Wednesday 25 January 2012

Latest news for state of the union address 2012


State of the Union: What you need to know. President Obama delivered a big helping of the deeply populist tone he’s adopting as this election year heats up – railing against economic inequality and pushing for a revamp of the tax code. He touted his toughness on China, called for more investment in infrastructure and said he was opening up more public land for energy exploration.  Most of the proposals were light on details and won’t get far in Congress – something Obama acknowledged when he touched on the fact that most people think Washington is broken. Here’s the full text of the speech and here are the highlights:
Payroll tax cuts: Obama urged a quick extension of the payroll tax cuts for the rest of the year and called for expanded tax relief to small businesses.
Outsourcing: Obama said he wanted to do away with tax breaks for companies that send “jobs and profits” overseas and he would require that all companies pay a minimum tax on overseas profits. He said companies that manufacture in the U.S. should get a tax break and high-tech manufacturers should get double.
Buffett Rule: With Warren Buffett’s secretary, who pays a higher tax rate than her boss, in attendance, the president fleshed out the Buffett rule, proposing that households earning more than $1 million a year face a minimum 30% federal income tax.
Financial regulation: Obama said he would establish a financial crimes unity at the Justice Department to go after large-scale financial fraud. And he introduced the CFPB head, saying “American consumers finally have a watchdog in Richard Cordray with one job:  To look out for them.”
The day ahead. The Fed begins a new era of openness as it releases detailed interest-rate projections — for the first time ever. As Ahead of the Tape’s Kelly Evans says, even if the FOMC signals more bond-buying at the end of its policy meeting today, “the biggest news is likely to come from the rate projections. That isn’t just because they are new, but because they could show Fed officials plan to leave short-term rates at near-zero levels even longer than through mid-2013.” Also, we get pending home sales index for December — economists expect a decline after November’s 7.3% jump. And the World Economic Forum kicks off in Davos.

Tuesday 24 January 2012

The Solar Storm 2012


The bombardment is expected to reach us Tuesday morning, but the threat to satellites and power grids appears to be low.

Solar flare
A solar flare erupts Sunday night, in a storm that is sending charged particles toward Earth. (NASAJanuary 23, 2012)

A massive explosion on the sun's surface has triggered the largest solar radiation storm since 2005 and has unleashed a torrent of charged plasma particles toward Earth, though the threat to satellites, power grids and other high-tech hardware is believed to be manageable, scientists said.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration detected a solar flare Sunday night that peaked at 7:59 p.m. Pacific time. NOAA satellites traced the bright flash of X-ray light to an area on the sun's surface known as region 1402 — the same area that had produced a weaker flare Thursday. A coronal mass ejection — which can hurl billions of tons of plasma up to 5 million mph — quickly followed.

Radiation from the explosion arrived at Earth within hours of the flash, said Doug Biesecker, a physicist with NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colo. A burst of charged plasma particles is expected to reach Earth by 6 a.m. Tuesday. That charged plasma is traveling uncommonly fast, making the 93-million-mile trip to Earth in about 34 hours, rather than taking two or more days, as is usually the case, Biesecker said.

Sunday's radiation storm is the strongest since May 2005, when another happened that was perhaps 10% larger, Biesecker said. Based on the amount of radiation emitted, both storms measure about a three on a scale of one to five.

While the plasma may cause otherworldly displays of light and color in some parts of the sky Tuesday night, the bombardment of energetic particles can wreak havoc on Earth — potentially downing GPS systems, wiping out power grids, destroying sensitive satellite equipment in orbit and exposing astronauts to fatal doses of radiation.

As a precaution Monday, some flights were rerouted around polar regions, where the flash flood of charged plasma particles may interfere with navigation systems. Others flew at lower altitudes to reduce the risk of radiation exposure.

Though it had been more than six years since the last storm of this magnitude, storms of this size are expected to become more frequent as a period of peak solar activity approaches in 2013.

Tim Thomas: Liberty’s Most Valuable Player


Tim Thomas, Conn Smythe Trophy-winning goalkeeper for the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins, declined to join his teammates in visiting the White House today.


In a post on his Facebook page, Thomas–a proud supporter of the Tea Party–explained his decision:
I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People.
This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government.
Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL.
This is the only public statement I will be making on this topic. TT
Read more....http://biggovernment.com/publius/2012/01/23/tim-thomas-libertys-most-valuable-player/ 

Wednesday 18 January 2012

Paula Deen : anthony bourdain, acl, everglades, girl scout cookies, imagine


Celebrity chef and Food Network star Paula Deen is teaming with drug maker Novo Nordisk to launch a program that aims to help people live with Type 2 diabetes and promote a Novo diabetes drug.
The program is called Diabetes in a New Light and offers tips on food preparation, stress management and working with doctors on a treatment plan. Recipes and tips can be found at http://www.Diabetesinanewlight.com
Deen, a paid spokeswoman for Novo Nordisk, says she was diagnosed three years ago, but kept quiet about her condition until she had advice to offer the public.
“I wanted to bring something to the table when I came forward,’’ she said Tuesday during an appearance on NBC’s “Today’’ show. “I’ve always been one to think that I bring hope.’’
When asked if the high-fat, high-caloric recipes she champions can lead to diabetes, she hedged.
“That is part of the puzzle,’’ she said, but mentioned other factors: genetics, lifestyle, stress and age.
“On my show I share with you all these yummy, fattening recipes, but I tell people, `in moderation,’’’ she added. “I’ve always eaten in moderation.’’

Monday 16 January 2012

martin luther king jr. : martin luther, i have a dream, rosa parks, i have a dream speech, martin

The other Martin Luther King Jr. holiday: how it's observed
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, established in 1994, is meant to be a day of personal action in Dr. King’s memory – as its boosters say, a day on, not a day off.

It’s that time of year again, and we don’t mean the NFL postseason. Yes, Martin Luther King Day is upon us.
As many Americans know, the King commemoration is an unusual holiday in a number of respects. It’s one of only three federally authorized celebrations of individuals, the others being Washington’s Birthday andColumbus Day. It’s the newest US holiday, created in 1983. It’s been bolstered for 2012 by the opening of the new King memorial on the National Mall in Washington.
But here’s something many citizens may not know: It is really two holidays in one.
There’s the overall King Day, set in ’83 when President Reagan signed a bill putting it in federal law. And there’s the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, established when President Clinton signed the King Holiday and Service Act of 1994. King Service Day is meant to be a day of personal action in Dr. King’s memory on or near his holiday – as its boosters say, a day on, not a day off. It’s promoted by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that also runs AmeriCorps and similar initiatives.
Last year in Philadelphia, for instance, computer professionals got together to donate used PCs to city families who lacked Internet access. In Washington, President Obama and his kids helped paint a middle school. In Des MoinesIowa, members of Habitat for Humanity built 25 sheds for needy homeowners.
Many cities have organized King Service Day efforts. Philadelphia may be the most notable example: This year organizers expect to attract 85,000 volunteers to some 1,300 projects.
But if your city isn’t doing that, or if you don’t live in a city, you can go to the official King Service Day website (mlkday.gov), enter your Zip Code, and find projects that are asking for volunteers.
Or organize your own. Plant trees in your neighborhood. Organize a book drive. Write letters to troops (the King website has tips on what to say and where to send them).
As King himself said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ ”

Thursday 12 January 2012

pca, peoples choice awards 2012, pca 2012, golden globes 2012, golden globes


LOS ANGELES – The fans have voted, and in the millions: Stars of TV, film and music picked up their trophies Wednesday night at the 38th annual People's Choice Awards.
Backstage, Emma Stone, winner of the favorite-movie-actress award, had tongue firmly in cheek when asked how she felt: "It sucked," she joked to reporters. "This is so crappy. No, it's so nice." The star of The Help, wearing a green Gucci jacket and dark trousers, choked up onstage during her acceptance speech. But she recovered enough later to tell reporters her style icon. "Diane Keaton, for sure," she said.
In fact, many stars say the People's Choice Awards are their favorite of the awards season, which is just getting underway. Hosted by Kaley Cuoco of CBS' The Big Bang Theory at the Nokia Theatre, the awards were handed out after a record-breaking 230-million-plus online votes at the website and via Facebook and Twitter. Faith Hilland Demi Lovato provided the musical performances.
Dressed in a red poufy dress with red spike heels, Cuoco opened the show shouting, "I've always loved this show because you, the fans, are in control of who wins!"
That said, Nathan Fillion, who took home the award for favorite TV drama actor for CBS' Castle, summed up the stakes during his turn on the red carpet: Winning, he noted, "depends on the Internet savvy of your fans." Later, during his acceptance speech, he was explicit: "To the fans, let this giant crystalized tear of victory be a symbol of your excellent taste!"
Social media got some kudos as well. "Love those Twitter fans. Keep it up, guys!" saidNeil Patrick Harris, star of How I Met Your Mother, during his acceptance speech for the favorite-TV-comedy-actor award.

  • By Kevin Winter,, Getty Images
    Giving her shoutout to the Gleeks: Lea Michele, w
    ho won for favorite TV comedy actress, told the fans that her show "would be nothing without you."
By Kevin Winter,, Getty Images
Giving her shoutout to the Gleeks: Lea Michele, who won for favorite TV comedy actress, told the fans that her show "would be nothing without you."

Source: 

Monday 9 January 2012

The Firm Review: aurora borealis, pan am, bad company, genghis khan, good wife


I was a huge fan of John Grisham's The Firm back when it was just a novel, and I even enjoyed the Tom Cruise movie adaptation. But when I heard that NBC was making a television series, I balked. I wasn't sure why the entire story needed to be retold in another format.

Except that the series, aptly titled The Firm, isn't another copy. Rather it's merely the next chapter for main character and defense attorney Mitch McDeere and the rest of his family.
The backstory is quickly explained with a few sentences about Mitch working for the firm, Bendini, Lambert & Locke, and how he helped the FBI bring it down because of money laundering for the mob. Of course, placing a mob leader in jail is a sure fire way to get yourself killed, but that's what witness protection is for. I recognize that this all may be a bit confusing to a viewer who hasn't delved into Grisham's pages or watched the film, but the basic recognition of "dealing with the mob means potential danger at every turn" is an easy enough concept to grasp.

Mitch McDeere Photo
The rest of the two-hour premiere - summed up in two episodes, the "pilot" and "Chapter Two" - revealed the set up of Mitch's new life 10 years later. Seriously, how bad is this guy at picking employers?!? Six weeks after we first meet him, Mitch has the revelation that a case he is working on is not all it seems.

Yes, Mitch. It is happening again. Death and conspiracy are back.
The show showed its ambition in depicting three separate cases, all of relative important, especially because they meant the viewer had to pay attention to which one Mitch might be working on at various times. It also meant that the larger story required those smaller ones to intertwine and push everything forward, while giving the characters a chance to be something more than moving scenery to the plot.

Like any regular law procedural, there was something of an open and closed case. This particular one involved Mitch defending a boy who killed a classmate. Interestingly enough, the boy was guilty, but the way he went about defending him worked in providing some morality for his character. Sure, Mitch admits that he defends bad guys, but in terms of this case, he at least wanted to give the kid the best possible outcome. If anything, Mitch truly believes in the justice system.

Those strong convictions were continued in his other case, which concerned a woman who was nearly killed due to defective medical equipment. He not only refused a bribe, but he was determined to win and destroy the company that made the faulty piece.

Read more: http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/01/the-firm-review-pilot/#ixzz1ixZQyqGf


dandelion, john 3 16, psalm 23, chef roble, india


Denver Broncos Win Stunning Overtime Playoff Contest as Tim Tebow Goes “John 3:16″ On the Pittsburgh Steelers

You could not possibly have dreamed up a better script. You really couldn’t have. This was one for Hollywood.
The critics were calling for Tim Tebow’s head after he ended the season with three dismal performances. His own team wasn’t fully supportive of the young quarterback, despite seven victories in an eight-game stretch earlier in the year (see: Elway, John).
Reports even surfaced that Denver was one bad series by Tebow away from inserting backup quarterback Brady Quinn into the game.
And then… Tebow time happened.
Tim Tebow led the Broncos to 29 points against the Pittsburgh Steelers and their top-ranked NFL defense, including an amazing, improbable, incredible 80-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime.
Tebow completed just 10 of 21 passes but threw for exactly 316 yards and two touchdowns.
316. And that’s where the irony begins.
John 3:16 is Tebow’s favorite Bible verse.
Tebow has been known to paint the verse on his eye black during actual football games, which has caused heavy critcism. He did it with Florida in the 2009 national championship game and 94 million people googled the verse during the game.