Questions and Observations

We're STILL at the thrift store. #

Somehow, Chris tricked me into thrift shop browsing. Now I'm in hell. http://twitpic.com/2eqsow #

SC's Alvin Greene indicted for showing porn to a coed. When I was in college, we didn't have today's access to porn. So, we just had sex. #

RT @mattklewis: Can't be good for Linda McMahon that an ex-WWE star died of heart failure at age 29.| Or that the rest die before 50. #

Iran says the Bushehr nuclear reactor will go live 21 Aug. Isn't it great to see Iran turning away from carbon usage? http://bbc.in/acoRPC #

Retail Sales Tepid, Inflation at 40-Year Low. http://bit.ly/c1wc2G #

I've always hated Oracle, both the technology and the company. Things like this is why. Legal extortion. http://bit.ly/bnoN6d #

RT @dmataconis: Employment Picture Looking Even Bleaker http://bit.ly/aYtjrB #RecoverySummer #

Is this finally the economic collapse? http://bit.ly/avLkzW #

The average 30-year mortgage rate fell to 4.44 %, the lowest since Freddie Mac records began in 1971. http://bit.ly/cznNk1 #RecoverySummer #

Jobless claims jump to 5-month high, with 484,000 new claims for unemployment. http://bit.ly/aDoxgB #RecoverySummer #

John McCain says that Snooki is too attractive to be locked up in prison. Um, Snooki is a troll. I mean, I might agree if it was J-Wow… #

Time Mag wonders if Hillary will be Obama's 2012 VP choice. I think that would interfere with her presidential run. http://bit.ly/csBXx7 #

Treasury Two-Year Yield Falls to Record Low Of 0.5% as Fed Says Recovery Slowing http://bit.ly/bR7OJB #RecoverySummer #

.@dmataconis Did someone say, "Captain Obvious"? http://twitpic.com/2dh7gp #

MV Agusta really DID screw Harley-Davidson! H-D had to pay the Italians $20 million to take it back. http://bit.ly/axjvRS #

After 9 years of pay and benefit increases, Federal workers are now earning double their private counterparts. http://usat.me?39636276 #

FOMC statement says no change in interest rates are in the offing, as economic growth remains slow. http://usat.me?39645182 #

Note to @DerSPIEGEL: Its not really appropriate for Germans to make moral pronouncements about WWII actions. http://bit.ly/brpxDF #

Is America heading for a "lost decade" similar to Japan's? http://bit.ly/9jmAHT #

These people have the power to put you in jail for years. But don't dare think that you can hold them accountable. http://bit.ly/bkk3a3 #

The National Federation of Independent Business said its optimism index fell 0.9 to 88.1 in July. http://bit.ly/b0hO8f #RecoverySummer #

The productivity of U.S. workers unexpectedly fell last quarter, increasing cost-cutting pressures. http://bit.ly/cOCkDJ #RecoverySummer #

Russian man dies in searing heat at sauna contest. There's a world championship of…sauna? http://usat.me?39617852 #

Castiglioni completes his rape of Harley-Davidson. http://bit.ly/98Xnd0 #

DNC Chair Tim Kaine is complaining that Michelle Obama's Spanish trip is being politicized. Cry me a river, Weepy. http://bit.ly/98h5Iw #

Mike Pence admits Republicans have "credibility problem" on deficits. http://bit.ly/b792e6 #

Today's official rate of unemployment, at 9.5%, underestimates the actual rate of unemployment, which is 13.3%. http://bit.ly/9Un9eI #

The number of Americans who are receiving food stamps rose to a record 40.8 million in May. http://bit.ly/aWauTW #RecoverySummer #

Economy concerns send US mortgage rates to the lowest ever recorded in the Freddie Mac Survey. http://bit.ly/cGYoKW #RecoverySummer #

Jobless claims in U.S. climb unexpectedly–there's that word again–to three-month high of 479,000. http://bit.ly/98GQpV #RecoverySummer #

Best. Gubernatorial. Candidate. Ever. http://bit.ly/9XrZRX #

After 107 years, Harley-Davidson may move its manufacturing operations out of Milwaukee, scouting other states. http://bit.ly/9N4Opf #

I looked at an iPad, and played with it a bit. I think I'd rather wait for an Android tablet. #

RT @sirfith @dmataconis @freddoso @warbiany: "Just buy the land next door and build the Charles Martel Cultural Center." | Would be amusing. #

RT @dmataconis @warbiany: Of course, if they aren't willing to sell that's the end of that. | Everybody has a price. Might be high, though. #

Opponents of the Ground Zero mosque are off to court today to try and block the project. http://bit.ly/9DRWLP #

The ADP Employment Survey came in with much stronger than expected gain of 42,000 private jobs in July. http://bit.ly/c5DLi8 #

You know, there's an easy way to keep the nasty Muslims from building the Ground Zero mosque: Buy the property from them. #

RT @ewerickson: "I'm not happy to let the enemy score points at Ground Zero."|If they're dangerous enemies, then shouldn't we lock them up? #

RT @AblativMeatshld RE: Cordoba House: "It is a place with seats made of fine Corinthian leather…" #

.@MelissaTweets @dmataconis: This may be one of those cases where the perfect is the enemy of the…well…less bad. #

RT @MelissaTweets @dmataconis: WHO GIVES A SHIT? She won't be Reid. | Hate to say it, but there is much merit in that position. #

.@ewerickson The really horrible thing about liberty is that some people will use their rights to do things you don't like. Liberty is bad. #

.@ewerickson I guess its a good thing the Kelo decision now allows the government to take property for the public good, huh? in reply to ewerickson #

.@ewerickson Just out of curiosity, Erick, are there any other groups you'd like the gov't to strip of property rights, or just Muslims? in reply to ewerickson #

RT @dmataconis @owillis: Limbaugh: "Tomorrow is Obama's birthday, not that we've seen any proof of that" | C'mon, it's a funny line. #

So, personal income and spending are flat, factory orders declined 1.2%, and pending home sales are down 2.6%. Welcome to #RecoverySummer #

Orders to U.S. Factories Decline More Than Forecast. The 1.2% decline was more than twice the forecasted decline. http://bit.ly/95lLlc #

Pending Sales of Existing U.S. Homes Decrease 2.6%, as demand continues to unravel. http://bit.ly/bTnQo8 #

Geithner: Extending tax cuts for the richest is 'irresponsible'. Cutting spending is irresponsible, too, I guess. http://usat.me?39538404 #

Twitter: It saves lives. http://usat.me?39532758 #

The other angle you can take on Sharron Angle's press comments is that she just wishes she got the same supine press as Democrats. #

Is Sharron Angle crazy, or just stupid? I'm pretty sure Harry Reid will be staying in the senate. http://bit.ly/bR207n #

"Ground Zero" mosque clears another roadblock. Opponents vow to continue the fight against Muslims' property rights. http://bit.ly/bJAyJH #

Personal spending and personal income remained flat last month. And, yes, unexpectedly. http://bit.ly/9lMIyR #