Posted By RichC on June 4, 2010
While heading home the distant lightning lit night and the sky making for an interesting photo … so stuck the camera out the window for a 2 second exposure just as the bolt brighten the surroundings.
Posted By RichC on June 3, 2010
After HP purchased Palm, most developing and carrying around webOS mobile devices had a sigh of relief believed that having a bigger company behind Palm would give them a chance to compete in the crowded handset device market. Unfortunately HP CEO Mark Hurd isn’t seeing things the way Palm advocates did? Thanks for the link Scott.
HP CEO: "We didn’t buy Palm to be in the smartphone business"
You’d think spending a billion dollars on a smartphone company would indicate a desire to, say, make and sell smartphones, but you’d apparently be thinking wrong: HP CEO Mark Hurd just told investors at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch tech conference that his company "didn’t buy Palm to be in the smartphone business," and that he’s not going to "spend billions of dollars trying to go into the smartphone business; that doesn’t in any way make any sense." Yes, that sound you’re hearing is Jon Rubinstein’s heart breaking into a million tiny pieces. According to Hurd, HP was actually more interested in Palm’s IP — specifically webOS, which he wants to put on "tens of millions of HP small form-factor web-connected devices." Sure, that makes sense, and it lines up perfectly with HP’s plan to "double down on webOS" and put it on everything from netbooks and slates to printers, but hey, Mark? You should really look into the smartphone business when you get a second, okay? Just trust us on this one.
We didn’t buy Palm to be in the smartphone business. And I tell people that, but it doesn’t seem to resonate well. We bought it for the IP. The WebOS is one of the two ground-up pieces of software that is built as a web operating environment…We have tens of millions of HP small form factor web-connected devices…Now imagine that being a web-connected environment where now you can get a common look and feel and a common set of services laid against that environment. That is a very value proposition.
Posted By RichC on June 3, 2010
Reid Returns – June 17, 2010
10 am to 1 pm
Flotilla to welcome Stowe from south of the Verrazano Bridge to Pier 81
All vessels must register. — Flotilla PlanNoon (approximately)
Best viewing of the Welcome Flotilla is at Robert F Wagner Park along the Battery Parkcity Esplanade; Bring signs saying “WELCOME HOME, REID!!!”1 pm to 3 pm
Welcome event on Pier 81 (World Yacht / Circle Line)
Foot of West 42nd Street & Hudson River
Stowe lands, reunited with family, greetings by NYC VIPs, photo oppty.
Free admittance by Press Event Pass reservation, only.
Pier 81 event, food & champagne generously hosted by Circle Line / World Yacht
Posted By RichC on June 3, 2010
The stock market rebounded on Tuesday after selling on the government’s comments regarding criminal investigations of BP yesterday. Since I regularly reflect on moves down, it is about time to acknowledge that their is still an appetite for value … in today’s case, energy sector stocks.
Most stocks were up as the DJIA jumped 225.52 points, or 2.2% to 10249.54. Big movers were Exxon Mobil and Chevron 
of the energy sector, as well as American Express and Walt Disney — both up over 4%. For BP conditions in the Gulf haven’t improved as the “Top Kill” operation to plug the Gulf spill failed. Today they are attempting to try a rubber sealed cap, although cutting the pipe one mile under the ocean is proving to be a big challenge. (Link to their response website)
Still, for investors worried about the economy and if or when they should invest in companies, today was positive. For companies themselves, seeing signs of recovery and a desire to hire will be a first step to improving unemployment woes for many Americans. The news yesterday that the Bank of Canada would be tightening interest rates also underscores that internationally we may be seeing a recovery.
This grab taken from a BP live video feed shows the energy giant’s latest attempt
to stop fluid escaping from the fractured pipe / AFP
Posted By RichC on June 2, 2010
Speaking of “more government,” how about adding a few more thousand dollars to the price of a car? Do we really need another electronic gadget … a black box … for our cars? (Neil Cavuto video clip below)
Posted By RichC on June 1, 2010
The U.S. Government through Attorney General Eric Holder announced that they have opened a criminal investigation into the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. His comments spooked late day trading on Wall Street –"We will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law anyone who has violated the law."
The huge spill from a well owned by British oil giant BP, has leaked – spewed – oil over a month and is damaging Louisiana and surrounding shores extensively. Businesses from fishing to tourism have been severely affected and the damage will total into the billions of dollars. Damage to the environment will be much harder to measure, but will surly to be a subject of debate well after the offshore well is capped and businesses have been reimbursed.
Of concern to many have been either the lack of a high priority response from Washington DC or the wrong response … proceeding with a“heavy handed criminal probe.” It might make more sense to tackle the immediate 
problem of stopping the oil, cleaning up the mess and taking care of the people before focusing on “criminal charges,” don’t ya think?
From my point of view, both BP and the Federal government were ill-prepared to shut down and containing the spill. I have little problem pointing the finger at the drillers and BP … but find is sanctimonious for the Federal government to see themselves as innocent in their oversight duties and in responding effectively after the spill occurred. What is really frustrating is that after about a month of “talking like they are in charge,” the Obama Administration is now jumping to the “criminal investigation.” Responding with such heavy handedness only spooks an already jittery economic recovery. Business leaders and investors, needed to expand business an put Americans back to work, already fear government takeovers and an intrusion into capitalism and free markets.
A little pro-business policy would go a long way to help the economy recover and ease the worry for those wanting to invest in American businesses and industry.
Posted By RichC on June 1, 2010
The needle pricks involved in acupuncture may help relieve pain by triggering a natural painkilling chemical called adenosine, a new study has found.
The researchers also believe they can enhance acupuncture’s effectiveness by coupling the process with a well-known cancer drug — deoxycoformycin — that maintains adenosine levels longer than usual.
See article in USNews.com
Posted By RichC on June 1, 2010
Two of my nephews celebrated milestones in their lives this past weekend … and of course the special events happened 7 hours apart, one in Ohio and the other in New York. My brother’s son graduated from high school and although we missed the Saturday event at Bethel High School, 
we timed the Sunday afternoon party back at their house perfectly – in other words, we made if for food.
😉 Congratulations Jaben.
My nephew Aaron, was married in a beautiful ceremony at the Chautauqua Institute in western New York. The sunny 80 plus degree day made the outdoor “Hall of Philosophy” setting ideal for a wedding. It was great to see the family even if it was for only for the afternoon
nuptials and evening reception – I don’t think I’ve ever been to a nicer wedding.
The ‘fortunate’ groom married Lauren Shuck, a girl that we’ve all known for years – a decade I think; it was about time Aaron! After an exciting honeymoon trip to Cairo, Egypt, they’ll be living near Washington DC where Aaron is finishing his PhD in Biology at Georgetown University. Aaron’s father, my wife’s late brother Mark, would have been very pleased with the ceremony and happy for his son. Congratulations Aaron and Lauren
Howard. (family oriented photo set from Flickr below – for optimum viewing click ‘full screen button’ on slide show embed)
Posted By RichC on May 31, 2010
Just returning from a trip to Washington DC with Veterans and a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, remembering those who have died in service to 
our nation is fresh on my mind this Memorial Day. The visit was not only moving because of the hallowed grounds, but because I was privileged to be there with WW II and Korean veterans.
One of the trivial political discussions that arises on such a National Holiday is where our President will visit. Generally they have a service at a National Cemetery, which is usually Arlington. This year President Obama will be at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois … a decision that some thought was questionable.
Do you know how many national cemeteries are in the U.S.? 131 plus 33 additional sites that are managed by the Department of Veteran Affairs. If you can’t visit a cemetery, perhaps observe in the tradition of flying the U.S. Flag at half staff until noon this Memorial Day.
EDIT: Should have included this link from 2008 … excellent video on Arlington National Cemetery.
For my aviation and Warbird friends, there will be a P51 fly over at Ft Snelling National Cemetery.
