Archives for 2008

UPDATE: Congress drafts $700 billion bailout bill to save the US (and the world) from economic meltdown

Monday, September 29, 2008 at 5:56 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Yesterday afternoon, after 48 hours of political theater, the Bush administration and congressional leaders finally agreed on the $700 billion rescue plan, which they touted as a “Wall Street bailout to save Main Street.” This, despite ideological carping by a few nutjob Republicans who, after leading the charge to double the national debt to over… Read more.

Paul Newman, actor, philanthropist, political activist, is dead

Sunday, September 28, 2008 at 9:19 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

I appreciate that many of you probably knew Paul Newman more as the philanthropist whose face is the logo for a variety of food products (from “Newman’s Own” salad dressing to popcorn) than as an actor or political activist. But, to get a sense of who Newman was, just imagine Leonardo DiCaprio someday being… Read more.

The McCain-Obama “debate” of ‘08

Friday, September 26, 2008 at 10:38 PM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Despite all the media hype, presidential debates have very little bearing on how people vote on Election Day. Instead, they tend to merely reinforce voters’ pre-existing feelings about the candidates. This means that who won the debate is invariably in the eye of the beholder. That said, there’s no denying the suspense inherent in watching for a… Read more.

My New Year’s Resolution: 3rd Quarter Report

Friday, September 26, 2008 at 3:19 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

This year, for the first time, I not only made a New Year’s Resolution but also published it here on January 3. I did so because I thought reporting on my efforts to fulfill this particular resolution might inspire others to fulfill theirs. Accordingly, here’s an excerpt from that original article, followed by today’s update:… Read more.

McCain and Obama debate over debating and campaigning amidst economic crisis

Thursday, September 25, 2008 at 3:07 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Senator John McCain made quite a show yesterday of announcing that he is suspending his campaign and withdrawing from the first presidential debate so that he can return to Washington to join the gaggle of those negotiating terms of the $700 billion financial bailout legislation now pending in Congress. And, to demonstrate his much-vaunted leadership,… Read more.

UPDATE on my favorite ex-communists: the Ukrainians

Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at 3:14 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

I officially declare the coalition of democratic forces … in Ukraine’s parliament dissolved. This has been long expected, but for me it is extremely sad. I would not call this a political apocalypse, though it is true that it is another challenge of democracy. I hope we can overcome it. [Arseny Yatsenyuk, Speaker of the… Read more.

Sarah Palin to take center stage as world leaders meet at the UN

Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 5:48 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

President George W. Bush of the United States and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran will join a queue of world leaders in New York this week to deliver canned speeches before the Annual Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. And even though none of them will say anything of any consequence (Do they ever?), it would… Read more.

South African President Mbeki forced to resign… Hail Zuma?!

Monday, September 22, 2008 at 5:04 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

In a truly extraordinary development, Gwede Mantashe, the secretary general of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC), called a press conference on Saturday to announce that: [T]he party’s top-level National Executive Committee [NEC] has decided to recall the president of the republic before his term of office expires. Then, in a bit of political doublespeak… Read more.

The difference between the fall on Wall Street in 1929 and the fall today?

Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 8:19 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

In 1929, the government did nothing and the fall led to the Great Depression; whereas today, it has moved over one trillion dollars (i.e., $1,000,000,000,000.00) in place to cushion the fall, hoping to stave off an even greater depression. But don’t worry, many of the erstwhile masters of the universe are so disoriented by the sudden loss of… Read more.

Report on Donations to TCI victims of Hurricane Ike

Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 5:43 AM

Written by Anthony L. Hall

Dear [Donor name] Thank you very much for your generous donation to help the TCI victims of Hurricane Ike. I really appreciate your responding to my plea on their behalf. We raised $5,575.00 [in 72 hours] through The iPINIONS Journal, in amounts from $5 to $1000. You’ll be pleased to know that not one dollar of your donation will be subject to… Read more.