“NTSB recommends full ban on use of cell

phones while driving”

A federal safety board called Tuesday for a nationwide ban on the use of cell phones and text

messaging devices while driving. The recommendation is the most far-reaching yet by

the National Transportation Safety Board, which in the past 10 years has increasingly sought to limit

the use of portable electronic devices -- recommending bans for novice drivers, school bus

drivers and commercial truckers. Tuesday's recommendation, if adopted by states, would

outlaw non-emergency phone calls and texting by operators of every vehicle on the road. It would

apply to hands-free as well as hand-held devices, but devices installed in the vehicle by the

manufacturer would be allowed, the NTSB said. The recommendation would not affect passengers'

rights to use such devices. NTSB members say the action is necessary to combat a growing threat

posed by distracted drivers.

Computer networks can't feel or understand jokes, but software Computer networks can't feel or understand jokes, but software engineers have hardwired some compassion. Mechanisms in engineers have hardwired some compassion. Mechanisms in place in Facebook's system and in Google's search engine can place in Facebook's system and in Google's search engine can look for suicidal messages and direct people to help. Facebook is look for suicidal messages and direct people to help. Facebook is encouraging its 800 million users to use a system the company encouraging its 800 million users to use a system the company created to flag suicidal or otherwise violent messages. If someone created to flag suicidal or otherwise violent messages. If someone is posting unsettling photos or writing status updates about killing is posting unsettling photos or writing status updates about killing himself or herself, friends can click on a "report suicidal content" himself or herself, friends can click on a "report suicidal content" link.link.

Another Washington political showdown took shape Tuesday as Another Washington political showdown took shape Tuesday as the House of Representatives passed a Republican plan that the House of Representatives passed a Republican plan that would extend the payroll tax cut and speed the process for would extend the payroll tax cut and speed the process for government approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. The bill, government approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. The bill, approved on a 234-193 vote largely on party lines, now goes to approved on a 234-193 vote largely on party lines, now goes to the Senate, where it was unlikely to pass due to strong opposition the Senate, where it was unlikely to pass due to strong opposition from Democratic leaders. And the White House says President from Democratic leaders. And the White House says President Barack Obama will veto the plan if it reaches his desk, setting up Barack Obama will veto the plan if it reaches his desk, setting up further brinksmanship with Congress scheduled to leave further brinksmanship with Congress scheduled to leave Washington for its holiday recess at the end of the week.Washington for its holiday recess at the end of the week.

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