I watched The News Hour last night, as usual. There was a segment pairing Senators Menendez of NJ (D) and Barasso of WY (R) arguing about the debt ceiling negotiations, spending cuts and tax increases. One of the things that struck me is how ineffably stupid some of the Republicans are about the process of …
From the American Society of Civil Engineers, its annual Infrastructure Report Card for 2009: Aviation D Bridges C Dams D Drinking Water D- Energy D+ Hazardous Waste D Inland Waterways D- Levees D- Public Parks and Recreation C- Rail C- Roads D- Schools D Solid Waste C+ Transit D Wastewater D- America’s Infrastructure GPA: D …
Continue reading ‘A blindingly obvious solution to deficits’ »
The US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit today ruled in favor of the Obama Administration and the Affordable Care Act. Opponents had argued that it was unconstitutional for Congress to require Americans to buy health insurance and an overreach in interpretation of the Commerce Clause of the Constitution. The Court disagreed. “First, the …
Eric Cantor, R-Va and the House Majority Leader (i.e. 2nd in command in the Republican House) is lead negotiator for the House in the debt ceiling talks. He theoretically has an interest in keeping the US solvent; after all, he swore an oath on taking his seat which says in part “I do solemnly swear …
Today the Roberts Court decided that Lincoln’s famous phrase “government of the people, by the people, for the people” from the Gettysburg Address has had its run. From this day forward it should read “government of the wealthy, by the wealthy, for the wealthy.” How else can one explain this? In a 5-to-4 decision, the …
One of these days I’m going to do laundry on a different day just to change things up. Before we got our new washer/dryer ten years ago the process took about 9 hours; that’s how bad the old dryer was. Now it’s three to four hours for three loads. Progress.
You can blame this on Mad Kane: New York says to gays “you may marry” So now Tom is allowed to wed Harry And one hears a curmudgeon Say (in high dudgeon): “I’m warning you now to be wary.” “There’s no accounting for taste,” he went on, “nor reason to marry in haste. While you …
This may be a game-changer in this country. 30 days from now when the bill takes effect the number of people allowed to marry partners of either gender will double what it has been, by virtue of the number of citizens who live in New York State. Good. My congratulations to all the people who …
Potterpalooza on Tor.com. Tor.com celebrates all things Potter as we anticipate the release of the final Harry Potter film and the end of a very special era in fantasy and literature. Join us for reviews of the books and movies, for thoughtful essays on characters and culture, and all the memories left to us by …
If I wanted a talking point to use to shame my opponents, I’d say “If it can be done in Baghdad we can do it in the United States.” via Atrios