tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83816582024-03-14T06:26:19.336-04:00A Healthy Look AroundFredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.comBlogger1159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-445261676406692012011-08-19T12:39:00.001-04:002011-08-19T12:39:58.790-04:00Bachmann fun <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/08/18/299057/michele-bachmann-soviet-union-flub/" target="_blank">Whatever you do, don't let those undead countries bite you!</a> Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-78016214413137729012011-08-09T10:53:00.001-04:002011-08-09T10:53:29.483-04:00Son of S&PS&P reactions include a <a href="http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/08/why-s-p-s-ratings-are-substandard-and-porous/" target="_blank">very good Nate Silver piece, taking them to task for generally being very bad at what they do.</a> <br />
<br />
Turns out they made a <a href="http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/chart-of-the-day-sps-2-trillion-error-explained.php?ref=fpc" target="_blank">$2 trillion error, which they admitted but brushed aside as unimportant.</a> <br />
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My own belief is that this is a bit of a makeup call, after really blowing things on housing and derivative ratings.<br />
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[BTW, any winger looking for "blame" for the Great Recession need look no farther than the ratings agencies for the biggest culprits. Their fake, optimistic ratings made risky financials look quite rosy, staving off a free market correction which would have been far less painful if done earlier.]Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-45941085691673410742011-08-08T14:16:00.002-04:002011-08-08T14:16:46.953-04:00The mind of the tea party <a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2011/08/stimulus-thinking?fsrc=rss" target="_blank">Tea Party head: We should be spending more on military because it stimulates the economy.</a><br />
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When memes get mixed up by the short-sighted, comedy results.Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-91461028266006679732011-07-25T16:06:00.001-04:002011-07-25T16:06:46.900-04:00Fighting over balls<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-familybaseballfeud" target="_blank">Illinois family's feud over dad's baseball collection.</a>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-70375116889084679212011-07-05T16:41:00.001-04:002011-07-05T16:41:24.484-04:00Wake me when silly season is over.New Republican meme: <a href="http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/republicans-falsely-claim-obama-advisers-burying-data-proving-stimulus-is-hurting-economy.php?ref=fpblg" target="_blank">White House is "hiding data" which proves the stimulus didn't work.</a> <br />
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If at first the facts don't fit the meme, put out a new one accusing the other side of hiding ones that help your point. Or something like that.Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-86848041613112713502011-07-03T19:14:00.002-04:002011-07-03T19:14:52.614-04:00Making a difference, one kid at a timeA case for locally grown and purchased food. <a href="http://patfarenga.squarespace.com/pat-farengas-blog/2011/6/17/the-competence-of-children.html">By an 11-year old.</a>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-71766940564316716712011-06-30T18:46:00.001-04:002011-06-30T18:46:29.687-04:00Glenn Beck's History Timeline<a href="http://mediamatters.org/blog/201010190025">Classic.</a>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-83234178489770922882011-06-29T11:09:00.001-04:002011-06-29T11:09:42.955-04:00The "tell"<a href="http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/republicans-find-a-tax-cut-they-dont-like----one-that-helps-obama.php?ref=fpa" target="_blank">Jon Kyl (among other Republicans) now against a payroll tax holiday</a>.<br />
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The stated reason: "It won't do much."<br />
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The "tell" as it were, regarding the GOP plans to keep the economy spluttering for political reasons is that they are now against straightforward tax cuts it they can help Obama. In other words, if a tax cut has the possible benefit of actually working to improve the economy, they are not for it because Obama might get credit.Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-10949781048515651252011-06-20T12:50:00.001-04:002011-06-20T12:50:30.531-04:00New York State -- the next in line?<a href="http://nycapitolnews.com/2011/06/thin-line-between-church-and-state/" target="_blank">New York State might be on the cusp of allowing same-sex marriages</a>.<br />
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Apparently the tact of preserving (and even expanding) religious freedoms in the bill is helping to move it along.Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-44566243581551954482011-06-16T10:38:00.002-04:002011-06-16T10:38:39.939-04:00The big tell<a href="http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/top-republicans-pour-cold-water-on-obamas-last-ditch-stimulus-plan.php?ref=fpblg" target="_blank">The GOP declines to take up the President's offer to try another stimulus plan made up entirely of tax cuts.</a> <br />
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As noted elsewhere, this is "the big tell." Clearly the GOP plan is to try to keep the economy sputtering until after the election.Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-2319641456007126222011-06-11T14:47:00.000-04:002011-06-11T14:47:18.319-04:00The Boston Diocese: Where some are welcome!<a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/06/11/gay_catholics_upset_as_mass_canceled_at_south_end_church/" target="_blank">Boston parish cancels Mass planned for Gay Pride Week, with the theme "All Are Welcome."</a> <br />
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This went from a poorly worded flyer announcement to looking like the Boston Dioceses does not, in fact, believe that all are welcome.<br />
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When it doubt, go with Christ. It is far better to do the right thing and look foolish than to pull back in the hopes the embarrassment will pass.Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-29237120599634344452011-06-10T22:17:00.001-04:002011-06-10T22:17:00.935-04:00TGIFJust called my cell phone number from my office phone to help me find the cell. Got a message: "The person you are calling is not reachable."Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-23397367155567055032011-06-10T15:53:00.001-04:002011-06-10T15:53:27.240-04:00Like a movie IRL<a href="http://media.talkingpointsmemo.com/slideshow/volcan-oh-no-amazing-photos-from-chiles-volcanic-eruption/5" target="_blank">Spectacular photos from Chilean volcano eruption</a>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-23237770394682509612011-06-07T10:22:00.000-04:002011-06-07T10:22:42.471-04:00On Rick Santorum (formerly R, PA/VA)<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/santorums-2012-launch-is-only-the-beginning-of-the-craziness/2011/03/28/AG4xYIKH_blog.html?wprss=plum-line" target="_blank">Greg Sargent makes some solid points about Rick Santorum's bizarre candidacy.</a> <br />
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Money quote: <i>It’s not that Santorum thinks that Republican primary voters really want to get rid of Social Security; it’s that he believes what they want is a candidate willing to be as radical as they think of themselves as being.</i><br />
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Partly this is the primary season, where candidates run hard to the right (or left, for the Dems) and some candidates go off into the ditch. But one of the reasons why Obama looks like a fairly solid re-election candidate is that none of the Republican candidates seem the least bit interested in staying on the road at all.<br />
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Full disclosure: For Santorum's last election I was a contributor to a group blog Dumpsantorum.com (which, like many sites, has gone down the rabbit hole). But having an opinion that Santorum is a wacko far Right politico who wraps himself in his religion only when it matches his political agenda is hardly one that I'm alone with, and looks like it will be shared by many more people until he drops out of the race.Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-82523538594135563172011-06-02T10:41:00.000-04:002011-06-02T10:41:48.862-04:00Personal propagandaBesides having a cool name (or, 2/3 or a cool name), <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frederick-thomas/when-propaganda-gets-pers_b_869731.html?ref=fb&src=sp">this piece</a> is interesting how it takes a propaganda shot and makes it a little personal. And not just because it was the author's family in the shot.<br />
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So maybe the propagandists were right all along.Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-15634619234554311542011-06-01T19:09:00.000-04:002011-06-01T19:09:10.166-04:00Laffer Curve MadnessIn the current debate over tax policy (which should be more about tax loopholes and avoidance than tax rates, but there you go), sometimes, zombie-like, certain economic philosophies continue to be bandied about as though they haven't been thoroughly debunked. <br />
<a href="http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2007/07/on-charlatons-and-cranks.html"><br />
Greg Mankiw</a> takes another dagger at Laffer in the course of a good debate about economics and policy presentation, from 2007.Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-69282727501744576662011-05-31T14:03:00.001-04:002011-05-31T14:03:28.731-04:00Some hard truths about taxes<a href="http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/are-taxes-in-the-u-s-high-or-low/">Bruce Bartlett continues to show that "pragmatic conservative" isn't an oxymoron for everyone.</a>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-85455679740910151112011-05-24T12:36:00.001-04:002011-05-24T12:36:45.120-04:00GOP Race 2012<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2011/05/23/cain-reread-constitution/" target="_blank">Herman Cain, lecturing people to read the Constitution, quotes from the Declaration of Independence by mistake.</a> <br />
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This guy is going to be a lot of fun until he flames out. Every race needs an Alan Keyes--looks like Cain is stepping up to be the latest.Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-63197245021533307982011-05-12T10:11:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:50:51.257-04:00Great letter by Ronald ReaganNo kidding. <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/05/ronald-reagans-letter-to-the-library-and-other-finds-from-1971/238732/">In support of libraries.</a>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-22081158314905065762011-04-24T13:57:00.001-04:002011-04-24T13:57:18.266-04:00Really, dude?Meanwhile on Mars, <a href="http://thedailywh.at/2011/04/24/this-idea-is-bad-and-you-should-feel-bad-of-the-day/" target="_blank">Michigan legislator of a certain party introduces a bill requiring foster children to purchase their clothes second hand.</a> <br />
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No word on whether they get additional punishment for asking for more porridge.Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-70788770862222872992011-04-24T13:36:00.001-04:002011-04-24T13:36:40.537-04:00NASA's Earth Day photos<a href="http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/gallery/2011/04/nasa-celebrates-earth-day-with-stunning-photos-of-you-guessed-itearth.php?img=1&ref=fpblg">Amazing.</a>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-13753428451270224052011-04-14T12:04:00.001-04:002011-04-14T12:04:54.457-04:00Smart like a fox...<a href="http://thedailywh.at/2011/04/12/surreal-headline-of-the-day/" target="_blank">Justin Bieber refuses to be used!</a> <br />
<br />
Or something.Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-89874009833705384132011-04-12T15:29:00.001-04:002011-04-12T15:29:14.298-04:00A Randian time<a href="http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2011/04/growing-up-objectivist-ctd-1.html">Andrew Sullivan dismisses Rand, and his readers pile on</a>. Good stuff.Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-48112029030627301002011-04-04T23:48:00.002-04:002011-04-04T23:48:54.616-04:00I know the feeling...<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/national-gallery-visitor-attacks-gauguin-painting-officials-say/2011/04/03/AFoATUXC_story.html?hpid=z2">Woman goes crazy</a> at Gauguin exhibit--"This is evil!" and starts pounding on painting.Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8381658.post-57686336163959817192011-03-31T21:32:00.001-04:002011-03-31T21:32:31.188-04:00Just skip it. No one will notice.<a href="http://www.good.is/post/bp-refuses-to-account-for-gulf-leak-in-2010-sustainability-report/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+good%2Flbvp+%28GOOD+Main+RSS+Feed%29" target="_blank">BP ignores Deepwater Horizon spill in its "Sustainability Report," citing the lack of an exact spill amount</a>Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094022242602632010noreply@blogger.com0