Let me begin this post by making it clear that I feel nothing but empathy for those who are losing/have lost their jobs in the shutdown of these two companies. I also feel some regret for the families of the founders as in both cases they remained part of the business until the very end. I also certainly agree that the economy played a role in the shutdown and just to … [Read more...] about Circuit City and Mervyns: Economy Or Destiny?
Obama Sets New Tone: Says Bush Is A “Good Guy”
As cartoonists continue to have a field day lampooning him (see above) and polls continue show him falling in popularity faster than Circuit City stock, President George Bush got some words in his defense from someone who some wouldn't expect to speak so fondly of him -- President Elect Barack Obama. This is yet one more indication that when Obama said he wanted to "change … [Read more...] about Obama Sets New Tone: Says Bush Is A “Good Guy”
The George Bush Years: ‘Not According to Plan’ – Nachrichten of Switzerland
As we all prepare for Barack Obama to take the oath of office, the world seems to be relishing bidding George Bush farewell with a swift kick in the caboose. While it slipped by rather quickly during his last press conference on Monday, President Bush's use of the phrase, 'things didn't go according to plan,' to explain the mistakes regarding the Iraq invasion, the travesty … [Read more...] about The George Bush Years: ‘Not According to Plan’ – Nachrichten of Switzerland
Obama On Track On Historic Train Ride To Washington D.C.
The big media story today is President Elect Barack Obama via train ride to Washington D. C. It's causing yet more uses of the world "Lincolnesque." Here's the AP's raw footage: The view from an excited You Tuber's yard: Before Obama left, he delivered what CBS calls "Obama's Philadelphia Address" in Philadelphia: … [Read more...] about Obama On Track On Historic Train Ride To Washington D.C.
On the Strip Searching of Students and the ACLU
I must not be very imaginative. I say that because I can't think of a single thing that is so important that it's worth strip searching a child in a public school, but so unimportant that it's not worth calling that child's parents first, and not worth calling the police first. And the thing is that an appeals court pretty much agreed that if the Fourth Amendment right … [Read more...] about On the Strip Searching of Students and the ACLU
Record Deficit, Record Debt
Bigger is not always better, is it? (Click the cartoon for a full size image.) For more, visit Small World Cartoons. … [Read more...] about Record Deficit, Record Debt
Enough!
I have a real problem with the government attempting to keep our financial system propped up, because I don't think it is possible. I believe that the mainstream understanding of financial crises is wrong on many crucial levels, so attempts to solve the problem won't work, but even more to the point, traditional analysis suggests we have to spend so much that I don't think we … [Read more...] about Enough!
History Made
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star … [Read more...] about History Made
Obama’s America
Today Obama announced … [Read more...] about Obama’s America
The Bail-Out and Stimulus Package
Every economist will tell you any time you ask that the Federal Government is a closed system. Whenever it gives out money to someone it has to take that money from somewhere else. This includes higher taxes, fewer programs or mortgaging the future through higher deficits. There is no free money. Politically, the Bush administration and the Obama administration and both … [Read more...] about The Bail-Out and Stimulus Package
Repossessing Patriotism
In the most important foreclosure of all, the White House will be taken back Tuesday by the majority of Americans who lost it to lawyers in 2000 and the legions who have joined them while watching in disgust as George W. Bush lowered American property values in the world neighborhood. Our new tenants, the Obamas, are holding an open house as they move in and, although … [Read more...] about Repossessing Patriotism
American Painter, Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009), RIP
I don't agree with assessments of Andrew Wyeth's work that label it "drab and kitschy" but toward the reviews of it as "profound reflections of 20th Century alienation and existentialism." This Washington Post obit includes a photo gallery of Wyeth and his work. Here's one of his most famous images, Christina's World: The Christian Science Monitor has republished its … [Read more...] about American Painter, Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009), RIP
The F-22 Raptor, Obama’s First Major Weapon Systems Decision
One of the first weapon systems-related decisions the Obama administration will have to make is whether to purchase additional Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptors, after the last one of a 183 aircraft order has been delivered. As retired U.S. Air Force and retired Lockheed-Martin, this decision and this aircraft naturally interest me. According to The Hill, a group of 44 … [Read more...] about The F-22 Raptor, Obama’s First Major Weapon Systems Decision
Where to Watch the Inauguration Online
Andrew Nusca has helpfully provided a list for all of us. My picks from his: CNN has partnered with Facebook to provide live streaming of the swearing-in and Obama’s speech. A Facebook window on CNN.com’s Live channel will aggregate your friends’ related status updates. C-SPAN will debut its Inauguration Hub on January 20, featuring an online “control room” of various … [Read more...] about Where to Watch the Inauguration Online
Closing A Blogger’s Secret Bush Silly Photo File
It's no secret that bloggers save all kinds of images and use them when they need them. The most basic image to save is a silly photo of a politician, one that is so silly that it begs being used, or recycled. And Presidents are great -- and fair -targets. Silly or expressive photos of politicians are easy to collect, since few of them can stay in spin-perfect stances all … [Read more...] about Closing A Blogger’s Secret Bush Silly Photo File
Inauguration
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star … [Read more...] about Inauguration
Vacating The Premises: The Bush Era Now All But Officially Over
As of Friday, many of the Bushies have left the building (and turned over their passes). … [Read more...] about Vacating The Premises: The Bush Era Now All But Officially Over
TMV’s Guide to Becoming Fabulously Wealthy
Following up on my earlier column, in which you learned to understand the basic concept of money, it is only natural that you would now wish to get a large supply of it for yourself. The problem facing many of you, of course, is that you haven't the first hint of an idea where to begin. You might be laboring under the tired, old "conventional wisdom" which seeks to convince you … [Read more...] about TMV’s Guide to Becoming Fabulously Wealthy
Debate Topic #2: Health Care Reform
Since we had a pretty good response to the environmental discussion last weekend I thought I would start a new topic for this pre-Inaugural weekend. Wanting to shy away from the more controversial subjects I thought I'd go with a tame one like..... Health Care Reform. I presume it goes without saying that we all agree that there is a problem, that our current health care … [Read more...] about Debate Topic #2: Health Care Reform
Presidential Inaugural Speeches: FDR’s 1933 Address
This is the second in a series of videos of inaugural speeches (this has excerpts). Franklin Delano Roosevelt's March 1933 inaugural address seems to apply to some of the same situation today. Another speech considered the gold-standard due to content and delivery: … [Read more...] about Presidential Inaugural Speeches: FDR’s 1933 Address