A Continental Airlines commuter jet has crashed in Buffalo New York, killing all 48 people on board and at least 1 person on the ground. This tragedy marks the end of an impressive safety record since it was August 2006 when we last had a passenger air crash with fatalities. All of our prayers go out to the families of those who have been lost tonight. … [Read more...] about 49 Die In Buffalo Plane Crash
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: The False Hope of Bipartisanship
Alan Abramowitz on The False Hope of Bipartisanship It's not a matter of "if." It's a matter of "when." As in, when will all of the feel-good rhetoric about Democrats and Republicans joining hands to solve the nation's problems come to an end and open partisan warfare resume in Washington? In fact, that time may already be here. Despite Barack Obama's efforts to reach out to … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: The False Hope of Bipartisanship
The Stimulus, Right Wingers, Left Wingers, Obama And Bipartisanship (Guest Voice)
So what's bipartisanship really all about and what has President Barack Obama really been trying to say about it? In this Guest Voice post, AverageJoe looks at these issues. Guest Voices posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its readers. The Stimulus, Right Wingers, Left Wingers, Obama And Bipartisanship by AverageJoe Principle was sited as the left … [Read more...] about The Stimulus, Right Wingers, Left Wingers, Obama And Bipartisanship (Guest Voice)
Quote of the Day: Gregg, The GOP And The War On Obama
The political quote of the day comes from Andrew Sullivan: This much is now clear. Their clear and open intent is to do all they can, however they can, to sabotage the new administration (and the economy to boot). They want failure. Even now. Even after the last eight years. Even in a recession as steeply dangerous as this one. There are legitimate debates to be had; and … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Gregg, The GOP And The War On Obama
Why Was Gregg Appointed in the First Place?
That Judd Gregg backed out of the Commerce Secretary job is not terribly surprising. Gregg claims that he could not reconcile his own conservative beliefs with the stimulus package. He also expressed dismay over the census, which was supposedly "taken away" from the Commerce Department. (This is not entirely true). Even odder, just a week ago Judd Gregg had this to say … [Read more...] about Why Was Gregg Appointed in the First Place?
Multinational Defense Programs, Multinational Headaches
The codes, algorithms, data, and software in general used in military electronic warfare (EW), weapons control, surveillance, and other sensitive systems are among the most classified and safeguarded entities aboard our military aircraft---fighters, bombers, EW, reconnaissance, etc. Accordingly, they are zealously protected by the nations and military services that develop … [Read more...] about Multinational Defense Programs, Multinational Headaches
Digesting (Burp) The Stimulus Bill
I just finished digesting Congress's apparent $789 billion stimulus package and burped twice. The first was a case of mild heartburn. The second was indigestion caused by the feeling it isn't enough. In trying to jump start our failed economy, the prevailing view among economists is the Keynesian approach: Beg, borrow, steal and print so much money to prime the pump that … [Read more...] about Digesting (Burp) The Stimulus Bill
UPDATED: Hazing the New President
No, I don't agree with everything Andrew Sullivan writes -- only about ... 90 percent; and on the 10 percent where I disagree, I really disagree. That said, you can count among the 90 percent my reaction to Andrew's wonderfully concise take on how the R's (and some D's) are reacting to Obama, pegged to today's news re: Sen. Gregg. ---------------- Looking back at some of … [Read more...] about UPDATED: Hazing the New President
Judd Gregg OUT As Commerce Nominee
Judd Gregg has dropped out as a candidate for Commerce Secretary because of disputes with President Obama over how to handle the 2010 Census. The issue has to do with how to count people with Obama wanting to use a modeling technique that would try to account for people who are missed in the count. This has long been controversial because it does basically involve guessing … [Read more...] about Judd Gregg OUT As Commerce Nominee
GOP Senator Judd Gregg passes on Obama Cabinet Slot
The battle over the Porkulus bill has claimed another victim, and one which will send some larger ripples across the political pool. New Hampshire Republican Senator Judd Gregg, selected by President Obama as our next Secretary of Commerce, has taken himself out of the running. Citing "irresolvable conflicts over the stimulus package and control of the 2010 census" the Senator … [Read more...] about GOP Senator Judd Gregg passes on Obama Cabinet Slot
Some Thoughts On The Stimulus
As we move closer to the passage of the economic stimulus package I thought I would take some time to post a few thoughts on the issue. I realize that for many it is a subject that prompts some pretty strong emotions and I would like to start by (at the risk of sounding like a broken record) remind everyone of a few basic civilities. To begin with pretty much everyone is in … [Read more...] about Some Thoughts On The Stimulus
The Woman Obama Kissed
“There is in the country a great deal of anger about the financial institutions,” Barney Frank told a row of bankers at a House hearing yesterday. Elsewhere in the Capitol, members of Congress were hammering out the stimulus compromise with rancor and recrimination. But with all the ugly public emotions rising out of the economic crisis, there are signs of something … [Read more...] about The Woman Obama Kissed
Constrictions
The results of the Israeli election were confusing at best, with a majority of the country shifting significantly right-ward but a plurality unifying around Tzipi Livni's centrist Kadima Party. The best thing we can hope for over the next couple years is stasis, with some kind of unity coalition centered around Kadima and Likud that treads water until the government inevitably … [Read more...] about Constrictions
Usury in the Temples of Wall Street
Today we bring you the next in our continuing series on "old world thinking" which is thoroughly discredited and inappropriate for the modern era. Let's take a moment and look at the concept of usury, both past and present. It's an old word and carries an almost universally negative connotation. 19 " You shall not charge interest to your brother -- interest on money or food … [Read more...] about Usury in the Temples of Wall Street
As Usual, The Daily Show Tells The Truth When No One Else Will
Yet another reason why The Daily Show is the most important news source today. The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10cSolving the Economic CrisisDaily Show Full EpisodesImportant Things With Demetri MartinFunny Political NewsJoke of the Day In other news, Europe is [censored]. There is no word I can use that Joe would find appropriate for the site. The article … [Read more...] about As Usual, The Daily Show Tells The Truth When No One Else Will
Space Accident: Russian and US Satellites Collide
BBC: Russian and US satellites collide US and Russian communications satellites have collided in space in what is thought to be the biggest incident of its kind to date. The US commercial Iridium spacecraft hit a defunct Russian satellite at an altitude of about 800km (500 miles) over Siberia on Tuesday, Nasa said. … [Read more...] about Space Accident: Russian and US Satellites Collide
After Guns, Perhaps Now Votes for Wash. D.C. Residents?
Just about one year ago, when legislation to give the residents of Washington D.C. the "right to bear arms" was being debated before the U.S. Supreme Court, in a Letter published by the Los Angeles Times, I wrote: I am well aware that the landmark case presently before the Supreme Court, a case that ostensibly seeks to apply the 2nd Amendment to residents of the District … [Read more...] about After Guns, Perhaps Now Votes for Wash. D.C. Residents?
What News Anchors Do During Commercial Breaks
This has been making the viral video rounds: This whole thing started out really small and simple. And then along came the internet, and a video camera, and you tube, and here we are with the funniest dance routine since that scene in Big. It's the original, What News Anchors Do During Commercial Breaks. This one has the nat sound, not cheesy music. Via Kara Swisher: Chicago … [Read more...] about What News Anchors Do During Commercial Breaks
Shakespeare On Wall Street
Here’s some Wall Street tidbits that didn’t quite make it into the original versions of Shakespeare’s plays: Macbeth ponders the meaning of trading during a market slump: Investing, and investing, and investing, Sinks to new creepy depths from day to day As battered equities do tumble time, And all the cap gains we thought secure Just flit away like dreams. Rise, … [Read more...] about Shakespeare On Wall Street
Google PowerMeter
More here and here. Speculating about its impact on the smart meter industry here. … [Read more...] about Google PowerMeter