When it comes to the economy, the people running this Administration's policies aren't stupid. No, sir. They're very smart. Too smart, in fact. That's their problem — and the reason the Democrats took such a whacking in yesterday's elections. By virtue of their excessive intelligence, these policy setters have been fixated on "the economy" and not on the economic lives that … [Read more...] about Too Smart To Succeed
The man who predicted the financial crisis, Part I
The weekend edition of the Wall Street Journal profiled John Paulson, whose firm made $15 billion by systematically betting against the value of American homes. Paulson himself took home $4 billion. How'd he do it? Research. Grasping for new ideas, [Paulson researcher Paolo] Pellegrini added a "trend line" that clearly illustrated how much prices had surged lately. He … [Read more...] about The man who predicted the financial crisis, Part I
Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do
Check out the Colbert video above. Funny, as always, it's a strident mocking of the Mormon Church for a gay kiss incident in Salt Lake City last summer. Police handcuffed and cited a gay couple for “kissing and hugging” on the city's Main Street. That part of the street, it turns out, was bought by the church. Main Street in downtown Salt Lake is church property. Lesbian … [Read more...] about Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do
Same Sex Marriage Rights Defeated In Maine
A note of caution, I am not an expert on Maine politics and the way the results are being tallied make it a bit harder for me to analyze things. However with 76% of the vote counted the Yes vote is leading by a 52-48 margin which means that once again loving couples are denied basic human rights. … [Read more...] about Same Sex Marriage Rights Defeated In Maine
Garamendi Wins: Let The Games Begin
Not a huge shock given that CA-10 is heavily Democratic but Lt. Governor John Garamendi is headed to Washington. This means that Governor Arnold will get to nominate a successor to the Lt. Governor post but the nominee must be approved by both houses of the heavily Democratic legislature. Obviously the GOP would like a strong candidate in statewide office while the Democrats … [Read more...] about Garamendi Wins: Let The Games Begin
Coming civil war in the GOP
Full results are not in, but it looks right now like Democrat Bill Owens will win NY-23, tarnishing would should have been a solid night for the GOP. Comfortable wins in the gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia seemed likely to serve as appetizers for the real conservative triumph - a victory of Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman. The purging of Republican … [Read more...] about Coming civil war in the GOP
Owens Wins
It's time to call the race for Democrat Bill Owens. With 84% of the votes counted the tally is as follows Bill Owens (D): 57,845 or 49.2% Doug Hoffman (C): 53,603 or 45.5% That's a margin of 4,200 votes and based on the trend we only have about 20,000 votes left. For Hoffman to win he would need to beat Owens by 20 points with the remaining voters. As one of my … [Read more...] about Owens Wins
New York 23rd
UPDATE #5: Looking increasingly likely that Owens will win. Almost 80% counted and he leads by 3,600 votes. For Hoffman to pull it he will need to pick up about 4,000 votes and based on current returns there are about 33,000 left to count. It looks like a big loss for the hard right in New York. UPDATE #4: With 71% in Owens still leads 49.1-45.2 or 3.9%. Getting … [Read more...] about New York 23rd
Christie Wins
UPDATE: All the major networks are also calling it for Christie, guess they were waiting for Hudson too. Now that Hudson County has finally pulled the trigger and turned in the vote we can project Chris Christie the winner of the race for New Jersey Governor. It's somewhat comic really that they waited at 57% for more than an hour before jumping in an instant to 97% of … [Read more...] about Christie Wins
T-Mobile Outages Nationwide
UPDATE: All fixed. ------------------ A developing story, Gizmodo's updates: Update 1: Several commenters are reporting that both incoming and outgoing calls are working if routed through Google Voice. Update 2: Many reports that T-Mobile @Home is out as well. Update 3: We got a note from a T-Mobile spokesperson: We're making good progress restoring voice and … [Read more...] about T-Mobile Outages Nationwide
New Jersey Governor (Bumped)
UPDATE #6: Now up to 71% of the vote and Christie leads 49.8 to 43.9 or about 105,000 votes. Based on these figures Corzine now needs an edge of 14.41% among the remaining 29% of the vote. If you assume those voters casts the same 6.25% of their votes for the other candidates that leaves 93.75% of the vote. So Corzine would need about 54% of the tremaining … [Read more...] about New Jersey Governor (Bumped)
Beijing Calls Space Arms Race a ‘Historic Inevitability’: The Straits Times, Malaysia
So much for Beijing's past pronouncements about the exclusively peaceful use of outer space. Days ago, the commander of China's Air Force, Commander General Xu Qiliang, made a number of comments that have created a genuine tumult amongst defense analysts and China watchers. According to Malaysia's Straits Times, with some additional quotes from the People's Daily, General Xu … [Read more...] about Beijing Calls Space Arms Race a ‘Historic Inevitability’: The Straits Times, Malaysia
New York Mayor and NY 23rd
UPDATE: NY Times projects Bloomberg the winner. No decision yet in NY-23 Polls just closing. Bloomberg should win easily but NY 23rd between Owens and Hoffman could take time … [Read more...] about New York Mayor and NY 23rd
Marriage Equality: Maine and Washington, D.C.
It looks like marriage equality is going to hold up in Maine -- obviously not guaranteed yet, but Politico reports that voter turnout greatly exceeds expectations, and that's probably going to work against the Mainers who want to repeal the state's law allowing same-sex marriage. … [Read more...] about Marriage Equality: Maine and Washington, D.C.
Yes, Bardwell, Refusing to Marry Interracial Couples Is Racist
He and his wife don't think it is. But it's all water under the bridge now, because he's resigned. … [Read more...] about Yes, Bardwell, Refusing to Marry Interracial Couples Is Racist
Exit Polls Showing Obama Not Major Factor In Elections (But the Economy Is)
Some news stories are now reporting that exit polls in various states suggest that President Barack Obama has not been a major factor in the voting (but don't expect the Democrats not to use that point if they win some and the GOP to use it as a key point if they win some). But -- to be sure - -the economy is. Here are some links to the original source material: Exit … [Read more...] about Exit Polls Showing Obama Not Major Factor In Elections (But the Economy Is)
Virginia Governor
UPDATE #6: CNN, Fox, AP and NBC all project the sweep for the GOP. Only remaining issue is margins in the State House of Representatives but the GOP should retain control. UPDATE #5: Initial returns show McDonnell winning the trio of Loudoun, Prince William and Fairfax counties though it's just 10% or so of returns. But it this holds up it would be a huge switch. It's … [Read more...] about Virginia Governor
Flee For Your Lives! Everyone Is Stealing the Elections!
Right up front, I should let you know that we'll be bringing you some live, election night coverage this evening over at Rick Moran's radio show, where I will be co-hosting a two hour extravaganza of this ... ummm... exciting event. Be sure to stop by with your own thoughts and comments. But on with the news: On election night, the usual silliness is already breaking out in … [Read more...] about Flee For Your Lives! Everyone Is Stealing the Elections!
Obama Administration Secret Proposal On Copyright Puts ISP At Center Of Debate
Back in March, Declan McCullagh reported that the Obama Administration cloaked its draft section of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) under "national security" wrappers -- for the general public. At the same time, the document had supposedly already made the rounds of "corporate lobbyists in Europe, Japan, and the U.S." Today, someone has leaked information … [Read more...] about Obama Administration Secret Proposal On Copyright Puts ISP At Center Of Debate
Is it Fair for George W. Bush to Remain ‘Outside Prison Bars’?: OEA Libya, Libya
Coming from a state-controlled mouthpiece of Muammar Gaddafi's despotic regime, some may scoff at this article calling for President Bush to be brought before the International Criminal Court and charged with war crimes. The unfortunate truth, however, is that the sentiments expressed by OEA Libya's Ali Mar'i al-Ahad are by no means out of the norm in the Muslim world and … [Read more...] about Is it Fair for George W. Bush to Remain ‘Outside Prison Bars’?: OEA Libya, Libya