Apple Worth $500 Billion

Apple's stock market value hit $500 billion on Wednesday, reinforcing it's place as the world's most valuable company. Only four other companies have ever reached that spot, but none of them are there now. Microsoft, Cisco, and General Electric all did it in 1999, with Microsoft reaching over $600 billion. Exxon Mobil hit $500 billion in 2007.

Apple is now valued higher than the gross domestic product of Poland, Belgium, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, or Taiwan. There are many things that Apple is worth more than. There is even an entire blog dedicated to listing everything it is.

Profits for Apple are only expected to go up, as they continue to expand their markets. Steve Jobs' death had many worried about the future of the company, but clearly for naught.

Could Diplomacy With North Korea be Working?

Kim Jong Un's first diplomatic move, that doesn't involve threatening South Korea, is to agree to end nuclear enrichment and long range missile research in exchange for food. This is far from the first time that the North has agreed to such an arrangement. Over the past two decades North Korea has reneged on nearly a dozen deals.

What makes this time different is that they've agree to do it not just for food, but specific types of food. They've agreed to food types most appropriate for young children, pregnant mothers and elderly people. This gives hope that maybe they are actually serious about holding up to their end of the bargain.

Whatever does come about as the result could very well tell the future of how the reign of Un will go. If he'll start by discussing things with the world, and working to actually begin taking care of the North Koreans, then maybe he'll also be willing to move the country towards becoming freer.

Tornadoes Kill Twelve

Remnants are all that's left of parts of Harrisburg, Illinois after a tornado hit the town, killing six. Seven states were struck with twenty-three tornadoes that killed twelve people. Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Hospitals, schools, churches, business, and homes were all damaged or destroyed by the twisters.  Most of them struck during the middle of the night, when people were sleeping and making sightings of the tornadoes extremely difficult. And sometimes a tornado just forms too rapidly for any word to be given out to where it first lands.

Despite the difficulties, early warning systems, storm chasers, weather watchers, and Twitter are being praised for saving many lives by getting the word out. Advances by meteorologists and chasers have made it easier for them to detect a tornado before it forms, whilst watchers can easily spread the warnings through mass media.

Champagne at The Oasis on Aspen Mountain

Aspen Mountain now boasts the world's first portable champagne sled bar. For $15 you can now enjoy a glass from on the slopes, at The Oasis, wherever you can find it. The bar will be towed by a snow cat, and be a unique "yellow color. The bar will feature umbrellas, lounge chairs, a solar-powered sound system, flags and other eye-catching features that will make The Oasis stand out in the white snow." Plans are for the bar to be traceable via social networking sites.

The opposition worries about the inclusion of alcohol onto ski slopes that already are challenging courses. Slopes in Colorado have already been deadly without drunk skiers. Others have worried that it sends a message of high exclusivity about Aspen.

Davy Jones, Dead at 66

Davy Jones, the heartthrob member of the 60's boy band The Monkees, died Wednesday of a heart attack. Born December 30, 1945 in Manchester, England he had been residing in Florida.

In 1965, The Monkees were put together as an American counter to the Beatles, ironically with their own Brit. Starting with a TV sitcom in 1966, they had two seasons, which were then reaired in the 80's on MTV. The band had several number one hits, and four number one albums. The Monkees continued, even into 2011, to have reunion tours.

Jones, had begun his career on the stage. He starred in "Oliver" as the Artful Dodger, and was on The Ed Sullivan Show February 9, 1964, the same night that the Beatles debuted there. Davy was still immensely popular, and his personal appearances were often sold out.

In a January 2011 message on his blog, he wrote, "I wrote some time ago that not everyone has dreams and hopes that come true. Mine have. Regrets, yes -- if you don't have them you're a fool. However, I thank all of you -- yeah, you -- for your support and love."

Argentina Continues Escalation Over Falklands

Argentina's industry minister Debora Giorgi helped continue the escalation by Argentina as she began a program of calling on Argentinian companies to cease buying any goods from British companies. Until this week, the Argentinian government had seemed content to focus on just blocking goods from the Falkland islands. But now with the move against British shipping it is a clear enhancing of their growing hostilities.

Earlier this week, two cruise ships that had previously docked in the Falklands, were refused entry into Argentinian ports, simply because they had been to the Falklands.

The UK has sent strong protests over both actions, calling them, "Counterproductive and also a complete misreading of Britain's resolve on this issue." British officials have also called upon the European Union's members to join their protest. "It is clearly very sad that Argentina continues with their policy of confrontation instead of co-operation." said a spokesperson for Prime Minister Cameron.

In just over a month, on April 2, the thirty year anniversary of the Falklands War will take place. On April 2, 1982 Argentina invaded the islands, and were later defeated by a British force sent to liberate the Falklands. Over the past few months Argentina has once again been demanding that the Falklands be turned over to them. Britain is defending the rights of the Falklanders, who wish to remain British.

Andrew Breitbart, Dead at 43

"With a terrible feeling of pain and loss we announce the passing of Andrew Breitbart. We have lost a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a dear friend, a patriot and a happy warrior. Andrew lived boldly, so that we more timid souls would dare to live freely and fully, and fight for the fragile liberty he showed us how to love. Andrew is at rest, yet the happy warrior lives on, in each of us." A great statement about the man from Big Journalism.

Friday morning, just after midnight, Andrew collapsed whilst walking near his home. Paramedics were unable to revive him, and he was pronounced dead later at the hospital. It is stated that it was natural causes, and as he had heart problems last year, it is likely that a heart attack claimed him.

Famous, or infamous depending on your views, for his fight against main stream media, corrupt politicians, and liberals; he was well known as a champion of conservatism. He was known to be a man of honour and courage. Living every day the way he thought best, and encouraging others to do the same. His life may be over, but his mission and message are far from concluded.

He wrote in his book, Righteous Indignation: "I love my job. I love fighting for what I believe in. I love having fun while doing it. I love reporting stories that the Complex refuses to report. I love fighting back, I love finding allies, and -- famously -- I enjoy making enemies. Three years ago, I was mostly a behind-the-scenes guy who linked to stuff on a very popular website. I always wondered what it would be like to enter the public realm to fight for what I believe in. I've lost friends, perhaps dozens. But I've gained hundreds, thousands -- who knows? -- of allies. At the end of the day, I can look at myself in the mirror, and I sleep very well at night."

Allt om Sverige - All about Sweden

Hejsan! Jag heter William, och jag är an Amerikansk som bor i Sverige. Hello, my name is William and I am an American gent who is working and living in Sweden right now. My friend, Jonathan, recently asked me if I thought there was any way that I could contribute to his communications network, and I thought that it would be a great outlet for me to share my experiences living abroad. He agreed, and so I will do just that.

I have been living here now for two years, and am in the process of getting a contract extension for two more. During the past two years, I have not been back to the USA, though I will be visiting in May. I have become fluent in Swedish, and I am now learning the French language as well. I have met many Europeans here can speak three or four languages. I am just trying to fit in. As for how I spend most of my time, I am a researcher at a university here in the South of Sweden. I am living in Sweden's third largest city, called Malmö, which is in the very southern tip of the country, not very far at all from Denmark's capital city, Copenhagen.

I have plenty to to say about Sweden, and Europe in general. It has been an incredibly amazing experience here. I hope to be able to contribute around once per week. In the mean time, I will leave with a recent observation about a peculiarity of the Swedish language:

Last year, in May, I went out on a work assignment to Ethiopia, a scientific outreach between my department and a university in Addis Ababa. Having never been to the African continent, I was understandably quite excited about this. Hence, I was trying to ask my colleagues how I say in Swedish 'I am excited!' It was really a struggle to get a good answer. It seemed rather odd to me that this was so.

Fast forward to just a couple of weeks ago, I was tasked with giving a lecture on my research topic to a small class of students at the university here, in English. After an intensive week of preparation, I gave the lecture, and as typically happens, I left the room feeling great about the whole affair. Really, I could say that I "felt like a million bucks". So again, turning to my Swedish colleagues, I tried to get an exaggerated expression in Swedish equivalent to saying 'I feel like a million bucks'. And again, it was a major struggle, and I am still waiting for a good answer. "Jag känner mig jättebra" - I feel extremely good, in the Swedish language just does not convey such enthusiasm

Point being- while Swedes, collectively (and believe me, they are a collective lot - more on that later) display a goodly dose of megalomania, there is also a rather modest down-to-earth temperament in this society.

Until Next Time...

Belarus vs The EU

In response to continued sanctions from the European Union, Belarus has ordered the Polish and EU ambassadors to leave the country. The sanctions began after the last election in December 2010, that is considered by many to have been fixed. Many who protested the final vote are still imprisoned. The latest sanctions were in response to Belarus's poor record on human rights.

Germany has led a call for all EU nations to respond by pulling their ambassadors out of Belarus. "This is the last dictatorship, this is the last dictator in Europe, and we will not let ourselves be intimidated by such actions against one European institutions or against one member state," German Foreign Affairs Minister Guido Westerwelle said. "The European Union and Poland can rely on Germany's solidarity. We will not let others divide us. The dictator fools himself when he thinks he can divide us. We will react together. I suggest that we all recall our ambassadors from Belarus to our capitals. This is what Germany will do."

The United States also has sanctions against the Belarus's leadership. In December 2011, a year after the questioned elections, the US expanded their own sanctions, but with little complaint from Belarus. It is unknown if the US will join the EU in pulling their ambassador, but it is very possible as the two groups have been working closer and closer together on many subjects, including Iran and Syria.

President Alexander Lukashenko has had run ins with the US and EU before. Nor is this the only election under him to be challenged. During the 2010 elections, other candidates were attacked, kidnapped, and or arrested by police. Since first being elected in 1994, he has officially gained all but total control, and wields authoritarian powers without challenge from the rest of the government.

Classic Pick of the Week: The Man Who Would be King

The Man Who Would be King, Tuesday night on TCM.

This fun epic adventure, set in colonial India and based on Rudyard Kipling’s writing, is the ultimate buddy movie. John Huston originally planned it for Humphrey Bogart and Clark Gable, then Gable and Michael Caine, and finally ended up with Caine and Sean Connery, a fantastic combination.

They play Peachy and Danny, British soldiers with reputations as fraudsters, who embark on an audacious scheme, going to a fabled ancient kingdom in Afghanistan where they plan to bamboozle the natives, rule as kings and revel in untold riches and power.

If the film has a lesson, it may be that colonial ambition is folly and failure, or that it’s futile to impose strict order and discipline on a tribal people, certainly that it’s always wrong to believe your own hype. No matter what moral (if any) you take away, you can’t help but admire the arrogant but charming and amusingly clever con men who tragically overestimate how easily their plan will unfold. They gain trust by acting as military “consultants” and help the people of Kafiristan defeat an enemy. Due to the tribe’s limited understanding of modern weaponry and the protection of armor, they are awestruck when an unscathed Connery seems immortal; he seals the deal and seems God-like when his medallion suggests he is the reincarnation of Alexander the Great.

While Connery lets the worship go to his head and becomes the image of hubris, Caine stays true to his cynical self, and is totally focused on the original goal of making off with gold. Predictably, Connery takes things too far and ignores warnings against getting involved with a woman; Michael Caine’s real wife Shakira plays the beautiful object of Connery’s affection and the occasion of his exposure as a mere mortal.

The Man Who Would be King was nominated for four Oscars, but none for acting, which is a shame because the key to the movie, besides the amazing scenery, exciting nonstop pace, appropriately spare Maurice Jarre score, funny lines, and recent Oscar winner Christopher Plummer as narrator/Kipling, the best thing apart from all that is the completely believable bond of friendship grounded in the special chemistry between Caine and Connery. It’s a fun, entertaining throwback to early Hollywood adventure films, neither shallow nor preachy, and like another John Huston classic, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, shows how a lust for gold and the grandest of plans fall apart because of human stupidity.

This is cross posted from Speakeasy, where you can find further classic entertainment geekery.