Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Cheated by clerk out of a million dollars
I realize that the sentiment is that the lottery should pay the guy, but (unlike businesses who can bend or break their own rules), the "rules" for lotteries are statutes and subject to very little interpretation as to when they can pay out money.
Busy secretary costs Pepsi $1.26 billion
Ooops. Too busy preparing for a board meeting to forward papers regarding a lawsuit results in a default judgment against PepsiCo.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
New Gingrich, RINO?
How far will the GOP fall? And what will it take for the Democrats to finally get a backbone and govern?
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Da Bones
The relationship of relics in the modern Church.
Wonder how many priests this week will get asked about the relic in their own altar?
Wonder how many priests this week will get asked about the relic in their own altar?
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Boating around
Seth Stevenson posts his final entry in an engaging blog diary on sailing around the British Virgin Islands. Sounds like a boring tale, yes? Worth the read, however, just for reading about the unexpected pleasures such a trip can bring.
Friday, October 23, 2009
No English zone...
Dozens cited in Dallas over the past three years for not speaking English.
WTF?
Most of the text of that story gives the impression that this was a one-shot thing. But with 39 citations over the last three years it is clear that this is a rare, but ongoing, problem.
WTF?
Most of the text of that story gives the impression that this was a one-shot thing. But with 39 citations over the last three years it is clear that this is a rare, but ongoing, problem.
Maurice Sendak tells hand-wringing parents to STFU
Or "go to hell" which really means the same thing in this context.
Can't wait until I'm a cranky old man and can just say what I want...
Can't wait until I'm a cranky old man and can just say what I want...
Polling and the public option
Some interesting points being made by FactCheck on polling regarding the public option.
We all know that the right and left are talking past each other on the polling numbers--the left emphasizes the "choice" part of the public option, while the right emphasizes the "federal government administers" part. Not surprisingly, when the public is asked questions which include both aspects, they overwhelmingly support a public option. Take out the word "choice" from the question, support drops. Even those numbers are far, far higher than the right likes (or probably even believes).
We all know that the right and left are talking past each other on the polling numbers--the left emphasizes the "choice" part of the public option, while the right emphasizes the "federal government administers" part. Not surprisingly, when the public is asked questions which include both aspects, they overwhelmingly support a public option. Take out the word "choice" from the question, support drops. Even those numbers are far, far higher than the right likes (or probably even believes).
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Recovery? Not yet it ain't...
As expected, job openings is not only a lagging indicator of any economic recovery, but in this case might actually be holding back the recovery. Dow is up (way up), business orders are up, interest rates are down and credit is now easing.
In other words, American businesses seem to be making do after shedding a ton of workers (including hiring some back part-time, without benefits). As we know, however, without consumer discretionary income any recovery will occur (at best) in fits and starts, and it it continues misfiring it might short-circuit the whole thing entirely.
We're paying now for the fact that the housing market carried us through about 8 years of expansion previously, masking many of the growing underbrush that typically would be burned away through much smaller market corrections. I have faith that we'll get through this in the next 2-3 years a stronger economy and country. But let's not make the mistake of thinking this is either the sign of full recovery or the opportunity to try to score political points on the news either way.
In other words, American businesses seem to be making do after shedding a ton of workers (including hiring some back part-time, without benefits). As we know, however, without consumer discretionary income any recovery will occur (at best) in fits and starts, and it it continues misfiring it might short-circuit the whole thing entirely.
We're paying now for the fact that the housing market carried us through about 8 years of expansion previously, masking many of the growing underbrush that typically would be burned away through much smaller market corrections. I have faith that we'll get through this in the next 2-3 years a stronger economy and country. But let's not make the mistake of thinking this is either the sign of full recovery or the opportunity to try to score political points on the news either way.
Pictures from space
I usually stop in at listverse.com a couple of times a week. One of their latest is a real treat: 10 More Stunning Pictures from Space
My favorite (see the caption to find out why):
My favorite (see the caption to find out why):
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Can't have a non-sellout in the playoffs!
When is a game a sellout? When we say it is!
Yankees overpriced tickets continue to hamper on-site support.
Yankees overpriced tickets continue to hamper on-site support.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Playing with numbers, tort reform style
CBO estimates that tort reform would save the government just 2% of its health care costs
That's not what the title of the article says, of course. And the CBO presumes that employers will plow the savings from health care premiums into increased wages (which I just don't see happening). But there you go. Limiting the payouts to people who proved in court that they are victims saves a tiny bit of money to the government, assuming that employers increase wages when they don't have to.
That's not what the title of the article says, of course. And the CBO presumes that employers will plow the savings from health care premiums into increased wages (which I just don't see happening). But there you go. Limiting the payouts to people who proved in court that they are victims saves a tiny bit of money to the government, assuming that employers increase wages when they don't have to.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Peace Prize and bad losers
Some predicted GOP talking points--mostly turned out to be true, I think Sad just how bitter the GOP has become. Maybe that is why it is now down to being self-identified by just 22.5% of people.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Friday, October 02, 2009
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Consumers Union jumps into health care reform debate
Unprecedented, it seems. But they advocate for reform.
In previous years (and issues) this might have meant something. But in these Beck-ful days the measured advocacy of a respected organization toward health care reform is merely another example to the wacky Right of how far toward Marxism Obama has already put us.
In previous years (and issues) this might have meant something. But in these Beck-ful days the measured advocacy of a respected organization toward health care reform is merely another example to the wacky Right of how far toward Marxism Obama has already put us.
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