My last post referred to a story that suggested that many -- perhaps even the majority -- of mortgages were invalid due to failing to properly transfer ownership during securitization. However, Calculated Risk has a guest post up that calls the story "sensationalist swill" and gives much more context than originally provided. As I noted previously, I am very naive about … [Read more...] about Update About “Most Mortgages Are Probably Invalid”
An Obama Administration Fox News “Truce”?
It sure sounds that way. More HERE. … [Read more...] about An Obama Administration Fox News “Truce”?
Hug Obama, Find the Moderates (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- Memo to Democrats: You will be defined by President Obama whether you like it or not, so you might as well embrace him for the benefits he can bring you. Memo to Republicans: Talk a right-wing game in your ideological magazines and at your tea parties if that makes you happy. But to win elections, your candidates had better look like middle-of-the-road … [Read more...] about Hug Obama, Find the Moderates (Guest Voice)
Poking the Cobra (Guest Voice)
Poking the Cobra Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Now is the time for all good men to put their hands together, pull them apart and rapidly put them back together again, and repeat, to give props to the president for not curling up into a fetal position with a “Kick Me” sign taped to his butt. You know. Like a Democrat. He’s taking it straight to his perceived enemy, … [Read more...] about Poking the Cobra (Guest Voice)
Lost Airplane
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Lost Airplane
Crash Plus Eighty
Just in the historian geek category. Today and tomorrow, the 28th and 29th, mark the 80th anniversary of the Great Crash. While things are certainly tight for a lot of us, perhaps a time for reflection on how much worse it was back then. … [Read more...] about Crash Plus Eighty
Secretary Costs Pepsi $ 1.26 Billion ?
In the amusing if likely to be overturned category.... It seems that the company is being sued by Charles Joyce and James Voigt who claimed that the company had used information they supplied as a basis for the Aquafina bottle water product. The lawsuit was filed in April but according to Pepsi they did not get notice until September. A secretary says she set aside the … [Read more...] about Secretary Costs Pepsi $ 1.26 Billion ?
Should Democrats Embrace GOP Marginalization Strategy?
I like Steve Benen and used to read his blog, The Carpetbagger Report, regularly. I still occasionally read his posts at his current home, The Washington Monthly’s Political Animal -- but I have to seriously question this post from earlier today, bemoaning Democrats' perceived inability (unwillingness?) to enforce "party loyalty." An excerpt: Political parties that expect … [Read more...] about Should Democrats Embrace GOP Marginalization Strategy?
Take La La Land … Please
If there was ever any doubt why California is known as la la land, I offer these stories ripped off the wires. 1) -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was heckled recently when he crashed a Democratic Party fund raiser, vetoed a bill authored by one of his hecklers and despite the fact the Legislature approved the measure unanimously. Here's the veto message. Now follow the … [Read more...] about Take La La Land … Please
Politics with a Smirk
This quip is one for the archives, best appreciated if you read the entire (brief) story at NYT. “Kudo to the governor for his creative use of coincidence with his veto message,” the spokesman, Quintin Mecke said in an e-mail message. He added, “We will call it even and start with a clean slate with the governor from here on out.” … [Read more...] about Politics with a Smirk
Dithering Before Sending Americans to Die
"I won’t risk your lives unless it is absolutely necessary," the President said this week at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station. "And if it's necessary, we will back you up to the hilt." He was talking to men and women in uniform but answering an American who never wore one, Dick Cheney, who has accused him of "dithering" about sending more troops to Afghanistan during a … [Read more...] about Dithering Before Sending Americans to Die
Guest Author: Local Columnist Gives His Opinion on Scozzafava
The following is a column by Bob Gorman, a writer for the Watertown Daily Times in New York. He is writing about Dede Scozzafava, the Republican challenger for the 23rd Congressional District in the Empire State left open after John McHugh became Secretary of the Army. While major bloggers have called Scozzafava a "radical leftist," Gorman presents a view that isn't so … [Read more...] about Guest Author: Local Columnist Gives His Opinion on Scozzafava
Google Offers Free Mobile Navigation System
The Mercury News: Google is set to launch a free service for smartphones that will combine GPS navigation, voice-activated search and real-time traffic updates. Other telecommunication companies already offer turn-by-turn navigation systems that talk drivers through a route and run on smart phones, although many are not free, and would not offer the same connectivity to … [Read more...] about Google Offers Free Mobile Navigation System
2009=1933?
In the day or two we''ll likely get an official announcement that the recession has ended. If it comes along as expected, it will be based on readings showing that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose in the recently ended third quarter. Economists, a group where unemployment is currently unknown, will hail the report. So, too, will stock analysts whose expectations are … [Read more...] about 2009=1933?
NY23, NJ Gov. and the future of 3rd party candidates
Exactly how important is it to Americans that their elected officials receive a mathematical majority of votes in any given election in order to carry the vaunted mantle of having a "mandate from the people?" And if we see a continuing trend of voter dissatisfaction with the normal two menu choices and 3rd party candidates carry more and more influence, will this help or hurt … [Read more...] about NY23, NJ Gov. and the future of 3rd party candidates
Animals and Humans
Researchers are finding that animals and humans have a lot more in common than we generally think. … [Read more...] about Animals and Humans
James Arthur Ray, Cult or No? How Cults Operate
It's now nearing three weeks since three people died and 21 were injured and hospitalized in a "sweatlodge" "wealth-making" five-day event at a ranch near Sedona, Arizona. The joint was run by James Ray who teaches people how to become wealthy. It appears that a huge 'lodge' was constructed at the event, many times the capacity of a real sweat lodge. By some reports from those … [Read more...] about James Arthur Ray, Cult or No? How Cults Operate
Obama “Thesis” Controversy a Hoax: Limbaugh Gets “Punked”
Conservative talk show mega-maven Rush Limbaugh ranted and thundered about what was supposedly a old thesis done by President Barack Obama. But in the end, it turned out to be a hoax. Details HERE. Meanwhile, some of Limbaugh's new statements will likely make NFL owners breathe a sigh of relief that he was booted from buying into an NFL team. Read these. His fans and … [Read more...] about Obama “Thesis” Controversy a Hoax: Limbaugh Gets “Punked”
Gov. Perry’s Capital Impropriety
Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés and I have been posting on a Texas criminal justice case that has now become an issue of national interest. It is the now infamous case of Todd Willingham who was executed almost six years ago for the 1991 arson related death of his three children at his home in Corsicana, Texas. The Texas Forensic Science Commission was reviewing the case and … [Read more...] about Gov. Perry’s Capital Impropriety
Under 200 Votes For Public Option?
A leaked memo from the Democratic Whip's office shows that they may have under 200 votes for the public option, so the issue of 60 Senate votes may be moot. See details at the Plumline. … [Read more...] about Under 200 Votes For Public Option?