Posts Tagged “Barack Obama”
- Consumer spending was down sharply in October, which in turn forced retail sales down by a record level. Of course, they could all be saving up for a big holiday buying frenzy–at least that’s what those retail executives believe, along with how their trophy wives will still love them even without all the money…
- President-elect Barack Obama’s transistion office reports that he will meet with Senator John McCain on Monday, with plans for the two to move beyond campaign rhetoric to find some common ground to work together in the future. As a concilliatory gesture, Obama has offered to help McCain find a new MedicareW prescription plan…
 Speaking of meetings with the president-elect, Hillary Clinton huddled with Obama yesterday amid rumors that she is a short-list choice for secretary of state. Earlier front-runners for the job, like Senator John KerryW, are likely perturbed by this development–the fact is, Hillary’s not only a whole lot more popular, she’s a whole lot more frightening…- Auto makers are busily looking for support on Capitol Hill for a $25 billion loan package, on the heels of Democratic congressional support for a plan to keep Amercan car manufacturers from the deep hole they seem to be digging for themselves. I’d think this would be an ideal time to get some real fuel economy concessions from them–like requiring all their SUV’s to be able to travel a significant distance after filling up, or at least to the next gas station…
 The UN is deep inside east Congo, beginning its first large-scale food distribution since fighting between the army and troops loyal to rebel leader Laurent NkundaW have cut residents off from their own crops in this rich agricultural area. People risking their lives so others can eat–it’s just that kind of publicity-grabbing stunt those UN stooges are famous for…- Earth is now in possession of the first photos of 4 planets outside our solar system, trillions of miles away from us and none that could be remotely considered habitable–but the thinking is, from one of the researchers, that it’s only a matter of time before, "we get a dot that’s blue and Earthlike". When we do, is there any chance at all that we can send Andy DickW, Geraldo RiveraW, and Amy WinehouseW’s drug dealer there?
Tags: auto industry, Barack Obama, Congress, economy, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, space exploration, United Nations
2 Comments »
- Federal bank regulators are issuing new guidelines to banks designed to encourage them to continue lending practices to creditworthy customers–an effort to make them aware that the billions in bailout money provided to them is there to help struggling borrowers and improve the overall economy. In other words, they ought to rethink the week-long Carribean cruise bonus for the fantasy football league…
 Treasury Secretary Henry PaulsonW announced that the $700 billion government bailout plan will not be used to buy troubled assets–like mortgages–and would instead turn to financial markets supplying consumer credit for products like credit cards, auto loans and student loans, with Paulson stating that supporting this market is vital for lending and growth. This change could be due to plans by mortgages lenders to offer their own relief to homeowners at risk of foreclosure, or one too many holes in the dike for one litte boy’s fingers…- House Speaker Nancy PelosiW is leading the congressional charge to provide financial help for the auto industry, who are struggling with the double burden of poor sales and tighter credit. Some lawmakers worry that extending help to individual companies opens the floodgates to any and all comers–sorta like the argument, "if you help one poor starving person, you’ve got to help them all"…
 A Connecticut judge’s ruling this morning has cleared the way for the state to legalize same-sex marriages, with several couples planning ceremonies within hours in New Haven. This was just the city where the court decision was handed down–Rosie O'DonnellW isn’t planning to relocate here…- A federal task force charged with dealing with flight delay policies has approved some voluntary guidelines but offer no fixed limit that would permit passengers to leave planes stranded on tarmacs. I wouldn’t worry–airlines who are already charging for checked luggage, aisle seats, meals and carry-on pets will be more than happy to do something for their customers out of the goodness of their hearts…
- A new Associated PressW poll has found that the public wants the tax cuts promised during presidential campaign, but seem to be willing to wait while president-elect Obama works to tackle the economy first. I’m gonna guess that Joe the Plumber wasn’t part of this study–but I don’t think he’s taking that many calls these days…
Tags: airline, Barack Obama, financial bailout, gay marriage, Henry Paulson, Nancy Pelosi
No Comments »
 Britney Spears had a bit of a scare when her son Jayden was admitted to a Mississippi hospital Sunday during a weekend family reunion in her Louisiana hometown, after he reportedly had a nasty allergic reaction to something he ate–the good news is he’s fine and was discharged last night. Poor kid probably ate something his father never fed him before–you know, anything not off the Happy Meal menu…- Chrisitna Aguilera is releasing her first greatest hits package today–which, believe it or not, follows ten years of hits from her–titled Keeps Gettin’ Better, which is available exclusively from Target. the package includes new versions of Genie In A Bottle and Beautiful, as well as her current hit Keeps Gettin’ Better…
- Beyonce told an Associated Press interview that she never considered selling her wedding photos, saying, "They offer crazy money that’s just ridiculous. But in the end…it’s so not worth it." Then again, she and husband Jay-Z probably control the equivalent of a couple small nations’ economies…
- Entertainment Weekly reports that Colbie Callait, who a few years ago tried and failed to make the cut for American Idol, got a little payback last week when judge Randy JacksonW gave her an award for her song Bubbly–which she sang for her audition. She busted on Randy a bit, but the truth was that she never even made it past one of the show’s producers–who probably no longer works there…
 Billy Ray Cyrus hinted to TV’s Access Hollywood that First Kids-elect Malia and Sasha Obama have been invited to guest star on daughter Miley’s hit Disney series Hanna Montana. I guess if it happens, they’ll just play kids like themselves–you know, who suddenly are famous beyond their wildest imaginations…- YouTube will soon be a destination for full-length entertainment from MGM, including old and new classics like The Magnificent Seven and Legally Blonde. Some say they’re playing catch-up with the joint NBC-Fox venture Hulu, but don’t underestimate Google, YouTube’s owners–MGM could very soon stand for More Google Media…
Tags: American Idol, Barack Obama, Beyonce, Billy Ray Cyrus, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Colbie Caillat, Hannah Montana, Randy Jackson, YouTube
No Comments »
- President-elect Barack Obama will make his first-ever visit to the White House today when he meets privately with President Bush for the traditional first visit between America’s leader and his predecessor. Security will be particularly tight for the visit, as unconfirmed reports suggest Bush may try to escape and leave Obama in charge…
  One of the things the pair will certainly discuss is the nation’s economic woes, which today includes news of electronics giant Circuit City’s bankruptcy filing and the report of a record aid package to AIG–who already had received $80 million in federal loans. Obama may use the opportunity to press for an additional stimulus package, which Bush may agree to–just as long as it doesn’t mess with Cheney’s golden parachute package…- The newly-revised US-Iraq security pact no longer contains language that authorizes a request for US troops to stay beyond 2011, as well as additionally instituting a ban on cross-border attacks from their soil. My only question–how long will it take for another revision, begging us to stay until 2011…
- Markets in Asia soared in response to the news that China has implemented its own ambitious stiumulus package, boosting government spending on roads and other infrastructure, tax incentives for exporters, more aid for farmers and the poor, as well as greater investments in health and education, environmental protection and high technology. Premier Wen JiabaoW said that their actions, "are not only the needs of the development of ourselves, but also our biggest contribution to the world"–in other words, "maybe you won’t notice us taking Taiwan back"…
- A new study suggests that some headphones, like the earbuds so popular with iPod and other music player users, can interfere with heart pacemakers or implanted defibrulators if placed very close to them–like in a shirt pocket. Researchers caution that the danger is only from the powerful magnetic substance inside the headphones–a Nano in your pocket doesn’t mean you’re really glad to see the Maker…
 The latest update on the census of life under the sea, being compiled by over 2,000 scientists from 82 nations, has included a number of exciting discoveries–both of new varieties of sea life, as well as previously-unknown enviromments for some species. The photo is of a variety of male sea spider that is very possibly a newly discovered creature–and one that has absolutely no chance of landing on your face in the middle of the night…
Tags: AIG, Barack Obama, China, Circuit City, Financial meltdown, health care, Iraq, President Bush, White House
No Comments »
|
With potentially deadly Santa Ana windsW dying down, firefighters in Southern California are reporting that they are making gains on three wildfires today. They are still battling several areas of hot air–mostly coming from the neighborhoods of talent agents…
Now that space shuttle EndeavourW has arrived at the International Space StationW on its mission to improve and expand the space station’s living area, the crew is busily unpacking the 15,000 pounds of equipment necessary for the upgrade. Hopefully it doesn’t include a bunch of drapes and that guy from Extreme Makeover: Home Editon…
Entries (RSS)