April 6, 2008 – Page 2

Apr 06 2008

Liveblogging 101: Meta

By Seattle Mark

If you search Wikipedia or on-line dictionaries for “liveblog” or any of the word’s variations, nothing turns up. Yet, if you google it, over 17,000,000 hits show up. It is obviously a word and its use is widespread. But what does it mean?

There have been many liveblogging events over on dailykos and every time I’ve clicked on one to check it out, it has been an utterly useless waste of my time. I don’t have cable TV, so my hope, when I log in to a liveblog, is to get information and perspectives on events that I can’t witness as they happen. Maybe even direct quotes from (or paraphrases of) the substance of the dialog. Or summaries! Instead, I get tons of irrelevant comments and sidebar debates that do absolutely nothing to illuminate me on the event. So many comments such as – “Obama’s reponse was great!” – and when I click on it, nothing – neither the question, nor the response is provided. Plus, the commenter didn’t even have the courtesy of amending their comment with n/t (no text) or eom (end of message.)

Does anyone else here think that liveblogging could be a much more effective tool than it has been in its recent manifestations? If so, hop in a barrel and follow me over the fa-a-a-a-alls.

Apr 06 2008

Tibet was “not “Shangrila: Rare film from 1950’s

By Zwoof

I thought I would post this today so that DharmaBums will have some knowledge of historical conditions in Tibet.

Some will say, “But it’s from CCTV, therefore it is propaganda.”

Watch and judge for yourself.

The 25 minute documentary includes rare archived film footage from the 1950’s and recent follow up interviews with survivors that are seen in the film.

Links below the fold, please watch Parts 1 and 2 and then discuss in comments if you like.

Apr 06 2008

Iglesia ……………………………………… Episode 45

By buhdydharma in Fiction

(Iglesia is a serialized novel, published on Tuesdays and Saturdays at midnight ET, you can read all of the episodes by clicking on the tag.)

Previous episode and previous pertinent episode

“If you are quite satisfied with your ahem, ensemble, I am afraid we shall have to keep moving for the next little while before I can fully “spill it,” but I can assure that soon we shall have the time an opportunity for a full briefing. For the nonce, we are still conducting evasive maneuvers, so if you would be so kind as to proceed after me….”

He walked down the service corridor a bit and opened yet another hatch and stepped through. She had been looking down and checking her new rig and not really paying much attention when she followed him through. So when she found herself stepping out onto, and somehow not falling through, the misty top of what her eyes registered, and her stunned, but rapidly recovering brain was rapidly figuring out was…. a thin streamer of white cloud high above the earth in an other wise crystal clear azure blue sky…..she just shrugged and followed, glad she had never been afraid of heights.

Apr 06 2008

1st Amendment – buh bye

By shpilk in Media

Top officials target media shield act

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Michael Mukasey and three other top Bush administration officials are weighing in against legislation that would allow reporters to protect the identities of confidential sources who provide sensitive, sometimes embarrassing information about the government.

The Free Flow of Information Act proposed by Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pennsylvania, could harm national security and would encourage more leaks of classified information, the four officials wrote in letters to senators made public Thursday.

The legislation gives an overly broad definition of journalists that “can include those linked to terrorists and criminals,” wrote Mukasey and National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell.

“All individuals and entities who ‘gather’ or ‘publish’ information about ‘matters of public interest’ but who are not technically designated terrorist organizations, foreign powers or agents of a foreign power will be entitled to the bill’s protections,” Mukasey and McConnell stated.

Journalists, press freedom. How quaint. What an old fashioned idea.

Apr 06 2008

Dharmenizens…..YOU are the BEST!!!!

By RiaD

52 comments

Apr 06 2008

You Can’t Be Serious!

By Edger

Scientists have found that all our problems can be placed under one heading: “Seriousness”.

Seriousness is the leading cause of everything from Cancer to Reincarnation.

Scientists have already discovered a new source of healing this condition.

It is a psychic energy point located between the heart chakra and the throat chakra.

It is called the Clown Chakra.

If people are feeling miserable, if they have financial problems, if their relationship situation is the pits, if they are in ill health, if they have a need to sue people, if they find fault with their brother, then obviously, their Clown Chakra is closed.

When this happens, the scientists have observed under a high-powered microscope that the cells of every organ display a sad face, and when the Clown Chakra is open and functioning normally, the cells display a happy face.