Noted economist Joseph Stiglitz on the "Occupy Wall Street" protests

"You are right to be indignant. The fact is the system is not working right. It is not right that we have so many people without jobs when we have so many needs that we have to fulfill. It’s not right that we are throwing people out of their houses when we have so many homeless people. Our financial markets have an important role to play. They’re supposed to allocate capital, manage risks. But they misallocated capital, and they created risk. We are bearing the cost of their misdeeds. There’s a system where we’ve socialized losses and privatized gains. That’s not capitalism; that’s not a market economy. That’s a distorted economy, and if we continue with that, we won’t succeed in growing, and we won’t succeed in creating a just society." --Joseph Stiglitz, Economist to the "Occupy Wall Street" protesters. Links: http://dangerousintersection.org/2011/10/06/economist-joseph-stiglitz-speaks-to-the-wall-street-occupiers/; http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/09/3196907/hundreds-march-in-kc-occupy-movement.html#storylink=omni_popular

On the Chiefs: The bookies were wrong

The bookies and Vegas and the odds were set yesterday and called for the Chiefs to lose. We were right, those of us who called it against the Colts. After all, as I said last week, their quarterback was out. Sure, they have tough games and a tough season ahead of them but for now, that's two wins in a row. And after all, all we have is now, right? Link: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/09/3197595/chiefs-bounce-back-after-another.html

Skies, Benton's and the Peppercorn Duck Club: Is it out that they'll be gone soon?

A friend told me this weekend that Skies, Benton's and the Peppercorn Duck Club, in Crown Center, are all to be shut down by December 1. If you're a big fan--and I'm a big fan of Skies views of the city--you'd better get there as soon and frequently as you want now. It may be well known in town but I hadn't heard anything of it until now.

Quote of the day

"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." --Albert Einstein

Truth be told: Even American Soldiers are against our wars

Out of Afghanistan now. Ten years is far too long.

If you haven't seen the movie "Inside Job"

As an American, you need to see this film. It documents what people, companies and our government did up to, during and after the 2008 financial meltdown that emanated from Wall Street. It tells very clearly what the "Occupy Wall Street" people are either fighting or should be fighting. It is fascinating and disturbing, at least. It is also further proof of what I've said for some time, too. It's documented and documentable proof that we need to get Goldman Sachs--and everyone like them--out of our government, along with "campaign contributions." Then, after you've seen it (rent it?), get out there and have a great weekend. Enjoy that beautiful, comfortable Autumn weather. Link: http://www.insidejobmovie.com.au/

On Solyndra and that 535 million dollars we "loaned" them

About those two executives of the solar panel company, Solyndra, and the $535 million we loaned them. Remember they were taken before Congress and asked questions about the money and all they--we--got in answers to the questions were "I'll take the fifth"? Yeah, well, I have to say, I hope this is being pursued to see if those two--or anyone, really--did anything remotely illegal with and/or about that half-a-billion dollars they got. I hope this is being pursued. I see where the Department of Energy official who set this debacle up is leaving the agency. I hope our government isn't just walking away from this episode without seeing if anything illegal was done. I'd like to look into getting some--most?--of that money back. I hope SOMEBODY is looking into this. Link: http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2011/10/energy-department-official-involved-solyndra-controversy-resigns/43431/

USA Today on Chiefs vs. Colts

Between the fact that the Chiefs are 1-3 on the season vs. the Indianapolis Colts' 0 and 4 and that they don't have their quarterback, I figured we have a pretty good chance to make this season a 2 and 3 ranking after the weekend's game, even if it is being played in Indy. According to USA Today? Not so. They're predictors--Bodog.net and Sagarin--call it for the Colts either by 3 or by 4.67, respectively. Yikes. I hope it turns out otherwise, of course. Good luck and go Chiefs!

Unending War---Is this who we've become?

We won't get out until we--the people--demand it. Side note: I miss the old, intelligent Republican Party that was for a strong and bright America and that was less polarized.

10 years in Afghanistan

And to what end? Are they better for it? I hope so. We certainly aren't. We need a plan. We need a resolution. Endless war makes no sense.

Bright child (from the "Occupy Wall Street" protests)

It's a fact.

Quote of the day

"We have the most legally corrupt political system in the world." --Jeffrey Sachs, American economist and Director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University. Links: http://www.earth.columbia.edu/articles/view/1804; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Sachs

"11 Things Wrong with Congress"

Yes, there is an article out right now (see link below), stating just that--11 Things Wrong with Congress." I assume they stopped there to be brief. I think it great to point out. There more people that see it, the better: 1) Too many rich people; 2) Automatic pay raises; 3) Gold plated benefits; 4) Free parking (is this nit-picking?); 5) Earmarks; 6) Speeches to nobody; 7) Lack of competition; 8) No penalty for ignorance; 9) Lobbyists (ABOLUTELY. And their money); 10) The media; 11) Voters. We need to fix this thing called Congress and our government, absolutely. Link: http://www.usnews.com/news/slideshows/11-things-wrong-with-congress/2

CEO pay comparison

It speaks for itself. This is yet another example of why the rich should be taxed at least 3 to 4% higher than the rest of the nation. There are so many issues here, it's nearly overwhelming. This is insanity and no way to run a country.

Great question for Republican leaders but for the nation, too

"What sort of person does not think there is anything wrong with asking the folks that are tasked with teaching our children to take a 20% cut on a $50,000.00 salary but think it's a terrible idea to ask millionaires..." and billionaires "to pay an additional 3% in taxes?" --from a friend's Facebook page today.

The Party of "No"

Ain't it the truth? In the meantime, Americans go without jobs. Republican leaders in Washington fiddle.

Quote of the day

"Concentration of income, wealth, and power at the very top is undermining our economy and destroying our democracy." --Robert Reich, Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley, served in three national administrations, most recently as secretary of labor under President Bill Clinton, writer (thirteen books, including The Work of Nations, Locked in the Cabinet, Supercapitalism, and his most recent book, "Aftershock"). His "Marketplace" commentaries can be found on publicradio.com and iTunes. He is also Common Cause's board chairman. Link: http://robertreich.org/

On the 10th anniversary of our Afghan War

"We still have a choice today: nonviolent coexistence, or violent co-annihilation. We must move past indecision to action. If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight." --Martin Luther King Jr. delivered 4 April 1967, Riverside Church, New York City. Link: http://october2011.org/

Famine--the real obscenity

So what are we going to do about it? Link:

Churches just want to be able to discriminate, that's all

The Supreme Court in Washington began hearing the case today (Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church vs. EEOC, see link, below) about the church who--get this--wants to be able to discriminate against its employees for whatever reason they deem fit (sexuality, age, disability, etc.) because they're supposed to be left alone by the state via the Constitution. Boy, that's a beauty. Sure, they also want tax deductions from that same state for the same reasons, then they want money from that same government in the form of "Faith-based initiatives", thanks to that last, ignorant administration out of the White House and now this. They really want everything. They want to have that cake and eat it, too. How a church could even remotely request, let alone demand, as they are here, that discrimination laws shouldn't apply to them is beyond the pale. It seems this Lutheran church isn't aware of that Jesus Christ guy and what he said and stood for. Sheesh. Link: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/10/supreme-court-church-state-conflict-schools.html

RIP Steve Jobs

Love him or hate him, a brilliant, brilliant man. Truly a visionary.

"America's Most Dangerous Cities"---and we ain't on it

Yes, another new list out, this one also by Forbes Magazine and in spite of what some people--some locals, (Tony?)--might think, Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas--both, are no where on the list. (Link: http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efel45mde/1-detroit-mich#content?partner=yahoore). By contrast, on their "Best Places for Careers and Business" list, Des Moines, IA is number two while Cedar Rapids from that same state is number 11. Also on the list are Lincoln, Nebraska at 12 and Omahama at 20. St. Loo, across the state, hits at 23. Oklahoma City gets in at 28. Even the twin cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul gets in ahead of Kansas City at their number 34 ranking. (More: Little Rock, AR, 41, Indianapolis, IN at 43, Tulsa, OK, 46). Kansas City isn't on the list in the top 50. The good news? We're safer, maybe, than we thought. The bad? We don't coddle business enough, I guess. Link: http://www.forbes.com/2011/06/27/best-places-11-top-50_slide.html

This evening's entertainment

As soon as I heard David Gray's album, "Babylon", back in 1999, I was hooked. Clearly he was a great writer, singer and performer. This piece is a favorite but, truth is, each song on the album is terrific, rare as that is. If you don't know him or the album, you might check it out. Have a great evening, y'all.

About that helicopter crash in Jefferson City

You may have heard that this helicopter--a Seahawk--was crossing the US last weekend and ended up crashing in Jefferson City. Keeping in mind that it was a 38 million dollar aircraft, in the first place, and only had "20 hours of flight service" on it, according to the news, I sure hope the military has a buyer's warranty on that thing from the manufacturer. I know I'd demand it. Link: http://www.fultonsun.com/news/2011/oct/01/helicopter-crashes-jefferson-city-airport/

Andy Rooney? And Wikileaks?

Andy Rooney, of CBS News' famous "60 Minutes" news program retired, of sorts, Sunday evening as I think so many people know so he gave a bit of a goodbye talk. In it, he said "I believe that if all the truth in the world, it would be a better place to live." Now I ask you, does that not sound like something Wikileaks founder Julian Assange would say or has already said? As an example: “The aim of Wikileaks is to achieve just reform around the world and do it through the mechanism of transparency.” I would never have thought someone like Andy Rooney would sound even remotely like that. Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Assange; http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/julian_assange.html; http://anitasnotebook.com/misc/julian-assange-from-wikileaks-quotes

Gasoline in the area

Gas is, right now, $3.09 per gallon in Smithville. I assume it's like that also on the East side of the city but haven't confirmed yet. Anyway, there's news out today that oil is also going further down, on current news. With this, it seems like only a (short?) matter of time until we're under $3.00 a gallon again. To tell you the truth, at the rate it's falling locally, I wouldn't be surprised if by this weekend--or early next week at latest--we hit that mark and get $2.99 or less. Stay tuned. Link: http://www.omaha.com/article/20111004/AP05/301039969

Fantastic performers and performances

These 2 guys are known simply as 2Cellos. I saw their work first when they did their rendition of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal". I love their work. Enjoy.

On Japan's tsunami

I heard a statistic last evening on television that the Japanese tsunami that struck there last March moved the entire island 8 feet to the East. Yikes.

Gandhi's 7 Dangers to Human Virtue

1. Wealth without work; 2. Pleasure without conscience; 3. Knowledge without character; 4. Business without ethics; 5. Science without humanity; 6. Religion without sacrifice; 7. Politics without principle. (With thanks to long-time friend Dennis S. for this).

Quote of the day

“There are no excuses left,” Chris Hedges writes in a piece reprinted from the site Truthdig, where he has a regular column. "Either you obstruct, in the only form left to us, which is civil disobedience, the plundering by the criminal class on Wall Street and accelerated destruction of the ecosystem that sustains the human species, or become the passive enabler of a monstrous evil." Link: http://www.truthdig.org