Are Google And The White House Getting Too Cozy?

Since the start of the year, two senior Google (NSDQ: GOOG) executives have joined the Obama administration?and CEO Eric Schmidt has been appointed to the president's advisory board on science and technology. Concerned in part over the company's growing influence, two consumer groups are publicly opposing the appointment of a third Google executive to the White House. In a letter to the president dated Wednesday, Consumer Watchdog and the Center for Digital Democracy call for Obama not to move forward with the appointment of Google public policy chief Andrew McLaughlin as the nation's deputy chief technology officer. "Given ... your commitment to a new standard for ethics in government, it would be a mistake to put Google's top global policy person in a key leadership position with critical technology decisions for the federal government," they write. The two groups note that in his post at Google McLaughlin lobbied on behalf of the company and that Obama has signed an executive order with the intent of limiting the role of former lobbyists in the White House.

The groups emphasize that they are not opposed to McLaughlin's appointment solely because of his ties to Google, noting that "it would be just as inappropriate for a lobbyist from Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT), Yahoo (NSDQ: YHOO) or any similar technology company to be appointed Deputy Chief Technology Officer." However, the letter mentions two antitrust investigations the Justice Department has launched against Google as well as the already prominent presence of other Google executives in the Obama administration. Worth noting, however, that the Justice Department launched those investigations?in addition to a third one revealed Wednesday?despite those ties. The Obama administration has not actually announced McLaughlin's appointment. Google, however, has confirmed that he is indeed leaving.

source : www.washingtonpost.com

Read more

Monty Stratton - Major League Baseball pitcher

Monte Franklin Pierce Stratton (May 21, 1912 - September 29, 1982), nicknamed "Gander", was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He was born in Celeste, Texas, USA. Stratton played five years with the Chicago White Sox (1934-38), compiling a career 36-23 record with 196 strikeouts and a 3.71 ERA in 487.1 innings. His major league career ended prematurely when a hunting accident in 1938 forced doctors to amputate his right leg.

A 6-foot-5-inch right-hander, Stratton made his debut with the White Sox on June 2, 1934. He became a starter in 1937, winning 15 games with a 2.40 ERA and five shutouts, and made the American League All-Star squad. The following season, he also won 15 and completed 17 of his 22 starts.

On November 27, 1938, Stratton was hunting rabbits on his family farm when he fell, accidentally discharging a holstered pistol. The bullet struck his right leg, damaging a main artery enough to require amputation. Equipped with a wooden leg, Stratton worked with the White Sox the next two years as a coach and batting practice pitcher. When World War II started, he tried to enlist but was rejected. Then, he organized a semipro baseball team at Greenville, Texas, and constantly practiced coordination on the field.

Throughout the early- and mid-1940s, Stratton attempted to comeback from his injury, pitching in the minors and semi-pro games.His return to baseball was rough sledding because other teams persistently bunted balls out of his reach, but Stratton finally was able to make a successful comeback winning 18 games with the Class-C Sherman Twins of the East Texas League.

His comeback attempt was the subject of the film The Stratton Story (Sam Wood, 1949),which starred Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson, with big-leaguers Gene Bearden, Bill Dickey and Jimmy Dykes in cameo appearances. Stratton died in Greenville, Texas, on September 29, 1982, at the age of 70.

Read more

Obama Cairo Speech: Watch Live Feed Video Steam from Egypt

Obama Address to Muslim World

It is time to watch the Barack Obama Cairo speech on live web feed video streaming. See Obama’s speech to the Muslim world during his Middle East trip, read the full text, hear what we have to say about it and join the conversation. The Obama Cairo speech time is at 6:10 am ET, which is 1:10 pm local time in Cairo, Egypt. See the entire speech below, part of what has been dubbed the Obama “apology tour.”

The so-called “address to the Muslim world” speech at Cairo University is much anticipated around the world. The events leading up it during Obama’s Middle East trip are unprecedented in recent American history.

A month ago, Barack Obama bowed to an unelected Arab leader in deference to his power, a sight that left many veteran political pundits rubbing their eyes. This was quickly followed by Obama invoking his Muslim roots and even labeling the United States one of the great Muslim nations in the world.

The unfortunate rhetoric is naive and may have unintended consequences, namely provoking a war between edgy Israel and Iran. President Obama seems so fixated on “proving” that America is no longer an evil country that he is playing the moral relative game with our nation’s interests.

In his Cairo speech, Obama will (as much) apologize to the Muslim world for the past sins he imagines were committed by prior presidents and our people. He will place western culture on an even footing with Arab cultures, omitting the inconvenient truths that women are generally subjugated in those cultures, gays are ostracized or killed outright, freedom of the press is rare, and elections are usually farcical.

As all of his predecessors have known, western culture really is superior to others in measurable ways. There are reasons that groveling to unelected despots is frowned upon in enlightened, democratic societies. Even liberal blogs are unimpressed with what our president is doing.

Nevertheless, the Obama Cairo speech will go on like a bad dream. You can watch it with us below when the time comes in a live video stream feed.

source : http://www.rightpundits.com/?p=4045

Read more

Air France Flight 447 Status Update

Source: The Post Chronicle

Officials have found metal debris off the coast of Brazil where Flight 447 is believed to have gone down - and they believe the debris may be part of the Airbus 330.

Authorities have not officially confirmed whether the debris belongs to the plane.

Read more

Whitehouse.msnbc.com White House!

Whitehouse.msnbc.com supports the NBC White House special tonight with Brian Williams. Whitehouse.msnbc.com provides White House background to compliment the NBC special Tuesday and Wednesday evening called “INSIDE THE OBAMA WHITE HOUSE: BRIAN WILLIAMS REPORTS”

The special runs June 2 and 3 from 9 to 10 PM in which “Williams to take viewers Behind-the-Scenes for an Insider’s Look at a Day in the Life in the Obama White House”

NBC says the following about the special in a new press statement:

Broadcast to include a One-on-One Interview with Williams of Obama on the Eve of the President’s Trip to the Middle East and Europe

New York, N.Y., May 26, 2009 - On Tuesday and Wednesday, June 2 & 3, 9-10 PM ET, NBC News Anchor and Managing Editor Brian Williams will take viewers “Inside the Obama White House,” for an exclusive, wide-ranging look at what happens throughout the White House and the West Wing during a day in the life of the Obama administration. There will be more than a dozen crews and cameras strategically placed throughout the White House, capturing nearly ever aspect of the day. This unique documentation will consist of behind-the-scenes footage, as well as interviews with key administration players and those who make the West Wing work

For more than forty years, NBC News has made it a tradition to offer viewers a unique vantage point into a new president’s White House with a day-in-the-life program. This seventh installment will be taped on Friday, May 29. On Tuesday, the eve of President Obama’s trip to the Middle East and Europe, Williams will tape a one-on-one interview with the President that will air as part of the broadcast. “Inside the Obama White House” will be shot and broadcast in high definition

“This is one of the greatest traditions in all of broadcast television,” said Williams. “We will show aspects of life in the White House — the Obama White House — that no one on the outside has ever seen before.”

“It is an honor for our news division each and every time we produce a broadcast of this caliber,” said Steve Capus, President, NBC News. “These richly detailed portrayals of the West Wing at work are only possible because seven presidents have placed their faith in the men and women of NBC News to document these important moments in time.”

Information about the special, video blogs, extended interviews, and Web exclusive videos will be available on http://WhiteHouse.msnbc.com. Msnbc.com will also have special slideshows and an interactive of the White House that allows users to take a closer look at the complex and explore some of the historic rooms.

Mark Lukasiewicz is a vice president of NBC News and executive producer of “Inside the Obama White House.” Subrata De is senior producer of “Inside the Obama White House.” Steve Capus is the president of NBC News.

Link : Whitehouse.msnbc.com

Source : lalate.com

Read more

Harvard Racist Test

Racist Test:Harvard Racist Test - The Racist Test aka Harvard’s Implicit Association Test can be found here:
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/research/.
The prestigious university created the test to help you know where your preferences are ,but to be honest it was intended to scientifically determine whether you are racist or not.

source : http://tech.spreadit.org/racist-testharvard-racist-test

Read more

Candace Cameron Bure to Return to TV

Candace Cameron Bure is coming back to TV, though in a ABC Family series, so it's not something that will win her an Emmy. She is best known as D.J. Tanner, the eldest daughter on Full House. She is also the younger sister of actor Kirk Cameron and is married to former Russian ice hockey player Valeri Bure (brother of Pavel Bure).

Candace Cameron Bure's new series is called Make It or Break It. It's described as follows:

“Set amidst the high stakes world of competitive gymnastics, the new ABC Family original series Make It or Break It stars Chelsea Hobbs (Lords of Dogtown), Ayla Kell (CSI: Miami), Josie Loren (“17 Again”), Cassie Scerbo (Bring It On: In It To Win It), Zachary Burr Abel (The Secret Life of the American Teenager), Peri Gilpin (Frasier), Candace Cameron Bure (Full House) and Susan Ward (Sunset Beach).

Gymnastics newcomer Emily Kmetko (Hobbs) has dreams of becoming an Olympic gymnast and, when she receives a scholarship to train at one of the nation’s top gyms, she gets the chance to make her dreams come true. But when she shows up at The Rock gymnastics training center in Colorado, she inadvertently shakes up the gym’s status quo.

Obviously, Candace Cameron Bure is not the star of the series. To be honest, according to IMDB, she ranks about ... well, to be honest, she doesn't even rank in the top 5 in the series, and is stuck in the part of the cast that's ranked alphabetically.

Still, Candace Cameron Bure probably shouldn't be hurting for money, with both her Full House money and her husband's money from hockey (assuming they have spent wisely). Make It or Break It premieres June 22nd on ABC Family.

Read more

Bank of Maharashtra

Public sector Bank of Maharashtra today said it is planning to open about 100 branches across the country, of which 12 branches would be opened in Rajasthan.

Bank of Maharashtra Chairman and Managing Director Allen C A Pereira said the bank would increase the number of branches from 18 to 30 by the end of this fiscal.

“We are planning to open 100 more branches across the country. The bank has 50 licences in hand which would take the total tally to 1475. Rajasthan will get at least 12 of these new branches,” he said.

He said the business of the bank has grown over Rs 87,072 crore as on March 31, 2009. This includes deposits of Rs 52,255 crore and advances of Rs 34,817 crore.

“The business of Jaipur region is Rs 1,164.88 crore rising deposits of Rs 332.86 crore and advances of Rs 832.02 crore. We are targeting a business of Rs 2,000 crore by this fiscal with special focus on SMEs and retail customers,” Pereira said.

The net profit of the bank in this fiscal stood at Rs 375.17 crore, up 14.24 per cent.

Read more

University of Madras announces admission for MA, MSc, M Com, M Phil, PG Diploma, Diploma and Self supportive programmes

UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS
(Established under the Act of Incorporation XXVII of 1857 – Madras University Act 1923)
(State University)

Website @ unom.ac.in

Advt.No.CBCS/Admn.Notn./2009-10/G2.AD.302

ADMISSION NOTIFICATION (2009-2010)

Applications are invited for admission to the following

M.Phil., Master’s, P.G. Diploma, Diploma and Certificate Programmes

under CHOICE BASED CREDIT SYSTEM(CBCS)

in the University Departments of Study and Research for the year 2009-2010.

Master’s programmes

M.A. Programmes:
Ancient History and Archaeology, Historical Studies, Anthropology,
Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration, Continuing Education Management, Sociology, Corporate Sociology, Defence and Strategic Studies, Public Affairs, Public Administration (Tamil Medium), Public Management, Political Science, Indian Economics, Econometrics, Journalism & Communication, . Indian Philosophy, Comparative Religion and Philosophy with Specialization in Saiva Siddhanta Studies, Comparative Religion and Philosophy with Specialization in Vaishnava Studies, Comparative Religion and Philosophy with Specialization in Christian Studies,
Comparative Religion and Philosophy with Specialization in Jainalogy Studies, Islamic Studies, Indian Music, Folk Music, Rhythmology, English, French, French-Translation, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil Literature and Culture, Tamil Studies, Applied Linguistics, Telugu, Arabic, Urdu, Sanskrit, Applied Sanskrit,

M.Com.
Trade and Services, M.B.A. (Regular), M.C.A.(Regular only), M.L in International Law and Organisation, M.L. in Constitutional and Legal Order, M.Ed. (General),

M.Sc. Programmes:
Cyber Forensics and Information Security,Library & Information Science, HRD Psychology (Regular), Mathematics (Regular), Statistics, Applied Geography, Spatial Information Technology, Geology, Applied Geology, Environmental Sciences. Ocean Science & Technology, Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Biophysics, Physics, Electronics Science, Advanced Biochemistry, Biotechnology (Regular), Applied Plant Science, Industrial Microbiology, Zoology (Special), Medical Biochemistry, Biomedical Genetics, Medical Microbiology (Three years), Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacology (Three years), Anatomy (Three years ), Physiology (Three years), M.Sc.Photonics and Bio- Photonics, M.Sc./M.Tech. Nano Science and Nano Technology.

Self-Supportive Programmes:-
M.A. Bharathanatyam, M.Sc. Electronic Media, M.Sc. HRD Psychology, M. Sc. Mathematics, M.Sc. Actuarial Science, M. Sc. Bio-informatics, M. Sc. Biotechnology, M. Sc. Molecular Biology, M.Sc. Computer Science, M.S. Neuroscience, M.B.A.,

Five Year Integrated Programmes
M.A. Anthropology, M.A. Post Modern Development Administration, MA. French Studies, M.Sc. Life Sciences.

M. Phil. Programmes
Ancient History and Archaeology, Historical Studies, Education, Continuing Education
Management, Defence and Strategic Studies, Public Affairs, Public Administration, South and Southeast Asian Studies, Economics, Applied Economics, Development Economics, Communication (FT & PT), Philosophy, Vaishnavism, Christian Studies, Indian Music, English, French, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil Literature, Tamil Studies, Computational Linguistics, Telugu (FT & PT), Arabic, Urdu, Sanskrit, Applied Sanskrit, Psychology, Mathematics, Computer Science, Geology, Applied Geology, Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Theoretical Physics, Nuclear Physics, Scientific Instrumentation, Biochemistry, Botany, Zoology, Endocrinology, Environmental Toxicology.

P.G. Diploma Programmes
Parent Counseling (for School Principals and Teachers), Higher Education (for College Teachers) (add-on programme), Ambedkar Thoughts, Extension and Development Administration, Ethics and Biotechnology, Ethics and Human Resource Management (add-on programme), Saiva Siddhanta (add-on programme), Yoga Therapy (PT), Taxonomy of Algae (add-on programme), Taxonomy of Fungi (add-on programme).

Diploma Programmes
Travel and Tourism Management (SS), yoga, Manuscriptology and Editing, Folkloristics and Mass Media, Malayalam, Arabic, Urdu, Telugu, Kannada, Manuscriptology (PT), French, German, Italian, Korean, Spanish, Cyber Crime Information Security .

ADMISSION PROCEDURE:
For MBA & MCA Programmes selection will be made based on the marks obtained in the Tamil Nadu Common EntranceTest (TANCET) conducted by the Anna University on behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu, following the Community-wise reservation as stipulated by the Government.

The candidates from other States except SC/ST candidates, will be considered under General Turn.

Therefore, the candidates (including other State candidates) who aspire for admission to MBA & MCAin the University of Madras shall appear for the Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET) to be conducted on 30.05.2009.

Those who are appearing for University Final year Examinations in April/May 2009, may also apply for
TANCET 2009 for admission to the MBA & MCA Programmes in the University departments 15% supernumerary seats are available for MBA(Regular)and MCA programme for the Foreign National/NRI having a foreign passport and valid VISA, without Entrance Examination. 15% supernumerary seats are available for MBA Self-supportive for Sponsored candidates. The sponsored candidates also must appear for TANCET. Candidates applying for self-supportive MBA programme should not undertake employment during the course.

DATE OF ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FOR M.PHIL & P.G. PROGRAMMES:

Those who are appearing for University final year examinations in April/May 2009 may also apply for all the programmes. The Entrance Examination will be held from 1st June 2009 onwards. The Heads of the Departments concerned will issue Hall-tickets indicating the place, date and time for Entrance Examination.

Such of those candidates who have not received Hall-tickets in time due to Postal delay etc. have to contact the Head of the department concerned for getting necessary permission to take Entrance Examination.

ISSUE OF APPLICATIONS IN PERSON:
Application and Prospectus can be had in person at the Information Centre, University of Madras, Chennai-600 005 on payment of Rs.200/- (Rs.100/- for SC/ST candidates on production of xerox copy of the community certificate) by cash for all the programmes.

ISSUE OF APPLICATIONS BY POST:
Those who want to obtain Application and Prospectus by Post have to send a written requisition
specifying the name of the programme together with a Demand Draft for a sum of Rs.250/-(Rs.200/- towards cost of Application and Rs.50/- towards postage) drawn in favour of

” The Registrar, University
of Madras, Chennai-5″

for all the Programmes. Application can also be down loaded from the University website at unom.ac.in. However, the cost of application for Rs.200/- by means of Demand Draft shall be enclosed, failing which the application will be summarily rejected.

COMMENCEMENT OF ISSUE OF APPLICATION FORM : 15.04.2009

Last date for submission of filled-in application form for

(i) P.G./M.Phil. Courses /Self -supportive courses : 25.05.2009

(ii) M.D. and Diploma Courses (Taramani Campus): 30.04.2009

(iii) PG Diploma, Diploma & Certificate courses : 31.07.2009

(iv) M.B.A & M.C.A : with in 7 days from the date of Publication of the results of TANCET

Read more

PTET | PTET 2009 | PTET Results | PTET 2009 Results | Pre Teachers Entrance Test | Pre Teachers Entrance Test 2009 | PTET 2009 Jodhpur

PTET | PTET 2009 | PTET Results | PTET 2009 Results | Pre Teachers Entrance Test | Pre Teachers Entrance Test 2009 | PTET 2009 Jodhpur | www.ptetjnvu.com

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University of Ajmer, Rajasthan is yet to announce Pre Teachers Enterance Test 2009 (PTET) Results.

Once the results are announced by the University, you can check them on

http://www.indiaresults.com/Rajasthan/PTET-2009/default.htm

Read more