Pirates hijack oil tanker and hold it ransom

post from Talking in Circles on 20 November 2008 11:58:54 PM. © Talking in Circles

Seriously.I know it’s a heinous crime and all, but it’s just so awesome.They’re asking for 25 million dollars.

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Attorney General Michael Mukasey Collapses

post from Moue Magazine on 20 November 2008 11:55:48 PM. © Moue Magazine

Attorney General Michael Mukasey collapsed while giving a speech tonight to the Federalist Society in a DC hotel. According to an anonymous FBI official that spoke to the AP “Mukasey got stuck on a word during his speech …repeated it several[...]

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BNP Paribas to slash bonuses

post from AMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth on 20 November 2008 11:53:00 PM. © AMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth

BNP has had a very bad patch, no doubt, though not nearly as bad as many on Wall Street. There has been no shortage of tumbling profits though not the same hideously negative earnings as we've become accustomed to seeing in London or New York. While some Wall Street banks are still debating whether or not they deserve bonuses due to negative growth and a lifeline by the government, BNP is cutting bonuses to match the decline in income. What a crazy idea.

French bank BNP Paribas may slash bonuses for employees in its corporate and investment banking unit by more than 70%, according to a Bloomberg report. Jacques d'Estais, head of the division, said in a memo to staff that pretax profit had fallen nearly 73% in the first nine months of the year and the overall bonus pool is likely to show the same decrease compared to the previous year, the report said. It added that the majority of employees will get a smaller bonus and more people than in the past will receive no bonus at all.

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Alaska Poker Players Left Cold by Palin Speech

post from Firedoglake on 20 November 2008 11:42:39 PM. © Firedoglake

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's Appearance Wednesday, before a business group she needs to win over to become a national figure didn't go well for her.[...]

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Thursday Stuff

post from The Liberal Doomsayer on 20 November 2008 11:35:00 PM. © The Liberal Doomsayer

OK, everybody in the world probably has seen this by now, but here's the "Alaska Disasta" herself giving her interview in front of turkeys being slaughtered (I thought the MSNBC captions were hilarious - h/t Atrios)...

...and Rachel Maddow has all of the gory details (speaking of carnage) on how the U.S. Senate fluffed "Tubes" Stevens, and also an interview with Michigan Dem Senator Debbie Stabenow about the auto industry bailout that that "august body" couldn't get around to passing (oh, and nice move to "join the party," Harry Reid)...

...and just for the record, here is a big reason why our discourse on helping the automakers is teh stupid (how dumb do you have to be to take Inanity, Kristol Mess and The Mittster seriously anyway?)...

...Everlast ("What Its Like" - guess those Alaska turkeys know a thing or two about hard times too).

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To Believe

post from My Left Wing - Front Page on 20 November 2008 11:28:00 PM. © My Left Wing - Front Page

video details and more

Milan - 5 Year Old Girl Basketball Star- Basketball Training

Whatever you can do or dream, you can begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Begin it now."
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), [German Poet and Dramatist]

One person with a belief is equal to a force of ninety- nine who have only interest.
~ John Stuart Mill [Philosopher]

copyright ? 2008 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

We are born with an innate wisdom. Each step we take helps us to grow wiser, or more full of woe. The information we acquire often gives birth to anguish. Too much elucidation is never enough. As an infant, we yearn to learn. Babies gaze, grasp, and get what they desire. No harm comes to one who cannot move beyond, thus, thrives, in a protected environment. Those fresh from the delivery room do not harbor expectations. Few are placed upon them. Existence, for the newborn, is a game of anticipation. There are no rules, no regulations, and initially no reprimands. The littlest children believe and thus, they achieve.
As the babes develop, they explore beyond a crib. Tots crawl. They climb into this or that. A drawer prompts a dive. A pool promises a plunge. When a small one wanders, a caregiver knows not where a tiny youngster will go. Parents begin to place barriers in the child's way, more are situated into the young one's mind.

Cries of caution come from elders. "No!" Mom might say. "Do not do that," Dad declares. "How could you?" sister may scorn. "Stop it!" the older son spurns. Babysitters bark. Guardians disapprovingly grunt. The smaller sweet soul shrinks back. He or she begins to understand knowledge is not power. It is not good to grow the gray matter. The more you recognize, the less you wish to realize.

"Curiosity," a child is told, "kills the cat," and research might end a relationship with the ones who once appreciated inquisitiveness. A tiny world traveler, as a toddler will talk. The most oft spoken word is "Why?"

The inquiry may tickle a mother, father, grandparent, or other older person, at first. However, after a time, grown-ups tire of what they perceive as too many questions. In truth, it may be an embarrassed elder does not know the answers, and will not admit to ignorance on any subject. Perchance, the person the youngster approaches believes the child does not truly care to gather details. A mature man or woman might surmise to the tot, investigations are but a game.

Frequently, folks who have lost interest in discovery, or determined it is best not to be open to the novel, turn inward. Fear of disdain from those a little one loves may have dampened a spirit. Disparagement, invoked by strangers, can also scar an vibrant scientist. An energetic essences is fragile in the face of foils. Too many disappointments teach individuals not to delve into discussions or dare to do as they once thought possible.

Yet, on occasion, a child is groomed to grow. A nipper snaps with ability not yet quashed. An innocent does not adopt inhibition. Reticence is not realized, for rarely; yet thankfully, a na?ve creature is given permission to be, to believe, and ultimately, to achieve.

Some parents plum their progeny. An instructor may provide incentives. Inspiration can be caught, or taught. Five year-old Milan, who dribble three basketballs with ease might remind us that a vision is worth more than money. Words and wisdom that advance woe do not allow for accomplishments. As the Triple Threat Academy, amongst the teachers of tiny Milan express. "Every player has the potential to be great, not only on the basketball court, but in the game of life."

An experience that encourages, will help a little one realize that lessons learned "on the court can help shape their lives off the court as well. Education is a fundamental element" if edification, enlightenment is to be enjoyable.

If wisdom is to be wondrous, those old, and sage, must promise to teach the children well. The more physically mature must practice as Author Napoleon Hill professed, "Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve."

Vision. Triple Threat Academy.

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Mukasey Collapses

post from TalkLeft on 20 November 2008 11:28:00 PM. © TalkLeft

This is frightening:

Attorney General Michael Mukasey collapsed during a speech Thursday night and lost consciousness, a Justice Department official said. ... Mukasey was delivering a speech to the Federalist Society at a Washington hotel when "he just started shaking and he collapsed," said Associate Attorney General Kevin O'Connor. "They're very concerned."

Mukasey began slurring his words during the speech before collapsing and losing consciousness. He was taken to George Washington University Hospital.

We send our best wishes to the Attorney General.

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GalvestonA Disaster Before And After Hurricane
Ike

Just over two weeks ago I took my first trip down to Galveston since Hurricane Ike. Ike hit in mid-September.Above and below are pictures I took in Galveston. One is of a boat still out of the water. The other is of a very damaged pier. You can explore the online edition of the Galveston County Daily News to get some sense of [...]

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Mukasey Reported to Collapse

The Wall Street Journal reports Attorney General Mukasey collapsed tonight: WASHINGTON -- Attorney General Michael Mukasey collapsed while giving a speech on national security to a prominent conservative lawyers' organization. Mr. Mukasey, 67 years[...]

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AP: Obama Tapping Clinton for State

Here's the report: President-elect Barack Obama is on track to nominate Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state after Thanksgiving, an aide to his transition said Thursday. One week after the former primary rivals met secretly to discuss the idea of[...]

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