Rumored for years, they say the Sea Orbiter will finally begin construction this year. Given the heat, and rising sea levels (or "recurrent flooding" if you insist), the timing is fortuitous: Designed by French architect Jacques Rougerie, the 170 feet (51m) tall SeaOrbiter will be the first vertical skyscraper ship of its kind. Two-thirds of the spectacular vessel is … [Read more...] about Giant Ocean Skyscraper To Ride Ocean Tides For Research
My Ancestors Came Here… Legally?
James Fallows, commenting recently on the House of Representatives unanimously passing a resolution apologizing for the discriminatory nature of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, quotes immigration scholar Benjamin Railton on the implications for today's immigration debates: [T]he CEA wasn't just the first restriction on immigration; it was the first immigration law period … [Read more...] about My Ancestors Came Here… Legally?
Quote of the Day: Why the Supreme Court Ruling on Health Care Reform Was “The Day America Actually Worked”
Our political Quote of the Day comes from columnist Will Bunch on why the Supreme Court ruling upholding the health care reform law represented "The Day America Actually Worked." Here's a chunk of his column: When America woke up Thursday morning knowing that the Supreme Court would deliver its long-awaited ruling on President Obama’s health care plan, it’s fair to say it … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Why the Supreme Court Ruling on Health Care Reform Was “The Day America Actually Worked”
Twice Burned
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Another Health Care ‘Sob Story’? Not Really.
She is uninsured not because she is a lazy, freeloading deadbeat but because she and her husband are self-employed. They had been purchasing health insurance on the individual market along with 6% of the rest of the population. But after exhausting all of their resources trying to keep up with premiums of $1,500 a month, they had no choice but to cancel it. She was also … [Read more...] about Another Health Care ‘Sob Story’? Not Really.
Health Care Result: The Solidarity of Americans May be Strengthened (Trouw, The Netherlands)
It is an emerging theme among European commentators: the Supreme Court's upholding of the Affordable Care Act has, in a rare move, chosen social solidarity over individualism as a guiding principle. This editorial from Trouw of The Netherlands expresses some optimism that in America, 'it has now been established that in some cases, it is necessary and constitutionally permitted … [Read more...] about Health Care Result: The Solidarity of Americans May be Strengthened (Trouw, The Netherlands)
It’s Alive! Obamacare: the Frankenstein Monster with a Heart
Chief Justice John Roberts, the genial archconservative who flubbed President Obama's Oath of Office and declared that corporations are "people," surprised nearly everyone yesterday by tipping the scales in favor of Obamacare. His deciding vote saved the Affordable Care Act from a premature burial by the Supreme Court. In the long run, his decision could save millions of … [Read more...] about It’s Alive! Obamacare: the Frankenstein Monster with a Heart
John Roberts – Too Clever by Half (conclusion)
If you haven't read the much shorter part i. John Roberts – Too Clever by Half, I suggest you do so now. I'll wait. Roberts at "Red Mass" - a rite to bless judges and jurists that's held right before SCOTUS' term each year , and has its roots in the Middle Ages. ii. The Commerce Clause today and the Supreme Court yesterday morning … And here is what I … [Read more...] about John Roberts – Too Clever by Half (conclusion)
Lament for Lonesome George, but Hope for his ‘Lineage’
With all the breaking news in the last few days, many may not have noticed that George passed away on June 24 -- Lonesome George, that is. Some think that George was around 100 years old, not so old when one considers that some of his ancestors have lived to the ripe old age of 200. I visited George about 15 years ago in my native Ecuador. He must have been around 85 … [Read more...] about Lament for Lonesome George, but Hope for his ‘Lineage’
John Roberts And The Onion Opinion (Part One)
One of the more bemusing aspects of the ruling on the Affordable Care Act was the fact that many in the media were caught in a major faux pas when they first reported the mandate had been struck down only to backtrack after it became clear that the mandate had been upheld. While certainly they deserve to be chastised for not reviewing things more carefully before reporting, … [Read more...] about John Roberts And The Onion Opinion (Part One)
Why the Kremlin Opposes Assad’s Immediate Ouster (Izvestia, Russia)
Do the Russians have a more pragmatic grasp of the Syria situation? For Izvestia, columnist and researcher Andranik Migranyan explains to his readers that Americans and the West are oblivious to the fact that it is Washington's strategy and actions - not those of Moscow or Beijing, that threaten to plunge not only Syria, but the entire region, into a major war. For Izvestia, … [Read more...] about Why the Kremlin Opposes Assad’s Immediate Ouster (Izvestia, Russia)
Obama Administration Finally Starts The Real Fight for the ACA
Supporters of so-called "Obamacare" have spent much of the last two years frustrated as it became apparent that the President was not going to spend much energy responding to critics of the bill, allowing them to run wild with only minimal response. In discussing it with a friend last night, we came to the conclusion that quite possibly the administration was waiting to see if … [Read more...] about Obama Administration Finally Starts The Real Fight for the ACA
Our Nonsensical World
I have had a Shell Credit Card since 1985. These days I pay almost all of my bills through PNC's online banking and I typically make payments to Shell through PNC. I have tried on and off for years to get Shell to bill directly to my PNC Online Banking. Today PNC offered me that option if I provided my name as listed on the card and the last 4 digits of my SSN. I tried this … [Read more...] about Our Nonsensical World
Profiles in Courage
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Defense Update: Colorado Springs Fire (Updated)
Tech. Sgt. Jason Linta, Bobby Garza, and Dean Prestia cut lines to create a firebreak to prevent fires from jumping at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., June 28. Sergeant Linta is a firefighter assigned to the Air Force Academy and Garza and Prestia are firefighters assigned to Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher … [Read more...] about Defense Update: Colorado Springs Fire (Updated)
Obamacare Tax
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Evolutionary Psychologists Confirm The Lipstick Effect
Women spend more on cosmetics during a recession. Sarah Hill: Dating back to the Great Depression, times of recession have consistently yielded anomalous gains for the beauty products industry, even while consumers rein in spending on household goods and recreational products. Journalists have dubbed this curiosity the “lipstick effect.” I recently sought to test the lipstick … [Read more...] about Evolutionary Psychologists Confirm The Lipstick Effect
Yesterday Was TV News’ Most Humiliating Day
Yesterday was indeed TV news' most humiliating day. In no way, shape or form could it have been compared with a day 10 years ago, since the TV culture and news cultures have evolved. Or is that the word? Yesterday television lived up to the late Fred Allen's famous quote: "Television is a new medium. It's called a medium because nothing is well-done." On several fronts, it was … [Read more...] about Yesterday Was TV News’ Most Humiliating Day
Obamacare, the Republican ‘Waterloo’, and the Joy Good Taxation Brings
WASHINGTON - Chief Justice Roberts and the majority found through the mechanism of taxes a way to uphold a congressional law. It's clear now that the Roberts Court believes this is part of its duty, affirming SCOTUS is an equal brand of government that must respect what the Legislative branch does as well. It's a constitutional ruling that affirms the founders … [Read more...] about Obamacare, the Republican ‘Waterloo’, and the Joy Good Taxation Brings
Introducing Rick Renfroo, Job Creator, and Runyan, the Libertarian Wonder Boy
[The scene is a washroom at Goldman Sachs. Selig Cartwright, washroom attendant, is finishing his clean up chores after the usual morning rush when his employer. Mr. B., pays a surprise visit...] Mr. B. Surprised to see you here again. Hope the old digestion isn't acting up again. No, Selig. Nothing like that. I just have something to ask you. Something private. Are we … [Read more...] about Introducing Rick Renfroo, Job Creator, and Runyan, the Libertarian Wonder Boy