Really all I need in an '08 candidate is 1) an person that will flow the Constitution and a the laws of the United States 2) hires staff and desires a culture of competence, not loyalty in the government.
Eight, even four years ago I didn't think it s was a lot to ask for, but as we have found out the ability to do your job in the upper levels of the federal government does not matter.
Political Hiring in Justice Division Probed - washingtonpost.comBush's signing statement spreeLetters Show Deep Value Giuliani Puts on LoyaltyKilling Habeas CorpusIs
Ron Paul the answer?
The 50 Who Matter Now - Agile Software Development (33) - Business 2.0Why it matters: It started as a rebellion against overwrought, Dilbert-style software development projects. Today the set of practices known as agile software development is reshaping the way coders and entrepreneurs create Web-based services.
Agile teams work very quickly -- sometimes in as little as a week -- to create small chunks of code. Once a component is finished, additional features are added, with the process repeating indefinitely. Agile also has a reputation for enabling managers to deliver products on time and under budget, which helps explain why it has become a methodology of choice at companies like Google and Lockheed Martin.
You're damn right. Agile is gaining some notiriety. Now if I can only get my bosses to notice I could make some progress. Any way, get your tickets for Agile 2007 in D.C. I'm going.
An excellent observation
A Slate article about how corporate culture is still rooted in Benedictine traditions. But the thing I noticed was his commentary on how Britain and America bet on roads and France bet on trains.
Years ago, the French made a bet on railways and went about building high-speed lines across France. They have won the argument: Britain and the United States look backward by comparison. The transportation legacy of Margaret Thatcher was miles of new roads and nothing but more traffic and pollution. Her wish on her first day in office in 1979 was to bring harmony where there was discord. On London streets and on British highways, you can now come across drivers who not only look as if they want to kill you, they drive as if they are trying to kill you.
Beautiful Weekend
What a terrific weekend on Lake Okabena in Worthington, MN. I took a few photos and posted them on Flickr. Dan Norman was the official photographer of the event since 2005, more photos should go up on
danorm.com soon.
Visit the regatta's web page at
worthingtonwindsurfing.com.
Taking Action, etc.
Saving Trees Is Music to Guitar Makers’ Ears - New York TimesDo SOMETHING: Go to the
Forest Stewardship Council, make a donation, get educated and help put pressure on the companies that won't join, by buying products from companies that have joined.
See how you can make a difference as a musician with the
Musicwood Coalition.
Election JunkI could not stand to watch the Republican Debate. Just as I'll guess that most Republicans didn't watch the Democratic Party debate. I hope the Republican Party fields a good candidate that will produce good debates. One of the debate topics will be universal health care, the NY Times has a good article on it to day,
check it out.
Architecture NoteBehind the Glass Wall: Philip Johnson's Glass House. The NY Times has a story about Johnson and his "Modernist masterpiece". I really like the house, much more than the IDS Center in Minneapolis he designed.
Buy your own soccer club (in England)
More news (warning: questionable stats ahead)
Scores Rise Since 'No Child' SignedThe Washington Post lead with a story of elementary test scores across the country have risen since President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act. The story doesn't reference any of the data that is used to make these conclusions. Hopefully more details will come out of the hearing tomorrow by the House subcommittee on elementary and secondary education.
U commits library to Google SearchThe University of Minnesota and other Big Ten school have opened up their libraries to Google's book indexing project. In the project the U will open its many volumes to Google to be scanned and indexed. The project is a part of Google's mission to organize and index the world's data for easy access. The project will cost the U nothing (but a library card).
Today's Take
2008 Political Futures — Slate Slate outlines the political futures markets including the Iowa Electronic Markets. The markets allow people to bet on who will win the parties nominations and which party will win the general election.
Another lesson from PBSPBS had an awesome 3 episode series on the Arts and Crafts movement called
Craft in America. It outlines the origins of the craft movement out of the Industrial Revolution and profiles some of the artists continuing the traditions.
I typically don't post any quotes, but here is a great one I heard the other day. From
Chuck Close, painter; "Inspiration is for amateurs; the rest of just show up and go to work."
That it from Des Moines, IA.
The main facade at dusk
A local doctor and amateur photographer paid for lighting of the Cathedral of St. Paul for the 100th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone.
Many local photographers were out for the event. The local camera clubs sent out an emails for the event. Many people came just to see the cathedral's main facade lit for the first time. Typically just a few lights in the bell tower and on the dome are lit.
for more photos see:
http://flickr.com/photos/danflies/
Let the bloging begin
I'm succumbing to the pressure of the early presidential race. Not that we have all learned from our mistakes over the last decade, lets not elect any more idiots. Now I believe that the president is really an idiot, but it seems like it at times.
Here is today's first glimpse:
Slate on Sen. Fred ThompsonBut wouldn't Fred Thompson the aphorist look at a guy like Fred Thompson the presidential candidate and say: "What's he ever done? Before he runs a country shouldn't he at least run a coffee shop?"
