If journalism were like health care

A satirical look by Nicholas Kristof
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Two columns on the deficit

I'm not a deficit hawk, only a structural deficit hawk.  I only care about deficits when idiot policy makers make them permanent by cutting revenue without spending (Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty is a big winner here). 

So here are a couple interesting columns on deficits and their political causes:

• Paul Krugman notes that Republicans have tried for years to run the federal fiscal ship aground so that they could "drown government in a bathtub."  Well, the ship ran aground, are they cutting government?  Nope, defending Medicare.  And opposing cost controls for the health care bill.  And a climate bill that would reduce the deficit.  Read more 
• Stephen Cohen discusses how the state of American infrastructure is a clear indication we are under-taxed.  Roads, bridges, schools, they need cash to operate smoothly.  Read more 
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Why People Pirate Movies

Dealing with Climate Change Deniers at the Office

Presidential Approval Tracker (back to 1945!)

This is what makes the web great:
The Gallup Presidential Approval Tracker shows approval ratings back to 1945 and lets you compare presidents over the same time frame in their terms. Who knew that the first George Bush was so popular?

And who knew that Obama really is the second coming of Reagan? (at least by this metric)

Knowledge is power, but is it happiness?

Oh, all the games I could have won...

Conservatives say stupid things about snow; media dutifully reports that they say them | Grist

Grist: "snow disproves climate change...This is obviously something that only extremely ill-informed (or stupid) people would say."

But if you're a media reporter, you apparently can't point that out (unless you're a satirist). It's killing reasonable political discourse, and it's just downright sad that you can get away with it.

Demand Question Time

America can benefit from an "unfettered and public airing of political differences by our elected representatives." In the same room, talking to each other. If you think this is a good idea, too, check out Demand Question Time.

How Coca-Cola fought for our right to be obese

MinnPost: "How Coca-Cola fought for our right to be obese"

1. Fund studies attempting to debunk soda pop/fat link
2. Give money to low-income advocacy groups, since low-income folks drink more pop and are disproportionately impacted by concepts like a sugared drink tax (unless they cut back, of course)
3. Profit!

Primary study linking autism to vaccines has been retracted

The myth of the vaccine-autism connection has been dealt a severe blow, thanks to actions by the British medical Journal, The Lancet. Although the study authors had already retracted the original 1998 findings by 2004, the journal has published a full-blown retraction of the original study, excoriating the unethical practices of the doctor who led the "research."

A nice examination of the filibuster issue in the Senate

MinnPost:

I think I agree with Black that the filibuster should simply be dumped. When the parties had moderates, it could work. But right now, it's a barrier to basic governance.

How Google has changed everything