(If you like, see on page 2 of this story, old tale called, "The King Who Demanded Too Much Tribute without Having Earned It By His Good Works" "Election 2008, RIP, The Death of Newspapers" That was the headline I wrote in Aug 2008, and the text for that TMV article is in the CODA below. (I never finished that article because a loved one of our family was suddenly diagnosed … [Read more...] about Venerable Chicago Tribune to Go Chapter 11 This Week: Newspapers That Supported Obama, Going on Life Support, or DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) Orders?
Cartoon: Christmas on the Cheap
In hard economic times, what could be better? Get all of the spirit at a fraction of the cost. Act now! This offer is for a limited time only. (Click the cartoon for a full size image.) For more, visit Small World Cartoons. … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Christmas on the Cheap
Jon Stewart: Give the Auto Industry Money; Paul Krugman: US Auto Industry Doomed
Jon Stewart says it needs to be done. Our Guest Voice, journalism professor and author Walter Brasch, says it needs to be done. CBS says the Dems and the White House have agreed on a deal. And the Sunday morning bobble-heads all seemed to agree that it will be done. But Nobel economics prize winner Paul Krugman says, bailout or no, the U.S. auto industry will probably … [Read more...] about Jon Stewart: Give the Auto Industry Money; Paul Krugman: US Auto Industry Doomed
Tribune Company Going Bankrupt ?
Reports are that Tribune Company could be on the verge of bankruptcy with more than thirteen billion dollars in debt. Tribune is one of the biggest media companies in the country with ownership of the LA Times, Chicago Tribune, New York Newsday, Orlando Sentinel among others. They also own the Chicago Cubs and may be selling them (to Mark Cuban?) to make some quick … [Read more...] about Tribune Company Going Bankrupt ?
A Combat Veteran’s Reading List
Via Jules Crittenden: Larry Gwin, former US Army captain, Silver Star, Purple Heart, XO of Alpha Co., 2/7 Cav, 1st Cav Division, veteran of the Ia Drang battles of 1965 and author of “Baptism: A Vietnam Memoir,” spent many years trying to understand war and find some context for his own horrific combat experience by exploring war literature. It is useful exercise, because … [Read more...] about A Combat Veteran’s Reading List
Hit Me, Congress, One More Time: Bailing Out the Auto Industry (Guest Voice)
To bailout the big three automakers or not to bailout the big three automakers? In this Guest Voice post journalism professor and author Walter Brasch says, as distasteful as it seems, it needs to be done. Hit me, Congress, One More Time: Bailing Out the Auto Industry by Walter Brasch Congress should bend over, dig into the public coffers once again, and … [Read more...] about Hit Me, Congress, One More Time: Bailing Out the Auto Industry (Guest Voice)
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Speak Out on Obama’s Shinseki Pick
There have been a couple of less than glowing comments on President-elect Obama's pick of General Shinseki to lead V.A.---generally from the "usual suspects"---but otherwise the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive. One of the most substantial endorsements I have come across thus far comes from none other than IAVA, "Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of … [Read more...] about Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Speak Out on Obama’s Shinseki Pick
Ted Turner’s Prescription for a New National Energy Council
Ted Turner's back in the news as he promotes his new autobiography (with Bill Burke), Call Me Ted. On the heels of the election he was one of a number of luminaries asked by The Washington Post to offer up suggestions on what Obama's top priority should be. Said Ted: A Category 5 hurricane has hit the world's financial system, but a bigger storm is approaching. Climate change … [Read more...] about Ted Turner’s Prescription for a New National Energy Council
GM Broke Here, Flush Abroad
What happens if General Motors files bankruptcy for its U.S. operations while its plants in foreign countries turn a nice profit? The answer is ... no one knows. Ken Bensinger of the Los Angeles Times explains GM's foreign connections and how its failure in the United States would create a downturn ripple effect globally. Among the noteworthy activities of GM abroad: In … [Read more...] about GM Broke Here, Flush Abroad
Shinseki to Veterans: “[We will serve] you as well as you have served us.”
In a previous post, I expressed my pleasure at the nomination of General Eric Shinseki to be our next V.A. Secretary. I just read at ThinkProgress the full transcripts of Obama's announcement of his selection and of Shinseki's acceptance. You can also view the YouTube video. I will just post Obama's concluding remarks and the General's gracious and sincere words of … [Read more...] about Shinseki to Veterans: “[We will serve] you as well as you have served us.”
Rolling Stones Economics
My last post was pretty dramatic, to say the least. I want to briefly discuss an aspect that is not considered by economists nearly at all and really highlights the difficulty in avoiding massive pain. This video says it all and it's only a bit over a minute so it is easily digestible: Yes it's time that's not considered and isn't on our side. My day job is to use … [Read more...] about Rolling Stones Economics
Never Mind “Poetic Justice”— Shinseki Is Right for the V.A.
President-elect Barack Obama has selected retired Gen. Eric K. Shinseki to head a department that, under the Bush administration---while a war was raging---often failed to adequately protect and support those entrusted to it, those who have sacrificed so much for their country: the Veterans Affairs Department. I will not go into the failures and the shame of that department … [Read more...] about Never Mind “Poetic Justice”— Shinseki Is Right for the V.A.
Thirteen Ways of Looking at Chris Matthews (A Poetic Tribute)
Full disclosure: embarrassing as it is to admit, I ---like Nora Ephron---am practically in love with Chris Matthews. This does not make me blind to his faults (with his Hillary-hatred topping my personal list), but it does impel me from time to time to compose a poetic tribute. This one, for which I tender in advance my profoundest apologies to the late and very great … [Read more...] about Thirteen Ways of Looking at Chris Matthews (A Poetic Tribute)
Diplomacy Set Free
Obama’s “New” New Deal gets to America’s Heart
My colleague Pete Abel wrote earlier about President-Elect Obama's 21st Century New Deal. Like Pete Abel, I applaud the Obama's vision and boldness. I also appreciate the concern many of the Right have about Obama's "New" New Deal. Ed Morrissey at Hot Air has many concerns about Obama's plans: Obama invokes both FDR and Eisenhower in his new program. Ike built the … [Read more...] about Obama’s “New” New Deal gets to America’s Heart
O.J. Simpson and The Media: ‘Obsession’ Likely To Last
At the end of the famous 1931 Warner Brothers crime film "Little Caesar," Edward G. Robinson as Caesar Enrico Bandello aka "Rico," the Al Capone-modeled gangster who's reached the end of the line asks "Mother of mercy, is this the end of Rico?" Former football great and shunned exonerated murder defendant O.J. Simpson's sentencing in Las Vegas to some 9 to 33 years in … [Read more...] about O.J. Simpson and The Media: ‘Obsession’ Likely To Last
Ah, Dollar Bill, We Hardly Knew Ye’
One of the continuing mysteries of American politics is how William "Dollar Bill" Jefferson managed to keep holding on to his Congressional seat in Louisiana's second district. After investigators located tens of thousands of dollars, neatly wrapped in tin foil, taking the place of burgers and steaks in his freezer, one might think Bill would have been shown the door. The … [Read more...] about Ah, Dollar Bill, We Hardly Knew Ye’
Pakistan: Major Attack On NATO Supplies
In a major attack, about 30 "suspected militants" armed with guns and rockets attacked the Portward Logistic Terminal in Peshawar (Pakistan) burning 106 vehicles carrying critical supplies (including Humvees) to NATO and US troops in Afghanistan. A latest report says:"Rising violence and instability in Pakistan's northwest coincides with serious tensions with its eastern … [Read more...] about Pakistan: Major Attack On NATO Supplies
The “Coalition of the Willing” Comes to an End
Most of us were aware that a United Nations mandate authorizing the presence of foreign military troops in Iraq expires at the end of the year. It is for that reason that the U.S. has been relentlessly and aggressively negotiating the terms for a continued American military presence in Iraq, when that mandate expires. Finally, last Thursday, Iraq's Presidency Council … [Read more...] about The “Coalition of the Willing” Comes to an End
The Bear that Devoured Wall Street is Still Hungry; Now Nibbling at Private Wealth of Its Citizens
There is no one on earth I hate enough to want to watch him or her being mauled by a bear, so I'm not laughing or anything at this sorrowful tale of the woes of "Big Rich" as Michael Schnayerson calls them. Cue the mournful scraping of a solitary violin! With Wall Street hemorrhaging jobs and assets, even many of the wealthiest players are retrenching. Others, like the Lehman … [Read more...] about The Bear that Devoured Wall Street is Still Hungry; Now Nibbling at Private Wealth of Its Citizens