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Strauss Kahn's political career is over and a pro-U.S. puppet is in charge of the IMF. I would call that a pretty successful operation. The goal was never an actual conviction.

And no Illuminati or tin foil hats necessary. Just an agency with a long and well-documented history of these sorts of operations to protect U.S. interests.

This crisis has not been a long time coming

Pretending this problem started with Bush is not helpful. People have seen this coming for decades pal. Books were written about his shit 18 years ago. Reagan spoke about this in the 60's. Today was predicted by New Deal opponents 75 YEARS AGO.

...bush derangement syndrome...

Here's my idea:

- Create two row of light colored cement blocks about a foot apart
- Place a steel or aluminium pole with a base into your bricked area and fill with sand or soil
- Plant a native grasses or shrub into the media you filled the bricked area with.
- On the top of the put a solar panel facing towards the sky and underneath the panel put a bank of cooling chips.

The solar panels will create shade,a wind block and reflect some of the light away. The grass or shrubbery will do the same will absorbing the heat. The brighter the day the more the panels will generate cool air. The cooling chip I was talking about would be something similar to those found in USB beverage coolers (see link below).

http://www.amazon.com/ZBANG-ZB006-USB-COOLER-WARMER/dp/B000WWUP3I

I took a LEAN class from a professor who had been a management accountant for a good part of his life. He wrote a few books about how companies are often driven into inefficiency and/or ruin by allowing the accounting and finance arms of the companies to be the dominant decision makers. This one, Relevance Lost is from 1991:

http://www.amazon.com/Relevance-Lost-Rise-Management-Accounting/dp/0875842542

I've been thinking along these lines for years. One of the original catalysts of this was reading a book called Voltaire's Bastards: The Dictatorship of Reason in the West, by John Ralston Saul, an historian. It isn't a perfect book, but it is definitely thought provoking. It is difficult to summarize, but I'll give it a shot. He argues that our modern management class is obsessed with a somewhat myopic version of reason concerned mainly with measurement. This management class lacks a sense of imagination, of history, and of human nature, preferring to retreat to a world of graphs, tables, and equations.

The example he gave that sticks with me concerns the Mad Cow Disease crisis in the UK a while ago. Mad Cow Disease is a strange phenomenon, where protein structures called prions propagate when animals eat other animals that have the prions in their flesh. The prions eventually result in brain disintegration. They cannot be destroyed by cooking and processing. Managers in the beef industry knew that Mad Cow Disease existed, knew that it was growing, but they did not take it seriously. They likely tried to measure it in terms of number of cows infected, number of people infected by its human variant, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, and concluded that its rarity made it a negligible risk. They could have wiped it out by quick action, but they did not. What they didn't seem able to imagine was that this disease and the fear surrounding it would eventually result in the destruction of the entire British beef industry. Almost all of the stock of British cows was destroyed. Britain was banned from exporting beef to most of the rest of the world. The financial losses were huge for the industry. Saul argues that these losses were due in very large part to the lack of imagination of MBA type managers.

I also have first hand with these issues. A friend worked for a food manufacturer that hired as plant manager an MBA graduate whose only previous experience was in a machinery assembly plant. Predictably, food safety practices and quality control went out the window, as these things were seen as negative items on a balance sheet. Lab testing and random bacterial swabbing budgets were reduced, until predictably there was a food recall that cost the company prestige, customers and a lot of money. He managed the plant primarily from his upstairs office, and he spent most of his time staring at graphs. He would seldom come down to the plant floor, and he had little comprehension of the processes and details of the plant he was managing. In the end, he left in disgrace, after transforming a plant that had formerly been extremely profitable and efficient into a money losing albatross.

The Reckoning by David Halberstam. Mainly be cause Lutz can't write as well.

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Mizuno Power X G2 Batting Glove
 

• Mizuno X-Flex stitching patterns provide optimal range of motion
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• Reinforced palm pad for increased durability

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Spalding 8375 EZ Court Marking System
 

• Patented measuring device and three jumbo pieces of chalk to create a regulation court
• Kit measures layout lane, free-throw line, and three-point arc
• Sports chalk stands up to competitive play yet washes off with water
• Includes NBA logo stencil
• Sets up a court in minutes

Buy best sale Spalding 8375 EZ Court Marking System in lowest Price, Oder Now!!

• Spalding 8375 EZ Court Marking System
• Converse "CT" Slip-On Sneaker
• Spalding 8235S Heavy Duty Net
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• Spalding NBA Official Game Ball Basketball

True. These are the handheld models. They look pretty nice, albeit not cheap for some (e.g., the DR-2d costs $449 or so). Newegg by Zoom for $299. I have no particular experience with either of these, but $100-400 seems typical for hand-held solid-state sound recorders, rather than the "voice" ones that are pretty variable in quality. There seem to be plenty of options to replace MiniDisc recorders. I'm kind of surprised it took this long for MiniDisc to go extinct.

The problem with Chinese is just it's such an awful language, with a bizarre and retarded method of writing it down which just makes it incredibly hard to learn.

What makes it "awful"? I find it quite lovely to listen to, at least when spoken clearly as it is in the soundtrack of the movie Hero. The use of aspect markers instead of tense and the way that verbs do not conjugate, as well as the way that nouns have no plural, gender, or case distinctions, all make Chinese much easier to learn.

And when it comes to writing, anyone writing in English has no grounds for complaint -- both Chinese and English are written using a limited number of graphic elements (radicals vs. letters) combined in specific ways to form specific words. Both writing systems require years of study before they can be used productively (though less study just to read -- this is one example of the difference between passive use [reading] and active, productive use [writing]). Both writing systems contain obscure elements/words that are best left to specialists or arcana buffs. Basic texts in both writing systems make repeated use of the same elements/words.

Written English has the benefit of purveying sound information, but with notable lacunae and complications -- the word chough is a good example (apparently pronounced chuff), or perhaps slough would be better (I've heard slow, slue, and sluff, depending on region and context). Meanwhile, written Chinese has the benefit of purveying meaning, regardless of pronunciation -- allowing its use to write down very different languages, including all of the Chinese dialects, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese. (Bonus points for folks who are at least passingly aware of CJKV text processing issues.)

I suspect the Chinese will end up learning English, not English speakers learning Chinese.

This I agree with, though for different reasons -- I think this will happen because (1) most native English speakers in the US (and possibly in other countries?) tend to exhibit a certain sense of entitlement (and ensuing complacency and hubris) from the long years of being near or at the top of the geopolitical dog pile, and (2) people on the rise and trying to make something of themselves tend to have the ambition and drive to get in and get to work.

Cheers,

The reality is most IPOs have very little to do with reality and a lot more to do with what the big investors and money guys think they can do to a stock to scam as much profit as they can in the frenzy of the first day of trading. Most of these guys get preferred share blocks from the guys setting up the IPOs so they can wait for the right time and then massively dump their shares at the peak and laugh all the way to the bank as the stock nose dives.

You want to know what kind of power these type of players have. Take a look at George Soros. He's the guy who is known as "the Man Who Broke the Bank of England". He caused a currency drop on the UK pound and kept saying it should be devalued and so he made it happen and dumped tons of UK pounds on the market and broke the Bank of England. He reportedly made $1 Billion off the deal, but some think it was far more than that. He is the kind of guy who actually screws with the markets and makes them jump or fall on his command. You should read his book and see his comments about how he claims he can break any country he wants and has done it in the past. These are the scary guys who snap their fingers and markets fall. These are the type of guys who make the killing off the IPOs.

George Soros' books

Not all clocks move clockwise.

I used to have a self winding Oris watch but it was a bit flakey.

Right now I've got one of these

http://www.amazon.com/Casio-Chronograph-Multiband6-Japanese-Eqw-m600db-1ajf/dp/B004P5NX4G

I got mine for 11500 TWD which wasn't too bad. It looks analog but isn't really - it is radio controlled, solar powered quartz. I can see the time in both Europe and Asia pretty easily which is handy when I call people. You can swap the home and world time zones with a couple of button presses when you get on a plane.

I'm a 43 year old scientist, and recently started working in New York City. I discovered analog mechanical watches back in the early 1990's and really liked the idea of a self-winding accurate time piece due to not requiring a battery, appreciation of mechanical engineering, and a little style. Now working in New York City and receiving some fashion style advice from a coworker helping to increase my chances of finding Mrs. Right, she has steered me in the right direction. Guys, girls notice you how you look too, and this includes the clothes you wear, your confidence, the shoes you wear, and the watch you wear. Yes, wearing a watch in times where everyone has a cell phone is redundant but it also says some about YOU, and the ladies will notice this. Go buy a good analog mechanical time piece and pass it along in the family for a few generations. Take very good care of it and it won't necessarily go down in value either. I have a nice small collection of vintage American pocket watches, one of which is a Waltham Appleton Tracy & Co. railroad watch. American railroad pocket watches are rather accurate time pieces for the time period. I would like to get a watch with a Tourbillon, but these are out of my price range. Here are some helpful links: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Price-Watches-Cooksey-Shugart/dp/1574324594/ref=dp_ob_title_bk http://www.zenith-watches.com/en/#/home/ http://www.iwc.com/en-us/ And for the financially successful Geek with money to burn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AlD0cMHGIM Enjoy your new watch and appreciate the design, time, and engineering that went into making it. It might even help get you a girl.

Or, for something completely different... if you have an Android phone, and can get over Sony's butt-ugly wrist strap that makes it look like something from the closeout bin at a dollar store & the relentless evil that permeates every pore of the company, you can get a wrist-mounted bluetooth-tethered faux watch remote display for your Android phone -- the Sony LiveView ;-)

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Ericsson-Liveview-display-Android/dp/B004E2V4NM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1310083296&sr=8-1

Just by coincidence I am wearing my "Flintstone" watch instead of one of my analogs. Well actually this one *is* truly analog:

A Fossil sundial watch.

Yeah, I mean you have to buy yourself a 4 dollar screwdriver to unscrew it. OH THE HUMANITY!!!!!

Plus $25 (just a guess, too lazy to look it up) for overnight shipping. Waiting 5-7 days for a screwdriver isn't an option when you have a crashed hard drive.

Yeah, I mean you have to buy yourself a 4 dollar screwdriver to unscrew it. OH THE HUMANITY!!!!!

This idea that today people can't make a better life for themselves because of this or that reason is complete crap. Sounds like you have been listening to the far left in this country who will say anything to promote their ideology even if it is wrong and a lie. You really should read the book "Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream". It is possible to rise up from $25 and homeless to be more in this country if you are willing to sacrifice, go without certain pleasures and willing to work hard. The problem is that is hard work and sacrifice is more than most people think they should have to do to get ahead.
http://www.amazon.com/Scratch-Beginnings-Search-American-Dream/dp/0061714275/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310011300&sr=1-1

I have started two different businesses with $100 and made plenty of money to live off them and do it comfortably. So the idea that people can't get ahead and it is someone else's fault that they are poor broke and homeless is complete crap. Large percentages of the homeless don't want to work and just exist on the handout from social groups, other homeless have mental issues and could never work anyway.

If your going to spout crap like the book "Nickel and Dimed" at least realize that it is a stacked deck and the whole setup was a complete sham. She clearly created a lot of her own problems that led to her downfall. Her conclusion is the same as most people who think they shouldn't have to work hard and sacrifice to get ahead.
http://www.amazon.com/Nickel-Dimed-Not-Getting-America/dp/0805088385/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310011172&sr=8-1

This idea that today people can't make a better life for themselves because of this or that reason is complete crap. Sounds like you have been listening to the far left in this country who will say anything to promote their ideology even if it is wrong and a lie. You really should read the book "Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream". It is possible to rise up from $25 and homeless to be more in this country if you are willing to sacrifice, go without certain pleasures and willing to work hard. The problem is that is hard work and sacrifice is more than most people think they should have to do to get ahead.
http://www.amazon.com/Scratch-Beginnings-Search-American-Dream/dp/0061714275/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310011300&sr=1-1

I have started two different businesses with $100 and made plenty of money to live off them and do it comfortably. So the idea that people can't get ahead and it is someone else's fault that they are poor broke and homeless is complete crap. Large percentages of the homeless don't want to work and just exist on the handout from social groups, other homeless have mental issues and could never work anyway.

If your going to spout crap like the book "Nickel and Dimed" at least realize that it is a stacked deck and the whole setup was a complete sham. She clearly created a lot of her own problems that led to her downfall. Her conclusion is the same as most people who think they shouldn't have to work hard and sacrifice to get ahead.
http://www.amazon.com/Nickel-Dimed-Not-Getting-America/dp/0805088385/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310011172&sr=8-1

Okay here's a semi-secret which shouldn't be so secret. I use something called PitRok Crystal Deodorant (perhaps try this if you're US based), but any Ammonium Alum based deodorant will be good. It's meant for the armpits, but I find it works good on feet too. 5 stars on Amazon.co.uk by almost everyone including me.

I only wish I knew about this sooner. It's completely odorless and nonsticky, which is great, but also lasts over a year (you wet its hard crystal tip and apply). Anybody who benefits from this, feel free to buy me a beer or 10 according to how generous you feel.

"They hated us for our way of life"

Well, technically, even though people tend to say:
      "They hated us because we were free",
the truth seems to be closer to:
      "They hated us because we supported their oppressors",
so, ironically, just the reverse of what many people try suggest about what has been going on.

If by "way of life" you meant "democracy at home, imperialism abroad", then, yes, I guess there would be a lot of truth to that.

According to a long ago New Yorker article, almost all the hijackers were Saudi males who were disenchanted with the Saudi regime the USA helps keep in power (to keep oil profits flowing to the right people).

Related:
    "Bush Admits 'Majority' of 9/11 Hijackers Were Saudis"
    http://www.pensitoreview.com/2008/01/16/bush-admits-majority-of-911-hijackers-were-saudis/
"The breakdown was 15 Saudis, one Egyptian, one Lebanese and two from the Union of Arab Emirates (UAE).
None were from Iraq. Despite this fact -- and the fact that Saddam Hussein was a secular despot who was despised by Osama bin Laden, a right-wing religious fanatic -- a poll two years after the attacks, and six months after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, 70 percent of Americans believed Iraq was responsible for the 9/11 attacks."

See also:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Center_for_Democracy_and_Human_Rights_in_Saudi_Arabia
"The Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia (CDHR) is a (501)(c)3 non-profit organization established to promote timely and irreversible transformation of the existing Saudi autocratic institutions to a system whereby all Saudi citizens are empowered to chart a peaceful, prosperous, tolerant and safe future for themselves and for their religiously and economically influential country. CDHR was founded by Dr. Ali Alyami, executive director, in May 2004.[1] [2]"

I'm not saying the hijackers were for democracy; I'm just saying they were unhappy about their prospects in that society. You can ask how people like that get radicalized, and an oppressive environment (one the USA helped sustain) contributes to that.

See also:
    "Blowback, Second Edition: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire"
    http://www.amazon.com/Blowback-Second-Consequences-American-Empire/dp/0805075593

And:
    "War is a Racket" by by Two-Time Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, Major General Smedley D. Butler, USMC, Retired
    http://www.lexrex.com/enlightened/articles/warisaracket.htm

I agree what is going on in airports is degrading security theater. Here is how we can create real security:
    http://www.pdfernhout.net/recognizing-irony-is-a-key-to-transcending-militarism.html
"We the people need to redefine security in a sustainable and resilient way. Much current US military doctrine is based around unilateral security ("I'm safe because you are nervous") and extrinsic security ("I'm safe despite long supply lines because I have a bunch of soldiers to defend them"), which both lead to expensive arms races. We need as a society to move to other paradigms like Morton Deutsch's mutual security ("We're all looking out for each other's safety") and Amory Lovin's intrinsic security ("Our redundant decentralized local systems can take a lot of pounding whether from storm, earthquake, or bombs and would still would keep working"). "

To go with the fancy HDMI cables you surely need this $10,000 Ethernet cable, conveniently available at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AKDL1-Dedicated-Link-Cable/dp/B000I1X6PM

Hey, $499 for a new Denon AK-DL1cable is a bargain. Amazon is selling these cables for $9999.00 new and $999.00 refurbished.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000I1X6PM/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&redirect=true&condition=all

And don't forget to check out the amazing reviews for this product:
http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AKDL1-Dedicated-Link-Cable/product-reviews/B000I1X6PM/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Hey, $499 for a new Denon AK-DL1cable is a bargain. Amazon is selling these cables for $9999.00 new and $999.00 refurbished.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000I1X6PM/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&redirect=true&condition=all

And don't forget to check out the amazing reviews for this product:
http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AKDL1-Dedicated-Link-Cable/product-reviews/B000I1X6PM/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

WTF??

A $24,999.99 SCART cable??

Who uses SCART these days?

23% buy
HDMI Cable 2M (6 Feet) 4.5 out of 5 stars (4,025)
$2.31

It can get a LOT worse than that when you connect a premium cable in reverse!

http://www.amazon.com/review/RF074827BNTI6/ref=cm_cr_pr_cmt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B000I1X6PM&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=#wasThisHelpful

This Amazon review says it best.

Interesting... though not as cool as what he did before. :)

putting it in a bank, or investing it, which is used to fund loans to other businesses or individuals, which generates jobs or allows people to get mortgages.

Rich people are not evil, but the free market is not perfect. Take a look at How Markets Fail. We've seen over the past ten years (or actually since 1980) that as the wealthy accumulate a greater and greater share of the wealth, average wages and employment figures do not improve. Also, there's no requirement that they invest or loan the money in the U.S. Whenever we given money to an investor, a lot of that money will end up overseas.

If the traffic is sufficiently light that no slow-down occurs, it doesn't matter whether you do it early or late. If there is too much traffic for one lane, there will be stop-and-go traffic - you only get to choose whether that backup occurs at the point of merge or farther back up the roadway. If you're interested, read this.

Ross Perlin's book presents a fairly comprehensive look at these issues, including illegality, nepotism, classism, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Intern-Nation-Nothing-Little-Economy/dp/1844676862

I've tried explaining to people why it is that in reality we live in a Police State that is little better than the former East Germany, but most people still don't get it.

Duh, that's because we're a lot better than former East Germany. You do realize they were shooting people who tried to escape, right?

From THX1138: It all happened so slowly that most men failed to realize that anything had happened at all.

Well this explains a lot.........conspiracy theories appeal to those who are more familiar with how Hollywood works than with how the real world works. Do yourself a favor and read Hardball. Forget about the politics of the idiot who wrote it, when it comes to political strategy, he does a good job outlining it.

Just so, so disappointing, I find myself wondering if I should have voted for McCain and that twit from Alaska.

No, you really shouldn't have.

It's worth pointing out that any time someone reviews something that they got for free through the Vine program, there's a note at the top of the review saying "Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program" with a link to find out exactly what that means. So anyone who wants to ignore Vine reviews is free to do so. Also, anyone who's in the Vine program gets a "Vine voice" tag on their profile, so you can ignore their other reviews if you want.

I'm one of those evil Vine reviewers. And for the record, I'm quite happy to give a scathing review to a product that I didn't pay for. If there's any bias to my Vine reviews, it's because I don't bother signing up to receive something unless I think there's a pretty good chance I'll like it.

To me, this article seems like a journalist who's upset because suddenly ordinary people are getting the free stuff that he gets.

Reminds me of Neuroscience and Free Will [Youtube]
Also Neuropath [Amazon] is a fun book about this taken to the extreme.

Doing this sort of thing is called "the Tabbaco Strategy". Read "Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming" Naomi Oreskes (Author), Erik M. M. Conway (Author) http://www.amazon.com/Merchants-Doubt-Handful-Scientists-Obscured/dp/1608193942/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309463389&sr=8-1

I am also a Vine reviewer. Not sure how I wound up on the list other than the fact that I reviewed stuff before I was a Vine member. As you can see my reviews are across the board. Some of my reviews are judged useful and others are not. I can't see any incentive for lying unless they someday pull my Vine status. The only "influence" I could see is if folks felt beholden to Amazon for the free stuff to review. As a reviewer I do notice that few people appreciate reviews critical of the product and people reading book reviews prefer reviews with spoilers in them. Like other venues, the first review have the most influence and the same goes for the first video reviews.

There are also intrinsic, undeniable benefits for the user, should they CHOOSE to capitalize on them. Tarketed marketing allows a much more direct, personalized experience between a corporation and an individual. Individuals can leverage that relationship for personal benefit. Discount pricing, deal of the week, competitive pricing, all come into play here.

The shills yelling about "ma priviiccyy izz beein loootted, an ma data is beein stollen" fail to recognize the reciprocal relationship between a marketer and a consumer.

And BTW... the decision to buy rests ALWAYS with the consumer. Influence, recommendation, suggestion, etc... on the part of a marketer... yes that is real, but NOT predeterminate of buyer behavior.

Buy a book on marketing and try to understand what you are talking about. I would suggest this one.

There are also reviewers selling their services as search engine optimizers. Their reviews are for google, not for amazon shoppers. Here's one (top 50 reviewer). Bills herself as "eBook Publishing Expert, Writer, SEO Consultant". Lots of 5-star ebook reviews to her name, with lots of tags. Lots of questionable 5-star reviews for those same titles.

How can anyone claim reviews on Amazon aren't honest when there are reviews like this one or like this one?

How can anyone claim reviews on Amazon aren't honest when there are reviews like this one or like this one?

Fresh Whole Rabbit http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00012182G/ref=cm_cd_asin_lnk

Obama's science adviser is all over it. Behold! _Ecoscience_ Coauthored by John P. Holdren.

5 star review - check
"Top 500" reviewer - check
Gushing, glowing review - check
Reviewer has made hundreds of other 5 star reviews - check

Chance it's a corrupt review: 100.1%

Look at this prolific "reviewer"

Amazon reviews are not genuine? Bull shite! Now where's my three wolf moon shirt.

I trust this guy's review. It's absolutely true

No tin-foil hats for me, thank you. I don't believe in faked moon landings, little green men with anal probes, armies of assassins on the grassy knoll, etc.

But I do believe in a long and well-established history of nastiness when it comes to U.S. foreign affairs, and the lengths to which the government will go to protect American interests. Public discreditation is a long-established tool in a deep toolbox that can be used to advance those interests, when necessary. And I don't believe for a second that Julian Assange, Strauss-Kahn, Mahmoud Abdel Salam Omar, and Moammar Gaddafi all being charged with rape right after crossing the U.S. in recent months was just a very convenient coincidence.

In fact, I expect that any day now we will hear about all the child porn found on some Lulzsec or Anon hackers' hard drives. We'll see if I'm psychic.

...
whats the reason for this suppression/debasement intelligent/different individuals in american culture ? can anyone give me a good explanation ?

I can't really answer that question comprehensively, but I can point to someone who made a fantastic attempt. Richard (no relation to Douglas) Hofstadter wrote a book about it. http://www.amazon.com/Anti-Intellectualism-American-Life-Richard-Hofstadter/dp/0394703170

This isn't really about native apps vs web apps, but rather what technology to use to build the front end appearance and behavior of actual apps. Apps that use HTML/CSS/Javascript for this task, instead of Java or Objective C or whatever, are thus known as "hybrid" mobile apps.

In other words, PhoeGap etc. allow one to build a front-end interface in HTML5/CSS/Javascript, then package that up as an actual native application for various platforms (leveraging the platform's web browser under the hood). The frameworks usually allow you to take advantage of various native APIs that aren't normally accessible through a web browser (ie, that a normal web app can't use) and store data locally (ie, run the app offline), while reusing the same code across various platforms (and possibly as an actual web application version, as well).

The amount of "platform-native" programming required to implement the app on various platforms is thus minimal.

Also, some of the performance concerns are not as much of a problem as you might imagine, due to hardware-accelerated CSS3 transitions, etc. on various platforms. (Others actually convert Javascript to native code, obviating some of the potential performance issues.)

One approach might be to write a regular web app first, targeted at "modern" smartphones (primarily iPhone and Android), then convert that to a PhoeGap application that can be targeted as a native app for those platforms (and more, such as Blackberry and Windows Phone 7).

For more about this, see:
http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/37831/
http://www.appmobi.com/index.php?q=node/95
http://www.amazon.com/Developing-Hybrid-Applications-iPhone-JavaScript/dp/0321604164