Monthly Archives: October 2008
Security Theatre
This article reminds us of the good old days, when we were actually terrified of terrorists. It’s actually an article about a guy who tries to get arrested for terrorism and can’t. And it’s not fiction. So read it. And … Continue reading
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Historical Electoral Votes Source
RealClearPolitics has become my de facto polling source, but I dug out this gem from the 2004 election. It has historical information about the electoral votes of every state going back to 1992, which is why I find it so … Continue reading
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Enron Iconography
One of the interesting things about Enron is the way the iconography of the scandal immediately was absorbed by the culture and continues to flourish. The images flashed on teevee every evening made us familiar with the perp walk – … Continue reading
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Election Night(mares)
Right Hand of God has a short, pithy, accurate post on how to read the election coverage on Election Night. I agree with everything he says.
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Sylvia Plath’s Birthday
Today is a special day for me. It’s Sylvia Plath’s birthday. It was, I don’t know – three years ago? Four? – that Sheila wrote a birthday post about Sylvia Plath. (UPDATE: check out the yearly post here!) Knowing nothing … Continue reading
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Jeff Skilling Moved
Earlier this month, former Enron CEO Jeff Skilling was transported from the prison in Waseca, Minnesota to a low-security prison in Colorado because the Minnesota prison is being turned into an all-women’s facility. According to the Houston Chronicle, Skilling attorney … Continue reading
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Today In Enron History
On October 16, 2001, Enron announced it would report a third-quarter loss of $638 million. The next day, the SEC launched an investigation into Enron. On October 20, 2001, the stock closed down at $26.05 per share, making a cumulative … Continue reading
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Industries That Are Never Demonized
We hear so much about Big Pharma, Big Oil, Big Retail that perhaps we’re overlooking all the idustries that are never demonized. I’ve taken the thinking out of it and compiled a list: Big Ballet Big Poetry Big Independent Music … Continue reading
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The Word As Flesh
My agent’s assistant had written two comments on a page of my manuscript. I had written the sentence: He was eager to be at home. In the margin, in her flawless penmanship, the assistant wrote, “Sounds like Hemingway. Short declarative … Continue reading
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Today In Enron History
I wrote the October 16 edition of Today In Enron History with such passion that I am sure if it had survived the Great Computer Crash of 2008, you would be so impressed you’d run out to tell all your … Continue reading
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Joe Hirko Pleads Guilty
Houston Chronicle reports that the former chief executive of Enron Broadband Services pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of wire fraud. The plea deal requires Joseph Hirko, 52, of Portland, Ore., to serve up to 16 months in prison and … Continue reading
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Casey Anthony Indictment
Here is a a copy of the indictment against Casey Anthony in the first degree premeditated murder of her daughter. Anthony is charged with six additional counts: One count aggravated child abuse One count aggravated manslaughter of a child Four … Continue reading
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Casey Anthony Indicted On First Degree Murder
A CNN news alert just blazed into my email: The mother of missing Florida toddler Caylee Anthony has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge, prosecutors say. The CNN article has a few other details about the grand jury process, … Continue reading
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Broadband Defendant To Plead Guilty
According to Kristen Hays writing for Houston Chronicle, Joe Hirko, one of the Enron Broadband defendants, is slated to plead guilty to federal felony Tuesday rather than face a jury for a second time. Joseph Hirko was slated to be … Continue reading
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