Rex Kickass

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 8, 2010 -> 10:20 AM) I think what is entirely possible is that the stimulus impact will start declining in the 2nd half of 2010, and because the stimulus included so many tax cuts it wasn't really designed to boost job growth as much as GDP growth, so when the stimulus impact starts to decline off, we're going to find ourselves having lost a lot of jobs and having done nothing to set up for future growth. Thus, the tax cuts go away, the government decides to focus on deficit concerns, unemployment benefits dry up for a lot of people, and the bottom drops out again. (Not saying I know for certain this will happen. Just saying, this is how the jobs situation could filter back and cause the 2nd dip) One other point now that I reread your post; by the standard of past recessions other than 1930, the "recovery" hasn't been that fast, it's been very, very slow. It's a combination of the deepest employment hole since 1930 and the new modern slow-job-recovery recession together. That's what we've not seen. I think you're confusing length with speed. This may be an economic recession, but make no doubt, this is an employment depression.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jan 8, 2010 -> 10:01 AM) People like The Situation and Snookie can get married in NJ but not gays? What the hell is wrong with this world? What's sad is that 7 of 23 democrats didn't vote for their constiuents. And three of them were to cowardly to vote at all. I put a lot of effort into my politics. I volunteer, I give time and talent - and when I can, some money. I'm not saying I'm voting for the GOP candidate when my NO voting senator goes up for reelection, but I won't be helping her - and I'll be more than happy to miss that line on my ballot next year. The GLBT audience in New Jersey is a big one for Democrats in terms of fundraising, and in terms of voter turnout in more than a couple districts. Largely because the party at large in the state strongly supports equality in this state. I really hope that we have the memory next year to punish the legislators who turned on their voters.

Jobs number from the Gov identical to the previous report NSS cited earlier this week... although November's number was revised upward and November saw a net gain of 6,000 jobs. Which I believe was the first net gain in two years - however small.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 7, 2010 -> 06:21 PM) sorry Rex. My Democratic State Senator voted no. I am gonna do whatever I can (which isn't much) to see that she gets primaried next year.

Conan on FOX at 11? I think he'd be a great fit on Comedy Central or even USA too. Either of those would give him the opportunity to get at least the same ratings he's been getting at NBC with his s***eous leadin.

Conan would likely go back to 1135 or maybe ABC? Although, its all speculation at this point.

Marriage Equality loses in New Jersey 14-20.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 7, 2010 -> 01:56 PM) But, unless something surprising happens pro-Dem...if the Dems wind up with a 57-59 seat majority in the Senate, they're going to have to choose between actually taking on the filibuster or just having the government shut down for 2 years. Honestly, the best thing that could happen for the Senate as an institution is if someone other than Reid becomes majority leader. I think a Schumer led majority would probably have an easier time getting around the filibuster and would be less afraid to make the GOP put their money where their mouths are or use workarounds like reconciliation to get things done.

QUOTE (Cknolls @ Jan 7, 2010 -> 12:06 PM) CT,DE,IL,MA, and ND so far for the D's. The MA seat gets filled this month, so it is basically a different cycle. Nate Silver's first prediction of a Senate this year seems to indicate a net 2 seat loss for the Democrats. If Blanche Lincoln loses her primary (assuming she gets the strong challenge she deserves) the electoral picture looks a lot more blue for Arkansas in November.

But to the plus side, I think Salazar will make an excellent governor.

QUOTE (Tex @ Jan 5, 2010 -> 07:47 PM) GP, but the cost of the transaction, above and beyond the cost of the item, are about the same. VISA charges the merchant receiving the funds between 1 and 4% of the cost of the transaction. Instead of using VISA, you can use a number of other credit and debit card systems. Or write a check, or use cash for the transaction. Ticketmaster and LiveNation charges the consumer a surcharge of up to 30% in order to provide a transaction of a ticket owned by the venue/artist and deliver it to you, by you using your own ink and paper to print the ticket. Instead of using Ticketmaster or Livenation, you can either not make the transaction or try to illegally sneak into the show. So, please tell me why Ticketmaster - providing what is essentially the same service as VISA (but for concert tickets and less competition) is fairly priced again?

By privatizing, you also reduce overall expenditures. Although these may be one time plugs, doesn't it also by definition make the hole left to fill slightly smaller?

And marriage equality is back on the clock again. It goes for a vote on Thursday in the Senate after it appeared dead for sure this week. I have to imagine that the votes to pass this are there, otherwise they wouldn't have bothered. 21 Senate votes means enough Assembly votes on Monday. And that means a Governor signing marriage equality into law by Jan 18.

Chris Dodd to retire. This actually increases the Democrats chances of holding on to the seat, because when the incumbent is polling behind Linda McMahon of WWE fame.... http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/se...step-aside.html This makes 4 Dem Senators stepping aside this year. The GOP has 6 open seats this cycle.

ND Senator Byron Dorgan announces he won't stand for reelection. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100106/ap_on_...s_dorgan_senate

I've become a big fan of Paul Theroux travel narratives in the last couple years.

QUOTE (Tex @ Jan 5, 2010 -> 12:21 PM) About 30% of the ticket price (which tm does not receive anything from). I'm not certain how outrageous a 30% mark up is. I imagine most retail items we buy carry at least that or more. How else can stores offer a 50% sale? The difference, as I see it, is there is no incentive for another service to come in that reduces the fee. The venues will still go with the vendor that offers *them* the most, not who will offer the ticket buyer a better deal. It has been awhile since I paid any attention, but I thought bands who tried that ran afoul of TM and the venue's exclusive agreements? Think about it this way, do you think VISA deserves a 30% surcharge for the privilege of transmitting payment confirmations back and forth and providing proof of payment?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 5, 2010 -> 10:26 AM) Here's an argument by a Swedish professor that I find intriguing. You could make the argument that although its a short term disruption, this attempted attack will only make things better for fliers. Sometimes it takes a shock to put in better technology than what we have previous.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 4, 2010 -> 07:52 PM) It just goes to show you the idea of the "Big tent" is a joke. Its a big tent as long as you agree with everything they tell you to agree with. Joe Lieberman says hi. He left the whole party and he still gets a chairman's gavel.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 4, 2010 -> 02:18 PM) Well sure, but I think a party change for a Congress person is probably similar to an administration change, though maybe not quite as dramatic. There would be a shift. A mass resignation is pretty rare... although you're likely to see some staff turnover (especially on a campaign side of things,) staff members also get attached to the person they work with. A lot of these people would have left, they just would have left more gradually - to go work for another campaign, or the state party, etc. Judging from the article, they basically quit en masse and without other jobs - and that's pretty rare.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Jan 4, 2010 -> 11:32 AM) I am trying to track down where he broadcasts from, but it is not unusual for broadcasters to work from home. It happens with a few of the Score guys all the time. It's an unmarked buiding in West Palm, IIRC. It's not in his compound, but its close - and seriously, who cares?

So remember a couple weeks ago, when that Alabama Democrat defected to the GOP in Congress? This little drama is quickly becoming a comedy. I think if the show was on Fox, it would be "Parker Griffith Can't Win." First, his campaign consultants dropped him. Then, the teabaggers decided to primary him. Now, his entire staff quit. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/04/p...s_n_410280.html I always find party defectors to be fascinating, but Griffith's "reading of the tea leaves" last year has been an unmitigated disaster. Usually a party switch can be a boon to the party that is able to make it happen - but in the GOP's case, its becoming a farce, and definitely will make any unhappy Democrat think twice about bolting. The cash strapped RNC is going to have to pay to protect an incumbent in a primary that they had a real shot of picking off in the general.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 4, 2010 -> 09:13 AM) For a long time in Saudi Arabia, yes we were. That was one of Bin Laden's complaints prior to the 9/11 attacks; the U.S. left a large contingent of troops there after the gulf war. They pulled out at the start of the Iraq war when we found a new base to move them to. Having a base in Saudi Arabia and "patrolling the streets" of Saudi Arabia are two different things entirely.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Dec 30, 2009 -> 06:13 PM) What the current administration (and the previous admin. for that matter) is doing is a lot closer to this than a lot of people realize, it's just not a high-profile thing. Like Rex said, for as much as people say Obama is a bleeding heart liberal, he's pretty hawkish. Which is what made the Nobel Peace Prize so awkward. Obama's Nobel Prize speech by the way is an amazing piece of writing.

QUOTE (GoSox05 @ Dec 30, 2009 -> 11:22 AM) I hope conservatives burn his records like they did Dixie Chicks. Just to get rid of his music would be nice. Hey, be careful - you don't wanna end up in a Strangehold. It's an easy way to come down with Cat Scratch Fever.