"Crash Years" - New Pornographers
Sorry for the radio silence. Got back from Miami yesterday and had to head into the office -- after retrieving Stanley of course -- and then spent the day in Richmond. I see that Obama's jobs bill was filibustered to death. Predictable. And yes, Republicans are deliberately trying to destroy the economy and should be called out on it. But what the fuck is Tester doing, voting with Ben Nelson? Do either of them think that this sort of vote is going to help them in their re-election bids?
- I thought this piece in Mother Jones, highlighting what the one percent make and, more importantly, what they own, is amazingly instructive. In light of it, it seems truly pathetic to see someone like Eric Erickson trying to make common cause with them as someone who is one of the "53%," i.e. someone who pays federal income tax. What a pathetic asshole. And yes, Eric, I pay federal income taxes -- lots and lots of them. Probably more in most years than you make at your "three jobs." Ugh, evidently these guys all think "the 53%" is inspiring and not just comedy gold.
- I did not have a chance to comment on Palin's decision not to run. I had tried to let Roy down gently a couple of weeks ago when we had the pleasure of meeting and having a couple of beers -- it's hard to kill a man's dream. But let's face it, running for president is hard work and if there is anything we have learned about Palin over the last three years it is that she is allergic to hard work. Although she would have fit in nicely with the Republican field, where several other unemployed people -- Gingrich, Santorum, Cain, and Romney -- are also seeking the job.
- This article in the Atlantic by Taylor Branch about the grotesque greed and hyprocrisy of the NCAA and its shameless exploitation of revenue sport athletes (primarily African-American and poor) is well worth a read. It may make pulling for your alma mater a little more difficult on a Saturday afternoon.
- And this is a really chilling article in the New Yorker about how the money of one right wing asshole (James "Art" Pope) can literally transform the political landscape of a state (North Carolina). Read it and weep regarding what our post-Citizens United world could look like.
So who watched the debate? Tell me what else is happening.