McClatchy: The nation's current recession is likely to be the longest since World War II, and by some measures could be the worst since the Great Depression, a new Congressional Budget Office forecast said Tuesday. Without a major economic stimulus plan, "the shortfall in the nation's output relative to its potential would be the largest – in terms of both length and … [Read more...] about The Great Recession; or, Why Do the Republicans Hate America?
Limbaugh Is A Big Fat Idiot
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This cartoon is re copyrighted and licensed to appear on this site. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Limbaugh Is A Big Fat Idiot
Obama’s First Week
Here is what we know after seven days of Change: (1) The new president is aggressively attacking the economic downturn and, though perhaps too eager to make tax-cut concessions to roll up a bipartisan score, is realizing that nothing will appease Republican know-nothings and, as a result, showing some signs of toughening up in getting a stimulus bill passed without … [Read more...] about Obama’s First Week
In Support of the Purple Heart for PTSD
Yesterday, in my post "PTSD and the Purple Heart," I commented on Tyler E. Boudreau's New York Times column “Troubled Minds and Purple Hearts,” where he makes an eloquent case for awarding the Purple Heart or a new decoration to those veterans who have suffered psychic wounds in combat. Since then, I have come across a couple of excellent letters to the Editor of the New … [Read more...] about In Support of the Purple Heart for PTSD
Presidential Honeymoons – A Messy Process
Howard Fineman, the Washington-based political columnist writing for msnbc.com, contends the honeymoon between President Obama and Congress is over. Not so fast, Mr. Fineman, whom I consider one of the better political observers in the media. A political honeymoon is the brief period the president gets what he wants from Congress with almost no questions asked. That's a … [Read more...] about Presidential Honeymoons – A Messy Process
On the Hudson and Beyond: What it Takes to Be a Hero – Die Zeit of Germany
One of the stories that has gotten tremendous coverage around the world, but has tended to get short-shrift due to the inauguration, is that of the miraculous ditching of a passenger jet in New York's Hudson River. One fine example is this article from Germany - which extols heroism and describes how one can spot true heroism by praising the pilot who pulled off the … [Read more...] about On the Hudson and Beyond: What it Takes to Be a Hero – Die Zeit of Germany
So Who Should Replace Bill Kristol As The New York Times’ Columnist?
Here's one idea (and we have linked to him and he is indeed solid). … [Read more...] about So Who Should Replace Bill Kristol As The New York Times’ Columnist?
On Obama’s Bipartisanship And Transportation Realities (Guest Voice)
Is President Barack Obama's avowed penchant for bipartisanship a double-edged sword? Could it sometimes mean that poor decisions or poor personnel choices are carried foward? And are there some transportation issues the U.S. has yet to seriously address? In this Guest Voice post blogger Average Joe looks at these issues. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion … [Read more...] about On Obama’s Bipartisanship And Transportation Realities (Guest Voice)
Mr. President.. You Cannah Change The Laws of Physics (Or Economics)
The Obama adminstration this week announced that it would be setting new guidelines for fuel efficient to apply to the 2011 model year cars and trucks. Let me make it clear from the beginning that I am a strong supporter of efforts to improve fuel mileage for both environmental reasons and national security reasons. However I think perhaps the adminstration is going a bit … [Read more...] about Mr. President.. You Cannah Change The Laws of Physics (Or Economics)
Political Pressure Crashes Bailed Out Citicorp’s Plan For $50 Million Jet
Citicorp is now like the kid who went into a toy store, picked out the most expensive toy and his parents sternly told him to put it back. In the latest public relations fiasco to hit a troubled bailed-out American corporation that still throws around big bucks, the bank is caving into pressure from President Barack Obama and dropping plans to buy a $50 million corporate jet … [Read more...] about Political Pressure Crashes Bailed Out Citicorp’s Plan For $50 Million Jet
A Law Requiring Cameraphones To Click When Taking Photos?
From TechDirt's Pointless Law department: John writes in to let us know of new legislation in Congress that would require all cameraphones to "click" when taking a photo. The idea, of course, is to "protect the children" so that predators can't secretly take photos. The law is similar to one found in South Korea, so it's hardly a new idea -- though it still doesn't make much … [Read more...] about A Law Requiring Cameraphones To Click When Taking Photos?
We Live in Public
Ondi Timoner's documentary, We Live in Public, won a grand jury prize at Sundance Saturday. The documentary video looks at often overlooked Internet pioneer Josh Harris, a dot com millionaire who built a television network for the web, Pseudo Programs, back when most of us were still on dial-up. Pseudo closed down in September 2000, and Harris moved on to his Quiet … [Read more...] about We Live in Public
Israel’s Battle Against The Terrorism Of Crime (Guest Voice)
Dr. Ephraim Sneh is a founder of the Strong Israel Party, which has fighting crime as a key part of its platform. Hours after doing the following article, his car was torched outside his home in Herzliya. He later told the Jerusalem Post: “It's very clear to me that this is the work of criminals...I don't know if the criminal read the [party] platform, but it's … [Read more...] about Israel’s Battle Against The Terrorism Of Crime (Guest Voice)
Barack Obama In White House: What Next?
Now that the din and bustle surrounding the Presidential Inaugural ceremony, etc, has settled and Barack Obama and his team have begun to move around in the corridors of power in Washington, it may not be out of place to make some tentative observations. However, I have always believed that a top leader should be allowed at least 100 days in office before any definitive … [Read more...] about Barack Obama In White House: What Next?
Is the Constitution Too Hard to Amend?
Russ Feingold's recent announcement of plans to revise the 17th amendment have brought the predictable responses about gubernatorial appointments for Senate seats. They have also tossed fuel for the fire on the old question of whether or not our process for amending the United States Constitution is too difficult. Over at The American Prospect, Dylan Matthews weighs in with his … [Read more...] about Is the Constitution Too Hard to Amend?
The Republicans’ Economic Stimulus Package Theme Song
Here's Groucho Marx of the classic Marx Brothers comedy team singing the Republicans' emerging theme song on President Barack Obama's stimulus plan: … [Read more...] about The Republicans’ Economic Stimulus Package Theme Song
Money Shot
Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on this site. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Money Shot
For We Who are Lefties in Writing Hand Only: Look! Another One of Us
Left Handed Presidents There have been seven so far... and Obama holds the pen by curving it in his hand and writing from the top. It'd be interesting to know what kind of pen he prefers... to keep from smearing with the side of his palm the inked words he's just written... a peculiar issue for us lefthanded souls. Some pens are a disaster for lefthanders as the ink … [Read more...] about For We Who are Lefties in Writing Hand Only: Look! Another One of Us
Wheel of Life and Death: In Consideration of “Change” During This “Time of Our Times.”
In Buddhism, sometimes, old wise ones have written: the wheel of life and death spins fast when there is change, and other times spins slowly when there is gratification. But others of the ancients who are wise, say it is just the opposite: the wheel of life and death spins fast when there is gratification, and slowly when there is change afoot. The most … [Read more...] about Wheel of Life and Death: In Consideration of “Change” During This “Time of Our Times.”
Obama Presidency Marks ‘End of Western Civilization’: Argumenty i Facty, Russia
In an article the starts out with the following startling assertion: "You and I are living at a turning point in world history. The only time in the known past to compare it with, is the first century B.C.", Russian columnist Victor Trostnikov traces Western civilization from the fall of the Roman Republic to the present in order to illustrate why, in the year of our Lord 2008, … [Read more...] about Obama Presidency Marks ‘End of Western Civilization’: Argumenty i Facty, Russia