Our favorite numbers geek is moving to NYC. How could Chicago let this happen?
From Nate Silver:
This blog is now on the Eastern Time Zone. I'm moving to New York. My new Congresswoman is Yvette Clarke.I have a great deal of love for Chicago, where I've been for the past 13 years, and the Midwest, where I've been essentially my entire life. In the Internet era, one can cover American politics from almost anywhere: some extremely talented writers do it from places like Brazil and Mexico. Nevertheless, as I've watched the number of 212 and 646 area codes proliferate in my Blackberry (see incredibly dorky chart below), and become intimately familiar with the concession stands at LaGuardia Airport (avoid the Wendy's by Terminal D), I've realized that there's an if-you-can't-beat-'em, join-'em quality to New York City -- and I've decided to join 'em.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Don't Forget to Turn Off Your Lights!
Tomorrow is Earth Hour.
Turn off your lights between 8:30-9:30pm.
www.earthhour.org
Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.
Turn off your lights between 8:30-9:30pm.
www.earthhour.org
VOTE EARTH
YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE
This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.
For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.
This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Presser No. 2
Yeah, yeah, I know. Everyone's gonna be talking about the big Ef YOU that the Prez gave to Ed Henry at the end of the press conference. And it did rock, and proves that Rahm is rubbing off on Cool Hand Luke. But, mostly, I continue to be impressed that Barack gives multi-part answers to questions and then ties in reporter comments from earlier in the presser to make his point. It's like he's really smart or somethin'. And I love his point at the end about being how persistence will be a hallmark of administration, that we shouldn't expect him to solve massive, decades long problems in the first 60 days, and that all the haters and doubters should just chill the f*** out.
Nate has a good point too: "But there's a seed of something else too: he's motivated to prove his doubters wrong. One needs to remember that Obama was always more of a counter-puncher than a brawler during the campaign."
This is a negativity-free zone. Nice, supportive, loving comments only.
(and how cool is it that the Obama took questions from Politico, Ebony and Stars and Stripes!)
Nate has a good point too: "But there's a seed of something else too: he's motivated to prove his doubters wrong. One needs to remember that Obama was always more of a counter-puncher than a brawler during the campaign."
This is a negativity-free zone. Nice, supportive, loving comments only.
(and how cool is it that the Obama took questions from Politico, Ebony and Stars and Stripes!)
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Whatchu Talkin' 'Bout, Willis?
I think the Sun-Times missed a real opportunity. The title of this post should have been the headline for this cover story. They're clearly slipping. No wonder their circulation is falling.
Anyhow, the Willis Tower? Seriously?
Anyhow, the Willis Tower? Seriously?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Feud
The one between Jon Stewart and Jim Cramer, that is. Not the one between Brian and me that's brewing in the comments section (for the record, since I snapped to judgement after not paying full attention to Brian's comments, I'm Jim Cramer in our scenario). Anyhow, Jim keeps trying to come at Jon, and Jon keeps smacking him down. The latest:
Bottom line: you don't mess with Jon, because Dora's got his back and she'll cut you.
Bottom line: you don't mess with Jon, because Dora's got his back and she'll cut you.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Barack Beats Reagan
Fox News has a poll out this morning that offers yet more fascinating results. In Washington Monthly's summary, they highlight this question and answer:
Q: What do you think the nation's economy needs more of right now -- the economic policies of Ronald Reagan or the economic policies of Barack Obama?"
A: Obama 49%, Reagan 40%
Wow. Is it too early to re-name National Airport?
They also highlight another interesting question, "Do you think asking the wealthiest Americans to pay more in taxes is a good idea because it levels the economic and social playing field, or a bad idea because it punishes work and success?" 55% of those polled thought it would be best to raise taxes on the wealthy. But, by all means, GOP, please keep arguing this point.
Q: What do you think the nation's economy needs more of right now -- the economic policies of Ronald Reagan or the economic policies of Barack Obama?"
A: Obama 49%, Reagan 40%
Wow. Is it too early to re-name National Airport?
They also highlight another interesting question, "Do you think asking the wealthiest Americans to pay more in taxes is a good idea because it levels the economic and social playing field, or a bad idea because it punishes work and success?" 55% of those polled thought it would be best to raise taxes on the wealthy. But, by all means, GOP, please keep arguing this point.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Fox and Friends Are After Me
Well, if not me specifically, definitely my company. They've been running a bit every Wednesday for the past couple months entitled, "The Trouble with Textbooks." In it, they talk to Larry Schweikart, a professor at Dayton University and author of 48 Liberal Lies About American History (That You Probably Learned in School). Among the lies that he boldly exposes as being taught in our schools are "Lie #7: The 'Peace Movement' Activists Were Not Dupes of the KGB," "Lie #21: Columbus Was Responsible for Killing of Millions of Indians," and "Lie #37: Global Warming is a Fact, and It's a Man-Made, American-Driven Problem." Clearly, fair and balanced.
Anyhow, they've been taking a number of textbooks to task. But, they've only given my company's information out in pieces like this, listing our name, CEO, and contact information. They're after us. I guess we're going to have to apologize to Rush for something.
Anyhow, they've been taking a number of textbooks to task. But, they've only given my company's information out in pieces like this, listing our name, CEO, and contact information. They're after us. I guess we're going to have to apologize to Rush for something.
For Crying Out Loud
Buried down towards the bottom of this WaPo item is ridiculous news: Bill Daley, our esteemed mayor's brother, is planning on throwing his hat in the ring for the Senate in 2010. That ought to end the Illinois Senate seat circus.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Sassy is feeling optimistic
Not only because it's above 30 degrees today. Also, because Carol Marin writes a great little piece about how Quigley beat the party machine.
"Though his opponents -- some of them -- tried to paint Quigley as an un-reformer, the small number of voters who turned out Tuesday were highly educated on the issues. And they knew that in a large -- and largely talented -- crew of candidates, Quigley, as a commissioner on the Cook County Board, had been one of the lone voices raised in opposition to the patronage-clogged, outrageously inefficient government run by Board President Todd Stroger. And that Stroger had been the candidate handed to us by party bosses."
I think she has this exactly right. Of all the people I know who voted yesterday (and I actually know alot), all of them did their research and voted for Quigley. I think it's partly the demographic of that ward, but also Chicagoans are getting fed up with the Burris/Blagojevich bullsh**. Hopefully Stroger and Daley are next. Change is coming to Chicago!!!
"Though his opponents -- some of them -- tried to paint Quigley as an un-reformer, the small number of voters who turned out Tuesday were highly educated on the issues. And they knew that in a large -- and largely talented -- crew of candidates, Quigley, as a commissioner on the Cook County Board, had been one of the lone voices raised in opposition to the patronage-clogged, outrageously inefficient government run by Board President Todd Stroger. And that Stroger had been the candidate handed to us by party bosses."
I think she has this exactly right. Of all the people I know who voted yesterday (and I actually know alot), all of them did their research and voted for Quigley. I think it's partly the demographic of that ward, but also Chicagoans are getting fed up with the Burris/Blagojevich bullsh**. Hopefully Stroger and Daley are next. Change is coming to Chicago!!!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
The Skinny on AIG
You guys may have already seen this since it ran in the NYT this weekend. But, it was in the business section. I never read the business section. That might be why I am completely at Paul Krugman's mercy when it comes to economics information. But, I digress. This article has a good run down of why AIG is in such a mess and why we keep throwing money at it.
Bottom line: Holy crap do we need better financial regulation.
Bottom line: Holy crap do we need better financial regulation.
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Confounding 5th
Tomorrow (Tuesday the 3rd) is the primary part of the special election to fill the 5th Congressional seat vacated by Rahm Emanuel. As we all know, the winner of the Democratic primary will win the general.
But, who among the 13 to vote for? My current inclination is to go with Mike Quigley. Not for his endorsements by the Tribune and Sun-Times. But instead because he was endorsed by the 20-something son of legendary Chicago newspaperman Mike Rokyo:
http://www.cdobs.com/archive/featured/the-5th-congressional-district-special-election-a-real-life-lottery,2937
Clearly my standards are pretty assailable. So, if someone wants to convince me to vote for U of C prof Charles Wheelan, or Tom Geoghegan, that's not going to be too hard to do.
But, who among the 13 to vote for? My current inclination is to go with Mike Quigley. Not for his endorsements by the Tribune and Sun-Times. But instead because he was endorsed by the 20-something son of legendary Chicago newspaperman Mike Rokyo:
http://www.cdobs.com/archive/featured/the-5th-congressional-district-special-election-a-real-life-lottery,2937
Clearly my standards are pretty assailable. So, if someone wants to convince me to vote for U of C prof Charles Wheelan, or Tom Geoghegan, that's not going to be too hard to do.
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