Morning Media Summary

Tech:

A Shortage of Power in Data Centers?:
“You don’t know what you have until it’s gone, right? If you’ve ever experienced a power outage (and most people have, either at home, at work, or both), you have probably realized just how much of everyday life depends on available energy. Electrical power is the lifeblood of data centers: it drives the computing equipment as it processes data, and it moves information from place to place both within the data center and without. Naturally, then, an impending shortage of power would be a direct threat to data centers. But is such a shortage on the horizon? Or, indeed, has it already arrived?”

UK seeks global accord on cyber behavior:
“Britain is to call for countries to agree rules for “acceptable behaviour” in cyberspace amid concern about what is seen as a growing security threat.”
Google Gets 75,000 Job Applications in One Week, Topping Record Set in ’07: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-03/google-gets-75-000-job-applications-in-one-week-topping-record-set-in-07.html
“Google Inc., the world’s biggest Internet-search service, received more than 75,000 job applications worldwide last week, setting a record for the company as it embarks on a hiring spree.”

Facebook Pioneer Launches Social Media Management Platform:
“Is Facebook ready for business? That’s a question that’s been bandied about for years as a growing number of companies have hoped to leverage the popularity of the social networking site that has exploded to more than 500 million users worldwide.”

Verizon to throttle “high” bandwidth users:
“Verizon has enacted a new policy today that allows them to throttle “high” bandwidth users on their network well their words were “extraordinary”. Were not sure exactly what “high” or “extraordinary” means but it is probably over 2GB of data per month. This comes as the iPhone launches on Verizon’s network. The policy is said to only affect the top 5% of data users on the network. When these 5% of users hit the soft limit they will be throttled during peak times of the day.”

‘Death by GPS’ in desert:
“Five harrowing days after becoming stuck on a remote backcountry road in Death Valley National Park in August 2009, Alicia Sanchez lay down next to her Jeep Cherokee and prepared to die.”

Global Warming / Environment / Energy:

U.S. in Contempt Over Gulf Drill Ban, Judge Rules:

“The Obama Administration acted in contempt by continuing its deepwater-drilling moratorium after the policy was struck down, a New Orleans judge ruled.”

Gov declares state of emergency due to gas shortage, cold:
“Gov. Susana Martinez declared a state of emergency Thursday afternoon due to record-breaking cold and shortages in natural gas throughout the state. Towns and cities throughout the state have been without natural gas including Taos, Questa and portions of Santa Fe.”

Borderland Residents Asked To Limit Use Of Natural Gas:
“Texas Gas Service is continuing to experience natural gas pressure challenges in certain neighborhoods due to low pressure in pipes associated with the weather events.”

Shell: No Beufort Sea drilling in Arctic for 2011:
“Shell Alaska has dropped plans to drill in the Arctic waters of the Beaufort Sea this year and will concentrate on obtaining permits for the 2012 season, company Vice President Pete Slaiby said Thursday.”

TIGTA: 20% Error Rate in Tax Credits Claimed for Electric and Hybrid Cars:
“Approximately $33 million in credits for plug-in electric and alternative-fueled vehicles credits were erroneously claimed by at least 12,920 taxpayers through July 24, 2010. … That means about 20% of the $163.9 million in credits claimed by taxpayers from January 1, 2010 to July 24, 2010 for plug-in electric and alternative motor vehicle credits were claimed in error. In the course of its review, TIGTA also found that 1,719 of the 12,920 individuals also erroneously reduced the amount of Alternative Minimum Tax they owed by almost $5.3 million.”

Insurance / Gambling:

Online Poker Legislation Could Open Up Seminole Gambling In Florida:
“Lawmakers in Florida are kicking the tires on a plan to bring regulated online poker to the state through pari-mutuel facilities. The legislation, if passed, could hurt pari-mutuels much more than it will help.”

Health / Safety:

ObamaCare’s Repeal Has Begun:
“Mark this date: On Feb. 2, 2011, a Democratic Senate killed the first piece of the health-care law it passed less than a year ago. Bowing (finally) to reality, 34 Democrats rushed to be among the 81 senators who axed the bill’s odious 1099 tax reporting requirement.”

Economics:

SPIN METER: Not much savings from stimulus money:

“Associated Press WASHINGTON Congressional Republicans say they want to cut federal spending by raiding $45 billion from President Barack Obama’s politically unpopular economic stimulus program. But they won’t be able to get their hands on most of that money.”

White House academic with zero business experience explains “Startup America”:
“Yes, there is such a thing as the “White House White Board,” where Obama bureaucrats and czars get to show off their central-planning chops and lecture America’s real movers, shakers, and job creators on how government will play an integral role in rescuing us all.”

World food prices reach new record:

“World food prices hit a new record high in January after rising for a seventh consecutive month, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said Thursday, warning the poor would be hit hardest.”

Payroll Gains Probably Picked Up at U.S. Economy Grew:
“Payroll gains probably picked up in January even after accounting for the restraining influence of winter storms, showing the U.S. recovery is strengthening, economists said before a report today.”

Legal:

Virginia to seek expedited Supreme Court review of suit over health-care law:
“Virginia will ask that the U.S. Supreme Court immediately review the state’s constitutional challenge to the federal health-care overhaul, a rare legal request to bypass appeals and ask for early intervention from the nation’s highest court, Attorney General Ken T. Cuccinelli II said Thursday.”

Labor:

SEIU To Represent Workers At St. Charles Bend:

“Caregivers at Central Oregon’s largest hospital have voted to unionize.”

Transportation/ Land Use:

2 big sections of high-speed rail line face delays:
“The state agency behind California’s proposed $43 billion high-speed rail line has recommended delaying the environmental impact report on segments running through two densely populated areas until at least next year.”