Round it

To start with a WSJ article on iTunes being DRM-free from this point forward ... interesting.  If you want any deets about iTunes, DRM, what this means, etc - read the article.

The Times (UK) has a very interesting article about 'Ghost Buses' and 'Parliamentary Trains' - basically services that run to maintain the illusion that service hasn't been disrupted, but that no one uses.  In particular they talked about the DfT's decision to reassign rail cars to another route, effectively discontinuing service on one route.  But due to a law passed in 2005, in order to discontinue service they would have had to hold a public hearing - which they didn't want to deal with, so instead they replaced it with a bus service.  The bus runs empty everyday, and thats the way DfT wants it ... it costs about $1,000 a day to operate by the way.  Very interesting article - read it here.

The Paper of Record had an editorial on Monday about why Obama needs to take Transportation seriously.  Seriously!  He does!  I won't go on and on about this, but you know how I feel ... we need to make transportation infrastructure building and renewal a top priority.  It's here.

In a very interesting move, and something that I agree completely with ... Anne Arundel County has passed a law requiring all newly built homes to have sprinkler systems.  The law will take effect later this year, and you can read the brief WaPo piece here.  I personally think this is a very good step for the County, and will help homeowners in the long run.  If I ever had the opportunity to build my own house, I would certainly include a sprinkler system - the danger of fire is too great.

I just threw up.  An Obama West Wing Intro.  Watch it:

Some articles that I found interesting:

* Lifehacker found an interesting website called WattzOn ... which tracks personal energy consumption, very interesting.  Check it out here.

* Third-Hand Smoke.  What?!  Yes ... apparently its for real.  The BBC reports on how people have to take into account that the fact that people may have been previously smoking in the room.  The toxic particles can linger in the air and cling to fabric.  Interesting, here.

* NYT Op-Ed about G.W. Bush: Here.  I'll save you from a long comment, but in the end I think the man just received a bad hand of cards - and only time will tell for sure.

* On the G.W. Bush note ... AMERICA!  The greatest book ever made, okay jk.  Gawker has a copy of (and an article about) the The Bush Administration's book of accomplishments.  Yes this is a real 100-page book, you have to check it out - here.  (via THatch)

* NYT Op-Ed on Agriculture: Here.  This is something that we never talk about in this country, yet something that will certainly impact the world in our lifetime.  We absolutely decimate our soil and destroy our lands in the name of getting ourselves fed.  I'm personally more passionate about water resources - as I see it as something that will much sooner be an issue - but we need to keep our nation's future safe.

* NYT Op-Ed on the Financial World, and how it will never be the same: Here.  I suggest reading this one for yourself (it is 4 pages H), it is certainly worth the read.

* HuffPo ... on Education: Here.  I would normally never put a HuffPo post in my round-up unless to make fun of it, or point out how blatantly liberal it is ... but this one made some good points.  It talks about what America needs from education - its short and to the point.

* Via NYT, the NYC TLC is testing a 'black box' of sorts in some cabs throughout the city.  The study is expected to last about 13 months - and we will see what comes of it.  (here.)

* Energy Efficient TVs ... hmm, sounds like a good idea to me.  (Here.)

Why am I in the office...

* The latest in the saga between TV Network distributors and cable companies has taken an ugly turn.  Viacom has scheduled a fee increase for their MTV Network channels - about 20 in all, including Nickelodeon, MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, and Spike.  And Time Warner Cable is refusing to pass that fee along to consumers.  If no compromise is reached, the channels will be shut off effective midnight tonight.  Viacom has been taking out full page ads in the newspaper telling Time Warner customers to call and urge Time Warner to change their position on the matter.  The Paper of Record - here.  You can see a video from the WSJ, cite H - here.  NYT ArtsBeat also has a take on it, here.

Okay ... this is getting to be ridiculous.  It is Viacom's content, they can charge whatever they want for it.  If people don't like the price they simply won't get that package.  Time Warner is not on some crusade for the consumer as they claim to be - they are just in a petty fight with Viacom trying to prove who is stronger.   I mean I don't even know what to say - anytime I hear about things like this happening I just get really upset, its bothersome and makes me hate cable companies even more.

* Ford Fusion Hybrid: 41 mpg city; 36 mpg highway.  It's a mid size, and will cost about $27,000 when it goes on sale this Spring.  Here.  This may seem like an interesting time to release a pretty awesome Hybrid, but I think it will prove itself for Ford in the long run.

* Back in 2002 when I took my first SAT II ... I took three of them, even though I was only supposed to take one - that was because they had Score Choice.  So if I didn't do well, I didn't have to release the scores to any school.  That was the last year they did that, and did away with Score Choice.  Well apparently its back - except this time for the SAT I.  The College Board is saying it will help to reduce stress; I am saying it will help to reduce the effectiveness of the SAT.  Some selective schools are not that happy - and say that they would prefer to see all the scores, knowing that students could do really poorly their first time around, and I have to agree with the policy.  I really can't believe the College Board is trying to bring back score choice.  Via The Paper of Record, cite GWSkank - here.

* WaPo has 2008 in review ... 5 pages of it.  A good read.  Here.

* The Obama's will be moving to DC this weekend ... the girls start school on Monday.  They are moving to an undisclosed hotel suite.  Via The Paper of Record - here.

* The Federal Government is tightening their no smoking rules at Federal buildings.  As per a new GSA regulation published last week, smoking is now to take place 25 feet from buildings.  It is also banned in courtyards and previously approved 'smoking-rooms' in certain buildings.  Via WaPo, here.

* NYT CityRoom ran the greatest headline to a post ever this morning, Choice of Kennedy for Senate No Longer Seem Inevitable ... Oh CityRoom, so right - thank you!  Here.

* Don't drink and drive tonight.  1-800-200-TAXI.  SoberRide sponsored by ... someone.