The death this week of a multimillionaire lapdog puts a furry period to the end of a greed-is-good tale that now seems ancient history. In the rare world of canine obituaries, the small Maltese named Trouble rates attention, not only for her wealth but as a reminder of the heartless rapacity that led to the depressed economy we now inhabit. Trouble was bequeathed $12 … [Read more...] about Dog Gone Love Story
Economic Outlook
So what's your economic outlook? … [Read more...] about Economic Outlook
Weiner To Take Leave From House
Word coming out now that Congresscritter Weiner is going to seek a leave of absence from the House to obtain professional help. This could be a step towards eventual resignation when he decides to step down 'on the advice of my doctors'. … [Read more...] about Weiner To Take Leave From House
Anthony Weiner’s Existing Democratic Support Collapses
It sounds like Rep. Anthony Weiner might start measuring the drapes -- not to move in but because he's getting political curtains. After it came out that he had been in contact with a 17-year-old girl online his existing support within the Democratic Party is now collapsing and this includes House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Although police, Weiner and the girl's parents … [Read more...] about Anthony Weiner’s Existing Democratic Support Collapses
Has Target Lost Its Cool?
The great newsweekly The Week asks: Has Target Lost Its Cool? and gives us (as usual) an informative roundup. The point made about JC Penny is a good one. I'm increasingly drawn to that store, although I also like Target. But Target has lost some of its aura. When I worked as a staff reporter on the then-Knight Ridder newspaper The Wichita Eagle (which later merged with … [Read more...] about Has Target Lost Its Cool?
A Lithium Charge For The Auto Industry
Everyone knows about cocaine and Coca Cola. But are we equally aware of the history of lithium in 7-Up? Seth Fletcher, author of, "Bottled Lightning: Superbatteries, Electric Cars and the New Lithium Economy," fills us in: [Lithium] was used as sort of a curative in the late 19th century. I mean, it was a mineral water. And it was added to soft drinks. Actually, 7-Up was … [Read more...] about A Lithium Charge For The Auto Industry
Trophy Wife Trouble vs. Quickie Thrills
A very un-Weiner problem arises as Newt’s campaign staff quits “in protest of what they felt was a takeover by Callista Gingrich, the candidate’s wife since 2000.” The partisan contrast is striking. The Gingrich rebellion recalls Fred Thompson’s 2008 implosion when interference by his young spouse (“the Jeri factor”) brought down his listless campaign, and even Rudy … [Read more...] about Trophy Wife Trouble vs. Quickie Thrills
More Weiner Problems: Admits He Had Online Contact With 17 Year Old Girl
Rep. Anthony Weiner's big political problems in the controversy swirling around his sending Twitters to women have just become worse with the news that he has confirmed that he had sent Tweets to a 17 year old girl. Even if the content was harmless the optics of this within the context of the other inappropriate Tweets are terrible: Representative Anthony D. Weiner said … [Read more...] about More Weiner Problems: Admits He Had Online Contact With 17 Year Old Girl
Coming in September: The U.N. ‘Train Wreck’ Over Palestine (El Pais, Spain)
Will the U.N. General Assembly recognize a Palestinian state when it reconvenes in September? And if it does, what will the fallout when the United States - as President Obama has said it will do - vetoes the resolution? For Spain's El Pais, columnist Louis Bassets warns that one of the consequences may be an even greater gulf between America and Europe. For El Pais, Louis … [Read more...] about Coming in September: The U.N. ‘Train Wreck’ Over Palestine (El Pais, Spain)
Qaddafi’s ‘Heartfelt’ Letters to Congress and to the President (UPDATED)
Would you---if you were a politician---be thrilled to get a thank you letter from Osama bin Laden? Well, according to the New York Times, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi has sent exactly such a letter to members of Congress. The three-page letter thanks members of Congress for criticizing President Obama last week over his involvement in the NATO-led military campaign in … [Read more...] about Qaddafi’s ‘Heartfelt’ Letters to Congress and to the President (UPDATED)
Europe’s Contributions to Afghanistan Should be Recognized
President Obama is to blame for the "hollowing out of the trans-Atlantic partnership", which has degenerated into "empty symbolism" to the effect that "there is no alliance on any of the major issues of the day." This is the thesis of Russell Berman, professor at Stanford and senior policy fellow at the Hoover Institution. Writing for the popular … [Read more...] about Europe’s Contributions to Afghanistan Should be Recognized
SARAH PALIN, MY GODDESS
A very smart and respected co-blogger on TMV (who happens to live a modest drive from me in Arizona) recently broached the subject of the former Alaska Governor and 2008 Republican Vice-Presidential Candidate. I agree that she’s great at self-promotion . She’s a very successful self-made entrepreneur because she fully understands America’s 24/7 info-entertainment news Media. … [Read more...] about SARAH PALIN, MY GODDESS
‘That Mutiny on the Gingrich’
With reference to “That Mutiny on the Gingrich,” (not mine) and quoting Matt Lewis at the Daily Caller, the Peach Pundit has more to say about the Gingrich Mutiny-Perry 2012 connection: Two separate and reliable sources in Texas tell me serious preparations are being made for Governor Rick Perry, 61, to seek the Republican nomination for president. Dave Carney and … [Read more...] about ‘That Mutiny on the Gingrich’
Weiner Wrap, with Barbara Walters
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy WASHINGTON - The elite D.C. media, new media, talking heads, gleeful Republicans, and spineless Democrats all weighed in... and then New Yorkers had their say, including Barbara Walters. According to the one-day poll, conducted Wednesday, just 33 percent of voters in New York's Ninth Congressional … [Read more...] about Weiner Wrap, with Barbara Walters
In Defense Of Sarah Palin
Today is the day of the great Palin Email Dump. Reporters and pundits will pour over as many words as they can read hoping to find something scandalous, salacious, controversial or at least interesting. Their findings and interpretations will flood the media and the blogosphere for days. Was that Anthony Weiner I just heard breathing a sigh of relief? Much of what has … [Read more...] about In Defense Of Sarah Palin
Pentagon Papers’ 11 Secret Words
When a top-secret Defense Department analysis of the Vietnam War, which caused a legal uproar 40 years ago, was recently made public, the government said it was keeping 11 words secret, then changed its mind and published the 7000 pages in full. Now a guessing game is vexing the even the leaker, Daniel Ellsberg, and the lead author of the report, Leslie Gelb, who can’t find … [Read more...] about Pentagon Papers’ 11 Secret Words
Google Attack on China Due to Failing Business and Hostile Western Media (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
Like most politicians, China's capitalist/communists are convinced that recent news coverage involving hacked Gmail accounts and the arrest of artist/democracy activist Ai Weiwei mean only one thing: Beijing needs better public relations. According to this editorial from China's state-run Huanqiu, China suffers a negative public image because it has allowed a hostile Western … [Read more...] about Google Attack on China Due to Failing Business and Hostile Western Media (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
Vehicular Flight Is A Violent Felony (Sykes v. U. S.)
Sometimes cases don’t need to turn the world of constitutional jurisprudence on its ear to be worth a read. Sykes v. U. S. is one of those. It’s really pretty straight forward, mostly statutory interpretation. Sykes was convicted of possessing a firearm during the commission of a crime. Under the Armed Career Criminal Act [ACCA], that results in a sentence enhancement of … [Read more...] about Vehicular Flight Is A Violent Felony (Sykes v. U. S.)
Sarah Palin’s Most Disastrous Year
Sarah Palin practices politics as lap dance, and we're the suckers who pay the price. Members of our jaded national press corps eagerly stuff hundred dollar bills into her g-string, even as they wink at one another to show that they don't take her seriously. ~ JOE McGINNISS In the greatest political anti-climax since Newt Gingrich's latest president run collapsed, the … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin’s Most Disastrous Year
Crowdsourcing the Palin Emails
The second Sarah Palin email dump, "e-mails Ms. Palin sent as governor, mostly using private accounts, you" is less than an hour away. The first, dated from January 2007 to September 24, 2008 that were copied to, directed to, or from Todd Palin and seven members of then Governor Sarah Palin's staff, including Governor Palin, is available here. Taking a page from the … [Read more...] about Crowdsourcing the Palin Emails