This morning, financial news channel CNBC was kind enough to point out that "The Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers said the final reading in May for its index of confidence fell to 59.8 from April's 62.6, slightly above the median expectation of 59.5 in a Reuters survey of economists. May's reading was the lowest since 58.7 in June 1980...." That's right, … [Read more...] about It’s still the economy, but we’re not stupid
Big Brother, or Big Bother? Creeping Closer to a National ID for Everyone?
It began this week. On May 26, 2008, passengers over the age of 18 are now required to show a U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID that contains one's name, date of birth, gender, expiration date "and a tamper-resistant feature." IDs include U.S. passport, U.S. passport card , DHS “Trusted Traveler” cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST), DHS-designated enhanced … [Read more...] about Big Brother, or Big Bother? Creeping Closer to a National ID for Everyone?
Second Crane Collapse in One Year: New York City
On March 16, a crane crashed to the ground at 90th St. and 1st Ave. in Manhattan, killing 7 people. A building inspector apparently had falsified a safety report. Today, May 30, a second horrible crane accident occurred during rush hour this morning. Witnesses said it sounded like a train coming through and all of a sudden the ground heaved, huge crash of metal, and papers … [Read more...] about Second Crane Collapse in One Year: New York City
The Unsung Heroes Of Iraq’s Emerald City
You don't hear much about them. They're unsung heroes. People from places such as Uganda who work -- and die -- with little fanfare in their jobs as cleaners, cooks and construction workers in Iraq's Green Zone. A MUST READ original report from the scene. … [Read more...] about The Unsung Heroes Of Iraq’s Emerald City
It’s all about Israel
In one of the more provocative columns I've read in quite a while, Rick Moran of Right Wing Nuthouse yesterday penned a somewhat dismal bit of prognostication called Embrace the Horror. I have now read the piece three separate times, as well as listening to a discussion of it between Rick and Ed Morrissey on his Hot Air show yesterday. The article is a comprehensive look at the … [Read more...] about It’s all about Israel
Just For A Moment: The Big Tiny World
"Have you ever noticed the leaves before they completely snap out of their little valises ... they're only just peeking out... making a pale green mist in the air... My grandmother used to say that mist was the tree showing us, for just a very few days once a year, what oxygen really looks like." ________________ CODA The lovely painting is by David Parfitt … [Read more...] about Just For A Moment: The Big Tiny World
President Bush Bashes Book
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner … [Read more...] about President Bush Bashes Book
Lysis for The Democratic Primaries: Stop Doesn’t Always Mean Cease
Between now and the end of the first week of June, this one word, STOP, and its many meanings will be weighed by many of the high members of the Democratic party. It's odd isn't it, some meanings of the word STOP, actually mean GO. And some meanings of the words STOP really do mean cease now, the time has come. The work is done. TO PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS, means one … [Read more...] about Lysis for The Democratic Primaries: Stop Doesn’t Always Mean Cease
The Polygamist Children (Guest Voice)
This guest voice is by Martha Randolph Carr, whose latest book, A Place to Call Home, is about the reemergence of U.S. orphanages. The Polygamist Children by Martha Randolph Carr The decision by a Texas court to remove in one grand sweep 400 children from a polygamist sect was the right thing to do even if it sent a chill down the spine of every parent in America. … [Read more...] about The Polygamist Children (Guest Voice)
Bush on Rushmore
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post … [Read more...] about Bush on Rushmore
Gallup Daily: Obama Regains Double Digit Lead Over Clinton And Now Statistically Ties Clinton Against McCain
If the latest Gallup Daily tracking poll indicates a trend, Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton will stop pointing to Gallup when she makes her pitch this weekend to a Democratic party committee in Washington in an effort to get the Michigan and Florida delegations seated. In recent days, Clinton got into political hotwater by claiming "every" poll showed her beating John … [Read more...] about Gallup Daily: Obama Regains Double Digit Lead Over Clinton And Now Statistically Ties Clinton Against McCain
“I Am He-Man…”
Can you think of a better caption for this Associated Press photograph? (The Times of London gave this photo caption: "President Bush and Theodore Shiveley, a US Air Force graduate from Plano, Texas, bump chests at a graduation ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colorado.") More on "real" He-Man here... … [Read more...] about “I Am He-Man…”
Obama Says Uncle
On Memorial Day, Barack Obama told a group of veterans, “My grandfather marched in Patton’s army, but I cannot know what it is to walk into battle like so many of you." He went on to talk about an uncle, "part of the American brigade that helped to liberate Auschwitz" and, returning from the war, spent six months in an attic: “Now obviously, something had really affected … [Read more...] about Obama Says Uncle
Phoenix Mars Lander
Brian Fairrington, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about Phoenix Mars Lander
Harvey Korman Dies
One of the legends of American comedy has died. Harvey Korman of the Carol Burnett show died today at the age of 81. According to early reports he died of complications stemming from a rupture of his abdominal aorta. Given that this is usually fatal at once, it is surprising he survived 4 months. I must say on a personal note that I grew up on Korman and Conway, two of the … [Read more...] about Harvey Korman Dies
Computer Can Read People’s Mind Word Images
Joke: Two computers got married. They had a baby computer. What was the baby computer's first word? "Data..." Reality: A computer has now been "trained" to read peoples' word images -- which could be a boon to political consultants wanting to get into voters' heads. And you think politicians pander a lot NOW..? A computer has been trained to "read" people's minds by … [Read more...] about Computer Can Read People’s Mind Word Images
Hillary and Obama May Be Dead
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about Hillary and Obama May Be Dead
The Demonstration For Hillary Clinton In Washington D.C. May Not Be What It Appears To Be
It turns out some of the people swelling the ranks at what is expected to be a large pro-Clinton demonstration in Washington to pressure the DNC rules committee to seat the Michigan and Florida delegations as per Clinton's demands won't just be Clinton supporters -- but some others (for instance, some McCain Republicans) as well. All's fair in love, war and politics -- but … [Read more...] about The Demonstration For Hillary Clinton In Washington D.C. May Not Be What It Appears To Be
International Negligence
It is often said that future historians will view the Bush administration's invasion of Iraq, its mistreatment of enemy combatants, and its bumbled operation in Afghanistan as some of the worst foreign policy blunders in American history. There is certainly cause for such thinking. But I wonder if there's not another great failure - often overlooked - that goes beyond poor … [Read more...] about International Negligence
McClellan and Obama
Is there a political love connection here? There might be. Ben Smith summarizes the preliminary signs. … [Read more...] about McClellan and Obama