In his infinite tri-partisan wisdom, Very Wise Senator Joe Lieberman today decreed that universality is what Obama needs to jettison from his health care reform effort, at least until this short, mild recession is over.

those experts at Blackwater

The press release today:
FOLLOWING RANCOR AMONG THE RANKS,
BAUCUS ASSURES MONTANA CONSTITUENTS:
“I WANT A PUBLIC OPTION TOO”

U.S. Senator Max Baucus has finally broken his silence regarding his personal position on including a public option in health care reform legislation. Last Monday night (8/17), in an unprecedented conference call to Montana Democratic central committee chairs, the powerful leader of the Senate Finance Committee told his

This past week saw over 100 killed and over 600 (Reuters estimates over 1,000) wounded in bombings across Baghdad. While the theories swirl as to who and why and especially how these attacks in relatively “safe” portions of the city occurred – we can be certain that these tragedies will be used in the continuing attempts to extend the US occupation.

Whoever said that television is a vast wasteland didn’t know the half of it, and had obviously never watched the Sunday talk shows.

Politico says it’s not going to happen. But if Obama were to meet with Kennedy, it would provide a great opportunity for Kennedy to kick Obama’s ass. And for Obama to pivot strategies and embrace the public option he has been promising all along.

Many people first encountered ACORN when it became a piñata in the wingnuts’ last-ditch attempt to salvage something—anything—for their base during the 2008 elections. But since 1970, when the community organizing group was founded, the organization has accomplished a lengthy and impressive list of victories on behalf of low- and middle-income families. Among its achievements, ACORN has:

* Moved more than 2 million homes into ownership by low-income people in less than 20 years.
* Spearheaded the living wage movement that resulted in raising the hourly pay of some of the lowest-paid workers in more than 140 cities between 1996 and 2006 before going on to win statewide minimum wage increases in several states, such as Ohio, Missouri, Colorado and Arizona in the 2006 elections.
* Partnered with H&R Block to reduce predatory fees charged to low-income people who receive rapid anticipation loans, with one such fee reduction resulting in a savings of $200 million for tax filers.

Several months ago, I helped persuade encourage Jerry Nadler to take the whip count pledge.  So I’m particularly thrilled to see that’s he’s standing firm as iron these days. From the way he’s talking, he’s a changed man–delighted he took the pledge, and knowing full well the critical nature of the pledge project.

What’s a vaporjob? Well, read this from a job seeker: offered a job, the company rescinded it. While there are remedies, they depend a great deal on the state. However, in the end, there really isn’t one, except publicizing the company. But people don’t want to do that, because it is more likely to be a black mark on the job seeker, than on the company.

Really great points made here, both by Robert Reich and Paul Krugman.