A couple reports from the NYTimes tell the tale... New York is dead last in a study published this month in Science Magazine ranking the happiest places in America. Researchers focused on two sets of information: One was a survey of 1.3 million Americans done over four years by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which asked people about their health and how … [Read more...] about God & Happiness in the Poor South
Eric Massa (D-29 NY) Calls for “up or down vote” on troop funding for Christmas
I really don't understand these people sometimes. Out here in New York, Eric Massa is releasing a special video right before Christmas Eve which will likely not come as a very nice present in the Christmas Stockings of our troops overseas. Washington, D.C.- Today House member Eric Massa (D-NY 29th District) renewed his call for an "up or down" vote on funding for the … [Read more...] about Eric Massa (D-29 NY) Calls for “up or down vote” on troop funding for Christmas
Colorado Judge Deflates Balloon Boy Dad: 90 Day Sentence With Jail Time
The sound you hear is of hot air being released from "balloon boy's" dad Richard Heene's hopes to be a big star being delfated by Colorado judge who has sentenced him to 90 days, part of it to be done in work release. It's a meager sentence -- given the anguish he and his accomplice wife caused millions of viewers who agonized over the fate and what they felt could be the … [Read more...] about Colorado Judge Deflates Balloon Boy Dad: 90 Day Sentence With Jail Time
Health Care Debate: Were Medicare Savings Counted Twice?
Sen. Jeff Sessions is convinced they were ... Savings from Medicare touted by Democrats as a means to pay for the Senate health care bill were double-counted and the legislation will increase the deficit, not decrease it, a senior Republican senator said Wednesday, citing a new letter from the Congressional Budget Office. I'm not inclined to give unwarranted credibility … [Read more...] about Health Care Debate: Were Medicare Savings Counted Twice?
OLPC XO-3 Tablet: The $75 Future Computer
Forbe's Andy Greenberg spoke with One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) designer Yves Behar about an upgrade to the hundred-dollar laptop. Dubbed the XO-3 [photo gallery], it's targeted for release in 2012: "I wanted to bring the One Laptop Per Child identity to life in this new form," says Yves Behar, founder of FuseProject, which designed the both the original and the XO-3. "That … [Read more...] about OLPC XO-3 Tablet: The $75 Future Computer
Senate Health Care Bill v. Constitution: Battle Royale
It's the day before Christmas eve, and what am I doing? Am I hanging festive lights on flammable pieces of shrubbery? Wrapping last minute gifts? Sharing a cup of hot cocoa with visiting relatives? No, I'm not. I'm reading and re-reading and re-re-reading sections of this stupid, behemouth Senate health care bill which I'm quickly growing to hate just for its length and … [Read more...] about Senate Health Care Bill v. Constitution: Battle Royale
Boobs, Birthers, and Birchers
Oh, we're meetin' at the courthouse at eight o'clock tonight You just walk in the door and take the first turn to the right Be careful when you get there, we hate to be bereft But we're taking down the names of everybody turning left Oh, we're the John Birch Society, the John Birch Society Here to save our country from a communistic plot Join the John Birch Society, … [Read more...] about Boobs, Birthers, and Birchers
Where Have All the Grownups Gone?
The Republican National Committee chairman, who has been charging audiences up to $20,000 a pop for his words of wisdom, offered up a free sample, accusing Democrats of being willing to “flip the bird to the American people” in the health care debate. Michael Steele's elegant formulation came after Tom Coburn combined his credentials as an MD and evangelist on the Senate … [Read more...] about Where Have All the Grownups Gone?
Is ‘Wimp’ the New ‘Sissy’?
An Inside Higher Ed Quick Take: The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education has written to Yale University to protest pressure on a student group to change a T-shirt designed to mock Harvard University by quoting F. Scott Fitzgerald's analysis that "I think of all Harvard men as sissies." Concern that forms of "sissy" are insulting to gay people and others led the … [Read more...] about Is ‘Wimp’ the New ‘Sissy’?
Osama Bin Laden’s Family Found in Iran
Osama bin Laden’s closest relatives, including a wife and children who disappeared from his Afghan camp at the time of the 9/11 attacks on the United States, are living in a secret compound in Iran, reports The Times of London. "There has been uncertainty about the family’s whereabouts for the past eight years, with reports that some of the children had been killed in … [Read more...] about Osama Bin Laden’s Family Found in Iran
Will Sean Goldman Be Home For Christmas?
When I first heard the news last week, my first instincts were to rush to my computer and hurriedly put together a joyful post that justice had finally been done. However, after a series of events where hopes were raised only to be heartbreakingly and repeatedly dashed, something told me not to rush on this one. I am talking about the five-year rollercoaster of emotions … [Read more...] about Will Sean Goldman Be Home For Christmas?
Christmas Health Care Package
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com This cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Christmas Health Care Package
Festive Spirit, Poverty…And The Solution?
Why celebrity young men such as Prince William of England, or young leading politician Rahul Gandhi of India, decide to spend a night at a place where the "poorest of the poor" in society spend their entire lives? Publicity? However, such symbolic acts do catapult homelessness, poverty, mental illness, drug and alcohol dependency, family breakdown, and other social issues into … [Read more...] about Festive Spirit, Poverty…And The Solution?
When A Bad Prayer Goes Good
I don't know if "jaw-dropping" is strong enough for this story: … [Read more...] about When A Bad Prayer Goes Good
Naivete in Surprising Places
It seems obvious to me why Fox invited Jane Hamsher on to be interviewed about her opposition to the Senate health care reform bill. It's not clear to me that she does, though -- or maybe she does and isn't bothered by it. Whichever it is, I think Steve M. gets it exactly right. He quotes from Jane's response to the Daily Kos diarist who attacked her (in a rude and … [Read more...] about Naivete in Surprising Places
For the Political Junkie’s ‘Keep File’
Chris Cillizza's "5 Myths about a president's first year" -- to be published in Sunday's WaPo, available now online, and previewed in Cillizza's blog yesterday afternoon. … [Read more...] about For the Political Junkie’s ‘Keep File’
Another Grey Morning
One of JT's finest (lyrics below video) ... … [Read more...] about Another Grey Morning
The Fruitcake Chronicles: An Unfortunate Headline (Part 5 of 6 installments)
Steve Forester despised his floral patterned, living room glider rocker as well as its accompanying gliding ottoman. It was a gift from his mother-in-law, but no one sat in the awkward contraption but the family cat. Even the cat would have preferred a recliner. Still, the rocker was the first piece of furniture to greet visitors as they entered the Forester household. It … [Read more...] about The Fruitcake Chronicles: An Unfortunate Headline (Part 5 of 6 installments)
Some Christmas Carols
Following up my post on the classic book A Christmas Carol I thought I'd offer a couple posts on some classic Christmas Carols. The first is Silent Night. I suspect some (or most of you) already know some of this story but it is still an amazing one to consider. In December 1818 a man named Joseph Mohr was deeply troubled. He was the assistant pastor of the church in … [Read more...] about Some Christmas Carols
How Sweet Is Nebraska’s Sweetheart Deal?
Lindsay Graham's appearing everywhere he can complaining about Nebraska's sweetheart deal, here on this evening's All Things Considered: "It's OK for a senator from any state to advocate for their state. Once the federal government puts money on the table in an appropriate fashion, it's OK to go get your fair share," Graham said. "What I don't think is OK is for a senator … [Read more...] about How Sweet Is Nebraska’s Sweetheart Deal?