online

ASO has voted and the new big American team, Slipstream-Chipotle is riding in the 2008 TdF! This is extremely exciting since some veterans of other teams will be on the squad. Former champion Alberto Contador and Levi will not be seen in this year’s TdF since Astana still has been denied.

The rest of the teams:

• Agritubel (Fra),
• Slipstream Chipotle - H30 (USA)
• Barloworld (GBr)
• Gerolsteiner (Ger)
• Team Milram (Ger)
• Quick Step (Bel)
• Silence-Lotto (Bel)
• Team CSC (Den)
• Caisse d’Epargne (Spa)
• Euskaltel-Euskadi (Spa)
• Saunier-Duval-Scott (Spa)
• High Road (USA)
• Bouygues Telecom (Fra)
• Crédit Agricole (Fra)
• Cofidis (Fra)
• Française des Jeux (Fra)
• AG2R La Mondiale (Fra)
• Lampre (Ita)
• Liquigas (Ita)
• Rabobank (Ned)

Today, 81 year old Fidel Castro retired from being president of Cuba for just about 50 years. It marks the longest anyone has been in power in the world. Now African leaders who have coups everyday try to be in power for more than 4 months. Now that Cuba is free from under Castro, the trade borders might be able to open up and we can trade lifting the cold war ban that has been in place since 1961 when Castro announcd he’ll become a socialist. Bush said of the news, “we can liberate the people of Cuba”.

Leprosy is back, but only in a small town in Arkansas. Don’t worry, there is treatment available. The town, Springdale, has reported at least 9 cases.  Just don’t breathe the air and keep an eye on your extremities and face for any weird growths or skin colors and you’ll be fine

Exxon Mobil posted a $40.6 billion profit today for the year of 2007, the highest of any US company.  Also it should be noted that Exxon only produces 3% of the world’s oil. (more…)

New police commissioner Charles Ramsey released a new plan for Philadelphia today. With areas targeted to reduce crime in many violent and turbulent neighborhoods he plans to decrease the murder count by 100 this year and have a 20% reduce in violent crime.

(more…)