Spain's empty highways lead to bankruptcy (via AFP) At the Leganes toll booth outside Madrid, the workers scan the horizon for cars. In Spain's recession, the stream of paying drivers has slowed to a trickle and the toll road is all but bankrupt. Like the housing bubble, pumped up until it burst in 2008, and its speculation-funded phantom airports,… … [Read more...] about Spain’s Empty Highways Lead to Bankruptcy
Obama Campaign Fears Impact of Hurricane Sandy
Obama campaign fears impact of Hurricane Sandy (via AFP) A top aide to Barack Obama voiced fears Sunday that Hurricane Sandy could hurt the president's re-election chances by reducing turnout, as the impending storm forced both candidates to cancel campaign stops. Republican challenger Mitt Romney received good news in two key swing states, winning the … [Read more...] about Obama Campaign Fears Impact of Hurricane Sandy
Continuing Planetary Reaction to U.S. Presidential Election (Germany, Russia, Kenya and Pakistan)
With Election Day just over a week away, the U.S. presidential race is understandably one of the leading topics of discussion around the planet. Here is some of what Worldmeets.US has dug up in the past 48 hours. For Germany's Die Tageszeitung, in a column headlined Planet 'Paralyzed' Before Power Shifts in Washington and Beijing, columnist Dominic Johnson writes that until … [Read more...] about Continuing Planetary Reaction to U.S. Presidential Election (Germany, Russia, Kenya and Pakistan)
Atlanta Megachurch Pastor Charles Stanley’s “Pray That the President Would” List Shameful Smear Against President Obama
Dr. Charles Stanley, one of the leading pastors in the Atlanta area, is dabbling in politics again, with his "Pray that the President Would" list. Some time ago he made the assertion that we were heading for Socialism in America. Pastor Stanley leads the First Baptist Church of Atlanta and In Touch Ministries. His list is in keeping with the right wing evangelical rhetoric that … [Read more...] about Atlanta Megachurch Pastor Charles Stanley’s “Pray That the President Would” List Shameful Smear Against President Obama
Daily Beast’s Andrew Sullivan: “If Virginia and Florida Go Back to Republicans, it’s The Confederacy”
Daily Beast writer Andrew Sullivan appeared on "This Week," saying that if Mitt Romney wins back Florida and Virginia in the Nov. 6th presidential elections, it will be due to the white vote and the South's electoral map will look exactly as it did during the pro-slavery Confederacy during the Civil War. Sullivan made this observation when host George Stephanopoulos said the … [Read more...] about Daily Beast’s Andrew Sullivan: “If Virginia and Florida Go Back to Republicans, it’s The Confederacy”
Voters Renting Their Heads to Romney
Metaphor for the day: An Indiana man auctions off space to have Mitt Romney’s campaign logo tattooed in a 5-by-2-inch space on the side of his head. The winning bid is $15,000. Without compensation, millions of other voters have been renting their heads to the Republican candidate’s drumbeat of brainless stump speeches and campaign ads, which nine days from now will leave … [Read more...] about Voters Renting Their Heads to Romney
Russell Means Reminded the World of the Real America (Izvestia, Russia)
The death this week of Native American activist Russell Means is a monumental loss to indigenous peoples around the world, and as this article by Russian journalist Orhan Jemal shows, for non-indigenous people as well. For Russia's Izvestia, Jemal details some of the highlights of Means' remarkable career, and explains why in his mind, this Native American hero symbolized … [Read more...] about Russell Means Reminded the World of the Real America (Izvestia, Russia)
What America Will We Pick?
WASHINGTON -- This election is only tangentially a fight over policy. It is also a fight about meaning and identity -- and that's one reason why voters are so polarized. It's about who we are and who we aspire to be. President Obama enters the final days of the campaign with a substantial lead among women -- about 15 points, according to the latest Washington Post/ABC … [Read more...] about What America Will We Pick?
The U.S. Navy: More than Just Aircraft Carriers (Updated)
The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) flies the battle ensign during maneuvers off the coast of Kauai as part of maritime exercise Koa Kai 12-2. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Barker) UPDATE: The faces of sailors shown below are but a few of the more than 322,000 men and women proudly serving in the U.S. Navy. If you have … [Read more...] about The U.S. Navy: More than Just Aircraft Carriers (Updated)
“Frankenstorm” Inspired by Frankenstein (Two Videos)
They call it "Frankenstorm" -- and the inspiration is the name "Frankenstein." Two tidbits to view: The moment in the 1931 classic movie "Frankenstein" when the monster comes alive: The 1910, 13 minute Thomas Edison version of the story. Some scenes in this are very well preserved so watch it all. … [Read more...] about “Frankenstorm” Inspired by Frankenstein (Two Videos)
Romney v. Romney (Guest Voice)
Romney v. Romney by Tina Dupuy There's a myth in the right-wing-o-sphere that President Obama was never fully vetted. "We don't know ANYTHING about this guy!" they'll say, and in the same breath make fun of the fact he wrote two autobiographies. My answer to this is always: "He ran against a Clinton." Any skeletons, dirt, deal killers or weaknesses were dug up, dragged out … [Read more...] about Romney v. Romney (Guest Voice)
Hermit Crabs Only Socialize To Team Up And Steal Larger Homes From Larger Crabs
Hermit Crabs Only Socialize To Team Up And Steal Larger Homes From Larger Crabs (via Planetsave) Typically ‘social’ animals gather together for reasons to do with sex, food, or safety, but there are other reasons to, as some new research on hermit crabs has shown. In the new research, terrestrial hermit crabs have been observed grouping together to ‘evict’ a … [Read more...] about Hermit Crabs Only Socialize To Team Up And Steal Larger Homes From Larger Crabs
Hurricane Sandy: How Utilities are Planning for Power Outages
Hurricane Sandy: how utilities are planning for power outages (via The Christian Science Monitor) With utility companies analyzing potential storm tracks for hurricane Sandy and deciding just how many utility crews to request to prepare for fallen power lines, Seth Guikema could be their best friend. He is part of a pioneering attempt to help power companies … [Read more...] about Hurricane Sandy: How Utilities are Planning for Power Outages
East Coast Battens Down as ‘Frankenstorm’ Looms
US east coast battens down as 'Frankenstorm' looms (via AFP) Across the eastern United States, residents scrambled to stock up on supplies and secure homes as Hurricane Sandy -- billed as a superstorm -- lumbered north after leaving dozens dead in the Caribbean. The so-called "Frankenstorm" was expected to make landfall somewhere between Virginia and … [Read more...] about East Coast Battens Down as ‘Frankenstorm’ Looms
Review: The Addams Family Musical Surprisingly Sentimental
Review: The Addams Family Musical Surprisingly Sentimental The touring production of Broadway's The Addams Family opened at The 5th Avenue Theatre to a warm reception and some hardy laughs. Although The Addams Family is based on a macabre cast of characters, it is far from being a dark comedy. Rather than sadistic, it is sentimental. Instead of deviant, it is hopelessly … [Read more...] about Review: The Addams Family Musical Surprisingly Sentimental
Des Moines Register Endorses Romney
Looking at the list of past endorsements, they usually back Democrats so this is interesting. I still think Obama has an edge in both Iowa and the nation but this is a bit of a surprise. Now time for people to yell at me for posting this LOL............... … [Read more...] about Des Moines Register Endorses Romney
NY Times Endorses President Obama, Slams Mitt Romney’s ‘Callous Assumption’ Uninsured Will Use Emergency Rooms
New York Times endorses President Obama: The New York Times endorses President Obama for reelection saying he has "shown firm commitment to help foster growth and has "impressive achievements despite the implacable wall of refusal erected by Congressional Republicans." The paper slammed Mitt Romney saying he has gotten this far with "a guile that allows him to say whatever he … [Read more...] about NY Times Endorses President Obama, Slams Mitt Romney’s ‘Callous Assumption’ Uninsured Will Use Emergency Rooms
Beneath Contempt (Continued)
This isn't politics, this is sheer hatred and nuttiness. Here's some fitting music: AND: … [Read more...] about Beneath Contempt (Continued)
Memes of the Past: Great Gaffes and Missteps in History Before the Internet (Guest Voice)
Memes of the past: Great gaffes and missteps in history before the internet (via GlobalPost) GlobalPost looks back at some viral-worthy moments in pre-internet history. ("I am not a crook!") Faine Greenwood Memes: circa 2012, we'd be hard-pressed to make even the most pathetically inconsequential of political decisions without them. We may actually have begun to … [Read more...] about Memes of the Past: Great Gaffes and Missteps in History Before the Internet (Guest Voice)
USAA Provides Tips to Prepare Mobile Devices Now for Hurricane Sandy
USAA Provides Tips to Prepare Mobile Devices Now for Hurricane Sandy (via NewsLook) Home and safety preparations for those in Hurricane Sandy's path should include making smartphones and other mobile devices storm-ready, according to financial services provider USAA. As soon as a hurricane or severe storm becomes a threat, boarding windows and stocking food and … [Read more...] about USAA Provides Tips to Prepare Mobile Devices Now for Hurricane Sandy