There’s a report that MSNBC might give Al Sharpton his own show. Al Sharpton?? I wrote him off as having no credibility as soon as the truth of the Tawana Brawley incident was revealed. If Sharpton’s brought on board I will stop watching MSNBC. Since Keith Olbermann started at the tiny Current cable network I’ve been jumping between him and Lawrence O’Donnell, so it will be bye-bye O’Donnell.
Category: Politics, Religion & Money
Debtor nation
What had been a routine matter — raising the federal government’s debt limit to make payments on money already owed — has been turned into a high stakes political showdown, and I think that’s good. But the thing is, the outcome of the polarized negotiations is not in doubt. It’s an absolute certainty that the debt limit will be raised before, or in, the eleventh hour, then Congress will take August off and Obama will go to Martha’s Vineyard. The only question is how much the Republicans will be forced to step back from their position. To get perspective on how we got to where we are, watch this Frontline documentary from early in Obama’s Presidency.
Watch the full episode. See more FRONTLINE.
Shredding my past away
I got started on a major shredding project, getting rid of ancient bills, and of course my old, toy-quality shredder died. Most of the new models I looked at weren’t right for the space I have, then I found the Fellowes P-12C for $80 at BJ’s Warehouse.
Sorting old magazines and comic books takes a lot of time, because I end up reading and remembering, but I was surprised that old bank statements have something of the same effect on me. This is a summary of my checking and savings accounts in August, 1984.
The deposits included business travel reimbursements, because I didn’t have a company credit card. The savings account is interesting. I had less than $1500 (about $3200, adjusted for inflation) and on that I earned over $6 interest. My savings account is much more substantial now, but it doesn’t earn that much in a year, even unadjusted for inflation; but, as you can see, the gain in ’84 was offset by the monthly fee for the checking account.
Follow-up: The shredder died in 2019, having seen only occasional light use.
I’ve joined the Colbert Super PAC!
Stephen Colbert has received approval from the Federal Election Commission for his super PAC, and I’ve joined!
Crime boss caught!
Big, big news in Boston, with the capture of James “Whitey” Bulger, hiding in plain sight in Santa Monica, CA.
Follow-up: More details are coming out. Apparently, Whitey made a couple of slip-ups. First, he was the only one yelling in Santa Monica when the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup, then he tweeted, “going to Costco to buy a 3-pack of v-neck tees.” 😉
Further follow-up: It’s confirmed that Bulger was lured out of his apartment with a Bruins championship cap. He’s lived there since at least 1999, and it’s across the street from an FBI training center! 😉
More further follow-up: I don’t get it. I think Bulger and Greig look great! Obviously, retirement has agreed with them. Why all the talk about Whitey not being well?
Stephen Colbert returns to my birthplace
I’m certain the reason Stephen Colbert attended Northwestern University was because it’s in Evanston, Illinois, where I was born. That’s what I told Colbert when I saw him in New York in 2007, and he agreed with me.
Colbert gave this year’s commencement speech at Northwestern. Here are edited highlights…
Alumnus Stephen Colbert Addresses the Class of 2011 from Northwestern News on Vimeo.
… and this is the whole thing.