dbreunig: James Fallows explains the significance of this seemingly mundane picture, which was taken by a Chinese engineer visiting Florida on a business trip: To the Chinese engineer, what was fascinating and significant about the picture was its orderliness. The yellow school bus stopped, turned on its “do not pass” flashers, and extended its Stop signs. And — the amazing part — all surrounding traffic actually obeyed. Even those who are fans of the excitement and passion of Chinese life will agree that such a scene is hard to imagine in a Chinese city. You’d have motorbikes cutting past on the sidewalk, cars veering into the opposite-direction lane to get around the obstacle, a cacophony of horns complaining about any vehicle that did slow down, and in general the creative-chaos that extends from many other parts of Chinese life to its roadways. (Where it can seem festive, but also dangerous: China’s traffic-death rate per active motorist and per mile driven is several times higher than in North America or Europe.) To local authorities in Florida, what was notable about the situation was: a foreigner stopping to take pictures of a bus containing children. If you see something, say something. So they detained the man for questioning. Our world powers in a nutshell. (Via The Atlantic)
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dbreunig:

James Fallows explains the significance of this seemingly mundane picture, which was taken by a Chinese engineer visiting Florida on a business trip:

To the Chinese engineer, what was fascinating and significant about the picture was its orderliness. The yellow school bus stopped, turned on its “do not pass” flashers, and extended its Stop signs. And — the amazing part — all surrounding traffic actually obeyed. Even those who are fans of the excitement and passion of Chinese life will agree that such a scene is hard to imagine in a Chinese city. You’d have motorbikes cutting past on the sidewalk, cars veering into the opposite-direction lane to get around the obstacle, a cacophony of horns complaining about any vehicle that did slow down, and in general the creative-chaos that extends from many other parts of Chinese life to its roadways. (Where it can seem festive, but also dangerous: China’s traffic-death rate per active motorist and per mile driven is several times higher than in North America or Europe.)

To local authorities in Florida, what was notable about the situation was:

  • a foreigner
  • stopping to take pictures
  • of a bus
  • containing children.

If you see something, say something. So they detained the man for questioning.

Our world powers in a nutshell. (Via The Atlantic)

amazing ron paul 2002 predictions. still crazy?

not saying i know much about him, but from this speech, this man understood the power of our gov’t and it’s inevitable crises before they happened. 

maybe we need to redefine crazy, cause it seems crazy is backing the same corrupt candidates over and over, just because we believe their majority makes them more likely to win. 

ground zero at night, snapped from 15th floor at the W.
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ground zero at night, snapped from 15th floor at the W.

Guardian content tailored for the USA. Does this mean time to move back?
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Guardian content tailored for the USA. Does this mean time to move back?

I love our country. And I am a beneficiary of the promise of America. But today, I am very concerned that at times I do not recognize the America that I love. Like so many of you, I am deeply disappointed by the pervasive failure of leadership in Washington. And also like you, I am frustrated by our political leaders’ steadfast refusal to recognize that, for every day they perpetuate partisan conflict and put ideology over country, America and Americans suffer from the combined effects of paralysis and uncertainty. Americans can’t find jobs. Small businesses can’t get credit. And the fracturing of consumer confidence continues. We are better than this. Three weeks ago, I asked fellow business leaders to join me in urging the President and the Congress to put an end to partisan gridlock and, in its place, to set in motion an upward spiral of confidence. More than 100 business leaders representing American companies - large and small - joined me in signing a two-part pledge: First, to withhold political campaign contributions until a transparent, comprehensive, bipartisan debt-and-deficit package is reached that honestly, and fairly, sets America on a path to long-term financial health and security. Second, to do all we can to break the cycle of economic uncertainty that grips our country by committing to accelerate investment in jobs and hiring. - exerpt from howard schultz’s letter to customers, business leaders and citizens. join businesses and citizens who want force the hand of compromise in our government and take the online pledge not to give campaign $$ here http://www.upwardspiral2011.org/
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I love our country. And I am a beneficiary of the promise of America. But today, I am very concerned that at times I do not recognize the America that I love.

Like so many of you, I am deeply disappointed by the pervasive failure of leadership in Washington. And also like you, I am frustrated by our political leaders’ steadfast refusal to recognize that, for every day they perpetuate partisan conflict and put ideology over country, America and Americans suffer from the combined effects of paralysis and uncertainty. Americans can’t find jobs. Small businesses can’t get credit. And the fracturing of consumer confidence continues.

We are better than this.

Three weeks ago, I asked fellow business leaders to join me in urging the President and the Congress to put an end to partisan gridlock and, in its place, to set in motion an upward spiral of confidence. More than 100 business leaders representing American companies - large and small - joined me in signing a two-part pledge:

First, to withhold political campaign contributions until a transparent, comprehensive, bipartisan debt-and-deficit package is reached that honestly, and fairly, sets America on a path to long-term financial health and security. Second, to do all we can to break the cycle of economic uncertainty that grips our country by committing to accelerate investment in jobs and hiring.

- exerpt from howard schultz’s letter to customers, business leaders and citizens.

join businesses and citizens who want force the hand of compromise in our government and take the online pledge not to give campaign $$ here

http://www.upwardspiral2011.org/

Ok, 3% is a made up number for a supposed federal sales tax (admittedly not an economist). The truth is with no agreement on a debt reduction plan, we are getting no where fast. Both sides need to give up the party line a little and start playing pragmatic politics.

lesbians who look like justin beiber - a hilarious start to a friday… worth following
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lesbians who look like justin beiber - a hilarious start to a friday…

worth following

smart car is challenging over consumption in america. can’t wait til more companies get on board with this.