Author's posts
Jan 27 2017
Neo Liberal Elite Humor
Warning- it’s not very funny if you’re a member of the 99%. Federal Reserve Bankers Mocked Unemployed Americans Behind Closed Doors by Matt Stoller, The Intercept 2017-01-27 In 2011, unemployment was at a near crisis level. The jobless rate was stuck around 9 percent nationally, an unusually high number due to the continuing effects of …
Jan 27 2017
Wishbones, Jawbones, and Backbones
“When I asked grandma what it takes to be successful in life, she said all you need are the three bones: the wishbone, the jawbone, and the backbone. She said the wishbone will keep you hoping and praying because hope is the motivator, but the dream is the driver. The jawbone will give you courage …
Jan 26 2017
Trade 101
How America Could Collapse By Matt Stoller, The Nation July 27, 2011 (T)he global supply chain is so tangled and fragile that next time it could be electronics, weaponry, or even food or medicine. As Lynn noted in an interview with Dylan Ratigan, China controls 100 percent of the national supply of ascorbic acid, which …
Jan 26 2017
A Primer On Trade
Trump Declares TPP Still Dead. So Now What? By Dave Johnson, Crooks and Liars 1/26/17 “Trade” used to be about countries that grow bananas and “developed” countries exchanging bananas for cars and toasters. The banana regions had a “comparative advantage” because the climate favored banana-growing, the developed countries’ advantage was a completed manufacturing ecosystem. Unfortunately …
Jan 25 2017
Chelsea Speaks!
Compromise doesn’t work with our political opponents. When will we learn? by Chelsea E. Manning, The Guardian Wednesday 25 January 2017 Barack Obama left behind hints of a progressive legacy. Unfortunately, despite his faith in our system and his positive track record on many issues over the last eight years, there have been very few …
Jan 24 2017
Resist!
This is not the definitive report on my personal experience, instead it is a piece I found at The Guardian that makes several good points. ‘Millions have done something together’ – why the Women’s March will spark the resistance by Paul Mason. The Guardian Monday 23 January 2017 On Saturday night, for Donald Trump’s inauguration …
Jan 24 2017
Death In The Afternoon
It’s no secret that I don’t have much reverence for Hemingway. The reason Primary and Middle School teachers assign him is because he’s short. The Smoke Like Black Labradors The woman scratched the dog’s ears. In the distance he could see the smoke from the train. The coffee was still too hot. He would have …
Jan 22 2017
Throwball Conference Championships
Just because I’m writing doesn’t mean I have anymore time than I told you about Friday. Tomorrow we are still traveling and posting (at least mine) will be non-existant. Also I’ll not attempt to live blog even the game I like as I’ll be too busy watching it and after it’s over I have a …
Jan 22 2017
The Numbers Game
So when he was in Langley after his visit to the CIA yesterday The Donald falsely claimed that his Inauguration drew about 1 to 1.5 Million people (I hope you don’t ask me for a transcript, nobody seems to have one, here’s a story from the Washington Post instead). Later on Sean Spicer walked back …
Jan 20 2017
Activism! (Women’s March on Washington)
Sigh. This is really TMC’s idea, we were having a story meeting (yeah, I may look like a complete flake but I’m actually classically trained, that’s why I never do obituaries anymore) and I brought up the Women’s March on Washington. She’s like- oh yeah, I’m going to be there; how about you? I never …
Jan 18 2017
Misty Eyed
As in, “Don’t be gettin’ all,” over Barack Obama’s departure. The transition period has been a time to reflect on the failures of his Administration, kind of an anti-Greatest Hits Album of broken promises, missed opportunities, and fecklessness. I’d almost be sorry if it wasn’t clear that Obama’s worst policies weren’t so clearly deliberate and …
Jan 18 2017
Talking With Jeremy Scahill
TMC and I have had the pleasure of meeting Jeremy Schakill twice. The first time was during his book tour for Dirty Wars when he was interviews at The New School by Spencer Ackerman (now of The Guardian– we actually sat next to Spencer’s Mom who was a very nice and charming lady). When we …