Sorry Ed, but you're #2 now:
Feb. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Exxon Mobil Corp. overtook General Electric Co. as the world's biggest company by market value, underscoring the emergence of energy stocks as leaders amid surging oil prices.
Exxon Mobil, the largest publicly traded oil producer, was valued at $385.8 billion as of 2:30 p.m. in New York, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The figure surpassed the $378.59 billion value of GE, whose 11 units include financial services, health care and the NBC television network.
Friday, February 18, 2005
What Has Taken So Long?
This is a no-brainer. Blockbuster is totally full of you-know-what on this one. I'm just surprised it's taken this long for somebody to call them on it.
NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - New Jersey Attorney General Peter Harvey sued Blockbuster Inc. Friday, claiming the video rental chain is deceiving customers with its new 'No More Late Fees' rental policy.
The lawsuit accused the movie rental chain of deceptive advertising and violating the state's consumer fraud laws.
"Blockbuster boldly announced its 'No More Late Fees' policy, but has not told customers about the big fees they are charged if they keep videos or games for more than a week after they are due," the attorney general said in a statement.
Under Blockbuster's (Research) new policy, put into effect on Jan. 1, customers can keep a rental for one week past the due date at no additional charge. After that, they are charged a restocking fee of $1.25. And if the overdue item is kept for more than 30 days, Blockbuster will charge the customer the retail value of the item.
NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - New Jersey Attorney General Peter Harvey sued Blockbuster Inc. Friday, claiming the video rental chain is deceiving customers with its new 'No More Late Fees' rental policy.
The lawsuit accused the movie rental chain of deceptive advertising and violating the state's consumer fraud laws.
"Blockbuster boldly announced its 'No More Late Fees' policy, but has not told customers about the big fees they are charged if they keep videos or games for more than a week after they are due," the attorney general said in a statement.
Under Blockbuster's (Research) new policy, put into effect on Jan. 1, customers can keep a rental for one week past the due date at no additional charge. After that, they are charged a restocking fee of $1.25. And if the overdue item is kept for more than 30 days, Blockbuster will charge the customer the retail value of the item.
Now I Know
I've always wondered what a military base costs. Now I know.
IRVINE, California (AP) -- A giant homebuilder won an online auction of a former Marine base, agreeing to pay $1.05 billion for the Orange County tract once pegged for an airport.
Lennar Corp. will build 3,400 homes on part of the 3,718 acres, and another section of the land is slated to become one of the nation's largest urban parks. The rest will be used for retail centers and industrial parks, the Miami-based developer said.
IRVINE, California (AP) -- A giant homebuilder won an online auction of a former Marine base, agreeing to pay $1.05 billion for the Orange County tract once pegged for an airport.
Lennar Corp. will build 3,400 homes on part of the 3,718 acres, and another section of the land is slated to become one of the nation's largest urban parks. The rest will be used for retail centers and industrial parks, the Miami-based developer said.
Those Crazy Kids
This sounds like fun:
EMERGENCY PLANNING MEETING to Protest Summers & SexismTODAY (Friday) 2:30 pm - Loker Commons
Larry Summers' remarks on women in science at the NBERConference are now publicly released. National media attention isfocused on Harvard -- in this climate a student protest has the potentialto capture major news coverage and impact national publicdiscourse.
WE MUST SEIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK OUT AGAINSTSEXISM.
* The dining hall workers union is organizing against the hostile environment created by his comments.
* Yale students demonstrated on Thursday in solidarity.
* Senior faculty are challenging him and suggesting his resignation.
IT'S TIME FOR HARVARD STUDENTS TO JOIN IN RAISING OURVOICES!
Students and alumnae are planning a demonstration before the faculty meeting next Tuesday afternoon -- when professors convene to discuss a vote of "no confidence" in Summers.
What issues will we raise? From resignation, to childcare for Harvard workers, to a women's center, to finals clubs, let's get planning and put together an agenda!
Join us if you're concerned about improving the climateof this campus for women and about a feminist agenda at Harvard.
EMERGENCY PLANNING MEETING to Protest Summers & SexismTODAY (Friday) 2:30 pm - Loker Commons
Larry Summers' remarks on women in science at the NBERConference are now publicly released. National media attention isfocused on Harvard -- in this climate a student protest has the potentialto capture major news coverage and impact national publicdiscourse.
WE MUST SEIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK OUT AGAINSTSEXISM.
* The dining hall workers union is organizing against the hostile environment created by his comments.
* Yale students demonstrated on Thursday in solidarity.
* Senior faculty are challenging him and suggesting his resignation.
IT'S TIME FOR HARVARD STUDENTS TO JOIN IN RAISING OURVOICES!
Students and alumnae are planning a demonstration before the faculty meeting next Tuesday afternoon -- when professors convene to discuss a vote of "no confidence" in Summers.
What issues will we raise? From resignation, to childcare for Harvard workers, to a women's center, to finals clubs, let's get planning and put together an agenda!
Join us if you're concerned about improving the climateof this campus for women and about a feminist agenda at Harvard.
Dukies Go Down
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -- Zabian Dowdell and his Virginia Tech teammates talked a lot about not being intimidated by Duke and forgetting their lopsided loss on the Blue Devils' home court just 18 days earlier.
The Hokies took the message to heart, and when Dowdell made a 3-pointer with 14.6 seconds to play, Virginia Tech stunned No. 7 Duke 67-65 Thursday night.
Duke has trouble winning away from the friendly confines of Cameron Indoor...and the friendly officiating that it provides.
The Hokies took the message to heart, and when Dowdell made a 3-pointer with 14.6 seconds to play, Virginia Tech stunned No. 7 Duke 67-65 Thursday night.
Duke has trouble winning away from the friendly confines of Cameron Indoor...and the friendly officiating that it provides.
My Kind of Newspaper
From my view, the Christian Science Monitor is the best paper out there. It's mildly biased to the left, but produces detailed, in-depth articles on stories most of the other papers generally ignore.
Check it out here.
Check it out here.
"It Looks Like a Barber's Pole"
Didn't this happen in Porky's?
THE most lurid testimony to be heard in Michael Jackson's looming child molestation trial could concern the bizarre appearance of his penis.
Private investigator Ernie Rizzo, who was hired by the family of the boy who accused Jackson of molestation in 1993, predicts that Jackson's latest alleged victim could provide damning testimony about the pop oddball's uniquely marked manhood.
Rizzo, a former Chicago police detective who has seen photographs of Jackson's genitals taken by cops in 1993, claims that because Jackson "bleaches" his body twice a week, distinctive markings on his penis are visible when he is aroused.
"It looks like a barber's pole," Rizzo tells PAGE SIX. "That's exactly what it looks like. The first kid and all the other kids who have seen his penis know that there are brown circles around it.
THE most lurid testimony to be heard in Michael Jackson's looming child molestation trial could concern the bizarre appearance of his penis.
Private investigator Ernie Rizzo, who was hired by the family of the boy who accused Jackson of molestation in 1993, predicts that Jackson's latest alleged victim could provide damning testimony about the pop oddball's uniquely marked manhood.
Rizzo, a former Chicago police detective who has seen photographs of Jackson's genitals taken by cops in 1993, claims that because Jackson "bleaches" his body twice a week, distinctive markings on his penis are visible when he is aroused.
"It looks like a barber's pole," Rizzo tells PAGE SIX. "That's exactly what it looks like. The first kid and all the other kids who have seen his penis know that there are brown circles around it.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
NHL Player/Owner Sides With Owners
Interesting comment from Super Mario:
Lemieux is the first owner-player in modern American pro sports history, but there never was a chance he would side with the players, despite being the NHL's best-known star.
"A few years ago, I thought the owners were making a lot of money and were hiding some under the table, but then I got on this side and saw the losses this league was accumulating," he said.
Lemieux is the first owner-player in modern American pro sports history, but there never was a chance he would side with the players, despite being the NHL's best-known star.
"A few years ago, I thought the owners were making a lot of money and were hiding some under the table, but then I got on this side and saw the losses this league was accumulating," he said.
Bad News From Comair
Rank-and-file Comair mechanics have rejected a five-year contract proposal that would have awarded them a 2 percent pay raise.
The development might kill the airline's plan to add 35 new jets, a plan that was contingent on labor deals with all three of its unions.
Joe Tiberi, a spokesman for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, said union officials will talk with its 400 members at Comair to determine what the sticking points were. They'll then head back to the bargaining table with management, he said.
The development might kill the airline's plan to add 35 new jets, a plan that was contingent on labor deals with all three of its unions.
Joe Tiberi, a spokesman for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, said union officials will talk with its 400 members at Comair to determine what the sticking points were. They'll then head back to the bargaining table with management, he said.
God Wants Your Money
Another urban legend bites the dust:
Televangelists devote less time to fundraising than commercial television does airing commercials. That is the latest finding of Stephen Winzenburg, a communications professor at Grand View College in Des Moines, Iowa. He just released his eighth independently funded survey of religious programs.
On average, televangelists use 17 percent of their airtime fundraising and promoting their programs, while commercial television devotes 28 percent.
Winzenburg has been studying television ministries for 25 years and takes televangelists to task for some practices (like refusing to reveal financial statements), but his studies have consistently found that fundraising is a different matter. "The criticism so often is that TV preachers spend so much time asking for money," Winzenburg said. "To be honest, they don't."
The programs of Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham, and Paul Crouch were among the least focused on financial appeals, spending less than 2 percent of airtime fundraising.
Televangelists devote less time to fundraising than commercial television does airing commercials. That is the latest finding of Stephen Winzenburg, a communications professor at Grand View College in Des Moines, Iowa. He just released his eighth independently funded survey of religious programs.
On average, televangelists use 17 percent of their airtime fundraising and promoting their programs, while commercial television devotes 28 percent.
Winzenburg has been studying television ministries for 25 years and takes televangelists to task for some practices (like refusing to reveal financial statements), but his studies have consistently found that fundraising is a different matter. "The criticism so often is that TV preachers spend so much time asking for money," Winzenburg said. "To be honest, they don't."
The programs of Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham, and Paul Crouch were among the least focused on financial appeals, spending less than 2 percent of airtime fundraising.
I'm Beginning to Get This Feeling Too
From ESPN's Andy Katz:
2. Which big-name team will be an early NCAA flameout?This is the Stanford category. We here at ESPN.com got all over the Cardinal a year ago as Stanford looked like it had the ingredients to make a title run. Not quite. Alabama ran all over Stanford in the second round and snuffed out the Cardinal early.
So, which team could be this year's early loser?
Fans who want to discount Boston College would love to see the Eagles fall out early in the tournament, but the Eagles shouldn't be considered a big-time name in this category. That spot could be reserved for Kentucky.
The Wildcats are still young in key spots and Tuesday night's loss at South Carolina exposed Kentucky's erratic offense. Kentucky shot 26 percent on 3s in the loss to South Carolina and had only nine assists on 18 field goals. The Wildcats had 19 turnovers and weren't crisp offensively.
Kentucky will get a No. 1, 2 or 3 seed in the field and could be ripe for an upset in the second round. The Wildcats are playing in an SEC that is simply not as good as the Big East or ACC at the top and that ultimately could end up hurting the 'Cats in the tourney.
2. Which big-name team will be an early NCAA flameout?This is the Stanford category. We here at ESPN.com got all over the Cardinal a year ago as Stanford looked like it had the ingredients to make a title run. Not quite. Alabama ran all over Stanford in the second round and snuffed out the Cardinal early.
So, which team could be this year's early loser?
Fans who want to discount Boston College would love to see the Eagles fall out early in the tournament, but the Eagles shouldn't be considered a big-time name in this category. That spot could be reserved for Kentucky.
The Wildcats are still young in key spots and Tuesday night's loss at South Carolina exposed Kentucky's erratic offense. Kentucky shot 26 percent on 3s in the loss to South Carolina and had only nine assists on 18 field goals. The Wildcats had 19 turnovers and weren't crisp offensively.
Kentucky will get a No. 1, 2 or 3 seed in the field and could be ripe for an upset in the second round. The Wildcats are playing in an SEC that is simply not as good as the Big East or ACC at the top and that ultimately could end up hurting the 'Cats in the tourney.
That Will Teach You
Kyoto protest beaten back by inflamed petrol traders
WHEN 35 Greenpeace protesters stormed the International Petroleum Exchange (IPE) yesterday they had planned the operation in great detail.
What they were not prepared for was the post-prandial aggression of oil traders who kicked and punched them back on to the pavement.
“We bit off more than we could chew. They were just Cockney barrow boy spivs. Total thugs,” one protester said, rubbing his bruised skull. “I’ve never seen anyone less amenable to listening to our point of view.”
Another said: “I took on a Texan Swat team at Esso last year and they were angels compared with this lot.” Behind him, on the balcony of the pub opposite the IPE, a bleary-eyed trader, pint in hand, yelled: “Sod off, Swampy.”
WHEN 35 Greenpeace protesters stormed the International Petroleum Exchange (IPE) yesterday they had planned the operation in great detail.
What they were not prepared for was the post-prandial aggression of oil traders who kicked and punched them back on to the pavement.
“We bit off more than we could chew. They were just Cockney barrow boy spivs. Total thugs,” one protester said, rubbing his bruised skull. “I’ve never seen anyone less amenable to listening to our point of view.”
Another said: “I took on a Texan Swat team at Esso last year and they were angels compared with this lot.” Behind him, on the balcony of the pub opposite the IPE, a bleary-eyed trader, pint in hand, yelled: “Sod off, Swampy.”
Motherhood - According to Newsweek
This is awful. A sampling:
"Women today mother in the excessive, control-freakish way that they do in part because they are psychologically conditioned to do so. But they also do it because, to a large extent, they have to. Because they are unsupported, because their children are not taken care of, in any meaningful way, by society at large. Because there is right now no widespread feeling of social responsibility—for children, for families, for anyone, really—and so they must take everything onto themselves."
"Instead of blaming society, moms today tend to blame themselves. They say they've chosen poorly. And so they take on the Herculean task of being absolutely everything to their children, simply because no one else is doing anything at all to help them. Because if they don't perform magical acts of perfect Mommy ministrations, their kids might fall through the cracks and end up as losers in our hard-driving winner-take-all society."
"In general, we need to alleviate the economic pressures that currently make so many families' lives so high-pressured, through progressive tax policies that would transfer our nation's wealth back to the middle class. So that mothers and fathers could stop running like lunatics, and start spending real quality—and quantity—time with their children. And so that motherhood could stop being the awful burden it is for so many women today and instead become something more like a joy."
"Women today mother in the excessive, control-freakish way that they do in part because they are psychologically conditioned to do so. But they also do it because, to a large extent, they have to. Because they are unsupported, because their children are not taken care of, in any meaningful way, by society at large. Because there is right now no widespread feeling of social responsibility—for children, for families, for anyone, really—and so they must take everything onto themselves."
"Instead of blaming society, moms today tend to blame themselves. They say they've chosen poorly. And so they take on the Herculean task of being absolutely everything to their children, simply because no one else is doing anything at all to help them. Because if they don't perform magical acts of perfect Mommy ministrations, their kids might fall through the cracks and end up as losers in our hard-driving winner-take-all society."
"In general, we need to alleviate the economic pressures that currently make so many families' lives so high-pressured, through progressive tax policies that would transfer our nation's wealth back to the middle class. So that mothers and fathers could stop running like lunatics, and start spending real quality—and quantity—time with their children. And so that motherhood could stop being the awful burden it is for so many women today and instead become something more like a joy."
Adam Dunn, Work-A-Holic
Wow, what a guy.
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Adam Dunn showed up at the Ed Smith Stadium Complex Wednesday, well ahead of the Monday reporting date for position players.
And while Dunn would rather be back in Texas fishing - he caught a 9-pound, 2-ounce bass Tuesday - there was work to be done in Florida.
"I wanted to get here so I could work one-on-one with (Chris Chambliss)," Dunn said.
So let's get this straight. Adam Dunn arrives four days early to spring training in SARASOTA, FLORIDA...IN FEBRUARY...TO PLAY BASEBALL...FOR OVER $4 MILLION. Is arriving four days early really a big deal? Is there anyone out there who wouldn't do this for free? Is there anyone out there who wouldn't pay money to do this? I didn't think so.
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Adam Dunn showed up at the Ed Smith Stadium Complex Wednesday, well ahead of the Monday reporting date for position players.
And while Dunn would rather be back in Texas fishing - he caught a 9-pound, 2-ounce bass Tuesday - there was work to be done in Florida.
"I wanted to get here so I could work one-on-one with (Chris Chambliss)," Dunn said.
So let's get this straight. Adam Dunn arrives four days early to spring training in SARASOTA, FLORIDA...IN FEBRUARY...TO PLAY BASEBALL...FOR OVER $4 MILLION. Is arriving four days early really a big deal? Is there anyone out there who wouldn't do this for free? Is there anyone out there who wouldn't pay money to do this? I didn't think so.
It's OK, He Was Drunk
The priesthood ain't what it used to be...or maybe it is.
CHELSEA -- A Roman Catholic priest charged with soliciting sex from a 12-year-old girl and her mother while dining last month at a Chelsea restaurant told police he may have made ''inappropriate" remarks to them but was too drunk to remember, according to a police report.
The Rev. Jerome Gillespie, 55, who will be arraigned today in Chelsea District Court, said he remembered two females sitting near his booth at Floramo's restaurant and apologized for his behavior to Chelsea police, the report states.
''Gillespie . . . said that he had too much to drink and may have said some inappropriate things," according to the report. He ''stated he does not remember what he had said."
Gillespie resigned as pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Swampscott three days after the Jan. 25 incident. He is charged with one count each of enticement of a child under age 16, solicitation of sex for a fee, and accosting a person of the opposite sex, according to the Suffolk district attorney's office.
CHELSEA -- A Roman Catholic priest charged with soliciting sex from a 12-year-old girl and her mother while dining last month at a Chelsea restaurant told police he may have made ''inappropriate" remarks to them but was too drunk to remember, according to a police report.
The Rev. Jerome Gillespie, 55, who will be arraigned today in Chelsea District Court, said he remembered two females sitting near his booth at Floramo's restaurant and apologized for his behavior to Chelsea police, the report states.
''Gillespie . . . said that he had too much to drink and may have said some inappropriate things," according to the report. He ''stated he does not remember what he had said."
Gillespie resigned as pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Swampscott three days after the Jan. 25 incident. He is charged with one count each of enticement of a child under age 16, solicitation of sex for a fee, and accosting a person of the opposite sex, according to the Suffolk district attorney's office.
Good Point
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Mike Greenwell, 1988 American League MVP?
The former Boston Red Sox outfielder said Jose Canseco's admission that he took steroids raises questions about the legitimacy of the award that season.
"Where's my MVP?" Greenwell told the Fort Myers News-Press. "(Canseco's) an admitted steroid user. I was clean. If they're going to start putting asterisks by things, let's put one by the MVP."
Canseco hit .307 with 42 home runs, 124 RBI and 40 stolen bases for the Oakland A's in 1988 and was unanimously voted the league's MVP. Greenwell, who hit .325 with 22 home runs, 119 RBI and 16 stolen bases that season, finished second in the balloting.
"I do have a problem with losing the MVP to an admitted steroids user," Greenwell told the News-Press, adding that not winning the award likely cost him millions of dollars.
The former Boston Red Sox outfielder said Jose Canseco's admission that he took steroids raises questions about the legitimacy of the award that season.
"Where's my MVP?" Greenwell told the Fort Myers News-Press. "(Canseco's) an admitted steroid user. I was clean. If they're going to start putting asterisks by things, let's put one by the MVP."
Canseco hit .307 with 42 home runs, 124 RBI and 40 stolen bases for the Oakland A's in 1988 and was unanimously voted the league's MVP. Greenwell, who hit .325 with 22 home runs, 119 RBI and 16 stolen bases that season, finished second in the balloting.
"I do have a problem with losing the MVP to an admitted steroids user," Greenwell told the News-Press, adding that not winning the award likely cost him millions of dollars.
The Main Stream Media Comes Unhinged
Peggy Noonan's on the case:
"Salivating morons." "Scalp hunters." "Moon howlers." "Trophy hunters." "Sons of Sen. McCarthy." "Rabid." "Blogswarm." "These pseudo-journalist lynch mob people."
This is excellent invective. It must come from bloggers. But wait, it was the mainstream media and their maidservants in the elite journalism reviews, and they were talking about bloggers!
Those MSMers have gone wild, I tell you! The tendentious language, the low insults. It's the Wild Wild West out there. We may have to consider legislation.
When you hear name-calling like what we've been hearing from the elite media this week, you know someone must be doing something right. The hysterical edge makes you wonder if writers for newspapers and magazines and professors in J-schools don't have a serious case of freedom envy.
"Salivating morons." "Scalp hunters." "Moon howlers." "Trophy hunters." "Sons of Sen. McCarthy." "Rabid." "Blogswarm." "These pseudo-journalist lynch mob people."
This is excellent invective. It must come from bloggers. But wait, it was the mainstream media and their maidservants in the elite journalism reviews, and they were talking about bloggers!
Those MSMers have gone wild, I tell you! The tendentious language, the low insults. It's the Wild Wild West out there. We may have to consider legislation.
When you hear name-calling like what we've been hearing from the elite media this week, you know someone must be doing something right. The hysterical edge makes you wonder if writers for newspapers and magazines and professors in J-schools don't have a serious case of freedom envy.
About 15 Years Too Late
BERLIN (Reuters) - Singer George Michael said farewell to the world of pop music on Wednesday, using a candid documentary about his life to put the record straight before he "disappeared."
Howard Dean's Problem
No one can question Dean's passion or commitment. But his failed presidential run illustrated just how poorly organized and tone deaf he is. This latest incident proves the point.
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Howard Dean, the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee, requested a media blackout of a debate with top Pentagon adviser Richard Perle, then quickly changed his mind Wednesday after news agencies complained.
"DNC Chair Howard Dean has declared a news blackout of his appearance and requested the media not quote, record, and/or paraphrase his remarks," event coordinator Gabrielle Williams wrote in an e-mail sent to news agencies Wednesday morning. "We apologize for the late notice, but we were just informed of this request."
Less than two hours later, Williams called to say: "We were told just a few minutes ago that it is now open" for media coverage. The decision to open Thursday's debate came roughly 30 minutes after an inquiry by The Associated Press.
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Howard Dean, the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee, requested a media blackout of a debate with top Pentagon adviser Richard Perle, then quickly changed his mind Wednesday after news agencies complained.
"DNC Chair Howard Dean has declared a news blackout of his appearance and requested the media not quote, record, and/or paraphrase his remarks," event coordinator Gabrielle Williams wrote in an e-mail sent to news agencies Wednesday morning. "We apologize for the late notice, but we were just informed of this request."
Less than two hours later, Williams called to say: "We were told just a few minutes ago that it is now open" for media coverage. The decision to open Thursday's debate came roughly 30 minutes after an inquiry by The Associated Press.
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Correction of the Day
The LA Times corrects its correction:
CNN resignation — An article in Saturday’s Section A about the resignation of CNN executive Eason Jordan said that in an April 2003 opinion piece in the New York Times, Jordan wrote that he did not allow his network to report all it had learned “during the intense early days of combat in Iraq, for fear that releasing certain confidential information would put lives in jeopardy.” Jordan’s essay was about his network’s coverage in the years and months preceding the war. A correction Tuesday erroneously said his essay referred also to his network’s coverage during the early days of the war.
CNN resignation — An article in Saturday’s Section A about the resignation of CNN executive Eason Jordan said that in an April 2003 opinion piece in the New York Times, Jordan wrote that he did not allow his network to report all it had learned “during the intense early days of combat in Iraq, for fear that releasing certain confidential information would put lives in jeopardy.” Jordan’s essay was about his network’s coverage in the years and months preceding the war. A correction Tuesday erroneously said his essay referred also to his network’s coverage during the early days of the war.
I Like It When A Plan Comes Together
The Bush plan is starting to unfold:
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) -- President Bush says he has not ruled out raising taxes on those who earn more than $90,000 a year to help bolster Social Security's finances.
Under the current system, payroll taxes are paid only on the first $90,000 in wages. Bush has repeatedly said that he opposes raising taxes, but his advisers have been intentionally vague about whether he would also rule out subjecting a greater share of pay to the existing tax.
Asked directly, Bush said that he would not rule out raising that cap, though he does not want to see the payroll tax rate go up. The rate is now 12.4 percent of pay, split between workers and employers.
Step 1 was private accounts. Step 2 will be to increase the payroll tax ceiling (increase SS revenue). Step 3 will be to increase the retirement age (decrease outlays). Step 4 will be to reduce benefits for workers under 50 (decrease outlays).
All together, I think that might work.
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) -- President Bush says he has not ruled out raising taxes on those who earn more than $90,000 a year to help bolster Social Security's finances.
Under the current system, payroll taxes are paid only on the first $90,000 in wages. Bush has repeatedly said that he opposes raising taxes, but his advisers have been intentionally vague about whether he would also rule out subjecting a greater share of pay to the existing tax.
Asked directly, Bush said that he would not rule out raising that cap, though he does not want to see the payroll tax rate go up. The rate is now 12.4 percent of pay, split between workers and employers.
Step 1 was private accounts. Step 2 will be to increase the payroll tax ceiling (increase SS revenue). Step 3 will be to increase the retirement age (decrease outlays). Step 4 will be to reduce benefits for workers under 50 (decrease outlays).
All together, I think that might work.
Whose Property Is It?
Here's hoping the Supreme Court puts an end to this sort of thing. The Fifth Amendment states that the government can take private property for certain public uses...and precedent says that those uses need to be pretty darn compelling. A new shopping center or office building or business complex does not meet that criteria.
Peace is Breaking Out Everywhere
After a long dry spell that had regional experts worried about continued peace talks between India and Pakistan, Reuters reports that Wednesday foreign ministers from both countries announced a series of initiatives that show the rivals are "keen to keep the thaw in relations going, having almost gone to war for a fourth time just three years ago."
The main announcement, which came during the visit of Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh to Islamabad, was the restoration of a bus service in the contested region of Jammu and Kashmir. This service is actually the reopening of a route that has been closed since India and Pakistan separated in 1947. The BBC calls the agreement "hugely significant," and points out that both sides had to make major concessions for it to happen.
And all this takes place under the watchful eye of the hawkish, aggressive leader off the world's lone superpower.
The main announcement, which came during the visit of Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh to Islamabad, was the restoration of a bus service in the contested region of Jammu and Kashmir. This service is actually the reopening of a route that has been closed since India and Pakistan separated in 1947. The BBC calls the agreement "hugely significant," and points out that both sides had to make major concessions for it to happen.
And all this takes place under the watchful eye of the hawkish, aggressive leader off the world's lone superpower.
Mmmmmmm, Coffee
WASHINGTON (AP) -- That hot cup of coffee may do more than just provide a tasty energy boost. It also may help prevent the most common type of liver cancer.
A study of more than 90,000 Japanese found that people who drank coffee daily or nearly every day had half the liver cancer risk of those who never drank coffee.
A study of more than 90,000 Japanese found that people who drank coffee daily or nearly every day had half the liver cancer risk of those who never drank coffee.
The Faith-Based Initiative Failure
What went wrong, from the man who ran it. Bottom line:
"At the end of the day, both parties played to stereotype — Republicans were indifferent to the poor and the Democrats were allergic to faith."
"At the end of the day, both parties played to stereotype — Republicans were indifferent to the poor and the Democrats were allergic to faith."
I Love the NY Times
From today's story covering Larry Summers's faculty meeting yesterday:
"Most speakers took aim at Dr. Summers for what they described as an autocratic management style that has stifled the open debate that is at the core of the university's values. While their comments were respectful, they were forceful and were greeted by strong applause."
Who is stifling whom?
"Most speakers took aim at Dr. Summers for what they described as an autocratic management style that has stifled the open debate that is at the core of the university's values. While their comments were respectful, they were forceful and were greeted by strong applause."
Who is stifling whom?
An Artistic Genius
Finally, somebody pays a huge some of money for good art.
NEW YORK (AP) _ A pair of paintings from the famed series depicting dogs playing poker fetched nearly $600,000 at auction Tuesday.
The two works _ ``A Bold Bluff'' and ``Waterloo'' _ were among 16 paintings that artist Cassius Marcellus Coolidge was commissioned to create for a Minnesota-based advertising company in 1903. Of the 16, nine are of dogs playing poker.
The two works that sold Tuesday for $590,400 capture moments in a poker game played by five dogs, among them a St. Bernard that ends up collecting the pot on a bluff.
The winning bid set a new auction record for Coolidge, whose previous top sale was $74,000, said Alan Fausel, director of paintings at Doyle New York, which handled Tuesday's sale.
The winning bidder was a private collector from New York.
Doyle had estimated that the two paintings would bring in between $30,000 and $50,000.
The sale was part of Doyle's annual ``Dogs in Art'' auction, which coincides with the Westminster Kennel Club dog show.
NEW YORK (AP) _ A pair of paintings from the famed series depicting dogs playing poker fetched nearly $600,000 at auction Tuesday.
The two works _ ``A Bold Bluff'' and ``Waterloo'' _ were among 16 paintings that artist Cassius Marcellus Coolidge was commissioned to create for a Minnesota-based advertising company in 1903. Of the 16, nine are of dogs playing poker.
The two works that sold Tuesday for $590,400 capture moments in a poker game played by five dogs, among them a St. Bernard that ends up collecting the pot on a bluff.
The winning bid set a new auction record for Coolidge, whose previous top sale was $74,000, said Alan Fausel, director of paintings at Doyle New York, which handled Tuesday's sale.
The winning bidder was a private collector from New York.
Doyle had estimated that the two paintings would bring in between $30,000 and $50,000.
The sale was part of Doyle's annual ``Dogs in Art'' auction, which coincides with the Westminster Kennel Club dog show.
Where Was Rummy on Wednesday
"TEHRAN, Iran - An unknown aircraft fired a missile on Wednesday in a deserted area near the southern city of Dailam in the province of Bushehr where Iran has a nuclear power plant, Iranian state television said."
The CBS Debacle Continues
From Drudge:
THE NEW YORK OBSERVER will report tomorrow: 'Former 60 Minutes Wednesday executive editor Josh Howard has told colleagues that before he resigns, the 23-year CBS News veteran will demand that the network retract remarks by CBS president Leslie Moonves, correct its official story line and ultimately clear his name'...
In the event of a lawsuit, Mr. Howard has told associates that he would like to see Moonves put under oath to talk about his own roles in the network's stubborn, hapless defense of the flawed segment on President Bush's National Guard service.Howard has also indicated to colleagues that he would subpoena specific CBS documents, including the e-mails of top executives.
THE NEW YORK OBSERVER will report tomorrow: 'Former 60 Minutes Wednesday executive editor Josh Howard has told colleagues that before he resigns, the 23-year CBS News veteran will demand that the network retract remarks by CBS president Leslie Moonves, correct its official story line and ultimately clear his name'...
In the event of a lawsuit, Mr. Howard has told associates that he would like to see Moonves put under oath to talk about his own roles in the network's stubborn, hapless defense of the flawed segment on President Bush's National Guard service.Howard has also indicated to colleagues that he would subpoena specific CBS documents, including the e-mails of top executives.
Very Odd
Granted, Carter was in the Navy. But the last person that comes to mind when I think of military power (and the use of it) and nuclear power (and the use of it) is Jimmy Carter.
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy will commission its newest nuclear-powered attack submarine Jimmy Carter Feb. 19, during an 11 a.m. EST ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London, Groton, Conn. The attack submarine Jimmy Carter honors the 39th president of the United States.
President Carter is the only U.S. president to have qualified in submarines.
He has distinguished himself by a lifetime of public service, and has long ties to the Navy and the submarine force. Carter graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946, served as a commissioned officer aboard submarines, and served as commander-in-chief from 1977 to 1981. Carter's statesmanship, philanthropy and sense of humanity earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy will commission its newest nuclear-powered attack submarine Jimmy Carter Feb. 19, during an 11 a.m. EST ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London, Groton, Conn. The attack submarine Jimmy Carter honors the 39th president of the United States.
President Carter is the only U.S. president to have qualified in submarines.
He has distinguished himself by a lifetime of public service, and has long ties to the Navy and the submarine force. Carter graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946, served as a commissioned officer aboard submarines, and served as commander-in-chief from 1977 to 1981. Carter's statesmanship, philanthropy and sense of humanity earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Things Can Always Change
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic Sen. John Kerry, whose baffling explanation of votes on Iraq war funding hurt his 2004 White House bid, said on Tuesday he would back President Bush's new $81.9 billion request for Iraq and Afghanistan.
"I think we're in a very different situation," Kerry told reporters. "I'm going to vote for this ... I think this money is important to our being successful and to the completion of the process."
"I think we're in a very different situation," Kerry told reporters. "I'm going to vote for this ... I think this money is important to our being successful and to the completion of the process."
Common Sense Reaches the Gay Activists
Wasn't Pat Robertson saying this sort of thing - and getting whacked for it - 15 years ago.
While many are calling for a renewed commitment to prevention efforts and free condoms, some veterans of the war on AIDS are advocating an entirely new approach to the spread of unsafe sex, much of which is fueled by a surge in methamphetamine abuse. They want to track down those who knowingly engage in risky behavior and try to stop them before they can infect others...
"Gay men do not have the right to spread a debilitating and often fatal disease," said Charles Kaiser, a historian and author of "The Gay Metropolis." "A person who is H.I.V.-positive has no more right to unprotected intercourse than he has the right to put a bullet through another person's head," he said.
While many are calling for a renewed commitment to prevention efforts and free condoms, some veterans of the war on AIDS are advocating an entirely new approach to the spread of unsafe sex, much of which is fueled by a surge in methamphetamine abuse. They want to track down those who knowingly engage in risky behavior and try to stop them before they can infect others...
"Gay men do not have the right to spread a debilitating and often fatal disease," said Charles Kaiser, a historian and author of "The Gay Metropolis." "A person who is H.I.V.-positive has no more right to unprotected intercourse than he has the right to put a bullet through another person's head," he said.
Correction of the Day
From the NY Times:
The Keeping Score column in SportsSunday on Jan. 23, about a mathematical formula for projecting the winner of the Super Bowl, misstated the application of the Pythagorean theorem, which the formula resembles. The theorem determines the length of the third side of a right triangle when the length of the two other sides is known; it is not used to determine the sum of the angles in a right triangle.
The Keeping Score column in SportsSunday on Jan. 23, about a mathematical formula for projecting the winner of the Super Bowl, misstated the application of the Pythagorean theorem, which the formula resembles. The theorem determines the length of the third side of a right triangle when the length of the two other sides is known; it is not used to determine the sum of the angles in a right triangle.
Tagged!
The Bengals have placed the franchise designation on Pro Bowl running back Rudi Johnson, preventing him from hitting the unrestricted free agent market.
Since the middle of last season, the Bengals and Johnson have been talking about a long-term contract but haven't been able to find the right numbers. Instead of potentially losing him in free agency, the Bengals decided to protect their rights and name him as their franchise player.
Johnson will be tendered a one-year contract offer at $6.23 million, the average value of the top five cap numbers at running back from last season. Any team trying to sign him in free agency would have to forfeit two first-round draft choices.
The two sides have until March 15 to work out a long-term deal; after that, there is a moratorium on teams reaching deals with franchised players until July 15. If a team does sign its franchised player during that time period, it would lose its franchise tag for the following season.
Since the middle of last season, the Bengals and Johnson have been talking about a long-term contract but haven't been able to find the right numbers. Instead of potentially losing him in free agency, the Bengals decided to protect their rights and name him as their franchise player.
Johnson will be tendered a one-year contract offer at $6.23 million, the average value of the top five cap numbers at running back from last season. Any team trying to sign him in free agency would have to forfeit two first-round draft choices.
The two sides have until March 15 to work out a long-term deal; after that, there is a moratorium on teams reaching deals with franchised players until July 15. If a team does sign its franchised player during that time period, it would lose its franchise tag for the following season.
Common Knowledge
Everyone knew about steroid use in baseball:
NEW YORK -- An FBI agent says federal investigators warned Major League Baseball about 10 years ago that some of its players were using steroids, but baseball executives failed to act on the information, the Daily News reported.
In Tuesday's editions, the Daily News reported that a special agent in Ann Arbor, Mich., told baseball security chief Kevin Hallinan that Jose Canseco and other players were using illegal anabolic steroids.
"I alerted Major League Baseball back in the time when we had a case, that Canseco was a heavy user and that they should be aware of it," Special Agent Greg Stejskal told the Daily News. "I spoke to the people in their security office, Hallinan was one of the people I spoke to."
NEW YORK -- An FBI agent says federal investigators warned Major League Baseball about 10 years ago that some of its players were using steroids, but baseball executives failed to act on the information, the Daily News reported.
In Tuesday's editions, the Daily News reported that a special agent in Ann Arbor, Mich., told baseball security chief Kevin Hallinan that Jose Canseco and other players were using illegal anabolic steroids.
"I alerted Major League Baseball back in the time when we had a case, that Canseco was a heavy user and that they should be aware of it," Special Agent Greg Stejskal told the Daily News. "I spoke to the people in their security office, Hallinan was one of the people I spoke to."
We Have an Ambassador in Syria?
Who would have thunk it.
(CNN) -- The United States announced Tuesday the recall of its ambassador to Syria in response to the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
(CNN) -- The United States announced Tuesday the recall of its ambassador to Syria in response to the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Quote of the Day
"The blogosphere is to the media what internal affairs is to any law enforcement agency. Nobody likes them, and they are absolutely necessary." -- Unknown.
Dooooh!
The New York Yankees acknowledged that they took the word "steroids" out of Jason Giambi's contract in 2001, USA Today reported Monday.
General manager Brian Cashman had previously denied a story in the New York Times that claimed steroids language was taken out of Giambi's contract.
"The story that's out there today is how way back when, when this was done, that steroids was almost like a private conversation between the player and his agent and the New York Yankees, that you can't have that policy in there because it's obvious the club would turn their head and stick their head in the sand and still invest all this money and say, 'Yeah, we'll just take it out, it will be our little quiet secret.' That's a lot of B.S., it's hogwash, it's not true," Cashman said on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike Show on Friday morning. "If that were the case, you'd back off and walk away."
But Yankees officials on Monday said they removed the word "steroids" because they felt they were protected by broader language regarding drugs, USA Today reported.
Check out these numbers:
Giambi's remaining salary:
2005 - $15.5 million
2006 - $19 million
2007 - $21.5 million
2008 - $21 million
2009 - $22 million (team has $5 million buyout clause)
General manager Brian Cashman had previously denied a story in the New York Times that claimed steroids language was taken out of Giambi's contract.
"The story that's out there today is how way back when, when this was done, that steroids was almost like a private conversation between the player and his agent and the New York Yankees, that you can't have that policy in there because it's obvious the club would turn their head and stick their head in the sand and still invest all this money and say, 'Yeah, we'll just take it out, it will be our little quiet secret.' That's a lot of B.S., it's hogwash, it's not true," Cashman said on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike Show on Friday morning. "If that were the case, you'd back off and walk away."
But Yankees officials on Monday said they removed the word "steroids" because they felt they were protected by broader language regarding drugs, USA Today reported.
Check out these numbers:
Giambi's remaining salary:
2005 - $15.5 million
2006 - $19 million
2007 - $21.5 million
2008 - $21 million
2009 - $22 million (team has $5 million buyout clause)
Say What?
Here's The WaPo's description of Hezbollah:
Lebanese government officials linked Hariri's killing to mounting international pressure on Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon and to end its sponsorship of Hezbollah, an armed Shiite Muslim political movement that operates in the south.
That's precious.
Lebanese government officials linked Hariri's killing to mounting international pressure on Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon and to end its sponsorship of Hezbollah, an armed Shiite Muslim political movement that operates in the south.
That's precious.
Throw in the Towel
I think it's time to give up on this good idea:
(AP) A test of the national missile defense system failed Monday when an interceptor missile did not launch from its island base in the Pacific Ocean, the military said. It was the second failure in months for the experimental program.
A statement from the Missile Defense Agency said the cause of the failure was under investigation.
A spokesman for the agency, Rick Lehner, said the early indications was that there was a malfunction with the ground support equipment at the test range on Kwajalein Island, not with the interceptor missile itself. If verified, that would be a relief for program officials because it would mean no new problems had been discovered with the missile.
Previous failures of these high-profile, $85 million test launches have been regarded as significant setbacks by critics of the program.
(AP) A test of the national missile defense system failed Monday when an interceptor missile did not launch from its island base in the Pacific Ocean, the military said. It was the second failure in months for the experimental program.
A statement from the Missile Defense Agency said the cause of the failure was under investigation.
A spokesman for the agency, Rick Lehner, said the early indications was that there was a malfunction with the ground support equipment at the test range on Kwajalein Island, not with the interceptor missile itself. If verified, that would be a relief for program officials because it would mean no new problems had been discovered with the missile.
Previous failures of these high-profile, $85 million test launches have been regarded as significant setbacks by critics of the program.
Monday, February 14, 2005
More From Abbas
The new Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, said in an interview this weekend that the war with the Israelis is effectively over and that the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, is speaking "a different language" to the Palestinians. Mr. Sharon's commitment to withdraw from Gaza and dismantle all Israeli settlements there and four in the West Bank, despite "how much pressure is on him from the Israeli Likud rightists," Mr. Abbas said, "is a good sign to start with" on the road to real peace.
"And now he has a partner," Mr. Abbas said.
In a 40-minute interview in his Gaza office late on Saturday night, Mr. Abbas spoke with pride about persuading the radical groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad to respect the mutual declaration of a truce that he and Mr. Sharon announced last Tuesday at their first meeting, in Sharm el Sheik, Egypt, which was the highest-level meeting between Israelis and Palestinians in four years.
Mr. Abbas said the war with the Israelis would be over "when the Israelis declare that they will comply with the agreement I made in Sharm el Sheik, and today our comrades in Hamas and Jihad said they are committed to the truce, the cooling down of the whole situation, and I believe we will start a new era."
"And now he has a partner," Mr. Abbas said.
In a 40-minute interview in his Gaza office late on Saturday night, Mr. Abbas spoke with pride about persuading the radical groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad to respect the mutual declaration of a truce that he and Mr. Sharon announced last Tuesday at their first meeting, in Sharm el Sheik, Egypt, which was the highest-level meeting between Israelis and Palestinians in four years.
Mr. Abbas said the war with the Israelis would be over "when the Israelis declare that they will comply with the agreement I made in Sharm el Sheik, and today our comrades in Hamas and Jihad said they are committed to the truce, the cooling down of the whole situation, and I believe we will start a new era."
Stand By Your Man
A campaign convenience is no more.
According to The Washington Times, Teresa Heinz, the erstwhile Teresa Heinz Kerry, has stopped using the last name of her husband, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, last year's Democrat presidential nominee.
Preceding its Women Who Make a Difference Awards dinner next month, the National Council for Research on Women is featuring "a conversation with Teresa Heinz," according to a release from the organization. The council failed to mention the final half of the Fox Chapel ketchup heiress' formerly elongated last name in several other references.
"I just checked and she no longer uses her (entire) last name; only during the (presidential) campaign did she use Kerry," campaign spokeswoman Tamara Rodriguez Reichberg said.
According to The Washington Times, Teresa Heinz, the erstwhile Teresa Heinz Kerry, has stopped using the last name of her husband, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, last year's Democrat presidential nominee.
Preceding its Women Who Make a Difference Awards dinner next month, the National Council for Research on Women is featuring "a conversation with Teresa Heinz," according to a release from the organization. The council failed to mention the final half of the Fox Chapel ketchup heiress' formerly elongated last name in several other references.
"I just checked and she no longer uses her (entire) last name; only during the (presidential) campaign did she use Kerry," campaign spokeswoman Tamara Rodriguez Reichberg said.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Great Iraq Election News Confirmed
BAGHDAD, Iraq Feb 13, 2005 — Iraq's majority Shiite Muslims won nearly half the votes in the nation's Jan. 30 election, giving the long-oppressed group significant power but not enough to form a government on their own.
The Shiites likely will have to form a coalition in the 275-member National Assembly with the other top vote-getters the Kurds and Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's list to push through their agenda and select a president and prime minister. The president and two vice presidents must be elected by a two-thirds majority.
Also, CNN is reporting 8.5 million voted (that's 60%).
The Shiites likely will have to form a coalition in the 275-member National Assembly with the other top vote-getters the Kurds and Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's list to push through their agenda and select a president and prime minister. The president and two vice presidents must be elected by a two-thirds majority.
Also, CNN is reporting 8.5 million voted (that's 60%).
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