Top-down economics

Saw this coming a mile away:

AIG Execs go on Vacation

Ever wonder how a bunch of corrupt businessmen spend your tax dollars when you bail them out? This is how they show their gratitude. I also read today that Dick Fuld, the CEO of Lehman brothers, was punched in the face at a gym and knocked out cold. To catch you up on the story, he basically implicated everyone but himself in the failure of his firm and dodged questions about the $480 mil he's raked in from the company during his tenure as chief executive with esoteric financial lingo. Frankly, I'm glad someone had the cojones to knock him out.

Now check out the article about the AIG execs and how they spent your tax dollars after they were bailed out to the tune of $85 bil. This is why the dems were so adamant about tacking on stipulations about executive compensation to the bailout bill - because of corrupt assholes like this. Did you really expect these people to graciously accept our money and not throw a big party for themselves? I can't say I'm surprised.

Intersting

When Sarah Palin is familiar with the issues she's talking about, she's an aggressive and formidable debater, it seems. Check out these excerpts from the 2006 Alaskan gubernatorial debates, she's on the ball and even acts like a jerk to the guy she's debating (sounds like McCain, eh?). Now, that says nothing about being qualified to be in a federal government position that requires much broader knowledge about world affairs, but Joe Biden might not have it so easy if she can debate like this and not come off like an idiot, as she's done in her interviews with Katie Couric. As I watched this video, I thought, Who is this? This isn't Sarah Palin!

Why Sarah Palin is a better debater than you think

Still doesn't make up for the comment about parents sending their kids off in backpacks as the only reason why someone would have visited a foreign country, though :) Or any of her other numerous crazy right-wing ideas and opinions.

Just for contrast, check out day 1 and day 2 of the CBS interviews here.

Katie Couric interviews Sarah Palin, day 1

Katie Couric interviews Sarah Palin, day 2

Terrorism in Ohio

It's not Baghdad, it's Dayton. Check this out.

Muslim Children Gassed at Dayton Mosque After "Obsession" DVD Hits Ohio

I guess that goes to show that there are actually ignorant people out there who are succeptible to being manipuated by blatant propaganda. Scary thing is, they're practically my neighbors.

The road to the White House

So, John McCain decides to suspend his campaign for the time being so that he can get to the business of fixing the economy. Instead of speaking my opinion on this, I'll defer to David Letterman, who says it so much more elegantly than I would.

David Letterman Reacts to John McCain Suspending Campaign

In short, don't lie about why you're canceling your appearance on Letterman, then proceed to do an interview on the exact same network. That's like bailing on a friend then going to get a drink with that friend's best friend. You think they won't talk to one another?

I do appreciate that Letterman only hints at the idea of a publicity stunt, but dances around it enough that you get the picture while complimenting him simultaneously. I'm a much more straightforward man and I wouldn'tve put it so nicely!

And I wonder what he implies when he says "the road to the white house runs right through me". Does this mean he'll endorse Obama? Or was it a conceited attempt to imply that as a television personality, he has the ability to sway opinion :)

places not worth defending

If you're like me, a person of fervent opinions who often finds themselves at a loss for an eloquent or rational way to express them, and are an outspoken critic of suburban sprawl, you might find this speech interesting. Even if you're not a proponent of new urbanism, take a moment or twenty to listen to what this man has to say about places that are not worth caring about, and ones that are.

TED Talks: James Howard Kunstler, "The Tragedy of Suburbia"

The best part of the speech is perhaps the very last thing he says before closing:

Stop referring to yourselves as "consumers". Consumers are not the same as citizens. Consumers do not have obligations, responsibilities and duties to their fellow human beings.

Festivus, the royalty-free holiday

I can't say I was surprised when I read this latest tidbit from the front lines of the copyright wars. In brief, the Performing Rights Society, Britain's copyright collections agency, sued a charity because the radio in their kitchen was loud enough to be heard in a public dining room, apparently constituting some form of public performance. Then, they proceeded to ask for more money because kids were singing Christmas carols there which were copyrighted.

To me, this is a ringing endorsement of Festivus. In addition to being the non-religious holiday, it's also the non-commercial holiday. No carols, no traditional songs, just an aluminum pole and plenty of alcohol and merriment to go around. Come to Festivus at the Herford and don't worry about having your pants sued off.

seeds and lemons

So you're looking to spend some quality time with your dad this sunday, but you haven't yet thought of something the two of you could do together. Maybe you don't have enough in common, and the fear of awkward silences and conversations about superficial things like sports teams is weighing on your thoughts. If you're into local music, I have a solution, and it involves beer. Your dad might have to warm up to the bands, but everybody knows that beer helps to smooth out those rough spots in conversation. Plus, it is common knowledge that silences aren't as awkward when there is live music. The Seedy Seeds and Pomegranates are playing tomorrow night at Northside Tavern, and you should be there. It does not necessarily have to be a part of your plans with your dad, but it is required for any fan of Cincinnati music.

Also, lemonade. Who doesn't love lemonade? If such a person exists, I haven't met them. But I do know plenty of people who probably haven't yet tasted the best lemonade on the face of the earth. It is stored in a gigantic glass jar with lemons floating in it, and if you offer its keeper a dollar, he may just let you taste it. That is, if he hasn't run out of plastic cups. Go to Findlay Market, and at the center of the main building, you'll find it, along with jars containing other assorted cold, refreshing drinks with fruit halves floating in them. Delicious. And I'm serious about the one dollar.