Free Thinkers Blog

Claire Danes/Patrick Wilson - The Gap Commercial

2008-07-22T18:28:00.001-07:00

Orlando Gap Commercial

2008-07-22T18:27:00.001-07:00

Junior Brown Gap advertisement

2008-07-22T18:19:00.001-07:00

Ashton, Zooey, Scarlett, and Jay - bike Gap commerical

2008-07-22T18:18:00.005-07:00

Orlando Gap Commercial

2008-07-22T18:18:00.003-07:00

Claire Danes/Patrick Wilson - The Gap Commercial

2008-07-22T18:18:00.001-07:00

Gap Commercial - Khaki Swing

2008-07-22T18:17:00.001-07:00

Bodybuilder Tuan Tran demonstrates plyo pulls

2008-07-22T17:25:00.001-07:00

Tampa Airport has free wifi!

2008-07-16T16:36:00.000-07:00

Some of these smaller airports seem to have free wifi while the big ones dont. O'hare and San francisco didnt. Here is a list of airports wit free wifi for future reference.\:

Free Wi-Fi in Airports

Many Airport authorities are adding Free Wi-Fi high speed internet access as an amenity for travelers. Some offer access in the entire airport while others may limit access to specified terminal or waiting areas. In addition, many airline club lounges may have their own free access available.

United States

American Airlines Admirals Clubs - must enter a valid club card number to get access.

United Airlines - Service in the airline’s 27 Red Carpet Clubs and 5 International First Class lounges is free for members.

Continental Airlines offers Free wireless high speed internet access to members in 22 Presidents Club locations in major airports around the USA.

Northwest WorldClubs

Alaska Airlines Clubs

FBO's (Fixed Base Operators - the service stations for corporate aircraft) are located at almost all airports large and small and many are offering unrestricted Wi-Fi service in their facilities.

Alabama
Birmingham International Airport - Birmingham
Huntsville Airport - Huntsville
Madison County Executive Airport - Huntsville
Montgomery Regional Airport (Dannelly Field) - Montgomery
Northwest Alabama Regional Airport - Muscle Shoals

Alaska
Anchorage Airport - Anchorage
Ketchikan International Airport - Ketchikan
Valdez Municipal Arpt - Valdez

Arizona
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport - Phoenix
Tucson International Airport - Tucson
Yuma International - Yuma

Arkansas
Fort Smith Regional Airport - Fort Smith
Little Rock National Airport - Little Rock
Texarkana Airport - Texarkana

California
Meadows Field, WM Thomas Terminal - Bakersfield
Chico Municipal Airport - Chico
Arcata/Eureka Airport - Eureka
Hayward Airport - Hayward
Livermore Airport - Livermore
Long Beach Airport - Long Beach
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge - LAX
Modesto City-County Airport - Modesto
Redding Municipal Airport - Redding
BSAir at the Reedley Muni Airport - Reedley
Sacramento International Airport - Sacramento
Lindberg Field - San Diego
San Diego International Airport - San Diego
Mineta San Jose International Airport - San Jose
Santa Maria Airport - Santa Maria
Santa Ynez Airport - Santa Ynez

Colorado
Centennial Airport - Centennial
Colorado Springs Airport - Colorado Springs
Denver International Airport - Denver
Eagle (Vail) Airport

Connecticut
Bradley International Airport - Windsor Locks

Florida
Daytona Beach Airport - signal availability reported in Ticketing Area - Daytona Beach
Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport - all terminals - Ft. Lauderdale
Southwest Florida International Airport - Ft.Myers
Okaloosa Regional Airport - Fort Walton Beach
Gainesville Regional Airport - Gainesville
Jacksonville Airport - Jacksonville
LaBelle Municipal Airport - LaBelle
Melbourne International Airport - Melbourne
Orlando International Airport - all public areas and the "Cell Phone" parking lot - Orlando
Pensacola Int. Airport - Pensacola
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport
Tallahassee Airport - Tallahassee
Tampa International - main building and both satellite terminals - Tampa
Palm Beach International Airport - West Palm Beach

Georgia
Augusta Regional Airport - Augusta
Brunswick Golden Isle Airport - Brunswick
Fulton County Airport (FTY) - Raytheon Aircraft Services Terminal

Hawaii
Honolulu Airport-Gate 13 - Honolulu

Idaho
Idaho Falls Airport - Idaho Falls
Nez Perce County Regional Airport - Lewiston

Illinois
Central Illinois Regional Airport - Bloomington/Normal
University of Illinois Willard Airport - Champaign/Urbana
Quad City International Airport - Moline
Peoria Regional Airport - Peoria
Rockford Airport - Rockford
Capital Airport - Springfield

Indiana
Fort Wayne International Airport - Fort Wayne (free Cat5/RJ45 access too)
Smith Field Airport - Fort Wayne
Montgomery Aviation - Indianapolis Executive Airport - Zionsville

Iowa
CY Aviation, Boone Airport - Boone
Eastern Iowa Regional Airport - Cedar Rapids
Dubuque Regional Airport - Dubuque
Sioux City Airport - business center and JetSun Aviation facility - Sioux City
Waterloo Airport - Waterloo

Kansas
Hays Regional Airport - Hays
Wichita Mid-Continent Airport - Wichita

Kentucky
CVG Airport - Hebron
Bluegrass Airport - Lexington

Louisiana
Lafayette Regional Airport - Lafayette
Lake Charles Airport - Lake Charles

Maryland
Hagerstown Municipal Airport - Hagerstown

Michigan
Gerald R. Ford International Airport- Grand Rapids
Ford Airport - Kingsford/Iron Mountain
Capital City Airport - Lansing
Sawyer International Airport - Marquette
Muskegon County Airport - Muskegon
Pellston Regional Airport - Pellston

Minnesota
Beltrami County Airport - Bemidji
Duluth Int. Airport - Duluth
Rochester International Airport - Rochester

Mississippi
Golden Triangle Regional Airport - Columbus
Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport
Hattiesburg-Bobby L. Chain Municipal Airport - no commercial flights - Hattiesburg
Jackson Airport - Jackson
Tupelo Regional Airport - Tupelo

Missouri
Taney County Airport - Branson
Columbia Regional Airport - Columbia
Joplin Regional Airport - ask ticket agent for access location - Joplin
Kansas City International Airport - Kansas City
Springfield-Branson Airport - Springfield

Montana
Bozeman Gallatin Airport - Bozeman
Great Falls International Airport - Great Falls
Helena Regional Airport - Helena
Missoula International Airport - Missoula

Nevada
Henderson Executive Airport - Henderson
McCarran Airport - Las Vegas
North Las Vegas Airport
Reno-Tahoe International Airport - Reno

New Hampshire
Manchester, Boston Regional Airport - Manchester

New Mexico
Albuquerque International Sunport/Airport - Albuquerque
Taos Municipal Airport - Taos

New York
Binghamton Airport - Binghamton
Elmira-Corning Regional Airport - Elmira
JetBlue Airways - Terminal 6 - JFK Airport - Jamaica, Queens
Tompkins County Regional Airport - Ithaca
Rochester Airport - Rochester
Syracuse International - Syracuse

North Carolina
Charlotte Douglas International Airport - ask at Info Desk for access area info - Charlotte
Asheville Regional Airport - Fletcher
Albert J. Ellis Airport - Jacksonville
Kinston Airport - Kinston
New Bern Airport - New Bern
Wilmington International Airport - Wilmington

North Dakota
Bismarck Municipal Airport - general aviation lounge - Bismarck
Hector International Airport - Fargo
Grand Forks Airport - Grand Forks

Ohio
Akron Airport - Akron
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport - Concourse C, ticketing and baggage claim areas of Terminal 3, ticketing, baggage claim and holding areas of Terminal 2
Ohio State University Airport - Columbus
Port Columbus International Airport - Columbus
Dayton International Airport - Dayton
Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport - Vienna

Oklahoma
Will Rogers International Airport - Oklahoma City

Oregon
Eugene Airport - Eugene
Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport - Medford
Southwest Oregon Regional Airport - North Bend
Portland International Airport - Portland
Redmond Airport - Redmond

Pennsylvania
Lehigh Valley International Airport - Allentown
Erie Airport - Erie
Harrisburg International Airport - Harrisburg
Arnold Palmer Regional Airport - Latrobe
Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport - Mt Pocono
Philadelphia International Airport - look for ATT WiFi - Philadelphia
Pittsburgh Airport - Pittsburgh
Brandywine Airport - West Chester
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

North Carolina
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport - Charlotte

South Carolina
Charleston Airport - Charleston
Columbia International Airport - Columbia
Florence Regional Airport - Florence
Greenville/Spartanburg Airport
Myrtle Beach Airport - Myrtle Beach

South Dakota
Rapid City Airport - Rapid City

Tennessee
Tri-Cities Regional Airport - Blountville
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport - Chattanooga
KnoxAir at TYS - McGee-Tyson Airport and DKX - Island Home Airport - Knoxville

Texas
Rick Husband Inernational Airport - Amarillo
Harrison Aviation - Arlington Municipal Airport - Arlington
Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport - Brownsville
Easterwood Airport - College Station
Admiral's Clubs - DFW - Dallas/Ft.Worth
Valley International Airport - Harlingen
East Texas Regional Airport - Longview
Lubbock International Airport - Lubbock
McAllen-Miller International Airport - McAllen
San Angelo Municipal Airport - San Angelo
San Antonio International Airport - San Antonio
Tyler Pounds Regional Airport - Tyler

Vermont
Burlington International Airport - South Burlington

Virginia
Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport - terminal area
Leesburg Executive Airport - Leesburg
Lynchburg Regional Airport - Lynchburg
Newport News/Williamsburg Airport - Newport News
Richmond Airport - Richmond
Roanoke Airport - Roanoke

Washington
Bellingham International Airport - Bellingham
Grant County Airport - Moses Lake
Tri-Cities Airport - Pasco
Pullman Moscow Airport- Pullman
Walla`Walla Regional Airport - Walla Walla
Pangborn Field Airport - Wenatchee

West Virginia
Yeager Airport - Charleston
Tri-State Airport - Huntington

Wisconsin
Gen. Mitchell Int. Airport - Milwaukee
KOEO FBO's - Top Dog Aviation (Northeast Hangar Base), Ward Aviation (Northeast Hangar Base), Terminal Building (South West Side) - Osceola

Wyoming
Natrona County International Airport - Casper
Cheyenne Regional Airport - Cheyenne

The Onion: Supreme Court: Death Penalty Is 'Totally Badass'

2008-07-15T17:34:00.001-07:00

cascade mountains

2008-04-30T21:39:00.000-07:00

My DIY Ansel Adams.

New Airline seats- more legroom, all seats are like window seats!

2008-04-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

New airline seats

New airline seats coming on delta planes for 2010 - they are staggered which gives 2 in more leg room, and also creates a nook where to rest your head. ingenious.

Bring Your Daughter to War Day Big Success

2008-04-19T16:47:00.000-07:00

Bring your daughter to war day has been a big success says this report

America's Middle Class: Rich and Spoiled!

2008-04-19T11:42:00.000-07:00

Interesting take in reason magazine putting some things in perspective.

Corporate America's War on the middle class
To hear the Lou Dobbses and Bill O'Reillys of the world--not to mention politicians ranging from Ron Paul to Hillary Clinton--the middle class of America (however you define that term) has never had it so tough. Between credit squeezes, out-of-control immigration, rising costs of education and health care and everything else, it's all darkness out there for those of us who are neither millionaires nor welfare cases, right?

Some more from reasontv:
Whats wrong with education in America
Vikki Reyes has had it with Locke High, the school her daughters attend in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. She walked in on class one day and recalls “the place was just like a zoo!” Students had taken control, while the teacher sat quietly with a book.

Frank Wells has also had it with Locke High. When he became principal he says gangs ruled the campus. He tried to turn things around but ran into a “brick wall” of resistance from the school district and teachers union.

another one here on immigration:
here is a story of a foreigner comes in and takes a hard working american's job:

Oil still being created?

2008-04-19T11:30:00.000-07:00

Many people forget about that oil is still being made. In fact, that our entire idea of how oil is made is not right, and there could be a lot of oil still left:

What does Gold have to do with the recent Brazil oil find? In 1999, Gold published "The Deep Hot Biosphere," a paper that postulated that coal and oil are produced not by the decomposition of organic materials, but in fact are "abiogenic" -- the product of tectonic forces; i.e., deeply embedded hydrocarbons being brought up and through the earth's mantle and transformed into their present states by bacteria living in the earth's crust.

The majority of the world’s scientists scoff at Gold's theory, and "fossil fuel" remains the accepted descriptor of oil. Yet in recent years Russia has quietly become the world's top producer of oil, in part by drilling wells as deep as 40,000 feet -- far below the graveyards of T-Rex and his Mesozoic buddies.

single chinese village churns out paintings like a factory

2008-04-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

There is a village in China near the industrial city of shenzhen, which reportedly churns out 60% of the world's paintings - mainly reproductions of famous work.

But some nonprofit went there and asked them to paint for themselves for once, and the results are stunning! Represt creativity bursting out like a dam!

Chinese views on tibet

2008-04-17T17:57:00.000-07:00

As someone who has been to China, and also studies the history of Asia, here is my take on whats going on, and China's views and things.

Many westerners have this idea that the Chinese government brainwashes the people with lies, and if they only knew the suffering of the Tibetens, they would ease up. While that may be true they are being fed nothing but propoganda, its a fact that the Chinese are really nationalistic in their hearts and don't need encouragment from the government. All Chinese know about the shame of having been pushed around so long by the West and Japan. Because of this, they instinctively defend their country, because they perceive the criticism not as a legitimate criticism, but as a way to embarass China - to basically say they are not civilzed.

Also, Tibet is not a small place. There are not many Tibetans, but that doesnt mean Tibet is a small place. Tibet is the size of western Europe. Tibet makes up almost 1/6 of China's land mass. No country would just volunarily surrender 1/6 of its land mass. Mao once said that actually it is China's land which is small and the people many. He was referring to the fact that China's ethnic minorities actually occupy at least half of China, while being small in number, while the billion Chinese are all jammed up near the coast and the eastern part of China. With the muslims in Xinjiang which is another 1/6 of China's land, the Province of Inner Mongolia, and Qinghai province( which much of it was lopped of historic Tibet to form the new province) - these western provinces make up almost half of China's land area, while having only a fraction of its population. China feels they need the space, and they wont give it up, no matter how much they realize the kind of despotism they practise in China (which Chinese dont know about)

Also China has some very colonial views about Tibet - justifying it by saying - but we built them roads and schools! But of course, this kind of explanation is pointless - If somone is oppressing me and stepping on my face, why should I be grateful for hospitals? So they can fix my face which they smashed? or thankful for the railroad china built - which is just a way to bring in soldiers quick, and truck in Han chinese by the millions and out populate the tibetans from their own land. This is the same argument the Europeans and the Japanese made when they colonized china - they should be happy we are here! we are teaching those savages technology and civilization!

To illustrate this point I read a blog where, some Tibeten monks were praying and doing a pilgramage to a shrine - where they kneel and chant all the way there instead of just walking. The blogger said, a tour bus of Chinese got off and just stared at them and laughed and pointed. When asked why they were doing this, they said - because they are so primitive - like cavepeople!

This shows a very disrepectful and colonial attitude. No different than europeans were when they wre being pulled around by rickshaws in the colonial days and mocking the poor chinese.

Historically, Chinese are illinformed as well. Tibet was never a part of China - it was apart of the Mongol empire, and the Manchu empire, but never a part of a Chinese empire. The Mongols and Manchus who conquered China were foreigners - nomads from the steppe. When those empires conquered China, they also conquered other places - Central asia, and Tibet being just a few of the many others in their vast empires. Even when those empires became more and more chinese in their culture, and lose their Mongol or Manchu identity, it didnt mean that the places they conquered automatically beccame part of china, anymore than Russia or Persia became part of China, just because the mongols captured it too. When the Mongols for example, broke up, Kublai Khan's Mongol faction got the Chinese half of the empire, which included tibet. When the mongol dynasty became weak, and fell over, tibet did not remain with china.
Similarly, when the Manchu empire fell - which was only less than 100 years ago - tibet also broke away on its own - it didnt wish to remain part of the empire which the Manchus set up.

Take home point - modern China just tried to recreate the historical boundries of the Manchu empire - a foreign empire. Actually - the entire northeastern tip of china was never a part of china either - this place used to be called "Manchuria" because it was the homeland of the manchus. The manchus only allowed the first chinese to go there in the 1700s. Thats another place that was inherited from the Manchu empire.

A side note in ase anyone is wondering - I have never been to Tibet (been to Qinghai), but I have been to Xinjiang, and the Uighurs there absolutely hate the Chinese. I look a bit Chinese, and the Uighurs were very unfriendly to me, until I told them I wasn't, then they became very friendly.

Good Book on American Politics

2008-04-16T05:14:00.000-07:00

Walter Russel Mead is a scholar who writes about American Politics. He does a good job of tracing developments of American Political thought through the ages, and how these different strands affect American foreign policy. From the Jeffersonians who advocated a limited government, and foreign policy which still shows today in strands of libertarian attitude, and isolationism, to the Hamilitonians, after Alexander Hamilton, who beleived in a strong Federal government, which was the ancestor of today's liberal thought. He also introduces the Jacksonians, who do not neccesarily question a larger goverment, but are also expansionist, and hawkish on foreign policy. This strand is evident in the current administration. All three types haves to be understood in order to understand American foreign policy.

Questioning Global Warming - Madness!

2008-04-15T05:22:00.001-07:00

Record snows this year throughout the world including the ones paralyzing China this year, highlight that this year was much cooler than previous years. How does that square with Global Warming? Interesting article in the Guardian by Bjorn Lomberg. I am sure they took flak for this.

New that Global warmings impact on hurricanes exaggerated.

Bush Alienating allies?

2008-04-15T05:15:00.000-07:00

Its strange when people say George Bush is alienating friends all over the world with his policies. All over the world, right and center right governments are getting elected.

In Italy Silvion Berlusconi got reelected, and the Italian Communist Party, which has had seats in Italian Parliament forever, has won zero seats, and are totally gone.

Angela Merkel in Germany, and French president Nikolas Sarkozy are more right and America leaning leaders on office. Koizumi's party, didnt seem to get bothered by their support of George Bush, and the Koreans got rid of their sunshine policy and elected a more hardline conservative to stand up to North Korea.

I wonder why these facts are ignored?

A real man's attempt at DIY home decor

2008-04-14T10:05:00.001-07:00

from 4chan:

Kenzaburo Oe

2008-04-14T07:57:00.001-07:00

One of My favorite writers. The Japanese writer Kenzaburo Oe writes some interesting characters, like a man lying on a hospital bed with cellophane taped goggles thinking he has cancer, or a dead baby floating around name Eeyore.

I was introduced to him with this book: Teach Us to Outgrow Our Madness, and The Day He Himself Shall Wipe My Tears Away.

Kenzabur Oe

Republican memo to John McCain "Damn your Principles, support your party!"

2008-04-14T00:14:00.001-07:00

From the National Review:

Disraeli or Die?
Take the Anti-McCainiac case first: Surely there are such things as “conservative principles” which particular conservative parties and politicians may sometimes betray? Transparently there are — unless you take the view of British ex-Marxist and High Tory columnist Bruce Anderson who holds today as he held at Cambridge that “No one can be right against the party.” But Bruce is here in a brave but small minority. Most people can imagine circumstances — the Norway debate in 1940 in the House of Commons when a Tory rebellion brought Churchill to power is the classic case — when party loyalty is a secondary consideration.

Then there is the McCainiac position. Disraeli expressed this best in his rebuke to Bulwer Lytton who was rattling on about his principles: “Damn your principles, stick to your party.” As Disraeli also declared when someone (Bulwer Lytton again, I think) said that he would support his ministry when he was right: “That’s no use. Anyone can support me when I am right. What I need are people who will support me when I am wrong.”
Nine times out of ten or more, the Disraeli principle is the best guide. Democratic politics can only work if most people stick to their party most of the time. If every congressman or voter always acted on his principles, there would be no way of establishing either a stable voting majority in legislatures or a stable government. All would be flux.

What women want - and what men can do about it!

2008-04-13T23:57:00.000-07:00

According to this article, 70% of Japanese women would rather have a good looking but poor guy, while 30% would rather have a rich, ugly guy.

Interestingly, some of the women who filterd searches on the internet for those only making more than 15 million yen ~ $150,000, were rather plain looking. Their secret?
"Its all in the profile picture"

We must ponder the meaning of this carefully.

Scientists make new map based on Global Warming

2008-04-13T23:52:00.000-07:00

If Global warming continues, scientists say much of the world will be submerged. Possibly all the cities will be submerged, and we will be living like in Water world.
Here is the new map of the world based on scientists projections.

Artist - Suehiro Maruo

2008-04-13T23:26:00.000-07:00

I like his work, which is actually creepiest when there are no overt violence. Very striking to the subconcious mind.

Dorky looking guy enjoying his music

2008-04-13T22:27:00.000-07:00

This guy seems to be the king of all those people who messed around in their rooms making music on their keyboard in their parents home. But his music is still fun to listen to. I like his take on Rocky...

Rocky remix

Disorganized music

more music

messing with guitar

Cannon In D his version

crazy solo

with football player rapping

Effective Advertisement on Sex education

2008-04-13T21:54:00.000-07:00

With AIDS taking a tremendous toll in the populations of sub saharan africa and everywhere else, outreach to youth is the key.

Well done advertisements such as this will help educate the world's youth on the seriousness of STDs and HIV-AIDS.

2008-04-13T19:24:00.001-07:00

Boxing - Who will Manny Pacquiao fight Next?

2008-04-13T13:38:00.000-07:00

Ricky Hatton? or Edwin Valero?
Should be good
fights nonetheless.

If Darth Vader had an Intergalactic Yaught...

2008-04-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

This is probably one of the coolest ships I have ever seen. I wonder if sailing ships can make a comeback? Fuel costs for ships are enourmous.

Hillary Clinton Relates To Voters

2008-04-13T12:55:00.000-07:00

Hillary Clinton - Team America

Her lower lip bulging from a dip of Skoal, Sen. Clinton put her Bible in her handbag, and drew out her own Para Ordnance Warthog .45 caliber pistol.

The political debate on Corporations

2008-04-08T22:09:00.000-07:00

I don't understand the debate on corporations here in the US. Politicians always scapegoat our companies, but I bet, the one who really has the last laugh are the foreign companies, who would like nothing more than our own politicians taking care of their competition for them.

On the other hand, I don't see how nationalizing companies would give them less power, which is the idea in some countries. If you say in a capitalist society, that with money, the corporations can control governemnt, how would these same corporations get less power, in a socialist, nationalized environment, when the corporation becomes the government?

Fashion, Psychology, and Money

2008-04-08T21:57:00.000-07:00

My sister asked me once on what she should do for her college fashion project. I recommended that she create a simple brand, using he own name. Then she should charge 60 dollars for plain t-shirts, and 300 dollars for jeans.

I recently heard of a study that said that people who took the same medicine, felt better when told it was more expensive, though nothing actually changed. I think this applies to fashion as well.

This is where the intersection of economics and psychology meet. While it may make sense to lower your price to compete, counterintuitavly, you could raise your prices, and seek to compete on as something other than a commodity, and you could do as well.

First Post

2008-04-08T21:54:00.000-07:00

Some people get caught up in first posts and get first post writers block. I just as get it over with.