Rapid Reads Has Moved 01/12/2010

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Looking for Rapid Reads?  Well, thanks to readers like you it has expanded and moved!

The news blog can now be found at:  http://thegistnetwork.com/
You can also follow The Gist Network on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/thegistnetwork

 

January 7, 2010 01/07/2010

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News:
- An airport sealed with a kiss:

- Proposition 8 (California's controversial ban on same-sex marriage) is once again in the spotlight as a judge plans to allow cameras to document the constitutionality lawsuit involving Prop 8 in federal court. This is a first: YOU will be able to watch the historical event on the almighty YouTube.

Business:
- In an effort to "avoid a panic" Timothy Geithner (current U.S. Secretary of Treasury, no big deal) told major insurance corporation AIG not to disclose certain information to the public. Gee, thanks...because half the story is always better than the whole story, especially when it involves loads of money. ::sarcasm::

Sports:
- College football season culminates tonight with the National Championship, a good 'ole war between the Southern states. (Hook 'em!) 

Technology:
- Now we really are mimicking the things of Star Trek--a transparent laptop! (Call me a nerd, but I think this is incredible!)

Personal Pick:
- Better late than never! Have a laugh:

 

January 6, 2010 01/06/2010

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Politics:
- Exit stage left: a handful of Democrats bid farewell to their political seats.
- Pres. Obama admires the Mayo Clinic, but his health care plan may cripple it.

News:
Nightline's piece on single African American women looking for marriage has been quite the conversation starter since the holidays. Take a look:

Questions I have:
Do you agree with Steve Harvey who says black women should not to settle, but compromise? And are these hurdles just within the African American community? Personally, I don't think so. Feel free to leave comments.

Sports:
- People may be gaga over Tim Tebow, but in preparation for tomorrow night's championship game, let's take a look at the young man that is Colt McCoy.

Entertainment:
- Queen Latifah will host the People's Choice Awards tonight at 9/8C on CBS. Is it reallllly the people's choice? No one asked me.
- If I could give a People's Choice Award for worst hair styles I'd definitely give it to Kate Gosselin.

Personal Pick:
I wanna be forever young, in spirit but not in knowledge. Regardless, enjoy:

 

January 5, 2010 01/05/2010

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Politics:
- President Obama spoke today on why the Christmas Day airplane bombing attempt wasn't uncovered sooner (answer = no good reason). "We have to do better and we will do better. And we have to do it quickly -- American lives are on the line," he said.

News:
- Sucks to get picked on too doesn't it, Ahmadinejad?

Business:
- Ford is the not only "the best in Texas" like their famous slogan states, but apparently the best in the country, if we're going by the numbers from December.
- Looking for a new job in 2010? CareerCast.com has released their study findings of the 200 Best/Worst jobs of 2009 (chart). Where does yours fall? (I'm thinking I should trade my #95 to my college minor which made #5)

Technology:
- For a cool $530 you can have the new Google Nexus phone. My former boss-man, Shep, gives us the lowdown on the iPhone's supposed nemesis:

Entertainment:
- Casey Johnson, Hollywood socialite and heiress to the Johnson & Johnson fortune, was found dead yesterday in her home. The autopsy is done, but we still don't know much.
- "The Bachelor" is back for yet another season, this time with Jake Pavelka at the wheel. But good 'ole Captain America is already taking a nosedive. (Couldn't resist the flying puns...neither could practically ALL of the 25 women in last night's show. Barf.)

 

January 4, 2010 01/04/2010

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It feels good to be back! Welcome to 2010.

Politics:
- New year, fresh meat. Here's POLITICO's list of 25 politicians to keep your eyes on in 2010's political races.
- Bob Schieffer's take on presenting the truth...the whole truth...and nothing but the truth in the wake of the attempted terrorist airplane bombing on Christmas Day.

News:
- Speaking of the Christmas "undie-bomber," new airport security regulations took effect today for passengers coming in to the U.S. from 14 "flagged" countries.
- Scared of heights? Then I suggest you don't travel to see the world's tallest building, the 2,716-foot Burj Khalifa. Perhaps just read about it, and watch the magnificent grand opening fireworks display video instead.

From nytimes.com

Sports:
- It's time for my Horned Frogs to shine! Show 'em whatcha got tonight, boys.

Personal Pick:
- New Year's resolution: let's find some new pet peeves, for Pete's sake!
- During the frustrating delays at Newark Airport last night (after a security breach basically shut the place down) some passengers bonded over the Beatles...one of my favorite songs, actually! Love it:

 

Merry Christmas! 12/22/2009

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FYI: Rapid Reads is taking a little Christmas vacation.

Until after New Year's...be safe, have fun, and have a blessed, joyous holiday!

 

December 22, 2009 12/22/2009

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Politics:
- bribe |brīb|
verb: persuade (someone) to act in one's favor...by a gift of money or other inducement
noun: a sum of money or other inducement offered or given in this way

Just sayin'. If the shoe fits...wear it--call the "special deals" what they actually are.
::opinion alert::
When did American politicians decide to make this monumental bill NOT about the American people, but about how much money or what sweet "deal" they could squeeze out of it for themselves?
- Red Rover, red Rover, let Rep. Griffith come over.

Business:
- Friends (they're not), Romans (are extinct), countrymen (Americans), lend me (Obama) your ears...err...well, just lend.

Sports:
- Chris Henry's fiancée says a tearful goodbye at his funeral.

Entertainment:
- Well the good news is, if Carrie's career suddenly goes bust, she can always sell the GINORMOUS rock on her hand and live off of that...FOREVER.

Personal Pick:
- 2009 in the form of a Google Wave! One of the best "let's remember 2009" things I've seen yet:

 

December 21, 2009 12/21/2009

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Politics:
- After a 1 a.m vote this morning the Senate voted 60 Democrats to 40 Republicans, strictly on party lines. The Senate version of the health care reform bill was passed, and will now need to be reconciled with the bill passed by the House. Do you have any idea what's in each? I didn't. So here are two easy-to-understand, interactive looks (costs included!) at the workings of the Senate bill vs. the House bill:
*Washington Post graphs
*NY Times breakdown (click on the issues on the left to view each)

General News:
- Tarmac times get drastically cut, or else airlines will owe big bucks ($27,500 PER PASSENGER, that is!)

Technology:
- Inquiring minds (mine) want to know: do these Facebook hot topics of discussion correspond with society's priorities as a whole? Hmm....yard? What the heck.

Entertainment:
- Diane Sawyer made the jump in to Katie's night time slot, but on ABC. She took over for Charlie Gibson, and made her debut on World News tonight.
- Young starlet, Brittany Murphy, died suddenly over the weekend. Her autopsy is schedule for tomorrow, though some speculate drugs could have played a part. Take a look at her rather "loopy" appearance just weeks ago:

 

December 17, 2009 12/17/2009

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Politics:
- I am quickly getting to the point where nothing in the political world, no matter how absurd, surprises me anymore. News about the people WE have elected to represent US as a whole seems to grow more outrageous every day. Both sides are guilty of the ridiculousness. This article pretty much sums it all up.

General News:
- Iranian-backed insurgents use inexpensive, easy-to-obtain software to hack in to U.S. military drones.
- Laredo, TX loses its only bookstore, making it the largest city in the United States to be without a book source. (Just a guess, but this is NOT going to help the city's high illiteracy rate. Yikes.)

Technology:
- Someone's in need of a reality check: man "marries" a video game character. Yes, you read that correctly. This video depicts the groom with his new bride.

Sports:
- After what is being called a "domestic dispute" with his fiancée, Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry is dead.
- Rumors of divorce are swirling around Tiger Woods as his wife Elin supposedly plans to take her sweet time to end their marriage. But one thing is true--Elin is smarter than Mistress #4:

Personal Pick:
- One of my favorite distractions.

 

December 16, 2009 12/16/2009

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Politics:
- Nothin' like a good 'ole fashion stall maneuver. (More like a procedural nap time! 767 pages?!)
- A look at the health care bill being feverishly debated in the Senate in the skeptical eyes of a former Democratic governor who achieved universal health care in his state. Not your stereotypical opponent to this health care bill.

General News:
- TIME picks Bernanke as Person of the Year.
- A very thrifty octopus surprises scientists. See the little guy/gal in action:

Technology:
- Just another way for people to know way too much about you, though your occasionally forgetful spouse might be eternally grateful!

2009 Retrospections:
- A decade in pictures. Some sad, some funny, some simply incredible.

- One of the most popular songs of 2009...with a political twist. Hilarious! (Shout out to KCEN producer, Crystal, for sharing this gem with me.)

 

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