July 2011
16 posts
3 tags
How the Deficit Got This Big - NYTimes.com →
The answer is largely the Bush-era tax cuts, war spending in Iraq and Afghanistan, and recessions…
A few lessons can be drawn from the numbers. First, the Bush tax cuts have had a huge damaging effect. If all of them expired as scheduled at the end of 2012, future deficits would be cut by about half, to sustainable levels. Second, a healthy budget requires a healthy economy; recessions...
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New Orleans Top City for Singles →
It’s also pretty great if you’re not single.
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Ellsbury's season may be historically great →
Johnny Damon often smirked that the Red Sox had yet to find someone that could fill his shoes. It took a while, but I’d say they’ve succeeded.
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The Republicans exit history - Roger Ebert's... →
Good overview of today’s Republican Party. But his plea to “declare its independence from its radical fringe and embrace common sense” is wishful thinking as long as the Christian Right is in charge.
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Michele Bachmann Wants You to Know She 'abhors... →
I just want to make it absolutely clear: I abhor slavery.
Just the fact that she’s having to make this statement should tell you all you need to know about Michele Bachmann.
It’s kind of like… I don’t know: Having to tell people you’re not a witch.
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7 Harry Potter Movies In 7 Minutes →
All movies covered except for the recently released Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.
If you haven’t seen the movies I doubt this will be much help. But if you have, and you want a refresher before seeing the finale, it does the job quite well.
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How come you're not watching Harry Potter? →
Or any other movie created since the dawn of time.
Though if your idea of entertainment is watching a promotional video for Sarah Palin disguised as a movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows might be over your head.
“It’s like nobody sings unless they want to be Britney Spears. That’s stupid—we...”
– Matt Haughey
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My Morning Jacket Covers 'Our World' by Emmet... →
Every December, my friend Cara and I would camp in her basement, furiously running through channels on the old slider cable box, passing time until the next showing of Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas,” bassist Tom Blankenship tells SPIN. “It deserves to share legendary status with Rudolph, Frosty, and Charlie Brown.
I’m not a big fan of their cover, but I couldn’t...
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Getting Away with Torture →
This 107-page report presents substantial information warranting criminal investigations of Bush and senior administration officials, including former Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and CIA Director George Tenet, for ordering practices such as “waterboarding,” the use of secret CIA prisons, and the transfer of detainees to countries where they were...
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Netflix Raises Prices →
I’m currently paying 9.99 a month for unlimited streaming plus one dvd out at one time. With the new plans I would have to pay 15.99 to receive that level of service.
Getting DVDs through the mail seemed cutting edge just a few years ago, but now feels almost archaic, so in theory I have no problem with this move.
However, the vast majority of movies I’d like to watch are not...
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Roger Ebert Reviews Harry Potter and the Deathly... →
These films will be around for a long time. And without spoiling a single thing, let me just observe that the final scene clearly leaves an opening for a sequel. I know, Rowling says there won’t be one. Just sayin’.
I’m way too excited about this movie than someone my age should be.
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“In the spring of 1988, I returned to New Orleans, and as soon as I smelled the...”
– Anne Rice
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“So let’s summarize: The economy isn’t fixing itself. Nor are there real...”
– Paul Krugman
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Jon Heyman Hypocritical in Support of Jim... →
Nationals manager Jim Riggleman was vilified in some circles for leaving a job when he had a contract. But Riggleman didn’t leave until well after it became obvious to him he was not wanted….
The move to quit with the Nationals a game over .500 was derided by many who believe that folks should fulfill their contracts (even though nobody believes the reverse, that the employer is...
Understated Patriotism →
For my father, reality is streaked with a deep pride that comes from many generations of living in, believing in, and fighting and dying for the United States of America. What that has instilled within him is a quiet confidence about the nation, as opposed to an insecurity that needs to frequently and publicly assert itself…
It’s easy to express your patriotism by taking off your hat...