Why the Fiscal Cliff Should Not be a Problem but is One by Robert P. Coutinho It's time for another lesson in my ongoing saga of teaching people about how money (in the Federal Government sense) actually works. The reason for this lesson: the Fiscal Cliff. The government of the United States of America [hearafter referred to as USG] issues its debt in dollar … [Read more...] about Why the Fiscal Cliff Should Not be a Problem But is One (Guest Voice)
Can GOP Outgrow Grover’s Playpen?
When one of my grandkids was four, we played ferocious card games. He took losing hard, even after I pointed out that if he always won no one would play with him. He is a young man now with a decided gift for nuanced political analysis, but Congressional GOP members seem stuck where he was then, bent on winning at all costs and oblivious to the give-and-take of mature … [Read more...] about Can GOP Outgrow Grover’s Playpen?
Considering Bias
Recently I was listening to the radio and the caller was discussing that, in his opinion, all white people were biased and prejudiced against minorities. Even the host of the show, a pretty hard core liberal, was taken aback at the statement. But the caller refused to yield, citing examples of alleged prejudice where pretty much anything a white person said was deemed … [Read more...] about Considering Bias
How To ‘Not Get It’ About Race, Part LXVII
adapted from a print at the Library of Congress Having spoken in unmistakable code about takers and makers and lazy sponges and gifts to minorities, etcetera, the brain trust of the GOP seems to have hit on a novel new idea: J.C. Watts for RNC chair? John Bresnahan / Politico Former GOP Rep. J.C. Watts says he is being “encouraged” by supporters to run for chairman of the … [Read more...] about How To ‘Not Get It’ About Race, Part LXVII
Why Sane Bargaining Looks Strange
WASHINGTON -- An entirely new political narrative is taking shape before our eyes, yet many here are still stuck in the old one. President Obama's victory blew up the framework created by the 2010 elections, which forced him to play defense. Now, he finally has room to move. That's the only way to understand the ongoing budget talks. This has several … [Read more...] about Why Sane Bargaining Looks Strange
3 People Fighting Hunger
Their inspiring stories are here. … [Read more...] about 3 People Fighting Hunger
Washington’s Biggest Lie (and Why it Continues to be Told) (Guest Voice)
Washington’s Biggest Lie (via Market Shadows) Washington’s Biggest Lie (and Why it Continues to be Told) Normal people have no trouble defining how they measure inflation in their own lives. They compare what the same exact purchases of goods and services cost them today versus one-year earlier. It would include everything they spend money on… … [Read more...] about Washington’s Biggest Lie (and Why it Continues to be Told) (Guest Voice)
Timothy Geithner, John Boehner Edge Toward the ‘Fiscal Cliff’
Timothy Geithner, John Boehner edge toward the 'fiscal cliff' (via The Christian Science Monitor) The political game of chicken continued Sunday as Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and House Speaker John Boehner offered no signs of give, no hints of deceleration as official Washington barreled toward the January 1 “fiscal cliff” when automatic tax … [Read more...] about Timothy Geithner, John Boehner Edge Toward the ‘Fiscal Cliff’
Israel Settlement Bid a ‘Fatal Blow’ to Peace: Ban
Israel settlement bid a 'fatal blow' to peace: Ban (via AFP) UN leader Ban Ki-moon warned Sunday that if Israel implemented its latest plan for new settlements it would deal an "almost fatal blow" to any prospects for peace with the Palestinians. Israel's announcement about the 3,000 Jewish settler homes, whose planned location was not revealed, came in … [Read more...] about Israel Settlement Bid a ‘Fatal Blow’ to Peace: Ban
India’s ‘Dancing Bears’ Retire in Animal Rights Victory
India's 'dancing bears' retire in animal rights victory (via AFP) The sight of poorly fed and badly treated bears being forced to dance on the streets of India is a thing of the past as a campaign to wipe out the practice has finally borne fruit, activists say. The tradition of forcing sloth bears to dance for entertainment dates back to the 13th century, when … [Read more...] about India’s ‘Dancing Bears’ Retire in Animal Rights Victory
Real Psychic Predictions 2012: Politics and More: SO HOW DID THEY DO?
DECEMBER 2, 2012: So how did the psychics do? Read the full post with updates. UPDATE: November 3: "Psychic Nikki" is starting to see an Obama win in an extremely close election: As of this past week, Nikki was “feeling stronger about Obama” but added it was going to be “a very tight race, almost too close to call.” “It’s very tight between Mitt Romney and Obama but … [Read more...] about Real Psychic Predictions 2012: Politics and More: SO HOW DID THEY DO?
Grand Canyon Is 70 Million Years Old, 60 Million Years Older Than Previously Thought, Research Finds (Guest Voice)
Grand Canyon Is 70 Million Years Old, 60 Million Years Older Than Previously Thought, Research Finds (via Planetsave) New research has found that the Grand Canyon was largely created around 70 million years ago. This pushes back the accepted date for its formation by more than 60 million years. The new finding was thanks to an analysis of mineral grains found at … [Read more...] about Grand Canyon Is 70 Million Years Old, 60 Million Years Older Than Previously Thought, Research Finds (Guest Voice)
Geithner Says No US Budget Deal Without Tax Hikes
Geithner says no US budget deal without tax hikes (via AFP) Lead White House negotiator Timothy Geithner insisted Sunday there would be no deal to avert the "fiscal cliff" unless Republicans allowed tax rates on the wealthiest Americans to rise. Talks to avoid the dreaded "fiscal cliff" are at a dangerous impasse after President Barack Obama's opening … [Read more...] about Geithner Says No US Budget Deal Without Tax Hikes
Angus T Jones, Filth and Boundless Opportunities (Guest Voice)
Angus T. Jones, Filth and Boundless Opportunities Tyrades! By Danny Tyree In case you missed hearing it from CNN, the Washington Post or umpteen other outlets, another "Two And A Half Men" star is making headlines. Angus T. Jones, age 19, who plays the "Half Man" of the title, savages the CBS sitcom in a video posted by the Forerunner Christian Church on YouTube. Having … [Read more...] about Angus T Jones, Filth and Boundless Opportunities (Guest Voice)
Susan Rice’s ‘Worst Week’ Could Derail Secretary of State Bid
Susan Rice's 'worst week' could derail Secretary of State bid (via The Christian Science Monitor) Should President Obama nominate Susan Rice to be the next Secretary of State – and her loyal boss may have been pushed into doing so by the clatter of Senate Republicans eager to prevent that – Ambassador Rice already will have undergone a blistering … [Read more...] about Susan Rice’s ‘Worst Week’ Could Derail Secretary of State Bid
As the USS Enterprise Is Inactivated, Another Enterprise Will Follow in Her Wake
USS Enterprise (CVN 65). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman) Setting aside for now the question, or the argument, of whether we have not enough or too many bayonets, horses and aircraft carriers, and in keeping with a promise to publish from time to time information that confirms that our military remains the most powerful in the world, … [Read more...] about As the USS Enterprise Is Inactivated, Another Enterprise Will Follow in Her Wake
Home Hospice Saturday
Sometimes it's hard to believe that two years ago Mom was walking a mile a day. That said this was the best day all week. She was eating everything we put in front of her. She was alert and responsive. Life is a sine curve for all of us but towards the end the high points become more important - perhaps not for the individual but we observers. … [Read more...] about Home Hospice Saturday
The Dangers Of Trying To Create An Alternate Reality
It started during the administration of George W. Bush - the idea that Republicans/conservatives could create their own reality. In this alternate reality Mitt Romney was going to win the election and the Republicans were going to regain control of the Senate. That didn't work out too well but as Matt Lewis points out they are still trying. On the fiscal cliff, Republicans … [Read more...] about The Dangers Of Trying To Create An Alternate Reality
Egypt’s Islamists rally for Morsi as rifts widen
Egypt's Islamists rally for Morsi as rifts widen (via AFP) Hundreds of thousands of Islamists rallied on Saturday in support of President Mohamed Morsi's new expanded powers and the drafting of a contested charter, highlighting Egypt's widening polarisation. The demonstration in the heart of Cairo comes a day after crowds thronged to Tahrir Square to … [Read more...] about Egypt’s Islamists rally for Morsi as rifts widen
Harris-Perry: Obama ‘Playing Godfather’ with GOP on Fiscal Cliff (Guest Voice)
Harris-Perry: Obama ‘playing Godfather’ with GOP on fiscal cliff (via Raw Story ) Saturday morning on MSNBC’s “Melissa Harris-Perry,” host Melissa Harris-Perry said that President Barack Obama is “playing Godfather” by making the Republicans an offer “they better not refuse” on the looming issue of the so-called “fiscal cliff.” Author and Tulane University … [Read more...] about Harris-Perry: Obama ‘Playing Godfather’ with GOP on Fiscal Cliff (Guest Voice)