Slaves Helped Build White House, U.S. Capitol

In January, President-elect Barack Obama and his family will make history, becoming the first African-American first family to move into the White House -- a house with a history of slavery. In fact, the legacy of American presidents owning slaves goes all the way back to George Washington.

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VOTE: Tell President-Elect Obama to help Puppies in America!

Wouldn't it be great if the first thing Obama does as President is to pass the Puppy Uniform Protection Statute to help stop puppy mills? If you support this idea then you need to VOTE for it in Change.org’s “Ideas for Change in America” competition.

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Amy Goodman’s New Column, “Tutu, Obama and the Middle East”

As President-elect Barack Obama focuses on the meltdown of the U.S. economy, another fire is burning: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.You may not have heard much lately about the disaster in the Gaza Strip. That silence is intentional: The Israeli government has barred international journalists from entering the occupied territory.

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What Obama's 27-Year-Old Speechwriter Learned from Bush

Jon Favreau got out of college just in time to make history. But the kid writing all those pretty speeches has some surprising influences.

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Bill Clinton: Obama Administration Role Possible

Is there a position for a carouser, in the Obama Administration...

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Ebony's Obama Collector's Edition to Hit Stands

The first interview with President-elect Barack Obama since winning the Nov. 4 election, will be featured in the January 2009 issue of Ebony, and hits newsstands on Dec. 9.

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Karl Rove: Obama Security Team Represents 'Continuity'

President Bush's former political director says the national security team named by President-elect Barack Obama "represents, to a substantial degree, continuity" especially in hot spots like Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Right Wing Conspiracy Theorists Won't Give Up On Obama

The people over at the "We The People Foundation for Constitutional Education Inc." must have money to burn.Or in this case, money to throw away.The group ran a full-page ad in the Chicago Tribune on Monday as an open letter to President-elect Barack Obama rehashing the misinformation about Obama's citizenship.

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Center for Defense Information - What's Wrong with the U.S. Military

Coinciding with the arrival of Obama and his deputies in Washington, the Center for Defense Information is releasing “America’s Defense Meltdown -- Pentagon Reform for President Obama and the New Congress,” a primer on what is wrong with our defense system written by men with long and honorable experience in the bowels of the military services and

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"Mary Beth Maxwell, Labor Secretary?"

The Wall Street Journal reports on Obama's possible pick for Labor Secretary, Mary Beth Maxwell: For the rainbow cabinet of the nation's first African American president, Mary Beth Maxwell is the perfect labor secretary you've probably never heard of: a gay woman, community organizer and labor leader with an adopted African American son.....

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Put Up Or Shut Up - A Call to Conservative Arms

A CNNMoney.com article reports that Obama's "Making Work Pay" payroll tax credit could put as much as $1000 in your pocket. How many GOP voters, Obama haters, and racists will be sending theirs back?

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Alabama Town To Have ‘Obama’ Holiday

A small central Alabama county where Barack Obama received more than 70 percent of the vote on Election Day has created an annual holiday in honor of the president-elect.

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After Sharp Words on C.I.A., Obama Faces a Delicate Task

The president-elect must take charge of the agency in what is proving to be one of the more treacherous patches of the transition.

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Entertaining Take on Obama's Preference for No "Girly" Dogs

Hey, the Pres-elect wants a big, rambunctious "man's" kind of dog. Anything wrong with that? Wash Post columnist doesn't think so -- on the other hand....

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Getting a grip on Python: Six ways to learn online

Google's new App Engine uses Python as its primary programming language. Ars goes in search of the best Python programming resources on the web.

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Ford: CEO will work for $1 to get bailout

Ford Motor Co. will tell Congress that it plans to return to a pretax profit or break even in 2011 when the Detroit Three automakers' CEOs appear before lawmakers this week to request $25 billion in government loans.

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Inside The World Of Nude Modeling

Rex Troxell has this dream. "I can't get my clothes off," he says. "You're trying to get them off, and you can't." For most of us, being unable to get naked in public is hardly a nightmare. But Troxell is an art model. And posing in the nude, something he has done for 30 years, is key to bringing home a paycheck.

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Georgia Senate Race: Saxby Chambiss Defeats Jim Martin - So What!

This just in: incumbent Georgia Senator Saxby Chambiss defeated Democratic Challenger Jim Martin in the runoff for the seat that, if Martin won, would have placed the Democrats just one-more seat win from a 60-seat fillibuster-proof majority.


So what.  


So much has been made of a race in a state that (was stupid enough) to vote for Senator John McCain over now-President Elect Barack Obama that what was forgotten is that technically, with Independent Senator Joe Liberman having made a deal with the Democrats in the Senate and saved by Obama, the Dems are really just one seat from such power, not two.   If Norm Coleman loses to Al Franken in Minnesota, it's just one away from full power.  


But that written, Obama already has his Senate power in place. With Senators Clinton and Biden at Secretary of State and Vice President, Obama has smartly moved to set in place people who have had great relationships and cultivated power in the Senate to move legislation.   Moreover, Biden is a great friend to Senator John McCain, and Obama has planned to keep Republicans like Bob Gates in place as Defense Secretary.


So my question is, on what vote will such a Republican Democratic split come into play?  The Economy? Even the most conservative economists agree America needs a large stimulus package, so the normal liberal / conservative economic argument has been jettisoned by a plainly terrible American economy.   


What's the magic issue?  I can't see it.   It's not there.  


Obama was right not to make a trip to Georgia.  Let's face it, given that states seemingly intractable conservatism, it would have taken a "Barack Obama-esque" candidate to pull voters in the runoff election and Jim Martin was just not that compelling person.  That's not a knock against the man, but more of a blunt read on what kind of political formula was needed to win.  


Obama doesn't lose a thing and Chambiss may find this new Senate tougher sledding than the old one if he tries to pull a minority challenge to the Obama plan.    


Uh, did I write "may" -- change that to "will."  

FISA Needed To Counter American Hate Groups

In his video "Obama = The Black Bush " YouTuber Phil De Franco showed that he does not understand what The Foreign Intelligence Surveilence Act is or why then-Senator Obama backed it. The new FISA has a court that determines the use of wiretaps, and not a chief executive. FISA is needed to counter and monitor the American hate groups currently active and in some cases growing in numbers of members. They are the main doers of domestic terrorism.

Obama To Introduce Gov. Bill Richardson As Commerce Secretary Wednesday

According to Politico.com, President-Elect Barack Obama will introduce New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson as his Commerce Secretary Wednesday at 11:40 PM  EST.

"Meet The Press" Mean-Sprited David Gregory Not In Sprit of Tim Russert

I just saw the headline reporting that MSNBC's David Gregory was selected to be the next host of "Meet The Press ". Congratulations to Mr. Gregory, but he's not a person in the sprit of the late Tim Russert.


Every time I see Gregory I think of this Jossip headline:


"David Gregory Mouthed Off To A Waitress, Got Scolded by Tim Russert"


If you don't know that story, Gregory scolded a waitress while he and Russert were having dinner in Washington D.C., and in turn, Russert hollered at Gregory for his behavior. Jossip reports that MSNBC asked Gregory to work on changing his behavior, but it's fair to ask in the wake of Russert's untimely passing, has Gregory really changed?  (What about Chris Matthews, for that matter?  He was also featured as ill-tempered in the Jossip post.  But he's got his own show, Hardball and was not considered for "Meet The Press".) 


Russert was known far and wide as a caring, nice person who did not try to demonize people, even as he was asking his guests tough questions. But contrast, Gregory can still come off a bit rough. I can't see him as doing well in this role. Gregory is not in the modl of either Russert or the legendary Tom Brokaw who I've had the pleasure of meeting at the Democratic National Convention.


I can't help but wonder what Russert is thinking, but my guess is he has more faith in Gregory than I do.

Chevron Wins Bowoto v. Chevron Case of Nigeria Crime

After over a month of court legal battles in the case of Larry Bowoto v. Chevron Corporation, the jury only took three days to find the oil company not guilty of 58 counts of assault, torture, and other alledged violations.

The lawyer for Bowoto said they would pursue an appeal, but I have to ask who's backrolling their legal bill -- it's certainly not Bowoto.

At any rate, I talked to Chevron spokesperson Don Campbell about today's outcome. Campbell said that it was a victory for American companies doing business around the World who need to protect their employees from harm.

Indeed, Royal Dutch Shell faces a similar case in New York City next week and again involving Nigeria.

Thus,it seems the real organization that should be on trial is the government of Nigeria, which has a poor record of providing good economic development to the people who need it the most.

Highest Paid Presidents/PM's around the World

Politicians in Singapore are amongst the most highly paid government officials in the world. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore earns five times more than the American President. Lee Hsien Loong takes an annual salary of $2.46 million.

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1 In 5 Young Adults Has Personality Disorder

Almost one in five young American adults has a personality disorder that interferes with everyday life, and even more abuse alcohol or drugs, researchers reported Monday in the most extensive study of its kind.

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Lance Armstrong will ride the Tour de France

Lance Armstrong will ride in the 2009 Tour de France, marking the first time he will compete in that race and the Giro d'Italia in the same year.

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Boeing Airborne Laser Weapon Fires for the First Time

Boeing and the US Air Force keep advancing in their airborne high-energy laser weapon, the modified 747-400F that is designed to shoot down missiles as they fly to their targets. Last week they fired the entire laser system for the first time ever at the Edwards Air Force Base in California.

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Google Chrome Browser To Support Customization

Google has launched an effort to make it possible for developers to offer ad-blocking and other extensions for Chrome, a move that would give the Google Web browser the same level of customization as Mozilla Firefox.

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Derek Anderson of the Browns ruled out for season

Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee ligament injury in Sunday's defeat by the Indianapolis Colts. Anderson will not require surgery, however, and should be fit in four-six weeks. Cleveland are 4-8 after Sunday's loss and Ken Dorsey will step up to be starting quarterback.

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Tom Cruise Is A Midget

So sad, but so true.

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Safari Tops 7% Of Browser Market Share, Mac OS X On The Rise

Apple's Safari web browser has crested 7% of worldwide browser market share according to online research firm Net Applications.While Safari's accomplishment is significant the biggest winner is clearly Mozilla's Firefox which crested 20% market share and climbed nearly an entire percentage point in one month.

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Change.gov Set Free

"Consistent with the values of any "open government," and with his strong leadership on "free debates" from the very start, the Obama team has modified the copyright notice on change.gov to embrace the freest CC license."

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Bush FCC chairman considering 'porn-free Internet'

Bush Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin is still considering a proposal to create a free, porn-free Internet, according to today's Wall Street Journal. Martin was Deputy General Counsel for the Bush-Cheney 2000 recount.

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Pownce to be Shut Down by Six Apart

Pownce, the media-rich Twitter competitor that was co-founded by Digg’s Kevin Rose along with Leah Culver and Daniel Burka, has been acquired by Six Apart and will be closing its doors on December 15.

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President-Elect Barack Obama Introduces Foreign Policy Team Today - Video

President-Elect Barack Obama just introduced his Foreign Policy / National Security Team today in Chicago .  At the helm is Vice President-Elect Joe Biden, and the real surprise for some, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as Secretary of State, then Eric Holder as Attorney General, Susan Rice as Ambassaor to the United Nations, Ret. General Jim Jones as head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, current Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and Arizona Governor Janet Nepolitano as Director of Homeland Security.  


That Clinton is there at all is a testiment to Obama's determination to have a strong voice and a rival in that position.  It's also speaks to the Clinton hunger for power and recognition in the 21st Century.  In other words, to continue to be a relevant player on tbe World scene.  It also marks the return -- however indirectly -- of former President Bill Clinton to the White House.  Say what you will, but this is the first former President to have been returned to the White House to help serve a new President.  It makes Bill within easy access to President Obama and strengthens Obama's hand on the World Stage: he's got someone considered by some to be the "President of The World" on his side.  


Will former-President Clinton upstage his Secretary of State wife?  Well, a little bit, but that will be tempered by the fact that the Clinton's do work as a team -- they're a couple.  The entire "affair" will be fun to watch.  


If you're keeping score regarding these appointments today, we have three women, two African American, and one Republican and all well-qualified.  Not bad for a day's work, President-Elect Obama.  

Gov. Sara Palin For Saxby Chambiss - Another Ill-Considered Palin Decision

Governor Sarah Palin made another opps again.  After being interviewed as a Turkey was being slaughtered in full view of TV cameras, then saying she basically didn't care, we have the Gov of SNL traveling down to Georgia to support a man who dodged the draft four times and called a decorated war veteran in Max Cleland, who lost both legs in war, soft on terrorism.  


Wow.  


Well I guess Sarah's not thinking about her future at all.  Because none of that was missed by the Alaska news folks .  

Gov. Sara Palin For Saxby Chambiss - Another Ill-Considered Palin Decision

Governor Sarah Palin made another opps again.  After being interviewed as a Turkey was being slaughtered in full view of TV cameras, then saying she basically didn't care, we have the Gov of SNL traveling down to Georgia to support a man who dodged the draft four times and called a decorated war veteran in Max Cleland, who lost both legs in war, soft on terrorism.

Wow.

Well I guess Sarah's not thinking about her future at all.  Because none of that was missed by the Alaska news folks .

Obama Inauguration Talk On Zennie62 BlogTalkRadio December 1st - 2:30 PM PST

REMINDER!: I'm annoucing my first online radio broadcast. This one is on the "Obama Inauguration" and set for today, December 1st.  

I'm also expecting great special guests from various organizations to help us all get ready for this great event. 

Question about hotels and loging? What about events both paid and free? What should you prepare for in the matter of the weather? Safety? Budget? This show will help answer those questions. 

I've moved the recording time up to 2:30 PM Pacific Standard Time, 4:30 PM Central , and 5:30 PM Eastern to make sure we can have more people engaged in hearing and responding to this conversation. The call in phone number is 646-929-0855, or you can talk through your computer. 

The FAQ page reports: "BlogTalkRadio includes a feature on the show page which allows listeners to select the "Click to Talk" button during any live show and, through a microphone connected to the listener's computer, join the show as a caller. 

This service is free to listeners." Here's the show link, or you can go to http://www.zennie62.com and click on the link there. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Zennie62

Selfish Burress May Cost Giants A Chance At Defending Their Titl

Selfish Burress May Cost Giants A Chance At Defending Their Title-By Jon Wagner-Senior Writer at Large-Football Reporters Online

When New York Giants’ wide receiver Plaxico Burress literally shot himself in his left leg at a Manhattan club last Friday night, he may have also figuratively shot his team in the foot.

It seemed that the talented receiver had put some character questions during his five years in Pittsburgh to bed during most of his first three years with the Giants. But, ever since catching the winning touchdown pass in the Giants’ Super Bowl XLII win in February, Burress, now in his fourth season with New York, has apparently let his self-centered actions ruin what could have been a very happy marriage with the defending champion Giants.

If he had been able to stay out of trouble and simply show up every week as the professional that the Giants hoped he’d be, Burress certainly would have remained the Giants’ most dangerous receiving threat. After last Friday’s incident however, he may no longer get that chance.

Whether due to his self-inflicted gunshot wound, the impending legal trouble resulting from it, or from both, Burress may have played his final game in a Giants’ uniform this season. If that’s the case, the track record of how the Giants have been able to continue to flourish after ridding themselves of other talented troublemakers would indicate that Burress’ days as a Giant could be numbered not only this season, but for good.

After a multitude of missed practices, excuses, and fines, the Giants may have run out of patience. For proof of that, there’s no need to look past current Giant tight end Kevin Boss filling in adequately for four-time pro-bowler and ex-Giant Jeremy Shockey in helping the Giants to their first 11-1 record in their long, storied history.

As with Boss, the Giants certainly have Burress’ replacements waiting in the wings. Domenic Hixon, Steve Smith, and Amani Toomer have already more than picked up the slack in the weeks that Burress has already missed this season whether due to injuries or repeated off-the-field troubles.

But the concern for the Giants is if that trio can get it done come playoff time in January against some of the best teams the NFC has to offer, or in Tampa, should the Giants reach Super Bowl XLIII.

Though Burress’ potential postseason fill-ins are talented in their own rights, Burress is not only a receiving matchup problem at 6-foot-5 with speed, athleticism, and good hands, but he often commanded double teams, opening up the field for other options. Without him, the Giants will have to find other ways to keep good defenses guessing and maintain their efficiency as the league’s leading offense once the “real” season arrives and they seek to defend last year’s championship.

It’s entirely possible that the Giants could roll to another Super Bowl title in February without Burress. After all, the won a Super Bowl last season without Tiki Barber and Shockey, and they’re cruising this season without Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. But, as hard as it is to repeat as champions in a league like the NFL, the chances of doing so would have been a lot easier for the Giants if defending a championship and being part of a true team were as important to Burress as it is to what may soon become Buress’ former team.

Online Reputation Management: My YouTube Video Is Ranked #1 (For Now)

In the fast changing world of Online Reputation Management getting a number one search ranking on Google's nothing to ignore, regardless of how long it lasts or how long it took to get there.  


Right now, as of this writing, my YouTube video on our Online Reputation Management services is ranked #1 in a search for "Online Reputation Management" on Google out of about 1.6 million results.   For more information, visit our site:  http://www.sbson.com. 

Richard Cabrera: Who Is Prof Cabrera And Why Can't One Find Info On Him?

 UPDATE: Chevron attacks Cabrera's Voodoo Economics. 


Richard Cabrera is a supposed geologist and environmental expert based in Ecuador, and who's large damage estimates have played a major role in the case of Ecuador v. Chevron.  His first estimate of Chevron's alledged environmental damage was $16 billion, but he's increased that to $27 billion to take into account Ecuadorians who may have been striken with cancer.


And here's the problem.  No one knows where he got the new damage estimate from!  What was the multiplier?  Why?  But I have another really basic question: who is this guy?  I can't find anything in the way of a resume or a website listing from whatever university Prof Cabrera represents.  In the 21st Century, how the hell can someone claim to be "a World-class expert" if no one can find them online around the World?


A search for "Richard Cabrera, geologist "yields nothing not connected with the Chevron case yet carrying his name.  If the Chevron case isn't his first rodeo, then how can we be sure?   Just because a court appointed him in Ecuador?  He's supposed to be a World-known expert.


Cabrera's resume is something that must be investigated considering the gravity of the case he's involved in.

Obama's change means it's not just allies getting appointments. Instead he's forging a complex alloy cabinet.

If President-elect Obama chose his cabinet Secretaries from among his closest, long-time friends and asscociates he would hit the ground running with a known, trusted team but be accused of doing business the same way D.C. has been operating, of rewarding loyalty with political favors. It's almost certain that tomorrow Obama will formally designate Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) as his new Secretary of State while retaining Dr. Robert Gates atop the Defense Department, which detractors argue is a failure to engineer change in Washington. This speaks volumes about Obama's intentions.

Memo to the troops:

While there are other Pentagon appointments in the offing Obama is plainly endorsing the efficacy of Gates' approach and performance. The President-elect is sure to mandate examinations, including the procurement processes, but by retaining Gates he's giving a nod to the operational readiness and capability of the military. Obama's choice exhibits confidence in the Defense department's ability to carry out their missions - high praise for the work being done by the men and women who serve this country in uniform, while insuring a continuity that cannot pass unnoticed by those likely to provoke a military response and/or engage our armed forces.

Message to the world:

In contrast, the selection of Senator Clinton for the State Department signals Obama's philosophical preference for reliance upon the soft power of strong diplomacy. The (anticipated) Clinton nomination foreshadows his early focus will be on a makeover at State from top to bottom. Hillary and Bill Clinton already have considerable global standing and influence. This shrewd appointment nonetheless positions the Senator in a challenging management role with diplomatic responsibilities far afield from the domestic policy issues such as health care she is noted for championing.

Leaders and common people around the globe followed Obama's improbable political rise with extraordinary fervor. Selecting a rival to head his outreach effort not only signals his obvious intent to watch that department closely, this union also insures the regular, collaborative, "normalized" participation of a former President in Obama's diplomatic endeavors around the world.

Obama's challenge: re-engineering

Bringing major changes always provokes reactions from those who like the organization just fine the way it is. Try moving where the bread is in a grocery store and you'll find both staff and customers who resist. Now imagine the changes Obama envisions both within our borders and around the world: We've got people in the U.S. who think more government intervention will help immigration but less oversight is needed in the financial industry. Overseas, from drug profiteers to the Taliban bullies to pirates off the coast of Somalia, many want to exploit weakness while decrying the use of force by the United States and others fighting for fairness. Fortunately, peaceful co-existence, be it with your next-door neighbor or with a country steeped in traditions you don't understand, doesn't mean you have to kiss and like everybody.
What Obama has set out to build, both within his administration and ultimately throughout the world, is the best community possible. He seeks a composite in the mold that immigrants to North America and their descendants celebrate each November on the quintessentially U.S. holiday of sustainability: Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving ultimately commemorates the unified strength and durability built when settlers to this nation cooperated with natives to prepare for and survive the adversity of winter. Years after the event a rebellious cadre of intellectuals crafted the document that still epitomizes the best of what our government stands for, even though that government has not always acted as though our leaders embraced what the Constitution spells out.

Peaceful coexistence with the neighbors down the block and around the globe starts with accepting that all people are, in fact, created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights.

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Obama's change, not just allies getting top appointments

Selecting Senator Clinton for the State Department signals Obama’s intended reliance on the soft power of strong diplomacy. The (anticipated) Clinton nomination foreshadows his early focus will be on a makeover at State. If Obama chose his cabinet from only allies that would be old-school D.C. politics. Instead he's forging a complex alloy cabinet.

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Trump Entertainment to miss interest payment

Facing tough competition and sliding revenue amid the economic meltdown, Trump Entertainment Resorts will have to skip a $53.1 million interest payment scheduled for Monday on its 8.5% senior secured notes due 2015 in order to maintain sufficient liquidity.

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Actor describes 'Die Hard' moment in Mumbai shootings

A Montreal actor who was wounded in last week's Mumbai terror attacks described finding himself in the midst of a real-life "Bruce Willis 'Die Hard' moment" as he came under a hail of gunfire.

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Giants Wide Reciever Burress Released from Hospital

New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress was released from a New York hospital yesterday after suffering a leg wound in a shooting Friday, according to the Giants.

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Fortune Magazine: Why can't Microsoft make money online?

Microsoft, one of the most aggressively competitive, brainiac-attracting, technologically superior, and oh, yes, cash-gushingly profitable companies of all time, can't for the life of it make a dime on the Internet. It's not as if earning money on the web is such a remarkable feat. Even industry doormats Yahoo and AOL are profitable.

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'Obama cookie' bringing in a lot of dough - TODAY: Food

Want an example of the change Barack Obama is bringing? Ever since word spread about how much the president-elect and his family like the chocolate chunk cookies at Baby Boomers Cafe, the small Des Moines, Iowa restaurant can't bake them fast enough.

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Women Cheat in Early 30s to Maximise Chances of Reproducing

Researchers have discovered that women - unlike many men - instinctively prefer a monogamous relationship, mainly because they need help bringing up any resultant children. But if they do stray it's more likely to be when they enter their 30s as their biological clock starts ticking.

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CNN's Top 10 Political Turkeys of 2008

November 27 may be Turkey Day in America, but in the world of politics, every day is turkey day. Turkeys are foolish creatures -- overstuffed, noisy and self-important. A lot like the politicians on CNN's list of Turkeys of the Year.

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Obama to name 4 more Cabinet posts

Obama to name 4 more Cabinet posts.

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