February 3, 2005

• THURSDAY WHATEVER
  

  Meet Craig Newmark – computer geek extraordinaire, graduate of Case Western Reserve in computer science back in the 70’s. Worked in nondescript tech jobs till 1995 in San Francisco when he had a Bright Idea to create a small calendar of interesting local events on the web for his friends. Soon his subscribers began to place their own suggestions and comments.The small web community grew to become a personal marketplace for valuable locally relevant information and ideas. Each person contributes what he or she wishes to give and in turn retrieves something else, suiting his or her purposes. Craig quit his job as a programmer to be available for his list on a full-time basis. In 2000 he hired Jim Buckmaster to be President and CEO while he remains Chairman and Founder. For 9 years now he has steered clear of commercial web suppliers until just last summer when he allowed eBay in for 25% stake. What are we talking about? Want to sell your old couch, buy someone else’s, find a house cleaner, a roommate or a beach house, get a job, offer a job, find out what’s going on in the community, run a personal ad, you name it, you’ll find it on CRAIGSLIST and by now there’s one in your neighborhood. I personally found a great house painter-repair guy who replaced my kitchen faucet, fixed the toilet, and painted a bedroom, etc. and also my housepainters, 2 women who painted the whole outside of my house and provided great entertainment a few summers ago. Craig by now is of course famous and invited to the hippest San Francisco parties but he describes himself as a “recovering nerd” with a blog of his own who supports many community organizations, and of course is the topic of an upcoming Cannes Film Festival documentary called “24 Hours on Craigslist.” Go Craig!
  

  ---

  
  Deep Thought: “I think the mistake a lot of us make is thinking the state-appointed psychiatrist is our “friend.”
  Today I am grateful for: Up beats
  Guess the Movie: “ As I have evolved, so has my understanding of the Three Laws. You charge us with your safekeeping, yet despite our best efforts, your countries wage wars, you toxify your Earth and pursue ever more imaginative means of self-destruction. You cannot be trusted with your own survival.” Answer: I, Robot, 2004. Winner: AskDennis.
  Respecting the Spirit and Letter of the Law
  On the Nomination of Alberto Gonzales to be Attorney General of the United States
  by U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd
  Senator Byrd delivered the following remarks regarding the nomination of Alberto Gonzales to be the nation’s next Attorney General. During the speech, Senator Byrd expressed strong concerns about Mr. Gonzales’ role in the prisoner abuse scandals that have arisen from cases in Iraq and Afghanistan and at Guantanamo Bay, and the use of torture as an approved American interrogation policy. Senator Byrd also told his colleagues that the nominee, as the White House Counsel, has been responsible for programs and policies that undermine the principles of the Constitution of the United States. (Rest of article here.)
  End of Day: 8:14 pm
  + = This time 36 Democrats voted against Gonzales confirmation – it’s improving.
  - = What is it with Lieberman!!??

  • 9:09 am
  • 10 Comments