There are unbelievable amounts of tschotschkes around our house that A and I have been collecting since our respective childhoods. Or as they’re known in the Hungarian language: dust-collection devices. I’ve been schlepping mine with me from continent to continent and country to country and plan to do so wherever life throws me. They are [...]
tumbling around- 60 Minutes interview with the Obamas - CBSNews.com60 Minutes interview with the Obamas - CBSNews.com
- "Gov. Jennifer Granholm of Michigan, a state that is already writhing in pain from the auto..."“Gov. Jennifer Granholm of Michigan, a state that is already writhing in pain from the auto industry’s troubles, would tell Mr. Shelby that the industry “supports 1 in every 10 jobs in the country.” It’s easy to demonize the American auto industry. It has behaved with the foresight of a crack addict for years. But even when people set their own houses on fire, we still dial 9-1-1, hoping to save lives, salvage what we can and protect the rest of the neighborhood. This whole matter needs some intensive thought. At the moment, Washington has tremendous leverage over the failing auto industry. The government should craft a rescue plan that is both tough and very, very smart. That means dragging the industry (kicking and screaming, no doubt) into the 21st century by insisting on ironclad commitments to design and develop vehicles that make sense economically and that serve the nation’s long-term energy security requirements.” - Bob Herbert - ‘Drop Dead’ Is Not an Option
- "Finally, in normal times modesty and prudence in policy goals are good things. Under current..."“Finally, in normal times modesty and prudence in policy goals are good things. Under current conditions, however, it’s much better to err on the side of doing too much than on the side of doing too little. The risk, if the stimulus plan turns out to be more than needed, is that the economy might overheat, leading to inflation — but the Federal Reserve can always head off that threat by raising interest rates. On the other hand, if the stimulus plan is too small there’s nothing the Fed can do to make up for the shortfall. So when depression economics prevails, prudence is folly.” - Paul Krugman - Depression Economics Returns
- Something Fishy Going On With New Jersey Unemployment ClaimsSomething Fishy Going On With New Jersey Unemployment Claims
- "In Vermont, 9 percent of babies were preemies in 2005, the latest available data. In Oregon and..."“In Vermont, 9 percent of babies were preemies in 2005, the latest available data. In Oregon and Connecticut, just under 10.5 percent of babies were premature. Travel south, and prematurity steadily worsens: In West Virginia, 14.4 percent of babies were preemies; more than 15 percent in Kentucky and South Carolina; more than 16 percent in Alabama and Louisiana; and a high of 18.8 percent in Mississippi. The report urges states to address three factors that play a role: Lack of insurance, which translates into missed or late prenatal care. In states with the highest prematurity rates, at least one in five women of childbearing age are uninsured. Early prenatal care can identify risks for preterm labor and sometimes lower them.” - U.S. Gets A “D” On Premature Birth Rate, 1 In 8 Babies Are Born Premature Each Year; Even Top-Rated State Doesn’t Meet National Goal - CBS News
- "My advice to the Obama people is to figure out how much help they think the economy needs, then add..."“My advice to the Obama people is to figure out how much help they think the economy needs, then add 50 percent. It’s much better, in a depressed economy, to err on the side of too much stimulus than on the side of too little.” - Paul Krugman - Franklin Delano Obama?
- 60 Minutes interview with the Obamas - CBSNews.com