Gadgets for Christmas 08

Hmm, well I thought I would post some of the ones that interest me. I don't want most of them but they do interest me.





























































Hope fully in order:
Blu-Ray players under $200 - buy.com for this one but look around for other deals.
New iPod Touch - apple.com
Blackberry Storm - verizonwireless.com
Dash Express - dash.net
Falling LCD / Plasma TV prices make them a better buy.
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/25/tv-prices-falling-faster/

President-Elect Obama's FDR image.

This has been in the news as Obama has been talking like FDR recently and with good reason. He faces a lot of what faced FDR when he was in office. I for one hope that he does not make some of the early mistakes the FDR made. The Public Works projects that FDR enacted are some of the best things that Obama can get going. One thing he needs to stay away from is trying to balance the budget, that id where FDR failed. In trying to balance the budget FDR hurt the weak economy and that lead to a longer depression. Obama needs to spend and spend on things that will create jobs and a better infrastructure for future jobs. That spending should not include bailouts though, that in my opinion is throwing away money that can be better spent.

We shall see in a few months how he will get the ball rolling.

One Lucky or Smart Penguin

Sorry for the music, its really annoying. But the video is worth it, spoiler - he lives.

Ashley Judd - so cool.

So when stumping for Barack Obama, Ashley Judd made a promise. That promise was that if Barack Obama won North Carolina that she would come to the Kentucky vs. UNC basketball game. There is a great rivalry between the schools and she is a huge Kentucky fan as many people know. So she lived up to her promise and attended the game. To me that is really cool and shows that she is more normal than your average Hollywood celeb. Kudos to her.

Obama's executive orders, day 1.

The first thing the new President will do is issue his executive orders. I'm not sure how these work but basically they end up being the law on several issues. One of the biggest ones is to revoke Bush's ban on stem cell research which is a huge opportunity for American science. I for one will be waiting to see what else he changes, its good to see the change beginning right on day 1.

However there will be many people upset on day 1, some are:

"The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is warning that Obama will alienate millions, and abortion opponents are bracing for a fight. Medical researchers, meanwhile, are rejoicing at the prospect of freedom from a government policy they say has stymied efforts to develop life-saving treatments.

Like previous presidents, Obama is expected to issue a flurry of executive orders after he takes office Jan. 20. Some could reverse Bush administration policies; others could promote his own."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-11-16-stemcells_N.htm

some others:
• Obama enacts stronger “federal hate crimes legislation” to “reinvigorate enforcement at the Department of Justice's Criminal Section.”

• Obama creates “a fund to help people refinance their mortgages and provide comprehensive supports to innocent homeowners.”

• Obama doubles foreign aid to $50 billion to cut “poverty around the world in half by 2015.”

• Obama enacts legislation demanding carbon friendly cars.

• Barack Obama enact laws to reinforce money to “women and minority-owned businesses.”

• Obama repeals the Bush tax cuts.

• Obama enacts the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Hopefully these are done the first day.

Possible new Sec. of State?

I think its a great idea for her to be in the administration but State might not be the best spot for her talents. my 2 cents.

Arkansas votes no to allowing gay people to adopt.

The Daily Show covered the Prop 8 portion of the election but left out the Arkansas results...

It sounds like they are trampling on the rights of gay people and that unfortunately is nothing new. However, passing this now means that over 400 kids have to leave their loving homes and be put into the foster care system in Arkansas.
To me this is even worse then the Prop 8 passage in California because the state is now unjustly punishing these children.

Sad days in the US where the Civil rights movement sees a victory in electing a black president but then takes a couple steps back in these new laws.

2008 Presidential election is only young people voted.

not really a surprise but still interesting to see.

Twitter fast becoming another way to communicate.

I found out about twitter.com over a year ago from many of the podcasts I listen to. The growth of it amazes me, you see people from all walks of life on it and the posts are fascinating. Anyone from some average joe to the Obama campaign to Britney Spears use twitter.

I read that it can be thought of as life updates that you follow like soap operas. Very interesting and I highly recommend taking the time to explore and use twitter, but be careful as it can become addictive.

Blackberry Bold vs. iPhone

I myself use an iPhone but in the past have had 2 Blackberries. This holiday season there are two new
Blackberries coming to market in the US and the iPhone is still selling. I am a bit of a geek and I will certainly see how the sales numbers stack up as the season approaches. If I was in a more conventional business I would be all for the BB but I do not depend on email so iPhone as of now is perfect for me.

But as in most things my opinion is "to each their own".

And the truth comes out. Palin was not qualified.

good video from a surprise source, Fox News...

ignore the second half of the video talking about how McCain was in the lead at one time, he wasn't. 

Obama & Lincoln

Proud to be American.

Colleges are Mac breeding grounds

I started using Macs in College and I was not alone. That was 13 years ago and since then Apple has done such a great job of marketing that their logos are prevalent on every campus. 

I still use one daily and am still a happy user. 

FYI, look at the glowing logos in the picture. Thats part of Apple's genius, making the logo a part of the case. 

Election Prediction

I usually watch the Sunday Political talk shows because deep down I always wanted to go into politics I guess. But yesterday some of them had their guests make predictions for tomorrow and I thought I would do the same. 

So here it is:

Of Course Obama  will win. 

I'm saying he will get 342 Electoral 

and will win by 10% in the popular vote.

I also think that the Senate Democrats will pick up 9 new seats. 

In the House I think 29 new Democrats will be in. 

Overall a rout and I for one will be happy. It will be a nice to see the world's reaction as well. 

I think I would wait for the next train.

I've always heard that trains in India can be a bit crowded but this is crazy.