Thanks the frenzy of buyers during the Black Friday shopping period, total Blu-ray Disc player sales have reached 2.7 million units in North America. The number, of course, includes Sony's PlayStation 3 as a Blu-ray Disc player, regardless whether or not owners of the gaming console utilize the high-definition movie function.

Christie: Sport stepping stone to power in China

It's just that, after a brief flurry of appointing actual Ministers of Sport, the feds are back to their old habit of giving Sport short shrift. It's less than 16 months before the Winter Olympics at Vancouver and Whistler – a Games where Canada is expected to stand first in the medals table, according to the Canadian Olympic Committee -- and a junior secretary is in charge of sport. She's the third person responsible for the portfolio since 2006.

Michael Chong had the title of Minister for Sport in 2006 but quit the Cabinet because he couldn't stomach Prime Minister Stephen Harper's bestowing the handle of 'nation' for the province of Quebec. When Chong quit, the portfolio got lateralled to Peter Van Loan for two months. Van Loan was still a Minister of the Crown, but one is hard pressed to recalled Peter Van Loan's greatest moments in Sport.

Victoria Election Poll Vault Weblog

The headline on The Sunday Age front page says it all: 'Contest? What contest?'

After a month of two very different campaigning styles - slow and steady on Steve Bracks's side and self-consciously quirky on Ted Baillieu's - Victorians are waking up today to a Parliament that remains relatively unchanged.

Regions Financial Corporation Names John C. Carson, Jr., Chief ...

Carson joined Morgan Keegan in 1994 as president of Fixed Income Capital Markets and as an executive managing director of the firm. In this role, he oversaw all fixed income business functions, including Sales, Trading, Research and Banking. He has held progressive financial services management positions at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York and Caracas, Venezuela, Morgan Stanley & Co., and Security Pacific. Carson earned a double major in International Economics and History at Dartmouth College, followed by graduate study and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. He holds the following professional designations: Registered Securities Representative, Uniform Securities Agent State Law, Equity Trader Qualification, and General Securities Principal.

Kruczek was named chief administrative officer of Morgan Keegan in 2006 with responsibility for operations, technology and human resources.

Lucasfilm Sues Gen Con

Had a good friend send in this link to Gamerchicksrule.com where they've posted some juicy news about Lucasfilm suing Gen Con. Here's a brief snippet...

"There's some big news that just came onto the radar: Lucasfilm is suing Gen Con over issues with Celebration IV! While the case is stamped January 10th, this is the first I've heard anything about it. You can read the full complaint but here are the allegations.

1. Gen Con failed to uphold its legal obligations in terms of financial reporting, accounting and payments to Lucasfilm ($500,000 in damages)
2. Gen Con did not give auction proceeds to Make-A-Wish as they had agreed to do ($150,000 in damages)
3. Gen Con did not give Lucasfilm their share of the auction proceeds ($150,000 in damages)
4.

Two ideas to consider about Bush's war and education

During Clinton's administration, the suicide rate was 190 per year. During Bush's time, an average of nine service people a year died in non-war related terrorist attacks (attacks on embassies, ships in a non-war zone, etc.). The average under Clinton was 16 deaths per year.In the military, 84 percent of American fatalities have not been Hispanic or black. If all groups were dying equally, it would be about72 percent. America, according the U.S. Census, is about 15 percent Hispanic, while deaths of Hispanics in the military are reported to be 5 percent.The same is true for African-Americans. They constitute about 13 percent of population and 5 percent of military deaths.So Bush is fighting a war in two countries with only 54 percent higher military death rates than Clinton had being diplomatic; or whatever he was doing when not behind closed doors in the Oval Office.The weight of Bush's policies has not been on the backs of minorities.In fact, if anything, minorities are being shielded.Since perspectives very seldom appear in our society to be balanced, it is difficult at times to find an alternative voice.

Cruise lines now offer healthier foods to draw boomers

Royal Caribbean in January did away with its midnight buffets, but the famed concept lives on in other ships.Those looking to get moving on Royal Caribbean ships can consult virtual trainer kiosks and self-guided running maps for land excursions. One class takes passengers on a tour of the ship's eateries, with pointers on the healthiest choices.For cruise enthusiasts like Linda Coffman, it all means no longer having to worry about gaining weight at sea."I always used to try to lose a few pounds in anticipation (of sailing), but I've found that's really not necessary," said Coffman, a 59-year-old travel writer who goes on cruises for both work and pleasure.While salads and lighter dishes have always been available, Coffman said the variety in choices now is impressive.The changes come at a time when the cruise industry is seeing steady but modest growth.