Author: Serkadis

Response to letter on Olympia’s means

In letter writer Jerry Oaksmith’s response to state Sen. Rosa Franklin’s thoughts on a state income tax [“Make more, spend more,” Opinion, Northwest Voices, Dec. 16], he ends by saying, “we need Olympia to live within the means we vote to give them.”

As a matter of act, Olympia is living within its means, which is why so many things are being slashed from the budget. Revenue from our state tax on retail sales — the topic of this discussion — has fallen significantly in the past fiscal year.

In the 2007 fiscal year it was $7.4 billion, in 2008 it was $7.7 billion, but for 2009 it had dropped to $6.9 billion, a 9-percent decrease.

This drop is a result of a failing economy, and with that economic change comes a significant increase in the need for state services, services we voted the state provide.

— Duane Wright, Seattle

Reinstating the car-tab tax

In “Washington state’s regressive tax system needs an overhaul” [Opinion, guest commentary, Dec. 14], state Sen. Rosa Franklin has it right.

Unfortunately, however, to many of Washington’s elected officials and many of our state’s voters, even discussion of a state income tax is anathema, though for different reasons: elected officials because they fear facing angry voters in their next election campaign, and for taxpaying voters because of fear that a state income tax will be an additional, and not a phased-in, replacement tax.

I would like to suggest a simple, quick-fix solution to the additional $2.8 billion shortfall in the state’s budget: reinstituting the car-tab tax based on the value of one’s car, historically one of the state’s most progressive taxes.

As Times readers may recall, Initiative 695’s elimination of the car-tab tax in 1999 immediately blew a yearly $2 billion hole in the state’s budget, a now $20 billion hole one could argue we are still struggling to fill.

At the time, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled Initiative 695 unconstitutional on a technicality, and yet then-Gov. Gary Locke decided to follow the will of the people and did not reinstitute the car-tab tax.

Yet people continue to want government to provide services the state does not have the resources to pay for.

People lived with the car-tab tax, and will get used to living with it again. The state desperately needs the revenue to pay for education, basic health insurance, infrastructure and so much more.

— Marvin Stern, Seattle

Hip hip, hurrah for state Sen. Rosa Franklin

Three cheers for state Sen. Rosa Franklin’s commentary arguing for a state income tax, with reductions to sales and property taxes.

It’s a disgrace that we have the most regressive system in the U.S., with the poorest paying much more of their income than the rich, who pay a pittance. Franklin deserves kudos for continuing to submit this bill to the Legislature.

Additionally, such a tax should be steeply graduated. The rich can afford to pay a high percentage of their income in taxes like they did in the 1960s, and they have a social responsibility to support the services many others so desperately need.

The cynical argument that income taxes on the wealthy and corporate taxes kill jobs is hogwash. While the fat cats amass more money than they can figure out profitable places to invest, any extra funds working and poor people get to keep, go right back into the goods and services that grow the economy.

The legislative majority’s decisions to cut essential services like the Basic Health Plan and slash state employee jobs hurt not only real people in need, but public health, welfare and the economy.

— Megan Cornish, Seattle

Thanks, but no thanks

Thanks, but no thanks, Sen. Rosa Franklin. We already have a state sales tax that is too high. The addition of a state income tax will only mean that there will be a huge increase in income to the state, for them to spend as they wish.

If a state income tax were to be proposed, it would have to be an amendment to the state constitution. Does anyone think that those in power will fix the income tax percentage in the amendment?

I think not.

To do so would fix their hands, and bar future increases in the percentages, without the consent of the people.

Former Gov. Mike Lowry became a one-term governor over his promise of “give me a 4 percent income tax and I’ll reduce the sales tax to 4 percent.” The people of Washington aren’t that stupid.

The promise of one person in government is meaningless. Yeah, reduce the sales tax to 4 percent. When the overall revenue generated by the sales tax drops even one penny, a crisis will force the rate back up to where it was before, or higher.

The people have to live within their individual means, why can’t the state. No one that I know gets 10-percent pay raises each year, so why should the state be allowed to spend as much as they want?

— Charles Lund, Shoreline

Review: 2009 MTM Audi A3 Sportback is a singular sport (with) utility

There’s no doubt that $55,000 is a lot of coin to spend on an upgraded Audi A3. But considering the time, expense and DMV heroics required to import an S3 into the States, the MTM Sportback could be a performance bargain for four-ring aficionados.

VIDEO: Noble M600 attempts to kill Clarkson, embarasses Enzo

No climate control. No sat-nav. No ABS. No ESP. What the Noble M600 lacks in luxury and safety amenities it makes up for in raw, mechanical brutality. And when Clarkson and the Stig test it out, the results are predictably deranged.

Ford believes it can get premium dollars for Fiesta… what do you think?

The Mini Cooper proved that Americans are willing to pay for an up-market sub-compact. But are consumers willing to do the same for the Fiesta? Ford thinks so.

Also of interest:

• 2011 Toyota Sienna pricing announced, starts at $24,260; sporty SE $30,550
• BMW Z4 GT3 coming in 2010 with M3 powerplant
• SYNC FTW: Ford adding mobile internet compatibility to USB ports
• Ex-Microsoft CFO Chris Liddell named CFO of General Motors
• BMW ActiveHybrid 5 concept could debut in Geneva?

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 12.21.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tommy Silverstein isn’t fighting to convince anyone that he’s an innocent man who should be set free. He’s admitted to the murder of two fellow inmates and a guard, and knows his sentence will keep him in prison until 2095 — that is, if he lives to be well past 100. He did the crime, and he’s doing the time. All he wants is a little human contact.

No, I’m not talking conjugal visits. Silverstein has spent more than the last two decades under a “no human contact” order, completely isolated from other inmates and given the silent treatment by the rare guards he does see. That’s why he’s suing the Bureau of Prisons under the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition of the use of cruel and unusual punishment.

The United States has used solitary confinement to attempt to mentally break down prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. Waterboarding might be flashier, but American POWs insist that extended isolation is just as, well, torturous. Senator John McCain, himself a former POW subjected to torture, said in a New Yorker piece, “It crushes your spirit and weakens your resistance more effectively than any other form of mistreatment.” Human beings aren’t made to survive without any social contact. The weight of separation destroys the mind, and I mean that literally — studies have found that solitary confinement does the same damage to the brain as a serious head injury.

(more…)

On December 18, 2009, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals reversed David Riley’s capital murder conviction and remanded his case for a new trial because the trial court allowed his jury to consider highly prejudicial evidence in an illegal manner.

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Filed under: Etc., UK, Celebrities, Humor

Season 14 of Top Gear is nearly finished, and some fans are singing “The Thrill is Gone” where before the tune had been “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.” The creators have heard the complaints and producer Andy Wilman doesn’t disagree that something is different this time around.

While Wilman’s not in league with Internet whiners lamenting about how the show feels overly scripted, he does acknowledge the complaints while stating unequivocally “it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to do anything about them.” The overly-scripted feel isn’t on-purpose, says Wilman, and while he does acknowledge that things have changed, there have been flashes of the simple formula that’s gotten TG to its current stature of greatness. The refusal to submit to any Internet pressure isn’t arrogance, says Wilman, “we’re not wedding DJs taking requests.”

If you don’t like everything, Wilman posits, then the creators of what many call the best car show ever haven’t stopped trying. It may not all work all the time, but they’re not going to give up trying things, right up to the end. When does it end? It’s been rumored that this is the final season. Of course, it was rumored that Season 13 was the end, too. “This incarnation of Top Gear is nearer the end than the beginning,” says the producer, but clearly the team isn’t ready to hang it up just yet.

[Source: TopGear.com]

Not digging Top Gear this season? Read this. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earlier this year, Apple finally agreed to strong pressure from the major record labels to introduce variable pricing on iTunes — which officially would make some popular songs $1.29 and (in theory) also offer older, back catalog songs for $0.69. In reality, it’s pretty difficult to find any of those $0.69 songs. However, as a musician, which would you prefer? Well, as Shocklee alerts us, most musicians might not see any of that additional fee (that report is a little misleading, though, in that it suggests — incorrectly — that all songs were driven up to $1.29). I have to admit that I’m a bit surprised by this, and wonder if it’s really accurate. The telling quote in the article is this one:

“Artists receive fixed residuals for music sales based on individual contracts via their respective record companies,” says Max Clingerman, a music executive for MixJam Records who explains “the staggering price increases are not for the artist interest, rather intended for executive pockets.”

While I’m sure the intention was very much for exec pockets, I was under the impression that most major label contracts included royalty rates based on retail price. And while most signed musicians never recoup their advance, and thus never see any royalties whatsoever (no matter what the price), I do wonder if it’s really true that musicians don’t get a larger cut of higher priced digital sales (at least in the fictional accounting systems the labels use).

Of course, the larger point made by the article is almost certainly true. In increasing the price to $1.29, the demand for such songs has been driven down significantly, leading people to look for alternative sources for the same music.

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The Sony Bravia XBR10/ZX5 was a rather interesting play that just couldn’t really gain any traction in the TV market. This unique Bravia was offered at 46″ and 52″ sizes at very high prices, but offered a super thin profile, wireless 1080P capability and a LED edge-lit LCD. The picture quality was great in my observations but I knew the price would turn people off. However, one cannot ignore that this was perhaps a product ahead of its time and a true marvel in Sony engineering. In these photos from Sony Japan, we can see the black and white ZX5 (that’s what they call the XBR10 in Japan) in various poses and settings. Check out all of the high resolution XBR10/ZX5 pictures at our Picasa Gallery – make once you’ve clicked on a picture that you hit the download link within to see the full resolution.

New show from Spaceflight Now: This Week in Space 
New blog from NPR: 13.7: Cosmos and Culture
Red Orbit: Antifreeze molecule found in Alaska beetle
‘Nova’ on PBS: ‘The Last Great Ape’ …(read more)

If you’re hosting a holiday family gathering later this week, you’re likely already thinking of ways to make your home more inviting. I’m no fan of artificial air fresheners, especially since there’s a natural and perfectly dreamy way to add scent: simmering pot recipes!

One of the best things about simmering good smells on the stove is that you probably don’t have to make a special trip to crowded stores to make it work. Most likely, you already have the tools you need to simmer some good smells on the stove. Plus, the added moisture in the air can be very welcome during the winter when the heater tends to reduce humidity in your home.

Simmering scents in a pot may not be as carefree as plugging in an air freshener, but with a little caution, you can make it work. Fill a pot with water and items like cinnamon sticks, cloves and apple peels. Let it simmer gently and re-check the water levels periodically (around twice an hour). Of course, this method won’t work if you’re not home as you shouldn’t leave the stove unattended.

In addition to cinnamon sticks (my favorite) and cloves, other items to use in simmering pot recipes include anise, nutmeg, rosemary, lavender and peels from fruit. Visit Tipnut for 13 Simmering Pot Recipes. Tipnut also recommends refrigerating leftover simmers for reuse up to one week.

Other smell-good tips

• If you want your clothes dryer (and clothes) to smell naturally nice as well, try putting some essential oil drops on a cloth and adding that to the dryer with a load of laundry.
• Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet and allow to sit before vacuuming.
• Eliminate smells from pet accidents by cleaning the area with vinegar. The vinegar smell dissipates, but if it bothers you when applying, there’s a simple way to tone it down. Add two or three drops of essential oil and some water to vinegar in a spray bottle. I’ve never had a problem with the essential oil damaging carpet, especially since it’s so diluted, but you may wish to test a small area of carpet first.

How do you freshen the air in your home?

(Image via stock.xchng)

Post from: Blisstree

Add Natural Simmering Scent to the Holidays

There are many types of batteries. Primary (disposable) batteries (such as dry-cell and button batteries) are used once and discarded. Secondary (rechargeable) batteries (which include lithium-ion varieties) can be recharged and used repeatedly. Solar cells represent yet another type of battery. Conventionally, button batteries contain mercury to prevent the generation of hydrogen gas. However, the use of mercury is not without risks. The improper use or disposal of mercury-based batteries carries adverse risks for both the environment and human health. Yet, developing technology necessary to create mercury-free button batteries was an extremely difficult challenge. Sony’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact is a reflection of its unrelenting efforts to meet that challenge, and in 2004 it succeeded in developing the world’s first mercury-free silver oxide battery. In 2009, Sony achieved what was regarded as an even more difficult task: the development of technology leading to the world’s first mercury-free alkaline button battery.

Both silver oxide and alkaline batteries (which are the two main types of button batteries) have zinc anodes and an alkaline solution as the electrolyte. Even when the battery is not in use, the zinc in the anode is dissolved by a corrosive reaction with the electrolyte. This reaction also produces hydrogen gas. If hydrogen gas is allowed to build up inside the battery, the resulting internal pressure could cause the battery to swell and leak. Dry-cell batteries are generally large enough to have sufficient space for mechanical measures to deal with this hydrogen gas such as the provision of a safety valve. However, button batteries are simply too small to support such mechanical solutions and even minute amounts of hydrogen gas can cause swelling and leakage.

Mercury is widely known for its potential threat to the environment and human health. Such risks can result when improper disposal leads to mercury entering the food chain. Unfortunately, prior to technological advances, conventional button battery manufacturers had no alternative to mercury as a means to curb the build-up of hydrogen gas resulting from the corrosive reaction between mercury and zinc.

The European Battery Directive, which came into effect in 2008, strictly limits the use of mercury in batteries. Because of technical barriers to the development of mercury-free button batteries, button batteries were treated as a special case. As a result, manufacturers are still allowed to use mercury in limited amounts (less than 2%).

The development of mercury-free silver oxide batteries was announced by Sony in 2004. These batteries were created by developing three core technologies to increase the ability of the zinc to resist corrosion. These innovations dramatically reduced the amount of hydrogen gas produced.

1. Ten-fold improvement in corrosion resistance through use of high-performance zinc alloy in the anode
2. Doubling of corrosion resistance by adding anti-corrosion material to anode
3. Anti-corrosion treatment of collector to prevent electrolyte leakage and reduce zinc corrosion

Sony succeeded in developing a mercury-free battery by using these three unique technologies to achieve a dramatic reduction in hydrogen gas production. Sony also took advantage of the properties of the silver oxide used in the cathode, including its ability to absorb hydrogen gas. This means that even if hydrogen gas is produced, it will simply be absorbed by the silver oxide, making the new battery at least as safe as conventional batteries containing mercury.

The development of a mercury-free alkaline button battery was an even greater challenge, and was initially regarded as impossible in practical terms. Unlike silver oxide batteries, alkaline button batteries contain no substances capable of absorbing hydrogen gas. However, alkaline button batteries are cheaper than silver oxide batteries. Because they are widely used in portable consumer electronics products such as game consoles, toys and other items, they are frequently handled by both adults and children. As Sony began to develop a mercury-free alkaline button battery, its first priority was to ensure safety.

In a silver oxide battery, any hydrogen gas produced is absorbed by the silver oxide. Sony engineers believed it would be possible to develop a safe, mercury-free alkaline button battery if they could find the proper material to perform the same role. This led to intensive research and development efforts focusing on materials with a high capacity to absorb hydrogen gas. By adding a hydrogen-absorbing material to the cathode, and combining this with the three unique technologies developed for the mercury-free silver oxide battery, Sony succeeded in commercializing a mercury-free alkaline button battery that matched or surpassed batteries containing mercury in terms of both safety and performance.

Sony sells around 300 million alkaline button batteries and silver oxide batteries each year. The development of mercury-free batteries has the potential to reduce the amount of mercury used each year in these two types of batteries by approximately 470kg, or enough to fill approximately 68 clear plastic 500ml beverage bottles. Sony is dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint via ongoing technological advances. Sony is also dedicated to eliminating all hazardous substances throughout the company’s various processes.

In a related note, check out this interview with Masatsugu Shiota, one of the engineers involved with the mercury-free battery effort.

Japan, Asia | Giant Buddhas

Although a large image of the Buddha has been located in Takaoka since at least 1221, the particular giant Buddha itself has been replaced many times. In 1745, a priest at the Gokurakuji temple carved a Great Buddha out of wood and painted it gold, but this particular Daibutsu was destined to burn, and then the next one burned, and the next one, and in 1900, a great fire completely destroyed the last wooden Daibutsu in Takaoka.

Construction on this current copper rendition began in 1907 and was completed in 1933. Built by Matsuki Sozaemon and local coppersmiths, the current statue took nearly 30 years to complete. Numerous repairs and renovations have been undertaken since its completion, and it seems the upkeep of the Takaoka Daibutsu is a continual struggle, but then, at least copper can’t burn.

I could have sworn we wrote about this case earlier, but I’m searching around and can’t find the post. It involves Daniel Moore, a painter and fan of the University of Alabama’s football team. Given both those things, he’s been painting portraits of some of the team’s biggest achievements. Now, you might think that any normal person (or university) would be thrilled that its fans had taken things to the level of painting artistic portraits of the team’s greatest moments. What a wonderful statement. Not the University of Alabama, however. It sued Moore for infringement. And while a court found that there’s no trademark infringement if no Alabama logos are shown in the paintings, it also said that, even as such, he was barred from selling merchandise (like calendars) based on his paintings. Robert Ring points out that Moore is appealing the ruling, pointing out (reasonably) that if the paintings themselves don’t infringe, it seems pretty damn hard to see why merchandise based on those same non-infringing painting would be barred. I’m even confused why there’s an issue if the paintings had included Alabama logos. By that logic, any photographs that include a team logo would potentially be infringing as well, which makes no sense. But the biggest issue is why this is even an issue at all. The University should be thrilled that someone is helping promote their team the way Daniel Moore is.

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Filed under: Etc., Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Lexus

Let’s all agree that the Lexus LF-A is an uncommonly passionate manifestation of Lexus’s relentless pursuit. The buzz that’s been generated just by show coverage and reviews have made advertising largely unnecessary, but Lexus has gone and created a spot for its supercar anyway. The music for the commercial is apparently by O.N.O, but it doesn’t matter, all you’ll be digging on is the shriek of that V10 and a few snow-laden powerslides. Hit the jump to see for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: JDM Lexus LFA commercial hits the tubes

VIDEO: JDM Lexus LFA commercial hits the tubes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yelp turned down a $550 million-plus-earnouts acquisition offer from Google because Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman is hot to try the IPO market, a source close to the company tells us.

Our first reaction to this news was disbelief.

Why would Yelp’s investors allow Jeremy to turn down a $550 million deal when the company’s revenues are only in the tens of millions of dollars?

But our source tells us investors are the ones most opposed to selling.

Separately, we’ve also heard Microsoft took Yelp’s temperature and found it cold.

Heads up! A Google deal could still happen. Yelp and its investors may be playing hard to get hoping to drive Google’s price yet higher. Certainly, we’ve all seen that the company is willing to shell out big cash when it needs to. (See: $750 million for AdMob.)

Don’t miss: Yelp’s Rejection Of Google Heralds A Massive IPO Boom

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See Also:

• Yelp’s Rejection Of Google Heralds A Massive IPO Boom
• Yelp Turns Down The $500 Million Google Deal
• Yelp CEO Confesses: Yes We Throw Wild Parties All The Time