Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Good Night
We had a legitimate T-shirt is adequate type of warm day. I'm back from a yoga class and I'm raring to go. See you bright and early on Wednesday morning.
Frustrate
Who wouldn't be given the complexion of the present rabid extremist Congress.
Guardian UK: Is Obama 'losing juice'? President cuts frustrated figure after series of setbacks - President jokes that 'rumours of my demise have been exaggerated' – but failure to pass gun control reforms and a stalemate on the budget have left him increasingly powerless
Guardian UK: Is Obama 'losing juice'? President cuts frustrated figure after series of setbacks - President jokes that 'rumours of my demise have been exaggerated' – but failure to pass gun control reforms and a stalemate on the budget have left him increasingly powerless
Maddow - Hank Johnson, Congress Sequester Choices
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
DOW Flat At Noon
In the noon hour the DOW is at 14,815.44 down 3.31 points.
CNN: Home price rise continues to pick up speed
CNN: Home price rise continues to pick up speed
The Market On Tuesday
Good morning. It is 51 degrees and cloudy here in Upstate NY. We are into a little bit of a rain pattern, must be related to April showers bringing May flowers. It's hard to believe but the lawn is approaching a level where the grass needs to be cut. Some have already been out there doing just that. I must say that about 3 months after my return to yoga I am feeling the benefits. The lower back is not quite so bad, the sense of internal physical stress is much lighter, I'm down about 10 pounds so the flexibility is decent, all in all I would highly recommend it if you do not already have a practice. In my opinion and it's just my opinion, I have not come across a better exercise for the aging body. Walking is still very good and so is swimming and biking but yoga hits all the spots and it's ability to help with flexibility is huge. There's almost no need to become stiff and rigid as we get older if we do yoga.
At 7:40 a.m. E.T. futures are modestly lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
The DOW is buoyant and at record highs right now and according to Dr.Doom AKA economist Nouriel Roubini, we can ride a stock bubble for a few years - Dr. Doom: Buy stocks while you still can. The pattern of first quarter corporate results and economic news continues with several companies reporting today along with data on housing and consumer confidence. How it will all end at the closing bell is today's surprise waiting to happen. Later in the week the Fed will announce more on it's monetary policy and that is a big deal.
CNN: Stocks: Starting at record levels
At 7:40 a.m. E.T. futures are modestly lower and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower.
The DOW is buoyant and at record highs right now and according to Dr.Doom AKA economist Nouriel Roubini, we can ride a stock bubble for a few years - Dr. Doom: Buy stocks while you still can. The pattern of first quarter corporate results and economic news continues with several companies reporting today along with data on housing and consumer confidence. How it will all end at the closing bell is today's surprise waiting to happen. Later in the week the Fed will announce more on it's monetary policy and that is a big deal.
CNN: Stocks: Starting at record levels
The Case-Shiller 20-city home-price index is due at 9 a.m. ET, while the Conference Board's monthly consumer confidence index will be released at 10 a.m. ET.
...quarterly results are due before the opening bell from Pfizer...
Monday, April 29, 2013
Good Night
The poor man just can't help himself.
Raw Story: Limbaugh agrees with listeners: Liberals kill in ‘mass numbers’ like jihadis
Raw Story: Limbaugh agrees with listeners: Liberals kill in ‘mass numbers’ like jihadis
DOW Higher At Noon
In the noon hour the DOW is at 14,798.71 up 86.16 points.
CNN: Wall Street lifted by Italy, housing data
CNN: Wall Street lifted by Italy, housing data
The Market On Monday
Good morning. It is 55 degrees and cloudy looking like rain here in Upstate NY. The weekend flew by, it's always too short. It's great seeing leaves begin to reappear, the trees have been naked for many months now. Perusing the news briefly we see that there was a large explosion in Prague injuring many people. This type of single contained disaster which injures or kills many seems to be reoccurring lately with bombs, or gas explosions, and then that huge building collapse. It's depressing, frustrating, and it saddens us - it reminds us to appreciate the times when we are safe and the world seems benign in our proximity.
At 7:00 a.m. futures are moderately higher and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open mixed.
Investors will continue to parse corporate first quarter results. Also they will be reviewing a host of economic data on consumer spending, housing, income, and such. This is related to Friday's GDP numbers. Also note that Italy has formed a new government and this is viewed positively by the investment class. It is being noted that we are already beginning to save less. It strikes me that this could occur for two reasons, everything is more expensive and there's not much money to go around, or we are desiring that which is beyond our means. When I go grocery shopping I am standing there with my mouth open gawking at the prices of food. When I place items on the checkout in order to get an idea of cost, I count each separate thing as $5 then subtract $10 from the total. It usually comes in close.
CNN: Stocks: Starting week on a high note
At 7:00 a.m. futures are moderately higher and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open mixed.
Investors will continue to parse corporate first quarter results. Also they will be reviewing a host of economic data on consumer spending, housing, income, and such. This is related to Friday's GDP numbers. Also note that Italy has formed a new government and this is viewed positively by the investment class. It is being noted that we are already beginning to save less. It strikes me that this could occur for two reasons, everything is more expensive and there's not much money to go around, or we are desiring that which is beyond our means. When I go grocery shopping I am standing there with my mouth open gawking at the prices of food. When I place items on the checkout in order to get an idea of cost, I count each separate thing as $5 then subtract $10 from the total. It usually comes in close.
CNN: Stocks: Starting week on a high note
Consumer spending, which alone accounts for roughly two-thirds of GDP, rose at a 3.2% annual pace...
At 10:00, the National Association of Realtors will release data on pending home sales.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Good Night
The Knicks lost to the Celtics, but they were valiant in their defeat. Now I have to look forward to Wednesday night's game and root for the home team. See you in the a.m.
Huge Snails
These things can grow to the size of rats. Yes, it's a little unnerving to say the least. This is part of the invasive species problem that is occurring through cargo ships that travel worldwide.
Yahoo News: Florida battles slimy invasion by giant snails
Yahoo News: Florida battles slimy invasion by giant snails
Sunday
Good morning. It is 46 degrees and sunny on this fine Sunday morning here in Upstate NY. I hope you are enjoying your weekend and getting to relax, reinvigorate, and float. We were out to dinner last night and I must say the food was excellent. I am looking forward to today's Knicks vs Celtics basketball game and for a fan like me, it doesn't get much better.
Briefly perusing the news I see that my fundamental criteria has been met, the world remains integral and basically intact although still a bit frayed. Obama's special dinner occurred last night and I have yet to hear the jokes. Right now, time to head out for a run.
Briefly perusing the news I see that my fundamental criteria has been met, the world remains integral and basically intact although still a bit frayed. Obama's special dinner occurred last night and I have yet to hear the jokes. Right now, time to head out for a run.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Good Night
Lovely day here as local residents can attest. I was out much of the afternoon, enjoying the countryside as it were. See you bright and early on Sunday morning. Meanwhile check out this article that's making the web rounds and has piqued everybody's interest.
Guardian UK: Big brains, no fur, sinuses … are these clues to our ancestors' lives as 'aquatic apes'? - Controversial theory that seeks to explain one of the great leaps of human evolution finds new support but still divides scientists
Guardian UK: Big brains, no fur, sinuses … are these clues to our ancestors' lives as 'aquatic apes'? - Controversial theory that seeks to explain one of the great leaps of human evolution finds new support but still divides scientists
Maddow - Fringe Right Wing Money Making Machine
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Saturday
Good morning. It is 41 degrees with some sunshine here in Upstate New York on this fine Saturday morning. It's nice seeing the beginnings of leaves on all the various trees including the large oak sitting in my front yard. I am pleased as my New York Knicks won their third playoff game in a row last night against the Boston Celtics. One more win and the Knicks can advance. Basketball is an ideal sport.
The most egregious news article of the week in my opinion was the one describing $100,000 per year cancer drugs. People are literally extorted to pay that huge sum of money in order to live. Exactly how creepy is that and it's common. Now I was aware that drugs to treat cancer were costly but this is shocking, this is loathsome. It is beyond obvious that this is extortion as well, that's what a fresh take on something can offer. You don't have to look much further to understand why the weight of medical insurance or lack thereof is burdening the country's economic viability. Our priorities are so screwy, we place material above life every time. The system is designed and rigged for this pattern to repeat until it literally eats itself. We live in an Ouroborus lock down economy.
The most egregious news article of the week in my opinion was the one describing $100,000 per year cancer drugs. People are literally extorted to pay that huge sum of money in order to live. Exactly how creepy is that and it's common. Now I was aware that drugs to treat cancer were costly but this is shocking, this is loathsome. It is beyond obvious that this is extortion as well, that's what a fresh take on something can offer. You don't have to look much further to understand why the weight of medical insurance or lack thereof is burdening the country's economic viability. Our priorities are so screwy, we place material above life every time. The system is designed and rigged for this pattern to repeat until it literally eats itself. We live in an Ouroborus lock down economy.
Friday, April 26, 2013
DOW Closes Higher
The DOW closed at 14,712.55 gaining 11.75 points.
CNN: Doctors blast ethics of $100,000 cancer drugs
CNN: Doctors blast ethics of $100,000 cancer drugs
DOW Flat At Noon
In the noon hour the DOW is at 14,698.88 down 1.92 points.
CNN: Stocks stalled by lackluster economic growth
CNN: Stocks stalled by lackluster economic growth
The Market On Friday
Good morning and welcome to the weekend. At 7 a.m. E.T. Friday it is 38 degrees with some sunshine and some clouds. I hope you got a chance to see last night's Pink Moon. “This name came from the herb moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring..." I was up around 3 a.m. and looked out onto the backyard to see everything brightly lit by a huge full moon. It was downright sunny out except it wasn't, it was moon-y. The moon was powerful mojo last night, one wonders if it had an effect on the collective global psyche.
At 7:05 a.m. E.T. futures are moderately down and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower except...
At 8:30 a.m. E.T. the first estimate of the USA's first quarter GDP is released. Talk about a big deal, holy crapola. It is suggested that there will be an improvement over the previous quarter's almost zilch figure of 0.4% growth. Regardless, a strong number will literally send the world's economic hope into squeals of joy while a bad number will send everything back to the drawing board and one might assume but not necessarily predict that the market will respond in kind. Long story short, the market's opening number will depend on the GDP number. Expect to hear the number talked about all day long with the beyond strong possibility that it also becomes a political medicine ball. Enough said.
CNN: Stocks: Caution ahead of GDP release
At 7:05 a.m. E.T. futures are moderately down and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open lower except...
At 8:30 a.m. E.T. the first estimate of the USA's first quarter GDP is released. Talk about a big deal, holy crapola. It is suggested that there will be an improvement over the previous quarter's almost zilch figure of 0.4% growth. Regardless, a strong number will literally send the world's economic hope into squeals of joy while a bad number will send everything back to the drawing board and one might assume but not necessarily predict that the market will respond in kind. Long story short, the market's opening number will depend on the GDP number. Expect to hear the number talked about all day long with the beyond strong possibility that it also becomes a political medicine ball. Enough said.
CNN: Stocks: Caution ahead of GDP release
...the Bureau of Economic Analysis' first estimate of first-quarter GDP due for release at 8:30 a.m. ET.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
DOW Closes Higher
The DOW closed at 14,700.80 gaining 24.50 points.
Reuters: Stocks gain on earnings, U.S. data, bonds fall
Reuters: Stocks gain on earnings, U.S. data, bonds fall
Maddow - Crackpot Right Wing Conspiracies
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DOW Higher At Noon
In the noon hour the DOW is at 14,742.42 up 66.12 points.
CNN: 15-year mortgage rate hits record low
CNN: 15-year mortgage rate hits record low
America's Artist
As I post this article I am listening to Laura Bush talk on NPR about GW Bush's new found interest in art and painting. If only he became an artist long ago, instead of a politician.
AlterNet: 50 Reasons You Despised George W. Bush's Presidency: A Reminder on the Day of His Presidential Library Dedication - He's one of the worst presidents ever.
AlterNet: 50 Reasons You Despised George W. Bush's Presidency: A Reminder on the Day of His Presidential Library Dedication - He's one of the worst presidents ever.
The Market On Thursday
Good morning. It is 41 degrees and mostly sunny this morning here in Upstate NY. We hit the 70 degree mark yesterday and everybody appreciated the physical freedom warmer temperatures bring. It's been a very long winter here. I perused the news on TV last night and it is as you know dominated by the Boston bombing. It's about where did they learn how make bombs, what the parents think, what the right thinks, what the charges imply, reopening the scenes of the atrocities to visitors, shrines and rally for the victims, how the victims are recovering, and more. The Knicks will play the Boston Celtics in Boston this Friday. It will be the first time the Celtics have played in Boston since the bombing. People are expecting an outpouring of emotion as the people of Boston rally around their team. The bombing has accentuated a sense of pride for the people of Boston. That is the upside.
At 7:40 a.m. E.T. futures are modestly higher, the price of oil per barrel is up, and the dollar is down. The market is poised to open higher.
The morning's investment reports are brief. The day is once again expected to be about corporate first quarter results. As the DOW remains above 14,500 we are still in a period of amazing fluidity in the stock market.
CNN: Stocks: Bracing for more earnings
At 7:40 a.m. E.T. futures are modestly higher, the price of oil per barrel is up, and the dollar is down. The market is poised to open higher.
The morning's investment reports are brief. The day is once again expected to be about corporate first quarter results. As the DOW remains above 14,500 we are still in a period of amazing fluidity in the stock market.
CNN: Stocks: Bracing for more earnings
...earnings took center stage.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Maddow - Online Bomb Recipes Complicate
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
DOW Lower At Noon
In the noon hour the DOW is at 14,696.99 down 22.47 points.
CNN: Falling gas prices could boost economy
CNN: Falling gas prices could boost economy
The Market On Wednesday
Good morning. It is 35 degrees and sunny here in Upstate NY. The forecast is predicting we go into the 70s later today. We've had cool nights and we suspect that may not last too much longer, the warmth is just around the corner. The Boston Bombing calamity is sounding more and more fishy to me. I still don't get it. Yes these two did the twisted act but on the other hand the response was not proportional. They lock down a city? They bring in thousands of law enforcement and the military? What is up with that. Every time there is a calamity it seems that the government wants to test out some intense idea just to see if it works. These calamities provide an opportunity for the government to do this stuff unchecked. That is fishy. Also the notion that they did this bombing because of Iraq and Afghanistan, what is up with that? That does not make any sense either given that these two were reasonably integrated into American life.
At 7:40 a.m. E.T. futures are modestly higher an the price of oil per barrel is higher. The market is poised to open higher.
In case you didn't know there was a mini crash of the stock market on Tuesday as false reports of an explosion at the White House sent investors into rapidly selling off equities. So much for Twitter and our new dependence on that "social media" brand as the new source of all that is true and good in the world. One always wishes that calmer minds will prevail and that lessons on little things like accurate verification might make their way back into the official news of the land. Otherwise investors seem to be pleased with first quarter corporate results as the market has risen again. Those reports remain in focus today.
CNN: Stocks: Earnings still pouring in
At 7:40 a.m. E.T. futures are modestly higher an the price of oil per barrel is higher. The market is poised to open higher.
In case you didn't know there was a mini crash of the stock market on Tuesday as false reports of an explosion at the White House sent investors into rapidly selling off equities. So much for Twitter and our new dependence on that "social media" brand as the new source of all that is true and good in the world. One always wishes that calmer minds will prevail and that lessons on little things like accurate verification might make their way back into the official news of the land. Otherwise investors seem to be pleased with first quarter corporate results as the market has risen again. Those reports remain in focus today.
CNN: Stocks: Earnings still pouring in
Earnings will remain in focus Wednesday...
European markets rose in morning trading...
Asian markets ended higher...
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Good Night
Library? Library? Really? I can see naming a bicycle after him or a house of horrors and torture, but please not a library...
WaPo: As Bush library opening puts his presidency back in the spotlight, his approval rating is up
WaPo: As Bush library opening puts his presidency back in the spotlight, his approval rating is up
Right
The ultra right is going berserk after the Boston Bombing. Just look at this trio of headlines. There isn't a kernel of wisdom in the lot. They are screaming themselves inside out.
Raw Story: New Hampshire Republican says Boston bombing was government conspiracy
Raw Story: Coulter: Boston suspect’s widow ‘ought to be in prison for wearing a hijab’
Raw Story: Republican trio push to militarize U.S. response to domestic terrorism
Raw Story: New Hampshire Republican says Boston bombing was government conspiracy
Raw Story: Coulter: Boston suspect’s widow ‘ought to be in prison for wearing a hijab’
Raw Story: Republican trio push to militarize U.S. response to domestic terrorism
DOW Closes Higher
The DOW closed at 14,719.46 gaining 152.29 points.
CNN: Apple profit slips 18%, but investors cheer dividend increase
CNN: Apple profit slips 18%, but investors cheer dividend increase
Maddow - Motive Is Often Meaningless
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
DOW Higher At Noon
In the noon hour the DOW is at 14,711.51 up 144.34 points.
CNN: Stocks up as earnings trump economic weakness
CNN: Stocks up as earnings trump economic weakness
The Market On Tuesday
Good morning. It is 31 degrees and sunny here in Upstate NY. We are seeing more and more signs of plant life, as the lawns are greening up and the tree buds are swelling. The crab apple tree in the front yard has tiny green leaves, we're getting there slowly but surely.
At 7:35 a.m. E.T. futures are modestly higher and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open in the mixed area.
Investors are mulling over bad economic data out of both China and Germany. Germany is the eurozone's largest economy and this only means more economic woe for Europe which as we know continues to have periodic major upheaval. After today's close Apple will be presenting its first quarter report. As the major tech leader this is a big deal, Apple has seen a slight reversal of fortune in recent months and this report is highly anticipated.
CNN: Global growth worries may depress stocks
At 7:35 a.m. E.T. futures are modestly higher and the price of oil per barrel is down. The market is poised to open in the mixed area.
Investors are mulling over bad economic data out of both China and Germany. Germany is the eurozone's largest economy and this only means more economic woe for Europe which as we know continues to have periodic major upheaval. After today's close Apple will be presenting its first quarter report. As the major tech leader this is a big deal, Apple has seen a slight reversal of fortune in recent months and this report is highly anticipated.
CNN: Global growth worries may depress stocks
Weak data on manufacturing in China...A slowdown in private sector output in Germany...
At 10 a.m. ET, the Census Bureau will publish data on new-home sales.
Monday, April 22, 2013
DOW Closes Higher
The DOW closed at 14,567.17 gaining 19.66 points.
Reuters: Wall Street ends up, buoyed by Microsoft, Caterpillar
Reuters: Wall Street ends up, buoyed by Microsoft, Caterpillar
Go J.R.
Knicks fans are very pleased to see J.R. win this award. If you enjoy New York basketball which I do with a passion, this is a really cool thing.
Yahoo: J.R. Smith wins NBA sixth man
Yahoo: J.R. Smith wins NBA sixth man
DOW Lower At Noon
In the noon hour the DOW is at 14,493.18 down 54.33 points.
CNN: Investors disappointed by housing report
CNN: Investors disappointed by housing report
Global Warming - Resource Scarcity, Extreme Temperatures, Earth Day
AlterNet: Resource Shock: How Resource Scarcity and Climate Change Could Produce a Global Explosion - Whether you know it or not, you’re on a new planet, a resource-shock world of a sort humanity has never before experienced.
AlterNet: What Will Inspire You to Take Action? 5 Earth Day Photos You Should See - What will it take before we have a critical mass to move us toward a sustainable future?
AlterNet: What Will Inspire You to Take Action? 5 Earth Day Photos You Should See - What will it take before we have a critical mass to move us toward a sustainable future?
The Market On Monday
Good morning. It is 31 degrees and the Sun looks like it really wants to come out here in Upstate NY. I hope you had a good weekend. I would describe mine as typical with grocery shopping, errands, relaxation, watching the Knicks and such. I think the big question on people's minds is will this week take on the qualities of the last, will this week be as off the wall as last. I'm betting no. I have no particular insight but I'm thinking society has gotten something out of its collective system and now peace can prevail. Alright, maybe not peace, but perhaps a temporary truce can exist.
At 7:40 a.m. E.T. futures are moderately higher and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is poised to open higher.
After a turbulent week in the stock market paralleling the week in the news, investors will once again be parsing first quarter corporate results for signs that the corporate economy is excelling. After today's close bellwether Caterpillar will present it's first quarter results. As Caterpillar is all about the global construction business, their results are especially important to gauging how the world economy is moving. In short, it's a very salient report for investors and we will be hearing about it in the news.
CNN: Stocks: More earnings in the mix
At 7:40 a.m. E.T. futures are moderately higher and the price of oil per barrel is up. The market is poised to open higher.
After a turbulent week in the stock market paralleling the week in the news, investors will once again be parsing first quarter corporate results for signs that the corporate economy is excelling. After today's close bellwether Caterpillar will present it's first quarter results. As Caterpillar is all about the global construction business, their results are especially important to gauging how the world economy is moving. In short, it's a very salient report for investors and we will be hearing about it in the news.
CNN: Stocks: More earnings in the mix
Caterpillar, in particular, is considered a bellwether for the global economy...
Japan's Nikkei rose 1.9%...
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Sunday
Good morning. It is 33 degrees and magnificently sunny here in Upstate NY. I'm going to wait for the temperature to get a little warmer then I will head out for a slow long jog through the mean suburban streets. I had one of those epic involving dreams last night so vivid that when I woke up I felt disoriented. The residue is a lot of energy, the Spring makes you want to get busy.
As we know it's been a wild week. The articles are coming in that attempt to open up some space surrounding the events of the Boston Bombing with the desire to shed light on our collective involvement in that calamity. As I perused my Facebook page a little while ago, several friends had posted articles on this topic all of which I am posting here.
First, from The New Yorker: Terrorist Hunt Sends America Over the Edge
As we know it's been a wild week. The articles are coming in that attempt to open up some space surrounding the events of the Boston Bombing with the desire to shed light on our collective involvement in that calamity. As I perused my Facebook page a little while ago, several friends had posted articles on this topic all of which I am posting here.
First, from The New Yorker: Terrorist Hunt Sends America Over the Edge
Whenever the word “terrorist” is mentioned in this country, reason tends to go out the window, and many other things go with it, too, such as intellectual consistency, a respect for civil liberties, and a sense of proportion.Then there's an article from Slate on our obsession with following breaking news, it's a guide to following it all: Breaking News Is Broken - Don’t watch cable news. Shut off Twitter. You’d be better off cleaning your gutters.
Breaking news is broken. That’s the clearest lesson you can draw about the media from the last week, when both old- and new-media outlets fell down on the job. By now you’ve likely heard the lowlights. CNN and the AP incorrectly reported on Wednesday that a Boston Marathon suspect had been arrested. People on Reddit and editors at the New York Post wrongly fingered innocent kids as bombing suspects. Redditors also pushed the theory that a Brown University student who has been missing for more than a month was one of the bombers—a story that gained steam on Twitter Thursday when people listening to police scanners heard the cops repeat the student’s name.Then someone posted this very curious article which claims that the incident was a hoax, staged, and that some of the goriest pictures were the work of actors. I would put a disclaimer here in that this is not my belief - the suffering in Boston was extreme. The writer attempts to break down the goriest images and discuss them from his perspective as an EMT worker in Oregon. If you want to go the "conspiracy" route, this is for you - Are You Just A Believer Or Do You THINK?
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Al Jazeera - Firms Enjoy Tax Haven In Bankrupt Ireland
The embedding for this clip seems a little off, but it's there.
Not Shining
AlterNet: How Absurd: 8 Crazy Reactions, Ridiculous Conclusions, and Dumb Media Behavior Coming out of the Boston Bombings - Not a shining moment.
4. Meanwhile, the security state missed suspect No. 1. The FBI said Friday that they had interviewed Boston Marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev in 2011, after a foreign government alerted officials of possible extremist ties. Federal officials told CBS News that they vetted the Chechen refugee but found no incriminating information.
Then there was news that a man in Bronx, N.Y., who was born in Bangladesh was beaten up for supposedly being " a f*cking Arab" by a group of men who wanted retribution for the marathon bombing.
Saturday
Good morning. It is 43 degrees and overcast here in Upstate NY. The temperature hit 70 yesterday and that has spurred on a lot of early Spring plant growth. The forsythias are out, magnolias, dogwoods, all sorts of early spring flowers, and the tree buds are swollen. It will be good to see leaves on trees and the bareness covered.
What a week it's been. Recapping is not necessary as we are all too aware of the various messes and tragedies. We presume that the police have apprehended the remaining person responsible for the Boston Marathon bombing. I found myself somewhat taken aback by the medias intense coverage of the pursuit. It's all so very tragic in many directions and ways as we sit back and cheer on law enforcement from our remote homes throughout the world. It's a media phenomena that we might want to examine and reflect upon and this has nothing to do with the presumptions of guilt or the intensity of the violent act along with its many victims. It's a little creepy, a little bit verging on a type of mass hysteria and we play right along. I am reminded of Reagan's planned attack on Libya which occurred right after the nightly news TV programming. It was a made for TV viewing war. We are now used to this type of programming so to speak and with gains there are always losses. I'm not sure we know what we have lost as participants, I'm not sure what we have gained either.
What a week it's been. Recapping is not necessary as we are all too aware of the various messes and tragedies. We presume that the police have apprehended the remaining person responsible for the Boston Marathon bombing. I found myself somewhat taken aback by the medias intense coverage of the pursuit. It's all so very tragic in many directions and ways as we sit back and cheer on law enforcement from our remote homes throughout the world. It's a media phenomena that we might want to examine and reflect upon and this has nothing to do with the presumptions of guilt or the intensity of the violent act along with its many victims. It's a little creepy, a little bit verging on a type of mass hysteria and we play right along. I am reminded of Reagan's planned attack on Libya which occurred right after the nightly news TV programming. It was a made for TV viewing war. We are now used to this type of programming so to speak and with gains there are always losses. I'm not sure we know what we have lost as participants, I'm not sure what we have gained either.
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