Republicans need more than rhetoric on defense

George Will takes aim at Republican blustering about defense.

Osama bin Laden and many other “high-value targets” are dead, the drone war is being waged more vigorously than ever, and Guantanamo is still open, so Republicans can hardly say that Obama has implemented dramatic and dangerous discontinuities regarding counterterrorism. Obama says that, even with his proposed cuts, the defense budget would increase at about the rate of inflation through the next decade. Republicans who think America is being endangered by “appeasement” and military parsimony have worked that pedal on their organ quite enough.

via Republicans need more than rhetoric on defense – The Washington Post.

N.C. panel touts wind energy use

The Wright Brothers came to North Carolina for a reason!

RALEIGH — A new study released Wednesday by Gov. Bev Perdue said North Carolina had the largest offshore wind resource on the East Coast and that the state should work with industry to develop the wind energy industry.

The 15-member panel said wind energy along North Carolina’s coast and sounds offered significant opportunities for renewable energy and for job creation.

“North Carolina’s extensive coastline and large offshore wind resources appear to make it a prime area for offshore-wind development,” the panel said.

via N.C. panel touts wind energy use – Technology – NewsObserver.com.

Great customer service

Northland Cranberry Pomegranate

I love Costco. It’s a company that just does things right. I love seeing the same familiar faces at the registers of my local Costco. Their cashiers are pros at their jobs and honestly want to help you. When they ask “did you find everything you needed,” their “baggers” (such as they are) drop what they’re doing to find whatever you missed for you.

I was distressed two weeks ago to find one of my favorite drinks (Northland Cranberry Pomegranate juice) was no longer being sold by Costco. True to form, when I noted its absence the front-end staff jumped up and checked their computerized inventory. Sadly, they confirmed it was no longer available. They encouraged me to fill out a comment form (which I did) but I thought I’d take my request a little more public than that. I wanted to see what would happen if I took it up with them on Facebook.

When I returned from the store, I posted this comment on Costco’s Facebook page:

Mark Turner posted to Costco
Costco, please bring back the Northland Cranberry Pomegranate juice. It’s so much better than the rest!
Like · · February 4 at 11:00am ·

Within an hour (on a Saturday!), one of Costco’s support staff had responded:
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