Representative John P. Murtha, the longtime Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania, has died at age 77.

His condition was thought to be grave after complications following gall bladder surgery. He was expected to be in the hospital for several months.

Murtha was a chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and ran for House Majority Leader in 2006. He was an early voice against the Iraq war in 2005, before many members of Congress were willing to do so.

A former Marine, Mr. Murtha, his office noted, was the first Vietnam War combat Veteran elected to Congress. Throughout his years, Mr. Murtha paid particular attention to defense spending and to the Pentagon and the military.

Without Murtha in the 12th district, however, the special election will be seriously contested. Murtha’s district is the only one in the country won by Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) in 2004 and by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in 2008, according to Republican sources, and that trend line coupled with the volatile national environment for Democrats ensures Republicans will heavily target the contest.

Representative John P. Murtha, the longtime Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania, has died at age 77. His aides released a statement saying that he died shortly after 1 p.m. today at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, a suburb of Washington, D.C. Mr. Murtha had been placed in intensive care last week after complications from gallbladder surgery, his staff said then.

Tomorrow, we’ll think about what happens to the seat, the special election, the effects on the ultimate redistricting of Pennsylvania: today, John “Jack” Murtha served his country and he will be missed.

Palin’s Cheat-Sheet

Sarah Palin Has to Use Cheat Sheet to Remember GOP Priorities AlterNet (blog) Hence Sarah Palin’s cheat sheet, classily scribbled on her hand, during the QA session of the Tea Party Convention in Nashville.

I swore I was going to ignore the crazy Tea Party Rally last weekend. Planned to steer clear of Sarahcuda’s $115,000 keynote speech. But I can’t resist a mini rant. Caribou Barbie just annoys me, I guess. While she was busy taunting Obama supporters asking, “how’s that hopey changey stuff workin’ for ya now?” and deriding the President for using a teleprompter, Palin was “palming” her talking points.

She scribbled “energy, ” tax cuts, ” and ‘Lift America’s Spirit” on her palm, and appeared to glance out it frequently during the Q & A following the big speech.Gotta hand it to her, Palin’s an old-fashioned cheater!

And a hypocrite, too. Last week Sarchuda went gunning for White House Chief-of-Staff Rahm Emanuel after a dopey and insensitive remark he made last August surfaced in an article. Okay, he shouldn’t have used the ‘R’ word. But he shouldn’t be fired over it either, as Palin has demanded.

Written on her hand, like high school:

“Energy”
“The budget [clear] (interrupting)”
“Tax”
“Raise the morale of America”

Mocking the President to use on a teleprompter and then type cheat sheet in your hand?

Was she told in advance of the questions she would be asked, one of which was what would be you priorities if you were elected president? Now think about this: she had to write on her hand her priorities as president.

Her fans could care less. The village idiot runs the show. Ignorance is bliss.

Ring Central system provides a business with a number using their local area code, an 800 number, or you can use your existing phone number on RingCentral. When a customer calls they are automatically forwarded to the device or devices that are attached to that phone numbers.

A person who does not work in a structured office location may need to depend on their mobile phone or messages to keep in touch with important clients. Using the Ringcentral system a person gets their calls where ever they are and there is no need to worry about messages being lost when a call is not received.

The desktop screen of Ringcentral is easy to use and provides many features. An important feature for call dependent businesses is the log that reflects all calls received and the caller information in a screen that allows you to call back immediately or store the number for later use.

When a person is dependent on calls from important clients and immediate contact with them the Ringcentral system provides an easy way to take those important calls immediately. When a contact calls, their name and information shows on a pop-up screen on your PC or mobile phone.

I’ve been using DigitalLine, a new VoIP service that integrated business telephony communications solutions provider RingCentral is introducing today.

My conversation yesterday with RingCentral CEO Vlad Shmunis clarified their position as differentiated from other services that route all your calls on all your numbers to one number. GrandCentral does this well, but is focused on the consumer segment. RingCentral provides a more SMB-related offering- with VoIP now integrated with landline and mobile in what essentially is a hosted PBX solution.

Aimed at SMBs with between 1 and 10 users, DigitalLine is also an alternative to lower-end Asterisk based solutions. RingCentral’s view of Asterisk seems to parallel what I have been hearing lately- that even the most guided-steps, user-friendly flavors of Asterisk are not as plug-and-play as the vendors like to say they are.

The Boeing 747-8F completing runway taxi tests

The first 747-8 Freighter is slated to take off from Paine Field in Everett, Washington today at 10 Pacific Time. I don’t know the route of flight, but tail number H/B748/R is set to return to Paine four hours later at 2:12 P.M. The 747-8 is the 15th model of venerable 747 jumbojet and will initially come in a freighter configuration with an  InterContinental passenger liner (up to 467 seats) due in several years.

I will be on the Future of Flight Strato Deck taking pictures and video of the event. Check back on this blog for all the updates, pictures and video of this morning’s first flight.

NOTE: Some people have asked if they can use my pictures and video — yes please. I just ask you give credit and link back to my blog!

UPDATE 9:10am: It is mighty foggy right now. Just watched a Emirates Boeing 777 take off and it disappeared instantly into the clouds. Hopefully it burns off soon. Boeing employees are starting to gather along the runway. Posting a few foggy pictures to my Flickr.

UPDATE 10:30am: The first flight has been delayed due to weather.

UPDATE 10:50am: Been change to no definite flight time due to weather. We now just sit and wait. While waiting I uploaded a few more pictures to Flickr.

UPDATE 11:15am: Hearing the Boeing 747-8 could take off as early as noon. Also hearing 2pm. Stay tuned, I am not leaving!

Canon Rebel t2i Announced

The T2i shoots 1080p video at the full range of frame rates desired by hobbyists and cinema pros alike–24, 25 and 30 frames per second. It also includes the same manual exposure controls during video capture–essentially every major video-shooting feature of the 7D.

The similarities continue: An 18-megapixel APS-C sensor is inside that matches almost every feature of the 7D’s own, differing only in its speed–a 4-channel readout as opposed to 8 means a slower burst mode, capturing 3.7 frames per second instead of 8. ISO range is also similar, with a standard max of 6400 which boosts to 12,800.

The T2i also borrows the refined ergonomics and control scheme of the 7D, with a dedicated video button up top. A new high-resolution 3-inch LCD (1.4 million dots) graces the back.

So what do you lose from downgrading from the ,700 7D? The aforementioned speed, the tougher magnesium body alloy, the enhanced body shape (and thumb wheel), and the suite of still-photo enhancements like faster autofocusing and the 7D’s extremely programmable and customizable control scheme.

Still, for savings of ,000 (the T2i is 0 with a kit lens, 0 for the body only), matching the 7D in the feature areas most will care about–HD video capture and imaging sensor–is quite a nice looking package. And for those who are served just fine by 720p video, look for the otherwise-excellent T1i to come down in price.

There are two ways in purchasing of this gadget so that the price is different for each. For the price details, just see these following lists.

1. Canon EOS Rebel T2i Digital SLR will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $799.99.
2. Canon EOS Rebel T2i Digital SLR will be sold in a kit version with Canon’s EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $899.99.

Basic Specification:

• MSRP: $900
• Resolution: 18.00 Megapixels
• Viewfinder: Optical / LCD
• LCD Size: 3.0 inch
• ISO: 100-12800
• Shutter: 30-1/4000
• Max Aperture: 3.5
• Battery: Custom LiIon
• Memory Type: SD / SDHC / SDXC
• Kit Lens: 3.00x zoom, 18-55mm, (29-88mm eq.)
• Dimensions: 5.1 x 3.8 x 3.0 in.(130 x 97 x 76 mm)
• Weight: 25.7 oz (730 g) includes batteries, kit lens

The Canon T2i retail package contains the following items:

• Eye cup
• Body cap
• Neck strap
• USB cable
• Video cable
• Software CDs
• Lens caps (front and back)
• EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens
• Canon Rebel T2i digital SLR camera body
• Instruction manuals and registration information
• LP-E8 battery pack and charger (International charger shown at right)

Steve Phillips Talks Sex Addiction

Phillips, a television pro, dominated the interview and wouldn’t let Matt Lauer pin him down on any dirty sex rehab specifics. It was a masterful job by Phillips.

Steve Phillips made it out of sex rehab alive and has definitely seen the error of having sex with people who aren’t your wife. So he went on “Today,” because this is information that America needs to hear.

Among the highlights:

* Phillips has been “allowed back home” by his wife (this according to Lauer; Phillips would only say he’s “working his tail off to save his marriage” and that they went to therapy together and he doesn’t know “what the ultimate result will be.”

* Phillips admitted he “had a real problem” and claims he was “calling facilities in August” well before the story broke. There’s no way for anyone to prove that short of pulling phone records – a nice move by Philips. “I was going to get help, I knew I needed it.”

In an exclusive interview with The TODAY Show’s Matt Lauer on Monday, disgraced former ESPN baseball analyst Steve Phillips — who entered sex rehab after yet another office romance with a pudgy butterface — spoke about the treatment he received at Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services, the same Mississippi facility where Tiger Woods reportedly sought help.

Phillips said he knew he had a problem before his affair with 22-year-old production assistant Brooke Hundley went public.

“I started calling facilities in August, well before everything blew up, and before there really was a problem where I ended up losing my job,” he said. “I knew I had a problem; I needed to get help.”

Hundley — who crashed her car into Phillips’ house after dropping off a letter detailing their affair to his wife, Marni — told NBC, “I’m sorry for him and his family. I’m sorry for my family. I was 22; I made some mistakes. If I could take them back, I would, OK?”

The who Drummer

The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They became known for energetic live performances including the pioneering spectacle of instrument destruction.The Who have sold about 100 million records and have charted 27 top forty singles in the United Kingdom and United States with 17 top ten albums,including 18 Gold, 12 Platinum and 5 Multi-Platinum album awards in the United States alone.

The Who rose to fame in the UK with a series of top ten hit singles, boosted in part by pirate radio stations such as Radio Caroline, beginning in January 1965 with “I Can’t Explain”. The albums My Generation (1965), A Quick One (1966) and The Who Sell Out (1967) followed, with the first two hitting the UK top five. They first hit the U.S. Top 40 in 1967 with Happy Jack” and hit the top ten later that year with “I Can See for Miles”. Their fame grew with memorable performances at the Monterey Pop and Woodstock music festivals.

The guitarist was arrested in 2003 in Britain as part of a child pornography sting but later cleared. He accessed a Web site containing child pornography but said it was for research for his own campaign against child porn.

That doesn’t satisfy some children’s advocates.

Still, Townshend says: “I kind of feel like we’re all on the same side, I guess that’s all I can really say.”

It was announced that The Who band will rock the Super Bowl 2010 during half time. And it actually did. The Who lead singer is Roger Daltrey while the guitarist is Pete Townshend. They performed songs including Pinball Wizard, Teenage Wasteland, Who are You and Won’t get Fooled Again. Do you like the wayThe Who rock the Super Bowl 2010? Watch The Who Band Members Super Bowl Halftime Show Performance Videos below.

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middletown

Middletown Explosion Initial witness reports and authorities have said that as many as 100 people may have been injured and 2 killed when a massive explosion, which some even mistook for an earthquake, blew up a power plant being built on the Connecticut River. The Middletown explosion occured in the southern section of the town at about 11 AM on Sunday.

Witnesses and authorities said as many as 100 people may have been injured and two killed when a massive explosion, which homeowners more than 10 miles away mistook for an earthquake, blew up a power plant being built on the Connecticut River in the southern section of Middletown at about 11 a.m. Sunday.

Medical rescue personnel said four of the 100 were injured, four critically, and two were dead at the site of the Kleen Energy Systems plant on River Road.

Observers moreover establishments expressed as several as 100 citizens may have been offended as well as two splayed at what time a enormous explosion, which homeowners extra than 10 miles left errors used for an earthquake, destroyed a control plant being constructed on the Connecticut River in the southern part of Middletown on almost 11 a.m. Sunday.

Emergency rescue authorities were briefing Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who opened the state’s emergency management center. There were at least 100 firefighters on the site at 1:30 p.m. and the fire caused by the explosion had been extinguished.

Medical save workers expressed four of the 100 were hurted, four seriously, as well as two were departed on the place of the Kleen Energy Systems place on River Road.

“There are bodies everywhere,” an observer expressed. One more observer remarked many wounded might be hidden in debris.

Some witnesses believe that the Middletown explosion took place when workers switched on the plant’s energy generating systems during a test. Emergency firefighters reached Middletown Conneticut at around 1:30 pm and tried to prevent further casualties.

Super Bowl Kick Off Time!

Kick off start time is 6:25 PM EST 3:25 PM PST Sunday from Miami.

Here are your Colts vs Saints numbers coming into Super Bowl Sunday action.

Superbowl kickoff time you guys, the Super-Bowl will be held up on the very day of Sun. Within the Miami, FL, ‘tween the Indiana. Colts as well as the New-Orls Saints. The match up will actually start-off, as per to the Superbowl kickoff time will kick at approximately twenty five minutes past six in the evening time as per to the EST on the seventh of Feb. in the year of 2010.
Manning for the season has passed 4500 yards with 33 TDs, 16 INTs, and a 69% completion rate. Addai leads Colts rushing with 10 TDs on 219 carries over 828 yards. Brown has 3 TDs in 78 carries over 281 yards. Wyane has 10 TDs in 100 receptions over 1264 yards. Clark also has 10 TDs in 1106 yards in 100 receptions.

Brees has the incredible 71% completion rate, 34 TDs, 11 INTs in 4388 yards. Thomas leads rushing with 6 TDs in 147 carries over 793 yards. Bell has 5 TDs in 172 carries over 654 yards. Colston leads receiving 70 receptions pulling 9 TDs in 1074 yards while Henderson has 2 TDs in 51 receptions over 804 yards.

Accidental injuries are currently quite a large headache for both the squads, but it actually look like they will persist on and we can eventually watch the best Super-Bowl game ever in the history of the Super-bowl. Everyone is currently, quite anxiously waiting up for theSuperbowl kickoff time as well the after that to watch the 2 teams lead off the Super-bowl in a superb style.

Japan 6.4 Earthquake 2010

The Earthquake is measure to be 6.4, We have had another earthquake, and this is not doing good, after the Haiti earthquake a month ago now we have this in Japan. For more details on the this Japan Earthquake 2010 .

On Sunday, Feb 7, the south coast of Miyakojima, in south Japan, had an earthquake. Japan’s earthquake was 69 miles/ 110 km long and went 6 miles/ 10 km deep.

Miyakojima is 1120 miles/ 1800 km southwest of the capital, Tokyo. JMA said the quake measured 6.6. US’s Geological survey measured the earthquake at 6.4.

Japan related news for this week:

On Friday, Feb 5, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s vessel, the Bob Barker, was rammed by Japan’s Yushin Maru 3.

Japanese officials issued a tsunami warning Sunday for several small islands after a strong earthquake shook an area off the country’s southern coast.

The Meteorological Agency said the earthquake hit at 3:10 p.m. (0610 GMT) and registered magnitude 6.6. The U.S. Geological Survey measured it at 6.4.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The Japanese agency said the tsunami was expected to be about 1.6 feet (50 centimeters) high.

The quake hit 69 miles (110 kilometers) off the southern coast of Miyakojima island, in southern Japan, at a depth of six miles (10 kilometers), it said.

The small island is about 1,120 miles (1,800 kilometers) southwest of Tokyo.