Daily Life in China

A photo slide show of Daily Life in China from the web site of Boston.com:

China: daily life

Each day, wire service photographers from around the world file photos to their member papers that fall under the category of "daily life." ...They are ordinary, random moments captured around a city or in the countryside and they give us just a glimpse of something in that particular place that we might not ordinarily be able to experience. The images in this post are by photographers from the Associated Press based in China. Again, they contain very little caption information and are intended to provide a small window into another culture perhaps far from our own yet reflecting elements of universality. (Note: These images were collected over the first three months of 2011.) -- Paula Nelson. (34 photos total)

From the New York Times:

Environmental Cost of China's Growth

When the Chinese government tried to calculate a national "Green G.D.P.," the formula showed the soaring economy in a more sober light. (Remember G.D.P. stands for Gross National Product, the total amount of goods and services produced by a nation's economy in one year.) This report is about China's attempt to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility.

The video report can be watched here. It is mostly interviews with experts, but very informative.

WA Legislature Finally Agrees on Painful Budget Cuts

We all knew it was going to be ugly, but now we've got the details. As of this writing, the House has already passed it, and the Senate should take action soon. You can read the ugly details in the Seattle Times which include less money for schools, teachers, administrators, the poor who rely on state medical programs, and college students who will probably face steep tuition increases.

Good times.

A few of the budget highlights from the Times Article:

$356 million in pay cuts, including a 1.9 percent cut for teachers and 3 percent for state workers.

$535 million cut from colleges and universities, partially offset with tuition increases.

$344 million saved by ending cost-of-living increases for certain state pension recipients.

$1.2 billion saved by suspending two education-related initiatives.

$130 million saved by reducing enrollment in the state Basic Health Plan.

$116 million saved by eliminating Disability Lifeline grants and replacing them with an essential needs and housing program.

$215 million cut to funding that reduced K-4 class sizes.

New $30 annual vehicle fee to visit state parks and other state recreational lands.

Osama bin Laden Dead - a short bio

From CBS News:

Don't Let Ignorant People Vote?

That was the suggestion from a recent opinion piece by CNN contributor LZ Granderson:.

"We all know people who gleefully admit they know nothing about politics, don't have time to find out what the current issues are or even know how the government works, but go out and vote. Want to know why it seems Washington is run by a bunch of idiots? Blame this hiccup in our political system for starters. What's a solution? Weed out some of the ignorant by making people who want to vote first pass a test modeled on the one given to those who want to become citizens."

The full essay can be read online; here he reads and reacts to some of the letters his essay generated:

Continued Violence in Libya and Syria

From NBC News:

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More Embarassing Details on Guantanamo Bay Prison

From The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC:

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Series of big quakes mean more on the way?

Reprinted from the Seattle Times of Saturday, April 17:

First came 2004's killer quake and tsunami off Sumatra. Then a year ago, Chile was rocked almost as hard. Now Japan is reeling from its biggest quake in recorded history. The juxtaposition of three of the world's most powerful earthquakes within a span of seven years has some scientists asking the question: Are we in an age of megaquakes? Entire article here.

France's Burqua Ban Goes Into Effect

Is the Libya Mission Really Limited?

Did Obama sugarcoat what is really a more aggressive operation to overthrow the Qaddafi?

NewsHour Extra: News for Students | March 29, 2011 | PBS

NewsHour Extra: Political and Social Unrest Escalates to Violence in Middle East | March 29, 2011 | PBS:

What is the Exit Plan for Libya?

Gadhafi's Exit Remains Central to U.S., Coalition Strategy in Libya: "

Listen to the Audio

"

Obama's Speech on Libya Highlights pt 1

From CBS News

Obama Speech on Libya Highlights - pt 2

From CBS News

Obama Speech on Libya Highlights - Pt 3

From CBS News

CNN - Unions in the Crosshairs

Video from CNN

Airstrikes on Libyan Government Forces Continue

From the NewsHour on PBS

Watch the full episode. See more PBS NewsHour.

Hearings on Radicalization of Muslim Americans

I'm with Congressman Keith Ellison on this one - what do you think? BTW, it was uncovered today, that Congressman Peter King, the chairman of this committee that is calling for these hearings supported the IRA in the 1980's!

Ghadhafi continues the fight; exaggerates his victories

The warring in Libya continues to create tragedy, most of the violence seems to be provoked by Qaddafi's supporters. The following clip is from Anderson Cooper 360 weighs the claims by him.
Which of his claims appear to be false?

CNN doing special reports on modern slavery

CNN is doing a series on modern slavery in today's world.

Below is a segment that aired this week on forced labor (slavery) in India:

Gadhafi's Insanity Continues for Another Day

I hope the international community can muster the cooperation necessary to rid the Libyan people of this man soon.

Who is Moammar Gadhafi?

In my opinion, one of the worst leaders in the world, and he has shown this week that he is willing to slaughter Libyan civilians to keep control of the nation. He gave a really ugly speech early in the week calling on his supporters to attack the protesters. I don't see how he gets out of this mess alive, but how many people will he take down with him in the process.

It seems that if he wasn't mad decades ago, he certainly gone completely mad at this point.

A short profile from PBS:

The New Egypt

From NBC News:

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Egypt Protests - Day 17

One of the young leaders of the protest movement had been jailed and released and has begun to get attention from the media. Wael Ghonim, has emerged as an engaging spokesperson for a group, according to the New York Times that includes about 15 other leaders of the so-called youth movement. A video of ____________ and the NY Times has a video of an interview with another protest leader.

In the meanwhile the Mubarak regime is threatening a more violent crackdown, and the Egyptian Vice-President is making a lot of statements that the U.S. and many protesters are interpreting as signs that they are not serious about reforming the political system and making meaningful changes to Egypt's constitution.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Pro and Anti Mubarak Protests

From PBS NewsHour

Clashes Today in Egypt

From the New York Times:

MIllions March, Mubarak Says He Will Not Run Again

It isn't everything the Egyptian protesters want, but after a meeting with a chief U.S. diplomat, Hosni Mubarak, President of Egypt since 1981, has promised not to run in the Presidential election that will take place in late 2011.

This is a good report from PBS, I think the images in the last three minutes or so of the street protesters is something amazing to watch.

Way to Tick Mom Off, Dude....

This sort of parenting, I think we can all agree, is a bit extreme.

In Egypt, Who Does the U.S. Support?

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks on CNN:

Protests in Egypt

A short CNN report dealing with the events of the weekend, and what might happen next:

Colbert's Nazi-Ometer

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Nazi-ometer
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog</a> Video Archive

$10 Million Dollar Settlement Reached

In the case of the plain clothes police officer shoving this guy and injuring him for life. Details at the Seattle Times website.

State of the Union Preview

To be delivered tonight at 6:00 p.m PST.

Protests in Tunisia

The President/Dictator has been overthrown, but the people want more change.

A step toward reforming our criminal justice system

Sometimes ideas that sound good at first, can have a lot of troublesome unintended consequences. Such is the case with our "Three Strikes and You're Out" law.

Local News | Seattle lawmaker's bill would soften '3 strikes' | Seattle Times Newspaper

Disaster averted at MLK event in Spokane?

It is still early in the investigation on this one...

Local News | Backpack bomb found at MLK event rattles Spokane | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Gregoire: Lawmakers need to be 'bold' | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Gregoire: Lawmakers need to be 'bold' | Seattle Times Newspaper: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Federal judge upholds Wash. top 2 primary system | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Federal judge upholds Wash. top 2 primary system | Seattle Times Newspaper:

The Shooter

From NBC's Today Show:

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Rhetoric Tangled Up with Tragedy

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911 Tapes Capture Horror of Shooting

From NBC News

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Update on Congresswoman Giffords

Brain Trauma & Surgical procedures explained on CBS News

Editorials | Seattle police should welcome federal civil-rights probe | Seattle Times Newspaper

Editorials | Seattle police should welcome federal civil-rights probe | Seattle Times Newspaper

Update on the "lame-duck" Congress

Ah, Congress, let's see what you've been up to:

Nation & World | Add-ons turn tax cut bill into 'Christmas tree' | Seattle Times Newspaper

Unfinished Business - Handy interactive about what is happening with the major bills being considered in the "lame-duck" session of Congress.

A chair and a photo stand in for Liu Xiaobo at Nobel peace prize ceremony

A chair and a photo stand in for Liu Xiaobo at Nobel peace prize ceremony | World news | The Guardian

Clinton Gets Comfortable At White House Podium

Clinton Gets Comfortable At White House Podium

President Obama enlisted the support of Bill Clinton to sell his tax-cut deal Friday. After meeting for two hours, the two presidents spoke to the press in the White House briefing room. It was supposed to be brief, but after 10 minutes Obama excused himself. His predecessor carried on for another 20 minutes. Guy Raz talks with NPR's Don Gonyea, who watched the briefing.

Jobless benefits end for 2 million

Well, it's come to things like this. The Republicans and conservatives in Congress are blocking an extension of unemployment insurance for those that have been out of work more than 99 weeks. Opponents of extending benefits say they don't want to add to the deficit, it will create severe hardships for many (1st article) and could hurt the overall economy as well.

It seems to me that Congress is failing to do what is needed at this difficult economic time.

Holidays about survival as jobless benefits end

Cutting back unemployment benefits would hurt the economy, too