Schadenfreude

U.S. Air Force can’t find enough people willing to be drone pilots

"The US Air Force is unable to keep up with a growing demand for pilots capable of operating drones, partly due to a shortage of volunteers, according to a new study. Despite the importance placed on the burgeoning robotic fleet, drone operators face a lack of opportunities for promotion to higher ranks and the military has failed to identify and cultivate this new category of aviators, Air Force Colonel Bradley Hoagland wrote in the report published for the Brookings Institution think tank. As of last year, the Air Force has 1,300 drone pilots, making up about 8.5 percent of the force’s aviators, compared to 3.3 percent four years [earlier]." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. Air Force can’t find enough people willing to be drone pilots

Second British man jailed for selling fake bomb detectors to governments

"The boxes cost less than £5 ($7.85, 5.85 euros) to make, but Gary Bolton claimed they could detect explosives, narcotics, tobacco, ivory and even cash. They were sold for between £2,500 and £10,000 in bulk or up to £15,000 if bought individually. The court heard Bolton’s company, Global Technology, had a turnover of almost £3 million. In May, British businessman James McCormick was sentenced to 10 years in jail for selling fake bomb detectors to the Iraqi government and other countries. McCormick, 57, made an estimated £50 million from selling the devices, which prosecutors said were based on a novelty golf ball finder." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSecond British man jailed for selling fake bomb detectors to governments

After destroying newspapers, the Internet is now poised to disrupt television

"Having turned print media upside down, the Internet now is disrupting television, forcing broadcasters to adapt to tablets and video-on-demand to hold onto views and advertisers. 'The gap between what consumers want and the way the industry is delivering it has grown so big that the industry now has to start to make some moves,' Forrester Research analyst Jim Nail told AFP. For the first time this year, American adults are spending more time with the Internet than in front of television sets — about five hours a day compared to 4.5, according to a study in eMarketer this month. Internet giant Google has joined the party with Chromecast." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAfter destroying newspapers, the Internet is now poised to disrupt television

Sputtering War on Drugs In Afghanistan

"By the Pentagon’s own definition, the U.S. and its allies have failed to curb the drug trade in Afghanistan that provides 90 percent of the world’s heroin and is the main source of funding for the Taliban. The United Nations has pledged to fill the counter-narcotics vacuum left by the withdrawing allies, but that effort will be dependent on continuing contributions from donor states. To continue anti-drug efforts past 2014, the U.S. must include DEA agents with the long-term residual force that President Obama plans to leave behind post-2014, according to the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSputtering War on Drugs In Afghanistan

Man who created own credit card sues bank for not sticking to terms

"Mr Argarkov's version of the contract contained a 0pc interest rate, no fees and no credit limit. Every time the bank failed to comply with the rules, he would fine them 3m rubles (£58,716). If Tinkoff tried to cancel the contract, it would have to pay him 6m rubles. Tinkoff apparently failed to read the amendments, signed the contract and sent Mr Argakov a credit card. Earlier this week a Russian judge ruled in Mr Argakov's favour. Tinkoff had signed the contract and was legally bound to it. Mr Argakov was only ordered to pay an outstanding balance of 19,000 rubles (£371)." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMan who created own credit card sues bank for not sticking to terms

State Department: Bradley Manning had ‘chilling effect’ on foreign relations

"'Every single embassy' was affected, said Undersecretary of State for Management Patrick Kennedy, who warned about long-term consequences of Manning’s 2010 leaks to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks. The unauthorized releases made foreign diplomats, business leaders and other information sources 'reticent to provide their full and frank opinions and share them with us,' he said. Most of the leaked diplomatic cables originated after 2005, when a new information-sharing system was adopted to address intelligence failings exposed by the attacks of September 11, 2001." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingState Department: Bradley Manning had ‘chilling effect’ on foreign relations

Overstock.com CEO: Steve Cohen Responsible For Corruption That Cost Hundreds Of Thousands Of Jobs

"Overstock.com CEO Patrick Byrne colorfully explained in his own words why he took out a full page ad in the Wall Street Journal mocking SAC Capital's Steve Cohen Saturday. Since 2005 Byrne has been saying that powerful market actors have been working to destroy his company. In 2010 he identified them as Michael Milken and SAC's Steven Cohen. Two years later, emails accidentally leaked by lawyers representing a number of Wall Street banks described how the banks were allegedly naked short-selling Overstock.com stock and advising their hedge fund clients on how to do the same. SAC Capital, as you know, is one massive hedge fund client." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOverstock.com CEO: Steve Cohen Responsible For Corruption That Cost Hundreds Of Thousands Of Jobs

Limbaugh and Hannity to be dropped by major radio network

"The country’s second-biggest radio network is planning to dump conservative commentators Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh at the end of 2013 to offset a loss in revenues, Politico reported on Sunday. Think Progress reported that the duo has lost 240 advertisers between them since 2012, with Limbaugh in particular being targeted for a boycott over his derogatory remarks against womens’ rights activist Sandra Fluke. That same month, Limbaugh complained that Fox News was losing out on advertising money because 'the media buyers at advertising agencies are young women, fresh out of college, liberal feminists who hate conservatism.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLimbaugh and Hannity to be dropped by major radio network

Half of Affordable Care Act call center jobs will be part-time

"Earlier this year, Contra Costa County won the right to run a health care call center, where workers will answer questions to help implement the president's Affordable Care Act. Now, with two months to go before the Concord operation opens to serve the public, information has surfaced that about half the jobs are part-time, with no health benefits -- a stinging disappointment to workers and local politicians who believed the positions would be full-time. The Contra Costa County supervisor whose district includes the call center called the whole hiring process -- which attracted about 7,000 applicants -- a 'comedy of errors.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHalf of Affordable Care Act call center jobs will be part-time

Unintended Consequence: Colorado’s Gun Control Law Kills Gun Buy-Back Program.

"The group wanted citizens to come down and sell their guns, cheap, to the group. Well, under the July 1 gun control law, the group cannot pay for any guns. It’s not licensed. To go through with the plan, the group must find a licensed gun dealer to host the event. Then the people with guns to sell must come to the gun dealer and sell them. Then the group can legally buy them — after the mandatory background checks, purchase by purchase. The local police chief called off the event. It’s illegal." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUnintended Consequence: Colorado’s Gun Control Law Kills Gun Buy-Back Program.