Eddie Vedder clearly thinks you can't find a better man than Barack Obama for President ... or at least that he's a better man for the job than Mitt Romney.
Performing a set of songs at a campaign fundraiser for Obama in South Tampa last night, the Pearl Jam frontman bashed Romney's 47 percent comments.
"It's very upsetting to hear a presidential candidate be so easily dismissive of such a ginormous amount of the population," Vedder told the audience.
Vedder helped raise $1.7 million Thursday for Obama's reelection campaign, playing four songs for the president and 85 guests at a $20,000-per-person dinner.
"I can't say I've ever played that many songs in a suit before," he said of "Rise," "Without You," James Taylor's "Millworker" and Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World."
He recalled signing up for a government security guard training program, working the midnight shift and becoming a security supervisor at a petroleum company.
"I'm an example of someone who never made it to university," Vedder said. "I did have this dream to be a musician. I felt that this dream had an expiration date."
"It was that job which allowed me to keep affording to guitars and microphones ... For me, it all began with that ability to get the proper training for a decent job."
"It's very upsetting to hear a presidential candidate be so easily dismissive of such a ginormous amount of the population."
Vedder introduced Obama, who thanked him for "for that unbelievable performance but more importantly for that story."
"For you to share that story with us, Eddie, speaks volumes not only about you but about this country," Obama said. That story captures better than anything what this campaign is about and what this country is about."
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) ? Nigeria's army says it has killed two leaders of a radical Islamist sect in the country's northeast.
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Sagir Musa said Thursday that soldiers shot dead two Boko Haram commanders at a highway checkpoint near the city of Maiduguri Wednesday.
Musa said the men had weapons in their car and that authorities had received intelligence indicating they were planning an attack.
He did not give further detail on their identities.
These killings come days after Nigeria's army said it killed a Boko Haram spokesman and another ranking member.
The sect, which only speaks to journalists at times of its choosing, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Boko Haram is held responsible for more than 680 deaths this year alone, according to an Associated Press count.
Earlier today, while Tim Cook was introducing the new greatest gadget ever, he got a little rowdy. Speaking about internet usage, he claimed that iPads account for "92% of tablet traffic." Cook surmised that it was because nobody actually uses Android tablets: More »
We've been watching out for the D600 since images leaked a couple of months ago, and today it's been made official: a full-frame DSLR that's priced ever-so-slightly closer to the reach of mortals (read: "high-end enthusiasts") who perhaps can't claim everything off their tax. At just shy of $2,100 (€2,400 in Europe), the 24-megapixel camera's US list price is significantly lower than that of the 36-megapixel D800, and undercuts Canon's rival EOS 5D Mark III and Sony's brand new full-frame Alpha A99.
What's more, aside from the resolution, you're getting something pretty close to the D800 -- including a weather-sealed magnesium alloy build, fast Exspeed III processor, and AF that works down to f/8 -- but here it's all contained in a body that sheds a full 15 percent off the D800's weight. It feels great to hold a full-frame DSLR like this, which is barely any heavier or more conspicuous than an APS-C shooter like the D7000.
Nikon is also making a big deal out of the fact that the D600 handles wireless transfers and triggers using the new WU-1b widget, which is identical to the familiar WU-1a we reviewed on the D3200 except that it plugs into the camera's USB port rather than the HDMI port. There's an Android app to allow your mobile device to communicate with the camera, and an iOS app is set to land by the end of September.
Read on a few more initial impressions and a quick look at the D600's high-ISO performance.
We're in the middle of an unexpected slow period of MMA. With the cancellation of UFC 151 and UFC 152 still a week and a half away, it doesn't feel like fight fans have much to look forward to. With a sport as constant as MMA, our attention spans are short. But hold on, Cagereaders. We still have plenty to look forward to in September. For example, in no particular order:
Joe Benavidez vs. Demetrious Johnson for the first UFC flyweight title at UFC 152, Sept. 22: Of course, the lion's share of publicity will go to the Jon Jones/Vitor Belfort at title fight, but expect the 125-lbers to steal the spotlight. Both Benavidez and Johnson bring exciting fights with them into every bout, and now they'll get to show off their skills for five rounds.
Dan Hardy vs. Amir Sadollah at UFC on Fuel 5, Sept. 29: Both Hardy and Sadollah are in need of a win and capable of finishing fights. Plus, I can't wait to hear how the crowd in Nottingham will erupt when Brit favorite Dan Hardy walks out.
Nordine Taleb vs. Marius Zaromskis at Bellator 74, Sept. 28: I always mark my calender when Zaromskis is fighting. Of his 18 wins, 13 are by knockout, but he is susceptible to being knocked out, too. Either way, this opening round bout of the Bellator welterweight tournament is likely to end in a highlight.
David Armas vs. Darrion Caldwell at Legacy Fighting, Sept. 14: This fight is highly anticipated by college wrestling fans. Caldwell won a national championship for North Carolina State over the highly touted Brent Metcalf from Iowa. Fans either love him or hate him, and will be tuning in with the hopes of Caldwell owning his MMA debut or him getting knocked out by Armas.
Jorge Santiago vs. Quinn Mulhern at Strikeforce, Sept. 29: Santiago had a tough go in the UFC, losing back-to-back fights before winning two fights in the Titan Fighting Championships. He will get another chance to prove himself at Strikeforce against Mulhern, who is riding a three-fight win streak.
Which fights are you looking forward to? Speak up in the comments, on Facebook or Twitter.
Little Ice Age led to migration of island hopping arctic foxesPublic release date: 11-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Leighton Kitson leighton.kitson@durham.ac.uk 44-019-133-46074 Durham University
The Little Ice Age allowed a new wave of arctic foxes to colonise Iceland, according to new research.
A "bridge" of sea ice appeared during a dip in temperatures between 200 to 500 years ago allowing arctic foxes to migrate to Iceland from different Arctic regions including Russia, North America and Greenland.
The research, led by scientists at Durham University, UK, said their findings showed the importance of sea ice in creating and maintaining the genetic population of the arctic fox across the polar regions where the animal is found.
The multi-disciplinary approach used for this project could also be used to track the migration of other animals found on remote islands, the researchers said.
While Iceland's approximately 10,000 strong arctic fox population is not at risk, the researchers added that increasing isolation from the rest of the Arctic, caused by warmer temperatures and a lack of sea ice, could further differentiate the island's population from their mainland relatives.
Ancient arctic foxes also crossed sea ice during previous ice ages to reach Iceland well before human settlement in the 9th Century. Warmer temperatures then melted the sea ice and isolated the ancient foxes on the island before the Little Ice Age reconnected Iceland to the mainland.
The Little Ice Age saw temperatures plummet in the 16th to 19th Centuries across large parts of Europe and North America in particular, and rivers such as the Thames were frequently frozen enough to support ice skating and winter festivals.
The researchers analysed DNA samples from ancient remains of Icelandic arctic foxes dating from two late 9th to 12th Century archaeological sites and compared the findings to DNA data from their modern successors.
They found that the ancient foxes shared a single genetic signature, while the modern population possesses five unique signatures.
The researchers were able to rule out different explanations for the increase in the amount of variation of the ancient foxes, including geographic reasons and breeding between farmed and wild arctic foxes.
The team concluded that the most likely explanation for the boom in genetic diversity among arctic foxes was migration across sea ice that formed during the Little Ice Age.
The research, partly funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), is published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B - Biological Sciences.
Senior author Dr Greger Larson, in Durham University's Department of Archaeology, said: "During the Little Ice Age there was a great deal more sea ice in the North Atlantic than there is today and during the late 18th and 19th centuries sea ice routinely grounded on Iceland.
"Even today arctic foxes routinely travel hundreds of miles across sea ice and once the ice bridge was in place, they easily crossed the North Atlantic and were able to arrive on Iceland, increasing the genetic diversity of the population.
"To paraphrase Dr Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park, 'Life will always find a way', and in this case, once the Little Ice Age began, arctic foxes didn't need much of an opportunity to colonise Iceland."
Dr Larson added that potential for animal migration had decreased significantly during the 20th Century, a trend which global warming had accelerated.
He said: "Without the sea ice, there will be no new fox migrants and thus the Icelandic population will continue to diverge from their mainland relatives."
Dr Larson added that the model the research used to determine the genetic diversity of the arctic fox could also be used to track the historical migration of other animals such as reindeer that are also found on Iceland.
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Little Ice Age led to migration of island hopping arctic foxesPublic release date: 11-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Leighton Kitson leighton.kitson@durham.ac.uk 44-019-133-46074 Durham University
The Little Ice Age allowed a new wave of arctic foxes to colonise Iceland, according to new research.
A "bridge" of sea ice appeared during a dip in temperatures between 200 to 500 years ago allowing arctic foxes to migrate to Iceland from different Arctic regions including Russia, North America and Greenland.
The research, led by scientists at Durham University, UK, said their findings showed the importance of sea ice in creating and maintaining the genetic population of the arctic fox across the polar regions where the animal is found.
The multi-disciplinary approach used for this project could also be used to track the migration of other animals found on remote islands, the researchers said.
While Iceland's approximately 10,000 strong arctic fox population is not at risk, the researchers added that increasing isolation from the rest of the Arctic, caused by warmer temperatures and a lack of sea ice, could further differentiate the island's population from their mainland relatives.
Ancient arctic foxes also crossed sea ice during previous ice ages to reach Iceland well before human settlement in the 9th Century. Warmer temperatures then melted the sea ice and isolated the ancient foxes on the island before the Little Ice Age reconnected Iceland to the mainland.
The Little Ice Age saw temperatures plummet in the 16th to 19th Centuries across large parts of Europe and North America in particular, and rivers such as the Thames were frequently frozen enough to support ice skating and winter festivals.
The researchers analysed DNA samples from ancient remains of Icelandic arctic foxes dating from two late 9th to 12th Century archaeological sites and compared the findings to DNA data from their modern successors.
They found that the ancient foxes shared a single genetic signature, while the modern population possesses five unique signatures.
The researchers were able to rule out different explanations for the increase in the amount of variation of the ancient foxes, including geographic reasons and breeding between farmed and wild arctic foxes.
The team concluded that the most likely explanation for the boom in genetic diversity among arctic foxes was migration across sea ice that formed during the Little Ice Age.
The research, partly funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), is published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B - Biological Sciences.
Senior author Dr Greger Larson, in Durham University's Department of Archaeology, said: "During the Little Ice Age there was a great deal more sea ice in the North Atlantic than there is today and during the late 18th and 19th centuries sea ice routinely grounded on Iceland.
"Even today arctic foxes routinely travel hundreds of miles across sea ice and once the ice bridge was in place, they easily crossed the North Atlantic and were able to arrive on Iceland, increasing the genetic diversity of the population.
"To paraphrase Dr Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park, 'Life will always find a way', and in this case, once the Little Ice Age began, arctic foxes didn't need much of an opportunity to colonise Iceland."
Dr Larson added that potential for animal migration had decreased significantly during the 20th Century, a trend which global warming had accelerated.
He said: "Without the sea ice, there will be no new fox migrants and thus the Icelandic population will continue to diverge from their mainland relatives."
Dr Larson added that the model the research used to determine the genetic diversity of the arctic fox could also be used to track the historical migration of other animals such as reindeer that are also found on Iceland.
###
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
We're in the middle of an unexpected slow period of MMA. With the cancellation of UFC 151 and UFC 152 still a week and a half away, it doesn't feel like fight fans have much to look forward to. With a sport as constant as MMA, our attention spans are short. But hold on, Cagereaders. We still have plenty to look forward to in September. For example, in no particular order:![[ Back to EurekAlert! ]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tPAytbE8fXR-p1m4o5b-ojIFkbrQ8Q5cZYTFVSL7xYAKuujkZS9HpTL2oM75E1LXjkIqXWAR7WTV4YKC4djLGzmqSQF22L8shPml04msY=s0-d){kind=small}
Public release date: 11-Sep-2012
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