Mukasey refuses probe of Bush aides - Yahoo! News
I don't know about you, but I am so tired of partisan politics in Washington. Democrats' leading presidential nominee is preaching change - it doesn't seem that the congressional leadership is listening to the sermon. Boo.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Proposed mortgage aid would do harm: Paulson - Yahoo! News
Proposed mortgage aid would do harm: Paulson - Yahoo! News
I agree with his comments - the federal government should not come to the aid of people and banks who pushed the risk envelope. To do so would simply encourage similar risky behavior in the future (because people will think the government will help them eventually, too). We are seeing an expected correction in what was a speculative housing market. It's normal and it needs to happen.
I agree with his comments - the federal government should not come to the aid of people and banks who pushed the risk envelope. To do so would simply encourage similar risky behavior in the future (because people will think the government will help them eventually, too). We are seeing an expected correction in what was a speculative housing market. It's normal and it needs to happen.
McCain: Citizenship a dead issue - USATODAY.com
McCain: Citizenship a dead issue - USATODAY.com
As someone born to American parents on a US Army base in West Germany, I've sometimes wondered if I could be president (scary thought, huh?). It seems that I could, though, unlike Goldwater and McCain, I was not born in a US territory.
As someone born to American parents on a US Army base in West Germany, I've sometimes wondered if I could be president (scary thought, huh?). It seems that I could, though, unlike Goldwater and McCain, I was not born in a US territory.
Pelosi wants Bush aides investigated - Yahoo! News
Pelosi wants Bush aides investigated - Yahoo! News
Stuff like this is why Congress has an approval rating even lower than Bush. Pelosi wants to pursue misdemeanor charges? She is the third highest-elected official in our country. Shouldn't she be pursuing something more strategic for the whole country? I'm for accountability of the executive branch, but this Plame affair has run its course. Move on!
Stuff like this is why Congress has an approval rating even lower than Bush. Pelosi wants to pursue misdemeanor charges? She is the third highest-elected official in our country. Shouldn't she be pursuing something more strategic for the whole country? I'm for accountability of the executive branch, but this Plame affair has run its course. Move on!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Obama Overtakes Clinton, Tied With McCain, Poll Says - Yahoo! News
Obama Overtakes Clinton, Tied With McCain, Poll Says - Yahoo! News
Interesting stuff - I don't have any comments right now - read for yourself and make your own comments!
Interesting stuff - I don't have any comments right now - read for yourself and make your own comments!
McCain mocks Obama's Iraq comments - Yahoo! News
McCain mocks Obama's Iraq comments - Yahoo! News
Okay, Obama. We get it - you were against the start of the war in Iraq and you think al qaeda didn't exist in Iraq until the start of the war in Iraq. But that was 2003 - five years ago. What would you do NOW, given the current realities of Iraq? Al Qaeda *is* in Iraq now. So what will you do to address current reality?
Okay, Obama. We get it - you were against the start of the war in Iraq and you think al qaeda didn't exist in Iraq until the start of the war in Iraq. But that was 2003 - five years ago. What would you do NOW, given the current realities of Iraq? Al Qaeda *is* in Iraq now. So what will you do to address current reality?
New US submarines trade nukes for SEALs - Yahoo! News
New US submarines trade nukes for SEALs - Yahoo! News
Another interesting article - this one addressing geo-political issues in the Pacific Rim. It's going to be an interesting century out there...
Another interesting article - this one addressing geo-political issues in the Pacific Rim. It's going to be an interesting century out there...
Photo gives face to Anne Frank's "one true love" - Yahoo! News
Photo gives face to Anne Frank's "one true love" - Yahoo! News
Another interesting article this morning! I wonder when my 7 year old son will be ready to read the Diary of Anne Frank...
Another interesting article this morning! I wonder when my 7 year old son will be ready to read the Diary of Anne Frank...
The Satellite Shootdown: Behind the Scenes - Yahoo! News
The Satellite Shootdown: Behind the Scenes - Yahoo! News
Interesting article - it's amazing what they have been able to do. I'm always reminded that my friend Ken worked on the Aegis system many years ago. It's really brilliant stuff...
Interesting article - it's amazing what they have been able to do. I'm always reminded that my friend Ken worked on the Aegis system many years ago. It's really brilliant stuff...
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
McCain disavows comments about Obama - Yahoo! News
McCain disavows comments about Obama - Yahoo! News:
Okay, here's an interesting paragraph:
"Last fall, McCain faced criticism for initially not repudiating a voter in South Carolina who called Clinton a 'bitch.' McCain chuckled in response to the voter's question, but didn't embrace the epithet. A few minutes later, he said he respected Clinton, a New York senator and colleague."
I just watched the video on YouTube from last fall (click here). It wasn't "a few minutes later" until he said he respected Clinton - it was 49 seconds later. The point? The article above makes it seem that today is different than last fall. On the contrary, in both cases McCain quickly disassociated himself from negativity. I like that.
Okay, here's an interesting paragraph:
"Last fall, McCain faced criticism for initially not repudiating a voter in South Carolina who called Clinton a 'bitch.' McCain chuckled in response to the voter's question, but didn't embrace the epithet. A few minutes later, he said he respected Clinton, a New York senator and colleague."
I just watched the video on YouTube from last fall (click here). It wasn't "a few minutes later" until he said he respected Clinton - it was 49 seconds later. The point? The article above makes it seem that today is different than last fall. On the contrary, in both cases McCain quickly disassociated himself from negativity. I like that.
FactCheck.org: FactCheck Mailbag
FactCheck.org: FactCheck Mailbag
I like the last question and answer on this video - What's the definition of "middle class"? According to this, 2% of people classify themselves as "upper class" while 7% say they are "lower class". That leaves 91% of people thinking they are "middle class" or "working class". So, when politicians say nice things about "middle class tax cuts", 91% of people think they are offering something to them. You don't really have to be a cynic to know there's something fishy with the numbers - there's only so much you can raise taxes on the top 2% in order to cut taxes and create programs for the other 98%. Somewhere in there, folks who consider themselves middle class are going to get caught in the "tax the rich" frenzy.
I like the last question and answer on this video - What's the definition of "middle class"? According to this, 2% of people classify themselves as "upper class" while 7% say they are "lower class". That leaves 91% of people thinking they are "middle class" or "working class". So, when politicians say nice things about "middle class tax cuts", 91% of people think they are offering something to them. You don't really have to be a cynic to know there's something fishy with the numbers - there's only so much you can raise taxes on the top 2% in order to cut taxes and create programs for the other 98%. Somewhere in there, folks who consider themselves middle class are going to get caught in the "tax the rich" frenzy.
Monday, February 25, 2008
VoteVets.org | Donate Now
VoteVets.org Donate Now
Here's a new attack ad against McCain - Now they're saying McCain wants troops in Iraq for 1,000 years. Why do they stop there? They might as well say "McCain wants troops in Iraq for a gazillion years, and wants to spend a trillion gazillion dollars!" (the actual quote is 100 years, and he said it in jest when someone said 50 - he made it clear that he meant in a peacekeeping role, not fighting.). Poor show.
Here's a new attack ad against McCain - Now they're saying McCain wants troops in Iraq for 1,000 years. Why do they stop there? They might as well say "McCain wants troops in Iraq for a gazillion years, and wants to spend a trillion gazillion dollars!" (the actual quote is 100 years, and he said it in jest when someone said 50 - he made it clear that he meant in a peacekeeping role, not fighting.). Poor show.
Arsenal's Eduardo Da Silva suffers a serious leg injury ... - Yahoo! News Photos
Arsenal's Eduardo Da Silva suffers a serious leg injury ... - Yahoo! News Photos
WARNING: Don't click on this picture link if you feel queasy at all - you will lose it. And who says Soccer is not a contact sport? (Last I heard was that this player suffered multiple broken bones and is out for at least a year).
WARNING: Don't click on this picture link if you feel queasy at all - you will lose it. And who says Soccer is not a contact sport? (Last I heard was that this player suffered multiple broken bones and is out for at least a year).
Obama targets NAFTA but says supports free trade - Yahoo! News
Obama targets NAFTA but says supports free trade - Yahoo! News
So, what is his position on trade agreements? It's hard to tell from this article. Does he only want "fair" agreements? I had a negotiation class back when I got my MBA. The first thing the professor said on the first day was "there is no such thing as fair when it comes to agreements" - "fair" is a perspective, value-based word. What is "fair" to one side may not be so to another. So, the word "fair" was removed from our lexicon - we instead used "equitable" and "agreeable". On the subject of economic/business background, what education/training/experience does Obama have again?
So, what is his position on trade agreements? It's hard to tell from this article. Does he only want "fair" agreements? I had a negotiation class back when I got my MBA. The first thing the professor said on the first day was "there is no such thing as fair when it comes to agreements" - "fair" is a perspective, value-based word. What is "fair" to one side may not be so to another. So, the word "fair" was removed from our lexicon - we instead used "equitable" and "agreeable". On the subject of economic/business background, what education/training/experience does Obama have again?
Friday, February 22, 2008
Many blacks worry about Obama's safety - Yahoo! News
Many blacks worry about Obama's safety - Yahoo! News - Interesting story, though I hope their fear is outweighed by hope and appreciation when they see that most people in this country are willing to judge a man not by his color, but by his character (even in rural Iowa).
Thursday, February 21, 2008
McCain says report on lobbyist not true - Yahoo! News
McCain says report on lobbyist not true - Yahoo! News: In this article I find this sentence a little curious: "McCain wrote the letters after he received more than $20,000 in contributions from Paxson executives and lobbyists." The "more than" part of this sentence makes it seem nefarious. What if it instead said "less than $30,000" (or whatever the number really was). It would put things in the proper context and let us understand how much was actually contributed to McCain back then.
Iraq's Sadr expected to extend militia truce: sources - Yahoo! News
Iraq's Sadr expected to extend militia truce: sources - Yahoo! News
This would be good news, if true. Sadr's milita standdown has been a leg in the three-pronged strategy to reduce violence: 1) US Troop surge, 2) Peeling away Sunni insurgents into joining against al qaeda, and 3) Sadr militia cease-fire. Now, if only the central government could continue reconciliation laws (they're currently on break for a month or so, after passing some key laws a few weeks ago) (unlike our government, which went into recess deadlocked)
This would be good news, if true. Sadr's milita standdown has been a leg in the three-pronged strategy to reduce violence: 1) US Troop surge, 2) Peeling away Sunni insurgents into joining against al qaeda, and 3) Sadr militia cease-fire. Now, if only the central government could continue reconciliation laws (they're currently on break for a month or so, after passing some key laws a few weeks ago) (unlike our government, which went into recess deadlocked)
Kitco - Silver Page
Kitco - Silver Page
Have you seen the price of silver lately? It's setting new records (up 19% so far this year, and breaking new records every day) - (though, on an inflation adjusted basis, it's still way below 1980 levels, when those brothers tried to corner the silver market). On an economic level, there are some parallels between now and 1980 - inflation, slower growth (recession?), etc. With the weakness of the dollar continuing (making imports more expensive here), precious metal markets are reflecting continued inflation fears. Hmmm...
Have you seen the price of silver lately? It's setting new records (up 19% so far this year, and breaking new records every day) - (though, on an inflation adjusted basis, it's still way below 1980 levels, when those brothers tried to corner the silver market). On an economic level, there are some parallels between now and 1980 - inflation, slower growth (recession?), etc. With the weakness of the dollar continuing (making imports more expensive here), precious metal markets are reflecting continued inflation fears. Hmmm...
Sharper Image files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy - Yahoo! News
Sharper Image files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy - Yahoo! News
Lillian Vernon (a catalog retailer) also filed for bankruptcy today. I stopped shopping at Sharper Image a few years ago after one of their devices (I think a shower CD player) stopped working after just a few months and they were not willing to make things right. For a company that charges a premium for their products, that was unacceptable, so I brought my business elsewhere (and bought a nice Sony shower CD player instead)
Lillian Vernon (a catalog retailer) also filed for bankruptcy today. I stopped shopping at Sharper Image a few years ago after one of their devices (I think a shower CD player) stopped working after just a few months and they were not willing to make things right. For a company that charges a premium for their products, that was unacceptable, so I brought my business elsewhere (and bought a nice Sony shower CD player instead)
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
OpinionJournal - THE WEEKEND INTERVIEW
OpinionJournal - THE WEEKEND INTERVIEW:
Great article from the WSJ (I've been looking for this one!). Note how the author says McCain is "refreshingly blunt" when he is honest about his economic background. Too bad that refreshing honesty is now being thrown back at him by the Democratic candidates (so much for changing the way things are done in Washington): Here's the quote: "He is refreshingly blunt when he tell me: 'I'm going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated.'
Great article from the WSJ (I've been looking for this one!). Note how the author says McCain is "refreshingly blunt" when he is honest about his economic background. Too bad that refreshing honesty is now being thrown back at him by the Democratic candidates (so much for changing the way things are done in Washington): Here's the quote: "He is refreshingly blunt when he tell me: 'I'm going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated.'
FactCheck.org: Smear or Be Smeared?
FactCheck.org: Smear or Be Smeared?
Related to the video right below - this one spells it all out - how the DNC plans to twist and smear. Argh.
Related to the video right below - this one spells it all out - how the DNC plans to twist and smear. Argh.
FactCheck.org: Enter the Smear!
FactCheck.org: Enter the Smear!
I've been getting a little peeved with some of the recent attacks on McCain (both of these were lead-off points in a speech Hillary gave this morning): 1) McCain says the war in Iraq should be 100 years! and 2) McCain admits he doesn't know much about the economy. Watch this FactCheck.org video to learn the truth (FactCheck is a neutral site related to the Annenberg Center).
I've been getting a little peeved with some of the recent attacks on McCain (both of these were lead-off points in a speech Hillary gave this morning): 1) McCain says the war in Iraq should be 100 years! and 2) McCain admits he doesn't know much about the economy. Watch this FactCheck.org video to learn the truth (FactCheck is a neutral site related to the Annenberg Center).
Obama scores 10th straight victory - Yahoo! News
Obama scores 10th straight victory - Yahoo! News: Obama says: "'I opposed this war in 2002. I will bring this war to an end in 2009. It is time to bring our troops home,' he declared." We all wish the war would end - we don't like seeing our soldiers killed and wounded. We don't like spending our money over there instead of over here. However, we just can't wish it away - bring everyone home and say "cya!". It's not "fear-mongering" to say that a rapid and arbitrary pull out would create a vacuum in Iraq, one that would be filled with bad people doing bad things. That's simply not right. Things are improving in Iraq. Let's make sure we get the job done.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Witnesses in Iraq death squad trial threatened: US - Yahoo! News
Witnesses in Iraq death squad trial threatened: US - Yahoo! News
This one sends chill down my spine - it's amazing how there seems to be no bounds to the behavior of some in Iraq: using ambulances to kidnap people, killing patients and family members at the hospital, etc. What a bunch of baloney, by the way, when the head of the Sadr movement in Najaf says that the "all the accusations" ... "are baseless". Yeah, right.
This one sends chill down my spine - it's amazing how there seems to be no bounds to the behavior of some in Iraq: using ambulances to kidnap people, killing patients and family members at the hospital, etc. What a bunch of baloney, by the way, when the head of the Sadr movement in Najaf says that the "all the accusations" ... "are baseless". Yeah, right.
Outposts help U.S. troops quell Iraq violence - Yahoo! News
Outposts help U.S. troops quell Iraq violence - Yahoo! News
Interesting article - good to see how things are changing for the better after such a hard struggle. BTW: I am totally against an arbitrary withdrawal from Iraq. We need to make sure our friends and allies and, frankly, the common people of Iraq are taken care of...
Interesting article - good to see how things are changing for the better after such a hard struggle. BTW: I am totally against an arbitrary withdrawal from Iraq. We need to make sure our friends and allies and, frankly, the common people of Iraq are taken care of...
Friday, February 15, 2008
Three recent political thoughts
Okay, here are three recent political thoughts:
1) Obama says he wants to change Washington, which, given the polarized politics of the past 10 years (at least), seems to be a good thing. However, I also saw that Obama was recently rated *the* most liberal senator. To me, what would really change Washington is to have leadership that knows how to GET ALONG and GET THINGS DONE. Having a skewed-in-a-direction president is just politics as normal. We need someone who knows how to find the middle ground and work across the aisle. That would be a welcome change.
2) I hate how some politicians blame everything on the Iraq War. I heard a speech the other day by Obama where he said because of the Iraq War, we don't have money for schools, after-school programs, highway repairs, environmental research, universal healthcare, etc. etc. When the I-35W bridge collapsed in Minnesota, you even heard opportunistic/cynical politicians blame the Iraq War for it (it actually was because of extra weight due to a repair crew and a design flaw, if I remember correctly). To blame everything on Iraq is a false argument - people complained about not enough money well before Iraq.
3) Finally, McCain has been getting alot of flak recently for saying that economics was not his strength. After years of Democrats complaining about hubris and arrogance in the White House, here we have a candidate admit that he actually has a weakness (the original Wall Street Journal article said McCain's openness was refreshing), and now his opponents attack him for it. (So what do they want: arrogance or openness?) To me, it seems like old Washington politics to take a positive and make it into a negative. BOo to Obama.
1) Obama says he wants to change Washington, which, given the polarized politics of the past 10 years (at least), seems to be a good thing. However, I also saw that Obama was recently rated *the* most liberal senator. To me, what would really change Washington is to have leadership that knows how to GET ALONG and GET THINGS DONE. Having a skewed-in-a-direction president is just politics as normal. We need someone who knows how to find the middle ground and work across the aisle. That would be a welcome change.
2) I hate how some politicians blame everything on the Iraq War. I heard a speech the other day by Obama where he said because of the Iraq War, we don't have money for schools, after-school programs, highway repairs, environmental research, universal healthcare, etc. etc. When the I-35W bridge collapsed in Minnesota, you even heard opportunistic/cynical politicians blame the Iraq War for it (it actually was because of extra weight due to a repair crew and a design flaw, if I remember correctly). To blame everything on Iraq is a false argument - people complained about not enough money well before Iraq.
3) Finally, McCain has been getting alot of flak recently for saying that economics was not his strength. After years of Democrats complaining about hubris and arrogance in the White House, here we have a candidate admit that he actually has a weakness (the original Wall Street Journal article said McCain's openness was refreshing), and now his opponents attack him for it. (So what do they want: arrogance or openness?) To me, it seems like old Washington politics to take a positive and make it into a negative. BOo to Obama.
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http://www.slickdeals.net/ - lots of great deals available out there
http://www.fatwallet.com/ - Keep track of deals, and use Fatwallet Cashback to share click-through revenue. (I have received hundreds of dollars back...)
www.betterbidding.com - when combined with priceline, you can save lots of money on hotels (Remember to either donate or use their click through links!)
DEADLY DASH - New York Post
DEADLY DASH - New York Post
Sad story I came across. My 7 year old son also has a pet lizard and fish and talks about wanting to become a veterinarian (a hard word to spell, btw). I can understand this boy trying to save his best friends... :(
Sad story I came across. My 7 year old son also has a pet lizard and fish and talks about wanting to become a veterinarian (a hard word to spell, btw). I can understand this boy trying to save his best friends... :(
Obama says US must end gun violence - Yahoo! News
Obama says US must end gun violence - Yahoo! News
Echoes of John Kerry here, as Obama picks tries to weave bad news from the headlines into his "we need to change" message. However, he seems to want it both ways (as most politicians seem to do): He says we should do "whatever it takes" to eradicate gun violence ("Yayy!" cheer his liberal base), but then says he believes in the right to bear arms (trying to appeal to more "independent" types). He then suggests background checks. Note that the NIU shooter had no criminal background, so a background check would not have helped avoid the tragedy there. In the end, is he really saying anything? (other than to talk about current events)
Echoes of John Kerry here, as Obama picks tries to weave bad news from the headlines into his "we need to change" message. However, he seems to want it both ways (as most politicians seem to do): He says we should do "whatever it takes" to eradicate gun violence ("Yayy!" cheer his liberal base), but then says he believes in the right to bear arms (trying to appeal to more "independent" types). He then suggests background checks. Note that the NIU shooter had no criminal background, so a background check would not have helped avoid the tragedy there. In the end, is he really saying anything? (other than to talk about current events)
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