Patrick Edaburn reminded us that 50 years ago today, on August 13, 1961, construction started on the Berlin Wall. I don’t remember much about the day or the event. I was too busy completing the last few weeks of Officer Candidate School, and the Berlin Wall itself did not start going up immediately, as I remember. However, barbed wire went up everywhere, streets were … [Read more...] about The Berlin Wall—Its ‘Downfall’
What Makes U.S. Great: Debt Crisis Edition
Say it with me, "We're a triple-A country. We're a triple-A country!" … [Read more...] about What Makes U.S. Great: Debt Crisis Edition
Facebook Adds eMail Addresses To “Download Your Info” — Default Is “Off”
Facebook has quietly implemented a new feature as part of its "download your information" tool. The company, which is notorious for introducing new features that force its customers to "turn off" default settings, has set up the "let my friends have my email" option ... in the "off" mode. Yep, this is a nod to personal privacy. But it's really an example of Facebook's desire … [Read more...] about Facebook Adds eMail Addresses To “Download Your Info” — Default Is “Off”
Allow Me A Bit of Gaucherie
Nothing sinister here. Oh, wait. Today is International Lefthanders Day, which I urge you happiness with. Vive la Gauche! It bespeaks the fundamental cussedness of lefties (and leftists and southpaws) that it was immediately spelt two different ways: 'Lefthanders' and 'Left-Handers.' This is innate in the leftie soul, since all of life is, to a lefthander (of … [Read more...] about Allow Me A Bit of Gaucherie
This Just In!
THIS JUST IN from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz: S & P Downgrades Iowa’s IQ Straw Poll ‘Alarms’ Ratings Agency AMES, IOWA (The Borowitz Report) – Calling the results of today’s Iowa straw poll “alarming,” Standard and Poor’s took the unprecedented action of downgrading Iowa’s IQ. While the effects of such an extraordinary measure are hard to predict, experts say … [Read more...] about This Just In!
Michele Bachmann Wins Iowa Ames Straw Poll
Get ready for a battle royal in the Republican Party. More than ever. On a day when Texas Gov. Rick Perry shook up the Republican 2012 nomination race landscape by the announcement that he's in and he'll run on the need to create more jobs, Rep. Michele Bachmann won the Ames straw poll in Iowa -- solidifying her position as a major player in a race where the big three are … [Read more...] about Michele Bachmann Wins Iowa Ames Straw Poll
Iraqis Need a ‘Plan B’ for After America Withdraws (Kitabat, Iraq)
What will become of Iraq when U.S. forces leave at the end of this year? Is the current Iraqi government capable of dealing with life on its own? And if not, what should Iraqis do about it? Columnist Atheer Al Katib of Iraq's Kitabat newspaper admonishes his readers to begin a great debate about what kind of government - and what kind of country - they want. For Iraq's … [Read more...] about Iraqis Need a ‘Plan B’ for After America Withdraws (Kitabat, Iraq)
VIDEO: Texas Gov. Rick Perry Announces He’s Running for President
Texas Gov. Rick Perry has thown his big hat into the Republican Presidential nomination race. Here's his announcement -- no analysis. You watch. You decide. And you can leave your impressions in comments: … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Texas Gov. Rick Perry Announces He’s Running for President
Berlin Wall: 50 Years Later
I am sure we're all enjoying our weekends and there is no reason not to continue to do so. It is worth remembering that 50 years ago today was the start of the Berlin Wall. It is also worth celebrating that the wall no longer exists. I just finished reading an excellent book on the topic and suggest it to anyone interested in the topic. In Berlin 1961 we see how the … [Read more...] about Berlin Wall: 50 Years Later
Mediaite: CNN’s Don Lemon: Marcus Bachmann ‘Elbowed Me Into A Golf Cart’
One of the more disturbing trends we are seeing is the increasingly contemptuous way some politicians are starting to behave towards what is called the "mainstream media." First, we had some politicos deciding that only Fox News is where they will do interviews. Next, we see Newt Gingrich and in effect Sean Hannity saying that Chris Wallace is a lousy or ideological reporter … [Read more...] about Mediaite: CNN’s Don Lemon: Marcus Bachmann ‘Elbowed Me Into A Golf Cart’
Rick Perry’s Ketchup Campaign
In a popular 1960s movie, an aged President recalls the good old days when “we poured God over everything like ketchup.” That line elicited a laugh after John F. Kennedy moved a new generation into the White House and promised to send a man to the moon. Today, ketchup will be back on the American political menu as Texas Governor Rick Perry declares his presidential candidacy … [Read more...] about Rick Perry’s Ketchup Campaign
“G.O.P. on Defensive” as the Mantra Becomes “It’s the Politics, Stupid!”
A weekend New York Times column on the depressing---and depressed--- fiscal condition our nation finds itself in begins as follows: The boasts of Congressional Republicans about their cost-cutting victories are ringing hollow to some well-known economists, financial analysts and corporate leaders, including some Republicans, who are expressing increasing alarm over … [Read more...] about “G.O.P. on Defensive” as the Mantra Becomes “It’s the Politics, Stupid!”
S&P Comments Blame Administration more than Tea Party (Guest Voice)
S&P Comments Blame Administration more than Tea Party by Steve Suranovic A Politco story released this week regarding comments by S&P senior director Joydeep Mukherji is being used to suggest that Tea party intransigence is the root cause of the debt downgrade. However, I think the finger is really pointing at the Administration instead. Joydeep Mukherji said the … [Read more...] about S&P Comments Blame Administration more than Tea Party (Guest Voice)
President Barack Obama’s Weekly Address: It’s Time to Put Country Ahead of Party
In his weekly address President Barack Obama asks Americans that want to put country ahead of party let their members of Congress know during this Congressional recess period: … [Read more...] about President Barack Obama’s Weekly Address: It’s Time to Put Country Ahead of Party
Rick Perry is Running: Why Perry Will Become the GOP’s Instant Front-Runner
Texas Governor Rick Perry is running for President. And The Daily Beast's Michael Tomsky makes a convincing case that he'll become the GOP's instant front-runner -- and likely nominee. Here are some key parts of it: First, I think Perry becomes the frontrunner, even ahead of Mitt Romney, for three main reasons. No. 1, he fires up large chunks of the base in a way Romney … [Read more...] about Rick Perry is Running: Why Perry Will Become the GOP’s Instant Front-Runner
Can We Call It The Tea Party Downgrade Yet?
Without mentioning them by name S&P made it clear the Tea Party was responsible for the downgrade in the US credit rating. A Standard & Poor’s director said for the first time Thursday that one reason the United States lost its triple-A credit rating was that several lawmakers expressed skepticism about the serious consequences of a credit default — a position put … [Read more...] about Can We Call It The Tea Party Downgrade Yet?
LinkedIn Joins Facebook In “Personalized” Ad Push; Here’s How To Opt-Out
To some of you, this may be old news. After all, LinkedIn announced the change via a blog post last month. But I learned about it today on GooglePlus. First, there were announced changes in the LinkedIn privacy policy in June. (Missed those, too.) Then last month, under the familiar guise of "deliver[ing] ads that are more useful and relevant to you," LinkedIn opted-you-in … [Read more...] about LinkedIn Joins Facebook In “Personalized” Ad Push; Here’s How To Opt-Out
Iowa Republican Presidential Primary Debate Review
When I wrote about June's New Hampshire debate, I wrote that answering the question of what I want in a candidate has two parts: first, the policy part, and second, the competency part. Neither takes precedence over the other in any absolute way, but I defined the competency piece as going "...to overall experience, dedication, integrity, sincerity, thoughtfulness, consistency … [Read more...] about Iowa Republican Presidential Primary Debate Review
Sarah Palin’s Not So Nice Treatment of Her Employer (Fox News)
I bet that somewhere Fox News' maven Roger Ailes is not smiling. Even though he later denied it, I bet the famous New Yorker profile that indicated that he wasn't totally pleased with Sarah Palin is now accurate due to this report from The Politico's Ben Smith: Whatever Palin's aim today, it wasn't to please her current employer. I passed a frustrated Fox News team, … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin’s Not So Nice Treatment of Her Employer (Fox News)
Quote of the day
If the United States simply had the per-person health-care costs of Switzerland, which has the second-most expensive health-care system in the world, we would spend $3,000 less per person and save about $900 billion a year. Assuming we need to reduce deficits by about $4 trillion over the next 10 years, those savings would do the heavy lifting with about $5 trillion to … [Read more...] about Quote of the day