Mountain Time Zone Perspective: February 2010

This blog has been placing links of interest most recently on Facebook. Here are most of those that are applicable for this site, which date back to FRI 5 FEB.

Calling For A New & Improved US Senate, and A New Constitutional Convention

I like this, but it does not go far enough. Besides, I suspect it will never happen. But I am surprised to read that 32 state legislatures have already passed calls for another constitutional convention. Evidently no matter when a state called for a Constitutional Convention for the federal government it is still in effect, even if negated at some later point. The constitution presented here to replace our rapidly aging creaky old one is a superb improvement.

But I have no clue on how we could get from point A (what we have now) to point B (what we need and should have) without violence, destruction, chaos, anarchy, and insanity. If we were to get to a point where this would have to be addressed, the death knell for the United States would likely occur at this time in history.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-02-08/how-id-fix-dc-gridlock

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=83364

http://www.newusconstitution.org/21CenturyAndBeyond.pdf

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Frank Magid, 1931-2009

This is likely the man who is responsible for utterly ruining local TV and radio news, turning it into ambulance chasing, police blotter sensationalism, pretty boy models and stripper wannabes for anchors and reporters; hyperbole and hype; blather and mundaneness; concentration on celebrities and scandal; and a huge dumbing down of the product, among many others. Video may have killed the radio star; but Magid definitely killed journalism in television and radio media, and has helped largely cripple it to a sense in some if not much of print media as well, much to the disadvantage of the citizenry. I clearly remember his direction on sad sack Albuquerque stations in the early to mid 1970s when I was a youth. We are tremendously poorer because of him, his views and actions, and the consequences.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/arts/television/10magid.html

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Charles Wilson, 1933-2010

Besides Leonid Brezhnev and members of the Soviet Politburo and KGB, this is the one man whose actions and decisions have the US in Afghanistan for almost all of this decade and likely to continue for some years into the future.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/02/10/us/AP-US-Obit-Wilson.html

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Texas Experiencing Increasing Numbers of Transplants

For some, it will be better. For others, not so much.

http://lansner.freedomblogging.com/2010/02/09/would-you-relocate-to-texas/55219/

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Controversial New Forensics Approach

If it was not already utterly stupid to engage in criminal activity where DNA evidence would be left behind for investigators, developments like what is described here makes it even more certain. I would expect a test case about this is attempted to be taken to the Supreme Court in the coming years, but an affirmation of practices such of these made by lower courts would likely mean the Supreme Court does not take the case given the dominant conservative make up of the Court for much of the remainder of this decade and perhaps beyond.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/09/family-dna-use-debate-col_n_455472.html

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Beware of Lies in Television Advertising ! (As if that is anything new)

I watched these ads in recent weeks and found out they were misleading and deceitful. I seriously doubt many others have discovered the same truth, and have bought into them hook, line, and sinker. Once again the evil and greed of big banks can be seen by those aware or enlightened.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ta-taylorhunt/beware-misleading-ads-on_b_457527.html

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Colorado Springs: Two Viewpoints

The paradox of living in Colorado Springs: probably a majority of people hate the government, yet probably a majority receive a government check, often the exclusive source of their income. Strange .....and a viewpoint to counter: I tend to agree somewhat more with the conclusions of the counterpoint here. When one resides here one gets a better idea of what it is really like.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/colorado-springs-limited_b_455606.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sean-paige/sirotas-slurs-offer-skewe_b_452666.html

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Going to Extremes

It seems lots of individuals go to quite the extreme to share every iota of their lives with familiars and strangers online.

http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-share-every-detail-of-your-life-online-2010-2

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Keeping the Broadband Gulf Intact for Profits

Just yet another huge reason to despise, abhor, and scorn evil telecom corporations that need to be eliminated and cut up into tiny pieces.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-karr/close-the-broadband-gap-p_b_456647.html

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Future Transportation ?

I don't expect any vehicles along these designs to become reality for at least a generation or more.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/10/concept-cars-from-the-mic_n_456417.html

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Google's Next Project

While I have some distrust with Google, they have to be better than those evil greedy slackjaw hacks at Comcast (aka the Roberts Junta) or QWest (the gang that cannot shoot straight personified). I am still waiting for the electricity utilities to get involved in this ballgame, but wireless is the wave of the future and somewhat here - just waiting for Wi-Max and a 4G or 5G network which will be here before mid-decade, at a minimal cost compared to what the shysters at Comcast are charging and providing as far as speeds.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/10/google-broadband-networks_n_456740.html

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Baseball Players are Utterly Destroying the Economy !

Statements like the one made by Obama concerning the fairness of bank executives bonuses and pay clearly indicate he either has no clue or has totally sold out to the banks like most everyone else, including ALL Republicans, in Washington and most state legislatures. We are indeed doomed.

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/clueless/

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A Great Step in the Right Direction

More levels of government need to do this, but caution needs to be applied to make sure the funds are placed in institutions that are responsible and have a history of good policy and procedure.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/10/bill-to-move-new-mexicos_n_457313.html

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Google's "Buzz": The Next Step in Online Socialization Media ?

I suspect this may be the successor to Facebook. Facebook succeeded Friendster and My Space by being better. It seems as if everything Google tries turns to gold, so I won't be surprised if "Buzz" is the standard in the next few years, especially if Facebook keeps tweeking their site much to the displeasure of users.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6184EV20100209

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The Present and Future of Employment and Unemployment

As sad and pathetic as this reads, it is likely the best case scenario ahead but an overly optimistic outlook at best as compared to what really will happen. As Herbert points, the worst of it is almost entirely being experienced rather harshly by the poor and the lower ends of the middle class.

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/201003/jobless-america-future

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/10/no-labor-market-recession_n_456797.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/opinion/09herbert.html

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The 21st Century Version of the Triple Alliance ?

I have always believed there is a de facto covert unmentioned alliance between Russia, China, and Iran. This informal pact has caused the US to have its hands tied when it comes to Iran and its nuclear program. Israel is also aware of this. The alliance may even include exchange of nukes for oil in the case of China...

http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/bombs-away

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Grave Medical Finding

http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE61900L20100210

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Another Day, Another Dose of the Cold Hard Facts

The utter grim reality of what is and will be.

http://words-of-power.blogspot.com/2010/02/obama-healthcare-debacle-climate-crisis.html

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Chinese Tigers are Goners Soon

There seems be nothing to prevent the demise of wild tigers across all of China, as that nation all but lacks any consciousness towards preserving the environment and its special unique creatures that occupy ever decreasing habitat there.

http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/4099 6

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American Corporatism Equals Fascism

Its been here for awhile to some extent, and now is about to become much more evident, overt, and ever present.

http://www.correntewire.com/fast_hardening_soft_fascism_america

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Silver Bullet Coming against Pine Beetles Plague ?

Lets hope this works before the pines of the West are all but gone within the next two decades.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2010/02/09/20100209env-beetles0209.html

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American Airlines, A Model Corporation

Just yet another reason not to fly a legend airlines ever again as greed takes precedence over quality customer service once again.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/020910dnbusaablankets.25b85c1.html

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Overwhelmingly Challenging Times for Small Business

For years I have dreamed of opening my own small business as unrealistic as it was. Now I see it is as impossible and simply insane to do so given the current and likely future economic conditions. As this article clearly states, for small businesses catering in discretionary goods and services, there is a profound shortage of customers and sales.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6141SR20100209

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What Your Republican Party Stands For

Just wonderful. Eternal war once more and no more money for dilapidated ramshackle seniors that are hanging on by the skin of their fingers. Right ......

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/republican_party/index.html?story=/opinion/feature/2010/02/08/gop_s_bad_ideas

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Family helping Family

Sounds like a superb plan to protect generational assets.

http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/02/mish-mailbag-all-in-family.html

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It is Going to be this Bad

Welcome to the future. It is arriving quickly and in a very ugly hideous greedy form. I am thankful I won't be alive for hardly any of it as it will be quite depressing, repressive, and full of hardship.

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/04/15/the_next_big_thing_neomedievalism

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Federal Regulatory Overkill

This seems ridiculous.

http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/02/living-in-older-home-and-thinking-about.html

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Portion Sizes Controversy

I do not think serving size matters much to most people. Most of us eat or snack until we are satisfied, be it just a little or a lot.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/06/business/06portion.html

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US Senate Perpetuating Historical Model of Political Deadlock in 18th Century Poland

... and Poland collapsed in the late 18th century, eventually partitioned into disappearance with it being absorbed by Czarist Russia, the Austrian Empire, and Prussia. This appears to be the fate awaiting the US within a generation.

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/05/the-senate-becomes-a-polish-joke/

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Washington Crossing the Delaware Historical Re-enactment

"Lets get into the boats, men !"

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/12/washington_crossing_reenactmen.html

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The Cold Honest Facts

I firmly believe any young aware adult or teenager would give the same exact answer and explanation. Fortunately for them, but yet unfortunately for them, the government will default on the national debt in the next few years, declare bankruptcy, and walk away from any and all past and future financial obligations, at a great cost to all of us.

http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/02/conversation-with-my-14-year-old-son.html

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Stiglitz on the Future of the American Economy

Dead on correct analysis by Nobel Prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz.

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/stiglitz122/English

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Galbraith on the Future of the American Economy

Excellent analysis by one of the nation's distinguished and academically accomplished economists.

http://www.newdeal20.org/?p=7981%29

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Residency Effects on Ideology

Interesting analysis, but I believe there are other elements and dynamics that should be considered as well, such as family, class, income, poverty, education, and age.

http://www.angrybearblog.com/2010/02/topical-thread-feb3-2010-pop-density.html

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Toyota: The Reality Belies the Image and the Reputation

A brief explanation on how and why Toyota was able to foul up so bad with their automobiles after a very long of being the epitome of quality.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/too-good-to-be-true-how-toyotas-success-caused-killer-decontenting/

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Toyota, the UAW, and the Grim Future of Automobile Manufacturing

Very enlightening article ......

http://www.harpers.org/archive/2009/08/0082595

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The Frightening Ugly Future Reality of Coming Elections

Welcome to the soon to occur election for your congress "person", where your candidates of choice will be something like Exxon on one side, and Comcast on the other.

http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/politics/office-seeks-higher-office-8325/

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We are Doomed

Not a pretty picture whatsoever. The one thing right George W Bush ever said was "This sucker is going down !" And it will, no question about it. It is not a matter of if, but a matter of when. And when it does, most of us are going to be buried in mud, slime, and sewage to an extent we may never get looking good again.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/our-debt-time-bomb-is-ready-to-go-ka-boom-2010-02-02

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Deficits and the Future

To have deficits or not to have deficits ? That is the current big question why being debated. Welcome to 1937 all over again.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/02/us/politics/02deficit.html

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Looking to the Future Ahead Economically in the Housing Sector

Good explanation why any new home construction will be minimal for some years to come.

http://dailyreckoning.com/fiscal-stimulus-in-a-real-depression/

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The Facts about the Corruption and Graft in Our Economy

This is largely over the heads of most people, so it will probably have to be made into a movie so enough people will realize what huge crooks and shysters we have on Wall Street and in Washington DC.

http://moneymorning.com/2010/02/02/aig-collapse/

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The Near Future of Housing

http://www.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/real-estate/articles/2010/02/01/the-future-of-housing-demand-4-key-demographic-trends.html

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Deficits Versus Economic Recovery

The good professor is dead on right once again as usual.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/05/opinion/05krugman.html

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Hottest January in Recorded Climatological History

These findings are not surprising. It will be interesting to see how warm it gets in March and April, as North America should be above the curve instead of beneath it as it has been for the last few months.

http://climateprogress.org/2010/02/05/hottest-january-in-uah-satellite-record-roy-spencer-global-warming/#more-18505

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January '10 Unemployment Numbers

Do not believe for one iota that the unemployment rate declined. Its purely a manipulation of statistics for political posturing. The real numbers are right around 20 %, and near 25 % in some states, and well over 35 % in some regions and metros. Plain and simply, its very bad out there and all the slackjaws in Corporate America, government, and the media are blowing smoke saying its better and not bad.

http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/02/jobs-contract-yet-again-unemployment.html

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Comparing Europe to the US

Just one of the reasons why many nations in Europe are superior to the US in a number of ways.

http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2010/02/why-is-the-left-more-successful-in-europe.html

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Wall Street Bubble Bursting ?

Perhaps the floor is finally collapsing after months of irrational and illogical exuberance. Most indices are down 5-10 % in the last two to three weeks, harbingering a likely downward trend for the foreseeable future. How low will it go ? The DJI could decline back into the 7000s, and the S&P to the 700s within a matter of months. Welcome to once again to the year 1937.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Stocks-tumble-on-worries-apf-838755238.html

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Mountain Time Zone Perspective

11 February 2010

THR 11 FEB News Articles & Opinion

10 February 2010

WED 10 FEB: Recent Links of Interest