Something to Know - 7 February

1.  Complicit in the latest of the Wall Street disasters, Standard and Poor's ratings of toxic securities was a factor in keeping the junk moving at a higher value level, even though the financial instruments were loaded with disaster.   Getting Wall Street bosses arrested and tried for their criminal behavior is not going real well.   Taking on S&P is just another step in the right direction.  Hopefully, some good comes out of this effort:

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/print/47966/

2.  Oh, where are the voices on Free Market Capitalism with a response to the critics who claim that profit-motive communication companies don't give a hoot about how the USA provides the best internet and the best prices in the world.  This short piece from Bill Moyers really sours one on our system of the economy:

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/node/47976

3.  In the debate on gun control, there is this element known as "Dooms Day Preppers" that enters the discussion.   Say what one might, they do provide either an element of humorous escape, but at the same time a serious factor in coping with the culture of guns:

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-daum-guns-disaster-preppers-20130207,0,5579638.column

4.   I am going to go back and watch the on-going drama of the manhunt on TV for the ex-cop, hell-bent on revenge and killing in Southern California.   

--
Juan

We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.

 by Kurt Vonnegut