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2011 July 21 — Why Now?
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He Forgot?

The BBC reports that James Murdoch evidence questioned by former executives

Evidence on phone hacking given to MPs by News International chairman James Murdoch has been called into question by two former executives at the firm.

He told the media committee on Tuesday he had not been “aware” of an email suggesting the practice went wider than a “rogue” News of the World reporter.

But ex-NoW editor Colin Myler and ex-NI legal manager Tom Crone have now said they “did inform” him of the email.

Mr Murdoch later said he “stands by his testimony”.

How can anyone be expected to remember the details surrounding every £600,000 check they sign to settle law suits? 😈

The email indicated that the problems at the News of the World extended beyond a single reporter, but why should James worry about such trifles?

I believe the testimony was given under oath, and surely young James wouldn’t perjure himself?

July 21, 2011   9 Comments

Reciprocity

Do Not Vote For People Who Will Not Vote For You.

If You Do Not Or Can Not Know Which Is The Lesser Of Two Evils, Do Not Vote For Either.

In 2008 many people voted for Barack Obama as the lesser of two evils, and they were wrong. If John McCain had won, we wouldn’t be looking at our second world-wide financial disaster in two years, because the House Democrats would have opposed much of the worse legislation he might have proposed. As it is, they are going along with very un-Democratic legislation because the individual in the White House has a ‘D’ after his name.

For reasons known only to him, Zero has decided to attack Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. He is the one who keeps putting them on the table. After the reaction by voters in special elections, the Republicans backed off their attempt via the Ryan budget plan. They had already used claims of reductions in Medicare to beat up Democrats in the 2010 elections, so they have figured out that this is a very potent force, and they don’t want to get involved with it.

Zero is the one pushing it, and any Democrat who supports him on this will lose the support of most Democratic voters. The way Zero is structuring the “deal” on raising the debt ceiling, the Republicans are going to end up as the defenders of the Social Security system, and Democratic Congresscritters will be unelectable.

The Democratic Party can cut Zero loose, or go down to defeat with him in 2012.

July 21, 2011   Comments Off on Reciprocity

Stage 18

Tour de FrancePinerolo – Galibier Serre-Chavalier

Distance: 200.5 kilometers.

This stage should be left for the Sherpas and yaks, not guys on bikes. It starts in Italy and they throw in a sprint early on to warm people up for what is to come; The first climb is Col Agnel, the highest point they will reach on the Tour, and then descend for lunch. Then they climb the Col d’Izoard, make the descent to begin climbing the to the finish at the top of the Galibier.

That’s three Hors Catégorie climbs in a single stage. This is the Haute Alpes, the High Alps, and most of the work is being done over a mile above sea level.

It was the Andy Schleck show today. He has been patiently waiting and made his move today. He is now 15 seconds from the Yellow Jersey.

Alberto Contador lost ground and is now 4 minutes and 44 seconds off the front.

Update: You may notice that Mark Cavendish has only 300 points today, rather than the 320 he had yesterday. The Tour docked him 20 points for being “outside the time” for the stage. Normally riders who are “outside the time” [take too long to finish a stage] are eliminated from the Tour, but as he was in a group of 88 riders, that would have gotten a bit messy. They actually only missed the time by two minutes, but whoever specified the cut off needs a new position, when more than half the field can’t make it.

Yellow Jersey Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 181 ) [Yellow] 79h 34′ 06″
Green Jersey Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 171 ) [Green] 300 points
Polka Dot Jersey Jelle Vanendert ( Bel – OLO – 038 ) [Polka Dot] 74 points
White Jersey Rein Taaramae ( Est – COF – 151 ) 11 [White]

Team: Garmin-Cervelo ( 051-059 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Andy Schleck ( Lux – LEO – 011 )
Combative: Andy Schleck ( Lux – LEO – 011 ) [Red numbers]

They’ve gone 3,183.0 kilometers [1,977.8 miles] at an average speed of 40.0 kph [24.9 mph] ↓.

OVERALL STANDINGS:
[Read more →]

July 21, 2011   Comments Off on Stage 18