Abraham was encouraged by viewers in his room to commit the deadly act. However, there are reports which state that Abraham was bi-polar and had previously threatened to kill himself before. The parents should be outraged not at Justin.TV, but the cruel people of the world whose insatiable appetite for drama pushed this young man to his death. This is the unfortunate reality of a society that’s bombarded by dramatized news and peer pressure created by the consumption of harmful media.

As an early adopter of lifecasting, I too can attest to the pressures of this medium. There are some very cruel, inhumane and hateful people that are attracted to these platforms. However, it’s important to note that it is the lifecaster’s sole responsibility to deal with harassment and other issues. Abraham chose this medium as a way to send a message to those he hurt and loved.

May he now rest in peace.

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See the smoke billowing over yonder? I suspect a fight might be brewing between green automaker Aptera Motors and mobile advertising network Apptera. Both companies are in startup mode and attracting healthy rounds of financing. The only difference between their name? One letter, ‘P’. Either company could throw their weight around and accuse the other of distorting their brand.

This is one to watch. Both companies are entitled to a good argument, though I suspect Aptera — The green automaker — Will prevail.

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Congress will not grant a bailout package to the automakers. General Motors (GM) would be the first to collapse by January 18, 2009, followed by Chrysler on February 6, 2008. The lone automaker will be non other than Ford. Alan Mulally will then flex his negotiation skills and convince Congress to grant them the $25 Billion bailout on the condition that they purchase the assets of GM and Chrysler, while attempting to save as many jobs possible.

When one considers the hemorrhaging of money in my hometown by the automakers, almost any scenario is possible. This is just one of a few scenarios that might play out should Congress not approve a bailout package for the industry. Consolidation is nothing new to Detroit. There were dozens of automakers in the earlier days. Some failed, some merged and the others collapsed. That’s life.

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…It’s time for round two of my experiment. I enjoy learning about people, hence my desire to assemble a group of women for a round table discussion. Why do this? I want to intimately learn about how women in Denver approach dating. I want to learn about your fears, issues, hesitations, disappointments, etc.

Why should I care about these things? I want to have a better understanding of modern day women, put to bed any assumptions that might be wrong and maybe inspire a few women to get on board to make dating better for everyone.

If you’re game, drop me a line and I’ll keep you updated about the first meeting. For the first meeting, I will be the only male present. Keep in mind that this isn’t about meeting a mate — It’s a journey to clarity and understanding that we’ll all benefit from going forward.

It’s my own personal mission to tear down the walls which separate men and women from realizing healthy interaction and fulfilling relationships.

Purpose of the round table

Reality: Our society is broken on many levels. For the first few sessions, I will guide the round table with a series of Q&A sessions designed around how women date, their issues, expectations, disappointments, etc. This is a new and unique approach to dating in that we have an open, non-threatening, informative and inspiring platform from which to learn and prosper.

I am incredibly excited about this development. The round table will feature a diverse set of women of all age groups, professions, etc. I am moving quickly to assemble the first meeting (which could occur by early December) so please contact me to add your name to the list!

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So, why did I risk increasing my monthly expenditures on web services by 73% ($20 to $75 per month) when I didn’t have much money for such increases? It’s pretty simple: Freedom of restriction. In the world of web services, there are contracts, limitations and obstacles. These all get in the way of truly accomplishing a task or realizing a dream (without losing your shirt in the process). In the world of cloud computing, there are no boundaries. No constraints. No limits. The world is truly yours to discover.

Cloud computing is a wonderful shift in technology as we know it today. Now, with a few keystrokes and clicks, one can power any dream online without concern of outrageous fees or unrealistic commitments. You are free to explore your creativity and wild imagination to your heart’s content. There isn’t a phone number to call to add an additional server, module or hard drive. You can now do all of this yourself within minutes for how ever many units you desire.

Looking back on a year of using the Amazon Web Services platform, I can say with full conviction that I made the right choice. I’ve sent all of my telecommunication and web hosting needs to the cloud. 90% of my digital life now resides in the cloud and I am quickly aiming for 100% in 2009. Thanks to Amazon’s extraordinary work in this space, they’ve torn down the digital barriers which previously prevented many from accessing raw computing power as necessary. Their effort has enabled a new generation of developers, entrepreneurs and small businesses with unparalleled access to modern technology that we haven’t seen in the last 25 years.

I am overjoyed about cloud computing. It is the most critical development in technology that we’ve ever witnessed. It’s more important than the Internet and desktop software. It is the foundation which will empower dreamers with the tools to transform societies and the way they use technology on a daily basis. This is bigger than the personal computer or mainframe. This is about enabling humanity to develop new ideas, possibilities and endless realities without fear of financial burden.

It is my desire to share my enthusiasm for cloud computing with the world. It is my mission to engage as many people as possible in this defining moment in technology. This is an exciting time to witness the evolution of modern technology. We are only at the beginning stages of this incredible movement. Imagine what the next five years will bring the world thanks to cloud computing:

• Open source, enterprise-grade telecommunications for individuals and businesses
• Virtual workstations
• Free, global long distance calling
• Data backups for life
• And a lot more

I look forward to helping developers, entrepreneurs, corporations and the entire world realize the cloud computing dream. Let’s make it happen, together.

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We have become a nation which feeds on facades, myths and lies. This is America, once “Land of the free”. Let’s return America to its roots, please? Let’s put an end to divisive ’social ideas’ such as race, religion and class. Let’s all come together as a nation. Put aside your ardent beliefs. Put aside your prejudices. Open up your mind to think independently of a failed society and government. Question reality for yourself to arrive at real truth.

America: We can no longer afford to live in a society that’s ‘business as usual’. Change does not start in Washington. It begins with each of us. The only requirement is that you make an effort to desire change in your life for a better America. It is my hope that Americans will decide to do the right thing from now on.

Finally, if Barack Obama is America’s next President, let’s refrain from the divisive language which denies him of his American citizenship. Refrain from the desire to call him the nation’s first ‘Black / African-American’ President. He is neither. He’s an American. The color of his skin is pointless and does not dictate who he is as a human being. Remember this on Tuesday and beyond.

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It is no secret here that I’ve had bouts with depression and stress over the years. There are times where I’ve felt completely hopeless about the state of my country and the world. At least here, I can do my part by exposing the issues and encouraging people to make the changes in their lives which can make life on Earth better for everyone.

One thing I’ve realized about happiness is this: It’s a choice. So, today, I’m choosing to pass along an abundance of happiness today to you and I hope you’ll pass it along to someone else. . Things might be tough right now, but together, we can emerge to overcome any obstacle we encounter in life. Stand in unison with a stranger, friend or loved one today. Help them realize that their struggles are not permanent, but only temporary obstacles.

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This morning, I discovered an interesting tidbit which led me to believe that Ford and Honda are holding private talks for some kind of deal. A visit from Ford Motor Company’s headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan give way to this hunch based on these direct keywords: “Ford Honda Talks”. What does this mean? Why would anyone within Ford click on an article I wrote suggesting the sell of Volvo to Honda?

Why would this individual search for hits on Google related to Ford and Honda holding talks? Are they someone who’s aware of these talks? Are they a member of upper management? At this point, anything is possible. Right now, rumors are flying that BMW and Ford are in talks to sell Volvo, but BMW denies any interest in acquiring Volvo.

I should mention as well that I’ve received multiple visits from both Ford and Honda to the article which gave me this interesting lead last July. It’s a noteworthy development considering the source of the inquiry: Ford Motor Company. To back up my assertion of this potential development, I have included the visitor data below:

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The new measures put in place after 9/11 were just an excuse to trample upon Americans’ dwindling liberties. Now, Americans are not even allowed to re-enter the country from Canada without a valid passport (when traveling by air) or birth certificate (when traveling by ground). Frankly, all of these measures are absurd and they do not make us any safer.

I believe it is critical for the American and Canadian governments to reach an agreement on unifying our nations for the better good of everyone. This isn’t a call for extensions to NAFTA or support for the often-discussed NAU (North American Union). Instead, it’s a call for cooperation and the establishment of trust-based programs to support the freedom of movement that’s enjoyed by American states and Canadian provinces.

If a Canadian desires to live and work in America, he or she should be free to do so without the red tape that currently exists. The same is true for any American. We need to reform our immigration laws and agreements to support cross-border living and working arrangements which do not strain our ability to foster growth and advancement between our nations. We should treat each other as great friends — Not as untrustworthy enemies (which the American government is doing quite well about now). It is my hope that we can realize such change within the next 10 years or less. We live in different times today and with the Internet closing the gap on how we live and communicate, it’s about time that we tear down the arbitrary walls which separate and divide us.

What are your thoughts?

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There are numerous ramblings about the case here on my web site and I invite you to read them to learn more about this little-discussed case. It’s a timely topic considering the state of the American economy and when our nation is facing record foreclosures due to the subprime mortgage meltdown.

The question you should ask yourself is this: Are most foreclosures illegal? According to this case, yes! However, don’t take my word for it. Read the text of the case here and elsewhere on the Internet. There’s plenty of resources to learn about it. Please share it with everyone you know.

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Right now, I feel like shouting at the top of my lungs about how AMAZING this all really is. For only .125 cents an hour, I can now launch as many Windows Server 2003 ‘virtual machines’ as I’d like. I don’t have to worry about licensing, acquiring server hardware or bandwidth. In just under two minutes with a few clicks (I use the ElasticFox FireFox plugin for EC2), I was able to launch a Windows Server with ease and use it remotely from my laptop here at home.

If you’re not already aware, Ronald Lewis Dot Com runs on an Amazon EC2-based Linux server. It not only runs this web site, but many more! It even manages several phone numbers, voicemails and a lot more thanks to my Asterisk PBX telephone system. I’m overjoyed by Amazon’s announcement of their support for Windows. I cannot begin to explain what a wonderful development this is. It’s another step in the right direction for cloud computing and Internet services overall. Do not underestimate my cool demeanor here. At this point, I want to run around Denver proclaiming that this new development is “the future of computing!” I’m truly speechless right now. Speechless. Numbed. Paralyzed. Wow!

How best to sum this all up? AMAZING! Here’s another reason why I’ve decided to use Amazon’s EC2 platform exclusively for all of my web needs. It doesn’t get any better than this. I can hardly contain my excitement. For those who care about technology and read the announcement, you should already know what a big deal this is. This is a defining moment in computing. Cloud computing is the future! Once again, Amazon has redefined an emerging space with exponential potential! They understand where this space is going and are responding intelligently with robust solutions to meet demand.

More to come on this soon. I’m so psyched at the moment that I cannot think straight. This is just amazing. It’s developments such as this that make me realize how wonderful technology is and how it can inspire a new world of innovation and creativity. Imagine the possibilities for developers and startups seeking to make their mark in the world. They can do so without the costly overhead of co-locating servers or spending outrageous fees on Microsoft licenses. This is a game changer, folks. This is serious business. This changes everything.

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I figured this was my prime opportunity to pick his brain about oil pricing. I asked, “Who do you believe is responsible for the pricing of petroleum? Is it OPEC? Speculators? Or, someone else?”

He responded, “I think it’s the oil speculators. The fluctuation of gasoline is something I don’t understand. I think it’s wrong when gas station owners increase the price of their reserves, because they’ve already paid for it. That doesn’t seem right.”

While there are probably dozens of causes for the fluctuation of gas prices, I believe the speculators are a huge red flag. Don’t pay any mind to my opinion, I’m just reiterating what I’ve observed and had confirmed by a Halliburton employee.

So, there you have it, direct from the horse’s mouth. That’s a lot to chew on.

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This was surprise news to me. It’s always a thrill to learn about the places and events where my projects and work are mentioned.

Special thanks to the Amazon AWS team for including me in their presentation before a global audience.

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NOTE: This is a follow-up to our email titled “Important Information About Your Digital Music Purchases” from 9/26/08.

Based on feedback from our customers, we have decided to maintain our
digital rights management (DRM) servers for the present time. What this
means to you is that our existing service continues and there is no
action required on your part. Our customer service team will continue
to assist with DRM issues for protected windows media audio (WMA) files
purchased from Walmart.com.

While our customer support team is available to assist you with any
issues, we continue to recommend that you back up your songs by burning
them to a recordable audio CD. By backing up your songs, you insure
access to them from any personal computer at any time in the future.

We appreciate your support and patience as we work to provide the best
service possible to you. As we move forward with our 100% MP3 store,
we’ll continue to update you with key decisions regarding our service
and your account via email.

Thank you for using Walmart MP3 Music Downloads.

The Walmart Digital Music Team

Essentially, the consumers won! Bark loud enough and people will listen. Good news for the millions of DRM protected music downloaded from Walmart.

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1. Detroit, Michigan (+3)
2. Chicago, Illinois (+3)
3. Newark, New Jersey (+1)
4. New York, New York (+1)
5. Phoenix, Arizona (+1)
6. Las Vegas, Nevada (+1)
7. Austin, Texas (+1)
8. Dallas, Texas (+1)

Several flights were trips to visit family and friends, with the rest being leisure and conferences. The New York flight was a quick day trip to record an interview for the ABC special dedicated to the late CMU professor, Dr. Randy Pausch.

Tomorrow, I’ll fly to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for a weekend of fun through Monday. Its been two years since my last visit to Calgary and I’m looking forward to seeing how this great Canadian city has grown since.

Now, if only I can work out some kind of spokesman deal for one of the airlines, I’ll be all set! I never get tired of flying!

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1. A man was facing foreclosure on his home

2. He fought back, arguing that there wasn’t actual money backing his loan

3. He won (and the judge overseeing the case was found dead six months later)

The Credit River Decision case is something every American MUST read considering the state of our economy. You MUST ask questions and do diligent research. The Federal Reserve is a fraudulent entity and this case proves it. Please share it with as many people as possible.

Learn more about the Credit River Decision case

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I will not disclose the purpose or contents of the letters at this time. What I can tell you is that many people in the media will not be happen with my efforts, but they are critical to change in America.

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Angry and wronged, Kearn filed suit against Ford and won. The take away from this movie for me was quite simple and is a theme I’ve written about before: Never stop fighting for what you believe in!

Unfortunately, Kearn’s determination to protect his invention and patent came at a cost: The loss of his family. Kearn’s wife packed up their kids and moved away, leaving Kearn in a depressive, yet still determined state. He was ever so determined to prove that Ford was wrong for their actions and he succeeded.

Let this be a reminder to continue the fight for what you love. Do not allow ‘dream stealers’ to destroy your passion for an idea, thought, desire, person or anything else. When we embrace the flame that burns within, we eventually realize the victory we seek. I can attest to this from my own personal experience. Stand up and fight for what you love. No one can ever deny you the ability to believe in yourself. It is the fuel from which great ideas are born.

Keep up the fight, no matter what.

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Prior to the concert, I decided to hike a trail behind Red Rocks to discover a hidden utopia of nature’s most beautiful creations. I was in awe and it reminded me of all the reasons why I chose to relocate to Denver two years ago.

Michael McDonald opened the show at 7:30 and played through the Doobie Brothers hits, his own and material from his latest CD, ‘Soul Speak’. It was a real treat to hear his latest single from the album, ‘Enemy Within’, performed live. I’m quite amazed by Michael’s evolution as an artist. I recall hearing his music all over the radio in the 80s as a child and I eventually ventured out to acquire all of his recordings for my personal enjoyment.

The Red Rocks concert was also a special moment for me: It marked 10 years to the day when Michael and I first met in 1998 at Pine Knob in Clarkston, Michigan. Michael has been one of many heroes and role models that I’ve admired most of my life. I’m really grateful that I’ve been able to enjoy friendship and conversation with many of them over the years.

Michael and I laughing about being silly

Michael and I catching up backstage at Red Rocks

Meeting my favorite male vocalist, keyboardist and songwriter for the first time

Here’s a picture from my first Michael McDonald concert in 1998 in Michigan. I had just turned 18 and recently graduated from high school. I had also just recently lost 75 pounds after I decided I had enough of being a fat teenager (I was about 240 lbs). The concert was a birthday present from my Mom. Little did I know that Michael already had plans on meeting me as I discovered in a local newspaper interview a day after the concert.

Michael and I became acquainted through fans, friends, tour promoters and others as word traveled back to him in the latter part of the 90s about a web site I maintained covering his career and music over the years. It was the first of its kind in the U.S. I was truly a kid at heart that night.

Red Rocks showing Michael a lot of love

Hiking behind Red Rocks before Michael McDonald’s performance

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Ronald Lewis Dot Com isn’t a ‘major blog’ by any means. However, the readership are far more valuable. Still, the numbers are encouraging and they prove that my efforts to become a destination for conversation are paying off.

Here’s a big THANK YOU to everyone who visits here.

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