aFlickringLight

One People, One World

In our ever globalizing world, news and information is available to those "connected" folks worldwide within seconds. This most recent presidential election proved that technology is what we rely on. And if one things for sure, those that know how to effectively utilize the mediums of technology that interconnect us all can rapidly spread information, gain support, and share information. President Obama realized the importance of social networking in America and around the world. Contrastingly S...

Prospectus

In the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States, an initiative that became known as the Patriot Act saw its creation. Spearheaded by President George W. Bush, the Patriot Act enabled government agencies and agents much looser means of obtaining information and carrying out missions. The FISA courts, clad with concrete walls and windowless rooms deep within guarded government buildings, became the outlet for these actions. Agencies received approval for warrants and ...

Telecoms and the U.S. Intelligence Community

Bare with me as this is a long one. Take it in pieces, take it in strides. What it tells you is of a government program, unethical in nature, that is for the most part, not even followed. The issues at hand are not primarily regarding the FISA courts nor the warrants that they issue for wiretaps. The issue today revolves around one thing - Carnivores. A system implemented by the FBI, Carnivore is designed to - monitor email and electronic communications. It used a customizable packet sniffer...

State Budget Crisis Affects University of California

Continuing my unfortunate trend of reporting on the harsh economic climate we find ourselves in today, I find myself troubled by the lack of resolve over the State of California’s 2009 Fiscal Budget. We are in a state of flux right now, with no budget set and a deficit that is estimated to be at over $40 billion. The State is facing massive cuts, ranging across all departments. Public school systems are being threatened with a dramatic decrease in funding, including higher education instituti...

A New Chapter

January 20th marked the beginning of a new chapter in American history as we moved away from the partisan and war-minded administration of George W. Bush to the more modern and hopeful Barack H. Obama. And, he's the first African American President elected to office, a detail retired General Colin Powell noted following the inaugural address. A southpaw from Illinois, President Obama has already signed Executive Orders and begun the undoings of the last eight years. First to go was the steadf...

MC Yogi says It’s a Brighter Day

"We have chosen Hope." ~President Barack Hussein Obama Change has come to America as former Senator Barack Hussein Obama (D-IL) was sworn in by Chief Justice Roberts just past noon eastern standard time. Festivities filled and packed with supporters and hopefuls, Capitol Hill became the stage for this historic inauguration. The 44th President of the United States Barack Obama represents more than hope, more than change. He is the nation's first African American President. He calls out to the ...

Live as History Happens

CNN’s PhotoSynth

CNN is getting its viewers involved in cataloging a historic moment in American History. On January 20th, viewers will be able to email photos to CNN, which will in turn will import those photos to Microsoft's PhotoSynth application, to render (hopefully) a true to life 3D model of Washington DC as the festivities unfold. At 12pm EST, the Moment will happen. President-Elect Barack Obama will shed the 'elect' from his name as he places his hand on the Bible and takes the presidential oath of offi...

The Auto Industry – Served

Facing increasing pressure from Congress and the American people, the auto industry is having to start cleaning up its act. It has been given a December deadline to regroup and approach Congress with a detailed plan, one that outlines drastic restructuring and operating measures and one that offers some definitive answers to lawmakers how money from a potential bailout package will be spent. Below is a poll from OrangeCountyGasPrices.com on consumer reaction locally to the possible government b...

Relief at the Pumps

Some months ago, two reporters for MarketWatch reported on the way in which oil and gasoline was traded on the open market. Upon investigation, four energy analysts reported back in June of this year to the House Energy and Commerce Committee that the price of retail gasoline could fall by half, to around $2 a gallon, within 30 days of the passage of a law that would limit speculation in energy-futures markets. Fadel Gheit of Oppenheimer & Co. testified that - “Record oil prices are infl...