The Snæfellsnes Peninsula of Iceland. From National Geographic.
UP-FRONT GLOBAL PROTEST NUGGET!!
To Occupy Wall Street, a Solidarity Statement From Cairo from occupywallst.org
An amazing statement!!
"To all those in the United States currently occupying parks, squares and other spaces, your comrades in Cairo are watching you in solidarity. Having received so much advice from you about transitioning to democracy, we thought it's our turn to pass on some advice."
In Final Weeks, Gaddafi Felt Both Rage and Despair, Frequently Changed Hideouts, Aide Says from the Associated Press via the Washington Post
"Moammar Gadhafi, Libya’s all-powerful leader for four decades, spent his final weeks shuttling from hideout to hideout in his hometown of Sirte, alternating between rage and despair as his regime crumbled around him, said a regime insider now in custody."
Yemeni Women Burn Traditional Female Veils to Protest Regime Crackdown as Clashes Kill 25 from the Washington Post
"In the capital Sanaa, the women spread a black cloth across a main street and threw their full-body veils, known as makrama, onto a pile, sprayed it with oil and set it ablaze. As the flames rose, they chanted: “Who protects Yemeni women from the crimes of the thugs?”"
A very hazardous Yemeni version of bra-burning. Good luck to them.
Europe Agrees to Basics of Plan to Resolve Euro Crisis from the New York Times
"European leaders, in a significant step toward resolving the euro zone financial crisis, early Thursday morning obtained an agreement from banks to take a 50 percent loss on the face value of their Greek debt."
Crony Capitalism Comes Home (Nicholas Kristof) from the New York Times
"... while alarmists seem to think that the movement is a “mob” trying to overthrow capitalism, one can make a case that, on the contrary, it highlights the need to restore basic capitalist principles like accountability. To put it another way, this is a chance to save capitalism from crony capitalists."
Obama Wrote Fewer Rules Than Bush, Cost More from the Bloomberg News Service
"Obama’s White House has approved fewer regulations than his predecessor George W. Bush at this same point in their tenures, and the estimated costs of those rules haven’t reached the annual peak set in fiscal 1992 under Bush’s father, according to government data reviewed by Bloomberg News."
God forbid that the truth should intrude on a nice divisive narrative!
Valerie Jarrett’s Latest Role: Shoring Up Obama’s Support Base from the Washington Post
"Valerie Jarrett plays a lot of roles. She is the president’s closest personal adviser, the first couple’s first friend and the chief liaison for the White House. She has also, for many of the administration’s discouraged supporters, embodied Obama’s cold shoulder. But now, like her boss, she’s warming up."
Obama’s Student Loan Plan to Offer Welcome Debt Relief from Time Magazine
"The first and perhaps most welcome part of the plan moves up the start date on the income-based repayment program passed by Congress last year from 2014 to 2012."
More Diesel Fuel in Frac Fluid Than Previously Thought from the Energy Inc. blog at the Pittsburgh Business Times
"Reporting mistakes from leading oil and gas frac companies underestimated by more than 50 times the number of gallons of frac fluid used in Pennsylvania that contained diesel fuel."
Romney: ‘110% Behind Governor Kasich’ On OH Anti-Union Bill from Talking Points Memo
"... when asked by reporters, Romney said he wasn’t going to take a position on the issue? Well, that was yesterday. Today it appears Romney does have a position..."
WHAT IS IT WITH THIS GUY!? When it came to any given issue, I thought Bill Clinton was someone who could shift his positions on a dime -- but Romney's like a whirling dervish!!
More on this:
Mitt Romney Can't Afford Any More Flip-Flops (Molly Ball) from the Atlantic
"His shifts on the Ohio unionizing bill have done little to counteract arguments he's a political animal who lacks conviction. ... In an election where Republican voters want an authentic champion to channel their anger, Romney hasn't managed to shake the rap that he's the kind of politician who has to check the record to figure out where he stands on a particular issue."
Rick Perry May Skip Future Debates from Talking Points Memo
"The former GOP frontrunner has been on a downward spiral in the polls pretty much since he first opened his mouth during a national debate. So, his team appears to be reasoning that if he loses support each time he appears at a debate, then maybe there’s one pretty easy way to help: just don’t show up."
Straight from the Sarah Palin Presidential Playbook ... and a clear preview of where GOP presidential campaigning is going in the future! I actually view this as something of a turning point (not for Perry who's cooked) but for politics generally. Can you win a presidential nomination or a presidential campaign ... without ever facing tough questions? Can you avoid real reporters, town hall meetings, debates, etc. and still win?! Sarah Palin and the McCain campaign test-drove that proposition in '08. Looks like Perry's going to be taking it to the next logical level.
The True Intent of Rick Perry's Tax Plan (David Frum) from The Week
"Policy wonks warn that Rick Perry's flat-tax plan is pure fantasy. But that's not a bug. It's a feature."
Perry: From Bluster to Blunder (John Dickerson) from Slate
"Does Rick Perry have the discipline to revitalize his campaign?"
I think enough GOP voters have made up their minds about Perry that his fate is sealed. Maybe next time.
Herman Cain: Pro-life Except in the Case of … his Family (Steve Kornacki) from Salon
"Another day, another baffling abortion comment: Does he even know what "pro-life" means?"
"From an Elizabeth Warren volunteer meeting held last night in Framingham, Massachusetts. I can almost feel the enthusiasm through my screen:"
Quite a crowd showed up!!
HISTORY OF CHINA NUGGET!!
Divers Find 13th Century Wreck from Kublai Khan's Mongol Invasion Fleet that was Destroyed by 'Divine' Typhoon from the Daily Mail [of the UK]
"Marine archaeologists say they have uncovered a wreck from one of Kublai Khan's 13th century Mongol invasion fleets just yards off the coast of Japan. Scientists are hoping to be able to recreate a complete Yuan Dynasty vessel after the discovery of a 36ft-long section of keel just below the seabed off Nagasaki."
BURIED TREASURE NUGGET!!
Magical Mystery Treasure from National Geographic Magazine
"Buried in the English countryside. Anglo-Saxon in origin. Who hid it and why?"
CHECK OUT what this guy found in his lawn!
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