| California is broke The State Controller is warning that California is out of the stopgap, 'rob Peter to pay Paul' measures that it has been using since July of 2007 to cover the checks the state writes to keep the programs running while a $40 billion shortfall looms ever larger and grows by the day. John Chiang, the state controller, says California is down to Plan D, the state's cash reserves are dwindling, the special funds it has been borrowing from are tapped out, and no one in the private sector is crazy enough to float the state a loan at a reasonable interest rate. So what is 'plan D'? In the real world we call it "stiffing your creditors."
Bolivians approve new constitution Bolivians overwhelmingly passed the new constitution with 60% voting for it. The new constitution was one of the planks of the platform of social revolution and empowerment for indigenous people that President Evo Morales ran for office on three years ago. With passage of the new constitution, the country took a major step toward becoming the socialist state he promoted during his campaign.
Gay rights activists weigh the wisdom of putting a repeal of Prop.8 on the ballot for 2010 Although several legal challenges to Prop 8 are before the state Supreme Court, activists are leery of going back before the voters so soon if the court finds the proposition lawful and upholds it. No decision is expected before June, and that would leave the advocates of repeal a very small window of time in which to organize and launch a campaign. "There is one thing worse than losing Prop. 8, and that would be losing again," said one political consultant who organized against the measure in the last election.
A prelude to the water wars In California, agriculture and urban areas are all vying for the states dwindling groundwater resources, and climate change is rearing it's ugly head, too, as a complex web of growth, drought and failure to plan ahead are changing the calculus of water use in California.
Japan, South Korea reach anti-piracy accord In a summit meeting earlier this month, Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and South Korean President Lee Myung Bak agreed to an anti-piracy cooperative venture in the Gulf of Aden off the Somali coast. The details are being hammered out and further discussions are expected when the trade representatives for both countries meet next month.
Japanese diplomat urges stepped up civilian efforts for Afghanistan Former Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi, appointed last week to a key diplomatic post, says that Japan should "get serious" about sending civilian relief workers to Afghanistan, while acknowledging the legal difficulties of dispatching military forces to the war-torn nation to assist the NATO mission there because Japan's military is constitutionally limited to a self-defense role. He also expressed optimism that the new administration in the United States would be a better partner in working to achieve a nuclear-free North Korea.
Another rollback of a terrible Bush policy You may recall that the party of states rights drew the line at allowing the state of California the authority to impose more stringent automobile mileage requirements and emissions standards. On Monday, President Obama will direct federal regulators to move swiftly on an application by California and 13 other states to impose the stricter standards. The anticipated memo will order the EPA to reconsider the rejection of California's request for tighter guidelines. Although the memo stops short of ordering a reversal of the Bush policy, that is expected to be the outcome. Beyond acting on the California emissions law, officials said, in order to avoid losing another model-year to the old standards, President Obama will direct the Transportation Department to move quickly to finalize interim nationwide regulations and have them ready by March. The mandate for the auto industry to increase fuel efficiency standards will bring the industry into compliance with a 2007 law that the Bush administration decided at the last minute didn't need to be enforced.
A worthy goal albeit a tricky one...President Obama wants a ban on weapons in space, but the definitions are going to be tricky. When does a satellite become a weapon?
And here I thought I was just cheap - but it turns out that I am a trailblazer and a trend setter! (Who knew???) I got rid of cable ages ago and I haven't even bought converter boxes for the non-digital teevees. I stream what I want to watch, when I want to watch it, and frankly I am looking forward to reclaiming my floor space. When we needed to replace my husbands computer, we decided on a $200 netbook. Turns out there are enough people doing the same things we are that the New York Times is giving column inches to features about the thrifty new business model.
Pfizer and Wyeth set to merge Pfizer, already the largest drug maker in the world, is expected to announce tomorrow that a deal has been reached that will allow the company to acquire competitor Wyeth Pharmaceuticals for a reported $68 billion. Barring an 11th hour twist, the deal will be announced on Monday.
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If you haven't seen Frost/Nixon yet, you absolutely must go see that movie. Frank Langella becomes Nixon before your very eyes. What a performance! MsJoanne is in my fair city on business this week, and she arrived early enough in the day that we were able to get together and catch an early movie and then have a late lunch. I don't know what I recommend more...the movie, or the Lobster Bisque at Brio... |
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Best New SoapBlox - 2008
