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13 Apr 2010 23:13

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Politics: Mitch McConnell continues policy of obstructionism by default

  • The fact is, this bill wouldn’t solve the problems that led to the financial crisis. It would make them worse. This bill not only allows for taxpayer-funded bailouts of Wall Street banks; it institutionalizes them.
  • Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell • Regarding the financial reform bill that the Democrats are trying to push through. Let’s go back in time and remind you that this is the guy whose entire political plan of attack involves disagreeing with the Democrats on everything – a plan which wasn’t enough to sideline the health care law. Democrats wanted to work with Republicans on the plan, by the way. (They’re still working behind the scenes.) Fellow Republican Bob Corker made an effort to work across the aisle, but he couldn’t get any help. A couple of weeks ago, in fact, we posted an article titled “Could financial reform be the GOP’s way out of ‘just say no?’” McConnell gave us our answer (at least from GOP leadership). No. source

13 Apr 2010 22:56

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13 Apr 2010 22:00

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Politics: John McCain knows the guy who made “Demon Sheep”

  • Well, that’s a clever twist on the whole campaign ad. An ad by the other side, mocking stuff the one guy said. It was clearly made with no money and liberally infringes on copyright. But it might be just what McCain needs to stay in the race.

13 Apr 2010 21:42

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World: Kyrgyzstan’s president willing to resign … conditionally

  • The situation is very tense. Taking the president by force is the last option for this government but they do not want Bakiyev or his closest sons and brothers to walk away from this.
  • Al Jazeera reporter Robin Forestier-Walker • Discussing the fate of ousted Kyrgyzstan president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who has offered to conditionally resign. His conditions? Well: “First of all, they should guarantee that in Kyrgyzstan there are no more people walking around with weapons, and no seizures or redistribution of property … Also, I need to know that my own security and the security of members of my family and those close to me will be assured.” So, if you can offer all of this stuff to the president, he’ll quit. source

13 Apr 2010 21:25

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Politics: Eric Massa loved his interns, but they didn’t love him back

  • It took a year of complaints to get Congress on Massa. So, let’s say you’re an employer, and you have a middle manager who keeps hitting on his interns and low-level staffers. He goes out of his way to puts them in weird situations. He says inappropriate things to them. And he talks a little salty at work. So, what do you do? If you’re senior Democratic staff, you keep it quiet for a year and let it blow up on Glenn Beck. Heck of a job, Brownie. source

13 Apr 2010 20:50

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Politics: World leaders just can’t get enough of Barack Obama!

  • Jeez, can you make it any less obvious you’re talking about Bush? The Atlantic Wire notes that, despite Obama’s 47 percent approval rating in the States (his lowest point ever), world leaders can’t seem to get enough of him. Russian president Medvedev puts it this way: “He’s very comfortable partner, it’s very interesting to be with him.” Does Michelle know? source

13 Apr 2010 20:41

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Biz: Toyota’s streak of good luck keeps rollin’ over, hits Lexus brand

  • bad Toyota gets a rare “do not buy” rating from Consumer Reports for its Lexus GX 460 SUV.
  • worse The company, already weathering the storm of bad publicity, halts sales of the car. Ouch. source
 

13 Apr 2010 20:29

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World: Microfinance: Once a charitable goal, now a big business

  • $60B the size of the microfinance industry, which offers small, easy-to-pay, loans to the third-world poor
  • 60% the percentage of the industry run by the banking industry, not non-profit charities (which run 35 percent)
  • $74M the amount CARE USA,
    an American charity, made when it sold its microfinance business to a bank source

13 Apr 2010 11:17

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Culture: Conan lets loose, has fun with his first live post-NBC show

  • I’m sure some of you heard I got a new job starting tomorrow: I’m the new manager of the Eugene Banana Republic.
  • Conan O’Brien • Speaking about his new TBS job at his first live show in Eugene, Oregon. Despite being banned from saying mean things about his old company NBC on TV, he said plenty of them live on stage. He also brought out the masturbating bear in a hood and said that, on the new show, he’d be called the “Self-Pleasuring Panda.” Oh Conan, we missed you! source

13 Apr 2010 11:17

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U.S.: Rich folks in Texas, Virginia got a little lovin’ from Obama’s tax cuts

  • $1,595 amount the richest
    1 percent of Virginians got refunded from Obama’s tax cuts in 2009
  • $1,534 amount the richest
    1 percent in Texas got due to the economic stimulus plan
  • $1,158 amount the richest
    1 percent got on average across the country
    (that’s rich) source