As part of the deal being discussed to raise the debt ceiling, leaders on Capitol Hill are forming an especially powerful congressional committee that would be charged with drawing up a new “grand bargain,” possibly by the end of the year. Key elements for a big deal remain in place. Obama has been clear that he wants one and has started making the case to skeptical factions … [Read more...] about Obama’s “Grand Bargain” is Back in Play
Citizen Rupert
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U.S. Game of Chicken Threatens Creditors and Global Economy (The People’s Daily, People’s Republic of China)
Does the U.S. political crisis demonstrate what Beijing has been saying for years: that it is dangerous for U.S. creditors to allow the dollar to continue as the global currency of choice? According to this article by Li Xiangyang for the state-run People's Daily, until the dollar is dethroned, holders of U.S. sovereign debt 'must either endure the enormous immediate financial … [Read more...] about U.S. Game of Chicken Threatens Creditors and Global Economy (The People’s Daily, People’s Republic of China)
Tinkering With The Social Security Inflation Adjustment
Since 1975, benefits of Social Security recipients have been adjusted for inflation every year. Last year Washington found a cute way to stiff recipients out of this cost of living adjustment (COLA). Now both parties there are working on a plan to ensure that older Americans get a smaller adjustment every year into the future. The chosen mechanism to ensure this is something … [Read more...] about Tinkering With The Social Security Inflation Adjustment
Rupert’s Blues
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More Bad News For Rupert Murdoch: Rebekah Brooks Arrested Due to Phone Hacking Scandal (UPDATED)
Each day brings a new body blow to global press baron Rupert Murdoch and the latest is a huge one: Rebekah Brooks, the resigned News International chief executive who most accounts paint as a virtual member of Murdoch's family, has been arrested. The Huffington Post: Rebekah Brooks has been arrested, the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Sunday. The former News … [Read more...] about More Bad News For Rupert Murdoch: Rebekah Brooks Arrested Due to Phone Hacking Scandal (UPDATED)
Crouching Lurkers (Guest Voice)
Crouching Lurkers by Will Durst Run for the hills, everybody! Armageddon is imminent! The sky is beyond falling; it's anvil-plummeting! Onto our heads so fast the clouds are whistling the love theme from the movie "2012." The U.S. economy is about to melt down like a Popsicle left on a Palm Springs picnic table, and it's only a matter of time before this country liquefies … [Read more...] about Crouching Lurkers (Guest Voice)
Cantor Obstructionism
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Washington’s Mental Health Mess
As the capitol shows signs of awakening from the debt-ceiling fever dream with face-saving aspirin for both sides, onlookers try to understand the pathology of it all. Like the final scene of “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” after crazed loyalties and pride have created carnage, a dazed survivor is left to wander through the wreckage, mumbling, “Madness, madness.” As the … [Read more...] about Washington’s Mental Health Mess
Murdoch Scandal—Even More and More Fallout: Scotland Yard Now Implicated
Following up on Holly's "Even More Fallout: Les Hinton of WSJ Announces Resignation": Now, it appears that even Scotland Yard may have been in bed with those good ole Murdoch boys: Breaking News Alert The New York Times Saturday, July 16, 2011 -- 1:38 PM EDT ----- Taint From Tabloids Rubs Off on a Cozy Scotland Yard For nearly four years, six overstuffed … [Read more...] about Murdoch Scandal—Even More and More Fallout: Scotland Yard Now Implicated
President No-Name
A Republican has opened up a 47 to 39 percent lead over Barack Obama for 2012 in the latest Gallup Poll, but voters don’t know who he or she is. At this point in their reelection bids, both Bushes were leading generic opponents, even though George H. W. eventually lost to Bill Clinton while George W. defeated John Kerry. But now, in what the President agrees is a … [Read more...] about President No-Name
Is Book A Verb? The Social Future of the Book (Update)
I need your help... You might remember that last fall I did a presentation titled, "Is Book A Verb? The Social Future of the Book." The big idea in it is that we are in the midst of moving from a Literal Tradition of sharing and passing on culture to a Social Tradition. This weekend I will be updating and expanding that presentation to deliver it again on Friday at The … [Read more...] about Is Book A Verb? The Social Future of the Book (Update)
Conservatives/Libertarians are Teenagers
Remember when the government mandated low flow toilets? The conservatives went on a crazy rant - how dare the government mandate toilets? Of course in addition to saving water they also saved the consumer a lot of money. When I replaced both my toilets a few years ago my pay back was less than a year thanks to reduced water and sewer bills and I have been saving money ever … [Read more...] about Conservatives/Libertarians are Teenagers
South Sudan: Birth of a Nation—Troubled Past, Uncertain Future.
Its grasslands have absorbed too much blood. Its winds have carried away too many sounds of interethnic, religious and civil warfare and strife in which more than 2 million people have been killed and more than 5 million have become internally and externally displaced. Its tropical forests have witnessed too much grief and violence. But while its past is troubled and its … [Read more...] about South Sudan: Birth of a Nation—Troubled Past, Uncertain Future.
Even More Fallout: Les Hinton of WSJ Announces Resignation
Breaking News Alert The New York Times Friday, July 15, 2011 -- 4:28 PM EDT ----- Les Hinton, Publisher of The Wall Street Journal, Says He Is Resigning Les Hinton, the chairman of Dow Jones, announced his resignation on Friday, joining Rebekah Brooks, the embattled chief executive of Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper operations, in the exodus of top officials from … [Read more...] about Even More Fallout: Les Hinton of WSJ Announces Resignation
Obama-Cantor Clash: An Old Story
For those who have been watching closely, Barack Obama has had it up to here with Eric Cantor for a long time, starting at least a year and a half before the President’s disgusted walkout this week. As far back as the White House Health Care Summit on February 25, 2010, the Leader of the Free World was lecturing the partisan pipsqueak on the difference between legislating … [Read more...] about Obama-Cantor Clash: An Old Story
Quote of the Day: The GOP’s Debt Ceiling Kamikazes
Our political Quote of the Day comes from The Daily Beast's John Avlon, who looks at the GOP's debt ceiling kamikazes -- GOPers who insist despite what experts say that default on the debt would be catastrophic. Some excerpts from this must-read-in-full column: Call them Debt Ceiling Deniers. Believers in faith-based fiscal policy. Math-challenged … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: The GOP’s Debt Ceiling Kamikazes
More Murdoch Phone Hacking Fallout: Rebekah Brooks Resigns from News Corp.
The person who headed Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.'s British newspaper division has finally resigned. You can say "finally" because Murdoch reportedly looked upon Rebekah Brooks as one of the family and had resisted calls for her corporate scalp so far. But no more: Rebekah Brooks resigned as chief executive of News Corp.'s British newspaper unit on Friday, yielding to … [Read more...] about More Murdoch Phone Hacking Fallout: Rebekah Brooks Resigns from News Corp.
The Misadventures of Michele and Murdoch
To keep our heads from exploding over the debt-ceiling debacle, it’s time to turn back to figures who keep public life from being boring. After a summer of Charlie Sheen, Donald Trump, Dominique Strauss-Kahn and Anthony Weiner, Americans badly need a fresh dose of the peculiar and piquant to divert their attention. Michele Bachmann fills the bill so well that Jon Stewart … [Read more...] about The Misadventures of Michele and Murdoch
Michele Bachmann’s Husband Problem
The Daily Show - Comedy Repression TherapyGet More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook WASHINGTON - The Bachmanns have been making a lot of news lately. The few women who have attempted the national ticket tango have all had spousal issues, but Michele Bachmann has had a tremendous start since announcing, including a … [Read more...] about Michele Bachmann’s Husband Problem