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13 Mar 2010 11:20

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Tech, U.S.: Coming soon to Congress: A broadband Internet battle royale

  • FCC The Federal Communications Commission wants to expand broadband access (especially to rural areas that lack fast internet) and widen the wireless spectrum, saying the U.S. is falling behind.
  • telecom The TV industry is concerned that losing chunks of over-the-air spectrum could affect their signals; major telecom providers are also feeling mounting pressure to improve their networks. source
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10 Mar 2010 22:14

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U.S.: A major spending bill gets through the Senate’s clogged arteries

  • $138 billion in spending shoved through, slowly source
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09 Mar 2010 22:40

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Politics: Eric Massa is an infinite supply of comedy and backtracking

  • Between this and Debbie Medina, Glenn Beck is really starting to prove his worth as a part of the political conversation. Sure, he still has wacky moments, but his wacky moments are starting to get outweighed by astute observations such as this one, where he essentially admits that it was a waste to bring on former Rep. Eric Massa, who seemed just a wee bit uncomfortable with the appearance. In other news, the Washington Post actually wrote an article on whether lawmakers conduct political business while naked. The answer: Not really, though the showers are reportedly communal, so the Rahm incident could have happened. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

09 Mar 2010 18:37

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Politics: Eric Massa says the greatest quote in the history of anything

  • I tickled him until he couldn’t breathe, and then four guys jumped on top of me. It was my 50th birthday. … You can take anything out of context.
  • Former N.Y. Rep. Eric Massa • Speaking on Glenn Beck’s Fox Ne … ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah … phew … ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah … oh my god he really said that… ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah … LOL. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

09 Mar 2010 10:19

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Politics: Democrats calling Eric Massa’s bucket of crazy a bucket of crazy

  • I think this whole story is ridiculous. I think the latest excuse is silly and ridiculous. We’re focused not on crazy allegations but instead on making this system work for the American people rather than insurance companies.
  • White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs • Regarding the bowl of crazy Rep. Eric Massa alleged as he resigned yesterday. Other Democrats are denying the seeing-Rahm-naked allegations, too. Massa, by the way, will be on Glenn Beck today to defend himself. Get yo popcorn ready! source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

08 Mar 2010 21:09

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Politics: How awkward is it “to have a political argument with a naked man?”

  • Eric Massa has reportedly seen Rahm Emanuel naked. It’s a good thing this video doesn’t have any video in it, because it would probably be disturbing to watch. Anyway, Massa, a New York congressman who left office today under the weight of an ethics scandal involving a male staffer he made sexual comments to, decided to let ‘er rip on a radio show, calling Obama’s Chief of Staff the “son of the devil spawn.” Speaking of our boy Rahm, this New York Times profile piece on the dude looks incredibly entertaining.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

06 Mar 2010 12:54

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Politics: Yet another New York politician chewed up, spit out by scandal

  • In the incredibly toxic atmosphere that is Washington D.C., with the destruction of our elected leaders having become a blood sport, especially in talk radio and on the Internet, there is also no doubt that an ethics investigation would tear my family and my staff apart.
  • New York Rep. Eric Massa • On his decision to leave office early, as of Monday at 5 p.m. He was facing an ethics scandal regarding misconduct towards a male staff member. Rather than face that political sucker-punch, he chose to resign instead. He had already said he wouldn’t seek re-election due to health reasons. What is in the water in New York that creates so many political scandals? Jesus. source
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04 Mar 2010 10:48

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U.S.: Charles Rangel lost his ways. Sander Levin found them.

  • action Rep. Charles Rangel, in ethics violation hell due to some travel paid for by the wrong people, temporarily gives up his seat on the Ways and Means Committee.
  • reaction They need somebody to put in his place, so they grab auto industry ally Rep. Sander Levin, best known for being the forgotten brother of Sen. Carl Levin. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Mar 2010 10:11

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U.S.: Rep. Charles Rangel, awash in scandal, loses his Ways

  • The embattled Rep. isn’t leading Ways and Means Committee – at least temporarily. It’s a rough time in the world when one can’t ensure his spot on the Ways and Means Committee after taking trips paid for by somebody else. But New York Rep. Charles Rangel – as part of a solid week of successes for New York Democrats – is stepping aside for now. Why did he step down? He wanted “to avoid my colleagues having to defend me” as elections heated up this year. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

01 Mar 2010 23:02

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Politics: The history of political gridlock, Salon.com edition

  • The increasing mismatch between population and power in American government that underlies the present gridlock needs to be addressed by structural reforms.
  • Salon writer Michael Lind • Regarding the social reasons the Republican party is currently strongly obstructionist. Lind compares working-class white voters to social groups of earlier eras – including British Protestants (who feared European immigrants) and Southern planters – that held disproportionate power in Congress and the presidency despite their declining numbers. He also suggests ways they hold that power, and how to get around it that are completely unrealistic (What if New York was five states instead of one?) and some that might be more realistic (What if we get rid of this stupid filibuster?). source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 3 Comments • Permalink
 
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