DHL Goes Viral - Man Uses GPS To Create Global Self Portrait:

The 17th of March 2008 I sent away a briefcase containing a GPS device with the express transportation company DHL. I gave them exact travel instructions, where to go and in what order. 55 days later the briefcase returned to Stockholm. The GPS automatically recorded the briefcase's journey around the world. The information was downloaded to my computer and gave me my drawing. Due to the GPS drawing technique and the magnitude of the drawing, the self portrait had to be made in just one stroke. That giant stroke passed through six continents and 62 countries, thus becoming 110,664 km long.

On first viewing, I knew something wasn't right about this story. I don't doubt the journey of the briefcase as stated, I only doubt the purpose of the video. This wasn't about creating a self portrait or expressing artistic freedoms, it was about press. My money says this is a viral ad campaign by DHL. It looks like DHL, upset over all of the press UPS has been getting with it's prized horse Big Brown, wanted some attention. The company wanted to create a video that would go 'viral' and make their company look 'global'. Odds are this video will accomplish both of those tasks. In the end, advertisement or not, it's an interesting story and a clever video. Give it a watch...

We've Often Discussed McCain's VP Pick, But What About Obama?



Ted Strickland, Tim Kaine, Bill Richardson and Janet Napolitano...

Strickland's NRA rating and support in Ohio make him a great choice.

Support is growing in Democratic ranks for Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland as vice president. He would bring to the ticket maturity (66 years old), experience (six terms in Congress) and moderation (rated "A" by the National Rifle Association). He is very popular in Ohio, a state Republicans must carry to elect a president.

Kaine is the Governor of Virginia, a state Obama needs to win.

The Democratic governor of Virginia, Kaine was a Catholic missionary in Honduras and a mayor of Richmond. He also has one other big qualification and one that gives him an advantage over Virginia Senator Jim Webb: Kaine endorsed Barack Obama early. When Kaine was asked if he would consider a spot on the ticket, he replied: "I've got one term to be governor of Virginia, and that is my plan." Plans have a way of changing, however.

Did Richardson make an endorsement for VP deal with Barack Obama?

As for running mates, by far the most common prediction is Bill Richardson, with 146 people naming him (out of nearly 700 entries). That seems plausible to me, particularly given Obama’s problems with the Hispanic vote. Richardson also may help on the national security front, given his experience dealing with everywhere from North Korea to Sudan.

Forget Hillary Clinton, Janet Napolitano is on the short list.

Janet Napolitano (D) is currently governor of the Arizona, elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. She is Arizona's third female governor, and the first female to win re-election. Term limits ends her governorship in 2010.

Meanwhile, Jim Webb is basically begging for the job and Hillary Clinton is creating fake groups to push for her as a Vice Presidential pick. I'm pretty sure neither of them will get the nod. It looks like Ted Strickland is the front runner at the moment.

Decision Day - Voters Hit The Polls In Indiana And North Carolina:

Duell Hinson carries his ballot for the North Carolina primary election as he walks past voting booths at the Unionville Volunteer Fire Department polling place in Unionville, N.C., Tuesday, May 6, 2008.

Kokomo Indiana residents vote early in its presidential primary at the Memorial Gymnasium in Kokomo, Indiana May 6, 2008.

Alright, last minute polls have Obama up by as much as 14 and as little as 4 in North Carolina so the situation there is a bit fluid. Over in Indiana a Zogby poll from yesterday has Obama in the lead and the lastest Insider Advantage poll has Hillary Clinton up by 4 points. A strong black voter turnout will push Barrack Obama to a fairly easy and handily win over Clinton in North Carolina and, I can't believe I'm saying this, Indiana is actually in play. If Clinton doesn't win Indiana, the Superdelegates will begin to flock to Obama and this thing could be over as early as June 1st. Predictions: Obama takes North Carolina by 9 and Clinton eeks out a win in Indiana. Inside info and details will follow as the day progresses.... Buckle up.

Both North Carolina And Indiana Hold Primaries Tomorrow:



This, folks, is what they call the 11th hour. Two big contests will dominate the cycle tomorrow. Barrack Obama has a solid lead in North Carolina and Hillary Clinton is ahead in Indiana. Once again the DNC is facing a nightmare scenario as it looks like Obama will win North Carolina by somewhere in the neighborhood of five points and Hillary will take Indiana by about the same margin.

Taking a look at the New York Times delegate calculator and factoring in these predictions I can see a black cloud forming over the Clinton campaign. Come Wednesday there will be no statistical chance at victory for her and it will be a race to the finish line for Superdelegates. Barrack Obama has picked up quite a few in the last week or so, including two more today. When the sun sets and the polls close tomorrow, the pressure will mount for somebody to quit.

It's On - Voters Set To Choose Obama Or Clinton In Pennsylvania:





Even The Amish Are Heading To The Polls Today:



The latest polls have Hillary Clinton up a tick. I think Obama will destroy her in Philadelphia and other major metropolitan areas and she'll sweep the rural vote. Clinton will win for sure - but by how much? If she doesn't post a double-digit victory tonight it's game over. I'll have all of the inside info and leaked exit-polling numbers as the day goes on. Prediction: Hillary takes PA by 8.

Polish Political Sources Say Tim Pawlenty Will Get The Nod:

John McCain, the only republican candidate for the American presidency, is now to name his deputy, possibly a Pole, informs GAZETA WYBORCZA. Many politicians would like to become candidates for the post of vice-president. Former McCain’s rivals, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, are still on the list. However, some experts claim that Tim Pawlenty, governor of Minnesota, is a No. 1 candidate. Pawlenty, or actually Pav-lenty, was born into a family of Polish immigrants. He’s a lawyer, like many Polish Americans of the second or third generation. He’s just 47, so he’s pretty young, and rather conservative.

I can't vouch for the reliability of this source but it's an interesting choice. Many McCain camp insiders have hinted that the Vice Presidential candidate would be a relatively unknown governor and Pawlenty would certainly fit that mold. He wouldn't outshine McCain and, at 47-years-old, he's much younger. He's been a very vocal supporter of John McCain this election cycle and, as for conservative credentials, he's been called the most conservative governor of Minnesota since the 1920s. Robert Novak points out some potential problems with Pawlenty here but I think this could be McCain's pick.

Could this be a glimpse into the future for the Republican Party?

Users On The Website Intrade.com Put All Chips On Obama:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton will win several state nominating contests in the coming months but has little chance of becoming the party's candidate for the November 2008 election, traders were betting on Tuesday.

Traders in the Dublin-based Intrade prediction market gave Democratic front-runner Barack Obama an 86 percent chance of being the Democratic presidential nominee, versus a 12.8 percent for Clinton, the New York senator and former first lady.

I'm with the Intraders. Obama has this one game, set, match.

Behold, The Next Anti-War Bomb 'Standard Operating Procedure':

Standard Operating Procedure is a 2008 documentary film which explores the events surrounding the Abu Ghraib scandal. The film was directed by Errol Morris, and stars Christopher Bradley, Sarah Denning, and Joshua Feinman.

The 'coming soon' poster is less than enticing:



We predicted the epic failure of Stop-Loss at the box office and this film will do just as bad if not worse. Then again, I'm sure it will be a runaway hit in Tehran.

WJNOBLOG PREDICTION: The anti-war movie Stop-Loss will bomb at the box office this weekend. Second prediction, Hollywood will continue to crank out more of the same. I'll have the numbers this Saturday night on The News Junkie Radio Show.