A challenge to the US auto market? by Prairie Weather Considering how much more popular lately WalMart has been compared to GM, the new little Chinese hybrid sedan may just clean up in a bruised American economy. Here's some of what the New York Times reviewer has to say about his ride in the little 4-door BYD ("Build Your Dream"): ...If BYD clears the regulatory … [Read more...] about A challenge to the US auto market? (Guest Voice)
Gallup: Obama Approval Rating Drops in All 50 States
A new Gallup Poll finds President Barack Obama's approval rating has dropped in all 50 states, with his highest approval still in Hawaii and Washington, DC and his rock bottom rating in Wyoming: Residents of Hawaii gave native son President Barack Obama the highest average 2010 job approval rating (66%) of any of the 50 states, surpassed only by the 84% Obama received … [Read more...] about Gallup: Obama Approval Rating Drops in All 50 States
Limbaugh Blasts Michelle Obama
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Newt Gingrich Called Out On Affair
Last night in the question period after a speech at the University of Pennsylvania: "You adamantly oppose gay rights... but you've also been married three times and admitted to having an affair with your current wife while you were still married to your second," Isabel Friedman, president of the Penn Democrats, said to Gingrich. "As a successful politician who's considering … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich Called Out On Affair
Wisconsin IT Department Treats Pro-Union Website Like A Porn Site
The website DefendWisconsin.org, which supports union protesters, could not be accessed on the Wisconsin Capitol wifi network on Monday and part of Tuesday, according to various news reports. According to CNN: The Capitol internet service, which restricts access to certain websites considered inappropriate for lawmakers, revealed a "blocked page" when users tried to access … [Read more...] about Wisconsin IT Department Treats Pro-Union Website Like A Porn Site
The Genesis of “Cuban Pete” (of “The Mask” Fame)
In an email with a young TMV reader, we discussed my favorite musical comedy bit in a movie: Jim Carey doing "Cuban Pete" in The Mask. This readers was unaware of the fascinating gensis of this number. It was first made famous in the early 1950s by Desi Arnaz singing it on "I Love Lucy." Here's the segment: In the mid-70s, Arnaz, now elderly and largely retired, … [Read more...] about The Genesis of “Cuban Pete” (of “The Mask” Fame)
This is What a Populist Movement Looks Like (Guest Voice)
This is What a Populist Movement Looks Like by Tina Dupuy Last week the Tea Party proved itself once and for all to be anti-populist. Now, I know their press says Tea Partiers are just regular Joe the Unlicensed Plumbers, angry about government fill-in-the-blank. That’s been the story ever since they first rallied against people who found themselves on the wrong end of … [Read more...] about This is What a Populist Movement Looks Like (Guest Voice)
Will 2011 Be The “Year of the Demonstration”?
Tunisia. Egypt. Yemen, Iran, Bahrain. Libya. Even Wisconsin. You look at the places pitch forked into the headlines and wonder if 2011 will be “Year of the Demonstration,” where angry protesters do political — or more violent battle — against their governments. And you have to conclude that political establishments will see what has happened so far and decide to crack down. … [Read more...] about Will 2011 Be The “Year of the Demonstration”?
Looking at Middle East, I’m Thankful for George Washington
Watching what's happening in the Middle East, where sick men have held onto power for decades, I'm thankful to live in the United States. Here, we take for granted the peaceful transition of executive power. The human instrument by which that incredible blessing has come to us was George Washington. As I've pointed out before, Washington turned down the offer of … [Read more...] about Looking at Middle East, I’m Thankful for George Washington
Chicago Election Night: Mayor Rahmbo
Today is primary day in Chicago and since the Republican voters of the city can meet in a small room it means that the next mayor will be a Democrat (correction from earlier post, I had forgotten they went to primary/runoff versus primary general). According to the official returns Rahm Emanuel leads Gery Chico (the closest thing we got to a reformer) by a commanding 55-25 … [Read more...] about Chicago Election Night: Mayor Rahmbo
This Is Why Americans Vote Against Economic Self-Interest
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
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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