Sunday Football!

After I moved into a different home two months ago, it took my provider several weeks to install digital television, which would allow me to watch ESPNAmerica, the only American sports channel airing in Europe. I couldn’t wait: I wanted to see the play-offs in the MLB. I’m a big Yankees fan. Like many others like me, I had this strange feeling that the Yanks would win it all this season. And I was right. Luckily I got digital TV going around the start of the ALCS, so I could watch allSource: PoliGazette RSS Feed

PBS Newshour: Dubai's Plan to Postpone Paying Debt Shakes World Economy

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PBS Newshour Nov. 27, 2009--Dubai's Plan to Postpone Paying Debt Shakes World Economy:

JUDY WOODRUFF: World markets were thrown into turmoil today on news of financial trouble in the Persian Gulf city-state of Dubai. Dubai announced that it planned to put off repaying almost $60 billion dollars in debt owed to international banks.

That led to big losses in Asia, worries in Europe, and a rough day for stocks on Wall Street. TheSource: Crooks and Liars RSS Feed

Harvard’s 16 Medal of Honor Heroes

On the occasion of Veterans Day, I wrote about Medal of Honor recipients in general, but specifically about how one would expect that many of the Medal of Honor recipients would be graduates of our service academies. And indeed, 82 West Point graduates and 74 Annapolis graduates have gone on to earn that high honor.

As to the question, “But how about graduates from other colleges and universities?” I said:

Many Americans will be surprised to learn that a university oftenSource: The Moderate Voice RSS Feed

The ‘Gate Crashers’ at the State Dinner….symptom of something more serious?

Remember this?

Now, I was never a fan of Dubya, but fact is…he was President of the United States. And, I never could get the explanation as to why this man wasn’t riddled full of bullets. The first shoe was bad enough, but that he was allowed to get off the second one without a bullet in him made no sense. There could have been any kind of chemical or biological weapon on the shoe. I know, I sound like an episode of 24, but you know these types of weapons exist.

Maybe itSource: Jack and Jill Politics RSS Feed

Obama Wants Computer Privacy Ruling Overturned

The Obama administration is seeking to reverse a federal appeals court decision that dramatically narrowed the government’s search-and-seizure powers in the digital age.

Solicitor General Elena Kagan and Justice Department officials are asking the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider its August ruling that federal prosecutors went too far when seizing 104 professional baseball players’ drug results when they had a warrant for just 10.

The 9th U.S. Circuit CourtSource: Threat Level RSS Feed

What does YouGov Scotland say about a “hung parliament”?

House of Commons Research paper

But how important was it going to be anyway

The latest YouGov poll of Scottish opinion has added to the growing narrative about a hung parliament. For the shares it found north of the border had Labour back at 2005 general election levels suggesting that the party is not going to suffer the losses that many had been predicting.

The shares from the survey were comparisons on the last Scottish YouGov poll - CON 18%(-2): LAB 39%(+9):Source: Political Betting RSS Feed

Slouching Toward Despotism -- By: Peter Robinson

This week on Uncommon Knowledge, from Toqueville to Obama -- and from a republic characterized by individual liberty to the vast, yawning maw of the welfare state. Our guest, Dr. Paul A. Rahe, professor of history and political science at Hillsdale College, and the author, most recently, of Soft Despotism.

Soft despotism comes, Tocqueville thinks, when very gradually within a liberal democratic polity the government offers a helping hand to people.  It’s always welcome.Source: The Corner RSS Feed

What Cities Have the Prettiest and Ugliest People?

So apparently Miami is #1 on looks for the 3rd year in a row... but 29th on intelligence. L.A. also ranked high (#4) in looks but second to last in friendliness.
But, *drum roll please* Philadelphia keeps it's place as having the UGLIEST residents for the third year in a row.
"But that's not all; the City of Brotherly Love also ranked as the least stylish, least active, least friendly and least worldly by 60,000 respondents who ranked 30 cities in several categories ranging fromSource: Blonde sagacity RSS Feed

Is Labour coming out worse from this than the Tories?

Telegraph

How’s it going to affect the party political battle?

My first reaction when I saw the front page of this morning’s Telegraph was, I guess, hardly unique - what was the political affiliation of the six who appear to form the next stage of the ongoing expenses saga?

For until the election is over and the votes are counted we are going to be in a high-octane political atmosphere as the Tories sense victory and Labour tries to hold on to power. Anything Source: Political Betting RSS Feed

Dispatch from the Ellis trial

Program Note: Tune in tonight to hear Gary's report from the Heather Ellis trial. AC360° at 10 p.m. ET.

Gary speaks to Heather Ellis' father, Pastor Nathaniel Ellis.

Gary Tuchman | BIO
AC360° Correspondent

Heather Ellis just turned 24-years- old this weekend. She hopes to be a doctor one day. But first, she faces the possibility of up to 15 years in prison for allegedly assaulting two police officers.

I'm sitting 10 feet away from herSource: AC360 RSS Feed

E-mails Portray Palin Campaign Trail Chaos

In her new book, former Alaska Gov.. Sarah Palin describes the push-and-pull between John McCain's campaign headquarters and her plucky "B" team on the road. As Palin recounts it, her natural instincts to reach real voters and reach out to the press were frequently foiled by an overprotective senior staff, led by strategist Steve Schmidt, that did not trust her.
Palin acknowledges "going rogue" at points - but usually to positive effect, such as the time she rewrote a speech to special Source: Marc Ambinder RSS Feed

'Fearmonger in Chief' Beck goes militia, warns of impending 'New World Order'

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Glenn Beck has apparently decided he doesn't care how big a public nutcase he is making himself into. Because, you know, the black helicopters are coming!!!!!! And he's just the guy to get the warning out.

Back when he started his Fox show in January, I wondered how long it would take Beck to become an outright Patriot conspiracy-monger -- especially because he dabbled in it early on, and it's been building ever since. I knew we had to Source: Crooks and Liars RSS Feed

How The Bowing Posts Came To Donklephant

Hey all,

I’ve heard quite a bit of back channel chatter about the last two posts on the blog and I wanted to explain how I was responsible for the topic even showing up here in the first place.

Doug and I are friends on Facebook and he feeds his posts through his profile. I saw the bowing post and we had the following conversation…

As far as John’s post, well, I give everybody the same access to post when I invite them to have an account. That means he canSource: Donklephant RSS Feed

Obama Dithers. US Troops Die.

Obama Dithers. US Troops Die.
“Broken Arrow” for US Troops in Afghanistan?
A Commentary by J.D. Longstreet
**********************************
Pay close attention over the next few months for you are about to see how Democrats lose a war.
History will be made as the world’s only super power, led by a socialist President and a socialist controlled Congress, feed our soldiers into a meat-grinder in order to turn public opinion against the war. As soon as aSource: Faultline USA RSS Feed

Obama Can Teach Shanghai Officials a Thing or Two: The China Daily, People’s Republic of China

This article from the China Daily either indicates an opening up of China’s state-run media, or officials in Shanghai have done something serous to anger Beijing. Whatever the case, in this China Daily op-ed, columnist Hong Liang uses the imminent visit of Barack Obama to explain why young people in Shanghai love the president – and loath the ‘authoritarian excess’ that critics regard as the hallmark of the Beijing regime.

For the China Daily, Hong Liang writes in part:

Source: The Moderate Voice RSS Feed

What You May Have Missed

History is a slippery thing. It sorta depends on who's telling it. As was the case with those now famous photos of Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin with sundry subordinates who found themselves in his good graces one minute, and in the photo with him one minute, then flushed into the memory hole the next ...

One moment history means one thing; the next it means something quite different.
History is whatever historians make of it. Don't ever forget it. Which means: Maintain a highSource: From On High RSS Feed

Madoff’s Coders Charged With Aiding Massive Ponzi Scheme

Two programmers who worked for convicted fraudster Bernard Madoff have been arrested and charged with providing technical support for the massive Ponzi scheme that bilked investors out of an estimated $65 billion.

Jerome O’Hara, 46, and George Perez, 43, were arrested Friday morning and charged with conspiracy for falsifying books and records for Madoff’s broker-dealer and investment businesses.

“The computer codes and random algorithms they allegedly designed served toSource: Threat Level RSS Feed

Obama To Focus On The Deficit In 2010

We all know we’re on an unsustainable course with all of this spending. And this is why I voted for this guy: he’s a realist. We needed a short term shot in the arm when he first got in here, but now we have to worry about the long term consequences.

Politico has more:

On the practical side, Obama has spent more money on new programs in nine months than Bill Clinton did in eight years, pushing the annual deficit to $1.4 trillion. This leaves little room for big spendingSource: Donklephant RSS Feed

Will this 2001 idea stop the Tory surge?

What do we think of Labour’s new ad?

The Daily Mirror is reporting that the above is the latest from the Labour campaign team designed to impede the Tories.

If you get a sense that you’ve seen something like this before then you have. Take something current from the world of show-biz and then create parodies based on leading opposition figures.

Thus compare the idea with this campaign poster from 2001:-

If worked, of course, the election before last but howSource: Political Betting RSS Feed

The Bears dig their grave a little deeper

When the Bears lose to the 49ers, you know it's not their year.
Cutler's pass for what would have been the winning touchdown was intercepted in the end zone as time expired. It was his fifth interception of the night.
All-Pro, huh. Franchise quarterback. Well, at least I'm happy for Mike Singletary, who will probably be coaching the Bears sooner than any of us imagined.
Final score: San Francisco 10, Bears 6. Ironically, the much-maligned defense played pretty well.Source: watersblogged! RSS Feed

The PB SUPER SIX Predictions - part 2

Are they on the money or not?

This is the second part of the so-called “PB SUPER SIX PREDICTIONS - the general election seat bets from half a dozen of the leading political punters on the site.

They are Peter the Punter, Richard Nabavi, Peter from Putney, StJohn, AntiFrank and ScottP who between have got bets on in nearly ninety separate constituencies.

One of those on this evening’s list is Morley and Outwood - where I’ve punted quite heavily at good odds thatSource: Political Betting RSS Feed

Ten most troubled states in the U.S.ARE NEARLY ALL Run By Liberal Legislatures

Yahoo! Finance: "The same economic pressures that pushed California to the brink of insolvency are wreaking havoc on other states, a new report has found.
And how state officials deal with their fiscal problems could reverberate across the United States, according to the Pew Center on the States' analysis released Wednesday.
The 10 most troubled states are: Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.
OtherSource: Chicagoray RSS Feed

Smoking Story about Queen Mary

Her Majesty the Queen Mary, Colonel-in-Chief of the Queen's Own Rifles
with Officers of the 1st Bn, Mandora Barracks, Aldershot, 10 September 1941.
This wonderful anecdotal story involving Queen Mary illustrates the close bond that the monarchy has maintained throughout history with Commonwealth regiments:
Queen Mary, widow of George V, was colonel-in-chief of the Queen's Own Rifles, and, immediately before the regiment's departure from England for the beaches ofSource: The Monarchist RSS Feed

GOP Ahead Of Dems In Generic Ballot

From Gallup:

Republicans Edge Ahead of Democrats in 2010 Vote

Registered voters prefer Republicans for the House, 48% to 44%
by Jeffrey M. Jones

November 11, 2009

PRINCETON, NJ — Republicans have moved ahead of Democrats by 48% to 44% among registered voters in the latest update on Gallup’s generic congressional ballot for the 2010 House elections, after trailing by six points in July and two points last month.

The Nov. 5-8 update comes justSource: Sweetness Light RSS Feed

It is the Proud, Pro-Military, Pro-Freedom American that is Hated and Discriminated NOT the Muslims

It is not Muslims, but the proud, pro-military, pro-freedom American that is hated and discriminated against....

In article after article the 'Muslims are hated and discriminated against' theme is repeated. What I have yet to read is the idea that it is the proud, pro-military, pro-freedom American that is hated and discriminated against. Every single member of this 'group' is hated by millions. This doesn't hold true for any other 'group' ofSource: Theodore's World RSS Feed

Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps!!! Protecting Since November 10, 1775

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference...the Marines don't have that problem."
- President Ronald Reagan, 1985
Commercial featuring US Marines returning home
On November 10, 1775, the United States Marine Corps was born under the name Continental Marines in Tun Tavern.
They have been protecting America ever since. They've helped liberate other peoples from tyranny and oppression. They are often the first sent in harm's way. Source: Thunder Pig RSS Feed

There goes the neighborhood...literally!

Demolition of the buildings in Columbia University's expanded footprint is in full swing. The historic building housing the Hudson Moving & Storage Company (on the National Register of Historic Places - I told you that designation means nothing) is being demolished with only its facade being saved and moved to the company's new location.
Here's a side view. Meanwhile, just around the corner...
627 W. 129th Street has no such half-assed preservation plans.
The gas stationSource: Queens Crap RSS Feed

Kirkbride of Frankenstein - reanimated

U-turns are flavour of the week with the Tories. After publicly declaring that she wasn't going to be kicked around any more back in May, the Tory MP for Bromsgrove has reversed course.It appears that the fragrant Julie has informed her constituency executive that she wants to stand again as their candidate in the General Election, as enough time has passed for people to forget that she had her snout deep in the Westminster trough get a better perspective on the facts. The facts being thatSource: British Blogs RSS Feed

Sneaky Democrats Tell America "You're Getting This Whether You Like It Or Not"

Pardon me San Fran Nan if I don't say thank you....meanwhile it's high time to run these people out of office from the top down, starting with this power hungry witch, we'll deal with Obama once Congress is cleaned out, which won't be a problem after 9 months of financial ruin and deficit spending as far as the Hubble Telescope can see..

House passes health care reform bill - CNN.com: "Washington (CNN) -- The House of Representatives on Saturday night passed a sweeping health careSource: Chicagoray RSS Feed

Chicago Bears Entire Season In The Balance TOAST today

Game Over....... This little screen grab says it all about the meeting at Soldier field today a week after they beat the Browns brains in the Cardinals came to town and returned the favor as you can see....

At Halftime, Bears suck and are getting their asses kicked up and down the field to the tune of 31 to 7 at halftime which means the game and the Bears season is for all intents and purposes over thanks to this man's childish penalty getting him ejected from the game on theSource: Chicagoray RSS Feed

Bueller On Her Travels

I can remember when Bueller Designs started selling her fabulous photographs and I for one loved them - I blogged about her Pink Period.I didn't think it was possible but she got even better. She took herself off to Europe for a month visiting England, France and Italy, just look what she came back with. All available in her Etsy Shop.I feel awful but I can't remember her real...
Bueller On Her Travels designers block
Carve his name with pride Never Trust a Hippy
See 0 moreSource: British Blogs RSS Feed

Shall Never Be Forgot

ALMIGHTY God, who hast in all ages shewed thy power and mercy in the miraculous and gracious deliverance of thy Church, and in the protection of righteous and religious Kings and States, professing thy holy and eternal truth, from the wicked conspiracies and malicious practices of all the enemies thereof; We yield thee our unfeigned thanks and praise for the wonderful and mighty deliverance of our gracious Sovereign King James the First, the Queen, the Prince, and all the RoyalSource: The Monarchist RSS Feed

Under Other Circumstances, I'd Buy Him a Beer

Now that it's over, I have to tell you, I feel sorry for Creigh Deeds.
By all accounts, he's a nice guy.
The kind of guy you regret having crushed on the field of competition.
Sorta.
Unfortunately Deeds decided to involve himself in Democratic politics.
That, in another era, wouldn't have been a bad decision. But in this decade it meant he had to adopt Democratic (yes, liberal) positions on the issues of the day.
For that he was doomed when he went up against a Source: From On High RSS Feed

Would Marriage Equality Have Won In Maine With Even A Tiny Bit Of Help From The DNC Or White House?

Yesterday a friend called my attention to an e-mail urging Democratic Party members in Maine to get involved in the election by joining the get out the vote effort-- in New Jersey. You think that may have pissed off the thousands of Mainers working their asses off to fight off an attack from the Catholic Church and right wing bigots against their right to marry?
This morning I've been seeing a lot of e-mails like this one from Michael Crawford: "The absence of the DNC and OFA was Source: DownWithTyranny! RSS Feed

David Frum: That New Majority Thing? Yeah, Forgetaboudid

In my latest post for David Horowitz’s NewsReal, I comment on David Frum’s announcement that he will change the name of his website from New Majority into Frum Forum. It was, I write, ‘illustrative of the conservative intellectual’s major problem: the conservatism he advocates lacks both the confidence and principles an ideology requires to form a new majority.’

But the problem with that was and is that Frum Conservatism doesn’t believe in itself. Its creator is convincedSource: PoliGazette RSS Feed

New budget year, new deficit for PA

It may be a new fiscal year, but Pennsylvania is stuck in the same fiscal rut. The state is spending more money than it takes in. That practice led to a record budget deficit last year and caused a 101-day budget impasse.
It appears Gov. Rendell and the Pennsylvania Legislature haven't learned a thing.
New figures released Monday by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue show fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $8.8 billion, which is $160.2 million, or 1.8 percent, Source: THE CENTRIST RSS Feed

Caffeinated Thoughts: Karzai Declared President of Afghanistan: Will This End Obama’s Indecision?

BBC reports that Hamid Karzai has now been declared the elected president of Afghanistan. This happened after the runoff vote was canceled. They write:

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) announcement comes a day after Mr Karzai’s sole challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, pulled out of the race.

Dr Abdullah,

Source: BlogNetNews.com/Iowa RSS Feed

Taxpayers give £20m benefits to Polish children - even if they have never stepped foot in Britain

By Andy Dolan

Taxpayers are funding child benefit for more than 50,000 children of migrant workers - even though the youngsters still live in their home countries.

Treasury figures show that Poles make up the vast majority of the payments made under a loophole in EU legislation.

Benefits are paid to 37,941 children in the former Eastern Bloc country, who have one or both parents working in the UK.

Migrant workers in Lincolnshire.They are paid childSource: The Two Malcontents RSS Feed

Could Rory be leader if he learns humility?

Telegraph

Is the sky the limit for the Penrith PPC?

There’s a lot been written in recent days about Rory Stewart who has just been selected as Tory PPC for the safe seat of Penrith.

By any standard he’s got an extraordinary CV and even went to Eton followed by Oxford which seems to be the standard background for so many.

But just read this from Anna van Praagh’s Sunday Telegraph profile: “Britain doesn’t make men like Rory Stewart any more. The Source: Political Betting RSS Feed

Bringing Oppenheimer Back To Life: An Interview With Richard Rhodes

Way back when I was in college, someone gave me a book that they thought I should read. "You've been working with plutonium, and you have an interest in nuclear weapons. You really ought to read this book." The book was The Making of the Atomic Bomb, by Richard Rhodes. He was awarded the 1988 Pulitzer Prize in general nonfiction for that book, and it is well deserved. It's my belief that anyone who wants to truly understand the American legacy of the first two nuclear bombs, and theSource: Daily Kos RSS Feed