Rock, Well . . . Didn't (washingtonpost.com)

Maybe it's my youth (or the fact that I live in Central time), but I thought the show was good. Rock was a little nervous, but I thought he did a good job. His stuff about Law was silly, but then again he busted on himself and Pootie-Tang. The man on the street stuff was funny if not a crutch. The over the top stuff seemed more Dave Barry than Chris Rock. I hope he gets another chance, the drive thru comment was honestly funny.

The show in general was snappier than usual. It didn't drag on as much as usual. I personally was disappointed by the MDB over Aviator. Scorsese deserved the Oscar this year way more than Eastwood. The lifetime achievement may be the only way he wins, and that would be sad ...

Stealthy Budget Cuts (washingtonpost.com)

I'm gload soneone is finally realizing the cost of all this budget mess. It's ridiculous to call the GOP and the Bush Administration conservative. They do not espouse any of the values that the original movement supported and have deflected any criticism with the Bible and the sword. The foundation of the Republican party and the current Administration is based on a lie. They only believe in winning.

The New York Times > AP > Business > Economic Growth Revised Up on Strong Exports

Just a question, what part of the increase in GDP is due to expansion of government spending? What part of that is due to Iraq? Is there such thing as a "non-governmental GDP" number? and which direction is it going? I'd bet that the if you subtracted government out of the GDP numbers, it would actually be much smaller gains (1 percent anyone?) Massive spending by the Feds in Iraq and on homeland security is driving the GDP growth. Is it bad for the economy? Probably not, but in the longer run, there will be consequences.

The Fed is hedging against inflation by raising interest rates. However if the "non-governmental" GDP is flat, wouldn't that slow growth in that sector? Shouldn't we be wanting inflation to ease the debt load in DC?

A Hall of Mystery (washingtonpost.com)

Good question by Shapiro. It's not to say that there are not other deserving players, but that he is not even on the radar screen half the time is ridiculous. DC writers/TV personalities/PTI screamers need to get on the bandwagon and get Monk into the Hall.

Editorial Page Has No Say in Tax Breaks Won by Parent Company (washingtonpost.com)

The Times corrupt? What''s the world coming to? The tax code is terrible. The lack of leadership iin Washington on this issue is tragic. Not sure how to fix it, but it's only working too well for the wealthy and powerful and not well enough for anyone else.

washingtonpost.com: Hard News

That means that internet ads can only go up right? As people get more tech savvy, people making money off the internet will increase. Ad revenue and catalog sales for sure. What about content? The WaPost should take advantage of its position and use the Net to sell itself world wide. Everyone already knows about Ny Times in Paris, what about the Post?

washingtonpost.com: What Might Have Been

Good look at the losing side of the Presidential politics. More importantly there is a good view of why the Dems cannot tilt too far to the left again. We lost badly in 72 and 84. We should learn our lessons of the past.

James Roosevelt Jr: Hume's "outrageous distorti ... [Media Matters for America]

Outrage would be a good word and at the same time it's not all that shocking. What would happen if Dan Rather did this? Call Fox racists, declare victory and stonewall? I'm not sure that this is a good thing for the country, this constant factionalism. Oh well ...

Boston.com / Business / Mankiw quits economic post

Couldn't take the lying anymore, huh? It's hard for me to reconcile what people believe and how they subdue their core beliefs for the chance to see power up-close. He even knew that he had no chance of entering any sort of academic conversation with the West Wing (any sort of intellectual debate had been won long ago by the Norquist crowd). Yet at the same time, he did go to DC to be ignored. It won't hurt him down the road, but maybe in the next Administration a Fed seat? Is that where his ambition takes him?

A More Diffident Dean? (washingtonpost.com)

I will wait and see. The big thing is that he was a moderate in a liberal state (that's OK by me no matter what Lexington says). What I hope he doesn't do is let his mouth get in the party into trouble. He has some issues with mouth control and those kind of "scandals" are not what the Dems need. Organizing is good, but he also needs to have some sort of policy to organize around. The urban, rural, suburb, exurb split would be a good place to start.

The New York Times > Week in Review > Cut Short: The Revolution That Wasn't

Good look at the "revolution" and its aftermath. Get over the hypocrisy and get on with the strategy.

Democrats Seek to Outmaneuver Republicans by Imitating Their Strategy

I sure hope that the GOP hasn't already thought of this. Maybe pulling some sort of Harry Truman tour. The big issue about these shifts is it's part "new thing" and part historical precedent. I'm not sure that reinventing the wheel is a good idea, then again the wheel is flat.

Off the Record

The relationship between the reporter and the subject are often too close. Then again, what's the editor's job?

The New York Times > Business > World Business > Lax Management at China's Banks Remains a Concern of Regulators and Investors

I wonder why the Chinese want to link the yuan to the dollar so closely ...

Welcome to uComics Web Site featuring The Boondocks -- The Best Comic Site In The Universe!

You want to know why the GOP is cleaning out our clocks? We get hung up on the "hypocrisy" and the the GOP "can't stand morals."

The Right's Attack on Public Pensions

Interesting that the Gubnor is moving this direction too.

The New York Times > Magazine > The Security Adviser: No Returns

Democracy will not bring us success in Iraq. It could be argued that the Asian democracies are not true democracies. Maybe they offer the best model for Iraq and the Muslim world. The key is the benevolent dictator that is willing to transition into democracy. The problem in Iraq rests with the way in which political power is being transitioned.

DeLay Urges House Conservatives to Stick to Their Guns on Budget, Social Issues (washingtonpost.com):


"[Delay] urging them to stick to their principles on budget and social questions."

What principles are they talking about? Raising the deficit? Expanding government? Encouraging the break up of families? Being unpatriotic? They need to get a coherent message other than equating conservative with "tax cutter." It's not the same thing and fiscally and morally reckless.

Why don't people understand? Maybe it had to do with church or Nascar or sweet tea, but at the same time the division in the country is unparalled since the begining of the last century.

washingtonpost.com: Dynastic Pats? Faaaantastic

Best line in all the media reviews ...

"you put a nut in front of a squirrel, he eats it; you put a microphone in front of a broadcaster, he talks into it."

Chad is great sometimes :)

Kansas City Star | 02/02/2005 | Hey, Rush: Thanks for nothing

Something to consider. Maybe all the screaming is bad for the media?

The New York Times > National > Shrinking, Detroit Faces Fiscal Nightmare

The bigger issue is state-wide and in the Michigan constitution. Local gevernment is inherently inefficient in Michigan and unable to adapt very well. It should also be said that the financial crisis is a longtime coming. Between the charter townships, counties, school districts, etc, there are too many layers.

Most importantly, a city like Detroit needs immigrants. The people most likely to live in urban cores are recent immigrants. They bring life and energy to cities. Loft apartments with post-college folks and empty nesters have a place, but immigrants make cities livable. Detroit's most thriving parts of town are based on immigrants (although some of the immigrants come from Oakland county), like Mexicantown. More immigrants might help Detroit, but there are some more systemic problems to deal with.

Study: Cell Phone Use Ups Accident Risk (washingtonpost.com)

About time that someone thought about this seriously. The handheld thing brings up the point that we don't need as many hands to drive?