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liberal N proud
liberal N proud's Journal
liberal N proud's Journal
April 23, 2012
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47146656/
Maybe the lawmakers should put the funds back that they have stolen from it for years.
In continued fear-mongering, the new claim is the Social Security to run dry by 2033
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The government's retirement benefits programs will run out of money three years earlier than previously thought, its trustees said on Monday, increasing the pressure on lawmakers to reform the federal safety net for millions of Americans.
The trustees said the Social Security fund for retirees will become insolvent in 2033. But it said the Medicare funds will run out in 2024, the same forecast as last year.
The trustees said a key factor in revising the Social Security estimate was the view that Americans' average real earnings were likely to grow more slowly than previously thought, thus crimping revenues from taxes that finance the fund.
"Lawmakers should address the financial challenges facing Social Security and Medicare as soon as possible," the trustees' annual report said. "Taking action sooner rather than later will leave more options and more time available to phase in changes so that the public has adequate time to prepare," it said.
The trustees said the Social Security fund for retirees will become insolvent in 2033. But it said the Medicare funds will run out in 2024, the same forecast as last year.
The trustees said a key factor in revising the Social Security estimate was the view that Americans' average real earnings were likely to grow more slowly than previously thought, thus crimping revenues from taxes that finance the fund.
"Lawmakers should address the financial challenges facing Social Security and Medicare as soon as possible," the trustees' annual report said. "Taking action sooner rather than later will leave more options and more time available to phase in changes so that the public has adequate time to prepare," it said.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47146656/
Maybe the lawmakers should put the funds back that they have stolen from it for years.
April 23, 2012
Read more at NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/23/us/politics/shift-on-executive-powers-let-obama-bypass-congress.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20120423
Will the Obama reelection campaign highlight the Republican Blockade?
Will the President going to outline how the Republicans in Congress have blocked appointments and other legislation in his bid for reelection?
Shift on Executive Power Lets Obama Bypass Rivals
WASHINGTON — One Saturday last fall, President Obama interrupted a White House strategy meeting to raise an issue not on the agenda. He declared, aides recalled, that the administration needed to more aggressively use executive power to govern in the face of Congressional obstructionism.
“We had been attempting to highlight the inability of Congress to do anything,” recalled William M. Daley, who was the White House chief of staff at the time. “The president expressed frustration, saying we have got to scour everything and push the envelope in finding things we can do on our own.”
For Mr. Obama, that meeting was a turning point. As a senator and presidential candidate, he had criticized George W. Bush for flouting the role of Congress. And during his first two years in the White House, when Democrats controlled Congress, Mr. Obama largely worked through the legislative process to achieve his domestic policy goals.
But increasingly in recent months, the administration has been seeking ways to act without Congress. Branding its unilateral efforts “We Can’t Wait,” a slogan that aides said Mr. Obama coined at that strategy meeting, the White House has rolled out dozens of new policies — on creating jobs for veterans, preventing drug shortages, raising fuel economy standards, curbing domestic violence and more.
WASHINGTON — One Saturday last fall, President Obama interrupted a White House strategy meeting to raise an issue not on the agenda. He declared, aides recalled, that the administration needed to more aggressively use executive power to govern in the face of Congressional obstructionism.
“We had been attempting to highlight the inability of Congress to do anything,” recalled William M. Daley, who was the White House chief of staff at the time. “The president expressed frustration, saying we have got to scour everything and push the envelope in finding things we can do on our own.”
For Mr. Obama, that meeting was a turning point. As a senator and presidential candidate, he had criticized George W. Bush for flouting the role of Congress. And during his first two years in the White House, when Democrats controlled Congress, Mr. Obama largely worked through the legislative process to achieve his domestic policy goals.
But increasingly in recent months, the administration has been seeking ways to act without Congress. Branding its unilateral efforts “We Can’t Wait,” a slogan that aides said Mr. Obama coined at that strategy meeting, the White House has rolled out dozens of new policies — on creating jobs for veterans, preventing drug shortages, raising fuel economy standards, curbing domestic violence and more.
Read more at NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/23/us/politics/shift-on-executive-powers-let-obama-bypass-congress.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20120423
April 20, 2012
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/19/11294035-paper-names-secret-service-supervisors-ousted-in-colombia-scandal?lite
Yeah, that's the right thing to do to an elite trained team who is in charge of protecting you!
Romney: ‘I’d clean house’ - Secret Service
Romney: ‘I’d clean house’
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who receives Secret Service protection, has condemned the alleged misconduct, telling radio host Laura Ingraham that "I'd clean house." But he expressed confidence in Director Sullivan.
"The right thing to do is to remove people who have violated the public trust and have put their play time and their personal interests ahead of the interests of the nation," Romney said.
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who receives Secret Service protection, has condemned the alleged misconduct, telling radio host Laura Ingraham that "I'd clean house." But he expressed confidence in Director Sullivan.
"The right thing to do is to remove people who have violated the public trust and have put their play time and their personal interests ahead of the interests of the nation," Romney said.
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/19/11294035-paper-names-secret-service-supervisors-ousted-in-colombia-scandal?lite
Yeah, that's the right thing to do to an elite trained team who is in charge of protecting you!
April 20, 2012
President Barack Obama sits on the famed Rosa Parks bus at the Henry Ford Museum following an event on April 18 in Dearborn, Mich.
President Barack Obama took a moment from fundraising in Michigan on Wednesday to visit the Henry Ford Museum and sit in the Montgomery, Ala. city bus made famous by Rosa Parks.
http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/19/11294014-barack-obama-sits-inside-rosa-parks-bus?lite
Barack Obama sits inside Rosa Parks bus
President Barack Obama sits on the famed Rosa Parks bus at the Henry Ford Museum following an event on April 18 in Dearborn, Mich.
President Barack Obama took a moment from fundraising in Michigan on Wednesday to visit the Henry Ford Museum and sit in the Montgomery, Ala. city bus made famous by Rosa Parks.
http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/19/11294014-barack-obama-sits-inside-rosa-parks-bus?lite
April 20, 2012
The Anti-Defamation League wants an apology from Peoria's bishop following a recent homily comparing President Barack Obama's policies to those of despots Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin.
During the message at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria, Roman Catholic Bishop Daniel Jenky contended social services for Catholics could be eliminated if Obama's directive to include contraceptives in health insurance continues. Jenky went on to compare the actions to past cultural wars against the Catholic Church.
“Remember that in past history other governments have tried to force Christians to huddle and hide only within the confines of their churches like the first disciples locked up in the Upper Room,” Jenky said.
In comparison, he pointed to Otto von Bismarck's "culture war against the Roman Catholic Church, closing down every Catholic school and hospital, convent and monastery in Imperial Germany."
Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Peoria-Bishop-Compares-Obama-to-Stalin-Hitler-148099495.html#ixzz1sXmHR9KP
Video at link.
Peoria Bishop Compares Obama to Stalin, Hitler
The Anti-Defamation League wants an apology from Peoria's bishop following a recent homily comparing President Barack Obama's policies to those of despots Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin.
During the message at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria, Roman Catholic Bishop Daniel Jenky contended social services for Catholics could be eliminated if Obama's directive to include contraceptives in health insurance continues. Jenky went on to compare the actions to past cultural wars against the Catholic Church.
“Remember that in past history other governments have tried to force Christians to huddle and hide only within the confines of their churches like the first disciples locked up in the Upper Room,” Jenky said.
In comparison, he pointed to Otto von Bismarck's "culture war against the Roman Catholic Church, closing down every Catholic school and hospital, convent and monastery in Imperial Germany."
Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Peoria-Bishop-Compares-Obama-to-Stalin-Hitler-148099495.html#ixzz1sXmHR9KP
Video at link.
April 18, 2012
Man strips naked at Oregon airport in TSA protest
(CNN) -- A 50-year-old man who said he felt that airport screeners were "harassing" him stripped naked at Portland International Airport, police in Oregon said.
Police charged John E. Brennan with disorderly conduct and indecent exposure after he disrobed while going through the security screening area at the airport Tuesday evening.
"When interviewed about his actions, Mr. Brennan stated he fly's (sic) a lot and had disrobed as a form of protest against TSA screeners who he felt were harassing him," a police incident report said
http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/18/travel/oregon-airport-naked-protest/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn
Who here has not wanted to do this at some point when traveling?
Sometimes it feels like we almost are stripping, shoes, belt, jacket anything in your pockets. Just think, if you stripped, you wouldn't have to empty your pockets.
April 17, 2012
Space shuttle Discovery takes final flight ... on jumbo jet
Spaceship begins journey to Smithsonian atop 747; Washingtonians watch the skies
WASHINGTON — The space shuttle Discovery, NASA's fleet leader and the world's most flown spacecraft, lifted off for the last time on Tuesday to be delivered to the Smithsonian for its permanent display.
Discovery took off atop NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, a modified Boeing 747, leaving the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:58 a.m. ET, just after dawn, for Washington. The ferry flight was expected to take about three and a half hours.
Discovery, flying piggyback atop the jumbo jet, departed the runway and headed south to give the public along the Florida coastline and at the space center's visitor complex a last chance to see the shuttle in flight.
NASA planned for the carrier aircraft to do a low flyby of the same runway from where it took to the air — and where Discovery last landed from space in March 2011 — before bidding farewell to the orbiter's home and launch site for the past three decades.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47070577/ns/technology_and_science-space/
Discovery takes final flight
Space shuttle Discovery takes final flight ... on jumbo jet
Spaceship begins journey to Smithsonian atop 747; Washingtonians watch the skies
WASHINGTON — The space shuttle Discovery, NASA's fleet leader and the world's most flown spacecraft, lifted off for the last time on Tuesday to be delivered to the Smithsonian for its permanent display.
Discovery took off atop NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, a modified Boeing 747, leaving the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:58 a.m. ET, just after dawn, for Washington. The ferry flight was expected to take about three and a half hours.
Discovery, flying piggyback atop the jumbo jet, departed the runway and headed south to give the public along the Florida coastline and at the space center's visitor complex a last chance to see the shuttle in flight.
NASA planned for the carrier aircraft to do a low flyby of the same runway from where it took to the air — and where Discovery last landed from space in March 2011 — before bidding farewell to the orbiter's home and launch site for the past three decades.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47070577/ns/technology_and_science-space/
April 16, 2012
Life on Mars Found by NASA's Viking Mission?
A fresh look at NASA data suggests that a robotic mission uncovered microbial life on Mars—more than 30 years ago.
In 1976 NASA sent two space probes, Vikings 1 and 2, to Mars to determine whether life exists on the red planet. The probes carried three experiments specially designed for the task, one of which was called the Labeled Release (LR) apparatus.
The LR experiment worked by scooping up a bit of Martian soil and mixing it with a drop of water that contained nutrients and radioactive carbon atoms.
(Related: "Mars Soil Resembles Veggie-Garden Dirt, Lander Finds."
The idea was that if the soil contained microbes, the life-forms would metabolize the nutrients and release either radioactive carbon dioxide or methane gas, which could be measured by a radiation detector on the probe.
A number of control experiments were also performed, including heating some Mars soil samples to different temperatures and isolating other samples in the dark for months—conditions that would kill microbes that are photosynthetic or that rely on photosynthetic organisms for survival. These control samples were also mixed with the nutrient solution.
To the delight of many biologists at the time, the LR experiment came out positive for life, and the control experiments came out negative.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/04/120413-nasa-viking-program-mars-life-space-science/
April 12, 2012
The National Weather Service's office in Amarillo, Texas, posted this photo Wednesday night of what it said was deep hail
Sure, everything's bigger in Texas. But 4 feet of hail from one storm? That's what the National Weather Service, the Texas Department of Transportation and a local sheriff say happened Wednesday in an area north of Amarillo when hail piled up in drifts so wide they cut off a major highway.
The National Weather Service office in Amarillo even posted a photo on its Facebook page, but that wasn't enough to convince skeptics.
"Serious do not think this is 100% hail!!!" commented one person.
"It's a lite dusting of hail on some damn rocks," said another person, referring to the image of a firefighter standing next to what could be taken for boulders.
<snip>
"That was 4 feet of ice" that was compacted by rain and floodwater across a wide area, she added
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/12/11160993-4-feet-of-hail-in-texas-reports-photos-cause-quite-a-storm?lite/
4 feet of hail in Texas?
The National Weather Service's office in Amarillo, Texas, posted this photo Wednesday night of what it said was deep hail
Sure, everything's bigger in Texas. But 4 feet of hail from one storm? That's what the National Weather Service, the Texas Department of Transportation and a local sheriff say happened Wednesday in an area north of Amarillo when hail piled up in drifts so wide they cut off a major highway.
The National Weather Service office in Amarillo even posted a photo on its Facebook page, but that wasn't enough to convince skeptics.
"Serious do not think this is 100% hail!!!" commented one person.
"It's a lite dusting of hail on some damn rocks," said another person, referring to the image of a firefighter standing next to what could be taken for boulders.
<snip>
"That was 4 feet of ice" that was compacted by rain and floodwater across a wide area, she added
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/12/11160993-4-feet-of-hail-in-texas-reports-photos-cause-quite-a-storm?lite/
April 12, 2012
Forgot the link: http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2012/04/12/the_ann_romney_wars.html
Poor little Ann can't stand the heat already!
Really? - The Ann Romney Wars?
The War of Hillary Rosen is already effectively over, and the Romney campaign won it. Yesterday, in her capacity as a usually-ignorable CNN talking head,* Rosen took umbrage at the role Ann Romney was playing in her husband's campaign. "His wife has never actually worked a day in her life," she said. Ruth Marcus, whose take on the story is only slightly spoiled by her own friendship with Rosen, explains why clutching pearls and condemning the pundit is the wrong response.
But even the best defense of Rosen is a discussion of Ann Romney, and not the underlying economics that the Obama campaign wants to talk about. And this is where presidential campaigns differ from other sorts of campaigns. In a pretty fantastic 2007 story, Jodi Kantor explained, quite bluntly, that Ann Romney had struggled to connect with people (in her husband's first race, she talked about her successful weight loss!) and became very well aware of the sort of stigma that comes with being the home-making wife of a rich man. She got better at it, but she kept up a lifestyle that few people can relate to.
Rosen’s fundamental point — that Ann Romney’s experience is far from typical, that she has not grappled with the economic and family issues that face many women today — remains true. You don’t have to be a combatant on either side of the Mommy Wars to recognize that Ann Romney’s privileged life experience is not typical. She’s never had to worry about the price of a gallon of gas as she filled up the Cadillacs. She is at the tail end of a generation that did not agonize over the choice of whether to stay home with the kids and from an economic platform that gave her the luxury of making that choice.
But even the best defense of Rosen is a discussion of Ann Romney, and not the underlying economics that the Obama campaign wants to talk about. And this is where presidential campaigns differ from other sorts of campaigns. In a pretty fantastic 2007 story, Jodi Kantor explained, quite bluntly, that Ann Romney had struggled to connect with people (in her husband's first race, she talked about her successful weight loss!) and became very well aware of the sort of stigma that comes with being the home-making wife of a rich man. She got better at it, but she kept up a lifestyle that few people can relate to.
These details can be joked about in a primary, or a governor's race. Things change when a candidate becomes a potential president, and his wife becomes a potential First Lady. It's like the pre-sainthood stage before the church is about to confirm your miracles. By March 2012, when Mitt Romney was clearly marching toward the nomination, Ann Romney's love of dressage had evolved from a joke to the grist for a long profile. Attack her, and you kick off a multi-news-cyle umbrage-fest. I guess this must be frustrating for liberals who think it's unfair for wealthy Republicans to present themselves as jess' folks as they campaign for supply-side tax cuts. Campaigns are unfair, guys.
Forgot the link: http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2012/04/12/the_ann_romney_wars.html
Poor little Ann can't stand the heat already!
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