Questions and Contemplations

Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World

global trends 2025: a transformed world (pdf - 33.5 mb) is the fourth unclassified bang planned by the national intelligence congregation (nic) in recent years that takes a long-term view of the future. it offers a fresh look at how key global trends might cause to grow over the next 15 years to influence beget events. the report is not meant to be an execution in prediction or crystal ball-gazing. mindful that there are many possible “futures,” the statement offers a range of possibilities and potency discontinuities, as a way of opening our minds to developments that might way be missed. several antecedent assessments are listed below: 1. the whole international system - as constructed following wwii - will be revolutionized. not only will new players - brazil, russia, india and china - fool a seat at the international grand table, they will bring new stakes and rules of the game. 2. the unprecedented transfer of assets roughly from west to east seldom under way will at conducive to the foreseeable coming. 3. unprecedented remunerative expansion, coupled with 1.5 billion more people, disposition position difficulty on resources - particularly might, edibles, and water - raising the specter of scarcities emerging as demand outstrips supply. 4. the potential appropriate for conflict last will and testament increase owing partly to political turbulence in parts of the greater midriff east. as with the earlier nic efforts - such as mapping the worldwide future 2020 - the project’s primitive goal is to provide us policymakers with a view of how planet developments could evolve, identifying opportunities and potentially negative developments that might warrant regulation action. the nic also hopes this paper stimulates a broader discussion of value to educational and system institutions at home and overseas. in the rumour: atomic arms, scarce resources as seeds of epidemic instability - washington post nic expects al qaeda’s appeal to falter - new york times nic: sun setting on the american century - the times nic says us alter purpose ’substantially’ deterioration - daily telegraph the year 2025: oil, dollar out; russia, islam in - associated press us power, play will decline in future, report says - cnn news programme us influence will fade by 2025 - cbs scandal us global dominance ’set to wane’ - bbc news intelligence study sees risks in rapid global power shift - mcclatchy us clout down, risks up by 2025 - reuters nuclear war threat to enlarge by 2025 - agence france-presse europe: a hobbled Amazon - financial times new us intelligence disclose: a gloomy approaching - military cautious of

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Toll-booth-free tolling on SR 520 and I-90

The State Route 520 Tolling Implementation Committee’s “November Scenario Evaluation” document (pdf) released last week shows that the most robust regional financing for replacing the dangerously sub-par 520 bridge comes from time-variable tolling starting in 2010 and tolling the parallel I-90 span across Lake Washington, starting in 2010 or 2016. Tolling in this key east-west corridor would be done on the fly, electronically, with vehicle windshield transponders and overhead gantries — no toll booths. Tolls that vary by time of day are likely, though flat rates are also an option. Special lanes that would be free to buses and ride-sharers could be made available to solo drivers, for a price.

The committee’s members are WSDOT Secretary Paula Hammond, Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Director Bob Drewel, and Washington State Transportation Commission board member Richard Ford. This latest analysis, along with public comment, will inform a January 2009 final report from the committee to the state legislature, which is then to approve a tolling plan for the SR 520 bridge and perhaps the I-90 bridge as well. Then, specific toll rates would be set by the state transportation commission and approved by the legislature, with construction of pontoons for the new 520 bridge beginning later in 2009 if all goes as envisioned.

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The weary and crowded 1963-vintage 520 bridge connects Seattle with Eastside job centers such as Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland but is at major risk of catastrophic failure in a 70 mph windstorm, or earthquake. At the same time, growing regional traffic congestion has prompted a public warming to expansion of regional transit, and bettered the odds for a system of electronic, time-variable tolling on major highways and state routes across metro Puget Sound. A priced-lanes pilot project for carpoolers and solo drivers is already underway on SR 167, and flat-rate electronic tolling in place, to rave reviews, on the new southbound span of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

The 520 tolling committee’s latest report reveals that:

Starting tolling in 2010 instead of at bridge completion in 2016 would pry loose an additional $400-$500 million, lowering the costs of bond borrowing for construction, which is to be repaid by tolls;

The most revenue toward completion of the $3.7 to $3.9 billion project comes from tolling both the SR 520 and I-90 bridges starting in 2010 ($2.4 billion, Scenario No. 9) or 520 in 2010 and I-90 in 2016 ($2.4 billion, Scenario No. 4);

One-way tolls on both bridges would range from 75 cents off-peak to $2.95 at peak hours in Scenario No. 9, and from 75 cents off-peak to $3.25 at peak in Scenario No. 4;

Tolling 520 alone starting in 2010 (Scenario No. 7) would cut peak-hour traffic volume in the vicinity of 17 to 26 percent while peak-hour flow would rise three to seven percent on I-90;

Tolling both 520 and I-90 starting in 2016 (Scenario No. 9) would deliver peak-hour volume cuts of 10 to 11 percent on 520 and 12-16 percent on I-90, as commuters shift travel times or use transit;

Time-variable tolling increases peak-hour speeds on 520 by 13-16 mph, nearly double the speed gain from flat toll rates.

Tolling opponents somehow imagine they are due a free ride because the construction, maintenance, and operations costs of Puget Sound roads and bridges, as population continues to swell in coming decades, can somehow all be covered by the incredible shrinking gas tax and … what? More sales tax hikes or vehicle fees? They’re nice if you can get ‘em, but the well only runs so deep.

Pay as you go is the way to go in this day and age — coupled with cost-saving, performance-based consortium contracting to design, build, operate, and maintain surface transportation facilities and systems.

The four-lane SR 520 bridge across the lake is to be replaced with a six-lane structure. Current plans call for two “general purpose” lanes and one high-occupancy vehicle lane in each direction, the former would be tolled via either a flat or time-variable rate if a plan is adopted. This is confirmed by WSDOT, though it can get a bit confusing because one doesn’t necessarily think of general purpose lanes as being tolled. On the I-90 bridge, the agency also confirms, tolling would be on all general purpose vehicle lanes, except under one scenario that exempts eastbound traffic from Mercer Island. On both bridges the possible HOV lane could be designated a High Occupancy and Toll (HOT lane), free to transit and ride-share vehicles, but also available, for a toll, to solo drivers.

The more time-variable tolling, and the sooner, the better: It will further drive alternative choices such as ride-sharing and telework, and raise more money for regional surface transportation needs, transit include …

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Rendell: Hillary Clinton’s different rules

by Josh Drobnyk

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell today reiterated his pledge to stay in Harrisburg until 2011, saying that public officials make “an implied promise” to serve out their terms when they seek election.

So does the same go for, say, a certain senator from New York, who could well be offered the chance to leave her job mid-term? Rendell was asked.

Not quite, he responded.

“I think the senators don’t have the type of executive responsibility acheter viagra that a governor has,” Rendell said. “You are electing a governor or mayor to run things. I don’t mean to demean what senators do, but it is pretty easy to raise your right hand or press that button to vote. It is a little different than running the state or running the city.”

Rendell, for the record, said Sen. Hillary Clinton would “be good for any job out there in the field of government or politics.”

“If it is New York’s loss in one sense, because she has been a great senator, New York will gain because of the things she will do to repair this country’s relationship with the world,” he said.

He said he has yet to talk with Clinton about her potential appointment as secretary of state, but that she plans to come to the late Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll’s memorial at the end of the week.He said the two were close friends. Knoll died last week at 78 after a four-month bout with cancer.

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Report: Google downsizes in Kirkland

Google is cutting back on its plans for new offices in Kirkland, according to a report in The Seattle Times that says the search giant plans to occupy just two of the three buildings on the 7.2 acre campus.

Citing unnamed brokers and OfficeSpace.com, the Times reports that the company recently placed the 63,000-square-foot Lakeview Plaza building up for sublease.

Google has expanded rapidly in the Seattle area since establishing an outpost here four years ago. It now has more than 450 people working at offices in Fremont and Kirkland, but the news today could indicate that Google’s hiring spree may be cooling.

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And Kirkland doesn’t appear to be the only office taking a hit. Last week, Alley Insider reported that Google planned to sublease about 50,000 square feet at its facilities in New York.

Google’s stock has been hit hard in recent months, losing more than half of its value so far this year. It rebounded 7 percent today to close at $312.08.

The company has said that hiring is slowing, but it does still have open positions listed on its Web site in the Seattle area.

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Illinois men’s basketball team gets boost from recruiting class

The sigh wasn’t audible, but Illinois basketball coach Bruce Weber needed something just like this.On the first day high school seniors could sign letters of intent, Weber announced Wednesday a four-man class ranked eighth nationally by Rivals.com and 13th by Scout.com, the two biggest recruiting services. A program that set a school record with 19 losses last year and heads into a season with low expectations needed a boost from players who originally committed nearly a year ago.”Obviously, it’s big day for us,” Weber said. “We’re excited as a coaching staff and program. Any time you get a good class, it helps. We needed something, a positive step from this group. We’ve got another group coming behind it that we feel good about. It’s a bright future for the program.”Everybody’s got to feel good about it. I hope they can be factors for us. We’re going to need them next year with the guards we’re losing.”D.J. Richardson, a 6-foot-3 guard who transferred from Peoria Central to Findlay College Prep in Henderson, Nev., became the first commitment in the class last fall, joined quickly by Gurnee Warren 6-3 guard Brandon Paul and Sterling 6-5 guard Joseph Bertrand. Lafayette (Mo.) 6-9 forward Tyler Griffey committed in late January.All four players were rated in the top 100 nationally by the Recruiting Services Consensus Index. With three guards graduating, the Illini need some immediate impact from the class.”I think they can count on us to bring some excitement,” said Richardson, the class’s pied piper who keeps in communication with the recruits and current Illini.Assistant coach Jerrance Howard, a former Peoria Central ballboy like Richardson, played an instrumental role in getting early momentum.”I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited,” Howard said. “I’m happy for the program and coach Weber. With everything that’s happened in the past, it really showed the basketball world and fans that he can recruit with the best of them.”A combo guard who can play three positions, Richardson raised his level of play over the past six months by improving his shooting and skills. The tough defender transferred to improve his chances of qualifying academically, he said. A second-team all-stater who led the Midstate 6 Conference in scoring last season while averaging 17.8 points a game, Richardson is rated No. 43 by the recruiting index.”He jumped onto the national scene this summer,” Weber said. “He probably played as well as I’ve seen him play. I like to coach tough kids. He brings that toughness, that stereotypical Peoria guy … who likes to guard and loves to play.”Paul is an athletic off guard with amazing jumping ability ranked No. 47 by the index. Paul was a first-team all-stater who averaged 20 points a game.”He has that kind of NBA athleticism,” Weber said. “He really came a long way in a year and a half. He has the athletic ability to play at the next level. To become a complete player, he has to advance his skills.”Griffey, who ranked No. 92 in the ratings index, averaged 17.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.8 blocks at the same suburban St. Louis high school that produced former Illini center Robert Archibald. He traveled to France and Africa last summer as part of the Adidas Nations team.”He’s kind of the international forward, the new style face-up forward who can shoot and pass the ball,” Weber said. “His body has developed. He didn’t get quite as much exposure (with Adidas Nations). Some reports said he could have been a top-25 player.”A second-team all-stater ranked No. 94 by the recruiting index, Bertrand averaged 14.3 points and 4.3 assists while leading Sterling to a Class 3A supersectional berth. The point guard is the best passer in the class.”To be honest, we didn’t know if we’d go with three guards in the group,” Weber said. “Those (recruits) convinced me. They thought they all could play together from watching Dee, Deron and Luther play together. Joseph’s best attributes are his passing and feel for the game. He could grow another inch or two.”Weber didn’t expect to sign another recruit in the class. With this class signed, Weber can continue to work high school juniors Jereme Richmond, Crandall Head and Meyers Leonard, three commitments in the class of 2010.John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com.  

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South African musical legend Makeba dies

(by celean jacobson, associated press writer) miriam makeba, the south african balladeer who wooed the world with her sultry raise but was banned from her own country pro more than 30 years under apartheid, died after collapsing on grade in italy. she was 76.

in her mind-boggling career, makeba performed with harmonious legends from around the on cloud nine - jazz maestros nina simone and dizzy gillespie, harry belafonte, paul simon - and sang for world leaders such as john f. kennedy and nelson mandela.

“her haunting melodies gave voice to the trial of exile and dislocation which she felt for 31 long years. at the same time, her music inspired a powerful have a funny feeling that of longing in all of us,” mandela said in a statement.

he said it was “fitting” that her last moments were weary on stage.

the pineta grande clinic in castel volturno, near the southern bishopric of naples, said makeba died early monday of a mettle attack.

makeba collapsed on stage sunday night after singing anecdote of her most famous hits “pata pata,” her family said in a statement. her grandson, nelson lumumba lee, was with her as well as her longtime squeeze, italian promoter roberto meglioli.

“whilst this great lady was spirited she would say: ‘i will sing until the last day of my life’,” the annunciation said.

castel volturno mayor francesco nuzzo said makeba sang at a concert in unification with six immigrants from ghana who were shot to cessation in september in the town, an attack that investigators have blamed on organized misdeed.

the death of “mama africa,” as she was known, plunged south africa into jar and mourning.

“one of the greatest songstresses of our time has ceased to sing,” foreign affairs man nkosazana dlamini zuma said in a asseveration.

“throughout her lifestyle, mama makeba communicated a positive tidings to the world in the matter of the struggle of the people of south africa and the certainty of victory over the dark forces of apartheid and colonialism through the art of air.”

makeba wrote in her 1987 memoirs that friends and relatives who from the word go encouraged her to perform compared her voice to that of a nightingale. with her distinctive style combining jazz with citizenry with south african township rhythms, she was over called “the empress of african song.”

the first african woman to win a grammy prize, makeba started singing in sophiatown, a cosmopolitan neighborhood of johannesburg that was a cultural hotspot in the 1950s before its black residents were forcibly removed by the apartheid sway.

she then teamed up with south african jazz trumpeter hugh masekela - later her first husband - and her respond to to international prominence started when she starred in the anti-apartheid documentary “come back, africa” in 1959.

when she tried to fly home in the service of her mother’s cremation the following year, she discovered her passport had been revoked. it was 30 years before she was allowed to replace.

in 1963, makeba appeared before the u.n. unconventional committee on apartheid to call for an cosmopolitan boycott of south africa. the south african government responded by banning her records, including hits like “pata pata,” “the click song” (”qongqothwane” in xhosa), and “malaika.”

makeba received the grammy award for best society recording in 1966 together with belafonte for “an evening with belafonte/makeba.” the album dealt with the political plight of black south africans answerable to apartheid.

thanks to her close off relationship with belafonte, she received star status in the merged states and performed throughout president kennedy at his birthday debauch in 1962. but she demolish fleetingly antiquated of favor when she married black power activist stokely carmichael - later known as kwame ture - and moved to guinea in the belatedly 1960s.

apart from working with simone and gillespie, she also appeared with paul simon at his “graceland” concert in zimbabwe in 1987.

after three decades abroad, makeba was invited back to south africa by mandela, the anti-apartheid icon, shortly after his release from can in 1990 as ghastly racist ordinarily crumbled.

“it was identical to a revival,” she said about going home. “my music having been banned for so long, that people still felt the word-for-word way about me was too much for me. i just went stingingly and i cried.”

makeba courted controversy by lending support to dictators such as togo’s gnassingbe eyadema and felix houphouet-boigny from ivory coast, performing at national campaigns for the experienced leaders orderly as they were violently suppressing the movements seeing that democracy that swept west africa in the antediluvian 90s.

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Tonight: Local Music Is Sexy, Now With More Dengue Fever

local music is sexy vifriday, november 7 the mohawk (912 red river)8 pm 21+ free[info]

We’re more dedicated than ever when it comes to spreading the word about our local music community: the bands that keep it running year-round, and the fans who still believe in leaving the house to take part in their scene. We’re proud of this community, and we can’t think of a better time to celebrate it than on the eve of Fun Fun Fun Festival. Join on us November 7 promptly at 8 p.m. for Local Music Is Sexy VI at the Mohawk Bar on Red River, with The Eastern Sea, Leatherbag, Lovely Sparrows, Foot Patrol, Brothers & Sisters and (surprise) Dengue Fever. Learn more about our lineup here.

Progress Coffee will be on hand, serving hot toddies and espresso shots all night, and we’ll be serving a variety of special treats (think pizza, kabobs, and tacos) from other local vendors as well (hint: brownies, to start). Local Music is Sexy 6 is made possible by our generous and amazing sponsors: BMI, Birds Barbershop, Transmission Entertainment, Progress Coffee, Maker Faire, Mary Louise Butters, and Annie Ray Photography. Thanks, guys!

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Oxford Researchers List Top 10 Most Annoying Phrases

Not all University of Oxford researchers are uptight and humorless, “irregardless” of what you might think. In fact, a bunch of them compiled a list of the Top 10 Most Irritating Expressions in the English language — just because we needed one.

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Though maybe “you could care less,” the scholars in question keep track of linguistic mangling and overused buzzwords in a database called the Oxford University Corpus. The voluminous record keeps track of books, magazines, broadcast, online media and other sources, watching for new overused, tiresome phrases and retiring those that fade from use (or misuse).

The great hierarchy of verbal fatigue includes:

1 - At the end of the day 2 - Fairly unique 3 - I personally 4 - At this moment in time 5 - With all due respect 6 - Absolutely 7 - It’s a nightmare 8 - Shouldn’t of 9 - 24/7 10 - It’s not rocket science

The list appears in a new book, Damp Squid, The English Language Laid Bare, by Jeremy Butterfield. Since it’s always possible for the Oxford brainiacs to “borrow you” space on the list for your own complaints, you’re invited to offer your favorite overused or abused phrases in the comments section below.

As for this Oxford-educated reporter (that’s my scarf over there), I’m going to include the examples I already seeded into this report — and the internet buzzword “snarky,” because “sarcastic” is good enough to get that job done (if that’s not being too snarky).

Image courtesy John Scott Lewinski

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Extra, Extra

photograph of people celebrating under a giant flag in union square last night by semel17 on flickr

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Customer Reports Shady Sales Tactics at Best Buy

a best buy customer reported a photo that purports to go on a spree a manipulative tactic that the store is using to exchange its tv calibration service. “robert” sent the photo along with a letter to consumerist, explaining that best buy sells…

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