Whatever so-called "viable" business restructuring plan Detroit's automakers concoct, they will continue to require federal assistance to survive 2009. No one can manufacture a car no one can buy. No one can buy if the banks won't lend. Even the financial credit arms of the automakers are hard pressed to lend. And, the more jobs are lost, fewer cars are bought. The drop … [Read more...] about What The Auto Bailout Does Not Do
Dick Cheney’s Farewell Snarls
Bush's Scrooge is making some final appearances and, true to his nature, giving us "Bah, humbug" to the very end. Almost six years, 4210 American lives and trillions of dollars after the Iraq invasion, the Vice President tells us "the world is better off with Saddam gone...This was a bad actor." Torture? "Did it produce the desired results? I think it did...it's been a … [Read more...] about Dick Cheney’s Farewell Snarls
Chrysler Pokes the Bear
I get where Chrysler is coming from with this thank-you ad but, given how unpopular the bailout was, it might have been best to let well enough alone. (h/t: Upturned Earth) … [Read more...] about Chrysler Pokes the Bear
Dude! You will NOT believe the righteous POLLEN stash I found!
(Hat tip to Hot Air.) Yes, it seems that scientists truly have run out of things to study. Some Aussie doctors have concluded that bees behave in a similar fashion to human beings when you get them hooked on cocaine. Australian researchers found that bees which had been given a dose of cocaine threw themselves into unusually energetic dance routines, felt compelled to "talk" … [Read more...] about Dude! You will NOT believe the righteous POLLEN stash I found!
Military Coup Attempt In Guinea: A Financial Consequence
There has been an apparent military coup attempt in Guinea in the wake of the death of its President. But by the minute, the situation looks cloudy. A military-led group seized control of the airwaves in Guinea and declared a coup Tuesday after the death of the mineral-rich West African country's longtime dictator, but the prime minister insisted he remained in … [Read more...] about Military Coup Attempt In Guinea: A Financial Consequence
The End of VHS: The Creaky Ghost of Christmas Past
So says the LA Times: Pop culture is finally hitting the eject button on the VHS tape, the once-ubiquitous home-video format that will finish this month as a creaky ghost of Christmas past. After three decades of steady if unspectacular service, the spinning wheels of the home-entertainment stalwart are slowing to a halt at retail outlets. On a crisp Friday morning in … [Read more...] about The End of VHS: The Creaky Ghost of Christmas Past
Coleman-Franken: December 22, 10:42 PM
According to various reports, Franken's lead of 251 on Friday had dwindled to 48 at the end of yesterday's Minnesota's Canvassing Board actions. The StarTribune.com reported last night: As the U.S. Senate recount approaches another crossroad today, it appears that DFLer Al Franken's recently attained lead over Republican Sen. Norm Coleman could narrow to double … [Read more...] about Coleman-Franken: December 22, 10:42 PM
Europe and Guantanamo: Change Is Coming
While Cheney is coming out of his undisclosed locations just long enough to try to rewrite history and to fabricate some form of legacy for himself, others are already hard at work trying to correct some of the wrongs he helped create. One of these wrongs is the stain and shame that is Guantanamo. Several European nations, Portugal and Germany notably among them, have … [Read more...] about Europe and Guantanamo: Change Is Coming
And Now A Christmas Medley From Some Friends
Bloggers of the Year
There has been much begrudged acknowledgment of Time Magazine's designation of Barack Obama as the Person of the Year. The pick was such a no-brainer that, while perhaps deserved, left many grumbling with its anti-climatic qualities. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not an Obama hater. I was a relatively early supporter of Obama's and found him exciting both throughout the … [Read more...] about Bloggers of the Year
Tough Year
Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen … [Read more...] about Tough Year
Four Weeks And Counting (Guest Voice)
Some people are ticking off the days when George Bush will leave the White House. And Democrats are, too...In this Guest Voice post, author Martha Randolph Carr notes that this doesn't seem like the normal, pro forma change of administrations this time. Guest Voice posts do Not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its authors. Four Weeks and Counting by Martha … [Read more...] about Four Weeks And Counting (Guest Voice)
For San Diego, It’s Mission Impossible
This is a sp sp spor spor sports story. But not to worry, political junkies. It's also a story about a town in search of redeeming values. The San Diego Chargers are the epitome of the city they represent. They tease you with their talent. But fall on their face when it counts. Sunday's win in Tampa Bay coupled with a Denver loss to Buffalo allows the Chargers to once … [Read more...] about For San Diego, It’s Mission Impossible
Transcript & Podcast of Eleanor Smeal on New York’s U.S. Senate seat
BlogHer Contributing Editor PunditMom has the goods: The pundits continue to chew on the question of who will take Hillary Clinton's Senate seat if, and when, she is confirmed as Secretary of State. Caroline Kennedy is getting the bulk of the media's attention, but there is another Carolyn that is getting support from The Feminist Majority and NOW -- New York Congresswoman … [Read more...] about Transcript & Podcast of Eleanor Smeal on New York’s U.S. Senate seat
Shoes for Rick Warren
Monte Wolverton, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about Shoes for Rick Warren
Blagojevich, Fitzgerald–and Obama
As the President-Elect vacations in Hawaii and the besieged governor hunkers down back home, the relentless prosecutor keeps chipping away at their state's institutionalized corruption. Today there is a leaked backgrounder in the Washington Post, headlined "Secret Tapes Helped Build Graft Cases In Illinois," detailing five years of what Fitzgerald calls "wide-ranging schemes … [Read more...] about Blagojevich, Fitzgerald–and Obama
The Decline and Fall of the “Blago-Rahma” Storyline
The sad and sordid tale of Rod Blagojevich has undoubtedly been an unexpected feast for pundits during a lame duck holiday season which is normally quite dull for observers of politics. The meal has, of course, been particularly juicy for Republicans, exhausted from seemingly endless news cycles devoted to GOP politicians caught in scenarios which ranged from the embarrassing … [Read more...] about The Decline and Fall of the “Blago-Rahma” Storyline
Blagojevich: Biopic Movie Casting Call Suggestions Hit The Internet
It's the stuff Hollywood scrambles to find: a story about a powerful figure who seemingly crosses the line. Just what Hollywood loves. He refuses to acknowledge he crossed it, faces a personal and career abyss but vows to fight. Just what Hollywood loves. And he uses lots of four-letter words. Just what Hollywood loves. Speculation is now running rampant: if Hollywood turned … [Read more...] about Blagojevich: Biopic Movie Casting Call Suggestions Hit The Internet
Job Creation 101
Job Creation 101 The word is that when President Obama looks at taxes, he won't be seeking to lessen our surging deficit by doing away with Bush tax cuts for the rich. Why? Because the thinking of Democratic circles in Washington is that, while these tax breaks may have been excessive, during a recession with so many job losses we need the rich to stay that way so they can … [Read more...] about Job Creation 101
Gen. Clark: Taking Command, Again
I have always admired retired Gen. Wesley Clark, and rooted for him during the 2004 elections. As we remember, once the general declared his candidacy for the presidency of the United States---as a Democrat---he was excoriated by the righteous Right. As a matter of fact, when Wes Clark was considering throwing his hat in the race and after he was skewered by Elaine Kamarck, … [Read more...] about Gen. Clark: Taking Command, Again