Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

Death by shoe

Shoe-Hurling Iraqi Becomes a Folk Hero – NYTimes.com Sweg said it sooner than me: It is clear that this is an episode of non-violent civil disobedience even if a certain element would prefer to paint it in a more menacing light. I am unaware of any reported deaths by shoe. But there does seem to […]

The Point at which I stopped giving Barry O the benefit of the doubt

As quoted by Greg Sargent: I am fierce advocate for equality for gay and — well, let me start by talking about my own views. I think it is no secret that I am a fierce advocate for equality for gay and lesbian Americans. It is something I have been consistent on and something I […]

What helps the real economy?

rdan(hat tip ataxingmatter) Start Making Sense notes: In 2004, Congress enacted a temporary dividends received deduction for U.S. multinationals that repatriated foreign earnings. Under the temporary DRD, the tax rate on dividends from foreign subsidiaries effectively was lowered from as high as 35 percent to just 5.25 percent, but only for dividends during a 12-month […]

Biting satire

by James Flannery Screw You Haikus, Take Two Bubba in Ford Truck made by Percy in Detroit barks, “buy American!” Percy in Nissan made by Bubba in Dixie scoffs, “Fords really suck!” The end of NASCAR— that might turn Alabama blue in a hurry Clinton, born Redneck, sought to feign the aristocrat revealed a Redneck […]

Caught Between the Union Incompetence and Management Incompetence

by cactus Caught Between the Union Incompetence and Management Incompetence I was just talking to my Dad. He had an interesting take on the whole Big 3 bail-out, and I figured I’d try to pass along what he said as best I can: When I was 18, I was elected a union representative. This was […]

ANGRY BEAR’S ECONOMIC ROUNDUP

DECEMBER 14-20, 2008 Key economic news, data, reports, and other information in the rapidly changing economy. Your suggestions and links in comments will be updated periodically in the main post. ANGRY BEAR’S ECONOMIC ROUNDUPDECEMBER 14-20, 2008 Economic Forecast This week Economic Forecast Next week FRBNY National Economic Indicators Calendar AFP ECON WATCH: Brief Overview of […]

GAO US Government financial report…same news

rdan GAO states in a press release today: Demonstrates Significant Problems Some Major Agencies Fail to Garner ‘Clean Opinions’;Problems Make it More Challenging for Informed Decisions WASHINGTON (December 15, 2008) – For the 12th year in a row, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) was prevented from expressing an opinion on the consolidated financial statements […]

"Ben Tre Logic" Redux: History Repeats Itself

Forty years ago, in 1968, an American major after the battle of Ben Tre in Viet Nam was quoted by Peter Arnett as having declared, “It became necessary to destroy the town to save it.” Now, we have the contemporary version, from U.S. President George Walker Bush: “I’ve abandoned free-market principles to save the free-market […]

CEO Math

by divorced one like Bush Honda has done some math, Honda Motor Co. now expects 185 billion yen ($2.06 billion) in group net profit for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009 — less than a third of the 600 billion yen it earned last fiscal year.For every yen the dollar declines, Honda loses about […]

Canadian Conservatives on the Subprime Bandwagon

Canadian Conservatives on the Subprime Bandwagon Noni Mausa From the Canadian newspaper of record, the Globe and Mail, the Saturday, Dec 13 edition. Apparently, like Mary and her little lamb, wherever neo-conservatives go, subprime is sure to follow. Emphases are mine: ============ SPECIAL INVESTIGATION How high-risk mortgages crept northJACQUIE MCNISH AND GREG MCARTHUR December 13, […]