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19 Oct 2010 23:53

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U.S.: Obama’s tax cuts: Stealthy and unnoticed by most Americans

  • 95% the percentage of people who got an Obama tax cut
  • $400 the size of the maximum tax cut for individuals ($800 for couples)
  • 1:10 the ratio of people that realized they were actually getting a tax cut
  • 8:10 the ratio who thought their taxes went up or stayed the same source
  • » Why nobody noticed: Well, Obama’s method for doling out the tax cuts was a little weird. Most people expect tax cuts on the back end, in the form of giant refund checks. Obama, on the other hand, put the cuts (as part of his $787 billion stimulus plan) directly in paychecks, to be distributed slowly, week to week. In a way, it’s brilliant because nobody thinks about a couple extra bucks in their paycheck and will spend the money like nothing ever happened. But in another way, it means the effects of the stimulus went unnoticed by millions of people. Hmm. For point of comparison, most people are well-aware of Bush’s tax cuts.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Oct 2010 22:34

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Biz: FCC’s smart response to Fox/Cablevision fight: Live-tweeting the game

Matt Cain relieved after 7 strong, 2 H, 0 ER. Giants scored on two singles, throwing error. SF up 3-0 top 9 http://fcc.gov/consumerTue Oct 19 22:51:49 via webThe FCC
FCC

  • This is what we’ve come to as a country. The FCC, stuck in the middle of a pissing match between two of the most annoying companies on the face of the planet, actually live-tweeted a little of today’s Phillies/Giants NLCS game. Cablevision, News Corp., take notes: When you idiots bitch about money, the FCC’s going to make you look really stupid. Someone in the Obama administration’s bureaucracy knows how to land a blow with social media. Well-played. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Oct 2010 21:26

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U.S.: Clarence Thomas’ crazy wife randomly calls Anita Hill

  • 1991 During Clarence Thomas’ Supreme Court Senate nomination hearing, Anita Bryant testifies that Thomas sexually harassed her. Thomas denies the claims.
  • 2007 Thomas releases his autobiography. During a related interview, his wife Virginia says this: “I hope she once day calls up and apologizes and I look forward to forgiving her.”
  • 2010 Hill, now a professor at Brandeis University, receives a message from Virginia fishing for an apology. Hill, ticked off at the tone, doesn’t have one to offer. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Oct 2010 20:56

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U.S.: Gay (back) in the military: Welcome back to the Army, Dan Choi.

Hey Dan Choi, welcome back to the Army. Your public-face-of-the-movement fighting really helped keep this issue in the front burner. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Oct 2010 17:22

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Politics, U.S.: Clinton holds more sway over Dems than Obama

  • 48% of Democrats like a candidate more if Barack Obama endorses them
  • 53% of Democrats are persuaded by a Bill Clinton endorsement source
  • » They don’t call him the Big Dog for nothing. He’s been out of office twelve years, yet Democratic voters trust his judgment more than that of their official party leader. Clinton’s been in high demand this cycle, and luckly for Democrats, he’s been more than happy to rise to the occasion. The 42nd President has been campaigning for Democrats left and right, and many believe it was his endorsement of Blanche Lincoln that enabled her to defeat Bill Halter in the Arkansas Senate primary. Curiously, there hasn’t been a corresponding demand for George W. Bush on the Republican side.
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Oct 2010 15:19

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Politics, U.S.: GOP candidate articulates nuanced views on foreign policy

  • “My philosophy has always been very simple: We win, you lose.
  • Senate Candidate John Raese (R-WV) •  Discussing foreign policy in the West Virginia Senate debate. It sounds more like something you’d hear from a gang of schoolyard bullies than from a candidate seeking a Senate seat.  source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Oct 2010 13:28

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Politics, U.S.: Palin endorses candidate, forgets which state he’s from

  • endorseOver Twitter, former half-term Governor Sarah Palin rallied Pennsylvanians to elect John Raese to the US Senate.
  • retract Palin deleted the tweet upon learning that Raese isn’t running for Senate in Pennsylvania. He’s running in West Virginia. source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

19 Oct 2010 10:56

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Politics: Kentucky Senate race: “Aqua Buddha” now a talking point

  • Jack Conway’s attack adWith the election coming up quickly, the Democratic candidate for Kentucky Senate released this ad designed to make Rand Paul look ungodly based on some stupid things he did back in college. To us, it just looks desperate and could hurt Conway’s campaign.
  • Rand Paul’s response ad While we haven’t been particular fans of Paul’s campaign, we have to admit that his ad is not only better, it takes a (slightly) higher road than Conway’s ad does. Bad move, Jack. This election is about the economy, not morals. Now Rand looks like the respectable one. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

19 Oct 2010 10:38

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World: Posted without comment: Video shot after Chechen parliament attack

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Oct 2010 10:31

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World: French people don’t like it when you mess with their pensions

No, these guys aren’t going to a Daft Punk show (OK, they might be later) … they’re steel workers protesting France’s possible new austerity measures. And they’re angry. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
 
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