The New Ledger » Daily Read

Abortion Issue Resolution Paves Way for House Bill: US Catholic Bishops Back Compromise

Ben Domenech — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:52:18 +0000

Obama is visiting the Hill today, pressing for more support for the legislation. “House leaders have won the backing of the nation’s Catholic bishops for a last-minute abortion compromise, a critical boost that could give the health reform bill enough momentum – and enough votes – for passage as early as Saturday.”

The Legacy of Major Nidal Malik Hasan

Brad Jackson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:30:31 +0000

“The murderous rampage of Dr. Nidal Malik Hasan has entered the annals of military history as a unique betrayal of the traditional relationship between an officer — and a physician — and the men entrusted to his care.”

The First Mother in Law and the Post-Nuclear Family

Brad Jackson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:27:25 +0000

With baby boomers aging we’re entering the “mass geriatric society” where more of our aged elders are living with their adult children. For instance, did you know that Obama’s mother in law lives at the White House? What a posh place to grow old.

A Decade of His Steveness and the Genius of Apple

Brad Jackson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:44:58 +0000

He’s defeated death (twice), regained the reins of the company he founded, become the keeper of cool, and “become the dominant personality in four distinct industries,” all while becoming a multi-billionaire. What else can Steve Jobs do? How about be named CEO of the decade by Fortune!

The Beginning of the End of the Obama Agenda?

Brad Jackson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:39:14 +0000

Tuesday night’s election results may be the beginning of the end for Obama’s liberal agenda. Moderate Dems are now shaking in their boots and wondering, “If I support the public option and cap-and-trade do I risk re-election?” As we all know, in DC, it’s all about preserving that re-election.

Frankly My Dear, I Don’t Give a Damn

Brad Jackson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:29:00 +0000

Despite a contentious, controversial bill (opposed by people in her own party), a Republican boycott of the committee meeting, Senate rules (who needs those) and an economy in the tank, Senator Barbara Boxer passed out of committee the Democrats Cap-and-Trade bill.

Fort Hood: This is an Attack, Not a Tragedy

Ben Domenech — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:21:55 +0000

Major Nidal Malik Hasan was to be deployed to Iraq later this month, apparently his first deployment. “Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone told a late night news conference that the suspect was wounded and in custody… the suspect was not in danger of dying.” This is now a USMJ matter. They have death penalty authority.

The Revolt in Westchester: Untold Stories of Racial Politics from Election 2009

Ben Domenech — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:11:41 +0000

Westchester’s surprising shift came after “county residents felt strong-armed by the federal government and private litigants into a controversial lawsuit settlement on low-income housing that cuts deeply into the county’s tradition of suburban home rule on development issues,” when the incumbent “suggest[ed] that critics of his housing plans were racist.”

Unemployment Rockets Above 10% For Twenty-Six Year High

Ben Domenech — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:03:38 +0000

Economists had projected the jobless rate would exceed 10 percent early next year even as the economy expanded, so this number is surprising. Ethan Harris: “The rise in the unemployment rate is very ugly. This is a big backward step to get this high of an unemployment number this early in the recovery.”

Three Decades of Subsidized Risk: Those Government-Funded Merchants of Greed

Ben Domenech — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:24:26 +0000

“The conventional wisdom as perpetuated in the media is that these bailout mechanisms are unique, designed to ameliorate a once-in-a-lifetime financial “perfect storm.” They are unique, but only in size,” Charles Gasparino writes. Looking back shows “the government has been ready to hand out free money nearly every time risk-taking led to losses.