The Hobgoblins of Small Minds

This is politics for stupid people, by stupid people. Sometimes you have to recognize that if you want to look smart, if you want to look like you care about doing your job, sometimes the simplest thing to do is just pick more sensible ideas to be true to.

America Unites with Moore, Okalahoma in Our Thoughts

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their loved ones, the survivors, and all the rescue teams involved with the devastation that has hit Moore, Oklahoma.

How You Can Help:There are many ways we can all help, and CNN has a list of needs and ways that we can all pitch in. Every little bit counts!

Benghazigate Investigation Continues

This week, House committee meetings continued in regards to the happenings of the 9/11/2012 attacks in Benghazi. Once again fingers are pointing the blame on the former Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton. The whole agenda in this investigation is fueled by Republican interrogation to place responsibility on Obama.

Decent Job Report Adds To Six Months of Decent Growth

The BLS report today showed better than consensus job growth at 165,000. Upward revision to the previous two months brings the six month average to 208,000 jobs added per month. Unemployment ticked down just a hair to 7.5%.

Agreement in Abstract

You are my business partner. You told me you would ruin me, and put my many employees out of work, taking our business and ruining its credit for good, if I didn't agree to reduce the speed at which our debt built. I thought there was a better way to handle this, but you managed to force an agreement on this. To get that agreement, we hammered out a compromise.

Is this the Sign of the Stock Market Collapse?

The present scenario is that of a slowing down of the global economy. Consider last month, wherein, third quarter earnings of many a company declined and subsequently, their fiscal 2013 forecasts proved to be dampeners. An example of such a situation was faced by FedEx Corporation (NYSE/FDX). This global delivery bellwether company had to stare at a 31% drop in its third-quarter earnings following which fiscal 2013 forecasts too were cut.

What could have prompted the above announcement? Well, as per Edgar Online, Frederick W. Smith, who is the company's President and CEO, sold 202,000 shares of FedEx. In addition to this insider selling, there were about eight more insider sales, in the past six months, compared with only two insider buys. (Source: Thomson Financial). Also, there has been selling by institutions. As a result, if we consider the quarter -to -quarter results, there has been a drop in the ownership by 6.1%. When there are such observations about a company that reflects the state of the global economy, it does send out a message that conditions going forward may prove to be tough.

According to a report from the World Trade Organization (WTO), there could be a meager rise in the global trade by about 3.3% this year. As compared to the rise last year; i.e., only 2%, this is not much of an improvement. And the guidance calling for growth this year was 4.5%, according to Associated Press, April 10, 2013 in "Global Trade to Be Weaker than Expected." With the recent two decades having witnessed average growth of about 5.3%, the situation could possibly affect the recovery of the economy.

The Baltic Dry Index, which is a measure of the shipping demand, is negative and has remained so since some time. The stock market today is abuzz with talks of a near-looming market correction. Technical analysis by gurus suggests that this correction could further deteriorate. This has led to a growing demand for blue chip stocks and S&P 500 stocks. Small cap stocks and also technology stocks seem to be the less favored ones.

The scenario at the beginning of 2013 painted a bullish picture as far as investment was concerned. But investor sentiment seems to have paused, especially with stock readings being indeterminate in four straight sessions on the NYSE as well as on the NASDAQ. It would be advisable to wait before putting money into stocks at present as the stock market is susceptible to risk.

First there was the weak growth in the growth of the American economy in the last quarter of last year. It looks like in this first quarter of 2013, the results will be no different. Consumers have become cautious about their spending habits. The month of March this year saw orders for new durable goods in America suffer a drop by 5.7%. It is the second time that this has happened so far in the year, according to the United States Census Bureau, April 24, 2013.

Economy is slowing down in China, Germany, France and Italy as well, with manufacturing sectors of the first two nations suffering setbacks. France is ridden with a grave unemployment problem and could soon fall prey to recession, as Japan has. Italy too is riddled with the need for growth. Revenue growth has been troubling the U.S. multinational corporations and all these factors will be bound to affect the stock market.

On one hand, the American economy is being made to look robust through the money-printing strategies by the Federal Reserve. But in the event that this ploy had not been employed, would the U.S. not have been technically "bankrupt"? Where does that leave the U.S. economy and the stock market today?

http://www.profitconfidential.com/stock-market/

http://seekingalpha.com/article/1360551-is-this-an-early-warning-sign-of-a-stock-market-collapse

Boston Bomber: Enemy Combatant vs. Criminal Trial

Today, the suspect in the Boston Bombings received criminal charges, making it official that he will face a criminal trial in our federal court rather than as an enemy combatant. This shouldn't cause as much upset as it has, but there also seems to be a need to clarify.

Patriots' Day explosions

Multiple explosions have been reported in the City of Boston today. At least two explosions occurred at Copley Square near the finish line for the Boston Marathon, which also occurred today. Another explosion has been reported at the JFK Library. At this point, it is far too early to do anything, but make wild speculations, but we certainly will learn more as this plays out. Below the fold, I have included links to local media where one can find updates:

The Marathon Bombings: The Work of Hypocrites

There are two main categories of suspects that come immediately to mind, in this attack, though both could be wrong. First, al-Qaeda or al-Qaeda style attackers. Second, Domestic Terrorists. Personally, I don't know what rational motivation either side would have for these kinds of attacks, but whoever did it dealt the cause they claim to support a disservice.

Job Growth Disapoints, But Continues Moving Forward

Job growth slipped a little over the month but remains in positive territory still. Just 88,000 new payroll jobs were added in March and unemployment was little changed, ticking down slightly on a change in participation. January and February job numbers were revised upward another 61,000 combined.

Sacrificial Elements and the Keystone XL Pipeline

First, let's ask a few questions. Why Is the pipeline being built? To export the oil, not to keep in in North America. To lower oil prices? No, to fetch a higher price for the oil, especially in the Midwest. And the Tar Sands, what could go wrong with them? Quite a lot, actually.

Should it be surprising I like Democrats and Liberals more?

Let me take a second here to address a terribly important issue of national significance. Namely the fact that I seem to fall on the side of the Democrats more often than not. Apparently, this shocks and offends people, who expect that in my blog entries, I should be even-handed, that I should seek out complaints about the Democrats as much as I do the Republicans. Well, isn't that my choice? And more to the point, aren't I simply carrying out the purpose of this site in providing my side's perspective on matters?

Homosexual Marriage debated at the Supreme Court

Today, the Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments in Hollingsworth v. Perry and United States v. Windsor. The former case will determine the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8 and the latter will determine the constitutionality of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

Senate Passes Budget Resolution

Earlier this morning, the Senate passed a budget resolution, the first such resolution since the rise of the Tea Party.

The Unpainted Corner

The problem for Republicans is that Obama has no rational reason to agree to their destructive agenda. He has nothing to gain by giving in. It doesn't help his party, it doesn't appeal to the consensus of most Americans. They may question Obama's "charm offensive", but really Obama understands something they don't: that he is in the right place to demand that Republicans meet him in the center, and they are not.

Corpocracy set to take a double header

The Corpocracy is lined up to win a double header this summer. In the news that Apple has been harboring profits in tax havens because they can. And, the Senate immigration bill passed without a scratch.

President Says "They're gonna look good next to us"

Is This Even Legal?

I'm told this is politics as usual, but I'm wondering if this is blatant discrimination!

Do you want to know why Congress has a 13% approval rate?

This is why people can't trust the federal government. This is why the American People are ignorant.

Obama Picks Foxx to Succeed LaHood

President Obama has made it official that Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx will take the place of Secretary Ray LaHood as Transportation secretary. This announcement follows accusations and scrutiny that Obama's Cabinet is not very diverse. In a timely fashion, he fills one of the last positions with an African-American mayor from North Carolina.

Third Party Rant

An article in today's WP chastises President Obama for his failure to pursue campaign finance reform. From his actions re CFR it's likely a daid issue and the Corpocracy rolls the taxpayers once again, as usual.

The Rand Paul Flip-Flop-Flip

It's been quite a week under the scrutiny of both political parties because of Senator Rand Paul (Kentucky) issued a contradictory statement in regards to the use of drones. After a 13 hour filibuster in the capital, he had established himself as the most anti-drone member of the Senate. That was until this week, when he made a statement on Monday in regards to the manhunt for the Boston Bombing suspect, "If there is a killer on the loose in a neighborhood, I'm not against drones being used to search them."

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Nobel Peace Prize: Obama V Manning

The search, arrest and subsequent torture of Pvt Manning over the release of documents to Wikileaks has led Ron Paul to say that Manning is more deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize than President Obama.  There is a good bit of validity to the argument, including the fact that Manning has been nominated for the past several years.

Law Enforcement, Gun Control, and How to Help Others

Listening to many proponents of more gun control often suggest that law enforcement officers would like to see stricter gun control laws in place to combat the violence in our country caused, as they think, by people owning guns.  Or that they support actions to limit magazine sizes.  Since proponents think that it will make law enforcement easier and promote less violence, they are sure that most law enforcement officers agree with their position.  However, as we now see, that is decidedly not the case.

The Daily Grind

A WaPo article finds the DOW 30 has lowered their tax burden over the years. In 69 Procter & Gamble was taxed at 40% Since going global their current tax has melted away to 15%. Most have been able to reduce their tax rate by half. The reason is not just tax loopholes. With globalization, corporations are able to move their capital around the world, parking profits in tax havens, off limits to the IRS.

Same Sex Marriage May Lead to Unintended Consequences

By Phillip Whitten

This week the Supreme Court will hear arguments on two cases that potentially could affect the United States as profoundly as Brown v. Board of Education (1954). The first, to be argued on Tuesday, challenges California's ban on gay marriage - approved by the state's voters four years ago - on the grounds that it violates the equal protection and due process clauses of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.

Herding The Sheeple To Amnesty#2

Rational thinking is so blasé anymore. One would think that after 40 years of open border immigration gov't and the citizens would be on the same page. But, being driven by corpocracy/oligarchy one can also understand why rationality isn't even on the table re the immigration issue.

Trump Offers to Pay Bill for White House Tours

One spending cut that began March 1st, was the elimination of White House tours, an opportunity for people, including many students, to experience the marvel of a significant piece of American history.

Sen Rand Paul Filibusters Brennan Nomination

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) is filibustering the Brennan nomination live on C-Span.  Much more than the fact that he has decided to filibuster is what he saying and why he is filibustering.  I recommend everyone watch what he is saying today, he intends to speak for as long as he can.  Sen Paul did vote for other Obama nominations, this is not a 'oppose Obama at all costs' filibuster threat, this is a person who is sincerely concerned about liberty in the US, the accumulation of power by the President to be prosecutor, judge and jury on who should be killed and restraint on the abuses of power of the government.

Which of the Obama scandals is the worst?

Libya is a minor cover up. It embarrasses Obama and probably wipes out the Hilary record, but it is not a long run problem. The IRS is very scary, but it is a management problem. The real bad story is the Obama assault on freedom of the press. I was surprised that even Dana Milbank from WP wrote a scathing article attacking Obama. This very liberal journalist covers much. Read the link.

Obama folks spying on reporters

The scandals just keep coming. Now we find out that the Obama folks are spying on individual reporters. The IRS problem is getting more serious, as we find the WH knew about the problem weeks ago. An interesting question. The IRS used keyword "Patriot" to search for conservatives. What word might they use to find liberals?

Good news on race in America

The racial voting gap has disappeared. In fact, blacks are now voting at higher rates than white. As I mentioned in an earlier post, women are much more likely than men to attend college. The civil rights struggle is over. The good guys won. Time to stand down.

Gun violence dropping for twenty years

Most people mistakenly think gun violence is on the rise & gun control is an emotional issue so proponents dislike letting facts rarely get in their way. The fact is that gun violence has been declining sharply for twenty years. Homicides committed with guns are down and non-fatal injuries are down. I know that perhaps I concentrate on the smaller factors, but let's make a few speculations about statistics.

How can we close the gender gap?

Women have outnumbered men in our nation's colleges since 1981 and the gap has gotten worse every year since. Within ten years it is estimated that nearly 60% of college students will be female, about 148 women for every hundred men. What discrimination would cause such a horrendous discrepancy and what can we do about it?

Scarcity v Abundance

People may be liberal or conservative, but I find a bigger division between those who believe in scarcity and those who know we can have abundance. Scarcity people are unpleasant. They talk in terms of rationing. If somebody gets more, they think somebody else gets less. They worry about victims and people left behind. Abundance people are better in general.

The list of IRS victims grows

Secure America Now, an NGO promoting U.S. national security related to North Korea, Iran, Israel and Libya, was targeted by the IRS after they made a video critical of President Obama's handling of the Libya affair. Maybe we here at Watchblog should worry just a little. We are very small fish, but the net seems to be aimed at lots of small fry conservatives. Some people want to silence us or at least chill us down a bit.

Common origins

DNA studies are turning out some interesting findings and solving some of the mysteries of history and sometimes creating some interesting paradoxes. For example, African-Americans who trace their genetic ancestry through the male line are often finding that their ancestors came from the British Isles. Deeper in history, recent DNA investigations show that the "native" populations of Europe were all but obliterated by migrations into the continent in the Neolithic age from around 4000-6000 years ago.

Will all these Obama scandals derail his second term?

It happened faster than I thought it would. Like George Bush eight years ago, Obama thought he had more political capital from his win than he did. And like W he quickly outran his cover. Scandals in the IRS, AP, Middle East etc. are more than mere distractions. This might be the new Obama normal. Once the shine is gone, the sharks circle and Obama no longer shines.

Baby killer convicted of premeditated murder

A Philadelphia abortion doctor was convicted of three counts of murder for stabbing newborn babies to death with a scissors. Strange. He can kill thousands with impunity as long as he does it a few seconds earlier.

New saints

Today there are 800 new official saints. They are the 800 men of the Otranto in Italy, murdered by Muslim invaders in 1480 for refusing to convert to Islam. Is it un-PC to remember this history?

Democrat war on women

Most people like flexibility in their work lives. In my experience, it tends to be more important for women and various studies have shown that flexible schedules are a key factor in women's advance in the workplace. So why is Obama against flexibility and why does he threaten to veto a bill that would give us greater choice in our jobs?

IRS targeting conservatives

The IRS admitted Friday it singled out roughly 75 nonprofit groups for extra scrutiny based on their ties to the tea party and other conservative causes.

Stop being victims

Blacks are voting at greater rates than whites. Women outnumber men at colleges. Is it time to have outreach and affirmative action for white males? Or maybe drop the victim crap in general and just understand that individuals makes choices and group results are only an artificial concept.

Don't spend a dollar for a nickel solution

I wrote a post on reasonable regulation. Regulations should be tested for results & based on real information, not reactions to vivid images and fear. For example, how many people know that gun violence has dropped sharply in the last twenty years, that cancer rates have dropped 20% in the same period or that U.S. CO2 emissions have dropped to the lowest levels in more than twenty years.