Read a little. Learn a lot. • Tightly-written news, views and stuff • Follow us on Twitter • Be a Facebook Fan • Tumble us!

29 Aug 2011 10:58

tags

Politics: OMG: Rick Perry just called Social Security a “Ponzi scheme”

  • It is a Ponzi scheme for these young people. The idea that they’re working and paying into Social Security today, that the current program is going to be there for them, is a lie.
  • Texas Gov. Rick Perry • Talking about Social Security and leaving us pretty much speechless in one fell swoop. This is impressive because we like to talk a lot. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

29 Aug 2011 10:51

tags

Politics: Eric Cantor hates people who ride bikes, apparently

  • The government spends billions on cars each year. That takes many forms, including interstate highways and subsidies to oil and gas companies. You’d think House Majority Leader Eric Cantor would be happy with people being willing to ride bikes a little more often. But nooooooo — this jerk wants to ditch bikeshare programs. As part of his YouCut program, he made one of the three options municipal bikeshares. These programs are popular in their communities — you should see how many people ride them in DC — and discourage people from driving cars, which in the long run is cheaper and better for the environment. Watch your back, Cantor: Some angry cyclist might try to hit you with a Schwinn. (photo via MedillDC on Flickr) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

26 Aug 2011 14:57

tags

Politics: What do Rick Perry and Rudy Giuliani have in common?

  • 26% Rick Perry’s average support in GOP primary polls since announcing his candidacy; he’s now in the lead
  • 29% Rudy Giuliani’s average support in GOP primary polls at this point in 2007; he was then in the lead source
  • » Just a reminder of how difficult it is to predict the outcomes of presidential primaries  six months before Iowa. It’s also instructive to recall another Southern Republican who, four years ago, was seen as a savior by the GOP establishment. He announced his candidacy late in the game, and immediately vaulted to the top of the polls. That candidate was Fred Thompson.
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

25 Aug 2011 23:58

tags

Politics: New poll brings bad news for Republicans

  • -6 Obama’s net favorability, as of this month
  • -7 The Democratic Party’s favorability
  • -25 The Republican Party’s favorability source
  • » Why no love for the GOP? Over the last six months, everybody–Obama, Democrats, and Republicans–has seen a net drop in their approval ratings, but Republicans are clearly the most hated of the bunch. This is probably due to a combination of factors: Paul Ryan’s budget proposal, Scott Walker’s anti-union antics in Wisconsin, and the GOP’s handling of the debt ceiling debate were all high-profile issues that attracted (mostly) negative attention to the GOP. Whatever the cause, there’s one thing we can glean from these results: Democrats seem to be out-messaging Republicans in 2011. Whether or not this can carry Obama to reelection amidst a horrible economy remains to be seen.
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

25 Aug 2011 16:03

tags

Politics: Passport revives talk on proper “Gaddafi” spelling

  • So, just how is it spelled? This is a topic that got rehashed as the rebellion in Libya broke out, because it’s one media agencies have dealt with for some time, and have drawn many different conclusions about — how do you spell the now-in-hiding Libyan dictator’s last name? We’ve seen, just from memory, Kaddafi, Gadhafi, Gaddafy, Gaddafi (how we typically spell it), Qaddafi, and Kadhaffy (that one almost looks too silly to use). The reality is, none of the spellings are truly correct or not, as they’re all translated from Arabic (and even his own website uses three different spellings), but this video shows what’s purported to be the diplomatic passport of one of his sons, Mohammed. The spelling on the passport? Gathafi. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

25 Aug 2011 15:34

tags

Politics: Syrian protesters chant about Gaddafi’s fall, say Assad is next

  • Bye bye, Gaddafi, Bashar your turn is coming.
  • Chanting by anti-Assad Syrian protesters • A show of an often apparent aspect of the uprisings throughout the Arab world in 2011, but still one that bears further notice as protests in Syria continue to be met with deadly force by the government. Namely, the extent to which each uprising inspires and fuels the next — from Tunisia forward, to Egypt, Libya, the upheavals in Yemen and Bahrain, and Syria, protesters have at times been buoyed and given resolve by victories and protests in foreign lands. The ability of a movement to stay cohesive in the face of such violent force can demand a ton of bravery and human solidarity, so it’s a boon that those besieged by the government in Syria can take heart in the fall of another of the region’s longtime dictators. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Aug 2011 18:44

tags

Politics: Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein hires a criminal defense lawyer

  • Lloyd lawyers up: The Goldman Sachs CEO has hired the services of Reid Weingarten, an accomplished defense attorney who’s worked for former executives from WorldCom Inc. and Enron — this news caused a predictable dip in the value of Goldman’s shares, which closed down 4.7% on Monday. The obvious market concern is that Blankfein will be dealing with inquiries from the Senate subcommittee charged with investigating wrongdoings of the 2008 financial crisis, and whether his hiring a top-flight attorney suggests looming legal trouble. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

22 Aug 2011 18:22

tags

Politics: PETA to launch porn site, mingling sex and mistreated animals

  • We live in a 24 hour news cycle world, and we learn the racy things we do are sometimes the most effective way that we can reach particular individuals.
  • PETA Spokesperson Linsay Rijt • Speaking on the intentions of PETA’s upcoming porn venture, to come with the advent of the new .xxx web addresses. The idea, it seems, is to mix together porn with pictures and information about mistreated and abused animals, the porn being the means to grab attention in the most basic way possible. We’re animal lovers, to be sure, but this sounds like an unpleasant and deeply silly idea, and isn’t something we can’t imagine would have any sort of broad appeal. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Aug 2011 19:26

tags

Politics: Russ Feingold’s out: Wisconsin political institution sits out 2012 races

  • While I may seek elective office again someday, I have decided not to run for public office during 2012.
  • Former Sen. Russ Feingold • Breaking the hearts of many a progressive with a single quote. The Wisconsin institution, who’s currently teaching at Marquette Law School and working on a book about 9/11, says he’s enjoying the stuff he’s currently working on and wants a little bit of a break from the political game. This is not a particularly great sign for Democrats going into 2012, as Feingold was seen as likely to do well in another Senate race. Feingold lost his Senate seat, which he held for three terms, last year. Let the speculation begin: Perhaps he’s holding out for a race with Scott Walker? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Aug 2011 13:13

tags

Politics: Christine O’Donnell apparently had too much going on Wednesday night

  • I want to apologize for being so late, I know that’s not respectful of your time, so please accept my apology. We started out at about five o’clock in the morning at Fox and Friends and we’ve gone nonstop until the final stop at CNN a few minutes ago.
  • Christine O’Donnell • Talking to the Women’s National Republican Club in NYC on Wednesday night — a meeting she had apparently double-booked with the taping of “Piers Morgan Tonight” — you know, the one she walked out on after being asked a question about gay marriage. Sounds like someone made up a mini-controversy in an effort to get out of something. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
<< newer 
top tags
older >>