Tax increase in PG County
In a time when people have less and less money to spend, in a time of excessive forclosures (Prince Georges County is one of the worst areas for foreclosures, by the way), the county is raising property taxes.
Just in case anybody out there cared.
WTOP news clicky
Just in case anybody out there cared.
WTOP news clicky
Speed cameras coming to Maryland
Maryland already has red-light cameras throughout the states, and speed cameras in Montgomery county. According to this WTOP news article, speed cameras are destined for other state areas -- specifically construction zones, school zones, and residential areas. The cameras are targeted against cars going speed limit + 12 mph.
The main argument against these is that they are primarily a money-making scheme. Arguments for them indicate that it's a safety issue, and money made from them will go back into safety programs. (Privacy issues don't really apply -- courts have already rules that you don't have a reasonable expectation to privacy when driving a car).
The main argument against these is that they are primarily a money-making scheme. Arguments for them indicate that it's a safety issue, and money made from them will go back into safety programs. (Privacy issues don't really apply -- courts have already rules that you don't have a reasonable expectation to privacy when driving a car).
Stupid drivers...
It's bad enough when most people feel like it's okay to speed, roll through stop signs, run red lights, tailgate, litter, and weave through traffic.
Today, I'm in the left of a pair of left turn lanes, and my arrow turns green, so I start to go. I slam on the brakes, however, as the idiot in the other left turn lane cuts across my path to make a U-turn. They stopped for a second when they realized I was about to t-bone them. Fortunately I stopped in time, and they zoomed away, probably cursing me, because they probably felt that I should have known they were making an illegal u-turn.
Today, I'm in the left of a pair of left turn lanes, and my arrow turns green, so I start to go. I slam on the brakes, however, as the idiot in the other left turn lane cuts across my path to make a U-turn. They stopped for a second when they realized I was about to t-bone them. Fortunately I stopped in time, and they zoomed away, probably cursing me, because they probably felt that I should have known they were making an illegal u-turn.
EchoStar to buy Sirius/XM???
Sirius/XM stock has skyrocketed today (skyrocket is a relative term here, it's still trading at less than 20 cents per share) on news that EchoStar has been buying up chunks of Sirius/XM's debt. There is speculation in the news that EchoStar may leverage the debt into a takeover bid.
I have to wonder what this will mean to people who have DirecTV. Why? DirecTV includes lots of XM stations. EchoStar owns Dish TV, DirecTV's main competition. See the potential problem?
And I have to wonder how a satellite TV provider will handle satellite radio -- is this a match made in heaven, or a disaster? Will it prompt DirecTV to develop its own satellite radio stations, restarting the entertainment war that led to the merger of Sirius and XM with all of their combined debt?
I have to wonder what this will mean to people who have DirecTV. Why? DirecTV includes lots of XM stations. EchoStar owns Dish TV, DirecTV's main competition. See the potential problem?
And I have to wonder how a satellite TV provider will handle satellite radio -- is this a match made in heaven, or a disaster? Will it prompt DirecTV to develop its own satellite radio stations, restarting the entertainment war that led to the merger of Sirius and XM with all of their combined debt?
Health news!
In today's news, some significant advances in medicine:
First, a possible genetic cure for "bubble boy" disease -- a severe genetic immune system deficiency where pretty much any cold or disease can kill you.
More relevant for most people is that knee repairs are taking a giant step forward: using tissue culture techniques to replace/enhance your damaged knee cartilage with healthy cartilage, grown from your own cells!
Good Morning America news item about this advance.
Also, from Johns Hopkins: a more detailed artible on knee cartilage regeneration.
First, a possible genetic cure for "bubble boy" disease -- a severe genetic immune system deficiency where pretty much any cold or disease can kill you.
More relevant for most people is that knee repairs are taking a giant step forward: using tissue culture techniques to replace/enhance your damaged knee cartilage with healthy cartilage, grown from your own cells!
Good Morning America news item about this advance.
Also, from Johns Hopkins: a more detailed artible on knee cartilage regeneration.
worst coffee ever...
My doctor wants me to cut back on caffeine. Sigh.
So I've been drinking about half my coffee as decaf.
So guess what -- the Starbucks that I frequent no longer brew decaf after 12 noon. WTH?!? You'd think they'd sell more decaf after noon, since many people can't sleep if they have decaf later in the day.
They offered me a decaf Americano in its place, at the same price. For those that don't know, an Americano is a shot of espresso topped off with hot water -- usually very tasty, and usually a little more expensive than regular coffee. However, a venti should have two shots of espresso, not 1, and I think (based on taste) that they only used one shot. It tastes like really watery sludge rather than coffee, and certainly doesn't taste like an Americano.
Sigh.
So I've been drinking about half my coffee as decaf.
So guess what -- the Starbucks that I frequent no longer brew decaf after 12 noon. WTH?!? You'd think they'd sell more decaf after noon, since many people can't sleep if they have decaf later in the day.
They offered me a decaf Americano in its place, at the same price. For those that don't know, an Americano is a shot of espresso topped off with hot water -- usually very tasty, and usually a little more expensive than regular coffee. However, a venti should have two shots of espresso, not 1, and I think (based on taste) that they only used one shot. It tastes like really watery sludge rather than coffee, and certainly doesn't taste like an Americano.
Sigh.
New treatment for MS
In the news today, Merck has been working on a new treatment for MS -- cladribine. It seems to increase the amount of time between relapses. The current question is whether it is safe for chronic use.
WTOP news article clicky
WTOP news article clicky
Two Lumps (online comic)
Have you ever laughed so hard your brains shot out your nose? No? Okay, me neither. But today's Two Lumps was pretty funny.
What the hell is Countrywide thinking?
A foreclosure story that will likely piss you off.
People complain about too much government regulation of industry -- but if we don't regulate industry the greedy get rich and the little guy loses his house. Unfortunately, the government has failed time and again to find the right balance of regulations, or they are focused more on business-oriented lobbying activities rather than protecting the people.
People complain about too much government regulation of industry -- but if we don't regulate industry the greedy get rich and the little guy loses his house. Unfortunately, the government has failed time and again to find the right balance of regulations, or they are focused more on business-oriented lobbying activities rather than protecting the people.
If you have trouble with a scientific abstract...
Today's "Piled Higher and Deeper" comic will help you with your abstract-writing woes.
Fed creates stronger credit card regs
If you feel like credit card companies are screwing the consumer, you'll be happy to know that the government has heard some of your complaints. You may have noticed that your interest rates skyrocket for no apparent reason, you get bizarro fees with little notice, or you only have 2 days to pay your bill once you receive it. The government has created rules for credit card issuers to curb many of these practices, though for some reason the new rules won't take effect until sometime in 2010.
clicky for more information
clicky for more information
Ghostbusters is dated!
Not a comic I always enjoy, but today's was a hoot: GU Comics tells us that Ghostbusters is dated.
Welcome to the world, Allison!
Last night, at 8:04pm, 7-pound 14-ounce Allison came into the world, first daughter of my youngest sister!
Flexible spending account question
My Google-fu is more like Google-fubar this morning. Sigh.
Is it possible to get a flexible spending account (FSA) for health care, other than through your employment? I've Googled this every which way I can, and yet, I keep finding information for employees. Specifically, can this be done if you are retired?
If you don't know what an FSA is, here is a ( brief description of an FSA )
Is it possible to get a flexible spending account (FSA) for health care, other than through your employment? I've Googled this every which way I can, and yet, I keep finding information for employees. Specifically, can this be done if you are retired?
If you don't know what an FSA is, here is a ( brief description of an FSA )
Joustmas?!?
I'm not sure what this game's about (don't want to open it at work), but I suspect it's similar to the old Joust coin-op, but with reindeer!
Give it a try!
(and let me know if it's any good -- I wanna play!)
Give it a try!
(and let me know if it's any good -- I wanna play!)
creative anti-Bush demonstration
According to this WTOP news article, a group of demonstrators outside the White House were throwing shoes at a person wearing a Bush mask. They also had lots of shoes lined up with the names of Iraqis who died as a result of the war.