U.S. politics isolation tank

[midwestyankee]

Dead On. As someone born in the 1930's I watched as we retreated from enlightened civilization to a world of magic and superstition. I think that we have passed the point of no return.

Re: Sherri Sheperd of ABC-TV's "The View" statement: "I don't know if the world is flat or round and I don't care. I have more important things to deal with."

WATCH !!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkrkaH_V7fE

There was a time when someone this ignorant would never have been permitted a public forum.

I remember a time when even the television game shows (To Tell the Truth, for example) had regular panels of intellectuals (Bennett Cerf, for example).

 

[rosco rathbone]

http://nplusonemag.com/revolt-of-the-elites

 

[rosco rathbone]

http://www.amconmag.com/blog/dissonance-on-defense/

 

[rosco rathbone]

Jealous Davos Mistresses

 

[rosco rathbone]

FINAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE CAUSES OF THE FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CRISIS IN THE UNITED STATES

We conclude widespread failures in financial regulation and supervision proved devastating to the stability of the nation’s financial markets.

The final report of the FCIC is in.

 

[midwestyankee]

Rosco, you're like the Mad Monk of Links this week. Cool stuff, for the most part, too.

 

[rosco rathbone]

Rosco, you're like the Mad Monk of Links this week. Cool stuff, for the most part, too.

Glad you're enjoying the links. I'm snowed in here...

 

[midwestyankee]

Glad you're enjoying the links. I'm snowed in here...

Well, apparently you have power and internet access. With a working coffee pot and plenty of good coffee, what else does a guy need?

Oh, well, there's that whole access to a good woman thing, I suppose.

 

[rosco rathbone]

http://edgeofthewest.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/the-pony-chokers/

 

[rosco rathbone]

http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/06/bailout-costs-vs-big-historical-events/

 

[rosco rathbone]

Anyone interested in the reasons for The Crash should read these two articles back to back:

Bill Black on "liar loans"

Yves Smith on how hedge funds drove demand for bad loans

 

[rosco rathbone]

I've been meaning to read David Stockman's book on the Reagan White House ever since finishing William Greider's amazing Secrets of the Temple.

Here's a good article on Stockman.

http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/02/reagan-anniversary-david-stockman

 

[intothewoods]

I've been meaning to read David Stockman's book on the Reagan White House ever since finishing William Greider's amazing Secrets of the Temple.

Here's a good article on Stockman.

http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/02/reagan-anniversary-david-stockman

Once I finish Nixonland, I think I'm ready to dig into Reagan.

 

[rosco rathbone]

Once I finish Nixonland, I think I'm ready to dig into Reagan.

Let me know if you find any must reads.

 

[midwestyankee]

Once I finish Nixonland, I think I'm ready to dig into Reagan.

Seems like I saw son Ron Reagan being interviewed on MSocialistN the other night. I think he has a new book out about his father that is getting good reviews.

 

[rosco rathbone]

Interesting little blog post on a subject I've been thinking a lot about lately: relative vs absolute wealth.

http://www.overcomingbias.com/2011/02/why-do-we-tax-the-rich.html


Just got my copy of Theory of the Leisure Class in the mail.

 

[ThorkelGriersen]

Just got my copy of Theory of the Leisure Class in the mail.

Over a hundred years old, and still as relevant as the day it was written.

 

[intothewoods]

Seems like I saw son Ron Reagan being interviewed on MSocialistN the other night. I think he has a new book out about his father that is getting good reviews.

I saw him interviewed too. I think it will be too fluffy.

 

[rosco rathbone]

Over a hundred years old, and still as relevant as the day it was written.

I'm excited to get into it.

 

[intothewoods]

I know this is the U.S. political thread, but what are people thinking about Egypt?

 

[rosco rathbone]

I know this is the U.S. political thread, but what are people thinking about Egypt?

I increased my energy exposure on the advice of my broker.

 

[teknight]

I increased my energy exposure on the advice of my broker.

Are we discussing econ on here as well now? Shouldn't there be a kinky exchange thread, or some such?

 

[teknight]

Reading this in Paul Krugman's blog made me think:



So people produced goods and services in exchange not for anything real or tangible, but merely for debt, which is to say a claim on the future earning stream of the debtor.

Meanwhile, the economy was chugging along merrily-propelled by nothing more than the propensity of humans for gaining power over others. (debt).

The whole thing is sustained by nothing more than ape psychology.

Were you expecting something else? Sorry for the late reply, I've been keeping away.

 

[teknight]

I know this is the U.S. political thread, but what are people thinking about Egypt?

What about Tunisia and Egypt? I know, Tunisia's old news , but a very good friend of mine is Tunisian American.

 

[midwestyankee]

I know this is the U.S. political thread, but what are people thinking about Egypt?

I don't know enough about the middle east to do much more than marvel at the resilience of the people who have been marching.

On the other hand, I think we can all learn something from a true expert on the matter:

"It’s a difficult situation, this is that 3am White House phone call and it seems for many of us trying to get that information from our leader in the White House it it seems that that call went right to um the answering machine. And nobody yet has, no body yet has explained to the American public what they know, and surely they know more than the rest of us know who it is who will be taking the place of Mubarak and I’m not real enthused about what it is that that’s being done on a national level and from DC in regards to understanding all the situation there in Egypt. And in these areas that are so volatile right now because obviously it’s not just Egypt but the other countries too where we are seeing uprisings, we know that now more than ever, we need strength and sound mind there in the White House. We need to know what it is that America stands for so we know who it is that America will stand with. And we do not have all that information yet.”

I'm sure this unimpeachable (literally) source is unmistakable to the fine minds who people this thread.

Source