Much of Gulf Coast Is Crippled; Death Toll Rises After Hurricane - New York Times

The worst fears from Katrina have been realized. What a terrible tragedy.

"A day after New Orleans thought it had narrowly escaped the worst of Hurricane Katrina's wrath, water broke through two levees on Tuesday and virtually submerged and isolated the city, causing incalculable destruction and rendering it uninhabitable for weeks to come."

"...Looting broke out as opportunistic thieves cleaned out abandoned stores for a second night. In one incident, officials said, a police officer was shot and critically wounded.

"These are not individuals looting," Colonel Ebbert said. "These are large groups of armed individuals."

"...The mayor estimated it would be one to two weeks before the water could be pumped out, and two to four weeks before evacuees could be permitted back into the city. Another city official said it would be two months before the schools reopened.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to need temporary homes for uncertain durations. The authorities were looking at renting apartments, putting people up in trailers and establishing floating dormitories."

PCWorld.com - NSF Proposes Next-Generation Internet

Never too soon to surface good ideas for the future Internet, but the clean slate idea will have tough sledding given the extent to which present Internet technologies are embedded in today's world. This is akin to changing the voltage of the power grid...not likely to happen.

BBC NEWS | Technology | File-sharers move from BitTorrent

If true this is an amazingly large percentage of Internet traffic attributed to peer-to-peer file sharing. Can it really be true?

"According to CacheLogic, 60% of the traffic on the internet by the end of 2004 was made up of peer-to-peer activity, though it does not have a breakdown of how much of this is copyrighted material. "

Scientists Speak Up on Mix of God and Science - New York Times

Collins' quotes in this excellent piece from the NY Times show his deep thinking about matters of science and faith. This article is well worth reading. I believe science and faith must coexist. The quote from Collins at the end is the mark of an educated man.

Dr. Collins said he believed that some scientists were unwilling to profess faith in public "because the assumption is if you are a scientist you don't have any need of action of the supernatural sort," or because of pride in the idea that science is the ultimate source of intellectual meaning.

"But he said he believed that some scientists were simply unwilling to confront the big questions religion tried to answer. "You will never understand what it means to be a human being through naturalistic observation," he said. "You won't understand why you are here and what the meaning is. Science has no power to address these questions - and are they not the most important questions we ask ourselves?" "

Verizon to Sell High-Speed Net Connections for $14.95 a Month - New York Times

With SBC and now Verizon offering really inexpensive broadband, those who live where it's offered should be switching from dialup and maybe from cable modems in droves.

Researchers Fuse Skin and Stem Cells - Yahoo! News

This breakthrough may allow George Bush to claim victory and those against his position of limiting federal funding of research to already established stem cell lines have been upstaged by this discovery.

"'If future experiments indicate that this reprogrammed state is retained after removing the embryonic stem cell DNA ? currently a formidable technical hurdle ? the hybrid cells could theoretically be used to produce embryonic stem cells lines that are tailored to individual patients without the need to create and destroy human embryos,' said a summary of the research reported on the Science site.
That could lead to creation of stem cells without having to use human eggs or make new human embryos in the process, thereby sidestepping much of the controversy over stem cell research."

United States of Emergency - New York Times

I think the tirade is against illegal immigration, not immigration generally as the Times editorial would have us believe. Illegal immigration is against the law. Of course there are several reasons people come illegally. This is a mega-problem crying out for a fix. I think the border state governors are right to bring the problem front and center.

"President Bush has been promising immigration reform since he took office, and he promised once again this week that immigration would be a top priority. Through all these years, Mr. Bush, as a Texan, has made it clear that he understands this complex problem. But some of those in his party prefer to inflame the issue with anti-immigrant tirades - an embarrassment as old as America itself. The president will have to tame his own party before we can all move forward."

Democrats struggle to find chinks in Roberts's armor | csmonitor.com

A reasonably savvy analysis by the Christian Science Monitor of the Roberts confirmation jockeying.

Falling Costs of Big-Screen TV's to Keep Falling - New York Times

Plasma TV prices falling...good news!

"Dell is now selling the 42-inch high-definition plasma screen for $2,600 and the company suggests it could go lower as it gets further deals on components."

What They Did Last Fall - New York Times

Krugman is so overwhelmingly anti-Bush, anti-GOP and ultra left that he is willing to write anything that some will, unfortunately, believe. Get over it Krugman. Perhaps he would be the ideal PR person for Howard Dean, also prone to outrageous charges, and the DNC.

M.R.I. Scanners' Strong Magnets Are Cited in a Rash of Accidents - New York Times

Wow, this seems like a problem crying out for a solution. I had no idea this problem existed. It seems tragic that people require laws to do the safe thing concerning MRI machines, but that's the nature of man...requiring law to govern their behavior.

d-

Blogging to be free | Perspectives | CNET News.com

While it's true that blogging has become a powerful force in our world to the dismay of much of the MSM, let's be realistic and know that blogging is only one of many communications tools to enable people to express their views about or to their governments.

Nevertheless, blogging is here to stay and we are seeing more frequent sojourns into this medium by the MSM. Dan Gillmor was an early convert from the MSM and has become a strong advocate of public journalism. You can find his blog here. Another, though not a journalist is Dave Winer, the father of blogging. His blog is here.

Though there may be 14 million blogs, let's remember that many of them are of no political import. Having said that, I believe blogging is a powerful force that provides all sides of an issue, both rational and extreme. With blogging now a mainstream avenue of communication, wise governments will pay attention to what its citizens are thinking and writing.

I've been blogging since 2002 and though I have little or no impact on what governments do, I know I have a place to publish what I think. Whether anyone reads it is another matter.

Fighting the Last Hijackers - New York Times

Tierney is correct. Israel knows how to do airport security. I know I've been there. We did not do it correctly by creating the TSA. This is a jobs program and does little or nothing to prevent terrorists from their trade.

"'...It became this centralized risk-averse organization trying to create a cookie-cutter model for all the airports in America,' he said. He praised the T.S.A. screeners, but added: 'The billions being spent aren't buying more security because they're looking at things rather than at people. Rather than treating every airline passenger as a potential terrorist, you should husband your resources and concentrate on the higher-risk passengers.'"

Screeners should be trained to profile people. Yes, profile them and at the same time, tell the ACLU to go pound sand.

TIME.com: A Mother And the President -- Aug. 22, 2005 -- Page 1

This woman is an idiot, a tool for other crazies like her. Her and their goal is to attract attention and the media is foolish to play her game.

I note her husband has filed for divorce.

"...Back home in California, her family is imploding under its grief. Sheehan lost her job at Napa County Health and Human Services because of all her absences, she says. Husband Pat, 52, couldn't bear having Casey's things at home and put most of them in storage. "We grieved in totally different ways," Cindy says. "He wanted to grieve by distracting himself. I wanted to immerse myself." A car tinkerer, he added two 1969 VW Bugs to his collection recently and diverted some of his sorrow into them. The couple separated in June.

Daughter Carly, 24, wrote a poem that begins, "Have you ever heard the sound of a mother screaming for her son?" Surviving son Andy, 21, supports his mother in principle but recently sent her a long e-mail imploring her "to come home because you need to support us at home," he says. Casey's aunt Cherie Quartarolo e-mailed a California radio station last week to rebuke Cindy, writing, "She appears to be promoting her own personal agenda at the expense of her son's good name."

Editors Ponder How to Present a Broad Picture of Iraq - New York Times

Part of the mainstream media (AP) admits it is not covering the war in Iraq properly or fully. War is a dangerous business. To report it fully is also a dangerous business, but the media really should step up to the plate and do a better job of it, or admit to a bias inherent in covering it because they are afraid of the personal risks or potential consequences to cover it properly. Kudos to the Times for reporting this.

OpinionJournal - John Fund on the Trail

The Republicans will be fools to let the Democrats outflank them on the illegal immigration issue. No matter the politics of all this, if immigration laws are being violated to this outrageous extent, proper enforcement is essential. Are we as a country willing to support that or have we thrown up our hands on the southern border?

"As the maneuvering of Democrats such as Sen. Clinton and Gov. Richardson shows, Republicans risk letting Democrats turn immigration into a wedge issue that drives many voters to the other party. If Mr. Bush wants to leave office having brought about real immigration reform along with an increase in Hispanic support for Republicans, he must also pull off the delicate balancing act of convincing Americans that the federal government hasn't lost complete control of the border. Otherwise, the issue will remain stalemated and ripe for political demagoguery. "

Murdoch and Clinton: An Unlikely Alliance - New York Times

Fascinating analysis of the relationship between Hillary Clinton and Rupert Murdoch

"The nexus of politics and media has a history of creating the oddest bedfellows. Mr. Murdoch, although seen as a political reactionary, is a pragmatist who forms and dissolves alliances as events dictate. And Mrs. Clinton, who improbably plopped herself into Republican prayer breakfasts after arriving in the Senate, has a history of disarming her political opponents through a combination of charm and industriousness."

Safe as Houses - New York Times

An interesting analysis by Krugman.

"... these days, Americans make a living selling each other houses, paid for with money borrowed from the Chinese. Somehow, that doesn't seem like a sustainable lifestyle.

How solid, then, is America's economic recovery? The British have a phrase that applies: "safe as houses." Our economy is as safe as houses. Unfortunately, given current prices and our dependence on foreign lenders, houses aren't safe at all. "

At the Pumps and on the Web, Drivers Check for Lowest Prices - New York Times

Why aren't the Democrats screaming about opening the Strategic Petroleum Reserve this time around? The last time we had a gas price spike, they were all over the issue?

Through last Monday, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded had risen nearly 26 percent in 12 months, according to the Federal Energy Information Administration, with the sharpest rise - 17 percent in just the last two months.

The price continued to rise this week, reaching $2.41 on Friday, a record, the American Automobile Association's daily survey found.

Nap Time at the 4H Barn Addison, VT Fair 

U.S. Fraud Charge for Top Lobbyist - New York Times

Whether Republican or Democrat, if he's a criminal he should go to jail. Why is it that the high and mighty sometimes think they are above the law? "Pride goeth before a fall."

"The Florida indictment charged Mr. Abramoff and Mr. Kidan with one count of conspiracy and five counts of wire fraud - each count carries up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine - and asked that they be forced to pay $60 million in criminal penalties.

Mr. Abramoff has long been one of Washington's best-connected and best-paid lobbyists. In a statement released with the indictment, the agent in charge of the F.B.I.'s Miami field office, Michael S. Clemens, appeared to be referring to Mr. Abramoff's former influence in Republican circles when he said that the criminal charges demonstrate 'that regardless of position, status, wealth or associations, fraudulent activity will not be tolerated.'"

Barre, Vt. - New York Times

What a visitor from the New York Times finds interesting in a weekend visit to Barre-Montpelier.

FAQ: Demystifying VoIP | CNET News.com

A good primer on VoIP.

Guardian Unlimited | World Latest | Alleged al-Qaida Spiritual Leader Detained

Britain is doing the right thing to deport these radical Islamist terrorists/sympathizers. Now let's see if the receiving countries will lock them away for a long time to prevent them from damaging civilized society.

"``The circumstances of our national security have changed, it is vital that we act against those who threaten it,'' Home Secretary Charles Clarke said.

A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, confirmed that Omar Mahmoud Othman Abu Omar, also known as Abu Qatada, was among the 10 foreigners in custody. The government declined to name them.

The 44-year-old Palestinian cleric, who carries a Jordanian passport, was granted political asylum in Britain in 1993. He has been in jail or under close supervision here since 2002. He faces deportation to Jordan, where authorities convicted him in absentia in 1998 and again in 2000 for involvement in a series of explosions and terror plots.

British authorities believe Abu Qatada inspired the lead Sept. 11 hijacker, Mohamed Atta, and he is suspected of having links with radical groups across Europe. He has been named in a Spanish indictment as ``supreme leader at the European level of the mujahedeen,'' or Islamic fighters.

Eighteen videotapes of Abu Qatada's sermons were found in a Hamburg, Germany apartment used by three of the Sept. 11 hijackers, according to the British government."

All Cultures Are Not Equal - New York Times

Another important statement by David Brooks about how cultures and subcultures are diverging in our world.

TV Ad Attacking Court Nominee Provokes Furor - New York Times

The media war over Roberts' nomination begins! Go here to factcheck.org to see a reasonable analysis of this ad. I think this ad will backfire on the sponsors and they would be wise to pull it. The networks could take the step of refusing it, but that's unlikely.

I just watched the ad and it is despicable. So sad.

By attempting to link Roberts written opinions in a Supreme Court case to an abortion clinic bombing that took place years before with no direct link between the two is the lowest form or political behavior. People aren't stupid. With the furor kicked up over this ad, the TV talking heads will have no choice but to condemn this trash advertising and people will see through it.

NARAL represents the lowest form of advocacy behavior with this TV spot. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Let's Get Real about DSL and Cable Broadband

The double-edge of the FCC's DSL ruling by ZDNet's David Berlind -- One thing we know for sure is that technology mono/duo/polies (aka: technopolies) are really bad for end users. But, in an FCC ruling that could stifle competition in the business of internet service provision, I have mixed feelings. In case you missed it, the FCC ruled to reclassify Digital Subscriber Line service (DSL) as an [...]
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We hear about the U.S. being in 13th ...or is it 16th place...among countries of the world in broadband penetration. Let's not argue about what penetration means, but we never hear whether there are multiple providers of last mile infrastructure or rampant arbitrage in those other countries. Does their policy encourage a monopoly, duopoly or something else??

Let's also realize that DSL is provided almost always on copper wire and cable broadband is provided on a combination of coax and fiber. Meanwhile the telcos are placing fiber closer and closer to the doorstep. DSL will eventually die to be replaced by fiber to the home and all the broadband we could possibly consume.

The telcos and cablecos aren't very adept ISPs, thus it's likely that those companies like Earthlink, AOL, at al that are good at this will be encouraged by the telcos to strike a deal for resold DSL service; however, probably not for broadband access from the cablecos.

The situation, for the time being, is the telcos and the cablecos are the only realistic providers of last mile wireline infrastructure needed by ISPs and consumers alike. That will change as wireless alternatives evolve for this costly element of the network. While that won't take place overnight, it will happen, probably on a schedule similar to fiber deployment by the telcos.

Telco monopoly bashing gets us nowhere. The facts are that all DSL investment and a great deal of the copper and fiber investment has been deployed after the monopoly was broken in 1982... on the same day that IBM's monopoly was broken by the courts.

The telcos have choices as to where and when they deploy DSL capacity, precisely because they are not a monopoly and broadband is not a 'universal service' like POTS.

Regulation is a dying factor for enforcing universality of anything. This is a good thing. The marketplace, equipped with the exploding technology is a far better regulator, unless you happen to choose to live in rural areas that are uneconomic to serve. But it's these same rural areas that were the last to get POTS, too. On the other hand, wireless alternatives will probably be the broadband technology of choice in these areas.

The FCC has done the right thing. The ISPs should be able to purchase DSL access from the telcos at a price very near cost. Will they be able to purchase broadband access from the cablecos. If not, why not?

Daylight-saving change could confuse gadgets | CNET News.com

Here's how the new Daylight Savings Plan will work but who will ever know if we save 100,000 barrels of oil daily for those 30 added days. That's a total of 3 million barrels. Too many moving parts to do any valid calculation after the change is effective.

"Under the bill, Americans in the 48 states that currently observe daylight-saving time (Arizona and Hawaii don't) would move their clocks ahead by an hour starting on the second Sunday of March, rather than the first Sunday of April. They would set clocks back an hour on the first Sunday of November, rather than the last Sunday of October. The changes would take effect beginning one year after the law's enactment or March 1, 2007, whichever date comes later.

The four-week extension could save the equivalent of 100,000 barrels of oil per day in energy use, the House Energy and Commerce committee claims."

The Male Condition - New York Times

A very interesting theory about the cause of autism and the differences in the brain between men and women. We all know there are differences, but we are often reluctant to honestly discuss how those differences manifest.

Willy - A Basset Hound Wooliedog

Willy - A Basset Hound Wooliedog
Originally uploaded by Wooliedales.

One of my favorite Woolies that Carol has crafted. She's now working on a couple of special order beagles. More of her work can be seen at www.wooliedales.com

U.N. Inquiry Says Oil-for-Food Chief Accepted Kickbacks - New York Times

The U.N. Iraq oil for food program was a den of corruption operated by thieves at high levels lining their own pockets. Where are the companies who were paying bribes? Will they be exposed as the crooks they are? If not already underway, house cleaning is in order.

Google's Chief Is Googled, to the Company's Displeasure - New York Times

If this is true, Google has taken extreme, unwarranted actions. I'll bet there's more behind this story. Will have to find out what CNET is saying.

The Virtues of Virtue - New York Times

David Brooks accentuates the positive trends in American society. When the data he has assembled are reviewed in aggregate, he makes his case. Unfortunately, this conclusion is contrary to what many in society want us to believe.

Peru judge orders arrest of 23 GE executives

Lawyers love this nonsense!

Threat to Divest Is Church Tool in Israeli Fight - New York Times

The mainline Protestant churches should not be doing this. They have overstepped their bounds and deserve condemnation for this outrageous act. This foolishness demonstrates one reason why I have lost respect for the traditional denominations. This move by the Presbyterians is clearly anti-Israel and should be condemned in the strongest terms. For example, they have singled out Caterpillar Corporation because their heavy equipment is used by Israelis to destroy Palestinian buildings associated with terrorists. Aren't Caterpillar bulldozers used in reconstruction efforts by Palestinians? I am outraged!

"The Presbyterian Church U.S.A. is in the forefront of a campaign now spreading to other mainline Protestant churches to use corporate divestment as a tactic in the Middle East conflict, a tactic that is roiling relations with Jewish groups.

The Episcopal Church U.S.A., the United Church of Christ, two regions of the United Methodist Church, as well as international groups like the World Council of Churches and the Anglican Consultative Council have all urged consideration of divestment or economic pressure in recent months, though the tone and emphasis of each resolution varies. The Disciples of Christ passed a resolution last month calling on Israel to tear down the barrier it has built to wall off the occupied territories, and other churches are considering similar resolutions."

Caterpillar has it right:

"The company released a statement saying: "For the past four years, activists have wrongly included Caterpillar in a publicity campaign aimed at advancing their much larger political agendas. Over that same period of time we've repeatedly evaluated our position, as have our shareholders, and determined that while the protests occasionally succeed in getting headlines, they neither change the facts nor our position.""

Employers in U.S. Add 207,000 Jobs to July Payrolls - New York Times

And government tax revenue has increased and the U.S. budget deficit is less than predicted earlier this year. Who says tax cuts aren't good for the economy is the Republican mantra? From the political standpoint, we have a situation where the economic policies of the Bush administration have proven to be positive. Of course, there are the naysayers with their honed analyses to show the news isn't really good after all. Good economic news is bad news for the Democrats who typically rail against 'tax cuts for the wealthy.' Anyone with half a brain knows that is nothing more than political rhetoric. I note they are generally silent recently about the positive economic news. Instead, the extreme Democrats would rather try to derail Judge Roberts' nomination to the Supreme Court.

However, remember that the economy and markets have their own dynamism and government tax and spending policies, whether Republican or Democrat inspired, can only tweak the economy because it is influenced by so many other factors. We must not be quick to attribute economic success or failure to one party or the other. Instead, let's all cheer Alan Greenspan for his efforts. After all, he is more powerful in fiscal matters than any President.

PCWorld.com - FCC Halts DSL-Sharing by Telcos

The FCC has done the right thing to begin leveling the playing field between telcos and cable companies. Like it or not, the companies that own the infrastructure must be on reasonably equal footing with respect to regulation. All providers buying common carrier services wholesale and repackaging or selling retail are engaging in arbitrage, a long term loser in the broadband world.

America is better served with an oligopoly in broadband infrastructure. The telcos, cable companies and various wireless options will be sufficient for consumers.

The Times provides a more comprehensive perspective on the decision. As usual, the consumer advocates bleat about the decision as bad news for consumers. In my opinion, they are out to lunch...as usual. The world has changed, but they haven't.

My old friend at Verizon from Vermont is also quoted:

'Susanne A. Guyer, a senior vice president of Verizon, said the decision "will help accelerate deployment of broadband networks, enabling greater choice and increased access for consumers."'

Afghanistan Agrees To Accept Detainees

The essential element in all this is that radical Islamists who are known terrorists that have been captured must not be allowed to go free to ply their murderous trade.

"'The way that we've looked at it is that in waging the war against al Qaeda and the Taliban, we will continue to capture enemy fighters and need to prevent them from returning to the battlefield,' Waxman said. 'But it need not be the U.S. who detains them for the long term.'"

The Message Thing - New York Times

Wallis has some good advice for the Democrats. Unfortunately, Howard Dean is unlikely to listen.

"Because the Republicans, with the help of the religious right, have captured the language of values and religion (narrowly conceived as only abortion and gay marriage), the Democrats have also been asking how to "take back the faith." But that means far more than throwing a few Bible verses into policy discussions, offering candidates some good lines from famous hymns, or teaching them how to clap at the right times in black churches. Democrats need to focus on the content of religious convictions and the values that underlie them."

"The discussion that shapes our political future should be one about moral values, but the questions to ask are these: Whose values? Which values? And how broadly and deeply will our political values be defined? Democrats must offer new ideas and a fresh agenda, rather than linguistic strategies to sell an old set of ideologies and interest group demands."

"Until Democrats are willing to be honest about the need for new social policy and compelling political vision, they will never get the message right. Find the vision first, and the language will follow."

DRUDGE REPORT FLASH 2005 NYTimes Investigating Roberts Adoption

If true, this is despicable.

Vermont State Capitol

Vermont State Capitol in Montpelier on a quiet gray Sunday morning in August.

Special briefing: How radical Islamists see the world | csmonitor.com

A keen, dispassionate analysis of the origins of the radical Islamic movement. The future dilemma for Muslims, it seems to me, will be the friction between Sunni and Shia Islam.

Trading Cricket for Jihad - New York Times

Brooks has it right once more. Understanding that, for the most part, the terrorists are bred within an educated group of intelligent, Muslim radicals is a far cry from the earlier reasons we were encouraged to accept. These radical Islamists are not the product of the poor, backward Muslim societies. They have embraced a cause that rails against the modern world. Whatever the reason, They must be eliminated.

"In other words, the conflict between the jihadists and the West is a conflict within the modern, globalized world. The extremists are the sort of utopian rebels modern societies have long produced.

In his book 'Globalized Islam,' the French scholar Olivier Roy points out that today's jihadists have a lot in common with the left-wing extremists of the 1930's and 1960's. Ideologically, Islamic neofundamentalism occupies the same militant space that was once occupied by Marxism. It draws the same sorts of recruits (educated second-generation immigrants, for example), uses some of the same symbols and vilifies some of the same enemies (imperialism and capitalism)."

President Makes It Clear: Phrase Is 'War on Terror' - New York Times

The President is right. We must be on offense and use all possible means to defeat those who use terrorism as a means to an end. The fight is a war to be fought with conventional and unconventional means.

"Mr. Bush made a nod to the criticism that 'war on terror' was a misleading phrase in the sense that the enemy is not terrorism, but those who used it to achieve their goals. In doing so, he used the word 'war,' as he did at least 13 other times in his 47-minute speech, most of which was about domestic policy.

'Make no mistake about it, this is a war against people who profess an ideology, and they use terror as a means to achieve their objectives,' he said."

Al Qaeda video warns Brits of more attacks - Yahoo! News

Can there be any doubt who are enemies are and why they must be eradicated? All possible means must be used to keep nukes out of their hands because they will use them. I believe that is what they are referring to here:

'"What you have seen in New York, Washington and
Afghanistan, are only the initial losses and if you (United States) continue the same hostile policies you will see what will make you forget those horrors," he said in reference to the Sept. 11 attacks.'

What's the difference between e.g. and i.e.?

Tips on how to remember the difference between these oft misused abbreviations.

When Apple's store meets historic district | CNET News.com

So now we know!

"'The concept of 'shop till you drop' started in this area,' said Jack Taylor, president of the Drive to Protect the Ladies' Mile Historic District. 'All these great buildings, all this great shopping, engendered a feeling of street safety. And because it was so popular, that made it safe for women to go shopping unaccompanied by men for the first time.'"<em>

RED HERRING | The Pentagon?s Chatter Box

If they can pull this off, I'll be very surprised and overjoyed. Of course, we may never know if the project is successful or not, will we?

FCC to change DSL rules | News.blog | CNET News.com

The Telcos were monopolies as a matter of public policy. Tax dollars were not spent on telco capital investment. Technology has changed the whole environment.

Hate 'BIG' if you must, but the facts are that only a handful of companies have access to the capital to build large scale physical networks. Arbitrage (the term used to describe the purchase and resale of services) is a losing strategy long term. Only companies that own and continue to invest in substantial physical infrastructure will be able to compete and provide the services we want.

The FCC is right to make the ground rules consistent for the real players.

Top 10 buzzwords - CNET.com

With every era comes new language or new meanings for common words. Here's the list to date from the Internet age.

Congress flips a big switch | csmonitor.com

This repeal of PUHCA will open the door to a rush of M&A activity for electric utilities which may have mixed blessings. I wouldn't hold my breath for lower electricity rates, although they might be lower "than they otherwise would be."

The interesting thing here s that Congress actually repealed a law!

Images: The long and short of broadband speeds | CNET News.com

Nice summary of broadband speeds and prices from the major U.S. providers.