In December the CPI jumped 0.5 percent. This increase was not only the result of a huge 8.5 surge in gasoline prices, but also increases in food, health care and airline prices. The stock market shrugged this off as if it were some kind of aberration, a one-time fluke. Unfortunately that is not likely to be the case. What usually keeps inflation in check best is a recession … [Read more...] about The Beginnings Of A Perfect Inflationary Storm?
Preview of Boehner’s New Civility
Out of respect for Tucson victims, House Republicans have downgraded their designation of health care reform from "job-killing" to "job-crushing" and "job-destroying." But with this new verbal sensitivity, John Boehner is insisting, "No act of violence is going to keep us from doing our jobs and representing the will of our constituents. The American people have made it … [Read more...] about Preview of Boehner’s New Civility
2010 Was Record Year for Pirate Hostage Taking
2010 proved to be a very good year -- for pirates taking hostages. A record year, in fact: Pirates took a record 1,181 hostages in 2010, despite increased patrolling of the seas, a maritime watchdog has said. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said 53 ships were hijacked worldwide - 49 of them off Somalia's coast - and eight sailors were killed. The IMB … [Read more...] about 2010 Was Record Year for Pirate Hostage Taking
Meet Your Congressman
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Ricky Gervais’ Controversial Monologue (UPDATED)
Comedian and "The Office" creator Rick Gervais raised some eyebrows and downright upset some people due to his pointed monologue at the Golden Globe Awards. Here it is: UPDATE: This version has a bit more: Here's a version that collects all his best jokes from the broadcast including him introducing presenters with zingers and two zingers aimed at him from two clearly … [Read more...] about Ricky Gervais’ Controversial Monologue (UPDATED)
Palin On Sean Hannity: Did She Self-Destruct? (UPDATED)
Yes, I have to admit this one takes me aback. I fully expected to find out that when Sarah Palin appeared on her favorite "journalist's" cable show -- Sean Hannity's show -- she would be trying to appear Presidential and start to lay to rest the view of a WIDE variety of pundits that Palin's political motif has become that it's all about Sarah all of the time. She was panned … [Read more...] about Palin On Sean Hannity: Did She Self-Destruct? (UPDATED)
Southwest Pilot Puts Humanity First
We've all dealt with delays during travel, the plane that won't take off on time. Usually we are upset, annoyed and irritated but I have to think for one plane the delay resulted in none of those sentiments. The story begins with tragedy, a woman and her husband learned that their three year old grandson had been murdered by his mother's live in boyfriend. He was on life … [Read more...] about Southwest Pilot Puts Humanity First
Arizona Tucson Shooting Tragedy Aftermath: Arizona Expanding Gun Rights Laws
Some analysts might assume that, in light of the Tucson shootings, Arizona might be taking a look at its gun laws. That's correct. But it's looking at the gun laws with an eye on further expanding gun rights. CBS News reports: The shooting rampage that wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a former legislative colleague, has done nothing to slow down the … [Read more...] about Arizona Tucson Shooting Tragedy Aftermath: Arizona Expanding Gun Rights Laws
Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award Retired by Society of Professional Journalists
This item isn't news but its low profile is: Nobody knows better than journalists that the best way an organization can bury an announcement it knows will make news is to do so late on a Friday. So it's little wonder that the Society for Professional Journalists decided to announce its retirement of the Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award on January 14. Of … [Read more...] about Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award Retired by Society of Professional Journalists
Revolution in TUNISIA
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Explaining the ‘Murder and Hatred’ in Arizona: Le Figaro, France
Is the rise of the Tea Party movement the ugly twin of the youth uprisings of the 1960s? According to Veronique Saint-Geours and Jean-Sebastien Stehli of France's Le Figaro, the Tea Party, 'which considers the government tyrannical, the elected as sodomites, and the country's demographic changes as a menace to be fought by force of arms if necessary' may be spawning a far more … [Read more...] about Explaining the ‘Murder and Hatred’ in Arizona: Le Figaro, France
Animals Are the Real People
Andrew's title is "Love, Actually." Says it all. … [Read more...] about Animals Are the Real People
Doctor King and Star Trek
Today is a day for celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King and so I thought I'd share one of my favorite stories about his impact on our society. It's being reported a lot today but is well worth hearing. Star Trek was on the air in the late 1960s and one of the performers on the show was Nichelle Nichols AKA Lt. Uhura. Nichols liked the part well enough but was … [Read more...] about Doctor King and Star Trek
Polls: Favorable to Obama Arizona Response and Mixed on Palin Crosshairs Map
The poll numbers are coming out now on how Americans are perceiving the tragic shootings in Arizona and the response of some politicians to it. The verdict: Obama rising and Palin at the very best did not impress or unimpressed. ABC News reports: Americans divide on the risks posed by the tone of the country's political discourse but approve overwhelmingly of President … [Read more...] about Polls: Favorable to Obama Arizona Response and Mixed on Palin Crosshairs Map
Tunisia Forms Caretaker Government, Praises Army
Not really surprising that they were the key to the fall of a brutal dictator. Might be causing some other dictators to wonder about their own army and just how far they can be pushed. … [Read more...] about Tunisia Forms Caretaker Government, Praises Army
What Will Steve Jobs’s Absence Mean?
Rumors about Steve Jobs’s health surfaced again after he didn’t show up at the Apple iPhone launch on Verizon Wireless in New York last week, as was expected. This morning Apple released the following email to all Apple employees: Team, At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be … [Read more...] about What Will Steve Jobs’s Absence Mean?
Ike’s Warning
It was 50 years ago today that we were warned of the Military Industrial Complex and the war state. It wasn't some hippie or liberal that gave us that warning but a war hero and Republican President. Source: YouTube "In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial … [Read more...] about Ike’s Warning
The Market Seems to Love Obama
The Stock Market - a predictor by the brightest financial minds in the world who are putting their own money where their mouth is - has risen consistently and aggressively in the two years President Obama has been president. In January of 2009, when he began his term, the Dow stood at 6,547. Friday it closed at 11,787. That is an increase of 5,208, which equals 179%, or … [Read more...] about The Market Seems to Love Obama
Martin Luther King, Jr.: January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968
"What's Going On?" by Marvin Gaye: April 2, 1939 - April 1, 1984 … [Read more...] about Martin Luther King, Jr.: January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968
Star Trek Debate
I'm not sure if this will work but I thought it might be an interesting way to have some debate without getting too emotional by using a theoretical situation. Some background: In the series they have a symbiotic life form. The symbiote is joined with a 'human' host and this creates, in essence, a new being which shares the memories and personalities of both beings. When the … [Read more...] about Star Trek Debate