PBS has a new series that follows the USS Nimitz in its deployment to the Persian Gulf to support the Iraq War. The Documentary is insightful and gives a look at what’s going on over there off the land.

You can also watch the already aired episodes of the 10 part series on PBS’s website.

Carrier

The NPR Intelligence Squared US (IQ2US) audio podcast is a series of recordings of public debates held in New York focusing on hot-button issues (most specific to the U.S.) like immigration, affirmative action, and global warming. The debates are held in the Oxford-style meaning there are one motion (topic), one moderator, three speakers for the motion, and three speakers against the motion.

Prior to the start of the debate, visitors cast their votes for or against the motion. During the debate, the results of the initial vote are shown, and the visitors vote again at the end of the debate to decide which side “won.”

If you’re tired of cable news “debate” where the only real argument is who can yell louder and longer, then this is a wonderful change.  People properly informed, debating real issues for more than just sound bites.

Intelligence Squared

What we could have had for the price of the Iraq War - Now estimated at a final cost of $3 Trillion (conservatively):

• Forget drilling in Alaska, forget ethanol, forget hybrids. As long as we’re spending, let’s go straight to hydrogen. It is estimated to cost $500,000,000 to build the infrastructure.
• Design, build, and upgrade all US highways, roads, and streets needed for the next 50 years. Price: $950,000,000,000.00
• Completely eliminate world hunger along with the diseases associated with hunger and poverty for 365 days. Price: $195,000,000,000.00
• teach every man, woman and child on the planet to read. Considering the fact that nations like Somalia and Sierra Leone have adult literacy rates of only about 35%, that is money well spent. Price: $5,000,000,000.00
• Pay for 1 year of college for 20 million people Price: $400,000,000,000.00
• Advanced technology can save trillions of dollars lost in the transmission of electrical power. Think megawatt transistor switches, superconductor conduits, not to mention the gains from replacing worn out infrastructure. And JOBS Price: $100,000,000.00
• From ArsTechnica EDUCAUSE calls for the construction of a national fiber network that would reach every home and business, with the $100 billion cost split equally between the federal government, the states, and a private- or public-sector entity that would actually build and maintain the network. Because fiber networks can increase speeds simply by carrying more wavelengths at once, the report notes that such an investment in infrastructure might “provide adequate broadband connectivity for several decades.” Price: $100,000,000,000.00
• Provide an integrated national High Speed Rail system, using Alstom’s proven technology (which currently holds the world record for the fastest train at over 550kph (340+mph). This system would connect all of America’s major cities together with high-speed electric trains, powered at least partially by sustainable wind and solar energy facilities located in or near the Right Of Way. Price: $300,000,000,000.00
• Everyone secretly knows that switching to solar is a really, really good idea, though businesses invested in dirty coal, cancerous nuclear or other unclean options are unlikely to say it out loud. But how do we pay for the $420 billion overhaul of the nation’s energy infrastructure? Well, we could have picked up the tab easily if we didn’t spend $3 Trillion on this war. Price: $420,000,000,000.00

And there are many more.

Google Earth’s new mapping program takes you on a virtual reality tour with the UN refugee agency of some of the world’s major displacement crises and the humanitarian efforts aimed at helping the victims.

The first use of this geospatial tool focuses on refugees and displaced people located in remote areas of Chad, Iraq, Colombia and Sudan’s volatile Darfur region. Sit in front of your computer and, with a few clicks, see, hear and develop an emotional understanding of what it is like to be a refugee.

Highlighted are not only the physical area of the camp and surrounding country, but key parts of daily life such as education and health in photo, text and video format. Within seconds, Google Earth brings the daily life of a refugee camp into your home thousands of kilometres away.

LINK

In explaining her “experience”, Hillary Clinton has mentioned that she remembered “arriving in Bosnia under sniper fire”.  The problem?  She arrived smiling and meeting officials and children.  Very different from her version.

CBS Exposes Clinton Bosnia Trip 

The Global Integrity Report is a tool for understanding governance and anti-corruption mechanisms at the national level. Written by local researchers and journalists, the Report is characterized by an innovative, award-winning research methodology; a robust peer review process; and start-to-finish transparency.

Global Integrity Report 

If you watch any TV, listen to the radio, or read a newspaper this year in the U.S., you will see, hear, or read about the Presidential campaigns and the ads.  Like many Americans you may also get confused about the many claims, attacks, and other information being put forth by these campaigns.

FactCheck.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics.

Our Mission

We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit, “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding.

The Annenberg Political Fact Check is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. The APPC was established by publisher and philanthropist Walter Annenberg in 1994 to create a community of scholars within the University of Pennsylvania that would address public policy issues at the local, state, and federal levels.

The APPC accepts NO funding from business corporations, labor unions, political parties, lobbying organizations or individuals. It is funded primarily by the Annenberg Foundation.

FactCheck.org

“Inside Iraq” is a blog updated by Iraqi journalists working for McClatchy Newspapers. They are based in Baghdad and outlying provinces. These are firsthand accounts of their experiences. Their complete names are withheld for security purposes.

Inside Iraq

There’s a 4 minute video detailing the American Civil War showing a map of the country and highlighting events, battles, and casualties.  1 second = 1 week.

The American Civil War in 4 Minutes 

BEDFORD, N.H. - He flatlined in Iowa and he’s struggling in New Hampshire, but Rudy Giuliani shook off the early-state blues Thursday as only he can.

“None of this worries me - Sept. 11, there were times I was worried,” Giuliani said.

Can he go even a day without mentioning it?  Half a day?  An hour?

LINK