A classic "Rising Expectations" Revolution is fomenting in Peru. As the Clarion understands the argument, which we first encountered in late 80's researching the Latin American development debate: relatively rapid economic growth occurs before individual inequality is addressed. Folks expectations are raised by the growth they see around them, then dashed when they don't feel as though they are partaking. Backlash is especially likely without a sizable middle-class as a buffer. If the growth is fueled by commodities and accompanied by inflation the backlash may be bigger and a full blown overthrow of the existing state system is possible. If there is widespread underemployment, even the middle class might not be enough to keep a lid on society. Some analysts see the 1979 Iranian Revolution through the lens of a "Rising Expectations" Revolution.

In the classic scenario the rich-poor gap is expanded because the rich suffer less from inflation. They are more shielded. They spend a much lower percentage of their income on staples. They may be able to offshore their wealth. They may own land or other assets, (including companies participating in the boom) that are rising in value in-line with inflation. The poor, conversely see money and investment flowing into their country, which raises their expectations of their relative possibilities, only to be jarred by the reality of inflation. The money they are making is worth less, they are somehow even poorer with growth going on all around them. The collective feeling of cognitive dissonance can be even worse if the rich present ostentatious displays of wealth, new cars, new homes, etc. Venezuela's Hugo Chavez has been stopped (thus far) from completing the trajectory of total revolution only by the bulwark of a strong established middle class of Venezuelans. Peru doesn't have that...

It does have demagogic admirers of Chavez and Bolivia's Evo Morales, amongst the most powerful are the brothers Humala and the head of the regional government Puno, Hernán Fuentes.

Labels: Economy, Politics, thought

Amazing! Manny Ramirez had a sudden knee issue immediately after contract saber rattling in the fish wrap between he and Red Sox owner John Henry. What? Magi-tragically the next week Manny announces his knee has been bothering him for about a week and he is unsure if he will be ready for the Yankees series this weekend.

He missed Friday night's game, a 1-0 Yankees win.

Labels: baseball, Sports Economics

While researching something else the Clarion ran into this fascinating introduction to an essay about Social Development Theory. The amazing introduction that pulled us in is about the importance of theory, itself (see below.) The article was written by Harlan Cleveland and Garry Jacobs. Follow this link to the full article. Here is the introduction verbatim from Human Choice: The Genetic Code for Social Development,

"Importance of Theory"

The formulation of valid theory possesses enormous power to elevate and accelerate the expansion and development of human capabilities in any field, leading to fresh discoveries, improvement of existing activities and capacity for greater results. Science is replete with examples of theoretical formulations that have led to important breakthroughs, such as the discoveries of Neptune and Pluto, electromagnetic waves, subatomic particles, and new elements on the periodic table. Today scientists are discovering new substances on computer by applying the laws of quantum mechanics to predict the properties of materials before they synthesize them. In fact, a broad range of technological achievements in this century has been made possible by the emergence of sound theoretical knowledge in fields such as physics, chemistry and biology.

As management expert Peter Drucker put it, “There is nothing more practical than a good theory.” Valid theory can tell us not only what should be done, but also what can be done and the process by which it can be achieved.

Social development can be summarily described as the process of organizing human energies and activities at higher levels to achieve greater results. Development increases the utilization of human potential.

In the absence of valid theory, social development remains largely a process of trial and error experimentation, with a high failure rate and very uneven progress. The dismal consequences of transition strategies in most Eastern Europe countries, the very halting progress of many African and Asian countries, the increasing income gap between the most and least developed societies, and the distressing linkage between rising incomes, environmental depletion, crime and violence reflect the fact that humanity is vigorously pursuing a process without the full knowledge needed to guide and govern it effectively.

Advances in development theory can enhance our social success rate by the same order of magnitude that advances in theoretical physics have multiplied technological achievements in this century. The emergence of a sound theoretical framework for social development would provide the knowledge needed to address these inadequacies. It would also eventually lead us to the most profound and practical discovery of all – the infinite creative potentials of the human being.

Labels: thought

from Peru

President Alan García's approval rating is estimated as low as 26%. Protests and strikes are becoming rampant especially in the countryside. Peru has seen impromptu roadblocks, burning of government offices and even one incident where police were taken hostage by protesting miners.

According to the Christian Science Monitor Peru's economy has grown for 84 consecutive weeks and is expected to grow by 9% this year in the face of a global slowdown. The percentage of persons living below the official poverty line is down by 5%.

Where is the disconnect?

The Monitor gets to the crux of the problem when it says that so far, "the windfall has fueled wealth much faster than it has reduced poverty."

A classic "Rising Expectations" Revolution is fomenting in Peru. As the Clarion understands the argument, which we first encountered in late 80's researching the Latin American development debate: relatively rapid economic growth occurs before individual inequality is addressed. Folks expectations are raised by the growth they see around them, then dashed when they don't feel as though they are partaking. Backlash is especially likely without a sizable middle-class as a buffer. If the growth is fueled by commodities and accompanied by inflation the backlash may be bigger and a full blown overthrow of the existing state system is possible. If there is widespread underemployment, even the middle class might not be enough to keep a lid on society. Some analysts see the 1979 Iranian Revolution through the lens of a "Rising Expectations" Revolution.

In the classic scenario the rich-poor gap is expanded because the rich suffer less from inflation. They are more shielded. They spend a much lower percentage of their income on staples. They may be able to offshore their wealth. They may own land or other assets, (including companies participating in the boom) that are rising in value in-line with inflation. The poor, conversely see money and investment flowing into their country, which raises their expectations of their relative possibilities, only to be jarred by the reality of inflation. The money they are making is worth less, they are somehow even poorer with growth going on all around them. The collective feeling of cognitive dissonance can be even worse if the rich present ostentatious displays of wealth, new cars, new homes, etc. Venezuela's Hugo Chavez has been stopped (thus far) from completing the trajectory of total revolution only by the bulwark of a strong established middle class of Venezuelans. Peru doesn't have that...

It does have demagogic admirers of Chavez and Bolivia's Evo Morales, amongst the most powerful are the brothers Humala and the head of the regional government Puno, Hernán Fuentes.

Labels: public protest, South America, thought

The editorial desk of Clarion Content has long held that if there were any one meal that we recommended being a "regular" for it was breakfast. Now that is not a regular in the sense of eating breakfast daily, though surely we recommend that as an element of good health. No rather, we mean in the restaurant/bar sense of the word "regular." It is a milieu where being a "regular" implies being a familiar, weekly, if not almost daily, customer of a given establishment. There is a relationship, they know you and you know them. Jack Nicholson wonderfully portrayed an extremely difficult restaurant regular in "As Good as Gets." Many other regulars are more along the lines of Norm in the TV sitcom "Cheers."

The Clarion hasn't had a place where we have both had the desire and the budget to be a regular in a long time. And while we are not a regular yet at this place, we do have a delicious breakfast bargain to recommend that once again has the Clarion thinking about the joys of being a breakfast regular.

The place that brought this to mind is Durham's Parker & Otis. The Clarion will confess that there are numerous personal proclivities that draw us to PandO, as the employees call it. Firstly, it is walking distance from our offices. Secondly, there are free coffee refills. Thirdly and most importantly, it is the basic and delicious breakfast that has us thinking about breakfast regulars. The Clarion has always strongly favored the simple and hearty at breakfast. We don't want to think or work too hard, but we do want something to fire up the boiler room and get the body moving. We have long believed in breakfast as an essential metabolism regulator and energy provider.

At Parker and Otis they have found our number, and we theirs with a simple, delicious bargain, the #3. What is the #3 you ask? Two eggs any style, three crispy strips of bacon and a cheddar biscuit. Doesn't sound like much? Ahhh, but it simply kicks ass for $4.99. The eggs are from Latta Family Farm in Hillsborough, NC. The chef clarifies the butter before nailing them just right to order; some at the Clarion favor sunny-side up. The bacon is thickly sliced and applewood smoked. The biscuit is just the right texture and density to match the rich bacon and fresh eggs. The coffee is good, but the clincher is the fresh fruit garnish. Most diners kick you down a piece of stale kale, fast food never heard of a garnish, in faux classy places, it is a single orange slice.

At Parker and Otis, where they care about what you eat, in recent weeks it has been a succulent fresh strawberry and a wedge of juicy pineapple. The coup de grace and the perfect palate cleanser.

Labels: Durham, food, Pop Culture

Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent Josh Childress bolted for Greece this week.

It's the global economy, stupid. No seriously, the appreciation of the Euro has mattered. Of course, had Childress been an unrestricted free agent so that any NBA team would have been able to bid on him and this might not have happened. But when his team, the Atlanta Hawks took his restricted free agency lightly, Childress and agent examined their options and headed for Olympiacos Piraeus.

The Clarion doesn't think quite as highly of him as ESPN's John Hollinger who said, "...it deprives the Hawks of one of the best sixth men in the game, a guy who could make a huge impact without needing any plays run for him because of his ability to attack the glass, score in transition and play off the ball."

However, we do believe that this may be part of the beginning of a fascinating trend as athletes leave the United States to pursue their careers elsewhere for better money. For so long America has experienced the opposite, but it might appear things are beginning to change?

Labels: NBA, sports, Sports Economics

Despite the relative recent calm in Iraq the fissures and fractures that run through the country remain very close to rupture, trembling and threaten to re-explode at any time. Yesterday the lack of political cohesion was underlined when Iraq's parliament passed legislation setting new rules for provincial elections. The Kurdish legislators boycotted the vote. The law was quickly vetoed by Kurdish President Jalal Talabani. This will likely delay parliamentary elections which had been scheduled for October 1st into next year, assuming the Shi'ite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki doesn't attempt to impose the outcome by force.

It underlines the fundamental fact of the Iraq debate, force has imposed calm, but peace and harmony can not be externally imposed. The splits between (and internally amongst) Kurds, Sunnis, Shi'ites, Turkomen and others have deep roots in Iraq. Despite the United States military's recent surge, all sides are well armed. Worse oil revenue, territorial boundaries, control of local policing, and the levers of state, all remain disputed.

Barack Obama got the tenor of the situation when making remarks upon departing the country, "So far, I think we have not seen the kind of political reconciliation that's going to bring about long-term stability in Iraq."

It is essential to recognize that the map on the ground of the state of Iraq was externally imposed by an outsider. The ramifications have yet to be resolved.

Labels: Middle East, Politics, war

Following up on the saga of network vulnerability from earlier in the week: the programmer who was holding systems control of the city of San Francisco's computer network under a single password gave the password to the mayor Gavin Newsom today in a jailhouse meeting. The mayor took the password to a team of Cisco Systems code crackers that had been trying to bypass the WAN network problems for the city. The city has regained at least partial control, though various reports say systems engineers have not yet regained control of the city's voice over Internet Protocol system and local area networks within the Sheriff's Department and the Recreation & Park Department.

Labels: technology

Why isn't she smiling? Maybe she hasn't had breakfast yet?

The editorial desk of Clarion has long held that if there were any one meal that we recommended being a "regular" for it was breakfast. Now that is not a regular in the sense of eating breakfast daily, though surely we recommend that as an element of good health. No rather, we mean in the restaurant/bar sense of the word "regular." It is a milieu where being a "regular" implies being a familiar, weekly, if not almost daily customer of a given establishment. There is a relationship, they know you and you know them. Jack Nicholson was wonderfully portrayed an extremely difficult restaurant regular in "As Good as Gets." Many other regulars are more along the lines of Norm in the TV sitcom "Cheers."

The Clarion hasn't had a place where we have both had the desire and the budget to be a regular in a long time. And while we are not a regular yet at this place, we do have a delicious breakfast bargain to recommend that once again has the Clarion thinking about the joys of being a breakfast regular.

The place that brought this to mind is Durham's Parker & Otis. The Clarion will confess that there are numerous personal proclivities that draw us to Pando, as the employees call it. Firstly, it is walking distance from our offices. Second there are free coffee refills. Thirdly is the basic but delicious breakfast that has us thinking about breakfast regulars. The Clarion has always strongly favored the simple and hearty at breakfast. We don't want to think or work too hard, but we do want something to fire up the boiler room and get the body moving. We have long believed in breakfast as an essential metabolism regulator and energy provider.

At Parker and Otis they have found our number, and we theirs with a simple but delicious bargain, the #3. What is the #3 you ask? Two eggs any style, three crispy strips of bacon and a cheddar biscuit. Doesn't sound like much? Ahhh, but it simply kicks ass for $4.99. The eggs are from Latta Family Farm in Hillsborough, NC. The chef clarifies the butter before nailing them just right to order; some at the Clarion favor sunny-side up. The bacon is thickly sliced and applewood smoked. The biscuit is just the right texture and density to match the rich bacon and fresh eggs. The coffee is good, but the clincher is the fresh fruit garnish. Most diners kick you down a piece of stale kale, fast food never heard of a garnish, in faux classy places its a single orange slice. At Parker and Otis, where they care about what you eat, in recent weeks it has been a succulent fresh strawberry and a wedge of juicy pineapple. The coup de grace and the perfect palate cleanser.

Labels: Durham, food, Practical Advice

US Air where your safety comes first, or at least second, after costs and profit margins; that's how the Clarion reads remarks this week by US Air pilots about the carrier's shocking and potentially unsafe practices.

Eight pilots have filed complaints against the airline for allowing their aircraft to fly dangerous low on fuel in attempt to cut costs. Less fuel when a plane departs is less weight and therefore better fuel mileage. Pilots said in a full page ad in USA Today that US Air was ordering them to depart with less safety margin fuel than they felt necessary. FAA regulations require all domestic flights have at least forty-five extra hour worth of fuel than it would take to get their destination. (In 1990 an Avianca Airlines plane ran out of fuel after a lengthy holding pattern over Kennedy Airport and crashed into Long Island, killing seventy-three.)

Pilots who have been requesting more fuel than the company policy deems necessary have been ordered to attend punitive training sessions to explain why. The carrier denies the pilots claims, and says the extra training sessions are an opportunity for the pilots to explain their requests for additional fuel. The company further says that its policy is for planes to have an extra hour's worth of fuel per flight.

Note that all of this is occurring in the context of a labor dispute between the company and the pilots.

Jet fuel recently surpassed labor as airlines' biggest cost.

Labels: technology

Yes, at the Clarion Content we hate the dated West-East distinction for referring to the countries of the world. It makes us cringe with its implied down the nose sneer at the seen-as backward or less-developed, and its relevance as Asia changes, gets lets and less. It messes up what the Clarion Content frequently criticizes young people for blurring, the distinction between stupidity and ignorance. Unintelligent and unlearned are in no way the same. Unlearned does not imply unintelligent, necessarily either. Using 1st world vs. 3rd world is no better and maybe worse, because of the inherent hierarchy in the naming, the implied this way is better than that way. Using North-South is not a a panacea either, and it reflects a dated, colonialist way of looking at the world. No one, outside of Russia, is exactly longing for the good days of aligned and non-aligned either. But what is one supposed to say? Phoenix is the kidnapping capital of the civilized world? Sounds ugly right? And there are places where the rule of law doesn’t apply that kidnapping is far more pervasive than Phoenix, like Ciudad Juarez and Cartagena.

Labels: Politics, thought

Labels: energy policy, Politics, public protest

Sneezing, coughing, ugh.
Tiny particles floating
toward me, oh my.

Labels: Poet tree

These photos were taken from the Amtrak train, The Carolinian, December 2007.

Purple mountains, your majesty?


America had fair warning from the beginning. From its beloved first leader, who wisely abdicated his position after two terms, "Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." ---George Washington

As relevant today as ever.

Labels: constitutional issues, quotes

Associated Press photo


Be careful what you post on the internet. The warning has been in the air for years now, but the relevance of the maxim continues to grow. No longer is it just job and school applicants who must be careful what prospective employers and admissions officers are seeing on their Myspace profiles or Facebook walls. There is a growing array of criminal investigation and prosecution that is using the information willingly provided on these sites to catch criminals. And now, we read, using these sites and the pictures on them to influence judges and juries sentencing of criminals.

The Clarion read only today about a twenty year old, Providence, Rhode Island drunk driver who had seriously injured a fellow youth in a drunk driving crash. Less than two weeks later, while the victim was still in the hospital, there were pictures of him partying it up posted on somebody's Facebook. The pictures (see above) showed him laughing and drinking at a Halloween party while wearing an orange prison jumpsuit costume.

Prosecutors were alerted to the existence of the pictures, and changed their sentencing recommendation from probation to two years in prison. The judge agreed, and called the pictures depraved when ordering the man to do two years in prison.

Labels: Pop Culture, Practical Advice, technology

George Bush the II says (we're paraphrasing here) "Rich people are doing fine so why should you worry." This would be the briefest summary the Clarion could offer of the President's weekly radio address to the country today.

More highlights include...(again paraphrasing,) "If you and Congress will just agree to let the oil companies do what they will to America's beaches and coastal preserves, I can guarantee you we will have at least an extra two years' worth of oil on hand, and the price of gas won't go down at all."

He continued...(again paraphrasing,) "Meanwhile former Goldman Sachs investment banker and extraordinarily rich guy, Hank Paulson, I like to call him Hankie; Hankie and I have figured out a way to bail out the rich guys who have made so much money off of the government's implicit guarantee of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Now this probably won't make wit of difference to the hard working, middle class Americans who pay the bulk of this country's taxes, but at least our fat cat, insider friends will be insured they won't lose their custom made shirts, yachts, or villas in the Caymans."

He concluded, "Thank you for listening." And the sound of retching echoed across this great land.

Read the full transcript here.

Labels: energy policy, Politics

Among the many underrated concerns as America and the world move into a truly computer dominated age, is the rogue sysop. One of America's most technologically sophisticated cities (allegedly) just got itself into deep murky water with a rogue systems operator.

The story is thus: the city of San Francisco has been unable to regain control of its computer network since last week. A 43 year convicted felon who is also a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (the highest level of certification offered by Cisco,) who the city wisely hired to manage its network faced firing for poor performance. But before the city canned him, this guy installed a single password to the whole city's computer network which has been denying access to other systems administrators. There are fears he may have installed the means to electronically destroy sensitive documents. He has been jailed on four counts of computer tampering. His lawyer says he is willing to cooperate. Non network administrators are able to access normal city records.

The level at which the breach took place is one of the most vulnerable in this country and worldwide, the routers/WAN.

The Clarion's take, if this can happen in San Francisco, where else could it happen? And what might the consequences be?

Labels: Pop Culture, technology

US Air where your safety comes first, or at least second, after costs and profit margins; that's how the Clarion reads remarks this week by US Air pilots about the carrier's shocking and potentially unsafe practices.

Eight pilots have filed complaints against the airline for allowing their aircraft to fly dangerous low on fuel in attempt to cut costs. Less fuel when a plane departs is less weight and therefore better fuel mileage. Pilots said in a full page ad in USA Today that US Air was ordering them to depart with less safety margin fuel than they felt necessary. FAA regulations require all domestic flights have at least forty-five extra hour worth of fuel than it would take to get their destination. (In 1990 an Avianca Airlines plane ran out of fuel after a lengthy holding pattern over Kennedy Airport and crashed into Long Island, killing seventy-three.)

Pilots who have been requesting more fuel than the company policy deems necessary have been ordered to attend punitive training sessions to explain why. The carrier denies the pilots claims, and says the extra training sessions are an opportunity for the pilots to explain their requests for additional fuel. The company further says that its policy is for planes to have an extra hour's worth of fuel per flight.

Note that all of this is occurring in the context of a labor dispute between the company and the pilots.

Jet fuel recently surpassed labor as airlines' biggest cost.

Labels: economics, technology

The Clarion would like to offer a few thoughts, notes and observations heading into the second half of the baseball season.

How's about this for an oddity? The three leading hit getters in the National League are all shortstops. It is reminiscent of the transcendent age of A.L. shortstops a decade ago, when it looked like Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Nomar Garciparra were all Hall of Fame shortstops. Jose Reyes of the Mets and Hanley Ramirez of the Marlins are the obvious ones, and two guys who are off to great starts in their careers. The third N.L. shortstop, who is actually leading the league in hits, is much tougher to identify. It is not the Phillies MVP shortstop, Jimmy Rollins. Instead, it is the Washington Nationals shortstop, a thirty year old who has only hit .300 once before, who this season is pounding out hits, Cristian Guzman.

Switching to pitching from hitting, the Twins, as well as they are playing and pitching, have more pitching coming in the form of Francisco Liriano who is 7-0 with a 2.73 ERA. Liriano was a dominator, he went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA in his rookie year for the Twins before he hurt his elbow and had to have Tommy John surgery. He missed all of last season, but looks ready to come back strong. Sadly for Twins fans the franchise is attempting screw Liriano financially. In the process, they are screwing their fans and the players, all to save a few bucks.

Here is the story, the Twins are trying to hold down Liriano's service time. Service time dictates when a player is eligible for salary arbitration and usually a significant pay raise. Liriano has two years and 45 days Major League service time, and players are eligible for arbitration after three years of service time. The Twins are keeping Liriano in the minors as long as possible to avoid paying him more next year. However, if they embitter Liriano badly enough, it will hurt them worse and their fans the most, especially if they fall just short of the playoffs this year. The Tampa Bay Rays, who despite their delightful Cinderella start should be contracted, played this same game at the beginning of the season with star third baseman, Evan Longoria and won when they signed him to a nine year under market value deal.

One final note, the definitely different Manny Ramirez, decided to tweak Red Sox management over the All-Star break. The Red Sox management, for a change, fired right back. At issue is Manny's concern about whether the club will pick up its $20 million contract extension option on Ramirez next season. In a year where the Red Sox are the favorite to win at least the American League again, could Manny's selfish attitude spoil the vibe and the season? Yankee fans can only hope.

Labels: baseball, sports

You've probably thought a Tiger-less British Open is going to be boring. Not.

Jim Furyk has already fired off the golfing quip of the season reviewing the setting, "I'd probably have to say that the tea is highly overrated and the beer is highly underrated."

There's a guy who has it figured out. He could be in contention come Sunday.

The Clarion's suggestion, put some money on your favorite, Tiger's not playing, it is wide open, and nothing sharpens the interest like a little action.

The odds makers put Furyk at 4 to 1, tied for the 6th choice with Adam Scott. The top five in the eyes of the bookies: Sergio Garcia is the favorite, followed by Ernie Els, Lee Westwood, Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington.

A few long shots to consider, Rocco Mediate at 150 to 1. Paul Lawrie at 175 to 1. And how 'bout putting a couple of quid on John Daly at 200 to 1.

See the full board here.

Labels: golf, sports

And with those words one of our local Durham readers and future correspondents cut right to the chase.

"Did you hear Papelbon wants to close," he said. He was coming through the LG loud and clear.

"Yeah, so?" It took a second for the rosy glow of dawn to rise over the Clarion's desk.

He was right. If the Boston Red Sox ace closer, Jonathan Papelbon wanted to be the closer for tonight's All-Star Game in Yankee Stadium, why shouldn't he be? And therein lies the crux of the problem with tonight's Major League baseball All-Star game. A problem started by the used car salesman commissioner, when he let the 2002 All-Star game end in a tie.

Tonight's All-Star Game won't end in a tie. Instead it will decide which league will have home field advantage in the World Series in the Fall, baseball's championship. Home field is significant. Why shouldn't Papelbon and his manager, Terry Francona, of the defending champion Boston Red Sox want their guy to pitch the most important innings in a game that decides home field advantage for the championship round?

The All-Star Game is supposed to be, and always was supposed to be, an exhibition. If it were, of course, it would make perfect sense tonight for Yankees ace closer and future Hall of Famer, Mariano Rivera to pitch the final innings of the All-Star game. The All-Star game which will be played in Yankee Stadium, in the historic stadium's final season. None of the ridiculous debate about Rivera starting would have been necessary.

This is a classic case of how two wrongs don't make a right, it was bad for the All-Star game to end in a tie in 2002. It came during a nadir for baseball. However it was a still worse idea to compound the mistake, the prior year's foolish tie, by attempting to turn an exhibition into a competition. Now it is neither. It as farcical as the glorified batting practice that is the home run derby (another competitive exhibition.)

Maybe Frankie Rodriguez should close.

Labels: baseball, sports

As the Clarion predicted way back in March, Brett Favre just can't give it up.

There are egomaniacs, and then there are egomaniacs, and then there is Brett Favre. Can we get any more sick of this guy? Frankly, we can hardly imagine how that's possible. Hey pal, you won exactly one Super Bowl. One!?! Trent Dilfer has that many to his credit. Brad Johnson, too!

The Clarion hopes the Packers trade Favre to the lowliest team they can, and then go to the playoffs behind Aaron Rodgers (unlikely.) Favre is about to get his chance to be Johnny Unitas in San Diego or Joe Namath with the Los Angeles Rams. What you don't remember those eras? There is a reason.

We acknowledge that it is difficult for all athletes to let go. It must be tremendously disconcerting to have to change careers in your mid-thirties having never done anything else, but, hey Brett, hundreds of other athletes manage to do it every year. And without a running mellow drama, that has more plot twists than a telenovela. And without dragging their franchise's competitive ability and credibility with it.

This is the worst retirement/unretirement saga since Sugar Ray Leonard.

Labels: NFL, sports

Belmar is back. Not that it was ever really gone as a legendary Jersey shore party destination, but this week town officials acknowledged the silliness of some of their P.C. inspired recent laws and repealed them.

These included laws that made it illegal to flip someone the bird in public or to have a keg on the beach. Wait, what, when was it ever illegal to have a keg on the beach in Belmar?

AOL travel news quotes Mayor Ken Pringle, "I'm not sure anyone even knew that making obscene gestures was illegal. Right after we send out our tax bills, I tend to see a few."

Belmar realized it is tough to be the Daytona Beach of the north when your laws are more restrictive then other local shore towns. Make more restrictive laws and the revelers just go somewhere else. Duh.

Labels: Pop Culture

The guy who should
have gotten the job,
Gus Johnson


Or good riddance, goodbye!

Suffice it to say the Clarion isn't sorry to hear that caustic jerk and lead CBS NCAA basketball announcer Billy Packer is retiring. Packer denies being pushed out the door but The Sporting News Reports, Packer resigned with "six or seven more years" remaining on his contract.

Packer has broadcast the last 34 Final Fours. He will be replaced by the wooden and cautious Clark Kellogg. Clearly, in picking Kellogg CBS is trying to go for the anti-Packer. Kellogg, whose best feature, his good looks, won't be visible during play-by-play, rarely says anything with the slightest bit of controversy. He loves to parrot the NCAA line.

The Clarion had disliked Packer's bombastic know-it-all style for ages, but the incident that sent us over the top occurred several years at Duke when Packer accosted two female undergraduates, who not recognizing him were slow to allow him admission to Cameron Arena. Hey, big time, these are kids! Why don't you take it easy! What are you DMX?

Packer's comments at the time (allegedly) "Since when do we let women control who gets into a men's basketball game? Why don't you go find a women's game to let people into?"

Labels: college basketball, Duke, sports

So said the chairman of the FCC to Comcast..."Open those pipes."

Even the business pandering chairman of the FCC, Kevin Martin found Comcast's broadband networks practice of denying service to certain websites and blocking file sharing to be against the rules. Score one for the little guy! Or at least until the four other commissioners of the FCC weigh in with their votes. Martin's order requires a majority of the five commissioners to support it, and while he found a libertarian streak, there is no guarantee the other commissioners will.

The way the Clarion reads the tea leaves there are two "No" votes, one "Yes" vote, and a hard to call, which must come through for Chairman Martin to win 3-2.

Martin's long awaited ruling said in part, (that he found) "Comcast's broadband network management practices to be in violation of the FCC's policy principles."

Also that, "Comcast is broadly and arbitrarily blocking subscriber access to the legal Internet content of their choice."

He said they should, "fully disclose the limitations on the use of bandwidth for subscribers so they know exactly what they are paying for."

This is an important ruling because as more and more consumers get broadband access in their homes, more and more big files will becoming down the pipes, and the incentives for the monopolistic cable-internet providers to commit monkey business will be greater. They will punish the users of the greatest amounts bandwith, if not with denial of service, then with higher charges. Cable-internet providers will do this so that they can maximize their total net number of users and thus revenue while denying consumers free choice in a market where they have a monopoly on service provision. This was definitely an area the FCC needed to step into definitively and strongly.

We will keep you posted on how the commission votes.

Read more here from PC Magazine.

Labels: Economy, Pop Culture, Predictions, technology, thought

So said the chairman of the FCC to Comcast..."Open those pipes."

Even the business pandering chairman of the FCC, Kevin Martin found Comcast's broadband networks practice of denying service to certain websites and blocking file sharing to be against the rules. Score one for the little guy! Or at least until the four other commissioners of the FCC weigh in with their votes. Martin's order requires a majority of the five commissioners to support it, and while he found a libertarian streak, there is no guarantee the other commissioners will.

The way the Clarion reads the tea leaves there are two "No" votes, one "Yes" vote, and a hard to call, which must come through for Chairman Martin to win 3-2.

Martin's long awaited ruling said in part, (that he found) "Comcast's broadband network management practices to be in violation of the FCC's policy principles."

Also that, "Comcast is broadly and arbitrarily blocking subscriber access to the legal Internet content of their choice."

He said they should, "fully disclose the limitations on the use of bandwidth for subscribers so they know exactly what they are paying for."

This is an important ruling because as more and more consumers get broadband access in their homes, more and more big files will becoming down the pipes, and the incentives for the monopolistic cable-internet providers to commit monkey business will be greater. They will punish the users of the greatest amounts bandwith, if not with denial of service, then with higher charges. Cable-internet providers will do this so that they can maximize their total net number of users and thus revenue while denying consumers free choice in a market where they have a monopoly on service provision. This was definitely an area the FCC needed to step into definitively and strongly.

We will keep you posted on how the commission votes.

Read more here from PC Magazine.

Labels: Pop Culture, technology

A very unscientific list of gas prices observed by the Clarion's staff on the I-85/I-95 corridor (Durham to New York City) between June 18th to July 6th.

on the Jersey Turnpike $3.97/gal.

near Philadelphia Pennsylvania $3.95/gal.

in Delaware $3.99/gal.

in Maryland $4.06/gal.

just south of Washington, D.C. $4.06/gal.

in Richmond, Va. $3.89/gal.

Strictly anecdotal observation. But for an interesting aggregator of such anecdotal information check out gasbuddy.com here. It's free and it might save you a couple of bucks. (search by zip code)

Labels: Pop Culture, Practical Advice

Naming the organization after a creature people in your fan base like to shoot probably wasn't a good idea.










And you wonder why some organizations perennially suck? They may be run by morons. There are few organizations that the Knicks fan can rail on. The Milwaukee Bucks are one of them. (The Clippers are another.)

Word out of Milwaukee today the Bucks are resigning the flop-a-licious first pick of the 2005 draft Andrew Bogut to a 5 year, $60 million contract. Seriously, for a guy who averaged 14 points and 10 boards last year!?! Who career is averaging 12 points and 8.5 boards? He runs like a tree stump. You can get somebody out of the NBDL who can give you that kind of production.

Milwaukee you made a tragic mistake when you took Bogut over Chris Paul and Deron Williams, deal with it, don't compound it.

Labels: NBA, sports

United States Senators John McCain and Barack Obama are both running as anti-establishment, anti-Washington, agent of change candidates. But how's about this from USA Today, "Barack Obama: You voted your party line 97% of the time. John McCain: You voted with President Bush 95%.

What's the old saw, "The more things change, the more they stay the same?"

Labels: Politics, quotes

Three, it is a magic number. These things always happen in threes. A third old saw; sorry, no such luck.

However, there has been a series of military exercises across the Middle East, three, in fact, that have raised tensions on all sides of the precarious three party stand-off between the United States, Israel, and Iran. The first two states determined to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons capability, the third, Iran, equally determined to gain such capability.

Iran which says it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, today tested several long range missiles. These missiles called the Shahab-3 have been in Iran's arsenal a number of years, there existence was not news to the United States, nor Israel. These missiles are capable of carrying a 1 ton warhead and traveling distances of up to nearly 1,000 miles. Iran dubbed the exercises which are being conducted in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, "The Great Prophet 3."

Iran's Air Force commander of the elite Revolutionary Guards, General Hossein Salami said on state TV that Iran's aim was to, "demonstrate our resolve and might against enemies who in recent weeks have threatened Iran with harsh language."

Monday the United States Navy was conducting its own exercise in the Persian Gulf. The exercise called Exercise Stake Net was jointly carried out by two United States vessels from the Fifth Fleet, alongside a British warship and one from Bahrain, an American Gulf Arab ally.

The United States Navy through a spokesperson said its aim was to, "practice the tactics and procedures of protecting maritime infrastructure such as gas and oil installations."

Iran recently intimated should Israel preemptively strike at its nuclear facilities, it would shut down the Straits of Hormuz.

In early June Israel conducted air exercises involving more than 100 planes and distances of 1,000 miles over the eastern Mediterranean Sea. According to the Wall Street Journal, senior Pentagon officials say Israel gave the United States advanced notice of its intentions to conduct the exercise. Israeli officials refused to confirm or deny the exercise took place, nor to explicitly offer any reasons for the exercise saying only, "that it regularly trains for various missions."

Again according to the Wall Street Journal, "A second military official said that U.S. policy makers were divided over the reasons for the exercise. Some viewed the maneuvers as an actual practice run for a future strike on Iran, while others see it mainly as a show of force designed to remind both Tehran and Washington of Israel's concern."

Labels: Middle East

Piracy is alive and well as the Clarion has been warning for some while now, and not just in the Straits of Malacca.

Somali pirates (wonder if they self-identify as Somali, esp. since they are reportedly based out of Puntland) released a German cargo ship and their hostages after being paid a ransom Tuesday. The ship was originally seized in the Gulf of Aden on May 28.

Click here for an interactive map of reported pirate attacks in 2008.

Labels: Africa, Middle East, pirates

Canada has reversed a long standing policy, dating to the Vietnam War era and decided to deport United States military deserters. There are reported to be some 200 U.S. military deserters in Canada. The first is scheduled to be deported this week.

Labels: Politics, war

FDR addresses Congress December 7th, 1941


A commission reviewing the respective constitutional war powers of the United States President and Congress reached a wishy-washy compromise today. The commission led by two former Secretaries of State James Baker III and Warren Christopher proposed a ham-fisted arrangement.

It should be noted whenever the Clarion hears commission, our first instinctive thought, like so many others weaned on late-modern American politics of the 20th century, is, "Whitewash."

This commission was convened under the auspices of the University of Virgina. It suggested today that rather than have Congress retain its right to declare war, which has been increasingly ignored by imperial presidents since World War II, the President should have to consult Congress before deploying U.S. troops into "significant armed conflict." (Which was defined as combat operations lasting, or expected to last, more than a week.) Congress would than have thirty days to vote on a resolution of approval or disapproval. However, the President could ignore Congress's vote under the commission's proposed War Powers Consultation Act. The President would be able to veto Congress's decision to approve or disapprove, and could continue combat operations should he or she so chose.

Worse the commission proposes more bureaucracy be created according to Baker and Christopher in today's New York Times, "the act would establish a permanent, bipartisan staff with access to all relevant intelligence and national-security information."

This preposterous proposal formalizes the usurpation of Congress's constitutionally granted right to declare war. The President could unilaterally initiate combat operations. Congress could signal its disapproval and under this proposed law, the President could officially flip them the bird.

As sometime Clarion fave and former Oklahoma Congressman Mickey Edwards warns, "The commission risks undermining the Constitution's checks and balances by asking Congress to serve as the president's consultant, rather than the other way around."

Fortunately, this proposal is quite unlikely to become law. Unfortunately, an opportunity to reaffirm Congress's role in declaring war was missed.

Full text of the proposal.

Baker and Christopher's New York Times Op-Ed piece.

Labels: constitutional issues, Politics, war

FDR addresses Congress December 7th, 1941


A commission reviewing the respective constitutional war powers of the United States President and Congress reached a wishy-washy compromise today. The commission led by two former Secretaries of State James Baker III and Warren Christopher proposed a ham-fisted arrangement.

It should be noted whenever the Clarion hears commission, our first instinctive thought, like so many others weaned on late-modern American politics of the 20th century, is, "Whitewash."

This commission was convened under the auspices of the University of Virgina. It suggested today that rather than have Congress retain its right to declare war, which has been increasingly ignored by imperial presidents since World War II, the President should have to consult Congress before deploying U.S. troops into "significant armed conflict." (Which was defined as combat operations lasting, or expected to last, more than a week.) Congress would than have thirty days to vote on a resolution of approval or disapproval. However, the President could ignore Congress's vote under the commission's proposed War Powers Consultation Act. The President would be able to veto Congress's decision to approve or disapprove, and could continue combat operations should he or she so chose.

Worse the commission proposes more bureaucracy be created according to Baker and Christopher in today's New York Times, "the act would establish a permanent, bipartisan staff with access to all relevant intelligence and national-security information."

This preposterous proposal formalizes the usurpation of Congress's constitutionally granted right to declare war. The President could unilaterally initiate combat operations. Congress could signal its disapproval and under this proposed law, the President could officially flip them the bird.

As sometime Clarion fave and former Oklahoma Congressman Mickey Edwards warns, "The commission risks undermining the Constitution's checks and balances by asking Congress to serve as the president's consultant, rather than the other way around."

Fortunately, this proposal is quite unlikely to become law. Unfortunately, an opportunity to reaffirm Congress's role in declaring war was missed.

Full text of the proposal.

Baker and Christopher's New York Times Op-Ed piece.

Labels: Politics, thought

Hockey hardly makes waves in its off-season outside of the hotbeds: Canada and Detroit, of course, plus the hardcore, bedrock fans in the other locales. So if you live in neither of those places, and you are not a hardcore hockey fan, you may not have noticed.

Jaromir Jagr signed with Russian hockey club Avangard Omsk. The terms of the contract were not disclosed. The club plays in Siberia. Siberia!

The Clarion has been saying for some time now that the price of fossil fuels was going to enable Russian sports teams to raid Western talent with impunity (ever since we read about Diana Taurasi.)

Labels: college basketball, hockey, sports, Sports Economics

How's this for a number when considering the recent "juiced" era of baseball? Nobody on the San Francisco Giants is on pace to hit 20 home runs this year. Nobody. Think maybe there is a little bit of difference in the power numbers?

One more, the major league leader, Ryan Howard isn't on pace to hit 50. The Major League leader has hit less than 50 only twice since 1994.

Labels: baseball, Ethically questionable, sports

Or more pointedly, down on life in America?

The Clarion has another statistic (via the Economist) to make you feel better, and grateful.

In Nigeria, fewer than 5% of those arrested are ever brought through the criminal justice system, most are simply extorted for bribes. Innocence or guilt is not relevant.

The founder of a Nigerian NGO, Prisoners' Rehabilitation and Welfare Action says in twenty years she has never seen a prisoner who has not suffered physical or psychological torture by the police.

Labels: Africa

Here is a stat to ponder when evaluating that question.

The ACC football champion has lost their BCS bowl game eight straight times.

Special thanks to the Mark Packer Packman radio program for that stat.

Labels: college football, NCAA, sports

The hero

Meet a real life hero, Long Island Railroad assistant conductor Eugene Chino.

Tuesday, summoned by other patrons who thought they heard a child screaming, Chino rushed on to the tracks in Freeport, NY, as a westbound LIRR train was held in the station. Weaving through active tracks and past the electrified third rail, Chino disrupted the rape of a 28 year old woman on the tracks. A 48 year old suspect was apprehended and charged with first degree rape.

Action > Inaction.

From the wisdom of Martin Luther King, "The problems of today are not the vitriolic words and the evil actions of the bad people, but the appalling silence and inaction of the good people."

Not this time.

Labels: Pop Culture