Can a laser bring down a plane? - By Brendan I. Koerner - Slate Magazine

Can a laser bring down a plane? - By Brendan I. Koerner - Slate Magazine: "The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are warning law-enforcement agencies to look out for laser-wielding terrorists. Lasers, a recent memo states, could be used to blind commercial airline pilots just prior to landing. Anyone who's ever used a laser pointer might be a bit skeptical of the alert, however, given how difficult it is to fix the beam on a stationary spot a few dozen meters away—to say nothing of a passenger jet zooming toward an airport runway. How feasible is this laser attack, really?"

44 - Rand Paul lone dissenter in laser-pointer vote

What a loon!

44 - Rand Paul lone dissenter in laser-pointer vote: "Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul was the sole 'no' vote Thursday night on a measure that would make it a federal crime to aim a handheld laser pointer at an aircraft.

The measure, offered by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) as an amendment to a measure on funding the Federal Aviation Administration, passed on a 96-to-1 vote, with three senators not present. It would call for anyone who knowingly aims the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft to face fines or a prison term of up to five years."

White House Launches Black History Month Initiatives | Political News and Opinion for African-Americans on Politic365

White House Launches Black History Month Initiatives | Political News and Opinion for African-Americans on Politic365: "“During National African American History Month, we recognize the extraordinary achievements of African Americans and their essential role in shaping the story of America,” President Obama wrote in his National African American Heritage Month proclamation. “In honor of their courage and contributions, let us resolve to carry forward together the promise of America for our children.”"

FINALLY!

FINALLY – let them work as they want to!

The Transportation Security Administration on Friday granted limited collective bargaining rights to its 40,000 airport screeners.

Created in 2001, TSA was excluded from federal regulations giving workers bargaining privileges. Agency leaders have the authority to grant those rights but before now, chose not to act. TSA Administrator John Pistole has been reviewing the proposal for months.

According to a memo from Pistole to agency staff, employees will be able to bargain over performance management, awards and attendance management guidelines processes, along with shift bids. TSOs will not be able to negotiate security policies, procedures or the deployment of security personnel and equipment; pay, pensions and compensation; proficiency testing; job qualifications; and discipline standards. Bargaining will occur only at the national level.

9.0% unemployment rate - Tracking U.S. Monthly Unemployment

The unemployment rate dropped sharply in January to 9 percent, the lowest level in nearly two years. But the economy generated only 36,000 net new jobs, the fewest in four months.

Payrolls expanded by 36,000 jobs in January, a sharp decline from the gains of recent months and well below the level economists had forecast. The reluctance of employers to add jobs at a time of robust corporate profits, strengthening consumer spending and other economic improvement renewed concerns that this near-jobless recovery could continue for an extended period.

The picture painted by the Labor Department’s monthly snapshot of the job market was confounded by a more encouraging drop in the unemployment rate to 9 percent, from 9.4 percent a month earlier, for its lowest rate since April 2009. The unemployment rate is gleaned from a survey of households, rather than companies, and can be volatile.

44 - Health care 1099 repeal amendment a gift to Stabenow

44 - Health care 1099 repeal amendment a gift to Stabenow: "Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow's re-election bid may have just gotten a little bit easier.

Stabenow, who faces a tough bid for a third term in 2012, on Wednesday was the sponsor of an amendment that represents the first legislative tweak to the national health care overhaul. While a full repeal of the health care law fell short in the Senate Wednesday evening, Stabenow's amendment, which would repeal the 1099 tax-reporting requirement for small businesses, sailed through on a bipartisan 81-to-17 vote."

U.S. Economy: Service Industries Expand by Most Since 2005 - Bloomberg

U.S. Economy: Service Industries Expand by Most Since 2005 - Bloomberg: "Service industries in the U.S. expanded in January at the fastest pace since August 2005, indicating the economic recovery is broadening.

The Institute for Supply Management’s index of non- manufacturing businesses rose to 59.4, exceeding the median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey, after December’s 57.1. Readings above 50 signal expansion in the gauge that covers about 90 percent of the economy. Orders were the highest in seven years, while companies showed more confidence to hire."

Cuban Woman Celebrates 126th Birthday, Relatives Say

Cuban Woman Celebrates 126th Birthday, Relatives Say: "Relatives and friends of a Cuban woman have celebrated what they say is her 126th birthday, though that claim to longevity is not recognized internationally. Cuba's Prensa Latina agency says Juana Bautista de la Candelaria Rodriguez has a civil registry document that states she was born on Feb. 2, 1885, in the town of Ceiba Hueca, where she still lives."

Guidelines call for a pinch less salt - Marian Burros - POLITICO.com

Guidelines call for a pinch less salt - Marian Burros - POLITICO.com: "The federal government released the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans on Monday, and for the first time since the recommendations were introduced in 1980, they call for a drastic reduction in the consumption of salt.

But once again they say nothing about the importance of eating less meat."

Million Muslim March - NYTimes.com

Mubarak’s Grip on Power Is Shaken - NYTimes.com: "In a test of wills that seemed to be approaching a critical juncture, hundreds of thousands of people crammed into Cairo’s vast Tahrir Square on Tuesday, seeking to muster a million protesters demanding the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.

Their mood was jubilant, as though they had achieved their goals, even though Mr. Mubarak remained in power a day after the Egyptian military emboldened the protesters by saying they would not use force against them and the president’s most trusted adviser offered to negotiate with his adversaries."