On Thursday, the dollar sank to a new record low against the euro, deepening a six-year slide in which it has fallen more than 40% versus the European currency and more than 20% against a broader basket of currencies. In late trading in New York, one euro fetched about $1.52, just two days after it surged through the symbolically important level of $1.50. [...]
The dollar's weakness adds upward pressure to the prices of commodities, most of which are traded in dollars. They're now soaring in value for a number of reasons including that they've become cheaper for buyers who hold other currencies, which drives up demand. An enfeebled dollar also means the reserves of many central banks are falling in value, a dilemma that isn't easily resolved.
The graphic is taken from the WSJ article, with one addition. The red line on the left side was added to show exactly when the Republicans, the self-anointed "grownups," took control of the White House and Congress.
We must give credit for our disasters where credit is due.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senator Larry Craig is currently seeking intern applications for the summer term, which runs from May to August. The application deadline is March 15, however if more time is needed for the application process, please contact Senator Craig's office for an extension.
"Interns have the chance to be an essential part of a working congressional office," said Craig. "They participate in the legislative process as well as ensure that constituent services run smoothly. For those interested in politics, it is an incredible opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how our government functions while serving the people of Idaho."
Or perhaps for those interested in "public service" it is an incredible opportunity to get a within-the-stall look at how Republicans function.
On March 4th, Texas Republicans and Independents will have an opportunity to end Hillary Clinton's (and Bill's) presidential ambitions once and for all!
Since Texas has on open primary, Republicans and Independents should sign in at their polling place and request a Democratic ballot. They should then vote for Barack Obama. Even James Carville admits that if Hillary loses Texas, "she's done!" Republicans can help make this a reality!!! Just think, no more Clintons in the White House!
Voting Democratic this one time will have NO effect on your ability to vote in the next Republican primary or obviously on your vote in November. Since John McCain has the Republican nomination locked up, voting for McCain or Huckabee at this point will have no effect on the outcome on the Republican side.
After you vote during early voting or on March 4th, you ARE NOT done! Report back to your regular polling place at 7PM on March 4th to sign the Barack Obama list for caucus delegates. In a little known Texas voting quirk, 67 delegates to the Democratic convention will be seated because of these caucuses. This is a full one-third of the total number of Texas delegates. For Hillary to lose, she has to lose the primary votes AND the caucus votes.
I urge you to vote against Hillary Clinton by voting for Barack Obama. Please forward this e-mail to all your Texas Republican and Independent friends so that we can help ensure the Clinton's defeat on March 4th!!!
The Clinton administration represented the greatest expension of jobs, general prosperity and national fiscal health in our lifetimes. Your ex-governor's administration represented the most enormous deficits in history, as well as the loss of thousands of American lives in Iraq, even while Osama bin Laden still runs free seven years after he attacked New York and Washington. The evidence speaks for itself.
Are your testicles so threatened by Hillary Clinton that you cross party lines to prove how microscopic they are? And that includes you, GOP Texas women.
Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, took swipes at hedge fund managers at campaign stops in Ohio on Feb. 19 and Wisconsin on Feb. 18 arguing that the top executives should not be immune from paying certain taxes.
Hillary Clinton has been the recipient of widespread support from some of the country’s top hedge fund managers in her 2008 bid for the White House, according to The New York Times.
Some of her biggest donors are hedge fund managers including James Simons of Renaissance Technologies LLC, Richard Perry of Perry Capital LLC, David Shaw of D.E. Shaw & Co., Glenn Dubin of Highbridge Capital Inc. and Tom Steyer of Farallon Capital Management, LLC according to the Times.
Sen. Clinton’s daughter Chelsea also works for the New York-based hedge fund Avenue Capital Group.
Why is taxing hedge fund managers an issue? Because hedge fund managers, even more than CEOs, are the kings of our twisted economy. I cannot say this loudly enough: Despite being centimillionaires, they pay no income taxes. Their compensation is considered to be "capital gains" and is taxed at the lower rate that is levied on investment returns. In other words, they don't work, they only profit.
Is one hedge fund manager really worth thousands and thousands of teachers? That is exactly what the American economy is saying, loud and clear... "Combined, the top 25 hedge fund managers last year earned $14 billion — enough to pay New York City’s 80,000 public school teachers for nearly three years." New York Times
I truly believe that kids enjoy the box better than the car or the toy that's inside. So many times during Christmas, watching a kid, or even myself… There is excitement toward your toy, but then you put the toy on the side and something is created with the package. It's a very American thing that everything has to be a business. Americans think… I like America, or I would not be here. There are great qualities to this country. But this sense that everything has to be a business is sometimes overwhelming.
I am reminded of Craig Newmark (founder of Craigslist) who said that money is not an incentive for him. In human enterprises the challenge and the satisfaction are often, if not usually, elsewhere.
If American can wake up from its money worship and stop playing with and obsessing about its toys, then maybe the creativity lurking in the boxes will have an opportunity to see the light of day again.
*Subprime credit banking crisis, Bush-Cheney war and tax-cutting debts, record oil prices, nascent recession and secular bear market, burgeoning trade deficit, weakening dollar, shrinking manufacturing base, vanishing R&D, dwindling market share of the global capital markets — do I need to go on?
"This is a happy day for us," said Gino Barone, who owns Carmens Boutique and Videos, which has four Houston locations. "We found our customers want these items. Ladies, couples come to buy. The demand is so great. This law was so ridiculous. ... It's time we got the government out of their lives." [...]
Barone said he sold the sex novelties despite the legal ban. "Our stores are loaded with them," he said. "They tried to act like this was some monster. This was only a toy." [...] Barone said the days before Valentine's Day are among the busiest of the year.
Goldman Sachs bankers and traders enjoy famously big bonuses and, this year, a little extra job security thanks to their firm’s ability to steer clear of the worst effects of the subprime mortgage debacle.
Now, they can add something else to the list of reasons why life is great at Goldman: free sex-change surgery. [...]
Goldman employees can undergo the procedure, which normally costs anywhere from $5,000 to $150,000, and have it paid for entirely by their medical insurance.
Goldman isn’t the first financial firm to cover sex-change surgery for its workers. A recent survey of more than 1,000 employers conducted by the Human Rights Campaign found that many banks, law firms and other large companies have added at least partial coverage of transgender treatments to their medical plans.
Bank of America, Wachovia and Deutsche Bank are among the firms who now cover such treatments to some extent, Fortune.com said.
Goldman is obviously incredibly forward-thinking because they were among the few banks to actually profit from subprime credit by simultaneously selling it and shorting it. Talk about identity ambivalence!
Think of free sex-change surgery as a stimulus package. (No, not that kind.) Sex-change coverage will stimulate the economy because bankers will have to get whole new wardrobes and makeup. Snap, snap!
Sawyer: "These big top overkills prove to me conclusively that something can be both spectacular and unmoving." Far beyond the Grammys, this statement pretty much describes the awards and game and reality shows that comprise the bulk of network television.
So let's get right to the good stuff. What you came here for is blow job classes in Illinois, specifically in Chicago, so here's exactly what you want: G Boutique's "How to Give a Great Blow Job" class.
Description: "The hummer, the yummer, the flicker, the tickler... learn these and lots more tips and techniques. Take this class and Blow him away!" You can even make it a private class with up to 20 friends. It's not clear whether Sadie Allison's Tickle His Pickle is the required textbook, whether there will be a pop quiz, or what will be on the final exam. Emission accomplished?
Good luck. While you're boning up and studying hard, think of Skimble!
In addition to neutralizing the toxic effect of Iowa and New Hampshire, we should also go to a direct proportional vote in all 50 states.
Someday ordinary American voters ought to celebrate the joy of democracy with a meaningful process, instead of just creating a sideshow to precede the purple thumbs of superdelegates.
