For those of you keeping tabs on Signs of the End Times, I have another entry for your journal. This morning I was awoken at 4:00 a.m. on Dec. 27 in Upstate New York by a thunderstorm with lightning flashing across the sky. This, my friends, is just not right. During the spring, summer and fall, we put up with nonsense like this because: A. It's warmer B. The streets … [Read more...] about Four Horsemen Alert
Afghanistan: CIA & Viagra
News reports indicate that CIA has discovered a lethal weapon to subdue ageing Afghan tribals --- Viagra. However, just a little warning to the over-enthusiastic CIA guys distributing blue pills in the remote areas. The Afghan tribal lords have a known weakness for the fair young men too, apart from performing the ritual with their spouses. So after distributing the … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: CIA & Viagra
Pakistan: Remembering Bhutto & Jinnah
Pakistan media is paying tributes to two of its leaders this month --- Benazir Bhutto who was killed this day last year, and Mohammad Ali Jinnah - described as 'Father of Pakistan' - who was born on December 25, 1876. Both these secular leaders gradually turned champions of peaceful co-existence with India. The assassination of Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan's most internationally … [Read more...] about Pakistan: Remembering Bhutto & Jinnah
The Middle Shifted Away From The GOP In 2008: An Outcome Of Neglect
The year-end reviews have started, and several days ago NBC Political Director Chuck Todd took a look at 2008 and concluded: 1. The middle shifted away from the GOP. 2. It occurred in hard-nosed political terms when the Republican Party steadily, inexorably lost moderate and independent voters in election 2008. A good part of Obama's win will be credited to Obama's … [Read more...] about The Middle Shifted Away From The GOP In 2008: An Outcome Of Neglect
CNN Poll: 75% Can’t Wait To See Bush Go
As the (second) Bush era draws to a close, what do Americans feel as GWB packs up his things and gets ready to head back to Texas? According to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll, 75 percent of Americans can't wait to see him go. Some 23 percent (which most assuredly includes Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity) are going to miss him. It's worth taking an extended look at this … [Read more...] about CNN Poll: 75% Can’t Wait To See Bush Go
Bush Poster Is Target At Iranian Shoe Throwing Competition
President George W. Bush's poster has reportedly become popular in Iran, where it's being used as the target in a shoe-throwing competition: Organizers of a shoe-throwing competition at Iran's Tehran University said the Friday event used a picture of U.S. President George W. Bush as a target. The organizers said the event was an "expression of solidarity for the … [Read more...] about Bush Poster Is Target At Iranian Shoe Throwing Competition
The Truth Shall Set You Free
At least we hope so. Taking the religious to the secular, FactCheck.org's Brooks Jackson -- whom I had the pleasure of interviewing a year-and-a-half ago -- publishes, at Newsweek.com, a summary of claims he and his colleagues have "debunked just since Election Day." It's good for Brooks-and-crew, I suppose, that there's so much bunk around to keep them busy -- and good … [Read more...] about The Truth Shall Set You Free
What Do Bankers Really Want?
What Do Bankers Really Want? Much of the $350 billion in public money that the Paulson Gang has so far doled out to banks has not gone to banks that were on the verge of insolvency but to generally healthy institutions. The hope being that maybe, just maybe, some of these extra dollars would incline these banks to lend more to individual consumers and businesses, thereby … [Read more...] about What Do Bankers Really Want?
The Controversy Over Iran’s Christmas Address Continues
A controversy continues to grow over an address about Christmas delivered by one of the world's greatest authorities on Christmas, peace on earth and good will to men -- Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (NOT!). Details in the roundup HERE. … [Read more...] about The Controversy Over Iran’s Christmas Address Continues
The “Self-Control” Credit Card
Retailers are hoping today will be a black Friday sequel. Meanwhile, while personal bankruptcy is at a record high it's the credit card companies getting the bailout: American Express announced Tuesday it's getting a $3.39 billion "capital injection" from the US Treasury. For you and me new credit card rules are set to stop card companies from applying higher interest rates … [Read more...] about The “Self-Control” Credit Card
Eartha Kitt, Rest in Peace
Sadly, late on Christmas Day we learned that Eartha Kitt, the singer of Santa Baby, had passed away. She was 81. My generation became acquainted with her as Catwoman on the old Batman TV show. The following generation knows her -- her voice, anyway -- as Yzma in The Emperor's New Groove. Her actual working career spans seven decades. Here's some vintage Eartha for … [Read more...] about Eartha Kitt, Rest in Peace
Retailers Get Coal In Stocking: Holiday Sales Dismal
Santa Claus gave retailers a big, fat lump of coal in their stockings this holiday season as retail sales nosedived to the worst in decades -- a sign that a economy already rocked by financial waves is heading into yet choppier 2009 waters. And there was yet another ominous sign for brick-and-mortar businesses: the Internet's top retailer reported its BEST holiday SEASON … [Read more...] about Retailers Get Coal In Stocking: Holiday Sales Dismal
Pakistan & India: Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Possibly not, per this brief report by Dave Schuler at OTB. For context, Schuler offers the following: Over the period of the last 60 years hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, have died in three wars between the two countries. The most recent of those wars in 1971 was the most severe ... Violence and threats of violence are far too plentiful this holiday season. … [Read more...] about Pakistan & India: Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Obama and the Food Chain
During holiday stuffing season, healthy-eating advocates are looking forward to a trim President with good nutritional habits to inspire an obese nation. The New York Times reports: "To advocates who have watched scattered calls for changes in food policy gather political and popular momentum, Mr. Obama looks like their kind of president. "Not only does he seem to … [Read more...] about Obama and the Food Chain
Blago Atty. Invites Rahm for a Chat
The Washington Post is reporting that embattled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's attorney is asking for investigators to bring in a number of witnesses for a chat, including Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. I'm not sure what Santa may have left in Blago's stocking this year, aside from the odd lump of carbonized Carboniferous vegetable matter, but he could he be up to … [Read more...] about Blago Atty. Invites Rahm for a Chat
Population Shifts Shuffling House Seats
I hope you all had a great Christmas, but it's time to begin burning off that big holiday dinner and get back to work. One story which may have slipped beneath your radar over the holiday was flagged by James Joyner on Wednesday, as detailed in the Politico. As per constitutional dictate, each ten years we have to take a look at the shifting populations of the several states … [Read more...] about Population Shifts Shuffling House Seats
He Who Will Now Help The Poor Will Himself Find Blessing
Many of you may recognize the title to this post as a line from the Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas. The song is based in part on the story of Saint Wenceslaus I who was known for giving to the poor and less fortunate during the 10th century. In the song, he goes out to help the poor 'on the feast of Stephen'. Some of our more traditional Catholic or Orthodox readers can … [Read more...] about He Who Will Now Help The Poor Will Himself Find Blessing
Something To Keep In Mind In This Troubled Economy
As Christmas winds down and we approach a New Year, amid bad economic news, it's worth keeping in mind the words of this musical number (as performed in a 2008 stage version). Every word doesn't fit -- but a lot of them do: The film version of this classic and lively musical is still available on DVD: … [Read more...] about Something To Keep In Mind In This Troubled Economy
When ‘Hussein’ is the Most Beautiful Word: From Al-Watan of Oman
What word is the entire Arab world waiting with bated breath to hear pass President-elect Obama's lips? According to this op-ed article from Al-Watan of Oman - that word is Barack Obama's middle name, 'Hussein.' And more than that, Atef Abdul Jawaad writes for the Arabic-language newspaper, Arabs want the president-elect to come clean on why he is so determined to enunciate … [Read more...] about When ‘Hussein’ is the Most Beautiful Word: From Al-Watan of Oman
Christmas Present For Obama: Poll Shows Honeymoon Is Strong
President Elect Barack Obama has gotten a nice Christmas present from a poll: a new CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll not only shows that his honeymoon is continuing but that he is impressing more people than before. And he's coming into office with better honeymoon period polling numbers than any president in some 30 years: Call it a love affair so far between Barack … [Read more...] about Christmas Present For Obama: Poll Shows Honeymoon Is Strong