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25 Aug 2009 10:44

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Politics, U.S.: Why you should care about the CIA interrogation reports

  • As stomach-turning as these individual acts of sadism are, it is far worse to consider that only low-level interrogators will suffer consequences while those who were truly responsible – the criminally depraved leaders and lawyers who ordered and authorized it – will be protected.
  • Salon’s Glenn Greenwald • Discussing the implications of the Inspector General’s report on torture. His analysis points out many scary things in the report – including phrases such as “threats of execution,” “threats to kill detainee and his children,” “pressure points on carotid artery,” “‘buttstroking’ with rifles and knee kicks” and “blowing smoke in detainee’s face for five minutes.” Despite the many black boxes, you can read between the lines. And between those lines is a lot of questionable government-sanctioned activity. Makes us sick thinking about it. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Aug 2009 10:50

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Biz, U.S.: Warren Buffett sez this ballooning federal debt is dangerous

  • Enormous dosages of monetary medicine continue to be administered and, before long, we will need to deal with their side effects. For now, most of those effects are invisible and could indeed remain latent for a long time. Still, their threat may be as ominous as that posed by the financial crisis itself.
  • Financial smart guy Warren Buffett • Describing why we should be concerned about the high amount of debt currently floating around our economy. He says that we’re in “uncharted territory” and that the effects of the debt could nearly be as bad as the financial crisis itself. Before you discount it, remember that Buffett knows what he’s talking about. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

15 Jul 2009 10:33

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Offbeat: A snap analysis of the ten names most likely to turn boys bad

This is a stupid list. Unspeakably idiotic. Let us just preface with that. But apparently, some researchers did some research and said that boys with these names faced more difficulty through life, would more likely face workplace discrimination and would find themselves on the wrong side of the law more often. So, here goes. Remember, stupid list:
  • 1. Alec: Because, clearly, guys with French-sounding names are more likely to be trailer trash.
    2. Ernest: I’m currently pulling your hair or giving you a swirlie. I haven’t decided which yet.
    3. Garland: It’s not the kid who’s the bad egg. It’s the mother who named him.
    4. Ivan: Terrible name. Just terrible.
    5. Kareem: We’re sure Mr. Abdul-Jabbar would disagree with you on this statement.
    6. Luke: Can you really blame him for being a bad egg? He didn’t even know how bad a guy his father was until “Empire.”
    7. Malcolm: He’s currently in the middle of a transition from child-acting roles to adulthood, and we’re sure Frankie Muniz recently robbed a bank.
    8. Preston: Every preppy dude we couldn’t stand, ever, was named Preston.
    9. Tyrell: Like the other names on this list, when we think of Tyrell, we think “evil incarnate.”
    10. Walter: How could you leave us here so long with Uncle Walter? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 3 Comments • Permalink

20 Mar 2009 11:22

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Politics, U.S.: Analysis: Is Obama really the great presidential communicator?

  • But the discipline and strategic focus of the campaign have yet to move into the White House. The story of the day often catches the president flat-footed or on the defensive — and regularly undercut by fellow Democrats.
  • Jim Vandehei & Mike Allen • Discussing Obama’s communication skills in Politico. They note that while he’s still great in public, a different type of communication skill is required for the Oval Office. We aren’t so sure about this one, but it’s a unique argument. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

23 Feb 2009 01:47

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Culture: Our quick little attempt at Oscar analysis

  • The quirky winners “Wall-E” and “Man on Wire” handily won in their respective categories, Best Animated Feature and Best Documentary. Both had great reviews. Both should have been nominated in the larger categories, like “Best Picture.” One day, Pixar will get a “Best Picture” nod. And we will cheer.
  • The acting categories You could see the winners coming from a mile away. Heath Ledger won his category a year ago. Kate Winslet won hers a month ago. Penelope Cruz was kind of a shoo-in, too. The only really competitive contest? Best Actor, where it seemed Mickey Rourke and Sean Penn both had a shot. (Penn won.)
  • Upset of the nightIn the foreign language category, the frontrunner seemed to be “Waltz with Bashir,” an Israeli documentary with breathtaking use of Flash and traditional animation. It had some pretty awesome reviews and still has some strong buzz. But, sadly, it lost to Japanese film “Departures.” source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink
 
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