I agree, luftloft deserves a star. Those there's more to framing an issue than just making it short and catchy. You need to tap into the mindset(s) of the intended audience- e.g. the strict-father/nuturing parent frameworks that Lakoff talks about.

For reasons I don't understand, I'm not that incensed by Obama's stance on the FISA stuff, which is surprising given my concern over the larger issue.

Maybe it's that I realize that for all his imperfections, Obama's policy, worldview, and leadership style are, for me, far preferable than the alternative(s).

I know it's a reach to compare Obama to Lincoln (but come on- how many relative inexperienced, lanky, eloquent, adopted-home Illinois politicians are there?), but it should be remembered that Lincoln was a *very* pragmatic leader, and a *very* effective one. He did not get too far in front of the abolition issue for fear of fueling a backlash; he recognized that as the President he could lead people, but not too far, too fast.

I realize it's presumptive to compare Lincoln's accomplishments with Obama's potential, but I really think there's some level of commonality in terms of attitude. I hope we get a chance to see how it pans out.

I apologize in advance if this comes across as harsh. Feeling surly today:

EROEI- Google for it. EROEI is excellent for any current solar technology, PV or thermal. Help me in killing this meme (the "takes more energy to build one than they generate" one) It's wrong.

When you say "we should take a close look" what you actually mean is "I haven't taken a close look"; these are no equivalent statements. The fact that you haven't researched something doesn't mean that others haven't either. Google is your friend.

The external costs for solar and wind are much lower than status-quo fossil energy sources. Full stop.

I'm pretty sure that Goldman Sachs has not abdicated their goal to generate (or at least seize) wealth. There's money to be made in the desert (and on your roof). With reasonable environmental regulation, I say good.

Great research, decent article, terrible headline!

Though you could use the MIT waveguides for windows, I suppose, and I know Baldo is quoted as saying [like a window], that's not really the point here.

The point of this innovation is that 1) PV is expensive and 2) PV can generally handle much more intense light but 3) concentrating systems (lenses, mirrors, etc.) tend to be mechanical, complex, expensive. These guys have come up with a flat waveguide (that looks like a window, but is better mounted on a roof or structure) that solves (3), allows (2), which reduces the amount of PV needed, which helps solve (1).

I hope it pans out.

Just got my very first loan repaid in full yesterday; I felt warm and fuzzy. I immediately rolled it over into another loan.

Assuming their overall numbers are accurate, I'm pretty amazed at how low the default rate is. Of course there are going to be people who are fraudulent, incompetent, or just plain unlucky. As long as the default rate is low enough, it's pretty tolerable.

... both provide automatic remote backup.

I've used both and like them both; JungleDisk is a bit more flexible but is a little easier to back up.

I also use Unison to back up between Windows, Mac, Linux machines in my house.

I don't trust myself to do manual backups frequently enough (and frankly have better uses for my free time); automatic is the only way to go.

It's a tight race between a stud (Cadel Evans of Australia) and a great team (CSC Saxo) with 2 contenders (Carlos Sastre, the current leader, and Frank Schleck), plus a great story (the brothers Frank and Andy Schleck).

And though people point to the continued positive tests as a problem, I think it's great because people are getting caught red-handed; riders know that the testing is catching up with the cheating.

If other pro sports were half as serious as cycling at cleaning up, you'd see the same thing or worse. Bonds would have been thrown out a long time ago, records stripped, welcome back Hank.

I regretted the way I broke up with a girlfriend in high school. She was going through a lot of issues at the time (which I didn't interpret correctly at the time), and I could have handled the situation better. I was needlessly hurtful.

I wrote a short apology to her just after I finished college, and it was well received. We kept up a short correspondence and then went our separate ways.

It made me felt better, and she at least claimed to feel the same.

Stick with the geek: http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/

http://www.gallup.com/poll/109675/Gallup-Daily-Obama-45-McCain-44.aspx

McCain's ceiling in the Gallup tracking poll continues to be Obama's floor. McCain bounces from 42-45, and Obama from 45-48.

I am pretty confident in Obama's campaign. If you follow closely what they are doing just slightly under the MSM radar, they are doing a lot of smart stuff. That said, I agree that Dems should take protection of the Constitution as a core issue, for all the reasons that whatobamashouldsay mentions.

The election is still quite up for grabs, but this is not a John Kerry redux.

Remind me not to let you design my nuclear waste storage policies...