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The Richest Counties In America (PHOTOS)
Commented Dec 03, 2009 at 14:46:37 in Business
“The article is headlined, "The Richest Counties in America."
The banner over the picklist that shows which of the counties is leading in popularity among readers here is titled, "Current Most Desirable Counties In The U.S."
Having a high median income does not necessarily correlate to desirability as a place to live. It simply means that the people who lay their heads down at night in that part of the country are more affluent than others. Does that make their neighborhoods "desirable," or the high earners automatically desirable neighbors? These areas are likely to have higher property taxes and culturally and racially homegeneous populations, which spells "bad" and "boring" to me. Maybe this is what the Salahis of the world value, but haven't the rest of us moved on?”
The banner over the picklist that shows which of the counties is leading in popularity among readers here is titled, "Current Most Desirable Counties In The U.S."
Having a high median income does not necessarily correlate to desirability as a place to live. It simply means that the people who lay their heads down at night in that part of the country are more affluent than others. Does that make their neighborhoods "desirable," or the high earners automatically desirable neighbors? These areas are likely to have higher property taxes and culturally and racially homegeneous populations, which spells "bad" and "boring" to me. Maybe this is what the Salahis of the world value, but haven't the rest of us moved on?”
Lou Dobbs: 'Who The Hell Does This President Think He Is?'
Commented Dec 02, 2009 at 14:41:23 in Media
“More of this, and Glenn Beck may start looking sane.”
whiskeytangofoxtrot451 replied on Dec 02, 2009 at 14:56:06
“Nah, it will take a lot more than this for Beck to look sane.”
LDF replied on Dec 02, 2009 at 14:43:05
“Now you've gone too far.”
Obama Administration To Shame Lenders That Don't Offer To Modify Mortgages
Commented Dec 01, 2009 at 10:48:07 in Business
“Someone might want to give our administration that we're a nation of laws, not an honor-and-shame society.
But if they insist on thinking that they can actually influence reality this way, I trust they'll also allow beleaguered homeowners to pay their mortgages in units of pride--the more house-proud you are, the bigger the paydown on your principal. Makes as much freaking sense as trying to effect change in an amoral behemoth like the banking industry by shaking a spindly finger at it. I wonder who in the hell they think they're kidding.”
But if they insist on thinking that they can actually influence reality this way, I trust they'll also allow beleaguered homeowners to pay their mortgages in units of pride--the more house-proud you are, the bigger the paydown on your principal. Makes as much freaking sense as trying to effect change in an amoral behemoth like the banking industry by shaking a spindly finger at it. I wonder who in the hell they think they're kidding.”
oldngrumpy replied on Dec 01, 2009 at 15:02:02
“They (Summers and Gaithner) think they are fooling us. They evidently "ARE" fooling Obama. Who would have thought that the street kid from Chitown would be that gullible? I would almost prefer to think he is corrupt. At least we would know what to expect if that is the case.”
White House Mocks 'Politico' With Super-Mean Email Forward
Commented Dec 01, 2009 at 10:39:08 in Media
“I thought Politico was an ABC operation.”
Hillary Clinton Vice President Rumors Flare Up Again
Commented Nov 25, 2009 at 13:37:18 in Media
“"It would be a reward for her work at State..."
What work at State [Department]? She seems better at ruffling feathers than anything else. I'd have thought her continued tenure might be subject to review after the midterms, and I'd expect her to be on the ropes if Obama manages to conjure a second term out of the wreckage of his first one.”
What work at State [Department]? She seems better at ruffling feathers than anything else. I'd have thought her continued tenure might be subject to review after the midterms, and I'd expect her to be on the ropes if Obama manages to conjure a second term out of the wreckage of his first one.”
party-of-one replied on Nov 27, 2009 at 05:36:54
“PennP, an insightful and thought provoking comment.
It does seem that Hillary's appointment as SoS was political pacification of a major rival, and by and large it is working. Neither she or Bill are major Obama critics, at least publicly. If and when Obama is re-elected, there is less need politically to keep the Clintons in check. If Hillary unwisely decides to run for the presidency in 2012 or 2016, she would need to leave cabinet anyway.”
It does seem that Hillary's appointment as SoS was political pacification of a major rival, and by and large it is working. Neither she or Bill are major Obama critics, at least publicly. If and when Obama is re-elected, there is less need politically to keep the Clintons in check. If Hillary unwisely decides to run for the presidency in 2012 or 2016, she would need to leave cabinet anyway.”
Poll: Majority Of Republicans Don't Think Obama Won 2008 Election
Commented Nov 19, 2009 at 17:32:50 in Politics
“Hey, don't forget the 7.93M Venutians. We count for something, yanno.”
Poll: Majority Of Republicans Don't Think Obama Won 2008 Election
Commented Nov 19, 2009 at 17:30:17 in Politics
“If it weren't ACORN, it'd be "stolen by the internet" or some other nonsense. They'll say they believe anything to delegitimize his victory because they're too cowardly own up to the fact that they refuse to accept this man as president because of the color of his skin.”
Business Groups Oppose Emergency H1N1 Paid Sick Leave
Commented Nov 17, 2009 at 14:33:03 in Politics
“The whole swine flu thing smells wrong, from its composition to the insane hype about it. The figures we're being given appear to be suppositional, at best, because of the lack of tests for the illness.
Here's the FDA's Nov. 2, 2009 press release announcing release of guidelines for DEVELOPING TESTS for H1N1: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm188717.htm
In that press release, the FDA states, "Although there are not any FDA-approved or cleared tests that diagnose this specific infection..." Apparently, a test is available through special petition to the FDA (EUA). But how reliable is it? Look at the FDA's own stats on the tests developed for different influenza variations. Some of them appear only marginally useful. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/diagnostic_tests.htm
I feel for people who are ill, but if you can't prove you have it, you sure can't force businesses to subsidize time off for it, for crying out loud.”
Here's the FDA's Nov. 2, 2009 press release announcing release of guidelines for DEVELOPING TESTS for H1N1: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm188717.htm
In that press release, the FDA states, "Although there are not any FDA-approved or cleared tests that diagnose this specific infection..." Apparently, a test is available through special petition to the FDA (EUA). But how reliable is it? Look at the FDA's own stats on the tests developed for different influenza variations. Some of them appear only marginally useful. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/diagnostic_tests.htm
I feel for people who are ill, but if you can't prove you have it, you sure can't force businesses to subsidize time off for it, for crying out loud.”
cybexg replied on Nov 17, 2009 at 14:52:27
“Need to work on your reading comprehension. The 5 day period was chosen because it represents the length of time to recover from H1N1. HOWEVER, the bill itself is intended to help slow down the spread of illness in general (meaning, it is general purpose).”
'Spokesjerk' Revolution Fails To Materialize: FreeCreditReport.com Front Man Sticks To His Guns
Commented Nov 13, 2009 at 18:34:50 in Business
“"Check your credit to review/ all your bills and payments, too," says the ad from the government-mandated AnnualCreditReport.com, which is actually run by the three credit-reporting bureaus. Even though it says "annual," it's not making clear that it's not a service like the pay-fors, and that if you want to pull your report from the same agency more than once in 12 months, you'll have to pay for it. It's hardly something you're going to use to "review all your bills and payments," which sounds like something you might do regularly. At most, you can get three credit reports a year, one from each of the reporting agencies.
I'm not defending the deceptive practices of the pay-for services, which should have come under fire by the FTC for deceptive use of the word "free" alone long before they did, but the ad from the genuinely free-if-you-pull-it-just-once-a-year service is also misleading in its own right.”
I'm not defending the deceptive practices of the pay-for services, which should have come under fire by the FTC for deceptive use of the word "free" alone long before they did, but the ad from the genuinely free-if-you-pull-it-just-once-a-year service is also misleading in its own right.”
Fox Orders YouTube Purge Of Clips Used By Progressives
Commented Nov 13, 2009 at 18:21:23 in Politics
“"YouTube's policy is to shut down any accounts that receive three or more take-down notices..."
Both sides can play this game.”
Both sides can play this game.”
Margaret Atwood, Anne Rice, Kazuo Ishiguro And Others Share Their Writing Tips
Commented Nov 09, 2009 at 12:13:27 in Books
“HuffPo, I read the entire piece a few days ago, and it's a wonderful look into the idiosyncracies of writers pursuing their craft. It's about how they overcome their own inertia and blocks to keep words flowing from mind to paper or screen. The sheer diversity is inspiring, but it would be more accurately characterized as the secrets to continued productivity, not the secrets to writing well.”
Health Care Vote: Latest Updates
Commented Nov 07, 2009 at 12:08:39 in Politics
“At this point, I have no idea what they're voting on, and I'd bet most of them don't, either. But looking forward, I do know that if my representatives approve something without a public option, something that forces people to further enrich the insurance companies, something that fails to provide affordable coverage to those who are currently uninsured, I'll vote against them when they're up for reelection.
Dogs make great pets, but they have no business in the House or Senate. Regardless of color. We need leadership, not pack mentality.”
Dogs make great pets, but they have no business in the House or Senate. Regardless of color. We need leadership, not pack mentality.”
Wall Street Banks Getting Swine Flu Vaccine Before Many High-Risk Groups (VIDEO)
Commented Nov 05, 2009 at 16:45:14 in Business
“This dates back to August.”
RNC Facebook Photo Taken Down: Racist Anti-Obama Picture
Commented Oct 26, 2009 at 20:13:45 in Politics
“Something called tokenism.”
"Too Big To Fail" Legislation Is On The Way
Commented Oct 26, 2009 at 12:58:54 in Politics
“One thing the lawmakers could do is to properly categorize practices like futures and hedge fund trading as gambling. That would outlaw them outright in some areas, and subject them to a raft of state and local laws in others. It would also differentiate them from conventional stock trades that represent more legitimate investment in companies that actually produce something, which are more likely to benefit the country than a relatively tiny elite who are already rich as Croesus.
Gambling disguised as investing is what has destabilized the economy. Failing to deal with this underlying problem preserves the mechanism of corruption, and gives us little hope of real recovery.”
Gambling disguised as investing is what has destabilized the economy. Failing to deal with this underlying problem preserves the mechanism of corruption, and gives us little hope of real recovery.”
Robert Thomas, Associate Of Balloon Boy's Father, Questioned
Commented Oct 20, 2009 at 17:49:08 in Denver
“He wanted publicty.
He's gotten it.
He wants to be hidden from the sun behind thick concrete walls in 2012.
I have a feeling he's going to get that wish, too.”
He's gotten it.
He wants to be hidden from the sun behind thick concrete walls in 2012.
I have a feeling he's going to get that wish, too.”
Claire McCaskill Twitter Mentions "Difficult Family Issues"
Commented Oct 19, 2009 at 11:23:11 in Politics
“The only reason she'd garner any kind of a following is her public standing, and this kind of thing is beneath the office. If she can't discern that--and she's got a lot of company-- the Senate should do a little legislative housekeeping and ban it. The practice of indiscretion, of giving the universe glimpses into your half-baked thoughts and emotions, is not a habit that should be fostered among elected representatives.”
Swine Flu: Chicago Setting Up Free H1N1 Vaccine Clinics
Commented Oct 16, 2009 at 14:37:20 in Chicago
“I just got a call from my doctor's office. My regular flu shot scheduled for next week has been cancelled because they are out of vaccine and do not know when they will get more. They also have no idea when they'll get any swine flu vaccine--not that I'm getting the shot. This is a major regional hospital practice recently cited by the Obama administration for success in treating rural populations. Makes me wonder how institutions with less effective PR departments are faring in the vaccine supply scramble.”
"Balloon Boy" ALIVE (VIDEO): 6-Year-Old Falcon Heene Was Never In The Aircraft
Commented Oct 15, 2009 at 23:27:11 in Denver
“Somehow, "Garage Attic Cardboard Box Boy" doesn't have the same ring of youthful adventure.”
condorseven replied on Oct 15, 2009 at 23:56:54
“Now that's funny.”
Bloggers Furious At White House For Anonymous Ridicule
Commented Oct 12, 2009 at 14:09:45 in Politics
“I thought that shut-out during the campaign was about money--centralizing the Obama campaign as the designee and focus for fundraising and organization, rather than building the fortunes of MoveOn or any other group, which the campaign seemed to think could have a splintering effect on its funding and GOTV efforts. Messaging control seemed secondary to those key factors. But I may have gotten it wrong even as it happened....”
Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize
Commented Oct 09, 2009 at 09:51:23 in Politics
“Coo, when I got this in email, I was sure it was an Onion special.
It's certainly a dramatic way to throw down a glove, but given the issue and the moment, probably just what is called for. More power to the Committee--and to the President, to fulfill the promise.”
It's certainly a dramatic way to throw down a glove, but given the issue and the moment, probably just what is called for. More power to the Committee--and to the President, to fulfill the promise.”
Tim Russert's Office To Be Recreated For Newseum Exhibit
Commented Oct 08, 2009 at 10:11:50 in Media
“"After Tim's death, it became very clear to us that Tim really hit a nerve with a wider swath of people than you would ordinarily think for a journalist," Charles Overby, the Newseum's chief executive, said Wednesday.
Not that wide a swath. This is a poor decision that cries for a critical biography to correct the sanctified image they've painted of Russert as a newsman. I liked his cheerful, Teddy bear affect to a point, but I often got the impression that cosseted the pols and put his cozy relationships with them before the story, and I didn't think that served his profession or viewers well. Given reality, creating a shrine to his lair and personal predilections seems a bit silly.”
Not that wide a swath. This is a poor decision that cries for a critical biography to correct the sanctified image they've painted of Russert as a newsman. I liked his cheerful, Teddy bear affect to a point, but I often got the impression that cosseted the pols and put his cozy relationships with them before the story, and I didn't think that served his profession or viewers well. Given reality, creating a shrine to his lair and personal predilections seems a bit silly.”
Shep Smith Outraged By Bacon Cheese Doughnut Burger: 'Sign Of The Apocalypse' (VIDEO)
Commented Oct 08, 2009 at 01:31:26 in Media
“Don't tell Shep, but sounds like fried cheesecake would be the perfect add-on.”
Marxist Teleprompters Attempt To Sabotage Glenn Beck Show
Commented Oct 03, 2009 at 08:53:47 in Media
“Um, I believe that should be "right wing nutjobs," not "right wingnut jobs." Once upon a time, people in this country could make an honest living doing right in wingnut jobs. Let's not besmirch their memories.”
Ken Maddox replied on Oct 03, 2009 at 20:21:15
“Your are correct. I am extremely embarrassed and ashamed. There is no way I meant to say anything bad about anyone laboring with 'wingnuts' they are in fact a tried and true fastener that does its job very well.
Nutjobs however deserve no praise or distinction, and I will refer to the "right wing" types of Nutjobs as such in the future.
Thanks for exposing my error. :)”
Nutjobs however deserve no praise or distinction, and I will refer to the "right wing" types of Nutjobs as such in the future.
Thanks for exposing my error. :)”
ThirdSection replied on Oct 03, 2009 at 15:35:44
“Whether we call them "right wing nutjobs," "right wingnut jobs," or even "right nut wingjobs," I think we all can agree that they are completely and utterly whacked. I blame the parents though, for raising them in houses with lead-based paints.”
Eykis replied on Oct 03, 2009 at 11:43:39
“Hey, be kind. That was a typo. Read it again. It makes sense.”
Rio de Janeiro Wins 2016 Olympics Vote
Commented Oct 02, 2009 at 21:00:47 in Chicago
“WHAT is the pattern of the platter being held aloft by Brazil's prez? I figure it's Royal Copenhagen, but what's the design?”
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