Israeli Women Againist Muslim Protesters in Chicago

Gov. Bill Richardson Steps Down As Obama's Commerce Secretary Designate

This breaking news, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson annouced he was stepping down as President-Elect Barack Obama's Commerce Secretary Designate.  The reason given by the Washington Post is that in light of the matter of the Blagojevich Scandal, Richardson reconsidered the importance of an alledged "pay-to-play" investigation in New Mexico.  I learned the news from this email:

Richardson to withdraw as Commerce secretary
New Mexico governor cites pending investigation of business dealings
BREAKING NEWS
NBC News
updated 10:56 a.m. PT, Sun., Jan. 4, 2009
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state.

"Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact," he said Sunday in a report by NBC News' Andrea Mitchell. "But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process."

A federal grand jury is investigating how a California company that contributed to Richardson's political activities won a lucrative New Mexico state contract.

A person familiar with the proceedings has told The Associated Press that the grand jury is looking into possible "pay-to-play" dealings between CDR Financial Products and someone in a position to push the contract through with the state of New Mexico.

Richardson said he plans to continue in his role as governor. "I appreciate the confidence President-elect Obama has shown in me, and value our friendship and working partnership. I told him that I am eager to serve in the future in any way he deems useful. And like all Americans, I pray for his success and the success of our beloved country."

Obama said Sunday he accepted Richardson's decision to withdraw with 'deep regret.'

"Governor Richardson is an outstanding public servant and would have brought to the job of Commerce Secretary and our economic team great insights accumulated through an extraordinary career in federal and state office," Obama said.

Richardson, 61, was United Nations ambassador and energy secretary during the Clinton administration, and he is in his second term as New Mexico's governor. He also served seven terms in the House of Representatives.

If he had been confirmed by the Senate as secretary of Commerce, he would have taken over a sprawling department that oversees the National Weather Service, the Census Bureau, economic development programs and more.

One of the nation's most prominent Hispanic politicians, Richardson had pledged at the time of his nomination -- in English and Spanish -- to work to renew the economy.

Obama on Sunday gave no indication whom he might name to replace Richardson as the nominee but said "we must move quickly to fill the void left by Governor Richardson's decision."

My take is it's better this happened now rather than go forward into what could be an embarassing Senate confirmation battle.  Now, the question is who should Obama select to take Richardson's place.  I think that person should be more of an economic technocrat than a politician.  More later.  

What Israel doesn't want you to see - video

I found this video by YouTuber "Orgueluse" who reports:

"This video clip was taken with a mobile camera immediately after a terrorist Israeli air strike hit a busy market where kids with their mothers and fathers were searching for food to eat from one of the local markets early on Saturday 03, Jan 2009, Gaza.

As you will see, there are no words to describe the terror of the Jewish state of Israhell. This is why Israel is continuously refusing to allow foreign correspondence and reporters from entering Gaza.
Please spread the video widely. Let the world see what their news TV channels won't show about reality of Israel. (YouTube deleted the video minutes after it was uploaded, but it is worth trying again)."

-- I'm a supporter of Israel, but not in this case. The strikes are horrible and on a massive scale. It's as if they're trying to exterminate the culture. I hope YouTube does not remove this video. People need to see it.

Senator Harry Reid on 'Meet the Press' Sunday - Politics: The Early Line - Las Vegas Sun

More at Las Vegas Sun: “WASHINGTON -- Tune in Sunday morning when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is scheduled to be a guest on “Meet the Press” as the 111th Congress is about to begin.

Reid is expected to discuss the economic stimulus package Congress hopes to have passed and waiting for President-elect Barack Obama shortly after he’s sworn in Jan. 20, his own re-election campaign as well as the escalating drama over Obama’s successor in the Senate.”

I Predict President Obama Will Remove Roland Burris By Executive Order

12challenge: I Predict Obama Will Remove Burris on 12seconds.tv

This is my 12Second.tv prediction challenge: President Barack Obama will remove Roland Burris, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's selection for the Senate, by Executive Order.  It would be a controversial move, but the result would be the order would be passed to Congress perhaps by Burris himself to override the order, then Congress itself would go along with Obama and approve the order under the argument that Burris position and appointment was not by the will of the people of Illinois but done by a Governor who was under indictment for attempting to sell the seat. 

$1 Million In Revenue In 2009: Zennie's New Year Resolution

As bold as that is and as hard as this economy is in general, my objective is $1 million in revenue. With our blogs, online games, and videos and social networks. We can do it. If I get $1 more than 2008, cool. I tried.

Happy New Year! - Zennie Abraham | Zennie62 On "12Second.tv"

Hey everyone!  I just joined this really cool site called "12Seconds.tv" where you can make a video comment in just, well, 12 seconds.  Here's my first post:


Happy New Year! on 12seconds.tv

12Seconds is a lot like Twitter, but a video version.   The idea is to give video updates of what you're doing or the news, or whatever.  It's push button easy to do and perfect for on-the-go vlogging.  Check out my channel! (Don't know what's up with my photo not appearing, though!) 

Lark Previn: MIA FARROW'S DAUGHTER DIES CHRISTMAS DAY - New York Post

More at New York Post: “A weeping Mia Farrow tenderly placed a hand on the coffin of adopted daughter Lark Previn yesterday after services at a Brooklyn church for the mother of two who died Christmas Day.

Previn, 35, adopted as an orphaned Vietnamese infant by Farrow and her then-husband, conductor Andre Previn, in 1973, died at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn. No cause of death was given.

Farrow, 63, and Previn, who also adopted daughters Daisy Previn from Vietnam and Soon-Yi Previn from Korea, and had three biological children, divorced in 1979.

Andre Previn, 79, was among mourners saying a final goodbye to Lark yesterday at St. Saviour's Church in Park Slope.

Although the cause of her death was not disclosed, in 1998, then-husband Christopher McKinzie claimed to Star magazine that Lark became infected with the AIDS virus from a tattooist's dirty needle.”

Online Reputation Management | Online Marketing | SBSON

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Now we can bring affordable Online Reputation Management and Online Marketing consulting services to you.

Kathy Griffin on CNN "Knock the Dicks out of your Mouth" Open Mic

Well, with Kathy Griffin, CNN and Anderrson Cooper seemed to know what they were getting into because the CNN commericial promoting their coverage of New Year's Eve had Cooper commenting "Now you're not going to get me fired, are you?" Or words to that effect.

Well, Kathy Griffin's famous mouth got CNN a lot of attention as she screamed to a heckler "Knock the Dicks out of your Mouth".

It's totally classic. You have to watch the video to the end.

Israel Bomb kills Nizar Rayyan, Senior Hamas Figure In Gaza- 01 Jan 09 AlJazeera

This is from Aljazeera and captures the horror of the Israel attacks on Gaza. The Israeli government claims this move is necessary to protect itself from Hamas, but the killing of kids and civilians is turning much of the World against the action.

My fear is this will cause an Arab response that will lead to more civilian deaths.

JibJab - 2008 Year In Review

I love this video and JibJab's work has only become more coordinated and complex as it's following has grown. The video's perhaps the best 2-minute-plus year end review I've seen to date.