Dianah Neff, CIO of Philadelphia, is stopping by to answer questions direct from you, about Wireless Philadelphia, her job as CIO, and more. It’s *your* interview with her. This is a rare opportunity and we’re honored to have her at the site posting answers to your questions.
Please see, spread the word about, and especially participate in Dianah Neff’s community interview at Philly Future.
A new series in the New York Times discussing social class in America is opening discussions in various blogs I read: Class in America: Shadowy Lines That Still Divide. I haven’t had a chance to read the first article yet, but for now here goes the relevant posts:
Metafilter: Rich get richer, poor get poorer.
Want a simple rule to define class in America? I have one – and it is sure to offend:
On average: If you shop at Dunkin Donuts for your coffee – you’re middle, working class or poor. If you shop at Starbucks for your coffee – you’re upper middle class or richer.
That’s it.
I am the only person I know who shops at both. Most thumb their noses one way or the other. I go to Starbucks in the afternoon at work – even though might I bitch and moan to my co-workers that Dunkin Donuts costs less and has better coffee. Sometimes we do a double stop – we go to Starbucks for them and they walk with me to Dunkin Donuts for mine. These same co-workers chide me when I buy a drink there every now and then. Three dollars for a small hot chocolate. Three dollars for six ounces! I admit it – I’ve had a few of them!
Dunkin Donuts is a left over from my economic past. I continue to drink it because Starbucks smells of elitism to me – even if I can supposedly afford it – and I love it over Starbucks – even some try to convince me that Starbucks is just better.
I need to get around to reading that article…
Smoking gun memo revealed, and while Blair is in a shitstorm, the U.S. media leaves the gloves off Bush.
Read the memo here.
Citizen-Times: Church members say they were kicked out for being Democrats.
PCWorld.com – Government Uses Color Laser Printer Technology to Track Documents: “Next time you make a printout from your color laser printer, shine an LED flashlight beam on it and examine it closely with a magnifying glass. You might be able to see the small, scattered yellow dots printed there that could be used to trace the document back to you.”
May 17th isn’t being talked about in the news to any great degree. There is little discussion about local politics besides that of corruption. Is there any wonder why turnout has been so low in local primary races?
Help change that this 17th. For why I feel Seth Williams is our best choice, see an earlier a co-authored editorial by Matt and me at PF.
Pledge your vote and get others to take notice.
For the rest of our regional web’s thoughts on Seth Williams and this race, please see Philly Future.
A huge shout out to Young Philly Politics. Dan and his team are doing a great job getting people involved in this conversation.
Get involved. You have the power.
WashTimes: Laura Bush leaves ’em laughing, gasping.
Admit it, it’s funny.
Get the details here.
…Considering how the election turned out, asked a young man describing himself as a former Howard Dean volunteer, what have you learned?
Edwards has heard this question before. In typical Edwards style, he already has a standard answer for it. “The American people want strength, conviction and a core set of beliefs that you will fight for,” replied the former senator, presidential candidate and vice-presidential nominee. Discussing “how to maneuver our way through the political landscape,” he added, is a fool’s errand. “How about if the Democratic Party actually stands for the values the Democratic Party has always stood for?” asked Edwards. “We shouldn’t change what we believe and what we stand for because of one election or even two elections.”
…One nagging question remains: What, exactly, do the Democrats stand for?
…It is also the question John Edwards has taken up more directly than any other potential 2008 presidential candidate. “We stand for work and opportunity,” Edwards said earlier this year. At times he has talked of creating an “opportunity society.” At Harvard he spoke of allowing all Americans “the dignity and honor in hard work.” The precise formula is a work in progress, but Edwards envisions a campaign in which the Democrats do not merely list good policy ideas, but emphasize the moral foundations of social justice, and depict the party’s ideas as representing the essential American values.
WashingtonPost: U.S. Figures Show Sharp Global Rise In Terrorism.