So says a survey conducted by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs. Does that fact make the Wal-Mart worker's death at the feet of shoppers last Friday any more tragic? Either way it was a senseless death. But there seems to be something qualitatively different between a parent looking to capitalize on low prices so they can see a child's eyes light … [Read more...] about 81% of Black Friday Shoppers Shopped for Themselves
Obama and the Challenges of Dirty Weapons of Mass Destruction
The recent bloody attacks in Mumbai, India, signal a clutching quicksand potentially more dangerous for President-elect Obama and his defense and foreign policy teams than the Middle Eastern wars or rising tensions with Russia. The main reason is the possibility of dirty nuclear weapons and crude biological weapon formulas falling into the hands of terrorists, as Pakistan … [Read more...] about Obama and the Challenges of Dirty Weapons of Mass Destruction
Mitchell For “Meet The Press”
Under the helm of Lawrence Spivak and Tim Russert, NBC's "Meet the Press" was the leader in Sunday morning political talk shows. So powerful, it oftentimes set the agenda on Capitol Hill. Its competitors are copy cats. With the untimely death of Russert at age 56, former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw stepped in and wishes not to continue. NBC may be passing the torch to up and … [Read more...] about Mitchell For “Meet The Press”
Modesty Patrols Under Attack
Israeli groups are fighting back against ultra-Orthodox Judaism's version of the Taliban. These people make my entire religion look bad. … [Read more...] about Modesty Patrols Under Attack
America: Things are Looking Up!
Some new rounds of polling from Rasmussen Reports indicate that, reality be damned, the future is so bright we should probably wear shades. Thirty-eight percent (38%) of Republican voters now say America’s best days are in the future, while 48% think they are in the past, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Democrats say America’s best … [Read more...] about America: Things are Looking Up!
Politicians And Sexism: Gov. Ed Rendell’s Foot-In-Mouth Open Mic Moment
Take an open mic. Put it next to the refreshingly outspoken Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, who forgets that it's on. And what do you get? The perfect video moment as Rendell opens his mouth wide and firmly sticks his foot in it. But is it just a collection of words he'd never say if he was on the record? Or do his words -- and attitude -- raise more fundamental issues? CNN's … [Read more...] about Politicians And Sexism: Gov. Ed Rendell’s Foot-In-Mouth Open Mic Moment
Report: WMD Bioattack Or Nuclear Attack Likely On U.S. By 2013
The bloody events in Mumbai, India served as a jolting reminder to the world -- and particularly to the U.S. -- that terrorists can strike suddenly, in many places, in many ways and using various techniques. And a new report now makes a grim forecast: the United States is likely to be hit by a terrorist biological or nuclear attack by 2013. The report will be delivered by … [Read more...] about Report: WMD Bioattack Or Nuclear Attack Likely On U.S. By 2013
A Modern Day John Adams, Fighting for your Rights
In the small village of Endicott, located in Upstate New York, we find Lloyd Knecht III, a man who is fed up with "the government under President George W. Bush and Congress trampling on citizens' rights for the past eight years." Rather than sitting still in the face of continued outrages, Knecht is striking a blow for liberty and personal freedom. How is he doing this, you … [Read more...] about A Modern Day John Adams, Fighting for your Rights
President Elect Obama
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant … [Read more...] about President Elect Obama
Search Engines Can Make You Sick
In the latest example of information overload, a new study suggests that surfing the Web can cause "cyberchondria," needlessly escalating medical concerns and causing anxiety leading to physical harm. Sponsored by Microsoft, researchers found that online seekers of medical information often attribute innocuous symptoms to serious diseases, which are the unlikely causes, as a … [Read more...] about Search Engines Can Make You Sick
A Quote for Our Times
With credit to Google's "Quotes of the Day" widget (which is fed by "The Quotation Page") -- and with apologies to all economists everywhere -- this remark, more than 200 years old, struck me as remarkably relevant to our circumstances today, given NBER's announcement of the obvious, earlier this week: "An economist is a surgeon with an excellent scalpel and a rough-edged … [Read more...] about A Quote for Our Times
“O” is for Open Government
Ben Smith on liberating the transition's intellectual property: The Obama transition made a subtle, but dramatic, change to its intellectual property licensing yesterday, and the groups pushing for freer use of content on the Internet are releasing a letter this morning requesting two more changes to the way the transition is handling its online content. The letter is an … [Read more...] about “O” is for Open Government
Canada Crisis Part Deux
The political antics continue north of the border as the incumbent Conservative government and the new opposition coalition battle for position in advance of the possible change of power next week. Both sides have been releasing radio and TV ads to try and win support for their side. The battle is centered over a proposal by the government to drop public funding for the … [Read more...] about Canada Crisis Part Deux
Our Planet Contracts ‘The Truman Syndrome’: Folha, Brazil
Has this entire planet become a reality show? That's the contention of Portuguese writer João Pereira Coutinho, who writes in part for Brazil's Folha: "The epidemic of the 21st Century has a name: Truman Syndrome. The name belongs to the 1998 film The Truman Show with Jim Carrey in the principal role. You don’t remember it? I do: Carrey’s character was a kind insurance … [Read more...] about Our Planet Contracts ‘The Truman Syndrome’: Folha, Brazil
The Military Landscape that Confronts Obama: Novosti of Russia
What do the Russians see when they look at the military challenges that Barack Obama must now confront? This article from Russia's Novosti News Service lays out the general Kremlin view, in regard to Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and most importantly, Ukraine, Georgia and Russia. The author, military affairs Analyst Ilya Kramnik, anticipates that Obama will continue the … [Read more...] about The Military Landscape that Confronts Obama: Novosti of Russia
A Gay Version Of The Bible
And you know it has sparked debate... … [Read more...] about A Gay Version Of The Bible
Gregory To Take Over For Russert
Reports are that they have chosen a replacement for the late Tim Russert and it is NBC reporter David Gregory. I was a big fan of Russert and I think Gregory will make an excellent replacement. He is a balanced reporter and will do a good job in his new role. Congratulations. … [Read more...] about Gregory To Take Over For Russert
“That Lonely Thorn Tree”: An Asian Obsession Funds Killing in Zimbabwe
From Lin, who is trying to survive in Zimbabwe. Along with others on that patch of earth, with few resources, defending against men with rifles who lust for money offered by those who sell, not cocaine, not opium, but another addictive substance: the superstition of aphrodisiacs. Her story arrived in my mailbox this evening via a friend who has been to Zimbabwe many times, … [Read more...] about “That Lonely Thorn Tree”: An Asian Obsession Funds Killing in Zimbabwe
Jon Stewart on Mumbai
Normally I am neither a fan of The Daily Show or of profanity in humor, but I have to say this one is a good commentary on the horrific monsters of Mumbai. Warning, it is blue, so click at your own risk http://www.hulu.com/watch/46954/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-mumbai-tragedy … [Read more...] about Jon Stewart on Mumbai
The FIGMO Presidency
I remember when I was a young man in the military, that some of my buddies celebrated a new assignment, or nearing the completion of a tour of duty, for weeks, sometimes months by "going FIGMO." Although the military is famous for its acronyms, this particular one, "FIGMO," will probably not be found in official or semi-official military dictionaries, since the first letter … [Read more...] about The FIGMO Presidency