Things to Know - 21 May

1.  Bayer makes a pesticide that has been linked to a depletion of bees in Europe and the States of America.  So, what does this have to do with politics and stuff?   Check it out:

http://blacklistednews.com/?news_id=19574&print=1

2.  It is highly unlikely that Bill Maher will be called upon to deliver any commencement addresses at a certain "school of learning".  But then again, he would not consider this a school of learning anyway:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/19/bill-maher-new-rule-liberty-university_n_1530400.html

3.  So, what has the visionary Newt Gingrich been up to lately?:

http://www.nationaljournal.com/2012-presidential-campaign/report-gingrich-campaign-almost-5-million-in-debt-20120520

4.  Romney is having a difficult time finding traction on any issue.  He can forget the equality of marriage vote - the immigration vote - the women's vote, etc.   So, he is going to bank on his experience in business.   Well, think again old Mr Etch-a-Sketch.   You really don't have anything well going for you there either:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-choice-of-capitalisms/2012/05/20/gIQA2h31dU_print.html

5.  Paul Krugman puts the JPMorgan problems into perspective in view of the very recent history of Wall Streets failures.  Nothing has changed, and the idiots who caused the problems are demanding to be free to do the same all over again:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/21/opinion/dimons-deja-vu-debacle.html?ref=opinion&pagewanted=print

6.  Another idea on preserving the financial support for Medicare and Social Security - graduated eligibility:

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/20/entitlement-reform-for-the-entitled/?pagemode=print

7.  This is a great and informative column on the unity, or lack of unity of the "Latino" or "Hispanic" bloc of voters.  It has relevance as it pertains to any GOP thoughts on Rubio for VP.  Mostly, it offers a lesson for many on the diverse feelings of allegiance amongst a bloc of voters that is often just taken for granted by many:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-rubio-latino-20120520,0,1354627,print.story

8.  To further alienate and confirm their stupidity, the House GeeOpee adds a provision to the Defense Budget that would prohibit same-sex marriages from being performed in military chapels.   In addition to this being unconstitutional, what does this have to do with our military preparedness?:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-defense-20120519,0,2303169,print.story

Juan

"According to modern astronomers, space is finite. This is a very comforting thought, particularly for people who cannot remember where they left things."
       -- Woody Allen

"Music is the only language in which you cannot say a mean or sarcastic thing." 
       -- John Erskine

"The will to be stupid is a very powerful force, but there are always alternatives." 
       -- Lois McMaster Bujold

"Education is a state-controlled manufactory of echoes." 
       -- Norman Douglas

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       -- Steven Wright