Time names Obama 'Person of the Year'

 

President-elect Barack H. Obama has been named Time magazine's "Person of the Year" for 2008. The magazine has named Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Gov. Sarah Palin and Chinese director Zhang Yimou as runners-up.

Why did Time choose Barack Obama? For the some of the same reasons that Seihan Mori, the senior monk at Kyoto's Kiyomizu, temple chose Obama's now-iconic "change" as Japan's character of the year. In an age full of cynicism and tribulation, Obama has inspired many around the world to rekindle their fundamental belief in our potential - to work in hope rather than languish in despair.

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VP Dick Cheney's Senior Staff Salaries Hidden From Public

I got an email that was supposedly from Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr's Chief of Staff Kenneth A. Edmonds. In checking online to learn more about Edmonds, I discovered his salary, and that VP Dick Cheney's senior staff salaries are hidden from the public.

Report: Small online news sites more proven than large ones » VentureBeat

Report: Small online news sites more proven than large ones » VentureBeat: “The report uses long tail economics to show how small sites can do well by achieving greater distribution among a niche readership. Because operating costs are so low, these sites can still manage to be successful despite lower rates of advertising revenue. The report describes the revenue model for independent blogs and news sites and it offers, as an example, a news site with 1 million unique visitors a month which generates $1.5 million in annual revenues assuming a $2 CPM (cost per thousand user impressions) rate.”

No Steve Jobs in 2009: Apple Announces Its Last Year at Macworld

Apple Announces Its Last Year at MacworldFrom Apple's website: “CUPERTINO, California—December 16, 2008—Apple® today announced that this year is the last year the company will exhibit at Macworld Expo. Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, will deliver the opening keynote for this year’s Macworld Conference & Expo, and it will be Apple’s last keynote at the show. The keynote address will be held at Moscone West on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Macworld will be held at San Francisco’s Moscone Center January 5-9, 2009.”

-- This is definitely the end of an era. I can't imagine anyone getting up at 4 AM to hear Phillip Schiller speak in the morning. I can't help but wonder what the real story here is.

National Journal Online -- Lost in Transition -- E-Government Ball Already Rolling At Commerce

National Journal Online -- Lost in Transition -- E-Government Ball Already Rolling At Commerce: “If Barack Obama wants to prioritize e-government, he might look to the Commerce Department, which has quietly gained a reputation for being one of the most Web-savvy departments in the federal government.
Commerce has long been viewed as a sprawling, almost ungovernable bureaucracy, but over the last few years it has seen significant advances in areas both small (online video) and large (the 2010 census).
"I think the Commerce Department has been aggressive and progressive," said Arnold Jackson, associate director for the 2010 census.”

Statement by Chief of Staff for Congressman Jackson - Kenneth Edmonds

I just received this direct email from Kenneth Edmonds, the spokesperson for Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.:

"As a responsible citizen and elected official, Congressman Jackson has in the past provided information to federal authorities regarding his personal knowledge of perceived corruption and governmental misconduct.This was completely unrelated to the current federal investigation regarding the U.S. Senate appointment. And it is absolutely inaccurate to describe the Congressman as an informant."

Kenneth Edmonds, spokesman for Congressman Jackson.

That's confirmed.  Kenneth Edmonds is Chief of Staff for Congressman Jackson.  But he sent the email via richmondgrouponline.com.


But I can't find a direct connection between the two. In other words, was this actually Kenneth Edmonds who sent the email?  No. The bottom of the email lists Kenneth Johnson as having sent it, not Edmonds.  It's harmless to be sure, but it would have been better to send out something that looks more official than this.  

Dan Wetzel's Great Column On Tony Dungy and The Colts

Latest playoff push a rough ride for Dungy, Colts - NFL - Yahoo! Sports: “Through all the high-scoring victories, bids for a perfect season, wild comebacks, crazed finishes, playoff disappointments and, eventually, a Super Bowl triumph, the enduring image of Tony Dungy is one of calm.”

-- The column captures Tony's persona, but should -- does not -- mention his belief in Christ.

Mike Silver Says Zorn throws himself under the bus - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

Zorn throws himself under the bus - NFL - Yahoo! SportsMike Sliver: “Jim Zorn, I’m rooting for you. I really am. I resolved back in February to give you a chance as an out-of-the-box hire, and I hope you survive to coach a second year with the Redskins.

But could you kindly stop bleeding all over the place?”

Knowing Sil, I can actually hear him saying that!

NY GIANTS ADD A WIDEOUT - ProFootballTalk.com

ProFootballTalk.com - GIANTS ADD A WIDEOUT: “The New York Giants will sign receiver Derek Hagan, according to Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star-Ledger.

Hagan was cut earlier this year by the Dolphins.  Though he’s had several tryouts, he had not been re-signed. 

Plagued by a problem holding onto the ball, the Fins finally gave up on the former first-day draft pick in November.

The Giants need help at the position given the absence of Plaxico Burress.  The problem is that Burress can be properly replaced only by a receiver who draws double coverage (or more) everywhere he goes.”

Atlanta MARTA Transit warns of big fare hikes, major cuts | ajc.com

MARTA warns of big fare hikes, major cuts | ajc.com: “MARTA’s top administrator on Monday warned of steep fare hikes and drastic cuts in passenger services if the transit agency cannot find more revenue sources to make up for a projected $60 million revenue shortfall.

“We are talking about a Draconian — unbelievably Draconian — reduction in service,” said MARTA general manager Beverly Scott. “There is not enough stuff that one can touch where you can, in fact, wind up making up those kinds of sharp decreases.”

Scott’s remarks followed a MARTA board meeting during which the panel approved a series of proposals to alleviate the crisis.

The agency began its fiscal year in July expecting a $30 million shortfall. In September, the Georgia State Economic Forecasting Center projected that MARTA was facing an additional $30 million revenue shortfall by the end of the current fiscal year in July 2009, and a $634 million shortfall over the next decade.”

Diane Feinstein gets nod to chair intelligence panel - SF Gate

Feinstein gets nod to chair intelligence panel: “California Sen. Dianne Feinstein has been tapped as the chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Majority Leader Harry Reid said Monday, a post that would give her immense clout over U.S. intelligence agencies and the power to shape policies on wiretapping and the treatment of detainees.

Feinstein's promotion was welcome news for other state Democrats, as well as Republicans who plan to run for governor in 2010. The 75-year-old senator has flirted with the idea of running for governor but has told friends and allies she would be unlikely to make a bid if she got the top post on the intelligence panel.

She would be the first woman to lead the committee in its 32-year history.”

--- That paves the way for a gubenatorial battle between SF Mayor Gavin Newsom and Cal AG Jerry Brown.

GOV PROPOSES NEW BUDGET FOR NEW YORK - New York Post

GOV PROPOSES NEW BUDGET FOR NEW YORK - New York Post: “Gov. Paterson's proposed $121.1 billion budget includes wacky taxes on items ranging from luxury goods to downloaded music, movies and games from the Internet.

The plan also calls a massive 14 percent hike to public college tuition, slashing school aid by 3.3 percent, layoffs, higher fees for motor vehicles and fishing and allowing wine to be sold in grocery stores.”

-- NO! How is the Internet tax to be enforced? What if one blocks their IP address?