Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Monday, August 30, 2004
To Boldly Go...
NASA to Announce New Class of Planets
Astronomers have discovered four new planets in a week's time, an exciting end-of-summer flurry that signals a sharper era in the hunt for new worlds.
Astronomers have discovered four new planets in a week's time, an exciting end-of-summer flurry that signals a sharper era in the hunt for new worlds.
Truly impressed
I just wanted to share some great online finds that have truly impressed me recently.
flickr.com, is an amazing, online, powerful photo sharing tool.
textamerica.com is a fantastic moblog (mobile web log) that allows online sharing of images, particularly from your phone.
The website with a forgettable name, nvncbl.com provides sharp, interactive tagboards to websites.
And, of course, the site you're on now... blogger.com. Powerful, customizeable online web logs.
Each of these sites has helped add what I hope visitors find to be very enjoyable content.
I strongly recommend checking these sites out. They're very simple, well organized, highly enjoyable... and free.
And, no... I don't work for any of them.
flickr.com, is an amazing, online, powerful photo sharing tool.
textamerica.com is a fantastic moblog (mobile web log) that allows online sharing of images, particularly from your phone.
The website with a forgettable name, nvncbl.com provides sharp, interactive tagboards to websites.
And, of course, the site you're on now... blogger.com. Powerful, customizeable online web logs.
Each of these sites has helped add what I hope visitors find to be very enjoyable content.
I strongly recommend checking these sites out. They're very simple, well organized, highly enjoyable... and free.
And, no... I don't work for any of them.
Suzanne's Send Off
Images from yesterday's send off for Suzanne are posted. Enjoy.
**Update**
Sadly, the website hosting this media is no more.
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Gold
Tina Thompson, right, and Lisa Leslie of the United State basketball team hug after a 74-63 win over Australia in the gold medal game at the Indoor Arena in Athens during the 2004 Olympics Games, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2004. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Goin In
Hungary's Adam Steinmetz, left, drags coach Denes Kemeny into the pool after Hungary won the men's water polo gold medal 8-7 over Serbia and Montenegro at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2004. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Hit The Streets
A crowd fills a Manhattan avenue during a protest march leading to the Republican National Convention site, sponsored by United for Peace and Justice, in New York, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2004. The Republican National Convention is scheduled to begin Monday. (AP Photo/Greg Bull )
Saturday, August 28, 2004
Golden Moment
Argentine players Juan Ignacio Sanchez (L) and Emanuel David Ginobili celebrate after their men's basketball gold medal game at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, August 28, 2004. Argentina beat Italy 84-69 to win the men's Olympic basketball gold on Saturday, the country's first medal in the sport. REUTERS/Kimimasa Mayama
Friday, August 27, 2004
Sarah Bishop
I learned today that a great young woman my friends knew has passed away. Sarah Bishop, 27, died while hiking near Mt. Hood. Sarah was warmly regarded by those who knew her and her passing is tragic. My thoughts and prayers go out to her friends and loved ones.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Whats the big deal?
A few of my friends who are in the market for a new notebook or desktop computer look at me strangely when I encourage them to pick up a Mac. A study just released is worthy of note. "Apple's customers are among the most satisfied of any PC vendor measured in a study released Tuesday by the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Apple's success comes from a focus on innovation and improving tech support, according to the professor behind the study. Apple was the only company that received high marks for both quality and support."
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Neato
danontheair.endoftheinternet.org, otherwise known as the home to KDAN and the Dan Cam and its loyal following of many.. err... two... has been revamped with the help of the brilliant Sonja, to include a no hassle Quicktime stream. Why is this cool? Well.. many (two) people have told me they were having trouble tuning into KDAN. Well, this Quicktime stream fixes that. Simply by opening the page, you're automatically listening to the station. Assuming its broadcasting. And, that you have Quicktime. And that you jump up and down on your left foot. Always glad to help my loyal fans. All two of them.
Thursday, August 19, 2004
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Smoke and mirrors
No one wants to see US troops return home more than me, especially with my dear friend Suzanne being sent to Iraq. However, I am fearful that many will misconstrue President Bush's recent "historic announcement" of recalling troops back to the United States as long overdue relief for the soldiers stationed in Iraq....
...It's not.
Below are portions (edited for brevity) from a Washington Post article released yesterday illustrating in better detail what I'm talking about. Feel free to disagree, agree, forward on to your friends and what not. Now is the time to be more aware of what is going on, not less. I hope everyone is having a great summer. Be well.
---Dan
President Outlines Overseas Troop Cut
Tue Aug 17, 7:27 AM ET
By Mike Allen and Josh White, Washington Post Staff Writers
CINCINNATI, Aug. 16 -- President Bush announced plans Monday to recall as many as 70,000 troops from Cold War-era bases in Europe and Asia as part of a global rearrangement of forces that is aimed at making the military more agile in an age of unpredictable enemies.
The plan could significantly change the face of the U.S. military at home and abroad, in what administration officials called the largest restructuring overseas since the end of the Korean War.
The repositioning is to unfold gradually over seven to 10 years and cut by one-third the 230,000 U.S. service members now stationed overseas. The largest reductions would occur in Germany, which would lose two Army divisions, and South Korea. The two countries account for more than half of the U.S. troops stationed permanently on foreign soil.
Bush's announcement of the plan -- which drew mixed assessments from military analysts -- gave him a chance to talk about bringing troops home at a time when his opponent, Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), has pledged to substantially reduce U.S. troop levels in Iraq. The administration plan, which will not affect the number of troops in Iraq, has been under development for many months. Its main outlines were reported publicly last week.
Kerry, who was vacationing in Idaho, did not immediately respond to Bush, but several of his allies attacked the plan vigorously. The Democratic National Committee organized a conference call with retired Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark, NATO's former supreme allied commander, who said the plan "will significantly undermine U.S. national security."
"As we face a global war on terror with al Qaeda active in more than 60 countries, now is not the time to pull back our forces," Clark said.
Richard C. Holbrooke, a former assistant secretary of state and ambassador to the United Nations under President Bill Clinton, accused Bush of trying to deflect attention from the strain on the military by prolonged deployments in Iraq. He criticized Bush for slipping a "historic announcement" into essentially a campaign speech.
"It's not good diplomacy," said Holbrooke, who argued that the plan will undermine relations with allies. "It sends the message that this administration continues to operate in a unilateral manner without adequately consulting its closest allies. It's a mistake, driven by the fact that we're stretched too thin in Iraq and the presidential election."
The plan prompted debate among military and government analysts over the potential costs and benefits of what was a relatively vague though dramatic announcement.
Retired Army Lt. Gen. Daniel Christman said U.S. forces would lose the intangible advantages of living and working in allied countries, and he said the moves could send the wrong messages to adversaries. The shift would pull some U.S. ground troops from the Korean Peninsula, a hot spot where the United States has been working to deter North Korea's nuclear capabilities.
"I couldn't imagine a worse time to be pulling troops out of Korea at the same time we're trying to get Pyongyang to give up its nukes," Christman said. "It seems like preemptive concession."
Defense officials declined to talk about costs or specific redeployment figures, saying they are still working on details with several countries. The plan figures to be quite costly, as U.S. bases would have to be refurbished or expanded to handle the influx of troops and their families.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said in a report in May that greatly reducing the U.S. presence overseas could save more than $1 billion a year but could cost nearly $7 billion upfront.
"Restationing Army forces would produce, at best, only small improvements in the United States' ability to respond to far-flung conflicts," the CBO said.
John P. White, a lecturer in public policy at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and a former deputy secretary of defense, said he believes such money should only be spent with an "imperative need" to do so. "I don't understand how we gain strategic ability to respond by moving people to the U.S., further away from the likely trouble spots," he said. "I don't get it."
The major moves are not likely to begin until at least fiscal 2006 or later, with a bulk of those returning to the United States coming over several years.
The overture by Bush to military families in a national security speech reflected the political stakes and timing of the speech. This is the second week of an effort by Bush and his campaign to undo any success Kerry had in using the Democratic National Convention to portray himself as worthy of the title commander in chief. Veterans and military families, traditionally a Republican constituency, are thought to be in play this year because of Kerry's credentials in Vietnam and concern over unexpectedly long deployments and continuing casualties in Iraq.
The appearance was paid for by Bush's reelection campaign, and he laced his remarks with digs at Kerry. He entered to "Hail to the Chief" and received standing ovations before, during and after his speech.
Continuing the two campaigns' mirrored schedules, Kerry is to address the VFW on Wednesday.
White reported from Washington.
...It's not.
Below are portions (edited for brevity) from a Washington Post article released yesterday illustrating in better detail what I'm talking about. Feel free to disagree, agree, forward on to your friends and what not. Now is the time to be more aware of what is going on, not less. I hope everyone is having a great summer. Be well.
---Dan
President Outlines Overseas Troop Cut
Tue Aug 17, 7:27 AM ET
By Mike Allen and Josh White, Washington Post Staff Writers
CINCINNATI, Aug. 16 -- President Bush announced plans Monday to recall as many as 70,000 troops from Cold War-era bases in Europe and Asia as part of a global rearrangement of forces that is aimed at making the military more agile in an age of unpredictable enemies.
The plan could significantly change the face of the U.S. military at home and abroad, in what administration officials called the largest restructuring overseas since the end of the Korean War.
The repositioning is to unfold gradually over seven to 10 years and cut by one-third the 230,000 U.S. service members now stationed overseas. The largest reductions would occur in Germany, which would lose two Army divisions, and South Korea. The two countries account for more than half of the U.S. troops stationed permanently on foreign soil.
Bush's announcement of the plan -- which drew mixed assessments from military analysts -- gave him a chance to talk about bringing troops home at a time when his opponent, Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), has pledged to substantially reduce U.S. troop levels in Iraq. The administration plan, which will not affect the number of troops in Iraq, has been under development for many months. Its main outlines were reported publicly last week.
Kerry, who was vacationing in Idaho, did not immediately respond to Bush, but several of his allies attacked the plan vigorously. The Democratic National Committee organized a conference call with retired Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark, NATO's former supreme allied commander, who said the plan "will significantly undermine U.S. national security."
"As we face a global war on terror with al Qaeda active in more than 60 countries, now is not the time to pull back our forces," Clark said.
Richard C. Holbrooke, a former assistant secretary of state and ambassador to the United Nations under President Bill Clinton, accused Bush of trying to deflect attention from the strain on the military by prolonged deployments in Iraq. He criticized Bush for slipping a "historic announcement" into essentially a campaign speech.
"It's not good diplomacy," said Holbrooke, who argued that the plan will undermine relations with allies. "It sends the message that this administration continues to operate in a unilateral manner without adequately consulting its closest allies. It's a mistake, driven by the fact that we're stretched too thin in Iraq and the presidential election."
The plan prompted debate among military and government analysts over the potential costs and benefits of what was a relatively vague though dramatic announcement.
Retired Army Lt. Gen. Daniel Christman said U.S. forces would lose the intangible advantages of living and working in allied countries, and he said the moves could send the wrong messages to adversaries. The shift would pull some U.S. ground troops from the Korean Peninsula, a hot spot where the United States has been working to deter North Korea's nuclear capabilities.
"I couldn't imagine a worse time to be pulling troops out of Korea at the same time we're trying to get Pyongyang to give up its nukes," Christman said. "It seems like preemptive concession."
Defense officials declined to talk about costs or specific redeployment figures, saying they are still working on details with several countries. The plan figures to be quite costly, as U.S. bases would have to be refurbished or expanded to handle the influx of troops and their families.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said in a report in May that greatly reducing the U.S. presence overseas could save more than $1 billion a year but could cost nearly $7 billion upfront.
"Restationing Army forces would produce, at best, only small improvements in the United States' ability to respond to far-flung conflicts," the CBO said.
John P. White, a lecturer in public policy at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and a former deputy secretary of defense, said he believes such money should only be spent with an "imperative need" to do so. "I don't understand how we gain strategic ability to respond by moving people to the U.S., further away from the likely trouble spots," he said. "I don't get it."
The major moves are not likely to begin until at least fiscal 2006 or later, with a bulk of those returning to the United States coming over several years.
The overture by Bush to military families in a national security speech reflected the political stakes and timing of the speech. This is the second week of an effort by Bush and his campaign to undo any success Kerry had in using the Democratic National Convention to portray himself as worthy of the title commander in chief. Veterans and military families, traditionally a Republican constituency, are thought to be in play this year because of Kerry's credentials in Vietnam and concern over unexpectedly long deployments and continuing casualties in Iraq.
The appearance was paid for by Bush's reelection campaign, and he laced his remarks with digs at Kerry. He entered to "Hail to the Chief" and received standing ovations before, during and after his speech.
Continuing the two campaigns' mirrored schedules, Kerry is to address the VFW on Wednesday.
White reported from Washington.
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Friday, August 13, 2004
Busy Day
John Kerry visited Waterfront Park in downtown Portland today and was greeted with a crowd estimated at over 50,000. Some other guy named George visited Portland as well, making the city the center of the political world for the day. Unfortunately, I... ummm... couldn't find any pictures of his visit. (It was closed to the general public.) 
The Opening Ceremonies for the 2004 Olympics were today (left).And Special Olympics Oregon kicked off its largest fundraiser of the year today at Waterfront Park, The Bite of Oregon. (Below)
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Blessing or curse?
I stumbled accross what may be the best link ever, or may result in your friends and employers going mad over how much time you'll spend in front of your computer.
My good friend
As most of you know by now, Suzanne will be leaving our fair city in a few weeks to be deployed to fight in Iraq. Suzanne has handled this news with dignity, grace and style. These are not merely traits she wears in difficult times; they describe who Suzanne Carey is. Anyone who is lucky enough to know her will testify to that.
Suzanne will be gone for a while. This is a place where her friends, loved ones and concerned members of the community can align together and show her our love and support. Regardless of political affiliation, or stance on the war, we owe the Suzanne Carey's our respect. Its time to carry our Suzanne as she has carried so many of us.
Mark your calendar for a very special opportunity to express support, love and appreciation for Suzanne.
Room 604, in the ED building at Portland State, Tuesday August 17th, at 1pm - 2pm
Snacks will be provided, however if you have a favorite snack, feel free to share.
All are welcome.
Phoenix Olympians
Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire of USA Basketball and the Phoenix Suns will take on Puerto Rico Sunday morning at 10 (Pacific) in the Olympic Preliminaries. The game will be televised live on NBC. The Opening Ceremonies for the 2004 Olympic Games is Friday at 5PM (Pacific) on NBC. Follow the Olympics
Thursday, August 05, 2004
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
Nice spot
A squirrel allows his legs to dangle freely as it lounges on a section of fence in Alexandria, Va. Sunday, Aug. 1, 2004. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Go for it
Team USA's Allen Iverson, center, taking a buzzer beating game-winning shot from near half court. The shot gave Team USA an 80-77 win over Germany in an exhibition match at the Cologne Koeln Arena, western Germany, Wednesday Aug. 4, 2004. (AP Photo/Frank Augst)
Celebrate
Team USA's Allen Iverson is carried by his teammates after making the game-winning shot in their 80-77 win over Germany in an exhibition match in Cologne, western Germany, Wednesday Aug. 4, 2004. (AP Photo/Hermann J. Knippertz)
Celebrate
Team USA's Allen Iverson is mobbed by his teammates after making the game-winning shot in their 80-77 win over Germany in an exhibition match in Cologne, western Germany, Wednesday Aug. 4, 2004.(AP Photo/Hermann J. Knippertz)
Italy rout raises doubt about U.S. team
The U.S. men's Olympic team did more than merely lose yesterday. It was embarrassed and exposed in its most lopsided defeat since adding NBA players in 1992, as Italy steamrolled over the US 95-78. I hope it takes some of them off of their high horses and shows them that "me me me" isn't the best way to play hoops. The US got a taste of how solid fundamentals and TEAM basketball can dominate. It will be interesting to see how they respond.
Accessibility
Most know I'm a huge Mac freak. Well, here is another reason why: accessibility. "Apple has a long history of working on solutions for accessibility straight back through the Apple II (in 1987)" VoiceOver is the spoken interface coming to Tiger, Mac OS X, v10.4, that provides users with visual disabilities to have read aloud the contents of documents and an audible description of their workspace. Spoken Interface is being released now as a preview version -- by filling out a form on the Spoken Interface Web site, users can gain access to a preview release build.
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Towers
Memorial lights shining up from the space left by the World Trace Center towers. The 'Tribute in Light,' is seen when first illuminated on March 11, 2002, six months after the attacks. It shone nightly for more than a month, and was re-lit the night of Sept. 11, 2003. Photo by Peter Morgan/Reuters
Jealous
Surf ski paddler passes along Manly Beach on Sydney's north shore at sunrise July 31, 2004. REUTERS/Will Burgess
Bullsh**
A bull jumps into the sea as a reveler looks on during festivities in honor of the patron saint of the eastern Spanish coastal town of Denia, July 5, 2004. Revelers, coming out from protection barriers, encourage bulls to chase them until both fall into the sea. Bulls are rescued by small boats who tow them to safety. REUTERS/Heino Kalis
Rings
A few days before it entered orbit around Saturn, the Cassini spacecraft captured this natural color view of Saturn's rings, taken Wednesday, July 21, 2004, by Nasa. The image, released by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory on Thursday, was taken from below the ring plane at a distance of 4 million miles, NASA said. The rings are mostly water ice, which is white if it is pure. The different colors are therefore believed to reflect other materials, such as rock or carbon compounds, the space agency said. (AP Photo/Nasa, JPL, Space Science Institute)
Korea
South Korean riot police wrestle with anti-war activists in an early morning melee at a military airport near Seoul on August 3, 2004. (AFP/Jung Yeon-Je)
Light
Two columns of light, known as the Tribute in Light Memorial, emanate into the sky from Battery Park City to mark the anniversary of 9/11. (AFP/File/Timothy A. Clary)
Dolphin Fantasy
Dolphins swim at the newly-established aquarium dubbed 'dolphin fantasy' at the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise in Yokohama. (AFP/Kazuhiro Nogi)
"We have lines down..."
SRP workers walk through downed telephone poles at Lindsey in Mesa. The poles were knocked down during an August 2000 monsoon storm.
Christine Keith
Powerhouse
Lightning strikes over the historic Rosson House in downtown Phoenix in this time-lapse photograph during a summer storm.
Michael Chow/The Arizona Republic
Camleback Mountain
Lightning bolts light the sky over Camelback Mountain in Phoenix during a summer monsoon storm.
The Arizona Republic
Camp Closed
During a 30-second time exposure, lightning bolts strike around Camp Verde, Ariz.
Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic
Storm over Glendale
A late-summer thunderstorm sweeps across my hometown: Glendale. Arizona.
Peter Schwepker/The Arizona Republic
San Xavier
San Xavier Mission in Tucson is illuminated by lightning during a monsoon thunderstorm which dropped little water but provided a spectacular light show.
Francisco Medina/Tucson Citizen
Castle Lightning
Lightning strikes over the Tovrea Castle in Phoenix.
Randy Reid/The Arizona Republic
Electric Bank
Lightning strikes behind the Bank of America building in Mesa in this 2-minute time exposure.
Michael Chow/The Arizona Republic
Look both ways...
Lightning strikes behind the Islands subdivision in Gilbert as this 5-minute time exposure shows images of ducks waiting on shore for the storm to pass.
Michael Chow/The Arizona Republic
Ballpark Sunset
A baseball game at Tucson Electric Park had this sunset as its backdrop.
Paul F. Gero/The Arizona Republic
Pull Over
Dust storm cloud moves in along Supersitition Freeway in Tempe during a July 1999 storm.
Peter Schwepker
Dust blanket
A dust storm blows over downtown Phoenix. Storms that rolled through central Arizona July 6, 1999, produced rain, hail, and a tornado.
Sherrie Buzby
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ASTORIA, Ore. - Former Vice President Al Gore was cited for speeding as he drove a rented car to visit family on the coast, authorities said.
Gore, who was alone, was issued a $141 ticket for driving 75 miles per hour on Highway 26 in the northwest corner of the state, police said. The speed limit is 55.
Gore was issued the ticket on Aug. 3 at 12:37 p.m.
Image and story courtesy of katu.com