News you may have missed & Nuggets from the Wired World

What with all the Hair stories & Hair-shirting here, you might have missed some actual news, so I offer some News stories you may have missed this week & some interesting nuggets from the world of technology & gadgets…

Item #1 - On GM & the auto-industry bailout

Ok, so you probably have NOT missed this story. But, here’s an interesting take on it that is worth a read, plus the latest news on the Senate/White House front.

So Long GM, See Ya’ Chrysler — Hope America Enjoys The Second Great Depression from the L.A.Progressive

Charley James writes –

In the 1950s, “Engine” Charley Wilson – then chairman of General Motors – said “What’s good for GM is good for America.”

We’re about to find out that the reverse is also true.

Thanks to a handful of Republican Senators whose twofold purpose of trying to bust the United Auto Workers while simultaneously protecting their home state, non-union, foreign-owned car manufacturers who received tens of millions of taxpayer subsidies, the loan deal passed by the House died in the Senate last night because, the GOP knuckle-draggers maintain, the auto industry shouldn’t receive government help.

Auto Bailout: White House to the Rescue?

In the latest news from Business Week, President Bush indicates he won't let the auto companies collapse. Treasury may tide Detroit over with remaining bank-bailout funds.

The White House and Treasury Dept. said they are likely to help U.S. automakers avert bankruptcy after Republican senators defeated a bill late Thursday, Dec. 11, that would have provided $14 billion in taxpayer loans to the companies.

Item #2 – SNOW in New Orleans…and in Austin, TX

Snow descended upon the New Orleans area the morning of December 11, 2008

Maybe not a big deal for some; but quite a big deal for others. In my memory, it’s snowed a measurable amount in NOLA exactly twice in my lifetime – once in 1974, I think and once a few years ago, on Christmas Day. I won’t presume to say it has anything at all to do with global climate change, it’s just fun.

For more photos, visit nola.com

Item #3 - Al Franken gets boosts in Minn. Senate recount

Minnesota Panel Asks for Recount of Wrongly Rejected Ballots

Still, no outcome and Franken is still behind. However, recounting ballots that were improperly rejected has the potential to change the outcome in this very tight race.

Items 4, 5, and 6 come to us from the online & technology world. Just when you were getting comfortable with Web 2.0 (whatever that means, I’m still waiting for Kent or Rob to explain it to me) come these headlines –

Item #4 - How to Safeguard Against the IE Vulnerability

According to PC Magazine, Internet Explorer has sprung a leak, and Microsoft advises that you batten down the hatches. Here's how to do it, in plain English.

and

Microsoft confirms that all versions of IE have critical new bug

Item #5 - Facebook Virus Turns Your Computer into a Zombie

If you’re on Facebook, you should have already heard about this one. If you’re using a computer, you should know the following:

1. NEVER, EVER click on a random link sent to you in an email, especially one ending in .exe (an executable) file.
2. You should have VIRUS PROTECTION software on your PC and you should keep it current with updates/patches.
3. This did not affect Apple/Mac computers (I’m told – I didn’t click on it anyway!)

Item #6 - 5 Reasons I Hope Classmates.com Gets Sued Into Oblivion

Another golden nugget from PC World. Speaks for itself. Down with the spam!

Item #7 – Meltdown in the News Business

I’m assuming you’ve heard about The Chicago Tribune declaring bankruptcy and The New York Times taking a second mortgage out on its building.

Now, we also hear that Newsweek has announced layoffs.

For some interesting takes from the blogosphere, check out the following:
Newsweek Dies

This Story Can’t Be Told

Random & mildly politically & technologically related 

Item #8 - Fire Sale on All McCain-Palin Campaign Equipment

Above from the Washington Post

And, from Keith Olbermann, ”no word yet on where to buy Palin’s wardrobe”

Item #9 -The Flip Video Camera

Apologies, folks, I’m not sure how, but I seem to have missed this season’s hottest new gadget in my Holiday Shopping Guide.

No less than Business Week, Fortune, and the New York Times have hailed this nifty little item.

For some background on its business strategy, read Business Week’s Pure Digital Flips the Script - How the Flip—a bare-bones digital camcorder—grew from a simple idea to a contender among giants like Sony.

And finally, in case you’re curious about what’s happening in Iraq –

Item #10 - "We've Won The War"

or, in other words, William Kristol is an even bigger idiot than we (some? of my fellow OSers and myself) thought he was -

see pretend_farmer’s Ten Worst Predictions for 2008 - via Politico

saturn smith’s Chin Up, Mr. Kristol

And Calling All Interesting Conservatives

well, then, Mr. Kristol, when are our troops coming home?