May Jobs Stay Above Concensus

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 175,000 in May, just above consensus of 167,000. Unemployment ticked back up to 7.6%. Nearly one million private sector jobs have been added this year so far.

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.

Archaic Corpocracy

A good article by George Will in today's WP re the sugar Corpocracy. The article relates that sugar subsidies were created as a 'temporary' commodity support program during the Great Depression. Recently the Senate voted 54 to 45 to continue subsidizing sugar cane and sugar beets.

Not So Free Speech

In defense of the administration, many of the partisan left are trying to label the recent scandals as 'so called' and 'imaginary'.  However, as new information makes its way to the media, and the lawsuits start to mount, even the most partisan protector of the administration must be asking themselves some very hard questions, even if they aren't being asked out loud.  One recent story was the treatment of Catherine Englebrecht.

The Spin Stops Right Here!

Bill O'riley' asked a Mass. Congressperson, and Tim Kane, who ran for president and James Carvel what the major problem was with the US. According to O'riley the main problem is not the debt, not that Obama is running a 'nanny' state but, the US voters/taxpayers have become so 'out of touch' with politics'gov't . He believes that most folks just want more free stuff, spend their time playing digital games, and doesn't mind joining the nanny state crowd.

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."

We Want You! WatchBlog Welcoming New Contributors!!

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To become a WatchBlog editor, simply fill out the application below. All applications are reviewed by a person. Please remember to include links to your Web site and/or writing samples that clarify your political position (please, no radicals or fundamentalists and definitely no hate-speech). Familiarity with the MovableType publishing system is preferred but not an explicit requirement.

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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.

Let's talk about government

Government should do things like build roads. You might think it also should support Head Start, PBS, national parks, Meals on Wheels, Pell grants to help poor high school graduates, Alzheimer's research, solar power experiments, subsidies for high-speed rail, drug safety etc. Do you know what percentage we spend on these things? Today it is 4% and in ten years CBO says it will drop to 2.7%.

When killing yourself makes sense

I think that most people fear death less than dying. And few people want to hang around severely handicapped or senile. One of my own fears is that the forestry enterprise I have built will be dissipated in caring for us in our old age. Better to die with your boots on than survive as a burden to everyone around you. And perhaps it makes sense to take active measures to hasten the inevitable.

House Republicans Bucking Party Hierarchy

Immigration is the key issue on Capitol Hill right now and Senators and Representatives alike are heavily mired in the details of the legislation. While many on cable news and elsewhere are focusing on the scandals of the AP, IRS, and other notable problems of the current Administration, Congress is making plans for new immigration measures. In both the House and Senate, Republicans and Democrats are debating on what to do next and much infighting is enveloping at least one of the parties in question. Republicans in the House are bucking the leadership of John Boehner (R-OH) and challenging his assertions on immigration.

Red Line Crossed: Now What?

The Obama Administration is facing an issue of over promising action in Syria with recent revelations out of the country. The Administration admitted this week that they had conclusive evidence that the Syrian President Bashar Asaad has used chemical weapons on his own citizenry. President Obama promised that there would be action if the proverbial red line was crossed and there was more than just speculation. Now that the admission has been made, the President is now facing a tough choice.

Automatic Weapons and Taxes: the IRS

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has taken on new roles and connotations in American politics and political life. The once thought of tax agency is suddenly making headlines as an overreaching arm of the government. By now, the (alleged) claims that the IRS took unfair investigations into the behavior of conservative political groups and those with right leaning tendencies is known. New allegations, however, have arisen recently into just how powerful this agency is and how much fire power they may have backing them.

Security or Liberty... you can't have both.

It is truly a sad state of affairs when 56% of the US population thinks that Government is right to spy and store data on all our communications (without our knowledge or consent) in a now-stated effort to prevent terrorism. The problem is this thing called the Constitution.

Help! I am not partisan enough

I have never been good at partisan attack. I am a better defender. During the Bush time, I defended my president and my country against what I felt were misguided attacks and lack of patriotism and I could be passionate. In all fairness, while I don't support Obama politically I believe that some of the attacks made on him are also misguided. I don't believe, for example, that the NSA and Libya are truly things we can legitimately lay at the president's feet, so I cannot write about them as you might want. The IRS scandal is horrible, but we need to wait for more information to make a judgement. I need somebody else to write on the Red Column.

You are consistent thing in all your bad relationships

Demanding people accept you all the time just makes you an asshole. A better course is to try to figure out how you can be pleasant or useful and invite people to accept you for those reasons. You really cannot expect people to like you when you get in their faces with your "personality." I hate unpleasant people like that and I try to avoid them.

The menace of getting too much for free

Most of us are willing to do things we like to do for little or no money. The payoff may be simple recognition. Passionate amateurs have made many great discoveries. Crowdsourcing is allowing us to tap into even wider expertise. Isn't great if people are willing to contribute their time to great endeavors such as Wikipedia or the search for intelligent life or any of the many other collective projects? Maybe not.

What does racism mean

I know that lots of academics and activists make lots of money defining racism in new and complicated ways, but it really is just this simple. If you judge people by inborn characteristics, you are being racist. If you judge by behavior, you are not.

Obama data mining Verison - good

It was the right thing to do when Bush did it and it is the right thing to do when Obama is doing it. Data mining shows trends. It threatens nobody, except maybe terrorists trying to harm our country. "Information collected under this program is among the most important and valuable intelligence information we collect, and is used to protect our nation from a wide variety of threats," said an Obama Administration official. He is right.

Obama's honesty

Most Americans have doubts about the Obama Administration's honesty but still don't hold the president personally responsible, according to a new WSJ/NBC poll. Obama's personal popularity remains about the same: just under half of the people approve of him personally. He is about where Bush was at this time in his presidency. There has been not much change among partisans, but Obama's support among independents has slipped seriously. The irony is that Obama remains above the fray party because people assume he just doesn't know what is going on. Or as Bill Clinton said, "Obama doesn't know how to be president"

Republicans Reiterate to Holder: Perjury Is a Crime

Attorney General Eric Holder is in a long line of Obama Administration Officials and appointees that currently have to deal with scandals. The leader of the most powerful law enforcement arm of the Federal Government has been accused by many in the Republican Party and in the public of acts of sheer stupidity. Though not a "convictable" offense alone, this lack of oversight and failure in judgment pertaining to his overt scrutiny of the media has led to an even bigger accusation: perjury.

Green infrastructure

Nature provides lots of valuable services. Unfortunately, it is often hard to value them and even harder to figure out how to pay for them. Most of us have come to believe that things like water & air are free and/or belong to nobody. That attitude is what gets us in trouble. Things that are free or belong to nobody get wasted and ruined everybody. We need to think more systemically.

The future belongs to liberals

Many liberals gave up the term and preferred to be called progressives, since the word liberal became somewhat pejorative. Of course, the reason it had become pejorative is that many of these same people had soiled it. If a term accurately describes folks like them, it is bound to become pejorative. But they were not wrong to want to change their status. We should probably bring liberalism back to some of its original meanings and let progressives have the new permutations.