Website Devlopment, Bassoons, etc...

From around the web an assortment of sites and links of interest...

Web Development & Cart Software

Miva Complaints

NH Web

Website Do-it-yourselfer

More Interesting Pages...

Maine Toolmaker

Rockingham NH

Bassoon Reeds

Rep Darrell Isa on SOPA and Technology in Washington

Mashable's interview 5 Questions For Rep. Darrell Issa, SOPA Opponent and ‘Internet Defender’ provides an interesting look, not only at what stopped the SOPA legislation, but also how Washington deals with technology. Essentially they're behind the times, and for the few legislators who do have a grasp on current (or emerging) technologies political party is of little consequence.

When the technology community rallied together in opposition of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), Rep. Issa was at the front lines of Congress fighting to kill the bill. And as a former electronics company CEO, he’s one of the few Congressman who seem to “get it” when it comes to technology (Fun fact: Rep. Issa lent his voice to the alarm system for the ultra-sleek Dodge Viper).

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The debate around SOPA and other technology bills doesn’t divide neatly along party lines. Do you think technology issues are, in a way, bipartisan?

“Intellectual property and how we deal with that is always bipartisan … Sen. Wyden (D-Ore.) was particularly helpful in this entire debate, he brought his own version [of an intellectual property bill] to the Senate floor. [Rep. Jared] Polis [D-Colo.] was great to have as somebody else who knew the Internet and what it could do.”

You put the draft version of the OPEN Act online for the public to read and comment upon. Do you think that kind of transparency is the future of politics and technology?

“I do believe it is the future. Congress has to be willing to fund it. The Madison project had to be done at an external site because that kind of interactive exchange isn’t allowed under the House’s firewall rule, so we went to an outside storage facility.

“We don’t like to call the people who make the rules in the House and the Senate “Luddites,” but they’re pretty close. They’re very ultra-conservative on what (new technologies) they’re willing to adopt. Congress only went to Outlook Web a year ago — and it was still only a belt-and-suspenders type of access … our whole infrastructure is built around not getting hacked rather than getting access.

“The technology systems in the House are quite archaic, and if you’re dealing with members that have been around for a long time, it’s harder to adopt new platforms than if you’re in the private sector and more comfortable with new platforms. A big part of the House’s bandwidth is actually used for an off-site redundancy, which duplicates every one of our sites for Outlook and all of our servers. We use so much bandwidth for that, I’m still fighting to get (Voice over IP) telephones installed in the House.”

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Jobs and Politics - February Numbers

From: February Job Gains Create A Wrinkle in Presidential Race

U.S. jobs increased significantly in February after a very strong January. This could create an interesting political wrinkle for Republicans running for president. Simply blaming President Obama for the economy is losing it's punch. The Republican candidate needs to explain why less regulation and lower taxes will make the economy stronger. A few months ago some Republicans thought they'd simply be able to point to the economy and win the election. That no longer appears the case. The economy is not the only issue, but if the Republican candidate doesn't win that issue, it seems unlikley that they'll have much of a shot next November.

U.S. gains 227,000 jobs in February

"The unemployment rate was unchanged at 8.3% as nearly half-a-million workers reentered the labor force in search of jobs, the Labor Department reported. That’s usually a good sign because it means people believe more work is available.

The increase in nonfarm jobs topped 200,000 for the third straight month, which reinforces the view of an economy gathering strength as 2012 unfolds. The past three months of full-time job growth — aided by unusually warm winter weather — is the fastest since the end of the 2007-2009 recession and marks the best performance since early 2006.

The influx of new jobs is also pumping more cash into the economy in the form of wages and salaries, generating fresh demand among consumers for the goods and services that businesses produce. Consumer spending accounts for 70% of U.S. economic growth.

If that keeps up, businesses might have to hire more workers to meet the rise demand, further underpinning the economic recovery.

Improved job growth exceed Wall Street estimates. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had predicted an increase of 213,000 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis, with unemployment holding steady at 8.3%. "

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Cute Cat Hides in Bag - Video

Cute Cat Hides in Bag

Job Cuts Coming to Yahoo

Reuter Reports via Yahoo...

Yahoo preparing layoffs, could affect thousands: report


"SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Yahoo Inc's new chief executive is preparing a significant restructuring of the Internet company, including layoffs that could cut thousands of employees from its payroll, according to a technology blog.

The moves could be announced as soon as the end of the month and would represent the first major changes under CEO Scott Thompson, the former PayPal president who took the top job at Yahoo in January.

The changes at the struggling Web pioneer, which recently hired the Boston Consulting Group, will focus on its products group, as well as on research, marketing and public relations and businesses that are not core to the company, according to the report on Monday in the blog AllThingsDigital.com, which cited anonymous sources."

Yahoo preparing layoffs, could affect thousands: report

GoDaddy - Just Say No

From Broad Side of the Barn Blog - Ditch GoDaddy

"Yet my complaint about Godaddy is due to their customer service and business practices. I strongly recommend looking for another registrar like Network Solutions or NameCheap, because GoDaddy misleads its customers and bleeds money from them through their dubious practices. The most recent example I encountered is of a client who purchased a domain and email service believing they had also signed up for a hosting account. Technically they could 'host' their domain at GoDaddy, but it was a severely limited plan that only allowed for a canned page to be 'hosted' at Godaddy, which left them without the actual service they needed..."

Read more - Ditch GoDaddy at NH Web Development site, Broad Side of the Barn

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In New Hampshire Broad Store Supporter Blue Collar Who Do I Vote For Blogger Resource More Pols US Independent Round Four Circle Web Linked Web Rambling Web McCain States Science Less Online Volunteer Web Inquiry Battle Ground Purple People Indie Site Obama Independents American Independent Independent Blogger Change Candidate NH Web Blog

The New HTML 5

From Wikipedia - HTML5

Following its immediate predecessors HTML 4.01 and XHTML 1.1, HTML5 is a response to the observation that the HTML and XHTML in common use on the World Wide Web are a mixture of features introduced by various specifications, along with those introduced by software products such as web browsers, those established by common practice, and the many syntax errors in existing web documents.[citation needed] It is also an attempt to define a single markup language that can be written in either HTML or XHTML syntax. It includes detailed processing models to encourage more interoperable implementations; it extends, improves and rationalises the markup available for documents, and introduces markup and application programming interfaces (APIs) for complex web applications.[3] For the same reasons, HTML5 is also a potential candidate for cross-platform mobile applications. Many features of HTML5 have been built with the consideration of being able to run on low-powered devices such as smartphones and tablets. In December 2011 research firm Strategy Analytics forecast sales of HTML5 compatible phones will top 1 billion in 2013.

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NH Web - Dog Lotion - Kanu Cosmetics - Beer Docent - Dr. Dog - Greenum - Hot Spot Treatment - Morrison Sites - Maine Tool Maker -
Dog Conditioner - Dog Safety Harness - Oboe Machine

Pet Care - Dog Arthritis

"Many older dogs develop arthritis. Certain larger breed dogs are particularly susceptible to arthritis. There is no cure for arthritis. However, for most dogs it can be managed. Treatments may help reduce symptoms and may slow the progression of canine arthritis..."

Exerpt From Dr. Dog - Canine Arthritis

Golden Retriever Hot Spots - Dog Conditioner - Dog Itching - Lawn Spot - Pee Post - Paw Licking - Dog Scratching - Dog Vehicle Harness - Ortho-Flex - Nylon Choker - Dog Coprophagia - Pet Allergy Care - Ear Mite Remedy - Dog Has Allergies - Lotion for Dogs

Dog and Cat Care

Here is useful information and pet links that that will help you find dog skin care, paw care, and other health related products and supplies.

Dog Hot Spots

Dog Skin Care

Dog Itch Lotion

Dog Itch

Dog Coprophagia

Dog Green-um

Green-um Treats

Dog Paw Cream

Dog Allergy Shampoo

NH Web

Here You Go...

Dog Hot Spot Treatment
Paw Care
Dog Itch
Cat UTI
Dog Safety Harness
Cat Hairball Remedies
ProCollar Wound/Surgery Collar
NH Web
Maine Tool
Reed Gouger

Information for Pet Owners

Dr. Dog Health Care not only carries an range of pet health care products, they feature articles and information on common pet health issues. While itch care and hot spot treatments are often featured, Dr. Dog covers a range of care and training topics. Some of their favorites are listed below...

Dog Itch

Dog Skin Care

Dog Hot Spots

Dog Coprophagia

Canine Arthritis

Dog Itching

Looking for Content?

From around the web, here's a collection of interesting links - from the obscure to well traveled. Here is some info you may not have known about...

bassoon tool
oboe tool
dog paw
dog itch
dog hot spots
greenum
dog salmon oil
nh web freelance
nh web promotion
nh politics

Great Seacoast Condo Now Available

New on the market just this weekend a nice, clean, 2 bedroom, end unit condo in southern New Hampshire. Great location in a quiet wooded setting: minutes from Rt. 101, 25 minutes to Manchester, 25 minutes to the ocean, 1 hour to the Lakes Region, 1.5 hours to Boston, 2 hours to the White Mountains. Bathroom and kitchen have recently been redone with new floors, counters, appliances, etc.

A great deal, definitely worth a look... Check out the listing for this charming Epping NH Condo

Via Broad Side of the Barn Blog - Nice 2 Bedroom NH Condo Up for Sale

Cute Funny Cats

Fun Dog Video

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indepednent blog - nh web design - toolmaker

New England Food Banks

A good time of year to keep your local food bank in mind...

New Hampshire Food Bank

Western MA Food Bank

Greater Boston Food Bank

Merrimack Valley Food Bank

Worcester County Food Bank

Vermont Food Bank

Good Shepherd Food Bank - ME

Connecticut Food Bank

Rhode Island Food Bank

Funny Cat Video

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Top Gear Funny Clips and Car Competition

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Too Funny - Richard Simmons on 'Whose Line is it Anyway'

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New Product Release to Treat Acne

If you continue to purchase oil free products or products that exfoliate the skin maybe it is time to try a completely different approach to prevent your skin from breaking out. Oil Free” is not necessarily a good thing when treating acne. When your skin gets too dry, its natural response is to create more oil, which can result in more breakouts.

Exfoliating the outer layer of the skin with an exfoliant such as salicylic acid will not stop or heal an infection that is underneath the skin. Drying the skin will signal the body to create more oil, resulting in more acne. It is often assumed that debris and oil on the outer layer of the skin is the major reason pores become clogged; however, inflammation, often caused by hormonal fluctuations, can enlarge the pores and glands which more often increases the potential for pores and the glands to become clogged and infected.

BioScriptives has just launched a new acne product called Repiderm that performs like no other product. Repiderm, formulated with Dermal-Release Technology combined with benzoyl peroxide and 16 unique herbal extracts, essential oils and nutrients that down regulate the production of oil, is formulated in a manner that prevents ingredients from degrading and delivers those ingredients deep into the sebaceous gland to heal acne faster and prevent future breakouts. Without being able to penetrate the outer layers of the skin with Derma-Release Technology, this unique blend of 16 herbal extracts, oils, nutrients and actives would not kill an infection as effectively as Repiderm.

Read more about how Repiderm stops acne breakouts



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Stocks Down Tuesday Morning

Stocks open lower today...

From Yahoo/AP

NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks retreated Tuesday following new worries about rising inflation in Asia and the possibility Ireland might need a bailout.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 73 points in morning trading. The losses piled up even as shares of two components of the index, Home Depot Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc., rose more than 2 percent following improved earnings.

Asian markets fell overnight after South Korea's central bank raised interest rates to curb growing inflation. There has been speculation in recent days that China will have to take similar steps soon.

A report in the U.S. showed inflation at the wholesale level was smaller than predicted. The producer price index rose 0.4 percent last month, half of what economists' expected. The rise was due to a sharp increase in food and energy costs. Stripping out those volatile costs, prices fell 0.6 percent. The report backs up the Federal Reserve's view that inflation remains low because of sluggish growth.

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Aung San Suu Kyi Freed

Aung San Suu Kyi was freed this weekend after years of house arrest in Myanmar/Burma. This staunch advocate for democracy in Burma was asked by CNN about a way forward...

from Suu Kyi calls for dialogue with Myanmar government

"We have to work together," she said. "That is the main message. Those inside the country have to work together and also those supporters outside."

Suu Kyi had much the same message for her supporters Sunday, telling them in a speech, "I'm not going to be able to do it alone. You've got to do it with me. One person alone can't do anything as important as bringing change and democracy to a country."

"We would like to form a network of people working for democracy," she told CNN Monday, and said she would like to open a dialogue with "those who are in a position to do something, to change the situation in Burma for the better."

She said she has had no contact with Gen. Than Shwe, Myanmar's top military leader and head of state. Asked what she would say to him, she said, "I think what we are looking for is dialogue, so I'm not just thinking about what I have to say to him. I think what we have to think about is what we have to say to each other."

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Charities Connect Online

Below are a handful of quality charities worth looking into. These provide either a practical application for charitable work, or provide a different look on how charities can be viewed.Hire a Veteran
CGI
Online Charity
International Charity
US Education

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Other Links: Voter Info State Sites Blue Collar

Energy Policy Needs Attention

Excerpt from Purple People Vote for Moderate and Independent Voters

The elections are over, the House is controlled by Republicans and the Democrats no longer have a super-majority in the Senate. So the question now is, ‘Can they work together?’ Only time will tell.

However, there is one issue (at least) that lends itself to bipartisan compromise – Energy. There are all sorts of good reasons to want a substantive energy policy. In fact there are so many reasons for addressing energy policy that Republicans and Democrats don’t have to be motivated by the same rationale…

The socio-political rationale: We purchase much of our oil from dangerous and volatile regions of the world that often don’t like the U.S. very much.

Environmental rationale: Energy derived from fossil fuels is not good for the environment.

Supply rationale: Some day we will run out of oil and coal.

Economic rationale: High energy costs and fluctuating energy costs negatively impact the economy in numerous ways...

Continue reading Will Congress Have the Backbone to Address Energy?

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Links: Girls Education - NH Web - Maine Tool - Lick Granuloma - Spot Treat Pimples - Central Asia - Bassoon Reed Making - Fast Acting Topical Anesthetic - Pet Mess - Independents Blog

Van Sustren Takes Look at Election Results

Re-posted Graham: People Don't Love Republicans - It was Obama Overreach

Greta Van Sustren did a couple post election interviews that provided forthright, honest, at times very blunt assessments of the election results. One with Senator Lindsey Graham, the other with Senator Orrin Hatch. Both these Senators have worked across the aisle in the past, and have received heat from there own party for doing so.

GretaVan Sustren: What did you think about the Presidents press conference yesterday? Were you convinced that he was properly chasten because there was a message from the American people; or not? You shake your head no.

Senator Lindsey Graham: Well, I just don’t think he understands that it was his policies that got him into this mess. You know President Obama came in with a wave of hope. The American people picked this young man, they were hopeful he could change things, and the policies, health care and the process passing health care was everything different than he said it would be. The stimulus package, the financial regulation bill, the amount of debt, the growth of government – people rejected his policies. He lost his own Senate seat. Illinois voted for a Republican, a moderate Republican, how much clearer message can you get/give to the President. People of Illinois, like him personally, saying you’re going the wrong way. We want to check and balance you, and I don’t think he understands that. It was policies not personality that got him in this mess. People don’t love Republicans. It wasn’t like people in Illinois woke one day and said ‘Boy, I’ve been a Republican all these years and didn’t know it. It’s the Obama overreach."

Senator Orrin Hatch has been very critical of the health care legislation. He provides a unique perspective because he has often worked with Democrats specifically on health care legislation like s-chip. His entire interview is worth viewing, but he provide an amusingly blunt assessment of the health care bill when he said...

"I was going to say it was a piece of crap, but that would not be fair to some people who were very sincere in trying to do what is right."

Recommend checking out these two interview at the 'On the Record' home page.

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Cable News Over The Top

Excerpt from This Week In Stupid News – Breaking News or Broken News

"he Chillean Miner story was certainly the feel good story of the year. Cable news was given the gift of a watchable, interesting, and upbeat 24 hour news day. Then all three cable news networks graphics’ departments seemed to lose their mind, as they filled the television screen with graphic clutter announcing every minute element of this story. CNN posted the breaking news alert near the bottom of their pages, ‘Families await miners’ rescue.’ Really that’s breaking news? The families have been waiting for months.

Fox News ran two scrolls across their screen at once helping make their viewers cross-eyed. One scroll bringing such useful info to people such as, ‘capsule brings miners up from mine.’ I suppose if you’re somehow impaired that might be mildly helpful, as possibly someone would have thought the capsule was going to be set off like a rocket as part of Chile’s bicentennial celebration? MSNBC had the title of their show in the corner of their screen even after the show was no longer airing, and split the screen in two to show two different views. Unfortunately, they often showed the same view in those two separate panels.

Now, it must be challenging writing a myriad of informative short headlines for an event that is unfolding on live television, so here’s a tip – Stop Writing Them.
..."

Finish reading This Week In Stupid News – Breaking News or Broken News

Media Drops the Ball When Reporting on Islam

Islam: It's Perception in the Media and In the Public takes a look at how poor reporting and snap judgments are fanning the flames of an already sensitive issue. The following is an excerpt...

"Since the controversy about the potential for a mosque to be built at Ground Zero there has been a noticeable difference between the media's view of what Islam is, and the public's view of what Islam is. It is an odd situation where neither one is completely right or wrong. What Islam is, could never be summed up in a blog post, but that does seem to be precisely what is being missed in this debate. 100 people of the same faith could all practice and interpret their faith very differently. A significant cause of much of the friction and controversy is that people aren't accounting for this. However, the lack of a full and honest discussion on this topic may be causing the most trouble.

The media has not adequately done their job. They often either play down or ignores elements of Islam or the Muslim culture the Americans find rightfully disturbing. We have been attacked in the name of Islam, and certainly it isn't fair to connect all Muslims with that act, but it can't be ignored that the religion has been used numerous times as a justification for violence. Also, women are not only not treated as equals in many Muslim countries, but are often treated very poorly. Again, that doesn't apply to all Muslims, but ignoring and not reporting on these two glaring problems is not objective journalism. When news organizations do this they are clearly advocating and not reporting, and the American people are smart enough to know the difference..."

Continue Reading Islam: It's Perception in the Media and In the Public

The Absurd Tiger Woods Coverage

Yesterday late morning, the networks cut into their regular coverage to carry the 'Tiger Woods Apology.' This was followed by endless news speculation about whether the apology was sincere. My main question - "Who Cares?" Remember way back when, when the news only interupted regular programming to inform people of a serious event, an explosion, a death of major figure, or a major tragedy. Yesterday's news was dominated by speculation about a golfer's personal life.

The typical response from news organizations when they obsessively cover these tabloid stories is, 'well, that's what people want to see'. Fine, cover what you'd like, the media has every right - just don't call yourself news. This is TMZ type stuff, yet TMZ actually has the common courtesy not to pretend that it is a serious news organization. However, network and cable news by covering tabloid stories, particularly with such ferver, misleads the public by giving importance to selatious topics over actual news stories. For instance, Iran's quest for a neuclear weapon, and the oppression of its own people - real news. Gridlock in Washington, the health care bill, the war in Afghanistan - real news. Tiger Wood's mistress' press conference - not real news. News organizations have become so pathetic as of late, it truly is in question whether they know themselves the difference between good journalism and tabloid journalism.

Olympic Surprise

One of the great stories coming out of the Winter Olympics is that of Torah Bright. The flag bearer for Australia had told her parents not to attend the games because she'd prefer that they'd come to he upcoming wedding, and they could only afford to make one of the two trips. Her parents instead decided to find a way to make both trips and surprised their daughter as she won the gold medal for snowboarding. Her parents even ended up hiding in their daughters closet in order to stay hidden until after her event...

Parents surprise Bright in her golden moment

WEST VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Torah Bright almost ruined the surprise. Her parents drove six hours to the airport in Sydney, spent 20 hours more on a flight to the Winter Olympics and did all of it behind the back of the world’s best female snowboarder. At Bright’s Vancouver abode the night before the women’s halfpipe competition, Peter and Marion Bright heard her voice, and it begged for immediate improvisation.

“We hid in the closet,” Marion said. “She even came into the bedroom.”

Eventually, they slinked out, plan intact, and prepared to conceal themselves again at Cypress Mountain. It was a jig they couldn’t keep up very long, not when their daughter was winning Australia’s first gold medal of the Vancouver Games and breaking the United States’ near decade-long stranglehold on snowboarding supremacy.

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Parents Surpise Gold Medalist Torah Bright At Olympics

Toyota to Testify

CNN is reporting that the Chief Executive of Toyota, Toyoda to testify before U.S. lawmakers. This comes after an initial statement indicating that he wouldn't appear before Congress. After numerous Toyota recalls, the most serious of which dealt with an accelerator problem that resulted in the loss of life, there is a public demand for answers, and this could be Toyota's best opportunity to convince the public that they are taking responsiblity for their shortcomings and have a plan to remedy these serious problems.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Toyota president Akio Toyoda accepted on Thursday a formal invitation to testify at a hearing to be held next Wednesday.

The House Oversight Committee sent the invitation Thursday morning. Toyoda had initially said he would not appear before the committee but would instead send North America chief Yoshimi Inaba.

But late Thursday, Toyoda released a short statement: "I have received Congressman Towns' invitation to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on February 24 and I accept. I look forward to speaking directly with Congress and the American people."

The invitation sent by Committee Chairman Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y., reads: "There appears to be growing public confusion regarding which vehicles may be affected and how people should respond. In short, the public is unsure as to what exactly the problem is, whether it is safe to drive their cars, or what they should do about it."

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Toyoda, President of Toyota Agrees to Testify Before Congress

Obama At Risk for Identity Theft?

McCain primary opponent JD Hayworth got his campaign off to an odd an controversial start as he made statements questioning why President Obama hadn't produced his birth certificate. As those statements drew fire, he tried to clarify by stating that the need for President Obama to provide a birth certificate was due to the possiblity of identity theft. The conservative Red Sate blog went as far as saying that Hayworth is an Idiot if he sticks to this. ABC news also reported that J.D. Hayworth comments illicited the response, "Identity theft? I mean, come on," from a CNN reporter. Others are also noting that this challenge to McCain not only looks like a long shot, but is quickly looking very foolish.

McCain Opponent a Birther with a Twist
J.D. Hayworth is an opportunist, not a conservative

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McCain Opponent Off to a Rocky Start

Facebook Movement for Betty White to Host SNL

Betty White to Host SNL (please?)! is a fast growing grass roots campaign to get Saturday Night Live to ask Betty White to host. Betty White has stated that she would host if asked. What the people are finding out through this campaign that everyone loves Betty White. Odds are excellent that you like Betty White, that your dog likes Betty White, and fast approaching 400,000 people on Facebook also adore Betty White.

If you too are a Betty White fan and on Facebook here's where to go to join the Betty White to Host SNL (please?)! movement.

Mashable also addressed this phenomenon in the article 340,000 Facebook Fans Want Betty White to Host SNL

Challenger Hit

Dick Army head of Freedom works and former House leader is clearly unimpressed by McCain challenger Hayworth, as he cites Hayworth's political record as undistibguished.

Armey: Hayworth had 'undistinguished' House career

As former Rep. J.D. Hayworth prepares to officially enter the Republican primary race against incumbent Sen. John McCain, he probably had better not count on any support from FreedomWorks, the national conservative group closely associated with the Tea Party movement.

In a telephone interview with The Arizona Republic, former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, FreedomWorks' chairman, delivered a surprisingly harsh assessment of Hayworth, with whom he served on Capitol Hill:

"We're a small organization with a limited budget. There's an awful lot of places where our presence would be needed and can really make a difference. We don't see this Arizona race as one where we need to be actively involved. It's hard for us to believe that J.D. Hayworth could mount a credible challenge to John McCain
. Obviously, we'll watch the race. But J.D. had a fairly short, undistinguished congressional career with virtually no initiative on his part. I just don't see any reason why we should be concerned about that race."

Hayworth has other problems too as Little Green Footballs points out in their article McCain Primary Opponent Hayworth: a Birther with a Twist

Bayh Retires and Cites Partisanship

It's unfortunate to see a Senator retire that has not only shown that he can work across the aisle, but clearly has a grasp of what is frustrating many Americans - bitter partisanship. In Senator Bayh's address announcing his retirement he notes a political environment that has become nearly impossible to work within. Senator Bayh sees what many Americans see, a system that is putting party before country, or more simply, a system that is putting party before effectiveness. Kudos to Senator Bayh for calling out both parties on this problem, and here's hoping he can help rectify the problem from outside Washington.

“After all these years, my passion for service to my fellow citizens is undiminished, but my desire to do so in Congress has waned,” he said.

“My decision was not motivated by political concern,” he added. “Even in the current challenging environment, I am confident in my prospects for re-election.”

Bayh had never lost an election, from his first win in 1986 as secretary of state, his wins for governor in 1988 and 1992 and his election to the U.S. Senate in 1998 and 2004.

“But running for the sake of winning an election, just to remain in public office, is not good enough,” Bayh said. “And it has never been what motivates me. At this time I simply believe I can best contribute to society in another way: creating jobs by helping grow a business, helping guide an institution of higher learning or helping run a worthy charitable endeavor.”

From IndyStar.com Evan Bayh will not seek re-election

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Senator Bayh Takes A Shot At Bitter Partisanship As He Retires

Military Courts Versus Civil Courts

Senator Lindsey Graham shares his knowlege of military tribunals and how they're used to keep classified information out of the civil courts. He explains how in the past terrorists were able to gain information from civil trials that aided them in their persuits. Senator Graham is a JAG, and spent a recent congressional recess in Afghanistan as a member of the reservist. Also of note, Senator Graham was key in instituting the military tribunal system, which passed Congress with bipartisan support.

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Lindsey Graham Discusses Military Tribunals

McCain Discusses Rhetoric Of Christmas Day Bomber

Washington Ignoring Business Needs

Caroline Baum of Bloomberg wrote a piece today about how pessimistic and disenfranchised small businesses are by the actions of Washington and the Obama administration. Small businesses have good reason to angry. Their having difficulty getting loans, even when they have good credit. Health care legislation causes concern about the amount of money they may be required to spend in the future. The Bush tax cuts are due to expire, which will inevitably affect many small business owners. From energy policy to economic policy small business owners are getting ulcers from an administration that doesn't seem to grasp the importance of businesses in an economic recovery. The only way for jobs to return is for businesses large and small to succeed. There are legitimate reasons to be angry at Wall Street, and corporate greed. However, Washington is throwing the baby out with the bath water when it seeks to restrain or punish all businesses. The most fundamental economic truth is that businesses can only hire people when their company is succeeding. If Washington can't grasp this simple concept there's no hope for them to aid an economic recovery.

From Bloomberg Clueless in the Capital Meets Small-Business Ire: Caroline Baum

Feb. 11 (Bloomberg) -- “Washington doesn’t get it.”

That generic statement is tripping off the tongues of populists and Tea Partiers, business groups and bankers alike. In short, the public is peeved at the politicians.

I heard it this week from William Dunkelberg, chief economist of the National Federation of Independent Business, who used his group’s latest survey to opine on Washington’s deaf ear for helping small business.

The president and Congress “pay lip service to the fact that small business generates half of private-sector GDP and employs 60 percent or more of private-sector workers,” Dunkelberg says. As far as Washington’s efforts to help this sector of the economy, “instead of stimulus, give consumers a tax cut,” he says.

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Washington Comletely Missing the Boat When it Comes to Small Business

Today's Protest in Iran

Protests in Iran Today

For those following the use of social media, particularly Twitter in regards to the protests in Iran, today is a good to be folowing the #iranelection tag on Twitter as large protests are scheduled. The government has renewed attempts to crackdown on its citizens internet use. Only time will tell how successful they have been in oppressing their own people.

From the Denver post Huge rally and protests mark Iran revolution

TEHRAN, Iran—Hundreds of thousands of Iranians massed Thursday in central Tehran to mark the anniversary of the revolution that created the country's Islamic republic, while a heavy security force fanned out across the city and moved quickly to snuff out opposition counter protests.
Police clashed with protesters in several sites around Tehran, firing tear gas to disperse them and paintballs to mark them for arrest. Dozens of hard-liners with batons and pepper spray attacked the convoy of a senior opposition leader, Mahdi Karroubi, smashing his car windows and forcing him to turn back as he tried to join the protests, his son Hossein Karroubi told The Associated Press.

The celebrations marking the revolution's 31st anniversary

An image made from video provided by Iranian State TV, pro-government demonstrators gather in the central square of Tehran to mark the 31st anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution Thursday Feb. 11, 2010 were an opportunity for Iran's clerical regime to tout its power in the face of the opposition movement, which has managed to keep up periodic street protests since the disputed June presidential elections despite a fierce crackdown.
The opposition turnout was dwarfed by the huge crowd at the state-run celebrations. Many were bused in to central Azadi, or Freedom, Square to hear an address by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who proclaimed a new success in Iran's uranium enrichment program and dismissed new U.S. sanctions.

And the massive security clampdown appeared to succeed in preventing protesters from converging into a cohesive demonstrations. Large numbers of riot police, members of the Revolutionary Guard and Basij militiamen, some on motorcycles, deployed in back streets near key squares and major avenues in the capital to move against protesters.

Opposition Web sites spoke of groups of protesters in the hundreds, compared to much larger crowds in past demonstrations

One protester told The Associated Press she had tried to join the demonstrations but soon left in disappointment. "There were 300 of us, maximum 500. Against 10,000 people," she told an AP reporter outside Iran. She said there were few

Female demonstrators wave Iranian flags, as a picture of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is held at center, during a rally commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, at the Azadi (freedom) Square in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010. Many thousands of pro-government demonstrators gathered in the central square of Tehran to mark the 31st anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled the US-backed late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

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Protests in Iran Today

Florida Stimulus Debate

Governor Crist and Senate challenger Marco Rubio are in an interesting race. One of the topics that Crist has taken heat for amongst many conservatives is taking federal stimulus dollars for Florida and meeting President Obama at a rally that basically supported the stimulus package. Yet the following clip shows that Mr. Rubio would have also accepted the stimulus money like all other state governors ended up doing. The action that is called into question isn't accepting stimulus money, but whether meeting with President Obama publicly was a politically correct decision.

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Rubio and Crist and the Stimulus Money for Florida