When I was a teenager living in the Netherlands in the 50s, the reigning monarch was Queen Juliana of the Dutch Royal House of Oranje-Nassau. In 1980, her daughter, Beatrix, became Queen of the Netherlands. She is still the reigning monarch. Since moving to the U.S. about 50 years ago, I have not kept close tabs on the Dutch Royal family. Therefore, I was quite … [Read more...] about A Beautiful Young Princess on Banking and the Financial Crisis
First Lady Michelle Obama And The “CAMERA PHONE”
For all you "American poor people aren't really poor look at those people they don't look poor and they should get a job and if they can afford a cell phone they can buy food and they are just lazy living on the streets" types that look at the above picture and scoff so smartly, let me break something down for you, ghetto smarts style (I volunteered at homeless shelters for 10 … [Read more...] about First Lady Michelle Obama And The “CAMERA PHONE”
Rush Limbaugh: Number One Premise of Ruling Families: Do Not Kill Your Own People
Many were puzzled about why Rush Limbaugh suddenly took after candidates running in the Republican primaries last year. He lit out with all tail feathers burning after not the least of the Republican candidates, but the front runners... and not with his usual entertainer-like aplomb, but something that sounded in affect alone, like disappointment, rage and screed. A kind of … [Read more...] about Rush Limbaugh: Number One Premise of Ruling Families: Do Not Kill Your Own People
What If Mobile Were To Become The News Space?
Mobile applications might provide a new business model for some artists, according to one of my students who has been researching the music industry this quarter. Last month, for example, the Presidents of the United States of America released an iPhone application containing four of their albums, plus rarities, live tracks and demos. The cost? $3. Because the songs are … [Read more...] about What If Mobile Were To Become The News Space?
Wanted: An Anti-Limbaugh Big Mouth
This post over at Conventional Folly was a bit annoying at first blush, but then made sense: I went and listened to the on-air debate between David Frum and Mark Levin at the urging of Massie and Sullivan, and I came away with the surprising conclusion that Levin definitely got the best of Frum (all use of the mute button aside). I think that’s because Frum is not … [Read more...] about Wanted: An Anti-Limbaugh Big Mouth
The HOPE Bus
I've been missing in action lately. That's because I've been huddled away with my laptop editing this video. The Public Schools here have a program called Parent University. Parents teach each other how to better help their children get ahead in school. The Hope Bus (their name, an acronym, but I'm not sure what for) is a project of Parent University that takes computers out … [Read more...] about The HOPE Bus
Security in Afghanistan – The Civilian Side
By Sarah Holewinski Sarah Holewinski is the Executive Director of CIVIC (Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict), a non-political organization working with warring parties to help civilians they have harmed in combat. Seventeen thousand troops are set to enter Afghanistan. That may be necessary and will no doubt be the topic of much quarterbacking from Washington to … [Read more...] about Security in Afghanistan – The Civilian Side
‘Sophisticated and Fact-Based’
David Brooks updates today his Tuesday column of concern, which I commented on not once but twice that day. Tuesday, Brooks argued that "the Obama budget is a liberal, big government document that should make moderates nervous." This argument apparently riled up the Administration enough that they called Brooks in for a convincing session. But the columnist wasn't easily … [Read more...] about ‘Sophisticated and Fact-Based’
The Days of the Internet as Haven for Citizen Production are Numbered
Paul Graham has an excellent essay entitled Why TV Lost. In it he names four forces that have lead to TV's downfall. 1.) The Internet is an open platform, "So innovation happens at hacker speeds instead of big company speeds." 2.) Moore's Law, "...has worked its usual magic on Internet bandwidth." 3.) Piracy, "Users prefer it not just because it's free, but because it's more … [Read more...] about The Days of the Internet as Haven for Citizen Production are Numbered
Poor And Homeless In The 21st Century
You gotta have a cell phone... … [Read more...] about Poor And Homeless In The 21st Century
The U.S. Uses Diplomatic Linkage With Moscow
But will it work? Here's one view. … [Read more...] about The U.S. Uses Diplomatic Linkage With Moscow
The Real Big Battle: Is It Between Twitter And Facebook?
A roundup looks at the issue here. … [Read more...] about The Real Big Battle: Is It Between Twitter And Facebook?
The Media Is Again The Last To Get It. But Will Bush Administration Perps?
By SHAUN MULLEN GUEST VOICE I take not one freaking iota of satisfaction in having been out well ahead of the mainstream media -- as were a goodly number of bloggers -- concerning Bush administration excesses, especially its serial abuses of power. The handwriting was on the wall, in some cases writ large in blood, but the MSM was for the most part looking the other way as … [Read more...] about The Media Is Again The Last To Get It. But Will Bush Administration Perps?
Just For a Moment: A Tiny Story
Have you ever noticed there's a time in life, I mean on earth, when it is not day and it is not night. and if you look only down, and see only the dark over the land, you might not realize that day is already flying through the air, sun-hook at the ready, poised to pull back the blanket, revealing all the ugliness on earth, again, it is true. Yet... Long … [Read more...] about Just For a Moment: A Tiny Story
Depression Memories
Well since Elrod officially declared we are in a depression, I thought I'd pass along this very interesting piece on a memoir of the Great Depression. (H/T Financial Armageddon) … [Read more...] about Depression Memories
Indian Business Tycoon Gets Gandhi Memorabilia
There was a high drama. Despite Government of India's attempts to prevent the auction of Mahatma Gandhi memorabilia at New York, the auctioneers went ahead...And there was furious bidding. Finally, representatives of Vijay Mallya, the billionaire chairman of United Breweries Group and Kingfisher Airlines, outlasted other collectors. Mahatma Gandhi's five personal items, … [Read more...] about Indian Business Tycoon Gets Gandhi Memorabilia
The Economic Crisis Presents: Bad Banks
Click the cartoon for a full size image. For more, visit Small World cartoons. … [Read more...] about The Economic Crisis Presents: Bad Banks
Interesting Video On Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac
This is a video from 2004 where Democrats seem to oppose and Republicans seem to favor stricter review and regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This is not to say that the Democrats did not favor stricter review or that the Republicans are innocent from blame and I do blame both sides for the mess. But for those who try to paint the other picture, the Democrats being … [Read more...] about Interesting Video On Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac
How Is This Depression Different from the Great Depression?
There, I said it. We are in a depression. Not a recession but a depression. We haven't yet hit the textbook definition of a "depression": a fall of GDP by 10% over three years along with a 10% unemployment rate. But we are fast approaching the official definition. And let's be honest...it sure FEELS like a depression. Take a look at this index of the stock market … [Read more...] about How Is This Depression Different from the Great Depression?
Proposition 8 Arguments Seem To Favor Supporters
Arguments were held today in the California Supreme Court regarding the validity of Proposition 8. I had planned to watch them but was distracted by work issues so I have had to rely on summaries. Those summaries do not fill me, as a strong opponent of Proposition 8, with confidence though given the strength of the arguments I have read would seem to favor those who oppose the … [Read more...] about Proposition 8 Arguments Seem To Favor Supporters