FireFox 3 Beta 5 Available

FireFox 3 Beta 5 is available at http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all-beta.html. I like it a lot so far although my FF2 extensions don’t work with it and I’m having trouble with WordPress’ “New Post” feature (so for now I’m posting from MS Word).

I like the location bar feature a lot.

Back update

Had a session with my physical therapist today. It went well and I’m going to be continuing with the therapy for the time being. On Tuesday I have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon to see about getting an MRI.

Increase NY Thruway Tolls?

Thruway Holds Hearing on Tolls – 13WHAM.com:

With rising gasoline and diesel costs, many drivers say that a toll hike on the New York State Thruway would cut even further into their wallets New York State Thruway Authority heard from some of those drivers at a public meeting held in Rochester Tuesday night. But, the Thruway Authority is standing its ground in favor of higher tolls. Thomas Pericak of the Thruway Authority said the tolls are needed to maintain roads and capital improvements. Some lawmakers have called on the Thruway Authority to not raise tolls.

Perhaps this is an unpopular sentiment, but I’m not sure I’m completely against a toll increase (forgetting for the moment that the Thruway tolls in general were not supposed to last forever). If money needs to be collected to maintain the Thruway, I think it’s better to collect the money from the people who actually use the Thruway, as opposed to increasing the taxes of the already over-taxed NY state residents.

An Indiana endorsement for Obama

Obama wins endorsement for Indiana, foreign policy | Reuters:

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has won the endorsement of Lee Hamilton, a former Indiana congressman who is a leading U.S. authority on foreign relations and national security, the Obama campaign said on Wednesday.

More good news for the Obama campaign.  While PA has become extremely close, Obama still has a very comfortable lead in NC, but Hillary leads Obama by double-digits in the latest polling in Indiana.  Should PA be close and Obama win NC, Indiana will logically be the next battleground as Hillary continues to extend her futile campaign.

FSM Sighting

Flying Spaghetti Monster Lands Outside Tennessee Courthouse | The Underwire from Wired.com:

A sculpture of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, the goofball deity cooked up to protest a Kansas legal battle over evolution, went on display outside a courthouse in Cumberland County, Tennessee, late last month.

Legacy? What legacy?

Bush tries to salvage legacy on world stage | Reuters:

President George W. Bush sought to salvage his legacy on the world stage on Wednesday by defending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and appealing to Russia to drop opposition to a U.S. missile defense shield.

First of all, I don’t think Mr. Bush has a legacy to merit salvaging.  Secondly, I don’t think trying to salvage said “legacy” by continuing to press the issues that have tarnished his reputation is the best way to go about things.

But I’m not surprised… nor am I cynical

As if the oppressive Chinese government wasn’t bad enough

Beijing pollution risky for endurance athletes | Reuters:

Endurance events at the Beijing Olympics could pose a health risk if they are staged on heavily polluted days, the International Olympic Committee said on Wednesday, although it was prepared to reschedule such events.

Remind me again how China was granted the right to host the 2008 Olympics?

Cynical? Us?

McCain says many Americans too cynical | Reuters:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain believes many Americans are cynical about their country, and their idea of liberty is “the right to choose among competing brands of designer coffee.”

Yes, John.  That’s exactly what our idea of liberty is.  I absolutely need my right to decide between a tall soy raspberry mocha and a grande caramel macchiato.

How about actually following the constitution, not engaging in torture… the list goes on what liberty really means.  McCain, this may sound cynical, but you are truly out of touch with the American populace.

 What these people need, he will argue on Wednesday, is a good dose of public service.

How about if we start by having public servants in government actually representing the people instead of special interests.

Gee John, hope this post wasn’t too cynical for you.