White house New Rules

White House: Counting site visitors OK with federal rulesNEW YORK (AP) — The White House said Friday its Web tracking technology is consistent with federal rules because it only counts the number of visitors anonymously and doesn't record personal information.The White House's site uses what's known as a Web bug — a tiny graphic image that's virtually invisible — to anonymously keep track of the number and time of visits. The bug is sent by a server maintained by an outside contractor, WebTrends Inc., and lets the traffic-analysis company know that another person has visited a specific page on the site.Web bugs themselves are not prohibited. However, under a directive from the White House's Office of Management and Budget, they are largely banned at government sites when linked to cookies, which are data files that let a site track Web visitors.Cookies are not generated simply by visiting the White House site. Rather, WebTrends cookies are sometimes created when visiting other WebTrends clients. An analysis by security researcher Richard Smith shows such preexisting cookies have then been read when users visit the White House site

USATODAY.com - White House: Counting site visitors OK with federal rules

I'm posting this to show my sister how bloging works. If you like this, good for you.

Technology predictions for 2006

Steve Jobbs falling off his throne, 2006 is the "Year of RSS", Google to help Microsoft get back in the game, and more

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Why do they want my phone number

What are you really giving the retailers when they ask you for your phone number at checkout?

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Doesn't this make you more paranoid? With this and Bush admiting to spying on U.S. citizens, it makes you wonder what we stand for. I understand that this type of information is for company usage and it's shared with a thrid party, but it's taking away some of our independence. Identy theft is a big deal.

A Positive Sign from the Bush Administration

Funding Tight for Great Lakes PlanBy Kari LydersenWashington Post Staff WriterTuesday, December 13, 2005; Page A03CHICAGO, Dec. 12 -- The Bush administration on Monday announced a comprehensive strategy to restore and protect the Great Lakes, winning positive reviews for the concept but criticism about uncertain funding.The long-awaited document is the product of discussions among a wide array of government and outside groups. It calls for fighting invasive species and restoring coastal wetlands, as well as curbing agricultural runoff and improving drinking water. The FixChris Cillizza provides daily posts on a range of political topics, from the race for control of Congress in 2006 to scrutinizing the 2008 presidential wannabes.• Ohio: Is Brown the Democrat to Beat?• R.I.: Club For Growth Backs Chafee Opponent• RNC Ad Sparks Controversy• The Fix Archivexml Sign Up for RSS FeedOnline Politics ExtrasJoin The Washington Post's or washingtonpost.com's political staff daily at 11 a.m. ET to talk about the latest political news.• Tuesday: Post White House reporter Peter Baker• Weekly Politics Chat SchedulePolitics TriviaWho was the first Latino to serve in the U.S. Senate?Mel Martinez (R-Fla.)Henry Cisneros (D-Tex.)Joseph Montoya (D-N.M.)Octaviano Larrazolo (R-N.M.)"This is not a publicity stunt," said Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley (D). "It's an exciting time. You shouldn't be cynical about this."Despite ambitious plans that could cost $20 billion over the next 15 years, the Bush administration has made it clear that money for the project will be severely constrained by other budgetary needs. Environmentalists and politicians from both parties have openly questioned the White House commitment.Seeking a more modest infusion up front, Daley joined Ohio Gov. Bob Taft (R) and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle (D) to ask President Bush for $300 million for short-term priorities. They sent their letter Monday.Despite the disappointment of some politicians and advocates at the administration's decision not to seek more funding, Environmental Protection Agency officials made several specific promises.Among them are $25 million for cleaning up contaminated sediment on the Ashtabula River in Ohio, a tributary to Lake Erie, matching a $7 million state contribution and $18 million from industry groups."We've been waiting for that for a long time," Taft said.

Funding Tight for Great Lakes Plan

It's nice to have a positive thing to say about our president and government these days. A small but good step in the right direction.

technorati tags: Environment, Bush Administration, Great Lakes,

Natural Evolution

Nov. 21, 2005 — Israel's Dead Sea is, ironically, as old as life itself. Hidden in the world's deepest valley and protected by majestic desert mountains, the Dead Sea is one important feature in a land of mysteries, miracles and biblical legends that we must see before it's too late. In another three decades, the evaporating Dead Sea could possibly become the dry sea.

The Dead Sea is dying," Bromberg said. "The Dead Sea is shrinking. It's falling by a meter in depth every year."The Dead Sea relies on the fresh water of the Jordan River. And, that once-wide river is now just a contaminated trickle. As the sea's water disappears, it creates large sinkholes that make it dangerous to even approach the sea in certain spots."If the Dead Sea goes away, we lose the ability to connect what's really central about Earth and humanity and, ultimately, the divine," Feiler said.

ABC News: Dead Sea Is Dying

What does this say about the Earth and its/our connection to the "divine?" This doesn't seem so unnatural but instead a natural process of evoulution. People die, why can't seas. Maybe the fact that it is "dying" will reflect upon our race as a sign of something, not necessarily "divine" or "spiritual."