I had heard that "googling" the words "miserable failure" would take one to President Bush's official biography site. After hearing this morning that another 524,000 Americans lost their livelihood in December alone, raising the nation's unemployment rate to 7.2 percent, and that 2.6 million Americans have lost their livelihood in 2008, making 2008 the worst year for layoffs … [Read more...] about On “Miserable Failures”
What If The New York Times Goes Out of Business in May?
Michael Hirschorn speculates in The Atlantic: At some point soon—sooner than most of us think—the print edition, and with it The Times as we know it, will no longer exist. And it will likely have plenty of company. In December, the Fitch Ratings service, which monitors the health of media companies, predicted a widespread newspaper die-off: “Fitch believes more newspapers and … [Read more...] about What If The New York Times Goes Out of Business in May?
If Jimmy Carter Lived in Sderot …
If Jimmy Carter lived in Sderot or anywhere else in range of missiles from Gaza, he would not have written the ignorant and naive op-ed linked below. Please, Jimmy, stop being manipulated by terrorists and go plant a garden or something. Jimmy Carter / Washington Post: An Unnecessary War Shmuel Rosner of the Jerusalem Post commented: "One thing I can say for sure: … [Read more...] about If Jimmy Carter Lived in Sderot …
Jobs Down in December
AP via MSNBC: Job losses rise in Dec., unemployment 7.2 pct.; December figures cap a year featuring job losses every month Trying to survive a deepening recession, employers are cutting their work forces to the bone, leaving more Americans unemployed and with dim prospects of finding a new job any time soon. The Labor Department reported Friday that the jobless rate rose … [Read more...] about Jobs Down in December
Excerpts on Clarence Thomas
BUMPED, with the link fixed. My two well-received posts this summer on Black Conservatism have been been reposted on Racialicious (here and here). In honor of the occasion, I have put up some excerpts from a larger piece I've been working on explaining how Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas fits in with my theory. It's long, but I think it's worthwhile if you find Justice … [Read more...] about Excerpts on Clarence Thomas
A Fitting Song For Congress
President Elect Barack Obama yesterday urged members of both parties in Congress to move swiftly to act on an economic stimulus package. Here's a song that tells us what we are likely to get: … [Read more...] about A Fitting Song For Congress
Obama Certified As President
Although it seemed to get fairly minimal coverage in the media, earlier today (January 8th) there was a joint session of Congress in which they formally elected Barack Obama as President and Joe Biden as Vice President. This is a standard routine every four years though of course there was a certain level of history to the election of the first African American … [Read more...] about Obama Certified As President
And You Thought Your Ex Was Bitter
As a lawyer I couldn't resist posting this story. The basic story is that the husband donated a kidney to his wife and she subsequently had an affair. Now that they are getting divorced he wants the kidney back, or absent that he wants financial compensation. I am not sure which is worse, the woman having an affair after he gave up a kidney or him filing this claim, when … [Read more...] about And You Thought Your Ex Was Bitter
Classic Jazz: Fats Waller’s “Your Feets Too Big”
Here's some classic jazz for those who hate jazz as well as those who love it (one that almost everyone loves). The great jazz pianist/singer/composer Fats Waller doing his song "Your Feets Too Big" (circa 1940s): More on Waller's music HERE. … [Read more...] about Classic Jazz: Fats Waller’s “Your Feets Too Big”
Congress Pushes Obama to the Left on Stimulus
Joe references lots of Democratic concern over the Obama economic stimulus plan. What's striking about it is that the pressure is coming from the left much more than the right. Sure, there are Blue Dog Democrats concerned about deficits. But Obama has assuaged the fears of them by speaking openly and frankly about the perils of long-term debt and by consulting with them on a … [Read more...] about Congress Pushes Obama to the Left on Stimulus
Happy Birthday To The King
Since I (we) nearly forgot to mark his birthday, this seemed the best video pick. Still one of the greatest, if only he could have stuck around to celebrate with us today. … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday To The King
Gaza: Pride of the Arabs – Le Quotidien d’Oran of Algeria
To what degree does the Arab world hold the United States responsible for the deaths being inflicted on innocent Palestinians in Gaza? The level of perceived U.S. complicity is a constantly moving target, but as Israel's offensive drags on, the level of anger from the 'Arab street' being aimed toward the United States appears to be growing. This editorial from Algeria's Le … [Read more...] about Gaza: Pride of the Arabs – Le Quotidien d’Oran of Algeria
Will Obama’s Call For 21st Century Economy Be Delayed By Democrats?
President-Elect Barack Obama today delivered a stark warning about the state of America's economy in a speech clearly aimed to rally public and political support to get a massive stimulus and economic re-orientation policy in place ASAP. He called for laying the groundwork for a sound 21st century economy -- but the real, hard-nosed question now will be: if the political and … [Read more...] about Will Obama’s Call For 21st Century Economy Be Delayed By Democrats?
World Cartoonists Look At Gaza, Israel And Hamas
The events in Gaza continue to have a polarizing effect throughout the world. This is also evident in the work of cartoonists throughout the world, whose commentaries reflect these varying viewpoints (each side feels it is absolutely correct). Here's a cross section: Breaking the Rules: Yaakov Kirschen, The Jerusalem Post, Dry Bones War On Hamas: Paresh … [Read more...] about World Cartoonists Look At Gaza, Israel And Hamas
Will the Digital Transition be Delayed?
If Obama's transition team gets its way, Feb. 17 may no longer be a day-of-worry for those who still get their TV via antenna. Obama Transition Team Co-Chair John Podesta's letter to the relevant committee chairs and ranking members (Sens. Rockefeller and Hutchison, Reps. Waxman and Barton) -- requesting a delay in the scheduled transition from analog to digital broadcasting … [Read more...] about Will the Digital Transition be Delayed?
Doomsday Minus Twelve
The Barack Obama countdown to saving the American economy continues today, this time with his warning, "A bad situation could become dramatically worse." In what the transition team describes as a major speech at George Mason University this morning, the President-Elect says: "I don’t believe it’s too late to change course, but it will be if we don’t take dramatic action … [Read more...] about Doomsday Minus Twelve
Kidney Rebates and Fava Beans
It's been one of those days when I haven't felt terribly inspired to write anything on politics for you, primarily because we're dealing with a very serious medical issue regarding our basset hound. However, one story popped up over at Hot Air which took my mind off of things for a bit. Those of you who have been married, or know somebody who is married, understand that women … [Read more...] about Kidney Rebates and Fava Beans
Chris Matthews Decides Not to Run for Senate
What's worse: a) Chris Matthews on TV (being a blowhard and making millions); or b) Chris Matthews in the Senate (being a blowhard and wielding power)? I'd say the latter, which is why it's a good thing that he's decided not to run for the Senate in 2010. I can't take much of him on TV, but at least I can turn the channel and ignore him. Either way, though, he would … [Read more...] about Chris Matthews Decides Not to Run for Senate
Bye-Bye Bond: Kit, Not James
Chris Cillizza has the scoop. As a lifetime Missouri resident, I'm sure this will be very big news at home. Love him or not, Bond's one of the Show-Me State's epic political figures and the first Missouri governor I remember as a child. (He was first elected to that position in 1972, when I was seven.) The Dems will be salivating for the chance to pick up this seat in … [Read more...] about Bye-Bye Bond: Kit, Not James
Government Finances Go Mad
These days when I hear the financial news I think of Alfred E. Neuman. Remember Alfred? Mad comics' doofy looking stalwart? Remember his pet phase? "What? Me worry?" That phrase keeps popping into my mind: A projected $1.2 trillion federal deficit in fiscal 2009. What? Me worry? With perhaps an $800 billion Obama stimulus spending package added in. What? Me … [Read more...] about Government Finances Go Mad