Category: News

from zmag, 17 December 2009: “The 2010 Winter Olympics are coming to Vancouver. For some folks that’s reason to celebrate but for most of us out here on Canada’s Left Coast it’s a disaster. The contemporary Olympic movement has strayed catastrophically from its origins and is now a monumentally arrogant corporate greed fest, intent on smarmy spectacle and maximum profit generation. More than that, the Olympics are a blunt neo-liberal force for transforming cities, going end-around on civic democracy and remaking public space as hyper-securitized surveillance zones…” more

Filed under: Budget, Minivan/Van, Performance, Toyota, First Drive, Luxury

The Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan minivans revolutionized family transportation when they were introduced back in 1983. Nevermind that Volkswagon had been selling people-friendly vans for decades, it was Chrysler’s “magic wagons” that came to define the minivan for Americans. With decent car-based road manners, easy-access sliding doors and clever packaging, minivans quickly replaced the station wagon as our favored Wally World-bound chariots. Minivan sales peaked at more than 1 million sales in 2002, but the following year, customers discovered something else: The SUV.

Overnight, minivans and their drivers turned into punchlines – an emblem for those who’d given up on driving excitement. Despite the traditional minivan’s utility, drivability and fuel efficiency, the masses flocked to Hummers and GMC Denalis, but the SUV’s reign was short-lived. Skyrocketing fuel prices have made family-friendly crossovers the new hot commodity, but Toyota – even with its line of competent CUVs – hadn’t given up on the minivan just yet. In fact, Toyota predicts that the minivan market will grow by 30 percent over the next few years (to about 600,000 units), as young families and empty-nesters once again discover the inherent merits of a car-based box with sliders. But while minivans are no doubt practical, they’re far from cool.

The 2011 Toyota Sienna was designed to challenge that assumption.

Patterned after the F3R concept, the new Sienna apes the Honda Odyssey‘s square shoulders but grafts on a Venza-like nose and tail. There’s something for everyone with five different trim levels, two different engines, front- or all-wheel drive, and even a sport-tuned SE edition. Yep, Toyota thinks the world is ready for a sporty minivan. They recently invited us down to sample their new range of people movers, and we spent a day driving them up and down the coast, along freeways and around neighborhoods, and even down one of Southern California’s famed canyon roads, all in an effort to prove that the minivan is ready to be thrust back to the top.

Photos by Frank Filipponio / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Toyota Sienna tries to make the minivan cool

First Drive: 2011 Toyota Sienna tries to make the minivan cool originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The 163rd Reconnaissance Wing of the California Air National Guard recently received
three Block 15 MQ-1 Predators, making it the first ANG unit to receive the brand new
aircraft…

U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program biathletes 1st Lt. Jennifer Wygant and Sgt.
Jesse Downs of the Vermont National Guard had impressive performances at the U.S.
Biathlon World Team Trials on Dec. 12-13 here at Mount Itasca…

The National Guard’s standing armories – iconic centers of stone and brick where
the nation’s Citizen-Soldiers muster to defend state and nation – are weathering
a storm of change, officials here said this week…

A new program will offer ‘gray area’ reservists the opportunity to purchase
TRICARE health care coverage…

An Air National Guard MQ-1 Predator pilot marked the beginning of a new era Dec. 12
as the first unmanned aircraft pilot from a reserve component to graduate from the
Air Force Weapons Instructor Course at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School
here…

Holiday messages from NGB leadership…

Woodbine Capital is a hedge fund firm founded by two ex-Soros Fund Management players Josh Berkowitz and Marcel Kasumovich, as well as three other partners. George Soros‘ former executives launched their new fund in January with only $185 million and they already have $2.5 billion in assets under management. They have reached their initial target AUM and as such have stopped accepting new investments as of November 3rd. As of the end of October they were up 13.07% for the year. They employ a global macro strategy ala Soros Fund Management as they seek to play various trends by trading in all kinds of markets.

We recently got a glimpse as to what themes they will be watching going forward in their October letter to investors. Woodbine has made three main adjustments to their portfolio:

1. “The global housing theme is removed.”
2. “Deeper emerging market demand/credit and fiscal consolidation are reduced to marker positions.”
3. “Bullish fixed income exposure is raised in our themes of policy cooperation and exit strategies.”

Read the whole story at Market Folly –>

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Goldman: Trading Corporate Buybacks Will Make A Killing In 2010
• Banks Are Going To "Kitchen Sink" Q4 To Make 2010 Look Good
• Gold "Super Spike" Coming In 2010

360 Cities, a network of photographers around the world creating immersive panoramas of various interesting locations, boasts to have put together the largest image of this kind in the world, a stunning 18-Gigapixel 360 image of the Czech capital Prague. The previous record was a 13-Gigapixel image of Harlem, New York, shot in 2007. The image, or rather series of images, was shot from a TV tower in Prague and the online tool set up to explore it enables you to explore the city and zoom in to see the details.

“360Cities.net, home of the most extensive collection of interactive, spherical panoramic images on the web, announced today it has released the largest known spherical panoramic photograph in the world,” 360 Cities announced in a statement.

“The record-setting photograph was created from 600 individual exposures stitched together into a single image measuring 192,000 pixels in width by 96,000 pixels in height, or 18.4 billion pixels altogether. When printed, it will be sixteen meters (54 ft.) long at standard photographic quality. Not only is the subject matter of this new panorama arguably more picturesque than the previous record-holder, the road to its creation is one that has spanned continents.”

The finished product is more than impressive, but … (read more)

If you’ve been around a little while you’ll see that I’m a big fan of the Simon’s Cat series of animated shorts on Youtube. Artist Simon Tofield draws simple line drawings of his cat doing everything from playing with his desk lamp, playing with a fly, wanting dinner, waking Simon up, and coming inside, and animates them.

The newest one is part of its own little series titled Snow Business, Part One.

In it, Simon’s cat heads outside and discovers his first snow fall. After an “altercation” with a bird (I didn’t say it was all true to life!), the short video ends and we’re told we get the rest after the new year.

Which Simon’s Cat video is your favorite?

Post from: Blisstree

Simon’s Cat in “Snow Business”

After purportedly exhausting every possible alternative, or least deliberating long enough to appear as though they had, General Motors has opted to kill off their long-suffering Swedish subsidiary, Saab. Although many blogs/any amateur with access to WordPress claim to feel sadness and shock, those industry professionals familiar with The General’s megalomaniac business principles are merely surprised it didn’t happen sooner. While hefty government funding may have made GM more attractive to investors, whatever strings are now attached to all of its transactions have proven toxic to literally every potential sale GM has had in que.

Of course, assuming responsibility for their mounting failures is at odds with their personal philosophy, which means the presser was brimming with ambiguous corporate buzzwords. “Despite the best efforts of all involved, it has become very clear that the due diligence required to complete this complex transaction could not be executed in a reasonable time. In order to maintain operations, Saab needed a quick resolution,” said GM Europe President Nick Reilly. “We regret that we were not able to complete this transaction with Spyker Cars. We will work closely with the Saab organization to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner. This is not a bankruptcy or forced liquidation process. Consequently, we expect Saab to satisfy debts including supplier payments, and to wind down production and the distribution channel in an orderly manner while looking after our customers.”

Rest in peace, always-wanted-to-be-but-never-quite-was Volvo.

Source: GM
Image Cred: Reuters Pictures

The latest on the allegedly seized Iraqi oil well is that Iraq is denying  the reports.

ABC Australia: A senior Iraqi officials has denied reports that Iranian troops had crossed into Iraqi territory and briefly occupied a remote oilfield area.

Security sources in southeastern Maysan province, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Iranian troops made their way onto the Fakka oilfield area, on the Iraqi side of the border, then withdrew after several hours.

Iraq’s deputy interior minister, Ahmed Ali al-Khafaji, says no incursion took place.

“This news in not true. This field is disputed and now it is neglected by both sides,” he said.

Read the whole thing >>

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Obama Won’t Stop Iran From Getting Nukes, Harvard Simulation Shows
• Iranian Forces Cross Border And Seize Iraqi Oil Wells
• Why Stresses To The Global Economy Will Push Oil To $40

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin

As if your average, run-of-the-mill Aston Martin wasn’t special enough, the folks that regularly rifle around in 007’s garage have now put together a pair of limited editions of their DBS and V12 Vantage sports coupes. As you might guess by the Carbon Black name, the special versions have decidedly noir paint schemes. The metallic black finish is formulated to flip around depending on how the light hits it, giving a different look at different times. Applying the new finish will require 50 hours of handwork per car, and as you might expect, those labor rates don’t come cheap. Oh, and on the Vantage, the strake in the fender vent is also fabricated out of carbon fiber for an extra special touch.

The midnight theme continues on the inside, where the cabon-fiber-and-Kevlar seats are covered in Obsidian black leather with silver stitching. Other model-specific items include anodized black tread plates, “carbon themed” door sill garnishes, and the dashboard and center console trims are finished in piano black. Given the number of border-line econoboxes using piano black these days, we think it might have been nice for Aston to have considered something different for that last element. If this bothers you, no doubt Aston would do something more unique for a “nominal” fee. It’s not all pure appearance however – the new chairs save 37 pounds.

Aston Martin dealers are taking orders now, but the final price won’t be set until early 2010. Aston also hasn’t said how limited these editions will be, so you might want to hurry and get your deposit in.

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Heart of Darkness: Aston Martin introduces limited-edition Carbon Black DBS and Vantage

Heart of Darkness: Aston Martin introduces limited-edition Carbon Black DBS and Vantage originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comscore continues to release a fascinating insight into the American smartphone market. The latest news to slip from their $5000 report into the region shows in that in less than 3 months, in terms of intention to buy, Apple’s iPhone dropped a whole 1% from 21 to 20%.

In August 21% of potential US smartphone buyers surveyed wanted to buy an iPhone. When the survey was repeated in November only 20% wanted the iconic device.  While the drop is small it is highly significant for the device that many predicted would take over the smartphone world and displace all others and certainly not the direction Apple would want it to go.  The reasons are unclear, but certainly shows Apple’s mindshare lead is far from unassailable.

More unwelcome news for money-losing Palm is that only 2% of respondents were interested in getting their JavaScript based webOS devices, the same as the 3.5mm headphone-jack less AT&T Tilt (2 presumable, but who knows). This likely explains why the company’s shipments are 5% down on the previous quarter, and they were only able to sell through 573 000 of their 783,000 shipment, despite launching overseas as supposedly the most anticipated device ever.

The challenge for Windows Mobile is obviously to raise the profile of their devices, but clearly ads with creepy women is not the way to go.

Each week the Noise will guide
desperate, deep-thinking owners into the dark corners of the waiver wire to
mine a last-minute diamond. Turn on your helmet light and pack a pickaxe. We’re
digging for drop-jaw surprises owned in fewer than 10 percent or started in
five percent or less of Yahoo! Plus leagues. (NOTE: Owners with teams still alive this time each year are generally blessed with several useful options. Due to this, we’re loosening the rules to accomodate the fortunate. Call it a kinder, gentler Shocker.) 

Joshua Cribbs(notes) is a textbook chameleon.

He doesn’t possess zygodactylous feet, stereoscopic eyes, an
elastic tongue or the ability to change color, but he’s a highly adaptable player who can alter styles and blend into various situations with
ease. Despite his unique set of skills, the Browns’ most dangerous weapon,
started in fewer than 30 percent of Yahoo! Plus leagues, is still largely
camouflaged. 

That all could change this week.

Primarily employed as a Wildcat gimmick and occasionally as
a receiver, Cribbs is undergoing a transformation. With Jamal Lewis’(notes) career
finished and Eric Mangini’s job in jeopardy, the barkless Chihuahuas have entered an experimental phase.
Young, unproven players and well-rounded veterans have been provided opportunities
to see how they will be utilized, if at all, next season. Cribbs, who is one of
the league’s supreme special teamers, has finally received the chance to
showcase his exceptional talents at an unusual position, running back. Mangini
said earlier this week he will "continue to explore" ways to hand
Cribbs the football. Cleveland’s
MVP is confident the switch will be smooth. From the AP:

"I feel like that’s one of my
abilities," he said. "My position is running back. I was a running
back, back in the day. The wildcat is me at running back. It’s a straight
handoff. It’s not like we’re trying to fool you with the quarterback being in
the mix. I’m getting the ball and I’m running it.

"Try to stop me."

While enrolled at Kent State,
Cribbs played quarterback. As a Golden Flash he set school records in just above every
major passing category. He is also the only player in NCAA history to lead his
team in both rushing and passing in four consecutive seasons. It’s not uncommon
for athletic collegiate passers to transition into a different position at the
NFL level. Anquan Boldin(notes), Drew Bennett(notes) and Antwaan Randle El(notes) did so with much
success. But sliding into a physically demanding spot five years into your
professional career is unheard of. Either Mangini has completely lost his
marbles or Cribbs is that special. The former may hold some weight, but the
latter is unmistakably true.

At 6-foot-1, 215-pounds, the shape-shifter is a thickly-built
player with enough strength, stamina and athleticism to handle a rigorous
workload. He’s displayed noticeable elusiveness, power and amazing vision operating
primarily out of the Wildcat. Running behind a decent, not extraordinary,
offensive line, he’s averaged an insane 7.3 yards per carry, far and away the
highest mark among rushers with at least 125 rushing yards.

The fantasy masses witnessed Cribbs’ potential first-hand
last week against one of the league’s stingiest run defenses. In a game with a
throwback feel, the 26-year-old channeled Jim Brown, rushing for 87 yards on
just eight carries versus Pittsburgh
(Highlights here). His eye-opening performance once again proved he’s the best
kept secret in football, fantasy or reality.

This week in Kansas
City, the Cribbs experiment at RB will likely undergo a trial run. Lab rats will don Chiefs red.
Since Week 9, KC has surrendered 5.0 yards per carry, 196.6 total yards per
game and nine scores to rushers, equal to the second-most points allowed.
Assuming Cribbs accumulates at least 10-12 touches, he should post excellent
numbers, especially if deployed as a WR3 in 12-team and deeper standard
formats.

With an expanded workload, this week the Chameleon could be
the color of money.

Week 15 Fearless
Forecast: 11 rushes, 91 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 9 receiving yards, 1
touchdown, 16 fantasy points

For those that prefer animated pictures over words, here’s more Cribbs propaganda. (WARNING: Playing the follwing video at high volume could attract canines, shatter eardrums, break glass…)

SILENCE THE NOISE
CHALLENGE

Each week one lucky aspiring fantasy prognosticator is
chosen to go toe-to-toe against the Noise. If you want to be a guest
"expert" submit your Week 16 flames, lames (1 QB, 3 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE
for each, 16 total) and shocker special (one player at any position) along with
a valid email address and your location here
no later than 7 PM central time on Thursday. Oh, and please, no long
dissertations to justify your picks. All that’s required are your player
selections and projections. Winners earn a league spot to compete against yours
truly next season. Good luck!

Week 15 contestant: Adam in Cleveland, OH

Flames:
QB: Matt Hasselbeck(notes), Sea, 21-26, 226 yards, 3:0 td:int, 15% started
RB: Knowshon Moreno(notes), Den, 21 carries, 113 yards, 1 td, 56%
RB: Laurence Maroney(notes), NE, 15 carries, 64 yards, 1 td, 49%
RB: Tim Hightower(notes), Ari, 12 carries, 58 yards, 1 td, 40%
WR: Mike Sims-Walker(notes), Jac, 5 catches, 68 yards, 1 td, 34%
WR: Steve Breaston(notes), Ari, 5 catches, 90 yards, 1 td, 23%
WR: Kevin Walter(notes), Hou, 6 catches, 77 yards, 1 td, 22%
TE: Jeremy Shockey(notes), NO, 5 catches, 66 yards, 1 td, 47%

Lames:
QB: Aaron Rodgers(notes), 20-33, 190 yards, 1:2 td:int, 86%
RB: Matt Forte(notes), Chi, 16 carries, 46 yards, 10 receiving yards, 0 tds, 63%
RB: Brandon Jacobs(notes), NYG, 15 carries, 72 yards, 0 tds, 63%
RB: LaDainian Tomlinson(notes), SD, 20 carries, 52 yards, 0 tds, 80%
WR: Brandon Marshall(notes), Den, 6 catches, 69 yards, 0 tds, 91%
WR: Calvin Johnson(notes), Det, 3 catches, 33 yards, 0 tds, 75%
WR: Santonio Holmes(notes), Pit, 5 catches, 52 yards, 0 tds, 73%
TE: Brent Celek(notes), Phi, 3 catches, 31 yards, 67%

Shocker Special: Malcom Floyd(notes), SD,
4 catches 47 yards, 1 td, 2%

Week 14 results: Kevin from Soldotna, Alaska

Flames (3-6): W –
(Quinton Ganther(notes), Ahmad Bradshaw(notes), Fred Davis(notes)); L – (Alex Smith, Chester Taylor(notes), Devery
Henderson(notes), Kevin Walter, Eddie Royal(notes), Josh Morgan(notes))

Lames (3-4): W –
(DeAngelo Williams(notes), Calvin Johnson, Heath Miller(notes)); L – (Tony Romo(notes), Joseph
Addai(notes), Cedric Benson(notes), Sidney Rice(notes)); (DNP – Devin Hester(notes)).

Noisers Season:
Flames (42-76, 35.6%), Lames (53-48, 52.5%)

Winners: Matthew
in Colden, NY, Micah in Shelbyville, TN, Brian in Colorado Springs, Sean from
South Brunswick, NJ, Alan from Ithaca, Matt from Washington

—

Image courtesy of AP

Phen375 is “a unique new product which burns fat and suppresses appetite” (website). Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence to back up these claims. Further, there are just too many questionable schemes and hidden information associated with this product. This Phen375 review will shed light on the truth about Phen375.

Phen375 Ingredients

1,3-Dimethypentylamine Hydrochloride is supposed to help blood flow.
1,3,7-Trimethylxanthine is caffeine, which has been shown to cause weight loss. Unfortunately, Phen375 fails to list how much Trimethylxanthine it contains.
Sympathomimetic Amine
Dehydroepiandrosterone has been shown to cause very small amounts of weight loss. Again, Phen375 does not list how much Dehydroepiandrosterone it contains.
L-carnitine may help with weight loss, but there hasn’t been any conclusive evidence yet.

Phen375 does contain some proven diet pill ingredients. However, they fail to list how much of each ingredient is included. Therefore, this Phen375 review finds there is no way to determine if this product will work unless you try it. And, with the ridiculous requirements and fees associated with returning Phen375, I wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole.

Phen375 Cost

Phen375 diet pills cost $69.95 for a 30 day supply. This Phen375 review finds this is WAY too much to pay for this product. There is no reason to believe it will actually cause weight loss. There are many effective diet pills that cost far less; go with something you know will work.

Phen375 Return Policy

Of the hundreds of diet pills I have reviewed, Phen375 has one of the worst return policies (if not the very worst). They do allow you 45 days to return the product. However, you are subject to $45 a package inspection fee and a 18% restocking fee, which leaves you with $12.36 to be refunded. In addition, there are several ridiculous requirements to get a refund. The Phen375 website explains, “The guarantee requires that you have a certified statement. This can be obtained at your local pharmacy or doctor’s office. We have to establish your beginning weight and you’re ending weight the offer to be valid offer. You must complete, mark and weigh yourself each day using the Diet Plan that can be down loaded. Must be kept up to date and used daily.”

Phen375 Affiliate Program

Like many other sketchy diet pills, Phen375 offers an Affiliate Program. Basically this means for everyone you get to buy Phen375 you supposedly earn 30-35% commission. Seems pretty good, huh? Well, if you really want to try to get your friends and family to buy into a product that doesn’t work and uses shady techniques, go for it. For those of us who want to keep our friends there is probably a better way to earn a buck.

Phen375 Conclusion

This Phen375 review finds there is no reason to buy this product. There is no reason to believe it will cause weight loss. It is way too expensive and the return policy is impossible to follow. Save yourself some money, hassle, and time by going with a diet pill that includes proven ingredients and is forthcoming about how much of each ingredient is included.