I was appalled when I read the Heritage report. Apparently if your children have video games and you can afford a fridge, you really can’t be in that much economic distress? How weird are these guys? I appreciate this take down of their case that appliance ownership negates economic insecurity.
James Pilant
via Colloquial Usage
This is a very straightforward explanation of the case for net neutrality.
James Pilant
Wright Investor Services discusses the debt ceiling debate’s effect on stocks. There is no pro or con here just cold analysis.
eleriravuby in a posting called: Conservative ire threatens GOP debt plan in House (AP) comments as follows –
For all that, it was the tea party-backed members of Boehner’s own party who continued to vex him, and heavily influence the debt and deficit negotiating terms ? not to mention his chances of holding on to the speakership.
THE DC FOLLY TROLLEY (via Corruptus Maximus) This is not a kind view of the Obama Administration.
It’s a gorgeous road (via A Walternative Universe) Here are some beautiful photographs followed by political commentary – it’s all very well done.
Hurry up and wait…. (via From D.C., With Love) This appears to be an actual participant in the crisis, a D.C. insider. However, she’s not giving up any heads up’s on the crisis.
current politics (via JCS Blog) This writer believes that our current debt ceiling situation is a positive thing. Please read and see what you think.
Here’s a comment from Predictions (via Tfgray’s Weblog) –
True, I came up with a different reason for Wall Street’s blasé attitude, but there’s a fundamental similarity. They’ve already figured out a way to make money off it. Buy low, sell high is a lot easier to do when everyone is bailing on their investments in order to cover the expenses that their Social Security check used to.
This is a very cynical comment. I really like it. One must appreciate cynicism when it is delivered accurately.
Here is the last of the blog posts I enjoyed (and had time to read). Take a look at this paragraph – this is some pointed writing. It’s from – The Fairest Game: Servants of Oligarchs (via For The Kindle/Lulu Ebook Lover)
The debt ceiling debates in Washington seem to best illustrate my point. This is the silliest political side show I have ever seen. It seems like we have a lot of those these days with the strange goal of this non official so-called Tea Party leading these power hungry Republicans by the nose rings. In Speaker Beohner, for instance, we have what must be one of the most Lillie livered politician ever to grace the front page of any newspaper. If my memory serves me, I believe it was he who stated that the leader of the republican party was actually Rush Limbaugh. It wasn’t something that he suggested in some round about way, either. For this professional public servant a race/class baiting talk show host was the leader of the Grand Old Party, the party of Teddy Roosevelt, the party of Dwight Eisenhower. It’s men like this, politicians like this who are, next to (very sadly to say) our current President who are the fairest game, the fairest game for the angry public, for comedians, for cartoonists. Why, because what we see speaking to us from the radios and TV sets are the servants of oligarchs. Their actions are meant to fly in the face of the overall public.
Obviously, I could only cover a small proportion of the writing on the net but I do hope you enjoy my selections.
James Pilant
James Fallows continues his comments on the current debt ceiling crisis. –
Blackmail- that’s exactly how I see it. I am happy to observe that I am not the only one.
There is not much to be done now. The Republicans cannot generate a bill that will get a majority of their own caucus’ vote. Without that, there is no chance of a congressional action ending the crisis. The only ball park left is for the President to declare that based on a Constitutional provision, the United States will continue to pay its debts.
I doubt if he has the will or the courage. Of course, even mice pushed into a corner will on occasion bite.
James Pilant
This is a personal view of our current debt limit crisis. I liked his take on the situation and call your attention to it.
James Pilant
Absolutely. I have followed the Marcos story for some years now. He is a hero alright, to other despots and to major crooks everywhere. Of course, thieves everywhere may just envy him for the incredible amounts of money he was able to steal.
I agree with the author that there is no way to measure what the Philippines would be like if the incredible wealth of the country had not been diverted into private fortunes for so many years.
James Pilant
via Red Lion Oratory
Just in case you thought nothing new could happen at the Fukushima plant.
James Pilant
Our author writes in his conclusion that –
I think the sensationalism fed to us on a 24-hour news cycle is starting to make us delusional. That’s the unintended side-effect of higher ratings. Good news turns of televisions. Good news doesn’t get discussed at the bars and water coolers across America. Good news doesn’t make us feel better because we don’t get to say, “At least my life is better than theirs.” There is a cliché regarding every person getting fifteen minutes of fame. I’d like to think that if we waited a minute, the remain fourteen could serve as a sane example for others to imitate.
I like it. I have said similar things. I call for critical thinking and less television watching. I tell my students that there are better things to do with their time and almost all maintain their mass media habits in spite of my earnest protests.
I wish the author well and hope to see more of his work. Please read the whole thing.
James Pilant
via Sill-E Thoughts
This is from the movie, Sabrina. It’s one of my favorite movie quotes and it deserves to be more widely known than it is.
James Pilant
The quote –
Bogart – Making money isn’t the main point of business. Money is a by-product. –
Holden: David -What’s the main objective? Power? –
Bogart – Ah! That’s become a dirty word.
Holden – What’s the urge? You’re going into plastics. What will that prove?
Bogart – Prove? Nothing much. A new product has been found, something of use to the world. A new industry moves into an undeveloped area. Factories go up, machines go in and you’re in business. It’s coincidental that people who’ve never seen a dime now have a dollar and barefooted kids wear shoes and have their faces washed. What’s wrong with an urge that gives people libraries, hospitals, baseball diamonds and movies on a Saturday night?
Pilant's Business Ethics Blog 
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