You'll see this question posed on talk shows and in blog post comments: why do Americans vote in a way that is contrary to economic self-interest? Why do Americans support policies that shift capital to the richest one percent of the population? Some think it's the myth of American individualism: that anyone can be a billionaire - just work hard and riches will be yours. … [Read more...] about This Is Why Americans Vote Against Economic Self-Interest
USA Today/Gallup Poll: 61% Oppose Limiting Union Bargaining Power
A warning flag? Amid the ongoing drama in Wisconsin where Gov. Scott Walker is digging in his heels to remove collective bargaining from public employees unions, and reports that other GOP Governers are poised to try the same thing, a new poll finds 61 percent of voters oppose limiting union bargaining power. Yet another poll shows Walker is now also taking a hit with his … [Read more...] about USA Today/Gallup Poll: 61% Oppose Limiting Union Bargaining Power
No More Fear
I'm sure I'm not the only one who is trying to keep up with the pace of events in the Middle East, marveling at the speed at which the dominoes of dictatorship are falling, and wondering why all this is happening NOW. Of course, answers to questions like that are never singular, but one that a number of commentators have been pointing to has to do with the way dictators hold on … [Read more...] about No More Fear
Amazon Prime Customers Get Free Movie Streaming
In a salvo directed at Netflix, with Apple and the cable networks, perhaps, as collateral damage, Amazon announced today that AmazonPrime customers now have free (bundled) access to thousands of movies and TV shows. When it launched in the United States in 2005, the Amazon Prime membership program touted unlimited fast shipping on all eligible purchases for an annual … [Read more...] about Amazon Prime Customers Get Free Movie Streaming
Is Wisconsin’s Gov. Scott Walker Out to Fix the Budget or Politically Bust a Union? Evidence Is Mounting:
Is Wisconsin's Gov. Scott Walker out to fix his state's budget or out to politically bust a union? Despite the usual spin (spin equaling comments that almost everyone knows are not really what's going on but if a R or a D says them people are somehow expected to believe it is so even though no one does..get it?) the more you read on the showdown in Wisconsin, the more it sounds … [Read more...] about Is Wisconsin’s Gov. Scott Walker Out to Fix the Budget or Politically Bust a Union? Evidence Is Mounting:
Nanny State Nanny
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Nanny State Nanny
Lugar Faces the Tea Party Music
A couple of weeks ago, my friend R.K. Barry wrote an Elephant Dung post on how the Indiana Tea Party is going after long-time and highly-respected Republican Sen. Richard Lugar, planning a 2012 challenge that could ultimately bring down one of the few remaining sensible Republicans on Capitol Hill. Well, it ain't lookin' good for Lugar: Indiana state Treasurer Richard … [Read more...] about Lugar Faces the Tea Party Music
Suggested Theme Song for Wisconsin’s and Indiana’s Democrats Who’ve Fled Their States
Here's a suggested theme song for Democrats in Wisconsin and now Indiana who've left their respective states in the face of GOP majorities that need them to be there for votes on eliminating some key union rights: … [Read more...] about Suggested Theme Song for Wisconsin’s and Indiana’s Democrats Who’ve Fled Their States
My 13 Presidents
Schools and banks were closed, no mail was delivered but, aside from that, nobody seemed to notice Presidents Day. In a Gallup poll, Ronald Reagan is named "greatest," followed by Abraham Lincoln, Bill Clinton, John F. Kennedy, George Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt--and Barack Obama. (Name recognition seems to matter.) For someone who has lived through 13 of 44 White … [Read more...] about My 13 Presidents
Simple Rules To Make You Seem Part Of Wall Street’s Elite
Just making mega-millions (or a billion or two) a year doesn't automatically earn you recognition as a member of The Street's elite. Certain patterns of speech and behavior must also be mastered. Here's a few tips for those who aspire to join these ranks. On every possible occasion mutter that you don't suffer fools gladly. Also instruct employees and others dependent on you … [Read more...] about Simple Rules To Make You Seem Part Of Wall Street’s Elite
The Inanity of Austin Hill Trying To Make Justin Bieber Look Inane
Justin Bieber IS inane. It's hard to tell whether that's a chronological rather than a congenital problem (most 16-year-olds, after all, don't have it all figured out just yet), but you don't have to employ selective quotation from an article you probably haven't even read to make the point that reasonably intelligent and well-informed adults should not be looking to teen rock … [Read more...] about The Inanity of Austin Hill Trying To Make Justin Bieber Look Inane
Going Out the Way He Reigned
"He has to get out...We will soon see the fall of this regime." - Ibrahim Dabbashi, Libya's deputy ambassador to UN on Al Jazeera English WASHINGTON -- That was yesterday, today Muslim cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi has issued a fatwa against Gadhafi: 'Whoever in the Libyan army is able to shoot a bullet at Mr Gaddafi should do so.' Al Jazeera's reporting on Libya has been … [Read more...] about Going Out the Way He Reigned
Influential Muslim Cleric Orders Gaddafi Killed
The news from Libya hasn't been uplifting for dictator Muammar Gaddafi, who has lost some beauty sleep (he needs a lot of it) trying to keep his regime in power by having planes fire on demonstrators, snipers take out protesters, and acculumating a body count of more than 200. And rising. Somehow Libya's populace doesn't seem to appreciate him and his efforts to foment … [Read more...] about Influential Muslim Cleric Orders Gaddafi Killed
‘Confession of an Islamophobe’: Diario de Noticias, Portugal
This article by Alberto Goncalves of Diario de Noticias has created an uproar in Portugal since it was printed on Saturday. When you read it you'll understand why. Focusing his attention on the sexual assault against U.S. reporter Lara Logan by a joyous mob of 200 in Cairo's Tahrir Square, Goncalves goes into excruciating detail about why he and people like him have trouble … [Read more...] about ‘Confession of an Islamophobe’: Diario de Noticias, Portugal
Ubersocial Bounces Back
It's been slightly more than 24 hours since Twitter reinstated API access to UberMedia for its twidroyd and UberSocial for Blackberry applications. According to TwitterSource data for the past hour (at 6.30 pm Pacific), Ubersocial for Blackberry (formerly known as Ubertwitter) is currently the third most popular client for reading Tweets (6.181%). Twitter's Blackberry client … [Read more...] about Ubersocial Bounces Back
Should our Servicewomen in Afghanistan Have to Wear Headscarves?
One can always count on seeing some very exciting and spirited debates at The Moderate Voice, whether the subject or issue is religion, politics, culture, war, gender issues, our military, women in combat---or just plain principle and individual rights. Well this one has just about a little bit of “all of the above” and I am curious as to how the debate will go. Readers … [Read more...] about Should our Servicewomen in Afghanistan Have to Wear Headscarves?
Strong Quake Jolts New Zeland
Appears to be centered around the city of Christchurch again and registered 6.3 on the Richter scale. This same area was his by a quake just 5 months ago. So far now word of major damage or injuries. Updates indicate there may be 'many deaths'. Pretty good coverage can be found here … [Read more...] about Strong Quake Jolts New Zeland
Muslim Uprisings Show Mankind ‘Weary of Materialistic Civilization’: Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Are the ongoing uprisings in the Muslim world due to 'weariness' with the materialism of the West, led by the U.S.? To judge from the above photo, at least, it isn't only materialism making Iranians 'weary.' In this latest explanation for the Muslim revolution from Tehran, Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reports that the supreme leader has once again … [Read more...] about Muslim Uprisings Show Mankind ‘Weary of Materialistic Civilization’: Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Libyan Diplomats Call For No-Fly Zones
There are numerous confirmed reports that protesters in Libya are being bombed from fighter jets. CNN reports there may be helicopter gunships opening fire. Protesters are increasingly reporting that foreign mercenaries are leading the ground attacks and continue to be shipped in by helicopter. Two fighter pilots have defected to Malta claiming that they were ordered to carry … [Read more...] about Libyan Diplomats Call For No-Fly Zones
Greedy Teachers
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