Sea Monkey or Seahorse: Which Are You in Times of Crisis?

Over the course of this week I had the opportunity to visit with a wide variety of executives.  They ranged from leaders of multi-billion dollar enterprises to emerging entrepreneurs.  What struck me most was the polarization of attitudes across two distinct camps, namely the “sea monkeys” versus the “seahorses”. Monkey Sea, Monkey Do Sea Monkeys take me back to copies of Boys’ Life magazine in the early 70s.  The ads were every about creating something out of nothing and bringing life forward

21 Nov 2008, 11:34 am | click here for more

The Twilight Movie

Last night the kid, and three of her B.F.Fs had the opportunity to look the new Twilight movie that actually opens today in theaters around North America. The four are big fans of the books so this was a big deal for them. If you are planning on seeing the movie I won't be adding any spoilers here, but I can tell you the kid was not disappointed. Cheers! Sue XOX

21 Nov 2008, 11:33 am | click here for more

New Report: CIA Lied About Missionary Plane Shot Down Over Peru

In 2001, the Peruvian Air Force shot down a plane flying over the Amazon after receiving information from the CIA that the plane was trafficking in narcotics. It wasn’t. It was filled with Christian missionaries. The attack resulted in the death of 35-year-old Veronica Bowers and her baby daughter Charity. The CIA was working with the government of Peru as part of a program to intercept drug planes en route—another part of our disastrous drug interdiction efforts in Latin America. Seve

21 Nov 2008, 11:31 am | click here for more

Ukraine president says debt to Russia must be paid

KIEV, Ukraine — Ukraine's president on Friday accused the prime minister of saddling the country with a huge debt to Russia and said her government must urgently repay $2.4 billion owed for gas imports. President Viktor Yushchenko accused Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko — his political rival despite sharing executive powers — of acting irresponsibly by allowing the debt to accumulate.

21 Nov 2008, 11:30 am | click here for more

More Prop. 8 analysis Nate Silver, the numbers-crunching wizard who founded the indispensable fivethirtyeight.com, is interviewed here. He offers worthy -- and less divisive -- insight on the Prop. 8 vote in California. It's an analysis that applies nationwide, in a hopeful way, over the long haul. (Yes, of course, Arkansas will trail the growth curve.) Why do you think Prop. 8 passed? Well, every year the gay marriage bans have a more and more difficult time passing; this is principally

21 Nov 2008, 11:27 am | click here for more

“Of Beetles and Angels” by Mawi Asgedom.

I sat in on a pod-discussion of 8th graders who are reading, [7:43]  Ballesty SMSTeacher: thanks for sitting in, I told them you complimented their discussion and the other groups were saying, ” Why didn’t she sit in on our discussion?!”  I adore when they compete for praise & positive reinforcement! Here is the chat log (unedited): Jess SMSTrekker: GO TO YOUR DESIGNATED DISCUSSION PODS AND KEEP THIS NOTE CARD OPEN SO YOU CAN DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING: 1. Define the world “culture.” What is

21 Nov 2008, 11:26 am | click here for more

Roll Call: War (a.k.a. Sam Cuadra) of Apocalyptic Visions

For today's Roll Call we call out Sam Cuadra a.k.a War, the ghastly ogre who fronts "the angriest band in America," Apocalyptic Visions.

21 Nov 2008, 11:26 am | click here for more

Ailes: "We Have Some Obligation In a New Presidency Not To Attempt To Destabilize It"

Following the news Roger Ailes has signed a new five-year contract with News Corporation, he talks to the Los Angeles Times' Matea Gold. "I've got to build the business channel into a competitive force," he says of FBN. "And at some point the advertising will arrive back on the station side. There's plenty of work to do." He also gave a back-handed compliment to CNN's election coverage success. "I think CNN did a good job, also. They bought enough equipment to outfit every the movie theaters in A

21 Nov 2008, 11:25 am | click here for more

David Sirota Thinks The Media Is Doing a 'Brainwash'

David Sirota, Shaking off the brainwash - The Denver Post If you’re having trouble remembering what the recent election was every about, relax easy: You’re likely experiencing the momentary effects of brainwashing. For weeks, your television, newspaper and radio have been telling you America is a “middle-right nation” that elected Barack Obama to crush his fellow “socialist” hippies, discard the agenda he campaigned on, and meet the policy demands of electorally humiliated Republicans. This is

21 Nov 2008, 11:25 am | click here for more

Colombian tailor hits the big time with bulletproof clothing; Guardian blames Dick Cheney.

Colombia has been fighting a civil war for over four decades; Mexico is in the middle of a drug war. People who can arm themselves, hire bodyguards, and purchase bullet-proof clothes and automoviles. Not surprisingly, a Colombian entrepeneur has seen a great business opportunity, and has expanded his business to other countries in Latin America and Europe. But The Guardian thinks it’s every because of Dick Cheney: Colombia tailor offers bespoke bullet-proof jackets for millionaires After Dick

21 Nov 2008, 11:24 am | click here for more

More Change!

According to this source,  Barack Obama has John Brennan at the top of his list to become CIA director.  Great. This is a guy, as the indispensible Glenn Greenwald notes, who "continues to defend and support policies such as 'enhanced interrogation techniques' and rendition."  At this rate, America's break with its dark years is certain to be imperceptible.  We knew there was a reason we didn't vote for this guy (or anybody else for that matter).  He's a politician.  Which is shorthand for dupl

21 Nov 2008, 11:24 am | click here for more

Short Russian ETF (RSX) As Oil Slumps

Americans might rejoice as fuel prices tumble. But it means catastrophe for Russia. Its stock market is already down 80% this year, and Andrew Snyder says the country faces more economic woes in 2009. That’s why he recommends shorting the Market Vectors Russian ETF (NYSE:RSX). This from Today’s Financial News: Regardless of this man’s selfishness, I eventually pulled up to the pump and put five gallons of gas at $1.93 each into my tank. A ten-dollar fill-up was more than enough to put a smile

21 Nov 2008, 11:24 am | click here for more

Brett on Good Morning America This Saturday

Brett on Good Morning America This Saturday Brett will be performing on ABC’s Good Morning America this Saturday. You can check out their interview with BD here.

21 Nov 2008, 11:22 am | click here for more

14 at heart

There's a little movie called Twilight opening in theaters today and you better believe I'm hot to look it. I've arrive to grips with the fact that this aligns me with awkward tweens across America. Awkward tweens who, while standing outside theToday Show yesterday to receive a glimpse of the cast, looked at star Robert Pattinson like they were going to, as the Superficial writer put it, were so excited they looked like they "wouldn't think twice about wearing his skin as a coat." Seriously, this guy

21 Nov 2008, 11:21 am | click here for more

Olga Kurylenko Discusses Being a Bond Girl

Olga Kurylenko Discusses Being a Bond Girl Actress Disses Previous Bond Femmes Ukrainian-born actress Olga Kurylenko addressed being the latest Bond girl in Quantum of Solace when she met with Australian press. "That's not what an actor hopes to play", she said, referring to the many women Bond has encountered. "They've mostly been dull and just arm-candy." The 29 year-old actress plays Camille, a lady also on a mission of revenge, much like Bond. Unlike her feminine predecessors, she di

21 Nov 2008, 11:20 am | click here for more

Obama's Personnel Problem

By Ralf Seiffe The nearby cartoon confirms the news media’s buzz over the precipitating Obama cabinet with every noticing that it is Clinton redux. The mainstreamers are mainlining the prospective administration’s positioning that these appointments are stellar choices of America’s “best and brightest”. It is, according to one pundit, “a refreshing break with the past when a new presidents would arrive with his buddies in tow.” This is a load of malarkey. Barack Obama is appointing Clinton

21 Nov 2008, 11:20 am | click here for more

Obama's Radio Address is Streamed on the Internet - Demonstrating Why There Need Not Be Any Return of the Fairness Doctrine

Last week, President-elect Barack Obama delivered his first weekly radio address since he was elected President. The broadcast made news, not only for its content, but also because it was streamed on the Internet, particularly on You Tube, but also retransmitted on many other websites. The fact that the Internet makes such transmissions not only possible, but so easy and so widely available demonstrates one of many reasons why every the worry about the return of the Fairness Doctrine is unwarra

21 Nov 2008, 11:19 am | click here for more

Two stunts with relish to go

I have been critical about Burger King’s PR efforts in the past, but their latest stunt, which started in Chicago and is currently working its way across America, is generating some interest from PR blogs. Burger King have been dropping wallets in the road for people to find. When opened, the wallets are found to contain a driver’s license made out to the Burger King corporation, a note saluting the finders for being good Samaritans, some cash (between $1 and $100) which they are instructed

21 Nov 2008, 11:19 am | click here for more

What’s Next for Nokia?

Nokia recently hosted a cocktail party to introduce journalists to its chief designer, Alastair Curtis. The Brit’s formal slide presentation was a carefully crafted marketing piece, hammering in his Finnish employer’s slogans such as “beautiful to use” and “connecting people.” And he provided a bright glimpse into the company’s future plans in response to our questions. The revelations started when Curtis described Nokia’s record in America. “The U.S. hasn’t been Nokia’s strongest suit,” he

21 Nov 2008, 11:19 am | click here for more

The Time Has Come to Create a Real ‘Liberal Media’

The Time Has arrive to Create a Real ‘Liberal Media’ Posted by James O'Rourke on November 21, 2008 By Robert Parry, Consortium News. Posted November 21, 2008. Deep-pocketed conservatives have long dominated the media landscape. If we want real change, it’s time for progressives to battle flame with flame. Having spent more than three decades in Washington, I’ve seen enough mistakes made – and opportunities missed – for a lifetime. So, at this turning point in American history, I’m venturing beyo

21 Nov 2008, 11:18 am | click here for more