The media coverage of the financial crisis has been horrible with its penchant for painting a broad brush that all bankers are evil. This poppycock is dispensed by clueless politicians -- President Obama included -- and spread to consumers whose confidence in the system is the lowest in more than a quarter century. … [Read more...] about The Disconnect Between The Media, Banks, Politicos and Public
On Bipartisanship (The Poem)
Bipartisan's a lovely word It comes across so brotherly But for our own Republicans It has a meaning otherly. Of course (they say) we want to help It's our country, too (they say) Though to acquire this precious gift Go our way or we won't play. More satirical verse at: http://www.wallstreetpoet.com … [Read more...] about On Bipartisanship (The Poem)
Experts Tell Obama Afghanistan War Going Badly
President Barack Obama has been briefed on the state of the war in Afghanistan, and what he told was reportedly not pretty: President Obama's national security team gave a dire assessment Sunday of the war in Afghanistan, with one member calling it a challenge "much tougher than Iraq" and others hinting that it could take years to turn around. U.S. officials said more … [Read more...] about Experts Tell Obama Afghanistan War Going Badly
What Every Man Needs
A MUST at football games.. … [Read more...] about What Every Man Needs
Saturday Night Live Lampoons Reid Pelosi On Stimulus Plan
SNL skewered Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi on the stimulus plan via a satire that could reflect a growing perception that might not be helpful to the Democrats. The big news: it centered on the assumption that Pelosi is a mega-partisan who looks down on bipartisanship and is actually a stumbling block to it. Some cartoonists are … [Read more...] about Saturday Night Live Lampoons Reid Pelosi On Stimulus Plan
Pelosi on the Stimulus
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This cartoon is copyrighted and is licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Pelosi on the Stimulus
Buy American: Rethinking Smoot-Hawley
As debate on the stimulus package continues to rage, exactly the wrong sort of attention is being paid to one element of the proposal dealing with the "Buy American" clause. The usual list of suspects is lining up to tell us exactly how awful this is, including this New York Times piece by Gregory Mankiw. As usual, he invokes the ghost of Smoot-Hawley to frighten the … [Read more...] about Buy American: Rethinking Smoot-Hawley
F-22 and F-35, Not Mutually Exclusive
Some of the arguments posed in support of continued F-22 production, both in response to my posts and in the media, attack the F-35 and the F-35 program. For example, one reader said, in part: The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is no where near being proven. If you would do some serious research you would find that the F-35 program is all about spin and sophistry. Every … [Read more...] about F-22 and F-35, Not Mutually Exclusive
Kristof: Banks Need Women, Women and Women
Nicholas Kristof is feeling empowered, having had a hand in the creation of a new focus of a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee, global women's issues. And I like what he's doing with that feeling: tonight, he tells us in his blog that tomorrow, the New York Times will feature this column by him, "Mistresses of the Universe," in which he discusses the following: Banks … [Read more...] about Kristof: Banks Need Women, Women and Women
Hate Crimes vs. Domestic Terrorism
I find myself in a bit of an ethical dilemma this weekend, reading the story of a convicted domestic terrorist who will be spending quite some time in jail. (Bear with me for a bit and the title will make sense.) A radical activist who helped set a $1 million fire to protest research on genetically modified crops was sentenced Thursday to nearly 22 years in prison _ even … [Read more...] about Hate Crimes vs. Domestic Terrorism
Obama Plans Return To Campaign Style Mode To Push Stimulus And Restart Presidency
It sounds as if President Barack Obama is close to all but uttering the words "Never mind..." Or "let me rephrase that..." Amid enough political toe-stubbing to qualify for crutches-- nominees who had tax problems, a definition of partisanship that had led to him and his team not answering critics and attacks, and seemingly ceding control of the political debate to … [Read more...] about Obama Plans Return To Campaign Style Mode To Push Stimulus And Restart Presidency
51 Jokes In 4 Minutes
No, this doesn't include Senator Lindsey Graham seeming outraged over a President using what he says are fear tactics. This are NON POLITICAL jokes -- and this You Tuber does deliver: … [Read more...] about 51 Jokes In 4 Minutes
The Pay Cap Scream (Guest Voice)
President Barack Obama's decision to pay cap on CEOs who participate in a government bailout has brought outrcries of dismay from some people in business and in particular from talk show radio hosts. Here's humorist Will Durst's take on it: Triggering a Silent Scream by Will Durst The president is not what you call dim. He’s obviously aware the only thing worse than a … [Read more...] about The Pay Cap Scream (Guest Voice)
Obama’s Weekly Address Rejects “Tired” Old Economic Solutions Approaches As Senate Takes Up Stimulus Compromise
Will he or won't he? Will President Barack Obama rebound after a toe-stubbing week when rather than remind many analysts of a new Abraham Lincoln, or create a feeling of deja vu about JFK or FDR he seemed to be arousing sinking feelings that perhaps America was getting a preview of the new Jimmy Carter of the 21st century? Obama finished the week by rebounding, by … [Read more...] about Obama’s Weekly Address Rejects “Tired” Old Economic Solutions Approaches As Senate Takes Up Stimulus Compromise
A Factor in the F-22 Procurement Decision: The F-35 Lightning II
As I mentioned in my "The F-22 Raptor, It’s Almost Time To Punt," the date for the Obama administration to decide on whether to buy---and if so, how many---additional F-22 aircraft, is rapidly approaching. I find it interesting that one of the arguments often heard in the debate, rightly or wrongly, and either for or against the production of additional F-22’s, is the F-35 … [Read more...] about A Factor in the F-22 Procurement Decision: The F-35 Lightning II
It’s Too Bad: Even Obama’s Day Only Contains 24 Hours – Die Zeit of Germany
How pressing is the moment? It's a question that most informed observers, both of politics and finance and both here and abroad, would today answer 'very pressing.' The sense of the urgency can be gleaned from this article by Michael Naumann of the German weekly, Die Zeit, which is part appreciation for President Obama's gifts, part a chastening examination of what the … [Read more...] about It’s Too Bad: Even Obama’s Day Only Contains 24 Hours – Die Zeit of Germany
The Next Depression
The Next Depression Sinking and sinking in a sickening swirl Retail sales fall short of retailer goals Stock prices slide, well-run businesses fold Massive layoffs raise unemployment fears A loose-lipped faith in endless growth has died Replaced by loud cries for costly bailouts Good deals lack all support, while ponzi scheme Quickly acquire devoted … [Read more...] about The Next Depression
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Illness: A Story Somehow Downplayed By The Media?
Yes, it was dutifully covered...but was it more dutifully dealt with than really covered? Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was treated for pancreatic cancer. And there were some news stories, bulletins and (of course) lots of (often ideologically tinged) blog posts. But could this be a bigger development that has gotten inadvertently downplayed due to the prevalent … [Read more...] about Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Illness: A Story Somehow Downplayed By The Media?
Last Train Home It Seems…
Many Americans, myself included, don't know where this stimulus bill is going to take us. We're feeling the pinch and the pain, want something done, but just don't have much respect for Congress. I feel like the last train home is leaving and that we are going to be left with some kind of something in America concerning our economy. Doesn't that warm your hearts? In … [Read more...] about Last Train Home It Seems…
Jonah Lehrer: How We Decide
Jonah Lehrer interviews himself: Ever since the time of the ancient Greeks, we've assumed that humans are rational creatures. When we make a decision, we are supposed to consciously analyze the alternatives and carefully weigh the pros and cons. This simple idea underlies the philosophies of Plato and Descartes; it forms the foundation of modern economics; it drove decades of … [Read more...] about Jonah Lehrer: How We Decide