I just heard the guy call in talking that he is worried about the Taliban overthrowing Pakistan and "mushroom clouds" in american cities.A few weeks ago, I saw some American experts on Pakistan talking on Bill Moyer's journal, and providing very compelling information about how this will never be possible. They explained how the reports on the fight against the Taliban in Pakistan are coming only from the military, and not journalists. And the reality there is that the Taliban is very very small in relation to the Pakistan military, and could never "overthrow" Pakistan. Also due to the fact that the majority of the people in Pakistan do not support the Taliban. The difficulty of the fight largely comes from the terrain of the Swat valley, and that historically it's always been nearly impossible to control and govern that region, so the Taliban can conduct their affairs more easily there. But it is a very remote and rather desolate region.

Good one Pat! Great comment about Harry Reid, Mr. Nice when nice is not enough.

I think part of the reason it seems like Obama has been there for longer than 5 months is because he is such a strong communicator. The previous President would peek out to do what was expected of him every once in a while, reluctantly, in staged events only. Obama talks to us and keeps us updated. He also shows up in things like The Colbert Report. And then there's Michelle Obama. She's out there doing stuff all the time.

They really have welcomed the American public into their work lives using all forms of media and I think we all felt like we had simply been abandoned for the previous 8 years. Now more of us feel like someone is at the helm of this ship of state. Before? Before the captain didn't even seem to notice that the ship was on fire.

I have been lusting for an iPhone since they debuted but I won't buy one until I can choose my carrier. Friends who had to switch to AT&T when they bought their iPhones have nothing but complaints about the service.

Even if they did open it up, we still have 2 network techologies

CDMA and GSM, so if Apple only creates a GSM phone, then your only choice in the state is ATT or Tmobile. Next Tmobile (use 1700mhz) does not use a world standard (850/1900mhz/2100mhz) Frequency for their UTMS 3G services.. so you would be stuck with a SLOOOW 2G iphone.

isnt the fact that none of the phone companies had to engage with apple proof enough that there isnt enough competition?

Certainely divorcing this kind of exclusive contract will enable more competitive environment. In this case, for service providers. They will come up with different kind of plan more arrasively which will benefit the end point customer. For Apple, they will have more market share, more product recognization and more money. So, only real looser seems AT&T. If AT&T played it's role to get iPhone kind of device in market then its okay to have such exclusive contract. But for how long? Like patents, for 10 years? or longer or lesser? I Didn't like the compulsory requirement of data plan ($20/month), so I choose AT&T Tilt... less attractive, but can do many things considering my professional life.

Would we let an auto manufacturer build roads that only their brand can use. They are actually using the public's airways.

I wanted to sign up for Verizon FIOS's phone/internet, but then I realized they would be taking down (and charging me for it) the telephone line to replace with the optic cable, but if things go awry I'm not sure that I can sign up with anybody else; because I'm unsure they share fiber optic lines with other telecommunications companies.

My husband and I used our iphones on our recent trip to Thailand and Cambodia- and we were able to tap into local services, not using roaming... to have service in really remote locations. And, even if no phone service, the wi-fi feature lets you check your email/facebook, etc. which we used whenever we were in a city with a free wifi service (there were plenty)

I've heard the superintendent in the past say there are many challenges to dealing with such a diverse and large district, maybe we should put on the ballot a breaking up of LASUD, into smaller districts. It might be easier to pass something like a parcel tax then.

Thanks

Eric
West LA