National

Adjusted for inflation, the incomes of non-government workers are lower today than in 2000. They're barely higher than they were in the mid-1970s. The income of a man in his 30s is now 12 percent below that of a man his age three decades ago. The top 1 percent of American earners now take home about 20 percent of total national income. In 1980, the top 1 percent took home just 8 percent.

The 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team has spent 35 of the last 60 months in Iraq patrolling in full battle rattle, helping restore essential services and escorting supply convoys.

Now they’re training for the same mission — with a twist — at home.

This story out today - link to text of letter from Gov. Schwarzenegger

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN0334646220081003

“We have a good deal of comfort about the capital cushions at these firms at the moment.” — Christopher Cox, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, March 11, 2008.

William H. Donaldson, who announced his resignation from the S.E.C. in June 2005, created a risk management office to watch for future problems.

This is a Must See Video. Click on the link to view. It will show you the Truth ! See for yourself ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RZVw3no2A4

Enjoy, Pass it around !

It is the money that is broken. - Good article in today's Wall Street Journal - (Greenspan named)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122273029076687929.html

This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.
-- T.S. Eliot
"The Hollow Men" (1925)

I wish I could say I had a firm grasp of where the truth lies here, but when a guy like Buffett says its so, maybe we outta listen:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/28/bailout.deal/index.html

For my money the greatest American actor ever and by all accounts an all-around great guy.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/obit_newman

You have to see this!

There have been many pastors speaking about the upcoming election.

Now a pastor from Baltimore, MD; Pastor Jamaal Harrison-Bryant of Empowerment Temple speaks about the Republican Party, John McCain and Sarah Palin.

Pastor Bryant makes reference to Sarah Palin being bipolar as well as beng a product of a trailer park.

You can view it on YouTube:

Conservative columnist Kathleen Parker tells it like it is: Sarah Palin is in over her head and needs to go:

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MDZiMDhjYTU1NmI5Y2MwZjg2MWNiMWMyYTU...

OK, couldn't resist this one. Extremely funny Sarah Palin slideshow that skewers many others besides her:

http://www.236.com/news/2008/09/24/kissinger_palin_is_the_ultimat_9111.p...

Now that we know this, we can rest assured nothing bad should be able to infiltrate Sarah's mind and soul now as she bones up for the upcoming debates (if there are any):

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080925/ap_on_el_ge/palin_witchcraft_blessin...

The mountain-climbing, desert-traversing Jeep Wrangler could be headed on a new adventure: to an electric outlet.

Manufacturer Chrysler LLC yesterday unveiled an electric-drive prototype of the Toledo-built model intended to go 400 miles — about the distance between northwest Ohio and Knoxville, Tenn.— on eight gallons of gas.

Here is a good story that has has completely been lost locally. I was familiar with Michelle Rhee's appointment to lead the troubled DC school system, but it was only today I found out she grew up in the area (apparently Rossford).

DEARBORN, Mich. — AAA Michigan says gasoline prices have fallen about 28 cents a gallon over the past week to a statewide average of $3.89.

Gas prices had risen quickly across the country with Hurricane Ike leaving refineries and pipelines idled and destroying offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. But prices eased amid the hurricane cleanup.

It's here, animal lovers! Care2 is proud to announce America's Favorite Animal Shelter contest! Help your favorite animal shelter or rescue group win $10,000 by helping them get the most votes in our new contest!

How the contest works:

With rising fuel costs and a stagnating economy, officials are anticipating more people will need help paying their home heating bills this winter through HEAP, the Home Energy Assistance Program.

But federal funding for the program has declined, meaning Ohio has about $55 million less than it did last year, said Chris Kozak, spokesman for Columbia Gas.

A new species will soon be joining the Walleye in the fish tank.

The formation of a new arenafootball2 franchise that will begin play at the new downtown sports arena in April, 2010, is expected to be announced today at an 11 a.m. news conference.

Alaskans angered that Palin is off-limits

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-troopergate21-2008s...

In stubbornly independent Alaska, the sudden intrusion of a political campaign into so many corners of state government -- not to mention Wasilla, where a dozen or more campaign researchers and lawyers have also begun overseeing the release of any information about Palin's years as mayor -- has touched a raw nerve.

"This is a pivotal moment for America's economy," Bush said. He said that a financial contagion that began with low-quality home mortgages had "spread throughout our financial system."

"This has led to an erosion of confidence that has frozen many financial transactions including loans to consumers and to businesses seeking to expand and create jobs," Bush said.

The recent blowup between Russia and Georgia has ruffled feathers in Washington. Condi Rice has threatened a new cold war and warned that Russia will see itself isolated from the world community. Here is a great analysis of what this brouhaha is all about.

Moscow is not bent on world domination, just regional influence.
By Ted Galen Carpenter

I just found these glasses to be....so inspiring....that I have contacted the manufactuer and added my name to the six-month-long waiting list. Hey, if it was good enough for Colin Powell...

Toward the end of video the glasses' designer says something interesting.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2008/09/17/lah.japan.palin.glasse...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,423701,00.html

Tell me again how it's all the Republicans fault.
Of particular interest, this paragraph;

Out on the stump, John McCain gets wild applause each time he promises as president to veto every spending bill that contains an earmark.

But McCain will find it almost impossible to live up to his vow, and gridlock would result if Congress refused to go along with such an executive branch power grab.

And that’s what members of McCain’s own party are saying.