Theo North

BusinessWeek has published excerpts of an interview with Google CEO Eric Schmidt. If you love the intertubes, it’s worth a read.

(BW)

MIMS dropped his new album “Music Is My Savior” (can we technically call this a “self-titled debut”?) a little over a week ago. I’ve now listened to it seven times through and I’ve found it to be entirely ponderous and unimaginative. The beats are not unique, the sampling of old school hits is clumsy and heavy-handed (even in “This Is Why I’m Hot” the sampling sounds as though it’s being done by a half-rate drivetime FM DJ), and his “clever” lines are kind of dull (e.g. “She’s all into me like a wrist in a bracelet,” which of course, when interpreted literally, suggests that MIMS is into some crazy kinky dominatrix sex). I’ve heard his single, “This Is Why I’m Hot,” a few hundred times, and it’s still kind of a little bit catchy, in that cheap, pop-py, flavor-of-the-month sort of way, but it’s not a solid enough hit to carry the album, even if he samples and remixes his own song in a few tracks. Had this album hit four years ago, it would have been solid. Sorry MIMS, get a better producer next time.

Another hard-hitting piece of journalism from the Washington Times: Democrat candidates, lacking in sound policy, have an abundance of good hair.

(WT)

An enterprising nerd at Columbia, frustrated by CBS’s abysmal March Madness on Demand website, figured out a way around both the waiting line to view games and the videoplayer that flat out doesn’t work on an Mac: he’s started a page that lists the urls of all the games and audio feeds that you can then copy and paste into your application of choice (VLC being the obvious choice). You sir, are an American hero.

(via Deadspin)
(Earlier: CBS March Madness on Demand SUCKS)

Boomer Esiason’s claim to fame is as a “NFL Today Analysist.” Ouch.

Dear CBS,

I recognize that it’s only 8pm on the first day of the NCAA tournament, but I’m ready to give up on you and go to sleep. Last year you introduced March Madness on Demand (MMOD), and it was the greatest experience of my life. Your first year of MMOD was amazing — I had beautiful streaming video of any game not subject to a local blackout. I had to “wait in line” to gain entrance, but any game I wanted to see (subject to local blackout) was delivered perfectly. This year I registered as a “VIP” user, and was able to bypass the waiting time to enter. Despite my broadband connection, I’ve been unable to watch a single game. The video is choppy, and the audio never syncs. Last year I found perfect connections on Apple computers and on PCs but this year I can’t get either to deliver synchronized audio and video. You trumpeted your increased bandwidth and claimed that this year would be even better than last, but I’ve found (as so many other users have discovered) that your internet alternative sucks. This is the first day of a month-long tournament, so I beg you, to please, remedy your suckiness asap.

Must read editorial in today’s WSJ.

Abortion on demand and shrunken squirrel testicles. California is truly a magical land.

…due to a lack of the noblest of all facial hairs, the mustache.

The flag above the House of Representatives flew at half mast today, in memory of Congressman Charlie Norwood of Georgia, who passed away this afternoon. Norwood recently said, “There is a whole new generation of voters who don’t remember what the House was like under the Democrats, and now they’re going to find out. When they do, look for a tidal wave in favor of Republicans in 2008.” I can think of no more fitting memorial for this man than to fulfill his prophecy.

AJC
house.gov

Today the Senate voted to confirm General George W. Casey, Jr., in the Army, to be General. He was confirmed 83-14. The Nays include both senators from SC and IA and John McCain. Casey was replaced by General Petraeus as the top US commander in Iraq.

senate.gov
MSNBC on the new lineup in the Middle East

This just in: it’s no longer safe to walk or drive on paved surfaces, lest the demons beneath the earth swallow you whole. The New York Times, discovering their readership immune to their shrieking about nuclear holocaust, global warming, and the beast that lives under your bed, has found a new bogeyman. Think twice before you trust that the terra is firma, and thank your friendly shrieking editor at the NYT for doing his best to protect you from the dangers that surround you. (NYT)

Yes, former Governor Huckabee, we realize that you lost 100 pounds. Congratulations. Now stop cluttering up the headlines and start studying up on HHS, we’re going to need you to hit the ground running as soon as the Senate confirms you in 2009. (WP)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6292341.stm

And the word ‘mercenary’ is left feeling dirty and used.