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The original Twitter, circa 1935

This is one of those inventions that was just way ahead of its time.

From the blog Modern Mechanix:

Robot Messenger Displays Person-to-Person Notes In Public
TO AID persons who wish to make or cancel appointments or inform friends of their whereabouts, a robot message carrier has been introduced in London, England.

Known as the “notificator,” the new machine is installed in streets, stores, railroad stations or other public places where individuals may leave messages for friends.

The user walks up on a small platform in front of the machine, writes a brief message on a continuous strip of paper and drops a coin in the slot. The inscription moves up behind a glass panel where it remains in public view for at least two hours so that the person for whom it is intended may have sufficient time to observe the note at the appointed place. The machine is similar in appearance to a candy-vending device.

Thanks to my buddy Dens for the awesome link.

I live this

As a kid, I was a huge Lego addict. I invented whole planets, societies, space colonies. I never used the kits. There were always those people who could make a life size representation of the statue of liberty or a Corvette Shelby, and I was in awe of their ability.

But just as the painstaking accuracy of these giant creations were impressive, so is this minimalist set created by Christoph Neimann.

And he doesn't even live in New York City.

I LEGO N.Y.

Bush brackets administration by screwing working people

Remember way back in early 2001? You know, before our country was attacked by cavemen and we were thrown into a perpetual war from which we may never emerge?

Well, George W. Bush had just taken office, and was hard at work during his first 100 days destroying any pieces of Clinton's legacy he could get his hands on.

One of the ones that stuck out for me was the OSHA workplace ergonomics rules. You know, the ones that would have cut down on repetitive stress injuries which would have improved productivity and reduced medical costs? Well, it was deemed "too expensive" for businesses and simply thrown out, baby, bathwater and all.

Now, in his final days as The Decider, Bush is making sure to cement his legacy as the most evil president in American history by enacting new rules to deny everyone possible badly-needed protection from the health effects of toxic substances, some of which are known causes of cancer (or worse) such as: asbestos, benzene, cotton dust, formaldehyde, lead, silica, beryllium, diacetylvinyl chloride and blood-borne pathogens, including the virus that causes AIDS.

No crony left behind.

2001:
Bush signs repeal of ergonomic rules into law

WASHINGTON — President Bush signed into law Tuesday a repeal of Clinton administration regulations that set new workplace ergonomic rules to combat repetitive stress injuries.

2008:
Bush Aides Rush to Enact a Rule Obama Opposes

WASHINGTON — The Labor Department is racing to complete a new rule, strenuously opposed by President-elect Barack Obama, that would make it much harder for the government to regulate toxic substances and hazardous chemicals to which workers are exposed on the job.

I'm willing to take that risk

On election day, I compiled a list of some of the most common reasons I've been emailed by people in the past few weeks as to why I shouldn't vote for Barack Obama. I could sit here and refute the charges line by line, but I'd rather not dignify some of them with a response. So I've come up with a answer that I will apply to all of them.

Barack Obama doesn't have any international experience.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama doesn't understand economics.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama favors the Geneva Convention for suspected terrorists.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama has a name that sounds like Osama bin Laden.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama has a relationship with Acorn, a group accused of encouraging "voter fraud."
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama has gotten a free pass by the "liberal" media.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama has the middle name Hussein, so he must be allied with terrorists.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama is a "pro-abortion" extremist.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama is a cult of personality.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama is a target for assassination.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama is against a border fence with Mexico.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama is against all offshore drilling.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama is an intellectual elitist who doesn't understand "middle America."
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama is more popular in Europe than he is in the United States.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama is the most liberal senator in congress.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama is weak on support for Israel.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama is willing to meet with foreign dictators without preconditions.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama lacks the experience to be president.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama looks down on people who "cling to guns and religion."
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama served on a community board with William Ayers.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama supports "socialized" medicine.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama supports gay marriage and adoption.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama wants to "spread the wealth around."
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama wants to downsize the military.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama wants to end the Iraq war and admit "defeat."
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama wants to take guns away from Americans.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama will increase the Federal deficit.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama will spend taxpayer money on social programs.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama's former pastor is an anti-American racist.
I'm willing to take that risk.

Barack Obama's wife is unpatriotic.
I'm willing to take that risk.

I'm sure there are plenty of other reasons not listed here to not vote for Barack Obama, but if choosing change is risky, keeping the status quo would be a disaster.

It's been said the greater the risk, the greater the reward. So I'm willing to take that risk.

Undecided is un-American

Just imagine what it would be like if we ever had 100% voter turnout in the United States. Can you picture it?

Now get out and vote!

This design idea didn't come to me in time to make a t-shirt before the election, but I think it's still worth posting here.

My undecided friend

I'm somewhat surprised at how anyone can still be undecided at this point, after nearly two years of campaigning and just under two weeks to go to the election.

But tonight, a very good friend sent the following email. I felt I had to do my best to articulate my views, which I realized I had not done recently. It turned out to be a very helpful exercise. So to my friend Ron, thank you for this opportunity.

Hello Everyone,

I'm writing to a select group of people whose opinions I respect to ask for just that: your opinions. As some of you already know I haven't made up my mind yet about who I'm going to vote for. The closer we get to election day, the less sure I am. While I think Obama's going to win anyway, I still believe my vote counts and I'd like to hear any thoughts you may have about why I should vote one way or another.

Here's where I'm coming from: I'm registered as a Democrat but I've voted on both sides of the aisle over the years. I'm going with the premise that both Obama and McCain would make good presidents. I just want you to convince me which one would be better.

If you're going to try to convince me that McCain is more of Bush, don't bother.

If you're going to tell me that Obama is a Muslim associated with the Weathermen and Rev. Wright etc. also don't bother.

I'm not interested in hearing why either candidate is BAD, I want to hear why one would be BETTER. So please go with my premise when you answer this e-mail.

Thanks,

Ron

So, I wrote the following message off the top of my head:

Hi Ron,

I am voting for Barack Obama because he believes that Americans are smart enough not to be persuaded by fear, greed and xenophobia, and because he represents a wider swath of the nation with a philosophy that includes people rather than excludes them.

He supports peaceful dialogue as opposed to dangerous warmongering, doesn't believe that drilling is our only answer to the energy crisis and doesn't support the trickle down theory of economics. He believes in stem cell research, evolution and women's rights including reproductive rights. He's a Christian without being a fundamentalist and he picked a vice presidential candidate who actually knows what a vice president does. And if that's not enough he also supports Israel and not because of a belief that Jesus will one day appear in Jerusalem to usher in the Rapture.

I am voting for Barack Obama beacuse I want my child to grow up in a world where his country is respected again. A world where we don't torture people, invade countries that didn't attack us, where great, inexpensive health insurance is a right and where my vote is fairly counted no matter what my skin color or economic level is.

I'm voting for Obama because he really appears to bring out the best America has to offer, and I am inspired by what I have witnessed in so many people this year.

Daniel

I hope this helps you make your decision. But don't just take it from me. I have some friends at the New York Times and the Washington Post who also agree.