Monday, July 09, 2007

A Nano-based $300 iPhone by Christmas

Reuters:

Apple plans to launch a cheaper version of the iPhone in the fourth quarter that could be based on the ultra-slim iPod Nano music player, according to a JP Morgan report.

Kevin Chang, a JP Morgan analyst based in Taiwan, cited people in the supply channel that he did not name and an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office for his report.

Apple filed a patent application document that refers to a multifunctional handheld device with a circular touch pad control, similar to the Nano’s scroll wheel.

RELATED: Robert X. Cringely on how Apple plans to make this an iPhone Christmas.

Holsinger: still homophobic?

While I certainly agree that “the Senate should not confirm a surgeon general who considers practicing homosexuals abnormal and diseased” the NYTimes editorial today doesn’t shed much light for me on Dr. James Holsinger, the surgeon general nominee:

Although he is a Christian conservative, he is difficult to pigeonhole ideologically. He testified against an anti-cloning bill in Kentucky that he felt would impede research, a position at odds with that of the president. He backed a session on lesbian health issues at a state health conference despite protests from angry legislators, favored raising cigarette taxes in a tobacco-growing state and worked to limit junk food in schools.

What’s troubling is the view he once expressed - and may still hold - on homosexuality, through his activities as a lay leader in the United Methodist Church… His strongest statement on homosexuality can be found in a murky, loosely reasoned paper that he wrote for a church committee in 1991.

I’m reading all the criticism but have reason to wonder if we’re not talking about a man whose views have evolved. Holsinger’s more tolerant views came after that incendiary paper. As I’ve said before, a man’s views can change; in fact, we who work for social change hope that they do. I’d rather encourage and reward change than punish past beliefs.

I’ll be interested to see how he handles the grilling he’s bound to get on Thursday. If it turns out that he still holds such views, I’ll oppose him as vigorously as anyone else. Until then, I will give him the benefit of the doubt. 

Japanese Watermelon Art

Sure they can make art, but do the Japanese have a National Watermelon Month?

Via Damned Cool Pics where there are lots more.

Chambliss-Isakson sponsor “National Watermelon Month”

Well, golly, somehow I missed it:

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 29, 2007) - U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Ranking Republican Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) today introduced legislation designating the month of July in 2007, as “National Watermelon Month.” The measure calls on organizations and individuals to observe next month with appropriate educational programs and activities highlighting the health benefits and economic impact of watermelon.

“Watermelon production is an important sector of America’s agriculture industry,” said Sen. Chambliss. “The watermelon industry has a tremendous impact on Georgia’s economy with a 2006 farm gate value of more than $111 million from nearly 24,000 acres of watermelon. During the month of July, I encourage Americans to participate in National Watermelon Month by partaking in educational programs or even more by enjoying a serving or two for a nutritious snack.”

“I think it’s entirely appropriate that we will observe National Watermelon Month in July when we celebrate our Independence Day, because watermelon is as American as fried chicken and apple pie,” said Sen. Isakson. “I encourage all Georgians to learn more about this tasty, nutritious treat, which is an important part of Georgia’s agriculture industry.”

Via Wonkette, “with nothing really serious going on this summer as far as war and impeachment and everybody being poisoned by the Red Chinese Communists, Georgia Republicans Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson have boldly introduced Senate Resolution 262...”

RELATED: Isakson for governor in 2010? It could happen.

What would Luther do?

So asks Mary Zeiss Stange, a professor of women’s studies and religion at Skidmore College, in USA Today:

In Christ, "there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female," the Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians nearly 2,000 years ago. Upon further reflection, might he have added, "neither straight nor gay?"

The question is nonsensical, of course, because in his time the concept of "sexual orientation" had yet to be invented. And yet modern-day anti-gay church activists love to quote the handful of his statements about "unnatural" sexual acts as definitive - indeed, divinely inspired - condemnations of same-sex love.

The same goes for Martin Luther, the father of the Protestant Reformation. Lutheran anti-gay activists routinely, and correctly, point out that Luther had plenty of bad things to say about the scourge of "Sodomites" in 16th century Germany. Like his role model Paul, Luther was a product of the social prejudices of his time and culture: a time when the concepts of homosexuality as an "orientation" or a "lifestyle" were still unheard of. But would the man whose break from Roman Catholicism involved a revolutionary rethinking of the role of sexuality in human relationships take such a negative view of homosexuality today? Most probably, given the way his theological mind worked, he would not. READ ON

Investigate McDade

Today the AJC’s Maureen Downey says in an editorial entitled sex, lies and audiotapes that the Douglas prosecutor crossed a line when he tried to intimidate the mother of the teen in the Wilson case:

Last month, McDade learned from Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Jeremy Redmon that he had interviewed Veda Cannon, the mother of the 15-year-old girl, and that she had described feeling pressured into cooperating with Wilson’s prosecution. When he heard that, McDade immediately dispatched Assistant District Attorney Eddie Barker and an investigator to Cannon’s front door with a tape recorder.

The pair recorded a 20-minute conversation with Cannon that began with Barker announcing that her comments to Redmon “bothered” him. “He’s going to write a story that says you told him we threatened to put you in jail,” Barker complains to Cannon. “We are going to ask him to call you back and clarify some of those comments.”

McDade defends his heavy-handed decision to rush two employees to Cannon’s home to interrogate her and to instruct her to lie later about their visit. This unethical conduct is an abuse of McDade’s power as prosecutor and a misuse of tax dollars. The trip to Cannon’s home had nothing to do with protecting the citizens of Douglas County, only McDade’s reputation. [...]

The tape amounts to a dogged cross-examination of Cannon. Despite the intimidating circumstances, Cannon stands relatively firm that she felt she might face neglect charges over her daughter’s presence at the party. “I don’t know your exact words. ... If I didn’t cooperate ... I could be charged,” she tells Barker.

When Barker instructs her to set up a meeting with Redmon in McDade’s office, he says, “Tell him you called us to return our call and let us know you wanted to come to our office ... that’s where you feel comfortable.”

Yet, when Redmon met her later - at a neutral spot without McDade or his cronies - Cannon reiterated that she did not want Wilson or the other boys at the party prosecuted and that Barker told her she could face trouble if she didn’t cooperate.

Here’s the audio of the recording made by the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office of Assistant District Attorney J. Edward Barker and investigator Scott Cosper talking on June 13 with Veda Cannon, the mother of the victim in the Genarlow Wilson sex case.

I’ve long thought Mike Nifong and David McDade were two birds of a feather. I was appalled when I first heard of McDade’s actions towards the mother of the girl speaking out for Genarlow.

I’d like to see the whole darned muck of it investigated from the outside but I’m not seeing it unless the national media turns up the heat; I’m not a big Al Sharpton fan but if he were to make this cause his own he could possibly make that happen.

RELATED: The State Supreme Court has moved up the Genarlow Wilson hearing to July 20 at 10 a.m.