Things to Know - 2 March

1.  The Super PAC (anonymous contributors of big money) is an offensive affront to our political process.  However, while it still exists, it can work both ways.  The shrill twist on social issues by the GeeOpie has "severely" provoked the LGBT community to act, and act in unison as it has never before.  Their money will be directed in money and votes to defeat the GeeOpee in November.  The GOP will reap what is sows:
http://www.nationalmemo.com/article/gay-donors-activists-super-pacs-citizens-united-obama-tammy-baldwin

2.  Keystone XL Pipeline - remember that one?  The energy lobby would like for you to forget, so that it can push it past your sensibilities, using slick TV ads.  So, to refresh your memory and give you an update, there is this piece:
http://www.nationalmemo.com/content/keystone-xl-flim-flam

3.  Olympia Snowe, in her own words, on why she is resigning her senate seat after 40 years of service:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/olympia-snowe-why-im-leaving-the-senate/2012/03/01/gIQApGYZlR_print.html

4.  There is an election in Russia this weekend.  Protests and rallies in the streets have repudiated Vladimir Putin, but there is no viable opposition candidate, so the former KGB agent will probably win.   There is a joke going around in Moscow - An administrative assistant to steps into the office to give Putin the news "President  Putin, you have good news and bad news.  First the good news.  You won.  The bad news is that nobody voted for you":
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/putins-hollow-victory-to-be/2012/02/28/gIQAUbFUlR_print.html

5.  A bad bill was defeated in Congress yesterday.  It was the one that would have allowed en employer to not provide any access to company provided health insurance benefits that it found objectionable.   Since when is an employer more able to figure out what benefits an employee can get than a medical professional?:  It was voted in favor by every single Republican Senator - less Olympia Snowe (see above) #2:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/02/opinion/a-bad-amendment-defeated.html?ref=opinion&pagewanted=print

6.  Paul Krguman delves into the hypocrisy of the Wannabees economic and taxation policies that would make us less solvent that what the current administration proposes:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/02/opinion/krugman-four-fiscal-phonies.html?ref=opinion&pagewanted=print

7.  Credit Unions have seen a huge influx of accounts and dollars coming their way as a result of the Banking Industry's bad behavior.  I have been a credit union member for 45 years, and have no complaints what-so-ever:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-bank-fees-complaints-20120302,0,7419554,print.story

8.  Southern California is a rich melting pot of ethnic diversity.  Yes, there are always negative sensations and problems as changes develop in communities, but changes are not easy.   It is a place of beauty, food, traditions, and a community that is reflective of the future.:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-multiracial-cities-20120302,0,6370978,print.story

9.  You know you are old when you read a story like this.  You consider yourself forward-leaning, progressive, and willing to explore new territory.  However, I am too set in my ways and my understanding of physics and science to even contemplate this plan:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-krikorian-time-20120301,0,3660949,print.story

--
Juan

"Fettucini alfredo is macaroni and cheese for adults."
       -- Mitch Hedberg

"Take the diplomacy out of war and the thing would fall flat in a week."
       -- Will Rogers

"Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future."
       -- Niels Bohr

"He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever."
       -- Chinese Proverb

"So little time and so little to do."
       -- Oscar Levant