“Architecture as political space in the most literal sense” is what BldgBlog calls plans by Silicon Valley millionaires to build floating structures in international waters to house independent quasi-nations - or so they hope. Sounds like the ultimate libertarian dream - little if any government, except that which they create, and presumably no taxes at all.

They assume, perhaps erroneously, that other governments would allow such entities to exist and, um, what about defense? A floating platform filled with rich people would make a tempting target indeed for pirates (yes, they still exist) or by most any organized paramilitary, for that matter.

Wired has full details.

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Hillary Rodham Clinton’s former campaign manager and confidante, Patti Solis Doyle, and Sen. Barack Obama’s top adviser have informally discussed the former Clintonite’s going to work for the Obama campaign in the general election.

This also indicates that the Democratic Party will unify and support Obama in the general election.

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Globat.com, where I had a website until just a few minutes ago when I canceled it, sends email to customers saying they will “upgrade” your site for $49.95 and if you don’t want to, you must opt out. They continued sending  such emails even after  I called, complained, and they assured me they would no longer do so. Nor does their web-based opt-out-forever form work. I tried it multiple times, to no avail.

I’ve used many web hosting companies and Globat is the only one that has attempted such noxious forced “upgrades” Well, goodbye to them. Forever.

From their email.

We will automatically upgrade your current hosting package by adding GloMobile and charging the $49.95 access fee to your account on file on Thursday, May 29, 2008, unless you specifically tell us not to upgrade you by clicking on the link at the end of this e-mail.

I was using them to host podcast files, so no big loss. The podcast files will be online elsewhere soon and are years old anyway.

Contrast Globat with Bluehost, where Polizeros is hosted. Bluehost never tries stunts like this, has great service and support, enjoys an excellent reputation - and has been growing by leaps and  bounds for years now, and at a much faster rate than Globat. The reasons for this seem obvious enough. Provide quality service and your customer base will grow.

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Other countries have had high speed rail for decades. Now, California wants to build high speed rail from San Diego to Sacramento. Rail is by far the cheapest and most carbon friendly way to ship goods. High speed rail would reduce carbon emissions and provide an alternative way to get from LA to SF, as the train ride would be a mere 2 1/2 hours.

It will cost billions to build and, when you think about it, is a necessity. California and the rest of the US needs a modern high speed rail system.

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He says Bill Richardson or James Webb would make excellent VP choices as they can help carry states Obama might not win on his own. Plus they are, from a Democratic Party viewpoint, progressive and also not part of the war machine. He favors John Edwards for Atty General and nothing for Hillary Clinton.

Sounds good to me. Hey, it’s really going to happen. Obama will be the Democratic nominee and he will clobber McCain.

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