My street was in the NEWS!

The blog news anyway...

So while I was gone in merry 'ol England, a tornado whipped through my neighborhood of Park Slope, Brooklyn on Thursday, September 16th. Don't worry, no babies or children were harmed during the making of this tornado.

However, I returned to the states to find this on my way home.

Crazy, huh? I missed a TORNADO in New York! Unfortunately, I was only able to snap an "after" picture. With the help of my trusty girlfriend she directed me to a Gawker post that shows us the "right after."

See for yourself below:

What I wrote to OFA today

Obama's campaign arm "Organizing for America" asked people to fill out a survey to gauge voter feelings before the midterm.  Here's what I wrote them:

I am a big supporter of President Obama. I think he has been a pragmatic reformer who is moving the country in the right direction. What he needs to do however, is reclaim his transformational presidency. 

I am thankful for his Clintonian successes and Joe Biden was correct when he said healthcare reform was a "BFD" but I want him to be the transformational figure I still believe HE IS. I want him and his staff on the phone with moderate Republicans all the time. I want him to use his personal emotional talent behind the scenes. Americans want the sense that Congress can work together for the benefit of the country. 

Republicans have been absolute a-holes in this regard, but we knew that would be the case going in. I still want the President to work toward a Capitol Hill that at least seems like it's functioning. He can do it. That's why I voted for him. He needs to reclaim that mantle. Otherwise OFA is just an extension of the Democratic Party, and that's great (and it fights for the things I believe in), but I think we all know the change we sought is something much, MUCH deeper. Let's GO do it!

I LOVE outtakes!

Here is a choice set of them from the great HBO series Eastbound & Down.  Witness the great Will Ferrell do his magic.

"Getting ready to take 'em to market!" - Ashley Schaeffer (Will Ferrell)



Hat tip to Barstool Sports for the original link.

Senate Democrats are big pussies!

You heard me!

Senate Dems are afraid of holding a vote on the Obama administration's policy of continuing the Bush tax cuts for "middle-class Americans" making less than $250,000 per year because some "conserv-a-dems" are afraid of appearing to raise taxes on small business.

As a recent study suggested, ending the Bush tax cuts altogether at the end of this year WOULD BALANCE THE BUDGET BY 2015!  Let's see if Republicans want to take a bite out of that apple. In any case, a majority of Americans support the middle approach advocated by the Obama administration which advocates tax cuts for the middle class over 10 years.

(Note: Ernie actually supports the compromise advocated by former OMB director, Peter Orszag that all of the Bush tax cuts should be extended for two years in-full and then fully expire.)

However, even though a majority of Americans support the Obama administration's proposal Dems are afraid of taking a tough vote that would appear to raise taxes on some segment of the population.  I have respect for Republicans because at least they play to win!

Dems need to find their plums if they want any chance at holding the House and Senate. They'll get votes if they lead with purpose not if they just seem to cover their ass every chance they get!

Conservative Economics 101

This is what happens when you try to balance your budget during a devastating economic recession.  This is not punditry, this is truth.

Ernie analogy - When you've had a massive heart attack, and you're in the hospital and you need expensive surgery but can't afford it, go ahead and put it on your credit card.  Don't wait to save up for the needed surgery, because by the time you do, you'll be dead.  You'll have a better chance of making the surgery payments if you're alive.

Simple ideas toward balancing the budget

In an era where we need to make a lot of big, tough decisions concerning the deficit, it's nice to know that there are some small measures we can take to help that aren't subject to the dominant political forces of our time. We can take these small steps only if we're smart enough to take the low hanging fruit.

"A penny saved is time wasted" - George Carlin

"Things that are worthless are worth nothing and pennies are worth less than nothing!" - guy in video



Hat tip to Andrew Sullivan at The Daily Dish.

Missing Conan...We're almost done

Conan O'Brien comes back to television on November 8th.  Here's one ad from TBS' creative "Missing You" campaign in support of the show.