OpenSecrets.org is a little scary due to the detail of content freely available. However, it’s always true that in politics, the more you know, the better off we all are. Funded by the nonpartisan and independent Center for Responsive Politics, OpenSecrets.org tracks “the influence of money on U.S. politics.” The site is a clearinghouse of information about the money going into political campaigns.

Looking for information on what independent groups known as 527s have raised and spent on the 2008 election? Or how about who’s giving the most? OpenSecrets.org has the info. Want to know who in your area is contributing to which Presidential candidate? OpenSecrets.org has that, too. Want to how much the biggest fundraisers in Conress have in their war chests and from whom? Or who spends the most on travel? See OpenSecrets.org.

http://OpenSecrets.org

The recent snow storms that crippled parts of the northeast had a devestating impact on travel, especially air travel. Jet Blue was hit particularly hard and the airline appeared ill-prepared to deal with the problems efficiently. As they struggled to resume operations and clear their backlogs, the problems snowballed (pardon the pun) and continued to affect passengers well after flights had resumed. None of this is particularly new to air commuters, although the extent of the problem may have gone a little further than would have been typically expected. However, what does set this problem apart from other airline delays was how Jet Blue honestly and openly admitted their culpability. It’s not often that a major corporation admits a mistake, but even more seldom that they apologize as earnestly as has Jet Blue. A friend who has a flight booked with airline and who probably won’t be affected by the delays shared with me the following apology he received. Other travelers who were inconvenienced received similar letters offering “a roundtrip ticket equivalent to the amount you paid when booking.”

Dear JetBlue Customers,

David Neeleman
Founder and CEO
JetBlue Airways

This is a departure from the kinds of things I normally post, but I had to share this story of a Taco Bell/Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in the Greenwich Village section of New York City. News crews were alerted to a problem at the restaurant during its off hours. Apparently, a pedestrian saw some unexpected activity going on within the store: rats running all over! News crews quickly arrived and recorded the rats as they scurried around the restaurant, over the floors, between counters, and over furniture, including the high chairs. The restaurant had previously been cited for rat infestation, but had recently been cleared as having taken care of the problem. These videos should prove otherwise. Read the related story from ABC and watch the videos posted by CBS and NBC. Warning: these videos are not for the squeamish.