Quote of the day II--too important to wait for another day

In an exclusive interview with Yahoo! News and The Huffington Post, Warren Buffet credited his father for teaching him how to live, and explained that all parents can make a "better human being" by offering their children unconditional love: The power of unconditional love. I mean, there is no power on earth like unconditional love. And I think that if you offered that to your child, I mean you’re 90 percent of the way home. There may be days when you don’t feel like it, it’s not uncritical love, that’s a different animal, but to know you can always come back, that is huge in life. That takes you a long, long way. And I would say that every parent out there that can extend that to their child at an early age, it’s going to make for a better human being. Link to original post: http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100708/bs_yblog_upshot/buffett-recounts-the-best-advice-hes-ever-received

Quote of the day--on solitude, nature, clear thinking and what's truly important

"It is in solitude, contemplation and a connection with nature that we transcend the frenzied and desperate existence imposed upon us by the distortions of a commodity culture." --Chris Hedges Link to original article, well worth reading: http://www.alternet.org/environment/147431/hedges:_a_needed_antidote_to_the_worst_of_commodity_culture/

Conservatives vs. Conservatives and the Religious vs. the Religious

There is a terrific article out yesterday in the Kansas City Star about "The two leading Republican candidates for Kansas’ open Senate seat Tuesday night clashed on a central question: Who is the strongest conservative in the race? And this, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly what has been going on in this country and the world far too much in the last decade or more. If you're "Conservative", you have to be ultra-conservative--and prove it, in both religion and politics. If you're a Christian, by gosh, you want to prove that you're out-doing all the other religious people in the world, let alone your own church. I had a roommate once who was raised in an uber-religious, Christian, right-wing family. Fortunately for him--and it was the only way I could have lived with him--he got an education and got away from all that crap. But here's the funny thing--"Mom and Dad" raised the kids to be ultra-religious. Predictable, right? So the other son (there were 2 boys) becomes a minister, for heaven's sake (pun intended). It just couldn't get any better than that, right? But here's the rub: Sonny-boy Minister becomes Uber-Uber right-wing, religious and conservative. What a hoot. He thinks he's more--probably much more--religious, "close to God", conservative, fundamentalist and "holy" than the folks. They've been outdone. It's insane. Each one trying to outdo the other, in a competitive, religious way. And that is what is, fortunately for the rest of us clear thinkers, tearing apart the Republican Party, what with the breakaway Libertarians and now the "Tea Party", etc., etc. They all want to go further "Right" and outdo the other. And that's just what Todd Tiahrt and Jerry Moran did last night, apparently, at this debate. And that's what the Sunnis and Shii'as do in the Middle East, in Iraq and thereabouts. Only they kill each other. You'd just be very hard pressed to get the Republicans, either of these 2 candidates or any Christian or group of Christians to see the similarities between them and the Muslims killing one another. Did you know there is incredibly little difference in doctrine between the Sunnis and Shii'a Muslims? Yeah, there is. BUT THEY KILL EACH OTHER. It's insane but it's what they do and, to date, there is no stopping them. Same with Republicans, in a lesser way (--though no killing. Yet. That we know of). They keep shredding their political party but there's no stopping them, God bless their shiny little heads. We got rid of Communism, virtually worldwide and its supposedly life-threatening nature and at first I thought it was going to be the gays that would get demonized to the exclusion of all others but no. It's conservatives and fundamentalists in religions and political parties that are tearing each other apart. And you know what? May they have at it as long as they wish. Link to original story: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/07/06/2067255/moran-and-tiahrt-debate-whos-the.html

Worshiping rich people--guest post (my thoughts exactly)

"Why the hell are we the only culture in the whole goldurned world where it's seen as a political risk to abandon the people who are responsible for causing widespread economic hardship?" And all this got me thinking about the super-weird "We-Must-Be-Nice-to-Rich-People" doctrine that has run through our national discourse since the 1980s. Go here--read the rest of this: http://crooksandliars.com/brad-reed/americas-weird-we-must-be-nice-rich-peop

Why we love Michael Steele (and heck, the Republicans right now, for that matter)

I love this guy. Mr. Steele, whatever you do, don't go anywhere. His top 5 worst gaffes: 1. Obama's Afghan war can’t be won Speaking at a Connecticut fundraiser last week, Steele misstated the history of the Afghan conflict, which began on George W. Bush’s watch shortly after the 9/11 attacks. He told a crowd of GOP supporters that Obama had prosecuted the war. “This is not something the United States had actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in,” he said. Steele also implied the war can’t be won. “If he’s such a student of history, has he not understood that, you know, the one thing you don’t do is engage in a land war in Afghanistan?” Steele said of Obama. “Everyone who has tried, over a thousand years of history, has failed.” 2. Rush Limbaugh is "an entertainer," "incendiary," "ugly" In a March 2009 interview with CNN, Steele was asked about the White House’s position that Rush Limbaugh was the leader of the GOP. He strongly denied that claim, insisting that he was the party’s top leader. “Rush Limbaugh is an entertainer. Rush Limbaugh's whole thing is entertainment,” Steele said. And he trashed Limbaugh’s over-the-top remarks about Obama. “Yes, it is incendiary. Yes, it is ugly,” Steele said, prompting Limbaugh to declare Steele as unfit to lead the party. Steele later apologized to Limbaugh, insisting he did not want to “diminish his voice.” Later, he strangely suggested the Limbaugh flap had been “strategic” on his part. “It may look like a mistake, a gaffe. (But) there is a rationale, there’s a logic behind it,” he said. 3. Abortion is an “individual choice” In an interview with GQ’s Lisa DePaulo, Steele said abortion is “absolutely … an individual choice” and said the question of legality should be settled by the states. The comments prompted criticism from several top social conservatives, including Gov. Mike Huckabee. Steele, who is pro-life, later said his words had been taken out of context. 4. The RNC's lavish, X-rated, obscene spending In March, Steele was forced to apologize after a fundraising report revealed the RNC had spent nearly $2,000 on a donor event at Voyeur, a bondage-themed West Hollywood nightclub. Steele has said he didn’t know anything about the event, or the specifics of the expenditures involved. But the scandal fueled criticism that Steele hasn’t been a good steward of the RNC’s cash. Detractors say he’s blown more cash than he’s brought in, as he struggles to land big checks from major donors. 5. Is the GOP ready to govern? "I don't know" Perhaps the most important role of a party chairman is to be a cheerleader for candidates and their campaigns, even in the most dire circumstances. But in January, Steele told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that not only was he not sure if the GOP would regain control of Congress, he wasn’t sure if Republicans were ready to govern. “Are we ready? I don’t know,” Steele said. Candidates “looking to run” have to hew to the GOP's core principles, he added. “If they don’t, they’ll get to Washington, and they’ll start drinking that Potomac River water and they’ll get drunk with power.” Link to original post: http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100706/el_yblog_upshot/michael-steele-screws-up-again-can-he-survive

If you still listen to Rush "Porkulus" Limbaugh, proof why you have to stop

What do we have to do with "Rush listeners"? Have an intervention?

You probably think you know where this poll of Americans is going--but you don't

What you're sure of and what we expect: 52% of the undecideds in the Senate race disapprove of President Obama to 35% who like the job he's doing. They don't think much of the Democrats in Congress either- only 26% have a like the job they're doing. But what you don't know and don't expect: Those numbers might seem bad- but they pale in comparison to how negatively those voters feel about Congressional Republicans- only 10% approve of the job they're doing while 61% disapprove. So these voters are down on President Obama and the Democratic majority- but their most negatives feelings are toward the Republican minority. Fortunately, Republicans are both in a world of hurt AND they're tearing each other apart, along with the job Libertarians and Tea Party members are doing to them. Man, this is getting good. Link to original article: http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2010/07/undecideds-in-ohio.html

Ladies and gentlemen, RNC Chairman Michael Steele

"It ain't easy when you're running a Ponzi scheme of stupid." --Michael Steele, Republican National Committee Chairman

Quote of the day--it's all agin' us

"It's a shitty world and the fix is in. The drinks are watered, the decks are stacked and the laws are cobwebs for the rich and chains for the poor. You can eat all you want, but that's because they know you'll just fill up on bread. The House always wins and democracy means you get to choose between two straight male protestant businessmen who went to school together. Meanwhile the oil rigs explode and the wars go on and the taxpayers pay the bankers' bonuses because a contract's a contract. In sæculum, et in sæculum sæculi. Like the Jerk said, it's a profit deal, and anyone who tells you different is either protecting you or they don't know what they're talking about." And get this--it's actually from a comedian, writing comedy. I love this guy. Link to original post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-kelly/i-love-america-because-no_b_635696.html

Quote of the year?

"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness." - John Kenneth Galbraith.

Finally, Washington is catching up with us

From The Huffington Post, Rep. Barney Frank and Rep. Ron Paul, just now: Why We Must Reduce Military Spending As members of opposing political parties, we disagree on a number of important issues. But we must not allow honest disagreement over some issues to interfere with our ability to work together when we do agree. By far the single most important of these is our current initiative to include substantial reductions in the projected level of American military spending as part of future deficit reduction efforts. For decades, the subject of military expenditures has been glaringly absent from public debate. Yet the Pentagon budget for 2010 is $693 billion -- more than all other discretionary spending programs combined. Even subtracting the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, military spending still amounts to over 42% of total spending. It is irrefutably clear to us that if we do not make substantial cuts in the projected levels of Pentagon spending, we will do substantial damage to our economy and dramatically reduce our quality of life. Welcome to the party, boys. Now, make it happen.

Wal-Mart, your local banker, redux

I wrote about this last year--Wal-Mart, huge retail everything company, next up to take over cheep banking. Don't say you weren't warned. Wal-Mart Isn't A Bank. Yet. July 6, 2010 by JACOB GOLDSTEIN Sam's Club, a division of Wal-Mart, will work with a finance company to offer loans of up to $25,000 to small businesses, the company said today. It's the latest in the company's move into the world of finance. When Wal-Mart applied for a bank charter a few years ago, regulators said no. A charter would have allowed Wal-Mart to take deposits and make loans. But that rejection hasn't stopped the company from significantly expanding its financial offerings. The actual lending in the new program will be done by Superior Financial Group, a federally regulated lender. But Sam's Club is promoting the loans, and members will get a discount on the application fee and on the interest rate. And Sam's Club may expand the types of loans it offers through third parties, the New York Times reported over the weekend. One company, over all, indivisible. Shut up and eat. Link to original post: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2010/07/06/128333221/wal-mart-isn-t-a-bank-yet-but-it-s-getting-there

Health care reforms that kick in today

•--Allowing young adults to stay on their parents' coverage until they turn 26. In 2011, an estimated 650,000 young people who would otherwise have been uninsured will gain coverage. Another 600,000 will benefit by switching from individually purchased policies to less costly, more comprehensive employer plans. The number with coverage will grow in 2012 and 2013. --A health plan for uninsured people with pre-existing health conditions. From 200,000 to 400,000 could benefit in 2011, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The government may limit enrollment if $5 billion allocated through 2013 starts to run out, as projected. Beginning in 2014, insurers will be required to accept all applicants, regardless of medical history. --Ending lifetime limits on coverage, and restricting annual limits. As many as 20,400 people a year hit lifetime limits, as did Mira Raether. Many more — an estimated 102 million — are in plans that impose such limits and will no longer be able to do so. --Requiring insurers to cover children with medical problems. An estimated 51,000 uninsured children are expected to gain coverage. Another 90,000 children who have been excluded for coverage for a particular condition — asthma, for example — will also benefit. What about this seems like a bad idea? Really, why didn't we require this of insurance companies from the 1950's on, other than the fact that they and their lobbyists and their lobbyists money bought our Congress--and we let them do it? Link to original post: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100705/ap_on_bi_ge/us_expanding_health_insurance

Independence Day, 2010

We need, one day soon, to declare a new "Independence Day" in and for the United States--a day when the US is independent of stupid, pointless, costly, ugly, virtually insane, foreign, intrusive, unwinnable wars.

Quote of the day

The best and most appropriate response to al-Qaeda’s September 11 raid, then, would have been a unilateral US punitive expedition that inflicted massive death and destruction on the enemy and delivered a clear warning to Islamists not to pick fights with the United States. Indeed, many Islamists expected this response, which is why they poured vitriol on bin Laden and expected the US military to set back their movement a decade, if it did not destroy it completely. Faced with this criticism, bin Laden simply said ‘wait,’ adding (in paraphrase) that the Americans and their allies can’t stomach casualties, that they won’t use their full military power and will unite Afghans by trying to Westernize them via popular elections, installing women’s rights, dismantling tribalism, introducing secularism and establishing NGO-backed bars and whorehouses in Kabul. Bin Laden was right; it seems he is, among other things, a keen student of the West’s past nation-building operations. Link to original post: http://the-diplomat.com/2010/07/01/why-west-lost-afghan-war/

Why the West Lost the Afghan War (guest post)

Please consider Why West Lost Afghan War by Michael Scheuer, the author of ‘Imperial Hubris’ and former chief of the CIA’s Bin Laden Issue Station. Recent events surrounding Afghanistan shouldn’t confuse anyone, as the reality of the situation still lies in one simple statement: The US-NATO coalition has lost a war its political leaders never meant, or knew how, to win. After nine years, it is utterly impossible to restart Western policy in Afghanistan. Too many Afghans are dead; too many Afghans and non-Afghan Muslims have joined the Taliban-led insurgency; too much pro-Taliban money is pouring into Afghanistan from wealthy donors on the Arabian Peninsula and across the Muslim world; too much Western funding has been stolen and sent abroad by Karzai’s cronies; too much popular support for the war in the West has been squandered; too many U.S.-NATO troops are dead or maimed; too much has been done by the West to push Pakistan toward the abyss by demanding its military do Western dirty work; and too much time has been wasted on counterinsurgency theories and policies that avoid killing the enemy and his civilian supporters. The one thing the West ‘can start over completely’ is a revision of the plans for withdrawal that moves up the departure date. The bottom line is that the United States and NATO stand defeated in Afghanistan. Under McChrystal, Petraeus, or Obama himself the counterinsurgency strategy now being flogged has been intellectually bankrupt from its inception. The tragedy of this reality is that it would have taken no highly classified intelligence data or deeply penetrating brain power to predict its occurrence. A week’s reading at the local library about the occupations of Afghanistan by Alexander the Great, the British Empire and the Soviet Union shows each empire was sooner or later defeated and evicted—Alexander lasted longest because he built Greek colonies—by the most basic Afghan trait which has been transparently and overwhelmingly dominant since the 4th century B.C.: Afghans refuse to tolerate foreign occupation and rule. We should declare the war won and get the hell out. Instead, even Democrats who fully understand how stupid this war is, are willing to vote for it after pressure from Pelosi. Is this insane or what? Mike "Mish" Shedlock http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com One day soon, maybe we can declare another, new "Independence Day"--that is, independent of foreign, pointless, costly, ugly, ignorant war and wars. Here's hoping. Enjoy your holiday and long weekend, everyone.

A new direction of this blog--out of Afghanistan

When I first began this blog, it was because the George W. Bush administration was acting in such disgusting, blatantly wrong ways for this country I couldn't hold it in and wanted to say something about it. On the side, I would point out things going on in the country, occasionally the world and then more locally, here in the Kansas City metropolitan area and Missouri. Our murder rate was one thing, in particular, that I have felt I needed to write of, especially because the mayor, his office, City Hall, the City Council and local church and community leaders were doing and saying nearly nothing about it. So, today, I have to declare a new, added direction for me and this blog. That is, I'm writing to point out why we need to get out of Iraq and Afghanistan and end our wars in both countries. Today it's Afghanistan. "Every dollar we spend in Afghanistan, every life we waste there, is a waste," --Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y. "An intelligent policy is not to try to remake a country that nobody since Genghis Khan has managed to conquer. What makes us think, what arrogance gives us the right to assume that we can succeed where the Moguls, the British, the Soviets failed?" He couldn't be more right. Link to original post: http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/07/house-holds-nose-passes-war-funding.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MishsGlobalEconomicTrendAnalysis+%28Mish%27s+Global+Economic+Trend+Analysis%29

On this day, July 2, 1776--The Declaration of Independence

Today, officially, in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed. That, of course, is basically what we celebrate each year with our "Independence Day" and "4th of July" celebrations. And here is the 2nd sentence of that important document, of which we are all so familiar: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. And we're so proud of that. Right? But let's be clear, folks--we can repeat that line and we can be proud of it, sure, but this nation, the United States of America, has NEVER believed and exercised that "all men are created equal". Let's be serious and honest here. Women fought for years to get their equality. Then African-Americans had to fight for over 300 years to get theirs. And even to this day there are people fighting for the very equal rights of simply being able to visit their "significant other" in the hospital and the right to inherit, should they die and finally, of course, for the very equal right to commit to and marry whomever they please, whatever their sex. So don't for a minute think that the United States is now or ever has been a place where "all men"--all people--"are created equal". It's bullshit. We never have been and we still aren't, right up to today. That said, enjoy your holiday weekend anyway, folks, but let's keep pushing for what we could be--for what we think we are and for what we tell everyone we are and already have.

Hard data on the US military and Dept. of Defense--and a challenge for America

"the Pentagon..." has "perhaps the single largest public relations apparatus on earth – spending $4.7 billion on P.R. in 2009 alone and employing 27,000 people, a staff nearly as large as the 30,000-person State Department..." "...most of the major TV outlets are completely in the bag for the Pentagon, with two of them (NBC/GE and Logan's own CBS, until recently owned by Westinghouse, one of the world's largest nuclear weapons manufacturers) having operated for years as leaders in both the broadcast media and weapons-making businesses." That should make you feel good, right? "Does the fact that the country is basically barred from seeing dead bodies on TV, or the fact that an embedded reporter in a war zone literally cannot take a shit without a military attaché at his side (I'm not joking: while embedded at Camp Liberty in Iraq, I had to be escorted from my bunk to the latrine) really provide the working general with the security and peace of mind he needs to do his job effectively?" So here's the final question and challenge: "What the hell are we doing in Afghanistan? Is it worth all the bloodshed and the hatred? Who are the people running this thing, what is their agenda, and is that agenda the same thing we voted for? By the severely unlikely virtue of a drunken accident we get a tiny glimpse of an answer to some of these vital questions, but instead of cheering this as a great break for our profession, a waytago moment, one so-called reputable journalist after another lines up to protest the leak and attack the reporter for doing his job. God, do you all suck!" Link to original article: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/matt-taibbi/blogs/TaibbiData_May2010/122137/83512

New report on "Child Food Insecurity": Missouri in top, worst 5

From the internet just now: Child Food Insecurity in the United States: 2006-2008 was funded by the ConAgra Foods Foundation, Feeding America’s exclusive Leadership Partner in the Fight to End Child Hunger. The study includes a comprehensive list of state rankings that also names Missouri, Mississippi, Georgia, Maine, South Carolina, Florida and Oregon, as well as the District of Columbia, at the top of the list. Like we give a damn. Link to original post: http://feedingamerica.org/our-network/the-studies/child-food-insecurity.aspx Link to complete study: http://feedingamerica.org/our-network/the-studies/~/media/Files/research/state-child-hunger-2010.ashx?.pdf

2 HuffPo articles on the "Tea Party" and its lack of a future

The first headline: Lindsey Graham On Tea Party: 'Just Unsustainable,' No 'Coherent Vision,' Will 'Die Out' Here's hoping he's right. I believe he is. And a quote from the second by writer Richard Geldard: It is a misnomer to call the Tea Party a protest movement. It's just a bumper sticker movement spawned in irrational anger but without coherent protest. Genuine protest produces poetry, not slogans. And then, once it's dead, let's hope these people reclaim their mantlehood of and as Americans and they rejoin the rest of us--Conservatives, Libertarians and yes, even the Liberals, Leftists, Moderates and all others of various beliefs, colors, creeds and sexual orientations, and help us both define and then solve our problems. Link to original posts here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/01/lindsey-graham-on-tea-par_n_632480.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-geldard/why-the-tea-party-has-no_b_632658.html

Democrats said to have 4 top cities selected for 2012 National Convention (MO?)

From HuffPo tonight: WASHINGTON -- Recognizing that President Barack Obama faces serious challenges in the Midwest he carried not two years ago, the Democratic National Committee on Wednesday picked three heartland cities and just one in the Republican-friendly South to consider for its 2012 nominating convention. The cities are Cleveland, St. Louis, Minneapolis and Charlotte, N.C. At least they're considering St. Louis--somewhere in Missouri. Link to original post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/01/democratic-convention-201_n_632177.html

USA today: Cities brace for Summer crime

There is a good, if brief, article in USA Today today (that sounds odd) about different US cities getting ready, unfortunately, for virtually inevitable upticks in Summer shootings, murders and crime. How sad. How unfortunate. It would be nice if we were better than this but it still happens, year after year. They point out, rather nicely, how different cities around the country have different programs for families, teenagers, churches and other groups in their communities, in an effort to keep down these awful statistics. Chicago seems to have it worst, nationally: At least 26 people were shot here last weekend. The previous weekend, more than 50 people were shot and at least 10 died. Horrible. But check it out--at least they're trying to do something about it: "We're in a very vulnerable and crazy time, and we're just beginning summer," says Mike Pfleger, a Catholic priest whose church, St. Sabina, is among 40 Chicago churches serving as safe havens this summer. From July 6 through Aug. 6, the churches will provide meals, activities and mentors to 5- to 17-year-old youngsters six days a week to try to build "a culture of calm." And the article showed that, from city to city, from Dayton, Ohio to Boston, to Kalamazoo and little Newburgh, New York, the cities and community groups were organizing to try to do things to help keep the murder rates and shootings and other crimes down. So naturally, for me, it circled back to Kansas City and I just have to try, here, one more time by asking WHY ISN'T THE MAYOR, CITY HALL, THE CITY COUNCIL AND OUR CHURCH AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERS TRYING TO ORGANIZE BETTER, COLLECTIVELY, TO KEEP OUR MURDER AND CRIME RATES DOWN, HERE IN KANSAS CITY?? Why, people? Link to original article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-06-30-summer-violence_N.htm

Quote of the day--on Washington, our representatives and financial reform

From The New York Times Book Review, last Sunday: Politicians in Washington are mesmerized by Wall Street campaign dollars and terrified of being branded 'socialists.' To our peril, I might add. Link to original post: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/27/books/review/Barrett-t.html

Supreme Court nomination proceedings, from now on

Thre's an article out right now on The Huffington Post about Senator Arlen Specter telling Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan that her testimony was a bit of a waste of time and that it--the testimony--and Ms. Kagan hadn't been "substantive". Well, I've got news for you, Senator Specter--and the rest of the United States, for that matter--Supreme Court testimony for nominations will, from now on and for perpetuity, be exactly like this. Nothing will really be said and no commitments will be made, no matter the nominee, no matter the nominator. Sure, partly it's due to reaction of the whole Robert Bork debacle, years ago, but, at the same time, it's also due to the nature of courts and being a Supreme Court judge. All the nominee can do is say that they--whoever they are and whatever their politics or beliefs--won't bring their beliefs and prejudices into the court and then say it again and again. They will also have to repeat, ad infinitum, that they will weigh each case on its merits. Get used to it, folks. This is the shape of things to come, for ever and ever, amen. Link to original post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/30/specter-gets-frustrated-w_n_630952.html?igoogle=1

Republicans and their "solutions"

"Their prescription for every challenge is pretty much the same — and I don't think I'm exaggerating here: basically cut taxes for the wealthy, cut rules for corporations and cut working folks loose to fend for themselves." --President Obama today in Racine, WI. And who can deny it? Link to original post: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_obama;_ylt=AgRGhrV8SM57B.NYvGaiynas0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTM5ZDZjbjlnBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNjMwL3VzX29iYW1hBGNjb2RlA21vc3Rwb3B1bGFyBGNwb3MDMgRwb3MDMTAEcHQDaG9tZV9jb2tlBHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcnkEc2x

Okay, so are Missourians supposed to be mad about this or what?

According to a KMBC News article on their site right now: Missouri has made a list of 10 states most likely to ticket drivers. The National Motorists Association said it came up with the rankings based on searches using Google's Search Insights, which shows state-by-state search trends across the country. The state most likely to hand drivers traffic tickets is Florida, followed by Georgia and Nevada. Missouri ranked No. 6 on the list. Top 10 States Most Likely To Ticket Drivers: 1. Florida 2. Georgia (tie) 3. Nevada (tie) 4. Texas 5. Alabama 6. Missouri 7. New York 8. North Carolina 9. District of Columbia 10. New Jersey The NMA found drivers are least likely to get a traffic ticket in Montana. So my question is, are we supposed to care? Is this bad? Good? Are we supposed to be angry or what? It seems like you're only angry if you have a high likelihood of breaking the law. The rest of us are good with this. Link to original post: http://www.kmbc.com/news/24096774/detail.html

Quote of the day --on Citigroup (or as Bill Maher says "Shittygroup")

"Citigroup...repeatedly rescued by the government since the Great Depression...shouldn't continue in its current unmanageable form...Any bank that needs that much help doesn't deserve to exist." --Nouriel Roubini and Stephen Milm, from their new book "Crisis Economics: A Crash Course in the Future of Finance", quoted from The New York Times Book Review this past Sunday

Quote of the day--just to stir up trouble

Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law. -Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dr. Thomas Cooper, February 10, 1814

Kansas City and Missouri: Getting respect (sort of)

Two new surveys are out today--one on cities to visit in the Summer and one on obesity in the US. Good news, too, on both (mostly). Kansas City ranks 17th for cities to visit in the Summer Hey, it could be worse, right? Besides, rather ignorantly, they don't even mention our art galleries, theater or restaurants, as attractions. And Missouri isn't in the top 10 for most obese states in the US. (Unfortunately, we are number 12. Oops. Kansas is only marginally better at 16. Come on, people.) Yeehaw! Both are good news, as I said, I think. Unfortunately for America, however, the obesity rankings show that it--obesity--has jumped up in 28 states, including Missouri, Kansas and too many surrounding states: "More than two-thirds of states now have adult obesity rates above 25 percent," Jeff Levi, executive director of the Trust for America's Health, said during a Tuesday news conference. "Back in 1991, not that long ago, not a single state had an obesity rate above 20 percent. There's been a dramatic change in a relatively short period." "Obesity is one of the biggest public health crises in the country," Levi added. "Rising rates of obesity over past decades is one of the major factors behind skyrocketing health care costs in the U.S., one-quarter of which are related to obesity." Mississippi weighed in for the sixth year in a row as the fattest state, with 33.8 percent of its adults obese, while Alabama and Tennessee tied for second (31.6 percent). The other top 10, also concentrated in the south, were West Virginia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Arkansas, South Carolina and Michigan tying with North Carolina for 10th place (29.4 percent). The healthiest states in terms of weight were congregated in the Northeast and West. In addition to geographic and economic differences, this year's report also focused on racial and ethnic disparities, finding that blacks and Latinos bear the brunt of the obesity problem. Blacks and Latinos outweighed whites in at least 40 states plus D.C. Important stuff to know. Now, for solutions. Link to the original report on obesity here: http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2010/Obesity2010Report.pdf