Computer program

New Computer Program Predicts Likelihood Of Violent Civil Unrest Abroad

Neal Ungerleider | January 26, 2011, 8:49AM

Protesters clash with police in Tunisia.

Scientists working on a project sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory now have a forecasting model that they claim can accurately predict civil unrest against foreign governments.

A team composed of academics at Kansas State University and New York's Binghamton University developed the Predictive Societal Indicators of Radicalism Model of Domestic Political Violence Forecast. The KSU/Binghamton plans to integrate their forecasting model into applications developed by Milcord, a firm that develops web and mobile applications for various government agencies. According to Milcord's Alper Caglayan, the model "will be integrated into strategic planning, early crisis warning and contingency planning-type operations."

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Mark Souder

Quayle Picks Up Whistleblowing Former Souder Staffer

Jillian Rayfield | December 28, 2010, 10:09AM

Rep.-Elect Ben Quayle (R-AZ)

Rep.-Elect Ben Quayle (R-AZ) has brought on Renee Hudson, the former chief of staff of adulterous former Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN), to be his new chief of staff. Hudson reportedly brought news of Souder's dalliance to GOP leadership after confronting her boss.

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Wikileaks

Reports: Air Force Blocks NYT, Other News Sites Over Wikileaks

Rachel Slajda | December 14, 2010, 6:07PM

The Air Force is now blocking the web sites of the New York Times, the Guardian, and other news outlets that have posted diplomatic cables leaked by Wikileaks.

According to the Wall Street Journal and Reuters, the Air Force ordered the sites blocked from personnel computers last month. An Air Force spokeswoman told Reuters that the Air Force "routinely blocks Air Force network access to websites hosting inappropriate materials or malware (malicious software) and this includes any website that hosts classified materials and those that are released by WikiLeaks."

She said 25 sites have been blocked.

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Mark Souder

Souder: Regular Prayers And Hymns Failed To Stop Affair

Justin Elliott | June 16, 2010, 10:30AM

Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN)

If only Mark Souder had listened to Dan Quayle, everything would have turned out better.

Souder, the Indiana Republican congressman who resigned last month after admitting to an affair with a staffer, is still giving interviews. In the latest, with the Christian WORLD magazine, Souder says that when he was first elected to Congress in 1994, Quayle called and advised him to move his family to Washington. Souder now regrets not taking the advice.

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Mark Souder

Souder: Scandal, Shmandal -- I Was Gonna Resign Anyway!

Ben Frumin | May 26, 2010, 5:58PM

Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN)

Former Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN) -- who resigned earlier this month over an affair with a staffer -- claimed in a local newspaper story this week that he was going to quit anyway, regardless of the scandal.

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Mark Souder

Souder: I'm Happy That Abstinence Vid With Mistress Now Defines Me (VIDEO)

Justin Elliott | May 24, 2010, 9:02AM

Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN) and Tracy Jackson (inset)

In an interview with a local Indiana newspaper, former congressman Mark Souder said he's actually gratified that the pro-abstinence video he filmed with girlfriend and staffer Tracy Jackson is what now defines him in the national media and on late-night comedy shows.

"If some people see this abstinence video, I'm living proof of what we're saying in it. If they actually listen to the words, maybe it's worth it," Souder told the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. The longtime family values Republican added: "You'll go crazy if you don't have some sense of irony."

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Mark Souder

Staffer Who Had Affair With Souder Resigns

Justin Elliott | May 19, 2010, 3:00PM

Tracy Jackson

Tracy Jackson, the part-time staffer who had an affair with Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN), on Tuesday resigned her position, which at least partly consisted of interviewing Souder for a Web video series, the AP reports.

Mark Souder

Asked In '98 If He'd Had An Affair, Souder Hung Up On Interviewer (AUDIO)

Justin Elliott | May 19, 2010, 9:20AM

Mark Souder in 2004 trying out Saddam Hussein's "Spider Hole"

This is fun: The folks at Democracy Now have posted Lewinsky scandal-era audio of host Amy Goodman asking Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN), "are you now or have you ever been involved in an extramarital sexual affair?"

At which point, Souder's line goes dead.

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Mark Souder

Report: Souder And Mistress Allegedly Frequented State Parks

Justin Elliott | May 18, 2010, 2:44PM

Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN)

The Washington Post provides some detail on why Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN), who won a Republican primary earlier this month, decided to resign over his affair with a staffer at this particular moment:

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Mark Souder

Souder Announces Resignation, Without Wife, At Press Conference (VIDEO)

Justin Elliott | May 18, 2010, 1:15PM

Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN)

Admitting an affair with a staffer, Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN) announced his resignation at a Fort Wayne press conference today -- and, in a comment not in his prepared statement, managed to briefly play the role of moralist by condemning philandering politicians who ask their wives to appear with them.

"My family were more than willing to stand here with me -- we are a committed family. But the error is mine and I should bear the responsibility," Souder said. "And, quite frankly, I'm sick of politicians who drag their spouses up in front of the cameras, rather than confronting the problem that they have caused."

And in another departure from his prepared remarks, Souder seemed to hint at some possible allegation of legal impropriety:

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Mark Souder

Rep. Souder And Mistress Recorded Video Praising Abstinence (WATCH)

Justin Elliott | May 18, 2010, 10:37AM

Tracy Jackson

Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN) had an affair with a part-time staffer named Tracy Jackson, Fox is reporting. Jackson played the role of interviewer for a Souder Web video show on the issues of the day -- including one on the value of abstinence.

Dubbed "Congressional Update with Congressman Mark Souder," the show hit on issues like intelligent design and fencing the border.

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