August 27, 2013

A rush to judgment is a rush to war

http://agonist.org/a-rush-to-judgment-is-a-rush-to-war/

August 20, 2013

Throw your wife under the bus

Throw your wife under the bus
By Michael Collins


Maureen McDonnell
Virginia's First Lady

He said, she said - she does time, he doesn't

The stand by your man theme featuring a dutiful wife is common in American politics. But, that’s usually in the context of marital infidelity, which has yet to be declared a federal crime. In this case, leaks from the McDonnell camp indicate that Mrs. McDonnell may end up the patsy. This would introduce an all new theme — take the fall for your man.

Why is this important for Governor McDonnell? ...

If favors are found and those are linked to the governor through his wife, then she may face indictment as a co-conspirator with her man. If the McDonnell strategy works and he can shed blame on the first lady by claiming she never told me, then she will take the fall alone.

- See more at: http://agonist.org/throw-your-wife-under-the-bus/

August 15, 2013

Decent People

Decent People

August 11, 2013

Work is the new retirement – Saving Social Security

It is hard to sort the wheat from the chaff when it comes to the Social Security. Will the system survive through 2033, the current drop-dead date for full benefit funding? Are cuts in the program really necessary? Is killing off Social Security the ultimate wet dream of sadistic billionaires without regard to the realities of the system?

The solution to the problems of social security is right before our eyes and nobody is talking about it.

Work is the new retirement.

http://agonist.org/work-is-the-new-retirement-saving-social-security/#sthash.rHCW7cM3.dpuf

July 9, 2013

Decline and Fall – Skyjacking Edition – 7/8/13

Decline and Fall – Skyjacking Edition – 7/8/13
By Michael Collins, on July 8th, 2013
Link: http://agonist.org/#sthash.isiH5vBk.dpuf

It appears that someone in Washington called several government officials in Europe to force the landing of a jet carrying the President of Bolivia. If that proves to be the case, the actions by all involved violate of the 2010 international protocol to help stop skyjacking. The protocol, signed by all but a few nations, says:

“Any person commits an offence if that person unlawfully and intentionally seizes or exercises control of an aircraft in service by force or threat thereof, or by coercion, or by any other form of intimidation, or by any technological means.” 2010 Protocol Supplementary to the Convention for the Suppression of Un-Lawful Seizure of Aircraft


Image: Wikipedia

July 4, 2013

Happy "Independents" Day July 4, 2013

The great thing about Independence is the emergence of true American Independents!!!

Link: http://agonist.org/happy-independents-day-july-4-2013/

May 31, 2013

HB 87 Foreclosure Bill Countdown

HB 87 Foreclosure Bill Countdown
http://agonist.org/hb-87-foreclosure-bill-countdown/


By Michael Collins, on May 31st, 2013

The Florida Senate passed the final version of the bank friendly foreclosure bill HB 87 on May 3. The bill finally appeared on Governor Rick Scott’s the legislative web site May 30 with May 27 as the date the bill was presented to the governor. May 27 was Memorial Day. According to the “Official Website of the Florida House of Representatives,” the bill was presented to the governor on May 28. (Screen shots 1 and 2)

Using the May 28 presentation date, the governor has until June 12 to veto the bill (15 days). If he signs it or does nothing by that date, the bill becomes law. There is still time for those opposed to sign the petition requesting a veto by Governor Scott.

Petition to veto HB 87: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/governor-scott-veto-floridas?source=c.fwd&r_by=541906

May 21, 2013

Assault on Wall Street - A Review

Assault on Wall Street - A Review

Michael Collins

Assault on Wall Street glorifies the revenge killing of Wall Street big wigs by a seemingly decent man who lost everything, including his wife, due to the manipulation and fraud of those he gunned down.

Link: http://agonist.org/assault-on-wall-street-a-review/

May 10, 2013

Time critical - Florida HB 87, Homeowners, and the Foreclosure Inferno

There's still a chance, slight but real, that Scott will veto this awful bill. He could have signed it several days ago and he has not as of the end of business today.

Florida HB 87, Homeowners, and the Foreclosure Inferno
By Michael Collins, on May 10th, 2013

A bill passed last week by the Florida legislature offers efficiencies and advantages to banks that may launch a major increase in foreclosures in the state known for its volatile real estate market. The only thing standing in the way is a veto by Governor Rick Scott. (Image: Nathan Rein)

HB 87 shifts the burden of proof from the plaintiff, typically a bank, to the defendant, the homeowner. If the bill is signed into law, homeowners must prove that the bank lacks the legal right to take your home within 20 to 45 days of the date that the bank served the foreclosure notice. The reduced timeline restricts the ability to gather evidence from the bank and test it (Does the bank actually have a legal record of your mortgage?). Without the time to discover evidence, homeowners are at a major disadvantage at the initial hearing or appealing a decision, presuming there are funds for an appeal.

Link: http://agonist.org/florida-hb-87-homeowners-and-the-foreclosure-inferno/

May 7, 2013

All on Board in the Greatest Stock Market Rally Ever (Buyer beware)

All on Board in the Greatest Stock Market Rally Ever By Numerian May 7

The Agonist: http://agonist.org/all-on-board-in-the-greatest-stock-market-rally-ever/

Your choices are not good ones. You can keep your money in cash, making sure it is in a healthy bank and in an amount per bank that is within national deposit insurance limits. That doesn’t guaranty that your savings will not be confiscated in a crisis, but it does improve your chances of holding on to your money. Or, you can invest in the stock market, gambling that this central bank-infused rally will continue forever, and that your money is not at risk of sudden evaporation from a Flash Crash. Sadly, both of these stock market assumptions are wrong, and in this case, two wrongs certainly do not make a right. But as I said before, now is the time to think about these alternatives, before the computers withdraw all liquidity from the market in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.