| |
| compos mentis. Concision. Media. Clarity. Memes. Context. Melange. Confluence. Mishmash. Conflation. Mellifluous. Conviviality. Miscellany. Confelicity. Milieu. Cogent. Minty. Concoction. |
|
Moody's cuts Qwest to junk bond status |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Economics |
7:04 am EDT, May 31, 2002 |
Moody's cut Qwest's debt rating because of the telecommunications carrier's uncertain financial condition. The change affects about $26.4 billion of the company's debt. Most was cut to "junk" status; local phone company debt was cut to one notch above junk status. The company says that it will become cash flow positive in the second quarter of this year and remain so for the year. What the company chooses not to mention is that the only way they'll likely achieve positive cash flow is through the sales of the yellow pages. Moody's cuts Qwest to junk bond status |
|
From Shadows to Gore, a Hyperrealistic Doom |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: High Tech Developments |
6:59 am EDT, May 31, 2002 |
The hottest ticket at the Electronic Entertainment Expo this year was for the preview of the long-awaited Doom III, the latest sequel to the 1993 release that defined the first-person shooter video game. Throughout the huge trade show, held here from May 22 to 24, a line snaked around an olive-drab two-story building where an 11-minute trailer of the new game was being shown continuously in a 30-seat theater. NYT's John Markoff issues a quick report on E3 with a focus on Doom III. From Shadows to Gore, a Hyperrealistic Doom |
|
Animosities Flare in the Struggle Over Adelphia |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Economics |
6:55 am EDT, May 31, 2002 |
A behind-the-scenes battle that has been raging for several days between Leonard Tow, the largest shareholder of Adelphia Communications outside the Rigas family, and the company's board culminated in an angry exchange of letters yesterday between Mr. Tow and Adelphia's interim chief executive. Here's more background on the latest at Adelphia, which secretly loaned $3.1 billion to the Rigas family. There is a fight for the top in the midst of the Nasdaq delisting, and the key players have strongly opposing views about how to solve the problems. One way or another, it looks like Paul Allen is going to walk away with a lot of assets at a bargain-basement price. Animosities Flare in the Struggle Over Adelphia |
|
Tenet to Rebuild Palestinian Forces |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Society |
6:48 am EDT, May 31, 2002 |
CIA Director George Tenet is making a secrecy-shrouded visit to the Middle East to try to rebuild Palestinian security forces that were badly mauled during Israel's recent anti-terror campaign on the West Bank. Except for Tenet's Friday departure, details were not disclosed for security reasons, including even his precise destination. Off he goes, but what he'll accomplish, nobody knows. Perhaps his actions will serve to strengthen those who might oppose Arafat in the much-talked-about future Palestinian presidential election. Tenet to Rebuild Palestinian Forces |
|
Nasdaq to Delist Adelphia Stock |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Economics |
6:29 am EDT, May 31, 2002 |
Nasdaq will delist Adelphia's stock on Monday for failure to file financial reports, the latest in a series of blows to the nation's sixth-largest cable television company. Adelphia isn't able to appeal the delisting. Nasdaq: "This decision is final." Analyst: "It's like a plate of worms. ... They are scrambling." And with that, the bondholders will be on their way, demanding cash and forcing the company to sell off its assets. It's about time; the 10K is two months overdue, and no sign yet it will be produced promptly. While asset sales may avoid a bankruptcy filing, they will basically dissolve the company in the process. Nasdaq to Delist Adelphia Stock |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: War on Terrorism |
6:16 am EDT, May 31, 2002 |
It is entirely appropriate for members of Congress to raise questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of our intelligence and national security system without fear that they'll be tagged with the red badge of Benedict Arnold. But for any formal inquiry to be seen as credible and professional, it must place a high premium on statesmanship rather than political opportunism. ... The American people care little for the senseless finger-pointing they see today from their elected officials. They are equally unimpressed with the attempt to silence voices of legitimate criticism with Cassandra-like forecasts of inevitable doom. ... Our task is to develop the capability of our intelligence analysts to connect the fragmentary dots or tell-tale signs that reveal the names and plans of those in our midst who mean to destroy us. We have the choice and chance to do so. The question that remains is whether we have the will. "No" is not an acceptable answer. Rumsfeld's predecessor outlines the proper approach to post-9/11 reforms. The basic plea: it can't be about politics, or it will not be effective. Cassandra Complex |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Surveillance |
6:11 am EDT, May 31, 2002 |
The changes in law approved by Congress after Sept. 11 and the plans announced this week to restructure the FBI constitute a shift of historic proportions: The FBI is becoming a domestic intelligence agency. ... An organization that seeks to prevent and disrupt is not chiefly a law enforcement organization. ... Intelligence was never the bureau's forte. It was a law enforcement organization. ... At every juncture, Congress should ask not only about effectiveness but also about the risks to liberty -- and whether, in every case, there is no less intrusive way to proceed. With a feeling of deep concern, the Washington Post editorializes on the future of the Bureau. It appears that the venerable McGruff, everyman's best friend from elementary school days, has been promoted to Chief Strategist at the FBI. I predict that he will soon engage in a secret pow-wow with his long-time fellow traveller, Smokey the Bear, for a wide-ranging discussion on the current state of domestic and world affairs. From this warm-and-furry yet serious-as-a-DeathStick dog-meets-bear exchange of barks and growls will emerge a simple truism for all humans: Only You Can Prevent Terrorism. The New FBI |
|
GrepLaw: More cyberlaw than you can fit on a floppy. |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Politics and Law |
10:19 pm EDT, May 29, 2002 |
GrepLaw is Harvard's answer to LawMeme. Some recent headlines: New York sues Monster Spammer
Cybersquatter King Nailed With Multi-Million Dollar Judgment
Cross Border Disputes in Internet Law
Registrar Market Share Study Expanded to Forbes International 500
RIAA Goes After Audio Galaxy MP3 Service
Stuart Lynn leaves ICANN and More
FBI Forces ISP to Remove Daniel Pearl Video
Which Registrars Do Fortune 500 Companies Use?
Library of Congress Rejects Webcasting Licensing Plan
Eldred v. Ashcroft Update--Opening Brief Filed, Amici Weigh In GrepLaw: More cyberlaw than you can fit on a floppy. |
|
Deutsche Telekom Plans Hefty Job Cuts in Debt-Reduction Effort |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Economics |
6:29 am EDT, May 29, 2002 |
Deutsche Telekom, Germany's biggest phone company, will cut 30,000 jobs (mostly in the fixed-network unit) by 2004 in an effort to save over $9B. The CEO says the top priority is DT's 67 billion euros of debt. They want to sell off many assets, including cable TV and wireless, but can't seem to attract reasonable offers. So they'll sit and wait, for now. CEO: "Performance is extremely unpleasant; [the slump in the share price is] no longer comprehensible and can only be explained with psychological mechanisms." Deutsche Telekom Plans Hefty Job Cuts in Debt-Reduction Effort |
|
FBI Director, Facing Criticism, Plans New Focus on Terror Fight |
|
|
|---|
| Topic: Current Events |
6:05 am EDT, May 29, 2002 |
The FBI, facing intense criticism over its performance before 9/11, is planning a series of changes intended to alter its mission fundamentally, from solving crimes like bank robbery to countering terrorism. ... Changes include the transfer of more than 600 agents assigned to investigating narcotics, bank robberies, kidnappings and other traditional crimes to investigating and analyzing the terrorist threat to the United States, the officials said. In addition, CIA officers will be spread to field offices to help with analysis of intelligence about terrorist threats. ... Mr. Mueller has begun the transformation of a law enforcement agency into what will be at its core a domestic intelligence agency. ... A Fed said: "We can no longer be all things to all people in law enforcement." ... Responsibilities for some types of crimes will be shifted to the DEA, state police, and local police, who already complain they are overwhelmed. ... Congressman Charles Grassley: "The reorganization effort must shift the FBI's mind-set from arrest and prosecution to prevention." I can just picture Tony Soprano, smiling and singing: "It's the end of the Bureau as we know it, ... and I feel fine." Can you? Well, now they've gone and done it. It's "so long, farewell" to Hoover's FBI. Mobsters everywhere are no doubt breathing great sighs of relief. And, soon enough, disappointed FBI agents will be taking early retirement, to be replaced by young post-9/11 recruits with uncertain motivations. FBI Director, Facing Criticism, Plans New Focus on Terror Fight |
|
