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Monthly Archives: May 2011

Michelle’s challenge

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

This story, about the 10th grader from New Jersey who challenged Michelle Bachman to a debate/competitive quiz on the Constitution is highly amusing. Michelle has not accepted the challenge, and I don’t blame her, for it was literally impossible for her to win, as Newt Gingrich’s recent scrapes with the truth have proven. Michelle would […]

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JJB 2011

Monday, May 16, 2011

Just a few pics from the JJB Dinner tonight. Once again our SE CT Drinking Liberally Group filled a table. This time, either through luck, early ticket purchases or recognition of our sterling services to the Democratic Party, we were put in the front row. In previous years I’ve rated the loot left on the […]

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The Times uses the “M” word

Sunday, May 15, 2011

When the United States uses them, they’re “contractors”. When the same contractors work for the United Arab Emirates, the Times finds the courage to use the right word: mercenaries. Words do make a difference. We don’t need “ethnic cleansing”, when “genocide” will do, and no one ever calls them “Hessian contractors”. Erik Prince, the paymaster […]

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Friday Night Music

Friday, May 13, 2011

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned Rickie Lee Jones in one of these post, and it subsequently occurred to me that I don’t think I’ve ever put up a video of her. So , I went searching, and found this fun video, Rickie Lee Jones and Dr. John, Makin Whoopee. Which led me to […]

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Not exactly a Profile in Courage

Thursday, May 12, 2011

It is with some regret that I must take notice of the fact that our local State Senator, Andy Maynard, has not covered himself in glory in the past week or so. My wife has worked long and hard for Andy, and I’ve contributed both money and time. I, for one, have to wonder whether […]

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Republicans demand mercy

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

You truly couldn’t make this sort of thing up: House Republican freshmen admit that their so-called “MediScare” attacks on Democrats helped them win a big majority in 2010. Democrats had voted for the health care law, which included $500 billion in “cuts” to Medicare — primarily slashing overpayments to private insurers — and Republican challengers […]

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This guy makes Paul Ryan look smart

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

This is truly incredible, and yet totally unsurprising. The very serious folks have been telling us that we must take the advice of the Simpson-Bowles Deficit Commission and solve the (nonexistent) social security problem. They pretty much consistently ignore the fact that the Commission never issued an official report, and that the only recommendations were […]

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Fraud-part of the business plan

Monday, May 9, 2011

This morning’s Times informs us that various states are now letting corporations and insurance companies create “captive insurance companies” within their borders. These companies serve as devices through which corporations and insurance companies can evade regulatory requirements. In the case of the insurance companies, they can evade requirements that they meet certain reserve thresholds, meaning […]

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Now we know

Sunday, May 8, 2011

I’ve become a big Doctor Who fan, and as soon as Season 7 started, I subscribed on ITunes. Who would have thought that by doing so I would learn the answer to a true historical mystery. My younger readers may be surprised to learn that there was a time when those of us on the […]

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It’s been nice

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Just my luck. As I mentioned a couple of days ago, my new Ipad finally arrived after a several week wait. Today I find out that I won’t be enjoying it for long, because the whole world is going to end on May 21st. [Harold] Camping, an engineer by training, says he came up with […]

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