Cyril's Gleans

gleans + 1xana at 6:55 PM MT, 4/30

 

US Has Bad News on Terror War
ABC News - By JONATHAN KARL and KIRIT RADIA Are we winning? Looking at the just-released State Department report on terrorism, the answer appears to be "no.

Disney's Dirty Little (Victoria's) Secret
TMZ.com - So if you're buyin' what Disney has been sellin' lately -- that they are appalled by the Vanity Fair pics of Miley Cyrus -- you're more gullible than a weapons inspector in Iraq.

Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts
ComingSoon.net - Iron Man stands out as one of the best comic book movies ever made thanks in large part to a healthy dose of humor, action, and a great performance by Robert Downey Jr.

 

Blacks wrestle with Obama-Wright rift Many understand, but some may doubt Obama's 'blackness.

 

 

The other thing Wright gets wrong

The idea of a racial learning style is a bogus concept that cheats us all.

 

 

A 10-year timeout for global warming, study says

The German research effort is one of the first to attempt 10-year climate forecasts.

 

 

Lots of climate-change studies, still few certainties

The Arctic can be frustrating for scientists trying to predict global warming

 

 

 

ana - CNET News stuff

HP makes memory from a once theoretical circuit Over three decades ago, a Berkeley professor theorized that there should be a circuit that can remember what's happened to it. Now, HP is demonstrating it actually exists. Wed, Apr 30 10:00:00 PDT 2008 | Read full story		Adobe guru to improve Windows interface Adobe guru Mark Hamburg apparently will work on Windows' user experience. His recent Adobe work gives a clue about his design goals: 'elegance,' 'personality' Wed, Apr 30 11:58:00 PDT 2008 | Read full story
Schmidt in CNBC interview: We're concerned about Microhoo In a taped appearance on the cable news outlet, Google's CEO makes it clear he isn't keen on Microsoft acquiring Yahoo. Wed, Apr 30 11:56:00 PDT 2008 | Read full story		Psystar's Open Computer arrives at CNET The Open Computer, a Mac OS X Leopard desktop not made by Apple, arrives at the offices of CNET Reviews in New York. Wed, Apr 30 11:44:00 PDT 2008 | Read full story

Proposed new piracy penalties advance in House House panel unanimously backs bill that would appoint new intellectual-property enforcers and allow the feds to seize equipment used to commit infringement. Wed, Apr 30 09:46:00 PDT 2008 | Read full story  Radiohead won't repeat 'In Rainbows' giveaway Lead singer Thom Yorke tells The Hollywood Reporter that the promotion was a "one off." Wed, Apr 30 10:53:00 PDT 2008 | Read full story  Video of the day Microhoo's slo-mo game of chicken CNET News.com's Kara Tsuboi and Ina Fried look at where Microsoft's bid for Yahoo stands and why it's got everyone on edge.

 

gleans at 9:45 AM MT, 4/30

 

'Clinton in Exile'

By CAROL FELSENTHAL
Reviewed by JANET MASLIN

This book explores loaded subjects like Bill Clinton’s last-minute pardons, imperiled legacy, flashy billionaire friends and business connections.

 

Obama looks to put controversial pastor behind him

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama is looking to get his campaign back on track today after making a strong effort to distance himself from his controversial former pastor.

 

 

Prom invite is written on lacrosse players' bare bottoms

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Thirteen members of a high school lacrosse team have been disciplined for baring their bottoms on which was written a prom invitation from one player to a girl.

 

 

The Avid Reader ==> View this as a webpage

 

 

Don't Miss the World's Largest Outdoor Food Fest
What started out as a modest food festival in 1980 has grown to be the world's largest outdoor food fest--a gastronomical extravaganza attracting nearly 3 million people each year. Don't miss this year's Taste of Chicago, scheduled for June 27 through July 6 and featuring a terrific entertainment line-up including Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt and Plain White T's.
- Chicago Travel Guide Prescott Carlson

 

 

Get Into Oxford University the Easy Way
If you've ever wished you could boast that you studied at Oxford University in England but lacked the opportunity, funds, or (gulp) grades to do it, now's your chance. With the Oxford Experience, the University of Oxford offers week-long summer courses that are open to everyone. Study at Oxford for the pure enjoyment of learning with no papers to write and no exams to pass.
- United Kingdom Travel Guide Ferne Arfin

 

 

FOOD STUFF; Juleps That Go Beyond Mint  ...spicy Japanese herb, for mint in his shiso julep, above. It is a superb partner for Anita...At Monkey Bar in Midtown, the capuchin julep uses bourbon infused with orange-spice...Belcourt in the East Village makes a Champagne julep, with sherry and sparkling wine, and...

 

 

THE RAIL; To Some, the Derby Is the Only Race  ...with his drinking. But he orders a mint julep anyway. “Let me taste that...to the dynamite lurking at the bottom of julep glasses. It was a garden party beneath...didn’t miss a food course or a julep. Just before the end of the meal he slid...

 

 

Why America can’t make good cheap wine and more thoughts on how price affects judgment on wine.

Go to The Pour »

 

 

SQUARE FEET; With Books as a Catalyst, Minneapolis Neighborhood Revives By LISA CHAMBERLAIN April 30, 2008 - By LISA CHAMBERLAIN - Real Estate

 

 

ARTS, BRIEFLY; Gary Snyder Wins $100,000 Poetry Prize  Gary Snyder was named the winner of the $100,000 Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize on Tuesday...lose if we forget that relation.” The San Francisco-born Mr. Snyder, 78, whose poetry collections include “The Back Country...

 

In Love With the History Our Teachers Never Told Us...8221; is about the American history most Americans never...America where bits of history are still honored...the winners who make history, and that’...Pilgrims: with the Anglo-American and New England version...

 

 

Race Is On to Advance Software for Chips

By JOHN MARKOFF

Three rival teams of computer researchers are working on new types of software needed to better use computer chips that can process many tasks at the same time.

 

 

Another pastor's perspective on Obama
Baltimore Sun - by James Oliphant Mark Daniels is a Lutheran minister in southeastern Ohio who writes a thoughtful blog on religion, society and politics.

 

Turkish Press Washington diary: Pastor trouble BBC News - By Matt Frei Bill Clinton's candidacy was almost killed off by Gennifer Flowers and his presidency derailed by Monica Lewinsky. Obama Says He Is Outraged By Wright's "Rants" U.S. News & World Report The Obama-Wright divorce MSNBC New York Times - Boston Globe - San Francisco Chronicle - The Associated Press all 1,302 news articles »   OverTheLimit.info The Early Word: SuperDelegate Battles New York Times - By Ariel Alexovich Hillary Rodham Clinton picked up another powerful superdelegate Tuesday, Rep. Ike Skelton of Missouri, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. McCain Offers Market-Based Health Plan Washington Post McCain's Progress Wall Street Journal Boston Globe - Los Angeles Times - FOXNews - San Francisco Chronicle all 666 news articles »       Washington Post Obama criticizes, rejects pastor in damage control Newsday - BY TOM BRUNE | tom.brune@newsday.com WASHINGTON - Seeking to stanch political wounds inflicted by his longtime pastor, Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama yesterday sharply criticized the Rev. Obama: Wright Is Wrong, Remarks 'Offend' Me ABC News Wright transcends Obama connection Washington Times Atlanta Journal Constitution - Washington Post - Los Angeles Times - USA Today all 268 news articles »

Study: Giant squid has biggest animal eyes in world
The Associated Press - WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - Marine scientists studying the carcass of a rare colossal squid said Wednesday they had measured its eye at about 11 inches across - bigger than a dinner plate - making it the largest animal eye on Earth.

 

gleans at 5:05 AM MT, 4/30

 

The Rev. Wright's comments alarm black ministers in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Times - Disputing his characterization of the church, they say they fear Obama's former pastor will hurt the Democratic candidate's chances.

Landing the White Whale
Washington Post - By Harold Meyerson The relationship between Barack Obama and the white working class is beginning to resemble that between Ahab and the white whale.

 

The Miley Cyrus Uproar
Wall Street Journal - Readers with little girls at home don't have to be told who Miley Cyrus is. Their daughters want to be Miley Cyrus. The Disney Channel singer/actress is the star of "Hannah Montana," one of the most popular shows on TV.

 

Albert Hofmann, 102; Swiss chemist discovered LSD

By Thomas H. Maugh II

His accidental experience of 'an extremely stimulated imagination' caused by the drug led to a lifetime of experiments and initiated the psychedelic generation.

 

 

Cabernet Franc wines from France, Napa and Columbia Valley

By Patrick J. Comiskey

Cabernet Franc has long been a blending wine in France. West Coast producers are exploring it now too.

 

 

Lives remembered, lives rebuilt, attitudes changing -- 33 years after South Vietnam fell

By My-thuan Tran

For many in Little Saigon, memories of what they went through still shape their reality. Others -- many born here -- look to Vietnam for opportunities and for ways to improve lives.

 

 

Charles Hillinger, 82; Times feature writer told about common, colorful people

By Dennis Mclellan

He wrote nearly 6,000 human-interest stories for the paper before retiring in 1992. The Beatles, desert hermits and the homeless were on his wide-ranging beat.

 

 

 * Web in infancy, says Berners-Lee
The world wide web is "still in its infancy", the web's inventor Sir
Tim Berners-Lee tells BBC News.
Full story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/1/hi/technology/7371660.stm

 

 

  Digital inclusion strategy for UK
A strategy to get the last third of unconnected Britons online is being drawn up,
says a UK minister.
Full story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/1/hi/technology/7373970.stm

 

 

  Loopholes keep Windows XP alive *
PC makers are exploiting loopholes in Microsoft license terms to keep selling Windows
XP beyond a cut-off date.
Full story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/1/hi/technology/7370821.stm

 

 

Flames exhume plane crashes' bones and memories

By Janet Wilson

Southern California's rugged, brush-covered mountains hide the secrets of wrecks for decades. When wildfires reveal them, a dedicated searcher is there to piece together their stories.

 

 

U.S. airlines flock to foreign repair shops

By Marla Dickerson

Carriers cut costs as they outsource repairs and inspections.

 

 

Car owners skimping on maintenance, repairs

By Martin Zimmerman

Facing high gasoline and food prices, many motorists are holding off on expensive jobs. They may pay the price later

 

 

'Real to Reel: Hollywood and World War II' exhibition in New Orleans

By John Horn

A new exhibit shows the hand-in-glove ties to the White House in WWII.

 

 

What war?

By Niall Ferguson

At home, the economy soars and Americans let the good times roll. Meanwhile, Iraq burns.

 

 

Cultural jihadists, says Bruce Bawer, hate the West’s freedoms because those freedoms defy sharia. So do we love our freedoms as much as they hate them? ... more»

 

gleans + 1xlagniappe + 1xaddenda at 11:30 PM MT, 4/29

 

Mmmm... mangos
Pictures as Mali makes the most of its bountiful crop

 

 

US marines pour in to attack Afghan drug town The 2,400 marines, many of them veterans of the war in Iraq, were involved in an assault on Garmser in Helmand province

• US Marines sent in for mini surge in Helmand

• At the heart of the opium economy

 

Author in the mother of all book battles Michel Houellebecq denounced by his mother who describes him as a dishonest and untalented egotistical social climber

 

Cost issues and war sap US military readiness: lawmaker
Reuters - By Andrea Shalal-Esa WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A top Democratic lawmaker on Tuesday called for urgent improvement of the US military's readiness, saying the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and cost overruns in weapons programs had sapped its ability to ...

 

lagniappe

XV ~ Edna St. Vincent Millay

Only until this cigarette is ended,
A little moment at the end of all,
While on the floor the quiet ashes fall,
And in the firelight to a lance extended,
Bizarrely with the jazzing music blended,
The broken shadow dances on the wall,
I will permit my memory to recall
The vision of you, by all my dreams attended.
And then, adieu,—farewell!—the dream is done.
Yours is a face of which I can forget
The colour and the features, every one,
The words not ever, and the smiles not yet;
But in your day this moment is the sun
Upon a hill, after the sun has set.

 

addenda <== thanks to The Wally-Bob

Subject: Absinthe's Mind-Altering Mystery Solved - Yahoo! News

Date: Apr 29, 2008 1:58 PM

Is nothing sacred? Another legend debunked. http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20080429/sc_livescience/absinthesmindalteringmysterysolved

 

gleans at 1:55 PM MT, 4/29

 

Mind's Limit Found: 4 Things at Once

 

IBM increases dividend 25 percent, reasserting confidence

 

Disney Bites the Photog that Feeds It
TMZ.com - Ever since Mileygate broke yesterday, Disney's been pissing on Annie Leibovitz and her shoot with Miley for Vanity Fair -- at the same time that Annie's been on the Mouse payroll for a couple years now doing their fancy "Dream Portrait" series.

 

Barack Obama cuts bait with Jeremiah Wright <== apparently the LAT is not fluent in the vernacular
Los Angeles Times - The break between Barack Obama and his onetime pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, is now official. In comments in North Carolina today, Obama noted that he had given Wright the "benefit of the doubt" when the furor over the preacher first erupted in ...

 

Obama Says He’s Outraged by Ex-Pastor’s Comments
New York Times - By Jeff Zeleny Barack Obama during a news conference held after a town hall-style meeting in Winston-Salem, NCon Tuesday. (Photo: Jae C. Hong/Associated Press) WINSTON-SALEM, NC - For the second day in a row, Senator Barack Obama sought to distance ...

 

After 2 Kids, Paltrow Returns To Big Screen In 'Iron Man'
ABC News - By OLIVIA STERNS After taking nearly three years off from her juggernaut Hollywood career to raise her two gorgeous children, Gwenyth Paltrow is back in the limelight, starring in one of the summer's biggest blockbuster films, "Iron Man.
Paltrow explains why she did ‘Iron Man’ MSNBC
Motherhood is Paltrow's big priority now The Gazette (Montreal)
IGN - CanMag - Manchester Online - Mirror.co.uk
all 33 news articles »

gleans at 6:05 AM MT, 4/29

 

Hoaxes hit bookstores

By Scott Timberg

It starts with a phone call from someone claiming to be an author. Then the caller asks for money. But sellers are catching on.

 

 

Obama's pastor reignites race row

Blames US policy for 9/11 and praises Louis Farrakhan.

 

 

Looking for Mr. Wright

By Jonah Goldberg

The minister reveals that he's as radical and bigoted as his critics insist.

 

 

Wright Gives Hillary a Reason To Hang On
Houston Chronicle - The effects of the Rev. Wright backlash on Barack Obama’s campaign will get an important test next month. In 2 special congressional elections in Mississippi and Louisiana, Republican attempts to tie Obama to Wright may give Hillary Clinton more reason ...

 

 

The newspaper death watch
Tumultuous week highlights industry's many challenges
--Advertising Age

 

 

Nato's Afghan mission in trouble, says Brown

The Nato mission in Afghanistan is "critically" short of key troops and equipment, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told allies.

Army stretched to 'dangerous levels'

UK helicopter industry 'will die in MoD cuts'

 

 

Study: Brain training games work

A mental exercise that limbers up the brain's overall ability to solve problems has been shown to work for the first time.

Games | Solutions

 

 

A dog in the house keeps allergies at bay

Parents who own dogs reduce the chances of their children growing up with allergies, research has shown.

 

 

'I sniffed colleague's chair'

Australian politician said incident put a strain on his marriage.

gleans at 6:10 PM MT, 4/28

 

Apple Updates iMacs Amid Booming Sales
InformationWeek - In addition to faster processors, the new iMacs are rated EPEAT Silver and meet the Energy Star 4.0 requirements for power consumption.
Apple Updates iMac Line CRN
Apple says it is offering the fastest graphics ever in its iMac ... DailyTech
BetaNews - PC Magazine - San Francisco Chronicle - I4U
all 47 news articles »

 

Wright brings race issue back to '08 race

Obama's former pastor launched a public-relations blitz.

Reporter Ariel Sabar

Obama's pastor reignites race row

Jeremiah Wright once more blames US policy for 9/11 attacks in nationally televised speech.

Obama rejects debate with Clinton

Bush says goodbye at press dinner

 

 

Afghanistan's insurgency spreading north

Militant attacks are increasing outside the Taliban's southern stronghold, such as Sunday's on President Hamid Karzai.

Correspondent Anand Gopal

 

Last lines at the bar Poem of the Week: Join Carol Rumens for a discussion of Jane Holland's raucous masterpiece of pub poetry, Night Blue Fruit at the Tin Angel More poems of the week

 

 

gleans at 2:05 PM MT, 4/28

 

America's forgotten war

Photojournalist John D McHugh, who is embedded with US troops in Afghanistan, reports from the frontline in the first part of a new multimedia series

• Karzai survives assassination bid
• In pictures: Hamid Karzai assassination attempt
• Comment: Richard Norton-Taylor

 

Our armed forces are not world class Max Hastings: Public distaste for Blair's unpopular wars has left Britain woefully short of soldiers

 

 

A stitch in time ...

Sales of sewing machines are rocketing - and making your own clothes is the height of fashion. Eithne Farry offers a guide to getting started

 

 

 

Lost in the sands of time

Traditional seaside holidays collapsing in popularity.

 

 

 

Da Vinci chute success

Parachute design from 1485 finally has successful landing.

 

 

 

 

Heavy weight boxer

Mike Tyson gives term heavyweight new meaning.

 

 

 

Idaho lab develops a quicker way to catch a thief

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho - Federal researchers say they've developed a human identification test that's faster and possibly cheaper than DNA testing.

 

 

 

FCC dealt setback in broadband-over-power-lines push After legal challenge from amateur radio operators, appeals court tells federal regulators to revisit rules designed to speed rollout of new Internet service while preventing interference. Mon, Apr 28 10:32:00 PDT 2008 | Read full story		Biodiesel plants idled by rising soybean prices The burgeoning biofuels industry continues to have growing pains with the cost of soybean oil more than doubling in the past year, squeezing producers. Mon, Apr 28 09:13:00 PDT 2008 | Read full story
Intel links with Cray for supercomputers, denting AMD The two companies enter into a multiyear agreement on high-performance computing. That's not going to sit well with AMD. Mon, Apr 28 09:37:00 PDT 2008 | Read full story

 

gleans + 1xaddenda at 9:25 AM MT, 4/28

 

Reluctantly, a Daily Stops Its Presses, Living Online

By NOAM COHEN

On Saturday, The Capital Times, the fabled 90-year-old daily newspaper of Madison, Wis., stopped printing to devote itself to publishing its daily report on the Web.

A Google Prototype for a Precision Image Search

By JOHN MARKOFF

The company presented a new algorithm for blending image-recognition software methods with techniques for weighting and ranking images that look most similar.

• Times Topics: Google Inc.

E-Commerce Report

Users Demand Expertise at How-To Web Sites

By BOB TEDESCHI

Barnes & Noble has introduced a new Website that aims to teach Web users things as diverse as the basics of football and how to build a Web site.

 

Middle school college programs target young students early

BOSTON - Most students at Mildred Avenue Middle School come from low-income, minority families and have parents who didn't go to college.

 

 

Forgotten Ga. county now in spotlight over water rights

TRENTON, Ga. - Residents of Dade County have spent much of their history feeling ignored by the rest the state. For decades people had to cut through Alabama or Tennessee to get to the county in the northwest corner of Georgia, and some residents still get key services from out of state.

 

 

Mississippi River flood dooms promising year for farmers

REDWOOD, Miss. - Farmers here are experiencing water torture as they wait for the flooded Mississippi River to recede and give them a chance to salvage what's left of what might have been the best season in memory.

 

 

 

LONDON JOURNAL; Shh! In British Library Reading Rooms, Flirting and Even Giggling

By SARAH LYALL

April 28, 2008 - By SARAH LYALL - World

 

 

 

Murdoch’s ‘Head of Content’

By TIM ARANGO

Robert Thomson, the new de-facto editor at The Wall Street Journal, is charged with executing the vision of its owner, Rupert Murdoch.

• At Journal, the Words Not Spoken

 

THE MEDIA EQUATION; At Journal, the Words Not Spoken

By DAVID CARR

April 28, 2008 - By DAVID CARR - Business

 

 

addenda <== thanks to The Mangosteen Man (aka RB-Bob)

 

Subject: Interesting viewpoints...

Date: Apr 28, 2008 6:47 AM

Making Wikis Work for Scholars For all the complaints about students who copy incorrect information, some scholars are getting good use out of the popular site. >> View full article   Also.... o   WikiProject Murder Madness and Mayhem     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki...ikiProject_Murder_Madness_and_Mayhem.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Jbmurray/Madness.

 

 

gleans at 1:40 PM MT, 4/27

 

Widening the net
San Francisco meeting sets the tone for the internet's future

 

Invading the Valley
British technological know-how and talent on show in California

 

A Night Out With | Jamie Lidell

Mexican for the Soul

By LIZA GHORBANI

Jamie Lidell, the 34-year-old British soul singer, samples tacos and various flavored margaritas in SoHo.

Bôite

Cocktails and Cheddar

By JESSICA GROSE

The founders of Stinky Bklyn, a local cheese shop, and Smith & Vine, a wine store, also own JakeWalk in Carroll Gardens, which has a focus on fromage.

 

• 

• The Odyssey

  The poet, novelist and playwright Simon Armitage turns up in some interesting places. In January of this year, Armitage, the author of an acclaimed recent ...April 27, 2008 - By JAMES PARKER - Books / Sunday Book Review

 

The Canon: A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science ...

“The Canon” presents the fundamentals of science: numbers and ... “The Canon” begins on an engaging note, lamenting what is one of my pet ...May 27, 2007 - By STEVEN PINKER - Books / Sunday Book Review

 

An Old Capital’s New Look in Ecuador

By AIMÉE DOWL

Thanks to a revitalization campaign, things are finally turning around in the bustling capital of Quito.

• Travel Guide: Ecuador »

 

Check In, Check Out: Boca Raton, Fla.

Boca Raton Resort and Club

By GERALDINE FABRIKANT

Despite upgrades to the grande dame of South Florida resorts, parts of the hotel have not gotten the help they need.

• Travel Guide: Boca Raton »

 

RADIO/TELEVISION; Public Radio Tries to Reignite Its Public

PUBLIC radio is drawing its largest audience ever...Manhattan studios, the veteran National Public Radio and NBC journalist John Hockenberry and...8221; is designed with it partner, Public Radio International, and collaborators including...

April 27, 2008 - By ELIZABETH JENSEN - Arts

 

Son of Rambow (2007)
Set on a long English summer in the early 80's, Son Of Rambow is a comedy about
... Recent Posts (updated daily), User. Kids watching Rambo? furubasadness ...
www.imdb.com/title/tt0845046/ - 50k - Similar pages

 

SCENE STEALER; Is Hollywood Warming to Its Favorite Villains?

By MICHAEL CIEPLY

April 27, 2008 - By MICHAEL CIEPLY - Movies

 

IDEAS & TRENDS; When the Times Make the Man

By SAM TANENHAUS

April 27, 2008 - By SAM TANENHAUS - Washington

 

COUNTING BIRTHDAYS; The Short End of the Longer Life

By KEVIN SACK

April 27, 2008 - By KEVIN SACK - Health

 

OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR; Clown Prince of the City

...8217;d be voting for anybody who didn’t do fireworks. This is a city, not a children’s party. A. A. Gill is the author of the forthcoming Previous Convictions: Assignments from Here and There. Op-Ed Contributor

April 27, 2008 - By A. A. GILL - Opinion

 

Produced in Champagne, but What Do You Call It?

By JOHN TAGLIABUE

April 27, 2008 - By JOHN TAGLIABUE - World

 

Recession Diet Just One Way to Tighten Belt

By MICHAEL BARBARO and ERIC DASH

April 27, 2008 - By MICHAEL BARBARO and ERIC DASH - Front Page