Around the Internet in 60 seconds
Some stories worth reading today.
All links open in a new window/tab. First, World and U.S. News:
-- CNN reports in depth about the cheating scandal in Atlanta public schools and reveals the fundamental flaws with standardized testing: Cheating report confirms teacher's suspicions.
-- The BBC reports that search and recovery teams have begun their efforts to find the remains of 38 Allied personnel, including 31 U.S. special forces servicemembers, who were killed in Afghanistan over the weekend: US Chinook crash: Search of wreckage in Afghanistan begins. DOD is not officially reporting the cause, but several media outlets have already reported that the Chinook was brought down by enemy fire.
-- Teabaggers see an "opportunity" to further cut away the nation's safety net, according to the Christian Science Monitor: Medicare overhaul? Tea party sees a chance. This is why you don't negotiate with terrorists, Mr. President.
-- CNBC reports that Jim Rogers, a "noted investor" and big swinging dick, believes the U.S. is bankrupt, even though the country's debt-to-GDP ratio is lower now than it was in World War II: Jim Rogers: don't see how US can ever pay off debts.
-- Wisconsin voters hopefully have learned to be careful what they ask for: Walker union fight intensifies as Wisconsin’s recalls threaten Republicans. There are times when you want your elected officials to do nothing.
-- And then there are times when you want your elected officials to do their jobs -- something nearly 80 percent of Americans believe Congress didn't do during the debt limit debacle. Standard and Poor's move to downgrade the nation's credit score turned out to be political, rather than economical, but it was entirely well-deserved nonetheless: Why Treasury (and the Rest of Washington) Is So Furious at S&P.
-- The Chicago Tribune reports on high lead levels in the water of several Chicago homes: High lead levels found in Chicago water. The real story here is that the Tribune had to file a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency to get the results -- a disturbing and obstructionist move from the administration that promised us unprecedented transparency.
On to Science and Technology News:
-- Defcon might be a good time to remind people that IT will never call you over the phone to ask about your desktop configuration: Oracle, other companies 'punk'd' in hacking contest.
-- Also at Defcon, 10-year-old "CyFi" reveals a vulnerability in some iOS and Android apps: Hacker, 10, exposes iOS and Android games exploit. Just as long as she doesn't try to hack my water meter or burglar alarm ...
-- Discovery News reports that scientists have found the "darkest" galaxy known so far, where dark matter outmasses regular matter by something like 23-to-1: Probing a galactic heart of darkness. The YouTube video on the page, titled "Minute Physics: What is Dark Matter?" is also worth watching.
-- TechCrunch senior editor Sarah Lacy compares software patents, which are an absurdly bad idea, with unions: Patents and unions: when good intentions go horribly wrong. While she makes some good points, I'm guessing she's never had to work 16-hour shifts, seven days a week, for $1.50 an hour; if she hasn't, maybe she should tip her hat to a union.
On to Entertainment:
-- The New York Times reports that the producers of the new "Conan: The Barbarian" movie are hitting the reset button on the franchise: Reviving Conan the Barbarian. Seems like a popular move lately, given the reset of the "Star Trek" franchise and DC Comics' decision to reset their entire comic-book universe. The article includes some eye candy for the ladies. :)
Finally, the Commentary:
-- Seventh Air Force historian Howard Halvorsen details the storied career of Brig. Gen. Robin Olds, a man who pulled no punches and was known both for his prowess in air-to-air combat and his ridiculously out-of-regs moustache: Robin Olds: Wolf Pack hero, legacy. I personally think that if Olds tried to join the Air Force today, he'd be booted out before he made major.
All links open in a new window/tab. First, World and U.S. News:
-- CNN reports in depth about the cheating scandal in Atlanta public schools and reveals the fundamental flaws with standardized testing: Cheating report confirms teacher's suspicions.
-- The BBC reports that search and recovery teams have begun their efforts to find the remains of 38 Allied personnel, including 31 U.S. special forces servicemembers, who were killed in Afghanistan over the weekend: US Chinook crash: Search of wreckage in Afghanistan begins. DOD is not officially reporting the cause, but several media outlets have already reported that the Chinook was brought down by enemy fire.
-- Teabaggers see an "opportunity" to further cut away the nation's safety net, according to the Christian Science Monitor: Medicare overhaul? Tea party sees a chance. This is why you don't negotiate with terrorists, Mr. President.
-- CNBC reports that Jim Rogers, a "noted investor" and big swinging dick, believes the U.S. is bankrupt, even though the country's debt-to-GDP ratio is lower now than it was in World War II: Jim Rogers: don't see how US can ever pay off debts.
-- Wisconsin voters hopefully have learned to be careful what they ask for: Walker union fight intensifies as Wisconsin’s recalls threaten Republicans. There are times when you want your elected officials to do nothing.
-- And then there are times when you want your elected officials to do their jobs -- something nearly 80 percent of Americans believe Congress didn't do during the debt limit debacle. Standard and Poor's move to downgrade the nation's credit score turned out to be political, rather than economical, but it was entirely well-deserved nonetheless: Why Treasury (and the Rest of Washington) Is So Furious at S&P.
-- The Chicago Tribune reports on high lead levels in the water of several Chicago homes: High lead levels found in Chicago water. The real story here is that the Tribune had to file a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency to get the results -- a disturbing and obstructionist move from the administration that promised us unprecedented transparency.
On to Science and Technology News:
-- Defcon might be a good time to remind people that IT will never call you over the phone to ask about your desktop configuration: Oracle, other companies 'punk'd' in hacking contest.
-- Also at Defcon, 10-year-old "CyFi" reveals a vulnerability in some iOS and Android apps: Hacker, 10, exposes iOS and Android games exploit. Just as long as she doesn't try to hack my water meter or burglar alarm ...
-- Discovery News reports that scientists have found the "darkest" galaxy known so far, where dark matter outmasses regular matter by something like 23-to-1: Probing a galactic heart of darkness. The YouTube video on the page, titled "Minute Physics: What is Dark Matter?" is also worth watching.
-- TechCrunch senior editor Sarah Lacy compares software patents, which are an absurdly bad idea, with unions: Patents and unions: when good intentions go horribly wrong. While she makes some good points, I'm guessing she's never had to work 16-hour shifts, seven days a week, for $1.50 an hour; if she hasn't, maybe she should tip her hat to a union.
On to Entertainment:
-- The New York Times reports that the producers of the new "Conan: The Barbarian" movie are hitting the reset button on the franchise: Reviving Conan the Barbarian. Seems like a popular move lately, given the reset of the "Star Trek" franchise and DC Comics' decision to reset their entire comic-book universe. The article includes some eye candy for the ladies. :)
Finally, the Commentary:
-- Seventh Air Force historian Howard Halvorsen details the storied career of Brig. Gen. Robin Olds, a man who pulled no punches and was known both for his prowess in air-to-air combat and his ridiculously out-of-regs moustache: Robin Olds: Wolf Pack hero, legacy. I personally think that if Olds tried to join the Air Force today, he'd be booted out before he made major.