Archive for December, 2009

The Amazing Mugsy’s Predictions for 2010.

Okay, maybe calling myself “The Amazing Mugsy” is a bit of a stretch. So sue me. It’s the final Monday of the first decade of the new millennium (though technically, 2000 was the last year of the 20th Century). Every year at this time, I like to pause to make my predictions for the coming [...]

A Dickens of a Mistake: Plot hole in “A Christmas Carol”?

Ebenezer Scrooge never knew the son of his sole employee, Bob Cratchit, was seriously ill. It wasn’t until Scrooge learned that Tiny Tim might actually die unless he did something to help, that he was actually willing to forego some of his personal wealth to help save the life of a sick child. When Charles Dickens [...]

The Senate Healthcare Compromise: First Impressions (not good)

Last week, the Senate “proudly” announced a late-night healthcare “breakthrough” that abandoned the “Public Option” in exchange for “privately run non-profit” healthcare “exchanges” (read: “co-ops”) and expansion of Medicare and Medicaid. Now, all the details are still coming in, so this will have to be brief. The highlight of this compromise is that it “expands [...]

Buyers remorse. “Seller’s” Remorse.

In 1959, the late great comedic actor Peter Sellers starred in “The Mouse that Roared” (watch Trailer. Full movie), a quirky comedy about a tiny bankrupt nation that decided to declare war on America for the billions of dollars in reconstruction funds they hoped to receive following their crushing defeat (ala The Marshal Plan). Comedy ensues [...]

1.2.3. What are We Fightin’ For? Obama to send more troops to Afghanistan.

Special Edition Country Joe & The Fish said it best in their famed anti-Vietnam War song: “1.2.3. What are We Fightin’ For?” A question I’ve been asking myself since President Obama took office.     Last night, President Obama addressed the nation from the West Point Military Academy to tell us he was sending another [...]