Taxpayers have to love a story like this: the federal inspector general for tax administration in the Treasury Department issued a report saying that 1,300 prison inmates received $9 million in tax credits by claiming that they bought a home. More than 200 of those inmates were serving a life sentence. All told, more than [...]
Archive for June, 2010
Tax Credits For Residents Of The “Big House”
Posted in America, crime, Politics, tagged America, crime, Homebuyer tax credits, Politics, taxes on June 23, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
The Right Decision
Posted in America, Politics, tagged America, Civil War, General McChrystal, General McClellan, General Petraeus, Military, Politics, President Lincoln, President Obama on June 23, 2010 | 1 Comment »
Today President Obama accepted the resignation of General Stanley McChrystal, the commander of U.S. forces fighting in Afghanistan. He was absolutely correct to do so. The remarks of General McChrystal, and particularly members of his staff, to a Rolling Stone reporter showed stunningly poor judgment and in some instances were scornful and wholly inappropriate. As [...]
A Fine Visit To Bermuda
Posted in Travel, World, tagged Bermuda, Fairmont Southampton, Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, Ocean Club, The Reefs, Travel, Waterlot Inn on June 23, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Kish and I were in Bermuda last week on a business trip and had a very enjoyable time during our brief visit. We stayed at the Fairmont Southampton, which is the biggest hotel on the island. It is located on a promontory with a commanding view of the ocean in one direction and a sweeping [...]
Summer Help Not Wanted
Posted in America, The Economy, tagged America, economy, Summer Jobs, Teenagers, Unemployment, Unemployment statistics on June 22, 2010 | 2 Comments »
I posted recently on the impact of the recession on the summer job market for teenagers. Now USA Today has written a feature piece on the extent of the downturn in jobs for teenagers. Ten years ago, about half of all teens had jobs; this year it is only about 25 percent. The story notes [...]
The Terrorists Amongst Us
Posted in America, crime, tagged America, crime, Domestic Terrorism, Faisal Shahzad, modern culture, terrorism, Times Square Bombing on June 22, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Faisal Shahzad, the terrorist who tried to set off a car bomb in Times Square on a crowded Saturday night, pleaded guilty yesterday to a series of terrorism and weapons charges. He apparently intended his guilty plea to send a message to the United States that if it did not stop “meddling” in Muslim lands [...]
Hangin’ In Ho Chi Minh City
Posted in Family, Travel, World, tagged Art, Family, Giac Lam Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh City, Russell Webner, Travel, Vietnam, World on June 21, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Russell made it to Vietnam earlier today, our time. After more than 24 hours of travel he landed in Ho Chi Minh City, where he will be spending his first few days in the country and undoubtedly will create his first bits of Vietnam-influenced artwork. Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the largest city [...]
Ever Read a Book Twice ?
Posted in Books, tagged Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People, Rhonda Byrne, The Secret on June 21, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
On occassion I have referred back to portions of the book “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne as a reminder of how positive thinking can help an individual enjoy a more rewarding life, but until recently I have never read the same book twice. Years ago when I managed a Radio Shack down in Jonesboro Georgia I read the [...]
A Grim Scenario
Posted in America, Politics, The Economy, tagged America, economy, foreclosures, Home Foreclosures, Politics on June 20, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
The news about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is not good. The entities were poorly run, and as the glut of foreclosures caused the risk of default by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to rattle the markets, the government stepped in. Now, as foreclosures have continued, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the total cost [...]
To Kill A Mockingbird At 50
Posted in America, Books, tagged America, Atticus Finch, Books, Harper Lee, Lawyers, Racism, To Kill A Mockingbird on June 20, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Harper Lee published her classic novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, 50 years ago this summer. It is a timeless story that has had a huge impact on readers ever since. Interestingly, although the novel tells a story that focuses on the unique culture of racism in the American South of the mid-20th century, it is [...]
Back To Ohio
Posted in Columbus, Ohio, Politics, tagged Columbus, economy, Governor Strickland, Ohio, Politics, President Obama, stimulus, stimulus spending, Unemployment on June 19, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
President Obama visited Columbus yesterday to promote jobs created by the “stimulus” bill — in this case, the 10,000th road project paid for with “stimulus” funds. He has visited the Buckeye State frequently in recent months. There are two apparent reasons for his visits, I think. First, Ohio is a “swing” state, and I am [...]
Happy Birthday, UJ!
Posted in Family, tagged Family on June 19, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
My big brother turns 54 today. Happy birthday, UJ!
Creepiness On Parade (Or On The Dance Floor)
Posted in Music, tagged black eyed peas, dancing, Jay-Z, Music on June 18, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Few venues offer better people-watching opportunities than a disco-type establishment at a hotel. Inevitably, you seem to find a somewhat obvious older guy, probably married, who is out on the prowl, needy and desperate and creepy all at the same time. So it was tonight, as I sat back and drank a few beers and [...]
What Century Is This, Anyway?
Posted in America, crime, tagged America, Capital Punishment, crime, Death Penalty, Firing Squads, Utah on June 18, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Today Utah executed a death row inmate by firing squad. That’s right — by firing squad. In this case, a five-member firing squad accomplished the execution, shortly after midnight Mountain Time. Utah is one of only two states that still permit death by firing squad, and then only for a few “grandfathered” death row inmates. [...]
Exposing The Illinois Way
Posted in America, Politics, tagged America, corruption, Illinois, Politics, Rod Blagojevich Trial on June 17, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
The corruption trial of former Ilinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is red meat for political junkies and those who enjoy exposing the seamy side of politics. It makes for good reading if you want to be disabused of naive thoughts about how our political processes often work. John Kass’s column today discusses some of the details [...]
