In an interesting mailing I just received from a political group---Democratic, I believe---I find some points that I think merit some discussion by the experts among you. (I was going to say “among us,” but I will readily admit I am not one when it comes to economic issues.) So, let me just “throw it out there,” after deleting or modifying some of the more partisan words … [Read more...] about Abolish the Debt Ceiling?
31 U.S. Troops Killed in Deadliest Incident in Afghanistan War (UPDATES)
A very tragic development in our involvement in Afghanistan. Several news sources are reporting that “dozens” of U.S. soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash near the Afghan capital, Kabul, late Friday night. The New York Times reports that the Chinook helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade launched by insurgents just west of Kabul. It is believed to be … [Read more...] about 31 U.S. Troops Killed in Deadliest Incident in Afghanistan War (UPDATES)
Rewind: August 6, 1945 Hiroshima: For Those Who Came, But Could Not Stay
FOR THOSE WHO CAME, BUT COULD NOT STAY While you and I were being born, growing “in the little bread oven”… as it was often said back then… there were other little babies across the world, suddenly thrust into real ovens, and they were not allowed to grow any more. Don’t tell me that that is the past and none of our concern. This is in cellular memory, and we … [Read more...] about Rewind: August 6, 1945 Hiroshima: For Those Who Came, But Could Not Stay
A Birthday To Celebrate: Lucille Ball (100 Years)
In celebrating the 100th birthday of one of the funniest women who ever lived -- and who left a huge legacy on film -- it's worth looking back and celebrating the incredible Lucille Ball: Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy SOME HIGHTLIGHTS FROM HER CAREER: The famous, hilarious candy wrapping scene: Stomping grapes. The big … [Read more...] about A Birthday To Celebrate: Lucille Ball (100 Years)
S&P Timeline : Culpability Then Threats
Update1: Twitter response: #StandardandPoorsThroughoutHistory Update2: Who owns Standard and Poors? McGraw-Hill. Who runs McGraw-Hill? See the Board of Directors, courtesy TheyRule.net, tip @dartdog Th Apr 13, 2011: Moody’s, S&P Caved In to Ratings Pressure From Goldman, UBS Over Mortgages - Bloomberg Fri Apr 14, 2011: Moody's, S&P Triggered Financial Crisis, … [Read more...] about S&P Timeline : Culpability Then Threats
Abandon Hope
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Is S&P Downgrade Based On Math Error ?
As Joe G has alread reported Standards & Poors has officially downgraded the US Treasury bond rating from AAA to AA+. However reports are coming out of Washington that this action may be based upon math errors. Being interviewed on MSNBC Congressman Barney Frank has pointed out that S&P was among the worst agencies in miscalculating the value of junk bonds during the … [Read more...] about Is S&P Downgrade Based On Math Error ?
Standard & Poors Downgrades U.S. Credit Rating
Just what many feared happen has now happened: Standard & Poors has just downgraded the United States once-stellar debt credit rating: Credit rating agency Standard & Poor's on Friday downgraded the credit rating of the United States, stripping the world's largest economy of its prized AAA status. In July, S&P placed the United States' rating on "CreditWatch with … [Read more...] about Standard & Poors Downgrades U.S. Credit Rating
Google+, Facebook and Online Identity: The Problem With “Real Names” (And Why It Matters To You)
A long time ago, Lawrence Lessig wrote the book Code (1999). He argued, persuasively, that "code is law." And "code"? It's written, in the main, by profit-maximizing organizations. In 2003, Mark Zuckerburg launched the site that would become Facebook. You had to use a real email address and your real name. The site was, for all intents and purposes, a limited edition … [Read more...] about Google+, Facebook and Online Identity: The Problem With “Real Names” (And Why It Matters To You)
Federal Judge Refuses To Return Domain Names, Claims Loss Not “Substantial Hardship”
According to New York Federal District Court Judge Paul A. Crotty, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) does not have to return two domain names that the government seized earlier this year. The primary reason given? The Spanish company has registered alternate domain names. The domain names were seized in February due to claims (probably by FOX) of copyright … [Read more...] about Federal Judge Refuses To Return Domain Names, Claims Loss Not “Substantial Hardship”
Fox Nation’s Display of Racism
Oh, yes, it's racism. As someone who worked in the media, I can't imagine any publication (mainstream, that is) running a headline and photo like this. Or, for that matter, respectable conservative blogs or respectable conservative websites. It's a combo of snark and racism. A head of lettuce at Albertson's Grocery story on Carmel Mountain Road in Rancho Penasquitos would look … [Read more...] about Fox Nation’s Display of Racism
Good Klan Fun With Faux Nation
Sterling coverage by the Klanspersons at Faux Nation. Here's the headline and picture: August 05, 2011 Obama's Hip-Hop BBQ Didn't Create Jobs And, just in case you didn't get it, these n-words was p**n on the good ol' Yew Ess Ay. Check out the URL address: … [Read more...] about Good Klan Fun With Faux Nation
Quote of the Day: Worst Congress Ever?
Our Political Quote of the Day comes via MSNBC's First read about rating the current Congress, its approval ratings, and Barack Obama's polls: *** “Worst. Congress. Ever.”: A couple of weeks ago, congressional scholar Norm Ornstein dubbed this 112th Congress as the “Worst. Congress. Ever.” And after the combative and exhaustive debt debate, it appears the American public … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Worst Congress Ever?
Market Correction
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Some Straight Talk on the Debt Deal
There has been a lot---perhaps too much---written about the debt reduction bill, its potential impact and its implications---long on rhetoric, but short on facts and details. If you are as confused as I am, you may want to read the following concise and straightforward summary I just received from the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). It is preceded … [Read more...] about Some Straight Talk on the Debt Deal
ABC: Obama at 50: Does Stress Age Us Faster (Particularly Presidents)?
ABC News offers this facscinating report on whether stress ages us faster -- focusing on how President Barack Obama and other Presidents have aged in office: … [Read more...] about ABC: Obama at 50: Does Stress Age Us Faster (Particularly Presidents)?
Republicans Should Be Embarrassed by Debt Increase Vote (Guest Voice)
Republicans Should Be Embarrassed by Debt Increase Vote by Floyd and Mary Beth Brown Washington is obsessed by picking winners and losers. But the establishment media has the story all wrong again. The Republicans, they say won this skirmish over debt. But actually Republicans displayed a total lack of commitment to their principles. The only winner in the "Budget … [Read more...] about Republicans Should Be Embarrassed by Debt Increase Vote (Guest Voice)
Tread on Me
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Jobs Report Better Than Expected: Hiring Picked Up in July
Amid a widespread fear that the July jobs report would be yet another tidbit of bad news, there is finally a (brief...small) bit of good news: the July jobs report is better than anyone expected: The job market strengthened in July, a welcome piece of good news that sharply contrasted other recent readings pointing toward an economic slowdown. Employers added 117,000 … [Read more...] about Jobs Report Better Than Expected: Hiring Picked Up in July
Why Wall Street Has the Willies
Decades ago, when I worked for one of America’s richest men, Norton Simon, he told me, “I stay out of the stock market. You could spend every hour trying to figure out what they’re thinking and still be wrong half the time.” That advice comes to mind as stocks continue to dive in the days after a “conservative victory” in the debt-ceiling fight that should have cheered up … [Read more...] about Why Wall Street Has the Willies