Monday Open Thread
Welcome to your Monday open thread. Well, what a weekend. I was absolutely riveted to the news all weekend. I’m still trying to process the meaning of those tragic events. That’s why I’m happy we can discuss other things.
Via Matt Yglesias, here’s a video of French children trying to identify obsolete technology. Funny, but also makes you feel old.
My favorite is when they’re looking at the 8″ floppy disks. I played with a lot of those in my day!
Rep. Paul Ryan is trying to make a name for himself as a budget watchdog, even though he’s a budget peacock. He was awarded as “FI$CY” award recently by a group called The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. However, Ryan is no fiscal watchdog and even the Economist has noticed:
The third choice, Paul Ryan, is more of a puzzle. Mr Ryan has been a leading intellectual on economic matters in the Republican House caucus for some time. His “Roadmap for America’s Future”, was a serious proposal to balance the long-term budget by effective (though politically unpalatable) means, such as replacing traditional Medicare fee-for-service with vouchers.
It’s a good thing for Mr Ryan the Fiscy relates only to the fiscal year that ended on September 30th, because ever since then he’s been acting less like a deficit hawk. Like Mr Conrad, Mr Ryan was a member of the Bowles-Simpson commission. Unlike Mr Conrad, he voted against its plan to stabilise the debt despite calling it “serious and credible”. He opposed it because it left Mr Obama’s health-care reform intact, and because it relied too much on tax increases, even though these were smaller than the plan’s spending cuts. The opposition by Mr Ryan and his two fellow House Republicans more or less guaranteed the plan would die.
A few days later Mr Ryan congratulated Mr Obama for acting “responsibly” in capitulating to Republicans and agreeing to an $800 billion-plus package that extends all of George Bush’s tax cuts and implements new temporary stimulus composed overwhelmingly of tax cuts. Whatever its merits as stimulus, its complete absence of any linkage to long-term deficit reduction is antithetical to the principals behind the Fiscy.
I have no idea what the criteria for being called a fiscal hawk is. To me it looks like belief in magical tax-cutting unicorns is the main qualification.
Tags: Open Thread
Tom Delay gets three years of jail time.
“Tom DeLay was convicted of a felony,” he said. “That alone is consequence is enough.
Can’t. Make. This. Stuff. Up.
The Hammer was sentenced, however posted a measly $10,000 bail while out on bail…this is Justice?
Magical tax cutting unicorns will save us from pot smoking hippies. It all makes perfect sense if listen to enough talk radio.
Reminder – Thursday is Election Day. The polls are open from 7:00am to 8:00pm. You vote at the same polling place you went to on Nov 2nd — except for two Election Districts in Wilmington, and if you live in those districts you received a postcard from the Dept. of Elections.
So not funny.
Cutting the gas line doesn’t seem so bad now does it?… What?…. Too soon?
This is from the head of the Danville (VA) Tea Party, who burned Democratic congressman Tom Perriello in effigy last year. He’s referencing an attack on Perriello’s family last year, in which a propane line was cut. ( Balloon Juice )
I’m speechless at that tweet. And yes, cutting the gas line still seems bad.
Still waiting for our conservative excuse-makers to explain how this kind of thing manages to be *debate*. Really…cutting the gas line?
Help lower my anger please….
Just received today a Superior Court Summons for jury duty NEXT week, for my son who is in school in DelDem’s favorite state–Arizona. No where on the form is “out-of-state student” listed on the form as hardships. I call the number if you have a question, and received the 3 minute recording of state your problem or question, leave the barcode number assigned and we will return your call. NO LESS THAN 3x the recording said “DO NOT CALL BACK….we will call you, and it holds up our very busy lines (sic). Don’t you know, they call me and leave a message…”Do you still have a question about your question, you can call back at xxx-xxxx”. Are you kidding me?!!!!! Why couldn’t they just leave me an answer??? So now I come to Delaware Lib–cuz here I get answers!! Is your Helpline open tonite?
Dear Jo Anne,
Yes, there is a Santa Clause. He just has no jurisdiction in Arizona.
You are out of luck. There is no money, there or here, to pay for a real person to answer your phone. Fact is, 95% of people including myself, try to get out of jury duty.
As any person knows when dealing with the public, the best and most effective method is to give them no other choice.
Using money to hire more people to improve the state’s services to its constituents, would be an appropriate solution. Unfortunately, it does no good for you and your son.
He, like every other Arizonian, will just have to show up if he wants to comply with the law. No doubt, once there, he will be dismissed if their law requires a juror to be an Arizonian citizen.
Just remember this real life episode when you hear anyone use the words “cutting spending”.. This is an example of what gets cut.
Perhaps it really does less damage to tax wealthy people a little more. It sure didn’t hurt the creation of wealth during the nineties…..
kavips spots the teaching opportunity… well done.
Thanks kavips–but I really would have preferred the Clause in your Santa Claus. Things might work out better. As it stands, a self-written old fashioned snail mail note is being attached, reading OUT OF STATE full-time matriculated student–please send car, bus or airfare. The spirit is willing, but the budget is busted–like the state. Kavips said so. But unlike kavips, I’m really not looking to get out of serving jury duty. Just broke to get there.
Thanks helpline.