Monthly Archives: February 2011

Obama to workers: Can’t find those shoes!


If Americans workers are being denied their rights to organize and collectively bargain when I’m in the White House, I’ll put on a comfortable pair of shoes myself; I’ll walk on that picket line with you as president of the … Continue reading

Posted in economic collapse, Great Recession, mainstream media, Obama, Philadelphia, Politics, unemployment, world-wide economy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Money for (next to) nothing on WXPN


But there’s nothing, really nothing, to turn off. — Bob Dylan, “Visions of Johanna,” 1966 I turned on the car radio this morning and noticed the DJ on WXPN was yakking for a long time between songs. “Oh no, a … Continue reading

Posted in arts, economic collapse, Great Recession, mainstream media, Philadelphia, pop music, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Media guy blames media for Wisconsin turmoil


Wisconsin says a lot about our political discourse, none of it good… Complex issues are reduced to sound bites. Talking points of the extreme left and right dominate. Americans obediently fall into line, either for “free enterprise” or the “working … Continue reading

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Blow them up good, then corporatize


Here’s a thought: maybe Madison, Wisconsin, isn’t Cairo after all. Maybe it’s Baghdad – specifically, Baghdad in 2003, when the Bush administration put Iraq under the rule of officials chosen for loyalty and political reliability rather than experience and competence. … Continue reading

Posted in economic collapse, Great Recession, Iraq war, mainstream media, New York Times, NJ, Philadelphia, Politics, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The NYT’s ‘no shit’ style of news analysis


There are deeply divided opinions and shifting allegiances over whether unions are helping or hurting people who have been caught in the recent economic squeeze. And workers themselves, being pitted against one another, are finding it hard to feel sympathy … Continue reading

Posted in economic collapse, Great Recession, mainstream media, New York Times, Politics, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Why Madison, Wis., looks like Egypt-land


Credit where it’s due: Not all mainstream reporters are treating what’s happening in Wisconsin as a budget-related spat over cuts in benefits. In today’s Philadelphia Daily News, Will Bunch considers the global context of the story and ponders the likelihood … Continue reading

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Wis. workers try to slip pharoah’s yoke


I dig a ditch, I shape a stone/Another battlement for his throne/Another day on earth is flown/We’re all working for the pharaoh. — Richard Thompson, “Pharoah” The nicest thing you can say about the mainstream media’s skimpy coverage of the … Continue reading

Posted in economic collapse, Egypt, Great Recession, mainstream media, New York Times, NJ, Obama, Politics, taxes, unemployment, Wall Street | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christie & Obama: We do big, stupid things


… Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so I’ll take it that way. — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie reacting to President Barack Obama’s use of the phrase “big things” Who’s more contemptible, Christie or Obama? The former is … Continue reading

Posted in Great Recession, mainstream media, NJ, Obama, Philadelphia, Politics, taxes, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Sweet nothings? No thanks, I’m full


“All I have to do is remember and imagine the rustle of your skirt and I’m ready to chew my own hands off.” — Aleksei to Polina in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Gambler Exactly. What a relief from the Valentine’s Day … Continue reading

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Beware the curse of Mubarak’s tomb


Sir Joseph Whemple: [translating inscription] “Death [and] eternal punishment for anyone who opens this casket. In the name of Amon-Ra, the king of the gods.” Good heavens, what a terrible curse! Ralph Norton: [eagerly] Well, let’s see what’s inside! — … Continue reading

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