In 2003, France got a glimpse of what the future may hold. A summer heat wave broke all temperature records, straining the country's medical and energy resources. But a future of warmer summers could bring unexpected pleasures — including wine.
The town of St. Emilion lies in heart of a France's famous Bordeaux wine region. Beside just about every road there are row upon row of exquisitely manicured grapevines. Francois Despagne, the winemaker at Chateau Grand Corbin Despagne, explains that it is impossible to produce good wine without good grapes. And he should know. Despagne's family has been living in this part of the Bordeaux wine region since the 16th century. Today, he has 200,000 plants on 53 different plots.
We've come a long way since the 1964 presidential election in which nuclear weapons were code for "bat shit crazy".
I've posted a bunch of stuff from Bruce Schneier over the years. He's the most widely known computer security expert, who has broadened his field greatly after 9/11 and now writes extensively on real world security. I think his technical background serves him very well, and I really am hoping there is some place for him in some under secretary role in a Dem administration. Or short of that I hope they read him at least. If I was president I'd put him in charge of Homeland Security (if for some reason I couldn't abolish that department - or at least rename it!)
Anyway, here's a post of his about the California voting Machine audit results. Follow up post is here. It's a little technical, but not too bad. Long story short: all the machines are easily hackable. We knew this already, but it still is nice to have some actual details. Posted for future reference if nothing else.
Anyway, here's a post of his about the California voting Machine audit results. Follow up post is here. It's a little technical, but not too bad. Long story short: all the machines are easily hackable. We knew this already, but it still is nice to have some actual details. Posted for future reference if nothing else.
someone recommended this korean-california frozen yogurt chain which now has 4 nyc locations - pinkberry.
respect yourself / the stax records story / ch 13 tonight @ 9
it's shark week, people
*hic*
Consider: A new bird report from the National Audubon Society shows that populations of some of America's most “familiar and beloved birds” have taken a precipitous fall over the past four decades, with some down as much as 80 percent. On the list are northern bobwhites, red-headed woodpeckers, northern pintail ducks and Eastern meadowlarks, among many other birds that once boasted healthy populations.the report / hat tip to todays news hour (no web presence)
The dramatic declines are caused by the loss of grasslands, healthy forests and wetlands and other critical habitats from multiple environmental threats: urban sprawl, energy development and the spread of industrialized agriculture, according to the report.
“Direct habitat loss continues to be a leading cause for concern,” said Audubon Bird Conservation Director and analysis author, Dr. Greg Butcher. “But now we're seeing the added impact of large-scale environmental problems and policies.”
Grassland bird species have been declining for years. That's not a big surprise, nor should it be to the Audubon Society or any other conservation group. Still, for those who love to see birds at their bird feeders, or for those who are active in the fine art of spying birds in the field, the American landscape has seen better days.
Dr. Butcher says that global warming “is damaging some key habitats and speeding the spread of invasive species” that many scientists believe could spur further bird declines. Mounting demand for corn-based fuels is expected to result in increased use of marginal farmland that currently serves as important habitat.
On the latter point, demand for ethanol across the Great Plains (and beyond) is already causing land-use shifts into environmentally sensitive areas, a disturbing trend that most conservation officials say will continue for the foreseeable future. With corn at roughly $4 a bushel, farmers are cashing in, and it is tough to blame them, for they're simply heeding national policy set by President Bush and lawmakers from both major political parties.
Tom Snyder R.I.P.
Google's battle for wireless spectrum -- Google is pushing the FCC to write rules for an upcoming auction to enforce openness.
Sex and Violence
* Japanese Porn Industry Embraces Blu-Ray Disc
* Sony Inks Exclusive Rockstar Deal for PlayStation 3
* Japanese Porn Industry Embraces Blu-Ray Disc
* Sony Inks Exclusive Rockstar Deal for PlayStation 3
The man who bought Jerry Garcia's house 10 years ago is selling everything, including the kitchen sink.
Its Really not easy being green
audubon ch13 wed at 9
France vs. USA: May the Best Cheese Win
In the past, American cheesemakers' reputations have lagged behind the French. Now we'll do a taste test and find out whether America's cheeses have caught up. Ruth Reichl of Gourmet magazine joins cheesemongers Rob Kaufelt of Murray's cheese and Anne Saxelby of Saxelby's Cheese.
Here are the cheeses we're tasting on-air today:
French
Valencay (goats' cheese)
Pyrenee Brebis (raw sheep's milk from the Pyrenees)
Chatelain Camembert
Persille de Malzieu
Mimolette (cows' milk, from Flanders and other parts of northern France)
American
Twig Farm Square Cheese (raw goats' milk, West Cornwall, VT)
Jasper Hill Farm Constant Bliss (raw cows' milk, Greensboro, VT)
Woodcock Farm Weston Wheel (raw sheeps' milk, Weston, VT)
Birchrun Hills Farm Birchrun Blue (raw cows' milk, Chester Springs, PA)
Uplands Farm Pleasant Ridge Reserve (raw cows' milk, Dodgeville, WI)
