Propeller.com Stories submitted by friends of MikeWesner

Sirius, XM Merger Could Cost Howard Stern

Wil — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:43:53 EDT

When Howard Stern's Sirius satellite radio contract runs out in 2010, the shock jock could be in for a rude awakening, assuming Sirius and XM merge, as many suspect they will.

Channel: Celebrities Tags: Howard Stern Sirius XM Satellite Radio Merger Shock Jock

Brilliant or a sham? Questions asked over Ingrid Betancourt rescue

Wil — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:35:23 EDT

Swiss public radio cited an unidentified source "close to the events, reliable and tested many times in recent years" as saying the operation [to free FARC's hostages] had in fact been staged to cover up the fact that the US and Colombians had paid $20 million for their freedom. [via reddit]

Channel: News Tags: Columbia FARC Hostages Betancourt CIA

Zoe's Tale Wallpaper from Tor

Wil — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:53:49 EDT

Scalzi says, "The folks at Tor.com are offering up a free computer wallpaper for folks, featuring John Harris' art for Zoe's Tale. Yes, now you can revel in the orange and green-ness of my book's cover, right on your computer! It's starship explody-licious."

Channel: Books Tags: John Scalzi Zoes Tale Tor Wallpaper Science Fiction Art Computers John Harris

First Algerians repatriated from Gitmo

Wil — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:52:18 EDT

In a first, the Pentagon said this week it sent home two Algerians from the Guantnnamo Bay detention center. The latest transfer operation from the remote U.S. Navy base in southeast Cuba reduced the prison camp population to "approximately 265," according to a Pentagon statement issued late Wednesday.

Channel: News Tags: Guantanamo Bay Algeria Detainees Pentagon Bush

What John McCain didn't learn in Vietnam

Wil — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:52:12 EDT

In spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, the former POW insists we could have won. No wonder he talks of occupying Iraq for a century.

Channel: Politics Tags: Analysis John McCain Election 2008 Vietnam War Iraq

Analysis: NSA Spying Judge Defends Rule of Law, Congress Set to Strip His Power

Wil — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:59:59 EDT

Days before the Senate will convene to give a final blessing to President Bush's secret, warrantless wiretapping program, a federal court judge ruled that his legal justification for the surveillance has no legal merit. He's the same judge Congress is trying to save the nation's telecoms, such as AT&T and Verizon from having to face in court.

Channel: Politics Tags: VAughn Walker Domestic Spying FISA Protect ATT Act Analysis Telecom Immunity Congress

ABC Unveils the 'Lost' Book Club

Wil — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:49:32 EDT

The Lost Book Club can be found on ABC's Lost homepage, where a multitude of books are listed and categorized. For each book, you'll be given its relevance within the Lost canon, a synopsis of the book itself, and a link to a message board where you can discuss the book and its significance with other Lost fans.

Channel: Books Tags: LOST ABC Science Ficiton Literature Classics Book Clubs Fandom

The Letter Always Wins

Wil — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:41:19 EDT

Margaret Garcia at the Wise Bread blog shares her stories of consumer product woe and notes that in three separate cases, phone calls and emails led to half-hearted apologies, but ink-on-paper letters got her and her family free replacements. [via lifehacker]

Channel: News Tags: Complaint Letters Customer Satisfaction Consumer Complaints Lifehacks Letters

Valley porn director busted in Sherman Oaks brothel scheme

Wil — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:40:51 EDT

Two Hungarian nationals and a San Fernando Valley porn director were arrested on suspicion of tricking Hungarian women to come to the United States and work as prostitutes in a Sherman Oaks brothel, authorities said today.

Channel: News Tags: Propeller Weird News Los Angeles David Lord Brothel San Fernando Valley

Blue America Launches Whip Count Call Tool On FISA

Wil — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:55:25 EDT

Blue America is launching a call tool today to help you get in touch with Senators regarding the FISA bill. We're trying to make it as easy as possible for everyone to talk with their Senators about the importance of standing up for the constitution, the rule of law -- and standing against telecom immunity.

Channel: Politics Tags: Domestic Spying FISA Obama Congress Warrantless Wiretapping Telecom Immunity Constitution

HOWTO: Get Better Fireworks Photos This Fourth of July

Wil — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:51:25 EDT

When you snap pictures at the fireworks display on Friday, you'll either wind up with immensely rewarding photos or frustration that makes you wish you'd left your camera at home and just enjoyed the show. Before you go, arm yourself with a few tips and tricks that will prepare you to capture fireworks in all their brilliant glory.

Channel: Art & Design Tags: Photography Fireworks HOWTO Lifehacks Fourth of July

Great Moments in History on Etch-a-Sketch

Wil — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:50:00 EDT

Part art project, part childhood toy nostalgia, part history lesson: great moments in history have been drawn on an Etch-a-sketch. [via boingboing]

Channel: Art & Design Tags: History Pop Art Etch a Sketch Nostalgia Awesome

5 Terrible Life Lessons Hollywood Loves to Teach You

Wil — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:45:58 EDT

Hollywood goes with what works and there are a few things audiences like to see again and again in their movies. The underdog wins big, the loser gets his dream girl, Batman is awesome, etc. But there are some themes that are either so wrong, stupid or harmful that they need to be retired once and for all.

Channel: Movies Tags: Cliches Life Lessons Humor Summer Movies

Lawyers to Judge: Hans Reiser May Be 'Mentally Incompetent'

Wil — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:40:37 EDT

Lawyers for Hans Reiser claim the Linux developer convicted of murdering his wife may be "mentally incompetent," an argument that, if successful, could send Reiser to a mental institution instead of prison.

Channel: News Tags: Hans Reiser Linux Trial Murder Law Legal California

DC Comics Collects Watchmen In New Hardcover

Wil — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:24:02 EDT

With a major motion picture in production for release spring 2009, DC Comics advance-solicits its first-ever hardcover edition of the Hugo Award-winning epic from writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons, published at DC's standard trim size.

Channel: Books Tags: Watchmen DC Comics Absolute Watchmen Alan Moore Dave Gibbons Geeks Awesome

Nugache Worm Writer Arrested

Wil — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:19:43 EDT

A teenager has been charged in connection with an elaborate computer virus scheme that officials say turned thousands of personal computers into "zombies" and used them to rip off banking and credit card information. Jason Michael Milmont, 19, has agreed to plead guilty.

Channel: Gadgets & Tech Tags: Worms Malware Legal Law Nugache Limewire Zombie Computers Jason Milmont

Brain hijinks: out-of-body experiences and other tricks of consciousness

Wil — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:10:27 EDT

What happens when your brain sees the world not as it really is? This week, the scientific effort to simulate out-of-body experiences to probe the limits of the self. Two scientists join Natasha Mitchell with extraordinary insights into how your brain creates your mind...

Channel: Science Tags: Podcast Neuroscience Consciousness

"Paint" the house with water, "draw" on the driveway with ice cubes

Wil — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:55:19 EDT

Parents can give their kids a paint brush and water and let me "paint" the house; it works like a cheap aquadoodle. Kids can "paint" the car, the driveway, the house, and even their parents! They can also use ice cubes like crayons to draw on the driveway. [via boingboing]

Channel: Family Tags: Parenting Kids Summer Family Activities Parent Hacks

Interview with Arthur C. Clarke

Wil — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:19:13 EDT

Arthur C. Clarke looks back on the lifetime of influences that led him to become a science-fiction Grand Master.

Channel: Books Tags: Authors Science Fiction Interviews Arthur C Clarke 2001

The History of Science Fiction - Origins of SF

Wil — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:19:07 EDT

Science Fiction as we know and understand it did not come into being until the 19th century and really came into its own in the 20th century. While there are many great works of literature which can be pointed to as the roots of Fantasy fiction, that isn't the case for SF.

Channel: Books Tags: Science Fiction History SciFi Fantasy

6 Better Ways to Search Google

Wil — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:31:17 EDT

Google makes looking up the most mundane detail simple. Need a phone number for the pizza place down the street? Google it. The possibilities are endless. However, did you know you can get more from your Google searches? It's true and here are six tips to achieving more productive Google search results.

Channel: Gadgets & Tech Tags: Google Tips Search Engines Power Users HOW TO

Rhapsody: easy to join, difficult to cancel

Wil — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:32:58 EDT

"To start giving them $12.99 a month entails just a few mouse clicks. To stop involves phoning an 800 number, waiting in a queue while loud music is pumped over the phone, and eventually dealing with a script-driven humanoid who demands to know your reasons for canceling."

Channel: Music Tags: Real Networks Rhapsody Online Music MP3 Streaming Music Buyer Beware Consumers

100 years ago today: KABLAM!!!!!

Wil — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:44:52 EDT

100 years ago today, a small chunk of rock or possibly ice was lazily making its way across the inner solar system when a large, blue-green planet got in its way. Now known as the Tunguska Event, it stands today as a shocking reminder that we live in a cosmic shooting gallery, and the Earth sits in the crosshairs of many objects.

Channel: Science Tags: History Tunguska Event Astronomy

It's Official. California's Death Penalty is a Multi-Million Dollar Failure.

Wil — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:13:42 EDT

A panel of experts, including 10 law enforcement officers and prosecutors, unanimously agrees that California's death penalty is utterly broken. To fix it, we'll need to spend over $200 million per year. The current failed system already costs over $137 million more each year than our alternative of permanent imprisonment.

Channel: News Tags: Capital Punishment Death Penalty California ACLU

McCain's strategy on the Clark comments

Wil — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:49:14 EDT

The McCain campaign's angle here is to not to prevent attacks on the integrity of McCain's war record (which Clark explicitly did not do) but to make it off limits for anyone to question that his war-time experience means he has the temperament and experience which make him the better qualified candidate to be president.

Channel: Politics Tags: McCain Wesley Clark Obama 2008 Election President Campaign

Naked Women's Wrestling League bests Carmen Electra in court ruling

Wil — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:59:10 EDT

Lawyers for the Naked Women's Wrestling League today won a round in court against Carmen Electra when a judge ruled the actress's lawyers need to revise portions of her lawsuit demanding $300,000 for hosting several events.

Channel: Celebrities Tags: Carmen Electra Naked Wrestling Wrestling WTF Propeller Weird News Los Angeles

Kring says Heroes will go deep next season

Wil — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:53:16 EDT

With the third season of Heroes currently in production, creator and producer Tim Kring is dropping a few hints about what fans can expect this fall. Kring told SciFi Wire that the third season of the show will delve further into the characters and their backgrounds.

Channel: Television Tags: Science Fiction Heroes NBC Tim Kring Geeks Fall Season Interviews

GeekDad Movie Viewing: Classic Sci-Fi Summer

Wil — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:08:26 EDT

The GeekDads at Wired have put together a fantastic list of classic, family-friendly Science Fiction films that are perfect for watching with your geeklings this summer.

Channel: Family Tags: Family Movies Classic Movies Movies Geeks Science Fiction Wired

Fan Creations Enhance D&D 4th Edition

Wil — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:53:06 EDT

Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition's more simplified rules make for a graduated learning curve that is perfect for kids. Whether you're running a table for the kids or playing at your Friendly Local Gaming Store with the guys, we've got some great tools to keep the dice rolling.

Channel: Books Tags: Gaming Hobby Games Geeks Wizards of the Coast Dungeons and Dragons Fourth Edition RPG

Ben Bova: Writers must write, every day

Wil — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:35:35 EDT

Award-winning author Ben Bova says, "Writing is like any other job. You get out of bed in the morning and you go to work. That's it. No tricks. No magic formula. You simply sit down and write, one word after the other."

Channel: Careers & Jobs Tags: Writing Books Authors Interviews Ben Bova Science Fiction Professional Writers

Democrats don't need to "move to the center."

Wil — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:31:18 EDT

Democrats are no longer the party that is disorganized or on the sidelines. The Republicans are imploding and the country has turned its desperate eyes their way. So why are we still hearing so much about how the Democrats have to "move to the center?" It seems as though the country's center has moved to the Democrats.

Channel: Politics Tags: Democrats Analysis Election Republicans United States

Bush's top general quashed torture dissent

Wil — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:20:45 EDT

The former Air Force general and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Richard Myers, helped quash dissent from across the U.S. military as the Bush administration first set up a brutal interrogation regime for terrorism suspects, according to newly public documents and testimony from an ongoing Senate probe.

Channel: Do No Evil Tags: Torture Bush Air Force Richard Myers War Joint Chiefs

Lewis Shiner's The Gene Drain

Wil — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:03:52 EDT

"A self-consciously cyberpunk story from 1989, lampooning the evangelical dictators of the period, as well as the hardening cliches of cyberpunk itself. I found the title ... chalked on the wall of a construction site, apparently instructions to someone named Gene."

Channel: Books Tags: Science Fiction eBooks Free Fiction Online Fiction Lewis Shiner 80s

ComicMix Interviews 'World War Z' Writer Max Brooks

Wil — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:46:20 EDT

To some, it may seem unusual to find Max Brooks, the author of the very popular novels The Zombie Survival Guide and World War Z at a convention devoted mostly to comic books. But really, it isn't that hard to understand. Both of Brooks' books deal with zombies, a very popular creature among comics and pop culture fans.

Channel: Books Tags: Max Brooks Authors Interviews Zombies Novels Chicago

Car Wars the Way It Was Meant To Be Played

Wil — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:42:36 EDT

If you've ever played Car Wars, the pen-and-paper game of post-apocalyptic vehicular combat, chances are that you probably love it despite all its flaws. Now, imagine playing it on a 12' by 8' 3D city block filled with skyscrapers, ramps, an overpass and carnage, not to mention 15 other psychotic drivers. This is Car Wars: Rogue Arena.

Channel: News Tags: Gaming Gamers Car Wars Origins Car Wars Rogue Arena Awesome Geeks Steve Jackson Games Classic Games

10 Books That Were Better Off on Paper

Wil — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:40:01 EDT

It's happened to all of us. We read a novel that blows us away, and a few years later it's a movie. But at some inevitable point in that darkened theater, it takes a turn we didn't expect. Our eyebrows go up, our lips turn down, and the disappointment begins. Here are 10 books that we think should never have been committed to celluloid.

Channel: Books Tags: Science Fiction Movies Classics SciFi Dune The Postman

The House wants to save us from asteroid impacts

Wil — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:36:26 EDT

In the new NASA appropriations bill passed by the House (which must get matched with the Senate version) there is a line asking the NASA Administrator to look into seeing what they can do about Apophis, an asteroid that'll pass pretty close to Earth in 2029 - and may hit in 2036.

Channel: Science Tags: Politics NASA Apophis Asteroid Near Eart Object Scary House of Representatives

National Mall needs multimillion-dollar face-lift

Wil — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:25:04 EDT

"America's front yard" needs a cleanup crew. Several million in cash would help, too. From afar, the National Mall, the majestic expanse of parkland from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial looks postcard-perfect. But don't get too close.

Channel: News Tags: National Monuments Washington DC National Mall Lincoln Memorial

Is unsolved tomato/salmonella mystery the FDA's Katrina?

Wil — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:30:12 EDT

Almost three months after the outbreak began on April 10, officials with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are no closer to tracing the source of the problem, which has now sickened 810 people.

Channel: Food Tags: Health Salmonella Tomato FDA CDC Disease Outbreak

New Magnatune feature: import favorite albums into iTunes

Wil — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:21:12 EDT

Members can now instantly import their favorite Magnatune albums into iTunes. It's instant, because what gets imported into your iTunes library is a link to the streaming version of the entire album. That way, you don't have to download and store gigs of music onto each computer you want to listen from.

Channel: Music Tags: MP3 Magnatune DRM Free Online Music iTunes Apple Awesome