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Overview This report adds new insights to an ongoing debate about the extent of social isolation in America. A widely-reported 2006 study argued that since 1985 Americans have become more socially isolated, the size of their discussion networks has declined, and the diversity of those people with whom they discuss important matters has decreased. In particular, the study found that Americans have fewer close ties to those from their neighborhoods and from voluntary associations. Sociologists Miller McPherson, Lynn Smith-Lovin and Matthew Brashears suggest that new technologies, such as the internet and mobile phone, may play a role in advancing this trend. Specifically, they argue that the type of social ties supported by these technologies are relatively weak and geographically dispersed, not the strong, often locally-based ties that tend to be a part of peoples’ core discussion network.
Executive Summary | Pew Internet & American Life Project
With the same humor and humanity he exuded in An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore spells out 15 ways that individuals can address climate change immediately, from buying a hybrid to inventing a new, hotter "brand name" for global warming. You've never seen data presented like this. With the drama and urgency of a sportscaster, statistics guru Hans Rosling debunks myths about the so-called "developing world." Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.
TEDTalks as of 10.26.09
Ayman al-Zawahiri, the Witch-King of Egypt In my research on Islamist artwork and visual media, I have surprisingly discovered that some cyber jihadi dorks are just as obsessed with J.R.R. Tolkien's classic series The Lord of the Rings as some non- jihadi dorks.
Cyber Jihadis' Lord of the Rings Obsession
قبل الفزع الأكبر (1) كل الاسلاميي ن قبل ثورة الغضب المصرى وبعدها وحتى اليوم ،على إصرارهم أنه لو اقترب أحد من المادة (2) بالدستور الموضوع 1971 من القرن الماضى ، فإنهم سيحيلون شوارع مصر إلى أنهار من الدماء ، وهو ما يعنى أبدية هذة المادة الباقية فى أى دستور مقبل. هكذا قول وهكذا إعلان تهديدى للدولة وللحكومة وللشعب ، لو كنا شبة محترمين نعيش فى دولة لها كرامة وسيادة ،لكان هذا القول كفيلاَ بإدخال أصحابة إلى السجون تهذيباً لأرواحهم ، وتأديباً لفكرهم الإجرامى ، وإبعاداً لشرهم عن المجتمع. سبق و قلت و لا زلت عند موقفى ، إنى أرفض بالمطلق المشاركة فى هزل يلعب بمصير الوطن كله ، لأنه المكان الذى سأترك فية عيالى ، أرفض كمواطن تمثيلية الانتخابات النيابية قبل الدستور ، كما أرفض أى وثائق دستورية قبل المجالس النيابية أو بعدها ، دون تمثيل كل طوائف وألوان الطيف المجتمعى فى وضع هذة الوثائق ، أرفض أى تعديل لأى دستور سابق ، المطلوب دستور جديد بالكامل ، يراعى متغيرات هائلة أصبح معها دستور 1971 بردية حفرية.
Dr. Qimny's Arabian Affairs Blog
Project Vote Smart - American Government, Elections, Candidates
Access Candidates' and Representatives' Biographies , Voting Records , Interest Group Ratings , Issue Positions , Public Statements , and Campaign Finances Simply enter your zip code above to get to all of your candidates and representatives, or enter a name. Then, just click on the person you are interested in, and you can navigate to the categories of information we track for them.
The Obameter: Tracking Barack Obama's Campaign Promises
Barack Obama would increase U.S. non-military aid to Afghanistan by an additional $1 billion to $3 billion. "This aid would fund reconstruction, police and army training, embassy operations, and local projects including efforts to impact the lives of ordinary Afghans and to give farmers alternatives to growing opium poppies. The aid would also be tied to better performance by the Afghan national government, including anti-corruption initiatives and efforts to extend the rule of law across the country." "Will address the infrastructure challenge by creating a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank to expand and enhance, not supplant, existing federal transportation investments. This independent entity will be directed to invest in our nation's most challenging transportation infrastructure needs.
June 2006 Israel is building a security fence in the West Bank. The fence was originally supposed to follow the green line 1948 border more or less and protect Israeli towns and villages from incursions by terrorists ( click here for original proposed path ). After the re-election of Ariel Sharon, the path of the fence changed. The information on this page reflects the latest changes in the route of the Israeli Security Barrier (or Separation Fence or Wall), as of April 2006.
Map of the Israeli security Fence - Updated Status and Evolution
