Amazing video

A fantastic musical interpretation ... of why I'm allergic to crossing the Potomac.

Incredible. Friggin' incredible.

My thoughts on Flying

Screen on the Green: Nope.

BREAKING!

Friend of the blog, TA, has alerted us that Screen on the Green will not be occuring this summer.  We don't have much information as of this time, other than an unofficial confirmation from the National Park Service.

At this point HBO has not applied for an permitting in relation to the Screen on the Green series, and knowing the headache in getting a permit from the NPS, you would assume they would have done so by this point.

So ... enjoy your outdoor movies somewhere else ... :-/

Student Loan Companies -- Destroying America

I just received an email from Citi, my student loan provider, and I am FURIOUS!!

Not only are they draining Americans of bajillions of dollars every year, these scam artists have now taken the time to draft an email telling me why the federal Direct Lending Program will hurt people. They couldn't be more wrong - greedy bastards.

In Obama's budget cuts, he has proposed that the federal government issue all federal loans directly, rather than referring them to private lenders. I remember seeing Hillary stump about this, and nothing on her platform got me more excited than this idea. The loan companies want nothing to do with this, of course, as this would severely slash their profits.

The money that the government saves by not outsourcing these loans to private lenders will go directly to increase Pell Grants, which would allow SO many more students access to college. The email I received from Citi is below, and their reasoning seems to be nothing more than the typical capitalist argument of "let the markets decide." I feel like I become more of a left-wing nut everyday, I realize, but give me a break Citibank.

WaPo has a great article here to make sense of what Obama is doing.

May 7, 2009


Dear CHARLES LEIZEAR,

Thank you for the opportunity to help you obtain the education of your choice. As a student loan provider for the past 50 years, Citi has provided financial aid assistance to millions of students and parents nationwide.

Given the challenging economy and continued increases in the cost of higher education, it is critical that the U.S. student lending system serves the best interests of students and their families. If you believe that competition and choice among student loan providers is valuable, you have an opportunity to make your voice heard.

Why Get Involved?
The government budget outline proposes offering federal student loans solely through the federal government's Direct Lending Program starting July of next year. While this proposal will not impact a borrower's ability to obtain a federal student loan, it will eliminate your ability to choose a student loan provider. It will also substantially increase the national debt since each and every federally-insured student loan will be funded by the Federal Treasury through the issuance of treasury securities. This proposal impacts you as a citizen - both as a taxpayer and as a borrower.

Why Does Competition And Choice Matter?
Without private lender involvement through the Federal Family Education Loan Program, students and their families will not enjoy the benefits that competition has made possible for more than 40 years. This competition has provided not only a choice of lenders, but also innovative products and services, such as:

• a variety of borrower benefits that lower your cost of borrowing
• financial literacy programs that educate you on how to borrow responsibly
• web-based tools and resources to advise you about your financing options
• default prevention services to help you pay back your loans

Competition also has driven increased customer satisfaction as a result of the responsiveness, personal attention and on-campus support that student loan lenders have provided to borrowers and schools nationwide.

Make Your Voice Heard
If you value the ability to shop for, evaluate and choose your student loan provider, make your voice heard by contacting your Members of Congress and by signing one of the online petitions that support borrower choice and competition in federal student lending.

Sincerely,

The Student Loan Corporation

Go Humans Go

My favorite ads ... check this out:
http://atomische.com/img/Go_Humans_Go

Go...

Go Humans Go

Sigma Chi ... Anchorbowl

If you are in the Greek community ... go to Anchorbowl to see Sigma Chi win.

If you are not in the Greek community ... go to Anchorbowl to see Sigma Chi win.

Amazing video.  Props guys.

Sucess, Failure and ???

Google 

• Success

1.  Google Search - Easily one of the best search engines out there, with everything at the click of a bottom. It provides the best searches, and in a godly quick fashion. It has really been what google has strive on. The google search design is really where it got started. Its simple, sometime funny design 'Google' is all that sat on the first page. The term google, originally mean to describe a number now became a Company and a Verb. Something only Shakespeare could do.
2. GMAIL - Abbreviated for Google Maile, GMAIL continues to increase the Market share on Internet web browser email. With contracts to schools like GW and Hofstra Gmail continues to grow. The simple design with the send bottom at the bottom has propelled its success under average users. Where google really does well in Gmail is their ability to fit the needs of the user. If you get 1000 emails a minute, Google allows filters, and labels to help you organize, something other web emails do not do.
3. Calendar and Doc's - Now with PDF and Tasking, it makes reading and scheduling a lot easier.
4. Reader- Most likely how some of you will be reading this!
5. Maps/Street View

• Failures

1. Orkut- ??? Feature linked here . This was google's attempt to take over Facebook. What happen, I'm not really too sure. Introducing a new social networking site may have been a bit too early, especially when facebook was doing so well.  Although thousands of users complain about the new(er(er(er))) facebook, they still continue to have hits on the website.  I feel like someone in high school made this website for a class and sold it to google. I honestly hope google does not invest time in money on this, because it looks really sad.
2. Knol ??? Linked Google's version of wikipedia. Fail! Another early release, and much needed work on the site has prevented a mass exodus against wikipedia. Although there have been talks that google did not intend to infiltrate the non-profit, it still makes google's web developers look pathetic.
3. Notebook- Not even available as a plug in for chrome, it appears google gave up on the side project

• Ok, why google?

1. Sketch 3D - Although i have always wanted to draw the Underground in a 3 dimensional way, i don't know why google invested in this. I think all of six people use it to be honest.
2. Sites - I think only Mike has ever used this feature. I have attempted to make several using patch stats, but i found it too confusing at some stages. I think it has potential, but what market is google going after?
3. Patent - oh right Coca Cola has a patent, why is google telling me this?
4. And Lastly ... Google Sets? I don't think anyone has heard of this, but if you write five things that are common google can make a list of 75 things in common. Example - Colors Blue, Green Orange, White Black Pink... gives you 75 colours.

Where have we been?

From Ireland

Updates on our Readers and Writers 

• Tim  Graduated preschool got a new job with G.W. . Since he will be working with The George Washington University his email(s) will remain the same. Although his knew blackberry has google talk, and the chirping noise. His job still does not provide him a computer, sounds a lot like bisnow if you know what i mean.
  
• Charlie finally slept! He slept after reading [insert actual amount here Charlie]  essays and applications, Charlie helped pickour future (or at least GW's). He also has been traveling the country a lot, preventing him from posting his favourite places to eat in DC. 
• Morgan is still basking in the glory of March 17th. Just a reminder, that was half a month ago.
• Patchus has been too busy Exploring the world, and taking pictures.  Studying Abroad is Stressful.
• Lori is on her way to getting her masters, and is only a class or two away.
• Marc Abanto finally got let into the party of the the Real World. He now works for a campaign, and could really use your help.  Email him if you want to intern, work or even just help him out.
• Chris "Friend" Rotella & Katie Ross both got into Grad School, though for different reasons, Rotella to establish a monoplistic empire (an MBA), and Katie to study it... as long as it is in America.

If some how I missed your update, please reply to this thread

Express yourself!

I think these advertisements look great.  I saw one on a bus this morning and then this one at the Bus stop at 16th and Euclid later.

Good job WMATA.  Honestly, I really like these ads.  "Express yourself" - great tagline.

Now if only the S9 saved more than 8 minutes off of a commute (bus lanes anyone?)

LEGOS!

I know that everyone has seen this by now - because it has been on just about a hundred blogs, but I wanted to show it again.  I wanted to put it up here a long time ago, but never got around to it.

The NYT post is from Christopher Niemann, who shares with us his fun with LEGOs while in Berlin for a few years.  I have copied two the images here, to show you how cool they are and get you to actually go to their site. Here.

St. Patrick's Day!!

What a day! St. Patrick's Day (more like St. Patrick's Week...) is one of my favorite holidays. Besides the usual revelry and hooliganizing that comes this time of year, I also appreciate the chance to celebrate Irish heritage and culture (hooleys, bodhrans, or grog anyone?).

Growing up in Pittsburgh, like many northern cities, St. Patrick's Day was like Christmas come early. Parade attendance was virtually mandatory, regardless of your background (though nearly everyone I knew growing up claimed some Irish ancestry) and every civic group, marching band, politician, and pub fought for the right to march. Then there were the competing festivals and musicians following the parade, and the obligatory bar crawls. My Irish Father usually rolls his eyes and mutters something under his breath about "Americans igits and their parades. F***ing amateurs...", but even he eventually gets into the spirit.

More importantly, after 8 years of that teetotaler in the White House, we finally have a president who knows how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. I'm not usually a particular fan of our new president, but today he's come a long way in my book. First of all, the water in the fountains at the White House have been dyed green in honor of the day. As is traditional, the president is meeting with Irish leaders in the White House today as well; first with Taoiseach Brian Cowan in the Oval Office, and later with the two leaders of the power sharing government in Northern Ireland (Robinson and McGuinness). After a nice luncheon on Capitol Hill with Speaker Pelosi, President Obama is hosting not 1, but 2 cocktail parties at the White House! I have every intention of finding a way into one...

Most exciting of all: Obama announced this morning that Pittsburgh Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney has been appointed Ambassador to Ireland! Great man, from a great city, representing one great nation to another. America!!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Shocker...

I thought Bojangles (Jim Graham) being Chairman of the WMATA board was going to be a good thing for everyone.

Nope - turns out he is out to screw us over again.  That's right -- Bojangles is at it again.

This lovely article (here) quotes him as being vehmently against fare increases, he doesn't even want them discussed.

If you weren't aware Metro still has a $29m shortfall for their upcoming fiscal budget.  The news this week is that they want to use Federal Stimulus money to operate (exactly what it shouldn't be used for).  Which is unreal.  Bojangles would rather cut service than raise fares -- which is ridiculous.

You can not be cutting service.  No way.  No how.  No Graham.

Do what is right ... raise fares.

HELP & The Serve America Act

Just a quick note...

Yesterday the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing on the 'Next Generation of National Service". While the committee Chairman, Senator Sir Edward Kennedy, KBE, was unable to attend, it was still a very productive and informative hearing, and also a chance to see which members (if any) opposed the Serve America Act, the main national service bill being championed in Congress.

I've written on the issue before, but as a recap: The Serve America Act (SAA) is a bill introduced by Sir Edward Kennedy and Utah Republican Senator Orrin Hatch that seeks to reinvigorate national service in a variety of ways. Specifically, it would provide $5 billion over five years to fund 250,000 volunteers in energy, the environment, healthcare, and education. The bill also seek to encourage and empower social entrepreneurs by creating 'Community Solution Funds' to serve as a type of venture capital for innovative approaches to civic issues. The SAA would also support various means of measuring the impact of these social investments. Specifically, by adding America's Civic Health Index, currently produced by NCoC, as part of the census.

The bill was mentioned specifically by President Obama in his appearance before a joint session of Congress in February, and has a prominent list of coponsors. At yesterday's hearing the Senators present all spoke in favor of the bill (Hatch, Mikulski, Murray, McCain, Enzi, Dodd). Additionally, testimony was heard from a variety of leaders, including the head of City Year, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Corporation for National and Community Service, and others.

Senator Mikulski said she hoped to pass the Serve America Act before the April Easter/passover recess. To help urge the Senate on, please go to ServiceNation's website and become a “citizen co-sponsor” of the Serve America Act.

Good news

Monday Stock Tip: GE

General Electric.  America.  GE is one of the world's largest companies - it was in the top ten as of this past summer, but due to the nose dive of its stock I doubt that is the case anymore.

GE's stock has been in that nosedive for good reason, they have really leveraged themselves over the past few decades as a financial firm.  Something that really helped them when things were going well, but is now really coming back to haunt them.

What does GE do?  Well ... they don't just make light bulbs anymore.  They are involved in almost everything imaginable - making tons of different consumer goods, and they also have a large financial/credit business.

Is GE going to go bankrupt?  No.  Now I could be completely wrong in saying that, but I just don't see it happening.  The financial sector will return, as will GE's business in finance - and hopefully GE decides to devote a little less of their company towards those markets in the future.

So what is GE doing that makes it a buy ... Well in my opinion it is trading lower than it should be (as is everything these days), but GE is really a great company.  Though it has been called into question recently whether or not GE is truly still a Blue Chip (a blue chip is generally a well established company with stable earnings and no large liabilities).  While GE clearly has more liabilities than it should (and more than most investors would like), I believe the company is inherently stable.

Additionally I like their strong movement into the renewable energy market.  Along with BP and XOM, GE really stands out as a company that doesn't need to be investing so heavily in renewable energy - but realizes that it is where the future lies.  Additionally, GE and Google have been partnering on green initiatives around the world, which you can read about here.

All in all ... I am not sure what else to tell you, except that I think GE is a good buy.  I mean afterall, Warren Buffet invested ... and he is never wrong!

Disclosure: GWSkank owns some GE, but he had no influence on me writing this.  And I used to own GE, but that was quite a few years ago.

Excitement...?

Did it? Done it? Do it!

I signed up for this site - I am not quite sure how useful it is, or if it will be another fad.  I guess we will just have to wait and see what becomes of it.

You can get to the site by visiting them here: http://www.diddit.com/

Anyway - the concept is kind of interesting, you check off things you have done (basically anything) and denote things you might want to do.  It is a place to share your life experiences, and discover new experiences to partake in.  I guess its the newest form of social networking - trying to meet people who like to do things that you do.

I have to confess I have not actually checked off anything that I've done, but maybe I'll go do that now.

The site is currently in Alpha, so there is hopefully more to come ... but certainly check it out

Sir Edward and Dr. Dean

Once again it has been some time since I've written. I'm seriously going to work on that.

But today there are a few stories about American Heroes that simply could not be overlooked

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That's SIR Ted

Today, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown addressed a joint session of Congress (a rare honor afforded only to our closest friends... though he's the 5th UK PM to do so). In his speech, he announced that American hero, and long-time Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy would be granted an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II, saying:

"I hope that you will allow me to single out for special mention today one of your most distinguished senators, known in every continent and a great friend.

"Northern Ireland is today at peace, more Americans have health care, more children around the world are going to school and for all those things we owe a great debt to the life and courage of Senator Edward Kennedy.

"And so today, having talked to him last night, I want to announce that Her Majesty the Queen has awarded an honorary knighthood for Sir Edward Kennedy."

Specifically, Kennedy is being made an honorary Knight Commander in the Order of the British Empire for his contributions to U.S.-U.K. relations and for his work on the peace process in Northern Ireland. Because a non-honorary appointment requires an oath to the Queen, all those who are not citizens in a realm where the Queen is head of state are made honorary Knights. As such, technically Kennedy will not be able to use the "Sir" as a title before his name, but may use the post-nominal "KBE".

I say, if Gordon Brown can call him Sir Edward, the same goes for everyone. I look forward to him being addressed as such upon his return to the Senate.

----------
Speaking of Sir Edward

Have I ranted yet about the Serve America Act? It's a major piece of legislation that is jointly sponsored by Senator Sir Edward Kennedy (or is it Sir Senator?) and Republican Orrin Hatch. The bill has almost 2-dozen sponsors and has gained momentum in recent weeks. It is notable that while it wasn't passed in the last session, Senators Obama, McCain, Clinton, and Majority Leader Reid were all among the major cosponsors.

The bill has been reintroduced and President Obama mentioned it in his speech to Congress last week as a national priority. The bill would create and expand national service projects like AmeriCorps, Vista, Teach For America, and other programs, while also creating/funding innovative new metrics for the impact of these projects. Specifically, it would nationalize America's Civic Health Index (a topic I've written about before) and provide a more clear year-by-year snapshot of civic engagement by making it part of the annual census. The National Conference on Citizenship has produced the CHI for the last several years, but this funding would allow for a greatly expanded version.

You can find more information on the Serve America Act here, at the Voices for National Service website, or here with ServiceNation.

Get involved, join the cause, pressure your elected officials. Sir Edward needs you!

-----
DEAN

Sir Edward aside, Howard Dean is clearly one of my greatest political influences. As a young turk in high school I eagerly joined the Deaniacs' 2003 Endless Summer Tour and I've been part of the movement to take my country back ever since.

In all seriousness, Howard Dean led a generational shift in American politics. He by no means did it alone, and he certainly is receiving little credit for his efforts, but I firmly believe in years to come his influence will begin to be fully appreciated. In 2002/2003, at a time when Democrats were cowering to Republicans on all issues in the wake of 9/11 and the bully-boy tactics being employed by Bush & Co, Dean was an unapologetic anti-war Democrat. He was ridiculed as a fringe element at first, until his campaign made unprecedented use of the internet and surged in the pre-primary hooplah. While his campaign eventually fizzled out (that scream...), his message of 'taking the country back', saying that he was representing the "Democratic wing of the Democratic party", revolutionizing the use of internet fundraising and social networking in campaigns -- all laid the groundwork for the Democratic resurgance we're enjoying now.

This is all even before his very successful stint as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (a position he won controversially and without the tradiational backing of the party stalwarts). He used his 50 state strategy to lay the organizational groundwork for the party in coming elections -- a very controversial move at the time, especially with then-Congressman Rahm Emanuel. But no one can argue that those investments didn't pay off when looking at the vast gains in Congressional races or the unexpected states that turned Blue in the 2008 Presidential Election. Certainly Obama had a lot to do with it, but you can't give him sole credit for winning redder than red states like North Carolina.

I'm not the first person to gush for Dean, and I hope I'm not that last. In fact, there's a great must-read piece you can find here about Howard Dean being a latter-day Democratic Barry Goldwater; setting the stage for a resurchange in their party. But the point of this all is: Give Dean his due. He's not politically loved in insider Democratic circles, but the guy has done a heck of a job. And that's not even counting his stellar record as governor of Vermont...

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I've got some more coming up later, but tis all for now. Feel free to comment or discuss any of the above named Heroes of the Republic.